Notes & Queries Archive
QUERY1850

FAIRFAX'S TASSO

By T. N. (Demerary)

In a copy of Fairfax's *Godfrey of Bulloigne*, ed. 1600 (the first), which I possess, there occurs a very curious variorum reading of the first stanza of the first book. The stanza, as it is given by Mr. Knight in his excellent modern editions, reads thus: "The sacred armies and the godly knight, That the great sepulchre of Christ did free, I sing; much wrought his valour and foresight, And in that glorious war much suffer'd he; In vain 'gainst him did hell oppose her might, In vain the Turks and Morians armed be; His soldiers wild, to brawls and mutines prest, Reduced he to peace, so heaven h…

Topics: Literature, Historical Texts, Poetry