Who vests and armour won from chiefs o'erthrown, 450 With truth by friends, by sons, by brothers prov'd; 455 The wretched earl, and heal his frantic mind. And took the path his dame prepar'd to lead 460 470 His squire attending brought his arms and steed: 465 And answer with his spear in rest return'd: 475 Battoldo spurr'd (his gentle courser's name 480 485 And, oft, as fortune chane'd on either side Had headlong plung'd, now ran without dismay, Nor fear'd the perils of the downward way. Battoldo little us'd such path to keep, Shook in each joint to view the fearful steep: 490 Trembles the bridge, and to the burthen bends; The bridge, whose sides nor fence nor rail defends. 495 Well far'd each generous steed to 'scape with life; * The youth that ill his father's light could guide. 500 Prone sunk the coursers with the ponderous weight 505 To search what nymph or naiad there might dwell. * Phaeton. Not this the first or second venturous leap 510 The Christian knight, whose courser whirling round 515 Where deep infix'd, and by no strength releas'd 620 525 Bears to the deepest current knight and horse, Suffice, with thee his arms and vest remain : She said; and such persuasive prayers address'd 535 As touch'd the Pagan king's obdurate breast; Then to her lord his saving hand he gave, Her lord whom buried deep beneath the wave His courser held; where without thirst he quaff'd · Compell'd from rushing streams the plenteous draught-- But ere the Pagan would his aid afford He took from Brandimart his helm and sword, Soon as the dame beheld him prisoner led, Yet less she mourn'd than at the dreadful sight 541 545 550 When late the stream o'erwhelm'd her faithful knight. Departing thence she ponder'd in her mind. Some gallant knight of Pepin's court to find: The Paladin Rinaldo far renown'd, 555 Guido, or Sansonetto, fearless found At all assays, some chief whose matchless hand Might dare the Saracen by flood or land; Who though not braver than her own true knight, With fortune more to friend might wage the fight. 560 565 First turn to what at Paris' walls befel, 570 Ver. 569.---some future time shall tell,] Ile returns to Flordelis, Book xxxv. ver. 245. Where deep destruction crush'd the Moorish bands 580 585 The countless numbers chas'd in speedy flight, Or driven to Stygian realms from upper light, The mantling shade from Turpin's view conceal'd, 575 Else had his page the slain and fled reveal'd. To Agramant a knight the news convey'd, Who lock'd in sleep in his pavilion laid No danger heard; and only wak'd to know Swift flight alone could save him from the foe. He starts from rest, he casts around his eyes, And guideless, disarray'd his soldiers 'spies: Naked, unarm'd, now here now there they yield: No time allows to grasp the fencing shield. Confus'd in counsel, and in thought distrest, The monarch fits his cuirass to his breast; When Falsirones (sprung from boasted race) Grandonio, Balugantes, near the place. Approach'd, his danger to the king betray, That death or slav'ry threats the least delay; And could he thence his person safely bear He well might boast propitious fortune's care. Marsilius thus, alike Sobrino sage With all the peers (whom equal cares engage) Would urge his flight, while by Rinaldo led Destruction pointed at the monarch's head. IIe, with the remnants of his routed train In Arli or Narbona might remain: Both strongly built and both provided well With martial stores could long a siege repel : 590 595 600 |