Bolingbroke (went for broke)

Bolingbroke said you need a king/not any old king: A patriot sovereign

(Basswood. My photo.)

Bolingbroke (went for broke) 

Bolingbroke said you need a king
not any old king: A patriot sovereign 

And he said you should plant 
the plants that king would choose 
were he a bird

An omnivore, remember 

Who prefers the fish of his realm
above all other fish.

When the king came to our lands
he was offered whitefish and alewife
and being a monarch practiced 
in politesse

He tried each fish 
wiped his mouth 
didn't reach across 
his fellow diners
but asked his table mates
to pass the mead

And then remarked: I should be 
honored to bring back a breeding 
pair of alewives to begin a brood 
in the rivers of my realm 

For my subjects will benefit 
from such nutritious fish 
and I, a good sovereign
would prefer a bountiful 
(but cheap) source of provender

For my beloved folk as to keep them
from the good game of my parklands.

When I heard his words
I said: That's a true Tory.

-Jeremy Nathan Marks