Page:Poetry, a magazine of verse, Volume 7 (October 1915-March 1916).djvu/243



Last summer I Columbused John, in Prague, that deadly Bush League town— I'd quit 'em cold on pictures and cathedrals for awhile. I hung around for Ma and Sis (Good Lord, there wasn't one they'd miss— Pale martyrs till you couldn't sleep, Madonnas by the mile!)

I read some dope in Baedeker about a tablet on the bridge, And how they slipped this poor old scout the double cross for fair. I'm off high-brow historic truck, but Father John of Nepomuc, You must admit he was the goods. Believe me, he was there!

The king was Wenzei Number Four. John was sky-pilot for the court. King gets a hunch that Mrs. King has something on her mind. He goes to sleuthing more and more. He says, "Gadzooks! I'll have their gore!" (Don't ever let 'em string you on that bunk that love is blind!)

The queen—I'll bet she was some queen——she tangoes blithely on her way.