Jerusalem Delivered

by Torquato Tasso

  From place to place, which to herself thus said:

  II

  Their wounds at length being bandaged, and complete

  Part of the work commanded for the night,

  They leave the rest, since now to slumber sweet

  A deeper shade and greater calm invite.

  Yet could not thus the warrior maid appease

  Her soul, athirst for honour and for praise;

  She work solicits when the others cease,

  And, joined by Arganté, to herself thus says:

  III.

  Ben oggi il Re de’ Turchi, e ‘l buon Argante

  Fer maraviglie inusitate e strane:

  Chè soli uscir fra tante schiere e tante,

  20 E vi spezzar le machine Cristiane.

  Io (questo è il sommo pregio onde mi vante)

  D’alto, rinchiusa, oprai l’armi lontane,

  Sagittaria (nol nego) assai felice.

  24 Dunque sol tanto a donna, e più non lice?

  III

  “This day Argantes strong, and Solyman,

  Strange things have done, and purchased great renown,

  Among our foes out of the walls they ran,

  Their rams they broke and rent their engines down:

  I used my bow, of naught else boast I can,

  My self stood safe meanwhile within this town,

  And happy was my shot, and prosperous too,

  But that was all a woman’s hand could do.

  III

  ‘Arganté and King Solyman to-day

  Great marvels truly have performed; alone,

  They have thro’ countless masses made their way,

  And the Franks’ mighty engines overthrown;

  The highest merit I can vaunt is, I

  Made distant warfare, sheltered in a tower —

  Successful archer, that I can’t deny.

  Can woman, then, do this, and nothing more?

  IV.

  Quanto me’ fora in monte, od in foresta

  Alle fere avventar dardi e quadrella;

  Ch’ove il maschio valor si manifesta

  28 Mostrarmi quì tra’ cavalier donzella.

  Chè non riprendo la femminea vesta,

  S’io ne son degna, e non mi chiudo in cella?

  Così parla tra se; pensa, e risolve

  32 Alfin gran cose, ed al guerrier si volve.

  IV

  “On birds and beasts in forests wild that feed

  It were more fit mine arrows to bestow,

  Than for a feeble maid in warlike deed

  With strong and hardy knights herself to show.

  Why take I not again my virgin’s weed,

  And spend my days in secret cell unknow?”

  Thus thought, thus mused, thus devised the maid,

  And turning to the knight, at last thus said:

  IV

  “Twere better far, in mount or forest glade,

  Against wild beasts to launch my darts and spears,

  Than, where a manly valour is displayed,

  To show myself a girl ‘mid cavaliers.

  Why not again the dress of woman wear,

  If worthy, or in cloister pass my days?’

  Thus communes with herself; at length the fair,

  Great things resolving, to Arganté says:

  V.

  Buona pezza è, Signor, che in se raggira

  Un non so chè d’insolito e d’audace

  La mia mente inquieta: o Dio l’inspira,

  36 O l’uom del suo voler suo Dio si face.

  Fuor del vallo nemico accesi mira

  I lumi: io là n’andrò con ferro e face,

  E la torre arderò: vogl’io che questo

  40 Effetto segua, il Ciel poi curi il resto.

  V

  “My thoughts are full, my lord, of strange desire

  Some high attempt of war to undertake,

  Whether high God my mind therewith inspire

  Or of his will his God mankind doth make,

  Among our foes behold the light and fire,

  I will among them wend, and burn or break

  The tower, God grant therein I have my will

  And that performed, betide me good or ill.

  V

  ‘Long time it is that fierce and strange desires,

  Undaunted chief, my troubled spirit fill;

  Nor can I tell if God the thought inspires,

  Or man creates an idol of his will:

  Outside the entrenchments of the accursed Giaour

  Behold you watch-fires; there, with fearless breast,

  With fire and sword, I’ll go and burn the tower.

  Could I but this, to Heaven I leave the rest

  VI.

  Ma s’egli avverrà pur che mia ventura

  Nel mio ritorno mi rinchiuda il passo;

  D’uom, che in amor m’è padre, a te la cura

  44 E delle fide mie donzelle io lasso.

  Tu nell’Egitto rimandar procura

  Le donne sconsolate, e ‘l vecchio lasso.

  Fallo, per Dio, Signor; chè di pietate

  48 Ben è degno quel sesso, e quella etate.

  VI

  “But if it fortune such my chance should be,

  That to this town I never turn again,

  Mine eunuch, whom I dearly love, with thee

  I leave my faithful maids, and all my train,

  To Egypt then conducted safely see

  Those woful damsels and that aged swain,

  Help them, my lord, in that distressed case,

  Their feeble sex, his age, deserveth grace.”

  VI

  ‘But should it happen that the Fates above

  To my return oppose their fixed decree,

  Of one who has been a father in his love,

  And of my maids, I leave the charge to thee;

  Find means to send back to far Egypt’s land

  That poor old man, and each disconsolate dame.

  For God’s sake do this: at thy generous hand

  His age, their sex, may well compassion claim.’

  VII.

  Stupisce Argante, e ripercosso il petto

  Da stimoli di gloria acuti sente.

