Jerusalem Delivered

by Torquato Tasso

  Or by Apollo’s rays or Dian’s lamp.

  LXXXIV.

  Già non avresti, o dispietato Argante,

  Col mio signor pugnato tu primiero;

  Ch’io sarei corsa ad incontrarlo innante,

  668 E forse or fora quì mio prigionero:

  E sosterria dalla nemica amante

  Giogo di servitù dolce e leggiero.

  E già per li suoi nodi i’ sentirei

  672 Fatti soavi, e alleggeriti i miei.

  LXXXIV

  “Nor haddest thou, Argantes, first begun

  With my dear lord that fierce and cruel fight,

  But I to that encounter would have run,

  And haply ta’en him captive by my might;

  Yet should he find, our furious combat done,

  His thraldom easy, and his bondage light;

  For fetters, mine embracements should he prove;

  For diet, kisses sweet; for keeper, love.

  LXXXIV.

  ‘Then thou hadst not been, Saracen abhorred,

  The first to battle with you cavalier,

  Since I had sprung to meet my darling lord,

  Who now perhaps my captive prisoner were.

  Then slavery’s chain — but oh! how sweet and light —

  Around him I, his loving foe, had thrown,

  And by the bonds that kept him prisoner, might

  Have felt relieved the burden of my own.

  LXXXV.

  Ovvero a me, dalla sua destra il fianco

  Sendo percosso, e riaperto il core;

  Pur risanata in cotal guisa almanco

  676 Colpo di ferro avria piaga d’Amore.

  Ed or la mente in pace, e ‘l corpo stanco

  Riposeriansi: e forse il vincitore

  Degnato avrebbe il mio cenere e l’ossa

  680 D’alcun onor di lagrime, e di fossa.

  LXXXV

  “Or else my tender bosom opened wide,

  And heart though pierced with his cruel blade,

  The bloody weapon in my wounded side

  Might cure the wound which love before had made;

  Then should my soul in rest and quiet slide

  Down to the valleys of the Elysian shade,

  And my mishap the knight perchance would move,

  To shed some tears upon his murdered love.

  LXXXV.

  ‘Or were my side pierced by his gentle hand,

  Or by him bared again my stricken heart,

  At least his cruel, though unconscious brand,

  Had cured the wound inflicted by Love’s dart;

  Then had my mind and wearied body gained

  Eternal rest, and pitying my doom,

  The victor perhaps had to my ashes deigned

  The tribute of his tears and of a tomb.

  LXXXVI.

  Ma lassa! i’ bramo non possibil cosa,

  E tra folli pensier invan m’avvolgo.

  Dunque io starò quì timida e dogliosa,

  684 Com’una pur del vil femmineo volgo?

  Ah non starò; cor mio confida, ed osa.

  Perchè l’arme una volta anch’io non tolgo?

  Perchè per breve spazio non potrolle

  688 Sostener, benchè sia debile e molle?

  LXXXVI

  “Alas! impossible are all these things,

  Such wishes vain afflict my woful sprite,

  Why yield I thus to plaints and sorrowings,

  As if all hope and help were perished quite?

  My heart dares much, it soars with Cupid’s wings,

  Why use I not for once these armors bright?

  I may sustain awhile this shield aloft,

  Though I be tender, feeble, weak and soft.

  LXXXVI.

  ‘But ah! I wish impossibilities,

  And lose myself amid mad thoughts in vain.

  Shall I then here in this sad frightened guise,

  As one unworthy of my rank, remain?

  No, no, not I! Confide, my heart, and dare;

  Why should I not for once take arms, and try

  For a short time their heavy load to bear,

  Though tender and effeminate am I?

  LXXXVII.

