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
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
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
Yet on they stalked still and on they went Vnder bold semblance hiding coward feare And so far wandred forth with trembling pace Till they approcht nigh that inchanted place 21 When from the groue a fearefull sound out brakes As if some earthquake hill and mountaine tore Wherein the southren winde a rumbling makes Or like sea waues against the craggie shore There lions gromble there hisse scalie snakes There howle the woolues the rugged beares there rore There trumpets shrill are heard and thunders fell And all these sounds one sound expressed well 22 Vpon their faces pale well might you note A thousand signes of hart amating feare Their reason gone by no deuise they wote How to prease nie or stay still where they weare Against that sodaine dread their brests which smote Their courage weake no shield of proofe could beare At last they fled and one than all more bold Excus'd their flight and thus the wonders told 23 My Lord not one of vs there is I grant That dares cut downe one branch in yonder spring I thinke there dwels a sprite in euerie plant There keepes his court great Dis infernall king He hath a hart of hardned Adamant That without trembling dares attempt the thing And sense he wanteth who so hardie is To heare the forrest thunder roare and his 24 This said Aleasto to his words gaue heed Alcasto leader of the Switzers grim A man both voide of wit and voide of dreed Who fear'd not losse of life nor losse of lim No sauage beastes in desarts wilde that feed Nor ougly monster could disharten him Nor whirle winde thunder earthquake storme or ougl That in this world is strange or fearfull thought 25 He shooke his head and smiling thus gan say The hardinesse haue I that wood to fell And those proud trees low in the dust to lay Wherein such grislie feends and monsters dwell No roaring goast my courage can dismay No shrike of birdes beasts roare or dragons yell But through and through that forrest will I wend Although to deepest hell the pathes descend 26 Thus boasted he and leaue to goe desired And forward went with ioyfull cheare and will He view'd the wood and those thicke shades admired He heard the wondrous noise and rumbling shrill Yet not one foote th'audacious man retired He scorn'd the perill preasing forward still Till on the forrests outmost marge he stept A flaming fire from entrance there him kept 27 The fire encreast and built a stately wall Of burning coales quicke sparkes and embers hot And with bright flames the wood enuiron'd all That there no tree nor twist Alcasto got The higher stretched flames seem'd bulwarkes tall Castles and turrets full of firie shot With slinges and engins strong of euerie sort What mortall wight durst scale so strange a fort 28 O what strange monsters on the battlement In loathsome formes stood to defend the place Their frowning lookes vpon the knight they bent And threatned death with shot with sword and mace At last he fled and though but slow he went As lyons doe whom iolly hunters chace Yet fled the man and with sad feare withdrew Though feare till then he neuer felt nor knew 29 That he had fled long time he neuer wist But when far ronne he had discou'red it Himselfe for wonder with his hand he blist A bitter sorrow by the hart him bit Amas'd asham'd disgras'd sad silent trist Alone he would all day in darknes sit Nor durst he looke on man of worth or fame His pride late-great now greater made his shame 30 Godfredo call'd him but he found delaies And causes why he should his cabben keepe At length perforce he comes but nought he saies Or talkes like those that babble in their sleepe His shamefastnes to Godfrey plaine bewraies His flight so doth his sighes and sadnes deepe Whereat amas'd what chance is this quoth he These witchcrafts strange or natures wonders be 31 But if his courage any champion moue To trie the hazard of this dreedfull spring I giue him leaue th' aduenture great to proue Some newes he may report vs of the thing This said his Lords attempt the charmed groue Yet nothing backe but feare and flight they bring For them enforst with trembling to retire The sight the sound the monsters and the fire 32 This hapt when woefull Tancred left his bed To lay in marble cold his mistresse deare The liuely colour from his cheeke was fled His limmes were weake his helme or targe to beare Nathlesse when need to heigh attemps him led No labour would