Liberty.

Ah, liberty! how like thou art

To this large bottle lying here,

Which yesterday from foreign mart,

Came filled with potent English beer!

A touch of steel — a hand — a gush —

A pop that sounded far and near —

A wild emotion — liquid rush —

And I had drunk that English beer!

And what remains? — An empty shell!

A lifeless form both sad and queer,

A temple where no god doth dwell —

The simple memory of beer.

William Aytoun