s: Who joys to think, henceforth his way is clear.


s: He is to Memphis' tombs already near, --


s: Memphis renowned for pyramids; in sight,


s: To see him drag the unmeasured wight along.


s: "How can it be," (each to his fellow cried)


s: "That one so weak could master one so strong?"


s: Scarce can Astolpho put the press aside,


s: So close from every part their numbers throng;


s: Of mighty worth, and make him goodly cheer.


s: -- That eighteen thousand districts ill supply


s: Lodging to those who in her markets meet;


s: -- And though the houses are three stories high,


s: Numbers are forced to sleep in the open street;


s: Of wonderous size, and passing rich and fair;


s: Keeps fifteen thousand vassals, for his needs,


s: Beneath one roof supplied with bower and stall,


s: Themselves, and wives, and families, and steeds.


s: The duke desired to see the river's fall,


s: He heard, was prisoner made or slain outright.


s: For at Nile's outlet there, beside his bed,


s: A sturdy thief was sheltered in a tower,


s: Alike the native's and the stranger's dread,


s: Wont even to Cairo's gate the road to scower.


s: Him no one could resist, and, it was said,


s: That man to slay the felon had no power.


s: A hundred thousand wounds he had in strife


s: Received, yet none could ever take his life.


s: To see if he could break the thread which tied


s: The felon's life, upon his way the knight


s: Thence to the river's outlet past, and spied


s: Harboured in which the enchanted demon lay,


s: Found at fierce strife: the two ill held their own


s: The warlike pair, although himself alone;


s: And how much either might in arms avail,


s: Fame through the universal world had blown.


s: The truth) with vantage on his side, begun


s: The fight, who brought a monster to the fray,


s: Found only in those parts, and wont to won


s: Poor mariners and travelling men, who fare,


s: The monster, slaughtered by the brethren two,


s: Him they dismembered often and not slew:


s: Now he, -- because dismembered, -- ever dies;


s: Which the good faulchion from his body hacks.


s: Now to the teeth, now breast, the enchanted wight.


s: While the two baffled warriors rage for spite.


s: Scatter, and reunite each broken member,


s: Hearing my tale, what he has seen remember.


s: If the thief's head be severed by the pair,


s: He lights and staggers till he finds it; now


s: And fastened to the neck, I know not how.


s: This sometimes Gryphon takes, and whirled through air,


s: Whelms in the stream; but bootless is the throw:


s: And safely, with the head, regains the brim.


s: One damsel was in black and one in white,


s: And who had been the occasion of that fray,


s: Whose care had nourished one and the other knight,


s: Oliver's children; when the babes forlorn


s: They from the claws of two huge birds had torn.


s: Since, from Gismonda they had these conveyed,


s: Borne to a distance from their native sky.


s: But more to say were needless, since displaid


s: To the whole world has been their history.


s: Though the author has the father's name mis-said;


s: Mistaking.  Now this fearful strife the pair


s: Of warriors waged at both the ladies' prayer.


s: Though it was noon in the happy islands, day


s: Had vanished in this clime, displaced by night;


s: And, underneath the moon's uncertain ray,


s: And ill-discerned, were all things hid from sight;


s: Since both the sable sister and the white


s: Were pleased the furious battle to defer,


s: Till a new sun should in the horizon stir.


s: The duke, who by their ensigns, and yet more


s: Had by the sight of many a vigorous blow,


s: Agnized, to greet the brethren was not slow:


s: And they, who in the peer, victorious o'er


s: The BARON OF THE PARD, (so styled at court)


s: Him to salute, with no less love resort.


s: To a fair palace near, their sumptuous seat:


s: Thence issuing courtly squire and damsel sped,


s: Them with lit torches in mid-way to meet.


s: Their goodly steeds they quit, there well bested,


s: Put off their arms, and in a garden sweet


s: Fast by, where a refreshing fountain played.


s: Here they bid bind the giant on the green,


s: Fast-tethered by a strong and weighty chain


s: To a tough oak, whose ancient trunk they ween


s: May well be proof against a single strain;


s: With that, by ten good serjeants overseen,


s: Lest he by night get loose, and so the train


s: Assault and haply harm; while careless they


s: At the abundant and most sumptuous board,


s: With costly viands (its least pleasure) fraught,


s: Orrilo's prowess, and the marvel wrought;


s: For head or arm dissevered by the sword,


s: They (who upon the recent wonder thought)


s: Might think a dream to see him re-unite,


s: And but return more furious to the fight.


s: (That which prescribed a remedy for spell)


s: How he who of one hair deprived the pest


s: But this plucked out or sheared, he from his breast


s: Parforce the felon's spirit would expell.


s: So says the volume; but instructs not where,


s: 'Mid locks so thickly set, to find the hair.


s: The duke no less with hope of conquest glows


s: As he that hopes with small expense of blows


s: To pluck the hair, the wizard-wight undone.


s: Hence does he to the youthful pair propose


s: If the two brethren nought the intent gainsay,


s: But willingly to him these yield the emprize,


s: Assured his toil will be bestowed in vain;


s: Drops, -- and the strife begins -- Orrilo plies


s: The mace, the duke the sword; he 'mid a rain


s: Of strokes would from the body at one blow


s: Divorce the spirit of the enchanted foe:


s: Together with the mace he lops the fist;


s: And now this arm, now the other falls to ground;


s: Sometimes he cleaves the corslet's iron twist,


s: And piecemeal shares and maims the felon round.


s: Found on the champagne, and again is sound:


s: And, though into a hundred fragments hewed,


s: Astolpho sees him, in a thought, renewed.


s: One stroke, above the shoulders and below


s: The chin, which lopt away both helm and head:


s: Nor lights the duke less swiftly than his foe.


s: Then grasps the hair defiled with gore and red,


s: Springs in a moment on his horse, and lo!


s: Up-stream with it along Nile's margin hies,


s: So that the thief cannot retake the prize.


s: That fool, who had not marked the warrior's feat,


s: Was searching in the dust to find his head;


s: But when he heard the charger in retreat,


s: Who through the forest with the plunder fled,


s: Leapt quickly into his own courser's seat,


s: But that the duke had borne his mouth away:


s: Yet pleased Astolpho had not in like guise


s: Borne off his heels, pursues with flowing rein.


s: This while the wizard's head Astolpho eyes


s: From poll to front, above the eyebrows twain,


s: Searching, in haste, if he the hair can see


s: Straiter or crisper than the rest was seen.


s: How then should good Astolpho, in his care


s: To slay the thief, so many choose between?


s: "To cut them all (he said) it better were."


s: And since he scissors lacked and razor keen,


s: He wanting these, resorted to his glaive,


s: Which cut so well, it might be said to shave.


s: And, holding, by the nose, the severed head,


s: Close-sheared it all, behind and eke before.


s: He found, among the rest, the fatal thread.


s: Then pale became the visage, changing sore,


s: Turned up its eyes, and signals sore and dread


s: And the headless body seated in the sell,


s: Shuddered its last, and from the courser fell.


s: The duke returns where he the champions two


s: And dames had left, the trophy in his hand,


s: Which manifests of death the tokens true;


s: I know not if they this with pleasure view,


s: Though him they welcome with demeanour bland:


s: Perchance inflict upon the envying twain.


s: With pleasure could that battle's issue see:


s: Since those kind dames, because they would delay


s: The doleful fate which shortly was to be


s: In France the brethren's lot, had in that fray


s: With fierce Orrilo matched the warriors free;


s: Till the sad influence of the skies were past.


s: The news, another from that town was sped


s: As he had brought the adventure to an end,


s: The duke now sought the noble youths to stir,


s: (Though of themselves that way their wishes tend,


s: Nor they to whet that purpose need the spur)


s: That they the Church from outrage to defend,


s: And rights of Charles, the Roman Emperor,


s: Would cease to war upon that Eastern strand,


s: And would seek honour in their native land.


s: Who, though it sorely troubled them, ill knew


s: The duke, together with the warlike two,


s: Turns to the right, resolved to worship, where


s: God erst incarnate dwelt, the holy places,


s: Ere he to cherished France his way retraces.


s: The warriors to the left-hand might incline,


s: As plainer and more full of pleasant cheer,


s: Where still along the sea extends their line;


s: But take the right-hand path, abrupt and drear;


s: By six days' journey, is, through this, more near.


s: And grass; all other needful matters lack.


s: So that, before they enter on their road,


s: All that is needful they collect, and lay


s: At finishing their rough and salvage way;


s: Where HEAVENLY LOVE a willing offering stood,


s: And washed away our errors with his blood.


s: A gentle stripling; and in him the three


s: Was, in youth's flower, for sovereign chivalry,


s: For sovereign goodness, famed the country through,


s: Who had, with his own hands, baptized the youth.


s: And with a wall two miles in length, the mount


s: Received with such a countenance, as is wont


s: And, with all comfort, harboured in the dome.


s: Conferred on him by Charlemagne, in trust,


s: That it ten draught horse burdens had conveyed;


s: So monstrous was the giant, and next gave


s: The net, in which he took the unwieldy slave.


s: In quittance, Sansonet, his sword to bear,


s: And spurs for either heel, a costly pair,


s: With bucklers and with rowels made of gold;


s: Which ('twas believed) the warrior's relicts were,


s: Who freed the damsel from that dragon old;


s: Spoils, which Sir Sansonet, with many more,


s: Cleansed of their errors in a monastery,


s: From whence the odour of good works upwent,


s: Contemplating, through all the churches went;


s: Foul Moor usurp; what time on strife intent,


s: All Europe rings with arms and martial deeds,


s: And war is everywhere but where it needs.


s: While grace the warlike three devoutly sought,


s: A Grecian pilgrim, known to Gryphon, brought


s: Tidings, which ill the afflicted champion bore,


s: From his long-cherished vow and former thought,


s: Too foreign, too remote; and these so sore


s: Inflamed his troubled breast, and bred such care,


s: They wholly turned aside his mind from prayer.


s: For his misfortune, one of lovely feature


s: Not one among a thousand meets the sight:


s: But faithless, and of such an evil nature,


s: That thou mightst town and city search outright,


s: Yet, never, as I think, wouldst find her peer.


s: With a fierce fever, he had left the fair;


s: And hoped to find her, to that place returned,


s: Lovelier than ever; and enjoy her there.


s: But she to Antioch (as the warrior learned)


s: Thinking, while such fresh youth was yet her own,


s: 'Twere not a thing to brook -- to sleep alone.


s: Sir Gryphon, from the time he heard the news


s: Had evermore bemoaned him, day or night:


s: Seems but the more to vex his troubled sprite.


s: Let each reflect, who to his mischief woos,


s: How keenly tempered are Love's darts of might,


s: And, heavier than all ills, the torment fell,


s: In that he was ashamed his grief to tell.


s: Reproved him for the passion which he nursed,


s: And sought to banish her from his heart's core;


s: -- Her, who of all bad women is the worst,


s: He still had censured, in his wiser lore,


s: Her Gryphon, in his partial love, excuses,


s: For mostly self-conceit our sense abuses.


s: It therefore is his purpose, without say


s: Who had borne off his heart-core from his breast:


s: To find him, who had made the dame his prey,


s: And take such vengeance of him, ere he rest,


s: As shall for aye be told.  My next will tell


s: By thousands and by thousands heaped this while;


s: Within the Sarzan so destroys each pile,


s: Such slaughter deals, that greater ill than this


s: Love's penalties are manifold and dread:


s: Of which I have endured the greater part,


s: And, to my cost, in these so well am read,


s: That I can speak of them as 'twere my art.


