XVIII.
After the two had struggled long to throw
Each other in the strife, and vainly still;
Since neither valiant warrior was below
His opposite in force and knightly skill:
The first to parley with his Spanish foe
Was the good master of Albano’s hill
(As one within whose raging breast was pent
A reckless fire which struggled for a vent).
XIX.
“Thou think’st,” he said, “to injure me alone,
“But know thou wilt thyself as much molest:
“For if we fight because yon rising sun
“This raging heat has kindled in thy breast,
“What were thy gain, and what the guerdon won,
“Though I should yield my life, or stoop my crest;
“If she shall never be thy glorious meed,
“Who flies, while vainly we in battle bleed?
XX.
“Then how much better, since our stake’s the same,
“Thou, loving like myself, should’st mount and stay
“To wait this battle’s end, the lovely dame,
“Before she fly yet further on her way.
“The lady taken, we repeat our claim
“With naked faulchion to that peerless prey:
“Else by long toil I see not what we gain
“But simple loss and unrequited pain.”
