Some new-found land and countrie to descrie Through dang'rous seas and vnder stars vnknow Thrall to the faithlesse waues and trothlesse skie If once the wished shore begin to show They all salute it with a ioyfull crie And each to other shew the land in hast Forgetting quite their paines and perils past 5 To that delight which their first sight did breed That pleased so the secret of their thought A deepe repentance did foorthwith succeed That reu'rend feare and trembling with it brought Scantly they durst their feeble eies despreed Vpon that towne where Christ was sold and bought Where for our sinnes he faultlesse suffred paine There where he dide and where he liu'd againe 6 Softwords low speech deepe sobs sweete sighes salt teares Rose from their brests with ioy and pleasure mixt For thus fares he the Lord aright that feares Feare on deuotion ioy on faith is fixt Such noice their passions make as when one heares The hoarse sea waues rore hollow rocks betwixt Or as the winde in houltes and shadie greaues A murmur makes among the boughes and leaues 7 Their naked feet troad on the dustie way Following th'ensample of their zealous guide Their searffes their crests their plumes and feathers gay They quickly doft and willing laid aside Their moulten harts their woonted pride alay Along their watrie cheekes warme teares downe slide And then such secret speech as this they vsed While to himselfe each one himselfe accused 8 Flower of goodnes root of lasting blisse Thou well of life whose streames were purple blood That flowed here to clense the fowle amisse Of sinfull man behold this brinish flood That from my melting hart distilled is Receiue in gree these teares O Lord so good For neuer wretch with sinne so ouergone Had fitter time or greater cause to mone 9 This while the warie watchman looked ouer From tops of Sions towres the hils and dales And saw the dust the fields and pastures couer As when thicke mistes arise from moorie vales At last the sun-bright shieldes he gan discouer And glistring helmes for violence none that fales The mettall shone like lightning bright in skies And man and horse amid the dust descries 10 Then lowd he cries O what a dust ariseth Oh how it shines with shields and targets cleere Vp vp to armes for valiant hart despiseth The threat'ned storme of death and danger neere Behold your foes then further thus deuiseth Haste haste for vaine delay encreaseth feare These horrid cloudes of dust that yonder flie Your comming foes doth hide and hide the skie 11 The tender children and the fathers old The aged matrons and the virgin chast That durst not shake the speare nor target hold Themselues deuoutly in their temples plast The rest of members strong and courage bold On hardie brestes their harnesse dond in haste Some to the walles some to the gates them dight Their king meane-while directs them all aright 12 All things well ordred he withdrew with speed Vp to a turret high two ports betweene That so he might be neare at euerie need And ouerlooke the lands and furrowes greene Thither he did the sweet Erminia leed That in his court had entertained beene Since Christians Antioch did to bondage bring And slew her father who thereof was king 13 Against their foes Clorinda sallied out And many a Baron bold was by her side Within the postern stood Argantes stout To rescue her if ill mote her betide With speeches braue she cheer'd her warlike rout And with bold words them hart'ned as they ride Let vs by some braue act quoth she this day Of Asias hopes the ground-worke found and lay 14 While to her folke thus spake the virgin braue Thereby behold foorth past a Christian band Towards the campe that herds of cattell draue For they that morne had forraid all the land The fierce Virago would that bootie saue Whom their commander singled hand for hand A mightie man at armes who Guardo hight But far too weake to match with her in fight 15 They met and low in dust was Guardo laid Twixt either armie from his cell downe kest The Pagans shout for ioy and hopefull said Those good beginnings would haue endings blest Against the rest on went the noble maid She broke the helme and pearst the armed brest Her men the paths rode through made by her sword They passe the streame where she had found the ford 16 Soone was the pray out of their hands recou'red By step and step the Frenchmen gan retire Till on a little hill at last they hou'red Whose strength preseru'd them from Clorindas ire When as a tempest that hath long been cou'red In watrie cloudes breakes out with sparkling fire With his strong squadron Lord Tancredie came His hart with rage his eies with courage flame 17 Mast great the speare was which the gallant bore That in his warlike pride he made to shake As windes tall Cedars tosse on mountaines hore The king that wondred at his brau'rie spake To her that neere him seated was before Who felt her hart with loues hot feuer quake Well should'st thouknow quoth he each Christian knight By long acquaintance though in armour