That Galaphron a wond'rous ring bestow'd

Upon his daughter, anxious for her good.
With constellated charms this gift was crown'd,
And hence, in ev'ry danger, help she found.—
While this she wore, no fraud of magic kind
Could 'scape from her detection.-If inclin'd
From ev'ry mortal eye her form to shroud,

And walk invisible, the ring allow'd

The wond'rous privilege.-Within her lip

(Sweet as the dews the bees of Hybla sip)

The ring she plac'd, and vanish'd from the sight,
Nor trace remain'd to mark th' amazing flight.

As blazing meteors sweep th' autumnal sky,

And dazzle first, then mock the gazer's eye,

Her bright attractions caught th' admiring view,

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Then faded from the sight, as transient too.- 190

Hence Galaphron, devoid of fear, consign'd

Her tender beauties to the waves and wind;

Convinc'd that e'en in perils and alarms

The ring would guard from ills, and save from harms.

Thus extricated from impending ill,

Angelica, who knew that magic still

Held in sleep's fetters her attendant train,

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To free them from th' enchantment hastes amain.

Rous'd by the potent call, from earth they start,

And hear appall'd of Malagigi's art,

Which thus had render'd vain their votive care,

And almost wrought destruction to the fair.

Soon as Aurora from Tithonus' bed

Arose, and o'er the skies her radiance shed,

The British Prince, whom pow'rful love inspir'd,

And ardour for the purpos'd combat fir'd,

With eager haste his glitt'ring arms assum'd;

And much on fortune's favour he presum❜d.

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Proud from the knightly band t' have gain'd the lead,

He calls the fickle goddess to his aid.

As in that contest she had prov'd his friend,

He trusts her bounties she will now extend.

Proud of his valour too-no doubts appear

To cloud the prospect of successful war,

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And were his courage equall'd by his force,

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Nought could his views impede or check his course;

Lov'd by the good, the brave, the wise, the fair,

A Father's darling, and a people's care;
Blest with each gift that nature could impart,
To please the ear, and captivate the heart,

Astolpho was ;-and if this prosp❜rous lot

Some overweening sentiments begot,

His deeds were ever ready to sustain

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His claims-and prove his vauntings were not vain.

Flush'd with each pleasing hope-his vig'rous steed The prince now guided to th' appointed mead: 231 A harness, rich and gorgeous to behold,

Embroider'd thick with leopards, wrought in gold,

Adorn'd the courser, who, with speed of thought,

As yet the strangers in bland slumber lay,

In their respective tents-nor knew that day
Had climb'd the eastern portal, till the sound
Of a shrill horn the echoes bore around.-
Rous'd by the signal, quick Argalia leaves

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His couch, and glad the challenger receives.

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Lightly he vaults on Rabican.-The lance,

Forg'd to destroy each Christian warrior's chance,

He held-and on his mighty arm he bore

An ample buckler, bright as polish'd ore.
Accoutred thus, he hail'd the British knight,
To settle the conditions of the fight;
Recounting what th' Emp'ror had approv'd,
When giving audience to the maid belov❜d.
With courtesy the youthful warrior heard

His brief detail, and satisfied appear'd;

Admitting it was just those rules should bind,
Which to the combatants had been assign'd.

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The arduous knights now mark'd the listed course, And wheeling round-with utmost speed and force Rush'd on the bold career with lance in rest.

Midway their fiery steeds met breast to breast,

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