s: (Did speech or living page my thoughts impart)


s: "One ill is grievous and another light."


s: Yield me belief, and deem my judgment right.


s: I say, I said, and, while I live, will say,


s: Though his desire his lady should gainsay,


s: And, every way averse, his suit disdain;


s: Though Love deprive him of all praised pay,


s: After long time and trouble spent in vain,


s: He, if his heart be placed well worthily,


s: Needs not lament though he should waste and die."


s: Let him lament, who plays a slavish part,


s: Whom two bright eyes and lovely tresses please:


s: Beneath which beauties lurks a wanton heart


s: With little that is pure, and much of lees.


s: The wretch would fly; but bears in him a dart,


s: Like wounded stag, whichever way he flees;


s: Dares not confess, yet cannot quench, his flame,


s: And of himself and worthless love has shame.


s: The youthful Gryphon finds him in this case,


s: Who sees the error which he cannot right;


s: He sees how vilely he his heart does place


s: On faithless Origille, his vain delight:


s: Yet evil use doth sovereign reason chase,


s: Though a foul mind the lady's actions speak,


s: Her, wheresoe'er she is, must Gryphon seek.


s: Nor to his brother would his plan bewray,


s: Who oft on him had vain reproof bestowed:


s: But to the left t'wards Ramah shaped his way,


s: Him six days' journey to Damascus brought,


s: Whence, setting out anew, he Antioch sought.


s: And matched in evil customs were the two,


s: Like stalk and flower: for that in either's breast


s: Was lodged a fickle heart; the dame untrue,


s: And he a traitor whom she loved the best.


s: While both the lovers hid their nature base,


s: To others' cost, beneath a courteous face.


s: Came on huge courser, trapped with mickle pride;


s: With faithless Origille, in gorgeous gear,


s: With gold embroidered, and with azure dyed.


s: Two ready knaves, who serve the warrior, rear


s: The knightly helm and buckler at his side;


s: As one who with fair pomp and semblance went


s: Had in these days bid solemnly proclaim;


s: And with what pomp they could, upon his call,


s: Thither, in shining arms, the champions came.


s: At Gryphon's sight the harlot's spirits fall,


s: Who fears that he will work her scathe and shame;


s: And knows her lover has not force and breath


s: To save her from Sir Gryphon, threatening death;


s: But like most cunning and audacious quean,


s: Although she quakes from head to foot with fear,


s: Her voice so strengthens, and so shapes her mien,


s: That in her face no signs of dread appear,


s: The trick devised, she feigns a joyous cheer,


s: Towards Sir Gryphon goes, and for long space


s: Hangs on his neck, fast-locked in her embrace.


s: The action to the word, sore weeping, cried:


s: "Dear lord, is this the guerdon due to me,


s: For love and worship?  that I should abide


s: Alone one live long year, deprived of thee,


s: -- A second near -- and, yet upon thy side


s: No grief? -- and had I borne for thee to stay,


s: I know not if I should have seen that day.


s: (When thou wast journeying to the plenar court)


s: To cheer me, -- left with fever sore infected,


s: And in the dread of death, -- I heard report


s: That thou wast gone to Syria; and dejected


s: By that ill tiding, suffered in such sort,


s: Had nigh with this right hand transfixt my breast.


s: "But fortune, by her double bounty, shows


s: She guards me more than thou: me to convey


s: She sent my brother here, who with me goes,


s: And this encounter with thee now bestows,


s: Which I above all other blessings weigh,


s: And in good time; for hadst thou longer stayed,


s: My lord, I should have died of hope delayed."


s: Pursues, and so well shapes her history,


s: She wholly throws the blame on Gryphon good;


s: Her kin alone, but of her flesh and blood,


s: The knight, that he less credits Luke and John.


s: Nor he the fraud of her, more false than fair,


s: Nor only did the threatened stranger spare,


s: But deemed to excuse himself sufficient were,


s: Returned, who to Sir Gryphon made report,


s: That Syria's wealthy king, with sumptuous cheer,


s: Within that place would hold a splendid court;


s: There at his tourney (of whatever sort),


s: From wrong, for all the time the feast endures.


s: Shall not so steadfastly pursue the lore,


s: Thousands and thousands had betrayed before,


s: Two hundred thousand wretched men or more


s: Burnt by the raging wild-fire, where they spread,


s: About the walls of Paris, scathe and dread.


s: To storm a gate, and to the assault was gone:


s: This he had hoped to find without a guard;


s: And work elsewhere to bar the way was none.


s: For there, in person, Charles kept watch and ward


s: With many, practised warriors every one;


s: One and the other host its worth, before


s: Charles and king Agramant, desire to show,


s: Where praise, where riches are, they think, in store


s: For those that do their duty on the foe.


s: But such were not the atchievements of the Moor


s: Full many a Saracen the champaign prest;


s: The frequent darts a storm of hail appear,


s: Which from the city-wall the Christians fling;


s: The deafening clamours put the heavens in fear,


s: Which, from our part, and from that other, ring.


s: But Charles and Agramant must wait; for here


s: King Rodomont, that fierce and fearful man,


s: That through the middle of the city ran.


s: I know not, sir, if you the adventure dread


s: The leader, who had left his people dead,


s: Upon those limbs the ravening fire so fed,


s: Was never sight more sad! -- I told withal,


s: How vaulting o'er that hindrance at a bound,


s: He cleared the moat which girt the city round.


s: When he was known the thickening crowd among,


s: By the strange arms he wore and scaly hide,


s: There, where the aged sires and feebler throng.


s: Listened to each new tale on every side;


s: Heaven-high groan, moan, and lamentation rung,


s: And loud they beat their lifted palms and cried:


s: While those who had the strength to fly aloof,


s: Sought safety not from house or temple's roof.


s: But this the cruel sword concedes to few,


s: And here, with half a leg dissevered, flew


s: A foot, there head divided from the bust:


s: This cleft across, and that behold him hew,


s: From head to hips, so strong the blow and just.


s: While, of the thousands wounded by the Moor,


s: Is none that shows an honest scar before.


s: What by weak herd, in fields of Hircany,


s: Or wolf, by lamb or kid, on heights which lie


s: Rabble, that I should term a race forlorn,


s: Who but deserved to die ere they were born.


s: Of all he cuts, and thrusts, and maims, and bleeds,


s: There is not one who looks him in the face.


s: Throughout that street, which in a straight line leads


s: Up to St. Michael's bridge, so thronged a space,


s: Whirling his bloody brand, nor grants he grace,


s: And saint and sinner feel alike the sword.


s: Nor gently beaming eyes, nor vermeil cheek,


s: Protect the blooming dame or damsel mild.


s: Age smites its breast and flies: while bent to wreak


s: Vengeance, the Saracen, with gore defiled,


s: Shows not his valour more than cruel rage,


s: Nor the impious king alone with human blood,


s: -- Lord of the impious he -- his hand distains,


s: But even on walls so sorely vents his mood,


s: He fires fair houses, and polluted fanes.


s: The houses almost all were made of wood,


s: Then (as 'tis told) and this, by what remains,


s: Though flames demolish all things far and wide,


s: This ill appears his furious hate to slake:


s: Where'er the paynim has his hands applied,


s: That it could rend from wall of battered town


s: What, at a single pull, the king plucked down.


s: So warred with fire and sword, if at his post,


s: King Agramant had prest it from without,


s: But he was hindered by the warrior stout,


s: Who came from England with the advancing host,


s: Composed of English and of Scotch allied,


s: With Silence and the Angel for their guide.


s: It was God's will, that while through town and tower


s: Thither arrived Rinaldo, Clermont's flower.


s: Three leagues above, he o'er the river's bed


s: Had cast a bridge; from whence his English power


s: To the left-hand by crooked ways he led;


s: That, meaning to assail the barbarous foes,


s: Six thousand strong, of archer infantry,


s: And sped, with Ariman, two thousand horse


s: Sought Paris by those roads, which have their course


s: That by St. Martin's and St. Denys' gate,


s: They might convey the aid the burghers wait.


s: Rinaldo sent with these the baggage train


s: And carriages, with which his troops were stored;


s: And fetching, with the forces that remain,


s: He bridge, and boat, and means to pass the Seine,


s: Had with him; for it here was ill to ford.


s: He past his army, broke the bridges down,


s: And rank'd in line the bands of either crown.


s: But having first the peers and captains wheeled


s: Mounted the bank which overtopt the field,


s: So much, that all might plainly see and hear;


s: And cried, "My lords, you should thanksgiving yield,


s: With lifted hands, to God, who brought you here;


s: Through whom, o'er every nation, you may gain


s: "Two princes, by your means, will rescued be,


s: If you relieve those city gates from siege;


s: Him, your own king, whom you from slavery


s: And death to save, a subject's vows oblige;


s: Than ever yet in court was served by liege,


s: And with them other kings, and dukes, and peers,


s: And lords of other lands, and cavaliers.


s: Will the Parisians bless your helping hand,


s: Who, sadder than for sorrows of their own,


s: Timid, afflicted, and disheartened stand;


s: And their unhappy wives and children moan,


s: Which share in the same peril, and the band


s: Or virgins, dedicate to heavenly spouse,


s: Lest this day frustrate see their holy vows;


s: -- "I say, this city saved from deadly wound,


s: But habitants of all the countries round:


s: For city there is none on Christian ground.


s: So that to you, for vanquishing the foe,


s: More lands than France will obligation owe.


s: "If him the ancients with a crown endued,


s: For rescuing such a countless multitude,


s: What recompense shall be your worthy meed?


s: And holy, enterprise should ill succeed,


s: Believe me, only while these walls endure,


s: Him, who for us upon the cross was hung;


s: Nor think that distance saves you from the Moor,


s: Nor deem your island strong, the waves among.


s: For if, from far Gibraltar's straits of yore,


s: And old Alcides' pillars, sailed the throng,


s: To bear off plunder from your sea-girt strands,


s: What will they do when they possess our lands?


s: "And, if in this fair enterprise arrayed,


s: No gain, no glory served you as a guide,


s: Our broken foemen will the assault abide;


s: Who seem to me ill-taught in warlike art,


s: Such reasons, and yet better for, that need


s: And with quick phrase and voice, to valiant deed


s: The high-minded barons and bold army stir;


s: And this was but to goad a willing steed


s: (As the old proverb says) who lacks no spur.


s: He moved the squadrons, having closed his speech,


s: Softly, beneath their separate banners, each.


s: So moves his triple host, their flags below.


s: The honour first to assail the barbarous foe;


s: Thus England's horse and foot, the two between,


s: When he had put the warriors in their way,


s: And, passing by their squadrons, pricked before


s: Until he reached the quarters of the Moor,


s: Where Oran's king, and king Sobrino lay;


s: Who, half-a-mile removed from those of Spain,


s: Posted upon that side, observed the plain.


s: And sure, the Christians who had thither wound,


s: With Silence and the Angel for their guide,


s: No longer could stand mute or keep their ground:


s: But hearing now the foe, with shouts defied


s: Their host, and made the shrilling trumpets sound;


s: And with loud clamours, which Heaven's concave fill,


s: Sent through the paynim's bones a deadly chill.


s: Rinaldo spurs before the troops combined


s: His foaming courser, and his weapon rests;


s: And a full bow-shot leaves the Scots behind:


s: So all delay the impatient peer molests.


