Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 2.djvu/277

CANTO III.] With a sedate and all-enduring eye;—

When Fortune fled her spoiled and favourite child,

He stood unbowed beneath the ills upon him piled.

XL.

Sager than in thy fortunes; for in them

Ambition steeled thee on too far to show

That just habitual scorn, which could contemn

Men and their thoughts; 'twas wise to feel, not so

To wear it ever on thy lip and brow,

And spurn the instruments thou wert to use

Till they were turned unto thine overthrow:

'Tis but a worthless world to win or lose;

So hath it proved to thee, and all such lot who choose.

XLI.

If, like a tower upon a headlong rock,

Thou hadst been made to stand or fall alone,

Such scorn of man had helped to brave the shock;

But men's thoughts were the steps which paved thy throne,

Their admiration thy best weapon shone;

The part of Philip's son was thine, not then

(Unless aside thy Purple had been thrown)

Like stern Diogenes to mock at men—

For sceptred Cynics Earth were far too wide a den.N8