THE CLOWNS' DUEL.
Reading edition
When Jack and Jerry, both of them merry, Met at the circus one day, Over Jerry's crown leaped Jack the clown. And knocked off his hat in play.
Jerry's rage was great, and from the ground straight He leaped ten feet in the air, And as he came down, he said, with a frown, "Replace it, sir, or beware!"
Jack would not comply; the ring-master sly Handed them "pistols for two." They both knew 'twas cruel to fight a real duel— What could they possibly do?
But the duel was fought, and a lesson taught Of sorrow, remorse, and woe. Jack lay like one dead, as heavy as lead, While Jerry with grief bent low.
Jerry, faint with fright, and in a bad plight, Straight to the ring-master ran; But he was afraid; to Jerry he said, "Get him home quick as you can."
To get a long plank was an easy prank, And back did poor Jerry fly. Stiff as a poker lay one young joker; The other with grief did cry;
"He's dead, that's a fact; now how shall I act? I think I'll tip him up so. Now across my back I'll take poor Jack, And then home with him I'll go."
"He's light as a song! what can have gone wrong? O gracious, just look at that! He's straight up and down, like a cast-iron clown Or a clumsy base-ball bat."
"Ho! ho! here's a cask; 'twill be no hard task To put him snugly inside. Again he is straight; but now he's too late, For home in the cask he'll ride. Now, there! isn't he snug—a bug in a rug— Yet I feel awfully bad."
"I can not tell why my poor Jack should die, And leave me lonely and sad. Why, just look you here! If this isn't Jack dear! A joke on me he has played. I'll love Jack, the merry, forever," said Jerry; "Right here shall anger be laid."