foes droue backe with his sharpe blade That sure and safe he lay as in a shade 87 Thus sau'd thus shielded Raimond gan respire He rose and reard himselfe in little space And in his bosome burnt the double fire Of vengeance wrath his hart shame fill'd his face He lookt around to spie such was his ire The man whose stroake had laid him in that place Whom when he sees not for disdaine he quakes And on his people sharpe reuengement takes 88 The Gascoines turne againe their Lord in haste To venge their losse his band recordred brings The troupe that durst so much now stood agast For where sad feare grew late now boldnes springs Now follow'd they that fled fled they that chast So in one howre altreth the state of things Raimond requites his losse shame hurt and all And with an hundreth deathes reueng'd one fall 89 Whil'st Raimond wreaked thus his iust disdaine On the proud heads of captaines Lords and peares He spies great Sions king amid the traine And to him leapes and high his sword he reares And on his forehead strikes and strikes againe Till helme and head he breakes he cleaues he teares Downe fell the king the guiltlesse land he bit That now keepes him bicause he kept not it 90 Their guides one murdred thus the other gone The troupes diuided were in diuers thought Despaire made some ronne headlong gainst their fone To seeke sharpe death that comes vncall'd vnsought And some that laid their hope on flight alone Fled to their fort againe yet chance so wrought That with the fliers in the victors pas And so the fortresse wonne and conquer'd was 91 The hold was wonne slaine were the men that fled In courtes halles chambers high aboue below Old Raimond fast vp to the leads him sped And there of victorie true signe and show His glorious standard to the winde he spred That so both armies his successe might know But Soliman saw not the towne was lost For far from thence he was and neere the host 92 Into the field he came the lukewarme blood Did smoke and flow through all the purple feild There of sad death the court and pallace stood There did he triumphes lead and trophies beild An armed stead fast by the Soldan yood That had no guide nor lord the raines to weild The tyrant tooke the bridle and bestroad The coursers emptie backe and foorth he road 93 Great yet but short and sodaine was the aid That to the Pagans faint and weake he brought A thunderbolt he was you would haue said Great yet that comes and goes as swift as thought And of his comming swift and flight vnstaid Eternall signes in hardest rockes hath wrought For by his hand an hundreth knights were slaine But time forgot hath all their names but twaine 94 Gildippes faire and Edward thy deare lord Your noble death sad end and woefull fate If so much powre our vulgar toong afford To all strange wits strange eares let me dilate That ages all your loue and sweete accord Your vertue prowesse worth may imitate And some kind seruant of true loue that heares May grace your death my verses with some teares 95 The noble ladie thither boldly flew Where the fierce Soldan fought and him defide Two mightie blowes she gaue the Turke vntrew One cleft his shield the other pierst his side The prince the damsell by her habite knew See see this mankind strumpet see he cride This shamelesse whore for thee fit weapons weare Thy neeld and spindle not a sword and speare 96 This said full of disdaine rage and despite A strong a fierce a deadly stroake he gaue And pierst her armour pierst her bosome white Worthie no blowes but blowes of loue to haue Her dying hand let goe the bridle quite She faints she falles twixt life and death she straue Her lord to helpe her came but came too late Yet was not that his fault it was his fate 97 What should he do to diuers parts him call Iust ire and pittie kind one bids him goe And succour his deare ladie like to fall The other cals for vengeance on his foe Loue biddeth both loue saies he must doe all And with his ire ioines griefe with pittie woe What did he then with his left hand the knight Would hould her vp reuenge her with his right 98 But to resist against a knight so bold Too weake his will and powre deuided weare So that he could not his faire loue vphold Nor kill the cruell man that slew his deare His arme that did his mistres kind enfold The Turke cut off pale grew his lookes and cheare He let her fall himselfe fell by her side And for he could not saue her with her dide 99 As the high elme whom his deare vine hath twind Fast in her hundred armes and houlds embrast Beares downe to earth his spouse and darling kind If storme or cruell steele the tree downe cast And her full grapes to nought doth bruze and grind Spoiles his owne leaues faints withers dies at last And seemes to mourne and die not for his owne But for her death with him that lies orethrowne 100 So fell he mourning mourning for the dame Who life and death had made for euer his They would haue spoke but not one word could frame Deepe sobs their speech sweete sighes their language is Each gazd on others eies and while the same Is lawfull ioine their hands embrace and kis And thus sharpe death their knot of life vntied Togither fainted they togither died 101 But now swift fame her nimble wings dispred And told each where their chance their fate their fall Rinaldo heard the case by one that fled From the fierce Turke and brought him newes of all Disdaine goodwill woe wrath the champion led To take reuenge shame griefe for vengeance call But as he went Adrastus with his blade Forestall'd the way and shew of combate made 102 The giant cride by sundrie signes I note That whom I wish I search thou thou art hee I markt each woorthies sheild his helme his cote And all this day haue call'd and cride for thee To my sweete saint I haue thy head deuote Thou must my sacrifice my offring bee Come let vs heere our strength and courage trie Thou art Armidas foe her champion I. 103 Thus he defide him on his front before And on his throat he stroke him yet the blow His helmet neither brused cleft nor tore But in his saddle made him bend and bow Rinaldo hit him on the flanke so sore That neither art nor hearbe could helpe him now Downe fell the Giant strong one blow such powre Such puissance had so falles a thundred towre 104 With horrour feare amasednesse and dreed Cold were the harts of all that saw the fray And Soliman that view'd that noble deed Trembled his palenesse did his feare bewray For in that stroake he did his ende arreed He wist not what to thinke to doe to say A thing in
long yet neither shrinke nor yeild In equall ballance hung their hope and feare All full of broken lances lay the feild All full of armes that clou'n and shattred weare Of swords some to the body naile the sheild Some cut mens throtes and some their bellies teare Of bodies some vpright some groueling lay And for themselues eat graues out of the clay 51 Beside his lord slaine lay the noble stead There friend with friend lay kild like louers trew There foe with foe the liue vnder the dead The victor vnder him whom late he slew A hoarce vnperfect sound did each where spread Whence neither silence nor plaine outcries flew There furie roares ire threats and woe complaines One weepes another cries he sighes for paines 52 The armes that late so faire and glorious seame Now soild and slubbred sad and sullen grow The steele his brightnes lost the gould his beame The colours had no pride nor beauties show The plumes and feathers on their crests that streame Are strowed wide vpon the earth below The hosts both clad in blood in dust and mire Had changd their cheare their pride their rich attire 53 But now the Moores Arabians Ethiops blacke Of the left wing that held the vtmost marge Spread forth their troupes and purpos'd at the backe And side their heedlesse foes t'assaile and charge Slingers and Archers were not slow nor slacke To shoot and cast when with his battell large Rinaldo came whose furie haste and ire Seem'd earthquake thunder tempest storme and fire 54 The first he met was Asmire his throne That set in Meroës hot sunne-burnt land He cut his necke in twaine flesh skin and bone The sable head downe tumbled on the sand But when by death of this blacke Prince alone The taste of blood and conquest once he fand Whole squadrons then whole troupes to earth he brought Things wondrous strange incredible he wrought 55 He gaue moe deaths than stroakes and yet his blowes Vpon his feeble foes fell oft and thicke To mooue three toongs as a fierce serpent showes Which rolles the one she hath swift speedie quicke So thinkes each Pagan each Arabian trowes He weilds three swords all in one hilt that sticke His readinesse their eies so blinded hath Their dreed that wounder bred feare gaue it fath 56 The Affricke tyrants and the Negro kings Fell downe on heapes drown'd each in others blood Vpon their people ranne the knights he brings Prickt forward by their guides ensample good Kild were the Pagans broake their bowes and slings Some dide some fell some yeelded none withstood A massacre was this no fight these put Their foes to death those hold their throates to cut 57 Small while they stood with hart and hardie face On their bold brests deepe wounds and hurts to beare But fled away and troubled in the chace Their rankes disordred be with too much feare Rinaldo follow'd them from place to place Till quite discomfit and disperst they weare That done he staies and all his knights recalles And scornes to strike his foe that flies or falles 58 Like as the winde stopt by some wood or hill Growes strong and fierce teares boughes and trees in twaine But with milde blasts more temprate gentle still Blowes through the ample field or spatious plaine Against the rockes as sea-waues murmur shrill But silent passe amid the open maine Rinaldo so when none his force withstood Asswagd his furie calmd his angrie mood 59 He scornd vpon their fearefull backes that fled To wreake his ire and spend his force in vaine But gainst the footemen strong his troupes he led Whose side the Moores had open left and plaine The Affricanes that should haue succoured That battaile all were ronne away or slaine Vpon their flanke with force and courage stout His men at armes assaild the bands on fout 60 He brake their pikes and brake their close array Entred their battaile feld them downe around So winde or tempest with impetious sway The eares of ripened corne strikes flat to ground With blood armes bodies dead the hardned clay Plastred the earth no grasse nor greene was found The horsemen running through through their bands Kill murder slay few scape not one withstands 61 Rinaldo came where his forlorne Armide Sate on her golden chariot mounted hie A noble guard she had on euery side Of lords of louers and much chiualrie She knew the man when first his armes she spide Loue hate wrath sweet desire stroue in her eie He changd some deale his looke countnance bold She changd from frost to fire from heat to cold 62 The prince past by the chariot of his deare Like one that did his thoughts elsewhere bestow Yet suffred not her knights and louers neare Their riuall so to scape withouten blow One drew his sword another coucht his speare Herselfe an arrow sharpe set in her bow Disdaine her ire new sharpt and kindled hath But loue appeasd her loue asswagd her wrath 63 Loue brideled furie and reuiu'd of new His fire not dead though buried in displeasure Three times her angrie hand the bow vp drew And thrice againe let slacke the string at leasure But wrath preuail'd at last the reed out flew For loue findes meane but hatred knowes no measure Out flew the shaft but with the shaft this charme This wish she sent heau'ns grant it doe no harme 64 She bids the reed returne the way it went And pearse her hart which so vnkinde could proue Such force had loue though lost and vainly spent What strength hath happie kinde and mutuall loue But she that gentle thought did straight repent Wrath furie kindnes in her bosome stroue She would she would not that it mist or hit Her eies her hart her wishes followed it 65 But yet in vaine the quarrell lighted not For on his hawberke hard the knight it hit Too hard for womans shaft or womans shot In stead of pearsing there it broke and split He turn'd away she burnt with furie hot And thought he scorn'd her powre and in that fit Shot oft and oft her shaftes no entrance found And while she shot loue gaue her wound on wound 66 And is he then vnpearceable quoth shee That neither force nor foe he needes regard His lims perchance arm'd with that hardnes bee Which makes his hart so cruell and so hard No shot that flies from eie or hand I see Hurtes him such rigor doth his person gard Arm'd or disarm'd his foe or mistresse kinde Despis'd alike like hate like scorne I finde 67 But what new forme is left deuise or art By which to which exchang'd I might finde grace For in my knights and all that take my part I see no helpe no hope no trust I place To his great prowesse might and valiant hart All strength is weake all courage vile and bace This said she for she saw how through the feild Her champions flie faint tremble fall and yeild 68 Nor left alone can she her person
