one his valiant prowesse shewed And of his battailes stories long compilde Telling the Dane his actes and conquests past Which made his eares amaz'd his hart agast 47 Now when remembrance of the youth had wrought A tender pitie in each softned minde Behold returned home with all they cought The bands that were to forrage late assinde And with them in abundance great they brought Both flockes and herds of euery sort and kinde And corne although not much and hay to feed Their noble steads and coursers when they need 48 They also brought of misaduenture sad Tokens and signes seem'd too apparant trew Rinaldoes armour frusht and hackt they had Oft pearsed through with blood besmeared new About the campe for alwaies rumors bad Are furthest spred these wofull tidings flew Thither assembled straight both hie and low Longing to see what they were loth to know 49 His heauie hawberke was both seene and knowne And his broad shield wherein displaied flies The bird that proues her chickens for her owne By looking gainst the sun with open eies That shield was to the Pagans often showne In many a hard and hardie enterpries But now with many a gash and many a stroke They see and sigh to see it frusht and broke 50 While all his soldiers whispred vnder hand And here and there the fault and cause doe lay Godfrey before him called Aliprand Captaine of those that brought of late this pray A man who did on points of vertue stand Blamelesse in words and true what ere he say Say quoth the Duke where you this armour had Hide not the truth but tell it good or bad 51 He answer'd him as far from hence thinke I As on two daies a speedie post well rideth To Gaza ward a little plaine doth lie It selfe among the steepie hils which hideth Through it slow falling from the mountaines hie A rolling brooke twixt bush and bramble glideth Clad with thick shade of boughes of broad leau'd treene Fit place for men to lie in wait vnseene 52 Thither to seeke some flocks or heards we went Perchance close hid vnder the greene wood shaw And found the springing grasse with blood besprent A warriour tumbled in his blood we saw His armes though dustie bloodie hackt and rent Yet well we knew when neere the coarse we draw To which to view his face in vaine I started For from his bodie his faire head was parted 53 His right hand wanted eeke with many a wound The trunke through pearsed was from backe to brest A little by his emptie helme we found The siluer Eagle shining on his crest To spie at whom to aske we gazed round A churle towards vs his steps addrest But when vs armed by the coarse he spide He ran away his fearfull face to hide 54 But we pursu'd him tooke him spake him faire Till comforted at last he answere made How that the day before he saw repaire A band of soldiers from that forrests shade Of whom one caried by the golden haire A head but late cut off with murdring blade The face was faire and yong and on the chin No signe of beard to bud did yet begin 53 And how in sindall wrapt away he bore That head with him hung at his saddle bow And how the murth'rers by the armes they wore For soldiers of our campe he well did know The carkasse I disarm'd and weeping sore Bicause I guest who should that harnesse owe Away I brought it but first order gaue That noble body should be laid in graue 56 But if it be his trunke whom I beleeue A nobler tombe his worth deserueth well This said good Aliprando tooke his leeue Of certaine troath he had no more to tell Sore sigh'd the Duke so did these newes him greeue Feares in his hart doubts in his bosome dwell He earnd to know to sinde and learne the truth And punish would them that had slaine the yuth 57 But now the night despred her lazie wings Ore the broad fields of heau'ns bright wildernesse Sleepe the soules rest and ease of carefull things Buried in happie peace both more and lesse Thou Argillan alone whom sorrow stings Still wakest musing on great deedes I gesse Nor suffrest in thy watchfull eies to creepe The sweet repose of milde and gentle sleepe 58 This man was strong of lims and all his saies Were bold of readie toong and working spright Nere Trento borne bred vp in braules and fraies In iarres in quarrels and in ciuill fight For which exil'd the hils and publike waies He fill'd with blood and robb'ries day and night Vntill to Asiaes wars at last he came And boldly there he seru'd and purchas'd fame 59 He clos'd his eies at last when day drew neare Yet slept he not but senselesse lay opprest With strange amazednes and sodaine feare Which false Alecto breathed in his brest His working powres within deluded weare Stone still he quiet lay yet tooke no rest For to his thought the feend her selfe presented And with strange visions his weake braine tormented 60 A murdred bodie huge beside him stood Of head and right hand both but lately spoiled His left hand bore the head whose visage good Both pale and wan with dust and gore defoiled Yet spake though dead with whose sad words the blood Forth at his lips in huge abundance boiled Flie Argillan from this false campe flie far Whose guide a traitor captaines murdrers ar 61 Godfrey hath murdred me by treason vile What fauour than hope you my trustie frends His villaine hart is full of fraud and guile To your destruction all his thoughts he bends Yet if thou thirst of praise for noble stile If in thy strength thou trust thy strength that ends All hard assaies flie not first with his blood Appease my ghost wandring by Lethe flood 62 I will thy weapon whet enflame thine ire Arme thy right hand and strengthen euery part This said euen while she spake she did inspire With furie rage and wrath his troubled hart The man awakte and from his eies like fire The poys'ned sparks of headstrong madnes start And armed as he was forth is he gone And gath'red all th' Italian bands in one 63 He gath'red them where lay the armes that late Were good Rinaldoes then with semblance stout And furious words his fore conceiued hate In bitter speeches thus he vomits out Is not this people barb'rous and ingrate In whom troath findes no place faith takes no rout Whose thirst vnquenched is of blood and gold Whom no yoke boweth bridle none can hold 64 So much we suffred haue these seu'n yeeres long Vnder this seruile and vnworthie yoke That thorow Rome and Italie our wrong A thousand yeeres hereafter shall be spoke I count not how Cilicias kingdome strong Subdued was by Prince Tancredies stroke Nor how false Baldwine him that land bereaues Of vertues haruest fraud there reapt the sheaues 65 Nor speake I how each howre at euery need Quicke ready resolute at all assaies
ire and courage to prouoke 11 But now to visit Egypts mighty king Vnlesse my iudgement faile you are prepar'd I prophesie about a needlesse thing You suffer shall a voiage long and hard For though you stay the monarch great will bring His new assembled host to Iuda ward No place of seruice there no cause of fight Nor gainst our foes to vse your force and might 12 But if you follow me within this wall With Christian armes hemm'd in on euery side Withouten battaile fight or stroke at all Eu'n at noone day I will you safely guide Where you delight reioice and glorie shall In perils great to see your prowesse tride That noble towne you may preserue and shield Till Egypts host come to renue the field 13 While thus he parled of this aged guest The Turke the words and lookes did both admire And from his hartie eies and furious brest He laid apart his pride his rage and ire And humbly said I willing am and prest To follow where thou leadest reuerend fire And that aduise best fits my angrie vaine That tels of greatest perill greatest paine 14 The old man prais'd his words and for the aire His late receiued wounds to worse disposes A quintessence therein he powred faire That stops the bleeding and incision closes Beholding than before Apolloes chaire How fresh Aurora violets straw'd and roses Its time he saies to wend for Titan bright To wonted labour sommons euery wight 15 And to a chariot that beside did stand Ascended he and with him Soliman He tooke the raines and with a maistring hand Ruled his steades and whipt them now and than The wheeles or horses feet vpon the land Had left no signe nor token where they ran The coursers pant and smoke with lukewarme sweat And foming creame their iron mouthfuls eat 16 The aire about them