Spread their fierce lightnings to the east and west,
And made their shrieking fellow-creatures slaves?
This scene, the theatre of great exploits,
Remains; but where are they who lost and won
The crimson field? A tale involved in doubt,
A broken bust, a medal half defaced,
Alone are left; and therefore do I come,
Good Angelo, to teach my swelling heart
A lesson of humility.
Angelo.
So young,
And so successful, yet endow'd
With such philosophy, you may defy
The frowns of fate. Misfortunes to a mind
Guarded like yours would lose the power to wound.
Sforzo.
Should storms arise, it may enable me
To bear them like a man; but I have now
A harder task, to check the rising pride
Which fills my soul; blest far above my peers
