OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	VII.
	441
	At	length	the	knight,	though	doubtful	of	the	way,
	Resolv'd	to	seek	the	camp	without	delay	;
	For	near	at	hand	the	destin'd	morning	drew,
	That	with	Argantes	must	his	fight	renew.
	When,	issuing	from	a	narrow	vale,	he	spy'd
	A	messenger,	that	seem'd	on	speed	to	ride,
	His	crooked	horn	depending	at	his	side.
	Tancred	from	him	demands	the	ready	way
	To	where	encamp'd	the	Christian	army	lay.
	Then	be	"	Thou	soon	from	me	the	path	mayst
	know,
	Dispatch'd	by	BoRtnond	to	the	camp	I	go."
	Th'	unwary	knight	the	guileful	words	believ'd,
	And	follow'd,	by	his	uncle's	name	deceiv'd.
	And	now	they	came	to	where,	amidst	a	flood
	Obscene	with	filth,	a	stately	castle	stood	';
	What	time	the	Sun	withdrew	his	cheerful	light,
	And	sought	the	sable	caverns	of	the	night.
	At	once	the	courier	blew	a	sounding	blast,
	And	sudden	o'er	the	moat	the	bridge	was	cast.
	"	Here,	if	a	Latian,"	said	the	wily	guide,
	"	Thou	mayst	at	ease	till	morning	dawn	reside	:
	Three	days	are	past	since	from	the	Pagan	band
	Cosenza's	valiant	earl	this	castle	gain'd."
	He	ceas'd.	The	warrior	all	the	fort	survey	'd,
	Impregnable	by	art	and	nature	made	;
	Awhile	he	paus'd,	suspecting	in	his	mind
	In	such	a	place	some	secret	fraud	to	find	:
	But,	long	to	dangers	and	to	toils	inur'd,
	He	stood	undaunted,	in	himself	secur'd;
	/Resolv'd,	whate'er	or	choice	or	chance	procure,
	His	own	right	arm	his	safety	should	ensure	:
	But	now	another	task	hjs	sword	demands,
	And	from	each	new	attempt	restrains	his	hands.
	Before	the	castle,	close	beside	the	flood,
	In	deep	suspense	awhile	the	hero	stood	;
	Nor	o'er	the	stream	the	doubtful	passage	tried,
	Though	oft	invited	by	his	treacherous	guide	:
	When	sudden	on	the	bridge	a	knight	was	seen
	All	sheath'd	in	arms,	of	fierce	and	haughty	mien	;
	His	naked	falchion,	held	aloft,	he	shook,
	And	thus	in	loud	and	threatening	accents	spoke:
	"	O	thou	!	who	thus	hast	reach	'd	Armida's	land,
	Or	led	by	choice,	or	by	thy	fate	constrain'd,
	Hope	not	to	fly	be	here	thy	sword	resign'd,
	And	let	thy	hands	ignoble	fetters	bind	;
	This	castle	enter,	and	the	laws	receive,
	The	laws	our	sovereign	mistress	deigns	to	give:
	And	ne'er	expect,	for	length	of	rolling	years,
	To	view	the	light	of	Heaven	or	golden	stars,
	Unless	thou	swear,	with	her	associate-train,
	To	war	on	all	that	Jesus'	faith	maintain."
	He	said;	and,	while	his	voice	betray'd	the	knight
	On	the	known	armour	Tancred	fix'd	his	sight.
	Rambaldo	this,	who	with	Armida	came.
	Who,	for	her	sake,	ernbrac'd	the	Pagan	name	;
	And	now	was	seen	in	arms	to	assert	her	cause,
	The	bold	defender	of	her	impious	laws.
	With	holy	zeal	th'	indignant	warrior	burn'd,
	And	to	the	foe	this	answer	soon	return'd:
	"	Lo	!	impious	wretch	!	that	Tancred	now	appears
	Who	still	for	Christ	his	faithful	weapon	wears	s
	His	champion	!	taught	by	him	the	foes	to	quell,
	That	dare	against	his	sacred	word	rebel.
	3	The	following	passage	bears	a	nearer	resem
	blance	to	the	romances	of	chivalry	than	any	par
	of	the	poem,	and	is	much	in	the	spirit	of	Arios
	to.
	oon	shall	thou	find	in	me	thy	scourge	is	givn,
	And	own	this	hand	the	minister	of	Heaven."
	Confounded	at	his	name	th'	apostate	stoo;
	wift	vanish'd	from	his	cheek	the	frighted	blood	:
	r	et	thus,	with	courage	feign'd.	he	made	reply:
	'	Why'com'st	thou,	wretch	!	predestin'd	here	to
	die?
	Here	shall	thy	lifeless	limbs	on	earth	be	spread,
	nd,	sever'd	from	the	trunk,	thy	worthless	head
	soon	to	the	leader	of	the	Franks	I'll	send,
	f	forume,	as	of	old,	my	arms	befriend."
	While	thus	he	spoke,	the	day	its	beams	withdrew,
	And	deeper	shades	obscur'd	the	doubtful	view	:
	When	straight	a	thousand	lamps	resplendent	blaze,
	Vnd	all	the	castle	shines	with	starry	rays.
	Armida	plac'd	aloft	(herself	concedl'd)
	Heard	all	the	contest,	and	the	knights	beheld.
	Th'	undaunted	hero	for	the	fight	prepares,
	Collects	his	courage	and	his	falchion	bares;
	kept	his	steed,	but	leaping	from	his	seat,
	Approach'd	on	equal	terms	the	foe	to	meet.
	The	foe	advanc'd	on	foot,	and	held	before
	His	fencing	shield;	his	head	the	helmet	wore;
	[n	act	to	strike	the	naked	steel	he	bore.
	To	him	with	dauntless	pace	the	prince	drew	nigh,
	Rage	in	his	voice,	and	lightning	in	his	eye.
	The	wary	Pagan	wheels	his	steps	afar,
	Now	seems	to	strike,	and	now	to	shun	the	war.
	Tancred,	though	weak	with	many	a	former	wound,
	Though	.lately	spent	with	toil,	maintain'd	his
	ground	;
	And,	where	Rambaldo	shrunk,	his	steps	he	press'd,
	And	oft	the	sword	before	his	face	addrcss'd
	With	threatening	point	;	but	chiefly	bent	his	art,
	To	aim	the	wounds	at	every	vital	part.
	His	dreadful	voice	he	rais'd	at	every	blow,
	And	pour'd	a	furious	tempest	on	the	foe	:
	Now	here,	now	there,	the	foe	deceives	his	eyes,
	With	sword	and	shield	.to	ward	the	danger	tries,
	And	from	th'	impending	steel	elusive	flies.
	Yet	not	so	swift	the	Pagan	can	defend,
	But	swifter	far	the	Christian's	strokes	descend.
	Rambaldo's	arms	were	now	with	blood	bedew'd,
	His	shield	was	broken,	and	his	helmet	hew'd:
	While	in	his	heart	contending	passions	strove,
	Remorse,	and	fear,	and	shame,	revenge	and	love.
	At	length,	impell'd	by	fury	and	despair,
	To	prove	the	utmost	fortune	of	the	war.
	His	buckler	cast	aside,	with	either	hand
	He	grasp'd	hisfalchion,	yet	with	blood	unstain'd	;
	Then,	instant	closing,	urg'd	the	vengeful	steel	:
	On	Tancred's	thigh	the	furious	weapon	fell,
	And	through	the	mail	infix'd	a	ghpsrly	wound	j
	His	helmet	next	the	Pagan's	falchion	found	;
	The	helmet,	struck,	return'd	a	ringing	sound.
	The	casque	sustain'd	the	stroke,	with	temper
	steel'd,
	Beneath	the	force	the	staggering	warrior	reel'd;
	But,	soon	recovering,	gnash	d	his	teeth	with	ire,
	While	from	his	eye-balls	flash'd	avenging	fire	!
	And	now	Rambaldo	durst	no	longer	wage
	The	doubtful	fight	with	Tancred's	rising	rage:
	His	startled	ear	the	hissing	sword	confess'd	j
	He	deem'd	the	point	already	in	his	breast	:
	He	sees,	he	flies	the	blow	:	th/	impetuous	steeL
	With	erring	force	against	a	column	fell
	Reside	the	flood	;	beneath	the	furious	stroke
	The	marble	in	a	thousand	shivers	broke.
	Swift	to	the	bridge	th'	affrighted	traitor	flies;
	In	swiftness	all	bis	hope	of	safety	lies	:


442
	BOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	Him	Tancred	chas'd,	and	step	by	step	impell'd	;
	Now	o'er	his	back	the	threatening	swovd	he	held	:
	When	lo	!	(the	trembling	Pagan's	flight	to	shield)
	A	sudden	darkness	cover'd	all	the	field	:
	At	once	the	lamps	were	vanish'd	from	the	sight	;
	At	once	the	Moon	and	stars	withdrew	their	light.
	No	more	the	viotor	could	his	foe	pursue,
	In	gloom	of	frtafedly	night	conceal'd	from	view.
	His	eyes	in	vain	explor'd	the	magic	shade,
	While	unsecure	with	doubtful	feet	he	stray'd.
	Unconscious	where	he	pass'd,	with	luckless	tread
	He	enter'd	at	a	gate,	as	fortune	led	;
	But	sudden	heard	the	portal	clos'd.	behind,
	And	found	himself	in	prison	drear	confin'd.
	So	the	mute	race	from	troubled	waves	retreat,
	To	seek	in	peaceful	bays	a	milder	seat,
	And	heedless	enter	in	the	fatal	snare,
	Where	fishers	place	their	nets	with	guileful	care.
	The	gallant	Tancred	prisoner	thus	remain'd,
	By	strange	enchantment	in	the	fort	detain'd	;
	In	vain	to	force	the	gate	his	strength	he	tried,
	The	stronger	gate	his	utmost	pains	defy'd	:
	And	soon	a	voice	was	heard	"	Attempt	no	more,
	Armida's	captive	now,	to	escape	her	pow'r	!>
	Here	live;	nor	fear	that	death	should	prove	thy
	doom,
	Here,	living	sentenc'd	to	a	doleful	tomb	!"
	TV	indignant	knight	his	rising	grief	suppress'd,
	Yet	groan'd	full	deeply	from	his	inmost	breast;
	Accusing	love,	from	whence	his	errours	rose,
	Himself,	his	fortune,	and	his	treacherous	foes.
	Thus	oft	in	whispers	to	himself	he	mourns:
	"To	me	no	more	the	cheerful	Sun	returns	!
	Yet	that	were	little	these	unhappy	eyes
	Must	view	no	more	the	sun	of	beauty	rise	!
	No	more	behold	Clorinda's	cLarms	again,
	Whose	power	alone	can	ease	a	lover's	pain	!"
	The	destin'd	combat	then	his	mind	assail'd	;
	"	Too	much,	1	'	he	cried,	"	my	honour	here	has
	fail'd	:
	Well	may	Argantes	now	despise	my	name	;
	O	stain	to	glory	'-	O	eternal	shame	!"	[breast,
	While	thoughts	like	these	distracted	Tancred's
	Argantes	scorn'd	the	downy	plumes	of	rest	:
	Discord	and	strife	his	cruel	soul	employ	;
	Fame	all	his	wish,	and	slaughter	all	his	joy	:
	And	ere	his	wounds	are	heal'd,	he	burns	to	view
	Th'	appointed	day,	the	combat	to	renew.
	The	night	before	the	morn	for	light	design'd,
	The	Pagan	scarce	to	sleep	his	eyes	inclin'd	:
	While	yet	the	skies	their	sable	mantle	spread,
	Ere	yet	a	beam	disclos'd	the	mountain's	head,
	He	rose,	and	call'd	for	arms;	his	squire	prepares,
	And	to	his	lord	the	radiant	armour	bears	;
	Not	that	he	wont	to	wear	;	a	nobler	load,
	A	costly	gift,	the	monarch	this	bestow'd.
	Eager	he	sei/'d,	nor	gaz'd	the	present	o'er,
	His	limbs,	with	ease,	the	massy	burthen	bore.
	He	girt	the	trusty	falchion	to	his	side	;
	Full	well	in	many	a	dangerous	combat	tried.
	As	shaking	terrours	from	his	blazing	hair.
	A	sanguine	comet	gleams	through	dusky	air,
	To	rnin	states,	and	dire	diseases	spread,
	A	baleful	light	on	purple	tyrants	shed	:
	So	ilam'd	the	chief	in	arms,	and	sparkling	ire,
	He	roll'd	his	eyes	suffus'd	with	blood	and	fire	:
	His	dreadful	threats	the	firmest	hearts	control'd,
	And	with	a	look	he	wither'd	all	the	bold:
	With	horrid	shout	he	shook	his	naked	blade,
	And	smote	th'	impressive	air	and	empty	shade.
	"	Soon	shall	the	Christian	chief,"	aloud	he	cries,
	"	Who	dares	with	me	in	fight	dispute	the	prize,
	Vanquiah'd	and	bleeding,	press	the	hostile	land,
	And	soil	his	flowing	tresses	in	the	sand	!
	Spite	of	his	God,	he	living	shall	surve'y
	This	hand,	unpitying,	rend	his	spoils	away.
	Then	shall	his	prayers	in	vain	a	grave	implore,
	The	dogs	his	mangled	carcase	shall	devour!"
	So	fares	a	bull	whom	jealous	fires	engage,
	Loudly	he	roars,	and	calls	up	all	.his	rage	j
	Against	a	tree	his	sharpen'd	horns	be	tries,
	To	battle	vain	the	passing	wind	defies;
	He	spurns	the	yellow	sands,	and	from	afar
	His	mortal	rival	dares	to	deadly	war.
	These	passions	swelling	in	Argantes'	breast,
	The	herald	straight	he	call'd,	and	thus	address'd:
	"	Haste	to	the	camp,	and	there	the	fight	proclaim
	With	yonder	champion	of	the	Christian	pame."
	This	said,	he	seiz'd	his	steed,	nor	longer	stay'd,
	But	from	the	walls	the	captive	knights	convey'd.
	He	left	the	city,	and	impetuous	went
	With	eager	speed	along	the	hill's	descent.
	Impatient	then	his	sounding	horn	he	blew,
	And	wide	around	the	horrid	echo	flew	;
	The	noise,	like	thunder,	struck	th'	astouish'd	ears.
	And	every	heart	was	fill'd	with	sudden	fears.
	The	Christian	princes,	now	conven'd,	enclose
	Their	prudent	chief;	to	these	the	herald	goes,
	And	Tancred	first	to	combat	due	demands,
	'Then	dares	each	leader	of	the	faithful	bands.
	Now	Godfrey	casts	around	his	heedful	sight,
	No	champion	offers	equal	to	the	fight
	The	fioweivoi'all	his	warlike	train	is	lost;
	No	news	of	Tancred	yet	has	reach'd	the	host:
	Boemond	afar;	and	exil'd	from	the	field
	Th'	unconquerM	youth	*	who	proud	Gernandokill'd.
	Beside	the	ten,	by	lot	of	fortune	nam'd,
	The	heroes	of	the	camp,	for	valour	fam'd,
	Pursu'd	the	false	Armida's	guileful	flight,
	Conceal'd	in	covert	of	the	friendly	night.
	The	rest,	less	firm	of	soul	or	brave	of	hand,
	Around	their	chief	unmov'd	and	silent	stand	;
	Not	one	in	such	a	risk	would	seek	for	fame	;
	In	fear	of	ill	was	lost	the	sense	of	shame.
	Well,	by	their	silence	and	their	looks	display'd,
	Their	secret	fears	the	general	soon	survey'd,
	And,	fill'd	with	nobie	warmth	and	high	disdain,
	He	started	from	his	seat,	and	thus	began	:
	"	Ah	!	how	unworthy	is	this	breast	of	life,
	If	now	I	shun	to	attempt	the	glorious	strife;
	Or	let	yon	Pagan	foe	our	name	disgrace,
	And	tread	in	dust	the	glory	of	our	race.
	Here	let	my	camp	secure,	inactive,	lie,
	And	view	my	danger	with	a	distant	eye	:
	Haste,	bring	my	arms	!''	Then,	swift	as	winged
	thought,
	His	ponderous	armour	to	the	chief	was	brought.