round a wondrous thing It selfe on heapes in solid thicknes drew The chariot hiding and enuironing The subtile mist no mortall eie could vew And yet no stone from engin cast or sling Could pearse the cloud it was of proofe so trew Yet seene it was to them within which ride And heau'n and earth without all cleere beside 17 His beetle browes the Turke amazed bent He wrinkled vp his front and wildly stared Vpon the cloud and chariot as it went For speed to Cinthias carre right well compared The other seeing his astonishment How he bewondred was and how he fared All sodainly by name the Prince gan call By which awaked thus he spoke withall 18 Who ere thou art aboue all worldly wit That hast these high and wondrous maruailes wrought And know'st the deepe intents which hidden sit In secret closet of mans priuate thought If in thy skilfull hart this lore be writ To tell th' euent of things to end vnbrought Then say what issue and what end the starres Allot to Asias troubles broiles and warres 19 But tell me first thy name and by what art Thou dost these wonders strange aboue our skill For full of maruaile is my troubled hart Tell then and leaue me not amazed still The wisard smil'd and answ'red in some part Easie it is to satisfie thy will Ismen I hight call'd an enchanter great Such skill haue I in magikes secret feat 20 But that I should the sure euents vnfold Of things to come or destinies foretell Too rash is your desire your wish too bold To mortall hart such knowledge neuer fell Our wit and strength on vs bestow'd I hold To shunne th'euils and harmes mongst which we dwell They make their fortune who are stout and wise Wit rules the heau'ns discretion guides the skies 21 That puissant arme of thine that well can rend From Godfreys brow the new vsurped crowne And not alone protect saue and defend From his fierce people this besieged towne Gainst fire and sword with strength and courage bend Aduenture suffer trust tread perils downe And to content and to encourage thee Know this which I as in a cloud foresee 22 I guesse before the ouer-gliding sonne Shall many yeeres meet out by weekes and daies A Prince that shall in fertill Egypt wonne Shall fill all Asia with his prosp'rous fraies I speake not of his actes in quiet donne His policie his rule his wisdomes praise Let this suffice by him these Christians shall In fight subdued flie and conquered fall 23 And their great empire and vsurped state Shall ouerthrowne in dust and ashes lie Their wofull remnant in an angle strate Compast with sea themselues shall fortifie From thee shall spring this Lord of war and fate Whereto great Soliman gan thus replie O happie man to so great praise ibore Thus he reiois'd but yet enuied more 24 And said let chance with good or bad aspect Vpon me looke as sacred heau'ns decree This hart to her I neuer will subiect Nor euer conqu'red shall she looke on mee The moone her chariot shall awrie direct Ere from this course I will diuerted bee While thus he spake it seem'd he breathed fire So fierce his courage was so hot his ire 25 Thus talked they till they arriued beene Nie to the place where Godfreys tents were reared There was a wofull spectacle iseene Death in a thousand ougly formes appeared The Soldan changed hew for greefe and teene On that sad booke his shame and losse he leared Ah with what griefe his men his friends he found And standards proud inglorious lie on ground 26 And saw on visage of some well knowne frend In foule despite a rascall French man tread And there another ragged peasant rend The armes and garments from some champion dead And there with stately pompe by heapes they wend And Christians slaine rolle vp in webs of lead Lastly the Turks and slaine Arabians brought On heapes he saw them burne with fire to nought 27 Deepely he sighed and with naked sword Out of the coach he leaped in the mire But Ismen call'd againe the angrie Lord And with graue words appeas'd his foolish ire The Prince content remounted at his word Towards a hill on droue the aged sire And hasting forward vp the banke they passe Till far behinde the Christian leaguer was 28 There they alight and tooke their way on fout The emptie chariot vanisht out of sight Yet still the cloud enuiron'd them about At their left hand downe went they from the hight Of Sions hill till they approcht the rout On that side where to west he looketh right There Ismen staied and his eie-sight bent Vpon the bushie rocks and thither went 29 A hollow caue was in the craggie stone Wrought out by hand a number yeeres to fore And for of long that way had walked none The vault was hid with plants and bushes hore The wisard stooping in thereat to gone The thornes aside and scratching brambles bore His right hand sought the passage through the cleft And for his guide he gaue the Prince his left 30 What quoth the Soldan by what priuie mine What hidden vault
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
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
left hand had a splendant sheild Wherewith he couered safe their chieftaine good His other hand a naked sword did weild From which distilling fell the lukewarme blood The blood pardie of many a realme and towne Whereon the Lord his wrath had powred downe 85 Thus was the tumult without bloodshed ended Their armes laid downe strife into exile sent Godfrey his thoughts to greater actions bended And homeward to his rich pauilion went For to assault the fortresse he entended Before the second or third day were spent Meane-while his timber wrought he oft suruaid Where of his rammes and engins great he maid The ninth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Alecto false great Soliman doth moue By night the Christians in their tents to kill But God who their intents saw from aboue Sends Michael downe from his sacred hill The spirits foule to hell the angell droue The knights deliu'red from the witch at will Destroy the Pagans scatter all their host The Soldan flies when all his bands are lost 1 THe grisly childe of Herebus the grim Who saw these tumults done and tempests spent Gainst streame of grace who euer stroue to swim And all her thoughts against heau'ns wisdome bent Departed now bright Titans beames were dim And fruitfull lands waxt barren as she went She sought the rest of her infernall crew New stormes to raise new broiles and tumults new 2 She that well wist her sisters had entised By their false artes far from the Christian host Tancred Rinaldo and the rest best prised For martiall skill for might esteemed most Said of these discords and these strifes aduised Great Solman when day his light hath lost These Christians shall assaile with sodaine war And kill them all while thus they striue and iar 3 With that where Soliman remain'd she flew And found him out with his Arabian bands Great Soliman of all Christes foes vntrew Boldest of courage mightiest of his hands Like him was none of all that earth-bred crew That heaped mountaines on th'Aemonian sands Of Turkes he soueraigne was and Nice his seat Where late he dwelt and rul'd that kingdome great 4 The lands forenenst the Greekish shore he held From Sangars mouth to crookt Meanders fall Where they of Phrygia Misia Lidia dweld Bythinias townes and Pontus cities all But when the harts of Christian Princes sweld And rose in armes to make proud Asia thrall Those lands were wonne where he did scepter weild And he twise beaten was in pitched feild 5 When fortune of the had in vaine assaid And spent his forces which auaild him nought To Egypts king himselfe he close conuaid Who welcomd him as he could best haue thought Glad in his hart and inly well appaid That to his court so great a lord was brought For he decreed his armies huge to bring To succour Iuda land and Iudaes king 6 But ere he open war proclam'de he would That Soliman should kindle first the fire And with huge summes of false entising gould Th' Arabian theeues he sent him forth to hire While he the Asian Lords and Morians bould Vnites the Soldan wonne to his desire Those outlawes ready aie for gold to fight The hope of gaine hath such alluring might 7 Thus made their captaine to destroy and burne In Iuda land he entred is so fat That all the waies whereby he should returne By Godfreys people kept and stopped ar And now he gan his former losses murne This wound had hit him on an elder scar On great