Do you recall when you first used a fork?
That four-pronged instrument of the table!
For centuries, the fork had but three prongs
that could be recruited as a weapon,
which is why the diplomat Richelieu
added the fourth prong to prevent fork fights
that could injure another diplomat
when conversation became partisan.
*
Richelieu required guests to check knives
before being seated for a banquet.
Their place-setting featured the beveled knife
Richelieu invented to prevent fights.
*
You could still splash your wine on someone’s face
if one ran out of quite clever insults…