s: There live, for here thy glory never dies:


s: For like a Christian knight and champion blest


s: Thou didst both live and die: now feed thine eyes


s: With thy Redeemer's sight, where crowned with bliss


s: Thy faith, zeal, merit, well-deserving is.


s: "Our loss, not thine, provokes these plaints and tears:


s: For when we lost thee, then our ship her mast,


s: Our chariot lost her wheels, their points our spears,


s: The bird of conquest her chief feather cast:


s: But though thy death far from our army hears


s: Her chiefest earthly aid, in heaven yet placed


s: Thou wilt procure its help Divine, so reaps


s: He that sows godly sorrow, joy by heaps.


s: That were at Dothan to his prophet sent,


s: Thou wilt come down with them, and well defend


s: Our host, and with thy sacred weapons bent


s: Gainst Sion's fort, these gates and bulwarks rend,


s: That so by hand may win this hold, and we


s: May in these temples praise our Christ for thee."


s: Thus he complained; but now the sable shade


s: The sun in veil of double darkness made;


s: Sleep, eased care; rest, brought complaint to bed:


s: How that high wall should best be battered,


s: How his strong engines he might aptly frame,


s: And whence get timber fit to build the same.


s: Up with the lark the sorrowful duke arose,


s: Of cypress sad a pile his friends compose


s: Under a hill o'ergrown with cedars tall,


s: Beside the hearse a fruitful palm-tree grows,


s: Where Dudon's corpse they softly laid in ground,


s: The priest sung hymns, the soldiers wept around.


s: Among the boughs, they here and there bestow


s: Ensigns and arms, as witness of his praise,


s: Which he from Pagan lords, that did them owe,


s: Had won in prosperous fights and happy frays:


s: His shield they fixed on the hole below,


s: And there this distich under-writ, which says,


s: "This palm with stretched arms, doth overspread


s: The champion Dudon's glorious carcase dead."


s: This work performed with advisement good,


s: Godfrey his carpenters, and men of skill


s: With convoy meet to guard them safe from ill.


s: To Christian eyes unseen, unknown, until


s: A Syrian told the duke, who thither sent


s: Those chosen workmen that for timber went.


s: And now the axe raged in the forest wild,


s: The weeping nymphs fled from their bowers exiled,


s: Down fell the shady tops of shaking treen,


s: Down came the sacred palms, the ashes wild,


s: The weeping fir, thick beech, and sailing pine,


s: The married elm fell with his fruitful vine.


s: The shooter grew, the broad-leaved sycamore,


s: The barren plantain, and the walnut sound,


s: The myrrh, that her foul sin doth still deplore,


s: Sweet juniper, whose shadow hurteth sore,


s: Proud cedar, oak, the king of forests crowned;


s: Thus fell the trees, with noise the deserts roar;


s: The beasts, their caves, the birds, their nests forlore.


s: Satan his fiends and spirits assembleth all,


s: And sends them forth to work the Christians woe,


s: False Hidraort their aid from hell doth call,


s: She tells her birth, her fortune, and her fall,


s: Asks aid, allures and wins the worthies so


s: That they consent her enterprise to prove;


s: She wins them with deceit, craft, beauty, love.


s: While thus their work went on with lucky speed,


s: And reared rams their horned fronts advance,


s: The Ancient Foe to man, and mortal seed,


s: His wannish eyes upon them bent askance;


s: And when he saw their labors well succeed,


s: He wept for rage, and threatened dire mischance.


s: He choked his curses, to himself he spake,


s: Such noise wild bulls that softly bellow make.


s: To find some let to stop their warlike feat,


s: He gave command his princes should be brought


s: O fool!  as if it were a thing of naught


s: God to resist, or change his purpose great,


s: Who on his foes doth thunder in his ire,


s: Whose arrows hailstones he and coals of fire.


s: The dreary trumpet blew a dreadful blast,


s: And rumbled through the lands and kingdoms under,


s: Through wasteness wide it roared, and hollows vast,


s: And filled the deep with horror, fear and wonder,


s: Not half so dreadful noise the tempests cast,


s: That fall from skies with storms of hail and thunder,


s: Not half so loud the whistling winds do sing,


s: Broke from the earthen prisons of their King.


s: The peers of Pluto's realm assembled been


s: In hideous forms and shapes, tofore unseen,


s: That fear, death, terror and amazement bring,


s: With ugly paws some trample on the green,


s: Some gnaw the snakes that on their shoulders hing,


s: And some their forked tails stretch forth on high,


s: And tear the twinkling stars from trembling sky.


s: There were Silenus' foul and loathsome route,


s: There Sphinxes, Centaurs, there were Gorgons fell,


s: There howling Scillas, yawling round about,


s: There serpents hiss, there seven-mouthed Hydras yell,


s: Chimera there spues fire and brimstone out,


s: Besides ten thousand monsters therein dwells


s: Misshaped, unlike themselves, and like naught else.


s: About their princes each took his wonted seat


s: On thrones red-hot, ybuilt of burning brass,


s: Pluto in middest heaved his trident great,


s: The rocks on which the salt sea billows beat,


s: And Atlas' tops, the clouds in height that pass,


s: Compared to his huge person mole-hills be,


s: So his rough front, his horns so lifted he.


s: The tyrant proud frowned from his lofty cell,


s: And with his looks made all his monsters tremble,


s: His eyes, that full of rage and venom swell,


s: Two beacons seem, that men to arms assemble,


s: His feltered locks, that on his bosom fell,


s: On rugged mountains briars and thorns resemble,


s: His yawning mouth, that foamed clotted blood,


s: Gaped like a whirlpool wide in Stygian flood.


s: With cliffs of burning crags, and fire and smoke,


s: So from his mouth flew kindled coals about,


s: Hot sparks and smells that man and beast would choke,


s: The gnarring porter durst not whine for doubt;


s: Still were the Furies, while their sovereign spoke,


s: And swift Cocytus stayed his murmur shrill,


s: While thus the murderer thundered out his will:


s: "Ye powers infernal, worthier far to sit


s: About the sun, whence you your offspring take,


s: With me that whilom, through the welkin flit,


s: Down tumbled headlong to this empty lake;


s: Our bold attempts and war we once did make


s: Gainst him, that rules above the starry sphere,


s: For which like traitors we lie damned here.


s: "And now instead of clear and gladsome sky,


s: Of Titan's brightness, that so glorious is,


s: In this deep darkness lo we helpless lie,


s: And more, which makes my griefs to multiply,


s: And in our place the heavens possess he must,


s: Vile man, begot of clay, and born of dust.


s: "Nor this sufficed, but that he also gave


s: To conquer so, hell, death, sin and the grave,


s: He brake our prisons and would algates save


s: The souls there here should dwell in woe and pain,


s: And now in heaven with him they live always


s: With endless glory crowned, and lasting praise.


s: "But why recount I thus our passed harms?


s: Remembrance fresh makes weakened sorrows strong,


s: From those due honors, us of right belong.


s: But let us leave to speak of these alarms,


s: And bend our forces gainst our present wrong:


s: To bring all lands, all nations to his faith?


s: "Then, let us careless spend the day and night,


s: Without regard what haps, what comes or goes,


s: Let Asia subject be to Christians' might,


s: Who her before all nations whilom chose;


s: And let all tongues and lands acknowledge it.


s: Shall pray, and offer incense, myrrh and gold;


s: Our temples shall their costly deckings miss,


s: With naked walls and pillars freezing cold,


s: Tribute of souls shall end, and our estate,


s: "Oh, he not then the courage perished clean,


s: That whilom dwelt within your haughty thought,


s: When, armed with shining fire and weapons keen,


s: Against the angels of proud Heaven we fought,


s: Yet good our cause was, though our fortune naught;


s: For chance assisteth oft the ignobler part,


s: We lost the field, yet lost we not our heart.


s: "Go then, my strength, my hope, my Spirits go,


s: These western rebels with your power withstand,


s: Pluck up these weeds, before they overgrow


s: Quench out this spark, before it kindles so


s: That Asia burn, consumed with the brand.


s: Use open force, or secret guile unspied;


s: For craft is virtue gainst a foe defied.


s: "Among the knights and worthies of their train,


s: Let some like outlaws wander uncouth ways,


s: Let some be slain in field, let some again


s: And pine in foolish love, let some complain


s: On Godfrey's rule, and mutinies gainst him raise,


s: Turn each one's sword against his fellow's heart,


s: Thus kill them all or spoil the greatest part."


s: The lesser devils arose with ghastly roar,


s: And thronged forth about the world to gad,


s: Each land they filled, river, stream and shore,


s: The goblins, fairies, fiends and furies mad,


s: Ranged in flowery dales, and mountains hoar,


s: And under every trembling leaf they sit,


s: Between the solid earth and welkin flit.


s: About the world they spread forth far and wide,


s: Filling the thoughts of each ungodly heart


s: With secret mischief, anger, hate and pride,


s: Wounding lost souls with sin's empoisoned dart.


s: But say, my Muse, recount whence first they tried


s: To hurt the Christian lords, and from what part,


s: Thou knowest of things performed so long agone,


s: This latter age hears little truth or none.


s: Ruled Hidraort, a wizard grave and sage,


s: Acquainted well with all the damned rout


s: Of Pluto's reign, even from his tender age;


s: For neither stars above, nor powers of hell,


s: Nor skill, nor art, nor charm, nor devil could tell.


s: And yet he thought, -- Oh, vain conceit of man,


s: Which as thou wishest judgest things to come! --


s: That the French host to sure destruction ran,


s: Condemned quite by Heaven's eternal doom:


s: He thinks no force withstand or vanquish can


s: Upon this Syrian folk would haply light.


s: But for he held the Frenchmen's worth in prize,


s: And feared the doubtful gain of bloody war,


s: He, that was closely false and slyly war,


s: Cast how he might annoy them most from far:


s: And as he gan upon this point devise, --


s: As counsellors in ill still nearest are, --


s: If once they think, to make them do, the deed.


s: He counselled him how best to hunt his game,


s: What dart to cast, what net, what toil to pitch,


s: Peerless in wit, in nature's blessings rich,


s: To all deceit she could her beauty frame,


s: False, fair and young, a virgin and a witch;


s: And praised her thus, for she was fair and wise:


s: "My dear, who underneath these locks of gold,


s: And native brightness of thy lovely hue,


s: Hidest grave thoughts, ripe wit, and wisdom old,


s: More skill than I, in all mine arts untrue,


s: This enterprise thy cunning must pursue,


s: Weave thou to end this web which I begin,


s: I will the distaff hold, come thou and spin.


s: "Go to the Christians' host, and there assay


s: All subtle sleights that women use in love,


s: Shed brinish tears, sob, sigh, entreat and pray,


s: Wring thy fair hands, cast up thine eyes above,


s: For mourning beauty hath much power, men say,


s: The stubborn hearts with pity frail to move;


s: Look pale for dread, and blush sometime for shame,


s: In seeming truth thy lies will soonest frame.


s: "Take with the bait Lord Godfrey, if thou may'st;


s: Frame snares of look, strains of alluring speech;


s: For if he love, the conquest then thou hast,


s: Thus purposed war thou may'st with ease impeach,


s: Else lead the other Lords to deserts waste,


s: And hold them slaves far from their leader's reach:"


s: Thus taught he her, and for conclusion, saith,


s: "All things are lawful for our lands and faith."


