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But when by sad disasters tried,
They sought his aid again,
And begged he would the kingdom guide,
And as their sovereign reign.
They sought his aid again,
And begged he would the kingdom guide,
And as their sovereign reign.
"Ah! could I only think," he said,
"Taught in affliction's school,
That you the righteous path would tread
Then would I o'er you rule.
"Taught in affliction's school,
That you the righteous path would tread
Then would I o'er you rule.
"But nations never yet for long
Have been by wisdom swayed,
Reason than passion's far less strong,
And truth's with treachery paid.
Have been by wisdom swayed,
Reason than passion's far less strong,
And truth's with treachery paid.
"As king I must my own soul lose
To gain ingratitude,
Wherefore the path of peace I choose,
Where no false shows delude.
To gain ingratitude,
Wherefore the path of peace I choose,
Where no false shows delude.
"Ambition's but a will o' th' wisp,
Wealth's but a pedlar's pack,
Beauty is but a shining lure
The souls of men to wreck.
Wealth's but a pedlar's pack,
Beauty is but a shining lure
The souls of men to wreck.
"Mine are the stars, the sun, the moon,
Valleys and mountains mine;
All things yield up some precious boon
To make my life divine.
Valleys and mountains mine;
All things yield up some precious boon
To make my life divine.
"When morning breaks I greet the sun
With ever-new delight,
And still, when he his course has run,
Welcome no less the night.
With ever-new delight,
And still, when he his course has run,
Welcome no less the night.
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