Frank the Jester

There's joy in legislative halls
   When Frank's in opposition;
But gloom upon the Chamber falls
   When Frank holds high position.
His merry japes no longer flit
About the House to mellow it,
For cares of office dull his wit
   And mar his life's great mission.

          *     *     *

Frank's mission - and a high one, too,
   Amongst the chiefest rating -
Is to infuse come joy anew
   Into the dull debating.
When speakers drone and lose their grip,
And every member has the pip,
Up rises Frank with merry quip
   And humor scintillating.

But as a Minister, alack,
   His ready wit grows clouded.
For higher roles he takes the sack;
   For in a House enshrouded
By weariness, when members sup
Of dreariness the prosy cup,
And word goes round that Frank is up,
   The benches soon are crowded.

          *     *     *

I feel I earn a nation's thanks
   If I, with due humility,
Suggest for such a wit as Frank's
   A new and fit nobility.
If I'd my way, I'd have him sent
Our happier moods to represent
As "Minister for Merriment
   Without Responsibiiity."