第10章

AndasMountEtnavomitssulphurout，Withcliffsofburningcrags，andfireandsmoke，Sofromhismouthflewkindledcoalsabout，Hotsparksandsmellsthatmanandbeastwouldchoke，Thegnarringporterdurstnotwhinefordoubt；

StillweretheFuries，whiletheirsovereignspoke，AndswiftCocytusstayedhismurmurshrill，Whilethusthemurdererthunderedouthiswill：

IX

“Yepowersinfernal，worthierfartositAboutthesun，whenceyouyouroffspringtake，Withmethatwhilom，throughthewelkinflit，Downtumbledheadlongtothisemptylake；

Ourformerglorystillrememberit，OurboldattemptsandwarweoncedidmakeGainsthim，thatrulesabovethestarrysphere，Forwhichliketraitorsweliedamnedhere。

X

“Andnowinsteadofclearandgladsomesky，OfTitan’sbrightness，thatsogloriousis，Inthisdeepdarknesslowehelplesslie，Hopelessagaintojoyourformerbliss，Andmore，whichmakesmygriefstomultiply，Thatsinfulcreatureman，electedis；

Andinourplacetheheavenspossesshemust，Vileman，begotofclay，andbornofdust。

XI

“Northissufficed，butthathealsogaveHisonlySon，hisdarlingtobeslain，Toconquerso，hell，death，sinandthegrave，Andmancondemnedtorestoreagain，HebrakeourprisonsandwouldalgatessaveThesoulstherehereshoulddwellinwoeandpain，AndnowinheavenwithhimtheylivealwaysWithendlessglorycrowned，andlastingpraise。

XII

“ButwhyrecountIthusourpassedharms？

Remembrancefreshmakesweakenedsorrowsstrong，ExpulsedwerewewithinjuriousarmsFromthoseduehonors，usofrightbelong。

Butletusleavetospeakofthesealarms，Andbendourforcesgainstourpresentwrong：

Ah！seeyounot，howheattemptedhathTobringalllands，allnationstohisfaith？

XIII

“Then，letuscarelessspendthedayandnight，Withoutregardwhathaps，whatcomesorgoes，LetAsiasubjectbetoChristians’might，ApreyheSiontoherconqueringfoes，LetheradoreagainherChristaright，Whoherbeforeallnationswhilomchose；

Inbrazentableshehisloreywrit，Andletalltonguesandlandsacknowledgeit。

XIV

“Soshalloursacredaltarsallbehis，Ourholyidolstumbledinthemould，TohimthewretchedmanthatsinfulisShallpray，andofferincense，myrrhandgold；

Ourtemplesshalltheircostlydeckingsmiss，Withnakedwallsandpillarsfreezingcold，Tributeofsoulsshallend，andourestate，OrPlutoreigninkingdomsdesolate。

XV

“Oh，henotthenthecourageperishedclean，Thatwhilomdweltwithinyourhaughtythought，When，armedwithshiningfireandweaponskeen，AgainsttheangelsofproudHeavenwefought，IgrantwefellonthePhlegreangreen，Yetgoodourcausewas，thoughourfortunenaught；

Forchanceassistethofttheignoblerpart，Welostthefield，yetlostwenotourheart。

XVI

“Gothen，mystrength，myhope，mySpiritsgo，Thesewesternrebelswithyourpowerwithstand，Pluckuptheseweeds，beforetheyovergrowThegentlegardenoftheHebrews’land，Quenchoutthisspark，beforeitkindlessoThatAsiaburn，consumedwiththebrand。

Useopenforce，orsecretguileunspied；

Forcraftisvirtuegainstafoedefied。

XVII

“Amongtheknightsandworthiesoftheirtrain，Letsomelikeoutlawswanderuncouthways，Letsomebeslaininfield，letsomeagainMakeoraclesofwomen’syeasandnays，Andpineinfoolishlove，letsomecomplainOnGodfrey’srule，andmutiniesgainsthimraise，Turneachone’sswordagainsthisfellow’sheart，Thuskillthemallorspoilthegreatestpart。“

XVIII

Beforehiswordsthetyrantendedhad，Thelesserdevilsarosewithghastlyroar，Andthrongedforthabouttheworldtogad，Eachlandtheyfilled，river，streamandshore，Thegoblins，fairies，fiendsandfuriesmad，Rangedinflowerydales，andmountainshoar，Andundereverytremblingleaftheysit，Betweenthesolidearthandwelkinflit。

