Theirsovereign’svoicehishardypeopleknew，Andhisloudcriesthatcheeredeachfearfulheart；
Thereatnewstrengththeytookandcouragenew，Andtothefierceassaultagaintheystart。
ThePaganstwainthiswhilethemselveswithdrewWithinthebreachtosavethatbatteredpart，AndwithgreatlossaskirmishhottheyholdAgainstTancrediandhissquadronbold。
LXXVIII
ThithercameGodfreyarmedroundaboutIntrustyplate，withfierceanddreadfullook；
AtfirstapproachagainstArgantesstoutHeadedwithpoignantsteelalanceheshook，NocastingenginewithsuchforcethrowsoutAknottyspear，andasthewayittook，Itwhistledintheair，thefearlessknightOpposedhisshieldagainstthatweapon’smight。
LXXIX
Thedreadfulblowquitethroughhistargetdrove，Andboredthroughhisbreastplatestrongandthick，Thetenderskinitinhisbosomrove，Thepurple-bloodout-streamedfromthequick；
TowrestitoutthewoundedPaganstroveAndlittleleisuregaveittheretostick；
AtGodfrey’sheadthelanceagainhecast，Andsaid，“Lo，thereagainthydartthouhast。“
LXXX
Thespearflewbackthewayitlatelycame，Andwouldrevengetheharmitselfhaddone，Butmissedthemarkwhereatthemandidaim，Hesteppedasidethefuriousblowtoshun：
ButSigiereinhisthroatreceivedthesame，Themurderingweaponathisneckout-run，Noraughtitgrievedthemantolosehisbreath，Sinceinhisprince’ssteadhesuffereddeath。
LXXXI
EventhentheSoldanstruckwithmonstrousmainThenobleleaderoftheNormanband，Hereeledawhileandstaggeredwiththepain，Andwheelingroundfellgrovellingonthesand：
GodfreynolongercouldthegriefsustainOfthesedispleasures，butwithflamingbrand，Uptothebreachinheatandhastehegoes，Andhandtohandtherecombatswithhisfoes；
LXXXII
Andtheregreatwonderssurelywroughthehad，Mortalthefight，andfiercehadbeenthefray，Butthatdarknight，fromherpavilionsad，Hercloudywingsdidontheearthdisplay，HerquietshadessheinterposedgladTocausetheknightstheirarmsasidetolay；
Godfreywithdrew，andtotheirtentstheywend，Andthusthisbloodydaywasbroughttoend。
LXXXIII
Theweakandwoundedereheleftthefield，Thegodlyduketosafetythenceconveyed，Nortohisfoeshisengineswouldheyield，Inthemhishopetowinthefortresslaid；
Thentothetowerhewent，anditbeheeld，ThetowerthatlatethePaganlordsdismayedButnowstoodbruised，broken，crackedandshivered，Fromsomesharpstormasitwerelatedelivered。
LXXXIV
Fromdangersgreatescaped，butlateitwas，Andnowtosafetybroughtwell-nighitseems，ButasashipthatundersaildothpassTheroaringbillowsandtheragingstreams，Anddrawingnighthewishedport，alas，Breaksonsomehiddenrocksherribsandbeams；
Orasasteedroughwaysthatwellhathpassed，Beforehisinnstumblethandfallsatlast：
LXXXV
Suchhapbefellthattower，foronthatsideGainstwhichthePagans’forceandbatterybend，Twowheelswerebrokewhereonthepieceshouldride，Themaimedenginecouldnofurtherwend，ThetroopthatguardeditthatpartprovideTounderpropwithposts，anditdefendTillcarpentersandcunningworkmencameWhoseskillshouldhelpandrearagainthesame。
LXXXVI
ThusGodfreybids，andthaterespringing-day，Thecracksandbruisesallamendtheyshould，Eachopenpassage，andeachprivywayAboutthepiece，hekeptwithsoldiersbold：
Buttheloudrumor，bothofthattheysay，Andthattheydo，isheardwithinthehold，Athousandlightsaboutthetowertheyview，Andwhattheywroughtallnightbothsawandknew。
TWELFTHBOOK
THEARGUMENT。
ClorindahearshereunucholdreportHerbirth，heroffspring，andhernativeland；
DisguisedshefirethGodfrey’srollingfort。
Theburnedpiecefallssmokingonthesand：
WithTancredlongunknownindesperatesortShefights，andfallsthroughpiercedwithhisbrand：
Christenedshedies；withsighs，withplaintsandtears。
Hewailsherdeath；Argantrevengementswears。
I
Nowindarknightwasalltheworldembarred；
Butyetthetiredarmiestooknorest，ThecarefulFrenchkeptheedfulwatchandward，Whiletheirhightowertheworkmennewlydressed，ThePagancrewtoreinforcepreparedTheweakenedbulwarks，latetoearthdownkest，Theirrampiersbrokeandbruisedwallstomend，Lastlytheirhurtsthewoundedknightsattend。
II
Theirwoundsweredressed，partoftheworkwasbroughtTowishedend，partlefttootherdays，Adulldesiretorestdeepmidnightwrought，Hisheavyrodsleepontheireyelidslays：
YetrestednotClorinda’sworkingthought，Whichthirstedstillforfameandwarlikepraise，ArgantesekeaccompaniedthemaidFromplacetoplace，whichtoherselfthussaid：
III
“ThisdayArgantesstrong，andSolyman，Strangethingshavedone，andpurchasedgreatrenown，Amongourfoesoutofthewallstheyran，Theirramstheybrokeandrenttheirenginesdown：
