s: That her, by night or day, may bravely stead.


s: The king's physician in his art best read;


s: Who, having seen the fruits of that fell strife,


s: The wounded warrior in his tent, and there


s: Him with such love he watches, with such care:


s: To his bed the Tartar's arms and buckler gay,


s: So bade the Moorish king, suspended were;


s: Suspended all, save trenchant Durindana,


s: Was to Rogero given, and given with these


s: Was warlike Brigliador, whom on the mead


s: Orlando left, distraught with his disease.


s: Well knowing how that goodly gift would please.


s: No more of this: parforce my strain returns


s: While for the courier damsel she did stay:


s: With tidings of her love to Alban's Mount,


s: And how the Child, in rescue of the steed,


s: Had gone with her to find the paynim rude;


s: And weened to have chastized his foul misdeed,


s: And how the youth's design did ill succeed,


s: The reason too why to Mount Alban's hold


s: She after drew the letter from her breast,


s: Wherewith entrusted she had thither sped:


s: With visage which more care than hope confest,


s: Which, but that she expected to have seen


s: Rogero's self, more welcome would have been.


s: To find herself with written scroll appaid


s: In good Rogero's place, whom she attends,


s: Marred her fair visage; which such fear pourtrayed,


s: Ten times the page she kisses, while the maid


s: As oft to him who writes her heart commends:


s: The tears alone which trickle from her eyes


s: Keep it from kindling at her burning sighs.


s: Four times, nay six, she that epistle read,


s: The message by that damsel should be said,


s: Who word and letter to Mount Alban bore.


s: This while unceasing tears the lady shed,


s: Nor, I believe, would ever have given o'er,


s: Save by the hope consoled, that she anew


s: Rogero's word was pledged for his return


s: When fifteen days or twenty were gone by:


s: "From accidents that chance at every turn"


s: (Cried Bradamant) "what warranty have I,


s: Alas! -- and such are commonest in war --


s: That none the knight's return for ever bar?


s: Who would have thought thou more than me could'st love


s: And harm'st where thou should'st help; nor do I see


s: If thou as worthy praise or blame regard


s: "I know not if thou knowest -- the stones know --


s: Thou would'st defend, and keep from harm or stain


s: Such vengeance upon him do'st thou bestow?


s: And do his vengers, as their meed obtain,


s: That I, descended of his stock, should be


s: The lady these sad words, and more beside,


s: The stripling would observe his faith, and prayed


s: Her -- who could do no better -- to abide


s: The Child's arrival till the time came round


s: The comfort that Hippalca's words convey,


s: And Hope, companion of the loving train,


s: That she enjoys some respite from her pain:


s: This moves her in Mount Alban's keep to stay;


s: Until the day, that day the youthful knight


s: Had fixt, who ill observed his promise plight.


s: But in that he his promise ill maintained,


s: Him one or other cause so long detained,


s: The appointed time parforce he overpast:


s: On a sick bed, long time, he, sorely pained,


s: Was laid, wherein a month or more he past


s: In doubt of death; so deeply him had gored


s: Erewhile in fight the Tartar monarch's sword.


s: Him on the day prefixed the maid attended,


s: Nor other tidings of the youth had read,


s: But those he through Hippalca had commended,


s: And freed the captive pair to prison led.


s: The tidings, overjoyed, she hears repeat;


s: Yet blended with some bitter is the sweet.


s: For she had heard as well in that discourse,


s: For might and beauty voiced, Marphisa's praise;


s: Heard, how Rogero thither bends his course,


s: Where in weak post and with unequal force


s: But neither likes that union nor applauds.


s: Nor light suspicion has she of that queen:


s: For, were Marphisa beauteous, as was said,


s: And they together till that time had been,


s: 'T were marvel but Rogero loved the maid:


s: Yet would she not believe; but hung between


s: Her hopes and fears, and in Mount Alban stayed;


s: And close and anxious there, until the day


s: Which was to bring her joy or sorrow, lay.


s: This while Mount Alban's prince and castellain,


s: Rinaldo, first of that fair brotherhood,


s: -- I say in honour, not in age, for twain


s: In right of birth before the warrior stood,


s: Who -- as the sun illumes the starry train --


s: Had by his deeds ennobled Aymon's blood,


s: One day at noon, with none beside a page


s: To serve him, reached that famous fortilage.


s: From Brava, (whither had he often fared,


s: He of that pair those evil news had heard.


s: And hence to Agrismont his way had bent.


s: There, hearing of the safety of that pair,


s: His valiant brethren and his cousins are


s: Returned, and harboured in Mount Alban's hall,


s: Until he there embrace the friendly throng


s: Each hour appears to him a twelvemonth long.


s: And, there embracing wife and children dear,


s: Mother and brethren and the cousins twain,


s: (They who were captives to their foe whilere)


s: A parent swallow seems, amid that train,


s: Which, with full beak, its fasting youth doth cheer.


s: With them a day or more the warrior stayed,


s: Then issued forth and others thence conveyed.


s: Guichard, Duke Aymon's eldest born, and they,


s: Richard, Alardo, and Richardet' combined,


s: Which she, in her desire, too slow opined,


s: Feigned herself ailing to the brethren true,


s: Nor would she join in arms the banded crew;


s: And, saying that she ailed, most truly said;


s: Yet 'twas not corporal pain or fever sore,


s: It was Desire that on her spirit preyed,


s: Diseased with Love's disastrous fit: no more


s: With him his kinsman's flower the warrior bore.


s: How he for Paris journeyed, and how well


s: He succoured Charles, shall other canto tell.


s: Rinaldo and Dudon fight; then friendship make,


s: Agramant's host the united champions break,


s: And scatter it, like chaff, in disarray.


s: Brandimart wages war, for Roland's sake,


s: This while, for good Baiardo, with more pain,


s: What sweeter, gladder, state could be possest


s: Than falls to the enamoured bosom's share?


s: What happier mode of life, what lot more blest,


s: Than evermore the chains of love to wear?


s: Were not the lover, 'mid his joys, distrest


s: By that suspicious fear, that cruel care,


s: That martyrdom, which racks the suffering sprite,


s: That phrensied rage, which jealousy is hight.


s: Before enjoyment of this choicest sweet,


s: And takes a finer edge; to drink and eat,


s: Hunger and thirst the palate so dispose,


s: And flavour more our beverage and our meat.


s: Feebly that wight can estimate the charms


s: Of peace, who never knew the pain of arms.


s: That which the heart aye sees, though undiscerned


s: To him long absent, to his love returned,


s: Service may be endured, though nought is earned,


s: So that the hope of guerdon does not cease.


s: Scorn, and repulse, and finally each pain


s: Delights with greater rapture, when they come.


s: But if weak mind be poisoned by that bane,


s: That filthy pest, conceived in Stygian home,


s: Though joy ensue, with all its festive pleasures,


s: The wretched lover ill his comfort measures.


s: Where neither salve nor portion soothes the smart;


s: Nor figure made by witch, nor murmured sound;


s: Nor star benign observed in friendly part;


s: Fell wound, which, more than every other woe,


s: Makes wretched man despair, and lays him low!


s: Inflicted with such ease on lover's breast,


s: No less by false suspicion than by sure!


s: O wound!  whose pangs so wofully molest,


s: And from it natural bent our judgment wrest:


s: Wound, which against all reason didst destroy


s: I speak not of what fatal mischief wrought


s: Hippalca's and the brother's bitter blow;


s: I speak of fell and cruel tidings brought


s: Some few days after; for the former woe,


s: Weighed with this other, was a thing of nought:


s: But first Rinaldo's feats I must declare,


s: Who with his troop to Paris made repair.


s: Towards evening, with a lady by his side;


s: Sable his shield, and sable was his gear,


s: Whose ground a bar of silver did divide.


s: As foremost, and of seeming force, the peer,


s: He, prompt for battle, wheeled his courser round,


s: And for the tourney took sufficient ground.


s: Between those knights no further parley past:


s: Without more question, charged the martial two.


s: Rinaldo with the friendly troop stood fast,


s: And looked to see what issue would ensue.


s: "Him from his saddle will I quickly cast,


s: If firm the footing, and mine arm prove true";


s: Him underneath the vizor's sight offends


s: The stranger champion, of the sable weed,


s: With force so fell, that he the youth extends


s: Above two lances' length beyond his steed.


s: Quickly to venge the knight Alardo wends,


s: But falls himself astounded on the mead;


s: Sore handled, and unhorsed by such a stroke,


s: His buckler in the cruel shock is broke.


s: His lance Guichardo levelled, when he spied


s: Outstretched upon the field, the brethren two;


s: Although "Halt, halt," (renowned Rinaldo cried,)


s: "For this third course to me is justly due":


s: He kept his seat no better than the twain;


s: Forthwith, like them, extended on the plain.


s: All to be foremost in the joust contend,


s: But to their strife Rinaldo puts an end;


s: He shows himself in arms before the train,


s: Saying, " 'Tis time that we to Paris wend;


s: For us too long the tourney will detain,


s: If I expect till each his course has run,


s: So spake the knight, yet spake not in a tone


s: Who thus foul scorn would to the rest have done.


s: Both now had wheeled, and fierce encounter made.


s: Who all the banded kinsmen much outweighed;


s: Their spears like brittle glass to pieces went,


s: But not an inch the champions backward bent.


s: The chargers such a rough encounter made,


s: That on his crupper sank each staggering horse:


s: Rinaldo's rose so quick, he might be said


s: The stranger's broke his spine and shoulder-blade;


s: That other shocked him with such desperate force.


s: When his lord sees him slain, he leaves his seat,


s: And in an instant springs upon his feet;


s: And to his foe, that having wheeled anew,


s: Approached with hand unarmed, the warrior cried:


s: "Sir, to the goodly courser whom ye slew,


s: Because, whenas he lived, he was my pride,


s: If thus unvenged by my good arm he died;


s: For we parforce must meet in new assay."


s: Have to contend in fight, and nought beside,


s: Take comfort, for I ween that with no worse


s: Thou, in his place, by me shalt be supplied."


s: -- "Thou errest if thou deem'st his loss the source


s: Of my regret" (the stranger knight replied);


s: "But I, since thou divinest not my speech,


s: To thee my meaning will more plainly teach.


s: "I should esteem it were a foul misdeed,


s: Unless I proved thee also with the brand.


s: Better or worse than me, would understand:


s: Then, as it please, afoot or on thy steed,


s: Such my desire to try thee with the sword!"


s: Not long Rinaldo paused: he cried, "I plight


s: My promise not to balk thee of the fray;


s: And, for I deem thou art a valiant knight,


s: And lest thou umbrage take at mine array,


s: These shall go on before, nor other wight,


s: Beside a page, to hold my horse, shall stay."


s: So spake Mount Alban's lord; and to his band,


s: To wend their way the warrior gave command.


s: To that king paladin with praise replied


s: The stranger peer; alighting on the plain,


s: Consigned the goodly steed Baiardo's rein,


s: Now widely distant with the warrior's train,


s: His buckler braced, his biting faulchion drew,


s: And to the field defied the knight anew.


s: And now each other they in fight assail:


s: Long, in that fierce debate, against his blow:


s: But when they knew, well neighed in doubtful scale,


s: That they were fitly matched, for weal or woe,


s: They laid their fury and their pride apart,


s: And for their vantage practised every art.


s: Their cruel and despiteous blows resound,


s: Re-echoing wide, what time the valiant twain


s: With cantlets of their shields now strew the ground,


s: Now with their faulchions sever plate and chain.


