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.
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
brought Before the throne of his infernall seat O foole as if it were a thing of nought God to resist or change his purpose great Who on his foes doth thunder in his ire Whose arrowes hailestones be and coles of fire 3 The drearie trumpet blew a dreadfull blast And rombled through the lands and kingdomes vnder Through wastnes wide it roard and hollowes vast And fild the deepe with horror feare and wonder Not halfe so dreadfull noise the tempests cast That fall from skies with storms of haile and thunder Nor halfe so lowd the whistling winds doe sing Broke from the earthen prisons of their king 4 The Peeres of Plutoes realme assembled beene Amid the pallace of their angrie king In hideous formes and shapes tofore vnseene That feare death terror and amasement bring With ouglie pawes some trample on the greene Some gnaw the snakes that on their shoulders hing And some their forked tailes stretch forth on hie And teare the twinkling stars from trembling skie 5 There were Cilenos foule and loathsome rout There Sphinges Centaures there were Gorgons fell There howling Scillaes yawling round about There serpents hisse there seu'n-mouth'd Hydraes yell Chunera there spues fire and brimstone out And Poliphemus blinde supporteth hell Besides ten thousand monsters therein dwels Mis-shapt vnlike themselues and like nought els 6 About their Prince each tooke his wonted seat On thrones red hot ibuilt of burning brasse Pluto in middest heau'd his trident great Of rastie iron huge that forged was The rockes on which the salt sea billowes beat And Atlas tops the clouds in height that passe Compar'd to his huge person mole-hils be So his rough front his hornes so lifted he 7 The tyrant proud frown'd from his loftie cell And with his lookes made all his monsters tremble His eies that full of rage and venome swell Two beacons seeme that men to armes assemble His feltred lockes that on his bosome fell On rugged mountaines briers and thornes resemble His yawning mouth that fomed clotted blood Gapte like a whirlepoole wide in Stygian flood 8 And as mount Etna vomits sulphur out With clifts of burniag crags and fire and smoke So from his mouth flew kindled coales about Hot sparks and smels that man and beast would choke The gnarring porter durstnot whine for dout Still were the Furies while their soueraigne spoke And swift Cocytus staid his murmur shrill While thus the murdrer thundred out his will 9 Ye powres infernall worthier far to sit Aboue the sunne whence you your ofspring take With me that whilome through the welkin flit Downe tombled headlong to this emptie lake Our former glorie still remember it Our bold attemptes and war we once did make Gainst him that rules aboue the starrie sphere For which like traitors we lie damned here 10 And now in stead of cleere and gladsome skie Of Titans brightnes that so glorious is In this deepe darknes loe we helplesse lie Hopelesse againe to ioy our former blis And more which makes my grieues to multiplie That sinfull creature man elected is And in our place the heauens possesse he must Vile man begot of clay and borne of dust 11 Nor this suffis'd but that he also gaue His only sonne his darling to be slaine To conquer so hell death sinne and the graue And man condemned to restore againe He brake our prisons and would algates saue The soules that here should dwell in woe and paine And now in heau'n with him they liue alwaies With endlesse glorie crown'd and lasting praise 12 But why recount I thus our passed harmes Remembrance fresh makes weak'ned sorrowes strong Expulsed were we with iniurious armes From those due honours vs of right belong But let vs leaue to speake of these alarmes And bend our forces gainst our present wrong Ah see you not how he attempted hath To bring all lands all nations to his faith 13 Then let vs carelesse spend the day and night Without regard what haps what comes or goes Let Asia subiect be to Christians might A pray be Sion to her conquering foes Let her adore againe her Christ aright Who her before all nations whilome choes In brasen tables be his lore iwrit And let all tongues and lands acknowledge it 14 So shall our sacred altars all be his Our holie Idols tombled in the mold To him the wretched man that sinfull is Shall pray and offer incense myrrhe and gold Our temples shall their costly deckings mis With naked walles and pillars freezing cold Tribute of soules shall end and