s: A thousand knights he's left there, fighters stout;


s: Who guard that town as bids their Emperour.


s: No harm to her, but only good he's vowed.


s: So are they come, with joy and gladness out,


s: They pass Nerbone by force and by vigour,


s: Come to Burdele, that city of high valour.


s: Above the altar, to Saint Sevrin endowed,


s: Stands the olifant, with golden pieces bound;


s: All the pilgrims may see it, who thither crowd.


s: Passing Girunde in great ships, there abound,


s: Ev'n unto Blaive he's brought his nephew down


s: And the Archbishop, who was so wise and proud.


s: In white coffers he bids them lay those counts


s: At Saint Romain: So rest they in that ground.


s: Franks them to God and to His Angels vow.


s: Charles canters on, by valleys and by mounts,


s: Not before Aix will he not make sojourn;


s: Canters so far, on th'terrace he dismounts.


s: Germans he calls, and also calls Borgounds;


s: From Normandy, from Brittany and Poitou,


s: And those in France that are the sagest found.


s: Arrived in France, in his chief seat, at Aix,


s: Clomb to th' Palace, into the hall he came.


s: Was come to him there Alde, that fair dame;


s: Said to the King: "Where's Rollanz the Captain,


s: Who sware to me, he'ld have me for his mate?"


s: Then upon Charles a heavy sorrow weighed,


s: And his eyes wept, he tore his beard again:


s: "Sister, dear friend, of a dead man you spake.


s: I'll give you one far better in exchange,


s: He is my son, and shall my marches take."


s: Alde answered him: "That word to me is strange.


s: Never, please God, His Angels and His Saints,


s: When Rollant's dead shall I alive remain!"


s: Her colour fails, at th' feet of Charlemain,


s: She falls; she's dead.  Her soul God's Mercy awaits!


s: Barons of France weep therefore and complain.


s: Yet the King thought she was but swooning then,


s: Took her in's hands, raised her from th'earth again;


s: On her shoulders her head still drooped and leant.


s: When Charles saw that she was truly dead


s: To a monast'ry of nuns they bare her thence,


s: All night their watch until the dawn they held;


s: Before the altar her tomb was fashioned well;


s: Is in that town, before the King's Palace;


s: Those serfs have bound him, fast upon his stake,


s: In deer-hide thongs his hands they've helpless made,


s: With clubs and whips they trounce him well and baste:


s: In bitter grief his trial there he awaits.


s: How Charles called from many lands his men,


s: Holy that day, for some chief feast was held,


s: Saint Silvester's that baron's, many tell.


s: Before himself the Emperour has him led.


s: "Lords and barons," Charles the King doth speak,


s: "Of Guenelun judge what the right may be!


s: He was in th'host, even in Spain with me;


s: There of my Franks a thousand score did steal,


s: And my nephew, whom never more you'll see,


s: And, wealth to gain, betrayed the dozen peers."


s: "Felon be I," said Guenes, "aught to conceal!


s: He did from me much gold and wealth forfeit,


s: Whence to destroy and slay him did I seek;


s: But treason, no; I vow there's not the least."


s: Answer the Franks: "Take counsel now must we."


s: So Guenelun, before the King there, stood;


s: Lusty his limbs, his face of gentle hue;


s: Were he loyal, right baron-like he'd looked.


s: He saw those Franks, and all who'ld judge his doom,


s: And by his side his thirty kinsmen knew.


s: After, he cried aloud; his voice was full:


s: "For th' Love of God, listen to me, baruns!


s: Service I did him there in faith and truth.


s: To that fighter Rollant my challenge threw,


s: Charles heard that, and his noble baruns.


s: Vengeance I gat, but there's no treason proved."


s: Answered the Franks: "Now go we to the moot.


s: When Guenes sees, his great cause is beginning,


s: Thirty he has around him of his kinsmen,


s: There's one of them to whom the others listen,


s: 'Tis Pinabel, who in Sorence castle liveth;


s: Well can he speak, soundly his reasons giving,


s: A good vassal, whose arm to fight is stiffened.


s: Says to him Guenes: "In you my faith is fixed.


s: Save me this day from death, also from prison."


s: Says Pinabel: "Straightway you'll be delivered.


s: Is there one Frank, that you to hang committeth?


s: Let the Emperour but once together bring us,


s: With my steel brand he shall be smartly chidden."


s: Guenes the count kneels at his feet to kiss them.


s: To th' counsel go those of Bavier and Saxe,


s: Normans also, with Poitevins and Franks;


s: Those of Alverne the greatest court'sy have,


s: Says each to each: "'Twere well to let it stand.


s: Leave we this cause, and of the King demand


s: That he cry quits with Guenes for this act;


s: With love and faith he'll serve him after that.


s: Since he is dead, no more ye'll see Rollanz,


s: Nor any wealth nor gold may win him back.


s: Most foolish then is he, would do combat."


s: There is but one agrees not to their plan;


s: Tierri, brother to Don Geifreit, 's that man.


s: Say to their King:  "Sire, we beseech of you


s: That you cry quits with county Guenelun,


s: So he may serve you still in love and truth;


s: Nay let him live, so noble a man 's he proved.


s: Nor for no wealth may we his life renew."


s: Then says the King: "You're felons all of you!"


s: When Charles saw that all of them did fail,


s: Deep down he bowed his head and all his face


s: For th' grief he had, caitiff himself proclaimed.


s: One of his knights, Tierris, before him came,


s: Gefrei's brother, that Duke of Anjou famed;


s: Lean were his limbs, and lengthy and delicate,


s: Black was his hair and somewhat brown his face;


s: Was not too small, and yet was hardly great;


s: And courteously to the Emperour he spake:


s: "Fair' Lord and King, do not yourself dismay!


s: You know that I have served you many ways:


s: By my ancestors should I this cause maintain.


s: Still your service to him full warrant gave.


s: Felon is Guene, since th' hour that he betrayed,


s: And, towards you, is perjured and ashamed:


s: Wherefore I judge that he be hanged and slain,


s: His carcass flung to th' dogs beside the way,


s: But, has he a friend that would dispute my claim


s: With this my sword which I have girt in place


s: Answer the Franks: "Now very well you spake."


s: Great is he, strong, vassalous and nimble;


s: Who bears his blow has no more time to dwell:


s: Says to him: "Sire, on you this cause depends;


s: Command therefore this noise be made an end.


s: See Tierri here, who hath his judgment dealt;


s: I cry him false, and will the cause contest."


s: His deer-hide glove in the King's hand he's left.


s: Says the Emperour: "Good pledges must I get."


s: Thirty kinsmen offer their loyal pledge.


s: "I'll do the same for you," the King has said;


s: Until the right be shewn, bids guard them well.


s: When Tierri sees that battle shall come after,


s: His right hand glove he offereth to Chares.


s: That Emperour by way of hostage guards it;


s: Four benches then upon the place he marshals


s: Where sit them down champions of either party.


s: They're chos'n aright, as the others' judgement cast them;


s: Oger the Dane between them made the parley.


s: Next they demand their horses and their armour.


s: For battle, now, ready you might them see,


s: They're well confessed, absolved, from sin set free;


s: Masses they've heard, Communion received,


s: Rich offerings to those minsters they leave.


s: They have their spurs, are fastened on their feet,


s: And, light and strong, their hauberks brightly gleam;


s: Upon their heads they've laced their helmets clear,


s: And girt on swords, with pure gold hilted each;


s: And from their necks hang down their quartered shields;


s: In their right hands they grasp their trenchant spears.


s: At last they mount on their swift coursing steeds.


s: Five score thousand chevaliers therefor weep,


s: For Rollant's sake pity for Tierri feel.


s: God knows full well which way the end shall be.


s: Which for the fight of th' two barons is marked.


s: Proof men are these, and of great vassalage,


s: And their horses, unwearied, gallop fast;


s: They spur them well, the reins aside they cast,


s: With virtue great, to strike each other, dart;


s: All of their shields shatter and rend apart.


s: Their hauberks tear; the girths asunder start,


s: The saddles slip, and fall upon the grass.


s: Five score thousand weep, who that sight regard.


s: Upon the ground are fallen both the knights;


s: Nimbly enough upon their feet they rise.


s: Nimble and strong is Pinabels, and light.


s: Each the other seeks; horses are out of mind,


s: But with those swords whose hilts with gold are lined


s: Upon those helms of steel they beat and strike:


s: Great are the blows, those helmets to divide.


s: The chevaliers of France do much repine.


s: "O God!" says Charles, "Make plain to us the right!"


s: Says Pinabel "Tierri, I pray thee, yield:


s: For the pleasure my wealth I'll give to thee;


s: Answers Tierri: "Such counsel's not for me.


s: God shall this day the right shew, us between!"


s: Then said Tierri "Bold art thou, Pinabel,


s: Thou'rt great and strong, with body finely bred;


s: For vassalage thy peers esteem thee well:


s: With Charlemagne I soon will have thee friends;


s: Day shall not dawn but men of it will tell."


s: "Please the Lord God, not so!" said Pinabel.


s: "I would sustain the cause of my kindred


s: No mortal man is there from whom I've fled;


s: Rather I'ld die than hear reproaches said."


s: Then with their swords began to strike again


s: Upon those helms that were with gold begemmed


s: Into the sky the bright sparks rained and fell.


s: Nor make an end, without one man be dead.


s: Tierri he strikes, on 's helmet of Provence,


s: Leaps such a spark, the grass is kindled thence;


s: Of his steel brand the point he then presents,


s: On Tierri's brow the helmet has he wrenched


s: So down his face its broken halves descend;


s: And his right cheek in flowing blood is drenched;


s: God's his warrant, Who death from him prevents.


s: Sees Tierris then 'that in the face he's struck,


s: On grassy field runs clear his flowing blood;


s: Strikes Pinabel on 's helmet brown and rough,


s: To the nose-piece he's broken it and cut,


s: And from his head scatters his brains in th' dust;


s: Brandishes him on th' sword, till dead he's flung.


s: Franks cry aloud: "God hath great virtue done.


s: It is proved right that Guenelun be hung.


s: And those his kin, that in his cause are come."


s: Now that Tierris the battle fairly wins,


s: Naimes the Duke, Oger that Danish Prince,


s: Geifrei d'Anjou, Willalme of Blaive therewith.


s: Tierri, the King takes in his arms to kiss;


s: And wipes his face with his great marten-skins;


s: He lays them down, and others then they bring;


s: An Arab mule they've brought, whereon he sits.


s: With baronage and joy they bring him in.


s: They come to Aix, halt and dismount therein.


s: The punishment of the others then begins.


s: His counts and Dukes then calls to him Carlun:


s: "With these I guard, advise what shall be done.


s: Answer the Franks: "Shall not of them live one."


s: The King commands his provost then, Basbrun:


s: "Go hang them all on th' tree of cursed wood!


s: Nay, by this beard, whose hairs are white enough,


s: If one escape, to death and shame thou'rt struck!"


s: He answers him: "How could I act, save thus?"


s: With an hundred serjeants by force they come;


s: Thirty of them there are, that straight are hung.


s: Who betrays man, himself and 's friends undoes.


s: Then turned away the Baivers and Germans


s: Fore all the rest, 'twas voted by the Franks


s: That Guenes die with marvellous great pangs;


s: So to lead forth four stallions they bade;


s: After, they bound his feet and both his hands;


s: Those steeds were swift, and of a temper mad;


s: Which, by their heads, led forward four sejeants


s: Towards a stream that flowed amid that land.