s: The sweet Armida took this charge on hand,


s: A tender piece, for beauty, sex and age,


s: In silken weeds she trusteth to withstand,


s: And conquer knights in warlike equipage,


s: Of their night ambling dame the Syrians prated,


s: Some good, some bad, as they her loved or hated.


s: Where puissant Godfrey had his tents ypight;


s: Upon her strange attire, and visage clear,


s: So wondered they and each at other sought,


s: What mister wight she was, and whence ybrought.


s: A tinsel veil her amber locks did shroud,


s: That strove to cover what it could not hide,


s: So streameth out his beams on every side,


s: The marble goddess, set at Cnidos, naked


s: She seemed, were she unclothed, or that awaked.


s: The gamesome wind among her tresses plays,


s: And curleth up those growing riches short;


s: Her spareful eye to spread his beams denays,


s: But keeps his shot where Cupid keeps his fort;


s: To paint true fairness out in bravest sort,


s: Her lips, where blooms naught but the single rose,


s: Still blush, for still they kiss while still they close.


s: Her breasts, two hills o'erspread with purest snow,


s: Sweet, smooth and supple, soft and gently swelling,


s: Where love, youth, gladness, whiteness make their dwelling,


s: Her breasts half hid, and half were laid to show,


s: Should please the eye, the rest unseen, the touch.


s: As when the sunbeams dive through Tagus' wave,


s: To spy the store-house of his springtime gold,


s: Love-piercing thought so through her mantle drave,


s: It viewed the wondrous beauty virgins have,


s: And all to fond desire with vantage told,


s: Alas!  what hope is left, to quench his fire


s: That kindled is by sight, blown by desire.


s: Thus passed she, praised, wished, and wondered at,


s: Among the troops who there encamped lay,


s: She smiled for joy, but well dissembled that,


s: Her greedy eye chose out her wished prey;


s: Toward the imperial tent she asked the way:


s: With that she met a bold and lovesome knight,


s: Lord Godfrey's youngest brother, Eustace hight.


s: This was the fowl that first fell in the snare,


s: He saw her fair, and hoped to find her kind;


s: His bark is fit to sail with every wind,


s: The breach he makes no wisdom can repair:


s: With reverence meet the baron low inclined,


s: And thus his purpose to the virgin told,


s: For youth, use, nature, all had made him bold.


s: In whose sweet looks such sacred beauty shine, --


s: For never yet did Heaven such grace bestow


s: Thy name let us, though far unworthy, know,


s: Unfold thy will, and whence thou art in fine,


s: Lest my audacious boldness learn too late


s: What honors due become thy high estate."


s: "Sir Knight," quoth she, "your praises reach too high


s: And dead to joy, that live in care and woe,


s: To seek Duke Godfrey's aid, such store men tell


s: Of virtuous ruth doth in his bosom dwell.


s: "Conduct me then that mighty duke before,


s: If you be courteous, sir, as well you seem."


s: "Content," quoth he, "since of one womb ybore,


s: We brothers are, your fortune good esteem


s: To encounter me whose word prevaileth more


s: In Godfrey's hearing than you haply deem:


s: Mine aid I grant, and his I promise too,


s: All that his sceptre, or my sword, can do."


s: He led her easily forth when this was said,


s: Where Godfrey sat among his lords and peers,


s: She reverence did, then blushed, as one dismayed


s: To speak, for secret wants and inward fears,


s: It seemed a bashful shame her speeches stayed,


s: At last the courteous duke her gently cheers;


s: Silence was made, and she began her tale,


s: They sit to hear, thus sung this nightingale:


s: "Victorious prince, whose honorable name


s: That to those lands thou dost by conquest tame


s: That thou hast won them some content it brings;


s: The earth, thy worth, thy foe, thy praises sings,


s: And Paynims wronged come to seek thine aid,


s: So doth thy virtue, so thy power persuade.


s: "And I though bred in Macon's heathenish lore,


s: Which thou oppressest with thy puissant might,


s: Yet trust thou wilt an helpless maid restore,


s: And repossess her in her father's right:


s: Of kin and friends; but I in this sad plight


s: So doth thy virtue, so my need persuade.


s: To win the crown whence I am dispossest;


s: To cast the haughty down or raise the opprest;


s: Nor greater glory brings a sceptre broke,


s: Than doth deliverance of a maid distrest;


s: And since thou canst at will perform the thing,


s: More is thy praise to make, than kill a king.


s: "But if thou would'st thy succors due excuse,


s: Because in Christ I have no hope nor trust,


s: Ah yet for virtue's sake, thy virtue use!


s: Who scorneth gold because it lies in dust?


s: Be witness Heaven, if thou to grant refuse,


s: Thou dost forsake a maid in cause most just,


s: And for thou shalt at large my fortunes know,


s: I will my wrongs and their great treasons show.


s: "Prince Arbilan that reigned in his life


s: Born of mean race he was, yet got to wife


s: Of her hot love, but soon the fatal knife


s: Had cut the thread that kept their joys entire,


s: My birth, her death; my first day, was her last.


s: "And ere five years were fully come and gone


s: Since his dear spouse to hasty death did yield,


s: My father also died, consumed with moan,


s: And sought his love amid the Elysian fields,


s: His crown and me, poor orphan, left alone,


s: For well he thought, if mortal men have faith,


s: In brother's breast true love his mansion hath.


s: "He took the charge of me and of the crown,


s: And with kind shows of love so brought to pass


s: That through Damascus great report was blown


s: How good, how just, how kind mine uncle was;


s: And hid the serpent in the flowering grass,


s: On that true faith did in his bosom won,


s: Because he meant to match me with his son.


s: "Which son, within short while, did undertake


s: Degree of knighthood, as beseemed him well,


s: Break sword or lance, advance in lofty sell;


s: In fashions wayward, and in love unkind,


s: For Cupid deigns not wound a currish mind.


s: And sugared speeches whispered in mine ear


s: To make me take this darling in mine arms,


s: But still the adder stopt her ears from charms.


s: "At last he left me with a troubled grace,


s: Through which transparent was his inward spite,


s: Of these mishaps that on me since have light,


s: Since that foul spirits haunt my resting-place,


s: And ghastly visions break any sleep by night,


s: Grief, horror, fear my fainting soul did kill,


s: For so my mind foreshowed my coming ill.


s: "Three times the shape of my dear mother came,


s: Pale, sad, dismayed, to warn me in my dream,


s: Whose eyes shone erst like Titan's glorious beam:


s: 'Daughter,' she says, 'fly, fly, behold thy dame


s: Foreshows the treasons of thy wretched eame,


s: Who poison gainst thy harmless life provides:'


s: This said, to shapeless air unseen she glides.


s: "But what avail high walls or bulwarks strong,


s: Where fainting cowards have the piece to guard?


s: My sex too weak, mine age was all to young,


s: A banished maid, of wonted ease debarred,


s: So grievous seemed, that liefer were my death,


s: And there to expire where first I drew my breath.


s: And yet to fly had neither will nor power,


s: Nor durst my heart declare it waxed afraid,


s: What hand should first pluck up my springing flower,


s: Even as the wretch condemned to lose his life


s: Awaits the falling of the murdering knife.


s: "In these extremes, for so my fortune would


s: Perchance preserve me to my further ill,


s: That for his goodness bore his child good will,


s: With store of tears this treason gan unfold,


s: And said; my guardian would his pupil kill,


s: And that himself, if promise made be kept,


s: Should give me poison dire ere next I slept.


s: "And further told me, if I wished to live,


s: And offered then all succours he could give


s: To aid his mistress, banished from her right.


s: His words of comfort, fear to exile drive,


s: The dread of death, made lesser dangers light:


s: Obscured the earth I should depart with him.


s: Blacker than erst, her sable mantle spread,


s: When with two trusty maids, in great distress,


s: Both from mine uncle and my realm I fled;


s: Oft looked I back, but hardly could suppress


s: Those streams of tears, mine eyes uncessant shed,


s: It was a grief, a death, an hell almost.


s: "My steeds drew on the burden of my limbs,


s: But still my locks, my thoughts, drew back as fast,


s: So fare the men, that from the heaven's brims,


s: Far out to sea, by sudden storm are cast;


s: Swift o'er the grass the rolling chariot swims,


s: Through ways unknown, all night, all day we haste,


s: At last, nigh tired, a castle strong we fand,


s: "The fort Arontes was, for so the knight


s: Was called, that my deliverance thus had wrought,


s: But when the tyrant saw, by mature flight


s: I had escaped the treasons of his thought,


s: Gainst me, and him, that me to safety brought,


s: Him, but descried, to save our lives we fled.


s: "And that in lieu of his approved truth,


s: That he despatched, mine unbridled youth


s: Might rage at will, in no subjection tied,


s: And that each night I slept -- O foul untruth! --


s: But Heaven I pray send down revenging fire,


s: When so base love shall change my chaste desire.


s: "Not that he sitteth on my regal throne,


s: Nor that he thirst to drink my lukewarm blood,


s: That my renown, which ever blameless stood,


s: Hath lost the light wherewith it always shone:


s: With forged lies he makes his tale so good,


s: And holds my subjects' hearts in such suspense,


s: That none take armor for their queen's defence.


s: "And though he do my regal throne possess,


s: Clothed in purple, crowned with burnished gold;


s: Yet is his hate, his rancor, ne'er the less,


s: Since naught assuageth malice when 'tis old:


s: And murder him unless he yield the hold,


s: And me and mine threats not with war, but death,


s: Thus causeless hatred, endless is uneath.


s: "And so he trusts to wash away the stain,


s: And hide his shameful fact with mine offence,


s: And saith he will restore the throne again


s: And therefore would I should be algates slain,


s: For while I live, his right is in suspense,


s: This is the cause my guiltless life is sought,


s: "And let the tyrant have his heart's desire,


s: My guiltless blood must quench the ceaseless fire


s: On which my endless tears were bootless spent,


s: Unless thou help; to thee, renowned Sire,


s: And let these tears that on thy feet distil,


s: Redeem the drops of blood, he thirsts to spill.


s: "By these thy glorious feet, that tread secure


s: On necks of tyrants, by thy conquests brave,


s: By that right hand, and by those temples pure


s: Thou seek'st to free from Macon's lore, I crave


s: Help for this sickness none but thou canst cure,


s: From death and ruin: but in vain I prove thee,


s: If right, if truth, if justice cannot move thee.


s: "Thou who dost all thou wishest, at thy will,


s: And never willest aught but what is right,


s: Preserve this guiltless blood they seek to spill;


s: Thine be my kingdom, save it with thy might:


s: Among these captains, lords, and knights of skill,


s: Who with assistance of my friends and kin,


s: "For lo a knight, that had a gate to ward,


s: Safe, where the tyrant haply sleepeth hard


s: He counselled me to undertake this thing,


s: Whose name alone accomplish can the feat."


s: This said, his answer did the nymph attend,


s: Her looks, her sighs, her gestures all did pray him:


s: But Godfrey wisely did his grant suspend,


s: He doubts the worst, and that awhile did stay him,


s: He knows, who fears no God, he loves no friend,


s: He fears the heathen false would thus betray him:


s: But yet such ruth dwelt in his princely mind,


s: That gainst his wisdom, pity made him kind.