our estate Or Pluto raigne in kingdoms desolate 15 Oh be not than the courage perisht cleene That whilome dwelt within your haughtie thought When arm'd with shining fire and weapons keene Against the Angels of proud heau'n we fought I grant we fell on the Phlegrean greene Yet good our cause was though our fortune nought For chance assisteth oft th'ignobler part We lost the field yet lost we not our hart 16 Goe then my strength my hope my spirits goe These westren rebels with your power withstand Plucke vp these weedes before they ouergroe The gentle garden of the Hebrewes land Quench out this sparke before it kindle soe That Asia burne consumed with the brand Vse open force or secret guile vnspied For craft is vertue gainst a foe defied 17 Among the knights and worthies of their traine Let some like out-lawes wander vncouth waies Let some be slaine in field let some againe Make oracles of womens yeaes and naies And pine in foolish loue let some complaine On Godfreyes rule and mutines gainst him raise Turne each ones sword against his fellowes hart Thus kill them all or spoile the greatest part 18 Before his words the tyrant ended had The lesser deuils arose with gastlie rore And thronged foorth about the world to gad Each land they filled riuer streame and shore The Goblins Fairies Feends and Furies mad Ranged in flowrie dales and mountaines hore And vnder euerie trembling leafe they sit Betweene the solid earth and welkin flit 19 About the world they spread both far and wide Filling the thoughts of each vngodly hart With secret mischiefe anger hate and pride Wounding lost soules with sinnes impoyson'd dart But say my muse recount whence first they tride To hurt the Christian Lords and from what part Thou know'st of things perform'd so long agone This later age heares little troath or none 20 The towne Damascus and the lands about Rul'd Hidraort a wisard graue and sage Acquainted well with all the damned rout Of Plutoes raigne eu'n from his tender age Yet of this war he could not figure out The wished ending or successe presage For neither stars aboue nor powres of hell Nor skill nor art nor charme nor deuill could tell 21 And yet he thought O vaine conceit of man Which as thou wishest iudgest things to come That the French host to sure destruction ran Condemned quite by heau'ns eternall dome He thinkes no force withstand or vanquish can Th Egyptian
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
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
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
toong which well he could O hardie knight who through these woods hast past Where death his pallace and his court doth hould O trouble not these soules in quiet plast O be not cruell as thy hart is bould Pardon these ghoasts depriu'd of heau'nly light With spirits dead why should men liuing fight 40 This found he grauen in the tender rinde And while he mused on this vncouth writ Him thought he heard the softly whistling winde His blastes amid the leaues and branches knit And frame a sound like speech of humaine kinde But full of sorrow griefe and woe was it Whereby his gentle thoughts all filled weare With pitie sadnes greefe compassion feare 41 He drew his sword at last and gaue the tree A mightie blow that made a gaping wound Out of the rift red streames he trickling see That all bebled the verdant plaine around His haire start vp yet once againe stroake he He nould giue ouer till the end he found Of this aduenture when with plaint and mone As from some hollow graue he heard one grone 42 Enough enough the voice lamenting said Tancred thou hast me hurt thou didst me driue Out of the bodie of a noble maid Who with me liu'd whom late I kept on liue And now within this woefull Cipresse laid My tender rinde thy weapon sharpe doth riue Cruell i st not enough thy foes to kill But in their graues wilt thou torment them still 43 I was Clorinda now imprison'd heere Yet not alone within this plant I dwell For euerie Pagan Lord and Christian peere Before the cities walles last day that fell In bodies new or graues I wote not cleere But here they are confin'd by magikes spell So that each tree hath life and sense each bou A murdrer if thou cut one twist art thou 44 As the sicke man that in his sleepe doth see Some oughly dragon or some chimere new Though he suspect or halfe perswaded bee It is an idle dreame no monster trew Yet still he feares he quakes and striues to flee So fearefull is that wondrous forme to vew So feard the knight yet