seed so from the fruitfull winde And thus conceauing of the gentle blast A wonder strange and rare she foales at last 77 And had you seene the beast you would haue said The light and subtill winde his father was For if his course vpon the sands he maid No signe was left what way the beast did pas Or if he menag'd were or if he plaid He scantly bended downe the tender gras Thus mounted rode the Earle and as he went Thus prai'd to heau'n his zealous lookes vp bent 78 O Lord that diddest saue keepe and defend Thy seruant Dauid from Golias rage And broughtest that huge giant to his end Slaine by a faithfull childe of tender age Like grace O Lord like mercie now extend Let me this vile blasphemous pride asswage That all the world may to thy glorie know Old men and babes thy foes can ouerthrow 79 Thus prai'd the Countie and his praiers deare Strength'ned with zeale with godlines and faith Before the throne of that great Lord appeare In whose sweet grace is life death in his wraith Among his armies bright and legions cleare The Lord an angell good selected haith To whom the charge was giuen to garde the knight And keepe him safe from that fierce Pagans might 80 The angell good appointed for the guard Of noble Raimond from his tender eild That kept him than and kept him afterward When speare and sword he able was to weild Now when his great creators will he hard That in this fight he should him chiefly sheild Vp to a towre set on a rocke he flies Where all the heau'nly armes and weapons lies 81 There stands the lance wherewith great Michael slew The aged dragon in a bloodie fight There are the dreadfull thunders forged new With stormes and plagues that on poore sinners light The massie trident maist thou pendant vew There on a golden pinne hung vp on hight Wherewith sometimes he smites this solid land And throwes down towns towres theron which stand 82 Among the blessed weapons there which stands Vpon a diamond shield his lookes he bended So great that it might couer all the lands Twixt Caucasus and Atlas hils extended With it the Lords deere flocks and faithfull bands The holy kings and cities are defended The sacred Angell tooke this target sheene And by the Christian champion stood vnseene 83 But now the walles and turrets round about Both yong and old with many thousands fill The king Clorinda sent and her braue rout To keepe the field she staid vpon the hill Godfrey likewise some Christian bands sent out Which arm'd and rankt in good aray stood still And to their champions emptie let remaine Twixt either troope a large and spacious plaine 84 Argantes looked for Tancredie bold But saw an vncouth foe at last appeare Raimond rode on and what he askt him told Better thy chance Tancred is now else-wheare Yet glorie not of that my selfe behold Am come prepar'd and bid thee battaile heare And in his place or for my selfe to fight Loe here I am who scorne thy heath'nish might 85 The Pagan cast a scornefull smile and said But where is Tancred is he still in bed His lookes late seem'd to make high heau'n affraid But now for dread he is or dead or fled But were earthes center or the deepe sea maid His lurking hole it should not saue his hed Thou liest he saies to say so braue a knight Is fled from thee who thee exceedes in might 86 The angrie Pagan said I haue not spilt My labour then if thou his place supplie Goe take the field and le ts see how thou wilt Maintaine thy foolish words and that braue lie Thus parled they to meet in equall tilt Each tooke his aime at others helme on hie Eu'n in the sight his foe good Raimond hit But shakt him not he did so firmely sit 87 The fierce Circassian missed of his blowe A thing which seld befell the man before The angell by vnseene his forced did knowe And far awrie the poinant weapon bore He burst his lance against the sand belowe And bit his lips for rage and curst and swore Against his foe return'd he swift as winde Halfe mad in armes a second match to finde 88 Like to a ram that buttes with horned head So spurr'd he forth his horse with desp'rate race Raimond at his right hand let slide his stead And as he past strooke at the Pagans face He turn'd againe the Earle nothing dread Yet stept aside and to his rage gaue place And on his helme with all his strength gan smite Which was so hard his courtlax could not bite 89 The Sarracine imploi'd his art and force To gripe his foe within his mightie armes But he auoided nimbly with his horse He was no prentise in those fierce allarmes About him made he many a winding corse No strength no sleight the subtile warriour harmes His nimble steed obeid his ready hand And where he stept no print left in the sand 90 As when a captaine doth besiege some hold Set in a marish or high on a hill And trieth waies and wiles a thousand fold To bring the piece subiected to his will So far'd the Countie with the Pagan bold And when he did his head and brest none ill His weaker partes he wisely gan assaile And entrance searched oft twixt maile and maile 91 At last he hit him on a place or twaine That on his armes the red blood trickled downe And yet himselfe vntouched did remaine No naile was broke no plume cut from his crowne Argantes raging spent his strength in vaine Waste were his strokes his thrusts were idle throwne Yet preas'd he on and doubled still his blowes And where he hits he neither cares nor knowes 92 Among a thousand blowes the Sarracine At last stroake one when Raymond was so neare That not the swiftnes of his Aquiline Could his deere Lord from that huge danger beare But loe at hand vnseene was helpe diuine Which saues when worldly comforts none appeare The angell on his targe receiu'd that stroke And on that shield Argantes sword was broke 93 The sword was broke therein no wonder lies If earthly tempred mettall could not hold Against that target forg'd aboue the skies Downe fell the blade in peeces on the mold The proud Circassian scant beleeu'd his eies Though nought were left him but the hilts of gold And full of thoughts amaz'd a while he stood Wondring the Christians armour was so good 94 The brittle web of that rich sword he thought Was broke through hardnes of the Counties sheeld And so thought Raimond who discou'red nought What succour heau'n did for his safetie yeeld But when he saw the man gainst whom he fought Vnweaponed still stood he in the feeld His noble hart esteem'd the glorie light At such aduantage if he slew the knight 95 Goe fetch he would haue said another blade When in his hart a better thought arose How for Christes glorie he was
left hand had a splendant sheild Wherewith he couered safe their chieftaine good His other hand a naked sword did weild From which distilling fell the lukewarme blood The blood pardie of many a realme and towne Whereon the Lord his wrath had powred downe 85 Thus was the tumult without bloodshed ended Their armes laid downe strife into exile sent Godfrey his thoughts to greater actions bended And homeward to his rich pauilion went For to assault the fortresse he entended Before the second or third day were spent Meane-while his timber wrought he oft suruaid Where of his rammes and engins great he maid The ninth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Alecto false great Soliman doth moue By night the Christians in their tents to kill But God who their intents saw from aboue Sends Michael downe from his sacred hill The spirits foule to hell the angell droue The knights deliu'red from the witch at will Destroy the Pagans scatter all their host The Soldan flies when all his bands are lost 1 THe grisly childe of Herebus the grim Who saw these tumults done and tempests spent Gainst streame of grace who euer stroue to swim And all her thoughts against heau'ns wisdome bent Departed now bright Titans beames were dim And fruitfull lands waxt barren as she went She sought the rest of her infernall crew New stormes to raise new broiles and tumults new 2 She that well wist her sisters had entised By their false artes far from the Christian host Tancred Rinaldo and the rest best prised For martiall skill for might esteemed most Said of these discords and these strifes aduised Great Solman when day his light hath lost These Christians shall assaile with sodaine war And kill them all while thus they striue and iar 3 With that where Soliman remain'd she flew And found him out with his Arabian bands