vneuen 31 Where diuers Lords diuided empire holde Where causes be by gifts not iustice tride Where offices be falsly bought and solde Needes must the lordship there from vertue slide Of friendly parts one bodie then vpholde Create one head the rest to rule and guide To one the regall powre and scepter giue That henceforth may your king and soueraigne liue 32 And therewith staide his speech O gratious muse What kindling motions in their brests doe frie With grace diuine the hermits talke infuse That in their harts his words may fructifie By this a vertuous concord they did chuse And all contentious then began to die The princes with the multitude agree That Godfrey ruler of those wars should bee 33 This powre they gaue him by his princely right All to command to iudge all good and ill Lawes to impose to lands subdew'd by might To maken war both when and where he will To hold in due subiection euerie wight Their valours to be guided by his skill This done report displaies her teltale wings And to each care the newes and tidings brings 34 She told the soldiers who allowd him meet And well deseruing of that soueraigne place Their first salutes and acclamations sweet Receiued he with loue and gentle grace After their reuerence done with kinde regreet Requited was with milde and cheerefull face He bids his armies should the following day On those faire plaines their standards proud display 35 The golden sunne rose from the siluer waue And with his beames ennameld euery greene When vp arose each warrior bold and braue Glistring in field steele and armours sheene With iolly plumes their crests adorn'd they haue And all tofore their chieftaine mustred beene He from a mountaine cast his curious sight On euery footeman and on euery knight 36 My minde times enimie obliuions foe Disposer true of each note-worthie thing O let thy vertuous might auaile me soe That I each troupe and captaine great may sing That in this glorious war did famous groe Forgot till now by times euill handling This worke deriued from thy treasures deare Let all times harken neuer age outweare 37 The French came foremost battailous and bold Late led by Hugo brother to their king From France the isle that riuers fower enfold With rolling streames descending from their spring But Hugo dead the Lillie faire of gold Their wonted ensigne they tofore them bring Vnder Clotharius great a captaine good And hardie knight isprong of princes blood 38 A thousand were they in strong armours clad Next whome there marched foorth another band That number nature and instruction had Like them to fight far off or charge at hand All valiant Normans by Lord Robert lad The natiue Duke of that renowmed land Two Bishops next their standards proud vpbare Call'd reuerend William and good Ademare 39 Their iollie notes they chanted lowd and cleare On merrie mornings at the masse diuine And horrid helmes high on their heads they beare When their fierce courage they to war incline The first fowre hundreth horsemen gathred neare To Orange towne and lands that it confine But Ademare the Poggian youth brought out In number like in hard assaies as stout 40 Baldwine his ensigne faire did next despreed Among his Bulloyners of noble fame His brother gaue him all his troopes to leed When he commander of the field became The Count Carinto did him straight succeed Graue in aduise well skild in Mars his game Fowre hundreth brought he but so many thrice Led Baldwine clad in gilden armes of price 41 Guelpho next them the land and place possest Whose fortunes good with his great actes agree By his Italian Sire fro th' house of Est Well could he bring his noble pedegree A German borne with rich possessions blest A worthie branch sprong from the Guelphian tree Twixt Rhene and Danubie the land contain'd He rul'd where Swaues and Rhetians whilome raign'd 42 His mothers heritage was this and right To which he added more by conquest got From thence approoued men of passing might He brought that death or danger feared not It was their wont in feasts to spend the night And passe cold daies in bathes and houses hot Fiue thousand late of which now scantly ar The third part left such is the change of war 43 The nation than with crisped lockes and faire That dwell betweene the seas and Arden wood Where Mosell streames and Rhene the meadowes weare A battle soile for graine for pasture good Their Islanders with them who oft repaire Their earthen bulwarks gainst the Ocean flood The flood elsewhere that ships and barks deuowres But there drownes cities countries townes and towres 44 Both in one troope and but a thousand all Vnder another Robert fierce they ronne Then th' English squadron soldiers stout and tall By William led their Soueraignes yonger sonne These Archers be and with them come withall A people neere the northern pole that wonne Whom Ireland sent from loughes and forrests hore Diuided far by sea from Europes shore 45 Tancredie next nor mongst them all was one Rinald except a prince of greater might With maiestie his noble count'nance shone Hie were his thoughts his hart was bold in fight No shamefull vice his worth had ouergone His fault was loue by vnaduised sight Bred in the dangers of aduentrous armes And nurst with grieues with sorrowes woes harmes 46 Fame tels that on that euer-blessed day When Christian swords with Persian blood were dide The furious prince Tancredie from that fray His coward foes chased through forrests wide Till tired with the fight the heate the way He sought some place to rest his wearie side And drew him neare a siluer streame that plade Among wilde herbes vnder the greene-wood shade 47 A Pagan damsell there vnwares he met In shining steele all saue her visage faire Her haire vnbound she made a wanton net To catch sweete breathing from the cooling aire On her at gaze his longing lookes he set Sight wonder wonder loue loue bred his caire O loue O wonder loue new borne new bred Now growne now arm'd this champion captiue led 48 Her helme the virgin don'd and but some wight She fear'd might come to aide him as they fought Her courage earn'd to haue assail'd the knight Yet thence she fled vncompaned vnsought And left her image in his hart ipight Her sweete Idea wandred through his thought Her shape her gesture and her place in minde He kept and blew loues fire with that winde 49 Well might you read his sicknes in his eies Their banks were full their tide was at the flow His helpe far off his hurt within him lies His hopes vnsprong his cares were fit to mowe Eight hundreth horse from Champaine came he guies Champaine a land where wealth ease pleasure growe Rich natures pompe and pride the Tirrhenemaine There wowes the hils hils wowe the valleis plaine 50 Two hundred Greekes came next in fight well tride Not surely arm'd in steele or
gainst Iuda land to proue He would before this threat'ned tempest fell I should his minde and princely will first tell 65 His minde is this he praies thee be contented To ioy in peace the conquests thou hast got Be not thy death or Sions fall lamented Forbeare this land Iudea trouble not Things done in haste at leasure be repented Withdraw thine armes trust not vncertaine lot For oft we see what least we thinke betide He is thy friend gainst all the world beside 66 True labour in the vineyard of thy Lord Ere prime thou hast th'imposed day-worke donne What armies conquered perisht with thy sword What cities sackt what kingdomes hast thou wonne All eares are maz'de while toongs thine acts record Hands quake for feare all feete for dread doe ronne And though no realmes you may to thraldome bring No higher can your praise your glorie spring 67 Thy sinne is in his Apogaeon placed And when it moueth next must needes descend Chance is vncertaine fortune double faced Smiling at first she frowneth in the end Beware thine honour be not then disgraced Take heed thou marre not when thou think'st to mend For this the follie is of fortunes play Gainst doubtfull certaine much gainst small to lay 68 Yet still we saile while prosp'rous blowes the winde Till on some secret rocke vnwares we light The sea of glorie hath no bankes assignde They who are wont to win in euerie fight Still feed the fire that so enflames thy minde To bring mo nations subiect to thy might This makes thee blessed peace so light to hold Like sommers flies that feare not winters cold 69 They bid thee follow on the path now made So plaine and easie enter fortunes gate Nor in thy scabberd sheath that famous blade Till setled be thy kingdome and estate Till Macons sacred doctrine fall and fade Till wofull Asia all lie desolate Sweet words I grant baits and allurements sweet But greatest hopes oft greatest crosses meet 70 For if thy courage doe not blinde thine eies If cloudes of furie hide not reasons beames Then maist thou see this desp'rate enterpries The field of death watred with dangers streames High state the bed is where misfortune lies Mars most vnfriendly when most kind he seames Who climeth hie on earth he hardest lights And lowest falles attend the highest flights 71 Tell me if great in counsell armes and gold The Prince of Egypt war gainst you prepare What if the valiant Turkes and Persians bold Vnite their forces with Cassanâ—es haire O then what marble pillar shall vphold The falling trophies of your conquests faire Trust you the monarch of the Greekish land That reed will breake and breaking wound your hand 72 The Greekish faith is like that halfe cut tree By which men take wilde Elephants in Inde A thousand times it hath beguiled thee As firme as waues in seas or leaues in winde Will they who earst denide you passage free Passage to all men free by vse and kinde Fight for your sake or on them doe you trust To spend their blood that could fearce spare their dust 73 But all your hope and trust perchance is laid In these strong troopes which thee enuiron round Yet foes vnite are not so soone dismaid As when their strength you earst diuided found Besides each howre thy bands are weaker maid With hunger slaughter lodging on cold ground Meane-while the Turkes seeke succours from our king Thus fade thy helps and thus thy cumbers spring 74 Suppose no weapon can thy valours pride Subdue that by no force thou maist be wonne Admit no steele can hurt or wound thy side And be it heau'n hath thee such fauout donne Gainst famine yet what shield canst thou prouide What strength resist what sleight her wrath can shonne Goe shake thy speare and draw thy flaming blade And trie if hunger so be weaker made 75 Th' inhabitants each pasture and each plaine Destroied haue each field to waste is lade In fensed towres bestowed is their graine Before thou cam'st this kingdome to inuade These horse and foote how canst thou then sustaine Whence comes thy store whence thy prouision made Thy ships to bring it are perchance assignde O that you liue so long as please the winde 76 Perhaps thy fortune doth controull the winde Doth loose or binde their blastes in secret caue The sea pardie cruell and deafe by kinde Will heare thy call and still her raging waue But if our armed gallies be assignde To aide those ships which Turks and Persians haue Say then what hope is left thy slender fleet Dare flockes of crowes a flight of Eagles meet 77 My Lord a double conquest must you make If you atchieue renowne by this empries For if our fleet your nauie chase or take For want of victails all your campe then dies Or if by land the field you once forsake Then vaine by sea were hope of victories Nor could your ships restore your lost estate For steed once stolne we shut the doore too late 78 In this estate if thou esteemest light The profred kindnesse of th' Egyptian king Then giue me leaue to say this ouersight Beseemes thee not in whom such vertues spring But heau'ns vouchsafe to guide thy minde aright To gentle thoughts that peace and quiet bring So that poore Asia her complaints may ceace And you enioy your conquest got in peace 79 Nor ye that part in these aduentures haue Part in his glorie partners in his harmes Let not blinde fortune so your mindes desaue To stir him more to trie these fierce alarmes But like the failer scaped from the waue From further perill that his person armes By staying safe at home so stay you all Better fit still men say than rise to fall 80 This said Aletes and a murmur rose That shew'd dislike among the Christian Peares Their angrie gestures with mislike disclose How much his speech offends their noble eares Lord Godfreyes eie three times enuiron goes To view what count'nance euerie warriour beares And lastly on th' Egyptian Baron staid To whom the Duke thus for his answer said 81 Ambassador full both of threates and praise Thy doubtfull message hast thou wisely told And if thy soueraigne loue vs as he saies Tell him he sowes to reape an hundreth fold But where thy talke the comming storme displaies Of threat'ned warfare from the Pagans bold To that I answer as my custome is In plainest phrase least mine intent thou mis. 82 Know that till now we suffred haue much paine By lands and seas where stormes and tempests fall To make the passage easie safe and plaine That leades vs to this venerable wall That so we might reward from heau'n obtaine And free this towne from being longer thrall Nor is it greeuous to so good an end Our honours kingdoms liues and goods to spend 83 Not hope of praise nor thirst of worldly good Entised vs to follow this emprise The heau'nly father keepe his sacred brood From foule infection of
