OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSG.	BOOK	XXXII.
	267
	Here	in	this	lone	retreat,	which	to	his	care
	His	father	gave,	he	kept	the	treasur'd	fair.	610
	He	seldom	issu'd	hence	;	and	with	him	dwell'd
	Ten	knights,	who	first	for	arms	in	France	excell'd.
	It	chanc'd,	while	here	he	stay'd,	sir	Tristram	came
	Before	the	gate,	with	him	a	lovely	dame	1	*,
	Who	by	a	giant	fierce	in	fetters	bound,
	Late	from	his	valorous	force	deliverance	found.
	Sir	Tristram	hither	came,	what	time	the	Sun
	Oppos'd	to	Seville's.	shores,	had	nearly	run
	His	evening	stage,	and	here	besought	to	rest,
	(No	other	place	t'	admit	a	wandering	guest	620
	For	ten	long	miles)	for	doting	Clodio	us'd
	To	jealous	fears,	his	earnest	suit	refus'd	;
	Resolv'd,	whate'er	his	rank,	no	stranger	there
	Should	enter	while	his	walls	contain'd	the	fair	:
	Long	urg'd	the	knight	his	just	request	in	vain,
	Not	prayer,	nor	reason	could	admittance	gain.
	'	Since	mild	entreaty	fails,'	enraged	he	cries,
	'	Force	shall	compel	what	thy	base	heart	denies.'
	With	bold	defiance	then	the	gallant	knight
	Call'd	Clodio	and	his	ten	to	mortal	fightj	630
	And	ofter'd	with	his	pointed	spear	to	show
	That	deeds	like	this	from	recreant	spirits	flow:
	Such	terms	proposed	should	he	his	seat	maintain,
	And	Clodio	with	his	warriors	press	the	plain,
	Himself	would	there	(though	now	refus'd	a	guest)
	Abide,	and	from	the	gates	exclude	the	rest.
	"	The	son	of	Pharamond,	impell'd	by	shame,
	At	risk	of	life,	essay'd	the	list	of	fame,
	Where,	in	the	joust,	he	lost	his	luckless	seat,
	Where	all	his	ten	receiv'd	a	like	defeat	640
	From	conquering	Tristram,	who	the	portal	clos'd
	Against	its	master,	with	the	ten	expos'd
	To	lie	unshelter'd	:	entering	now,	he	view'd
	The	beauty	that	had	Clodio's	heart	subdu'd	;
	Whom	Nature	(what	to	numbers	she	deny'd)
	With	every	gift	of	female	grace	supply'd.
	Her	Tristram	fair	bespoke	:	meanwhile	without
	Her	consort	rag'd	with	fear	and	jealous	doubt;
	Nor	ccas'd	to	urge	the	knight	with	humble	prayer,
	Forth	from	the	lodge	to	send	his	wedded	fair.	650
	But	Tristram,	though	he	little	seem'd	to	prize
	His	lovely	captive,	though	with	careless	eyes
	All	charms	but	his	Isotta's	he	beheld,
	So	well	the	magic	potion	'9	had	repell'd
	Each	other	love;	yet	now,	with	just	return
	Resolv'd	to	wreak	discourteous	Clodio's	scorn,
	Reply'd	'	To	knighthood	must	I	deem	it	shame,
	From	sheltering	roof	t'	expel	so	fair	a	dame.
	If	Clodio	murmurs	thus	abroad	to	lie
	Alone,	unpair'd,	beneath	the	open	sky;	660
	A	dame	I	have,	that	like	a	rose	new	blown
	In	beauty	blooms,	yet	equals	not	his	own,
	Her	will	I	bid	(if	such	his	wish)	to	wait
	Without	the	walls,	and	soothe	his	luckless	fate.
	But	just	it	seems	the	fair	of	brightest	charms
	Should	rest	with	him	who	bravest	shines	in	arms.'
	"	The	wretched	Clodio	thus	compell'd	to	stay
	Without	his	gate	for	slow-returning	day,
	turned	into	a	cow	by	her	lover	to	conceal	her
	from	his	wife,	gave	her	in	charge	to	Argus,	who
	had	a	hundred	eyes,	and	watched	her	day	and
	night.
	18	Isotta	The	loves	of	Tristram	and	Isotta	are
	famous	in	romance.
	See	Note	to	Book	iv.	ver.	373.
	'9	See	Note	to	Book	iv.	ver.	373.
	Less	felt	the	chilling	damp	and	freezing	air
	Than	sad	reflection	of	his	absent	fair	:	670
	Listening	he	stood,	while	jealous	fancy	brought
	Full	many	an	image	to	distract	his	thought,
	Of	those	that	now	with	gentle	sleep	opprest,
	Pass'd	all	the	quiet	night	in	guiltless	rest.
	"	The	light	was	ris'n,	when	to	his	arms	again
	Sir	Tristram	gave	the	dame,	and	eas'd	his	pain,
	With	faith	exchang'd	upon	his	knightly	word,
	Her,	as	she	was,	uuinjur'd	he	restor'd.
	For	though	he	deem'd	his	base	discourteous	mind
	Deserv'd	from	him	the	heaviest	scourge	to	find,	680
	Yet	this	alone	his	vengeance	should	suffice,
	That	all	night	long	beneath	unshelter'd	skies	40
	The	youth	he	kept	;	ner	would	he	yet	approve
	That	plea,	which	call'd	his	crime	the	crime	of	love.
	Far	other	thoughts	should	generous	Love	impart	}
	He	melts	the	stern,	not	steels	th	gentle	heart.
	"	Sir	Tristram	gone,	but	little	Clodio	stay'dj
	He	to	a	trusty	friend	in	charge	convey'd
	The	castle's	keep,	by	his	condition	bound,
	Each	dame	and	knight	that	there	reception	found,
	Should	hold	their	place	by	beauty	or	by	arms,	691
	But	yield	to	stronger	nerves	or	brighter	charms.
	Thus	was	the	law	begun,	and,	thus	maintain'd,
	Has	to	this	hour	unbroken	still	remain'd."
	So	spoke	the	host,	and	as	the	tale	he	ceas'd,
	He	bade	the	menial	train	prepare	the	feast;
	Where	in	the	hall	a	table	fair	was	plac'd,
	The	spacious	hall	with	regal	splendour	grac'd	:
	Hither	by	torches'	light	the	guests	convey'd,
	But	chief	the	northern	fair	and	martial	maid,	700
	Gaz'd	on	the	stately	walls,	where	every	part
	With	story'd	forms	confess'd	the	painter's	art.
	In	rapt	attention	each	the	figures	view'd	,
	And	while	she	ga/'d	forgot	the	want	of	food	;
	Though	either's	strength	not	little	claim'd	repast,
	With	toil	and	travel	spent,	or	spent	with	fast.
	The	seneshall	and	cook	displeas'd	behold
	The	meats	neglected	in	the	vases	cold,
	Till	one	at	length	with	better	counsel	cries:	709
	"	Your	hunger	satiate	first,	and	then	your	eyes."
	Now	each	was	plac'd	in	order	at	the	board
	To	taste	the	viands,	when	the	castle's	lord
	Reflects	that	much	against	the	law	he	err'd,
	Who	thus,	at	different	times	arriv'd,	preferr'd
	40	Spencer	has	an	imitation	of	this	passage,	on
	which	Mr.	Upton	observes	thus:
	"	If	the	reader	takes	any	pleasure	in	seeing	how
	one	poet	imitates	or	rivals	another,	he	may	have
	an	agreeable	task	in	comparing	the	episode,	where
	the	fair	company	Satyrane,	Paridel,	Britomart,
	and	the	Squire	of	dames,	are	excluded,	in	a	tem
	pestuous	night,	from	old	Malbecco's	castle,	with
	a	like	disaster	in	Ariosto,	where	Bradamant	(whom,
	Britomart	in	many	circumstances	resembles)	arriv
	ing	at	the	castle	of	sir	Tristram,	battles	it	with
	three	knights,	and	afterwards	discovers	her	sex.
	Let	the	reader	compare	old	Lidgate's	Canterbury
	tale,	where	Polemite	and	Tydeous	arrive	at	the
	palace	of	king	Adrastus	in	a	stormy	night.	Is	it
	worth	while	to	mention	here	that	silly	romance,
	named,	the	History	of	Prince	Arthur,	and	his
	Knights	of	the	Round	Table,	which	has	the	same
	kind	of	adventure?	See	Part	ii.	book	i.	c.	65.	How
	sir	Tristram	and	sir	Dinadon	came	to	a	lodging,
	where	they	must	joust	with	two	knights."
	Upton's	Notes	on	Spencer,	book	iii.	c.	i\.	tt.	II.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XXXV.
	291
	Ne'er	will	I	rest	till	to	these	arms	restor'd,	430
	These	eyes	behold	my	husband	and	my	lord	:
	Nor	shall	he	long	in	cruel	prison	live,
	Though	treacherous	Rodomont	should	falsely	give
	His	promise	to	deceive	thyself	and	me	:
	All	shall	be	tried	to	set	mv	consort	free."
	"Behold	me	ready,"	said	the	martial	fair,
	"	With	thee	each	peril	of	the	way	to	share
	Till	Arli	we	behold,	where,	for	my	sake,
	Within	her	walls	thy	entrance	shalt	thou	make;
	There	seek	Rogero,	farn'd	through	every	land,	440
	Lov'd	of	his	king	o'er	all	the	martial	band	:
	Thy	gift	on	him	this	courser	must	bnstow,
	From	which	I	late	o'erthfew	cur	hanarhty	foe:
	Then	shalt	thou	say	'	The	knight	from	whom	I
	came
	Dares	to	the	world	thj	r	breach	of	faith	proclaim	;
	To	thee	this	steed	he	sends,	and	bids	thee	brace
	Thy	arms,	his	force	on	yonder	plain	to	face.'
	Here	end	thy	speech	;	but.	should	he	further	try
	To	learn	my	nattie,	be	this	thy	sole	reply:
	'Unknown	to	me	the	knight	whose	words	I	bear.'"
	Thus	she,	and	thus	return'd	the	grateful	fair:	451
	"	What	dangcfr,	generous	warrior!	for	thy	sake
	Shall	I	decline,	what	toil	refuse	to	take	?
	My	life	is	thine	Not	less	than	life	she	owes
	To	thee,	who	could	for	her	thy	own	expose	"
	Good	Bradamant	returns	in	courteous	strain,
	And	to	her	hand	commits	Front'mo's	rein.
	Along	the	margin	of	the	winding	flood
	These	beauteous	dames	their	eager	way	pursu'd,
	Till	Arli	they	beheld,	and	heard	the	roar	460
	Of	billows	breaking	on	the	neighbouring	shore.
	Here	Bradamant	her	courser	check'd,	to	wait
	Herself	at	distance	from	the	city's	gate,
	Till	Flordelis	to	Arli	should	repair.
	And	to	the	noble	youth	his	courser	hear.
	The	barrier	now	attain'd,	the	gentle	dame
	The	draw-bridge	pass'd	and	to	the	portal	cme:
	The	knight,	she	found,	perform'd	her	ta-k	enjoin'd,
	And	good	Frontino	to	his	hand	consign'd.
	Her	message	done,	no	longer	would	she	stay,	470
	But	to	the	port	pursu'd	13	her	eager	way.
	Perplex'd	Rogero	stood,	his	mind	confus'd,
	On	this,	on	that,	in	vain	alternate	mus'd	:
	What	knight	could	such	mysterious	challenge	send,
	With	gifts	to	court	him,	and	with	arms	oflend	?
	He	knows	not	who	the	combat	thus	may	claim,
	Or	dare	for	wrong	sustain'd	attaint	his	name	:
	Yet	no	suspicion	ere	could	raise	a	thought
	That	Bradamant	such	charge	against	him	brought.
	Sometimes	he	deem'd	of	all	the	warrior	crew	480
	The	knight	was	Rodomont,	nor	yet	he	knew
	What	cause	on	him	the	Sarxan's	anger	drew.
	Yet,	him	except,	through	all	the	world	remain'd
	No	single	chief	with	whom	he	strife	maintaiu'd.	.
	Meanwhile	Dordona'S	dame,	in	generous	scorn,
	To	claim	the	combat	blows	her	sounding	horn.
	Now	Agramant,	an'l	now	Marsilius	heard
	That	near	the	walls	some	champion	strange	ap-
	pear'd.
	With	these,	as	chance	befel,	a	gallant	knight,
	Call'd	Serpentino,	stood,	\vho	for	the	light	490
	Requested	leave	to	arm,	and	vow'd	to	bring
	That	bold	unknown	in	bonds	before	the	king.
	Soon	spreading	rumour	to	the	ramparts	drew
	Each	sex	and	every	age	the	field	to	view	:
	He	returns	to	Flordflis,	Book	xxxix.	ver.	299.
	Not	feeble	years,	nor	childhood	stay'd,	but	all
	Alike	impatient	throng'd	to	line	the	wall.
	With	radiant	arms	and	rieh-embroider'd	vest,
	King	Serpentino	of	the	star	address'd
	His	dauntless	course,	and	entering	on	the	joust,
	The	first	encounter	stretch'd	him	in	the	dust.	500
	The	courteous	dame	pursu'd,	and	by	the	reins
	Secur'd	his	steed	that	startled	fled	the	plains;
	Him	to	the	Saracen	her	hand	restor'd	:
	"	Resume	thy	seat,"	she	cried,	"	and	bid	thy	lord
	Select	another	warrior	from	his	band
	Who	better	may	in	arms	my	force	withstand."
	The	king	of	Afric	saw	with	wide	survey,
	Amidst	his	train,	the	fortune	of	the	day	:
	"	Behold,''	th'	enraptur'd	prince	exclaim'd	aloud,
	In	accents	heard	by	all	the	Pagan	crow'd,	510
	"	Yon	gallant	chief	a	victor's	right	forgo,
	And	from	the	plain	dismiss	his	vanquith'd	foe!"
	He	said	;	when	Serpentino	present	stands,
	And,	in	her	name,	a	braver	knight	demands.
	Graudonio	of	Volterna	next	appears,
	No	lord	of	Spain	his	crest	so	proudly	rears;
	With	leave	obtain'd	the	second	course	to	tryy
	He	issues	forth	the	stranger	to	defy.
	Then	he	"Thy	courtesy	avails	thee	nought,
	When	thou	in	bonds	before	our	sovereign	brought
	Shalt	wait	his	nod,	or	by	my	weapon	slain	521
	Here	stretch	thy	length	on	this	contested	plain."
	"	Think	not	my	soul,"	the	noble	maid	replied,
	"	Shall	quit	her	purpose	for	the	threats	of	pride:
	I	warn	thee	to	retire,	ere	prostrate	here
	Thy	batter'd	limbs	confess	my	stronger	spear.
	Return,	return	arid	to	thy	king	declare,
	'T	is	not	for	such	as	thee	these	arms	I	bear:
	But	hither	am	I	come	to	meet	in	figttf
	Some	warrior	that	deserves	a	warrior's	might."	530
	These	bitter	words,	in	taunting	vein	addrest,
	With	.burning	wrath	inflam'd	the	Pagan's	breast:
	He	nought	replied,	but	reining	round	his	steed
	Against	the	virgin	urg'd	his	fiery	speed;
	Prepar'd	to	joust,	her	golden	lance	she	held,
	And	Rabican	to	meet	his	rage	impel	I'd	;
	When	scarce	the	fatal	spear	had	touch'd	his	shield^
	With	spurning	heels	aloft	he	press'd	the	field.
	The	noble	championess	his	courser	stay'd	:
	"Confess	that	justly	I	foretold,"	she	said,	540
	"Thy	tongue	might	better	far	my	message	bear,
	Than	in	the	lis't	thy	arm	my	weapon	dare.
	Go	then	and	in	my	name	thy	king	entreat'
	To	choose	a	knight	that	may	my	challenge	meet
	On	better	terms	:	nor	let	me	toil	in	vain
	With	those	that	knightly	fame	o	ill	sustain."
