Now swelling high with proud disdain,

He scorns his meek, his peaceful train;

A thousand wives the monarch claims,

And seizes all their fairest dames;

A thousand slaves attend his will,

A thousand nests his treasures fill;

None for themselves eat, sleep, or love,

’Tis all the King’s—imperial Dove!

Too noble grown for common food,

He longs to taste of pigeon’s blood;