s: All his sinews were strained until they snapped,


s: And all the limbs were from his body dragged.


s: On the green grass his clear blood gushed and ran.


s: Who betrays man, need make no boast of that.


s: When the Emperour had made his whole vengeance,


s: He called to him the Bishops out of France,


s: "A dame free-born lies captive in my hands,


s: So oft she's heard sermons and reprimands,


s: She would fear God, and christening demands.


s: Baptise her then, so God her soul may have."


s: They answer him: "Sponsors the rite demands,


s: The baths at Aix great companies attract;


s: There they baptised the Queen of Sarazands,


s: When the Emperour his justice hath achieved,


s: His mighty wrath's abated from its heat,


s: And Bramimunde has christening received;


s: Passes the day, the darkness is grown deep,


s: And now that King in 's vaulted chamber sleeps.


s: Saint Gabriel is come from God, and speaks:


s: "Summon the hosts, Charles, of thine Empire,


s: King Vivien thou'lt succour there, at Imphe,


s: The Christians there implore thee and beseech."


s: "God!" said the King: "My life is hard indeed!"


s: Tears filled his eyes, he tore his snowy beard.


s: translation first published in London, 1600.


s: Godfrey unites the Christian Peers and Knights;


s: Choose him their Duke, to rule the wares and fights.


s: He mustereth all his host, whose number known,


s: He sends them to the fort that Sion hights;


s: The aged tyrant Juda's land that guides,


s: In fear and trouble, to resist provides.


s: The sacred armies, and the godly knight,


s: That the great sepulchre of Christ did free,


s: I sing; much wrought his valor and foresight,


s: And in that glorious war much suffered he;


s: In vain 'gainst him did Hell oppose her might,


s: His soldiers wild, to brawls and mutinies prest,


s: Reduced he to peace, so Heaven him blest.


s: O heavenly Muse, that not with fading bays


s: Deckest thy brow by the Heliconian spring,


s: But sittest crowned with stars' immortal rays


s: In Heaven, where legions of bright angels sing;


s: Inspire life in my wit, my thoughts upraise,


s: My verse ennoble, and forgive the thing,


s: If fictions light I mix with truth divine,


s: And fill these lines with other praise than thine.


s: Thither thou know'st the world is best inclined


s: Where luring Parnass most his sweet imparts,


s: And truth conveyed in verse of gentle kind


s: To read perhaps will move the dullest hearts:


s: So we, if children young diseased we find,


s: Anoint with sweets the vessel's foremost parts


s: To make them taste the potions sharp we give;


s: They drink deceived, and so deceived, they live.


s: The Pilgrim Muses, and their ship defend


s: From rock of Ignorance and Error's wave,


s: Your gracious eyes upon this labor bend:


s: To you these tales of love and conquest brave


s: Your fights, your battles, and your combats bold.


s: For if the Christian Princes ever strive


s: To win fair Greece out of the tyrants' hands,


s: Of woful Thrace, which now captived stands,


s: You must from realms and seas the Turks forth drive,


s: As Godfrey chased them from Juda's lands,


s: And in this legend, all that glorious deed,


s: Read, whilst you arm you; arm you, whilst you read.


s: Six years were run since first in martial guise


s: The Christian Lords warraid the eastern land;


s: Nice by assault, and Antioch by surprise,


s: Both fair, both rich, both won, both conquered stand,


s: 'Gainst Persian knights and many a valiant band;


s: Tortosa won, lest winter might them shend,


s: They drew to holds, and coming spring attend.


s: The sullen season now was come and gone,


s: That forced them late cease from their noble war,


s: When God Almighty form his lofty throne,


s: Set in those parts of Heaven that purest are


s: (As far above the clear stars every one,


s: Looked down, and all at once this world beheld,


s: Each land, each city, country, town and field.


s: All things he viewed, at last in Syria stayed


s: Upon the Christian Lords his gracious eye,


s: That wondrous look wherewith he oft surveyed


s: Men's secret thoughts that most concealed lie


s: He cast on puissant Godfrey, that assayed


s: To drive the Turks from Sion's bulwarks high,


s: And, full of zeal and faith, esteemed light


s: All worldly honor, empire, treasure, might:


s: In Baldwin next he spied another thought,


s: Whom spirits proud to vain ambition move:


s: Tancred he saw his life's joy set at naught,


s: So woe-begone was he with pains of love:


s: Boemond the conquered folk of Antioch brought,


s: The gentle yoke of Christian rule to prove:


s: He taught them laws, statutes and customs new,


s: Arts, crafts, obedience, and religion true;


s: And with such care his busy work he plied,


s: That to naught else his acting thoughts he bent:


s: In young Rinaldo fierce desires he spied,


s: To wealth or sovereign power he naught applied


s: Patterns and rules of skill, and courage bold,


s: He took from Guelpho, and his fathers old.


s: Thus when the Lord discovered had, and seen


s: The hidden secrets of each worthy's breast,


s: The gentle Gabriel called he from the rest,


s: 'Twixt God and souls of men that righteous been


s: The just commands of Heaven's Eternal King,


s: 'Twixt skies and earth, he up and down doth bring.


s: To whom the Lord thus spake: "Godfredo find,


s: And in my name ask him, why doth he rest?


s: Why be his arms to ease and peace resigned?


s: His peers to counsel call, each baser mind


s: Let him stir up; for, chieftain of the rest


s: I choose him here, the earth shall him allow,


s: His fellows late shall be his subjects now."


s: This said, the angel swift himself prepared


s: His spirits pure were subject to our sight,


s: Like to a man in show and shape he fared,


s: A stripling seemed he thrive five winters old,


s: And radiant beams adorned his locks of gold.


s: Fringed with gold, unwearied, nimble, swift;


s: With these he parts the winds, the clouds, the air,


s: And over seas and earth himself doth lift,


s: Thus clad he cut the spheres and circles fair,


s: And the pure skies with sacred feathers clift;


s: And shook his wings with rory May dews wet.


s: The sacred messenger, with headlong flight;


s: The rising sun, yet scantly half in sight;


s: Godfrey e'en then his morn-devotions said,


s: As was his custom, when with Titan bright


s: Whose glory far obscured Phoebus' shine.


s: "Godfrey," quoth he, "behold the season fit


s: To war, for which thou waited hast so long,


s: Now serves the time, if thou o'erslip not it,


s: To free Jerusalem from thrall and wrong:


s: Thou with thy Lords in council quickly sit;


s: Comfort the feeble, and confirm the strong,


s: The Lord of Hosts their general doth make thee,


s: And for their chieftain they shall gladly take thee.


s: In his great name thus his behests do tell;


s: Oh, what sure hope of conquest ought thee move,


s: What zeal, what love should in thy bosom dwell!"


s: This said, he vanished to those seats above,


s: In height and clearness which the rest excel,


s: Down fell the Duke, his joints dissolved asunder,


s: Blind with the light, and strucken dead with wonder.


s: The man, his manner, and his message said;


s: To end that war, whereof he Lord was made;


s: Nor swelled his breast with uncouth pride therefore,


s: That Heaven on him above this charge had laid,


s: But, for his great Creator would the same,


s: His will increased: so fire augmenteth flame.


s: The captains called forthwith from every tent,


s: Entreatance fair with counsel he unites,


s: All, what a noble courage could augment,


s: The sleeping spark of valor what incites,


s: He used, that all their thoughts to honor raised,


s: Some praised, some paid, some counselled, all pleased.


s: The captains, soldiers, all, save Boemond, came,


s: And pitched their tents, some in the fields without,


s: Some of green boughs their slender cabins frame,


s: Some lodged were Tortosa's streets about,


s: Of all the host the chief of worth and name


s: Assembled been, a senate grave and stout;


s: Then Godfrey, after silence kept a space,


s: Lift up his voice, and spake with princely grace:


s: "Warriors, whom God himself elected hath


s: And still preserved from danger, harm and scath,


s: By many a sea and many an unknown shore,


s: And after conquests great, have in the same


s: "But not for this our homes we first forsook,


s: And from our native soil have marched so far:


s: Nor us to dangerous seas have we betook,


s: And lands possess that wild and barbarous are:


s: That for our conquests were too mean a prey,


s: To shed our bloods, to work our souls' decay.


s: "But this the scope was of our former thought, --


s: The Christian folk from bondage to have brought,


s: Wherein, alas, they long have lived thrall,


s: And none be left, that pilgrims might denay


s: To see Christ's tomb, and promised vows to pay.


s: Naught to our first designment, if we shun


s: The purposed end, or here lie fixed all.


s: What boots it us there wares to have begun,


s: Or Europe raised to make proud Asia thrall,


s: If our beginnings have this ending known,


s: Not kingdoms raised, but armies overthrown?


s: On frail foundations laid in earthly mould,


s: Where of our faith and country be but few


s: Among the thousands stout of Pagans bold,


s: Where naught behoves us trust to Greece untrue,


s: Who buildeth thus, methinks, so buildeth he,


s: "Turks, Persians conquered, Antiochia won,


s: Be glorious acts, and full of glorious praise,


s: By Heaven's mere grace, not by our prowess done:


s: Those conquests were achieved by wondrous ways,


s: His loving kindness shall we lose, I doubt,


s: "Let not these blessings then sent from above


s: The gentle season might our courage move,


s: With valiant squadrons round about to hem?


s: "Lords, I protest, and hearken all to it,


s: Ye times and ages, future, present, past,


s: Hear all ye blessed in the heavens that sit,


s: The time for this achievement hasteneth fast:


s: The longer rest worse will the season fit,


s: Our sureties shall with doubt be overcast.


s: This said, the hermit Peter rose and spake,


s: Who sate in counsel those great Lords among:


s: In private cell, who erst lived closed long,


s: What Godfrey wills, of that no question make,


s: There cast no doubts where truth is plain and strong,


s: Your acts, I trust, will correspond his speech,


s: Yet one thing more I would you gladly teach.


s: "These strifes, unless I far mistake the thing,


s: And discords raised oft in disordered sort,


s: Of actions lost, for want of due support,


s: Spring of sedition, strife, oppression, tort,


s: I mean commanding power to sundry given,


s: In thought, opinion, worth, estate, uneven.


s: "Where divers Lords divided empire hold,


s: Where causes be by gifts, not justice tried,


s: Where offices be falsely bought and sold,


s: Needs must the lordship there from virtue slide.


s: Create one head, the rest to rule and guide:


s: To one the regal power and sceptre give,


s: That henceforth may your King and Sovereign live."


s: And therewith stayed his speech.  O gracious Muse,


s: What kindling motions in their breasts do fry?


s: With grace divine the hermit's talk infuse,


s: That in their hearts his words may fructify;


s: By this a virtuous concord they did choose,


s: That Godfrey ruler of those wars should be.


s: This power they gave him, by his princely right,


s: All to command, to judge all, good and ill,


s: Laws to impose to lands subdued by might,


s: To maken war both when and where he will,


s: This done, Report displays her tell-tale wings,


s: And to each ear the news and tidings brings.


s: She told the soldiers, who allowed him meet


s: And well deserving of that sovereign place.


s: Their first salutes and acclamations sweet


s: Received he, with love and gentle grace;


s: After their reverence done with kind regreet


s: Requited was, with mild and cheerful face,


s: He bids his armies should the following day


s: On those fair plains their standards proud display.


