esoteric theory

if any honour's left after this crunch
there might be time to write another page
about the ways in which the good engage
but that would be too much for this sad bunch
their only standard is the killing punch
the measure of another dumber age
mistaking the old villain for a sage
while the sly rat has eaten all their lunch
so much is written by the foolish horde
about the means by which you reach the throne
but not a word about an honest art
they take the jester for the noblest lord
assume that what they think is what they own
and leave behind a rotten stinking heart