The king reigns but does not govern.
[Fr., Le roi regne, il ne gouverne pas.]

The king reigns but does not govern.
[Fr., Le roi regne, il ne gouverne pas.]

Ah! vainest of all things
Is the gratitude of kings.

Ah! vainest of all things
Is the gratitude of kings.

I am monarch of all I survey,
My right there is none to dispute,
From the centre read more

I am monarch of all I survey,
My right there is none to dispute,
From the centre all round to the sea,
I am lord of the fowl and the brute.

A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties read more

A substitute shines brightly as a king
Until a king be by, and then his state
Empties itself, as dot an inland brook
Into the main of waters.

Knowest thou not that kings have long hands?
[Lat., An nescis longos regibus esse manus?]

Knowest thou not that kings have long hands?
[Lat., An nescis longos regibus esse manus?]

And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

The king reigns but does not govern.
[Ger., Der Konig herrscht aber regiert nicht.]

The king reigns but does not govern.
[Ger., Der Konig herrscht aber regiert nicht.]

I give this heavy weight from off my head
And this unwieldy sceptre from my hand,
The read more

I give this heavy weight from off my head
And this unwieldy sceptre from my hand,
The pride of kingly sway from out my heart.
With mine own tears I wash away my balm,
With mine own hands I give away my crown,
With mine own tongue deny my sacred state,
With mine own breath release all duty's rites.

All kings is mostly rapscallions.

All kings is mostly rapscallions.