s: The golden sun rose from the silver wave,


s: And with his beams enamelled every green,


s: When  up arose each warrior bold and brave,


s: Glistering in filed steel and armor sheen,


s: With jolly plumes their crests adorned they have,


s: And all tofore their chieftain mustered been:


s: He from a mountain cast his curious sight


s: That I each troop and captain great may sing,


s: That in this glorious war did famous grow,


s: Forgot till now by Time's evil handling:


s: This work, derived from my treasures dear,


s: Let all times hearken, never age outwear.


s: The French came foremost battailous and bold,


s: Late led by Hugo, brother to their King,


s: From France the isle that rivers four infold


s: With rolling streams descending from their spring,


s: Their wonted ensign they tofore them bring,


s: And hardy knight ysprong of princes' blood.


s: A thousand were they in strong armors clad,


s: Next whom there marched forth another band,


s: That number, nature, and instruction had,


s: Like them to fight far off or charge at hand,


s: Two bishops next their standards proud upbare,


s: Their jolly notes they chanted loud and clear


s: And horrid helms high on their heads they bear


s: When their fierce courage they to war incline:


s: The first four hundred horsemen gathered near


s: To Orange town, and lands that it confine:


s: But Ademare the Poggian youth brought out,


s: In number like, in hard assays as stout.


s: Baldwin, his ensign fair, did next dispread


s: His brother gave him all his troops to lead,


s: The Count Carinto did him straight succeed,


s: Grave in advice, well skilled in Mars his game,


s: Four hundred brought he, but so many thrice


s: Led Baldwin, clad in gilden arms of price.


s: Guelpho next them the land and place possest,


s: Whose fortunes good with his great acts agree,


s: By his Italian sire, fro the house of Est,


s: A German born with rich possessions blest,


s: A worthy branch sprung from the Guelphian tree.


s: 'Twixt Rhene and Danubie the land contained


s: He ruled, where Swaves and Rhetians whilom reigned.


s: His mother's heritage was this and right,


s: From thence approved men of passing might


s: He brought, that death or danger feared not:


s: It was their wont in feasts to spend the night,


s: And pass cold days in baths and houses hot.


s: Five thousand late, of which now scantly are


s: The third part left, such is the chance of war.


s: The nation then with crisped locks and fair,


s: That dwell between the seas and Arden Wood,


s: Where Mosel streams and Rhene the meadows wear,


s: A battel soil for grain, for pasture good,


s: Their islanders with them, who oft repair


s: Their earthen bulwarks 'gainst the ocean flood,


s: The flood, elsewhere that ships and barks devours,


s: But there drowns cities, countries, towns and towers;


s: Both in one troop, and but a thousand all,


s: Then the English squadron, soldiers stout and tall,


s: By William led, their sovereign's younger son,


s: These archers be, and with them come withal,


s: A people near the Northern Pole that wone,


s: Whom Ireland sent from loughs and forests hoar,


s: Tancredi next, nor 'mongst them all was one,


s: Rinald except, a prince of greater might,


s: With majesty his noble countenance shone,


s: High were his thoughts, his heart was bold in fight,


s: No shameful vice his worth had overgone,


s: Bred in the dangers of adventurous arms,


s: And nursed with griefs, with sorrows, woes, and harms.


s: Fame tells, that on that ever-blessed day,


s: When Christian swords with Persian blood were dyed,


s: The furious Prince Tancredi from that fray


s: His coward foes chased through forests wide,


s: Till tired with the fight, the heat, the way,


s: He sought some place to rest his wearied side,


s: And drew him near a silver stream that played


s: Among wild herbs under the greenwood shade.


s: In shining steel, all save her visage fair,


s: To catch sweet breathing from the cooling air.


s: On her at gaze his longing looks he set,


s: Sight, wonder; wonder, love; love bred his care;


s: O love, o wonder; love new born, new bred,


s: Now groan, now armed, this champion captive led.


s: Her helm the virgin donned, and but some wight


s: She feared might come to aid him as they fought,


s: Her courage earned to have assailed the knight;


s: Yet thence she fled, uncompanied, unsought,


s: Her sweet idea wandered through his thought,


s: Her shape, her gesture, and her place in mind


s: He kept, and blew love's fire with that wind.


s: Well might you read his sickness in his eyes,


s: Their banks were full, their tide was at the flow,


s: His help far off, his hurt within him lies,


s: His hopes unstrung, his cares were fit to mow;


s: Eight hundred horse (from Champain came) he guies,


s: Champain a land where wealth, ease, pleasure, grow,


s: Rich Nature's pomp and pride, the Tirrhene main


s: There woos the hills, hills woo the valleys plain.


s: Two hundred Greeks came next, in fight well tried,


s: Not surely armed in steel or iron strong,


s: But each a glaive had pendant by his side,


s: Their bows and quivers at their shoulders hung,


s: Their horses well inured to chase and ride,


s: Though broken, scattered, fled, they skirmish still;


s: Tatine their guide, and except Tatine, none


s: Of all the Greeks went with the Christian host;


s: Did not this fatal war affront thy coast?


s: And glad attendest which side won or lost:


s: No wrong is that, but God's most righteous doom.


s: In order last, but first in worth and fame,


s: Unfeared in fight, untired with hurt or wound,


s: Terrors to all that tread on Asian ground:


s: Cease Orpheus of thy Minois, Arthur shame


s: To boast of Lancelot, or thy table round:


s: For these whom antique times with laurel drest,


s: These far exceed them, thee, and all the rest.


s: Dudon of Consa was their guide and lord,


s: And for of worth and birth alike they been,


s: They chose him captain, by their free accord,


s: For he most acts had done, most battles seen;


s: Grave was the man in years, in looks, in word,


s: His locks were gray, yet was his courage green,


s: Of worth and might the noble badge he bore,


s: Old scars of grievous wounds received of yore.


s: For Godfrey's sake his brother, and his own;


s: The King of Norway's heir Gernando than,


s: Proud of his father's title, sceptre, crown;


s: For hardy knights approved were and known;


s: Besides were numbered in that warlike train


s: Rambald, Gentonio, and the Gerrards twain.


s: Well worthy praise for many a worthy deed;


s: Nor those three brethren, Lombards fierce and yond,


s: Nor Otton's shield he conquered in those stowres,


s: Guascher and Raiphe in valor like there was.


s: Together served they, and together died.


s: In school of love are all things taught we see,


s: There learned this maid of arms the ireful guise,


s: Still by his side a faithful guard went she,


s: One true-love knot their lives together ties,


s: No would to one alone could dangerous be,


s: But each the smart of other's anguish tries,


s: If one were hurt, the other felt the sore,


s: She lost her blood, he spent his life therefore.


s: Star of his sphere, the diamond of this ring,


s: The nest where courage with sweet mercy breeds:


s: His years are fewer than his noble deeds,


s: His fruit is ripe soon as his blossoms spring,


s: And if disarmed, then God himself of Love.


s: Sophia by Adige's flowery bank him bore,


s: Sophia the fair, spouse to Bertoldo great,


s: The tender imp was weaned from the teat,


s: The Princess Maud him took, in Virtue's lore


s: She brought him up fit for each worthy feat,


s: Till of these wares the golden trump he hears,


s: That soundeth glory, fame, praise in his ears.


s: And then, though scantly three times five years old,


s: He fled alone, by many an unknown coast,


s: O'er Aegean Seas by many a Greekish hold,


s: A noble flight, adventurous, brave, and bold,


s: Whereon a valiant prince might justly boast,


s: Three years he served in field, when scant begin


s: Few golden hairs to deck his ivory chin.


s: The horsemen past, their void-left stations fill


s: The bands on foot, and Reymond them beforn,


s: Of Tholouse lord, from lands near Piraene Hill


s: By Garound streams and salt sea billows worn,


s: Four thousand foot he brought, well armed, and skill


s: Had they all pains and travels to have borne,


s: Stout men of arms and with their guide of power


s: Like Troy's old town defenced with Ilion's tower.


s: Next Stephen of Amboise did five thousand lead,


s: The men he prest from Tours and Blois but late,


s: Yet armed to point in well-attempted plate,


s: The land did like itself the people breed,


s: The soil is gentle, smooth, soft, delicate;


s: Boldly they charge, but soon retire for doubt,


s: Like fire of straw, soon kindled, soon burnt out.


s: The boaster brought six thousand Switzers bold,


s: Audacious were their looks, their faces grim,


s: Strong castles on the Alpine clifts they hold,


s: Their shares and coulters broke, to armors trim


s: They change that metal, cast in warlike mould,


s: And with this band late herds and flocks that guide,


s: Now kings and realms he threatened and defied.


s: The glorious standard last to Heaven they sprad,


s: With Peter's keys ennobled and his crown,


s: With it seven thousand stout Camillo had,


s: Or prove at least to all of wiser thought,


s: Their hearts were fertile land although unwrought.


s: Each band, each troop, each person worth regard


s: When Godfrey with his lords to counsel went,


s: And thus the Duke his princely will declared:


s: "I will when day next clears the firmament,


s: Our ready host in haste be all prepared,


s: "Prepare you then for travel strong and light,


s: And with that word and warning soon was dight,


s: Each soldier, longing for near coming glory,


s: Impatient be they of the morning bright,


s: But yet their chieftain had conceived a fear


s: Within his heart, but kept it secret there.


s: A fort that on the Syrian frontiers lay,


s: Will aught forslow, or in his journey stay,


s: For well he knew him for a dangerous foe:


s: An herald called he then, and spake him so:


s: "A pinnace take thee swift as shaft from bow,


s: And speed thee, Henry, to the Greekish main,


s: There should arrive, as I by letters know


s: From one that never aught reports in vain,


s: A valiant youth in whom all virtues flow,


s: To help us this great conquest to obtain,


s: The Prince of Danes he is, and brings to war


s: A troop with him from under the Arctic star.


s: "And for I doubt the Greekish monarch sly


s: Will use with him some of his wonted craft,


s: Elsewhere his forces, his first journey laft,


s: See that these succors be not us beraft,


s: But send him thence with such convenient speed


s: As with his honor stands and with our need.


s: "Return not thou, but Legier stay behind,


s: And move the Greekish Prince to send us aid,


s: Tell him his kingly promise doth him bind


s: To give us succors, by his covenant made."


s: This said, and thus instruct, his letters signed


s: The trusty herald took, nor longer stayed,


s: But sped him thence to done his Lord's behest,


s: And thus the Duke reduced his thoughts to rest.


s: Aurora bright her crystal gates unbarred,


s: And bridegroom-like forth stept the glorious sun,


s: When trumpets loud and clarions shrill were heard,


s: And every one to rouse him fierce begun,


s: Sweet music to each heart for war prepared,


s: The soldiers glad by heaps to harness run;


s: So if with drought endangered be their grain,


s: Poor ploughmen joy when thunders promise rain.


s: Some shirts of mail, some coats of plate put on,


s: Some donned a cuirass, some a corslet bright,


s: His wonted guide each soldier tends upon,


s: Loose in the wind waved their banners light,


s: Their standard royal toward Heaven they spread,


s: The cross triumphant on the Pagans dead.


s: Meanwhile the car that bears the lightning brand


s: And smote the glistering armies as they stand,


s: With quivering beams which dazed the wondering eye,


s: That Phaeton-like it fired sea and land,


s: The sparkles seemed up to the skies to fly,


s: The horses' neigh and clattering armors' sound


s: To save his men from ambush and from train,


s: Some troops of horse that lightly armed ride


s: He sent to scour the woods and forests main,


s: To even the paths and make the highways plain,


s: They filled the pits, and smoothed the rougher ground,


s: And opened every strait they closed found.


