toong which well he could O hardie knight who through these woods hast past Where death his pallace and his court doth hould O trouble not these soules in quiet plast O be not cruell as thy hart is bould Pardon these ghoasts depriu'd of heau'nly light With spirits dead why should men liuing fight 40 This found he grauen in the tender rinde And while he mused on this vncouth writ Him thought he heard the softly whistling winde His blastes amid the leaues and branches knit And frame a sound like speech of humaine kinde But full of sorrow griefe and woe was it Whereby his gentle thoughts all filled weare With pitie sadnes greefe compassion feare 41 He drew his sword at last and gaue the tree A mightie blow that made a gaping wound Out of the rift red streames he trickling see That all bebled the verdant plaine around His haire start vp yet once againe stroake he He nould giue ouer till the end he found Of this aduenture when with plaint and mone As from some hollow graue he heard one grone 42 Enough enough the voice lamenting said Tancred thou hast me hurt thou didst me driue Out of the bodie of a noble maid Who with me liu'd whom late I kept on liue And now within this woefull Cipresse laid My tender rinde thy weapon sharpe doth riue Cruell i st not enough thy foes to kill But in their graues wilt thou torment them still 43 I was Clorinda now imprison'd heere Yet not alone within this plant I dwell For euerie Pagan Lord and Christian peere Before the cities walles last day that fell In bodies new or graues I wote not cleere But here they are confin'd by magikes spell So that each tree hath life and sense each bou A murdrer if thou cut one twist art thou 44 As the sicke man that in his sleepe doth see Some oughly dragon or some chimere new Though he suspect or halfe perswaded bee It is an idle dreame no monster trew Yet still he feares he quakes and striues to flee So fearefull is that wondrous forme to vew So feard the knight yet he both knew and thought All were illusions false by witchcraft wrought 45 But cold and trembling waxt his frozen hart Such strange affects such passions it torment Out of his feeble hand his weapon start Himselfe out of his wits nigh after went Wounded he saw he thought for paine and smart His Ladie weepe complaine mourne and lament Nor could he suffer her deere blood to see Or heare her sighes that deepe far fetched be 46 Thus his fierce hart which death had scorned oft Whom no strange shape or monster could dismay With faigned showes of tender loue made soft A spirit false did with vaine plaints betray A whirling winde his sword heau'd vp aloft And through the forrest bare it quite away Orecome retir'd the Prince and as he came His sword he found and repossest the same 47 Yet nould returne he had no minde to trie His courage further in those forrests greene But when to Godfreyes tent he proched nie His spirits wakte his thoughts composed beene My Lord quoth he a witnesse true am I Of woonders strange beleeued scant though seene What of the fire the shades the dreadfull sound You heard all true by proofe my selfe haue found 48 A burning fire so are those desarts charmed Built like a batled wall to heau'n was reared Whereon with dartes and dreadfull weapons armed Of monsters foule mishapt whole bands appeared But through them all I past vnhurt vnharmed No flame or threatned blow I felt or feared Then raine and night I found but straight againe To day the night to sunshine turnd the raine 49 What would you more each tree through all that wood Hath sense hath life hath speech like humaine kind I heard their words as in that groue I stood That mournfull voice still still I beare in minde And as they were of flesh the purple blood At euery blow streames from the wounded rind No no not I nor any else I trow Hath powre to cut one leafe one branch one brow 50 While thus he said the Christians noble guide Felt vncouth strife in his contentious thought He thought what if himselfe in person tride Those witchcrafts strange and bring those charmes to nought For such he deem'd them or elsewhere prouide For timber easier got though further sought But from his studie he at last abraid Call'd by the Hermit old that to him said 51 Leaue off thy hardie thought an others hands Of these her plants the wood dispoilen shall Now now the fatall ship of conquest lands Her sailes are strucke her siluer anchores fall Our champion broken hath his worthlesse bands And looseth from the soile which held him thrall The time drawes nie when our proud foes in field Shall slaughtred lie and Sions for t shall yield 52 This said his visage shone with beames diuine And more than mortall was his voices sound Godfredos thought to other actes encline His working braine was neuer idle found But in the Crabbe now did bright Titan shine And scorcht with scalding beames the parched ground And made vnfit for toile or warlike feat His souldiers weake with labour faint with sweat 53 The Planets milde their lamps benigne quencht out And cruell starres in heau'n did signories Whose influence cast fierie flames about And hot impressions through the earth and skies The growing heat still gathred deeper rout The noisome warmth through lands and kingdomes flies A harmefull night a hurtfull day succeeds And woorse than both next morne her light outspreeds 54 When Phaebus rose he left his golden weed And dond a gite in deepest purple dide His sanguine beames about his forhead spreed A sad presage of ill that should betide With vermile drops at eau'n his tresses bleed Foreshowes of future heat from th' Ocean wide When next he rose and thus encreased still Their present harmes with dread of future ill 55 While thus he bent gainst earth his scorching raies He burnt the flowrets burnt his Clitie deare The leaues grew wan vpon the withred spraies The grasse and growing hearbs all parched weare Earth cleft in riftes in floods their streames decaies The barren cloudes with lightning bright appeare And mankind feard least Climenes childe againe Had driuen awry his fires il-guided waine 56 As from a furnace flew the smoake to skies Such smoake as that when damned Sodome brent Within his caues sweete Zephire silent lies Still was the aire the racke nor came nor went But ore the lands with lukewarme breathing flies The southren winde from sunburnt Africke sent Which thicke and warme his interrupted blasts Vpon their bosomes throates and faces casts 57 Nor yet more comfort brought the gloomienight In her thicke shades was burning heat vprold Her fable mantle was embrodred bright With blazing starres and gliding fires for gold Nor to refresh sad earth thy thirstie spright The niggard Moone let fall her May-dewes cold And dried vp the