dight 18 Say who is he showes so great worthinesse That rides so ranke and bends his lance so fell To this the Princesse said nor more nor lesse Her hart with sighes her eies with teares did swell But sighes and teares she wisely could suppresse Her loue and passion she dissembled well And stroue her loue and hot desire to couer Till hart with sighes and eies with teares ron ouer 19 At last she spake and with a craftie slight Her secret loue disguis'd in clothes of hate Alas too well she saies I know that knight I saw his force and courage prooued late Too late I view'd when his powre and might Shooke downe the pillar of Cassanoes state Alas what wounds he giues how fierce how fell No phisicke helpes them cure nor magicks spell 20 Tancred he hight O Macon would he weare My thrall ere fates him of this life depriue For to his hatefull head such spite I beare I would him reaue his cruell hart on liue Thus said she they that her complainings heare In other sense her wishes credit giue She sigh'd withall they constred all amisse And thought she wisht to kill who long'd to kisse 71 This while foorth prickt Clorinda from the throng And gainst Tancredie set her speare in rest Vpon their helmes they crackt their lances long And from her head her guilden caske he kest For euery lace he broke and euery thong And in the dust threw downe her plumed crest About her shoulders shone her golden locks Like sunnie beames on Alablaster rocks 22 Her lookes with fire her eies with lightning blaze Sweet was her wrath what then would be her smile Tancred whereon think'st thou what dost thou gaze Hast thou forgot her in so short a while The same is she the shape of whose sweet face The god of
brought Before the throne of his infernall seat O foole as if it were a thing of nought God to resist or change his purpose great Who on his foes doth thunder in his ire Whose arrowes hailestones be and coles of fire 3 The drearie trumpet blew a dreadfull blast And rombled through the lands and kingdomes vnder Through wastnes wide it roard and hollowes vast And fild the deepe with horror feare and wonder Not halfe so dreadfull noise the tempests cast That fall from skies with storms of haile and thunder Nor halfe so lowd the whistling winds doe sing Broke from the earthen prisons of their king 4 The Peeres of Plutoes realme assembled beene Amid the pallace of their angrie king In hideous formes and shapes tofore vnseene That feare death terror and amasement bring With ouglie pawes some trample on the greene Some gnaw the snakes that on their shoulders hing And some their forked tailes stretch forth on hie And teare the twinkling stars from trembling skie 5 There were Cilenos foule and loathsome rout There Sphinges Centaures there were Gorgons fell There howling Scillaes yawling round about There serpents hisse there seu'n-mouth'd Hydraes yell Chunera there spues fire and brimstone out And Poliphemus blinde supporteth hell Besides ten thousand monsters therein dwels Mis-shapt vnlike themselues and like nought els 6 About their Prince each tooke his wonted seat On thrones red hot ibuilt of burning brasse Pluto in middest heau'd his trident great Of rastie iron huge that forged was The rockes on which the salt sea billowes beat And Atlas tops the clouds in height that passe Compar'd to his huge person mole-hils be So his rough front his hornes so lifted he 7 The tyrant proud frown'd from his loftie cell And with his lookes made all his monsters tremble His eies that full of rage and venome swell Two beacons seeme that men to armes assemble His feltred lockes that on his bosome fell On rugged mountaines briers and thornes resemble His yawning mouth that fomed clotted blood Gapte like a whirlepoole wide in Stygian flood 8 And as mount Etna vomits sulphur out With clifts of burniag crags and fire and smoke So from his mouth flew kindled coales about Hot sparks and smels that man and beast would choke The gnarring porter durstnot whine for dout Still were the Furies while their soueraigne spoke And swift Cocytus staid his murmur shrill While thus the murdrer thundred out his will 9 Ye powres infernall worthier far to sit Aboue the sunne whence you your ofspring take With me that whilome through the welkin flit Downe tombled headlong to this emptie lake Our former glorie still remember it Our bold attemptes and war we once did make Gainst him that rules aboue the starrie sphere For which like traitors we lie damned here 10 And now in stead of cleere and gladsome skie Of Titans brightnes that so glorious is In this deepe darknes loe we helplesse lie Hopelesse againe to ioy our former blis And more which makes my grieues to multiplie That sinfull creature man elected is And in our place the heauens possesse he must Vile man begot of clay and borne of dust 11 Nor this suffis'd but that he also gaue His only sonne his darling to be slaine To conquer so hell death sinne and the graue And man condemned to restore againe He brake our prisons and would algates saue