Jerusalem Delivered

by Torquato Tasso

  By interfering with their will; nay, more.

  He would his high appreciation show

  (Their rightful due) of that illustrious corps.

  III.

  A se dunque li chiama, e lor favella:

  Stata è da voi la mia sentenza udita,

  Ch’era, non di negare alla Donzella,

  20 Ma di darle, in stagion matura, aita:

  Di novo or la propongo, e ben puote ella

  Esser dal parer vostro anco seguita;

  Chè nel mondo mutabile e leggiero,

  24 Costanza è spesso il variar pensiero.

  III

  He called the worthies then, and spake them so:

  “Lordlings, you know I yielded to your will,

  And gave you license with this dame to go,

  To win her kingdom and that tyrant kill:

  But now again I let you further know,

  In following her it may betide yon ill;

  Refrain therefore, and change this forward thought

  For death unsent for, danger comes unsought.

  III.

  He called them therefore to his tent, and said:

  ‘Ye all have heard my sentiments, which were

  Not to refuse this injured damsel aid,

  But it to season more mature defer.

  This I again propose, and well ye may

  My counsels follow, by experience bought

  Since in this world, which changes every day,

  Unchangeableness is often change of thought.

  IV.

  Ma se stimate ancor, che mal convegna

  Al vostro grado il rifiutar periglio:

  E se pur generoso ardire sdegna

  28 Quel che troppo gli par cauto consiglio;

  Non sia ch’involontarj io vi ritegna,

  Nè quel, che già vi diedi, or mi ripiglio;

  Ma sia con esso voi, com’esser deve,

  32 Il fren del nostro imperio lento e leve.

  IV

  “But if to shun these perils, sought so far,

  May seem disgraceful to the place yon hold;

  If grave advice and prudent counsel are

  Esteemed detractors from your courage bold;

  Then know, I none against his will debar,

  Nor what I granted erst I now withhold;

  But he mine empire, as it ought of right,

  Sweet, easy, pleasant, gentle, meek and light.

  IV.

  ‘But if ye deem from danger to abstain

  Would ill become your order; if your bold

  And chivalrous temperaments disdain

  Counsel that seems too cautious and too cold.

  Far be it from me to keep you ‘gainst your will,

  Or to retract my promise given as knight.

  No; be it mine my duties to fulfil

  Towards you with rein most gentle and most light.

  V.

  Dunque lo starne o ‘l girne i’ son contento

  Che dal vostro piacer libero penda.

  Ben vuò che pria facciate al Duce spento

  36 Successor nuovo, e di voi cura ei prenda:

  E tra voi scelga i dieci a suo talento;

  Non già di dieci il numero trascenda,

  Ch’in questo il sommo imperio a me riservo:

  40 Non fia l’arbitrio suo per altro servo.

  V

  “Go then or tarry, each as likes him best,

  Free power I grant you on this enterprise;

  But first in Dudon’s place, now laid in chest,

  Choose you some other captain stout and wise;

  Then ten appoint among the worthiest,

  But let no more attempt this hard emprise,

  In this my will content you that I have,

  For power constrained is but a glorious slave.”

  V.

  ‘I give you leave to stay or to proceed;

  This must depend upon your own free will;

  But first your slain commander to succeed,

  Elect one worthy that high post to fill

  Let him select the ten; but on no plea

  Can I permit him to exceed the ten.

  In this I hold to my authority,

  Nor in aught else will I his powers restrain.’

  VI.

  Così disse Goffredo; e ‘l suo germano,

  Consentendo ciascun, risposta diede:

  Siccome a te conviensi, o Capitano,

  44 Questa lenta virtù che lunge vede;

  Così il vigor del core e della mano,

  Quasi debito a noi, da noi si chiede:

  E saria la matura tarditate,

  48 Ch’in altri è provvidenza, in noi viltate.

  VI

  Thus Godfrey said, and thus his brother spake,

  And answered for himself and all his peers:

  “My lord, as well it fitteth thee to make

  These wise delays and cast these doubts and fears,

  So ’tis our part at first to undertake;

  Courage and haste beseems our might and years;

  And this proceeding with so grave advice,

  Wisdom, in you, in us were cowardice.

  VI.

  Thus Godfred spake; and all consenting, thus

  His brother Eustace for the rest replied:

  ‘As caution provident and scrupulous

  Becoming is, O captain, on thy side,

  So hands to do, no less than hearts to dare,

  Is, as our due, required from us: advice,

  And well-weighed scruples that in others are

  Prevision just, in us were cowardice.

  VII.

  E poichè ‘l rischio è di sì leve danno

  Posto in lance col pro, che ‘l contrappesa;

  Te permettente, i dieci eletti andranno

  52 Con la Donzella all’onorata impresa.

  Così conclude; e con sì adorno inganno

  Cerca di ricoprir la mente accesa

  Sotto altro zelo: e gli altri anco d’onore

  56 Fingon desio, quel ch’è desio d’amore.

  VII

  “Since then the feat is easy, danger none,

  All set in battle and in hardy fight,

  Do thou permit the chosen ten to gone

  And aid the damsel:” thus devised the knight,

  To make men think the sun of honor shone

  There where the lamp of Cupid gave the light:

  The rest perceive his guile, and it approve,

  And call that knighthood which was childish love.