  Sì potrò, sì;, chè mi farà possente

  Amor, ond’alta forza i men forti hanno;

  Da cui spronati ancor s’arman sovente

  692 D’ardire i cervi imbelli, e guerra fanno.

  Io guerreggiar non già, vuò solamente

  Far con quest’armi un ingegnoso inganno:

  Finger mi vuò Clorinda, e, ricoperta

  696 Sotto l’immagin sua, d’uscir son certa.

  LXXXVII

  “Love, strong, bold, mighty never-tired love,

  Supplieth force to all his servants true;

  The fearful stags he doth to battle move,

  Till each his horns in others’ blood imbrue;

  Yet mean not I the haps of war to prove,

  A stratagem I have devised new,

  Clorinda-like in this fair harness dight,

  I will escape out of the town this night.

  LXXXVII.

  ‘Yes, yes I will. Love casteth out all fear,

  And on the weakest sovran strength bestows.

  Inspired by it, ev’n the unwarlike deer

  Is armed with ardour, and to battle goes.

  But not to war I go: these arms so prized

  For an ingenious fraud I would procure;

  I want to feign Clorinda, since disguised

  Under her likeness, my departure is sure.

  LXXXVIII.

  Non ardirieno a lei fare i custodi

  Dell’alte porte resistenza alcuna.

  Io pur ripenso, e non veggio altri modi:

  700 Aperta è, credo, questa via sol’una.

  Or favorisca le innocenti frodi

  Amor, che le m’inspira, e la fortuna.

  E ben al mio partir comoda è l’ora,

  704 Mentre col Re Clorinda anco dimora.

  LXXXVIII

  “I know the men that have the gate to ward,

  If she command dare not her will deny,

  In what sort else could I beguile the guard?

  This way is only left, this will I try:

  O gentle love, in this adventure hard

  Thine handmaid guide, assist and fortify!

  The time, the hour now fitteth best the thing,

  While stout Clorinda talketh with the king.”

  LXXXVIII.

  ‘Nor will the sentries of the portals be

  So bold as her commands to disobey.

  I think and think, nor other mode can see;

  This seems the only practicable way.

  Now Fortune, aid my innocent deceit,

  And Love that didst inspire me with the ways;

  Well suited is the hour for my retreat,

  While with the king Clorinda still delays.’

  LXXXIX.

  Così risolve, e stimolata e punta

  Dalle furie d’amor più non aspetta;

  Ma da quella alla sua stanza congiunta

  708 L’arme involate di portar s’affretta.

  E far lo può, chè quando ivi fu giunta

  Diè loco ogn’altro, e si restò soletta:

  E la notte i suoi furti ancor copria,

  712 Ch’ai ladri amica ed agli amanti uscia.

  LXXXIX

  Resolved thus, without delay she went,

  As her strong passion did her rashly guide,

  And those bright arms, down from the rafter hent,

  Within her closet did she closely hide;

  That might she do unseen, for she had sent

  The rest, on sleeveless errands from her side,

  And night her stealths brought to their wished end,

  Night, patroness of thieves, and lovers’ friend.

  LXXXIX.

  Thus she determined, urged and goaded on

  By Love’s mad frenzy, nor a moment wastes,

  B
ut from Clorinda’s chamber to her own

  To carry off the stolen armour hastes;

  Which was not hard, since each attendant maid

  Left as she came, and she remained alone;

  Her theft was screened, too, by the friendly shade

  That night round lovers and round thieves had thrown.

  XC.

  Essa veggendo il ciel, d’alcuna stella

  Già sparso intorno, divenir più nero;

  Senza frapporvi alcun indugio, appella

  716 Secretamente un suo fedel scudiero,

  Ed una sua leal diletta ancella:

  E parte scopre lor del suo pensiero;

  Scopre il disegno della fuga, e finge

  720 Ch’altra cagione a dipartir l’astringe.

  XC

  Some sparkling fires on heaven’s bright visage shone;

  His azure robe the orient blueness lost,

  When she, whose wit and reason both were gone,

  Called for a squire she loved and trusted most,

  To whom and to a maid, a faithful one,

  Part of her will she told, how that in post

  She would depart from Juda’s king, and feigned

  That other cause her sudden flight constrained.