	The	gazers	from	the	walls,	who	wish'd	to	tell
	What	brave	unknown	had	kept	the	seat	so	well,
	Recall'd	to	mind	each	chief,	that	oft	in	field
	Midst	summer's	heat	their	blood	with	fear	con-
	geal'd.	^
	ToBrandimart	some	gave	the	champion's	claim,	551
	But	to	Rinaldo	more	ascrib'd	his	fame	:
	Orlando	most	had	deem'd,	but	well	they	knew
	His	state,	that	tears	from	every	hearer	drew.
	The	third	in	turn.	Lanfusa's	son	'*,	applied
	To	run	the	course;	"	with	little	hope,"	he	criefl,
	"	To	win	the	palm,	but,	falling,	that	his	shame
	Might	with	his	friends	unhors'd	partake	the	blame."
	And	furnish'd	now	with	all	that	warriors	need
	In	listed	fight,	he	mounts	a	liery	steed,	560
	*	Ferrmu.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XXXVI.
	293
	Thy	voice	humane-	forbade	the	fires	to	rise,
	And	stopp'd	the	blaze	when	bursting	to	the	skies,
	While	towns	and	cities	by	thy	pity	spar'd,	30
	Thy	inborn	worth	to	either	host	declar'd.
	Yet	these,	nor	all	their	savage	fury	wrought,
	Deeds	never	harlxjur'd	in	the	courteous	thought,
	So	touch'd	my	breast	as	one	heart-rending	woe,
	Which	rocks	might	weep,	could	rocks	compassion
	know	;
	When	you,	great	prince*,	yonr	noble	offspring	sent
	To	where	the	foes,	in	guarded	fortress	pent,
	Fled	from	their	ships,	and	where	in	dread	they	lay
	To	wait	th'	event	of	that	ill-omen'd	day,
	As	dauntless	Hector	and	^Eneas	strode	40
	To	burn	the	Grecian	ships	that	brav'd	the	flood:
	Like	Hercules	and	Alexander	go
	The	friendly	pair,	their	hearts	too	boldly	glow,
	They	leap	the	trench,	and	rush	amidst	the	foe.
	Too	far	advanc'd,	the	second	scarce	regain'd
	His	social	band	;	the	foe	the	first	detain'd.
	Feruffin	'scap'd,	behind	Cantelmo	stay'd
	O	Sora's	duke	!	what	pangs	must	then	invade
	Thy	wretched	breast,	when	from	thy	generous	son
	His	helm	unlac'd,	a	thousand	swords	on	one,	50
	Thou	to	the	vessel	saw'st	thy	darling	led,
	And	sever'd	from	the	trunk	his	beauteous	head	?
	Why,	when	the	cruel	edge	his	blood	could	spill,
	Did	not	such	sight	the	wretched	father	kill	?
	Say,	curs'd	Sclavonian,	from	what	savage	bands
	Brought'st	thou	the	trade	of	war	?	Did	Scythia's
	hands
	E'er	shed	a	captive's	blood,	who	freely	gave
	His	yielded	arms	his	forfeit	life	to	save	?
	Was	this	thy	plea	to	murder	him	who	shone
	His	country's	brave	support	?	O	powerful	Sun	!	60
	Withdraw	thy	beams	from	this	remorseless	age,
	Where	all	like	Atrens,	like	Thyestes	rage.
	Thy	savage	soul,	barbarian	!	could	destroy
	The	soldier's	early	hope,	the	nation's	joy	!
	Whose	fame	no	chief	from	pole	to	pole	outshines,
	From	Indian	shores	to	where	the	day	declines.
	Not	those	who	make	the	flesh	of	man	their	food,
	Not	eyeless	Polypheme's	inhuman	brood,
	But	touch'd	with	pity	had	that	grace	confess'd,
	That	grace	and	youth	to	melt	an	iron	breast	:	70
	Thou,	only	thou,	couldst	harm	that	angel	face,
	Than	Lestrygons	more	fell,	orCyclops'	hideous	race.
	Not	such	example	ancient	times	can	show.
	Each	vanquish'd	chief	then	met	a	generous	foe	;
	Each	warrior	then	was	train'd	in	courteous	lore,
	The	battle	ended,	slaughter	rag'd	no	more.
	Unconquer'd	Bradamant,	who	smote	the	shield
	Of	each	brave	knight,	and	stretch'd	them	on	the
	field,
	From	her	fall'n	foe	withheld	her	bloody	sword,
	And	every	courser	to	his	lord	restor'd.	80
	This	warlike	virgin	(as	we	sung	before)
	To	earth	the	gallant	Serpentine	bore,
	*	In	this	war,	amongst,	many	gallant	warriors
	with	the	cardinal	were	Hercules	Cantelmo,	son	o:
	the	duke	of	Sora,	and	Alexander	Feruflino	:	these
	two	rashly	attacking	the	enemy,	Hercules	was
	made	prisoner,	and	condemned	by	the	Venetians
	to	lose	his	head,	as	one	who,	being	in	their	service,
	had	attached	himself	to	the	Ferrarese:	the	sentence
	passed	on	him	was	executed	in	the	presence	of	his
	father.	Ferufnno,	seeing	Cantelmo	taken,	made
	his	escape	with	difficulty	to	his	own	people.
	Eugenico
	Knight	of	the	star	;	next	by	her	noble	hand
	irandonio	of	Volterna	press'd	the	land;
	And	last	Ferrau:	then	rising	from	his	fall,
	Each	rein'd	his	steed,	and	turn'd	to	Arli's	wall	:
	The	third	her	challenge	bore,	and	call'd	the	knight
	Rogero	once	belov'd,	to	mortal	fight	;
	As	midst	the	peers	he	stood,	where	all	deceiv'd
	By	outward	deeds,	the	maid	a	knight	believ'd.	90
	Rogero,	who	the	bold	defiance	hears,
	Demands	his	arms,	while	in	his	look	appears
	A	noble	warmth	:	in	sight	of	Afric's	lord,
	While	thus	he	arms,	the	chiefs,	with	one	accord,
	Again	inquir'd	what	warrior	could	so	well
	With	rested	spear	in	single,	fight	excel	;
	ask'd	Ferrau,	who	with	him	lately	drew
	To	near	discourse,	if	he	the	stranger	knew.
	'	Securely	rest,"	Lanfusa's	son	rejoin'd,
	'	No	tongue	has	yet	this	pride	of	Mars	divin'd.	100
	To	me	he	seem'd,	as	first	his	face	I	view'd,
	\mon's	young	hope	;	but	when	the	joust	ensu'd,
	And	show'd	his	prowess	in	the	manly	course,
	such	I	knew	was	Richardetto's	force	:
	His	sister	hence	you	knight	unknown	I	deem,
	Whose	semblant	features	Richarde'tto	seem.
	Brave	as	Rinaldo	lives	her	fair	report,
	Brave	as	each	Paladin	of	Gallia's	court	;
	But	sure,	by	this	day's	proof,	her	arm	in	fight
	Transcends	herbrethren's	and	her	kinsmen'smight."
	When	this	Rogero	heard:	the	deepening	red	111
	Of	morning	blush	his	conscious	cheeks	o'erspread	j
	A	sudden	tremour	seiz'd	his	beating	heart,
	Swift	through	his	vitals	flew	the	amorous	dart	:
	He	glows	he	burns	and	now	as	fear	assails,
	Through	all	his	bones	an	icy	cold	prevails:
	He	dreads	some	new-born	anger	has	suppress'd
	The	love	that	once	her	gentle	soul	possess'd	;
	Divided	thoughts	by	turns	his	bosom	sway,
	He	doubts	to	go,	nor	yet	resolves	to	stay.	12ft
	Meantime	Marphisa,	breathing	martial	fires,
	There	present	stands,	and	to	the	joust	aspires	j
	All	clad	in	steel	;	for	seldom	day	or	night
	She	stood	without	her	mail	and	corslet	bright.
	She	sees	Rogero	arm,	and	fears	to	yield
	To	him	the	foremost	honours	of	the	field	;
	Should	first	the	warrior	issue	to	the	plain,
	And	with	preventive	speed	the	palm	obtain.
	Her	steed	she	takes,	and	vaulting	in	the	seat,
	Impatient	spurs	th'	expecting	fair	to	meet,	13
	Who	waits	with	beating	heart	Rogero's	sight,
	In	hopes	to	hold	in	bonds	her	faithless	knight;
	While	oft	she	ponders	where'the	lance	to	bend,
	That	least	in	combat	might	(he	youth	offend.
	Now	from	the	portal	fierce	Marphisa	press'd,
	The	phoenixS	towering	on	her	radiant	crest,
	To	prove	that	she,	above	each	martial	name,
	Shone	the	sole	phoenix	in	the	field	of	fame	;
	Or	boast	her	chaste	design	to	lead	a	life
	Estrang'd	from	love	and	all	the	joys	of	wife.	140
	On	her	brave	Amon's	daughter	bent	her	view	;
	But	when	no	semblance	of	her	knight	she	knew,
	Her	name	she	sought;	her	name	disclosed	the	maid
	With	whom	Rogero	had	his	faith	betray'd	;
	Or	rather	her,	whom,	by	report	deceiv'd,
	She	now	the	partner	of	liis	heart	believ'd	:
	Her	whom	she	loath'd,	on	whom	she	burn'd	to
	prove
	The	vengeance	due	to	wrongs	of	slighted	love.
	s	In	Boyardo	the	crest	of	Marphisa	is	a	dragon.'


504
	HOOLF/S	TRANSLATION
	Her	steed	she	hirn'd,	again	with	fury	whccl'd,
	Nor	sought	to	hurl	Marphisa	on	the	field,	150
	But	through	her	breast	to	drive	the	thrilling	spear.
	And	free	her	own	from	every	jealous	fear.
	Comjtell'd,	Marphisa	from	her	seat	was	thrown,
	To	try	if	flinty	rock	or	yielding	down
	Receiv'd	her	fall	;	at	such	a	chance	unthought,
	What	rage	her	fiery	soul	to	madness	wrought	!
	Scarce	rising	from	the	ground,	her	sword	she	drew,
	And	for	revenge	against	her	victor	flew	t
	When	Amon's	daughter	with	indignant	pride
	"	Thou	art	my	prisoner)!	yield	thy	arms,"she	cried	:
	"	Think	not	on	thee,	Marphisa,	I	'II	bestow	161
	The	grace	I	lately	show'd	each	vanquish'd	foe	:
	On	thee,	whose	deeds	thy	vicious	soul	proclaim,
	Reproach	and	scandal	to	the	female	name	!"
	At	this	Marphisa	foam'd,	as	mid	the	waves
	Around	some	rock	the	wind	indignant	raves:
	She	strives	to	speak;	but	rage	her	voice	confounds,
	And	her	lips	mutter	undistinguish'd	sounds.
	She	whirls	her	sword;	and	while	she	aims	to	strike,
	On	steed	and	rider	aims	her	strokes	alike.	170
	But	Bradamant	her	courser	by	the	rein
	Swift	wheeling	round,	with	wrath	and	fell	disdain
	Again	her	spear	impell'd	her	spear	anew
	Marphisa	backward	on	the	sand	o'erthrew.
	Once	more	from	earth	arose	the	wrathful	maid,
	Once	more	for	vengeance	grasp'd	her	beamy	blade,
	Again	her	weapon	Bradamant	extends,
	Again	Marphii-a	lo	the	ground	she	sends.
	Yet	deem	not,	though	her	fame	so	high	was	held,
	Her	strength	so	far	Marphisa's	strength	excell'd,	180
	That	every	stroke	had	thus	the	maid	o'erthrown,
	But	that	the	lance	retain'd	a	spell	unknown.
	Meantime	some	warriors	from	our	army,	near
	Encamp'd	to	where	with	brandish'd	sword	and	spear
	These	heroines	rag'd,	beheld	with	wondering	sight
	Th	1	exalted	prowess	of	their	country	knight	:
	Nor	other,	by	his	mien	and	arms	they	knew,
	But	for	some	warrior	of	the	Christian	crew.
	"When	now	Troyano's	generous	son	survey'd
	The	Christians	bending	tow'rds	th'	extended	shade
	Of	Arli's	walls	;	still	cautious	to	provide	191
	For	every	ill	or	chance	that	might	betide;
	Without	the	gates	he	bids	a	squadron	go,
	And	arm'd	attend	the	motions	of	the	foe.
	With	these	Rogero	came,	who	late	prepar'd
	To	meet	the	tilt	which	first	Marphisa	dar'd.
	Th'	enamour'd	youth	beheld	with	earnest	look
	The	virgins	meet,	his	heart	with	terrour	shook;
	He	shook	with	terrour	for	his	soul's	delight,
	Since	well	he	knew	Marphisa's	force	in	fight.	200
	Such	were	his	fears	when	first	with	lance	oppos'd
	Each	dame	on	each	with	mutual	fury	clos'd	;
	But	when	the	issue	of	the	joust	he	view'd,
	All	motionless,	in	wonder	rapt	he	stood.
	Their	wrath,	as	if	the	strife	was	then	begun,
	Rag'd	on	each	side	;	nor	here	suffic'd	to	run
	A	single	course,	as	when	the	virgin's	hand
	First	sfretch'd	the	three	bold	Pagan?	on	the	sand.
	Rogero	gaz'd.	and	gaz'd	with	anxious	heart,
	His	doubts,	his	hopes	engag'd	on	either	part:	210
	Both	dear	he	held	:	this	love's	fierce	passion	fir'd	;
	And	that	mild	friendship's	gentler	flame	inspir'd.
	Fain	would	he	see	the	hated	conflict	cease,
	But	honour's	laws	forbade	to	enforce	the	peace	:
	Not	so	his	comrades	thought,	who	when	they	spy'd
	The	scn!e	of	conquest	on	the	Christian	side.
	Resolv'd	to	part	the	fray;	and	sudden	whcel'd
	Their	eager	squadron	to	dispute	the	field	:
	The	knights	of	Charles	their	nearer	course	oppo^,
	And	'snnu	in	general	fight	tho	warriors	close.	220
	"	To	arms,	to	arms	!"	is	heard	on	every	hand,
	Such	cries	as	daily	rous'd	each	martial	band.
	These	mount	theircoursers;	those	their	armour	take,
	The	rattling	trumpets	to	the	battle	wake
	The	trampling	horse;	while	drums	and	timbrels	join
	To	fire	the	foot,	and	form	each	deepening	line.
	Fierce	and	more	fierce	the	skirmish'd	troops	engage
	With	mutual	slaughter	and	with	mutual	rage.
	Dordona's	valiant	dame	6	,	who	bop'd	in	vain
	To	see	Marphisa	by	her	weapon	slain,	230
	With	wrath	beholds	her	eager	vengeance	crost
	And	from	her	hand	her	hated	victim	lost.
	Now	here,	now	there,	with	quick	exploring	eyes
	She	seeks	Rogero,	for	whose	sake	she	sighs	;
	And	soon	she	knows	him	by	bis	targe	reveaFd,
	The	silver	eagle	on	an	azure	field	;
	And	now	with	every	tender	thought	imprest,
	She	marks	his	well-turri'd	limbs,	his	manly	breast,
	Each	grace,	each	action	of	the	youthful	knight.
	On	which	she	oft	had	gaz'd	with	fond	delight.	240
	But	when	her	fears	suggest	these	nameless	charms
	Decreed	to	bless	a	happy	rival's	arms,
	Furious	she	cries	"	Am	I	deny'd	the	bliss,
	When	other	lips	those	balmy	lips	may	kiss	I
	Ah	!	never	sure	another's	shalt	thou	prove,
	And,	scorning	mine,	return	a	rival's	love	!
	Rather	than	singly	by	thy	hate	expire,
	This	Jiand,	inhuman,	shall	thy	life	require	;
	If	here	I	lose	thee	death	at	least	shall	join
	Our	hearts	once	more,	and	make	thee	ever	minw.