Great Soliman of all Christes foes vntrew Boldest of courage mightiest of his hands Like him was none of all that earth-bred crew That heaped mountaines on th'Aemonian sands Of Turkes he soueraigne was and Nice his seat Where late he dwelt and rul'd that kingdome great 4 The lands forenenst the Greekish shore he held From Sangars mouth to crookt Meanders fall Where they of Phrygia Misia Lidia dweld Bythinias townes and Pontus cities all But when the harts of Christian Princes sweld And rose in armes to make proud Asia thrall Those lands were wonne where he did scepter weild And he twise beaten was in pitched feild 5 When fortune of the had in vaine assaid And spent his forces which auaild him nought To Egypts king himselfe he close conuaid Who welcomd him as he could best haue thought Glad in his hart and inly well appaid That to his court so great a lord was brought For he decreed his armies huge to bring To succour Iuda land and Iudaes king 6 But ere he open war proclam'de he would That Soliman should kindle first the fire And with huge summes of false entising gould Th' Arabian theeues he sent him forth to hire While he the Asian Lords and Morians bould Vnites the Soldan wonne to his desire Those outlawes ready aie for gold to fight The hope of gaine hath such alluring might 7 Thus made their captaine to destroy and burne In Iuda land he entred is so fat That all the waies whereby he should returne By Godfreys people kept and stopped ar And now he gan his former losses murne This wound had hit him on an elder scar On great aduentures ronne his hardie thought But not assur'de he yet resolu'd on nought 8 To him Alecto came and semblant bore Of one whose age was great whose lookes were graue Whose cheekes were bloodlesse and whose locks were hore Mustachoes strouting long and chin close shaue A steepled Turbant on her head she wore Her garment side and by her side her glaue Her guilden quiuer at her shoulders hong And in her hand a bow was stiffe and strong 9 We haue quoth she through wildernesses gone Through sterill sands strange paths and vncouth waies Yet spoile or bootie haue we gotten none Nor victorie deseruing fame or praise Godfrey meane-while to ruine sticke and stone Of this faire towne with battrie sore assaies And if a while we rest we shall behold This glorious citie smoking lie in mold 10 Are sheepe coates burnt or praies of sheepe or kine The cause why Soliman these bands did arme Canst thou that kingdome lately lost of thine Recouer thus or thus redresse thy harme No no when heau'ns small candles next shall shine Within their tents giue them a bold allarme Beleeue Araspes old whose graue aduice Thou hast in exile prou'd and prou'd in Nice 11 He feareth nought he doubts no sodaine broile From these ill armed and worse harted bands He thinks this people vs'd to rob and spoile To such exploit dares not lift vp their hands Vp than and with thy courage put to foile This fearelesse campe while thus secure it stands This said her poyson in his brest she hides And than to shapelesse aire vnseene she glides 12 The Soldan cride O thou which in my thought Encreased hast my rage and furie so Nor seem'st a wight of mortall mettall wrought I follow thee where so thee list to goe Mountaines of men by dint of sword downe brought Thou shalt behold and seas of red blood floe Where ere I goe only be thou my guide When sable night the azure skies shal hide 13 When this was said he mustred all his crew Reprou'd the cowards and allow'd the bould His forward campe inspir'd with courage new Was readie dight to follow where he would Alectoes selfe the warning trumpet blew And to the winde his standard great vnrould Thus on they marched and thus on they went Of their approach their speed the newes preuent 14 Alecto left them and her person dight Like one that came some tidings new to tell It was the time when first the rising night Her sparkling dimonds powreth forth to sell When into Sion come she marched right Where Iudais aged tyrant vs'd to dwell To whom of Solimans designment bold The place the manner and the time she told 15 Their mantle darke the grisly shadowes spred Stained with spots of deepest sanguine hew Warme drops of blood on earthes blacke visageshed Supplide the place of pure and pretious dew The moone and stars for feare of sprites were fled The shriking gobblings each where howling flew The Furies roare the ghosts and Fairies yell The earth was fild with deuils and emptie hell 16 The Soldan fierce through all this horror went Toward the campe of his redouted foes The night was more than halfe consum'd and spent Now headlong downe the westren hill she goes When distant scant a mile from Godfreys tent He let his people there a while repose And victail'd them and then he boldly spoke These words which rage and courage might prouoke 17 See there a campe full stuft of spoiles and praies Not halfe so
streames he sent And so his waues his name himselfe he spent 9 The wondrous boate scant toucht the troubled maine But all the sea still husht and quiet was Vanisht the clouds ceased the winde and raine The tempests threatned ouerblow and pas A gentle breathing aire made eu'n and plaine The azure face of heau'ns smooth looking glas And heau'n it selfe smild from the skies aboue With a calme cleernesse on the earth his loue 10 By Ascalon they failed and foorth driued Towards the west their speedie course they frame In sight of Gaza till the barke arriued A little port when first it tooke that name But since by others losse so well it thriued A citie great and rich that it became And there the shores and borders of the land They found as full of armed men as sand 11 The passengers to landward turnd their sight And there sawe pitched many a stately tent Souldiour and footman captaine lord and knight Betweene the shore and cittie came and went Huge elephants strong camels coursers light With horned hoofes the sandie waies out rent And in the hauen many a ship and boate With mightie anchores fastned swim and floate 12 Some spred their sailes some with strong owers sweepe The waters smooth and brush the buxome waue Their breasts insunder cleaue the yeelding deepe The broken seas for anger fome and raue When thus their guide began sir knights take keepe How all these shores are spred with squadrons braue And troupes of hardie knights yet on these sands The monarch scant hath gathred halfe his bands 13 Of Egypt onely these the forces are And aid from other lands they here attend For twixt the nooneday sun and morning starre All realmes at his command do bowe and bend So that I trust we shall returne from farre And bring our iourney long to wished end Before this king or his lieutenant shall These armies bring to Sions conquerd wall 14 While thus she said as soaring eagles flie Mongst other birdes securely through the aire And mounting vp behold with wakefull eie The radiant beames of old Hiperious haire Her gondelay so passed swiftly bie Twixt ship and ship withouten feare or caire Who should her follow trouble stop or stay And foorth to sea made luckie speed and way 15 Themselues forenenst old Raphias towne they fand A towne that first to sailers doth appeere As they from Syria passe to Egypt land The sterill coastes of barren Rinoceere They past and seas where Casius hill doth stand That with his trees orespreads the waters neere Against whose rootes breaketh the brackish waue Where Ioue his temple Pompeie hath his graue 16 Then Damiata next where they behold How to the sea his tribute Nilus paies By his seu'n mouthes renown'd in stories old And by an hundreth more ignoble waies They past the towne built by the Grecian bold Of him call'd Alexandria till our daies And Pharos towre and isle remou'd of yore Far from the land now ioyned to the shoer 17 Both Creet and Rhodes they left by North vnseene And sail'd along the coastes of Africke lands Whose sea townes faire but realmes more inward beene All full of monsters and of desart sands With her fiue cities then they left Cireene Where that old temple of false Hammon stands Next Prolemais and that sacred wood Whence spring the silent streames of Lethe flood 18 The greater Sirtes that sailers often cast In perill great of death and losse extreame They compast round about and safely past Then Cape Iudeca and flood Magras streame Then Tripolie gainst which is Malta plast That