quote · Legacy record
He should be born grey-headed, that will bear The sword of empire: judgment of the life, Free state, and reputation of a man, If he be just and worthy, dwells so dark, That it denies access to sun and moon; The soul’s eye, sharpen’d with that sacred light Of whom the sun itself is but a beam, Must only give that judgment. O how much Err those kings then that play with life and death, And nothing put into their serious states But humour and their lusts! For which alone Men long for kingdoms, whose huge counterpoise In cares and dangers, could a fool comprise, He would not be a king, but would be wise.
He should be born grey-headed, that will bear The sword of empire: judgment of the life, Free state, and reputation of a man, If he be just and worthy, dwells so dark, That it denies access to sun and moon; The soul’s eye, sharpen’d with that sacred light Of whom the sun itself is but a beam, Must only give that judgment. O how much Err those kings then that play with life and death, And nothing put into their serious states But humour and their lusts! For which alone Men long for kingdoms, whose huge counterpoise In cares and dangers, could a fool comprise, He would not be a king, but would be wise.
In print by 1888 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Meaning not yet available
An individual explanation has not yet been added. We do not substitute a generic description for an interpretation of these particular words.
Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Chapman (identity unresolved)
Attribution: unknown - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1888 AD · industrial
In print by 1888: recorded in A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 336 · printed citation: Chapman · subject: JUDGE—JUDGMENT
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.