Classic Poem

O THELLO'S heart was weathered oak,
And so was his complexion;
He was, no doubt, the Biggest Smoke
In Venice's collection.

He'd served Venezia's Duke, his liege,
From Cyprus to Bologna,
And 'twixt a battle and a siege
Eloped with Desdemona.

An F. F. V., this artless gal —
First Family of Venice —
Who played along the Grand Canal
Splash, squash and water tennis.

She was quite blonde. Her father said:
" By Heaven, this is tragic!
That Dinge could not have turned her head
Unless he'd pulled some magic! "

" I pulled no stuff that wasn't right —
Us Tans and us Gamboges, "
Othello bragged, " can act as white
As any pale-faced Doges! "

Fate loosed upon this twain a man
Of guile and gab, Iago,
More subtle, slick and sinful than
A Buyer from Chicago.

Insinuation was his game.
He used to say: " Old Varnish,
You better watch your Little Dame! —
The brightest love will tarnish. "

Or else: " I could unfold a tale!
But no ... you'd think me boorish ...
You keep your eye upon that Frail ...
You watch her, Swart-and-Moorish! "

No open charge, you understand —
He named no wild young fellas —
But hinted things behind his hand ...
It made Othello jealous.

And so one night he killed his wife ...
Then learned he'd been mistaken ...
" Well, well, " he murmured, " such is life! "
It left him rather shaken ...

Her friends and kinfolks gathered round,
And said: " Old Black-and-Tarry,
You certainly have played the hound! "
Othello said: " I'm sorry!

" Alas! the pillows piled above
The one I should 'a' cherished! "
And saying so he opened of
Himself with prayer, and perished.

The moral is: Don't go and wed
Some shine like this Othello,
But let your parents pick a man
Without a streak of yellow.