low and hid to lurke in seas doth seame The little Sirtes then and Alzerbes I le Where dwelt the folke that Lotos eate erewhile 19 Next Tunis on the crooked shore they spide Whose bay a rocke on either side defends Tunis all townes in beautie wealth and pride Aboue as far as Libias bounds extends Gainst which from faire Scicilias fertile side His rugged front great Lilebenni bends The Dame there pointed out where sometimes stoud Romes stately riuall whilome Carthage proud 20 Great Carthage lowe in ashes cold doth lie Her ruines poore the herbes in height scant passe So cities fall so perish kingdomes hie Their pride and pompe lies hid in sand and grasse Then why should mortall man repine to die Whose life is aire breath winde and bodie glasse From thence the seas next Biserts walles they cleft And far Sardignia on their right hand left 21 Numidias mightie plaines they coasted then Where wandring shepherds vs'd their flockes to feed Then Bugia and Argiere th' infamous den Of Pirates false Oran they left with speed All Tingitan they swiftly ouer-ren Where Elephants and angrie Lyons breed Where now the Realmes of Fesse and Marocke bee Gainst which Granadoes shores and coastes they see 22 Now are they there where first the sea brake in By great Alcides helpe as stories faine True may it be that where those floodes begin It whilome was a firme and solid maine Before the sea there through did passage win And parted Africke from the land of Spaine Abila hence thence Calpe great vp springs Such powre hath time to change the face of things 23 Foure times the sunne had spred his morning ray Since first the Dame launcht foorth her wandrous barge And neuer yet tooke port in creeke or bay But fairely forward bore the knights her charge Now through the strait her iolly ship made way And boldly sail'd vpon the Ocean large But if the sea in midst of earth was great O what was this wherein earth hath her seat 24 Now deepe engulphed in the mightie flood They saw not Gades nor the mountaines neare Fled was the land and townes on lande that stood Heau'n cou'red sea sea seem'd the heau'ns to beare At last faire Ladie quoth Vbaldo good That in this endlesse maine dost guide vs heare If euer man before here sailed tell Or other landes here be wherein men dwell 27 Great Hercules quoth she when he had quaild The monsters fierce in Affricke and in Spaine And all along your coastes and countries saild Yet durst he not assay the Ocean maine Within his pillours would he haue impaild The ouerdaring wit of mankinde vaine Till Lord Vlysses did those bounders pas To see and know he so desirous was 26 He past those pillours and in open waue Of the broad sea first his bould sailes vntwind But yet the greedie Ocean was his graue Nought helped him his skill gainst tide and wind With him all witnesse of his voyage braue Lies buried there no truth thereof we find And they whom storme hath forced that way sence Are drowned all or vnreturn'd from thence 27 So that this mightie sea is yet vnsought Where thousand Isles and kingdomes lie vnknowne Not voide of men as some haue vainely thought But peopled well and wonned like your owne The land is fertill ground but scant well wrought Aire wholesome temp'rate sunne grasse proudly growne But quoth Vbaldo dame
she till Egypts lord In aide of Sions king his host shall moue Then will I vse all helps that charmes afford And change my shape or sexe if so behoue Well can I handle bowe or launce or sword The worthies all will aide me for my loue I seeke reuenge and to obtaine the same Farewell regard of honour farewell shame 73 Nor let mine vncle and protector me Reproue for this he most deserues the blame My hart and sex that weake and tender be He bent to deedes that maidens euill became His neece a wandring damsell first made he He spurr'd my youth and I cast off my shame His be the fault if ought gainst mine estate I did for loue or shall commit for hate 74 This said her knights her ladies pages squires She all assembleth and for iourney fit In such faire armes and vestures them attires As shew'd her wealth and well declar'd her wit And forward marched full of strange desires Nor rested she by day or night one whit Till she came there where all the eastren bands Their kings and princes lay on Gazaes sands The seuenteenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Egypts great host in battaile ray forth brought The Caliph sends with Godfreyes powre to fight Armida who Rinaldoes ruine sought To them adioynes her selfe and Sirias might To satisfie her cruell will and thought She giues her selfe to him that kils her knight He takes his fatall armes and in his sheild His ancestors and their great deedes beheild 1 GAza the citie on the frontire stands Of Iudaes realme as men to Egypt ride Built neare the sea beside it of drie sands Huge wildernesses lie and desarts wide Which the strong windes lift from the parched lands And tosse like roring waues in roughest tide That from those stormes poore passengers almost No refuge finde but there are down'd and lost 2 Within this towne wonne from the Turkes of yore Strong garrison the king of Egypt plast And for it neerer was and fitted more That high emprise to which his thoughts he cast He left great Memphis and to Gaza bore His regall throne and there from countries vast Of his huge Empire all the puissant hoast Assembled he and mustred on the coast 3 Come say my muse what manner times these weare And in those times how stood the state of things What powre this monarch had what armes they beare What nations subiect and what friends he brings For from all landes the Southren Ocean neare Or morning starre came Princes Dukes and Kings And onely thou of halfe the world welnie The armies Lords and Captaines canst descrie 4 When Egypt from the Greekish Emperour Rebelled first and Christes true faith denide Of Mahomets descent a warriour There set his throne and rulde that kingdome wide Caliph he hight and Caliphes since that houre Are his successors named all beside So Nilus old his kings long time had seene That Ptolemies and Pharoes call'd had beene 5 Establisht was that kingdome in short while And grew so great that ouer Asias landes And Libias Realmes it stretched many a mile From Syrias coastes as far as Cirene sandes And Southward passed gainst the course of Nile Through the hot clime where burnt Siene standes Hence bounded in with sandie desartes wast And thence with Euphrates ritch flood embrast 6 Maremma Myrrhe and spices that doth bring And all the ritch red sea it comprehends And to those landes toward the morning spring That lie beyond that gulph it farre extends Great is that Empire greater by the king That rules it now whose worth the land amends And makes more famous Lord thereof by blood By wisedome valour and all vertues good 7 With Turkes and Persians war he oft did wage And oft he wonne and sometime lost the feild Nor could his aduerse fortune ought asswage His valours heat or make his proud hart yeild But when he grew vnfit for war through age He sheath'd his sword and laid aside his sheild But yet his warlike minde he laid not downe Nor his great thirst of rule praise and renowne 8 But by his knights still cruell wars maintain'd So wise his words so quicke his wit appeares That of the kingdome large ore which he rain'd The charge seem'd not too weightie for his yeares His greatnes Africks lesser kings constrain'd To tremble at his name all Inde him feares And other realmes that would his friendship hold Some armed soldiers sent some gifts some gold 9 This mightie Prince assembled had the flowre Of all his realmes against the French men stout To breake their rising empire and their powre Nor of sure conquest had he feare or dout To him Armida came eu'n at the howre When in the plaines old Gazaes walles without The Lords and leaders all their armies bring In battaile ray mustred before their king 10 He on his throne was set to which on hight Who clombe an hundred iuorie staires first told Vnder a pentise wrought of siluer bright And troade on carpets made of silke and gold His robes were such as best beseemen might A king so great so graue so rich so old And twin'd of sixtie elles of lawne and more A Turbant strange adorn'd his tresses hore 11 His right hand did his pretious scepter weild His beard was gray his lookes seuere and graue And from his eies