s: They meet no forces gathered by their foe,


s: No towers defenced with rampire, moat, or wall,


s: No stream, no wood, no mountain could forslow


s: Their hasty pace, or stop their march at all;


s: So when his banks the prince of rivers, Po,


s: Doth overswell, he breaks with hideous fall


s: The mossy rocks and trees o'ergrown with age,


s: Nor aught withstands his fury and his rage.


s: Shut up his men, munition and his treasure,


s: The straggling troops sometimes assail he would,


s: Save that he durst not move them to displeasure;


s: He stayed their rage with presents, gifts and gold,


s: And led them through his land at ease and leisure,


s: To keep his realm in peace and rest he chose,


s: With what conditions Godfrey list impose.


s: Those of Mount Seir, that neighboreth by east


s: Down from the hill descended most and least,


s: And to the Christian Duke by heaps they gone,


s: And welcome him and his with joy and feast;


s: On him they smile, on him they gaze alone,


s: And were his guides, as faithful from that day


s: As Hesperus, that leads the sun his way.


s: Along the sands his armies safe they guide


s: By ways secure, to them well known before,


s: Upon the tumbling billows fraughted ride


s: The armed ships, coasting along the shore,


s: Which for the camp might every day provide


s: To bring munition good and victuals store:


s: The isles of Greece sent in provision meet,


s: And store of wine from Scios came and Crete.


s: Great Neptune grieved underneath the load


s: Of ships, hulks, galleys, barks and brigantines,


s: In all the mid-earth seas was left no road


s: Wherein the Pagan his bold sails untwines,


s: Spread was the huge Armado, wide and broad,


s: From Venice, Genes, and towns which them confines,


s: From Holland, England, France and Sicil sent,


s: All these together were combined, and knit


s: With surest bonds of love and friendship strong,


s: Together sailed they fraught with all things fit


s: To service done by land that might belong,


s: Then sailed the Asian coasts and isles along;


s: Thither with speed their hasty course they plied,


s: Where Christ the Lord for our offences died.


s: That mingleth faithful troth with forged lies,


s: Foretold the heathen how the Christians came,


s: How thitherward the conquering army hies,


s: Of every knight it sounds the worth and name,


s: Each troop, each band, each squadron it descries,


s: And threat'neth death to those, fire, sword and slaughter,


s: Who held captived Israel's fairest daughter.


s: The fear of ill exceeds the evil we fear,


s: For so our present harms still most annoy us,


s: To hear new tidings though they no way joy us,


s: About the town, these Christians will destroy us,


s: The aged king his coming evil that knew,


s: Did cursed thoughts in his false heart renew.


s: Ruled in care, new sovereign of this state,


s: He heard the western lords would undermine


s: His city's wall, and lay his towers prostrate,


s: To former fear he adds a new-come doubt,


s: Treason he fears within, and force without.


s: For nations twain inhabit there and dwell


s: The lesser part on Christ believed well,


s: But when this king had made this conquest fell,


s: And brought that region subject to his crown,


s: Of burdens all he set the Paynims large,


s: And on poor Christians laid the double charge.


s: His native wrath revived with this new thought,


s: With age and years that weakened was of yore,


s: Such madness in his cruel bosom wrought,


s: That now than ever blood he thirsteth more?


s: So stings a snake that to the fire is brought,


s: Which harmless lay benumbed with cold before,


s: Though fame before, if he be moved to wrath.


s: "I see," quoth he, "some expectation vain,


s: In these false Christians, and some new content,


s: Our common loss they trust will be their gain,


s: They laugh, we weep; they joy while we lament;


s: And more, perchance, by treason or by train,


s: To ope the gates, and so let in our foe.


s: "But lest they should effect their cursed will,


s: Let us destroy this serpent on his nest;


s: Both young and old, let us this people kill,


s: The tender infants at their mothers' breast,


s: Their houses burn, their holy temples fill


s: With bodies slain of those that loved them best,


s: And on that tomb they hold so much in price,


s: Let's offer up their priests in sacrifice."


s: Thus thought the tyrant in his traitorous mind,


s: But durst not follow what he had decreed,


s: From cowardice, not truth, did that proceed,


s: His noble foes durst not his craven kind


s: For if he need, what grace could then be got,


s: If thus of peace he broke or loosed the knot?


s: His villain heart his cursed rage restrained,


s: To other thoughts he bent his fierce desire,


s: The suburbs first flat with the earth he plained,


s: And burnt their buildings with devouring fire,


s: Loth was the wretch the Frenchman should have gained


s: Or help or ease, by finding aught entire,


s: Cedron, Bethsaida, and each watering else


s: Empoisoned he, both fountains, springs, and wells.


s: So wary wise this child of darkness was;


s: Three sides by site it well defenced has,


s: That's only weak that to the northward lies;


s: With mighty bars of long enduring brass,


s: The steel-bound doors and iron gates he ties,


s: And, lastly, legions armed well provides


s: Of subjects born, and hired aid besides.


s: Ismeno conjures, but his charms are vain;


s: Aladine will kill the Christians in his ire:


s: To save the rest, the King grants their desire;


s: Clorinda hears their fact and fortunes plain,


s: Their pardon gets and keeps them from the fire:


s: Despised, defies the Duke to mortal war.


s: While thus the tyrant bends his thoughts to arms,


s: Ismen dead bones laid in cold graves that warms


s: And makes them speak, smell, taste, touch, see, and hear;


s: That makes great Dis in deepest Hell to fear,


s: That binds and looses souls condemned to woe,


s: And sends the devils on errands to and fro.


s: Nor could he quite his wonted faith forsake,


s: But in his wicked arts both oft implores


s: Help from the Lord, and aid from Pluto black;


s: He, from deep caves by Acheron's dark shores,


s: Where circles vain and spells he used to make,


s: To advise his king in these extremes is come,


s: "My liege," he says, "the camp fast hither moves,


s: For boldest hearts good fortune helpeth out;


s: Your princely care your kingly wisdom proves,


s: Well have you labored, well foreseen about;


s: Nought but his grave here conquer shall your foe.


s: What counsel sage, or magic's sacred spell


s: The sprites impure from bliss that whilom fell


s: Shall to your service bow, constrained by skill;


s: I will your Highness thus in brief advise.


s: "Within the Christian's church from light of skies,


s: An hidden alter stands, far out of sight,


s: Of Christ's dear mother, called a virgin bright,


s: An hundred lamps aye burn before her eyes,


s: Of offerings brought, myrrh, frankincense and gold.


s: From thence, and by your princely hand transport,


s: Which then I will enchant in wondrous sort,


s: That while the image in that church doth stay,


s: No strength of arms shall win this noble fort,


s: Of shake this puissant wall, such passing might


s: Have spells and charms, if they be said aright."


s: Abused the prelates, who that deed forbode,


s: Swift with his prey, away the tyrant went,


s: Of God's sharp justice naught he feared the rod,


s: On which the enchanter charms and witchcraft said.


s: When Phoebus next unclosed his wakeful eye,


s: Up rose the sexton of that place profane,


s: And missed the image, where it used to lie,


s: Each where he sough in grief, in fear, in vain;


s: Then to the king his loss he gan descry,


s: Who sore enraged killed him for his pain;


s: And straight conceived in his malicious wit,


s: Some Christian bade this great offence commit.


s: But whether this were act of mortal hand,


s: Or else the Prince of Heaven's eternal pleasure,


s: That of his mercy would this wretch withstand,


s: Nor let so vile a chest hold such a treasure,


s: As yet conjecture hath not fully scanned;


s: By godliness let us this action measure,


s: And truth of purest faith will fitly prove


s: That this rare grace came down from Heaven above.


s: With busy search the tyrant gan to invade


s: Each house, each hold, each temple and each tent


s: To them the fault or faulty one bewrayed


s: Or hid, he promised gifts or punishment,


s: His idle charms the false enchanter said,


s: But in this maze still wandered and miswent,


s: To make the miscreant more to feel his shame.


s: What guilty hand this sacrilege had wrought,


s: His ireful courage boiled in vengeance hot


s: Against the Christians, whom he faulters thought;


s: A staff to beat that dog he long had sought,


s: "Let them all die," quoth he, "kill great and small,


s: So shall the offender perish sure withal.


s: "To spill the wine with poison mixed with spares?


s: Slay then the righteous with the faulty one,


s: Destroy this field that yieldeth naught but tares,


s: With thorns this vineyard all is over-gone,


s: Among these wretches is not one, that cares


s: Up, up, dear subjects, fire and weapon take,


s: Burn, murder, kill these traitors for my sake."


s: This Herod thus would Bethlem's infants kill,


s: The Christians soon this direful news receave,


s: The trump of death sounds in their hearing shrill,


s: Their weapon, faith; their fortress, was the grave;


s: They had no courage, time, device, or will,


s: To fight, to fly, excuse, or pardon crave,


s: But stood prepared to die, yet help they find,


s: Whence least they hope, such knots can Heaven unbind.


s: Among them dwelt, her parents' joy and pleasure,


s: A maid, whose fruit was ripe, not over-yeared,


s: Her beauty was her not esteemed treasure;


s: The field of love with plough of virtue eared,


s: Her labor goodness; godliness her leisure;


s: Her house the heaven by this full moon aye cleared,


s: For there, from lovers' eyes withdrawn, alone


s: With virgin beams this spotless Cynthia shone.


s: Whose soberest looks were whetstones to desire?


s: Nor love consents that beauty's field lie waste,


s: O subtle love, a thousand wiles thou hast,


s: To win a maiden's hold, a thing soon done,


s: Both or one town, both in one faith were taught,


s: She fair, he full of bashfulness and truth,


s: Loved much, hoped little, and desired nought,


s: He durst not speak by suit to purchase ruth,


s: She saw not, marked not, wist not what he sought,


s: Thus loved, thus served he long, but not regarded,


s: Wherein her guiltless friends should hopeless starve,


s: She that was noble, wise, as fair and gent,


s: Cast how she might their harmless lives preserve,


s: Zeal was the spring whence flowed her hardiment,


s: From maiden shame yet was she loth to swerve:


s: Yet had her courage ta'en so sure a hold,


s: That boldness, shamefaced; shame had made her bold.


s: And forth she went, a shop for merchandise


s: Full of rich stuff, but none for sale exposed,


s: A veil obscured the sunshine of her eyes,


s: The rose within herself her sweetness closed,


s: By curious chance, or careless art, composed;


s: For what the most neglects, most curious prove,


s: So Beauty's helped by Nature, Heaven, and Love.


s: Admired of all, on went this noble maid,


s: Until the presence of the king she gained,


s: Nor for he swelled with ire was she afraid,


s: But his fierce wrath with fearless grace sustained,


s: "I come," quoth she, "but be thine anger stayed,


s: And causeless rage 'gainst faultless souls restrained --


s: I come to show thee, and to bring thee both,


s: The wight whose fact hath made thy heart so wroth."


s: Her molest boldness, and that lightning ray


s: Which her sweet beauty streamed on his face,


s: Had struck the prince with wonder and dismay,


s: Changed his cheer, and cleared his moody grace,


s: That had her eyes disposed their looks to play,


s: The king had snared been in love's strong lace;


s: A frown forbids, a smile engendereth love.


s: Although not love, that moved his cruel sense;


s: "Tell on," quoth he, "unfold the chance aright,


s: Thy people's lives I grant for recompense."


