THE LOW KEY LAUREATE

Press, 26 February 1977, Page 12

THE LOW KEY LAUREATE

Bv

WHIM WHAM

One has perfect Confidence because one knows The Performance will be perfect wherever She goes. Anything but theatrical. She enacts her Visit, She doesn’t have to look or act the Part. She IS it. We do our Best, as the State Occasion demands, Studying our Lines and what to do with our Hands When Ministers. Mayors, etc. swell the Scene. Worker-bees or Drones all buzzing round their Queen, Whether fittingly or not. do We need to know? If fitting, it’s her Presence that makes it so. She’s gracious, of course, and our local Politicians Are—all we expect of Persons in their Positions. And I'm a Common Rhymer, no better than That, Not even the Court Fool or the proverbial Cat That can look at a Monarch—Sir, Don’t ask me if This is the Best I can do for Her! Do you think I'm Sir John Betjeman? Not by a long Stretch, man! If I were, I might brandish my Banner In true Laureatelike Manner— I can't really blame Rob Muldoon If 1 sing a bit flat and my Lyre's out of Tune. I'm simply not gifted that Way— I reflect, in Dismay. That a Monarch in Centuries past Might have made such a Poem my last. The Bard's wretched Head would have rolled In the dark Days of old— And Rob's!’—Never mind!—He and I, We both do our Best, as We vie With each Other. We ALMOST achieve A gracious Demeanour, now would You belie; e It? How strange, and how true— If a MIRACLE, too— What Majesty's Presence can do!