s: Pure, spotless, clean, untouched of mortal wight,


s: She stayed therefore, and in her thoughts more wise,


s: She called her squire, whom thus she gan advise.


s: "Thou must," quoth she, "be mine ambassador,


s: Be wise, be careful, true, and diligent,


s: The Prince Tancredi, wounded in his tent;


s: Tell him thy mistress comes to care his sore,


s: If he to grant her peace and rest consent


s: Gainst whom fierce love such cruel war hath raised,


s: So shall his wounds be cured, her torments eased.


s: "And say, in him such hope and trust she hath,


s: That in his powers she fears no shame nor scorn,


s: Tell him thus much, and whatso'er he saith,


s: Unfold no more, but make a quick return,


s: I, for this place is free from harm and scath,


s: Within this valley will meanwhile sojourn."


s: Thus spake the princess: and her servant true


s: And was received, he so discreetly wrought,


s: First of the watch that guarded in their place,


s: Before the wounded prince then was he brought,


s: Who heard his message kind, with gentle grace,


s: Which told, he left him tossing in his thought


s: A thousand doubts, and turned his speedy pace


s: To bring his lady and his mistress word,


s: She might be welcome to that courteous lord.


s: Grievous and harmful seemed each little stay,


s: Recounts his steps, and thinks, now draws he nigher,


s: Now enters in, now speaks, now comes his way;


s: And that which grieved her most, the careful squire


s: Less speedy seemed than e'er before that day;


s: Lastly she forward rode with love to guide,


s: Until the Christian tents at hand she spied.


s: In her kind arms embraced all this round,


s: The silver moon form sea uprising bright


s: Spread frosty pearl upon the candid ground:


s: And Cynthia-like for beauty's glorious light


s: The love-sick nymph threw glittering beams around,


s: And counsellors of her old love she made


s: Beholding then the camp, quoth she, "O fair


s: And castle-like pavilions, richly wrought!


s: From you how sweet methinketh blows the air,


s: How comforts it my heart, my soul, my thought?


s: Through heaven's fair face from gulf of sad despair


s: My tossed bark to port well-nigh is brought:


s: Rest, midst your weapons; peace, amongst your arms.


s: "Receive me, then, and let me mercy find,


s: When first I was the Prince Tancredi's thrall:


s: You should me in my father's throne install,


s: Might I but serve in you my lord so dear,


s: That my content, my joy, my comfort were."


s: Thus parleyed she, poor soul, and never feared


s: The sudden blow of Fortune's cruel spite,


s: She stood where Phoebe's splendent beam appeared


s: The place about her round she shining cleared


s: With that pure white wherein the nymph was dight:


s: The tigress great, that on her helmet laid,


s: Bore witness where she went, and where she stayed.


s: So as her fortune would, a Christian band


s: Their secret ambush there had closely framed,


s: These with their forces watched to withstand


s: Those that brought victuals to their foes untamed,


s: And kept that passage; them Erminia spied,


s: And fled as fast as her swift steed could ride.


s: But Poliphern, before whose watery eyes,


s: When that bright shield and silver helm he spies,


s: The championess he thought he saw and knew;


s: Gainst his supposed foe, and forth he flew,


s: As he was rash, and heedless in his wrath,


s: Bending his lance, "Thou art but dead," he saith.


s: As when a chased hind her course doth bend


s: To seek by soil to find some ease or goad;


s: Whether from craggy rock the spring descend,


s: If there the dogs she meet, where late she wend


s: To comfort her weak limbs in cooling flood,


s: Again she flies swift as she fled at first,


s: Forgetting weakness, weariness and thirst.


s: So she, that thought to rest her weary sprite,


s: And quench the endless thirst of ardent love


s: With dear embracements of her lord and knight,


s: But such as marriage rites should first approve,


s: When she beheld her foe, with weapon bright


s: Threatening her death, his trusty courser move,


s: She spurred her speedy steed, and swift she fled.


s: Her Pegasus with his light footsteps bent,


s: Her maiden's beast for speed did likewise pass;


s: Yet divers ways, such was their fear, they went:


s: The squire who all too late returned, alas.


s: Fled likewise, when he saw his mistress gone,


s: Who this supposed Clorinda saw likewise,


s: To follow her yet was he nothing pressed,


s: But in his ambush still and close he lies,


s: That should him of this accident advise,


s: How that his brother chased with naked blade


s: Clorinda's self, or else Clorinda's shade.


s: Yet that it was, or that it could be she,


s: He had small cause or reason to suppose,


s: Should make her ride by night among her foes:


s: And with his soldiers lay in ambush close:


s: These news through all the Christian army went,


s: Tancred, whose thoughts the squire had filled with doubt


s: By his sweet words, supposed now hearing this,


s: Himself forthwith he singled from the rout,


s: And rode in haste, though half his arms he miss;


s: Among those sandy fields and valleys green,


s: To seek his love, he galloped fast unseen.


s: Whom whilst Tancredi seeks in vain to find,


s: Raymond with strong Argantes is assigned


s: And hasty wrath turn to his loss and harm,


s: Doth raise new tempest, uproar and alarm.


s: Erminia's steed this while his mistress bore


s: Through forests thick among the shady treen,


s: Her feeble hand the bridle reins forlore,


s: Half in a swoon she was, for fear I ween;


s: But her fleet courser spared ne'er the more,


s: To bear her through the desert woods unseen


s: Of her strong foes, that chased her through the plain,


s: And still pursued, but still pursued in vain.


s: Like as the weary hounds at last retire,


s: Windless, displeased, from the fruitless chase,


s: When the sly beast tapished in bush and brier,


s: No art nor pains can rouse out of his place:


s: The Christian knights so full of shame and ire


s: Returned back, with faint and weary pace:


s: Yet still the fearful dame fled swift as wind,


s: Nor ever stayed, nor ever looked behind.


s: Through thick and thin, all night, all day, she drived,


s: Her plaints and tears with every thought revived,


s: She heard and saw her griefs, but naught beside:


s: But when the sun his burning chariot dived


s: On Jordan's sandy banks her course she stayed


s: At last, there down she light, and down she laid.


s: Her tears, her drink; her food, her sorrowings,


s: But sleep, that sweet repose and quiet brings,


s: To ease the griefs of discontented wight,


s: Spread forth his tender, soft, and nimble wings,


s: In his dull arms folding the virgin bright;


s: And Love, his mother, and the Graces kept


s: Strong watch and ward, while this fair lady slept.


s: The birds awoke her with their morning song,


s: Their warbling music pierced her tender ear,


s: The murmuring brooks and whistling winds among


s: The rattling boughs and leaves, their parts did bear;


s: Her eyes unclosed beheld the groves along


s: Of swains and shepherd grooms that dwellings were;


s: And that sweet noise, birds, winds and waters sent,


s: Her plaints were interrupted with a sound,


s: That seemed from thickest bushes to proceed,


s: And to his voice he tuned his oaten reed;


s: Thither she went, an old man there she found,


s: At whose right hand his little flock did feed,


s: Sat making baskets, his three sons among,


s: That learned their father's art, and learned his song.


s: "But, father, since this land, these towns and towers


s: Destroyed are with sword, with fire and spoil,


s: How many it be unhurt that you and yours


s: In safety thus apply your harmless toil?"


s: "My son," quoth he, "this poor estate of ours


s: Is ever safe from storm of warlike broil;


s: No thundering drum, no trumpet breaks our sleep.


s: "Haply just Heaven's defence and shield of right


s: Doth love the innocence of simple swains,


s: The thunderbolts on highest mountains light,


s: And seld or never strike the lower plains;


s: So kings have cause to fear Bellona's might,


s: Not they whose sweat and toil their dinner gains,


s: "O poverty, chief of the heavenly brood,


s: Dearer to me than wealth or kingly crown:


s: No wish for honor, thirst of others' good,


s: Can move my heart, contented with mine own:


s: We quench our thirst with water of this flood,


s: Nor fear we poison should therein be thrown;


s: These little flocks of sheep and tender goats


s: Give milk for food, and wool to make us coats.


s: "We little wish, we need but little wealth,


s: From cold and hunger us to clothe and feed;


s: These are my sons, their care preserves form stealth


s: Their father's flocks, nor servants more I need:


s: Amid these groves I walk oft for my health,


s: And to the fishes, birds, and beasts give heed,


s: How they are fed, in forest, spring and lake,


s: "Time was, for each one hath his doating time,


s: These silver locks were golden tresses then,


s: And from the forest's sweet contentment ran,


s: To Memphis's stately palace would I climb,


s: I suffered long what did my soul displease;


s: But when my youth was spent, my hope was vain.


s: I felt my native strength at last decrease;


s: And wished I had enjoyed the country's peace;


s: I bade the court farewell, and with content


s: While thus he spake, Erminia hushed and still


s: His wise discourses heard, with great attention,


s: His speeches grave those idle fancies kill


s: Which in her troubled soul bred such dissension;


s: After much thought reformed was her will,


s: Within those woods to dwell was her intention,


s: Till Fortune should occasion new afford,


s: She said therefore, "O shepherd fortunate!


s: That troubles some didst whilom feel and prove,


s: Let my mishap thy thoughts to pity move,


s: In shepherd's life which I admire and love;


s: Within these pleasant groves perchance my heart,


s: Of her discomforts, may unload some part.


s: "If gold or wealth, of most esteemed dear,


s: Such store thereof, such plenty have I here,


s: As to a greedy mind might well suffice:"


s: With that down trickled many a silver tear,


s: Two crystal streams fell from her watery eyes;


s: Part of her sad misfortunes then she told,


s: And wept, and with her wept that shepherd old.


s: With speeches kind, he gan the virgin dear


s: Toward his cottage gently home to guide;


s: His aged wife there made her homely cheer,


s: Yet welcomed her, and placed her by her side.


s: The princess donned a poor pastoral's gear,


s: A kerchief coarse upon her head she tied;


s: But yet her gestures and her looks, I guess,


s: Were such as ill beseemed a shepherdess.


s: Not those rude garments could obscure and hide


s: The heavenly beauty of her angel's face,


s: Nor was her princely offspring damnified


s: Or aught disparaged by those labors base;


s: Her little flocks to pasture would she guide,


s: And milk her goats, and in their folds them place,


s: Both cheese and butter could she make, and frame


s: Herself to please the shepherd and his dame.


s: But oft, when underneath the greenwood shade


s: Her flocks lay hid from Phoebus' scorching rays,


s: Unto her knight she songs and sonnets made,


s: And them engraved in bark of beech and bays;


s: She told how Cupid did her first invade,


s: How conquered her, and ends with Tancred's praise:


s: And when her passion's writ she over read,


s: Again she mourned, again salt tears she shed.


s: "You happy trees forever keep," quoth she,


s: Will come to rest again some lover kind;


s: Who if these trophies of my griefs he see,


s: Shall feel dear pity pierce his gentle mind;"


s: With that she sighed and said, "Too late I prove


s: There is no troth in fortune, trust in love.


s: "Yet may it be, if gracious heavens attend


s: At my entreat they will vouchsafe to send


s: To these huge deserts that unthankful knight,


s: That when to earth the man his eyes shall bend,


s: And sees my grave, my tomb, and ashes light,


s: My woful death his stubborn heart may move,


s: With tears and sorrows to reward my love.