her rich attire And for some-deale perplexed was her sprite Her damaske late now chang'd to purest white 27 The newes of this mishap spred far and neare The people ran both yong and old to gace Olindo also ran and gan to feare His Ladie was some partner in this cace But when he found her bound stript from her geare And vile tormentors ready saw in place He broke the throng and into presence brast And thus bespake the king in rage and haste 28 Not so not so this girle shall beare away From me the honour of so noble feat She durst not did not could not so conuay The massie substance of that Idoll great What sleight had she the wardens to betray What strength to heaue the goddesse from her seat No no my Lord she sailes but with my winde Ah thus he lou'd yet was his loue vnkinde 29 He added further where the shining glasse Lets in the light amid your temples side By broken by-waies did I inward passe And in that window made a postren wide Nor shall therefore this ill-aduised lasse Vsurpe the glorie should this fact betide Mine be these bonds mine be these flames so pure O glorious death more glorious sepulture 30 Sophronia rais'd her modest lookes from ground And on her louer bent her eie-sight milde Tell me what furie what conceit vnsound Presenteth here to death so sweet a childe Is not in me sufficient courage found To beare the anger of this tyrant wilde Or hath fond loue thy hart so ouergone Would'st thou not liue nor let me die alone 31 Thus spake the Nimph yet spake but to the winde She could not alter his well setled thought O miracle O strife of wondrous kinde Where loue and vertue such contention wrought Where death the victor had for meed assignde Their owne neglect each others safetie sought But thus the king was more prouoakt to ire Their strife for bellowes seru'd to angers fire 32 He thinkes such thoughts selfe-guiltinesse findes out They scorn'd his powre and therefore scorn'd the paine Nay nay quoth he let be your strife and dout You both shall win and fit reward obtaine With that the sargeants hent the yong man stout And bound him likewise in a worthlesse chaine Then backe to backe fast to a stake both ties Two harmlesse turtles dight for sacrifies 33 About the pile of fagots sticks and hay The bellowes rais'd the newly kindled flame When thus Olindo in a dolefull lay Begun too late his bootlesse plaints to frame Be these the bonds Is this the hopt-for day Should ioyne me to this long desired dame Is this the fire alike should burne our harts Ah hard reward for louers kinde desarts 34 Far other flames and bonds kinde louers proue But thus our fortune casts the haplesse die Death hath exchang'd againe his shafts with loue And Cupid thus lets borrow'd arrowes flie O Hymen say what furie doth thee moue To lend thy lampes to light a tragedie Yet this contents me that I die for thee Thy flames not mine my death and torment bee 35 Yet happie were my death mine ending blest My torments easie full of sweet delight If this I could obtaine that brest to brest Thy bosome might receiue my yeelded spright And thine with it in heau'ns pure clothing drest Through cleerest skies might take vnited flight Thus he complain'd whom gently she reproued And sweetly spake him thus that so her loued 36 Far other plaints deere friend teares and laments The time the place and our estates require Thinke on thy sinnes which mans old foe presents Before that iudge that quites each soule his hire For his name suffer for no paine torments Him whose iust prayers to his throne aspire Behold the heau'ns thither thine eie-sight bend Thy lookes sighes teares for intercessors send 37 The Pagans lowd cride out to God and man The Christians mourn'd in silent lamentation The tyrants selfe a thing vnus'd began To feele his hart relent with meere compassion But not dispos'd to ruth or mercie than He sped him thence home to his habitation Sophronia stood not greeu'd nor discontented By all that saw her but her selfe lamented 38 The louers standing in this dolefull wise A warriour bold vnwares approched neare In vncouth armes yclad and strange disguise From countries far but new arriued theare A sauage tygresse on her helmet lies The famous badge Clorinda vs'd to beare That woonts in euerie warlike stowre to winne By which bright signe well knowne was that faire Inne 39 She scorn'd the artes these seelie women vse Another thought her nobler humour fed Her loftie hand would of it selfe refuse To touch the daintie needle or nice thred She hated chambers closets secret mewes And in broad fields preseru'd her maidenhed Proud were her lookes yet sweet though stern and stout Her dame a doue thus brought an eagle out 40 While she was yong she vs'd with tender hand The foming steed with froarie bit to steare To tilt and tournay wrestle in the sand To leaue with speed Atlanta swift arreare Through forrests wilde and vnfrequented land To chase the Lion boare or rugged beare The Satyres rough the Fawnes and Fairies wilde She