s: Yet more behoves to parry than to wound,


s: If either knight his footing would maintain;


s: For the first fault in fence, by either made,


s: One hour and more than half another, stood


s: The knights in battle; and the golden sun


s: And the horizon veiled with darkness dun:


s: Had been, since that despiteous fight begun,


s: 'Twixt these, whom neither ire nor rancour warms,


s: But simple thirst of fame excites to arms.


s: Who was the stranger knight, so passing stout;


s: That not alone him bravely had gainsaid,


s: And has so harassed with his furious blade,


s: -- He that the strife was ended would be fain,


s: So that his knightly honour took no stain.


s: The stranger knight, upon the other side,


s: Nor in that lord Mount Alban's chief descried,


s: In warfare so renowned all countries through.


s: And upon whom, with such small cause defied,


s: He was assured he could not have in fight


s: He undertook to venge his courser's fall;


s: And, could he, without blame, a mean devise,


s: Would fain withdraw from that disastrous brawl.


s: Their cruel strokes well nigh fell harmless all.


s: Both blindly strike; more blindly yet those lords


s: Parry the stroke, who scarce discern their swords.


s: They should not combat darkling, on the plain;


s: But should their duel till such time delay


s: As slow Arcturus should have turned his wain.


s: (And adds,) as safely as himself might stay


s: As duly tended, honoured, and well seen,


s: He courteously accepts him for his host;


s: Where lies Mount Alban's troop in chosen post.


s: From his attendant squire a goodly steed,


s: With sumptuous housings gorgeously embossed,


s: Rinaldo takes, with tempered sword and spear,


s: For Montalbano's lord the stranger guest,


s: The baron recognised, with whom he came;


s: Because, before they reached their place of rest,


s: The paladin had chanced himself to name;


s: And (for they brethren were) with love opprest,


s: And touched with kind affection, at his heart,


s: From his full eyes the tears of pleasure start.


s: Who, with Marphisa leagued, the martial maid,


s: Long sailed the sea, as I erewhile have said;


s: From earlier meeting with his kindred dear


s: Seized by that traitor, and by him detained,


s: To enforce the wicked law he had ordained.


s: Rinaldo, famed above each famous knight,


s: Whom he had burned with more desire to see


s: Than ever blindman covets the lost light,


s: In rapture cries, "What fortune tempted me


s: With you, my lord, to strive in deadly fight,


s: Whom long I have beloved, and love, whose worth


s: "Me on the distant bank of Euxine's flood


s: Conceived of the illustrious seed and good


s: And, where to honour you I had in thought,


s: I see my coming has but mischief wrought.


s: "But that I neither ye nor the others knew,


s: Whate'er thou wilt, nor ought will I refuse."


s: When, on this part and that, between the two,


s: Of interchanged embraces there was truce,


s: "Take you no farther thought upon your side


s: Than the tried valour which in you we see;


s: We ill should have believed your ancestry:


s: Since neither lion from the doe proceeds,


s: Nor fearful pigeon, hawk or eagle breeds."


s: While neither they through talk their journey stay,


s: Neither through speed abate their talk, those two


s: Reached the pavilions where the kinsmen lay:


s: Much pleased the friendly troop; and, at his sight


s: All like his father deemed the stranger knight.


s: I will not tell what welcome to the peer


s: Made Richardet, Alardo, and those twain;


s: And gallant Vivian, of that kindred train;


s: What Guido spake, what they replied again:


s: Ever, I deem, good Guido would have been


s: Dear to his brethren bold; but welcomed more


s: Was now the valiant knight, and better seen


s: When the sun, garlanded with radiance sheen,


s: Upraised his visage from the watery floor,


s: Beneath Rinaldo's banner took their stand.


s: That they to Paris' leaguered gates are nigh,


s: Scarce ten miles distant, on the banks of Seine;


s: When, as good Fortune wills it, they descry


s: Gryphon and Aquilant, the two that stain


s: Their virtuous armour with a different dye;


s: Sable was Aquilant's, white Gryphon's, weed;


s: The vesture edged about with list of gold:


s: Graceful and fair; although she was dismaid,


s: And down her visage tears of sorrow rolled;


s: Who with such mien and act her speech enforced,


s: It seemed of some high matter she discoursed.


s: He with the pair had been few days before;


s: And to Rinaldo: "Behold those!  whom few


s: And if they join your banner, against you


s: Feebly will stand the squadrons of the Moor."


s: Rinaldo vouched what valiant Guido told,


s: Nor them he less had recognized at sight;


s: Because (such was the usage of the pair)


s: One by a vest all black, and one all white,


s: He knows, and by the ornaments they wear.


s: The brethren know as well Mount Alban's knight,


s: And give the warlike kinsmen welcome fair:


s: And of their ancient quarrel make an end.


s: They -- erst at feud and with sore hate possest,


s: Through Truffaldino -- (which were long to say)


s: Who somewhat later joined that fair array;


s: And (knowing well his force and mighty thew)


s: When she, that gentle damsel, now more near,


s: Beholds renowned Rinaldo, him she knows,


s: She news which sorely grieve the warrior shows;


s: And thus begin: "My lord, your cousin dear,


s: To whom its safety Church and Empire owes,


s: Roland, erewhile so honoured and so sage,


s: Now roves the world, possest with frantic rage.


s: "Whence woe, so direful and so strange, ensued


s: I saw on earth his sword and armour strewed,


s: Doffed by that peer, and scattered far and wide;


s: And I a pious knight and courteous viewed


s: "But from the trophied stem the sword withdrew


s: Thou mayst conceive what mischief may ensue


s: To Charles and to the christened host's array,


s: The infidels that goodly blade should sway.


s: Good Brigliador as well, who roved, forsaken,


s: About those arms, was by the paynim taken.


s: "Few days are past, since I in shameful wise


s: Sending forth piteous shrieks and fearful cries.


s: Nor this had I believed, save with these eyes


s: That strange and cruel wonder I had viewed."


s: She added next, how from the bridge's top,


s: I tell my tale," (pursued the dame again,)


s: "That, of the crowd who hear this cruel woe


s: Or other friendly place, to purge his brain.


s: Nought unattempted Brandimart will leave."


s: Fair Flordelice was she, the stranger dame;


s: That his own self to Brandimart more dear:


s: How hate and strife were blown into a flame


s: For Roland's faulchion; fierce Gradasso's prey,


s: By accident, so strange and sad, distrust,


s: Rinaldo is distraught with ceaseless woe:


s: He feels his heart dissolve within his breast,


s: As in the sun dissolves the flake of snow;


s: And, with unchanged resolve, upon the quest


s: Some means of cure for his distempered mind.


s: But since his band already had he dight,


s: (Did him the hand of Heaven or Fortune sway)


s: And raise the siege of Paris, will assay.


s: But (for it promised vantage) he till night


s: The assault of their cantonments will delay,


s: Till the third watch or fourth, when heavy sleep


s: Their senses shall in Lethe's water steep.


s: His squadron in the wood he placed, and there,


s: Ambushed, he made them lie the daylight through;


s: But when the sun, leaving this nether air


s: In darkness, to his ancient nurse withdrew;


s: And fangless serpent now, and goat, and bear,


s: With other beasts, adorned the heavens anew,


s: Which by the greater blaze had been concealed,


s: Gryphon, Alardo, and Vivian of his race,


s: Without word spoken, and with stealthy pace.


s: The Moorish guard they find with sleep opprest:


s: They slaughter all, nor grant one paynim grace;


s: And, ere they were by others seen or heard,


s: Into their midmost camp the squadron spurred.


s: At the first charge on that unchristened band,


s: Their guard and sentries, taken by surprise,


s: No wight is left, save he who slaughtered lies.


s: Their first post forced, the paynims understand


s: No laughing matter is the lord's emprize;


s: For. sleeping and dismaid, their naked swarms


s: Make small resistance to such warriors' arms.


s: To strike more dread into the Moorish foe,


s: Mount Alban's champion, leading the assault,


s: Bade beat his drums and bade his bugles blow,


s: And with loud echoing cries his name exalt.


s: He clears the lofty barriers at a vault,


s: Trampling down foot, o'erturning cavalier,


s: And scatters booth and tent in his career.


s: But what his stiffened hair stands up on end,


s: From earth into the starry vault ascend.


s: Him the twin hosts of Spain and Afric fly,


s: Who will not wait that deadly fury more,


s: Which to have proved so deeply irks them sore.


s: Guido succeeds; no less their foe pursue,


s: Sansonet's sword and horse a pathway clear;


s: And well is proved upon that paynim crew


s: Thus each bestirs himself like valorous knight,


s: Who follows Clermont's banner to the fight.


s: Seven hundred men with good Rinaldo speed,


s: Drawn from Mount Alban and the townships nigh


s: -- No fiercer erst obeyed Achilles' lead --


s: So stout each warrior is, so good at need,


s: A hundred would not from a thousand fly;


s: Many amid that squadron couch their spears.


s: From rents or cities, which his rule obey,


s: So these he bound by words and courtesies,


s: Save pressing need demands their aid elsewhere.


s: Them now in succour of King Charles he stirred,


s: Among the Africans that squadron spurred,


s: That squadron, of whose doughty feats I tell,


s: That feeds on Cinyphus's barbarous bank.


s: Tidings to Charles Rinaldo had conveyed,


s: That he for Paris with his squadron steers,


s: To assail, by night, the paynims ill purveyed;


s: He, when his help is needed, comes in aid,


s: With all his peerage, and, beside his peers,


s: Of Flordelice the lover chaste and true;


s: Whom by such long and by such tedious way


s: She sought throughout the realm of France in vain;


s: Here by the cognizance, his old display,


s: Afar, by her distinguished from the train.


s: At the first sight of her he quits the fray,


s: And wears a semblance loving and humane.


s: He clipt her round with many a fond caress,


s: And kissed a thousand times, or little less.


s: They trusted much, that, in their wandering vein,


s: Through foreign countries and by hill and plain;


s: Whom they returning hold for fair and sage,


s: Here Brandimart by Flordelice was taught


s: How Roland wandered, of his wits distraught.


s: Had he such strange and evil tidings heard


s: From other lips, he scarce had these believed:


s: From whom more wondrous things he had received,


s: Nor this, as told by other, she averred;


s: This had she seen, and ill could be deceived;


s: And both the when and where that damsel shows.


s: She tells him how the perilous bridge's floor


s: His prisoners' ravished arms and vest suspends;


s: Do fearful deeds, and her relation ends,


s: Describing how the paynim fell reversed,


s: To his great peril, in the stream immersed.


s: Brandimart, who the Country loves as dear


s: As man can love a brother, friend, or son,


s: Nor pain nor peril in the adventure shun,


s: Till something for the comfort of that peer


s: Armed as he is, leaps lightly on his steed,


s: And takes his way beneath the lady's lead.


s: They daily post till to that bridge they ride,


s: Which Argier's king maintained, in arms arraid,


s: To him the guard their coming signified;


s: Courser and arms his squires as well conveyed;


s: Than Rodomont is armed and at his stand.


s: With lofty voice the sovereign of Argier,


s: Assorting with his moody rage, 'gan say:


s: " -- Whoe'er thou art, sir knight, and whencesoe'er --


s: Brought by mistake of purpose or of way,


s: Light from thine horse and doff thy warlike gear,


s: To deck this sepulchre, ere thee I slay,


s: An offering to its lovely tenant's spirit;


s: And thou in thy forced homage have no merit."


