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"In premio promettendola a quel d'essi, Che in quel conflitto, in quella gran gi

ornata,

Degl' Infedeli più copia uccidessi,
E di sua man prestasse opra più grata.
Contrarj ai voti poi furo i successi,
Che 'n fuga andò la Gente battezzata,
E con molti altri fu 'l Duca prigione ;
E restò abbandonato il padiglione,

"Dove, poi che rimase la Donzella,
Ch' esser dovea del vincitor mercede,
Innanzi al caso era salita in sella,
E quando bisognò, le spalle diede,
Presaga, che quel giorno esser rubella
Dovea fortuna alla Cristiana Fede:
Entrò in un bosco, e nella stretta via
Rincontrò un Cavalier, ch'a piè venia.

"Indosso la corazza, e l' elmo in testa, La spada al fianco, e in braccio avea lo scudo,

E più leggier correa per la foresta ;
Ch' al palio rosso il villan mezzo ignudo.
Timida pastorella mai sì presta
Non volse piede innanzi a serpe crudo,
Come Angelica tosto il freno torse,
Che del Guerrier, ch' a piè venia, s' ac-
corse."

"Vowing with her the warrior to content, Who in that conflict, on that fatal day, With his good hand most gainful succour lent,

And slew most paynims in the martial fray. But counter to his hopes the battle went, And his thinn'd squadrons fled in disarray; Namus, with other Christian captains, taken, And his pavilion in the rout forsaken.

"There, lodged by Charles, that gentle bonnibel,

Ordain'd to be the valiant victor's meed,
Before the event had sprung into her sell,
And from the combat turn'd in time of need;
Presaging wisely Fortune would rebel
That fatal day against the Christian creed;
And, entering a thick wood, discover'd near,
In a close path, a horseless cavalier.

"With shield upon his arm, in knightly wise, Belted and mail'd, his helmet on his head; The knight more lightly through the forest hies

Than half-clothed churl to win the cloth of red.

But not from cruel snake more swiftly flies The timid shepherdess, with startled tread, Than poor Angelica the bridle turns,

When she the approaching knight on foot discerns."

One more passage-it shall be from Canto sixth, where Rogero, after being warned in vain by the metamorphosed Astolpho, is beguiled into the Magic Palace of the Enchantress Alcina.

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"The courser from the myrtle he untied,
And by the bridle led behind him still;
Nor would he, as before, the horse bestride,
Lest he should bear him off against his will:
He mused this while how safely he might find
A passage to the land of Logistil;
Firm in his purpose every nerve to strain,
Lest empire over him Alcina gain.

"He to remount the steed, and through the air
To spur him to a new career again
Now thought; but doubted next, in fear to
fare

Worse on the courser, restive to the rein.

No, I will win by force the mountain-stair,' Rogero said; (but the resolve was vain) Nor by the beach two miles his way pursued, Ere he Alcina's lovely city view'd.

"A lofty wall at distance meets his eye,
Which girds a spacious town within its bound;
It seems as if its summit touch'd the sky,
And all appears like gold from top to ground.
Here some one says it is but alchemy,
-And haply his opinion is unsound
And haply he more wittily divines:
For me; I deem it gold because it shines.

“Come fu presso alle sì ricche mura,
Che'l Mondo altre non ha della lor sorte;
Lasciò la strada, che per la pianura
Ampia, e diritta andava alle gran porte;
Ed a man destra, a quella più sicura,
Ch' al monte gìa, piegossi il Guerrier
forte;

Ma tosto ritrovò l' iniqua frotta,
Dal cui furor gli fu turbata, e rotta.

"Non fu veduta mai più strana torma, Più mostruosi volti, e peggio fatti. Alcun dal collo in giù d' uomini han forma;

Col viso altri di scimie, altri di gatti;
Stampano alcun co' piè caprignil' orma;
Alcuni son centauri agili, ed atti;
Son giovani imprudenti, e vecchi stolti;
Chi nudi, e chi di strane pelli involti.

"Chi senza freno in su un destrier galoppa,

Chi lento va con l'asino, e col bue; Altri salisce ad un centauro in groppa; Struzzoli molti han sotto, aquile, e grue. Ponsi altri a bocca il corno, altri la coppa;

Chi femmina, e chi maschio, e chi ambedue,

Chi porta uncino, e chi scala di corda, Chi pal di ferro, e chi una lima sorda.

"Di questi il capitano si vedea Aver gonfiato il ventre, e'l viso grasso; Il qual su una testuggine sedea, Che con gran tardità mutava il passo. Avea di quà, e di là chi lo reggea; Perch' egli era ebro, e tenea il ciglio basso.

Altri la fronte gli asciugava, e il mento; Altri i panni scotea per fargli vento.

