He Loves To Be Loved

 HE LOVES TO BE LOVED

"I hate those who hate me,"

            The Emperor declared hatefully.

"If they don't love me, I don't love them,

            And I will burn them, root and stem."

And he meant what he said.

            He wanted everyone dead

Who had ever laughed at him,

            Mocked him,

                        Defied him,

Denied his right to rule over them.

Once there had been laughter in the palace.

            But he viewed jesters with malice,

                        So jesters were banished,

                                    And some just vanished.

Some said we should "speak truth to power."

            They were sent to the Tower.

Some said we should fight.

            They disappeared from sight.

Now no one hates the Emperor.

We all love the Emperor,

            Because he loves to be loved,

                        And he loves us all

                                    Who are in his thrall.