A Romance

It would be easier to be kind if we knew

We were members of an ensemble that’s destined

To perform the romance we’re now performing

Again and again till each has acted

Every part in the plot, high and low, at least once.

Easier for the king to care

About working conditions in the palace scullery

If he knew he was destined, sooner or later,

To take up the role of scullion.

Easier for the woodcutter’s youngest son,

Who, after many adventures, kills the dragon

Terrorizing the kingdom and marries the princess,

To be grateful for the help he receives from the ferryman,

The old hunchback who poles him across a river

At flood stage without asking a fee.

How could the youth forget his promise

To send the old man an invitation

As his wedding day finally drew near,

Knowing as he would that one day

He’d be assigned to do the poling,

His bad back aching?

It’s only sensible, then, for our prince-to-be

To wait at the palace gate on his wedding day

To lead his friend to a place in the royal pew

For the wedding service and then to assign him

To table one in the banquet room.

But what if next morning the actors are told at breakfast

That owing to conditions beyond control of management

Everyone in the troupe must content himself

From this time forward with playing only

The part assigned him in this performance?

Will the prince turn to his friend and say,

With sincere compassion, “Dear ferryman,

Now that you won’t be allowed the opportunity

To kill the dragon and court the princess,

I want you to know that your room last night

Here in the palace is yours whenever you need it”?

Maybe he will, given his good intentions,

Though the question remains how long

He’ll reserve the room if every year his memory

Of waiting to play the part of the ferryman

Grows more hazy, and his talent for playing

The part of king becomes more clear.