Thro' balmy air ambrosial odours float; And bards, spontaneous pour the raptur'd note; The sprightly trumpets catch th' alternate strain, 195 And mimic echo gives it back again. Convivial thus the chearful hours were pass'd, When (near the close of the superb repast) 200 Unlike the trumpet's clangor, or the sound Their eyes to where the sculptur'd gates unfold A spacious entrance, bright with fretted gold: Thence, mid the columns that support the dome, Four giants, richly clad, advancing come. Fierce their demeanor, monstrous was their size, And latent fury fill'd their baleful eyes. 210 Great Charles' seat they sought, there lowly paid Meet rev'rence: op'ning then their file they spread, And gave to each beholder's wond'ring sight A gentle damsel and a gallant knight, 215 Whom erst they circled, and from view conceal'd And sure to mortal eyes was ne'er reveal'd Two forms so perfect, such a finish'd pair, He first of men-she fairest of the fair. 220 Not raptur'd fancy, when she fondly dreams, In verdant meads, or by translucent streams, Can sketch such beauties, such alluring grace, Such matchless charms as deck'd her lovely face.- Like roses scatter'd on a lilied bed, 225 While soften'd lustre sparkled in her eyes, Bright as the star that waits Aurora's rise. Not Armeline, nor Claricé the fair, Nor far-fam'd Aldea might with her compare. 230 When sudden thus the wondrous maid appear'd, Applausive sounds throughout the hall were heard, Subsiding slow, as when the storm is o'er, The meeken'd surges murm'ring lave the shore, 235 On her th' admiring gazers turn'd their sight, And view'd her charms with ever new delight; Encreasing still, as with enchanting mein, The nymph advanc'd before th' attendant train 240 To where th' Emperor sate, and bending there With graceful action did her suit prefer. C Sweet from her coral lips the accents broke In silver sounds, and ravish'd while she spoke. 244 Thus she-" Oh! thou, magnanimous and great, Whose virtuous deeds are nois'd thro' ev'ry state, Thy praise, and that of thy courageous train, Have reach'd the farthest bound of Earth's domain; Attracted thence-lo! from our native home, My brother, and myself, are hither come. 250 The homage deign, great monarch, to receive, Which freely from admiring hearts we give. But not a sterile glory we require, Nor ask permission merely to admire. Far be such thoughts from those who nobly claim The lofty meed of valour-well-earn'd fame. Admit this youthful knight, by deeds to prove A merit, not unworthy of thy love Consent that to the listed field he dare Thy Paladins, to try the fate of war: The terms he asks are, that the lance alone Decide the strife—no knight by that o'erthrown Shall with the falchion further urge the fight, 265 She ceas'd-The ample colonnades around, And vaulted roofs renew'd, applause resound; 270 Not Charlemagne himself beheld unmov'd Attractions form'd by all to be belov'd: But chief Orlando-he who till that hour Alone for glory sigh'd, nor own'd the pow'r |