XLII.
“See Nicholas, whom in his tender age[27],
“The willing people shall elect their lord;
“He who shall laugh to scorn the civil rage
“Of the rebellious Tideus and his horde;
“Whose infantine delight shall be to wage
“The mimic fight, and sweat with spear and sword:
“And through the discipline such nurture yields,
“Shall flourish as the flower of martial fields.
XLIII.
“By him rebellious plans are overthrown,
“And turned upon the rash contriver’s head;
“And so each stratagem of warfare blown,
“That vainly shall the cunning toils be spread.
“To the third Otho this too late is known,
“Of Parma and the pleasant Reggio dread;
“Who shall by him be spoiled in sudden strife,
“Of his possessions and his wretched life.
XLIV.
“And still the fair dominion[28] shall increase,
“And without wrong its spreading bounds augment;
“Nor its glad subjects violate the peace,
“Unless provoked some outrage to resent,
“And hence its wealth and welfare shall not cease;
“And the Divine Disposer be content
“To let it flourish (such his heavenly love!)
“While the celestial spheres revolve above.
