III.
But it behoves, ere more of these be said,
I should awhile of Agramant discourse,
Who had from that night’s raging fire conveyed
To Arles, the remnant of his scattered force:
Since to unite his troops, and furnish aid
And victual, ’twas a place of much resource,
Seated upon a river, nigh the shore,
With Spain in front and Africa before.
IV.
With horse and foot, of good or evil sort,
Marsilius throughout Spain their loss repairs;
And each armed bark in Barcelona’s port,
Furnished through love or fear, for sea prepares.
The Moor to council daily calls his court;
Nor care nor cost the watchful monarch spares:
Meanwhile sore taxes and repeated cess,
All Africa’s o’erburdened towns oppress.
V.
He offers Rodomont, if to his side
He will return, but offers him in vain,
Renowned Almontes’ daughter, as a bride;
His cousin she, her portion Oran’s reign.
He lures not from his bridge that knight of pride,
Who has so many sells, such plate and chain
Collected there, from cavaliers o’erthrown,
As serve to hide the monumental stone.
