Should it be yours to rob me of my life,

Your wish pursue-but if to you the strife

Shall fatal prove-presumptuous as you are,
Know I will ne'er resign the beauteous fair.

Unless o'er-ruling fate my aim confounds,

365

I'll follow her to earth's most distant bounds." 370

This rude response awoke Orlando's rage

Again he burns the Spaniard to engage.

"The boon (he cries) I ask'd you to afford,

Another knight would readily accord;

But well I know that sentiments refin'd

Possess no influence o'er a clownish mind;

Yet do not vainly think I e'er shall cede

To you the vict❜ry or the lovely maid:
Exert your vaunted courage, and prepare,
As thus you boldly speak, to greatly dare,
Nor let fond hope suggest th' event will prove

Propitious to your glory or your love."

375

380

In direful combat now the warriors close,

And threat'ning death attends their pow'rful blows;

With more than human efforts each displays

385

A valour and a skill that wonder raise,

While doubtful victory suspends her scales,
And shifts the balance as each knight prevails.

But lo! a damsel on the field appears,

Attended by a 'squire, advanc'd in years;

A snow-white mule she rode-a sable veil

Her beauties screen'd from each injurious gale;
Aloud she mourn'd, and deeply plung'd in grief,
In heartfelt sighs, and tears, found sad relief.—
❝ Ill destin'd as I am, (she sorrowing cried)
Ah! what avails to traverse countries wide?
No blest success-no cheering hope remains,
To soothe my toils, or recompence my pains;
Alas! no friendly voice my searches guide,

390

395

Or tells me where Ferrau does now reside."

400

She spoke and casting round her weeping eyes,

Beheld the Saracen, with strong surprize:

Such was her joy at this most welcome sight,

She rush'd between the knights engag'd in fight,
Unmindful of the perils she incurr'd,

405

Or from their wrath, or from the trenchant sword.

Although incensed, and obstinate to gain

The field, the knights from violence now abstain,
Lest should they still persist to urge their claim,
They should destroy the too advent'rous dame. 410
This pause she seiz'd, and, bending to the ground,
Address'd Orlando, with respect profound.-
"Brave knight, (she cried) my invocation hear;
By her you love, Oh! grant my humble pray'r-

Cease with Ferrau to try your warlike force;

His duty calls him to another course—

A family in woe his succours need ;

Ah, let the warrior hasten to their aid.

K

415

Should fortune ever grant a prosp'rous day,

The gen'rous bounty grateful I'll repay."

420

Great minds to gen'rous deeds are strongly prone,

And never was the brave Orlando kuown,

With inattention cold, or frown severe,

To meet the woe-struck suppliant's earnest pray'r. "Fair dame, (he answers) ruthless were the heart That would not in thy sorrows take a part.—

Though from Ferrau I may complain of wrong,
I'll wave resentment, nor the fight prolong;

426

And could he not the purpose well fulfil,

This arm I'd offer to perform your will."

430

The dame, this kind compassion to requite,

Low bow'd-then thus address'd the Spanish knight:

"Son of a royal and illustrious pair,

Marsilius and Lanfusa, lend an ear

Attend, while I the various ills relate

That threat with ruin thy paternal seat;

Nor waste on idle broils, in foreign lands,

That prowess which thy country's weal demands.
Since fortune has vouchsafed my course to guide,

435

This dark disguise my form no more shall hide; 440

In me thy sister Flordepina view,

And let my voice thy patriot zeal renew.

From ocean's bosom a ferocious band

Has sprung, to desolate our hapless land;
A potent king, Gradasso nam'd, is come,
And leads a mighty force to seal our doom.
Far distant orient realms confess his sway-

And equal ire his fell attempts display

'Gainst Saracens and Christians-all are foes

445

Who would his dire ambitious schemes oppose. 450

It seems as if to all his gods he swore,

The European race should breathe no more.