ire and courage to prouoke 11 But now to visit Egypts mighty king Vnlesse my iudgement faile you are prepar'd I prophesie about a needlesse thing You suffer shall a voiage long and hard For though you stay the monarch great will bring His new assembled host to Iuda ward No place of seruice there no cause of fight Nor gainst our foes to vse your force and might 12 But if you follow me within this wall With Christian armes hemm'd in on euery side Withouten battaile fight or stroke at all Eu'n at noone day I will you safely guide Where you delight reioice and glorie shall In perils great to see your prowesse tride That noble towne you may preserue and shield Till Egypts host come to renue the field 13 While thus he parled of this aged guest The Turke the words and lookes did both admire And from his hartie eies and furious brest He laid apart his pride his rage and ire And humbly said I willing am and prest To follow where thou leadest reuerend fire And that aduise best fits my angrie vaine That tels of greatest perill greatest paine 14 The old man prais'd his words and for the aire His late receiued wounds to worse disposes A quintessence therein he powred faire That stops the bleeding and incision closes Beholding than before Apolloes chaire How fresh Aurora violets straw'd and roses Its time he saies to wend for Titan bright To wonted labour sommons euery wight 15 And to a chariot that beside did stand Ascended he and with him Soliman He tooke the raines and with a maistring hand Ruled his steades and whipt them now and than The wheeles or horses feet vpon the land Had left no signe nor token where they ran The coursers pant and smoke with lukewarme sweat And foming creame their iron mouthfuls eat 16 The aire about them round a wondrous thing It selfe on heapes in solid thicknes drew The chariot hiding and enuironing The subtile mist no mortall eie could vew And yet no stone from engin cast or sling Could pearse the cloud it was of proofe so trew Yet seene it was to them within which ride And heau'n and earth without all cleere beside 17 His beetle browes the Turke amazed bent He wrinkled vp his front and wildly stared Vpon the cloud and chariot as it went For speed to Cinthias carre right well compared The other seeing his astonishment How he bewondred was and how he fared All sodainly by name the Prince gan call By which awaked thus he spoke withall 18 Who ere thou art aboue all worldly wit That hast these high and wondrous maruailes wrought And know'st the deepe intents which hidden sit In secret closet of mans priuate thought If in thy skilfull hart this lore be writ To tell th' euent of things to end vnbrought Then say what issue and what end the starres Allot to Asias troubles broiles and warres 19 But tell me first thy name and by what art Thou dost these wonders strange aboue our skill For full of maruaile is my troubled hart Tell then and leaue me not amazed still The wisard smil'd and answ'red in some part Easie it is to satisfie thy will Ismen I hight call'd an enchanter great Such skill haue I in magikes secret feat 20 But that I should the sure euents vnfold Of things to come or destinies foretell Too rash is your desire your wish too bold To mortall hart such knowledge neuer fell Our wit and strength on vs bestow'd I hold To shunne th'euils and harmes mongst which we dwell They make their fortune who are stout and wise Wit rules the heau'ns discretion guides the skies 21 That puissant arme of thine that well can rend From Godfreys brow the new vsurped crowne And not alone protect saue and defend From his fierce people this besieged towne Gainst fire and sword with strength and courage bend Aduenture suffer trust tread perils downe And to content and to encourage thee Know this which I as in a cloud foresee 22 I guesse before the ouer-gliding sonne Shall many yeeres meet out by weekes and daies A Prince that shall in fertill Egypt wonne Shall fill all Asia with his prosp'rous fraies I speake not of his actes in quiet donne His policie his rule his wisdomes praise Let this suffice by him these Christians shall In fight subdued flie and conquered fall 23 And their great empire and vsurped state Shall ouerthrowne in dust and ashes lie Their wofull remnant in an angle strate Compast with sea themselues shall fortifie From thee shall spring this Lord of war and fate Whereto great Soliman gan thus replie O happie man to so great praise ibore Thus he reiois'd but yet enuied more 24 And said let chance with good or bad aspect Vpon me looke as sacred heau'ns decree This hart to her I neuer will subiect Nor euer conqu'red shall she looke on mee The moone her chariot shall awrie direct Ere from this course I will diuerted bee While thus he spake it seem'd he breathed fire So fierce his courage was so hot his ire 25 Thus talked they till they arriued beene Nie to the place where Godfreys tents were reared There was a wofull spectacle iseene Death in a thousand ougly formes appeared The Soldan changed hew for greefe and teene On that sad booke his shame and losse he leared Ah with what griefe his men his friends he found And standards proud inglorious lie on ground 26 And saw on visage of some well knowne frend In foule despite a rascall French man tread And there another ragged peasant rend The armes and garments from some champion dead And there with stately pompe by heapes they wend And Christians slaine rolle vp in webs of lead Lastly the Turks and slaine Arabians brought On heapes he saw them burne with fire to nought 27 Deepely he sighed and with naked sword Out of the coach he leaped in the mire But Ismen call'd againe the angrie Lord And with graue words appeas'd his foolish ire The Prince content remounted at his word Towards a hill on droue the aged sire And hasting forward vp the banke they passe Till far behinde the Christian leaguer was 28 There they alight and tooke their way on fout The emptie chariot vanisht out of sight Yet still the cloud enuiron'd them about At their left hand downe went they from the hight Of Sions hill till they approcht the rout On that side where to west he looketh right There Ismen staied and his eie-sight bent Vpon the bushie rocks and thither went 29 A hollow caue was in the craggie stone Wrought out by hand a number yeeres to fore And for of long that way had walked none The vault was hid with plants and bushes hore The wisard stooping in thereat to gone The thornes aside and scratching brambles bore His right hand sought the passage through the cleft And for his guide he gaue the Prince his left 30 What quoth the Soldan by what priuie mine What hidden vault
Lord or these reproches heare 49 Oh let me speake quoth he with ire and scorne I burne and gainst my will thus hid I stay This said the smokie cloud was cleft and torne Which like a vaile vpon them stretched lay And vp to open heau'n forthwith was borne And left the Prince in vew of lightsome day With princely looke amid the prease he shin'de And on a sodaine thus declar'd his minde 50 Of whom you speake behold the Soldan here Neither affraid nor ron away for dread And that these slanders lies and fables were This hand shall proue vpon that cowards head I who haue shed a sea of blood well nere And heapt vp mountaines high of Christians dead I in their campe who still maintain'd the fray My men all murdred I that ron away 51 If this or any coward vile beside False to his faith and countrie dares replie And speake of concord with yond men of pride By your good leaue sir king here shall he die The lambes and wolues shall in one fold abide The doues and serpents in one nest shall lie Before one towne vs and these Christians shall In peace and loue vnite within one wall 52 While thus he spoke his broad and trenchant sword His hand held high aloft in threatning guise Dombe stood the knights so dreadfull was his word A storme was in his front fire in his eies He turn'd at last to Sions aged Lord And calm'd his visage sterne in humbler wise Behold quoth he good Prince what aide I bring Since Soliman is ioyn'd with Iudaes king 53 King Aladine from his rich throne vpstart And said oh how I ioy thy face to vew My noble friend it less'neth in some part My greefe for slaughter of my subiects trew My weake estate to stablish come thou art And maist thine owne againe in time renew If heau'ns consent with that the Soldan bold In deere embracements did he long enfold 54 Their greetings done the king resinde his throne To Solman and set himselfe beside In a rich seat adorn'd with gold and stone And Ismen sage did at his elbow bide Of whom he askt what way they two had gone And he declar'd all what had them betide Clorinda bright to Soliman addrest Her salutations first then all the rest 55 Among them rose Ormusses valiant knight Whom late the Soldan with a conuoy sent And when most hot and bloodie was the fight By secret pathes and blinde by-waies he went Till aided by the silence and the night Safe in the cities walles himselfe he pent And there refresht with come and cattell store The pined soldiers famisht nie before 56 With surly count'nance and disdainfull grace Sullen and sad sate the Circassian stout Like a fierce lion grombling in his place His firie eies that turnes and rolles about Nor durst Orcanes vew the Soldans face But still vpon the floore did pore and tout Thus with his Lords and peeres in counselling The Turkish monarch sate with Iudaes king 57 Godfrey this while gaue victorie the raine And following her the streits he opened all Then for his soldiers and his captaines slaine He celebrates a stately funerall And told his campe within a day or twaine He would assault the cities mightie wall And all the heathen there enclos'd doth threat With fire and sword with death and danger great 58 And for he had that noble squadron knowne In the last fight which brought him so great aid To be the Lords and Princes of his owne Who followed late the slie entising maid And with them Tancred who had late beene throwne In prison deepe by that false witch betrai'd Before the hermit and some priuate frends For all those worthies Lords and knights he sends 59 And thus he said some one of you declare Your fortunes whether good or to be blamed And to assist vs with your valours rare In so great need how was your comming framed They blush and on the ground amazed stare For vertue is of little guilt ashamed At last the English Prince with count'nance bold The silence broke and thus their errors told 60 We not elect to that exploit by lot With secret flight from hence our selues withdrew Following false Cupid I denie it not Entised forth by loue and beauties hew A iealous fire burnt in our stomackes hot And by close waies we passed least in vew Her words her lookes alas I know too late Nursed our loue our iealousie our hate 61 At last we gan approach that wofull clime