THE ARGUMENT.

RETURN of Angelica to Cathay.-Grief of Galaphron.Angelica visits and releases Malagigi, who goes in quest of Rinaldo. Rinaldo rejects the advice of Malagigi.—They quarrel.--Malagigi departs in displeasure.--Wonderful adventure of Rinaldo.

CANTO VI.

RESUME once more, oh! muse, a dearer care,

Wing'd with the speed of fear, her flight she made,

And reach'd in safety a sequester'd shade.

Still had she fled, did not kind mem❜ry bring

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To mind the virtues of Galaphron's ring;

In these confiding, she her speed forbore,

And grateful blest enchantment's wondrous lore.

Reflection now resum'd its turn to reign,

And told that all her cherish'd hopes were vain.

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Distress'd-deserted-cheerless and forlorn,

At once the prey of wretchedness and scorn,

Her reason took a more decided part,

And check'd each weaker impulse of her heart;

Much she desir'd to leave this hated shore,

And ne'er behold the stern Rinaldo more.

Five ling'ring days she spent in this lone seat,

Her lov'd Argalia still in hope to meet ;

But when the shadowy train of pensive night

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Six times had fled before returning light,

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And he appear'd not-terror shook her soul,

And her presaging mind conceiv'd the whole.

"Too sure he lives not, (she, despairing, cried,)

Else would he not forsake his sister's side;

Oh! brother-ever friendly-ever dear

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Am I bereft of thee by fate severe ?

Who now shall in my sorrows bear a part,

Or soothe the pangs that rive my breaking heart?

Now may th' unfeeling world my ills despise,
The arm that would protect me pow'rless lies.

By violence pursued-of wrongs the prey,

Forlorn Angelica is doom'd to stray,

While all thy lofty valour could not save

Worth such as thine, from an untimely grave.'

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With falt'ring hand she turn'd the volume o'er,

Which late th' enchanter Malagigi bore.

Instant the dusky sprights around her gleam,
Thick as the atoms in the solar beam;

In their own hideous shapes the train appear,
And taint with vapours gross the ambient air.
The maid th' ascent survey'd with pale dismay,
And horror, such as rose that fatal day
When shudd'ring nature, and affrighted earth,
Beheld of sin and death the monstrous birth.

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She saw with deeply agitated soul,

The grisly spectres bow to her controul;

Argalia's death they to her ear unfold,

Confirming all that boding fancy told.
Fain would she disbelieve what they impart,
For ling'ring hope still nestled in her heart.

Illusive hope!-the wretch's treach❜rous guest,
Which sheds its transient sunshine on the breast,

And shews each object in a brighter light,

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To deepen disappointment's coming night.

Now reft of ev'ry barrier 'gainst despair,

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Her shrieks the Dryades from their pastimes scare;

The dew-ey'd nymphs that tend the chrystal flood,

Hear her sad accents ecchoing through the wood;

Nor ceas'd she agonizing to deplore,

Till her exhausted tears could flow no more. 60