forteresse And murder him vnlesse he yeeld the hold And me and mine threates not with war but death Thus causelesse hatred endlesse is vneath 60 And so he trusts to wash away the staine And hide his shamefull fact with mine offence And saith he will restore the throne againe To his late honour and due excellence And therefore would I should be algates slaine For while I liue his right is in suspence This is the cause my guiltlesse life is sought For on my ruine is his safetie wrought 61 And let the tyrant haue his harts desire Let him performe the crueltie he ment My guiltlesse blood must quench the ceaslesse fire On which my endlesse teares were bootlesse spent Vnlesse thou helpe to thee renowmed fire I flie a virgin orphan innocent And let these teares that on thy feet distill Redeeme the drops of blood he thirsts to spill 62 By these thy glorious feet that tread secure On necks of tyrants by thy conquests braue By that right hand and by those temples pure Thou seekes to free from Macons lore I craue Helpe for this sicknes none but thou canst cure My life and kingdome let thy mercie saue From death and ruine but in vaine I proue thee If right if truth if iustice cannot moue thee 63 Thou who dost all thou wishest at thy will And neuer willest ought but what is right Preserue this guiltlesse blood they seeke to spill Thine be my kingdome saue it with thy might Among these captains Lords and knights of skill Appoint me ten approued most in fight Who with assistance of my friends and kin May serue my kingdome lost againe to win 64 For loe a knight that hath a gate to ward A man of chifest trust about his king Hath promised so to beguile the gard That me and mine he vndertakes to bring Safe where the tyrant haply sleepeth hard He counseld me to vndertake this thing Of thee some little succour to intreat Whose name alone accomplish can the feat 65 This said his answer did the Nymph attend Her lookes her sighes her gestures all did pray him But Godfrey wisely did his grant suspend He doubts the worst and that awhile did stay him He knowes who feares no God he loues no frend He feares the heathen false would thus betray him But yet such ruth dwelt in his princely minde That gainst his wisdome pitie made him kinde 66 Besides the kindnes of his gentle thought Readie to comfort each distressed wight The maidens offer profit with it brought For if the Syrian kingdome were her right That wonne the way were easie which he sought To bring all Asia subiect to his might There might he raise munition armes and treasure To worke th' Egyptian king and his displeasure 67 Thus was his noble hart long time betwixt Feare and remorse not granting nor denaying Vpon his eies the dame her lookings fixt As if her life and death lay on his saying Some teares she shed with sighes and sobbings mixt As if her hope were dead through his delaying At last her earnest suit the Duke denaid But with sweet words thus would content the maid 68 If not in seruice of our God we fought In meaner quarrell if this sword were shaken Well might thou gather in thy gentle thought So faire a Princesse should not be forsaken But since these armies from the worlds end brought To free this sacred towne haue vndertaken It were vnfit we turn'd our strength away And victorie euen in her comming stay 69 I promise thee and on my princely word The burden of thy wish and hope repose That when this chosen temple of the Lord Her holy doores shall to his saints vnclose In rest and peace then this victorious sword Shall execute due vengeance on thy foes But if for pitie of a worldlie dame I left this worke such pitie were my shame 70 At this the Princesse bent her eies to ground And stood vnmou'd though not vnmarkt a space The secret bleeding of her inward wound Shed heau'nly dew vpon her angels face Poore wretch quoth she in teares and sorrowes drown'd Death be thy peace the graue thy resting place Since such thy hap that least thou mercie finde The gentlest hart on earth is proou'd vnkind 71 Where none attends what bootes it to complaine Mens froward harts are mou'd with womens teares As marble stones are pearst with drops of raine No plaints finde passage through vnwilling eares The tyrant haply would his wrath restraine Heard he these praiers ruthlesse Godfrey heares Yet not thy fault is this my chance I see Hath made eu'n pitie pitilesse in thee 72 So both thy goodnes and good hap denaid me Griefe sorrow mischiefe care hath ouerthrowne me The star that rul'd my birth-day hath betraid me My Genius sees his charge but dares not owne me Of Queene-like state my flight hath disarraid me My father dide ere he fiue yeeres had knowne me My kingdome lost and lastly resteth now Downe with the tree sith broke is euery bow 73 And for the modest lore of maidenhood Bids me not soiourne with these armed men Oh whither shall I flie what secret wood Shall hide me from the tyrant or what den What rocke what vault what caue can doe me good No no where death is sure it resteth then To scorne his powre and be it therefore seene Armida liu'd and dide both like a Queene 74 With that she lookt as if a proud disdaine Kindled displeasure in her noble minde The way she came she turn'd her steps againe With gestures sad but in disdainfull kinde A tempest railed downe her cheekes amaine With teares of woe and sighes of angers winde The drops her footsteps wash whereon she treads And seemes to step on pearles or christall beads 75 Her cheekes on which this streaming Nectar fell Still'd through the limbecke of her diamondeies The roses white and red resembled well Whereon the roarie May-deaw sprinkled lies When the faire morne first blusheth from her cell And breatheth balme from opened paradies Thus sigh'd thus mourn'd thus wept this louely queene And in each drop bathed a grace vnseene 76 Thrice twenty Cupids vnperceiued flew To gather vp this licour ere it fall And of each drop an arrow forged new Else as it came snatcht vp the christall ball And at rebellious harts for wilde fire threw O wondrous loue thou makest gaine of all For if she weeping sit or smiling stand She bends thy bow or kindleth else thy brand 77 This forged plaint drew forth vnfained teares From many eies and pearst each worthies hart Each one condoleth with her that her heares And of her griefe would helpe her beare the smart If Godfrey aide her not not one but sweares Some tygresse gaue him sucke on roughest part Midst the rude crags on Alpine cliffes aloft Hard is that hart which beautie makes not soft 78 But iollie Eustace in whose brest the brand Of loue and pitie kindled had the flame While other softly whispred vnder hand
neuer knots of loue more surer knit 58 Her bodie free captiued was her hart And loue the keies did of that prison beare Prepar'd to goe it was a death to part From that kinde Lord and from that prison deare But thou O honour which esteemed art The chiefest vesture noble Ladies weare Enforcest her against her will to wend To Aladine her mothers dearest frend 59 At Sion was this princesse entertained By that old tyrant and her mother deare Whose losse too soone the wofull damsell plained Her griéfe was such she liu'd not halfe the yeare Yet banishment nor losse of friends constrained The haplesse maid her passions to forbeare For though exceeding were her woe and griefe Of all her sorrowes yet her loue was chiefe 60 The seelie maide in secret longing pined Her hope a mote drawne vp by Phebus raies Her loue a mountaine seem'd whereon bright shined Fresh memorie of Tancreds worth and praise Within her closet if her selfe she shrined A hotter fire her tender hart assaies Taucred at last to raise her hope nigh dead Before those wals did his broad ensigne spread 61 The rest to vew the Christian armie feared Such seem'd their number such their powre and might But she alone her troubled forehead cleared And on them spred her beautie shining bright In euerie squadron when it first appeared Her curious eie sought out her chosen knight And euerie gallant that the rest excels The same seemes him so loue and fancie tels 62 Within the kingly pallace builded hie A turret standeth neere the cities wall From which Erminia might at ease descrie The westren host the plaines and mountaines all And there she stood all the long day to spie From Phebus rising to his euening fall And with her thoughts disputed of his praise And euerie thought a scalding sigh did raise 63 From hence the furious combat she suruaid And felt her hart tremble with fear and paine Her secret thought thus to her fancie said Behold thy deere in danger to be slaine So with suspect with feare and griefe dismaid Attended she her darlings losse or gaine And euer when the Pagan lift his blade The stroke a wound in her weake bosome made 64 But when she saw the end and wist withall Their strong contention should eftsoones begin Amasement strange her courage did appall Her vitall blood was icie cold within Sometimes she sighed sometimes teares let fall To witnes what distresse her hart was in Hopelesse dismai'd pale sad astonished Her loue her feare her feare her torment bred 65 Her idle braine vnto her soule presented Death in an hundred vglie fashions painted And if she slept then was her greefe augmented With such sad visions were her thoughts acquainted She saw her Lord with wounds and hurts tormented How he complain'd call'd for her helpe and fainted And found awakt from that vnquiet sleeping Her hart with panting sore eics red with weeping 66 Yet these presages of his comming ill Not greatest cause of her discomfort weare She saw his blood from his deepe wounds distill Nor what he suffred could she bide or beare Besides report her longing eare did fill Doubling his danger doubling so her feare That she concludes so was her courage lost Her wounded Lord was weake faint dead almost 67 And for her mother had her taught before The secret vertue of each herbe that springs Besides fit charmes for euerie wound or sore Corruption breedeth or misfortune brings An art esteemed in those times of yore Beseeming daughters of great Lords and kings She would her selfe be surgeon to her knight And heale him with her skill or with her sight 68 Thus would she cure her loue and cure her foe She must that had her friends and kinsfolke slaine Some cursed weedes her cunning hand did knoe That could augment his harme encrease his paine But she abhorr'd to be reuenged soe No treason should her spotlesse person staine And vertuelesse she wisht all herbes and charmes Wherewith false men encrease their patients harmes 69 Nor feared she among the bands to stray Of armed men for often had she seene The tragike end of many a bloodie fray Her life had full of haps and hazards beene This made her bold in euerie hard assay More than her