首页 >出版文学> Jerusalem Delivered>第54章
  “Butthis,tohimrevealedbygracedivine,Byhimtomedeclared,totheeIsay,WasneverraceGreek,barbarous,orLatine,Greatintimespast,orfamousatthisday,Richerinhardyknightsthanthisofthine;
  SuchblessingsHeavenshallonthychildrenlayThattheyinfameshallpass,inpraiseo’ercome,TheworthiesoldofSparta,Carthage,Rome。
  XC
  “ButmongsttherestIchoseAlphonsusbold,Invirtuefirst,secondinplaceandname,Heshallbebornwhenthisfrailworldgrowsold,Corrupted,poor,andbareofmenoffame,Betterthanhenoneshall,nonecan,orcould,Theswordorsceptreuseorguidethesame,Toruleinpeaceortocommandinfight,Thineoffspring’sgloryandthyhouse’slight。
  XCI
  “HisyoungerageforetokenstrueshallyieldOffuturevalor,puissance,forceandmight,Fromhimnorockthesavagebeastshallshield;
  Attiltortourneymatchhimshallnoknight:
  After,heconquershallinpitchedfieldGreatarmiesandwinspoilsinsinglefight,Andonhislocks,rewardsforknightlypraise,Shallgarlandswearofgrass,ofoak,ofbays。
  XCII
  “Hisgraverage,aswellthateilditfits,Shallhappypeacepreserveandquietblest,AndfromhisneighborsstrongmongstwhomhesitsShallkeephiscitiessafeinwealthandrest,Shallnourishartsandcherishpregnantwits,Maketriumphsgreat,andfeasthissubjectsbest,Rewardthegood,theevilwithpainstorment,Shalldangersallforesee,andseen,prevent。
  XCIII
  “ButifithapagainstthosewickedbandsThatseaandearthinvestwithbloodandwar,AndinthesewretchedtimestonoblelandsGivelawsofpeacefalseandunjustthatare,Thathebesent,todrivetheirguiltyhandsFromChrist’spurealtarsandhightemplesfar,Oh,whatrevenge,whatvengeanceshallhebringOnthatfalsesect,andtheiraccursedking!
  XCIV
  “ToolatetheMoors,toolatetheTurkishking,GainsthimshouldarmtheirtroopsandlegionsboldForhebeyondgreatEuphratesshouldbring,BeyondthefrozentopsofTauruscold,Beyondthelandwhereisperpetualspring,Thecross,theeaglewhite,thelilyofgold,AndbybaptizingoftheEthiopsbrownOfagedNilerevealthespringsunknown。“
  XCV
  Thussaidthehermit,andhisprophecyTheprinceacceptedwithcontentandpleasure,ThesecretthoughtofhisposterityOfhisconcealedjoysheapedupthemeasure。
  Meanwhilethemorningbrightwasmountedhigh,AndchangedHeaven’ssilverwealthtogoldentreasure,AndhighabovetheChristiantentstheyviewHowthebroadensignstrembled,wavedandblew,XCVI
  Whenthusagaintheirleadersagebegun,“SeehowbrightPhoebusclearsthedarksomeskies,SeehowwithgentlebeamsthefriendlysunThetents,thetowns,thehillsanddalesdescries,Throughmywellguidingisyourvoyagedone,Fromdangersafeintraveloffwhichlies,HencewithoutfearofharmordoubtoffoeMarchtothecamp,Imaynonearergo。“
  XCVII
  Thustookheleave,andmadeaquickreturn,Andforwardwentthechampionsthreeonfoot,AndmarchingrightagainsttherisingmornAreadypassagetothecampfoundout,MeanwhilehadspeedyfamethetidingsborneThattothetentsapproachedthesebaronsstout,AndstartingfromhisthroneandkinglyseatToentertainthem,roseGodfredogreat。
  EIGHTEENTHBOOK
  THEARGUMENT。
  ThecharmsandspiritsfalsethereinwhichlieRinaldochasethfromtheforestold;
