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  Least he force one of slow and gentle bent

  Severe avenger be of his empire

  And of the lawes, as reason doth require.”

  57. So did he speake, and Guelfe replyed thus:

  “No minde that shames what justly may defame

  Can speeches heare of scorne injurious,

  And not repulse them backe from whence they came.

  If wrongers slaughter then the wrong discusse,

  Who ist that bounds can to just furie frame?

  Who can his blowes, and what to fault is dew,

  In heat of bickring wey and measure true?

  58. “But that the youth should come in and obey

  Your sov’raigne judgement, as you now require,

  Me greeves it cannot be. For farre away

  He straight his steps did from the hoast retire.

  Yet this right hand a gage of proofe I lay

  Gainst him that blew this false accusals fire,

  Or whho so els beares like malicious hed,

  That shame unjust he justly punished.

  59. “I say, with reason he Gernando hault, (halted

  Downe forst the hornes of his stout pride to bend.

  Your broken charge (if any) was his fault.

  This sole I sorrow, nor will it commend.”

  He peac’d. “Let him (quoth Godfrey) fetch his fault,

  And brawles beare other where, nor I intend

  That you more seede here of new quarrels sow.

  Ah no (for-God), let old strifes also go.”

  60. This while her proffred succour to procure

  The lewd deceitful wench no time forslowes.

  All day she spends in prayers, an puts in ure (into ise

  What helpe from art, or wit, or bewtie growes.

  But when the night, spreading her robe obscure,

  The day light in the West gan up to close,

  Twixt her two knights, and matrons twaine aside,

  Where her pavilion pitched was, she hide.

  61. But though for art of wiles the price she bare,

  And kind her port were, and her manners quent,

  And she so faire as never greater share

  The heav’ns tofore on any woman spent,

  So as in campe most of the champions rare

  She with a strong and holdfast pleasure hent, (siezed

  Yet on the bayt of any her delite

  No tycing could good Godfrey winne to bite.

  62. In vaine she sought to slocke, or with mortall (entice

  Sweetnings t’enroll him in Cupidos pay.

  For as a gorged hawke stoupes not at call (swoops

  Of Falkners lure upon his traine to pray,

  So he, full of the world, frayle pleasures all

  Scornes, and mounts to the sky by uncouth way.

  And so snares, unfaithfull love contrives,

  Gainst his faire flight he of effect deprives.

  63. Nor any let could make his steps retrace (obstacle

  From path which God points holy thoughts t’enswe.

  With him a thousand arts she tryes, and face

  Of thousand formes him showes (as Prote new) (Proteus

  Well might her gestures sweet and seemely grace

  Wake love, where cold sleepe did it most imbew.

  But here (mercy the Lord) ech proffer vaine

  Proved, ne bootes it to beginne againe.

  64. The faire dame, who to kindle did suppose

  Ech chaseth hart with onely blincke of eye,

  O how the haultnes (now) and pride foregoes! (haughtiness

  How this her spite with mervaile gan allay!

  At last, where lesse doubt of gainestriving showes,

  She now resolves her forces to appy,

  Like tired captaine, who leaves seidge of fort

  Impregnable, and makes elsewhere resort.

  65. But gainst this wenches armes his hart no lesse

  Invict to be Tancredi will approve,

  For other longings his whole brest possess,

  Nor any new heat may the old remove.

  For as one venom useth to represse

  The tothers force, so t’one doth t’other love.

  Thes sole, not much or little could she gaine,

  Ech els, her fairest fire enflamde amaine.

  66. She though it greev’d that not a thorow sway

  Fortune allowd her purpose and her art,

  Yet of so many champions a pray

  So noble, somedeale comforteth her hart. (somewhat

  And ere some one her fraudes discover may,

  Thinkes to conduct them to a safer part,

  Where them she will in other chaines enfold

  Then those wher with them thral she now doth hold.

  67. So when the tearme was present come that dayd (appointed the day

  The captaine had some succour her to yeeld,

  Before him rev’rent she appeares, and sayd,

  “Time out doth date (sir) of your promise weeld,

  And if fell tirant learne that under ayd

  Of these your armes I seeke my selfe to sheeld,

  He will prepare his forces for defence.

  Nor shall we easly compasse our pretence.

  68. “Then ere the newes herof come certaine spy

  Him beare, or flying flames uncertaine winde,

  Let of your valiantst men, by your pitty,

  Some few with me to march be straight assignde.

  For if the heavn’s view not with froward eye

  Mens workes, nor innoncence cast out of minde,

  I shall my realme regaine, and towne and field,

  In peace and warre shall you still tribute yeeld.”

  69. So said she, and the captaine to her woordes

  Graunteth what could not be denyde,

  Though whiles to parture she no stay affordes,

  He sees himselfe to this election tyde.

  But of the ten, ech one the number boordes,

  And with strange instance to be be chosen plyde,

  And emulation, which in them awakes,

  More in the suit importunate them makes.

  70. She, that in them wide open sees the hart,

  It having seene, takes a new argument,

  And jealousies grim feare lasheth a part

  On their haunches, as scourge of dire torment.

