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
night And ere the siluer morne began to rise His armes he tooke and in a coate him dight Of colour strange cut in the warlike guise And on his way sole silent forth he went Alone and left his friends and left his tent 12 It was the time when gainst the breaking day Rebellious night yet stroue and still repined For in the East appear'd the morning gray And yet some lampes in Ioues high pallace shined When to mount Oliuet he tooke his way And saw as round about his eies he twined Nights shadowes hence from thēce the morning shine This bright that darke that earthly this diuine 13 Thus to himselfe he thought how many bright And splendant lamps shine in heau'ns temple hie Day hath his golden sun her moone the night Her sixt and wandring stars the azure skie So framed all by their creators might That still they liue and shine and nere shall die Till in a moment with the last daies brand They burne and with them burnes sea aire and land 14 Thus as he mused to the top he went And there kneeld downe with reuerence and feare His eies vpon heau'ns eastren face he bent His thoughts aboue all heau'ns vplifted weare The sinnes and errours which I now repent Of mine vnbridled youth O father deare Remember not but let thy mercy fall And purge my faults and mine offences all 15 Thus praied he with purple wings vpflew In golden weed the mornings lustie queene Begilding with the radiantbeames she threw His helme his harnesse and the mountaine greene Vpon his brest and forehead gently blew The aire that balme and nardus breath'd vnseene And ore his head let downe from cleerest skies A cloud of pure and precious dew there flies 16 The heau'nly dew was on his garments spred To which compar'd his clothes pale ashes seame And spinkled so that all that palenesse fled And thence of purest white bright raies outstreame So cheered are the flowres late withered With the sweete comfort of the morning beame And so returnd to youth a serpent old Adornes her selfe in new and natiue gold 17 The louely whitenesse of his changed weed The prince perceiued well and long admirde Toward the forrest marcht he on with speed Resolu'd as such aduentures great requir'de Thither he came whence shrinking backe for dreed Of that strange desarts sight the first retir'de But not to him fearefull or loathsome made That forrest was but sweete with pleasant shade 18 Forward he past and in the groue before He heard a sound that strange sweete pleasing was There roll'd a christall brooke with gentle rore There sigh'd the windes as through the leaues they pas There did the Nightingale her wrongs deplore There sung the swan and singing dide alas There lute harpe cittren humaine voice he hard And all these sounds one sound right well declard 19 A dreedfull thunderclap at last he hard The aged trees and plants welnie that rent Yet heard he Nymphes and Sirens afterward Birdes windes and waters sing with sweete consent Whereat amazd he staid and well prepard For his defence heedfull and slow foorthwent Nor in his way his passage ought withstood Except a quiet still transparent flood 20 On the greene banks which that faire streame inbound Flowers and odours sweetely smilde and smeld Which reaching out his stretched armes around All the large desart in his bosome held And through the groue on chanell passage found That in the wood in that the forrest dweld Trees clad the streames streames greene those trees aie made And so exchangd their moisture and their shade 21 The knight some way sought out the floud to pas And as he sought a wondrous bridge appeard A bridge of golde a huge and weightie mas On arches great of that rich mettall reard When through that golden way he entred was Downe fell the bridge swelled the streame and weard The worke away not signe left where it stood And of a riuer calme became a flood 22 He turnd amasd to see it troubled soe Like sodaine brookes encreast with molten snow The billowes fierce that tossed to and froe The whirlpooles suckt downe to their bosoms low But on he went to search for wonders moe Through the thicke trees there high and broad which grow And in that forrest huge and desart wide The more he sought more wonders still he spide 23 Where so he stept it seem'd the ioyfull ground Renew'd the verdure of her flowrie weed A fountaine here a welspring there he found Here bud the Roses there the Lillies spreed The aged wood ore and about him round Flourisht with blossomes new new leaues new seed And on the boughes and branches of those treene The barke was softned and renew'd the greene 24 The Manna on each leafe did pearled lie The hony stilled from the tender rinde Againe he heard that woondrous harmonie Of songs and sweete complaints of louers kinde The humaine voices sung a triple hie To which respond the birdes the streames the winde But yet vnseene those Nymphes those singers weare Vnseene the lutes harpes viols which they beare 25 He lookte he listned yet this thoughts denide To thinke that true which he both heard and see A Mirtle in an ample plaine hespide And thither by a beaten path went hee The Mirtle spred her mightie branches wide Higher than Pine or Palme or Cipresse tree And farre aboue all other plants was seene That forrests Ladie and that desarts queene 26 Vpon the tree his eies Rinaldo bent And there a maruell great and strange began An aged Oake beside him cleft and rent And from his fertill hollow wombe forth ran Clad in rare weedes and strange habiliment A Nymph for age able to goe to man An hundreth plants beside euen in his sight Childed an hundreth Nymphes so great so dight 27 Such as on stages play such as we see The Dryads painted whom wilde Satires loue Whose armes halfe naked lockes vntrussed bee With buskins laced on their legs aboue And silken roabes tuckt short aboue their knee Such seem'd the Siluan daughters of this groue Saue that in stead of shafts and boughes of tree She bore a lute a harpe or cittern shee 28 And wantonly they cast them in a ring And sung and danst to moue her weaker sense Rinaldo round about enuironing As centers are with their circumference The tree they compast eeke and gan to sing That woods and streames admir'd their excellence Welcome deere Lord welcome to this sweet groue Welcome our Ladies hope welcome her loue 29 Thou com'st to cure our Princesse faint and sicke For loue for loue of thee faint sicke distressed Late blacke late dreadfull was this forrest thicke Fit dwelling for sad folke with griefe oppressed See with thy comming how the branches quicke Reuiued are and in new blossoms dressed This was their song and after from it went First a sweet sound and then the myrtle rent 30 If antique times admir'd Silenus old That oft appeer'd set on his lasie asse How
my Lord he said your bold defies By your braue foes accepted boldly beene This combat neither high nor low denies Ten thousand wish to meete you on the greene A thousand frown'd with angrie flaming eies And shakt for rage their swords and weapons keene The field is safely granted by their guide This said the champion for his armour cride 21 While he was arm'd his hart for ire nie brake So earnd his courage hot his foe to finde The king to faire Clorinda present spake If he goe foorth remaine not you behinde But of our soldiers best a thousand take To garde his person and your owne assignde Yet let him meete alone the Christian knight And stand your selfe aloofe while they two fight 22 Thus spake the king and soone without aboad The troope went forth in shining armour clad Before the rest the Pagan champion road His wonted armes and ensignes all he had A goodly plaine displayed wide and broad Betweene the citie and the campe was sprad A place like that wherein proud Rome beheild He forward yong men menage speare and sheild 23 There all alone Argantes tooke his stand Defying Christ and all his seruants trew In stature stomacke and in strength of hand In pride presumption and in dreadfull shew Encelade like on the Phlegrean strand Or that huge giant Ishaies infant flew But his fierce semblant they esteemed light For most not knew or else not sear'd his might 24 As yet not one had Godfrey singled out To vndertake this hardie enterpries But on prince Tancred saw he all the rout Had fixt their wishes and had cast their eies On him he spide them gazing round about As though their honour on his prowesse lies And now they whispred lowder what they ment Which Godfrey heard and saw and was content 25 The rest gaue place for euerie one descride To whom their chieftaines will did most incline Tancred quoth he I pray thee calme the pride Abate the rage of yonder Sarracine No longer would the chosen champion bide His face with ioy his eies with gladnes shine His helme he tooke and readie steed bestroad And guarded with his trustie friends forth road 26 But scantly had he spurr'd his courser swift Neere to that plaine where proud Argantes staid When vnawares his eies he chanst to lift And on the hill beheld the warlike maid As white as snowe vpon the Alpine clift The virgin shone in siluer armes arraid Her ventall vp so hie that he descride Her goodly visage and her beauties pride 27 He saw not where the Pagan stood and stared As if with lookes he would his foeman kill But full of other thoughts he forward fared And sent his lookes before him vp the hill His gesture such his troubled soule declared At last as marble rocke he standeth still Stone-cold without within burnt with loues flame And quite forgot himselfe and why he came 28 The challenger that yet sawe none appeare That made or signe or shew he came to iust How long cride he shall I attend you heare Dares none come forth dares none his fortune trust The other stood amaz'd loue stopt his eare He thinks on Cupid thinke of Mars who lust But forth start Otho bold and tooke the field A gentle knight whom God from danger shield 29 This youth was one of those who late desired With that vaine-glorious boaster to haue fought But Tancred chosen he and all retired Yet to the field the valiant Prince they brought Now when his slacknes he a while admired And saw else-where employed was his thought Nor that to iust though chosen once he profred He boldly tooke that fit occasion offred 30 No tyger panther spotted leopard Runs halfe so swift the forrests wilde among As this yong champion hasted thitherward Where he attending saw the Pagan strong Tancredie started with the noise he hard As wakt from sleepe where he had dreamed long Oh stay he cride to me belongs this war But cride too late Otho was gone too far 31 Then full of furie anger and despite He staid his horse and waxed red for shame The fight was his but now disgraced quite Himselfe he thought another plaid his game Meane-while the Sarracine did hugely smite On Othoes helme who to requite the same His foe quite through his seu'n-fold targe did beare And in his brest-plate stucke and broke his speare 32 Th' incounter such vpon the tender gras Downe from his steed the Christian backward fell Yet his proud foe so strong and sturdie was That he nor shooke nor staggred in his cell But to the knight that lay full lowe alas In high disdaine his will thus gan he tell Yeeld thee my slaue and this thine honour be Thou maist report thou hast encountred me 33 Not so quoth he pardie it s not the guise Of Christian knights though falne so soone to yeeld I can my fall excuse in better wise And will reuenge this shame or die in feeld The great Circassian bent his frowning eies Like that grim visage in Mineruaes sheeld Then learne quoth he what force Argantes vseth Against that foole that profred grace refuseth 34 With that he spurr'd his horse with speed and haste Forgetting what good knights to vertue owe Otho his furie shunn'd and as he past At his right side he reacht a noble blowe Wide was the wound the blood outstreamed fast And from his side fell to his stirrup lowe But what auailes to hurt if wounds augment Our foes fierce courage strength and hardiment 35 Argantes nimbly turn'd his readie stead And ere his foe was wist or well aware Against his side he droue his coursers head What force could he gainst so great might prepare Weake were his feeble ioints his courage dead His hart amaz'd his palenesse shew'd his care His tender side gainst the hard earth he cast Sham'd with the first fall bruised with the last 36 The victor spurr'd againe his light-foot stead And made his passage ouer Othos hart And cride these fooles thus vnder foot I tread That dare contend with me in equall mart Tancred for anger shooke his noble head So was he grieu'd with that vnknightly part The fault was his he was so slowe before With double valour would he salue that sore 37 Forward he gallopt fast and lowdly cride Villaine quoth he thy conquest is thy shame What praise what honour shall this fact betide What gaine what guerdon shall befall the same Among th' Arabian theeues thy face goe hide Far from resort of men of worth and fame Or else in woods and mountaines wilde by night On sauage beasts imploy thy sauage might 38 The Pagan patience neuer knew nor vsed Trembling for ire his sandie locks he tore Out from his lips flew such a sound confused As lions make in desarts thicke which rore Or as when clouds together crusht and brused Powre downe a tempest by the Caspian shore So was his speech imperfect stopt and broken He roar'd and thrund'red when he should haue spoken
neuer knots of loue more surer knit 58 Her bodie free captiued was her hart And loue the keies did of that prison beare Prepar'd to goe it was a death to part From that kinde Lord and from that prison deare But thou O honour which esteemed art The chiefest vesture noble Ladies weare Enforcest her against her will to wend To Aladine her mothers dearest frend 59 At Sion was this princesse entertained By that old tyrant and her mother deare Whose losse too soone the wofull damsell plained Her griéfe was such she liu'd not halfe the yeare Yet banishment nor losse of friends constrained The haplesse maid her passions to forbeare For though exceeding were her woe and griefe Of all her sorrowes yet her loue was chiefe 60 The seelie maide in secret longing pined Her hope a mote drawne vp by Phebus raies Her loue a mountaine seem'd whereon bright shined Fresh memorie of Tancreds worth and praise Within her closet if her selfe she shrined A hotter fire her tender hart assaies Taucred at last to raise her hope nigh dead Before those wals did his broad ensigne spread 61 The rest to vew the Christian armie feared Such seem'd their number such their powre and might But she alone her troubled forehead cleared And on them spred her beautie shining bright In euerie squadron when it first appeared Her curious eie sought out her chosen knight And euerie gallant that the rest excels The same seemes him so loue and fancie tels 62 Within the kingly pallace builded hie A turret standeth neere the cities wall From which Erminia might at ease descrie The westren host the plaines and mountaines all And there she stood all the long day to spie From Phebus rising to his euening fall And with her thoughts disputed of his praise And euerie thought a scalding sigh did raise 63 From hence the furious combat she suruaid And felt her hart tremble with fear and paine Her secret thought thus to her fancie said Behold thy deere in danger to be slaine So with suspect with feare and griefe dismaid Attended she her darlings losse or gaine And euer when the Pagan lift his blade The stroke a wound in her weake bosome made 64 But when she saw the end and wist withall Their strong contention should eftsoones begin Amasement strange her courage did appall Her vitall blood was icie cold within Sometimes she sighed sometimes teares let fall To witnes what distresse her hart was in Hopelesse dismai'd pale sad astonished Her loue her feare her feare her torment bred 65 Her idle braine vnto her soule presented Death in an hundred vglie fashions painted And if she slept then was her greefe augmented With such sad visions were her thoughts acquainted She saw her Lord with wounds and hurts tormented How he complain'd call'd for her helpe and fainted And found awakt from that vnquiet sleeping Her hart with panting sore eics red with weeping 66 Yet these presages of his comming ill Not greatest cause of her discomfort weare She saw his blood from his deepe wounds distill Nor what he suffred could she bide or beare Besides report her longing eare did fill Doubling his danger doubling so her feare That she concludes so was her courage lost Her wounded Lord was weake faint dead almost 67 And for her mother had her taught before The secret vertue of each herbe that springs Besides fit charmes for euerie wound or sore Corruption breedeth or misfortune brings An art esteemed in those times of yore Beseeming daughters of great Lords and kings She would her selfe be surgeon to her knight And heale him with her skill or with her sight 68 Thus would she cure her loue and cure her foe She must that had her friends and kinsfolke slaine Some cursed weedes her cunning hand did knoe That could augment his harme encrease his paine But she abhorr'd to be reuenged soe No treason should her spotlesse person staine And vertuelesse she wisht all herbes and charmes Wherewith false men encrease their patients harmes 69 Nor feared she among the bands to stray Of armed men for often had she seene The tragike end of many a bloodie fray Her life had full of haps and hazards beene This made her bold in euerie hard assay More than her feeble sexe became I weene She feared not the shake of euerie reed So cowards are couragious made through need 70 Loue fearelesse hardie and audacious loue Embold'ned had this tender damsell so That where wilde beasts and serpents glide and moue Through Afrikes desarts durst she ride or goe Saue that her honour she esteem'd aboue Her life and bodies safetie told her noe For in the seeret of her troubled thought A doubtfull combat loue and honour fought 71 O spotlesse virgin honour thus begonne That my true lore obserued firmely hast When with thy foes thou didst in bondage wonne Remember then I kept thee pure and chast At libertie now whither wouldst thou ronne To lay that field of princely vertue waste Or lose that iewell Ladies hold so deare Is maidenhood so great a load to beare 72 Or deem'st thou it a praise of little prise The glorious title of a virgins name That thou wilt gad by night in giglet wise Amid thine armed foes to seeke thy shame O foole a woman conquers when she flies Refusall kindleth profers quench the flame Thy Lord will iudge thou sinnest beyond measure If vainly thus thou waste so rich a treasure 73 The slie deceiuer Cupid thus beguild The simple damsell with his filed tong Thou wert not borne quoth he in desarts wilde The cruell beares and sauage beastes among That thou shouldst scorne faire Cithereas childe Or hate those pleasures that to youth belong Nor did the gods thy hart of iron frame To be in loue is neither sinne nor shame 74 Goe then goe whither sweet desire inuiteth How can thy gentle knight so cruell bee Loue in his hart thy greefes and sorrowes writeth For thy laments how he complaineth see Oh cruell woman whom no care exciteth To saue his life that sau'd and honour'd thee He languisheth one foote thou wilt not moue To succour him yet saist thou art in loue 75 No no stay here Argantes wounds to cure And make him strong to shed thy darlings blood Of such reward he may himselfe assure That doth a thanklesse woman so much good Ah may it be thy patience can endure To see the strength of this Circassion wood And not with horror and amazement shrinke When on their future fight thou hapst to thinke 76 Besides the thanks and praises for the deed Suppose what ioy what comfort shalt thou winne When thy soft hand doth wholsome plaisters spreed Vpon the breaches in his iuorie skinne Thence to thy deerest Lord may health succeed Strength to his lims blood to his cheekes so thinne And his rare beauties now halfe dead and more Thou maist to him him to thy selfe restore 77 So shall some part of his aduentures bold And valiant actes henceforth be held
lucke with life with loue There from her stead she lighted there laid downe Her bowe and shafts her armes that helpelesse proue There lie with shame she saies disgrast orethrowne Blunt are the weapons blunt the armes I moue Weake to reuenge my harmes or harme my foe My shafts are blunt ah loue would thine were soe 124 Alas among so many could not one Not one draw blood one wound or rend his skin All other brests to you are marble stone Dare you than pierce a womans bosome thin See see my naked hart on this alone Imploy your force this fort is eath to win And loue will shoote you from his mightie bow Weake is the shot that dripile falles in snow 125 I pardon will your feare and weakenes past Be strong mine arrowes cruell sharpe gainst mee Ah wretch how is thy chance and fortune cast If plast in these thy good and comfort bee But since all hope is vaine all helpe is wast Since hurts ease hurts wounds must cure wounds in thee Then with thine arrowes stroake cure stroakes of loue Death for thy hart must salue and surgeon proue 126 And happie me if being dead and slaine I beare not with me this strange plague to hell Loue staie behind come thou with me disdaine And with my wronged soule for euer dwell Or else with it turne to the world againe And vexe that knight with dreames and visions fell And tell him when twixt life and death I stroue My last wish was reuenge last word was loue 127 And with that word halfe mad halfe dead she seames An arrow poignant strong and sharpe she tooke When her deare knight found her in these extreames Now fit to die and passe the Stygian brooke Now prest to quench her owne and beauties beames Now death sate on her eies death in her looke When to her backe he stept and staid her arme Stretcht foorth to doe that seruice last last harme 128 She turnes and ere she knowes her Lord she spies Whose comming was vnwisht vnthought vnknowne She shrikes and twines away her sdeignfull eies From his sweete face she falles dead in a swoune Falles as a flowre halfe cut that bending lies He held her vp and least she tumble downe Vnder her tender side his arme he plast His hand her girdle loos'd her gowne vnlast 129 And her faire face faire bosome he bedewes With teares teares of remorse of ruth of sorrow As the pale Rose her colour lost renewes With the fresh drops falne from the siluer morrow So she reuiues and cheekes empurpled shewes Moist with their owne teares and with teares they borrow Thrice lookte she vp her eies thrice closed shee As who say let me die ere looke on thee 130 And his strong arme with weake and feeble hand She would haue thrust away loos'd and vntwined Oft stroue she but in vaine to breake that band For he the â—old he got not yet resined Her selfe fast bound in those deare knots she fand Deare though she faigned scorne stroue and repined At last she speakes she weepes complaines and cries Yet durst not did not would not see his eies 131 Cruell at thy departure at retorne As cruell say what chance thee hither guideth Wouldst thou preuent her death whose hart forlorne For thee for thee deathes stroakes each howre deuideth Comst thou to saue my life alas what scorne What torment for Armida poore abideth No no thy crafts and sleights I well descrie But she can little doe that cannot die 132 Thy triumph is not great nor well arrai'd Vnlesse in chaines thou lead a captiue dame A dame now tane by force before betrai'd This is thy greatest glorie greatest fame Time was that thee of loue and life I prai'd Let death now end my loue my life my shame Yet let not thy false hand bereaue this breath For if it were thy guift hatefull were death 133 Cruell my selfe an hundreth waies can finde To rid me from thy malice from thy hate If weapons sharpe if poisons of all kinde If fire if strangling faile in that estate Yet waies enough I know to stop this winde A thousand entries hath the house of fate Ah leaue these flattries leaue weake hope to moue Cease cease my hope is dead dead is my loue 134 Thus mourned shee and from her watrie eies Disdaine and loue dropt downe roll'd vp in teares From his pure fountaines ranne two streames likewise Wherein chast pitie and milde ruth appeares Thus with sweete words the Queene he pacifies Madame appease your griefe your wrath your feares For to be crown'd not scorn'd your life I saue Your foe nay but your friend your knight your slaue 135 But if you trust no speech no oath no word Yet in mine eies my zeale my truth behold For to that throne whereof thy fire was Lord I will restore thee crowne thee with that gold And if high heau'n would so much grace afford As from thy hart this cloude this vaile vnfold Of Paganisme in all the East no dame Should equalize thy fortune state and fame 136 Thus plaineth he thus praies and his desire Endeares with sighes that flie and teares that fall That as against the warm'th of Titans fire Snow drifts consume on tops of mountaines tall So melts her wrath but loue remaines entire Behold she saies your handmaid and your thrall My life my crowne my wealth vse at your pleasure Thus death her life became losse prou'd her treasure 137 This while the Captaine of th' Egyptian host That saw his roiall standard laid on ground Saw Rimedon that ensignes prop and post By Godfreies noble hand kild with one wound And all his folke discomfit slaine and lost No coward was in this last batrell found But road about and sought nor sought in vaine Some famous hand of which he might be slaine 138 Against lord Godfrey bouldly out he flew For nobler foe he wisht not could not spie Of desprate courage shew'd he tokens trew Where ere he ioind or staid or passed bie And cried to the Duke as neere he drew Behold of thy strong hand I come to die Yet trust to ouerthrow thee with my fall My castles ruines shall breake downe thy wall 139 This said foorth spurr'd they both both high aduance Their swords aloft both stroake at once both hit His left arme wounded had the knight of France His shield was pierst his vantbrace cleft and split The Pagan backward fell halfe in a trance On his left eare his foe so hugely smit And as he sought to rise Godfredoes sword Pierced him through so dide that armies Lord. 140 Of his great host when Emiren was dead Fled the small remnant that aliue remained Godfrey espied as he turnd his stead Great Altamore on foote with blood all stained With halfe a sword halfe helme vpon his head Gainst whom an hundreth fought yet not one gained Cease cease this strife he cride and thou braue knight Yeeld I am Godfrey yeeld thee to my might 141 He that till then his proud and haughtie hart To act of humblenes did neuer bend When that great name he heard from the north part Of our wide world renown'd to Aethiops end Answer'd I yeeld to thee thou worthy art I am thy pris'ner fortune is thy frend On Altamoro great thy conquest bold Of glorie shall be rich and rich of gold 142 My louing queene my wife and Lady kinde Shall ransome me with iewels gold and treasure God shield quoth Godfrey that my noble minde Should praise and vertue so by profit measure All that thou hast from Persia and from Inde Enioy it still therein I take no pleasure I set no rent on life no price on blood I fight and fell not warre for gold or good 143 This said he gaue him to his knights to keepe And after those that fled his course he bent They to their rampires fled and trenches deepe Yet could not so deathes cruell stroke preuent The campe was wonne and all in blood doth steepe The blood in riuers stream'd from tent to tent It soil'd defilde defaced all the pray Shields helmets armours plumes and feathers gay 144 Thus conquer'd Godfrey and as yet the sonne Diu'd not in siluer waues his golden waine But day-light seru'd him to the fortresse wonne With his victorious host to turne againe His bloodie cote he put not off but ronne To the high Temple with his noble traine And there hung vp his armes and there he bowes His knees there prai'd and there perform'd his vowes FINIS Printed at London by Ar. Hatfield for John Jaggard and M. Lownes 1600.