s: "So, though my life hath most unhappy been,


s: At least yet shall my spirit dead be blest,


s: My ashes cold shall, buried on this green,


s: Enjoy that good this body ne'er possessed."


s: Thus she complained to the senseless treen,


s: Floods in her eyes, and fires were in her breast;


s: But he for whom these streams of tears she shed,


s: Wandered far off, alas, as chance him led.


s: He followed on the footsteps he had traced,


s: Till in high woods and forests old he came,


s: Where bushes, thorns and trees so thick were placed,


s: That soon he lost the tract wherein he paced;


s: Yet went he on, which way he could not aim,


s: If noise of horse or noise of arms he hear.


s: If with the breathing of the gentle wind,


s: If bird or beast stirred in the bushes blind,


s: Thither he spurred, thither he rode to see:


s: Out of the wood by Cynthia's favor kind,


s: At last, with travel great and pains, got he,


s: And following on a little path, he heard


s: A rumbling sound, and hasted thitherward.


s: It was a fountain from the living stone,


s: That poured down clear streams in noble store,


s: Throughout a rocky channel ghastly roar;


s: Here Tancred stayed, and called, yet answered none,


s: Save babbling echo, from the crooked shore;


s: And there the weary knight at last espies


s: The springing daylight red and white arise.


s: He sighed sore, and guiltless heaven gan blame,


s: That wished success to his desire denied,


s: And sharp revenge protested for the same,


s: If aught but good his mistress fair betide;


s: Then wished he to return the way he came,


s: Although he wist not by what path to ride,


s: And time drew near when he again must fight


s: With proud Argantes, that vain-glorious knight.


s: His stalwart steed the champion stout bestrode


s: And pricked fast to find the way he lost,


s: He saw a man that seemed for haste a post,


s: His horn was hung between his shoulders broad,


s: As is the guise with us: Tancredi crossed


s: His way, and gently prayed the man to say,


s: To Godfrey's camp how he should find the way.


s: "Sir," in the Italian language answered he,


s: "I ride where noble Boemond hath me sent:"


s: The prince thought this his uncle's man should be,


s: And after him his course with speed he bent,


s: A fortress stately built at last they see,


s: Bout which a muddy stinking lake there went,


s: There they arrived when Titan went to rest


s: His weary limbs in night's untroubled nest.


s: The courier gave the fort a warning blast;


s: The drawbridge was let down by them within:


s: "If thou a Christian be," quoth he, "thou mayest


s: Till Phoebus shine again, here take thine inn,


s: This castle from the Turks did nobly win."


s: The prince beheld the piece, which site and art


s: But had he known even there he should have died,


s: Yet should his looks no sign of fear betray;


s: For wheresoever will or chance him guide,


s: His strong victorious hand still made him way:


s: Yet for the combat he must shortly make,


s: Beside the bridge's end, he stayed and stood,


s: Of his false guide, to pass beyond the flood.


s: Upon the bridge appeared a warlike swain,


s: Who brandishing a broad and cutting sword,


s: Thus threatened death with many an idle word.


s: "O thou, whom chance or will brings to the soil,


s: Where fair Armida doth the sceptre guide,


s: Thou canst not fly, of arms thyself despoil,


s: And let thy hands with iron chains be tied;


s: Enter and rest thee from thy weary toil.


s: Within this dungeon shalt thou safe abide,


s: Or that thy hair for age shall turn to gray;


s: "Except thou swear her valiant knights to aid


s: Against those traitors of the Christian crew."


s: Tancred at this discourse a little stayed,


s: His arms, his gesture, and his voice he knew:


s: It was Rambaldo, who for that false maid


s: And those vile creatures stablished in the same.


s: The warrior answered, blushing red for shame,


s: Of Christ, and have been aye his faithful knight;


s: As thou shalt find before we end this fight;


s: And thy false heart cleft with this vengeful sword,


s: Shall feel the ire of thy forsaken Lord."


s: When that great name Rambaldo's ears did fill,


s: He shook for fear and looked pale for dread,


s: Yet proudly said, "Tancred, thy hap was ill


s: To wander hither where thou art but dead,


s: Where naught can help, thy courage, strength and skill;


s: Of him and of his Christ a scorn I make."


s: This said, the day to sable night was turned,


s: That scant one could another's arms descry,


s: But soon an hundred lamps and torches burned,


s: That cleared all the earth and all the sky;


s: The castle seemed a stage with lights adorned,


s: And heard, and saw, and kept herself unseen.


s: And busked him boldly to the dreadful fight;


s: Upon his horse long while he tarried not,


s: Because on foot he saw the Pagan knight,


s: Who underneath his trusty shield was got,


s: His sword was drawn, closed was his helmet bright,


s: Gainst whom the prince marched on a stately pace,


s: Wrath in his voice, rage in his eyes and face.


s: His foe, his furious charge not well abiding,


s: Traversed his ground, and stated here and there,


s: But he, though faint and weary both with riding,


s: Yet followed fast and still oppressed him near,


s: And on what side he felt Rambaldo sliding,


s: Now at his helm, not at his hauberk bright,


s: He thundered blows, now at his face and sight.


s: Against those numbers battery chief he maketh,


s: Wherein man's life keeps chiefest residence;


s: At his proud threats the Gascoign warrior quaketh,


s: To nimble shifts the knight himself betaketh,


s: And skippeth here and there for his defence:


s: Now with his rage, now with his trusty blade,


s: Against his blows he good resistance made.


s: Yet no such quickness for defence he used,


s: As did the prince to work him harm and scathe;


s: His shield was cleft in twain, his helmet bruised,


s: And in his blood is other arms did bathe;


s: On him he heaped blows, with thrusts confused,


s: And more or less each stroke annoyed him hath;


s: He feared, and in his troubled bosom strove


s: Remorse of conscience, shame, disdain and love.


s: At last so careless foul despair him made,


s: He meant to prove his fortune ill or good,


s: His shield cast down, he took his helpless blade


s: In both his hands, which yet had drawn no blood,


s: And with such force upon the prince he laid,


s: That neither plate nor mail the blow withstood,


s: The wicked steel seized deep in his right side,


s: And with his streaming blood his bases dyed:


s: So great that loudly rung the sounding steel;


s: Yet pierced he not the helmet with the blow,


s: Although the owner twice or thrice did reel.


s: The prince, whose looks disdainful anger show,


s: Now meant to use his puissance every deal,


s: He shaked his head and crashed his teeth for ire,


s: His lips breathed wrath, eyes sparkled shining fire.


s: The Pagan wretch no longer could sustain


s: The dreadful terror of his fierce aspect,


s: Against the threatened blow he saw right plain


s: No tempered armor could his life protect,


s: He leapt aside, the stroke fell down in vain,


s: Thence flaming fire and thousand sparks outstart,


s: And kill with fear the coward Pagan's heart.


s: Toward the bridge the fearful Paynim fled,


s: And in swift flight, his hope of life reposed;


s: And now in equal pace almost they closed,


s: The shining fort his goodly splendor losed,


s: And all those stars on heaven's blue face that shone


s: With Cynthia's self, dispeared were and gone.


s: Amid those witchcrafts and that ugly shade,


s: No further could the prince pursue the chase,


s: Nothing he saw, yet forward still he made,


s: With doubtful steps, and ill assured pace;


s: And ere he wist, he entered had the place;


s: With ghastly noise the door-leaves shut behind,


s: And closed him fast in prison dark and blind.


s: A silly fish, with streams enclosed, striveth,


s: Wherewith the current in that whirlpool driveth,


s: Yet seeketh all in vain, but finds no way


s: Out of that watery prison, where she diveth:


s: For with such force there be the tides in brought,


s: There entereth all that will, thence issueth naught:


s: This prison so entrapped that valiant knight;


s: Of which the gate was framed by subtle train,


s: To close without the help of human wight,


s: So sure none could undo the leaves again;


s: Against the doors he bended all his might,


s: But all his forces were employed in vain,


s: "Yield thee," quoth it, "thou art Armida's thrall."


s: "Within this dungeon buried shalt thou spend


s: The res'due of thy woful days and years;"


s: The champions list not more with words contend,


s: But in his heart kept close his griefs and fears,


s: He blamed love, chance gan he reprehend,


s: And gainst enchantment huge complaints he rears.


s: "It were small loss," softly he thus begun,


s: "To lose the brightness of the shining sun;


s: If these poor eyes shall e'er be blessed so,


s: As once again to view that shining ray:"


s: Then thought he on his proud Circassian foe,


s: And said, "Ah!  how shall I perform that fray?


s: He, and the world with him, will Tancred blame,


s: This is my grief, my fault, mine endless shame."


s: While those high spirits of this champion good,


s: With love and honor's care are thus oppressed,


s: While he torments himself, Argantes wood,


s: Such hate of peace, and such desire of blood,


s: Such thirst of glory, boiled in his breast;


s: That though he scant could stir or stand upright,


s: Yet longed he for the appointed day to fight.


s: The night which that expected day forewent,


s: Scantly the Pagan closed his eyes to sleep,


s: He told how night her sliding hours spent,


s: And rose ere springing day began to peep;


s: Was brought by him that used the same to keep,


s: He donned them on, not long their riches eyed,


s: Nor did he aught with so great weight incline,


s: His wonted sword upon his thigh he tied,


s: The blade was old and tough, of temper fine.


s: In scorn of Phoebus midst bright heaven doth shine,


s: And tidings sad of death and mischief brings


s: To mighty lords, to monarchs, and to kings.


s: So shone the Pagan in bright armor clad,


s: And rolled his eyes great swollen with ire and blood,


s: His dreadful gestures threatened horror sad,


s: Not one of all his squires the courage had


s: To approach their master in his angry mood,


s: Above his head he shook his naked blade,


s: And gainst the subtle air vain battle made.


s: "The Christian thief," quoth he, "that was so bold


s: Shall wounded fall inglorious on the mould,


s: His locks with clods of blood and dust bedight,


s: And living shall with watery eyes behold


s: How from his back I tear his harness bright,


s: Nor shall his dying words me so entreat,


s: But that I'll give his flesh to dogs for meat."


s: Like as a bull when, pricked with jealousy,


s: Through all the fields doth bellow, roar and cry,


s: And with his thundering voice augments his ire,


s: And threatening battle to the empty sky,


s: Tears with his horn each tree, plant, bush and brier,


s: And with his foot casts up the sand on height,


s: Such was the Pagan's fury, such his cry.


s: A herald called he then, and thus he spoke;


s: The man that combats for his Jesus' sake;"


s: This said, upon his steed he mounted high,


s: And with him did his noble prisoner take,


s: The town he thus forsook, and on the green


s: A bugle small he winded loud and shrill,


s: That made resound the fields and valleys near,


s: Seemed that dreadful blast to all that hear;


s: The Christian lords of prowess, strength and skill,


s: Within the imperial tent assembled were,


s: The herald there in boasting terms defied


s: Tancredi first, and all that durst beside.


s: With sober those ten which chosen were by lot,


s: And viewed at leisure every lord and knight;


s: But yet for all his looks not one stepped out,


s: With courage bold, to undertake the fight:


s: Absent were all the Christian champions stout,


s: No news of Tancred since his secret flight;


s: Boemond far off, and banished from the crew


s: Was that strong prince who proud Gernando slew:


s: And eke those ten which chosen were by lot,


s: And all the worthies of the camp beside,


s: When night were come their fight to hide;


s: The rest their hands and hearts that trusted not,


s: Blushed for shame, yet silent still abide;


s: For none there was that sought to purchase fame


s: The angry duke their fear discovered plain,


s: By their pale looks and silence from each part,


s: These words he said, and from his seat upstart:


s: "Unworthy life I judge that coward swain


s: To hazard it even now that wants the heart,


s: When this vile Pagan with his glorious boast


s: Dishonors and defies Christ's sacred host.


