towne With new supplie late were they vittailed When night obscur'd the earth with shadowes browne Their armes and engins on the walles they spred Their slings to cast and stones to tumble downe And all that side which to the northward lies High rampires and strong bulwarks fortifies 2 Their warie king commands now here now there To build this towre to make that bulwarke strong Whither the sunne the moone or stars appere To giue them light to worke no time comes wrong In euerie street new weapons forged were By cunning smithes sweating with labour long While thus the carefull Prince prouision maide To him Argantes came and boasting said 3 How long shall we like prisoners in chaines Captiued lie inclos'd within this wall I see your workmen taking endlesse paines To make new weapons for no vse at all Meane-while these westren theeues destroy the plaines Your townes are burnt your forts and castels fall Yet none of vs dares at these gates out-peepe Or sound one trumpet shrill to breake their sleepe 4 Their time in feasting and good cheere they spend Nor dare we once their bankets sweet molest The daies and nights they bring likewise to end In peace assurance quiet ease and rest But we must yeeld whom hunger soone will shend And make for peace to saue our liues request Else if th' Egyptian armie stay too long Like cowards die within this fortresse strong 5 Yet neuer shall my courage great consent So vile a death should end my noble daies Nor on mine armes within these walles ipent To morrowes sun shall spread his timely raies Let sacred heau'ns dispose as they are bent Of this fraile life yet not withouten praise Of valour prowesse might Argantes shall Inglorious die or vnreuenged fall 6 But if the rootes of wonted chiualrie Be not quite dead your princely brest within Deuise not how with fame and praise to die But how to liue to conquer and to win Let vs together at these gates out-flie And skirmish bold and bloodie fight begin For when last need to desperation driueth Who dareth most he wisest counsell giueth 7 But if in field your wisdome dare not venter To hazard all your troopes to doubtfull fight Then binde your selfe to Godfrey by endenter To end your quarels by one single knight And for the Christian this accord shall enter With better will say such you know your right That he the weapons place and time shall chuse And let him for his best that vantage vse 8 For though your foe had hands like Hector strong With hart vnfear'd and courage sterne and stout Yet no misfortune can your iustice wrong And what that wanteth shall this arme helpe out In spite of fate shall this right hand ere long Returne victorious if hereof you dout Take it for pledge wherein if trust you haue It shall your selfe defend and kingdome saue 9 Bold youth the tyrant thus began to speake Although I with'red seeme with age and yeares Yet are not these old armes so faint and weake Nor this hoare head so full of doubts and feares But when as death this vitall threed shall breake He shall my courage heare my death who heares And Aladine that liu'd a king and knight To his faire morne will haue an euening bright 10 But that which yet I would haue further blaised To thee in secret shall be told and spoken Great Soliman of Nice so far ipraised To be reuenged for his scepter broken The men of armes of Arabie hath raised From Inde to Afrike and when we giue token Attends the fauour of the friendly night To vittaile vs and with our foes to fight 11 Now though Godfredo hold by warlike feat Some castles poore and fortes in vile oppression Care not for that for still our princely seat This stately towne we keepe in our possession But thou appease and calme that courage great Which in thy bosome makes so hot impression And stay fit time which will betide ere long T' encrease thy glorie and reuenge our wrong 12 The Saracine at this was inly spited Who Solimans great worth had long enuied To heare him praised thus he nought delited Nor that the king vpon his aide relied Within your powre sir king he saies vnited Are peace and war nor shall that be denied But for the Turke and his Arabian band He lost his owne shall he defend your land 13 Perchance he comes some heaunly messengare Sent downe to set the Pagan people free Then let Argantes for himselfe take care This sword I trust shall well safeconduct mee But while you rest and all your forces spare That I goe foorth to war at least agree Though not your champion yet a priuate knight I will some Christian proue in single fight 14 The king replied though thy force and might Should be reseru'd to better time and vse Yet that thou challenge some renowned knight Among the Christians bold I not refuse The warrior breathing out desire of fight An herald call'd and said go tell these newes To Godfreys selfe and to the westren Lords And in their hearings boldly say these words 15 Say that a knight who holds in great disdaine To be thus closed vp in secretmew Will with his sword in open field maintaine If any dare denie his words for trew That no deuotion as they falsly faine Hath mou'd the French these countries to subdew But vile ambition and prides hatefull vice Desire of rule and spoile and couetice 16 And that to fight I am not only prest With one or two that dare defend the cause But come the fourth or fift come all the rest Come all that will and all that weapon drawes Let him that yeelds obey the victors hest As wils the lore of mightie Mars his lawes This was the challenge that fierce Pagan sent The herald dond his coate of armes and went 17 And when the man before the presence came Of princely Godfrey and his captaines bold My Lord quoth he may I withouten blame Before your grace my message braue vnfold Thou maist he answer'd we approue the same Withouten feare be thine ambassage told Then quoth the herald shall your highnes see If this ambassage sharpe or pleasing bee 18 The challenge gan he then at large expose With mightie threats high termes and glorious words On euerie side an angrie murmur rose To wrath so moued were the knights and Lords Then Godfrey spake and said the man hath chose An hard exploit but when he feeles our swords I trust we shall so faire intreat the knight As to excuse the fourth or fift of fight 19 But let him come and proue the field I grant Nor wrong nor treason let him doubt or feare Some here shall pay him for his glorious vant Without or guile or vantage that I sweare The herald turn'd when he had ended scant And hasted backe the way he came whileare Nor staid he ought nor once foreslow'd his pace Till he bespake Argantes face to face 20 Arme you
I had mouthes and toongs as Briareus hands If voice as iron tough if iron breath What harme this troope wrought to the heathen bands What knights they slew I could recount vneath In vaine the Turks resist th' Arabians flie For if they flie th' are slaine if fight they die 93 Feare crueltie griefe horrour sorrow paine Ronne through the field disguis'd in diuers shapes Death might you see triumphant on the plaine Drowning in blood him that from blowes escapes The king meane-while with parcell of his traine Comes hastly out and for sure conquest gapes And from a banke whereon he stood beheild The doubtfull hazard of that bloodie feild 94 But when he saw the Pagans shrinke away He sounded the retreat and gan desire His messengers in his behalfe to pray Argantes and Clorinda to retire The furious couple both at once said nay Eu'n drunke with shedding blood and mad with ire At last they went and to recomfort thought And stay their troopes from flight but all for nought 95 For who can gouerne cowardise or feare Their host already was begon to flie They cast their shields and cutting swords arreare As not defended but made slow thereby A hollow dale the cities bulwarks neare From west to south out stretched long doth lie Thither they fled and in a mist of dust Towards the walles they ronne they throng they thrust 96 While downe the banke disordred thus they ran The Christian knights huge slaughter on them maide But when to clime the other hill they gan Old Aladine came fiercely to their aide On that steepe bray Lord Guelpho would not than Hazard his folke but there his soldiers staide And safe within the cities walles the king The reliques small of that sharpe fight did bring 97 Meane-while the Soldan in this latest charge Had done as much as humane force was able All sweat and blood appear'd his members large His breath was short his courage waxt vnstable His arme grew weake to beare his mightie targe His hand to rule his heauie sword vnable Which bruis'd not cut so blunted was the blade It lost the vse for which a sword was made 98 Feeling his weaknesse he gan musing stand And in his troubled thought this question tost If he himselfe should murder with his hand Bicause none else should of his conquest bost Or he should saue his life when on the land Lay slaine the pride of his subdued host At last to fortunes power quoth he I yeild And on my flight let her her trophies beild 99 Let Godfrey vew my flight and smile to see This mine vnworthie second banishment For arm'd againe soone shall he heare of mee From his proud head th'vnsetled crowne to rent For as my wrongs my wrath eterne shall bee And euery howre the bow of war new bent I will arise againe a foe fierce bold Though dead though slaine though burnt to ashes cold The tenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Ismen from sleepe awakes the Soldan great And into Sion brings the Prince by night Where the sad king sits fearfull on his seat Whom he embold'neth and excites to fight Godfredo heares his Lords and knights repeat How they escapt Armidaes wrath and spight Rinaldo knowne to liue Peter foresaies His ofsprings vertue good desarts and praies 1 A Gallant stead while thus the Soldan said Came trotting by him without Lord or guide Quickly his hand vpon the raines he laid And weake and wearie climbed vp to ride The snake that on his crest hot fire out braid Was quite cut off his helme had lost the pride His coate was rent his harnesse hackt and cleft And of his kingly pompe no signe was left 2 As when a sauage woolfe chas'd from the fold To hide his head runnes to some holt or wood Who though he filled haue while it might hold His greedy panch yet hungreth after food With sanguine toong forth of his lips out rold About his iawes that lickes vp fome and blood So from this bloodie fray the Soldan hied His rage vnquencht his wrath vnsatisfied 3 And as his fortune would he scaped free From thousand arrowes which about him flew From swords and lances instruments that bee Of certaine death himselfe he safe withdrew Vnknowne vnseene disguised trauail'd hee By desart pathes and waies but vs'd by few And rode reuoluing in his troubled thought What course to take and yet resolu'd on nought 4 Thither at last he ment to take his way Where Egypts king assembled all his host To ioine with him and once againe assay To winne by fight by which so oft he lost Determin'd thus he made no longer stay But thither ward spurr'd forth his steed in post Nor need he guide the way right well he could That leades to sandie plaines of Gaza ould 5 Nor though his smarting wounds torment him oft His body weake and wounded backe and side Yet rested he nor once his armour doft But all day long ore hils and dales doth ride But when the night cast vp her shade aloft And all earthes colours strange in sables dide He light and as he could his wounds vpbound And shooke ripe dates downe from a palme he found 6 On them he supped and amid the feild To rest his wearie lims a while he sought He made his pillow of his broken sheild To ease the griefes of his distempred thought But little ease could so hard lodging yeild His wounds so smarted that he slept right nought And in his brest his proud hart rent in twaine Two inward vultures sorrow and disdaine 7 At length when midnight with her silence deepe Did heau'n and earth husht still and quiet make Sore watcht and wearie he began to steepe His cares and sorrowes in obliuions lake And in a little short vnquiet sleepe Some small repose his fainting spirits take But while he slept a voice graue and seueare At vnawares thus thundred in his eare 8 O Soliman thou far renowmed king Till better season serue forbeare thy rest A stranger doth thy lands in thraldome bring Nice is a slaue by Christian yoke opprest Sleepest thou here forgetfull of this thing That here thy friends lie slaine not laid in chest Whose bones beare witnes of thy shame and scorne And wilt thou idly here attend the morne 9 The king awakt and saw before his eies A man whose presence seemed graue and old A writhen staffe his steps vnstable guies Which seru'd his feeble members to vphold And what art thou the Prince in scorne replies What sprite to vexe poore passengers so bold To breake their sleepe or what to thee belongs My shame my losse my veng'ance or my wrongs 10 I am the man of thine intent quoth hee And purpose new that sure coniecture hath And better than thou weenest know I thee I proffer thee my seruice and my faith My speeches therefore sharpe and biting bee Bicause quicke words the whetstones are of wrath Accept in gree my Lord the words I spoke As spurres thine
of comfort to his hart downe went And that darke night of sorrow somewhat cleared Yet now and then his griefe deepe sighes foorth sent His voice shrill plaints and sad laments oft reared Now to himselfe now to his murdred loue He spoke who heard perchance from heau'n aboue 90 Till Phoebus rising from his euening fall To her for her he mournes he cals he cries The nightingall so when her children small Some churle takes before their parents eies Alone dismaid quite bare of comforts all Tires with complaints the seas the shores the skies Till in sweete sleepe against the morning bright She fall at last so mourn'd so slept the knight 91 And clad in starrie vale amid his dreame For whose sweete sake he mourn'd appeard the maid Fairer than earst yet with that heau'nly beame Not out of knowledge was her louely shaid With lookes of ruth her eies celestiall seame To pitie his sad plight and thus she said Behold how faire how glad thy loue appeares And for my sake my deare forbeare these teares 92 Thine be the thankes my soule thou madest flit At vnawares out of her earthly nest Thine be the thankes thou hast aduanced it In Abrahams deare bosome long to rest There still I loue thee there for Tancred fit A seat prepared is among the blest There in eternall ioy eternall light Thou shalt thy loue enioy and she her knight 93 Vnlesse thy selfe thy selfe heau'ns ioies enuie And thy vaine sorrow thee of blisse depriue Liue know I loue thee that I nill denie As angels men as saints may wights on liue This said of zeale and loue foorth of her eie An hundreth glorious beames bright shining driue Amid which raies her selfe she clos'd from sight And with new ioy new comfort left her knight 94 Thus comforted he wakt and men discreet In surgerie to cure his wounds were sought Meane-while of his deare loue the reliques sweet As best he could to graue with pompe he brought Her tombe was not of viride Spartane greet Nor yet by cunning hand of Scopas wrought But built of polisht stone and thereon laid The liuely shape and purtrait of the maid 95 With sacred burning lamps in order long And mournfull pompe the corps were brought to ground Her armes vpon a leauelesse pine were hong The herse with cypresse armes with lawrell crown'd Next day the Prince whose loue and courage strong Drew foorth his limmes weake feeble and vnsound To visite went with care and reu'rence meet The buried ashes of his mistresse sweet 96 Before her new made tombe at last arriued The wofull prison of his liuing spright Pale cold sad comfortlesse of sense depriued Vpon the marble gray he fixt his sight Two streames of teares were from his eies deriued Thus with a sad alas began the knight Oh marble deare on my deare mistresse plast My flames within without my teares thou hast 97 Not of dead bones art thou the mournfull graue But of quicke loue the fortresse and the hold Still in my hart thy woonted brands I haue More bitter farre alas but not more cold Receaue these sighes these kisses sweete recaue In liquid drops of melting teares enrold And giue them to that bodie pure and chast Which in thy bosome cold entombd thou hast 98 For if her happie soule her eie doth bend On that sweet body which it lately drest My loue thy pittie cannot her offend Anger and wrath is not in angels blest She pardon will the trespasse of her frend That hope relieues me with these griefes opprest This hand she knowes hath onely sinn'd not I Who liuing lou'd her and for loue now die 99 And louing will I die O happie day When ere it chanceth but O farre more blest If as about thy polisht sides I stray My bones within thy hollow graue might rest Togither should in heau'n our spirits stay Togither should our bodies lie in chest So happie death should ioyne what life doth seuer O death O life sweete both both blessed euer 100 Meanewhile the newes in that besieged towne Of this mishap was whispred here and there Foorthwith it spred and for too true was knowne Her wofull losse was talked euery where Mingled with cries and plaints to heau'n vp throwne As if the cities selfe new taken were With conqu'ring foes or as if flame and fire Nor house nor church nor streete had left intire 101 But all mens eies were on Arsetes bent His sighes were deepe his lookes full of despaire Out of his wofull eies no teare there went His hart was hardned with his too much care His siluer locks with dust he foule besprent He knockt his breast his face he rent and tare And while the prease flockt to the Eunuch ould Thus to the people spake Argantes bould 102 I would when first I knew the hardie maid Excluded was among her Christian foes Haue follow'd her to giue her timely aid Or by her side this breath and life to lose What did I not or what left I vnsaid To make the king the gates againe vnclose But he denide his powre did are restraine My will my suit was waste my speech was vaine 103 Ah had I gone I would from danger free Haue brought to Sion that sweete nymph againe Or in the bloudie fight where kild was shee In her defence there noblie haue beene slaine But what could I do more the counsels bee Of God and man gainst my designments plaine Dead is Clorinda faire laid in colde graue Let me reuenge her whom I could not saue 104 Hierusalem heare what Argantes saith Heare heau'n and if he breake his oath and word Vpon this head cast thunder in thy wrath I will destroy and kill that Christian Lord Who this faire dame by night thus murdred hath Nor from my side I will vngird this sword Till Tancreds hart it cleaue and shed his blood And leaue his corse to wolues and crowes for food 105 This said the people with a ioyfull shoute Applaud his speeches and his words approue And calm'd their griefe in hope the boaster stoute Would kill the Prince who late had slaine his loue O promise vaine it otherwise fell out Men purpose but high Gods dispose aboue For vnderneath his sword this boaster dide Whom thus he scorn'd and threat'ned in his pride The thirteenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Ismeno sets to garde the forrest ould The wicked sprites whose ougly shapes affray And put to flight the men whose labour would To their darke shades let in heau'ns golden ray Thither goes Tancred hardie faithfull bould But foolish pitie lets him not assay His strength and courage heat the Christian powre Annoies whom to refresh Gods sends a showre 1 BVt scant dissolued into ashes cold The smoking towre fell on the scorched grasse When new deuise found out th' enchanter old By which the towne besieg'd secured was Of timber fit his foes depriue he wold Such terrour bred that late consumed masse So that the strength of Sions
