Roncesvalles: a poem, in twelve books

Front matter

RONCESVALIÆS. Printed by J. Brettell, M.irsliaUiMrews, s.oUlt.n-S.j____i w, rxKulon. w s sajp g? ymnu™* C /■' ,/,■//« Jsri ,i('rtt />',*> ( 'huui mffut/t. i/Wri;l'i/ f ,i .,///, ■,',-,■ RONCESVALLES: A FOEM9 IN TWELVE BOOKS. By R. WHARTON, Esq. M.P. F.R.S. GENUS UNDE LATINUM ALBAMQUE PATRES ATQUE ALTÆ MŒNIA ROMÆ. VIRG. LOttDOtti PRINTED FOR J. HATCHARD, BOOKSELLER TO HER MAJESTY, 190, OPPOSITE ALBANY, PICCADILLY. 1812. ©etacattom TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH, >»<KWfiW»- MADAM, JL HE gracious permission which I have received to inscribe this Poem to Your Royal Highness, would excite in my mind a sensation of pleasure pure and unclouded, if I were not aware that the acknowledged taste of Your Royal Highness will find in it such VI defects as render it a mark of homage unworthy of the exalted Personage to whose protection it is offered.

Nevertheless, I am tempted to hope that I may derive a degree of credit even from the attempt to reduce the luxuriance of Italian Fable within some rule and limit, and to draw from the characters and machinery of Romance both an instructive moral and a tribute of respect to that illustrious Family, under whose auspicious government my Country enjoys benefits from which all other parts of the globe are at this period excluded. In those hours of retirement during which some years ago I wrote this Poem, I had no thoughts of submitting it to the publick eye : much less did I imagine that I could ever attain so enviable a distinction as that of being allowed to present my verses to Your Royal Highness. Since, however, that peculiar honour is conferred on me, my anxiety to render the Poem acceptable to Your Royal Highness would, perhaps, lead me to aim at some farther polish, if the avocations which have for some time engaged my attention allowed me to appropriate any leisure to another revision of it.

Such advantages are not within my reach. Rut I console myself under the notion that I might do more injury than good by repeated corrections : and I venture to dedicate it to Your Royal Highness with few alterations and no additions, except such as naturally sprung from my sense of the glory which has of late years so emi nently marked His Majesty's arms. If I could persuade myself that Your Royal Highness would draw the smallest gratification from the perusal of what I have written, my utmost wish would be satisfied : for, what greater reward can a Poet contemplate, than the appro bation of a Princess whose intellectual gifts are as excellent as her station is conspicuous ? What greater delight can an Englishman experience, than that of feeling that he has been the means of pleasing any one branch of the Royal House from which all his own happiness is derived ?

Book I. The Embassy Of Dudon

1HE sacred cause of Virtue to advance By fabled Wars and dreams of wild Romance; Truth in the garb of Fancy to infold, And moralize the songs of Knighthood old, My verse aspires. O Power ! afford thine aid, Cleanse my dull sight, and hover o'er my head ! If aught divine e'er fann'd a Poet's flame, And to his view display'd the rolls of Fame ; E'er led the Tuscan thro' enchantments drear, And rais'd him soaring to the lunar sphere ; Be mine some portion of th' ethereal ray, Who from such founts deduce a moral lay; B And teach what publick loss, what private woe, From headstrong will indulg'd, and passion, flow : Opening the sacred source from whence the line Of Brunswick rose, Ruggiero's race divine, And George, to whom celestial Wisdom gave From ruin the devoted world to save. O'er the broad plain whose utmost borders lave The Euxine west, and east the Caspian wave, When half the day was pass'd, a gallant Knight Was pricking, richly clad in armour bright : Emblazon'd on his shield the lilies shone; The bravery of his mien might yield to none : His courser was coal-black : a 'Squire convey'd His ponderous lance and helm with gold inlaid.

