And waving graceful in the breezy wind,

His snowy plumage flutter'd unconfin'd.

So well had Draguinesse assum'd his guise,

No doubt of his identity could rise.

Deceiv'd, Rinaldo onward rode to meet

The sprite, who, proudly rising in his seat,

Awaited his approach." Behold, great King,
To keep my word I come, and with me bring
Bayardo, who, when we our arms have tried,
Shall be the victor's prize, (Rinaldo cried.)

Oft has he help'd to win the arduous field,
But now, by honor's sacred voice impell'd,

I cede this chance, and will on foot maintain

510

515

The strife."-With lofty port, and mute disdain, 520

The demon from his phantom steed descends,

And action all expostulation ends.

The first assault by Draguinesse was sped,

By which he feign'd to lop the warrior's head;

But Amon's son his buckler interpos'd,

And with his foe in fiercer warfare clos'd.

Blows follow'd blows-with danger ardour grew,

And now they breathe, and now the fight renew.

At length, incens'd, upon the ample field

525

Rinaldo, raging, cast his pond'rous shield,

530

And with his sword the demon's helmet cleft,

Who seem'd of sight, of sense, and strength bereft ;

But soon reviving, turn'd his back to flee,

And quickly reach'd the border of the sea.

Rinaldo swift pursues-" Stay, stay, (he cries) 535 Bayardo ne'er will bear a knight who flies."

But Draguinesse to his reproachful words

Nor answer makes, nor list'ning ear affords ;

But gain'd the bark, and headlong leapt on board.

Rinaldo follow'd, with uplifted sword:

The demon, feigning to avoid the blow,

Shifted from prow to poop-from poop to prow,

540

And having long provok'd the wearied knight,

Vanish'd in empty air, and mock'd his sight.

A prodigy so strange, with strong surprise

545

Inspir'd his mind-and in attentive guise

He view'd the bark, in hope the cause to learn
Of such inversion, but could none discern.

While yet he gaz'd, new wonders met his eyes;

He saw the foamy waves around him rise.

Amid the roaring deep the bark was tost,

And ev'ry vestige of the shore was lost.

550

While far from land the hapless knight was borne,

Without or hope, or prospect of return,

He rais'd his melancholy looks to heav'n,

555

And cried, " Dread fate! what crime of mine has

giv'n

Offence so great, as to be thus chastis'd

With punishment the keenest e'er devis'd?

Alas!-my honour, dearer far than life,

Is lost for ever in this ill starr'd strife.

In vain th' event I seek to comprehend,

Perplex'd reflection labours to no end;
No clue she finds to guide her to the source
Of wonders, far surpassing nature's course.
In some deceptious snare too surely caught,
It was not Sericana's king I fought;
Some visionary form my eyes deceiv'd.-
But will so strange a tale be e'er believ'd?
Ah! no.-Perhaps while I the seas explore,
The valiant monarch waits me on the shore;
My name will now become the Pagans' jest,
And all the high priz'd fame I once possest,
In sad exchange be turn'd to foul disgrace
Indelible, which time can ne'er efface.-

A seeming recreant I the army leave,

And all my royal master's hopes deceive.

560

565

570

575

Oh! had I in the battle yielded breath,

And seal'd my glory by a noble death,

How welcome were a lot so easy borne;

But now I die a mark for pointing scorn."

580

Thus mourn'd the wretched knight, but mourn'd

in vain ;

To the deaf winds, and the regardless main,

His little bark expanded full her sail,

To catch the breath of ev'ry passing gale,

Whilst thro' the parted waves, with rapid force,

She eastward steadily pursu'd her course.

586