Ballad of Women I Love by Eugene Field

It's a comic poem about a man who insists he loves certain women, but the punchline is that his affection is really just for their valuable antique pottery and glassware. His "love" is all about their collections, not about the women themselves.

"Bootless" is an old term that means something like futile or unrewarded. A "bard" refers to a poet. In this context, the narrator humorously labels himself a failed poet on a silly quest for crockery — it’s a playful jab that pokes fun at the language typically found in knightly romance.

Cut glass is crafted by hand through grinding and cutting, which makes it more expensive and sought after. In contrast, pressed glass is created by pressing molten glass into a mold, resulting in a cheaper, mass-produced product. When the narrator notes that Dorothy Pratt's pitcher is "cut, not pressed," it reveals that he is a serious collector with a keen eye for detail.

It's a nickname for Connecticut that comes from a joke about how clever traders in the state were said to sell wooden nutmegs as if they were genuine. By the late 1800s, it had become a well-known regional term, and Field uses it to add a distinct, authentic American touch to the poem.

Not really. The joke is directed right at the narrator. The women are simply living their lives and enjoying their nice things. It's the narrator's greedy, collector mindset of "love" that the humor is poking fun at.

This refers to a pottery item linked to Benjamin Franklin or created in the style of colonial American ceramics. Antique pieces tied to the Founding Fathers were very popular among collectors in the late 1800s, which is why the narrator finds Amandy Baker so "loveable."

Normally, "trumpery" refers to flashy, worthless junk—items that might seem impressive but lack true value. Field uses it here with a sense of warmth, almost as a term of endearment for the spinsters' collections. This word choice enhances the comic tone by implying that the narrator is aware his obsession is somewhat silly.

A ballad typically narrates a story using repeated stanzas and a refrain, often focusing on themes of love or adventure. Field takes that classic structure — complete with named characters, a recurring closing line, and an old-fashioned tone — and infuses it with humor about collecting antiques rather than sincere romance. In this case, the structure itself becomes the punchline.