XXVII.
“My gracious father, he who took but pleasure
“In what pleased me, nor would my will constrain;
“Marking my grief, broke off the intended measure,
“To give me comfort and relieve my pain.
“At this proud Friesland’s sovereign such displeasure
“Conceived, and entertained such high disdain;
“He entered Holland, and the war began,
“In which my kin were slaughtered to a man.
XXVIII.
“Besides, that both his puissance and his might
“Are such, as in our age are matched of few,
“Such is in evil deeds his cunning sleight,
“He laughs to scorn what wit and force can do.
“Strange arms he bears, unknown to any wight,
“Save him, of the ancient nations or the new:
“A hollow iron, two yards long, whose small
“Channel he loads with powder and a ball.
XXIX.
“He, where ’tis closed behind, in the iron round,
“Touches with fire a vent, discerned with pain;
“In guise that skilful surgeon tries his ground,
“Where need requires that he should breathe a vein.
“Whence flies the bullet with such deafening sound,
“That bolt and lightning from the hollow cane
“Appear to dart, and like the passing thunder,
“Burn what they smite, beat-down or rend asunder.