s: Issues, ere yet the horrid storm infests,


s: So sallying swiftly from the following herd,


s: The wavering Moorish files betray their fear;


s: And, trembling in their hands, is seen the lance,


s: Their thighs and stirrups quivering, like the spear.


s: King Pulian only marks the knight's advance,


s: Knowing Rinaldo not, unchanged in cheer;


s: Nor thinking such a cruel shock to meet,


s: Gallops against him on his courser fleet.


s: He stoops upon the weapon which he strains,


s: Whole and collected for the martial game:


s: And goading with both spurs the courser, came.


s: But shows, by doings, what he is in name;


s: -- With what rare grace and matchless art he wars,


s: Well-matched in skill, they aimed their cruel blows,


s: With lances at each other's heads addrest;


s: Ill matched, in arms and valour, were the foes,


s: For this past on, and that the champaigne prest.


s: More certain proof of worth, when warriors close,


s: There needs than knightly lance, well placed in rest;


s: But Fortune even more than Valour needs,


s: Which ill, without her saving succour, speeds.


s: With the good spear new levelled in his fist,


s: The monarch was, but ill supplied with heart.


s: And his might pass for a fair stroke in list,


s: Though planted in the buckler's nether part.


s: Let those excuse it who refuse to admire,


s: Since the good paladin could reach no higher.


s: Though made of palm within, and steel without,


s: But that it pierced the paunch, and made a way


s: To let that mean and ill matched spirit out.


s: The courser, who had deemed that all the day


s: Thanked in his heart the warrior, who well met,


s: Had thus preserved him from so sore a sweat.


s: So wheels his horse, he seems equipt with wings;


s: Amid the closest crowd, impetuous springs.


s: Composed of brittle glass the arms appear


s: Nor tempered steel is there, nor corslet thick,


s: Which keeps the sword from biting to the quick.


s: Yet few the tempered plates or iron pins


s: With which encounters that descending brand;


s: But targets, some of oak and some of skins,


s: And quilted vest and turban's twisted band.


s: Lightly such drapery good Rinaldo thins,


s: And cleaves, and bores, and shears, on either hand;


s: Nor better from his sword escapes the swarm,


s: Than grass from sweeping scythe, or grain from storm.


s: The foremost squadron had been put to flight,


s: Forth pricking from the following crowd, in sight


s: Appeared, with levelled lance, their youthful head:


s: With no less fury those who trooped to fight


s: Like lions, like so many wolves, who leap


s: In fury to the assault of goat or sheep.


s: Both spurred their coursers on, with rested lance,


s: When either warrior to his foe was near;


s: And that short interval, that small expanse,


s: Of plain, between, was seen to disappear.


s: Was never witnessed yet a stranger dance!


s: For the Scots only ply the murderous spear;


s: Only the scattered paynims slaughtered lie,


s: More cold than ice, each Scot more fierce than flame.


s: The Moors believed that with Rinaldo's thew


s: And muscle fortified, each Christian came.


s: Nor stayed till herald should his call proclaim:


s: Better were they than those which went before,


s: For captain, armour, and for martial lore.


s: Though ill had they been deemed of much avail.


s: Ill harnessed, and worse trained to martial fray,


s: Forthwith King Dardinel, the foe to assail,


s: Moved up his host, himself in helmet gay,


s: And sheathing all his limbs in plate and mail.


s: Thraso, this while, the valiant Duke of Mar,


s: Who muster in his train, uplifts the bar,


s: And to the lists of fame his following chears,


s: Entered in that fierce fray he sees and hears.


s: And sound of drum, and barbarous instrument,


s: Combined with twang of bow, and whiz of sling,


s: Wheel and machine, and stone from engine sent,


s: And (what more loud than these appeared to ring)


s: Tumult, and shriek, and groan, and loud lament,


s: Composed a direr whole than what offends


s: The neighbouring tribes where deafening Nile descends.


s: With wide-extended shade is seen to shrowd;


s: Breath, smoke of sweat and dust ascend on high,


s: By turns each host gives way, and you might spy,


s: Now chasing, now in flight, the self-same crowd;


s: And here some wight, beside his foeman slain,


s: Or little distant, prostrate on the plain.


s: When, harassed with fatigue, a wearied crew


s: Withdraw, fresh files their fellows reinforce:


s: Men, here and there, the wasted ranks renew;


s: Here march supplies of foot, and there of horse:


s: Her mantle green for robe of crimson hue


s: Earth shifts, ensanguined where the warriors course:


s: And there were azure flowers and yellow sprung,


s: Now slaughtered men lie stretched their steeds among.


s: Than ever stripling of his age, he strowed


s: The ground with heaps of dead, and overthrew


s: The paynim numbers which about him flowed.


s: Entrusted squadron mighty prowess showed;


s: Filling with dread and wonder, near and far,


s: The squadrons of Castile and of Navarre.


s: And one esteemed among the valiant train,


s: Leaving their standards, in the hope to gain,


s: By young Zerbino's death, a glorious force,


s: And wounded in his flanks the prince's horse.


s: Pierced by three lances lay the courser strong,


s: And, eager to avenge his charger's wrong,


s: The assailants, where he sees them, will pursue.


s: Him, in the hope to make him prisoner, flew,


s: And pierced him in the flank; who from his sell,


s: Pallid and cold, upon the champaign fell.


s: When him so killed, as 'twere by stealthy blow,


s: Chelindo viewed, to avenge his brother slain,


s: He charged, intent the prince to overthrow;


s: But he seized fast his courser by the rein,


s: And, thence to rise not, laid the charger low,


s: Destined no more to feed on hay or grain;


s: For at one stroke, so matchless was his force,


s: He turned the bridle short to speed away,


s: But him with downright cut Zerbino plied


s: Behind, and cried withal, "Stay, traitor, stay."


s: Nor from its aim the sword-stroke wandered wide,


s: Though from the mark it went somedeal astray;


s: The falchion missed the rider as he fled,


s: But reached the horse's croup, and stretched him dead,


s: He quits the horse, and thence for safety crawls;


s: But he with little boot escapes his foe;


s: For him Duke Thraso's horse o'erturns and mawls,


s: Opprest the ponderous courser's weight below.


s: Where the huge crowd upon Zerbino falls,


s: And with them many a cavalier and count,


s: The force of Ariodantes' circling brand:


s: More deeply yet the puissance of his hand.


s: Smote by the knight, escaped the former two;


s: The others were left dead upon the strand.


s: Lurcanio shows what are his force and breath;


s: Who charges, smites, o'erturns, and puts to death.


s: Sir, think not that more inland on the plain


s: The stream, nor that the troops behind remain


s: He valiantly assailed the flags of Spain,


s: For Horse and Foot, and Captains of those bands,


s: On either side, could deftly ply their hands.


s: Forward Sir Oldrad pricks and Fieramont;


s: This Glocester's duke, and York's the other knight;


s: With them conjoined is Richard, Warwick's count,


s: And the bold duke of Clarence, Henry hight.


s: And Baricond, with all they lead to fight.


s: Well matched awhile the Christian and the Moor


s: Appeared, without advantage in the fray.


s: Not this, now that gave ground, like corn before


s: The light and fickle breeze which blows in May:


s: Or as the sea which ripples on the shore,


s: Still comes and goes, nor keeps one certain way,


s: When hollow Fortune thus had sported long,


s: She proved disastrous to the paynim throng.


s: Assailed this while, and hurtled from his sell;


s: Fieramont Follicon o'erturned and rolled,


s: In the right shoulder smit, on earth as well.


s: The advancing English either paynim hold,


s: And bear their prisoners off to dungeon cell.


s: This while, Sir Baricond is, in the strife,


s: By Clarence's bold duke deprived of life.


s: Hence 'tis among the Moors amazement all,


s: While hence the Christians take such heart and pride,


s: The bands do nought but quit their ground and fall,


s: And break their order on the Paynim side,


s: What time the Christian troops come on, and gall


s: Their flying rants, which nowhere will abide:


s: And had not one arrived to aid their host.


s: The Paynim camp had on that side been lost.


s: But Ferrau, who till this time ever nigh


s: Marsilius, scarce had quitted him that day,


s: When half destroyed he marked his chivalry,


s: Pricked his good courser forth, in time to spy,


s: (Where mid those squadrons hottest waxed the fray)


s: With his head severed in a griesly wound,


s: A stripling he, who such sweet musick vented,


s: Accorded to the horned lyre's soft tone;


s: The hearer's heart, though harder than a stone.


s: Happy!  if, with such excellence contented,


s: And loathed shield, quiver, helmet, sword and lance;


s: Destined by these to die a youth in France.


s: When bold French beheld his cruel plight,


s: For whom he love and much esteem profest,


s: Than, 'mid those thousands slain, for all the rest.


s: And smote the foe who slew him with such might,


s: That he his helm divided from the crest;


s: Cut front, eyes, visage, and mid bosom through,


s: And cast him down amid the slaughtered crew.


s: Nor stops he here, nor leaves a corslet whole,


s: Nor helm unbroken, where his sword is plied,


s: Of this the front or cheek, of that the poll,


s: The arm of other foe his strokes divide;


s: And he, of these divorcing body and soul,


s: Restores the wavering battle on that side;


s: Whence the disheartened and ignoble throng


s: Are scattered wide, and broke, and driven along.


s: Desirous there his bloody course to run;


s: Whose blood will form a lake ere day be done,


s: That I could count each leaf with greater ease


s: When autumn of their mantle strips the trees.


s: Of horse and foot withdraws, and sends the array


s: Behind the Moorish tents to make his way,


s: And those of Ireland in their march withstand,


s: Whom he sees hurrying with what haste they may,


s: And with wide wheel and spacious compass wind,


s: The king of Fez upon this service prest;


s: For all delay might sore his work impede.


s: This while King Agramant unites the rest,


s: And parts the troops who to the battle speed.


s: He sought himself the river, where he guessed


s: The Moorish host might most his presence need;


s: And, from that quarter, had a courier prayed,


s: By King Sobrino sent, the monarch's aid.


s: He more than half his camp behind him led,


s: In one deep phalanx.  At the mighty sound


s: Alone, the Scotsmen trembled, and in dread


s: Abandoned honour, order, and their ground:


s: But that in time his need Rinaldo spied.


s: So chased the quailing Saracens, the cry


s: He plants his courser, where their squadrons yield


s: To the fierce paynims, and exclaims:  "Where go


s: Your bands, and why so basely quit the field,


s: Behold the promised trophies, spear and shield,


s: Spoils which your loaded churches ought to show!


s: What praise!  what glory!  that alone, and reft


s: Of his good horse, your monarch's son is left!


s: He from a squire receives a lance, and spies


s: Of the Alvaracchiae, and against him hies;


s: Who had been slain as well amid the throng,


s: If good Rinaldo's lance had proved more strong.


s: And smites Sir Serpentine, him of the star.


s: Though charmed from mischief are the cavalier's


s: Good arms, he falls astounded by the jar,


s: The field so widely, where those champions war,


s: That without more dispute he takes a horse


s: Of those, who masterless, at random, course.


s: Who haply would not, if he more delayed:


s: But he, who had in time regained the sell,


s: Wheeled, here and there his horse, with brandished blade,


s: That how men live above their ghosts might say.


s: The strongest of the foeman covets still,


s: -- Who seems too passing-proud, and greater ill


s: Works there, than thousand others of the foe --


s: And spurs his horse, the Moorish chief to spill.