iron strong But each a glaue had pendant by his side Their bowes and quiuers at their shoulders hong Their horses well enur'd to chace and ride In dietspare vntir'd with labour long Readie to charge and to retire at will Though broken scattred fled they skirmish still 51 Tatine their guide and except Tatine none Of all the Greekes went with the Christian host O sinne O shame O Greece accurst alone Did not this fatall war affront thy coast Yet sattest thou an idle looker on And glad attendest which side wonne or lost Now if thou be a bondslaue vile become No wrong is that but Gods most righteous dome 52 In order last but first in worth and fame Vnfear'd in fight vntir'd with hurt or wound The noble squadron of aduentrers came Terrors to all that tread on Asian ground Cease Orpheus of thy Minois Arthur shame To boast of Launcelot or thy table round Kor these whom antique times with laurell drest These far exceed them thee and all the rest 53 Dudon of Consa was their guide and Lord And for of worth and birth alike they beene They chose him captaine by their free accord For he most actes had done most battails seene Graue was the man in yeeres in lookes in word His locks were gray yet was his courage greene Of worth and might the noble badge he bore Old scarres of greeuous wounds receiu'd of yore 54 After came Eustace well ysteemed man For Godfreyes sake his brother and his owne The king of Norwaies heire Gernando than Proud of his fathers titles scepter crowne Roger of Balnauill and Engerlan For hardie knights approoued were and knowne Besides were numbred in that warlike traine Rambald Gentonio and the Gerards twaine 55 Vbaldo than and puissant Rosimond Of Lancaster the heire in ranke succeed Let none forget Obizo of Tuscaine lond Well worthie praise for many a worthie deed Nor those three brethren Lombards fierce and yond Achilles Sforza and sterne Palameed Nor Ottons shield he conqu'red in those stowres In which a snake a naked childe deuoures 56 Guascher and Raiphe in valour like there was The one and other Guido famous both Germer and Eberard to ouerpas In foule obliuion would my muse be loth With his Gildippes deere Edward alas A louing paire to war among them go'th In bond of vertuous loue together tied Together seru'd they and together died 57 In schoole of loue are all things taught we see There learn'd this maide of armes the irefull guise Still by his side a faithfull garde went shee One trueloue knot their liues together ties No wound to one alone could dang'rous bee But each the smart of others anguish tries If one were hurt the other felt the sore She lost her blood he spent his life therefore 58 But these and all Rinaldo far exceedes Star of this spheare the dimond of this ring The nest where courage with sweete mercie breedes A comet worthie each eies wondering His yeeres are fewer than his noble deedes His fruit is ripe soone as his blossoms spring Armed a Mars might coyest Venus moue And if disarm'd then God himselfe of loue 59 Sophia by Adige flowrie banke him bore Sophia the faire spouse to Bertoldo great Fit mother for that pearle and before The tender impe was wained from the teat The Princesse Maud him tooke in vertues lore She brought him vp fit for each worthie feat Till of these wars the golden trumpe he heares That soundeth glorie fame praise in his eares 60 And then though scantly three times fiue yeeres old He fled alone by many an vnknowne coast Ore Aegean seas by many a Greekish hold Till he arriued at the Christian hoast A noble flight aduentrous braue and bold Whereon a valiant Prince might iustly boast Three yeeres he seru'd in field when scant begin Few golden haires to decke his Iuorie chin 61 The horsemen past their void left stations fill The bands on foote and Reymond them beforne Of Tholouse Lord from lands neere Piraene hill By Garound streames and salt sea billowes worne Fowre thousand foote he brought well arm'd and skill Had they all paines and trauell to haue borne Stout men of armes and with their guide of powre Like Troyes old towne defenst with Ilions towre 62 Next Stephen of Amboise did fiue thousand leed The men he prest from Toures and Blois but late To hard assaies vnfit vnsure at need Yet arm'd to point in well attempted plate The land did like it selfe the people breed The soile is gentle smooth soft delicate Boldly they charge but soone retire for dout Like fire of straw soone kindled soone burnt out 63 The third Alcasto marched and with him The Boaster brought sixe thousand Switzers bold Audacious were their lookes their faces grim Strong castles on the Alpine clifts they hold Their shares and culters broke to armours trim They change that mettall cast in warlike mold And with this band late heards and flocks that guied Now kings and realmes he threat'ned and defied 64 The glorious standard last to heau'n they sprad With Peters keyes ennobled and his crowne With it seuen thousand stout Camillo had Embattailed in wals of iron browne In this aduenture and occasion glad So to reuiue the Romaines old renowne Or proue at least to all of wiser thought Their harts were fertill land although vnwrought 65 But now was passed euery regiment Each band each troope each person worth regard When Godfrey with his Lords to counsell went And thus the Duke his princely will declar'd I will when day next cleeres the firmament Our readie host in haste be all prepar'd Closely to march to Sions noble wall Vnseene vnheard or vndescride at all 66 Prepare you then for trauaile strong and light Fierce to the combat glad to victorie And with that word and warning soone was dight Each soldier longing for neere comming glorie Impatient be they of the morning bright Of honour so them prickt the memorie But yet their chieftaine had conceau'd a feare Within his hart but kept it secret theare 67 For he by faithfull spiall was assured That Egypts king was forward on his way And to arriue at Gaza old procured A fort that on the Sirian fronters lay Nor thinkes he that a man to wars enured Will ought forslow or in his iourney stay For well he knew him for a dang'rous foe An herald cald he then and spake him soe 68 A pinnesse take thee swift as shaft from bowe And speede thee Henrie to the Greekish maine There should arriue as I by letters knowe From one that neuer ought reports in vaine A valiant youth in whom all vertues flowe To helpe vs this great conquest to obtaine The Prince of Danes he is and brings to war A troope with him from vnder th' Artick star 69 And for I doubt the Greekish monarch slie Will vse with him some of his woonted craft To stay his passage or diuert awrie Elsewhere his forces his first iournay laft My herald good and messenger
her rich attire And for some-deale perplexed was her sprite Her damaske late now chang'd to purest white 27 The newes of this mishap spred far and neare The people ran both yong and old to gace Olindo also ran and gan to feare His Ladie was some partner in this cace But when he found her bound stript from her geare And vile tormentors ready saw in place He broke the throng and into presence brast And thus bespake the king in rage and haste 28 Not so not so this girle shall beare away From me the honour of so noble feat She durst not did not could not so conuay The massie substance of that Idoll great What sleight had she the wardens to betray What strength to heaue the goddesse from her seat No no my Lord she sailes but with my winde Ah thus he lou'd yet was his loue vnkinde 29 He added further where the shining glasse Lets in the light amid your temples side By broken by-waies did I inward passe And in that window made a postren wide Nor shall therefore this ill-aduised lasse Vsurpe the glorie should this fact betide Mine be these bonds mine be these flames so pure O glorious death more glorious sepulture 30 Sophronia rais'd her modest lookes from ground And on her louer bent her eie-sight milde Tell me what furie what conceit vnsound Presenteth here to death so sweet a childe Is not in me sufficient courage found To beare the anger of this tyrant wilde Or hath fond loue thy hart so ouergone Would'st thou not liue nor let me die alone 31 Thus spake the Nimph yet spake but to the winde She could not alter his well setled thought O miracle O strife of wondrous kinde Where loue and vertue such contention wrought Where death the victor had for meed assignde Their owne neglect each others safetie sought But thus the king was more prouoakt to ire Their strife for bellowes seru'd to angers fire 32 He thinkes such thoughts selfe-guiltinesse findes out They scorn'd his powre and therefore scorn'd the paine Nay nay quoth he let be your strife and dout You both shall win and fit reward obtaine With that the sargeants hent the yong man stout And bound him likewise in a worthlesse chaine Then backe to backe fast to a stake both ties Two harmlesse turtles dight for sacrifies 33 About the pile of fagots sticks and hay The bellowes rais'd the newly kindled flame When thus Olindo in a dolefull lay Begun too late his bootlesse plaints to frame Be these the bonds Is this the hopt-for day Should ioyne me to this long desired dame Is this the fire alike should burne our harts Ah hard reward for louers kinde desarts 34 Far other flames and bonds kinde louers proue But thus our fortune casts the haplesse die Death hath exchang'd againe his shafts with loue And Cupid thus lets borrow'd arrowes flie O Hymen say what furie doth thee moue To lend thy lampes to light a tragedie Yet this contents me that I die for thee Thy flames not mine my death and torment bee 35 Yet happie were my death mine ending blest My torments easie full of sweet delight If this I could obtaine that brest to brest Thy bosome might receiue my yeelded spright And thine with it in heau'ns pure clothing drest Through cleerest skies might take vnited flight Thus he complain'd whom gently she reproued And sweetly spake him thus that so her loued 36 Far other plaints deere friend teares and laments The time the place and our estates require Thinke on thy sinnes which mans old foe presents Before that iudge that quites each soule his hire For his name suffer for no paine torments Him whose iust prayers to his throne aspire Behold the heau'ns thither thine eie-sight bend Thy lookes sighes teares for intercessors send 37 The Pagans lowd cride out to God and man The Christians mourn'd in silent lamentation The tyrants selfe a thing vnus'd began To feele his hart relent with meere compassion But not dispos'd to ruth or mercie than He sped him thence home to his habitation Sophronia stood not greeu'd nor discontented By all that saw her but her selfe lamented 38 The louers standing in this dolefull wise A warriour bold vnwares approched neare In vncouth armes yclad and strange disguise From countries far but new arriued theare A sauage tygresse on her helmet lies The famous badge Clorinda vs'd to beare That woonts in euerie warlike stowre to winne By which bright signe well knowne was that faire Inne 39 She scorn'd the artes these seelie women vse Another thought her nobler humour fed Her loftie hand would of it selfe refuse To touch the daintie needle or nice thred She hated chambers closets secret mewes And in broad fields preseru'd her maidenhed Proud were her lookes yet sweet though stern and stout Her dame a doue thus brought an eagle out 40 While she was yong she vs'd with tender hand The foming steed with froarie bit to steare To tilt and tournay wrestle in the sand To leaue with speed Atlanta swift arreare Through forrests wilde and vnfrequented land To chase the Lion boare or rugged beare The Satyres rough the Fawnes and Fairies wilde She chased oft oft tooke and oft beguilde 41 This lustie Ladie came from Persia late She with the Christians had encountred eft And in their flesh had opened many a gate By which their faithfull soules their bodies left Her eie at first presented her the state Of these poore soules of hope and helpe bereft Greedie to know as is the minde of man Their cause of death swift to the fire she ran 42 The people made her roome and on them twaine Her pearcing eies their fierie weapons dart Silent she saw the one the other plaine The weaker bodie lodg'd the nobler hart Yet him she saw lament as if his paine Were griefe and sorrow for anothers smart And her keepe silence so as if her eies Dumbe orators were to intreat the skies 43 Clorinda chang'd to ruth her warlike mood Few siluer drops her vermile cheekes depaint Her sorrow was for her that speechlesse stood Her silence more preuail'd then his complaint She askt an aged man seem'd graue and good Come say me sire quoth she what hard constraint Would murder here loues queene and beauties king What fault or fate doth to this death them bring 44 Thus she enquir'd and answer short he gaue But such as all the chance at large disclosed She wondred at the case the virgin braue That both were guiltlesse of the fault supposed Her noble thought cast how she might them saue The meanes on suit or battell she reposed Quicke to the fire she ran and quencht it out And thus bespake the sargeants and the rout 45 Be there not one among you all that dare In this your hatefull office ought proceed Till I returne from court nor take you care To reape displeasure for not making speed To doe her will the men themselues prepare In their faint harts her lookes
gainst Iuda land to proue He would before this threat'ned tempest fell I should his minde and princely will first tell 65 His minde is this he praies thee be contented To ioy in peace the conquests thou hast got Be not thy death or Sions fall lamented Forbeare this land Iudea trouble not Things done in haste at leasure be repented Withdraw thine armes trust not vncertaine lot For oft we see what least we thinke betide He is thy friend gainst all the world beside 66 True labour in the vineyard of thy Lord Ere prime thou hast th'imposed day-worke donne What armies conquered perisht with thy sword What cities sackt what kingdomes hast thou wonne All eares are maz'de while toongs thine acts record Hands quake for feare all feete for dread doe ronne And though no realmes you may to thraldome bring No higher can your praise your glorie spring 67 Thy sinne is in his Apogaeon placed And when it moueth next must needes descend Chance is vncertaine fortune double faced Smiling at first she frowneth in the end Beware thine honour be not then disgraced Take heed thou marre not when thou think'st to mend For this the follie is of fortunes play Gainst doubtfull certaine much gainst small to lay 68 Yet still we saile while prosp'rous blowes the winde Till on some secret rocke vnwares we light The sea of glorie hath no bankes assignde They who are wont to win in euerie fight Still feed the fire that so enflames thy minde To bring mo nations subiect to thy might This makes thee blessed peace so light to hold Like sommers flies that feare not winters cold 69 They bid thee follow on the path now made So plaine and easie enter fortunes gate Nor in thy scabberd sheath that famous blade Till setled be thy kingdome and estate Till Macons sacred doctrine fall and fade Till wofull Asia all lie desolate Sweet words I grant baits and allurements sweet But greatest hopes oft greatest crosses meet 70 For if thy courage doe not blinde thine eies If cloudes of furie hide not reasons beames Then maist thou see this desp'rate enterpries The field of death watred with dangers streames High state the bed is where misfortune lies Mars most vnfriendly when most kind he seames Who climeth hie on earth he hardest lights And lowest falles attend the highest flights 71 Tell me if great in counsell armes and gold The Prince of Egypt war gainst you prepare What if the valiant Turkes and Persians bold Vnite their forces with Cassanâ—es haire O then what marble pillar shall vphold The falling trophies of your conquests faire Trust you the monarch of the Greekish land That reed will breake and breaking wound your hand 72 The Greekish faith is like that halfe cut tree By which men take wilde Elephants in Inde A thousand times it hath beguiled thee As firme as waues in seas or leaues in winde Will they who earst denide you passage free Passage to all men free by vse and kinde Fight for your sake or on them doe you trust To spend their blood that could fearce spare their dust 73 But all your hope and trust perchance is laid In these strong troopes which thee enuiron round Yet foes vnite are not so soone dismaid As when their strength you earst diuided found Besides each howre thy bands are weaker maid With hunger slaughter lodging on cold ground Meane-while the Turkes seeke succours from our king Thus fade thy helps and thus thy cumbers spring 74 Suppose no weapon can thy valours pride Subdue that by no force thou maist be wonne Admit no steele can hurt or wound thy side And be it heau'n hath thee such fauout donne Gainst famine yet what shield canst thou prouide What strength resist what sleight her wrath can shonne Goe shake thy speare and draw thy flaming blade And trie if hunger so be weaker made 75 Th' inhabitants each pasture and each plaine Destroied haue each field to waste is lade In fensed towres bestowed is their graine Before thou cam'st this kingdome to inuade These horse and foote how canst thou then sustaine Whence comes thy store whence thy prouision made Thy ships to bring it are perchance assignde O that you liue so long as please the winde 76 Perhaps thy fortune doth controull the winde Doth loose or binde their blastes in secret caue The sea pardie cruell and deafe by kinde Will heare thy call and still her raging waue But if our armed gallies be assignde To aide those ships which Turks and Persians haue Say then what hope is left thy slender fleet Dare flockes of crowes a flight of Eagles meet 77 My Lord a double conquest must you make If you atchieue renowne by this empries For if our fleet your nauie chase or take For want of victails all your campe then dies Or if by land the field you once forsake Then vaine by sea were hope of victories Nor could your ships restore your lost estate For steed once stolne we shut the doore too late 78 In this estate if thou esteemest light The profred kindnesse of th' Egyptian king Then giue me leaue to say this ouersight Beseemes thee not in whom such vertues spring But heau'ns vouchsafe to guide thy minde aright To gentle thoughts that peace and quiet bring So that poore Asia her complaints may ceace And you enioy your conquest got in peace 79 Nor ye that part in these aduentures haue Part in his glorie partners in his harmes Let not blinde fortune so your mindes desaue To stir him more to trie these fierce alarmes But like the failer scaped from the waue From further perill that his person armes By staying safe at home so stay you all Better fit still men say than rise to fall 80 This said Aletes and a murmur rose That shew'd dislike among the Christian Peares Their angrie gestures with mislike disclose How much his speech offends their noble eares Lord Godfreyes eie three times enuiron goes To view what count'nance euerie warriour beares And lastly on th' Egyptian Baron staid To whom the Duke thus for his answer said 81 Ambassador full both of threates and praise Thy doubtfull message hast thou wisely told And if thy soueraigne loue vs as he saies Tell him he sowes to reape an hundreth fold But where thy talke the comming storme displaies Of threat'ned warfare from the Pagans bold To that I answer as my custome is In plainest phrase least mine intent thou mis. 82 Know that till now we suffred haue much paine By lands and seas where stormes and tempests fall To make the passage easie safe and plaine That leades vs to this venerable wall That so we might reward from heau'n obtaine And free this towne from being longer thrall Nor is it greeuous to so good an end Our honours kingdoms liues and goods to spend 83 Not hope of praise nor thirst of worldly good Entised vs to follow this emprise The heau'nly father keepe his sacred brood From foule infection of
Some new-found land and countrie to descrie Through dang'rous seas and vnder stars vnknow Thrall to the faithlesse waues and trothlesse skie If once the wished shore begin to show They all salute it with a ioyfull crie And each to other shew the land in hast Forgetting quite their paines and perils past 5 To that delight which their first sight did breed That pleased so the secret of their thought A deepe repentance did foorthwith succeed That reu'rend feare and trembling with it brought Scantly they durst their feeble eies despreed Vpon that towne where Christ was sold and bought Where for our sinnes he faultlesse suffred paine There where he dide and where he liu'd againe 6 Softwords low speech deepe sobs sweete sighes salt teares Rose from their brests with ioy and pleasure mixt For thus fares he the Lord aright that feares Feare on deuotion ioy on faith is fixt Such noice their passions make as when one heares The hoarse sea waues rore hollow rocks betwixt Or as the winde in houltes and shadie greaues A murmur makes among the boughes and leaues 7 Their naked feet troad on the dustie way Following th'ensample of their zealous guide Their searffes their crests their plumes and feathers gay They quickly doft and willing laid aside Their moulten harts their woonted pride alay Along their watrie cheekes warme teares downe slide And then such secret speech as this they vsed While to himselfe each one himselfe accused 8 Flower of goodnes root of lasting blisse Thou well of life whose streames were purple blood That flowed here to clense the fowle amisse Of sinfull man behold this brinish flood That from my melting hart distilled is Receiue in gree these teares O Lord so good For neuer wretch with sinne so ouergone Had fitter time or greater cause to mone 9 This while the warie watchman looked ouer From tops of Sions towres the hils and dales And saw the dust the fields and pastures couer As when thicke mistes arise from moorie vales At last the sun-bright shieldes he gan discouer And glistring helmes for violence none that fales The mettall shone like lightning bright in skies And man and horse amid the dust descries 10 Then lowd he cries O what a dust ariseth Oh how it shines with shields and targets cleere Vp vp to armes for valiant hart despiseth The threat'ned storme of death and danger neere Behold your foes then further thus deuiseth Haste haste for vaine delay encreaseth feare These horrid cloudes of dust that yonder flie Your comming foes doth hide and hide the skie 11 The tender children and the fathers old The aged matrons and the virgin chast That durst not shake the speare nor target hold Themselues deuoutly in their temples plast The rest of members strong and courage bold On hardie brestes their harnesse dond in haste Some to the walles some to the gates them dight Their king meane-while directs them all aright 12 All things well ordred he withdrew with speed Vp to a turret high two ports betweene That so he might be neare at euerie need And ouerlooke the lands and furrowes greene Thither he did the sweet Erminia leed That in his court had entertained beene Since Christians Antioch did to bondage bring And slew her father who thereof was king 13 Against their foes Clorinda sallied out And many a Baron bold was by her side Within the postern stood Argantes stout To rescue her if ill mote her betide With speeches braue she cheer'd her warlike rout And with bold words them hart'ned as they ride Let vs by some braue act quoth she this day Of Asias hopes the ground-worke found and lay 14 While to her folke thus spake the virgin braue Thereby behold foorth past a Christian band Towards the campe that herds of cattell draue For they that morne had forraid all the land The fierce Virago would that bootie saue Whom their commander singled hand for hand A mightie man at armes who Guardo hight But far too weake to match with her in fight 15 They met and low in dust was Guardo laid Twixt either armie from his cell downe kest The Pagans shout for ioy and hopefull said Those good beginnings would haue endings blest Against the rest on went the noble maid She broke the helme and pearst the armed brest Her men the paths rode through made by her sword They passe the streame where she had found the ford 16 Soone was the pray out of their hands recou'red By step and step the Frenchmen gan retire Till on a little hill at last they hou'red Whose strength preseru'd them from Clorindas ire When as a tempest that hath long been cou'red In watrie cloudes breakes out with sparkling fire With his strong squadron Lord Tancredie came His hart with rage his eies with courage flame 17 Mast great the speare was which the gallant bore That in his warlike pride he made to shake As windes tall Cedars tosse on mountaines hore The king that wondred at his brau'rie spake To her that neere him seated was before Who felt her hart with loues hot feuer quake Well should'st thouknow quoth he each Christian knight By long acquaintance though in armour dight 18 Say who is he showes so great worthinesse That rides so ranke and bends his lance so fell To this the Princesse said nor more nor lesse Her hart with sighes her eies with teares did swell But sighes and teares she wisely could suppresse Her loue and passion she dissembled well And stroue her loue and hot desire to couer Till hart with sighes and eies with teares ron ouer 19 At last she spake and with a craftie slight Her secret loue disguis'd in clothes of hate Alas too well she saies I know that knight I saw his force and courage prooued late Too late I view'd when his powre and might Shooke downe the pillar of Cassanoes state Alas what wounds he giues how fierce how fell No phisicke helpes them cure nor magicks spell 20 Tancred he hight O Macon would he weare My thrall ere fates him of this life depriue For to his hatefull head such spite I beare I would him reaue his cruell hart on liue Thus said she they that her complainings heare In other sense her wishes credit giue She sigh'd withall they constred all amisse And thought she wisht to kill who long'd to kisse 71 This while foorth prickt Clorinda from the throng And gainst Tancredie set her speare in rest Vpon their helmes they crackt their lances long And from her head her guilden caske he kest For euery lace he broke and euery thong And in the dust threw downe her plumed crest About her shoulders shone her golden locks Like sunnie beames on Alablaster rocks 22 Her lookes with fire her eies with lightning blaze Sweet was her wrath what then would be her smile Tancred whereon think'st thou what dost thou gaze Hast thou forgot her in so short a while The same is she the shape of whose sweet face The god of