s: Brandimart, at the paynim's proud discourse,


s: His weapon in the rest, for answer, layed;


s: He good Batoldo spurred, his gentle horse,


s: And at the champion with such fury made,


s: As showed that he, for courage and for force,


s: With any warrior in the world had weighed.


s: King Rodomont as well, with rested spear,


s: Thundered along the bridge, in fierce career.


s: Upon that bridge's fearful pass, where one


s: Fell prone parforce into the stream below,


s: While, trembling, and irresolute in show,


s: That other to the unwonted course is gone.


s: Quivers the bridge beneath, as it would sink:


s: Narrow that passage is, unfenced the brink!


s: With heavy spears, the growth of forest hoar,


s: Saplings rough-hewn, those masters of the just,


s: Upon the perilous bridge encountering sore,


s: Exchange, on either side, no gentle thrust.


s: Nor much their mighty strength or manege-lore


s: Avails the steeds; for, prostrate in the dust,


s: Crumbles each knight and charger in mid-course;


s: Whelmed in one fate, the rider and his horse.


s: When either steed would nimbly spring from ground,


s: As the spur galled and gored his bleeding flank,


s: He on that little bridge no footing found;


s: Hence both fall headlong, and the deafening sound


s: So rang our stream, when from the heavenly sphere


s: Was hurled the sun's ill-fated charioteer.


s: With all their weight, down hurtled from the steep,


s: Coursers and cavaliers, who sate them well;


s: And dived into the river's darksome deep,


s: To search for beauteous nymph in secret cell.


s: Nor this the first nor yet the second leap


s: Which from the bridge had made that infidel!


s: Well in the soundings of that stream was read.


s: He where 'tis hand and where 'tis softer knows,


s: Where shallow is the water, where profound:


s: With breast and flanks above the waves he rose,


s: And Brandimart assailed on safer ground.


s: Brandimart, whirling with the current, goes,


s: While his steed's feet the faithless bottom pound.


s: He, with his lord, stands rooted in the mud,


s: With risk to both of drowning in the flood.


s: Whelming them upside-down, the waters flow,


s: And plunge them in the river's deepest bed;


s: The horse is uppermost, the knight below.


s: From the bridge looks his lady, sore bested,


s: And tear employs, and prayer, and suppliant vow:


s: -- "Ah, Rodomont!  for love of her, whom dead


s: Ye worship, do not deed of such despite!


s: Permit not, sir, the death of such a knight.


s: "Ah!  courteous lord!  if e'er you loved withal,


s: Let it suffice that he become thy thrall!


s: For if thou on this stone suspend his gear,


s: The best and worthiest will his spoils appear."


s: She ended, and her prayer so well addrest,


s: It touched, though hard to move, the paynim's breast.


s: Moved by her words, he lent her lover aid,


s: So by his courser in the stream immersed;


s: And largely drank, albeit with little thirst.


s: And seized the warrior's sword and helmet first.


s: Him half exhausted from the stream he drew,


s: And prisoned with that other captive crew.


s: Although to see him captive more content,


s: None but herself she blames for the event,


s: Who thitherward had been the champion's guide,


s: She having to that faithful warrior shown,


s: How at the bridge Orlando she had known.


s: Who, if no stronger than her baffled knight,


s: With better fortune may maintain the fight.


s: For many days the damsel vainly strayed,


s: Semblance of knight, that might afford her aid,


s: And free her prisoned lover from the Moor;


s: After she long and fruitless search had made,


s: At length a warrior crost her way, that wore


s: With trunks of cypresses was broidered round.


s: Who was that champion, shall be said elsewhere;


s: To count the flyers were a useless care,


s: Or many drowned in Stygian streams below.


s: The darkness rendered Turpin's labour vain,


s: Who tasked himself to tell the pagans slain.


s: From his first sleep awakened by a knight:


s: He that the king will be a prisoner cries,


s: Save he with speed betake himself to flight,


s: His paynim bands dispersed in panic fright.


s: Naked, they far and near desert the field;


s: Nay, never halt to snatch the covering shield.


s: Uncounselled and confused, the king arrayed


s: His naked limbs in knightly plate and chain,


s: When thither Falsiron, the Spaniard, made


s: They to the Moorish king the risk displayed


s: And vouched if thence he should in safety fare,


s: He well might thank propitious Fortune's care.


s: Express; so, one and all, the friendly band;


s: They warn him that Destruction is as near


s: As swift Mount Alban's lord is nigh at hand.


s: And such a troop, he seeks to make a stand,


s: He and his friends in that disastrous strife


s: But he to Arles and Narbonne may retreat,


s: With such few squadrons as his rule obey:


s: Since either is well fortified, and meet


s: His troops may rally quickly in that post,


s: And rout in fine King Charles' conquering host.


s: Though that hard counsel he could ill endure;


s: As if supplied with wings, towards Arles he went,


s: By roads which offered passage most secure.


s: Beside safe guides, much favoured his intent


s: His setting out, when all things were obscure.


s: Scaping the toils by good Rinaldo spread,


s: Some twenty thousand of the paynims fled.


s: Those whom Rinaldo, whom his brethren slew,


s: Whom Oliviero's sons, the valiant twain,


s: Those who were slaughtered by Mount Alban's crew,


s: -- The fierce seven hundred, good Rinaldo's train --


s: Those whom the valiant Sansonet o'erthrew,


s: And those that in their flight were drowned in Seine,


s: He who would count, might count as well what flowers


s: Zephyr and Flora shed, mid April-showers.


s: Not that he stained the mead with paynim gore,


s: Nor splintered heads; but that the wizard wight,


s: Called from Tartarean caverns into light;


s: Whose many spears and banners waving wide


s: Two kingdoms such as France had scarce supplied.


s: And with them such sonorous metal brayed,


s: So many drums and martial noises sounded;


s: So many steeds in that encounter neighed;


s: So many cries -- with rush of foot confounded --


s: Rose all about, that hill, dale, wood, and glade,


s: From distant parts, the deafening din rebounded;


s: And struck into the Moors such sudden dread,


s: They turned and from the field in panic fled.


s: Him, with what care they could, he made convey


s: From that dread field, on horse of easy pace.


s: They in a bark the suffering warrior place,


s: And thence commodiously to Arles transport;


s: Whither their wasted squadrons make resort.


s: A hundred thousand, or well nigh, I ween,


s: By wood, by mountain, valley, and by plain,


s: More find the passage blocked, and widely stain


s: With crimson what before was white and green.


s: Not so Gradasso's puissant troops was spent,


s: Who farther from the field had pitched his tent.


s: Nay; when he hears it is Mount Alban's knight


s: By whom assailed the paynim quarters are,


s: He in his heart exults, with such delight,


s: That he, for very joy, leaps here and there.


s: He thanks and lauds his God, who him that night


s: Blest with so high a fortune and so rare;


s: (I think you will have read the tale elsewhere)


s: To back that courser, which Rinaldo bore,


s: To France, with this design, had made repair;


s: And had erewhile to bloody fight defied,


s: Even for that good steed, Mount Alban's pride.


s: Hence had that king repaired to the sea-shore,


s: The place assigned to end their discord fell:


s: Who, cheating good Rinaldo with a spell,


s: Too tedious were the tale at length to tell.


s: Now that Gradasso learns Mount Alban's peer


s: Is he, that storms the camp, in huge delight,


s: And through the pitchy darkness seeks the knight,


s: O'erturning all who cross his fierce career,


s: He leaves afflicted and in piteous plight


s: The broken bands of Afric and of France.


s: All, food alike for his wide-wasting lance.


s: He seeks the paladin, now here now there,


s: Echoing his name as loud as he can shout;


s: And thitherward inclines his courser, where


s: The bodies are most thickly strown about.


s: At length encounter, sword to sword, the pair,


s: For broken are alike their lances stout;


s: Which shivering in their hands, had flown upright.


s: And smote the starry chariot of the Night.


s: Not by the blazoned bearing of his shield,


s: Which made him seem sole champion of the field,


s: He to reproach the knight was nothing slow,


s: In that he had not kept his ground and day,


s: Erewhile appointed for the fierce assay.


s: "Belike thou hoped," (said he of Sericane,)


s: "If for that time my vengeance thou couldst fly,


s: We should not meet in this wide world again:


s: But we are met, thou seest, anew; and I,


s: Be sure, though thou shouldst seek the Stygian reign,


s: Will hunt thee, save that courser thou forego,


s: Be it through heaven above or hell below.


s: "Dost thou, as matched with me mistrust thy force,


s: (And that thou wert ill paired was seen whilere,)


s: And more esteemest life than fame, a course


s: Remains, which thee may from thy peril clear.


s: And thou, if thou in peace resign the horse,


s: May'st live, if life be deemed so passing dear;


s: That dost by chivalry such foul misdeed."


s: Brandished alike their trenchant swords on high,


s: Nor brooked that he should injury sustain.


s: "Am I too weak," (he cried,) "without your aid,


s: To answer him that dares my deeds upbraid?"


s: And wilt thou listen, thou shalt understand,


s: I came to seek thee out upon the strand;


s: The truth of all I say with arms in hand;


s: Know then thou liest, if e'er with slanderous speech


s: Thou taxest me with aught in knighthood's breach.


s: My just excuses, that thou may'st no more


s: Even as ordained by thee, in desert place,


s: (For generous bosoms aye such practise use)


s: How he his breach of promise will excuse.


s: With him he seeks the river side, and here


s: In simple words what chanced Rinaldo shews;


s: And cites all Heaven to witness to his tale.


s: And now, from point to point, relates anew


s: (Nor more nor less rehearsed) the magic sleight.


s: By witness, I with arms in single fight,


s: For better proof, will vouch upon thy crest,


s: Both now and ever, as it likes thee best."


s: The second quarrel for the former breach,


s: Though doubtful how that tale he should receive,


s: Takes in good part the bold Rinaldo's speech.


s: They choose their ground on Barcellona's beach:


s: A neighbouring fountain, will the question try.


s: There to be placed in common, 'twixt the two.


s: -- Should he be slain, or else for mercy sue,


s: A prisoner to Mount Alban's valiant lord,


s: Rinaldo shall possess the virtuous sword.


s: With mighty marvel and with greater pain,


s: Had heard how troubled was his cousin's brain.


s: And from the damsel's lips as well had known


s: How he his arms had scattered on the plain;


s: And heard the quarrel which from thence had grown;


s: In fine, how King Gradasso had the brand,


s: Which won such thousand palms in Roland's hand.


s: Thither where, camped apart, his servants lay,


s: He would with him in his pavillion stay.


s: And to the destined fount came either lord,


s: The field of combat for the horse and sword.


s: It seemed Rinaldo's friends were all in fear,


s: Should wage against Gradasso, one to one.


s: Much force, much daring, and much skill appear


s: In that fierce king; and since of Milo's son


s: The goodly sword was to his girdle tied,


s: All cheeks looked pale upon Rinaldo's side;


s: Sore doubted the event which would ensue,


s: But fears if he that deadly strife arrest,


s: Yet wroth with him upon that other score,


s: When he conveyed the warrior from the shore.


s: Let others nourish idle grief and fears!


s: Hoping that shame, which to the knight appears


s: That battle's honour, wends the paladin.


s: When now from either side those warriors meet,


s: Nigh at the same time at the fountain-side,


s: So in all points the pair each other greet,


s: With countenance, so kind, so satisfied,


s: 'Twould seem by kindred and by friendship sweet


s: But how they after closed in fierce affray,


s: Tidings are brought which irk the damsel sore,


s: That fair Marphisa caused the youth's delay;


s: She bent to slay her, grieving evermore,


s: Ullania with the three kings who rode before.