not yet made dim with eild Sparkled his former worth and vigor braue His gestures all the maiestie vpheild And state as his old age and empire craue So Phidias caru'd Apelles so pardie Earst painted Ioue Ioue thundring downe from skie 12 On either side him stood a noble lord Whereof the first held in his vpright hand Of seuere iustice the vnpartiall sword The other bore the seale and causes scand Keeping his folke in peace and good accord And termed was Lord Chancelour of the land But Marshall was the first and vs'd to leed His armies foorth to warre oft with good speed 13 Of bould Circassians with their halberds long About his throne his guard stood in a ring All richly armd in guilden corslets strong And by their sides their crooked swords downe hing Thus set thus seated his graue lords among His hoasts and armies great beheld the king And euery band as by his throne it went Their ensigâ— low enclind and armes downe bent 14 Their squadrâ—â— first the men of Egypt show In fowre â—ooâ—es and each his feu'rall guide Of the hie â—â—â—ntrie two two of the low Which Nile had wonne out of the salt sea side Hiâ— fertill slime first stopt the waters flow Then hardned to firme land the plough to bide So Egypt still encreast within farre plast That part is now where ships earst anchor cast 15 The formost band the people were that dwell'd In Alexandrias rich and fertile plaine Along the westren shore whence Nile expell'd The greedie billowes of the swelling maine Araspes was their guide who more excell'd In wit and craft than strength or warlike paine To place an
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
and reconciliation to Godfrey noteth Obedience causing the Irefull power to yeelde to the Reasonable In these Reconciliations two things are signified first Godfrey with ciuill moderation is acknowledged to be superiour to Rinaldo teaching vs that Reason commandeth Anger not imperiously but curteouslie and ciuillie contrariwise in that by imprisoning Argillanus imperiously the sedition is quieted it is giuen vs to vnderstand the power of the Minde to be ouer the bodie regall and predominate Secondly that as the reasonable part ought not for heerein the Stoiks were very much deceiued to exclude the Irefull from actions nor vsurpe the offices thereof for this vsurpation shoulde bee against nature and iustice but it ought to make her her companion and handmaid So ought not Godfrey to attempt the aduenture of the wood himselfe thereby arrogating to himselfe the other offices belonging to Reinaldo Lesse skill should then be shewed and lesse regard had to the profite which the Poet as subiected to policie ought to haue for his aime if it had been fained that by Godfrey onlie all was wrought which was necessarie for the conquering of Ierusalem Neither is there contrarietie or difference from that which hath been said in putting downe Rinaldo and Godfrey for that figure of the Reasonable and of the Irefull vertue which Hugo speakes of in his dreame wheras he compareth the one to the Head the other to the right Hand of the army bicause the Head if we belieue Plato is the seat of Reason and the right Hand if it be not the seat of wrath it is at least her most principall instrument Finally to come to the conclusion the army wherein Rinaldo and the other Woorthies by the grace of God and aduise of Man are returned and obedient to their chieftaine signifieth man brought againe into the state of naturall Iustice and heauenly obedience where the superior powers do command as they ought and the inferiour do obey as they should Then the wood is easily disinchanted the citty vanquished the enimies armie discomfited that is all externall impediments being easily ouercome man attaineth the politike happines But for that this Politike blessednes ought not to be the last marke of a Christian man but he ought to looke more high that is to Euerlasting felicitie for this cause Godfrey doth not desire to win the earthly Ierusalem to haue therein onely temporall dominion but bicause heerein may be celebrated the worship of God and that the Holy sepulchre may be the more freely visited of godly strangers and deuout Pilgrims and the Poem is shut vp in the praiers of Godfrey it is shewed vnto vs that the Vnderstanding being trauelled and wearied in ciuill actions ought in the ende to rest in deuotion and in the contemplation of the eternall blessednes of the other most happie and immortall life FINIS The first Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument God sends his Angell to Tortosa downe Godfrey vnites the Christianpeeres and knights And all the Lords and Princes of renowne Choose him their Duke to rule the wars and fights He mustreth all his host whose number knowne He sends them to the fort that Sion hights The aged Tyrant Iudaes land that guides In feare and trouble to resist prouides 1 THE sacred armies and the godly knight That the great sepulcher of Christ did free I sing much wrought his valour and foresight And in that glorious war much suffred hee In vaine gainst him did Hell oppose her might In vaine the Turks and Morians armed bee His soldiers wilde to braules and mutines prest Reduced he to peace so heau'n him blest 2 O heauenly muse that not with fading baies Deckest thy brow by th'Heliconian spring But sittest crownd with stars immortall raies In heauen where legions of bright Angels sing Inspire life in my wit my thoughts vpraise My verse ennoble and forgiue the thing If fictions light I mixe with truth diuine And fill these lines with others praise then thine 3 Thither thouknow'st the world is best inclinde Where luring Parnase most his sweete imparts And truth conuay'd in verse of gentle kinde To reade perhaps will moue the dullest harts So we if children yong diseas'd we finde Annoint with sweets the vessels formost parts To make them taste the potions sharpe we giue They drinke deceiu'd and so deceiu'd they liue 4 Ye noble Princes that protect and saue The pilgrim muses and their ship defend From rocke of ignorance and errors waue Your gracious eies vpon this labour bend To you these tales of loue and conquests braue I dedicate to you this worke I send My muse hereafter shall perhaps vnfold Your fights your battailes and your combats bold 5 For if the Christian Princes euer striue To win faire Greece out of the tyrants hands And those vsurping Ismalites depriue Of wofull Thrace which now captiued stands You must from realmes and seas the Turkes forth driue As Godfrey chased them from Iudais lands And in this legend all that glorious deede Read whil'st you arme you arme you whil'st you reed 6 Sixe yeeres were ronne since first in martiall guize The Christian Lords warraid the eastren land Nice by assault and Antioch by surprize Both faire both rich both wonne both conquer'd stand And this defended they in noblest wize Gainst Persian knights and many a valiant band Tottosa wonne least winter might them shend They drew to holds and comming spring attend 7 The sullen season now was come and gone That forst them late cease from their noble war When God almightie from his loftie throne Set in those parts of heau'n that purest ar As far aboue the cleere stars euery one As it is hence vp to the highest star Look'd downe and all at once this world behield Each land each citie countrie towne and field 8 All things he view'd at last in Syria stai'd Vpon the Christian Lords his gracious eie That wondrous looke wherewith he oft suruai'd Mens secret thoughts that most concealed lie He cast on puissant Godfrey that assai'd To driue the Turks from Sions bulwarks hie And full of zeale and faith esteemed light All worldly honour empire treasure might 9 In Baldwine next he spide another thought Whom spirits proud to vaine ambition moue Tancred he saw his liues ioy set at nought So woe begon was he with paines of loue Boemond the conquer'd folke of Antioch brought The gentle yoke of Christian rule to proue He taught them lawes statutes and customes new Arts craftes obedience and religion trew 10 And with such care his busie worke he plied That to nought els his acting thoughts he bent In yong Rinaldo fierce desires he spied And noble hart of rest impatient To wealth or soueraigne powre he nought applied His wits but all to vertue excellent Patternes and rules of skill and courage bolde He tooke from Guelpho and his fathers olde 11 Thus when the Lord discouer'd had and seene The hidden secrets of each worthies brest Out of the Hierarchies of Angels sheene
