BALLADE OF THE PRIMITIVE JEST

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!

Prince, you may storm and ban -

Joe Millers ARE a pest,

Suppress me if you can!

I am a Merry Jest!