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

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

To know how to dissemble is the knowledge of kings.
[Fr., Savoir dissimuler est le savoir des rois.]

To know how to dissemble is the knowledge of kings.
[Fr., Savoir dissimuler est le savoir des rois.]

The gates of monarchs
Are arched so high that giants may jet through
And keep their impious read more

The gates of monarchs
Are arched so high that giants may jet through
And keep their impious turbans on without
Good morrow to the sun.

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.

Here lies our mutton-looking king,
Whose word no man relied on,
Who never said a foolish thing
read more

Here lies our mutton-looking king,
Whose word no man relied on,
Who never said a foolish thing
No ever did a wise one.

Ay, every inch a king.

Ay, every inch a king.

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.

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.

Whenever monarchs err, the people are punished.
[Lat., Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.]

Whenever monarchs err, the people are punished.
[Lat., Quidquid delirant reges, plectuntur Achivi.]