Book I, Epigram 22: De Porsena & Mucio Scaevola

When the right hand mistaken in the guard
Seeking t' assault the king; in fell reward
Threw it self in the holy flames to dye,
Such Cruell wonders the good enemie
Could not sustain, but by command anon
Snatchd from the flames injoyns him to be gon;
That hand which Mucius in contempt was bold
To burn, King Porsena could not behold:
The failing hand the greater glory found,
Had it not err'd, it had been lesse renown'd.