XLV.
And him perfidious she anew did name.
—“Perfidious, was it not enough (she said)
“That I should know thy perfidy from fame,
“But must the witness of thy guilt be made?
“I wot, to drive me from thee is thine aim;
“And I, that thy desires may be appaid,
“Will die; but strive, in yielding up my breath,
“She too shall die, the occasion of my death.”
XLVI.
Angrier than venomed viper, with a bound,
So saying, she upon Marphisa flies;
And plants so well the spear, that she, astound,
Fell backward on the champaigne in such guise,
Nigh half her helm was buried in the ground:
Nor was the damsel taken by surprise:
Nay, did her best the encounter to withstand;
Yet with her helmed head she smote the sand.
XLVII.
Bradamant who will die, or in that just
Will put to death Marphisa, rages so,
She has no mind again with lance to thrust,
Again that martial maid to overthrow:
But thinks her head to sever from the bust,
Where it half buried lies, with murderous blow:
Away the enchanted lance that damsel flings,
Unsheathes the sword, and from her courser springs.