feeble sexe became I weene She feared not the shake of euerie reed So cowards are couragious made through need 70 Loue fearelesse hardie and audacious loue Embold'ned had this tender damsell so That where wilde beasts and serpents glide and moue Through Afrikes desarts durst she ride or goe Saue that her honour she esteem'd aboue Her life and bodies safetie told her noe For in the seeret of her troubled thought A doubtfull combat loue and honour fought 71 O spotlesse virgin honour thus begonne That my true lore obserued firmely hast When with thy foes thou didst in bondage wonne Remember then I kept thee pure and chast At libertie now whither wouldst thou ronne To lay that field of princely vertue waste Or lose that iewell Ladies hold so deare Is maidenhood so great a load to beare 72 Or deem'st thou it a praise of little prise The glorious title of a virgins name That thou wilt gad by night in giglet wise Amid thine armed foes to seeke thy shame O foole a woman conquers when she flies Refusall kindleth profers quench the flame Thy Lord will iudge thou sinnest beyond measure If vainly thus thou waste so rich a treasure 73 The slie deceiuer Cupid thus beguild The simple damsell with his filed tong Thou wert not borne quoth he in desarts wilde The cruell beares and sauage beastes among That thou shouldst scorne faire Cithereas childe Or hate those pleasures that to youth belong Nor did the gods thy hart of iron frame To be in loue is neither sinne nor shame 74 Goe then goe whither sweet desire inuiteth How can thy gentle knight so cruell bee Loue in his hart thy greefes and sorrowes writeth For thy laments how he complaineth see Oh cruell woman whom no care exciteth To saue his life that sau'd and honour'd thee He languisheth one foote thou wilt not moue To succour him yet saist thou art in loue 75 No no stay here Argantes wounds to cure And make him strong to shed thy darlings blood Of such reward he may himselfe assure That doth a thanklesse woman so much good Ah may it be thy patience can endure To see the strength of this Circassion wood And not with horror and amazement shrinke When on their future fight thou hapst to thinke 76 Besides the thanks and praises for the deed Suppose what ioy what comfort shalt thou winne When thy soft hand doth wholsome plaisters spreed Vpon the breaches in his iuorie skinne Thence to thy deerest Lord may health succeed Strength to his lims blood to his cheekes so thinne And his rare beauties now halfe dead and more Thou maist to him him to thy selfe restore 77 So shall some part of his aduentures bold And valiant actes henceforth be held
thundred blowes now at his face and sight 39 Against those members battrie chiefe he maketh Wherein mans life keepes chiefest residence At his proud threats the Gascoigne warriour quaketh An vncouth feare appalled euery sence To nimble shifts the knight himselfe betaketh And skippeth here and there for his defence Now with his targe now with his trustie blade Against his blowes he good resistance made 40 Yet no such quicknesse for defenee he vsed As did the Prince to worke him harme and scath His sheeld was cleft in twaine his helmet brused And in his blood his other armes did bath On him he heaped blowes with thrusts confused And more or lesse each stroke annoy'd him hath He fear'd and in his troubled bosome stroue Remorse of conscience shame disdaine and loue 41 At last so carelesse foule despaire him made He ment to proue his fortune ill or good His shield cast downe he tooke his helplesse blade In both his hands which yet had drawne no blood And with such force vpon the Prince he lade That neither plate nor maile the blow withstood The wicked steele seaz'd deepe in his right side And with his streaming blood his bases dide 42 Another stroke he lent him on the brow So great that lowdly roong the sounding steele Yet pearst he not the helmet with the blow Although the owner twise or thrise did reele The Prince whose lookes his sdainfull anger show Now meant to vse his puissance euery deele He shakt his head and crasht his teeth for ire His lips breath'd wrath eies sparkled shining fire 43 The Pagan wretch no longer could sustaine The dreadfull terror of his fierce aspect Against the threat'ned blow he saw right plaine No tempred armour could his life protect He leapt aside the stroke fell downe in vaine Against a pillour neere the bridge erect Thence flaming fire and thousand sparks out start And kill with feare the coward Pagans hart 44 Toward the bridge the fearefull Painim fled And in swift flight his hope of life reposed Himselfe fast after Lord Tancredie sped And now in equall pace almost they closed When all the burning lampes extinguished The shining fort his goodly splendute losed And all those stars on heau'ns blew face that shone With Cinthiaes selfe dispeared were and gone 45 Amid those witchcrafts and that ouglie shade No further could the Prince pursue the chace Nothing he saw yet forward still he made With doubtfull steps and ill assured pace At last his foot vpon a threshold trade And ere he wist he entred had the place With gastly noise the doore leaues shut behinde And clos'd him fast in prison darke and blinde 46 As in our seas in the Commachian bay A seelie fish with streames enclosed striueth To shun the furie and auoid the sway Wherewith the currant in that whirlepoole driueth Yet seeketh all in vaine but findes no way Out of that watrie prison where she diueth For with such force there be the tides in brought There entreth all that will thence issueth nought 47 This prison so entrapt that valiant knight Of which the gate was fram'd by subtile traine To close without the helpe of humane wight So sure none could vndoe the leaues againe Against the doores he bended all his might But all his forces were imploy'd in vaine At last a voice gan to him lowdly call Yeeld thee quoth it thou art Armidaes thrall 48 Within this dungeon buried shalt thou spend The res'due of thy wofull daies and yeares The champion list not more with words contend But in his hart kept close his griefes and feares He blamed loue chance gan he reprehend And gainst enchantment huge complaints he reares It were small losse softly he thus begunne To lose the brightnes of the shining sunne 49 But I alas the golden beame forgoe Of my far brighter sunne nor can I say If these poore eies shall ere be blessed soe As once againe to vew that shining ray Then thought he on his proud Circassian foe And said ah how shall I performe that fray He and the world with him will Tancred blamē This is my griefe my fault mine endlesse shame 50 While those high spirits of this champion good With loue and honours care are thus opprest While he torments himselfe Argantes wood Waxt wearie of his bed and of his rest Such hate of peace and such desire of blood Such thirst of glorie boiled in his brest That though he scant could stir or stand vpright Yet long'd he for th' appointed day to fight 51 The night which that expected day fore-went Scantly the Pagan clos'd his eies to sleepe He told how night her sliding howers spent And rose ere springing day began to peepe He call'd for armour which incontinent Was brought by him that vs'd the same to keepe That harnesse rich old Aladine him gaue A worthie present for a champion braue 52 He dond them on nor loug their riches eied Nor did he ought with so great weight incline His wonted sword vpon his thigh he tied The blade was old and tough of temper fine As when a comet far and wide descried In scorne of Phebus midst bright hean'n doth shine And tidings sad of death and mischiefe brings To mightie Lords to monarches and to kings 53 So shone the Pagan in bright armour clad And roll'd his eies great swolne with ire and blood His dreadfull gestures threat'ned horror sad And ouglie death vpon his forehead stood Not one of all his squires the courage had T' approch their maister in his angrie mood Aboue his head he shooke his naked blade And gainst the subtile aire vaine battaile made 54 That Christian theefe quoth he that was so bold To combat me in hard and single fight Shall wounded fall inglorious on the mold His locks with clods of blood and dust bedight And liuing shall with watrie eies behold How from his backe I teare his harnesse bright Nor shall his dying words me so entreat But that I le giue his flesh to dogs for meat 55 Like as a bull when prickt with iealousie He spies the riuall of his hot desire Through all the fields doth bellow rore and crie And with his thund'ring voice augments his ire And threat'ning battaile to the emptie skie Teares with his horne each tree plant bush and brire And with his foot casts vp the sand on hight Defying his strong foe to deadly fight 56 Such was the Pagans furie such his crie An herald call'd he than and thus he spake Goe to the campe and in my name defie The man that combats for his Iesus sake This said vpon his steed he mounted hie And with him did his noble pris'ner take The towne he thus forsooke and on the greene He ran as mad or franticke he had beene 57 A bugle small he winded lowd and shrill That made resound the fields and valleis neare Lowder than thunder from Olimpus hill Seemed that dreadfull blast to all that heare The Christian Lords of prowesse strength
ease and safe retired Yet coward dread lacks order feare wants art Deafe to attend commanded or desired But Godfrey that perceiu'd in his wise hart How his bold knights to victorie aspired Fresh soldiers sent to make more quicke pursuit And helpe to gather conquests pretious fruit 115 But this alas was not th' appointed day Set downe by heau'n to end this mortall war The westren Lords this time had borne away The prise for which they trauail'd had so far Had not the diuels that saw the sure decay Of their faise kingdome by this bloodie war At once made heau'n and earth with darknes blinde And stird vp tempests stormes and blustring winde 116 Heau'ns glorious lampe wrapt in an ouglie vaile Of shadowes darke was hid from mortall eie And hels grim blacknes did bright skies assaile On euerie side the fierie light'nings flie The thunders roare the streaming raine and haile Powre downe and make that sea which earst was drie The tempests rend the Oakes and Cedars brake And make not trees but rocks and mountaines shake 117 The raine the lightning and the raging winde Bet in the French-mens eies with hideous force The soldiers staid amaz'd in hart and minde The terror such stopped both man and horse Surprised with this euill no way they finde Whither for succour to direct their corse But wise Clorinda soone th' aduantage spied And spurring forth thus to her soldiers cried 118 You hardie men at armes behold quoth shee How heau'n how iustice in our aide doth fight Our visages are from this tempest free Our hands at will may weild our weapons bright The furie of this friendly storme you see Vpon the foreheads of our foes doth light And blindes their eies then let vs take the tide Come follow me good fortune be our guide 119 This said against her foes on rode the Dame And turn'd their backs against the winde and raine Vpon the French with furious rage she came And scorn'd those idle blowes they stroke in vaine Argantes at the instant did the same And them who chased him now chas'd againe Nought but his fearefull backe each Christian showes Against the tempest and against their blowes 120 The cruell haile and deadly wounding blade Vpon their shoulders smote them as they fled The blood new spilt while thus they slaughter made The water falne from skies had died red Among the murdred bodies Pyrrhus lade And valiant Raiphe his hart blood there out bled The first subdu'd by strong Argantes might The second conqu'red by that virgin knight 121 Thus fled the French and them pursu'd in chace The wicked sprites and all the Syrian traine But gainst their force and gainst the fell menace Of haile and winde of tempest and of raine Godfrey alone turn'd his audacious face Blaming his Barons for their feare so vaine Himselfe the campe gate boldly stood to keepe And sau'd his men within his trenches deepe 122 And twise vpon Argantes proud he flew And beat him backward maugre all his might And twise his thirstie sword he did imbrew In Pagans blood where thickest was the fight At last himselfe with all his folke withdrew And that daies conquest gaue the virgin bright Which got she home retir'd and all her men And thus she chas'd this lion to his den 123 Yet ceased not the furie and