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Eugene Field - To John J. Knickerbocker, Jr.
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Whereas, good friend, it doth appear
    You do possess the notion
  To his awhile away from here
    To lands across the ocean;
  Now, by these presents we would show
    That, wheresoever wend you,
  And wheresoever gales may blow,
    Our friendship shall attend you.

  What though on Scotia`s banks and braes
    You pluck the bonnie gowan,
  Or chat of old Chicago days
    O`er Berlin brew with Cowen;
  What though you stroll some boulevard
    In Paris (c`est la belle ville!),
  Or make the round of Scotland Yard
    With our lamented Melville?

  Shall paltry leagues of foaming brine
    True heart from true hearts sever?
  No--in this draught of honest wine
    We pledge it, comrade--never!
  Though mountain waves between us roll,
    Come fortune or disaster--
  `Twill knit us closer soul to soul
    And bind our friendships faster.

  So here`s a bowl that shall be quaff`d
    To loyalty`s devotion,
  And here`s to fortune that shall waft
    Your ship across the ocean,
  And here`s a smile for those who prate
    Of Davy Jones`s locker,
  And here`s a pray`r in every fate--
    God bless you, Knickerbocker!
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