LXXII.
“Now what of Roland’s and Rinaldo’s might,
“Not without reason held in such renown,
“Ought you to think (she said) when thus in fight
“Ye by a female hand are overthrown?
“Say, if the buckler one of these requite,
“—Better than by a woman ye have done,
“Will ye by those redoubted warriors do?
“So think not I, nor haply think so you.
LXXIII.
“This may suffice you all; and need is none
“A clearer proof of prowess to display;
“And who desires, if rashly any one
“Desires, again his valour to assay,
“Would add but scathe to shame, now made his own;
“Now; and the same to-day as yesterday.
“Unless perchance he thinks it praise and gain,
“By such illustrious warriors to be slain.”
LXXIV.
When they by Ulany were certified
A woman’s hand had caused their overthrow,
Who with a deeper black than pitch had dyed
Their honour, heretofore so fair of show;
And more than ten her story testified,
Where one sufficed—with such o’erwhelming woe
Were they possest, they with such fury burned,
They well nigh on themselves their weapons turned.
