know as one That from her breast her secret thoughts could straine Of little faith quoth he why wouldst thou hide Those causes true from me thy squire and guide 91 With that she fecht a sigh sad sore and deepe And from her lips her words slow trembling came Fruitlesse she said vntimely hard to keepe Vaine modestie farewell and farewell shame Why hope you restlesse loue to bring on sleepe Why striue your fires to quench sweete Cupids flame No no such cares and such respects beseeme Great Ladies wandring maides them nought esteeme 92 That night fatall to me and Antioch towne Then made a praie to her commaunding foe My losse was greater than was seene or knowne There ended not but thence began my woe Light was the losse of friends of Realme or crowne But with my state I lost my selfe alsoe Nere to be found againe for then I lost My wit my sense my hart my soule almost 93 Through fire and sword through blood and death Vafrine Which all my friends did burne did kill did chace Thou know'st I ronne to thy deere Lord and mine When first he entred had my fathers place And kneeling with salt teares in my swolne eine Great Prince quoth I grant mercie pitie grace Saue not my kingdome not my life I saide But saue mine honour let me die a maide 94 He lift me by the trembling hand from ground Nor staide he till my humble speech was donne But said a friend and keeper hast thou found Faire virgin nor to me in vaine you ronne A sweetnesse strange from that sweet voices sound Pierced my hart my brests weake fortresse wonne Which creeping through my bosome soft became A wound a sickenes and a quenchlesse flame 95 He visits me with speeches kinde and graue He sought to ease my griefes and sorrowes smart He said I giue thee libertie recaue All that is thine and at thy will depart Alas he robb'd me when he thought he gaue Free was Erminia but captiu'd her hart Mine was the bodie his the soule and minde He gaue the cage but kept the birde behinde 96 But who can hide desire or loue suppresse Oft of his worth with thee in talke I stroue Thou by my trembling fit that well couldst guesse What feauer held me saidst thou art in loue But I denaid for what can maids doe lesse And yet my sighes thy sayings true did proue In stead of speech my lookes my teares mine eies Told in what flame what fire thy mistresse fries 97 Vnhappie silence well I might haue told My woes and for my harmes haue sought reliefe Since now my paines and plaints I vtter bold Where none that heares can helpe or ease my griefe From him I parted and did close vpfold My wounds within my bosome death was chiefe Of all my hopes and helpes till loues sweet flame Pluckt off the bridle of respect and shame 98 And caus'd me ride to seeke my Lord and knight For he that made me sicke could make me sound But on an ambush I mischanst to light Of cruell men in armour clothed round Hardly I scapt their hands by mature flight And fled to wildernesse and desart ground And there I liu'd in groues and forrests wilde With gentle groomes and shepheards daughters milde 99 But when hot loue which feare had late supprest Reuiu'd againe there nould I longer sit But rode the way I came nor ere tooke rest Till on like danger like mishap I hit A troupe to forrage and to spoile addrest Encountred me nor could I flie from it Thus was I tane and those that had me cought Egyptians were and me to Gaza brought 100 And for a present to their captaine gaue Whom I entreated and besought so well That he mine honour had great care to saue And since with faire Armida let me dwell Thus taken oft escaped oft I haue Ah see what haps I past what dangers fell So often captiue free so oft againe Still my first bandes I keepe still my first chaine 101 And he that did this chaine so surely binde About my hart which none can loose but hee Let him not say goe wandring damsell finde Some other home thou shalt not bide with mee But let him welcome me with speeches kinde And in my wonted prison set me free Thus spake the Princesse thus she and her guide Talkt day and night and on their iourney ride 102 Through the high waies Vafrino would not pas A path more secret safe and short he knew And now close by the cities wall he was When sunne was set night in the East vpflew With drops of blood besmeerd he found the gras And saw where lay a warriour murdred new That all bebled the ground his face to skies He turnes and seemes to threat though dead he lies 103 His harnesse and his habit both bewraid He was a Pagan forward went the squire And saw whereas another champion laid Dead on the land all soild with blood and mire This was some Christian knight Vafrino said And marking well his armes and ritch attire He loos'd his helme and saw his visage plaine And cride alas here lies Tancredie slaine 104 The woefull virgin tarried and gaue heed To the fierce lookes of that proud Saracine Till that high crie full of sad feare and dreed Pierst through her hart with sorrow griefe and pine At Tancreds name thither she ranne with speed Like one halfe mad or drunke with too much wine And when she sawe his face pale bloodlesse dead She lighted nay she tumbled from her stead 105 Her springs of teares she looseth foorth and cries Hither why bringst thou me ah fortune blinde Where dead for whom