XII The Saracen at this was inly spited, Who Soliman’s great worth had long envied, To hear him praised thus he naught delighted, Nor that the king upon his aid relied: “Within your power, sir king,” he says, “united Are peace and war, nor shall that be denied; But for the Turk and his Arabian band, He lost his own, shall he defend your land?
XIII “Perchance he comes some heavenly messenger, Sent down to set the Pagan people free, Then let Argantes for himself take care, This sword, I trust, shall well safe-conduct me: But while you rest and all your forces spare, That I go forth to war at least agree; Though not your champion, yet a private knight, I will some Christian prove in single fight.”
XIV The king replied, “Though thy force and might Should be reserved to better time and use; Yet that thou challenge some renowned knight, Among the Christians bold I not refuse.” The warrior breathing out desire of fight, An herald called, and said, “Go tell those news To Godfrey’s self, and to the western lords, And in their hearings boldly say these words:
XV “Say that a knight, who holds in great disdain To be thus closed up in secret mew, Will with his sword in open field maintain, If any dare deny his words for true, That no devotion, as they falsely feign, Hath moved the French these countries to subdue; But vile ambition, and pride’s hateful vice, Desire of rule, and spoil, and covetice.
XVI “And that to fight I am not only prest With one or two that dare defend the cause, But come the fourth or fifth, come all the rest, Come all that will, and all that weapon draws, Let him that yields obey the victor’s hest, As wills the lore of mighty Mars his laws:” This was the challenge that fierce Pagan sent, The herald donned his coat-of-arms, and went.
XVII And when the man before the presence came Of princely Godfrey, and his captains bold: “My Lord,” quoth he, “may I withouten blame Before your Grace, my message brave unfold?” “Thou mayest,” he answered, “we approve the same; Withouten fear, be thine ambassage told.” “Then,” quoth the herald, “shall your highness see, If this ambassage sharp or pleasing be.”
XVIII The challenge gan he then at large expose, With mighty threats, high terms and glorious words; On every side an angry murmur rose, To wrath so moved were the knights and lords. Then Godfrey spake, and said, “The man hath chose An hard exploit, but when he feels our swords, I trust we shall so far entreat the knight, As to excuse the fourth or fifth of fight.