s: Then she, "Behold the faulter here in sight,


s: This hand committed that supposed offence,


s: I took the image, mine that fault, that fact,


s: Mine be the glory of that virtuous act."


s: This spotless lamb thus offered up her blood,


s: To save the rest of Christ's selected fold,


s: Blest be the lips that such a leasing told:


s: Thoughtful awhile remained the tyrant wood,


s: His native wrath he gan a space withhold,


s: And said, "That thou discover soon I will,


s: What aid?  what counsel had'st thou in that ill?"


s: "My lofty thoughts," she answered him, "envied


s: Another's hand should work my high desire,


s: The thirst of glory can no partner bide,


s: With mine own self I did alone conspire."


s: "On thee alone," the tyrant then replied,


s: "Shall fall the vengeance of my wrath and ire."


s: "'Tis just and right," quoth she, "I yield consent,


s: Mine be the honor, mine the punishment."


s: Asked where she hid the image so conveyed:


s: "Not hid," quoth she, "but quite consumed with flame,


s: For so at least I have preserved the same,


s: With hands profane from being eft betrayed.


s: My Lord, the thing thus stolen demand no more,


s: Here see the thief that scorneth death therefor.


s: "And yet no theft was this, yours was the sin,


s: I brought again what you unjustly took."


s: This heard, the tyrant did for rage begin


s: To whet his teeth, and bend his frowning look,


s: No pity, youth; fairness, no grace could win;


s: Joy, comfort, hope, the virgin all forsook;


s: Wrath killed remorse, vengeance stopped mercy's breath


s: Love's thrall to hate, and beauty's slave to death.


s: Ta'en was the damsel, and without remorse,


s: The king condemned her guiltless to the fire,


s: Her veil and mantle plucked they off by force,


s: And bound her tender arms in twisted wire:


s: These hungry kites plucked off her rich attire,


s: And for some deal perplexed was her sprite,


s: Her damask late, now changed to purest white.


s: The news of this mishap spread far and near,


s: The people ran, both young and old, to gaze;


s: But when he found her bound, stript from her gear,


s: He broke the throng, and into presence brast;


s: And thus bespake the king in rage and haste:


s: "Not so, not so this grief shall bear away


s: She durst not, did not, could not so convey


s: What sleight had she the wardens to betray?


s: What strength to heave the goddess form her seat?


s: No, no, my Lord, she sails but with my wind."


s: Ah, thus he loved, yet was his love unkind!


s: He added further: "Where the shining glass,


s: Lets in the light amid your temple's side,


s: Nor shall therefore this ill-advised lass


s: Usurp the glory should this fact betide,


s: Mine be these bonds, mine be these flames so pure,


s: O glorious death, more glorious sepulture!"


s: Sophronia raised her modest looks from ground,


s: And on her lover bent her eyesight mild,


s: "Tell me, what fury?  what conceit unsound


s: Presenteth here to death so sweet a child?


s: Or hath fond love thy heart so over-gone?


s: Wouldst thou not live, nor let me die alone?"


s: Thus spake the nymph, yet spake but to the wind,


s: She could not alter his well-settled thought;


s: Where love and virtue such contention wrought,


s: Where death the victor had for meed assigned;


s: Their own neglect, each other's safety sought;


s: But thus the king was more provoked to ire,


s: Their strife for bellows served to anger's fire.


s: He thinks, such thoughts self-guiltiness finds out,


s: They scorned his power, and therefore scorned the pain,


s: "Nay, nay," quoth he, "let be your strife and doubt,


s: You both shall win, and fit reward obtain."


s: With that the sergeants hent the young man stout,


s: And bound him likewise in a worthless chain;


s: Then back to back fast to a stake both ties,


s: Two harmless turtles dight for sacrifice.


s: The bellows raised the newly-kindled flame,


s: Begun too late his bootless plaints to frame:


s: "Be these the bonds?  Is this the hoped-for day,


s: Should join me to this long-desired dame?


s: Is this the fire alike should burn our hearts?


s: Ah, hard reward for lovers' kind desarts!


s: "Far other flames and bonds kind lovers prove,


s: But thus our fortune casts the hapless die,


s: Death hath exchanged again his shafts with love,


s: And Cupid thus lets borrowed arrows fly.


s: Yet this contents me that I die for thee,


s: Thy flames, not mine, my death and torment be.


s: "Yet happy were my death, mine ending blest,


s: My torments easy, full of sweet delight,


s: It this I could obtain, that breast to breast


s: Thy bosom might receive my yielded sprite;


s: And thine with it in heaven's pure clothing drest,


s: Through clearest skies might take united flight."


s: Thus he complained, whom gently she reproved,


s: And sweetly spake him thus, that so her loved:


s: "Far other plaints, dear friend, tears and laments


s: The time, the place, and our estates require;


s: Think on thy sins, which man's old foe presents


s: Before that judge that quits each soul his hire,


s: For his name suffer, for no pain torments


s: Him whose just prayers to his throne aspire:


s: Behold the heavens, thither thine eyesight bend,


s: Thy looks, sighs, tears, for intercessors send."


s: The Pagans loud cried out to God and man,


s: The Christians mourned in silent lamentation,


s: The tyrant's self, a thing unused, began


s: To feel his heart relent, with mere compassion,


s: He sped him thence home to his habitation:


s: Sophronia stood not grieved nor discontented,


s: By all that saw her, but herself, lamented.


s: The lovers standing in this doleful wise,


s: In uncouth arms yclad and strange disguise,


s: From countries far, but new arrived there,


s: That wonts in every warlike stowre to win,


s: By which bright sign well known was that fair inn.


s: She scorned the arts these silly women use,


s: To touch the dainty needle or nice thread,


s: She hated chambers, closets, secret news,


s: And in broad fields preserved her maidenhead:


s: Proud were her looks, yet sweet, though stern and stout,


s: Her dam a dove, thus brought an eagle out.


s: While she was young, she used with tender hand


s: The foaming steed with froary bit to steer,


s: To tilt and tourney, wrestle in the sand,


s: To leave with speed Atlanta swift arear,


s: Through forests wild, and unfrequented land


s: To chase the lion, boar, or rugged bear,


s: The satyrs rough, the fauns and fairies wild,


s: She chased oft, oft took, and oft beguiled.


s: She with the Christians had encountered eft,


s: And in their flesh had opened many a gate,


s: By which their faithful souls their bodies left,


s: Her eye at first presented her the state


s: Of these poor souls, of hope and help bereft,


s: Their cause of death, swift to the fire she ran.


s: The people made her room, and on them twain


s: Her piercing eyes their fiery weapons dart,


s: Silent she saw the one, the other 'plain,


s: The weaker body lodged the nobler heart:


s: Were grief and sorrow for another's smart,


s: Clorinda changed to ruth her warlike mood,


s: Few silver drops her vermeil cheeks depaint;


s: Her sorrow was for her that speechless stood,


s: Her silence more prevailed than his complaint.


s: She asked an aged man, seemed grave and good,


s: "Come say me, sir," quoth she, "what hard constraint


s: Would murder here love's queen and beauty's king?


s: What fault or fare doth to this death them bring?"


s: Thus she inquired, and answer short he gave,


s: But such as all the chance at large disclosed,


s: She wondered at the case, the virgin brave,


s: That both were guiltless of the fault supposed,


s: Her noble thought cast how she might them save,


s: The means on suit or battle she reposed.


s: Quick to the fire she ran, and quenched it out,


s: And thus bespake the sergeants and the rout:


s: "Be there not one among you all that dare


s: In this your hateful office aught proceed,


s: Till I return from court, nor take you care


s: To reap displeasure for not making speed."


s: To do her will the men themselves prepare,


s: In their faint hearts her looks such terror breed;


s: To court she went, their pardon would she get,


s: But on the way the courteous king she met.


s: "Sir King," quoth she, "my name Clorinda hight,


s: My fame perchance has pierced your ears ere now,


s: I come to try my wonted power and might,


s: And will defend this land, this town, and you,


s: All hard assays esteem I eath and light,


s: Great acts I reach to, to small things I bow,


s: To fight in field, or to defend this wall,


s: Point what you list, I naught refuse at all."


s: To whom the king, "What land so far remote


s: From Asia's coasts, or Phoebus' glistering rays,


s: Thy fame, thine honor, worth, renown, and praise?


s: Since on my side I have thy succors got,


s: For in thine aid more hope, more trust I have,


s: Than in whole armies of these soldiers brave.


s: "Now, Godfrey stays too long; he fears, I ween;


s: Thy courage great keeps all our foes in awe;


s: But such as greatest danger with them draw:


s: Be you commandress therefore, Princess, Queen


s: This said, the virgin gan her beaver vail,


s: And thanked him first, and thus began her tale.


s: "A thing unused, great monarch, may it seem,


s: That I presume for to intreat this groom


s: Condemned to burn by your unpartial doom,


s: I not excuse, but pity much their youth,


s: "Yet give me leave to tell your Highness this,


s: You blame the Christians, them my thoughts acquite,


s: Nor be displeased, I say you judge amiss,


s: At every shot look not to hit the white,


s: All what the enchanter did persuade you, is


s: Against the lore of Macon's sacred rite,


s: "To him therefore this wonder done refar,


s: Give him the praise and honor of the thing,


s: Lest customs strange into their church we bring:


s: Let Ismen with his squares and trigons war,


s: His weapons be the staff, the glass, the ring;


s: But let us manage war with blows like knights,


s: Our praise in arms, our honor lies in fights."


s: The virgin held her peace when this was said;


s: And though to pity he never framed his thought,


s: Yet, for the king admired the noble maid,


s: "I grant them life," quoth he, "your promised aid


s: Against these Frenchmen hath their pardon bought:


s: Nor further seek what their offences be,


s: Guiltless, I quit; guilty, I set them free."


s: Thus were they loosed, happiest of humankind,


s: True witness of thy great and heavenly mind,


s: Where sun, moon, stars, of love, faith, virtue, shine.


s: So forth they went and left pale death behind,


s: To joy the bliss of marriage rites divine,


s: With her he would have died, with him content


s: Was she to live that would with her have brent.


s: The king, as wicked thoughts are most suspicious,


s: Supposed too fast this tree of virtue grew,


s: O blessed Lord!  why should this Pharaoh vicious,


s: Who to perform his will, vile and malicious,


s: Exiled these, and all the faithful crew,


s: All that were strong of body, stout of mind,


s: But kept their wives and children pledge behind.


s: A hard division, when the harmless sheep


s: Must leave their lambs to hungry wolves in charge,


s: But labor's virtues watching, ease her sleep,


s: Trouble best wind that drives salvation's barge,


s: The Christians fled, whither they took no keep,


s: Some strayed wild among the forests large,


s: And conquer would again their houses lost.


s: May thither walk ere third hour of the day.


s: Oh, when the Christian lord this town espies


s: How merry were their hearts?  How fresh?  How gay?


s: That night there would their chieftain take his rest.


s: Their canvas castles up they quickly rear,


s: Two barons bold approachen gan the place;


s: Their semblance kind, and mild their gestures were,


s: Peace in their hands, and friendship in their face,


s: Them many a squire attends, and many a groom.


s: Of parents base, a rose sprung from a brier,


s: No plant in Pharaoh's garden prospered higher;


s: With pleasing tales his lord's vain ears he fed,


s: Cursed be estate got with so many a crime,


s: Yet this is oft the stair by which men climb.


