Uncrown

1860, Walt Whitman, “Chants Democratic, 2” Stanza 19, in Leaves of Grass, Boston: Thayer and Eldridge, p. 136, I see the clear sunsets of the martyrs, I see from the scaffolds the descending ghosts, Ghosts of dead lords, uncrowned ladies, impeached ministers, rejected kings, Rivals, traitors, poisoners, disgraced chieftains, and the rest.

Tell him from me that he hath done me wrong, And therefore I’ll uncrown him ere’t be long.

[…] this poor fool clung to Lear after he had given away his crown, and by his witty sayings would keep up his good humour, though he could not refrain sometimes from jeering at his master for his imprudence in uncrowning himself, and giving all away to his daughters;

And in the reign of this king was it shown, how though God may choose a king and set him on a throne, […] yet a people is also of God, a part of God, and they may uncrown him, destroy him and cast him forth if he act unkingly.

When rigid Cold in Ice hath all things bound, And Forrests of their Summers pride uncrown’d.

How many mountains did the waves uncrown, Bouncing against them like a batt’ring Ram!

Greedy of Spoils, th’ Italians strip the dead Of his rich Armour; and uncrown his Head.

Go then, with Speed your laurel’d heads uncrown, And leave the silly Farce you have begun.