I liu'd my comfort lies Where warre for peace trauell for rest I finde Tancred I haue thee see thee yet thine eies Lookte not vpon thy loue and handmaide kinde Vndoe their doores their lids fast closed seuer Alas I finde thee for to lose thee euer 106 I neuer thought that to mine eies my deare Thou could'st haue greeuous or vnpleasant beene But now would blinde or rather dead I weare That thy sad plight might be vnknowne vnseene Alas where is thy mirth and smiling cheare Where are thine eies cleere beames and sparkles sheene Of thy faire cheeke where is the purple read And foreheads whitnes are all gone all dead 107 Though gone though dead I loue thee still behold Death wounds but kils not loue yet if thou liue Sweete soule still in his brest my follies bold Ah pardon loues desires and stealthes forgiue Grant me from his pale mouth some kisses cold Since death doth loue of iust reward depriue And of thy spoiles sad death affoord me this Let me his mouth pale cold and bloodlesse kis 108 O gentle mouth with speeches kinde and sweete Thou didst relieue my griefe my woe and paine Ere my weake soule from this fraile bodie fleete Ah comfort me with one deare kisse or twaine Perchance if we aliue had hapt to meete They had beene giu'n which now are
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
declar'd And how defended nobly afterward 9 Defended gainst Corbana valiant knight That all the Persian armies had to guide And brought so many soldiers bold to fight That void of men he left that kingdome wide He told thine actes thy wisdome and thy might And told the deedes of many a Lord beside His speech at length to yong Rinaldo past And told his great atchieuements first and last 10 And how this noble campe of yours of late Besieged had this towne and in what sort And how you praid him to participate Of the last conquest of this noble fort In hardie Sweno opened was the gate Of worthie anger by this braue report So that each hower seemed fiue yeeres long Till he were fighting with these Pagans strong 11 And while the herald told your fights and fraies Himselfe of cowardise reprou'd he thought And him to stay that counsels him or praies He heares not or else heard regardeth nought He feares no perils but whil'st he delaies Least this last worke without his helpe be wrought In this his doubt in this his danger lies No hazard else he feares no perill spies 12 Thus hasting on he hasted on his death Death that to him and vs was fatall guide The rising morne appeared yet vneath When he and we were arm'd and fit to ride The neerest way seem'd best ore hoult and heath We went through desarts waste and forrests wide The streetes and waies he openeth as he goes And sets each land free from intruding foes 13 Now want of food now dang'rous waies we finde Now open war now ambush closely laid Yet past we forth all perils left behinde Our foes or dead or run away affraid Of victorie so happie blew the winde That carelesse all and heedlesse to it maid Vntill one day his tents he hapt to reare To Palestine when we approched neare 14 There did our scoutes returne and bring vs newes That dreadfull noise of horse and armes they heare And that they deem'd by sundrie signes and shewes There was some mightie host of Pagans neare At these sad tidings many chang'd their hewes Some looked pale for dread some shooke for feare Only our noble Lord was alterd nought In looke in face in gesture or in thought 15 But said a crowne prepare you to possesse Of martyrdome or happie victorie For this I hope for that I wish no lesse Of greater merit and of greater glorie Brethren this campe will shortly be I gesse A temple sacred to our memorie To which the holy men of future age To vew our graues shall come in pilgrimage 16 This said he set the watch in order right To garde the campe along the trenches deepe And as he armed was so euery knight He willed on his backe his armes to keepe Now had the stilnesse of the quiet night Drown'd all the world in silence and in sleepe When suddenly we heard a dreadfull sound Which deaft the earth and tremble made the ground 17 Arme arme they cride Prince Sweno at the same Glistring in shining steele leapt formost out His visage shone his noble lookes did flame With kindled brand of courage bold and stout When loe the Pagans to assault vs came And with huge numbers hemm'd vs round about A forrest thicke of speares about vs grew And ouer vs a cloud of arrowes flew 18 Vneuen the fight vnequall was the fray Our enimies were twenty men to one On euery side the slaine and wounded lay Vnseene where nought but glistring weapons shone The number of the dead could no man say So was the place with darknes ouergone The night her mantle blacke vpon vs spreedes Hiding our losses and our valiant deedes 19 But hardie Sweno midst the other traine By his great actes was well descride I wote No darknes could his valours day light staine Such wondrous blowes on euery side he smote A streame of blood a banke of bodies slaine About him made a bulwarke and a mote And when so ere he turn'd his fatall brand Dread in his lookes and death sat in his hand 20 Thus fought we till the morning bright appeared And strowed roses on the azure skie But when her lampe had nights thicke darknes cleared