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The first art to be learned by a ruler is to endure envy.
[Lat., Ars prima regni posse te read more
The first art to be learned by a ruler is to endure envy.
[Lat., Ars prima regni posse te invidiam pati.]
St. George he was for England; St. Dennis was for France.
Sing, "Honi soit qui mal y pense."
St. George he was for England; St. Dennis was for France.
Sing, "Honi soit qui mal y pense."
For God's sake let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings!
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For God's sake let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings!
How some have been deposed, some slain in war,
Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed,
Some poisoned by their wives, some sleeping killed--
All murdered; for within the hollow crown
That rounds the mortal temples of a king
Keeps Death his court; and there the antic sits,
Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp;
Allowing him a breath, a little scene,
To monarchize, be feared, and kill with looks;
Infusing him with self and vain conceit,
As if this flesh which walls about our life
Were brass impregnable; and humored thus,
Comes at the last, and with a little pin
Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king!
Cover your heads, and mock not flesh and blood
With solemn reverence, Throw away respect,
Tradition, form, and ceremonious duty;
For you have but mistook me all this while.
I live with bread like you, feel want, taste grief,
Need friends. Subjected thus,
Kings are earth's gods; in vice their law's their will.
Kings are earth's gods; in vice their law's their will.
I loved no King since Forty One
When Prelacy went down,
A Cloak and Band I then read more
I loved no King since Forty One
When Prelacy went down,
A Cloak and Band I then put on,
And preached against the Crown.
Why, our battalia trebles that account:
Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,
Which they read more
Why, our battalia trebles that account:
Besides, the king's name is a tower of strength,
Which they upon the adverse faction want.
Broad-based upon her people's will,
And compassed by the inviolate sea.
Broad-based upon her people's will,
And compassed by the inviolate sea.
Over all good things certain, this is sure indeed,
Suffer not the old King, for we know the breed.
Over all good things certain, this is sure indeed,
Suffer not the old King, for we know the breed.
Titles are abolished; and the American Republic swarms with men
claiming and bearing them.
Titles are abolished; and the American Republic swarms with men
claiming and bearing them.