lucke with life with loue There from her stead she lighted there laid downe Her bowe and shafts her armes that helpelesse proue There lie with shame she saies disgrast orethrowne Blunt are the weapons blunt the armes I moue Weake to reuenge my harmes or harme my foe My shafts are blunt ah loue would thine were soe 124 Alas among so many could not one Not one draw blood one wound or rend his skin All other brests to you are marble stone Dare you than pierce a womans bosome thin See see my naked hart on this alone Imploy your force this fort is eath to win And loue will shoote you from his mightie bow Weake is the shot that dripile falles in snow 125 I pardon will your feare and weakenes past Be strong mine arrowes cruell sharpe gainst mee Ah wretch how is thy chance and fortune cast If plast in these thy good and comfort bee But since all hope is vaine all helpe is wast Since hurts ease hurts wounds must cure wounds in thee Then with thine arrowes stroake cure stroakes of loue Death for thy hart must salue and surgeon proue 126 And happie me if being dead and slaine I beare not with me this strange plague to hell Loue staie behind come thou with me disdaine And with my wronged soule for euer dwell Or else with it turne to the world againe And vexe that knight with dreames and visions fell And tell him when twixt life and death I stroue My last wish was reuenge last word was loue 127 And with that word halfe mad halfe dead she seames An arrow poignant strong and sharpe she tooke When her deare knight found her in these extreames Now fit to die and passe the Stygian brooke Now prest to quench her owne and beauties beames Now death sate on her eies death in her looke When to her backe he stept and staid her arme Stretcht foorth to doe that seruice last last harme 128 She turnes and ere she knowes her Lord she spies Whose comming was vnwisht vnthought vnknowne She shrikes and twines away her sdeignfull eies From his sweete face she falles dead in a swoune Falles as a flowre halfe cut that bending lies He held her vp and least she tumble downe Vnder her tender side his arme he plast His hand her girdle loos'd her gowne vnlast 129 And her faire face faire bosome he bedewes With teares teares of remorse of ruth of sorrow As the pale Rose her colour lost renewes With the fresh drops falne from the siluer morrow So she reuiues and cheekes empurpled shewes Moist with their owne teares and with teares they borrow Thrice lookte she vp her eies thrice closed shee As who say let me die ere looke on thee 130 And his strong arme with weake and feeble hand She would haue thrust away loos'd and vntwined Oft stroue she but in vaine to breake that band For he the â—old he got not yet resined Her selfe fast bound in those deare knots she fand Deare though she faigned scorne stroue and repined At last she speakes she weepes complaines and cries Yet durst not did not would not see his eies 131 Cruell at thy departure at retorne As cruell say what chance thee hither guideth Wouldst thou preuent her death whose hart forlorne For thee for thee deathes stroakes each howre deuideth Comst thou to saue my life alas what scorne What torment for Armida poore abideth No no thy crafts and sleights I well descrie But she can little doe that cannot die 132 Thy triumph is not great nor well arrai'd Vnlesse in chaines thou lead a captiue dame A dame now tane by force before betrai'd This is thy greatest glorie greatest fame Time was that thee of loue and life I prai'd Let death now end my loue my life my shame Yet let not thy false hand bereaue this breath For if it were thy guift hatefull were death 133 Cruell my selfe an hundreth waies can finde To rid me from thy malice from thy hate If weapons sharpe if poisons of all kinde If fire if strangling faile in that estate Yet waies enough I know to stop this winde A thousand entries hath the house of fate Ah leaue these flattries leaue weake hope to moue Cease cease my hope is dead dead is my loue 134 Thus mourned shee and from her watrie eies Disdaine and loue dropt downe roll'd vp in teares From his pure fountaines ranne two streames likewise Wherein chast pitie and milde ruth appeares Thus with sweete words the Queene he pacifies Madame appease your griefe your wrath your feares For to be crown'd not scorn'd your life I saue Your foe nay but your friend your knight your slaue 135 But if you trust no speech no oath no word Yet in mine eies my zeale my truth behold For to that throne whereof thy fire was Lord I will restore thee crowne thee with that gold And if high heau'n would so much grace afford As from thy hart this cloude this vaile vnfold Of Paganisme in all the East no dame Should equalize thy fortune state and fame 136 Thus plaineth he thus praies and his desire Endeares with sighes that flie and teares that fall That as against the warm'th of Titans fire Snow drifts consume on tops of mountaines tall So melts her wrath but loue remaines entire Behold she saies your handmaid and your thrall My life my crowne my wealth vse at your pleasure Thus death her life became losse prou'd her treasure 137 This while the Captaine of th' Egyptian host That saw his roiall standard laid on ground Saw Rimedon that ensignes prop and post By Godfreies noble hand kild with one wound And all his folke discomfit slaine and lost No coward was in this last batrell found But road about and sought nor sought in vaine Some famous hand of which he might be slaine 138 Against lord Godfrey bouldly out he flew For nobler foe he wisht not could not spie Of desprate courage shew'd he tokens trew Where ere he ioind or staid or passed bie And cried to the Duke as neere he drew Behold of thy strong hand I come to die Yet trust to ouerthrow thee with my fall My castles ruines shall breake downe thy wall 139 This said foorth spurr'd they both both high aduance Their swords aloft both stroake at once both hit His left arme wounded had the knight of France His shield was pierst his vantbrace cleft and split The Pagan backward fell halfe in a trance On his left eare his foe so hugely smit And as he sought to rise Godfredoes sword Pierced him through so dide that armies Lord. 140 Of his great host when Emiren was dead Fled the small remnant that aliue remained Godfrey espied as he turnd his stead Great Altamore on foote with blood all stained With halfe a sword halfe helme vpon his head Gainst whom an hundreth fought yet not one gained Cease cease this strife he cride and thou braue knight Yeeld I am Godfrey yeeld thee to my might 141 He that till then his proud and haughtie hart To act of humblenes did neuer bend When that great name he heard from the north part Of our wide world renown'd to Aethiops end Answer'd I yeeld to thee thou worthy art I am thy pris'ner fortune is thy frend On Altamoro great thy conquest bold Of glorie shall be rich and rich of gold 142 My louing queene my wife and Lady kinde Shall ransome me with iewels gold and treasure God shield quoth Godfrey that my noble minde Should praise and vertue so by profit measure All that thou hast from Persia and from Inde Enioy it still therein I take no pleasure I set no rent on life no price on blood I fight and fell not warre for gold or good 143 This said he gaue him to his knights to keepe And after those that fled his course he bent They to their rampires fled and trenches deepe Yet could not so deathes cruell stroke preuent The campe was wonne and all in blood doth steepe The blood in riuers stream'd from tent to tent It soil'd defilde defaced all the pray Shields helmets armours plumes and feathers gay 144 Thus conquer'd Godfrey and as yet the sonne Diu'd not in siluer waues his golden waine But day-light seru'd him to the fortresse wonne With his victorious host to turne againe His bloodie cote he put not off but ronne To the high Temple with his noble traine And there hung vp his armes and there he bowes His knees there prai'd and there perform'd his vowes FINIS Printed at London by Ar. Hatfield for John Jaggard and M. Lownes 1600.
Some new-found land and countrie to descrie Through dang'rous seas and vnder stars vnknow Thrall to the faithlesse waues and trothlesse skie If once the wished shore begin to show They all salute it with a ioyfull crie And each to other shew the land in hast Forgetting quite their paines and perils past 5 To that delight which their first sight did breed That pleased so the secret of their thought A deepe repentance did foorthwith succeed That reu'rend feare and trembling with it brought Scantly they durst their feeble eies despreed Vpon that towne where Christ was sold and bought Where for our sinnes he faultlesse suffred paine There where he dide and where he liu'd againe 6 Softwords low speech deepe sobs sweete sighes salt teares Rose from their brests with ioy and pleasure mixt For thus fares he the Lord aright that feares Feare on deuotion ioy on faith is fixt Such noice their passions make as when one heares The hoarse sea waues rore hollow rocks betwixt Or as the winde in houltes and shadie greaues A murmur makes among the boughes and leaues 7 Their naked feet troad on the dustie way Following th'ensample of their zealous guide Their searffes their crests their plumes and feathers gay They quickly doft and willing laid aside Their moulten harts their woonted pride alay Along their watrie cheekes warme teares downe slide And then such secret speech as this they vsed While to himselfe each one himselfe accused 8 Flower of goodnes root of lasting blisse Thou well of life whose streames were purple blood That flowed here to clense the fowle amisse Of sinfull man behold this brinish flood That from my melting hart distilled is Receiue in gree these teares O Lord so good For neuer wretch with sinne so ouergone Had fitter time or greater cause to mone 9 This while the warie watchman looked ouer From tops of Sions towres the hils and dales And saw the dust the fields and pastures couer As when thicke mistes arise from moorie vales At last the sun-bright shieldes he gan discouer And glistring helmes for violence none that fales The mettall shone like lightning bright in skies And man and horse amid the dust descries 10 Then lowd he cries O what a dust ariseth Oh how it shines with shields and targets cleere Vp vp to armes for valiant hart despiseth The threat'ned storme of death and danger neere Behold your foes then further thus deuiseth Haste haste for vaine delay encreaseth feare These horrid cloudes of dust that yonder flie Your comming foes doth hide and hide the skie 11 The tender children and the fathers old The aged matrons and the virgin chast That durst not shake the speare nor target hold Themselues deuoutly in their temples plast The rest of members strong and courage bold On hardie brestes their harnesse dond in haste Some to the walles some to the gates them dight Their king meane-while directs them all aright 12 All things well ordred he withdrew with speed Vp to a turret high two ports betweene That so he might be neare at euerie need And ouerlooke the lands and furrowes greene Thither he did the sweet Erminia leed That in his court had entertained beene Since Christians Antioch did to bondage bring And slew her father who thereof was king 13 Against their foes Clorinda sallied out And many a Baron bold was by her side Within the postern stood Argantes stout To rescue her if ill mote her betide With speeches braue she cheer'd her warlike rout And with bold words them hart'ned as they ride Let vs by some braue act quoth she this day Of Asias hopes the ground-worke found and lay 14 While to her folke thus spake the virgin braue Thereby behold foorth past a Christian band Towards the campe that herds of cattell draue For they that morne had forraid all the land The fierce Virago would that bootie saue Whom their commander singled hand for hand A mightie man at armes who Guardo hight But far too weake to match with her in fight 15 They met and low in dust was Guardo laid Twixt either armie from his cell downe kest The Pagans shout for ioy and hopefull said Those good beginnings would haue endings blest Against the rest on went the noble maid She broke the helme and pearst the armed brest Her men the paths rode through made by her sword They passe the streame where she had found the ford 16 Soone was the pray out of their hands recou'red By step and step the Frenchmen gan retire Till on a little hill at last they hou'red Whose strength preseru'd them from Clorindas ire When as a tempest that hath long been cou'red In watrie cloudes breakes out with sparkling fire With his strong squadron Lord Tancredie came His hart with rage his eies with courage flame 17 Mast great the speare was which the gallant bore That in his warlike pride he made to shake As windes tall Cedars tosse on mountaines hore The king that wondred at his brau'rie spake To her that neere him seated was before Who felt her hart with loues hot feuer quake Well should'st thouknow quoth he each Christian knight By long acquaintance though in armour dight 18 Say who is he showes so great worthinesse That rides so ranke and bends his lance so fell To this the Princesse said nor more nor lesse Her hart with sighes her eies with teares did swell But sighes and teares she wisely could suppresse Her loue and passion she dissembled well And stroue her loue and hot desire to couer Till hart with sighes and eies with teares ron ouer 19 At last she spake and with a craftie slight Her secret loue disguis'd in clothes of hate Alas too well she saies I know that knight I saw his force and courage prooued late Too late I view'd when his powre and might Shooke downe the pillar of Cassanoes state Alas what wounds he giues how fierce how fell No phisicke helpes them cure nor magicks spell 20 Tancred he hight O Macon would he weare My thrall ere fates him of this life depriue For to his hatefull head such spite I beare I would him reaue his cruell hart on liue Thus said she they that her complainings heare In other sense her wishes credit giue She sigh'd withall they constred all amisse And thought she wisht to kill who long'd to kisse 71 This while foorth prickt Clorinda from the throng And gainst Tancredie set her speare in rest Vpon their helmes they crackt their lances long And from her head her guilden caske he kest For euery lace he broke and euery thong And in the dust threw downe her plumed crest About her shoulders shone her golden locks Like sunnie beames on Alablaster rocks 22 Her lookes with fire her eies with lightning blaze Sweet was her wrath what then would be her smile Tancred whereon think'st thou what dost thou gaze Hast thou forgot her in so short a while The same is she the shape of whose sweet face The god of
his chinne no signe of manhood bore His youth was forward but with gouernance His words his actions and his portance braue Of future vertue timely tokens gaue 61 Presages ah too true with that a space He sigh'd for griefe then said faine would I know The man in red with such a knightly grace A worthie Lord he seemeth by his show How like to Godfrey lookes he in the face How like in person but some-deale more low Baldwine quoth she that noble Baron hight By birth his brother and his match in might 62 Next looke on him that seemes for counsell fit Whose siluer locks bewray his store of daies Raimond he hight a man of wondrous wit Of Tholouse Lord his wisdome is his praise What he forethinkes doth as he lookes for hit His stratagems haue good successe alwaies With guilden helme beyond him rides the milde And good Prince William Englands kings deere childe 37 With him is Guelpho as his noble mate In birth in actes in armes alike the rest I know him well since I beheld him late By his broad shoulders and his squared brest But my proud foe that quite hath ruinate My high estate and Antioch opprest I see not Boemond that to death did bring Mine aged Lord my father and my king 64 Thus talked they meane-while Godfredo went Downe to the troopes that in the valley staid And for in vaine he thought the labour spent Tassaile those partes that to the mountaines laid Against the northren gate his force he bent Gainst it he campt gainst it his engins plaid All felt the furie of his angrie powre That from those gates lies to the corner towre 65 The townes third part was this or little lesse Fore which the Duke his glorious ensignes spred For so great compasse had that forteresse That round it could not be enuironed With narrow siege nor Babels king I gesse That whilome tooke it such an armie led But all the waies he kept by which his foe Might to or from the citie come or goe 66 His care was next to cast the trenches deepe So to preserue his resting campe by night Least from the citie while his soldiers sleepe They might assaile them with vntimely fight This donne he went where Lords and Princes weepe With dire complaints about the murdred knight Where Dudon dead lay slaughtred on the ground And all the soldiers sate lamenting round 67 His wayling friends adorn'd the mournfull beare With wofull pompe whereon his corpes they laid And when they saw the Bulloigne Prince draw neare All felt new greefe and each new sorrow maid But he withouten shew or change of cheare His springing teares within their fountaines staid His ruefull lookes vpon the coarse he cast Awhile and thus bespake the same at last 68 We need not mourne for thee here laid to rest Earth is thy bed and not thy graue the skies Are for thy soule the cradle and the nest There liue for here thy glorie neuer dies For like a Christian knight and champion blest Thou didst both liue and die now feed thine eies With thy redeemers sight where crown'd with blis Thy faith zeale merit well-deseruing is 69 Our losse not thine prouokes these plaints and teares For when we lost thee then our ship her mast Our chariot lost her wheeles their points our speares The bird of conquest her chiefe feather cast But though thy death far from our armie beares Her chiefest earthlie aide in heau'n yet plast Thou wilt procure vs helpe diuine so reapes He that sowes godly sorrow ioy by heapes 70 For if our God the Lord Armipotent Those armed Angels in our aide downe send That were at Dothan to his Prophet sent Thou wilt come downe with them and well defend Our host and with thy sacred weapons bent Gainst Sions for t these gates and bulwarks rend That so thy hand may win this hold and wee May in these temples praise our Christ for thee 71 Thus he complain'd but now the sable shade Icleped night had thicke enueloped The sun in vaile of double darknes made Sleepe eased care rest brought complaint to bed All night the warie Duke deuising laide How that high wall should best be battered How his strong engins he might aptly frame And whence get timber fit to build the same 72 Vp with the larke the sorrowfull Duke arose Amourner chiefe at Dudons buriall Of Cipresse sad a pile his friends compose Vnder a hill oregrowne with Cedars tall Beside the hearce a fruitfull palme tree groes Ennobled since by this great funerall Where Dudons corpes they softly laid in ground The priestes sung hymnes the soldiers wept around 73 Among the boughes they here and there bestowe Ensignes and armes as witnes of his praise Which he from Pagan Lords that did them owe Had wonne in prosprous sights and happie fraies His shield they fixed on the bole belowe And there this distich vnder-writ which saies This palme with stretched armes doth ouerspread The champion Dudons glorious carkasse dead 74 This worke performed with aduisement good Godfrey his carpenters and men of skill In all the campe sent to an aged wood With conuoy meet to garde them safe from ill Within a valley deepe this forrest stood To Christian eies vnseene vnknowne vntill A Syrian told the Duke who thither sent Those chosen workmen that for timber went 75 And now the axe rag'd in the forrest wilde The Eccho sighed in the groues vnseene The weeping Nymphes fled from their bowres exilde Downe fell the shadie tops of shaking treene Downe came the sacred palmes the ashes wilde The funerall Cipresse Hollie euer greene The weeping Firre thicke Beech and sailing Pine The maried Elme fell with his fruitfull vine 76 The showter Eugh the broad-leau'd Sicamore The barraine Platane and the Wall-nut sound The Myrrhe that her foule sinne doth still deplore The Alder owner of all watrish ground Sweet Iuniper whose shadow hurteth sore Proud Cedar Oake the king of forrests crown'd Thus fell the trees with noice the desarts rore The beastes their caues the birds their nests forlore The fourth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Sathan his feends and sprites assembleth all And sends them foorth to worke the Christians woe False Hidraort their aide from hell doth call And sends Armida to entrap his foe She telles her birth her fortune and her fall Askes aide allures and winnes the worthies soe That they consent her enterprize to proue She winnes them with deceit craft beautie loue 1 WHile thus their worke went on with luckie speed And reared rammes their horned fronts aduance The ancient foe to man and mortall seed His wannish eies vpon them bent askance And when he saw their labours well succeed He wept for rage and threat'ned dire mischance He chokt his curses to himselfe he spake Such noise wilde buls that softly bellow make 2 At last resoluing in his damned thought To finde some let to stop their warlike feat He gaue command his princes should be