s: These she o'ercomes, and had o'ercome that maid,


s: And made by keener and more venomed sting


s: Than caused that other wound, wherewith she pined,


s: Which, hearing Richardet his news impart,


s: Had pierced her breast and preyed upon her heart.


s: And then those deeds by savage Guido done,


s: Kept me employed and caused no small delay;


s: But it behoves, ere more of these be said,


s: Who had from that night's raging fire conveyed


s: To Arles, the remnant of his scattered force:


s: Since to unite his troops, and furnish aid


s: And victual, 'twas a place of much resource,


s: With horse and foot, of good or evil sort,


s: Marsilius throughout Spain their loss repairs;


s: And each armed back in Barcellona's port,


s: Furnished through love or fear, for sea prepares.


s: The Moor to council daily calls his court;


s: Nor care nor cost the watchful monarch spares:


s: All Africa's o'erburdened towns oppress.


s: Renowned Almontes' daughter, as a bride;


s: His cousin she, her portion Oran's reign.


s: He lures not from his bridge that knight of pride,


s: Who has so many sells, such plate and chain


s: Collected there, from cavaliers o'erthrown,


s: Marphisa would not such a course pursue:


s: That Agramant, subdued by Charles's crew,


s: -- His choicest warriors taken, chased, or dead --


s: In Arles was sheltered with his broken few,


s: Prompt to assist him with her friendly blade;


s: And proffered purse and person in his aid.


s: Brunello bore, nor had she done him wrong.


s: He, for ten days and nights, to swing in air,


s: Had sorely feared, from lofty gallows hung:


s: But seeing him unhelped by force or prayer


s: She thought foul scorn to stain her generous hands


s: With such base blood, and loosed the losel's bands.


s: Well may you fancy with what joy and glee


s: The monarch greeted her who brought him aid;


s: He in Brunello's fate wills all shall see


s: In what esteem he holds that warlike maid;


s: What fierce Marphisa menaced but in show.


s: The hangman hung his corpse in desert field,


s: The craving vulture and the crow to feed.


s: Rogero, that erewhile had been his shield,


s: And from the noose that caitiff would have freed,


s: Heaven's justice willed, now lay with wound unhealed,


s: Nor could assist the craven in his need;


s: And when the news were known, the knot was tied;


s: This while does good duke Aymon's daughter mourn,


s: Because those twenty days so slowly trail:


s: -- Which term elapsed -- Rogero should return,


s: Time halts not more with him to foreign bourne


s: Exiled, with prisoner pent in noisome jail,


s: Pines the poor wretch for liberty and light,


s: Or his loved land, desired and gladsome sight!


s: Aye sick with hope deferred, the expecting maid,


s: That Phoebus' steeds were foundered one while deemed;


s: Then that his wheels were out of frame, so stayed,


s: Beyond the wonted term, his chariot seemed.


s: Yet longer than that day when Faith delayed


s: The sun, which on the righteous Hebrew beamed,


s: Or than that night Alcides was conceived,


s: How oft of dormouse, badger, or of bear,


s: The heavy slumber would she fain partake!


s: For she that time in sleep would waste and wear;


s: Nor such prolonged repose desired to break;


s: Nor wished the damsel any sound to hear,


s: She cannot close her eyes one single hour.


s: She here and there, throughout the livelong night,


s: Tosses and turns, nor ever finds repose;


s: And still, impatient for the dawn of light,


s: From time to time she to her window goes,


s: To see if Tithon's spouse the lily white


s: Yet scatters mingled with the crimson rose.


s: Nor less desires the damsel, when 'tis morn,


s: To see the golden stars the heaven adorn.


s: When, saving some four days, the term was ended,


s: Appointed for the youthful warrior's stay,


s: She, full of hope, the messenger attended


s: From hour to hour, that should arrive, and say,


s: A turret, from whose top she might survey


s: Gay champaign, wood, and, mid the wide expanse,


s: A portion of the road, that led to France.


s: When shining arms at distance she perceives,


s: And her fair eyes and brows are seen to clear.


s: If footman, or unarmed, the maid conceives,


s: And, though fallacious every hope she feeds,


s: And then she arms, and will the warrior meet;


s: And from the hill descends into the plain:


s: She finds him not, and to Montalban's seat


s: Hopes he by other road his way has ta'en.


s: In the design, wherewith she moved her feet


s: From thence, she to her fort returns in vain;


s: Nor finds him here nor there; meanwhile expired


s: The period whose approach she so desired.


s: -- The period so prefixt o'erpast by one,


s: By two, three, six, by eight, by twenty days --


s: She seeing not her spouse, and tidings none


s: Receiving of the youth, laments 'gan raise,


s: Which had from snake-haired Furies pity won,


s: In those dark realms that Rhadamanthus sways.


s: She smote her eyes divine, and bosoms fair;


s: She rent the tresses of her golden hair.


s: "Can it be true?" -- (she cried) -- "Shall I be fain


s: To follow one, that strives to hide and fly?


s: Pray him that never hears my suppliant cry?


s: Suffer who hates me o'er my heart to reign?


s: One that his lofty virtues holds so high,


s: 'Twere need some heaven-born goddess should descend


s: From realms above, his stubborn heart to bend?


s: "Proud youth!  he knows my worship and my love,


s: Nor me will have for lover or for slave.


s: The cruel stripling knows what pangs I prove,


s: Yet will not aid me till I am in my grave.


s: Nor let me tell my sorrows, lest they move


s: Shunning me like malignant asp, that fears


s: To change his mood, if he the charmer hears.


s: "Ah!  Love, arrest this wight who runs so free,


s: Outstripping my slow feet, or me install


s: In the condition whence thou tookest me,


s: Such as I was, ere thine or other's thrall.


s: -- Alas!  how vain the hope!  that thou shouldst be


s: Who sport, yea feed and live, in streams that rise


s: From the distracted lover's brimming eyes.


s: Which makes me soar a pitch so passing high,


s: I reach a region, where my plumes are brent;


s: Then, unsustained, fall headlong from the sky;


s: Nor ends my woe; on other flight intent,


s: "Yea; rather of myself should I complain,


s: Than the desire, to which I bared my breast


s: Whereby was Reason hunted from her reign,


s: And all my powers by stronger force opprest.


s: Thus borne from bad to worse, without a rein,


s: Who makes me see I to destruction haste,


s: That I more bitterness in death may taste.


s: "Yet, ah!  why blame myself?  Wherein have I


s: A woman's feeble sense opprest should be?


s: Why fence and guard myself, lest bearing high,


s: Wise words, and beauty rare should pleasure me?


s: Most wretched is the mortal that would shun


s: Words, worthy credence, moved me much, that drew


s: If these persuasive words were false and feigned,


s: To blame, and shall for ever blame the twain,


s: Conjured up spirits from infernal reign,


s: Save that they grudge me safe and sweet repose."


s: Room has she none for comfort or for rest.


s: Yet, maugre her affliction, Hope will rise,


s: And form a lodgement in her harassed breast;


s: And to the damsel's memory still supplies


s: So makes her, in all seeming facts' despite,


s: Await from hour to hour the youthful knight.


s: For a month's space beyond those twenty days


s: This hope affords fair Bradamant content:


s: As it would else her harassed soul have shent.


s: She, one day that along the road she strays,


s: Hears tidings, that of Hope -- last comfort left --


s: (Like every other good) her breast bereft.


s: Bound homeward from the hostile camp, where lay


s: A prisoner to those paynims, from the day,


s: That fought nigh Paris was the famous fight.


s: The damsel prest him all he knew to say:


s: Then to the point she covets led the knight:


s: Listens to that, not aught inquires besides.


s: As well acquainted with the court; he said


s: How, matched with Mandricardo, strove that lord,


s: And layed the martial king in combat dead.


s: And how, sore wounded by the Tartar's sword,


s: Above a month the stripling kept his bed:


s: And had the stranger here but closed his news,


s: Well might his tale the missing knight excuse.


s: By name Marphisa hight, of beauteous cheer,


s: Bold and as skilled in arms of every guise,


s: And then the host so rarely sundered spies,


s: That every one, throughout the paynim train,


s: Deems that betrothed in wedlock are the twain.


s: And hope, when healed shall be the youthful knight,


s: The marriage of those lovers will succeed;


s: (For sure) with pleasure and sincere delight,


s: Those tidings paynim prince and monarch read:


s: Since, knowing either's superhuman might,


s: They augur, from their loins will spring a breed,


s: In little season, which shall pass in worth


s: The mightiest race that ever was on earth.


s: What he rehearsed, the Gascon knight believed,


s: Nor without cause believed the news he bore,


s: And bruited through the squadrons of the Moor;


s: Who had that notion of their love conceived


s: From signs of kindness witnessed evermore.


s: For -- good or bad -- though from one mouth it flows,


s: Fame to a boundless torrent quickly grows.


s: That she with him had brought the Paynim aid,


s: And ne'er was seen without the cavalier,


s: The first foundation of the rumour layed:


s: But what confirmed that fame in every ear,


s: Was, that she, having from the camp conveyed


s: Had to the camp returned, uncalled, unsought.


s: She solely to the camp had ta'en her way,


s: To visit him that on a sick-bed smarted;


s: There passed that maid, and but at eve departed:


s: Who gave yet greater cause of her to say,


s: That -- known as one so haughty and hard-hearted,


s: Who all the world despised -- she now was grown


s: When Bradamant the Gascon's story heard,


s: That lady suffered such tormenting pain,


s: Such cruel woe her inmost bosom stirred,


s: From falling she preserved herself with pain.


s: She turned her courser round, without a word,


s: Inflamed with jealousy and fierce disdain:


s: From her all hope the wretched damsel spurns,


s: And to her chamber breathing wrath returns.


s: Turned on her face, her body on the bed,


s: Armed as she is, th4e grieving damsel throws,


s: May be unheard of any, bites the clothes;


s: And so, repeating what the stranger said,


s: To such a pitcher her smothered anguish grows,


s: So vents the maid parforce her piteous pain:


s: All false and cruel well may be esteemed,


s: What foul and felon act, what treachery,


s: But will fall short of thine, if thou wilt set


s: The sum of my desert, against thy debts?


s: Mates thee in beauteous form and daring feat,


s: Since thou in matchless valour hast no peer,


s: And none with thee in gentleness compete,


s: Why cannot we, 'mid godlike gifts and clear,


s: Allow thee truth, thy graces to complete?


s: The praise of spotless truth to thee allow,


s: To which all other virtues yield and bow?


s: "Knowest thou not, without it, worthless are


s: All gentle bearing and all martial might?


s: That can be seen without the aid of light.


s: Lord as thou was, and idol in her sight.


s: Her with thy honied words thou might'st have won,


s: To deem that cold and darksome was the sun.


s: "Cruel, what sin can trouble thee, if thou


s: Do'st not her murder who loved thee repent?


s: If held so lightly be a breach of vow --


s: Beneath what burden will thy heart be bent?


s: What treatment will thine adversary know,


s: If one who loves like me thou so torment?


s: Justice is none in heaven, I well may say,


s: If Heaven its vengeance for my wrongs delay.


s: Was banished into foul and darksome part;


s: If mighty sins for mighty vengeance cry,


s: Where due atonement cleanses not the heart;


s: Beware lest thou beneath such vengeance groan,


s: Ingrate!  that wouldest not thy sin atone.