Where fire and brimstone downe from heau'n was sent To take reuenge for sinne and shamefull crime Gainst kinde commit by those who nould repent A lothsome lake of brimstone pitch and lime Oregoes that land earst sweet and redolent And when it moues thence stinch and smoke vp flies Which dim the welkin and infect the skies 62 This is the lake in which yet neuer might Ought that hath weight sinke to the bottome downe But like to corke to leaues or feathers light Stones iron men there fleet and neuer drowne Therein a castle stands to which by sight But ore a narrow bridge no way is knowne Hither vs brought here welcomd vs the witch The house within was stately pleasant ritch 63 The heau'ns were cleere and wholsome was the aire High trees sweet medowes waters pure and good For there in thickest shade of Mirtles faire A christall spring powr'd out a siluer flood Amid the herbes the grasse and flowres rare The falling leaues downe pattred from the wood The birds sung hymnes of loue yet speake I nought Of gold and marble rich and richly wrought 64 Vnder the curtaine of the greene-wood shade Beside the brooke vpon the veluet grasse In massie vessell of pure siluer made A banket rich and costly furnisht was All beastes all birds beguil'd by fowlers trade All fish were there in floods or seas that passe All dainties made by art and at the table An hundreth virgins seru'd for husbands able 65 She with sweet words and false entising smiles Infused loue among the dainties set And with empoys'ned cups our soules beguiles And made each knight himselfe and God forget She rose and turn'd againe within short whiles With changed lookes where wrath and anger met A charming rod a booke with her she brings On which she mumbled strange and secret things 66 She red and change I felt my will and thought I long'd to change my life and place of biding That vertue strange in me no pleasure wrought I leapt into the flood my selfe there hiding My legs and feet both into one were brought Mine armes and hands into my shoulders sliding My skin was full of scales like shields of bras Now made a fish where late a knight I was 67 The rest with me like shape like garments wore And diu'de with me in that quicksiluer streame Such minde to my remembrance then I bore As when on vaine and foolish things men dreame At last our shape it pleas'd her to restore Then
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
him vnused rare and strange But so doth heau'n mens harts turne alter change 105 As when the sicke or frantike men oft dreame In their vnquiet sleepe and slumber short And thinke they ronne some speedie course and seame To mooue their legs and feete in hastie sort Yet feele their limmes farre slower than the streame Of their vaine thoughts that beares them in this sport And oft would speake would crie would call or shout Yet neither sound nor voice nor word send out 106 So runne to fight the angrie Soldan would And did enforce his strength his might his ire Yet felt not in himselfe his courage ould His woonted force his rage and hot desire His eies that sparkled wrath and furie bould Grew dim and feeble feare had quencht that fire And in his hart an hundreth passions fought Yet not on feare or base retire he thought 107 While vnresolu'd he stood the victor knight Arriu'd and seem'd in quicknesse haste and speed In boldnesse greatnes goodlines and might Aboue all Princes borne of humaine seed The Turke small while resists not death nor fight Made him forget his state or race through dreed He fled no stroakes he fetcht no groane nor sigh Bold were his motions last proud stately high 108 Now when the Soldan in these battel 's past That Antheus like oft fell oft rose againe Euer more fierce more fell fell downe at last To lie for euer when this Prince was slaine Fortune that seld is stable firme or fast No longer durst resist the Christian traine But rang'd her selfe in row with Godfreics knights With them she serues she ronnes she rides she fights 109 The Pagan troupes the kings owne squadron fled Of all the East the strength the pride the flowre Late call'd immortall now discomfited It lost that title proud and lost all powre To him that with the royall standard fled Thus Emireno said with speeches sowre Art not thou he to whom to beare I gaue My kings great banner and his standard braue 110 This ensigne Rimedon I gaue not thee To be the witnesse of thy feare and flight Coward dost thou thy Lord and Captaine see In battell strong and ronn'st thy selfe from fight What seek'st thou saftie come returne with mee The way to death is path to vertue right Here let him fight that would escape for this The way to honour way to saftie is 111 The man return'd and sweld with scorne and shame The Duke with speeches graue exhorts the rest He threates he strikes sometime till backe they came And rage gainst force despaire gainst death addrest Thus of his broken armies gan he frame A battell now some hope dwelt in his brest But Tisiphernes bold reuiu'd him most Who fought and seem'd to winne when all was lost 112 Wonders that day wrought noble Tisipherne The hardie Normans all he ouerthrew The Flemmings fled before the champion sterne Gernier Rogero Gerard bold he slew His glorious deeds to praise and fame eterne His liues short date prolong'd enlarg'd and drew And then as he that set sweete life at nought The greatest perill danger most he sought 113 He spide Rinaldo and although his feild Of azure purple now and sanguine showes And though the siluer bird amid his sheild Were armed gules yet he the champion knowes And saies here greatest perill is heau'ns yeild Strength to my courage fortune to my blowes That faire Armida her reuenge may see Helpe Macon for his armes I vow to thee 114 Thus praied he but all his vowes were vaine Mahound was deafe or slept in heauens aboue And as a lion strikes him with his traine His natiue wrath to quicken and to moue So he awakte his furie and disdaine And sharpt his courage on the whetstone loue Himselfe he sau'd behinde his mightie targe And forward spurr'd his stead and gaue the charge 115 The Christian saw the hardie warriour come And leaped forth to vndertake the fight The people round about gaue place and rome And wondred on that fierce and cruell sight Some prais'd their strength their skill and courage some Such and so desp'rate blowes strooke either knight That all that saw forgot both ire and strife Their wounds their hurts forgot both death and life 116 One stroke the other did both strike and wound His armes were surer and his strength was more From Tisipherne the blood stream'd downe around His shield was cleft his helme was rent and tore The dame that saw his blood besmeare the ground His armour broke limmes weake wounds deepe and sore And all her garde dead fled and ouerthrowne Thought now her field lay wast her hedge lay downe 117 Enuiron'd with so braue a troupe but late Now stood she in her chariot all alone She feared bondage and her life did hate All hope of conquest and reuenge was gone Halfe mad and halfe amas'd from where she sate She leaped downe and fled from friends and fone On a swift horse she mounts and forth she rides Alone saue for disdaine and loue her guides 118 In daies of old Queene Cleopatra soe Alone fled from the fight and cruell fray Against Augustus great his happie foe Leauing her Lord to losse and sure decay And as that Lord for loue let honour goe Follow'd her flying sailes and lost the day So Tisipherne the faire and fearfull dame Would follow but his foe forbids the same 119 But when the Pagans ioy and comfort fled It seem'd the sunne was set the day was night Gainst the braue Prince with whom he combatted He turn'd and on the forehead stroake the knight When thunders forg'd are in Tiphoius bed Not Brontes hammer falles so swift so right The furious stroake fell on Rinaldoes crest And made him bend his head downe to his brest 120 The champion in his stirrups high vpstart And cleft his hawberke hard and tender side And sheath'd his weapon in the Pagans hart The castle where mans life and soule do bide The cruell sword his brest and hinder part With double wound vnclos'd and op'ned wide And two large doores made for his life and breath Which past and curde hot loue with frosen death 121 This done Rinaldo staid and lookte around Where he should harme his foes or helpe his friends Nor of the Pagans saw he squadron sound Each standard falles ensigne to earth descends His furie quiet than and calme he found There all his wrath his rage and rancour ends He call'd to minde how farre from helpe or aid Armida fled alone amas'd affraid 122 Well sawe he when she fled and with that sight The Prince had pirie curtesie and care He promist her to be her friend and knight When earst he left her in the island bare The way she fled he ranne and road aright Her palfraies feete signes in the grasse out ware But she this while found out an ougly shade Fit place for death where nought could life perswade 123 Well pleased was she with those shadowes browne And yet displeasd with
such terror breed To court she went their pardon would she get But on the way the courteous king she met 46 Sir king quoth she my name Clorinda hight My fame perchance hath pearst your eares ere now I come to trie my woonted power and might And will defend this land this towne and yow All hard assaies esteeme I eath and light Great actes I reach to to small things I bow To fight in field or to defend this wall Point what you list I nought refuse at all 47 To whom the king what land so far remot From Asias coastes or Phebus glistring raies O glorious virgin that recordeth not Thy fame thine honour worth renowne and praise Since on my side I haue thy succours got I need not feare in these mine aged daies For in thine aide more hope more trust I haue Than in whole armies of these soldiers braue 48 Now Godfrey staies too long he feares I weene Thy courage great keepes all our foes in awe For thee all actions far vnwoorthie beene But such as greatest danger with them drawe Be you commaundresse therefore Princesse queene Of all our forces be thy word a lawe This said the virgin gan her beauoir vale And thankt him first and thus began her tale 49 A thing vnus'd great monarch may it seeme To aske reward for seruice yet to come But so your vertuous bountie I esteeme That I presume for to entreat this grome And seelie maid from danger to redeeme Condemn'd to burne by your vnpartiall dome I not excuse but pitie much their yuth And come to you for mercie and for ruth 50 Yet giue me leaue to tell your highnes this You blame the Christians them my thoughts acquite Nor be displeas'd I say you iudge amis At euerie shot looke not to hit the white All what th'enchantour did perswade you is Against the lore of Macons sacred rite For vs commaundeth mightie Mahomet No idols