T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Jest
By Robert J. Shores (1881–1934)| “NOW tell me a jest,” said the snow-haired King, | |
| “Thy wits are a-gathering wool!” | |
| And he bent the fire of his eye in ire | |
| On the face of the motley Fool. | |
| “Nay!” cried the Fool as he bent his knee, | 5 |
| “Never may I smile more, | |
| I have stolen the love of thy lovely Queen!” | |
| And he grovelled on the floor; | |
| “Ho!” cried the King in gladsome glee, | |
| “Ho! Ho! What a King of a Fool!” quoth he. | 10 |
| ’Mid the gorgeous court sat the snow-haired King | |
| And he boasted of his Fool; | |
| He swore the jest was quite the best | |
| He’d heard in all his rule. | |
| “Ha!” cried the King as he slapped his knee, | 15 |
| “Never have I laughed more— | |
| He has stolen my lovely Queen, has he?” | |
| Meanwhile in the Queen’s boudoir— | |
| “Ho!” laughed the Fool in gladsome glee, | |
| “Ho! Ho! What a Fool of a King!” quoth he. | 20 |