LXIV "Methinks my fate does such injurious deed By me, condemned to servitude so base, As he who turns to grass the generous steed To run amid the herd of meaner race, Because unfit for war or worthier meed, Through blemish, or disease of sight or pace. Nor hoping but by death, alas! to fly So vile a service, I desire to die." LXV Here Guido ceased to address the martial peers, And cursed withal the day, in high disdain, That he achieved o'er dames and cavaliers The double victory which bestowed that reign. Astolpho hides his name, and silent hears, Until to him by many a sign is plain That this Sir Guido is, as he had said, The issue of his kinsman Aymon's bed. LXVI Then cried: "The English duke, Astolpho, I Thy cousin am," and clipt him round the waist, And in a kindly act of courtesy, Not without weeping, kist him and embraced. Then, "Kinsman dear, thy birth to certify No better sign thy mother could have placed About thy neck. Enough! that sword of thine, And courage, vouch thee of our valiant line." LXVII Guido, who gladly would in other place So near a kin have welcomed, in dismay Beholds him here and with a mournful face; Knowing, if he himself survives the fray, Astolpho will be doomed to slavery base, His fate deferred but till the following day; And he shall perish, if the duke is free: So that one's good the other's ill shall be. LXVIII He grieves, as well, the other cavaliers Should through his means for ever captive be; Nor, that he should, if slain, those martial peers Deliver by his death from slavery. Since if Marphisa from one quicksand clears The troop, yet these from other fails to free, She will have won the victory in vain; For they will be enslaved, and she be slain. LXIX On the other hand, the stripling's age, in May Of youth, with courtesy and valour fraught, Upon the maid and comrades with such sway, Touching their breasts with love and pity, wrought That they of freedom, for which he must pay The forfeit of his life, nigh loathed the thought; And if Marphisa him perforce must kill, She is resolved as well herself to spill. LXX "Join thou with us," she to Sir Guido cried, "And we from hence will sally." -- "From within These walls to sally" -- Guido on his side Answered, "Ne'er hope: With me you lose or win." "-- I fear not, I," the martial maid replied, "To execute whatever I begin; Nor know what can securer path afford Than that which I shall open with my sword. LXXI "Such proof of thy fair prowess have I made, With thee I every enterprise would dare. To-morrow when about the palisade The crowds assembled in the circus are, Let us on every side the mob invade, Whether they fly or for defence prepare; Then give the town to fire, and on their bed Of earth to wolf and vulture leave the dead."