strength and therefore would that some Both of the pray and glorie of the fight Vpon his Syrian folke should haply light 22 But for he held the French mens worth in prise And fear'd the doubtfull gaine of bloodie war He that was closely false and slilie wise Cast how he might annoy them most from far And as he gan vpon this point deuise As counsellers in ill still neerest ar At hand was Sathan readie ere men need If once they thinke to make them doe the deed 23 He counseld him how best to hunt his game What dart to cast what net what toile to pitch A neece he had a nice and tender dame Peerelesse in wit in natures blessings ritch To all deceit she could her beautie frame False faire and yong a virgin and a witch To her he told the summe of this emprise And prais'd her thus for she was faire and wise 24 My deere who vnderneath these lockes of gold And natiue brightnesse of thy louely hew Hidest graue thoughts ripe wit and wisedome old More skill than I in all mine artes untrew To thee my purpose great I must vnfold This enterprise thy cunning must pursew Weaue thou to end this web which I begin I will the distaffe hold come thou and spin 25 Goe to the Christians host and there assay All subtile sleights that women vse in loue Shed brinish teares sob sigh entreat and pray Wring thy faire hands cast vp thine eies aboue For mourning beautie hath much powre men say The stubbron harts with pitie fraile to moue Looke pale for dread and blush sometime for shame In seeming troath thy lies will soonest frame 26 Take with the baite Lord Godfrey if thou maste Frame snares of lookes traines of alluring speach For if he loue the conquest than thou hast Thus purpos'd war thou maist with ease impeach Else lead the other Lords to desarts wast And hold them slaues far from their leaders reach Thus taught he her and for conclusion saith All things are lawfull for our lands and faith 27 The sweet Armida tooke this charge on hand A tender peece for beautie sexe and age The sunne was sunken vnderneath the land When she began her wanton pilgrimage In silken weedes she trusteth to withstand And conquer knights in warlike equipage Of their night ambling dame the Syrians prated Some good some bad as they her lou'd or hated 28 Within few daies the Nymph arriued theare Where puissant Godfrey had his tents ipight Vpon her strange attire and visage cleare Gazed each soldier gazed euerie knight As when a comet doth in skies appeare The people stand amazed at the light So wondred they and each at other sought What mister wight she was and whence ibrought 29 Yet neuer eie to Cupids seruice vow'd Beheld a face of such a louely pride A tinsell vaile her amber locks did shrowd That stroue to couer what it could not hide The golden sunne behinde a siluer cloud So streameth out his beames on euerie side The marble goddesse set at Guidos naked She seem'd were she vncloath'd or that awaked 30 The gamesome winde among her tresses plaies And curleth vp those growing riches short Her sparefull eie to spread his beames denaies But keepes his shot where Cupid keepes his fort The rose and lillie on her cheeke assaies To paint true fairenesse out in brauest sort Her lips where bloomes nought but the single rose Still blush for still they kisse while still they close 31 Her brests two hils orespred with purest snow Sweet smooth and supple soft and gently swelling Betweene them lies a milken dale below Where loue youth gladnes whitenes make their dwelling Her brests halfe hid and halfe were laid to show Her enuious vesture greedie sight repelling So was the wanton clad as if thus much Should please the eie the rest vnseene the tuch 32 As when the sun-beames diue through Tagus waue To spie the store-house of his springing gold Loue pearsing thought so through her mantle draue And in her gentle bosome wandred bold It view'd the wondrous beautie virgins haue And all to fond desire with vantage told Alas what hope is left to quench his fire That kindled is by sight blowne by desire 33 Thus past she praised wisht and wondred at Among the troopes who there encamped lay She smil'd for ioy but well dissembled that Her greedie eie chose out her wished pray On all her gestnres seeming vertue sat Towards th' imperiall tent she askt the way With that she met a bold and louesome knight Lord Godfreys yongest brother Eustace hight 34 This was the foule that first fell in the snare He saw her faire and hopte to finde her kinde The throne of Cupid hath an easie staire His barke is fit to faile with euerie winde The breach he makes no wisdome can repaire With reu'rence meet the Baron low enclinde And thus his purpose to the virgin told For youth vse nature all had made him bold 35 Ladie if thee beseeme a stile so low In whose sweet lookes such sacred beauties shine For neuer yet did heau'n such grace bestow On any daughter borne of Adams line Thy name let vs though far vnworthie knoe Vnfold thy will and whence thou art in fine Least my audacious boldnes learne too late What honors due become thy high estate 36 Sir knight quoth she your praises reach too hie Aboue her merit you commenden soe A haplesse maid I am both borne to die And dead to ioy that line in care and woe A virgin helplesse fugitiue pardie My natiue soile and kingdome thus forgoe To seeke Duke Godfreys aide such store men tell Of vertuous ruth doth in his bosome dwell 37 Conduct me than that mightie Duke before If you be courteous sir as well you seeme Content quoth he since of one wombe ibore We brothers are your fortune good esteeme T' encounter me whose word preuaileth more In Godfreys hearing than you haply deeme Mine aide I grant and his I promise too All that his scepter or my sword can doo 38 He led her easly foorth when this was said Where Godfrey sate among his Lords and peares She reu'rence did then blusht as one dismaid To speake for secret wants and inward feares It seem'd a bashfull shame her speeches staid At last the courteous Duke her gently cheares Silence was made and she began her tale They fit to heare thus sung this nightingale 39 Victorious Prince whose honorable name Is held so great among our Pagan kings That to those lands thou dost by conquest tame That thou hast wonne them some content it brings Well knowne to all is thy immortall fame The earth thy worth thy foe thy praises sings And Painims wronged come to seeke thine aide So doth thy vertue so thy powre perswaide 40 And I though bred in Macous heath'nish lore Which thou oppressest with thy puissant might Yet trust thou wilt an helplesse maide restore And repossesse her in her fathers right Others in their distresse doe
forteresse And murder him vnlesse he yeeld the hold And me and mine threates not with war but death Thus causelesse hatred endlesse is vneath 60 And so he trusts to wash away the staine And hide his shamefull fact with mine offence And saith he will restore the throne againe To his late honour and due excellence And therefore would I should be algates slaine For while I liue his right is in suspence This is the cause my guiltlesse life is sought For on my ruine is his safetie wrought 61 And let the tyrant haue his harts desire Let him performe the crueltie he ment My guiltlesse blood must quench the ceaslesse fire On which my endlesse teares were bootlesse spent Vnlesse thou helpe to thee renowmed fire I flie a virgin orphan innocent And let these teares that on thy feet distill Redeeme the drops of blood he thirsts to spill 62 By these thy glorious feet that tread secure On necks of tyrants by thy conquests braue By that right hand and by those temples pure Thou seekes to free from Macons lore I craue Helpe for this sicknes none but thou canst cure My life and kingdome let thy mercie saue From death and ruine but in vaine I proue thee If right if truth if iustice cannot moue thee 63 Thou who dost all thou wishest at thy will And neuer willest ought but what is right Preserue this guiltlesse blood they seeke to spill Thine be my kingdome saue it with thy might Among these captains Lords and knights of skill Appoint me ten approued most in fight Who with assistance of my friends and kin May serue my kingdome lost againe to win 64 For loe a knight that hath a gate to ward A man of chifest trust about his king Hath promised so to beguile the gard That me and mine he vndertakes to bring Safe where the tyrant haply sleepeth hard He counseld me to vndertake this thing Of thee some little succour to intreat Whose name alone accomplish can the feat 65 This said his answer did the Nymph attend Her lookes her sighes her gestures all did pray him But Godfrey wisely did his grant suspend He doubts the worst and that awhile did stay him He knowes who feares no God he loues no frend He feares the heathen false would thus betray him But yet such ruth dwelt in his princely minde That gainst his wisdome pitie made him kinde 66 Besides the kindnes of his gentle thought Readie to comfort each distressed wight The maidens offer profit with it brought For if the Syrian kingdome were her right That wonne the way were easie which he sought To bring all Asia subiect to his might There might he raise munition armes and treasure To worke th' Egyptian king and his displeasure 67 Thus was his noble hart long time betwixt Feare and remorse not granting nor denaying Vpon his eies the dame her lookings fixt As if her life and death lay on his saying Some teares she shed with sighes and sobbings mixt As if her hope were dead through his delaying At last her earnest suit the Duke denaid But with sweet words thus would content the maid 68 If not in seruice of our God we fought In meaner quarrell if this sword were shaken Well might thou gather in thy gentle thought So faire a Princesse should not be forsaken But since these armies from the worlds end brought To free this sacred towne haue vndertaken It were vnfit we turn'd our strength away And victorie euen in her comming stay 69 I promise thee and on my princely word The burden of thy wish and hope repose That when this chosen temple of the Lord Her holy doores shall to his saints vnclose In rest and peace then this victorious sword Shall execute due vengeance on thy foes But if for pitie of a worldlie dame I left this worke such pitie were my shame 70 At this the Princesse bent her eies to ground And stood vnmou'd though not vnmarkt a space The secret bleeding of her inward wound Shed heau'nly dew vpon her angels face Poore wretch quoth she in teares and sorrowes drown'd Death be thy peace the graue thy resting place Since such thy hap that least thou mercie finde The gentlest hart on earth is proou'd vnkind 71 Where none attends what bootes it to complaine Mens froward harts are mou'd with womens teares As marble stones are pearst with drops of raine No plaints finde passage through vnwilling eares The tyrant haply would his wrath restraine Heard he these praiers ruthlesse Godfrey heares Yet not thy fault is this my chance I see Hath made eu'n pitie pitilesse in thee 72 So both thy goodnes and good hap denaid me Griefe sorrow mischiefe care hath ouerthrowne me The star that rul'd my birth-day hath betraid me My Genius sees his charge but dares not owne me Of Queene-like state my flight hath disarraid me My father dide ere he fiue yeeres had knowne me My kingdome lost and lastly resteth now Downe with the tree sith broke is euery bow 73 And for the modest lore of maidenhood Bids me not soiourne with these armed men Oh whither shall I flie what secret wood Shall hide me from the tyrant or what den What rocke what vault what caue can doe me good No no where death is sure it resteth then To scorne his powre and be it therefore seene Armida liu'd and dide both like a Queene 74 With that she lookt as if a proud disdaine Kindled displeasure in her noble minde The way she came she turn'd her steps againe With gestures sad but in disdainfull kinde A tempest railed downe her cheekes amaine With teares of woe and sighes of angers winde The drops her footsteps wash whereon she treads And seemes to step on pearles or christall beads 75 Her cheekes on which this streaming Nectar fell Still'd through the limbecke of her diamondeies The roses white and red resembled well Whereon the roarie May-deaw sprinkled lies When the faire morne first blusheth from her cell And breatheth balme from opened paradies Thus sigh'd thus mourn'd thus wept this louely queene And in each drop bathed a grace vnseene 76 Thrice twenty Cupids vnperceiued flew To gather vp this licour ere it fall And of each drop an arrow forged new Else as it came snatcht vp the christall ball And at rebellious harts for wilde fire threw O wondrous loue thou makest gaine of all For if she weeping sit or smiling stand She bends thy bow or kindleth else thy brand 77 This forged plaint drew forth vnfained teares From many eies and pearst each worthies hart Each one condoleth with her that her heares And of her griefe would helpe her beare the smart If Godfrey aide her not not one but sweares Some tygresse gaue him sucke on roughest part Midst the rude crags on Alpine cliffes aloft Hard is that hart which beautie makes not soft 78 But iollie Eustace in whose brest the brand Of loue and pitie kindled had the flame While other softly whispred vnder hand
Before the Duke with comely boldnes came Brother and Lord quoth he too long you stand In your first purpose yet vouchsafe to frame Your thoughts to ours and lend this virgin aid Thanks are halfe lost when good turnes are delaid 79 And thinke not that Eustaces talke assaies To turne these forces from this present war Or that I wish you should your armies raise From Sions walles my speech tends not so far But we that venter all for fame and praise That to no charge nor seruice bounden ar Foorth of our troope may ten well spared bee To succour her which nought can weaken thee 80 And know they shall in Gods high seruice fight That virgins innocent saue and defend Deere will the spoiles be in the heauens sight That from a tyrants hatefull head we rend Nor seem'd I forward in this Ladies right With hope of gaine or profit in the end But for I know he armes vnwoorthie beares To helpe a maidens cause that shunnes or feares 81 Ah! be it not pardie declar'd in France Or elsewhere told where courtsie is in prise That we forsooke so faire a cheuisance For doubt or feare that might from fight arise Else here surrender I both sword and lance And sweare no more to vse this martiall guise For ill deserues he to be term'd a knight That beares a blunt sword in a Ladies right 82 Thus parled he and with confused sound The rest approued what the gallant said Their Generall the knights encompast round With humble grace and earnest suit they praid I yeeld quoth he and be it happie found What I haue granted let her haue your aid Yours be the thanks for yours the danger is If ought succeed as much I feare amis 83 But if with you my words may credit finde O temper then this heat misguides you soe Thus much he said but they with fancie blinde Accept his grant and let his counsell goe What works not beautie maris relenting minde Is eath to moue with plaints and shewes of woe Her lips cast forth a chaine of sugred words That captiue led most of the Christian Lords 84 Eustace recall'd her and bespake her thus Beauties chiefe darling let these sorrowes bee For such assistance shall you finde in vs As with your need or will may best agree With that she cheer'd her forehead dolorous And smil'd for ioy that Phebus blusht to see And had she daign'd her vaile for to remoue The god himselfe once more had falne in loue 85 With that she broke the silence once againe And gaue the knight great thanks in little speach She said she would his handmaid poore remaine So far as honours lawes receiu'd no breach Her humble gestures made the res'due plaine Dumbe eloquence perswading more than speach Thus women know and thus they vse the guise T' enchant the valiant and beguile the wise 86 And when she saw her enterprise had got Some wished meane of quicke and good proceeding She thought to strike the iron that was hot For euerie action hath his howre of speeding Medea or false Circe changed not So far the shapes of men as her eies spreeding Altred their harts and with her Sirens sound In lust their minds their harts in loue she drown'd 87 All wilie sleights that subtile women know Howrely she vs'd to catch some louer new None kend the bent of her vnstedfast bow For with the time her thoughts her lookes renew From some she cast her modest eies below At some her gazing glances roauing flew And while she thus pursewd her wanton sport She spurd the slow and rain'd the forward short 88 If some as hopelesse that she would be wonne Forbore to loue because they durst not moue her On them her gentle lookes to smile begonne As who say she is kinde if you dare proue her On euerie hart thus shone this lustfull sonne All stroue to serue to please to wowe to loue her And in their harts that chaste and bashfull weare Her eies hot glance dissolu'd the frost of feare 89 On them who durst with fingring bold assay To touch the softnes of her tender skin She lookt as coy as if she list not play And made as things of worth were hard to win Yet tempred so her deignfull lookes alway That outward scorne shew'd store of grace within Thus with false hope their longing harts she fired For hardest gotten things are most desired 90 Alone sometimes she walkt in secret where To ruminate vpon her discontent Within her eie-lids sat the swelling teare Not powred forth though sprong from sad lament And with this craft a thousand soules welneare In snares of foolish ruth and loue she hent And kept as slaues by which we fitly proue That witlesse pitie breedeth fruitlesse loue 91 Sometimes as if her hope vnloosed had The chaines of griefe wherein her thoughts lay fettered Vpon her minions lookt she blithe and glad In that deceitfull lore so was she lettered Not glorious Titan in his brightnes clad The sun-shine of her face in luster bettered For when she list to cheare her beauties so She smil'd away the cloudes of griefe and wo. 92 Her double charme of smiles and sugred words Lulled on sleepe the vertue of their sences Reason small aide gainst those assaults affords Wisedome no warrant from those sweet offences Cupids deepe riuers haue their shallow fordes His griefes bring ioyes his losses recompences He breedes the sore and cures vs of the paine Achilles lance that wounds and heales againe 93 While thus she them torments twixt frost and fier Twixt ioy and griefe twixt hope and restlesse feare The slie enchantresse felt her gaine the nier These were her flockes that golden fleeces beare But if some one durst vtter his desier And by complaining make his grieues appeare He labored hard rocks with plaints to moue She had not learn'd the Gamut then of loue 94 For downe she bent her bashfull eies to ground And dond the weede of womens modest grace Downe from her eies welled the pearles round Vpon the bright Ennamell of her face Such honie drops on springing flowres are found When Phebus holds the crimsen morne in chace Full seem'd her lookes of anger and of shame Yet pitie shone transparent through the same 95 If she perceiued by his outward cheare That any would his loue by talke bewray Sometimes she heard him sometimes stopt her eare And played fast and loose the liue-long day Thus all her louers kinde deluded weare Their earnest suit got neither yea nor nay But like the sort of wearie huntsmen fare That hunt all day and lose at night the hare 96 These were the artes by which she captiued A thousand soules of yong and lustie knights These were the armes where with loue conquered Their feeble harts subdew'd in wanton fights What wonder if Achilles were mis-led Or great Alcides at their Ladies sights Since these true champions of the Lord aboue Were thralles to beautie yeelden slaues to loue The fifth Booke
