The World's Greatest Books [Volumes 1-15, 17-20]

The winged archangel at these words inclined Low at His feet divine, with reverence fraught, Then spread his golden pinions to the wind, So rapid they as to exceed all thought. The fire he passed, and realms of light where dwelled The blest in their immovable abode, And next the vault of crystalline beheld That, rolling round, with stars unnumbered glowed. 256

Now on the left saw Jove and Saturn roll, Differing in motion and distinct in sight, And others never swerving from their goal, Since moved and quickened by celestial might; Then passed from cloudless realms of endless day, Shining and bright, whence thunder falls and rain, To where the world now fades and melts away, Dies in its struggles now—now lives again;

And came dividing with immortal plume The darkness dense and dreariness profound, Gilding with light divine the horrid gloom, Light which his face in sparks diffused around; Thus after showers of rain the god of day The humid clouds with sheen prismatic dyes; So cleaves a shooting star the liquid way, And on earth's lap falls headlong from the skies.

The demons being driven back by Michael, the conflict proceeds between the Christians and Pagans. Argillan escapes from prison and performs great exploits; but, while the battle is still doubtful, a band of fifty Crusaders that had followed Armida appears unexpectedly and turns the tide in favour of the Christians, who pursue their antagonists with great havoc to the city walls.

Solyman resolves to join the Egyptian army. On his way thither he meets Ismeno, who takes him back to Jerusalem in an enchanted car. They enter the city by a subterranean passage, and make their way to where the king sits in council. The speeches of the king, of Argante, and of Orcano excite the indignation of Solyman. Godfred receives from the knights that were seduced by Armida an account of their adventures. They disprove the reports of Rinaldo's death. His future fame is foretold by Peter the Hermit.

By Peter the Hermit's advice, Godfred, previous to assaulting the town, conducts his army to hear mass on the Mount of Olives, where they receive the benediction of the bishops, William and Aldemar. In consequence of a previous vow, Godfred assumes the dress and resolves to share the perils of the assault as a private soldier. Other princes follow his example. The town assaulted, a breach is made. Clorinda wounds or kills seven of the principal leaders, lastly Godfred himself, who is obliged to quit the field, leaving Guelpho in charge of the army. Guelpho is also wounded, and, encouraged by this success,

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Argante invites Solyman to sally out. They are met and repulsed by Tancredi. An angel descends from heaven and heals Tancredi's wounds. He returns, reanimates his troops, and withdraws them at the approach of night.

The Christians are afflicted with unusual heat and drought. Godfred prays to the Almighty. His prayer is heard and God refreshes the camp with merciful rain. Godfred in a dream is transported to heaven, and there meets Hugo, who advises him to recall Rinaldo. Godfred consents. Two knights are sent to find him, and after romantic adventures they reach the Fortunate Isles, where they find Rinaldo and Armida in her palace, which is surrounded by enchanted gardens. During her momentary absence they make themselves known, and Rinaldo, seized with sudden remorse, follows them out of the palace. Armida, in despair at finding him gone, follows, and seeks to entice him to return, but in vain. In her rage she destroys her palace, mounts her car, and returns to her castle by the Dead Sea.

Rinaldo converses with Godfred. He then prays on Mount Olivet, and afterwards proceeds to the enchanted forest, overcomes its magic, and returns to the camp. A carrier pigeon, pursued by a falcon, takes refuge in Godfred's bosom. He finds a letter under her wing from the Egyptian commander to the King of Jerusalem, promising to relieve him in a few days. At this Godfred at once gives orders for the assault. The attack takes place. Rinaldo is the first to mount the wall. The archangel Gabriel appears to Godfred.

The archangel Michael, visible to none, Appeared then before Prince Godfred's sight, Clad in such glistening armour that the sun, Altho' unclouded, had appeared less bright. " The hour has come, O pious prince," he cries, " From her fell yoke Jerusalem to free; Droop not, nay, droop not thy bedazzled eyes: See with what forces Heaven assisteth thee.

" Lift up thine eyes then and behold immense Immortal hosts assembled in the sky, While the thick clouds that dim thy mortal sense, And overshadow thy humanity, I will asunder rend, that thou may'st there Regard unbodied spirits face to face, And the divine effulgent radiance bear Of angels' beauty for a little space. 258

Torquato Tasso

" Behold, you spirits that Christ's champions were, Now blest immortal tenants of the skies, Combat with thee, with thee still seek to share The crowning honour of the great emprise; Lo, where the dust with wreaths of smoke unites, And o'er the crumbling ruin darkly lowers, In that dense cloud the gallant Hugo fights, And shaketh the foundations of the towers.

" There as in life the lofty northern gate Dudone see with fire and sword assail, Arm the assailants and them animate, The scaling ladders which he holds, to scale; He who enrobed in venerable stole, And crowned with mitre, stands upon the hill, Is Bishop Aldemar, thrice happy soul! See how on you he signs his blessing still.