So happily, no gesture luring it,

The earnest of a flock to follow? Vain,

Most vain! a life to spend ere this he chain

To the poor crowd's complacence: ere the crowd

Pronounce it captured, he descries a cloud

Its kin of twice the plume; which he, in turn,

If he shall live as many lives, may learn

How to secure: not else. Then Mantua called

Back to his mind how certain bards were thralled

—Buds blasted, but of breath more like perfume