Yetthatitwas，orthatitcouldbeshe，Hehadsmallcauseorreasontosuppose，OccasiongreatandweightymustitbeShouldmakeherridebynightamongherfoes：
WhatGodfreywilledthatobservedhe，Andwithhissoldierslayinambushclose：
ThesenewsthroughalltheChristianarmywent，Ineverycabintalked，ineverytent。
CXIV
Tancred，whosethoughtsthesquirehadfilledwithdoubtByhissweetwords，supposednowhearingthis，Alas！thevirgincametoseekmeout，Andformysakeherlifeindangeris；
Himselfforthwithhesingledfromtherout，Androdeinhaste，thoughhalfhisarmshemiss；
Amongthosesandyfieldsandvalleysgreen，Toseekhislove，hegallopedfastunseen。
SEVENTHBOOK
THEARGUMENT。
AshepherdfairErminiaentertains，WhomwhilstTancrediseeksinvaintofind，HeisentrappedinArmida’strains：
RaymondwithstrongArgantesisassignedTofight，anangeltohisaidhegains：
SatanthatseesthePagan’sfuryblind，Andhastywrathturntohislossandharm，Dothraisenewtempest，uproarandalarm。
I
Erminia’ssteedthiswhilehismistressboreThroughforeststhickamongtheshadytreen，Herfeeblehandthebridlereinsforlore，Halfinaswoonshewas，forfearIween；
Butherfleetcoursersparedne’erthemore，TobearherthroughthedesertwoodsunseenOfherstrongfoes，thatchasedherthroughtheplain，Andstillpursued，butstillpursuedinvain。
II
Likeasthewearyhoundsatlastretire，Windless，displeased，fromthefruitlesschase，Whentheslybeasttapishedinbushandbrier，Noartnorpainscanrouseoutofhisplace：
TheChristianknightssofullofshameandireReturnedback，withfaintandwearypace：
Yetstillthefearfuldamefledswiftaswind，Noreverstayed，noreverlookedbehind。
III
Throughthickandthin，allnight，allday，shedrived，Withoutencomfort，company，orguide，Herplaintsandtearswitheverythoughtrevived，Sheheardandsawhergriefs，butnaughtbeside：
ButwhenthesunhisburningchariotdivedInThetis’wave，andwearyteamuntied，OnJordan’ssandybankshercourseshestayedAtlast，theredownshelight，anddownshelaid。
IV
Hertears，herdrink；herfood，hersorrowings，Thiswasherdietthatunhappynight：
Butsleep，thatsweetreposeandquietbrings，Toeasethegriefsofdiscontentedwight，Spreadforthhistender，soft，andnimblewings，Inhisdullarmsfoldingthevirginbright；
AndLove，hismother，andtheGraceskeptStrongwatchandward，whilethisfairladyslept。
V
Thebirdsawokeherwiththeirmorningsong，Theirwarblingmusicpiercedhertenderear，ThemurmuringbrooksandwhistlingwindsamongTherattlingboughsandleaves，theirpartsdidbear；
HereyesunclosedbeheldthegrovesalongOfswainsandshepherdgroomsthatdwellingswere；
Andthatsweetnoise，birds，windsandwaterssent，Provokedagainthevirgintolament。
VI
Herplaintswereinterruptedwithasound，Thatseemedfromthickestbushestoproceed，Somejollyshepherdsungalustyround，Andtohisvoicehetunedhisoatenreed；
Thithershewent，anoldmanthereshefound，Atwhoserighthandhislittleflockdidfeed，Satmakingbaskets，histhreesonsamong，Thatlearnedtheirfather’sart，andlearnedhissong。
VIII
“But，father，sincethisland，thesetownsandtowersDestroyedarewithsword，withfireandspoil，HowmanyitbeunhurtthatyouandyoursInsafetythusapplyyourharmlesstoil？“
“Myson，“quothhe，“thispoorestateofoursIseversafefromstormofwarlikebroil；
Thiswildernessdothusinsafetykeep，Nothunderingdrum，notrumpetbreaksoursleep。
IX