his chinne no signe of manhood bore His youth was forward but with gouernance His words his actions and his portance braue Of future vertue timely tokens gaue 61 Presages ah too true with that a space He sigh'd for griefe then said faine would I know The man in red with such a knightly grace A worthie Lord he seemeth by his show How like to Godfrey lookes he in the face How like in person but some-deale more low Baldwine quoth she that noble Baron hight By birth his brother and his match in might 62 Next looke on him that seemes for counsell fit Whose siluer locks bewray his store of daies Raimond he hight a man of wondrous wit Of Tholouse Lord his wisdome is his praise What he forethinkes doth as he lookes for hit His stratagems haue good successe alwaies With guilden helme beyond him rides the milde And good Prince William Englands kings deere childe 37 With him is Guelpho as his noble mate In birth in actes in armes alike the rest I know him well since I beheld him late By his broad shoulders and his squared brest But my proud foe that quite hath ruinate My high estate and Antioch opprest I see not Boemond that to death did bring Mine aged Lord my father and my king 64 Thus talked they meane-while Godfredo went Downe to the troopes that in the valley staid And for in vaine he thought the labour spent Tassaile those partes that to the mountaines laid Against the northren gate his force he bent Gainst it he campt gainst it his engins plaid All felt the furie of his angrie powre That from those gates lies to the corner towre 65 The townes third part was this or little lesse Fore which the Duke his glorious ensignes spred For so great compasse had that forteresse That round it could not be enuironed With narrow siege nor Babels king I gesse That whilome tooke it such an armie led But all the waies he kept by which his foe Might to or from the citie come or goe 66 His care was next to cast the trenches deepe So to preserue his resting campe by night Least from the citie while his soldiers sleepe They might assaile them with vntimely fight This donne he went where Lords and Princes weepe With dire complaints about the murdred knight Where Dudon dead lay slaughtred on the ground And all the soldiers sate lamenting round 67 His wayling friends adorn'd the mournfull beare With wofull pompe whereon his corpes they laid And when they saw the Bulloigne Prince draw neare All felt new greefe and each new sorrow maid But he withouten shew or change of cheare His springing teares within their fountaines staid His ruefull lookes vpon the coarse he cast Awhile and thus bespake the same at last 68 We need not mourne for thee here laid to rest Earth is thy bed and not thy graue the skies Are for thy soule the cradle and the nest There liue for here thy glorie neuer dies For like a Christian knight and champion blest Thou didst both liue and die now feed thine eies With thy redeemers sight where crown'd with blis Thy faith zeale merit well-deseruing is 69 Our losse not thine prouokes these plaints and teares For when we lost thee then our ship her mast Our chariot lost her wheeles their points our speares The bird of conquest her chiefe feather cast But though thy death far from our armie beares Her chiefest earthlie aide in heau'n yet plast Thou wilt procure vs helpe diuine so reapes He that sowes godly sorrow ioy by heapes 70 For if our God the Lord Armipotent Those armed Angels in our aide downe send That were at Dothan to his Prophet sent Thou wilt come downe with them and well defend Our host and with thy sacred weapons bent Gainst Sions for t these gates and bulwarks rend That so thy hand may win this hold and wee May in these temples praise our Christ for thee 71 Thus he complain'd but now the sable shade Icleped night had thicke enueloped The sun in vaile of double darknes made Sleepe eased care rest brought complaint to bed All night the warie Duke deuising laide How that high wall should best be battered How his strong engins he might aptly frame And whence get timber fit to build the same 72 Vp with the larke the sorrowfull Duke arose Amourner chiefe at Dudons buriall Of Cipresse sad a pile his friends compose Vnder a hill oregrowne with Cedars tall Beside the hearce a fruitfull palme tree groes Ennobled since by this great funerall Where Dudons corpes they softly laid in ground The priestes sung hymnes the soldiers wept around 73 Among the boughes they here and there bestowe Ensignes and armes as witnes of his praise Which he from Pagan Lords that did them owe Had wonne in prosprous sights and happie fraies His shield they fixed on the bole belowe And there this distich vnder-writ which saies This palme with stretched armes doth ouerspread The champion Dudons glorious carkasse dead 74 This worke performed with aduisement good Godfrey his carpenters and men of skill In all the campe sent to an aged wood With conuoy meet to garde them safe from ill Within a valley deepe this forrest stood To Christian eies vnseene vnknowne vntill A Syrian told the Duke who thither sent Those chosen workmen that for timber went 75 And now the axe rag'd in the forrest wilde The Eccho sighed in the groues vnseene The weeping Nymphes fled from their bowres exilde Downe fell the shadie tops of shaking treene Downe came the sacred palmes the ashes wilde The funerall Cipresse Hollie euer greene The weeping Firre thicke Beech and sailing Pine The maried Elme fell with his fruitfull vine 76 The showter Eugh the broad-leau'd Sicamore The barraine Platane and the Wall-nut sound The Myrrhe that her foule sinne doth still deplore The Alder owner of all watrish ground Sweet Iuniper whose shadow hurteth sore Proud Cedar Oake the king of forrests crown'd Thus fell the trees with noice the desarts rore The beastes their caues the birds their nests forlore The fourth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Sathan his feends and sprites assembleth all And sends them foorth to worke the Christians woe False Hidraort their aide from hell doth call And sends Armida to entrap his foe She telles her birth her fortune and her fall Askes aide allures and winnes the worthies soe That they consent her enterprize to proue She winnes them with deceit craft beautie loue 1 WHile thus their worke went on with luckie speed And reared rammes their horned fronts aduance The ancient foe to man and mortall seed His wannish eies vpon them bent askance And when he saw their labours well succeed He wept for rage and threat'ned dire mischance He chokt his curses to himselfe he spake Such noise wilde buls that softly bellow make 2 At last resoluing in his damned thought To finde some let to stop their warlike feat He gaue command his princes should be
aide implore Of kinne and friends but I in this sad plight Inuoke thy helpe my kingdome to inuade So doth thy vertue so my need perswade 41 In thee I hope thy succours I inuoke To win the crowne whence I am dispossest For like renowne awaiteth on the stroke To cast the haughtie downe or raise th' opprest Nor greater glorie brings a scepter broke Than doth deliu'rance of a maid distrest And since thou canst at will performe the thing More is thy praise to make than kill a king 42 But if thou would'st thy succours due excuse Bicause in Christ I haue no hope nor trust Ah yet for vertues sake thy vertue vse Who scorneth gold because it lies in dust Be witnes heau'n if thou to grant refuse Thou dost forsake a maid in cause most iust And for thou shalt at large my fortunes know I will my wrongs and their great treasons show 43 Prince Arbilan that raigned in his life On faire Damascus was my noble sire Borne of meane race he was yet got to wife The Queene Charicha such was the fire Of her hot loue but soone the fatall knife Had cut the threed that kept their ioyes intire For so mishap her cruell lot had cast My birth her death my first day was her last 44 And ere fiue yeeres were fully come and gone Since his deere spouse to hastie death did yeild My father also dide consum'd with mone And sought his loue amid th' Elisian feild His crowne and me poore orphan left alone Mine vncle gouern'd in my tender eild For well he thought if mortall men haue faith In brothers brest true loue his mansion haith 45 He tooke the charge of me and of the crowne And with kinde shewes of loue so brought to passe That through Damascus great report was blowne How good how iust how kinde mine vncle was Whether he kept his wicked hate vnknowne And hid the serpent in the flowring grasse Or that true faith did in his bosome wonne Bicause he ment to match me with his sonne 46 Which sonne within short while did vndertake Degree of knighthood as beseem'd him well Yet neuer durst he for his Ladies sake Breake sword or lance aduanst in loftie cell As faire he was as Cithereas make As proud as he that signoriseth hell In fashions way-ward and in loue vnkinde For Cupid deignes not wound a currish minde 47 This Paragon should Queene Armida wed A goodly swaine to be a Princesse pheare A louely partner of a Ladies bed A noble head a golden crowne to weare His glosing sire his errand daily sed And sugred speeches whispred in mine eare To make me take this darling in mine armes But still the adder stopt her eares from charmes 48 At last he left me with a troubled grace Through which transparent was his inward spight Me thought I red the storie in his face Of these mishaps that on me since haue light Since that foule spirits haunt my resting place And gastly visions breake my sleepe by night Greefe horror feare my fainting soule did kill For so my minde foreshew'd my comming ill 49 Three times the shape of my deere mother came Pale sad dismaid to warne me in my dreame Alas how far transformed from the same Whose eies shone earst like Titans glorious beame Daughter she saies flie flie behold thy dame Foreshowes the treasons of thy wretched eame Who poyson gainst thy harmlesse life prouides This said to shapelesse aire vnseene she glides 50 But what auailes high walles or bulwarks strong Where fainting cowards haue the peece to gard My sexe too weake mine age was all too yong To vndertake alone a worke so hard To wander wilde the desart woods among A banisht maid of wonted ease debard So grieuous seem'd that leifer were my death And there t' expire where first I drew my breath 51 I fear'd deadly euill if long I staid And yet to flie had neither will nor powre Nor durst my hart declare it waxt affraid Least so I hasten might my dying howre Thus restlesse waited I vnhappie maid What hand should first plucke vp my springing flowre Euen as the wretch condemn'd to lose his life Awaites the falling of the murdring knife 52 In these extremes for so my fortune would Perchance preserue me to my further ill One of my noble fathers seruants ould That for his goodnes bore his childe good will With store of teares this treason gan vnfould And said my guardian would his pupill kill And that himselfe if promise made he kept Should giue me poison dire ere next I slept 53 And further told me if I wisht to liue I must conuay my selfe by secret flight And offred than all succours he could giue To aide his mistris banisht from her right His words of comfort feare to exile driue The dread of death made lesser dangers light So we concluded when the shadowes dim Obscur'd the earth I should depart with him 54 Of close escapes the aged patronesse Blacker than earst her sable mantle spred When with two trustie maides in great distresse Both from mine vncle and my realme I fled Oft lookt I backe but hardly could suppresse Those streames of teares mine eies vncessant shed For when I looked on my kingdome lost It was a griefe a death an hell almost 55 My steeds drew on the burden of my limmes But still my lookes my thoughts drew backe as fast So fare the men that from the hauens brims Far out to sea by sudden storme are cast Swift ore the grasse the rolling chariot swims Through waies vnknowne all night all day we hast At last nie tir'd a castle strong we fand The vtmost border of my natiue land 56 The fort Arontes was for so the knight Was call'd that my deliu'rance thus had wrought But when the tyrant saw by mature flight I had escapt the treasons of his thought The rage encreased in the cursed wight Gainst me and him that me to safetie brought And vs accus'd we would haue poysoned Him but descride to saue our liues we fled 57 And that in lew of his approued truth To poison him I hired had my guide That he dispatched mine vnbridled yuth Might range at will in no subiection tide And that each night I slept O foule vntruth Mine honor lost by this Arontes side But heau'n I pray send downe reuenging fire When so base loue shall change my chaste desire 58 Not that he sitteth on my regall throne Nor that he thirst to drinke my lukewarme blood So greeueth me as this despite alone That my renowne which euer blamelesse stood Hath lost the light wherewith it alwaies shone With forged lies he makes his tale so good And holds my subiects harts in such suspence That none takes armour for their Queenes defence 59 And though he doe my regall throne possesse Cloathed in purple crown'd with burnisht gold Yet is his hate his rancour nere the lesse Since nought asswageth malice when t is old He threats to burne Arontes
forteresse And murder him vnlesse he yeeld the hold And me and mine threates not with war but death Thus causelesse hatred endlesse is vneath 60 And so he trusts to wash away the staine And hide his shamefull fact with mine offence And saith he will restore the throne againe To his late honour and due excellence And therefore would I should be algates slaine For while I liue his right is in suspence This is the cause my guiltlesse life is sought For on my ruine is his safetie wrought 61 And let the tyrant haue his harts desire Let him performe the crueltie he ment My guiltlesse blood must quench the ceaslesse fire On which my endlesse teares were bootlesse spent Vnlesse thou helpe to thee renowmed fire I flie a virgin orphan innocent And let these teares that on thy feet distill Redeeme the drops of blood he thirsts to spill 62 By these thy glorious feet that tread secure On necks of tyrants by thy conquests braue By that right hand and by those temples pure Thou seekes to free from Macons lore I craue Helpe for this sicknes none but thou canst cure My life and kingdome let thy mercie saue From death and ruine but in vaine I proue thee If right if truth if iustice cannot moue thee 63 Thou who dost all thou wishest at thy will And neuer willest ought but what is right Preserue this guiltlesse blood they seeke to spill Thine be my kingdome saue it with thy might Among these captains Lords and knights of skill Appoint me ten approued most in fight Who with assistance of my friends and kin May serue my kingdome lost againe to win 64 For loe a knight that hath a gate to ward A man of chifest trust about his king Hath promised so to beguile the gard That me and mine he vndertakes to bring Safe where the tyrant haply sleepeth hard He counseld me to vndertake this thing Of thee some little succour to intreat Whose name alone accomplish can the feat 65 This said his answer did the Nymph attend Her lookes her sighes her gestures all did pray him But Godfrey wisely did his grant suspend He doubts the worst and that awhile did stay him He knowes who feares no God he loues no frend He feares the heathen false would thus betray him But yet such ruth dwelt in his princely minde That gainst his wisdome pitie made him kinde 66 Besides the kindnes of his gentle thought Readie to comfort each distressed wight The maidens offer profit with it brought For if the Syrian kingdome were her right That wonne the way were easie which he sought To bring all Asia subiect to his might There might he raise munition armes and treasure To worke th' Egyptian king and his displeasure 67 Thus was his noble hart long time betwixt Feare and remorse not granting nor denaying Vpon his eies the dame her lookings fixt As if her life and death lay on his saying Some teares she shed with sighes and sobbings mixt As if her hope were dead through his delaying At last her earnest suit the Duke denaid But with sweet words thus would content the maid 68 If not in seruice of our God we fought In meaner quarrell if this sword were shaken Well might thou gather in thy gentle thought So faire a Princesse should not be forsaken But since these armies from the worlds end brought To free this sacred towne haue vndertaken It were vnfit we turn'd our strength away And victorie euen in her comming stay 69 I promise thee and on my princely word The burden of thy wish and hope repose That when this chosen temple of the Lord Her holy doores shall to his saints vnclose In rest and peace then this victorious sword Shall execute due vengeance on thy foes But if for pitie of a worldlie dame I left this worke such pitie were my shame 70 At this the Princesse bent her eies to ground And stood vnmou'd though not vnmarkt a space The secret bleeding of her inward wound Shed heau'nly dew vpon her angels face Poore wretch quoth she in teares and sorrowes drown'd Death be thy peace the graue thy resting place Since such thy hap that least thou mercie finde The gentlest hart on earth is proou'd vnkind 71 Where none attends what bootes it to complaine Mens froward harts are mou'd with womens teares As marble stones are pearst with drops of raine No plaints finde passage through vnwilling eares The tyrant haply would his wrath restraine Heard he these praiers ruthlesse Godfrey heares Yet not thy fault is this my chance I see Hath made eu'n pitie pitilesse in thee 72 So both thy goodnes and good hap denaid me Griefe sorrow mischiefe care hath ouerthrowne me The star that rul'd my birth-day hath betraid me My Genius sees his charge but dares not owne me Of Queene-like state my flight hath disarraid me My father dide ere he fiue yeeres had knowne me My kingdome lost and lastly resteth now Downe with the tree sith broke is euery bow 73 And for the modest lore of maidenhood Bids me not soiourne with these armed men Oh whither shall I flie what secret wood Shall hide me from the tyrant or what den What rocke what vault what caue can doe me good No no where death is sure it resteth then To scorne his powre and be it therefore seene Armida liu'd and dide both like a Queene 74 With that she lookt as if a proud disdaine Kindled displeasure in her noble minde The way she came she turn'd her steps againe With gestures sad but in disdainfull kinde A tempest railed downe her cheekes amaine With teares of woe and sighes of angers winde The drops her footsteps wash whereon she treads And seemes to step on pearles or christall beads 75 Her cheekes on which this streaming Nectar fell Still'd through the limbecke of her diamondeies The roses white and red resembled well Whereon the roarie May-deaw sprinkled lies When the faire morne first blusheth from her cell And breatheth balme from opened paradies Thus sigh'd thus mourn'd thus wept this louely queene And in each drop bathed a grace vnseene 76 Thrice twenty Cupids vnperceiued flew To gather vp this licour ere it fall And of each drop an arrow forged new Else as it came snatcht vp the christall ball And at rebellious harts for wilde fire threw O wondrous loue thou makest gaine of all For if she weeping sit or smiling stand She bends thy bow or kindleth else thy brand 77 This forged plaint drew forth vnfained teares From many eies and pearst each worthies hart Each one condoleth with her that her heares And of her griefe would helpe her beare the smart If Godfrey aide her not not one but sweares Some tygresse gaue him sucke on roughest part Midst the rude crags on Alpine cliffes aloft Hard is that hart which beautie makes not soft 78 But iollie Eustace in whose brest the brand Of loue and pitie kindled had the flame While other softly whispred vnder hand