  XC.

  Then seeing the heavens, that erst some stars displayed,

  Put on more black and sombre an attire,

  No longer she her purposed flight delayed,

  But summoned secretly her faithful squire,

  And her beloved and confidential maid,

  To whom her project she revealed in part;

  She told the object of her flight, but said

  That other cause compelled her to depart.

  XCI.

  Lo scudiero fedel subito appresta

  Ciò ch’al bisogno necessario crede.

  Erminia intanto la pomposa vesta

  724 Si spoglia, che le scende insino al piede:

  E in ischietto vestir leggiadra resta

  E snella sì, ch’ogni credenza eccede:

  Nè, trattane colei ch’alla partita

  728 Scelta s’avea compagna, altra l’aita.

  XCI

  The trusty squire provided needments meet,

  As for their journey fitting most should be;

  Meanwhile her vesture, pendant to her feet,

  Erminia doft, as erst determined she,

  Stripped to her petticoat the virgin sweet

  So slender was, that wonder was to see;

  Her handmaid ready at her mistress’ will,

  To arm her helped, though simple were her skill.

  XCI.

  With bustling haste prepared the loyal squire,

  What he considered for their wants most meet.

  Erminia then cast off her rich attire,

  Whose flowing skirt descended to her feet,

  And in her unadorned simplicity

  Looked, past all credence, elegant and light;

  Nor was there one assistance gave, save she

  Selected as companion of her flight.

  XCII.

  Col durissimo acciar preme ed offende

  Il delicato collo, e l’aurea chioma:

  E la tenera man lo scudo prende,

  732 Pur troppo grave, e insopportabil soma.

  Così tutta di ferro intorno splende,

  E in atto militar se stessa doma.

  Gode Amor, ch’è presente e tra se ride,

  736 Come allor già ch’avvolse in gonna Alcide.

  XCII

  The rugged steel oppressed and offended

  Her dainty neck, and locks of shining gold;

  Her tender arm so feeble was, it bended

  When that huge target it presumed to hold,

  The burnished steel bright rays far off extended,

  She feigned courage, and appeared bold;

  Fast by her side unseen smiled Venus’ son,

  As erst he laughed when Alcides spun.

  XCII.

  The unyielding steel’s incumbent weight offends

  Her delicate white neck and golden hair,

  Her tender arm beneath the burden bends

  Of a huge shield it has not strength to bear.

  Refulgent thus in glittering arms, the maid

  Constrained herself to assume a martial air;

  Love, near her, smiled, rememb’ring how he made

  Alcides once the weeds of women wear.

  XCIII.

  O con quanta fatica ella sostiene

  L’inegual peso, e muove lenti i passi!

  Ed alla fida compagnia s’attiene,

  740 Che per appoggio andar dinanzi fassi.

  Ma rinforzan gli spirti amore, e spene,

  E ministran vigore ai membri lassi:

  Sicchè giungono al loco ove le aspetta

  744 Lo scudiero, e in arcion sagliono in fretta.

  XCIII

  Oh, with what labor did her shoulders bear

  That heavy burthen, and how slow she went!

  Her maid, to see that all the coasts were clear,

  Before her mistress, through the streets was sent;

  Love gave her courage, love exiled fear,

  Love to her tired limbs new vigor lent,

  Till she approached where the squire abode,

  There took they horse forthwith and forward rode.

  XCIII.

  Oh, with what great fatigue she now sustains

  The excessive weight, how move her footsteps slow;

  As for support upon her maid she leans,

  Who doth before, to give assistance, go!

  But love and hope her spirits reinforce,

  And to her burdened limbs fresh vigour bring,

  So that they reach where wait the squire and horse,

  And with all haste into the saddle spring.

  XCIV.

