CXIV.
Within the castle court Astolpho flew,
And there, with spacious wheels, on earth descended:
The king, conducted by his courtly crew,
Before the warrior knelt, with arms extended,
And cried; “Thou angel sent of God, thou new
“Messiah, if too sore I have offended,
“For mercy, yet, bethink thee, ’tis our bent
“To sin, and thine to pardon who repent.
CXV.
“Knowing my sin, I ask not, I, to be
“—Such grace I dare not ask—restored to light;
“For well I ween such power resides in thee,
“As Being accepted in thy Maker’s sight.
“Let it suffice, that I no longer see,
“Nor let me with perpetual hunger fight.
“At least, expel the harpies’ loathsome horde,
“Nor let them more pollute my ravaged board;
CXVI.
“And I to build thee, in my royal hold[39],
“A holy temple, made of marble, swear,
“With all its portals and its roof of gold,
“And decked, within and out, with jewels rare.
“Here shall thy mighty miracle be told
“In sculpture, and thy name the dome shall bear.”
So spake the sightless king of Nubia’s reign,
And sought to kiss the stranger’s feet in vain.
