Humourous poetry

The Rhyme of the Ancient Cobbler

The Rhyme of the Ancient Cobbler

A guilder for my tale, sir,

One of riches before

A great tragedy

Turned me poor.

A guilder, my thanks,

And so to the story

Of hard work,

Rich rewards and no glory.

I once earned goodly sums

As a cobbler by trade,

Ribboned dancing shoes

Were all I made.

My wondrous slippers

Went to the noble king,

Each day an order

For twenty four he did bring.

Every night I worked

Stitching the pretty shoes,

In velvet, silk and satins

Of green, red and blues.

I blessed the king

With all my might

For the twelve princesses

Who danced all night.

But woe to me,

That fateful day

A down at heel soldier

Chanced this way.

The king wished to discover

How and where

The princesses nightly

Wore out each pair.

Many princes died

As they failed the task,

Until this soldier

For a chance did ask.

He found the enchanted palace

‘neath the bedroom floor,

Where the princesses danced

Nightly five hours or more.

When he told the king

The dancing did stop.

The twelve princesses

Did not even hop.

So no one wanted

My dainty shoes.

Serviceable boots

Were now what they’d choose

My great income ceased,

I could not pay my rent,

So out into the streets

I was rudely sent.

Thus I fell a beggar,

Free and footloose.

A gift for me sir?

Yes, of course it’s a golden goose.