LXXIII
Not public loss of their beloved knight,
Alone stirred up their rage and wrath untamed,
But fore-conceived griefs, and quarrels light,
The ire still nourished, and still inflamed,
Awaked was each former cause of spite,
The Frenchmen cruel and unjust they named,
And with bold threats they made their hatred known,
Hate seld kept close, and oft unwisely shown:
LXXIII.
Nor did the public loss and his hard fate
Alone arouse the foreign legions’ ire;
Old causes their new wrath exasperate,
And add fresh fuel to their present fire;
Their dormant rancour grows regenerate;
The Franks, as impious tyrants, they arraign;
In haughty threats bursts forth, unmasked, their hate,
Nor any longer can repressed remain.
LXXIV.
Così nel cavo rame umor che bolle
Per troppo foco, entro gorgoglia e fuma:
Nè capendo in se stesso, alfin s’estolle
588 Sovra gli orli del vaso, e inonda, e spuma.
Non bastano a frenar il volgo folle
Que’ pochi, a cui la mente il vero alluma.
E Tancredi, e Camillo eran lontani,
592 Guglielmo, e gli altri in podestà soprani.
LXXIV
Like boiling liquor in a seething pot,
That fumeth, swelleth high, and bubbleth fast,
Till o’er the brims among the embers hot,
Part of the broth and of the scum is cast,
Their rage and wrath those few appeased not
In whom of wisdom yet remained some taste,
Camillo, William, Tancred were away,
And all whose greatness might their madness stay.
LXXIV.
Thus water boiling in a brazen cup,
From fire too ardent, gurgles, smokes, and roars,
Nor can contain itself, but bubbles up
Ev’n to the brim, o’er which it foaming pours;
Too few were those, enlightened by Truth’s ray,
To curb the rabble’s rage, and from their post
Tancredi and Camillus were away,
William, and the chief captains of the host.
LXXV.
Corrono già precipitosi all’armi
Confusamente i popoli feroci:
E già s’odon cantar bellici carmi
596 Sediziose trombe in fere voci.
Gridano intanto al pio Buglion che s’armi,
Molti di qua di là nunzj veloci;
E Baldovino innanzi a tutti armato
600 Gli s’appresenta, e gli si pone a lato.
LXXV
Now headlong ran to harness in this heat
These furious people, all on heaps confused,
The roaring trumpets battle gan to threat,
As it in time of mortal war is used,
The messengers ran to Godfredo great,
And bade him arm, while on this noise he mused,
And Baldwin first well clad in iron hard,
Stepped to his side, a sure and faithful guard.
LXXV.
The infuriate legions, uncontrolled, to arms
In crowds confused precipitately ran,
And thunder forth war’s terrible alarms
The brazen throats of rebel trumps began.
Meanwhile fleet messengers on Godfred call
To arm himself: they from all quarters ride;
But gallant Baldwin, ready before all,
Flew at the summons to his brother’s side.
LXXVI.
Egli ch’ode l’accusa, i lumi al Cielo
Drizza, e pur come suole, a Dio ricorre:
Signor, tu che sai ben con quanto zelo
604 La destra mia dal civil sangue abborre;
Tu squarcia a questi della mente il velo,
E reprimi il furor che sì trascorre:
E l’innocenza mia, che costà sopra
608 È nota, al mondo cieco anco si scopra.
LXXVI
Their murmurs heard, to heaven he lift his een,
As was his wont, to God for aid he fled;
“O Lord, thou knowest this right hand of mine
Abhorred ever civil blood to shed,
Illumine their dark souls with light divine,
Repress their rage, by hellish fury bred,
The innocency of my guiltless mind
Thou knowest, and make these know, with fury blind.”
LXXVI.
Hearing the charge, to heaven he raised his eyes,
And, as his wont, sought refuge in the Lord.
‘Oh, God! who know’st the zeal that in me lies,
And how by me is civil strife abhorred,
From their benighted minds the veil remove,
And curb the fury that transports them so;
And as ’tis known to thee and thine above,
Let the blind world, that I am guiltless, know.’
LXXVII.
Tacque: e, dal Cielo infuso, ir fra le vene
Sentissi un novo inusitato caldo:
Colmo d’alto vigor, d’ardita spene
612 Che nel volto si sparge, e ‘l fa più baldo,
E da’ suoi circondato, oltre sen viene
Contra chi vendicar credea Rinaldo:
Nè perchè d’arme e di minacce senta
616 Fremito d’ogni intorno, il passo allenta.
LXXVII
Tis said he felt infused in each vein,
A sacred heat from heaven above distilled,
A heat in man that courage could constrain
That his brave look with awful boldness filled.
Well guarded forth he went to meet the train
Of those that would revenge Rinaldo killed;
And though their threats he heard, and saw them bent
To arms on every side, yet on he went.
LXXVII.