iron strong But each a glaue had pendant by his side Their bowes and quiuers at their shoulders hong Their horses well enur'd to chace and ride In dietspare vntir'd with labour long Readie to charge and to retire at will Though broken scattred fled they skirmish still 51 Tatine their guide and except Tatine none Of all the Greekes went with the Christian host O sinne O shame O Greece accurst alone Did not this fatall war affront thy coast Yet sattest thou an idle looker on And glad attendest which side wonne or lost Now if thou be a bondslaue vile become No wrong is that but Gods most righteous dome 52 In order last but first in worth and fame Vnfear'd in fight vntir'd with hurt or wound The noble squadron of aduentrers came Terrors to all that tread on Asian ground Cease Orpheus of thy Minois Arthur shame To boast of Launcelot or thy table round Kor these whom antique times with laurell drest These far exceed them thee and all the rest 53 Dudon of Consa was their guide and Lord And for of worth and birth alike they beene They chose him captaine by their free accord For he most actes had done most battails seene Graue was the man in yeeres in lookes in word His locks were gray yet was his courage greene Of worth and might the noble badge he bore Old scarres of greeuous wounds receiu'd of yore 54 After came Eustace well ysteemed man For Godfreyes sake his brother and his owne The king of Norwaies heire Gernando than Proud of his fathers titles scepter crowne Roger of Balnauill and Engerlan For hardie knights approoued were and knowne Besides were numbred in that warlike traine Rambald Gentonio and the Gerards twaine 55 Vbaldo than and puissant Rosimond Of Lancaster the heire in ranke succeed Let none forget Obizo of Tuscaine lond Well worthie praise for many a worthie deed Nor those three brethren Lombards fierce and yond Achilles Sforza and sterne Palameed Nor Ottons shield he conqu'red in those stowres In which a snake a naked childe deuoures 56 Guascher and Raiphe in valour like there was The one and other Guido famous both Germer and Eberard to ouerpas In foule obliuion would my muse be loth With his Gildippes deere Edward alas A louing paire to war among them go'th In bond of vertuous loue together tied Together seru'd they and together died 57 In schoole of loue are all things taught we see There learn'd this maide of armes the irefull guise Still by his side a faithfull garde went shee One trueloue knot their liues together ties No wound to one alone could dang'rous bee But each the smart of others anguish tries If one were hurt the other felt the sore She lost her blood he spent his life therefore 58 But these and all Rinaldo far exceedes Star of this spheare the dimond of this ring The nest where courage with sweete mercie breedes A comet worthie each eies wondering His yeeres are fewer than his noble deedes His fruit is ripe soone as his blossoms spring Armed a Mars might coyest Venus moue And if disarm'd then God himselfe of loue 59 Sophia by Adige flowrie banke him bore Sophia the faire spouse to Bertoldo great Fit mother for that pearle and before The tender impe was wained from the teat The Princesse Maud him tooke in vertues lore She brought him vp fit for each worthie feat Till of these wars the golden trumpe he heares That soundeth glorie fame praise in his eares 60 And then though scantly three times fiue yeeres old He fled alone by many an vnknowne coast Ore Aegean seas by many a Greekish hold Till he arriued at the Christian hoast A noble flight aduentrous braue and bold Whereon a valiant Prince might iustly boast Three yeeres he seru'd in field when scant begin Few golden haires to decke his Iuorie chin 61 The horsemen past their void left stations fill The bands on foote and Reymond them beforne Of Tholouse Lord from lands neere Piraene hill By Garound streames and salt sea billowes worne Fowre thousand foote he brought well arm'd and skill Had they all paines and trauell to haue borne Stout men of armes and with their guide of powre Like Troyes old towne defenst with Ilions towre 62 Next Stephen of Amboise did fiue thousand leed The men he prest from Toures and Blois but late To hard assaies vnfit vnsure at need Yet arm'd to point in well attempted plate The land did like it selfe the people breed The soile is gentle smooth soft delicate Boldly they charge but soone retire for dout Like fire of straw soone kindled soone burnt out 63 The third Alcasto marched and with him The Boaster brought sixe thousand Switzers bold Audacious were their lookes their faces grim Strong castles on the Alpine clifts they hold Their shares and culters broke to armours trim They change that mettall cast in warlike mold And with this band late heards and flocks that guied Now kings and realmes he threat'ned and defied 64 The glorious standard last to heau'n they sprad With Peters keyes ennobled and his crowne With it seuen thousand stout Camillo had Embattailed in wals of iron browne In this aduenture and occasion glad So to reuiue the Romaines old renowne Or proue at least to all of wiser thought Their harts were fertill land although vnwrought 65 But now was passed euery regiment Each band each troope each person worth regard When Godfrey with his Lords to counsell went And thus the Duke his princely will declar'd I will when day next cleeres the firmament Our readie host in haste be all prepar'd Closely to march to Sions noble wall Vnseene vnheard or vndescride at all 66 Prepare you then for trauaile strong and light Fierce to the combat glad to victorie And with that word and warning soone was dight Each soldier longing for neere comming glorie Impatient be they of the morning bright Of honour so them prickt the memorie But yet their chieftaine had conceau'd a feare Within his hart but kept it secret theare 67 For he by faithfull spiall was assured That Egypts king was forward on his way And to arriue at Gaza old procured A fort that on the Sirian fronters lay Nor thinkes he that a man to wars enured Will ought forslow or in his iourney stay For well he knew him for a dang'rous foe An herald cald he then and spake him soe 68 A pinnesse take thee swift as shaft from bowe And speede thee Henrie to the Greekish maine There should arriue as I by letters knowe From one that neuer ought reports in vaine A valiant youth in whom all vertues flowe To helpe vs this great conquest to obtaine The Prince of Danes he is and brings to war A troope with him from vnder th' Artick star 69 And for I doubt the Greekish monarch slie Will vse with him some of his woonted craft To stay his passage or diuert awrie Elsewhere his forces his first iournay laft My herald good and messenger
gainst Iuda land to proue He would before this threat'ned tempest fell I should his minde and princely will first tell 65 His minde is this he praies thee be contented To ioy in peace the conquests thou hast got Be not thy death or Sions fall lamented Forbeare this land Iudea trouble not Things done in haste at leasure be repented Withdraw thine armes trust not vncertaine lot For oft we see what least we thinke betide He is thy friend gainst all the world beside 66 True labour in the vineyard of thy Lord Ere prime thou hast th'imposed day-worke donne What armies conquered perisht with thy sword What cities sackt what kingdomes hast thou wonne All eares are maz'de while toongs thine acts record Hands quake for feare all feete for dread doe ronne And though no realmes you may to thraldome bring No higher can your praise your glorie spring 67 Thy sinne is in his Apogaeon placed And when it moueth next must needes descend Chance is vncertaine fortune double faced Smiling at first she frowneth in the end Beware thine honour be not then disgraced Take heed thou marre not when thou think'st to mend For this the follie is of fortunes play Gainst doubtfull certaine much gainst small to lay 68 Yet still we saile while prosp'rous blowes the winde Till on some secret rocke vnwares we light The sea of glorie hath no bankes assignde They who are wont to win in euerie fight Still feed the fire that so enflames thy minde To bring mo nations subiect to thy might This makes thee blessed peace so light to hold Like sommers flies that