Of all to whom old Time discloses
A truth they should have sooner known—
That kings have neither rights nor noses
A whit diviner than their own.

[1] The Goths had a law to choose always a short, thick man for their King.—Munster, "Cosmog." lib. iii. p. 164.

[2] "In a Prince a jolter-head is invaluable."—Oriental Field Sports.

FABLE III.

I saw it all in Fancy's glass—
Herself, the fair, the wild magician,
Who bade this splendid day-dream pass,
And named each gliding apparition.

'Twas like a torch-race—such as they
Of Greece performed, in ages gone,
When the fleet youths, in long array,
Past the bright torch triumphant on.

I saw the expectant nations stand,
To catch the coming flame in turn;—
I saw, from ready hand to hand,
The clear tho' struggling glory burn.

And oh! their joy, as it came near,
'Twas in itself a joy to see;—
While Fancy whispered in my ear.
"That torch they pass is Liberty!"

And each, as she received the flame,
Lighted her altar with its ray;
Then, smiling, to the next who came,
Speeded it on its sparkling way.