Jerusalem Delivered

by Torquato Tasso

  Due lunghe corna, e fra lor tiene ascosto

  332 Un ampio seno, e porto un scoglio rende,

  Ch’a lui la fronte, e ‘l tergo all’onda ha opposto

  Che vien dall’alto, e la respinge e fende.

  S’innalzan quinci e quindi, e torreggianti

  336 Fan due gran rupi segno a’ naviganti.

  XLII

  A secret place they found in one of those,

  Where the cleft shore sea in his bosom takes,

  And ‘twixt his stretched arms doth fold and close

  An ample bay, a rock the haven makes,

  Which to the main doth his broad back oppose,

  Whereon the roaring billow cleaves and breaks,

  And here and there two crags like turrets high,

  Point forth a port to all that sail thereby:

  XLII

  In one of these a lone spot they survey,

  Where the shore forms a crescent, and extends

  Two lengthened horns, between which a vast bay

  It holds concealed; a rock the port defends,

  And, fronting landwards, with its back defies

  And stems the waves that from the westward sweep;

  On either side two beetling headlands rise,

  Landmarks for sailors o’er the pathless deep.

  XLIII.

  Tacciono sotto i mar sicuri in pace:

  Sovra ha di negre selve opaca scena:

  E in mezzo d’esse una spelonca giace,

  340 D’edere, e d’ombre, e di dolci acque amena.

  Fune non lega quì, nè col tenace

  Morso le stanche navi áncora frena.

  La donna in sì solinga e queta parte

  344 Entrava, e raccogliea le vele sparte.

  XLIII

  The quiet seas below lie safe and still,

  The green wood like a garland grows aloft,

  Sweet caves within, cool shades and waters shrill,

  Where lie the nymphs on moss and ivy soft;

  No anchor there needs hold her frigate still,

  Nor cable twisted sure, though breaking oft:

  Into this desert, silent, quiet, glad,

  Entered the dame, and there her haven made.

  XLIII

  Beneath, the ocean sleeps in peace profound,

  Above, dark woods a gloomy landscape made,

  Midway, a cavern lay with ivy crowned,

  With waters pleasant, and inviting shade;

  Ne’er rope, nor anchor with tenacious fluke,

  Ships binds nor bridles where such calm prevails.

  The damsel entered that secluded nook,

  And in a moment furled the flowing sails.

  XLIV.

  Mirate, disse poi, quell’alta mole

  Che di quel monte in su la cima siede.

  Quivi fra cibi, ed ozio, e scherzi, e fole

  348 Torpe il campion della Cristiana fede.

  Voi, con la guida del nascente Sole,

  Su per quell’erto moverete il piede:

  Nè vi gravi il tardar; perocchè fora,

  352 Se non la mattutina, infausta ogni ora.

  XLIV

  “The palace proudly built,” quoth she, “behold,

  That sits on top of yonder mountain’s height,

  Of Christ’s true faith there lies the champion bold

  In idleness, love, fancy, folly light;

  When Phoebus shall his rising beams unfold,

  Prepare you gainst the hill to mount upright,

  Nor let this stay in your bold hearts breed care,

  For, save that one, all hours unlucky are;

  XLIV

  Then said: ‘Sir knights, that lofty pile which lies

  Upon the summit of you mount, survey;

  There, lost in sloth and sensualities,

  Christ’s champion whiles his worthless life away.

  With the sun rising for your escort, ye

  By that ascent must seek the enchanted bower;

  Nor such detention chide, since each would be,

  Except the matin, an ill-omened hour.

  XLV.

  Ben col lume del dì, ch’anco riluce,

  Insino al monte andar per voi potrassi.

  Essi al congedo della nobil duce

  356 Poser nel lido desiato i passi:

  E ritrovar la via, ch’a lui conduce,

  Agevol sì che i piè non ne fur lassi;

  E quando v’arrivar, dall’Oceáno

  360 Era il carro di Febo anco lontano.

  XLV

  “But yet this evening, if you make good speed,

  To that hill’s foot with daylight might you pass.”