	But	Raymond	(in	experienc'd	wisdom	known,
	Whose	courage	with	the	first	in	peril	shone;
	Whose	vigorous	age	the	fire	of	youth	confess'd)
	Turn'd	to	the	leader,	and	these	words	address'd	:
	"	Forbid	it,	Heaven!	that	e'er	ttye	Christian	state
	Thus	in	their	chief	should	hazard	all	their	fate	!
	On	thee	our	empire	and	our	faith	depend,
	By	thee	must	Babel's	impious	kingdom	bend.
	Tis	thine	to	rule	debates,	the	sceptre	wield	;
	Let	others	boldly	prove	the	sword	in	field.
	3	Otho.
	Rinaldo.


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	VII.
	445
	What	endless	praise	were	thine	!	nor	praise	alone,
	The	king	with	vast	rewards	the	deed	shall	crown."
	The	spectre	ceas'd.	Not	long	the	warrior	stay'd	;
	The	hopes	o^	gain	his	greedy	soul	persuade	:
	From	the	full	quiver,	destin'd	for	the	deed,
	To	the	tough	yew	he	fits	the	feather'd	reed	:
	He	bends	the	bow,	lond	twangs	the	trembling	string,
	The	shaft	impatient	hisses	on	the	wing;
	Swift	to	the	mark	the	airy	passage	finds,
	Just	where	the	belt	the	golden	buckle	binds;
	The	corselet	piercing,	through	the	skin	it	goes	;
	But	scarce	the	wound	with	purple	moisture	flows	;
	The	guard	celestial	stops	its	further	course,
	And	robs	the	arrow	of	its	threatening	force.
	The	earl	the	weapon	from	his	corselet	drew,
	And	saw	the	sprinkling	drops	of	sanguine	hue;
	Then	on	the	Pagan	turn'd,	with	fury	mov'd,
	And	with	loud	threats	his	breach	of	faith	reprov'd.
	The	pious	Godfrey	now,	whose	careful	look
	Was	fix'd	on	Raymond.	found	the	truce	was	broke;
	With	fears	he	saw	his	lov'd	associate	bleed,
	And	urg'd	his	troops	toavenge	the	treacherous	deed.
	Then	might	you	see	their	ready	beavers	clos'd,
	Their	coursers	rein'd,	their	spears	in	rest	dispos'd.
	At	once	the	squadrons,	plac'd	on	either	hand,
	Move	in	their	ranks,	and	thicken	o'er	the	land	:
	The	field	is	vanish'd	;	clouds	of	dust	arise,
	And	roll	in	sable	volumes	to	the	skies.
	They	meet,	they	shock	;	the	clamours	echo	round	;
	And	helms	and	shields	and	shiver'd	spears	resound.
	Here	lies	a	steed,	and	there	(his	rider	slain)
	Another	runs	at	random	o'er	the	plain.
	Here	lies	a	warrior	dead;	in	pangs	of	death,
	There	one,	with	groans,	reluctant	yields	his	breath.
	Dire	is	the	conflict	;	deep	the	tumult	grows	;
	And	now	with	all	its	rage	the	battle	glows.
	Argantes	midst	them	flew	with	eager	pace,	'
	And	from	a	soldier	shatch'd	an	iron	mace	;
	This	whirl'd	around,	with	unresisted	sway,
	Through	the	thick	press	he	forc'd	an	ample	way	:
	Raymond	he	seeks,	on.him	his	arms	he	turns,
	On	him	alone	his	dreadful	fury	burns	:
	And,	like	a	wolf,	with	savage	wrath	indu'd,
	He	thirsts	insatiate	for	the	Christian's	blood.
	But	now,	on	every	side,	the	numbers	clos'd,
	And	thronging	warriors	his	attempts	oppos'd	:
	Ormano	and	Rogero,	(names	renown'd	!)
	Guido,	with	either	Gerrard,	there	he	found.
	Yet	more	impetuous	still	his	anger	swell'd,
	The	more	these	gallant	chiefs	his	force	repell'd.
	So,	pent	in	narrow	space,	more	dreadful	grows
	The	blazing	fire,	and	round	destruction	throws.
	Guido	he	wounded;	brave	Ormano	slew;
	And	midst	the	slain	to	earth	Rogero	threw,
	Stunn'd	with	the	fall,	While	here	the	martial	train
	On	either	hand	an	equal	fight	maintain	;
	Thus	to	his	brother,	Godfrey	gave	command	:
	*'	Now	to	the	fight	conduct	thy	warlike	band	;
	And	where	the	battle	rages	in	its	force,
	There	to	the	left	direct	thy	speedy	course."
	He	said	;	the	warrior	at	his	word	obey'd,
	And	on	their	Pank	a	sudden	onset	made.
	Languid	and	spent	the	Asian	troops	appear,
	Nor	can	the	Franks'	impetuous	vigour	bear:	[round,
	Their	ranks	are	broke,	their	standards	scatter'ti
	And	men	and	steeds	lie	mingled	on	the	ground.
	The	squadrons,	on	the	right,	now	fled	the	plain	;
	Alone	Argantes	dares	the	shock	sustain	;
	Alone	he	turns,	alone	the	torrent	stands	:
	Not	he	who	braudish'd	in	his	hundred	hands
	lis	fifty	swords	and	fifty	shields	in	fight,
	Could	have	surpass'd	the	fierce	Argantes'	might!
	["he	mace's	sweepy	way,	the	clashing	spears,
	Ph'	impetuous	shock	of	charging	steeds	he	bears.
	Alone	he	seems	for	all	an	equal	force:
	'low	here,	now	there,	by	turns	he	.shifts	his	course	s
	Sis	limbs	are	bruis'd,	his	shatter'd	arms	resound;
	The	blood	and	sweat	in	mingled	streams	abound,
	Yet	whole	he	seems,	and	fearless	of	a	wound.
	But	now	so	closely	press'd	the	flying	crew,
	That	in	their	flight	the	unwilling	chief	they	drew:
	"lonstrain'd	he	turn'd,	nor	longer	could	abide
	Th'	o'erbearing	fury	of	the	rapid	tide.
	Yet	seems	he	not	to	fly,	his	looks	declare
	His	dauntless	soul,	and	still	maintain	the	war;
	Still	in	his	eyes	the	glancing	terrours	glow,
	And	still	with	threatening	voice	he	dares	the	foe.
	With	every	art	he	tries,	but	tries	in	vain,
	To	stop	the	panic	of	the	routed	train	:
	No	art,	no	rein,	can	rule	the	vulgar	fear;
	Nor	earnest	prayers,	nor	loud	commands	they	hear*
	The	pious	Godfrey,	who,	with	zeal	inspir'd,
	Saw	Fortune	favouring	all	his	soul	desir'd,
	Pursu'd	with	joy	the	battle's	glorious	course,
	And	to	the	victors	sent	auxiliar	force.
	And,	but	the	fatal	hour	not	yet	was	come,
	Prefix'd	by	God	in	his	eternal	doom,
	This	day,	perchance,	their	arms	success	had	found,
	This	day	had	all	their	sacred	labours	crown'd.
	But	Hell's	dire	crew,	who	saw	the	conquering	host,
	And	in	the	combat	feac'd	their	empire	lost,
	(By	Heaven	permitted)	spread	the	changing	skies
	With	clouds	condens'd,	and	gave	the	winds	to	rise.
	Infernal	horrours	darken	all	the	air,
	Pale	livid	lightnings	through	the	ether	glare;
	The	thunder	roars	;	the	mingled	hail	and	rain
	With	rattling	torrents	deluge	all	the	plain	:
	The	trees	are	rent	;	nor	yield	the	trees	alone,
	The	rocks	and	mountains	to	the	tempest	groan.
	The	wind	and	rain	with	force	united	strove,
	And	on	the	Christians'	face	impetuous	drove	:
	The	sudden	storm	their	eager	course	repress'd,
	And	fatal	terrours	daunted	many	a	breast	:
	While,	round	their	banners,	some	maintain'd	the
	Nor	yet	the	fortune	of	the	day	beheld.	[field,
	But	this	Clorinda	from	afar	descries,
	And	swift	to	seize	the	wish'd	occasion	flies.
	She	spurs	her	steed,	and	thus	her	squadron	warms:
	"See!	Heaven,	my	friends!	assists	our	righteous
	arms	:
	His	tempestlights	not	on	ourfavour'd	bands,
	But	leaves	to	action	free	our	valiant	hands	:
	Against	th'	astonish'd	foe	his	wrath	he	bends,
	Full	in	their	face	his	vengeful	storm	descends	:
	They	lose	the	use	of	arms	and	light	of	day	:
	Haste,	let	us	go	where	Fortune	points	the	way	!"
	She	said,	and	rous'd	her	ardent	troops	to	war
	And	while	behind	th'	infernal	storm	they	bear,
	With	dreadful	fury	on	the	Franks	they	turn,
	And	mock	their	vigour,	and	their	weapons	scorn	:
	Meanwhile	Argantes	on	their	forces	flew,
	(So	lately	victors)	and	with	rage	o'erthrew	:
	These,	swift	retreating	from	the	field,	oppose
	Their	backs	against	the	storm	and	hostile	blows.
	Fierce	on	the	rear	the	Pagan	weapons	pour	;
	Fierce	on	the	rear	their	wrath	the	Furies	shower
	The	mingled	blood	in	streaming	torrents	swell'd'
	And	purple	rivers	delug'd	all	the	field.
	There,	midst	the	dying	and	the	vulgar	slain,
	Pyrrhus	aad	good	Ridolphus	press'd	the	pla'in	:


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	VIII.
	449
	They	see;,	andknow	too	well	the	dazzling	sight,
	The	ponderous	cuirass,	with	its	heamy	light	;
	The	ores'',	where	high	the	towering	eagle	shone,
	That	proves	his	offspring	in	the	mid-day	Son.
	Oft	vvere	they	w<*nt,	amid	th'	embattled	fray,
	To	see	them	foremost	rule	the	bloody	day	;
	And	now	with	mingled	grief	and	rage	beheld
	Those	glorious	trophies	broken	on	the	lield.
	While	whispers	till	the	camp,	and	every	breath
	Relates	by	various	means	the	hero's	death,
	The	pious	Godfrey	bade	the	chief	be	sought
	Who	led	the	squadron	that	the	pillage	brought.
	Brave	Aliprando	was	the	leader	nam'd,
	For	truth	of	speech	and	noble	frankness	fam'd.
	"	Declare,"	cried	Godfrey,	''	whem'e	these	arms	ye
	Nor	hide	a	secret	from	your,	general's	ear."	[bear,
	"	As	far	remov'd	from	hence,"	he	thus	replied,
	"	As	in	two	days	a	trusty	scout	may	ride	:
	Near	Gnza's	walls,	a	little	plain	is	found,
	From	public	ways	with	hills	encompass'd	round	;
	A	riv'let	murmurs	down	the	mountain's	sides,
	And	through	the	shade	with	gentle	current	glides	;
	Thick	wood	and	brambles	form	a	horrid	shade;
	(A	place	by	nature	well	fur	ambush	made)
	Here,	while	we	sought,	for	flocks	and	herds	that	came
	To	crop	the	mead	beside	the	crystal	stream,
	Surpris'd	we	saw	the	grass	distain'd	with	blood,
	And	on	the	banks	a	murder'd	warrior	view'd	:
	The	arms	and	vest	we	knew	(oft	seen	before)
	Though	now	cleform'd	with	dust,	and	foul	with	gore.
	Then	near	I	drew,	the	features	to	survey,
	But	found	the	sword	had	lopt	the	head	away;
	The	right	hand	sever'd	;	and	the	body	round
	From	back	to	breast	was	pierc'd	with	many	a	wound.
	Norfar	from	thence	the	empty	helm	was	laid,
	Where	the	white	eagle	stood	with	wings	display'd.
	While	some	we	sought	from	whom	the	truth	to	hear,
	We	saw	a	village	swain	approaching	near;
	Who,	having	spy'd	us,	fled	with	sudden	fear.
	Him,	following,	soon	we	seize;	he	trembling	stands,
	And	gives	a	full	reply	to	our	demands.
	That	he,	the	former	day,	conceal'd,	had	view'd
	A	band	of	warriors	issue	from	the	wood,	[shew'd.
	Whose	mien	and	arms	the	Christians'	likeness
	One	by	the	golden	locks	sustain'd	a	head.
	That	newly	sever'd	seem'd,	and	freshly	bled	:
	The	face	appear'd	a	youth's	of	semblance	fair,
	The	cheeks	unconscious	of	a	manly	hair.
	Soon	o'er	the	head	his	scarf	the	soldier	flung,
	And	at	the	saddle-bow	the	trophy	hung.
	This	heard,	I	stripp'dthe	corse	with	pitying	tears,
	My	anxious	mind	perplex'd	with	secret	fears,
	And	hither	brought	these	arms,	and	orders	gave
	To	yield	the	limbs	the	honours	of	a	grave	:
	But	if	this	trunk	is	what	my	thoughts	declare,
	It	claims	far	other	pomp,	far	other	care.''
	Here	Aliprando	ceas'd;	the	leader	heard
	His	tale	with	sighs;	he	doubted	and	he	fear'd;
	By	certain	signs	he	wish'd	the	corse	to	know,
	And	learn	the	hand	that	gave	the	murderous	blow.
	Meantime	the	night,	with	sable	pinions	spread,
	O'er	fields	of	air	her	brooding	darkness	shed	;
	And	sleep,	the	soul's	relief,	the	balm	of	woes,
	Lull'd	every	mortal	sense	in	sweet	repose.
	Thou,	Argillari	!	alone	wiili	cares	opprest,
	Revolv'st	dire	fancies	in	thy	troubled	breast!
	No	quiet	pow	r	can	close	tby	wakeful	eyes,
	But	from	thy	couch	the	downy	slumber	flies.
	This	man	was	bold,	of	license	unconfm'd,
	Haughty	of	speech,	and	turbulent	of	mind	:
	VOL.	xxi.
	Born	on	the	banks	of	Trent,	his	early	years
	Were	nurs'd	in	troubles	and	domestic	jars:
	Till	exil'd	thence,	he	fill'd	the	hills	and	strand
	With	blood,	and	ravag'dall	the	neighbouring	land	;
	When	now	to	war	on	Asia's	plains	he	came,
	And	there	in	battle	gain'd	a	nobler	fame.
	At	length,	when	morning's	dawn	began	to	peep,
	He	clos'd	his	eyes,	but	not	in	peaceful	sleep	;
	Alecto	o'er	him	sheds	her	venom'd	breath,
	And	chains	his	senses	like	the	hand	of	death	:
	In	horrid	shapes	she	chills	him	with	affright,
	And	brings	dire	visions	to	his	startled	sight:
	A	headless	trunk	before	him	seem'd	to	stand,
	All	pierc'd	with	wounds,	and	lopt	the	better	hand	:
	The	left	the	pale	dissever'd	visage	bore,
	The	features	grim	in	death,	and	soil'd	with	gore	;
	The	lips	yet	seem'd	to	breathe,	and	breathing	spoke,
	WJience,	mix'd	with	sobs,	these	dreadful	accents
	broke:
	"	Fly,	Argillan	!	behold	the	morning	nigh
	Fly	these	dire	tents,	the	impious	leader	fly	1
	Who	shall	my	friends	from	Godfrey's	rage	defend,
	And	all	the	frauds	that	wrought	my	hapless	end	?
	Even	now	thy	tyrant	burns	with	canker'd	hate,
	And	plans,	alas	!	like	mine,	thy	threaten'd	fate	:
	Yet	if	thy	soul	aspires	to	fame	so	high,
	And	dares	so	firmly	on	its	strength	rely,
	Then	fly	not	hence	;	but	let	thy	reeking	blade
	Glut	with	his	streaming	blood	my	mournful	shade:
	Lo	!	I	will	present	rise	your	force	to	arm,
	To	string	each	nerve,	and	every	bosom	warm."