  ThehostofEgyptcomes;VafrinthespyEntereththeircamp,stout,crafty,wiseandbold;
  SharpisthefightaboutthebulwarkshighAndportsofZion,toassaultthehold:
  GodfreyhathaidfromHeaven,byforcethetownIswon,thePagansslain,wallsbeatendown。
  I
  ArrivedwhereGodfreytoembracehimstood,“Mysovereignlord,“Rinaldomeeklysaid,“TovengemywrongsagainstGernandoproudMyhonor’scareprovokedmywrathunstayed;
  ButthatIyoudispleased,mychieftaingood,Mythoughtsyetgrieve,myheartisstilldismayed,AndhereIcome,prestallexploitstotryTomakemegraciousinyourgraciouseye。“
  II
  Tohimthatkneeled,foldinghisfriendlyarmsAbouthisneck,thedukethisanswergave:
  “Letpasssuchspeechessad,ofpassedharms。
  Remembranceisthelifeofgrief;hisgrave,Forgetfulness;andforamends,inarmsYourwontedvaloruseandcouragebrave;
  ForyoualonetohappyendmustbringThestrongenchantmentsofthecharmedspring。
  III
  “Thatagedwoodwhenceheretoforewegot,Tobuildourscalingengines,timberfit,Isnowthefearfulseat,buthownonewot,Whereuglyfiendsanddamnedspiritssit;
  TocutonetwistthereofadventurethnotTheboldestknightwehave,norwithoutitThiswallcanbatteredbe:whereothersdoubtThereventurethou,andshowthycouragestout。“
  IV
  Thussaidhe,andtheknightinspeechesfewProfferedhisservicetoattemptthething,Tohardassayshiscouragewillingflew,Tohimpraisewasnospur,wordswerenosting;
  OfhisdearfriendsthenheembracedthecrewTowelcomehimwhichcame;forinaringAbouthimGuelpho,TancredandtherestStood,ofthecampthegreatest,chiefandbest。
  V
  WhenwiththeprincetheselordshaditerateTheirwelcomesoft,andofttheirdearembrace,Towardtherestoflesserworthandstate,Heturned,andthemreceivedwithgentlegrace;
  Themerrysoldiersbouthimshoutandprate,WithcriesasjoyfulandascheerfulfaceAsifintriumph’schariotbrightassun,HehadreturnedAfricorAsiawon。
  VI
  Thusmarchedtohistentthechampiongood,Andtheresatdownwithallhisfriendsaround;
  Nowofthewarheasked,nowofthewood,Andansweredeachdemandtheylistpropound;
  Butwhentheylefthimtohisease,upstoodThehermit,and,fittimetospeakoncefound,“Mylord,“hesaid,“yourtravelswondrousare,Farhaveyoustrayed,erred,wanderedfar。
  VII
  “MuchareyouboundtoGodabove,whobroughtYousafefromfalseArmida’scharmedhold,AndtheeastrayingsheepwhomonceheboughtHathnowagainreducedtohisfold,AndgainsthisheathenfoesthesemenofnaughtHathchosentheeinplacenextGodfreybold;
  Yetmayestthounot,pollutedthuswithsin,Inhishighservicewarorfightbegin。
  VIII
  “Theworld,theflesh,withtheirinfectionvilePollutethethoughtsimpure,thyspiritstain;
  NotPo,notGanges,notseven-mouthedNile,Notthewideseas,canwashtheecleanagain,OnlytopurgeallfaultswhichtheedefileHisbloodhathpowerwhoforthysinswasslain:
  Hishelpthereforeinvoke,tohimbewrayThysecretfaults,mourn,weep,complainandpray。“
  IX
  Thissaid,theknightfirstwiththewitchunchasteHisidlelovesandfolliesvainlamented;
  Thenkneelinglowwithheavylooksdowncast,Hisothersinsconfessedandallrepented,Andmeeklypardoncravedforfirstandlast。
