Volume Iv Part 1 (1/2)

The Home Book of Verse.

Vol. 4.

by Various.

PART IV

FAMILIAR VERSE, AND POEMS HUMOROUS AND SATIRIC

BALLADE OF THE PRIMITIVE JEST

”What did the dark-haired Iberian laugh at before the tall blonde Aryan drove him into the corners of Europe?”--Brander Matthews

I am an ancient Jest!

Palaeolithic man In his arboreal nest The sparks of fun would fan; My outline did he plan, And laughed like one possessed, 'Twas thus my course began, I am a Merry Jest!

I am an early Jest!

Man delved, and built, and span; Then wandered South and West The peoples Aryan, I journeyed in their van; The Semites, too, confessed,-- From Beersheba to Dan,-- I am a Merry Jest!

I am an ancient Jest!

Through all the human clan, Red, black, white, free, oppressed, Hilarious I ran!

I'm found in Lucian, In Poggio, and the rest, I'm dear to Moll and Nan!

I am a Merry Jest!

ENVOY Prince, you may storm and ban-- Joe Millers are a pest, Suppress me if you can!

I am a Merry Jest!

Andrew Lang [1844-1912]

THE KINDLY MUSE

TIME TO BE WISE

Yes; I write verses now and then, But blunt and flaccid is my pen, No longer talked of by young men As rather clever: In the last quarter are my eyes, You see it by their form and size; Is it not time then to be wise?

Or now or never.

Fairest that ever sprang from Eve!

While Time allows the short reprieve, Just look at me! would you believe 'Twas once a lover?

I cannot clear the five-bar gate; But, trying first its timber's state, Climb stiffly up, take breath, and wait To trundle over.