aduentures ronne his hardie thought But not assur'de he yet resolu'd on nought 8 To him Alecto came and semblant bore Of one whose age was great whose lookes were graue Whose cheekes were bloodlesse and whose locks were hore Mustachoes strouting long and chin close shaue A steepled Turbant on her head she wore Her garment side and by her side her glaue Her guilden quiuer at her shoulders hong And in her hand a bow was stiffe and strong 9 We haue quoth she through wildernesses gone Through sterill sands strange paths and vncouth waies Yet spoile or bootie haue we gotten none Nor victorie deseruing fame or praise Godfrey meane-while to ruine sticke and stone Of this faire towne with battrie sore assaies And if a while we rest we shall behold This glorious citie smoking lie in mold 10 Are sheepe coates burnt or praies of sheepe or kine The cause why Soliman these bands did arme Canst thou that kingdome lately lost of thine Recouer thus or thus redresse thy harme No no when heau'ns small candles next shall shine Within their tents giue them a bold allarme Beleeue Araspes old whose graue aduice Thou hast in exile prou'd and prou'd in Nice 11 He feareth nought he doubts no sodaine broile From these ill armed and worse harted bands He thinks this people vs'd to rob and spoile To such exploit dares not lift vp their hands Vp than and with thy courage put to foile This fearelesse campe while thus secure it stands This said her poyson in his brest she hides And than to shapelesse aire vnseene she glides 12 The Soldan cride O thou which in my thought Encreased hast my rage and furie so Nor seem'st a wight of mortall mettall wrought I follow thee where so thee list to goe Mountaines of men by dint of sword downe brought Thou shalt behold and seas of red blood floe Where ere I goe only be thou my guide When sable night the azure skies shal hide 13 When this was said he mustred all his crew Reprou'd the cowards and allow'd the bould His forward campe inspir'd with courage new Was readie dight to follow where he would Alectoes selfe the warning trumpet blew And to the winde his standard great vnrould Thus on they marched and thus on they went Of their approach their speed the newes preuent 14 Alecto left them and her person dight Like one that came some tidings new to tell It was the time when first the rising night Her sparkling dimonds powreth forth to sell When into Sion come she marched right Where Iudais aged tyrant vs'd to dwell To whom of Solimans designment bold The place the manner and the time she told 15 Their mantle darke the grisly shadowes spred Stained with spots of deepest sanguine hew Warme drops of blood on earthes blacke visageshed Supplide the place of pure and pretious dew The moone and stars for feare of sprites were fled The shriking gobblings each where howling flew The Furies roare the ghosts and Fairies yell The earth was fild with deuils and emptie hell 16 The Soldan fierce through all this horror went Toward the campe of his redouted foes The night was more than halfe consum'd and spent Now headlong downe the westren hill she goes When distant scant a mile from Godfreys tent He let his people there a while repose And victail'd them and then he boldly spoke These words which rage and courage might prouoke 17 See there a campe full stuft of spoiles and praies Not halfe so
Circassian bie So from a piece two chained bullets flie 55 Now fled the French men when in luckie howre Arriued Guelpho and his helping band He made them turne against this stormie showre And with bold face their wicked foes withstand Sternly they fought that from their wounds downe powre The streames of blood and ronne on either hand The Lord of heauen meane-while vpon this fight From his hie throne bent downe his gracious sight 56 From whence with grace and goodnes compast round He ruleth blesseth keepeth all he wrought Aboue the aire the fire the sea and ground Our sense our wit our reason and our thought Where persons three with powre and glorie crown'd Are all one God who made all things of nought Vnder whose feete subiected to his grace Sit nature fortune motion time and place 57 This is the place from whence like smoke and dust Of this fraile world the wealth the pompe and powre He tosseth tumbleth turneth as he lust And guides our life our death our end and howre No eie how euer vertuous pure and iust Can vew the brightnes of that glorious bowre On euery side the blessed spirits bee Equall in ioies though diffring in degree 58 With harmonie of their celestiall song The pallace ecchoed from the chambers pure At last he Michael call'd in harnesse strong Of neuer yeelding dimonds armed sure Behold quoth he to doe despite and wrong To that deere flocke my mercie hath in cure How sathan from hels loth some prison sends His ghosts his sorites his furies and his fends 59 Goe bid them all depart and leaue the caire Of war to soldiers as doth best pertaine Bid them forbeare t' infect the earth and aire To darken heau'ns faire light bid them refraine Bid them to Acherons blacke flood repaire Fit house for them the house of greefe and paine There let their king himselfe and them torment So I command goe tell them mine intent 60 This said the winged warriour lowe inclinde At his creators feet with reu'rence dew Then spred his golden feathers to the winde And swift as thought away the angell flew He past the light and shining fire assinde The glorious seat of his selected crew The mouer first and circle Christalline The firmament where fixed stars all shine 61 Vnlike in working than in shape and show At this left hand Saturne he left and Ioue And those vntruly errant call'd I trow Since he erres not who them doth guide and moue The fields he passed then whence haile and snow Thunder and raine fall downe from cloudes aboue Where heat and cold drinesse and moisture striue Whose wars all creatures kill and slaine reuiue 62 The horrid darknes and the shadowes dunne Dispersed he with his eternall wings The flames which from his heau'nly eies outrunne Beguilde the earth and all her sable things After a storme so spreadeth forth the sunne His raies and bindes the cloudes in golden strings Or in the stilnesse of a moone-shine eauen A falling star so glideth downe from heauen 63 But when th' infernall troope he proched neare That still the Pagans ire and rage prouoke The angell on his wings himselfe did beare And shooke his lance and thus at last he spoke Haue you not learned yet to know and feare The Lords iust wrath and thunders dreadfull stroke Or in the torments of your endlesse ill Are you still fierce still proud rebellious still 64 The Lord hath sworne to breake the iron bands The brasen gates of Sions for t which close Who is it that his sacred will withstands Against his wrath who dares himselfe oppose Goe hence you curst to your appointed lands The realmes of death of torments and of woes And in the deepes of that infernall lake Your battailes fight and there your triumphes make 65 There tyrannise vpon the soules you finde Condemn'd to woe and double still their paines Where some complaine where some their teeth doe grinde Some howle and weepe some clinke their iron chaines This said they fled and those that staid behinde With his sharpe lance he driueth and constraines They sighing left the lands his siluer sheepe Where Hesperus doth lead doth feed doth keepe 66 And towards hell their lazie wings display To wreake their malice on the damned gostes The birds that follow Titans hottest ray Passe not by so great flocks to warmer costes Nor leaues by so great numbers fall away When winter nips them with his new-come frostes The earth deliu'red from so foule annoy Recall'd her beautie and resum'd her ioy 67 But not for this in fierce Argantes brest Less'ned the rancour or decai'd the ire Although Alecto left him to infest With the hot brands of her infernall fire His armed head with his sharpe blade he blest And those thicke ranks which seemed most intire He broke the strong the weake the high the low Were equallized by his murdring blow 68 Not far from him amid the blood and dust Heads armes and legs Clorinda strowed wide Her sword through Berengarios brest she thrust Quite through his hart where life doth chiefly bide And that fell blow she stroke so sure and iust That at his backe his blood and life forth glide Euen in the