188
	BOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	Between	two	hills	a	narrow	vale	he	found,
	Whence	late	before	he	heard	the	falchion's	sound	j
	But	now	the	noise	was	hush'd	:	there	pale	he
	view'd
	A	knight	just	slain,	and	weltering	in	bis	blood.
	His	name	T	shall	reveals	though	now	to	seek
	The	eastern	clime,	no	more	of	France	I	speak	:	30
	The	Paladin	Astolpho	let	us	find,
	Who	to	the	west	his	speedy	course	design'd	:
	We	saw	him	last,	amidst	th'	inhuman	band
	)f	warlike	females,	clear	the	hostile	land;
	While	his	pale	friends	their	ready	canvass	spread,
	And	from	the	shore	disgrac'd	and	trembling	fled.
	Now	hear	his	tale	The	knight	those	realms	for
	sook,
	And	to	Armenia	next	his	journey	took.
	Some	days	elaps'd,	he	hasten'd	to	survey
	Natolia,	then	to	Brusia	held	his	way	;	40
	'Till	coursing	on	beyond	the	midland	tide,
	He	enter'd	Thrace;	by	Danube's	flowery	side
	His	rapid	progress	through	Hungaria	held	:
	Then,	as	if	wings	his	courser's	speed	impell'd,
	He	pass'd	Moravia	and	Bohemia's	land.
	And	where	the	Rhine	o'erflows	Franconia's	strand.
	To	Aquisgrana,	and	to	Arden's	wood,
	He	came	;	to	Brabant	next	his	way	pursu'd	;
	At	Flanders	then	embark'd,	where	friendly	gales
	So	fill'd	the	freighted	vessel's	flying	sails,	50
	re	Jong	Astolpho	reach'd	fair	England's	shore,
	And	gain'd	the	welcome	port	at	noontide	hour.
	He	press'd	his	steed,	and,	urging	all	his	haste,
	To	London	came	ere	eve	her	shadows	cast	;
	There	heard	that	many	a	month	its	course	had	run,
	Since	aged	Otho	lay	in	Paris'	town	;
	Tliat	many	a	baron,	by	example	led,
	Had	left	the	land	his	glorious	steps	to	tread.
	V-	He	straight	resolv'd	to	Gallia	to	resort,
	1	And	turn'd	again	to	Thames's	crowded	port.	60
	I	With	hoisted	sail	he	issues	on	the	tide,
	And	bids	the	crew	their	prow	to	Calais	guide.
	A	gale,	that	gently	seems	at	first	to	sweep
	The	vessel's	deck,	and	scarcely	curl	the	deep,
	At	length,	by	slow	degrees,	increasing	blows,
	And	now,	beyond	the	pilot's	wishes,	grows
	So	near	a	storm,	as	claim'd	his	skilful	care
	The	conflict	of	the	dashing	waves	to	bear.
	High	o'er	the	furrow'd	sea,	before	the	wind,	69
	The	bark	is	driven,	and	quits	her	course	design'd:
	Now	on	the	right	and	now	the	left	she	rides;
	As	here,	or	there,	malicious	Fortune	guides.
	Near	Roan,	at	length,	she	anchor'd	on	the	strand	:
	Astolpho,	when	he	touch'd	the	welcome	land,
	On	Rabicano's	back	the	saddle	plac'd;
	His	limbs	the	mail,	his	side	the	falchion	grac'd;
	He	grasp'd	his	fearful	horn,	a	surer	aid
	Than	marshall'd	bands	in	glittering	arms	array'd.
	Now	passing	thnnigh	a	wood,	he	reach'd	a	hill
	Whose	foot	was	moisten'd	by	a	crystal	rill	;	80
	What	time	the	flocks	to	crop	the	mead	forbear,
	And	to	the	fold	or	mountain	cave	repair.
	With	burning	heat,	with	parching	thirst	di-
	sire?s'd,
	The	helm	unlac'd,	vhose	weight	his	brows	oppress'd,
	Amid	the	brakes	his	fiery	steed	he	tied	;
	Then	to	the	.-tream,	for	cooling	draughts,	applied
	Bis	eager	lij	;	but	ere	his	lips	essay'd
	The	moisten'.!^	liquid,	from	the	neighbouring	shade
	3	See	Book	xxiii.	ver.	281,
	A	rustic	starting	swift,	his	courser	took,
	Leapt	on	his	back,	and	turn'd	him	from	the	brook.
	Astolpho,	rousing	at	the	noise,	perceives	91
	Th'	insulting	outrage,	and	the	fountain	leaves.
	Resentment	now	the	place	of	thirst	supplies,
	And	swift	he	follows	as	the	caitiff	flies.
	The	caitiff	led	him	on	in	doubtful	chase,
	Now	check'd,	and	now	impell'd	his	courser's	pace.
	At	length	(pursuing	one,	and	one	pursu'd)
	They	left	the	forest,	and	the	palace	view'd,
	Where	magic	spells,	without	a	prison,	hold
	In	lasting	durance*	many	a	baron	bold.	100
	The	rustic	to	the	palace	drives	the	steed,
	Light	as	the	wind,	and	like	the	wind	in	speed.