  Thus said the dame their guide, and they agreed,

  And took their leave and leaped forth on the grass;

  They found the way that to the hill doth lead,

  And softly went that neither tired was,

  But at the mountain’s foot they both arrived,

  Before the sun his team in waters dived.

  XLV

  ‘By daylight, which still gilds the mountain’s side,

  Far as its base ye can with safety reach.’

  At the dismissal of their noble guide,

  They leaped with joy upon the wished-for beach,

  And found the road, that led to it thus far,

  So easy, that no need they felt of rest;

  And, at the foot arrived, saw Phoebus’ car

  Rolling still distant from the ocean’s breast

  XLVI.

  Veggion che per dirupi, e fra ruine

  S’ascende alla sua cima alta e superba:

  E ch’è fin là di nevi e di pruine

  364 Sparsa ogni strada: ivi ha poi fiori ed erba.

  Presso al canuto mento il verde crine

  Frondeggia: e ‘l ghiaccio fede ai giglj serba

  Ed alle rose tenere; cotanto

  368 Puote sovra natura arte d’incanto!

  XLVI

  They saw how from the crags and clefts below

  His proud and stately pleasant top grew out,

  And how his sides were clad with frost and snow,

  The height was green with herbs and flowerets sout,

  Like hairy locks the trees about him grow,

  The rocks of ice keep watch and ward about,

  The tender roses and the lilies new,

  Thus art can nature change, and kind subdue.

  XLVI

  By many a precipice and ruin they

  Perceive they must to the high summit pass;

  And that with ice and snow is strewn the way,

  While all beyond is flowers and emerald grass.

  Near its white chin the hair all verdant grows,

  And wintry frost preserves unsullied faith

  With the fair lily and the delicate rose:

  Such power enchantment over nature hath.

  XLVII.

  I duo’ guerrieri, in loco ermo e selvaggio

  Chiuso d’ombre, fermarsi a piè del monte:

  E come il Ciel rigò col novo raggio

  372 Il Sol, dell’aurea luce eterno fonte;

  Su su, gridaro entrambi, e ‘l lor viaggio

  Ricominciar con voglie ardite e pronte.

  Ma esce, non so donde, e s’attraversa

  376 Fiera serpendo orribile e diversa.

  XLVII

  Within a thick, a dark and shady plot,

  At the hill’s foot that night the warriors dwell,

  But when the sun his rays bright, shining, hot,

  Dispread of golden light the eternal well,

  “Up, up,” they cried, and fiercely up they got,

  And climbed boldly gainst the mountain fell;

  But forth there crept, from whence I cannot say,

  An ugly serpent which forestalled their way.

  XLVII

  In a wild spot, with matted shade o’errun,

  At the hill’s foot the warriors passed the night;

  But with the ea
rliest blushes of the sun,

  Eternal fountain of God’s golden light,

  ‘Up! up!’ they both exclaimed, and recommenced

  Their journey with a prompt determined will,

  When a fierce dragon crossed their path, and fenced

  (Horrid, diverse!) their passage to the hill.

  XLVIII.

  Innalza d’oro squallido squamose

  Le creste e ‘l capo, e gonfia il collo d’ira:

  Arde negli occhj; e le vie tutte ascose

  380 Tien sotto il ventre; e tosco e fumo spira.

  Or rientra in se stessa, or le nodose

  Rote distende, e sè dopo sè tira.

  Tal s’appresenta alla solita guarda;

  384 Nè però de’ guerrieri i passi tarda.

  XLVIII

  Armed with golden scales his head and crest

  He lifted high, his neck swelled great with ire,

  Flamed his eyes, and hiding with his breast

  All the broad path, he poison breathed and fire,

  Now reached he forth in folds and forward pressed,

  Now would he back in rolls and heaps retire,

  Thus he presents himself to guard the place,

  The knights pressed forward with assured pace:

  XLVIII

  His scaly crest, and head of squalid gold,

  He lifts erect; swoln is his neck with ire;

  His red eyes glare as he with fold on fold

  Blocks up the path, and poison breathes, and fire;

  Into himself now coils and now distends

  His knotty rings, and glides along to guard

  The wonted post that on his care depends;

  Yet could he not the knights’ advance retard.

