s: Charmed, and against all weapons fortified,


s: Not so the sword; which to his waist he tied:


s: With his companions twain, in equal share,


s: Who partners in that rich discovery were.


s: Against the day of fight, in goodly gear


s: And new, those warriors seek their limbs to deck.


s: The burning bold and lofty Babel's wreck.


s: Couchant, and with the leash upon his neck:


s: The motto; TILL HE COMES: In gilded vest


s: Than a dim surcoat to the field to take.


s: By gentle Flordelice for that dark array,


s: Was wrought the fairest facing she could make.


s: With her own hand the lady wrought that vest,


s: Becoming well the finest plate and chain,


s: Wherein the valiant warrior should be drest,


s: And cloak his courser's croup and chest and mane:


s: But, from that day when she herself addrest


s: Unto this task, till ended was her pain,


s: She showed no sign of gladness; nor this while,


s: The heartfelt fear, the torment evermore


s: She him whilere a hundred times and more


s: Engaged in fierce and fearful fight had viewed;


s: Had blanched her cheek and froze her youthful blood;


s: And this new sense of fear increased her trouble,


s: And made the trembling lady's heart beat double.


s: The warriors to the wind their canvas rear,


s: When point device the three accoutred are.


s: Bold Sansonet is left, with England's peer,


s: Intrusted with the faithful army's care.


s: Flordelice, pricked at heart with cruel fear,


s: Filling the heavens with vow, lament and prayer,


s: As far as they by sight can followed be,


s: Follows their sails upon the foaming sea.


s: Scarce, with much labour, the two captains led


s: Her, gazing on the waters, from the shore,


s: And to the palace drew, where on her bed


s: They left the lady, grieved and trembling sore.


s: Meanwhile upon their quest those others sped,


s: Whom mercy wind and weather seaward bore.


s: Their vessel made that island on the right;


s: The field appointed for so fell a fight.


s: Who on the side which fronts the eastern ray,


s: But for the sun is sinking fast, forborne


s: Is their encounter till the following morn.


s: Until the skies the dawning light receive,


s: Armed servants keep their watch both there and here.


s: Thitherward, where their tents the paynims rear;


s: And parleys, by this noble leader's leave,


s: With Agramant; for they were friends whilere;


s: He into France had passed from Africk's shore.


s: After salutes, and joining hand with hand,


s: Fair reasons, as a friend, the faithful knight


s: Pressed on the leader of the paynim band


s: Why he should not the appointed battle fight;


s: And every town -- restored to his command --


s: Laying  'twixt Nile and Calpe's rocky height,


s: Vowed he, with Roland's license, should receive,


s: He said: "For loved you were, and are by me,


s: This counsel give I; that I deem it sane,


s: I' the way of safety fain would have you move


s: With me and all those others that I love.


s: "In this consists your welfare; counsel none


s: And, of all counsels least, good Milo's son


s: To meet in combat, clad in plate and mail;


s: In that the profit, if the field be won,


s: Weighs not against the loss, in equal scale.


s: If you be conqueror, little gain ensues,


s: Yet little loss results not, if you lose.


s: Wherefore, through this, ye should your lost domain


s: That, if we lifeless on the champaigne lie,


s: Men should be wanting in King Charles's host


s: And much would have subjoined; but, on his side,


s: That knight, with angry voice and haughty cheer,


s: That counsels matter, be it good or ill,


s: "And how to think, from love those counsels flow


s: Which once you bore and bear me, as you say,


s: (To speak the very truth) I do not know,


s: Who with Orlando see you here, this day.


s: I ween that, knowing you are doomed to woe,


s: And marked for the devouring dragon's prey,


s: Ye all mankind would drag to nether hell,


s: "If I shall win or lose, remount my throne,


s: God only knows, whose purpose is unknown


s: Befall what may, by me shall nought be done


s: Unworthy of a king, through shameful fear.


s: Rather than wrong my princely blood, will die.


s: "Ye may depart, who, save ye better play


s: The warrior, in to-morrow's listed fight,


s: Then ye have plaid the embassador to-day,


s: In arms will second ill Anglantes' knight."


s: -- His angry bosom boiling with despite.


s: So said -- the warriors parted, to repose,


s: Till from the neighbouring sea the day arose.


s: When the first whitening of the dawn was seen,


s: Armed, in a moment leapt on horseback all;


s: Short parley past the puissant foes between.


s: There was no stop; there was no interval;


s: For they have laid in rest their lances keen:


s: Meseems, my lord, if, while their deeds I tell


s: Cleaving the flood with nimble hands and feet


s: On him the threatening wind and tempest beat,


s: But him his harassed conscience vexes more.


s: Christ's wrath he fears; and, since in waters sweet


s: (When time and fair occasion served of yore)


s: He, in his folly, baptism little prized,


s: Fears in these bitter waves to be baptized.


s: Those oaths which sworn to good Rinaldo were,


s: And were in nought fulfilled upon his side.


s: To God, in hope that he would hear and spare,


s: And, should he land, and scape that mortal scaith,


s: To be a Christian, vowed in heart and faith;


s: And ne'er, in succour of the Moorish train,


s: With sword or lance, the faithful to offend;


s: And into France, where he to Charlemagne


s: Would render honour due, forthwith to wend;


s: To cheat, but bring his love to honest end.


s: He swims more lightly and his vigour grows.


s: His vigour grows; unwearied is his mind;


s: And still his arms from him the billow throw,


s: This billow followed fast by that behind;


s: Whereof one lifts him high, one sinks him low.


s: Rising and falling, vext by wave and wind,


s: So gains the Child that shore with labour slow;


s: And where the rocky hill slopes seaward most,


s: All drenched and dropping, climbs the rugged coast.


s: All the others that had plunged into the flood


s: In the end, o'erwhelmed by those wild waters died.


s: When safe upon the barren rock he stood,


s: To be within those narrow bounds confined,


s: And die, with hardship and with hunger pined.


s: Yet he with an unconquered heart, intent


s: To suffer what the heavens for him ordained,


s: O'er those hard stones, against that steep ascent,


s: Towards the top with feet intrepid strained;


s: And not a hundred yards had gone, when, bent


s: With years, and with long fast and vigil stained,


s: In hermit's weed, descend the mountain's side;


s: Who cries, on his approaching him, "Saul, Saul,


s: As whilom said the Saviour to Saint Paul,


s: When (blessed stroke!) he smote him from his steed.


s: "Thou thought'st to pass the sea, nor pay withal;


s: Thought'st to defraud the pilot of his meed.


s: Thou seest that God has arms to reach and smite,


s: When farthest off thou deem'st that God of might."


s: To whom the night foregoing God did send


s: A vision, as he slumbered, and foreshewed


s: How, thither by his aid the Child should wend;


s: Wherein his past and future life, reviewed,


s: And sons, and grandsons, and his every heir,


s: Fully revealed to that good hermit were.


s: Beneath that easy yoke to bend the knee;


s: And what he should have done, when whilom prayed


s: And called of Christ -- then uncompelled and free --


s: Had done with little grace; nor turned to God


s: Until he saw him threatening with the rod.


s: Then comforts him -- that Christ aye heaven allows


s: To them, that late or early heaven desire;


s: And all those labourers of the Gospel shows,


s: Paid by the vineyard's lord with equal hire.


s: As toward the rocky cell where he resides


s: He with weak steps and slow Rogero guides.


s: Above that hallowed cell, on the hill's brow,


s: A little church receives the rising day;


s: Thence to the beach descends a thicket gray,


s: Where fertile and fruit-bearing palm-trees blow,


s: Which falls with ceaseless murmur from the mountain.


s: 'Twas well nigh forty years, since on that stone


s: The goodly friar had fixed his quiet seat;


s: Which, there to live a holy life, alone,


s: For him the Saviour chose, as harbourage meet.


s: Pure water was his drink, and, plucked from one,


s: Or the other plant, wild berries were his meat;


s: And hearty and robust, of ailments clear,


s: The holy man had reached his eightieth year.


s: That hermit lit a fire, and heaped the board


s: With different fruits, within his small repair;


s: Wherewith the Child somedeal his strength restored,


s: When he had dried his clothes and dripping hair.


s: After, at better ease, to him God's word


s: And mysteries of our faith expounded were;


s: And the day following, in his fountain clear,


s: There dwells the young Rogero, well content


s: With what the rugged sojourn does allow;


s: In that the friar showed shortly his intent


s: To send him where he fain would turn his prow.


s: Handles and often; of God's kingdom now;


s: The Lord, that every thing doth see and hear,


s: How he should not exceed the seventh year,


s: Dating from when he was a Christian made;


s: By false Maganza's ill and impious train;


s: And, how that treason should be smothered so,


s: No sign thereof should outwardly appear;


s: For where that evil people dealt the blow,


s: They should entomb the youthful cavalier.


s: For this should vengeance follow, albeit slow,


s: Dealt by his consort and his sister dear;


s: And how he by his wife should long be sought,


s: With weary womb, with heavy burden fraught,


s: 'Twixt Brenta and Athesis, beneath those hills


s: (Which erst the good Antenor so contented,


s: With their sulphureous veins and liquid rills,


s: And mead, and field, with furrows glad indented,


s: That he for these left pools which Xanthus fills;


s: Till she a child should in the forests bear,


s: And how the Child, in might and beauty grown,


s: That, like his sire, Rogero shall be hight,


s: Those Trojans, as of Trojan lineage known,


s: Shall for their lord elect with solemn rite;


s: Who next by Charles (in succour of whose crown


s: Against the Lombards shall the stripling fight)


s: Of that fair land dominion shall obtain,


s: And the honoured title of a marquis gain;


s: And because Charles shall say in Latin `Este',


s: (That is -- be lords of the dominion round!)


s: Shall with good omen be that beauteous ground;


s: Shall of its two first letters lose the sound.


s: Who shall, in vision, to his consort true


s: And shall relate how him the traitor slew,


s: And where his body lies to her shall say.


s: She and Marphisa hence, those valiant two,


s: With fire and sword on earth shall Poictiers lay;


s: Nor shall his son, when of befitting age,


s: That hermit hoar, and on their offspring bright;


s: Then curbs his tongue and will no more recite.


s: And what is fitting to conceal, conceals.


s: With that good knight, the Marquis Olivier,


s: And the other two -- that from the adverse part,


s: At more than a foot-pace their coursers steer;


s: The pebbly beach resounds, and rolling brine.


s: When they encounter in mid field, pell-mell,


s: And to the sky flew every shivered lance,


s: At that loud noise, the sea was seen to swell,


s: At that loud noise, which echoed even to France.


s: And fairly balanced might appear the chance,


s: Which made Gradasso seem of greater force.


s: Baiardo shocked the steed of lesser might,


s: Backed by Orlando, with such might and main,


s: He made that courser stagger, left and right,


s: And measure next his length upon the plain:


s: Vainly to raise him strove Anglantes' knight,


s: Thrice, nay four times, with rowels and with rein;


s: Balked of his end, he lights upon the field,


s: Draws Balisarda, and uplifts his shield.


s: Who, fitly matched, their foaming coursers gall.


s: If 'twas the fault of horse or cavalier;


s: Was it his courser's or his own misdeed,


s: Now Brandimart, that upon earth descried


s: The king Sobrine, assailed no more his man;


s: Meanwhile the warfare stood as it began:


s: When broken on their bucklers were the spears,


s: With swords encountered the returning peers.


