This Too

In a distant land lived a mighty king
And he asked his men for a magic ring
That could serve him in both his misery and joy
And so his servants searched, they searched far and wide
But no such ring did the servants find
They had given up, they were out of time and hope

‘Til seeking solace in a wise man,
They were delivered from their terrible task
How the servants’ hearts did swoon and sing
As the wise man carved into a ring
This too, this too shall pass

So the mighty king was quite satisfied
With the wise man’s ring, though his foolish pride
Wouldn’t let the words sink into his mind just yet
And as his kingdom grew, so the people cheered
And the ring’s whisper became hard to hear
While the wealth and health and fame kept fear at bay

‘Til one bright morning in the courtyard
The king was standing to address the mass
When the light did fall upon his ring
And the king recalled the prophecy
This too, this too shall pass

For not a stone would be left standing
And every mountain’d be laid low at last
But the king would bow as he greeted death
And he’d sing out loud with his fleeting breath
This too this too shall pas