  Tu là n’andrai, rispose, e me negletto

  52 Qui lascierai tra la volgare gente?

  E da sicura parte avrò diletto

  Mirar il fumo e la favilla ardente?

  No, no, se fui nell’arme a te consorte,

  56 Esser vuò nella gloria e nella morte.

  VII

  Argantes wondering stood, and felt the effect

  Of true renown pierce through his glorious mind,

  “And wilt thou go,” quoth he, “and me neglect,

  Disgraced, despised, leave in this fort behind?

  Shall I while these strong walls my life protect

  Behold thy flames and fires tossed in the wind,

  No, no, thy fellow have I been in arms,

  And will be still, in praise, in death, in harms.

  VII

  Amazed, Arganté felt his throbbing breast

  Beat faster from the stimulus of fame.

  ‘What! wilt thou go, and leave me with the rest

  Of the vile crowd, to my undying shame?

  Shall I enjoy, beyond the reach of harms,

  To watch the flames and curling smoke?’ he saith.

  ‘No, ho, Clorinda; if allied in arms,

  I’ll share thy risks, thy glory, and thy death.

  VIII.

  Ho core anch’io che morte sprezza, e crede

  Che ben si cambi con l’onor la vita.

  Ben ne festi, diss’ella, eterna fede

  60 Con quella tua sì generosa uscita.

  Pure io femmina sono, e nulla riede

  Mia morte in danno alla Città smarrita.

  Ma se tu cadi (tolga il Ciel gli augurj)

  64 Or chi sarà che più difenda i muri?

  VIII

  “This heart of mine death’
s bitter stroke despiseth,

  For praise this life, for glory take this breath.”

  “My soul and more,” quoth she, “thy friendship prizeth,

  For this thy proffered aid required uneath,

  I but a woman am, no loss ariseth

  To this besieged city by my death,

  But if, as God forbid, this night thou fall,

  Ah! who shall then, who can, defend this wall!”

  VIII

  ‘I have a heart, too, that despises death,

  And deems that life is well exchanged for fame.’

  ‘To it, just title,’ the fair warrior saith,

  ‘By thy magnanimous sortie thou canst claim.

  I am but woman, and my death were nought,

  Nor loss would bring; but should Arganté fall

  (Nay, Heaven forbid the inauspicious thought!),

  Who would remain to guard the invested wall?’

  IX.

  Replicò il Cavaliero: indarno adduci

  Al mio fermo voler fallaci scuse.

  Seguirò l’orme tue, se mi conduci;

  68 Ma le precorrerò, se mi ricuse.

  Concordi al Re ne vanno, il qual fra i duci

  E fra i più saggj suoi gli accolse e chiuse.

  E incominciò Clorinda: o Sire, attendi

  72 A ciò che dir voglianti, e in grado il prendi.

  IX

  “Too late these ‘scuses vain,” the knight replied,

  “You bring; my will is firm, my mind is set,

  I follow you whereso you list me guide,

  Or go before if you my purpose let.”

  This said, they hasted to the palace wide

  About their prince where all his lords were met,

  Clorinda spoke for both, and said, “Sir king,

  Attend my words, hear, and allow the thing:

  IX

  ‘Fallacious pleas,’ the cavalier replied,

  ‘Against my fixed resolve you idly use;

  I’ll follow, if you will consent to guide,

  But will precede, fair dame, if you refuse.’

  This point being settled, to the king they went,

  Who them received while seated at divan;

  When thus Clorinda: ‘Gracious sire, consent

  To view with favourable eyes our plan.

  X.

  Argante quì (nè sarà vano il vanto)

  Quella machina eccelsa arder promette.

  Io sarò seco: ed aspettiam sol tanto

  76 Che stanchezza maggiore il sonno allette.

  Sollevò il Re le palme, e un lieto pianto

  Giù per le crespe guancie a lui cadette:

  E, lodato sia tu, disse, ch’ai servi

  80 Tuoi volgi gli occhj, e ‘l regno anco mi servi.

  X

  “Argantes here, this bold and hardy knight,

  Will undertake to burn the wondrous tower,

  And I with him, only we stay till night

  Bury in sleep our foes at deadest hour.”

  The king with that cast up his hands on height,

  The tears for joy upon his cheeks down pour.

  “Praised,” quoth he, “be Macon whom we serve,

  This land I see he keeps and will preserve:

  X

  ‘Arganté, here, has vowed to burn the great

  And lofty tower, nor vain will be his boast;

  I will with him, O king; we only wait

  Till into sleep fatigue allures you host.’

  At that the king raised up his hands on high.

  While o’er his wrinkled cheeks sweet tears ran down:

  ‘Praised be thy name, O Thou that turn’st thine eye

  Upon thy servants, and preserv’st my crown.

  XI.

  Nè già sì tosto caderà, se tali

  Animi forti in sua difesa or sono.

  Ma qual poss’io, coppia onorata, eguali

  84 Dar ai meriti vostri o laude o dono?

  Laudi la fama voi con immortali

  Voci di gloria, e ‘l mondo empia del suono.