s: Besides the kindness of his gentle thought,


s: The maiden's offer profit with it brought;


s: For if the Syrian kingdom were her right,


s: That won, the way were easy, which he sought,


s: There might he raise munition, arms and treasure


s: Thus was his noble heart long time betwixt


s: Fear and remorse, not granting nor denying,


s: Upon his eyes the dame her lookings fixed,


s: As if her life and death lay on his saying,


s: Some tears she shed, with sighs and sobbings mixed,


s: As if her hopes were dead through his delaying;


s: At last her earnest suit the duke denayed,


s: But with sweet words thus would content the maid:


s: "If not in service of our God we fought,


s: In meaner quarrel if this sword were shaken,


s: Well might thou gather in thy gentle thought,


s: So fair a princess should not be forsaken;


s: But since these armies, from the world's end brought,


s: To free this sacred town have undertaken,


s: It were unfit we turned our strength away,


s: "I promise thee, and on my princely word


s: That when this chosen temple of the Lord,


s: Her holy doors shall to his saints unclose


s: In rest and peace; then this victorious sword


s: Shall execute due vengeance on thy foes;


s: I left this work, such pity were my shame."


s: At this the princess bent her eyes to ground,


s: And stood unmoved, though not unmarked, a space,


s: Shed heavenly dew upon her angel's face,


s: "Poor wretch," quoth she, "in tears and sorrows drowned,


s: Death be thy peace, the grave thy resting-place,


s: Since such thy hap, that lest thou mercy find


s: The gentlest heart on earth is proved unkind.


s: "Where none attends, what boots it to complain?


s: Men's froward hearts are moved with women's tears


s: As marble stones are pierced with drops of rain,


s: No plaints find passage through unwilling ears:


s: The tyrant, haply, would his wraith restrain


s: Heard he these prayers ruthless Godfrey hears,


s: Yet not thy fault is this, my chance, I see,


s: "So both thy goodness, and good hap, denayed me,


s: Grief, sorrow, mischief, care, hath overthrown me,


s: The star that ruled my birthday hath betrayed me,


s: My genius sees his charge, but dares not own me,


s: Of queen-like state, my flight hath disarrayed me,


s: My father died, ere he five years had known me,


s: My kingdom lost, and lastly resteth now,


s: Down with the tree sith broke is every bough.


s: Bids me not sojourn with these armed men,


s: Shall hide me from the tyrant?  or what den,


s: What rock, what vault, what cave can do me good?


s: No, no, where death is sure, it resteth then


s: To scorn his power and be it therefore seen,


s: Armida lived, and died, both like a queen."


s: With that she looked as if a proud disdain


s: The way she came she turned her steps again,


s: With gesture sad but in disdainful kind,


s: With tears of woe, and sighs of anger's wind;


s: The drops her footsteps wash, whereon she treads,


s: And seems to step on pearls, or crystal beads.


s: Her cheeks on which this streaming nectar fell,


s: Stilled through the limbeck of her diamond eyes,


s: When the fair morn first blusheth from her cell,


s: And breatheth balm from opened paradise;


s: Thus sighed, thus mourned, thus wept this lovely queen,


s: Else, as it came, snatched up the crystal ball,


s: And at rebellious hearts for wildfire threw.


s: O wondrous love!  thou makest gain of all;


s: For if she weeping sit, or smiling stand,


s: She bends thy bow, or kindleth else thy brand.


s: This forged plaint drew forth unfeigned tears


s: From many eyes, and pierced each worthy's heart;


s: Each one condoleth with her that her hears,


s: And of her grief would help her bear the smart:


s: If Godfrey aid her not, not one but swears


s: Some tigress gave him suck on roughest part


s: Midst the rude crags, on Alpine cliffs aloft:


s: Hard is that heart which beauty makes not soft.


s: But jolly Eustace, in whose breast the brand


s: While others softly whispered underhand,


s: Before the duke with comely boldness came:


s: "Brother and lord," quoth he, "too long you stand


s: In your first purpose, yet vouchsafe to frame


s: Your thoughts to ours, and lend this virgin aid:


s: Thanks are half lost when good turns are delayed.


s: "And think not that Eustace's talk assays


s: To turn these forces from this present war,


s: Or that I wish you should your armies raise


s: From Sion's walls, my speech tends not so far:


s: But we that venture all for fame and praise,


s: That to no charge nor service bounden are,


s: Forth of our troop may ten well spared be


s: To succor her, which naught can weaken thee.


s: "And know, they shall in God's high service fight,


s: Dear will the spoils be in the Heaven's sight,


s: That from a tyrant's hateful head we rend:


s: Nor seemed I forward in this lady's right,


s: To help a maiden's cause that shuns or fears.


s: "Ah!  be it not pardie declared in France,


s: Or elsewhere told where courtesy is in prize,


s: For doubt or fear that might from fight arise;


s: Else, here surrender I both sword and lance,


s: And swear no more to use this martial guise;


s: For ill deserves he to be termed a knight,


s: That bears a blunt sword in a lady's right."


s: Thus parleyed he, and with confused sound,


s: The rest approved what the gallant said,


s: Their general their knights encompassed round,


s: With humble grace, and earnest suit they prayed:


s: "I yield," quoth he, "and it be happy found,


s: What I have granted, let her have your aid:


s: Yours be the thanks, for yours the danger is,


s: If aught succeed, as much I fear, amiss.


s: "But if with you my words may credit find,


s: Oh temper then this heat misguides you so!"


s: Thus much he said, but they with fancy blind,


s: Accept his grant, and let his counsel go.


s: What works not beauty, man's relenting mind


s: Is eath to move with plaints and shows of woe:


s: Her lips cast forth a chain of sugared words,


s: That captive led most of the Christian lords.


s: Eustace recalled her, and bespake her thus:


s: "Beauty's chief darling, let those sorrows be,


s: For such assistance shall you find in us


s: As with your need, or will, may best agree:"


s: With that she cheered her forehead dolorous,


s: And smiled for joy, that Phoebus blushed to see,


s: And had she deigned her veil for to remove,


s: The God himself once more had fallen in love.


s: With that she broke the silence once again,


s: And gave the knight great thanks in little speech,


s: She said she would his handmaid poor remain,


s: So far as honor's laws received no breach.


s: Her humble gestures made the residue plain,


s: Thus women know, and thus they use the guise,


s: To enchant the valiant, and beguile the wise.


s: Some wished mean of quick and good proceeding,


s: She thought to strike the iron that was hot,


s: For every action hath his hour of speeding:


s: So far the shapes of men, as her eyes spreading


s: Altered their hearts, and with her syren's sound


s: In lust, their minds, their hearts, in love she drowned.


s: All wily sleights that subtle women know,


s: Hourly she used, to catch some lover new.


s: None kenned the bent of her unsteadfast bow,


s: For with the time her thoughts her looks renew,


s: From some she cast her modest eyes below,


s: And while she thus pursued her wanton sport,


s: She spurred the slow, and reined the forward short.


s: If some, as hopeless that she would be won,


s: Forebore to love, because they durst not move her,


s: On them her gentle looks to smile begun,


s: As who say she is kind if you dare prove her


s: On every heart thus shone this lustful sun,


s: All strove to serve, to please, to woo, to love her,


s: And in their hearts that chaste and bashful were,


s: Her eye's hot glance dissolved the frost of fear.


s: On them who durst with fingering bold assay


s: To touch the softness of her tender skin,


s: She looked as coy, as if she list not play,


s: And made as things of worth were hard to win;


s: Yet tempered so her deignful looks alway,


s: That outward scorn showed store of grace within:


s: Thus with false hope their longing hearts she fired,


s: For hardest gotten things are most desired.


s: Alone sometimes she walked in secret where,


s: Within her eyelids sate the swelling tear,


s: Not poured forth, though sprung from sad lament,


s: And with this craft a thousand souls well near


s: In snares of foolish ruth and love she hent,


s: And kept as slaves, by which we fitly prove


s: That witless pity breedeth fruitless love.


s: The chains of grief, wherein her thoughts lay fettered,


s: Upon her minions looked she blithe and glad,


s: In that deceitful lore so was she lettered;


s: Not glorious Titan, in his brightness clad,


s: The sunshine of her face in lustre bettered:


s: For when she list to cheer her beauties so,


s: She smiled away the clouds of grief and woe.


s: Her double charm of smiles and sugared words,


s: Lulled on sleep the virtue of their senses,


s: Reason shall aid gainst those assaults affords,


s: Wisdom no warrant from those sweet offences;


s: Cupid's deep rivers have their shallow fords,


s: His griefs, bring joys; his losses, recompenses;


s: He breeds the sore, and cures us of the pain:


s: Achilles' lance that wounds and heals again.


s: While thus she them torments twixt frost and fire,


s: Twixt joy and grief, twixt hope and restless fear,


s: The sly enchantress felt her gain the nigher,


s: These were her flocks that golden fleeces bear:


s: And by complaining make his griefs appear,


s: He labored hard rocks with plaints to move,


s: She had not learned the gamut then of love.


s: For down she bet her bashful eyes to ground,


s: And donned the weed of women's modest grace,


s: Down from her eyes welled the pearls round,


s: Such honey drops on springing flowers are found


s: When Phoebus holds the crimson morn in chase;


s: Full seemed her looks of anger, and of shame;


s: Yet pity shone transparent through the same.


s: Sometimes she heard him, sometimes stopped her ear,


s: And played fast and loose the livelong day:


s: Their earnest suit got neither yea nor nay;


s: But like the sort of weary huntsmen fare,


s: That hunt all day, and lose at night the hare.


s: These were the arts by which she captived


s: A thousand souls of young and lusty knights;


s: These were the arms wherewith love conquered


s: Their feeble hearts subdued in wanton fights:


s: Of great Alcides at their ladies' sights,


s: Since these true champions of the Lord above


s: Were thralls to beauty, yielden slaves to lore.


s: To rule that charge for which he seeks and strives,


s: And slanders him so far, that in his ire


s: The wronged knight his foe of life deprives:


s: Far from the camp the slayer doth retire,


s: Nor lets himself be bound in chains or gyves:


s: Armide departs content, and from the seas


s: Godfrey hears news which him and his displease.


s: While thus Armida false the knights misled


s: And thought, besides the champions promised,


s: In Godfrey's thought a strong contention bred


s: Who fittest were this hazard great to prove;


s: For all the worthies of the adventures' band


s: Were like in birth, in power, in strength of hand.


s: But first the prince, by grave advice, decreed


s: They should some knight choose at their own election,


s: That in his charge Lord Dudon might succeed,


s: And of that glorious troop should take protection;


s: So none should grieve, displeased with the deed,


s: Nor blame the causer of their new subjection:


s: Besides, Godfredo showed by this device,


s: How much he held that regiment in price.


s: He called the worthies then, and spake them so:


s: "Lordlings, you know I yielded to your will,


s: And gave you license with this dame to go,


s: To win her kingdom and that tyrant kill:


s: Refrain therefore, and change this forward thought


s: For death unsent for, danger comes unsought.


s: "But if to shun these perils, sought so far,


s: May seem disgraceful to the place yon hold;


s: Esteemed detractors from your courage bold;


s: Then know, I none against his will debar,


s: But he mine empire, as it ought of right,


s: Sweet, easy, pleasant, gentle, meek and light.


