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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

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My lady greets you with these beauteous flowers.

XXXV.

"Her name is Stella (if you know it not);

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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
Forth from its case of gold a comb he drew,
And having smooth'd his frill, and comb'd his hair, 63
He takes his faithful glass in haste to view
His precious self-The others smile and stare :
And Alard mutters low, with eyes askew,
“Oh, coxcomb vain! for ever doom'd to prove
"The dupe of women, and the slave of love!"

XXXVII.

Meantime bright flaming torches meet the sight,
Each borne by damsel blithe in jocund guise;

While from their cymbals, with sweet garlands dight,
Dulcet harmonious symphonies arise,

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.

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XXXVIII.

Of bright celestial hue her garment was,
Falling but little way below her knee;
Round her fair locks a golden wreath did pass;
With graceful, decent air advanceth she;
Her taper arms were bare, and smooth as glass;
Carv'd with nice skill an ivory lyre they see

Hung round that neck, the which, I ween, doth show
More white than falls from heaven its purest snow,

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,
And while it seem'd she neither walk'd nor ran,
But "moved, smooth sliding without step, along," 68
Her smile benignant caught the love-struck man-
-"Angels like this, my friends, to heaven belong,"
(Biting his lips, Astolphus thus began) 69
"For never mortal wight such charms display'd,

"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."

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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."

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