Page:Blackwood's Magazine volume 046.djvu/786

So queenly Argenis shall show again,
Like the day-orb, a disc without a stain.

Among Andrugio's followers was one,
Who for adventures o'er the deep had gone;
And with the lust of power recross'd the waves,
For he had ruled a tribe of Lybian slaves.
Although for place and pay he bent the knee,
Less than the first he much disdain'd to be.
Much he loved power, but loved distinction more,
A speech-maker and perfumed troubadour;
A courtly coxcomb in the noon of life,
Who turn'd to good account his buxom wife,
And had her near the royal person placed,
That by her means he might himself be graced.
Oft by her aid, 'tis said, he hover'd near
The Queen's retirement, her sweet words to hear,
To throw himself into the royal way,
By accident, on some convenient day.
Beware, Andrugio! lest by cunning spell
His lady get thy place for Sidrophell.

The third of this ill council was a man,
Who, like a high-fed colt, life's courses ran.
The foremost still to raise the hue and cry
Against the fall'n, and from their side to fly.
The party next in power to him was best,
And with them, for their time, he took his rest.
His interest was the horizon of his view,
To keep in place the only aim he knew.
He viewed himself, with measureless content,
The slave of each succeeding government.
Ten times the helmsman of the state was changed,
But from his post Antonio never ranged.
Bold to the weak, and cringing to the strong,
He would, to serve his turn, abet the wrong.
He cared not for his country or her fame;
His policy bequeath'd her lasting shame.
In wordy protocols what state-craft lies!
By them he managed courts and colonies;
But managed so, that the victorious isle
Should be insulted, hated, scorn'd the while.

One was a gamester, spendthrift, debauchee,
From honour and religious scruple free.
Another, by a nephew's happy claim,
Partook the honour of a famous name—
A gross dull man that meant no harm in truth,
But little fit to be near virgin youth.
There was another differing from both,
Religious, moral, but a very sloth;
That one day waking, rubb'd his solemn brow,
And found himself in place, he knew not how;
Then smiling placidly, return'd to sleep
In company he never thought to keep;
With slumberous dulness nodded night and day,
And slept e'en while they took his place away.

A sly Calabrian, who could well advance
His party's merit, managed the finance;
Though given to wine-bibbing, he not the less,
When drunk, his windy nothings could express,