“I’m killed, sire!” And his chief beside,

Smiling the boy fell dead.

THE FOOL’S PRAYER

By Edward Roland Sill

The royal feast was done. The King

Sought some new sport to banish care,

And to his jester cried: “Sir Fool,

Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!”

He bowed his head, and bent his knee

Upon the monarch’s silken stool;