Before the Duke with comely boldnes came Brother and Lord quoth he too long you stand In your first purpose yet vouchsafe to frame Your thoughts to ours and lend this virgin aid Thanks are halfe lost when good turnes are delaid 79 And thinke not that Eustaces talke assaies To turne these forces from this present war Or that I wish you should your armies raise From Sions walles my speech tends not so far But we that venter all for fame and praise That to no charge nor seruice bounden ar Foorth of our troope may ten well spared bee To succour her which nought can weaken thee 80 And know they shall in Gods high seruice fight That virgins innocent saue and defend Deere will the spoiles be in the heauens sight That from a tyrants hatefull head we rend Nor seem'd I forward in this Ladies right With hope of gaine or profit in the end But for I know he armes vnwoorthie beares To helpe a maidens cause that shunnes or feares 81 Ah! be it not pardie declar'd in France Or elsewhere told where courtsie is in prise That we forsooke so faire a cheuisance For doubt or feare that might from fight arise Else here surrender I both sword and lance And sweare no more to vse this martiall guise For ill deserues he to be term'd a knight That beares a blunt sword in a Ladies right 82 Thus parled he and with confused sound The rest approued what the gallant said Their Generall the knights encompast round With humble grace and earnest suit they praid I yeeld quoth he and be it happie found What I haue granted let her haue your aid Yours be the thanks for yours the danger is If ought succeed as much I feare amis 83 But if with you my words may credit finde O temper then this heat misguides you soe Thus much he said but they with fancie blinde Accept his grant and let his counsell goe What works not beautie maris relenting minde Is eath to moue with plaints and shewes of woe Her lips cast forth a chaine of sugred words That captiue led most of the Christian Lords 84 Eustace recall'd her and bespake her thus Beauties chiefe darling let these sorrowes bee For such assistance shall you finde in vs As with your need or will may best agree With that she cheer'd her forehead dolorous And smil'd for ioy that Phebus blusht to see And had she daign'd her vaile for to remoue The god himselfe once more had falne in loue 85 With that she broke the silence once againe And gaue the knight great thanks in little speach She said she would his handmaid poore remaine So far as honours lawes receiu'd no breach Her humble gestures made the res'due plaine Dumbe eloquence perswading more than speach Thus women know and thus they vse the guise T' enchant the valiant and beguile the wise 86 And when she saw her enterprise had got Some wished meane of quicke and good proceeding She thought to strike the iron that was hot For euerie action hath his howre of speeding Medea or false Circe changed not So far the shapes of men as her eies spreeding Altred their harts and with her Sirens sound In lust their minds their harts in loue she drown'd 87 All wilie sleights that subtile women know Howrely she vs'd to catch some louer new None kend the bent of her vnstedfast bow For with the time her thoughts her lookes renew From some she cast her modest eies below At some her gazing glances roauing flew And while she thus pursewd her wanton sport She spurd the slow and rain'd the forward short 88 If some as hopelesse that she would be wonne Forbore to loue because they durst not moue her On them her gentle lookes to smile begonne As who say she is kinde if you dare proue her On euerie hart thus shone this lustfull sonne All stroue to serue to please to wowe to loue her And in their harts that chaste and bashfull weare Her eies hot glance dissolu'd the frost of feare 89 On them who durst with fingring bold assay To touch the softnes of her tender skin She lookt as coy as if she list not play And made as things of worth were hard to win Yet tempred so her deignfull lookes alway That outward scorne shew'd store of grace within Thus with false hope their longing harts she fired For hardest gotten things are most desired 90 Alone sometimes she walkt in secret where To ruminate vpon her discontent Within her eie-lids sat the swelling teare Not powred forth though sprong from sad lament And with this craft a thousand soules welneare In snares of foolish ruth and loue she hent And kept as slaues by which we fitly proue That witlesse pitie breedeth fruitlesse loue 91 Sometimes as if her hope vnloosed had The chaines of griefe wherein her thoughts lay fettered Vpon her minions lookt she blithe and glad In that deceitfull lore so was she lettered Not glorious Titan in his brightnes clad The sun-shine of her face in luster bettered For when she list to cheare her beauties so She smil'd away the cloudes of griefe and wo. 92 Her double charme of smiles and sugred words Lulled on sleepe the vertue of their sences Reason small aide gainst those assaults affords Wisedome no warrant from those sweet offences Cupids deepe riuers haue their shallow fordes His griefes bring ioyes his losses recompences He breedes the sore and cures vs of the paine Achilles lance that wounds and heales againe 93 While thus she them torments twixt frost and fier Twixt ioy and griefe twixt hope and restlesse feare The slie enchantresse felt her gaine the nier These were her flockes that golden fleeces beare But if some one durst vtter his desier And by complaining make his grieues appeare He labored hard rocks with plaints to moue She had not learn'd the Gamut then of loue 94 For downe she bent her bashfull eies to ground And dond the weede of womens modest grace Downe from her eies welled the pearles round Vpon the bright Ennamell of her face Such honie drops on springing flowres are found When Phebus holds the crimsen morne in chace Full seem'd her lookes of anger and of shame Yet pitie shone transparent through the same 95 If she perceiued by his outward cheare That any would his loue by talke bewray Sometimes she heard him sometimes stopt her eare And played fast and loose the liue-long day Thus all her louers kinde deluded weare Their earnest suit got neither yea nor nay But like the sort of wearie huntsmen fare That hunt all day and lose at night the hare 96 These were the artes by which she captiued A thousand soules of yong and lustie knights These were the armes where with loue conquered Their feeble harts subdew'd in wanton fights What wonder if Achilles were mis-led Or great Alcides at their Ladies sights Since these true champions of the Lord aboue Were thralles to beautie yeelden slaues to loue The fifth Booke
paine Else if I proue seuere both you be blamed That force my gentle nature gainst my thought To rigor least our lawes returne to nought 57 Lord Guelpho answered thus what hart can beare Such slanders false deuis'd by hate and spight Or with staid patience reproches heare And not reuenge by battaile and by fight The Norway Prince hath bought his follie deare But who with words could stay the angrie knight A foole is he that comes to preach or prate When men with swords their right and wrong debate 58 And where you wish he should himselfe submit To heare the censure of your vpright lawes Alas that cannot be for he is flit Out of this campe withouten stay or pause There take my gage behold I offer it To him that first accus'd him in this cause Or any else that dare and will maintaine That for his pride the Prince was iustly slaine 59 I say with reason Lord Gernandos pride He hath abated if he haue offended Gainst your commands who are his Lord and guide Oh pardon him that fault shall be amended If he be gone quoth Godfrey let him ride And braule elsewhere here let all strife be ended And you Lord Guelpho for your nephewes sake Breed vs no new nor quarrels old awake 60 This while the faire and false Armida striued To get her promist aide in sure possession The day to end with endlesse plaint she driued Wit beautie craft for her made intercession But when the earth was once of light depriued And westren seas felt Titans hot impression Twixt two old knights and matrons twaine she went Where pitched was her faire and curious tent 61 But this false Queene of craft and slie inuention Whose lookes loues arrowes were whose eies his quiuers Whose beautie matchlesse free from reprehension A wonder left by heau'n to after liuers Among the Christian Lords had bred contention Who first should quench his flames in Cupids riuers With all her weapons and her darts rehersed Had not Godfredos constant bosome persed 62 To change his modest thought the dame procureth And profreth heapes of loues entising treasure But as the faulcon newly gorg'd endureth Her keeper lure her oft but comes at leasure So he whom fulnesse of delight assureth What long repentance comes of loues short pleasure Her crafts her artes her selfe and all despiseth So base affections fall when vertue riseth 63 And not one foot his stedfast foot was moued Out of that heau'nly path wherein he paced Yet thousand wiles and thousand waies she proued To haue that castle faire of goodnes raced She vs'd those lookes and smiles that most behoued To melt the frost which his hard hart imbraced And gainst his brest a thousand shot she ventred Yet was the fort so strong it was not entred 64 The Dame who thought that one blinke of her eie Could make the chastest hart feele loues sweet paine Oh how her pride abated was hereby When all her sleights were voide her crafts were vaine Some other where she would her forces trie Where at more ease she might more vantage gaine As tired soldiers whom some fort keepes out Thence raise their siege and spoile the townes about 65 But yet alwaies the wilie witch could finde Could not Tancredres hart to loue-ward moue His sailes were filled with another winde He list no blast of new affection proue For as one poison doth exclude by kinde Anothers force so loue excludeth loue These two alone nor more nor lesse the Dame Could win the rest all burnt in her sweet flame 66 The Princesse though her purpose would not frame As late she hoped and as still she would Yet for the Lords and knights of greatest name Became her pray as earst you heard it told She thought ere truth-reuealing time or fame Bewraid her act to lead them to some hold Where chains bands she meant to make them proue Compos'd by Vulcan not by gentle loue 67 The time prefixt at length was come and past Which Godfrey had set downe to lend her aid When at his feet her selfe to earth she cast The howre is come my Lord she humbly said And if the tyrant haply heare at last His banisht neece hath your assistance praid He will in armes to saue his kingdome rise So shall we harder make this enterprise 68 Before report can bring the tyrant newes Or his espials certifie their king O let thy goodnes these few champions chuse That to her kingdome should thy handmaid bring Who except heauen to aide the right refuse Recouer shall her crowne from whence shall spring Thy profit for betide thee peace or war Thine all her cities all her subiects ar 69 The captaine sage the damsell faire assured His word was past and should not be recanted And she with sweet and humble grace endured To let him point those ten which late he granted But to be one each one sought and procured No suit entreatie intercession wanted Their enuie each at others loue exceeded And all importunate made more than needed 70 She that well saw the secret of their harts And knew how best to warme them in their blood Against them threw the cursed poyson'd darts Of iealousie and griefe at others good For loue she wist was weake without those arts And slow for iealousie is Cupids food For the swift steed runs not so fast alone As when some straine some striue him to outgone 71 Her words in such alluring sort she framed Her lookes entising and her wowing smiles That euerie one his fellowes fauours blamed That of their mistris he receiu'd erewhiles This foolish crew of louers vnashamed Mad with the poyson of her secret wiles Ran forward still in this disordred sort Nor could Godfredoes bridle raine them short 72 He that would satisfie each good desire Withouten partiall loue of euerie knight Although he sweld with shame with griefe and ire To see these follies and these fashions light Yet since by no aduice they would retire Another way he sought to set them right Write all your names quoth he and see whom chance Of lot to this exploit will first aduance 73 Their names were writ and in a helmet shaken While each did fortunes grace and aid implore At last they drew them and the formost taken The Earle of Pembrooke was Artimidore Doubtlesse the Countie thought his bread well baken Next Gerrard follow'd then with tresses hore Old Wenceslaus that felt Cupids rage Now in his doting and his dying age 74 Oh how contentment in their foreheads shined Their lookes with ioy thoughts sweld with secret pleasure These three it seemed good successe defined To make the Lords of loue and beauties treasure Their doubtfull fellowes at their hap repined And with small patience wait fortunes leasure Vpon his lips that red the scrowles attending As if their liues were on his words depending 75 Guascar the fourth Ridolpho him succeedes Then Vldericke whom loue list so aduance Lord William of Ronciglion next he reedes Then Eberard
out And through the secret dales they silent pas Where danger least least feare least perill was 97 But when these faire aduentrers entred we are Deepe in a vale Erminia staid her hast To be recall'd she had no cause to feare This formost hazard had she trimly past But dangers new tofore vnseene appeare New perils she descride new doubts she cast The way that her desire to quiet brought More difficult now seem'd than earst she thought 98 Armed to ride among her angrie foes She now perceiu'd it were great ouersight Yet would she not she thought her selfe disclose Vntill she came before her chosen knight To him she purpos'd to present the rose Pure spotlesse cleane vntoucht of mortall wight She staid therefore and in her thoughts more wise She call'd her squire whom thus she gan aduise 99 Thou must quoth she be mine ambassadore Be wise be carefull true and diligent Goe to the campe present thy selfe before The Prince Tancredie wounded in his tent Tell him thy mistresse comes to cure his sore If he to grant her peace and rest consent Gainst whom fierce loue such cruell war hath reased So shall his wounds be cur'd her torments eased 100 And say in him such hope and trust she hath That in his powres she feares no shame nor scorne Tell him thus much and what so ere he sath Vnfold no more but make a quicke returne I for this place is free from harme and scath Within this valley will meanewhile soiorne Thus spake the Princesse and her seruant trew To execute the charge imposed flew 101 And was receiu'd he so discreetly wrought First of the watch that guarded in their place Before the wounded Prince than was he brought Who heard his message kinde with gentle grace Which told he left him tossing in his thought A thousand doubts and turn'd his speedie pace To bring his Ladie and his mistresse word She might be welcome to that courteous Lord. 102 But she impatient to whose desire Greeuous and harmefull seem'd each little stay Recounts his steps and thinks now drawes he nire Now enters in now speakes now comes his way And that which greeu'd her most the carefull squire Lesse speedie seem'd than ere before that day Lastly she forward rode with loue to guide Vntill the Christian tents at hand she spide 103 Inuested in her starrie vaile the night In her kinde armes embraced all this round The siluer moone from sea vprising bright Spred frostie pearle on the canded ground And Cinthia like for beauties glorious light The loue-sicke Nymph threw glistring beames around And counsellors of her old loue she made Those vallies dumbe that silence and that shade 104 Beholding then the campe quoth she O faire And castle-like pauilions richly wrought From you how sweet me thinketh blowes the aire How comforts it my hart my soule my thought Through heau'ns faire grace from gulfe of sad despaire My tossed barke to port well nie is brought In you I seeke redresse for all my harmes Rest midst your weapons peace amongst your armes 105 Receiue me than and let me mercie finde As gentle loue assureth me I shall Among you had I entertainment kinde When first I was the Prince Tancredies thrall I couet not led by ambition blinde You should me in my fathers throne enstall Might I but serue in you my Lord so deare That my content my ioy my comfort weare 106 Thus parled she poore soule and neuer feared The sudden blow of fortunes cruell spight She stood where Phebes splendant beame appeared Vpon her siluer armour double bright The place about her round the shining cleered Of that pure white wherein the Nymph was dight The Tigresse great that on her helmet laid Bore witnes where she went and where she staid 107 So as her fortune would a Christian band Their secret ambush there had closely framed Led by two brothers of Italia land Yong Polipherne and Alicandro named These with their forces watched to withstand Those that brought vittailes to their foes vntamed And kept that passage them Erminia spide And fled as fast as her swift steed could ride 108 But Polipherne before whose watrie eies His aged father strong Clorinda slew When that bright sheeld and siluer helme he spies The Championesse he thought he saw and knew Vpon his hidden mates for aide he cries Gainst his supposed foe and forth he flew As he was rash and heedlesse in his wrath Bending his lance thou art but dead he sath 109 As when a chased hinde her course doth bend To seeke by soile to finde some ease or good Whether from craggie rocke the spring descend Or softly glide within the shadie wood If there the dogs she meet where late she wend To comfort her weake lims in cooling flood Againe she flies swift as she fled at first Forgetting weaknesse wearinesse and thirst 110 So she that thought to rest her wearie spright And quench the endlesse thirst of ardent loue With deare embracements of her Lord and knight But such as marriage rites should first approue When she beheld her foe with weapon bright Threat'ning her death his hastie courser moue Her loue her Lord her selfe abandoned She spurr'd her speedie steed and swift she fled 111 Erminia fled scantly the tender grasse Her Pegasus with his light footesteps bent Her maidens beast for speed did likewise passe Yet diuers waies such was their feare they went The squire who all too late return'd alas With tardie newes from Prince Tancredies tent Fled likewise when he saw his mistresse gone It booted not to soiourne there alone 112 But Alicandro wiser than the rest Who this suppos'd Clorinda saw likewise To follow her yet was he nothing prest But in his ambush still and close he lies A messenger to Godfrey he addrest That should him of this accident aduise How that his brother chas'd with naked blade Clorindas selfe or else Clorindas shade 113 Yet that it was or that it could be she He had small cause or reason to suppose Occasion great and weightie must it be Should make her ride by night among her foes What Godfrey willed that obserued he And with his soldiers lay in ambush close These newes through all the Christian armie went In euerie cabbin talkt and euerie tent 114 Tancred whose thoughts the squire had fild with doubt By his sweet words suppos'd now hearing this Alas the virgin came to seeke me out And for my sake her life in danger is Himselfe foorthwith he singled from the rout And rode in haste though halfe his armes he mis Among those sandie fields and valleis greene To seeke his loue he gallopte fast vnseene The seuenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument A shepherd faire Erminia entertaines Whom whilst Tancredie seekes in vaine to finde He is entrapped in Armidaes traines Raimond with strong Argantes is assignde To fight an Angell to his aide he gaines Sathan that sees the Pagans furie blinde And hastie wrath turne to his losse and
shed 20 You happie trees for euer keepe quoth shee This wofull storie in your tender rinde Another day vnder your shade may bee Will come to rest againe some louer kinde Who if these trophies of my greefes he see Shall feele deere pitie pearse his gentle minde With that she sigh'd and said too late I prooue There is no troath in fortune trust in loue 21 Yet may it be if gracious heau'ns attend The earnest suit of a distressed wight At my entreat they will vouchsafe to send To these huge desarts that vnthankfull knight That when to earth the man his eies shall bend And sees my graue my tombe and ashes light My wofull death his stubborne hart may moue With teares and sorrowes to reward my loue 22 So though my life hath most vnhappie beene At least yet shall my spirit dead be blest My ashes cold shall buried on this greene Enioy that good this bodie nere possest Thus she complained to the senselesse treene Floods in her eies and fires were in her brest But he for whom these streames of teares she shed Wandred far off alas as chance him led 23 He follow'd on the footsteps he had traced Till in high woods and forrests old he came Where bushes thornes and trees so thicke were placed And so obscure the shadowes of the same That soone he lost the tract wherein he paced Yet went he on which way he could not ame But still attentiue was his longing eare If noise of horse or noise of armes he heare 24 If with the breathing of the gentle winde An aspen leafe but shaked on the tree If bird or beast stird in the bushes blinde Thither he spurr'd thither he rode to see Out of the wood by Cinthiaes fauour kinde At last with trauaile great and paines got hee And following on a little path he hard A rumbling sound and hasted thitherward 25 It was a fountaine from the liuing stone That powred downe cleree streames in noble store Whose conduit pipes vnited all in one Throughout a rockie chanell gastly rore Here Tancred staid and call'd yet answer'd none Saue babbling Eccho from the crooked shore And there the wearie knight at last espies The springing day-light red and white arise 26 He sighed sore and guiltlesse heau'n gan blame That wisht successe to his desires denide And sharpe reuenge protested for the same If ought but good his mistresse faire betide Than wisht he to returne the way he came Although he wist not by what path to ride And time drew nere when he againe must fight With proud Argantes that vaine-glorious knight 27 His stalworth steed the champion stout bestroad And pricked fast to finde the way he lost But through a valley as he musing road He saw a man that seem'd for haste a post His horne was hung betweene his shoulders broad As is the guise with vs Tacredie crost His way and gently praid the man to say To Godfreys campe how he should finde the way 28 Sir in the Italian language answer'd hee I ride where noble Boemond hath me sent The Prince thought this his vncles man should bee And after him his course with speed he bent A fortresse stately built at last they see Bout which a muddie stinking lake there went There they arriu'd when Titan went to rest His wearie lims in nights vntroubled nest 29 The currer gaue the fort a warning blast The draw-bridge was let downe by them within If thou a Christian be quoth he thou mast Till Phebus shine againe here take thine Inne The Countie of Cosenza three daies past This castle from the Turks did nobly winne The Prince beheld the piece which scite and art Impregnable had made on euery part 30 He fear'd within a pile so fortified Some secret treason or enchantment lay But had he knowne euen there he should haue died Yet should his lookes no signe of feare bewray For where so euer will or chance him guied His strong victorious hand still made him way Yet for the combat he must shortly make No new aduentures list he vndertake 31 Before the castle in a medow plaine Beside the bridges end he staid and stood Nor was entreated by the speeches vaine Of his false guide to passe beyond the flood Vpon the bridge appear'd a warlike swaine From top to toe all clad in armour good Who brandishing a broad and cutting sword Thus threat'ned death with many an idle word 32 O thou whom chance or will brings to the soile Where faire Armida doth the scepter guide Thou canst not flie of armes thy selfe despoile And let thy hands with iron chaines be tide Enter and rest thee from thy wearie toile Within this dungeon shalt thou safe abide And neuer hope againe to see the day Or that thy haire for age shall turne to gray 33 Except thou sweare her valiant knights to aid Against those traitors of the Christian crew Tancred at this discourse a little staid His armes his gesture and his voice he knew It was Rambaldo who for that false maid Forsooke his countrie and religion trew And of that fort defender chiefe became And those vile customes stablisht in the same 34 The warrior answer'd blushing red for shame Cursed Apostate and vngracious wight I am that Tancred who defend the name Of Christ and haue beene ay his faithfull knight His rebell foes can I subdue and tame As thou shalt finde before we end this fight And thy false hart cleft with this vengefull sword Shall feele the ire of thy forsaken Lord. 35 When that great name Rambaldoes eares did fill He shooke for feare and looked pale for dread Yet proudly said Tancred thy hap was ill To wander hither where thou art but dead Where nought can helpe thy courage strength and skill To Godfrey will I send thy cursed head That he may see how for Armidaes sake Of him and of his Christ a scorne I make 36 This said the day to sable night was turned That scant one could anothers armes descrie But soone an hundreth lampes and torches burned That cleared all the earth and all the skie The castell seem'd a stage with lights adorned On which men play some pompous tragedie Within a tarras sat on high the Queene And heard and saw and kept her selfe vnseene 37 The noble Baron whet his courage hot And buskt him boldly to the dreadfull fight Vpon his horse long while he taried not Bicause on foot he saw the Pagan knight Who vnderneath his trustie sheeld was got His sword was drawne clos'd was his helmet bright Gainst whom the Prince marcht on a stately pace Wrath in his voice rage in his eies and face 38 His foe his furious charge not well abiding Trauerst his ground and started here and there But he though faint and wearie both with riding Yet followed fast and still opprest him nere And on what side he felt Rambaldo sliding On that his forces most imployed were Now at his helme now at his hawberke bright He
