The Height of the Ridiculous

The servant’s reaction grows step by

The servant’s reaction grows step by step: grin, broad grin, chuckling, roar, split waistband, burst buttons, and then a fit. Each line increases the

The poet writes in a ‘wondrous

The poet writes in a ‘wondrous merry mood’ and believes the lines will be seen as good. He is cheerful and full of humour while writing.

The poet calls himself a sober

The poet calls himself a sober man and a slender man, while describing the servant as a man of mighty limb. This is humorous self-description, not a s

Ridiculous means too funny to believe

Ridiculous means too funny to believe. Wondrous means delightful. Albeit means though. Sober means clear headed, serious. Trifling jest means a small

After watching the servant’s reaction

After watching the servant’s reaction for ten days and nights without sleep, the poet resolves never again to write as funny as he can.