in his temples pure to set 51 To him therefore this wonder done refar Giue him the praise and honour of the thing Of vs the Gods benigne so carefull ar Least customes strange into their church we bring Let Ismen with his squares and trigons war His weapons be the staffe the glasse the ring But let vs menage war with blowes like knights Our praise in armes our honour lies in fights 52 The virgin held her peace when this was said And though to pitie neuer fram'd his thought Yet for the king admir'd the noble maid His purpose was not to denie her ought I grant them life quoth he your promist aid Against these Frenchmen hath their pardon bought Nor further seeke what their offences bee Guiltlesse I quite guiltie I set them free 53 Thus were they loos'd happiest of humane kinde Olindo blessed be this act of thine True witnes of thy great and heau'nly minde Where sunne moone stars of loue faith vertue shine So foorth they went and left pale death behinde To ioy the blisse of marriage rites diuine With her he would haue dide with him content Was she to liue that would with her haue brent 54 The king as wicked thoughts are most suspitious Suppos'd too fast this tree of vertue grew O blessed Lord why should this Pharoe vicious Thus tyrannize vpon thy Hebrewes trew Who to performe his will vile and malitious Exiled these and all the faithfull crew All that were strong of body stout of minde But kept their wiues and children pledge behinde 55 A hard diuision when the harmlesse sheepe Must leaue their lambes to hungrie wolues in charge But labour's vertues watching ease her sleepe Trouble best winde that driues saluations barge The Christians fled whither they tooke no keepe Some straied wilde among the forrests large Some to Emmaus to the Christian host And conquer would againe their houses lost 56 Emmaus is a citie small that lies From Sions wals distant a little way A man that early on the morne doth rise May thither walke ere third howre of the day Oh when the Christian Lords this towne espies How merie were their harts how fresh how gay But for the sunne enclined fast to west That night there would their chieftaine take his rest 57 Their canuas castles vp they quickly reare And build a citie in an howres space When loe disguised in vnusuall geare Two Barons bold approchen gan the place Their semblance kinde and milde their gestures weare Peace in their hands and friendship in their face From Egypts king ambassadours they come Them many a squire attends and many a grome 58 The first Aletes borne in lowly shed Of parents base a rose sprong from a brier That now his branches ouer Egypt spred No plant in Pharoes garden prospred hier With pleasing tales his Lords vaine eares he fed A flatterer a pickthanke and a lier Curst be estate got with so many a crime Yet this is oft the staire by which men clime 59 Argantes called is that other knight A stranger came he late to Egypt land And there aduanced was to honours hight For he was stout of courage strong of hand Bold was his hart and restlesse was his spright Fierce sterne outragious keene as sharp'ned brand Scorner of God scant to himselfe a frend And prickt his reason on his weapons end 60 These two entreatance made they might be hard Nor was their iust petition long denide The gallants quickly made their court of gard And brought them in where sate their famous guide Whose kingly looke his princely minde declar'd Where noblesse vertue troth and valour bide A slender courtsie made Argantes bold So as one prince salute another wold 61 Aletes laid his right hand on his hart Bent downe his head and cast his eies full low And reu'rence made with courtly grace and art For all that humble lore to him was know His sober lips then did he softly part Whence of pure rhetorike whole streames out flow And thus he said while on the Christian Lords Downe fell the mildew of his sugred words 62 O only worthy whom the earth all feares High God defend thee with his heau'nly sheeld And humble so the harts of all thy peares That their stiffe necks to thy sweete yoke may yeeld These be the sheaues that honours haruest beares The seed thy valiant actes the world the feeld Egypt the headland is where heaped lies Thy fame worth iustice wisedome victories 63 These all together doth our soueraigne hide In secret storehouse of his princely thought And praies he may in long accordance bide With that great Worthie which such wonders wrought Nor that oppose against the comming tide Of profred loue for that he is not tought Your Christian faith for though of diuers kinde The louing vine about her elme is twin'd 64 Receiue therefore in that vnconquered hand The pretious handle of this cup of loue If not religion vertue be the band Twixt you to fasten friendship not to moue But for our mightie king doth vnderstand You meane your powre
his chinne no signe of manhood bore His youth was forward but with gouernance His words his actions and his portance braue Of future vertue timely tokens gaue 61 Presages ah too true with that a space He sigh'd for griefe then said faine would I know The man in red with such a knightly grace A worthie Lord he seemeth by his show How like to Godfrey lookes he in the face How like in person but some-deale more low Baldwine quoth she that noble Baron hight By birth his brother and his match in might 62 Next looke on him that seemes for counsell fit Whose siluer locks bewray his store of daies Raimond he hight a man of wondrous wit Of Tholouse Lord his wisdome is his praise What he forethinkes doth as he lookes for hit His stratagems haue good successe alwaies With guilden helme beyond him rides the milde And good Prince William Englands kings deere childe 37 With him is Guelpho as his noble mate In birth in actes in armes alike the rest I know him well since I beheld him late By his broad shoulders and his squared brest But my proud foe that quite hath ruinate My high estate and Antioch opprest I see not Boemond that to death did bring Mine aged Lord my father and my king 64 Thus talked they meane-while Godfredo went Downe to the troopes that in the valley staid And for in vaine he thought the labour spent Tassaile those partes that to the mountaines laid Against the northren gate his force he bent Gainst it he campt gainst it his engins plaid All felt the furie of his angrie powre That from those gates lies to the corner towre 65 The townes third part was this or little lesse Fore which the Duke his glorious ensignes spred For so great compasse had that forteresse That round it could not be enuironed With narrow siege nor Babels king I gesse That whilome tooke it such an armie led But all the waies he kept by which his foe Might to or from the citie come or goe 66 His care was next to cast the trenches deepe So to preserue his resting campe by night Least from the citie while his soldiers sleepe They might assaile them with vntimely fight This donne he went where Lords and Princes weepe With dire complaints about the murdred knight Where Dudon dead lay slaughtred on the ground And all the soldiers sate lamenting round 67 His wayling friends adorn'd the mournfull beare With wofull pompe whereon his corpes they laid And when they saw the Bulloigne Prince draw neare All felt new greefe and each new sorrow maid But he withouten shew or change of cheare His springing teares within their fountaines staid His ruefull lookes vpon the coarse he cast Awhile and thus bespake the same at last 68 We need not mourne for thee here laid to rest Earth is thy bed and not thy graue the skies Are for thy soule the cradle and the nest There liue for here thy glorie neuer dies For like a Christian knight and champion blest Thou didst both liue and die now feed thine eies With thy redeemers sight where crown'd with blis Thy faith zeale merit well-deseruing is 69 Our losse not thine prouokes these plaints and teares For when we lost thee then our ship her mast Our chariot lost her wheeles their points our speares The bird of conquest her chiefe feather cast But though thy death far from our armie beares Her chiefest earthlie aide in heau'n yet plast Thou wilt procure vs helpe diuine so reapes He that sowes godly sorrow ioy by heapes 70 For if our God the Lord Armipotent Those armed Angels in our aide downe send That were at Dothan to his Prophet sent Thou wilt come downe with them and well defend Our host and with thy sacred weapons bent Gainst Sions for t these gates and bulwarks rend That so thy hand may win this hold and wee May in these temples praise our Christ for thee 71 Thus he complain'd but now the sable shade Icleped night had thicke enueloped The sun in vaile of double darknes made Sleepe eased care rest brought complaint to bed All night the warie Duke deuising laide How that high wall should best be battered How his strong engins he might aptly frame And whence get timber fit to build the same 72 Vp with the larke the sorrowfull Duke arose Amourner chiefe at Dudons buriall Of Cipresse sad a pile his friends compose Vnder a hill oregrowne with Cedars tall Beside the hearce a fruitfull palme tree groes Ennobled since by this great funerall Where Dudons corpes they softly laid in ground The priestes sung hymnes the soldiers wept around 73 Among the boughes they here and there bestowe Ensignes and armes as witnes of his praise Which he from Pagan Lords that did them owe Had wonne in prosprous sights and happie fraies His shield they fixed on the bole belowe And there this distich vnder-writ which saies This palme with stretched armes doth ouerspread The champion Dudons glorious carkasse dead 74 This worke performed with aduisement good Godfrey his carpenters and men of skill In all the campe sent to an aged wood With conuoy meet to garde them safe from ill Within a valley deepe this forrest stood To Christian eies vnseene vnknowne vntill A Syrian told the Duke who thither sent Those chosen workmen that for timber went 75 And now the axe rag'd in the forrest wilde The Eccho sighed in the groues vnseene The weeping Nymphes fled from their bowres exilde Downe fell the shadie tops of shaking treene Downe came the sacred palmes the ashes wilde The funerall Cipresse Hollie euer greene The weeping Firre thicke Beech and sailing Pine The maried Elme fell with his fruitfull vine 76 The showter Eugh the broad-leau'd Sicamore The barraine Platane and the Wall-nut sound The Myrrhe that her foule sinne doth still deplore The Alder owner of all watrish ground Sweet Iuniper whose shadow hurteth sore Proud Cedar Oake the king of forrests crown'd Thus fell the trees with noice the desarts rore The beastes their caues the birds their nests forlore The fourth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Sathan his feends and sprites assembleth all And sends them foorth to worke the Christians woe False Hidraort their aide from hell doth call And sends Armida to entrap his foe She telles her birth her fortune and her fall Askes aide allures and winnes the worthies soe That they consent her enterprize to proue She winnes them with deceit craft beautie loue 1 WHile thus their worke went on with luckie speed And reared rammes their horned fronts aduance The ancient foe to man and mortall seed His wannish eies vpon them bent askance And when he saw their labours well succeed He wept for rage and threat'ned dire mischance He chokt his curses to himselfe he spake Such noise wilde buls that softly bellow make 2 At last resoluing in his damned thought To finde some let to stop their warlike feat He gaue command his princes should be
