Eustace was the younger brother of Godfrey.  He had all the ardour of his time of life, and the gallantry, in every respect, of a Frenchman.  After paying her a profusion of compliments, and learning that she was a fugitive in distress, he promised her every thing which his brother’s authority and his own sword could do for her; and so led her into Godfrey’s presence.

The pretended fugitive made a lowly obeisance, and then stood mute and blushing, till the general re-assured her.  She then told him, that she was the rightful queen of Damascus, whose throne was usurped by an uncle; that her uncle sought her death, from which she had been saved by the man who was bribed to inflict it; and that although her creed was Mahometan, she had brought her mind to conclude, that so noble an enemy as Godfrey would take pity on her condition, and permit some of his captains to aid the secret wishes of her people, and seat her on the throne.  Ten selected chiefs would overcome, she said, all opposition; and she promised in return to become his grateful and faithful vassal.

The leader of the Christian army sat a while in deliberation.  His heart was inclined to befriend the lady, but his prudence was afraid of a Pagan artifice.  He thought also that it did not become his piety to turn aside from the enterprise which God had favoured.  He therefore gave her a gentle refusal; but added, that should success attend him, and Jerusalem be taken, he would instantly do what she required.

Armida looked down, and wept.  A mixture of indignation and despair appeared to seize her; and exclaiming that she had no longer a wish to live, she accused, she said, not a heart so renowned for generosity as his, but Heaven itself which had steeled it against her.  What was she to do?  She could not remain in his camp.  Virgin modesty forbade that.  She was not safe out of its bounds.  Her enemies tracked her steps.  It was fit that she should die by her own hand.

An indignant pity took possession of the French officers.  They wondered how Godfrey could resist the prayers of a creature so beautiful; and Eustace openly, though respectfully, remonstrated.  He said, that if ten of the best of his captains could not be spared, ten others might; that it especially became the Christians to redress the wrongs of the innocent; that the death of a tyrant, instead of being a deviation from the service of God, was one of the directest means of performing it; and that France would never endure to hear, that a lady had applied to her knights for assistance, and found her suit refused.

A murmur of approbation followed the words of Eustace.  His companions pressed nearer to the general, and warmly urged his request.