s: He smote the monarch, broadside charged the steed,


s: And man and horse reversed upon the mead.


s: What time, without, in such destructive frays


s: Hate, Rage, and Fury, all offend by turns,


s: And costly house, and holy temple burns:


s: While Charles elsewhere anther duty stays,


s: Who nothing hears of this, nor aught discerns.


s: He, in the town, receives the British band,


s: To him a squire approached, who pale with dread,


s: Scarce drew his breath, and cried: "Oh, well away!


s: Ere he could utter aught beside).  "To-day,


s: And Christ to the heathen makes his flock a prey.


s: A fiend from air to-day has dropt, that none


s: Henceforth may in this city make their won.


s: Turn, and the curling wreaths of vapour see,


s: From the red flames which wander up and down;


s: List to those groans, and be they warrantry


s: Of the sad news thy servant now makes known!


s: One the fair city wastes with sword and fire,


s: Even such as he, who hears the tumult wide,


s: And clatter of church-bells, ere he espy


s: The raging fire, concealed from none beside


s: Himself, to him most dangerous, and most nigh;


s: Such was King Charles; who heard, and then descried


s: Hence he the choicest of his meiny steers


s: Thither, where he the cry and tumult hears.


s: With many peers and chiefs, who worthiest are,


s: Summoned about him, Charlemagne is gone:


s: He bids direct his standards to the square


s: Whither the paynim had repaired; hears groan


s: And tumult, spies the horrid tokens there


s: -- No more -- Let him return another time,


s: Who willingly will listen to this rhyme.


s: Charles goes, with his, against King Rodomont.


s: Does mighty deeds; Martano turns his front,


s: Showing how recreant is his natural bent;


s: And next, on Gryphon to bring down affront,


s: Stole from the knight the arms in which he went;


s: Hence by the kindly monarch much esteemed,


s: And Gryphon scorned, whom he Martano deemed.


s: Whenever crimes have past remission's bound,


s: Has monstrous and destructive tyrants crowned;


s: And gifted them with force and subtlety,


s: Marius and Sylla to this end were nursed,


s: And, lifted from the lowest rabble's lees,


s: To imperial place and puissance, Maximine:


s: Hence Thebes to cruel Creon bent her knees,


s: Fattening his fields with blood.  To pests like these


s: To Lombard, Goth, and Hun a bleeding prey.


s: Whom, because men still trod the crooked way,


s: God sent them for their pain and torment sore.


s: Of this ourselves have made a clear assay,


s: As well as those who lived in days of yore;


s: Consigned to ravening wolves, ordained to keep


s: Us, his ill-nurturing and unuseful sheep;


s: Who, as if having more than served to fill


s: Their hungry maw, invite from foreign wood


s: Beyond the mountain, wolves of greedier will,


s: With them to be partakers of their food.


s: The bones which Thrasymene and Trebbia fill,


s: And Cannae, seem but few to what are strewed


s: On fattened field and bank, where on their way


s: Now God permits that we should feel the spite


s: The time will come we may such ill requite


s: Upon their shores, if we shall better be,


s: And their transgressions ever prove above


s: The Christian people then God's placid front


s: Must have disturbed with their excesses sore;


s: Since them with slaughter, rape, and rapine hunt,


s: Through all their quarters, plundering Turk and Moor:


s: Proves worse than all the ills endured before.


s: In search of him towards the city square.


s: Charles, by the way, his people's butchery


s: Beholds -- burnt palaces and ruined fanes --


s: In unexampled wreck. -- "Ye coward trains,


s: Whither in heartless panic would ye fly?


s: Will none his loss contemplate?  what remains


s: To you, -- what place of refuge, say, is left,


s: "Then shall one man alone, a prisoned foe,


s: Who cannot scale the walls which round him spread,


s: Unscathed, unquestioned, from your city go,


s: When all are by his vengeful arm laid dead?"


s: Thus Charlemagne, whose veins with anger glow,


s: And shame, too strong to brook, in fury said;


s: And to the spacious square made good his way,


s: Where he beheld the foe his people slay.


s: Climbing the palace roof, had made resort;


s: For strongly walled, and furnished was the place


s: With ammunition, for their long support.


s: Rodomont, mad with pride, had, in his chace


s: Of the scared burghers, singly cleared the court,


s: He with one daring hand, which scorned the world,


s: Brandished the sword; -- his other wildfire hurled;


s: And smote and thundered, 'mid a fearful shower,


s: To their life's peril, crumbling roof and tower


s: Is tost by them that on the summit wait:


s: But wood and stone endure one common fate,


s: And marbled column, slab, and gilded beam,


s: By sire and grandsire held in high esteem.


s: Rodomont stands before the portal, bright


s: With steel, his head and bust secured in mail,


s: Having cast off his slough, diseased and stale:


s: Renewed in youth, and proud of polished scale,


s: Darts his three tongues, fire flashing from his eyes;


s: While every frighted beast before him flies.


s: Nor bulwark, stone, nor arbalest, nor bow,


s: Who broke and hewed, and shook that portal wide,


s: And in his fury let such day-light through,


s: 'Twas easy to espy -- and might be spied --


s: That full of people was the palace court.


s: Through those fair chambers echoed shouts of dread,


s: And grieving, through the house, pale women fled,


s: Who wept, afflicted sore, and beat their breast.


s: And hugged the door-post and the genial bed,


s: Too soon to be by stranger lords possest.


s: When thither came the king, his peers among.


s: Charles turned him round to  these, of vigorous hand,


s: "Are you not those that erst with me did stand


s: Is vigour now so spent, (he said), the band,


s: With hundreds more, that you now fear to face


s: "Why should I now in contest with the foe


s: Less strength in you behold than them?  Your might


s: Upon this hound (pursued the monarch) show;


s: This hound who preys on man. -- A generous sprite


s: The thought of death -- approach he fast or slow --


s: So that he dies but well, holds cheap and light.


s: But where you are, I doubt my fortune ill,


s: For by your succour, have I conquered still."


s: This said, he spurred his courser, couched his spear,


s: And charged the paynim; nor of life less free,


s: Sir Ogier joined the king in his career;


s: And on the bosom, flanks, and on the front,


s: But let us, sir, for love of Heaven, forego


s: For this while, of that Saracen, not more


s: Cruel than strong; 'tis time in trace to go


s: Damascus' gate, and him who with her came,


s: The adulterer, not the brother of the dame.


s: Most wealthy, populous, and fairly dight,


s: 'Tis said, Damascus is; which distant lies


s: From Salem seven days' journey; its fair site,


s: A fertile plain, abundant fruits supplies,


s: Two crystal streams the wealthy city scower;


s: Whose currents, parted into many a rill,


s: Or stript of leaf, with grateful murmur fill:


s: 'Tis said the perfumed waters are of power


s: (So plenteously they swell) to turn a mill;


s: And that whoever wander through the streets,


s: Scent, issuing from each home, a cloud of sweets.


s: Then the high-street gay signs of triumph wore,


s: Covered with showy cloths of different dye,


s: Which deck the walls, while sylvan leaves in store,


s: And scented herbs upon the pavement lie.


s: But more with ladies fair, and richly drest,


s: And here the burghers of the better sort


s: Upon their gay and well-trapt coursers prance.


s: A fairer show remains; the sumptuous court


s: Of barons bold and vassals, who advance,


s: Garnished with what could be procured, of ore


s: And pearl, from Ind and Erythraean shore.


s: Forward Sir Gryphon pricked, with his array,


s: Surveying, here and there, the whole at ease;


s: And (such his wont and natural courtesies)


s: Obliged beneath his palace-roof to stay;


s: Where he let nought be wanting which might please;


s: And chearfully the guests, with bath restored,


s: Next welcomed at his costly supper-board;


s: Damascus and all Syria's kingdom swayed,


s: On whom the sword of knighthood had been laid,


s: To a fair joust, which at the morrow's light,


s: Where they might show, and without further faring,


s: If they had valour equal to their bearing.


s: Gryphon, though he came not that joust to see,


s: -- If 'twere a wonted feast, held every year,


s: Or new emprise; by which, in martial course,


s: The monarch would assay his warriors' force. --


s: "The gorgeous feast our monarch will display


s: Each fourth succeeding moon," the baron said;


s: "This is the first that you will now survey;


s: None have been held beside.  The cause which bred


s: The king from sovereign peril saved his head,


s: After four months, consumed in doleful wise,


s: 'Mid tears and groans, with death before his eyes.


s: "Our monarch, who is named king Norandine


s: Through many and many a year for her did pine,


s: Above all other damsels fair and bright,


s: The king of Cyprus' daughter; whom, in fine,


s: Espoused, he, with his bride, and dame, and knight,


s: Towards his Syrian realm had shaped his way.


s: "But as we scoured the fell Carpathian sea,


s: With flowing sheet, at distance from the shore,


s: Drifting three days and nights at random, we


s: Our devious course 'mid threatening waves explore;


s: Then, wet and weary, land 'mid verdant hills,


s: Between well-shaded and refreshing rills.


s: "We our pavilions pitch, and, 'mid those groves,


s: And kitchens there construct, and rustic stoves,


s: And carpets for the intended banquet spread.


s: Meanwhile through neighbouring vale the monarch roves,


s: And secret wood, scarce pervious to the tread,


s: Seeking red deer, goat, fallow-buck, and doe;


s: And, following him, two servants bear his bow.


s: "While, with much solace, seated in a round,


s: We from the chace expect our lord's return,


s: Approaching us along the shore, astound,


s: The orc, that fearful monster, we discern.


s: God grant, fair sir, he never may confound


s: Your eyesight with his semblance foul and stern!


s: "To calculate the griesly monster's height,


s: (So measureless is he) exceeds all skill;


s: Of fungus-hue, in place of orbs of sight,


s: Their sockets two small bones like berries fill.


s: Towards us, as I say, he speeds outright


s: Along the shore, and seems a moving hill.


s: Tusks jutting out like savage swine he shows,


s: A breast with drivel foul, and pointed nose.


s: "Running, the monster comes, and bears his snout


s: In guise of brach, who enters on the trail.


s: We who behold him fly (a helpless rout),


s: Wherever terror drives, with visage pale.


s: Eye-sight, who winds his plunder in the gale,


s: Better than aught possest of scent and sight:


s: And wing and plume were needed for our flight.


s: "Some here, some there make off, but little gain


s: Than the south wind.  Of forty, ten, with pain,


s: Swimming aboard the bark in safety rest.


s: Under his arm some wretches of our train


s: He packed, nor empty left his lap or breast:


s: Which, like a shepherd's, to his waist was tied.


s: "Us to his den the sightless monster carried,


s: Of snowy marble was that cavern quarried,


s: As white as leaf, unstained by inky score.


s: With him within the cave a matron tarried,


s: Who marked by grief and pain a visage wore.


s: With her were wife and maid, a numerous court,


s: Both fair and foul, of every age and sort.


s: "Large as the other, and that grotto near,


s: And from the weather fend his woolly flock,


s: Which he still herded through the changeful year;


s: So numerous, it were hard to count his stock:


s: Wont in due season these to pen or loose,


s: And play the shepherd more for sport than use.


s: "The flesh of man he savoured more than sheep,


s: And this, before he reached the cave, was seen.


