LX.
And, after, when she deemed that all was clear,
Cried to the knight, “Repose upon my say.
“To thee may my arrival well be dear,
“And thou as fortunate account this day.
“Straight wend me to the keep, sir cavalier,
“Which holds a jewel of so rich a ray:
“Nor shalt thou grudge thy labour and thy care,
“If envious Fortune do but play me fair.”
LXI.
The knight replied, “Then nought to me remains
“But that I yonder mountain-passes show;
“And sure ’tis little loss to lose my pains,
“Where every thing is lost I prize below.
“But you would climb yon cliffs, and for your gains
“Will find a prison-house; and be it so!
“Whate’er betide you, blame yourself alone;
“You go forewarned to meet a fate foreshown.”
LXII.
So said, the cavalier remounts his horse,
And serves the gallant damsel as a guide;
Who is prepared Rogero’s gaol to force,
Or to be slain, or in his prison stied.
When lo! a messenger, in furious course,
Called to the dame to stay, and rode and cried.
This was the post who told Circassia’s lord
What valiant hand had stretched him on the sward.
