Classic Poem

Rises to the Toast of " Coffee. "

I

Strong wine it is a mocker; strong wine it is a beast.
It grips you when it starts to rise; it is the Fabled Yeast.
You should not offer ale or beer from hops that are freshly picked,
Nor even Benedictine to tempt a benedict.
For wine has a spell like the lure of hell, and the devil has mixed the brew;
And the friends of ale are a sort of a pale and weary and witless crew;
And the taste of beer is a sort of a queer and undecided brown —
But, comrades, I give you coffee — drink it up, drink it down.
With a fol-de-rol-dol and a fol-de-rol-dee, etc....

II

Oh, cocoa's the drink for an elderly don who lives with an elderly niece;
And tea is the drink for studios and loud and violent peace —
And brandy's the drink that spoils the clothes when the bottle breaks in the trunk.
But coffee's the drink that is drunken by men who will never be drunk.
So, gentlemen, up with the festive cup, where Mocha and Java unite;
It clears the head when things are said too brilliant to be bright!
It keeps the stars from the golden bars and the lips of the tipsy town.
So here's to strong, black coffee — drink it up, drink it down.
With a fol-de-rol-dol and a fol-de-rol-dee, etc...