Jerusalem Delivered. Torquato Tasso

Think not your sovereign's friendship we reject,

       Because we list not in our conquests stay:

       But for it seems he would the Jews protect,

       Pray him from us that thought aside to lay,

       Nor us forbid this town and realm to gain,

       And he in peace, rest, joy, long more may reign."

      LXXXVIII

       This answer given, Argantes wild drew nar,

       Trembling for ire, and waxing pale for rage,

       Nor could he hold, his wrath increased so far,

       But thus inflamed bespake the captain sage:

       "Who scorneth peace shall have his fill of war,

       I thought my wisdom should thy fury 'suage,

       But well you show what joy you take in fight,

       Which makes you prize our love and friendship light."

      LXXXIX

       This said, he took his mantle's foremost part,

       And gan the same together fold and wrap;

       Then spake again with fell and spiteful heart,

       So lions roar enclosed in train or trap,

       "Thou proud despiser of inconstant mart,

       I bring thee war and peace closed in this lap,

       Take quickly one, thou hast no time to muse;

       If peace, we rest, we fight, if war thou choose."

      XC

       His semblance fierce and speechless proud, provoke

       The soldiers all, "War, war," at once to cry,

       Nor could they tarry till their chieftain spoke,

       But for the knight was more inflamed hereby,

       His lap he opened and spread forth his cloak:

       "To mortal wars," he says, "I you defy;"

       And this he uttered with fell rage and hate,

       And seemed of Janus' church to undo the gate.

      XCI

       It seemed fury, discord, madness fell

       Flew from his lap, when he unfolds the same;

       His glaring eyes with anger's venom swell,

       And like the brand of foul Alecto flame,

       He looked like huge Tiphoius loosed from hell

       Again to shake heaven's everlasting frame,

       Or him that built the tower of Shinaar,

       Which threat'neth battle 'gainst the morning star.

      XCII

       Godfredo then: "Depart, and bid your king

       Haste hitherward, or else within short while—

       For gladly we accept the war you bring—

       Let him expect us on the banks of Nile."

       He entertained them then with banqueting,

       And gifts presented to those Pagans vile;

       Aletes had a helmet, rich and gay,

       Late found at Nice among the conquered prey.

      XCIII

       Argant a sword, whereof the web was steel,

       Pommel, rich stone; hilt gold; approved by touch

       With rarest workmanship all forged weel,

       The curious art excelled the substance much:

       Thus fair, rich, sharp, to see, to have, to feel,

       Glad was the Paynim to enjoy it such,

       And said, "How I this gift can use and wield,

       Soon shall you see, when first we meet in field."

      XCIV

       Thus took they congee, and the angry knight

       Thus to his fellow parleyed on the way,

       "Go thou by day, but let me walk by night,

       Go thou to Egypt, I at Sion stay,

       The answer given thou canst unfold aright,

       No need of me, what I can do or say,

       Among these arms I will go wreak my spite;

       Let Paris court it, Hector loved to fight."

      XCV

       Thus he who late arrived a messenger

       Departs a foe, in act, in word, in thought,

       The law of nations or the lore of war,

       If he transgresses or no, he recketh naught,

       Thus parted they, and ere he wandered far

       The friendly star-light to the walls him brought:

       Yet his fell heart thought long that little way,

       Grieved with each stop, tormented with each stay.

      XCVI

       Now spread the night her spangled canopy,

       And summoned every restless eye to sleep;

       On beds of tender grass the beasts down lie,

       The fishes slumbered in the silent deep,

       Unheard were serpent's hiss and dragon's cry,

       Birds left to sing, and Philomen to weep,

       Only that noise heaven's rolling circles kest,

       Sung lullaby to bring the world to rest.

      XCVII

       Yet neither sleep, nor ease, nor shadows dark,

       Could make the faithful camp or captain rest,

       They longed to see the day, to hear the lark

       Record her hymns and chant her carols blest,

       They yearned to view the walls, the wished mark

       To which their journeys long they had addressed;

       Each heart attends, each longing eye beholds

       What beam the eastern window first unfolds.

THIRD BOOK

       Table of Contents

      THE ARGUMENT.

       The camp at great Jerusalem arrives:

       Clorinda gives them battle, in the breast

       Of fair Erminia Tancred's love revives,

       He jousts with her unknown whom he loved best;

       Argant th' adventurers of their guide deprives,

       With stately pomp they lay their Lord in chest:

       Godfrey commands to cut the forest down,

       And make strong engines to assault the town.

      I

       The purple morning left her crimson bed,

       And donned her robes of pure vermilion hue,

       Her amber locks she crowned with roses red,

       In Eden's flowery gardens gathered new.

       When through the camp a murmur shrill was spread,

       Arm, arm, they cried; arm, arm, the trumpets blew,

       Their merry noise prevents the joyful blast,

       So hum small bees, before their swarms they cast.

      II

       Their captain rules their courage, guides their