feare not winters cold 69 They bid thee follow on the path now made So plaine and easie enter fortunes gate Nor in thy scabberd sheath that famous blade Till setled be thy kingdome and estate Till Macons sacred doctrine fall and fade Till wofull Asia all lie desolate Sweet words I grant baits and allurements sweet But greatest hopes oft greatest crosses meet 70 For if thy courage doe not blinde thine eies If cloudes of furie hide not reasons beames Then maist thou see this desp'rate enterpries The field of death watred with dangers streames High state the bed is where misfortune lies Mars most vnfriendly when most kind he seames Who climeth hie on earth he hardest lights And lowest falles attend the highest flights 71 Tell me if great in counsell armes and gold The Prince of Egypt war gainst you prepare What if the valiant Turkes and Persians bold Vnite their forces with Cassanâ—es haire O then what marble pillar shall vphold The falling trophies of your conquests faire Trust you the monarch of the Greekish land That reed will breake and breaking wound your hand 72 The Greekish faith is like that halfe cut tree By which men take wilde Elephants in Inde A thousand times it hath beguiled thee As firme as waues in seas or leaues in winde Will they who earst denide you passage free Passage to all men free by vse and kinde Fight for your sake or on them doe you trust To spend their blood that could fearce spare their dust 73 But all your hope and trust perchance is laid In these strong troopes which thee enuiron round Yet foes vnite are not so soone dismaid As when their strength you earst diuided found Besides each howre thy bands are weaker maid With hunger slaughter lodging on cold ground Meane-while the Turkes seeke succours from our king Thus fade thy helps and thus thy cumbers spring 74 Suppose no weapon can thy valours pride Subdue that by no force thou maist be wonne Admit no steele can hurt or wound thy side And be it heau'n hath thee such fauout donne Gainst famine yet what shield canst thou prouide What strength resist what sleight her wrath can shonne Goe shake thy speare and draw thy flaming blade And trie if hunger so be weaker made 75 Th' inhabitants each pasture and each plaine Destroied haue each field to waste is lade In fensed towres bestowed is their graine Before thou cam'st this kingdome to inuade These horse and foote how canst thou then sustaine Whence comes thy store whence thy prouision made Thy ships to bring it are perchance assignde O that you liue so long as please the winde 76 Perhaps thy fortune doth controull the winde Doth loose or binde their blastes in secret caue The sea pardie cruell and deafe by kinde Will heare thy call and still her raging waue But if our armed gallies be assignde To aide those ships which Turks and Persians haue Say then what hope is left thy slender fleet Dare flockes of crowes a flight of Eagles meet 77 My Lord a double conquest must you make If you atchieue renowne by this empries For if our fleet your nauie chase or take For want of victails all your campe then dies Or if by land the field you once forsake Then vaine by sea were hope of victories Nor could your ships restore your lost estate For steed once stolne we shut the doore too late 78 In this estate if thou esteemest light The profred kindnesse of th' Egyptian king Then giue me leaue to say this ouersight Beseemes thee not in whom such vertues spring But heau'ns vouchsafe to guide thy minde aright To gentle thoughts that peace and quiet bring So that poore Asia her complaints may ceace And you enioy your conquest got in peace 79 Nor ye that part in these aduentures haue Part in his glorie partners in his harmes Let not blinde fortune so your mindes desaue To stir him more to trie these fierce alarmes But like the failer scaped from the waue From further perill that his person armes By staying safe at home so stay you all Better fit still men say than rise to fall 80 This said Aletes and a murmur rose That shew'd dislike among the Christian Peares Their angrie gestures with mislike disclose How much his speech offends their noble eares Lord Godfreyes eie three times enuiron goes To view what count'nance euerie warriour beares And lastly on th' Egyptian Baron staid To whom the Duke thus for his answer said 81 Ambassador full both of threates and praise Thy doubtfull message hast thou wisely told And if thy soueraigne loue vs as he saies Tell him he sowes to reape an hundreth fold But where thy talke the comming storme displaies Of threat'ned warfare from the Pagans bold To that I answer as my custome is In plainest phrase least mine intent thou mis. 82 Know that till now we suffred haue much paine By lands and seas where stormes and tempests fall To make the passage easie safe and plaine That leades vs to this venerable wall That so we might reward from heau'n obtaine And free this towne from being longer thrall Nor is it greeuous to so good an end Our honours kingdoms liues and goods to spend 83 Not hope of praise nor thirst of worldly good Entised vs to follow this emprise The heau'nly father keepe his sacred brood From foule infection of
loue did in thy hart compile The same that left thee by the cooling streame Safe from sunnes heat but scorcht with beauties beame 23 The Prince well knew her though her painted shield And golden helme he had not markt before She sau'd her head and with her axe well stield Assail'd the knight but her the knight forbore Gainst other foes he prou'd him through the field Yet she for that refrained nere the more But following turne thee cride in irefull wise And so at once she threats to kill him twise 24 Not once the Baron lift his armed hand To strike the maide but gazing on her eies Where lordly Cupid seem'd in armes to stand No way to ward or shun her blowes he tries But softly sayes no stroke of thy strong hand Can vanquish Tancred but thy conquest lies In those faire eies which fierie weapons dart That finde no lighting place except this hart 25 Atlast resolu'd although he hopt small grace Yet ere he dide to tell how much he loued For pleasing words in womens eare finde place And gentle harts with humble suit are moued O thou quoth he withhold thy wrath a space For if thou long to see my valour proued Were it not better from this warlike rout Withdrawne somewhere alone to fight it out 26 So singled may we both our courage trie Clorinda to that motion yeelded glad And helmlesse to the forrestward gan hie Whither the Prince right pensiue went and sad And there the virgin gan him soone defie One blow she strooken and he warded had When he cride hold and ere we proue our might First heare thou some conditions of the fight 27 She staid and desprate loue had made him bold Since from the fight thou wilt no respite giue The cou'nants be he said that thou vnfold This wretched bosome and my hart out riue Giuen thee long since and if thou cruell would I should be dead let me no longer liue But pearse this brest that all the world may say The Eagle made the turtle doue her pray 28 Saue with thy grace or let thine anger kill Loue hath disarm'd my life of all defence An easie labour harmlesse blood to spill Strike then and punish where is none offence This said the Prince and more perchance had will To haue declar'd to moue her cruell sence But in ill time of Pagans thither came A troope and Christians that pursu'd the same 29 The Pagans fled before their valiant foes For dread or craft it skils not that we knew A soldier wilde carelesse to win or loes Saw where her locks about the damsell flew And at her backe he profreth as he goes To strike where her he did disarmed vew But Tancred cride oh stay thy cursed hand And for to ward the blow lift vp his brand 30 But yet the cutting steele arriued theare Where her faire necke adioin'd her noble head Light was the wound but through her amber heare The purple drops downe railed bloodie read So rubies set in flaming gold appeare But Lord Tancredie pale with rage as lead Flew on the villaine who to flight him bound The smart was his though she receiu'd the wound 31 The villaine flies he full of rage and ire Pursues she stood and wondred on them both But yet to follow them shew'd no desire To stray so far she would perchance be loth But quickly turn'd her fierce as flaming fire And on her foes wreaked her anger wroth On euerie side she