The Yak

For hours the princess would not play or sleep Or take the air; Her red mouth wore a look it meant to keep Unmelted there; (Each tired courtier longed to shriek, or weep, But did not dare.)

Then one young duchess said: "I'll to the King, And short and flat I'll say, 'Her Highness will not play or sing Or pet the cat; Or feed the peacocks, or do anything— And that is that'."

So to the King she went, curtsied, and said, (No whit confused): "Your Majesty, I would go home! The court is dead. Have me excused; The little princess still declines,"—she tossed her head— "To be amused."

Then to the princess stalked the King: "What Ho!" he roared, "What may you lack! Why do you look, my love, so dull and bored With all this pack Of minions?" She answered, while he waved his sword: "I want a yak."

"A yak!" he cried (each courtier cried, "Yak? Yak?" as at a blow) "Is that a figure on the zodiac? Or horse? Or crow?" The princess sadly said to him: "Alack I do not know."

"We'll send the vassals far and wide, my dear!" Then quoth the King: "They'll make a hunt for it, then come back here And bring the thing;— But warily,—lest it be wild, or queer, Or have a sting."

So off the vassals went, and well they sought On every track, Till by and by in old Tibet they bought An ancient yak. Yet when the princess saw it, she said naught But: "Take it back!"

And what the courtiers thought they did not say (Save soft and low), For that is surely far the wisest way As we all know; While for the princess? She went back to play!

Tra-rill-a-la-lo! Tra-rill-a-la-lo! Tra-rill-a-la-lo!