The shield, of which Almontes' son was vain, That of the quarters, good Rinaldo spied;
And deemed him bold, and of a valiant strain, Who with Orlando's ensign dared to ride.
Approaching nearer, this appeared more plain, When heaps of slaughtered men he round him eyed.
"Better it were," he cried, "to overthrow This evil plant, before it shoot and grow."