s: As showed that to return he little cared,


s: -- Nor can return; so Brandimart aye plies,


s: Turns round, and, like himself, afoot descries


s: Sobrino, in the doubtful strife unpaired:


s: At him he sprang; and, at his haughty look,


s: Heaven, as the warrior trod, in terror shook.


s: Prepared, and at close ward, behold the Moor!


s: As pilot against whom, now cresting nigh,


s: The threatening billow comes with hollow roar,


s: Towards it turns his prow, and, when so high


s: He views the sea, would gladly be ashore.


s: Of such fine steel was Balisarda's blade,


s: That arms against it little shelter were;


s: And by a person of such puissance swayed,


s: It splits the shield, and is in nowise stayed,


s: Though bound about with steel the edges are:


s: It splits the shield, and to the bottom rends,


s: And on the shoulder underneath descends.


s: Upon the shoulder; nor, though twisted chain


s: And double plates encase the paynim foe,


s: These hinder much that sword of stubborn grain


s: From opening wide the parted flesh below.


s: Against the valiant count is every blow;


s: To whom, for special grace, the King of heaven


s: A body charmed against all arms had given.


s: The valorous count, redoubling still his blows,


s: Thought from the trunk the monarch's head to smite.


s: Sobrino, who the strength of Clermont knows,


s: And how the shield ill boots, retired from fight,


s: Fell the dread faulchion of Anglantes' knight:


s: 'Twas on its flat, but such his might and main,


s: It crushed the helm and stupefied the brain.


s: Stunned by that furious stroke, he pressed the shore,


s: Should bring Sir Brandimart, at him he flies:


s: For him the paynim overmatched in horse,


s: In arms and faulchion, and perhaps in force.


s: Bold Brandimart, who guides Frontino's rein,


s: The goodly courser, erst Rogero's steed,


s: The king yet little seems his foe to exceed;


s: Who, if he had as tempered plate and chain


s: As that bold paynim lord, would better speed;


s: But (for he felt himself ill-armed) the knight


s: Often gave ground, and traversed left and right.


s: 'Twould seem that courser had the sense to shun


s: Sharp Durindana's fall, now there now here.


s: Meanwhile elsewhere is horrid battle done


s: Who may be deemed well matched in warlike sleight,


s: Nor champions differing much in martial might.


s: When, prompt to assail Gradasso with the blade,


s: He, loose and walking in mid field, espied


s: The goodly horse, which had Sobrino thrown;


s: And bowned him straight to make the steed his own.


s: He seized the horse (for none the deed gainsaid)


s: And took a leap, and vaulted on his prize.


s: This hand the bridle grasped, and that the blade.


s: With him, and both his partners in the fight,


s: He hopes to make it dark before 'tis night.


s: Leaving his foe, he, facing Brava's lord,


s: Thrust at the collar of his shirt of mail,


s: All else beside the flesh the faulchion bored;


s: To pierce through which would every labour fail.


s: At the same time descends Orlando's sword,


s: Shears helmet, cuirass, shield, and all below,


s: And cleaves whate'er it rakes with headlong blow;


s: And in face, bosom, and in thigh it seamed,


s: From whom his blood till how had never streamed


s: Since he that armour wore; new rage and pain


s: Thereat the warrior felt, and strange it seemed


s: Sword cut so now, nor yet was Durindane.


s: Had Roland struck more home, or nearer been,


s: From head to belly he had cleft him clean.


s: As heretofore; for proved those arms have been:


s: He with more care, more caution than whilere,


s: Prepares to parry with the faulchion keen.


s: When entered Brandimart sees Brava's peer,


s: Who snatched that battle from him, he between


s: Those other conflicts placed himself, that where


s: It most was needed, he might succour bear.


s: While so the fight is balanced 'mid those foes,


s: Sobrino, that on earth long time had lain,


s: When to himself he was returned, uprose,


s: In face and shoulder suffering grievous pain.


s: He lifts his face, his eyes about him throws;


s: And thither, where more distant on the plain


s: He sees his leader, with long paces steers


s: So stealthily, that none his coming hears;


s: He on the Marquis came, who had but eyes


s: For Agramant, and in the warrior's rear,


s: Wounded upon the hocks in such fierce wise


s: That he falls headlong; and beneath him lies


s: His valiant master, nor his foot can clear;


s: His left foot, which in that unthought for woe,


s: Was in the stirrup jammed, his steed below.


s: Sorbine pursued, and with back-handed blow


s: Thought he his head should from his neck have shorn;


s: But this forbids that armour, bright of show,


s: Brandimart sees his risque, and at the foe


s: Is by his steed, with flowing bridle, borne.


s: But straight from earth that fierce old man upsprung;


s: The warrior's soul more promptly on its way;


s: And him beneath his courser keep at bay:


s: Bold Olivier, whose better arm was freed,


s: And with his sword could fend him as he lay,


s: Meanwhile so smites and longes, there and here,


s: That at sword's length he holds the ancient peer.


s: He hopes, if him but little he withstood,


s: He shall be straight delivered from that pain:


s: He sees him wholly strained and wet with blood,


s: And that he spills so much from open vein,


s: 'Twould seem he speedily must be subdued,


s: Often and oft to rise the Marquis strove,


s: Yet could not from beneath his courser move.


s: Brandimart has found out the royal Moor,


s: Beside, or whirling in the warrior's rear.


s: A goodly horse the Christian champion bore;


s: Nor worse the southern king's in the career:


s: That Brigliador, Rogero's gift he crost,


s: As he could have in haste in suchlike need;


s: But hopes (his anger puts him so in heart)


s: To change it for a better coat with speech;


s: Albeit the Moorish king, with bitter blow,


s: Has made the blood from his right should flow.


s: Him in the flank Gradasso too had gored;


s: (Nor this was laughing matter) so had scanned


s: He found a place wherein to plant his brand;


s: He broke the warrior's shield, his left arm bored,


s: And touched him slightly in the better hand.


s: But this was play, was pastime (might be said),


s: With Roland's and Gradasso's battle weighed.


s: Atop and on both sides his helm has broke:


s: Fallen is his shield, his cuirass split; but harmed


s: The warrior is not by the furious stroke,


s: Which opened plate and mail; for he is charmed;


s: And worser vengeance on the king has wroke,


s: In face, throat, breast has gored that cavalier,


s: Beside the wounds whereof I spake whilere.


s: Himself all wet, and smeared with sanguine dye,


s: And Roland, all from head to foot espied,


s: After such mighty strokes unstained and dry,


s: Thinking head, breast, and belly to divide,


s: With both his hands upheaved his sword on high;


s: And, even as he devised, upon the front,


s: Smote with mid blade Anglantes' haughty count.


s: -- Would to the saddle-tree have cleft him clean:


s: Its flat, rebounds again, unstained and sheen.


s: By whom some scattered stars on earth were seen.


s: He drops the bridle and would drop the brand,


s: But that a chain secures it to his hand.


s: So by the noise was scared the horse that bore


s: The courser scowered about the powdery shore,


s: Showing how good his speed in the career:


s: The County by that stroke astounded sore,


s: Has not the power the frightened horse to steer.


s: That he but little more pursues the foe;


s: But turning round, beholds the royal Moor


s: To the utmost peril in that battle brought;


s: For by the shining helmet which he wore,


s: With the left hand, him Brandimart had caught;


s: And with his dagger would new ill have wrought:


s: Nor much defence could make the Moorish lord;


s: For Brandimart as well had reft his sword.


s: Gradasso turned, nor more Orlando sought,


s: The incautious Brandimart, suspecting nought


s: Had not Gradasso in his eyes or thought,


s: And to the paynim's throat his knife applied.


s: Wielding with either hand his trenchant blade.


s: Father of heaven!  'mid spirits chosen by thee,


s: Who, having traversed his tempestuous sea,


s: Now furls his sails in port.  Ah!  ruthless sword,


s: That thou can'st slaughter, in the warrior's view,


s: Of all his friends the dearest and most true?


s: An iron ring that girt his helmet round,


s: Two inches thick, was broke by that fell blow


s: And cleft; and with the solid iron bound,


s: Bold Brandimart, reversed upon the ground,


s: With haggard face beside his horse lies low;


s: And issuing widely from the warrior's head


s: A stream of life-blood dyes the shingle red.


s: Come to himself, the County turns his eye


s: As clearly shows by whom the knight was slain.


s: If he most raged or grieved I know not, I,


s: But such short time is left him to complain,


s: His hasty wrath breaks forth, his grief gives way;


s: But now 'tis time that I suspend my lay.


s: But good Rinaldo and Bradamant at heart,


s: Him that in chase of the Indian damsel hies


s: Disdain preserves; from thence does he depart


s: Towards Italy, and is with courteous cheer


s: What bit, what iron curb is to be found,


s: That can make wrath keep order and due bound,


s: When one, to whom the constant heart is bound


s: And linked by Love with solid bolt and chain,


s: We see, through violence or through foul deceit,


s: And is the mind sometimes, if so possest,


s: It may deserve excuse; in that the breast


s: No more is under Reason's sovereign sway.


s: Achilles, when, beneath his borrowed crest,


s: Was with his murderer's slaughter ill content,


s: Till he his mangled corse had dragged and shent.


s: Inflamed thy host the day that weighty stone


s: Wounded thy forehead with such grievous blow,


s: That all believed it to its rest was gone;


s: -- Inflamed them with such fury, for the foe


s: In rampart, fosse, or wall, defence was none,


s: Who, one and all, within their works lay dead,


s: Nor wight was left the woeful news to spread.


s: Seeing thy fall caused thine such mighty pain,


s: They were to fury moved; hadst thou, my lord,


s: Maintained thy footing, haply might thy train


s: Have with less licence plied the murderous sword.


s: In fewer hours replaced beneath thy ward,


s: Then Cordova's and fierce Granada's band


s: Took days erewhile, to wrest it from thy hand.


s: Haply Heaven's vengeance ordered what befel,


s: And in that case thy wound so hindered thee


s: To the end, the cruel outrage, foul and fell,


s: Done by that band before, should punished be.


s: Wearied and hurt, had sought their clemency,


s: Among them (mostly an unchristened train)


s: He, mid a hundred swords, unarmed, was slain.


s: Which can be weighed with that in equal wise,


s: To kinsman, friend or lord before our eyes.


s: Slain by the stroke of fierce Gradasso's brand.


s: In slippery line the horrid snake has seen,


s: That his young son, amid the sands at play,


s: Has killed with venomed tooth, enflamed with spleen,


s: Grasps his batoon, the poisonous worm to slay;


s: His sword, than every other sword more keen,


s: So, in his fury grasped Anglantes' knight,


s: And wreaked on Agramant his first despite,


s: Scaped, bleeding, with helm loosened form his head,


s: With half a shield and swordless, through his mail,


s: Sore wounded in more places than is said;


s: As from the dull or envious falcon's nail,


s: Escapes the unhappy sparrowhawk, half dead,


s: With ruffled plumage and with loss of tail.


s: Where with the helmed head confined the bust.


s: Loosed was the helm, the neck without its band:


s: So, like a rush, was severed by the sword.


s: Down-fell, and shook its last upon the sand


s: His spirit, which flitted to the Stygian strand,


s: Charon with crooked boat-hook dragged aboard.


s: But, sword in hand, seeks him of Sericane.