  Thehermitwithhiszealwaswellcontented,Andsaid,“OnyonderhillnextmorngoprayThatturnshisforeheadgainstthemorningray。
  X
  “Thatdone,marchtothewood,whenceeachonebringsSuchnewsoffuries,goblins,fiends,andsprites,Thegiants,monsters,andalldreadfulthingsThoushaltsubdue,whichthatdarkgroveunites:
  Letnostrangevoicethatmournsorsweetlysings,Norbeauty,whosegladsmilefrailheartsdelights,Withinthybreastmakeruthorpityrise,Buttheirfalselooksandprayersfalsedespise。“
  XI
  Thusheadvisedhim,andthehardyknightPreparedhimgladlytothisenterprise,Thoughtfulhepassedtheday,andsadthenight;
  Anderethesilvermornbegantorise,Hisarmshetook,andinacoathimdightOfcolorstrange,cutinthewarlikeguise;
  Andonhiswaysole,silent,forthhewentAlone,andlefthisfriends,andlefthistent。
  XII
  ItwasthetimewhengainstthebreakingdayRebelliousnightyetstrove,andstillrepined,ForintheeastappearedthemorninggrayAndyetsomelampsinJove’shighpalaceshined,WhentoMountOlivethetookhisway,Andsaw,asroundabouthiseyeshetwined,Night’sshadowshence,fromthencethemorning’sshine,Thisbright,thatdark;thatearthly,thisdivine。
  XIII
  Thustohimselfhethought,howmanybrightAndsplendentlampsshineinheaven’stemplehigh,Dayhathhisgoldensun,hermoonthenight,Herfixedandwanderingstarstheazuresky,SoframedallbytheirCreator’smightThatstilltheyliveandshine,andne’ershalldieTill,inamoment,withthelastday’sbrandTheyburn,andwiththemburnsea,air,andland。
  XIV
  Thusashemused,tothetophewent,Andtherekneeleddownwithreverenceandfear,Hiseyesuponheaven’seasternfacehebent,Histhoughtsaboveallheavensupliftedwere:
  “Thesinsanderrors,whichInowrepent,Ofmineunbridledyouth,OFatherdear,Remembernot,butletthymercyfall,Andpurgemyfaultsandmineoffencesall。“
  XV
  Thusprayedhe,withpurplewingsupflewIngoldenweedthemorning’slustyqueen,BegildingwiththeradiantbeamsshethrewHishelm,hisharness,andthemountaingreen;
  UponhisbreastandforeheadgentlyblewTheair,thatbalmandnardusbreathedunseen,Ando’erhisheadletdownfromclearestskiesAcloudofpureandpreciousclewthereflies。
  XVI
  Theheavenlydewwasonhisgarmentsspread,Towhichcompared,hisclothespaleashesseem,Andsprinkledso,thatallthatpalenessfledAndthence,ofpurestwhite,brightraysoutstream;
  SocheeredaretheflowerslatewitheredWiththesweetcomfortofthemorningbeam,Andso,returnedtoyouth,aserpentoldAdornsherselfinnewandnativegold。
  XVII
  Thelovelywhitenessofhischangedweed,ThePrinceperceivedwell,andlongadmired;
  Towardtheforestmarchedheonwithspeed,Resolved,assuchadventuresgreatrequired;
  ThitherhecamewhenceshrinkingbackfordreadOfthatstrangedesert’ssightthefirstretired,ButnottohimfearfulorloathsomemadeThatforestwas,butsweetwithpleasantshade:
  XVIII
  Forwardhepassed,midinthegrovebeforeHeheardasoundthatstrange,sweet,pleasingwas;
  Thererolledacrystalbrookwithgentleroar,Theresighedthewindsasthroughtheleavestheypass,Theredidthenightingaleherwrongsdeplore,Theresungtheswan,andsingingdied,alas!
  Therelute,harp,cittern,humanvoiceheheard,Andallthesesoundsonesoundrightwelldeclared。