he both knew and thought All were illusions false by witchcraft wrought 45 But cold and trembling waxt his frozen hart Such strange affects such passions it torment Out of his feeble hand his weapon start Himselfe out of his wits nigh after went Wounded he saw he thought for paine and smart His Ladie weepe complaine mourne and lament Nor could he suffer her deere blood to see Or heare her sighes that deepe far fetched be 46 Thus his fierce hart which death had scorned oft Whom no strange shape or monster could dismay With faigned showes of tender loue made soft A spirit false did with vaine plaints betray A whirling winde his sword heau'd vp aloft And through the forrest bare it quite away Orecome retir'd the Prince and as he came His sword he found and repossest the same 47 Yet nould returne he had no minde to trie His courage further in those forrests greene But when to Godfreyes tent he proched nie His spirits wakte his thoughts composed beene My Lord quoth he a witnesse true am I Of woonders strange beleeued scant though seene What of the fire the shades the dreadfull sound You heard all true by proofe my selfe haue found 48 A burning fire so are those desarts charmed Built like a batled wall to heau'n was reared Whereon with dartes and dreadfull weapons armed Of monsters foule mishapt whole bands appeared But through them all I past vnhurt vnharmed No flame or threatned blow I felt or feared Then raine and night I found but straight againe To day the night to sunshine turnd the raine 49 What would you more each tree through all that wood Hath sense hath life hath speech like humaine kind I heard their words as in that groue I stood That mournfull voice still still I beare in minde And as they were of flesh the purple blood At euery blow streames from the wounded rind No no not I nor any else I trow Hath powre to cut one leafe one branch one brow 50 While thus he said the Christians noble guide Felt vncouth strife in his contentious thought He thought what if himselfe in person tride Those witchcrafts strange and bring those charmes to nought For such he deem'd them or elsewhere prouide For timber easier got though further sought But from his studie he at last abraid Call'd by the Hermit old that to him said 51 Leaue off thy hardie thought an others hands Of these her plants the wood dispoilen shall Now now the fatall ship of conquest lands Her sailes are strucke her siluer anchores fall Our champion broken hath his worthlesse bands And looseth from the soile which held him thrall The time drawes nie when our proud foes in field Shall slaughtred lie and Sions for t shall yield 52 This said his visage shone with beames diuine And more than mortall was his voices sound Godfredos thought to other actes encline His working braine was neuer idle found But in the Crabbe now did bright Titan shine And scorcht with scalding beames the parched ground And made vnfit for toile or warlike feat His souldiers weake with labour faint with sweat 53 The Planets milde their lamps benigne quencht out And cruell starres in heau'n did signories Whose influence cast fierie flames about And hot impressions through the earth and skies The growing heat still gathred deeper rout The noisome warmth through lands and kingdomes flies A harmefull night a hurtfull day succeeds And woorse than both next morne her light outspreeds 54 When Phaebus rose he left his golden weed And dond a gite in deepest purple dide His sanguine beames about his forhead spreed A sad presage of ill that should betide With vermile drops at eau'n his tresses bleed Foreshowes of future heat from th' Ocean wide When next he rose and thus encreased still Their present harmes with dread of future ill 55 While thus he bent gainst earth his scorching raies He burnt the flowrets burnt his Clitie deare The leaues grew wan vpon the withred spraies The grasse and growing hearbs all parched weare Earth cleft in riftes in floods their streames decaies The barren cloudes with lightning bright appeare And mankind feard least Climenes childe againe Had driuen awry his fires il-guided waine 56 As from a furnace flew the smoake to skies Such smoake as that when damned Sodome brent Within his caues sweete Zephire silent lies Still was the aire the racke nor came nor went But ore the lands with lukewarme breathing flies The southren winde from sunburnt Africke sent Which thicke and warme his interrupted blasts Vpon their bosomes throates and faces casts 57 Nor yet more comfort brought the gloomienight In her thicke shades was burning heat vprold Her fable mantle was embrodred bright With blazing starres and gliding fires for gold Nor to refresh sad earth thy thirstie spright The niggard Moone let fall her May-dewes cold And dried vp the
