第56章

YetwhollywerenotfromtheSaracinesTheirworksconcealedandtheirlaborshid，UponthatwallwhichnextthecampconfinesTheyplacedspies，whomarkedalltheydid：

Theysawtheasheswildandsquaredpines，Howtothetents，trailedfromthegrove，theyslid：

Andengineshugetheysaw，yetcouldnottellHowtheywerebuilt，theirformstheysawnotwell。

XLVII

Theirengineseketheyreared，andwithgreatartRepairedeachbulwark，turret，portandtower，Andfortifiedtheplainandeasypart，Tobidethestormofeverywarlikestoure，TillastheythoughtnosleightorforceofMartToundermineorscalethesamehadpower；

AndfalseIsmenogannewballsprepareOfwickedfire，wild，wondrous，strangeandrare。

XLVIII

HemingledbrimstonewithbitumenfellFetchedfromthatlakewhereSodomerstdidsink，AndfromthatfloodwhichninetimescompassedhellSomeoftheliquorhothebrought，Ithink，Wherewiththequenchlessfirehetemperedwell，Tomakeitsmokeandflameanddeadlystink：

Andforhiswoodcutdown，theagedsireWouldthusrevengementtakewithflameandfire。

XLIX

Whilethusthecamp，andthusthetownwerebent，Thesetoassault，thesetodefendthewall，Aspeedydovethroughtheclearwelkinwent，Straighto’erthetents，seenbythesoldiersall；

Withnimblefanstheyieldingairsherent，Norseemeditthatshewouldalightorfall，Tillshearrivednearthatbesiegedtown，Thenfromthecloudsatlastshestoopeddown：

L

Butlo，fromwhenceInolt，afalconcame，Armedwithcrookedbillandtalonslong，Andtwixtthecampandcitycrossedhergame，Thatdurstnorbideherfoe’sencounterstrong；

Butrightupontheroyaltentdowncame，Andthere，thelordsandprincesgreatamong，WhenthesharphawknightouchedhertenderheadInGodfrey’slapshefell，withfearhalfdead：

LI

Thedukereceivedher，savedher，andspied，Ashebeheldthebird，awondrousthing，Aboutherneckaletterclosewastied，Byasmallthread，andthrustunderherwing，Heloosedforththewritandspreaditwide，Andreadtheintentthereof，“ToJudah’sking，“

Thussaidtheschedule，“honorshighincrease，TheEgyptianchieftainwishethhealthandpeace：

LII

“Fearnot，renownedprince，resist，endureTillthethirdday，ortillthefourthatmost，Icome，andyourdeliverancewillprocure，Andkillyourcowardfoesandalltheirhost。“

Thissecretinthatbriefwasclosedupsure，Writinstrangelanguage，tothewingedpostGiventotransport；forintheirwarlikeneedTheeastsuchmessageused，oftwithgoodspeed。

LIII

Thedukeletgothecaptivedoveatlarge，Andshethathadhiscounselclosebetrayed，TraitresstohergreatLord，touchednotthemargeOfSalem’stown，butfledfarthenceafraid。

ThedukebeforeallthosewhichhadorchargeOrofficehigh，theletterread，andsaid：

“SeehowthegoodnessoftheLordforeshowsThesecretpurposeofourcraftyfoes。

LIV

“Nolongerthenletusprotractthetime，Butscalethebulwarkofthisfortresshigh，ThroughsweatandlaborgainstthoserockssublimeLetusascend，whichtothesouthwardlie；

Hardwillitbethatwayinarmstoclimb，ButyettheplaceandpassagebothknowI，Andthathighwallbysitestrongonthatpart，Isleastdefencedbyarms，byworkandart。

LV

“Thou，Raym

后续内容为VIP可读请开通VIP，或购买此章节