kils them downe amaine And now she flies and now she turnes againe 32 As the swift Vre by Volgaes rolling flood Chas'd through the plaines the mastiue curres toforne Flies to the succour of some neighbor wood And often turnes againe his dreadfull horne Against the dogs imbru'd in sweat and blood That bite not till the beast to flight retorne Or as the Moores at their strange tennise run Defenst the flying balles vnhurt to shun 33 So ronne Clorinda so her foes pursewed Vntill they both approcht the cities wall When loe the Pagans their fierce wrath renewed Cast in a ring about they wheeled all And gainst the Christians backes and sides they shewed Their courage fierce and to new combat fall When downe the hill Argantes came to fight Like angrie Mars to aide the Troian knight 34 Furious to fore the formost of his ranke In sturdie steele foorth stept the warriour bold The first he smote downe from his saddle sanke The next vnder his steed lay on the mold Vnder the Sarsens speare the worthies shranke No brest-plate could that cursed tree out-hold When that was broke his pretious sword he drew And whom he hit he felled hurt or slew 35 Clorinda slue Ardelio aged knight Whose grauer yeeres would for no labour yeild His age was full of puissance and might Two sonnes he had to guard his noble eild The first far from his fathers care and sight Cald Alicandro wounded lay in feild And Poliphern the yonger by his side Had he not nobly fought had surely dide 36 Tancred by this that stroue to ouertake The villaine that had hurt his only deare From vaine pursuite at last returned bake And his braue troope discomfite saw welneare Thither he spurd and gan huge slaughter make His shocke no steed his blow no knight could beare For dead he strikes him whom he lights vpon So thunders breake high trees on Libanon 37 Dudon his squadron of aduentrers brings To aide the worthie and his tired crew Before the res'due yong Rinaldo flings As swift as firie light'ning kindled new His Argent Eagle with her siluer wings In field of Azure faire Erminta knew See there sir king she sayes a knight as bold And braue as was the sonne of Peleus old 38 He winnes the prise in Iust and Turnament His actes are numberlesse though few his yeares If Europe sixe like him to war had sent Among these thousands strong of Christian Peares Syria were lost lost were the Orient And all the lands the southren Ocean weares Conquer'd were all hot Affrikes tawnie kings And all that dwell by Nilus vnknowne springs 39 Rinaldo is his name his armed fist Breakes downe stone walles when rams and engins faile But turne your eies because I would you wist What Lord that is in greene and golden maile Dudon he hight who guideth as him list Th'aduentrers troope whose prowesse seld doth faile High birth graue yeeres and practise long in war And fearelesse hart make him renowmed far 40 See that big man that all in browne is bound Gernando call'd the king of Norwaies sonne A prouder knight treads not on grasse or ground His pride hath lost the praise his prowesse wonne And that kinde paire in white all armed round Is Edward and Gildippes who begonne Through loue the hazard of fierce war to proue Famous for armes but famous more for loue 41 While thus they tell their foemens worthinesse The slaughter rageth in the plaine at large Tancred and yong Rinaldo breake the presse They bruise
With fire and sword we hasted forth with speed And bore the brunt of all their fights and fraies But when we had perform'd and done the deed At ease and leasure they diuide the praies We reaped nought but trauaile for our toile Their was the praise the realmes the gold the spoile 66 Yet all this season were we willing blinde Offended vnreueng'd wrong'd but vnwroken Light greefes could not prouoke our quiet minde But now alas the mortall blow in stroken Rinaldo haue they slaine and law of kinde Of armes of nations and of high heau'n broken Why doth not heau'n kill them with fire and thunder To swallow them why cleaues not earth asunder 67 They haue Rinaldo slaine the sword and sheeld Of Christes true faith and vnreueng'd he lies Still vnreuenged lieth in the feeld His noble corpes to feed the crowes and pies Who murdred him who shall vs certaine yeeld Who sees not that although he wanted eies Who knowes not how th' Italian chiualrie Proud Godfrey and false Baldwine both enuie 68 What need we further proofe heau'n heau'n I sweare Will not consent herein we be beguiled This night I saw his murdred sprite appeare Pale sad and wan with wounds and blood defiled A spectacle full both of greefe and feare Godfrey for murdring him the ghost reuiled I saw it was no dreame before mine eies How ere I looke still still me thinkes it flies 69 What shall we doe shall we be gouern'd still By this false hand contaminate with blood Or else depart and trauaile forth vntill To Euphrates we come that sacred flood Where dwels a people voide of martiall skill Whose cities rich whose land is fat and good Where kingdoms great we may at ease prouide Far from these French mens malice from their pride 70 Than let vs goe and no reuengement take For this braue knight though it lie in our power No no that courage rather newly wake Which neuer sleepes in feare and dread one hower And this pestifrous serpent poys'ned snake Of all our knights that hath destroi'd the flower First let vs slay and his deserued end Ensample make to him that kils his frend 71 I will I will if your couragious force Dareth so much as it can well performe Teare out his cursed hart without remorse The neast of treason false and guile enorme Thus spake the angrie knight with headlong corse The rest him followed like a furious storme Arme arme they cride to armes the soldiers ran And as they ron arme arme cride euery man 72 Mongst them Alecto strowed wastefull fire Enuenoming the harts of most and least Follie disdaine madnes strife rancour ire Thirst to shed blood in euery brest encreast This ill spread far and till it set on fire With rage th' Italian lodgings neuer ceast From thence vnto the Switzers campe it went And last infected euery English tent 73 Not publike losse of their beloued knight Alone stirr'd vp their rage and wrath vntamed But fore-conceiued greefes and quarrels light Their ire still nourished and still enflamed Awaked was each former cause of spright The Frenchmen cruell and vniust they named And with bold threats they made their hatred knowne Hate seeld kept close and oft vnwisely showne 74 Like boyling liquor in a seething pot That fumeth swelleth hie and bubbleth fast Till ore the brimmes among the embers hot Part of the broth and of the scum it cast Their rage and wrath those few appeased not In whom of wisdome yet remain'd some tast Camillo William Tancred were away And all whose greatnes might their madnes stay 75 Now headlong ran to harnesse in this heat These furious people all on heapes confused The roaring trumpets battaile gan to threat As it in time of mortall war is vsed The messengers ran to Godfredo great And bod him arme while on this noise he mused And Baldwin first well clad in iron hard Stept to his side a sure and faithfull gard 76 Their murmurs heard to heau'n he lift his eine As was his wont to God for aide he fled O Lord thou knowest this right hand of mine Abhorred euer ciuill blood to shed Illumine their darke soules with light diuine Represse their rage by hellish furie bred The innocencie of my guiltlesse minde Thou know'st and make these know with furie blinde 77 This said he felt infused in each vaine A sacred heat from heau'n aboue distilled A hear in man that courage could constraine That his graue looke with awfull boldnesse filled Well garded forth he went to meet the traine Of those that would reuenge Rinaldo killed And though their threats he heard and saw them bent To armes on euery side yet on he went 78 Aboue his hawberke strong a cote he ware Embrodred faire with pearle and rich stone His hands were naked and his face was bare Wherein a lampe of maiestie bright shone He shooke his golden mace wherewith he dare Resist the force of his rebellious fone Thus he appear'd and thus he gan them teach In shape an angell and a God in speach 79 What foolish words what threats be these I heare What noise of armes who dares these tumults moue Am I so honour'd stand you so in feare Where is your late obedience where your