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
and Henrie borne in France Rambaldo last whom wicked lust so leedes That he forsooke his Sauiour with mischance This wretch the tenth was who was thus deluded The rest to their huge griefe were all excluded 76 Orecome with enuie wrath and iealousie The rest blinde fortune curse and all her lawes And mad with loue yet out on loue they crie That in his kingdome let her iudge their cause And for mans minde is such that oft we trie Things most forbidden without stay or pause In spite of fortune purpos'd many a knight To follow faire Armida when 't was night 77 To follow her by night or else by day And in her quarell venture life and lim With sighes and teares she gan them softly pray To keepe that promise when the skies were dim To this and that knight did she plaine and say What griefe she felt to part withouten him Meane-while the ten had dond their armour best And taken leaue of Godfrey and the rest 78 The Duke aduis'd them euery one apart How light how trustlesse was the Pagans faith And told what policie what wit what art Auoides deceit which heedlesse men betrai'th His speeches pearse their eare but not their hart Loue calles it follie what so wisdome saith Thus warn'd he leaues them to their wanton guide Who parts that night such haste had she to ride 79 The conqueresse departs and with her led These prisoners whom loue would captiue keepe The harts of those she left behinde her bled With point of sorrowes arrow pearsed deepe But when the night her drousie mantle spred And fild the earth with silence shade and sleepe In secret sort then each forsooke his tent And as blinde Cupid led them blinde they went 80 Eustatio first who scantly could forbeare Till friendly night might hide his haste and shame He road in poste and let his beast him beare As his blinde fancie would his iourney frame All night he wandred and he wist not wheare But with the morning he espide the Dame That with her gard vp from a village rode Where she and they that night had made abode 81 Thither he gallopt fast and drawing nere Rambaldo knew the knight and lowdly cride Whence comes yong Eustace and what seekes he here I come quoth he to serue the Queene Armide If she accept me would we all were there Where my good-will and faith might best be tride Who quoth the other chuseth thee to proue This hie exploit of hers he answered loue 82 Loue hath Eustatio chosen fortune thee In thy conceit which is the best election Nay then these shiftes are vaine replied hee These titles false serue thee for no protection Thou canst not here for this admitted bee Our fellow seruant in this sweete subiection And who quoth Eustace angrie dares denie My fellowship Rambaldo answered I. 83 And with that word his cutting sword he drew That glistred bright and sparkled flaming fire Vpon his foe the other champion flew With equall courage and with equall ire The gentle Princesse who the danger knew Betweene them stept and prai'd them both retire Rambald quoth she why should you grudge or plaine If I a champion you an helper gaine 84 If me you loue why wish you me depriued In so great need of such a puissant knight But welcome Eustace in good time arriued Defender of my state my life my right I wish my haplesse selfe no longer liued When I esteeme such good assistance light Thus talkt they on and trauail'd on their way Their fellowship encreasing euery day 85 From euerie side they come yet wist there none Of others comming or of others minde She welcomes all and telleth euerie one What ioy her thoughts in his arriuall finde But when Duke Godfrey wist his knights were gone Within his brest his wiser soule deuinde Some hard mishap vpon his friends should light For which he sigh'd all day and wept all night 86 A messenger while thus he mus'd drew neare All soil'd with dust and sweat quite out of breath It seem'd the man did heauie tidings beare Vpon his lookes sat newes of losse and death My Lord quoth he so many ships appeare At sea that Neptune beares the load vneath From Egypt come they all this lets thee weete William Lord Amrall of the Genoa fleete 87 Besides a conuoy comming from the shore With vittaile for this noble campe of thine Surprised was and lost is all that store Mules horses camels loden corne and wine Thy seruants fought till they could fight no more For all were slaine or captiues made in fine Th' Arabian outlawes them assail'd by night When least they fear'd and least they lookt for fight 88 Their franticke boldnes doth presume so far That many Christians haue they falsly slaine And like a raging flood they sparsed ar And ouerflow each countrie field and plaine Send therefore some strong troopes of men of war To force them hence and driue them home againe And keepe the waies betweene these tents of thine And those broad seas the seas of Palestine 89 From mouth to mouth the heauie rumour spred Of these misfortunes which dispersed wide Among the soldiers great amasement bred Famine they doubt and new come foes beside The Duke that saw their woonted courage fled And in the place thereof weake feare espide With merrie lookes these cheerefull words he spake To make them hart againe and courage take 90 You champions bold with me that scaped haue So many dangers and such hard assaies Whom still your God did keepe defend and saue In all your battailes combats fights and fraies You that subdew'd the Turks and Persians braue That thirst and hunger held in scorne alwaies And vanquisht hils and seas with heat and cold Shall vaine reports appall your courage bold 91 That Lord who helpt you out at euerie need When ought befell this glorious campe amis Shall fortune all your actions well to speed On whom his mercie large extended is Tofore his tombe when conquering hands you spreed With what delite will you remember this Be strong therefore and keepe your valours hie To honour conquest fame and victorie 92 Their hope 's halfe dead and courage well-nie lost Reuiu'd with these braue speeches of their guide But in his brest a thousand cares he tost Although his sorrowes he could wisely hide He studied how to feed that mightie host In so great scarcenesse and what force prouide He should against th' Egyptian warriors slie And how subdue those theeues of Arabie The sixth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Argantes calles the Christians out to iust Otho not chosen doth his strength assay But from his saddle tumbleth in the dust And captiue to the towne is sent away Tancred begins new fight and when both trust To win the praise and palme night ends the fray Erminia hopes to cure her wounded knight And from the citie armed rides by night 1 BVt better hopes had them recomforted That lay besieged in the sacred
as thine His deere embracements shall thee strait enfold Together ioin'd in marriage rites diuine Lastly high place of honour shalt thou hold Among the matrons sage and dames Latine In Italie a land as each one tels Where valour true and true religion dwels 78 With such vaine hopes the seelie maid abused Promist her selfe mountaines and hils of gold Yet were her thoughts with doubts and feares confused How to escape vnseene out of that hold Because the watchmen euery minute vsed To garde the walles against the Christians bold And in such furie and such heat of war The gates or seld or neuer opened ar 79 With strong Clorinda was Erminia sweet In surest linkes of deerest friendship bound With her she vs'd the rising sunne to greet And her when Phebus glided vnder ground She made the louely partner of her sheet In both their harts one will one thought was found Nor ought she hid from that Virago bold Except her loue that tale to none she told 80 That kept she secret if Clorinda hard Her make complaints or secretly lament To other cause her sorrow she refard Matter enough she had of discontent Like as the bird that hauing close imbard Her tender yong ones in the springing bent To draw the searcher further from her neast Cries and complaines most where she needeth least 81 Alone within her chambers secret part Sitting one day vpon her heauie thought Deuising by what meanes what sleight what art Her close departure should be safest wrought Assembled in her vnresolued hart An hundreth passions stroue and ceaselesse fought At last she saw high hanging on the wall Clorindaes siluer armes and sigh'd withall 82 And sighing softly to her selfe she said How blessed is this virgin in her might How I enuie the glorie of the maid Yet enuie not her shape or beauties light Her steps are not with trailing garments staid Nor chambers hide her valours shining bright But arm'd she rides and breaketh sword and speare Nor is her strength restrain'd by shame or feare 83 Alas why did not heau'n these members fraile With liuely force and vigor strengthen so That I this silken gowne and slendervaile Might for a brestplate and an helme forgoe Then should not heat nor cold nor raine nor haile Nor stormes that fall nor blustring windes that bloe Withhold me but I would both day and night In pitched field or priuate combat fight 84 Nor haddest thou Argantes first begonne With my deare Lord that fierce and cruell fight But I to that encounter would haue ronne And haply tane him captiue by my might Yet should he finde our furious combat donne His thraldome easie and his bondage light For fetters mine embracements should he proue For diet kisses sweet for keeper loue 85 Or else my tender bosome opened wide And hart through pearsed with his cruell blade The bloodie weapon in my wounded side Might cure the wound which loue before had made Then should my soule in rest and quiet slide Downe to the valleies of th' Elisian shade And my mishap the knight perchance would moue To shed some teares vpon his murdred loue 86 Alas impossible are all these things Such wishes vaine afflict my wofull spright Why yeeld I thus to plaints and sorrowings As if all hope and helpe were perisht quight My hart dares much it soares with Cupids wings Why vse I not for once these armours bright I may sustaine a while this shield aloft Though I be tender feeble weake and soft 87 Loue strong bold