Iusedmybow，ofnaughtelseboastIcan，Myselfstoodsafemeanwhilewithinthistown，Andhappywasmyshot，andprosperoustoo，Butthatwasallawoman’shandcoulddo。
IV
“OnbirdsandbeastsinforestswildthatfeedItweremorefitminearrowstobestow，ThanforafeeblemaidinwarlikedeedWithstrongandhardyknightsherselftoshow。
WhytakeInotagainmyvirgin’sweed，Andspendmydaysinsecretcellunknow？“
Thusthought，thusmused，thusdevisedthemaid，Andturningtotheknight，atlastthussaid：
V
“Mythoughtsarefull，mylord，ofstrangedesireSomehighattemptofwartoundertake，WhetherhighGodmymindtherewithinspireOrofhiswillhisGodmankinddothmake，Amongourfoesbeholdthelightandfire，Iwillamongthemwend，andburnorbreakThetower，GodgrantthereinIhavemywillAndthatperformed，betidemegoodorill。
VI
“Butifitfortunesuchmychanceshouldbe，ThattothistownIneverturnagain，Mineeunuch，whomIdearlylove，withtheeIleavemyfaithfulmaids，andallmytrain，ToEgyptthenconductedsafelyseeThosewofuldamselsandthatagedswain，Helpthem，mylord，inthatdistressedcase，Theirfeeblesex，hisage，deservethgrace。“
VII
Arganteswonderingstood，andfelttheeffectOftruerenownpiercethroughhisgloriousmind，“Andwiltthougo，“quothhe，“andmeneglect，Disgraced，despised，leaveinthisfortbehind？
ShallIwhilethesestrongwallsmylifeprotectBeholdthyflamesandfirestossedinthewind，No，no，thyfellowhaveIbeeninarms，Andwillbestill，inpraise，indeath，inharms。
VIII
“Thisheartofminedeath’sbitterstrokedespiseth，Forpraisethislife，forglorytakethisbreath。“
“Mysoulandmore，“quothshe，“thyfriendshipprizeth，Forthisthyprofferedaidrequireduneath，Ibutawomanam，nolossarisethTothisbesiegedcitybymydeath，Butif，asGodforbid，thisnightthoufall，Ah！whoshallthen，whocan，defendthiswall！“
IX
“Toolatethese’scusesvain，“theknightreplied，“Youbring；mywillisfirm，mymindisset，！followyouwheresoyoulistmeguide，Orgobeforeifyoumypurposelet。“
Thissaid，theyhastedtothepalacewideAbouttheirprincewhereallhislordsweremet，Clorindaspokeforboth，andsaid，“Sirking，Attendmywords，hear，andallowthething：
X
“Arganteshere，thisboldandhardyknight，Willundertaketoburnthewondroustower，AndIwithhim，onlywestaytillnightBuryinsleepourfoesatdeadesthour。“
Thekingwiththatcastuphishandsonheight，Thetearsforjoyuponhischeeksdownpour。
“Praised，“quothhe，“beMaconwhomweserve，ThislandIseehekeepsandwillpreserve：
XI
“Norshallsosoonthisshakenkingdomfall，Whilesuchunconqueredheartsmystatedefend：
ButforthisactwhatpraiseorguerdonshallIgiveyourvirtues，whichsofarextend？
Letfameyourpraisessoundthroughnationsall，Andfilltheworldtherewithtoeitherend，Takehalfmywealthandkingdomforyourmeed？
Youarerewardedhalfevenwiththedeed。“
XII
Thusspaketheprince，andgently’gandistrain，Nowhim，nowher，betweenhisfriendlyarms：
TheSoldanby，nolongercouldrefrainThatnobleenvywhichhisbosomwarms，“NorI，“quothhe，“bearthisbroadswordinvain，Noryetamunexpertinnightalarms，Takemewithyou：ah。“QuothClorinda，“no！
Whomleavewehereofprowessifyougo？“
XIII
Thisspoken，readywithaproudrefuseArganteswashisprofferedaidtoscorn，WhomAladineprevents，andwithexcuseToSolymanthusganhisspeechestorn：
“Rightnobleprince，asayehathbeenyouruseYourselfsostillyoubearandlonghaveborne，Boldinallacts，nodangercanaffrightYourheart，nortiredisyourstrengthwithfight。
XIV
“Ifyouwentforthgreatthingsperformyouwould，InmyconceityetfarunfititseemsThatyou，whomostexcelincouragebold，Atonceshouldleavethistownintheseextremes，NorwouldIthatthesetwainshouldleavethishold，Myhearttheirnoblelivesfarworthierdeems，Ifthisattemptoflessimportancewere，Orweakerpostssogreataweightcouldbear。
XV
“Butforwell-guardedisthemightytowerWithhardytroopsandsquadronsroundabout，Andcannotharmedbewithlittlepower，Norfitthetimetosendwholearmiesout，Thispairwhopassedhavemanyadreadfulstowre，Andproffernowtoprovethisventurestout，Alonetothisattemptletthemgoforth，Alonethanthousandsofmorepriceandworth。
XVI
“Thou，asitbestbeseemsamightyking，Withreadybandsbesidesthegateattend，Thatwhenthiscouplehaveperformedthething，Andshallagaintheirfootstepshomewardbend，FromtheirstrongfoesuponthemfollowingThoumay’stthemkeep，preserve，saveanddefend：“
Thussaidtheking，“TheSoldanmustconsent，“
SilentremainedtheTurk，anddiscontent。
XVII
ThenIsmensaid，“YoutwainthatundertakeThishardattempt，awhileIprayyoustay，TillIawildfireoffinetempermake，Thatthisgreatengineburntoashesmay；
Haplytheguardthatnowdothwatchandwake，Willthenlietumbledsleepingonthelay；“
Thustheyconclude，andintheirchamberssit，Towaitthetimeforthisadventurefit。