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

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

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.

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.

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."

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.

Hail to the crown by Freedom shaped--to gird
An English sovereign's brow! and to the throne
Whereon read more

Hail to the crown by Freedom shaped--to gird
An English sovereign's brow! and to the throne
Whereon he sits! whose deep foundations lie
In veneration and the people's love.

I am the State.
[Fr., L'etat c'est moi.]

I am the State.
[Fr., L'etat c'est moi.]

A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in.

A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.