s: As the headless trunk of Africk's cavalier


s: Extended on the shore Gradasso's viewed,


s: He shook at heart, a troubled visage shewed,


s: Presageful of his fate, appears subdued:


s: Nor seeks he means of fence against his foe,


s: When fierce Orlando deals the fatal blow.


s: Beneath the lowest rib, his faulchion bright;


s: And crimsoned to the hilt, a hand's breadth wide


s: Of the other flank, the sword appears in sight;


s: And well his mighty puissance testified,


s: And spoke him as the strongest living knight


s: That stroke, by which a warrior was undone,


s: Himself he quickly from his saddle throws;


s: And, with a face disturbed, and wet with tears,


s: To his Brandimart in haste the warrior goes;


s: The field about him red with blood appears,


s: His helmet cleft as by a hatchet's blows;


s: And, had it been than spungy rind more frail,


s: Would have defended him no worse than mail.


s: Brandimart's head by that destructive brand


s: Cleft even to his nose, between the eyes;


s: Yet so the wounded knight his spirits manned,


s: Whose manly cheeks were wet with many a tear;


s: And -- "Roland, in thy helping orisons, I


s: "Nor recommend to thee less warmly my --"


s: -- Flordelice would, but could not, say -- and died;


s: And sounds and songs of angels in the sky,


s: As the soul parts, are heard on every side;


s: Which from its prison freed, mid hymns of love,


s: That called to bliss above is Brandimart;


s: For he heaven opened to the knight described;


s: Through human wilfulness -- which aye takes part


s: With our weak senses -- hardly can abide


s: Nor can refrain from many a scalding tear.


s: Warlike Sobrino, of much blood bereaved,


s: Which from his flank and wounded visage rained,


s: Long since had fallen, reversed and sore aggrieved,


s: And had by now his vessels well nigh drained.


s: Olivier too lies stretched; nor has retrieved,


s: Nor can retrieve, his crippled foot, save sprained,


s: And almost crushed; so long between the plain,


s: And his stout courser jammed, the limb has lain;


s: Was weeping Olivier, and brought so low)


s: He could not have released his limb alone;


s: And, when released, endures such pain, such woe,


s: Or shift withal his wounded foot, and so


s: The victory brought Orlando small delight;


s: Of slaughtered Brandimart the piteous sight;


s: The wounded monarch had, amid much shade:


s: For almost spend his ebbing life remained


s: So fast from him the crimson blood had drained.


s: The County has him taken, bleeding sore;


s: Thither, where he is saved with sovereign care;


s: Benignly comforts him and speaks him fair:


s: For in Orlando, when the strife was o'er,


s: He from the dead their arms and coursers reft,


s: The rest he to their knives' disposal left.


s: Here as my story stood not on good ground,


s: Who, searching Barbary's every shore and sound


s: Erewhile on board a squadron, landed here;


s: And the isle so rugged and so rocky found,


s: In all its parts so mountainous and drear,


s: There is not (through the land) a level space


s: (He says) whereon a single boot to place.


s: Nor deems he likely, that six cavaliers,


s: The wide world's flower, on Alpine rock should vye,


s: In that equestrian fight, with levelled spears.


s: Erewhile a place, well fit for such careers,


s: Stretched at the bottom of the hills did lie;


s: But afterwards, o'erthrown by earthquake's shock,


s: A cliff o'erspread the plain with broken rock.


s: Clear, lasting light, if, questioning my word,


s: Thou on this point hast ever said me nay,


s: And haply too, before the unconquered lord,


s: Through whom thy land, reposing, casts away


s: All haste, and wholly leans to kind accord,


s: Meanwhile his eyes the good Orlando reared,


s: And saw, on turning them to seaward, where


s: I will not now rehearse who thither steered;


s: For more than one awaiteth me elsewhere.


s: Wend me to France and see if they be glad


s: See what she does withal, the lady true,


s: That sees her knight content to wend so wide;


s: Made in the hearing of those armies two,


s: Since he again had failed her, there was nought


s: Wherein she could confide, the damsel thought.


s: And now her too accustomed plaint and wail


s: Then loosening to tempestuous grief the sail,


s: -- And did not yet by some plain token speak --


s: She, in her passion, called unjust and weak.


s: The sage Melissa she accused, and cursed


s: The oracle of the cavern, through whose lie


s: She in that sea of love herself immersed,


s: Her woes, and told her brother's perfidy;


s: She chides, pours forth her sorrows, and demands,


s: With tears and outcries, succour at her hands.


s: Marphisa shrugs her shoulders; what alone


s: She can, she offers -- comfort to the fair;


s: And, should he not, such outrage to be done,


s: The damsel plights her promise not to bear;


s: Twixt her and him shall deadly war be waged,


s: Or he shall keep the word, which he engaged.


s: She makes her somewhat thus her grief restrain;


s: Which having vent in some sort spend its gall,


s: Rogero impious, proud, and perjured call,


s: Whose flesh, bones, nerves, and sinews are a prey


s: In peace reposed those other barons true;


s: The paladins, remained Love's captive thrall.


s: And sought as well,  himself, the missing maid:


s: Who in his need had often given him aid:


s: To him he told his love, with eyelids bent


s: On earth, and visage crimsoned o'er; and prayed


s: That sage magicians to instruct him, where


s: He in the world might find the long-sought fair.


s: A case, so strange and wondrous, marvel sore


s: The wizard knew, a hundred times and more,


s: He might have had the damsel in his bed;


s: And he himself, to move the knight or yore,


s: In her behalf, enough had done and said:


s: Had him by prayer and menace sought to bend,


s: And so much more, that out of prison ward


s: Now will he seek her, of his own accord,


s: On less occasion, when it profits nought.


s: To mark how sorely do had erred, besought:


s: Since little lacked, but through the boon denied,


s: But how much more Rinaldo's strange demand


s: And bowned himself to give the warrior aid.


s: For his reply he craved some small delay,


s: And with fair hope consoled Mount Alban's knight,


s: In France or wheresoe'er; then wends his way


s: Thither where he is wont his imps to cite;


s: A grot impervious and with mountains walled:


s: His book he opened and the spirits called.


s: Then one he chooses, in love-cases read,


s: How good Rinaldo's heart, before so died,


s: Was now so quickly moved by soft desires;


s: And of those fountains twain (the demon said)


s: Whereof one lights, one quenches amorous fires;


s: And how nought cures the mischief caused by one


s: But that whose streams in counter current run;


s: From the love-chasing fountain's mossy urn,


s: To Angelica, that long had wooed the peer,


s: Had shown himself so obstinate and stern;


s: And he, whom after his ill star did steer


s: To drink of that which makes the bosom burn,


s: Her whom but just before he loathed above


s: All reason, by that draught was forced to love.


s: Him his ill star and cruel fate conveyed


s: To swallow fire and flame i' the frozen lake:


s: For nigh at the same time the Indian maid


s: In the other bitter stream her thirst did slake;


s: Henceforth she loathed him more than noisome snake;


s: He loved her, and such love was his, as late


s: How yielding up herself to a young Moor,


s: With him embarking on the unstable tide,


s: And hoisting her bold canvas to the wind,


s: For his reply -- he would dissuade the knight


s: If he would chase the damsel on her flight,


s: Who must have measured than half her way


s: Nor yet would mar or break the warrior's sleep


s: To think that he again must eastward rove:


s: But that a stripling Saracen should reap


s: The first fruits of that faithless lady's love


s: In him such passion bred, such heart-ache sore,


s: No power hath he to make one sole reply;


s: His heart, his lip, is quivering with disdain;


s: His mouth is bitter, and 'twould seem with bane.


s: And, as by fury stirred and jealous pain,


s: Upon the ground, since with his courser dear


s: Him honour moves the selfsame course to run,


s: In the end he may prevent the paynim peer


s: From ever vaunting, that with sword or lance


s: Charles gives him leave to go; though, far and nigh,


s: With him all France laments he thence should wend;


s: But he in fine that prayer can ill deny,


s: So honest seems the worthy warrior's end.


s: Plunged in his grief and heaving many a groan.


s: Ever in memory dwells the restless thought,


s: He might a thousand times have had the fair;


s: And -- mad and obstinate -- had, when besought,


s: A thousand times refused such beauty rare;


s: And such sweet joy was whilom set at nought,


s: Such bright, such blessed moments wasted were;


s: To have that damsel but for one short day.


s: The thought will never from his mind depart,


s: How for a sorry footpage she could slight,


s: -- Flinging their merit and their love apart --


s: The service of each former loving wight.


s: Vext by such thought, which racked and rent his heart,


s: He the straight road to Rhine and Basle pursued,


s: When within that adventurous wood has hied


s: Where the rude place was roughest and most drear,


s: He saw the sun's dimmed visage disappear,


s: And spied forth issuing from a cavern hoar


s: A monster, which a woman's likeness wore.


s: A thousand lidless eyes are in her head:


s: She cannot close them, nor, I think, doth sleep:


s: She listens with as many ears, and spread


s: Like hair, about her forehead serpents creep.


s: From devilish darkness and the caverned deep.


s: For tail, a fierce and bigger serpent wound


s: About her breast, and girt the monster round.


s: What in a thousand, thousand quests had ne'er


s: Who, when he sees the horrid form appear,


s: Coming to seek him and prepared for fight,


s: Feels in his inmost veins such freezing fear,


s: Yet wonted daring counterfeits and feigns,


s: And with a trembling hand the faulchion strains.


s: The monster so the fierce assault did make


s: It might be said; she shook a poisonous snake,


s: Leapt at the knight; at her Rinaldo strake


s: Ever meanwhile with random blows and wide;


s: With forestroke, backstroke, he assails the foe;


s: He often smites, but never plants a blow.


s: The monster threw a serpent at his breast,


s: That froze his heart beneath its iron case:


s: Now through the vizor flung the poisonous pest,


s: Which crept about his collar and his face.


s: Dismaid, Rinaldo fled the field, and prest


s: With all his spurs his courser through the chase:


s: But not behind the hellish monster halts,


s: Who in a thought upon the crupper vaults.


s: Wend where the warrior will, an-end or wide,


s: Albeit his courser plunges without rest.


s: Like a leaf quakes his heart within his side,


s: Not that the snakes in other mode molest,


s: But they such horror and such loathing bred,


s: He shrieks, he groans, and gladly would be dead.


s: By gloomiest track and blindest path he still


s: Threaded the tangled forest here and there;


s: By thorniest valley and by roughest hill,


s: Thus hoping to have rid him of that ill,


s: Beneath whose gripe he foully might have fared,


s: But that one quickly to his aid repaired.


s: But aid, and in good time, a horseman bore,


s: Equipt with arms of beauteous steel and clear:


s: For crest, a broken yoke the stranger wore;


s: Red flames upon his yellow shield appear:


s: So was the courser's housing broidered o'er,


s: His lance he grasped, his sword was in its place,


s: That warrior's mace a fire eternal fills,


s: And goodly buckler, tempered corslet thrills,


s: And solid helm; then needs the approaching knight


s: Must make him way, wherever 'tis his will


s: Nor of less help in need Rinaldo stands,


s: To save him from the cruel monster's hands.


s: The stranger horseman, like a warrior bold,


s: Where he that hubbub hears, doth thither swoop,


s: Until he sees the beast, whose snakes enfold


s: Rinaldo, linked in many a loathsome loop,


s: Who sweats at once with heat and quakes with cold,


s: Nor can he thrust the monster from his croup.


s: Arrived the stranger smote her in the flank,


s: Who on the near side of the courser sank:


s: She rose and shook her snakes in volumed spire.