“HaplyjustHeaven’sdefenceandshieldofrightDothlovetheinnocenceofsimpleswains，Thethunderboltsonhighestmountainslight，Andseldorneverstrikethelowerplains；
SokingshavecausetofearBellona’smight，Nottheywhosesweatandtoiltheirdinnergains，NorevergreedysoldierwasenticedBypoverty，neglectedanddespised。
X
“Opoverty，chiefoftheheavenlybrood，Dearertomethanwealthorkinglycrown：
Nowishforhonor，thirstofothers’good，Canmovemyheart，contentedwithmineown：
Wequenchourthirstwithwaterofthisflood，Norfearwepoisonshouldthereinbethrown；
TheselittleflocksofsheepandtendergoatsGivemilkforfood，andwooltomakeuscoats。
XI
“Welittlewish，weneedbutlittlewealth，Fromcoldandhungerustoclotheandfeed；
Thesearemysons，theircarepreservesformstealthTheirfather’sflocks，norservantsmoreIneed：
AmidthesegrovesIwalkoftformyhealth，Andtothefishes，birds，andbeastsgiveheed，Howtheyarefed，inforest，springandlake，Andtheircontentmentforexampletake。
XII
“Timewas，foreachonehathhisdoatingtime，Thesesilverlocksweregoldentressesthen，ThatcountrylifeIhatedasacrime，Andfromtheforest’ssweetcontentmentran，ToMemphis’sstatelypalacewouldIclimb，AndthereIbutasimplegardenerwere，YetcouldImarkabuses，seeandhear。
XIII
“Enticedonwithhopeoffuturegain，Isufferedlongwhatdidmysouldisplease；
Butwhenmyyouthwasspent，myhopewasvain。
Ifeltmynativestrengthatlastdecrease；
Iganmylossoflustyyearscomplain，AndwishedIhadenjoyedthecountry’speace；
Ibadethecourtfarewell，andwithcontentMylatterageherehaveIquietspent。“
XIV
Whilethushespake，ErminiahushedandstillHiswisediscoursesheard，withgreatattention，HisspeechesgravethoseidlefancieskillWhichinhertroubledsoulbredsuchdissension；
Aftermuchthoughtreformedwasherwill，Withinthosewoodstodwellwasherintention，TillFortuneshouldoccasionnewafford，Toturnherhometoherdesiredlord。
XV
Shesaidtherefore，“Oshepherdfortunate！
Thattroublessomedidstwhilomfeelandprove，Yetlivestnowinthiscontentedstate，Letmymishapthythoughtstopitymove，ToentertainmeasawillingmateInshepherd’slifewhichIadmireandlove；
Withinthesepleasantgrovesperchancemyheart，Ofherdiscomforts，mayunloadsomepart。
XVI
“Ifgoldorwealth，ofmostesteemeddear，Ifjewelsrichthoudiddestholdinprize，Suchstorethereof，suchplentyhaveIhere，Astoagreedymindmightwellsuffice：“
Withthatdowntrickledmanyasilvertear，Twocrystalstreamsfellfromherwateryeyes；
Partofhersadmisfortunesthenshetold，Andwept，andwithherweptthatshepherdold。
XVII
Withspeecheskind，heganthevirgindearTowardhiscottagegentlyhometoguide；
Hisagedwifetheremadeherhomelycheer，Yetwelcomedher，andplacedherbyherside。
Theprincessdonnedapoorpastoral’sgear，Akerchiefcoarseuponherheadshetied；
Butyethergesturesandherlooks，Iguess，Weresuchasillbeseemedashepherdess。
XVIII
NotthoserudegarmentscouldobscureandhideTheheavenlybeautyofherangel’sface，NorwasherprincelyoffspringdamnifiedOraughtdisparagedbythoselaborsbase；
Herlittleflockstopasturewouldsheguide，Andmilkhergoats，andintheirfoldsthemplace，Bothcheeseandbuttercouldshemake，andframeHerselftopleasetheshepherdandhisdame。
XIX
Butoft，whenunderneaththegreenwoodshadeHerflockslayhidfromPhoebus’scorchingrays，Untoherknightshesongsandsonnetsmade，Andthemengravedinbarkofbeechandbays；