The soules that here should dwell in woe and paine And now in heau'n with him they liue alwaies With endlesse glorie crown'd and lasting praise 12 But why recount I thus our passed harmes Remembrance fresh makes weak'ned sorrowes strong Expulsed were we with iniurious armes From those due honours vs of right belong But let vs leaue to speake of these alarmes And bend our forces gainst our present wrong Ah see you not how he attempted hath To bring all lands all nations to his faith 13 Then let vs carelesse spend the day and night Without regard what haps what comes or goes Let Asia subiect be to Christians might A pray be Sion to her conquering foes Let her adore againe her Christ aright Who her before all nations whilome choes In brasen tables be his lore iwrit And let all tongues and lands acknowledge it 14 So shall our sacred altars all be his Our holie Idols tombled in the mold To him the wretched man that sinfull is Shall pray and offer incense myrrhe and gold Our temples shall their costly deckings mis With naked walles and pillars freezing cold Tribute of soules shall end and our estate Or Pluto raigne in kingdoms desolate 15 Oh be not than the courage perisht cleene That whilome dwelt within your haughtie thought When arm'd with shining fire and weapons keene Against the Angels of proud heau'n we fought I grant we fell on the Phlegrean greene Yet good our cause was though our fortune nought For chance assisteth oft th'ignobler part We lost the field yet lost we not our hart 16 Goe then my strength my hope my spirits goe These westren rebels with your power withstand Plucke vp these weedes before they ouergroe The gentle garden of the Hebrewes land Quench out this sparke before it kindle soe That Asia burne consumed with the brand Vse open force or secret guile vnspied For craft is vertue gainst a foe defied 17 Among the knights and worthies of their traine Let some like out-lawes wander vncouth waies Let some be slaine in field let some againe Make oracles of womens yeaes and naies And pine in foolish loue let some complaine On Godfreyes rule and mutines gainst him raise Turne each ones sword against his fellowes hart Thus kill them all or spoile the greatest part 18 Before his words the tyrant ended had The lesser deuils arose with gastlie rore And thronged foorth about the world to gad Each land they filled riuer streame and shore The Goblins Fairies Feends and Furies mad Ranged in flowrie dales and mountaines hore And vnder euerie trembling leafe they sit Betweene the solid earth and welkin flit 19 About the world they spread both far and wide Filling the thoughts of each vngodly hart With secret mischiefe anger hate and pride Wounding lost soules with sinnes impoyson'd dart But say my muse recount whence first they tride To hurt the Christian Lords and from what part Thou know'st of things perform'd so long agone This later age heares little troath or none 20 The towne Damascus and the lands about Rul'd Hidraort a wisard graue and sage Acquainted well with all the damned rout Of Plutoes raigne eu'n from his tender age Yet of this war he could not figure out The wished ending or successe presage For neither stars aboue nor powres of hell Nor skill nor art nor charme nor deuill could tell 21 And yet he thought O vaine conceit of man Which as thou wishest iudgest things to come That the French host to sure destruction ran Condemned quite by heau'ns eternall dome He thinkes no force withstand or vanquish can Th Egyptian
annext withall 38 But mine was freely giuen ere it was sought Nor that it lesned be I now consent Right well know I both when and where I ought To giue condigne reward and punishment Since you are all in like subiection brought Both high and low obey and be content This heard Tancredie wisely staid his words Such weight the sayings haue of kings and Lords 39 Old Raymond prais'd his speech for old men thinke They euer wisest seeme when most seuere T is best quoth he to make these great ones shrinke The people loue him whom the nobles feare There must the rule to all disorders sinke Where pardons more than punishment appeare For feeble is each kingdome fraile and weake Vnlesse his basis be this feare I speake 40 These words Tancredie heard and pondred well And by them wist how Godfreys thoughts were bent Nor list he longer with these old men dwell But turn'd his horse and to Rinaldo went Who when his noble foe death wounded fell Withdrew him softly to his gorgeous tent There Tancred found him and at large declar'd The words and speeches sharpe which late you hard 41 And said although I wot the outward show Is not true witnes of the secret thought For that some men so subtill are I trow That what they purpose most appeereth nought Yet dare I say Godfredo meanes I know Such knowledge hath his lookes and speeches wrought You shall first prisner be and then be tride As he shall deeme it good and law prouide 42 With that a bitter smile well might you see Ridaldo cast with scorne and hie disdaine Let