CXIV

Ah! bitter was the strife, and hot the breath,

Of envy, hate, their smiling masks beneath,

And baleful fires I saw in beauties’ eyes,

And rosy ensigns veiled the cheek of death.

CXV

While grovelled for the crumbs a famished crew,

As starvèd hounds for what man careless threw,

On wastrel bread and refuse fain to feed,