Stood’st guard o’er me, compassionate sentinel,
Nor fail’dst all kindly courtesies to show:
The same — the same I am — regard me well.’
The squire, who on her face had fixed his eyes,
Not tardy was to recognise the fair.
‘Safe is thy life,’ she added; ‘by you skies,
By God’s own image in you sun, I swear.
LXXXIII.
Anzi pregar ti vuò che, quando torni,
Mi riconduca alla prigion mia cara.
Torbide notti e tenebrosi giorni,
660 Misera, vivo in libertate amara.
E se quì per ispia forse soggiorni,
Ti si fa incontro alta fortuna e rara.
Saprai da me congiure, e ciò ch’altrove
664 Malagevol sarà che tu ritrove.
LXXXIII
“But yet I pray thee, when thou dost return,
To my dear prison lead me home again;
For in this hateful freedom even and morn
I sigh for sorrow, mourn and weep for pain:
But if to spy perchance thou here sojourn,
Great hap thou hast to know these secrets plain,
For I their treasons false, false trains can say,
Which few beside can tell, none will betray.”
LXXXIII
‘Nay, thee I beg, when thou returnest, me
To reconduct to my dear bonds. Alas!
Here in unwelcome bitter liberty
Most gloomy days and troubled nights I pass;
And if, perchance, thou comest here as spy,
Thy stars have led thee to a chance most rare;
Unfold I can the foul conspiracy,
With all that had been hard to learn elsewhere.’
LXXXIV.
Così gli parla; e intanto ei mira e tace;
Pensa all’esempio della falsa Armida.
Femina è cosa garrula e fallace:
668 Vuole, e disvuole: è folle uom che sen fida.
Sì tra se volge: or se venir ti piace,
Alfin le disse, io ne sarò tua guida.
Sia fermato tra noi questo e conchiuso
672 Serbisi il parlar d’altro a miglior uso.
LXXXIV
On her he gazed, and silent stood this while,
Armida’s sleights he knew, and trains unjust,
Women have tongues of craft, and hearts of guile,
They will, they will not, fools that on them trust,
For in their speech is death, hell in their smile;
At last he said, “If hence depart you lust,
I will you guide; on this conclude we here,
And further speech till fitter time forbear.”
LXXXIV
Her, as she spoke, all silently he eyed,
Nor false Armida’s treachery forgot;
What fools are men in women to confide —
False blabbing things — they will, and they will not.
Such his reflections were. At length he said:
‘If such thy pleasure be, thy steps I’ll guide;
Let this between us be establishèd,
And further talk to better use applied.’
LXXXV.
Gli ordini danno di salire in sella
Anzi il mover del campo allora allora.
Parte Vafrin del padiglione, ed ella
676 Si torna all’altre, e alquanto ivi dimora.
Di scherzar fa sembiante, e pur favella
Del campion novo, e se ne vien poi fuora:
Viene al loco prescritto, e s’accompagna:680Ed escon poi del campo alla campagna.
LXXXV
Forthwith, ere thence the camp remove, to ride
They were resolved, their flight that season fits,
Vafrine departs, she to the dames beside
Returns, and there on thorns awhile she sits,
Of her new knight she talks, till time and tide
To scape unmarked she find, then forth she gets,
Thither where Vafrine her unseen abode,
There took she horse, and from the camp they rode.
LXXXV
They orders give to be in saddle ere
The encampment for its morning march parade.
Vafrino left the tent, returned the fair
Back to her friends, where she a while delayed,
And feigned, while speaking of her new-found knight,
To jest and banter; then went forth again:
Went to the trysting place to join his flight,
And from the camp both sallied to the plain.
LXXXVI.
Già eran giunti in parte assai romíta:
E già sparian le Saracine tende;
Quando ei le disse: or dì come alla vita
684 Del pio Goffredo altri l’insidie tende.
Allor colei della congiura ordita
L’iniqua tela a lui dispiega e stende.
Son (gli divisa) otto guerrier di Corte,
688 Tra’ quali il più famoso è Ormondo il forte.
LXXXVI
And now in deserts waste and wild arrived,
Far from the camp, far from resort and sight,
Vafrine began, “Gainst Godfrey’s life contrived
The false compacts and trains unfold aright:”
Then she those treasons, from their spring derived,
Repeats, and brings their hid deceits to light,
“Eight knights,” she says, “all courtiers brave, there are,
But Ormond strong the rest surpasseth far:
LXXXVI
At a sequestered spot they had arrived,
And lost sight of the encampment, when he said:
‘Tell me how those barbarians have contrived
For Godfred’s life their subtile snares to spread’’
At his demand Erminia, bit by bit,
The web and woof of the foul plot unwound:
‘Eight princely warriors are engaged in it,
Of whom Ormond the strong is most renowned.
LXXXVII.