mouth she smote Albinus than And cut in twaine the visage of the man 69 Gerniers right hand she from his arme deuided Whereof but late she had receiu'd a wound The hand his sword still held although not guided The fingers halfe on liue stirt'd on the ground So from a serpent slaine the taile deuided Moues in the grasse rolleth and tumbleth round The Championesse so wounded left the knight And gainst Achilles turn'd her weapon bright 70 Vpon his necke light that vnhappie blowe And cut the sinewes and the throte in twaine The head fell downe vpon the earth belowe And soil'd with dust the visage on the plaine The headlesse trunke a wofull thing to knowe Still in the saddle seated did remaine Vntill his stead that felt the raines at large With leapes and flings that burden did discharge 71 While thus this faire and fierce Bellona slew The westren Lords and put their troopes to flight Gildippes raged mongst the Pagan crew And low in dust laid many a worthie knight Like was their sexe their beautie and their hew Like was their youth their courage and their might Yet fortune would they should the battaile trie Of mightier foes for both were fram'd to die 72 Yet wisht they oft and stroue in vaine to meet So great betwixt them was the prease and throng But hardie Guelpha gainst Clorinda sweet Ventred his sword to worke her harme and wrong And with a cutting blow so did her greet That from her side the blood stream'd downe along But with a thrust an answer sharpe she made And twixt his ribs colour'd some-deale her blade 73 Lord Guelpho stroke againe but hit her not For strong Osmida haply passed bie And not meant him anothers wound he got That cleft his front in twaine aboue his
To fire of angrie war still brought new fewell Stones dartes lime brimstone and bitumen cruell 27 All full of armes and weapons was the wall Vnder whose basis that faire plaine doth ronne There stood the Soldan like a giant tall So stood at Rhodes the Coloss of the sonne Wast high Argantes shew'd himselfe withall At whose sterne lookes the French to quake begonne Clorinda on the corner towre alone In siluer armes like rising Cinthia shone 28 Her ratling quiuer at her shoulders hong Therein a flash of arrowes feathered wee le In her left hand her bow was bended strong Therein a shaft headed with mortall steele So fit to shoot she singled forth among Her foes who first her quarries strength should feele So fit to shoot Latonas daughter stood When Niobe she kill'd and all her brood 29 The aged tyrant trotted on his feet From gate to gate from wall to wall he flew He comforts all his bands with speeches sweet And euery fort and bastion doth reuew For euery need prepar'd in euery street New regiments he plast and weapons new The matrons graue within their temples hie To idols false for succours call and crie 30 O Macon breake in twaine the steeled lance Of wicked Godfrey with thy righteous hands Against thy name he doth his arme aduance His rebell blood powre out vpon these sands These cries within his eares no enterance Could finde for nought he heares nought vnderstands While thus the towne for her defence ordaines His armies Godfrey ordreth on the plaines 31 His forces first on foot he forward brought With goodly order prouidence and art And gainst these towers which t'assaile he thought In battailes twaine his strength he doth depart Betweene them crosbowes stood and engins wrought To cast a stone a quarrie or a dart From whence like thunders dint or lightnings new Against the bulwarks stones and lances flew 32 His men at armes did backe his bands on fout The light horse ride far off and serue for wings He gaue the signe so mighty was the rout Of those that shot with bowes and cast with slings Such stormes of shaftes and stones flew all about That many a Pagan proud to death it brings Some dide some at the loopes durst scant outpeepe Some fled and left the place they tooke to keepe 33 The hardie Frenchmen full of heat and hast Ran boldly forward to the ditches large And ore their heads an iron pentise vast They built by ioyning many a shield and targe Some with their engins ceaslesse shot and cast And vollies huge of arrowes sharpe discharge Vpon the ditches some emploi'd their paine To fill the mote and eu'n it with the plaine 34 With slime or mud the ditches were not soft But drie and sandy void of waters cleare Though large and deepe the Christians fill them oft With rubbish faggots stones and trees they beare Adrastus first aduanst his crest aloft And boldly gan a strong scalado reare And through the falling storme did vpward clime Of stones dartes arrowes fire pitch and lime 35 The hardie Switzer now so far was gone That halfe way vp with mickle paine he got A thousand weapons he sustain'd alone And his audacious climbing ceased not At last vpon him fell a mightie stone As from some engin great it had beene shot It broke his helme he tumbled from the height The strong Circassian cast that wondrous weight 36 Not mortall was the blow yet with the fall On earth sore brus'd the man lay in a swoune Argantes gan with boasting words to call Who commeth next this first is tumbled downe Come hardie soldiers come assault this wall I will not shrinke nor flie nor hide my crowne If in your trench your selues for dread you hold There shall you die like sheepe kild in their fold 37 Thus boasted he but in their trenches deepe The hidden squadrons kept themselues from scath The curtaine made of shields did well off keepe Both darts and shot and scorned all their wrath But now the ramme vpon the rampires steepe On mightie beames his head aduanced hath With dreadfull hornes of iron tought tree-great The walles and bulwarks trembled at his threat 38 An hundred able men meane-while let fall The weights behinde the engin tumbled downe And battred flat the battlements and wall So fell Taigerus hill on Sparta towne It crusht the steeled shield in peeces small And beat the helmet to the wearers crowne And on the ruines of the walles and stones Dispersed left their blood their braines and bones 39 The fierce assailants kept no longer close Vnder the shelter of their targets fine But their bold fronts to chance of war expose And gainst those towres let their vertue shine The scaling ladders vp to skies arose The groundworks deepe some closely vndermine The walles before the Frenchmen shrinke and shake And gaping signe of headlong falling make 40 And falne they had so far the strength extends Of that fierce ramme and his redoubted stroke But that the Pagans care the place defends And sau'd by warlike skill the wall nie broke For to what part so ere the engin bends There sacks of wooll they place the blow to choke Whose yeelding breakes the strokes theron which light So weakenes oft subdues the greatest might 41 While thus the worthies of the westren crew Maintain'd their braue assault and skirmish hot Her mightie bow Clorinda often drew And many a sharpe and deadly arrow shot And from her bow no steeled shaft there flew But that some blood the cursed engin got Blood of some valiant knight or man of fame For that proud shootresse scorned weaker game 42 The first she hit among the Christian Peeres Was the bold sonne of Englands noble king Aboue the trench himselfe he scantly reares But she an arrow loosed from the string The wicked steele his gantled breakes and teares And through his right hand thrust the pearsing sting Disabled thus from fight he gan retire Groning for paine but fretting more forire 43 Lord Stephen of Amboise on the ditches brim And on a ladder high Clotharious dide From backe to brest an arrow pearsed him The other was shot through from side to side Then as he menag'd braue his courser trim On his left arme she hit the Flemmings guide He stopt and from the wound the reed out twinde But left the iron in his flesh behinde 44 As Ademare stood to behold the fight High on abanke withdrawne to breathe a space A fatall shaft vpon his forehead light His hand he lifted vp to feele the place Whereon a second arrow chanced right And nail'd his hand vnto his wounded face He fell and with his blood distain'd the land His holy blood shed by a virgins hand 45 While Palamede stood nere the battlement Despising perils all and all mishap And vpward still his hardie footings bent On his right eie he caught a deadly clap Through his right eie Clorindaes seu'nth shaft went And in his necke broke forth a bloodie