s: The knight no more assails her with the spear;


s: But is resolved to plague the foe with fire:


s: He gripes the mace and thunders in her rear


s: With frequent blows, like tempest in its ire;


s: Nor leaves a moment to that monster fell


s: To strike one stroke in answer, ill or well;


s: And, while he chases her or holds at bay,


s: Smites her and venges many a foul affront,


s: To take the road which scales the neighbouring mount:


s: He took that proffered counsel and that way,


s: And without stop, or turning back his front,


s: Pricked furiously till he was out of sight;


s: Though hard to clamber was the rugged height.


s: The stranger, when he to her dark retreat


s: Had driven from upper light that beast of hell


s: (Where she herself doth ever gnaw and eat,


s: While from her thousand eyes tears ceaseless well)


s: Followed the knight, to guide his wandering feet;


s: Him from those dark and gloomy parts to steer.


s: When him returned beheld Montalban's knight,


s: That countless thanks were due to him, he said,


s: And that at all times, as a debt of right,


s: His life should be for his advantage paid.


s: Of him he next demands, how he is hight,


s: That he may know and tell who brought him aid;


s: King Charles, exalt his prowess evermore.


s: The stranger answered: "Let it irk not thee


s: Whose murmurs woo the traveller from his way,


s: And shepherd-swain, by whiles, to their green brink;


s: There an oblivion of their love to drink.


s: My lord, that fountain's chilling stream and clear


s: Drinking thereof, for good Montalban's peer


s: Conceived that hate she nourished evermore;


s: And if she once displeased the cavalier,


s: My lord, save drinking of this chilly wave.


s: Reined-in his courser, how with toil, and cried,


s: "Here 'twere not ill, meseemeth, to repose."


s: -- "It cannot but be well" (the peer replied),


s: "Because, beside that mid-day fiercely glows,


s: I have so suffered from that hideous Pest,


s: As sweet and needful shall I welcome rest."


s: Upon the green sward lit the martial two,


s: While their loose horses through the forest fed;


s: And from their brows the burnished helmets threw


s: On that flowered herbage, yellow, green, and red.


s: And with one draught of that cold liquid drove


s: Out of his burning bosom thirst and love.


s: Raising his head the stranger knight espied,


s: And saw that he, repentant, every thought


s: He reared himself, and said with semblance haught


s: That which he would not say before, and cried:


s: Bound hither but to break thy worthless chain."


s: So saying, suddenly he passed from sight;


s: With him his horse: this in Rinaldo bred


s: Much wonderment; and the astonished knight,


s: "Where is he?" gazing round about him, said.


s: He cannot guess if 'twere a magic sprite,


s: From those his ministers, to break the chain,


s: Fettered whereby he lived so long in pain;


s: Him thanked and praised Rinaldo, for a heart


s: Healed only by his help of amorous smart.


s: Her half a league he would not have pursued.


s: As well because his honour him compelled,


s: As for the talk which he with Charles had held.


s: He pricked to Basle upon the following day,


s: That Count Orlando was, in martial fray,


s: Nor through Orlando was divulged that say:


s: But one, who crost from the Sicilian shore,


s: And thither had, in haste, the journey made,


s: As certain news, the tidings had conveyed.


s: Rinaldo had gladly been at Roland's side,


s: And from that battle far himself doth see:


s: Every ten miles he changes horse and guide,


s: And whips and spurs, and makes his courser flee.


s: He crost the Rhine at Constance, forward hied,


s: And reached and past the Po, with swift career.


s: Much towards eve already sloped the sun,


s: And the first star was glimmering in the sky,


s: When, doubting on the bank if he shall run


s: Until the shades of night and vapours dun


s: Who courtesy in face and semblance shewed.


s: Rinaldo, wondering what the quest implied,


s: Made answer: "I am bound in nuptial band."


s: -- "I joy thereat," the cavalier replied;


s: Then, that he might this saying understand,


s: Added, "I pray that you, sir knight, within


s: My mansion will this eve be pleased to inn.


s: "For I will make you see what must please


s: A wight" (pursued the stranger) "that is wed."


s: Rinaldo, as well that he would take his ease,


s: -- But this, with so long posting sore bested --


s: As that to see and hear strange novelties


s: A bowshot from the way diverged the two,


s: And a great palace fronting them descried:


s: Whence squires with blazing lights (a numerous crew)


s: Issued, and chased the darkness far and wide.


s: Entering, his eyes around Rinaldo threw,


s: And saw a place, whose like is seldom spied,


s: Of beauteous fabric, and well ordered plan;


s: Nor such huge cost befitted private man.


s: The stones which form the gateway's arch above.


s: Of bronze the portal leaves, which figures bear,


s: Whose lively features seem to breathe and move.


s: Cheating the eye, in mixt mosaic strove,


s: A gateway is there to each galleried row,


s: And, twixt it and that gate, an arch is bent;


s: Of equal breadth, but different in their show,


s: For the architect had spared not ornament.


s: Each arch an entrance was; up which might go


s: They for the spacious portals form a shade;


s: And each two pillars has for its support:


s: Of bronze are some, and some of marble made.


s: With easements, which (beside what is in sight)


s: The skilful master underground had dight.


s: Tall columns, with their capitals of gold,


s: Which gemmed entablatures support in air;


s: Exotic marbles engraved with figures fair;


s: Picture and cast, and works so manifold,


s: Albeit by night they mostly hidden were,


s: Showed that two kings' united treasure ne'er


s: Would have sufficed such gorgeous pile to rear.


s: That mingled in that gay quadrangle meet,


s: There is a fresh and plenteous fountain, which


s: Scatters in many threads its watery sheet,


s: 'Tis here that youths at equal distance pitch,


s: I' the middle, tables for the festive treat.


s: Whence they four gates of that rich mansion see,


s: And seen from those four gates as well may be.


s: With much and subtle toil, the fount was made:


s: Which from eight separate fronts, projects a shade.


s: A gilded roof, which with enamelled dyes


s: Was stained below, the building overlayed.


s: Eight marble statues (snowy was the grain),


s: With the left arm that gilded roof sustain.


s: Had quaintly sculptured the ingenious master,


s: Whence water, trickling forth with murmur bland,


s: With sovereign art had fashioned each pilaster.


s: Various they were in visage and in vest,


s: But all of equal charms and grace possest.


s: Each of these female statues fix their feet.


s: That song and harmony to them are sweet;


s: And, by their attitude, 'twould seem, as though


s: In praising them, they on their shoulders bear,


s: As they would those whose likenesses they wear.


s: Long scrolls and of an ample size contain,


s: Which of the worthiest figures of that band


s: The several names with mickle praise explain


s: As well their own at little distance stand,


s: Inscribed upon that scroll, in letters plain,


s: Marked, one by one, the ladies and their knights.


s: The first inscription there which meets the eye


s: Recites at length Lucretia Borgia's fame,


s: Whom Rome should place, for charms and chastity,


s: Above that wife who whilom bore her name.


s: And Hercules -- support the honoured dame:


s: (So says the scroll): for tuneful strain, the pair


s: A statue no less jocund, no less bright,


s: Succeeds, and on the writing is impressed;


s: Lo!  Hercules' daughter, Isabella hight,


s: Much more because she first shall see the light


s: Within its circuit, than for all the rest


s: Which kind and favouring Fortune in the flow


s: Of rolling years, shall on that town bestow.


s: That aye her praises should be widely blown:


s: John James alike are named: of those fair two,


s: In the third place, and fourth, where trickling through


s: Small rills, the water quits that octagon,


s: Two ladies are there, equal in their birth,


s: Equal in country, honour, charms and worth.


s: Manto's so glorious city which such store


s: More vaunts not him, nor reverences more,


s: Than these fair dames her poet's honoured head.


s: The first of these her hallowed feet had set


s: Their names were carved upon the marble fair,


s: Then both unknown, and now so fames a twain.


s: Next was a lady, that from Heaven shall heir


s: As mighty virtue as on earth doth reign,


s: Well proved by Fortune in her love or rage.


s: Her praises, 'tis declared Ferrara's peer


s: Joys that such daughter doth to him belong.


s: Her shall Camillus voice, and far and near


s: As that wherewith Amphrysus heard his swain;


s: And one, through whom that city's name (where sweet


s: From southern tracts to Hyperborean ways,


s: More than because Rome's gold in that famed seat


s: Was weighed, whereof perpetual record says


s: Guy Posthumus -- about whose honoured brow


s: "Regard not (said the marble) is she wear


s: A haughty port; for in her heart, humane


s: Learned Celio Calcagnine in lofty strain


s: Her glories and fair name abroad shall bear,


s: And Spain and farthest Ind, his trumpet clear;


s: As that winged courser on Parnassus' mount;


s: 'Tis Beatrice, who next uprears her front,


s: Whereof so speaks the writing on the stone:


s: "Her consort Beatrice, while she has breath,


s: Blesses, and leaves unhappy at her death;


s: "Yea, Italy; that with her triumphs bright,


s: Without that lady fair shall captive be."


s: Between his banks, descending to the sea,


s: By their joint music shall the stream be stopt,


s: Whose trees erewhile the liquid amber dropt.


s: Between this and that lofty column's place


s: Into fair Borgia fashioned (as was said)


s: Of aspect so distinguished, of such grace,


s: She, 'mid the brightest, flung her light as far,


s: None knows, observing her with steadfast view,


s: If she of charms or grace have fuller store,


s: Or beam with genius or with beauty more.


s: "He that would speak -- would speak her praises true --


s: (Declares in fine the sculptured marble's lore)


s: Albeit such grace and passing sweetness shewed


s: Her fair and well wrought image, she disdain


s: Appeared to nurse, that one of wit so rude


s: Should dare to sing her praise in humble strain,


s: The marble all those other names revealed.


s: That pair's alone the artist had concealed.


s: The floor whereof dry stalks of coral pave;


s: Most pleasant, cool, and grateful, is that ground;


s: So rendered by the pure and crystal wave.


s: Which vent without in other channel found;


s: And issued forth in many a stream, to lave


s: Gladdening the plants that on their margins grew.


s: Conversing with his courteous host, the peer


s: Sate at the board, and oft and often prayed,


s: Would keep the promise he whilere had made;


s: Observes his heart with some deep woe downweighed.


s: For not a moment 'mid their converse slips,


s: To ask that sorrow's cause, and the request


s: Was almost on the gentle warrior's tongue,


s: Now at their banquet's close a youth, among


s: The menial crew, on whom that charge did rest,


s: Filled full of gems without, of wine within.


s: The host then somedeal smiling, from the board


s: Looked up at Aymon's son; but who this while


s: Well marked him, as he eyed Montalban's lord,


s: Had deemed him more disposed to weep than smile.


s: 'Tis time meseems (said he, that owned the pile)


s: To shew the touchstone for a woman's love,


s: Which needs to wedded man must welcome prove.


s: "Ne'er, in my judgment, should the married dame


s: Thus shall he know if honour or if blame


s: The weight of horns, though coupled with such shame,


s: Is of all burdens upon the earth the least.


s: While well-nigh all behold his antlers spread,


s: He feels them not who has them on his head.


s: Thou hast more ground to prize and hold her dear


s: Than one, whose wife is evil known to be,


s: Or husband that is still in doubt and fear.


s: And groundlessly, of women chaste and clear.


s: Meanwhile, who bear their branching antlers high.


