{ To vent foul lies and treason was his art,

{ And pointed libels at crowned heads to dart.

This priest, and others, learned to defame,

First murder injured Tullius in his name;

With blackest calumnies their sovereign load,

A poisoned brother, and dark league abroad;

A son unjustly top'd upon the throne,[81]

Which yet was proved undoubtedly his own;

Though, as the law was then, 'twas his behoof,

Who dispossessed the heir, to bring the proof.