XV.
And to his foe, that having wheeled anew,
Approached with hand unarmed, the warrior cried;
“Sir, to the goodly courser whom ye slew,
“Because, whenas he lived, he was my pride,
“I deem, I ill should render honour due,
“If thus unvenged by my good arm he died;
“And so fall on, and do as best ye may,
“For we parforce must meet in new assay.”
XVI.
To him Rinaldo, “If we for thy horse
“Have to contend in fight, and nought beside,
“Take comfort, for I ween that with no worse
“Thou, in his place, by me shalt be supplied.”
—“Thou errest if thou deem’st his loss the source
“Of my regret” (the stranger knight replied);
“But I, since thou divinest not my speech,
“To thee my meaning will more plainly teach.
XVII.
“I should esteem it were a foul misdeed,
“Unless I proved thee also with the brand.
“I, if thou in this other dance succeed
“Better or worse than me, would understand:
“Then, as it please, afoot or on thy steed,
“Attack me, so it be with arms in hand.
“I am content all vantage to afford;
“Such my desire to try thee with the sword!”
