--- title: ""Excelsior" by Bret Harte — Classic Ebook | Publica Now" description: "Read a free sample of "Excelsior" by Bret Harte at Publica Now — a public-domain classic ebook, readable online." canonical: "https://publica.now/creators/vito/works/excelsior" --- Literary # "Excelsior" by Bret Harte [ V Vito ](https://publica.now/creators/vito) Follow $1.99 [ Sign in to buy ](https://publica.now/access?redirect=%2Fcheckout%2Fexcelsior) Secure payment on Stripe. publica.now never sees your card. Share Link copied Format epub Published May 03, 2026 Rating No reviews yet !["Excelsior"](https://fls-a13cb2d7-1b3e-4883-a0bd-297afd110a11.367be3a2035528943240074d0096e0cd.r2.cloudflarestorage.com/works/01kqnpf4hx6g4a81qnxsk03h4t/cover.png?X-Amz-Content-Sha256=UNSIGNED-PAYLOAD&X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Credential=d29ce3bb571c165c97a702f29f7aee93%2F20260915%2Fauto%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Date=20260915T103336Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=3600&X-Amz-Signature=8809ce7fab48df437548a583fe3aaad1c023cc27979c390fa4488f8dbae2465d) ## About this work "Excelsior" by Bret Harte — a public-domain edition published by publica.now. Sample ## Take a look inside The shades of night were falling fast, As through an Eastern village passed A youth who bore, through dust and heat, A stencil-plate, that read complete—“SAPOLIO.” CLEAN PAINT, OIL CLOTHS, FLOORS, WOOD WORK, TABLES & SHELVES with Sapolio. His brow was sad, but underneath, White with “Odonto” shone his teeth, And through them hissed the words, “Well, blow Me tight if here is ’ary show!” “SAPOLIO.” WASH DISHES, PORCELAIN, CHINA & GLASS WARE with Sapolio. On household fences, gleaming bright, Shone “Gargling Oil,” in black and white, Once “Bixby’s Blacking” stood alone, He straight beside it clapped his own—“SAPOLIO.” POLISH MILK CANS & PANS AND ALL KINDS OF TIN WARE with Sapolio. “Try not my fence,” the old man said, “With ‘Mustang Liniment’ ’tis spread, Another vacant spot thar aint.” He answered with a dash of paint—“SAPOLIO.” CLEAN STEEL KNIVES & FORKS AND ALL METALLIC TOOLS AND UTENSILS with Sapolio. “O, stay,” the maiden said, “A rest Pray give us! What with ‘Bixby’s Best,’ And ‘Simmons’ Pills,’ we’re like to die.” He only answered, “Will you try—SAPOLIO?” CLEAN BATH TUBS, WASH BASINS AND SINKS with Sapolio. “Beware them peaks! That wall so bright Is but a snow bank, gleaming white, Your paint wont stick!” Came the reply, “I’ve done it! ‘How is that for high?’” “SAPOLIO.” SCOUR POTS, KETTLES, PANS & ALL BRASS & COPPER UTENSILS with Sapolio. One Sabbath morn, as heavenward White Mountain tourists slowly spurred, On ev’ry rock, to their dismay, They read that legend strange, alway—“SAPOLIO” CLEAN GLASS WARE, WINDOWS, PORCELAIN & CHINA WARES with Sapolio. There on the summit, old and fat, Shameless, but vigorous, he sat, While on their luggage as they passed, He checked that word, from first to last, “SAPOLIO.” CLEAN MARBLE TABLES, FLOORS, STATUARY AND HARD FINISHED WALLS with Sapolio. [ Sign in to buy ](https://publica.now/access?redirect=%2Fcheckout%2Fexcelsior) [ #classic ](/search?query=classic) [ #public-domain ](/search?query=public-domain) [ #library ](/search?query=library) ## Reviews No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts. 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