Is it not known, the men whom you dislike
Are those who now the erring fancy strike?
Nor would it much surprise me, if ’twere true,
That in those days of dread I slighted you.
When the poor mind, illumined by no spark
Of reason’s light, was wandering in the dark,
You must not wonder, if the vilest train
Of evil thoughts were printed on the brain; 340
Nor, if the loyal and the faithful prove
False to their king, and faithless to their love.”—