s: And there advanced was to honor's height,


s: For he was stout of courage, strong of hand,


s: Bold was his heart, and restless was his sprite,


s: Fierce, stern, outrageous, keen as sharpened brand,


s: Scorner of God, scant to himself a friend,


s: And pricked his reason on his weapon's end.


s: These two entreatance made they might be heard,


s: Nor was their just petition long denied;


s: The gallants quickly made their court of guard,


s: And brought them in where sate their famous guide,


s: Whose kingly look his princely mind declared,


s: Where noblesse, virtue, troth, and valor bide.


s: Aletes laid his right hand on his heart,


s: Bent down his head, and cast his eyes full low,


s: And reverence made with courtly grace and art,


s: For all that humble lore to him was know;


s: Whence of pure rhetoric, whole streams outflow,


s: And thus he said, while on the Christian lords


s: Down fell the mildew of his sugared words:


s: "O only worthy, whom the earth all fears,


s: High God defend thee with his heavenly shield,


s: And humble so the hearts of all thy peers,


s: That their stiff necks to thy sweet yoke may yield:


s: These be the sheaves that honor's harvest bears,


s: The seed thy valiant acts, the world the field,


s: Thy fame, worth, justice, wisdom, victories.


s: "These altogether doth our sovereign hide


s: In secret store-house of his princely thought,


s: And prays he may in long accordance bide,


s: With that great worthy which such wonders wrought,


s: Of proffered love, for that he is not taught


s: Your Christian faith, for though of divers kind,


s: The loving vine about her elm is twined.


s: "Receive therefore in that unconquered hand


s: The precious handle of this cup of love,


s: 'Twixt you to fasten friendship not to move:


s: But for our mighty king doth understand,


s: You mean your power 'gainst Juda land to prove,


s: He would, before this threatened tempest fell,


s: I should his mind and princely will first tell.


s: "His mind is this, he prays thee be contented


s: To joy in peace the conquests thou hast got,


s: Be not thy death, or Sion's fall lamented,


s: Things done in haste at leisure be repented:


s: Withdraw thine arms, trust not uncertain lot,


s: For oft to see what least we think betide;


s: He is thy friend 'gainst all the world beside.


s: "True labour in the vineyard of thy Lord,


s: Ere prime thou hast the imposed day-work done,


s: What armies conquered, perished with thy sword?


s: What cities sacked?  what kingdoms hast thou won?


s: All ears are mazed while tongues thine acts record,


s: Hands quake for fear, all feet for dread do run,


s: And though no realms you may to thraldom bring,


s: No higher can your praise, your glory spring.


s: And when it moveth next, must needs descend,


s: Chance in uncertain, fortune double faced,


s: Smiling at first, she frowneth in the end:


s: Beware thine honor be not then disgraced,


s: Take heed thou mar not when thou think'st to mend,


s: For this the folly is of Fortune's play,


s: 'Gainst doubtful, certain; much, 'gainst small to lay.


s: "Yet still we sail while prosperous blows the wind,


s: Till on some secret rock unwares we light,


s: The sea of glory hath no banks assigned,


s: Still feed the fire that so inflames thy mind


s: To bring more nations subject to thy might;


s: This makes thee blessed peace so light to hold,


s: Like summer's flies that fear not winter's cold.


s: "They bid thee follow on the path, now made


s: So plain and easy, enter Fortune's gate,


s: Nor in thy scabbard sheathe that famous blade,


s: Till settled by thy kingdom, and estate,


s: Till Macon's sacred doctrine fall and fade,


s: Sweet words I grant, baits and allurements sweet,


s: But greatest hopes oft greatest crosses meet.


s: "For, if thy courage do not blind thine eyes,


s: If clouds of fury hide not reason's beams,


s: Then may'st thou see this desperate enterprise.


s: The field of death, watered with danger's streams;


s: High state, the bed is where misfortune lies,


s: Mars most unfriendly, when most kind he seems,


s: Who climbeth high, on earth he hardest lights,


s: And lowest falls attend the highest flights.


s: "Tell me if, great in counsel, arms and gold,


s: What if the valiant Turks and Persians bold,


s: Unite their forces with Cassanoe's heir?


s: Oh then, what marble pillar shall uphold


s: The falling trophies of your conquest fair?


s: Trust you the monarch of the Greekish land?


s: That reed will break; and breaking, wound your hand.


s: "The Greekish faith is like that half-cut tree


s: By which men take wild elephants in Inde,


s: As firm as waves in seas, or leaves in wind.


s: Will they, who erst denied you passage free,


s: Passage to all men free, by use and kind,


s: Fight for your sake?  Or on them do you trust


s: To spend their blood, that could scarce spare their dust?


s: "But all your hope and trust perchance is laid


s: In these strong troops, which thee environ round;


s: As when their strength you erst divided found:


s: Besides, each hour thy bands are weaker made


s: With hunger, slaughter, lodging on cold ground,


s: Meanwhile the Turks seek succors from our king,


s: Thus fade thy helps, and thus thy cumbers spring.


s: "Suppose no weapon can thy valor's pride


s: Subdue, that by no force thou may'st be won,


s: Admit no steel can hurt or wound thy side,


s: And be it Heaven hath thee such favor done:


s: 'Gainst Famine yet what shield canst thou provide?


s: What strength resist?  What sleight her wrath can shun?


s: Go, shake the spear, and draw thy flaming blade,


s: "The inhabitants each pasture and each plain


s: Destroyed have, each field to waste is laid,


s: In fenced towers bestowed is their grain


s: Before thou cam'st this kingdom to invade,


s: These horse and foot, how canst them sustain?


s: Whence comes thy store?  whence thy provision made?


s: Thy ships to bring it are, perchance, assigned,


s: Oh, that you live so long as please the wind!


s: "Perhaps thy fortune doth control the wind,


s: Doth loose or bind their blasts in secret cave,


s: The sea, pardie, cruel and deaf by kind,


s: Will hear thy call, and still her raging wave:


s: To aid those ships which Turks and Persians have,


s: Say then, what hope is left thy slender fleet?


s: Dare flocks of crows, a flight of eagles meet?


s: "My lord, a double conquest must you make,


s: For if our fleet your navy chase or take,


s: For want of victuals all your camp then dies;


s: Of if by land the field you once forsake,


s: Then vain by sea were hope of victories.


s: Nor could your ships restore your lost estate:


s: For steed once stolen, we shut the door too late.


s: "In this estate, if thou esteemest light


s: Then give me leave to say, this oversight


s: Beseems thee not, in whom such virtues spring:


s: But heavens vouchsafe to guide my mind aright,


s: To gentle thoughts, that peace and quiet bring,


s: So that poor Asia her complaints may cease,


s: And you enjoy your conquests got, in peace.


s: "Nor ye that part in these adventures have,


s: Part in his glory, partners in his harms,


s: Let not blind Fortune so your minds deceive,


s: To stir him more to try these fierce alarms,


s: But like the sailor 'scaped from the wave


s: By staying safe at home, so stay you all,


s: Better sit still, men say, than rise to fall."


s: That showed dislike among the Christian peers,


s: Their angry gestures with mislike disclose


s: How much his speech offends their noble ears.


s: Lord Godfrey's eye three times environ goes,


s: To view what countenance every warrior bears,


s: To whom the duke thus for his answer said:


s: "Ambassador, full both of threats and praise,


s: Thy doubtful message hast thou wisely told,


s: And if thy sovereign love us as he says,


s: Tell him he sows to reap an hundred fold,


s: But where thy talk the coming storm displays


s: Of threatened warfare from the Pagans bold:


s: In plainest phrase, lest my intent thou miss.


s: "Know, that till now we suffered have much pain,


s: By lands and seas, where storms and tempests fall,


s: To make the passage easy, safe, and plain


s: That so we might reward from Heaven obtain,


s: And free this town from being longer thrall;


s: Our honors, kingdoms, lives and goods to spend.


s: "Nor hope of praise, nor thirst of worldly good,


s: The Heavenly Father keep his sacred brood


s: But by our zeal aye be that plague withstood,


s: Let not those pleasures us to sin entice.


s: His grace, his mercy, and his powerful hand


s: Will keep us safe from hurt by sea and land.


s: "This is the spur that makes our coursers run;


s: This is our harbor, safe from danger's floods;


s: This is our bield, the blustering winds to shun:


s: This is our guide, through forests, deserts, woods;


s: This is our summer's shade, our winter's sun:


s: This is our wealth, our treasure, and our goods:


s: This is our engine, towers that overthrows,


s: Our spear that hurts, our sword that wounds our foes.


s: "Our courage hence, our hope, our valor springs,


s: Not from the trust we have in shield or spear,


s: Not from the succors France or Grecia brings,


s: On such weak posts we list no buildings rear:


s: He can defend us from the power of kings,


s: From chance of war, that makes weak hearts to fear;


s: He can these hungry troops with manna feed,


s: And make the seas land, if we passage need.


s: "But if our sins us of his help deprive,


s: Yet should our deaths us some contentment give,


s: To die, where Christ received his burial,


s: So might we die, not envying them that live;


s: Nor Turks, nor Christians, if we perish such,


s: Have cause to joy, or to complain too much.


s: "Think not that wars we love, and strife affect,


s: Or that we hate sweet peace, or rest denay,


s: Think not your sovereign's friendship we reject,


s: Because we list not in our conquests stay:


s: Pray him from us that thought aside to lay,


s: Nor us forbid this town and realm to gain,


s: And he in peace, rest, joy, long more may reign."


s: This answer given, Argantes wild drew nar,


s: Trembling for ire, and waxing pale for rage,


s: Nor could he hold, his wrath increased so far,


s: But thus inflamed bespake the captain sage:


s: "Who scorneth peace shall have his fill of war,


s: I thought my wisdom should thy fury 'suage,


s: But well you show what joy you take in fight,


s: Which makes you prize our love and friendship light."


s: This said, he took his mantle's foremost part,


s: And gan the same together fold and wrap;


s: Then spake again with fell and spiteful heart,


s: So lions roar enclosed in train or trap,


s: "Thou proud despiser of inconstant mart,


s: I bring thee war and peace closed in this lap,


s: Take quickly one, thou hast no time to muse;


s: If peace, we rest, we fight, if war thou choose."


s: His semblance fierce and speechless proud, provoke


s: The soldiers all, "War, war," at once to cry,


s: Nor could they tarry till their chieftain spoke,


s: But for the knight was more inflamed hereby,


s: His lap he opened and spread forth his cloak:


s: "To mortal wars," he says, "I you defy;"


s: And this he uttered with fell rage and hate,


s: And seemed of Janus' church to undo the gate.


s: Flew from his lap, when he unfolds the same;


s: His glaring eyes with anger's venom swell,


s: And like the brand of foul Alecto flame,


s: He looked like huge Tiphoius loosed from hell


s: Again to shake heaven's everlasting frame,


s: Which threat'neth battle 'gainst the morning star.


s: Godfredo then: "Depart, and bid your king


s: Haste hitherward, or else within short while, --


s: For gladly we accept the war you bring, --


s: Let him expect us on the banks of Nile."


s: He entertained them then with banqueting,


s: And gifts presented to those Pagans vile;


s: Late found at Nice among the conquered prey.


s: Argant a sword, whereof the web was steel,


s: Pommel, rich stone; hilt gold; approved by touch


s: With rarest workmanship all forged weel,


s: The curious art excelled the substance much:


s: Thus fair, rich, sharp, to see, to have, to feel,


s: And said, "How I this gift can use and wield,


s: Soon shall you see, when first we meet in field."