s: All other sins, may justly thee arraign.


s: That thou my heart has ravished form my side,


s: -- Of this offence I will not, I complain --


s: But, having made it mine, that thou defied


s: All right, and took away thy gift again.


s: Restore it; well thou know'st what pains requite


s: His sin, who keeps what is another's right.


s: "Thou hast left me, Rogero; thee to leave,


s: Alas!  I neither will nor power possess.


s: But will and power have I my life to reave,


s: To scape from this o'erwhelming wretchedness.


s: To die at strife with thee alone I grieve:


s: For, had the gods so pleased my lot to bless,


s: As to require my life, when loved of thee,


s: Resolved to die, 'twas so the damsel cried;


s: And starting from her bed, by passion warmed,


s: To her left breast her naked sword applied;


s: Meanwhile her better Spirit, at her side,


s: With these persuasive words her fury charmed:


s: Would'st thou conclude thy life with such foul shame?


s: Where aye thy breath with glory may be spent?


s: There, should Rogero chance to lay thee low,


s: But, should his faulchion deal the mortal blow,


s: What death could ever yield thee more content?


s: Reason it were thou should'st by him be slain,


s: Who dooms thee living to such passing pain.


s: Thou die, thou yet may deadly vengeance take,


s: Who with dishonest love and treacherous lore


s: This seemed to please the mournful lady more


s: Than her first thought; and she forthwith bade make


s: A mantle for her arms, which should imply


s: The vest is of that colour which is spied


s: In leaf, when gray and yellow are at strife;


s: When it is gathered from the branch, or dried


s: Is the green blood, that was it's parent's life.


s: With stems of cypress which disdain the knife;


s: Which shoot not, when by biting steel laid low.


s: She took the courser that was wont to bear


s: Astolpho, and with him the lance of gold,


s: By whose sole touch unhorsed all champions were.


s: Why by Astolpho given, and when and where,


s: Or how that spear obtained the warrior bold.


s: The lady took the lance, but nothing guessed


s: Without attendants, without squire, alone,


s: Toward Paris is the mournful damsel gone,


s: Where camped erewhile the Moorish forces lay;


s: For yet to her the tidings were unknown,


s: Had raised, with Charles' and Malagigi's aid,


s: The siege the paynims had to Paris laid.


s: -- Cadurci, and Cahors city left behind --


s: Bradamant sees the mountain, far and near,


s: Whence Dordogne's waters to the valley wind;


s: And Montferrant's and Clermont's towers appear:


s: When she, a lady fair, of semblance kind,


s: Beholds, by that same road, towards her steer.


s: Three knights were nigh, and -- at the pommel hung --


s: A buckler from the damsel's saddle swung.


s: More squires and maids, a numerous company.


s: Demanded who the stranger dame might be?


s: "That lady to the king of France" (replied


s: From THE LOST ISLE, which lies mid seas that roll


s: Their restless waves beyond the northern pole.


s: "Some THE LOST ISLE, some Iceland call the reign


s: Whose charms (before those charms all beauties wane)


s: Are such as Heaven had dealt to her alone.


s: The shield you see she sends to Charlemagne,


s: But with the pact and purpose plainly shown,


s: He should confer it on the knight, whose worth


s: Is, in his judgment, fairest upon earth.


s: "She, as she deems herself (and it is true


s: A cavalier, that should in heart and thew


s: Surpass all other warriors, fain would find;


s: Resolved, should her a hundred thousand woo,


s: None shall unfix the purpose of her mind;


s: -- But he, held worthiest by the world's accord,


s: "In France, in royal Charles's famous court,


s: Has shown that he excels each puissant peer.


s: All three are monarchy who the dame escort,


s: And what their kingdoms ye as well shall hear.


s: One Sweden rules, one Gothland, Norway one;


s: Surpast in martial praise by few or none.


s: "These three, whose kingdoms at some distance lie,


s: Yet the least distant lie from the LOST ISLE,


s: As little known, that island so they style),


s: Wooed and yet woo her for a wife, and vie


s: In valour, and, to win the lady's smile,


s: Illustrious deeds have done, which Fame shall sound,


s: While Heaven shall circle in its wonted round.


s: "Yet she not these will wed, nor cavalier


s: That does not, as she deems, all else excell.


s: -- `Lightly I hold your proof of valour here,'


s: (Those northern monarchs was she wont to tell)


s: `And if, like sun amid the stars, one peer


s: Outshines his fellows, him I honour well:


s: But therefore hold him not, in fierce alarms,


s: Of living men the bravest knight at arms.


s: " `To Charlemagne, whom I esteem and hold


s: Shall be dispatched a costly shield of gold,


s: Bestowed on him, deemed boldest of the bold,


s: Serves the king Charlemagne or other lord,


s: I will be governed by that king's award.


s: " `If when King Charles the buckler shall receive


s: And give to one so stout, that best among


s: All others he that warrior shall believe,


s: For me the golden buckler shall retrieve


s: One of you three, in his own virtue strong;


s: My every love and thought shall he possess;


s: Him for my spouse and lord will I confess.'


s: "Moved by these stirring speeches, hither hie


s: From that wide-distant sea, those monarchs bold,


s: Beneath his hand who has that shield of gold."


s: Bradamant ponders much the squire's reply:


s: He give his horse the head -- his story told --


s: And plies him so with restless heel and hand,


s: After him gallops not, nor hurries ought,


s: Bradamant, who pursues her road at ease:


s: Things that may chance, she finally foresees


s: That through the buckler by that damsel brought,


s: Will follow strife and boundless enmities,


s: Amid king Charles's peerage and the rest,


s: If with that shield he shall reward the best.


s: This grieved the damsel's heart, but far above


s: That grief, the former fear her heard did goad;


s: That young Rogero had withdrawn his love


s: From her, and on the warlike queen bestowed.


s: So buried in the thoughts wherewith she strove,


s: Nor took she care where, at the close of light,


s: To find befitting shelter for the night.


s: As when from squall, or other chance, a barge


s: Drives from the river-side, where late it lay,


s: The winds and waves at will transport their prey;


s: -- She musing on Rogero -- wends his way.


s: For thence, by many miles, was distant wide


s: That mind which should her courser's bridle guide.


s: She raised her eyes at last, and saw the sun


s: Had turned his back on Bocchus' towers and wall;


s: Then, like a cormorant, his journey done,


s: To tree, for shelter from the rising squall,


s: Had been a foolish thought; for now 'gan blow


s: A blustering wind, which threatened rain or snow.


s: Her courser, yet but little way did ride,


s: When with his flock, which on the champaign browsed,


s: Leaving the fields, a shepherd she espied.


s: To him where, well or ill, she might be housed,


s: -- With many instances the maid applied --


s: For never house could such ill shelter yield,


s: But that in rain 'twere worse to lodge afield.


s: To her the shepherd said, "I know of none


s: Whereto I could direct you, near at hand.


s: At least six leagues are distant all, but one,


s: Named TRISTRAM'S TOWER, throughout the neighbouring land.


s: For it behoves that they, with lance in hand,


s: Achieve their footing first and the defend,


s: Who to be lodged within its walls pretend.


s: "If there be room within, to stranger knight


s: The castellain gives kindly welcome there:


s: But is a lodging claimed by other wight,


s: To joust with all new comers makes him swear:


s: If none, he need not move; but arms and fight


s: He must what stranger thither shall repair;


s: And he that worst his warlike arms shall ply,


s: Must wander forth beneath the naked sky.


s: "If two. three, four, or more, seek shelter, they


s: That first arrive, in peace their quarters take.


s: He with those two, or more, a lance must break.


s: Thus he what strength he has shall sorely need.


s: "As well, if wife or maid seek that repair,


s: Is housed; that other must without abide."


s: Bradamant asked the kindly shepherd where


s: That castle stood; and he with signs replied


s: As well as words, and pointed with his hand


s: Where, five or six miles wide, the tower did stand.


s: Though Rabican's good paces merit praise,


s: By those so passing foul and broken ways,


s: So, as to reach the tower, ere Night o'erlays


s: The world, whose every nook dark shadows fill.


s: Arrived, that lady finds the portal barred,


s: And that she seeks a lodging tells the guard.


s: By dame and knight already housed, who, met


s: About the fire, in that chill evening-tide,


s: Wait till their supper be before them set.


s: To him that maid: "The board is not supplied,


s: I deem, for them, unless the meal be eat.


s: Now, say I wait their coming." (she pursues,)


s: Who know and will observe your castle's use."


s: The guard his message bore, where at their ease


s: Not overlikely was those kings to please;


s: For cold and peevish blew the wintry gale,


s: And now fast fell the rain; yet, forced to seize


s: Their arms, they slowly don the martial mail.


s: The rest remain within; while they proceed


s: Against the damsel, but with little speed.


s: Three cavaliers they were, of might so tried,


s: Few champions but to them in prowess yield,


s: The courier maid, encountered in the field,


s: They that in Iceland boasted, in their pride,


s: To bear away from France the golden shield:


s: Who (for they had the martial maid outrode)


s: Arrived before her at that lord's abode.


s: In feats of arms few warriors were more stout;


s: She, that on no account will wait without,


s: Fasting and wet, night's weary watches through.


s: Within from window and from lodge, the rout


s: Look forth, and will the joust by moonlight view,


s: Which streams from underneath a covering cloud;


s: Albeit the furious rain beats fast and loud.


s: Such transport as the longing gallant cheers,


s: About to seize the stolen fruits of love,


s: When, after long delay, the listener hears


s: Such transport cheered her, of those cavaliers


s: The prowess and the pith a-fire to prove,


s: When now the opened portals she descried,


s: And drawbridge dropt, and issuing knights espied.


s: When she beheld, how, of the drawbridge clear


s: Those knights, together or scarce sundered, came,


s: She took her ground; and next in fierce career,


s: With flowing bridle, drove the furious dame,


s: Levelling against those kings that virtuous spear,


s: Her cousin's gift, which never missed its aim;


s: Whose touch each warrior must unseat parforce;


s: Yea Mars, should Mars contend in mortal course.


s: The king of Sweden, foremost of those knights,


s: In falling too is foremost of the train;


s: With such surpassing force his helmet smites


s: That spear, which never yet was couched in vain.


s: Gothland's good king next meets the maid, and lights


s: With feet in air, at distance on the plain.


s: The third (unhorsed by Aymon's beauteous daughter)


s: Half buried lies in mire and marshy water.


s: When at three strokes she had unhorsed them all,


s: Lighting with head on earth and heels in air,


s: Retiring from the field, she sought the Hall,


s: In search of lodging; but, ere harboured there,


s: Is, by the warder's hest, obliged to swear.


s: That lord who well had weighed her famous feats,


s: The damsel with surpassing honour greets.


s: Had thither journeyed, with those monarchs three,


s: She renders back the stranger's courtesy;


s: And to the fire conducts that warlike fair.


s: As Bradamant unarms, and first her shield,


s: And after puts her polished casque away,


s: A caul of shining gold, wherein concealed


s: And clustering close, her prisoned tresses lay,


s: She with the helmet doffs; and now revealed,


s: (While the long locks about her shoulders play,)


s: As when the stage's curtain is uprolled,


s: Mid thousand lamps, appears the mimic scene,


s: Adorned with arch and palace, pictures, gold,


s: Were the bright tresses which the hermit shore,


s: These, gathered in a knot, behind her head,


s: Though shorter than their wont, the damsel wore;


s: And he, that castle's master, plainly read,


s: That this was Bradamant; and now he paid


s: With modest and with mirthful talk this while,


s: Seated about the fire, they feed the ear;


s: Till they are heartened with more solid cheer.