s: "Go then or tarry, each as likes him best,


s: Free power I grant you on this enterprise;


s: But first in Dudon's place, now laid in chest,


s: Choose you some other captain stout and wise;


s: But let no more attempt this hard emprise,


s: In this my will content you that I have,


s: For power constrained is but a glorious slave."


s: Thus Godfrey said, and thus his brother spake,


s: And answered for himself and all his peers:


s: "My lord, as well it fitteth thee to make


s: These wise delays and cast these doubts and fears,


s: Courage and haste beseems our might and years;


s: And this proceeding with so grave advice,


s: "Since then the feat is easy, danger none,


s: And aid the damsel:" thus devised the knight,


s: To make men think the sun of honor shone


s: There where the lamp of Cupid gave the light:


s: The rest perceive his guile, and it approve,


s: And call that knighthood which was childish love.


s: But loving Eustace, that with jealous eye


s: Beheld the worth of Sophia's noble child,


s: Besides the virtues in his breast compiled,


s: He stored his mouth with speeches smoothly filed,


s: Thus with fair sleight he laid the knight abord:


s: "Of great Bertoldo thou far greater heir,


s: Thou star of knighthood, flower of chivalry,


s: Tell me, who now shall lead this squadron fair,


s: Since our late guide in marble cold doth lie?


s: In all, but years, hoar locks, and gravity,


s: To whom should I, Duke Godfrey's brother, yield,


s: Unless to thee, the Christian army's shield?


s: "Thee whom high birth makes equal with the best


s: Thine acts prefer both me and all beforn;


s: Nor that in fight thou both surpass the rest,


s: And Godfrey's worthy self, I hold in scorn;


s: Before these worthies be thine eagle borne;


s: Whose day of glory never yet found night.


s: "Yet mayest thou further by this means display


s: The spreading wings of thy immortal fame;


s: I will procure it, if thou sayest not nay,


s: And all their wills to thine election frame:


s: To bend my force, or where employ the same,


s: To help Armida, or serve here with thee."


s: This last request, for love is evil to hide,


s: Empurpled both his cheeks with scarlet red;


s: And gently smiling turned aside his head,


s: To strike him sure, the fire in him was dead;


s: Nor cared he for the journey or the maid.


s: But in his noble thought revolved he oft


s: Praising his fortunes for that worthy's fall;


s: Besides, the knight's sweet words and praises soft


s: And made his heart rejoice, for well he knew,


s: Though much he praised him, all his words were true.


s: "Degrees," quoth he, "of honors high to hold,


s: I would them first deserve, and the desire;


s: And were my valor such as you have told,


s: Would I for that to higher place aspire:


s: But if to honors due raise me you would,


s: And much it glads me, that my power and might


s: "I neither seek it nor refuse the place,


s: Which if I get, the praise and thanks be thine."


s: To know which way his fellows' hearts incline:


s: Gainst him yet vain did all her engines prove,


s: His pride was such, there was no place for love.


s: That many a realm and region had to guide,


s: And for his elders lands and crowns had won.


s: His heart was puffed up with endless pride:


s: The other boasts more what himself had done


s: Than all his ancestors' great acts beside;


s: Famous in war and peace five hundred years.


s: This barbarous prince, who only vainly thought


s: That bliss in wealth and kingly power doth lie,


s: And in respect esteemed all virtue naught


s: Unless it were adorned with titles high,


s: Could not endure, that to the place he sought


s: A simple knight should dare to press so nigh;


s: And in his breast so boiled fell despite,


s: The hidden devil, that lies in close await


s: Found entry there, where ire undid the gate,


s: It filled his heart with malice, strife and hate,


s: It made him rage, blaspheme, swear, curse and ban,


s: And thus each minute whispereth in his ear.


s: What, shall Rinaldo match thee?  dares he tell


s: Then let him say, if thee he would excel,


s: What lands, what realms his tributaries be:


s: If his forefathers in the graves that dwell,


s: Were honored like thine that live, let see:


s: Oh how dares one so mean aspire so high,


s: Yet is his praise and glory hence derived,


s: For that the world will, to his credit, say,


s: Lo, this is he that with Gernando strived.


s: The charge some deal thee haply honor may,


s: That noble Dudon had while here he lived;


s: But laid on him he would the office shame,


s: Let it suffice, he durst desire the same.


s: If when this breath from man's frail body flies


s: The soul take keep, or know the things done here,


s: Oh, how looks Dudon from the glorious skies?


s: What wrath, what anger in his face appear,


s: On this proud youngling while he bends his eyes,


s: Marking how high he doth his feathers rear?


s: Seeing his rash attempt, how soon he dare,


s: Though but a boy, with his great worth compare.


s: He dares not only, but he strives and proves,


s: Where chastisement were fit there wins he praise:


s: One counsels him, his speech him forward moves;


s: Why then he wrongeth thee an hundred ways;


s: Now what thou art and canst, let Godfrey see.


s: With such false words the kindled fire began


s: To every vein his poisoned heart to reach,


s: It swelled his scornful heart, and forth it ran


s: At his proud looks, and too audacious speech;


s: All that he thought blameworthy in the man,


s: To his disgrace that would be each where preach;


s: He termed him proud and vain, his worth in fight


s: He called fool-hardise, rashness, madness right.


s: All that was good, all that was princely found,


s: With such sharp words as malice could invent,


s: He blamed, such power has wicked tongue to wound.


s: The youth, for everywhere those rumors went,


s: Of these reproaches heard sometimes the sound;


s: Nor did for that his tongue the fault amend,


s: The cursed fiend that set his tongue at large,


s: Still bred more fancies in his idle brain,


s: His heart with slanders new did overcharge,


s: And soothed him still in his angry vein;


s: Amid the camp a place was broad and large,


s: Where one fair regiment might easily train;


s: And there in tilt and harmless tournament


s: Their days of rest the youths and gallants spent.


s: There, as his fortune would it should betide,


s: Wherewith foul envy did his heart inspire.


s: And as he could not bridle wrath and ire,


s: "Thou liest," cried he loud, and with that word


s: About his head he tossed his flaming sword.


s: Thunder his voice, and lightning seemed his brand,


s: So fell his look, and furious was his cheer,


s: Pale death, and neither help nor comfort near,


s: Yet for the soldiers all to witness stand


s: He made proud sign, as though he naught did fear,


s: But bravely drew his little-helping blade,


s: And valiant show of strong resistance made.


s: With that a thousand blades of burnished steel


s: Glistered on heaps like flames of fire in sight,


s: Hundreds, that knew not yet the quarrel weel,


s: Ran thither, some to gaze and some to fight:


s: Of murmurs low, and outcries loud on height,


s: Like rolling waves and Boreas' angry blasts


s: When roaring seas against the rocks he casts.


s: But not for this the wronged warrior stayed


s: He cared not what the vulgar did or said,


s: To vengeance did his courage fierce aspire:


s: His thundering sword made all on heaps retire,


s: So that of near a thousand stayed not one,


s: But Prince Gernando bore the brunt alone.


s: His hand, too quick to execute his wrath,


s: Performed all, as pleased his eye and heart,


s: At head and breast oft times he strucken hath,


s: Now at the right, now at the other part:


s: On every side thus did he harm and scath,


s: And oft beguile his sight with nimble art,


s: That no defence the prince of wounds acquits,


s: Where least he thinks, or fears, there most he hits.


s: Nor ceased be, till in Gernando's breast


s: He sheathed once or twice his furious blade;


s: Down fell the hapless prince with death oppressed,


s: His bloody sword the victor wiped and dressed,


s: Nor longer by the slaughtered body stayed,


s: But sped him thence, and soon appeased hath


s: His hate, his ire, his rancor and his wrath.


s: Called by the tumult, Godfrey drew him near,


s: And there beheld a sad and rueful sight,


s: The signs of death upon his face appear,


s: With dust and blood his locks were loathly dight,


s: Sighs and complaints on each side might he hear,


s: Made for the sudden death of that great knight:


s: Amazed, he asked who durst and did so much;


s: For yet he knew not whom the fault would touch.


s: Arnoldo, minion of the Prince thus slain,


s: Augments the fault in telling it, and saith,


s: This Prince murdered, for a quarrel vain,


s: By young Rinaldo in his desperate wrath,


s: And with that sword that should Christ's law maintain,


s: One of Christ's champions bold he killed hath,


s: And this he did in such a place and hour,


s: As if he scorned your rule, despised your power.


s: And further adds, that he deserved death


s: That none offence could greater be uneath,


s: And yet the place the fault did aggravate:


s: If he escapes, that mischief would take breath,


s: And flourish bold in spite of rule and state;


s: And that Gernando's friends would venge the wrong,


s: Although to justice that did first belong,


s: And by that means, should discord, hate and strife


s: Raise mutinies, and what therefore ensueth:


s: Lastly he praised the dead, and still had rife


s: All words he thought could vengeance move or rut


s: With honest reasons to excuse the youth:


s: The Duke heard all, but with such sober cheer,


s: As banished hope, and still increased fear.


s: "Great Prince," quoth Tancred; "set before thine eyes


s: How much our hope of conquest in him lies;


s: Regard that princely house and race of his;


s: He that correcteth every fault he spies,


s: For faults, you know, are greater thought or less,


s: As is the person's self that doth transgress."


s: Of sovereign power alike should feel the stroke,


s: Then, Tancred, ill you counsel us, I trow;


s: If lords should know no law, as erst you spoke,


s: How vile and base our empire were you know,


s: If none but slaves and peasants bear the yoke;


s: Weak is the sceptre and the power is small


s: That such provisos bring annexed withal.


s: "But mine was freely given ere 'twas sought,


s: Right well know I both when and where I ought


s: Since you are all in like subjection brought,


s: Both high and low obey, and be content."


s: This heard, Tancredi wisely stayed his words,


s: Such weight the sayings have of kings and lords.


s: Old Raymond praised his speech, for old men think


s: "'Tis best," quoth he, "to make these great ones shrink,


s: The people love him whom the nobles fear:


s: There must the rule to all disorders sink,


s: Where pardons more than punishments appear;


s: For feeble is each kingdom, frail and weak,


s: These words Tancredi heard and pondered well,


s: And by them wist how Godfrey's thoughts were bent,


s: Nor list he longer with these old men dwell,


s: But turned his horse and to Rinaldo went,


s: Who, when his noble foe death-wounded fell,


s: Withdrew him softly to his gorgeous tent;


s: There Tancred found him, and at large declared


s: The words and speeches sharp which late you heard.


s: And said, "Although I wot the outward show


s: Is not true witness of the secret thought,


s: For that some men so subtle are, I trow,


s: That what they purpose most appeareth naught;


s: Such knowledge hath his looks and speeches wrought,


s: You shall first prisoner be, and then be tried


s: As he shall deem it good and law provide."


s: With that a bitter smile well might you see


s: Rinaldo cast, with scorn and high disdain,


s: "Let them in fetters plead their cause," quoth he,


s: "That are base peasants, born of servile stain,


s: I was free born, I live and will die free


s: Before these feet be fettered in a chain:


s: These hands were made to shake sharp spears and swords,


s: Not to be tied in gyves and twisted cords.


s: "If my good service reap this recompense,


s: And as a thief be after dragged from thence,


s: Let Godfrey come or send, I will not hence


s: Until we know who shall this bargain rue,


s: May be the first, and this the second, act.


