A Boy and a King

I know this poem is long, but I put a lot of time into it...those who do read, please leave a comment. Thank you very much!
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He sits in his palace made of gold
Pondering a tale a Fool once told
'A man who seeks all that is wondrous and fine,
May be disappointed with the findings he finds'

But this king knew not the intention of the tale
Unraveling the meaning by himself, he did fail
He sought the finest code breakers of all the land
But not one would admit they could understand

To tell a king "all that glitters is not gold"
Would be to grant your life as already sold
For a king can be blind to the kingdom he rules
Assuming his people are simple-minded fools

So the king dined on roast pork and seasoned wines
Disbelieving the rumors of poverty and thieving swine
Until one day a young boy entered the palace
A peasant in rags bearing a silver chalice

He called on the king, surprising the guards
Who heard not a footstep while playing their cards
The king looked up, confusion set upon his brow
The boy waited calmly, not offering a bow

The guards hopped to, but they were silenced with a look
As the king smiled at the peasant and shut his book
"My boy, you are welcome...come take my arm,
Speak freely here, for we wish you not harm"

A single tear rolled down the boy's dirty cheek
Leaving a streak of clean on a face that did reek
"My king," squeaked the child, "I am but eight,
But of all my family, I am the last in a breathing state

"We lost our lobster business two years past,
With such taxes, it's amazing how long it did last
My mother always said things would be set to rights
She starved to death; my father killed himself that night

"I had a sister once too, but she was raped by a drunk
One week later she was raped by friends of that drunk
They stabbed her chest twice, hoping she'd quickly die
Three days she lay screaming before her final sigh

And now I stand before you out of belief, not malice
For one momentous gift, I offer you this chalice
It is the last of my belongings, perhaps worth my life
But I believe if you listen, it will be worth my strife

"Although it is too late for my family, God rest
There are others who are likewise not so blessed
They wait for their king to save them from Hell
I wish you could hear the sad stories they tell

"If you could speak to your people and aid their needs
I think it would begin the planting of great seeds
There is still time for many families to heal
But they await you, my king, to press your royal seal

"The gap between rich and poor must be bridled
It is time to act, time to strengthen your title
Laws must be enforced, for protection is weak
Talk of treason has already begun to leak."

The silence grew long, but the king had to think
On a new chain of revolution, this boy was a link
For too long he had been ignorant of the naked truth
He had heard many stories, but this boy was proof

"Dear child, sorry cannot mend your broken heart
But sorry I will say, for it is a practical start
You have spoken to me true, while others have lied
I questioned my ruling, but answers were denied

"None other has offered to speak so boldly
Perhaps it is my fault, for I often respond coldly
But you are braver than any knight I have yet met
Wiser than any adviser---you have changed my mindset

I will make vast changes, with you by my side
If you would do me the great honor as to comply
Although some may mock my belief in one so young
That same some should be ashamed of the songs they sung."

So the king and the boy ruled together from then on
They shared a kingdom that was healthy and strong
And the people lived happily, and songs they did sing
About a Fool who told tales of a boy and a king