Yetthatitwas，orthatitcouldbeshe，Hehadsmallcauseorreasontosuppose，OccasiongreatandweightymustitbeShouldmakeherridebynightamongherfoes：
　　WhatGodfreywilledthatobservedhe，Andwithhissoldierslayinambushclose：
　　ThesenewsthroughalltheChristianarmywent，Ineverycabintalked，ineverytent。
　　CXIV
　　Tancred，whosethoughtsthesquirehadfilledwithdoubtByhissweetwords，supposednowhearingthis，Alas！thevirgincametoseekmeout，Andformysakeherlifeindangeris；
　　Himselfforthwithhesingledfromtherout，Androdeinhaste，thoughhalfhisarmshemiss；
　　Amongthosesandyfieldsandvalleysgreen，Toseekhislove，hegallopedfastunseen。
　　SEVENTHBOOK
　　THEARGUMENT。
　　AshepherdfairErminiaentertains，WhomwhilstTancrediseeksinvaintofind，HeisentrappedinArmida’strains：
　　RaymondwithstrongArgantesisassignedTofight，anangeltohisaidhegains：
　　SatanthatseesthePagan’sfuryblind，Andhastywrathturntohislossandharm，Dothraisenewtempest，uproarandalarm。
　　I
　　Erminia’ssteedthiswhilehismistressboreThroughforeststhickamongtheshadytreen，Herfeeblehandthebridlereinsforlore，Halfinaswoonshewas，forfearIween；
　　Butherfleetcoursersparedne’erthemore，TobearherthroughthedesertwoodsunseenOfherstrongfoes，thatchasedherthroughtheplain，Andstillpursued，butstillpursuedinvain。
　　II
　　Likeasthewearyhoundsatlastretire，Windless，displeased，fromthefruitlesschase，Whentheslybeasttapishedinbushandbrier，Noartnorpainscanrouseoutofhisplace：
　　TheChristianknightssofullofshameandireReturnedback，withfaintandwearypace：
　　Yetstillthefearfuldamefledswiftaswind，Noreverstayed，noreverlookedbehind。
　　III
　　Throughthickandthin，allnight，allday，shedrived，Withoutencomfort，company，orguide，Herplaintsandtearswitheverythoughtrevived，Sheheardandsawhergriefs，butnaughtbeside：
　　ButwhenthesunhisburningchariotdivedInThetis’wave，andwearyteamuntied，OnJordan’ssandybankshercourseshestayedAtlast，theredownshelight，anddownshelaid。
　　IV
　　Hertears，herdrink；herfood，hersorrowings，Thiswasherdietthatunhappynight：
　　Butsleep，thatsweetreposeandquietbrings，Toeasethegriefsofdiscontentedwight，Spreadforthhistender，soft，andnimblewings，Inhisdullarmsfoldingthevirginbright；
　　AndLove，hismother，andtheGraceskeptStrongwatchandward，whilethisfairladyslept。
　　V
　　Thebirdsawokeherwiththeirmorningsong，Theirwarblingmusicpiercedhertenderear，ThemurmuringbrooksandwhistlingwindsamongTherattlingboughsandleaves，theirpartsdidbear；
　　HereyesunclosedbeheldthegrovesalongOfswainsandshepherdgroomsthatdwellingswere；
　　Andthatsweetnoise，birds，windsandwaterssent，Provokedagainthevirgintolament。
　　VI
　　Herplaintswereinterruptedwithasound，Thatseemedfromthickestbushestoproceed，Somejollyshepherdsungalustyround，Andtohisvoicehetunedhisoatenreed；
　　Thithershewent，anoldmanthereshefound，Atwhoserighthandhislittleflockdidfeed，Satmakingbaskets，histhreesonsamong，Thatlearnedtheirfather’sart，andlearnedhissong。
　　VIII
　　“But，father，sincethisland，thesetownsandtowersDestroyedarewithsword，withfireandspoil，HowmanyitbeunhurtthatyouandyoursInsafetythusapplyyourharmlesstoil？“
　　“Myson，“quothhe，“thispoorestateofoursIseversafefromstormofwarlikebroil；
　　Thiswildernessdothusinsafetykeep，Nothunderingdrum，notrumpetbreaksoursleep。
　　IX
