256 COMIC PIECES. 



" This casket," he cried, with extravagant mirth, 

 "You must give to the greatest of fools upon earth." 



Sedately the Dervise observed the command, 



And carefully went the gems' owner to find ; 

 Great fools in abundance he found in the land, 



But to each of them gravely he said in his mind, 

 " Thou art a great goose, my good friend, I allow, 

 But perhaps I may yet find a greater than thou" 



O'er the regions adjoining he rambled in vain ; 



All the land of the Tartars he wandered around, 

 And then to the Bosphorus cross'd he the main, 



Where a people half frantic with terror he found ; 

 With surprise he regarded the mob so delighted, 

 And with more when an Iman the reason recited. 



With a bowstring the sultan has graciously sent 

 His vizier to take a short message to heaven ; 

 These affairs give the faithful amazing content, 



And oft this content by the sultan is given. 

 " What often ?" the sage with astonishment cried, 

 " Of late VERY often," the Iman replied. 



The Dervise went on, "Is a successor named ?" 

 " O yes, with a form and magnificence meet, 

 This man," said the Iman, " I heard him proclaim' d, 



There, there, you may see him, he's now in the street." 

 The Dervise beheld him, with wonder he saw, 

 In the newly made vizier, his friend the Pasha. 



"You still have the casket?" the Vizier began, 



For well the grim face of the Dervise he kenn'd " 

 Said the Dervise, " In vain long I sought for the man, 



For whom you design'd it my search has its end ; 

 The jewels belong to no mortal but you, 

 They are YOURS, mighty Vizier, accept them ADIEU." 



LONDON : 

 C. F. HODGSON, PRINTER, 1 COUCH-SQUARE, FLEET-STREET. 