Wherein the bodies dead did buried lie Then our sad cries to heau'n for greefe we reared Our losse apparant was for we descrie How all our campe destroied was almost And all our people well nie slaine and lost 21 Of thousands twaine an hundreth scant suruiued When Sweno murdred saw each valiant knight I know not if his hart in sunder riued For deare compassion of that wofull sight He shew'd no change but said since so depriued We are of all our friends by chance of fight Come follow them the path to heau'n their blood Marks out now angels made of martyrs good 22 This said and glad I thinke of death at hand The signes of heau'nly ioy shone through his eies Of Sarracines against a mightie band With fearelesse hart and constant brest he flies No steele could shield them from his cutting brand But whom he hits without recure he dies He neuer stroke but feld or kild his foe And wounded was himselfe from top to toe 23 Not strength but courage now preseru'd on liue This hardie champion fortresse of our faith Stroken he strikes still stronger more they striue The more they hurt him more he doth them scaith When towards him a furious knight can driue Of members huge fierce lookes and full of wraith That with the aide of many a Pagan crew After long fight at last Prince Sweno slew 24 Ah heauie chance downe fell the valiant yuth Nor mongst vs all did one so strong appeare As to reuenge his death that this is truth By his deere blood and noble bones I sweare That of my life I had nor care nor ruth No wounds I shoun'd no blowes I would off beare And had not heau'n my wished end denied Eu'n there I should and willing should haue died 25 Aliue I fell among my fellowes slaine Yet wounded so that each one thought me dead Nor what our foes did since can I explaine So sore amazed was my hart and head But when I opened first mine eies againe Nights curtaine blacke vpon the earth was spread And through the darknes to my feeble sight Appear'd the twinkling of a slender light 26 Not so much force or iudgement in me lies As to discerne things seene and not mistake I saw like them who ope and shut their eies By turnes now halfe asleepe now halfe awake My bodie eeke another torment tries My wounds began to smart my hurtes to ake For euery sore each member pinched was With nights sharpe aire heau'ns frost and earthes cold gras 27 But still the light approched neare and neare And with the same a whispring murmur ronne Till at my side arriued both they weare When I to spread my feeble eies begonne Two men behold in vestures long appeare With each a lampe in hand who said O sonne In
ratling quiuers at their backes resound On milke white steedes waite on the chariot bright Their steeds to menage readie swift to flight 35 Follow'd her troupe led foorth by Aradin Which Hidraort from Syrias kingdome sent As when the new borne Phoenix doth begin To flie to Ethiope ward at the faire bent Of her ritch wings strange plumes and feathers thin Her crownes and chaines with natiue gold besprent The world amazed stands and with her flie An hoste of wondring birdes that sing and crie 36 So past Armida lookt on gaz'd on soe A woondrous dame in habite gesture face There liu'd no wight to loue so great a foe But wisht and long'd those beauties to imbrace Scant seene with anger sullen sad for woe She conquer'd all the Lords and knights in place What would shee doe her sorowes past thinke you When her faire eies her lookes and smiles shall wowe 37 She past the king commaunded Emiren Of his ritch throne to mount the loftie stage To whom his hoste his armie and his men He would commit now in his grauer age With stately grace the man approched then His lookes his comming honour did presage The guard asunder cleft and passage maide He to the throne vp went and there he staide 38 To earth he cast his eies and bent his knee To whom the king thus gan his will explaine To thee this scepter Emiren to thee These armies I commit my place sustaine Mongst them goe set the king of Iuda free And let the Frenchmen feele my iust disdaine Goe meete them conquer them leaue none on liue Or those that scape from battell bring captiue 39 Thus spake the tyrant and the scepter laid With all his soueraigne powre vpon the knight I take this scepter at your hand he said And with your happie fortune goe to fight And trust my Lord in your great vertues aid To venge all Asias harmes her wrongs to right Nor ere but victor will I see your face Our ouerthrow shall bring death not disgrace 40 Heau'ns grant if euill yet no mishap I dread Or harme they threaten gainst this campe of thine That all that mischiefe fall vpon my head Theirs be the conquest and the danger mine And let them safe bring home their captaine dead Buried in pompe of triumphes glorious shine He ceas'd and then a murmur lowd vp went With noise of ioy and sound of instrument 41 Amid the noise and shout vprose the king Enuironed with many a noble peere That to his royall tent the monarch bring And there he feasted them and made them cheere To him and him he talkt and caru'd each thing The greatest honour'd meanest graced weere And while this mirth this ioy and feast doth last Armida found fit time her nets to cast 42 But when the feast was done she that espide All cies on