Social Commentaries
The Philosopher and the King
Translated by William Cowper (1808) · From Latin and Italian Poems (Cowper)
Social Commentaries
Know this, O King! that if thou shalt destroy
Me, no man's enemy and who have liv'd
Obedient to the Laws, thou may'st with ease
Strike off a wise man's head, but, taught the truth
Hereafter, shalt with vain regret deplore
Thy city's loss of One, her chief support.
Cite this poem
MLA
Milton, John. “The Philosopher and the King.” Translated by William Cowper. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/milton/83/.
Chicago
Milton, John. “The Philosopher and the King.” Translated by William Cowper. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/milton/83/.
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