s: "If thou would'st be assured thy wife is true


s: (As sure methinks thou thinkest and must think)


s: Unless thy trust before sure tokens sink,


s: -- No hearsay matter this -- thyself shalt view


s: The truth, if thou in this fair vessel drink,


s: Placed solely on the supper-board, that thou


s: May'st see the marvel promised thee but now.


s: "Drink, and a mighty marvel shall be seen;


s: For if thou wearest Cornwall's lofty crest,


s: No drop of wine shall pass thy lips between,


s: And all the draught be spilt upon thy breast.


s: If faithful is thy wife, thou shalt drink clean.


s: And now -- to try thy fortune -- to the test!"


s: He said, and with fixt eyes the sign explored;


s: If on his breast the wine Rinaldo poured.


s: Rinaldo was nigh moved the cup to raise,


s: And seek what he would haply wish unsought:


s: Forward he reached his hand and took the vase,


s: About to prove his fortune in the draught.


s: Before it touched his lips, the warrior thought.


s: Rinaldo from his courteous landlord hears


s: What folly had destroyed his every good;


s: Then last arrives where, conqueror o'er his foes


s: He, that the Child a Christian made whilere,


s: In baseness, or with other taint unsound;


s: But that thy chain should bind, amid the worst,


s: And that thy talon should strike down and wound


s: Some earth and sea and heaven above us square,


s: Know Nature's causes, works, and properties;


s: What her beginnings, what her endings are;


s: And soar till Heaven is open to their eyes:


s: Yet have no steadier aim, no better care,


s: Stung by thy venom, than, in sordid wise,


s: To gather treasure: such their single scope,


s: Their every comfort, and their every hope.


s: And gates of warlike towns in triumph past:


s: The foremost he to breast the furious tide


s: Yet cannot save himself from being stied


s: Till death, in thy dark dungeon prisoned fast.


s: Of others that would shine thou dimm'st the praise;


s: Whom other studies, other arts would raise.


s: What shall of high and beauteous dames be said?


s: Who (from their lovers' worth and charms secure)


s: Against long service, I behold, more staid,


s: More motionless, than marble shafts, endure:


s: Then Avarice comes, who so her spells hath laid,


s: -- Who could believe? -- unloving, in a day


s: They fall some elder's, fall some monster's prey.


s: Not without reason here I raise this cry:


s: -- Read me who can, I read myself -- nor so


s: Who was about to taste the enchanted wine.


s: Fain would he think awhile, of whom I speak,


s: (As said) ere to his lips the vase he bore;


s: He thought; then thus: "When finding what we seek


s: Then let me hold the faith I held before.


s: Faith still has brought, and yet contentment brings.


s: From proof itself what better profit springs?


s: "From this small good, much evil I foresee:


s: For tempting God moves sometimes his disdain.


s: But to know more than needs, I am not fain.


s: I neither will, nor would, the goblet drain;


s: Which is with Heaven's command as much at strife,


s: As Adam's deed who robbed the tree of life.


s: "For as our sire who tasted of that tree,


s: And God's own word, by eating, disobeyed,


s: The husband so, that all would know and see;


s: Passes from happiness to grief and pain,


s: And pushing from himself the cup abhorred,


s: Beheld of tears a plenteous fountain flow


s: From the full eyes of that fair mansion's lord;


s: Who cried, now having somewhat calmed his woe,


s: "Accursed be he, persuaded by whose word,


s: Whereby my cherished wife was reft away!


s: "Wherefore ten years ago wast thou not known,


s: So that I counselled might have been of thee?


s: That have nigh quenched my eyes; but raised shall be


s: The curtain from the scene, that thou upon


s: My pain mayst look, and mayst lament with me;


s: "Above, was left a neighbouring city, pent


s: Within a limpid stream that forms a lake;


s: Which widens, and wherein Po finds a vent.


s: But of small means, in humble home and poor.


s: "If Fortune's care I was not, who denied


s: Nature that went with graceful form supplied;


s: Erewhile was dame and damsel more than one:


s: Though it becomes not man himself to praise.


s: "A sage within our city dwelled, a wight,


s: Who, when he closed his eyes on Phoebus' light,


s: Numbered one hundred years, one score and eight:


s: By dint of gifts obtained a matron fair,


s: "And to prevent the child from being won,


s: As was erewhile the mother, that for gain


s: Bartered her chastity, whose worth alone


s: Excels what gold earth's ample veins contain,


s: With her he from the ways of man is gone,


s: And where he spies the loneliest place, his train


s: Of demons forces, in enchantment skilled,


s: This dome so spacious, fair, and rich, to build.


s: "By ancient and chaste dames he there made rear


s: This daughter, that in sovereign beauty grew;


s: A man beside himself; and, for her view,


s: -- Lest lights should lack, whereby her course to steer --


s: Made limn in picture, or in sculpture cut.


s: "Nor he alone those virtuous dames, who, sage


s: Whose fame, preserved by the historic page,


s: But those as well that will in future age


s: Made fashion in their well-known form and mien;


s: As eight that round this fount by thee are seen.


s: "What time the damsel ripe for husband shows,


s: So that the fruit may now be gathered, I


s: (Did chance or my misfortune so dispose?)


s: Am worthiest found; and those broad lands that lie


s: Without the walls which that fair town enclose,


s: -- The fishy flat no less than upland dry --


s: Extending twenty miles about that water,


s: He gives me for a dowry, with his daughter.


s: "She was so mannered, was so fair of hue,


s: None could desire she other gifts should bring;


s: So well to broider was she taught, and sew,


s: Or play, or walk, to those that hear and view,


s: She seems a heavenly, and no mortal thing;


s: And in the liberal arts was skilled as well


s: As her own sire, or scarce behind him fell.


s: "With genius high and beauty no less bright,


s: Which might have served the very stones to move,


s: Such love, such sweetness did the maid unite,


s: Thinking thereof meseems my heart is clove.


s: Twas long ere we had any strife; in fine


s: We quarrelled; and the fault, alas!  was mine.


s: "Five years my consort's father had been dead,


s: Since to that yoke I stooped, and pledged my vow;


s: When in short time (the manner shall be said)


s: While me with all his pinions overspread


s: Love of the dame, whose praises thus I blow,


s: Was smit; more sorely smitten none could be.


s: "She, in all magic versed, was of such skill


s: Moved solid earth, and made the sun stand still,


s: Illumined gloomy night and darkened day:


s: With salve I could not give, except with scathe


s: Of her to whom erewhile I pledged my faith.


s: "Not because she right gentle was and bright,


s: Nor because I believed her love so true,


s: Nor for large gift, nor promise often plight,


s: Nor yet because she never ceased to sue,


s: Could she from me obtain one spark of light


s: From that first flame my gentle consort blew:


s: Should with contempt the beauty have eschewed


s: Of that famed daughter which fair Leda bore;


s: And all the wit and wealth wherewith was wooed


s: That weird enchantress, who Melissa hight,


s: And where she can discourse with me at ease,


s: She finds a way whereby my peace to blight;


s: The faith I nursed at heart, she puts to flight.


s: " `But that she faithful is, ye cannot say,


s: Save of her faith ye have assurance true;


s: If she fails not withal, where fail she may,


s: She faithful, modest may be deemed by you:


s: How does this boldness come, that you would be


s: " `Go forth awhile; go forth come from home alone;


s: And be the bruit in town and village spread


s: That she remains behind, and you are gone;


s: Let lovers and let couriers have their head:


s: If, unpersuaded still by prayer and boon,


s: She does no outrage to the marriage bed;


s: Though doing so she deem herself unseen,


s: Then faithful you the dame may justly ween.'


s: "I with such words and such-like words was plied,


s: Till so on me the shrewd enchantress wrought,


s: I wished to see my consort's virtue tried


s: By certain proof, and to the touchstone brought.


s: -- `Now grant we (I to that witch-lady cried)


s: She prove what cannot by myself be thought,


s: Give you (she said) of virtue strange and rare:


s: Such was for Arthur made by Morgue the fay,


s: The chaste wife's lord thereof may drink; but they


s: Drink not, whose wedded partners wanton are:


s: For, when they would the cordial beverage sup,


s: " `Below departing, you the test shall try,


s: And, to my thinking, now shall you drink clean;


s: For clean as yet I think your consort, I:


s: Should you repeat the proof; for if, between


s: The cup and lip, the liquor be not shed,


s: You are the happiest wight that ever wed.'


s: Is given, and trial made with full success;


s: My gentle consort's worth and faithfulness.


s: 'Leave her awhile (Melissa said), and be


s: A month or twain a truant, more or less:


s: Then homeward wend; again the goblet fill;


s: And prove if you the beverage drink or spill.'


s: "I thought it hard to leave my consort's side;


s: Nay, not an hour without her could remain.


s: Guided by me, the truth shall ascertain;


s: Voice, vesture shall you change; and to her sight


s: Present yourself, disguised like other wight.'


s: Twixt fierce and threatening horns the foaming Po;


s: Whose jurisdiction to the shore extends,


s: Where the sea's briny waters come and go:


s: This yields in ancientry, but well contends


s: With neighbouring towns in rich and gorgeous show:


s: A Trojan remnant its foundations placed,


s: Which scaped from Attila's destructive waste.


s: "A rich, a youthful, and a handsome knight


s: Bridles this city with his sovereign sway;


s: Who, following a lost falcon in its flight,


s: Entering by chance my dwelling on a day,


s: Beheld my wife, who pleased him so at sight,


s: Nor ceased to practise on her, with intent


s: But her fair image graved by Love will ne'er


s: (So well she soothed and flattered) of that peer


s: The face and figure to the sight to don;


s: And changed me -- nor well how can I declare --


s: In voice and visage and in eyes and hair.


s: As eastward bound and gone, -- like him that wooed,


s: Her rich and youthful lover, altered so,


s: E'er brought form Ind, or Erithraean shore.


s: To her with suppliant prayer forthwith I sue,


s: And next those goads to evil deed apply;


s: Show emerald, ruby, diamond, that might serve;


s: To make the firmest heart from honour swerve;


s: To that, which she may hope to make her own;


s: Then of the vantage speak, that from his hall


s: Her husband at the present time is gone;


s: Since, as she knew, to her my love was shown;


s: And that my loving with such faith, in the end


s: "At first she was somedeal disturbed; became


s: Like scarlet; nor would listen to my say;


s: Her stubborn heart was softened, and gave way;


s: And in brief speech and feeble said the dame


s: She with my wishes, said, she would comply,


s: "Me my wife's words like poisoned weapon thrill,


s: And pierce my suffering spirit through and through:


s: Through bones and veins there went a deadly chill;


s: My tongue clave to my throat: The witch withdrew


s: Transformed me to mine ancient shape anew.


s: -- Bethink thee of what hue my wife became,


s: We both stand silent; both with downcast eye.


s: So feeble is my tongue, that I with pain,


s: So faint my voice, that I with pain can cry;


s: 'Thou wouldst betray me then, O wife, for gain,


s: If there was one that would my honour buy!'


s: She nought replies; nor save by tears she speaks,


s: Which furrow, as they fall, her woeful cheeks.


s: "Shame stings her sore, but yet in sorer wise


s: To fly from me forthwith does she devise;


s: And, what time from his car dismounts the sun,


s: Runs to the shore, aboard her pinnace wends,


s: And all that night the stream in haste descends;


s: "And she at morn presents herself before


s: Him that had loved her once, the cavalier,


s: Whose semblance and whose borrowed face I wore


s: When, to my shame, I tempted her whilere.