chased oft oft tooke and oft beguilde 41 This lustie Ladie came from Persia late She with the Christians had encountred eft And in their flesh had opened many a gate By which their faithfull soules their bodies left Her eie at first presented her the state Of these poore soules of hope and helpe bereft Greedie to know as is the minde of man Their cause of death swift to the fire she ran 42 The people made her roome and on them twaine Her pearcing eies their fierie weapons dart Silent she saw the one the other plaine The weaker bodie lodg'd the nobler hart Yet him she saw lament as if his paine Were griefe and sorrow for anothers smart And her keepe silence so as if her eies Dumbe orators were to intreat the skies 43 Clorinda chang'd to ruth her warlike mood Few siluer drops her vermile cheekes depaint Her sorrow was for her that speechlesse stood Her silence more preuail'd then his complaint She askt an aged man seem'd graue and good Come say me sire quoth she what hard constraint Would murder here loues queene and beauties king What fault or fate doth to this death them bring 44 Thus she enquir'd and answer short he gaue But such as all the chance at large disclosed She wondred at the case the virgin braue That both were guiltlesse of the fault supposed Her noble thought cast how she might them saue The meanes on suit or battell she reposed Quicke to the fire she ran and quencht it out And thus bespake the sargeants and the rout 45 Be there not one among you all that dare In this your hatefull office ought proceed Till I returne from court nor take you care To reape displeasure for not making speed To doe her will the men themselues prepare In their faint harts her lookes
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
leaue this wandring pilgrimage And in my natiue soile againe to wonne To get some seely home I had desire Loth still to warme me at anothers fire 34 To Egypt ward where I was borne I went And bore thee with me by a rolling flood Till I with sauage theeues well nie was hent Before the brooke the theeues behinde me stood Thee to forsake I neuer could consent And gladly would I scape those outlawes wood Into the flood I leapt far from the brim My left hand bore thee with the right I swim 35 Swift was the currant in the middle streame A whirlpoole gaped with deuouring iawes The gulph on such mishap ere I could dreame Into his deepe abysse my carkasse drawes There I forsooke thee the wilde waters seame To pitie thee a gentle winde there blowes Whose friendly puffes safe to the shore thee driue Where wet and wearie I at last arriue 36 I tooke thee vp and in my dreame that night When buried was the world in sleepe and shade I saw a champion clad in armour bright That ore my head shaked a flaming balde He said I charge thee execute aright That charge this enfants mother on thee laid Baptise the childe high heau'n esteemes her deare And I her keeper will attend her neare 37 I will her keepe defend saue and protect I made the waters milde the tygresse tame O wretch that heau'nly warnings dost reiect The warriour vanisht hauing said the same Irose and iournayd on my way direct When blushing morne Tithons bed foorth came But for my faith is true and sure I weene And dreames are false you still vnchristened beene 38 A Pagan therefore thee I fostred haue Nor of thy birth the truth did euer tell Since you encreased are in courage braue Your sexe and natures selfe you both excell Full many a realme haue you made bond and slaue Your fortunes last your selfe remember well And how in peace and warre in ioy and teene I haue your seruant and your tutor beene 39 Last morne from skies eric stars exiled weare In deepe and deathlike sleepe my senses dround The selfesame vision did againe appeare With stormy wrathfull lookes and thundring sound Villaine quoth he within short while thy deare Must change her life and leaue this sinfull ground Thine be the losse the torment and the caire This said he fled through skies through cloudes aire 40 Heare then my ioy my hope my darling heare High heau'n some dire misfortune threatned hath Displeasd pardie because I did thee leare A lore repugnant to thy parents faith Ah for my sake this bold attempt forbeare Put off these sable armes appease thy wrath This said he wept she pensiue stood and sad Because like dreame herselfe but lately had 41 With cheerefull smile she answer'd him at last I will this faith obserue it seemes me true Which from my cradle age thou taught me hast I will not change it for religion new Nor with vaine shewes of feare and dreed agast This enterprise forbeare I to pursew No not if death in his most dreadfull face Wherewith he scareth mankind kept the place 42 Approchen gan the time while thus she spake Wherein they ought that dreadfull hazard trie She to Argantes went who should partake Of her renowne and praise or with her die Ismen with words more hastie still did make Their vertue great which by it selfe did flie Two balles he gaue them made of hollow bras Wherein enclos'd fire pitch and brimston was 43 And foorth they went and ouer dale and hill They hasted forward with a speedie pace Vnseene vnmarked vndeseride vntill Beside the engine close themselues they place New courage there their swelling harts did fill Rage in their breasts furie shone in their face They earnd to blow the fire and draw the sword The watch descride them both and gaue the word 44 Silent they passed on the watch begonne To reare a huge alarme with hideous cries Therewith the hardie couple forward ronne To execute their valiant enterpries So from a cannon or a roaring gonne At once the noise the flame and bullet flies They runne they giue the charge begin the fray And all at once their foes breake spoile and slay 45 They passed first through thousand thousand blowes And then performed their designment