Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

From the New England Galaxy.
BULL AND FROG.

'Tis said 'mong nations here below
(The truth of which to fully know
I am not, being in the dark, able)
The French for temperance are remarkable:
Temperance in eating and in drinking;
Not in their deeds or modes of thinking.
A given quantity of meat,
Both in land service and a fleet,
From mode of cooking will content
Of French a hungry regiment-
For which of English or of Yankee
A regiment would scarce say thank ye.'
An ox in soup will go the further
To nerve for battle and for murder,
Than if the same you roast or fry-
As regiment to company.
[Frisky,
So pure French wine will make more
Than English beer or Yankee whiskey
Especially as those for thirst
Alone will drink-but these for gust.
Whether my statement mathematic
Be true, or, like my verse, erratic,
Others, more skill'd than I, may note:
I'll tell a simple anecdote.
An Englishman, the story goes,
Call'd on a Frenchman once to close
A piece of business: when completed,
The latter ask'd if he'd be treated
To brandy, wine, punch or liqueur-
"I'll look, (says Bull) I'm not quite sure;"
Drawing his watch-'No sir, I think
'Tis not my usual time to drink;
"When that arrives, I'll call him ass
"Who says I ever baulk my glass."
"Mon Dieu! (cries Frog) why what a sort
"Of watch you got! me give you for't-
"Just such a price you please apply;
"Twill tell me when I shall be dry."