While I was speaking, I perceived he was no longer able to sit his horse: but, staggering a moment, he fell off, and lay extended without motion upon the ground. Touched with compassion at this sight, I alighted, and, supposing him to be in a swoon, was preparing to give him some assistance; but, upon my nearer approach, I found he was quite dead.
Leaving therefore this mournful object, I turned about, with an intention to go and offer the distressed lady my further help; but I perceived her already at my feet.
Valiant knight, said she, with a tone of voice so bewitching, that all my faculties were suspended, as by enchantment, suffer me, on my knees, to thank you for the deliverance you have procured me from that base man; since to your admirable valour I owe not only the preservation of my life; but, what is infinitely dearer to me, my honour.
The astonishment wherewith I beheld the miraculous beauty that appeared before me, kept me a moment in such an attentive gaze, that I forgot she was at my feet: recollecting myself, however, with some confusion at my neglect—
Oh! rise, madam, cried I, helping her up with infinite respect, and debase not such perfection to a posture, in which all the monarchs on the earth might glory to appear before it.
That you may the better conceive the alteration which the sight of this fair unknown produced in my soul, I will endeavour to give you a description of her beauty, which was altogether miraculous.