that of a scholar, or astuteness to that
of an attorney. But it is most dangerous in the greatest minds, and in
the highest places; and only to be kept off by them, as by us, each in
our place, by honest self-examination, diligent prayer, and the grace of
God which comes thereby. Once or twice in the world's history a great
ruler, like Charles the Fifth, cuts the Gordian knot, and escapes into a
convent: but how few can or ought to do that? There are those who must
go on ruling, or see their country ruined; for all depends on them. So
had Queen Elizabeth to do; so had Dietrich of Bern likewise. After them
would come the deluge, and did come; and they must endure to the last,
whatever it may cost to their own health of character, or peace of mind.

But most painful, and most dangerous to the veteran sovereign, is it to
have learnt to suspect, perhaps to despise, those whom he rules; to have
thrown away all his labour upon knaves and fools; to have cast his pearls
before swine, and find them turning again and rending him. That feeling,
forced from Queen Elizabeth, in her old age, that tragic cry, 'I am a
miserable forlorn woman. There is none about me whom I can trust.' She
was a woman, always longing for some one to love; and her heart broke
under it all. But do you not see that where the ruler is not an
affectionate woman, but a strong proud man, the effect may be very
different, and very terrible?--how, roused to indignation, scorn,
suspicion, rage, he may turn to bay against his own subjects, with
'Scoundrels! you have seen the fair side of my character, and in vain.
Now you shall see the foul, and beware for yourselves.'

Even so, I fancy, did old Dietrich turn to bay, and did deeds which have
blackened his name for ever. Heaven forgive him! for surely he had
provocation enough and to spare.

I have told you of the simple, half-superstitious respect which the
Teuton had for the prestige of Rome. Dietrich seems to have partaken of
it, like the rest. Else why did he not set himself up as Caesar of Rome?
Why did he always consider himself as son-in-arms, and quasi-vassal, of
the Caesar of Constantinople? He had been in youth overawed by the
cunning civilization which he had seen in the great city. He felt, with
a noble modesty, that he could not emulate it. He must copy it afar off.
He must take to his counsels men like Cassiodorus, Symmachus, Boethius,
born and bred in it; trained from childhood in the