he shunne no danger feare His valour boldnesse hart and courage braue To his faint body strength and vigor gaue 33 To this exploit forth went the ventrous knight Fearelesse yet heedfull silent well aduised The terrours of that forrests dreadfull sight Stormes earthquakes thunders cries he all despised He feared nothing yet a motion light That quickly vanisht in his hart arised When loe betweene him and the charmed wood A firie citie high as heau'n vp stood 34 The knight stept backe and tooke a sodaine pause And to himselfe what helpe these armes quoth he If in this fire or monsters gaping iawes I headlong cast my selfe what bootes it me For common profit or my countries cause To hazard life before me none should be But this exploit of no such weight I hold For it to lose a Prince or champion bold 35 But if I flie what will the Pagans say If I retire who shall cut downe this spring Godfredo will attempt it euery day What if some other knight performe the thing These flames vprisen to forestall my way Perchance more terrour far than danger bring But hap what shall this said he forward stept And through the fire O wondrous boldnes lept 36 He boulted through but neither warmth nor heat He felt nor signe of fire or scorching flame Yet wist he not in his dismai'd conceat If that were fire or no through which he came For at first touch vanisht those monsters great And in their steed the cloudes blacke night did frame And hideous stormes and showres of haile and raine Yet stormes and tempests vanisht straight againe 37 Amaz'd but not affraid the champion good Stood still but when the tempest past he spied He entred boldly that forbidden wood And of the forrest all the secrets eied In all his walke no sprite or fantasme stood That stopt his way or passage free denied Saue that the growing trees so thicke were set That oft his sight and passage oft they let 38 At length a faire and spatious greene he spide Like calmest waters plaine like veluet soft Wherein a Cipresse clad in sommers pride Pyramide wise lift vp his tops aloft In whose smooth barke vpon the ceuenest side Strange characters he found and view'd them oft Like those which priests of Egypt earst in stead Of letters vs'd which none but they could read 39 Mongst them he picked out these words at last Writ in the Syriake
diue and sweet refreshing take 77 So they the streaming showres with showtes and cries Salute which heau'n shed on the thirstie lands The falling liquor from the dropping skies He catcheth in his lap he barehead stands And his bright helme to drinke therein vnties In the fresh streames he diues his sweatie hands Their faces some and some their temples wet And some to keepe the drops large vessels set 78 Nor man alone to ease his burning sore Herein doth diue and wash and hereof drinks But earth it selfe weake feeble faint before Whose solid limmes were cleft with rifts and chinks Receiu'd the falling showres and gathred store Of liquor sweet that through her vaines downe sinks And moisture new infused largely was In trees in plants in herbes in flowres in gras 79 Earth like the patient was whose liuely blood Hath ouercome at last some sicknes strong Whose feeble limmes had been the bait and food Whereon his strange disease depastred long But now restor'd in health and welfare stood As sound as earst as fresh as faire as yong So that forgetting all his griefe and paine His pleasant robes and crownes he takes againe 80 Ceased the raine the sunne began to shine With fruitfull sweet benigne and gentle ray Full of strong powre and vigour masculine As be his beames in Aprill or in May. O happy zeale who trusts in helpe diuine The worlds afflictions thus can driue away Can stormes appease and times and seasons change And conquer fortune fate and dest'nie strange The fourteenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument The Lord to Godfrey in a dreame doth shew His will Rinaldo must returne at last They haue their asking who for pardon sew Two knights to finde the Prince are sent in hast But Peter who by vision all foreknew Sendeth the searchers to a wisard plast Deepe in a vault who first at large declares Armidaes traines then how to shun those snanes 1 NOw from the fresh the soft and tender bed Of her still mother gentle night out flew The fleeting baulme on hils and dales she shed With honie drops of pure and pretious dew And on the verdure of greene forrests spred The virgin primrose and the violet blew And sweet breath'd Zephire on his spreading wings Sleepe ease repose rest