	If	by	thy	sword	I	fall,	thou	sure	must	go	251
	A	willing	victim	to	the	shades	below	:
	For	human	laws	and	laws	divine	ordain,
	Who	slays	another,	shall	himself	be	slain.
	Nor	canst	thou	murmur	here,	nor	seek	to	fly
	That	fate	thou	justly	meet'st,	unjustly	I	;
	I	kill	but	him	who	seek's	my	life	to	take,
	Thou,	cruel,	her,	who	lives	but	for	thy	sake.
	Rouse,	coward	hand,	and	with	a	righteous	blow
	Lay	bare	the	bosom	of	thy	treacherous	foe,	26A
	Whose	looks,	in	love's	dissembling	smiles	array'd,
	Have	wounded	oft	to	death	a	helpless	maid	!
	Who	now	can	bid	my	life's	sad	period	close
	Without	one	pang	in	pity	to	my	woes	!
	Then	from	his	impious	breast	with	generous	ire
	Exact	that	death,	thy	thousand	deaths	require."
	She	said;	and	to	her	steed	the	spurs	applied;
	"	Perjur'd	Rogero!	guard	thy	heart	!"	she	cried,
	"	Think	not	unquestiou'd	victor	hence	to	bear
	The	glorious	trophies	of	a	maid's	despair	!"	"	270
	Soon	as	these	accents	reach	Rogero's	ears,
	[n	these	his	consort's	well-known	voice	he	hears.
	That	voice	so	deeply	on	his	mind	imprest,
	That	tongue	aniid-t	a	thousand	tongues	confest.
	He	thinks	her	words	conceal'd	reproach	imply
	For	some	imputed	crime	of	deeper	dye
	Than	late	his	promise	fail'd;	and	hence	his	hand
	He	wav'd	a	friendly	audience	to	demand,
	And	plead	his	cause	but	she	with	beaver	clos'd,	-
	Her	spear	already	in	the	rest	dispos'd,	280
	And	threatening	rush'd	to	hurl	him	from	his	seat
	Where	no	soft	turf	perchance	his	limbs	might
	greet.
	When	now	he	saw	the	furious	virgin	near,
	Collected	in	his	arms,	his	ponderous	spear
	8	Eradamant,


318
	IIOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	By	their	example	many	a	knight	and	lord
	Of	Moorish	nation	went	with	speed	on	hoard.
	Still	Agramant	th'	unequal	combat	bore	:
	But	when	he	found	his	force	avail'd	no	more,
	He	turn'd	the	reins,	and	yielding	to	his	fate
	Pursu'd	the	ready	way	to	Arli's	gate.
	-	Behind	him	Rabican,	like	lightning,	came,	540
	Impell'd	by	Bradamant,	the	noble	dame,
	Who	glow'd	with	ardour	for	Rogero's	sake
	(So	oft	withheld)	the	Pagan's	life	to	take.
	Not	less	Marphisa	burn'd	with	fierce	desire
	To	appease	with	late	revenge	her	murder'd	sire	:
	The	goring	rowels	in	her	fiery	steed
	She	drove,	and	by	her	own	impell'd	his	speed.
	But	this	nor	that,	though	borne	on	fury's	wing,
	Could	in	their	course	outstrip	the	flying	king,
	Who	soon	the	city's	closing	gates	attain'd,	550
	And	safely	thence	his	anchoring	vessels	gain'd.
	As	when	two	generous	leopards	through	the	wood
	(A	beauteous	pair)	have	long	with	speed	pursu'd
	The	nimble	goat	or	stag,	return'd	at	length
	Defrauded	of	their	prey,	with	baffled	strength
	They	leave	the	tardy	chase,	and	with	disdain
	Lament	their	force	and	swiftness	urg'd	in	vain:
	So	seem'd	the	virgins,	so	with	shame	return'd,
	And	oft	with	sighs	the	Pagan's	safety	mourn'd	;
	Nor	ceas'd	their	rage,	but	on	the	remnant	crew	560
	Dispers'd	in	broken	ranks	again	they	flew	:	[pour
	Now	here,	now	there,	their	thundering	weapons
	On	those,	that	falling	fall	to	rise	no	more.
	What	now	avails	the	wretched	bauds	to	fly,
	When	flight	no'longer	safety	can	supply	?
	For	Agramant,	t'	ensure	retreat,	has	clos'd
	The	gates	of	Arli	next	the	camp	expos'd	;
	While	every	bridge	that	o'er	the	Rhodan	led,
	His	friends	destroy	'd,	and	took	from	those	who	fled
	All	hope	Ah	!	when	a	tyrant's	need	demands	570
	Like	worthless	herds	are	held	plebeian	bands.
	Some	in	the	stream	and	some	in	seas	are	drown'd,
	And	some	with	crimson	torrents	drench	the	ground.
	What	numbers	perish	'd	!	Prisoners	few	remain'd,
	For	few,	so	bold,	the	foe's	attack	sustaiu'd,
	Of	all	that	in	this	last	embattled	plain
	On	every	side	by	countless	heaps	lay	slain	:
	Though	huge	the	throng,	yet	most	had	prest	the
	By	Bradamant	and	by	Marphisa's	hand.	[land
	Still	through	the	region	many	a	sign	appears	;	580
	Where	Rhodau	flows,	her	walls	where	Arli	rears	:
	The	neighbouring	fields	are	throng'd	with	sepulchres.
	Now	Agramant	M	impatient	gives	command
	To	lanch	the	heaviest	vessels	from	the	strand	;
	Yet	some	he	left	with	lighter	barks	behind,
	To	take	the	fugitives	that	wish'd	to	find
	Their	safety	in	the	sea	:	two	days	he	stay'd,
	So	long	the	adverse	winds	his	fleet	delay'd;
	The	third	he	stretch'd	his	canvass	to	the	gale,
	And	hop'd	for	Afric's	coast	secure'to	sail.	590
	But	king	Maisilius	with	increasing	dread
	Beheld	the	blackening	clouds	around	him	spread	;
	And	fear'd	at	length	his	own	paternal	Spain
	Would	all	the	remnant	of	the	storm	sustain	;
	Then	sought	Valencia,	and	with	anxious	care
	Began	his	forts	and	castles	to	repair
	For	war,	that	seem'd	himself	and	friends	to	threat,
	From	which	himself	and	friends	their	ruin	met	"3.
	M	He	returns	to	Bradamant	and	Marphisa,	Book
	xlii.	ver.	170.
	"3	Nothing	further	is	said	of	Marsilius,	or	what
	befel	him	at	the	conclusion	of	the	war.	It	appears
	Now	Agramant	for	Afric	bids	expand
	His	sails,	with	ships	ill-stor'd	and	thinly	mann'd.600
	Few	were	his	men,	but	not	their	sorrows	few,
	When	looking	back	on	Gallia's	shores,	they	view
	Three	fourths	deserted	of	their	wretched	crew.
	One	calls	his	sovereign	proud;	one,	cruel	calls;
	Imprudent,	one;	and	as	it	oft	befalls
	In	times	like	these,	each	gladly	would	accuse,
	But	fear	forbids	the	murmuring	tongue	to	loose	;
	Yet	some	there	were,	who	met	in	secret,	durst
	On	friendship's	faith	each	other's	feeling	trust	:
	These	vent	their	rage,	while	he	their	wretched	chief
	Thinks	each	his	sovereign	loves	and	shares	his	grief.
	A	king	no	face	beholds	without	disguise,	612
	And	all	he	hears	is	flattery,	fraud,	and	lies.
	The	king	of	Afric.	well-advis'd,	forbore
	To	steer	his	vessels	to	Biserta's	shore,
	Since	there	he	knew	that	all	the	hostile	land
	The	Nubians	held	;	but	higher	up	the	strand,
	Where	rocks	display'd	a	less	impending	steep,
	He	thinks	with	winding	course	to	stem	the	deep,
	There,	landing	safe,	his	forces	backward	steer,	620
	And	with	unlook'd-for	aid	his	people	cheer.
	But	soon	his	cruel	destiny	withstood
	The	sage	intent	the	prudent	leader	show'd,
	And	brought	th'	armada	form'd	by	wondrous	power
	Of	gather'd	leaves	(that	through	the	billows	hoar
	Had	sail'd	for	France)	in	dead	of	night	tc	meet
	The	tossing	vessels	of	the	Pagan	fleet,
	Midst	murky	clouds	without	a	gleam	of	light,
	And	unprovided	for	so	fierce	a	fight.
	Nor	yet	king	Agramant	the	tidings	heard,	650
	That	Otho's	son	with	such	a	navy	stee.r'd	;
	Or	had	he	heard,	what	faith	would	man	bestow
	To	tale	so	strange,	tha^	midst	the	seas	could	grow
	A	hundred	vessels	from	a	slender	bough?
	Hence,	without	fear,	he	sail'd,	nor	deem'd	to	find
	A	single	ship	t'	obstruct	his	course	design'd	;
	No	watch,	no	sentinel	was	plac'd	on	high
	To	give	him	notice	of	a	foe	so	nigh.
	Astolpho'anavy,	well	by	Dudon	stor'd
	With	arms	and	mariners,	and	troops	on	board,	640
	At	rising	eve,	the	Pagan	vessels	view'd,
	And	favour'd	by	the	darkening	night	pursu'd.
	These	soon	assail	the	unprovided	foe,
	Aud	iron	hooks	and	missive	weapons	throw,
	And	grapple	close;	till	now	so	near	they	drew
	That	by	their	speech	the	hostile	Moore	they	knew.
	The	bulky	ships,	with	such	o'erbearing	force,
	By	winds	propitious	that	impell'd	their	course,
	Amidst	th'	affrigh	,*d	Saracens	were	sent,
	That	many	a	vessel	to	the	bottom	went.	650
	The	Christians	now	their	eager	weapons	ply'd	:
	Flames	fla.'-h'd	with	wreathy	smoke	on	every	side	:
	Huge	stones	were	cost,	and	dire	confusion	swell'd
	The	troubled	ocean,	that	had	ne'er	beheld
	So	fierce	a	tempest	on	his	watery	field.
	Brave	Dudon's	men,	to	whom	by	favouring	Heaven
	Unwonted	strength	and	dauntless	heart	were	given,
	(For,	lo	!	the	hour	by	righteous	powers	design'd
	To	plague	for	past	misdeeds	the	Pagan	kind,)
	Afar	and	near	so	well	their	arms	emplov'd,	660
	That	Agramant	could	no	defence	provide	:
	A	cloud	of	arrows	hiss'd	above	his	head	;
	Around	him	swords,	and	spears,	and	axes	spread	:
	only	from	what	the	poet	says	in	the	Ixiid	Book,	that
	he	Christians	obtained	a	complete	victory	over	all
	their	enemies.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XLI.
	333
	Against	the	steed	with	such	resistless	power
	He	rush'd,	the	steed	which	fierce	Orlando	bore,
	That,	forc'd	before	the	dreadful	shock	to	yield,
	He	fell,	and	measur'd	with	his	length	the	field.	540
	Orlando	tries,	but	vainly	still	he	tries,
	With	hand	and	spur	to	make	his	courser	rise.
	When	nought	avail'd	the	saddle	he	forsook,
	Embrac'd	his	shield	and	Balisarda	shook.
	On	Afric's	monarch	Olivero	ran,
	And	both	with	equal	chance	the	tilt	began.
	But	Brandimart	had	king	Sobrino	thrown
	From	off	his	steed	5	though	scarcely	could	be	known
	If	by	his	own	or	courser's	blame	he	fell,
	For	seldom	fame	Sobrino's	fall	could	tell.	550
	But	whether	by	his	own	or	courser's	fault,
	Unhors'd	Sobrino	lay	the	first	assault
	Now	Brandimart,	who	king	Sobriuo	view'd
	Low-stretch'd	on	earth,	no	more	with	him	pursu'd
	The	fight,	but	turn'd	Gradasso's	arms	to	meet,
	By	whom	alike	Orlando	lost	his	seat.
	The	marquis	now	and	Agramant,	engag'd
	With	equal	fortune,	had	the	combat	wag'd.
	Against	the	shield	their	spears	they	broke,	and
	drew
	Their	naming	swords,	the	battle	to	renew.	560
	Orlando	(who	beheld	Gradasso	clos'd
	With	Brandimart,	and	little	now-dispos'd
	On	him	his	force	to	turn,	so	sore	he	felt
	The	strokes	his	gallant	foe	unceasing	dealt)
	Gaz'd	round,	when	near	Sobrino	stood	in	sight,
	Like	him,	on	foot,	and	idle	from	the	fight.
	Fierce	on	the	sage	he	rush'd,	with	dreadful	look,
	And,	as	he	trod,	the	skies	with	terronr	shook	:
	Sobrino,	who	the	dread	encounter	view'd,
	Firm	in	his	arms	with	force	collected	stood.	570
	Then,	as	a	pilot,	who	beholds	from	far
	The	roaring	onset	of	the	watery	war,
	Directs	his	prow	against	the	billowy	tide
	In	mountains	rising	thus	Sobrino	try'd
	With	lifted	shield,	that	ruin	to	repel,
	Which	from	the	sword	of	Falerina	fell.
	Such	Balisarda's	edge,	the	strongest	arms
	But	little	held	against	its	temper'd	charms	;
	And,	wielded	now	in	great	Orlando's	hand
	(Offeree	unequall'd),	nothing	could	withstand.
	Full	on	the	buckler's	orb,	with	swift	descent	581
	Through	double	folds	of	plated	steel	it	went,
	Cleft	all	the	shield,	and	in	his	shoulder	made
	A	ghastly	wound,	where	mail	and	piate	o'erlaid,
	Oppos'd	in	vain	the	fierce	descending	blade.
	Now	in	his	turn,	Sobrino	aims	the	blow
	To	wound	Orlando	;	but	his	fearless	foe
	Unwounded	stands	to	him	such	favour	Heaven,
	A'nd	stars	propitious,	from	his	birth	had	given.
	Again	the	noble	earl	the	falchion	sped,	590
	And	from	Sobrino	thought	to	part	his	head.
	Sobrino.	who	the	strength	of	Clarmont	knows,
	And	finds	no	buckler	can	such	strokes	oppose,
	Drew	sudden	back,	but	scarcely	could	evade
	The	furious	aim	froni	Falerina's	blade	:
	The	sword	fell	flat,	but	o'er	his	forehead	broke
	Th'	unfaithful	helm,and	stunn'd	him	with	the	stroke.
	Prone	on	the	ground	all	pale	Sobrino	lay,
	Nor	soon	recover'd	to	dispute	the	day.
	The	Paladin,	who	deem'd	this	combat	o'er,	600
	His	rival	fall'u,	as	if	to	rise	no	more,
	Against	Gradasso	turn'd,	should	chance	demand,
	In	aid	of	Brandimart,	his	friendly	hand.
	For	him	o'ermatch'd	in	arms	and	sword	he	held,
	Percbance	in	courser	and	in	strength	excell'd.
	Brave	Brandimart,	that	on	Frontino	rode,
	(The	generous	beast	Rogero	late	bestrode)
	So	ply'd	his	weapons	in	the	dangerous	field,
	He	little	seem'd	in	strength	or	skill	to	yield.	609
	Had	like	defence	secur'd	his	breast	from	harms,
	His	force	might	more	than	meet	the	Pagan	arms.
	But,	(conscious	of	his	weaker	mail)	now	there,
	Now	here	he	turns,	and	oft	eludes	the	war:
	No	courser	better	than	Frontino	knew
	The	knight's	command,	or	at	a	signal	flew.
	Where	Durindana	fell,	he	seem'd	to	know
	Its	aim.	and	shunn'd	the	long-descending	blow.
	But	in	a	different	part	the	battle	rag'd,
	By	Agramant	and	Olivero	wag'd	:
	Both	seem'd	alike	the	skill	of	arms	to	claim,	620
	Their	valour	equal,	and	their	strength	the	same.
