XXX.

The offended Monarch rode apart,

With bitter thought and swelling heart,

And would not now vouchsafe again

Through Stirling streets to lead his train.—

“O Lennox, who would wish to rule

This changeling[319] crowd, this common fool?

Hear’st thou,” he said, “the loud acclaim

With which they shout the Douglas name?

With like acclaim, the vulgar throat

Strain’d for King James their morning note;

With like acclaim they hail’d the day

When first I broke the Douglas’ sway;

And like acclaim would Douglas greet,

If he could hurl me from my seat.

Who o’er the herd would wish to reign,

Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain!

Vain as the leaf upon the stream,

And fickle as a changeful dream;

Fantastic as a woman’s mood,

And fierce as Frenzy’s fever’d blood,

Thou many-headed monster thing,

Oh, who would wish to be thy king!”