He ceased, and felt a strange unwonted heat
Course thro’ his veins, by Heaven itself infused,
Whence, with firm hope and strength sublime replete,
That made him bolder and his brow suffused,
Girt by his friends, he straight advanced ‘gainst those
Who thought to vindicate Rinaldo’s cause;
Nor, tho’ the din of threats and arms arose,
Did pious Godfred for a moment pause.
LXXVIII.
Ha la corazza indosso, e nobil veste
Riccamente l’adorna oltra ‘l costume:
Nudo è le mani e ‘l volto, e di celeste
620 Maestà vi risplende un novo lume:
Scuote l’aurato scettro; e sol con queste
Arme acquetar quegl’impeti presume.
Tal si mostra a coloro, e tal ragiona:
624 Nè come d’uom mortal la voce suona.
LXXVIII
Above his hauberk strong a coat he ware,
Embroidered fair with pearl and richest stone,
His hands were naked, and his face was bare,
Wherein a lamp of majesty bright shone;
He shook his golden mace, wherewith he dare
Resist the force of his rebellious foe:
Thus he appeared, and thus he gan them teach,
In shape an angel, and a God in speech:
LXXVIII.
He had his corslet on, and was bedight
With pomp unwonted in a princely vest;
Unarmed his hands and face were, and the light
Of majesty divine was there expressed;
The golden sceptre of command he shook,
And thought with that their fury to confound:
Such he appeared to them, nor, as he spoke,
Did his rapt voice like that of mortal’s sound.
LXXIX.
Quali stolte minacce, e quale or odo
Vano strepito d’arme? e chi
‘l commove?
Così quì riverito, e in questo modo
628 Noto son io dopo sì lunghe prove?
Ch’ancor v’è chi sospetti, e chi di frodo
Goffredo accusi, e chi le accuse approve?
Forse aspettate ancor ch’a voi mi pieghi,
632 E ragioni v’adduca, e porga preghi?
LXXIX
“What foolish words? what threats be these I hear?
What noise of arms? who dares these tumults move?
Am I so honored? stand you so in fear?
Where is your late obedience? where your love?
Of Godfrey’s falsehood who can witness bear?
Who dare or will these accusations prove?
Perchance you look I should entreaties bring,
Sue for your favors, or excuse the thing.
LXXIX.
‘What empty menaces are these I hear?
Whence this vain clash of arms? Who urged you on?
Is it thus your well-tried captain you revere?
Is it thus from such long trial he is known,
That there are those who Godfred would suspect,
Of fraud accuse him, and approve it too?
Perhaps there are among you who expect
That I would reason, cringe, and pray to you?
LXXX.
Ah non sia ver che tanta indegnitate
La terra, piena del mio nome, intenda:
Me questo scettro, me delle onorate
636 Opre mie la memoria, e ‘l ver difenda:
E per or la giustizia alla pietate
Ceda, nè sovra i rei la pena scenda.
Agli altri merti or questo error perdono,
640 Ed al vostro Rinaldo anco vi dono.
LXXX
“Ah, God forbid these lands should hear or see
Him so disgraced at whose great name they quake;
This sceptre and my noble acts for me
A true defence before the world can make:
Yet for sharp justice governed shall be
With clemency, I will no vengeance take
For this offence, but for Rinaldo’s love,
I pardon you, hereafter wiser prove.
LXXX.
‘Ah, Heaven forbid such base indignity
The world, that echoes with my name, should hear
No; let this mace and Truth my guardians be,
And the proud memory of my past career.
Still justice shall to clemency give place,
Nor on the guilty will I vengeance take;
Your former merits shall this crime efface,
I pardon you for your Rinaldo’s sake.
LXXXI.
Col sangue suo lavi il comun difetto
Solo Argillan, di tante colpe autore:
Che mosso a leggierissimo sospetto,
644 Sospinti gli altri ha nel medesmo errore.
Lampi e folgori ardean nel regio aspetto,
Mentre ei parlò, di maestà d’orrore;
Talchè Argillano attonito e conquiso
648 Teme (chi ‘l crederia?) l’ira d’un viso.
LXXXI
“But Argillano’s guilty blood shall wash
This stain away, who kindled this debate,
And led by hasty rage and fury rash,
To these disorders first undid the gate;”
While thus he spoke, the lightning beams did flash
Out of his eyes of majesty and state,
That Argillan, — who would have thought it? — shook
For fear and terror, conquered with his look.
LXXXI.
‘Alone Argillan’s blood must expiate
The common crime; its author he who, led
By lightest doubts, did others instigate
To the same error, and the evil spread.’
Flashes of honour and command appeared
To light his princely brow as thus he spoke,
So that, confounded, Argillano feared
The wrath (who would believe it?) of a look.
LXXXII.
