LIV.
“Between the two on earth and him o’ the sky,
“Until that hour the warfare lasted there,
“Which, spreading wide its veil of dusky dye,
“Throughout the world, discolours all things fair;
“What I beheld, I say; I add not, I,
“A tittle to the tale; yet scarcely dare
“To tell to other what I stood and saw;
“So strange it seems, so passing Nature’s law.
LV.
“Well covered in a goodly silken case,
“He, the celestial warrior, bore his shield;
“But why delayed the mantle to displace
“I know not, and its lucid orb concealed.
“Since this no sooner blazes in his face,
“Than his foe tumbles dazzled on the field;
“And while he, like a lifeless body, lies[7],
“Becomes the necromancer’s helpless prize.
LVI.
“Like carbuncle, the magic buckler blazed,
“No glare was ever seen which shone so bright:
“Nor could the warriors choose but fall, amazed
“And blinded by the clear and dazzling light.
“I, too, that from a distant mountain gazed,
“Fell senseless; and when I regained my sight,
“After long time, saw neither knights nor page,
“Nor aught beside a dark and empty stage.
