Whereof the Monarch, when his meal was done,

Took a long draught, to slake his fever heat.

Again he drank, and yet again, as one

Who would have drained that river crystalline

Of all its waves, and left it dry anon:

For in his veins, ofttimes a-fire with wine,

And in his bosom, throne of sleepless pride,

The while he drank, went circling peace divine.

It seemed as though all evil passions died

Within him, slaked was every fire accurst;