Jerusalem Delivered Page 11

And I made Duke, you shall be of th’ elect.”

  So Eustace leaves him, and gins travaile use,

  This with his mates good liking to effect.

  But for selfe roome Prince Gernand hotly sewes,

  Whom though Armidas poisned shafts enfect,

  Yet in proud hart, lesse ladies love prevailes.

  Then thirst of honour, which more sharpe assailes.

  16. From Norway great kings Gernand came of yore,

  Who many realmes swayd with emperiall blade,

  Which store of crownes and royal scepters store

  Of sire and grandsires him much haughtie made.

  Th’ other on his owne worth him haughtie bore,

  More then on acts of elders noble trade,

  Albe of hundred years many a leace (a length of thread (?)

  They were renownd in warre, and knowne in peace.

  17. But the barbarian lord, who measur’de sole

  So farre as gold and rule can stretch the line,

  And deem’d ech vertue darke as quenched cole

  Wherein some royall title did not shine,

  In no wise brookes that to the craved gole

  The knights like merit should their course combine,

  And growes so teasty that by teeny spite

  Past reasons bounds he is transported quote.

  18. So as the sprite malignant of the deepe,

  Who open in him saw this largy gate,

  Into him gan with covert silent creepe,

  And at the helme of this thoughts fleeing sate,

  And there his wrath ginnes more in hate to steepe,

  And more his hart to pricke, and more to grate,

  And worketh so that in his soule still sounds

  A voyce, which reasons such to him propounds:

  19. “Doth Reynold just with thee? Beares his vaine ranke

  Of elder worthies such nobilitie?

  Then let him show (since thee he mates so cranke)

  The nations thralled to his soveraigntie.

  Shew he his realmes, his dead ones let him flanke

  With thine that live in royall dignitie.

  Ah how this lord presumes of wortelesse rate,

  Lord borne in Italy of thrald estate!

  20. “Winne he or leese he, he is victor yet, (lose

  Ev’n since he was thy countermate at first.

  What will the world say (and saying set

  His prayse a flaunt)? With Gernand match he durst,

  That roome to thee some fame and credit get

  Well might, while noble Dudons glory nurst.

  But yet thy selfe wouldst it to lesse a grace,

  Where by craving it, doth it abase.

  21. “And if they, who no longer breath or speake,

  To our affaires their knowing thoughts apply,

  Into what noble flame of wrath out breake

  Doth good old Dudon (thinke you) bove in sky?

  Whiles he adviseth this, our copy freake, (imitation man

  And on his sawcy boldnesse bends his eye,

  Who ev’n with him (scorning his worth and age)

  Dares to compare fond over-weening page?

  22. “Yea dares, and it attempts and beares away,

  In liew of chasticement, honour and laud.

  And some there are, who for him do and say

  (O common shame!) and unto him applaud.

  But if Godfrey it see, and pleasde appay, (be satisfied

  That of what is thy dew he thee defraud,

  Bear’t not, nor it to beare it is thy thy part,

  But shew him what thou canst, and who thou art.”

  23. At such a speeches sound upflames disdaine,

  And as a tossed brand in him it growes,

  Nor stuft and swollen heart it can containe,

  But out through eyes and at the tongue it goes.

  What so blamefull, undew, he deemes may staine

  Rinaldos honour, he doth all disclose.

  Him proud and vaine he faines, and his manhood

  He termes by name of rashness, fond and wood.

  24. And what so of a great and haughty hart,

  Of loftie, and of noble, in him shinde,

  All this (shading the truth with evill art)

  He blames, as it were vice, and fault doth finde,

  And prateth so, as fame it gan impart

  To counter-knight by vulgars blabbing winde.

  Not yet his wrath he slakte, or bridelled

  The blindfold bent, which should to death him wed.

  25. For that lewd feend, who moving rulde his tong,

  In steede of breath and all his words did frame,

  Him made renew ech his outragious wrong,

  Still beering fewell to his bosomd flame.

  Wide place there was in camp, where seemly throng

  Of choicest persons ever flocking came,

  Where, joynd in wrastling and in turneyment,

  More vigour, and more skill, their lims they bent.

  26. Now there what time thickest increast the preace, (press

  He (as his dest’ny gave) Reynold accusde,

  And like keene shaft, against him gan addresse

  His tongue, in venom of Averne infused,

  And of his speech Reynold was my witnesse,

  Nor longer could restraine his wrath unusde,

  But cries, “Thou lyest,” and on him sets amaine,

  And in right hand doth naked weapon straine.

  27. His voice a thunder seemd, lightning his blade,

  Which tidings bringeth of the falling flash.

  He quakes, nor seeks how fly, or how evade

  He may deathes present uneschewed lash.

  Yet since the whole campe witnesse stood, he made

  Semblant, as nought him could dismay or bash,

  And his great foe attends, and weapon barde

  (Close setled for defence) he lyes at warde.

  28. Seene fiery swords wel-neere a thousand are

  That time at once to flame, for there around

  In flockt, and shoov’d, and prest of folke unaware

  A divers troope, and through the aire rebound

  And whirle of voices that uncertaine fare,

  And of confused accents doth the sound,

  As at sea shore is heard when wind and wave

  Murmures divers in one confounded have.