s: To him that loved, and loves her evermore,


s: Her coming, it may be believed, is dear.


s: The hope she'd love me or be mine again.


s: "Alas!  with him she swells in mickle glee


s: Even from that day, and makes of me a jest;


s: I languish yet, and find no place of rest.


s: Justly this growing ill my death will be,


s: "That comfort was; of all which harboured were


s: Here for ten years (for still to every guest


s: Was none but with the wine had bathed his breast.


s: Some little soothes the griefs that so molest.


s: Who wouldst forbear the perilous emprize.


s: "My wish, o'erpassing every fitting bound,


s: To know what husband of his wife should know,


s: Thereat at first Melissa joys; but drowned


s: Forthwith is her light mirth; for of my woe


s: Esteeming her the cause, that dame so sore


s: By me, -- of her more loved than life, she said -


s: Where she forthwith as mistress to remain


s: Had hoped, when thence the other was conveyed,


s: -- Not to behold such present, cause of pain,


s: His tale the mournful cavalier so taught;


s: With pity touched, somewhile immersed in thought


s: "Right ill advice to thee Melissa brought,


s: Who moved three thus to anger wasps; and I


s: Perceive in thee small wisdom, that wouldst sound


s: A thing which thou wouldst gladly not have found.


s: "If she, thy wife, by avarice was inclined


s: To break her faith and be to thee untrue,


s: Muse not: nor first nor last of womankind,


s: She, worsted, from such cruel war withdrew;


s: Their patrons and their friends for sordid gold?


s: "With such fierce arms thou ill didst her assail,


s: If to behold a brave defence thou sought.


s: Knowst thou not, against gold of no avail


s: Is stone, or steel to hardest temper wrought?


s: Meseems that thou in tempting her didst fail


s: More than herself, that was so quickly caught.


s: I know not, had she tempted thee as much,


s: If thou, thyself, hadst better stood the touch."


s: Here ends Rinaldo, and -- the parley done --


s: Awhile will he repose; and then be gone,


s: An hour or two before the daylight show.


s: But little time has Aymon's warlike son;


s: He in his house might at his pleasure lie.


s: For bed and bower, within, were ready dight;


s: But -- would he take his counsel for his guide --


s: In comfort might he sleep throughout the night.


s: And yet advance some miles; "For thou," he cried,


s: "Shalt have a pinnace, that with rapid flight


s: And without risque shall with the current glide.


s: Therein shalt thou all night pursue thy way,


s: Good seemed that proffer in Rinaldo's eyes,


s: And to the courteous host large thanks he paid;


s: Then for the pinnace which that lord supplies,


s: That waits him with her crew, the warrior made.


s: Here, at full ease reclined, Rinaldo lies,


s: While with the stream his frigate is conveyed;


s: Which, by six oars impelled, flies fast and fair,


s: And cleaves the water, as a bird the air.


s: Having erewhile that they shall wake him, said,


s: Sermide to the right; they in their rear


s: Where his two horns are lowered by angry Po.


s: Of those two horns that which t'ward Venice goes


s: Rinaldo's pilot left, and took the right;


s: Faintly the eastern blue, and fades from sight;


s: All her rich flowers, and paints it red and white;


s: Again his head uplifts the good Rinaldo.


s: "O happy town!  whereof" (the warrior cried)


s: The fixt and wandering fires of heaven espied,


s: And forced some subject spirit to appear,


s: -- What time with him I took his way whilere --


s: Even to such pitch thy glorious fame should rise,


s: Thou from all Italy wouldst bear the prize."


s: So saying, in his barge he all this while


s: Hurries, as if the bark with pinions flew,


s: Scowering the king of rivers, to that isle


s: Nearest the town; and, though it not to view


s: (Deserted and neglected then) doth smile,


s: Nor makes small mirth thereat; because aware


s: Hereafter how adorned 'twill be and fair.


s: Before when he with him that way had gone,


s: That when seven hundred times his course had run,


s: Circling the heaven in Aries, the fourth sphere,


s: Of islands this should be the fairest one


s: In sea, or pool, or river, far and near,


s: So that who this beheld, would brook no more


s: To hear that praised which fair Nausicaa bore.


s: He heard, it in fair mansions would outdo


s: That island which Tiberius held so dear;


s: And trees that in Hesperian gardens grew


s: Would yield to what this beauteous place should bear;


s: -- So rare its race of beasts -- no fairer shew


s: Herded or housed erewhile by Circe were;


s: Venus with Loves and Graces there should sport,


s: Nor more in Gnide and Cyprus keep her court;


s: And so would flourish through his study and care,


s: Who will with knowledge and with power should blend;


s: And who so safely should that bright repair


s: The united world's assault it well might dare,


s: Nor call on foreign power its aid to lend;


s: And that Duke Hercules' sire and Hercules' son


s: Was he by whom this marvel should be done.


s: So wends the warrior summing in his mind


s: What erst to him had told his cousin wise;


s: What time the sage of future things divined,


s: "That in all liberal and all worthy arts


s: Shall flourish so these waste and watery parts?


s: And beauty such a petty burgh should grow,


s: And where but marsh and miry pool is viewed,


s: Henceforth should full and fruitful harvests glow?


s: Even now I rise, to hail the gentle blood,


s: The love, the courtesy thy lords shall show,


s: Thy burghers' honours and thy cavaliers'.


s: Thy princes' wisdom and their love of right,


s: Shall with perpetual peace, perpetual love


s: Of such as hate thee; and unmask their spite.


s: Be thy content thy neighbours' wide annoy,


s: Rather than thou shouldst envy other's joy!"


s: While thus Rinaldo speaks, so swiftly borne


s: By the quick current flies that nimble yawl;


s: Not to the lure more swiftly makes return


s: The falcon, hurrying at his lord's recall.


s: Thenceforth the right-hand branch of the right horn


s: Rinaldo takes; and hid are roof and wall:


s: St. George recedes; recede from that swift boat


s: That thought moved thought, which others moved again)


s: In memory chances on the knight to dwell,


s: That, through this city's cause, the truth to tell,


s: Which shows his consort's guilt to him that drinks;


s: And him bethinks therewith of what the knight


s: Who of his goblet drank, there was no wight


s: But split the wine he to his lips would guide.


s: Now he repents him; now, "'Tis my delight,"


s: (Mutters) "that I the proof would not abide:


s: Succeeding I should prove but what I thought;


s: And not succeeding, to what pass am brought!


s: And faith could have but small increase in me:


s: So, if I this should by the touchstone try,


s: My present good would little bettered be:


s: But small the evil would not prove, if I


s: This were a thousand against one to stake;


s: To hazard much where I could nothing take."


s: The knight of Clermont buried in this mood,


s: Who lifted not his visage from the floor,


s: The thought that prest the cavalier so sore,


s: Made him (well-spoken was the man and bold)


s: Wake from his muse, some talk with him to hold.


s: The substance of the talk between the two


s: Was, that the husband little wit possest,


s: Had tried his wife by too severe a test:


s: For woman, proof to gold and silver, who,


s: Armed but with modesty, defends her breast,


s: This from a thousand faulchions will defend


s: More surely, and through burning fires will wend.


s: The mariner subjoined: "Thou saidest well;


s: With gifts so rich he should not her have prest;


s: For, these assaults, these charges, to repel,


s: I know not if of wife thou has heard tell


s: (For haply not with us the tale may rest)


s: For which she by his sentence should have died.


s: "My lord should have remembered, gold and meed


s: But he forgot this truth in time of need;


s: Ah!  would that he in proof, like me, a deed


s: Done in this neighbouring city had been taught,


s: His country and mine own; which lake and fen,


s: Brimming with Mincius' prisoned waters, pen.


s: A treasure on the judge's wife conferred."


s: "Thereof," replied the paladin, "the sound


s: Hath not o'erpast the Alps; for never word


s: Of this neighbouring France, nor in my round


s: Through far and foreign countries have I heard:


s: So tell, if telling irks not," said the peer,


s: The boatman then: "Erewhile was of this town


s: One Anselm, that of worthy lineage came;


s: A wight that spent his youth in flowing gown,


s: Beauty, and state assorting with his own,


s: A consort sought, and one of noble name:


s: Nor vainly; in a neighbouring city, crowned


s: "She such fair manners and so graceful shows,


s: She seems all love and beauty; and much more


s: Perchance than maketh for her lord's repose;


s: Then well befits the reverend charge he bore.


s: Yet she affords not other cause for care


s: Numbered that old and honoured race among,


s: Sprung from the haughty lineage, which whilere


s: Out of the jaw-bone of a serpent sprung:


s: Whence Manto, doomed my native walls to rear,


s: Descended, and with her a kindred throng.


s: Was with the beauties of the dame inflamed;


s: "And for the furtherance of his amorous quest,


s: To grace himself, began his wealth to spend,


s: Without restraint, in banquet and in vest,


s: He of his riches would have made an end.


s: I well believe two winters were not done,


s: "The house erewhile, frequented by a horde


s: -- Morning and evening -- of so many friends,


s: Beneath the partridge, quail, and pheasant bends.


s: Ruined, at length he thinks he will begone


s: "He leaves his native land with this intent,


s: And coasts, in tears and making sad lament,


s: He his heart's queen, amid his discontent,


s: Meanwhile forgets not, for this second woe.


s: From sovereign woe to sovereign bliss recalls!


s: Smote mid some sapling trunks on every side:


s: Adonio stopt, and wherefore so he strake,


s: Asked of the rustic, that in answer cried,


s: Within that clump a passing ancient snake,


s: "And that from thence he would not wend his way


s: Until the reptile he had found and slain,


s: He scarce his speech with patience could sustain,


s: Aye reverence to the serpent wont to pay,


s: The honoured ensign of his ancient strain;


s: In memory that their primal race had grown


s: Erewhile from serpent's teeth by Cadmus sown;


s: "And by the churl the offended knight so said,


s: And did withal, he made him quit the emprize;


s: Leaving the hunted serpent neither dead,


s: Nor injured, nor pursued in further wise.


s: Thither, where he believes would least have spread


s: Far from his native land, seven weary years.


s: "Neither for distance nor for straitened cheer,


s: Which will not let Thought run its restless round,


s: Ceased Love, so wont to rein the cavalier,


s: Aye to inflame his heart, aye vex his wound:


s: At length those beauties, to his eyes so dear,


s: Parforce must he revisit, homeward bound.


s: Thither returns, from whence he went his way.


s: That sometime near his holiness should dwell;


s: And for how long a time could none foresee.


s: To be excused, Anselmo promised, prayed,


s: And bribed; but at the last parforce obeyed.


s: "As no less cruel and less hard to abide


s: He deemed a woe which caused such piteous smart,


s: Than had he seen a hostile hand his side


s: Lay bare, and from his bosom pluck his heart:


s: Dead-white with jealous fear his cheek is dyed,


s: Through doubt of his fair consort while apart;


s: And in the mode he deems may best avail,


s: He supplicates her not in faith to fail,


s: "Nor beauty, to his wife the husband cries,


s: Save chaste in name and deed; subjoining how


s: The virtue that mankind most highly prize


s: Is that which triumphs after strife; and now


s: Through his long absense, a fair field and wide


s: Is opened where that virtue may be tried.


s: "With such persuasions, and with many more


s: O heaven, what tears, what loud complaints ensue!