  Well weeting that last without such art (knowing

  Love waxeth old and slow, and slaketh bent,

  Much like a steede who never gallops swift

  Unlesse some after, some tofore him shift.

  71. And in such wise she can her words allot,

  And her entycing looke and lovely smile,

  That none there is who t’other envies not,

  Nor so they feare, but that they hope the while.

  Thus the fond rout of each inamourd sot,

  Spurd on by show of hew all shapte to guile,

  Unbridled runs, nor shame restraines them ought,

  And captaine backe to rayne them vainly sought.

  72. He that to please ech partie doth aspire

  With equall bent, and leanes to neither side,

  Though somewhat now with shame, and now with ire,

  At these his knights such peevishnes he fride,

  Yet since so obstinate grew their desire,

  On a new fetch (t’accord them) he relide.

  “Write you your names, and in a vessell place

  Me them (quoth he), and lots shall try the cace.”

  73. Foorthwith then ech ones name is papered,

  And in small pitcher cast, and all too shooke,

  And drawne by hap,and first that issued

  Artemedoro was, Earle of Pembrooke.

  Next Gherards name fild eares that listened,

  And passage after these Wincelay tooke,

  Wincelay who, so grave and sage tofore,

  Now old is lover, and a princox hore. (saucy old man

  74. O how t
hese three that first with chosen have

  Their countnance mery, and their eyes with child

  Of joy, which doth from brinefull hart out-wave!

  Fortune (loves friend) speed ev’ry plot they build.

  The rest whose names the pitcher held in grave

  Showd doubt, and jealousie were not exilde,

  And at his mouth they hang, whose hand forth drew

  The opned briefes, and red the residew.

  75. Guasco the fourth came forth, to whom succeedes

  Ridolfo, and to Ridofe, Olderice.

  Then of Ronciglio he Gulielmo reedes,

  And Evrard the Bavier, and Francke Henrick.

  Rambaldo was the last, who, changing creedes,

  Made choice gainst Jesus damned foe to kick.

  Ev’n so much love could do. Tennes number he

  There closed up, the rest excluded be.

  76. Which rest with wrath, envie and jealousy

  Enflamde, fortune unjust and brothell call,

  And blame thee, love, that didst her not deny,

  Within thy realme her judgement throne to stall.

  But (for egraffed in mankind we try

  That most forbidden, most we covet all)

  In spite of fortune many them dispose

  To follow her when darke the welkin growes.

  77. They will her follow still in sunne and shade,

  And for her (fighting) hazard life and soule.

  She spares some becks, and with chopt words that wade

  Halfe-way, and with sweet sighes them on doth toule. (draw

  And that, them left, her parture must be made

  With t’one and ‘other eft she gan condoule.

  Buskled in armes this while, them ready make

  The ten knights, and of Godfrey congey take. (congée

  78. This wise man ech one monisheth apart,

  How Painims faith uncertaine is and light,

  And ill assured pledge, and by what art

  Men snares may shunne, and haps of heavy plight.

  But with the wind his words away do start,

  Nor love bookes counsell of advised wight.

  At last he gives them licence, and the dame

  Stayes not her parting till the morrow came.

  79. The conqueresse departs, and her before

  Those rivals she in triumph marshalled

  As prisoners, and to harmes hugy store

  The rest of all her loves abandoned.

  But under wings, when night out issew’d, bore

  Silence, and swevins roaming idlehed. (dreams

  Then secretly (as love them counsell lent)

  Tracing Armidas steps, full many went.

  80. Eustace her follows first, who scarce abide

  Could till nights shadow day-light had yshrinde,

  But hasty hyes where him best pleasd to guide

  Through blind darkenes a chieftaine all as blind.

  That faire coole night his wandring way he plide,

  But when the joyous light appearing shined,

  Armide appeared likewise with her troupe

  Where a burgage had beene their lodging coope. (field (?)

  81. To her-ward fast he fares, and by his crest

  Rambalo soone him knowes, and asking cryde

  Why there he came, and what he had in quest.

  “I come to follow (answerd he) Armide,

  Nor (if unscornd) less shall mine aide be prest,

  Nor lesse my faith be in her service tryde.”

  T’other replies, “So great honour to prove,

  Who hath thee chosne?” And he rejoyned, “Love.

  82. “Love chused me, thee Fortune. Now decree

  Who choicest right from justest chuser hath.”

  Quoth Rambalt then, “Nothing avayleth thee.

  This title false, these arts are way to skath, (work harm

  Nor mongst her lawfull champions mayst thou be

  Allow’d to trace this royall virgins path,

  Servant of lawlesse rate.” “And who (replies

  The youth now waxeth hoat) it me denies?”

  83. “I it forfend,” then answer’d he againe,

  And with that word against him marching went.

  And, holding will of equalling disdaine,

  t’other him moves with equall hardiment.

  But here, her hand out stretcht atwixt them twaine,

  Steps their soules tyrant midst their furious bent,

  And sayes to th’ one, “Ah, this your grudging cease,

  That you compagnion I a champion crease.

  84. “If you my safety love, why me deprive,

  In such neede, do you, of this new supply?”