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
visage ran Like his dead Ladie dead seem'd Tancred good In palenesse stilnesse wounds and streames of blood 71 And his weake sprite to be vnbodied From fleshly prison free that ceaselesse striued Had follow'd her faire soule but lately fled Had not a Christian squadron there arriued To seeke fresh water thither haply led And found the Princesse dead and him depriued Of signes of life yet did the knight remaine On liue nigh dead for her himselfe had flaine 72 Their guide far off the Prince knew by his shield And thither hasted full of greefe and feare Her dead him seeming so he there behield And for that strange mishap shed many a teare He would not leaue the corses faire in field For food to wolues though she a Pagan weare But in their armes the soldiers both vphent And both lamenting brought to Tancreds tent 73 With those deere burthens to their campe they passe Yet would not that dead seeming knight awake At last he deepely groan'd which token was His feeble soule had not her flight yet take The other lay a still and heauie masse Her spirit had that earthen cage forsake Thus were they brought and thus they placed weare In sundry roomes yet both adioyning neare 74 All skill and art his carefull seruants vsed To life againe their dying Lord to bring At last his eies vnclos'd with teares suffused He felt their hands and heard their whispering But how he thither came long time he mused His minde astonisht was with euery thing He gaz'd about his squites in fine he knew Then weake and wofull thus his plaints our threw 75 What liue I yet and doe I breathe and see Of this accursed day the hatefull light This spitefull ray which still vpbraideth mee With that accursed deed I did this night Ah coward hand affraid why shouldst thou bee Thou instrument of death shame and despite Why shouldst thou feare with sharp trenchant knife To cut the threed of this blood-guiltie life 76 Pierce through this bosome and my cruell hart In peeces cleaue breake euery string and vaine But thou to slaughters vile which vsed art Think'st it were pitie so to ease my paine Of lucklesse loue therefore in torments smart A sad example must I still remaine A wofull monster of vnhappie loue Who still must liue least death his comfort proue 77 Still must I liue in anguish griefe and caire Furies my guiltie conscience that torment The ougly shades darke night and troubled aire In grisly formes her slaughter still present Madnes and death about my bed repaire Hell gapeth wide to swallow vp this tent Swift from my selfe I ronne my selfe I feare Yet still my hell within my selfe I beare 78 But where alas where be those reliques sweet Wherein dwelt late all loue all ioy all good My furie left them cast in open street Some beast hath torne her flesh and lickt her blood Ah noble pray for sauage beast vnmeet Ah sweet too sweet and far too pretious food Ah seely Nymph whom night and darksome shade To beasts and me far worse than beasts betrade 79 But where you be if still you be I wend To gather vp those reliques deere at least But if some beast hath from the hils descend And on her tender bowels made his feast Let that selfe monster me in peeces rend And deepe entombe me in his hollow cheast For where she buried is there shall I haue A stately tombe a rich and costly graue 80 Thus mourn'd the knight his squires him told at last They had her there for whom those teares he shed A beame of comfort his dim eies out cast Like lightning through thicke cloudes of darknes spred The heauie burthen of his lims in hast With mickle paine he drew forth of his bed And scant of strength to stand to moue or goe Thither he staggred reeling to and froe 81 When he came there and in her brest espide His handiworke that deepe and cruell wound And her sweet face with leaden palenesse dide Where beautie late spred forth her beames around He trembled so that nere his squires beside To hold him vp he had sunke downe to ground And said O face in death still sweet and faire Thou canst not sweeten yet my greefe and caire 82 O faire right hand the pledge of faith and loue Giuen me but late too late in signe of peace How haps it now thou canst not stir nor moue And you deere lims now laid in rest and ease Through which my cruell blade this flood-gate roue Your paines haue end my torments neuer cease O hands O cruell eies accurst alike You gaue the wound you gaue them light to strike 83 But thither now ronne forth my guiltie blood Whither my plaints my sorrowes cannot wend He said no more but as his passion wood Enforced him he gan to teare and rend His haire his face his wounds a purple flood Did from each side in rolling streames descend He had beene slaine but that his paine and woe Bereft his senses and preseru'd him soe 84 Cast on his bed his squires recall'd his spright To execute againe her hatefull charge But tattling fame the sorrowes of the knight And hard mischance had told this while at large Godfrey and all his Lords of worth and might Ran thither and the dutie would discharge Of friendship true and with sweet words the rage Of bitter greefe and woe they would asswage 85 But as a mortall wound the more doth smart The more it searched is handled or sought So their sweete words to his afflicted hart More griefe more anguish paine and torment brought But reuerend Peter that nould set apart Care of his sheepe as a good sheepheard ought His vanitie with graue aduise reprooued And told what mourning Christian knights behooued 86 O Tancred Tancred how farre different From thy beginnings good these follies bee What makes thee deafe what hath thy eiesight blent What mist what cloud thus ouershadeth thee This is a warning good from heau'n downe sent Yet his aduise thou canst not heare nor see Who calleth and conducts thee to the way From which thou willing dost and witting stray 87 To woorthie actions and atchiuements fit For Christian knights he would thee home recall But thou hast left that course and changed it To make thy selfe a heathen damsels thrall But see thy griefe and sorrowes painefull fit Is made the rod to scourge thy sinnes withall Of thine owne good thy selfe the meanes he makes But thou his mercy goodnes grace forsakes 88 Thou dost refuse of heau'n the profred grace And gainst it still rebell with sinfull ire O wretch O whither doth thy rage thee chace Refraine thy griefe bridle thy fond desire At hels wide gate vaine sorrow doth thee place Sorrow misfortunes sonne despaires foule sire O see thine euill thy plaint and woe refraine The guides to death to hell and endlesse paine 89 This said his will to die the patient Abandoned that second death he feared These words
17 His sword at last he let hang by the chaine And gripte his hardie foe in both his hands In his strong armes Tancred caught him againe And thus each other held and wrapt in bands With greater might Alcides did not straine The giant Antheus on the Libian sands On holdfast knots their brawnie armes they cast And whom he hateth most each held embrast 18 Such was their wrestling such their shockes and throwes That downe at once they tumbled both to ground Argantes were it hap or skill who knowes His better hand loose and in freedome found But the good prince his hand more fit for blowes With his huge weight the Pagan vnderbound But he his disaduantage great that knew Let go his hold and on his feete vpflew 19 Farre flower rose th'vnweldie Saracine And caught a rappe ere he was reard vpright But as against the blustring windes a pine Now bends his toppe now lifts his head on hight His courage so when it gan most decline The man r'enforced and aduanst his might And with fierce change of blowes renewd the fray Where rage for skill horrour for art bore sway 20 The purple drops from Tancreds sides downe railed But from the Pagan ran whole streames of blood Wherewith his force grew weake his courage quailed As fiers die which fuell want or food Tancred that saw his feeble arme now failed To strike his blowes that scant he stirr'd or stood Asswagd his anger and his wrath alaid And stepping backe thus gently spoke and said 21 Yeeld hardie knight and chance of warre or mee Confesse to haue subdew'd thee in this fight I will no trophee triumph spoile of thee Nor glorie wish nor seeke a victors