AVith not so swift a pace he scowr'd the ground As when the falcons fly or clarions sound ; But steady, like a man whose forethought knew He had more space to pass than that in view : Dudon* his name ; a Prince of high renown ; The undisputed heir of Denmark's crown. South of the eastern point his course he held, And scann'd with careful eye th' extended field. Not far upon the left a forest spread Its awful gloom: no glimmering radiance play'd Thro' open boughs or lawn or narrow glade ; * Dudon, being the son of Oggier, King of Denmark, by Ermellina, Charlemagne's sister, and being also one of the Palatines, Paladins, or twelve Peers of France, bore the Fleur-de-Lis on his shield. But cedar, holm, and cypress, seem'd to grow With branches mixt, and struck a damp below, Where rankest grass and herbage lov'd to shoot, And hemlock's numbing stalk, and night-shade's fruit.

Silence prevail'd within : the air was dumb, As life itself abhorr'd the dismal gloom ; And Dudon mus'd if Nature's wayward mood, Or Art, for deeds of ill, had wrought the wood. At once six warriors of superior air, Cloth'd in rich harness, but with faces bare, Forth issuing cross'd his pathway : Dudon knew (Tho' all the six were fair) the goodliest two ; They who of stature large and stately mien Like Gods among the race of Man were seen, Orlando and Rinaldo * : these to gain (The next in blood and rank to Charlemagne) Ere trembling Europe felt a foreign yoke, Was Dudon's mission then, and thus he spoke — ' Hail, Warriors ! be my words to all applied ; ' For all I love who with these Princes ride : * Hail, noble band ! together thus to find ' Their country's pride, the patterns of Mankind, * Proves that 'tis Heav'n directs my way, and hears, ' Prompt to relieve, a suppliant Empire's prayers. * Orlando was Lord of Brava and Anglante, the son of Milon by a sister of Charlemagne, whose name I have not been able to discover : his wife was Alda, the sister of Ulivicri.

Rinaldo was the son of Amon, Lord of Mont Albano, a fortress in Gascony, by Clarice, another of Charlemagne's sisters. I roam not now as Chivalry ordains, ' Unconscious of my course, with loosen'd reins ; ' Nor flames my lance to succour dames unknown,. ' Or prop the weakness of a stranger throne : ' 'Tis Europe, 'tis our country now demands ' The utmost efforts of her Warriors hands ; ' Calls for that force to which herself gave birth, i And bids them prove for her their native worth. ' An Envoy, Knights, am I : your matchless force 4 Charles bids me seek, his Empire's tried resource. * Oh ! let me quick so dear a succour bring ' Protect your kinsman — Oh ! protect your King — > ' 'Tis not some royal joust that he proclaims, ' The meed some chaplet wrought by lovely dames : ' These quarrels, Lords, on dearer interests rise ; * Europe, the lists ; the Christian World, the prize. 4 Then haste — already on our frighted shore 4 Waves his imperial flag the furious Moor, 4 Great Agramant*: and with him rush along ' Sobrino wise, and Rodomonte strong, ' And Ferrau, the terror of the field, * Who laughs at wounds, and knows not how to yield ; ' And every Moorish Sage and Moorish Knight ' Prudent in council or renown'd in fight: * Agramant, the son of Troiano and grandson of Agolante, was king of Biserta or Carthage, and paramount sovereign of all Africa.

Sobrino governed the kingdom of Algocco, under the supreme control of Agramant. Rodomont, the son of Ulien, was king of Algiers or Sarza in like manner. Ferrau was the son of Falserone, brother of Marsiglio king of Spain by Lanfusa. While far and wide, to punish Europe's sins, 4 Heav'n scatters our unconquer'd Paladins ; 4 And nought remains to check the Pagan ra«-e 4 But unstrung youth and indecisive age. 4 Haste then ! and, haply, by your loves inclin'd, 4 These four, whose port bespeaks a manly mind, 4 Rang'd by your side, may couch the beamy lance, 4 And gain new laurels in the fields of France.' Pie ceas'd ; but scarce the closing accents died, Ere Amon's son in eager terms replied— 4 Hear ye the tidings which this Champion brings? 4 Oh ! haste, defend, and save the King of Kings. 4 On us, benighted long in Magick's way,* *• Lo !

