There is a certain Yankee phrase br I always have revered, br Yet, somehow, in these modern days, br It's almost disappeared; br It was the usage years ago, br But nowadays it's got br To be regarded coarse and low br To answer: 'I guess not!' br br The height of fashion called the pink br Affects a British craze-- br Prefers 'I fancy' or 'I think' br To that time-honored phrase; br But here's a Yankee, if you please, br That brands the fashion rot, br And to all heresies like these br He answers, 'I--guess not!'-- br br When Chaucer, Wycliff, and the rest br Express their meaning thus, br I guess, if not the very best, br It's good enough for us! br Why! shall the idioms of our speech br Be banished and forgot br For this vain trash which moderns teach? br Well, no, sir; I guess not! br br There's meaning in that homely phrase br No other words express-- br No substitute therefor conveys br Such unobtrusive stress.