Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-08-26
Kissing---An ancient and sure
test of Intemperance.

| There was custom once, tits said, in Rome,
Which evry Temperance man might try at home
To ascertain by some unerring sign
When Ladies had. against the law, drank wine.
The gentlemen were thus allowed to kiss
Each fair ones lips, who might have done aries
And if the proof should be discovered there
The witness could against the guilty swear,
And doom her, by his oath, to pay the fine
Requird in answer to the laws design;
But what Mis- forfeit was must be supposed
No word of the fact has been disclosed.
What it should be we may hereafter show
That all who sin their punishment may know.
Some females might prefer to be aeeuvd,
And in the trial be so kindly used,
Altho' if guilty Of q certain crime, like this,
The trial could ford but little bliss.
The bee would find no honey in the fow'r
Where alcohol had left its putrd power.
In present days no one need fear to sip
The dew that gathers on n lady's lip.
The test would be more likely 10 disclose
The sweets, as we'll as fragrance of the rose.
But how would gentlemen the trial bear,
If it should be attempted by the Fau'
We fear the consequence would seldom be
From all condition or suspicion free.
What lady present is disposed to make
This rash eschewment for temperance sake!
Perhaps you would most wisely think it best,
To choose some skll'd Inspector for the test,
Who for the pay, suspicious lips would greet
Though she might press the bttcr with the sweet,
As Officers of Customs have to do,
When in their duties calld to taste or view.
If any faster who is called to try
Should catch tartar, she would look awry.
There would be little sma cking of the lips,
As when sweet tooth'd child molasses sips.
1t may be that some men would be AFRAID,
And shut their lips behind the barneade,
Which, like the beard of goats, has been prepar d
That all who world thus trespass might be scar d
They ight as we'll through tangled thickets creep
As risk their lips in bristiy hedges deep
And for courage it would need the least
To brave the Lions mouth for such feast,
Than face the man who lets his moustache grow
foo. or more his hidden chin below.
For taste there's no accounting, allow,
As the old woman said who kissed her COW.
The favor causd by brandy, gin or rum,
Would make a kiss more palatable to some,
While others would prefer to kiss a skunk,
Than one who makes practice to get drunk,
But tho as wormwood bitter, or as gall
The ste migh. be endurd, if that was all,
But who that has relish pure can bear,
The language foul which Drunkards breathe .,
swear,
II lie not that which enters, which = wills,
But cometh from the mouth, that will defle.
But Ladies if you should adopt the rule
The Romans folow'd in their Temperance Sohool
And try yourdoubtful hover, by kiss.
You seldom in a lucky choice would miss.
If in the ordeal they should guilty prove,
And you should hasten 70 withdraw your love,
They would from all offensive drinks abstain
To meet the trial, and your favor gain.
Then try it Ladies It's an easy way
The hearts of men with temperance truths TO sway
To prove their faith and practice by test,
] " hich makes the giver and receiver blest
When, oh think the lips disown the use
OF poisn'd rum and foul sobacco juice.
Prove ALL THINGS.