s: Thus took they congee, and the angry knight


s: "Go thou by day, but let me walk by night,


s: The answer given thou canst unfold aright,


s: Among these arms I will go wreak my spite;


s: Let Paris court it, Hector loved to fight."


s: Departs a foe, in act, in word, in thought,


s: If he transgresses or no, he recketh naught,


s: Thus parted they, and ere he wandered far


s: The friendly star-light to the walls him brought:


s: Yet his fell heart thought long that little way,


s: Grieved with each stop, tormented with each stay.


s: Now spread the night her spangled canopy,


s: And summoned every restless eye to sleep;


s: On beds of tender grass the beasts down lie,


s: The fishes slumbered in the silent deep,


s: Unheard were serpent's hiss and dragon's cry,


s: Birds left to sing, and Philomen to weep,


s: Only that noise heaven's rolling circles kest,


s: Sung lullaby to bring the world to rest.


s: Yet neither sleep, nor ease, nor shadows dark,


s: Could make the faithful camp or captain rest,


s: They longed to see the day, to hear the lark


s: Record her hymns and chant her carols blest,


s: They yearned to view the walls, the wished mark


s: To which their journeys long they had addressed;


s: Each heart attends, each longing eye beholds


s: What beam the eastern window first unfolds.


s: Clorinda gives them battle, in the breast


s: He jousts with her unknown whom he loved best;


s: Argant th' adventurers of their guide deprives,


s: With stately pomp they lay their Lord in chest:


s: Godfrey commands to cut the forest down,


s: And make strong engines to assault the town.


s: The purple morning left her crimson bed,


s: And donned her robes of pure vermilion hue,


s: Her amber locks she crowned with roses red,


s: When through the camp a murmur shrill was spread,


s: Arm, arm, they cried; arm, arm, the trumpets blew,


s: Their merry noise prevents the joyful blast,


s: So hum small bees, before their swarms they cast.


s: Their captain rules their courage, guides their heat,


s: Their forwardness he stayed with gentle rein;


s: To stop the current near Charybdis main,


s: Or calm the blustering winds on mountains great,


s: Than fierce desires of warlike hearts restrain;


s: He rules them yet, and ranks them in their haste,


s: For well he knows disordered speed makes waste.


s: Feathered their thoughts, their feet in wings were dight,


s: Swiftly they marched, yet were not tired thereby,


s: For willing minds make heaviest burdens light.


s: But when the gliding sun was mounted high,


s: Jerusalem they view, they see, they spy,


s: With joyful shouts, and acclamations sweet.


s: Some new-found land and country to descry,


s: Through dangerous seas and under stars unknowe,


s: Thrall to the faithless waves, and trothless sky,


s: And each to other show the land in haste,


s: Forgetting quite their pains and perils past.


s: To that delight which their first sight did breed,


s: That pleased so the secret of their thought


s: That reverend fear and trembling with it brought,


s: Scantly they durst their feeble eyes dispreed


s: Upon that town where Christ was sold and bought,


s: Where for our sins he faultless suffered pain,


s: There where he died and where he lived again.


s: Soft words, low speech, deep sobs, sweet sighs, salt tears


s: Rose from their hearts, with joy and pleasure mixed;


s: For thus fares he the Lord aright that fears,


s: Fear on devotion, joy on faith is fixed:


s: Such noise their passions make, as when one hears


s: The hoarse sea waves roar, hollow rocks betwixt;


s: Or as the wind in holts and shady greaves,


s: A murmur makes among the boughs and leaves.


s: Following the ensample of their zealous guide,


s: Their scarfs, their crests, their plumes and feathers gay,


s: They quickly doffed, and willing laid aside,


s: Their molten hearts their wonted pride allay,


s: Along their watery cheeks warm tears down slide,


s: And then such secret speech as this, they used,


s: While to himself each one himself accused.


s: "Flower of goodness, root of lasting bliss,


s: Thou well of life, whose streams were purple blood


s: That flowed here, to cleanse the soul amiss


s: Of sinful men, behold this brutish flood,


s: That from my melting heart distilled is,


s: Receive in gree these tears, O Lord so good,


s: Had fitter time or greater cause to moan."


s: This while the wary watchman looked over,


s: From tops of Sion's towers, the hills and dales,


s: And saw the dust the fields and pastures cover,


s: As when thick mists arise from moory vales.


s: At last the sun-bright shields he gan discover,


s: And glistering helms for violence none that fails,


s: The metal shone like lightning bright in skies,


s: And man and horse amid the dust descries.


s: Then loud he cries, "O what a dust ariseth!


s: O how it shines with shields and targets clear!


s: Up, up, to arms, for valiant heart despiseth


s: The threatened storm of death and danger near.


s: Behold your foes;" then further thus deviseth,


s: "Haste, haste, for vain delay increaseth fear,


s: These horrid clouds of dust that yonder fly,


s: Your coming foes does hide, and hide the sky."


s: The tender children, and the fathers old,


s: The aged matrons, and the virgin chaste,


s: That durst not shake the spear, nor target hold,


s: Themselves devoutly in their temples placed;


s: The rest, of members strong and courage bold,


s: On hardy breasts their harness donned in haste,


s: Some to the walls, some to the gates them dight,


s: Their king meanwhile directs them all aright.


s: All things well ordered, he withdrew with speed


s: And overlook the lands and furrows green.


s: Since Christians Antioch did to bondage bring,


s: And slew her father, who thereof was king.


s: Against their foes Clorinda sallied out,


s: With speeches brave she cheered her warlike rout,


s: And with bold words them heartened as they ride,


s: "Let us by some brave act," quoth she, "this day


s: Of Asia's hopes the groundwork found and lay."


s: While to her folk thus spake the virgin brave,


s: Thereby behold forth passed a Christian band


s: Toward the camp, that herds of cattle drave,


s: For they that morn had forayed all the land;


s: The fierce virago would that booty save,


s: Whom their commander singled hand for hand,


s: But far too weak to match with her in fight.


s: They met, and low in dust was Guardo laid,


s: 'Twixt either army, from his sell down kest,


s: The Pagans shout for joy, and hopeful said,


s: Those good beginnings would have endings blest:


s: Against the rest on went the noble maid,


s: She broke the helm, and pierced the armed breast,


s: Her men the paths rode through made by her sword,


s: They pass the stream where she had found the ford.


s: Soon was the prey out of their hands recovered,


s: By step and step the Frenchmen gan retire,


s: Till on a little hill at last they hovered,


s: Whose strength preserved them from Clorinda's ire:


s: When, as a tempest that hath long been covered


s: In watery clouds breaks out with sparkling fire,


s: With his strong squadron Lord Tancredi came,


s: His heart with rage, his eyes with courage flame.


s: Mast great the spear was which the gallant bore


s: That in his warlike pride he made to shake,


s: As winds tall cedars toss on mountains hoar:


s: The king, that wondered at his bravery, spake


s: To her, that near him seated was before,


s: Who felt her heart with love's hot fever quake,


s: "Well shouldst thou know," quoth he, "each Christian knight,


s: By long acquaintance, though in armor dight.


s: "Say, who is he shows so great worthiness,


s: That rides so rank, and bends his lance so fell?"


s: To this the princess said nor more nor less,


s: Her heart with sighs, her eyes with tears, did swell;


s: But sighs and tears she wisely could suppress,


s: Her love and passion she dissembled well,


s: And strove her love and hot desire to cover,


s: Till heart with sighs, and eyes with tears ran over:


s: At last she spoke, and with a crafty sleight


s: Her secret love disguised in clothes of hate:


s: "Alas, too well," she says, "I know that knight,


s: I saw his force and courage proved late,


s: Too late I viewed him, when his power and might


s: Shook down the pillar of Cassanoe's state;


s: Alas what wounds he gives!  how fierce, how fell!


s: No physic helps them cure, nor magic's spell.


s: "Tancred he hight, O Macon, would he wear


s: My thrall, ere fates him of this life deprive,


s: For to his hateful head such spite I bear,


s: I would him reave his cruel heart on live."


s: Thus said she, they that her complainings hear


s: She sighed withal, they construed all amiss,


s: And thought she wished to kill, who longed to kiss.


s: This while forth pricked Clorinda from the throng


s: And 'gainst Tancredi set her spear in rest,


s: Upon their helms they cracked their lances long,


s: And from her head her gilden casque he kest,


s: For every lace he broke and every thong,


s: And in the dust threw down her plumed crest,


s: About her shoulders shone her golden locks,


s: Her looks with fire, her eyes with lightning blaze,


s: Sweet was her wrath, what then would be her smile?


s: Tancred, whereon think'st thou?  what dost thou gaze?


s: Hast thou forgot her in so short a while?


s: The same is she, the shape of whose sweet face


s: The God of Love did in thy heart compile,


s: The same that left thee by the cooling stream,


s: Safe from sun's heat, but scorched with beauty's beam.


s: The prince well knew her, though her painted shield


s: And golden helm he had not marked before,


s: She saved her head, and with her axe well steeled


s: Assailed the knight; but her the knight forbore,


s: 'Gainst other foes he proved him through the field,


s: Yet she for that refrained ne'er the more,


s: But following, "Turn thee," cried, in ireful wise;


s: And so at once she threats to kill him twice.


s: To strike the maid, but gazing on her eyes,


s: Where lordly Cupid seemed in arms to stand,


s: No way to ward or shun her blows he tries;


s: But softly says, "No stroke of thy strong hand


s: Can vanquish Tancred, but thy conquest lies


s: In those fair eyes, which fiery weapons dart,


s: That find no lighting place except this heart."


s: At last resolved, although he hoped small grace,


s: Yet ere he did to tell how much he loved,


s: For pleasing words in women's ears find place,


s: And gentle hearts with humble suits are moved:


s: "O thou," quoth he, "withhold thy wrath a space,


s: For if thou long to see my valor proved,


s: Were it not better from this warlike rout


s: Withdrawn, somewhere, alone to fight it out?


s: "So singled, may we both our courage try:"


s: Whither the prince right pensive wend and sad,


s: One blow she strucken, and he warded had,


s: When he cried, "Hold, and ere we prove our might,


s: First hear thou some conditions of the fight."


s: She stayed, and desperate love had made him bold;


s: "Since from the fight thou wilt no respite give,


s: The covenants be," he said, "that thou unfold


s: This wretched bosom, and my heart out rive,


s: Given thee long since, and if thou, cruel, would


s: I should be dead, let me no longer live,


s: But pierce this breast, that all the world may say,


s: The eagle made the turtle-dove her prey.


s: "Save with thy grace, or let thine anger kill,


s: Love hath disarmed my life of all defence;


s: Strike then, and punish where is none offence."


s: This said the prince, and more perchance had will


s: To have declared, to move her cruel sense.


s: A troop, and Christians that pursued the same.


s: The Pagans fled before their valiant foes,


s: For dread or craft, it skills not that we know,


s: A soldier wild, careless to win or lose,


s: Saw where her locks about the damsel flew,


s: And at her back he proffereth as he goes


s: To strike where her he did disarmed view:


s: But Tancred cried, "Oh stay thy cursed hand,"


s: And for to ward the blow lift up his brand.


s: But yet the cutting steel arrived there,


s: Where her fair neck adjoined her noble head,


s: Light was the wound, but through her amber hair


s: The purple drops down railed bloody red,


s: But Lord Tancredi, pale with rage as lead,


s: Flew on the villain, who to flight him bound;


s: The smart was his, though she received the wound.