	The	vision	said.	With	hellish	rage	inspir'd,
	His	furious	.breast	a	sudden	madness	fir'd	:
	He	starts	from	sleep;	he	gazes	wild	with	fear;
	With	wrath	and	venom	fill'd	his	eyes	appear:
	Already	arm'd,	with	eager	haste	he	flew,
	And	found	him	soon	th'	Italian	warriors	drew:
	High	o'er	the	brave	Rinaldo's	arms	he	stood,
	And	with	these	words	inflam'd	the	listening	crowd	:
	"	Shall	then	a	savage	race,	whose	barbarous	mind
	No	reason	governs,	and	no	laws	can	bind,
	ShaH	these,	insatiate	still	of	wealth	and	blood,
	Lay	on	our	willing	necks	the	servile	load	?
	Such	are	the	sufferings	and	th'	insulting	scorn,
	Which	seven	long	years	our	passive	train	has	borne,
	That	distant	Rome	may	blush	to	hear	our	shame,
	And	future	time	reproach	th'	Italian	name:
	W[iy	should	I	here	of	generous	Tancred	tell,
	When	by	his	gallant	arms	Cilicia	fell	;
	How	the	base	Frank	by	treason	seiz'd	the	land,
	And	fraud	usurp'd	the	prize	which	valour	gain'd	?
	Nor	need	I	tell,	when	dangerous	deeds	require
	The	boldest	hands	and	claim	the	warrior's	fire,
	First	in	the	field	the	flames	and	sword	we	bear,
	And	midst	a	thousand	deaths	provoke	the	war:
	The	battle	o'er,	when	bloody	tumults	cease,
	And	spoils	and	laurels	crown	the	soldiers'	peace	;
	In	vain	our	merits	equal	share	may	claim	;	[fame.
	Theirs	are	the	lands,	the	triumphs,	wealth	and
	These	insults	once	might	well	our	thoughts	engage,
	These	sufferings	justly	might	demand	ouro-age	:
	But	now	I	name	those	lighter	wrongs	no	more,
	This	last	dire	act	surpasses	all	before.
	In	vain	divine	and	human	laws	withstand,
	Behold	Rinaldo	murder'd	by	their	hand!
	But	Heaven's	dread	thunders	seal	not	yet	their
	doom,
	Nor	Farth	receives	them	in	her	opening	womb	!
	Ilinaldo	have	they	slain;	the	soldiers*	boast,
	G	uai	d	of	our	faith,	and	buckler	of	our	hoit	1
	Gg


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	X.
	457
	BOOK	X.
	THE	AROUMENT.
	Solyman,	in	his	journey	to	Gaza,	is	accosted	by
	Ismeno,	who	persuades	him	to	return	;	and
	conveys	him	in	an	enchanted	chariot	to	Jeru
	salem.	The	magician	conducts	the	soldan
	through	a	subterraneous	cave	into	the	city,	and
	brings	him	to	the	council-hall,	where	he	stands,
	concealed	in	a	cloud,	and	hears	the	debates.
	The	speeches	of	Argaiites	and	Orcanes.	Soly
	man	at	last	discovers	himself,	and	is	received
	with	the	greatest	joy	by	the	king.	In	the	mean
	time	it	is	known	to	Godfrey,	that	the	warriors
	who	came	to	his	assistance	were	those	who	had
	followed	Armida.	One	of	them	relates	to	the
	general	their	adventures.	Peter	foretels	the	re
	turn	and	future	glory	of	Rinaldo.
	WHILE	thus	the	soldan	spoke,	a	steed	he	spy'd,
	That	wander'd	near,	unburthen'd	of	his	guide	;
	Th'in	instant,	spent	with	toil	and	faint	with	heat,
	He	seiz'd	the	reins	and	press'd	the	welcome	seat:
	FalPn	is	his	crest,	that	late	so	dreadful	rose,
	His	helm,	disgrac'd,	no	more	its	splendour	shows;
	His	regal	vesture	strows	the	du^ty	plains,
	And	not	a	trace	of	all	his	pomp	remains	!
	As,	from	the	nightly	fold,	the	wolf	pnrsu'd,
	Flies	to	the	shelter	of	the	friendly	wood	;
	Though	fill'd	with	carnage,	still	he	thirsts	for	more,
	And	licks	his	ravenous	jaws	impure	with	gore	:
	So	fled	the	soldan,	from	the	field	compell'd,
	Still	bent	on	slaughter,	still	his	rage	unquell'd	:
	Safe	from	surrounding	spears	he	took	his	flight,
	And	all	the	deathful	weapons	of	the	fight	:
	Alone,	unseen,	the	warrior	journey'd	on,
	Through	solitary	paths,	and	ways	unknown	:
	His	future	course	revolving	in	his	rnind	;
	Nowhere,	now	there,	his	doubtful	thoughts	inclin'd.
	At	length	he	fix'd	to	seek	the	friendly	coast
	Where	Egypt's	king	collects	his	powerful	host,
	And	join	with	him	his	fortune	in	the	field,
	To	prove	what	arms	another	day	would	yield.
	And,	thusresolv'd,	the	well-known	course	he	bore
	That	led	to	ancient	Gaza's	sandy	shore.
	Though	now	his	weary	limbs	require	repose,
	And	every	wound	with	keener	anguish	glows;
	Yet	all	the	day	he	fled	with	eager	haste,
	Nor	left	his	courser,	ncr	bis	mail	unbrac'd.
	But	when	the	dusky	gloom	perplex'd	the	sight,
	And	objects	lost	their	colour	by	the	night,
	He	swath'd	his	wounds;	a	palm	tree	near	him	stood,
	From	this	he	shook	the	fruit	(his	homely	food	!)
	His	hanger	thus	appeas'd,	the	ground	he	press'd,
	And	sought	to	ease	his	limbs	with	needful	rest:
	On	his	hard	shield	his	pensive	head	reclin'd,
	He	strove	to	calm	the	tumult	of	his	mind.
	Disdain	and	grief	his	heart	alternate	rend,
	And	like	two	vultures	in	his	breast	contend.
	At	length	when	night	had	gain'd	her	midmost
	way,
	And	all	the	world	in	peaceful	silence	lay,
	O'ercome	with	labour,	sleep	his	eyes	opprest,
	And	steep'd	his	troubles	in	Lethean	rest.
	While	thus	on	earth	he	lay,	a	voice	severe,
	With	these	upbraidings,	thunder'd	in	his	ear:
	"O	Soly	man!	regardless	chief,	awake!
	In	happier	hours	thy	grateful	slumber	take.
	Beneath	a	foreign	yoke	thy	subjects	bend,
	And	strangers	o'er	thy	land	their	rule	extend.
	Here	3ost	thou	sleep	?	here	close	thy	careless	eyes,
	While	uninterr'd	each	lov'd	associate	lies?
	He,re,	where	thy	fame	has	felt	the	hostile	scorn,
	Canst	thou,	unthinking,	wait	the	rising	morn	?''
	The	soldan	wak'd	;	then	rais'd	his	sight,	and
	view'd
	A	sire,	of	reverend	mien,	who	near	him	stood	:
	Feeble	he	seem'd	with	age,	his	steps	to	guide
	A	friendly	star?	its	needful	aid	supply'd.	[cries,
	"	Say,	what	art	thou,	who	dar'st,"	the	monarch
	"	Dispel	soft	slumber	from	the	traveller's	eyes?
	What	part	canst	thou	in	all	our	glory	claim,
	And	what	to	thee	onr	vengeance	or	our	shame	?'
	"	In	me	behold	a	friend,"	the	stranger	said,
	"	To	whom	in	part	thy	purpose	stands	display'd	:
	And	here	I	proffer,	with	aux	liar	care,
	In	all	thy	labours	and	designs	to	share.
	Forgive	my	zeal	;	reproaches	oft	inspire
	The	noble	mind,	and	raise	the	hero's	fire.
	Thou	seek'st	th'	Egyptian	king	such	thoughts
	restrain,
	Nor	tempt	a	long	and	toilsome	tract	in	vain;
	Even	now	the	monarch	calls	his	numerous	bands,
	And	moves	his	camp	to	assist	Judea's	lands.
	Think	not	thy	worth	at	Gaza	can	be	shown,
	That	'gainst	our	foes	thy	force	can	there	be	known	;
	l?ut	follow	where	I	lead,	and.	safe	from	harms,
	Within	yon	wall,	begirt	by	Latian	arms,
	To	place	thee,	even	at	noon	of	day,	I	swear,
	Without	the	brandisb'd	sword	or	lifted	spear.
	New	toils,	new	dangers,	there	thy	arms	attend	;
	There	shall	thy	force	the	town	besieg'd	defend,
	Till	Egypt's	hst,	arriv'd,	their	succour	yield,
	And	call	thy	courage	to	a	nobler	field."
	Thus	while	he	spoke,	the	listening	Tusk,	amaz'd,
	Full	on	the	hoary	sire	in	silence	gnz'd	:
	His	haughty	looks	no	more	their	fierceness	boast,
	And	all	his	anger	is	in	wonder	lost.
	Then	thus	"	O	father	!	ready	to	obey,
	Behold	I	follow	where	thou	poiut'st	the	way:
	But	ever	best	that	counsel	shall	I	prize,
	Where	most	of	toil,	where	most	of	danger	lies."
	The	sire	his	words	approv'd	;	then	search'd,
	with	care,
	Fach	recent	wound,	annoy'd	by	chilling	1	air;
	With	powerful	juice	in^till'd.	his	strength	renew'd,
	Ai	d	eas'd	the	pain,	and	stanch'd	the	flowing	blood.
	Aurora	now	her	rosy	wreaths	displays,
	And	Phoebus	gilds	them	with	his	orient	rays.
	"	Time	calls,"	he	cries,	"the	Sun	directs	our	way,
	That	summons	mortals	to	the	toils	of	day."
	Then	to	a	car,	that	near	him	ready	stood.
	He	pass'd	;	the	chief	of	Nice	his	steps	pursu'd:
	They	mount	the	seat	;	the	stranger	takes	the	reins,
	Before.the	lash	the	coursers	scour	the	plains;
	They	foam,	thev	neigh,	their	smoking	nostrils	blow,
	And	the	champ'd	bits	are	white	with	frothy	snow.
	Thc-n	(strange	to	tell)	the	air,	condens'd	in	clouds,
	With	thickest	veil	the	rolling	chariot	shrouds;
	Yet	not	a	mortal	sight	the	mist	espy'd,
	Nur	could	an	engine's	force	the	cloud	divide;
	While	from	its	secret	womb,	with	piercing	eyes,
	They	view'd	around	the	plains,	the	hills,	and	skies.
	Struck	with	the	sia.ht,	his	brows	the	soldan	rais'd,
	And	steadfast	cu	the	cloud	and	chariot	gaz'd	;
	While	on	their	course	with	ceaseless	speed	they
	flew:
	Well	by	his	looks	the	sire	his	wonder	knew	;


44JS
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	Give	bcr	from	me	her	spotless	lite	to	frame,
	But	cppy	in	her	fate	some	happier	name	!
	Thou,	heavenly	chief!	whose	aim	the	serpent
	brav'd,
	And	from	his	ravenous	jaws	the	virgin	sav'd	:
	If	e'er	I	tapers	burn'd	with	rites	divine,
	Or	offer'd	gold	and	incense	at	thy	shrine;	v	'
	For	her	I	pray,	that	she,	thy	faithful	maid,
	On	thee,	in	every	chance,	may	call	for	aid.',
	"	She	ceas'd	;	her	heart	convulsive	anguish
	wrung,
	And	on	he.r	face	a	mortal	sorrow	hung.
	'	With	tears	1	took	thee,	and	with	care	bestow'd
	Within	a	chest,	with	leaves	and	flowers	o'er.<;	row'd,
	And	bore	thee	thence	conceal'd,	a	pleasing	load	!
	At	length	remote,	my	lonely	footsteps	stray'd
	Amidst	a	forest	thick	with	horrid	shade	;
	When	lo	!	a	tigress	drawing	near	I	view'd,
	Her	threatening	eyes	sufTus'd	with	rage	and	blood	:
	Wild	with	affright	I	left	thee	on	the	ground,
	And	climb'd	a	tree,	and	thence	my	safety	found	:
	The	furious	beast	now	cast	her	eyes	aside,
	And	thee	deserted	on	the	herbage	spy'd	:
	Intent	she	seem'd	to	gaze,	and	milder	grew,
	Till	all	the	fierceness	from	her	looks	withdrew	:
	Approaching	nigh,	she	fawn'd	in	wanton	play,
	And	lick'd	your	infant	members	as	you	lay	;
	While	you	secure	the	savage	form	caress'd,
	And	strok'd	with	harmless	hand	her	dreadful
	crest.
	She	offer'd	then	her	teats,	and	(strange	to	view	!)
	Thy	willing	lips	the	milky	moisture	drew.
	With	anxious	fear	and	wonder	I	beheld
	A	sight	so	new,	that	all	belief	excell'd.
	Soon	as	she	found	thee	sated	with	the	food,
	The	beast	departed,	and	regain'd	the	wood.
	Then	hastening	down	to	where	on	earth	you	lay,
	I	with	my	charge	resum'd	my	former	way	:	x
	Till	midst	a	village	my	retreat	I	made	;
	In	secret	there	thy	infancy	was	bred:
	And	there	I	dwelt,	till,	coursing	round,	the	Mocm
	Had	sixteen	changing	months	to	mortals	shown	;
	Till	thy	young	feet	began	their	steps	to	frame,
	And	from	thy	tongne	imperfect	.accents	came.
	But	sinking	now,	as	middle	lifedeclin'd,
	To	hoary	age,	the	winter	of	mankind	;
	Enrich'd	with	gold,	-which	with	a	bounteous	hand
	The	queen	had	given	me	when	I	left	the	land,
	I	loath'd	this	irksome	life,	with	wandering	tir'd,
	And	to	review	my	native	soil	desir'd	;
	There	midst	my	friends	to	pass	my	latter	days,
	And	cheer	my	evenings	with	a	social	blaze.
	To	Egypt	then	I	turn'd,	my	natal	shore,
	And	thee	the	partner	of	my	journey	bore.
	When,	lo	!	a	flood	we	gain	there	thieves	enclose
	My	doubtful	pass,	and	here	the	current	flows.
	What	should	I	do,	relr.i	.mt	to	forgo
	My	dearest	charge,	or	trust	the	barbarous	foe	?
	I	take	the	flood	;	one	hand	the	torrent	braves;
	And	one	sustains	thee	while	I	plough	the	waves.
	Swift	was	the	stream,	and	in	its	midmost	course
	A	circling	eddy	whirl'd	with	rapid	force	:
	There	round	and	round,	with	giddy	motion	tost,
	Sadden	I	sunk,	in	depth	of	waters	lost	;
	Thee	soon	I	miss'd,	but	thee	the	waters	bore,
	And	winds	propitious	wafted	to	the	shore,
	breathless	and	faint	at	length	I	reach'd	the	land,
	And	there,	with	joy,	my	dearest	pledge	regain'd.
	"	But	now	what	time	to	dusky	shade	consign'd,
	Kight	spreads	her	veil	of	silence	o'er	mankind,
	Behold	a	warrior	in	my	dream	appear'd,
	And	o'er	my	head	a	naked	falchion	rear'd.
	"'Hear	my	command!'	he	cried	with	threaten^
	ing	air:
	'	What	once	a	mother	trusted	to	thy	care	;
	Thy	infant	charge,	with	sacred	rites	baptize	;
	Belov'd	of	Heaven,	with	me	her	safety	lies	:
	For	her	to	ravenous	beasts	I	pity	gave,
	And	breath'd	a	living	spirit	in	the	wave.
	Oh	!	wretched	thou	!	if,	such	a	warning	given,
	Thou	dar'st	to	slight	the	messenger	of	Heaven	!'
	"He	ceas'd;	I	wak'd,	and	then	resum'd	my
	Sbon	as	the	morn	reveal'd	her	early	ray.	[way,
	H:.t,	partial	to	my	faith,	I	kept	thee	still,
	Nor	would	thy	mother's	last	commands	fulfill	:
	I	heeded	not	the	visions	of	the	night,
	But	bred	thy	youth	in	every	Pagan	rite.
	Mature	in	years	now	shone	thy	dauntless	mind
	Alwve	thy	sex.	the	rival	of	mankind	!
	In	many	a	fight	thy	deeds	have	glory	won;
	Thy	fortune	since	full	well	to	thee	is	known.
	In	me	thou	still	hast	prov'd,	in	peace	or	war,
	A	servant's	duty	and	a	parent's	care.
