The Man Born to Be King, from the Earthly Paradise [Pt.1] Ed. with an Intr. and Notes

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 edition. Excerpt: ... THE MAN BORN TO BE KING A KING there was in days of old Who ruled wide lands, nor lacked for gold, Nor honour, nor much longed-for praise, And his days were called happy days, So peaceable his kingdoms were, While others wrapt in war and fear Fell ever unto worse and worse. Therefore his city was the nurse Of all that men then had of lore, And none were driven from his door That seemed well skilled in anything; So of the sages was he king; And from this learned man and that, Little by little, lore he gat, And many a lordless, troubled land Fell scarce loth to his dreaded hand. Midst this it chanced that, on a day, Clad in his glittering gold array,. He held a royal festival; And nigh him in his glorious hall Beheld his sages most and least, Sitting much honoured at the feast. But mid the faces so well known, Of men he well might call his own, He saw a little wizened man With face grown rather grey than wan From lapse of years; beardless was he, And bald as is the winter tree; But his two deep-set, glittering eyes Gleamed at the sight of mysteries None knew but he; few words he said, And unto those small heed was paid; But the King, young, yet old in guile, Failed not to note a flickering smile Upon his face, as now and then He turned him from the learned men Toward the King's seat, so thought to know What new thing he might have to show; And presently, the meat being done, He bade them bring him to his throne, And when before the throne he stood, He said, "We deem thy coming good; What is thine art? canst thou in rhyme Tell stories of the ancient time? Or dost thou chronicle old wars? Or know'st thou of the change of stars? Or seek'st thou the transmuting stone? Or canst thou make the shattered bone Grow whole, and dying men arise And...