	Orlando	(as	I	told)	Sobrino	sent
	Senseless	to	earth,	and	tow'rds	Gradasso	bent,
	In	aid	of	Brandimart,	but	from	his	steed
	Dismounted,	urg'd	on	foot	his	eager	speed	:
	Now	ready	for	th'	attack,	he	view'd	at	large
	Sobrino's	courser	lighten'd	of	his	charge:
	Him,	as	he	cross'd	his	way,	with	active	heat
	He	seiz'd,	and	seizing	press'd	the	welcome	seat:
	One	hand	was	seen	the	ponderous	sword	to
	wield,
	And	one	the	rich	and	splendid	bridle	held.	631
	Gradasso	now,	who	view'd	Orlando	near,
	Defy'd	him	by	his	name,	nor	harbour'd	fear:
	With	all	the	three	he	deem'd	such	deeds	t'achieve.
	That	each	should	from	his	arm	a	stroke	receive,
	To	think	it	midnight	20	ere	the	close	of	eve.
	Then	leaving	Brandimart,	his	weapon's	point
	Furious	he	drives,	where	twisted	mail	and	joint
	Enclos'd	Orlando's	neck	;	through	all	it	held,
	But	the	tough	skin	unhurt	the	thrust	repell'd.	640
	At	once	Orlando	Balisarda	waves,
	From	whose	keen	edge	no	magic	temper	saves:
	In	vain	the	corselet,	helm,	and	shield	oppose;
	Through	corsleet,	helm,	and	shield	the	weapon	goes;
	At	once	his	bosom,	face,	and	thigh	receive
	The	smarting	wound,	he	scarcely	can	believe	:
	For	since	the	day	he	first	his	armour	wore,
	No	issuing	blood	e'er	stain'd	the	mail	before.
	Wondering	he	sees,	and	rages	at	the	view,
	This	unknown	sword	his	plates	and	cuirass	hew	65(1'
	With	that	resistless	force	he	deem'd	alone
	Bestow'd	on	Durindana,	now	his	own	j
	And	had	one	stroke	pursu'd	its	aim	aright,
	That	stroke	had	to	the	saddle	cleft	the	knight	:
	More	wary	now	he	fights,	with	more	regard
	Than	wont	erewhile,	and	less	forgets	to	ward.
	When	Brandimart	his	friend	Orlando	view'd.
	Who,	in	his	cause	engag'd,	the	fight	pursu'd,
	Aside	he	drew	to	mark	the	various	field,
	Prepar'd,	where	need	requir'd	his	aid	to	yield,	660
	Thus	stood	the	war	when	now.	long	time	depriv'd
	Of	sense,	Sobrino	from	his	trance	revival	:
	He	rose;	but	still	his	front	its	anguish	own'd,
	His	shoulder	still	confess'd	the	grievous	wound.
	Across	the	plain	his	careful	eyes	be	cast,
	And	heavy	now	to	aid	his	sovereign	pass'd:
	As	Olivero,	all	intent,	pursu'd
	The	fight	with	Agramant,	Sobrino	stood.
	20	An	expression	often	used	by	Ariosto,	and*
	common	to	romance,	meaning	to	dazzle	his	eye
	sight	by	repeated	strokes,	to	make	his	eyes	flash
	fire	that	he	might	thiuk	he	saw	stars	at	daylight.


HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	Behind,	unnoted	of	th'	incautious	foe,
	And	at	his	courser	aim'd	a	speeding	blow	:	670
	His	hindmost	leg	receiv'd	the	biting'	steel	51	:
	He	fell	;	and	with	him	Olivero	fell,
	While	press'd	beneath	him	on	the	rugged.way,
	His	left-foot	tangled	in	the	stirrup	lay,
	Again,	with	strength	renew'd,	Sobrino	sped
	A	sidelong	stroke,	to	lop	the	warrior's	head	;
	But	this	his	arms	forbade,	his	arms	of	yore
	-By	Vulcan	temper'd	and	which	Hector	wore.
	His	danger	Brandimart	from	far	survey'd,	679
	And	spurr'd	his	steed,	and	waving	round	his	blade
	Sobrino	struck,	whose	helm	receiv'd	the	stroke,
	While,	headlong,	justled	by	the	courser's	shock,
	He	fell	to	earthbut	soon	the	senior	knight
	His	feet	recovering,	rose	again	to	fight,
	On	Olivero	turn'd	with	fell	intent	;
	Once	more	to	slay	the	knight	his	force	he	bent,
	Or,	as	he	sought	to	rise,	to	frustrate	his	intent.
	But	Olivero,	with	his	better	hand
	Still	disencumber'd,	could	his	sword	command,
	Which	here	he	thrust	or	whirl'd	with	matchless
	strength,	690
	And	held	Sobrino	at	the	weapon's	length.
	He	hop'd	ere	long	(the	Pagan	kept	at	bay)
	To	free	his	foot	that	now	imprison'd	lay.
	Drench'd	in	his	blood	he	sees	th'	invading	foe,
	And	sees	to	earth	the	purple	current	flow	;
	His	feeble.	knees	can	scarce	their	weight	sustain,
	And	vanquished	soon,	his	limbs	must	press	the	plain.
	Oft	Olivero	strives	in	vain	to	rise,
	Still	on	his	foot	the	floundering	courser	lies.
	Now	Brandimart	an	iron	tempest	deals,	700
	As	round	king	Agramant	Frontino	wheels	:
	Now	at	his	side,	in	front,	and	now	behind,
	Frontino	circles	rapid	as	the	wind.
	This	steed	the	son	of	Monodant	bestrides	;
	Nor	worse	the	steed	the	mid-day	monarch	OT	guides,
	By	Brigliadoro	in	the	field	'sustain'd,
	Bogero's	gift	from	Mandricardo	gain'd.
	Arms	could	he	boast,	of	arms	in	battle	try'd,
	Whose	temper	oft	the	hostile	steel	defy'd	;
	Q1	This	action	of	Sobrino	does	not	seem	entirely
	Consonant	to	the	laws	of	chivalry,	whereby	it	was
	ever	held	unkindly	to	wound	the	horse	;	and	this
	the	poet	himself	strongly	expresses	in	the	descrip
	tion	of	the	duel	between	Rogero	and	Mandricardo.
	-	But	neither	knight	would	try
	Ungenerous	arts,	or	make	the	courser	die,
	T	o'erthrow	his	lord,	&c.
	Book	xxx.	ver.	355.
	But,	after	all,	these	little	deviations	from	general
	principles,	as	has	been	already	observed	when
	Dudon	uses	for	his	weapon	a	battle	axe,	may	be
	introduced	chieBy	from	a	desire	of	variety	in	the
	descriptive	parts	;	and	if	the	several	passages	in
	other	writers,	particularly	of	the	epic	kind,	were
	minutely	examined,	there	is	little	doubt	but	many
	apparent	improprieties,	if	not	inconsistencies,	might
	be	discovered	that	had	crept	in	from	the	same	mo
	tive.	With	respect	to	this	action	of	Sobrino,	it
	may	be	thought	less	to	trespass	against	the	deco
	rum	of	chivalry,	from	the	age	of	the	combatant,
	who,	from	that	circumstance,	may	have	a	greater
	claim	to	our	indulgence.
	Re	del	mez/.o	giorno	-	Agramant	king	of
	Afric,	so	called	from	tiiu	situation	of	hi*	dominions
	to	the	soulhi
	While	Brandimart	wore	such	as	time	could	yield,
	And	sudden	need	had	furnish'd	for	the	field	:	711
	Yet	these	he	hop'd	(escap'd	from	present	harms)
	To'barter	with	his	foe	for	stronger	arms	;
	His'foe,	whose	shoulder,	wounded	by	his	sword,
	From	the	wide	gash	a	stream	of	crimson	pour'd.
	Still	in	his	side	a	wound	the	Christian	felt,
	By	stem	Gradasso	notfor	pleasure	dealt	;
	Yet	with	king	Agramant	so	well	he	strove,
	That	oft	through	mail	and	sever'd	plate	he	drove
	The	weapon's	point	;	his	fencing	shield	he	cleft,
	His	better	hand	he	raz'd,	and	pierc'd	his	left.	720
	Such	was	their	fight,	yet	all	must	sport	be
	thought,
	To	deeds	Orlando	and	Gradasso	wrought.
	Gradasso	has	Orlando	half	deprived
	Of	plate	and	mail,	his	helm	asunder	riv'd	;
	On	either	side	has	shorn	his	crest	in	twain,
	And	sent	his	shield	divided	to	the	plain	;
	His	corsleet	rent	beneath	;	while,	safe	from	harm,
	His	fated	skin	defies	a	mortal	arm.
	But	him	the	Paladin	more	sorely	press'd
	And	pierc'd	with	wounds	his	face,	his	throat	and
	breast.
	To	grief	and	madness	fir'd,	Gradasso	view'd	731
	In	his	own	gore	his	smarting	limbs	imbru'd,
	While	fierce	Orlando	fought,	though	near	disarm'd.
	Without	a	wound,	from	head	to	foot	uhharm'd.
	Gradasso	rear'd	his	falchion,	at	a	blow
	Through	head	and	breast	to	cleave	his	hated	foe.
	He	struck,	but	from	his	head	the	shining	blade
	Return'd	unbath'd,	though	with	the	stroke	dis-
	may'd,
	Before	Orlando's	sight	the	dazzling	meteors	play'd.
	He	dropt	the	reins	;	his	grasp	had	lost	the	sword,
	But	to	his	wrist	a	chain	the	hilt	secur'd.	74*
	Scar'd	with	the	thundering	blow,	the	courser	bore
	The	knight	of	Anglant	round	the	sandy	shore;
	The	knight	all	senseless,	while	he	kept	his	seat,
	Nor	knew	his	flight,	nor	rul'd	the	curbing	bit.
	Gradasso,	with	Bayardo,	swift	pursu'd,
	And	soon	had	reach'd,	but	turning	round	he	view'd
	King	Agramant	to	certain	death	expos'd,
	With	whom	the	son	of	Monodant	had	clos'd	;	750
	Whose	left	hand	seiz'd	his	helmet,	while	the	right
	His	beaver	opening,	at	his	dazzled	sight
	The	dagger	held,	and	no	defence	remain'd
	For	him,	whose	weapon	Brandimart	had	gain'd.
	Gradasso	saw,	and,	furious	at	the	view,
	Orlando	left	and	to	his	rescue	flew.
	Now	Brandimart	(who	deem'dthat	close	engag'd
	Gradasso	with	Anglante's	warrior	wag'd
	The	combat	still)	his	art	and	force	apply'd
	His	dagger	in	the	Pagan's	throat	to	hide,	16Qt
	When	lo	!	Gradasso	struck	with	all	his	might
	Behind	the	helmet	of	the	noble	knight.
	Father	of	Heaven	a	!	among	th'	elected	blest,
	Vouchsafe	to	give	thy	faithful	martyr	rest	!
	Who	now,	the	storm	of	life's	short	voyage	o'er,
	Has	furl'd	his	sails	upon	a	peaceful	shore.
	3	The	death	of	Brandimart	is	one	of	the	mos*
	affecting	passages	in	the	poem;	and	nothing	can
	be	finer	than	this	abrupt	apostrophe	of	the	poet,
	when	he	receives	the	mortal	wound.	This	idea	ap
	pears	entirely	our	author's	own,	and	1	believe	will
	be	allowed	to	be	excel	led	by	few,	if	any	passages*
	either	in	the	sublime	or	pathetic.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	OOK	XLII.
	339
	The	stranger-knight,	who	heard	Rinaldo's	crie.,
	His	courser	spurs,	and	to	his	rescue	flies;
	And	soon	he	views	the	fiend	whose	snake	enroll'd
	Einaldo's	limbs	in	many	a	winding	fold	:
	Who	glow'd	with	feverish	heat,	or	shook	with	freez-
	'.	'	ing	cold.
	Swift	came	the	knight,	against	her	side	he	thrust
	His	potent	spear,	and	hurl'd	her	in	the	dust	:
	She	fell	;	but	soon	again	the	earth	forsook,	410
	And	rear'd	aloft	her	venom'd	serpent	shook
	In	spiral	wreaths:	no	longer	will	the	"knight
	With	javelin,	but	with	fire	pursue	the	fight:
	He	grasps	his	mace,	and	where	the	serpent	curls
	Her	rattling	scales,	or	where	in	length	unfurls,
	With	ceaseless	aim	he	drives	the	fiery	blows
	Like	crushing	storms,	nor	rest	nor	pause	allows.
	While	thus	his	weapon's	unresisted	sway
	Or	drives	the	monster	back,	or	holds	at	bay	;
	He	bids	the	Paladin	the	path	pursue	420
	That	from	the	thickets	to	the	mountain	drew.
	He	said	the	Paladin	observant	flies,
	And	backward	fears	to	cast	his	loathing	eyes	:
	Nor	stays,	till	fdr	beyond	the	monster's	sight,
	Though	rough	the	path	and	arduous	is	the	height.
	Meanwhile	the	champion	to	her	dismal	cell
	Has	driven	by	force	the	ghastly	child	of	Hell	;
	There,	while	in	fury	for	her	frustrate	will,
	She	gnaws	her	flesh	;	her	breast	black	poisons	fill,
	And	from	her	thousand	eyes	eternal	tears	distill.
	The	victor	then	impell'd	his	courser's	speed	431
	To	join	Rinaldo.	and	in	safety	lead
	From	those	drear	wilds:	and	on	the	ascendingheight
	O'ertook,	and	stood	beside	the	gentle	knight.
	Rinaldo	now	with	grateful	words	repaid
	His	service	done	<;	Accept	my	thanks,	'"	he	said,
	"	Though	thanks	are	poor,	when	life	can	scarce	re
	pay
	The	glorious	aid	of	this	adventurous	day.
	Give	me,	at	least,	to	learn	thy	name,	and	know
	.	To	whom,	sir	knight,	I	such	deliverance	owe;	440"
	And	tell	to	Charles,	and	all	his	peers	around,
	Thy	matchless	valour,	and	thy	praise	resound."
	To	whom	the	knight	"	My	name	yet	unreveal'd,
	Be	not	displeas'd	if	still	I	keep	conceal'd	:
	This	shall	thou	learn,	before	the	noontide	shade
	A	foot	has	lengthen'd	o'er	the	dewy	glade.''
	In	converse	thus	they	journey'd	till	they	found
	A	crystal	fount,	that	oft	with	murmuring	sound
	Strangers	and	swains	allur'd	its	draughts	to	prove,
	And	quaff	a	long	oblivion	of	their	love.	450
	These	are	the	cooling	waters	that	assuage,
	(O	mighty	prince	'3	!)	the	heat	of	amorous	rage	;
	'-	From	which	Angelica	her	hatred	drew,
	From	which	Rinaldo's	first	aversion	grew.'
	The	knight,	who	with	Rinaldo	came	and	view'd
	Where	the	clear	stream	the	bordering	plants	be-
	dew'd,
	As	faint	with	heat	and	toil,	his	courser	stay'd	:
	"	Here	let	us	rest	awhile"	the	stranger	said.
	"	Well	may	we	here,"	Rinaldo	cries,	"	repose,
	Now	with	fierce	rays	meridian	Phosbus	glows	:	460
	My	limbs	unnerv'd	so	sorely	late	opprest	.	t
	By	that	dire	fiend,	would	gladly	welcome	xest."
	Thus	they	;	when	each	alighting,	gave	his	steed
	To	rove	at	large,	and	through	the	forest	feed	:
	Each	from	his	head	the	radiant	helm	unlac'd,
	And	on	the	turf	with	flowers	enamell'd	plac'd.
