XCVI.
“Belike thou hoped,” (said he of Sericane,)
“If for that time my vengeance thou couldst fly,
“We should not meet in this wide world again:
“But we are met, thou seest, anew; and I,
“Be sure, though thou shouldst seek the Stygian reign,
“Or be from earth translated to the sky,
“Will hunt thee, save that courser thou forego,
“Be it through heaven above or hell below.
XCVII.
“Dost thou, as matched with me, mistrust thy force,
“(And that thou wert ill paired was seen whilere,)
“And more esteemest life than fame, a course
“Remains, which thee may from thy peril clear.
“And thou, if thou in peace resign the horse,
“May’st live, if life be deemed so passing dear;
“But live afoot, unmeriting a steed,
“That dost by chivalry such foul misdeed.”
XCVIII.
Guido the savage, as he spake, was nigh
With Richardetto; and the warlike twain
Brandished alike their trenchant swords on high,
To teach more wit to him of Sericane:
But them Rinaldo stopt with sudden cry,
Nor brooked that he should injury sustain.
“Am I too weak,” (he cried,) “without your aid,
“To answer him that dares my deeds upbraid?”