her faire visage fixt and bent And by true notes and certaine signes descride How loues impoisned fire theri entrals brent Arose and where the king sate in his pride With stately pace and humble gestures went And as she could in lookes in voice she stroue Fierce sterne bould angrie and seuere to proue 43 Great Emperour behold me heere she said For thee my countrey and my faith to fight A dame a virgin but a royall maid And worthie seemes this warre a princesse hight For by the sword the scepter is vpstaid This hand can vse them both with skill and might This hand of mine can strike and at each blow Thy foes and ours kill wound and ouerthrow 44 Nor yet suppose this is the formost day Wherein to warre I bent my noble thought But for the suretie of thy realmes and stay Of our religion true ere this I wrought Yourselfe best know if this be true I say Or if my former deeds reiois'd you ought When Godfreyes hardie knights and princes strong I captiue tooke and held in bondage long 45 I tooke them bound them and so sent them bound To thee a noble gift with whom they had Condemned low in dungeon vnder ground For euer dwelt in woe and torment sad So might thine hoast an easie way haue found To end this doubtfull warre with conquest glad Had not Rinaldo fierce my knights all slaine And set those lords his friends at large againe 46 Rinaldo is well knowne and there a longe And true rehearsall made she of his deeds This is the knight that since hath done me wrong Wrong yet vntold that sharpe reuengement needs Displeasure therefore mixt with reason strong This thirst of warre in me this courage breedes Nor how hee iniur'd me time serues to tell Let this suffice I seeke reuengement fell 47 And will procure it for all shaftes that flie Light not in vaine some worke the shooters will And Ioues right hand with thunders cast from skie Takes open vengeance oft for secret ill But if some champion dare this knight defie To mortall battaile and by fight him kill And with his hatefull head will me present That gift my soule shall please my hart content 48 So please that for reward enioy he shall The greatest gift I can or may afford My selfe my beautie wealth and kingdomes all To marrie him and take him for my lord This promise will I keepe what ere befall And thereto binde my selfe by oath and word Now he that deemes this purchase woorth his paine Let him step foorth and speake I none disdaine 49 While thus the Princesse said his hungrie eine Adrastus fed on her sweete beauties light The gods forbid quoth he one shaft of thine Should be dischargd gainst that discourteous knight His hart vnwoorthie is shootresse diuine Of thine artillerie to feele the might To wreake thine ire behold me prest and fit I will his head cut off and bring thee it 50 I will his hart with this sharpe sword diuide And to the vultures cast his carkasse out Thus threatned he but Tisipherne enuide To heare his glorious vaunt and boasting stout And said but who art thou that so great pride Thou shew'st before the king me and this rout Pardie heere are some such whose woorth exceeds Thy vaunting much yet boast not of their deeds 51 The Indian fierce replide I am the man Whose acts his words and boasts haue aie surpast But if elsewhere the words thou now began Had vttred beene that speech had beene thy last Thus quarrell'd they they monarch staid them than And twixt the angrie knights his scepter cast Then to Armida said faire Queene I see Thy hart is stout thy thoughts couragious bee 52 Thou worthy art that their disdaine and ire At thy commaunds these knights should both appease That gainst thy foe their courage hot as fire Thou maist imploy both when and where thou please There all their powre and force and what desire They haue to serue thee may they shew at ease The monarch held his peace when this was said And they new proffer of their seruice maid 53 Nor they alone but all that famous
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
aide implore Of kinne and friends but I in this sad plight Inuoke thy helpe my kingdome to inuade So doth thy vertue so my need perswade 41 In thee I hope thy succours I inuoke To win the crowne whence I am dispossest For like renowne awaiteth on the stroke To cast the haughtie downe or raise th' opprest Nor greater glorie brings a scepter broke Than doth deliu'rance of a maid distrest And since thou canst at will performe the thing More is thy praise to make than kill a king 42 But if thou would'st thy succours due excuse Bicause in Christ I haue no hope nor trust Ah yet for vertues sake thy vertue vse Who scorneth gold because it lies in dust Be witnes heau'n if thou to grant refuse Thou dost forsake a maid in cause most iust And for thou shalt at large my fortunes know I will my wrongs and their great treasons show 43 Prince Arbilan that raigned in his life On faire Damascus was my noble sire Borne of meane race he was yet got to wife The Queene Charicha such was the fire Of her hot loue but soone the fatall knife Had cut the threed that kept their ioyes intire For so mishap her cruell lot had cast My birth her death my first day was her last 44 And ere fiue yeeres were fully come and gone Since his deere spouse to hastie death did yeild My father also dide consum'd