William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
John Codline and John BullW
John Codline was ploughing the ocean one night.
And thought Mr. Codline some Frenchman astray.
And in lieu of a word gave Codline a gun.
Cries Codline—“I’ll give you as good as you flung.
So now, my good fellow, see who’s the last word.”
Till Bull cried, “Peccavi,—this ain’t what I meant.
Well knowing the larger—the greater the prize.”
May learn you to profit by loss of your wit.
On Neptune’s highway, on river, or street—
Your ‘ultima ratio’—your old cannon law.”