your souldiour and your knight as farre As Christian faith permits and Asias warre 54 Ah let our faults and follies here take end And let our errours past you satisfie And in this Angle of the world ipend Let both the fame and shame thereof now die From all the earth where I am knowne and kend I wish this fact should still concealed lie Nor yet in following me poore knight disgrace Your woorth your beautie and your princely race 55 Stay here in peace I goe nor wend you may With me my guide your fellowship denies Stay here or hence depart some better way And calme your thoughts you are both sage and wise While thus he spoke her passions found no stay But here and there she turn'd and roll'd her eies And staring on his face a while at last Thus in foule termes her bitter wrath forth brast 56 Of Sophia faire thou neuer wert the childe Nor of the Azzaine race isprong thou art The mad sea waues thee bore some Tigresse wilde On Caucasus cold crags nurst thee apart Ah cruell man in whom no token milde Appeeres of pitie ruth or tender hart Could not my griefes my woes my plaints and all One sigh straine from thy breast one teare make fall 57 What shall I say or how renew my speach He scornes me leaues me bids me call him mine The victor hath his foe within his reach Yet pardons her that merits death and pine Heare how he counsels me how he gan preach Like chast Xenocrates gainst loue diuine Oh heau'ns oh gods why doe these men of shame Thus spoile your Temples and blaspheme your name 58 Go cruell go go with such peace such rest Such ioy such comfort as thou leau'st me heare My angrie soule discharg'd from this weake brest Shall haunt thee euer and attend thee neare And furie like in snakes and fire brands drest Shall aie torment thee whom it late held deare And if thou scape the seas the rockes and sands And come to fight amid the Pagan bands 59 There lying wounded mongst the hurt and slaine Of these my wrongs thou shalt the vengeance beare And oft Armida shalt thou call in vaine At thy last gaspe this hope I soone to heare Heare fainted she with sorrow griefe and paine Her latest words scant well expressed were But in a swoune on earth outstretcht she lies Stiffe were her frozen limmes clos'd were her eies 60 Thou clos'd thine eies Armida heau'n enuide Ease to thy griefe or comfort to thy woe Ah open them againe see teares downe slide From his kinde eies whom thou esteemes thy foe If thou hadst heard his sighes had mollifide Thine anger hard he sigh'd and mourned soe And as he could with sad and rufull looke His leaue of thee and last farewell he tooke 61 What should he do leaue on the naked sand This wofull ladie halfe aliue halfe dead Kindnesse forbod pittie did that withstand But hard constraint alas did thence him lead Away he went the west winde blew from land Mongst the rich tresses of their pilots head And with that golden saile the waues she cleft To land he lookt till land vnseene he left 62 Wakt from her traunce forsaken speechlesse sad Armida wildly star'd and gas'd about And is he gone quoth she nor pittie had To leaue me thus twixt life and death in doubt Could he not stay could not the traitor lad From this last trance helpe or recall me out And do I loue him still and on this sand Still vnreuengde still mourne still weeping stand 63 Fie no complaintes farewell with armes and art I will pursue to death this spitefull knight Not earthes low center nor seas deepest part Nor heau'n nor hell can shield him from my might I will oretake him take him cleaue his hart Such veng'ance fits a wronged louers spight In crueltie that cruell knight surpasse I will but what auaile vaine words alasse 64 O foole thou shouldest haue beene cruell than For than this cruell well deseru'd thine ire When thou in prison hadst entrapt the man Now dead with cold too late thou askest fire But though my wit my cunning nothing can Some other meanes shall worke my harts desire To thee my beautie thine be all these wrongs Veng'ance to thee to thee reuenge belongs 65 Thou shalt be his reward with murdring brand That dare this traitor of his head depriue O you my louers on this rocke doth stand The castle of her loue for whom you striue I thee sole heire of all Damascus land For this reuenge my selfe and kingdome giue If by this