"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.