	As	yester-morn	my	mind,	with	thought	opprest,
	Lay	senseless	in	a	deep,	a	death-like	rest,	,
	The	phantom-warrior	came	with	fiercer	look,
	And	dreadful	with	a	louder	accent	spoke	:
	'	Lo,	wretch	!	th'	appointed	hour	at	hand,	'he	cried,
	'	That	must	Clorinda	from	this	life	divide.
	In	thy	despite	the	virgin	shall	be	mine,
	And	thee	to	tears	and	anguish	1	resign.'
	"	He	said	;	and	vanish'd	s*ift	to	fleeting	1	air.
	Then	hear,	my	best	belov'd	!	my	tenderest	care	!
	For	thee	these	threatening	visions	Heaven	has	sent	;
	To	thee,	alas	!	foretells	some	dire	event	;
	Perchance	displeas'd	by	me	to	see	thee	train'd
	In	rites	unpractis'd	in	thy	natal	land	;
	Remote	perhaps	from	truth.	O	!	yet	forbear	;
	Consent,	no	longer	now	those	arms	to	wear	:
	Suppress	thy	daring,	and	relieve	my	care."
	He	ceas'd,	and	wept.	In	deep	suspense	she
	stay'd,
	A	dream,	like	his,	her	troubled	soul	dismay'd	:
	At	length	her	looks	she	clear'd,	and	thus	reply'd	:
	"	Thatfaitli	I	deem	the	truth,	be	still	my	guide;
	That	faith	1	learn'd	from	thee	in	early	years,
	Which	now	thou	seek'st	to	shake	with	causeless
	fears:
	Nor	will	I	(noble	minds	such	thoughts	disdain)
	Forgo	these	arms	r	from	th'	attempt	refrain;
	Though	Death,	in	every	shape	that	mortals	fear,
	Should	undisguis'd	before	my	eyes	appear."
	So	spoke	the	generous	maid,	and	gently	strove
	To	calm	hi	anguish,	and	his	doubts	remove.
	Now	came	the	season	for	the	deed	desisn'd.
	When	parting	thence	th'	expecting	knight*	she
	join'd	;
	Isrneno	there	to	inflame	each	breast	conspir'd
	With	goading	speech,	that	neither	breast	requir'd,
	And	to	their	hands	two	sulphurous	balls	consign'd.
	With	secret	fire	in	hollow	reeds	confin'd.
	Now	through	the	night	their	silent,	inarch	they
	Now	leave	the	city,	and	the	hill	descend	:	[bend.
	Till	near	the	place	arriv'd,	where,	towering	high,
	The	hostile	structure	rises	to	the	sky	;
	Their	daring	souls	can	scarcely	now	restrain
	The	warmth	that	breathes	in	every	glowing	vein	:
	?Argaritee..


470
	IJOOLF/S	TRANSLATION
	With	rest	r<	fresh'd,	with	wrath	inflam'd	anew,
	Again	transported	to	the	fight	they	flew.
	What	dreadful	wounds	on	either	side	are	given	!
	Through	arms	and	flesh	the	ruthless	swords	are
	driven.
	Though	faint	with	blood	effns'd	from	every	vein.
	Their	staggering	limbs	can	scarce	their	weight
	sustain,
	Yet	still	they	live,	and	still	maintain	the	strife,
	Disdain	and	rage	withhold	their	fleeting	life.
	So	seems	th'	ligean	sea,	the	tempest	past
	That	here	and	there	its	troubled	waters	cast	;
	It	still	pre-erves	the	fury	gain'd	before,
	And	rolls	the	sounding	billows	to	the	shore.
	But	now	behold	the	mournful	hour	at	hand,
	In	which	the	Fates	Clorimla's	life	demand.
	Full	at	her	bosom	Tancred	aim'd	the	sword;
	The	thirsty	steel	her	lovely	bosom	gor'd	:
	The	sanguine	current	stain'd	with	blushing	red
	Th'	embroider'd	vest	thato'er	her	arms	was	spread.
	She	feels	approaching	death	in	every	vein	;
	Her	trembling	knees	no	more	her	weight	sustain	:
	But	still	the	Christian	knight	pursues	the	blow,
	And	threats	and	presses	cloie	his	vanquish'd	foe	:
	She,	as	she	fell,	with	moving	voice	address'd
	The	prince,	and	thus	preferr'd	her	dear	request	;
	Some	pitying	angel	form'd	her	last	desire,
	Where	Faith,	and	Hope,	and	Charity	conspire	!
	On	the	fair	rebel	Heaven	such	grace	bestow'd,
	And	now	in	death	requir'd	the	faith	sheow'd.
	"Tis	thine,	my	friend!	I	pardon	thee	the
	stroke
	O	let	me	pardon	too	from	thee	invoke	!
	Not	for	this	mortal	frame	I	urge	my	prayer,
	For	this	I	know	no	fear,	and	ask	no	care:
	No,	for	my	soul	alone	I	pity	crave	;
	Oeleanse	my	follies	in	the	sacred	wave	!*'
	Feebly	she	spoke	;	the	mournful	sounds	impart
	A	tender	feeling	to	the	victor's	heart	;
	His	wrath	subsides,	while	softer	passions	rise,
	And	call	the	tear	of	pity	from	his	eyes.
	Not	distant	far,	adown	the	mossy	hill
	In	gentle	murmurs	roll'd	a	crystal	rill	:
	There	in	his	casque	the	limpid	stream	he	took;
	Then	sad	and	pensive	hasten'd	from	the	brook.
	Disbands	now	trembled,	while	her	helm	he	rear'd,
	lire	yet	the	features	of	1iis	foe	appear'd	;
	He	-sees	!	he	knows	!	and	senseless	stands	the
	knight!
	O	fatal	knowledge	O	distracting	sight	!
	Yet	still	he	lives,	and	mns'd	with	holy	zeal,
	Prepares	the	last	sad	duty	to	fulfill.
	"While	from	his	lips	he	gave	the	words	of	grace,
	A	smile	of	transport	brighten'd	in	her	face:
	Rejoic'd	in	death,	she	seenVd	her	joy	to	tell,
	And	bade	for	Heaven	the	empty	world	farewell.
	A	lovely	paleness	o'er	her	features	flew	;
	As	vi'lets	mix'd	with	lilies	blend	their	hue.
	Her	eyf	s	to	Heaven	the	dying	virgin	rais'd	;
	The	Heavens	and	Sun	with	kindly	pity	gaz'd	;
	Her	clay-cold	hand,	the	pledge	of	lasting	peace,
	She	gar	e	the	chief;	her	lips	thoir	music	cease.
	So	life	departing	left	her	lovely	breast	;
	So	seem'd	the	virgin	lull'd	to	silent	rest	!
	S<xin	as	he	found	her	gentle	spirit	fled,
	His	firmness	vanish	'd	o'er	the	senseless	dead.
	Wild	with	his	fate,	and	frantic	with	his	pain,
	To	raging	grief	he	now	res-ins	the	rein.
	No	more	the	spirits	fortify	the	heart;
	A	mortal	coldni-ba	freezes	every	part.
	SperchlefF	and	pair	like	hrr	th	warrior	lay,
	And	look'd	a	bloody	corse	of	lifeless	clay	!
	Then	had	his	soul	pursu'd	the	fleeting	fair,
	Whore	gentle	spirit	hover'd	yet	in	air	;	'
	But	her?	it	chanc'd	a	baud	of	Christians	came
	In	search	of	water	from	the	crystal	stream	:
	Full	soon	their	leader,	with	a	distant	view,
	Well	by	his	arms	the	Latian	hero	knew	:
	With	him	the	breathless	virgin	he	beheld,
	And	wept	the	fortune	of	so	dire	a	6eld	:
	Nor	would	he	leave	'(thoujjh	deem'd	of	Pagartkind)
	Her	lovely	limbs	to	hungry	wolves	consign'd	:
	But	either	burthen,	on	their	shoulders	laid,
	To	Tancred's	tent	the	mournful	troop	convev'd.
	Thus	step	by	step	their	gentle	march	they	took,
	Nor	yet	the	warrior	from	his	trance	awoke	;
	Yet	oft	he	groan'd,	and	show'd	that	fleeting	life
	Still	in	his	breast	maintains!	a	doubtful	strife:
	While	hush'd	and	motionless,	the	damsel	show'd
	Her	spirit	parted	from	its	mortal	load.
	Thus	either	body	to	the	camp	they	bear,
	And	th,ere	apart	dispose	with	pious	care.
	With	every	duteous	rife,	on	either	band
	Around	the	wounded	prince	th'	assistants	stand.
	And	now	by	slow	degrees	he	lifts	his	sight,
	Before	his	eyes	appears	a	glimmering	light	;
	He	feels	the	leech's	hand,	his"	ear	receives
	The	sound	of	speech,	but	doubts	if	yet	he	lives	:
	Amaz'd	he	gazes	round	:	at	length	he	knows
	The	place,	his	friends,	and	thus	laments	his	woe*;'
	"	And	di>	I	live	?	and	do	1	yet	survey
	The	hated	beams	of	this	unhappy	day	?
	Ah	!	coward	hand	'	to	righteous	vengeance	slow	!
	Though	deeply	vers'd	in	every	murderous	blow	!
	Dar'st	thou	not,	impious	minister	of	death	!
	Transfix	this	heart,	and	stop	this	guilty	breath	>
	But	haply	us'd	to	deeds	of	horrid	strain,
	Thou	deem'st	it	mercy	to	conclude	my	pain.
	Still,	still	'tis	mine	with	grief	and	shame	to	rove,
	A	dire	example	of	disastrous	love	!
	While	keen	remorse	for	ever	break*	my	rest,
	And	raging	furies	haunt	my	conscious	breast	;
	The	lonely	shades	with	terrour	must	I	view,
	The	shades	shall	every	dreadful	thought	renew	:
	The	rising	Sun	shall	equal	horrours	yield,
	The	Sun	that	first	the	dire	event	reveal'd	!
	Still	must	I	view	myself	with	hateful	eye,
	And	seek,	though	vainly,	from	myself	to	fly	!
	But	ah	!	unhappy	wretch	!	what	place	contains
	Of	that	ill-fated	fair	the	chaste	remains	?
	All	that	escap'd	my	rage,	my	brutal	power,
	Perhaps	the	natives	of	the	woods	devour	!
	Ah	!	hapless	maid	!	'gainst	whom	alike	conspire
	The	woodland	savage	and	the	hostile	ire	!
	O	let	me	join	the	dead	on	yonder	plain,
	(If	still	her	beai.teous	limbs	untouch'd	remain)
	Me	too	those	greedy	jaws	alike	shall	tear,
	Me	too	the	monster	in	his	paunch	shall	bear.
	O	happy	envied	hour!	(if	such	my	doom)
	That	gives	us	both	in	death	an	equal	tomb."
	And	now	he	heard	that	near	his	tent	was	laid
	The	lifeless	body	of	his	much-lov'd	maid.
	At	this	awhile	his	mournful	look	he	clears:
	So	through	the	clouds	a	transient	gleam	appears,
	And	from	the	couch	hU	wounded	limbs	he	rears.
	With	faltering	steps	he	thither	bends	his	way,
	Where	plac'd	apart	the	hapless	virgin	lay	:
	But	when	arriv'd	he	saw	the	wound	imprest,
	With	which	his	hand	had	pierc'd	her	tendw
	breast;


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	XII.
	471
	And	deadly	pale,	yet	calm	as	evening's	shade,
	Beheld	her	face,	with	every	rose	decay'd	;
	His	trembling	knees	had	sunk	beneath	their	load,
	But	here	his	circling	friends	their	aid	bestow'd,
	Till	thus	again	he	vents	bis	plaints	aloud	:
	*	Oh!	sight	1	that	e'en	to	death	can	sweetness	give>
	But	cannot	now,	alas	!	my	woes	relieve	!
	O	thou	dear	hand,	that	once	to	mine	was	press'd,
	The	pledge	of	amity	and	peace	confess'd	!
	What	art	thou	now	?	alas	!	how	chang'd	in	death	!
	And	what	am	I,	that	still	prolong	my	breath	?
	Behold	those	lovely	limbs	in	ruin	laid,
	The	dreadful	work	my	impious	rage	has	made	!
	This	hand,	these	eyes	alike	are	cruel	found	;
	That	gave	the	stroke,	and	these	survey	the	wound	!
	Tearless	survey	!	since	tears	are	here	denied,
	My	guilty	blood	shall	pour	the	vital	tide	!''
	tie	ceas'd;	ami	groaning	with	his	inmost	breath,
	Fixt	in	despair	and	resolute	on	death,
	Each	bandage	straight	with	frantic	passion	tore	:
	Forth	gusb'd	from	every	wound	the	spouting	gore	:
	But	here	excess	of	grief	his	will	deceiv'd,
	His	senses	fetter	*d,	and	his	life	repriev'd-
	Then	to	his	bed	again	the	knight	was	borne;
	Hi	spirits	to	their	hated	home	return	;
	And	soon	around	the	tongues	of	Fame	relate
	The	hero's	sorrow,	and	his	hapless	fate.
	Now	Godfrey	sought	his	tent	;	and	with	him	came
	Each	noble	chief,	a	friend	to	Tancred's	name.
	But	nor	reproof	nor	soothing	yields	relief,
	And	words	are	vain	to	calm	his	rage	of	grief.
	So	when	some	limb	a	mortal	wound	receives,
	Each	probing	hand	increasing	anguish	gives.
	But	reverend	Peter's	care	the	rest	transcends,
	(A	shepherd	thus	his	sickly	charge	attends)
	With	awful	words	the	lover's	breast	he	moves,
	And	wisely	thus	his	wandering	thought	reproves	j
	"	Unhappy	prince	!	why	thus	indulge	thy	shame,
	Why	thus	forgetful	of	thy	former	fame	?
	Why	thus	obscure	thine	eye,	and	deaf	thine	ear	?
	View	honour's	charms,	and	virtue's	summons
	hear.
	Thy	lord	recalls	thee	to	thy	former	post.
	And	shows	the	path	thy	erring	feet	have	lost	J
	New	tasks	await	thee	in	the	field	of	fight,
	The	glorious	station	of	a	Christian	knight	!
	Which	thou	hast	left,	by	fatal	love	tjetray'd,
	Lost	in	wild	passion	for	a	Pagan	maid	!
	To	thee	this	chastening	is	in	mercy	given,
	And	thou,	dost	thou	reject	the	grace	of	Heaven	?
	Think	where	thy	errours	tend;	thy	state	survey,
	To	senseless	sorrow	a	regardless	prey!
	Thy	feet	are	tottering	on	the	brink	of	death,
	Behold	th'	eternal	gulf	that	gapes	beneath	!
	Think,	Tancred,	think!	this	impious	grief	control,
	That	in	a	twofold	death	involves	thy	soul."
	He	ceas'd	;	nor	here	in	vain	the	youth	assail'd	:
	The	fear	of	second	death	o'er	all	prevail'd.
	His	yielding	heart	confessed	the	kind	relief;
	Returning	reason	calm'd	his	raging	grief;
	Yet	still	the	frequent	sighs	his	sorrow	speak	;
	Still	from	his	tongue	the	mournful	accents	break,	:
	With	tender	sound	his	lips	invoke	the	fair,
	Who	lent	perchance	from	Heaven	a	pitying	ear.
	On	her,	when	sets	the	Sun,	and	when	returns,
	He	calls	incessant,	and	incessant	mourns.
	So	fares	the	nightingale,	with	anguish	stung,
	When	some	rude	swain	purloins	her	callow	young,
	Torn	from,	the	nest	;	all	helpless	and	alone,
	Each	night	she	{ills	the	woods	with	plaintive	moan..
	At	length	one	morn,	as	sleep	his	eyes	oppress'd
	And	o'er	his	sorrows	shed	the	dews	of	re^t	;
	Lo	!	in	a	dream,	with	starry	robes	array'd,
	With	heave	nly	charms	appear'd	the	warrior-maid	:
	She	seem'd	to	view	him	with	a	pit'yipg	look,
	And	dried	his	tears,	and	gently	thus	bespoke:
	"	Behold	what	glories	round	my	person	shine	!
