His mind, unsettled by the sudden shock,

At length recovering, to his friend be spoke.

"Thy counsels, Trollio, thy inventive soul,

Have gain'd me half my power, secured the whole:

Display thy talents now; exert them all:

Rewards and honours wait without a call.

I dread Ernestus; and my cautious fear

These tidings would conceal, while he can hear.

Myself, ev'n now, some fair pretence will frame,

From this assembly to erase his name.

[Pg 26]

But haste, my friend, to council—should we stay,

Suspicion might comment on our delay!"

This said, they enter'd—at the monarch's side

Sate lordly Trollio, in accustom'd pride.

A mute attention still'd each listening man,

'Till, rising from his throne, the prince began.

"Friends of my heart! to whom your monarch owes

The brightest honours his kind fate bestows;

My empire, unconfirm'd, imperfect still,

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