h of years,--
A Syrian shepherd pointed out the vale,
And thither brought the camp-artificers
To fabricate the engines doom'd to scale
The City's sacred towers and turn her people pale.

_Canto IV._ The scene now changes to the infernal regions, where Satan
deems it time to frustrate the Christians' aims, because it would
ill-suit diabolical ends to have them recover possession of Jerusalem.
Not only does Satan stimulate his hosts by reminding them of their
forfeited bliss, but he encourages them to thwart the Christians by
reminding them of the great deeds they have already done. His
eloquence is not expended in vain, for the fiends all approve of his
suggestions, and, when the council is over, flit forth, intent upon
fomenting dissension among the leaders of the Crusade, and hindering
their attempts in every other way possible.

One demon in particular is to determine a wizard to send his niece
Armida to ensnare the Christians. This enchantress, decked out with
all the charms beauty and toilet can bestow, soon appears in the
Christian camp, where, falling at Godfrey's feet, she proceeds to
relate a tale of fictitious wrongs, claiming to be heiress of the city
of Damascus, whence she has been ejected, and vowing if she could only
secure the aid of a few knights she would soon recover her realm. In
return for such aid as she implores from the Christians, she promises
to do homage to them for her realm, and even pledges herself to
receive baptism. Her artful speeches, the flattery which she lavishes
upon Godfrey, and her languishing glances are all calculated to
persuade him to grant her request; but the Crusader is so bent upon
the capture of Jerusalem that nothing can turn him aside from his
purpose.

But, although Godfrey himself is proof against all Armida's
blandishments, his knights are not, and among those who succumb to
the lady's charms is his own brother Eustace, who begs his permission
to take ten knights and accompany the damsel to Damascus. Although
Armida professes great gratitude for this help, she entices many other
Crusaders to desert the camp, by casting languishing glances at them
and making each man whom she looks upon believe she loves him only.

All arts th' enchantress practised to beguile
Some new admirer in her well-spread snare;
Nor used with all, nor always the same wile,
But shaped to every taste her grace and air:
Here cloister'd is her eye's dark pupi