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Within a month, (now hastening to an end)
Her life against th' accuser to defend.
The cruel laws of Scotland's realm decree,
That every maid of high or low degree,
Accus'd of yielding to the luring fire
Of lawless love, in torment shall expire:
Nor aught can save the wretched damsel's life,
Unless some warrior dare the generous strife.
The king, who for Geneura's safety fears,

(Such is the name his hapless daughter bears)
Proclaims through every city, far and near,
That he who dares in her defence appear,
Whose arm shall lay her proud accuser low,
(If he his birth to noble parents owe)
Shall for his bride the royal maid receive,
With such a dower as fits a prince to give.

430

435

440

A deed like this should more your sword demand,

Than wandering thus amid the forest land.

445

You will the flower of beauteous dames obtain,

"Twixt distant India and th' Atlantic main;

With power and wealth, and knighthood's envy'd praise,

To crown with blessings all your future days.

450

Our king shall fix on you his sovereign grace,
Whose arm preserv'd the honour of his race.
Yet more, the law of chivalry demands,
To save from infamous and treacherous hands
A maid, who, by the world's consent, may claim
Among the chastest minds the foremost name.

Rinaldo mus'd awhile, then made reply:
And must a damsel be condemn'd to die
Because she circl'd in her yielding arms,
And kindly bless'd her lover with her charms?

455

Accurst be those that could such laws procure!

460

Accurst be those that still such laws endure!
Let cruel virgins rather cease to live,
Not those who life to faithful lovers give:
Nor ask I now if with consenting ear,
Geneura deign'd her suitor's vows to hear;
In her defence shall all my force be try'd:
Procure me speedily a skilful guide;
And give me but th' accuser's face to see,
I trust, in heaven, to set Geneura free.

465

I mean not now (what truth perchance denies)
T'affirm that guiltless of the deed she dies;

470

But mean to show what madness fill'd his mind,
Who first devis'd this law for woman-kind,

When man to multitudes his love displays.
Nor meets alone impunity, but praise.

475

And soon I hope, in heaven, to prove the wrong,
To suffer tamely such an act so long.

The rest with good Rinaldo deem'd the same,
While all agreed their ancestors to blame:
Nor could the king escape from censure free,
Whose justice ne'er revers'd the harsh decree.
Soon as the rosy morn, with splendor bright,

480

Reveal'd the hemisphere of rising light,

Rinaldo arm'd, and mounted on his steed,
He took a trusty squire the way to lead;
Then left the abbey, and his course pursu❜d,

485

For many miles along the gloomy wood,

To seek the city destin'd for the strife,

On which depended fair Geneura's life.

To make the shorter way, they chanc'd to take
A path more lonely, and the road forsake.

490

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When near at hand they hear a screaming sound,,

The forest echoes to the noise around,

One spurs Bayardo, t' other spurs his steed,

To search the valley whence the cries proceed..
Betwixt two men a damsel there was seen,
Who distant seem'd of fair and comely mein;
But ne'er before did dame or damsel show
Looks more deprest with anguish or with woe.
On either side the ruffians ready stood
With naked swords to dye the ground with blood;
While she with prayers and many a flowing tear,
Did for a while the dreadful stroke defer.,
Rinaldo comes, and when the fair he spies,.
He hastens to her aid with threatening cries.

Soon as the murderers saw th' approaching knight,
At once they turn'd their backs in sudden flight;
Through the dark vale precipitate they flew;,
Nor would the Paladin their steps pursue,
But, drawing near the damsel, sought to hear
Her deep distress, and whence her death so near;
Then, for dispatch, commands the squire to bear
Behind him, on their way, the weeping fair;
While, as they rode, he better mark'd her face,
Her beauteous features, and her pleasing grace
That savour'd of a court; though still appear
Upon her troubl'd looks the marks of fear..
Again Rinaldo ask'd, what cruel fate
Had so depress'd her to this wretched state?

She then, with lowly voice, began to tell
What in th' ensuing book we shall reveal.

495.

500

505.

510

515

520

END OF THE FOURTH BOOK.

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THE ARGUMENT.

RINALDO hears, from Dalinda, the tale of the loves of Ariodantes and, Geneura, with the treachery of Polinesso, who had contrived to blacken the reputation of Geneura, and caused her to be openly accused of incontinence; in consequence of which, by the laws of Scotland, she was condemned to death. Rinaldo takes up her cause before the king, and enters the list with her

enemy.

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