"Un, ch' avea umana forma, i piedi, e'l ventre,

E collo avea di cane, orecchie, e testa Contra Ruggiero abbaja, acciò ch' egli

entre

Nella bella Città, ch' addietro resta. Rispose il Cavalier: Nol farò, mentre Avrà forza la man di regger questa; E gli mostra la spada, di cui volta Avea l' aguzza punta alla sua volto.

“Quel mostro lui ferir vuol d' una lancia;

Ma Ruggier presto se gli avventa addosso.

Una stoccata gli trasse alla pancia,
E la fè un palmo riuscir pel dosso;
Lo scudo imbraccia, e quà, e là si lancia;

"When he was nigh the city-walls, so bright; The world has not their equal, he the straight And spacious way deserts, the way which, dight Across the plain, conducted to the gate; And, by that safer road upon the right, Strains now against the mountain; but, in wait,

Encounters soon the crowd of evil foes, Who furiously the Child's advance oppose. "Was never yet beheld a stranger band, Of mien more hideous, or more monstrous shape.

Form'd downwards from the neck like men, he scann'd

Some with the head of cat, and some of ape; With hoof of goat that other stamp'd the sand;

While some seem'd centaurs, quick in fight and rape;

Naked, or mantled in outlandish skin,
These doting sires, those striplings bold in sin.

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Before him, and next sallied there and here; But all too numerous was the wicked throng. Now grappled from behind, now punch'd before,

He stands, and plies the crowd with warfare

sore.

"One to the teeth, another to the breast,
Of that foul race he cleft; since no one steel'd
In mail, his brows with covering helmet
dress'd,

Or fought, secured by corslet or by shield;
Yet is he so upon all quarters press'd,
That it would need the Child, to clear the
field,

And to keep off the wicked crew which swarms,
More than Briareus' hundred hands and arms.

"If he had thought the magic shield to show,
(I speak of that the necromancer bore,
Which dazed the sight of the astonish'd foe,
Left at his saddle by the wizard Moor)
That hideous band, in sudden overthrow,
Blinded by this, had sunk the knight before.
But haply he despised such mean as vile,
And would prevail by valour, not by guile.

"This as it may the Child would meet his fate,

Ere by so vile a band he prisoner led;
When, lo! forth-issuing from the city's gate,
Whose wall appear'd like shining gold I said,
Two youthful daines, not born in low estate,
If measured by their mien and garb, nor bred
By swain, in early wants and troubles versed;
But amid princely joys in palace nursed!

"On unicorn was seated either fair, A beast than spotless ermine yet more white; So lovely were the damsels, and so rare Their garb, and with such graceful fashion dight,

That he who closely view'd the youthful pair, Would need a surer sense than mortal sight, To judge between the two. With such a mien Embodied GRACE and BEAUTY would be

seen.

"Into the mead rode this and the other dame, Where the foul crew opposed the Child's re

treat.

The rabble scatter'd as the ladies came,
Who with extended hand the warrior greet.
He, with a kindling visage, red with shame,
Thank'd the two damsels for their gentle feat;
And was content upon their will to wait,
With them returning to that golden gate.

"Above, a cornice round the gateway goes,
Somedeal projecting from the colonnade,
In which is not a single part but glows,
With rarest gems of India overlaid.
Propp'd at four points, the portal did repose
On columns of one solid diamond made.
Whether what met the eye was false or true,
Was never sight more fair or glad to view.

"Su per la soglia, e fuor per le colonne
Corron scherzando lascive Donzelle;
Che, se i rispetti debiti alle Donne
Servasser più, sarian forse più belle.
Tutte vestite eran di verdi gonne,
E coronate di frondi novelle.
Queste con molte offerte, e con buon viso
Ruggier fecero entrar nel Paradiso.

"Chè si può ben così nomar quel loco,
Ove mi credo che nascesse Amore.
Non vi si sta, se non in danza, e in gioco,
E tutte in festa vi si spendon l' ore.
Pensier canuto, nè molto, nè poco
Si può quivi albergare in alcun core.
Non entra quivi disagio, nè inopia,
Ma vi sta ogn' or col corno pien la Copia.

"Quì, dove con serena, e lieta fronte
Par ch'ogn'or rida il grazioso aprile
Giovani, e Donne, son: qual presso a
fonte

Canta con dolce, e dilettoso stile ;
Qual d'un arbore all'ombra, e qual
d'un monte,

O gioca, o danza, o fa cosa non vile;
E qual lungi dagli altri a un suo fedele
Discuopre l'amorose sue querele.

"Per le cime de' pini, e degli allori,
Degli alti faggi, e degl' irsuti abeti,
Volan scherzando i pargoletti Amori ;
Di lor vittorie altri godendo lieti,
Altri pigliando a saettare i cori
La mira quindi, altri tendendo reti.
Chi tempra dardi ad un ruscel più basso,
E chi gli aguzza ad un volubil sasso."