  Then says to him, “You fit and thankt arrive,

  On whose defence my fame, my life, rely.

  No reason would that I should packing drive

  So welcome and so noble company.”

  Thus talking, whiles on way they vantage win,

  Some new come champion hourely droppeth in.

  85. Some come from thence, and some hence, ne knowes

  T’one of t’other, but ech looke askance.

  She glad them entertaines, and all she showes,

  For such their comming, mirth and jouyssance.

  But when the dimmy ayre now cleerer growes,

  Godfrey gate of their parture cognisance,

  And his mind (which their damage did foregeeve)

  At some their future ill seem’d to aggreeve.

  86. Whilst more hereon he casts, there doth appeere

  A messenger, dusty, panting, with grace

  All sad, and port which newes of heavy cheere

  Brings, and beares sorrow written in his face.

  “My lord (quoth he), there will at sea appeere

  Th’ Egyptian great fleete within little space.

  William (to whome the Gene ships subject bee) (Genoan

  This fresh adviso sendeth you by mee.

  87. Hee addes, whiles a convoy was conducted

  Of vittailes to the campe-ward from the fleet,

  Their horse and camels heavy burdened,

  Amids the way a grievous cumber meet,

  So as, guarders all slav’d or slaughtered

  In fight, none could his fellowes safely greet,

  And that th’ Arabian theeves, at front and backe

  Them in a vale assayling, wrought this wracke.

  88. And how the mad rage and licentiousnesse

  Of those barbarian rogues so greatly grow,

  That, like a hugy floud past all redresse,

  Around they spred, and ech place over-flow.

  Whence needs (to th’ end some awe may them represse)

  A band of men gainst them be sent to go,

  Who from the sands of Palestina sea

  Scowring, may to the campe assure the way.

  89. From one to th’ other language straight the fame

  Hereof passeth, and soone extendeth wide,

  And common souldier to himselfe doth frame

  Great feare of famine, which will soone betide.

  The generall discreete, who findes now lame

  The haughtie courage wont in them to bide,

  Doth by this cheerefull looke and words procure

  Their drooping to revive and reassure.

  90. “Oh you that with me past have here and there

  A thousand perils and a thousand woes,

  Champions of God, whom His Faith to repaire

  Even from your birth, deere Christians, he chose,

  You that Greeke guiles and Persian armes ech where

  Vanquished, and hils, and seas, and winter throwes,

  And thirst, and pinching famines hard distresse,

  Shall daunting feare your spirits now possesse?

  91. “Can then the Lord, Who you doth stirre and guide,

  Well knowen earst in oft more grievous case,

  Not now assure you? As if turn’d aside
<
br />   His hand of mercy were, or holy face?

  One day t’will joy to thinke what harmes betide

  Us did, and vowes to pay to the’ heavenly grace.

  Now hold couragious on, and keepe, I pray,

  Your selves to fortune of a better day.”

  92. With these words he their minds, tofore dismaide,

  Comforts, and with a cleere and cheerrefull looke.

  But yet, amid his brest, in heapes uplaid

  A thousand sad sharpe cares their lodging tooke:

  How he so man ymen may feed and aide

  Twixt want and dearth his thoughtfull mind it shooke,

  How he may fleete at sea withstand, and how

  Th’ Arabian robbers he make breake or bow.

  Finis

  EDWARD FAIRFAX 1600 TRANSLATION

  CONTENTS

  FIRST BOOK

  SECOND BOOK

  THIRD BOOK

  FOURTH BOOK

  FIFTH BOOK

  SIXTH BOOK

  SEVENTH BOOK

  EIGHTH BOOK

  NINTH BOOK

  TENTH BOOK

  ELEVENTH BOOK

  TWELFTH BOOK

  THIRTEENTH BOOK

  FOURTEENTH BOOK

  FIFTEENTH BOOK

  SIXTEENTH BOOK

  SEVENTEENTH BOOK

  EIGHTEENTH BOOK

  NINETEENTH BOOK

  TWENTIETH BOOK

  FIRST BOOK

  THE ARGUMENT.

  Godfrey unites the Christian Peers and Knights;

  And all the Lords and Princes of renown

  Choose him their Duke, to rule the wares and fights.

  He mustereth all his host, whose number known,

  He sends them to the fort that Sion hights;

  The aged tyrant Juda’s land that guides,

  In fear and trouble, to resist provides.

  I

  The sacred armies, and the godly knight,

  That the great sepulchre of Christ did free,

  I sing; much wrought his valor and foresight,

  And in that glorious war much suffered he;

  In vain ‘gainst him did Hell oppose her might,

  In vain the Turks and Morians armed be:

  His soldiers wild, to brawls and mutinies prest,

  Reduced he to peace, so Heaven him blest.

  II

  O heavenly Muse, that not with fading bays

  Deckest thy brow by the Heliconian spring,

  But sittest crowned with stars’ immortal rays

  In Heaven, where legions of bright angels sing;

  Inspire life in my wit, my thoughts upraise,

  My verse ennoble, and forgive the thing,

  If fictions light I mix with truth divine,

  And fill these lines with other praise than thine.

  III

  Thither thou know’st the world is best inclined