	Then	weep	no	more,	thy	faithful	grief	resign	:
	Such	as	I	am,	to	thee	my	state	I	owe,
	Who	freed	me	from	the	vale	of	sin	helow	:
	Who	made	me	worthy,	midst	the	saints	above,
	To	dwell	with	God	in	realms	of	endless	love.
	There	wrapt	in	heavenly	bliss,	and	crown'd	with
	grace,
	Mv	hopes	prepare	for	thee	an	equal	place,
	Where	thou	shall	stand	before	th'	eternal	throne,
	Partake	my	glories,	and	enjoy	thy	own;
	Unless	thyself	reject	the	mercy	given,
	Or	sensual	follies	spurn	th	grace	of	Heaven	i
	Then	live!	and	know	thou	hast	Clorinda's	Jove,
	As	far	as	earthly	thoughts	can	souls	immortal
	move."
	go	speaking,	from	her	eyes	the	lightning	came,
	And	all	her	features	glow'd	with	holy	flame	:
	Then,	I	st	in	rays,	she	vanish'd	from	his	sight,
	And	breath'd	new	comfort	in	the	mourning	kni-	lit.
	ConsoI'd	he	wak'd	J	and	with	a	temperate	mind
	To	skilful	hands	his	wounded	limbs	consign'd.
	And	next	be	bade	to	inhume,	with	pious	care,
	The	last	dear	relics	of	the	breathless	fair.
	Though	for	the	tomb	no	costly	marbles	came,
	Nor	hand	Daedalean	wrought	the	sculptur'd	frame	>
	Yet,	as	the	time	allow'd,	the	stcne	they	chose,
	And	o'er	the	grave	the	h'gur'd	structure	rose.
	With	funeral	pomp	the	troops	the	corse	convey'd,
	While	torches	round	their	solemn	light	display'd	j
	High	on	the	naked	pine	her	arms	were	plac'd,
	And	every	rite	the	martial	virgin	grae'd.
	Now	Tancred	sought	the	tomb,	his	vows	to	pay,
	Where,	cold	in	death,	her	precious	relics	lay:
	Soon	as	he	reath'd	the	pile,	in	which,	enshrin'eJ,
	Repos'd	the	treasure	of	his	tortnr'd	mind	;
	All	pale	and	speechless	for	a	tim,e	he	stood,
	Awhile,	with	eyes	unmov'd,	the	marble	view'd	:
	At	length	releas'd,	the	gushing	torrents	broke,
	He	drew	a	length	of	sighs,	and	thus	he	spoke,*
	"	O	tomb	rever'd	!	where	all	my	hopes	are	fled	j
	O'er	which	my	eyes	such	copious	sorrows	shed;
	Thou	bear'st	not	in	thy	womb	a	lifeless	frame.
	There	love	still	dwells,	and	lights	his	wonted	flame	I
	Still,	still	that	form	ador'd	my	breast	inspires,
	With	not	less	ardent,	but	more	painful	fires	!
	O	give	these	kisses,	give	these	mournful	sighs
	To	that	lov'd	form	that	in	thy	bosom	lies.
	Should	e'er	her	spirit	deign	a	look	to	turn,
	Whero	sleep	these	relics	in	the	silent	urn;
	Would	she	thy	pity	or	my	tears	reprove	?
	Can	hate	or	anger	touch	the	blest	above?
	Ah	!	may	she	then	my	hapless	crime	forgive,
	In	th;it	dear	hope	my	soul	consents	to	live	:
	She	knows	my	erring	hand	the	deed	has	wrought,
	RIy	heart	was	guiltless	of	so	dire	a	thought	:
	Nor	will	she	scorn	that	he,	who	owns	his	flanve.
	Should	still,	while	life	endures,	adore	her	name-
	Till	death	shall	bid	me	here	no	longer	rove,
	But	join	us	both	in	mutual	peace	above.
	Then	in	one	tomb	our	mortal	parts	may	rest,
	And	in	one	Heaven	ourspirits	may	be	blest!
	So	shall	1	dead	enjoy	what	life	denied,
	O	happy	change	!	if	Fa,te	such,	bliss	provide	I*


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	XVI.
	487
	Her	wandering	eyes	confess'd	a	pleasing	fire,
	And	shot	the	trembling	beams	of	soft	desire.
	Now,	fondly	hanging	o'er,	with	head	declin'd,
	Close	to	his	cheek	her.	lovely	cheek	she	join'd	;
	While	o'er	her	charms	he	taught	his	looks	to	rove,
	-And	drank,	with	eager	thirst,	new	draughts	of	love.
	Now,	bending	down,	enraptur'd	as	he	lies,
	She	kiss'd	his	vermil	lips	and	swimming	eyes;
	Till	from	his	inmost	heart	he	heav'd	a	sigh,
	As	if	to	here	his	parting	soul	would	fly	!
	All	this	the	warriors	from	the	shade	survey,
	And	mark,	conceal'd,	the	lovers'	amorous	play.
	Dependent	from	his	side	(unusual	sight	!)
	Appear'd	a	polish'd	mirror,	beamy	bright:
	This	in	his	hand	th'	enamour'd	champion	rais'd	;
	On	this,	with	smiles,	the	fair	Armida	gaz'd.
	She	in	the	jrlass	her	form	reflected	'spies	:
	And	he	consults	the	mirror	of	her	eyes	:
	One	proud	to	rule,	one	prouder	to	obey	;
	He	bless'd	in	her,	and	she	in	beauty's	sway.
	"	Ah	!	turn	those	eyeson	me,"	exclaims	the	knight,
	"	Those	eyes	tllat	bless	me	with	their	heavenly
	light	!	,
	For	know,	the	power	that	every	lover	warms,
	In	this	fond	breast	Armida's	image	forms.
	Since	I,	alas	!	am	scorn'd	;	here	turn	thy	sight,
	And	view	thy	native	graces	with	delight	:
	Here	on	that	face	thy	ravish'd	looks	employ,
	Where	springs	eternal	love,	eternal	joy	!
	Or	rather	range	through	yon	celestial	spheres,
	And	view	thy	likeness	in	the	radiant	stars."
	The	lover	ceas'd	;	the	fair	Armida	smiPd,
	And	still	with	wanton	toys	the	time	beguil'd.
	Now	in	a	braid	she	bound	her	flowing	hair;
	Now	smooth'd	the	roving	locks	with	decent	care	:
	Part,	with	her	hand,	in	shining	curls	she	roll'd,
	And	deck'd	with	azure	flowers	the	waving	gold.
	Her	veil	compos	d,	with	roses	sweet	she	dress'd
	The	native	lilies	of	her	fragrant	breast.
	Not.	half	so	proud,	of	glorious	plumage	vain,
	The	peacock	sets	to	view	hi&	glittering	train	:
	Not	Iris	shows	so	fair,	when	dewy	skies
	Reflect	the	changeful	light	with	various	dyes.
	But	o'er	the	rest	her	wondrous	cestus	3	shin'd,
	Whose	mystic	round	her	tender	waist	ponfin'd.
	Here	unembodied	spells	th'	enchantress	mix'd,
	By	potent	arts,	and	in	a	girdle	fix'd	:
	Repulses	sweet,	soft	speech,	and	gay	desires,
	And"	tender	scorn	that	fans	the	lover's	fires	;
	Engaging	smiles,	short	sighs	of	mutual	bliss,
	The	tear	of	transport,	and	the	melting	kiss.
	All	these	she	join'd,	her	powerful	work	to	frame,
	And	artful	temper'd	in	th'	annealing	flame.
	Now	with	a	kiss,	the	balmy	pledge,	of	love,
	She	left	her	knight,	and	issu'd	from	the	grove.
	Each	day,	awhile	apart,	the	dame	review'd
	Her	magic	labours,	and	her	charms	renew'd	;
	While	he,	deep-musing,	in	her	absence	stray'd,
	A	lonely	lover	midst	the	conscious	shade.
	s	The	idea	of	this	girdle	is	from	the	cestus	of
	Homer,	which	Juno	borrows	of	Venus	:
	In	this	was	every	art,	and	every	charm,
	To	win	the	wisest,	and	the	coldest	warm	:
	Fond	love,	the	gentle	vow,	the	gay	desire,
	The	kind	deceit,	the	still-reviving	fire,
	Persuasive	speech,	and	more	persuasive	sighs,
	Silence	that	spoke,	and	eloquence	of	eyes.
	Pope's	Iliad,	b.	xiv.	ver.	247.
	But	when	the	silent	glooms	of	friendly	night
	To	mutual	bliss	th'	enamour'd	pair	invite;
	Beneath,	one	roof,	amid	the	bowers	they	lay,
	And	lov'd,	entranc'd,	the	fleeting	hours	away.
	Soon	as	Armida	(so	her	arts	requir'd)
	From	gentle	love	to	other	cares	retir'd,
	The	warriors,	from	their	covert,	rush'd	to	sight,
	In	radiant	arms	they	cast	a	gleamy	light.
	As	when,	from	martial	toil,	the	generous	steed
	Releas'd,	is	given	to	range	the	verdant	mead:
	Forgetful	of	his	former	fame	he	roves,
	And	wooes	in	slothful	ease	his	dappled	loves	:
	If	chance	the	trumpet's	sound	invade	his	ears,
	Or	glittering	steel	before	his	sight	appears,
	He	neighs	aloud,	and	furious,	pants	to	bear
	The	valiant	chief,	and	pierce	the	files	of	war.
	So	fares	Rinaldo,	when	the	knights	he	'spies:
	When	their	bright	armour	lightens	in	his	eyes	:
	At	once	the	glorious	beams	his	soul	inspire;
	His	breast	rekindles	with	a	martial	fire.
	Then	sudden,	forth	advancing,	Ubald	held
	Before	the	youth	his	adamantine	shield	:
	To	this	he	turn'd,	in	this	at	once	survey'd
	His	own	resemblance	full	to	view	display'd	:
	His	sweeping	robes	he	saw,	his	flowing	hair
	With	odours	breathing,	his	luxurious	air.
	His	sword,	the	only	mark	of	warlike	pride,
	Estrang'd	from	fight,	hung	idly	at	his	side;
	And,	wreath'd	with	flowers,	seem'd	worn	for	empty
	show	;
	No	dreadful	weapon	'gainst	a	valiant	foe.
	As	one,	whom	long	lethargic	slumber	ties,
	Recovers	from	his	sleep^with	wild	surprise	:
	So	from	his	trance	awakes	the	Christian	knight,
	Himself	beholds,	and	sickens	at	the	sight;
	And	wishes	opening	earth	his	shame	would	hide,
	Or	ocean	veil	him	in	its	whelming	tide.
	Then	Ubald	thus	began	"	All	Europe	arms,
	And	Asia's	kingdoms	catch	the	loud	alarms.
	Now	all	that	cherish	fame,	or	Christ	adore,
	In	shining	armour	press	the	Syrian	shore	;
	While	thee,	Bertoldo's	son	!	from	glory's	plains,
	A	narrow	isle	in	shameful	rest	detains;
	Alone	regardless	of	the	voice	of	fame,
	Th'	ignoble	champion	of	a	wanton	dame	!
	What	fatal	power	can	thus	thy	sense	control	?
	What	sloth	suppress	the	vigour	of	thy	soul?
	Rise!	rise	!	thee	Godfrey,	thee	the	camp	incites	:
	'Tis	fortune	calls,	and	victory	invites	!
	Come,	fated	warrior	!	bid	the	fight	succeed	;
	And	crush	those	foes	thou	oft	hast	made	to	bleed	;
	Now	let	each	impious	sect	thy	vengeance	feel,
	And	fall	extinct	beneath	thy	conquering	steel."
	He	ceas'd:	awhile	the	youth	in	silence	mus'd,
	All	motionless	he	stood,	with	looks	confus'd	;
	Till	shame	gave	way,	and	stronger	anger	rose	;
	(A	generous	auger,	that	from	reason	Hows)
	O'er	alfhis	face	a	nobler	ardour	flies,
	Flames	on	his	cheek,	and	sparkles	from	his	eyes.
	Now,	hastening	from	the	bower,	their	way	they
	And	safely	pass	the	labyrinth's	windingfold.	[hold,
	Meanwhile	Armidu	view'd,	with	deep	dismay,
	Where,	breathless	at	the	gate,	the	keeper	lay	<	:
	*	There	is	an	obscurity	in	this	passage,	for	no
	mention	has	been	made	before	by	the	poet	of	such
	a	circumstance.
	In	tanto	Armida	de	la	regal	porta
	Miro	giacere	il	fier	custode	est'uito.


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	XVIII.
	497
	He	said	;	and	first	the	prince	in	humble	strain	-
	Bewail'd	his	senseless	love	and	rage	as	vain	1	;
	Then	low	before	the	sage's	feet	he	kneel'd,
	And	all	the	errours	of	bis	youth	reveal'd.
	The	pious	hermit	then	absolv'd	the	knight,
	And	thus	pursu'd	"	With	early	dawn	of	light,
	On	yonder	mount	tby	pure	devotion	pay,
	That	rears	its	front	against	the	morning	ray.
	Thence	seek	the	wood	whose	monsters	thou	must
	Let	no	vain	frauds	thy	daring	steps	repel	:	[quell	;
	Ah	!	let	no	tuneful	voice,	nor	plaints	beguile,
	Nor	beauty	win	thee	with	enticing	smile:
	Sternly	resolv'd,	avoid	each	dangerous	snare,
	And	scorn	the	treacherous-	look	and	well-dissembled
	prayer."
	So	counsel'd	he.	The	youth	obsequious	heard,
	And	eager	for	th'	important	deed	prepar'd	:
	In	thought	he	pass'd	the	day,	in	thought	the	night;
	And,	ere	the	clouds	were	streak'd	with	glowinglight,
	Enclos'd	his	limbs	in	arms,	and	o'er	him	threw
	A	flowing	mantle	of	unwonted	hue.
	Alone,	on	foot,	his	silent	way	he	took,
	And	left	his	comrades,	and	the	tents	forsook.
	Now	night	with	day	divided	empire	held,
	Nor	this	was	fully	ris'n,	nor	that	expell'd	:
	The	cheerful	east	the	dawning	rays	display'd,
	And	stars	yet	glimmer'd	through	the	western	shade.
	To	Olivet	the	pensive	hero	pass'd,
	And,	musing	deep,	around	his	looks	he	cast,
	Alternate	viewing	here	the	spangled	skies,
	And	there	the	spreading	light	of	morning	rise.
	Then	to	himself	he	said	"	What	beams	divine
	In	Heaven's	eternal	sacred	temple	shine	!
	The	day	can	boast	the	chariot	of	the	Sun,
	The	night	the	golden	stars	and	silver	Moon	!
	But	ah	!	how	few	will	raise	their	minds	so	high	!
	While	the	frail	beauties	of	a	mortal	eye,
	The	transient	lightnings	of	a	glance,	a	smile
	From	female	charms,	our	earthly	sense	beguile	!"
	"While	thus	he	mus'd,	he	gain'd	the	hill's	ascent,
	There	low	on	earth	with	humble	knee	he	bent	:
	Then^on	the	east	devoutly	fiVd	his	eyes,
	And	rais'd	his	pious	thoughts	above	ihe	skies.
	"Almighty	Father,	hear!	my	prayers	ap
	prove	!
	Far	from	my	sins	thy	awful	sight	remove	:
	O	let	thy	grace	each	thought	Unpure	control,
	And	purge	from	earthly	dross	my	erring	soul	!"
	Thus	while	he	pray'd,	Aurora,	rising	bright,
	To	radiant	gold	has	ohang'd	her	rosy	light:
	O'er	all	his	arms	th'	increasing	splendour	plays	j
	The	hallow'd	mount	and	grove	reflect	the	rays.
	Full	in	his	face	the	morn	her	breeze	renews,
	And	scatters	on	his	head	ambrosial	dews:
	His	robe,	with	lucid	pearls	besprinkled	o'er,
	Receives	a	snowy	hue	unknown	before.
	So	with	the	dawn	the	drooping	floweret	blooms	;
	The	serpent	thus	a	second	youth	assumes.
	Surpris'd	his	alter'd	vest	the	warrior	view	'd,
	Then	turn'd	his	steps	to	reach	the	fatal	wood.