  VII.

  ‘And since the hazard is so trifling, when

  With the advantage in the balance weighed,

  With thy permission the selected ten

  Will march to the honoured emprise with the maid.’

  He thus concluded, and his secret fire

  With specious artifice to cover strove

  ‘Neath knightly zeal; and others feigned desire

  For honour, that was but desire of love.

  VIII.

  Ma il più giovin Buglione, il qual rimira

  Con geloso occhio il figlio di Sofia,

  La cui virtute invidiando ammira,

  60 Che in sì bel corpo più cara venia;

  Nol vorrebbe compagno, e al cor gli inspira

  Cauti pensier l’astuta gelosia;

  Onde, tratto il rivale a se, in disparte

  64 Ragiona a lui con lusinghevol’arte.

  VIII

  But loving Eustace, that with jealous eye

  Beheld the worth of Sophia’s noble child,

  And his fair shape did secretly envy,

  Besides the virtues in his breast compiled,

  And, for in love he would no company,

  He stored his mouth with speeches smoothly filed,

  Drawing his rival to attend his word;

  Thus with fair sleight he laid the knight abord:

  VIII.

  But younger Buglion, who, with envious eye,

  Looke
d on Rinaldo, fair Sofia’s son,

  And all his virtues viewed invidiously,

  Since in a form so beautiful they shone,

  Wished him away; for subtle jealousy

  Inspired most cautious feelings in his heart:

  Whence, drawing aside his dangerous rival, he

  Addressed him thus with all a flatterer’s art:

  IX.

  O di gran genitor maggior figliuolo,

  Che ‘l sommo pregio in arme hai giovinetto:

  Or chi sarà del valoroso stuolo,

  68 Di cui parte noi siamo, in Duce eletto?

  Io, ch’a Dudon famoso appena, e solo

  Per l’onor dell’età, vivea soggetto:

  Io, fratel di Goffredo, a chi più deggio

  72 Cedere omai? Se tu non sei, nol veggio.

  IX

  “Of great Bertoldo thou far greater heir,

  Thou star of knighthood, flower of chivalry,

  Tell me, who now shall lead this squadron fair,

  Since our late guide in marble cold doth lie?

  I, that with famous Dudon might compare

  In all, but years, hoar locks, and gravity,

  To whom should I, Duke Godfrey’s brother, yield,

  Unless to thee, the Christian army’s shield?

  IX.

  ‘O greater son of an illustrious sire,

  That, boy, hast gained such great repute in war,

  Who to the leadership may dare aspire

  Of that bold band, of which a part we are?

  I, who could scarcely to Dudoné stoop,

  And that in virtue of his age alone,

  To whom can I submit to of our troop?

  I, Godfred’s brother — save to thee, see none.

  X.

  Te, la cui nobiltà tutt’altre agguaglia,

  Gloria e merito d’opre a me prepone:

  Nè sdegnerebbe, in pregio di battaglia,

  76 Minor chiamarsi anco il maggior Buglione;

  Te dunque in Duce bramo, ove non caglia

  A te di questa Sira esser campione:

  Nè già cred’io che quell’onor tu curi,

  80 Che da’ fatti verrà notturni e scuri.

  X

  “Thee whom high birth makes equal with the best

  Thine acts prefer both me and all beforn;

  Nor that in fight thou both surpass the rest,

  And Godfrey’s worthy self, I hold in scorn;

  Thee to obey then am I only pressed;

  Before these worthies be thine eagle borne;

  This honor haply thou esteemest light,

  Whose day of glory never yet found night.

  X.

  ‘As noble as the noblest thou art born,

  And in renown bear’st off the palm from me,

  Nor would himself the greater Buglion scorn

  To be as knight inferior deemed to thee.

  Thee, then, as leader for our troop I claim,

  If careless thou to be this Syrian’s knight.

  Nor can I think Rinaldo values fame

  Won in the dim obscurity of night,

  XI.

  Nè mancherà quì loco, ove s’impieghi

  Con più lucida fama il tuo valore.

  Or io procurerò, se tu nol nieghi,

  84 Ch’a te concedan gli altri il sommo onore.

  Ma perchè non so ben dove si pieghi

  L’irresoluto mio dubbioso core,

  Impetro or io da te, ch’a voglia mia

  88 O segua poscia Armida, o teco stia.

  XI

  “Yet mayest thou further by this means display

  The spreading wings of thy immortal fame;

  I will procure it, if thou sayest not nay,

  And all their wills to thine election frame:

  But for I scantly am resolved which way

  To bend my force, or where employ the same,

  Leave me, I pray, at my discretion free

  To help Armida, or serve here with thee.”

  XI.

  ‘Here is not wanting a more open spot

  With clearer light thy valour to reflect;

  And I will cause, if thou refusest not,

  That the others thee to that high post elect;

  But as I am doubtful still, nor know which way

  To bend my wavering and irresolute heart,

  I claim the privilege with thee to stay,

  Or with Armida, at my choice, depart.’