right More terrible than earst herewith grew hee And all awakt his furie rage and might And said dar'st thou of vantage speake or thinke Or moue Argantes once to yeeld or shrinke 22 Vse vse thy vantage thee and fortune both I scorne and punish will thy foolish pride As a hot brand flames most ere it forth go'th And dying blazeth bright on euery side So he when blood was lost with anger wroth Reuiu'd his courage when his puissance dide And would his latest howre which now drew nie Illustrate with his end and nobly die 23 He ioin'd his left hand to her sister strong And with them both let fall his weightie blade Tancred to warde his blow his sword vp flong But that it smote aside nor there it stade But from his shoulder to his side along It glanst and many wounds at once it made Yet Tancred feared nought for in his hart Found coward dread no place feare had no part 24 His fearefull blow he doubled but he spent His force in wast and all his strength in vaine For Tancred from the blow against him bent Leaped aside the stroke fell on the plaine With thine owne weight orethrowne to earth thou went Argantes stout nor could'st thy selfe sustaine Thy selfe thou threwest downe O happie man Vpon whose fall none boast or triumph can 25 His gaping wounds the fall set open wide The streames of blood about him made a lake Helpt with his left hand on one knee he tride To reare himselfe and new defence to make The curteous Prince stept backe and yeeld thee cride No hurt he profred him no blow he strake Meane-while by stealth the Pagan false him gaue A sodaine wound threat'ning with speeches braue 26 Herewith Tancredie furious grew and saide Villaine dost thou my mercie so despies Therewith he thrust and thrust againe his blade And through his ventall pierst his dazeled eies Argantes dide yet no complaint he made But as he furious liu'd he carelesse dies Bold proud disdainfull fierce and voide of feare His motions last last lookes last speeches weare 27 Tancred put vp his sword and praises glad Gaue to his God that sau'd him in this fight But yet this bloodie conquest feebled had So much the conquerours force strength and might That through the way he fear'd which homeward lad He had not strength enough to walke vpright Yet as he could his steps from thence he bent And foote by foot a heauie pace foorth went 28 His legges could beare him but a little stound And more he hastes more tirde lesse was his speed On his right hand at last laid on the ground He lean'd his hand weake like a shaking reed Daz'led his eies the world on wheeles ran round Day wrapt her brightnesse vp in sable weed At length he swouned and the victor knight Nought diffred from his conquer'd foe in sight 29 But while these Lords their priuate fight pursue Made fierce and cruell through their secret hate The victors ire destroi'd the faithlesse crue From street to street and chas'd from gate to gate But of the sacked towne the image true Who can describe or paint the woefull state Or with fit words this spectacle expresse Who can or tell the cities great distresse 30 Blood murder death each streete house church defilde There heaps of flaine appeare there mountaines hie There vnderneath th'vnburied hils vppilde Of bodies dead the liuing buried lie There the sad mother with her tender childe Doth teare her tresses loose complaine and flie And there the spoiler by her Amber haire Drawes to his lust the virgin chast and faire 31 But through the way that to the West hill yood Whereon the old and stately temple stands All soild with gore and wet with lukewarme blood Rinaldo ronne and chas'd the Pagan bands Aboue their heads he heau'd his curtlax good Life in his grace and death lay in his hands Nor helme nor target strong his blowes off beares Best armed there seem'd he no armes that weares 32 For gainst his armed foes he onely bends His force and scornes the naked folke to wound Them whom no courage armes no armes defends He chased with his lookes and dreedfull sound Oh who can tell how farre his force extends How these he scornes threats those laies them on ground How with vnequall harme with equall feare Fled all all that well arm'd or naked weare 33 Fast fled the people weake and with the same A squadron strong is to the temple gone Which burnt and builded oft still keepes the name Of the first founder wise king Salomone That Prince this stately house did whilome frame Of Cedar trees of gold and marble stone Now not so ritch yet strong and sure it was With turrets hie thicke wals and doores of bras 34 The knight arriued where in warlike sort The men that ample church had fortified And closed found each wicket gate and port And on the top defences readie spied He lift his frowning lookes and twise that fort From his high top downe to the groundworke eied And entrance sought and twise with his swift fout The mightie place he measured about 35 Like as a Wolfe about the closed fold Rangeth by night his hoped pray to get Enrag'd with hunger and with malice old Which kinde twixt him
showes of harme and feare Our dangers small our losses little weare 54 Burnt are your houses and your people slaine Yet safe your towne is though your walles be gone For in your selues and in your soueraigne Consists your citie not in lime and stone Your king is safe and safe is all his traine In this strong fort defended from their fone And on this emptie conquest let them bost Till with this towne againe their liues be lost 55 And on their heads the losse at last will light For with good fortune proud and insolent In spoile and murder spend they day and night In riot drinking lust and rauishment And may amid their praves with little fight At ease be ouerthrowne kild slaine and spent If in this carelesnesse th' Egyptian hoast Vpon them fall which now drawes neere this coast 56 Meane-while the highest buildings of this towne We may shake downe with stones about their eares And with our dartes and speares from engins throwne Commaund that hill Christs sepulchre that beares Thus comforts he their hopes and harts cast downe Awakes their valours and exiles their feares But while these things hapt thus Vafrino goes Vnknowne amid ten thousand armed foes 57 The sunne nie set had brought to ende the day When Vafrine went the Pagan hoste to spie He past vnknowne a close and secret way A traueller false cunning craftie slie Past Ascalon he saw the morning gray Step ore the threshold of the Estren skie And ere bright Titan halfe his course had runne That campe that mightie hoste to show begunne 58 Tents infinite and standards broad he spies This red that white that blew this purple was And heares strange toongs and stranger harmornies Of trumpets clarions and well sounding bras The Elephant there braies the Camell cries The horses neigh as to and fro they pas Which seene and heard he said within his thought Hither all Asia is all Affricke brought 59 He view'd the campe awhile her scite and seat What ditch what trench it had what rampire strong Nor close nor secret waies to worke his feat He longer sought nor hid him from the throng But entred through the gates broad roiall great And of he askt and answer'd oft among In questions wise in answeres short and slie Bold was his looke eies quicke front lifted hie 60 On euerie side he pried here and theare And markt each way each passage and each tent The knights he notes their steads and armes they beare Their names their armours and their gouerment And greater secrets hopes to learne and heare Their hidden purpose and their close entent So long he walkt and wandred till he spide The way t' approach the great Pauilions side 61 There as he lookte he saw the canuasse rent Through which the voice found eath and open way From the close lodgings of the regall tent And inmost closet where the captaine lay So that if Emireno spake forth went They sound to them that listen what they say There Vafrine watcht and those that saw him thought To mend the breach that there he stood and wrought 62 The captaine great within bare headed stood His bodie arm'd and clad in purple weed Two Pages bore his shield and helmet good He leaning on a bending launce gaue heed To a bigge man whose lookes were fierce and prood With whom he parled of some haughtie deed Godfredoes name as Vafrine watcht he hard Which made him giue more heed take more regard 63 Thus spake the