Of all tales ’tis the saddest—and more sad,
Because it makes us smile: his hero’s right,
And still pursues the right;—to curb the bad
His only object, and ’gainst odds to fight
His guerdon: ’tis his virtue makes him mad!
But his adventures form a sorry sight;—
A sorrier still is the great moral taught
By that real Epic unto all who have thought.