Jerusalem Delivered. Torquato Tasso

For feeble is each kingdom, frail and weak,

       Unless his basis be this fear I speak."

      XL

       These words Tancredi heard and pondered well,

       And by them wist how Godfrey's thoughts were bent,

       Nor list he longer with these old men dwell,

       But turned his horse and to Rinaldo went,

       Who, when his noble foe death-wounded fell,

       Withdrew him softly to his gorgeous tent;

       There Tancred found him, and at large declared

       The words and speeches sharp which late you heard.

      XLI

       And said, "Although I wot the outward show

       Is not true witness of the secret thought,

       For that some men so subtle are, I trow,

       That what they purpose most appeareth naught;

       Yet dare I say Godfredo means, I know,

       Such knowledge hath his looks and speeches wrought,

       You shall first prisoner be, and then be tried

       As he shall deem it good and law provide."

      XLII

       With that a bitter smile well might you see

       Rinaldo cast, with scorn and high disdain,

       "Let them in fetters plead their cause," quoth he,

       "That are base peasants, born of servile stain,

       I was free born, I live and will die free

       Before these feet be fettered in a chain:

       These hands were made to shake sharp spears and swords,

       Not to be tied in gyves and twisted cords.

      XLIII

       "If my good service reap this recompense,

       To be clapt up in close and secret mew,

       And as a thief be after dragged from thence,

       To suffer punishment as law finds due;

       Let Godfrey come or send, I will not hence

       Until we know who shall this bargain rue,

       That of our tragedy the late done fact

       May be the first, and this the second, act.

      XLIV

       "Give me mine arms," he cried; his squire them brings,

       And clad his head, and dressed in iron strong,

       About his neck his silver shield he flings,

       Down by his side a cutting sword there hung;

       Among this earth's brave lords and mighty kings,

       Was none so stout, so fierce, so fair, so young,

       God Mars he seemed descending from his sphere,

       Or one whose looks could make great Mars to fear.

      XLV

       Tancredi labored with some pleasing speech

       His spirits fierce and courage to appease;

       "Young Prince, thy valor," thus he gan to preach,

       "Can chastise all that do thee wrong, at ease,

       I know your virtue can your enemies teach,

       That you can venge you when and where you please:

       But God forbid this day you lift your arm

       To do this camp and us your friends such harm.

      XLVI

       "Tell me what will you do? why would you stain

       Your noble hands in our unguilty blood?

       By wounding Christians, will you again

       Pierce Christ, whose parts they are and members good?

       Will you destroy us for your glory vain,

       Unstayed as rolling waves in ocean flood?

       Far be it from you so to prove your strength,

       And let your zeal appease your rage at length.

      XLVII

       "For God's love stay your heat, and just displeasure,

       Appease your wrath, your courage fierce assuage,

       Patience, a praise; forbearance, is a treasure;

       Suffrance, an angel's is; a monster, rage;

       At least you actions by example measure,

       And think how I in mine unbridled age

       Was wronged, yet I would not revengement take

       On all this camp, for one offender's sake.

      XLVIII

       "Cilicia conquered I, as all men wot,

       And there the glorious cross on high I reared,

       But Baldwin came, and what I nobly got

       Bereft me falsely when I least him feared;

       He seemed my friend, and I discovered not

       His secret covetise which since appeared;

       Yet strive I not to get mine own by fight,

       Or civil war, although perchance I might.

      XLIX

       "If then you scorn to be in prison pent,

       If bonds, as high disgrace, your hands refuse;

       Or if your thoughts still to maintain are bent

       Your liberty, as men of honor use:

       To Antioch what if forthwith you went?

       And leave me here your absence to excuse,

       There with Prince Boemond live in ease and peace,

       Until this storm of Godfrey's anger cease.

      L

       "For soon, if forces come from Egypt land,

       Or other nations that us here confine,

       Godfrey will beaten be with his own wand,

       And feel he wants that valor great of thine,

       Our camp may seem an arm without a hand,

       Amid our troops unless thy eagle shine:"

       With that came Guelpho and those words approved,

       And prayed him go, if him he feared or loved.

      LI

       Their speeches soften much the warrior's heart,

       And make his wilful thoughts at last relent,

       So that he yields, and saith he will depart,

       And leave the Christian camp incontinent.

       His friends, whose love did never shrink or start,

       Preferred their aid, what way soe'er he went:

       He thanked them all, but left them all, besides

       Two bold and trusty squires, and so he rides.

      LII

       He rides, revolving in his noble spright

       Such haughty thoughts as fill the glorious mind;

       On hard adventures was his whole delight,

       And now to wondrous acts his will inclined;

       Alone against the Pagans would he fight,

       And kill their kings from Egypt unto Inde,

       From Cynthia's hills and Nilus' unknown spring

       He would fetch praise and glorious conquest bring.

      LIII