XIX.

He once aspir'd to Rhodalinda's charms,
But, early slighted, left the cruel fair,

And sought in fighting fields, by glorious arms,
To woo a kinder mistress in the war.

XX.

He came with Hurgonil;---the rest in vain
Were summon'd; save the loyal youthful page,
Who sped directly from the Brescian plain,
With news of ill import and hostile rage.

XXI

But leave we Gondibert consulting these,
And what befel the youthful chiefs declare;
What foes did Ulfinore and Goltho seize,
Caught in the wiles of a deceitful fair.

Goltho, who late had to the palace come,

Revolving Dalga's beauties in his mind,
Perceiv'd his heart had stray'd too far from home,
To follow which his body soon inclin❜d.

And when he heard the prince's will declar'd
To quit the court, full glad the news to know,
He vows no motive shall his course retard,
On a more luckless errand bent to go.

Black Delga's house he sought, nor sought in vain, Nor could he long her wish'd appearance wait;

80

90

So ready did the fair deceiver deign

To give him welcome at her open gate...

And much enquir'd she of his health and weal,
And much rejoic'd for his unhop'd return;
Feigning such joys as youthful lovers feel,

And flames which in most constant bosoms burn. 100

Nor wanted fit excuse for the same flaw
Which Ulfinore had in her story found; ›
But blames the rigid sentence of the law,

Which (as she pleads) her tongue from truth had bound.

XXVII.

"I own," said she, (and tears her words succeed) "That not my mother, but a wealthy youth

"Found entrance here, whose acts my anguish breed, "And for whose sake you must suspect my truth.

XXVIII. +

"The wretch once sought me for his wedded wife,
"My brother still his forward suit withstood;
"But since in fighting fields he lost his life,
"This hated suitor hath his siege renew'd,

XXIX.

110

"Sprung from one stock, he bears our ancient name, "And since by vile devices hath he wrought "To our paternal fiefs to lay his claim, "And by his bribes a cruel sentence bought.

"All that my mother or myself did hold, "The Cruel law hath to this fiend convey'd, "And thence his desp'rate suit hath render'd bold, 65 Against a widow and an artless maid.

XXXI.

"So if his visits I refuse, he swears

"To chase us from our ancient lov'd abode, "To give us up to poverty and fears,

"And seize on all that Fortune hath bestow'd.
XXXII.

"No other way, alas! for me remains,“
"But him to wed whom from my soul I hate,
"Or quit at once my rich and fair domains,
"And rove, abandon'd to my evil fate."

XXXIII.

Geltho is touch'd;---he swears to plead her cause

With royal Aribert, whose just award

Might stand between her and the rigid laws,
And prove her injur'd virtue's surest guard.

'XXXIV.

And now they hasten from the crowded town

To rural seats, with Nature's bounty fair
Bedeck'd, where Dalga swears his wish to crown,
And leads him heedless to a fatal snare.

But that the good and virtuous Ulfinore,

(Friend of his heart, tho' rival of his love)

120

130

Disguis'd attends him at the fatal door,

Their parting sees, and follows where they move. 140

But turn we where the royal bride awaits,

And long expectant, courts the slow-pac'd hours,
While Aribert, unknowing of the Fates,
Bids constant watch attend Verona's tow'rs:

XXXVII.

And these, at length, the Duke's approach declare,
Seen from a far as moving to the gates

With purple streamers waving in the air,
And all the pomp that noble bridegrooms waits.

XXXVIII.

Straight to the temple haste the busy throng;
Some Hymen call and some the god of Love,
While the grave priests in far more sacred song
Address the mighty Pow'r that reigns above.

XXXIX.

Now sunk the sun;---with solemn pace and slow
Dim Night advanc'd; but on her deepest shade.
Eclips'd the fires which thro' the city glow,
And second day by gleaming torches måde.

XL.

150

These thro' the gloom fling forth a lengthen'd blaze, And on the distant walls and turrets bright

Shines like the new-ris'n moon, with trembling rays, Piercing the sable veil of dusky Night.

160

XLI.

The trumpets speak: the minstrelsy reply;
And mingl'd crowds the clam'rous joy resound;
The notes ascending to the heav'ns high,
Thro' vaulted ether spread the pealing sound.

XLII.

And still on Gondibert the people call;
His name the burden of their grateful song,
To him whose valour wrought proud Oswald's fall,
A warlike band the echoing strains prolong.

XLII.

While he, far distant, in unhappy plight,
By friends deserted, and by foes oppress'd,
Counts the long hours of that disastrous night,
Which now appear'd in fearful horrors dress'd..

XLIV.

170

Ev'n where joy revell'd high without control, ag'd the loud tempest, which their clamours drown'd, The livid lightnings flash from either pole,

And roaring thunders rend the blue profound.

XLV.

Amid this storm which prodigies enhanc'd,
Seen by the dreadful meteors' bloody glare,
A wounded soldier to the walls advanc'd,
Whose looks the import of his speech declare.

XLVI.

Of dreadful deeds he told, and dangers near,
No less than threat the ancient city's harm,