	And	now	he	came	where	late	the	bands	retir'd,
	Struck	with	the	dread	the	distant	gloom	inspir'd	:
	Yet	him	nor	secret	doubts	norterrours	move,
	But	fair	in	prospect	rose	the	magic	grove.
	While,	like	the	rest,	the	knight	expects	to	hear
	Loud	peals	of	thunder	breaking	on	his	ear,
	1	His	love	for	Armida,	and	his	rage	exercised
	againt	Gernando.
	TOL.	xxi.
	A	dulcet	symphony	his	sense	invades,
	Of	Nymphs	or	Dryads	warbling	through	the	shades;
	Soft	sighs	the	breeze,	soft	purls	the	silver	rill,
	The	feather'd	choir	the	woods	with	music	fill	:
	The	tuneful	swan	in	dying	notes	complains	;
	The	mourning	nightingale	repeats	her	strains	;
	Timbrels	and	harps	and	human	voices	join}
	And	in	one	concert	all	the	sounds	combine.
	In	wonder	wrapt	awhile	Rinaldo	stood,
	And	thence	his	way	with	wary	steps	pursu'd	r
	When	lo	!	a	crystal	flood	his	course	oppos'd,
	Whose	winding	train	the	forest	round	enclos'd.
	On	either	hand,	with	flowers	of	various	dyes,
	The	smiling	banks	perfum'd	the	ambient	skies.
	From	this	a	smaller	limpid	current	flow'd,
	And	pierc'd	the	bosom	of	the	lofty	wood:
	This	to	the	trees	a	welcome	moisture	gave,
	Whose	boughs,	o'erhanging,	trembled	in	its	wave.
	Now	here,	now	there,	the	ford	the	warrior	try'd,
	When	sudden	rais'd	a	wondrous	bridge	he	'spy'd	;
	That,	built	of	gold,	on	stately	arches	stood,
	And	show'd	an	ample	passage	o'er	the	flood	:
	He	trod	the.	path,	the	further	margin	gaiu'd	;
	And	now	the	magic	pile	no	more	remain'd	:
	The	stream	so	calm,	arose	with	hideous	roar,
	And	down	its	foarny	surge	the	shining	fabric	bore.
	The	hero,	turning,	saw	the	tide	o'erflow,
	Like	sudden	torrents	swell'd	with	melting	snow.
	Then	new	desires	incite	his	feet	to	rove
	Through	all	the	deep	recesses	of	the	grove.
	As,	searching	round,	from	shade	to	shade	he	strays,
	New	scenes	at	once	invite	him	and	amaze.
	Where'er	he	treads,	the	earth	her	tribute	pours
	In	gushing	springs,	or	voluntary	flowers	:
	Here	blooms	the	lily	;	there	the	fragrant	rosei
	Here	spouts	a	fountain	;	there	a	riv'Iet	flows	:
	From	every	spray	the	liquid	manna	trills;
	And	honey	from	the	softening	bark	distills.
	Again	the	strange,	the	pleasing	sound	he	hears
	Of	plaints	and	music	mingling	in	his	ears	:
	Yet	nought	appears	that	mortal	voice	can	frame,
	Nor	harp	nor	timbrel	whence	the	music	ca'me,
	As	fix'd	he	silent	stands	in	deep	surprise,
	And	reason	to	the	sense	her	faith	denies;
	He	sees	a	myrtle	near,	and	thither	bends,
	Where	in	a	plain	the	path	far-winding	ends:
	Her	ample	boughs	the	stately	plant	display'd
	Above	the	lofty	palm	or	cypress'	shade	;
	High	o'er	the	subject	trees	sublime	she	stood,
	And	seem'd	the	verdant	empress	of	the	wood.
	While	round	the	champion	cast	a	doubtful	view,
	A	greater	wonder	his	attention	drew	:
	A	labouring	oak	a	sudden	cleft	disclos'd,
	And	from	its	bark	a	living	birth	expos'd;
	Whence	(passing	all	belief!	)	in	strange	array,
	A	lovely	damsel	issu'd	to	the	day.
	A	hundred	different	trees	the	knight	beheld,
	Whose	fertile	wombs	a	hundred	nymphs	reveal'd.
	As	oft	in	pictnr'd	scenes	we	see	cbplay'd
	Each	graceful	goddess	of	the	sylvan	shade;
	With	arms	expos'd,	with	vesture	girt	around,
	With	purple	buskins,	and	with	hair	unbound	:
	Alike	to	view,	before	the	hero	stood
	These	shadowy	daughters	of	the	wondrous	wood;
	Save	that	their	hands	nor	bows	nor	quivers	wield
	But	this	a	harp',	and	that	a	timbrel	held.
	Now,	in	a	circle	form'd,	the	sportive	train
	With	song	a"hd	dance	their	mystic	rites	began	j
	Around	the	my	rile	and	the	knight	they	sungj
	And	in	his	ear	these	tuneful	accents	rung	i
	K	k


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	XIX.
	503
	Then	thus	began-^-"	What	means	this	sudden	gloom?
	Think'st	thou,	at	last,	thy	destin'd	hour	is	come	?
	If	such	foreboding	thoughts	a	doubt	create,
	Too	late	thy	prescience,	and	thy	fears	too	late."
	"	Yon	c*ty	fills	my	mind,"	the	chief	replied,
	"	The	queen	of	nations,	and	Judea's	pride,
	That	vauquish'd	now	must	fall,	while	I	in	vain
	Attempt	her	sinking	ruins	to	sustain:
	How	poor	a	vengeance	can	thy	life	afford,
	Thy	life	by	Heaven	devoted	to	my	sword	!"
	He	ceas'd	;	then	wary	each	to	combat	drew	:
	For	each	his	adverse	champion's	valour	knew.
	Tancred	was	light,	his	joints	were	firmly	knit,
	Swift	were	his	hands,	and	ready	were	his	feet.
	Argantes	tower'd	superior	by	the	head,
	With	larger	limbs,	with	shoulders	broader	spread.
	Now	Tancred	wheels,	now	bends	to	elude	the	foe,
	Now	with	his	sword	averts	th'	impending	blow.
	But	high	erect	the	bold	Argantes	stood,
	And	equal	art,	with	different	action,	show'd:
	Now	here,	now	there,	impetuous	from	above,
	Against	the	prince	the	bi	andish'd	steel	he	drove.
	That,	on	his	art	and	courage	most	relies	;
	This,	on	his	mighty	strength,	and	giant	size.
	Two	vessels	thus	their	naval	strife	maintain,
	When	no	rude	wind	disturbs	the	watery	plain:
	Their	bulk	though	different,	equal	is	the	fight,
	In	swiftness	one,	and	one	excels	in	height.
	But	while	the	Christian	seeks	to	reach	the	foe,
	And	shuns	the	sword	that	seems	to	threat	the	blow,
	Full	at	his	face	the	point	Argantes	shook	;
	Then	swift,	as	Tancred	turn'd	toward	the	stroke,
	He	pierc'd	his	flank,	and,	loud	exulting,	said,
	"	Behold	the	crafty	now	by	craft	betray'd	!	''
	With	rage	and	shame	indignant	Tancred	burn'd,
	And	all	his	thoughts	to	glorious	vengeance	turn'd	;
	Then	with	his	falchion	to	the	boast	replies,
	Whereto	hia	aim	the	vizor	open	lies.
	Argantes	breaks	the	bjow	:	with	shorten'd	sword
	On	him	intrepid	rush'd	the	Christian	lord	:
	The	Pagan's	better	hand	he	seiz'd,	and	dy'd
	With	many	a	ghastly	wound	his	bleeding	side.
	"	Receive	this	answer,"	loud	the	hero	cries,
	"	The	vanquished	to	his	victor	thus	replies!"
	The	fierce	Circassian	foams	with	rage	and	pain,
	But	strives	to	free	his	captive	arm	in	vain:
	At	length,	dependent	from	the	chain	',	he	leaves
	The	trusty	falchion,	and	his	hand	reprieves.
	Each	other	now	in	rude	embrace	they	press'd,
	Arms	lock'd	in	arms,	and	breast	oppos'd	to	breast.
	Not	with	more	vigour,	on	the	sandy	field,
	Great	Hercules	the	mighty	giant	held.
	Such	is	their	conflict,	so	the	warriors	strain,
	Till	both	together,	sidelong,	press	the	plain.
	Argantes,	as	he	fell,	by	chance	or	skill,
	Bore	high	his	better	arm	releas'd	at	will	:
	But	Tancred's	hand,	that	should	the	weapon	wield,
	Was	held	beneath	him	prisoner	on	the	field.
	Full	well	the	Frank	th'	unequal	peril	view'd,
	And,	soon	recovering,	on	his	feet	he	stood.
	More	slow	the	Saracen	the	ground	forsook,
	And,	ere	he	rose,	receiv'd	a	sudden	stroke.
	But	as	the	pine,	whose	leafy	summit	bends
	To	Eurus'	blast,	at	once	again	ascends;
	*	In	Ariosto	it	is	frequently	mentioned,	fliat	the
	sword	was	fastened	to	the	wrist	by	a	chain,	though
	his	is	the	only	passage	where	such	a	custom	is	al-
	mded	to	by	Tasso.
	So	from	his	fall	arose	the	Pagan	knight
	With	equal	wrath	and	unabated	might.
	Again,	with	flashing	swords,	the	war	they	wag'd	:
	Now	less	of	art	and	more	of	hqrrour	rag'd.	[blood;.
	From	Tancred's	wounds	appear'd	the	trickling
	But	from	Argantes	pour'd	a	crimson	flood	:
	Tancred	full	soon	his	feeble	arm	beheld
	Slow	and	more	slow	the	weighty	falchion	wield	:
	All	hatred	then	his	generous	breast	forsook,
	And,	back	retreating,	mildly	thus	he	spoke	:
	"	Yield,	dauntless	chief	!	enough	thy	worth	is
	Or,	me,	or	fortune,	for	thy	victor	own	:	[shown	;
	I	ask	no	spoils,	no	triumph	from	the	fight,
	Nor	to	myself	reserve	a	conqueror's	right."
	At	this,	with	rage	reneiv'd,	the	Pagan	burn'd	:
	"	Use	what	thy	fortune	gives,"	he	fierce	return'd,
	"	And	dar'st	thou	then	from	me	the	conquest	claim?
	Shall	base	concessions	stain	Argantes'	fame	?
	Alike	thy	mercy	and	thy	threats	I	prize;
	This	arm	shall	yet	thy	senseless	pride	chastise."
	As,	near	extinct,	the	torch	new	light	acquires,
	Revives	its	flame,	and	in	a	blaze	expires	:
	So	he,	when	scarce	the	blood	maintain'd	its	course,
	With	kindled	ire	recruits	his	dying	force;
	Resolv'd	his	last	of	days	with	fame	to	spend,
	And	crown	his	actions	with	a	glorious	end.
	Grasp'd	in	each	hand,	his	vengeful	steel	he	took	:
	In	vain	the	Christian's	sword	oppos'd	the	stroke	:'
	Full	on	his	shoulder	fell	the	deadly	blade,
	Nor,	deaden'd	there,	its	eager	fury	stay'd,
	But,	glancing	downward,	deeply	pierc'd	his	side.
	And	stain'd	his	armour	with	a	purple	tide.
	Yet	Tancred's	looks	nor	doubt	nor	fear	confess'd	;
	For	Nature's	self	had	steel'd	his	dauntless	breast.
	A	second	stroke	the	haughty	Pagan	try'd	;
	The	wary	Christian	now	his	purpose	spy'd,
	And	slipt,	elusive,	from	the	steel	aside.
	Then,	spent	in	empty	air	thy	strength	in	vain,
	Thou	fall'st,	Argantes	!	headlong	on	the	plain	:
	Thou	fall'st	!	yet	(unsubdu'd	alike	in	all)
	None	but	thyself	can	boast	Argantes'	fall	!
	Fresh	stream'd	the	blood	from	every	gaping
	wound,
	And	the	red	torrent	delug'd	all	the	ground	:
	Yet	on	his	arm	and	knee	the	furious	knight
	His	bulk	supported,	and	provok'd	the	fight.
	Again	his	hand	the	courteous	victor	stay'd	:
	"	Submit,	O	chjef	!	preserve	thy	life,"	he	said:
	But,	while	he	pa,us'd,	the	fierce	insidious	foe
	Full	at	his	heel	directs	a	treacherous	blow,
	And	threats	aloud.	Then	flash	from	Tancred's	eyes
	The	sparks	of	wrath,	while	thus	the	hero	cries-;
	"	And	dost	thou,	wretch	!	such	base	return	afford
	For	life	so	long	preserv'd	from	Tancred's	sword	?'*
	He	said	;	and	as	he	spoke,	no	more	delay'd,
	But	through	his	vizor	plung'd	th'	avenging	blade.
	Thus	fell	Argantes	:	as	he	liv'd	he	died;
	Untam'd	his	soul,	unconquer'd	was	his	pride	:
	Nor	dropp'd	his	spirit	atth'	approach	of	death,
	But	threats	and	rage	employ'd	his	latest	breath.
	Then	Tancred	in	the	sheath	his	sword	bestow'd,
	And	paid	to	God	the	thanks	his	conquest	ow'd	:
	But	dear	his	triumph	has	the	victor	cost	:
	His	senses	fail,	his	wonted	strength	is	lost.
	Again	he	strives	to	pass	the	valley	o'er,
	And	tread	the	steps	his	feet	had	trod	before.
	Not	far	his	tottering	knees	their	load	sustain,
	His	utmost	strength	he	tries,	but	tries	in	vain.
	Now,	laid	on	earth,	his	arm	supports	his	head,
	(His	arm,	that	trembles	like	a	feeble	reed)


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	XIX.
	505
	And	with	his	voice	and	crook	bis	flock	constrains	;
	Himself,	behind	them,	last	forsakes	the	plains:
	So	the	fierce	Pagan,	who	the	storm	beheld,
	That	like	a	whirlwind	swept	the	dusty	field,
	Who	heard	the	shouts	of	legions	rend	the	air,
	And	saw	the	flash	of	armour	from	afar,
	Compell'd	his	troops	within	the	sheltering	tower	;
	Himself,	reluctant,	from	superior	power
	"Retires	the	last-,	with	unabated	heat,
	In	caution	brave,	intrepid	in	defeat.	[haste,
	Scarce	were	they	enter'd,	when,	with	headlong
	Einaldo	o'er	the	broken	fences	passY.	:
	Desire	to	vanquish	one	sofam'd	in	fight,
	His	plighted	vows	the	hero's	soul	excite:
	For	still	he	keeps	his	solemn	oath	in	view,
	To	take	the	warrior's	lite	who	Swenoslew.
	Then	had	his	matchless	arm	the	walls	assail'd,
	Then	had	their	strength	to	shield	the	soldan	fail'd	:
	But	here	the	general	bade	surcease	the	fight,
	For	all	the	horizon	round	was	lost	in	night.
	There	Godfrey	straight	encamp'd	his	martial	train,
	Resolv'd	at	morn	the	hostile	fort	to	gain.
	T	hen	cheerful	thus	his	listening	host	he	warms:
	"	Th'	Almighty	favours	now	the	Christian	arms	:
	At	earlv	dawn	yon	fortress	shall	be	ours	;
	The	last	weak	refuge	of	the	faithless	powers.
	Meantime	your	thoughts	to	pious	duties	bend,
	The	sick	to	comfort,	and	the	wounded	tend.
	Go	.pav	the	rites	those	gall	ant	friends	demand,
	Who	purchas'd	with	their	blood	thisfated	land;
	This	temper	better	suits	the	Christian	name,
	Than	souls	with	avarice	or	revenge	on	flame.
	Too	much,	alas	!	has	slaughter	stain'd	the	day	;
	Too	much	has	lust	of	plunder	borne	the	sway.
	Then	cease	from	spoil,	each	cruel	deed	forbear;
	And	le<	the	trumpet's	sound	our	will	declare."
	He	said	;	and	went	where,	scarce	repriev'd	from
	death,
	Still	Raymond	groan'd	with	new-recover'd	breath.
