XLVIII.
“To him his grateful city owes a debt,
“The greatest subjects to their lord can owe;
“Not that he moves her from a marsh, to set
“Her stones, where Ceres’ fruitful treasures grow.
“Nor that he shall enlarge her bounds, nor yet
“That he shall fence her walls against the foe;
“Nor that he theatre and dome repairs,
“And beautifies her streets and goodly squares;
XLIX.
“Not that he keeps his lordship well defended
“From the winged lions’ claws and fierce attacks[32];
“Nor that, when Gallic ravage is extended,
“And the invader all Italia sacks,
“His happy state alone is unoffended[33];
“Unharassed, and ungalled by toll or tax.
“Not for these blessings I recount, and more
“His grateful realm shall Hercules adore;
L.
“So much as that from him shall spring a pair
“Of brothers, leagued no less by love than blood;
“Who shall be all that Leda’s children were;
“The just Alphonso, Hippolite the good[34].
“And as each twin resigned the vital air
“His fellow to redeem from Stygian flood,
“So each of these would gladly spend his breath,
“And for his brother brave perpetual death.