  29. But not a whit for other voices slakes

  Th’ offended warrour eyther brung or ire.

  Fences and cryes he scornes, or what so brakes

  A stop, and to revenge doth whole aspire.

  And through the men, and through their armes he rakes,

  And whirles about his sword of flashy fire,

  So as to thousand gaurders shame all lets (restraints

  Away he thrusts, and on Gernando sets.

  30. And with a hand, ev’n angry, skild in fight

  A thousand blowes quartering on him he layes.

  Now in the brest, now in the head, no right,

  Now left side busie he to wound assayes,

  And his right hand so wimble was and wight, (nimble | agile

  That eyes and art come short of his sly wayes,

  So as unseene and unadvisde it lights,

  And strikes, and foines, where least his feare affrights. (stabs

  31. Nor ever ceast, till in his brest plunged

  Once and againe he had his fierce Morglay.

  The wretch fals grroveling on his wound, and she

  Foorth soule and spirits by that dubble way.

  The vanquisher his sword yet sprinckelled

  With bloud upsheathes, nor there brooks longer stay,

  But turnes elsewhere, and casteth off withall

  His cruell mood and his incensed gall.

  32. Good Godfrey, to this tumult drawne the while,

  Findes dismall sight of unexpected case:

  Gernand out stretcht, his haire and mantle vile

  And moyst with
bloud, and full of death his face.

  He heares the sighes and plaints, and divers stile

  Of moanes for warrour slaughtred in the place.

  Stonisht he queres, “Here where tis most forbid,

  Who ist that so much durst, and so much did?

  33. Arnalt, one deerest to the prince deceast,

  The case tells, and it telling gan augment,

  How Reynold slew him, and how thereto prest

  He was by slight cause of a braine-sicke bent,

  And how the sword, which guirded was to quest

  Of Christ, gainst Christen champions now he bent,

  And how he scornde his rule and fore-restraint,

  And how herewith all did themselves acquaint,

  34. And that death to his guilt by law is dew,

  And ought (as was proclaimde) be punished,

  Both for the fault selfe beares a heynous hew,

  And for in such a place it happened.

  For if his errour such pardon accrew,

  More by his sample will be couraged,

  And that the wronged will to vengeance band

  Themselves, which now th’attend at judges hand.

  35. Which discord will beget, and bring forth blowes

  Twixt such as part with t’one and t’other take.

  The dead mans merits up he rips, and showes

  What so many pitie or disdaine awake.

  But Tancred it denies, and doth oppose

  Himselfe, and skusing forth accused spake.

  Godfrey listneth, and with a face seveare

  Small cause affords of hope, but more of feare.

  36. Tancred then addes, “My wise lord, please it you,

  What and how Reynold is in mind to call,

  What honour in his owne regard is dew,

  Both for his stocke renowmed and royall,

  And for his unckle Guefe, nor ought ensew

  From rulers doome, on each a paine equall:

  In divers callings one offence appeeres

  Divers, and ev’nesse sole is just with peeres.”

  37. “The lower shall (answered the captiane) learne

  By sample of the higher to obay.

  Tancred, you counsell ill, and ill discerne

  To thinke I’le beare with greats unruly sway.

  What were my rule, if some with vulgar sterne,

  On none but base and vile commaund I may?

  A powrelesse scepter, a charge full of shame,

  If such law gave it, I renounce the same.

  38. “But franke and awfull it was given mee,

  Nor this authoritie shall any bate.

  And well I know where and when ought to bee

  Now price and paines imposde of divers rate,

  Now keeping tenour of equalitee,

  Not lowest sever’d from the highest state.”

  So spake he, t’other answere none affords,

  As vanquisht by the rev’rence of his words.

  39. Raymond, a follower of the severe

  And sterne antiquitie, his speech commends.

  “With these arts (sayes he) who so well doth beare

  His rule, the subjects to his rev’rence bends.

  For discipline is never soundest where

  The guilty pardon more than paine attends.

  Down fals ech realme, ech mercy ruineth,

  Which on the base of feare not fasteneth.”

  40. So spake he, and Tancred did well advise

  These words, nor there time longer spent,

  But to Rinaldo-ward foorthwith him hies

  On steed, who seemed winged as he went.

  Reynold, when from fierce foe had thuswise

  Rest pride and soule, returned to his tent.

  There Tancred found him, and makes full report,

  What sayd and answred was, in every sort.

  41. Then he adjoynes, “Albe no outward show,

  As faithfull witnes of the hart I prize,

  For in too inward part, and too hollow

  The thought of mortall wights conceiled lies,

  Yet dare I vouch by that on sight I know,

  In the chieftaine (nor it he whole denies)

  That to the common law for guilt ordaind

  He’ll have you thrald, and in his power restraide.”

  42. Rinaldo somewhat smilde, and with a face

  In which twixt laughter flashed a disdaine,

  “Let him (quoth he) in bonds goe plead his cace,

  Thats bend, and fit for bondage hath a graine.

  I free was borne, and live, and free in place

  Will die, ere base cord hand or foot astaine.

