And quit in momentary flight the field.

Or if some deep-mouth'd demagogue should blow

The flame of war, and bid its fury glow,

Yet well-told fiction and inventive art

With milder force can turn the vulgar heart.

Rais'd by a breath their swelling clamours rise,

And with a breath their vain opinion dies."

He spoke; attention sat on every eye,

And all in silence watch'd their king's reply.

"Sees not my Trollio thro' the thin disguise,

Form'd only to deceive Ernestus' eyes?

Vers'd in the changeful temper of mankind,

From day to day I watch'd his varying mind;

[Pg 55]

I saw, where'er he roved, unsettled thought

In his weak mind a storm of passion wrought;

At length, this morn, he cast a scowling eye

Upon his prince, and pass'd disdainful by.

This theme, I knew, the moody youth would fire,

And rouse to rage his long collected ire.

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