III.
Astolpho wandered through that palace wide,
Observing all the future lives around:
When those already woven he had spied
Upon the fatal wheel for finish wound,
He a fair fleece discerned that far outvied
Fine gold, whose wondrous lustre jewels ground,
Could these into a thread be drawn by art,
Would never equal by the thousandth part.
IV.
The beauteous fleece he saw with wondrous glee
Equalled by none amid that countless store;
And when and whose such glorious life should be,
Longed sore to know. “This,” (said the apostle hoar,
Concealing nothing of its history,)
“Shall have existence twenty years before,
“Dating from the incarnate word, the year
“Shall marked by men with M and D appear[1];
V.
“And, as for splendor and for substance fair,
“This fleece shall have no like or equal, so
“Shall the blest age wherein it shall appear
“Be singular in this our world below;
“Because all graces, excellent and rare,
“Which Nature or which Study can bestow,
“Or bounteous Fortune upon men can shower,
“Shall be its certain and eternal dower.
