His courage foes, his friends his truth proclaim;

His loyalty the king, the world his fame.

His mercy even the offending crowd will find;

For sure he comes of a forgiving kind.

Why should I then repine at heaven's decree,

Which gives me no pretence to royalty?

Yet oh that fate, propitiously inclined,

Had raised my birth, or had debased my mind;

To my large soul not all her treasure lent,

And then betrayed it to a mean descent!