Virgil Or Horace

"Which was the better poet of the two,

Virgil or Horace?" to his master, once,

Said a precocious, brisk, inquisitive schoolboy: —

"First tell me which is best", replied the master,

"The mutton or the salt?" "Why, both are good",

Answered the schoolboy, with a watering mouth,

"But of the two, I like the mutton best."

"Right!" said the master; "Scaliger himself

Could scarce have answered better. My fine lad,

Virgil's the mutton, Horace is the salt;

Both good; but, of the two, the mutton best."