Of thy haught lineage from its fountain head;
Still, tho’ of heroes from Time’s earliest page,
The glad prolific mother it has been,
Its former virtues shall not fail from age,
But shoot forth blossoms, fresh and ever green.
LXXXVII.
Oh, come tratto ho fuor del fosco seno
Dell’età prisca i primi padri ignoti;
Così potessi ancor scoprire appieno
692 Ne’ secoli avvenire i tuoi nipoti!
E pria ch’essi apran gli occhj al bel sereno
Di questa luce, fargli al mondo noti;
Chè de’ futuri eroi già non vedresti
696 L’ordin men lungo, o pur men chiari i gesti.
LXXXVII
“Would God, as drawn from the forgetful lap
Of antique time, I have thine elders shown;
That so I could the catalogue unwrap
Of thy great nephews yet unborn, unknown,
That ere this light they view, their fate and hap
I might foretell, and how their chance is thrown,
That like thine elders so thou mightst behold
Thy children, many, famous, stout and bold.
LXXXVII
‘And would that, as from Time’s mysterious tomb
I have drawn forth thy unknown ancestry,
I could produce, from out the Future’s womb,
The glorious roll of thy posterity,
And to the world proclaim their virtues, ere
Their eyelids dawn upon creation’s light;
For thou wouldst see a list of heroes there,
Not less in number, nor in deeds less bright.
LXXXVIII.
Ma l’arte mia per se dentro al futuro
Non scorge il ver, che troppo occulto giace,
Se non caliginoso e dubbio e scuro,
700 Quasi lunge per nebbia incerta face.
E se cosa qual certo io m’assicuro
Affermarti, non sono in questo audace;
Ch’io l’intesi da tal che, senza velo,
704 I secreti talor scopre del Cielo.
LXXXVIII
“But not by art or skill, of things future
Can the plain truth revealed be and told,
Although some knowledge doubtful, dark, obscure
We have of coming haps in clouds uprolled;
Nor all which in this cause I know for sure
Dare I foretell: for of that father old,
The hermit Peter, learned I much, and he
Withouten veil heaven’s secrets great doth see.
LXXXVIII
‘But for the future powerless is my art
To scan the truth, which far too hidden lies,
Except where dimly, as thro’ clouds, a part
Floats like a flickering torch before mine eyes.
To thee if things as certain I detail,
In that believe not I am over bold;
My knowledge comes from one who, without veil,
At times doth Heaven’s most secret ways behold.
LXXXIX.
Quel ch’a lui rivelò luce divina,
E ch’egli a me scoperse, io a te predíco.
Non fu mai greca, o barbara, o latina
708 Progenie, in questo o nel buon tempo antico,
Ricca di tanti eroi, quanti destina
A te chiari nipoti il Cielo amico:
Ch’agguaglieran qual più chiaro si noma
712 Di Sparta, di Cartagine, e di Roma.
LXXXIX
“But this, to him revealed by grace divine,
By him to me declared, to thee I say,
Was never race Greek, barbarous, or Latine,
Great in times past, or famous at this day,
Richer in hardy knights than this of thine;
Such blessings Heaven shall on thy children lay
That they in fame shall pass, in praise o’ercome,
The worthies old of Sparta, Carthage, Rome.
LXXXIX
‘And that which light divine revealed to him,
He told myself, and I predict to thee;
For ne’er in this, or in the good old time,
Was Goth or Greek or Latin progeny
Rich in such heroes, as propitious Heaven
Has destined thy descendants to become:
Their brilliant names were never equalled even
By those of Sparta, Carthage, or of Rome.
XC.
Ma fra gli altri, mi disse, Alfonso io sceglio
Primo in virtù, ma in titolo secondo,
Che nascer dee quando, corrotto e veglio,
716 Povero fia d’uomini illustri il mondo.
Questo fia tal, che non sarà chi meglio
La spada usi o lo scettro, o meglio il pondo
O dell’arme sostegna o del diadema,
720 Gloria del sangue tuo somma e suprema.
XC
“But mongst the rest I chose Alphonsus bold,
In virtue first, second in place and name,
He shall be born when this frail world grows old,
Corrupted, poor, and bare of men of fame,
Better than he none shall, none can, or could,
The sword or sceptre use or guide the same,
To rule in peace or to command in fight,
Thine offspring’s glory and thy house’s light.
XC
‘But, ‘mid the rest, Alphonso I select,
In title second, but the first in worth;
Of men illustrious a complete defect
And rank corruption will precede his birth.
He will be such that paladin was ne’er
Fitter the sword to weld, or sceptre grace,
Or weight of arms or diadem to bear —
The highest, chiefest glory of thy race!
XCI.
Darà fanciullo, in varie immagin fere
Di guerra, indizio di valor sublime.