s: "Give me mine arms," he cried; his squire them brings,


s: And clad his head, and dressed in iron strong,


s: About his neck his silver shield he flings,


s: Down by his side a cutting sword there hung;


s: Among this earth's brave lords and mighty kings,


s: Was none so stout, so fierce, so fair, so young,


s: God Mars he seemed descending from his sphere,


s: Or one whose looks could make great Mars to fear.


s: Tancredi labored with some pleasing speech


s: His spirits fierce and courage to appease;


s: "Young Prince, thy valor," thus he gan to preach,


s: "Can chastise all that do thee wrong, at ease,


s: I know your virtue can your enemies teach,


s: That you can venge you when and where you please:


s: But God forbid this day you lift your arm


s: To do this camp and us your friends such harm.


s: "Tell me what will you do?  why would you stain


s: Pierce Christ, whose parts they are and members good?


s: Will you destroy us for your glory vain,


s: Unstayed as rolling waves in ocean flood?


s: Far be it from you so to prove your strength,


s: And let your zeal appease your rage at length.


s: "For God's love stay your heat, and just displeasure,


s: Appease your wrath, your courage fierce assuage,


s: Patience, a praise; forbearance, is a treasure;


s: Suffrance, an angel's is; a monster, rage;


s: At least you actions by example measure,


s: Was wronged, yet I would not revengement take


s: On all this camp, for one offender's sake.


s: And there the glorious cross on high I reared,


s: Bereft me falsely when I least him feared;


s: He seemed my friend, and I discovered not


s: His secret covetise which since appeared;


s: Yet strive I not to get mine own by fight,


s: Or civil war, although perchance I might.


s: "If then you scorn to be in prison pent,


s: If bonds, as high disgrace, your hands refuse;


s: Or if your thoughts still to maintain are bent


s: And leave me here your absence to excuse,


s: There with Prince Boemond live in ease and peace,


s: Until this storm of Godfrey's anger cease.


s: Godfrey will beaten be with his own wand,


s: And feel he wants that valor great of thine,


s: Our camp may seem an arm without a hand,


s: Amid our troops unless thy eagle shine:"


s: With that came Guelpho and those words approved,


s: And prayed him go, if him he feared or loved.


s: Their speeches soften much the warrior's heart,


s: And make his wilful thoughts at last relent,


s: So that he yields, and saith he will depart,


s: And leave the Christian camp incontinent.


s: His friends, whose love did never shrink or start,


s: Preferred their aid, what way soe'er he went:


s: He thanked them all, but left them all, besides


s: Two bold and trusty squires, and so he rides.


s: He rides, revolving in his noble spright


s: Such haughty thoughts as fill the glorious mind;


s: On hard adventures was his whole delight,


s: And now to wondrous acts his will inclined;


s: Alone against the Pagans would he fight,


s: From Cynthia's hills and Nilus' unknown spring


s: He would fetch praise and glorious conquest bring.


s: But Guelpho, when the prince his leave had take


s: And now had spurred his courser on his way,


s: No longer tarriance with the rest would make,


s: Who seeing him approaching, forthwith spake,


s: "Guelpho," quoth he, "for thee I only stay,


s: In every tent to seek and find thee out."


s: This said, he softly drew the knight aside


s: Where none might hear, and then bespake him thus:


s: "How chanceth it thy nephew's rage and pride,


s: How I have loved him, thou and all can tell;


s: But Godfrey loved him but whilst he did well.


s: "I must provide that every one have right,


s: That all be heard, each cause be well discussed,


s: As far from partial love as free from spite,


s: I hear complaints, yet naught but proves I trust:


s: Now if Rinaldo weigh our rule too light,


s: And have the sacred lore of war so brust,


s: Take you the charge that he before us come


s: To clear himself and hear our upright dome.


s: "But let him come withouten bond or chain,


s: For still my thoughts to do him grace are framed;


s: But if our power he haply shall disdain,


s: To bring him by persuasion take some pain:


s: Else, if I prove severe, both you be blamed,


s: That forced my gentle nature gainst my thought


s: To rigor, lest our laws return to naught."


s: Lord Guelpho answered thus: "What heart can bear


s: Such slanders false, devised by hate and spite?


s: Or with stayed patience, reproaches hear,


s: The Norway Prince hath bought his folly dear,


s: But who with words could stay the angry knight?


s: A fool is he that comes to preach or prate


s: When men with swords their right and wrong debate.


s: "And where you wish he should himself submit


s: To hear the censure of your upright laws;


s: Out if this camp, withouten stay or pause,


s: To him that first accused him in this cause,


s: Or any else that dare, and will maintain


s: That for his pride the prince was justly slain.


s: "I say with reason Lord Gernando's pride


s: Gainst your commands, who are his lord and guide,


s: Oh pardon him, that fault shall be amended."


s: "If he be gone," quoth Godfrey, "let him ride


s: And brawl elsewhere, here let all strife be ended:


s: And you, Lord Guelpho, for your nephew's sake,


s: Breed us no new, nor quarrels old awake."


s: This while, the fair and false Armida strived


s: To get her promised aid in sure possession,


s: The day to end, with endless plaint she derived;


s: Wit, beauty, craft for her made intercession:


s: But when the earth was once of light deprived,


s: And western seas felt Titan's hot impression,


s: 'Twixt two old knights, and matrons twain she went,


s: Where pitched was her fair and curious tent.


s: But this false queen of craft and sly invention, --


s: Whose looks, love's arrows were; whose eyes his quivers;


s: Whose beauty matchless, free from reprehension,


s: A wonder left by Heaven to after-livers, --


s: Among the Christian lord had bred contention


s: Who first should quench his flames in Cupid's rivers,


s: While all her weapons and her darts rehearsed,


s: Had not Godfredo's constant bosom pierced.


s: To change his modest thought the dame procureth,


s: And proffereth heaps of love's enticing treasure:


s: Her keeper lure her oft, but comes at leisure;


s: What long repentance comes of love's short pleasure,


s: Her crafts, her arts, herself and all despiseth,


s: So base affections fall, when virtue riseth.


s: And not one foot his steadfast foot was moved


s: Out of that heavenly path, wherein he paced,


s: Yet thousand wiles and thousand ways she proved,


s: To have that castle fair of goodness raised:


s: She used those looks and smiles that most behoved


s: To melt the frost which his hard heart embraced,


s: And gainst his breast a thousand shot she ventured,


s: Yet was the fort so strong it was not entered.


s: The dame who thought that one blink of her eye


s: Could make the chastest heart feel love's sweet pain,


s: When all her sleights were void, her crafts were vain,


s: Some other where she would her forces try,


s: Where at more ease she might more vantage gain,


s: As tired soldiers whom some fort keeps out,


s: Thence raise their siege, and spoil the towns about.


s: But yet all ways the wily witch could find


s: Could not Tancredi's heart to loveward move,


s: His sails were filled with another wind,


s: He list no blast of new affection prove;


s: Another's force, so love excludeth love:


s: These two alone nor more nor less the dame


s: Could win, the rest all burnt in her sweet flame.


s: The princess, though her purpose would not frame,


s: As late she hoped, and as still she would,


s: Yet, for the lords and knights of greatest name


s: Became her prey, as erst you heard it told,


s: She thought, ere truth-revealing time or frame


s: Bewrayed her act, to lead them to some hold,


s: Where chains and band she meant to make them prove,


s: The time prefixed at length was come and past,


s: Which Godfrey had set down to lend her aid,


s: When at his feet herself to earth she cast,


s: "The hour is come, my Lord," she humbly said,


s: His banished niece hath your assistance prayed,


s: He will in arms to save his kingdom rise,


s: So shall we harder make this enterprise.


s: "Before report can bring the tyrant news,


s: Oh let thy goodness these few champions choose,


s: That to her kingdom should thy handmaid bring;


s: Who, except Heaven to aid the right refuse,


s: Recover shall her crown, from whence shall spring


s: Thy profit; for betide thee peace or war,


s: Thine all her cities, all her subjects are."


s: The captain sage the damsel fair assured,


s: His word was passed and should not be recanted,


s: And she with sweet and humble grace endured


s: To let him point those ten, which late he granted:


s: But to be one, each one fought and procured,


s: No suit, no entreaty, intercession wanted;


s: There envy each at others' love exceeded,


s: And all importunate made, more than needed.


s: She that well saw the secret of their hearts,


s: And knew how best to warm them in their blood,


s: Against them threw the cursed poisoned darts


s: For love she wist was weak without those arts,


s: For the swift steed runs not so fast alone,


s: As when some strain, some strive him to outgone.


s: Her words in such alluring sort she framed,


s: Her looks enticing, and her wooing smiles,


s: That every one his fellows' favors blamed,


s: That of their mistress he received erewhiles:


s: Mad with the poison of her secret wiles,


s: Ran forward still, in this disordered sort,


s: Nor could Godfredo's bridle rein them short.


s: Withouten partial love, of every knight,


s: Although he swelled with shame, with grief and ire


s: To see these fellows and these fashions light;


s: Yet since by no advice they would retire,


s: Another way he sought to set them right:


s: "Write all your names," quoth he, "and see whom chance


s: Of lot, to this exploit will first advance."


s: Their names were writ, and in an helmet shaken,


s: While each did fortune's grace and aid implore;


s: At last they drew them, and the foremost taken


s: Doubtless the county thought his bread well baken;


s: Next Gerrard followed, then with tresses hoar


s: Oh how contentment in their foreheads shined!


s: Their looks with joy; thoughts swelled with secret pleasure,


s: These three it seemed good success designed


s: To make the lords of love and beauty's treasure:


s: Their doubtful fellows at their hap repined,


s: And with small patience wait Fortune's leisure,


s: Upon his lips that read the scrolls attending,


s: As if their lives were on his words depending.


s: Guasco the fourth, Ridolpho him succeeds,


s: Then Ulderick whom love list so advance,


s: Lord William of Ronciglion next he reads,


s: Rambaldo last, whom wicked lust so leads


s: That he forsook his Saviour with mischance;


s: This wretch the tenth was who was thus deluded,


s: The rest to their huge grief were all excluded.


s: The rest blind Fortune curse, and all her laws,


s: And mad with love, yet out on love they cry,


s: That in his kingdom let her judge their cause:


s: And for man's mind is such, that oft we try


s: Things most forbidden, without stay or pause,


s: In spite of fortune purposed many a knight


s: And in her quarrel venture life and limb.


s: With sighs and tears she gan them softly pray


s: To keep that promise, when the skies were dim,


s: To this and that knight did she plain and say,


s: What grief she felt to part withouten him:


s: Meanwhile the ten had donned their armor best,


s: And taken leave of Godfrey and the rest.


s: How light, how trustless was the Pagan's faith,


s: And told what policy, what wit, what art,


s: Avoids deceit, which heedless men betray'th;


s: His speeches pierce their ear, but not their heart,


s: Love calls it folly, whatso wisdom saith:


s: Thus warned he leaves them to their wanton guide,


s: Who parts that night; such haste had she to ride.


s: The conqueress departs, and with her led


s: These prisoners, whom love would captive keep,


s: The hearts of those she left behind her bled,


s: With point of sorrow's arrow pierced deep.


s: But when the night her drowsy mantle spread,


s: And filled the earth with silence, shade and sleep,


s: In secret sort then each forsook his tent,


s: And as blind Cupid led them blind they went.