Glory rises like the orb of day ; 4 Illuminates our hopes, and now affords 4 Knighthood's best object to our slumbering swords 4 Oft have we wander'd, Warriors, often bled 4 When but the phantom of true Honour led ; 4 Winning by vain exploits as vain return, 4 And heedless of the Crown which Patriots earn. 4 Now cease our errant wars : all strength is lost, 4 AU prowess wasted, but on Europe's coast. 4 O Champions ! if in human hearts like ours 4 Sense of high deeds degrading thoughts o'erpowcrs ; * Rinaldo and the Knights, except Orlando, then with him, had fallen into the snares of Morgana, and lain for some time under the influence of her enchantments. Orlando had rescued them. * If e'er Albracca 's wars, or Aspramont, 4 Tinge with the flush of pride Orlando's front ; * The war of Albracca is one of the finest parts of Berni's Orlando Innamorato; Albtacca was supposed to be situated between the lake Baikal in Tartary and Cathay the realm of Gelasron, and was the residence of .Angelica, the daughter of that king.

Agrican king of Tartary demanded Angelica in marriage of her father, who, from apprehension of his power, consented. Angelica however refused, and, shutting herself up in Albracca, was there besieged by Agrican. Many Knights repaired to her rescue, and among others, Orlando, who killed Agrican. The wars waged in Africa by the Paladins against Agolante would form a very interesting source of chivalrous stories, if any book containing a full account of them could be found ; but I know of none, though they are frequently alluded to in the Italian Romances. In the fit-Id of Aspramont the forces of Africa were defeated ; and Almonte, the brother of Troiano, and son of Agolant, was killed there by Orlando ; but, as is hinted by Berni, not in open combat ; for, speaking of the sword Durindana which Orlando there took from Almonte, he says — Fello Albrizac, un dotto negroraante, E diello in dono al figlio d'Agolante, Che poi '1 perdette ; quando a quella fonte L' uccise Orlando in grerabo a Carlo Mano.

Rinaldo killed Mambrino in Aspramont. Aquilant and Grifon were twin sons of Ulivieri (and consequently nephews of Alda, Orlando's wife) by Gismonda. They were carried from their mother when infants by a Griffin, and rescued by a Fairy who educated them. It being decreed by Destiny that they were to fall in the service of Charlemagne, the Fairy detained them in the East, where they performed many exploits, for which see Berni and Ariosto. Of Prasildo and Iroldo, the Knights of Babylon, much is related in Berni's Orlando Innamorato. The adventure of the Golden Bough in the Garden of Medusa (which I have formerly imitated from that author) was the foundation of their friendship. Iroldo having, as is there mentioned, given up Tisbina to Prasildo, issued forth to seek adventures, and became a captive in Fallerina's castle.

He was destined, as was the custom, to become food for the serpent which guarded that castle: but Prasildo, hearing of his peril, repaired thither, run! by prayers prevailed on the jailor to set Iroldo at liberty, taking him by way of substitute for the serpent's food. Iroldo, learning the condition of his deliverance, remained in the neighbourhood till Rinaldo came by and was informed by him of the circumstances. Rinaldo by the valour of his arm rescued Prasildo; ingratitude for which benefit both the Habylonish Knights turned Christians, and attached themselves to the fortunes of the Paladin. i If Syrian trophies e'er the breast excite ' Of Aquilant the black, or Grifon white; ' If deeds unnumber'd on Tartarian plains ' Swell the pure current in Iroldo's veins ; * If thee, Prasildo ! that enchanted bough, ' Or me the casque that grac'd Mambrino's brow ' Urge to achievements new, let all our blood ' Boil at the name of him who spurns the Rood. { But wherefore do I talk ?

