There are two phrases, you must know, <br /> So potent (yet so small) <br />That wheresoe'er a man may go <br /> He needs none else at all; <br />No servile guide to lead the way <br /> Nor lackey at his heel, <br />If he be learned enough to say <br /> "Comme bien" and "Wie viel." <br /> <br />The sleek, pomaded Parleyvoo <br /> Will air his sweetest airs <br />And quote the highest rates when you <br /> "Comme bien" for his wares; <br />And, though the German stolid be, <br /> His so-called heart of steel <br />Becomes as soft as wax when he <br /> Detects the words "Wie viel." <br /> <br />Go, search the boulevards and rues <br /> From Havre to Marseilles-- <br />You'll find all eloquence you use <br /> Except "Comme bien" fails; <br />Or in the country auf der Rhine <br /> Essay a business deal <br />And all your art is good fuhr nein <br /> Beyond the point--"Wie viel." <br /> <br />It matters not what game or prey <br /> Attracts your greedy eyes-- <br />You must pursue the good old way <br /> If you would win the prize; <br />It is to get a titled mate <br /> All run down at the heel, <br />If you inquire of stock effete, <br /> "Comme bien" or "Wie viel." <br /> <br />So he is wise who envieth not <br /> A wealth of foreign speech, <br />Since with two phrases may be got <br /> Whatever's in his reach; <br />For Europe is a soulless shrine <br /> In which all classes kneel <br />Before twin idols, deemed divine-- <br /> "Comme bien" and "Wie viel."<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/twin-idols/
