Doom'd long his fate uncertain to attend,
Coop'd in the duress of unfriendly tow'rs.

LXXI.

Far had he stray'd adown the winding track,
Resolv'd some outlet from its maze to find,
Then mounts the hill, but hasty turning back,
He saw surpris'd an arm'd band behind.

LXXII.

These by the bloody Borgio's captains led,
Rush'd bold and sudden from the op'ning glade;
And now so well their evil bus'ness sped,

The youths must perish, or be captive made.

LXXIII.

And they had perish'd, while with desp'rate force
They strove to penetrate the thick-rank'd foe,
But that they sunk beneath the trampling horse,
And thus were taken ev'n without a blow.

LXXIV.

These to the Brescian camp the chiefs convey'd,
Resolv'd to keep them as a pledge secure,

Where they in heavy chains were laid,
And must long pain and tedious hours endure.

LXXV.

But turn we now where Aribert awaits

Th' uncertain issue of disastrous war,
And in Verona's tow'rs th' assembled states

Debating sage with senetorial care.

280

293

302

LXXVI.

For on that dreadful night the news was spread,
That not the train of Gondibert drew near,
But Hubert's troops, by desp'rate Morcar ied,
Which fill'd each bosom with a panic fear.

LXVVII.

For thro' all Lombardy was Morcar known
Of fiercest guise, disdaining still to yield,
And oft' his dreadful prowess had he shown,
In death and ruin on the foughten field.

LXXVIII.

But still more oft' the town's beleagur'd wall
Had seen him victor in remotest lands;
Nought joy'd him more than some rich city's fall,
With whose sack'd wealth to pay his savage bands.

LXXIX.

310

Nor age nor sex their boiling rage would spare,
But still their steps were mark'd with seas of blood;
Hence ev'ry foe must conquer or despair,
Where desp'rate Morcar's haughty ensign's stood.

LXXX.

Now well dissembling with a chosen few.
Who wav'd their purple ensigns to the sky,
He to Verona's lofty turrets drew,

Advancing Gondibert's rich standard high.

LXXXI.

For this he deem'd would soon admittance gain,
At such a time, when festal mirth went round;

320

Thus stratagem for once might force supply,

And Hubert's hopes with wish'd success be crown'd.

LXXXII.

The chief once enter'd 'midst the busy throng,
Soon might the rest effect their bold design;
Then should grim war succeed to mirthful song,
And Mars' dread feats takes place of rites divine.

LXXXIII.

But while he thus insidious wiles prepares,
A straggling soldier, roving o'er the plain,
Is caught unheeding in their hidden snares,
By such a force as makes resistance vain.

LXXXIV.

Yet the wise captive meeting art with art,
Pretends great love to Princely Hubert's side,
And offers many a secret to impart,

Which may against his foes' strong arms provide:

LXXXV.

For this too carelessly the guards attend,

On one devoted to their master's cause,

330

And while they slightly watch this new-made friend,
Hle tow'rds the city suddenly withdraws.

LXXXVI.

Tho' not so safe he took his speedy flight

But that the foe his sly desertion found,

340

Whose troops pursu'd him thro' the shades of night,
And mark'd him o'er with many a ghastly wound.

1

LXXXVII.

But yet the fugitive the city gains,

Tells all the snares the wily foe had laid,
Then spent with toil and agonizing pains,
He sinks at once, and mingles with the dead.

LXXXVIII.

Now the scar'd priests the rites prepar'd surcease:
To the loud trumpets' sound the timbrels yield:
The youths straight lay aside their weeds of peace,
And arm them quickly for the martial field.

LXXXIX.

350

While the grave old, and those whose rev'rend place,
Ranks them in council with Verona's peers,
In their long robes repair with slower pace,
To where its head the lofty palace rears;

XC.

There awful met beneath their monarch's eye,
With prudent care they scan the sum of things;
In state sublime, sage Aribert on high,

Weighs all advice that from their counsels springs. 360

XCI.

Thus in Verona pass the gloomy hours,

While tempests roar, and thunders rend the sky, While dreaded earthquakes shake the nodding tow'rs, And all the bulwarks tremble from on high.

XCII.

At length, while in debate the senate sate,
A shout so loud came echoing from a far,

Volume 11.

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That seem'd as if Verona's final fate

Hung on the peal that rent the wounded air.

XCII.

A peal so loud, that the rude tempest's noise
Was lost and drown'd in its louder sound,
And such the swell of the sonorous voice,
As congregated waters' murm'ring sound.

XCIV.

Straight rise the peers, confusion fills the hall,
A thousand tongues at once rude clamour raise,
A thousand fears do ev'ry heart appal,

While each to learn the dreadful news essays.

XCV.

Of these strange tidings, and the stranger deeds
Of many a chief, Verona's boast and pride,

And still what further change to all succeeds,

3

And what grave words or bloody swords decide: 380

XCVI.

These in another Canto shall be shown,

But here our steeds awhile we mean to rein,

Like those of Sol, who leave his ev'ning throne,
And sleep with Thetis in the western main.

384