But by the first of them had Hubert fell,
Yet that he fenc'd him with a heap of flain.

LV.

215

As thus the chiefs contend, a veil of clouds
(While thunders roll and gath'ring show'rs defcend)
Alike the vanquish'd and the victor shrouds,
Yet in the ftorm the eager troops contend.

LVI.

But now a chofen few the Duke felects,
With whom he pierces Hubert's thick array,
And while the fav'ring florm his rear protes,
Thro' all the fighting ranks he wins his way:

LVII.

220

Nor ftops, till Bergamo's white tents he fpies, 225 Deck'd with the radiance of afcending morn,

And enters there, what time the fhepherds rife,

And early huntsmen wind the frill-ton'd horp, 228

BOOK III. CANTO IX.

The Argument.

Black Dalga's wiles full timely do explore
Brave Sigebert and prudent Ulfinore:
Them Goltho lofes in a winding way,

And falls to barb'rous Borgio's troops a prey.
Hubert's defign upon Verona's tow'rs
Difclos'd with horrour in the gloomy hours:
Sage Aribert in vain coafults his peers,

The council broken amidft panick fears.

I.

ALAS! that man, creation's glorious lord,
And blefs'd with fway fupreme o'er sea and land,
With wisdom's wealth fhould be fo thinly stor'd,
As by an harlot's smiles to be trepann'd.

II.

In vain he boasts him of his ftrength and pow'r, 5 In vain the image of his Maker wears,

If prone to evil in the dang'rous hour,

He falls a prey to penitence and tears.

III.

ΤΟ

Who that had seen young Goltho's force in fight,
Who that had known the virtues of his youth,
Had thought he held them both fo cheap and light,
To rifk his fafety on a harlot's truth?

IV.

'To facrifice his worth at such a shrine,

To wafte his hours in dalliance at her fide,

4

15

To call her Angel, Goddefs most divine,
Whom hell's black monarch had fo deeply dy'd?

V.

Yet he, forgetful of the counfel fage

Which Ulfinore fo gen'roufly had giv'n,

Attends on Dalga, thro' an unknown road,

While the broad fun declin'd the fleep of heav'n. 20
VI.

Thro' winding mazy paths fometimes they past,
Sometimes o'er forefts wild they held their way,
A fpacious dome receives them at the last,

Where all was deck'd for joy and am'rous play.

VII.

25

Blithe as a bridegroom rushing to his love,
Young Goltho haftes to quench his wanton fires,
Whilft other thoughts black Dalga's hofom move,
Intent on other fchemes than foft'ring fond defires.
VIN.

The youth whom Ulfinore had first descry'd
Refort with welcome to her open gate,
That self-fame youth had Goltho strictly ey❜d,
And fought to work him an untimely fare.

IX.

Friend to Prince Ofwald, mortal hate he bore
To all that fought Duke Gondibert to aid,
And on his brow a dreadful frown he wore,
Till Dalga all her wily tale difplay'd.

30

35

X.

Think not, my Love," faid he, "that hated race "Who with your houfe hold enmity fo great, "Shall e'er with me find favour, love, or grace, "But rather death and fure deftruétion meet.

XI.

"Yet let him hither come, and bring his gold,
"And jewels ftore, to purchase evil chance,
** No back-returning steps shall you behold,
"If to my wifh the headlong youth advance.

XII.

"For when again he hither bends his course,
"With him will I to lonely feats repair,
"So may you him entrap with guile or force,
"And take him heedlefs in an easy fnare."

XIII.

40

4-5

The counfel pleas'd; and when young Goltho came,
With eager hafte, to fate his am'rous fire,

Straight to her paramour the fraudful dame

Dispatch'd the tidings, which his hafte require.
XIV.

And he as foon, by Jealoufy and Hate

Infpir'd, and Malice, eldeft-born of Hell,

50

With two bold fquires that on his fortune wait, 55
Rush'd on to meet the froke by which he fell.

XV.

They leave Verona's lofty tow'rs behind,

And follow eagerly their evil game

With speed that seems t' outstrip the passing wind, And leaves behind them honour, truth, and fame. 60

XVI.

Now had they pass'd the foreft's awful shade,
And now in view upon the open plain

Beheld the dome where Goltho, twice betray'd,
Was doom'd black Dalga's captive to remain ;

XVII.

65

But ere they yet attain'd their deftin'd place,
From a deep dell, all clad in green array,
Two knights came iffuing forth with eager pace,
Then check'd their haste, and stood across the way.
XVIII.

Aftolpho (fo the treach'rous youth we name)
Who Goltho's glories fought t' eclipse ere noon, 70
Stopp'dfhort,ftarts backward with surprise and shame,
To find his early progrefs check'd so foon.

XIX.

Yet questions with himself if these be foes,
Or how his deep design they e'er could scan,
Of which to learn, straight onward ftill he goes, 75
And foon a fierce and cruel fight began.

XX.

Him Ulfinore well knowing, nothing spoke,
But at him aim'd aloft his Gothick lance,
Which thro' a faithful servant's harness broke,

That did in lucklefs hour his aid advance.

80