LI.
“’Tis thus that, through the greedy servant’s sin,
“And easy sovereign’s goodness, on his side,
“The files beneath his banners muster thin,
“When in his midnight camp, ‘to arms,’ is cried,
“For by the wary Spaniards charged within
“His ramparts is he; foes that with the guide
“Of Avalo’s fair lineage, would assay
“To make to heaven or hell their desperate way.
LII.
“You see the best of the nobility
“Of all fair France extinguished on the field;
“How many swords, how many lances, see
“The Spaniards round the valiant monarch wield.
“Behold! his horse falls under him; yet he
“Will neither own himself subdued, or yield;
“Though to assault him from all sides is run
“By wrathful bands, and succour there is none.
LIII.
“The monarch well defends him from the foe,
“All over bathed with blood of hostile vein.
“But valour stoops at last to numbers; lo!
“The king is taken, is conveyed to Spain;
“And all upon Pescara’s lord bestow
“And him of that inseparable twain—
“Of Guasto hight—the praise and prime renown
“For that great king captived and host o’erthrown.