loue Of Godfreys falshood who can witnes beare Who dare or will these accusations proue Perchance you looke I should entreaties bring Sue for your fauours or excuse the thing 80 Ah God forbid these lands should heare or see Him so disgrast at whose great name they quake This scepter and my noble actes for mee A true defence before the world can make Yet for sharpe iustice gouerned shall bee With clemencie I will no veng'ance take For this offence but for Rinaldoes loue I pardon you hereafter wiser proue 81 But Argillanoes guiltie blood shall wash This staine away who kindled this debate And led by hastie rage and furie rash To these disorders first vndid the gate While thus he spoke the lightning beames did flash Out of his eies of maiestie and state That Argillan who would haue thought it shooke For feare and terrour conqu'red with his looke 82 The rest with vndiscreet and foolish wrath Who threatned late with words of shame and pride Whose hands so ready were to harme and scath And brandished bright swords on euery side Now husht and still attend what Godfrey sath With shame and feare their bashfull lookes they hide And Argillan they let in chaines be bound Although their weapons him enuiron'd round 83 So when a lion shakes his dreadfull maine And beates his taile with courage proud and wroth If his commander come who first tooke paine To tame his youth his loftie crest downe go'th His threats he feareth and obaies the raine Of thraldome base and seruiceage though loth Nor can his sharpe teeth nor his armed pawes Force him rebell against his rulers lawes 84 Fame is a winged warriour they beheild With semblant fierce and furious looke that stood And in his
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
to point he gan expose The false compact how it was made and wrought The armes and ensignes fained poison close Ormondos vant what praise what thanke he sought And what reward and satisfide all those That would demaund enquire or aske of ought Silence was made a while when Godfrey thus Raimondo say what counsell giu'st thou vs 128 Not as we purpos'd late next morne quoth hee Let vs not scale but round besiege this towre That those within may haue no issue free To sallie out and hurt vs with their powre Our campe well rested and refreshed see Prouided well gainst this last storme and showre And then in pitched field fight if you will If not delay and keepe this fortresse still 129 But least you be endangred hurt or slaine Of all your cares take care your selfe to saue By you this campe doth liue doth winne doth raine Who else can rule or guide these squadrons braue And for the traitors shall be noted plaine Command your garde to change the armes they haue So shall their guile be knowne in their owne net So shall they fall caught in the snare they set 130 As it hath euer thus the Duke begonne Thy counsell shewes thy wisdome and thy loue And what you left in doubt shall thus be donne We will their force in pitched battell proue Clos'd in this wall and trench the fight to shonne Doth ill this campe beseeme and worse behoue But we their strength and manhood will assay And trie in open field and open day 131 The fame of our great conquests to sustaine Or bide our lookes and threates they are not able And when this armie is subdu'd and slaine Then is our empire setled firme and stable The towre shall yeeld or but resist in vaine For feare her anchor is despaire her cable Thus he concludes and rowling downe the west Fast set the starres and call'd them all to rest The twentith Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument The Pagan host arriues and cruell fight Makes with the Christians and their faithfull powre The Soldan longs in field to proue his might With the old king quits the besieged towre Yet both are slaine and in eternall night A famous hand giues each his fatall howre Rinald appeasd Armida first the feild The Christians winne then praise to God they yeild 1 THe sunne call'd vp the world from idle sleepe And of the day ten howres were gone and past When the bould troupe that had the towre to keepe Espide a sodaine mist that ouercast The earth with mirksome clouds and darknes deepe And sawe it was th' Egyptian campe at last Which rais'd the dust for hils and valleies broad That hoast did ouerspread and ouerload 2 Therewith a merrie shout and ioyfull crie The Pagans reard from their besieged hold The cranes from Thrace with such a rumour flie His hoarie frost and snow when Hyems old Powres downe and fast to warmer regions hie From the sharpe winds fierce stormes and tempests cold And quicke and readie this new hope and aid Their hands to shoot their toongs to threaten maid 3 From whence their ire their wrath and hardie threat Proceeds the French well knew and plaine espide For from the wals and ports the army great They saw her strenght her number pompe and pride Swelled their brests with valours noble heat Battaile and fight they wisht arme arme they cride The youth to giue the signe of fight all praid Their Duke and were displeasd bicause delaid 4 Till morning next for he refusd to fight Their haste and heat he bridled but not brake Nor yet with sodaine fray or skirmish light Of these new foes would he vaine triall make After so many warres he saies good right It is that one daies rest at least you take For thus in his vaine foes he cherish would The hope which in their strength they haue and hould 5 To see Auroras gentle beame appeare The souldiers armed prest and ready lay The skies were neuer halfe so faire and cleare As in the breaking of that blessed day The merrie morning smild and seemd to weare Vpon her siluer crowne suns golden ray And without cloud heau'n his redoubled light Bent downe to see this field this fray this fight 6 When first he sawe the day breake shew and shine Godfrey his hoast in good array brought out And to besiege the tyrant Aladine Raimond he left and all the faithfull rout That from the townes was come of Palestine To serue and succour their deliuerer stout And with them left a hardie troupe beside Of Gascoignes strong in armes well prou'd oft tride 7 Such was Godfredoes count'nance such his cheare That from his eie sure conquest flames and streames Heau'ns gracious fauours in his lookes appeare And great and goodly more than earst he seames His face and forehead full of noblesse weare And on his cheeke smiled youthes purple beames And in his gate his grace his actes his eies Somewhat farre more than mortall liues and lies 8 He had not marched farre ere he espied Of his proud foes the mightie hoast draw nie A hill at first he tooke and fortified At his left hand which stood his armie bie Broad in the front behinde more straite vp tied His armie readie stoode the fight to trie And to the middle ward well armd he brings His footemen strong his horsemen serud for wings 9 To the left wing spred vnderneath the bent Of the steepe hill that sau'd their flanke and side The Roberts twaine two leaders good he sent His brother had the middle ward to guide To the right wing himselfe in person went Downe where the plaine was dangrous broad and wide And where his foes with their great numbers would Perchance enuiron round his squadrons bould 10 There all his Lorreners and men of might All his best armd he plast and chosen bands And with those horse some footemen armed light That archers were vsd to that seruice stands Th'aduentrers then in battaile and in fight Well tride a squadron famous through all lands On the right hand he set somedeale aside Rinaldo was their leader lord and guide 11 To whom the Duke in thee our hope is laid Of victorie thou must the conquest gaine Behinde this mightie wing so farre displaid Thou with thy noble squadron close remaine And when the Pagans would our backs inuaide Assaile them then and make their onset vaine For if I gesse aright they haue in minde To compasse vs and charge our troupes behinde 12 Then through his hoast that tooke so large a scope He road and vewd them all both horse and fout His face was bare his helme vnclos'd and ope Lightned his eies his lookes bright fire shot out He cheers the fearefull comforts them that hope And to the bould recounts his boasting stout And to the valiant his aduentures hard These bids he looke for praise those for reward 13 At last he staid whereof his squadrons bold And noblest troupes assembled was