annext withall 38 But mine was freely giuen ere it was sought Nor that it lesned be I now consent Right well know I both when and where I ought To giue condigne reward and punishment Since you are all in like subiection brought Both high and low obey and be content This heard Tancredie wisely staid his words Such weight the sayings haue of kings and Lords 39 Old Raymond prais'd his speech for old men thinke They euer wisest seeme when most seuere T is best quoth he to make these great ones shrinke The people loue him whom the nobles feare There must the rule to all disorders sinke Where pardons more than punishment appeare For feeble is each kingdome fraile and weake Vnlesse his basis be this feare I speake 40 These words Tancredie heard and pondred well And by them wist how Godfreys thoughts were bent Nor list he longer with these old men dwell But turn'd his horse and to Rinaldo went Who when his noble foe death wounded fell Withdrew him softly to his gorgeous tent There Tancred found him and at large declar'd The words and speeches sharpe which late you hard 41 And said although I wot the outward show Is not true witnes of the secret thought For that some men so subtill are I trow That what they purpose most appeereth nought Yet dare I say Godfredo meanes I know Such knowledge hath his lookes and speeches wrought You shall first prisner be and then be tride As he shall deeme it good and law prouide 42 With that a bitter smile well might you see Ridaldo cast with scorne and hie disdaine Let them in fetters plead their cause quoth hee That are base peasants borne of seruile straine I was free borne I liue and will die free Before these feet be fettred in a chaine These hands were made to shake sharp spears swords Not to be tide in giues and twisted cords 43 If my good seruice reape this recompence To be clapt vp in close and secret mew And as a theefe be after dragd from thence To suffer punishment as law findes dew Let Godfrey come or send I will not hence Vntill we know who shall this bargaine rew That of our tragedie the late done fact May be the first and this the second act 44 Giue me mine armes he cride his squire them brings And clad his head and brest in iron strong About his necke his siluer shield he flings Downe by his side a cutting sword there hong Among this earthes braue Lords and mightie kings Was none so stout so fierce so faire so yong God Mars he seem'd descending from his spheare Or one whose lookes could make great Mars to feare 45 Tancredie labour'd with some pleasing speach His spirits fierce and courage to appease Yong Prince thy valour thus he gan to preach Can chastise all that doe thee wrong at ease I know your vertue can your enmies teach That you can venge you when and where you please But God forbid this day you lift your arme To doe this campe and vs your friends such harme 46 Tell me what will you doe why would you staine Your noble hands in our vnguiltie blood By wounding Christians will you againe Pearse Christ whose parts they are and members good Will you destroy vs for your glorie vaine Vnstaid as rolling waues in Ocean flood Far be it from you so to proue your strength And let your zeale appease your rage at length 47 For Gods loue stay your heat and iust displeasure Appease your wrath your courage fierce asswage Patience a praise forbearance is a treasure Suffrance an angellis a monster rage At least your actions by ensample measure And thinke how I in mine vnbridled age Was wronged yet I nould reuengement take On all this campe for one offenders sake 48 Cilicia conquer'd I as all men wot And there the glorious crosse on hie I reared But Baldwine came and what I nobly got Bereft me falsly when I least him feared He seem'd my friend and I discouer'd not His secret couetise which since appeered Yet striue I not to get mine owne by fight Or ciuill war although perchance I might 49 If than you scorne to be in prison pent If bonds as hie disgrace your hands refuse Or if your thoughts still to maintaine are bent Your libertie as men of honour vse To Antioch what if forthwith you went And leaue me here your absence to excuse There with Prince Boemond liue in ease and peace Vntill this storme of Godfreys anger cease 50 For soone if forces come from Egypt land Or other nations that vs here confine Godfrey will beaten be with his owne wand And feele he wants that valour great of thine Our campe may seeme an arme without a hand Amid our troopes vnlesse thy eagle shine With that came Guelpho and those words approued And praid him goe if him he fear'd or loued 51 Their speeches soften much the warriors hart And make his wilfull thoughts at last relent So that he yeelds and saith he will depart And leaue the Christian campe incontinent His friends whose loue did neuer shrinke or start Profred their aide what way so ere he went He thankt them all but left them all besides Two bold and trustie squires and so he rides 52 He rides reuoluing in his noble spright Such hawtie thoughts as fill the glorious minde On hard aduentures was his whole delight And now to wondrous actes his will inclinde Alone against the Pagans would he fight And kill their kings from Egypt vnto Inde From Cinthias hils and Nilus vnknowne spring He would fetch praise and glorious conquest bring 53 But Guelpho when the Prince his leaue had take And now had spurr'd his courser on his way No longer tarriance with the rest would make But hastes to finde Godfre do if he may Who seeing him approching forthwith spake Guelpho quoth he for thee I only stay For thee I sent my heralds all about In euerie tent to seeke and finde thee out 54 This said he softly drew the knight aside Where none might heare and then bespake him thus How chanceth it thy nephewes rage and pride Makes him so far forget himselfe and vs Hardly could I beleeue what is betide A murder done for cause so friuolous How I haue lou'd him thou and all can tell But Godfrey lou'd him but whil'st he did well 55 I must prouide that euerie one haue right That all be heard each cause be well discust As far from partiall loue as free from spight I heare complaints yet nought but proues I trust Now if Rinaldo weigh our rule so light And haue the sacred lore of war so brust Take you the charge that he before vs come To cleare himselfe and heare our vpright dome 56 But let him come withouten bond or chaine For still my thoughts to doe him grace are framed But if our powre he haply shall disdaine As well I know his courage yet vntamed To bring him by perswasion take some
paine Else if I proue seuere both you be blamed That force my gentle nature gainst my thought To rigor least our lawes returne to nought 57 Lord Guelpho answered thus what hart can beare Such slanders false deuis'd by hate and spight Or with staid patience reproches heare And not reuenge by battaile and by fight The Norway Prince hath bought his follie deare But who with words could stay the angrie knight A foole is he that comes to preach or prate When men with swords their right and wrong debate 58 And where you wish he should himselfe submit To heare the censure of your vpright lawes Alas that cannot be for he is flit Out of this campe withouten stay or pause There take my gage behold I offer it To him that first accus'd him in this cause Or any else that dare and will maintaine That for his pride the Prince was iustly slaine 59 I say with reason Lord Gernandos pride He hath abated if he haue offended Gainst your commands who are his Lord and guide Oh pardon him that fault shall be amended If he be gone quoth Godfrey let him ride And braule elsewhere here let all strife be ended And you Lord Guelpho for your nephewes sake Breed vs no new nor quarrels old awake 60 This while the faire and false Armida striued To get her promist aide in sure possession The day to end with endlesse plaint she driued Wit beautie craft for her made intercession But when the earth was once of light depriued And westren seas felt Titans hot impression Twixt two old knights and matrons twaine she went Where pitched was her faire and curious tent 61 But this false Queene of craft and slie inuention Whose lookes loues arrowes were whose eies his quiuers Whose beautie matchlesse free from reprehension A wonder left by heau'n to after liuers Among the Christian Lords had bred contention Who first should quench his flames in Cupids riuers With all her weapons and her darts rehersed Had not Godfredos constant bosome persed 62 To change his modest thought the dame procureth And profreth heapes of loues entising treasure But as the faulcon newly gorg'd endureth Her keeper lure her oft but comes at leasure So he whom fulnesse of delight assureth What long repentance comes of loues short pleasure Her crafts her artes her selfe and all despiseth So base affections fall when vertue riseth 63 And not one foot his stedfast foot was moued Out of that heau'nly path wherein he paced Yet thousand wiles and thousand waies she proued To haue that castle faire of goodnes raced She vs'd those lookes and smiles that most behoued To melt the frost which his hard hart imbraced And gainst his brest a thousand shot she ventred Yet was the fort so strong it was not entred 64 The Dame who thought that one blinke of her eie Could make the chastest hart feele loues sweet paine Oh how her pride abated was hereby When all her sleights were voide her crafts were vaine Some other where she would her forces trie Where at more ease she might more vantage gaine As tired soldiers whom some fort keepes out Thence raise their siege and spoile the townes about 65 But yet alwaies the wilie witch could finde Could not Tancredres hart to loue-ward moue His sailes were filled with another winde He list no blast of new affection proue For as one poison doth exclude by kinde Anothers force so loue excludeth loue These two alone nor more nor lesse the Dame Could win the rest all burnt in her sweet flame 66 The Princesse though her purpose would not frame As late she hoped and as still she would Yet for the Lords and knights of greatest name Became her pray as earst you heard it told She thought ere truth-reuealing time or fame Bewraid her act to lead them to some hold Where chains bands she meant to make them proue Compos'd by Vulcan not by gentle loue 67 The time prefixt at length was come and past Which Godfrey had set downe to lend her aid When at his feet her selfe to earth she cast The howre is come my Lord she humbly said And if the tyrant haply heare at last His banisht neece hath your assistance praid He will in armes to saue his kingdome rise So shall we harder make this enterprise 68 Before report can bring the tyrant newes Or his espials certifie their king O let thy goodnes these few champions chuse That to her kingdome should thy handmaid bring Who except heauen to aide the right refuse Recouer shall her crowne from whence shall spring Thy profit for betide thee peace or war Thine all her cities all her subiects ar 69 The captaine sage the damsell faire assured His word was past and should not be recanted And she with sweet and humble grace endured To let him point those ten which late he granted But to be one each one sought and procured No suit entreatie intercession wanted Their enuie each at others loue exceeded And all importunate made more than needed 70 She that well saw the secret of their harts And knew how best to warme them in their blood Against them threw the cursed poyson'd darts Of iealousie and griefe at others good For loue she wist was weake without those arts And slow for iealousie is Cupids food For the swift steed runs not so fast alone As when some straine some striue him to outgone 71 Her words in such alluring sort she framed Her lookes entising and her wowing smiles That euerie one his fellowes fauours blamed That of their mistris he receiu'd erewhiles This foolish crew of louers vnashamed Mad with the poyson of her secret wiles Ran forward still in this disordred sort Nor could Godfredoes bridle raine them short 72 He that would satisfie each good desire Withouten partiall loue of euerie knight Although he sweld with shame with griefe and ire To see these follies and these fashions light Yet since by no aduice they would retire Another way he sought to set them right Write all your names quoth he and see whom chance Of lot to this exploit will first aduance 73 Their names were writ and in a helmet shaken While each did fortunes grace and aid implore At last they drew them and the formost taken The Earle of Pembrooke was Artimidore Doubtlesse the Countie thought his bread well baken Next Gerrard follow'd then with tresses hore Old Wenceslaus that felt Cupids rage Now in his doting and his dying age 74 Oh how contentment in their foreheads shined Their lookes with ioy thoughts sweld with secret pleasure These three it seemed good successe defined To make the Lords of loue and beauties treasure Their doubtfull fellowes at their hap repined And with small patience wait fortunes leasure Vpon his lips that red the scrowles attending As if their liues were on his words depending 75 Guascar the fourth Ridolpho him succeedes Then Vldericke whom loue list so aduance Lord William of Ronciglion next he reedes Then Eberard
and Henrie borne in France Rambaldo last whom wicked lust so leedes That he forsooke his Sauiour with mischance This wretch the tenth was who was thus deluded The rest to their huge griefe were all excluded 76 Orecome with enuie wrath and iealousie The rest blinde fortune curse and all her lawes And mad with loue yet out on loue they crie That in his kingdome let her iudge their cause And for mans minde is such that oft we trie Things most forbidden without stay or pause In spite of fortune purpos'd many a knight To follow faire Armida when 't was night 77 To follow her by night or else by day And in her quarell venture life and lim With sighes and teares she gan them softly pray To keepe that promise when the skies were dim To this and that knight did she plaine and say What griefe she felt to part withouten him Meane-while the ten had dond their armour best And taken leaue of Godfrey and the rest 78 The Duke aduis'd them euery one apart How light how trustlesse was the Pagans faith And told what policie what wit what art Auoides deceit which heedlesse men betrai'th His speeches pearse their eare but not their hart Loue calles it follie what so wisdome saith Thus warn'd he leaues them to their wanton guide Who parts that night such haste had she to ride 79 The conqueresse departs and with her led These prisoners whom loue would captiue keepe The harts of those she left behinde her bled With point of sorrowes arrow pearsed deepe But when the night her drousie mantle spred And fild the earth with silence shade and sleepe In secret sort then each forsooke his tent And as blinde Cupid led them blinde they went 80 Eustatio first who scantly could forbeare Till friendly night might hide his haste and shame He road in poste and let his beast him beare As his blinde fancie would his iourney frame All night he wandred and he wist not wheare But with the morning he espide the Dame That with her gard vp from a village rode Where she and they that night had made abode 81 Thither he gallopt fast and drawing nere Rambaldo knew the knight and lowdly cride Whence comes yong Eustace and what seekes he here I come quoth he to serue the Queene Armide If she accept me would we all were there Where my good-will and faith might best be tride Who quoth the other chuseth thee to proue This hie exploit of hers he answered loue 82 Loue hath Eustatio chosen fortune thee In thy conceit which is the best election Nay then these shiftes are vaine replied hee These titles false serue thee for no protection Thou canst not here for this admitted bee Our fellow seruant in this sweete subiection And who quoth Eustace angrie dares denie My fellowship Rambaldo answered I. 83 And with that word his cutting sword he drew That glistred bright and sparkled flaming fire Vpon his foe the other champion flew With equall courage and with equall ire The gentle Princesse who the danger knew Betweene them stept and prai'd them both retire Rambald quoth she why should you grudge or plaine If I a champion you an helper gaine 84 If me you loue why wish you me depriued In so great need of such a puissant knight But welcome Eustace in good time arriued Defender of my state my life my right I wish my haplesse selfe no longer liued When I esteeme such good assistance light Thus talkt they on and trauail'd on their way Their fellowship encreasing euery day 85 From euerie side they come yet wist there none Of others comming or of others minde She welcomes all and telleth euerie one What ioy her thoughts in his arriuall finde But when Duke Godfrey wist his knights were gone Within his brest his wiser soule deuinde Some hard mishap vpon his friends should light For which he sigh'd all day and wept all night 86 A messenger while thus he mus'd drew neare All soil'd with dust and sweat quite out of breath It seem'd the man did heauie tidings beare Vpon his lookes sat newes of losse and death My Lord quoth he so many ships appeare At sea that Neptune beares the load vneath From Egypt come they all this lets thee weete William Lord Amrall of the Genoa fleete 87 Besides a conuoy comming from the shore With vittaile for this noble campe of thine Surprised was and lost is all that store Mules horses camels loden corne and wine Thy seruants fought till they could fight no more For all were slaine or captiues made in fine Th' Arabian outlawes them assail'd by night When least they fear'd and least they lookt for fight 88 Their franticke boldnes doth presume so far That many Christians haue they falsly slaine And like a raging flood they sparsed ar And ouerflow each countrie field and plaine Send therefore some strong troopes of men of war To force them hence and driue them home againe And keepe the waies betweene these tents of thine And those broad seas the seas of Palestine 89 From mouth to mouth the heauie rumour spred Of these misfortunes which dispersed wide Among the soldiers great amasement bred Famine they doubt and new come foes beside The Duke that saw their woonted courage fled And in the place thereof weake feare espide With merrie lookes these cheerefull words he spake To make them hart againe and courage take 90 You champions bold with me that scaped haue So many dangers and such hard assaies Whom still your God did keepe defend and saue In all your battailes combats fights and fraies You that subdew'd the Turks and Persians braue That thirst and hunger held in scorne alwaies And vanquisht hils and seas with heat and cold Shall vaine reports appall your courage bold 91 That Lord who helpt you out at euerie need When ought befell this glorious campe amis Shall fortune all your actions well to speed On whom his mercie large extended is Tofore his tombe when conquering hands you spreed With what delite will you remember this Be strong therefore and keepe your valours hie To honour conquest fame and victorie 92 Their hope 's halfe dead and courage well-nie lost Reuiu'd with these braue speeches of their guide But in his brest a thousand cares he tost Although his sorrowes he could wisely hide He studied how to feed that mightie host In so great scarcenesse and what force prouide He should against th' Egyptian warriors slie And how subdue those theeues of Arabie The sixth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Argantes calles the Christians out to iust Otho not chosen doth his strength assay But from his saddle tumbleth in the dust And captiue to the towne is sent away Tancred begins new fight and when both trust To win the praise and palme night ends the fray Erminia hopes to cure her wounded knight And from the citie armed rides by night 1 BVt better hopes had them recomforted That lay besieged in the sacred
