Part 4 — BALLADE OF THE PRIMITIVE JEST
Reading edition
"What did the dark-haired Iberian laugh at before the tall blonde Aryan drove him into the corners of Europe?"—Brander Matthews
I am an ancient Jest! Palaeolithic man In his arboreal nest The sparks of fun would fan; My outline did he plan, And laughed like one possessed, 'Twas thus my course began, I am a Merry Jest!
I am an early Jest! Man delved, and built, and span; Then wandered South and West The peoples Aryan, I journeyed in their van; The Semites, too, confessed,— From Beersheba to Dan,— I am a Merry Jest!
I am an ancient Jest! Through all the human clan, Red, black, white, free, oppressed, Hilarious I ran! I'm found in Lucian, In Poggio, and the rest, I'm dear to Moll and Nan! I am a Merry Jest!
ENVOY Prince, you may storm and ban— Joe Millers are a pest, Suppress me if you can! I am a Merry Jest!
Andrew Lang [1844-1912]