s: Immersed in her despair, that lady swore,


s: Sooner the sun bedimmed the world should view


s: Than she would break her faith; she would expire


s: Sooner than she would cherish such desire.


s: "Though to the lady's promise and protest


s: He lent belief, and somewhat calmed his fears,


s: And till he can find matter for his tears,


s: A soothsayer he among his friends possest,


s: Prized for his knowledge, as the first of seers;


s: Had read the whole, or read the greater part.


s: Won by his prayers, he takes the time o' the day;


s: Figures the heavens as they appear to be.


s: His answer on the following day to claim.


s: "The astrologer is silent, loath to expose


s: And would excuse himself with many a gloze:


s: But when he sees, he would the evil know,


s: Argia will break faith with him, he shows,


s: As soon as he shall from his threshold go.


s: Nor prayer shall soften her, nor beauty fire:


s: Are joined the threatnings of the signs above,


s: How stands his heart may well to thee appear,


s: If thou hast known the accidents of love;


s: And worse than every woe, wherewith whilere


s: The afflicted spirits of that husband strove,


s: "Now to support his wife, as best he may,


s: The altar, when he finds himself in need,


s: What gold and gems the judge had put away,


s: (A plenteous store) he leaves; and field and mead,


s: Rents, fruits, and all possessions whatsoe'er


s: Leaves to his consort; all his worldly gear:


s: " `With power,' he said, `not only without measure,


s: These, as thou needest, to enjoy and spend,


s: But do with them according to thy pleasure,


s: Consume and fling away, and give and vend:


s: But such as now remain; -- at thy command


s: (Even shouldst thou squander both) are house and land.'


s: "Unless she heard he thither made repair,


s: He prayed that she would dwell not in the town;


s: She might with all convenience live alone.


s: And this besought he of his consort fair,


s: As thinking, that the rustics, which on down


s: Pasture their flocks, or fruitful fallows till,


s: Could ne'er contaminate her honest will.


s: "Her fearful husband still embracing close,


s: For from her eyes two streams their way pursue.


s: She grieves, he guilty should his wife suppose;


s: For his suspicion to its source she traced;


s: That in her faith no faith Anselmo placed.


s: "Citing their long farewell, I should exceed.


s: `-- To thee at length,' he so the dame addrest,


s: Took leave, and on his road in earnest prest;


s: And truly felt, on wheeling round his steed,


s: As if his heart was issuing from his breast.


s: She follows him as long as she can follow


s: With eyes whose tears her furrowed visage hollow.


s: "Poor, pale, unshorn, and wretched (as whilere


s: To you in former strain by me was said),


s: Homeward meanwhile the wandering cavalier,


s: Hoping he there should be unknown, had made.


s: Beside the lake that pilgrim journeyed, near


s: The city, where he gave the serpent aid,


s: In that thick brake besieged by village swain,


s: Who with his staff the reptile would have slain.


s: For yet some stars were glimmering in the skies,


s: Approaching him, in foreign vesture dight,


s: Though neither squire nor waiting wench in sight


s: And then breaks silence in the following words.


s: I am thy kin, and greatly bound to thee:


s: Laid the first stone of this rude villagery;


s: And (as thou haply mayst have heard it famed)


s: Mantua from me the rising town was named.


s: " `O' the fairies am I one: with that to show


s: Our fatal state, and what it doth import;


s: Are subject by our natal influence, short


s: Of death; but with immortal being such woe


s: By certain law, the form of spotted snake.


s: " `So sad it is that loathsome coil to fill,


s: And prone, at length, upon the ground to crawl;


s: And thou the debt I owe thee (for my will


s: Shalt know as well; how on that fatal day


s: Of change we are to countless ills a prey.


s: " `So hated as the serpent beast is none;


s: For all that see us, hunt and do us harm:


s: Unless we can to ground for shelter run,


s: We feel how heavy falls man's furious arm.


s: Happier it were to die, than languish -- broke,


s: Battered, and crippled by the cruel stroke.


s: Is that, when once thou didst this greenwood thread,


s: By whose ill handling was I sore bested.


s: But for thine aid, I should not have got free,


s: Without a broken spine or battered head:


s: With body crooked and crushed I should have lain,


s: " `Because thou hast to know upon the day


s: We sprang from earth with scales of dragon dight,


s: -- Subject to us at other times -- to obey


s: The heavens refuse; and we are void of might:


s: The circling sun stands still, and dims its light:


s: Fixt earth is moved, and in a circle wheels:


s: Ice at our word takes fire, and fire congeals.


s: " `Now here, prepared to render thee the meed


s: Even now, thrice richer art thou by my deed,


s: Than when thou heirdst erewhile thy father's land:


s: Now will I that henceforth thou shalt be poor;


s: But wealth, the more 'tis spent, augment the more:


s: " `And because with that ancient knot thou still,


s: I know, art tangled, which by Love was tied,


s: The mode and order, how thou mayst fulfil


s: Now that her lord is absent, 'tis my will


s: My scheme without delay by thee be tried;


s: Without the town; nor will I say behind.'


s: "She her discourse continuing, 'gan advise


s: What form he to that lady's eyes should take:


s: I say, what vesture wear, and in what wise


s: Should speak, how tempt her; what entreaties make:


s: And said, how she her figure would disguise;


s: For, save the day wherein she was a snake,


s: "She in a pilgrim's habit clothed the knight,


s: Such as from door to door our alms entreat:


s: Into a dog she changed herself to sight;


s: The smallest ever seen, of aspect sweet,


s: Long hair, than ermine's fur more snowy white;


s: And skilled withal in many a wondrous feat.


s: The fairy and the knight their way pursued;


s: "And at the labourer's cabins in his round


s: The stripling halts, before he stops elsewhere;


s: And certain rustic reeds begins to sound;


s: The dame, that hears the voice and cry rebound,


s: Into her court she has the pilgrim brought,


s: Dance of our country and of foreign land,


s: With paces, graces, fashions of his own;


s: With winning ways what else is to be done,


s: With such attention of the admiring crew,


s: None winked their eyes, their breath they scarcely drew.


s: "Great marvel in the dame, then longing, bred


s: That gentle dog: she one that her had nursed


s: -- `If all the riches for which women thirst'


s: The wary pilgrim) `in my bags were pursued,


s: There is not in that treasure what would boot


s: "And he, the truth of his discourse to show,


s: The dog obeyed, and shook himself; and lo!


s: The treasure!  which he bade her have and hold:


s: Thereto he added, `Thinkest thou by ought


s: Now pearl, now ring will he shake from him, and


s: Now gift me with some rich and fair array.


s: But not for gold; for him no gold can pay;


s: But if I for one night her arms may fill,


s: Him may she take and do with him her will.'


s: "So said, a gem, new-dropt, on her he prest,


s: Ten, twenty ducats' value deemed the crone.


s: She bore the message to the dame addressed,


s: And after wrought on her till she was won


s: To buy the beauteous dog, who might be bought


s: By payment of a prize which costeth nought.


s: Partly that she her faith will not forego;


s: Partly that she believes not all she hears


s: That beldam of the dog and pilgrim show.


s: The nurse insists, and dins into her ears,


s: That dog, when fewer eyes on her shall be.


s: Doubloons, by dozens and by dozens, braid


s: So that Argia's pride of heart was laid;


s: And so much less the dame maintained her ground,


s: When she in him, who made the proffer, viewed


s: The prayer and presence of the suitor lord,


s: The occasion to acquire that mighty fee,


s: Which wretched Anselm's absence would afford,


s: The hope that none would her accuser be,


s: So vanquish her chaste thoughts, she makes the accord --


s: Accepts the wondrous dog; and, as his pay,


s: To her leman yields herself a willing prey.


s: The fruits of love long culled that cavalier


s: Took such affection, whom she held so dear,


s: That she obliged herself with her to stay.


s: Through all the signs the sun had travelled, ere


s: The judge had leave to wend his homeward way.


s: Through what the astrologer erewhile had said.


s: "Arrived, his first employment is to run


s: The heavens he figured; and to every one


s: Of the seven planets its due station gave;


s: Then to the judge replied that it had been


s: Even as he feared, and as it was foreseen.


s: Her faith, a prey was she to other wight.


s: This to the doctor's heart was such a blow;


s: Nor lance, nor spear, I deem, so sorely smite.


s: He is too well assured the seer is right)


s: To that old nurse; and, drawing her apart,


s: To learn the truth employs his every art.


s: "He in wide circles doth about her wind,


s: Hoping now here, now there, to spy some trace:


s: But nought in the beginning can he find,


s: For she, as not unpractised in that kind,


s: Denies, and fronts him with untroubled face;


s: And, as well taught, above a month stands out,


s: Holding the judge 'twixt certainty and doubt.


s: "How blest would doubt appear, had he that wound


s: Foreseen, which would be given by certainty!


s: When out of that false nurse at last he found


s: He could not fish the truth by prayer or fee,


s: Touching no chord but yielded a false sound,


s: He shrewdly waits his time till there should be


s: Discord between the beldam and his wife:


s: For whereso women are, is stir and strife.


s: Befell; since, angered by the first despite,


s: Unsought of him, to him that nurse did go,


s: To tell the whole; and nothing hid from sight.


s: How sank his heart beneath that cruel blow,


s: 'Twere long to say; how prostrate lay his sprite.


s: So was the wretched judge with grief opprest,


s: He of his wits well-nigh was dispossest;


s: His rage, but first would kill the faithless dame;


s: And he with one destructive faulchion yearned


s: To free himself from woe and her from shame.


s: Stung by such blind and furious thoughts, returned


s: And to the farm despatched a follower true,


s: Charged with the bidding he was bound to do.


s: Hence without waiting escort -- would she show


s: Her love -- she with his man must backward wend,


s: (Wend with him will she surely, nor delay)


s: And bids him cut her throat upon the way.


s: Prepared his lord's command on her to do.


s: She mounted and began her journey, through


s: For he had taken thought for her; and aid


s: Should in the time of peril be purveyed.


s: "The servant from his pathway turns aside,


s: And through bye-roads and solitary goes;


s: Purposely lighting on a stream, whose tide


s: A holt, and dark and dismal greenwood grows.


s: Silent appeared the gloomy place, and one


s: Fitting the cruel deed which should be done.


s: "He drew his sword on her, and signified


s: That so she might entreat, before she died,


s: Forgiveness of her every sin from Heaven.


s: I know not how; she vanished from his side,


s: When through her flank the blade he would have driven.


s: Vainly long time he seeks her, then remains


s: Foiled and outscorned, for guerdon of his pains.


s: "He all astound and with bewildered face,


s: And full of shame, to seek his lord returns;


s: Who from the servant that unwonted case,


s: Unweeting how the thing had happened, learns;


s: Because the nurse, that all the rest revealed


s: (I know not wherefore, I), had this concealed.


s: "He knows not what to do: the outrage sore


s: Avenged he has not, nor his pain allaid:


s: It prest him; on his heart so heavy weighed.


s: So plain is what was little known before,


s: He fears that it will shortly be displaid.


s: At first, he haply might have hid his woe;


s: Which Rumour now throughout the world will blow.


s: "Full well he wots, that since his evil vein


s: He to his wife, unhappy wretch!  hath shown,


s: She to some strong protector will have flown;


s: Of messengers, with letters far and nigh.


s: Nor town unsearched is left in Lombardy.


s: For learning where concealed his consort lay.