out And through the secret dales they silent pas Where danger least least feare least perill was 97 But when these faire aduentrers entred we are Deepe in a vale Erminia staid her hast To be recall'd she had no cause to feare This formost hazard had she trimly past But dangers new tofore vnseene appeare New perils she descride new doubts she cast The way that her desire to quiet brought More difficult now seem'd than earst she thought 98 Armed to ride among her angrie foes She now perceiu'd it were great ouersight Yet would she not she thought her selfe disclose Vntill she came before her chosen knight To him she purpos'd to present the rose Pure spotlesse cleane vntoucht of mortall wight She staid therefore and in her thoughts more wise She call'd her squire whom thus she gan aduise 99 Thou must quoth she be mine ambassadore Be wise be carefull true and diligent Goe to the campe present thy selfe before The Prince Tancredie wounded in his tent Tell him thy mistresse comes to cure his sore If he to grant her peace and rest consent Gainst whom fierce loue such cruell war hath reased So shall his wounds be cur'd her torments eased 100 And say in him such hope and trust she hath That in his powres she feares no shame nor scorne Tell him thus much and what so ere he sath Vnfold no more but make a quicke returne I for this place is free from harme and scath Within this valley will meanewhile soiorne Thus spake the Princesse and her seruant trew To execute the charge imposed flew 101 And was receiu'd he so discreetly wrought First of the watch that guarded in their place Before the wounded Prince than was he brought Who heard his message kinde with gentle grace Which told he left him tossing in his thought A thousand doubts and turn'd his speedie pace To bring his Ladie and his mistresse word She might be welcome to that courteous Lord. 102 But she impatient to whose desire Greeuous and harmefull seem'd each little stay Recounts his steps and thinks now drawes he nire Now enters in now speakes now comes his way And that which greeu'd her most the carefull squire Lesse speedie seem'd than ere before that day Lastly she forward rode with loue to guide Vntill the Christian tents at hand she spide 103 Inuested in her starrie vaile the night In her kinde armes embraced all this round The siluer moone from sea vprising bright Spred frostie pearle on the canded ground And Cinthia like for beauties glorious light The loue-sicke Nymph threw glistring beames around And counsellors of her old loue she made Those vallies dumbe that silence and that shade 104 Beholding then the campe quoth she O faire And castle-like pauilions richly wrought From you how sweet me thinketh blowes the aire How comforts it my hart my soule my thought Through heau'ns faire grace from gulfe of sad despaire My tossed barke to port well nie is brought In you I seeke redresse for all my harmes Rest midst your weapons peace amongst your armes 105 Receiue me than and let me mercie finde As gentle loue assureth me I shall Among you had I entertainment kinde When first I was the Prince Tancredies thrall I couet not led by ambition blinde You should me in my fathers throne enstall Might I but serue in you my Lord so deare That my content my ioy my comfort weare 106 Thus parled she poore soule and neuer feared The sudden blow of fortunes cruell spight She stood where Phebes splendant beame appeared Vpon her siluer armour double bright The place about her round the shining cleered Of that pure white wherein the Nymph was dight The Tigresse great that on her helmet laid Bore witnes where she went and where she staid 107 So as her fortune would a Christian band Their secret ambush there had closely framed Led by two brothers of Italia land Yong Polipherne and Alicandro named These with their forces watched to withstand Those that brought vittailes to their foes vntamed And kept that passage them Erminia spide And fled as fast as her swift steed could ride 108 But Polipherne before whose watrie eies His aged father strong Clorinda slew When that bright sheeld and siluer helme he spies The Championesse he thought he saw and knew Vpon his hidden mates for aide he cries Gainst his supposed foe and forth he flew As he was rash and heedlesse in his wrath Bending his lance thou art but dead he sath 109 As when a chased hinde her course doth bend To seeke by soile to finde some ease or good Whether from craggie rocke the spring descend Or softly glide within the shadie wood If there the dogs she meet where late she wend To comfort her weake lims in cooling flood Againe she flies swift as she fled at first Forgetting weaknesse wearinesse and thirst 110 So she that thought to rest her wearie spright And quench the endlesse thirst of ardent loue With deare embracements of her Lord and knight But such as marriage rites should first approue When she beheld her foe with weapon bright Threat'ning her death his hastie courser moue Her loue her Lord her selfe abandoned She spurr'd her speedie steed and swift she fled 111 Erminia fled scantly the tender grasse Her Pegasus with his light footesteps bent Her maidens beast for speed did likewise passe Yet diuers waies such was their feare they went The squire who all too late return'd alas With tardie newes from Prince Tancredies tent Fled likewise when he saw his mistresse gone It booted not to soiourne there alone 112 But Alicandro wiser than the rest Who this suppos'd Clorinda saw likewise To follow her yet was he nothing prest But in his ambush still and close he lies A messenger to Godfrey he addrest That should him of this accident aduise How that his brother chas'd with naked blade Clorindas selfe or else Clorindas shade 113 Yet that it was or that it could be she He had small cause or reason to suppose Occasion great and weightie must it be Should make her ride by night among her foes What Godfrey willed that obserued he And with his soldiers lay in ambush close These newes through all the Christian armie went In euerie cabbin talkt and euerie tent 114 Tancred whose thoughts the squire had fild with doubt By his sweet words suppos'd now hearing this Alas the virgin came to seeke me out And for my sake her life in danger is Himselfe foorthwith he singled from the rout And rode in haste though halfe his armes he mis Among those sandie fields and valleis greene To seeke his loue he gallopte fast vnseene The seuenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument A shepherd faire Erminia entertaines Whom whilst Tancredie seekes in vaine to finde He is entrapped in Armidaes traines Raimond with strong Argantes is assignde To fight an Angell to his aide he gaines Sathan that sees the Pagans furie blinde And hastie wrath turne to his losse and
and skill Within th' imperiall tent assembled weare The herald there in boasting termes defide Tancredie first and all that durst beside 58 With sober cheere Godfredo lookt about And view'd at leasure euery Lord and knight But yet for all his lookes not one stept out With courage bold to vndertake the fight Absent were all the Christian champious stout No newes of Tancred since his secret flight Boemond far off and banisht from the crew Was that strong Prince who proud Gernando slew 59 And eeke those tenne which chosen were by lot And all the worthies of the campe beside After Armida false were follow'd hot When night was come their secret flight to hide The rest their hands and harts that trusted not Blushed for shame yet silent still abide For none there was that sought to purchase fame In so great perill feare exiled shame 60 The angrie Duke their feare discouer'd plaine By their pale lookes and silence from each part And as he mooued was with iust disdaine These words he said and from his seat vpstart Vnworthie life I iudge that coward swaine To hazard it euen now that wants the hart When this vile Pagan with his glorious boast Dishonours and defies Christs sacred hoast 61 But let my campe sit still in peace and rest And my liues hazard at their ease behold Come bring me here my fairest armes and best And they were brought sooner than could be told But gentle Raimond in his aged brest Who had mature aduise and counsell old Than whom in all the campe were none or few Of greater might before Godfredo drew 62 And grauely said Ah let it not betide On one mans hand to venture all this host No priuate soldier thou thou art our guide If thou miscarrie all our hope were lost By thee must Babel fall and all her pride Of our true faith thou art the prop and post Rule with thy scepter conquer with thy word Let other combats make with speare and sword 63 Let me this Pagans glorious pride asswage These aged armes can yet their weapons vse Let other shun Bellonaes dreadfull rage These siluer locks shall not Raimondo scuse Oh that I were in prime of lustie age Like you that this aduenture braue refuse And dare not once lift vp your coward eies Gainst him that you and Christ himselfe defies 64 Or as I was when all the Lords of fame And Germaine Princes great stood by to vew In Conrades court the second of that name When Leopold in single fight I slew A greater praise I reaped by the same So strong a foe in combat to subdue Than he should doe who all alone should chace Or kill a thousand of these Pagans bace 65 Within these armes had I that strength againe This boasting Painim had not liu'd till now Yet in this brest doth courage still remaine For age or yeeres these members shall not bow And if I be in this encounter slaine Scotfree Argantes shall not scape I vow Giue me mine armes this battaile shall with praise Augment mine honour got in yonger daies 66 The iolly Baron old thus brauely spake His words are spurres to vertue euery knight That seem'd before to tremble and to quake Now talked bold ensample hath such might Each one the battaile fierce would vndertake Now stroue they all who should begin the fight Baldwine and Roger both would combat faine Stephen Guelpho Gernier and the Gerrards twaine 67 And Pyrrhus who with helpe of Boemonds sword Proud Antioch by cunning sleight opprest The battaile eeke with many a lowly word Ralph Rosimond and Eberard request A Scotsh an Irish and an English Lord Whose lands the sea diuides far from the rest And for the fight did likewise humbly sue Edward and his Gildippes louers true 68 But Raimond more then all the rest doth sue Vpon that Pagan fierce to wreake his ire Now wants he nought of all his armours due Except his helme that shone like flaming fire To whom Godfredo thus O mirrour true Of antique worth thy courage doth inspire New strength in vs of Mars in thee doth shine The art the honour and the discipline 69 If tenne like thee of valour and of age Among these legions I could haply finde I should the heat of Babels pride asswage And spread our faith from Thule to furthest Inde But now I pray thee calme thy valiant rage Reserue thy selfe till greater need vs binde And let the rest each one write downe his name And see whom fortune chooseth to this game 70 Or rather see whom Gods high iudgement taketh To whom is chance and fate and fortune slaue Raimond his earnest suit not yet forsaketh His name writ with the res'due would he haue Godfrey himselfe in his bright helmet shaketh The scroules with names of all the champions braue They drew and red the first whereon they hit Wherein was Raimond Earle of Tholouse writ 71 His name with ioy and mightie shoutes they blis The rest allow his choise and fortune praise New vigor blushed through those lookes of his It seem'd he now resum'd his youthfull daies Like to a snake whose slough new changed is That shines like gold against the sunnie raies But Godfrey most approu'd his fortune hie And wisht him honour conquest victorie 72 Then from his side he tooke his noble brand And giuing it to Raimond thus he spake This is the sword wherewith in Saxon land The great Rubello battaile vs'd to make From him I tooke it fighting hand to hand And tooke his life with it and many a lake Of blood with it I haue shed since that day With thee God grant it proue as happie may 73 Of these delaies meane-while impatient Argantes threat'neth lowd and sternly cries O glorious people of the Occident Behold him here that all your host defies Why comes not Tancred whose great hardiment With you is pris'd so deere pardie he lies Still on his pillow and presumes the night Againe may shield him from my powre and might 74 Why than some other come by band and band Come all come forth on horsebacke come on foot If not one man dares combat hand to hand In all the thousands of so great a rout See where the tombe of Maries sonne doth stand March thither warriors bold what makes you dout Why run you not there for your sinnes to weepe Or to what greater need these forces keepe 75 Thus scorned by that heathen Sarracine Were all the soldiers of Christs sacred name Raimond while others at his words repine Burst forth in rage he could not beare this shame For fire of courage brighter far doth shine If challenges and threats augment the same So that vpon his steed he mounted light Which Aquilino for his swiftnes hight 76 This Iennet was by Tagus bred for oft The breeder of these beasts to war assinde When first on trees burgen the blossomes soft Prickt forward with the sting of fertile kinde Against the aire cast vp her head aloft And gath'reth
ease and safe retired Yet coward dread lacks order feare wants art Deafe to attend commanded or desired But Godfrey that perceiu'd in his wise hart How his bold knights to victorie aspired Fresh soldiers sent to make more quicke pursuit And helpe to gather conquests pretious fruit 115 But this alas was not th' appointed day Set downe by heau'n to end this mortall war The westren Lords this time had borne away The prise for which they trauail'd had so far Had not the diuels that saw the sure decay Of their faise kingdome by this bloodie war At once made heau'n and earth with darknes blinde And stird vp tempests stormes and blustring winde 116 Heau'ns glorious lampe wrapt in an ouglie vaile Of shadowes darke was hid from mortall eie And hels grim blacknes did bright skies assaile On euerie side the fierie light'nings flie The thunders roare the streaming raine and haile Powre downe and make that sea which earst was drie The tempests rend the Oakes and Cedars brake And make not trees but rocks and mountaines shake 117 The raine the lightning and the raging winde Bet in the French-mens eies with hideous force The soldiers staid amaz'd in hart and minde The terror such stopped both man and horse Surprised with this euill no way they finde Whither for succour to direct their corse But wise Clorinda soone th' aduantage spied And spurring forth thus to her soldiers cried 118 You hardie men at armes behold quoth shee How heau'n how iustice in our aide doth fight Our visages are from this tempest free Our hands at will may weild our weapons bright The furie of this friendly storme you see Vpon the foreheads of our foes doth light And blindes their eies then let vs take the tide Come follow me good fortune be our guide 119 This said against her foes on rode the Dame And turn'd their backs against the winde and raine Vpon the French with furious rage she came And scorn'd those idle blowes they stroke in vaine Argantes at the instant did the same And them who chased him now chas'd againe Nought but his fearefull backe each Christian showes Against the tempest and against their blowes 120 The cruell haile and deadly wounding blade Vpon their shoulders smote them as they fled The blood new spilt while thus they slaughter made The water falne from skies had died red Among the murdred bodies Pyrrhus lade And valiant Raiphe his hart blood there out bled The first subdu'd by strong Argantes might The second conqu'red by that virgin knight 121 Thus fled the French and them pursu'd in chace The wicked sprites and all the Syrian traine But gainst their force and gainst the fell menace Of haile and winde of tempest and of raine Godfrey alone turn'd his audacious face Blaming his Barons for their feare so vaine Himselfe the campe gate boldly stood to keepe And sau'd his men within his trenches deepe 122 And twise vpon Argantes proud he flew And beat him backward maugre all his might And twise his thirstie sword he did imbrew In Pagans blood where thickest was the fight At last himselfe with all his folke withdrew And that daies conquest gaue the virgin bright Which got she home retir'd and all her men And thus she chas'd this lion to his den 123 Yet ceased not the furie and the ire Of these huge stormes of winde of raine and haile Now was it darke now shone the light'ning fire The winde and water euery place assaile No banke was safe no rampire left intire No tent could stand when beame and cordage faile Winde thunder raine all gaue a dreadfull sound And with that musicke deaft the trembling ground The eight Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Amessenger to Godfrey sage doth tell The Prince of Denmarks valour death and end Th' Italians trusting signes vntrue too well Thinke their Rinaldo slaine the wicked fend Breedes furie in their brests their bosomes swell With ire and hate and war and strife forth send They threaten Godfrey he praies to the Lord And calmes their furie with his looke and word 1 NOw were the skies of stormes and tempests cleered Lord AEolus shut vp his windes in hold The siluer mantled morning fresh appeared With roses crown'd and buskind high with gold The spirits yet which had these tempests reared Their malice would still more and more vnfold And one of them that Astragor was named His speeches thus to foule Alecto framed 2 Alecto see we could not stop nor stay The knight that to our foes new tidings brings Who from the hands escapt with life away Of that great Prince chiefe of all Pagan kings He comes the fall of his slaine Lord to say Of death and losse he tels and such sad things Great newes he brings and greatest danger is Bertoldoes sonne shall be call'd home for this 3 Thou know'st what would befall bestir thee than Preuent with craft what force could not withstand Turne to their euill the speeches of the man With his owne weapon wound Godfredoes hand Kindle debate infect with poyson wan The English Switzer and Italian band Great tumults moue make braules and quarrels rife Set all the campe on vprore and at strife 4 This act beseemes thee well and of the deed Much maist thou boast before our Lord and king Thus said the sprite perswasion small did need The monster grants to vndertake the thing Meane-while the knight whose comming thus they dreed Before the campe his wearie lims doth bring And well nie breathlesse warriors bold he cride Who shall conduct me to your famous guide 5 An hundreth stroue the strangers guide to bee To harken newes the knights by heapes assemble The man fell lowly downe vpon his knee And kist the hand that made proud Babel tremble Right puissant Lord whose valiant actes quoth hee The sands and starres in number best resemble Would God some gladder newes I might vnfold And there he paws'd and sigh'd then thus he told 6 Sweno the king of Denmarks only haire The stay and staffe of his declining eild Longed to be among these squadrons faire Who for Christes faith here serue with speare and sheild No wearinesse no stormes of sea or aire No such contents as crownes and scepters yeild No deere entreaties of so kinde a sire Could in his bosome quench that glorious fire 7 He thirsted sore to learne this warlike art Of thee great Lord and master of the same And was ashamed in his noble hart That neuer act he did deserued fame Besides the newes and tidings from each part Of yong Rinaldoes worth and praises came But that which most his courage stirred haith Is zeale religion godlinesse and faith 8 He hasted forward than without delay And with him tooke of knights a chosen band Directly toward Thrace we tooke the way To Bizance old chiefe fortresse of that land There the Greeke monarch gently praid him stay And there an herald sent from you we fand How Antioch was wonne who first
Lord or these reproches heare 49 Oh let me speake quoth he with ire and scorne I burne and gainst my will thus hid I stay This said the smokie cloud was cleft and torne Which like a vaile vpon them stretched lay And vp to open heau'n forthwith was borne And left the Prince in vew of lightsome day With princely looke amid the prease he shin'de And on a sodaine thus declar'd his minde 50 Of whom you speake behold the Soldan here Neither affraid nor ron away for dread And that these slanders lies and fables were This hand shall proue vpon that cowards head I who haue shed a sea of blood well nere And heapt vp mountaines high of Christians dead I in their campe who still maintain'd the fray My men all murdred I that ron away 51 If this or any coward vile beside False to his faith and countrie dares replie And speake of concord with yond men of pride By your good leaue sir king here shall he die The lambes and wolues shall in one fold abide The doues and serpents in one nest shall lie Before one towne vs and these Christians shall In peace and loue vnite within one wall 52 While thus he spoke his broad and trenchant sword His hand held high aloft in threatning guise Dombe stood the knights so dreadfull was his word A storme was in his front fire in his eies He turn'd at last to Sions aged Lord And calm'd his visage sterne in humbler wise Behold quoth he good Prince what aide I bring Since Soliman is ioyn'd with Iudaes king 53 King Aladine from his rich throne vpstart And said oh how I ioy thy face to vew My noble friend it less'neth in some part My greefe for slaughter of my subiects trew My weake estate to stablish come thou art And maist thine owne againe in time renew If heau'ns consent with that the Soldan bold In deere embracements did he long enfold 54 Their greetings done the king resinde his throne To Solman and set himselfe beside In a rich seat adorn'd with gold and stone And Ismen sage did at his elbow bide Of whom he askt what way they two had gone And he declar'd all what had them betide Clorinda bright to Soliman addrest Her salutations first then all the rest 55 Among them rose Ormusses valiant knight Whom late the Soldan with a conuoy sent And when most hot and bloodie was the fight By secret pathes and blinde by-waies he went Till aided by the silence and the night Safe in the cities walles himselfe he pent And there refresht with come and cattell store The pined soldiers famisht nie before 56 With surly count'nance and disdainfull grace Sullen and sad sate the Circassian stout Like a fierce lion grombling in his place His firie eies that turnes and rolles about Nor durst Orcanes vew the Soldans face But still vpon the floore did pore and tout Thus with his Lords and peeres in counselling The Turkish monarch sate with Iudaes king 57 Godfrey this while gaue victorie the raine And following her the streits he opened all Then for his soldiers and his captaines slaine He celebrates a stately funerall And told his campe within a day or twaine He would assault the cities mightie wall And all the heathen there enclos'd doth threat With fire and sword with death and danger great 58 And for he had that noble squadron knowne In the last fight which brought him so great aid To be the Lords and Princes of his owne Who followed late the slie entising maid And with them Tancred who had late beene throwne In prison deepe by that false witch betrai'd Before the