Godfrey assented to a wish expressed by so many, but not with perfect goodwill.  He bade them remember, that the measure was the result of their own opinion, not his; and concluded by requesting them at all events, for his sake, to moderate the excess of their confidence.  The transported warriors had scarcely any answer to make but that of congratulations to the lady.  She, on her side, while mischief was rejoicing in her heart, first expressed her gratitude to all in words intermixed with smiles and tears, and then carried herself towards every one in particular in the manner which she thought most fitted to ensnare.  She behaved to this person with cordiality, to that with comparative reserve; to one with phrases only, to another with looks besides, and intimations of secret preference.  The ardour of some she repressed, but still in a manner to rekindle it.  To others she was all gaiety and attraction; and when others again had their eyes upon her, she would fall into fits of absence, and shed tears, as if in secret, and then look up suddenly and laugh, and put on a cheerful patience.  And thus she drew them all into her net.

Yet none of all these men confessed that passion impelled them; every body laid his enthusiasm to the account of honour—­Eustace particularly, because he was most in love.  He was also very jealous, especially of the heroical Rinaldo, Prince of Este; and as the squadron of horse to which they both belonged—­the greatest in the army—­had lately been deprived of its chief, Eustace cast in his mind how he might keep Rinaldo from going with Armida, and at the same time secure his own attendance on her, by advancing him to the vacant post.  He offered his services to Rinaldo for the purpose, not without such emotion as let the hero into his secret; but as the latter had no desire to wait on the lady, he smilingly assented, agreeing at the same time to assist the wishes of the lover.  The emissaries of Satan, however, were at work in all quarters.  If Eustace was jealous of Rinaldo as a rival in love, Gernando, Prince of Norway, another of the squadron that had lost its chief, was no less so of his gallantry in war, and of his qualifications for being his commander.  Gernando was a haughty barbarian, who thought that every sort of pre-eminence was confined to princes of blood royal.  He heard of the proposal of Eustace with a disgust that broke into the unworthiest expressions.  He even vented it in public, in the open part of the camp, when Rinaldo was standing at no great distance; and the words coming to the hero’s ears, and breaking down the tranquillity of his contempt, the latter darted towards him, sword in hand, and defied him to single combat.  Gernando beheld death before him, but made a show of valour, and stood on his defence.  A thousand swords leaped forth to back him, mixed with as many voices; and half the camp of Godfrey tried to withhold the impetuous youth who was for deciding his quarrel without the general’s leave.  But the hero’s transport was not to be stopped; he dashed through them all, forced the Norwegian to encounter him, and after a storm of blows that dazzled the man’s eyes and took away his senses, ran his sword thrice through the prince’s body.  He then sent the blade into its sheath reeking as it was, and, taking his way back to his tent, reposed in the calmness of his triumph.