s: "But let my camp sit still in peace and rest,


s: And my life's hazard at their ease behold.


s: Come bring me here my fairest arms and best;"


s: And they were brought sooner than could be told.


s: Than whom in all the camp were none or few


s: And gravely said, "Ah, let it not betide,


s: On one man's hand to venture all his host!


s: No private soldier thou, thou are our guide,


s: If thou miscarry, all our hope were lost,


s: By thee must Babel fell, and all her pride;


s: Of our true faith thou art the prop and post,


s: Rule with thy sceptre, conquer with thy word,


s: Let others combat make with spear and sword.


s: "Let me this Pagan's glorious pride assuage,


s: These aged arms can yet their weapons use,


s: Let others shun Bellona's dreadful rage,


s: These silver locks shall not Raymondo  scuse:


s: Like you that this adventure brave refuse,


s: And dare not once lift up your coward eyes,


s: Gainst him that you and Christ himself defies!


s: And Germain princes great stood by to view,


s: In Conrad's court, the second of that name,


s: Than he should do who all alone should chase


s: Or kill a thousand of these Pagans base.


s: "Within these arms, bad I that strength again,


s: Yet in this breast doth courage still remain;


s: For age or years these members shall not bow;


s: Scotfree Argantes shall not scape, I vow;


s: Give me mine arms, this battle shall with praise


s: Augment mine honor, got in younger days."


s: His words are spurs to virtue; every knight


s: That seemed before to tremble and to quake,


s: Now talked bold, example hath such might;


s: Each one the battle fierce would undertake,


s: Now strove they all who should begin the fight;


s: Baldwin and Roger both, would combat fain,


s: Stephen, Guelpho, Gernier and the Gerrards twain;


s: And Pyrrhus, who with help of Boemond's sword


s: Proud Antioch by cunning sleight opprest;


s: A Scottish, an Irish, and an English lord,


s: Whose lands the seas divide far from the rest,


s: And for the fight did likewise humbly sue,


s: But Raymond more than all the rest doth sue


s: Upon that Pagan fierce to wreak his ire,


s: Now wants he naught of all his armors due


s: Except his helm that shone like flaming fire.


s: Of antique worth!  thy courage doth inspire


s: New strength in us, of Mars in thee doth shine


s: I should the best of Babel's pride assuage,


s: And spread our faith from Thule to furthest Inde;


s: But now I pray thee calm thy valiant rage,


s: Reserve thyself till greater need us bind,


s: And let the rest each one write down his name,


s: And see whom Fortune chooseth to this game, --


s: "Or rather see whom God's high judgement taketh,


s: To whom is chance, and fate, and fortune slave."


s: Raymond his earnest suit not yet forsaketh,


s: His name writ with the residue would he have,


s: Godfrey himself in his bright helmet shaketh


s: The scrolls, with names of all the champions brave:


s: They drew, and read the first whereon they hit,


s: Wherein was "Raymond, Earl of Tholouse," writ.


s: His name with joy and mighty shouts they bless;


s: The rest allow his choice, and fortune praise,


s: New vigor blushed through those looks of his;


s: It seemed he now resumed his youthful days,


s: Like to a snake whose slough new changed is,


s: That shines like gold against the sunny rays:


s: But Godfrey most approved his fortune high,


s: And wished him honor, conquest, victory.


s: Then from his side he took his noble brand,


s: And giving it to Raymond, thus he spake:


s: "This is the sword wherewith in Saxon land,


s: From him I took it, fighting hand to hand,


s: And took his life with it, and many a lake


s: Of blood with it I have shed since that day,


s: With thee God grant it proves as happy may."


s: Argantes threateneth loud and sternly cries,


s: Behold him here that all your host defies:


s: Why comes not Tancred, whose great hardiment,


s: With you is prized so dear?  Pardie he lies


s: Still on his pillow, and presumes the night


s: Again may shield him from my power and might.


s: "Why then some other come, by hand and hand,


s: Come all, come forth on horseback, come on foot,


s: If not one man dares combat hand to hand,


s: In all the thousands of so great a rout:


s: See where the tomb of Mary's Son doth stand,


s: March thither, warriors hold, what makes you doubt?


s: Why run you not, there for your sins to weep


s: Or to what greater need these forces keep?"


s: Were all the soldiers of Christ's sacred name:


s: Raymond, while others at his words repine,


s: Burst forth in rage, he could not bear this shame:


s: For fire of courage brighter far doth shine


s: If challenges and threats augment the same;


s: So that, upon his steed he mounted light,


s: The breeder of these beasts to war assigned,


s: When first on trees burgeon the blossoms soft


s: Pricked forward with the sting of fertile kind,


s: And gathereth seed so from the fruitful wind


s: And thus conceiving of the gentle blast,


s: A wonder strange and rare, she foals at last.


s: And had you seen the beast, you would have said


s: The light and subtile wind his father was;


s: For if his course upon the sands he made


s: No sign was left what way the beast did pass;


s: He scantly bended down the tender grass:


s: Thus mounted rode the Earl, and as he went,


s: Thus prayed, to Heaven his zealous looks upbent.


s: "O Lord, that diddest save, keep and defend


s: And broughtest that huge giant to his end,


s: Slain by a faithful child of tender age;


s: Like grace, O Lord, like mercy now extend!


s: Let me this vile blasphemous pride assuage,


s: That all the world may to thy glory know,


s: Old men and babes thy foes can overthrow!"


s: Thus prayed the County, and his prayers dear


s: Strengthened with zeal, with godliness and faith,


s: Before the throne of that great Lord appear,


s: In whose sweet grace is life, death in his wrath,


s: Among his armies bright and legions clear,


s: To whom the charge was given to guard the knight,


s: And keep him safe from that fierce Pagan's might.


s: That kept him then, and kept him afterward,


s: When spear and sword he able was to wield,


s: Now when his great Creator's will he heard,


s: That in this fight he should him chiefly shield,


s: Where all the heavenly arms and weapons lies:


s: There stands the lance wherewith great Michael slew


s: There are the dreadful thunders forged new,


s: With storms and plagues that on poor sinners light;


s: The massy trident mayest thou pendant view


s: There on a golden pin hung up on height,


s: Wherewith sometimes he smites this solid land,


s: And throws down towns and towers thereon which stand.


s: Among the blessed weapons there which stands


s: Upon a diamond shield his looks he bended,


s: So great that it might cover all the lands,


s: Twixt Caucasus and Atlas hills extended;


s: With it the lord's dear flocks and faithful bands,


s: And by the Christian champion stood unseen.


s: But now the walls and turrets round about,


s: Both young and old with many thousands fill;


s: The king Clorinda sent and her brave rout,


s: To keep the field, she stayed upon the hill:


s: Godfrey likewise some Christian bands sent out


s: Which armed, and ranked in good array stood still,


s: Twixt either troop a large and spacious plain.


s: Raymond rode on, and what he asked him, told,


s: Better by chance, "Tancred is now elsewhere,


s: Am come prepared, and bid thee battle here,


s: And in his place, or for myself to fight,


s: Lo, here I am, who scorn thy heathenish might."


s: The Pagan cast a scornful smile and said,


s: "But where is Tancred, is he still in bed?


s: His looks late seemed to make high heaven afraid;


s: But now for dread he is or dead or fled;


s: But whe'er earth's centre or the deep sea made


s: His lurking hole, it should not save his head."


s: "Thou liest," he says, "to say so brave a knight


s: Is fled from thee, who thee exceeds in might."


s: My labor then, if thou his place supply,


s: Go take the field, and let's see how thou wilt


s: Maintain thy foolish words and that brave lie;"


s: Thus parleyed they to meet in equal tilt,


s: Each took his aim at other's helm on high,


s: Even in the fight his foe good Raymond hit,


s: But shaked him not, he did so firmly sit.


s: The fierce Circassian missed of his blow,


s: A thing which seld befell the man before,


s: The angel, by unseen, his force did know,


s: He burst his lance against the sand below,


s: And bit his lips for rage, and cursed and swore,


s: Against his foe returned he swift as wind,


s: Half mad in arms a second match to find.


s: Like to a ram that butts with horned head,


s: So spurred he forth his horse with desperate race:


s: Raymond at his right hand let slide his steed,


s: And as he passed struck at the Pagan's face;


s: He turned again, the earl was nothing dread,


s: Yet stept aside, and to his rage gave place,


s: And on his helm with all his strength gan smite,


s: Which was so hard his courtlax could not bite.


s: He was no prentice in those fierce alarms,


s: About him made he many a winding course,


s: No strength, nor sleight the subtle warrior harms,


s: And where he stept no print left in the sand.


s: As when a captain doth besiege some hold,


s: And trieth ways and wiles a thousandfold,


s: To bring the piece subjected to his will;


s: So fared the County with the Pagan bold;


s: And when he did his head and breast none ill,


s: And entrance searched oft 'twixt mail and mail.


s: That on his arms the red blood trickled down,


s: No nail was broke, no plume cut from his crown;


s: Argantes raging spent his strength in vain,


s: Waste were his strokes, his thrusts were idle thrown,


s: Yet pressed he on, and doubled still his blows,


s: And where he hits he neither cares nor knows.


s: At last struck one, when Raymond was so near,


s: Could his dear lord from that huge danger bear:


s: Which saves when worldly comforts none appear,


s: The angel on his targe received that stroke,


s: And on that shield Argantes' sword was broke.


s: The sword was broke, therein no wonder lies


s: If earthly tempered metal could not hold


s: Against that target forged above the skies,


s: Down fell the blade in pieces on the mould;


s: The proud Circassian scant believed his eyes,


s: Though naught were left him but the hilts of gold,


s: And full of thoughts amazed awhile he stood,


s: Wondering the Christian's armor was so good.


s: The brittle web of that rich sword he thought,


s: Was broke through hardness of the County's shield;


s: And so thought Raymond, who discovered naught


s: What succor Heaven did for his safety yield:


s: But when he saw the man gainst whom he fought


s: Unweaponed, still stood he in the field;


s: His noble heart esteemed the glory light,


s: At such advantage if he slew the knight.


s: "Go fetch," he would have said, "another blade,"


s: When in his heart a better thought arose,


s: How for Christ's glory he was champion made,


s: How Godfrey had him to this combat chose,


s: While thus his thoughts debated on the case,


s: And forward spurred his mounture fierce withal,


s: Within his arms longing his foe to strain,


s: Upon whose helm the heavy blow did fall,


s: And bent well-nigh the metal to his brain:


s: Leapt by, and makes the Pagan's onset vain,


s: And wounds his hand, which he outstretched saw,


s: Now here, now there, on every side he rode,


s: With nimble speed, and spurred now out, now in,


s: And as he went and came still laid on load


s: Where Lord Argantes' arms were weak and thin;


s: All that huge force which in his arms abode,


s: His wrath, his ire, his great desire to win,


s: And heaven and fortune furthered his intent.


s: But he, whose courage for no peril fails,


s: Well armed, and better hearted, scorns his power.


