Of the reindeer’s bird-like speed;
Let the Arab, for riding post,
Bet high on his mettlesome steed;
Let the Briton talk loud of the chase
With the fox, or the hare, or the stag;
Let the Yankee, stark mad in the race,
Count miles by the minutes, and brag;
The bird of the desert is ours—
Competitors all we defy—
A bird of such wonderful powers—