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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.”
