'Like them, abandoned to Ambition's sway,
'I sought for glory in the paths of guile;
'And fawned and smiled, to plunder and betray,
'Myself betrayed and plundered all the while;
'So gnawed the viper the corroding file.
'But now, with pangs of keen remorse, I rue
'Those years of trouble and debasement vile.
'Yet why should I this cruel theme pursue?
'Fly, fly, detested thoughts, for ever from my view!