Jerusalem Delivered Book

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: XXX. Swift as the tiger or voracious pard Springs through the crashing forest, Otho pressed To the stout Mussulman, who, on good guard, Laid his tremendous spear in sudden rest: Then Tancred first awoke; then from the zest Of amorous thoughts as from a sweet dream started; And cried, " The fight is mine ! his course arrest!" But the young champion now too far had darted Within the lists, to be from his opponent parted. XXXI. Therewith he stayed, whilst wrath and crimson shame Glowed on his cheek, and in his bosom boiled, Deeming it worse than falsehood to his fame, Thus of the field's first risks to be beguiled : Meantime in mid career the hardy Childe Struck the Circassian's burganet, and tore The feathers from its crown; but he, half wild, With naked spear implacable for gore, [bore! Quite clove his Hedcross shield, and through the breast-plate XXXII. Pushed from his seat by rudeness of the blow, The Christian fell, half senseless from the shock ; But his more vigorous and athletic foe Bore it unbowed, impassive as a rock ; And thus began the prostrate knight to mock,? Fierce was his gesture, insolent his tone,? " Yield thee my slave! where proudest nobles flock, 'T will be enough for thy renown, to own That thou hast fought with me, and thus been overthrown!" XXXIII. "No !" said the youth, "not quite so soon we use To yield our arms and ardour on command ; Let others as they list my fall excuse, I will revenge it, or die sword in hand!" Fierce as Alecto, pitilessly grand, With all the Gorgon raging in his face, And breath like that of Ate's flaming brand, Argantes said, " And scorn'st thou my good grace 1 Learn then my power!" he spoke, and speaking spurned the place. xxxrv. His rampant steed he drove at him, nor heeded What to his chivalry was d...Read More