s: Like a tall ship when spent are all her sails,


s: Which still resists the rage of storm and shower,


s: Whose mighty ribs fast bound with bands and nails,


s: Withstands fierce Neptune's wrath, for many an hour,


s: And yields not up her bruised keel to winds,


s: In whose stern blast no ruth nor grace she finds:


s: When Satan stirred to aid thee at thy need,


s: In stature, beauty, countenance and face,


s: In looks, in speech, in gesture, and in pace.


s: And for the spirit should seem the same indeed,


s: From where she was whose show and shape it had,


s: Toward the wall it rode with feigned speed,


s: Where stood the people all dismayed and sad,


s: To see their knight of help have so great need,


s: And yet the law of arms all help forbad.


s: To watch, and at a loop-hole peeped out;


s: The spirit spake to him, called Oradine,


s: The noblest archer then that handled bow,


s: "O Oradine," quoth she, "who straight as line


s: Can'st shoot, and hit each mark set high or low,


s: If yonder knight, alas!  be slain in fine,


s: As likest is, great ruth it were you know,


s: And greater shame, if his victorious foe


s: Should with his spoils triumphant homeward go.


s: "Now prove thy skill, thine arrow's sharp head dip


s: In yonder thievish Frenchman's guilty blood,


s: I promise thee thy sovereign shall not slip


s: To give thee large rewards for such a good;"


s: Thus said the spirit; the man did laugh and skip


s: For hope of future gain, nor longer stood,


s: But from his quiver huge a shaft he hent,


s: Twanged the string, out flew the quarrel long,


s: And through the subtle air did singing pass,


s: It hit the knight the buckles rich among,


s: Wherewith his precious girdle fastened was,


s: It bruised them and pierced his hauberk strong,


s: Some little blood down trickled on the grass;


s: Light was the wound; the angel by unseen,


s: The sharp head blunted of the weapon keen.


s: Raymond drew forth the shaft, as much behoved,


s: And with the steel, his blood out streaming came,


s: With bitter words his foe he then reproved,


s: For breaking faith, to his eternal shame.


s: Godfrey, whose careful eyes from his beloved


s: Were never turned, saw and marked the same,


s: And when he viewed the wounded County bleed,


s: He sighed, and feared, more perchance than need;


s: And with his words, and with his threatening eyes,


s: He stirred his captains to revenge that wrong;


s: Forthwith the spurred courser forward hies,


s: Within their rests put were their lances long,


s: From either side a squadron brave out flies,


s: And boldly made a fierce encounter strong,


s: Their shining arms, and far more shining sun.


s: Of breaking spears, of ringing helm and shield,


s: There lay a horse, another through the field


s: Ran masterless, dismounted was his guide;


s: Here one lay dead, there did another yield,


s: Some sighed, some sobbed, some prayed, and some cried;


s: Fierce was the fight, and longer still it lasted,


s: Fiercer and fewer, still themselves they wasted.


s: And breaking through the ranks and ranges long,


s: Therewith he passage made himself and place,


s: Raymond he sought, the thickest press among.


s: To take revenge for !ate received disgrace,


s: A greedy wolf he seemed, and would assuage


s: With Raymond's blood his hunger and his rage.


s: But fierce encounters put him oft to pain,


s: Of Balnavile, Guy, and the Gerrards twain;


s: Yet nothing might his rage and haste withhold,


s: These worthies strove to stop him, but in vain,


s: With these strong lets increased still his ire,


s: Like rivers stopped, or closely smouldered fire.


s: He slew Ormanno, and wounded Guy, and laid


s: On every side new troops the man invade,


s: Yet all their blows were waste, their onsets vain,


s: But while Argantes thus his prizes played,


s: And seemed alone this skirmish to sustain,


s: The duke his brother called and thus he spake,


s: "Go with thy troop, fight for thy Saviour's sake;


s: "There enter in where hottest is the fight,


s: Thy force against the left wing strongly bend."


s: This said, so brave an onset gave the knight,


s: That many a Paynim bold there made his end:


s: The Turks too weak seemed to sustain his might,


s: And could not from his power their lives defend,


s: Their ensigns rent, and broke was their array,


s: And men and horse on heaps together lay.


s: O'erthrown likewise away the right wing ran,


s: Nor was there one again that turned his face,


s: Save bold Argantes, else fled every man,


s: Fear drove them thence on heaps, with headlong chase:


s: Five hundred men, weaponed with sword and mace,


s: So great resistance never could have made,


s: The strokes of swords and thrusts of many a spear,


s: The shock of many a joust he long sustained,


s: He seemed of strength enough this charge to bear,


s: And time to strike, now here, now there, he gained


s: His armors broke, his members bruised were,


s: He sweat and bled, yet courage still he feigned;


s: But now his foes upon him pressed so fast,


s: That with their weight they bore him back at last.


s: His back against this storm at length he turned,


s: Whose headlong fury bore him backward still,


s: Not like to one that fled, but one that mourned


s: His threatening eyes like flaming torches burned,


s: His courage thirsted yet more blood to spill,


s: To stay his flying mates, but all for naught.


s: This good he did, while thus he played his part,


s: His bands and troops at ease, and safe, retired;


s: Yet coward dread lacks order, fear wants art,


s: But Godfrey that perceived in his wise heart,


s: How his bold knights to victory aspired,


s: Fresh soldiers sent, to make more quick pursuit,


s: And help to gather conquest's precious fruit.


s: But this, alas, was not the appointed day,


s: Set down by Heaven to end this mortal war:


s: The western lords this time had borne away


s: The prize, for which they travelled had so far,


s: Had not the devils, that saw the sure decay


s: Of their false kingdom by this bloody war,


s: At once made heaven and earth with darkness blind,


s: And stirred up tempests, storms, and blustering wind.


s: Heaven's glorious lamp, wrapped in an ugly veil


s: Of shadows dark, was hid from mortal eye,


s: And hell's grim blackness did bright skies assail;


s: The thunders roar, the streaming rain and hail


s: Pour down and make that sea which erst was dry.


s: The tempests rend the oaks and cedars brake,


s: And make not trees but rocks and mountains shake.


s: The rain, the lightning, and the raging wind,


s: Beat in the Frenchmen's eyes with hideous force,


s: The soldiers stayed amazed in heart and mind,


s: The terror such that stopped both man and horse.


s: Surprised with this evil no way they find,


s: Whither for succor to direct their course,


s: But wise Clorinda soon the advantage spied,


s: And spurring forth thus to her soldiers cried:


s: "You hardy men at arms behold," quoth she,


s: "How Heaven, how Justice in our aid doth fight,


s: Our hands at will may wield our weapons bright,


s: Upon the foreheads of our foes doth light,


s: And blinds their eyes, then let us take the tide,


s: Come, follow me, good fortune be our guide."


s: This said, against her foes on rode the dame,


s: And turned their backs against the wind and rain;


s: Upon the French with furious rage she came,


s: And scorned those idle blows they struck in vain;


s: And them who chased him now chased again,


s: Naught but his fearful back each Christian shows


s: Against the tempest, and against their blows.


s: The cruel hail, and deadly wounding blade,


s: Upon their shoulders smote them as they fled,


s: The blood new spilt while thus they slaughter made,


s: The water fallen from skies had dyed red,


s: And valiant Raiphe his heart blood there out bled,


s: The first subdued by strong Argantes' might,


s: The second conquered by that virgin knight.


s: Thus fled the French, and then pursued in chase


s: The wicked sprites and all the Syrian train:


s: But gainst their force and gainst their fell menace


s: Of hail and wind, of tempest and of rain,


s: Godfrey alone turned his audacious face,


s: Blaming his barons for their fear so vain,


s: Himself the camp gate boldly stood to keep,


s: And saved his men within his trenches deep.


s: And beat him backward, maugre all his might,


s: And twice his thirsty sword he did imbrue,


s: In Pagan's blood where thickest was the fight;


s: At last himself with all his folk withdrew,


s: And that day's conquest gave the virgin bright,


s: Which got, she home retired and all her men,


s: And thus she chased this lion to his den.


s: Of these huge storms, of wind, of rain and hail,


s: Now was it dark, now shone the lightning fire,


s: No bank was safe, no rampire left entire,


s: No tent could stand, when beam and cordage fail,


s: Wind, thunder, rain, all gave a dreadful sound,


s: And with that music deafed the trembling ground.


s: The Prince of Denmark's valour, death and end:


s: The Italians, trusting signs untrue too well,


s: Think their Rinaldo slain: the wicked fiend


s: Breeds fury in their breasts, their bosoms swell


s: With ire and hate, and war and strife forth send:


s: They threaten Godfrey; he prays to the Lord,


s: And calms their fury with his look and word.


s: Now were the skies of storms and tempests cleared,


s: The silver-mantled morning fresh appeared,


s: With roses crowned, and buskined high with gold;


s: The spirits yet which had these tempests reared,


s: Their malice would still more and more unfold;


s: And one of them that Astragor was named,


s: His speeches thus to foul Alecto framed.


s: "Alecto, see, we could not stop nor stay


s: The knight that to our foes new tidings brings,


s: Who from the hands escaped, with life away,


s: Of that great prince, chief of all Pagan kings:


s: He comes, the fall of his slain lord to say,


s: Of death and loss he tells, and such sad things,


s: Great news he brings, and greatest dangers is,


s: Bertoldo's son shall be called home for this.


s: "Thou knowest what would befall, bestir thee than;


s: Prevent with craft, what force could not withstand,


s: Turn to their evil the speeches of the man,


s: With his own weapon wound Godfredo's hand;


s: Great tumult move, make brawls and quarrels rife,


s: Set all the camp on uproar and at strife.


s: "This act beseems thee well, and of the deed


s: Much may'st thou boast before our lord and king."


s: Thus said the sprite.  Persuasion small did need,


s: The monster grants to undertake the thing.


s: Meanwhile the knight, whose coming thus they dread,


s: Before the camp his weary limbs doth bring,


s: And well-nigh breathless, "Warriors bold," he cried,


s: "Who shall conduct me to your famous guide?"


s: An hundred strove the stranger's guide to be,


s: To hearken news the knights by heaps assemble,


s: And kissed the hand that made proud Babel tremble;


s: "Right puissant lord, whose valiant acts," quoth he,


s: "The sands and stars in number best resemble,


s: Would God some gladder news I might unfold,"


s: And there he paused, and sighed; then thus he told:


s: "Sweno, the King of Denmark's only heir,


s: The stay and staff of his declining eild,


s: Who for Christ's faith here serve with spear and shield;


s: No such contents as crowns and sceptres yield,


s: Could in his bosom quench that glorious fire.


s: "He thirsted sore to learn this warlike art


s: Of thee, great lord and master of the same;


s: Besides, the news and tidings from each part


s: Of young Rinaldo's worth and praises came:


s: But that which most his courage stirred hath,


s: Is zeal, religion, godliness, and faith.


s: And with him took of knights a chosen band,


s: To Byzance old, chief fortress of that land,


s: There the Greek monarch gently prayed him stay,


s: And there an herald sent from you we fand,


s: How Antioch was won, who first declared,


s: "Defended  gainst Corbana, valiant knight,


s: That all the Persian armies had to guide,


s: And brought so many soldiers bold to fight,


s: That void of men he left that kingdom wide;


s: He told thine acts, thy wisdom and thy might,


s: And told the deeds of many a lord beside,


s: His speech at length to young Rinaldo passed,


s: And told his great achievements, first and last:


s: "And how this noble camp of yours, of late


s: Besieged had this town, and in what sort,


s: Of the last conquest of this noble fort.


