第8章

Atlastshespoke，andwithacraftysleightHersecretlovedisguisedinclothesofhate：

“Alas，toowell，“shesays，“Iknowthatknight，Isawhisforceandcourageprovedlate，ToolateIviewedhim，whenhispowerandmightShookdownthepillarofCassanoe’sstate；

Alaswhatwoundshegives！howfierce，howfell！

Nophysichelpsthemcure，normagic’sspell。

XX

“Tancredhehight，OMacon，wouldhewearMythrall，erefateshimofthislifedeprive，FortohishatefulheadsuchspiteIbear，Iwouldhimreavehiscruelheartonlive。“

Thussaidshe，theythathercomplainingshearInothersenseherwishescreditgive。

Shesighedwithal，theyconstruedallamiss，Andthoughtshewishedtokill，wholongedtokiss。

XXI

ThiswhileforthprickedClorindafromthethrongAnd’gainstTancredisetherspearinrest，Upontheirhelmstheycrackedtheirlanceslong，Andfromherheadhergildencasquehekest，Foreverylacehebrokeandeverythong，Andinthedustthrewdownherplumedcrest，Abouthershouldersshonehergoldenlocks，Likesunnybeams，onalabasterrocks。

XXII

Herlookswithfire，hereyeswithlightningblaze，Sweetwasherwrath，whatthenwouldbehersmile？

Tancred，whereonthink’stthou？whatdostthougaze？

Hastthouforgotherinsoshortawhile？

Thesameisshe，theshapeofwhosesweetfaceTheGodofLovedidinthyheartcompile，Thesamethatlefttheebythecoolingstream，Safefromsun’sheat，butscorchedwithbeauty’sbeam。

XXIII

Theprincewellknewher，thoughherpaintedshieldAndgoldenhelmhehadnotmarkedbefore，Shesavedherhead，andwithheraxewellsteeledAssailedtheknight；buthertheknightforbore，’Gainstotherfoesheprovedhimthroughthefield，Yetsheforthatrefrainedne’erthemore，Butfollowing，“Turnthee，“cried，inirefulwise；

Andsoatonceshethreatstokillhimtwice。

XXIV

NotoncethebaronliftshisarmedhandTostrikethemaid，butgazingonhereyes，WherelordlyCupidseemedinarmstostand，Nowaytowardorshunherblowshetries；

Butsoftlysays，“NostrokeofthystronghandCanvanquishTancred，butthyconquestliesInthosefaireyes，whichfieryweaponsdart，Thatfindnolightingplaceexceptthisheart。“

XXV

Atlastresolved，althoughhehopedsmallgrace，Yeterehedidtotellhowmuchheloved，Forpleasingwordsinwomen’searsfindplace，Andgentleheartswithhumblesuitsaremoved：

“Othou，“quothhe，“withholdthywrathaspace，Forifthoulongtoseemyvalorproved，WereitnotbetterfromthiswarlikeroutWithdrawn，somewhere，alonetofightitout？

XXVI

“Sosingled，maywebothourcouragetry：“

Clorindatothatmotionyieldedglad，Andhelmlesstotheforestwardganhie，Whithertheprincerightpensivewendandsad，Andtherethevirginganhimsoondefy。

Oneblowshestrucken，andhewardedhad，Whenhecried，“Hold，andereweproveourmight，Firsthearthousomeconditionsofthefight。“

XXVII

Shestayed，anddesperatelovehadmadehimbold；

“Sincefromthefightthouwiltnorespitegive，Thecovenantsbe，“hesaid，“thatthouunfoldThiswretchedbosom，andmyheartoutrive，Giventheelongsince，andifthou，cruel，wouldIshouldbedead，letmenolongerlive，Butpiercethisbreast，thatalltheworldmaysay，Theeaglemadetheturtle-doveherprey。

XXVIII

“Savewiththygrace，orletthineangerkill，Lovehathdisarmedmylifeofalldefence；

Aneasylaborharmlessbloodtospill，Strikethen，andpunishwhereisnoneoffence。“

Thissaidtheprince，andmoreperchancehadwillTohavedeclared，tomovehercruelsense。

ButinilltimeofPagansthithercameAtroop，andChristiansthatpursuedthesame。

XXIX

ThePagansfledbeforetheirvaliantfoes，Fordreadorcraft，itskillsnotthatweknow，Asoldierwild，carelesstowinorlose，Sawwhereherlocksaboutthedamselflew，AndatherbackheprofferethashegoesTostrikewhereherhediddisarmedview：

ButTancredcried，“Ohstaythycursedhand，“

Andfortowardtheblowliftuphisbrand。

XXX

Butyetthecuttingsteelarrivedthere，Whereherfairneckadjoinedhernoblehead，Lightwasthewound，butthroughheramberhairThepurpledropsdownrailedbloodyred，Sorubiessetinflaminggoldappear：

