And now the funeral-pyre is laid, the flames arise, Thus spake he wailing. Sweetly she replied, "Be patient, Olindo; we suffer in God's name, A cry of anguish from the Pagans loudly pealed, Sudden appears, in stately guise, a warrior, So she seems, of semblance high, in strange attire. Draws toward it every eye; Clorinda's device it seems. For she had from childhood felt but idle chains, The small adornments of her sex. From Persia's plains Hither she has come to oppose the Christian host With might and at whatever cost. Eager to see and learn, soon she found Sophronia and Olindo, 'mid the throng, with fagots bound. Clorinda's heart was melted in pity for the twain Stunned by the tale, swift did she decide To o'erthrow their doom, let what will betide. With defiant air She sought the King: "I am Clorinda! Dost know I came; to lift the standard of our faith, nor yield Ready am I to lift thy standard on 'leaguered walls; She ceased. The King replied: "Clorinda, hail! As though of old some far-renowned knight." Then spake the warrior maiden in reply, With courteous thanks for praise so high: "O King, service I would to thee give. It may cost thee dear Yet 'tis all I ask-bestow. on me the culprits there. "The Christian took the image, and I plainly see "Up to Mohammed this miracle I joy to trace, "Let, then, Ismeno attempt all that spells can do, Here ceased she, and the King replied: Guiltless, absolve I, and, if guilty, spare." Thus were they freed from death. Olindo's fortune proved And soon their nuptials did the gods delight. THE SHEPHERD'S SONG. SAFE TORQUATO TASSO. AFE stands our simple shed, despised our little store; That gems and crowns I hold in less esteem; Nor fear lest poison the pure wave pollutes; With flocks my fields, my fields with herbage teem; My garden-plot supplies nutritious roots; And my brown orchard bends with autumn's wealthiest fruits. Few are our wishes, few our wants; man needs But little to preserve the vital spark. These are my sons; they keep the flock that feeds, The goats disport amid the budding brooms; Now the slim stags bound through the forest dark: The fish glide by, the bees hum round the blooms, Time was (these gray hairs then were golden locks) I scorned the simple charge of tending flocks, Long by presumptuous hopes was I beguiled, But when with youth false hope no longer smiled, The abandoned quiet of this humble shed; To these delightful solitudes I fled; Once more And in their peaceful shades harmonious days have led. UNA AND THE RED CROSS KNIGHT. EDMUND SPENSER. A GENTLE knight was pricking on the plaine, Ycladd in mightie armes and silver shielde, Wherein old dints of deepe woundes did remaine, And on his brest a bloodie crosse he bore For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he wore And dead, as living, ever Him ador'd. Upon his shielde the like was also scor'd For soveraine hope, which in His helpe he had. Right faithfull true he was, in deede and worde; But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad; Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was ydrad. Upon a great adventure he was bond, That greatest Gloriana to him gaveThat greatest, glorious Queene of faery lond— To winne him worshippe and her grace to have, Which of all earthly thinges he most did crave. And ever as he rode his hart did yearne To prove his puissance in battell brave Upon his foe, and his new force to learne Upon his foe, a dragon horrible and stearne. A lovely ladie rode him faire beside, Upon a lowly asse more white then snow; Yet she much whiter, but the same did hide Under a vele, that wimpled was full low; And over all a blacke stole she did throw, As one that inly mournd-so was she sad, And heavie sate upon her palfrey slow; Seemd in heart some hidden care she had, And by her, in a line, a milke-white lambe she led. So pure and innocent, as that same lambe, She was in life and everie vertuous lore; And by descent from royall lynage came Of ancient kinges and queenes, that had of yore Their scepters stretcht from east to western shore, And all the worlde in their subjection held; Till that infernall feend with foule uprore Forwasted all their land and them expelld; |