XXX.
“His virtues shall deserve so fair a flower,
“(And in his age, I wot, no common grace)
“To hold the half of Italy in dower,
“With that descendant of first Henry’s race.
“Rinaldo shall succeed him in his power[13],
“Pledge of Bertoldo’s wedded love, and chase
“Fierce Frederick Barbarossa’s hireling bands;
“Saving the church from his rapacious hands.
XXXI.
“Another Azo rules Verona’s town[14],
“With its fair fields; and two great chiefs this while.
“(One wears the papal, one the imperial crown[1]),
“The baron, Marquis of Ancona style.
“But to show all who rear the gonfalon
“Of the consistory, amid that file,
“Were task too long; as long to tell each deed
“Achieved for Rome by thy devoted seed.
XXXII.
“See Fulke and Obyson[15], more Azos, Hughs!
“Both Henrys!—mark the father and his boy.
“Two Guelphs: the first fair Umbria’s land subdues[16],
“And shall Spoleto’s ducal crown enjoy.
“Behold the princely phantom that ensues,
“Shall turn fair Italy’s long grief to joy;
“I speak of the fifth Azo of thy strain[17],
“By whom shall Ezelin be quelled and slain.
- ↑ Otho IV. Honorius II.
