Whose first conception is but sin, whose birth
But pain, whose life but toil, and needs must die?
See here the store of great Pendragon’s brood,
The t’one quite dead, the t’other hastening on;
As men, the son but green, the sire but ripe,
Yet both forestall’d, ere half their race were run!
As kings, the mightiest monarchs of this age,
Yet both suppressed and vanquished by themselves.
Such is the brittle breath of mortal man,
Whiles human nature works her daily wracks: