Classical descriptions of love, from the most celebrated epic poets

Contents

Description of the blissful Regions, and their Inhabitants. —Characters of the epic Poets, Homer, Tasso, Ariosto, Milton, Virgil, Camoens', their various talents and excellencies. — Description of various lesser Poets, and Beauties famed in History. — Assemblage of the Poets. — Homer sings. — He relates the meeting of Hector and Andromache — their affectionate Adieu. Hector sallies out to meet Achilles; their discourse. They fight, Hector falls. — Grief of the Trojans. — Tender Lamentation of Andromache.

The Author of the Poem, oj which this is a translation, has extracted the Episodes of the following Epic Poets, respecting Love: Homer, Virgil, Ariosto, Tasso, Milton, Camoens. He has formed a very simple, but, at the same time, a pleasing and interesting fable, by which he has happily introduced the various descriptions of these celebrated poets. This will be immediately perceived by a perusal of the translation.

The Translator has adhered closely to the original; at least, as much so, as the idioms of the two languages would admit : he hopes that the translation will be found not unworthy of the original*.

Canto II. Contents

Tanso sings the loves of Rinaldo and Armida. — Without Rimddo^s aid Bouillon cannot conquer Sohjma. — Two Warriors ■tent in search of Rinaldo: they are prepared for their expedition by a Magician: arrive in the island. — A stranger describes the approach to Armida 1 s palace: the Warriors delighted with the beautiful scenery: discover tico Syrens swimming in a lake: afraid of their fascinations : one sings the beauties of the palace, and invites them to enjoy its pleasures. — The Warriors discover Rinaldo reposing in the arms of Armida : her beauties and enchantments described. — Rinaldo struck iu it h the sight of the Warriors: excited to arms by Ubaldo : resolves to leave those scenes of enchantment and love. — Armida remonstrates tcith him: her distraction. — Rinaldo attempts to soothe her: she sivoons. — Rinaldo departs. — Armida restored to life: her rage, disappointment, a?id despair: returns to her palace: invokes the infernal spirits: her palace and enchantments destroyed.

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x hus Homer sung ; and loud shouts of applause immediately accompanied his sublime strains. Every one admired Hector, and trembled with horror at beholding him drawn in fury by- the enraged Achilles. What astonishing rivals ! what sublime courage was traced by the brilliant imagination of the poet! And how affecting in their tears, how interesting in their sorrow, the old king of Troy and the tender Andromache ! They beheld, near the body of her beloved Hector, the affectionate Andromache groan at the remembrance of her afflicted country ; but happy she feels Hector near to her heart, and her past sorrows redouble her felicity. The whole assembly was enchanted at the affecting recital; when Tasso, suddenly striking the speaking lyre, fills the air with his delightful strains, and sings the amorous transports of Rinaldo.

Bauillon, said he, in vain attempted to conquer Solyma, having lost the aid of that illustrious hero, who being, enamoured of Armida, worshipped his chains, in an enchanted island, at the farthest corner of the world. Two Christians are appointed to visit this island, and to snatch Rinaldo from his beloved asylum. Ubaldo, the illustrious Paladin, and Charles the warrior, are appointed to this office : they suddenly depart, ardently desirous to execute the important enterprise. Taking those precautions authorized by heaven, the warriors receive from a magician a shining buckler, a book, and a golden rosary, the qualities of which would be sufficient to enable them to overcome every obstacle excited by magical power. He conducts the heroes, who were now to traverse the boundless ocean, to the sea-shore. There they spied an unknown female, conducting through the waves a light bark, which approaches, and receives them. They depart ; and the north wind, propitious to their wishes, wafts them over the waters of an unruffled ocean. They at length descry the land of their desire : an island lifts its rising head, the curved bank of which- forms a double crescent ; a rock defends it against the mighty billows of the ocean, and breaks the fury of the angry waves, which, at length gently pour themselves into a spacious harbour, and repose their exhausted strength in its peaceful bosom. They beheld near the banks, twoformidable rocks, informing pilots of their approach to the harbour : they were crowned with green forests, under whose shade were to be seen a smiling grotto, where the twining ivy hung, and a pure rivulet murmured : here no anchor ever sunk into the earth ; no ship was ever for-

40 DESCRIPTIONS OF LOVL.

cibly held fast by a cable. In this place the unknown stranger, stopping on the tranquil waters, addressed the two warriors.

