Have gravely consulted, and grandly decreed—

The improper prescription of things alcoholic

Is really very improper indeed:—

But Mr. F. C.

Skey says, says he,

This pompous announcement is fiddledee!

For you cannot prescribe—here he deals in ironics—

To skilful practitioners what they should give;

And the question must frequently turn upon topics

Of whether the patient’s to die, or to live.