s: The villain flies, he, full of rage and ire,


s: Pursues, she stood and wondered on them both,


s: But yet to follow them showed no desire,


s: To stray so far she would perchance be loth,


s: But quickly turned her, fierce as flaming fire,


s: And on her foes wreaked her anger wroth,


s: On every side she kills them down amain,


s: And now she flies, and now she turns again.


s: As the swift ure by Volga's rolling flood


s: Chased through the plains the mastiff curs toforn,


s: Flies to the succor of some neighbor wood,


s: Against the dogs imbrued in sweat and blood,


s: That bite not, till the beast to flight return;


s: Or as the Moors at their strange tennice run,


s: Defenced, the flying balls unhurt to shun:


s: Until they both approached the city's wall,


s: When lo! the Pagans their fierce wrath renewed,


s: And 'gainst the Christians' backs and sides they showed


s: Their courage fierce, and to new combat fall,


s: When down the hill Argantes came to fight,


s: Like angry Mars to aid the Trojan knight.


s: Furious, tofore the foremost of his rank,


s: In sturdy steel forth stept the warrior bold,


s: The first he smote down from his saddle sank,


s: The next under his steel lay on the mould,


s: Under the Saracen's spear the worthies shrank,


s: No breastplate could that cursed tree outhold,


s: When that was broke his precious sword he drew,


s: And whom he hit, he felled, hurt, or slew.


s: Whose graver years would for no labor yield,


s: Two sons he had to guard his noble eild,


s: The first, far from his father's care and sight,


s: Had he not nobly fought had surely died.


s: Tancred by this, that strove to overtake


s: The villain that had hurt his only dear,


s: From vain pursuit at last returned back,


s: And his brave troop discomfit saw well near,


s: Thither he spurred, and gan huge slaughter make,


s: His shock no steed, his blow no knight could bear,


s: For dead he strikes him whom he lights upon,


s: So thunders break high trees on Lebanon.


s: Dudon his squadron of adventurers brings,


s: As swift as fiery lightning kindled new,


s: "See there, sir King," she says, "a knight as bold


s: And brave, as was the son of Peleus old.


s: "He wins the prize in joust and tournament,


s: His acts are numberless, though few his years,


s: Among these thousand strong of Christian peers,


s: And all the lands the Southern Ocean wears,


s: Conquered were all hot Afric's tawny kings,


s: And all that dwells by Nilus' unknown springs.


s: Breaks down stone walls, when rams and engines fail,


s: But turn your eyes because I would you wist


s: What lord that is in green and golden mail,


s: The adventurers' troop whose prowess seld doth fail,


s: High birth, grave years, and practise long in war,


s: And fearless heart, make him renowned far.


s: "See that big man that all in brown is bound,


s: Gernando called, the King of Norway's son,


s: A prouder knight treads not on grass or ground,


s: His pride hath lost the praise his prowess won;


s: And that kind pair in white all armed round,


s: Through love the hazard of fierce war to prove,


s: Famous for arms, but famous more for love."


s: While thus they tell their foemen's worthiness,


s: The slaughter rageth in the plain at large.


s: Tancred and young Rinaldo break the press,


s: They bruise the helm, and press the sevenfold targe;


s: The troop by Dudon led performed no less,


s: But in they come and give a furious charge:


s: Inglorious, bleeding lay, on earth full low:


s: But that Rinaldo's horse e'en then down fell,


s: And with the fall his leg opprest so sore,


s: That for a space there must be algates dwell.


s: Meanwhile the Pagan troops were nigh forlore,


s: Swiftly they fled, glad they escaped so well,


s: For bank and bulwark served to save the rout.


s: These fled the last, and with their force sustained


s: The Christians' rage, that followed them so near;


s: Their scattered troops to safety well they trained,


s: And while the residue fled, the brunt these bear;


s: Then with his sword headless to ground him cast,


s: So gardeners branches lop that spring too fast.


s: Algazar's breastplate, of fine temper made,


s: Nor Corban's helmet, forged by magic art,


s: Could save their owners, for Lord Dudon's blade


s: Cleft Corban's head, and pierced Algazar's heart,


s: And their proud souls down to the infernal shade,


s: Not strong Argantes thought his life was sure,


s: He could not safely fly, nor fight secure.


s: He ran, he stayed, he fled, he turned again,


s: Until at last unmarked, unviewed, unseen,


s: Within his side he sheathed his weapon keen,


s: Down fell the worthy on the dusty plain,


s: Opprest with leaden sleep, of iron death.


s: Three times he strove to view Heaven's golden ray,


s: And raised him on his feeble elbow thrice,


s: And three times closed again his dying eyes,


s: He speaks no word, yet makes his signs to pray;


s: He sighs, he faints, he groans, and then he dies;


s: Argantes proud to spoil the corpse disdained,


s: But shook his sword with blood of Dudon stained.


s: And turning to the Christian knights, he cried:


s: "Lordlings, behold, this bloody reeking blade


s: Last night was given me by your noble guide,


s: Tell him what proof thereof this day is made,


s: Needs must this please him well that is betide,


s: That I so well can use this martial trade,


s: Tell him the workman fits the instrument.


s: "If further proof thereof he long to see,


s: Say it still thirsts, and would his heart-blood drink;


s: Say I will find him when he least doth think."


s: But he to shun their ire doth safely shrink


s: Well guarded with his troops and soldiers all.


s: Like storms of hail the stones fell down from high,


s: Cast from their bulwarks, flankers, ports and towers,


s: The shafts and quarries from their engines fly,


s: As thick as falling drops in April showers:


s: The French withdrew, they list not press too nigh,


s: Where by the leg his steed had long him kept;


s: He came and breathed vengeance from his breast


s: 'Gainst him that noble Dudon late had slain;


s: And being come thus spoke he to the rest,


s: "Warriors, why stand you gazing here in vain?


s: Pale death our valiant leader had opprest,


s: Come wreak his loss, whom bootless you complain.


s: Those walls are weak, they keep but cowards out


s: No rampier can withstand a courage stout.


s: Or if this wall were built of flaming fire,


s: Yet should the Pagan vile a fortress want


s: To shroud his coward head safe from mine ire;


s: Come follow then, and bid base fear avaunt,


s: The harder work deserves the greater hire;"


s: And with that word close to the walls he starts,


s: Nor fears he arrows, quarries, stones or darts.


s: Above the waves as Neptune lift his eyes


s: To chide the winds, that Trojan ships opprest,


s: And with his countenance calmed seas, winds and skies;


s: So looked Rinaldo, when he shook his crest


s: Before those walls, each Pagan fears and flies


s: His dreadful sight, or trembling stayed at least:


s: Such dread his awful visage on them cast.


s: So seem poor doves at goshawks' sight aghast.


s: The herald Ligiere now from Godfrey came,


s: To will them stay and calm their courage hot;


s: "Retire," quoth he, "Godfrey commands the same;


s: To wreak your ire this season fitteth not;"


s: Though loth, Rinaldo stayed, and stopped the flame,


s: His bridled fury grew thereby more fell,


s: So rivers, stopped, above their banks do swell.


s: The hands retire, not dangered by their foes


s: In their retreat, so wise were they and wary,


s: From wonted use of ruth they list not vary.


s: Upon their friendly arms they soft impose


s: The noble burden of his corpse to carry:


s: Meanwhile Godfredo from a mountain great


s: Of height unlike, and turned side to side,


s: The space between, a gentle valley fills,


s: From mount to mount expansed fair and wide.


s: Three sides are sure imbarred with crags and hills,


s: But mighty bulwarks fence that plainer part,


s: So art helps nature, nature strengtheneth art.


s: The town is stored of troughs and cisterns, made


s: To keep fresh water, but the country seems


s: Devoid of grass, unfit for ploughmen's trade,


s: Not fertile, moist with rivers, wells and streams;


s: There grow few trees to make the summer's shade,


s: To shield the parched land from scorching beams,


s: Save that a wood stands six miles from the town,'


s: With aged cedars dark, and shadows brown.


s: The silver streams of Jordan's crystal flood;


s: By west, the Midland Sea, with bounders tied


s: Of sandy shores, where Joppa whilom stood;


s: By north Samaria stands, and on that side


s: The golden calf was reared in Bethel wood;


s: Bethlem by south, where Christ incarnate was,


s: A pearl in steel, a diamond set in brass.


s: While thus the Duke on every side descried


s: The city's strength, the walls and gates about,


s: And saw where least the same was fortified,


s: Where weakest seemed the walls to keep him out;


s: And thus bespake the heathen tyrant stout,


s: "See Godfrey there, in purple clad and gold,


s: His stately port, and princely look behold.


s: "Well seems he born to be with honor crowned,


s: Peerless in fight, in counsel grave and sound,


s: Raymond pardie in counsel match him might;


s: Tancred and young Rinaldo like in fight."


s: To whom the king: "He likes me well therefore,


s: I knew him whilom in the court of France


s: I saw him there break many a sturdy lance,


s: And yet his chin no sign of manhood bore;


s: His youth was forward, but with governance,


s: His words, his actions, and his portance brave,


s: "Presages, ah too true:" with that a space


s: He sighed for grief, then said, "Fain would I know


s: The man in red, with such a knightly grace,


s: How like to Godfrey looks he in the face,


s: How like in person!  but some-deal more low."


s: "Baldwin," quoth she, "that noble baron hight,


s: By birth his brother, and his match in might.


s: "Next look on him that seems for counsel fit,


s: Whose silver locks betray his store of days,


s: Raymond he hight, a man of wondrous wit,


s: Of Toulouse lord, his wisdom is his praise;


s: What he forethinks doth, as he looks for, hit,


s: His stratagems have good success always:


s: With gilded helm beyond him rides the mild


s: And good Prince William, England's king's dear child.


s: "With him is Guelpho, as his noble mate,


s: In birth, in acts, in arms alike the rest,


s: I know him well, since I beheld him late,


s: By his broad shoulders and his squared breast:


s: But my proud foe that quite hath ruinate


s: I see not, Boemond, that to death did bring


s: Mine aged lord, my father, and my king."


s: Thus talked they; meanwhile Godfredo went


s: Down to the troops that in the valley stayed,


s: And for in vain he thought the labor spent,


s: To assail those parts that to the mountains laid,


s: Against the northern gate his force he bent,


s: Gainst it he camped, gainst it his engines played;


s: That from those gates lies to the corner tower.


s: The town's third part was this, or little less,


s: Fore which the duke his glorious ensigns spread,


s: For so great compass had that forteress,


s: With narrow siege -- nor Babel's king I guess


s: That whilom took it, such an army led --


s: But all the ways he kept, by which his foe


s: His care was next to cast the trenches deep,


s: So to preserve his resting camp by night,


s: Lest from the city while his soldiers sleep


s: They might assail them with untimely flight.


s: This done he went where lords and princes weep


s: With dire complaints about the murdered knight,


s: Where Dudon dead lay slaughtered on the ground.


s: And all the soldiers sat lamenting round.


s: His wailing friends adorned the mournful bier


s: With woful pomp, whereon his corpse they laid,


s: And when they saw the Bulloigne prince draw near,


s: All felt new grief, and each new sorrow made;


s: But he, withouten show or change of cheer,


s: His springing tears within their fountains stayed,


s: His rueful looks upon the corpse he cast


s: Awhile, and thus bespake the same at last;


s: "We need not mourn for thee, here laid to rest,


s: Earth is thy bed, and not the grave the skies


s: Are for thy soul the cradle and the nest,