To burst upon a wondering world again

With full effulgence in the Julian reign.

In politics, though prudently withdrawn

From the public service, which he held in scorn,

As being unworthy the deliberate zeal

Of one with head to think or heart to feel;

And being neither priest, nor soldier, nor

Versed in the practice of Canonic lore,

36

He made his counsels felt and privately

Lent his best influence to "the Powers that be,"—

be,"—

Counsels the better valued that he stood

Alone among the youth of stirring blood,

And bowed not to that Baal his proud knee,

The national false goddess, Italy.

He was too stubborn in his Roman pride

To trick out this young strumpet as a bride,

And held in classic scorn who would become

Less than a Roman citizen in Rome.

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