the ire Of these huge stormes of winde of raine and haile Now was it darke now shone the light'ning fire The winde and water euery place assaile No banke was safe no rampire left intire No tent could stand when beame and cordage faile Winde thunder raine all gaue a dreadfull sound And with that musicke deaft the trembling ground The eight Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Amessenger to Godfrey sage doth tell The Prince of Denmarks valour death and end Th' Italians trusting signes vntrue too well Thinke their Rinaldo slaine the wicked fend Breedes furie in their brests their bosomes swell With ire and hate and war and strife forth send They threaten Godfrey he praies to the Lord And calmes their furie with his looke and word 1 NOw were the skies of stormes and tempests cleered Lord AEolus shut vp his windes in hold The siluer mantled morning fresh appeared With roses crown'd and buskind high with gold The spirits yet which had these tempests reared Their malice would still more and more vnfold And one of them that Astragor was named His speeches thus to foule Alecto framed 2 Alecto see we could not stop nor stay The knight that to our foes new tidings brings Who from the hands escapt with life away Of that great Prince chiefe of all Pagan kings He comes the fall of his slaine Lord to say Of death and losse he tels and such sad things Great newes he brings and greatest danger is Bertoldoes sonne shall be call'd home for this 3 Thou know'st what would befall bestir thee than Preuent with craft what force could not withstand Turne to their euill the speeches of the man With his owne weapon wound Godfredoes hand Kindle debate infect with poyson wan The English Switzer and Italian band Great tumults moue make braules and quarrels rife Set all the campe on vprore and at strife 4 This act beseemes thee well and of the deed Much maist thou boast before our Lord and king Thus said the sprite perswasion small did need The monster grants to vndertake the thing Meane-while the knight whose comming thus they dreed Before the campe his wearie lims doth bring And well nie breathlesse warriors bold he cride Who shall conduct me to your famous guide 5 An hundreth stroue the strangers guide to bee To harken newes the knights by heapes assemble The man fell lowly downe vpon his knee And kist the hand that made proud Babel tremble Right puissant Lord whose valiant actes quoth hee The sands and starres in number best resemble Would God some gladder newes I might vnfold And there he paws'd and sigh'd then thus he told 6 Sweno the king of Denmarks only haire The stay and staffe of his declining eild Longed to be among these squadrons faire Who for Christes faith here serue with speare and sheild No wearinesse no stormes of sea or aire No such contents as crownes and scepters yeild No deere entreaties of so kinde a sire Could in his bosome quench that glorious fire 7 He thirsted sore to learne this warlike art Of thee great Lord and master of the same And was ashamed in his noble hart That neuer act he did deserued fame Besides the newes and tidings from each part Of yong Rinaldoes worth and praises came But that which most his courage stirred haith Is zeale religion godlinesse and faith 8 He hasted forward than without delay And with him tooke of knights a chosen band Directly toward Thrace we tooke the way To Bizance old chiefe fortresse of that land There the Greeke monarch gently praid him stay And there an herald sent from you we fand How Antioch was wonne who first
that deare Lord who helpes his seruants trust Who ere they aske grants all things to the iust 28 This said each one his sacred blessing flings Vpon my coarse with broad out stretched hand And mumbled hymnes and psalmes and holy things Which I could neither heare nor vnderstand Arise quoth they with that as I had wings All whole and sound I leapt vp from the land O miracle sweet gentle strange and trew My lims new strength receiu'd and vigour new 29 I gazde on them like one whose hart denai'th To thinke that donne he sees so strangely wrought Till one said thus O thou of little faith What doubts perplex thy vnbeleeuing thought Each one of vs aliuing bodie haith We are Christes chosen seruants feare vs nought Who to auoid the worlds allurements vaine In wilfull penance hermits poore remaine 30 Vs messengers to comfort thee elect That Lord hath sent that rules both heau'n and hell Who often doth his blessed will effect By such weake meanes as wonder is to tell He will not that this body lie neglect Wherein so noble soule did lately dwell To which againe when it vprisen is It shall vnited be in lasting blis 31 I say Lord Swenoes corpes for which prepar'd A tombe there is according to his worth By which his honour shall be far declar'd And his iust praises spred from south to north But lift thine eies vp to the heauens ward Marke yonder light that like the sunne shines forth That shall direct thee with those beames so cleare To finde the bodie of thy maister deare 32 With that I saw from Cinthias siluer face Like to a falling star a beame downe slide That bright as golden line markt out the place And lightned with cleere streames the forrest wide So Latmos shone when Phebe left the chace And laid her downe by her Endimions side Such was the light that well discerne I could His shape his wounds his face though dead yet bould 33 He lay not groueling now but as a knight That euer had to heauenly things desire So towards heau'n the Prince lay bolt vpright Like him that vpward still sought to aspire His right hand closed held his weapon bright Readie to strike and execute his ire His left vpon his brest was humbly laid That men might know that while he dide he praid 34 Whil'st on his wounds with bootlesse teares I wept That neither helped him nor eas'd my care One of those aged fathers to him stept And forst his hand that needlesse weapon spare This sword quoth he hath yet good token kept That of the Pagans blood he drunke his share And blusheth still he could not saue his Lord Rich strong and sharpe was neuer better sword 35 Heau'n therefore will not though the Prince be slaine Who vsed earst to weild this pretious brand That so braue blade vnused should remaine But that it passe from strong to stronger hand Who with like force can weild the same againe And longer shall in grace of fortune stand And with the same shall bitter vengeance take On him that Sweno slew for Swenoes sake 36 Great Soliman kill'd Sweno Soliman For Swenoes sake vpon this sword must die Here take the blade and with it haste thee than Thither where Godfrey doth encamped lie And feare not thou that any shall or can Or stop thy way or lead thy steps awrie For he that doth thee on this message send Thee with his hand shall guide keepe and defend 37 Arriued there it is his blessed will With true report that thou declare and tell The zeale the strength the courage and the skill In thy beloued Lord that late did dwell How for Christes sake he came his blood to spill And sample left to all of doing well That future ages may admire his deed And courage take when his braue end they reed 38 It resteth now thou know that gentle knight That of this sword shall be thy masters haire It is Rinaldo yong with whom in might And martiall skill no champion may compaire Giue it to him and say the heauens bright Of this reuenge to him commit the caire While thus I list'ned what this old man said A wonder new from further speech vs staid 39 For there whereas the wounded body lay A stately tombe with curious worke behold And wond'rous art was built out of the clay Which rising round the carkas did enfold With words engrauen in the marble gray The warriours name his worth and praise that told On which I gazing stood and often read That epitaph of my deere master dead 40 Among his soldiers quoth the hermit heare Must Swenoes corpes remaine in marble chest While vp to heau'n are flowne their spirits deare To liue in endlesse ioy for euer blest His funerall thou hast with many a teare Accompaned it s now high time to rest Come be my guest vntill the morning ray Shall light the world againe then take thy way 41 This said he led me ouer holts and hags Through thornes and bushes scant my legs I drew Till vnderneath an heape of stones and crags At last he brought me to a secret mew Among the beares wilde boares the wolues and stags There dwelt he safe with his disciple trew And fear'd no treason force nor hurt at all His guiltlesse conscience was his castels wall 42 My supper rootes my bed was mosse and leaues But wearinesse in little rest found ease But when the purple morning night bereaues Of late vsurped rule on lands and seas His loathed couch each wakefull hermite leaues To pray rose they and I for so they please I congee tooke when ended was the same And hitherward as they aduis'd me came 43 The Dane his wofull tale had done when thus The good Prince Godfrey answer'd him sir knight Thou bringest tidings sad and dolorous For which our heauie campe laments of right Since so braue troopes and so deere friends to vs One howre hath spent in one vnluckie fight And so appeared hath thy maister stout As lightning doth now kindled now quencht out 44 But such a death and end exceedeth all The conquests vaine of realmes or spoiles of gold Nor aged Romes proud stately capitall Did euer triumph yet like theirs behold They sit in heau'n on thrones celestiall Crowned with glorie for their conquest bold Where each his hurtes I thinke to other showes And glorie in those bloodie wounds and blowes 45 But thou who hast part of thy race to ronne With haps and hazards of this world itost Reioice for those high honours they haue wonne Which cannot be by chance or fortune crost But for thou askest for Bertoldoes sonne Know that he wandreth banisht from this host And till of him new tidings some man tell Within this campe I deeme it best thou dwell 46 These words of theirs in many a soule renewed The sweet remembrance of faire Sophias childe Some with salt teares for him their cheekes bedewed Least euill betide him mongst the Pagans wilde And euery
full of wonder and of feare we seame And with an irefull looke the angrie maid Thus threat'ned vs and made vs thus affraid 68 You see quoth she my sacred might and skill How you are subiect to my rule and powre In endlesse thraldome damned if I will I can torment and keepe you in this towre Or make you birdes or trees on craggie hill To bide the bitter blastes of storme and showre Or harden you to rocks on mountaines old Or melt your flesh and bones to riuers cold 69 Yet may you well auoid mine ire and wraith If to my will your yeelding harts you bend You must forsake your Christendome and faith And gainst Godfredo false my crowne defend We all refus'd for speedie death each prai'th Saue false Rambaldo he became her frend We in a dungeon deepe were helplesse cast In miserie and iron chained fast 70 Then for alone they say falles no mishap Within short while Prince Tancred thither came And was vnwares surprised in the trap But there short while we staid the wilie dame In other foldes our mischiefes would vpwrap From Hidraort an hundreth horsemen came Whose guide a Baron bold to Egypts king Should vs disarm'd and bound in fetters bring 71 Now on our way the way to death we ride But prouidence diuine thus for vs wrought Rinaldo whose high vertue is his guide To great exploits exceeding humane thought Met vs and all at once our garde defide And ere he left the fight to earth them brought And in their harnesse arm'd vs in the place Which late were ours before our late disgrace 72 I and all these the hardie champion knew We saw his valour and his voice we hard Then is the rumor of his death vntrew His life is safe good fortune long it gard Three times the golden sunne hath risen new Since vs he left and rode to Antioch ward But first his armours broken hackt and cleft Vnfit for seruice there he doft and left 73 Thus spake the Briton prince with humble cheare The Hermit sage to heau'n cast vp his eine His colour and his count'nance changed weare With heauenly grace his lookes and visage shine Rauisht with zeale his soule approched neare The seat of angels pure and saints diuine And there he learnd of things and haps to come To giue foreknowledge true and certaine dome 74 At last he spoke in more then humane sound And told what things his wisedome great foresaw And at his thundring voice the folke around Attentiue stood with