For Merit
To Parmentier Parisians raise
A statue fine and large:
He cooked potatoes fifty ways,
Nor ever led a charge.
'_Palmam qui meruit’_-the rest
You knew as well as I;
And best of all to him that best
Of sayings will apply.
Let meaner men the poet’s bays
Or warrior’s medal wear;
Who cooks potatoes fifty ways
Shall bear the palm-de terre.
