The Tea and the Sage
The Tea from China on her way,
Met in some sea, or gulf, or bay—
(Would to her log I might refer!)
The Sage, who thus accosted her:
“Sister—ahoy! ho—whither bound?”
“I leave,” she said, “my native ground
For Europe’s markets, where, I’m told,
They purchase me by weight of gold.”
“And I,” the Sage replied, “am seeking
The route to Canton or to Peking;
Your Chinese use me largely in
Their cookery and medicine;
They know my virtues, nor deny
The praise I ask, however high,
While Europe scorns me, just indeed,
As if I was the vilest weed.
Go; and good luck t’ye; know full well
That you are sure enough to sell,
For nations all, (fools that they are!)
Value whatever comes from afar,
And give their money nothing loth,
For anything of foreign growth.”