mightie neuer-tired loue Supplieth force to all his seruants trew The fearefull stags he doth to battaile moue Till each his hornes in others blood imbrew Yet meane not I the haps of war to proue A stratageme I haue deuised new Clorinda like in this faire harnesse dight I will escape out of the towne this night 88 I know the men that haue the gate to ward If she command dare not her will denie In what sort else could I beguile the gard This way is only left this will I trie O gentle loue in this aduenture hard Thine handmaide guide assist and fortifie The time the howre now fitteth best the thing While stout Clorinda talketh with the king 89 Resolued thus without delay she went As her strong passion did her rashly guide And those bright armes downe from the rafter hent Within her closet did she closely hide That might she doe vnseene for she had sent The rest on sheeuelesse errands from her side And night her stealthes brought to their wished end Night patronesse of theeues and louers frend 90 Some sparkling fires on heau'ns bright visage shone His azure robe the orient blewnesse lost When she whose wit and reason both were gone Call'd for a squire she lou'd and trusted most To whom and to a maid a faithfull one Part of her will she told how that in post She would depart from Iudais king and fain'd That other cause her sudden flight constrain'd 91 The trustie squire prouided needments meet As for their iourney fitting most should bee Meane-while her vesture pendant to her feet Erminia doft as earst determin'd shee Stript to her petticote the virgin sweet So slender was that wonder was to see Her handmaid readie at her mistresse will To arme her helpt though simple were her skill 92 The rugged steele oppressed and offended Her daintie necke and locks of shining gold Her tender arme so feeble was it bended When that huge target it presum'de to hold The burnisht steele bright raies far off extended She faigned courage and appeared bold Fast by her side vnseene smil'd Venus sonne As earst he laughed when Alcides sponne 93 Oh with what labour did her shoulders beare That heauie burden and how slow she went Her maid to see that all the coasts were cleere Before her mistresse through the streetes was sent Loue gaue her courage loue exiled feare Loue to her tired lims new vigor lent Till she approched where the squire abode There tooke they horse forthwith and forward rode 94 Disguis'd they went and by vnused waies And secret pathes they stroue vnseene to gone Vntill the watch they meet which sore affraies These soldiers new when swords and weapons shone Yet none to stop their iourney once assaies But place and passage yeelded euery one For that white armour and that helmet bright Were knowne and feared in the darkest night 95 Erminia though some-deale she were dismaid Yet went she on and goodly count'nance bore She doubted least her purpose were bewraid Her too much boldnes she repented sore But now the gate her feare and passage staid The heedlesse porter she beguil'd therefore I am Clorinda ope the gates she cride Where as the king commands thus late I ride 96 Her womans voice and termes all framed beene Most like the speeches of the Princesse stout Who would haue thought on horsebacke to haue seene That feeble damsell armed round about The porter her obei'd and she betweene Her trustie squire and maiden sallied
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
ease and safe retired Yet coward dread lacks order feare wants art Deafe to attend commanded or desired But Godfrey that perceiu'd in his wise hart How his bold knights to victorie aspired Fresh soldiers sent to make more quicke pursuit And helpe to gather conquests pretious fruit 115 But this alas was not th' appointed day Set downe by heau'n to end this mortall war The westren Lords this time had borne away The prise for which they trauail'd had so far Had not the diuels that saw the sure decay Of their faise kingdome by this bloodie war At once made heau'n and earth with darknes blinde And stird vp tempests stormes and blustring winde 116 Heau'ns glorious lampe wrapt in an ouglie vaile Of shadowes darke was hid from mortall eie And hels grim blacknes did bright skies assaile On euerie side the fierie light'nings flie The thunders roare the streaming raine and haile Powre downe and make that sea which earst was drie The tempests rend the Oakes and Cedars brake And make not trees but rocks and mountaines shake 117 The raine the lightning and the raging winde Bet in the French-mens eies with hideous force The soldiers staid amaz'd in hart and minde The terror such stopped both man and horse Surprised with this euill no way they finde Whither for succour to direct their corse But wise Clorinda soone th' aduantage spied And spurring forth thus to her soldiers cried 118 You hardie men at armes behold quoth shee How heau'n how iustice in our aide doth fight Our visages are from this tempest free Our hands at will may weild our weapons bright The furie of this friendly storme you see Vpon the foreheads of our foes doth light And blindes their eies then let vs take the tide Come follow me good fortune be our guide 119 This said against her foes on rode the Dame And turn'd their backs against the winde and raine Vpon the French with furious rage she came And scorn'd those idle blowes they stroke in vaine Argantes at the instant did the same And them who chased him now chas'd againe Nought but his fearefull backe each Christian showes Against the tempest and against their blowes 120 The cruell haile and deadly wounding blade Vpon their shoulders smote them as they fled The blood new spilt while thus they slaughter made The water falne from skies had died red Among the murdred bodies Pyrrhus lade And valiant Raiphe his hart blood there out bled The first subdu'd by strong Argantes might The second conqu'red by that virgin knight 121 Thus fled the French and them pursu'd in chace The wicked sprites and all the Syrian traine But gainst their force and gainst the fell menace Of haile and winde of tempest and of raine Godfrey alone turn'd his audacious face Blaming his Barons for their feare so vaine Himselfe the campe gate boldly stood to keepe And sau'd his men within his trenches deepe 122 And twise vpon Argantes proud he flew And beat him backward maugre all his might And twise his thirstie sword he did imbrew In Pagans blood where thickest was the fight At last himselfe with all his folke withdrew And that daies conquest gaue the virgin bright Which got she home retir'd and all her men And thus she chas'd this lion to his den 123 Yet ceased not the furie and the ire Of these huge stormes of winde of raine and haile Now was it darke now shone the light'ning fire The winde and water euery place assaile No banke was safe no rampire left intire No tent could stand when beame and cordage faile Winde thunder raine all gaue a dreadfull sound And with that musicke deaft the trembling ground The eight Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Amessenger to Godfrey sage doth tell The Prince of Denmarks valour death and end Th' Italians trusting signes vntrue too well Thinke their Rinaldo slaine the wicked fend Breedes furie in their brests their bosomes swell With ire and hate and war and strife forth send They threaten Godfrey he praies to the Lord And calmes their furie with his looke and word 1 NOw were the skies of stormes and tempests cleered Lord AEolus shut vp his windes in hold The siluer mantled morning fresh appeared With roses crown'd and buskind high with gold The spirits yet which had these tempests reared Their malice would still more and more vnfold And one of them that Astragor was named His speeches thus to foule Alecto framed 2 Alecto see we could not stop nor stay The knight that to our foes new tidings brings Who from the hands escapt with life away Of that great Prince chiefe of all Pagan kings He comes the fall of his slaine Lord to say Of death and losse he tels and such sad things Great newes he brings and greatest danger is Bertoldoes sonne shall be call'd home for this 3 Thou know'st what would befall bestir thee than Preuent with craft what force could not withstand Turne to their euill the speeches of the man With his owne weapon wound Godfredoes hand Kindle debate infect with poyson wan The English Switzer and Italian band Great tumults moue make braules and quarrels rife Set all the campe on vprore and at strife 4 This act beseemes thee well and of the deed Much maist thou boast before our Lord and king Thus said the sprite perswasion small did need The monster grants to vndertake the thing Meane-while the knight whose comming thus they dreed Before the campe his wearie lims doth bring And well nie breathlesse warriors bold he cride Who shall conduct me to your famous guide 5 An hundreth stroue the strangers guide to bee To harken newes the knights by heapes assemble The man fell lowly downe vpon his knee And kist the hand that made proud Babel tremble Right puissant Lord whose valiant actes quoth hee The sands and starres in number best resemble Would God some gladder newes I might vnfold And there he paws'd and sigh'd then thus he told 6 Sweno the king of Denmarks only haire The stay and staffe of his declining eild Longed to be among these squadrons faire Who for Christes faith here serue with speare and sheild No wearinesse no stormes of sea or aire No such contents as crownes and scepters yeild No deere entreaties of so kinde a sire Could in his bosome quench that glorious fire 7 He thirsted sore to learne this warlike art Of thee great Lord and master of the same And was ashamed in his noble hart That neuer act he did deserued fame Besides the newes and tidings from each part Of yong Rinaldoes worth and praises came But that which most his courage stirred haith Is zeale religion godlinesse and faith 8 He hasted forward than without delay And with him tooke of knights a chosen band Directly toward Thrace we tooke the way To Bizance old chiefe fortresse of that land There the Greeke monarch gently praid him stay And there an herald sent from you we fand How Antioch was wonne who first
