University of Virginia Library


179

[A king, in times long, long gone by]

A king, in times long, long gone by,
Said to his lazy jester:
“If I were you and you were I
My moments merrily would fly—
No care nor grief to pester.”
“The reason, Sire, that you would thrive,”
The fool said—“if you'll hear it—
Is that of all the fools alive
Who own you for their sovereign, I've
The most forgiving spirit.”
Oogum Bem.