63
“’Tis a journey that will bring us
Benefits in various ways,
In its every finest nuance
Culture we shall there appraise.
We shall learn there to delight us
In the beefsteak, nor affright us
At the Briton’s tea and trays.
“’Neath the Seine’s new tower of Babel
We the demi-monde shall ken,
Gauge their whimsies and caprices,
And the price of public men:
Sternly prune our robes’ excesses,
For oh! dismal thought! our dress is
Of a date—the Lord knows when!
“But in Berlin town awaits us
Other benefits as rare,
For I shall engage officials,
To instruct my army, there.
Then the whole world in alliance,
When mine ape troops hurl defiance,
To confront us will not dare.
“And then, ah! it irks me sorely
On the throne alone to pine,
Mine impulsive heart compels me
To the wedded state divine.
So at court I’ll look about me,
And ere six months, never doubt me,
Some spruce princess shall be mine.
