Puppet-show poem

This poem is based on a story told by Baha'u'llah from His childhood.

For the story, see the book "Summons of the Lord of Hosts"

Small world

Witness the king’s royal court
Where powerful struggles are fought
At the end of the day
Its all just a play
When that court is the puppet-show sort

Observe how the courtiers parade
In cloaks made of silk and brocade
How they get in a spat
On the height of a hat
Or the width of a strip of gold braid

Now enter some troops with a captive
Accused as a thief to be active
He gets a fair trial
And in a short while
An axe makes the sentence effective

More happenings follow apace
That typify joy and disgrace
Thus the cord-pulling charmer
Puts on such a drama
Which, when done, he takes home in a case

Well the moral is easily got
In this tale of the string-puppets’ lot
O their life on the go
Makes a wonderful show
But their world is a very small spot