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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.
God bless the King--I mean the faith's defender;
God bless (no harm in blessing) the pretender;
But read more
God bless the King--I mean the faith's defender;
God bless (no harm in blessing) the pretender;
But who the pretender is, or who is King--
God bless us all--that's quite another thing.
There was a king of Thule,
Was faithful till the grave,
To whom his mistress dying,
read more
There was a king of Thule,
Was faithful till the grave,
To whom his mistress dying,
A golden goblet gave.
[Ger., Es war ein Konig in Tule
Gar treu bis an das Grab,
Dem sterbend seine Buhle
Einen gold'nen Becher gab.]
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.]
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.
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.]
A prince, the moment he is crown'd,
Inherits every virtue sound,
As emblems of the sovereign power,
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A prince, the moment he is crown'd,
Inherits every virtue sound,
As emblems of the sovereign power,
Like other baubles in the Tower:
Is generous, valiant, just, and wise,
And so continues till he dies.
Unhappy France! Unhappy King!
[Fr., Malheureuse France! Malheureux roi!]
Unhappy France! Unhappy King!
[Fr., Malheureuse France! Malheureux roi!]