It was so long ago that I forget.

_The Showman:_

The proverb says a man can always find One sorrier than himself in state and mind.

'Fore George, it's true. Well, come, then, to the van.

Jane, can you find a meal for this poor man?

"Yes," said his wife. "Thank G.o.d, we still are able To help a friend; come in, and sit to table."

"Come," said her man, "I'll help you up aboard, I'll save your legs as far as Wallingford."

They climbed aboard and sat; the woman spread Food for King Cole, and watched him as he fed.

Tears trickled down her cheeks and much she sighed.

"My son," she said, "like you, is wandering wide, I know not where; a beggar in the street, (For all I know) without a crust to eat.

He never could abide the circus life."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _They climbed aboard and sat; the woman spread Food for King Cole, and watched him as he fed._ ]

_The Showman:_

It was my fault, I always tell my wife I put too great constraint upon his will; Things would be changed if he were with us still.

I ought not to have forced him to the trade.

_King Cole:_

"A forced thing finds a vent," my father said; And yet a quickening tells me that your son Is not far from you now; for I am one Who feels these things, like comfort in the heart.

The couple watched King Cole and shrank apart, For brightness covered him with glittering.

"Tell me your present troubles," said the King, "For you are worn. What sorrow makes you sad?"

_The Showman:_

Why, nothing, sir, except that times are bad, Rain all the season through, and empty tents, And nothing earned for stock or winter rents.

My wife there, ill, poor soul, from very grief, And now no hope nor prospect of relief; The season's done, and we're as we began.

Now one can bear one's troubles, being a man, But what I cannot bear is loss of friends.

This troupe will scatter when the season ends: My clown is going, and the Tricksey Three Who juggle and do turns, have split with me; And now, to-day, my wife's too ill to dance, And all my music ask for an advance.

There must be poison in a man's distress That makes him mad and people like him less.

Well, men are men. But what I cannot bear Is my poor Bet, my piebald Talking Mare, Gone curby in her hocks from standing up.

That's the last drop that overfills the cup.

My Bet's been like a Christian friend for years.

_King Cole:_

Now courage, friend, no good can come from tears.

I know a treatment for a curby hock Good both for inward sprain or outward knock.

Here's the receipt; it's sure as flowers in spring; A certain cure, the Ointment of the King.

That cures your mare; your troubles Time will right; A man's ill-fortune pa.s.ses like the night.

Times are already mending at their worst; Think of Spent Simmy when his roof-beam burst.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Well, men are men. But what I cannot bear Is my poor Bet, my piebald Talking Mare, Gone curby in her hocks from standing up.

That's the last drop that overfills the cup.

My Bet's been like a Christian friend for years._ ]

His ruined roof fell on him in a rain Of hidden gold that built it up again.

So, courage, and believe G.o.d's providence.

Lo, here, the city shining like new pence, To welcome you; the Prince is lodging there.

Lo, you, the banners flying like a fair.

Your circus will be crowded twenty deep.

This city is a field for you to reap, For thousands must have come to see the Prince, And all are here, all wanting fun. And since The gra.s.s was green, all men have loved a show.

Success is here, so let your trouble go.

_The Showman:_

Well, blessings on your heart for speaking so; It may be that the tide will turn at last.

But royal tours have crossed me in the past And killed my show, and maybe will again.

One hopes for little after months of rain, And the little that one hopes one does not get.

_The Wife:_

Look, Will, the city gates with sentries set.

_The Showman:_

It looks to me as if the road were barred.

_King Cole:_

They are some soldiers of the bodyguard.

I hope, the heralds of your fortune's change.

"Now take this frowsy circus off the range,"

The soldiers at the city entrance cried; "Keep clear the town, you cannot pa.s.s inside, The Prince is here, with other things to do Than stare at gangs of strollers such as you."

_The Showman:_

But I am billed to play here; and must play.

_The Soldiers:_

No must at all. You cannot play to-day, Nor pitch your tents within the city bound.

_The Showman:_

Where can I, then?

_The Soldiers:_