　　“HaplyjustHeaven’sdefenceandshieldofrightDothlovetheinnocenceofsimpleswains，Thethunderboltsonhighestmountainslight，Andseldorneverstrikethelowerplains；
　　SokingshavecausetofearBellona’smight，Nottheywhosesweatandtoiltheirdinnergains，NorevergreedysoldierwasenticedBypoverty，neglectedanddespised。
　　X
　　“Opoverty，chiefoftheheavenlybrood，Dearertomethanwealthorkinglycrown：
　　Nowishforhonor，thirstofothers’good，Canmovemyheart，contentedwithmineown：
　　Wequenchourthirstwithwaterofthisflood，Norfearwepoisonshouldthereinbethrown；
　　TheselittleflocksofsheepandtendergoatsGivemilkforfood，andwooltomakeuscoats。
　　XI
　　“Welittlewish，weneedbutlittlewealth，Fromcoldandhungerustoclotheandfeed；
　　Thesearemysons，theircarepreservesformstealthTheirfather’sflocks，norservantsmoreIneed：
　　AmidthesegrovesIwalkoftformyhealth，Andtothefishes，birds，andbeastsgiveheed，Howtheyarefed，inforest，springandlake，Andtheircontentmentforexampletake。
　　XII
　　“Timewas，foreachonehathhisdoatingtime，Thesesilverlocksweregoldentressesthen，ThatcountrylifeIhatedasacrime，Andfromtheforest’ssweetcontentmentran，ToMemphis’sstatelypalacewouldIclimb，AndthereIbutasimplegardenerwere，YetcouldImarkabuses，seeandhear。
　　XIII
　　“Enticedonwithhopeoffuturegain，Isufferedlongwhatdidmysouldisplease；
　　Butwhenmyyouthwasspent，myhopewasvain。
　　Ifeltmynativestrengthatlastdecrease；
　　Iganmylossoflustyyearscomplain，AndwishedIhadenjoyedthecountry’speace；
　　Ibadethecourtfarewell，andwithcontentMylatterageherehaveIquietspent。“
　　XIV
　　Whilethushespake，ErminiahushedandstillHiswisediscoursesheard，withgreatattention，HisspeechesgravethoseidlefancieskillWhichinhertroubledsoulbredsuchdissension；
　　Aftermuchthoughtreformedwasherwill，Withinthosewoodstodwellwasherintention，TillFortuneshouldoccasionnewafford，Toturnherhometoherdesiredlord。
　　XV
　　Shesaidtherefore，“Oshepherdfortunate！
　　Thattroublessomedidstwhilomfeelandprove，Yetlivestnowinthiscontentedstate，Letmymishapthythoughtstopitymove，ToentertainmeasawillingmateInshepherd’slifewhichIadmireandlove；
　　Withinthesepleasantgrovesperchancemyheart，Ofherdiscomforts，mayunloadsomepart。
　　XVI
　　“Ifgoldorwealth，ofmostesteemeddear，Ifjewelsrichthoudiddestholdinprize，Suchstorethereof，suchplentyhaveIhere，Astoagreedymindmightwellsuffice：“
　　Withthatdowntrickledmanyasilvertear，Twocrystalstreamsfellfromherwateryeyes；
　　Partofhersadmisfortunesthenshetold，Andwept，andwithherweptthatshepherdold。
　　XVII
　　Withspeecheskind，heganthevirgindearTowardhiscottagegentlyhometoguide；
　　Hisagedwifetheremadeherhomelycheer，Yetwelcomedher，andplacedherbyherside。
　　Theprincessdonnedapoorpastoral’sgear，Akerchiefcoarseuponherheadshetied；
　　Butyethergesturesandherlooks，Iguess，Weresuchasillbeseemedashepherdess。
　　XVIII
　　NotthoserudegarmentscouldobscureandhideTheheavenlybeautyofherangel’sface，NorwasherprincelyoffspringdamnifiedOraughtdisparagedbythoselaborsbase；
　　Herlittleflockstopasturewouldsheguide，Andmilkhergoats，andintheirfoldsthemplace，Bothcheeseandbuttercouldshemake，andframeHerselftopleasetheshepherdandhisdame。
　　XIX
　　Butoft，whenunderneaththegreenwoodshadeHerflockslayhidfromPhoebus’scorchingrays，Untoherknightshesongsandsonnetsmade，Andthemengravedinbarkofbeechandbays；
