… those words rang round the banquet hall,
and conversation ceased.
The bright assembly, one and all –
each knight, each earl, each priest,
the King, the Queen, the servants too,
all gazed upon old Jack.
The guardsmen wondered what to do,
“What – drag him to the rack?”
The grave archbishop then arose
and stood before the crowd;
he waved his fist before Jack’s nose
and said “It’s not allowed
to speak such treason of the King –
dost thou make him a fool?”
But Jack replied, “Why, no such thing!
That breaks the oldest rule…
… The good Lord made us how we be,”
said Jack, his back erect.
“It ain’t up to the likes of me
the Lord’s work to perfect!”
The King had power to order death,
but he began to laugh,
and old Jack said, (beneath his breath)…
“Too bloody close by half!”
In a list
A contest entry
- The Most Ancient and Noble Art of Jesterdom by MerelyMadness.
600 points, ended April 21, 2008, 7 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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I quite enjoyed reading this poem, skillfully depicting the possible aftermath of a well-implemented insult at the king's expense. The only thing is that now I'm wondering what it was that Jack said that got him so close to earning "a double measure of displeasure". The rhyming was great, the meter near flawless, and the last two lines were truly reminiscent of my personal idea of jesters. Well done, and thank you for entering my contest.
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Ah, I thought it was obvious that the title of the poem was what Jack said to bring the room to a dead stop. "The King's a fool!"
Thanks for the silver.
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Mairi
I highly doubt this Court Jester could rhyme half as good as you! But he is you, isn't it?
Cheers to both!
I saw a couple of the entries in this, have fun!
John
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Hola Juanito - que tal?
Thanks for your visit. I am glad you liked this one. It's a wee piece of nonsense, but I had fun composing it.
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hehe... this is truly a wonderful read. Oh what fun this is, I love the sing song beat. Please excuse Allan. I take responsibility for his rudeness.
Love,
Amera
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Och he can take his own responsibility, sis... and he wasn't really being rude. I am glad you like this.
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charming and oh, sooooo delightful! This is a winner, my friend. I stand in awe of your talent. Love, lane
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Och Lane, it's a wee piece of nonsense, but thank you for the compliment anyhow. It's praise from an Empress.
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I hope Jeff takes a shottong
at making things more hottong
so he can get a bottong
at such a funky mottong
as long as he's not chottong
The king is a fink! Very entertaining write. Thanks.
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{giggling uncontrollably} The Fing is a kink!
Thanks for the bunnies.
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The fool was there to keep the King in check
To show the court that God would take the lead
The Kings as man had weight around his neck
But God it was gave power to each deed
Jesters rarely feared the wrath of Kings
For Kings who did not laugh were thought as fools
And surely for the Jester talent brings
Rewards for those who follow all the rules!
OK this contest is hottong up, I think I may throw my two penn'rth later. And that will be the only "religious" poem you see out of me on AP!
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I like it when things hottong up
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