CXXXI Thronging about the ignoble car, appear Brazen-faced boy and girl of evil fame, Who, each in turn, will play the charioteer, And all assail the knight with bitter blame. The boys might be a cause of greater fear, For, joined to mocks and mows, and words of shame, The warrior they with volleyed stones would slay, But that the wiser few their fury stay. CXXXII That which of his disgrace had been the ground, Though no true evidence of guilt, his mail And plate, are dragged in due dishonour round, Suspended at the shameful waggon's tail. The wain is stopt, and to the trumpet's sound, Heralds, in front of a tribunal's pale, His shame, before his eyes, amid the crowd, (Another's evil deed) proclaim aloud. CXXXIII They take their prisoner thence, and so repair In front of temple, dwelling-house, and store; Nor any cruel name of mockery spare, Nor leave unsaid a word of filthy lore; And him at last without the city bear: The foolish rabble, trusting evermore Their thrall to banish to the sound of blows, Who passing little of its prisoner knows. CXXXIV The warrior's gyves no sooner they undo, And from their manacles free either hand, Than Gryphon seizes shield and sword, and, through The rabble, makes long furrows with his brand. With pike and spear unfurnished was the crew, Who without weapons came, a witless band. The rest for other canto I suspend, For, sir, 'tis time this song should have an end. CANTO 18 ARGUMENT Gryphon is venged. Sir Mandricardo goes In search of Argier's king. Charles wins the fight. Marphisa Norandino's men o'erthrows. Due pains Martano's cowardice requite. A favouring wind Marphisa's gallery blows, For France with Gryphon bound and many a knight. The field Medoro and Cloridano tread, And find their monarch Dardinello dead. I High minded lord! your actions evermore I have with reason lauded, and still laud; Though I with style inapt, and rustic lore, You of large portion of your praise defraud: But, of your many virtues, one before All others I with heart and tongue applaud, -- That, if each man a gracious audience finds, No easy faith your equal judgment blinds. II Often, to shield the absent one from blame, I hear you this, or other, thing adduce; Or him you let, at least, an audience claim, Where still one ear is open to excuse: And before dooming men to scaith and shame, To see and hear them ever is your use; And ere you judge another, many a day, And month, and year, your sentence to delay. III Had Norandine been with your care endued, What he by Gryphon did, he had not done. Profit and fame have from your rule accrued: A stain more black than pitch he cast upon His name: through him, his people were pursued And put to death by Olivero's son; Who at ten cuts or thrusts, in fury made, Some thirty dead about the waggon laid.