Winston Groom Gump amp; Company

To my lovely wife, Anne-Clinton Groom, who has been with Forrest for lo these lovely years.

THE FOOL'S PRAYER

The royal feast was done; the King

Sought some new sport to banish care,

And to his jester cried: Sir Fool,

Kneel now, and make for us a prayer!

The jester doffed his cap and bells,

And stood the mocking court before;

They could not see the bitter smile

Behind the painted grin he wore.

He bowed his head, and bent his knee

Upon the monarch's silken stool;

His pleading voice arose: "O Lord,

Be merciful to me, a fool!"

The room was hushed; in silence rose

The King, and sought his gardens cool,

And walked apart, and murmured low,

"Be merciful to me, a fool!"

—Edward Rowland Sill, 1868