The juncture calls ' For acts, not words : be quick, or Europe falls. ' Away ! no pursuivant our haste prevent, c To cry, the}' come ! but in the royal tent ' Unharbinger'd his Knights let Charles behold, ' And augur triumphs from our deeds of old.' ' Lead on !' Prasildo cried . ' 'tis ours to trace * Thy noble steps, tho' with unequal pace. * I, and my friend in war Iroldo, bear ' Our lives redeem'd by thy victorious spear. ' Our succour such a boon but ill requites, * Yet sworn, we live and die Rinaldo's Knights.' Then Grifon : ■ Though to thee, Sir Knight, unknown, 4 Our swords are destin'd to this cause alone. ' Me Grifon, and bold Aquilant this Knight, * (Distinguish'd by our surcoats black and white) > * A Fay from childhood nurs'd for Charles to sight. 4 Our tale were long to tell : suffice it now ' That streams of royal source within us flow ; * Aud that with holy zeal our swords we draw 4 To vindicate from wrong the Christian law.' To whom the Dane : ' Our Sovereign well is paid 4 For sufferings, when such warriors lend him aid. 4 He for such succour royal thanks will pay ' But what does Brava's Knight, Orlando, say ? 4 He should be first in such a cause to speak ; 4 But he stands dumb, and crimson dyes his cheek !' 4 I cannot, will not go — ' Orlando said : ' My duty to my Liege is more than paid. ' He had my flush of strength : my service now 4 Far distant from the Christian world I owe. ' Ye have my wishes : were my actions free, 4 This falchion drawn for Charles ye still should see. 4 But I have learnt, tho' late, to serve the fair : 4 The manacles of Love these arms can wear. 4 Know me, the Champion of Albracca's throne: — 4 Angelica I serve, and her alone. 4 At her command I sought this magick wood,* ' And quash'd th' illusions of Morgana's brood: * The enchanted grove of Morgana (Mergian Banou, the great Peri or Fay of the Arabians) is at large described in the Orl.

Inn. B. 2. Cant. 7, S, 9 ; though I have thought it better to vary the story in some respects. During the war of Albracca (as Berni fells us), Angelica commissioned Orlando (o destroy this grove, in order, by so employing him, to prevent the renewal of his combat with Rinaldo, whom she doted on, through the effect of the magick waters of love which she had drank, while Rinaldo, having tasted the waters of hatred, detested her, and was then in arms against her, jointly with Marsisa. In the grove Orlando found several warriors jrklaincd by (he spells of Morgana, and among the rest, Dudon, who bad fallen into At her command my footsteps I retrace, ' Nor pause till I behold that heavenly face. 4 This only boon be yours : when once my love 4 The bliss, oft promis'd, ne'er vouchsaf 'd, shall prove, 4 Then on the shores of France this horn * shall ring, ' And Death frown dreadful on Biserta's King.' her power whilst on his mission to bring succour to Charlemagne against Agramante.

When the Knights are liberated, and Dudon delivers his message, Orlando ■a Dudon non rispose, Ma stette un pezzo tacito, a pensare ; Perch' il cervel gli andava a molte cose, E non poteva ben deliberare. L' amor, 1' onore, il debito, e il diletto Gli combatton insieme dentro il petto. Lo strigne e forza il debito e 1' onore Alia santa, anzi necessaria impresa ; Tanto piu, perch' egli era Senatore Romano, e difensor di santa Chiesa. Ma di Signor di tutto il mondo Amore Aveva si la cieca mente offesa, Si traviato il folle suo desio Che non si ricordava pur di Dio. Dir non saprei che scusa trovasse ; Basta, che da compagni s' e partito— &c. &c. * This horn was, with Durindana and the horse Brigliadoro, the spoil of Almonte. Del corno che fu gia del grand' Almonte Tratto d' un Elefante in quel paese, [Africa] E poi da lui perduto in Aspramonte, (Siccome io credo che vi sia palese) Allor che Brigliadoro e Durindana Fur dal Conte acquistati alia fontana.

Orl. Inn. B. 2. C. II.

