From the slow march and muffled drum, br And crowds distrest, br And book and bell, at length I have come br To my full rest. br br br A ten years' rule beneath the sun br Is wound up here, br And what I have done, what left undone, br Figures out clear. br br br Yet in the estimate of such br It grieves me more br That I by some was loved so much br Than that I bore, br br br From others, judgment of that hue br Which over-hope br Breeds from a theoretic view br Of regal scope. br br br For kingly opportunities br Right many have sighed; br How best to bear its devilries br Those learn who have tried! br br br I have eaten the fat and drunk the sweet, br Lived the life out br From the first greeting glad drum-beat br To the last shout. br br br What pleasure earth affords to kings br I have enjoyed br Through its long vivid pulse-stirrings br Even till it cloyed. br br br What days of strain, what nights of stress br Can cark a throne, br Even one maintained in peacefulness, br I too have known. br br br And so, I think, could I step back br To life again, br I should prefer the average track br Of average men, br br br Since, as with them, what kingship would br It cannot do, br Nor to first thoughts however good br Hold itself true. br br br Something binds hard the royal hand, br As all that be, br And it is That has shaped, has planned br My acts and me.