bould A firie ball each on the engin throwes The stuffe was drie the fire tooke quickely hould Furious vpon the timber worke it growes How it encreased cannot well be tould How it crept vp the peice and how to skies The burning sparkes and towring smoake vp-flies 46 A masse of sollid fier burning bright Roll'd vp in smouldring fumes there brusteth out And there the blustring winds adde strength and might And gather close the sparsed flames about The Frenchmen trembled at the dreadfull light To armes in haste and feare ran all the rout Downe fell the peice dreaded so much in warre Thus what long daies doth make one houre doth marre 47 Two christian bands this while came to the place With speedie haste where they beheld the fire Argantes to them cride with scornfull grace Your bloud shall quench these flames and quench mine ire This said the maide and he with sober pace Drew backe and to the banke themselues retire Faster then brookes which falling showres encrease Their foes augment and faster on them prease 48 The guilden port was opened and foorth stept With all his souldiers bould the Turkish king Readie to aide them two his force he kept When Fortune should them home with conquest bring Ouer the barres the hardie couple lept And after them a band of Christians fling Whom Soliman droue backe with courage stout And shut the gate but shut Clorinda out 49 Alone was she shut foorth for in that howre Wherein they clos'd the port the virgin went And full of heat and wrath her strength and powre Gaint Arimon that stroake her earst shee bent Shee slew the knight nor Argant in that stowre Wist of her parting or her fierce entent The fight the prease the night and darksome skies Care from his hart had tane sight from his eies 50 But when appeased was her angrie moode Her furie calm'd and setled was her head She saw the gates were shut and how shee stoode Amid her foes she held her selfe for dead While none her markt at last she thought it good To saue her life some other path to tread She feign'd her one of them and close her drew Amid the prease that none her sawe nor knew 51 Then as a wolfe guiltie of some misdeed Flies to some groue to hide himselfe from vew So fauour'd with the night with secret speed Disseured from the prease the damsell flew Tancred alone of her escape tooke heed He on that quarter was artiued new When Arimon she kild he thither came He sawe it markt it and pursu'd the dame 52 He deem'd she was some man of mickle might And on her person would he worship win Ouer the hilles the nimph her
your souldiour and your knight as farre As Christian faith permits and Asias warre 54 Ah let our faults and follies here take end And let our errours past you satisfie And in this Angle of the world ipend Let both the fame and shame thereof now die From all the earth where I am knowne and kend I wish this fact should still concealed lie Nor yet in following me poore knight disgrace Your woorth your beautie and your princely race 55 Stay here in peace I goe nor wend you may With me my guide your fellowship denies Stay here or hence depart some better way And calme your thoughts you are both sage and wise While thus he spoke her passions found no stay But here and there she turn'd and roll'd her eies And staring on his face a while at last Thus in foule termes her bitter wrath forth brast 56 Of Sophia faire thou neuer wert the childe Nor of the Azzaine race isprong thou art The mad sea waues thee bore some Tigresse wilde On Caucasus cold crags nurst thee apart Ah cruell man in whom no token milde Appeeres of pitie ruth or tender hart Could not my griefes my woes my plaints and all One sigh straine from thy breast one teare make fall 57 What shall I say or how renew my speach He scornes me leaues me bids me call him mine The victor hath his foe within his reach Yet pardons her that merits death and pine Heare how he counsels me how he gan preach Like chast Xenocrates gainst loue diuine Oh heau'ns oh gods why doe these men of shame Thus spoile your Temples and blaspheme your name 58 Go cruell go go with such peace such rest Such ioy such comfort as thou leau'st me heare My angrie soule discharg'd from this weake brest Shall haunt thee euer and attend thee neare And furie like in snakes and fire brands drest Shall aie torment thee whom it late held deare And if thou scape the seas the rockes and sands And come to fight amid the Pagan bands 59 There lying wounded mongst the hurt and slaine Of these my wrongs thou shalt the vengeance beare And oft Armida shalt thou call in vaine At thy last gaspe this hope I soone to heare Heare fainted she with sorrow griefe and paine Her latest words scant well expressed were But in a swoune on earth outstretcht she lies Stiffe were her frozen limmes clos'd were her eies 60 Thou clos'd thine eies Armida heau'n enuide Ease to thy griefe or comfort to thy woe Ah open them againe see teares downe slide From his kinde eies whom thou esteemes thy foe If thou hadst heard his sighes had mollifide Thine anger hard he sigh'd and mourned soe And as he could with sad and rufull looke His leaue of thee and last farewell he tooke 61 What should he do leaue on the naked sand This wofull ladie halfe aliue halfe dead Kindnesse forbod pittie did that withstand But hard constraint alas did thence him lead Away he went the west winde blew from land Mongst the rich tresses of their pilots head And with that golden saile the waues she cleft To land he lookt till land vnseene he left 62 Wakt from her traunce forsaken speechlesse sad Armida wildly star'd and gas'd about And is he gone quoth she nor pittie had To leaue me thus twixt life and death in doubt Could he not stay could not the traitor lad From this last trance helpe or recall me out And do I loue him still and on this sand Still vnreuengde still mourne still weeping stand 