	Nor	Solyman	less	bold,	his	friends	address'd,
	While	in	his	thought	the	chief	his	doubts	suppress'd
	"	O	warriors	!	scorn	the	change	of	fortune's	power
	Still	cheerful	hope	maintains	her	blooming	flower
	Safe	is	your	king,	and	safe	his	chosen	train	:
	These	walls	the	noblest	of	the	realm	contain.	'
	Then	let	the	Franks	their	empty	conquest	boast	j
	Swift	fate	impends	o'er	all	th'	exulting	host	:
	While	rage	and	plunder	every	soul	employ,
	And	lust	and	murder	are	their	savage	joy:
	Amidst	the	mingled	tumult	shall	they	fall,
	And	one	destructive	hour	o'erwhelm	them	all	;
	If	Egypt's	troops,	now	'hastening	to	our	aid,
	With	numerous	force	their	scatter'd	bands	invade
	From	hence	our	missile	weapons	can	we	pour,
	To	whelm	the	city	with	a	rocky	shower;
	And	with	our	engines	from	afar	defend
	The	paths	that	to	the	sepulchre	ascend."
	While	deeds	like	these	were	wrought,	Vafrin
	goes;
	,	A	trusty	spy,	amidst	a	"host	of	foes	:
	The	camp	he	left,	his	lonely	way	he	took,
	What	time	the	Sun	the	western	sky	forsook;
	By	Ascalon	he	pass'd,	ere	yet	the	day
	Shed	from	his	orient	throne	the	golden	ray	:
	And	when	his	car	had	reach'd	the	midmost	height,
	The	hostile	camp	appear'd	in	open	sight.
	There,	pitch'd	around,	unnumber'd	tents	he	sees,
	Unnumber'd	streamers	waving	to	the	breex.e.
	Discordant	tongues	assail	his	wondering	ears;v
	Timbrels	and	horns	and	barbarous	notes	be	hears.
	The	elephant	and	camel	mixtheir	cries	;
	The	generous	steed,	with	shriller	sound,	replies.
	Surpris'd	he	sees	such	numerous	forces	join'd,
	Whtre	Asia's	realms	and	Afric's	seem	combin'd.
	Now	here,	now	there,	his	watchful	looks	he	throws,
	And	marks	what	different	works	the	camp	enclose	;
	Nor	seeks	in	unfrequented	parts	to	lie;
	or	shuns	the	observance	of	the	public	eye	;
	it	boldly	to	each	high	pavilion	goes,
	nd	fearless	coinmunes	with	tb/	unconscious	foet
	were	his	questions,	well	his	answers	made,
	nd	deepest	prudence	all	his	actions	sway'd.
	le	warriors,	steeds,	and	arms,	attract	his	view	;
	ill	soon	each	leader's	rank	and	name	he	knew,
	t	length,	as	wandering	through	the	vale	he	went,
	>ance	led	his	footsteps	to	the	general's	tent:
	lere,	while	Jmmers'd	in	deepest	thought	he	stay'd,
	is	searching	eyes	a	friendly	gap	survey'd	;
	'rom	this	each	voice	within	distinct	was	heard,
	hrough	thisreveal'd	th'	interior	parts	appear'd.
	here	watch'd	Vafrino,	while'he	seem'd	employ'd
	'o	mend	the	torn	pavilion's	opening	side.
	Bare-headed	there	he'	saw	the	chief	confest,
	Vith	limbs	in	armour	sheath	'd,	and	purple	vest	:
	wo	pages	bore	his	helmet	and	his	shield	j
	is	better	hand	a	pointed	javelin	held	;
	He	view'd	a	warrior,	who	beside	him	stood,
	Of	limbs	gigantic,	and	of	semblance	proud,
	'afrino	stay'd,	intent	their	words	to	hear,
	And	sudden	Godfrey's	name	assail'd	his	ear.	[spoke,
	"	Think'st	thxm,"	the	leader	thus	the	knight	be-
	That	Godfrey	sure	shall	fall	beneath	thy	stroke	?"
	Then	he	:	"	He	surely	falls!	and	here	I	swear
	e'er	to	return,	but	victor	from	the	war.
	This	hand	my	fellows'	swords	shall	render	vain	;
	\nd	let	my	dt	ed	this	sole	reward	obtain;
	A	glorious	trophy	of	his	arms	to	raise
	n	Cairo's	town,	and	thus	inscribe	my	praise:
	These	from	the	Christian	chief,	whose	force	o'er-
	All	Asia's	lands,	in	battle	Ormond	won;	[run
	fix'd	them	here,	that	future	times	might	tell
	low,	by	his	prowess	vanquish	'd,	Godfrey	fell.'	"
	"	Think	not	our	grateful	king,"	the	leader	cries,
	Will	view	th'	important	act	with	thankless	eyes:
	?ull	gladly	will	he	yield	to	thy	demand,
	And	crown	they	service	with	a	bounteous	hand.
	[!ut	now	with	speed	the	vests	and	arms	prepare	;
	The	approaching	day	of	combat	claims	thy	care."
	"	All,	a.11	is	now	prepar'd''	the	knight	replied	:
	And	herethe	converse	ceas'd	on	either	side.
	Thus	they.	A	stranger	to	the	hidden	sense,
	The	words	Vafrino	heard	in	deep	suspense;
	Oft-times	debating,	in	bis	anxious	mind,
	What	arms	were	purpos'd,	and	what	wiles	design'd.
	He	parted	thence,	a	nd^leepless	pass'd	the	night,
	And	watch'd	impatient	fur	the	dawning	light;
	l]ut	when	the	camp,	as	early	morning	shin'd,
	I'nfurl'd	ihe	waving	bariners	to	the	wind,
	Mix'd	with	the	rest	"he	went,	with	these	he	stay'd	;
	And	round	from	tent	to	tent	uncertain	stray'd.
	One	day	he	came	to	where,	in	regal	state,
	Amidst	her	knights	and	dames	Artnida	sate:
	Pensive	she	seem'd,	with	various	cares	opprest,
	A	thousand	thoughts	revolving	in	her	bre'a-it	:
	On	her	fair	hand	her	lovely	cheek	she	piac'd.
	And	prone	to	earth	her	starry	eyes	she	cast,
	All	moist	with	tears.	Full	opposite	he	saw
	Adrastus	motionless	with	silent	awe:
	Fix'd	on	her	charms,	he	gaz'd	with	fond	desire,
	And	with	-the	prospect	red	his	amorous	fire.


506
	IIOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	But	Tisaphernes	both	by	turns	beheld,
	While	different	passions	in	his	bosom	swell'd	:
	His	changing	looks	a	quick	succession	prove,
	Now	lir'd	with	hatred,	now	inflam'd	with	love.
	From	thence	Vafrino	cast	his	sight	aside,
	And	midst	the	damsels	Altamorus	'spy'd	;
	Who	curb'd	the	license	of	his	roving	eyes,
	Or	snatch	'<!	his	wary	glances	by	surprise;
	Her	hand,	her	face,	with	secret	rapture	view'd,
	And	oft,	by	stealth,	a	sweeter	search	pursu'd,
	To	explore	the	passage	where	th'	uncautious	vest
	BeveaPd	the	beauties	of	her	ivory	breast.
	At	length	her	downcast	looks	Armida	rears,
	While	through	her	grief	a	transient	smile	appears.
	'	O	brave	Adrastus	!	in	thy	glorious	boast
	I	feel,"	she	cries,	"	my	former	anguish	lost	:
	And	soon	I	trust	a	sweet	revenge	to	find	;
	For	sweet	is	vengeance	to	an	injur'd	mind.j'
	To	whom	the	Indian	"	Bid	thy	sorrows	cease,
	O	royal	fair	!	compose	thy	soul	to	peace.
	Doubt	not	to	view,	(ere	many	days	are	fled)
	Cast	at	thy	feet	Rinaldo's	impious	head	;
	Else	shall	he	come,	if	so	thy	will	ordains,
	To	servile	dungeons,	and	eternal	chains."
	To	Tisaphernes	smiling	then	she	said	:
	"	And	wilt	not	thou,	O	chief	!	Armida	aid	?"
	"	It	suits	not	me,"	he	taunting	thus	replied,
	"	With	such	a	knight	to	combat	side	by	side.
	But	I	more	slow,	in	fields	of	battle	new,
	Must	far	behind	thy	champion's	steps	pursue."
	Sternly	he	said	;	the	word	the	monarch	took,
	And	straight	incens'd	with	pride	ungovern'd	spoke	:
	"	'Tis	thine,	indeed,	a	distant	war	to	wage,
	Nor	dare	like	me	in	nearer	fight	engage."
	Then	Tisaphernes	shook	his	haughty	head	:
	O	were	I	master	of	this	arm,"	he	said,
	"	Could	I	at	will	this	faithful	falchion	yield,
	We	soon	should	see	who	best	could	brave	the	field	:
	Fierce	as	thou	art,	thy	threats	with	scorn	I	hear	!
	Not	thee,	but	Heaven	and	tyrant	love,	I	fear."
	He	ceas'd	:	Adrastus	stern	his	force	defy'd;
	But	here	Armida	interpcs'd,	and	cried	:
	"	O	warriors	!	wherefore	now,	yourpromise	vain,
	Will	you	so	soon	resume	your	gift	again	?
	My	champions	are	ye	both	let	this	suffice
	To	bind	your	jarring	souls	in	friendly	ties	:
	At	my	command,	this	rash	contention	cease	;
	He	meets	my	anger	first	who	wounds	the	peace."
	Thus	she	:	at	once	the	rage	their	breast	forsook,
	And	hearts	discordant	bow	'd	beneath	her	yoke.
	Vafrino,	present,	all	their	converse	knew,
	Then,	pensive,	from	the	lofty	tent	withdrew	;
	He	saw,	though	deeply	yet	in	clouds	enshrin'd,
	Some	treason	'gainst	the	Christian	chief	designed	:
	He	question'd	oft,	resolvid	each	means	to	try
	To	bear	the	secret	thence,	or	bravely	die.
	In	vain	his	search	till	chance	at	length	display'*]
	The	treacherous	snares	for	pious	Godfrey	laid.
	Again	he	sought	the	tent,	and	view'd	again
	The	princess	seated	midst	her	warrior	train	:
	Then	near	a	damsel	with	familiar	air
	He	drew,	and	sportive	thus	address'd	the	fair	:
	"	I	too	would	gladly	draw	th'	avenging	blade,
	Th'	elected	champion	of	some	lovely	maid	:
	Perhaps	this	arm	Rinaldo's	self	may	feel,
	Or	Godfrey	breathless	sink	beneath	my	steel.
	Ask	from	this	hand	(to	me	that	service	owe)
	The	head	devoted	of	some	barbarous	foe."
	So	spoke	the	squire;	and	smiling	as	he	spoke,
	A	virgin	view'd	him	with	attentive	look	:
	Sudden	her	eyes	his	well-known	face	confess'd,
	Beside	him	soon	she	stood,	and	thus	address'd	:
	"	From	all	the	train	I	here	thy	sword	demand,
	Nor	ask	ignoble	service	at	thy	hand	:
	I	choose	thee	for	my	champion;	hence	retire,
	I	now	thy	converse,	as	my	knight,	require."
	She	said	;	and	drew	him	from	the	throng	aside	:
	"	1	know	thee	well,	Vafrino	!"	then	she	cried,
	"	Know'ot	thou	not	me	?*'	Confus'd	the	Christian
	Till	with	asmilehethushisspeechrenew'd:	[stood,
	"	Ne'er	have	I	seen	thy	charms,	exalted	fair,
	Nor	is	the	name	thou	speak'st	the	name	I	bear	:
	Born	on	Biserta's	shore,	my	birth	I	claim
	From	Lesbin',	and	Almanzor	is	my	name."
	"	Long	have	I	known	thee,"	thus	the	maid	reply	'd,
	"	Then	seek	no	more	in	vain	thyself	to	hide	:
	Dismiss	thy	fear	thou	seest	a	faithful	friend
	For	thee	prepar'd	her	dearest	life	tp	spend.
	Behold	Erminia	!	born	of	royal	kind,
	And	once	with	thee	in	Tancred's	service	join'd	:
	Two	happy	moons	a	blissful	captive	there,
	I	liv'd	in	peace	beneath	thy	gentle	care."
	Then	on	her	face	he	bent	bis	earnest	view,
	And	soon	the	features	of	Erininia	knew.
	"	Rest	on	my	faith	secure,"	the	damsel	cries,
	"	I	here	attest	the	Sun	and	conscious	skies	!
	Ah	!	let	me	now	thy	pitying	aid	implore	;
	Erminia	to	her	former	bonds	restore	!
	In	irksome	freedom	since	my	hours	were	led.,
	Care	fills	my	days,	and	slumber	flies	my	bed.
	Com'st	thou	the	secrets	of	the	host	to	spy	?
	In	happy	time	on	me	thou	may	st	rely	:
	I	shall	at	full	their	purpos'd	frauds	explain,
	Which	tbou,perchance,hadst	long	explored	in	vain."
	Thus	sb.e	;	while	doubtful	still	Vafrino	mus'd
	In	silent	gaze,	with	various	thoughts	confus'd	:
	He	call'.l	Armida's	former	arts	to	mind	:
	Woman's	a	changeful	and	loquacious	kind	:
	A	thousand	schemes	their	fickle	hearts	divide,
	Insensate	those	that	in	the	sex	confide	!
	At	length	he	spoke:	"	If	hence	you	seek	to	fly,
	Haste,	let	us	go	your	trusty	guide	am	I.
	Be	this	resolv'd	but	let	us	yet	beware,
	And	further	speech	till	fitter	time	forbear."
	Thus	having	said,	they	fix'd	without	delay,
	Before	thp	troops	decamp'd	to	take	their	way.
	Vafrino	parted	thence	;	the	cautious	mai^d
	Awhile	in	converse	with	the	damsels	gtay'd,
	Arnus'd	them	with	her	champion	lately	gain'd,
	And	with	a	plausive	tale	each	ear	detain'd	:
	Till	at	th'	appointed	time	the	squire	she	join'd	;
	Then	mounts	her	steed,	and	leaves	the	camp	behind.
	The	Pagan	tents	were	vanish'd	from	the	view	;
	And	near	an	unfrequented	place	they	drew;
	When	bold	Vafrino	spoke	"	Now,	courteous	fair	!
	The	treason,	fram'd	for	Godfrey's	life,	declare.",
	"	Eight	knights,"	she	cried,	"	the	dire'advehtuife
	claim,
	But	Ormond	fierce	excels	the	rest	in	fame;
	These,	urg'd	by	hatred,	or	inflam'd	with	ire,
	In	murderous	league	against	your	chief	conspire	:
	Then	hear	their	arts	what	time	on	Syria's	plain
	Th'	embattled	host	contend	for	Asia's	reign;
	These	on	their	arms	the	purple	cross	shall	bear,
	Disguis'd	as	Franks	in	white	and	gold	appear,
	Like	Godfrey's	guard,	amid	the	mingled	war.
	But	on	his	helm	shall	each	a	signal	show,	[know.
	Which	in	the	thickening	fight	their	friends	may
	These	shall	the	Christian	leader's	life	pursue,
	And	deadly	venom	shall	tkeir	steel	imbrue	:


She	said	;	her	bosom	swell'd	with	labouring	sighs,
	And	briny	torrents	trickled	from	her	eyes.
	At	this	the	knight,	who	seein'd	of	sense	depriv'd,
	Wash'd	with	her	tears,	by	slow	decrees	reviv'd	;
	A	sigh	he	mingled	with	the	virgin's	sighs;
	He	sigh'd,	but	rais'd	not	yet	his	languid	eyes.
	His	breath	returning	soon	the	dame	perceiv'd	;
	A	dawn	of	nope,her	fainting	soul	relier'd.
	"	See,	Tancred	f	see	!"	exciaim'd	the	tender	maid,
	"	The	mournful	rites	by	dear	affection	paid.
	Behold	I	come,	thy	fortune	to	divide
	Thus	will	I	sink,	thus	perish	by	thy	side!
