Most every kind and rôle of modern victuals have I tried, Including roasted, fricasseed, broiled, toasted, stewed, and fried, Your canvasbacks and papa-bottes and muttonchops subese, Your patties _à la_ Turkey and your doughnuts _à la_ grease; I've whirled away dyspeptic hours with crabs in marble halls, And in the lowly cottage I've experienced codfish balls; But I've never found a viand that could so allay all grief And soothe the cockles of the heart as rare roast beef.
I honor that sagacious king who, in a grateful mood, Knighted the savory loin that on the royal table stood; And as for me I'd ask no better friend than this good roast, Which is my squeamish stomach's fortress (_feste Burg_) and host; For with this ally with me I can mock Dyspepsy's wrath, Can I pursue the joy of Wisdom's pleasant, peaceful path. So I do off my vest and let my waistband out a reef When I soever set me down to rare roast beef.
I WAS just a little thing When a fairy came and kissed me; Floating in upon the light Of a haunted summer night, Lo! the fairies came to sing Pretty slumber songs, and bring Certain boons that else had missed me. From a dream I turned to see What those strangers brought for me, When that fairy up and kissed me,-- Here, upon this cheek, he kissed me!
Simmerdew was there, but she Did not like me altogether; Daisybright and Turtledove, Pilfercurds and Honeylove, Thistleblow and Amberglee On that gleaming, ghostly sea Floated from the misty heather, And around my trundle-bed Frisked and looked and whispering said, Solemn-like and all together: "_You_ shall kiss him, Ganderfeather!"
Ganderfeather kissed me then,-- Ganderfeather, quaint and merry! No attenuate sprite was he, But as buxom as could be; Kissed me twice and once again, And the others shouted when On my cheek uprose a berry Somewhat like a mole, mayhap, But the kiss-mark of that chap Ganderfeather, passing merry,-- Humorsome but kindly, very!
I was just a tiny thing When the prankish Ganderfeather Brought this curious gift to me With his fairy kisses three; Yet with honest pride I sing That same gift he chose to bring Out of yonder haunted heather; Other charms and friendships fly,-- Constant friends this mole and I, Who have been so long together! Thank you, little Ganderfeather!