	13	Cardinal	Hippolito,
	Rinaldo	then,	opprest	with	thirst	and	heat,
	To	the	smooth	mirrour	bent	his	eager	feet	;
	At	one	cool	draught	its	sovereign	virtue	prov'd,
	And	thirst,	and	heat,	and	love	at	once	remov'd.	476
	Soon	as	the	knight	unknown	beheld	him	sip
	The	cooling	stream,	.and	raise	his	moisten'd	lip,
	And	saw	his	heart	estrang'd	from	Cupid's	fire,
	Repentant	now	of	every	fond	desire,
	Erect	he	rose,	and	with	a	lofty	look,
	Himself	disclos'd,	and	in	these	accents	spoke:
	"	Know	then,	Rinaldo,	1	am	call'd	Disdain,
	And	hither	come	to	break	thy	galling	chain."
	He	said	;	and	inslant	vanish'd	from	the	view,
	And	with	the	kn	:	ght	his	phantom-steed	withdrew.
	Rinaldo,	speechless,	cast	around	his	eyes:	481
	"	Where	is	mv	champion	fled?"	Amaz'd,	he	cries.
	All	this	th'	cfl'ect	of	magic	art	he	thought,
	Some	friendly	spell	by	Malagigi	wrought,
	To	break	that	yoke,	which	long,	with	galling
	pain,
	His	tyrant	passion	forc'd	him	to	sustain	:
	Or,	haply,	God,	in	his	eternal	love,
	Had,	from	his	holy	hierarchy	above,
	An	angel	sent,	his	saving	grace	to	deal,
	As	once	he	sent	him	Tobit's	eyes	to	heal.	490
	But	whether	fiend	from	Hell,	or	saint	from	Heaven,
	Had	to	his	captive	soul	her	freedom	given,
	To	him	all	thanks	were	due,	by	whom	his	heart
	Wascur'd	of	love,	and	every	amorous	smart.
	To	India	still	he	pnrpos'd	to	proceed,
	In	Sericana	to	regain	his	steed	;
	For	this	his	honour	claim'd,	and	this	he	vow'd,
	When	royal	Charles	his	earnest	suit	allow'd.
	Next	day	to	Basilea's	town	hecatne;
	But	ere	he	reach'd	it,	thither	spread	the	fame	500
	That	earl	Orlando	stood	prepar'd	for	fight
	With	Agramant	and	Sericana's	'	knight.
	Thus	wt-nt	the	tale	nor	was	the	tale	believ'd,
	By	message	from	Anglante's	lord	receiv'd	j
	But	one,	who	late	his	eager	voyage	sped
	From	Sicily,	the	certain	tidings	spread.
	Fain	woidd	Rinaldo	(though	remov'd	a^ar)
	The	glorious	combat	with	Orlando	share	:
	Full	many	a	mile	he	tir'd	full	many	a	steed,	509
	And	many	a	guide	impatience	wing'd	his	speed.
	The	Rhine	hepass'd,	and	now	his	way	.pursu'd
	O'er	Alpine	steeps,	now	Italy	he	view'd	j
	Now	Mantua	and	Verona	he	forsook,
	And	'cross	the	Po	his	rapid	journey	took.
	Already	westward	far	declin'd	the	Sun,
	And	in	the	skies	the	star	of	evening	shone	;
	When,	as	beside	the	river's	winding	flood
	Debating	with	himself	Rinaldo	stood
	To	change	his	steed,	or	there	remain	till	night
	Should	fly	th'	approach	of	next	Aurora's	light;	520
	Sudden	before	his	eyes	a	knight	1S	was	seen,
	Of	comely	feature	and	of	courteous	mien,
	Yn'ho,	first	with	fair	salute,	besought	to	know
	If	e'er	his	lips	had	seal'd	the	marriage	vow.
	'1	Gradasso.
	15	It	appears	that	the	appellation	of	Cavaliero
	(knight)	is	not	always	confined	by	our	author	to
	the	military	character	of	a	wandering	champion,
	but	here,	and	in	other	places,	is	given	to.	those
	who	do	not	appear	to	have	any	concern	in	the
	profession	of	arms.	Perhaps	Cervantes	had	this
	idea	when	he	made	Don	Quixote	entitle	a	stranger,
	wfcoiu	be	met,	ths	knight	of	the	Green	Cassock.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XLIII.
	345
	A	comely	knight,	young;,	noble,	who	excell'd
	In	courtly	grace,	here	large	possessions	held,	250
	Who,	as	he	on^e	his	falcon's	flight	pursu'd,
	My	palace	enter'd	and	my	consort	view'd.
	Her	form	so	far	in	one	short	meeting	gain'd,
	The	deep	impression	on	his	heart	remaiu'd;
	And	ni;.t	an	art	he	left	untry'd	to	win
	Her	dear	consent	;	but	she	the	proffer'd	sin
	Rejecting	stern,	repuls'd	him	o'er	and	o'er,
	Till	quell'd	he	press'd	her	to	his	suit	no	more;
	But	could	not	from	his	memory	remove
	Her	beauty,	graven	by	the	dart	of	love.	260
	Melissa	sooth'd	me	now	the	proof	to	make,
	And	on	myself	this	youth's	resemblance	take;
	Then	sudden	chang'd	(by	some	mysterious	art)
	My	face,	my	speech,	iny	mien,	my	every	part.
	"	Now	with	my	wife	a	distant	voyage	feign'd,
	She	deem'd	some	foreign	realm	my	step	detain'd,
	When,	like	her	youthful	lover	chang'd,	I	came,
	My	gait,	my	voice,	my	dress,	my	looks	the	same.
	Melissa	near	attended	at	my	side,
	Whose	mien	and	sex	a	page's	form	bely'd,	270
	Who	with	him	fairer	gems	and	jewels	bore
	Than	ever	flam'd	on	India's	pearly	shore.
	I,	that	full	well	each	close	apartment	knew,
	Now	with	Melissa	to	the	palace	drew,
	And	found	the	dame	(the	coast	by	fortune	clear)
	Alone,	without	a	squire	or	damsel	near.
	With	many	a	prayer	I	press'd	my	amorous	suit,
	And	show'd	for	wicked	deeds	the	golden	fruit	;
	Display'd	my	treasur'd	stores,	of	power	to	shake
	The	firmest	mind,	and	vice	of	virtue	make;	280
	Where	emeralds	gleam'd,	and	where	the	ruddy
	blaze
	Of	rubies	mingled	with	the	diamond's	rays.
	4	Yet	e'en	these	presents	claim'd	but	small	regard,'
	I	cried,	'	to	what	my	future	love	prepar'd.'
	Her	husband's	absence	then	1	urg'd,	and	press'd
	The	fair	occasion	to	confirm	me	blest.
	I	bade	her	call	to	mind,	my	faithful	flame
	So	long	experienc'd	some	return	might	claim.
	"	At	first	confus'd,	a	flushing	colour	burn'd
	Her	glowing	cheek,	and	from	my	suit	she	turn'd	:
	But	in	her	eyes	the	gems	so	brightly	shone,	291
	By	slow	degrees	her	softening	will	they	won;
	Till	with	a	low	and	faltering	voice	she	said,
	(What	when	I	think,	my	very	soul	is	dead)
	'	My	vows	should	meet	return,	if	well	assur'd
	Our	loves	might	rest	from	all	the	world	secur'd.'
	This	fatal	answer,	like	a	venom'd	dart
	Shot	through	my	soul	and	thrill'd	in	very	part:
	In	all	my	veins	a	chilling	frost	prevailed	;
	I	strove	to	speak	but	speech	of	utterance	fail'd.
	Melissa	then	th'	enchanted	mist	dispell'd,	301
	And	sudden,	in	my	proper	shape	beheld,
	Again	1	stood	judge	then	how	look'd	the	dame,
	Before	her	lord	betray'd	to	cureless	shame.
	Both	ashy	pale	appear'd,	nor	silence	broke,
	Our	eyes	cast	down	;	at	length	with	pain	I	spoke
	These	few	short	words,	which	scarce	my	tongue
	supply'd	:
	'	Ah	!	faithless	wife	!	and	wilt	thou	thus,'	I	cried,
	'	Betray	my	honour,	when	a	lover	nigh
	Thou	see'st,	with	gifts	thy	venial	love	to	buy	?'	310
	Thus	I	while	nought	to	my	reproach	she	said,
	But	tears	incessant	down	her	bosom	shed,	[griev'd
	Much	griev'd	she	for	the	shame,	but	more	she
	To	find	her	honour	by	such	wiles	deceiv'd	;
	By	me	deceiv'd	hence	soon	to	anger	turn'd
	Each	tender	thought,	her	soul	with	hatred	burn'd.
	She	now	resolv'd	my	loathsome	sight	to	fly	j
	And	when	the	Sun	forsook	the	reddening	sky,
	And	left	his	car,	she	reach'd	the	river's	side,	319
	Embark'd,	and	stemm'd,	by	night,	the	silver	tide.
	Next	morn	before	the	youthful	knight	she	stood,
	Who	long	with	earnest	suit	her	favour	woo'd,
	Beneath	whose	mien	and	well-dissembled	face,
	By	me	so	tempted	to	my	own	disgrace,
	She	suffer'd	late,	well	mayst	thou	think	her
	sight
	Not	little	grateful	to	th'	enamour'd	knight.
	She	bade	me	thence	be	told	my	hopes	were	vain
	To	call	her	mine,	or	her	lost	love	regain.
	From	that	curst	day	with	him	the	fair	resides
	In	every	joy,	and	me,	alas	!	derides	:	330
	And	still	I	groan	beneath	the	load	of	grief
	Myself	have	heap'd,	and	ne'er	must	hope	relief:
	Still	swells	my	woe,	and	just	it	seems	that	death
	Should	close,	as	soon	it	must,	this	hated	breath.
	Scarce	had	I	here	a	single	year	surviv'd,
	But	from	one	cause	some	comfort	I	deriv'd	;
	My	comfort	this	of	all	that	here	have	stray'd
	Since	Sol	ten	times	his	annual	course	has	made,
	(For	still	I	bring	this	vase	to	every	guest)
	Not	one	but	sheds	the	liquor	on	his	breast.	340
	To	find	so	many	partners	of	my	fate,
	Affords	some	solace	in	my	wretched	state.
	Amidst	such	numbers,	thou	alone	couldst	prova
	So	wise,	to	shun	this	dangerous	test	of	love.
	Desire	to	know	what	fits	not	of	a	wife
	To	learn,	has	poison'd	all	my	future	life.
	"	Not	long	Melissa,	with	insidious	heart,
	Enjoy'd	th'	effects	of	her	malicious	art,
	Since	her	I	loath'd,	nor	could	support	the	view
	Of	one,	from	whom	my	source	of	grief	I	drew.	350
	Impatient	she	his	hatred	thus	to	prove,
	Whom	more	than	life	she	still	profess'd	to	love;
	Though	many	a	dame	perchance,	her	rival	gone,
	Had	still	remain'd,	yet	she,	the	sight	to	shun
	Of	all	she	lov'd,	but	hop'd	not	to	obtain,
	Fled	from	this	land	to	some	remote	domain,
	Whence	never	could	her	tidings	reach	my	ears
	again."
	When,	with	a	sigh,	the	mournful	knight	had	clos'd
	His	heavy	tale,	Rinaldo	seern'd	dispos'd
	To	musing	thought,	by	friendly	pity	sway'd	^	360
	At	length	he	rais'd	his	head,	and	thus	he	said	:
	"Bad	counsel	issu'd	from	Melissa's	breast,
	Which	urg'd	thee	to	provoke	the	hornet's	nest	;
	And	unadvis'd	wert	thou	a	depth	to	sound,
	Which,	when	explor'd,	thou	fain	wouldst	wish	un-
	found	:
	And	if	through	avarice	the	first	assault
	Subdu'd	thy	wife,	why	wonder	at	her	fault?
	Not	she	the	first,	nor	fifth,	amid	the	race
	Of	females,	that	have	fall'n	to	like	disgrace.
	So	strongly	prest	a	mind	of	firmer	frame,	370
	For	less	reward	had	sunk	to	deeper	shame	:
	How	many	men,	ere	this,	seduc'd	by	gold,
	Their	dearest	patrons	and	their	friends	have	sold	!
	But	didst	thou	wish	her	some	defence	to	make,
	Why	with	such	potent	arms	her	virtue	shake	!
	Know'st	thou	that	bulwarks	cannot	gold	withstand,
	Which	strikes	the	weapon	from	the	victor's	hand	?
	More	is	thy	blame,	who	tempted	her	to	sin,
	Than	hers,	whom	suoh	reward	so	soon	could	win.
	Had	she,	with	equal	bribes,	thyself	assail'd,	380
	Thy	boasted	virtue	might,	like	hers,	have	fail'd."
	Rinaldo	ceas'd	;	then	from	the	board	arose,
	And	of	his	host	besought	a	night's	repose	;


348
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	At	length	his	words	and	deeds	so	far	prevail'd,	6()(
	The	hind	no	more	the	lurking	snake	assail'd.
	"	Adonio,	parting	thence,	a	region	sought,
	Where	most	unknown	his	former	state	he	thought	:
	There,	from	his	native	soil	afar	remov'd,
	Seven	tedious	years	of	want	and	sorrow	prov'd	;
	Nor	yet	could	distance	or	could	want	control
	The	secret	workings	of	his	active	soul	;
	There	love	still	reigns,	resides	in	every	part,
	Beats	in	his	pulse,	and	rankles	in	his	heart	:
	He	lingers	to	return,	to	view	again	610
	Those	charms	he	long	had	pin'd	to	view	in	vain.
	In	mean	attire,	of	every	meed	bereft,
	He	seeks	the	country	he	so	long	had	left.
	"	Meantime	it	cbaric'd	our	city	to	require
	Some	learned	envoy	to	the	holy	sire,
	Our	resident	beside	the	papal	throne,
	The	period	of	his	mission	yet	unknown.
	The	lot	was	cast,	and	on	the	judge	it	fell	;
	A	day	that	seem'd	his	fortune	to	foretell.
	Excuses,	prayers	and	promises	he	tried	620
	To	set	this	fatal	embassy	aside.
	Depart	he	must	he	groans,	with	grief	opprcst,
	As	if	bis	heart	were	cleft	within	his	breast	;
	And	pale	with	jealous	fear	of	future	harms,
	While	banish'd	from	his	dearest	consort's	arms,
	By	all	be	thought	might	move,	he	begg'd	the	dame
	To	keep	her	nuptial	honour	free	from	blame.
	Not	beauty,	wealth,	or	lineage	e'er	could	rai?e
	A	woman's	name,	he	said,	to	height	of	praise,
	If	not	in	action	chaste	that	beauty	shines	630
	Conspicuous	most,	when	truth	its	worth	refines	;
	And,	in	his	absence,	might	her	virtue	prove
	A	fair	example	of	connubial	love	!
	"	So	warn'd	the	jealous	judge	his	consort	hears
	His	sad	departure,	and	dissolves	in	tears;
	But	swears	the	Sun	shall	sooner	lose	his	light,
	Than	she	so	ill	his	constant	love	requite	:
	With	mind	unspotted	sooner	will	she	die,
	Than	with	a	lover	even	in	thought	comply.
	Though	by	her	promises,	her	vows,	her	grief,	640
	He	calm'd	his	fears,	and	found	a	short	relief;
	Yet	could	he	ne'er	from	fond	inquiries	cease,
	Still	finding	matter	to	disturb	his	peace.
	A	friend	he	knew,	who,	vers'd	in	magic	spell,
	Could	all	events	of	future	time	foretell	;
	To	him	he	went,	and	begg'd	him	to	declare
	If	his	Agria	(so	was	nam'd	the	fair),
	While	he	far	distant	from	his	home	remain'd,
	Would	keep	her	nuptial	chastity	unstain'd.
	"	By	long	entreaties	won,	the	gage	at	last	650
	Observ'd	the	skies,	his	schemes	and	figures	cast
	Anselmo	left	him	at	his	work,	and	came
	Next	day	to	hear	the	stars	his	fate	proclaim.