  XII.

  Qui tacque Eustazio, e questi estremi accenti

  Non proferì senza arrossirsi in viso:

  E i mal celati suoi pensieri ardenti

  92 L’altro ben vide, e mosse ad un sorriso.

  Ma perch’a lui colpi d’amor più lenti

  Non hanno il petto oltre la scorza inciso;

  Nè molto impaziente è di rivale,

  96 Nè la Donzella di seguir gli cale.

  XII

  This last request, for love is evil to hide,

  Empurpled both his cheeks with scarlet red;

  Rinaldo soon his passions had descried,

  And gently smiling turned aside his head,

  And, for weak Cupid was too feeble eyed

  To strike him sure, the fire in him was dead;

  So that of rivals was he naught afraid,

  Nor cared he for the journey or the maid.

  XII.

  Here Eustace ceased, nor, as he thus appealed,

  Could keep his cheeks from crimsoning the while.

  Rinaldo saw his thoughts thus ill concealed

  Beneath his blushes, which drew forth a smile;

  But since on him Love’s arrows fell more slow,

  Nor more than skin deep had incised his breast,

  He did not jealous of a rival grow,

  Nor cared the maid to follow with the rest

  XIII.

  Ben altamente ha nel pensier tenace

  L’acerba morte di Dudon scolpita:

  E si reca a disnor, ch’Argante audace

  100 Gli soprastía lunga stagion in vita:

  E parte di sentire anco gli piace

  Quel parlar, ch’al dovuto onor l’invita:

  E ‘l giovinetto cor s’appaga, e gode

  104 Del dolce suon della verace lode.

  XIII

  But in his noble thought revolved he oft

  Dudon’s high prowess, death and burial,

  And how Argantes bore his plumes aloft,

  Praising his fortunes for that worthy’s fall;

  Besides, the knight’s sweet words and praises soft

  To his due honor did him fitly call,

  And made his heart rejoice, for well he knew,

  Though much he praised him, all his words were true.

  XIII.

  Deeply was graved in his tenacious heart

  The fate that him of his dear friend deprived.

  He deemed it foul dishonour on his part,

  That for so long Arganté had survived;

  Still he both heard with pleasure and with pride

  The call that would him to such honour raise,

  And his young heart was joyed and gratified

  By the sweet sounds of that veracious praise.

  XIV.

  Onde così rispose: i gradi primi

  Più meritar, che conseguir desio;

  Nè, purchè me la mia virtù sublimi,

  108 Di scettri altezza invidiar degg’io.

  Ma s’all’onor mi chiami, e che lo stimi

  Debito a me, non ci verrò restío:

  E caro esser mi dee, che mi sia mostro

  112 Sì bel segno da voi del valor nostro.

  XIV

  “Degrees,” quoth he, “of honors high to hold,

  I would them first deserve, and the desire;

  And were my valor such as you have told,

  Would I for that to higher place aspire:

  But if to honors due raise me you would,

  I will not of my works re
fuse the hire;

  And much it glads me, that my power and might

  Ypraised is by such a valiant knight.

  XIV.

  Whence he replied: ‘Exalted station I

  Would rather much more merit than obtain,

  Nor envy that, if raised by virtue high,

  Others hold lofty posts and rule and reign.

  But at the call of honour, if you deem

  That place my due, I will not stand aloof;

  Well pleased I should be that ye all esteem

  My worthiness by such convincing proof.

  XV.

  Dunque io nol chiedo, e nol rifiuto: e quando

  Duce io pur sia, sarai tu degli eletti.

  Allora il lascia Eustazio, e va piegando

  116 De’ suoi compagni, al suo voler, gli affetti.

  Ma chiede a prova il Principe Gernando

  Quel grado, e bench’Armida in lui saetti,

  Men può nel cor superbo amor di donna,

  120 Ch’avidità d’onor che se n’indonna.

  XV

  “I neither seek it nor refuse the place,

  Which if I get, the praise and thanks be thine.”

  Eustace, this spoken, hied thence apace

  To know which way his fellows’ hearts incline:

  But Prince Gernando coveted the place,

  Whom though Armida sought to undermine,

  Gainst him yet vain did all her engines prove,

  His pride was such, there was no place for love.

  XV.

  ‘That post I neither seek, then, nor reject —

  If given me: of the ten thou shalt be one.’

  Him Eustace leaves determined to subject

  His gallant comrades’wishes to his own;

  But to that place Gernando urged his claim,

  For, though Armida pierced him with Love’s dart,

  Less power had woman’s smiles than thirst of fame,

  To gain ascendance o’er his haughty heart.

  XVI.

  Sceso Gernando è da’ gran Re Norvegj,

  Che di molte provincie ebber l’impero;

  E le tante corone, e’ scettri regj

  124 E del padre e degli avi il fanno altero.

  Altero è l’altro de’ suoi proprj pregj

  Più che dell’opre che i passati fero;

  Ancor che gli avi suoi cento e più lustri

  128 Stati sian chiari in pace, e ‘n guerra illustri.

  XVI

  Gernando was the King of Norway’s son,

  That many a realm and region had to guide,