WHEREIN THE FACE BELIES THE HEART

When traitorous Egypt the dishonoured head
Of Pompey sent to Caesar, it appears
Proud Julius dropped a few deliberate tears
To cloak delight; and when misfortune spread
On Hannibal the shadow of her dread,
Whilst his lieutenants wept, he laughed their fears
And his away, though, ringed with spies and spears,
He heard Doom trampling with relentless tread.
So cheats the mind by frequent hues and veils
Its various passions in their several shades:
Now with a mask of sorrow, now of joy:
Thus if sometimes a gay song I employ,
I do so but to thwart grief that invades,
I do so but to check pain that assails.