Henri Quatre

Hold Henri Quatre! gay sovereign! champion strong!
Whose life was one wild scene of love and war,
Here wast thou (thou the heir of all Navarre)
Nursed to the music of a peasant's song;
And well it was, indeed, when thou wast young,
That fearless Truth and social Nature taught
Thee lessons, unto monarchs seldom brought;
And duties, which to men and kings belong.

Be sure, when princes learn,—'midst equal mates,
Frequent denial, scant and rugged fare,
Frank intercourse with social joy and care,
Their virtue from such wholesome lessons dates.
These fit them to breathe well God's human air,
And teach them how to sway the hearts of states.
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