One President

“What are those, father?” “Statesmen, my child⁠—
Lachrymose, unparliamentary, wild.”
“What are they that way for, father?” “Last fall,
‘Our candidate’s better,’ they said, ‘than all!’ ”

“What did they say he was, father?” “A man
Built on a straight and superior plan⁠—
Believing that none for an office would do
Unless he were honest and capable too.”

“Poor gentlemen⁠—so disappointed!” “Yes, lad,
That is the feeling that’s driving them mad;
They’re weeping and wailing and gnashing because
They find that he’s all that they said that he was.”