"View that palace, half hid by the cloud, crowning the summit of the hill ; there Rinaldo, enchained by the charms of his mistress, resigns to voluptuous delights his indolent days : when the rising sun shall shine upon that abode, you may then, with safety, approach it : that time is not far distant, you ought, therefore, to await it with patience. Carefully watch the first dawning of Aurora, for any other hour would prove fatal to your design. Now, however, you must profit by the light of day, which will enable yon to reach the bottom of the precipice."

Having said thus, the warriors and their guide separate : they anxiously leap upon the shore, and, travelling by a pleasant path, they at length arrive at the end of their journey ; while the glorious sun, pursuing his mighty career, had not yet descended beneath the western wave.

Now they look with enquiring eyes for a path to the palace, and they find that, in order to reach it, precipices must be scaled, rocks must be ascended, and the abyss must be braved. The mountain contains at once the qualities of every climate ; the middle and the foot are silvered over with hoar-frost; the top is covered with a smiling verdure ; roses enamel the borders of the ice : and in every portion of this magic abode nature has assisted the endeavours of art. At the foot of this hill the warriors, surrounded by thick groves, repose in the depth of the shade.

Scarcely had the sun begun to spring from the east, and gild the sky with streaks of gold, when the warriors exclaimed, " Let us depart ;" and immediately the intrepid travellers pursue their rapid course. But, lo ! a hideous serpent, rearing his

H DESCRIPTIONS OF LOVE.

odiows crest, suddenly presents himself to view; his neck swells with rage, his eyes sparkle with fury, and his extended jaws are filled with deadly poison: he issues forth a three-headed dart, and shortens or extends the odious twinings of his form at pleasure ; while his tail, rolling in many circles on the sand, is collected and divided into circular rings.

Charles draws his sword : " Ah \ ,f cried Ubaldo, « what art thou attempting? are these the weapons thou shouldst employ?" And immediately he waves the golden wand ; the monster no sooner espied it, than, terrified at the unexpected sight, he retreats and disappears. Not far distant, they beheld a fierce lion, whose eye rolled with frightful rage, marching towards them: his hair bristles, he roars, and widely extends his awful jaws: he flaps with his horrid tail his sinewy loins; but no sooner does he perceive the shaking of the wand, than fear succeeds to his frightful fury, and his flight leaves an undisturbed passage to the travelling warriors.

They now advance, and pursue their journey ; but various other animals now suddenly appear. O what dreadful objects, what terrible monsters, what various cries, and what hideous shapes! There appeared to be assembled all the monsters which people the universe, from Atlas to the Nile, or roam through the Hyrcanian forests; but, notwithstanding their fury, these innumerable legions disturb not the warriors defended by the wand ; no sooner is it shaken, than they all take to flight. The triumphant pair have now no obstacles to overcome, save the ice and the snow, which frightful aspect presents itself on every side.

But scarcely had they begun to ascend this steep path, when their sight was gladdened by a pure sky, by thin air, and serene weather at the top of the hill, which displayed to their view an extensive green plain; a thousand gentle zephyrs, playing on the mossy turf, rifle the flowers of their odorous sweets, and with their balmy breath, perfume this blissful abode, from which they are never expelled by the rigour of the seasons. Here no changes, which torment other climates, are ever experienced ; no troublesome heat or cold ; no clouds or rain; no thick vapours ; no summer or winter ever obscure the inexpressible purity of the sky. Here the meadow, never destroyed by burning heat, sends forth the herb of the plain ; the herb sends forth the flower, and from the flower issues the odour which it contains ; the shade of the plant never disappears; while a delightful palace, rising on the banks of an extensive lake, commands, in this smiling region, an enchanting view.

Meanwhile, the warriors slowly advanced through the flowery paths of these delightful meads ; they sometimes repose themselves, tired with their toil; and sometimes they advance: but now to their gladdened sight, a bubbling fountain presents itself, and, falling in limpid streams, offers to their arid lips its delightful freshness : it foams, flows, and by a thousand rivulets distributes to the gladdened fields its enlivening waters; till, at length, tired with wandering through these various paths, they all meet and repose themselves in an extensive canal, where they roll gently under the shade of sweet-scented arbours; the trees, kissing their delightful surface, admire, in the bosom of the lake, their reflected image, their pliant branches, and their sombre shades, while the azure sky and the flowery bush sprinkle their colours on the gently-moving waves; a turfy bank, surrounding the lake, invites to repose on its beauteous surface.

The warriors, on beholding these flowery paths, exclaim, " These, these are the perfidious sources of smiles and enchantment; let us restrain our desires ; let us avoid their ensnaring charms ; but chief, let us beware of those insidious songs of the nymphs, which are soon to appear before us/' They then advance towards the fruitful banks of a lake, into which the canal pours its waters.

On the bank, they beheld a table, crowned with delicious fruits, and flowing nectar. In the waters, two wanton syrens are sporting; their charms, caressed by the admiring waves, displayed their dazzling treasures, half-veiled ; the laughter and transports of a thoughtless gaietyanimated their pleasing sport: sometimes they sprinkled the waters on their heads ; sometimes they swam to a spot, where their hands seemed to cut out a limpid path ; the wave which supports them on its crystal surface, gently sustains the charms which it embraces : at one time, they dive and disappear; at another, swimming on the surface, they move through the waters, in silver apparel ; till at length the fleetest, surpassing her companion, displays to the spectators her shoulders of ivory.

The warriors contemplate these dangerous beauties; but already, dreading their voluptuous attractions* they prepare to depart : however, some inexpressible charm, softening their hearts, enchants and disarms them; they venture to contemplate these dangerous pictures. Now one of these beauteous nymphs, raising herself from the waters, displays to their view the ravishing sight of a voluptuous bosom, adorned with round dazzling breasts, and an enchanting form, of alabaster whiteness, while the rest is beheld under the azure fluid. As the sparkling star of the morning, shining through the virgin dew, charms the sailor with its humid light; or as Venus, rising from the bosom of her native waters, so appeared the nymph with her fair dishevelled hair; the crystal fluid, intermingling with its tresses, flows gently, and sprinkles every portion *>f her angelic form. At length she turns her eyes to the bank ; and, on beholding the warriors, a feeling of shame excites her burning blushes ; her light hair, tied and collected together on her forehead, she immediately unlooses, and throws down to her waist; her long hair, with its waving tresses, envelops a beautiful bosom, which, under this shining veil, palpitates, displays itself by its motion, and adorns the nymph. Her charms are not less seducing when one disappears; for immediately another succeeds. In this manner, the lovely nymph, hiding herself from the view of the strangers, under the veil of the waters, and her long hair, turns towards them a countenance, which seemed, at the same time, to smile and to blush with joy *nd with shame. Her enchanting smile adorned her blushes, and her blushes increased the charms of her smile. At length she employs her harmonious voice, whose music would charm the most hardened heart.

** O fortunate mortals! bless your lot! You have safely arrived at the happy haven of life ; in this blissful region is to be found every enjoyment which can call to the remembrance of mortals the happy reign of Astraea. Lay aside that cuirass, and those useless bucklers; our grottoes, our green fields, and hospitable groves display peaceful scenes for more endearing conquests; in these regions, love alone is triumphant. We will immediately conduct you to the abode, where our deity holds his brilliant court: she herself has long been anxious to behold you; she intends even to divide with you her empire; you are destined to enjoy the most enchanting delights. And now, come into the waters, and refresh your exhausted strength." — Thus the nymph throws out her perfidious allurements, while the other accompanies her with her gestures and her eyes; as the shepherdess, in her sporting play attends to the rural instrument, her dance is quick or slow, lascivious or modest. But the hearts of the warriors resist their allurements; for, when desire had excited in their bo- E soms the dangerous wish of approaching such enchanting charms, their reason suddenly exerts its strength, and speedily expels voluptuous desire with disdain; they immediately retire from these seductive shores, while the nymphs, surprised at their sudden retreat, sunk below the waters, to hide the disgrace of their defeat.

The palace which forms the illustrious residence of Armida is composed of a vast circumference. It contains an extensive garden, which surpasses, in pomp and beauty, the fabulous groves. A thousand winding paths, artfully intermingled, surround the palace with a tortuous rampart; the work of demons, whose infernal address enabled them to contrive this immense labyrinth.

Now a hundred open porticoes, leading by various routes to the palace, present themselves to the view of the warriors; the most extensive attracts their notice, and they direct their steps to its awe-inspiring arch ; its golden double-gate immediately receives them, and shuts itself again with a dreadful noise on its silver hinges.

Wealth had adorned these gates with the richest metals, where art was still more brilliant; the art of divine groups was pleased to embellish them ; the ear hears them breathe, the eye beholds them respire. There, placed at the feet of Omphale, a weak and timid lover, the formidable Alcides sits with a distaff in his hand. Alcides, who supported the whole weight of the heavens, now twines the distaff and turns the spinning wheel. Love beholds him, and smiles at the metamorphosis. She who subdues him, lifts up with her rosy fingers a massy form inured to warfare, and smiling covers his delicate limbs with the skin of a lion, the terrible roughness of which appears to offend their softness by touching them.

Farther distant are beheld the waters of the ocean, whose urgent waves roll upon the liquid azure plain: there a double row of vessels is arranged, ready to dispute the empire of the world; their golden poops inflame the waters and the air; the shining bucklers sparkle with lightning, and all Leucate is enflamed with the fire of warfare. Here Antony leads on the people of Caucasus, .the sons of Asia, and the sable Africans; and there appears Octavias supported by the Romans. One might say that the sea, disgorging its inhabitants, displayed upon its bosom its floating nations ; or that the mountains, leaping from their base, and intermingling their forms, fall upon, and overturn each other, so great was the thundering noise of these huge vessels; the blood runs and foams on the reddened waves, the wrecks, carried away by the waters and the winds, display, floating on all sides, shafts, masts, and burning cordage. The victory appears doubtful, and remains uncertain; but at length the Egyptians beheld their queen take to flight; Antony loses his empire, and has already fled.

What do I say ? Ah ! this disgrace is unworthy of him ! It is not his courage which is surprised and staggered, it is Cleopatra alone who flies, and who draws him after her. He is observed, his eye sparkling with rage, alternately groaning with shame, with pride, with rage and love: he gazes on the fleet and the bloody scene, and follows with his eyes the vessel containing Cleopatra. At length the Nile, surrounded with the dead and the dying, receives him into its sacred bosom. There this hero, tormented with a vain regret, in confusion, meets death in the arms of his lover.

The gates were adorned with other famous subjects, and the warriors a short time indulged themselves with beholding them; but they at length depart, without viewing them all, and enter the mazes of the deep labyrinth. As the meandering wave is seen to descend, in its uncertain course, into the sea, and suddenly again arise, its capricious waters play upon the banks, and form a thousand vain circles with its inconstant substance; it pursues, it flies, it chaces, it disappears, and the succeeding wave beholds its fleeting predecessor; such was this uncertain road to the bewildered warriors; but the holy book, lending them aid, enables them to unwind the mazes of this dreadful labyrinth.

At length arriving at the end of the labyrinth, a beautiful garden presents itself to view. Here, obscure valleys, luminous hills, shining lakes displaying their liquid bosoms, and bubbling fountains scattering their transparent waters; with cedars, palm-trees, myrtles and plantains, flowery groves, bushes, and green turf, the productions of every climate and of all the seasons, of smiling valleys and dark caverns, delightfully display their freshness and their shades : but what produced the most charming effect in this region was, that Art, though she produced every thing, remained carefully concealed ; an air of negligence veiled over the hand of cultivation, and culture is on all sides supposed to be Nature, which rivalling art appears, in its turn, to limit her influence. The air animates the flowers, and, at Armida's command, conveys the flowing sap to the fruitful tree ; that tree which, continuallyadorned with buds, displays at all times fruit growing, ripening, and ripe; the sprouting fig appears in the presence of another which is ripe, the apple-tree beholds her with rich and various-coloured fruits, some only green, and some burnished with gold ; the vine winds with its thousand branches round the arbour; near to the grape in flower, hangs another of vermillion hue, and, not far distant, springs the bud shining in gold, swelling the rich treasure with its delicious juice; the olive unites the spring to autumn, and already produces the fruits of both. On every hand, the birds chant their delights, and the -zephyr, gently sighing, rewhispers their complaints; while the majestic tree, shivering in the playful breeze, with the murmuring waters flowing under its shade, form concordant sounds, and produce, day and night, an agreeable murmur, and a delightful concert of love.

Here also appeared a noble bird, brilliant by the tones of his voice, and by the shining glories of his plumage: his bill is adorned with the shining purple of Tyre; and his voice, flexible as that of man, breathes the language of inspiration: he sings, and flocks of the feathered people gather around and hearken to his voice; even the zephyr listens in silence to his delightful strains.

" Behold, alas V says he, " that modest rose, as yet a virgin : she hides herself from the view, and dares not to send forth her treasure from her green prison : she scarcely shoots forth a timid bud ; then, gently throwing off the veil which surrounds her, half-covered and half-bare, she is ever the more attractive the less she is displayed ; but at length, losing her secret charms, she displays in proud array all her beauty; and, beginning to fade, is already no more that blushing flower, of which enamoured youths delighted to breathe the perfume, and to admire the beauty. So pass the fleeting joys of youth : alas ! how short lived. The youthful breast becomes suddenly affected with love, which soon loses its force, and before the evening of life, completely disappears. When spring returns, it gives back to nature beauty, freshness, and verdure; but when life is deprived of its honours, no spring ever returns to restore them. Let us gather then this rose, the ornament of the spring of life, before it falls shorn of its leaves, whilst we are able, by loving to inspire a reciprocal passion."

He ceases, the birds applaud his ravishing strains, by singing and flapping their wings with joy. The beasts of tke field, the birds, the groves, the flowers, the plants, the roses, the insects, the meadows, the woods, 'the waters, and parterres, all burn with rapture, all unite in expressions of gladness, all display, inspire, experience, or enjoy the delights of love.

In the midst of these strains, of that gentle murmur, that sweet symphony, that concert of nature, the two warriors still restrained their desires, and steeled their hearts against the attractions of pleasure : their eyes penetrated the woods and looked around, when they seemed to behold a new object. They thought they beheld — yes — they beheld— the two lovers, Armida and Rinaldo, stretched out slothfully on the green grass, where the hero reposes in the arms of the beauty whom he adores.

The lovely enchantress attracts their attention. Her fair tresses floating in the breeze, and carelessly rolling on her neck, display ringlets of gold, where the zephyr loves to play; they also descend on her shining forehead, her burning •cheek, and her vermillion lips displaying desire, where they shine, and give themselves up to the enchantments of pleasure : the glance of her humid eye shines like the ray of light glancing in the wave, while, full of pleasure, sparkling, and

TAS S (.)

THIIurm.1- del. et Satlp.

Warriors discover Rin aide reposing in the Arms of Arm < I surcharged with love, her languishing eyes scarcely open themselves to the influence of light; whilst luxuriously lolling in the lap of his lover, the hero, reclining his manly head, eagerly gazes with warm desire on her inexpressible charms : he satiates himself, he overflows with pleasure, and becomes intoxicated with enjoyment : he yields to the voluptuous kisses of hi3 enchantress; they startle him, and cause his enamoured heart to palpitate with joy : his breath seems ready to forsake him, and his soul, arrived at his quivering lips, appears anxious to fly into the bosom of his lover. The warriors viewed the amorous transports of this delighted pair, from the covert which concealed them.

A crystal mirror, the sole confident of their loves, hung gracefully at the side of Rinaldo, and repeated their pleasures on its silent surface ; at length Armida rises, and, desirous of beholding herself, gives it to her lover, who, turning the mirror towards her, enables her to admire her charms in its faithful bosom; but Rinaldo perceives only Armida, and her delightful charms: she rejoices at the sight of her ravishing features : she collects her scattered tresses, and binds in waving ringlets her flowing hair, while she here and there mixes them with flowers, like a sparkling enamel incased in pure gold: she covers her breast with a light gauze, and joins the rose to its easy motion ; while, at length, she is covered by her veil, which waves slowly in the air. Thus adorned, she moves with more pride than the stately peacock, displaying the glory of his beauteous plumage, and appears more glorious than Iris, just escaped from a cloud, with her various-coloured zone sparkling in the rays of the sun.

But nothing could equal the enchanting beauty of her girdle ; it was her own workmanship, and who but herself could have executed such elegant designs? Here were 'to be seen, significant smiles, kisses full of voluptuousness, tranquil denials, eager caresses, disdainful, contemptuous looks, amorous fury, broken expressions, calm enjoyment, stifled sighs, tender alarms, the transports and the burning tears of love. Forming of all these objects an enchanting mixture, Armida, by means of her creative art, knew how to give a substance and colours to thought and to the soul ; mingled them slowly in a delightful combination, and these precious beauties mixed carelessly together, shone in glory, suspended from her robe.

Desirous of ending her magical enchantments, she prepares to fly to her solitary abode; and, when about to leave the warrior, she gives him a iiss, tender indeed, but alas ! the last. Rinaldo, unable to pursue her, remains alone on the scene of their enjoyment: he walks thoughtfully, ruminating on her delightful charms; and impatiently sighs for the return of darkness, when Armida, leaving her beauteous but retired abode,

V returns to crown the passing hours with love and pleasure.

But she disappeared. The two warriors now present themselves to the sight of Rinaldo, clad in burnished armour; immediately he feels his soul agitated with a strange sensation, and his heart penetrated with ardour; he awakes from his dream of voluptuous delight; he beholds his disgraceful bonds; and the generous desire of battle once more sparkles in his eyes.

As a stately war-horse removed from the field of glory, forgetting the pride of battle for the enjoyments of love, becomes a voluptuous spouse, and in a disgraceful repose, leaps and grazes in the midst of the flocks; but no sooner does he behold the shining of the brass, and hear the sounding of the trumpet, than he starts from his sloth, he neighs loudly, and erecting his stately head, his capacious nostrils breathe the fury of warfare. Already terrible, he calls loudly for his rivals, and bounding on the plain; he already believes himself flying under the master whom he loves, and wounding, overturning, and destroying them himself.

So was Rinaldo affected at the sight of the buckler; so his soul, immersed in pleasure, throws off its sloth at the sight of this warlike array, and burns with the desire of a warrior's glory. Ubaldo first advances towards him, and holds up to his sight the mirror of the shining buckler: the hero beholds himself, he sees hi& slavery, he sees the degraded image of his fea* tures, he views those disgraceful ornaments with which his arms are covered, those habits decorated with a hundred various figures, that luxurious assemblage of encircling rings, of shining rubies and waving tresses; he beholds that sword — that sword which, in the heat of battle, had signalized his strength, and procured him glory; now at his side a vain and frivolous ornament, the useless luxury of a degraded hero. Rinaldo wishes in vain to recognise himself in this odious apparel. Thus, when we escape from the arms of sleep, in which we have been troubled with a frightful dream, even after we are awake it is for a moment continued, and the mind is anxious to dispel the troublesome illusion. Rinaldo at length turns from the bucklei ; his sad eye is fixed on the ground, he wishes that he were hid from mortal sight, and that he were in the depths of the ocean, or swallowed up by the flames of the consuming fire.

