how to quell a spell

Harold Lloyd, The Freshman, 1925

pickpocket freshman, Harold Lamb, at the Fall Frolic (The Freshman, 1925)

Harold Lloyd (1893-1971) was one of the great comedians of the silent era. His The Freshman turns 100 this year, I noticed. A set piece in the film has Lloyd attending a dance party wearing a tuxedo that is literally coming apart at the seams. Hilarity ensues.

Between The Wars, or
how to quell a spell 

Harold Lamb, aka 'Speedy', class of ‘24, 
just a regular fellow, flits about 
the ballroom floor at the Fall Frolic 
(it was born of his dreams),
with one then another belle attached
as he sidles up to every beau guest—

oh, it's a frantic quest 
to pick from a pocket a flask,
that his antique tailor, there in tow
for every anticipated mishap, 
might obtain the swigs of brandy 
he sorely needs to quell his spells 
of dizziness—long enough, he asks,   
to stitch a gap in Speedy’s tuxedo,
(sleeve, pant leg, down the back,
suspender buttons popped),  
lest Speedy's entire Fall Frolic 
come apart at the seams—

yes, it's apparent: freshman Lamb 
takes it as granted: any young man 
whirling on a ballroom floor 
will store swigs of brandy in his tux—
as if (we wonder) it's a moment in time: 
and men need what they need to quell 
the spell—and remember the war. 

Speedy’s suspenders finally pop.