XLII.
“Behold the Frank returns, and here behold
“Is broken, by the faithless Swiss betrayed[26],
“He, that his royal father seized and sold,
“Whose succour dearly by the youth is paid.
“Those over whom false Fortune’s wheel had rolled,
“Erewhile, beneath another king arraid,
“You here behold, preparing to efface
“With vengeful deed Novara’s late disgrace;
XLIII.
“And see with better auspices return
“The valiant Francis, foremost of his train,
“Who so shall break the haughty Switzer’s horn,
“That little short of spent their bands remain;
“And them shall nevermore the style adorn,
“Usurped by that foul troop of churlish vein,
“Of scourge of princes, and the faith’s defence,
“To which those rustics rude shall make pretence.
XLIV.
“Lo! he takes Milan, in the league’s despite:
“Lo! with the youthful Sforza makes accord:
“Lo! Bourbon[27] the fair city keeps, in right
“Of Francis, from the furious German horde:
“Lo! while in other high emprize and fight
“Elsewhere is occupied his royal lord,
“Nor knows the pride and licence of his host,
“Through these the city shall anew be lost.