Fia terror delle selve e delle fere:
724 E negli arringhi avrà le lodi prime.
Poscia riporterà da pugne vere
Palme vittoriose, e spoglie opíme:
E sovente avverrà che ‘l crin si cigna
728 Or di lauro, or di quercia, or di gramigna.
XCI
“His younger age foretokens true shall yield
Of future valor, puissance, force and might,
From him no rock the savage beast shall shield;
At tilt or tourney match him shall no knight:
After, he conquer shall in pitched field
Great armies and win spoils in single fight,
And on his locks, rewards for knightly praise,
Shall garlands wear of grass, of oak, of bays.
XCI
‘Boy, he will indicate his chivalry
In various cruel images of war;
Dread of the woods and of wild beasts he’ll be,
And in the lists prove always conqueror.
Then back from real warfare he will bear
Victorious palms on his triumphal yoke,
And oft his country will adorn his hair
With wreaths of grass, of laurel, and of oak,
XCII.
Della matura età pregj men degni
Non fiano stabilir pace e quiete:
Mantener sue Città, fra l’arme e i regni
732 Di possenti vicin, tranquille e chete:
Nutrire e fecondar l’arti e gl’ingegni,
Celebrar giochi illustri, e pompe liete:
Librar con giusta lance e pene e premj,
736 Mirar da lunge, e preveder gli estremi.
XCII
“His graver age, as well that eild it fits,
Shall happy peace preserve and quiet blest,
And from his neighbors strong mongst whom he sits
Shall keep his cities safe in wealth and rest,
Shall nourish arts and cherish pregnant wits,
&nb
sp; Make triumphs great, and feast his subjects best,
Reward the good, the evil with pains torment,
Shall dangers all foresee, and seen, prevent.
XCII
‘In age mature no less will be his praise
To ‘stablish peace and order, and maintain
His cities calm and tranquil ‘mid the frays
Of powerful neighbours that around him reign;
To foster genius, to encourage art,
Dole with just hand reward and punishment;
To noble games magnificence impart,
And by keen foresight coming ills prevent.
XCIII.
Oh s’avvenisse mai che contra gli empj,
Che tutte infesteran le terre e i mari,
E della pace, in quei miseri tempi,
740 Daran le leggi ai popoli più chiari,
Duce sen gisse a vendicare i tempj
Da lor distrutti, e i violati altari;
Qual’ei giusta faria grave vendetta
744 Sul gran Tiranno, e sull’iniqua setta!
XCIII
“But if it hap against those wicked bands
That sea and earth invest with blood and war,
And in these wretched times to noble lands
Give laws of peace false and unjust that are,
That he be sent, to drive their guilty hands
From Christ’s pure altars and high temples far,
Oh, what revenge, what vengeance shall he bring
On that false sect, and their accursed king!
XCIII
‘And, oh! if e’er against that impious race,
That will infest each land and every sea,
And in those wretched times give laws of peace
To other nations more enlightened, he
March forth, bold champion, full revenge to seek
For shrine destroyed and violated fane,
What heavy retribution would he wreak
On the great tyrant and his sect profane!
XCIV.
Indarno a lui con mille schiere armate
Quinci il Turco opporriasi, e quindi il Mauro;
Ch’egli portar potrebbe oltre l’Eufrate,
748 Ed oltre i gioghi del nevoso Tauro,
Ed oltre i regni ov’è perpetua state,
La Croce, e ‘l bianco augello, e i giglj d’auro:
E, per battesmo delle nere fronti,
752 Del gran Nilo scoprir le ignote fonti.
XCIV
“Too late the Moors, too late the Turkish king,
Gainst him should arm their troops and legions bold
For he beyond great Euphrates should bring,
Beyond the frozen tops of Taurus cold,
Beyond the land where is perpetual spring,
The cross, the eagle white, the lily of gold,
And by baptizing of the Ethiops brown
Of aged Nile reveal the springs unknown.”
XCIV
‘ To oppose his power the Moor and Turk might dare,
With myriad armèd legions, but in vain,
Since far beyond the Euphrates he would bear,
Beyond the heights of Taurus’ snowy chain,
Beyond the regions of the torrid zone,
The Cross, white eagle, and gold fleur-de-lys;
And, to baptize the swarthy fronts, the unknown
Mysterious sources of the Nile would see.’
XCV.
Così parlava il Veglio; e le parole
Lietamente accoglieva il giovinetto,
Che del pensier della futura prole
756 Un tacito piacer sentía nel petto.
L’Alba intanto sorgea, nunzia del Sole,
E ‘l Ciel cangiava in Oriente aspetto:
E sulle tende già potean vedere
760 Da lunge il tremolar delle bandiere.
XCV
Thus said the hermit, and his prophecy
The prince accepted with content and pleasure,
The secret thought of his posterity
Of his concealed joys heaped up the measure.
Meanwhile the morning bright was mounted high,
And changed Heaven’s silver wealth to golden treasure,
And high above the Christian tents they view
How the broad ensigns trembled, waved and blew,
XCV
Thus the old sage the youthful knight addressed,
Who treasured up his words with heartfelt glee,
Feeling a secret transport in his breast
At the bare thought of such posterity.