63 Fie no complaintes farewell with armes and art I will pursue to death this spitefull knight Not earthes low center nor seas deepest part Nor heau'n nor hell can shield him from my might I will oretake him take him cleaue his hart Such veng'ance fits a wronged louers spight In crueltie that cruell knight surpasse I will but what auaile vaine words alasse 64 O foole thou shouldest haue beene cruell than For than this cruell well deseru'd thine ire When thou in prison hadst entrapt the man Now dead with cold too late thou askest fire But though my wit my cunning nothing can Some other meanes shall worke my harts desire To thee my beautie thine be all these wrongs Veng'ance to thee to thee reuenge belongs 65 Thou shalt be his reward with murdring brand That dare this traitor of his head depriue O you my louers on this rocke doth stand The castle of her loue for whom you striue I thee sole heire of all Damascus land For this reuenge my selfe and kingdome giue If by this price my will I cannot gaine Nature giues beautie fortune wealth in vaine 66 But thee vaine gift vaine beautie thee I scorne I hate the kingdome which I haue to giue I hate my selfe and rue that I was borne Onely in hope of sweet reuenge I liue Thus raging with fell ire she gan returne From that bare shore in haste and homeward driue And as true witnesse of her franticke ire Her lockes wau'd loose face shone eies sparkled fire 67 When she came home she call'd with outcries shrill A thousand deuils in Limbo deepe that wonne Blacke cloudes the skies with horrid darknes fill And pale for dread became th' eclipsed sonne The whirlewinde blustred big on euerie hill And hell to roare vnder her feet begonne You might haue heard how through the pallace wide Some spirits howld some barkt some hist some cride 68 A shadow blacker than the mirkest night Enuiron'd all the place with darknes sad Wherein a firebrand gaue a dreadfull light Kindled in hell by Tisiphone the mad Vanisht the shade the sun appeard in sight Pale were his beames the aire was nothing glad And all the pallace vanisht was and gone Nor of so great a worke was left one stone 69 As oft the clouds frame shapes of castles great Amid the aire that little time do last But are dissolu'd by winde or Titans heat Or like vaine dreames soone made and sooner past The pallace vanisht so nor in his seat Left ought but rockes and crags by kind there plast She in her coach which two old serpents drew Sat downe and as she vs'd away she flew 70 She broake the clouds and cleft the yeelding skie And bout her gathred tempest storme and winde The lands that view the south pole flew she bie And left those vnknowne countries farre behinde The straites of Hercules she past which lie Twixt Spaine and Africke nor her flight enclinde To north or south but still did forward ride Ore seas and streames till Syrias coasts she spide 71 Nor went she forward to Damascus faire But of her countrie deare she fled the sight And guided to Asphaltes lake her chaire Where stood her castle there she ends her flight And from her damsels farre she made repaire To a deepe vault far from resort and light Where in sad thoughts a thousand doubtes she cast Till griefe and shame to wrath gaue place at last 72 I will not hence quoth
to point he gan expose The false compact how it was made and wrought The armes and ensignes fained poison close Ormondos vant what praise what thanke he sought And what reward and satisfide all those That would demaund enquire or aske of ought Silence was made a while when Godfrey thus Raimondo say what counsell giu'st thou vs 128 Not as we purpos'd late next morne quoth hee Let vs not scale but round besiege this towre That those within may haue no issue free To sallie out and hurt vs with their powre Our campe well rested and refreshed see Prouided well gainst this last storme and showre And then in pitched field fight if you will If not delay and keepe this fortresse still 129 But least you be endangred hurt or slaine Of all your cares take care your selfe to saue By you this campe doth liue doth winne doth raine Who else can rule or guide these squadrons braue And for the traitors shall be noted plaine Command your garde to change the armes they haue So shall their guile be knowne in their owne net So shall they fall caught in the snare they set 130 As it hath euer thus the Duke begonne Thy counsell shewes thy wisdome and thy loue And what you left in doubt shall thus be donne We will their force in pitched battell proue Clos'd in this wall and trench the fight to shonne Doth ill this campe beseeme and worse behoue But we their strength and manhood will assay And trie in open field and open day 131 The fame of our great conquests to sustaine Or bide our lookes and threates they are not able And when this armie is subdu'd and slaine Then is our empire setled firme and stable The towre shall yeeld or but resist in vaine For feare her anchor is despaire her cable Thus he concludes and rowling downe the west Fast set the starres and call'd them all to rest The twentith Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument The Pagan host arriues and cruell fight Makes with the Christians and their faithfull powre The Soldan longs in field to proue his might With the old king quits the besieged towre Yet both are slaine and in eternall night A famous hand giues each his fatall howre Rinald appeasd Armida first the feild The Christians winne then praise to God they yeild 1 THe sunne call'd vp the world from idle sleepe And of the day ten howres were gone and past When the bould troupe that had the towre to keepe Espide a sodaine mist that ouercast The earth with mirksome clouds and darknes deepe And sawe it was th' Egyptian campe at last Which rais'd the dust for hils and valleies broad That hoast did ouerspread and ouerload 2 Therewith a