But these are mere trifles compared with the fate
Which o'ertook him, and which I'm recalling,
When he ventured to joke with an old Potentate,
With results which were simply appalling.
'Twas in some foreign country, far over the sea,
Where he held a small post ministerial
(An Ambassador, Consul, or something was he.
What exactly is quite immaterial).
He told the old Potentate, much to his joy,
That King Edward had sent him a present,