trembling and with awe Rinaldo liues he said the tokens found From womens craft their false beginnings draw He liues and heau'n will long preserue his daies To greater glorie and to greater praise 75 These are but trifles yet though Asias kings Shrinke at his name and tremble at his vew I well foresee he shall do greater things And wicked emprours conquer and subdew Vnder the shadow of his eagles wings Shall holie church preserue hir sacred crew From Caesars bird he shall the sable traine Plucke off and breake her talons sharpe in twaine 76 His childrens children at his hardinesse And great attempts shall take ensample faire From emperours vniust in all distresse They shall defend the state of Peters chaire To raise the humble vp pride to suppresse To helpe the innocents shall be their caire This bird of East shall flie with conquest great As farre as moone giues light or sunne giues heat 77 Her eies behold the truth and purest light And thunders downe in Peters aide shee brings And where for Christ and christian faith men fight There foorth shee spreadeth hir victorious wings This vertue Nature giues hir and this might Then lure her home for on her presence hings The happie end of this great enterpries So heau'n decrees and so command the skies 78 These words of his of Prince Rinaldoes death Out of their troubled harts the feare had raced In all this ioy yet Godfrey smil'd vneath In his wise thought such care and heed was placed But now from deepes of regions vnderneath Nights vaile arose and sunnes bright luster chaced When all full sweetly in their cabbins slept Saue he whose thoughts his eies still open kept The eleuenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument With graue procession songs and psalmes deuout Heau'ns sacred aide the Christian Lords inuoke That done they soale the wall which kept them out The fort is almost wonne the gates nie broke Godfrey is wounded by Clorinda stout And lost is that daies conquest by the stroke The Angell cures him he returnes to fight But lost his labour for day lost his light 1 THe Christian armies great and puissant guide T' assault the towne that all his thoughts had bent Did ladders rammes and engins huge prouide When reuerent Peter to him grauely went And drawing him with sober grace aside With words seuere thus told his high intent Right wel my Lord these earthly strengthes you moue But let vs first begin from heau'n aboue 2 With publike praier zeale and faith deuout The aide assistance and the helpe obtaine Of all the blessed of the heau'nly root With whose support you conquest sure may gaine First let the priestes before thine armies stout With sacred hymnes their holy voices straine And thou and all thy Lords and peeres with thee Of godlinesse and faith ensamples bee 3 Thus spake the hermit graue in words seueare Godfrey allow'd his counsell sage and wise Of Christ the Lord quoth he thou seruant deare I yeeld to follow thy diuine aduise And while the Princes I assemble heare The great procession songs and sacrifice With Bishop William thou and Ademare With sacred and with solemne pompe prepare 4 Next morne the Bishops twaine the heremite And all the clarks and priests of lesse estate Did in the middest of the campe vnite Within a place for praier consecrate Each priest adorn'd was in a surplesse white The Bishops dond their albes and copes of state Aboue their rockets button'd faire before And miters on their heads like crownes they wore 5 Peter alone before spred to the winde The glorious signe of our saluation great With easie pace the quire come all behinde And hymnes and psalmes in order true repeat With sweet respondence in harmonious kinde Their humble song the yeelding aire doth beat Lastly together went the reuerend pare Of prelates sage William and Ademare 6 The mighty Duke came next as Princes do Without companion marching all alone The Lords and captaines came by two and two The soldiers for their garde were arm'd each one With easie pace thus ordred passing throw The trench and rampire to the fields they gone No thundring drum no trumpet shrill they heate Their godly musicke psalmes and praiers weare 7 To thee O Father Sonne and sacred Spright One true eternall euerlasting king To Christes deere mother Marie virgin bright Psalmes of thankes giuing and of praise they sing To them that angels downe from heau'n to fight Gainst the
worthier deames If this attempt of lesse importance weare Or weaker postes so great a weight could beare 15 But for well garded is the mightie towre With hardie troupes and squadrons round about And cannot harmed be with little powre Nor fits the time to send whole armies out This paire who past haue many a dreadfull stowre And proffer now to proue this venture stout Alone to this attempt let them goe forth Alone then thousands of more price and worth 16 Thou as it best beseemes a mightie king With readie bands beside the gate attend That when this couple haue perform'd the thing And shall againe their footsteps homeward bend From their strong foes vpon them following Thou maist them keepe preserue saue and defend Thus said the king the Soldan must consent Silent remain'd the Turke and discontent 17 Then Ismen said you twaine that vndertake This hard attempt a while I pray you stay Till I a wilde-fire of fine temper make That this great engin burne to ashes may Haply the garde that now doth watch and wake Will then lie tumbled sleeping on the lay Thus they conclude and in their chambers sit To wait the time for this aduenture fit 18 Clorinda there her siluer armes off rent Her helme her shield her hawberke shining bright An armour blacke as ieat or cole she hent Wherein withouten plume her selfe she dight For thus disguis'd amid her foes she ment To passe vnseene by helpe of friendly night To whom her Eunuch old Arsetes came That from her cradle nurst and kept the Dame 19 This aged fire had follow'd far and neare Through lands and seas the strong and hardie maid He saw her leaue her armes and wonted geare Her danger nie that sodaine change foresaid By his white lockes from blacke that changed weare In following her the wofull man her praid By all his seruice and his taken paine To leaue that fond attempt but praid in vaine 20 At last quoth he since hardn'd to thine ill Thy cruell hart is to thy losse prepar'd That my weake age nor teares that downe distill Nor humble suit nor plaint thou list regard Attend a while strange things vnfold I will Heare both thy birth and high estate declar'd Follow my counsell or thy will that donne She fit to heare the Eunuch thus begonne 21 Senapus rul'd and yet perchance doth raine In mightie Ethiope and her desarts waste The lore of Christ both he and all his traine Of people blacke hath kept and long imbraste To him a Pagan was I sold for gaine And with his queene as her cheefe Eunuch plaste Blacke was this queene as ieat yet on her eies Sweet louelinesse in blacke attired lies 22 The fire of loue and frost of iealousie Her husbands troubled soule alike torment The tide of fond suspition flowed hie The foe to loue and plague to sweet content He mew'd her vp from sight of mortall eie Nor day he would his beames on her had bent She wise and lowly by her husbands pleasure Her ioy her peace her will her wish did measure 23 Her prison was a chamber painted round With goodly purtraites and with stories old As white as snow there stood a virgin bound Besides a dragon fierce a champion bold The monster did with poinant speare through wound The gored beast lay dead vpon the mold The gentle queene before this image laid She plain'd she mourn'd she wept she sigh'd she praid 24 At last with childe she prou'd and forth she brought And thou art she a daughter faire and bright In her thy colour white new terrour wrought She wondred on thy face with strange affright But yet she purpos'd in her fearefull thought To hide thee from the king thy fathers sight Least thy bright hew should his suspect approue For seld a crow begets a siluer doue 25 And to her spouse to shew she was dispos'd A Negrose babe late borne in roome of thee And for the towre wherein she lay enclos'd Was with her damsels onely wond and mee To me on whose true faith she most repos'd Shee gaue thee ere thou couldest christned bee Nor could I since finde meanes thee to baptise In Pagan lands thou know'st it s not the guise 26 To me she gaue thee and she wept withall To foster thee in some far distant place Who can her griefes and plaints to reck'ning call How oft she swouned at the last imbrace Her streaming teares amid her kisses fall Her sighes her dire complaints did enterlace And looking vp at last O God quoth shee Who dost my hart and inward mourning see 27 If minde and bodie spotlesse to this day If I haue kept my bed still vndefilde Not for my selfe a sinfull wretch I pray That in thy presence am an abiect vilde Preserue this babe whose mother must denay To nourish it preserue this harmelesse childe Oh let it liue and chast like me it make But for good fortune elsewhere sample take 28 Thou heau'nly souldier which deliu'red hast That sacred virgin from the serpent old If on thine Altars I haue offrings plast And sacrifis'd Myrrhe Frankinscence and gold On this poore childe thy heau'nly lookes downe cast With gratious eie this seelie babe behold This said her strength and liuing sprite was fled She sigh'd she groan'd she swouned in her bed 29 Weeping I tooke thee in a little chest Cou'red with herbes and leaues I brought thee out So secretly that none of all the rest Of such an acte suspition had or dout To wildernesse my steps I first addrest Where horride shades enclos'd me round about A tygresse there I met in whose fierce eies Furie and wrath rage death and terrour lies 30 Vp to a tree I leapt and on the grasse Such was my sodaine feare I left thee lying To thee the beast with furious course did passe With curious lookes vpon thy visage prying All sodainly both meeke and milde she was With friendly cheere thy tender body eying At last she lickt thee and with gesture milde About thee plai'd and thou vpon her smilde 31 Her fearefull muzlefull of dreadfull threat In thy weake hand thou took'st withouten dreed The gentle beast with milke out stretched teat As nurses custome proffred thee to feed As one that wondreth on some maruaile great I stood this while amazed at the deed When thee she saw well fild and satisfied Vnto the woods againe the tygresse hied 32 She gone downe from the tree I came in hast And tooke thee vp and on my iourney wend Within a little thorpe I staid at last And to a nurse the charge of thee commend And sporting with thee there long time I past Till terme of sixteene monthes were brought to end And thou begonne as little children doe With halfe clipt words to prattle and to goe 33 But hauing past the August of mine age When more than halfe my tap of life was ronne Rich by rewards giuen by your mother sage For merits past and seruice yet vndonne I long'd to