ButLordTancredi，palewithrageaslead，Flewonthevillain，whotoflighthimbound；

Thesmartwashis，thoughshereceivedthewound。

XXXI

Thevillainflies，he，fullofrageandire，Pursues，shestoodandwonderedonthemboth，Butyettofollowthemshowednodesire，Tostraysofarshewouldperchancebeloth，Butquicklyturnedher，fierceasflamingfire，Andonherfoeswreakedherangerwroth，Oneverysideshekillsthemdownamain，Andnowsheflies，andnowsheturnsagain。

XXXII

AstheswifturebyVolga’srollingfloodChasedthroughtheplainsthemastiffcurstoforn，Fliestothesuccorofsomeneighborwood，AndoftenturnsagainhisdreadfulhornAgainstthedogsimbruedinsweatandblood，Thatbitenot，tillthebeasttoflightreturn；

OrastheMoorsattheirstrangetennicerun，Defenced，theflyingballsunhurttoshun：

XXXIII

SoranClorinda，soherfoespursued，Untiltheybothapproachedthecity’swall，Whenlo！thePaganstheirfiercewrathrenewed，Castinaringabouttheywheeledall，And’gainsttheChristians’backsandsidestheyshowedTheircouragefierce，andtonewcombatfall，WhendownthehillArgantescametofight，LikeangryMarstoaidtheTrojanknight。

XXXIV

Furious，toforetheforemostofhisrank，Insturdysteelforthsteptthewarriorbold，Thefirsthesmotedownfromhissaddlesank，Thenextunderhissteellayonthemould，UndertheSaracen’sspeartheworthiesshrank，Nobreastplatecouldthatcursedtreeouthold，Whenthatwasbrokehispreciousswordhedrew，Andwhomhehit，hefelled，hurt，orslew。

XXXV

ClorindaslewArdelio；agedknight，Whosegraveryearswouldfornolaboryield，HisagewasfullofpuissanceandmightTwosonshehadtoguardhisnobleeild，Thefirst，farfromhisfather’scareandsight，CalledAlicandrowoundedlayinfield，AndPolipherntheyounger，byhisside，Hadhenotnoblyfoughthadsurelydied。

XXXVI

Tancredbythis，thatstrovetoovertakeThevillainthathadhurthisonlydear，Fromvainpursuitatlastreturnedback，Andhisbravetroopdiscomfitsawwellnear，Thitherhespurred，andganhugeslaughtermake，Hisshocknosteed，hisblownoknightcouldbear，Fordeadhestrikeshimwhomhelightsupon，SothundersbreakhightreesonLebanon。

XXXVII

Dudonhissquadronofadventurersbrings，Toaidtheworthyandhistiredcrew，BeforetheresidueyoungRinaldoflingsAsswiftasfierylightningkindlednew，HisargenteaglewithhersilverwingsInfieldofazure，fairErminiaknew，“Seethere，sirKing，“shesays，“aknightasboldAndbrave，aswasthesonofPeleusold。

XXXVIII

“Hewinstheprizeinjoustandtournament，Hisactsarenumberless，thoughfewhisyears，IfEuropesixlikeshimtowarhadsentAmongthesethousandstrongofChristianpeers，Syriawerelost，lostweretheOrient，AndallthelandstheSouthernOceanwears，ConqueredwereallhotAfric’stawnykings，AndallthatdwellsbyNilus’unknownsprings。

XXXIX

“Rinaldoishisname，hisarmedfistBreaksdownstonewalls，whenramsandenginesfail，ButturnyoureyesbecauseIwouldyouwistWhatlordthatisingreenandgoldenmail，DudonhehightwhoguidethashimlistTheadventurers’troopwhoseprowessselddothfail，Highbirth，graveyears，andpractiselonginwar，Andfearlessheart，makehimrenownedfar。

XL

“Seethatbigmanthatallinbrownisbound，Gernandocalled，theKingofNorway’sson，Aprouderknighttreadsnotongrassorground，Hispridehathlostthepraisehisprowesswon；

Andthatkindpairinwhiteallarmedround，IsEdwardandGildippes，whobegunThroughlovethehazardoffiercewartoprove，Famousforarms，butfamousmoreforlove。“

XLI

Whilethustheytelltheirfoemen’sworthiness，Theslaughterragethintheplainatlarge。

TancredandyoungRinaldobreakthepress，Theybruisethehelm，andpressthesevenfoldtarge；

ThetroopbyDudonledperformednoless，Butintheycomeandgiveafuriouscharge：

Argantes’selffellatonesingleblow，Inglorious，bleedinglay，onearthfulllow：

XLII

Norhadtheboastereverrisenmore，ButthatRinaldo’shorsee’enthendownfell，Andwiththefallhislegopprestsosore，Thatforaspacetheremustbealgatesdwell。