"Upon the sill and through the columns there,

Ran young and wanton girls, in frolic sport;
Who haply yet would have appear'd more
fair,

Had they observed a woman's fitting port.
All are array'd in green, and garlands wear
Of the fresh leaf. Him these in courteous sort,
With many proffers and fair mien entice,
And welcome to this opening Paradise.
"For so with reason I this place may call,
Where, it is my belief, that Love had birth;
Where life is spent in festive game and ball,
And still the passing moments fleet in mirth.
Here hoary-headed Thought ne'er comes at
all,

Nor finds a place in any bosom. Dearth,
Nor yet Discomfort, never enter here,
Where Plenty fills her horn throughout the
year.

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We earnestly hope Mr Rose may go on and conclude this great undertaking as happily as he has begun it. It is impossible to wish anything better than this, either for his own sake, or for our own.

LORD F. L. GOWER.

We now come to a bold ventureGoethe's FAUST, by Lord Francis Leveson Gower. This young nobleman, for we believe he is very young, has, we must confess, surprised us. He has not given a perfect Faust,that nobody ever will do-but he has come so near perfection, that we may safely congratulate him on an achievement of which there are few practised poets now living in Britain that might not be proud.

By turning to the number of this Magazine for June 1820, the reader may refresh his recollection of the story of this wonderful masterpiece. The analysis there given of the fable, VOL. XIV.

and the copious specimens of translation, were from the pen of a young Irish friend of ours, a young man certainly of highly distinguished accomplishment and most promising genius. He, however, will, we are sure, be the first to approve of what we do, when we candidly say, that Lord Francis Gower has put us somewhat out of conceit with his efforts upon Faustus. They were spirited-but they were hastythey want the refinement, and what is of still greater moment, they want the flow of this young lord's parallel passages. It would be ridiculous in us to give a second analysis of the original poem :-that our friend has done

E

as well as is at all necessary. We shall therefore be contented with quoting a few of Lord Francis's scenes.

The first shall be that in which Faust and Mephistopheles walk and converse with Margaret and Martha in the garden. The scene is one of the finest in Goethe; and nothing, we apprehend, can be more happy than the version. What delightful stageeffect-what rich contrasts among all the four personages the bewildered, innocent, timid MAIDEN-the crafty, worldly WOMAN-the FIEND-and his perplexed VICTIM! what satire ! what poetry! what pathos!

"A Garden.

MARGARET on FAUST's arm. MEPHIS

TOPHELES and MARTHA walking up

and down.

Marg. Too well I feel it, thus you con-
descend

Merely to shame me in the end.
You travell'd gentlemen are used

From kindness to put up with all.
I know you cannot be amused

With anything that one like me lets fall.
Faust. To hear you speak delights me

more

Than wisdom's words or learning's lore. (He kisses her hand. Marg. How could you thus your lips offend?

The softness of this hand much toil has
marr'd.

To all things I must needs attend-
My mother's rule is rather hard.

(They pass to the back of the stage. Mar. to Meph. And you, kind sir, set out so soon again?

Meph. Business and duty still impel my

course.

Often we leave a place behind with pain,

Yet onward must proceed perforce. Mar. In youth to roam where fortune drives,

May suit you well by land, or on the

waves:

et soon the evil time arrives ;

To slink sad, lonely bachelors to your graves,

Is a black prospect for your latter lives. Meph. Such end, with horror, I expect. Mar. Then, worthy sir, in time reflect. (They pass back, as before. Marg. Yes, you are courteous, kind, and good,

But then you come of gentle blood,
Have many a friend of many a nation,
And, more than all this, education.

Faust. Dulness, not knowledge, wrin-
kles oft the brow-
Folly will often dress at wisdom.
Marg. How?

Faust. Strange, that simplicity should want the sense

To see the beauty of its innocence !

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Before its birth my father was no more,
My mother almost gave it o'er ;

It pined, and then recover'd by degrees;
'Twas I must feed it, hold it on my knees;
And thus I watch'd and nursed it, all alone,
And grew to look upon it as my own.

Faust. How sweet your task to rear the
drooping flower!

Marg. And yet it cost me many a weary hour;

And then, besides, to tend the house affairs

'Twould weary you to tell you all my cares." (They cross over.

Mar. to Meph. Indeed 'tis uphill work to teach

You bachelors. Excuse the speech. Meph. Would one like you my steps conduct,

I should be easy to instruct.

Mar. Now tell me true, in any place or station,

Has your heart never felt the least sensation ?

Meph. A good man's hearth, the while

his wife sits by,

Pearls cannot equal, treasures cannot buy! "Tis thus the proverb says, and so say I.

Mar. I mean, if e'er your heart to love

was tending?

Meph. I always found the ladies condescending.

Mar. I mean, if serious passion fill'd your breast?

Meph. Trifling with ladies is beyond a jest!

Mar. Ah! you mistake.
Meph. I grieve to be so blind;

But this I see that you are very kind.

(Cross over.

Faust. Then you forgive my bearing in

the street,

Near the cathedral, when we chanced to

meet.

Marg. I was surprised and fluster'd; it

was new

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