Chieftaine to that surly sire Art thou so sure that Godfrey shall be slaine I am quoth he and sweare nere to retire Except he first be kill'd to court againe I will preuent those that with me conspire Nor other guerdon aske I for my paine But that I may hang vp his harnesse braue At Caire and vnder them these words engraue 64 These armes Ormondo tooke in noble fight From Godfrey proud that spoil'd all Asias lands And with them tooke his life and here on hight In memorie thereof this trophie stands The Duke replide nere shall that deed bold knight Passe vnrewarded at our sou'raignes hands What thou demaundest shall he gladly grant Nor gold nor guerdon shalt thou wish or want 65 Those counterfeited armours than prepare Bicause the day of fight approacheth fast They readie are quoth he then both forbare From further talke these speeches were the last Vafrine these great things heard with griefe and care Remain'd astound and in his thoughts oft cast What treason false this was how feigned weare Those armes but yet that doubt he could not cleare 66 From thence he parted and broad waking lay All that long night nor slumbred once nor slept But when the campe by peepe of springing day Their banners spred and knights on horsebacke lept With them he marched foorth in meete array And where they pitched lodg'd and with them kept And then from tent to tent he stalkt about To heare and see and learne this secret out 67 Searching about on a ritch throne he fand Armida set with dames and knights around Sullen she sate and sigh'd it seemd she scand Some weightie matters in her thoughts profound Her rosie cheeke leand on her lillie hand Her eies loues twinckling stars she bent to ground Weepe she or no he knowes not yet appeares Her humid eies eu'n great with childe with teares 68 He sawe before her set Adrastus grim That seemed scant to liue mooue or respire So was he fixed on his mistres trim So gazed he and fed his fond desire But Tisiperne beheld now her now him And quakte sometime for loue sometime for ire And in his cheekes the colour went and came For their wrathes fire now burnt now shone loues flame 69 Then from the garland faire of virgins bright Mongst whom he lay enclosd rose Altamore His hot desire he hid and kept from sight His lookes were ruld by Cupids craftie lore His left eie viewd her hand her face his right Both watcht her beauties hid and secret store And entrance found where her thin vaile bewraid The milken way betweene her breasts that laid 70 Her eies Armida lift from earth at last And cleard againe her front and visage sad Midst clouds of woe her lookes which ouercast She lightned foorth a smile sweete pleasant glad My Lord quoth she your oath and promise past Hath freed my hart of all the griefes it had That now in hope of sweete reuenge it liues Such ioy such ease desired vengeance giues 71 Cheare vp thy lookes answer'd the Indian king And for sweete beauties sake appease thy woe Cast at your feete ere you expect the thing I will present the head of thy strong foe Else shall this hand his person captiue bring And cast in prison deepe he boasted soe His riuall heard him well yet answerd nought But bit his lips and grieu'd in secret thought 72 To Tisiphern the damsell turning right And what say you my noble lord quoth she He taunting said I that am slow
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
all In combat close each hoste to other stept For now the wings had skirmish hot begonne And with their battels forth the footmen ronne 32 But who was first of all the Christian traine That gaue the onset first first wonne renowne Gildippes thou wert she for by thee slaine The king of Orms Hircano tumbled downe The mans brest bone thou clou'st and rent in twaine So heau'n with honour would thee blesse and crowne Pierst through he fell and falling hard withall His foe prais'd for her strength and for his fall 33 Her lannce thus broake the hardie dame forth drew With her strong hand a fine and trenchant blade And gainst the Persians fierce and bold she flew And in their troupe wide streets and lanes she made Euen in the girdling stead deuided new In peeces twaine Zopire on earth she lade And then Alarcos head she swapt off cleene Which like a football tumbled on the greene 34 A blow feld Artaxerxes with a thrust Was Argeus slaine the first lay in a trance Ismaels left hand cut off fell in the dust For on his wrest her sword fell downe by chance The hand let goe the bridle where it lust The blow vpon the coursers eates did glance Who felt the raines at large and with the stroake Halfe mad the rankes disordred troubled broake 35 All these and many moe by time forgot She slew and wounded when against her came The angrie Persians all cast on a knot For on her person would they purchace fame But her deare spouse and husband wanted not In so great need to aide the noble dame Thus ioin'd the haps of warre vnhurt they proue Their strength was double double was their loue 36 The noble louets vse well might you see A wondrous guise till then vnseene vnhard To saue themselues forgot both he and shee Each others life did keepe defend and guard The stroakes that gainst her Lord discharged bee The dame had care to beare to breake to ward His shield kept off the blowes bent on his deare Which if need be his naked head should beare 37 So each sau'd other each for others wrong Would veng'ance take but not reuenge their owne The valiant Soldan Artabano strong Of Boecan isle by her was ouerthrowne And by his hand the bodies dead among Aluante that durst his mistresse wound fell downe And she betweene the eies hit Arimonte Who hurt her Lord and cleft in twaine his fronte 38 But Altamore who had that wing to lead Farre greater slaughter on the Christians made For where he turn'd his sword or twinde his stead He slew or man and beast on earth downe lade Happie was he that was at first strucke dead That fell not downe on liue for whom his blade Had spar'd the same cast in the dustie streete His horse tore with his teeth brus'd with his feete 39 By this braue Persians valour kild and slaine Were strong Brunello and Ardonio great The first his head and helme had cleft in twaine The last in stranger wise he did entreat For through his hart he pierst and through the vaine Where laughter hath his fountaine and his seat So that a dreedfull thing beleeu'd vneath He laught for paine and laught himselfe to death 40 Nor these alone with that accursed knife Of this sweete light and breath depriued lie But with that cruell weapon lost their life Gentonio Guascar Rosimond and Guie Who knowes how many in that fatall strife He slew What knights his courser fierce made die The names and countries of the people slaine Who tels their wounds and deaths who can explaine 41 With this fierce king encounter durst not one Not one durst combat him in equall field Gildippes vndertooke that taske alone No doubt could make her shrinke no danger yield By Thermodonte was neuer Amazone That menag'd steeled axe or caried shield That seem'd so bold as she so stronge so light When foorth she ronne to meet that dreadfull knight 42 She hit him where with gold and ritch anmaile His Diademe did on his helmet flame She broake and cleft the crowne and caus'd him vaile His proud and loftie top his crest downe came Strong seem'd her arme that could so well assaile The Pagan shooke for spite and blusht for shame Forward he rusht and would at once requite Shame with disgrace and with reuenge despite 43 Right on the front he gaue that Ladie kinde A blow so huge so strong so great so sore That out of sense and feeling downe she twinde But her deare knight his loue from ground vpbore Were it their fortune or his noble minde He staid his hand and stroake the dame no more A Lion so stalkes by and with proud eies Beholds but scornes to hurt a man that lies 44 This while Ormondo false whose cruell hand Was arm'd and prest to giue the traitrous blow With all his fellowes mongst Godfredoes band Entred vnseene disguis'd that few them know The theeuish Wolfes when night oreshades the land That seeme like faithfull dogs in shape and show So to the closed folds in secret creepe And entrance seeke to kill some harmlesse sheepe 45 He proched nie and to Godfredoes side The bloodie Pagan now was placed neare But when his colours gold and white he spide And saw the other signes