ShetoldhowCupiddidherfirstinvade，Howconqueredher，andendswithTancred’spraise：
Andwhenherpassion’swritsheoverread，Againshemourned，againsalttearssheshed。
XX
“Youhappytreesforeverkeep，“quothshe，“Thiswofulstoryinyourtenderrind，AnotherdayunderyourshademaybeWillcometorestagainsomeloverkind；
Whoifthesetrophiesofmygriefshesee，Shallfeeldearpitypiercehisgentlemind；“
Withthatshesighedandsaid，“ToolateIproveThereisnotrothinfortune，trustinlove。
XXI
“Yetmayitbe，ifgraciousheavensattendTheearnestsuitofadistressedwight，AtmyentreattheywillvouchsafetosendTothesehugedesertsthatunthankfulknight，Thatwhentoearththemanhiseyesshallbend，Andseesmygrave，mytomb，andasheslight，Mywofuldeathhisstubbornheartmaymove，Withtearsandsorrowstorewardmylove。
XXII
“So，thoughmylifehathmostunhappybeen，Atleastyetshallmyspiritdeadbeblest，Myashescoldshall，buriedonthisgreen，Enjoythatgoodthisbodyne’erpossessed。“
Thusshecomplainedtothesenselesstreen，Floodsinhereyes，andfireswereinherbreast；
Butheforwhomthesestreamsoftearssheshed，Wanderedfaroff，alas，aschancehimled。
XXIII
Hefollowedonthefootstepshehadtraced，Tillinhighwoodsandforestsoldhecame，Wherebushes，thornsandtreessothickwereplaced，Andsoobscuretheshadowsofthesame，Thatsoonhelostthetractwhereinhepaced；
Yetwentheon，whichwayhecouldnotaim，ButstillattentivewashislongingearIfnoiseofhorseornoiseofarmshehear。
XXIV
Ifwiththebreathingofthegentlewind，Anaspenleafbutshakedonthetree，Ifbirdorbeaststirredinthebushesblind，Thitherhespurred，thitherherodetosee：
OutofthewoodbyCynthia’sfavorkind，Atlast，withtravelgreatandpains，gothe，Andfollowingonalittlepath，heheardArumblingsound，andhastedthitherward。
XXV
Itwasafountainfromthelivingstone，Thatpoureddownclearstreamsinnoblestore，Whoseconduitpipes，unitedallinone，Throughoutarockychannelghastlyroar；
HereTancredstayed，andcalled，yetanswerednone，Savebabblingecho，fromthecrookedshore；
AndtherethewearyknightatlastespiesThespringingdaylightredandwhitearise。
XXVI
Hesighedsore，andguiltlessheavenganblame，Thatwishedsuccesstohisdesiredenied，Andsharprevengeprotestedforthesame，Ifaughtbutgoodhismistressfairbetide；
Thenwishedhetoreturnthewayhecame，Althoughhewistnotbywhatpathtoride，AndtimedrewnearwhenheagainmustfightWithproudArgantes，thatvain-gloriousknight。
XXVII
HisstalwartsteedthechampionstoutbestrodeAndprickedfasttofindthewayhelost，Butthroughavalleyashemusingrode，Hesawamanthatseemedforhasteapost，Hishornwashungbetweenhisshouldersbroad，Asistheguisewithus：TancredicrossedHisway，andgentlyprayedthemantosay，ToGodfrey’scamphowheshouldfindtheway。
XXVIII
“Sir，“intheItalianlanguageansweredhe，“IridewherenobleBoemondhathmesent：“
Theprincethoughtthishisuncle’smanshouldbe，Andafterhimhiscoursewithspeedhebent，Afortressstatelybuiltatlasttheysee，Boutwhichamuddystinkinglaketherewent，TheretheyarrivedwhenTitanwenttorestHiswearylimbsinnight’suntroublednest。
XXIX
Thecouriergavethefortawarningblast；
Thedrawbridgewasletdownbythemwithin：
“IfthouaChristianbe，“quothhe，“thoumayestTillPhoebusshineagain，heretakethineinn，TheCountyofCosenza，threedayspast，ThiscastlefromtheTurksdidnoblywin。“
Theprincebeheldthepiece，whichsiteandartImpregnablehadmadeoneverypart。