Page:Poetical Remains.pdf/163

Which made the sun-light of his lowly board
Is touched by sickness; some familiar face
Greets him no more; and shall not fate and time
Have done their work since last we parted hence
Upon an empire? Aye, within those years,
Hearts from their ancient worship have fallen off
And bowed before new stars: high names have sunk
From their supremacy of place, and others
Gone forth, and made themselves the mighty sounds
At which thrones tremble. Oh! be slow to trust
E'en those to whom your smiles were wont to seem
As light is unto flowers. Search well the depths
Of bosoms in whose keeping you would shrine
The secret of your state. Storms pass not by
Leaving earth's face unchanged.

Sebast.Whence didst thou learn
The cold distrust which casts so deep a shadow
O'er a most noble nature?

Gonzal.Life hath been
My stern and only teacher. I have known