Questi (che che lor mova, odio o disdegno)
Han conspirato, e l’arte lor fia tale:
Quel dì che in lite verrà d’Asia il regno,
692 Tra’ duo’ gran campi in gran pugna campale;
Avran su l’arme della Croce il segno,
E l’arme avranno alla Francesca: e quale
La guardia di Goffredo ha bianco e d’oro
696 Il suo vestir, sarà l’abito loro.
LXXXVII
“These, whether hate or hope of gain them move,
Conspired have, and framed their treason so,
That day when Emiren by fight shall prove
To win lost Asia from his Christian foe,
These, with the cross scored on their arms above,
And armed like Frenchmen will disguised go,
Like Godfrey’s guard that gold and white do wear,
Such shall their habit be, and such their gear:
LXXXVII
‘These have conspired (or moved by wrath or hate),
And these the means they intend to use: the day
On which the two great armies vindicate
Their claim to Asia in pitched battle, they
Upon their arms the red cross sign will wear,
And, armed like Franks, commingle in the fight;
And as Prince Godfred’s guards accoutred are,
So will their vestments be of gold and white.
LXXXVIII.
Ma ciascun terrà cosa in su l’elmetto,
Che noto a’ suoi per uom Pagano il faccia.
Quando fia poi rimescolato e stretto
700 L’un campo e l’altro, elli porransi in traccia,
E insidieranno al valoroso petto,
Mostrando di custodi amica faccia.
E ‘l ferro armato di veleno avranno,
704 Perchè mortal sia d’ogni piaga il danno.
LXXXVIII
“Yet each will bear a token in his crest,
That so their friends for Pagans may them know:
But in close fight when all the soldiers best
Shall mingled be, to give the fatal blow
They will keep near, and pierce Godfredo’s breast,
While of his faithful guard they bear false show,
And all their swords are dipped in poison strong,
Because each wound shall bring sad death ere long.
LXXXVIII
‘But on his helmet each will wear a token,
That by his friends he may as friend be known.
And when the two great armies’ ranks are broken,
And all things are in dire confusion thrown,
They’ll seek him out, and trap the valorous heart,
‘Neath his guards’ friendly colours and device;
Poisoned their swords are with infernal art,
So that one scratch will for his death suffice.
LXXXIX.
E perchè fra’ Pagani anco risassi
Ch’io so vostri usi, ed arme, e sopravveste;
Fer che le false insegne io divisassi,708E fui costretta ad opere moleste.
Queste son le cagion che ‘l campo io lassi:
Fuggo l’imperiose altrui richieste.
Schivo ed abborro in qual si voglia modo
712 Contaminarmi in atto alcun di frodo.
LXXXIX
“And for their chieftain wist I knew your guise,
What garments, ensigns, and what arms you carry,
Those feigned arms he forced me to devise,
So that from yours but small or naught they vary;
But these unjust commands my thoughts despise,
Within their camp therefore I list not tarry,
My heart abhors I should this hand defile
With spot of treason, or with act of guile.
LXXXIX
‘And as the Pagans failed not to surmise
That I your surcoats and equipments knew,
The false devices they made me devise;
I was compelled the hateful work to do.
This is the reason why their harsh request
I fly, and leave the camp to roam abroad;
No matter what the mode be, I detest
To taint myself by any act of fraud.
XC.
Queste son le cagion, ma non già sole;
E quì si tacque, e di rossor si tinse,
E chinò gli occhj, e l’ultime parole
716 Ritener volle, e non ben le distinse.
Lo scudier, che da lei ritrar pur vuole
Ciò ch’ella vergognando in se ristrinse,
Di poca fede, disse, or perchè cele
720 Le più vere cagioni al tuo fedele?
XC
“This is the cause, but not the cause alone:”
And there she ceased, and blushed, and on the main
Cast down her eyes, these last words scant outgone,
She would have stopped, nor durst pronounce them plain.
The squire what she concealed would know, as one
That from her breast her secret thoughts could strain,
“Of little faith,” quoth he, “why would’st thou hide
Those causes true, from me thy squire and guide?”
XC
‘These are my reasons — but not these alone.’
Here she stopped short, and, hanging down her head,
Scarlet became, as if ashamed to own
Her closing words, half wishing them unsaid.
The squire, who felt desirous to extract
What she from shame seemed ill-disposed to grant,
Exclaimed: ‘Of little faith, why hide the exact
And real causes from thy confidant?’
XCI.
Ella dal petto un gran sospiro apriva,
E parlava con suon tremante e roco:
Mal guardata vergogna intempestiva,
724 Vattene omai; non hai tu quì più loco.
A chè pur tenti, o in van ritrosa e schiva,
Celar col foco tuo d’amore il foco?
Debiti fur questi rispetti innante;728Non or, che fatta son donzella errante.
XCI
With that she fetched a sigh, sad, sore and deep,
And from her lips her words slow trembling came,
“Fruitless,” she said, “untimely, hard to keep,
Vain modesty farewell, and farewell shame,
Why hope you restless love to bring on sleep?
