This poem by John Hay, an American author and statesman, tells of a discontented, ill-tempered king, whose wisest doctor said he could only get well by sleeping one night in the shirt of a happy man. His kingdom was searched for a happy man, but the only man who was happy was so poor that he had no shirt at all. Thus was the rich, discontented king made to feel shame, and to realise that a contented mind is far better than great possessions.
THE King was sick. His cheek was red,
And his eye was clear and bright;
He ate and drank with a kingly zest,
And peacefully snored at night.
But he said he was sick, and a king should know,
And doctors came by the score;
They did not cure him. He cut off their heads,
And sent to the schools for more.