LVII.
“But eight days past or more, to Scotland’s court
“A traveller came, and to Geneura he
“Related tidings of disastrous sort;
“That Ariodantes perished in the sea:
“Drowned of his own free will was the report,
“No wind to blame for the calamity!
“Since from a rock, which over ocean hung,
“Into the raging waves he headlong sprung;
LVIII.
“Who said, before he reached that frowning crest,
“To me, whom he encountered by the way,
‘Come with me, that your tongue may manifest,
‘And what betides me to Geneura say;
‘And tell her, too, the occasion of the rest,
‘Which you shall witness without more delay;
‘In having seen too much, the occasion lies;
‘Happy had I been born without these eyes!’
LIX.
“By chance, upon a promontory we
“Were standing, overright the Irish shore;
“When, speaking thus on that high headland, he
“Plunged from a rock amid the watery roar.
“I saw him leap, and left him in the sea;
“And, hurrying thence, to you the tidings bore.
“Geneura stood amazed, her colour fled,
“And, at the fearful tale, remained half dead.
