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Fragment: I Would Not Be a King, By: Percy Bysshe Shelley

October 18, 2026 by Editors

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I would not be a king—enough
Of woe it is to love;
The path to power is steep and rough,
And tempests reign above.
I would not climb the imperial throne;
’Tis built on ice which fortune’s sun
Thaws in the height of noon.
Then farewell, king, yet were I one,
Care would not come so soon.
Would he and I were far away
Keeping flocks on Himalay!

Read all of Percy Bysshe Shelley's poems · About Percy Bysshe Shelley

More by Percy Bysshe Shelley

  • Ginevra
  • Evening: Ponte Al Mare, Pisa
  • The Boat on the Serchio
  • Music (I Pant for the Music)
  • Sonnet to Byron

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