Preserved it well, and, by his will, declared

It should forever in his house remain?

At last when death came near, he called the son

Whom he loved best, and gave to him the ring,

With one strict charge:—“My son, when you must die,

Let this be given to your own darling child—

The son whom you love best, without regard

To any rights of birth.”—’Twas thus the ring

Was always passed on to the best-beloved.

Sultaùn! you understand me?