o

Ubaldo now addresses him : u Both Europe and Asia now fight on the plains of Syria; and every lover of Christ and son of honour exercises his valour on this glorious theatre; thou alone, O son of Berthold, in a corner of the world, obscurely plunged in profound peace, a vile slave of love, languishest in thy fetters, when these glorious events are agitating the universe. What inglorious repose, what lethargic sleep have so long swallowed up thy heroic valour !

Rinaldo alone is absent from the camp of Godfrey ; thy general calls thee. — Awake, let us go ; the palm of victory is prepared, and awaits thee ; come, and finish the conquest of Jerusalem; come, and shake the power of the Infidel; let him fall, overcome, under thy strong arm."

The hero, motionless and confounded at these expressions, remains some time without making any reply ; at length, a generous feeling taking possession of his soul, overcomes his shame, and restores him to the sentiments of honour. His eyes are suddenly opened, and he beholds the infamous luxury of his pompous ornaments; the hero tears them, rends them, and scatters them with disdain in this fatal garden; and, burning with ardour, displayed in his countenance, he has already escaped from the walls of the labyrinth.

Armida beheld the monster, who was the careful sentinel of the palace, stretched out upon the

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G6 DESCRIPTIONS OF LOVE.

ground ; her soul was tormented with the most cruel presages, and every thing around whispered to her the loss of him she held dear : she runs, alarmed, and perceives him, alas! far distant, with hasty footsteps, leaving the palace; she endeavoured to- exclaim, "Ah! cruel, perfidious Rinaldo ! to what dreadful solitude are you going to leave Armida?" But her cries, suppressed by her inexpressible grief, are choked in their expression, and swell her tormented bosom: " Unhappy wretch !j thou art conscious that an unseen power, more puissant than thy art, now opposes thy love : thy efforts to stay Rinaldo are vain." She knew these words, these dreadful words, which the profane sybils of Thessaly pronounce on their rocks, to call up the spirits of the dead, who, opening the profound prison of the lower regions, darken the horizon, and make the earth to tremble : but hell, shut up, opens not to the operation of her charms ; she now, therefore, has recourse to prayers and tears; she wishes to try whether her cries and lamentations will not surpass the art of the enchanters. Towards Rinaldo, who shuns her, she flies in distraction, regardless of her honour, forgetful of her glory. Alas ! how soon has her insupportable pride disappeared? She, who, with a word, a look, or a motion of the head, could overturn, at her pleasure, the empire of love; how often has. her smile disguised her disdain ! Often have her disappointed lovers, with humble hearts, felt themselves happy in being allowed to breathe out their complaints in her presence ! O heaven, what a change ! Now, disdained, supplanted, betrayed, she flies, bathed in tears, over rocks, brambles, and hoar-frost, after an ungrateful lover, hastening from her presence ; she cries, she runs, exclaims, she passes over the rocks of ice ; and, with bleeding feet, arrives and beholds her perjured hero on the sea-shore, ready to embark. She now exclaims, "Stop, perfidious lover ! immolate thy victim ! Alas ! behold me prepared ; pierce, tear this heart, which has sworn to be faithful 5 this heart, the half of which is already prepared to fly with you J Stop, Rinaldo; but do not believe that I, though now unfortunate, am desirous to implore an amorous kiss. No, preserve your embraces for another: I object not; but at least lend an ear to my parting wish. Why, alas ! should you be afraid to listen to me ? you have been able to fly from me; do you wish also to be deaf to my complaint V