“I have feasted the Fool, I have pamper’d the Knave,
“I have scoff’d at the wise, and neglected the brave—
“And here, Holy Man, Absolution I crave—
“For a penitent now I will be.”
From that moment the Monarch grew sober and good,
(And nestled with Birds of a different brood,)
For he found that the pathway which wisdom pursu’d
Was pleasant, safe, quiet, and even!
That by Temperance, Virtue and liberal deeds,
By nursing the flowrets, and crushing the weeds,