s: Three youths of ours, ere yet he climbed the steep,


s: He are alive, or rather swallowed clean;


s: Then moved the stone, which closed that cavern deep,


s: And lodged us there.  With that, to pasture green


s: His flock he led, as wont, the meads among,


s: Sounding the pipe which at his neck was hung.


s: "Our lord, meanwhile, returning to the strand,


s: The loss which he had suffered comprehends;


s: Through empty tent and hut the monarch wends:


s: Nor who has robbed him can be understand;


s: And full of terror to the beach descends;


s: Whence he his sailors in the offing sees


s: Unmoor and spread their canvas to the breeze.


s: They launched and sent their pinnace to convey


s: The monarch thence: but he no sooner knew


s: Of the fell orc, and those he made his prey,


s: Then he, without more thought, would him pursue


s: And follow, wheresoe'er he bent his way.


s: That life is loathsome save he her regain.


s: "When on the newly printed sand his eyes


s: Norandine fixt, he with the swiftness sped


s: With which the rage of love a man supplies,


s: Until he reached the cave of which I said,


s: Than e'er were suffered, there await in dread


s: The orc, and deem at every sound we hear,


s: "The monarch to the cave did Fortune guide,


s: When the orc's wife alone was in the lair.


s: Seeing the king: `Fly! -- Woe to thee!' (she cried)


s: `Should the orc take thee!' -- `Woeful every where


s: I cannot choose but be,' (the king replied)


s: `Whether be take or miss me, kill or spare.


s: Come with desire beside my wife to die.'


s: "He afterwards the dame for tidings pressed


s: Of those the orc had taken on the shore;


s: If slain or prisoner kept.  With kindly lore,


s: For the orc on flesh of woman never fed.


s: " `Of this you may behold the proof in me,


s: And all these other dames who with me dwell;


s: Depart not ever from this caverned cell.


s: But vainly who would from her prison flee,


s: Hopes peace or pardon from our tyrant fell:


s: Buried alive, or bound with griding band,


s: Of, in the sun, stript naked on the sand.


s: " `When hither he to-day conveyed your crew,


s: The females from the males he severed not;


s: But, as he took them, in confusion threw


s: All he had captive made, into that grot.


s: He will scent out their sex; not tremble, you,


s: Be sure the greedy orc will make his prey.


s: " `I have no counsel for you how to free


s: Who will our lot, in good or evil, share.


s: But go, for love of Heaven, my son, lest thee


s: The monster smell, and on thy body fare;


s: For when arrived, he sniffs about the house,


s: And, such his subtle scent, can wind a mouse.'


s: Than to live far from her, esteemed more dear.


s: -- Seeing that she can nothing more supply


s: Fitted to shake the purpose of the peer,


s: Pursued with all her pains, with all her wits.


s: "With slaughtered sheep and goat was evermore


s: The cavern filled, the numerous flock's increase,


s: Which served her and her household as a store;


s: And from the ceiling dangled many a fleece.


s: And huge he-goat's fat bowels take the grease,


s: "And when she thought he had imbibed the smell


s: Which the rank goat exhales, she took the hide,


s: And made him creep into the shaggy fell;


s: Who was well covered by that mantle wide.


s: Him in this strange disguise she from the cell


s: Crawling (for such was her command) did guide,


s: Where, prisoned by a stone, in her retreat,


s: Was hid his beauteous lady's visage sweet.


s: "Kin Norandine, as bid, took up his ground


s: Before the cavern, on the greensward laid,


s: That he might enter with the flock who wound


s: Homeward; and longing sore, till evening stayed.


s: At eve he hears the hollow elder's sound,


s: Upon whose pipes the wonted tune was played,


s: Calling his sheep from pasture to their rock,


s: By the fell swain who stalked behind his flock.


s: "Think if his heart is trembling at its core,


s: When Norandino hears the approaching strains;


s: The sight of that terrific face sustains!


s: But if fear shook him, pity moved him more:


s: You see if he loves well or only feigns!


s: The orc removed the stone, unbarred the cote,


s: And the king entered, amid sheep and goat.


s: "His flock so housed, to us the orc descended,


s: But first had care the cavern door to close:


s: Then scented all about, and having ended


s: His quest, two wretches for his supper chose.


s: So is remembrance by this meal offended,


s: It makes me tremble yet: this done, he goes;


s: And being gone, the king his goatish vest


s: Casts off, and folds his lady to his breast.


s: "Whereas she him with pleasure should descry,


s: She, seeing him, but suffers grief and pain.


s: She sees him thither but arrived to die,


s: ` "Twas no small joy 'mid all the woes, that.'


s: That thou wert not among us found to-day,


s: When hither I was brought, the monster's prey.


s: " `For though to find myself about to leave


s: This life be bitter and afflict me sore,


s: Such is our common instinct, I should grieve


s: But for myself; but whether thee, before


s: Assure thyself thy death will pain me more


s: Than mine.'  And thus the dame persists to moan


s: "  `A hope conducts me here,' the monarch said,


s: `To save thee and thy followers every one;


s: Than living without light of thee, my sun!


s: I trust to scape, as hither I have spied;


s: As ye shall all, if, as ourselves have done,


s: To compass our design, you do not shrink


s: To imbue your bodies with the loathsome stink.'


s: "The trick he told, wherewith the monster's smell


s: To cheat, as first to him the wife had told:


s: That he may feel is issueing from the fold.


s: As many goats as with our number square,


s: Of those which stink the most and oldest are.


s: "We smeared our bodies with the fruitful grease


s: Which round about the fat intestines lay,


s: And cloathed our bodies with the shaggy fleece:


s: This while from golden dwelling broke the day.


s: And now, his flock returning to release,


s: We viewed the shepherd, with the dawning ray;


s: Who, giving breath to the sonorous reeds,


s: Piped forth his prisoned flock to hill and meads.


s: "He held his hand before the opened lair,


s: Lest with the herd we issued from the den,


s: And stopt us short; but feeling wool or hair


s: By such a strange device we rescued were,


s: Cloathed in our shaggy fleeces, dames and men:


s: Nor any issuing thence the monster kept,


s: Till thither, sore alarmed, Lucina crept.


s: "Lucina -- whether she abhorred the scent,


s: And, like us others, loathed herself to smear,


s: -- Or whether with a slower gait she went


s: Than might like the pretended beast's appear,


s: -- Or whether, when the orc her body hent,


s: Her dread so mastered her, she screamed for fear,


s: -- Or that her hair escaped from neck or brow,


s: Was known; nor can I well inform you how.


s: Him, turning at the scream.  I saw uncase


s: Her steps: we, couching in our quaint disguise,


s: Wend with the flock, where us the shepherd leads,


s: Through verdant mountains, into pleasant meads.


s: "There we awaited, till beneath the shade


s: And one betook him to the mountain steep.


s: Who would return disguised among the sheep,


s: Nor from the place depart, while life remained,


s: Unless his faithful consort he regained.


s: "For when before, on the flock issuing out,


s: To spring; so grief had reason overthrown,


s: And he advanced even to the monster's snout,


s: And, but by little, scaped the grinding stone:


s: Yet him the hope detained amid the flock,


s: "The orc, at eve, when to the cave again


s: He brings the herd, nor finds us in the stall,


s: And knows that he must supperless remain,


s: Condemned to stand, fast girded with a chain,


s: The king who caused her woes, with pitying eye


s: Looks on, and pines, -- and only cannot die.


s: "Morning and evening, her, lamenting sore,


s: What time he grieving went afield before


s: The issuing flock, or homeward took his way.


s: She, with sad face, and suppliant evermore,


s: Signed that for love of Heaven he would not stay;


s: Since there he tarried at great risk of life.


s: "So the orc's wife, as well upon her side,


s: Implored him to depart, but moved him nought;


s: And but remained more constant in his thought.


s: In this sad servitude he long was tried,


s: By Love and Pity bound: till Fortune brought


s: "Where, with their arms so wrought the champions brave,


s: They freed Lucina from the chains she wore,


s: (Though he Wit less than Fortune served in save)


s: And running to the sea their burden bore:


s: Her to her father, who was there, they gave.


s: This was at morn, when in the cavern hoar,


s: Mixt with the goats, king Norandino stood,


s: Which ruminating, chewed their grassy food:


s: "But when, at day-light, 'twas unbarred, and now


s: He was instructed that his wife was gone;


s: For the orc's consort told the tale, and how,


s: In every point, the thing rehearsed was done;


s: He thanked his God, and begged, with promised vow,


s: That, since 'twas granted her such ill to shun,


s: He would direct his wife to some repair,


s: Whence he might free her, by arms, gold, or prayer.


s: "Together with the flat-nosed herd his way


s: He took, and for green meads rejoicing made.


s: Then journeyed all the night and all the day;


s: And, three days past, arrived on Syrian land.


s: "In Cyprus, and in Rhodes, by tower and town,


s: Nor could hear news of her till the other day.


s: The other day, his father-in-law made known


s: He had her safe with him.  What caused her stay


s: Which had long time been adverse to her sail.


s: "The king, for pleasure of the tidings true,


s: Prepares the costly feast in solemn state;


s: And will on each fourth moon that shall ensue


s: Pleased of that time the memory to renew,


s: That he, in the orc's cavern, had to wait,


s: -- For four months and a day -- which is to-morrow;


s: When he was rescued from such cruel sorrow.


s: And from him, present at the whole, heard more;


s: From Norandine, through calend and through ide,


s: Pent, till he changed to smiles his anguish sore:


s: And if from other you hear aught beside,


s: The occasion of that feast and fair array.


s: Large portion of the night, in like discourse,


s: Who deemed that Love and Pity's mickle force


s: Then rising, when the supper's sumptuous course


s: Was cleared, to good and pleasant lodgings went;


s: And, as the ensuing morning fairly broke,


s: To sounds of triumph and rejoicing woke.


s: The circling drums' and trumpets' echoing strain


s: Assemble all the town within the square;


s: And now, when mixt with sound of horse and wain,


s: Loud outcries through the streets repeated are,


s: Sir Gryphon dons his glittering arms again,


s: Whose mail, impassable by spear or brand,


s: She, the white fay, had tempered with her hand.


s: Armed him (a recreant worse than he was none),


s: With sturdy spears and good, the course to run;


s: To bring the warriors to the square is gone;


s: With squires afoot and mounted upon steeds,


s: Whom he bestowed, as aptest for their needs.


s: They in the square arrived and stood aside,


s: Nor of themselves awhile would make display;


s: By twos and threes, or singly, to the fray.


s: One, with a painted Love on crest or shield,


s: If she were cruel or were kind, revealed.


s: It was the Syrians' practise in that age


s: To arm them in this fashion of the west.


s: And constant commerce with the Franks, possest


s: That God incarnate with his presence blest;


s: Which now, to them abandoned by the train


s: Of wretched Christians, heathen hounds profane.


s: God's worshippers, where they should couch the lance,


s: For furtherance of his holy faith and true,


s: Against each other's breast the spear advance,


s: You men of Spain, and you, ye men of France,


s: And Switzers, turn your steps elsewhere , and you,


s: For that is won for Christ, which you desire.


s: -- I speak to you, that catholic are hight --


s: Why slain by you Christ's people do I see?


s: Wherefore are they despoiled of their right?


s: And fairest portion of the world, possest?


s: Thou Spain, hast thou not fruitful Afric nigh?


s: Than Italy?  yet her to scathe, that high,


s: And noble, enterprize wilt thou give o'er.


s: Of every vice and crime the fetid sewer!


