Читать книгу The Greatest German Classics (Vol. 1-14) - Various - Страница 75

Thy duty and thy interest calmly weigh.

Sithence King Thoas lost his son and heir,

Among his followers he trusts but few,

And trusts those few no more as formerly.

With jealous eye he views each noble's son

As the successor of his realm, he dreads

A solitary, helpless age—perchance

Sudden rebellion and untimely death.

A Scythian studies not the rules of speech,

And least of all the king. He who is used

To act and to command, knows not the art,

From far, with subtle tact, to guide discourse

Through many windings to its destin'd goal.

Thwart not his purpose by a cold refusal,

By an intended misconception. Meet,

With gracious mien, half-way the royal wish.