For Merit
by
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.