that forged weare See see this traitor false the captaine cride That like a Frenchman would in show appeare Behold how neere his mates and he are crept This said vpon the villaine foorth he lept 46 Deadly he wounded him and that false knight Nor strikes nor wards nor striueth to be gone But as Medusas head ware in his sight Stood like a man new turn'd to marble stone All lances broke vnsheath'd all weapons bright All quiuers emptied were on them alone In parts so many were the traitours cleft That those dead men had no dead bodies left 47 When Godfrey was with Pagan blood bespred He entred then the fight and that was past Where the bold Persian fought and combatted Where the close rankes he op'ned cleft and brast Before the knight the troupes and squadrons fled As Affricke dust before the Southren blast The Duke recall'd them in array them placed Staid those that fled and him assail'd that chaced 48 The champions strong there fought a battell stout Troie neuer saw the like by Xanthus old A conflict sharpe there was meane-while on fout Twixt Baldwine good and Muleasses bold The horsemen also neare the mountaines rout And in both wings a furious skirmish hold And where the barb'rous Duke in person stood Twixt Tisiphernes and Adrastus prood 49 With Emiren Robert the Norman stroue Long time they fought yet neither lost nor wonne The other Roberts helme the Indian cloue And broke his armes their fight would soone be donne From place to place did Tisiphernes roue And found no match against him none durst ronne But where the prease was thickest thither flew The knight and at each stroke feld hurt or slew 50 Thus fought they
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
saue But to be slaine or taken stands in feare Though with her bow a iauelin long she haue Yet weake was Phebes bow blunt Pallas speare But as the swan that sees the Eagle braue Threatning her flesh and siluer plumes to teare Falles downe to hide her mongst the shadie brookes Such were her fearfull motions such her lookes 69 But Altamore this while that stroue and sought From shamefull flight his Persian host to stay That was discomfit and destroi'd to nought Whilst he alone mantain'd the fight and fray Seeing distrest the goddesse of his thought To aide her ran nay flew and laid away All care both of his honour and his host If she were safe let all the world be lost 70 To the ilguarded chariot swift he flew His weapon made him way with bloodie warre Meane-while Lord Godfrey and Rinaldo slew His feeble bands his people murdred arre He saw their losse but aided not his crew A better louer than a leader farre He set Armida safe then turn'd againe With tardie succour for his folke were slaine 71 And on that side the woefull Prince behield The battell lost no helpe nor hope remain'd But on the other wing the Christians yield And flie such vantage there th' Egyptians gain'd One of the Roberts was nigh slaine in field The other by the Indian strong constrain'd To yeeld himselfe his captiue and his slaue Thus equall losse and equall foile they haue 72 Godfredo tooke the time and season fit To bring againe his squadrons in array And either campe well ordred rang'd and knit Renew'd the furious battel fight and fray New streames of blood were shed new swords them hit New combats fought new spoiles were borne away And vnresolu'd and doubtfull on each side Did praise and conquest Mars and Fortune ride 73 Betweene the armies twaine while thus the fight Waxt sharpe hot cruell though renewd but late The Soldan clombe vp to the towers hight And sawe farre off their strife and fell debate As from some stage or theatre the knight Saw plaid the tragedie of humaine state Sawe death blood murder woe and horrour strange And the great acts of fortune chance and change 74 At first astonisht and amazd he stood Then burnt with wrath and selfe consuming ire Swelled his bosome like a raging flood To be amid that battaile such desire Such haste he had he dond his helmet good His other armes he had before entire Vp vp he cride no more no more within This fortresse stay come follow die or win 75 Whether the same were prouidence diuine That made him leaue the fortresse he possest For that the empire proud of Palestine This day should fall to rise againe more blest Or that he breaking felt the fatall line Of life and would meete death with constant brest Furious and fierce he did the gates vnbarre And sodaine rage brought foorth and sodaine warre 76 Nor staide he till the folke on whom he cride Assemble might but out alone he flies A thousand foes the man alone defide And ronne among a thousand enimies But with his furie cald from euery side The rest ronne out and Aladine foorth hies The cowards had no feare the wise no caire This was not hope nor courage but despaire 77 The dreadfull Turke with sodaine blowes downe cast The first he met nor gaue them time to plaine Or pray in murdring them he made such haste That dead they fell ere one could see them slaine From mouth to mouth from eie to eie foorth past The feare and terrour that the faithfull traine Of Syrian folke not vsd to dangrous fight Were broken scattred and nigh put to flight 78 But with lesse terrour and disorder lesse The Gascoignes kept array and kept their ground Though most the losse and perill them oppresse Vnwares assaild they were vnreadie found No rauning tooth or tallon hard I guesse Of beast or eager hauke doth slay and wound So many sheepe or foules weake feeble small As his sharpe sword kild knights and souldiours tall 79 It seemd his thirst and hunger swage he would With their slaine bodies and their blood powrd out With him his troupes and Aladino ould Slew their besiegers kild the Gascoigne rout But Raimond ranne to meete the Soldan bould Nor to encounter him had feare or dout Though his right hand by proofe too well he know Which laid him late for dead at one huge blow 80 They met and Raimond fell amid the feild This blow againe vpon his forehead light It was the fault and weakenes of his eild Age is not fit to beare stroakes of such might Each one lift vp his sword aduanst his sheild Those would destroy and these defend the knight On went the Soldan for the man he thought Was slaine or easlie might be captiue brought 81 Among the rest he ranne he ragd he smote And in small space small time great wonders wrought And as his rage him led and furie hote To kill and murder matter new he sought As from his supper poore with hungrie throte A peasant hasts to a rich feast ibrought So from this skirmish to the battaile great He ranne and quencht with blood his furies heat 82 Where battred was the wall he sallied out And to the field in haste and heat he goes With him went rage and furie feare and dout Remaind behind among his scattred foes To win the conquest stroue his squadron stout Which he vnperfect left yet loth to loes The day the Christians fight resist and die And readie were to yeeld retire and flie 83 The Gascoigne bands retir'd but kept array The Syrian people ran away outright The fight was neere the place where Tancred lay His house was full of noise and great affright He rose and looked foorth to see the fray Though euery limme were weake faint voide of might He sawe the countie lie his men orethrowne Some beaten backe some kild some felled downe 84 Courage in noble harts that nere is spent Yet fainted not though faint were euery lim But reinforst each member cleft and rent And want of blood and strenght supplide in him In his left hand his heauie shield he hent Nor seemd the weight too great his curtlax trim His tight hand drew nor for more armes he stood Or staid he needs no more whose hart is good 85 But comming foorth cride whither will you ronne And leaue your leader to his foes in pray What shall these heathen of his armour wonne In their vile temples hang vp trophies gay Go home to Gascoigne then and tell his sonne That where his father dide you ran away This said against a thousand armed foes He did his brest weake naked sicke oppoes 86 And with his heauie stronge and mightie targe That with seau'n hard buls hides was surely lind And strengthned with a couer thicke and large Of stiffe and well attempred steele behind He shielded Raimond from the furious charge From swords from darts from weapons of each kind And all his
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