 | [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings |  |
II.
“Ah, what, while such power and such treasure possessing,”
(A courtier, astonish'd, stept forward and cried,)
“Could fortune bestow in exchange for the blessing?”
And thus to the courtier the king straight replied:
“Health, a cottage, few friends and a heart all my own
Were Heav'n, in exchange for the cares of a throne!”
(A courtier, astonish'd, stept forward and cried,)
“Could fortune bestow in exchange for the blessing?”
And thus to the courtier the king straight replied:
“Health, a cottage, few friends and a heart all my own
Were Heav'n, in exchange for the cares of a throne!”
“Then, sire, if no longer to empire you cling,
Seek these, and be happy, and let me be king!”
Seek these, and be happy, and let me be king!”
| [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings | |