Golden in fhow, is but a wreath of thorns, Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and fleepless nights To him who wears the regal diadem, When on his fhoulders each man's burden lies ; 461 For therein stands the office of a king, His honor, virtue, merit and chief praise, That for the public all this weight he bears. 465 Which every wife and virtuous man attains: Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes, 470 Subject himself to anarchy within, Or lawless paffions in him which he ferves. By fetting forth the duty and office of a king, let the friends of the house of Stuart confider whether he intended any compliment to the king then reigning. 466. Yet he who reigns within himself, &c.] Such fentiments are inculcated not only by the philofophers, but alfo by the poets, as Hor. Od. II. II. 9. Latius regnes avidum domando and Sat. II. VII. 83. Quifnam igitur liber? Sapiens; fibi qui imperiofus, &c. 473. But to guide nations &c.] In this fpeech concerning riches and realms, our poet has cull'd all the choiceft, fineft flowers out of the heathen poets and philofophers who have written upon thefe fubjects; it is not fo much their words, as their fubftance fublimated and improv'd but here he foars above them, and nothing could have given him fo complete an idea of a divine : teacher, By faving doctrin, and from error lead To know, and knowing worship God aright, 475 480 Greater and nobler done, and to lay down Riches are needless then, both for themselves, And for thy reason why they should be fought, 485 To gain a scepter, oftest better miss’d. |