hermit and some priuate frends For all those worthies Lords and knights he sends 59 And thus he said some one of you declare Your fortunes whether good or to be blamed And to assist vs with your valours rare In so great need how was your comming framed They blush and on the ground amazed stare For vertue is of little guilt ashamed At last the English Prince with count'nance bold The silence broke and thus their errors told 60 We not elect to that exploit by lot With secret flight from hence our selues withdrew Following false Cupid I denie it not Entised forth by loue and beauties hew A iealous fire burnt in our stomackes hot And by close waies we passed least in vew Her words her lookes alas I know too late Nursed our loue our iealousie our hate 61 At last we gan approach that wofull clime Where fire and brimstone downe from heau'n was sent To take reuenge for sinne and shamefull crime Gainst kinde commit by those who nould repent A lothsome lake of brimstone pitch and lime Oregoes that land earst sweet and redolent And when it moues thence stinch and smoke vp flies Which dim the welkin and infect the skies 62 This is the lake in which yet neuer might Ought that hath weight sinke to the bottome downe But like to corke to leaues or feathers light Stones iron men there fleet and neuer drowne Therein a castle stands to which by sight But ore a narrow bridge no way is knowne Hither vs brought here welcomd vs the witch The house within was stately pleasant ritch 63 The heau'ns were cleere and wholsome was the aire High trees sweet medowes waters pure and good For there in thickest shade of Mirtles faire A christall spring powr'd out a siluer flood Amid the herbes the grasse and flowres rare The falling leaues downe pattred from the wood The birds sung hymnes of loue yet speake I nought Of gold and marble rich and richly wrought 64 Vnder the curtaine of the greene-wood shade Beside the brooke vpon the veluet grasse In massie vessell of pure siluer made A banket rich and costly furnisht was All beastes all birds beguil'd by fowlers trade All fish were there in floods or seas that passe All dainties made by art and at the table An hundreth virgins seru'd for husbands able 65 She with sweet words and false entising smiles Infused loue among the dainties set And with empoys'ned cups our soules beguiles And made each knight himselfe and God forget She rose and turn'd againe within short whiles With changed lookes where wrath and anger met A charming rod a booke with her she brings On which she mumbled strange and secret things 66 She red and change I felt my will and thought I long'd to change my life and place of biding That vertue strange in me no pleasure wrought I leapt into the flood my selfe there hiding My legs and feet both into one were brought Mine armes and hands into my shoulders sliding My skin was full of scales like shields of bras Now made a fish where late a knight I was 67 The rest with me like shape like garments wore And diu'de with me in that quicksiluer streame Such minde to my remembrance then I bore As when on vaine and foolish things men dreame At last our shape it pleas'd her to restore Then
full of wonder and of feare we seame And with an irefull looke the angrie maid Thus threat'ned vs and made vs thus affraid 68 You see quoth she my sacred might and skill How you are subiect to my rule and powre In endlesse thraldome damned if I will I can torment and keepe you in this towre Or make you birdes or trees on craggie hill To bide the bitter blastes of storme and showre Or harden you to rocks on mountaines old Or melt your flesh and bones to riuers cold 69 Yet may you well auoid mine ire and wraith If to my will your yeelding harts you bend You must forsake your Christendome and faith And gainst Godfredo false my crowne defend We all refus'd for speedie death each prai'th Saue false Rambaldo he became her frend We in a dungeon deepe were helplesse cast In miserie and iron chained fast 70 Then for alone they say falles no mishap Within short while Prince Tancred thither came And was vnwares surprised in the trap But there short while we staid the wilie dame In other foldes our mischiefes would vpwrap From Hidraort an hundreth horsemen came Whose guide a Baron bold to Egypts king Should vs disarm'd and bound in fetters bring 71 Now on our way the way to death we ride But prouidence diuine thus for vs wrought Rinaldo whose high vertue is his guide To great exploits exceeding humane thought Met vs and all at once our garde defide And ere he left the fight to earth them brought And in their harnesse arm'd vs in the place Which late were ours before our late disgrace 72 I and all these the hardie champion knew We saw his valour and his voice we hard Then is the rumor of his death vntrew His life is safe good fortune long it gard Three times the golden sunne hath risen new Since vs he left and rode to Antioch ward But first his armours broken hackt and cleft Vnfit for seruice there he doft and left 73 Thus spake the Briton prince with humble cheare The Hermit sage to heau'n cast vp his eine His colour and his count'nance changed weare With heauenly grace his lookes and visage shine Rauisht with zeale his soule approched neare The seat of angels pure and saints diuine And there he learnd of things and haps to come To giue foreknowledge true and certaine dome 74 At last he spoke in more then humane sound And told what things his wisedome great foresaw And at his thundring voice the folke around Attentiue stood with trembling and with awe Rinaldo liues he said the tokens found From womens craft their false beginnings draw He liues and heau'n will long preserue his daies To greater glorie and to greater praise 75 These are but trifles yet though Asias kings Shrinke at his name and tremble at his vew I well foresee he shall do greater things And wicked emprours conquer and subdew Vnder the shadow of his eagles wings Shall holie church preserue hir sacred crew From Caesars bird he shall the sable traine Plucke off and breake her talons sharpe in twaine 76 His childrens children at his hardinesse And great attempts shall take ensample faire From emperours vniust in all distresse They shall defend the state of Peters chaire To raise the humble vp pride to suppresse To helpe the innocents shall be their caire This bird of East shall flie with conquest great As farre as moone giues light or sunne giues heat 77 Her eies behold the truth and purest light And thunders downe in Peters aide shee brings And where for Christ and christian faith men fight There foorth shee spreadeth hir victorious wings This vertue Nature giues hir and this might Then lure her home for on her presence hings The happie end of this great enterpries So heau'n decrees and so command the skies 78 These words of his of Prince Rinaldoes death Out of their troubled harts the feare had raced In all this ioy yet Godfrey smil'd vneath In his wise thought such care and heed was placed But now from deepes of regions vnderneath Nights vaile arose and sunnes bright luster chaced When all full sweetly in their cabbins slept Saue he whose thoughts his eies still open kept The eleuenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument With graue procession songs and psalmes deuout Heau'ns sacred aide the Christian Lords inuoke That done they soale the wall which kept them out The fort is almost wonne the gates nie broke Godfrey is wounded by Clorinda stout And lost is that daies conquest by the stroke The Angell cures him he returnes to fight But lost his labour for day lost his light 1 THe Christian armies great and puissant guide T' assault the towne that all his thoughts had bent Did ladders rammes and engins huge prouide When reuerent Peter to him grauely went And drawing him with sober grace aside With words seuere thus told his high intent Right wel my Lord these earthly strengthes you moue But let vs first begin from heau'n aboue 2 With publike praier zeale and faith deuout The aide assistance and the helpe obtaine Of all the blessed of the heau'nly root With whose support you conquest sure may gaine First let the priestes before thine armies stout With sacred hymnes their holy voices straine And thou and all thy Lords and peeres with thee Of godlinesse and faith ensamples bee 3 Thus spake the hermit graue in words seueare Godfrey allow'd his counsell sage and wise Of Christ the Lord quoth he thou seruant deare I yeeld to follow thy diuine aduise And while the Princes I assemble heare The great procession songs and sacrifice With Bishop William thou and Ademare With sacred and with solemne pompe prepare 4 Next morne the Bishops twaine the heremite And all the clarks and priests of lesse estate Did in the middest of the campe vnite Within a place for praier consecrate Each priest adorn'd was in a surplesse white The Bishops dond their albes and copes of state Aboue their rockets button'd faire before And miters on their heads like crownes they wore 5 Peter alone before spred to the winde The glorious signe of our saluation great With easie pace the quire come all behinde And hymnes and psalmes in order true repeat With sweet respondence in harmonious kinde Their humble song the yeelding aire doth beat Lastly together went the reuerend pare Of prelates sage William and Ademare 6 The mighty Duke came next as Princes do Without companion marching all alone The Lords and captaines came by two and two The soldiers for their garde were arm'd each one With easie pace thus ordred passing throw The trench and rampire to the fields they gone No thundring drum no trumpet shrill they heate Their godly musicke psalmes and praiers weare 7 To thee O Father Sonne and sacred Spright One true eternall euerlasting king To Christes deere mother Marie virgin bright Psalmes of thankes giuing and of praise they sing To them that angels downe from heau'n to fight Gainst the
blasphemous beast and dragon bring To him also that of our Sauiour good Washed the sacred front in Iordans flood 8 Him likewise they inuoke called the rocke Whereon the Lord they say his Church did reare Whose true successors close or else vnlocke The blessed gates of grace and mercie deare And all th'elected twelue the chosen flocke Of his triumphant death who witnes beare And them by torment slaughter fire and sword Who martyrs died to confirme his word 9 And them also whose bookes and writings tell What certaine path to heau'nly blisse vs leades And hermits good and ancresses that dwell Mewed vp in walles and mumble on their beades And virgin nunnes in close and priuate cell Where but shrift fathers neuer mankinde treades On these they called and on all the rout Of angels martyrs and of saints deuout 10 Singing and saying thus the campe deuout Spred forth her zealous squadrons broad and wide Towards mount Oliuet went all this rout So call'd of Oliue trees the hill which hide A mountaine knowne by fame the world throughout Which riseth on the cities eastren side From it deuided by the valley greene Of Iosaphat that fils the space betweene 11 Hither the armies went and chanted shrill That all the deepe and hollow dales resound From hollow mounts and caues in euery hill A thousand Ecchoes also sung around It seem'd some quire that sung with art and skill Dwelt in those sauage dennes and shadie ground For oft resounded from the banks they heare The name of Christ and of his mother deare 12 Vpon the walles the Pagans old and yong Stood husht and still amated and amased At their graue order and their humble song At their strange pompe and customes new they gased But when the shew they had beholden long An hideous yell the wicked miscreants rased That with vile blasphemies the mountaines hoare The woods the waters and the valleis roare 13 But yet with sacred notes the hostes proceed Though blasphemies they heare and cursed things So with Apolloes harpe Pan tunes his reed So adders hisse where Philomela sings Nor flying dartes nor stones the Christians dreed Nor arrowes shot nor quarries cast from flings But with assured faith as dreading nought The holy worke begun to end they brought 14 A table set they on the mountaines hight To minister thereon the Sacrament In golden candlesticks a hallowed light At either end of virgin waxe there brent In costly vestments sacred William dight With feare and trembling to the altar went And praier there and seruice lowd beginnes Both for his owne and all the armies sinnes 15 Humbly they heard his words that stood him nie The rest far off vpon him bent their eies But when he ended had the seruice hie You seruants of the Lord depart he cries His hands he lifted than vp to the skie And blessed all those warlike companies And they dismist return'd the way they came Their order as before their pompe the same 16 Within their campe arriu'd this voiage ended Towards his tent the Duke himselfe withdrew Vpon their guide by heapes the bands attended Till his pauilions stately doore they vew There to the Lord his welfare they commended And with him left the worthies of the crew Whom at a costly and rich feast he placed And with the highest roome old Raimond graced 17 Now when the hungrie knights sufficed ar With meat with drinke with spices of the best Quoth he when next you see the morning star Tassault the towne be ready all and prest Tomorrow is a day of paines and war This of repose of quiet peace and rest Goe take your ease this euening and this night And make you strong against tomorrowes fight 18 They tooke their leaue and Godfreys haralds road To intimate his will on euery side And publisht it through all the lodgings broad That gainst the morne each should himselfe prouide Meane-while they might their harts of cares vnload And rest their tired limmes that euening tide Thus fared they till night their eies did close Night frend to gentle rest and sweet repose 19 With little signe as yet of springing day Out peept not well appear'd the rising morne The plough yet tore not vp the fertile lay Nor to their feed the sheepe from folds retorne The birds sate silent on the greene wood spray Amid the groues vnheard was hound and horne When trumpets shrill true signes of hardie fights Call'd vp to armes the soldiers call'd the knights 20 Arme arme at once an hundreth squadrons cride And with their crie to arme them all begin Godfrey arose that day he laid aside His hawberke strong he wontes to combat in And dond a brestplate faire of proofe vntride Such one as footmen vse light easie thin Scantly their Lord thus clothed had his gromes When aged Raimond to his presence comes 21 And furnisht thus when he the man beheild By his attire his secret thought he guest Where is quoth he your sure and trustie sheild Your helme your hawberke strong where all the rest Why be you halfe disarm'd why to the feild Approch you in these weake defences drest I see this day you meane a course to ronne Wherein may perill much small praise be wonne 22 Alas doe you that idle praise expect To set first foot this conquered wall aboue Of lesse account some knight thereto obiect Whose losse so great and harmfull cannot proue My Lord your life with greater care protect And loue your selfe bicause all vs you loue Your happie life is spirit soule and breath Of all this campe preserue it than from death 23 To this he answered thus you know he sade In Clarimont by mightie Vrbans hand When I was girded with this noble blade For Christes true faith to fight in euery land To God eu'n than a secret vow I made Not as a captaine here this day to stand And giue directions but with shield and sword To fight to winne or die for Christ my Lord. 24 When all this campe in battaile strong shall bee Ordain'd and ordred well disposed all And all things done which to the high degree And sacred place I hold belongen shall Then reason is it nor disswade thou mee That I likewise assault this sacred wall Least from my vow to God late made I swerue He shall this life defend keepe and preserue 25 Thus he concludes and euery hardie knight His sample follow'd and his brethren twaine The other Princes put on harnesse light As footemen vse but all the Pagan traine Towards that side bent their defensiue might That lies expos'd to vew of Charles waine And Zephirus sweet blastes for on that part The towne was weakest both by scite and art 26 On all parts else the fort was strong by scite With mighty hils defenst from forraine rage And to this part the tyrant gan vnite His subiects borne and bands that serue for wage From this exploit he spar'd nor great nor lite The aged men and boyes of tender age
Shall take newe strenght newe courage at his vew The heigh built towres the eastren squadrons all Shall conquerd be shall flie shall die shall fall 15 He held his peace and Godfrey answred so O how his presence would recomfort mee You that mans hidden thoughts perceaue and kno If I say truth or if I loue him see But say what messengers shall for him go What shall their speeches what their errand bee Shall I entreat or else command the man With credit neither well performe I can 16 Th' eternall Lord the other knight replide That with so many graces hath thee blest Will that among the troupes thou hast to guide Thou honour'd be and fear'd of most and lest Then speake not thou least blemish some betide Thy sacred Empire if thou make request But when by suit thou mooued art to ruth Then yeeld forgiue and home recall the youth 17 Guelpho shall pray thee God shall him inspire To pardon this offence this fault commit By hastie wrath by rash and headstrong ire To call the knight againe yeeld thou to it And though the youth enwrapt in fond desire Farre hence in loue and loosenes idle sit Yet feare it not he shall returne with speed When most you wish him and when most you need 18 Your hermit Peter to whose sapient hart High heau'n his secrets opens tels and shewes Your messengers direct can to that part Where of the Prince they shall heare certaine newes And learne the way the manner and the art To bring him backe to these thy warlike crewes That all thy souldiours wandred and misgone Heau'n may vnite againe and ioine in one 19 But this conclusion shall my speeches end Know that his blood shall mixed be with thine Whence Barons bold and Worthies shall descend That many great exploits shall bring to fine This said he vanisht from his sleeping friend Like smoake in winde or mist in Titans shine Sleepe fled likewise and in his troubled thought With woonder pleasure ioy with maruell fought 20 The Duke lookt vp and saw the Azure skie With Argent beames of siluer morning spred And started vp for praise and vertue lie In toile and trauell sinne and shame in bed His armes he tooke his sword girt to his thie To his pauilion all his Lords them sped And there in counsell graue the Princes sit For strength by wisedome warre is rul'd by wit 21 Lord Guelpho there within whose gentle brest Heau'n had infus'd that new and sudden thought His pleasing words thus to the Duke addrest Good prince milde though vnaskt kinde vnbesought O let thy mercie grant my iust request Pardon this fault by rage not malice wrought For great offence I grant so late commit My suit too hastie is perchance vnfit 22 But since to Godfrey meeke benigne and kinde For Prince Rinaldo bold I humbly sue And that the sutors selfe is not behinde Thy greatest friends in state or friendship true I trust I shall thy grace and mercie finde Acceptable to me and all this crue Oh call him home this trespasse to amend He shall his blood in Godfreyes seruice spend 23 And if not he who els dares vndertake Of this enchanted wood to cut one tree Gainst death and danger who dares battell make With so bould face so fearlesse hart as he Beat downe these walles these gates in pieces breake Leape ore these rampires heigh thou shalt him see Restore therefore to this desirous band Their wish their hope their strength their sheild their hand 24 To me my nephew to thy selfe restore A trustie helpe when strength of hand thou needs In idlenesse let him consume no more Recall him to his noble acts and deeds Knowne be his worth as was his strength of yore Where ere thy standard broad her crosse outspreeds O let his fame and praise spread far and wide Be thou his Lord his teacher and his guide 25 Thus he entreated and the rest approue His words with friendly murmures whispred low Godfrey as though their suite his minde did moue To that whereon he neuer thought till now How can my hart quoth he if you I loue To your request and suit but bend and bow Let rigor goe that right and iustice bee Wherein you all consent and all agree 26 Rinaldo shall returne let him restraine Henceforth his headstrong wrath and hastie ire And with his hardie deedes let him take paine To correspond your hope and my desire Guelpho thou must call home the knight againe See that with speed he to these tents retire The messengers appoint as likes thy minde And teach them where they should the yongman finde 27 Vpstart the Dane that bore Prince Swenos brand I will quoth he that message vndertake I will refuse no paines by sea or land To giue the knight this sword kept for his sake This man was bold of courage strong of hand Guelpho was glad he did the proffer make Thou shalt quoth he Vbaldo shalt thou haue To goe with thee a knight stout wise and graue 28 Vbaldo in his youth had knowne and seene The fashions strange of many an vncouth land And trauell'd ouer all the Realmes betweene The Articke circle and hot Meroes strand And as a man whose wit his guide had beene Their customes vse he could toongs vnderstand For thy when spent his youthfull seasons weare Lord Guelpho entertain'd and held him deare 29 To these committed was the charge and caire To finde and bring againe the champion bold Guelpho commaunds them to the fort repaire Where Boemond doth his seat and scepter hold For publike fame said that Bertoldoes haire There liu'd there dwelt there stai'd the hermit old That knew they were misled by false report Among them came and parled in this sort 30 Sir knights quoth he if you entend to ride And follow each report fond people say You follow but a rash and trothlesse guide That leades vaine men amisse and makes them stray Neere Ascalon goe to the salt sea side Where a swift brooke fals in with hideous sway An aged sire our friend there shall you finde All what he saith that doe that keepe in minde 31 Of this great voyage which you vndertake Much by his skill and much by mine aduise Hath he foreknowne and welcome for mysake You both shall be the man is kinde and wise Instructed thus no further question make The twaine elected for this enterprise But humblie yeelded to obey his word For what the Hermit said that said the Lord. 32 They tooke their leaue and on their iourney went Their will could brooke no stay their zeale no let To Ascalon their voyage straight they bent Whose broken shores with brackish waues are wet And there they heard how gainst the cliftes besprent With bitter fome the roaring surges bet A tumbling brooke their passage stopt and staid Which late falne raine had proud and puissant maid 33 So proud that ouer all his bankes he grew And through the fieldes ran swift as shaft from
