XXXIII.
“Ah! then unless thy heart less beauteous be
“Than thy sweet face, mar not my pious care;
“Take my steel buckler, this I give to thee,
“And take that horse, which flies so fast in air,
“Nor meddle with my castle more; or free
“One or two captive friends, the rest forbear—
“Or (for I crave but this) release them all,
“So that Rogero but remain my thrall.
XXXIV.
“Or if disposed to take him from my sight,
“Before the youth be into France conveyed,
“Be pleased to free my miserable sprite
“From its now rotted bark, long since decayed.”
“Prate as thou wilt, I shall restore the knight
“To liberty,” replied the martial maid,
“Nor offer shield and courser to resign,
“Which are not in thy gift,—already mine.
XXXV.
“Nor were they thine to take or to bestow,
“Would it appear that such exchange were wise;
“Thou sayest to save him from what stars foreshow,
“And cheat an evil influence of the skies
“Rogero is confined. Thou canst not know,
“Or knowing, canst not change his destinies:
“For, if unknown an ill so near to thee,
“Far less mayest thou another’s fate foresee.