Meanwhile Aurora, Phoebus’ herald, rose,
And did the sky with Orient sheen adorn;
And now the tents, though distant still, disclose
Their streamers, fluttering in the breath of morn.
XCVI.
Ricominciò di novo allora il Saggio:
Vedete il Sol che vi riluce in fronte,
E vi discopre, con l’amico raggio,
764 Le tende e ‘l piano e la Cittade e ‘l monte.
Sicuri d’ogni intoppo e d’ogni oltraggio
Io scorti v’ho fin quì per vie non conte.
Potete senza guida ir per voi stessi
768 Omai; nè lece a me che più m’appressi.
XCVI
When thus again their leader sage begun,
“See how bright Phoebus clears the darksome skies,
See how with gentle beams the friendly sun
The tents, the towns, the hills and dales descries,
Through my well guiding is your voyage done,
From danger safe in travel off which lies,
Hence without fear of harm or doubt of foe
March to the camp, I may no nearer go.”
XCVI
The sage, ere leaving them, began anew:
‘You see the sun, which brightly shines in front,
And with its friendly beams unfolds to you
The tents, the plain, the city, and the mount
Secure from all impediment and harm,
By unknown tracks I have brought you safely here:
Now ye can guide yourselves, nor need my arm;
Approach is not permitted me more near.’
XCVII.
Così tolse congedo, e fè ritorno,
Lasciando i cavalieri ivi pedoni.
Ed essi pur contra il nascente giorno
772 Seguir la strada, e giro ai padiglioni.
Portò la Fama, e divulgò d’intorno
L’aspettato venir de’ tre baroni:
E innanzi ad essi al pio Goffredo corse,
776 Che per raccorgli dal suo seggio sorse.
XCVII
Thus took he leave, and made a quick return,
And forward went the champions three on foot,
And marching right against the rising morn
A ready passage to the camp found out,
Meanwhile had speedy fame the tidings borne
That to the tents approached these barons stout,
And starting from his throne and kingly seat
To entertain them, rose Godfredo great.
XCVII
Thus he took leave of them, and went away,
Leaving the cavaliers foot soldiers; whence
They, in direction of the rising day,
Pursued the path that led them to the tents.
Meanwhile fame bore, and in all quarters spread
The expected coming of the three, and on
Before them to the pious Godfred sped,
Who rose to do them honour from his throne.
Canto diciottesimo
EIGHTEENTH BOOK
ARGOMENTO.
Prima i suoi falli piange, e poi l’impresa
Del bosco tenta, e vince il buon Rinaldo.
Del campo Egizio s’è novella intesa,
Ch’omai s’appressa; però astuto e baldo
Va a spiarne Vafrino: aspra contesa
Fassi intorno a Sion; ma tanto è sal
do
L’ajuto che han dal Ciel l’armi Cristiane,
Ch’ai nostri in preda la Città rimane.
THE ARGUMENT.
Rinaldo chaseth from the forest old;
The host of Egypt comes; Vafrin the spy
Entereth their camp, stout, crafty, wise and bold;
Sharp is the fight about the bulwarks high
And ports of Zion, to assault the hold:
Godfrey hath aid from Heaven, by force the town
Is won, the Pagans slain, walls beaten down.
I.
Giunto Rinaldo ove Goffredo è sorto
Ad incontrarlo, incominciò: Signore,
A vendicarmi del guerrier ch’è morto,
4 Cura mi spinse di geloso onore:
E s’io n’offesi te, ben disconforto
Ne sentii poscia, e penitenza al core.
Or vegno a’ tuoi richiami: ed ogni emenda
8 Son pronto a far, che grato a te mi renda.
I
Arrived where Godfrey to embrace him stood,
“My sovereign lord,” Rinaldo meekly said,
“To venge my wrongs against Gernando proud
My honor’s care provoked my wrath unstayed;
But that I you displeased, my chieftain good,
My thoughts yet grieve, my heart is still dismayed,
And here I come, prest all exploits to try
To make me gracious in your gracious eye.”
I
ARRIVING where the pious chief had gone
To greet his coming,’ Sire,’ Rinaldo said,
‘’Twas jealous care of honour led me on,
To wreak such retribution on the dead;
If I have offended thee, that fact offends
Me to the quick with penitence and pain;
Whence at thy call I come, to make amends,
Far as I can thy favour to regain.’
II.
A lui, ch’umil gli s’inchinò, le braccia
Stese al collo Goffredo, e gli rispose:
Ogni trista memoria omai si taccia,
12 E pongansi in oblio le andate cose.
E per emenda io vorrò sol che faccia,
Quai per uso faresti, opre famose:
Chè in danno de’ nemici, e ‘n pro de’ nostri
16 Vincer convienti della selva i mostri.
II
To him that kneeled, folding his friendly arms
About his neck, the duke this answer gave:
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