merrie shout and ioyfull crie The Pagans reard from their besieged hold The cranes from Thrace with such a rumour flie His hoarie frost and snow when Hyems old Powres downe and fast to warmer regions hie From the sharpe winds fierce stormes and tempests cold And quicke and readie this new hope and aid Their hands to shoot their toongs to threaten maid 3 From whence their ire their wrath and hardie threat Proceeds the French well knew and plaine espide For from the wals and ports the army great They saw her strenght her number pompe and pride Swelled their brests with valours noble heat Battaile and fight they wisht arme arme they cride The youth to giue the signe of fight all praid Their Duke and were displeasd bicause delaid 4 Till morning next for he refusd to fight Their haste and heat he bridled but not brake Nor yet with sodaine fray or skirmish light Of these new foes would he vaine triall make After so many warres he saies good right It is that one daies rest at least you take For thus in his vaine foes he cherish would The hope which in their strength they haue and hould 5 To see Auroras gentle beame appeare The souldiers armed prest and ready lay The skies were neuer halfe so faire and cleare As in the breaking of that blessed day The merrie morning smild and seemd to weare Vpon her siluer crowne suns golden ray And without cloud heau'n his redoubled light Bent downe to see this field this fray this fight 6 When first he sawe the day breake shew and shine Godfrey his hoast in good array brought out And to besiege the tyrant Aladine Raimond he left and all the faithfull rout That from the townes was come of Palestine To serue and succour their deliuerer stout And with them left a hardie troupe beside Of Gascoignes strong in armes well prou'd oft tride 7 Such was Godfredoes count'nance such his cheare That from his eie sure conquest flames and streames Heau'ns gracious fauours in his lookes appeare And great and goodly more than earst he seames His face and forehead full of noblesse weare And on his cheeke smiled youthes purple beames And in his gate his grace his actes his eies Somewhat farre more than mortall liues and lies 8 He had not marched farre ere he espied Of his proud foes the mightie hoast draw nie A hill at first he tooke and fortified At his left hand which stood his armie bie Broad in the front behinde more straite vp tied His armie readie stoode the fight to trie And to the middle ward well armd he brings His footemen strong his horsemen serud for wings 9 To the left wing spred vnderneath the bent Of the steepe hill that sau'd their flanke and side The Roberts twaine two leaders good he sent His brother had the middle ward to guide To the right wing himselfe in person went Downe where the plaine was dangrous broad and wide And where his foes with their great numbers would Perchance enuiron round his squadrons bould 10 There all his Lorreners and men of might All his best armd he plast and chosen bands And with those horse some footemen armed light That archers were vsd to that seruice stands Th'aduentrers then in battaile and in fight Well tride a squadron famous through all lands On the right hand he set somedeale aside Rinaldo was their leader lord and guide 11 To whom the Duke in thee our hope is laid Of victorie thou must the conquest gaine Behinde this mightie wing so farre displaid Thou with thy noble squadron close remaine And when the Pagans would our backs inuaide Assaile them then and make their onset vaine For if I gesse aright they haue in minde To compasse vs and charge our troupes behinde 12 Then through his hoast that tooke so large a scope He road and vewd them all both horse and fout His face was bare his helme vnclos'd and ope Lightned his eies his lookes bright fire shot out He cheers the fearefull comforts them that hope And to the bould recounts his boasting stout And to the valiant his aduentures hard These bids he looke for praise those for reward 13 At last he staid whereof his squadrons bold And noblest troupes assembled was
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
proper weight His armour laid and long vnused sheild And marcht gainst Raimond to the mountaines height Great Soliman gainst Godfrey tooke the feild Forenenst Camillo stood Argantes streight Where Tancred strong he found so fortune will That this good Prince his wonted foe shall kill 68 The archers shot their arrowes sharpe and keene Dipt in the bitter iuice of poyson strong The shadie face of heau'n was scantly seene Hid with the cloudes of shaftes and quarries long Yet weapons sharpe with greater furie beene Cast from the towres the Pagan troupes among For thence flew stones and clifts of marble rockes Trees shod with iron timber logges and blockes 69 A thunderbolt seem'd euerie stone it brake His lims and armours so on whom it light That life and soule it did not onely take But all his shape and face disfigur'd quight The launces stai'd not in the wounds they make But through the gored bodie tooke their flight From side to side through flesh through skin and rinde They flew and flying left sad death behinde 70 But yet not all this force and furie droue The Pagan people to forsake the wall But to reuenge these deadly blowes they stroue With dartes that flie with stones and trees that fall For need so cowards oft couragious proue For libertie they fight for life and all And oft with arrowes shaftes and stones that flie Giue bitter answere to a sharpe replie 71 This while the fierce assailants neuer cease But sternly still maintaine a threefold charge And gainst the cloudes of shaftes draw nie at ease Vnder a pentise made of many a targe The armed towres close to the bulwarks prease And striue to grapple with the battled marge And lanch their bridges out meane-while below With iron fronts the rammes the walles downe