s: If new or ancient were his castle's style,


s: By whom begun, and how it took its rise?


s: And thus that castellain to her replies.


s: "When Pharamond of France possessed the throne,


s: His son, prince Clodion, had a mistress rare;


s: More graceful, beauteous, or more debonair;


s: That he lost sight no oftener of the fair


s: Than Io's shepherd of his charge whilere:


s: "Her in this mansion, which his sire bestowed,


s: He kept, and rarely issued from his rest:


s: With him were lodged ten cavaliers, allowed


s: Through France to be the boldest and the best.


s: Sir Tristram and a dame their course addrest:


s: Short time before that gentle knight had freed.


s: "Sir Tristram and his lady reached the Hall,


s: When now the sun had Seville left behind.


s: Since they for ten miles round no shelter find,


s: But Clodion, that loved much, and was withal


s: Sore jealous, was determined in his mind


s: No stranger in his keep should ever inn,


s: So long as that fair lady lodged therein.


s: "When, after long entreaties made in vain,


s: The castellain refused to house the knight,


s: He said, `What supplication cannot gain,


s: I hope to make thee do in they despite';


s: And loudly challenged him, with all his train,


s: Those ten which he maintained, to bloody fight;


s: Offering, with levelled lance and lifted glaive,


s: To prove Sir Clodion a discourteous knave;


s: "On pact, if he sate fast, and overthrown


s: Should be the warder, and his warlike rout,


s: He in that castle should be lodged alone,


s: And Clodion with his knights remain without.


s: Against him goes the king of France's son,


s: At risque of death, to venge that galling flout;


s: But falls astound; the rest partake his fate,


s: And on the losers Tristram bars the gate.


s: "Entering the tower, he finds her harboured there


s: Whereof I spake, so dear in Clodion's eyes;


s: Whom SHE had equalled with the loveliest fair,


s: With her Sir Tristram talks, while fell despair


s: Aye racks the houseless prince in horrid wise.


s: Who prays the conquering knight, with suppliant cry,


s: "Though she small worth in Tristram's sight possess,


s: Nor any, saving Yseult, please his sight,


s: The philtre, drunk erewhile, allows the knight;


s: Yet, for he would that foul discourteousness


s: He cries, `I deem it were foul wrong and sore,


s: If so such beauty I should shut the door.


s: " `And, should Sir Clodion grieve beneath the tree


s: A fair and youthful damsel, here at hand,


s: Who, I am well content, his mate shall be,


s: And do in all things, as he shall command.


s: But she that is most fair to the most strong,


s: Meseemeth, in all justice should belong.'


s: "Shut out all night, the moody Clodion strayed,


s: Puffing and pacing round his lofty tower,


s: As if that prince the sentinel had played


s: On them, that slept at ease in lordly bower:


s: Him, sorer far than wind and cold dismayed


s: That lovely lady's loss in Tristram's power:


s: But he, with pity touched, upon the morrow,


s: Rendered her back, and so relieved his sorrow.


s: "Because, he said, and made it plain appear,


s: Such as he found her, he returned the fair;


s: Clodion had every scorn deserved to bear,


s: He was content with having made the peer


s: Who would have thrown on Love his castle's use.


s: "For Love should make a churlish nature kind,


s: And not transform to rude a gentle breast.


s: When Tristram hence was gone, not long behind


s: Remained the enamoured prince who changed his rest:


s: The tower; whereof that baron he possest,


s: Henceforth this usage ever should maintain;


s: "That cavalier of greater heart and power


s: Should in this hall be harboured without fail:


s: They that less worthy were should void the tower,


s: In fine, that law was fixt, which to this hour


s: Endures, as you have seen"; while so his tale


s: To Bradamant recounts that castle's lord,


s: The sewer with savoury meats has heaped the board.


s: In the great hall that plenteous board was laid,


s: (None fairer was in all the world beside)


s: Then came where those beauteous ladies stayed,


s: And them, with torches lit, did thither guide.


s: On entering, Bradamant the room surveyed,


s: And she, that other fair, on every side;


s: Who as they gaze about the gorgeous hall


s: Filled full of picture, mark each storied wall.


s: So beauteous are the figures, that instead


s: Of eating, on the painted walls they stare;


s: Albeit of meat they have no little need,


s: Who wearied sore with that day's labour are.


s: With grief the sewer, with grief the cook takes heed,


s: How on the table cools the untasted fare.


s: Nay, there is one amid the crowd, who cries,


s: "First fill your bellies, and then feast your eyes."


s: The guests were placed, and now about to eat,


s: When suddenly bethought that castellain,


s: To house two damsels were a thing unmeet;


s: The fairest stay, and she least fair retreat.


s: Where howls the wind, where beats the pattering rain.


s: Because they separate came, 'tis ordered so:


s: The lord some matrons of his household crew


s: Calls, with two elders, in such judgments wise;


s: He marks the dames, and bids them of the two


s: Declare which is most beauteous in their eyes;


s: Cry, Aymon's daughter best deserves the prize,


s: And vouch as she in might those kings outweighed,


s: No less in beauty she surpassed the maid.


s: Who of her sentence has a shrewd suspicion,


s: That we observe our usage and condition;


s: To seek some other rest must be thine aim,


s: Since, by our universal band's admission,


s: Though unadorned that martial maid be seen,


s: Thou canst not match her charms and lovely mien."


s: Steams from the bottom of some marshy dale,


s: Which the sun's visage, late so bright and pure,


s: So that poor damsel, sentenced to endure,


s: Without, the pelting shower and blustering gale,


s: Is seen to change her cheer, and is no more


s: The fair and mirthful maid she was before.


s: The maid turns pale, and all her colour flies,


s: But generous Bradamant, in prudent guise,


s: Who could not bear to see her turned away,


s: Cried to that baron, "Partial and unwise


s: Your judgment seems, as well all judgments may,


s: To plead before the judge pronounces doom.


s: "I, who this cause take on me to defend,


s: But, saving I undress, who shall pretend


s: Neither should aught be said but what we know,


s: And least of all what works another woe.


s: Yet are not therefore women; if, as guest,


s: I have admittance gained to your repair,


s: Then why should I the name of woman bear,


s: 'Tis ruled that woman should a woman chase;


s: Nor that a knight a woman should displace.


s: "Grant we (what I confess not howsoe'er)


s: Not therefore, deem I, of my valour's meed


s: Ye would deprive me, though in beauteous cheer


s: The palm I to that damsel should concede


s: 'Twere hard, before I yield to her in charms,


s: That I should forfeit what I won in arms.


s: Who yields in beauty, from your tower must wend,


s: Should my resolve have good or evil game,


s: For if such strife 'twixt her and me ensues,


s: Nought can the damsel gain, and much may lose;


s: "And save the gain and loss well balanced be


s: So that by right, no less than courtesy,


s: Behold my prompt, at such gainsayer's will,


s: To prove my judgment right, his judgment ill!"


s: Bradamant -- grieved that maid of gentle kind


s: Should from that castle wrongfully be sped,


s: To bide the raging of the rain and wind,


s: Where sheltering house was none, nor even shed --


s: With reasons good, in wary speech combined,


s: Persuades that lord; but mostly what she said


s: Allows the justice of that damsel's plea.


s: As when hot summer sun the soil has rived,


s: And most the thirsty plant of moisture drains,


s: The weak and wasting flower, well nigh deprived


s: Of that quick sap which circled in its veins,


s: Sucks in the welcome rain, and is revived;


s: So, when bold Bradamant so well maintains


s: The courier maid's defence, her beauteous cheer


s: And mirth revive, and brighten as whilere.


s: At length the supper, which had long been dight,


s: Nor yet was touched, enjoys each hungry guest;


s: Them, seated at the festive board, molest;


s: All, saving Bradamant, enjoy, whose sprite,


s: As wont, is still afflicted and opprest.


s: For that suspicious fear, that doubt unjust,


s: Which racked her bosom, marred the damsel's gust.


s: The supper done -- brought sooner to a close


s: Haply from their desire to feast their eyes --


s: First of the set, Duke Aymon's daughter rose,


s: And next the courier maid is seen to rise.


s: With that the warder signs to one, that goes


s: Whose light on storied wall and ceiling fell.


s: There, where she gained admission by the spear.


s: From combat cease, upon Baiardo's flight,


s: While soaring through the world, the English knight


s: Arrives in Nubia's distant realm, and here


s: Driving the Harpies from the royal board,


s: Hunts to the mouth of hell that impious horde.


s: Whose memory down the stream of Time will float,


s: While we their wreck and labours lost deplore,


s: Whose fame will flourish still in Fate's despite,


s: (Grammercy authors!) while men read and write.


s: And those, yet living or of earlier day,


s: The Dossi, and, skilled to carve or to pourtray,


s: Michael, less man than angel and divine,


s: With more, whose works resemble what he hear


s: And credit of those spirits, famed whilere;


s: The painters we have seen, and others, who


s: Things which had been with matchless pencil drew,


s: Some working upon wall, and some on wood.


s: Have ye of pictures heard or pictures viewed


s: Of things to come; yet such have been pourtrayed


s: Before the deeds were done which they displayed.


s: Boast of his skill such wondrous works to make;


s: But leave this feat to spell, wherewith controlled


s: The spirits of the infernal bottom quake.


s: The hall, whereof in other strain I told,


s: Or Norsine grot, throught subject Demons' might,


s: That art, whereby those ancient erst pourtrayed


s: Such wonders, is extinguished in our day.


s: But to the troop, by whom will be surveyed


s: Bore thither lighted torches, by whose ray


s: Were scattered from that hall the shades of night,


s: Nor this in open day had shown more bright.


s: When thus the castle's lord addressed that crew:


s: "Know, of adventures in this chamber wrought,


s: Up to our days, have yet been witnessed few;


s: A warfare storied, but its fields unfought.


s: Who limned the battles, these as well foreknew.


s: Here of defeats to come and victories taught,


s: You may discern as painted on these walls.


s: "The wars, wherein French armies should appear,


s: Even from his days until the thousandth year,


s: Hither Great Britain's monarch sent the seer,


s: Why hither sent, and why this hall was made,


s: At the same time to you shall be displayed.


s: "King Pharamond, the first of those that passed


s: The Rhine, amid his Franks' victorious train,


s: When Gaul was won, bethought him how to cast


s: And (for both reigned at once) would make accord,


s: To compass his design, with Britain's lord.


s: "The royal Arthur, by whom nought was done


s: Well versed in what should chance in future age,)


s: Knowing through him, to Pharamond made known,


s: Entering that region, which, with rugged mound,


s: Apennine parts, and Alp and sea surround.


s: "To him sage Merlin shows, that well nigh all


s: Those other monarchs that in France will reign,


s: By murderous steel will see their people fall,


s: And that short joy, long sorrow, profit small,


s: And boundless ill shall recompense their pain;


s: Since vainly will the lily seek to shoot


s: In the Italian fields its withered root.


s: That he resolved to turn his arms elsewhere;


s: And Merlin, who beheld with sight as clear


s: The things to be, as things that whilom were,


s: 'Tis said, was brought by magic art to rear


s: The painted chamber at the monarch's prayer;


s: Wherein whatever deeds the Franks shall do,


s: "That king who should succeed, might comprehend,


s: Whene'er his friendly squadrons should defend


s: From all barbarians else the Italian reign;


s: Thinking to bind her with the griding chain,


s: -- Might comprehend, I say, and read his doom --


s: How he beyond these hills should find a tomb."