s: "The servant last he called on whom was laid


s: The ill hest, but who had served not his despite;


s: And thither by his guidance was conveyed,


s: Where (as 'twas said) she vanished from his sight;


s: Who haply lurked by day in greenwood-shade,


s: And to some friendly roof retired at night.


s: He thither guided, where but forest-trees


s: He thinks to find, a sumptuous palace sees.


s: "This while for bright Argia in that part


s: The fay had made with speedy toil prepare


s: So wonderful, no tongue could tell, no heart


s: Conceive, how rich within, without how fair:


s: That, which thou deemed so fair, my master's home,


s: "Curtain and cloth of arras deck the wall,


s: Sumptuously woven and in different wise,


s: In vaulted cellar and in littered stall;


s: Not only spread in lordly bower and hall.


s: Vase, gold and silver, gems of many dyes,


s: Carved into cup and charger, blue, red, green,


s: And countless cloths of silk and gold are seen.


s: As he beheld the dome with wondering eye,


s: Anselmo thought his intellects were gone:


s: That he was drunk, or dreamed that wondrous sight


s: He weened, of that his wits had taken flight.


s: With blubber lip and nostril, he descries.


s: Had seen a visage of such loathsome guise:


s: Ill-favoured -- such was Aesop feigned of yore:


s: If there, she would have saddened Paradise.


s: Nor half her hideousness have I exprest.


s: To tell who was that mansion's lord, drew nigh


s: And she: `The owner of this house am I.'


s: The judge was well assured the negress lied,


s: But with repeated oaths the negress swears;


s: 'Tis hers, and none with her the mansions shares;


s: "And would he see the palace, him invites


s: If there be ought within which him delights,


s: To take it for himself or for his friends.


s: Anselmo hears, and from his horse alights,


s: Gives it his man; and o'er the threshold wends;


s: And by the hag conducted, mounts from hall


s: "Form, site, and sumptuous work doth he behold,


s: And oft repeats, not all this wide world's gold


s: To buy the egregious mansion wound suffice.


s: 'And yet this dome, like others, hath its prize;


s: If not in gold and silver, price less high


s: Than gold and silver will the palace buy':


s: "And she to him prefers the same request,


s: Who for a boon so foul and filthy prayed.


s: Yet ceased she not, though more than thrice represt;


s: Proffering, for his reward, the palace still,


s: When in such sin her husband she descries,


s: Of doctor, that was deemed so passing wise,


s: Springs forth and saith: `Ah!  worthy deed!  which I


s: Found in such foul and filthy work, espy!'


s: Bethink thee, if his kindling blushes rise;


s: If he stands mute!  why opens not thy hollow


s: And central womb, O earth, the wretch to swallow?


s: "To clear herself and shame him, doth she stun


s: `What pain should by thyself be undergone


s: If thou would'st take my life for having done


s: What Nature prompted and a lover prayed;


s: One that was fair and gentle, and who brought


s: A gift, compared wherewith, this dome is nought?


s: " `If worthy of one death thou deemest me,


s: Worthy art thou a hundred deaths to die:


s: And, though my pleasure might I do on thee,


s: No other or worse vengeance done shall be


s: The give against the take, O husband, place;


s: And, as 'twas granted thee, so grant me grace:


s: " `And be there peace between us, and accord


s: Nor thee I of thy fault by deed or word,


s: Nor me of mine, henceforward thou remind!'


s: This seemed a goodly bargain to her lord;


s: Thus peace and concord they at home restore,


s: Of laughter in Montalban's master stirred;


s: And made his visage burn, as if 'twas lit


s: With fire, when of Anselmo's shame he heard.


s: Who by such quaint device had trapped that bird;


s: Herself erewhile had fallen, but with less shame.


s: When the sun climbed a steeper road, the knight


s: Ordered the board with food to be supplied,


s: Which the good Mantuan landlord overnight


s: Took care with largest plenty to provide;


s: While the fair town, upon the left, from sight


s: Retired, and on the right that marish wide.


s: Argenta is come and gone, with circling walls


s: And stream into whose bed Santerno falls.


s: Which little cause of boast affords to Spain


s: (That there her banner has been raised on high),


s: Thence in strait line their bark, that seems to fly,


s: To the right shore the boatmen drive amain:


s: Next through a stagnant channel make, that near


s: Though oft of money he had small supply,


s: Then was the knight so well bested, he made


s: A parting present, ere farewell was said.


s: Here changing horse and guide, to Rimini


s: And well nigh reached Urbino with the sun.


s: Then Frederick was not there of gentle lore,


s: Who would in courteous, not in haughty mood,


s: Than one short eye, with them to make abode;


s: By dames and cavaliers who pass that way.


s: Since here none takes his rein, Rinaldo bends


s: His course an-end to Cagli; o'er the height,


s: Umbri and Tuscans; and at Rome descends.


s: From Rome to Ostia goes Montalban's knight:


s: Thence to the city sails; wherein a grave


s: There changes back; and thence in haste he goes


s: That place of combat chosen by the foes,


s: And where they had encountered Frank and Moor.


s: That do what can be done by sail and oar.


s: But with ill wind and strong the warrior strives;


s: And, though by little, there too late arrives.


s: Thither he came what time Anglante's peer


s: The useful and the glorious deed had done;


s: Had slain those paynim kings in the career,


s: Dangerously hurt and sore, sate woe-begone,


s: Martyred and crippled by his cruel wound.


s: From tears could not the mournful Count refrain,


s: When brave Rinaldo he embraced, and said,


s: Such love, such faith endeared the warrior dead.


s: Nor less Rinaldo's tears his visage stain


s: When he so cleft beholds their comrade's head.


s: He sits with wounded foot, he makes repair.


s: All comfort that he could he gave; though none


s: Because he came but when the feast was done;


s: The servants wend to the demolished town,


s: There hide the bones of either paynim lord


s: Beneath Biserta's ruined domes, and nigh


s: At the fair conquest won by Roland's blade,


s: Yet other mirth whose warriors would have made


s: Had Brandimart not perished; when they hear


s: That he is dead, their joy is so allayed


s: They can no more the troubled visage clear.


s: Which of them now the tidings of such woe


s: Flordelice dreamed the vest of sable grain


s: That she had made, her husband to array,


s: And woven with her hand and worked with pain,


s: With ruddy drops, in guise of pattering rain.


s: That she had worked it so the lady thought;


s: And then was grieved at seeing what was wrought.


s: And seemed to say, "Yet from my lord have I


s: Now wherefore it is stained with other dye


s: Against his will, in mode so strange to view?"


s: And thither on that eve the tidings flew:


s: But these concealed Astolpho from the dame


s: When they are entered, and she sees no show


s: Of joyful triumphs, she, without a word,


s: Knows that no longer living is her lord.


s: With that her gentle heart was riven so,


s: And so her harassed eyes the light abhorred,


s: That, like one dead, she sank upon the ground.


s: She in her hair, when life returns again,


s: Fastens her hand; and on her lovely cheeks,


s: With all her force her scorn and fury wreaks;


s: Uproots and tears, her locks, and in her pain


s: Like woman, smit by evil demon, shrieks,


s: Or, as Bacchante at the horn's rude sound,


s: Erewhile was seen to run her restless round.


s: Now to the one, to the other now her prayer


s: She made for knife, wherewith her heart to smite;


s: That brought the corse of either paynim knight,


s: And would on either, lifeless as they were,


s: Do cruel scathe, and vent her fierce despite.


s: Now would she seek her lord, till at his side


s: She rested from her weary search, and died.


s: "Ah!  wherefore, Brandimart, did I let thee


s: But Flordelice aye followed thee," she cries:


s: "Well aided mightest thou have been by me;


s: For I on thee should still have kept my eyes;


s: Thee might have succoured with a single cry;


s: Between you, that the stroke I might have caught,


s: And with my head, as with a buckler, stayed:


s: For little ill my dying would have wrought.


s: Anyhow I shall die; and -- that debt paid --


s: When, had I died, defending thee in strife,


s: I could not better have bestowed my life.


s: And all heaven's host, when thee I sought to aid,


s: At least my tears had bathed thy visage, I


s: Should the last kiss thereon, at least, have laid;


s: Thy spirit mixt, `Depart' -- I should have said --


s: `In peace, and wait me in thy rest; for there,


s: Where'er thou art, I swiftly shall repair.'


s: "Is this, O Brandimart, is this the reign,


s: Whose honoured sceptre thou wast now to take?


s: With thee to Dommogire, thy fair domain,


s: Thus went I; me thus welcome dost thou make?


s: Alas!  what hope to-day thou renderest vain!


s: Ah!  what designs, fell Fortune, dost thou break!


s: Ah!  wherefore fear I, since a lot so blest,


s: Is lost, to lose as well the worthless rest?"


s: Repeating this and other plaint, so spite


s: Made new assault upon her tresses bright,


s: Wildly her hands together doth she smite,


s: And gnaw; with nails her lip and bosom tear.


s: While she bemoans herself and melts in tears.


s: Such leech's care, his anguish to allay;


s: And who, himself, some worthy place desires


s: Steers for the lofty mountain, that with fires


s: Brightens the night, with smoke obscures the day.


s: The wind blows fair, and on the starboard hand,


s: Not widely distant from them, lies that land.


s: With a fresh wind, that in their favour blows,


s: They loose their hawser at the close of day:


s: In heaven above the silent goddess shows


s: Her shining horn, to guide them on their way;


s: And on the following morn before them rose


s: The pleasant shores that round Girgenti lay.


s: Here Roland orders for the ensuing night


s: All that is needful for the funeral rite.


s: And now the westering sun's fair light was spent.


s: With many nobles, who from neighbouring town,


s: -- The shore with torches blazing up and down,


s: And sounding wide with cries and loud lament, --


s: Thither returned where late, of life bereft,


s: His friends, beloved in life and death, was left.


s: There stands Bardino, weeping o'er the bier,


s: Who, in the tears on shipboard shed whilere.


s: Might well have wept away his eyes and brows:


s: Upbraiding skies and stars, the cavalier,


s: Like lion, in whose veins a fever glows,


s: Roars as he wreathes his wayward hands within


s: His hoary hair, and rends his wrinkled skin.


s: Orlando to the corse approached more nigh,


s: And speechless stood awhile, his friends to view,


s: Or lily's, which were plucked at morn: he drew


s: Fixing his stedfast eyes, the County said:


s: "O comrade bold and true, there here liest slain,


s: And who dost live in heaven above, I know,


s: Rewarded with a life, thy glorious gain,


s: Which neither heat nor cold can take, my woe


s: And not to share in such delights with thee;


s: Not that thou art not left behind with me.


s: "Alone, without thee, there is nought I may


s: Ever possess, without thee, that can please.


s: If still with thee in tempest and affray,


s: Ah wherefore not with thee in calm and ease?


s: Right sore must be my trespass, since this clay


s: Will not to follow thee my soul release.


s: If in thy troubles still I bore a burden,


s: "Thine is the guerdon; mine the loss; thy gain


s: How will my lord and uncle, Charlemagne,


s: How will the Christian church and empire moan,


s: Whose best defence in thee is overthrown!


s: "Oh!  how thy foes will by the death of thee


s: Be freed henceforward from alarm and fear!


s: Alas!  how strengthened paynimry will be!


s: What hardiment will now be theirs!  what cheer!


s: Even here her mourning, and her outcries hear.


s: In that, through me, her every hope lies low.


s: "Yet by one comfort, Flordelice, is followed