Clorinda

Clorinda

The pagan heroine whose praises are sung in Tasso Jerusalem Delivered, daughter of Senapus of Ethiopia, a Christian. Because she was born white, her mother changes her for a black child. The eunuch Arsetes is entrusted with the infant Clorinda, and as he is going through a forest, he sees a tiger, drops the child, and seeks safety in a tree. The tiger takes the babe and suckles it, after which the eunuch carries the child to Egypt. In the siege of Jerusalem by the Crusaders, Clorinda is a leader of the pagan forces. Tancred falls in love with her, but slays her unknowingly in a night attack. Before she expires she receives Christian baptism at the hands of Tancred, who greatly mourns her death.