With fire and sword we hasted forth with speed And bore the brunt of all their fights and fraies But when we had perform'd and done the deed At ease and leasure they diuide the praies We reaped nought but trauaile for our toile Their was the praise the realmes the gold the spoile 66 Yet all this season were we willing blinde Offended vnreueng'd wrong'd but vnwroken Light greefes could not prouoke our quiet minde But now alas the mortall blow in stroken Rinaldo haue they slaine and law of kinde Of armes of nations and of high heau'n broken Why doth not heau'n kill them with fire and thunder To swallow them why cleaues not earth asunder 67 They haue Rinaldo slaine the sword and sheeld Of Christes true faith and vnreueng'd he lies Still vnreuenged lieth in the feeld His noble corpes to feed the crowes and pies Who murdred him who shall vs certaine yeeld Who sees not that although he wanted eies Who knowes not how th' Italian chiualrie Proud Godfrey and false Baldwine both enuie 68 What need we further proofe heau'n heau'n I sweare Will not consent herein we be beguiled This night I saw his murdred sprite appeare Pale sad and wan with wounds and blood defiled A spectacle full both of greefe and feare Godfrey for murdring him the ghost reuiled I saw it was no dreame before mine eies How ere I looke still still me thinkes it flies 69 What shall we doe shall we be gouern'd still By this false hand contaminate with blood Or else depart and trauaile forth vntill To Euphrates we come that sacred flood Where dwels a people voide of martiall skill Whose cities rich whose land is fat and good Where kingdoms great we may at ease prouide Far from these French mens malice from their pride 70 Than let vs goe and no reuengement take For this braue knight though it lie in our power No no that courage rather newly wake Which neuer sleepes in feare and dread one hower And this pestifrous serpent poys'ned snake Of all our knights that hath destroi'd the flower First let vs slay and his deserued end Ensample make to him that kils his frend 71 I will I will if your couragious force Dareth so much as it can well performe Teare out his cursed hart without remorse The neast of treason false and guile enorme Thus spake the angrie knight with headlong corse The rest him followed like a furious storme Arme arme they cride to armes the soldiers ran And as they ron arme arme cride euery man 72 Mongst them Alecto strowed wastefull fire Enuenoming the harts of most and least Follie disdaine madnes strife rancour ire Thirst to shed blood in euery brest encreast This ill spread far and till it set on fire With rage th' Italian lodgings neuer ceast From thence vnto the Switzers campe it went And last infected euery English tent 73 Not publike losse of their beloued knight Alone stirr'd vp their rage and wrath vntamed But fore-conceiued greefes and quarrels light Their ire still nourished and still enflamed Awaked was each former cause of spright The Frenchmen cruell and vniust they named And with bold threats they made their hatred knowne Hate seeld kept close and oft vnwisely showne 74 Like boyling liquor in a seething pot That fumeth swelleth hie and bubbleth fast Till ore the brimmes among the embers hot Part of the broth and of the scum it cast Their rage and wrath those few appeased not In whom of wisdome yet remain'd some tast Camillo William Tancred were away And all whose greatnes might their madnes stay 75 Now headlong ran to harnesse in this heat These furious people all on heapes confused The roaring trumpets battaile gan to threat As it in time of mortall war is vsed The messengers ran to Godfredo great And bod him arme while on this noise he mused And Baldwin first well clad in iron hard Stept to his side a sure and faithfull gard 76 Their murmurs heard to heau'n he lift his eine As was his wont to God for aide he fled O Lord thou knowest this right hand of mine Abhorred euer ciuill blood to shed Illumine their darke soules with light diuine Represse their rage by hellish furie bred The innocencie of my guiltlesse minde Thou know'st and make these know with furie blinde 77 This said he felt infused in each vaine A sacred heat from heau'n aboue distilled A hear in man that courage could constraine That his graue looke with awfull boldnesse filled Well garded forth he went to meet the traine Of those that would reuenge Rinaldo killed And though their threats he heard and saw them bent To armes on euery side yet on he went 78 Aboue his hawberke strong a cote he ware Embrodred faire with pearle and rich stone His hands were naked and his face was bare Wherein a lampe of maiestie bright shone He shooke his golden mace wherewith he dare Resist the force of his rebellious fone Thus he appear'd and thus he gan them teach In shape an angell and a God in speach 79 What foolish words what threats be these I heare What noise of armes who dares these tumults moue Am I so honour'd stand you so in feare Where is your late obedience where your loue Of Godfreys falshood who can witnes beare Who dare or will these accusations proue Perchance you looke I should entreaties bring Sue for your fauours or excuse the thing 80 Ah God forbid these lands should heare or see Him so disgrast at whose great name they quake This scepter and my noble actes for mee A true defence before the world can make Yet for sharpe iustice gouerned shall bee With clemencie I will no veng'ance take For this offence but for Rinaldoes loue I pardon you hereafter wiser proue 81 But Argillanoes guiltie blood shall wash This staine away who kindled this debate And led by hastie rage and furie rash To these disorders first vndid the gate While thus he spoke the lightning beames did flash Out of his eies of maiestie and state That Argillan who would haue thought it shooke For feare and terrour conqu'red with his looke 82 The rest with vndiscreet and foolish wrath Who threatned late with words of shame and pride Whose hands so ready were to harme and scath And brandished bright swords on euery side Now husht and still attend what Godfrey sath With shame and feare their bashfull lookes they hide And Argillan they let in chaines be bound Although their weapons him enuiron'd round 83 So when a lion shakes his dreadfull maine And beates his taile with courage proud and wroth If his commander come who first tooke paine To tame his youth his loftie crest downe go'th His threats he feareth and obaies the raine Of thraldome base and seruiceage though loth Nor can his sharpe teeth nor his armed pawes Force him rebell against his rulers lawes 84 Fame is a winged warriour they beheild With semblant fierce and furious looke that stood And in his
iourney dight Towards another port there to get in With hideous noise fast after spurr'd the knight She heard and staide and thus her words begin What haste hast thou ride softly take thy breath What bringest thou he answerd warre and death 53 And warre and death quoth she heere maist thou get If thou for battle come with that she staid Tancred to ground his foote in haste downe set And left his stead on foote he saw the maid Their courage hot their ire and wrath they whet And either champion drew a trenchant blaid Togither ran they and togither stroke Like two fierce buls whom rage and loue prouoke 54 Woorthie of royall listes and brightest day Woorthie a golden trompe and lawrell crowne The actions were and woonders of that fray Which sable night did in darke bosome drowne Yet night consent that I their actes display And make their deeds to future ages knowne And in records of long enduring storie Enroll their praise their fame their woorth glorie 55 They neither shrunke nor vantage sought of ground They trauerst not nor skipt from part to part Their blowes were neither false nor faigned found The night their rage would let them vse no art Their swords togither clash with dreadfull sound Their feete stand fast and neither stir nor start They moue their hands steadfast their feete remaine Nor blow nor foine they stroake or thrust in vaine 56 Shame bred desire a sharpe reuenge to take And veng'ance taken gaue new cause of shame So that with haste and little heed they strake Fuell enough they had to feed the flame At last so close their battell fierce they make They could not weild their swords so nie they came They vs'd the hilts and each on other rusht And helme to helme and shield to shield they crusht 57 Thrice his strong armes he fouldes about her waste And thrice was forst to let the virgine goe For she disdained to be so embraste No louer would haue strain'd his mistresse soe They tooke their swords againe and each enchaste Deepe wounds in the soft flesh of his strong foe Till weake and wearie faint aliue vneath They both retirde at once at once tooke breath 58 Each other long beheild and leaning stood Vpon their swords whose points in earth were pight When day breake rising from the Eastren flood Put forth the thousand eies of blindfold night Tancred beheild his foes out streaming blood And gaping wounds and waxt proud with the sight O vanitie of mans vnstable minde Puft vp with euerie blast of friendly winde 95 Why ioi'st thou wretch O what shall be thy gaine What trophie for this conquest i st thou reares Thine eies shall shed in case thou be not slaine For euerie drop of blood a sea of teares The bleeding warriours leaning thus remaine Each one to speake one world long time forbeares Tancred the silence broake at last and said For he would know with whom this fight he maid 60 Euill is our chance and hard our fortune is Who here in silence and in shade debate Where light of sunne and witnes all we mis That should our prowesse and our praise dilate If words in armes finde place yet grant me this Tell me thy name thy countrey and estate That I may know this dang'rous combate donne Whom I haue conquerd or who hath me wonne 61 What I nill tell you aske quoth she in vaine Nor mou'd by praier nor constraind by powre But thus much know I am one of those twaine Which late with kindled fire destroi'd the towre Tancred at her proud words sweld with disdaine That hast thou said quoth he in euill howre Thy vaunting speeches and thy silence both Vnciuill wretch hath made my hart more wroth 62 Ire in their chafed breasts renew'd the fray Fierce was the fight though feeble were their might Their strength was gone their cunning was away And furie in their stead maintain'd the fight Their swords both points and edges sharpe embay In purple bloud where so they hit or light And if weake life yet in their bosomes lie They liu'd bicause they both disdain'd to die 63 As Egeans seas when stormes be calm'd againe That roll'd their tumbling waues with troublous blasts Do yet of tempests past some shewes retaine And here and there their swelling billowes casts So though their strength were gone and might were vaine Of their first fiercenes still the furie lasts Wherewith sustain'd they to their tackling stood And heaped wound on wound and blood on blood 64 But now alas the fatall howre arriues That her sweete life must leaue that tender hold His sword into her bosome deepe he driues And bath'd in lukewarme blood his iron cold Betweene her brests the cruell weapon riues Her curious square embost with swelling gold Her knees grow weake the paines of death she feeles And like a falling Cedar bends and reeles 65 The Prince his hand vpon her shield doth streach And low on earth the wounded damsell laith And while she fell with weake and woefull speach Her praiers last and last complaints she saith A spirit new did her those praiers teach Spirit of hope of charitie and faith And though her life to Christ rebellious weare Yet died she his childe and handmaide deare 66 Friend thou hast wonne I pardon thee nor saue This bodie that all torments can endure But saue my soule baptisme I dying craue Come wash away my sinnes with waters pure His hart relenting nigh insunder raue With woefull speech of that sweete creature So that his rage his wrath and anger dide And on his cheekes salt teares for ruthe downe slide 67 With murmur lowd downe from the mountaines side A little runnell tumbled neere the place Thither he ran and fild his helmet wide And quicke return'd to do that worke of grace With trembling hands her beauer he vntide Which done he saw and seeing knew her face And lost therewith his speech and moouing quight O woefull knowledge ah vnhappie sight 68 He died not but all his strength vnites And to his vertues gaue his hart in gard Brideling his greefe with water he requites The life that he bereft with iron hard And while the sacred words the knight recites The Nymphe to heau'n with ioy her selfe prepard And as her life decaies her ioyes encrease She smild and said farewell I die in peace 69 As Violets blew mongst Lillies pure men throw So palenes midst her natiue white begonne Her lookes to heau'n she cast their eies I trow Downeward for pitie bent both heau'n and sunne Her naked hand she gaue the knight in show Of loue and peace her speech alas was donne And thus the virgin fell on endlesse sleepe Loue beautie vertue for your darling weepe 70 But when he saw her gentle soule was went His manly courage to relent began Greefe sorrow anguish sadnes discontent Free empire got and lordship on the man His life within his hart they close vp pent Death through his senses and his
visage ran Like his dead Ladie dead seem'd Tancred good In palenesse stilnesse wounds and streames of blood 71 And his weake sprite to be vnbodied From fleshly prison free that ceaselesse striued Had follow'd her faire soule but lately fled Had not a Christian squadron there arriued To seeke fresh water thither haply led And found the Princesse dead and him depriued Of signes of life yet did the knight remaine On liue nigh dead for her himselfe had flaine 72 Their guide far off the Prince knew by his shield And thither hasted full of greefe and feare Her dead him seeming so he there behield And for that strange mishap shed many a teare He would not leaue the corses faire in field For food to wolues though she a Pagan weare But in their armes the soldiers both vphent And both lamenting brought to Tancreds tent 73 With those deere burthens to their campe they passe Yet would not that dead seeming knight awake At last he deepely groan'd which token was His feeble soule had not her flight yet take The other lay a still and heauie masse Her spirit had that earthen cage forsake Thus were they brought and thus they placed weare In sundry roomes yet both adioyning neare 74 All skill and art his carefull seruants vsed To life againe their dying Lord to bring At last his eies vnclos'd with teares suffused He felt their hands and heard their whispering But how he thither came long time he mused His minde astonisht was with euery thing He gaz'd about his squites in fine he knew Then weake and wofull thus his plaints our threw 75 What liue I yet and doe I breathe and see Of this accursed day the hatefull light This spitefull ray which still vpbraideth mee With that accursed deed I did this night Ah coward hand affraid why shouldst thou bee Thou instrument of death shame and despite Why shouldst thou feare with sharp trenchant knife To cut the threed of this blood-guiltie life 76 Pierce through this bosome and my cruell hart In peeces cleaue breake euery string and vaine But thou to slaughters vile which vsed art Think'st it were pitie so to ease my paine Of lucklesse loue therefore in torments smart A sad example must I still remaine A wofull monster of vnhappie loue Who still must liue least death his comfort proue 77 Still must I liue in anguish griefe and caire Furies my guiltie conscience that torment The ougly shades darke night and troubled aire In grisly formes her slaughter still present Madnes and death about my bed repaire Hell gapeth wide to swallow vp this tent Swift from my selfe I ronne my selfe I feare Yet still my hell within my selfe I beare 78 But where alas where be those reliques sweet Wherein dwelt late all loue all ioy all good My furie left them cast in open street Some beast hath torne her flesh and lickt her blood Ah noble pray for sauage beast vnmeet Ah sweet too sweet and far too pretious food Ah seely Nymph whom night and darksome shade To beasts and me far worse than beasts betrade 79 But where you be if still you be I wend To gather vp those reliques deere at least But if some beast hath from the hils descend And on her tender bowels made his feast Let that selfe monster me in peeces rend And deepe entombe me in his hollow cheast For where she buried is there shall I haue A stately tombe a rich and costly graue 80 Thus mourn'd the knight his squires him told at last They had her there for whom those teares he shed A beame of comfort his dim eies out cast Like lightning through thicke cloudes of darknes spred The heauie burthen of his lims in hast With mickle paine he drew forth of his bed And scant of strength to stand to moue or goe Thither he staggred reeling to and froe 81 When he came there and in her brest espide His handiworke that deepe and cruell wound And her sweet face with leaden palenesse dide Where beautie late spred forth her beames around He trembled so that nere his squires beside To hold him vp he had sunke downe to ground And said O face in death still sweet and faire Thou canst not sweeten yet my greefe and caire 82 O faire right hand the pledge of faith and loue Giuen me but late too late in signe of peace How haps it now thou canst not stir nor moue And you deere lims now laid in rest and ease Through which my cruell blade this flood-gate roue Your paines haue end my torments neuer cease O hands O cruell eies accurst alike You gaue the wound you gaue them light to strike 83 But thither now ronne forth my guiltie blood Whither my plaints my sorrowes cannot wend He said no more but as his passion wood Enforced him he gan to teare and rend His haire his face his wounds a purple flood Did from each side in rolling streames descend He had beene slaine but that his paine and woe Bereft his senses and preseru'd him soe 84 Cast on his bed his squires recall'd his spright To execute againe her hatefull charge But tattling fame the sorrowes of the knight And hard mischance had told this while at large Godfrey and all his Lords of worth and might Ran thither and the dutie would discharge Of friendship true and with sweet words the rage Of bitter greefe and woe they would asswage 85 But as a mortall wound the more doth smart The more it searched is handled or sought So their sweete words to his afflicted hart More griefe more anguish paine and torment brought But reuerend Peter that nould set apart Care of his sheepe as a good sheepheard ought His vanitie with graue aduise reprooued And told what mourning Christian knights behooued 86 O Tancred Tancred how farre different From thy beginnings good these follies bee What makes thee deafe what hath thy eiesight blent What mist what cloud thus ouershadeth thee This is a warning good from heau'n downe sent Yet his aduise thou canst not heare nor see Who calleth and conducts thee to the way From which thou willing dost and witting stray 87 To woorthie actions and atchiuements fit For Christian knights he would thee home recall But thou hast left that course and changed it To make thy selfe a heathen damsels thrall But see thy griefe and sorrowes painefull fit Is made the rod to scourge thy sinnes withall Of thine owne good thy selfe the meanes he makes But thou his mercy goodnes grace forsakes 88 Thou dost refuse of heau'n the profred grace And gainst it still rebell with sinfull ire O wretch O whither doth thy rage thee chace Refraine thy griefe bridle thy fond desire At hels wide gate vaine sorrow doth thee place Sorrow misfortunes sonne despaires foule sire O see thine euill thy plaint and woe refraine The guides to death to hell and endlesse paine 89 This said his will to die the patient Abandoned that second death he feared These words
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
frost and snow The height was greene with herbes and flowrets sout Like hairie lockes the trees about him grow The rocks of ice keepe watch and warde about The tender roses and the lillies new Thus art can nature change and kinde subdew 47 Within a thicke a darke and shadie plot At the hils foote that night the warriours dwell But when the sunne his rayes bright shining hot Dispred of golden light th' eternall well Vp vp they cride and fiercely vp they got And climed boldly gainst the mountaine fell But forth there crept from whence I cannot say An ougly serpent which forestall'd their way 48 Armed with golden scales his head and crest He lifted high his necke sweld great with ire Flamed his eies and hiding with his brest All the broad path he poyson breath'd and fire Now reacht he forth in foldes and forward prest Now would he backe in rowles and heapes retire Thus he presents himselfe to garde the place The knights preas'd forward with assured pace 49 Charles drew forth his brand to strike the snake Vbaldo cride stay my companion deare Will you with sword or weapon battaile make Against this monster that affronts vs heare This said he gan his charmed rod to shake So that the serpent durst not hisse for feare But fled and dead for dread fell on the gras And so the passage plaine eath open was 50 A little higher on the way they met A lion fierce that hugely roard and cride His crest he reared hie and open set Of his broad gaping iawes the fornace wide His sterne his backe oft smote his rage to whet But when the sacred staffe he once espide A trembling feare through his bold hart was spred His natiue wrath was gone and swift he fled 51 The hardie couple on their way forth wend And met an host that on them rore and gape Of sauage beastes tofore vnseene vnkend Diffring in voice in semblance and in shape All monsters which hot Affricke doth forth send Twixt Nilus Atlas and the southren cape Were all there met and all wilde beastes besides Hircania breedes or Hircane forrests hides 52 But yet that fierce that strange and sauage host Could not in presence of those worthies stand But fled away their hart and courage lost When Lord Vbaldo shooke his charming wand No other let their passage stopt or crost Till on the mountaines top themselues they fand Saue that the ice the frost and drifted snow Oft made them feeble wearie faint and slow 53 But hauing passed all that frosen ground And ouergone that winter sharpe and keene A warme milde pleasant gentle skie they found That ouerspred a large and ample greene The windes breath'd Spikenard Myrrhe and balme around The blastes there firme vnchanged stable beene Nor as elsewhere the windes now rise now fall And Phebus there aie shines sets not at all 54 Not as elsewhere now sunshine bright now showres Now heat now cold there enterchanged weare But euerlasting spring milde heau'n downe powres In which nor raine nor storme nor cloudes appeare Nursing to fields their grasse to grasse his flowres To flowres their smell to trees the leaues they beare There by a lake a stately pallace stands That ouerlookes all mountaines seas and lands 55 The passage hard against the mountaine steepe These trauailers had faint and wearie maide That through those grassie plaines they scantly creepe They walkt they rested oft they went they staide When from the rocks that seem'd for ioy to weepe Before their feete a dropping christall plaide Entising them to drinke and on the flowres The plentious spring a thousand streams downe powres 56 All which vnited in the springing grasse Eate foorth a chanell through the tender greene And vnderneath eternall shade did passe With murmur shrill colde pure and scantly seene Yet so transparent that perceiued was The bottome rich and sands that golden beene And on the brimmes the silken grasse aloft Proffred them seates sweete easie fresh and soft 57 See heare the streame of laughter see the spring Quoth they of danger and of deadly paine Heere fond desire must by faire gouerning Be rulde our lust bridled with wisedomes raine Our eares be stopped while these Syrens sing Their notes entising man to pleasure vaine Thus past they forward where the streame did make An ample pond a large and spatious lake 58 There on a table was all daintie food That sea that earth or liquid aire could giue And in the cristall of the laughing flood They sawe two naked virgins bathe and diue That sometimes toying sometimes wrastling stood Sometimes for speed and skill in swimming striue Now vnderneath they diude now rose aboue And tising baites laid foorth of lust and loue 59 These naked wantons tender faire and white Mooued so farre the warriours stubborne harts That on their shapes they gazed with delite The Nymphes applide their sweete alluring artes And one of them aboue the waters quite Lift vp her head her brests and higher partes And all that might weake eies subdew and take Her lower beauties vaild the gentle lake 60 As when the morning starre escapt and fled From greedie waues with dewie beames vp flies Or as the Queene of loue new borne and bred Of th' Oceans fruitfull froth did first arise So vented she her golden lockes foorth shed Round pearles and cristall moist therein which lies But when her eies vpon the knights she cast She start and fain'd her of their sight agast 61 And her faire lockes that on a knot were tide High on her crowne she gan at large vnfold Which falling long and thicke and spreading wide The iuorie soft and white mantled in gold Thus her faire skin the dame would cloath and hide And that which hid it no lesse faire was hold Thus clad in waues and lockes her eies diuine From them ashamed did she turne and twine 62 With all she smiled and she blusht withall Her blush her smiling smiles her blushing graced Ouer her face her amber tresses fall Where vnder loue himselfe in ambush placed At last she warbled forth a treble small And with sweet lookes her sweet songs enterlaced O happie men that haue the grace quoth shee This blisse this heau'n this paradise to see 63 This is the place wherein you may asswage Your sorrowes past here is that ioy and blis That florisht in the antique golden age Here needes no law here none doth ought amis Put off those armes and feare not Mars his rage Your sword your shield your helmet needlesse is Then consecrate them here to endlesse rest You shall loues champions be and soldiers blest 64 The fields for combat here are beds of downe Or heaped lillies vnder shadie brakes But come and see our queene with golden crowne That all her seruants blest and happie makes She will admit you gently for her owne Numbred with those that of her ioy partakes But first within this lake your dust and sweat Wash off and at that table sit
