What pleasures have great princes? These: to know br Themselves reputed mad with pride or power; br To speak few words -- few words and short bring low br This ancient house, that city with flame devour; br br To make old men, their father's enemies, br Drunk on the vintage of the former age; br To have great painters show their mistresses br Naked to the succeeding time; engage br br The cunning of able, treacherous ministers br To serve, despite themselves, the cause they hate, br And leave a prosperous kingdom to their heirs br Nursed by the caterpillars of the state; br br To keep their spies in good men's hearts; to read br The malice of the wise, and act betimes; br To hear the Grand Remonstrances of greed br Led by the pure; cheat justice of her crimes; br br To beget worthless sons and, being old, br By starlight climb the battlements, and while br The pacing sentry hugs himself for cold, br Keep vigil like a lover, muse and smile, br br And think, to see from the grim castle steep br The midnight city below rejoice and shine: br "There my great demon grumbles in his sleep br And dreams of his destruction, and of mine.