	Mute	was	th'	astrologer,	as	loth	t'	impart
	What,	known,	would	touch	so	near	the	doctor's
	heart	;
	At	length,	compell'd,	he	own'd	his	gentle	spouse
	{His	back	scarce	turn'd)	would	break	her	marriage
	vows,
	Not	by	entreaties,	or	by	beauty	won,
	But	brib'd	by	int'ret,	and	by	gold	undone.
	"	His	former	doubts,	his	former	jealous	fears,	660
	Confirm'd	too	clearly	by	the	threatening	spheres	;
	Judge	what	his	tortur'd	bosom	now	must	prove,
	If	e'er	thy	soul	has	felt	the	pains	of	love.
	But	most	he	griev'd,	to	think	his	faithless	dame
	For	sordid	pelf	should	sell	her	matron	fame	:
	Yet	to	provide,	that	bribes	the	less	might	win
	Her	frail	resolves	(for	want	oft	leads	to	sin),
	With	her	h	leaves	his	heaps	of	shining	ore,
	And	all	his	jewels	(an	exhaustless	store);
	With	these	alike	committing	to	her	hands	670
	His	ample	revenue	of	rents	and	lands.
	'	Take	all,'	he	cried,	'	for	all	to	thee	I	give	;
	Not	only	as	befits	my	wife	to	live,
	But	as	t'hou	wilt	t'	employ	to	give,	to	lend.
	With	prudence	buy,	or	with	profusion	spend	:
	For	this	the	sole	account	I	would	receive,
	Let	me	but	find	thee	such	as	now	I	leave	:
	Let	me	but	prove	thee	faithful	to	my	bed,
	And	not	a	home	be	left	to	hide	my	head.'
	He	pray'd	her,	in	his	absence,	to	retreat	690
	From	the	fnll	city	to	the	rustic	seat;
	In	sylvan	quiet	from	the	busy	strife
	Of	noisy	throngs	to	lead	a	happier	life.
	"Thus	he	for	midst	the	flocks	and	furrow'd
	plains
	He	deem'd	the	shepherds	and	the	labouring	swains
	Could	ne'er	with	soft	address,	or	amorous	vows,
	Corrupt	the	virtue	of	his	lovely	spouse.
	Around	her	husband's	neck	her	beauteous	arms
	Argia	folds,	and	with	endearing	charms
	Would	soothe	his	fears,	while	on	his	face,	in	showers,
	From	her	fair	eyes	the	briny	tears	she	pours	:	691
	She	mourns	he	ever	should	her	truth	suspect,
	To	think	she	could	her	spotless	fame	neglect	j
	That	such	unkind	suspicion	peeds	must	prove
	His	want	of	confidence,	his	want	of	love.
	'T	were	long	to	tell	what	pase'd	on	either	side	;
	What	he	so	often	urg'd,	what	she	replied.
	At	length	'	To	thee	I	trust	my	fame,'	he	said,
	And	said	no	more,	but	turn'd	his	horse's	head	;
	And	as	he	turn'd	from	all	he	valti'd,	frit	700
	His	wretched	heart	within	his	bosom	melt;	'
	While	she,	with	straining	eyes,	her	lord	pnrsu'd,
	As	tear	succeeding	tear	her	cheek*	bedew'd.
	"	Meanwhile	Adonio,	as	I	said,	forlorn,
	Squalid	and	meagre,	hasten'd	his	return,
	In	hopes	that	none,	in	all	his	land,	would	know
	His	form	so	chang'd	with	penury	and	woe.
	Now,	near	bis	native	town,	he	reach'd	the	lake,
	Where	he,	long	since,	within	the	thorny	brake
	Had	from	the	rustic's	hands	redeem'd	the	snake.
	Arriving	here	at	early	dawn	of	day,	711
	The	stars	yet	glimmering	with	a	doubtful	ray,
	Beside	the	lake,	he	view'd	a	lovely	maid,
	In	rich	attire	of	foreign	make	array'd	:
	Her	mien	was	noble,	yet	alone	she	came,
	Nor	squire	nor	damsel	waited	on	the	dame.
	She	view'd	Adonio	with	a	smiling	look,
	Then	op'd	her	rosy	lips,	and	thus	she	s-poke	:
	'	While	me,	Oyoiith	!	thou	little	seem'st	to	know,
	Thy	kin	am	I	and	much	to	thee	I	owe	:	121)
	I	boast	thy	blood,	since	both	alike	can	trace
	From	mighty	Cadmus	our	illustrious	race.
	Lo	!	I	am	she,	whom	mortals	Mauto	call,
	Who	founded	first	yon	favour'd	city's	wall.
	Which	thou	must	oft	have	heard	from	flying	fame,
	Has	since	been	Mantua	call'd,	from	Manto's	name.
	Of	fairy	kind	am	I	from	infant	breath,
	We	subject	live	to	every	ill,	but	death	:
	Yet	such	the	terms	on	which	from	human	fear
	We	stand	exempt,	scarce	less	than	death	severe	:
	For	each	is	doom'd	the	figure	of	a	snake	7J1
	On	every	seventh	revolving	day	to	take	:
	How	<lo	we	loath	to	such	a	change	to	yield,
	And	drag	a	serpent's	slime	along	tlie	field	!
	Detested	change,	that	each	in	vain	should	slum,
	For	which	we	curse	our	being,	hate	tbe	Sun,


350
	No	longer	doubt	remain'd	yet	would	he	know
	Each	little	step	that	work'd	his	cureless	woe	:
	For	this	he	drew	the	beldame-crone	aside,
	And	every	art	to	learn	the	truth	he	try'd	:
	But	she,	with	looks	unchang'd,	each	charge
	deny'd.	880
	This	prov'd	in	vain,	he	waited	next	till	strife,
	Between	the	beldame	and	his	faithless	wife,
	Might	what	he	sought	disclose	;	for	well	he	knew
	Where	females	live,	stilj	jars	and	chidings	grew.
	Thus,	as	he	hop'd,	one	day,	with	anger	fraught
	Against	her	dame,	the	beldame	nurse	unsought
	Address'd	the	judge;	no	longer	she	conceal'd
	The	killing	tale,	but	all	the	truth	reveal'd.
	'T	were	hard	to	tell	what	cruel	pangs	possess'd,	889
	What	grief,	what	madness,	fill'd	the	doctor's	breast.
	He	groan'd	lie	rav'd	now	death	resolv'd	to	try,
	The	wretch's	hope;	but	first	his	wife	must	die	:
	Their	streaming	blood,	by	one	sad	weapon	spilt,
	Must	him	from	anguish	free,	and	her	from	guilt.
	"With	thoughts	like	these	the	wretched	husband
	burn'd,
	And	to	the	city,	bent	on	death,	return'd	;
	Thence	to	his	wife	a	trusty	menial	sent,
	Jnstructed'well	to	act	his	dire	intent.
	He	bade	him	to	the	village	seats	repair,
	And	to	Argia's	ear	this	message	bear	;	900
	That,	by	a	fever's	rage	each	vital	power
	Opprest,	he	fears	she	ne'er	will	see	him	more:
	Hence	(if	the	thoughts	of	love	or	duty	sway)
	She	with	the	faithful	guide	would	bend	her	way
	To	where	in	sickness	on	his	bed	he	la)-.
	As	thus	deceiv'd	he	knew	his	wretched	wife
	Would	deem	no	snare	conceal'd	against	her	life,
	He	charg'd	the	guide	in	some	sequestered	place
	To	expiate	with	her	blood	his	past	disgrace.
	Prepar'd	to	act	his	patron's	dire	intent,	910
	The	trusty	envoy	to	his	mistress	went	:
	Her	faithful	dog	the	fair	Ar;;ia	took,
	Her	palfrey	mounted,	and	her	home	forsook.
	The	dog	had	warn'd	her	of	some	evil	near,
	Yet	bade	her	go,	and	go	secure	.from	fear,
	Since	he,	her	guard,	with	well	experiene'd	power,
	Would	yield	assistance	in	the	dangerous	hour.
	"	They	journey'd	till	they	reach	I'da	crystal	flood
	From	towering	Apennine,	where	near	it	stood
	A	gloomy	forest,	black	with	tufted	shade,	920
	And	here	her	guide,	who.	with	design,	had	stray'd,
	From	towns	and	cities	far,	with	look	mysterious
	stay'd.
	This	place	he	deem'd	well	suited	to	fulfil
	The	cruel	purpose	of	liis	master's	will.
	His	sword	he	drew,	and	to	the	dame	deolar'd
	The	judge's	mandate,	and	tlie	death	prepar'd	;
	But	pitying,	warn'd	her,	ere	the	deadly	stroke,
	Offended	Heaven	for	mercy	to	invoke.
	"	Whart	secret	magic	could	his	aim	deceive	!
	For	when	he	rais'd	his	weapon	to	bereave	930
	The	dame	of	life,	she	vanish'd	from	his	eyes,
	And	left	hirn	pale	and	speechless	with	surprise.
	Around	he	sought	her	long,	but	sought	in	vain	;
	Then,	baffled,	to	his	patron	turn'd	again;
	And	told,	but	told	with	scarce	recover'd	breath,
	Some	miracle	had	sav'd	his	wife	from	death.
	Full	little	thought	the	judge	that,	near	her	side,
	The	fairy	Manto	every	need	supply'd.
	The	beldame-crone	that	all	the	rest	reveal'd
	(I	know	not	why)	had	this	alone	conceal'd.	940
	What	shall	he	do	?	His	honour	Unredrest,
	He	still	must	groan,	with	load	on	load	opprcst:
	Her	fault	to	few	disclos'd,	he	fears	that	famff
	Will	now	divulge,	and	wider	spread	his	shame:
	One	chance	might	rest	conceal'd	;	but	Ihl*	made
	known,
	From	tongue	to	tongue	would	through	the	world	b*
	blown:
	He	deems,	that	since	the	servant's	lips	disclos'd
	His	vengeful	thoughts	against	her	life	dispos'd,
	She	ever	from	her	dreaded	home	to	fly,
	Would	to	some	lover,	in	her	fears,	apply.	9b&
	Of	power	to	hold	her	from	a	husband's	claim,
	And	in	derision	bear	his	injur'd	name;
	Perchance,	with	deeper	guilt	than	lawless	love,
	His	wife's	adulterer	and	his	ruffian	prove.
	Hence	in	her	search,	such	evil	to	prevent,
	Letters	and	messages	around	he	sent.
	To	every	town	in	Lornbardy's	extent.
	Himself	in	person	tidings	strove	to	gain	;
	But	every	message,	every	search	was	vain.
	At	length	the	slave	he	call'd;	the	slave,	whose	hand
	Was	charg'd	to	execute	his	dire	command,	961
	And	bade	him	thither	lead,	where	late,	he	said,
	Argia	from	his	eyes	so	strangely	fled	;
	Who,	hid	in	brakes,	by	day	had	mock'd	his	sight,
	And	found,	perhance,	some	sheltering	roof	at	night.
	The	slave	his	patron	led,	where,	midst	the	wood,
	Once	dark	with	shades,	a	stately	structure	stood	:
	The	fair	Argia,	with	her	guardian's	aid,	,
	This	wondrous	palace	by	enchantment	made
	Of	alabaster,	beauteous	to	behold	;	97(7
	Within,	without,	the	building	flam'd	with	gold.
	No	fancy	can	conceive,	no	tongue	declare,
	Within	how	wealthy,	and	without	how	fair.
	The	dome	thou	saw'st	but	yesternight,	compar'd
	With	this	a	cottage,	scarcely	claims	regard.
	Here	richest	silks,	and	hangings	from	the	loom
	Of	brightest	work,	adorn'd	each	lofty	room:
	Above,	below,	in	every	part	alike,
	A	thousand	charms	the	dazzled	senses	strike.	979
	Here	vessels,	wrought	of	gold	and	silver,	flam'd;
	There	concave	gems,	red,	green,	and	azure,	fram'd
	In	plates	or	vases,	crown'd	the	festive	board;
	And	wardrobes	shone	with	vests	embroider'd	stor'd.
	"The	judge	arriving	(as	the	verse	has	told)
	With	wonder	gaz'd	the	building	to	behold,
	When	here	b	t	bought	nor	hut	nor	cottrwe	stood,
	But	dreary	wilds,	lone	paths,	and	tangled	wood.
	He	gaz'd,	and	p.-ins'd,	and	scarce	his	sight	believ'd,
	In	doubt	some	dream	his	wandering	sense	deceiv'd*
	"	A	female	/Ethiop	22	at	the	gate	was	seen,	990
	Of	feat	ure	so	deform'd,	so	loath'd	a	mien,
	M	A	liberty	is	here	taken	with	the	original,	id
	varying	the	Circumstance	of	the	story,	too	gross	to
	admit	of	the	most	distant	aliusion.	We	have	be
	fore	seen	from	Ruscelli,	that	Ariosto	had	expunged
	two	stanzas	from	the	xxvth	book	as	too	licentious;
	and	the	same	Ruscelii	further	informs	us,	that
	Ariosto,	in	his	own	printed	copy,	had	particularly
	marked	this	passage,	undoubtedly	with	design	to
	ehanrre	the	offensive	circumstance	;	and	observes,
	that	it	was	exceedingly	to	be	wished,	that	the	poet
	bad	removed	this	blemish	from	so	glorious	a	poem.
	The	translator	had	given	this	part	of	the	story
	another	turn	before	he	met	with	this	passage	of
	Ruscelii,	and	is	happy	to	adduce	such	authority
	for	tlie	alterations	he	has	made,	as	he	may	seem
	thus	but	to	conform	to	the	last	intention	of	th
	poet	himself,	Lad	he	lived	to	give	the	world	an-


352
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	And	to	the	mountain	thence	impatient	sped,
	Their	streams	where	Gauno^aud	Metaurus	48	led.
	The	Apennine	he	pass'd	:	and	now	no	more
	Beheld	it	on	the	right	;	then	journey'd	o'er
	The	Ombrian	and	Etruscan	realms	i	then	view'd
	Imperial	Rome	;	to	Ostia	then	pursu'd
	His	rapid	way	;	and	next	by	sea	he	gains	1110
	An	ancient	town,	where	n^ar	in	hallow'd	plains
	Anchises'	pious	son	interr'd	his	sire's	remains.
	His	vessel	here	he	chang'd,	and	to	the	shore
	Of	Zjpadusa's	isle	his	voyage	bore;
	That	isle	the	champions	for	their	list	design'd,
	That	isle,	where	since	the	six	in	battle	join'd.
	Rinaldo	urg'd	the	jolly	sailor	train,
	With	oars	and	sails,	to	cleave	the	briny	main.
	At	speed	they	fly	;	but	adverse	winds	detain'd
	His	tardy	vessel	from	the	wish'd-for	land.	1120
	He	came,	but	came	what	time	Anglante's	knight
	Had	rcap'd	the	laurels	of	the	glorious	fight	;
	King	Agramant	and	king	Gradasso	kill'd	:
	Yet	hard	the	conquest	of	the	sanguine	field	;
	Great	Monodante's	son	was	now	no	more;
	And	pale	in	anguish	on	the	sea-beat	shore
	Lay	Olivero,	feeble	with	his	pain,
	Whose	foot	no	longer	would	his	bulk	sustain.
	The	noble	earl	could	not	his	tears	withhold,
	When	good	Rinaldo	he	embrac'd,	and	told	1130
	The	death	of	Brandimart,	their	friend	belov'd,
	In	every	chance	of	arms	and	friendship	prov'd.
	Not	less	Rinaldo,	when	the	knight	he	view'd
	With	helmet	cleft,	his	mournful	cheeks	bedew'd.
	Then	Olivero	in	his	arms	he	press'd,
	And	with	consoling	words	each	chief	address'd,
	While	much	himself	repin'd,	that	late	he	came,
	Too	late	to	share	their	dangers	and	their	fame.