the laurell chast and stubborne oke And all the gentle trees on earth that grew It seemd the land the sea and heau'n aboue All breath'd out fancie sweete and sigh'd out loue 17 Through all this musicke rare and stronge consent Of strange allurements sweete boue meane and measure Seuere firme constant still the knights foorth went Hardning their harts gainst false entising pleasure Twixt leafe and leafe their sight before they sent And after crept themselues at ease and leasure Till they beheld the Queene set with their knight Besides the lake shaded with bowes from sight 18 Her breasts were naked for the day was hot Her lockes vnbound wau'd in the wanton winde Somedeale she swet tir'd with the game you wot Her sweat-drops bright white round like pearles of Inde Her humide eies a firie smile foorth shot That like sunne-beames in siluer fountaines shinde Ore him her lookes she hung and her soft breast The pillow was where he and loue tooke rest 19 His hungrie eies vpon her face he fed And feeding them so pinde himselfe away And she declining often downe her hed His lippes his cheekes his eies kist as he lay Wherewith he sigh'd as if his soule had fled From his fraile breast to hers and there would stay With her beloued sprite the armed pare These follies all beheld and this hot fare 20 Downe by the louers side there pendant was A Christall mirrour bright pure smooth and neat He rose and to his mistresse held the glas A noble Page grac'd with that seruice great She with glad lookes he with enflam'd alas Beautie and loue beheld both in one seat Yet them in sundrie obiects each espies She in the glasse he saw them in her eies 21 Her to commaund to serue it pleas'd the knight He proud of bondage of her Empire shee My deare she said that blessest with thy sight Euen blessed Angels turne thine eies to me For painted in my hart and purtrai'd right Thy woorth thy beauties and perfections bee Of which the forme the shape and fashion best Not in this glas is seene but in my brest 22 And if thou me disdaine yet be content At least so to behold thy louely hew That while thereon thy lookes are fixt and bent Thy happie eies themselues may see and vew So rare a shape no Christall can present No glas containe that heau'n of beauties trew O let the skies thy woorthie mirrour bee And in cleere starres thy shape and image see 23 And with that word she smil'd and nerethelesse Her loue-toies still she vs'd and pleasures bold Her haire that donne she twisted vp in tresse And looser lockes in silken laces roll'd Her curles garland wise she did vpdresse Wherein like ritch ennamell laid on gold The twisted flowrets smil'd and her white brest The Lillies there that spring with Roses drest 24 The iolly Peacocke spreeds not halfe so faire The eied feathers of his pompous traine Nor golden Iris so bendes in the aire Her twentie colour'd bow through cloudes of raine Yet all her ornaments strange rich and raire Her girdle did in price and beautie staine Not that with scorne which Tuscane Guilla lost Nor Venus Ceston could match this for cost 25 Of milde denaies of tender scornes of sweet Repulses warre peace hope despaire ioy feare Of smiles ieastes mirth woe griefe and sad regreet Sighes sorrowes teares embracements kisses deare That mixed first by weight and measure meet Then at an easie fire attempred weare This wondrous girdle did Armida frame And when she would be loued wore the same 26 But when her wooing fit was brought to end Shee congee tooke kist him and went her way For once she vsed euery day to wend Bout her affaires her spels and charmes to say The youth remain'd yet had no powre to bend One step from thence but vsed there to stray Mongst the sweete birds through euerie walke groue Alone saue for an hermit false call'd Loue. 27 And when the silence deepe and friendly shaide Recall'd the louers to their wonted sport In afaire roome for pleasure built they laide And longest nights with ioies made sweet and short Now while the queene her houshold things suruaide And left her Lord her garden and disport The twaine that hidden in the bushes weare Before the Prince in glistring armes appeare 28 As the fierce stead for age withdrawne from warre Wherein the glorious beast had alwaies wonne That in vile rest from fight sequestred farre Feedes with the mares at large his seruice donne If armes he see or heare the trumpets iarre He neieth lowd and thither fast doth ronne And wisheth on his backe the armed knight Longing for iustes for turnament and fight 29 So farde Rinaldo when the glorious light Of their bright harnesse glistred in his eies His noble sprite awaked at that sight His bloud began to warme his hart to rise Though drunke with ease deuoid of wonted might On sleepe till then his weakned vertue lies Vbaldo forward stept and to him heild Of dimonds cleere that pure and pretious sheild 30 Vpon the targe his lookes amas'd he bent And therein all his wanton habite spide His ciuet baulme and perfumes redolent How from his lockes they smoakt and mantle wide His sword that many a Pagan stout had shent Bewrapt with flowres hung idlie by his side So nicely decked that it seemd the knight Wore it for fashion sake but not for fight 31 As when from sleepe and idle dreames abraid A man awakt cals home his wits againe So in beholding his attire he plaid But yet to view himselfe could not sustaine His lookes he downward cast and nought he said Grieu'd shamed sad he would haue died faine And oft he wisht the earth or Ocean wide Would swallow him and so his errours hide 32 Vbaldo tooke the time and thus begonne All Europe now and Asia be in warre And all that Christ adore and fame haue wonne In battaile strong in Syria fighting arre But thee alone Bertoldoes noble sonne This little corner keepes exiled farre From all the world buried in sloth and shame A carpet champion for a wanton dame 33 What letharge hath in drowsinesse vppend Thy courage thus what sloth doth thee infect Vp vp our campe and Godfrey for thee send Thee fortune praise and victorie expect Come fatall champion bring to happie end This enterprise begonne and all that sect Which oft thou shaken hast to earth full low With thy sharpe brand strike downe kill ouerthrow 34 This said the noble infant stood a space Confused speechlesse senslesse ill ashamed But when that shame to iust disdaine gaue place To fierce disdaine from courage sprung vntamed Another rednesse blushed through his face Whence worthie anger shone displeasure flamed His nice attire in scorne he rent and tore For of his bondage vile that witnes bore 35 That donne he hasted from the charmed fort And through the maze past with his searchers twaine Armida of her mount and chiefest port Wondred
to finde the furious keeper slaine A while she feared but she knew in short That her deare Lord was fled then saw she plaine Ah wofull sight how from her gates the man In haste in feare in wrath in anger ran 36 Whither O cruell leau'st thou me alone She would haue cride her griefe her speeches staid So that her wofull words are backward gone And in her hart a bitter Eccho maide Poore soule of greater skill than she was one Whose knowledge from her thus her ioy conuaid This wist she well yet had desire to proue If art could keepe if charmes recall her loue 37 All what the witches of Thessalia land With lips vnpure yet euer said or spake Words that could make heau'ns rolling circles stand And draw the damned ghostes from Limbo lake All well she knew but yet no time she fand To vse her knowledge or her charmes to make But left her artes and forth she ran to proue If single beautie were best charme for loue 38 She ran nor of her honour tooke regarde Oh where be all her vants and triumphes now Loues Empire great of late she made or marde To her his subiects humbly bend and bow And with her pride mixt was a scorne so harde That to be lou'd she lou'd yet whilst they wow Her louers all she hates that pleas'd her will To conquer men and conqu'red so to kill 39 But now her selfe disdain'd abandoned Ran after him that from her fled in scorne And her despised beautie laboured With humble plaints and praiers to adorne She ran and hasted after him that fled Through frost and snow through brier bush and thorne And sent her cries on message her before That reacht not him till he had reacht the shore 40 O thou that leau'st but halfe behinde quoth shee Of my poore hart and halfe with thee dost carrie O take this part or render that to mee Else kill them both at once ah tarrie tarrie Heare my last words no parting kisse of thee I craue for some more fit with thee to marrie Keepe them vnkinde what fear'st thou if thou stay Thou mai'st denie as well as runne away 41 At this Rinaldo stopt stood still and staid She came sad breathlesse wearie faint and weake So woe begone was neuer Nymph or maid And yet her beauties pride griefe could not breake On him she lookt shee gas'd but nought she said She would not could not or she durst not speake At her he lookt not glanst not if he did Those glances shamefaste were close secret hid 42 As cunning singers ere they straine on hie In loud melodious tunes their gentle voice Prepare the hearers eares to harmonie With fainings sweet low notes and warbles choice So she not hauing yet forgot pardie Her woonted shifts and sleights in Cupides toies A sequence first of sighes and sobbes foorth cast To breed compassion deere than spake at last 43 Suppose not cruell that I come to wow Or pray as Ladies doe their loues and Lords Such were we late if thou disdaine it now Or scorne to grant such grace as loue affords At least yet as an enmie listen thow Sworne foes sometime will talke and chaffer words For what I aske thee maist thou grant right well And lessen nought thy wrath and anger fell 44 If me thou hate and in that hate delight I come not to appease thee hate me still It s like for like I bore great hate and spight Gainst Christians all chiefly I wisht thee ill I was a Pagan borne and all my might Against Godfredo bent mine art and skill I follow'd thee tooke thee and bore thee far To this strange isle and kept thee safe from war 45 And more which more thy hate may iustly moue More to thy losse more to thy shame and griefe I thee enchanted and allur'd to loue Wicked deceit craft worthie sharpe repriefe Mine honor gaue I thee all gifts aboue And of my beauties made thee Lord and chiefe And to my sutors old what I denaid That gaue I thee my louer new vnpraid 46 But reckon that among my faultes and let Those many wrongs prouoke thee so to wrath That hence thou ronne and that at naught thou set This pleasant house so many ioyes which hath Goe trauaile passe the seas fight conquest get Destroy our faith what shall I say our fath Ah no! no longer ours before thy shrine Alone I pray thou cruell saint of mine 47 All only let me goe with thee vnkinde A small request although I were thy foe The spoiler seldome leaues the praie behinde Who triumphes lets his captiues with him goe Among thy pris'ners poore Armida binde And let the campe encrease thy praises soe That thy beguiler so thou couldst beguile And point at me thy thrall and bondslaue vile 48 Despised bondslaue since my Lord doth hate These lockes why keepe I them or hold them deare Come cut them off that to my seruile state My habit answere may and all my geare I follow thee in spite of death and fate Through battles fierce where dangers most appeare Courage I haue and strength enough perchance To lead thy courser spare and beare thy lance 49 I will or beare or be my selfe thy shield And to defend thy life will loose mine owne This breast this bosome soft shall be thy bield Gainst stormes of arrowes darts and weapons throwne Thy foes pardie encountring thee in field Will spare to strike thee mine affection knowne Least me they wound nor will sharpe veng'ance take On thee for this despised beauties sake 50 O wretch dare I still vant or helpe inuoake From this poore beautie scorned and disdained She said no more her teares her speeches broake Which from her eies like streames from springs down rained She would haue caught him by the hand or cloake But he stept backward and himselfe restrained Conquer'd his will his hart ruth soft'ned not There plaintes no ishue loue no entrance got 51 Loue entred not to kindle in his brest Which reason late had quencht his wonted flame Yet entred pitie in the place at lest Loues sister but a chast and sober dame And stirr'd him so that hardly he supprest The springing teares that to his eies vp came But yet euen there his plaints repressed weare And as he could he lookte and fained cheare 52 Madame quoth he for your distresse I grieue And would amend it if I might or could From your wise hart that fond affection driue I cannot hate nor scorne you though I would I seeke no veng'ance wrongs I all forgiue Nor you my seruant nor my foe I hould Truth is you err'de and your estate forgot Too great your hate was and your loue too hot 53 But those are common faultes and faults of kind Excus'd by nature by your sexe and yeares I erred likewise if I pardon find None can condemne you that our trespasse heares Your deare remembrance will I keepe in minde In ioes in woes in comforts hopes and feares Call me
Odoacer then he fought but wrong Oft spoileth right fortune treads courage downe For there he dide for his deere countries sake And of his fathers praise did so partake 72 With him dide Alphorisio Azzo was With his deere brother into exile sent But homewards they in armes againe repas The Herule king opprest from banishment His front through pierced with a dart alas Next them of Est th'Epaminondas went That smiling seemd to cruell death to yeild When Totila was fled and safe his sheild 73 Of Boniface I speake Valerian His sonne in praise and powre succeeded him Who durst sustaine in yeeres though scant a man Of the proud Gothes an hundreth squadrons trim Then he that gainst the Sclaues much honour wan Ernesto threatning stood with visage grim Before him Aldoard the Lombard stout Who from Monscelces bouldly earst shut out 74 There Henrie was and Berengare the bould That seru'd great Charles in his conquests hie Who in each battle giue the onset would A hardie souldiour and a captaine slie After prince Lewes did he well vphould Against his nephew king of Italie He wonne the fielde and tooke that king on liue Next him stood Otho with his children fiue 75 Of Almerike the image next they vew Lord Marques of Ferrara first create Founder of many churches that vpthrew His eies like one that vs'd to contemplate Gainst him the second Azzo stood in rew With Berengarious that did long debate Till after often change of fortunes stroake He wonne and on all Itaile laid the yoake 76 Albert his sonne the Germaines warde among And there his praise and fame was spred so wide That hauing foil'd the Danes in battaile strong His daughter yoong became great Othoes bride Behinde him Hugo stood with warfare long That broake the horne of all the Romaines pride Who of all Italy the Marques hight And Tuscane whole possessed as his right 77 After Tedaldo puissant Boniface And Beatrice his deere possest the stage Nor was there left heire male of that great race T' enioy the scepter state and heritage The Princesse Maude alone supplide the place Supplide the want in number sexe and age For far aboue each scepter throne and crowne The noble Dame aduanst her vaile and gowne 78 With manlike vigor shone her noble looke And more than manlike wrath her face orespred There the fell Normans Guichard there forsooke The field till than who neuer fear'd nor fled Henrie the fourth she beat and from him tooke His standard and in church it offered Which donne the Pope backe to the Vaticane She brought and plast in Peters chaire againe 79 As he that honour'd her and held her deare Azzo the fifth stood by her louely side But the fourth Azzos ofspring far and neare Spred forth and through Germania fructifide Sprong from that branch did Guelpho bold appeare Guelpho his sonne by Cunigond his bride And in Bauarias field transplanted new This Romane grift florisht encreast and grew 80 A branch of Est there in the Guelfian tree Engraffed was which of it selfe was old Whereon you might the Guelfoes fairer see Renew their scepters and their crownes of gold On which heau'ns good aspectes so bended bee That high and broad it spred and florisht bold Till vnderneath his glorious branches lade Halfe Germanie and all vnder his shade 81 This regall plant from his Italian rout Sprong vp as hie and blossom'd faire aboue For nenst Lord Guelpho Bertold issued out With the sixt Azzo whom all vertues loue This was the pedegree of worthies stout Who seem'd in that bright shield to liue and moue Rinaldo waked vp and chear'd his face To see these worthies of his house and race 82 To doe like actes his courage wisht and sought And with that wish transported him so farre That all those deedes which filled aie his thought Townes wonne fortes taken armies kild in warre As if they were things donne indeed and wrought Before his eies he thinks they present arre He hastly armes him and with hope and hast Sure conquest met preuented and imbrast 83 But Charles who had told the death and fall Of the yong Prince of Danes his late deere Lord Gaue him the fatall weapon and withall Yong knight quoth he take with good lucke this sword Your iust strong valiant hand in battaile shall Employ it long for Christes true faith and word And of his former Lord reuenge the wrongs Who lou'd you so that deed to you belongs 84 He answered God for his mercie sake Grant that this hand which holds this weapon good For thy deere maister may sharpe veng'ance take May cleaue the Pagans hart and shed his blood To this but short replie did Charles make And thankt him much nor more on termes they stood For loe the wisard sage that was their guide On their darke iourney hastes them forth to ride 85 High time it is quoth he for you to wend Where Godfrey you awaits and many a knight There may we well arriue ere night doth end And through this darknesse can I guide you right This said vp to his coach they all ascend On his swift wheeles forth roll'd the chariot light He gaue his coursers flit the rod and raine And gallopt forth and eastward droue amaine 86 While silent so through nights darke shade they flie The Hermit thus bespake the yong man stout Of thy great house thy race thine ofspring hie Here hast thou seene the branch the bole the rout And as these worthies borne to chiualrie And deedes of armes it hath tofore brought out So is it so it shall be fertile still Nor time shall end nor age that seed shall kill 87 Would God as drawne from the forgetfull lap Of antique time I haue thine elders showne That so I could the Catalogue vnwrap Of thy great nephewes yet vnborne vnknowne That ere this light they vew their fate and hap I might foretell and how their chance is throwne That like thine elders so thou mightst behold Thy children many famous stout and bold 88 But not by art or skill of things future Can the plaine troath reuealed be and told Although some knowledge doubtfull darke obscure We haue of comming haps in cloudes vprold Nor all which in this cause I know for sure Dare I foretell for of that father old The hermit Peter learn'd I much and hee Withouten vaile heau'ns secrets great doth see 89 But this to him reueal'd by grace diuine By him to me declar'd to thee I say Was neuer race Greeke Barb'rous or Latine Great in times past or famous at this day Richer in hardie knights than this of thine Such blessings heau'n shall on thy children lay That they in fame shall passe in praise orecome The worthies old of Sparta Carthage Rome 90 But mongst the rest I chose Alphonsus bould In vertue first second in place and name He shall be borne when this fraile world growes ould Corrupted poore and bare of men of fame Better than he none shall none
and harmelesse sheepe hath set So searcht he high and low about that hold Where he might enter without stop or let In the great court he stai'd his foes aboue Attend th' assault and would their fortune proue 36 There lay by chance a posted tree therebie Kept for some needfull vse what ere it were The armed gallies not so thicke nor hie Their tall and loftie masts at Genes vpreare This beame the knight against the gates made flie From his strong hands all weights which lift and beare Like a light lance the tree he shooke and tost And brus'd the gate the threshold and the post 37 No marble stone no mettall strong outbore The wondrous might of that redoubled blow The brasen henges from the walles it tore It breoke the lockes and laid the dores downe low No iron tamme no engin could do more Nor cannons great that thunderbolts forth throw His people like a flowing streame inthrong And after them entred the victor strong 38 The wofull slaughter blacke and loathsome maid That house sometime the sacred house of God O heau'nly iustice if thou be delaid On wretched sinners sharper fals thy rod In them this place profaned which inuaid Thou kindled ire and mercy all forbod Vntill with their hart blouds the Pagans vile This temple washt which they did late defile 39 But Soliman this while himselfe fast sped Vp to the fort which Dauids towre is named And with him all the souldiers left he led And gainst each entrance new defences framed The tyrant Aladine eeke thither fled To whom the Soldan thus farre off exclamed Come come renowned king vp to this rocke Thy selfe within this fortresse safe vplocke 40 For well this fortresse shall thee and thy crowne Defend awhile heere may we safe remaine Alas quoth he alas for this faire towne Which cruell warre beates downe eeu'n with the plaine My life is done mine empire troden downe I raind I liu'd but now nor liue nor raine For now alas behold the fatall howre That ends our liues and ends our kingly powre 41 Where is your vertue where your wisedome graue And courage stout the angrie Soldan said Let chance our kingdomes take which earst she gaue Yet in our harts our kingly worth is laid But come and in this fort your person saue Refresh your wearie limmes and strength decaid Thus counseld he and did to saftie bring Within that fort the weake and aged king 42 His iron mace in both his hands he hent And on his thigh his trustie sword he tide And to the entrance fierce and fearlesse went And kept the strait and all the French defide The blowes were mortall which he gaue or lent For whom he hit he slew else by his side Laid low on earth that all fled from the place Where they beheld that great and dreedfull mace 43 But old Raimondo with his hardie crew By chance came thither to his great mishap To that defended path the old man flew And scorn'd his blowes and him that kept the gap He stroake his foe his blow no blood foorth drew But on the front with that he caught a rap Which in a swoune low in the dust him laid Wide open trembling with his armes displaid 44 The Pagans gathred hart at last though feare Their courage weake had put to flight but late So that the conquerours repulsed weare And beaten backe else slaine before the gate The Soldan mongst the dead beside him neare That saw Lord Raimond lie in such estate Cride to his men within these barres quoth he Come draw this knight and let him captiue be 45 Forward they rusht to execute his word But hard and dang'rous that emprise they found For none of Raimonds men forsooke their Lord But to their guides defence they flocked round Thence furie fights hence pitie drawes the sword Nor striue they for vile cause or on light ground The life and freedome of that champion braue Those spoile these would preserue those kill these saue 46 But yet at last if they had longer fought The hardie Soldane would haue wonne the field For gainst his thundring mace auailed nought Or helme of temper fine or seu'nfold shield But from each side great succour now was brought To his weake foes now fit to faint and yield And both at once to aide and helpe the same The soueraigne Duke and yoong Rinaldo came 47 As when a shepherd raging round about That sees a storme with winde haile thunder raine When gloomy cloudes haue daies bright eie put out His tender flockes driues from the open plaine To some thicke groue or mountaines shadie fout Where heau'ns fierce wrath they may vnhurt sustaine And with his hooke his whistle and his cries Driues foorth his fleecie charge and with them flies 48 So fled the Soldan when he gan descrie This tempest come from angrie warre foorth cast The armours clashte and lightned gainst the skie And from each side swords weapons fire out brast He sent his folke vp to the fortresse hie To shunne the furious storme himselfe staid last Yet to the danger he gaue place at length For wit his courage wisedome rulde his strength 49 But scant the knight was safe the gate within Scant closed were the doores when hauing broake The barres Rinaldo doth assault begin Against the port and on the wicket stroake His matchlesse might his great desire to win His oath and promise doth his wrath prouoake For he had sworne nor should his word be vaine To kill the man that had Prince Sweno slaine 50 And now his armed hand that castle great Would haue assaulted and had shortly wonne Nor safe pardie the Soldan there a seat Had found his fatall foes sharpe wrath to shonne Had not Godfredo sounded the retreat For now darke shades to shrowd the earth begonne Within the towne the Duke would lodge that night And with the morne renew th' assault and fight 51 With cheerefull looke thus to his folke he said High God hath holpen well his children deare This worke is donne the rest this night delai'd Doth little labour bring lesse doubt no feare This towre our foes weake hope and latest aid We conquer will when sunne shall next appeare Meane-while with loue and tender ruth goe see And comfort those which hurt and wounded bee 52 Goe cure their wounds which boldly ventured Their liues and spilt their bloods to get this hold That fitteth more this host for Christ forth led Then thirst of veng'ance or desire of gold Too much ah too much blood this day is shed In some we too much haste to spoile behold But I command no more you spoile and kill And let a trumpet publish forth my will 53 This said he went where Raimond panting lay Wakt from the swonne wherein he late had beene Nor Soliman with countenance lesse gay Bespake his troupes and kept his griefe vnseene My friends you are vnconquered this day In spite of fortune still our hope is greene For vnderneath great
