“It is my sincere opinion,”
Said the Minister of Laws,
“That in all of our announcements
We insert the following clause:
“‘The incumbent must agree to
Punish every lying dolt—
Or whoever bears false witness—
With his mighty thunderbolt.’
“For the rabble, in it’s folly
Might betray the royal court—
Perjure itself, disobey us—
Of the Tsar make wanton sport.”
But the Chief of Education
Ventured forth to this effect:
That they, to perform god’s duties,
Some fair widow should select.
She may choose as an assistant,
Which they gladly will permit
Perhaps a howling dervish,
Or some wily Jesuit.
Thus they could run the office
At a much lower price,
Since he himself, if need be,
Would help with his advice.
He slyly calculated
That he would soon control
Widow, as well as office—
Which was his secret goal.
[54]
