LI.
“Far better ’tis to perish than to be
“Torn by these dogs, or lie at their control.
“Since vain is every other remedy,
“Wait, friends, for love of Heaven, the advancing shoal:
“They are not gifted with more lives than we;
“Have but one pair of hands, have but one soul[7].”
So saying, the bold youth, amid the crew
Of enemies, the Earl of Huntley slew.
LII.
Almontes’ memory, through the Moorish bands,
Makes every bosom with such ardour glow,
They deem ’tis better to use arms and hands
In fight, than turn their backs upon the foe.
Taller than all William of Burnwich stands,
An Englishman, whom Dardinel brings low,
And equals with the rest; then smites upon,
And cleaves, the head of Cornish Aramon[8].
LIII.
Down fell this Aramon, and to afford
Him succour, thitherward his brother made;
But from the shoulder him Zumara’s lord[1]
Cleft to the fork, with his descending blade;
Next Bogio de Vergalla’s belly gored,
And from his debt absolved (the forfeit paid)
Who to return within six months, if life
Were granted him, had promised to his wife.
- ↑ Dardinello.
