LVII.
“Chaste dames of thee descended I survey,
“Mothers of those who wear imperial crown,
“And mighty kings; the column and the stay
“Of glorious realms and houses of renown.
“And as thy sons will shine in arms, so they
“Will no less fame deserve in female gown,
“With piety and sovereign prudence graced,
“And noble hearts, incomparably chaste.
LVIII.
“And if at length I should relate to thee
“The praise of all who from thy root ascend,
“Too long my tale would hold, nor do I see
“Whom I could pass, where all to fame pretend.
“But from a thousand I some two or three
“Will choose, because my tale may have an end.
“Why was not in the cave thy wish made known,
“Where I their shadows might as well have shown?
LIX.
“To hear of one of thy famed race prepare,
“Whom liberal studies and good works engage;
“Of whom, I know not well, if she more fair
“May be entitled, or more chaste and sage;
“The noble-minded Isabel[7], who, where
“It stands on Minciu’s bank, in other age
“Shall gild the town, of Ocnus’ mother hight,
“With her own glorious rays by day and night;
