CXX Older than Sibyl seemed the beldam hoar, (As far as from her wrinkles one might guess), And in the youthful ornaments she wore, Looked like an ape which men in mockery dress; And now appears more foul, as angered sore, While rage and wrath her kindled eyes express. For none can do a woman worse despite Than to proclaim her old and foul to sight. CXXI To have sport of him -- as she had -- an air Of wrath the maid assumed upon her part, And to the prince, "By Heaven, more passing fair Is this my lady than thou courteous art," Exclaimed in answer; "though I am aware What thou hast uttered comes not from thy heart. Thou wilt not own her beauty; a device Put on to masque thy sovereign cowardice. CXXII "And of what stamp would be that cavalier Who found such fair and youthful dame alone, Without protection, in the forest drear, Nor sought to make the lovely weft his own?" -- "So well she sorts with thee," replied the peer, " `Twere ill that she were claimed by any one: Nor I of her would thee in any wise Deprive; God rest thee merry with thy prize! CXXIII "But would thou prove what is my chivalry, On other ground I to thy wish incline; Yet deem me not of such perversity As to tilt with thee for this prize of thine. Or fair or foul, let her remain thy fee; I would not, I, such amity disjoin. Well are ye paired, and safely would I swear That thou as valiant art as she is fair." CXXIV To him Marphisa, "Thou in thy despite Shalt try to bear from me the dame away. I will not suffer that so fair a sight Thou shouldst behold, nor seek to gain the prey." To her the prince, "I know not wherefore wight Should suffer pain and peril in affray, Striving for victory, where, for his pains, The victor losses, and the vanquished gains." CXXV "If this condition please not, other course Which ill thou canst refuse, I offer thee," (Marphisa cried): "If thou shalt me unhorse In this our tourney, she remains with me: But if I win, I give her thee parforce. Then prove we now who shall without her be. Premised, if loser, thou shalt be her guide, Wherever it may please the dame to ride." CXXVI "And be it so," Zerbino cried, and wheeled Swiftly his foaming courser for the shock, And rising in his stirrups scowered the field, Firm in his seat, and smote, with levelled stock, For surer aim, the damsel in mid-shield; But she sate stedfast as a metal rock, And at the warrior's morion thrust so well, She clean out-bore him senseless from the sell. CXXVII Much grieved the prince, to whom in other fray The like misfortune had not chanced before, Who had unhorsed some thousands in his day: Now shamed, he thought for ever. Troubled sore, And mute long space upon the ground he lay, And, when 'twas recollected, grieved the more, That he had promised, and that he was bound, To accompany the hag where'er she wound.