XXXVI.
“His conquest he pursued, and, at his cost,
“Without expense to us, in less than one
“Short month, the kingdom by my father lost
“Restored; and, to repair the mischief done,
“(Beside spoil given) he conquered with his host,
“—Taxing or taking what his arms had won—
“Armenia and Cappadocia which confine;
“And scowered Hyrcania to the distant brine.
XXXVII.
“Him not to greet with triumphs, but to slay,
“Returning from that warfare, we intend;
“But, fearing failure, our design delay
“In that we find too many him befriend.
“Feeding him aye with hope from day to day,
“I for the Thracian warrior love pretend:
“But first declare my will that he oppose
“And prove his valour on our other foes;
XXXVIII.
“And him, now sole, now ill accompanied,
“On strange and perilous emprize I speed;
“Wherein a thousand knights might well have died;
“But all things happily with him succeed:
“For Victory was ever on his side;
“And oft with horrid foes of monstrous breed,
“With Giants and with Lestrigons, who wrought
“Damage in our domains, the warrior fought.
