Comoedus regia (“Court Jester”)
How many shall be touched by my demise,
a king may think who won’t be there to hear
rejoicing at his failure to awake
one morning to his favorite chocolate cake,
his failure in his raiment to appear,
his failure, at last, in the art of lies.
As many as adore him, idolize
him, do his bidding, stand in rags and cheer
him on, as many and more do not quake
in awe or fear of him and will not fake
regret to see him gone. They watched him steer
toward shoals, and such a captain they despise.
Your exit needs a troubadour, a bard,
my king! But, still, some just won’t take it hard.