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THE TWO WISHES; AB EGYPTIAN TALE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In babylon, some ages since
Last Line: "this one request, -- I ask no more!'"
Subject(s): Wishes


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!'"





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