Your Chinese use me largely in
Their cookery and medicine;
They know my virtues, nor deny
The praise I ask, however high,
While Europe scorns me, just indeed,
As if I was the vilest weed.
Go; and good luck t'ye; know full well
That you are sure enough to sell,
For nations all, (fools that they are!)
Value whatever comes from afar,
And give their money nothing loth,
For anything of foreign growth."The Swan and the Linnet
Piqued at the Linnet's song one day,
The Swan exclaimed: "Leave off! I say—
Be still, you little noisy thing!
What!—dare you challenge me to sing,
When there's no voice, however fine,
Can match the melody of mine?"
(The Linnet warbled on)—"D'ye hear?
This impudence may cost you dear;
I could with one harmonious note
Forever stop your squeaking throat,
And, if I do not choose to try,
Respect my magnanimity."
"I wish," at length the Linnet said,
"I wish, to heaven, the proof were made;
You cannot imagine how I long
To hear that rich and flowing song
Which though so sweet, by fame averred,
I know not who has ever heard."
The Swan essayed to sing, but—whew!
She screeched and squalled a note or two,
Until the Linnet, it appears,