The man of pure and simple heart Through life disdains a double part. He never needs the screen of lies His inward bosom to disguise. In vain malicious tongues assail; Let envy snarl, let slander rail, From virtue's shield (secure from wound) Their blunted, venomed shafts rebound. So shines his light before mankind, His actions prove his honest mind. _10 If in his country's cause he rise, Debating senates to advise, Unbribed, unawed, he dares impart The honest dictates of his heart. No ministerial frown he fears, But in his virtue perseveres. But would you play the politician, Whose heart's averse to intuition, Your lips at all times, nay, your reason Must be controlled by place and season. _20 What statesman could his power support Were lying tongues forbid the court? Did princely ears to truth attend, What minister could gain his end? How could he raise his tools to place, And how his honest foes disgrace? That politician tops his part, Who readily can lie with art: The man's proficient in his trade; His power is strong, his fortune's made. _30 By that the interest of the throne Is made subservient to his own: By that have kings of old, deluded, All their own friends for his excluded. By that, his selfish schemes pursuing, He thrives upon the public ruin. Antiochus,[8] with hardy pace, Provoked the dangers of the chase; And, lost from all his menial train, Traversed the wood and pathless plain. _40 A cottage lodged the royal guest! The Parthian clown brought forth his best. The king, unknown, his feast enjoyed, And various chat the hours employed. From wine what sudden friendship springs! Frankly they talked of courts and kings. 'We country-folks,' the clown replies, 'Could ope our gracious monarch's eyes. The king, (as all our neighbours say,) Might he (God bless him) have his way, _50 Is sound at heart, and means our good, And he would do it, if he could. If truth in courts were not forbid, Nor kings nor subjects would be rid. Were he in power, we need not doubt him: But that transferred to those about him, On them he throws the regal cares: And what mind they? Their own affairs. If such rapacious hands he trust, The best of men may seem unjust. _60 From kings to cobblers 'tis the same: Bad servants wound their master's fame. In this our neighbours all agree: Would the king knew as much as we.' Here he stopp'd short. Repose they sought, The peasant slept, the monarch thought. The courtiers learned, at early dawn, Where their lost sovereign was withdrawn. The guards' approach our host alarms, With gaudy coats the cottage swarms. _70 The crown and purple robes they bring, And prostrate fall before the king. The clown was called, the royal guest By due reward his thanks express'd. The king then, turning to the crowd, Who fawningly before him bow'd,