The Hollow Crown.

I just quoted the following to somebody in an e-mail. It’s from Richard II and I like the philosophy. I like to think it applies to politicians, celebrities, bankers, captains of industry, selfish rich folks generally, and the likes of Alan bloody Sugar!

For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground

            And tell sad stories of the death of kings
            How some have been deposed; some slain in war,

            Some haunted by the ghosts they have deposed;

            Some poison'd by their wives: some sleeping kill'd;

            All murder'd: for within the hollow crown

            That rounds the mortal temples of a king

            Keeps Death his court and there the antic sits,

            Scoffing his state and grinning at his pomp,

            Allowing him a breath, a little scene,

            To monarchize, be fear'd and kill with looks,

            Infusing him with self and vain conceit,

            As if this flesh which walls about our life,

            Were brass impregnable, and humour'd thus

            Comes at the last and with a little pin

            Bores through his castle wall, and farewell king!