XLII.
“Wherefore, O brutish man, for your misdeed
“Should penance by the innocent be done?
“’Tis fitting to appease her you should bleed;
“You killed her, and to all the deed is known.
“So that, of trophied armour or of weed
“Of those so many, by your lance o’erthrown,
“Your armour should the best oblation be,
“And you the choicest victim, slain by me;
XLIII.
“And dearer shall the gift be from my hand;
“Since I a woman am, as she whilere;
“Nor save to venge her have I sought this strand;
“In this desire alone I hither steer:
“But first, ’tis good some pact we understand,
“Before we prove our prowess with the spear:
“You shall do by me, if o’erthrown, what you
“By other prisoners have been wont to do.
XLIV.
“But if, as I believe and trust, you fall,
“I will your horse and armour have (she cried),
“And taking down all others from the wall,
“Hang on the tomb alone those arms of pride;
“And will that you release each warlike thrall.”
—“The pact is just (King Rodomont replied),
“But those, my prisoners, are not here confined,
“And therefore cannot be to you consigned.