s: In turn, the nations that have owned thy sway.


s: And thou, among our people, dost but crave


s: A hand to give thee daily bread, or slay, --


s: The Turk has ready wealth; across the wave,


s: Drive him from Europe or from Greece away:


s: So shalt thou in those parts have wherewithal


s: Say what I say to thee; the wealth o' the west,


s: Which Constantine brought off from Rome, is there --


s: Brought off the choicest, gave away the rest --


s: Mygdonia and Lydia: nor that country blest,


s: If thou wouldst thither wend, is too remote.


s: Thou mighty Lion, that art charged to keep


s: Oh!  let not Italy lie plunged in sleep,


s: If thy strong hand is planted in her hair.


s: To thee, his shepherd, God, to guide his sheep,


s: Has given that wand and furious name to bear;


s: That thou may'st roar, and wide thine arms extend,


s: And so from greedy wolves thy flock defend.


s: To have missed so far, but I can find my way.


s: I said, the Syrians then observed the lore


s: Or arming like the Christians of that day.


s: So that Damascus' crowded square was bright


s: With corslet, plate, and helm of belted knight.


s: The lovely ladies from their scaffolds throw


s: Upon the jousters yellow flowers and red;


s: While these, as loud the brazen trumpets blow,


s: Make their steeds leap and wheel and proudly tread.


s: Each, rode he well or ill, his art would show,


s: And with the goring spur his courser bled.


s: Hence this good cavalier earns fame and praise,


s: While others scornful hoots and laughter raise.


s: Which late a merchant found upon the way


s: To grace, a vest, with noblest tissue gay,


s: The Syrian king subjoined, so powdered o'er


s: They made the meed a thing of passing price.


s: Nor this had given, as full of courtesy,


s: To be contented for with sword and spear.


s: Had erst mistreated thus the goodly gear,


s: That lay the way the harness had been strowed,


s: Of this you more in other place shall hear.


s: Arrived, saw broken many a knightly spear,


s: And more than one good stroke and one good thrust.


s: Eight were there who made league together, dear


s: To Norandine, and held in sovereign trust;


s: Youths quick in arms and practised in the shock:


s: All lords, or scions of illustrious stock.


s: At first with lance, and next with sword or mace,


s: While them the king delighted to survey.


s: Ofttimes they pierce the corslet's iron case,


s: And every thing in fine perform in play,


s: Which foemen do that deadly weapons measure,


s: Save that the king may part them at his pleasure.


s: Thinking, because his comrade, he must be


s: Then stops; and the issue of a furious fight,


s: To wait, retiring from the strife, appears.


s: Seleucia's lord, of those companions one,


s: Combined in that emprize to keep the place,


s: Who then a course with bold Ombruno run,


s: Wounded the unhappy warrior in mid-face,


s: So that he slew him; mourned by every one,


s: Who as a worthy knight the warrior grace,


s: All others, hold him for his courteous lore.


s: When vile Martano from his place discerned


s: The fate which might be his with fearful eye,


s: And straight began to think how he might fly:


s: But him from flight the watchful Gryphon turned,


s: Urged him against a knight upon the ground,


s: As at the ravening wolf men slip the hound.


s: Who will pursue the brindled beast for ten,


s: Or twenty yards, and, after, stop to bay;


s: When he beholds his flashing eyes, and when


s: He sees the griesly beast his teeth display.


s: 'Twas thus, before those valiant gentlemen


s: And princes, present there in fair array,


s: Fearful Martano, seized with panic dread,


s: Turned to the right his courser's rein and head.


s: Yet he who would excuse the sudden wheel,


s: Upon his courser might the blame bestow:


s: But, after, he so ill his strokes did deal,


s: Demosthenes his cause might well forego.


s: With paper armed he seems, and not with steel,


s: So shrinks he at the wind of every blow:


s: At length he breaks the ordered champions through,


s: Amid loud laughter from the circling crew.


s: Clapping of hands, and cries, at every turn,


s: Were heard from all that rubble widely spread.


s: Gryphon remained, and sullied with the scorn


s: Esteemed himself, which on his mate was shed;


s: And rather than be there, he, in his ire,


s: Would gladly find himself i' the midst of fire.


s: With burning heart, and visage red with shame,


s: He thinks the knight's disgrace is all his own,


s: Because by deeds like his with whom he came,


s: He weens the mob expects to see him known.


s: More clear than light, or they, to censure prone,


s: -- Errs he a finger's breadth -- an inch -- will swell


s: His fault, and of that inch will make an ell.


s: Has rested, little used to miss the foe:


s: Then makes with flowing rein his courser fly,


s: And next, somedeal advanced, directs the blow;


s: Sidonia's youthful lord, by him laid low.


s: O'ercome with wonder each assistant rises,


s: Whom sore the unexpected deed surprises.


s: Gryphon returned, and did the weapon wield.


s: Whole and recovered, which he couched before,


s: And in three pieces broke it on the shield


s: Thrice of four times about to press the field


s: He seemed, and lay along the crupper, sore


s: Astound; yet rose at length, unsheathed his blade,


s: Wheeled his good courser, and at Gryphon made.


s: Gryphon, who in his saddle sees the peer


s: The encounter, says: "The failure of the spear


s: In a few strokes the sabre shall supply;"


s: And on his temples smote a stroke so shear,


s: It seemed that it descended from the sky;


s: Another, till he stretched him on the plain.


s: One at the encounter left his saddle bare,


s: On the other Gryphon used his trenchant brand:


s: This valiant knight, was, in the common trust,


s: Was in the lists, vizier and marshal hight,


s: Who had the government of all that reign,


s: And was, withal, a puissant man of might:


s: The tourney's prize he sees, with much disdain,


s: About to be borne off by foreign knight.


s: A lance he snatches, and to Gryphon cries,


s: And levelling at the buckler of the peer,


s: For greater surety, pierces plate and breast.


s: 'Twixt rib and rib, it bored the cavalier,


s: Issuing a palm behind.  To all the rest,


s: The king excepted, welcome was the blow:


s: This lightly at the shock on earth was shed,


s: And that, reversed, upon the ground o'erlaid


s: By his weak horse, too feeble to withstand


s: Sir Gryphon's mighty push and puissant hand.


s: Yet in the field remained Seleucia's knight,


s: The best of all the other seven at need;


s: With perfect armour and a gallant steed.


s: Both at the helmet, where it locks, take sight,


s: And with their spears to the encounter speed:


s: But Gryphon hardest smote, whose paynim foe


s: Lost his left stirrup, staggered by the blow.


s: They cast the truncheons down, their coursers wheel,


s: And, full of daring, with drawn falchions close.


s: Sir Gryphon was the first a stroke to deal,


s: Which might have split an anvil; at the blow's


s: Descent, the shield is splintered -- bone and steel --


s: This had its lord mid thousand others chose;


s: And, but 'twas double, and the coat as well,


s: The sword had cleft the thigh on which it fell.


s: At the same time, so fell a blow addrest,


s: It would have rent and torn the iron mask,


s: Had it not been enchanted like the rest.


s: The paynim's labour is a fruitless task,


s: Who has the foe's already cleft and broke


s: In many parts, nor thrown away a stroke.


s: Each one might see how much Seleucia's lord


s: Was overmatched by Gryphon, and that day,


s: The worsted men had perished by the sword,


s: Had not the monarch quickly stopt the fray.


s: To his guard king Norandino spake the word,


s: They part the knight, whom they asunder bear,


s: And much the king is lauded for his care.


s: The eight, who had to keep the field pretended


s: From all the world, nor yet their part had done


s: On a sole knight, -- their quarrel ill defended, --


s: Had vanished from the tilt-yard one by one.


s: The others, who with them should have contended,


s: Stood idle; for to answer them was none.


s: Since Gryphon had forestalled, in the debate,


s: What they should all have done against those eight;


s: And, for such little time endured the play,


s: Less than an hour sufficed to finish all.


s: Descending from his place, bade clear the way;


s: And the huge squad divided, at his call,


s: Into two troops, whom, ranked by blood and might,


s: The monarch formed, and marched for other fight.


s: Sir Gryphon, during this, had made return


s: Homeward, with anger and with fury stung;


s: Less thinking of his honours that the scorn


s: Which on the vile Martano had been flung.


s: Hence, from himself the opprobrious shame to turn,


s: And she, the false and cunning courtezan,


s: Assists him in his scheme as best she can.


s: Whether the youth believed the tale or no,


s: He the excuse received, like one discreet;


s: And deemed it best for them at once to go,


s: For fear, that if the populace should know


s: Martano base, they him might ill entreat.


s: So, by short ways and close, they quit the abode,


s: And issue from the gates upon their road.


s: Sir Gryphon, was he or his horse foredone


s: With toil, or was it sleep his eyes down weighed,


s: Ere yet the troop beyond two miles had gone,


s: At the first inn upon the highway stayed.


s: And had the steeds of trappings disarrayed;


s: Locked himself in, undrest, and went to bed.


s: Than, with deep sleep opprest, he closed his eye:


s: Entered this while a garden which was nigh;


s: And there the strangest fraud together bred,


s: And gear, in which Sir Gryphon had been dight,


s: And stand before the monarch, in the weed


s: Of him who had in joust so proved his might.


s: As he had shaped in thought, he did the deed:


s: He took away the warrior's horse, more white


s: Than milk, his buckler, surcoat, arms, and crest;


s: In all Sir Gryphon's knightly ensigns drest.


s: He, who was clad in trappings not his own,


s: Like the ass mantled in the lion's hide,


s: Was called in place of Gryphon: when descried


s: Or Norandine, he rising from his throne,


s: Embraced and kissed, and placed him by his side:


s: Nor deems enough to praise and hold him dear,


s: But wills that all around his praise should hear:


s: Proclaiming him the conqueror of that day:


s: And round about loud voices, high and low,


s: The unworthy name throughout the lists convey.


s: He wills that, side by side, with him shall go


s: The knight, when homeward he shall take his way;


s: And him such favour shows, intent to please,


s: As might have honoured Mars or Hercules.


s: Him lodgings fair he gave, wherein to dwell


s: At court; and she who with the peer did ride


s: Was honoured by the courteous king as well,


s: -- False Origille, -- with knight and page supplied.


s: Him would with treacherous stratagem deceive,


s: Had fallen asleep, nor ever waked till eve.


s: With speed he from the chamber did withdraw;


s: And hastened where he, with the other crew,


s: Left Origille and her false brother-in-law:


s: And when, nor these, nor, upon better view,


s: His armour nor his wonted clothes he saw,


s: Suspicious waxed; and more suspicion bred


s: The ensigns of his comrade left instead.


s: Of every thing, -- and how, in white array,


s: That warrior, with the lady and the rest,


s: Had to the city measured back their way.


s: By little and by little, Gryphon guessed


s: What love from him had hidden till that day;


s: And knew, to his great sorrow, in the other


s: Origille's paramour, and not her brother.


s: That having heard the truths the pilgrim said,


s: He should have let her story change his mood,


s: He might have venged himself, nor did: -- now wou'd,


s: Too late, inflict the punishment delaid;


s: Constrained (a crying error!) in his need


s: To take that wily treachour's arms and steed.


s: He better would have gone like naked man,


s: Than braced the unworthy cuirass on his breast;


s: Or hastened the detested shield to span,


s: Or place upon his helm the scorned crest.


s: He, passion mastering reason, took the quest:


s: Arrived an hour before the close of day.