  XLIX.

  Già Carlo il ferro stringe, e ‘l serpe assale:

  Ma l’altro grida a lui: che fai? che tente?

  Per isforzo di man, con arme tale,

  388 Vincer avvisi il difensor serpente?

  Egli scuote la verga aurea immortale,

  Sicchè la belva il sibilar ne sente:

  E impaurita al suon, fuggendo ratta,

  392 Lascia quel varco libero, e s’appiatta.

  XLIX

  Charles drew forth his brand to strike the snake;

  Ubaldo cried, “Stay, my companion dear,

  Will you with sword or weapon battle make

  Against this monster that affronts us here?”

  This said, he gan his charmed rod to shake,

  So that the serpent durst not hiss for fear,

  But fled, and dead for dread fell on the grass,

  And so the passage plain, eath, open was.

  XLIX

  Already Charles had drawn his trusty brand

  To assail the monster, when Ubaldo spake:

  ‘What wouldst attempt? Deem’st thou that mortal hand,

  Or arms like thine, can pierce the guardian snake?’

  Then shook the golden and immortal wand,

  Whose hissing sound the brute perceiving, he,

  Scared at the noise, fled swiftly o’er the sand,

  Concealed himself, and left the passage free.

  L.

  Più suso alquanto il passo a lor contende

  Fero leon che rugge e torvo guata:

  E i velli arrizza, e le caverne orrende

  396 Della bocca vorace apre e dilata:

  Si sferza con la coda, e l’ire accende.

  Ma non è pria la verga a lui mostrata,

  Ch’un secreto spavento al cor gli agghiaccia

  400 Ogni nativo ardire, e in fuga il caccia.

  L

  A little higher on the way they met

  A lion fierce that hugely roared and cried,

  His crest he reared high, and open set

  Of his broad-gaping jaws the furnace wide,

  His stern his back oft smote, his rage to whet,

  But when the sacred staff he once espied

  A trembling fear through his bold heart was spread,

  His native wrath was gone, and swift he fled.

  L

  Still higher, to guard the pass, a lion stands,

  That roars defiance, scowls, and stamps, and paws;

  Bristling his mane, he opens and expands

  The frightful cave of his voracious jaws;

  Lashing his sides, he grows inflamed with ire;

  And yet no sooner is the wand in sight,

  Than secret terror chills the native fire

  Of his proud heart; he turns, and takes to flight.

  LI.

  Segue la coppia il suo cammin veloce;

  Ma formidabile oste han già davante

  Di guerrieri animai, varj di voce,

  404 Varj di moto, e varj di sembiante.

  Ciò che di mostruoso e di feroce

  Erra fra ‘l Nilo e i termini d’Atlante,

  Par quì tutto raccolto, e quante belve

  408 L’Ercinia ha in sen, quante l’Ircane selve.

  LI

  The hardy couple on their way forth wend,

  And met a host that on them roar and gape,

  Of savage beasts, tofore unseen, unkend,

  Differing in voice, in semblance, and in shape;

  All monsters which hot Afric doth forthsend,

  Twixt Nilus, Atlas, and the southern cape,

  Were all there met, and all wild beasts besides

  Hyrcania breeds, or Hyrcane forest hides.

  LI

  Their swift advance the undaunted pair pursue,

  But find before them a dread phalanx rise

  Of beasts of prey, of every form and hue,

  Diverse in voice, in motion, and in size;

  All that most monstrous, most ferocious roam

  ‘Twixt Atlas’ confines and the Nile’s far floods,

  Seem here assembled with the brutes whose home

  Is wild Ercynia and Hyrcania’s woods.

  LII.

