The gravamen’s in that! 
How the lion, who crouches to suit
His back to my foot,
Would admire that I stand in debate! 
But the small turns the great
If it vexes you, that is the thing! 
Toad or rat vex the king? 50
Though I waste half my realm to unearth
Toad or rat, ’tis well worth!”

VI

So, I soberly laid my last plan
To extinguish the man. 
Round his creep-hole, with never a break
Ran my fires for his sake;
Over-head, did my thunder combine
With my underground mine: 
Till I looked from my labour content
To enjoy the event. 60

VII

When sudden . . . how think ye, the end? 
Did I say “without friend”? 
Say rather, from marge to blue marge
The whole sky grew his targe
With the sun’s self for visible boss,
While an Arm ran across
Which the earth heaved beneath like a breast
Where the wretch was safe prest! 
Do you see?  Just my vengeance complete,
The man sprang to his feet, 70
Stood erect, caught at God’s skirts, and prayed! 
—­So, I was afraid!

Notes:  “Instans Tyrannus” is a despot’s confession of one of his own experiences which showed him the inviolability of the weakest man who is in the right and who can call the spiritual force of good to his aid against the utmost violence or cunning.—­“Instans Tyrannus,” or the threatening tyrant, suggested by Horace, third Ode in Book iii: 

“Justum et tenacem proposti vlrum,
Non civium ardor prava jubentium,
Non vultus instantis tyranni,” etc.

[The just man tenacious of purpose is not to be turned aside by the heat of the populace nor the brow of the threatening tyrant.]

MESMERISM

I

All I believed is true! 
        I am able yet
        All I want, to get
By a method as strange as new: 
Dare I trust the same to you?

II

If at night, when doors are shut,
        And the wood-worm picks,
        And the death-watch ticks,
And the bar has a flag of smut,
And a cat’s in the water-butt—­ 10

III

And the socket floats and flares,
        And the house-beams groan,
        And a foot unknown
Is surmised on the garret-stairs,
And the locks slip unawares—­

IV

And the spider, to serve his ends,
        By a sudden thread,
        Arms and legs outspread,
On the table’s midst descends,
Comes to find, God knows what friends!—­ 20