s: Eustatio first, who scantly could forbear,


s: Till friendly night might hide his haste and shame,


s: He rode in post, and let his breast him bear


s: As his blind fancy would his journey frame,


s: All night he wandered and he wist not where;


s: But with the morning he espied the dame,


s: That with her guard up from a village rode


s: Where she and they that night had made abode.


s: Thither he galloped fast, and drawing near


s: Rambaldo knew the knight, and loudly cried,


s: "Whence comes young Eustace, and what seeks he here?"


s: "I come," quoth he, "to serve the Queen Armide,


s: If she accept me, would we all were there


s: Where my good-will and faith might best be tried."


s: "Who," quoth the other, "choseth thee to prove


s: This high exploit of hers?"  He answered, "Love."


s: "Love hath Eustatio chosen, Fortune thee,


s: In thy conceit which is the best election?"


s: "Nay, then, these shifts are vain," replied he,


s: "These titles false serve thee for no protection,


s: Thou canst not here for this admitted be


s: Our fellow-servant, in this sweet subjection."


s: "And who," quoth Eustace, angry, "dares deny


s: My fellowship?"  Rambaldo answered, "I."


s: And with that word his cutting sword he drew,


s: That glittered bright, and sparkled flaming fire;


s: The gentle princess, who the danger knew,


s: Between them stepped, and prayed them both retire.


s: "Rambald," quoth she, "why should you grudge or plain,


s: "If me you love, why wish you me deprived


s: In so great need of such a puissant knight?


s: But welcome Eustace, in good time arrived,


s: Defender of my state, my life, my right.


s: When I esteem such good assistance light."


s: Thus talked they on, and travelled on their way


s: From every side they come, yet wist there none


s: She welcomes all, and telleth every one,


s: What joy her thoughts in his arrival find.


s: But when Duke Godfrey wist his knights were gone,


s: Within his breast his wiser soul divined


s: Some hard mishap upon his friends should light,


s: For which he sighed all day, and wept all night.


s: A messenger, while thus he mused, drew near,


s: All soiled with dust and sweat, quite out of breath,


s: It seemed the man did heavy tidings bear,


s: Upon his looks sate news of loss and death:


s: "My lord," quoth he, "so many ships appear


s: At sea, that Neptune bears the load uneath,


s: William Lord Admiral of the Genoa fleet,


s: With victual for this noble camp of thine


s: Surprised was, and lost is all that store,


s: Mules, horses, camels laden, corn and wine;


s: Thy servants fought till they could fight no more,


s: For all were slain or captives made in fine:


s: The Arabian outlaws them assailed by night,


s: When least they feared, and least they looked for fight.


s: "Their frantic boldness doth presume so far,


s: That many Christians have they falsely slain,


s: And like a raging flood they spared are,


s: And overflow each country, field and plain;


s: Send therefore some strong troops of men of war,


s: To force them hence, and drive them home again,


s: And keep the ways between these tents of thine


s: And those broad seas, the seas of Palestine."


s: From mouth to mouth the heavy rumor spread


s: Of these misfortunes, which dispersed wide


s: Among the soldiers, great amazement bred;


s: Famine they doubt, and new come foes beside:


s: The duke, that saw their wonted courage fled,


s: And in the place thereof weak fear espied,


s: With merry looks these cheerful words he spake,


s: To make them heart again and courage take.


s: "You champions bold, with me that 'scaped have


s: Whom still your God did keep, defend and save


s: In all your battles, combats, fights and frays,


s: You that subdued the Turks and Persians brave,


s: That thirst and hunger held in scorn always,


s: And vanquished hills, and seas, with heat and cold,


s: Shall vain reports appal your courage bold?


s: "That Lord who helped you out at every need,


s: When aught befell this glorious camp amiss,


s: Shall fortune all your actions well to speed,


s: Tofore his tomb, when conquering hands you spreed,


s: With what delight will you remember this?


s: Be strong therefore, and keep your valors high


s: Their hopes half dead and courage well-nigh lost,


s: Revived with these brave speeches of their guide;


s: But in his breast a thousand cares he tost,


s: Although his sorrows he could wisely hide;


s: He studied how to feed that mighty host,


s: In so great scarceness, and what force provide


s: Argantes calls the Christians out to just:


s: Otho not chosen doth his strength assay,


s: But from his saddle tumbleth in the dust,


s: Tancred begins new fight, and when both trust


s: To win the praise and palm, night ends the fray:


s: Erminia hopes to cure her wounded knight,


s: With new supply late were they victualled,


s: When night obscured the earth with shadows brown;


s: Their armies and engines on the walls they spread,


s: Their slings to cast, and stones to tumble down;


s: And all that side which to the northward lies,


s: High rampiers and strong bulwarks fortifies.


s: Their wary king commands now here now there,


s: To build this tower, to make that bulwark strong,


s: Whether the sun, the moon, or stars appear,


s: To give them time to work, no time comes wrong:


s: In every street new weapons forged were,


s: By cunning smiths, sweating with labor long;


s: While thus the careful prince provision made,


s: To him Argantes came, and boasting said:


s: "How long shall we, like prisoners in chains,


s: Meanwhile these eastern thieves destroy the plains,


s: Your towns are burnt, your forts and castles fall,


s: Yet none of us dares at these gates out-peep,


s: Or sound one trumpet shrill to break their sleep.


s: "Their time in feasting and good cheer they spend,


s: Nor dare we once their banquets sweet molest,


s: The days and night likewise they bring to end,


s: In peace, assurance, quiet, ease and rest;


s: But we must yield whom hunger soon will shend,


s: And make for peace, to save our lives, request,


s: Like cowards die within this fortress strong.


s: "Yet never shall my courage great consent


s: So vile a death should end my noble days,


s: Nor on mine arms within these walls ypent


s: To-morrow's sun shall spread his timely rays:


s: Let sacred Heavens dispose as they are bent


s: Of this frail like, yet not withouten praise


s: Of valor, prowess, might, Argantes shall


s: Be not quite dead your princely breast within,


s: Devise not how with frame and praise to die,


s: And skirmish bold and bloody fight begin;


s: For when last need to desperation driveth,


s: Who dareth most he wisest counsel giveth.


s: "But if in field your wisdom dare not venture


s: To hazard all your troops to doubtful fight,


s: Then bind yourself to Godfrey by indenture,


s: To end your quarrels by one single knight:


s: And for the Christian this accord shall enter


s: With better will, say such you know your right


s: That he the weapons, place and time shall choose,


s: And let him for his best, that vantage use.


s: "For though your foe had hands, like Hector strong,


s: With heart unfeared, and courage stern and stout,


s: Yet no misfortune can your justice wrong,


s: And what that wanteth, shall this arm help out,


s: In spite of fate shall this right hand ere long,


s: Take it for pledge, wherein if trust you have,


s: It shall yourself defend and kingdom save."


s: "Bold youth," the tyrant thus began to speak,


s: "Although I withered seem with age and years,


s: Yet are not these old arms so faint and weak,


s: Nor this hoar head so full of doubts and fears


s: But whenas death this vital thread shall break,


s: He shall my courage hear, my death who hears:


s: And Aladine that lived a king and knight,


s: To his fair morn will have an evening bright.


s: "But that which yet I would have further blazed,


s: To thee in secret shall be told and spoken,


s: From Inde to Africk, and, when we give token,


s: To victual us, and with our foes to fight.


s: "Now though Godfredo hold by warlike feat


s: Some castles poor and forts in vile oppression,


s: Care not for that; for still our princely seat,


s: This stately town, we keep in our possession,


s: But thou appease and calm that courage great,


s: Which in thy bosom make so hot impression;


s: And stay fit time, which will betide are long,


s: To increase thy glory, and revenge our wrong."


s: Who Soliman's great worth had long envied,


s: To hear him praised thus he naught delighted,


s: "Within your power, sir king," he says, "united


s: Are peace and war, nor shall that be denied;


s: He lost his own, shall he defend your land?


s: "Perchance he comes some heavenly messenger,


s: Then let Argantes for himself take care,


s: This sword, I trust, shall well safe-conduct me:


s: But while you rest and all your forces spare,


s: Though not your champion, yet a private knight,


s: I will some Christian prove in single fight."


s: The king replied, "Though thy force and might


s: Should be reserved to better time and use;


s: Yet that thou challenge some renowned knight,


s: Among the Christians bold I not refuse."


s: The warrior breathing out desire of fight,


s: An herald called, and said, "Go tell those news


s: To Godfrey's self, and to the western lords,


s: And in their hearings boldly say these words:


s: "Say that a knight, who holds in great disdain


s: Will with his sword in open field maintain,


s: That no devotion, as they falsely feign,


s: Hath moved the French these countries to subdue;


s: But vile ambition, and pride's hateful vice,


s: Desire of rule, and spoil, and covetice.


s: With one or two that dare defend the cause,


s: But come the fourth or fifth, come all the rest,


s: Come all that will, and all that weapon draws,


s: Let him that yields obey the victor's hest,


s: As wills the lore of mighty Mars his laws:"


s: This was the challenge that fierce Pagan sent,


s: The herald donned his coat-of-arms, and went.


s: And when the man before the presence came


s: Of princely Godfrey, and his captains bold:


s: "My Lord," quoth he, "may I withouten blame


s: Before your Grace, my message brave unfold?"


s: "Thou mayest," he answered, "we approve the same;


s: Withouten fear, be thine ambassage told."


s: "Then," quoth the herald, "shall your highness see,


s: If this ambassage sharp or pleasing be."


s: The challenge gan he then at large expose,


s: With mighty threats, high terms and glorious words;


s: To wrath so moved were the knights and lords.


s: Then Godfrey spake, and said, "The man hath chose


s: An hard exploit, but when he feels our swords,


s: I trust we shall so far entreat the knight,


s: As to excuse the fourth or fifth of fight.


s: "But let him come and prove, the field I grant,


s: Nor wrong nor treason let him doubt or fear,


s: Some here shall pay him for his glorious vaunt,


s: Without or guile, or vantage, that I swear.


s: The herald turned when he had ended scant,


s: And hasted back the way he came whileare,


s: Nor stayed he aught, nor once forslowed his pace,


s: "Arm you, my lord," he said, "your bold defies


s: By your brave foes accepted boldly been,


s: This combat neither high nor low denies,


s: Ten thousand wish to meet you on the green;


s: A thousand frowned with angry flaming eyes,


s: And shaked for rage their swords and weapons keen;


s: The field is safely granted by their guide,"


s: This said, the champion for his armor cried.


s: While he was armed, his heart for ire nigh brake,


s: So yearned his courage hot his foes to find:


s: The King to fair Clorinda present spake;


s: But of our soldiers best a thousand take,


s: To guard his person and your own assigned;


s: Yet let him meet alone the Christian knight,


s: And stand yourself aloof, while they two fight."


s: Thus spake the King, and soon without abode


s: The troop went forth in shining armor clad,


s: Before the rest the Pagan champion rode,


s: Between the city and the camp was spread,


s: A place like that wherein proud Rome beheld


s: The forward young men manage spear and shield.


s: There all alone Argantes took his stand,


s: Defying Christ and all his servants true,


s: In stature, stomach, and in strength of hand,


s: In pride, presumption, and in dreadful show,


s: But his fierce semblant they esteemed light,


s: For most not knew, or else not feared his might.


