Then, turning to his mate, cries, “Cloridane,
       I cannot tell thee what a cause of woe
     It is to me, my lord upon the plain
       Should lie, unworthy food for wolf or crow! 
     Thinking how still to me he was humane,
       Meseems, if in his honor I forego
     This life of mine, for favors so immense
     I shall but make a feeble recompense.

     “That he may not lack sepulture, will I
       Go forth, and seek him out among the slain;
     And haply God may will that none shall spy
       Where Charles’s camp lies hushed.  Do thou remain;
     That, if my death be written in the sky,
       Thou may’st the deed be able to explain. 
     So that if Fortune foil so far a feat,
     The world, through Fame, my loving heart may weet.”

     Amazed was Cloridane a child should show
       Such heart, such love, and such fair loyalty;
     And fain would make the youth his thought forego,
       Whom he held passing dear:  but fruitlessly
     Would move his steadfast purpose; for such woe
       Will neither comforted nor altered be. 
     Medoro is disposed to meet his doom,
     Or to inclose his master in the tomb.

     Seeing that naught would bend him, naught would move,
       “I too will go,” was Cloridane’s reply: 
     “In such a glorious act myself will prove;
       As well such famous death I covet, I.
     What other thing is left me, here above,
       Deprived of thee, Medoro mine?  To die
     With thee in arms is better, on the plain,
     Than afterwards of grief, shouldst thou be slain.”

     And thus resolved, disposing in their place
       Their guard’s relief, depart the youthful pair,
     Leave fosse and palisade, and in small space
       Are among ours, who watch with little care;
     Who, for they little fear the Paynim race,
       Slumber with fires extinguished everywhere. 
     ’Mid carriages and arms they lie supine,
     Up to the eyes immersed in sleep and wine.

     A moment Cloridano stopt, and cried,
       “Not to be lost are opportunities. 
     This troop, by whom my master’s blood was shed,
       Medoro, ought not I to sacrifice? 
     Do thou, lest any one this way be led,
       Watch everywhere about, with ears and eyes;
     For a wide way, amid the hostile horde,
     I offer here to make thee with my sword.”

     So said he, and his talk cut quickly short,
       Coming where learned Alpheus slumbered nigh;
     Who had the year before sought Charles’s court,
       In med’cine, magic, and astrology
     Well versed:  but now in art found small support,
       Or rather found that it was all a lie. 
     He had foreseen that he his long-drawn life
     Should finish on the bosom of his wife.