Odoacer then he fought but wrong Oft spoileth right fortune treads courage downe For there he dide for his deere countries sake And of his fathers praise did so partake 72 With him dide Alphorisio Azzo was With his deere brother into exile sent But homewards they in armes againe repas The Herule king opprest from banishment His front through pierced with a dart alas Next them of Est th'Epaminondas went That smiling seemd to cruell death to yeild When Totila was fled and safe his sheild 73 Of Boniface I speake Valerian His sonne in praise and powre succeeded him Who durst sustaine in yeeres though scant a man Of the proud Gothes an hundreth squadrons trim Then he that gainst the Sclaues much honour wan Ernesto threatning stood with visage grim Before him Aldoard the Lombard stout Who from Monscelces bouldly earst shut out 74 There Henrie was and Berengare the bould That seru'd great Charles in his conquests hie Who in each battle giue the onset would A hardie souldiour and a captaine slie After prince Lewes did he well vphould Against his nephew king of Italie He wonne the fielde and tooke that king on liue Next him stood Otho with his children fiue 75 Of Almerike the image next they vew Lord Marques of Ferrara first create Founder of many churches that vpthrew His eies like one that vs'd to contemplate Gainst him the second Azzo stood in rew With Berengarious that did long debate Till after often change of fortunes stroake He wonne and on all Itaile laid the yoake 76 Albert his sonne the Germaines warde among And there his praise and fame was spred so wide That hauing foil'd the Danes in battaile strong His daughter yoong became great Othoes bride Behinde him Hugo stood with warfare long That broake the horne of all the Romaines pride Who of all Italy the Marques hight And Tuscane whole possessed as his right 77 After Tedaldo puissant Boniface And Beatrice his deere possest the stage Nor was there left heire male of that great race T' enioy the scepter state and heritage The Princesse Maude alone supplide the place Supplide the want in number sexe and age For far aboue each scepter throne and crowne The noble Dame aduanst her vaile and gowne 78 With manlike vigor shone her noble looke And more than manlike wrath her face orespred There the fell Normans Guichard there forsooke The field till than who neuer fear'd nor fled Henrie the fourth she beat and from him tooke His standard and in church it offered Which donne the Pope backe to the Vaticane She brought and plast in Peters chaire againe 79 As he that honour'd her and held her deare Azzo the fifth stood by her louely side But the fourth Azzos ofspring far and neare Spred forth and through Germania fructifide Sprong from that branch did Guelpho bold appeare Guelpho his sonne by Cunigond his bride And in Bauarias field transplanted new This Romane grift florisht encreast and grew 80 A branch of Est there in the Guelfian tree Engraffed was which of it selfe was old Whereon you might the Guelfoes fairer see Renew their scepters and their crownes of gold On which heau'ns good aspectes so bended bee That high and broad it spred and florisht bold Till vnderneath his glorious branches lade Halfe Germanie and all vnder his shade 81 This regall plant from his Italian rout Sprong vp as hie and blossom'd faire aboue For nenst Lord Guelpho Bertold issued out With the sixt Azzo whom all vertues loue This was the pedegree of worthies stout Who seem'd in that bright shield to liue and moue Rinaldo waked vp and chear'd his face To see these worthies of his house and race 82 To doe like actes his courage wisht and sought And with that wish transported him so farre That all those deedes which filled aie his thought Townes wonne fortes taken armies kild in warre As if they were things donne indeed and wrought Before his eies he thinks they present arre He hastly armes him and with hope and hast Sure conquest met preuented and imbrast 83 But Charles who had told the death and fall Of the yong Prince of Danes his late deere Lord Gaue him the fatall weapon and withall Yong knight quoth he take with good lucke this sword Your iust strong valiant hand in battaile shall Employ it long for Christes true faith and word And of his former Lord reuenge the wrongs Who lou'd you so that deed to you belongs 84 He answered God for his mercie sake Grant that this hand which holds this weapon good For thy deere maister may sharpe veng'ance take May cleaue the Pagans hart and shed his blood To this but short replie did Charles make And thankt him much nor more on termes they stood For loe the wisard sage that was their guide On their darke iourney hastes them forth to ride 85 High time it is quoth he for you to wend Where Godfrey you awaits and many a knight There may we well arriue ere night doth end And through this darknesse can I guide you right This said vp to his coach they all ascend On his swift wheeles forth roll'd the chariot light He gaue his coursers flit the rod and raine And gallopt forth and eastward droue amaine 86 While silent so through nights darke shade they flie The Hermit thus bespake the yong man stout Of thy great house thy race thine ofspring hie Here hast thou seene the branch the bole the rout And as these worthies borne to chiualrie And deedes of armes it hath tofore brought out So is it so it shall be fertile still Nor time shall end nor age that seed shall kill 87 Would God as drawne from the forgetfull lap Of antique time I haue thine elders showne That so I could the Catalogue vnwrap Of thy great nephewes yet vnborne vnknowne That ere this light they vew their fate and hap I might foretell and how their chance is throwne That like thine elders so thou mightst behold Thy children many famous stout and bold 88 But not by art or skill of things future Can the plaine troath reuealed be and told Although some knowledge doubtfull darke obscure We haue of comming haps in cloudes vprold Nor all which in this cause I know for sure Dare I foretell for of that father old The hermit Peter learn'd I much and hee Withouten vaile heau'ns secrets great doth see 89 But this to him reueal'd by grace diuine By him to me declar'd to thee I say Was neuer race Greeke Barb'rous or Latine Great in times past or famous at this day Richer in hardie knights than this of thine Such blessings heau'n shall on thy children lay That they in fame shall passe in praise orecome The worthies old of Sparta Carthage Rome 90 But mongst the rest I chose Alphonsus bould In vertue first second in place and name He shall be borne when this fraile world growes ould Corrupted poore and bare of men of fame Better than he none shall none
can or could The sword or scepter vse or guide the same To rule in peace or to command in fight Thine ofsprings glorie and thy houses light 91 His yonger age foretokens true shall yeild Of future valour puissance force and might From him no rocke the sauage beast shall sheild At tilt or turnay match him shall no knight After he conquer shall in pitched feild Great armies and win spoiles in single fight And on his locks rewards for knightly praise Shall garlands weare of grasse of oke of baies 92 His grauer age as well that eild it fits Shall happie peace preserue and quiet blest And from his neighbours strong mongst whom he sits Shall keepe his cities safe in wealth and rest Shall nourish artes and cherish pregnant wits Make triumphes great and feast his subiects best Reward the good the euill with paines torment Shall dangers all foresee and seene preuent 93 But if it hap against those wicked bands That sea and earth infest with blood and warre And in these wretched times to noble lands Giue lawes of peace false and vniust that arre That he be sent to driue their guiltie hands From Christes pure altars and high temples farre O what reuenge what veng'ance shall he bring On that false sect and their accursed king 94 Too late the Moores too late the Turkish king Gainst him should arme their troupes and legions bold For he beyond great Euphrates should bring Beyond the frosen tops of Taurus cold Beyond the land where is perpetuall spring The crosse the Eagle white the lillie of gold And by baptising of the Ethiops browne Of aged Nile reueale the springs vnknowne 95 Thus said the hermit and his prophesie The Prince accepted with content and pleasure The secret thought of his posteritie Of his concealed ioyes heapt vp the measure Meane-while the morning bright was mounted hie And chang'd heau'ns siluer wealth to golden treasure And high aboue the Christian tents they vew How the broad ensignes trembled wau'd and blew 96 When thus againe their leader sage begonne See how bright Phebus cleeres the darksome skies See how with gentle beames the friendly sonne The tents the townes the hils and dales descries Through my well guiding is your voiage donne From danger safe in trauaile oft which lies Hence without feare of harme or doubt of foe March to the campe I may no neerer goe 97 Thus tooke he leaue and made a quicke returne And forward went the champions three on fout And marching right against the rising morne A readie passage to the campe found out Meane-while had speedie fame the tidings borne That to the tents approacht these Barons stout And starting from his throne and kingly seat To entertaine them rose Godfredo great The eighteenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument The charmes and spirits false therein which lie Rinaldo chaseth from the forrest old The host of Egypt comes Vafrine the spie Entreth their campe stout craftie wise and bold Sharpe is the fight about the bulwarks hie And ports of Zion to assault the hold Godfrey hath aide from heau'n by force the towne Is wonne the Pagans slaine walles beaten downe 1 ARriu'd where Godfrey to imbrace him stood My soueraigne Lord Rinaldo meekely said To venge my wrongs against Gernando prood My honours care prouokt my wrath vnstaid But that I you displeasd my chieftaine good My thoughts yet grieue my hart is still dismai'd And here I come prest all exploits to trie To make me gracious in your gracious eie 2 To him that kneel'd folding his friendly armes About his necke the Duke this answere gaue Let passe such speeches sad of passed harmes Remembrance is the life of griefe his graue Forgetfulnes and for amends in armes Your wonted valour vse and courage braue For you alone to happie end must bring The strong enchantments of the charmed spring 3 That aged wood whence heretofore we got To build our scaling engins timber fit Is now the fearfull seat but how none wot Where ougly feends and damned spirits sit To cut one twist thereof aduentreth not The boldest knight we haue nor without it This wall can battred be where others dout There venter thou and show thy courage stout 4 Thus said he and the knight in speeches few Profred his seruice to attempt the thing To hard assaies his courage willing flew To him praise was no spur words were no sting Of his deare friends then he embrast the crew To welcome him which came for in a ring About him Guelfo Tancred and the rest Stood of the campe the greatest chiefe and best 5 When with the Prince these Lords had iterate Their welcomes oft and oft their deare embrace Towards the rest of lesser woorth and state He turn'd and them receiu'd with gentle grace The merrie souldiours bout him shout and prate With cries as ioyfull and as cheerefull face As if in triumphes chariot bright as sunne He had return'd Affricke or Asia wonne 6 Thus marched to his tent the champion good And there sate downe with all his friends around Now of the warre he askt now of the wood And answer'd each demaund they list propound But when they left him to his ease vpstood The Hermit and fit time to speake once found My Lord he said your trauels woondrous arre Farre haue you straied erred wandred farre 7 Mutch are you bound to God aboue who brought You safe from false Armidas charmed hold And thâ—e a straying sheepe whom once he bought Hath now againe reduced to his fold And against his heathen foes these men of nought Hath chosen thee in place next Godfrey bold Yet mai'st thou not polluted thus with sinne In his high seruice warre or fight beginne 8 The world the flesh with their infection vile Pollute the thoughts impure thy spirit staine Not Poe not Ganges not seu'n mouthed Nile Not the wide seas can wash thee cleane againe Onely to purge all faults which thee defile His blood hath powre who for thy sinnes was slaine His helpe therefore inuoake to him bewray Thy secret faultes mourne weepe complaine and pray 9 This said the knight first with the Witch vnchast His idle loues and follies vaine lamented Then kneeling low with heauie lookes downe cast His other sinnes confest and all repented And meekely pardon crau'd for first and last The Hermit with his zeale was well contented And said on yonder hill next morne goe pray That turnes his forehead gainst the morning ray 10 That done march to the wood whence each one brings Such newes of furies gobblings feends and sprites The Giants monsters and all dreedfull things Thou shalt subdue which that darke groue vnites Let no strange voice that mournes or sweetly sings Nor beautie whose glad smile fraile harts delites Within thy breast make ruth or pitie rise But their false lookes and praiers false despise 11 Thus he aduis'd him and the hardie knight Prepar'd him gladly to this enterprise Thoughtfull he past the day and sad the
and harmelesse sheepe hath set So searcht he high and low about that hold Where he might enter without stop or let In the great court he stai'd his foes aboue Attend th' assault and would their fortune proue 36 There lay by chance a posted tree therebie Kept for some needfull vse what ere it were The armed gallies not so thicke nor hie Their tall and loftie masts at Genes vpreare This beame the knight against the gates made flie From his strong hands all weights which lift and beare Like a light lance the tree he shooke and tost And brus'd the gate the threshold and the post 37 No marble stone no mettall strong outbore The wondrous might of that redoubled blow The brasen henges from the walles it tore It breoke the lockes and laid the dores downe low No iron tamme no engin could do more Nor cannons great that thunderbolts forth throw His people like a flowing streame inthrong And after them entred the victor strong 38 The wofull slaughter blacke and loathsome maid That house sometime the sacred house of God O heau'nly iustice if thou be delaid On wretched sinners sharper fals thy rod In them this place profaned which inuaid Thou kindled ire and mercy all forbod Vntill with their hart blouds the Pagans vile This temple washt which they did late defile 39 But Soliman this while himselfe fast sped Vp to the fort which Dauids towre is named And with him all the souldiers left he led And gainst each entrance new defences framed The tyrant Aladine eeke thither fled To whom the Soldan thus farre off exclamed Come come renowned king vp to this rocke Thy selfe within this fortresse safe vplocke 40 For well this fortresse shall thee and thy crowne Defend awhile heere may we safe remaine Alas quoth he alas for this faire towne Which cruell warre beates downe eeu'n with the plaine My life is done mine empire troden downe I raind I liu'd but now nor liue nor raine For now alas behold the fatall howre That ends our liues and ends our kingly powre 41 Where is your vertue where your wisedome graue And courage stout the angrie Soldan said Let chance our kingdomes take which earst she gaue Yet in our harts our kingly worth is laid But come and in this fort your person saue Refresh your wearie limmes and strength decaid Thus counseld he and did to saftie bring Within that fort the weake and aged king 42 His iron mace in both his hands he hent And on his thigh his trustie sword he tide And to the entrance fierce and fearlesse went And kept the strait and all the French defide The blowes were mortall which he gaue or lent For whom he hit he slew else by his side Laid low on earth that all fled from the place Where they beheld that great and dreedfull mace 43 But old Raimondo with his hardie crew By chance came thither to his great mishap To that defended path the old man flew And scorn'd his blowes and him that kept the gap He stroake his foe his blow no blood foorth drew But on the front with that he caught a rap Which in a swoune low in the dust him laid Wide open trembling with his armes displaid 44 The Pagans gathred hart at last though feare Their courage weake had put to flight but late So that the conquerours repulsed weare And beaten backe else slaine before the gate The Soldan mongst the dead beside him neare That saw Lord Raimond lie in such estate Cride to his men within these barres quoth he Come draw this knight and let him captiue be 45 Forward they rusht to execute his word But hard and dang'rous that emprise they found For none of Raimonds men forsooke their Lord But to their guides defence they flocked round Thence furie fights hence pitie drawes the sword Nor striue they for vile cause or on light ground The life and freedome of that champion braue Those spoile these would preserue those kill these saue 46 But yet at last if they had longer fought The hardie Soldane would haue wonne the field For gainst his thundring mace auailed nought Or helme of temper fine or seu'nfold shield But from each side great succour now was brought To his weake foes now fit to faint and yield And both at once to aide and helpe the same The soueraigne Duke and yoong Rinaldo came 47 As when a shepherd raging round about That sees a storme with winde haile thunder raine When gloomy cloudes haue daies bright eie put out His tender flockes driues from the open plaine To some thicke groue or mountaines shadie fout Where heau'ns fierce wrath they may vnhurt sustaine And with his hooke his whistle and his cries Driues foorth his fleecie charge and with them flies 48 So fled the Soldan when he gan descrie This tempest come from angrie warre foorth cast The armours clashte and lightned gainst the skie And from each side swords weapons fire out brast He sent his folke vp to the fortresse hie To shunne the furious storme himselfe staid last Yet to the danger he gaue place at length For wit his courage wisedome rulde his strength 49 But scant the knight was safe the gate within Scant closed were the doores when hauing broake The barres Rinaldo doth assault begin Against the port and on the wicket stroake His matchlesse might his great desire to win His oath and promise doth his wrath prouoake For he had sworne nor should his word be vaine To kill the man that had Prince Sweno slaine 50 And now his armed hand that castle great Would haue assaulted and had shortly wonne Nor safe pardie the Soldan there a seat Had found his fatall foes sharpe wrath to shonne Had not Godfredo sounded the retreat For now darke shades to shrowd the earth begonne Within the towne the Duke would lodge that night And with the morne renew th' assault and fight 51 With cheerefull looke thus to his folke he said High God hath holpen well his children deare This worke is donne the rest this night delai'd Doth little labour bring lesse doubt no feare This towre our foes weake hope and latest aid We conquer will when sunne shall next appeare Meane-while with loue and tender ruth goe see And comfort those which hurt and wounded bee 52 Goe cure their wounds which boldly ventured Their liues and spilt their bloods to get this hold That fitteth more this host for Christ forth led Then thirst of veng'ance or desire of gold Too much ah too much blood this day is shed In some we too much haste to spoile behold But I command no more you spoile and kill And let a trumpet publish forth my will 53 This said he went where Raimond panting lay Wakt from the swonne wherein he late had beene Nor Soliman with countenance lesse gay Bespake his troupes and kept his griefe vnseene My friends you are vnconquered this day In spite of fortune still our hope is greene For vnderneath great