  Travestiti ne vanno, e la più ascosa

  E più riposta via prendono ad arte.

  Pur s’avvengono in molti, e l’aria ombrosa

  748 Veggion lucer di ferro in ogni parte:

  Ma impedir lor viaggio alcun non osa,

  E cedendo il sentier ne va in disparte;

  Chè quel candido ammanto, e la temuta

  752 Insegna anco nell’ombra è conosciuta.

  XCIV

  Disguised they went, and by unused ways,

  And secret paths they strove unseen to gone,

  Until the watch they meet, which sore affrays

  Their soldiers new, when swords and weapons shone

  Yet none to stop their journey once essays,

  But place and passage yielded every one;

  For that bright armor, and that helmet bright,

  Were known and feared, in the darkest night.

  XCIV.

  Disguised they go, and purposely repair

  Through the most lone and unfrequented ways,

  Yet still with many meet; the shadowy air

  From flashing steel on all sides is ablaze.

  Still none their progress venture to arrest,

  But yielding up the pathway, backward fall,

  Since the white mantle and the dreaded crest,

  Ev’n in the dark are recognised by all.

  XCV.

  Erminia benchè quivi alquanto sceme

  Del dubbio suo, non va però sicura;

  Chè d’essere scoperta alla fin teme,

  756 E del suo troppo ardir sente or paura.

  Ma pur giunta alla porta il timor preme,

  Ed inganna colui che n’ha la cura.

  Io son Clorinda, disse, apri la porta;

  760 Chè ‘l Re m’invia dove l’andare importa.

  XCV

  Erminia, though some deal she were dismayed,

  Yet went she on, and goodly countenance bore,

  She doubted lest her purpose were bewrayed,

  Her too much boldness she repented sore;

  But now the gate her fear and passage stayed,

  The heedle
ss porter she beguiled therefore,

  “I am Clorinda, ope the gate,” she cried,

  “Where as the king commands, this late I ride.”

  XCV.

  Though this in part diminishes her doubt,

  She cannot all solicitude dissolve;

  Apprehensive in the end to be found out,

  She feels the terror of her rash resolve:

  But at the gate arrived, she checks her dread,

  The guard deluding who that post defends.

  ‘I am Clorinda! ope the gate,’ she said,

  ‘Me on important service the king sends.’

  XCVI.

  La voce femminil, sembiante a quella

  Della Guerriera, agevola l’inganno.

  (Chi crederia veder armata in sella

  764 Una dell’altre ch’arme oprar non sanno?)

  Sicchè ‘l portier tosto ubbidisce, ed ella

  N’esce veloce, e i due che seco vanno.

  E per lor sicurezza entro le valli

  768 Calando, prendon lunghi obliqui calli.

  XCVI

  Her woman’s voice and terms all framed been,

  Most like the speeches of the princess stout,

  Who would have thought on horseback to have seen

  That feeble damsel armed round about?

  The porter her obeyed, and she, between

  Her trusty squire and maiden, sallied out,

  And through the secret dales they silent pass,

  Where danger least, least fear, least peril was.

  XCVI.

  So like Clorinda’s, her soft voice’s charms

  Facilitate the trembling girl’s deceit;

  (Another maid, not knowing use of arms,

  Thus armed and mounted, who would dream to meet?)

  Whence her commands the sentry obeyed, while she

  Swift with her escort through the gateway sped,

  And then, descending for security,

  Through the vale’s long and devious cross-roads fled.

  XCVII.

  Ma poi ch’Erminia in solitaria ed ima

  Parte si vede, alquanto il corso allenta;

  Chè i primi rischj aver passati estima,

  772 Nè d’esser ritenuta omai paventa.

  Or pensa a quello a chè pensato in prima

  Non bene aveva, ed or le s’appresenta

  Difficil più, ch’a lei non fu mostrata

  776 Dal frettoloso suo desir, l’entrata.

  XCVII

  But when these fair adventurers entered were