s: So that each hour seemed five years long,


s: Till he were fighting with these Pagans strong.


s: "And while the herald told your fights and frays,


s: Himself of cowardice reproved he thought,


s: And him to stay that counsels him, or prays,


s: He hears not, or, else heard, regardeth naught,


s: He fears no perils but whilst he delays,


s: Lest this last work without his help be wrought:


s: In this his doubt, in this his danger lies,


s: No hazard else he fears, no peril spies.


s: "Thus hasting on, he hasted on his death,


s: Death that to him and us was fatal guide.


s: When he and we were armed, and fit to ride,


s: The nearest way seemed best, o'er hold and heath


s: We went, through deserts waste, and forests wide,


s: The streets and ways he openeth as he goes,


s: And sets each land free from intruding foes.


s: "Now want of food, now dangerous ways we find,


s: Yet passed we forth, all perils left behind,


s: That careless all the heedless to it made:


s: Until one day his tents he happed to rear,


s: "There did our scouts return and bring us news,


s: That dreadful noise of horse and arms they hear,


s: And that they deemed by sundry signs and shows


s: There was some mighty host of Pagans near.


s: At these sad tidings many changed their hues,


s: Some looked pale for dread, some shook for fear,


s: In look, in face, in gesture, or in thought.


s: "But said, 'A crown prepare you to possess


s: For this I hope, for that I wish no less,


s: Brethren, this camp will shortly be, I guess,


s: To view our graves shall come in pilgrimage.'


s: "This said, he set the watch in order right


s: To guard the camp, along the trenches deep,


s: Now had the stillness of the quiet night


s: Drowned all the world in silence and in sleep,


s: When suddenly we heard a dreadful sound,


s: Which deafed the earth, and tremble made the ground.


s: "'Arm, arm,' they cried; Prince Sweno at the same,


s: Glistering in shining steel leaped foremost out,


s: His visage shone, his noble looks did flame,


s: With kindled brand of courage bold and stout,


s: And with huge numbers hemmed us round about,


s: "Uneven the fight, unequal was the fray,


s: Unseen, where naught but glistering weapons shone:


s: The number of the dead could no man say,


s: So was the place with darkness overgone,


s: The night her mantle black upon its spreads,


s: Hiding our losses and our valiant deeds.


s: By his great acts was well descried I wot,


s: No darkness could his valor's daylight stain,


s: Such wondrous blows on every side he smote;


s: A stream of blood, a bank of bodies slain,


s: About him made a bulwark of bodies slain,


s: And when soe'er he turned his fatal brand,


s: Dread in his looks and death sate in his hand.


s: "Thus fought we till the morning bright appeared,


s: But when her lamp had night's thick darkness cleared,


s: Then our sad cries to heaven for grief we reared,


s: And all our people well-nigh slain and lost;


s: "Of thousands twain an hundred scant survived.


s: When Sweno murdered saw each valiant knight,


s: For dear compassion of that woful sight;


s: He showed no change, but said: 'Since so deprived


s: We are of all our friends by chance of fight,


s: Come follow them, the path to heaven their blood


s: Marks out, now angels made, of martyrs good.'


s: "This said, and glad I think of death at hand,


s: The signs of heavenly joy shone through his eyes,


s: With fearless heart and constant breast he flies;


s: No steel could shield them from his cutting bran


s: But whom he hits without recure he dies,


s: He never struck but felled or killed his foe


s: And wounded was himself from top to toe.


s: "Not strength, but courage now, preserved on live


s: This hardy champion, fortress of our faith,


s: Strucken he strikes, still stronger more they strive,


s: The more they hurt him, more he doth them scathe,


s: When toward him a furious knight gan drive,


s: Of members huge, fierce looks, and full of wrath,


s: After long fight, at last Prince Sweno slew.


s: "Ah, heavy chance!  Down fell the valiant youth,


s: Nor mongst us all did one so strong appear


s: As to revenge his death: that this is truth,


s: By his dear blood and noble bones I swear,


s: That of my life I had not care nor ruth,


s: No wounds I shunned, no blows I would off bear,


s: And had not Heaven my wished end denied,


s: Even there I should, and willing should, have died.


s: Yet wounded so that each one thought me dead,


s: Nor what our foes did since can I explain,


s: But when I opened first mine eyes again,


s: Night's curtain black upon the earth was spread,


s: And through the darkness to my feeble sight,


s: Appeared the twinkling of a slender light.


s: "Not so much force or judgement in me lies


s: As to discern things seen and not mistake,


s: I saw like them who ope and shut their eyes


s: By turns, now half asleep, now half awake;


s: My wounds began to smart, my hurts to ache;


s: With night's sharp air, heaven's frost and earth's cold grass.


s: "But still the light approached near and near,


s: And with the same a whispering murmur run,


s: With each a lamp in hand, who said, 'O son


s: In that dear Lord who helps his servants, trust,


s: Who ere they ask, grants all things to the just.'


s: "This said, each one his sacred blessings flings


s: Upon my corse, with broad our-stretched hand,


s: And mumbled hymns and psalms and holy things,


s: Which I could neither hear nor understand;


s: 'Arise,' quoth they, with that as I had wings,


s: All whole and sound I leaped up from the land.


s: Oh miracle, sweet, gentle, strange and true!


s: My limbs new strength received, and vigor new.


s: "I gazed on them like one whose heart denieth


s: To think that done, he sees so strangely wrought;


s: Till one said thus, 'O thou of little faith,


s: What doubts perplex thy unbelieving thought?


s: We are Christ's chosen servants, fear us naught,


s: Who to avoid the world's allurements vain,


s: That Lord hath sent that rules both heaven and hell;


s: By such weak means, as wonder is to tell;


s: "'I say Lord Sweno's corpse, for which prepared


s: By which his honor shall be far declared,


s: And his just praises spread from south to north:"


s: But lift thine eyes up to the heavens ward,


s: Mark yonder light that like the sun shines forth


s: That shall direct thee with those beams so clear,


s: "With that I saw from Cynthia's silver face,


s: Like to a falling star a beam down slide,


s: That bright as golden line marked out the place,


s: And lightened with clear streams the forest wide;


s: So Latmos shone when Phoebe left the chase,


s: And laid her down by her Endymion's side,


s: Such was the light that well discern I could,


s: His shape, his wounds, his face, though dead, yet bold.


s: "He lay not grovelling now, but as a knight


s: That ever had to heavenly things desire,


s: So toward heaven the prince lay bolt upright,


s: Like him that upward still sought to aspire,


s: His right hand closed held his weapon bright,


s: His left upon his breast was humbly laid,


s: That men might know, that while he died he prayed.


s: "Whilst on his wounds with bootless tears I wept,


s: That neither helped him, nor eased my care,


s: One of those aged fathers to him stepped,


s: And forced his hand that needless weapon spare:


s: 'This sword,' quoth he, 'hath yet good token kept,


s: That of the Pagans' blood he drunk his share,


s: And blusheth still he could not save his lord,


s: Rich, strong and sharp, was never better sword.


s: "'Heaven, therefore, will not, though the prince be slain,


s: Who used erst to wield this precious brand


s: That so brave blade unused should remain;


s: But that it pass from strong to stronger hand,


s: Who with like force can wield the same again,


s: And longer shall in grace of fortune stand,


s: And with the same shall bitter vengeance take


s: On him that Sweno slew, for Sweno's sake.


s: For Sweno's sake, upon this sword must die.


s: Here, take the blade, and with it haste thee than


s: Thither where Godfrey doth encamped lie,


s: Or stop thy way, or lead thy steps awry;


s: For He that doth thee on this message send,


s: Thee with His hand shall guide, keep and defend.


s: With true report that thou declare and tell


s: The zeal, the strength, the courage and the skill


s: In thy beloved lord that late did dwell,


s: How for Christ's sake he came his blood to spill,


s: And courage take when his brave end they read.


s: "'It resteth now, thou know that gentle knight


s: That of this sword shall be thy master's heir,


s: And martial skill no champion may compare,


s: Give it to him and say, "The Heavens bright


s: Of this revenge to him commit the care."


s: While thus I listened what this old man said,


s: A wonder new from further speech us stayed;


s: "For there whereas the wounded body lay,


s: A stately tomb with curious work, behold,


s: And wondrous art was built out of the clay,


s: Which, rising round, the carcass did enfold;


s: The warrior's name, his worth and praise that told,


s: "'Among his soldiers,' quoth the hermit, 'here


s: Must Sweno's corpse remain in marble chest,


s: While up to heaven are flown their spirits dear,


s: Accompanied, it's now high time to rest,


s: Shall light the world again, then take thy way.'


s: "This said, he led me over holts and hags,


s: Through thorns and bushes scant my legs I drew


s: Till underneath a heap of stones and crags


s: Among the bears, wild boars, the wolves and stags,


s: There dwelt he safe with his disciple true,


s: And feared no treason, force, nor hurt at all,


s: His guiltless conscience was his castle's wall.


s: "My supper roots; my bed was moss and leaves;


s: But weariness in little rest found ease:


s: But when the purple morning night bereaves


s: His loathed couch each wakeful hermit leaves,


s: To pray rose they, and I, for so they please,


s: And hitherward, as they advised me, came."


s: The Dane his woful tale had done, when thus


s: The good Prince Godfrey answered him, "Sir knight,


s: For which our heavy camp laments of right,


s: Since so brave troops and so dear friends to us,


s: One hour hath spent, in one unlucky fight;


s: As lightning doth, now kindled, now quenched out.


s: The conquests vain of realms, or spoils of gold,


s: Did ever triumph yet like theirs behold;


s: They sit in heaven on thrones celestial,


s: Crowned with glory, for their conquest bold,


s: Where each his hurts I think to other shows,


s: And glory in those bloody wounds and blows.


s: "But thou who hast part of thy race to run,


s: With haps and hazards of this world ytost,


s: rejoice, for those high honors they have won,


s: Which cannot be by chance or fortune crossed:


s: Know, that he wandereth, banished from this host,


s: And till of him new tidings some man tell,


s: Within this camp I deem it best thou dwell."


s: These words of theirs in many a soul renewed


s: The sweet remembrance of fair Sophia's child,


s: Some with salt tears for him their cheeks bedewed,


s: Lest evil betide him mongst the Pagans wild,


s: And every one his valiant prowess showed,


s: And of his battles stories long compiled,


s: Telling the Dane his acts and conquests past,


s: Which made his ears amazed, his heart aghast.


s: Now when remembrance of the youth had wrought


s: Behold returned home with all they caught


s: The bands that were to forage late assigned,


s: And with them in abundance great they brought


s: Both flocks and herds of every sort and kind.


s: And corn, although not much, and hay to feed


s: Their noble steeds and coursers when they need.


s: Tokens and signs, seemed too apparent true,


s: Rinaldo's armor, frushed and hacked they had,


s: Oft pierced through, with blood besmeared new;


s: Are farthest spread, these woful tidings flew.


s: Longing to see what they were loth to know.


s: His heavy hauberk was both seen and known,


s: And his brand shield, wherein displayed flies


s: The bird that proves her chickens for their own


s: By looking against the sun with open eyes;


s: That shield was to the Pagans often shown,


s: But now with many a gash and many a stroke


s: They see, and sigh to see it, frushed and broke.


