The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe :: :: University of Virginia Library

In Babylon, some ages since,
Death took, one day, the reigning Prince;
And so, 't is needless to be said,
The heir-apparent reigned instead.
(For then as now it was the law,
“Le roi est mort!”—so “Vive le roi!”
In the same breath the courtiers sing,
“The King is dead!”—“Long live the King!”)

The son, on looking round to find
What wealth the sire had left behind,
With other riches—more indeed
Then e'en a king could fairly need—
A secret chest discovered, where
His sordid sire, with anxious care,
His golden gains had safely stored,
Till now it reached a mighty hoard.
“Great God!” he cried, “O, may I spend
This ample treasure thou dost lend
In charity, and may I live
Till not a coin remains to give!”

The Vizier, smiling, said, “Good Sire,
Your noble aim I much admire;
But list, your Majesty, I pray,
To what I heard your father say,
While gazing on this very chest,
Then scarce a quarter full, at best:
‘O gracious God! be it thy will,’
He cried, ‘that I may live to fill
This coffer full! Grant, I implore,
This one request,—I ask no more!’”