Jerusalem Delivered: An English Prose Version

Canto Ten

C A N T O T E N i Even while speakingthus, he spied nearbya steed that wasdirecting its wandering course near him; at once he laid hand on the ungoverned bridle and leaped up, though wearyand sore. The crest is fallen now that towered so terribly, leavingthe helmet humble and unadorned: the surcoat isshredded and retains no vestige of proud royal pomp. 2 As sometimes, driven from the barred sheepfold, comes awolf thatflees and conceals himself, who (though he hasfilledbut now the greedilyswirling depths of his great belly)yet avidof blood he lolls his tongue outside and licksit up from his spattered lips; even so went he, after the bloody slaughter, not sated yet in his deep hunger. 3 And (ashis fortune is) from the whistling arrowsthatflyin a cloud about him, from so manyswords, from so manylances,from so manyinstruments of death in the end he steals away, and travels on unrecognized,by that path that ismost desert and solitary; and revolving within himself what he ought to do, he tosses in amighty storm of thoughts. 4 He decides at last to go where Egypt's king isgathering so powerfulahost, and to join his armswith him and try his fortune yet again in a fresh encounter . Having determined that within himself,he admits of no delayand takes the direct route (for he knows the roads and hasno need of aguide) to ancient Gaza's sandy shores. 2i4 Jerusalem Delivered 5 And not becausehe feels the grief of his wounds grow sharp, and his body heavy and sick, does it come to passthat for that he stops and takesoff his armor; but, toiling on, he travelsthe whole day.Then whenshadowy darkness takesfrom the world its various aspects, and dips in black its colors, he dismounts, and binds up his wounds and as best he can shakesdown the fruits from a tall palm tree; 6 and fed by them he seeksto rest on the naked earth his sore-tried body and, laying down his head on his hard shield, to quiet the turbulence ofhis weary thoughts. But ever and again the painof his wounds begins towax more cruel, and besides his breast is eaten and his heart laid open by those inward vultures, Sorrow and Scorn. 7 At last, when allthings round about were stilled in deepest night, overcome by weariness, he soothed in Lethe his heavy and troublesome cares, and composed his afflicted limbs and feverish eyesin a brief and languid repose . And while he yet laysleeping a stern voice sounded in his ear, in this wise: 8 "Solyman, Solyman, reserveto a better time your sluggish slumbers;for the country where you reigned is yet a slave, under the yokeof foreign peoples. Can you sleep on this earth and not call to mind that it holds the bones of your unburied men? Where so great token of your shameremains , are you lazily awaiting the new day?" 9 The Sultan, awakened, lifts up his gaze and sees a man, inappearance bowed down with extreme old age, who supports and directs with crooked staff the wavering path of his ancient feet. "And who are you (he asks him haughtily) that asa phantom importunate of travellers breakin on their brief slumbers? and how does it have to do with you, my shameor myrevenge ?" C A N T O T E N 215 10 "I amone (the old man answers)to whom in par^your new design is known, and I come to you asa man who has more interest in you than you ,,perhaps may think. My biting speeches are not vainlysuch; for shameis Mthe whetstone of virtue. Take it in good part, my lord, that my speechmay be whip and spur to your readyvalor. n "Now since (asI guess) your path must be directed toward the great king of Egypt, I predict that uselessly you will have taken arough journey,if you follow on; for though you go not, the Saracenhost will be soon gathered and soon launched; and there isno place there, whereyou canfindemployment and show your prowess against our enemies. 12 "But ifyou take me asyour guide, I promise you to set you safe within that wall that is closely ringed by Latin arms, in brightest day, without your drawing your sword. There it will be your glory and delight toexperience harsh strife, with arms and hardships: you will defendthe place until the host from Egypt arrivesto renew...