And fill fair Rhodalind with pallid fear, XLVII. When des' prate Phineus, rushing on his fate, XLVIII. By him the fair, deserted at her need, From a dread monster valiant Perseus won; He claim'd the bride who durst not claim the deed, So vain is joy, a quickly-fading flow'r, A cloud still passing with each wind away, L. 120 Far, far from Gondibert the phantom hy'd, To whom too soon the fatal message came. LI. But now the city: and her train we leave, To seek the Duke and make his fortunes known; Shall be in the succeeding Cantos shown. 200 BOOK III. CANTO VIII. The Argument. Rhodolpho's character; his high desert, I. In awful solitude of woodland shade The Duke the issue of his charge attends, II. At length his lov'd Count Hurgonil he spy'd, With young Rhodolpho journeying by his side, A youth he was of high and noble race, Portly and tall, of inborn worth possest ;! But temp'ring dignity with such a grace, As might have warm'd the tend rest female breast. IV. And on his brow such awe majestic sate, As seem'd to speak him born for high command; 10 V. The fair Italian fields and regions bright VI. Return'd with conquest from the foe subdu'd, VII. But that he heard Duke Gondibert had won The peerless princess, bright in blooming charms; VIII. And common Fame reported, for her love IX. But Gondibert full soon his fears dispels, X. And then by solemn pacts the warriors bind 20 30 Till the young chief possess his Rhodalind, XI. Meanwhile the Duke for other aid delays And try the int'rest of his ancient friends. XII. For as he knew the grief and inly rage Which would his prince and Rhodalind inflame, XIII. And now the prey of anxious thoughts he lies, XIV. He tells how Hubert thither bends his course, Drawn from the squadrons on the Brescian plain. XV. 40 50 Ev'n while he spoke, loud bursting shouts from far, Mix'd with the shrill-ton'd trumpets' dreadful sound, Pronounc'd the presage of approaching war, Which mov'd on diffrent sides to hem them round. 50 XVI. And first to flight the faithful Orgo mov'd His honour'd lord; but he the thought disdain'd, And other counsel taught, whilst other hope remain'd. XVII. "Not far from hence, (said he) a chosen few XVIII. "To them let swift-pae'd Orgo instant go, "Where by yon' grove encamp'd the warriors lie, 70 "Ere yet th' approaches of the circling foe "Cut off that hope, and all access deny." XIX. This counsel pleas'd; and swift as fly the darts, When with full strength is strain'd the crooked yew, Hastes the brave youth, whose love such speed imparts, As from the bending grass scarce strikes the pearly dew. XX. Meanwhile the heroes scan, with cautious eye, Whose crescent form grew verging to a round. XXI. "Ah! now, (cry'd Hurgonil) we want the might "Of Tybalt, dreaded chief, and many n ore, I olume 11. N 80 |