XXXIV. And now the Paladins descry a fire That seems to blaze in some near shepherd's hut, But, whence it came all anxious to inquire, Sharp spur to horse's flank each warrior put, When Dwarf, in act humane, but quaint attire, Three nosegays in his hand, is seen to strut, Crying, "Dear lordings! from her glorious bowers 61 66 My lady greets you with these beauteous flowers. XXXV. "Her name is Stella (if you know it not); 66 Spain never yet has seen so fair a dame; "Much goodly land and castles she has got, "But ne'er would hear of spouse, or change her name.62 "Sweeter than nightingale's her voice I wot "With music's charms the toughest heart would tame; “And if she dance in hall or on the green, "She rivals Love's own mother, Beauty's queen." XXXVI. This when Astolphus heard, with studious care XXXVII. Meantime bright flaming torches meet the sight, While from their cymbals, with sweet garlands dight, That take the ravish'd ear with strange delight: They all are fair, but to our warriors' eyes Their mistress, in the midst, excels as far The rest, as Luna doth the meanest star. 66 65 64 XXXVIII. Of bright celestial hue her garment was, Hung round that neck, the which, I ween, doth show XXXIX. And singing, thus she said—" Ador'd and dear, "Thou, holy Freedom, art! What price too high "To purchase thee! Who sells thee must be near "The last despair of starving penury !— "To soften woe, arrest the gushing tear, "Lend mirth to sadness, check the rising sigh“These are thy gifts; true glory lives with thee; "The dastard licks the dust! the brave are free! 67 XL. "For me, the liberty I most approve "Is that which reigns supreme in female hearts; "Which spurns the fetters of the tyrant Love, "And genuine joy still unalloy'd imparts; "Happy! who from the cradle learn to move, "Nor lur'd, deceiv'd, nor vanquish'd by his arts."Thus I in shady arbours choose to dwell, "And all his wiles defeat, and darts repel." XLI. Now, as they nearer came, was hush'd the song, "Oh face! Oh voice! Oh grace! Oh matchless maid!” 70 XLII. Again the Lady speaks. "Ye gentle knights, "What fortune brings you thus to Stella's wood? "Whoso to sport with hound and hawk delights, "Here finds of hawk and hound a peerless brood, 71 "With foot and wing to mock the sharpest sights: "Come, then, unloose my dogs, my birds unhood, "You're welcome--other joys are here forbidden, "Either in open bower or arbour hidden." 66 Speak not, oh! speak not of such sports as these. "To follow hound or hawk has never been “Pastime that did my wayward fancy please; "And now that mine enchanted eyes have seen " Charms to which prostrate thus I bend my knees, "What else can please? To thee supreme control "Yield I henceforth, and empire o'er my soul." |