Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Were I a King, by Edward de Vere

Painting by Hans Holbein, the Younger.
Venus and Amor, 1524-25.



Were I a King

Were I a king I could command content ;
Were I obscure, unknown should be my cares;
And were I dead, no thoughts should me torment,
Nor words, nor wrongs, nor loves, nor hopes, nor fears.
A doubtful choice, of three things one to crave,
A kingdom, or a cottage, or a grave.