The Great American Novel

by William Carlos Williams

Great men of America! O very great men of America please lend me a penny so I wont have to go to the opera.

Why not capitalise Barnum—?

Bravo, bravo mon vieux! A noble apostrophe to your country but don't you realize that it is not a matter of country but the time—The time.

For God's sake Charlie bring a lemon pie.

So they lay in the little brook and let the cold water run up their bare bellies.

[CHAPTER VI]

In spite of the moon in mid sky and the plaster of dully shining leaves on the macadam and all the other signs of the approach of fine weather there rang in his head: Such a cuddle muddle: Is that modern German poetry? I never saw such a lot of things mixed together under one title. These are modern times, Pa, airships and automobiles; you cover space—

And that's all right—

O America! Turn your head a little to the left please. So. Now are you ready? Watch my hand. Now: Lohengrin in ITALIAN, SUNG AT MANHATTAN—San Carlo Company Revives Wagner Opera, with Anna Fitziu as Elsa.