C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Erminia Cures Tancred, and is Supposed to Become his Bride

By Torquato Tasso (1544–1595)

From ‘Jerusalem Delivered’: Translation of Edward Fairfax

[Tancred, in a second single combat in a secluded spot, slays Argantes; but from exhaustion, falls himself in a death-like swoon beside the body of his foe. Erminia, having been discovered by Vafrino, a spy from the army of the Christians, is returning under his escort. He stumbles upon the bodies, and recognizes the hero. She laments over him thus.]

“THOUGH gone, though dead, I love thee still; behold

Death wounds but kills not love: yet if thou live,

Sweet soul, still in his breast, my follies bold

Ah pardon, love’s desires and stealth forgive:

Grant me from his pale mouth some kisses cold,

Since death doth love of just reward deprive,

And of thy spoils, sad death, afford me this,—

Let me his mouth, pale, cold, and bloodless, kiss.

“O gentle mouth! with speeches kind and sweet

Thou didst relieve my grief, my woe, and pain;

Ere my weak soul from this frail body fleet,

Ah, comfort me with one dear kiss or twain;

Perchance, if we alive had happed to meet,

They had been given which now are stolen: oh vain,

O feeble life, betwixt his lips out fly!

Oh, let me kiss thee first, then let me die!

“Receive my yielded spirit, and with thine

Guide it to heaven, where all true love hath place.”

This said, she sighed and tore her tresses fine,

And from her eyes two streams poured on his face.

The man, revivèd with those showers divine,

Awaked, and openèd his lips a space;

His lips were opened, but fast shut his eyes,

And with her sighs one sigh from him upflies.

The dame perceived that Tancred breathed and sight,

Which calmed her griefs some deal and eased her fears:

“Unclose thine eyes” (she says), “my lord and knight,

See my last services, my plaints, and tears;

See her that dies to see thy woeful plight,

That of thy pain her part and portion bears;

Once look on me: small is the gift I crave,—

The last which thou canst give, or I can have.”

Tancred looked up, and closed his eyes again,

Heavy and dim; and she renewed her woe.

Quoth Vafrine, “Cure him first and then complain:

Medicine is life’s chief friend, plaint her worst foe.”

They plucked his armor off, and she each vein,

Each joint, and sinew felt and handled so,

And searched so well each thrust, each cut, and wound,

That hope of life her love and skill soon found.

From weariness and loss of blood she spied

His greatest pains and anguish most proceed.

Naught but her veil amid those deserts wide

She had to bind his wounds in so great need:

But love could other bands (though strange) provide,

And pity wept for joy to see that deed;

For with her amber locks, cut off, each wound

She tied—O happy man, so cured, so bound!

For why? her veil was short and thin, those deep

And cruel hurts to fasten, roll, and bind:

Nor salve nor simple had she; yet to keep

Her knight alive, strong charms of wondrous kind

She said, and from him drove that deadly sleep,

That now his eyes he lifted, turned, and twined,

And saw his squire, and saw that courteous dame

In habits strange, and wondered whence she came.

He said, “O Vafrine, tell me whence com’st thou,

And who this gentle surgeon is, disclose.”

She smiled, she sighed, she looked she wist not how,

She wept, rejoiced, she blushed as red as rose:

“You shall know all” (she says); “your surgeon now

Commands your silence, rest, and soft repose;

You shall be sound, prepare my guerdon meet.”

His head then laid she in her bosom sweet.

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