	Yet,	yet	awhile	thy	fleeting	life	retain
	hear	my	last	request,	nor	hear	in	vain	!	"
	Then	Tancred	strove	to	view	the	cheerful	light,
	But	soon	again	withdrew	his	swimming	sight	:
	Again	Erminia	vents	her	tears	and	sighs	;
	Again	she	mourns	"	Forbear!"	Vafrino	cries,
	"	Still,	still	he	breathes	;	be	then	our	care	essay'd,
	To	heal	the	living	ere	we	weep	the	dead.*'
	He	straight	disarm*	the	chief	;	she	trembling
	And	to	the	office	lends	her	friendly	hands;	[stands,
	Then	views	the	hero's	wounds	with	skilful	eyes,
	And	feels	new	hopes	within	her	bosom	rise	;
	But	midst	those	deserts	nought	the	fair	can	find,
	Nought	but	her	slender	veil,	his	wounds	to	bind	:
	Yet	love,	inventive,	every	scheme	ran	o'er	;
	Love	taught	her	various	arts	untry'd	before,
	Her	locks	she	cut,	with"	these	she	gently	dry'd
	The	clotted	blood	;	the	bandage	these	supplied.
	Though	there	nor	dittany	nor	crocus	grew,
	Yet	different	herbs	of	lenient	power	she	knew.
	Already	now	is	mortal	sleep	dispell'd,
	The	languid	prince	again	his	eyes	unseal'd	:
	He	view'd	his	squire,	he	saw	th'	attending	maid
	In	foreign	vesture	clad,	and	faintly	said	:
	"	From	whence,	Vafrino	!	dost	thou	hither	stray	?
	And	who	art	thou,	my	kind	preserver	!	say	?"
	She	doubtful	still,	'twixtjoy	and	sorrow,	sighs;
	Then	blushes	rosy	red,	and	thus	replies	:
	"	All	shalt	thou	know,	but	now	from	converse	cease	:
	Hear	my	commands,	and	calm	thy	thoughts	to
	I,	your	physician,	will	your	health	restore	i	[peace.
	Be	grateful	for	my	care	I	ask	no	more."
	Then	in	her	lap	his	head	she	gently	laid	:
	In	anxious	doubt	awhile	Vafrino	stay'd,
	How	to	the	camp	his	wounded	lord	to	beer,
	Ere	dewy	night	advanc'd	TO	chill	the	air	:
	When	sudden	near	a	band	of	warriors	drew,
	And	soon	bis	eyes	the	troops	of	Tancred	knew;
	Who	hither	came,	by	happy	fortune	brought,
	As	fill'd	with	fear	their	absent	chief	they	sought.
	These	rais'd	th'	enfeebled	hero	from	the	field,
	And	gently	in	their	faithful	arms	upheld.
	Then	Tancred	thus	:	''	Shall	brave	Argantes	slain
	Be	left,	a	prey	to	vultures,	on	the	plain	?
	Ah	no	!	forbid	it,	Heaven	!	nor	let	him	lose
	A	soldier's	honours,	or	sepulchral	dues.
	1	wage	no	battle	with	the	silent	dead	;
	In	fight	the	glorious	debt	he	boldly	paid	:
	Then	on	his	worth	the	rightful	praise	bestow	;
	'Tis	all	the	living	to	the	lifeless	owe."
	So	he.	Obsequious	to	their	lord's	command,
	His	breathless	foe	they	rear'd	from	off	the	land.
	Behind	thy	bore	him,	while	with	guardian	care
	Vafrino	rode	beside	the	royal	fair.
	Then	spoke	the	prince	as	thus	they	journey'd	on	:
	"	Seek	not	my	tents,	but	seek	th'	imperial	town	:
	What	chance	soe'er	this	mortal	frame	shall	meet,
	There	let	me	l*nd	it	in	that	holy	eat:
	From	thence.where	Christa	prey	to	death	was	$im	t
	My	soul	may	wing	her	readier	flight	to	Heaven	:
	So	shall	I	then	my	pilgrimage	have	made,
	And	the	last	vows	of	my	devotion	paid."
	He	said	:	to	Sion's	walls	the	train	address'd
	Their	ready	course	:	there	soon	the	warrior	press'd
	The	welcome	couch,	and	sunk	to	gentle	rest.
	And	now	Vafrino	for	the	virgin-fair
	A	secret	place	provides	with	.silent	care	:
	That	done,	to	Godfrey's	sight	with	speed	he	goes	;
	And	enters	boldly,	(none	his	steps	oppose)
	AVhere	sate	the	leader,	bending	o'er	the	bed
	On	which	the	wounded	Raymond's	limbs	werespread;
	And	round	their	prince	(a.great	assembly	!)	stand
	The	best,	the	wisest,	of	the	Christian	band.
	All	gaz'd	in	silence,	with	attentive	look,
	While	thus	Vafrino	to	the	general	spoke	:
	"	O	sacred	ch'ef	!	thy	high	commands	obey'd,
	I	sought	the	faithless	crew,	their	camp	survey'd.
	But	here	my	skill	to	tell	their	number	fails	;
	1	saw	them	hide	the	mountains,	fields,	and	vales	:
	Theirthirstthecopiousstreams	and	fountains	dries;
	And	Syria's	harvest	scarce	their	food	supplies.
	But	many	a	troop	of	horse	and	foot,	in	vain,
	Unskill'd	in	battle,	load	th'	encumber'd	plain:
	Nor	order	these	obfcy,	nor	signals	hear,
	Nor	draw	the	sword,	but	wage	a	distant	war	:
	Yet	some	are	forces	prov'd,	not	new	to	fame,
	Who	once	beneath	the	Persian	standards	came:
	But	chief	o'er	all	those	mighty	warriors	stand,
	Th'	Immortal	Squadroncall'd,theMonarch's	choso
	band.
	The	ranks	unthinn'd	no	slaughter	can	deface;
	Still,	asone	falls,	another	fills	his	place.
	Brave	Kmirenes	leads	the	numerous	host	;
	And	few	can	equal	skill	or	courage	boast;
	And	him,	in	every	art	of	battle	skill'd,
	The	caliph	trusts	to	draw	theeto	the	field.
	Ere	tuice	returning	morn	the	day	renew,
	Expect	to	find	tb'	Egyptian	camp	in	view.
	But	thou,	Rinaldo!	most	thy	life	defend;
	For	which,	ere	long,	such	warriors	shall	contend	:
	For	this	the	noblest	champions	wield	their	arms	;
	With	rival	hate	each	breast	Armida	warms:
	For	with	her	beauty	shall	his	-'eed	be	paid,
	Who	from	the	battle	brings	thy	forfeit	head.
	Midst	these,	the	noble	chief	from	Persia's	landi,
	Samarkand's	monarch,	Altamurus	stands.
	Adrastus	there	is	seen,	of	giant	sfzd,
	Whose	kingdom	near	Aurora's	confines	lies	:
	No	common	courser	in	the	field	he	reins	;
	His	bulk	a	towering	elephant	sustains.
	There	Tisaphernes	boasts	his	glorious	name,
	Who	bears	in	hardy	deeds	the	foremost	fame."
	Thus	he.	Kinaldo,	fill'd	with	generous	ire,
	Darts	from	his	ardent	eyes	the	sparkling	fire:
	He	burns	with	noble	zeal	to	meet	the	foes,
	And	all	his	soul	with	martial	ardour	glows.
	Then	to	the	chief	the	squire	his	speech	renew'd	:
	"	Yet	more	remains	to	speak,"	he	thus	pursu'd	;
	"	For	thee	the	Pagans	deeper	wiles	prepare;
	For	thee	has	treason	snread	its	blackest	snare."
	He	said;	and	to	the	listening	peers	explain'd
	The	fatal	purpose	of	th'	insidious	band	;
	Fierce	Ormond's	boast	and	proud	demand	disclos'd,
	And	all	the	murderous	fraud	at	full	expos'd.
	Much	was	he	ask'd	;	and	much	again	replied	:
	Short	silence	thenen-u'd	on	every	side.
	At	length	the	leader,	lost	in	various	thought,
	From	hoary	Raymond's	wisdom	counsel	sought.


OF	JERUSALEM	DELIVERED.	BOOK	XX.
	Cleft	where	the	circling	belt	his	armour	bound,
	He	falls,	divided,	on	the	purple	ground.
	Through	fierce	Alarcus'	throat	her	weapon	hew	d
	Th*>	double	passage	of	the	voice	and	food	;
	Then	Artaxerxes	in	the	dust	she	laid,
	And	through	Argeus	thrust	her	furious	blade.
	At	IshinaeFs	arm	her	rapid	steel	she	guides,
	And	the	close	juncture	of	the	hand	divides	:
	The	sever'd	hand	at	once	the	rein	forsook	;
	Above	the	startled	courser	hiss'd	the	stroke	;
	He	rear'd	aloft,	and,	seiz'd	with	sudden	fright,
	Broke	through	the	ranks,	and	discompos'd	the	fight.
	AH	these,	and	numbers	more,	her	fury	feel,
	Whose	names	in	silence	distant	years	conceal	:
	But	'gainst	her	now	the	thronging	Persians	came,
	And	Edward	ran	to	assist	the	matchless	dame.
	With	force	united	then,	the	faithful	pair
	Undaunted	bore	the	rushing	storm	of	war.
	Neglectful	of	themselves	amidst	the	strife,
	Each	guards,	with	pious	care,	the	other's	life	9	.
	Her	ready	shield	the	warlike	damsel	spread,
	And	turn'd	the	weapons	aim'd	at	Edward's	head.
	He	o'er	his	spouse	his	fencing	buckler	throws	:
	Each	seeks	for	each	the	vengeance	on	the	foes.
	By	him	the	daring	Artaban	was	slain,
	Who	in	Boecan's	island	held	his	reign	:
	By	him	his	instant	fate	Alvantes	found,
	Who	durst	at	fair	Gildippe	aim	the	wound.
	Then	Arimontes'	brow	she	cleft	in	two,
	Who,	with	drawn	sword,	against	her	consort	flew.
	While	these	resistless	midst	the	Persians	pg'd;
	More	dire	Samarcand's	king	the	Franks	engag'd.
	Where'er	he	turn'd	his	steed,	or	drove	his	steel,
	The	horse	and	foot	before	his	fury	fell	:
	And	those	that	'scape	the	falchion's	milder	death,
	Beneath	the	courser's	feet	groan	out	their	strug
	gling	breath	!
	By	Altamorus	on	the	dreadful	plain,
	Brunello	strong,	Ardonio	huge,	was	slain	:
	Of	that	the	helm	and	head	the	sword	divides	j
	The	gory	visage	hangs	on	equal	sides.
	This	pierc'd	where	laughter	first	derives	its	birth,
	And	the	glad	heart	dilates	to	pleasing	mirth,
	(Wondrous	and	horrid	to	the	gazer's	eyes	!	)
	Now	laughs	constrain'd,	and	as	he	laughs	he	dies	!
	With	these	Gentonio,	Guasco,	Guido	dy'd	:
	And	good	Rosmondo	swell'd	the	crimson	tide.
	What	tongue	can	tell	the	throng	depriv'd	of	breath
	The	wounds	describe,	or	dwell	on	every	death	?
	None	yet	appear'd,	of	all	the	warring	band,
	Who	durst	sustain	his	valour	hand	to	hand.
	Alone	Gildippe	'gainst	the	monarch	came;
	No	fear	could	damp	her	generous	thirst	of	fame.
	Less	bold,	on	fair	Thermodoon's	winding	shore,
	Each	warlike	Amazon	her	buckler	bore,
	Or	rear'd	her	axe	;	than	now,	with	glorious	heat,
	Gildippe	rush'd	the	Persian's	rage	to	meet.
	She	rais'd	her	sword,	and	struck	the	regal	crown
	That	round	his	helm	with	pomp	barbaric	shone.
	The	glittering	honours	from	his	brows	she	rent	j
	Beneath	the	force	the	mighty	warrior	bent.
	9	The	circumstance	of	a	male	and	female	war
	rtor,	so	tenderly	connected	with	each	other,	make
	a	beautiful	and	affecting	picture,	and	adds	variet
	to	the	poem	:	it	seems	to	have	been	first	introduce
	by	Tasso,	and	has	already	been	observed	to	hav
	Its	foundation	in	history.
	See	note	'	to	book	i.	page	409
	he	king	with	shame	the	powerful	arm	confess'd,
	Vnd	swift	to	avenge	the	blow	bis	steel	address'd	:
	ull	on	her	front	so	fierce	the	dame	he	struck,
	'hatsense	her	mind,	and	strength	her	limbs	forsook,
	'hen	had	she	fall'n,	but	near	with	ready	hand
	Her	faithful	lord	her	sinking	weight	sustain'd.
	No	more	the	lofty	foe	his	stroke	pursu'd,
	Jut	with	disdain	an	easy	conquest	view'd	:
	o	the	bold	lion,	with	a	scornful	eye,
	Scowls	on	the	prostrate	prey,	and	passes	by.
	Meantime	fierce	Ormond,	who,	with	murderous
	lad	spread'for	Godfrey's	life	the	fatal	snare,	[care,
	Disguis'd,	was	mingled	with	the	Christian	band,
	And	near	their	chief	his	dire	associates	stand.
	So	prowling	wolves	an	entrance	seek	to	gain,
	Like	faithful	dogs,	amongst	the	woolly	train	;
	They	watch	the	folds	when	welcome	shades	arise
	\nd	hide	their	quivering	tails	between	their	thighs.
	Th'	insidious	band	advanc'd,	and	now	in	view
	Near	pious	Godfrey's	side	the	Pagan	drew.
	Soon	as	the	prince	the	white	and	gold	survey'd.
	The	certain	token	which	their	wile	betray	'd)
	'	Behold	the	traitor	there	confess	:	d,"	he	cries,
	'	Who	veils	his	treason	with	a	Frank's	disguise	t
	At	me	his	followers	aim	the	deadly	blow"
	He	said,	and	rush'd	against	the	treacherous	foe	:
	On	Ormond	swift	th'	avenging	blade	he	rais'd	;
	Th'	astonish'd	wretch,	without	resistance,	gaz'd:
	And,	while	a	sudden	terrour	froze	his	blood,
	With	stiffening	limbs,	a	senseless	statue	stood.
	Each	sword	was	turn'd	against	the	fraudful	crev,
	At	these	the	shafts	from	every	quiver	flew	:
	In	pieces	hewn	their	bodies	strew	the	plains	;
	And	not	a	single	corse	entire	remains	!
	Now,	stain'd	with	slaughter,	Godfrey	bent	hii
	To	where	the	valiant	Altamorus'	force	[course
	His	squadrons	pierc'd,	that	fled	with	timorous	haste,
	Like	Afric	sands	before	the	southern	blast.
	Loud	to	his	troops	th'	indignant	hero	cried,
	Stay'd	those	that	fled,	and	him	that	chas'd	defy'd.
	Between	those	mighty	chiefs	a	fight	ensu'd,
	More	dire	than	Ida	or	Scamander	view'd.
	Meanwhile	betwixt	the	foot	the	battle	bled	;
	Those	Baldwin	rul'd,	and	these	Mulasses	led.
	Nor	less,	in	other	parts,	the	conflict	rag'd,
	Where,	next	the	mountain,	horse	with	horse	en-
	There	Emirenes	dealing	fate	was	found	;	[gag'd	.
	There	fought	the	two	3	in	fields	of	death	renown'd.
	Two	Roberts	there	the	Pagan	force	defy'd	;
	With	Emirenes	one	the	combat	try'd,
	While	conquest	yet	declar'd	on	neither	side	:
	But	one,	with	armour	pierc'd	and	helmet	hew'd,
	In	harder	conflict	with	Adrastus	stood.
	Still	Tisaphernes	finds	no	equal	foe
	To	matehis	strength,	and	measure	blow	for	blow;
	But	rushes	where	he	sees	the	thickest	train,
	And	with	a	mingled	carnage	heaps	the	plain.
	Thus	far'd	the	war;	while	neither	part	prevails,
	And	hope	and	fear	are	pois'd	in	equal	scales.
	O'erspread	with	shatter'd	arms	the	ground	appear*,
	With	broken	bucklers,	and	with	shiver'd	spears.
	Here	swords	are	stuck	in	hapless	warriors	kill'd,
	And	useless	there	are	scatter'd	o'er	the	field.
	Here,	on	their	face,	the	breathless	bodies	lie;
	There	turn	their	ghastly	features	to	the	sky	!
	Beside	his	lord	the	courser	press'd	the	plain	;
	Beside	his	slaughter'd	friend	the	friend	is	slain	;
	3	Adrastus	and	Tisapherns*.