peace and quiet brings 2 The thoughts and troubles of broad-waking day They softly dipt in milde obliuions lake But he whose Godhead heau'n and earth doth sway In his eternall light did watch and wake And bent on Godfrey downe the gracious ray Of his bright eie still ope for Godfreyes sake To whom a silent dreame the Lord downe sent Which told his will his pleasure and intent 3 Far in the east the golden gate beside Whence Phebus comes a christall port there is And ere the sunne his broad doores open wide The beame of springing day vncloseth this Hence come the dreames by which heau'ns sacred guide Reueales to man those high decrees of his Hence towards Godfrey ere he left his bed A vision strange his golden plumes bespred 4 Such semblances such shapes such purtraites faire Did neuer yet in dreame or sleepe appeare For all the formes in sea in earth or aire The signes in heau'n the stars in euery spheare All what was wondrous vncouth strange and raire All in that vision well presented weare His dreame had plast him in a christall wide Beset with golden fires top bottom side 5 There while he wondreth on the circles vast The stars their motions course and harmonie A knight with shining raies and fire embrast Presents himselfe vnwares before his eie Who with a voice that far for sweetnes past All humaine speech thus said approching nie What Godfrey know'st thou not thy Hugo heere Come and imbrace thy friend and fellow deere 6 He answ'red him that glorious shining light Which in thine eies his glistring beames doth place Estranged hath from my foreknowledge quight Thy countenance thy fauour and thy face This said three times he stretch his hands outright And would in friendly armes the knight embrace And thrice the spirit fled that thrice he twinde Nought in his folded armes but aire and winde 7 Lord Hugo smil'd not as you thinke quoth hee I clothed am in flesh and earthly mould My spirite pure and naked soule you see A Citizen of this celestiall hould This place is heau'n and heere a roome for thee Prepared is among Christs champions bould Ah when quoth he these mortall bonds vnknit Shall I in peace in ease and rest there sit 8 Hugo replide ere many yeeres shall ronne Amid the saints in blisse here shalt thou raine But first great wars must by thy hand be donne Much blood be shed and many Pagans slaine The holy citie by assault be wonne The land set free from seruile yoke againe Wherein thou shalt a Christian Empire frame And after thee shall Baldwine rule the same 9 But to encrease thy loue and great desire To heauen ward this blessed place behould These shining lampes these globes of liuing fire How they are turned guided moou'd and rould The Angels singing here and all their quire Then bend thine eies on yonder earth and mould All in that masse that globe and compasse see Land sea spring fountaine man beast grasse and tree 10 How vile how small and of how slender price Is there reward of goodnesse vertues gaine A narrow roome our glorie vaine vp-ties A little circle doth our pride containe Earth like an Isle amid the water lies Which sea sometime is call'd sometime the maine Yet nought therein responds a name so great It s but a lake a pond a marrish streat 11 Thus said the one the other bended downe His lookes to ground and halfe in scorne he smilde He sawe at once earth sea floud castell towne Strangely deuided strangely all compilde And wondred follie man so farre should drowne To set his hart on things so base and vilde That seruile empire searcheth and dombe same And scornes heau'ns blisse yet profreth heau'n the same 12 Wherefore he answred since the Lord not yet Will free my spirit from this cage of clay Least worldly errour vaine my voiage let Teach me to heau'n the best and surest way Hugo replide thy happy foote is set In the true path nor from this passage stray Onely from exile yoong Rinaldo call This giue I thee in charge else nought at all 13 For as the Lord of hoastes the king of blis Hath chosen thee to rule the faithfull band So he thy stratagems appointed is To execute so both shall winne this land The first is thine the second place is his Thou art this armies head and he the hand No other champion can his place supplie And that thou do it doth thy state denie 14 Th'inchanted forrest and her charmed treene With cutting steele shall he to earth downe hew And thy weake armies which too feeble beene To scale againe these wals r'inforced new And fainting lie dispersed on the greene
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