Kitap 1
And leaving this, the noble Pallas know.Minerva or Pallas was not only the goddess of arms, but of arts and manufactures. The poet means he has learnt of her enough to spin, let him now learn of her the more glorious exercise of arms.
Why dost thou in that hand the distaff wield,
Which is more worthy to sustain the shield?
Or with that other draw the woolly twine,
780
The same the fates for lector's thread assign?
Banish thy falchion in thy powerful hand,
Which can alone the pond'rous lance command.
In the same room by chance the royal maid
Was lodg'd, and, by his seeming sex, betrayed,
785
Close to her side the youthful hero laid.
I know not how his courtship he began;
But, to her cost, she found it was a man.
'Tis thought she struggled, but withal 'tis thought
Her wish was to be conquer'd, when she fought.
790
For when disclos'd, and hast'ning to the field,
He laid his distaff down and took the shield,
With tears her humble suit she did prefer,
And thought to stay the grateful ravisher.
She sighs, she sobs, she begs him not to part;
795
And now 'tis nature what before was art.
