Dramatic Romances

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.]