Page:Two Mock Epics (Hanuman and Tantum Religio), Lyrics, Post Meridian Verse, The Turret Captain's Toast and other Verses.pdf/34

 Where bright above me beams the goal transcendent:

An apedom dressed, un-tailed and independent.”

Applausive cries and clappings hailed the royal

Harangue, ay, one ape wishing, all too loyal,

To clap with all four palms at once, was found

After a thundering fall, upon the ground.

(For courtiers’ arts e’en apes have not neglected.)

But well the quick-eyed monarch’s glance detected

Not from the heart those cries applausive flowed;

And therefore vexed, for sympathy he searches

Where lower, and most near the throne, bestrode

A trunk of elephant, ’neath the little church’s

Domelet, an ape, as Bhandragura noted,

Noblest of all for lofty lineage voted;

Of this rare magnate, then, the prince inquired:

“Our well loved Bhandragura, say, in verity,

What think’st thou of our plan? and be inspired

In thy reply with frank, complete sincerity.”

Then bowing low responded Bhandragura:

“Flattery apart, thy speech, O Majesty!

Ah! ’twas one string of splendid thoughts, ay, sure a

Necklace—each word a pearl of wisdom high.

Blots on the sun I easier could detect

Than on the work thy genius has created.

A miracle of wit it must be rated,

And perfect through and through in each respect.

Above all, as to dress, in me, O Sire!

You’ll find a preacher full of faith and fire.

Ah, me! with what delight I, too, had ruffled

In that brave hat of thine; my body muffled

In that fine frock, those picturesque cut breeches;

But where to find ’em—that the one small hitch is.”