The Jester

In bygone days of English history, when the Nobles lived in Castles surrounded by their Retainers, the long winters were dreary enough times. With the first breath of Spring came the Troubadours, with their songs of history and chivalry; and the pursuits of the chase or war were resumed; but it must have been dull work without books or education of any kind, in those dark days. It was therefore usual, among the families of the Great, to have a man who was the Fool, Buffoon, or Jester, generally with a cap and bells, to amuse the guests, and to make merry on all occasions, Hamlet speaks of the Court Jester, during his boyhood, as a very superior man. "I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy! How often was he wont to set the table in a roar." It is evident that these men had really some pretensions to wit and intelligence, though probably what we, in these days, should think of a very coarse character.

A certain Nobleman who kept a Fool or Jester, one day, while making merry at table with his friends, and laughing at his jests, presented the Jester with a handsome staff, a short stick of ivory, mounted with gold, telling him to keep it "until he met with a greater fool than himself."

Some years after, the Nobleman, who had lived a very indifferent life, fell ill, and felt his end approaching. He therefore took leave of his Retainers, and, amongst the others, came the Jester, looking for once, very gloomy and disconsolate. He had always been noted for his faithfulness, and although by his profession a Jester, he was greatly respected for his proper conduct and good qualities. In fact he had been a better man than his Master.

"Well! my poor Jester," said the Nobleman, "I am going to leave you!"

"Going to leave us!" said the Jester. "Why, where are you going to, Uncle?"

"Into another World," said the Nobleman.

"Well! when do you return, Uncle?" asked the Fool, "in a month?"

"No! indeed, poor Fool!" said the dying Baron, with a sigh; "thou dost not understand much of these things. I shall never return!"

"Never return!" repeated the Jester. "Good heavens! Master! then what provision have you made for your reception where you are going to?"

"Why, alas !" exclaimed the dying Baron, "I fear my preparation has not been a good one; I have lived a bad life; I greatly fear, to tell the truth, that I have made no preparation at all!"

"None at all!" repeated the Fool, solemnly producing the ivory staff. "Oh! Uncle! Uncle! Here is your staff! You must take it back again! For though I am a Fool, I have not been guilty of such folly as this!