Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, KING CRACK AND HIS IDOLS, WRITTEN LATE NEGOCIATION FOR A NEW MINISTRY, by THOMAS MOORE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

KING CRACK AND HIS IDOLS, WRITTEN LATE NEGOCIATION FOR A NEW MINISTRY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: King crack was the best of all possible kings
Last Line: Set the monsters up grinning once more in their places!
Alternate Author Name(s): Little, Thomas
Subject(s): Politics & Government


KING CRACK was the best of all possible Kings
(At least, so his courtiers would swear to you gladly),
But Crack now and then would do het'rodox things,
And, at last, took to worshipping Images sadly.
Some broken-down Idols, that long had been placed
In his Father's old Cabinet, pleased him so much,
That he knelt down and worshipp'd, though -- such was his taste! --
They were monstrous to look at, and rotten to touch!

And these were the beautiful Gods of King Crack! --
Till his people, disdaining to worship such things,
Cried aloud, one and all, "Come, your Godships must pack --
You will not do for us, though you may do for Kings."

Then, trampling the gross Idols under their feet,
They sent Crack a petition, beginning "Great Caesar!
We are willing to worship, but only entreat
That you'll find us some decenter Godheads than these are."

"I'll try," says King Crack -- then they furnish'd him models
Of better-shaped Gods, but he sent them all back;
Some were chisell'd too fine, some had heads 'stead of noddles,
In short, they were all much too godlike for Crack!

So he took to his darling old Idols again,
And, just mending their legs and now bronzing their faces,
In open defiance of Gods and of men,
Set the monsters up grinning once more in their places!





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