　　ShetoldhowCupiddidherfirstinvade，Howconqueredher，andendswithTancred’spraise：
　　Andwhenherpassion’swritsheoverread，Againshemourned，againsalttearssheshed。
　　XX
　　“Youhappytreesforeverkeep，“quothshe，“Thiswofulstoryinyourtenderrind，AnotherdayunderyourshademaybeWillcometorestagainsomeloverkind；
　　Whoifthesetrophiesofmygriefshesee，Shallfeeldearpitypiercehisgentlemind；“
　　Withthatshesighedandsaid，“ToolateIproveThereisnotrothinfortune，trustinlove。
　　XXI
　　“Yetmayitbe，ifgraciousheavensattendTheearnestsuitofadistressedwight，AtmyentreattheywillvouchsafetosendTothesehugedesertsthatunthankfulknight，Thatwhentoearththemanhiseyesshallbend，Andseesmygrave，mytomb，andasheslight，Mywofuldeathhisstubbornheartmaymove，Withtearsandsorrowstorewardmylove。
　　XXII
　　“So，thoughmylifehathmostunhappybeen，Atleastyetshallmyspiritdeadbeblest，Myashescoldshall，buriedonthisgreen，Enjoythatgoodthisbodyne’erpossessed。“
　　Thusshecomplainedtothesenselesstreen，Floodsinhereyes，andfireswereinherbreast；
　　Butheforwhomthesestreamsoftearssheshed，Wanderedfaroff，alas，aschancehimled。
　　XXIII
　　Hefollowedonthefootstepshehadtraced，Tillinhighwoodsandforestsoldhecame，Wherebushes，thornsandtreessothickwereplaced，Andsoobscuretheshadowsofthesame，Thatsoonhelostthetractwhereinhepaced；
　　Yetwentheon，whichwayhecouldnotaim，ButstillattentivewashislongingearIfnoiseofhorseornoiseofarmshehear。
　　XXIV
　　Ifwiththebreathingofthegentlewind，Anaspenleafbutshakedonthetree，Ifbirdorbeaststirredinthebushesblind，Thitherhespurred，thitherherodetosee：
　　OutofthewoodbyCynthia’sfavorkind，Atlast，withtravelgreatandpains，gothe，Andfollowingonalittlepath，heheardArumblingsound，andhastedthitherward。
　　XXV
　　Itwasafountainfromthelivingstone，Thatpoureddownclearstreamsinnoblestore，Whoseconduitpipes，unitedallinone，Throughoutarockychannelghastlyroar；
　　HereTancredstayed，andcalled，yetanswerednone，Savebabblingecho，fromthecrookedshore；
　　AndtherethewearyknightatlastespiesThespringingdaylightredandwhitearise。
　　XXVI
　　Hesighedsore，andguiltlessheavenganblame，Thatwishedsuccesstohisdesiredenied，Andsharprevengeprotestedforthesame，Ifaughtbutgoodhismistressfairbetide；
　　Thenwishedhetoreturnthewayhecame，Althoughhewistnotbywhatpathtoride，AndtimedrewnearwhenheagainmustfightWithproudArgantes，thatvain-gloriousknight。
　　XXVII
　　HisstalwartsteedthechampionstoutbestrodeAndprickedfasttofindthewayhelost，Butthroughavalleyashemusingrode，Hesawamanthatseemedforhasteapost，Hishornwashungbetweenhisshouldersbroad，Asistheguisewithus：TancredicrossedHisway，andgentlyprayedthemantosay，ToGodfrey’scamphowheshouldfindtheway。
　　XXVIII
　　“Sir，“intheItalianlanguageansweredhe，“IridewherenobleBoemondhathmesent：“
　　Theprincethoughtthishisuncle’smanshouldbe，Andafterhimhiscoursewithspeedhebent，Afortressstatelybuiltatlasttheysee，Boutwhichamuddystinkinglaketherewent，TheretheyarrivedwhenTitanwenttorestHiswearylimbsinnight’suntroublednest。
　　XXIX
　　Thecouriergavethefortawarningblast；
　　Thedrawbridgewasletdownbythemwithin：
　　“IfthouaChristianbe，“quothhe，“thoumayestTillPhoebusshineagain，heretakethineinn，TheCountyofCosenza，threedayspast，ThiscastlefromtheTurksdidnoblywin。“
　　Theprincebeheldthepiece，whichsiteandartImpregnablehadmadeoneverypart。