Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume IX. Tragedy: Humor. 1904. | | | | Humorous Poems: II. Miscellaneous | | Rudolph the Headsman | | Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894) |
| | From “This Is It”
RUDOLPH, professor of the headsman’s trade, | |
| Alike was famous for his arm and blade. | |
| One day a prisoner Justice had to kill | |
| Knelt at the block to test the artist’s skill. | |
| Bare-armed, swart-visaged, gaunt, and shaggy-browed, | 5 |
| Rudolph the headsman rose above the crowd. | |
| His falchion lightened with a sudden gleam, | |
| As the pike’s armor flashes in the stream. | |
| He sheathed his blade; he turned as if to go; | |
| The victim knelt, still waiting for the blow. | 10 |
| “Why strikest not? Perform thy murderous act,” | |
| The prisoner said. (His voice was slightly cracked.) | |
| “Friend, I have struck,” the artist straight replied; | |
| “Wait but one moment, and yourself decide.” | |
| He held his snuff-box,—“Now then, if you please!” | 15 |
| The prisoner sniffed, and, with a crashing sneeze, | |
| Off his head tumbled, bowled along the floor, | |
| Bounced down the steps;—the prisoner said no more. | | | | |
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