XIX

Abouttheworldtheyspreadforthfarandwide，FillingthethoughtsofeachungodlyheartWithsecretmischief，anger，hateandpride，Woundinglostsoulswithsin’sempoisoneddart。

Butsay，myMuse，recountwhencefirsttheytriedTohurttheChristianlords，andfromwhatpart，Thouknowestofthingsperformedsolongagone，Thislatteragehearslittletruthornone。

XX

ThetownDamascusandthelandsaboutRuledHidraort，awizardgraveandsage，AcquaintedwellwithallthedamnedroutOfPluto’sreign，evenfromhistenderage；

YetofthiswarhecouldnotfigureoutThewishedending，orsuccesspresage，Forneitherstarsabove，norpowersofhell，Norskill，norart，norcharm，nordevilcouldtell。

XXI

Andyethethought，——Oh，vainconceitofman，Whichasthouwishestjudgestthingstocome！——

ThattheFrenchhosttosuredestructionran，CondemnedquitebyHeaven’seternaldoom：

HethinksnoforcewithstandorvanquishcanTheEgyptianstrength，andthereforewouldthatsomeBothofthepreyandgloryofthefightUponthisSyrianfolkwouldhaplylight。

XXII

ButforheheldtheFrenchmen’sworthinprize，Andfearedthedoubtfulgainofbloodywar，He，thatwascloselyfalseandslylywar，Casthowhemightannoythemmostfromfar：

Andasheganuponthispointdevise，——

Ascounsellorsinillstillnearestare，——

AthandwasSatan，readyeremenneed，Ifoncetheythink，tomakethemdo，thedeed。

XXIII

Hecounselledhimhowbesttohunthisgame，Whatdarttocast，whatnet，whattoiltopitch，Aniecehehad，aniceandtenderdame，Peerlessinwit，innature’sblessingsrich，Toalldeceitshecouldherbeautyframe，False，fairandyoung，avirginandawitch；

Toherhetoldthesumofthisemprise，Andpraisedherthus，forshewasfairandwise：

XXIV

“Mydear，whounderneaththeselocksofgold，Andnativebrightnessofthylovelyhue，Hidestgravethoughts，ripewit，andwisdomold，MoreskillthanI，inallmineartsuntrue，TotheemypurposegreatImustunfold，Thisenterprisethycunningmustpursue，WeavethoutoendthiswebwhichIbegin，Iwillthedistaffhold，comethouandspin。

XXV

“GototheChristians’host，andthereassayAllsubtlesleightsthatwomenuseinlove，Shedbrinishtears，sob，sigh，entreatandpray，Wringthyfairhands，castupthineeyesabove，Formourningbeautyhathmuchpower，mensay，Thestubbornheartswithpityfrailtomove；

Lookpalefordread，andblushsometimeforshame，Inseemingtruththylieswillsoonestframe。

XXVI

“TakewiththebaitLordGodfrey，ifthoumay’st；

Framesnaresoflook，strainsofalluringspeech；

Forifhelove，theconquestthenthouhast，Thuspurposedwarthoumay’stwitheaseimpeach，ElseleadtheotherLordstodesertswaste，Andholdthemslavesfarfromtheirleader’sreach：“

Thustaughtheher，andforconclusion，saith，“Allthingsarelawfulforourlandsandfaith。“

XXVII

ThesweetArmidatookthischargeonhand，Atenderpiece，forbeauty，sexandage，Thesunwassunkenunderneaththeland，Whenshebeganherwantonpilgrimage，Insilkenweedsshetrustethtowithstand，Andconquerknightsinwarlikeequipage，OftheirnightamblingdametheSyriansprated，Somegood，somebad，astheyherlovedorhated。

XXVIII

WithinfewdaysthenympharrivedthereWherepuissantGodfreyhadhistentsypight；

Uponherstrangeattire，andvisageclear，Gazedeachsoldier，gazedeveryknight：

Aswhenacometdothinskiesappear，Thepeoplestandamazedatthelight；

Sowonderedtheyandeachatothersought，Whatmisterwightshewas，andwhenceybrought。

XXIX

YetnevereyetoCupid’sservicevowedBeheldafaceofsuchalovelypride；

Atinselveilheramberlocksdidshroud，Thatstrovetocoverwhatitcouldnothide，Thegoldensunbehindasilvercloud，Sostreamethouthisbeamsoneveryside，Themarblegoddess，setatCnidos，nakedSheseemed，weresheunclothed，orthatawaked。

