Classic Poem

John Bull for pastime took a prance,
Some time ago, to peep at France;
To talk of sciences and arts,
And knowledge gain'd in foreign parts.
Monsieur, obsequious, heard him speak,
And answer'd John in heathen Greek:
To all he ask'd, 'bout all he saw,
'Twas, Monsieur, je vous n'entends pas.

John, to the Palais-Royal come,
Its splendor almost struck him dumb.
" I say, whose house is that there here? "
" House! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur. "
" What, Nongtongpaw again! " cries John;
" This fellow is some mighty Don:
No doubt he's plenty for the maw,
I'll breakfast with this Nongtongpaw. "

John saw Versailles from Marli's height,
And cried, astonish'd at the sight,
" Whose fine estate is that there here? "
" State! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur . "
" His? what! the land and houses, too?
The fellow's richer than a Jew:
On everything he lays his claw!
I'd like to dine with Nongtongpaw. "

Next tripping came a courtly fair,
John cried, enchanted with her air,
" What lovely wench is that there here? "
" Ventch! Je vous n'entends pas, Monsieur . "
" What, he again? Upon my life!
A palace, lands, and then a wife
Sir Joshua might delight to draw!
I'd like to sup with Nongtongpaw. "

" But hold! whose funeral's that? " cries John.
" Je vous n'entends pas . " — " What! is he gone?
Wealth, fame, and beauty could not save
Poor Nongtongpaw then from the grave!
His race is run, his game is up, —
I'd with him breakfast, dine, and sup;
But since he chooses to withdraw,
Good night t'ye, Mounseer Nongtongpaw! "