s: Stood nigh the gate, to which Sir Gryphon rode.


s: Besides, that it was strong and armed for fight,


s: Filled with rare chambers was the rich abode.


s: The first of Syria, king, and lord, and knight,


s: Were at their glad and costly supper set.


s: With the high tower the beauteous gallery, clear


s: From whence might be discovered, far and near,


s: The spacious fields and different roads about.


s: When Gryphon now, in his opprobrious gear,


s: And arms, dishonoured by the rabble's flout,


s: Makes, by ill fortune, to the gate resort,


s: He by the king is seen, and all his court;


s: And, taken for the man whose crest he wears,


s: In dame and knight moves laughter, through the ring.


s: The royal grace, sits next below the king;


s: And next, she, whom her love so fitly pairs;


s: Demands of them, who is the coward knight,


s: That of his honour makes so passing light;


s: Approaches, with such front and shameless cheer,


s: -- And cries, "It seems a thing unheard, that you,


s: Should take this man for your companion, who


s: Has not in all our wide Levant his peer.


s: Did you with him for contrast-sake combine,


s: That so your valour might more brightly shine?


s: "-- But did not love for you my will restrain,


s: He should endure such ignominious stain,


s: Him would I make of my long-nursed disdain


s: If now unpunished, let his thanks be paid."


s: Who is the stranger, that fell in with me


s: Journeying from Antioch hither, by the way:


s: Deemed, by his warlike semblance led astray.


s: I nothing of his deeds have heard or seen,


s: Save what ill feats to-day have witnessed been;


s: "Which moved me so, it little lacked but I,


s: In martial tournament, the sword or spear;


s: And presence, I forbore by hand to rear,


s: Not for his sake: -- nor by thy mercy showed


s: "Whose former fellowship appears a stain;


s: 'Scape, to the scandal of the warlike art.


s: 'Twere better he from tower, a worthy pain,


s: Such were a princely deed, and worthy praise."


s: Who well, without a sign, his purpose read.


s: "I deem not," cried the king, "his works so bad,


s: That they should cost the stranger knight his head:


s: For penance of his weighty sin."  This said,


s: Collects his troop, and for the attempt prepares,


s: He, softly, 'twixt two bridges, takes the peer;


s: And him detains, with mockery and scorn,


s: The early sun had scarce his golden hair


s: Uplifted from his ancient nurse's breast,


s: To chase the shades and gild the mountain-crest,


s: When Martan', fearing Gryphon might declare


s: His wrong, and to the king the truth attest,


s: Took leave, and thence upon his journey past.


s: Why he stays not, to see the recreant shown.


s: He is with other gifts, beside the prize,


s: And letters patent, drawn in ample wise,


s: Wherein his lofty honours wide are blown.


s: A guerdon worthy of his treacherous feat.


s: Gryphon is brought with shame into the square,


s: When it is fully thronged with gazing wight,


s: Whom they of cuirass and of helmet bare,


s: And leave in simple cassock, meanly dight;


s: Place on a wain, conspicuous to the sight;


s: Harnessed to which two sluggish cows are seen,


s: Weary and weak, and with long hunger lean.


s: Who, each in turn, will play the charioteer,


s: And all assail the knight with bitter blame.


s: The boys might be a cause of greater fear,


s: For, joined to mocks and mows, and words of shame,


s: The warrior they with volleyed stones would slay,


s: That which of his disgrace had been the ground,


s: Though no true evidence of guilt, his mail


s: And plate, are dragged in due dishonour round,


s: Suspended at the shameful waggon's tail.


s: The wain is stopt, and to the trumpet's sound,


s: His shame, before his eyes, amid the crowd,


s: They take their prisoner thence, and so repair


s: In front of temple, dwelling-house, and store;


s: Their thrall to banish to the sound of blows,


s: Who passing little of its prisoner knows.


s: The warrior's gyves no sooner they undo,


s: And from their manacles free either hand,


s: Than Gryphon seizes shield and sword, and, through


s: The rabble, makes long furrows with his brand.


s: With pike and spear unfurnished was the crew,


s: Who without weapons came, a witless band.


s: For, sir, 'tis time this song should have an end.


s: Gryphon is venged.  Sir Mandricardo goes


s: In search of Argier's king.  Charles wins the fight.


s: A favouring wind Marphisa's gallery blows,


s: For France with Gryphon bound and many a knight.


s: High minded lord!  your actions evermore


s: I have with reason lauded, and still laud;


s: Though I with style inapt, and rustic lore,


s: You of large portion of your praise defraud:


s: All others I with heart and tongue applaud,


s: -- That, if each man a gracious audience finds,


s: No easy faith your equal judgment blinds.


s: Often, to shield the absent one from blame,


s: I hear you this, or other, thing adduce;


s: Or him you let, at least, an audience claim,


s: And before dooming men to scaith and shame,


s: And month, and year, your sentence to delay.


s: Had Norandine been with your care endued,


s: What he by Gryphon did, he had not done.


s: Profit and fame have from your rule accrued:


s: A stain more black than pitch he cast upon


s: His name: through him, his people were pursued


s: Who at ten cuts or thrusts, in fury made,


s: Whither fear drives, in rout, the others all,


s: Some scattered here, some there, on every side,


s: Fill road and field; to gain the city-wall


s: Some strive, and smothered in the mighty tide,


s: Gryphon, all thought of pity laid aside,


s: Threats not nor speaks, but whirls his sword about,


s: Well venging on the crowd their every flout.


s: Of those who to the portal foremost fleed,


s: The readiest of the crowd their feet to ply,


s: Part, more intent upon their proper need


s: Than their friends' peril, raise the draw-bridge high:


s: Part, weeping and with deathlike visage, speed,


s: Nor turn their eyes behind them as they fly:


s: While, through the ample city, outcry loud,


s: And noise, and tumult rises from the crowd.


s: Two nimble Gryphon seizes, mid the train,


s: When to their woe the bridge is raised; of one,


s: Upon the field the warrior strews the brain,


s: Which he bears out on a hard grinding stone;


s: Seized by the breast, the other of the twain


s: Fear chills the townsmen's marrow, when they spy


s: The luckless wretch descending from the sky.


s: Many there were who feared in their alarms,


s: Lest o'er the wall Sir Gryphon would have vaulted;


s: Nor greater panic seized upon those swarms,


s: Than if the soldan had the town assaulted.


s: The sound of running up and down, of arms,


s: Of drums and trumpets, heaven, 'twould seem, rebounded,


s: And, that the world was by the noise confounded.


s: What chanced on this occasion, to recount.


s: 'Tis meet I follow Charles upon his way,


s: Who did the monarch's suffering people slay.


s: I said, with him, the danger to affront,


s: Eight lances' shock, that eight such warriors guide,


s: Which all at once against the king they rest,


s: Endured the stout and scaly serpent's hide,


s: In which the cruel Moor his limbs had drest.


s: As a barque rights itself, -- the sheet untied,


s: Which held its sail, -- by growing wind opprest;


s: Though a hill had been uprooted by the blows.


s: And Mark and Matthew from St. Michael's plain,


s: With the eight of whom I spake, all set upon


s: Who leading succours from the English shore,


s: Had lodged them in the town short time before.


s: Not so, well-keyed into the solid stone,


s: Groans upon Alpine height the castle good,


s: When by rude Boreas' rage or Eurus' strown,


s: Uptorn are ash and fir in mountain wood,


s: As groans Sir Rodomont, with pride o'erblown,


s: Inflamed with anger and with thirst of blood:


s: And, as the thunder and the lightning's fire


s: Fly coupled, such his vengeance and his ire.


s: He at his head took aim who stood most nigh;


s: Whom to the teeth he clove, and left to die;


s: Though of good temper was his helmet bright.


s: At him, himself; which all the warrior smite,


s: But harm (so hard the dragon's hide) no more,


s: For, where the danger is the greater, there


s: The many give their aid, at Charles' call:


s: Through every street they hurry to the square,


s: Since flying nought avails, from work and wall.


s: Their bosoms so the monarch's presence warms,


s: That each again takes courage, each takes arms.


s: As when within the closely-fastened cage


s: The savage monster, for the mob's delight;


s: The cubs, who see him cresting in his rage,


s: And round the den loud-bellowing, to the sight


s: Of the huge beast's enormous horns unused,


s: Cower at a distance, timid and confused;


s: But if the mother spring at him, and hang,


s: Her whelps as well will blood their greedy fang,


s: And, bold in her defence, assail the steer:


s: One bites his paunch, and one his back: so sprang


s: From roof and window, and from place more nigh,


s: Poured in a ceaseless shower, the weapons fly.


s: Of cavaliers and footmen such the squeeze,


s: That hardly can the place the press contain:


s: They cluster there as thick as swarming bees,


s: Who thither from each passage troop amain.


s: So that, were they unarmed, and with more ease


s: Than stalks or turnips he could cleave the train,


s: The gathering crowd, united far and near.


s: Unknowing how himself from thence to free,


s: The paynim by this game is angered sore,


s: Who little thins the gathering rabblery,


s: Staining the ground with thousands slain or more;


s: Finds that his breath comes thicker than before;


s: And sees he cannot pierce the hostile round,


s: Unless he thence escape while strong and sound.


s: The monarch rolls about his horrid eyes,


s: And sees that foes all outlets barricade;


s: A path shall quickly by his hand be made.


s: Where Fury calls him, lo!  the felon hies,


s: And brandishes on high his trenchant blade,


s: To assail the newly entered British band,


s: He who has seen the fence, in well-thonged square,


s: (Against whose stakes the eddying crowd is born)


s: By wild bull broken, that has had to bear,


s: Through the long day, dogs, blows, and ceaseless scorn;


s: Who hunts the scattered people here and there,


s: And this, or that, now hoists upon his horn;


s: Let him as such, or fiercer yet, account,


s: When he breaks forth, the cruel Rodomont.


s: At one cross-blow fifteen or twenty foes


s: At cross or downright-stroke; as if he rows


s: At last all smeared with blood the paynim goes,


s: Safe from the place, which he has heaped with dead;


s: And wheresoe'er he turns his steps, are left


s: Heads, arms, and other members, maimed and cleft.


s: He from the square retires in such a mode,


s: None can perceive that danger him appals;


s: But, during this, what were the safest road,


s: By which to sally, he to thought recals.


s: He comes at last to where the river flowed


s: Below the isle, and past without the walls.


s: Who press him sore, nor let him part in peace.


s: As the high-couraged beast, whom hunters start


s: Who, even in flying, shows his noble heart,


s: And threatening seeks his lair with sluggish pace;


s: From that strange wood of sword, and spear, and dart,


s: Turns Rodomont, with action nothing base;


s: Makes for the river with long steps and slow.


s: He turned upon the rabble-rout who bayed


s: Behind him, thrice or more, by anger driven,


s: And stained anew his falchion, by whose blade


s: More than a hundred deadly wounds were given.


s: Before the bloody carnage stank to heaven;


s: And he, with better counsel, from the side


s: Cast himself down into Seine's foaming tide.


