IN Babylon, some ages since, Death took, one day, the reigning Prince; And so, 't is needless to be said, The heir-apparent reigned instead. (For then as now it was the law, "Le roi est mort!" -- so "Vive le roi!" In the same breath the courtiers sing, "The King is dead!" -- "Long live the King!") The son, on looking round to find What wealth the sire had left behind, With other riches -- more indeed Then e'en a king could fairly need -- A secret chest discovered, where His sordid sire, with anxious care, His golden gains had safely stored, Till now it reached a mighty hoard. "Great God!" he cried, "O, may I spend This ample treasure thou dost lend In charity, and may I live Till not a coin remains to give!" The Vizier, smiling, said, "Good Sire, Your noble aim I much admire; But list, your Majesty, I pray, To what I heard your father say, While gazing on this very chest, Then scarce a quarter full, at best: 'O gracious God! be it thy will,' He cried, 'that I may live to fill This coffer full! Grant, I implore, This one request, -- I ask no more!'" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TUNK (A LECTURE ON MODERN EDUCATION) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ODE TO ETHIOPIA by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE INDIAN'S WELCOME TO THE PILGRIM FATHERS by LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY PAN IN WALL STREET by EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN THE CHURCH OF BROU by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE STEPS OF THE COMMANDER by ALEXANDER (ALEKSANDR) ALEXANDROVICH BLOK |