He hated none, yet none employ'd his thought,

[Pg 11]

Save when he glitter'd in their borrowed beam,

To gain preferment, or to court esteem.

The minister, not tool, of Christiern's will,

He serv'd his measures, yet despis'd him still:

Scann'd with impartial view th'encircling scene,

Glancing o'er all an eye exact and keen,

Advantage to descry; and seldom fail'd,

When Virtue's cause by Fortune's will prevail'd,

On virtue's side his valour to display,

And ne'er forsake it, but for better pay.

And, e'en when Danger round his fenceless head

Her threatening weight of mountain surges spread,

He, like a whale amid the tempest's roar,

Smiled at the storm, nor deign'd to wish it o'er.

'Twas dull instinctive boldness—like a fire

Pent up in earth, whose forces ne'er expire,

By grossest fuel nourished, but immured

In dingy night, shine heavy and obscured;

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