C He spoke : his mighty hands Rinaldo wrung, And grief and indignation arm'd his tongue. 4 O Milon ! from thy lucid throne look down, ' And tell me, is this changeling knight thy son ? — 4 But whither strays my thought ? thy blest repose ' Nor mine disturb, nor ev'n thy country's woes. 4 Long toils in glorious war thy youth endur'd, ' And realms then won thy practis'd age secur'd : ' Till blest in such a son as France in vain '' Shall seek to save her when she sinks again, 1 Ere yet Orlando's glory ceas'd to bloom, ; Thy Guardian Angel bow'd thee to the tomb. * Thou only knew'st Orlando's better day, ' Ere charms and philtres snatch'd his sense away ; Thou knew'st him, when with patriot ardour warm ' In Aspramont he rais'd his dreadful arm : ' Thy thirsty ear a father's bliss enjoy'd, 4 When Europe learnt how great Almonte died : 1 Thou, when old Amon gave his pride the rein, 4 And talk'd ('twas venial) of Mambrino slain ; 4 Thou then couldst tell him that his loyal son 4 Fought not for Charles in distant lands alone : 4 Orlando then Anglante's flag unfurl'd, 4 And stood the bulwark of the Christian World. 4 Thy lamp yet burn'd, when to the haughty Moor, 4 'Midst his own vassals on Biserta's shore, A single challenger Orlando rode, ' And Durindana drank two Monarchs * blood. 4 Some peril did the battle then afford ' Those Chiefs were worthy of a Warrior's sword : 4 Inur'd to war, and fann'd by Victory's wing, 4 The Sire and Grandsire of this stripling King, 4 At whose bare menace now his courage flies, 4 While one base act his former life belies. ' Sleep Milon, sleep ! and oh ! that Death's cold hand 4 Had touch'd the Monarch of our bleeding land, 4 Ere yet his honour'd age shall shrink to find 4 The Knight he lov'd ungrateful and unkind. ■* Yes, Brava's Knight ; to thee shall Europe owe 4 Each wound inflicted by her hated foe. ' Her soldiers, wont to follow thee in war, 4 And hail thy lance as their protecting star, ' They, when thy flight shall reach the common ear, 4 Will doubt the power of any second spear, 4 And in the Moor a mightier foe will see 4 As cloth'd with all the strength they miss in thee. ' What petty Baron now shall dare to rise, ' And stem the inroad which Orlando flies ? ' Or who thy absence will to love refer, 4 Since amorous thoughts to deeds of honour stir i ' Oh ! my soul sinks that the recorded fame ' Of all who kindred with thy lineage claim, * Orlando, during the invasion of Africa by Charlemagne, defied Agolante and bis son Troiano (Agramante's father), and killed them both. ' Thou by this single folly should'st erase, 4 And palsy every tongue that speaks thy praise. • Long*, long shall Namo * mourn his warrior lost; \ ' Long, long Astolfo : I, of alt the host > ' Who taunt thee, shall perchance lament thee most.

J 4 I name not Alda — Thy perverted mind 4 On Alda will not cast a thought behind. * Yet will that dame her sex's model prove, 4 And weep thine honour forfeit, not thy love. 4 Not all the series of your nuptial joys 4 (Bliss that expands with age, and never cloys), 4 Not all the sweet embraces which to share 4 You flew impatient from each finish'd war ; 4 Not all your often plighted vows of truth, 1 Preserv'd in age mature, tho' sworn in youth, 4 Now gone, for ever gone, shall wake her woe : 4 Thy mistress is not hers, but Europe's foe. 4 O shame ! shall future ages learn the cause 4 Which from his Country's aid Orlando draws? 4 Shall his son know what stain'd the Hero's pride, 4 And stamp'd him craven when a Moor defied ? ' Nor wound nor sickness tears him from our host ; 4 Nor arms purloin'd, nor Brigliadoro lost; 4 No Wizard works by planetary schemes 4 To craze his reason or unnerve his limbs— * Namo was Duke of Bavaria.