them in fetters plead their cause quoth hee That are base peasants borne of seruile straine I was free borne I liue and will die free Before these feet be fettred in a chaine These hands were made to shake sharp spears swords Not to be tide in giues and twisted cords 43 If my good seruice reape this recompence To be clapt vp in close and secret mew And as a theefe be after dragd from thence To suffer punishment as law findes dew Let Godfrey come or send I will not hence Vntill we know who shall this bargaine rew That of our tragedie the late done fact May be the first and this the second act 44 Giue me mine armes he cride his squire them brings And clad his head and brest in iron strong About his necke his siluer shield he flings Downe by his side a cutting sword there hong Among this earthes braue Lords and mightie kings Was none so stout so fierce so faire so yong God Mars he seem'd descending from his spheare Or one whose lookes could make great Mars to feare 45 Tancredie labour'd with some pleasing speach His spirits fierce and courage to appease Yong Prince thy valour thus he gan to preach Can chastise all that doe thee wrong at ease I know your vertue can your enmies teach That you can venge you when and where you please But God forbid this day you lift your arme To doe this campe and vs your friends such harme 46 Tell me what will you doe why would you staine Your noble hands in our vnguiltie blood By wounding Christians will you againe Pearse Christ whose parts they are and members good Will you destroy vs for your glorie vaine Vnstaid as rolling waues in Ocean flood Far be it from you so to proue your strength And let your zeale appease your rage at length 47 For Gods loue stay your heat and iust displeasure Appease your wrath your courage fierce asswage Patience a praise forbearance is a treasure Suffrance an angellis a monster rage At least your actions by ensample measure And thinke how I in mine vnbridled age Was wronged yet I nould reuengement take On all this campe for one offenders sake 48 Cilicia conquer'd I as all men wot And there the glorious crosse on hie I reared But Baldwine came and what I nobly got Bereft me falsly when I least him feared He seem'd my friend and I discouer'd not His secret couetise which since appeered Yet striue I not to get mine owne by fight Or ciuill war although perchance I might 49 If than you scorne to be in prison pent If bonds as hie disgrace your hands refuse Or if your thoughts still to maintaine are bent Your libertie as men of honour vse To Antioch what if forthwith you went And leaue me here your absence to excuse There with Prince Boemond liue in ease and peace Vntill this storme of Godfreys anger cease 50 For soone if forces come from Egypt land Or other nations that vs here confine Godfrey will beaten be with his owne wand And feele he wants that valour great of thine Our campe may seeme an arme without a hand Amid our troopes vnlesse thy eagle shine With that came Guelpho and those words approued And praid him goe if him he fear'd or loued 51 Their speeches soften much the warriors hart And make his wilfull thoughts at last relent So that he yeelds and saith he will depart And leaue the Christian campe incontinent His friends whose loue did neuer shrinke or start Profred their aide what way so ere he went He thankt them all but left them all besides Two bold and trustie squires and so he rides 52 He rides reuoluing in his noble spright Such hawtie thoughts as fill the glorious minde On hard aduentures was his whole delight And now to wondrous actes his will inclinde Alone against the Pagans would he fight And kill their kings from Egypt vnto Inde From Cinthias hils and Nilus vnknowne spring He would fetch praise and glorious conquest bring 53 But Guelpho when the Prince his leaue had take And now had spurr'd his courser on his way No longer tarriance with the rest would make But hastes to finde Godfre do if he may Who seeing him approching forthwith spake Guelpho quoth he for thee I only stay For thee I sent my heralds all about In euerie tent to seeke and finde thee out 54 This said he softly drew the knight aside Where none might heare and then bespake him thus How chanceth it thy nephewes rage and pride Makes him so far forget himselfe and vs Hardly could I beleeue what is betide A murder done for cause so friuolous How I haue lou'd him thou and all can tell But Godfrey lou'd him but whil'st he did well 55 I must prouide that euerie one haue right That all be heard each cause be well discust As far from partiall loue as free from spight I heare complaints yet nought but proues I trust Now if Rinaldo weigh our rule so light And haue the sacred lore of war so brust Take you the charge that he before vs come To cleare himselfe and heare our vpright dome 56 But let him come withouten bond or chaine For still my thoughts to doe him grace are framed But if our powre he haply shall disdaine As well I know his courage yet vntamed To bring him by perswasion take some