showes of harme and feare Our dangers small our losses little weare 54 Burnt are your houses and your people slaine Yet safe your towne is though your walles be gone For in your selues and in your soueraigne Consists your citie not in lime and stone Your king is safe and safe is all his traine In this strong fort defended from their fone And on this emptie conquest let them bost Till with this towne againe their liues be lost 55 And on their heads the losse at last will light For with good fortune proud and insolent In spoile and murder spend they day and night In riot drinking lust and rauishment And may amid their praves with little fight At ease be ouerthrowne kild slaine and spent If in this carelesnesse th' Egyptian hoast Vpon them fall which now drawes neere this coast 56 Meane-while the highest buildings of this towne We may shake downe with stones about their eares And with our dartes and speares from engins throwne Commaund that hill Christs sepulchre that beares Thus comforts he their hopes and harts cast downe Awakes their valours and exiles their feares But while these things hapt thus Vafrino goes Vnknowne amid ten thousand armed foes 57 The sunne nie set had brought to ende the day When Vafrine went the Pagan hoste to spie He past vnknowne a close and secret way A traueller false cunning craftie slie Past Ascalon he saw the morning gray Step ore the threshold of the Estren skie And ere bright Titan halfe his course had runne That campe that mightie hoste to show begunne 58 Tents infinite and standards broad he spies This red that white that blew this purple was And heares strange toongs and stranger harmornies Of trumpets clarions and well sounding bras The Elephant there braies the Camell cries The horses neigh as to and fro they pas Which seene and heard he said within his thought Hither all Asia is all Affricke brought 59 He view'd the campe awhile her scite and seat What ditch what trench it had what rampire strong Nor close nor secret waies to worke his feat He longer sought nor hid him from the throng But entred through the gates broad roiall great And of he askt and answer'd oft among In questions wise in answeres short and slie Bold was his looke eies quicke front lifted hie 60 On euerie side he pried here and theare And markt each way each passage and each tent The knights he notes their steads and armes they beare Their names their armours and their gouerment And greater secrets hopes to learne and heare Their hidden purpose and their close entent So long he walkt and wandred till he spide The way t' approach the great Pauilions side 61 There as he lookte he saw the canuasse rent Through which the voice found eath and open way From the close lodgings of the regall tent And inmost closet where the captaine lay So that if Emireno spake forth went They sound to them that listen what they say There Vafrine watcht and those that saw him thought To mend the breach that there he stood and wrought 62 The captaine great within bare headed stood His bodie arm'd and clad in purple weed Two Pages bore his shield and helmet good He leaning on a bending launce gaue heed To a bigge man whose lookes were fierce and prood With whom he parled of some haughtie deed Godfredoes name as Vafrine watcht he hard Which made him giue more heed take more regard 63 Thus spake the Chieftaine to that surly sire Art thou so sure that Godfrey shall be slaine I am quoth he and sweare nere to retire Except he first be kill'd to court againe I will preuent those that with me conspire Nor other guerdon aske I for my paine But that I may hang vp his harnesse braue At Caire and vnder them these words engraue 64 These armes Ormondo tooke in noble fight From Godfrey proud that spoil'd all Asias lands And with them tooke his life and here on hight In memorie thereof this trophie stands The Duke replide nere shall that deed bold knight Passe vnrewarded at our sou'raignes hands What thou demaundest shall he gladly grant Nor gold nor guerdon shalt thou wish or want 65 Those counterfeited armours than prepare Bicause the day of fight approacheth fast They readie are quoth he then both forbare From further talke these speeches were the last Vafrine these great things heard with griefe and care Remain'd astound and in his thoughts oft cast What treason false this was how feigned weare Those armes but yet that doubt he could not cleare 66 From thence he parted and broad waking lay All that long night nor slumbred once nor slept But when the campe by peepe of springing day Their banners spred and knights on horsebacke lept With them he marched foorth in meete array And where they pitched lodg'd and with them kept And then from tent to tent he stalkt about To heare and see and learne this secret out 67 Searching about on a ritch throne he fand Armida set with dames and knights around Sullen she sate and sigh'd it seemd she scand Some weightie matters in her thoughts profound Her rosie cheeke leand on her lillie hand Her eies loues twinckling stars she bent to ground Weepe she or no he knowes not yet appeares Her humid eies eu'n great with childe with teares 68 He sawe before her set Adrastus grim That seemed scant to liue mooue or respire So was he fixed on his mistres trim So gazed he and fed his fond desire But Tisiperne beheld now her now him And quakte sometime for loue sometime for ire And in his cheekes the colour went and came For their wrathes fire now burnt now shone loues flame 69 Then from the garland faire of virgins bright Mongst whom he lay enclosd rose Altamore His hot desire he hid and kept from sight His lookes were ruld by Cupids craftie lore His left eie viewd her hand her face his right Both watcht her beauties hid and secret store And entrance found where her thin vaile bewraid The milken way betweene her breasts that laid 70 Her eies Armida lift from earth at last And cleard againe her front and visage sad Midst clouds of woe her lookes which ouercast She lightned foorth a smile sweete pleasant glad My Lord quoth she your oath and promise past Hath freed my hart of all the griefes it had That now in hope of sweete reuenge it liues Such ioy such ease desired vengeance giues 71 Cheare vp thy lookes answer'd the Indian king And for sweete beauties sake appease thy woe Cast at your feete ere you expect the thing I will present the head of thy strong foe Else shall this hand his person captiue bring And cast in prison deepe he boasted soe His riuall heard him well yet answerd nought But bit his lips and grieu'd in secret thought 72 To Tisiphern the damsell turning right And what say you my noble lord quoth she He taunting said I that am slow
to fight Will follow farre behinde the worth to see Of this your terrible and puissant knight In scornefull words this bitter scoffe gaue hee Good reason quoth the king thou come behinde Nor ere compare thee with the prince of Inde 73 Lord Tisiphernes shooke his head and said Oh had my powre free like my courage beene Or had I libertie to vse this blade Who slow who weakest is soone should be seene Nor thou nor thy great vants make me affraid But cruell loue I feare and this faire queene This said to chalenge him the king foorth lept But vp their mistresse start and twixt them stept 74 Will you thus robbe me of that gift quoth shee Which each hath vowd to giueby word and oth You are my champions let that title bee The bond of loue and peace betweene you both He that displeasd is is displeasd with mee For which of you is grieud and I not wroth Thus warnd she them their harts for ire nie broake In forced peace and rest thus bore loues yoake 75 All this heard Vafrine as he stood beside And hauing learn'd the troth he left the tent That treason was against the christians guide Contriud he wist yet wist not how it went By words and questions farre off he tride To finde the truth more difficult more bent Was he to know it and resolud to die Or of that secret close th'entent to spie 76 Of slie intelligence he prou'd all waies All crafts all wiles that in his thoughts abid Yet all in vaine the man by wit assaies To know that false compact and practise hid But chance what wisdome could not tell bewraies Fortune of all his doubt the knots vndid So that prepard for Godfreies last mishappe At ease he found the net and spide the trappe 77 Thither he turnd againe where seated was The angrie louer twixt her friends and lords For in that troupe much talke he thought would pas Each great assemblie store of newes affords He sided there a lustie louely las And with some courtly tearmes the wench he bords He faines acquaintance and as bold appeares As he had knowne that virgin twentie yeares 78 He said would some sweete ladie grace me soe To chuse me for her champion friend and knight Proud Godfreies or Rinaldoes head I troe Should feele the sharpnes of my curtlax bright Aske me the head faire mistresse of some foe For to your beautie vowed is my might So he began and ment in speeches wise Further to wade but thus he brake the I se 79 Therewith he smild and smiling gan to frame His lookes so to their ould and natiue grace That towards him another virgin came Heard him beheld him and with bashfull face Said for thy mistresse chuse no other dame But me on me thy loue and seruice place I take thee for my champion and apart Would reason with thee if my knight thou art 80 Withdrawne she thus began Vafrine pardie I know thee well and me thou knowst of old To his last trumpe this droue the subtile spie But smiling towards her he turnd him bold Nere that I wote I saw thee earst with eie Yet for thy worth all eies should thee behold Thus much I know right well for from the same Which earst you gaue me diffrent is my name 81 My mother bore me neere Bisertas wall Her name was Lesbine mine is Almansore I knew long since quoth she what men thee call And thine estate dissemble it no more From me thy friend hide not thy selfe at all If I bewraie thee let me die therefore I am Erminia daughter to a prince But Tancreds slaue thy fellow seruant since 82 Two happie months within that prison kind Vnder thy guard reioiced I to dwell And thee a keeper meeke and good did find The same the same I am behould me well The squire her louely beautie call'd to mind And markt her visage faire from thee expell All feare she saies for me liue safe and sure I will thy safetie not thy harme procure 83 But yet I praie thee when thou dost retorne To my deare prison lead me home againe For in this hatefull freedome eau'n and morne I sigh for sorrow mourne and weepe for paine But if to spie perchance thou here soiorne Great hap thou hast to know their secrets plaine For I their treasons false false traines can say Which fewe beside can tell none will bewray 84 On her he gazd and silent stood this while Armidas sleights he knew and traines vniust Women haue toongs of craft and harts of guile They will they will not fooles that on them trust For in their speech is death hell in their smile At last he said if hence depart you lust I will you guide on this conclude we heare And further speech till fitter time forbeare 85 Forthwith ere thence the campe remooue to ride They were resolu'd their flight that season fits Vafrine departs she to the dames beside Returnes and there on thornes awhile she sits Of her new knight she talkes till time and tide To scape vnmarkt she finde then forth she gits Thither where Vafrine her vnseene abode There tooke shee horse and from the campe they rode 86 And now in desarts waste and wilde arriued Farre from the campe farre from resort and sight Vafrine began gainst Godfreies life contriued The false compacts and traines vnfould aright Then she those treasons from their spring deriued Repeats and brings their hid deceits to light Eight knights she saies all courtiers braue there arre But Ormond strong the rest surpasseth farre 87 These whether hate or hope of gaine them moue Conspired haue and fram'd their treason soe That day when Emiren by fight shall proue To winne lost Asia from his christian foe These with the crosse scor'd on their armes aboue And armd like Frenchmen will disguised goe Like Godfreies guard that gould and white do weare Such shall their habite be and such their geare 88 Yet each will beare a token in his crest That so their friends for Pagans may them know But in close fight when all the souldiours best Shall mingled be to giue the fatall blow They will creepe neere and pierce Godfredoes brest While of his faithfull guard they beare false show And all their swords are dipt in poison strong Bicause each wound shall bring sad death ere long 89 And for their chiefetaine wist I knew your guize What garments ensignes and what armes you carrie Those feigned armes he forst me to deuize So that from yours but small or nought they varrie But these vniust commands my thoughts despize Within their campe therefore I list not tarrie My hart abhorres I should this hand defile With spot of treason or with act of guile 90 This is the cause but not the cause alone And there she ceast and blusht and on the maine Cast downe her eies these last words scant outgone She would haue stopt nor durst pronounce them plaine The squire what she conceald would
know as one That from her breast her secret thoughts could straine Of little faith quoth he why wouldst thou hide Those causes true from me thy squire and guide 91 With that she fecht a sigh sad sore and deepe And from her lips her words slow trembling came Fruitlesse she said vntimely hard to keepe Vaine modestie farewell and farewell shame Why hope you restlesse loue to bring on sleepe Why striue your fires to quench sweete Cupids flame No no such cares and such respects beseeme Great Ladies wandring maides them nought esteeme 92 That night fatall to me and Antioch towne Then made a praie to her commaunding foe My losse was greater than was seene or knowne There ended not but thence began my woe Light was the losse of friends of Realme or crowne But with my state I lost my selfe alsoe Nere to be found againe for then I lost My wit my sense my hart my soule almost 93 Through fire and sword through blood and death Vafrine Which all my friends did burne did kill did chace Thou know'st I ronne to thy deere Lord and mine When first he entred had my fathers place And kneeling with salt teares in my swolne eine Great Prince quoth I grant mercie pitie grace Saue not my kingdome not my life I saide But saue mine honour let me die a maide 94 He lift me by the trembling hand from ground Nor staide he till my humble speech was donne But said a friend and keeper hast thou found Faire virgin nor to me in vaine you ronne A sweetnesse strange from that sweet voices sound Pierced my hart my brests weake fortresse wonne Which creeping through my bosome soft became A wound a sickenes and a quenchlesse flame 95 He visits me with speeches kinde and graue He sought to ease my griefes and sorrowes smart He said I giue thee libertie recaue All that is thine and at thy will depart Alas he robb'd me when he thought he gaue Free was Erminia but captiu'd her hart Mine was the bodie his the soule and minde He gaue the cage but kept the birde behinde 96 But who can hide desire or loue suppresse Oft of his worth with thee in talke I stroue Thou by my trembling fit that well couldst guesse What feauer held me saidst thou art in loue But I denaid for what can maids doe lesse And yet my sighes thy sayings true did proue In stead of speech my lookes my teares mine eies Told in what flame what fire thy mistresse fries 97 Vnhappie silence well I might haue told My woes and for my harmes haue sought reliefe Since now my paines and plaints I vtter bold Where none that heares can helpe or ease my griefe From him I parted and did close vpfold My wounds within my bosome death was chiefe Of all my hopes and helpes till loues sweet flame Pluckt off the bridle of respect and shame 98 And caus'd me ride to seeke my Lord and knight For he that made me sicke could make me sound But on an ambush I mischanst to light Of cruell men in armour clothed round Hardly I scapt their hands by mature flight And fled to wildernesse and desart ground And there I liu'd in groues and forrests wilde With gentle groomes and shepheards daughters milde 99 But when hot loue which feare had late supprest Reuiu'd againe there nould I longer sit But rode the way I came nor ere tooke rest Till on like danger like mishap I hit A troupe to forrage and to spoile addrest Encountred me nor could I flie from it Thus was I tane and those that had me cought Egyptians were and me to Gaza brought 100 And for a present to their captaine gaue Whom I entreated and besought so well That he mine honour had great care to saue And since with faire Armida let me dwell Thus taken oft escaped oft I haue Ah see what haps I past what dangers fell So often captiue free so oft againe Still my first bandes I keepe still my first chaine 101 And he that did this chaine so surely binde About my hart which none can loose but hee Let him not say goe wandring damsell finde Some other home thou shalt not bide with mee But let him welcome me with speeches kinde And in my wonted prison set me free Thus spake the Princesse thus she and her guide Talkt day and night and on their iourney ride 102 Through the high waies Vafrino would not pas A path more secret safe and short he knew And now close by the cities wall he was When sunne was set night in the East vpflew With drops of blood besmeerd he found the gras And saw where lay a warriour murdred new That all bebled the ground his face to skies He turnes and seemes to threat though dead he lies 103 His harnesse and his habit both bewraid He was a Pagan forward went the squire And saw whereas another champion laid Dead on the land all soild with blood and mire This was some Christian knight Vafrino said And marking well his armes and ritch attire He loos'd his helme and saw his visage plaine And cride alas here lies Tancredie slaine 104 The woefull virgin tarried and gaue heed To the fierce lookes of that proud Saracine Till that high crie full of sad feare and dreed Pierst through her hart with sorrow griefe and pine At Tancreds name thither she ranne with speed Like one halfe mad or drunke with too much wine And when she sawe his face pale bloodlesse dead She lighted nay she tumbled from her stead 105 Her springs of teares she looseth foorth and cries Hither why bringst thou me ah fortune blinde Where dead for whom I liu'd my comfort lies Where warre for peace trauell for rest I finde Tancred I haue thee see thee yet thine eies Lookte not vpon thy loue and handmaide kinde Vndoe their doores their lids fast closed seuer Alas I finde thee for to lose thee euer 106 I neuer thought that to mine eies my deare Thou could'st haue greeuous or vnpleasant beene But now would blinde or rather dead I weare That thy sad plight might be vnknowne vnseene Alas where is thy mirth and smiling cheare Where are thine eies cleere beames and sparkles sheene Of thy faire cheeke where is the purple read And foreheads whitnes are all gone all dead 107 Though gone though dead I loue thee still behold Death wounds but kils not loue yet if thou liue Sweete soule still in his brest my follies bold Ah pardon loues desires and stealthes forgiue Grant me from his pale mouth some kisses cold Since death doth loue of iust reward depriue And of thy spoiles sad death affoord me this Let me his mouth pale cold and bloodlesse kis 108 O gentle mouth with speeches kinde and sweete Thou didst relieue my griefe my woe and paine Ere my weake soule from this fraile bodie fleete Ah comfort me with one deare kisse or twaine Perchance if we aliue had hapt to meete They had beene giu'n which now are