s: But on Prince Tancred saw he all the rout


s: Had fixed their wishes, and had cast their eyes,


s: On him he spied them gazing round about,


s: As though their honor on his prowess lies,


s: And now they whispered louder what they meant,


s: Which Godfrey heard and saw, and was content.


s: The rest gave place; for every one descried


s: To whom their chieftain's will did most incline,


s: "Tancred," quoth he, "I pray thee calm the pride,


s: No longer would the chosen champion bide,


s: His face with joy, his eyes with gladness shine,


s: His helm he took, and ready steed bestrode,


s: And guarded with his trusty friends forth rode.


s: But scantly had he spurred his courser swift


s: Near to the plain, where proud Argantes stayed,


s: When unawares his eyes he chanced to lift,


s: And on the hill beheld the warlike maid,


s: The virgin shone in silver arms arrayed,


s: Her goodly visage, and her beauty's pride.


s: He saw not where the Pagan stood, and stared,


s: As if with looks he would his foeman kill,


s: But full of other thoughts he forward fared,


s: And sent his looks before him up the hill,


s: His gesture such his troubled soul declared,


s: At last as marble rock he standeth still,


s: Stone cold without; within, burnt with love's flame,


s: And quite forgot himself, and why he came.


s: The challenger, that yet saw none appear


s: "How long," cried he, "shall I attend you here?


s: Dares none come forth?  dares none his fortune trust?"


s: The other stood amazed, love stopped his ear,


s: He thinks on Cupid, think of Mars who lust;


s: But forth stert Otho bold, and took the field,


s: A gentle knight whom God from danger shield.


s: This youth was one of those, who late desired


s: With that vain-glorious boaster to have fought,


s: Now when his slackness he awhile admired,


s: And saw elsewhere employed was his thought,


s: Nor that to just, though chosen, once he proffered,


s: He boldly took that fit occasion offered.


s: Runs half so swift, the forests wild among,


s: As this young champion hasted thitherward,


s: Where he attending saw the Pagan strong:


s: Tancredi started with the noise he heard,


s: As waked from sleep, where he had dreamed long,


s: "Oh stay," he cried, "to me belongs this war!"


s: But cried too late, Otho was gone too far.


s: He stayed his horse, and waxed red for shame,


s: The fight was his, but now disgraced quite


s: Himself he thought, another played his game;


s: On Otho's helm, who to requite the same,


s: His foe quite through his sevenfold targe did bear,


s: And in his breastplate stuck and broke his spear.


s: The encounter such, upon the tender grass,


s: Down from his steed the Christian backward fell;


s: Yet his proud foe so strong and sturdy was,


s: That he nor shook, nor staggered in his sell,


s: But to the knight that lay full low, alas,


s: In high disdain his will thus gan he tell,


s: "Yield thee my slave, and this thine honor be,


s: Thou may'st report thou hast encountered me."


s: "Not so," quoth he, "pardy it's not the guise


s: Of Christian knights, though fall'n, so soon to yield;


s: And will revenge this shame, or die in field."


s: The great Circassian bent his frowning eyes,


s: Like that grim visage in Minerva's shield,


s: "Then learn," quoth he, "what force Argantes useth


s: Against that fool that proffered grace refuseth."


s: With that he spurred his horse with speed and haste,


s: Forgetting what good knights to virtue owe,


s: Otho his fury shunned, and, as he passed,


s: At his right side he reached a noble blow,


s: Wide was the wound, the blood outstreamed fast,


s: And from his side fell to his stirrup low:


s: But what avails to hurt, if wounds augment


s: Our foe's fierce courage, strength and hardiment?


s: Against his side he drove his courser's head,


s: What force could he gainst so great might prepare?


s: Weak were his feeble joints, his courage dead,


s: His heart amazed, his paleness showed his care,


s: His tender side gainst the hard earth he cast,


s: Shamed, with the first fall; bruised, with the last.


s: The victor spurred again his light-foot steed,


s: And cried, "These fools thus under foot I tread,


s: This dare contend with me in equal mart."


s: So was he grieved with that unknightly part;


s: The fault was his, he was so slow before,


s: With double valor would he salve that sore.


s: Forward he galloped fast, and loudly cried:


s: "Villain," quoth he, "thy conquest is thy shame,


s: What praise?  what honor shall this fact betide?


s: What gain?  what guerdon shall befall the same?


s: Among the Arabian thieves thy face go hide,


s: Far from resort of men of worth and fame,


s: Or else in woods and mountains wild, by night,


s: On savage beasts employ thy savage might."


s: The Pagan patience never knew, nor used,


s: Trembling for ire, his sandy locks he tore,


s: Our from his lips flew such a sound confused,


s: As lions make in deserts thick, which roar;


s: Or as when clouds together crushed and bruised,


s: Pour down a tempest by the Caspian shore;


s: So was his speech imperfect, stopped, and broken,


s: He roared and thundered when he should have spoken.


s: But when with threats they both had whetted keen


s: Their eager rage, their fury, spite and ire,


s: They turned their steeds and left large space between


s: To make their forces greater,   'proaching nigher,


s: With terms that warlike and that worthy been:


s: O sacred Muse, my haughty thoughts inspire,


s: To thunder out this furious combat shrill.


s: These sons of Mayors bore, instead of spears,


s: Two knotty masts, which none but they could lift,


s: Each foaming steed so fast his master bears,


s: That never beast, bird, shaft flew half so swift;


s: Such was their fury, as when Boreas tears


s: The shattered crags from Taurus' northern clift,


s: Upon their helms their lances long they broke,


s: And up to heaven flew splinters, spark and smoke.


s: The shock made all the towers and turrets quake,


s: And woods and mountains all nigh hand resound;


s: Yet could not all that force and fury shake


s: The valiant champions, nor their persons wound;


s: Together hurtled both their steeds, and brake


s: Each other's neck, the riders lay on ground:


s: But they, great masters of war's dreadful art,


s: Plucked forth their swords and soon from earth up start.


s: Close at his surest ward each warrior lieth,


s: He wisely guides his hand, his foot, his eye,


s: This blow he proveth, that defence he trieth,


s: Now strikes he out, and now he falsifieth,


s: This blow he wardeth, that he lets slip by,


s: The Pagan ill defenced with sword or targe,


s: Tancredi's thigh, as he supposed, espied


s: And reaching forth  gainst it his weapon large,


s: Quite naked to his foe leaves his left-side;


s: Tancred avoideth quick his furious charge,


s: And gave him eke a wound deep, sore and wide;


s: That done, himself safe to his ward retired,


s: His courage praised by all, his skill admired.


s: The proud Circassian saw his streaming blood,


s: Down from his wound, as from a fountain, running,


s: He sighed for rage, and trembled as he stood,


s: He blamed his fortune, folly, want of cunning;


s: He lift his sword aloft, for ire nigh wood,


s: And forward rushed: Tancred his fury shunning,


s: With a sharp thrust once more the Pagan hit,


s: To his broad shoulder where his arm is knit.


s: Like as a bear through pierced with a dart


s: Within the secret woods, no further flieth,


s: But bites the senseless weapon mad with smart,


s: Seeking revenge till unrevenged she dieth;


s: So mad Argantes fared, when his proud heart


s: Wound upon wound, and shame on shame espieth,


s: Desire of vengeance so o'ercame his senses,


s: That he forgot all dangers, all defences.


s: Uniting force extreme, with endless wrath,


s: Supporting both with youth and strength untired,


s: His thundering blows so fast about he layeth,


s: That skies and earth the flying sparkles fired;


s: His foe to strike one blow no leisure hath,


s: Scantly he breathed, though he oft desired,


s: His warlike skill and cunning all was waste,


s: Such was Argantes' force, and such his haste.


s: When this huge storm should overblow and pass,


s: Some blows his mighty target well defended,


s: Some fell beside, and wounded deep the grass;


s: But when he saw the tempest never ended,


s: Nor that the Paynim's force aught weaker was,


s: He high advanced his cutting sword at length,


s: And rage to rage opposed, and strength to strength.


s: Wrath bore the sway, both art and reason fail,


s: Fury new force, and courage new supplies,


s: Their armors forged were of metal frail,


s: On every side thereof, huge cantels flies,


s: The land was strewed all with plate and mail.


s: That, on the earth; on that, their warm blood lies.


s: And at each rush and every blow they smote


s: Thunder the noise, the sparks, seemed lightning hot.


s: The Christian people and the Pagans gazed,


s: On this fierce combat wishing oft the end,


s: Twixt hope and fear they stood long time amazed,


s: To see the knights assail, and eke defend,


s: Yet neither sign they made, nor noise they raised,


s: And stood as still, as life and sense they wanted,


s: Save that their hearts within their bosoms panted.


s: Now were they tired both, and well-nigh spent,


s: Their blows show greater will than power to wound;


s: But Night her gentle daughter Darkness, sent,


s: With friendly shade to overspread the ground,


s: Two heralds to the fighting champions went,


s: To part the fray, as laws of arms them bound


s: Aridens born in France, and wise Pindore,


s: The man that brought the challenge proud before.


s: These men their sceptres interpose, between


s: The doubtful hazards of uncertain fight;


s: For such their privilege hath ever been,


s: The law of nations doth defend their right;


s: Pindore began, "Stay, stay, you warriors keen,


s: Forbear this combat, so we deem it best,


s: Give night her due, and grant your persons rest.


s: But with the night, all creatures draw to sleep,


s: Nor yet of hidden praise in darkness won


s: The valiant heart of noble knight takes keep:"


s: Now to forbear, doth wound my heart right deep:


s: Yet will I stay, so that this Christian swear,


s: Before you both, again to meet me here."


s: "I swear," quoth Tancred, "but swear thou likewise


s: To make return thy prisoner eke with thee;


s: Else for achievement of this enterprise,


s: Thus swore they both; the heralds both devise,


s: What time for this exploit should fittest be:


s: And for their wounds of rest and cure had need,


s: To meet again the sixth day was decreed.


s: This fight was deep imprinted in their hearts


s: That saw this bloody fray to ending brought,


s: An horror great possessed their weaker parts,


s: Which made them shrink who on their combat thought:


s: Much speech was of the praise and high desarts


s: Of these brave champions that so nobly fought;


s: But which for knightly worth was most ypraised,


s: Of that was doubt and disputation raised.


s: All long to see them end this doubtful fray,


s: And as they favor, so they wish success,


s: These hope true virtue shall obtain the day,


s: Those trust on fury, strength and hardiness;


s: Whose looks her trouble and her fear express;


s: For on this dangerous combat's doubtful end


s: Her joy, her comfort, hope and life depend.


s: Her the sole daughter of that hapless king,


s: That of proud Antioch late wore the crown,


s: The Christian soldiers to Tancredi bring,


s: When they had sacked and spoiled that glorious town;


s: But he, in whom all good and virtue spring,


s: The virgin's honor saved, and her renown;


s: And when her city and her state was lost,


s: Then was her person loved and honored most.


s: He honored her, served her, and leave her gave,


s: And willed her go whither and when she list,


s: And them restored all, she nothing missed,


s: She, that beheld this youth and person brave,


s: When, by this deed, his noble mind she wist,


s: Laid ope her heart for Cupid's shaft to hit,


s: Who never knots of love more surer knit.


s: Her body free, captivated was her heart,


s: And love the keys did of that prison bear,


s: From that kind Lord, and from that prison dear,


s: To Aladine, her mother's dearest friend.


