Scarce half a league from Gelva the knight dismounted stood, Leaning upon his upright spear, and bitter was his mood. He thought upon Celinda's curse, and Zaida's fickle mind, "Ah, Fortune, thou to me," he cried, "hast ever proved unkind." And from his valiant bosom burst a storm of angry sighs, And acts and words of anguish before his memory rise. "Celinda's loss I count as naught, nor fear her wicked will; I were a fool, thus cursed by her, to love the lady still." In rage from out the sod he drew his spear-head, as he spoke, And in three pieces shivered it against a knotted oak. He tore away the housings that 'neath his saddle hang, He rent his lady's favor as with a lion's fang-- The silken ribbon, bright with gold, which in his crest he bore, By loved Celinda knotted there, now loved by him no more. He drew, as rage to madness turned, her portrait from his breast; He spat on it, and to that face derisive jeers addressed. "Why should I dress in robes of joy, whose heart is wounded sore, By curses, that requite so ill the duteous love I bore? Stripped as I am of every hope, 'tis better I go bare, For the black mantle of my soul is but tormenting care; I vengeance take on yonder oak, pierced by my lance's steel-- I dote, for, ah! the trees I wound, cannot, like women, feel." He took the bridle off his steed, "Roam as thou wilt," said he. "As I gave Zaida her release, I give release to thee." The swift horse galloped out of sight; in melancholy mood, The knight, unhorsed and helmetless, his lonely path pursued. GAZUL IN LOVE Not greater share did Mars acquire of trophies and renown, Than great Gazul took with him from Gelva's castled town; And when he to Sanlucar came his lady welcomed him, His cup of happiness at last was beaded to the brim. Alone the joyful lovers stood within a garden glade; Amid the flowers, those happy hours fled to the evening shade. With fingers deft Celinda wove a wreath, in which were set The rose's rudy petals and the scented mignonette. She plaited him a baldric, with violets circled round, For violets are for lovers, and with this his waist she bound. And then the flowery garland she tied upon his head, "Thy face is delicate and fair as Ganymede's," she said; "And if great Jove beheld thee now, he'd send his eagle down, To take thee to the palace halls that high Olympus crown." The brave Gazul his lady took and kissed her with a smile; "She could not be so fair," said he, "the girl, who by her guile Brought ruin on the Trojan realm, and set its towers afire, As thou art, lady of my heart and queen of my desire." "If I, indeed, seem fair to thee, then let the bridal rite Me and the husband of my heart for evermore unite." "Ah, mine will be the gain," he said, and kissed her with delight. CELINDA'S INCONSTANCY