  Ma pur sì fero esercito e sì grosso

  Non vien che lor respinga, o lor resista:

  Anzi (miracol novo!) in fuga è mosso

  412 Da un picciol fischio, e da una breve vista.

  La coppia omai vittoriosa il dosso

  Della montagna, senza intoppo, acquista;

  Se non se inquanto il gelido e l’alpino

  416 Delle rigide vie tarda il cammino.

  LII

  But yet that fierce, that strange and savage host

  Could not in presence of those worthies stand,

  But fled away, their heart and courage lost,

  When Lord Ubaldo shook his charming wand.

  No other let their passage stopped or crossed;

  Till on the mountain’s top themselves they land,

  Save that the ice, the frost, and drifted snow,

  Oft made them feeble, weary, faint and slow.

  LII

  Yet was that savage army powerless quite

  Or to resist or check the knights’ advance;

  Nay, (novel miracle!) ’twas put to flight

  By a slight whistle and a single glance.

  The now victorious couple straightway gain

  The mountain’s crest without impediment,

  Save where the ice-bound paths their steps detain,

  And Alpine snows encumber the ascent.

  LIII.

  Ma poi che già le nevi ebber varcate,

  E superato il discosceso e l’erto;

  Un bel tepido Ciel di dolce state

  420 Trovaro, e ‘l pian sul monte ampio ed aperto.

  Aure fresche maisempre ed odorate

  Vi spiran con tenor stabile e certo:

  Nè i fiati lor, siccome altrove suole,

  424 Sopisce o desta, ivi girando, il Sole.

  LIII

  But having passed all that frozen ground,

  And overgone that winter sharp and keen,

  A warm, mild, pleasant, gentle sky they found,

  That overspread a large and ample gr
een,

  The winds breathed spikenard, myrrh, and balm around,

  The blasts were firm, unchanged, stable been,

  Not as elsewhere the winds now rise now fall,

  And Phoebus there aye shines, sets not at all.

  LIII

  But when they had passed the line of endless snow,

  And overcome the steep and rugged ground,

  Beneath a sky of temperate summer, lo!

  On the hill-top a spacious plain they found.

  Here ever blows refreshing, balmy air,

  Nor ceases aye its changeless course to run;

  Nor is its gentle breath, as haps elsewhere,

  Lulled or awakened by the circling sun.

  LIV.

  Nè, come altrove suol, ghiaccj ed ardori,

  Nubi e sereni a quelle piaggie alterna;

  Ma il Ciel di candidissimi splendori

  428 Sempre s’ammanta, e non s’infiamma o verna;

  E nutre ai prati l’erba, all’erba i fiori,

  Ai fior l’odor, l’ombra alle piante eterna.

  Siede sul lago, e signoreggia intorno

  432 I monti e i mari il bel palagio adorno.

  LIV

  Not as elsewhere now sunshine bright now showers,

  Now heat now cold, there interchanged were,

  But everlasting spring mild heaven down pours, —

  In which nor rain, nor storm, nor clouds appear, —

  Nursing to fields, their grass; to grass, his flowers;

  To flowers their smell; to trees, the leaves they bear:

  There by a lake a stately palace stands,

  That overlooks all mountains, seas and lands:

  LIV

  Nor doth the clime, as elsewhere, alternate

  Now ice, now fire, now weather foul, now fair;

  Nor too great heats or colds predominate,

  But aye the heavens unclouded splendour wear,

  Nursing to fields the grass, to grass the flowers,

  Fragrance to flowers, perennial shade to trees:

  Upon the lake a palace sits, and towers

  In lordly loftiness o’er lands and seas.

  LV.

  I Cavalier per l’alta aspra salita

  Sentiansi alquanto affaticati e lassi:

  Onde ne gían per quella via fiorita

  436 Lenti, or movendo ed or fermando i passi;

  Quando ecco un fonte, che a bagnar gl’invita

  Le asciutte labbra, alto cader da’ sassi

  E da una larga vena, e con ben mille