The Kaiser's coming--which with heart, soul, strength, I labor for, this eve, who feel at length My past career's outrageous vanity, And would, as it amends, die, even die Now I first estimate the boon of life, If death might win compliance--sure, this strife Is right for once--the People my support." My poor Sordello! what may we extort By this, I wonder? Palma's lighted eyes Turned to Taurello who, long past surprise, Began, "You love him--what you'd say at large Let me say briefly. First, your father's charge To me, his friend, peruse: I guessed indeed You were no stranger to the course decreed. [Sidenote: Salinguerra, dislodged from his post,] He bids me leave his children to the saints: As for a certain project, he acquaints The Pope with that, and offers him the best Of your possessions to permit the rest Go peaceably--to Ecelin, a stripe Of soil the cursed Vicentines will gripe, --To Alberic, a patch the Trevisan Clutches already; extricate, who can, Treville, Villarazzi, Puissolo, Loria and Cartiglione!--all must go, And with them go my hopes. 'T is lost, then! Lost This eve, our crisis, and some pains it cost Procuring; thirty years--as good I'd spent Like our admonisher! But each his bent Pursues: no question, one might live absurd One's self this while, by deed as he by word Persisting to obtrude an influence where 'T is made account of, much as ... nay, you fare With twice the fortune, youngster!--I submit, Happy to parallel my waste of wit With the renowned Sordello's: you decide A course for me. Romano may abide Romano,--Bacchus! After all, what dearth Of Ecelins and Alberies on earth? Say there's a prize in prospect, must disgrace Betide competitors, unless they style Themselves Romano? Were it worth my while To try my own luck! But an obscure place Suits me--there wants a youth to bustle, stalk And attitudinize--some fight, more talk, Most flaunting badges--how, I might make clear Since Friedrich's very purposes lie here --Here, pity they are like to lie! For me, With station fixed unceremoniously Long since, small use contesting; I am but The liegeman--you are born the lieges--shut That gentle mouth now! or resume your kin In your sweet self; were Palma Ecelin For me to work with! Could that neck endure This bauble for a cumbrous garniture, She should ... or might one bear it for her? Stay-- I have not been so flattered many a day As by your pale friend--Bacchus! The least help Would lick the hind's fawn to a lion's whelp: His neck is broad enough--a ready tongue Beside--too writhled--but, the main thing, young-- I could ... why, look ye!" And the badge was thrown [Sidenote: In moving, opens a door to Sordello,]