Chronicles and Characters :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Cardinal to the Clergy cried
“Six millions for the State!”
The Archbishop of Sens replied
“God save the King! the great
And ancient rule hath been alway
That for the Public Good
The Clergy pray, the People pay,
The Nobles give their blood.”

2.

‘Good!’ said the Spirit of the Age,
‘Give and take is a doctrine sage.’

3.

So, when the Royal Power had need
Of more than priestly prayer,
The Nobles for the Throne did bleed:
And then the Nobles were
The masters. When the Royal Power
Said to the People ‘Pay!’
It was their dower that, from that hour,
The masters rested they.

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4.

‘Good!’ saith the Spirit of the Age,
‘Give and take is a doctrine sage.’