s: Athwart the current swam, with arms and all,


s: Though thou Antaeus bred'st, and Hannibal,


s: O Africa!  thou never bred'st his peer! --


s: When now across the stream, without the wall,


s: He turned, and saw the royal town appear,


s: -- To have traversed all the city moved his ire,


s: Leaving it undestroyed by sword or fire;


s: And him so sorely anger stung and pride,


s: And from his inmost bosom groaned and sighed,


s: Approach, who made him rage and hate forego;


s: Strait shall you hear who 'twas, approached the king,


s: To whom the archangel Michael gave command,


s: She went that evening from the abbey gray,


s: -- Left it to Fraud to feed, till her return,


s: The war, and make the fires she kindled burn;


s: And she believed, that she with greater power


s: Should go, did Pride with her as well repair;


s: And she (for all were guested in one bower)


s: In search of her had little way to fare.


s: Pride went with her; but, that in hall or tower,


s: She for those days she absent thought to be,


s: The implacable Discord went, and with the dame,


s: (Companion of the enterprise, was Pride)


s: Upon her road; and found that, by the same,


s: Was journeying to the paynim camp, beside,


s: Comfortless Jealousy, with whom there came


s: Who erst had been sent forward with advice


s: (I have before recounted when and where)


s: She had in secret given the dwarf command,


s: He to the king should with the tidings fare;


s: By whom she hoped not vainly would be scanned


s: The tale her messenger was charged to bear,


s: But wonderous deeds be done for her relief,


s: With sad and signal vengeance on the thief.


s: And kenned the reason of his mission too,


s: And joined him, journeying with him side by side,


s: Deeming that she therein a part might do.


s: Discord, with pleasure, Jealousy decried,


s: But with more joy, when she the occasion knew


s: Which thither brought the dame, who much (she wist)


s: Might in the task she had in hand assist.


s: Of means to embroil the Sarzan and the son


s: A certain mode to enrage these two is won;


s: She thither with the dwarfish page is gone,


s: Where the fierce Pagan in his clutch had prest


s: Proud Paris, and they reached the river strand,


s: Knew in the dwarf the courier of his dame,


s: He all his rage extinguished, cleared his front,


s: And felt his courage brighten into flame.


s: All else he deems the courier may recount,


s: Save that a wight had wrought him scaith and shame,


s: And cries (encountering him with chearful brow)


s: "How fares our lady?  wither sent art thou?"


s: "Nor mine nor thine that lady will I say,


s: Who is another's thrall," the dwarf replied.


s: A knight, who seized and bore away the bride."


s: And, cold as asp, embraced the king: her guide


s: Pursued his tale, relating how the train,


s: Their mistress taken, by one man were slain.


s: Her flint and steel, fell Discord, as he said,


s: Took forth, and somewhile hammered on the stone.


s: Pride, underneath, the ready tinder spread,


s: And the quick fire was in a moment blown:


s: This on the paynim's soul so fiercely fed,


s: He could not find a resting place: 'mid groan


s: And sob he storms, with horrid face and eye,


s: Which threat the elements and ample sky.


s: And, circling all the cavern, comprehends,


s: At last, that her beloved young are gone;


s: To ire, to rage like hers his wrath extends:


s: Nor night the king regards, nor rock, nor stone,


s: Nor stream: -- Nor length of way nor storm arrest


s: The speed with which he on the plunderer prest.


s: The news, exclaimed the king, "Now hence away!"


s: Nor horse he waits, nor carriage, nor, before


s: He hurries with such speed, that not with more


s: The lizard darts at noon across the way.


s: Horse had he none, but be he whose he might,


s: Would make his own the first which came in sight.


s: Discord at this, who read his secret thought,


s: Exclaimed, as she looked smilingly on Pride,


s: Through her he to a courser should be brought,


s: By which new cause of strife should be supplied;


s: And, that by him no other might be caught,


s: She from his path would keep all steeds beside;


s: And knew already where the prize to seek.


s: -- But her I leave, again of Charles to speak.


s: When, on the Saracen's departure, spent,


s: About King Charles, was the consuming flame,


s: He ranged his troops anew: some warriors went


s: To strengthen feeble posts which succours claim;


s: To give the foe checkmate and end the game;


s: And from St. German's to Saint Victor's gates,


s: He pours the host, which on his signal waits.


s: He these at Saint Marcellus' gate, where lay,


s: Outstretched a large circumference of plain,


s: In guise, that for a record should remain,


s: He made the various troops fall in below


s: Their banners, and the battle-signal blow.


s: While this is doing in his foe's despite,


s: And with the stripling who loved Isabel,


s: Rinaldo a troop encounters, whom the knight,


s: With Valour and with Fortune for his guide,


s: Charges, and breaks, and routs on every side.


s: While so the battle stands, king Charlemagne


s: Falls on the rear guard of the paynim foe,


s: Where bold Marsilius halts the flower of Spain,


s: And forms the host, his royal flag below.


s: On these king Charlemagne impels his train,


s: Who, foot with horse to flank, against them go.


s: While so the deafening drum and trumpet sounds,


s: 'Twould seem the spacious world the din rebounds.


s: Had turned, disordered, broken, and undone,


s: And the renowned Ferrau, who cried aloud:


s: "O valiant men," he -- "O companions," cries,


s: "O brethren, stand, and yet your place maintain;


s: Will find their works, if we our part sustain.


s: What this day Fortune offers to our eyes,


s: If now we conquer, see the praise, the gain! --


s: If conquered, see the utter loss and shame


s: Which will for ever wait upon your name!"


s: He in this time a mighty lance had spanned,


s: And spurred at once against Sir Berlinghier,


s: And broke his helmet's frontal with the spear,


s: Cast him on earth, and with the cruel brand


s: Unhorsed perhaps eight other warriors near.


s: His mighty strokes discharging, at each blow,


s: Before the warlike knight no order stood;


s: You might have seen the ample camp give way.


s: Do deeds, which will be told in every day;


s: This, with a thrust, has bold Balastro slain,


s: That Finaduro's helm has cleft in twain.


s: The first was of the Alzerban army head,


s: "Where, 'mid the paynims," might to me be said,


s: "Is knight whose sword can cleave or lance can gore?"


s: My way, leave none who merits praise behind.


s: Claude of the wood, and Hubert, with the spear,


s: And, with the faulchion, Stamford's cavalier,


s: From London-town; though valiant were the twain;


s: Two stunned, one wounded, the four others slain.


s: Yet will his squadron not so firmly stand,


s: Maugre the valour which his deeds display,


s: So firmly, as to wait the Christian band,


s: More used to joust and manage of the brand,


s: And all things appertaining to the gray.


s: Setta and Morocco turned, and, seized with dread,


s: Whom Dardinel opposed, and now with sore


s: Reproach, and now with prayer he moves, and tries


s: What best he deems their courage may restore.


s: "If good Almontes has deserved," he cries,


s: "That you should by his memory set such store,


s: Now shall be seen -- be seen, if you will me,


s: "For sake of my green youth, I pray you stand,


s: That youth whereon your hopes were wont to feed,


s: And suffer not that, scattered by the brand,


s: Is shut against you, wheresoe'er you speed.


s: Too high a wall to climb is mountain-steep,


s: The yawning sea a ditch too wide to leap.


s: Torn by these dogs, or lie at their control.


s: Wait, friends, for love of Heaven, the advancing shoal:


s: They are not gifted with more lives than we;


s: Have but one pair of hands, have but one soul."


s: So saying, the bold youth, amid the crew


s: Almontes' memory, through the Moorish bands,


s: Makes every bosom with such ardour glow,


s: They deem 'tis better to use arms and hands


s: In fight, than turn their backs upon the foe.


s: Taller than all William of Burnwich stands,


s: An Englishman, whom Dardinel brings low,


s: And equals with the rest; then smites upon,


s: And cleaves, the head of Cornish Aramon.


s: Him succour, thitherward his brother made;


s: Cleft to the fork, with his descending blade;


s: And from his debt absolved (the forfeit paid)


s: Who to return within six months, if life


s: Were granted him, had promised to his wife.


s: Pierced through the throat, and hapless Gardo nigh


s: Cleft to the teeth; at him, as all too slow,


s: Whom as his heart Lurcanio loves, a blow


s: Upon his head behind the Scotchman speeds;


s: And. slaughtered by the stroke, the warrior bleeds.


s: And, should he lay the fierce Lurcanio dead,


s: The mosque should have his empty arms; this said,


s: Ranging the field in haste, that cavalier


s: He in the flank, with thrust so full and dread,


s: Encountered, that it went through either side:


s: From me it sure were needless to demand,


s: Was grieved; if he with his avenging hand


s: Among the damned would send Sir Dardinell;


s: But all access the circling troops withstand


s: Yet would he venge himself, and with his blade,


s: Now here, now there, an open passage made.


s: He charges, chases, breaks, and overthrows


s: Would fain the wish content; but him the train


s: Impedes as well, which round about him flows,


s: If one on all sides thins the Moorish rank,


s: The other slays Scot, Englishman, and Frank.


s: Fortune still blocked their path throughout the day,


s: So that they met not, 'mid that chivalry,


s: And kept one as a mightier champion's prey;


s: That, for this one no refuge there might be.


s: Lo!  good Rinaldo comes: him Fortune guides,


s: And for his sword King Dardinel provides.


s: But here enough for this one while is shown


s: Of their illustrious doings in the west;


s: 'Tis time I seek Sir Gryphon, and make known


s: How he, with fury burning in his breast,


s: That rabble-rout had broke and overthrown,


s: Struck with more fear than ever men possest.


s: King Norandine, girt with peer and knight,


s: Rides to the gates, with squadron duly dight,


s: Meanwhile Sir Gryphon, having put to flight


s: The weak and worthless rabble far and nigh,


s: The scorned arms (to keep him from that train),


s: Such as they were, took up and donned again.


s: And nigh a temple strongly walled, and round


s: Whose base a moat for its protection goes,


s: Upon a little bridge takes up his ground,


s: Lo!  loudly shouting, and with threatening sound,


s: A mighty squadron through the gateway flows.


s: The valiant Gryphon changes not his place,


s: And shows how small his fear by act and face.


s: But when, approaching near, he saw the band,


s: He sallied forth to meet them by the way;


s: And wielding still his sword in either hand,


s: Then on the narrow bridge resumed his stand,


s: Aye leaving bloody signs when he withdrew.


s: Fore-stroke and back he deals, and on the ground


s: Horsemen and foot o'erthrows on every side:


s: This while the ample mob the knight surround,


s: And more and more the warfare rages wide.


s: At length Sir Gryphon fears he shall be drowned,


s: (So waxed their numbers) in the increasing tide;


s: And hurt in the left shoulder, through his mail,


s: And thigh, his wind as well begins to fail.


s: But Valour, who so oft befriends her own,


s: Makes him find grace in Norandino's eyes;


s: Who, while alarmed, he hurries there, o'erthrown


s: While he views wounds, which Hector's hand alone


s: He weens could deal, -- to him all testifies


s: Next seeing him more near, whose falchion's sweep


s: Had dealt such deaths amid his chivalry,


s: And raised about himself that horrid heap,


s: And stained the water with that bloody dye,


s: He thought that he beheld Horatius keep,


s: And vext, and anxious to remove the stain,


s: Recalled his men, and that with little pain.


s: And, lifting his bare hand, in sign affied,


s: From ancient times, of treaty and of truce,


s: "It grieves me sorely, and I cannot choose


s: But own my sin: let counsels which misguide,


s: And my own little wit, such fault excuse.


s: What by the vilest knight I thought to do,


s: I to the best on earth have done in you.


s: "And though the bitter injuries and shame


s: That have to thee through ignorance been done,


s: Are equalled, and all cancelled by thy fame,


s: And merged, in truth, in glory thou hast won;