throw 72 Yet still Rinaldo vnresolued went And far vnworthie him this seruice thought If mongst the common sort his paines he spent Renowne so got the Prince esteemed nought His angrie lookes on euerie side he bent And where most harme most danger was he sought And where the wall high strong and surest was That part would he assault and that way pas 73 And turning to the worthies him behind All hardie knights whom Dudon late did guide O shame quoth he this wall no warre doth find When battred is elsewhere each part each side All paine is safetie to a valiant mind Each way is eath to him that dares abide Come let vs scale this wall though strong and hie And with your shieldes keepe off the darts that flie 74 With him vnited all while thus he spake Their targets hard aboue their heads they threw Which ioynd in one an iron pentise make That from the dreadfull storme preseru'd the crew Defended thus their speedie course they take And to the wall without resistance drew For that strong penticle protected well The knights from all that flew and all that fell 75 Against the fort Rinaldo gan vpreare A ladder huge an hundreth steps of hight And in his arme the same did easlie beare And mooue as windes do reeds or rushes light Sometime a tree a rocke a dart or speare Fell from aboue yet forward clombe the knight And vpward fearelesse preased carelesse still Though mount Olympus fell or Ossa hill 76 A mount of ruines and of shaftes a wood Vpon his shoulders and his shield he bore One hand the ladder held whereon he stood The other bare his targe his face before His hardie troupe by his ensample good Prouokt with him the place assaulted sore And ladders long against the wall they clappe Vnlike in courage yet vnlike in happe 77 One dide an other fell he forward went And these he comforts and he threatneth those Now with his hand outstrecht the battlement Welnie he reacht when all his armed foes Ran thither and their force and furie bent To throw him headlong downe yet vp he goes A wondrous thing one knight whole armed bands Alone and hanging in the aire withstands 78 Withstands and forceth his great strength so farre That like a palme whereon huge weight doth rest His forces so resisted stronger arre His vertues higher rise the more opprest Till all that would his entrance bould debarre He backewarde droue vpleaped and possest The wall and safe and easie with his blade To all that after came the passage made 79 There killing such as durst and did withstand To noble Eustace that was like to fall He reached foorth his friendly conqu'ring hand And next himselfe helpt him to mount the wall This while Godfredo and his people fand Their liues to greater harmes and dangers thrall For there not man with man nor knight with knight Contend but engins there with engins fight 80 For in that place the Paynims rear'd a post Which late had seru'd some gallant ship for mast And ouer it another beame they crost Pointed with iron sharpe to it made fast With ropes which as men would the dormant tost Now out now in now backe now forward cast In his swift pullies oft the men withdrew The tree and oft the riding balke foorth threw 81 The mightie beame redoubled oft his blowes And with such force the engine smote and hit That her broad side the towre wide open throwes Her ioints were broke her rafters cleft and split But yet gainst euery hap whence mischiefe growes Prepard the piece gainst such extreames made fit Lanch foorth two sithes sharpe cutting long broad And cut the ropes whereon the engin road 82 As an oulde rocke which age or stormie wind Teares from some craggie hill or mountaine steepe Doth breake doth bruse and into dust doth grind Woods houses hamlets herds and fould of sheepe So fell the beame and downe with it all kind Of armes of weapons and of men did sweepe Wherewith the towres once or twise did shake Trembled the wals the hils and mountaines quake 83 Victorious Godfrey boldly forward came And had great hope euen then the place to win But loe a fire with stinch with smoake and flame Withstood his passage stopt his entrance in Such burnings Etna yet could neuer frame When from her entrals hot her fires begin Nor yet in sommer on the Indian plaine Such vapours warme from scorching aire downe raine 84 There balles of wilde fire there flie burning speares This flame was blacke that blew this red as blood Stinch welnie choaketh them noise deafes their eares Smoake blindes their eies fire kindleth on the wood Nor those raw hides which for defence it weares Could saue the towre in such distresse it stood For now they wrinkle now it sweates and fries Now burnes vnlesse some helpe come down from skies 85 The hardie Duke before his folke abides Nor chang'd he colour countenance or place But comforts those that from the scaldred hides With water stroue th'approching flames to chace In these extremes the Prince and those he guides Halfe roasted stood before fierce Vulcans face When loe a sudden and vnlookt for blast