price my will I cannot gaine Nature giues beautie fortune wealth in vaine 66 But thee vaine gift vaine beautie thee I scorne I hate the kingdome which I haue to giue I hate my selfe and rue that I was borne Onely in hope of sweet reuenge I liue Thus raging with fell ire she gan returne From that bare shore in haste and homeward driue And as true witnesse of her franticke ire Her lockes wau'd loose face shone eies sparkled fire 67 When she came home she call'd with outcries shrill A thousand deuils in Limbo deepe that wonne Blacke cloudes the skies with horrid darknes fill And pale for dread became th' eclipsed sonne The whirlewinde blustred big on euerie hill And hell to roare vnder her feet begonne You might haue heard how through the pallace wide Some spirits howld some barkt some hist some cride 68 A shadow blacker than the mirkest night Enuiron'd all the place with darknes sad Wherein a firebrand gaue a dreadfull light Kindled in hell by Tisiphone the mad Vanisht the shade the sun appeard in sight Pale were his beames the aire was nothing glad And all the pallace vanisht was and gone Nor of so great a worke was left one stone 69 As oft the clouds frame shapes of castles great Amid the aire that little time do last But are dissolu'd by winde or Titans heat Or like vaine dreames soone made and sooner past The pallace vanisht so nor in his seat Left ought but rockes and crags by kind there plast She in her coach which two old serpents drew Sat downe and as she vs'd away she flew 70 She broake the clouds and cleft the yeelding skie And bout her gathred tempest storme and winde The lands that view the south pole flew she bie And left those vnknowne countries farre behinde The straites of Hercules she past which lie Twixt Spaine and Africke nor her flight enclinde To north or south but still did forward ride Ore seas and streames till Syrias coasts she spide 71 Nor went she forward to Damascus faire But of her countrie deare she fled the sight And guided to Asphaltes lake her chaire Where stood her castle there she ends her flight And from her damsels farre she made repaire To a deepe vault far from resort and light Where in sad thoughts a thousand doubtes she cast Till griefe and shame to wrath gaue place at last 72 I will not hence quoth
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
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
of comfort to his hart downe went And that darke night of sorrow somewhat cleared Yet now and then his griefe deepe sighes foorth sent His voice shrill plaints and sad laments oft reared Now to himselfe now to his murdred loue He spoke who heard perchance from heau'n aboue 90 Till Phoebus rising from his euening fall To her for her he mournes he cals he cries The nightingall so when her children small Some churle takes before their parents eies Alone dismaid quite bare of comforts all Tires with complaints the seas the shores the skies Till in sweete sleepe against the morning bright She fall at last so mourn'd so slept the knight 91 And clad in starrie vale amid his dreame For whose sweete sake he mourn'd appeard the maid Fairer than earst yet with that heau'nly beame Not out of knowledge was her louely shaid With lookes of ruth her eies celestiall seame To pitie his sad plight and thus she said Behold how faire how glad thy loue appeares And for my sake my deare forbeare these teares 92 Thine be the thankes my soule thou madest flit At vnawares out of her earthly nest Thine be the thankes thou hast aduanced it In Abrahams deare bosome long to rest There still I loue thee there for Tancred fit A seat prepared is among the blest There in eternall ioy eternall light Thou shalt thy loue enioy and she her knight 93 Vnlesse thy selfe thy selfe heau'ns ioies enuie And thy vaine sorrow thee of blisse depriue Liue know I loue thee that I nill denie As angels men as saints may wights on liue This said of zeale and loue foorth of her eie An hundreth glorious beames bright shining driue Amid which raies her selfe she clos'd from sight And with new ioy new comfort left her knight 94 Thus comforted he wakt and men discreet In surgerie to cure his wounds were sought Meane-while of his deare loue the reliques sweet As best he could to graue with pompe he brought Her tombe was not of viride Spartane greet Nor yet by cunning hand of Scopas wrought But built of polisht stone and thereon laid The liuely shape and purtrait of the maid 95 With sacred burning lamps in order long And mournfull pompe the corps were