But while with whirlwind's speed he swept the plain,

A strong detachment from the Pagan train
By chance perceiv'd him. Eagerly they gaze,
Surround his ev'ry path, and bar the ways.

The noble courser scorns the num❜rous force,
That ineffectually impedes his course;

By his strong chest whole ranks are overborne,

And slaughter'd heaps his dashing hoofs o'erturn;

His force tremendous nothing could oppose,

And far behind he left his mangled foes.

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40

Well in the camp the gen'rous steed was known,

For mildly had the just Rinaldo sway'd,

And, with affection fraught, they glad obey'd.

But Richardetto's grief surpass'd the rest;

No cheering hope arose to sooth his breast;

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For sullied o'er with carnage stood the steed,
Reeking with heat, and hanging down his head.

Severe the wretchedness the heart must know,

When private pangs are join'd to genʼral woe.— Such was his lot-condemn'd at once to feel 55

A brother's loss, and ruin'd public weal.————

Amid the agitations of despair,

He call'd to mind the charge he had in care,

And quick assembled all the sorrowing host,

(A remnant only, such the numbers lost

In this ill-fated war) recounting o'er
The orders of their leader, now no more.
Quick thro' the camp the information ran,
And all adopt the preconcerted plan ;—

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Struck was each tent-and at the close of day,

To Gallia back they bent their hasty way.

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No knight is found, of all he late could boast,

In this dread exigence to take the lead,
And bravely 'gainst the Sericans make head.

Unthought-of ills the rising day disclose,

To fill the measure of his heavy woes.—

Forsaken by the Christian pow'rs, no more

His troops could try the field-and hope was o'er.

Thus hardly press'd, he sought Gradasso's tent,

And, lowly humbled, to the Pagan bent t;

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His troops to aid the Sericanean king.

Well pleas'd, Gradasso yielded-and with haste
Marsilius' forces to th' encampment past,

Where wide unfurl'd, and gorgeous to the eye,

The Pagan standard proudly wav'd on high.-
The foes, who opposition late respir'd,

Were now with sentiments congenial fir'd;

The tedious siege of Barcelona ceas'd;

And, with the captiv'd Saracens, releas'd,

Ferrau and Serpentino favour gain'd,

And e'en Grandonio new-sprung grace obtain❜d.

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Th' united levies, ardent, now prepare

To further fields the conqu'ror's arms to bear:
And thus, while Richardetto's army cross'd
The Pyrenean pass, the dreadful host
Determin❜d to pursue. Great Charles receiv'd
The trust surrender'd, and his tale believ'd:

Conjectures various fill'd the gen'ral mind;

Some censur'd, while to candour some inclin'd.

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But soon these thoughts were lost in homefelt woes,

For rumour's voice the threaten'd siege disclose,

And Charles took due precautions to defeat
The foes' intent, and guard his regal seat.

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On ev'ry side, from ev'ry distant source,
With speed he calls together all his force,
To stand the bold attack-for valour ne'er,

Though overmatch'd, will yield to weak despair.

As when the fires, in earth's close bosom pent,

Contend with violence to obtain a vent;

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