LIV.
“This host o’erthrown upon Pavia’s plains,
“That, bound for Naples, halts upon its way:
“As an ill-nourished lamp or taper wanes,
“For want of wax or oil, with flickering ray.
“Lo! the king leaves his sons in Spanish chains,
“And home returns, his own domain to sway.
“Lo! while in Italy he leads his band,
“Another wars upon his native land[30].
LV.
“In every part you see how Rome is woe[31],
“Mid ruthless rapine, murder, fire, and rape.
“See all to wasting rack and ruin go,
“And nothing human or divine escape.
“The league’s men hear the shrieks, behold the glow
“Of hostile fires, and lo! they backward shape
“Their course, where they should hurry on their way,
“And leave the pontiff to his foes a prey.
LVI.
“Lautrec the monarch sends with other bands;
“Yet not anew to war on Lombardy;
“But to deliver from rapacious hands
“The Church’s head and limbs, already free,
“So slowly he performs the king’s commands.
“Next, overrun by him the kingdom see,
“And his strong arms against the city turned,
“Wherein the Syren’s body lies inurned[32].