s: Whose loss too soon the woful damsel plained,


s: Her grief was such, she lived not half the year,


s: Yet banishment, nor loss of friends constrained


s: The hapless maid her passions to forbear,


s: For though exceeding were her woe and grief,


s: Of all her sorrows yet her love was chief.


s: Her hope a mote drawn up by Phoebus' rays,


s: Her love a mountain seemed, whereon bright shined


s: Fresh memory of Tancred's worth and praise,


s: Within her closet if her self she shrined,


s: Tancred at last, to raise her hope nigh dead,


s: Before those walls did his broad ensign spread.


s: The rest to view the Christian army feared,


s: Such seemed their number, such their power and might,


s: But she alone her troubled forehead cleared,


s: And on them spread her beauty shining bright;


s: In every squadron when it first appeared,


s: Her curious eye sought out her chosen knight;


s: The same seems him, so love and fancy tells.


s: The western host, the plains and mountains all,


s: And there she stood all the long day to spy,


s: From Phoebus' rising to his evening fall,


s: And with her thoughts disputed of his praise,


s: And every thought a scalding sigh did raise.


s: From hence the furious combat she surveyed,


s: And felt her heart tremble with fear and pain,


s: Her secret thoughts thus to her fancy said,


s: So with suspect, with fear and grief dismayed,


s: Attended she her darling's loss or gain,


s: The stroke a wound in her weak bosom made.


s: But when she saw the end, and wist withal


s: Their strong contention should eftsoons begin,


s: Amazement strange her courage did appal,


s: Sometimes she sighed, sometimes tears let fall,


s: To witness what distress her heart was in;


s: Hopeless, dismayed, pale, sad, astonished,


s: Her love, her fear; her fear, her torment bred.


s: Death in an hundred ugly fashions painted,


s: And if she slept, then was her grief augmented,


s: With such sad visions were her thoughts acquainted;


s: She saw her lord with wounds and hurts tormented,


s: How he complained, called for her help, and fainted,


s: And found, awaked from that unquiet sleeping,


s: Her heart with panting sore; eyes, red with weeping.


s: Not greatest cause of her discomfort were,


s: She saw his blood from his deep wounds distil,


s: Nor what he suffered could she bide or bear:


s: Besides, report her longing ear did fill,


s: Doubling his danger, doubling so her fear,


s: That she concludes, so was her courage lost,


s: Her wounded lord was weak, faint, dead almost.


s: And for her mother had her taught before


s: The secret virtue of each herb that springs,


s: Besides fit charms for every wound or sore


s: Corruption breedeth or misfortune brings, --


s: Beseeming daughters of great lords and kings --


s: She would herself be surgeon to her knight,


s: And heal him with her skill, or with her sight.


s: Thus would she cure her love, and cure her foe


s: She must, that had her friends and kinsfolk slain:


s: Some cursed weeds her cunning hand did know,


s: That could augment his harm, increase his pain;


s: No treason should her spotless person stain,


s: And virtueless she wished all herbs and charms


s: Wherewith false men increase their patients' harms.


s: Her life had full of haps and hazards been,


s: More than her feeble sex became, I ween;


s: So cowards are courageous made through need.


s: Love, fearless, hardy, and audacious love,


s: That where wild beasts and serpents glide and move


s: Through Afric's deserts durst she ride or go,


s: Her life and body's safety, told her no;


s: For in the secret of her troubled thought,


s: A doubtful combat, love and honor fought.


s: "That my true lore observed firmly hast,


s: When with thy foes thou didst in bondage won,


s: Remember then I kept thee pure and chaste,


s: At liberty now, where wouldest thou run,


s: To lay that field of princely virtue waste,


s: "Or deem'st thou it a praise of little prize,


s: That thou will gad by night in giglot wise,


s: Amid thine armed foes, to seek thy shame.


s: O fool, a woman conquers when she flies,


s: Refusal kindleth, proffers quench the flame.


s: Thy lord will judge thou sinnest beyond measure,


s: If vainly thus thou waste so rich a treasure."


s: The simple damsel, with his filed tongue:


s: "Thou wert not born," quoth he, "in desert wild


s: The cruel bears and savage beasts among,


s: That you shouldest scorn fair Citherea's child,


s: Or hate those pleasures that to youth belong,


s: Nor did the gods thy heart of iron frame;


s: "Go then, go, whither sweet desire inviteth,


s: Love in his heart thy grief and sorrows writeth,


s: For thy laments how he complaineth, see.


s: To save his life, that saved and honored thee!


s: He languished, one foot thou wilt not move


s: To succor him, yet say'st thou art in love.


s: "No, no, stay here Argantes' wounds to cure,


s: And make him strong to shed thy darling's blood,


s: That doth a thankless woman so much good:


s: To see the strength of this Circassian wood,


s: And not with horror and amazement shrink,


s: When on their future fight thou hap'st to think?


s: "Besides the thanks and praises for the deed,


s: Suppose what joy, what comfort shalt thou win,


s: When thy soft hand doth wholesome plaisters speed,


s: Thence to thy dearest lord may health succeed,


s: Strength to his limbs, blood to his cheeks so thin,


s: And his rare beauties, now half dead and more,


s: Thou may'st to him, him to thyself restore.


s: "So shall some part of his adventures bold


s: And valiant acts henceforth be held as thine;


s: His dear embracements shall thee straight enfold,


s: Together joined in marriage rites divine:


s: Lastly high place of honor shalt thou hold


s: Among the matrons sage and dames Latine,


s: Where valor true, and true religion dwells."


s: With such vain hopes the silly maid abused,


s: Promised herself mountains and hills of gold;


s: Yet were her thoughts with doubts and fears confused


s: To guard the walls against the Christians bold,


s: In surest links of dearest friendship bound,


s: With her she used the rising sun to greet,


s: And her, when Phoebus glided under ground,


s: She made the lovely partner of her sheet;


s: In both their hearts one will, one thought was found;


s: Nor aught she hid from that virago bold,


s: Except her love, that tale to none she told.


s: Her make complaints, or secretly lament,


s: Like as the bird that having close imbarred


s: Her tender young ones in the springing bent,


s: To draw the searcher further from her nest,


s: Cries and complains most where she needeth least.


s: Alone, within her chamber's secret part,


s: Devising by what means, what sleight, what art,


s: Her close departure should be safest wrought,


s: An hundred passions strove and ceaseless fought;


s: At last she saw high hanging on the wall


s: Clorinda's silver arms, and sighed withal:


s: And sighing, softly to herself she said,


s: "How blessed is this virgin in her might?


s: Yet envy not her shape, or beauty's light;


s: Her steps are not with trailing garments stayed,


s: Nor chambers hide her valor shining bright;


s: But armed she rides, and breaketh sword and spear,


s: Nor is her strength restrained by shame or fear.


s: "Alas, why did not Heaven these members frail


s: With lively force and vigor strengthen so


s: That I this silken gown and slender veil


s: Might for a breastplate and an helm forego?


s: Then should not heat, nor cold, nor rain, nor hail,


s: Nor storms that fall, nor blustering winds that blow


s: Withhold me, but I would both day and night,


s: In pitched field, or private combat fight.


s: "Nor haddest thou, Argantes, first begun


s: With my dear lord that fierce and cruel fight,


s: And haply ta'en him captive by my might;


s: Yet should he find, our furious combat done,


s: His thraldom easy, and his bondage light;


s: For fetters, mine embracements should he prove;


s: For diet, kisses sweet; for keeper, love.


s: And heart though pierced with his cruel blade,


s: Might cure the wound which love before had made;


s: Then should my soul in rest and quiet slide


s: Down to the valleys of the Elysian shade,


s: And my mishap the knight perchance would move,


s: To shed some tears upon his murdered love.


s: "Alas!  impossible are all these things,


s: Such wishes vain afflict my woful sprite,


s: Why yield I thus to plaints and sorrowings,


s: As if all hope and help were perished quite?


s: My heart dares much, it soars with Cupid's wings,


s: Why use I not for once these armors bright?


s: Though I be tender, feeble, weak and soft.


s: "Love, strong, bold, mighty never-tired love,


s: Supplieth force to all his servants true;


s: The fearful stags he doth to battle move,


s: Till each his horns in others' blood imbrue;


s: Yet mean not I the haps of war to prove,


s: Clorinda-like in this fair harness dight,


s: I will escape out of the town this night.


s: "I know the men that have the gate to ward,


s: In what sort else could I beguile the guard?


s: Thine handmaid guide, assist and fortify!


s: The time, the hour now fitteth best the thing,


s: While stout Clorinda talketh with the king."


s: As her strong passion did her rashly guide,


s: And those bright arms, down from the rafter hent,


s: That might she do unseen, for she had sent


s: The rest, on sleeveless errands from her side,


s: And night her stealths brought to their wished end,


s: Night, patroness of thieves, and lovers' friend.


s: Some sparkling fires on heaven's bright visage shone;


s: His azure robe the orient blueness lost,


s: When she, whose wit and reason both were gone,


s: Called for a squire she loved and trusted most,


s: Part of her will she told, how that in post


s: She would depart from Juda's king, and feigned


s: That other cause her sudden flight constrained.


s: The trusty squire provided needments meet,


s: As for their journey fitting most should be;


s: Meanwhile her vesture, pendant to her feet,


s: Stripped to her petticoat the virgin sweet


s: Her handmaid ready at her mistress' will,


s: To arm her helped, though simple were her skill.


s: Her dainty neck, and locks of shining gold;


s: When that huge target it presumed to hold,


s: The burnished steel bright rays far off extended,


s: Fast by her side unseen smiled Venus' son,


s: Oh, with what labor did her shoulders bear


s: That heavy burthen, and how slow she went!


s: Her maid, to see that all the coasts were clear,


s: Before her mistress, through the streets was sent;


s: Love gave her courage, love exiled fear,


s: Till she approached where the squire abode,


s: There took they horse forthwith and forward rode.


s: Disguised they went, and by unused ways,


s: And secret paths they strove unseen to gone,


s: Until the watch they meet, which sore affrays


s: Their soldiers new, when swords and weapons shone


s: Yet none to stop their journey once essays,


s: But place and passage yielded every one;


s: For that while armor, and that helmet bright,


s: Were known and feared, in the darkest night.


s: Erminia, though some deal she were dismayed,


s: Yet went she on, and goodly countenance bore,


s: She doubted lest her purpose were bewrayed,


s: Her too much boldness she repented sore;


s: But now the gate her fear and passage stayed,


s: The heedless porter she beguiled therefore,


s: "I am Clorinda, ope the gate," she cried,


s: "Where as the king commands, this late I ride."


s: Her woman's voice and terms all framed been,


s: Most like the speeches of the princess stout,


s: Who would have thought on horseback to have seen


s: Her trusty squire and maiden, sallied out,


s: And through the secret dales they silent pass,


s: Where danger least, least fear, least peril was.


s: But when these fair adventurers entered were


s: Deep in a vale, Erminia stayed her haste,


s: To be recalled she had no cause to fear,


s: This foremost hazard had she trimly past;


s: New perils she descried, new doubts she cast.


s: The way that her desire to quiet brought,


s: More difficult now seemed than erst she thought.


s: She now perceived it were great oversight,


s: Yet would she not, she thought, herself disclose,


s: Until she came before her chosen knight,