s: While all his soldiers whispered under hand,


s: And here and there the fault and cause do lay,


s: Captain of those that brought of late this prey,


s: A man who did on points of virtue stand,


s: Blameless in words, and true whate'er he say,


s: "Say," quoth the duke, "where you this armor had,


s: Hide not the truth, but tell it good or bad."


s: He answered him, "As far from hence think I


s: As on two days a speedy post well rideth,


s: Itself among the steepy hills which hideth,


s: Through it slow falling from the mountains high,


s: A rolling brook  twixt bush and bramble glideth,


s: Clad with thick shade of boughs of broad-leaved treen,


s: Fit place for men to lie in wait unseen.


s: "Thither, to seek some flocks or herds, we went


s: Perchance close hid under the green-wood shaw,


s: And found the springing grass with blood besprent,


s: His arms though dusty, bloody, hacked and rent,


s: Yet well we knew, when near the corse we draw;


s: To which, to view his face, in vain I started,


s: For from his body his fair head was parted;


s: "His right hand wanted eke, with many a wound


s: The trunk through pierced was from back to breast,


s: A child then toward us his steps addressed,


s: But when us armed by the corse he spied,


s: "But we pursued him, took him, spake him fair,


s: A band of soldiers from that forest shade,


s: A head but late cut off with murdering blade,


s: The face was fair and young, and on the chin


s: That head with him hung at his saddle-bow.


s: And how the murtherers by the arms they wore,


s: For soldiers of our camp he well did know;


s: The carcass I disarmed and weeping sore,


s: Because I guessed who should that harness owe,


s: Away I brought it, but first order gave,


s: That noble body should be laid in grave.


s: A nobler tomb his worth deserveth well."


s: This said, good Aliprando took his leave,


s: Of certain troth he had no more to tell,


s: Sore sighed the duke, so did these news him grieve,


s: Fears in his heart, doubts in his bosom dwell,


s: He yearned to know, to find and learns the truth,


s: And punish would them that had slain the youth.


s: But now the night dispread her lazy wings


s: O'er the broad fields of heaven's bright wilderness,


s: Sleep, the soul's rest, and ease of careful things,


s: Buried in happy peace both more and less,


s: Thou Argillan alone, whom sorrow stings,


s: Still wakest, musing on great deeds I guess,


s: Nor sufferest in thy watchful eyes to creep


s: The sweet repose of mild and gentle sleep.


s: This man was strong of limb, and all his 'says


s: Were bold, of ready tongue, and working sprite,


s: Near Trento born, bred up in brawls and frays,


s: In jars, in quarrels, and in civil fight,


s: He filled with blood, and robberies day and night


s: And boldly there he served, and purchased fame.


s: He closed his eyes at last when day drew near.


s: Yet slept he not, but senseless lay opprest


s: Which false Alecto breathed in his breast,


s: Stone still he quiet lay, yet took no rest,


s: For to his thought the fiend herself presented,


s: And with strange visions his weak brain tormented.


s: Of head and right hand both but lately spoiled,


s: His left hand bore the head, whose visage good,


s: Both pale and wan, with dust and gore defoiled,


s: Yet spake, though dead, with whose sad words the blood


s: Forth at his lips in huge abundance boiled,


s: "Fly, Argillan, from this false camp fly far,


s: Whose guide, a traitor; captains, murderers are.


s: "Godfrey hath murdered me by treason vile,


s: What favor then hope you my trusty friends?


s: His villain heart is full of fraud and guile,


s: To your destruction all his thoughts he bends,


s: Yet if thou thirst of praise for noble stile,


s: If in thy strength thou trust, thy strength that ends


s: All hard assays, fly not, first with his blood


s: Appease my ghost wandering by Lethe flood;


s: "I will thy weapon whet, inflame thine ire,


s: Arm thy right hand, and strengthen every part."


s: This said; even while she spake she did inspire


s: With fury, rage, and wrath his troubled heart:


s: The man awaked, and from his eyes like fire


s: The poisoned sparks of headstrong madness start,


s: And gathered all the Italian bands in one.


s: He gathered them where lay the arms that late


s: Were good Rinaldo's; then with semblance stout


s: And furious words his fore-conceived hate


s: "Is not this people barbarous and ingrate,


s: In whom truth finds no place, faith takes no rout?


s: Whose thirst unquenched is of blood and gold,


s: Whom no yoke boweth, bridle none can hold.


s: "So much we suffered have these seven years long,


s: A thousand years hereafter shall be spoke:


s: I count not how Cilicia's kingdom strong,


s: Subdued was by Prince Tancredi's stroke,


s: Nor how false Baldwin him that land bereaves


s: Of virtue's harvest, fraud there reaped the sheaves:


s: "Nor speak I how each hour, at every need,


s: With fire and sword we hasted forth with speed,


s: And bore the brunt of all their fights and frays;


s: But when we had performed and done the deed,


s: At ease and leisure they divide the preys,


s: We reaped naught but travel for our toil,


s: Theirs was the praise, the realms, the gold, the spoil.


s: "Yet all this season were we willing blind,


s: Offended unrevenged, wronged but unwroken,


s: Light griefs could not provoke our quiet mind,


s: But now, alas!  the mortal blow is stroken,


s: Rinaldo have they slain, and law of kind,


s: Of arms, of nations, and of high heaven broken,


s: Why doth not heaven kill them with fire and thunder?


s: To swallow them why cleaves not earth asunder?


s: "They have Rinaldo slain, the sword and shield


s: Of Christ's true faith, and unrevenged he lies;


s: His noble corpse to feed the crows and pies:


s: Who murdered him?  who shall us certain yield?


s: Who sees not that, although he wanted eyes?


s: Proud Godfrey and false Baldwin both envy


s: "What need we further proof?  Heaven, heaven, I swear,


s: This night I saw his murdered sprite appear,


s: Pale, sad and wan, with wounds and blood defiled,


s: A spectacle full both of grief and fear;


s: Godfrey, for murdering him, the ghost reviled.


s: I saw it was no dream, before mine eyes,


s: Howe'er I look, still, still methinks it flies.


s: "What shall we do?  shall we be governed still


s: By this false hand, contaminate with blood?


s: To Euphrates we come, that sacred flood,


s: Where dwells a people void of martial skill,


s: Whose cities rich, whose land is fat and good,


s: Where kingdoms great we may at ease provide,


s: Far from these Frenchmen's malice, from their pride;


s: "Then let us go, and no revengement take


s: For this brave knight, though it lie in our power:


s: Which never sleeps in fear and dread one hour,


s: And this pestiferous serpent, poisoned snake,


s: Of all our knights that hath destroyed the flower,


s: Example make to him that kills his friend.


s: "I will, I will, if your courageous force,


s: Tear out his cursed heart without remorse,


s: The nest of treason false and guile enorm."


s: Thus spake the angry knight with headlong course;


s: The rest him followed with a furious storm,


s: "Arm, arm." they cried, to arms the soldiers ran.


s: And as they run, "Arm, arm," cried every man.


s: Mongst them Alecto strowed wasteful fire,


s: Envenoming the hearts of most and least,


s: Folly, disdain, madness, strife, rancor, ire,


s: Thirst to shed blood, in every breast increased,


s: This ill spread far, and till it set on fire


s: With rage the Italian lodgings, never ceased,


s: From thence unto the Switzers' camp it went,


s: Not public loss of their beloved knight,


s: Alone stirred up their rage and wrath untamed,


s: But fore-conceived griefs, and quarrels light,


s: The ire still nourished, and still inflamed,


s: The Frenchmen cruel and unjust they named,


s: And with bold threats they made their hatred known,


s: Hate seld kept close, and oft unwisely shown:


s: That fumeth, swelleth high, and bubbleth fast,


s: Till o'er the brims among the embers hot,


s: Part of the broth and of the scum is cast,


s: Their rage and wrath those few appeased not


s: In whom of wisdom yet remained some taste,


s: And all whose greatness might their madness stay.


s: Now headlong ran to harness in this heat


s: These furious people, all on heaps confused,


s: The roaring trumpets battle gan to threat,


s: And bade him arm, while on this noise he mused,


s: And Baldwin first well clad in iron hard,


s: Stepped to his side, a sure and faithful guard.


s: Their murmurs heard, to heaven he lift his een,


s: As was his wont, to God for aid he fled;


s: "O Lord, thou knowest this right hand of mine


s: Illumine their dark souls with light divine,


s: Repress their rage, by hellish fury bred,


s: Thou knowest, and make these know, with fury blind."


s: A sacred heat from heaven above distilled,


s: A heat in man that courage could constrain


s: That his brave look with awful boldness filled.


s: Well guarded forth he went to meet the train


s: Of those that would revenge Rinaldo killed;


s: And though their threats he heard, and saw them bent


s: Above his hauberk strong a coat he ware,


s: Embroidered fair with pearl and rich stone,


s: His hands were naked, and his face was bare,


s: He shook his golden mace, wherewith he dare


s: Thus he appeared, and thus he gan them teach,


s: "What foolish words?  what threats be these I hear?


s: What noise of arms?  who dares these tumults move?


s: Where is your late obedience?  where your love?


s: Of Godfrey's falsehood who can witness bear?


s: Who dare or will these accusations prove?


s: Perchance you look I should entreaties bring,


s: Sue for your favors, or excuse the thing.


s: "Ah, God forbid these lands should hear or see


s: Him so disgraced at whose great name they quake;


s: A true defence before the world can make:


s: For this offence, but for Rinaldo's love,


s: "But Argillano's guilty blood shall wash


s: This stain away, who kindled this debate,


s: To these disorders first undid the gate;"


s: While thus he spoke, the lightning beams did flash


s: That Argillan, -- who would have thought it? -- shook


s: For fear and terror, conquered with his look.


s: The rest with indiscreet and foolish wrath


s: Who threatened late with words of shame and pride,


s: Whose hands so ready were to harm and scath,


s: And brandished bright swords on every side;


s: Now hushed and still attend what Godfrey saith,


s: With shame and fear their bashful looks they hide,


s: And Argillan they let in chains be bound,


s: Although their weapons him environed round.


s: So when a lion shakes his dreadful mane,


s: And beats his tail with courage proud and wroth,


s: If his commander come, who first took pain


s: To tame his youth, his lofty crest down goeth,


s: His threats he feareth, and obeys the rein


s: Of thralldom base, and serviceage, though loth,


s: Nor can his sharp teeth nor his armed paws,


s: Force him rebel against his ruler's laws.


s: With semblant fierce and furious look that stood,


s: And in his left hand had a splendent shield


s: Wherewith he covered safe their chieftain good,


s: From which distilling fell the lukewarm blood,


s: The blood pardie of many a realm and town,


s: Whereon the Lord his wrath had poured down.


s: Thus was the tumult, without bloodshed, ended.


s: Their arms laid down, strife into exile sent.


s: Godfrey his thoughts to greater actions bended.


s: Before the second or third day were spent;


s: Meanwhile his timber wrought he oft surveyed


s: Whereof his ram and engines great he made.


s: By night the Christians in their tents to kill:


s: But God who their intents saw from above,


s: Sends Michael down from his sacred hill:


s: The spirits foul to hell the angels drove;


s: The knights delivered from the witch, at will


s: Destroy the Pagans, scatter all their host:


s: The Soldan flies when all his bands are lost.


