. He is a great man, and for his subjects a good one,--but woe
to those who trust him for their own ends or believe in his lore! There
was one VICTOR EMMANUEL who trusted him once--with the result set forth
in the following merry lay:--

A TRUE FABLE, WITHOUT A MORAL.

'This LOUIS is a rascal, friend;
From all his arts may Heaven defend!
And be thou ever on thy guard,
Lest thy faith meet a sad reward.
And if he swear he loves thee, laugh!
For give him thy little finger half,
And the iron chains of his stern control
Will sink like fire on thy poor soul!'

Now VICTOR heard all this, one day,
And smiled--'It's queer how men can say
Such things to injure their neighbors!
For do but look at this wonderful man,
So rich in thought, so fertile in plan,
Who, to place all tyranny under ban,
Never remits his labors,--
This dear, good soul, who, with magical art,
Brings freedom and peace to my trembling heart.'

Soon after, Sir LOUIS rode over the moor:
'My VICTOR, how comes it you're still so poor,
When I have paid all your debts, sir?
I've made you so rich, I've made you so great;
I've brought you gifts of money and plate;
Is there anything more to complete your state,
That you'd like to have, _I_ can get, sir?
Come, VICTOR, confess to your faithful friend,
Who to make you happy his honor would lend.'

'Oh, worthy man,--my tower and strength!
How sweet it is that I may, at length,
Confide in you as a brother!'
'Yes, take what you will, my statesman hold,
Only ask not whence comes the shining gold.
Just see what a beauty here I hold;
If you're good I may bring you another!--
A crown so rich in costly gems
It will match the Eastern diadems!'

Little VICTOR gazed at the sparkling crown,
Then fell at the feet of his LOUIS down,
Overcome by deep emotion.
'Oh! oh! is it true? is it all for me?
This beautiful crown, with its diamonds _three?_
And he clapped his hands in boundless glee,
And vowed eternal devotion;
While LOUIS looked on with a happy heart,
And blessed himself for his consummate art.

'Yes, VICTOR,' he said, 'it gives me joy
To present you, to-day, with this pretty toy,
With such freedom from envy or rancor!
But get up from your knees; 'tisn't quite orthodox
To kneel to a man; you might get on the rocks
Of his HOLINESS' anger.
Now lay the crown in your jewel-box,
And, lest so