Astolfo was Prince of Britain, cousin to Orlando and Rinaldo. Astolfo was long under the spell of Alciua, an Enchantress whose island was in the Indian sea. "sis Love—the wise man's scorn, the idler's god— ; Love 'twixt the Cross and Crescent gives the nod. 4 Love (let the World no more such tales despise) 4 Looks at Orlando thro' a woman's eyes, ' And Fame, Allegiance, all the ties that bind 4 A Patriot's action, vanish from his mind.— 4 His friends, his Monarch, nay his God forgot, 4 And his whole soul one universal blot ; * This Knight shali live, in Europe's final hour, 4 A silken suitor in a damsel's bower.' Thus as Rinaldo spoke, Anglante's Lord His cloudy features chang'd at every word. A deep remorse his struggling soul assail'd, And thoughts of glory rose: but Love prevail'd. Louring he turn'd his moony orbs askance, For Conscience made him dread Rinaldo's glance.

Absorb'd he stood : his eyes were blank and dim, And vacant, as unfelt the solar beam ; Till as his passion swell'd they 'gan to glow Like torches underneath his hollow brow, And, as the keen reproach awak'd his ire, Flam'd at the last with flakes of living fire. Thus when Hyperion from his golden bed Lifts o'er the eastern hills his modest head, A circle broad and flat at first he seems, And shoots no radiance from his infant beams ; But bright and brighter shines his mounting car, Till the blaze dazzles with meridian glare. Thus flam'd his eyes ; like meteor-lights that shine, Of heats, and plagues, and death, the baleful sign.

His pale lips shook : but ere the tempest broke, Dudon, who fear'd its rage, persuasive spoke : 4 Knight of Anglante ! pause, ere yet too late — ' Aid not the Moor to crush th' imperial state ! 4 The Moor, who menaces thy kinsman's throne * To expiate deeds by thee, Orlando, done. ' Say, was it Charles who this assault provok'd ? ' His lance with Agolante's blood that smok'd ? 4 And who but knows that ere he left the shore 4 A dreadful oath the Libyan Monarch swore ' (Grasping the marble dome in which are laid 4 The bones of Agolant and Troian dead), 4 That helm'd should be his brow till Charles should pay 4 The forfeit of that long-lamented day, 4 When underneath thy lance his great forefathers lay. ' Say'st thou 'tis Woman calls thee from thy post ? ' What woman heeds a Knight, his honour lost ? 4 Come where the battle glows : a damsel's smile 4 Gilds the glad evening of a day of toil : 4 But never to Albracca's Queen return 4 Till thy foot rest on Agramante's urn.' * No more !' th' impatient Lord of Brava cried : 1 More wisdom had ye shown, had none replied. 4 Albracca's Empress bade me crush your spell : 4 More she may order ; if she do, 'tis well. ' Why talk to me of Agolante's death, ' Why urge to me the peril of our faith ? 4 Are there not Knights beside Orlando known 4 For guardians of our hoary Monarch's throne ? 4 Has thy keen lance, Rinaldo, lost its power ? 4 And was not rich Mambrino too a Moor ? ' But break we off. — There was, me thinks, a time 4 When love by Amon's son was thought no crime 4 It may be so again : meanwhile, to turn 4 Thro' prayers my purpose, I have yet to learn. 4 Morgana charms no more : these warriors bound 4 By spells in her enchanted grot I found ; ' Let them, O Dudon ! follow where you lead : 4 Be theirs the soldier's, mine the lover's meed. ' Each hasten where his strong affection lures : ' Here, eastward, lies my way ; there, westward, yours He said ; and short his fiery courser rein'd With head unbow'd ; nor further parley deign'd. Along the margin of the gloomy grove, Swift as a falcon flies, the air he clove ; And, lessening as he went, soon seem'd at most Of common bulk, and soon to sight was lost.