XXX

Thegamesomewindamonghertressesplays，Andcurlethupthosegrowingrichesshort；

Hersparefuleyetospreadhisbeamsdenays，ButkeepshisshotwhereCupidkeepshisfort；

TheroseandlilyonhercheekassaysTopainttruefairnessoutinbravestsort，Herlips，wherebloomsnaughtbutthesinglerose，Stillblush，forstilltheykisswhilestilltheyclose。

XXXI

Herbreasts，twohillso’erspreadwithpurestsnow，Sweet，smoothandsupple，softandgentlyswelling，Betweenthemliesamilkendalebelow，Wherelove，youth，gladness，whitenessmaketheirdwelling，Herbreastshalfhid，andhalfwerelaidtoshow，Sowasthewantonclad，asifthismuchShouldpleasetheeye，therestunseen，thetouch。

XXXII

AswhenthesunbeamsdivethroughTagus’wave，Tospythestore-houseofhisspringtimegold，Love-piercingthoughtsothroughhermantledrave，Andinhergentlebosomwanderedbold；

Itviewedthewondrousbeautyvirginshave，Andalltofonddesirewithvantagetold，Alas！whathopeisleft，toquenchhisfireThatkindledisbysight，blownbydesire。

XXXIII

Thuspassedshe，praised，wished，andwonderedat，Amongthetroopswhothereencampedlay，Shesmiledforjoy，butwelldissembledthat，Hergreedyeyechoseoutherwishedprey；

Onallhergesturesseemingvirtuesat，Towardtheimperialtentsheaskedtheway：

Withthatshemetaboldandlovesomeknight，LordGodfrey’syoungestbrother，Eustacehight。

XXXIV

Thiswasthefowlthatfirstfellinthesnare，Hesawherfair，andhopedtofindherkind；

ThethroneofCupidhadaneasystair，Hisbarkisfittosailwitheverywind，Thebreachhemakesnowisdomcanrepair：

Withreverencemeetthebaronlowinclined，Andthushispurposetothevirgintold，Foryouth，use，nature，allhadmadehimbold。

XXXV

“Lady，iftheebeseemastilesolow，Inwhosesweetlookssuchsacredbeautyshine，——

ForneveryetdidHeavensuchgracebestowOnanydaughterbornofAdam’sline——

Thynameletus，thoughfarunworthy，know，Unfoldthywill，andwhencethouartinfine，LestmyaudaciousboldnesslearntoolateWhathonorsduebecomethyhighestate。“

XXXVI

“SirKnight，“quothshe，“yourpraisesreachtoohighAbovehermerityoucommendenso，AhaplessmaidIam，bothborntodieAnddeadtojoy，thatliveincareandwoe，Avirginhelpless，fugitivepardie，MynativesoilandkingdomthusforegoToseekDukeGodfrey’said，suchstorementellOfvirtuousruthdothinhisbosomdwell。

XXXVII

“Conductmethenthatmightydukebefore，Ifyoubecourteous，sir，aswellyouseem。“

“Content，“quothhe，“sinceofonewombybore，Webrothersare，yourfortunegoodesteemToencountermewhosewordprevailethmoreInGodfrey’shearingthanyouhaplydeem：

MineaidIgrant，andhisIpromisetoo，Allthathissceptre，ormysword，cando。“

XXXVIII

Heledhereasilyforthwhenthiswassaid，WhereGodfreysatamonghislordsandpeers，Shereverencedid，thenblushed，asonedismayedTospeak，forsecretwantsandinwardfears，Itseemedabashfulshameherspeechesstayed，Atlastthecourteousdukehergentlycheers；

Silencewasmade，andshebeganhertale，Theysittohear，thussungthisnightingale：

XXXIX

“Victoriousprince，whosehonorablenameIsheldsogreatamongourPagankings，ThattothoselandsthoudostbyconquesttameThatthouhastwonthemsomecontentitbrings；

Wellknowntoallisthyimmortalfame，Theearth，thyworth，thyfoe，thypraisessings，AndPaynimswrongedcometoseekthineaid，Sodoththyvirtue，sothypowerpersuade。