iourney dight Towards another port there to get in With hideous noise fast after spurr'd the knight She heard and staide and thus her words begin What haste hast thou ride softly take thy breath What bringest thou he answerd warre and death 53 And warre and death quoth she heere maist thou get If thou for battle come with that she staid Tancred to ground his foote in haste downe set And left his stead on foote he saw the maid Their courage hot their ire and wrath they whet And either champion drew a trenchant blaid Togither ran they and togither stroke Like two fierce buls whom rage and loue prouoke 54 Woorthie of royall listes and brightest day Woorthie a golden trompe and lawrell crowne The actions were and woonders of that fray Which sable night did in darke bosome drowne Yet night consent that I their actes display And make their deeds to future ages knowne And in records of long enduring storie Enroll their praise their fame their woorth glorie 55 They neither shrunke nor vantage sought of ground They trauerst not nor skipt from part to part Their blowes were neither false nor faigned found The night their rage would let them vse no art Their swords togither clash with dreadfull sound Their feete stand fast and neither stir nor start They moue their hands steadfast their feete remaine Nor blow nor foine they stroake or thrust in vaine 56 Shame bred desire a sharpe reuenge to take And veng'ance taken gaue new cause of shame So that with haste and little heed they strake Fuell enough they had to feed the flame At last so close their battell fierce they make They could not weild their swords so nie they came They vs'd the hilts and each on other rusht And helme to helme and shield to shield they crusht 57 Thrice his strong armes he fouldes about her waste And thrice was forst to let the virgine goe For she disdained to be so embraste No louer would haue strain'd his mistresse soe They tooke their swords againe and each enchaste Deepe wounds in the soft flesh of his strong foe Till weake and wearie faint aliue vneath They both retirde at once at once tooke breath 58 Each other long beheild and leaning stood Vpon their swords whose points in earth were pight When day breake rising from the Eastren flood Put forth the thousand eies of blindfold night Tancred beheild his foes out streaming blood And gaping wounds and waxt proud with the sight O vanitie of mans vnstable minde Puft vp with euerie blast of friendly winde 95 Why ioi'st thou wretch O what shall be thy gaine What trophie for this conquest i st thou reares Thine eies shall shed in case thou be not slaine For euerie drop of blood a sea of teares The bleeding warriours leaning thus remaine Each one to speake one world long time forbeares Tancred the silence broake at last and said For he would know with whom this fight he maid 60 Euill is our chance and hard our fortune is Who here in silence and in shade debate Where light of sunne and witnes all we mis That should our prowesse and our praise dilate If words in armes finde place yet grant me this Tell me thy name thy countrey and estate That I may know this dang'rous combate donne Whom I haue conquerd or who hath me wonne 61 What I nill tell you aske quoth she in vaine Nor mou'd by praier nor constraind by powre But thus much know I am one of those twaine Which late with kindled fire destroi'd the towre Tancred at her proud words sweld with disdaine That hast thou said quoth he in euill howre Thy vaunting speeches and thy silence both Vnciuill wretch hath made my hart more wroth 62 Ire in their chafed breasts renew'd the fray Fierce was the fight though feeble were their might Their strength was gone their cunning was away And furie in their stead maintain'd the fight Their swords both points and edges sharpe embay In purple bloud where so they hit or light And if weake life yet in their bosomes lie They liu'd bicause they both disdain'd to die 63 As Egeans seas when stormes be calm'd againe That roll'd their tumbling waues with troublous blasts Do yet of tempests past some shewes retaine And here and there their swelling billowes casts So though their strength were gone and might were vaine Of their first fiercenes still the furie lasts Wherewith sustain'd they to their tackling stood And heaped wound on wound and blood on blood 64 But now alas the fatall howre arriues That her sweete life must leaue that tender hold His sword into her bosome deepe he driues And bath'd in lukewarme blood his iron cold Betweene her brests the cruell weapon riues Her curious square embost with swelling gold Her knees grow weake the paines of death she feeles And like a falling Cedar bends and reeles 65 The Prince his hand vpon her shield doth streach And low on earth the wounded damsell laith And while she fell with weake and woefull speach Her praiers last and last complaints she saith A spirit new did her those praiers teach Spirit of hope of charitie and faith And though her life to Christ rebellious weare Yet died she his childe and handmaide deare 66 Friend thou hast wonne I pardon thee nor saue This bodie that all torments can endure But saue my soule baptisme I dying craue Come wash away my sinnes with waters pure His hart relenting nigh insunder raue With woefull speech of that sweete creature So that his rage his wrath and anger dide And on his cheekes salt teares for ruthe downe slide 67 With murmur lowd downe from the mountaines side A little runnell tumbled neere the place Thither he ran and fild his helmet wide And quicke return'd to do that worke of grace With trembling hands her beauer he vntide Which done he saw and seeing knew her face And lost therewith his speech and moouing quight O woefull knowledge ah vnhappie sight 68 He died not but all his strength vnites And to his vertues gaue his hart in gard Brideling his greefe with water he requites The life that he bereft with iron hard And while the sacred words the knight recites The Nymphe to heau'n with ioy her selfe prepard And as her life decaies her ioyes encrease She smild and said farewell I die in peace 69 As Violets blew mongst Lillies pure men throw So palenes midst her natiue white begonne Her lookes to heau'n she cast their eies I trow Downeward for pitie bent both heau'n and sunne Her naked hand she gaue the knight in show Of loue and peace her speech alas was donne And thus the virgin fell on endlesse sleepe Loue beautie vertue for your darling weepe 70 But when he saw her gentle soule was went His manly courage to relent began Greefe sorrow anguish sadnes discontent Free empire got and lordship on the man His life within his hart they close vp pent Death through his senses and his
ratling quiuers at their backes resound On milke white steedes waite on the chariot bright Their steeds to menage readie swift to flight 35 Follow'd her troupe led foorth by Aradin Which Hidraort from Syrias kingdome sent As when the new borne Phoenix doth begin To flie to Ethiope ward at the faire bent Of her ritch wings strange plumes and feathers thin Her crownes and chaines with natiue gold besprent The world amazed stands and with her flie An hoste of wondring birdes that sing and crie 36 So past Armida lookt on gaz'd on soe A woondrous dame in habite gesture face There liu'd no wight to loue so great a foe But wisht and long'd those beauties to imbrace Scant seene with anger sullen sad for woe She conquer'd all the Lords and knights in place What would shee doe her sorowes past thinke you When her faire eies her lookes and smiles shall wowe 37 She past the king commaunded Emiren Of his ritch throne to mount the loftie stage To whom his hoste his armie and his men He would commit now in his grauer age With stately grace the man approched then His lookes his comming honour did presage The guard asunder cleft and passage maide He to the throne vp went and there he staide 38 To earth he cast his eies and bent his knee To whom the king thus gan his will explaine To thee this scepter Emiren to thee These armies I commit my place sustaine Mongst them goe set the king of Iuda free And let the Frenchmen feele my iust disdaine Goe meete them conquer them leaue none on liue Or those that scape from battell bring captiue 39 Thus spake the tyrant and the scepter laid With all his soueraigne powre vpon the knight I take this scepter at your hand he said And with your happie fortune goe to fight And trust my Lord in your great vertues aid To venge all Asias harmes her wrongs to right Nor ere but victor will I see your face Our ouerthrow shall bring death not disgrace 40 Heau'ns grant if euill yet no mishap I dread Or harme they threaten gainst this campe of thine That all that mischiefe fall vpon my head Theirs be the conquest and the danger mine And let them safe bring home their captaine dead Buried in pompe of triumphes glorious shine He ceas'd and then a murmur lowd vp went With noise of ioy and sound of instrument 41 Amid the noise and shout vprose the king Enuironed with many a noble peere That to his royall tent the monarch bring And there he feasted them and made them cheere To him and him he talkt and caru'd each thing The greatest honour'd meanest graced weere And while this mirth this ioy and feast doth last Armida found fit time her nets to cast 42 But when the feast was done she that espide All cies on her faire visage fixt and bent And by true notes and certaine signes descride How loues impoisned fire theri entrals brent Arose and where the king sate in his pride With stately pace and humble gestures went And as she could in lookes in voice she stroue Fierce sterne bould angrie and seuere to proue 43 Great Emperour behold me heere she said For thee my countrey and my faith to fight A dame a virgin but a royall maid And worthie seemes this warre a princesse hight For by the sword the scepter is vpstaid This hand can vse them both with skill and might This hand of mine can strike and at each blow Thy foes and ours kill wound and ouerthrow 44 Nor yet suppose this is the formost day Wherein to warre I bent my noble thought But for the suretie of thy realmes and stay Of our religion true ere this I wrought Yourselfe best know if this be true I say Or if my former deeds reiois'd you ought When Godfreyes hardie knights and princes strong I captiue tooke and held in bondage long 45 I tooke them bound them and so sent them bound To thee a noble gift with whom they had Condemned low in dungeon vnder ground For euer dwelt in woe and torment sad So might thine hoast an easie way haue found To end this doubtfull warre with conquest glad Had not Rinaldo fierce my knights all slaine And set those lords his friends at large againe 46 Rinaldo is well knowne and there a longe And true rehearsall made she of his deeds This is the knight that since hath done me wrong Wrong yet vntold that sharpe reuengement needs Displeasure therefore mixt with reason strong This thirst of warre in me this courage breedes Nor how hee iniur'd me time serues to tell Let this suffice I seeke reuengement fell 47 And will procure it for all shaftes that flie Light not in vaine some worke the shooters will And Ioues right hand with thunders cast from skie Takes open vengeance oft for secret ill But if some champion dare this knight defie To mortall battaile and by fight him kill And with his hatefull head will me present That gift my soule shall please my hart content 48 So please that for reward enioy he shall The greatest gift I can or may afford My selfe my beautie wealth and kingdomes all To marrie him and take him for my lord This promise will I keepe what ere befall And thereto binde my selfe by oath and word Now he that deemes this purchase woorth his paine Let him step foorth and speake I none disdaine 49 While thus the Princesse said his hungrie eine Adrastus fed on her sweete beauties light The gods forbid quoth he one shaft of thine Should be dischargd gainst that discourteous knight His hart vnwoorthie is shootresse diuine Of thine artillerie to feele the might To wreake thine ire behold me prest and fit I will his head cut off and bring thee it 50 I will his hart with this sharpe sword diuide And to the vultures cast his carkasse out Thus threatned he but Tisipherne enuide To heare his glorious vaunt and boasting stout And said but who art thou that so great pride Thou shew'st before the king me and this rout Pardie heere are some such whose woorth exceeds Thy vaunting much yet boast not of their deeds 51 The Indian fierce replide I am the man Whose acts his words and boasts haue aie surpast But if elsewhere the words thou now began Had vttred beene that speech had beene thy last Thus quarrell'd they they monarch staid them than And twixt the angrie knights his scepter cast Then to Armida said faire Queene I see Thy hart is stout thy thoughts couragious bee 52 Thou worthy art that their disdaine and ire At thy commaunds these knights should both appease That gainst thy foe their courage hot as fire Thou maist imploy both when and where thou please There all their powre and force and what desire They haue to serue thee may they shew at ease The monarch held his peace when this was said And they new proffer of their seruice maid 53 Nor they alone but all that famous