Why strive you fires to quench, sweet Cupid’s flame?
No, no, such cares, and such respects beseem
Great ladies, wandering maids them naught esteem.
XCI
A deep-drawn sigh from her wrung bosom came,
And these hoarse feverish accents reached his ear:
‘Ill-timed reserve! ill-kept, ill-guarded shame!
Henceforth begone — you are unsuited here.
Why struggle more? or, vainly bashful, try
To hide Love’s fire beneath your specious flame?
Due such regards as these were formerly,
Not now that I an errant damsel am.’
XCII.
Soggiunse poi: la notte a me fatale,
Ed alla patria mia che giacque oppressa,
Perdei più che non parve: e ‘l mio gran male
732 Non ebbi in lei; ma derivò da essa.
Lieve perdita è il regno; io col regale
Mio alto stato anco perdei me stessa;
Per mai non ricovrarla, allor perdei
736 La mente folle, e ‘l core, e i sensi miei.
XCII
“That night fatal to me and Antioch town,
Then made a prey to her commanding foe,
My loss was greater than was seen or known,
There ended not, but thence began my woe:
Light was the loss of friends, of realm or crown;
But with my state I lost myself also,
Ne’er to be found again, for then I lost
My wit, my sense, my heart, my soul almost.
XCII
Then said:’ That night, so fatal unto me,
And to my realm, which forced was to submit,
More than appeared I lost; my misery
Was not in, no, but was derived from it.
Light is the loss of empire, but, alas!
Myself I lost, together with my throne,
Past all recovery: for I conscious was
That mind, heart, sense, insensate, all had gone.
XCIII.
Vafrin, tu sai, che timidetta accorsi,
Tanta strage vedendo e tante prede,
Al tuo signore e mio, che prima i’ scorsi
740 Armato por nella mia reggia il piede:
E chinandomi a lui tai voci porsi:
Invitto vincitor, pietà, mercede:
Non prego io te per la mia vita: il fiore
744 Salvami sol del verginale onore.
XCIII
“Through fire and sword, through blood and death, Vafrine,
Which all my friends did burn, did kill, did chase,
Thou know’st I ran to thy dear lord and mine,
When first he entered had my father’s place,
And kneeling with salt ears in my swollen eyne;
‘Great prince,’ quoth I, ‘grant mercy, pity, grace,
Save not my kingdom, not my life I said,
But save mine honor, let me die a maid.’
XCIII
‘Thou know’st, Vafrino, then, how, all alarmed,
I, seeing around such desolation spread,
Ran to thy lord and mine, whom, fully armed,
I for the first time saw my palace tread;
And how, low bending, I poured forth this prayer:
“Unconquered victor, mercy, pity show,
Not for my life I pray thee, but ah! spare
The maiden honour of thy suppliant foe.”
XCIV
.
Egli, la sua porgendo alla mia mano,
Non aspettò che ‘l mio pregar finisse:
Vergine bella, non ricorri in vano;748Io ne sarò tuo difensor, mi disse.
Allora un non so chè soave e piano
Sentii ch’al cor mi scese, e vi s’affisse:
Che serpendomi poi per l’alma vaga,
752 Non so come, divenne incendio e piaga.
XCIV
“He lift me by the trembling hand from ground,
Nor stayed he till my humble speech was done;
But said, ‘A friend and keeper hast thou found,
Fair virgin, nor to me in vain you run:’
A sweetness strange from that sweet voice’s sound
Pierced my heart, my breast’s weak fortress won,
Which creeping through my bosom soft became
A wound, a sickness, and a quenchless flame.
XCIV
‘And how he gave his loyal hand to me,
Nor waited for me to complete my prayer,
Exclaiming: “I will thy defender be,
Nor vain is thy appeal, O maiden fair.”
’Twas then a vague but sweet emotion stole
Down to my heart, and piercing it became,
As it crept onward to my stricken soul,
A mortal wound, a fierce consuming flame.
XCV.
Visitommi egli spesso, e in dolce suono,
Consolando il mio duol, meco si dolse;
Dicea: l’intera libertà ti dono,
756 E delle spoglie mie spoglia non volse.
Oimè, che fu rapina e parve dono:
Chè rendendomi a me da me mi tolse.
Quel mi rendè ch’è via men caro e degno;760Ma s’usurpò del core, a forza, il regno.
XCV
“He visits me, with speeches kind and grave
He sought to ease my grief, and sorrows’ smart.
He said, ‘I give thee liberty, receive
All that is thine, and at thy will depart:’
Alas, he robbed me when he thought he gave,
Free was Erminia, but captived her heart,
Mine was the body, his the soul and mind,
He gave the cage but kept the bird behind.
XCV
‘He visited me oft, and in sweet strain,
My dole condoling, sympathised with me;
Nor of my spoils would any part retain,
But said: “Full freedom I give back to thee.”
A gift that seemed which was, alas! a theft,
Since from myself he stole me; and the part
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