E ‘l volgo, ch’anzi irriverente, audace
Tutto fremer s’udia d’orgoglj e d’onte;
E ch’ebbe al ferro, all’aste ed alla face
652 Che ‘l furor ministrò, le man sì pronte;
Non osa (e i detti alteri ascolta, e tace)
Fra timor e vergogna alzar la fronte:
E sostien ch’Argillano, ancorchè cinto
656 Dell’arme lor, sia da’ ministri avvinto.
LXXXII
The rest with indiscreet and foolish wrath
Who threatened late with words of shame and pride,
Whose hands so ready were to harm and scath,
And brandished bright swords on every side;
Now hushed and still attend what Godfrey saith,
With shame and fear their bashful looks they hide,
And Argillan they let in chains be bound,
Although their weapons him environed round.
LXXXII.
And they, so insolent and bold before,
Who bursting were with passion and with pride,
Who with such promptitude the falchion bore,
The spear and torch that demon wrath supplied,
Were speechless, hearing his imperious words,
Nor dared, thro’ shame and fear, look from the ground;
And, tho’ protected by encircling swords,
They let Argillan by his guards be bound.
LXXXIII.
Così leon, ch’anzi l’orribil coma
Con muggíto scotea superbo e fero;
Se poi vede il maestro onde fu doma
660 La natia ferità del core altero;
Può del giogo soffrir l’ignobil soma,
E teme le minacce, e ‘l duro impero:
Nè i gran velli, i gran denti, e l’unghie ch’hanno
664 Tanta in se forza, insuperbire il fanno.
LXXXIII
So when a lion shakes his dreadful mane,
And beats his tail with courage proud and wroth,
If his commander come, who first took pain
To tame his youth, his lofty crest down goeth,
His threats he feareth, and obeys the rein
Of thralldom base, and serviceage, though loth,
Nor can his sharp teeth nor his armed paws,
Force him rebel against his ruler’s laws.
LXXXIII.
A lion thus, that shakes his horrid mane,
And thunders forth his haught defiant roar,
If he his former master see again,
Who tamed the fierceness he possessed of yore,
Submissive, bears the yoke’s ignoble weight,
By stern command and menace terrified;
Nor can great hide, teeth, claws, however great,
Arouse his spirit or bring back his pride.
LXXXIV.
È fama che fu visto, in volto crudo
Ed in atto feroce e minacciante
Un alato guerrier tener lo scudo
668 Della difesa al pio Buglion davante:
E vibrar fulminando il ferro ignudo,
Che di sangue vedeasi ancor stillante.
Sangue era forse di città, e di regni
672 Che provocar del Cielo i tardi sdegni.
LXXXIV
Fame as a winged warrior they beheld,
With semblant fierce and furious look that stood,
And in his left hand had a splendent shield
Wherewith he covered safe their chieftain good,
His other hand a naked sword did wield,
From which distilling fell the lukewarm blood,
The blood pardie of many a realm and town,
Whereon the Lord his wrath had poured down.
LXXXIV.
’Tis said a wingèd warrior was seen,
Of threatening attitude and rigid look,
Holding a guardian shield, wherewith to screen
The pious Godfred, wh
ile his right arm shook
A naked sword that lightened in his hand,
And with still fresh ensanguined blood-gouts smoked,
The blood, perchance, of city or of land
That had Heaven’s long-enduring wrath provoked.
LXXXV.
Così, cheto il tumulto, ognun depone
L’arme, e molti con l’arme il mal talento.
E ritorna Goffredo al padiglione,
676 A varie cose, a nove imprese intento:
Ch’assalir la cittate egli dispone,
Pria che ‘l secondo, o ‘l terzo dì sia spento:
E rivedendo va l’incise travi,
680 Già in machine conteste orrende, e gravi.
LXXXV
Thus was the tumult, without bloodshed, ended.
Their arms laid down, strife into exile sent.
Godfrey his thoughts to greater actions bended.
And homeward to his rich pavilion went,
For to assault the fortress he intended
Before the second or third day were spent;
Meanwhile his timber wrought he oft surveyed
Whereof his ram and engines great he made.
LXXXV.
The tumult thus appeased, all cast aside
Their arms, and with them most their ill-intent.
On various thoughts and projects occupied,
Godfred returned to the imperial tent,
Since he determined to assault the town
Before the second or third day was spent;
Inspected then the beams that were cut down,
Into war’s dread machines already bent.
Canto nono
NINTH BOOK
ARGOMENTO.
Trova la Furia Solimano, e ‘l move
A far a’ Franchi aspra notturna guerra.
Il giusto Dio, che l’infernali prove
Mira dal Ciel, manda Michele in terra.
Così, poichè il soccorso si rimove
Dell’Inferno ai Pagani, e si disserra
A lor danni il drappel che seguì Armida,
Fugge, e di vincer Soliman diffida.
THE ARGUMENT.
By night the Christians in their tents to kill:
But God who their intents saw from above,
Sends Michael down from his sacred hill:
The spirits foul to hell the angels drove;
The knights delivered from the witch, at will
Destroy the Pagans, scatter all their host:
The Soldan flies when all his bands are lost.
Jerusalem Delivered Page 212
