THE LION’S COUNCIL OF STATE

A Lion held a court for state affairs.

Why? That is not your business, sir—’twas theirs.

He called the elephants for councilors. Still

The council-board was incomplete,

And the king deemed it fit

With asses all the vacancies to fill.

Heaven help the state, for lo! the bench of asses

The bench of elephants by far surpasses.

“He was a fool, th’ aforesaid king,” you’ll say;