to fight Will follow farre behinde the worth to see Of this your terrible and puissant knight In scornefull words this bitter scoffe gaue hee Good reason quoth the king thou come behinde Nor ere compare thee with the prince of Inde 73 Lord Tisiphernes shooke his head and said Oh had my powre free like my courage beene Or had I libertie to vse this blade Who slow who weakest is soone should be seene Nor thou nor thy great vants make me affraid But cruell loue I feare and this faire queene This said to chalenge him the king foorth lept But vp their mistresse start and twixt them stept 74 Will you thus robbe me of that gift quoth shee Which each hath vowd to giueby word and oth You are my champions let that title bee The bond of loue and peace betweene you both He that displeasd is is displeasd with mee For which of you is grieud and I not wroth Thus warnd she them their harts for ire nie broake In forced peace and rest thus bore loues yoake 75 All this heard Vafrine as he stood beside And hauing learn'd the troth he left the tent That treason was against the christians guide Contriud he wist yet wist not how it went By words and questions farre off he tride To finde the truth more difficult more bent Was he to know it and resolud to die Or of that secret close th'entent to spie 76 Of slie intelligence he prou'd all waies All crafts all wiles that in his thoughts abid Yet all in vaine the man by wit assaies To know that false compact and practise hid But chance what wisdome could not tell bewraies Fortune of all his doubt the knots vndid So that prepard for Godfreies last mishappe At ease he found the net and spide the trappe 77 Thither he turnd againe where seated was The angrie louer twixt her friends and lords For in that troupe much talke he thought would pas Each great assemblie store of newes affords He sided there a lustie louely las And with some courtly tearmes the wench he bords He faines acquaintance and as bold appeares As he had knowne that virgin twentie yeares 78 He said would some sweete ladie grace me soe To chuse me for her champion friend and knight Proud Godfreies or Rinaldoes head I troe Should feele the sharpnes of my curtlax bright Aske me the head faire mistresse of some foe For to your beautie vowed is my might So he began and ment in speeches wise Further to wade but thus he brake the I se 79 Therewith he smild and smiling gan to frame His lookes so to their ould and natiue grace That towards him another virgin came Heard him beheld him and with bashfull face Said for thy mistresse chuse no other dame But me on me thy loue and seruice place I take thee for my champion and apart Would reason with thee if my knight thou art 80 Withdrawne she thus began Vafrine pardie I know thee well and me thou knowst of old To his last trumpe this droue the subtile spie But smiling towards her he turnd him bold Nere that I wote I saw thee earst with eie Yet for thy worth all eies should thee behold Thus much I know right well for from the same Which earst you gaue me diffrent is my name 81 My mother bore me neere Bisertas wall Her name was Lesbine mine is Almansore I knew long since quoth she what men thee call And thine estate dissemble it no more From me thy friend hide not thy selfe at all If I bewraie thee let me die therefore I am Erminia daughter to a prince But Tancreds slaue thy fellow seruant since 82 Two happie months within that prison kind Vnder thy guard reioiced I to dwell And thee a keeper meeke and good did find The same the same I am behould me well The squire her louely beautie call'd to mind And markt her visage faire from thee expell All feare she saies for me liue safe and sure I will thy safetie not thy harme procure 83 But yet I praie thee when thou dost retorne To my deare prison lead me home againe For in this hatefull freedome eau'n and morne I sigh for sorrow mourne and weepe for paine But if to spie perchance thou here soiorne Great hap thou hast to know their secrets plaine For I their treasons false false traines can say Which fewe beside can tell none will bewray 84 On her he gazd and silent stood this while Armidas sleights he knew and traines vniust Women haue toongs of craft and harts of guile They will they will not fooles that on them trust For in their speech is death hell in their smile At last he said if hence depart you lust I will you guide on this conclude we heare And further speech till fitter time forbeare 85 Forthwith ere thence the campe remooue to ride They were resolu'd their flight that season fits Vafrine departs she to the dames beside Returnes and there on thornes awhile she sits Of her new knight she talkes till time and tide To scape vnmarkt she finde then forth she gits Thither where Vafrine her vnseene abode There tooke shee horse and from the campe they rode 86 And now in desarts waste and wilde arriued Farre from the campe farre from resort and sight Vafrine began gainst Godfreies life contriued The false compacts and traines vnfould aright Then she those treasons from their spring deriued Repeats and brings their hid deceits to light Eight knights she saies all courtiers braue there arre But Ormond strong the rest surpasseth farre 87 These whether hate or hope of gaine them moue Conspired haue and fram'd their treason soe That day when Emiren by fight shall proue To winne lost Asia from his christian foe These with the crosse scor'd on their armes aboue And armd like Frenchmen will disguised goe Like Godfreies guard that gould and white do weare Such shall their habite be and such their geare 88 Yet each will beare a token in his crest That so their friends for Pagans may them know But in close fight when all the souldiours best Shall mingled be to giue the fatall blow They will creepe neere and pierce Godfredoes brest While of his faithfull guard they beare false show And all their swords are dipt in poison strong Bicause each wound shall bring sad death ere long 89 And for their chiefetaine wist I knew your guize What garments ensignes and what armes you carrie Those feigned armes he forst me to deuize So that from yours but small or nought they varrie But these vniust commands my thoughts despize Within their campe therefore I list not tarrie My hart abhorres I should this hand defile With spot of treason or with act of guile 90 This is the cause but not the cause alone And there she ceast and blusht and on the maine Cast downe her eies these last words scant outgone She would haue stopt nor durst pronounce them plaine The squire what she conceald would
stolne O vaine O feeble life betwixt his lips out flie O let me kisse thee first then let me die 109 Receiue my yeilded spirit and with thine Guide it to heau'n where all true loue hath place This saide she sigh'd and tore her tresses fine And from her eies two streames powrde on his face The man reuiued with those showres diuine Awakt and opened his lips a space His lips were open but fast shut his eies And with her sighes one sigh from him vpflies 110 The dame perceiu'd that Tancred breath'd and sight Which calm'd her grieues somedeale and eas'd her feares Vnclose thine eies she saies my Lord and knight See my last seruices my plaints and teares See her that dies to see thy woefull plight That of thy paine her part and portion beares Once looke on me small is the gift I craue The last which thou canst giue or I can haue 111 Tancred lookt vp and clos'd his eies againe Heauie and dim and she renew'd her woe Quoth Vafrine cure him first and then complaine Med'cine is lifes chiefe friend plaint her most foe They pluckt his armour off and she each vaine Each ioint and sinew felt and handled soe And searcht so well each thrust each cut and wound That hope of life her loue and skill soone found 112 From wearinesse and losse of blood she spide His greatest paines and anguish most proceede Nought but her vaile amid those desarts wide She had to binde his wounds in so great neede But loue could other bands though strange prouide And pitie wept for ioy to see that deede For with her amber lockes cut off each wound She tide O happie man so cur'd so bound 113 For why her vaile was short and thin those deepe And cruell hurtes to fasten rowle and binde Nor salue nor simple had she yet to keepe Her knight on liue strong charmes of wondrous kinde She said and from him droue that deadly sleepe That now his eies he lifted turn'd and twinde And saw his squire and saw that curteous dame In habit strange and wondred whence she came 114 He said O Vafrine tell me whence com'st thow And who this gentle surgeon is disclose She smil'd she sigh'd she lookt she wist not how She wept reioist she blusht as red as rose You shall know all she saies your surgeon now Commands you silence rest and soft repose You shall be sound prepare my guerdon meete His head then laid she in her bosome sweete 115 Vafrine deuis'd this while how he might beare His maister home ere night obscur'd the land When loe a troupe of soldiers did appeare Whom he descride to be Tancredies band With him when he and Argant met they weare But when they went to combat hand for hand He bod them stay behinde and they obaid But came to seeke him now so long he staid 116 Besides them many follow'd that enquest But these alone found out the rightest way Vpon their friendly armes the men addrest A seat whereon he sate he lean'd he lay Quoth Tancred shall the strong Circassian rest In this broad field for wolues and crowes a pray Ah no defraud not you that champion braue Of his iust praise of his due tombe and graue 117 With his dead bones no longer warre haue I Boldly he dide and noblie was he slaine Then let vs not that honour him denie Which after death alonely doth remaine The Pagan dead they lifted vp on hie And after Tancred bore him through the plaine Close by the virgin chast did Vafrine ride As he that was her squire her guard her guide 118 Not home quoth Tancred to my wonted tent But beare me to this roiall towne I pray That if cut short by humaine accident I die there I may see my latest day The place where Christ vpon his crosse was rent To heau'n perchance may easier make the way And ere I yeeld to deathes and fortunes rage Perform'd shall be my vow and pilgrimage 119 Thus to the cittie was Tancredie borne And fell on sleepe laid on a bed of downe Vafrino where the damsell might soiorne A chamber got close secret neere his owne That done he came the mightie Duke beforne And entrance found for till his newes were knowne Nought was concluded mongst those knights Lords Their counsell hung on his report and words 120 Where weake and wearie wounded Raimond laid Godfrey was set vpon his couches side And round about the man a ring was maid Of lords and knights that fild the chamber wide There while the squire his late discou'rie said To breake his talke none answerd none replide My lord he said at your command I went And vew'd their campe each cabbin booth and tent 121 But of that mightie hoast the number trew Expect not that I can or should descrie All couerd with their armies might you vew The fieldes the plaines the dales and mountaines hie I saw what way so ere they went and drew They spoild the land drunke flouds and fountaines drie For not whole Iordan could haue giu'n them drinke Nor all the graine in Syria bread I thinke 122 But yet amongst them many bands are found Both horse and foote of little force and might That keep no order know no trumpets sound That draw no sword but farre off shoot and fight But yet the Persian army doth abound With many a footeman strong and hardie knight So doth the kings owne troupe which all is framed Of souldiours old th' immortall squadron named 123 Immortall called is that band of right For of that number neuer wanteth one But in his emptie place some other knight Steps in when any man is dead or gone This armies leader Emireno hight Like whom in wit and strength are fewe or none Who hath in charge in plaine and pitched feild To fight with you to make you flie or yeild 124 And well I know their armie and their host Within a day or two will here arriue But thee Rinaldo it behooueth most To keepe thy noble head for which they striue For all the chiefe in armes or courage bost They will the same to queene Armida giue And for the same she giues her selfe in price Such hire will many hands to worke entice 125 The chiefe of these that haue thy murder sworne Is Altamore the king of Sarmachand Adrastus then whose realme lies neere the morne A hardie giant bould and strong of hand This king vpon an elephant is borne For vnder him no horse can stirre or stand The third is Tisipherne as braue a lord As euer put on helme or guirt on sword 126 This said from yong Rinaldoes angrie eies Flew sparks of wrath flames in his visage shinde He long'd to be amid those enimies Nor rest nor reason in his hart could finde But to the Duke Vafrine his talke applies The greatest newes my Lord are yet behinde For all their thoughts their crafts and counsels tend By treason false to bring thy life to end 127 Then all from point
behooues it me to creepe This sword can finde a better way than thine Although our foes the passage garde and keepe Let not quoth he thy princely foote repine To tread this seeret path though darke and deepe For great king Herod vs'd to tread the same He that in armes had whilome so great fame 31 This passage made he when he would suppresse His subiects pride and them in bondage hold By this he could from that small forteresse Antonia call'd of Antonie the bold Conuay his folke vnseene of more and lesse Eu'n to the middest of the temple old Thence hither where these priuie waies begin And bring vnseene whole armies out and in 32 But now saue I in all this world liues none That knowes the secret of this darksome place Come then where Aladine sits on his throne With Lords and princes set about his grace He feareth more then fitteth such an one Such signes of doubt shew in his cheere and face Fitly you come heare see and keepe you still Till time and season serue then speake your fill 33 This said that narrow entrance past the knight So creepes a camell through a needles eie And through the waies as black as darkest night He followed him that did him rule and guie Strait was the way at first withouten light But further in did further amplifie So that vpright walked at ease the men Ere they had passed halfe that secret den 34 A priuie doore Ismen vnlockt at last And vp they clombe a little vsed staire Thereat the day a feeble beame in cast Dimme was the light and nothing cleene the aire Out of the hollow caue at length they past Into a goodly hall high broad and faire Where crown'd with gold and all in purple clad Sate the sadking among his nobles sad 35 The Turke close in his hollow cloud imbard Vnseene at will did all the prease behold These heauie speeches of the king he hard Who thus from loftie siege his pleasure told My Lords last day our state was much empard Our friends were slaine kild were our soldiers bold Great helpes and greater hopes are vs bereft Nor ought but aide from Egypt land is left 36 And well you see far distant is that aid Vpon our heeles our danger treadeth still For your aduise was this assemblie maid Each what he thinketh speake and what he will A whisper soft arose when this was said As gentle winds the groues with murmur fill But with bold face high lookes and merrie cheare Argantes rose the rest their talke forbeare 37 O worthie soueraigne thus began to say The hardie yong man to the tyrant wise What words be these what feares doe you dismay Who knowes not this you need not our aduise But on our hands your hope of conquest lay And for no losse true vertue damnifies Make her our shield pray her vs succours giue And without her let vs not wish to liue 38 Nor say I this for that I ought misdeeme That Egypts promis'd succours faile vs might Doubtfull of my great maisters words to seeme To me were neither lawfull iust nor right I speake these words for spurres I them esteeme To waken vp each dull and fearfull spright And make our harts resolu'd to all assaies To winne with honour or to die with praise 39 Thus much Argantes said and said no more As if the case were cleere of which he spoke Orcano rose of princely stemibore Whose presence mongst them bore a mightie stroke A man esteemed well in armes of yore But now was coupled new in marriage yoke Yong babes he had to fight which made him loth He was a husband and a father both 40 My Lord quoth he I will not reprehend The earnest zeale of this audacious speach From courage sprong which seld is close ipend In swelling stomacke without violent breach And though to you our good Circassian frend In termes too bold and seruent oft doth preach Yet hold I that for good in warlike feat For his great deedes respond his speeches great 41 But if it you beseeme whom grauer age And long experience hath made wise and slie To rule the heat of youth and hardie rage Which somewhat haue misled this knight awrie In equall ballance ponder than and gage Your hopes far distant with your perils nie This townes old walles and rampires new compare With Godfreys forces and his engins rare 42 But if I may say what I thinke vnblamed This towne is strong by nature scite and art But engins huge and instruments are framed Gainst these defences by our aduerse part Who thinkes him most secure is eathest shamed I hope the best yet feare vnconstant Mart And with this siege if we be long vp pent Famine I doubt our store will all be spent 43 For all that store of cattell and of graine Which yesterday within these walles you brought While your proud foes triumphant through the plaine On nought but shedding blood and conquest thought Too little is this citie to sustaine To raise the siege vnlesse some meanes be sought And it must last till the prefixed howre That it be rais'd by Egypts aide and powre 44 But what if that appointed day they mis Or else ere we expect what if they came The victorie yet is not ours for this Oh saue this towne from ruine vs from shame With that same Godfrey still our watfare is These armies soldiers captaines are the same Who haue so oft amid the dustie plaine Turks Persians Syrians and Arabians slaine 45 And thou Argantes wottest what they bee Oft hast thou fled from that victorious host Thy shoulders often hast thou let them see And in thy feet hath beene thy sauegard most Clorinda bright and I fled eeke with thee None than his fellowes had more cause to bost Nor blame I any for in euery fight We shewed courage valour strength and might 46 And though this hardie knight the certaine threat Of neare approching death to heare disdaine Yet to this state of losse and danger great From this strong foe I see the tokens plaine No fort how strong so ere by art or seat Can hinder Godfrey why he should not raine This makes me say to witnes heau'n I bring Zeale to this state loue to my Lord and king 47 The king of Tripolie was well aduised To purchase peace and so preserue his crowne But Soliman who Godfreys loue despised Is either dead or deepe in prison throwne Else fearefull is he run away disguised And scant his life is left him for his owne And yet with gifts with tribute and with gold He might in peace his empire still haue hold 48 Thus spake Orcanes and some inkling gaue In doubtfull words of that he would haue said To sue for peace or yeeld himselfe a slaue He durst not openly his king perswade But at those words the Soldan gan to raue And gainst his will wrapt in the cloud he staid Whom Ismen thus bespake how can you beare These words my