In face of such a suffering hers must be

A drop, a tear in the unbounded sea

Which girds our lives. Rome was the home of grief,

Where all might bring their pain and find relief,

The temple of all sorrows: surely yet,

Sorrow's self here seemed swallowed up in it.

'Twas thus she comforted her soul. And then,

She had found a friend, a phœnix among men,

34

Which made it easier to compound with life,

Easier to be a woman and a wife.

This was Prince Belgirate. He of all

The noble band to whose high fortune fall

The name and title proudest upon earth

While pride shall live by privilege of birth,

The name of Roman, shone conspicuous

The head and front of his illustrious house,

Which had produced two pontiffs and a saint

Before the world had heard of Charles le Quint;

A most accomplished nobleman in truth,

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