brought to ground Her armes vpon a leauelesse pine were hong The herse with cypresse armes with lawrell crown'd Next day the Prince whose loue and courage strong Drew foorth his limmes weake feeble and vnsound To visite went with care and reu'rence meet The buried ashes of his mistresse sweet 96 Before her new made tombe at last arriued The wofull prison of his liuing spright Pale cold sad comfortlesse of sense depriued Vpon the marble gray he fixt his sight Two streames of teares were from his eies deriued Thus with a sad alas began the knight Oh marble deare on my deare mistresse plast My flames within without my teares thou hast 97 Not of dead bones art thou the mournfull graue But of quicke loue the fortresse and the hold Still in my hart thy woonted brands I haue More bitter farre alas but not more cold Receaue these sighes these kisses sweete recaue In liquid drops of melting teares enrold And giue them to that bodie pure and chast Which in thy bosome cold entombd thou hast 98 For if her happie soule her eie doth bend On that sweet body which it lately drest My loue thy pittie cannot her offend Anger and wrath is not in angels blest She pardon will the trespasse of her frend That hope relieues me with these griefes opprest This hand she knowes hath onely sinn'd not I Who liuing lou'd her and for loue now die 99 And louing will I die O happie day When ere it chanceth but O farre more blest If as about thy polisht sides I stray My bones within thy hollow graue might rest Togither should in heau'n our spirits stay Togither should our bodies lie in chest So happie death should ioyne what life doth seuer O death O life sweete both both blessed euer 100 Meanewhile the newes in that besieged towne Of this mishap was whispred here and there Foorthwith it spred and for too true was knowne Her wofull losse was talked euery where Mingled with cries and plaints to heau'n vp throwne As if the cities selfe new taken were With conqu'ring foes or as if flame and fire Nor house nor church nor streete had left intire 101 But all mens eies were on Arsetes bent His sighes were deepe his lookes full of despaire Out of his wofull eies no teare there went His hart was hardned with his too much care His siluer locks with dust he foule besprent He knockt his breast his face he rent and tare And while the prease flockt to the Eunuch ould Thus to the people spake Argantes bould 102 I would when first I knew the hardie maid Excluded was among her Christian foes Haue follow'd her to giue her timely aid Or by her side this breath and life to lose What did I not or what left I vnsaid To make the king the gates againe vnclose But he denide his powre did are restraine My will my suit was waste my speech was vaine 103 Ah had I gone I would from danger free Haue brought to Sion that sweete nymph againe Or in the bloudie fight where kild was shee In her defence there noblie haue beene slaine But what could I do more the counsels bee Of God and man gainst my designments plaine Dead is Clorinda faire laid in colde graue Let me reuenge her whom I could not saue 104 Hierusalem heare what Argantes saith Heare heau'n and if he breake his oath and word Vpon this head cast thunder in thy wrath I will destroy and kill that Christian Lord Who this faire dame by night thus murdred hath Nor from my side I will vngird this sword Till Tancreds hart it cleaue and shed his blood And leaue his corse to wolues and crowes for food 105 This said the people with a ioyfull shoute Applaud his speeches and his words approue And calm'd their griefe in hope the boaster stoute Would kill the Prince who late had slaine his loue O promise vaine it otherwise fell out Men purpose but high Gods dispose aboue For vnderneath his sword this boaster dide Whom thus he scorn'd and threat'ned in his pride The thirteenth Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne The argument Ismeno sets to garde the forrest ould The wicked sprites whose ougly shapes affray And put to flight the men whose labour would To their darke shades let in heau'ns golden ray Thither goes Tancred hardie faithfull bould But foolish pitie lets him not assay His strength and courage heat the Christian powre Annoies whom to refresh Gods sends a showre 1 BVt scant dissolued into ashes cold The smoking towre fell on the scorched grasse When new deuise found out th' enchanter old By which the towne besieg'd secured was Of timber fit his foes depriue he wold Such terrour bred that late consumed masse So that the strength of Sions