  Premio v’è l’opra stessa, e premio in parte

  88 Vi fia del regno mio non poca parte.

  XI

  “Nor shall so soon this shaken kingdom fall,

  While such unconquered hearts my state defend:

  But for this act what praise or guerdon shall

  I give your virtues, which so far extend?

  Let fame your praises sound through nations all,

  And fill the world therewith to either end,

  Take half my wealth and kingdom for your meed?

  You are rewarded half even with the deed.”

  XI

  ‘Fall it will not, nor does my heart despair,

  While such brave souls unite in its defence;

  But how can I, you justly honoured pair,

  Your merits praise enough, or recompense?

  Let Fame proclaim your praises, and record

  Your deathless actions in immortal strains;

  The deed in part shall be its own reward,

  And part, no trifling share of our domains.’

  XII.

  Sì parla il Re canuto; e si ristringe

  Or questa or quel teneramente al seno.

  Il Soldan ch’è presente, e non infinge

  92 La generosa invidia onde egli è pieno,

  Disse: nè questa spada invan si cinge,

  Verravvi a paro, o poco dietro almeno.

  Ah, rispose Clorinda, andremo a questa

  96 Impresa tutti? e se tu vien, chi resta?

  XII

  Thus spake the prince, and gently ‘gan distrain,

  Now him, now her, between his friendly arms:

  The Soldan by, no longer could refrain

  That noble envy which his bosom warms,

  “Nor I,” quoth he, “bear this broad sword in vain,

  Nor yet am unexpert in night alarms,

  Take me with you: ah.” Quoth Clorinda, “no!

  Whom leave we here of prowess if you go?”

  XII

  Thus spoke the hoary-headed king, and strained

  Now her, now him, most fondly to his breast;

  But Solymano, who was there, nor feigned

  The noble jealousy his heart possessed,

  Exclaimed: ‘This sword shall match thine own, or show

  Not far behind; it is not worn in vain.’

  ‘Ah,’ cried Clorinda, ‘are we all to go?

  Who, if thou com’st with us, will then remain?’

  XIII.

  Così gli disse; e con rifiuto altero

  Già s’apprestava a ricusarlo Argante:

  Ma ‘l Re il prevenne, e ragionò primiero

  100 A Soliman con placido sembiante:

  Ben sempre tu, magnanimo guerriero,

  Ne ti mostrasti a te stesso sembiante,

  Cui nulla faccia di periglio unquanco

  104 Sgomentò, nè mai fosti in guerra stanco.

  XIII

  This spoken, ready with a proud refuse

  Argantes was his proffered aid to scorn,

  Whom Aladine prevents, and with excuse

  To Solyman thus gan his speeches torn:

  “Right noble prince, as aye hath been your use

  Your self so still you bear and long have borne,

  Bold in all acts, no danger can affright

  Your heart, nor tired is your strength with fight.

  XIII

  With haught denial, and with look of pride,

  Him to refuse, Arganté had prepared;

  But him the king forestalled, and first replied

  To Solymano, with benign regard:

  ‘Ever the same art thou, magnanimous knight,

  And aye consistent in thy bold career;

  Thou ne’er art wearied in the hour of fight,

  Or daunted by appearances of fear.

  XIV.

  E so che, fuori andando, opre faresti

  Degne di te; ma sconvenev
ol parmi

  Che tutti usciate, e dentro alcun non resti

  108 Di voi che sete i più famosi in armi.

  Nemmen consentirei ch’andasser questi,

  Chè degno è il sangue lor che si risparmi,

  Se o men util tal opra, o mi paresse

  112 Che finita per altri esser potesse.

  XIV

  “If you went forth great things perform you would,

  In my conceit yet far unfit it seems

  That you, who most excel in courage bold,

  At once should leave this town in these extremes,

  Nor would I that these twain should leave this hold,

  My heart their noble lives far worthier deems,

  If this attempt of less importance were,

  Or weaker posts so great a weight could bear.

  XIV

  ‘And well I know, that going, thou hadst gained

  Fresh laurels; but, unfitting it appears

  That all went forth, and none of you remained,

  Who are my staunchest, noblest cavaliers.

  Nor would I let these go, for we should spare

  Such precious blood, if to our native land

  The deed itself of less importance were,

  Or could be trusted to another hand.

  XV.

  Ma poichè la gran torre, in sua difesa,

  D’ogn’intorno le guardie ha così folte;

  Che da poche mie genti esser offesa

  116 Non puote, e inopportuno è uscir con molte;

  La coppia che s’offerse all’alta impresa

  E in simil rischio si trovò più volte,

  Vada felice pur; ch’ella è ben tale,

  120 Che sola più che mille insieme vale.

  XV

  “But for well-guarded is the mighty tower

  With hardy troops and squadrons round about,

  And cannot harmed be with little power,

  Nor fit the time to send whole armies out,

  This pair who passed have many a dreadful stowre,

  And proffer now to prove this venture stout,

  Alone to this attempt let them go forth,

  Alone than thousands of more price and worth.

  XV

  ‘But since, around the tower, a numerous crew,

  In its defence, keep guard on every side,

  So that we could not take it with a few,

  And many could not at this hour provide, —

  Let this bold couple, which now volunteers,

  And in like perils has so oft been thrown,