Britain ... - Blue-Lite

274 THE VARANGIAN. [Act I
ODO.
Suppose, sir King,
That in the high consistory at Rome
I should be at the next election chosen :
If such proud destiny the stars ordain,
Am I to blame ? Thou rather shouldst rejoice
To find th' un worthiness of thy poor brother
Deemed meet to fill the throne of Christ on earth.
If Heaven decree that on my head should fall
Honour, dominion, wealth, and power divine.
Must I in stubbornness such gifts refuse,
And hide me in a hermit's desert cell,
To feed on roots and wear a sackcloth vest ?
KING.
Small fear is there that thou thy head wilt hide,
When pomp and titles fall from heaven in showers :
As little fear thou wilt that head expose
Uncovered to the sun-blaze and the storm ;
Or in the weeds of sackcloth wrap thy limbs
When a tiara, decked with star-bright gems
And gorgeous vestments, thine acceptance wait.
Thy stormy spirit knowing well, I deem
Thee most unfit to reign enthroned on earth
Above all thrones.
ODO.
In judgment on my meetness ;
Change
that which is foredoomed.
Thou hast no right to sit
KING.
nor canst thou
Thou art befooled
By a star-gazing prophet's
idle dreams :
As if the orbs, in their wide rolling spheres,
Busied themselves with what we do on earth,