that deare Lord who helpes his seruants trust Who ere they aske grants all things to the iust 28 This said each one his sacred blessing flings Vpon my coarse with broad out stretched hand And mumbled hymnes and psalmes and holy things Which I could neither heare nor vnderstand Arise quoth they with that as I had wings All whole and sound I leapt vp from the land O miracle sweet gentle strange and trew My lims new strength receiu'd and vigour new 29 I gazde on them like one whose hart denai'th To thinke that donne he sees so strangely wrought Till one said thus O thou of little faith What doubts perplex thy vnbeleeuing thought Each one of vs aliuing bodie haith We are Christes chosen seruants feare vs nought Who to auoid the worlds allurements vaine In wilfull penance hermits poore remaine 30 Vs messengers to comfort thee elect That Lord hath sent that rules both heau'n and hell Who often doth his blessed will effect By such weake meanes as wonder is to tell He will not that this body lie neglect Wherein so noble soule did lately dwell To which againe when it vprisen is It shall vnited be in lasting blis 31 I say Lord Swenoes corpes for which prepar'd A tombe there is according to his worth By which his honour shall be far declar'd And his iust praises spred from south to north But lift thine eies vp to the heauens ward Marke yonder light that like the sunne shines forth That shall direct thee with those beames so cleare To finde the bodie of thy maister deare 32 With that I saw from Cinthias siluer face Like to a falling star a beame downe slide That bright as golden line markt out the place And lightned with cleere streames the forrest wide So Latmos shone when Phebe left the chace And laid her downe by her Endimions side Such was the light that well discerne I could His shape his wounds his face though dead yet bould 33 He lay not groueling now but as a knight That euer had to heauenly things desire So towards heau'n the Prince lay bolt vpright Like him that vpward still sought to aspire His right hand closed held his weapon bright Readie to strike and execute his ire His left vpon his brest was humbly laid That men might know that while he dide he praid 34 Whil'st on his wounds with bootlesse teares I wept That neither helped him nor eas'd my care One of those aged fathers to him stept And forst his hand that needlesse weapon spare This sword quoth he hath yet good token kept That of the Pagans blood he drunke his share And blusheth still he could not saue his Lord Rich strong and sharpe was neuer better sword 35 Heau'n therefore will not though the Prince be slaine Who vsed earst to weild this pretious brand That so braue blade vnused should remaine But that it passe from strong to stronger hand Who with like force can weild the same againe And longer shall in grace of fortune stand And with the same shall bitter vengeance take On him that Sweno slew for Swenoes sake 36 Great Soliman kill'd Sweno Soliman For Swenoes sake vpon this sword must die Here take the blade and with it haste thee than Thither where Godfrey doth encamped lie And feare not thou that any shall or can Or stop thy way or lead thy steps awrie For he that doth thee on this message send Thee with his hand shall guide keepe and defend 37 Arriued there it is his blessed will With true report that thou declare and tell The zeale the strength the courage and the skill In thy beloued Lord that late did dwell How for Christes sake he came his blood to spill And sample left to all of doing well That future ages may admire his deed And courage take when his braue end they reed 38 It resteth now thou know that gentle knight That of this sword shall be thy masters haire It is Rinaldo yong with whom in might And martiall skill no champion may compaire Giue it to him and say the heauens bright Of this reuenge to him commit the caire While thus I list'ned what this old man said A wonder new from further speech vs staid 39 For there whereas the wounded body lay A stately tombe with curious worke behold And wond'rous art was built out of the clay Which rising round the carkas did enfold With words engrauen in the marble gray The warriours name his worth and praise that told On which I gazing stood and often read That epitaph of my deere master dead 40 Among his soldiers quoth the hermit heare Must Swenoes corpes remaine in marble chest While vp to heau'n are flowne their spirits deare To liue in endlesse ioy for euer blest His funerall thou hast with many a teare Accompaned it s now high time to rest Come be my guest vntill the morning ray Shall light the world againe then take thy way 41 This said he led me ouer holts and hags Through thornes and bushes scant my legs I drew Till vnderneath an heape of stones and crags At last he brought me to a secret mew Among the beares wilde boares the wolues and stags There dwelt he safe with his disciple trew And fear'd no treason force nor hurt at all His guiltlesse conscience was his castels wall 42 My supper rootes my bed was mosse and leaues But wearinesse in little rest found ease But when the purple morning night bereaues Of late vsurped rule on lands and seas His loathed couch each wakefull hermite leaues To pray rose they and I for so they please I congee tooke when ended was the same And hitherward as they aduis'd me came 43 The Dane his wofull tale had done when thus The good Prince Godfrey answer'd him sir knight Thou bringest tidings sad and dolorous For which our heauie campe laments of right Since so braue troopes and so deere friends to vs One howre hath spent in one vnluckie fight And so appeared hath thy maister stout As lightning doth now kindled now quencht out 44 But such a death and end exceedeth all The conquests vaine of realmes or spoiles of gold Nor aged Romes proud stately capitall Did euer triumph yet like theirs behold They sit in heau'n on thrones celestiall Crowned with glorie for their conquest bold Where each his hurtes I thinke to other showes And glorie in those bloodie wounds and blowes 45 But thou who hast part of thy race to ronne With haps and hazards of this world itost Reioice for those high honours they haue wonne Which cannot be by chance or fortune crost But for thou askest for Bertoldoes sonne Know that he wandreth banisht from this host And till of him new tidings some man tell Within this campe I deeme it best thou dwell 46 These words of theirs in many a soule renewed The sweet remembrance of faire Sophias childe Some with salt teares for him their cheekes bedewed Least euill betide him mongst the Pagans wilde And euery
gap He vnderneath that bulwarke dying fell Which late to scale and win he trusted well 46 Thus shot the maide the Duke with hard assay And sharpe assault meane-while the towne opprest Against that part which to his campe ward lay An engin huge and wondrous he addrest A towre of wood built for the townes decay As high as were the walles and bulwarks best A turret full of men and weapons pent And yet on wheeles it rolled mou'd and went 47 This rolling fort his nie approches made And dartes and arrowes spit against his foes As ships are wont in fight so it assade With the strong wall to grapple and to close The Pagans on each side the piece inuade And all their force against this masse oppose Sometimes the wheeles sometimes the battlement With timber logs and stones they broke and rent 48 So thicke flew stones and darts that no man sees The azure heauens the sunne his brightnes lost The clouds of weapons like two swarmes of bees Met in the aire and there each other crost And looke how falling leaues drop downe from trees When the moist sap is nipt with timely frost Or apples in strong windes from branches fall The Saracines so tumbled from the wall 49 For on their part the greatest slaughter light They had no shelter gainst so sharpe a shower Some left on liue betooke themselues to flight So feared they this deadly thundring tower But Soliman staide like a valiant knight And some with him that trusted in his power Argantes with a long beach tree in hand Ran thither this huge engin to withstand 50 With this he pusht the towre and backe it driues The length of all his tree a woondrous way The hardie virgin by his side arriues To helpe Argantes in this hard assay The band that vs'd the ram this season striues To cut the cordes wherein the woolpacks lay Which done the sackes downe in the trenches fall And to the battrie naked left the wall 51 The towre aboue the ram beneath doth thunder What lime and stone such puissance could abide The wall began now brus'd and crusht asunder Her wounded lappe to open broad and wide Godfrey himselfe and his brought safely vnder The shattred wall where greatest breach he spide Himselfe he saues behinde his mightie targe A shielde not vs'd but in some desp'rate charge 52 From hence he sees where Soliman descends Downe to the threshold of the gaping breach And there it seemes the mightie Prince entends Godfredoes hoped entrance to impeach Argantes and with him the maide defends The wals aboue to which the towre doth reach His noble hart when Godfrey this beheld With courage newe with wrath and valour sweld 53 He turnd about and to good Sigiere spake Who bare his greatest sheild and mightie bow That sure and trustie target let me take Impenetrable is that sheild I know Ouer these ruines will I passage make And enter first the way is eath and low And time requires that by some noble feat I should make knowne my strength and puissance great 54 He scant had spoken scant receiu'd the targe When on his legge a sudden shaft him hit And through that part a hole made wide and large Where his strong sinnewes fastned were and knit Clorinda thou this arrow didst discharge And let the Pagans blesse thy hand for it For by that shot thou sauedst them that day From bondage vile from death and sure decay 55 The wounded Duke as though he felt no paine Still forward went and mounted vp the breach His high attempt at first he nould refraine And after cald his Lords with cheerefull speach But when his legge could not his weight sustaine He saw his will did far his powre out reach And more he stroue his griefe increast the more The bold assault he left at length therefore 56 And with his hand he beckned Guelpho neare And said I must withdraw me to my tent My place and person in mine absence beare Supply my want let not the fight relent I goe and will ere long againe be heare I goe and straight returne this said he went On a light stead he lept and ore the greene He road but road not as he thought vnseene 57 When Godfrey parted parted eeke the hart The strength and fortune of the Christian bands Courage increased in their aduerse part Wrath in their harts and vigor in their hands Valour successe strength hardines and art Faild in the Princes of the Westren lands Their swords were blunt faint was their trumpets blast Their sunne was set or else with cloudes orecast 58 Vpon the bulwarks now appeered bould That fearefull band that late for dread was fled The women that Clorindaes strength behould Their countries loue to warre encouraged They weapons got and fight like men they would Their gownes tuckt vp their lockes were loose and spred Sharpe darts they cast and without dread or feare Expos'd their brests to saue their fortresse deare 59 But that which most dismaid the christian knights And added courage to the Pagans most Was Guelphos sodaine fall in all mens sights Who tumbled headlong downe his footing lost A mightie stone vpon the woorthy lights But