Long and loud they shouted some mocking some sincere: “Long live the king! God save the king! May the king live forever!” Some who liked the king meant: “Long live the king!” Others who revered him meant: “God save the king!” And a few who loved their king meant: “May the king live forever!” Transcending the obvious they chose the illogical hope outweighing reason happiness fate They were the weak ones not strong enough for sense silly in nostalgia happily deceived Joining them I accept the disproved deny history ignore jeers I say: “Long live our friendship! God save our friendship! May our friendship live forever!”