s: So said, he leads the listening ladies where


s: How Sigisbert his arms will southward bear


s: "Behold him from the Mount of Jove repair


s: But puts the foe to flight, and routs and quells.


s: "Where they with Clovis tread the mountain way,


s: More than a hundred thousand warriors trace;


s: Whose thinner files his hostile army face.


s: Lo!  these who feign retreat an ambush lay.


s: Lo!  where through danger, havoc, and disgrace,


s: The Franks, who to the Lombard wine-fat hie,


s: Drugged by the bait, like poisoned mullets die.


s: "Where Childibert the boundary hills has crost,


s: Heading what bands of France and captains, see;


s: Yet shall no more than baffled Clovis boast


s: Heaven's sword descends so heavy on his host.


s: Choked with their bodies every road shall be;


s: So pined with watery flux and withering sun,


s: That, out of ten, unharmed returns not one."


s: He shows King Pepin, shows King Charlemagne;


s: And one and the other fair success obtain,


s: Because her land they came not to offend.


s: This quells Astolpho, and that takes his heir,


s: He after shows; who seemed to spread his host,


s: Even from THE KILNS to the Isle of Palestine;


s: And with a bridge, achieved at mighty cost,


s: Then fly and leave his drowning bands behind,


s: His bridge destroyed by wasting waves and wind.


s: Thither with his invading squadrons, where,


s: Vanquishing and taken, nevermore to offend


s: With hostile arms, he is compelled to swear.


s: Behold!  he slights his solemn oath -- to wend,


s: Anew, with reckless steps, into the snare.


s: Lo!  there he leaves his eyes; and his array,


s: Blind as the moldwarp, hence their lord convey.


s: "You see him named from Arles, victorious Hugh,


s: Whom, quelled and broken twice and thrice, anew


s: Now the Bavarians, now the Huns, replace.


s: O'ermatched, he then for peace is fain to sue;


s: Nor long survives, nor he who fills his place;


s: Who, repossest of all his kingdom, reigns.


s: Who has two kings in two fierce battles slain,


s: His bands, who seem to vex the new-won reign


s: -- Some here, some there -- in different cities dwell.


s: Slain on the rolling of the vesper-bell."


s: 'Twould seem, of many and many an age, not years)


s: How through the Alps, a captain out of Gaul,


s: To war upon the great Viscontis, steers;


s: And seems to straiten Alexandria's wall,


s: Girt with his forces, foot and cavaliers:


s: Without the works, the warlike duke has laid;


s: And the French host, decoyed in cunning wise


s: Thither where the surrounding toils are spread,


s: By Armagnac, the Gallic squadron's head,


s: Slaughtered throughout the spacious champaign lies,


s: While, swoln not more with water than with blood,


s: One hight of Marca, of the Anjouites three.


s: How "Marsi, Daunians, Salentines," (he said)


s: "And Bruci, these shall oft molest, you see:


s: Yet not by Frank or Latian's friendly aid


s: Shall one delivered from destruction be.


s: Lo!  from the realm, as oft as they attack,


s: "You see the eighth Charles, amid his martial train,


s: The flower of France, through Alpine pass has pressed.


s: Who Liris fords, and takes all Naples' reign,


s: Yet draws not sword nor lays a lance in rest:


s: All, save that rock which -- Typheus' endless pain --


s: Lies on the giant's belly, arms, and breast:


s: Derived from Avalo's illustrious blood."


s: The warder of the castle, who makes clear


s: Says, having shown her Ischia's island, "Ere


s: I'll tell what my great-grandfather whilere


s: -- I then a child -- was wont to tell to me.


s: Which in like manner (that great-grandsire said),


s: "And his from sire or grandsire heard recite;


s: So son from sire; even to that baron, who


s: That these fair pictures without pencil drew,


s: Which you see painted azure, red, and white.


s: Was shown the castle on the rocky mount,


s: Heard him relate the things I now recount.


s: "Heard him relate, how in that fortilage


s: From that good knight should spring, who, 'twould appear,


s: Guards it so well, he scorns the fires that rage,


s: Even to the Pharo, flaming far and near,


s: Then, or within short space, and in that age,


s: (And named the week and day, as well as year,)


s: By other, that has yet appeared on earth.


s: "Nereus less fair, Achilles was less strong,


s: Nestor, that knew so much and lived so long,


s: Less prudent; nimble Ladas was less fleet;


s: Less liberal and less prompt to pardon wrong,


s: Caesar, whose praises ancient tales repeat.


s: So that, compared with him, in Ischia born,


s: Each might appear of vaunted virtues shorn;


s: "And if illustrious Crete rejoiced of old


s: In giving birth to Coelus' godlike heir;


s: Nought should as well this happy isle withhold


s: From lifting high her glorious head in air,


s: When that great Marquis shall in her be born,


s: Whom with its every grace shall Heaven adorn.


s: "Sage Merlin said -- and oft renewed that say --


s: Hereafter, these I will not now presage.


s: So spake that wizard, and renewed the story,


s: Which told of Charlemagne's predestined glory.


s: "Lewis, (so learned Merlin said,) is woe


s: To have brought to Italy King Charlemagne,


s: Whom he called in to harass, not o'erthrow


s: And, leagued with Venice, would the king detain.


s: Behold that valiant monarch couch his spear,


s: And in his foes' despite a passage clear.


s: "But his new kingdom leaving to his band,


s: For, with the Mantuan's friendly succour manned,


s: He leaves not in few months, by sea or land,


s: One living head, his slaughtered troops among.


s: But then, because of one by treason spent,


s: In him appears the joy of triumph shent."


s: "Who in a thousand feats will shine more clear


s: Than the resplendent carbuncle," he said.


s: "Behold, deceived by faithless treaty, here,


s: Mid snares by the malignant Aethiop laid,


s: Transfixt with deadly dart the warrior lies,


s: In whom the age's worthiest champion dies."


s: Where the twelfth Lewis o'er the hills is gone;


s: "Treading in Charles's steps, by him shall be


s: Yet after shall he mourn his army's slaughter,


s: Dispersed and drowning in that fatal water."


s: (The lord pursues) "with no less overthrow,


s: In him who twice entraps the routed foe,


s: Gonslavo you behold, the pride of Spain.


s: Fortune to Lewis a fair face shall show,


s: As late a troubled mien, upon that plain,


s: Which even to where vext Adria pours her tides,


s: The host reproved himself, while so he said,


s: And pieced his tale, as having left untold


s: Things first in order; next to them displayed


s: A prisoner by the faithless Switzer made,


s: He shows the lord who hired him with his gold:


s: Which double treason, without couching lance,


s: Has given the victory to the king of France.


s: That warder then shows Caesar Borgia, grown


s: Puissant in Italy, through this king's grace;


s: For all Rome's peerage, and all lords that own


s: Then shows the king, that will the saw take down,


s: Then Genoa's burghers, by this monarch broke,


s: "You see," (pursued that warder,) "how with dead


s: Covered is Ghiaradada's green champaign.


s: It seems each city opes her gates through dread;


s: And Venice scarce her freedom can maintain.


s: You see he suffers not the Church's head,


s: Who would not to that prince a remnant leave.


s: You next see Lewis siege to Brescia lay,


s: And the close-straitened city storm and take;


s: And next, 'twoud seem, that either hostile band


s: "On this side France, upon the other Spain,


s: Extend their files, and battle rages high;


s: Fast fall the men at arms in either train,


s: And the green earth is tinged with crimson dye.


s: Flooded with human gore seems every drain;


s: Mars doubts to whom to give the victory;


s: When through Alphonso's worth the Spaniards yield,


s: And the victorious Franks maintain the field;


s: "And, for Ravenna sacked and ravaged lies,


s: The Roman pastor bites his lips through woe;


s: Called by him, from the hills, in tempest's guise,


s: Swoop the fierce Germans on the fields below.


s: It seems each Frenchman unresisting flies,


s: Chased by their bands beyond the mountain snow,


s: And that they set the mulberry's thriving shoot


s: There, whence they plucked the golden lily's root.


s: "Behold the Frank returns, and here behold


s: Is broken, by the faithless Swiss betrayed,


s: He, that his royal father seized and sold,


s: Whose succour dearly by the youth is paid.


s: Those over whom false Fortune's wheel had rolled,


s: With vengeful deed Novara's late disgrace;


s: The valiant Francis, foremost of his train,


s: Who so shall break the haughty Switzer's horn,


s: That little short of spent their bands remain;


s: And them shall nevermore the style adorn,


s: Usurped by that foul troop of churlish vein,


s: Of scourge of princes, and the faith's defence,


s: To which those rustics rude shall make pretence.


s: "Lo!  he takes Milan, in the league's despite:


s: Lo!  with the youthful Sforza makes accord:


s: Lo!  Bourbon the fair city keeps, in right


s: Of Francis, from the furious German horde:


s: Lo!  while in other high emprize and fight


s: Nor knows the pride and license of his host,


s: Through these the city shall anew be lost.


s: "Lo!  other French who his grandsire's vein


s: -- The Gaul expelled -- a land which was his own.


s: France too returns, but keeps a tighter rein,


s: For Mantua's noble duke the foe shall stay,


s: "Though on his cheek youth's blossoms scarce appear,


s: Worthy immortal glory, Frederick shines;


s: And well that praise deserves, since by his spear,


s: But more by care and skill, Pavia's lines


s: Against the French defends that cavalier,


s: And frustrates the sea-lion's bold designs.


s: "Both of one blood and of one nest they are;


s: The foremost is the bold Alphonso's seed,


s: Whom, led by that false black into the snare,


s: You late beheld in purple torrent bleed.


s: The next, of visage so benign and bright,


s: "This is that goodly knight, whose praise you heard


s: When rugged Ischia's island I displayed,


s: Of whom sage Merlin, with prophetic word,


s: Whose birth should to that season be deferred,


s: When more than ever such a champion's aid,


s: Vext Italy, and Church, and Empire lack.


s: -- Prosper Colonna, chief of that emprize --


s: Makes the rude Switzer pay Bicocca dear,


s: Paid by the Frenchman in yet dearer wise.


s: Behold where France prepares for fresh career,


s: "Bust she, that moves us like the dust which flies


s: Before the restless wind, which whirls it round,


s: Lifts if aloft awhile, and from the skies


s: Blows back anew the rising cloud to ground,


s: To a hundred thousand swells, in Francis' eyes,


s: The soldiers who Pavia's walls surround.


s: The monarch sees but that which he commands,


s: Nor marks how wax or waste his leaguering bands.


s: " `Tis thus that, through the greedy servant's sin,


s: And easy sovereign's goodness, on his side,


s: The files beneath his banners muster thin,


s: When in his midnight camp, `to arms,' is cried,


s: For by the wary Spaniards charged within


s: His ramparts is he; foes that with the guide


s: To make to heaven or hell their desperate way.


s: Of all fair France extinguished on the field;


s: The Spaniards round the valiant monarch wield.


s: Behold!  his horse falls under him; yet he


s: Will neither own himself subdued, or yield;


s: Though to assault him from all sides is run


s: By wrathful bands, and succour there is none.


s: "The monarch well defends him from the foe,


s: All over bathed with blood of hostile vein.


s: But valour stoops at last to numbers; lo!