MeanwhilethePagantroopswerenighforlore，Swiftlytheyfled，gladtheyescapedsowell，ArgantesandwithhimClorindastout，Forbankandbulwarkservedtosavetherout。

XLIII

Thesefledthelast，andwiththeirforcesustainedTheChristians’rage，thatfollowedthemsonear；

Theirscatteredtroopstosafetywelltheytrained，Andwhiletheresiduefled，thebruntthesebear；

Dudonpursuedthevictoryhegained，AndonTigranesnoblybrokehisspear，Thenwithhisswordheadlesstogroundhimcast，Sogardenersbrancheslopthatspringtoofast。

XLIV

Algazar’sbreastplate，offinetempermade，NorCorban’shelmet，forgedbymagicart，Couldsavetheirowners，forLordDudon’sbladeCleftCorban’shead，andpiercedAlgazar’sheart，Andtheirproudsoulsdowntotheinfernalshade，FromAmurathandMahometdepart；

NotstrongArgantesthoughthislifewassure，Hecouldnotsafelyfly，norfightsecure。

XLV

TheangryPaganbithislipsforteen，Heran，hestayed，hefled，heturnedagain，Untilatlastunmarked，unviewed，unseen，WhenDudonhadAlmansornewlyslain，Withinhissidehesheathedhisweaponkeen，Downfelltheworthyonthedustyplain，Andlifteduphisfeebleeyesuneath，Opprestwithleadensleep，ofirondeath。

XLVI

ThreetimeshestrovetoviewHeaven’sgoldenray，Andraisedhimonhisfeebleelbowthrice，Andthricehetumbledonthelowlylay，Andthreetimesclosedagainhisdyingeyes，Hespeaksnoword，yetmakeshissignstopray；

Hesighs，hefaints，hegroans，andthenhedies；

Argantesproudtospoilthecorpsedisdained，ButshookhisswordwithbloodofDudonstained。

XLVII

AndturningtotheChristianknights，hecried：

“Lordlings，behold，thisbloodyreekingbladeLastnightwasgivenmebyyournobleguide，Tellhimwhatproofthereofthisdayismade，Needsmustthispleasehimwellthatisbetide，ThatIsowellcanusethismartialtrade，Towhomsorareagifthedidpresent，Tellhimtheworkmanfitstheinstrument。

XLVIII

“Iffurtherproofthereofhelongtosee，Sayitstillthirsts，andwouldhisheart-blooddrink；

Andifhehastenottoencounterme，SayIwillfindhimwhenheleastdoththink。“

TheChristiansathiswordsenragedbe，ButhetoshuntheiriredothsafelyshrinkUndertheshelteroftheneighborwall，Wellguardedwithhistroopsandsoldiersall。

XLIX

Likestormsofhailthestonesfelldownfromhigh，Castfromtheirbulwarks，flankers，portsandtowers，Theshaftsandquarriesfromtheirenginesfly，AsthickasfallingdropsinAprilshowers：

TheFrenchwithdrew，theylistnotpresstoonigh，TheSaracensescapedallthepowers，ButnowRinaldofromtheearthupleapt，Wherebytheleghissteedhadlonghimkept；

L

Hecameandbreathedvengeancefromhisbreast’GainsthimthatnobleDudonlatehadslain；

Andbeingcomethusspokehetotherest，“Warriors，whystandyougazinghereinvain？

Paledeathourvaliantleaderhadopprest，Comewreakhisloss，whombootlessyoucomplain。

Thosewallsareweak，theykeepbutcowardsoutNorampiercanwithstandacouragestout。

LI

“Ofdoubleiron，brassoradamant，Orifthiswallwerebuiltofflamingfire，YetshouldthePaganvileafortresswantToshroudhiscowardheadsafefrommineire；

Comefollowthen，andbidbasefearavaunt，Theharderworkdeservesthegreaterhire；“

Andwiththatwordclosetothewallshestarts，Norfearshearrows，quarries，stonesordarts。

LII

AbovethewavesasNeptunelifthiseyesTochidethewinds，thatTrojanshipsopprest，Andwithhiscountenancecalmedseas，windsandskies；

SolookedRinaldo，whenheshookhiscrestBeforethosewalls，eachPaganfearsandfliesHisdreadfulsight，ortremblingstayedatleast：

Suchdreadhisawfulvisageonthemcast。

Soseempoordovesatgoshawks’sightaghast。