from that part the king at last withdrew He stroue in vaine their entrance there to let And to a stronger place his folke he brought Where to sustaine th' assault a while he thought 105 The conquerours at once now entred all The walles were wonne the gates were op'ned wide Now brused broken downe destroyed fall The portes and towres that battrie durst abide Rageth the sword death murdreth great and small And proud twixt woe and horrour sad doth tide Here ronnes the blood in ponds there stands the gore And drownes the knights in whom it liu'd before The nineteenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Tancred in single combat killes his foe Argantes strong the king and Seldan flie To Dauids towre and saue their persons soe Erminia well instructs Vafrine the spie With him she rides away and as they goe Findes where her Lord for dead on earth doth lie First she laments then cures him Godfrey heares Ormondocs treason and what marks he beares 1 NOW death or feare or care to saue their liues From their forsaken walles the Pagans chace Yet neither force nor feare nor wisdome driues The constant knight Argantes from his place Alone against ten thousand foes he striues Yet dreedlesse doubtlesse carelesse seem'd his face Not death not danger but disgrace he feares And still vnconquer'd though oreset appeares 2 But mongst the rest vpon his helmet gay With his broad sword Tancredic came and smote The Pagan knew the Prince by his array By his strong blowes his armour and his cote For once they fought and when night staid that fray New time they chose to end their combat hote But Tancred fail'd wherefore the Pagan knight Cride Tancred com'st thou thus thus late to fight 3 Too late thou com'st and not alone to warre But yet the fight I neither shun nor feare Although from knighthood true thou errest farre Since like an enginer thou dost appeare That towre that troupe thy shield and safetie arre Strange kinde of armes in single fight to beare Yet shalt thou not escape O conqu'rer strong Of Ladies faire sharpe death to venge that wrong 4 Lord Tancred smiled with disdaine and scorne And answer'd thus to end our strife quoth hee Behold at last I come and my retorne Though late perchance will be too soone for thee For thou shalt wish of hope and helpe forlorne Some sea or mountaine plast twixt thee and mee And well shalt know before we end this fray No feare or cowardise hath caus'd my stay 5 But come aside thou by whose prowesse dies The monsters knights and giants in all lands The killer of weake women thee defies This said he turned to his fighting bands And bids them all retire forbeare he cries To strike this knight on him let none lay hands For mine he is more than a common fo By challenge new and promise old also 6 Descend the fierce Circassian gan replie Alone or all this troupe for succour take To desarts waste or place frequented hie For vantage none I will the fight forsake Thus giuen and taken was the bold defie And through the prease agreed so they brake Their hatred made them one and as they wend Each knight his foe did for despite defend 7 Great was his thirst of praise great the desire That Tancred had the Pagans blood to spill Nor could that quench his wrath or calme his ire If other hand his foe should foile or kill He sau'd him with his shield and cride retire To all he met and doe this knight none ill And thus defending gainst his friends his foe Through thousand angrie weapons safe they goe 8 They left the citie and they left behind Godfredoes campe and far beyond it past And came where into creekes and bosomes blinde A winding hill his corners turn'd and cast A valley small and shadie dale they finde Amid the mountaines steepe so laid and plast As it some Theatre or closed place Had beene for men to fight or beasts to chace 9 There stai'd the champions both with ruefull eies Argantes gan the fortresse wonne to vew Tancred his foe withouten shield espies And farre away his target therefore threw And said whereon doth thy sad hart deuies Thinkst thou this howre must end thy life vntrew If this thou feare and dost foresee thy fate Thy feare is vaine thy foresight comes too late 10 I thinke quoth he on this distressed towne The aged Queene of Iudaies ancient land Now lost now sacked spoil'd and troden downe Whose fall in vaine I striued to withstand A small reuenge for Sions for t orethrnowne That head can be cut offby my strong hand This said togither with great heed they flew For each his foe for bold and hardie knew 11 Tancred of bodie actiue was and light Quicke nimble ready both of hand and fout But higher by the head the Pagan knight Of limmes farre greater was of hart as stout Tancred laid low and trauerst in his fight Now to his ward retired now strucke out Oft with his sword his foes fierce blowes he broake And rather chose to warde than beare his stroake 12 But bould and boult vpright Argantes fought Vnlike in gesture like in skill and art His sword out stretcht before him farre he brought Nor would his weapon touch put pierce his hart To catch his point prince Tancred stroue and sought But at his breast or helmes vnclosed part He threatned death and would with stretcht out brand His entrance close and fierce assaults withstand 13 With a tall ship so doth a gallie fight When the still windes stirre not th'vnstable maine Where this in nimblenesse as that in might Excels that stands this goes and comes againe And shifts from prow to poope with turnings light Meanewhile the other doth vnmou'd remaine And on her numble foe approcheth nie Her weightie engins tumbleth downe from hie 14 The christian sought to enter on his foe Voiding his point which at his brest was bent Argantes at his face a thrust did throe Which while the prince awards and doth preuent His ready hand the Pagan turned soe That all defence his quickenes farre orewent And pierst his side which done he said and smilde The craftsman is in his owne craft beguilde 15 Tancredie bit his lips for scorne and shame Nor longer stood on points of fence and skill But to reuenge so fierce and fast he came As if his hand could not oretake his will And at his visour aiming iust gan frame To his proud boast an answere sharpe but still Argantes broake the thrust and at halfe sword Swift hardie bould in stept the christian lord 16 With his left foote fast forward gan he stride And with his left the Pagans right arme hent With his right hand meanewhile the mans right side He cut he wounded mangled tore and rent To his victorious teacher Tancred cride His conquerd scholler hath this answer sent Argantes chafed struggled turnd and twind Yet could not so his captiue arme vnbind
to fight Will follow farre behinde the worth to see Of this your terrible and puissant knight In scornefull words this bitter scoffe gaue hee Good reason quoth the king thou come behinde Nor ere compare thee with the prince of Inde 73 Lord Tisiphernes shooke his head and said Oh had my powre free like my courage beene Or had I libertie to vse this blade Who slow who weakest is soone should be seene Nor thou nor thy great vants make me affraid But cruell loue I feare and this faire queene This said to chalenge him the king foorth lept But vp their mistresse start and twixt them stept 74 Will you thus robbe me of that gift quoth shee Which each hath vowd to giueby word and oth You are my champions let that title bee The bond of loue and peace betweene you both He that displeasd is is displeasd with mee For which of you is grieud and I not wroth Thus warnd she them their harts for ire nie broake In forced peace and rest thus bore loues yoake 75 All this heard Vafrine as he stood beside And hauing learn'd the troth he left the tent That treason was against the christians guide Contriud he wist yet wist not how it went By words and questions farre off he tride To finde the truth more difficult more bent Was he to know it and resolud to die Or of that secret close th'entent to spie 76 Of slie intelligence he prou'd all waies All crafts all wiles that in his thoughts abid Yet all in vaine the man by wit assaies To know that false compact and practise hid But chance what wisdome could not tell bewraies Fortune of all his doubt the knots vndid So that prepard for Godfreies last mishappe At ease he found the net and spide the trappe 77 Thither he turnd againe where seated was The angrie louer twixt her friends and lords For in that troupe much talke he thought would pas Each great assemblie store of newes affords He sided there a lustie louely las And with some courtly tearmes the wench he bords He faines acquaintance and as bold appeares As he had knowne that virgin twentie yeares 78 He said would some sweete ladie grace me soe To chuse me for her champion friend and knight Proud Godfreies or Rinaldoes head I troe Should feele the sharpnes of my curtlax bright Aske me the head faire mistresse of some foe For to your beautie vowed is my might So he began and ment in speeches wise Further to wade but thus he brake the I se 79 Therewith he smild and smiling gan to frame His lookes so to their ould and natiue grace That towards him another virgin came Heard him beheld him and with bashfull face Said for thy mistresse chuse no other dame But me on me thy loue and seruice place I take thee for my champion and apart Would reason with thee if my knight thou art 80 Withdrawne she thus began Vafrine pardie I know thee well and me thou knowst of old To his last trumpe this droue the subtile spie But smiling towards her he turnd him bold Nere that I wote I saw thee earst with eie Yet for thy worth all eies should thee behold Thus much I know right well for from the same Which earst you gaue me diffrent is my name 81 My mother bore me neere Bisertas wall Her name was Lesbine mine is Almansore I knew long since quoth she what men thee call And thine estate dissemble it no more From me thy friend hide not thy selfe at all If I bewraie thee let me die therefore I am Erminia daughter to a prince But Tancreds slaue thy fellow seruant since 82 Two happie months within that prison kind Vnder thy guard reioiced I to dwell And thee a keeper meeke and good did find The same the same I am behould me well The squire her louely beautie call'd to mind And markt her visage faire from thee expell All feare she saies for me liue safe and sure I will thy safetie not thy harme procure 83 But yet I praie thee when thou dost retorne To my deare prison lead me home againe For in this hatefull freedome eau'n and morne I sigh for sorrow mourne and weepe for paine But if to spie perchance thou here soiorne Great hap thou hast to know their secrets plaine For I their treasons false false traines can say Which fewe beside can tell none will bewray 84 On her he gazd and silent stood this while Armidas sleights he knew and traines vniust Women haue toongs of craft and harts of guile They will they will not fooles that on them trust For in their speech is death hell in their smile At last he said if hence depart you lust I will you guide on this conclude we heare And further speech till fitter time forbeare 85 Forthwith ere thence the campe remooue to ride They were resolu'd their flight that season fits Vafrine departs she to the dames beside Returnes and there on thornes awhile she sits Of her new knight she talkes till time and tide To scape vnmarkt she finde then forth she gits Thither where Vafrine her vnseene abode There tooke shee horse and from the campe they rode 86 And now in desarts waste and wilde arriued Farre from the campe farre from resort and sight Vafrine began gainst Godfreies life contriued The false compacts and traines vnfould aright Then she those treasons from their spring deriued Repeats and brings their hid deceits to light Eight knights she saies all courtiers braue there arre But Ormond strong the rest surpasseth farre 87 These whether hate or hope of gaine them moue Conspired haue and fram'd their treason soe That day when Emiren by fight shall proue To winne lost Asia from his christian foe These with the crosse scor'd on their armes aboue And armd like Frenchmen will disguised goe Like Godfreies guard that gould and white do weare Such shall their habite be and such their geare 88 Yet each will beare a token in his crest That so their friends for Pagans may them know But in close fight when all the souldiours best Shall mingled be to giue the fatall blow They will creepe neere and pierce Godfredoes brest While of his faithfull guard they beare false show And all their swords are dipt in poison strong Bicause each wound shall bring sad death ere long 89 And for their chiefetaine wist I knew your guize What garments ensignes and what armes you carrie Those feigned armes he forst me to deuize So that from yours but small or nought they varrie But these vniust commands my thoughts despize Within their campe therefore I list not tarrie My hart abhorres I should this hand defile With spot of treason or with act of guile 90 This is the cause but not the cause alone And there she ceast and blusht and on the maine Cast downe her eies these last words scant outgone She would haue stopt nor durst pronounce them plaine The squire what she conceald would