The flames against the kindlers backward cast 86 The windes droue backe the fire where heaped lie The Pagans weapons where their engins weare Which kindling quickly in that substance drie Burnt all their store and all their warlike geare O glorious captaine whom the Lord from hie Defends whom God preserues and holds so deare For thee heau'n fights to thee the windes from farre Call'd with thy trumpets blast obedient arre 87 But wicked Ismen to his harme that saw How the fierce blast droue backe the fire and flame By art would nature change and thence withdraw Those noisome windes else calme and still the same Twixt two false Wizards without feare or aw Vpon the walles in open sight he came Blacke grisly loathsome grim and ougly faced Like Pluto old betwixt two furies placed 88 And now the wretch those dreadfull words begunne Which tremble make deepe hell and all her flocke Now troubled is the aire the golden sunne His fearefull beames in cloudes did close and locke When from the towre which Ismen could not shunne Out flew a mightie stone late halfe a rocke Which light so iust vpon the Wizards three That driu'n to dust their bones and bodies bee 89 To lesse than nought their members old were torne And shiuer'd were their heads to pieces small As small as are the brused graines of corne When from the mill resolu'd to meale they fall Their damned soules to deepest hell downe borne Far from the ioy and light celestiall The furies plunged in th' infernall lake O mankinde at their ends ensample take 90 This while the engin which the tempest could Had sau'd from burning with his friendly blast Approached had so neere the battred hould That on the walles her bridge at ease she cast But Soliman ran thither fierce and bould To cut the planke whereon the Christians past And had perform'd his will saue that vpreard High in the skies a turret new appeard 91 Farre in the aire vp clombe the fortresse tall Higher than house then steeple church or towre The Pagans trembled to behold the wall And citie subiect to her shot and powre Yet kept the Turke his stand though on him fall Of stones and dartes a sharpe and deadly showre And still to cut the bridge he hopes and striues And those that feare with cheerfull speech reuiues 92 The Angell Michaell to all the rest Vnseene appear'd before Godfredoes eies In pure and heau'nly armour ritchly drest Brighter than Titans raies in cleerest skies Godfrey quoth he this is the moment blest To free this towne that long in bondage lies See see what legions in thine aide I bring For heau'n assists thee and heau'ns glorious king 93 Lift vp thine eies and in the aire behold The sacred armies how they mustred bee That cloud of flesh in which from times of old All mankinde wrapped is I take from thee And from thy senses their thicke mist vnfold That face to face thou maist these spirits see And for a little space right well sustaine Their glorious light and vew those angels plaine 94 Behold the soules of euery Lord and knight That late bore armes and dide for Christes deare sake How on thy side against this towne they fight And of thy ioy and conquest will partake There where the dust and smoke blinde all mens sight Where stones and ruines such an heape doe make There Hugo fights in thickest cloude imbard And vndermines that bulwarks groundworke hard 95 See Dudon yonder who with sword and fire Assailes and helpes to scale the northren port That with bold courage doth thy folke inspire And reares their ladders gainst th' assaulted fort He that high on the mount in graue attire Is clad and crowned stands in kingly sort Is Bishop Ademare a blessed spirite Blest for his faith crown'd for his death and merite 96 But higher lift thy happie eies and vew Where all the sacred hosts of heau'n appeare He lookt and saw where winged armies flew Innumerable pure diuine and cleare A battaile round of squadrons three they shew And all by threes those squadrons ranged weare Which spreading wide in rings still wider goe Mou'd with a stone calme water circleth soe 97 With that he winkte and vanisht was and gone That wondrous vision when he lookt againe His worthies fighting vew'd he one by one And on each side saw signes of conquest plaine For with Rinaldo gainst his yeelding fone His knights were entred and the Pagans slaine This seene the Duke no longer stay could brooke But from the bearer bold his ensigne tooke 98 And on the bridge he stept but there was staid By Soliman who entrance all denide That narrow tree to vertue great was maid The field as in few blowes right soone was tride Here will I giue my life for Sions aid Here will I end my daies the Soldan cride Behinde me cut or breake this bridge that I May kill a thousand Christians first then die 99 But thither fierce Rinaldo threat'ning went And at his sight fled all the Soldans traine What shall I doe if here my life be spent I spend and spill quoth he my blood in vaine With that his steps from Godfrey backe he bent And to him let the passage free remaine Who threat'ning follow'd as the Soldan fled And on the walles the purple crosse dispred 100 About his head he tost he turn'd he cast That glorious ensigne with a thousand twines Thereon the winde breathes with his sweetest blast Thereon with golden raies glad Phebus shines Earth laughes for ioy the streames forbeare their hast Floods clap their hands on mountaines dance the pines And Sions towres and sacred temples smile For their deliu'rance from that bondage vile 101 And now the armies rear'd the happie crie Of victorie glad ioyfull lowd and shrill The hils resound the Eccho showteth hie And Tancred bold that fights and combats still With proud Argantes brought his towre so nie That on the wall against the boasters will In his despite his bridge he also laid And wonne the place and there the crosse displaid 102 But on the southren hill where Raimond fought Against the townesmen and their aged king His hardie Gascoignes gained small or nought Their engin to the walles they could not bring For thither all his strength the Prince had brought For life and safetie sternly combatting And for the wall was feeblest on that cost There were his soldiers best and engins most 103 Besides the towre vpon that quarter found Vnsure vneasie and vneeu'n the way Nor art could helpe but that the rougher ground The rolling masse did often stop and stay But now of victorie the ioyfull sound The king and Raimond heard amid their fray And by the showte they and their soldiers know The towne was entred on the plaine below 104 Which heard Raimondo thus bespake this crew The towne is wonne my friends and doth it yet Resist are we kept out still by these few Shall we no share in this high conquest get But