whence it came none wist nor from what coast And with like blow which more their harts dismaid Beside him low in dust old Raimond laid 60 And Eustace eeke within the ditches large To narrow shifts and last extreames they driue Vpon their foes so fierce the Pagans charge And with good fortune so their blowes they giue That whom they hit in spite of helme or targe They deepely wounde or else of life depriue At this their good successe Argantes proud Waxing more fell thus roard and cried loud 61 This is not Antioch nor the euening darke Can helpe your priuie sleights with friendly shade The sunne yet shines your falshood can we marke In other wise this bould assault is made Of praise and glorie quenched is the sparke That made you first these easterne lands inuade Why cease you now why take you not this fort What are you wearie for a charge so short 62 Thus raged he and in such hellish sort Encreast the furie in the brainsicke knight That he esteemd that large and ample fort To strait a field wherein to prooue his might There where the breach had fram'd a new made port Himselfe he plast with nimble skips and light He clear'd the passage out and thus he cride To Soliman that fought close by his side 63 Come Soliman the time and place behould That of our valours well may iudge the doubt What staiest thou among these Christians bould First leape he foorth that houlds himselfe most stout While thus his will the mightie champion tould Both Soliman and he at once leapt out Furie the first prouokt disdaine the last Who scorn'd the chalenge ere his lips it past 64 Vpon their foes vnlooked for they flew Each spited other for his vertues sake So many souldiers this fierce couple slew
left the feild The godly Duke to safetie thence conuaid Nor to his foes his engins would he yeild In them his hope to win the fortresse laid Then to the towre he went and it beheild The towre that late the Pagan Lords dismaid But now stood brused broken crackt and shiuered From some sharpe storme as it were late deliuered 84 From dangers great escapt but late it was And now to safetie brought welnie it seames But as a ship that vnder saile doth pas The roaring billowes and the raging streames And drawing nie the wished port alas Breakes on some hidden rocke her ribs and beames Or as a stead rough waies that well hath past Before his Inne stumbleth and fals at last 85 Such hap befell that towre for on that side Gainst which the Pagans force and battrie bend Two wheeles were broke whereon the peece should ride The maymed engin could no further wend The troupe that guarded it that part prouide To vnderprop with posts and it defend Till carpenters and cunning workemen came Whose skill should helpe and reare againe the same 86 Thus Godfrey bids and that ere springing day The cracks and bruses all amend they should Each open passage and each priuie way About the piece he kept with souldiers bould But the loud rumour both of that they say And that they do is heard within the hould A thousand lights about the towre they vew And what they wrought all night both saw and knew The twelfth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Clorinda heares her Eunuch old report Her birth her of spring and her natiue land Disguis'd she fireth Godfreys rolling fort The burned peece falles smoking on the sand With Tancred long vnknowne in desp'rate sort She fights and falles through pearsed with his brand Christned she dies with sighes with plaints and teares He wailes her death Argant reuengement sweares 1 NOw in darke night was all the world imbard But yet the tired armies tooke no rest The carefull French keptheedfull watch and ward While their high towre the workemen newly drest The Pagan crew to reinforce prepar'd The weak'ned bulwarks late to earth downe kest Their rampires broke and brused walles to mend Lastly their hurts the wounded knights attend 2 Their wounds were drest part of the worke was brought To wished end part left to other daies A dull desire to rest deepe midnight wrought His heauie rod sleepe on their eye-lids laies Yet rested not Clorindaes working thought Which thirsted still for fame and warlike praise Argantes eeke accompaned the maid From place to place which to her selfe thus said 3 This day Argantes strong and Soliman Strange things haue done and purchast great renowne Among our foes out of the walles they ran Their rammes they broke and rent their engins downe Ivs'd my bow of nought else boast I can My selfe stood safe meane-while within this towne And happie was my shot and prosprous too But that was all a womans hand could doo 4 On birds and beastes in forrests wilde that feed It were more fit mine arrowes to bestow Than for a feeble maid in warlike deed With strong and hardie knights her selfe to show Why take I not againe my virgins weed And spend my daies in secret cell vnknow Thus thought thus mused thus deuis'd the maid And turning to the knight at last thus said 5 My thoughts are full my Lord of strange desire Some high attempt of warre to vndertake Whether high God my minde therewith inspire Or of his will his God mankind doth make Among our foes behold the light and fire I will among them wend and burne or brake The towre God grant therein I haue my will And that perform'd betide me good or ill 6 But if it fortune such my chance should bee That to this towne I neuer turne againe Mine Eunuch whom I deerely loue with thee I leaue my faithfull maides and all my traine To Egypt then conducted safely see Those wofull damsels and that aged swaine Helpe them my Lord in that distressed case Their feeble sex his age deserueth grace 7 Argantes wondring stood and felt th' effect Of true renowne peirce through his glorious minde And wilt thou go quoth he and me neglect Disgras'd despis'd leaue in this fort behind Shall I while these strong wals my life protect Behold thy flames and fires tost in the wind No no thy fellow haue I beene in armes And will be still in praise in death in harmes 8 This hart of mine deaths bitter stroke despiseth For praise this life for glory take this breath My soule the more quoth she thy friendship priseth For this thy profer'd aid requir'd vneath I but a woman am no losse ariseth To this besieged citie by my death But if as Gods forbid this night thou fall Ah who shall then who can defend this wall 9 Too late these scuces vaine the knight replide You bring my will is firme my minde is set I follow you where so you list me guide Or go before if you my purpose let This said they hasted to the pallace wide About their prince where all his Lords were met Clorinda spoke for both and said sir king Attend my words heare and allow the thing 10 Argantes here this bold and hardie knight Will vndertake to burne the wondrous towre And I with him only we stay till night Burie in sleepe our foes at deadest howre The king with that cast vp his hands on hight The teares for ioy vpon his cheekes downe powre Praised quoth he be Macon whom we serue This land I see he keepes and will preserue 11 Nor shall so soone this shaken kingdome fall While such vnconquer'd harts my state defend But for this act what praise or guerdon shall I giue your vertues which so far extend Let fame your praises sound through nations all And fill the world therewith to either end Take halfe my wealth and kingdome for your meed You are rewarded halfe eu'n with the deed 12 Thus spake the Prince and gently gan distraine Now him now her betweene his friendly armes The Soldan by no longer could refraine That noble enuie which his bosome warmes Nor I quoth he beare this broad sword in vaine Nor yet vnexpert am in night alarmes Take me with you ah quoth Clorinda noe Whom leaue we here of prowesse if you goe 13 This spoken readie with a proud refuse Argantes was his proffred aid to scorne Whom Aladine preuents and with excuse To Soliman thus gan his speeches torne Right noble Prince as aie hath beene your vse Your selfe so still you beare and long haue borne Bold in all actes no danger can affright Your hart nor tired is your strength with fight 14 If you went forth great things performe you would In my conceit yet far vnfit it seames That you who most excell in courage bould At once should leaue this towne in these extreames Nor would I that these twaine should leaue this sould My hart their noble liues far
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
17 His sword at last he let hang by the chaine And gripte his hardie foe in both his hands In his strong armes Tancred caught him againe And thus each other held and wrapt in bands With greater might Alcides did not straine The giant Antheus on the Libian sands On holdfast knots their brawnie armes they cast And whom he hateth most each held embrast 18 Such was their wrestling such their shockes and throwes That downe at once they tumbled both to ground Argantes were it hap or skill who knowes His better hand loose and in freedome found But the good prince his hand more fit for blowes With his huge weight the Pagan vnderbound But he his disaduantage great that knew Let go his hold and on his feete vpflew 19 Farre flower rose th'vnweldie Saracine And caught a rappe ere he was reard vpright But as against the blustring windes a pine Now bends his toppe now lifts his head on hight His courage so when it gan most decline The man r'enforced and aduanst his might And with fierce change of blowes renewd the fray Where rage for skill horrour for art bore sway 20 The purple drops from Tancreds sides downe railed But from the Pagan ran whole streames of blood Wherewith his force grew weake his courage quailed As fiers die which fuell want or food Tancred that saw his feeble arme now failed To strike his blowes that scant he stirr'd or stood Asswagd his anger and his wrath alaid And stepping backe thus gently spoke and said 21 Yeeld hardie knight and chance of warre or mee Confesse to haue subdew'd thee in this fight I will no trophee triumph spoile of thee Nor glorie wish nor seeke a victors right More terrible than earst herewith grew hee And all awakt his furie rage and might And said dar'st thou of vantage speake or thinke Or moue Argantes once to yeeld or shrinke 22 Vse vse thy vantage thee and fortune both I scorne and punish will thy foolish pride As a hot brand flames most ere it forth go'th And dying blazeth bright on euery side So he when blood was lost with anger wroth Reuiu'd his courage when his puissance dide And would his latest howre which now drew nie Illustrate with his end and nobly die 23 He ioin'd his left hand to her sister strong And with them both let fall his weightie blade Tancred to warde his blow his sword vp flong But that it smote aside nor there it stade But from his shoulder to his side along It glanst and many wounds at once it made Yet Tancred feared nought for in his hart Found coward dread no place