s: Who saw these tumults done and tempest spent,


s: Gainst stream of grace who ever strove to swim


s: And all her thoughts against Heaven's wisdom bent,


s: Departed now, bright Titan's beams were dim


s: And fruitful lands waxed barren as she went.


s: She sought the rest of her infernal crew,


s: New storms to raise, new broils, and tumults new.


s: She, that well wist her sisters had enticed,


s: By their false arts, far from the Christian host,


s: Tancred, Rinaldo, and the rest, best prized


s: For martial skill, for might esteemed most,


s: Said, of these discords and these strifes advised,


s: "Great Solyman, when day his light hath lost,


s: These Christians shall assail with sudden war,


s: And kill them all while thus they strive and jar."


s: With that where Solyman remained she flew,


s: And found him out with his Arabian bands,


s: Great Solyman, of all Christ's foes untrue,


s: Boldest of courage, mightiest of his hands,


s: Like him was none of all that earth-bred crew


s: That heaped mountains on the Aemonian sands,


s: Of Turks he sovereign was, and Nice his seat,


s: Where late he dwelt, and ruled that kingdom great.


s: The lands forenenst the Greekish shore he held,


s: From Sangar's mouth to crooked Meander's fall,


s: Where they of Phrygia, Mysia, Lydia dwelled,


s: Bithynia's towns, and Pontus' cities all:


s: But when the hearts of Christian princes swelled,


s: And rose in arms to make proud Asia thrall,


s: Those lands were won where he did sceptre wield


s: And he twice beaten was in pitched field.


s: When Fortune oft he had in vain assayed,


s: And spent his forces, which availed him naught,


s: Who welcomed him as he could best have thought,


s: Glad in his heart, and inly well apayed,


s: That to his court so great a lord was brought:


s: But, ere he open war proclaimed, he would


s: That Solyman should kindle first the fire,


s: And with huge sums of false enticing gold


s: The Arabian thieves he sent him forth to hire,


s: While he the Asian lords and Morians hold


s: Those outlaws, ready aye for gold to fight,


s: The hope of gain hath such alluring might.


s: Thus made their captain to destroy and burn,


s: That all the ways whereby he should return


s: By Godfrey's people kept and stopped are,


s: This wound had hit him on an elder scar,


s: On great adventures ran his hardy thought,


s: But naught assured, he yet resolved on naught.


s: Of one whose age was great, whose looks were grave,


s: Whose cheeks were bloodless, and whose locks were hoar


s: Mustaches strouting long and chin close shave,


s: Her garment wide, and by her side, her glaive,


s: Her gilden quiver at her shoulders hung,


s: And in her hand a bow was, stiff and strong.


s: "We have." Quoth she,."through wildernesses gone,


s: Through sterile sands, strange paths, and uncouth ways,


s: Godfrey meanwhile to ruin stick and stone


s: Of this fair town, with battery sore assays;


s: This glorious city smoking lie in mould.


s: "Are sheep-cotes burnt, or preys of sheep or kine,


s: The cause why Solyman these bands did arm?


s: Canst thou that kingdom lately lost of thine


s: No, no, when heaven's small candles next shall shine,


s: Within their tents give them a bold alarm;


s: Thou hast in exile proved, and proved in Nice.


s: "He feareth naught, he doubts no sudden broil


s: From these ill-armed and worse-hearted bands,


s: He thinks this people, used to rob and spoil,


s: To such exploit dares not lift up their hands;


s: Up then and with thy courage put to foil


s: This fearless camp, while thus secure it stands."


s: This said, her poison in his breast she hides,


s: And then to shapeless air unseen she glides.


s: The Soldan cried, "O thou which in my thought


s: Nor seem'st a wight of mortal metal wrought,


s: Mountains of men by dint of sword down brought


s: Thou shalt behold, and seas of red blood flow


s: When sable night the azure skies shall hide."


s: When this was said, he mustered all his crew,


s: Reproved the cowards, and allowed the bold:


s: His forward camp, inspired with courage new,


s: Was ready dight to follow where he would:


s: And to the wind his standard great unrolled,


s: Thus on they marched, and thus on they went,


s: Of their approach their speed the news prevent.


s: Like one that came some tidings new to tell:


s: It was the time, when first the rising night


s: Her sparkling diamonds poureth forth to sell,


s: The place, the manner, and the time she told.


s: Their mantle dark, the grisly shadows spread,


s: Stained with spots of deepest sanguine hue,


s: Warm drops of blood, on earth's black visage shed,


s: Supplied the place of pure and precious dew,


s: The moon and stars for fear of sprites were fled,


s: The shrieking goblins eachwhere howling flew,


s: The furies roar, the ghosts and fairies yell,


s: The earth was filled with devils, and empty hell.


s: The Soldan fierce, through all this horror, went


s: The night was more than half consumed and spent;


s: Now headlong down the western hill she goes,


s: When distant scant a mile from Godfrey's tent


s: And victualled them, and then he boldly spoke


s: These words which rage and courage might provoke:


s: "See there a camp, full stuffed of spoils and preys,


s: Not half so strong as false report recordeth;


s: See there the storehouse, where their captain lays


s: Our treasures stolen, where Asia's wealth he hoardeth;


s: Now chance the ball unto our racket plays,


s: Take then the vantage which good luck affordeth;


s: For all their arms, their horses, gold and treasure


s: Are ours, ours without loss, harm or displeasure.


s: "Nor is this camp that great victorious host


s: That slew the Persian lords, and Nice hath won:


s: For those in this long war are spent and lost,


s: These are the dregs, the wine is all outrun,


s: And these few left, are drowned and dead almost


s: For little differs death and heavy sleep.


s: "Come, come, this sword the passage open shall


s: Into their camp, and on their bodies slain


s: We will pass o'er their rampire and their wall;


s: This blade, as scythes cut down the fields of grain,


s: Shall cut them so, Christ's kingdom now shall fall,


s: Asia her freedom, you shall praise obtain."


s: Thus he inflamed his soldiers to the fight,


s: And led them on through silence of the night.


s: This mighty Soldan and his host draw near,


s: Who found not as he hoped the Christians' guide


s: The scouts, when this huge army they descried,


s: Ran back, and gan with shouts the 'larum rear;


s: The watch stert up and drew their weapons bright,


s: And busked them bold to battle and to fight.


s: The Arabians wist they could not come unseen,


s: And therefore loud their jarring trumpets sound,


s: Their yelling cries to heaven upheaved been,


s: The horses thundered on the solid ground,


s: The mountains roared, and the valley green,


s: The echoes sighed from the caves around,


s: Tokened to them in David's tower that dwell.


s: Before the rest forth pricked the Soldan fast,


s: Against the watch, not yet in order just,


s: From hollow rocks when first his storms outburst,


s: The raging floods, that trees and rocks down cast,


s: Thunders, that towns and towers drive to dust:


s: Earthquakes, to tear the world in twain that threat,


s: He struck no blow, but that his foe he hit;


s: And never hit, but made a grievous wound:


s: And never wounded, but death followed it;


s: And yet no peril, hurt or harm he found,


s: No puissant stroke his senses once astound,


s: Yet like a bell his tinkling helmet rung,


s: And thence flew flames of fire and sparks among.


s: Himself well nigh had put the watch to flight,


s: A jolly troop of Frenchmen strong and stout,


s: When his Arabians came by heaps to fight,


s: Covering, like raging floods, the fields about;


s: The beaten Christians run away full light,


s: The Pagans, mingled with the flying rout,


s: Entered their camp, and filled, as they stood,


s: Their tents with ruin, slaughter, death and blood.


s: High on the Soldan's helm enamelled laid


s: An hideous dragon, armed with many a scale,


s: With iron paws, and leathern wings displayed,


s: Which twisted on a knot her forked tail,


s: With triple tongue it seemed she hissed and brayed,


s: About her jaws the froth and venom trail,


s: And as he stirred, and as his foes him hit,


s: So flames to cast and fire she seemed to spit.


s: With this strange light, the Soldan fierce appeared


s: Dreadful to those that round about him been,


s: As to poor sailors, when huge storms are reared,


s: With lightning flash the rafting seas are seen;


s: Some fled away, because his strength they feared,


s: Some bolder gainst him bent their weapons keen,


s: And forward night, in evils and mischiefs pleased,


s: Their dangers hid, and dangers still increased.


s: Among the rest that strove to merit praise,


s: To whose stout heart in fights and bloody frays,


s: For all his eild, base fear yet never sank;


s: Five sons he had, the comforts of his days,


s: That from his side in no adventure shrank,


s: But long before their time, in iron strong


s: They clad their members, tender, soft and young.


s: The bold ensample of their father's might


s: Their weapons whetted and their wrath increased,


s: "Come let us go," quoth he, "where yonder knight


s: Upon our soldiers makes his bloody feast,


s: Let not their slaughter once your hearts affright,


s: Where danger most appears, there fear it least,


s: For honor dwells in hard attempts, my sons,


s: And greatest praise, in greatest peril, wons."


s: Her tender brood the forest's savage queen,


s: Ere on their crests their rugged manes appear,


s: Before their mouths by nature armed been,


s: Or paws have strength a silly lamb to tear,


s: So leadeth forth to prey, and makes them keen,


s: And learns by her ensample naught to fear


s: The hunter, in those desert woods that takes


s: The lesser beasts whereon his feast he makes.


s: With lances sharp, and strong encounters made,


s: His broken spear the eldest boy down threw,


s: And boldly, over-boldly, drew his blade,


s: Wherewith he strove, but strove therewith in vain,


s: The Pagan's steed, unmarked, to have slain.


s: Assailed with storms and seas on every side,


s: Doth unremoved, steadfast, still withstand


s: Storm, thunder, lightning, tempest, wind, and tide:


s: And unremoved did all their justs abide,


s: And of that hapless youth, who hurt his steed,


s: Down to the chin he cleft in twain the head.


s: Kind Aramante, who saw his brother slain,


s: To hold him up stretched forth his friendly arm,


s: To add our proper loss, to other's harm!


s: The prince let fall his sword, and cut in twain


s: About his brother twined, the child's weak arm.


s: Down from their saddles both together slide,


s: Together mourned they, and together died.


s: That done, Sabino's lance with nimble force


s: He cut in twain, and 'gainst the stripling bold


s: He spurred his steed, that underneath his horse


s: Whose soul, out squeezed from his bruised corpse,


s: And deeply mourned that of so sweet a cage


s: She left the bliss, and joys of youthful age.


s: But Picus yet and Lawrence were on live,


s: Whom at one birth their mother fair brought out,


s: A pair whose likeness made the parents strive


s: Oft which was which, and joyed in their doubt:


s: But what their birth did undistinguished give,


s: The Soldan's rage made known, for Picus stout


s: Headless at one huge blow he laid in dust,


s: And through the breast his gentle brother thrust.


s: When all his noble sons at once were slain,


s: In their five deaths so often murdered was,


s: I know not how his life could him sustain,


s: Except his heart were forged of steel or brass,


s: Yet still he lived, pardie, he saw not plain


s: Their dying looks, although their deaths he knows,


s: He wept not, for the night her curtain spread


s: Between his cause of weeping and his eyes,


s: But still he mourned and on sharp vengeance fed,


s: And thinks he conquers, if revenged he dies;


s: He thirsts the Soldan's heathenish blood to shed,


s: And yet his own at less than naught doth prize,


s: Nor can he tell whether he liefer would,


s: At last, "Is this right hand," quoth he, "so weak,


s: That thou disdain'st gainst me to use thy might?


