T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Jest
By Robert J. Shores (18811934)“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 |