BOOK THE NINTH.
353
My coffers full, my subjects undisturb'd,
And Plenty and Prosperity had loved 725
To dwell amongst them: but mine eye beheld
The realm of France, by faction tempest-torn;
And therefore I did think that it would fall
An easy prey. I persecuted those
Who taught new doctrines, tho' they taught the truth: 730
And when I heard of thousands by the sword
Cut off, or blasted by the pestilence,
I calmly counted up my proper gains,
And sent new herds to slaughter: temperate
Myself, no blood that mutinied, no vice 735
Tainting my private life, I sent abroad
Murder and Rape; and therefore am I doom'd,
Like these imperial Sufferers, crown'd with fire,
Here to remain, till Man's awaken'd eye
Shall see the genuine blackness of our deeds, 740
And warn'd by them, till the whole human race,
Equalling in bliss the aggregate we caus'd
Of wretchedness, shall form one brotherhood.
And Plenty and Prosperity had loved 725
To dwell amongst them: but mine eye beheld
The realm of France, by faction tempest-torn;
And therefore I did think that it would fall
An easy prey. I persecuted those
Who taught new doctrines, tho' they taught the truth: 730
And when I heard of thousands by the sword
Cut off, or blasted by the pestilence,
I calmly counted up my proper gains,
And sent new herds to slaughter: temperate
Myself, no blood that mutinied, no vice 735
Tainting my private life, I sent abroad
Murder and Rape; and therefore am I doom'd,
Like these imperial Sufferers, crown'd with fire,
Here to remain, till Man's awaken'd eye
Shall see the genuine blackness of our deeds, 740
And warn'd by them, till the whole human race,
Equalling in bliss the aggregate we caus'd
Of wretchedness, shall form one brotherhood.
"One