s: The king is taken, is conveyed to Spain;


s: Of Guasto hight -- the praise and prime renown


s: For that great king captived and host o'erthrown.


s: "This host o'erthrown upon Pavia's plains,


s: That, bound for Naples, halts upon its way:


s: As an ill-nourished lamp or taper wanes,


s: For want of wax or oil, with flickering ray.


s: Lo!  the king leaves his sons in Spanish chains,


s: And home returns, his own domain to sway.


s: Mid ruthless rapine, murder, fire, and rape.


s: The league's men hear the shrieks, behold the glow


s: Of hostile fires, and lo! they backward shape


s: Their course, where they should hurry on their way,


s: And leave the pontiff to his foes a prey.


s: "Lautrec the monarch sends with other bands;


s: The Church's head and limbs, already free,


s: So slowly he performs the king's commands.


s: And his strong arms against the city turned,


s: "Lo!  the imperial squadrons thither steer,


s: And lo!  burnt, sunk, destroyed, they disappear,


s: Behold!  how Fortune light does shift and veer,


s: So friendly to the Frenchman till this day!


s: Who slays their host with fever, not with lance;


s: Nor of a thousand one returns to France.


s: These histories and more the pictures shew,


s: (For to tell all would ask too long a strain)


s: In beauteous colours and of different hue;


s: Since such that hall, it these could well contain.


s: The painting twice and thrice those guests review,


s: Nor how to leave them knows the lingering train,


s: 'Twould seem; perusing oft what they behold


s: Inscribed below the beauteous work in gold.


s: When with these pictures they their sight had fed,


s: And talked long while -- these ladies and the rest --


s: They to their chambers by that Lord were led,


s: Wont much to worship every worthy guest.


s: At last Duke Aymon's beauteous daughter prest.


s: She here, she there, her restless body throws,


s: Now right, now left, but vainly seeks repose:


s: The vision cries: "Why vex yourself, and deem


s: Things real which are hollow and untrue?


s: Backwards shall sooner flow the mountainstream


s: Than I to other turn my thought from you.


s: This heart, these apples of mine eyes, will be.


s: "Hither have I repaired (it seemed he said)


s: By other wound than that of Love opprest."


s: With that he vanished from the martial maid,


s: And with the vision broken was her rest.


s: New floods of tears the awakened damsel shed,


s: And to herself in this sad fashion said:


s: "What pleased was but a dream; alas!  a sheer


s: Ah!  wherefore what I seemed to see and hear,


s: What ails ye, wretched eyes, that closed ye show


s: "Sweet sleep with promised peace my soul did buoy,


s: Sweet sleep but brought with it fallacious joy,


s: But -- sure and bitter -- waking ills ensue.


s: If falsehood so delight and truth annoy,


s: Never more may I see or hear what's true!


s: If sleeping brings me weal, and watching woe,


s: "Blest animals that sleep through half the year,


s: Nor ope your heavy eyelids, night nor day!


s: For if such tedious sleep like death appear,


s: Such watching is like life, I will not say,


s: Since -- such my lot, beyond all wont, severe --


s: I death in watching, life in sleep assay.


s: But oh!  if death such sleep resemble, Death,


s: Even now I pray three stop my fleeting breath!"


s: The clouds were gone, the horizon overspread


s: With glowing crimson by the new-born sun,


s: And in these signs, unlike the past, was read


s: And armed her for the journey to be done,


s: Her thanks first rendered to the courteous lord,


s: For his kind of cheer and hospitable board.


s: And found, the lady messenger, with maid


s: And squire, had issued from the castled hold,


s: And was a-field, where her arrival stayed


s: Those three good warriors, those the damsel bold


s: The eve before had on the champaign laid,


s: Cast from their horses by her lance of gold;


s: And who had suffered, to their mighty pain,


s: All night, the freezing wind and pattering rain.


s: Add to such ill, that, hungering sore for food,


s: They and their horses, through the livelong night,


s: Trampling the mire, with chattering teeth, had stood:


s: But (what well-nigh engendered more despite


s: -- Say not well nigh -- more moved the warrior's mood)


s: Was that they knew the damsel would recite


s: How they had been unhorsed by hostile lance


s: In the first course which they had run in France;


s: And -- each resolved to die or else his name


s: Forthwith in new encounter to retrieve --


s: (Whose style no longer I unmentioned leave),


s: Than heretofore, might haply now conceive,


s: When of the drawbridge clear they her descried;


s: Not thinking, howsoe'er, she was a maid,


s: Duke Aymon's daughter, loth to be delaid,


s: Refuses, as a traveller that is pressed.


s: That she could ill refuse the kings' request.


s: Her lance she levels, at three strokes extends


s: All three on earth, and thus the warfare ends:


s: For Bradamant no more her courser wheeled,


s: But turned her back upon the foes o'erthrown.


s: They, that intent to gain the golden shield,


s: Had sought a land so distant from their own,


s: (For speech with all their hardihood was gone)


s: Appeared as stupefied by their surprise,


s: For they, as thither they their course addrest,


s: Had vaunted to the maid in boasting vein,


s: No paladin or knight with lance in rest,


s: Against the worst his saddle could maintain.


s: To make them vail yet more their haughty crest,


s: And look upon the world with less disdain,


s: Were they unhorsed, but by a woman's spear.


s: "Now what of Roland's and Rinaldo's might,


s: Ought you to think (she said) when thus in fight


s: Say, if the buckler one of these requite,


s: "This may suffice you all; and need in none


s: Would add but scathe to shame, now made his own;


s: Unless perchance he thinks it praise and gain,


s: By such illustrious warriors to be slain."


s: A woman's hand had caused their overthrow,


s: Who with a deeper black than pitch had dyed


s: Their honour, heretofore so fair of show;


s: Where one sufficed -- with such o'erwhelming woe


s: Were they possest, they with such fury burned,


s: They well nigh on themselves their weapons turned.


s: What arms they had upon them, they unbound,


s: And cast them, strung by rage and fury sore,


s: Into the moat which girt that castle round,


s: Nor even kept the faulchions which they wore;


s: And, since a woman them had cast to ground,


s: O'erwhelmed with rage and shame, the warriors swore,


s: Themselves of such a crying shame to clear,


s: They, without bearing arms, would pass a year;


s: Up hill or down, by mountain or by plain,


s: Nor, when the year was ended, would they wear


s: The knightly mail or climb the steed again;


s: Save that from other they by force should bear,


s: In battle, other steeds and other chain.


s: So, without arms, to punish their misdeeds,


s: These wend a-foot, those others on their steeds.


s: Lodged in a township at the fall of night,


s: Duke Aymon's daughter, journeying Paris-ward,


s: Hears how King Agramant was foiled in fight.


s: Good harbourage withal of bed and board,


s: She in her hostel found; but small delight


s: This and all comforts else to her afford.


s: For the sad damsel meat and sleep foregoes,


s: Nor finds a resting place; far less repose.


s: Had tied their goodly coursers by the rein.


s: I of their war to you somedeal will tell,


s: But that the best should buckle to his side


s: To blow them to the lists, no master who


s: Should teach them when to foin and when to fend,


s: Or wake their sleeping wrath; their swords they drew:


s: Then, one against the other, boldly wend,


s: With lifted blades, the quick and dextrous two.


s: And fast and hard their swords were heard to beat.


s: None e'er by proof two other faulchions chose


s: Three strokes alone of such conflicting foes,


s: Passing all means and measure; but so pure,


s: So perfect was their temper, from all blows


s: They in a thousand strokes might clash on high,


s: -- Nay more, nor yet the solid metal fly.


s: And art, Rinaldo, shifting here and there,


s: Well knowing how 'tis wont to cleave and tear.


s: Gradasso struck with greater might and main,


s: But well nigh all his strokes were spent in air;


s: Of, if he sometimes smote, he smote on part,


s: Where Durindana wrought less harm than smart.


s: Rinaldo with more skill his blade inclined,


s: Him oft he reached where casque and coat confined,


s: And often raked his haunches with the sword:


s: Nor link the restless faulchion broke or bored.


s: Know, charmed by magic was the stubborn mail.


s: Without reposing they long time had been,


s: That, save on one another's troubled mien,


s: Their angry eyes the warriors had not bent.


s: When such despiteous war and deadly spleen,


s: Hearing a mighty noise, both champions turn,


s: -- A bird, and bigger than that courser -- prest.


s: Above three yards in length appeared to view


s: The monster's beak; a bat in all the rest.


s: Equipt with feathers, black as ink in hue,


s: And piercing talons was the winged pest;


s: And, like ship-sails, two spreading pinions shook.


s: Perhaps it was a bird; but when or where


s: Except in Turpin, heard that such has been.


s: Evoked from depths of nether hell I ween;


s: That so he might disturb the champions' fight.


s: But he would not confess the charge; nay swore,


s: Even by the light which lights the glorious sun,


s: That he might clear him of the blame he bore,


s: Whether a fiend or fowl, the pest descends,


s: Quickly the steed, possessed of mickle might,


s: Breaks loose, and, in his fury and despair,


s: Against the monster strives with kick and bite;


s: But swiftly he retires and soars in air:


s: He thence returning, prompt to wheel and smite,


s: Circles and beats the courser, here and there.


s: Wholly unskilled in fence, and sore bested,


s: Baiardo to the neighbouring forest flies,


s: Seeking the closest shade and thickest spray;


s: Above the feathered monster flaps, with eyes


s: But that good horse the greenwood threads, and lies


s: At last within a grot, concealed from day.


s: When the winged beast has lost Baiardo's traces.


s: He soars aloft, and other quarry chases.


s: Baiardo's flight, the conqueror's destined meed,


s: Till they regained the goodly horse, agreed,


s: Saved from that fowl which chased him, far and wide;


s: With him anew should to that fountain wend,


s: Beside whose brim their battle they should end.


s: Quitting the fount, they follow, where they view


s: New prints upon the forest greensward made:


s: That near at hand was tethered in the glade,


s: -- Never more malcontent and vext in sprite.


s: Baiardo's traces, who strange course had run;


s: And made for thorny thicket, wet or dry,


s: Tree, rock, or river, with design to shun


s: Those cruel claws, which, pouncing from the sky,


s: To him such outrage and such scathe had done.


s: To await him at the fount returned once more;


s: In case, as erst concerted by the twain,


s: The king should thither with the steed resort;


s: But having sought him there with little gain,


s: Fared to his camp afoot, with piteous port.


s: Who, not by judgement, guided to his prey,


s: But his rare fortune, heard Baiardo neigh;


s: And found him shrowded in his caverned lair,


s: Thus of that horse himself the king possest.


s: Well he remembered their conditions were


s: To bring him to the fount; but little pressed


s: Now was that knight to keep the promise made,


s: "Win him who will, in war and strife, I more


s: Desire in peace to make the steed my own:


s: From the world's further side, did I of yore


s: Wend hitherward, and for this end alone.


s: Having the courser, he mistakes me sore,


s: That thinks the prize by me will be foregone.


s: To Ind, as I to France have made repair.


s: Than twice for me has been his France," he said,


s: And pricked for Arles, along the road most plain,


s: And in its haven found the fleet arrayed.


s: Freighted with him, the steed and Durindane,


s: A well-rigged galley from that harbour weighed.


s: Of these hereafter! -- I, at other call,


s: Now quit Rinaldo, king, and France, and all.


s: That made his hippogryph like palfrey flee,


s: With reins and sell, so quick the welkin through;


s: That hawk and eagle soar a course less free.