XXXVI.
“And trust a noble brother to his hands,
“Boasting no dearer pledge, the pact to bind:
“And next, victorious o’er the German bands,
“Give his triumphant ensigns to the wind:
“To the afflicted church restore her lands,
“And take due vengeance of Celano’s kind.
“Then die, cut off in manhood’s early flower,
“Beneath the banners of the Papal power?
XXXVII.
“He, dying, leaves his brother Azo heir
“Of Pesaro and fair Ancona’s reign,
“And all the cities which ’twixt Tronto are[20],
“And green Isauro’s stream, from mount to main;
“With other heritage, more rich and rare,
“Greatness of mind, and faith without a stain.
“All else is Fortune’s in this mortal state;
“But Virtue soars beyond her love and hate.
XXXVIII.
“In good Rinaldo equal worth shall shine[21],
“(Such is the promise of his early fire)
“If such a hope of thine exalted line,
“Dark Fate and Fortune wreck not in their ire.
“Alas! from Naples in this distant shrine,
“Naples, where he is hostage for his sire,
“His dirge is heard: A stripling of thy race,
“Young Obyson, shall fill his grandsire’s place[22].
