CXVII.
“Nor angel”—good Astolpho made reply—
“Nor new Messiah, I from heaven descend;
“No less a mortal and a sinner I,
“To such high grace unworthy to pretend.
“To slay the monsters I all means will try,
“Or drive them from the realm which they offend.
“If I shall prosper, be thy praises paid
“To God alone, who sent me to thine aid.
CXVIII.
“Offer these vows to God, to him well due;
“To him thy churches build, thine altars rear.”
Discoursing so, together wend the two,
’Mid barons bold, that king and cavalier.
The Nubian prince commands the menial crew
Forthwith to bring the hospitable cheer;
And hopes that now the foul, rapacious band,
Will not dare snatch the victual from his hand.
CXIX.
Forthwith a solemn banquet they prepare
Within the gorgeous palace of the king.
Seated alone here guest and sovereign are,
And the attendant troop the viands bring.
Behold! a whizzing sound is heard in air,
Which echoes with the beat of savage wing.
Behold! the band of harpies thither flies,
Lured by the scent of victual from the skies.
