Whatever I can say or do.
I'm sure not much avails;
I shall still Vicar be of read more

Whatever I can say or do.
I'm sure not much avails;
I shall still Vicar be of Bray,
Whichever side prevails.

And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

And fearless minds climb soonest unto crowns.

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom
there is no help.

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom
there is no help.

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

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

Princes are like to heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil
times; and which have much veneratoin, but no read more

Princes are like to heavenly bodies, which cause good or evil
times; and which have much veneratoin, but no rest.

What is a king? a man condemn'd to bear
The public burthen of the nation's care.

What is a king? a man condemn'd to bear
The public burthen of the nation's care.

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,

But all's to no end, for the time will not mend
Till the King enjoys his own again.

But all's to no end, for the time will not mend
Till the King enjoys his own again.

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.]