ページの画像
PDF
ePub

Brave Amon's son*, collecting all his might,
His weapon rais'd to strike the Pagan knight;
When Sacripant to meet the falchion, held,
Compos'd of bone and steel, his ample shield:
The sword Fusberta, rushing from on high,
Pierc'd the tough plates; the sounding woods reply;
The bone and steel, like ice, in shivers broke;
His arm benumb'd confess'd the dreadful stroke.
This, when the fair and fearful damsel view'd,
And well perceiv'd the mischief that ensu❜d,
A death-like paleness chac'd her rosy bloom,
Like one who trembling waits his fatal doom.
She thinks the time admits of no delay,
And fears that hour to be Rinaldo's prey;
Rinaldo, hateful to her virgin breast,
Though love of her his amorous soul distress'd.
She turn'd her palfrey to the woods in haste,
And through a narrow thorny passage pass'd,
While oft she cast behind her timorous view,
And deem'd she heard Rinaldo close pursue.
Not far she fled, but where a valley lay,
She met an aged hermit on the way:

* Rinaldo.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

Ver. 73. The sword Fusberta,-] This strange affectation of giving names to swords was common with them; thus Joyosa is the name of Charlemain's sword, in Aspramonte; Chrysaor, is the name of Arthegal's sword, in Spenser; Caliburn, of King Arthur's, in the romance of that name; Ascalon, of St. George's, in the Seven Cham. pions; Tranchera, of Agrican's, in Boyardo; and in Ariosto, besides Fusberta, we have Rogero's Balisarda, and Orlando's Durindana. In Spenser, Arthur's sword is called Mordure; and his shield or banner, Pridwen, and his spear, Roan, by the romance writers.

His beard descending on his breast was seen,
Severe his aspect, and devout his mien.

He seem'd with years and frequent fasting worn,
And gently on a slow-pac'd ass was borne:
While all his form bespoke a pious mind,
From the vain follies of the world refin'd:

Yet, when the fair and blooming maid appear'd,
So much her looks his drooping spirits chear'd;
Though cold and feeble, as his age requir'd,
An unknown warmth his languid pulse inspir'd.
Of him the damsel sought the nearest way
To where in port some ready vessel lay,

95

100

That there embarking, she might quit the shore,
And never hear Rinaldo mention'd more.

The hermit, vers'd in magic, strove to cheer

105

The virgin's thoughts, and dissipate her fear;
Drew from his side a book his skill to prove,
With promise every danger to remove.

A leaf he'd scarce perus'd, when to their sight,
In likeness of a page, appear'd a spright;
Who, by the force of strong enchantment bound,
Went where the knights in cruel strife he found;
And when his eyes the furious fight espy'd,
Between them boldly rush'd and loudly cry'd.

Tell me, ye warriors! what avails the strife,
Though either should deprive his foe of life;
If without sword unsheath'd, without the fear
Of shatter'd armour, or the lifted spear,
Orlando now to Paris safe conveys

The maid, whose charms your fond contention raise?

--

110

115

Ver. 114. and loudly cry'd.] The poet returns to Angelica. Book viii. ver. 199.

Not hence a mile, the couple I descry'd,
Whose bitter taunts your empty pains deride.
Attend my counsel---cease your fruitless fight,
And, while occasion serves, pursue their flight:
For know, if Paris' walls they safely gain,
Henceforth your hopes to see your love are vain.
He said: the gallant knights on either hand,
Struck with the news, abash'd and silent stand;
Condemning each his judgment and his eyes,
That thus their rival should obtain the prize.
At length, a sigh deep-issuing from his breast,.
His steps Rinaldo to his steed address'd ;
And vow'd, o'ercome with anger and disdain,
To glut his vengeance on Orlando slain;
Nor bade farewel, nor with a courteous mind,
He proffer'd once to take the knight behind.

Urg'd by the well-known spur, the fiery steed
Bore all before aim that oppos'd his speed:
Nor trench, nor steepy mound, nor thorny shade,
Nor crossing flood, Bayardo's passage stay'd.
Deem it not strange Rinaldo seiz’d again.
The generous courser sought so long in vain;

125

130

135

140.

Who, fraught with human sense, when first he view'd

The trembling damsel's flight her track pursu'd.

Not idly from the Christian camp he fled,

But to regain the maid his master led,

145

Who then, on foot, a dreadful combat wag'd
With a fierce baron, hand to hand engag'd::

Ver. 136.-the knight behind.] We hear again of Sacripant in the ivth Book, ver. 313, where he is delivered by Bradamant, with the. other knights, from the castle of Atlantes.

Ver. 148. With a fierce baron,--] Rogero, with whom Rinaldo fought at the last general battle. See General View of Boyardo's Story.

The faithful steed, to guide him where she went,

His course sagacious to the forest bent:

150

Nor suffer'd yet his generous lord to ride,

Lest he should turn him from his path aside.
By him Rinaldo twice the fair o'ertook,
And twice the fair his eager sight forsook:
For first Ferrau, as late my tale disclos'd,
Then Sacripant his amorous hopes oppos'd.
Bayardo now, confiding in the spright,

155

Whose specious fålsehood had amus'd the knight,
Pursu'd his way, and patient of command,

160

Obey'd the spur, and answer'd to the hand.
Rinaldo, fir'd with love and stern disdain,
To Paris flies, and gives up all his rein:
So deep the tidings rankled in his thought,
Which the vain phantom of the hermit brought.
Nor ceas'd his eager journey morn or night,
Till the near city rose before his sight;
Where Charlemain, with his defeated crew,
Th' unhappy remnants of his strength withdrew :
A siege expecting now, he bends his care,
Supplies of stores and forces to prepare.
Ile sinks the trenches, fortifies the walls,
And every aid, in time of danger, calls;
Provides an embassy to England's shore,
With speed auxiliar prowess to implore:
Resolv'd again to tempt the doubtful field,
And try what war another day might yield;
Then sends Rinaldo to the British clime,
Known by fair England's name in future time.
Sore griev'd the Paladin at this command,
Not that he shunn'd to tread the British land,

165

170

175

180

But that the hasty charge his prince enjoin'd,
Bade him, reluctant, leave the fair behind;
Yet, as his duty call'd, he takes his way,
And speeds to Calais, restless of delay.

The knight, impatient to return again,
Against the counsels of the sailor-train,

Tempts the black sea, that wears a threatening form,
And, murmuring hoarse, forebodes the future storm.
The wind, who sees the knight his power despise,
In dreadful tempests makes the billows rise,
And with such fury whirls them from below,
That o'er the mast th' insulting waters flow.

185

190

The skilful mariners, with busy care,

Strike their broad sails to shun the watery war;

And think th' abandon'd harbour to regain,

193

Whence, in ill hour, they dar'd to brave the main.
Fools! never hope (the wind indignant cry'd)

Unpunish'd thus my empire to deride!
Raging he speaks, and makes the crew obey
On pain of shipwreck, as he points the way.
Before, behind, unweary'd howls the blast:
With humble sails the wandering vessel pass'd,
Now here, now there, amidst the watery waste.

But since a web so various I prepare,

200

Where every thread by turns demand my care,

205

I leave Rinaldo in the stormy main,

And turn to noble Bradamant the strain.

Ver. 206. I leave Rinaldo-] The poet returns to Rinaldo, Book iv. 368.

« 前へ次へ »