"Lewis, (so learned Merlin said,) is woe To have brought to Italy King Charlemagne, Whom he called in to harass, not o'erthrow That ancient rival of his goodly reign;
At his return declares himself his foe, And, leagued with Venice, would the king detain.
Behold that valiant monarch couch his spear, And in his foes' despite a passage clear.
