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Every subject's duty is the king's, but every subject's soul is
his own.
Every subject's duty is the king's, but every subject's soul is
his own.
The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary
commonwealth.
The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary
commonwealth.
Those who want much, are always much in need; happy the man to
whom God gives with a sparing read more
Those who want much, are always much in need; happy the man to
whom God gives with a sparing hand what is sufficient for his
wants.
[Lat., Multa petentibus
Desunt multa; bene est cui deus obtulit
Parca quod satis est manu.]
For God's sake let us sit upon the ground
And tell sad stories of the death of kings!
read more
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,
A partial world will list to my lays,
While Anna reigns, and sets a female name
Unrival'd read more
A partial world will list to my lays,
While Anna reigns, and sets a female name
Unrival'd in the glorious lists of fame.
O, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favors!
There is betwixt that smile read more
O, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favors!
There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to,
That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,
More pangs and fears than wars or women have;
And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer,
Never to hope again.
To be content with little is hard; to be content with much, impossible
To be content with little is hard; to be content with much, impossible
In good King Charles's golden days
When royalty no harm meant,
A zealous high-churchman was I,
read more
In good King Charles's golden days
When royalty no harm meant,
A zealous high-churchman was I,
And so I got preferment.