stolne O vaine O feeble life betwixt his lips out flie O let me kisse thee first then let me die 109 Receiue my yeilded spirit and with thine Guide it to heau'n where all true loue hath place This saide she sigh'd and tore her tresses fine And from her eies two streames powrde on his face The man reuiued with those showres diuine Awakt and opened his lips a space His lips were open but fast shut his eies And with her sighes one sigh from him vpflies 110 The dame perceiu'd that Tancred breath'd and sight Which calm'd her grieues somedeale and eas'd her feares Vnclose thine eies she saies my Lord and knight See my last seruices my plaints and teares See her that dies to see thy woefull plight That of thy paine her part and portion beares Once looke on me small is the gift I craue The last which thou canst giue or I can haue 111 Tancred lookt vp and clos'd his eies againe Heauie and dim and she renew'd her woe Quoth Vafrine cure him first and then complaine Med'cine is lifes chiefe friend plaint her most foe They pluckt his armour off and she each vaine Each ioint and sinew felt and handled soe And searcht so well each thrust each cut and wound That hope of life her loue and skill soone found 112 From wearinesse and losse of blood she spide His greatest paines and anguish most proceede Nought but her vaile amid those desarts wide She had to binde his wounds in so great neede But loue could other bands though strange prouide And pitie wept for ioy to see that deede For with her amber lockes cut off each wound She tide O happie man so cur'd so bound 113 For why her vaile was short and thin those deepe And cruell hurtes to fasten rowle and binde Nor salue nor simple had she yet to keepe Her knight on liue strong charmes of wondrous kinde She said and from him droue that deadly sleepe That now his eies he lifted turn'd and twinde And saw his squire and saw that curteous dame In habit strange and wondred whence she came 114 He said O Vafrine tell me whence com'st thow And who this gentle surgeon is disclose She smil'd she sigh'd she lookt she wist not how She wept reioist she blusht as red as rose You shall know all she saies your surgeon now Commands you silence rest and soft repose You shall be sound prepare my guerdon meete His head then laid she in her bosome sweete 115 Vafrine deuis'd this while how he might beare His maister home ere night obscur'd the land When loe a troupe of soldiers did appeare Whom he descride to be Tancredies band With him when he and Argant met they weare But when they went to combat hand for hand He bod them stay behinde and they obaid But came to seeke him now so long he staid 116 Besides them many follow'd that enquest But these alone found out the rightest way Vpon their friendly armes the men addrest A seat whereon he sate he lean'd he lay Quoth Tancred shall the strong Circassian rest In this broad field for wolues and crowes a pray Ah no defraud not you that champion braue Of his iust praise of his due tombe and graue 117 With his dead bones no longer warre haue I Boldly he dide and noblie was he slaine Then let vs not that honour him denie Which after death alonely doth remaine The Pagan dead they lifted vp on hie And after Tancred bore him through the plaine Close by the virgin chast did Vafrine ride As he that was her squire her guard her guide 118 Not home quoth Tancred to my wonted tent But beare me to this roiall towne I pray That if cut short by humaine accident I die there I may see my latest day The place where Christ vpon his crosse was rent To heau'n perchance may easier make the way And ere I yeeld to deathes and fortunes rage Perform'd shall be my vow and pilgrimage 119 Thus to the cittie was Tancredie borne And fell on sleepe laid on a bed of downe Vafrino where the damsell might soiorne A chamber got close secret neere his owne That done he came the mightie Duke beforne And entrance found for till his newes were knowne Nought was concluded mongst those knights Lords Their counsell hung on his report and words 120 Where weake and wearie wounded Raimond laid Godfrey was set vpon his couches side And round about the man a ring was maid Of lords and knights that fild the chamber wide There while the squire his late discou'rie said To breake his talke none answerd none replide My lord he said at your command I went And vew'd their campe each cabbin booth and tent 121 But of that mightie hoast the number trew Expect not that I can or should descrie All couerd with their armies might you vew The fieldes the plaines the dales and mountaines hie I saw what way so ere they went and drew They spoild the land drunke flouds and fountaines drie For not whole Iordan could haue giu'n them drinke Nor all the graine in Syria bread I thinke 122 But yet amongst them many bands are found Both horse and foote of little force and might That keep no order know no trumpets sound That draw no sword but farre off shoot and fight But yet the Persian army doth abound With many a footeman strong and hardie knight So doth the kings owne troupe which all is framed Of souldiours old th' immortall squadron named 123 Immortall called is that band of right For of that number neuer wanteth one But in his emptie place some other knight Steps in when any man is dead or gone This armies leader Emireno hight Like whom in wit and strength are fewe or none Who hath in charge in plaine and pitched feild To fight with you to make you flie or yeild 124 And well I know their armie and their host Within a day or two will here arriue But thee Rinaldo it behooueth most To keepe thy noble head for which they striue For all the chiefe in armes or courage bost They will the same to queene Armida giue And for the same she giues her selfe in price Such hire will many hands to worke entice 125 The chiefe of these that haue thy murder sworne Is Altamore the king of Sarmachand Adrastus then whose realme lies neere the morne A hardie giant bould and strong of hand This king vpon an elephant is borne For vnder him no horse can stirre or stand The third is Tisipherne as braue a lord As euer put on helme or guirt on sword 126 This said from yong Rinaldoes angrie eies Flew sparks of wrath flames in his visage shinde He long'd to be amid those enimies Nor rest nor reason in his hart could finde But to the Duke Vafrine his talke applies The greatest newes my Lord are yet behinde For all their thoughts their crafts and counsels tend By treason false to bring thy life to end 127 Then all from point
all In combat close each hoste to other stept For now the wings had skirmish hot begonne And with their battels forth the footmen ronne 32 But who was first of all the Christian traine That gaue the onset first first wonne renowne Gildippes thou wert she for by thee slaine The king of Orms Hircano tumbled downe The mans brest bone thou clou'st and rent in twaine So heau'n with honour would thee blesse and crowne Pierst through he fell and falling hard withall His foe prais'd for her strength and for his fall 33 Her lannce thus broake the hardie dame forth drew With her strong hand a fine and trenchant blade And gainst the Persians fierce and bold she flew And in their troupe wide streets and lanes she made Euen in the girdling stead deuided new In peeces twaine Zopire on earth she lade And then Alarcos head she swapt off cleene Which like a football tumbled on the greene 34 A blow feld Artaxerxes with a thrust Was Argeus slaine the first lay in a trance Ismaels left hand cut off fell in the dust For on his wrest her sword fell downe by chance The hand let goe the bridle where it lust The blow vpon the coursers eates did glance Who felt the raines at large and with the stroake Halfe mad the rankes disordred troubled broake 35 All these and many moe by time forgot She slew and wounded when against her came The angrie Persians all cast on a knot For on her person would they purchace fame But her deare spouse and husband wanted not In so great need to aide the noble dame Thus ioin'd the haps of warre vnhurt they proue Their strength was double double was their loue 36 The noble louets vse well might you see A wondrous guise till then vnseene vnhard To saue themselues forgot both he and shee Each others life did keepe defend and guard The stroakes that gainst her Lord discharged bee The dame had care to beare to breake to ward His shield kept off the blowes bent on his deare Which if need be his naked head should beare 37 So each sau'd other each for others wrong Would veng'ance take but not reuenge their owne The valiant Soldan Artabano strong Of Boecan isle by her was ouerthrowne And by his hand the bodies dead among Aluante that durst his mistresse wound fell downe And she betweene the eies hit Arimonte Who hurt her Lord and cleft in twaine his fronte 38 But Altamore who had that wing to lead Farre greater slaughter on the Christians made For where he turn'd his sword or twinde his stead He slew or man and beast on earth downe lade Happie was he that was at first strucke dead That fell not downe on liue for whom his blade Had spar'd the same cast in the dustie streete His horse tore with his teeth brus'd with his feete 39 By this braue Persians valour kild and slaine Were strong Brunello and Ardonio great The first his head and helme had cleft in twaine The last in stranger wise he did entreat For through his hart he pierst and through the vaine Where laughter hath his fountaine and his seat So that a dreedfull thing beleeu'd vneath He laught for paine and laught himselfe to death 40 Nor these alone with that accursed knife Of this sweete light and breath depriued lie But with that cruell weapon lost their life Gentonio Guascar Rosimond and Guie Who knowes how many in that fatall strife He slew What knights his courser fierce made die The names and countries of the people slaine Who tels their wounds and deaths who can explaine 41 With this fierce king encounter durst not one Not one durst combat him in equall field Gildippes vndertooke that taske alone No doubt could make her shrinke no danger yield By Thermodonte was neuer Amazone That menag'd steeled axe or caried shield That seem'd so bold as she so stronge so light When foorth she ronne to meet that dreadfull knight 42 She hit him where with gold and ritch anmaile His Diademe did on his helmet flame She broake and cleft the crowne and caus'd him vaile His proud and loftie top his crest downe came Strong seem'd her arme that could so well assaile The Pagan shooke for spite and blusht for shame Forward he rusht and would at once requite Shame with disgrace and with reuenge despite 43 Right on the front he gaue that Ladie kinde A blow so huge so strong so great so sore That out of sense and feeling downe she twinde But her deare knight his loue from ground vpbore Were it their fortune or his noble minde He staid his hand and stroake the dame no more A Lion so stalkes by and with proud eies Beholds but scornes to hurt a man that lies 44 This while Ormondo false whose cruell hand Was arm'd and prest to giue the traitrous blow With all his fellowes mongst Godfredoes band Entred vnseene disguis'd that few them know The theeuish Wolfes when night oreshades the land That seeme like faithfull dogs in shape and show So to the closed folds in secret creepe And entrance seeke to kill some harmlesse sheepe 45 He proched nie and to Godfredoes side The bloodie Pagan now was placed neare But when his colours gold and white he spide And saw the other signes that forged weare See see this traitor false the captaine cride That like a Frenchman would in show appeare Behold how neere his mates and he are crept This said vpon the villaine foorth he lept 46 Deadly he wounded him and that false knight Nor strikes nor wards nor striueth to be gone But as Medusas head ware in his sight Stood like a man new turn'd to marble stone All lances broke vnsheath'd all weapons bright All quiuers emptied were on them alone In parts so many were the traitours cleft That those dead men had no dead bodies left 47 When Godfrey was with Pagan blood bespred He entred then the fight and that was past Where the bold Persian fought and combatted Where the close rankes he op'ned cleft and brast Before the knight the troupes and squadrons fled As Affricke dust before the Southren blast The Duke recall'd them in array them placed Staid those that fled and him assail'd that chaced 48 The champions strong there fought a battell stout Troie neuer saw the like by Xanthus old A conflict sharpe there was meane-while on fout Twixt Baldwine good and Muleasses bold The horsemen also neare the mountaines rout And in both wings a furious skirmish hold And where the barb'rous Duke in person stood Twixt Tisiphernes and Adrastus prood 49 With Emiren Robert the Norman stroue Long time they fought yet neither lost nor wonne The other Roberts helme the Indian cloue And broke his armes their fight would soone be donne From place to place did Tisiphernes roue And found no match against him none durst ronne But where the prease was thickest thither flew The knight and at each stroke feld hurt or slew 50 Thus fought they
long yet neither shrinke nor yeild In equall ballance hung their hope and feare All full of broken lances lay the feild All full of armes that clou'n and shattred weare Of swords some to the body naile the sheild Some cut mens throtes and some their bellies teare Of bodies some vpright some groueling lay And for themselues eat graues out of the clay 51 Beside his lord slaine lay the noble stead There friend with friend lay kild like louers trew There foe with foe the liue vnder the dead The victor vnder him whom late he slew A hoarce vnperfect sound did each where spread Whence neither silence nor plaine outcries flew There furie roares ire threats and woe complaines One weepes another cries he sighes for paines 52 The armes that late so faire and glorious seame Now soild and slubbred sad and sullen grow The steele his brightnes lost the gould his beame The colours had no pride nor beauties show The plumes and feathers on their crests that streame Are strowed wide vpon the earth below The hosts both clad in blood in dust and mire Had changd their cheare their pride their rich attire 53 But now the Moores Arabians Ethiops blacke Of the left wing that held the vtmost marge Spread forth their troupes and purpos'd at the backe And side their heedlesse foes t'assaile and charge Slingers and Archers were not slow nor slacke To shoot and cast when with his battell large Rinaldo came whose furie haste and ire Seem'd earthquake thunder tempest storme and fire 54 The first he met was Asmire his throne That set in Meroës hot sunne-burnt land He cut his necke in twaine flesh skin and bone The sable head downe tumbled on the sand But when by death of this blacke Prince alone The taste of blood and conquest once he fand Whole squadrons then whole troupes to earth he brought Things wondrous strange incredible he wrought 55 He gaue moe deaths than stroakes and yet his blowes Vpon his feeble foes fell oft and thicke To mooue three toongs as a fierce serpent showes Which rolles the one she hath swift speedie quicke So thinkes each Pagan each Arabian trowes He weilds three swords all in one hilt that sticke His readinesse their eies so blinded hath Their dreed that wounder bred feare gaue it fath 56 The Affricke tyrants and the Negro kings Fell downe on heapes drown'd each in others blood Vpon their people ranne the knights he brings Prickt forward by their guides ensample good Kild were the Pagans broake their bowes and slings Some dide some fell some yeelded none withstood A massacre was this no fight these put Their foes to death those hold their throates to cut 57 Small while they stood with hart and hardie face On their bold brests deepe wounds and hurts to beare But fled away and troubled in the chace Their rankes disordred be with too much feare Rinaldo follow'd them from place to place Till quite discomfit and disperst they weare That done he staies and all his knights recalles And scornes to strike his foe that flies or falles 58 Like as the winde stopt by some wood or hill Growes strong and fierce teares boughes and trees in twaine But with milde blasts more temprate gentle still Blowes through the ample field or spatious plaine Against the rockes as sea-waues murmur shrill But silent passe amid the open maine Rinaldo so when none his force withstood Asswagd his furie calmd his angrie mood 59 He scornd vpon their fearefull backes that fled To wreake his ire and spend his force in vaine But gainst the footemen strong his troupes he led Whose side the Moores had open left and plaine The Affricanes that should haue succoured That battaile all were ronne away or slaine Vpon their flanke with force and courage stout His men at armes assaild the bands on fout 60 He brake their pikes and brake their close array Entred their battaile feld them downe around So winde or tempest with impetious sway The eares of ripened corne strikes flat to ground With blood armes bodies dead the hardned clay Plastred the earth no grasse nor greene was found The horsemen running through through their bands Kill murder slay few scape not one withstands 61 Rinaldo came where his forlorne Armide Sate on her golden chariot mounted hie A noble guard she had on euery side Of lords of louers and much chiualrie She knew the man when first his armes she spide Loue hate wrath sweet desire stroue in her eie He changd some deale his looke countnance bold She changd from frost to fire from heat to cold 62 The prince past by the chariot of his deare Like one that did his thoughts elsewhere bestow Yet suffred not her knights and louers neare Their riuall so to scape withouten blow One drew his sword another coucht his speare Herselfe an arrow sharpe set in her bow Disdaine her ire new sharpt and kindled hath But loue appeasd her loue asswagd her wrath 63 Loue brideled furie and reuiu'd of new His fire not dead though buried in displeasure Three times her angrie hand the bow vp drew And thrice againe let slacke the string at leasure But wrath preuail'd at last the reed out flew For loue findes meane but hatred knowes no measure Out flew the shaft but with the shaft this charme This wish she sent heau'ns grant it doe no harme 64 She bids the reed returne the way it went And pearse her hart which so vnkinde could proue Such force had loue though lost and vainly spent What strength hath happie kinde and mutuall loue But she that gentle thought did straight repent Wrath furie kindnes in her bosome stroue She would she would not that it mist or hit Her eies her hart her wishes followed it 65 But yet in vaine the quarrell lighted not For on his hawberke hard the knight it hit Too hard for womans shaft or womans shot In stead of pearsing there it broke and split He turn'd away she burnt with furie hot And thought he scorn'd her powre and in that fit Shot oft and oft her shaftes no entrance found And while she shot loue gaue her wound on wound 66 And is he then vnpearceable quoth shee That neither force nor foe he needes regard His lims perchance arm'd with that hardnes bee Which makes his hart so cruell and so hard No shot that flies from eie or hand I see Hurtes him such rigor doth his person gard Arm'd or disarm'd his foe or mistresse kinde Despis'd alike like hate like scorne I finde 67 But what new forme is left deuise or art By which to which exchang'd I might finde grace For in my knights and all that take my part I see no helpe no hope no trust I place To his great prowesse might and valiant hart All strength is weake all courage vile and bace This said she for she saw how through the feild Her champions flie faint tremble fall and yeild 68 Nor left alone can she her person
foes droue backe with his sharpe blade That sure and safe he lay as in a shade 87 Thus sau'd thus shielded Raimond gan respire He rose and reard himselfe in little space And in his bosome burnt the double fire Of vengeance wrath his hart shame fill'd his face He lookt around to spie such was his ire The man whose stroake had laid him in that place Whom when he sees not for disdaine he quakes And on his people sharpe reuengement takes 88 The Gascoines turne againe their Lord in haste To venge their losse his band recordred brings The troupe that durst so much now stood agast For where sad feare grew late now boldnes springs Now follow'd they that fled fled they that chast So in one howre altreth the state of things Raimond requites his losse shame hurt and all And with an hundreth deathes reueng'd one fall 89 Whil'st Raimond wreaked thus his iust disdaine On the proud heads of captaines Lords and peares He spies great Sions king amid the traine And to him leapes and high his sword he reares And on his forehead strikes and strikes againe Till helme and head he breakes he cleaues he teares Downe fell the king the guiltlesse land he bit That now keepes him bicause he kept not it 90 Their guides one murdred thus the other gone The troupes diuided were in diuers thought Despaire made some ronne headlong gainst their fone To seeke sharpe death that comes vncall'd vnsought And some that laid their hope on flight alone Fled to their fort againe yet chance so wrought That with the fliers in the victors pas And so the fortresse wonne and conquer'd was 91 The hold was wonne slaine were the men that fled In courtes halles chambers high aboue below Old Raimond fast vp to the leads him sped And there of victorie true signe and show His glorious standard to the winde he spred That so both armies his successe might know But Soliman saw not the towne was lost For far from thence he was and neere the host 92 Into the field he came the lukewarme blood Did smoke and flow through all the purple feild There of sad death the court and pallace stood There did he triumphes lead and trophies beild An armed stead fast by the Soldan yood That had no guide nor lord the raines to weild The tyrant tooke the bridle and bestroad The coursers emptie backe and foorth he road 93 Great yet but short and sodaine was the aid That to the Pagans faint and weake he brought A thunderbolt he was you would haue said Great yet that comes and goes as swift as thought And of his comming swift and flight vnstaid Eternall signes in hardest rockes hath wrought For by his hand an hundreth knights were slaine But time forgot hath all their names but twaine 94 Gildippes faire and Edward thy deare lord Your noble death sad end and woefull fate If so much powre our vulgar toong afford To all strange wits strange eares let me dilate That ages all your loue and sweete accord Your vertue prowesse worth may imitate And some kind seruant of true loue that heares May grace your death my verses with some teares 95 The noble ladie thither boldly flew Where the fierce Soldan fought and him defide Two mightie blowes she gaue the Turke vntrew One cleft his shield the other pierst his side The prince the damsell by her habite knew See see this mankind strumpet see he cride This shamelesse whore for thee fit weapons weare Thy neeld and spindle not a sword and speare 96 This said full of disdaine rage and despite A strong a fierce a deadly stroake he gaue And pierst her armour pierst her bosome white Worthie no blowes but blowes of loue to haue Her dying hand let goe the bridle quite She faints she falles twixt life and death she straue Her lord to helpe her came but came too late Yet was not that his fault it was his fate 97 What should he do to diuers parts him call Iust ire and pittie kind one bids him goe And succour his deare ladie like to fall The other cals for vengeance on his foe Loue biddeth both loue saies he must doe all And with his ire ioines griefe with pittie woe What did he then with his left hand the knight Would hould her vp reuenge her with his right 98 But to resist against a knight so bold Too weake his will and powre deuided weare So that he could not his faire loue vphold Nor kill the cruell man that slew his deare His arme that did his mistres kind enfold The Turke cut off pale grew his lookes and cheare He let her fall himselfe fell by her side And for he could not saue her with her dide 99 As the high elme whom his deare vine hath twind Fast in her hundred armes and houlds embrast Beares downe to earth his spouse and darling kind If storme or cruell steele the tree downe cast And her full grapes to nought doth bruze and grind Spoiles his owne leaues faints withers dies at last And seemes to mourne and die not for his owne But for her death with him that lies orethrowne 100 So fell he mourning mourning for the dame Who life and death had made for euer his They would haue spoke but not one word could frame Deepe sobs their speech sweete sighes their language is Each gazd on others eies and while the same Is lawfull ioine their hands embrace and kis And thus sharpe death their knot of life vntied Togither fainted they togither died 101 But now swift fame her nimble wings dispred And told each where their chance their fate their fall Rinaldo heard the case by one that fled From the fierce Turke and brought him newes of all Disdaine goodwill woe wrath the champion led To take reuenge shame griefe for vengeance call But as he went Adrastus with his blade Forestall'd the way and shew of combate made 102 The giant cride by sundrie signes I note That whom I wish I search thou thou art hee I markt each woorthies sheild his helme his cote And all this day haue call'd and cride for thee To my sweete saint I haue thy head deuote Thou must my sacrifice my offring bee Come let vs heere our strength and courage trie Thou art Armidas foe her champion I. 103 Thus he defide him on his front before And on his throat he stroke him yet the blow His helmet neither brused cleft nor tore But in his saddle made him bend and bow Rinaldo hit him on the flanke so sore That neither art nor hearbe could helpe him now Downe fell the Giant strong one blow such powre Such puissance had so falles a thundred towre 104 With horrour feare amasednesse and dreed Cold were the harts of all that saw the fray And Soliman that view'd that noble deed Trembled his palenesse did his feare bewray For in that stroake he did his ende arreed He wist not what to thinke to doe to say A thing in
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