	Now	to	the	town	destroy'd	the	menial	train
	Of	Agramant	and	stern	Gradasso	slain,	1140
	Each	breathless	corse	with	duteous	care	convey'd,
	And	in	the	ruins	of	Biserta	laid.
	Meanwhile	the	conquest	by	Orlando	won,
	To	Sansonetto	and	Astolpbo	known,
	Great	joy	in	each	infus'd,	though	damp'd	to	hear
	The	mournful	end	of	one	they	held	so	dear:
	The	death	of	Brandimart	each	heart	depress'd,
	Each	face	the	signs	of	deep-felt	grief	confess'd.
	Ah	!	which	of	these	wbe	lov'd	his	friend	so	well,
	To	FWdelis	the	killing	news	shall	tell	?	1	150
	As	Flordelis	at	night	in	slumber	lay,
	The	night	preceding	that	unhappy	day,
	She	dreamt	the	mantle	\vhich	her	pious	care
	Had	fashion'd	for	her	Brandimart	to	wear,
	Pis	ornament	in	fight,	now,	strange	to	view,
	Was	sprinkled	o'er	with	drops	of	sanguine	hue:
	She	thought	her	erring	hand	the	vest	had	stainM,
	And	thus	in	slumber	to	herself	coreplain'd	:
	"	Did	not	my	lord	command	these	hands	to	make
	His	vests,	his	mantle,	all	of	mournful	black?	1160
	Why	have	I	then	against	his	bidding	spread
	The	sable	ground	with	fearful	spots	of	red	?"
	Ill	omens	thence	she	drew	Th'	ensuing	night
	Arriv'd	the	tidings	of	the	glorious	fight;
	Astolpho	yet	conceal'd,	with	tender	fear,
	A	truth	too	dreadful	for	a	wife	to	hear	:
	Till	now,	with	Sansonetto	join'd,	he	came
	(A	mournful	pair)	before	the	boding	dame.
	*	Gauno,	a	small	river,	that	has	now	probably
	lost	its	name.	Metaurus,	a	river	famous	for	the
	d<	utli	of	.-\>drubaj.
	Soon	as	she	view'd	the	face	of	either	chief,
	In	such	a	conquest	clouded	o'er	with	grief,	11	TO
	No	more	was	needful	her	distracted	thought
	Too	well	divin'd	the	fatal	news	they	brought	:
	Chill	grew	her	heart,	and	sickening	at	the	light,
	Her	closing	eyes	were	cover'd	o'er	with	night:
	Senseless	and	pallid,	stretch'd	on	earth	she	lay,
	And	look'd	a	wretched	corse	of	lifeless	clay.
	Her	sense	returning,	frantic	with	despair,
	ShecalPd	her	much-lov'd	lord	she	rent	her	hair
	She	bruis'd	with	cruel	hands	her	groaning;	breast,
	She	rav'd	as	if	some	fiend	her	soul	possess'd.	1	1	80
	So	seem'd	the	Menades	2	9,	when	wide	were	borne
	Their	shouts	and	clamours	with	the	maddening
	horn.
	From	this,	from	that,	she	begg'd	some	sword	or	dart,
	Some	weapon's	point	to	pierce	her	to	the	heart.
	Now	would	she	seek	the	ship	that	to	the	shore
	The	corse	of	either	Pagan	monarch	bore,
	On	their	remains	with	momentary	rage
	To	glut	her	vengeance	and	her	grief	as-suage	:
	Now	would	she	pass	the	seas,	to	seek	where	died
	Her	better	half,	and	perish	by	his	>ide.	,	1190
	"	Why	did	I	leave	thee,	O	my	Brandimart	30	!
	On	such	a	day	without	me	to	depart	!
	I	saw	thee	go	I	fainted	at	the	view
	Why	did	not	Flordelis	her	lord	pursue	?
	Had	I	been	present	in	the	hour	of	fight,
	My	eyes	had	watch'd	thee	with	a	lover's	sight	;
	When	fell	Gradasso	3'	rais'd	behind	his	blade,
	My	single	cry	had	given	thee	saving	aid.
	My	speed	perhaps	had	rush'd	between,	and	found
	The	happy	time	to	take	thy	threatea'd	wound	:
	My	head,	for	thine,	had	met	the	Pagan	sword,
	A	wortbtess	ransom	for	my	bosom's	lord	!	1	203
	Yet	will	I	die	though	now	my	parting	breath
	Avails	not	thee,	nor	profits	aught	my	death.
	But	had	1	died	for	thee	what	heavenly	power
	To	better	use	could	bless	my	dying	hour	?
	Had	cruel	fate,	or	Heaven	averse	withstood
	My	pious	aid	to	save	thy	dearer	blood,
	At	least	I	had	obtain'd	the	inovirnful	bliss,
	To	bathe	with	tears,	to	press	with	many	a	kiss
	Thy	ashy	cheek,	and	ere	with	sons	of	light	121!
	Thy	soul	had	to	her	Maker	wing'd	its	flight,
	I	might	have	said	'	To	heavenly	peace	ascend	;
	Thy	flight	ere	long	shall	Flordeli's	attend	!	'
	2	9	The	Menades	were	certain	dames,	or	priest
	esses,	who	celebrated	by	night	the	rites	of	Bac
	chus,	with	hair	dishevelled,	with	wild	and	frantic
	gestures,	bearing	in	their	hands	spears	twisted	with
	ivy	leaves,	and	horns	which	they	sounded	from
	time	to	time,	in	honour	of	their	god.
	s	Nothing	can	be	more	pathetic	than	the	pas
	sages	that	relate	to	the	death	of	Brandimart	:	the
	complaint	of	Flordelis,	the	afTecting	and	natural
	circumstances	of	her	dream	the	night	before	she
	hears	the	news;	the	funeral	obsequies	performed
	by	night	in	the	island	of	Sicily,	where	the	mention
	of	./Etna	gives	a	further	solemnity	to	the	scene	;
	the	behaviour	of	Orlando	upon	the	occasion	;	and
	lattly,	the	death	of	Flordelis.	are	all	circum
	stances	finely	imagined,	and	most	poetically
	painted.
	>	l	The	Italian	commentators	have	candidly	ob
	served,	that	it	does	not	appear	how	Flordelis	came
	to	the	knowledge	of	the	exact	manner	of	Brandi-
	mart's	death.


360
	BOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	And	bade	her	rest	in	certain	faith	assured,	540
	That	all	she	wish'd	his	royal	word	secured.
	Thus	they	:	the	tidings	of	(his	converse	came
	That	day	to	Anton	and	his	haughty	dame.
	Against	their	daughter	each	alike	exclaim'd	:
	With	deep	resentment	each	alike	inflam'd,
	Too	well	in	this	perceiv'd	some	close	intent,
	Wore	to	Rogrro	than	to	Leon	meant	:
	And	hence	they	seiz'd	by	fraud	the	martial	maid,
	And	to	a	castle	from	the	court	convey'd:
	A	strong-built	castle	on	the	sea	beat	shore,	550
	Which	Charles	to	Amon	gave	some	days	before.
	They	held	her	there	a	prisoner	close	confin'd,
	And	thence	to	send	her	to	the	East	design'd,
	Resolv'd,	whate'er	hefel,	she	should	forsake
	Rogero,	and	the	hand	of	Leon	take.
	The	generous	maid,	no	less	for	mildness	prais'd
	Of	female	virtues,	than	for	courage	rais'd
	Above	her	sex,	with	modest	meekness	bore
	Sufferings	inflicted	by	a	father's	power:
	Yet	was	she	firm	the	sharpest	woes	to	prove,	560
	Pains	bonds,	r	death,	to	keep	unstain'd	her	love.
	Rinaldo,	who,	by	Ainon's	crafty	slight,
	Beheld	his	sister	ravish'd	from	his	sight,
	No	mere	at	his	disposal	to	remain,
	His	promi.-e	to	Rogero	pledg'd	in	vain,
	Forgetting	all	respect	to	parents	ow'd,
	Agaii>sr	tiis	father	vents	complaints	aloud.
	But	little	Amon	heeds,	resolv'd	his	voice,
	Ami	not	his	son's,	should	rule	his	daughter's	choice.
	This	heard	Rogero	'3,	fearing	yet	to	mourn	570
	The	virgin,	from	his	arms	for	ever	torn:
	Should	Leon	live,	he	doubts	long	suit	may	gain
	Her	w	lling	hand,	or	force	at	length	constrain	;
	And	hence	(to	none	disclos'd	his	secret	mind)
	Th,e	death	of	Leon	in	his	soul	design'd	'*	:
	Resolv'd,	it	valour	could	assert	his	own,
	The	sir?	and	son	to	slay,	and	seize	the	Grecian
	throne.
	Tho--e	mi.s	he	took	which	Trojan	Hector	wore,
	Which	Mandricardo	since	in	triumph	bore;
	Then	wirh	the	saddle	good	Frontino	press'd	;	580
	But	chang'd	his	wonted	surcoat,	shield,	and	crest.
	He	chose	not	now	his	fam'd	device	to	wield,
	The	argent	eagle	in	a	heavenly	field,
	3	Rogero	was	ignorant	of	what	had	passed	be
	tween	the	emperor	and	Bradamant,	which,	though
	it	came	to	the	knowledge	of	Amon.	does	rot	ap
	pear	to	have	been	published	til!	after	the	depar
	ture	of	Rogero,	when	proclamation	was	made	by
	the	command	of	Charles:	Bradamant	in	the	next
	Book	spe	ks	of	the	proclamation	being	issued	after
	Rogero's	departure.
	"	Ah	!	my	Rogero	!	whither	art	thou	fled	?
	Art	thou	so	far	remote,*'	t"he	mourner	said,
	"	That	ne'er	to	thee	our	challenge	stood	reveal'd,
	Fron.	thee	alone,	of	all	mankind,	coiiceal'd	?
	O!	C"uld	the	news	have	reach'd	thy	faithful	ear,
	No	speed,	like	thine,	hsd	met	the	summons	here."
	Ver.	743.
	*<	The	Italian	is,
	-far	che	moia	e	fia	d'Augusto,	Divo.
	A	ludicrous	expression,	and	probably	a	sarcasm
	on	the	custom	of	deifying	the	Heathen	emperors,
	'I-,	make	of	Leon	Augustus	a	God,	by	killing
	him,"	a	turn	nut	easily	preserved	in	the	transla
	tion,	and	perhaps	scarcely	worth	the	pain*.
	But	on	a	ground,	where	deep	vermilion	glow'd,
	A	unicorn,	all	lily-white	'*,	he	show'd	;
	Then	singled	from	his	train	a	squire	well	try'd,
	In	whom	for	truth	he	safely	might	confide,
	Sole	partner	of	bis	way,	with	strict	command,
	To	keep	his	name	conceal'd	in	every	land.
	He	pass'd	the	Maes	and	Rhine,	the	country	pass'd
	Of	Ostericchie,	and	Hungaria	trac'd	;	591
	Along	the	Ister's	banks	his	course"	pursu'd,
	And,	on	the	right,	at.	length	Belgrade	view'd	;
	Where	to	the	Danube	joiu'd,	with	double	force
	The	Sava	to	the	ocean	bends	his	course.
	He	sees	encamp'd	a	numerous	army	spread
	Beneath	th'	imperial	standard,	proudly	led
	By	Constantine,	to	repossess	the	town,
	Which	from	his	rule	Bulgaria's	powers	had	won.
	There	Constnntine	himself	in	person	came,	60ft
	With	him	his	son	and	every	chief	of	fame
	T'	assert	the	honour	of	the	Grecian	name.
	Without	Belgrado,	stretch'd	in	prc*pect	wide,
	Down	from	the	mountain	to	the	subject	tide,
	Before	the	Greeks	Bulgaria's	army	stood	j
	And	either	army	drank	of	Sava's	flood.
	The	Grecians	o'er	the	stream	prepar'd	to	throw
	A	length	of	bridge	;	but	this	their	wary	foe
	With	arms	oppos'd	;	and	fierce	the	contest	grew
	On	either	side,	when	near	Rogero	drew.	610
	Four	times	the	Greeks	Bulgaria's	bands	surpass'd,
	And	barks	they	brought,	and	bridges	fram'd	to	cast
	Athwart	the	stream	;	and	oft	their	foes	defy'd.
	With	threats	by	force	to	gain	the	adverse	aide.
	Back	from	the	stream,	meantime,	with	cautious	art
	Leon	retir'd,	and	on	a	different	part
	Far	wheeling	round	the	plain,	the	banks	essay'd,
	And	join'd	his	bridges,	and	his	passage	made.
	With	twice	ten	thousand	foot	and	horse	he
	cross'd,
	And	on	their	flank	assail'd	Bulgaria's	host	620
	With	sudden	force	The	emp'ror,	who	descry'd
	His	sou	advancing	on	the	further	side,
	With	harks	to	barks	conjoin'd,	his	bridges	cast.
	And	with	the	remnant	of	his	army	pass'd.
	The	king	and	leader	of	Bulgaria's	band,
	Active	in	fight,	and	prudent	in	command,
	(Vatranes	nam'd)	in	vain	with	dauntless	breast
	Against	the	Greeks	his	force	and	skill	addrest:
	Him	Leon	met,	ami	with	a	numerous	train
	Surrounding,	hurl'd	him	headlong	on	the	plain,63*
	Whom,	bravely	scorning	midst	his	foes	to	yiel'd,
	A	thousand	weapons	s-laughter'd	on	the	field.
	The	fierce	Bulgarians	fought	yet	unsubdu'd	;
	But	when	on	earth	their	king	and	chief	they
	view'd,
	And	found	on	every	side	the	tempest	grow,
	They	turn'd	their	backs,	and	fled	before	the	foe.
	Rogero,	mingled	with	the	Greeks,	beheld
	Their	arms	prevailing,	and	Bulgaria's-quell'd,
	And-	now	resolv'd	their	battle	to	restore,
	For	Constantine	he	loath'd,	but	Leon	more.	640
	He	spurr'd	Frontino;	rapid	as	the	wind
	Frontino	flying,	left	each	steed	behind;
	And	soon	arriving,	where	the	routed	train
	Fled	to	the	mountain,	and	forsook	the	plain	;
	Now	these,	now	those,	he	turn'd	with	bcarten'd
	breast.
	To	meet	the	Greeks	j	then	plac'd	his	lance	in	rest,
	'*	Thp	crest	or	arms	formerly	borne	by	the
	princes	uf	the	house	of	l-.ste.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XLIV.
	361
	While	with	such	force	his	thunderingsteed	he	drove,
	His	looks	might	strike	with	terrour	Mars	or	Jove	!
	Amid	the	Grecians,	in	the	van,	hespy'd
	A	daring	youth	in	vests	with	crimson	dy'd!	650
	That	o'er	his	arms,	resplendent	to	behold,
	Of	finest	silk	embruider'd,	shone	with	gold	j
	Nephew	to	Constant!	ne,	his	sister's	son,
	By	him	belov'd	and	honour'd	as	his	own	:
	Rogcro's	spear	his	shield	and	corselet	tore,
	And	issu'd	at	his	back	besmear'd	with	gore	:
	He	left	him	dead,	and	Balisarda	drew,
	Against	the	nearest	of	the	Grecian	crew:
	On	these,	on	those,	by	turns	the	steel	he	sped	;
	And	here	he	cleft	the	trunk,	and	there	the	head:	660
	Now	in	the	throat	or	panting	bosom	dy'd
	Tfce	smoking	blade,	now	pierc'd	the	heaving	side	:
	Arms,	legs,	and	hands	and	thighs,	asunder	hew'd,
	While	blood,	in	gushing	streams,	the	vale	embru'd.
	Such	slaughter	seen,	no	Grecian	durst	withstand
	Th'	unequall'd	force	of	that	destructive	hand	:
	The	face	of	war	is	chang'd	and	those	who	fled
	From	bands,	which	Constantino	victorious	led,
	Now	felt	new	courage	rise	in	every	breast,
	And	with	recover'd	force	the	Grecians	press'd	:	670
	At	once	the	broken	ranks	were	seen	to	yield,
	And	every	standard	turn'd	to	quit	the	field.
