With eyes imploring, the determin'd few

Who scorned to yield-such pleas must all subdue ;

For never yet was found the savage art,

To raze out nature's feelings from the heart.

But lo!-when ev'ry hope seem'd wholly crost, 215 And ev'ry prospect of assistance lost,

Grandonio, by o'er-ruling pow'rs inspir'd,

The Sericanean camp, Grandonio's band
Beset-the centinels made desp'rate stand,
But quickly overpower'd, gave no alarm

To spread the notice of this fatal harm.

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Surpriz'd, whole ranks unconscious yield up breath,

Scarce struggling to evade the stroke of death.

Thus the grim wolf, with long pent fury bold,

Destroys the guardian of the sleeping fold;

On unresisting victims tries his force,

And slaughter widely marks his dreadful course.
This quarter forced-with unabated haste,

Th' exulting victors to the ramparts past,

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To join th' allies—with hearts resolv'd they go,

To end the war by one decisive blow.

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The martial train in three divisions mov'd;

Rinaldo and his brothers well beloy'd

Led on the first-the second corps Ferrau,

Whose untam'd spirit danger ne'er could awe,

Commanded-with the ardent hero came

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Three chiefs, whose lofty deeds were nois'd by fame,

Great Isolero-Matalista known

In death strewn fields—and he whose valour shone 250

With brightest lustre when severely tried,

Brave Serpentino, long the legion's pride.
The third large squadron of th' intrepid host,
Their monarch for their leader proudly boast.
Two other sov'reigns friendship had allied

With good Marsilius warr'd upon his side—

This Balugantes-that Morgante nam'd:

And crowds to share the glorious danger claim'd.

O'er many a panting height and winding vale

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They march'd with ensigns flutt'ring on the gale, 260

Or sparkling bright beneath the solar beam,

That lit them onward to the path of fame.

Soon to their view the Sericanean pow'rs,

And Barcelona's long contested tow'rs,
Appear'd-but strongly posted they beheld

The Pagan host, undaunted, and unquell'd,

Whose outguards saw, with wonder, from afar
Advancing, various nations leagued in war;
And having reconnoitred, quickly went

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To bear th' alarm to proud Gradasso's tent.

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True to the call of glory, prompt he rose

To hurl destruction on th' advancing foes.
Four tributary kings, who fill'd his train,

He summon'd; and gave orders to sustain

The siege with one division of the band,

While one more num'rous under his command

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Should forward march, those levies to engage

Who dar'd to thwart his plans, or contest wage.
"See that ere day decline, (he loudly cries,)

Yon tow'ring bastions fall, no more to rise:
Firmly assault-the ramparts boldly scale,
Till valour o'er resistance shall prevail.
But careful watch, amid the genʼral strife,

Το spare the Saracen Grandonio's life,

That caitiff, who pretends that he alone

Will foil my aims-on him be vengeance shewn.

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Load him with chains, and plunge him far from light,

Deep in some dungeon's artificial night,

In noisome damps with reptiles let him dwell,

Nor comfort visit the forsaken cell.

Against my deep-mouth'd dogs the boastful knight

Shall strive hereafter in degrading fight;

When routed, all those succours lately come

Shall feel my prowess, and receive their doom."

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