s: Can it naught do?  can this tongue nothing speak


s: That may provoke thine ire, thy wrath and spite?"


s: With that he struck, his anger great to wreak,


s: A blow, that pierced the mail and metal bright,


s: And in his flank set ope a floodgate wide,


s: Whereat the blood out streamed from his side.


s: Provoked with his cry, and with that blow,


s: The Turk upon him gan his blade discharge,


s: He cleft his breastplate, having first pierced through,


s: Lined with seven bulls' hides, his mighty targe,


s: And sheathed his weapons in his guts below;


s: And at his mouth, poured out his vital blood,


s: And sprinkled with the same his murdered brood.


s: Against the winds that makes resistance stout,


s: Falls down and breaks the trees and plants about;


s: And slew the nearest of the Pagans' rout,


s: That dying, slew; and conquered, overcame.


s: To satisfy with blood of Christian spilled,


s: The Arabians heartened by their captain stern,


s: With murder every tent and cabin filled,


s: Henry the English knight, and Olipherne,


s: O fierce Draguto, by thy hands were killed!


s: Both slain, both born upon the banks of Rhone.


s: Or manner of their deaths, what tongue can tell?


s: Godfrey, when first the heathen trumpets blew,


s: Awaked, which heard, no fear could make him dwell,


s: But he and his were up and armed ere long,


s: And marched forward with a squadron strong.


s: He that well heard the rumor and the cry,


s: And marked the tumult still grow more and more,


s: Against his soldiers made this battle sore;


s: For that they forayed all the countries nigh,


s: And spoiled the fields, the duke knew well before,


s: Yet thought he not they had the hardiment


s: All suddenly he heard, while on he went,


s: How to the city-ward, "Arm, arm!" they cried,


s: With dreadful howling filled the valleys wlde:


s: This was Clorinda, whom the king forth sent


s: The duke, this heard, to Guelpho turned, and prayed


s: "You hear this new alarm from yonder part,


s: That from the town breaks out with so much rage,


s: To calm their fury, and their heat to 'suage;


s: Go thither then, and with you take some part


s: Of these brave soldiers of mine equipage,


s: While with the residue of my champions bold


s: I drive these wolves again out of our fold."


s: They parted, this agreed on them between,


s: By divers paths, Lord Guelpho to the hill,


s: And Godfrey hasted where the Arabians keen


s: His men like silly sheep destroy and kill;


s: But as he went his troops increased been,


s: From every part the people flocked still,


s: That now grown strong enough, he 'proached nigh


s: Where the fierce Turk caused many a Christian die.


s: Whose streams the further from the fountain rolled


s: Still stronger wax, and with more puissance go;


s: And horned like a bull his forehead bold


s: He lifts, and o'er his broken banks doth flow,


s: And with his horns to pierce the sea assays,


s: To which he proffereth war, not tribute pays.


s: And thither ran, and thus, displeased, spake,


s: "What fear is this?  Oh, whither do you fly?


s: See who they be that this pursuit do make,


s: A heartless band, that dare no battle try,


s: Who wounds before dare neither give nor take,


s: Against them turn your stern eye's threatening sight,


s: An angry look will put them all to flight."


s: This said, he spurred forth where Solyman


s: Destroyed Christ's vineyard like a savage boar,


s: Through streams of blood, through dust and dirt he ran,


s: O'er heaps of bodies wallowing in their gore,


s: The squadrons close his sword to ope began,


s: He broke their ranks, behind, beside, before,


s: And, where he goes, under his feet he treads


s: This slaughter-house of angry Mars he passed,


s: Where thousands dead, half-dead, and dying were.


s: Yet neither stepped aside nor shrunk for fear,


s: But busked him bold to fight, aloft he cast


s: His blade, prepared to strike, and stepped near,


s: These noble princes twain, so Fortune wrought


s: From the world's end here met, and here they fought:


s: With virtue, fury; strength with courage strove,


s: With how strange force their cruel blows they drove?


s: How sore their combat was?  how fierce, how fell?


s: Great deeds they wrought, each other's harness clove;


s: Yet still in darkness, more the ruth, they dwell.


s: The night their acts her black veil covered under,


s: Their acts whereat the sun, the world might wonder.


s: The Christians by their guide's ensample hearted,


s: Of their best armed made a squadron strong,


s: And to defend their chieftain forth they started:


s: The Pagans also saved their knight from wrong,


s: Fortune her favors twixt them evenly parted,


s: Fierce was the encounter, bloody, doubtful, long;


s: These won, those lost; these lost, those won again;


s: The loss was equal, even the numbers slain.


s: With equal rage, as when the southern wind,


s: Meeteth in battle strong the northern blast,


s: But cloud gainst cloud, and wave gainst wave they cast:


s: So from this skirmish neither part declined,


s: But fought it out, and kept their footings fast,


s: And oft with furious shock together rush,


s: And shield gainst shield, and helm gainst helm they crush.


s: The soldiers slain, the hardy knights were killed,


s: Legions of sprites from Limbo's prisons got,


s: The empty air, the hills and valleys filled,


s: Hearting the Pagans that they shrinked not,


s: Till where they stood their dearest blood they spilled;


s: And with new rage Argantes they inspire,


s: Whose heat no flames, whose burning need no fire.


s: Where he came in he put to shameful flight


s: The fearful watch, and o'er the trenches leaped,


s: Even with the ground he made the rampire's height,


s: And murdered bodies in the ditch unheaped,


s: So that his greedy mates with labor light,


s: Amid the tents, a bloody harvest reaped:


s: So from a piece two chained bullets fly.


s: Now fled the Frenchmen, when in lucky hour


s: He made them turn against this stormy shower,


s: And with bold face their wicked foes withstand.


s: Sternly they fought, that from their wounds downpour


s: The streams of blood and run on either hand:


s: The Lord of heaven meanwhile upon this fight,


s: From his high throne bent down his gracious sight.


s: From whence with grace and goodness compassed round,


s: He ruleth, blesseth, keepeth all he wrought,


s: Above the air, the fire, the sea and ground,


s: Our sense, our wit, our reason and our thought,


s: Where persons three, with power and glory crowned,


s: Are all one God, who made all things of naught,


s: Under whose feet, subjected to his grace,


s: Sit nature, fortune, motion, time and place.


s: This is the place, from whence like smoke and dust


s: Of this frail world the wealth, the pomp and power,


s: He tosseth, tumbleth, turneth as he lust,


s: And guides our life, our death, our end and hour:


s: No eye, however virtuous, pure and just,


s: Can view the brightness of that glorious bower,


s: Equal in joys, though differing in degree.


s: The palace echoed from the chambers pure,


s: At last he Michael called, in harness strong


s: "Behold," quoth he, "to do despite and wrong


s: To that dear flock my mercy hath in cure,


s: How Satan from hell's loathsome prison sends


s: His ghosts, his sprites, his furies and his fiends.


s: "Go bid them all depart, and leave the care


s: Of war to soldiers, as doth best pertain:


s: Bid them forbear to infect the earth and air;


s: To darken heaven's fair light, bid them refrain;


s: Bid them to Acheron's black flood repair,


s: Fit house for them, the house of grief and pain:


s: There let their king himself and them torment,


s: So I command, go tell them mine intent."


s: This said, the winged warrior low inclined


s: At his Creator's feet with reverence due;


s: Then spread his golden feathers to the wind,


s: And swift as thought away the angel flew,


s: He passed the light, and shining fire assigned


s: The mover first, and circle crystalline,


s: The firmament, where fixed stars all shine;


s: Unlike in working then, in shape and show,


s: At his left hand, Saturn he left and Jove,


s: Since he errs not, who them doth guide and move:


s: The fields he passed then, whence hail and snow,


s: Thunder and rain fall down from clouds above,


s: Where heat and cold, dryness and moisture strive,


s: Whose wars all creatures kill, and slain, revive.


s: The horrid darkness, and the shadows dun


s: The flames which from his heavenly eyes outrun


s: Beguiled the earth and all her sable things;


s: After a storm so spreadeth forth the sun


s: His rays and binds the clouds in golden strings,


s: A falling star so glideth down from Heaven.


s: But when the infernal troop he 'proached near,


s: That still the Pagans' ire and rage provoke,


s: The angel on his wings himself did bear,


s: And shook his lance, and thus at last he spoke:


s: "Have you not learned yet to know and fear


s: The Lord's just wrath, and thunder's dreadful stroke?


s: Are you still fierce, still proud, rebellious still?


s: "The Lord hath sworn to break the iron bands


s: The brazen gates of Sion's fort which close,


s: Who is it that his sacred will withstands?


s: Against his wrath who dares himself oppose?


s: Go hence, you cursed, to your appointed lands,


s: The realms of death, of torments, and of woes,


s: Your battles fight, and there your triumphs make.


s: "There tyrannize upon the souls you find


s: Condemned to woe, and double still their pains;


s: Where some complain, where some their teeth do grind,


s: Some howl, and weep, some clank their iron chains:"


s: This said they fled, and those that stayed behind,


s: With his sharp lance he driveth and constrains;


s: They sighing left the lands, his silver sheep


s: Where Hesperus doth lead, doth feed, and keep.


s: And toward hell their lazy wings display,


s: To wreak their malice on the damned ghosts;


s: The birds that follow Titan's hottest ray,


s: Pass not in so great flocks to warmer coasts,


s: Nor leaves in so great numbers fall away


s: When winter nips them with his new-come frosts;


s: Recalled her beauty, and resumed her joy.


s: But not for this in fierce Argantes' breast


s: Lessened the rancor and decreased the ire,


s: With the hot brands of her infernal fire,


s: Round his armed head his trenchant blade he blest,


s: And those thick ranks that seemed moist entire


s: He breaks; the strong, the high, the weak, the low,


s: Not far from him amid the blood and dust,


s: Heads, arms, and legs, Clorinda strewed wide


s: Her sword through Berengarius' breast she thrust,


s: Quite through the heart, where life doth chiefly bide,


s: And that fell blow she struck so sure and just,


s: That at his back his life and blood forth glide;


s: Even in the mouth she smote Albinus then,


s: Gernier's right hand she from his arm divided,


s: Whereof but late she had received a wound;


s: The hand his sword still held, although not guided,


s: The fingers half alive stirred on the ground;


s: So from a serpent slain the tail divided


s: Moves in the grass, rolleth and tumbleth round,


s: The championess so wounded left the knight,


s: And gainst Achilles turned her weapon bright.


s: And cut the sinews and the throat in twain,


s: The head fell down upon the earth below,


s: And soiled with dust the visage on the plain;


s: The headless trunk, a woful thing to know,


s: Until his steed, that felt the reins at large,


s: With leaps and flings that burden did discharge.


s: While thus this fair and fierce Bellona slew


s: The western lords, and put their troops to flight,


s: And low in dust laid many a worthy knight:


s: Like was their sex, their beauty and their hue,


s: Like was their youth, their courage and their might;


s: Yet fortune would they should the battle try


s: Of mightier foes, for both were framed to die.


s: Yet wished they oft, and strove in vain to meet,


s: So great betwixt them was the press and throng,


s: Ventured his sword to work her harm and wrong,


s: And with a cutting blow so did her greet,


s: That from her side the blood streamed down along;