with mone And sought his loue amid th' Elisian feild His crowne and me poore orphan left alone Mine vncle gouern'd in my tender eild For well he thought if mortall men haue faith In brothers brest true loue his mansion haith 45 He tooke the charge of me and of the crowne And with kinde shewes of loue so brought to passe That through Damascus great report was blowne How good how iust how kinde mine vncle was Whether he kept his wicked hate vnknowne And hid the serpent in the flowring grasse Or that true faith did in his bosome wonne Bicause he ment to match me with his sonne 46 Which sonne within short while did vndertake Degree of knighthood as beseem'd him well Yet neuer durst he for his Ladies sake Breake sword or lance aduanst in loftie cell As faire he was as Cithereas make As proud as he that signoriseth hell In fashions way-ward and in loue vnkinde For Cupid deignes not wound a currish minde 47 This Paragon should Queene Armida wed A goodly swaine to be a Princesse pheare A louely partner of a Ladies bed A noble head a golden crowne to weare His glosing sire his errand daily sed And sugred speeches whispred in mine eare To make me take this darling in mine armes But still the adder stopt her eares from charmes 48 At last he left me with a troubled grace Through which transparent was his inward spight Me thought I red the storie in his face Of these mishaps that on me since haue light Since that foule spirits haunt my resting place And gastly visions breake my sleepe by night Greefe horror feare my fainting soule did kill For so my minde foreshew'd my comming ill 49 Three times the shape of my deere mother came Pale sad dismaid to warne me in my dreame Alas how far transformed from the same Whose eies shone earst like Titans glorious beame Daughter she saies flie flie behold thy dame Foreshowes the treasons of thy wretched eame Who poyson gainst thy harmlesse life prouides This said to shapelesse aire vnseene she glides 50 But what auailes high walles or bulwarks strong Where fainting cowards haue the peece to gard My sexe too weake mine age was all too yong To vndertake alone a worke so hard To wander wilde the desart woods among A banisht maid of wonted ease debard So grieuous seem'd that leifer were my death And there t' expire where first I drew my breath 51 I fear'd deadly euill if long I staid And yet to flie had neither will nor powre Nor durst my hart declare it waxt affraid Least so I hasten might my dying howre Thus restlesse waited I vnhappie maid What hand should first plucke vp my springing flowre Euen as the wretch condemn'd to lose his life Awaites the falling of the murdring knife 52 In these extremes for so my fortune would Perchance preserue me to my further ill One of my noble fathers seruants ould That for his goodnes bore his childe good will With store of teares this treason gan vnfould And said my guardian would his pupill kill And that himselfe if promise made he kept Should giue me poison dire ere next I slept 53 And further told me if I wisht to liue I must conuay my selfe by secret flight And offred than all succours he could giue To aide his mistris banisht from her right His words of comfort feare to exile driue The dread of death made lesser dangers light So we concluded when the shadowes dim Obscur'd the earth I should depart with him 54 Of close escapes the aged patronesse Blacker than earst her sable mantle spred When with two trustie maides in great distresse Both from mine vncle and my realme I fled Oft lookt I backe but hardly could suppresse Those streames of teares mine eies vncessant shed For when I looked on my kingdome lost It was a griefe a death an hell almost 55 My steeds drew on the burden of my limmes But still my lookes my thoughts drew backe as fast So fare the men that from the hauens brims Far out to sea by sudden storme are cast Swift ore the grasse the rolling chariot swims Through waies vnknowne all night all day we hast At last nie tir'd a castle strong we fand The vtmost border of my natiue land 56 The fort Arontes was for so the knight Was call'd that my deliu'rance thus had wrought But when the tyrant saw by mature flight I had escapt the treasons of his thought The rage encreased in the cursed wight Gainst me and him that me to safetie brought And vs accus'd we would haue poysoned Him but descride to saue our liues we fled 57 And that in lew of his approued truth To poison him I hired had my guide That he dispatched mine vnbridled yuth Might range at will in no subiection tide And that each night I slept O foule vntruth Mine honor lost by this Arontes side But heau'n I pray send downe reuenging fire When so base loue shall change my chaste desire 58 Not that he sitteth on my regall throne Nor that he thirst to drinke my lukewarme blood So greeueth me as this despite alone That my renowne which euer blamelesse stood Hath lost the light wherewith it alwaies shone With forged lies he makes his tale so good And holds my subiects harts in such suspence That none takes armour for their Queenes defence 59 And though he doe my regall throne possesse Cloathed in purple crown'd with burnisht gold Yet is his hate his rancour nere the lesse Since nought asswageth malice when t is old He threats to burne Arontes