To shun the blows, as Durindana fell, Whose all-destroying edge he knew so well: Or where they reach'd, they reach'd with empty sound, Has stunn'd the Pagan's arm with many a blow; His weapon aim'd; for more than mortal charms Thus long, with like success, on either side 595 600 605 And sore beset the steed Bayardo 'spies. They see Bayardo with a monster join'd In dangerous fight: he seem'd of feather'd kind, His eyes And like two sails his ample wings he shook. 610 615 Ver. 616.----like two sails---] Thus Spenser, speaking of a dragon's Ne'er have I seen, nor heard in times of old Of such a bird, save this by Turpin told; And hence I deem some fiend might cheat the sight, By Malagigi's art, to stay the fight. So deem'd Rinaldo, and with anger mov'd, When next they met his kinsman he reprov'd; .620 The deed, imputed to himself, to hide, 625 Swore by that light from which the morning drew Her beams, that hence nor blame nor guilt he knew. The monster falls, and on Bayardo flies With sharpen'd claws, but soon with fierce disdain 630 He snorts, he foams, he plies his spurning heels; Retiring swift; again th' assault renews With pungent nails, and circling round pursues His flaggy wings when forth he did display, 635 640 645 Fairy Queen, Book i. c. xii. st. 10. When king Gradasso and Rinaldo view'd Bayardo's loss, no more their hands pursu'd A fruitless strife; but either knight agreed And there, in single trial, man to man, Conclude the combat they so late began. The fountain left, the knights prepar❜d to trace Her seat he gain'd, and spurring through the wood The chance revolving in his careful breast. 655 660 The thorny maze, and sought the thickest shade, And hollow rocks, and through deep torrents made 665 Whose griping talons urg'd him from the sky. Till to the fountain's side he turn'd again; To see Gradasso thither bring the steed: 670 But when all hope was vanish'd from his thought, Alone, on foot, the Christian camp he sought Pensive and sad--But turn we now to tell What better chance the rival knight befel; Whom fortune led with favour'd course so near, 675 Till in a cavern deep immers'd from sight, Than twice for me to tread on Gallia's shore. 680 685 690 695 He said; and speaking, by the readiest way To Arli hasten'd, where his vessels lay, There swift embark'd and with him thence convey'd But cease we here---some other time shall tell What fortune to the Pagan prince befel; We bid Rinaldo now and France farewel. *Durindana. 700 Ver. 700.--some other time shall tell] He returns to Gradasso, Book xl. ver. 360. Ver. 702. We bid Rinaldo..] He returns to Rinaldo, Book xxxviii. ver. 55. ver. 505. Astolpho's voyage let us next pursue, When now the knight had Gallia's land survey'd Joins high Pyrene's foot, he turns his rein 705 To where the western mountains sever France from That stood remote from sea, or grac'd the shore. Gades he saw, and now the bounds he trac'd, Which once for mariners Alcides plac'd. Now from th' Atlantic wave his course he bore 720 By Afric's coast to reach th' Egyptian shore. Evisa rose conspicuous in his way; Among the First; Algiers and Bugia fam'd For wealth and honours, next his eyes behold, 725 Not crown'd with empty wreaths, but crown'd with gold. Ver. 703. Astolpho's voyage-] The last we heard of Astolpho was Book xxiii. ver. 116. where he left his horse and arms with Bradamant. |