I Would Fain Die a Dry Death

The American public is patient,

The American public is slow,

The American public will stand as much

As any public I know.

We submit to be killed by our railroads,

We submit to be fooled by our press,

We can stand as much government scandal

As any folks going, I guess,

We can bear bad air in the subway,

We can bear quick death in the street,

But we are a little particular

About the things we eat.

It is not so much that it kills us --

We are used to being killed;

But we like to know what fills us

When we pay for being filled

When we pay the Beef Trust prices,

As we must, or go without,

It is not that we grudge the money

But we grudge the horrid doubt.

Is it ham or trichinosis?

Can a label command belief?

Is it pork we have purchased, or poison?

Is it tuberculosis or beef?

There is really a choice of diseases,

To any one, little or big;

And no man really pleases

To die of a long dead pig.

We take our risks as we’re able,

On elevator and train,

But to sit in peace at the table

And to be seized with sudden pain

When we are at home and happy --

Is really against the grain.

And besides admitting the poison,

Admitting we all must die,

Accepting the second-hand sickness

From a cholera-smitten stye;

Patiently bearing the murder,

Amiable, meek, inert, —

We do rise up and remonstrate

Against the Packingtown dirt.

Let there be death in the dinner,

Subtle and unforeseen,

But O, Mr. Packer, in packing our death,

Won’t you please to pack it clean!