Compact and firm they bend their daring way, Where deep encamp'd the Christian army lay; While Africa and Spain aloud they cry, Now Pagans known to every ear and eye. Through all the host, to arms, to arms, resound
A thousand tongues; but ere their arms they found, 125 The hostile steel invades them unprepar'd,
And the first onset puts to flight the guard.
The Christian chiefs, while thus the tumult spread, Scarce knew from whom, or why their soldiers fled : Some deem'd this daring insult they sustain From the fierce Swiss or hardy Gascon train: But, while uncertain whence th' incursion came, They call the troops of every clime and name. Loud beats the drum; the trump its clangor pours; The sky re-echoes, and the tumult roars! Imperial Charles, amidst his gathering bands, All, save his helmet, arm'd, intrepid stands. He calls his Paladins, and bids them tell,
What sudden force could thus his legions quell.
By threats now these, now those he stays from flight, And others he beholds (too cruel sight!)
With heads dissever'd by the furious blade,
With bosoms pierc'd, and bowels open laid;
While some return (escap'd from greater harms) With bleeding limbs, with sever'd hands and arms. Advancing still, he sees where, scatter'd round, Unnumber'd wretches gasping bite the ground; Dreadful to view! all weltering in their gore,
When leech or drugs shall ne'er avail them more. Where'er this little band resistless came,
They left eternal monuments of fame;
While Charles with wonder, grief, and shame, beheld The fearful carnage of so dire a field.
So one, who suffers by the thunder's force, Explores the track of its destructive course.
These noble four the tents had scarcely gain'd, Where Afric's monarch still entrench'd remain'd; When on a different side, th' assault to aid, Appear'd Rogero and the martial maid*. Soon as the generous pair had darted round
Their skilful sight, to mark the camp and ground; And saw how best the combat to maintain,
And raise the siege; they gave their steeds the rein. As, when the mine is fir'd, the straining eyes
Scarce view the flame as through the train it flies, 165
'Till bursting forth, the fury levels all,
Tears the firm rock, and shakes the strongest wall. So swift Rogero and Marphisa flew,
Such was their rage amongst the warring crew. Aslant, direct, their furious blows they dealt; Dissever'd scalps, lopt arms, and shoulders felt The trenchant steel, while, for escape too slow, Huge crowds divide before each gallant foe. Whoe'er has seen o'er hill or vale a storm Sweep fiercely on, with ruin part deform, Part leave unhurt, may judge how, scatter'd wide, This warlike couple pierc'd the martial tide. Those, who from Rodomont's destructive hand Had fled, and 'scap'd the first assailing band
of four such warriors, gave their thanks to Heaven, 180 That strength and swiftness to their feet had given. But now with weapons brandish'd at their breast, By bold Rogero and Marphisa prest,
They see too late that him who stands or flies, What fate has sentenc'd, fate to shun denies. New danger follows one already past,
Who 'scapes the first, must doubly pay the last. So fares it with the timorous fox, expell'd From ancient seats which once she safely held; Whom for her thefts the village hinds conspire,
To chase with vapour of the smouldering fire, Driv'n with her cubs upon the hound to run, And meet that death she hop'd in vain to shun. At length Marphisa and Rogero gain The inmost trenches, whom the Pagan train Joyful receive with eyes on Heaven intent, In grateful thanks for aid so timely sent. No longer fear the meanest bosom knows, Each Pagan armı defies a hundred foes; With one united voice, their chiefs they call, And burn with ardor on the camp to fall. The Moorish drum, the horn and timbrel blend 'Their rattling sounds that to the skies ascend: While streamers rais'd aloft, and banners join'd, With mix'd devices tremble in the wind. Not less the chiefs of Charles, with martial care The troops of Britanny and France prepare:
Ver. 180. Of four such warriors---] Rodomont, Mandricardo, Gradasso and Sacripant, who first attacked the camp of the Christians, and were afterwards joined by Rogero and Marphisa.
With these Italian, German, English, close
Their martial lines, and fierce the battle glows! Stern Rodomont, of unresisted might,
With Mandricardo, dreadful in the fight:
We Rogero (virtue's constant stream)
And king Gradasso, every nation's theme : Marphisa steel'd in arms, and with her join'd Circassia's prince, who never lagg'd behind; All these at once the king of France assail'd, And urg'd his vows, that nothing now avail'd. On John and Dennis (patron saints) he calls, But soon compell'd, retires to Paris' walls. Th' o'erbearing valour of this matchless train
(The knights and dame), the muse, my lord! in vain Attempts to paint, nor can describe in speech, What beggars fancy, and no words can reach.
Think then what numbers fell of life bereav'd, What loss that day unhappy Charles receiv'd! With these Ferrau demands his share of fame, And with him many a Moor of gallant name; For haste, what numbers in the Seine were lost, The bridge unequal for the flying host!
Some wish, like Icarus, for wings to soar
From death, that threats behind and threats before.
What hapless Paladins were then enslav'd!
Vienna's marquist, and Ugero sav’d
Alone from bonds: see Olivero stand, Near his right shoulder by a hostile hand The wound inflicted deep, while at his side Ugero's head pours forth a purple tide.
It, like Rinaldo or Orlando lost,
Brave Brandimart had left the Christian host, In exile then might Charles have led his life, Had Fortune giv'n him to survive the strife. Whate'er cool thought or strength of nerve supply'd, Intrepid Brandimart had vainly try'd;
Till forc'd at length to give the tempest way, Slow he recedes, and scarce resigns the day.
Thus Agramant propitious Fortune view'd, And once again the siege of Charles renew'd. The cries of orphans, and the widows' moans, Sons for their fathers, fathers for their sons,
From earth ascending reach'd th' empyreal height, 250 Where Michael sate in realms of purest light.
He heard; and looking down with sad survey, Beheld, the food of wolves and birds of prey,
Stretch'd in their blood by thousands on the plain,
Of every nation his lov'd people slain.
The blessed angel blush'd celestial red,
To find his great Creator ill obey'd: To Discord late he gave his high command, To kindle strife amidst the Pagan band; Far different now, he sees the Pagans' hate All firmly join'd against the Christian state. As when some faithful envoy, who at large Receives commission for a weighty charge,
Ver. 256. The blessed angel blush'd celestial red,] Thus Milton
makes his angel change colour,
To whom the angel, with a smile that glow'd
Celestial rosy red.........
Paradise Lost, B. viii. ver. 618,
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