  Used to my sword, and used palmes to beare

  Is this right hand, and scornes vile gyves to weare.

  43. “But if for my deserts such recompence

  Godfrey will yeeld, and me in prison cast,

  As I of vulgar were, and beare pretence

  In common fetters to uptie me fast,

  Then let him come or send, I will not hence.

  Twixt us shall chance and armes be judges plast.

  Ile of a dismall tragedy the shoe

  Present for pastime to our forraine foe.”

  44. This said, he cals for armes, and head and brest

  In steele of finest choice most seemely shrines,

  And with his waighty shield his arme he prest,

  And fatall blade unto his side combines,

  And with a semblant brave and nobellest

  (As lightning wonts), he in his armour shines.

  Mars, he resembles thee, when from fift heav’n

  Thou comst down guirt with ire and ghastly leav’n.

  45. Tancred this while his fierce sprites doth procure,

  And hart upswolne with pride to mollifie.

  “Invict young man (he sayes), to your valure, (indomitable

  I know, ech hard and tough attempt will plie

  With ease. I know that ever most secure

  Midst armes and terrour stands your vertue hie.

  But God forbid you make it such appeare

  So cruelly to our annoyance heere.

  46. “Tell me, what meane you do? Will you go staine

  Your yet cleane hands in bloud of civill warre,

  And with Christens unworthy wounds againe

  Peirce Christ, of whom we part and members are?

  And shall respectrs of fading honour vaine

  (Which like sea wave soone flow, and ebbe as farre)

  Worke more with you then either faith or zeale,

  Which glory bring of heavens endlesse weale?

  47. “Ah no (for God), conquer your selfe, and kill

  This fiercenesse of your over haughty minde.

  Give place, it is no feare but holy will.

  For palme is to your giving place assigned,

  And in my yeeres of young unripened skill,

  If any may sutewoorth example finde, (meriting compaint

  I also was provokt, yet never grew

  Gainst faithfull fierce, but did my selfe subdew.

  48. “For when Cilicia realme by my effort

  I wanne, and Christen ensignes there addrest,

  Baldwyn comes on, and in unworthy sort

  It straightwayes seizd, and made a base conquest,

  While bearing of a friend ech way the port.

  At his so greedy bent I never ghest.

  Yet seeke thereof recovery by fight

  I nould, though it perhaps performe I might. (refuse

  49. “And if you also prisonment refuse

  And fetters fly, as waight unmoble fro,

  And th’ uses rather and th’ opinons chuse

  On which men name of honours lawes bestow,

  Let me alone. I’l you to captike skuse.

  Do you to Boemund at Antioch goe,

  That he you out in this first brunt may beare,

  So gainst his sentence safe bide shall you theare.

  50. “Soone w
ill it hap, if the Egyptian state

  Or other Painim troope against us warre,

  That clearer much your valour of high rate

  Will shine, while that from hence it bideth farre,

  And campe will seeme (you wanting) out of date,

  As corps whose arme and hand off chopped are.”

  Here Guelfe comes in, and doth this speech approve,

  And wils that thence he speedily remove.

  51. To their advises the disdainefull hart

  Of this audacious youth beturning plies,

  So as foorthwith from thence aside to start

  To such well-willers he no more denies.

  Friends store (the while) stocke in from every part,

  And with him crave to goe in earnest wise.

  He thankes them all, and for attendants chose

  Two only squires, and so to horse he goes.

  52. He parts, and of high glory a large bent

  Pertakes, the spurre and rod of noble sprite.

  His hart, all vowd t’expoits magnificent,

  Doth none but workes of rarest price endite.

  Midst foes (as chamtion of the Faith) he ment

  That palme or cypresse should his paines acquite.

  He’ll Egypt scoure, and pierce ev’n to the hole

  Where from his uncouth spring Nile doth outrole.

  53. But Guelfe, when as the fierce young man thus wise,

  Prest to depart, had bid them all adew,

  There brookes no longer stay, but speedy hies,

  Where guesse might Godfrey soonest yeeld to view.

  Who spying him, with voyce of higher size

  Said, “Guelfe, this very time I wisht for you,

  And sent but late to sundry wheres about

  Some of our herhaults to enquire you out.”

  54. Then makes all els withdraw, and turning low,

  Begins with him a grave speech to contrive.

  “Your nephew verily (my friend Guelfo)

  To headlong runnes, where heats his courage drive,

  And if his deede (I deeme) can hardly show

  Some cause that may to just pretence arrive.

  Deere would I hold that so it might before,

  But Godfrey stands and equall Duke withal.

  55. “And will, of what so lawfull is and right,

  In ech case guardeine and defender bee,

  Preserving still from tyrant passions might

  His unsubdewed hart in judging free.

  Now if that Reynold by constraint him dight

  To wrong the edict and sacred majestee

  Of discipine, as some alleage, behooves

  He can, and take our doome, and make his prooves.

  56. “Come he to his restraint in liberty,

  What may be to his merits I consent.

  But if he this disdaine, and stand stiffely

  (Well wot I his untamed hardimente),

  Do you to bring him your best care apply,