Extreme in all things! hadst thou been betwixt, And shake again the world, the Thunderer of the scene! XXXVII. Conqueror and captive of the earth art thou! A god unto thyself; nor less the same To the astounded kingdoms all inert, Who deemed thee for a time whate'er thou didst assert. XXXVIII. Oh, more or less than man in high or low, Battling with nations, flying from the field; However deeply in men's spirits skilled, Look through thine own, nor curb the lust of war, Nor learn that tempted Fate will leave the loftiest star. XXXIX. Yet well thy soul hath brooked the turning tide With that untaught innate philosophy, Which, be it wisdom, coldness, or deep pride, Is gall and wormwood to an enemy. 9 When the whole host of hatred stood hard by, To watch and mock thee shrinking, thou hast smiled When Fortune fled her spoiled and favorite child, XL. Sager than in thy fortunes; for in them Ambition steeled thee on too far to show 'Tis but a worthless world to win or lose; So hath it proved to thee, and all such lot who choose. XLI. If, like a tower upon a headland rock, Thou hadst been made to stand or fall alone, Such scorn of man had helped to brave the shock; But men's thoughts were the steps which paved thy throne, Their admiration thy best weapon shone; The part of Philip's son was thine, not then (Unless aside thy purple had been thrown) Like stern Diogenes to mock at men; For sceptred cynics earth were far too wide a den. XLII. But quiet to quick bosoms is a hell, And there hath been thy bane; there is a fire In its own narrow being, but aspire |