Sir Marmaduke's Musings

I won a noble fame;   But, with a sudden frown,   The people snatched my crown,   And, in the mire, trod down My lofty name. I bore a bounteous purse;   And beggars by the way   Then blessed me, day by day;   But I, grown poor as they, Have now their curse. I gained what men call friends;   But now their love is hate,   And I have learned, too late,   How mated minds unmate, And friendship ends. I clasped a woman’s breast,—   As if her heart, I knew,   Or fancied, would be true,—   Who proved, alas! she too! False like the rest. I now am all bereft,—   As when some tower doth fall,   With battlement, and wall,   And gate, and bridge, and all,— And nothing left. But I account it worth   All pangs of fair hopes crossed—   All loves and honors lost,—   To gain the heavens, at cost Of losing earth. So, lest I be inclined   To render ill for ill,—   Henceforth in me instil,   O God, a sweet good-will To all mankind.