feare had no part 24 His fearefull blow he doubled but he spent His force in wast and all his strength in vaine For Tancred from the blow against him bent Leaped aside the stroke fell on the plaine With thine owne weight orethrowne to earth thou went Argantes stout nor could'st thy selfe sustaine Thy selfe thou threwest downe O happie man Vpon whose fall none boast or triumph can 25 His gaping wounds the fall set open wide The streames of blood about him made a lake Helpt with his left hand on one knee he tride To reare himselfe and new defence to make The curteous Prince stept backe and yeeld thee cride No hurt he profred him no blow he strake Meane-while by stealth the Pagan false him gaue A sodaine wound threat'ning with speeches braue 26 Herewith Tancredie furious grew and saide Villaine dost thou my mercie so despies Therewith he thrust and thrust againe his blade And through his ventall pierst his dazeled eies Argantes dide yet no complaint he made But as he furious liu'd he carelesse dies Bold proud disdainfull fierce and voide of feare His motions last last lookes last speeches weare 27 Tancred put vp his sword and praises glad Gaue to his God that sau'd him in this fight But yet this bloodie conquest feebled had So much the conquerours force strength and might That through the way he fear'd which homeward lad He had not strength enough to walke vpright Yet as he could his steps from thence he bent And foote by foot a heauie pace foorth went 28 His legges could beare him but a little stound And more he hastes more tirde lesse was his speed On his right hand at last laid on the ground He lean'd his hand weake like a shaking reed Daz'led his eies the world on wheeles ran round Day wrapt her brightnesse vp in sable weed At length he swouned and the victor knight Nought diffred from his conquer'd foe in sight 29 But while these Lords their priuate fight pursue Made fierce and cruell through their secret hate The victors ire destroi'd the faithlesse crue From street to street and chas'd from gate to gate But of the sacked towne the image true Who can describe or paint the woefull state Or with fit words this spectacle expresse Who can or tell the cities great distresse 30 Blood murder death each streete house church defilde There heaps of flaine appeare there mountaines hie There vnderneath th'vnburied hils vppilde Of bodies dead the liuing buried lie There the sad mother with her tender childe Doth teare her tresses loose complaine and flie And there the spoiler by her Amber haire Drawes to his lust the virgin chast and faire 31 But through the way that to the West hill yood Whereon the old and stately temple stands All soild with gore and wet with lukewarme blood Rinaldo ronne and chas'd the Pagan bands Aboue their heads he heau'd his curtlax good Life in his grace and death lay in his hands Nor helme nor target strong his blowes off beares Best armed there seem'd he no armes that weares 32 For gainst his armed foes he onely bends His force and scornes the naked folke to wound Them whom no courage armes no armes defends He chased with his lookes and dreedfull sound Oh who can tell how farre his force extends How these he scornes threats those laies them on ground How with vnequall harme with equall feare Fled all all that well arm'd or naked weare 33 Fast fled the people weake and with the same A squadron strong is to the temple gone Which burnt and builded oft still keepes the name Of the first founder wise king Salomone That Prince this stately house did whilome frame Of Cedar trees of gold and marble stone Now not so ritch yet strong and sure it was With turrets hie thicke wals and doores of bras 34 The knight arriued where in warlike sort The men that ample church had fortified And closed found each wicket gate and port And on the top defences readie spied He lift his frowning lookes and twise that fort From his high top downe to the groundworke eied And entrance sought and twise with his swift fout The mightie place he measured about 35 Like as a Wolfe about the closed fold Rangeth by night his hoped pray to get Enrag'd with hunger and with malice old Which kinde twixt him
best part There from a rising banke his will he told And all that heard his speech thereat tooke hart And as the molten snow from mountaines cold Runs downe in streames with eloquence and art So from his lips his words and speeches fell Shrill speedie pleasant sweete and placed well 14 My hardie host you conqu'rours of the East You scourge wherewith Christ whips his heathen fone Of victorie behould the latest feast See the last day for which you wisht alone Not without cause the Sarzens most and least Our gratious Lord hath gathred here in one For all your foes and his assembled arre That one daies fight may end seaune yeares of warre 15 This fight shall bring vs many victories The danger none the labour will be small Let not the number of your enimies Dismay your harts grant feare no place at all For strife and discord through their armie flies Their bands ill rankt themselues entangle shall And fewe of them to strike or fight shall come For some want strength some hart some elbow rome 16 This host with whom you must encounter now Are men halfe naked without strength or skill From idlenes or following the plow Late pressed foorth to warre against their will Their swordes are blunt shieldes thinne soone pierced throw Their banners shake their bearers shrinke for ill Their leaders heard obaid or follow'd bee Their losse their flight their death I well foresee 17 Their captaine clad in purple armd in gould That seemes so fierce so hardie stout and strong The Moores or weake Arabians vanquish could Yet can he not resist your valours long What can he do though wise though sage though bould In that confusion trouble thrust and throng Ill knowne he is and woorse he knowes his host Strange lords ill feard are ill obaid of most 18 But I am captaine of this chosen crew With whom I oft haue conquer'd triumpht oft Your lands and linages long since I knew Each knight obaies my rule milde easie soft I know each sword each dart each shaft I vew Although the quarrell flie in skies aloft Whether the same of Ireland be or France And from what bowe it comes what hand perchance 19 I aske an easie and an vsual thing As you haue oft this day so winne the feild Let zeale and honour be your vertues sting Your liues my fame Christs faith defend and sheild To earth these Pagans slaine and wounded bring Tread on their necks make them all die or yeild What need I more exhort you from your eies I see how victorie how conquest flies 20 Vpon the captaine when his speech was donne It seemd a lampe and golden light downe came As from nights azure mantle oft doth ronne Or fall a sliding starre or shining flame But from the bosome of the burning sonne Proceeded this and garland wise the same Godfredoes noble head encompast round And as some thought foreshewd he should be cround 21 Perchance if mans proud thought or saucie tong Haue leaue to iudge or guesse at heau'nly things This was the angell which had kept him long That now came downe and hid him with his wings While thus the Duke bespeakes his armies stronge And euerie troupe and band in order brings Lord Emiren his hoast disposed well And with bould words whet on their courage fell 22 The man brought foorth his armie great with speed In order good his foes at hand he spide Like the newe moone his hoast two hornes did spreed In midst the foote the horse were on each side The right wing kept he for himselfe to leed Great Altamore receau'd the left to guide The middle ward led Muleasses prood And in that battaile faire Armida stood 23 On the right quarter stood the Indian grim With Tisipherne and all the kings owne band But where the left winge spred her squadrons trim Ore the large plaine did Altamoro stand With Aphrican and Persian kings with him And two that came from Meroes hot sand And all his crosbowes and his slinges he plast Where roome best seru'd to shoot to throw to cast 24 Thus Emiren his host put in array And road from band to band from ranke to ranke His Truchmen now and now himselfe doth say What spoile his folke shall gaine what praise what thanke To him that feard looke vp ours is the day He saies vile feare to bould harts neuer sanke How dareth one against an hundreth fight Our crie our shade will put them all to flight 25 But to the bould go hardie knight he saies His praie out of this lions pawes go teare To some before his thoughts the shape he laies And makes therein the image true appeare How his sad countrie him entreats and praies His house his louing wife and children deare Suppose quoth he thy countrie doth beseech And pray thee thus suppose this is her speech 26 Defend my lawes vphold my temples braue My blood from washing of my streetes withhold From rauishing my virgins keepe and saue Thine auncestors dead bones and ashes cold To thee thy fathers deare and parents graue Shew their vncoured heads white hoarie old To thee thy wife her brests with teares orespred Thy sonnes their cradles shewes thy mariage bed 27 To all the rest you for her honours sake Whom Asia makes her champions by your might Vpon these theeues weake feeble fewe must take A sharpe reuenge yet iust deserud and right Thus many words in seu'rall toongs he spake And all his sundry nations to sharpe fight Encouraged but now the Dukes had donne Their speeches all the hoasts togither ronne 28 It was a great a strange and wondrous fight When front to front those noble armies met How euerie troupe how in each troupe each knight Stood prest to moue to fight and praise to get Loose in the winde waued their ensignes light Trembled the plumes that on their crests were set Their armes impreses colours gold and stone Gainst the sunne beames smild flamed sparkled shone 29 Of drie topt Oakes they seemd two forrests thicke So did each hoste with speares and pikes abound Bent were their bowes in rests their launces sticke Their hands shooke swords their slings held cobles round Each stead to runne was readie prest and quicke At his commaunders spurre his hand his sound He chafes he stampes careers and turnes about He fomes snorts neies and fire and smoake breaths out 30 Horrour it selfe in that faire sight seem'd faire And pleasure flew amid sad dreed and feare The trumpets shrill that thundred in the aire Were musicke milde and sweete to euerie eare The faithfull campe though lesse yet seem'd more raire In that strange noice more warlike shrill and cleare In notes more sweete the Pagan trumpets iarre These sung their armours shin'd these glistred farre 31 The Christian trumpets giue the deadly call The Pagans answere and the fight accept The godly Frenchmen on their knees downe fall To pray and kist the earth and then vplept To fight the land betweene was vanisht