Silent the warriors stood : with bitter grief And scorn awhile they ey'd the parting chief; Then fix'd upon the ground their sullen eyes, And now and then burst forth indignant sighs. Dudon at last began. ' What now remains, 5 But that we six, whom no foul passion stains, Should rush where Glory calls ? Six knights we are ; 4 Six Christian Knights may well this Hero spare. 1 Nor yet does he, tho' to our standard lost, ' Lend his dread arm to Agramante's host — ' And say, he did — 'twere but the stronger cause 4 To urge our swords in aid of Europe's laws ; 1 For wheresoe'er he combats, Death presides ; ' And Fame to such a strife her votaries guides.' Such counsel gave the Dane : the Knights complied : Europe they sought, the western sun their guide; In look to all who mark'd them as they pass'd Urging their palfries o'er the lessening waste ; As seems to Nubian swains the ostrich brood That roam, by instinct led, for scanty food, When rapid with exalted heads they run And wave their glossy pinions in the sun ; Or, as in times when infant Trade confin'd In narrow tracts her blessings to mankind, Seem'd to Palmyra's merchant, peering far O'er the broad plain with avaricious care, The hordes, just noted thro' the floating sand — Perhaps his own, perhaps a spoiler's band : For Commerce long of yore such fears endur'd, Ere nurs'd by practice and in arts matur'd, By which abundant now her gifts she flings, And waves o'er every sea her milk-white wings.

Nine times the rolling sun his light renew'd, While o'er the waste their way the Knights pursu'd ; But on the tenth approach of purple eve They saw the Euxine surge his orb receive. At Trebizond a bark, which Dudon late Had left, they loaded with th' expected freight; Themselves, their steeds, their arms — a precious charge To the deep trusted in one fragile barge. But then Vulturnus * deign'd their sails to fill, And the waves hiss'd beneath their gliding keel ; Slant steering, to approach the farther shore Where Danube's mouths their world of waters pour, And with such force the broad expanse invade, That Neptune trembles in his antient bed. Meanwhile each Warrior, on the deck reclin'd, With various fancies pleas'd his active mind ; And, musing on records of glory, thought Of the renown'd exploits in Colchos wrought, Pondering on arms and arts approv'd of old, And charms and druo-s that Nature's course controll'd. But emulous, not envious, were the Knights : The virtuous, others' worth to worth excites ; And still the truly good will seek to swell Their eminence, who like themselves excel.

Yet in old times such combats were not seen As flesh'd the sword of many a Paladin : Troy ne'er had fall'n, had Charles her sceptre sway'd ; One Christian Peer the Theban wreck had stay'd : * The South-East wind. r> Ev'n Hercules had shrunk in pale affright At the fell aspect of Anglante's knight. Not right against the stream the Pilot steer'd, (Where high their foamy backs the billows rear'd Tumbled betwixt the adverse flood and wind, Repelling that, this urging from behind) ; But northward, where an isle extends before, Shelt'ring th' advent'rous prow that seeks the shore, Pelides' * sacred isle : the Grecian ghost Shed a deep stillness o'er that stormy coast : For him the presence of that knightly train Fir'd with the thought of arms and Hector slain ; And, once himself the bravest, now he joy'd To speed the bravest o'er th' impetuous tide.

He stretch'd his shadowy arms ; the River God Smooth'd his huge surge beneath the welcome load, And to the warriors upward progress gave The favouring eddies of his refluent wave. Not oft Aurora led the new-born Hours Ere the bark reach'd Belgrade's imperial towers, Where Ottachieri -jthen the sceptre held, And rul'd in peace the rich Hungarian field. * The island of Phidonisi: it was formerly called Leuce, and was sacred to Achilles, whose spirit was supposed to inhabit it, and to visit in dreams those who approached its shore, Clarke's T rav. p. 651 et seq. Rinaldo Giunse in Ungheria quella giornata Ove trovo gran gente insieme armala. C. 14 Vers'd in the arts of life, a valorous Knight, Bounteous, observant of the Christian rite, And link'd with Charles by mutual ties he stood Of plighted faith, and kingly brotherhood.