Proverbial Philosophy / The First and Second Series

by Unknown

The homage thy kingdoms yield thee, regard thou as yielded unto Him;

And while girt with all the majesty of state, consider thee the Lord's chief servant:

So shalt thou prosper, and be strong, grafted on the strength of Another;

So shall thy royal heart be happy, in being humble.

And thou shalt flourish as an oak, the monarch of thine island forests,

Whose deep-dug roots are twisted around the stout ribs of the globe,

That mocketh at the fury of the storm, and rejoiceth in summer sunshine,

Glad in the smiles of heaven, and great in the stability of earth.

A ruler hath not power for himself, neither is his pomp for his pride;