	High	on	a	hill	imperial	Leon	plac'd,
	Beheld	below	his	numerous	squadrons	chas'd	;
	And	while	he	mark'd	them	with	a	sad	survey,
	Where	from	afar	the	plain	in	prospect	lay,
	Fix'd	on	the	knight	be	gaz'd,	by	whom	alone
	His	men	were	slain,	and	all	his	camp	o'erthrown	;
	Yet	could	not,	while	he	felt	his	slaughtering
	hand,
	Withhold	the	praise	his	valiant	deeds	demand.	680
	Well	by	his	shining	arms	with	.cold	inlaid,
	His	upper	vest	and	shield's	device	display	'd,
	He	knew	the	warrior	caine	not	with	his	foes,
	Though	now	against	him	their	defence	he	chose.,
	His	more	than	human	force	with	wondering	eyes
	He	view'd	;	as	if	some	angel	from	the	skife
	Was	sent	against	the	Grecians	to	dispense
	The	wrath	of	God	for	some	unknown	offence.
	Thus	what	in	vulgar	breasts	had	hatred	rais'd,
	With	noble	soul	exalted	Leon	prais'd	:	690
	Charm'd	with	his	worth,	far	rather	had	he	view'd
	His	towns	dismantled,	half	his	realm	subdu'd,
	For	every	ten	a	thousand	press	the	plain,
	Than	such	a	godlike	knight	in	combat	slain.
	As	when	some	mother	(even	in	anger	mild)
	Chides,	from	her	sight,	chastis'd,	her	darling	child	;
	The	little	innocent,	with	sobbing	sighs,
	Nor	to	the	father	nor	the	sister	flies,
	But	turns	to	her,	and	soft	in	infant	charms
	Hangs	at	her	breast,	and	fondles	in	her	arms;	TOO
	So	Leon,	while	he	sees	Rogero's	hand
	O'erthrow	the	first,	and	threat	each	remnant	band,
	Joys	in	his	sight	for	less	th>	offence	can	move
	His	hatred,	than	the	glorious	deeds	that	prove
	The	champion's	valour,	warm	his	soul	to	love.
	While	Leon	him	esteems,	behold	the	knight
	With	ill	return	such	friendly	thoughts	requite	:
	Rogerohim	detests,	and	with	his	sword
	Would	now	behold	his	rival's	bosom	gor'd.
	Him	long	he	seeks,	and	calls	aloud,	in	vain,	710
	The	Greek	to	meet	him	on	th'	embattled	plain;
	But	still,	with	caution,	through	the	warlike	lines
	The	prudent	Greek	th'	unequal	fight	declines.
	Leon,	lest	equal	fate	should	seize	on	all,
	Commands	the	squadrons	from	the	field	to	call
	With	trumpet's	sound	;	and	sends	t*	entreat	his	sire
	Beyond	the	stream	for	safety	to	retire.
	If	safety	might	be	found	;	while	with	his	power
	Himself	fhe	bridges	sought	he	pass'd	before,
	And	now	securely	reaeb'd	the	further	shore.	729
	What	numbers	by	the	fierce	Bulgarians	died,
	Or	captives	groan'd	!	and	but	th'	opposing	tide
	Forbade	pursuit,	all	with	their	blood	had	stain'd
	The	hostile	sword,	or	prisoners	there	remain'd.
	Some	from	the	bridges	fell,	and	whelm'd	beneath
	The	rushing	current,	found	unlook'd-for	death.
	Some	with	swift	foot	to	reach	the	river	fled,
	And	some	were	captives	to	Belgrade	led.
	The	battle	ended,	on	one	dangerous	day,
	In	which	their	king	and	leader	breathless	lay	;	739
	Great	loss	and	shame	Bulgaria's	bands	had	known,
	Save	for	that	aid	the	stranger's	arm	had	showiw
	The	knight,	who	picttir'd	on	a	crimson	field
	A	unicorn,	of	snow-white	hue,	-reveal'd.
	Now	all,	who	saw	to	him	what	palms	they	ow*d.
	With	shouts	and	clamours	round	the	victorcrowd:
	In	awful	homage	bent	the	circling	band:
	One	kiss'd	his	feet,	one	bolder	kiss'd	his	hand	:
	Each	throng'd	on	each,	more	near	and	near	they
	press'd,	739
	Who	nenrest	view'd	esteem'd	his	fortune	bless'd;
	But	he	most	blest,	whose	touch	that	man	explor'd,
	Scarce	held	a	man,	but	like	a	god	ador'd	!
	While	all	on	him	with	voice	united	criei:;'
	Henceforth	to	lead	them	on	their	king	and	guide.
	Rogero	to	their	general	suit	agreed,
	As	king	to	rule	them,	and	as	chief	tn	lead,
	But	would	not	truncheon	then	nor	sceptre	bear,
	Nor	to	Belgrado	on	that	d;iy	repair	:
	He	Leon	must	pursue,	-ere	from	his	sword
	He	further	'scap'd,	or	safe	repass'd	the	ford:	750
	Him	must	he	follow,	nor	the	track	forsake,
	Till	giv'n	by	fate	his	hated	life	to	take	;
	Since	many	a	league	hetravers'd	hill	and	plain,'
	To	sate	his	great	revenge	with	Leon	slain.
	This	said;	he	parted	thence,	and	eager	flew
	Through	ways	the	squadrons	taught	him	to	pursue,
	By	which	the	Greek	to	reach	the	bridges	try'd,
	Ere	danger,	near	at	hand,	the	pass	deny'd.
	Rogero	follow'd	close,	inflam'd	with	ire,
	Nor	call'd	nor	waited	for	his	lagging	squire:	760
	Yet	such	advantage	Leon's	flight	could	meet,
	(For	flight	it	must	be	call'd,	and	not	retreat,)
	He	found	the	passage	free,	he	cross'd	the	stream,
	Then	broke	each	bridge,	and	left	the	barks	on	flame.
	Rogero	reach'd	the	banks	when	day	withdrew
	His	parting	beam,	nor	where	to	rest	he	knew	;
	And	thence	he	journey	'd	by	the	Moon's	pale	light,
	But	yet	no	town	nor	castle	met	his	sight.
	Unknowing	of	his	way,	all	night	he	press'd
	His	faithful	steed,	till,	red	in	splendour	drest,	779
	Sol's	eastern	car	the	twilight	gloom	dispell'd,
	When,	on	the	left,	a	city	he	beheld.
	There	all	the	day	he	purpos'd	to	remain,
	T'	amend	the	wrong	Frontino	might	sustain,
	On	whom,	nor	freed	from	bit,	nor	eas'd	from	toil,
	That	night	he	journey'd	many	a	weary	mile.--
	For	Constautine,	Unguardo	held	the	place,
	A	man	exalted	in	his	sovereign's	grace;	.
	And	now	(in	dangerous	times)	a	numerous	force
	The	walls	contain'd	of	mingled	foot	and	horse.	780
	Where	to	his	way	the	portal	open	stood,
	Rogero	enter'd,	and	full	gladly	view'd
	\Vhat	seem'd	to	speak,	he	ne'er	elsewhere	couJd
	A	better	welcom?	,	and	more	wish'd	retreat	[meet


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XLV.
	363
	Conclude	the	war	with	one	decisive	stroke,
	And	.op	the	proud	Bulgarians	fix	the	yoke.
	Unguarde,	from	the	troops,	that,	smit	with	dread,
	To	him	for	refuge	from	the	battle,	fled,
	(For	numbers,	band	by	band,	arriv'd,	who	try'd	60
	Jn	vain	to	pass	the	bridge,	or	ford	the	tide)
	Had	heard	what	slaughter'd	rage	the	Greeks	pur-
	70
	80
	How	half	the	host	lay	buried	in	their	blood	;
	That	one	sole	champion,	who	an	army	brav'd,
	One	suffering	camp	destroy'd,	and	one	had	sav'd
	And	much	he	marvell'd	with	himself	to	know,
	That,	self-conducted	to	his	fate,	the	foe
	Fell	in	the	snare;	and	with	a	cheerful	look,
	His	joyful	speech	his	secret	triumph	spoke.
	He	stay.'d	till	sleep	had	clos'd	Rogero's	eyes
	Then	sent,	in	arms,	his	people	to	surprise
	TW	unconscious	knight,	whom,	^unk	in	rest	pro
	found,
	In	bed	they	seiz'd,	and	fast	with	fetters	bound.
	What	could	Rogero,	when	he	wak'd,	and	spy'd
	His	naked	limbs	with	cords	ignobly	ty'd	?
	By	his	own	shield	the	champion	thus	betray'd,
	In	Novengardo's	walls	was	captjve	made
	To	glad	Unguardo,	first	of	all	mankind
	For	stern	demeanour	and	a	ruthless	mind.
	A	trusty	envoy	now	Unguardo	sent,
	Who	with	the	tidings	to	the	emp'ror	went.
	Imperial	Constantine,	his	routed	powers
	That	past	the	stream,	that	night	from	Sava's	shores
	Had	safe	to	Beleteca's	town	convey'd,
	Whose	laws	Androphilus	his	kinsman	swayed:
	The	sire	of	him,	who	first	amid	the	fight,
	With	shatter'd	cuirass,	felt	the	Herculean	might
	Of	that	brave	warrior's	unresisted	hands,
	Whom	stern	Unguardo	held	in	captive	bands.
	The	emp'ror	now	commands	with	heedful	care
	The	walls	to	strengthen,	and	the	works	repair	:	91
	For	much	he	doubted	the	Bulgarian	host,
	That	such	a	warrior	for	their	chief	could	boast,
	Would	rest	not	here,	but	to	the	last	pursue
	The	scatter'd	remnants	of	the	Grecian	crew	:
	But,	he	a	prisoner	made,	no	more	alarms
	The	monarch	felt,	nor	fear'd	the	world	in	arms.
	Joy	swell'd	his	soul,	and	rapture	scarce	exprest
	Beam'd	in	his	face,	while	oft	his	speech	confess'd
	The	warmest	hopes	"	Bulgaria's	name,	I	trust,	1	00
	Shall	soon,"	he	cried,	"	be	humbled	to	the	dust.''
	As	he	who	views	beneath	his	stronger	hand
	The	foe	dimember'd,	seems	assur'd	to	stand
	Of	certain	palms	so	fix'd	in	hope	appear'd
	The	emp'*or,	when	Rogero's	fate	he	heard.
	Nor	more	rejoic'd	the	sire,	than	generous	son,
	Not	only	as	he	deem'd	Belgrade	won
	From	this	event,	and	all	the	lands	that	lay
	Submitted	to	Bulgaria's	haughty	sway	;
	But,	as	he	meant	each	friendly	art	to	prove,	110
	To	bend	the	warrior's	soul	to	peace	and	love,
	And	win	him	to	his	side	:	with	him	to	friend,
	The	valiant	peers	that	Charlemain	defend
	He	hears	unmov'd	;	nor	envies	him	the	fame
	Of	great	Rinaldo,	or	Orlando's	name.
	Far	different	passions	Theodora	felt,
	On	whose	ill-fated	son	Rogero	dealt
	The	speeding	lance,	that	in	his	cuirass	stood,
	And	issuM	at	his	back	with	reeking	blood.
	"	Ne'er	will	I	quit	thesefect,	my	liege	!"she	said,
	*	Till	on	the	wretch,	by	whom	my	child	is	dead,
	i'hou	giv'st	me	to	revenge	a	mother's	siehs,
	Vhen	now	a	captive	in	our	power	he	lies.
	Thy	sister's	son	!	reflect	how	thee	he	lov'd	;
	\h	!	think	for	thee	what	royal	deeds	he	prov'd	:
	\nd	wiltthou	hear	his	blood	for	justice	call,	130
	'"Jor	on	his	murderer's	head	avenge	his	fall	?
	Etehold,	in	pity	of	the	Grecians'	woe,
	How	God	has	freed	us	from	so	dire	a	foe	!
	\nd,	like	some	bird	in	toils	unheeded	caught,
	Him	unsuspecting	to	our	hands	has	brought:
	To	me,	O	gracious	prince	!	this	wretch	consign,
	r	)	let	me	with	h\?	pains	alleviate	mine	!
	Then	shall	my	offspring	on	the	Stygian	shoe
	His	death	no	longer	unaton'd	deplore!"
	She	said,	and	sobbing	deep,	with	every	art	140
	Of	female	grief	assail'd	the	emperor's	heart,
	And	prostrate	from	his	feet	refus'd	to	move,
	Though	Constantine	with	speech	and	gesture
	strove
	To	raise	the	dame	:	the	dame	still	closer	press'd,
	Till	forc'd	at	length,	he	granted	her	request	;
	And,	as	she/will'd",	he	issued	his	command
	To	bring	the	knight	and	yield	him	to	her	hand.
	To	cruel	Theodora	thus	convey'd,
	The	champion	of	the	unicorn	was	made
	Her	wretched	thrall,	whose	unrelenting	mind	150
	The	direst	death,	of	most	opprobrious	kind,
	For	him	esteem'd	too	mild	:	her	thoughts	she	bent
	With	every	pain	her	captive	to	torment,
	That	power	could	heap,	or	cruelty	invent.
	With	arms,	and	feet,	and	neck	in	shackles	bound,
	Deep	in	a	dreary	tower,	in	gloom	profound
	She	cast	him,	where	no	ray	of	cheerful	light
	From	Phoebus	e'er	dispell'd	the	dismal	night,
	Nor	there	with	otrjer	food	his	hunger	fed,
	But	a	short	portion	of	unwholesome	bread	160
	Putrid	and	foul	!	and	oft	withheld,	to	waste
	His	life	by	slow	degrees	;	and	o'er	him	plac'd
	A	keeper,	who	excel	I'd	her	barbarous	zeal
	To	make	him	every	human	misery	feel.
	Had	Amon's	fair	and	valiant	daughter	heard,
	Or	great	Marphisa	(both	through	Earth	rever'd
	For	deeds	of	arms),	that	thus	with	lingering	pains
	Rogero	prisoner	lay	in	galling	chains,
	To	set	him	free,	how	soon,	without	regard
	Of	death	and	danger,	either	had	prepar'd	;	170
	No	more	had	Bradamant,	to	yield	him	aid,
	Respect	to	Beatrice	or	Amon	paid.
	Meantime	king	Charles,	revolving	in	his	breast.
	His	promise	given	at	Bradamant's	request	;
	That	none	in	marriage	should	her	hand	obtain,
	But	he	who	could	in	arms	her	force	sustain,
	Notonly	at	his	court,	with	trumpet's	sound
	Her	challenge	told,	but	through	each	region	round
	That	own'd	his	sway.hebade	the	list	proclaim,	179
	Till	wide	from	realm	to	realm	was	spread	the	fame.
	The	terms	were	these,	declar'd	by	herald's	voice,
	That	who	on	Amon's	daughter	fix'd	his	choice,
	Should	first	against	her	prove	his	single	might
	From	rising	Phrebus	till	his	setting	light:
	lAnd	should	he,	unsubdu'd,	so	long	withstand
	I	The	virgin's	force,	she	by	his	stronger	hand
	Would	own	her	prowess	conquer'd,	nor	deny
	Consent	to	knit	with	him	the	nuptial	tie:
	This	dame	her	brother	Constantine	address'd,	120	[That,	waving	all	pretensions,	would	she	yield
	Before	his	presence	low	her	suit	she	press'd,	To	him	the	choice	of	weapons	for	the	field	;
	Ant	1	clasp'd	his	knees,	while	fast	the	tears	pursu'd	As	well	she	might,	inur'd	all	arms	to	bear,
	acb	other's	course,	and	all	her	breast	bedew'd.	"On	foot,	on	horse,	in	every	form	of	war.
	190