7 And Gondibert, with dying eyes, did grieve At her vailed love, a wound he cannot heal, As great minds mourn, who cannot then relieve The virtuous, when through shame they want conceal. 8 And now cold Birtha's rosy looks decay; Who in fear's frost had like her beauty died, But that attendant hope persuades her stay A while, to hear her Duke; who thus replied: 9 'Victorious King! abroad your subjects are, Like legates, safe; at home like altars free! Even by your fame they conquer, as by war; And by your laws safe from each other be. 10 'A king you are o'er subjects so, as wise And noble husbands seem o'er loyal wives; Who claim not, yet confess their liberties, And brag to strangers of their happy lives. 11 'To foes a winter storm; whilst your friends bow, Like summer trees, beneath your bounty's load; To me, next him whom your great self, with low And cheerful duty, serves, a giving God. 12 'Since this is you, and Rhodalind, the light By which her sex fled virtue find, is yours, Your diamond, which tests of jealous sight, The stroke, and fire, and Oisel's juice endures; 13 'Since she so precious is, I shall appear All counterfeit, of art's disguises made; And never dare approach her lustre near, Who scarce can hold my value in the shade. 14 'Forgive me that I am not what I seem; But falsely have dissembled an excess Of all such virtues as you most esteem; But now grow good but as I ills confess. 15 'Far in ambition's fever am I gone! Like raging flame aspiring is my love; Like flame destructive too, and, like the sun, Does round the world tow'rds change of objects move. 16 'Nor is this now through virtuous shame confessed; But Rhodalind does force my conjured fear, As men whom evil spirits have possessed, Tell all when saintly votaries appear. 17 'When she will grace the bridal dignity, It will be soon to all young monarchs known; Who then by posting through the world will try Who first can at her feet present his crown. 18 'Then will Verona seem the inn of kings, And Rhodalind shall at her palace gate Smile, when great love these royal suitors brings; Who for that smile would as for empire wait. 19 'Amongst this ruling race she choice may take For warmth of valour, coolness of the mind, Eyes that in empire's drowsy calms can wake, In storms look out, in darkness dangers find; 20 'A prince who more enlarges power than lands, Whose greatness is not what his map contains; But thinks that his where he at full commands, Not where his coin does pass, but power remains. 21 'Who knows that power can never be too high; When by the good possessed, for 'tis in them The swelling Nile, from which though people fly, They prosper most by rising of the stream.