"Of all uncertain things below The chance of war is doubly so; For this I saw, and this I know;-- Yet, do not fail. "To live, for months on scanty fare, To sleep, by night in open air, To fight, and every danger share; All these await. "But bear them all!--wherever led, And live contented, though half fed:-- A couch of straw, and canvas shed Shall be your fate! "And mind the mark--remember me-- When full of fight, and full of glee, Be of your brandy not too free:-- Ay, mind the mark! "Who drinks too much, the day he fights, Calls danger near, and death invites To dim, or darken all his lights;-- His noon is dark! "It is a friend in a stormy day; Then brandy drives all care away, But, over done, it will betray The wisest sage. "Then strictly guard the full canteen-- Its power enlivens every scene, And helps to keep the soul serene When battles rage. "This potent stuff, if managed well, (And strong it is, the sort I sell) Can every doubt and fear expel, When prudence guides. "Though mountains rise, or rocks intrude, This nectar smooths the roughest road, And cheers the heart, and warms the blood Through all its tides. "Then drink you this, and more," (he said, And held the pitcher to his head) "This drink of gods, when Ganymede Hands round the bowl, "Will nerve the arm, and bid you go Where prowls the vagrant Eskimau,[A] Where torpid winter tops with snow The darkened pole,--" [A] The savage inhabitants of Labrador, or New-Britain.--_Freneau's note._ "Enough, enough!"--(the sergeant said) "Now, suttler, he must go to bed-- See! topsy-turvy goes his head; I hear him snort." "Since I know where to get my pay (The suttler answered rather gay) No matter what I said or say-- I've sold my quart." MILITARY RECRUITING To a Recruit Fond of Segar Smoking ----Ex fumo dare lucem Cogitat, ut speciosa dehinc miracula promat--_Hor._ When first I arrived to the age of a man And met the distraction of care, As the day to a close rather sorrowful ran Yet I smiled and I smoked my segar: O, how sweet did it seem What a feast, what a dream What a pleasure to smoke the segar! In vain did the din of the females assail Or the noise of the carts in the street, With a spanish segar and a pint of good ale I found my enjoyment complete: Old care I dismiss'd While I held in my fist The pitcher, and smoked the segar.