	Astolpho,	in	his	plated	arms	confm'd,
	With	heavy	shield	encumber'd,	lags	behind	j
	Till	now	arriving,	he	beholds	no	more
	The	hind	and	courser	he	pursu'd	before.
	He	plies	his	feet	within	the	palace	wall,
	Explores	in	vain	each	gallery,	room,	and	hall	:
	He	knows	not	where	the	traitor	has	conceal'd
	His	Rabicano,	that	in	course	excel	I'd	110
	The	fleetest	beast	:	at	length	bis	better	thought
	Suggests,	that	all	by	magic	art	was	wrought.
	He	calls	to	mind	the	book	that	to	his	hand
	Sage	Logistilla	gave	in	India's	land,	-
	Which	ever	near	he	kept	with	heedful	care,
	A	certain	guide	in	every	magic	snare.
	There	full	describ'd	was	all	the	costly	pile,
	Each	strange	enchantment,	and	each	secret	guile;
	What	means	the	foul	magician's	arts	would	quell,
	And	free	his	prisoners	from	the	potent	spell.	190
	Beneath	the	threshold	plac'd,	a	demon	rais'd
	The	various	wonders	that	the	sense	amaz'd.
	The	stone	remov'd,	where	close	the	spirit	lay,
	The	palace	walls	would	melt	in	smoke	away.
	Thus	said	the	book	;	and	eager	to	pursue
	The	great	adventure	open'd	to	his	view,
	The	Paladin	advanc'd,	with	fearless	pace,
	To	lift	the	ponderous	marble	from	its	base.
	Soon	as	Atlantes	saw	his	hands	prepar'd
	To	set	at	large	the	castle's	fatal	guard,	130
	Fearful	of	what	might	chance,	his	restless	mind
	Against	the	champion	other	wiles	design'd	:
	By	magic	art,	he	gives	the	gentle	knight
	A	different	shape	to	each	beholder's	sight	:
	By	this,	a	hind	;	by	this,	a	giant	seen	;
	By	that,	a	warrior	of	ill-favour'd	mien	;
	While	each	in	him	th'	illusive	image	view'd,
	For	which	he	late	Atlantes'	steps	pursu'd.
	Impatient	to	retrieve	their	honours	stain'd,
	All	turn'd	on	him	a	fierce	determin'd	band	!	140
	Rogero,	Bradamant,	Gradasso	there,
	Iroldo,	Brandimart	in	arms,	prepare,
	With	brave	Prasildo,	by	the	spell	misled,
	To	wreak	their	vengeance	on	Astolpho's	head	:
	But,	mindful	of	his	horn,	he	soon	depress'd,
	With	chilling	terrour,	every	haughty	crest.
	In	happy	time	the	fear-dispensing	breath	.
	Preserved	the	Paladin	from	instant	death.
	Soon	as	his	lips	have	touch'd	the	narrow	vent,
	And	wide	around	the	deafening	clangour	sent,	150
	Like	trembling	doves,	when	through	the	breaking
	skies
	Resounds	the	gun,	each	knight	affrighted	flies	:
	<	The	story	of	this	palace	is	continued	from
	Book	xii.	where	it	is	fully	described,	ver.	54,
	&seq.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	Boon	XXII.
	13
	Not	less	th'	enchanter	olds	the	noise	receives;
	Not	less	aniaz'd	the	wondrous	dome	he	leaves,
	To	distance	flies,	heart-struck	with	deep	dismay,
	Till,	dying	off,	the	dreadful	sounds	decay	!
	The	keeper	s	and	his	prisoners	quit	the	walls	;
	And	numerous	steeds	with	these	forsake	their	stalls,
	That,	not	by	halters,	nor	by	reins	confin'd,
	Through	various	paths	their	absent	masters	join'd.
	While	thus	the	knight	his	fearful	music	play'd,161
	Not	cat	nor	mouse	within	the	dwelling	stay'd	6	;
	E'en	Rabican	had	fled,	but	with	his	hand
	Astolpho,	as	he	pass'd,	the	steed	detain'd.
	And	now	th'	intrepid	duke	(the	sorc'rer	gone)
	From	off	the	threshold	heav'd	a	weighty	stone.
	An	image	there	he	found,	with	many	a	spell
	Of	hidden	force,	that	boots	not	here	to	tell.
	Eager	to	quell	the	charm,	with	frequent	stroke,
	Whate'er	he	found,	the	knight	in	pieces	broke	;	170
	For	so	the	book	(his	safe	instructor)	show'd;
	And	all	the	palace	vanish'd	in	a	cloud	!
	Held	by	a	chain	of	beaten	gold,	he	view'd
	Where	good	Rogero's	winged	courser	stood	;
	That	winged	courser	which	the	wizard	Moor'
	Had	sent	to	bear	him	to	Alcina's	shore	;
	For	which	had	Logistilla	deign'd	to	frame
	The	reins	and	bit.	with	which	to	France	he	came;
	And,	borne	from	distant	Ind	to	England's	strand,
	Had	hover'd	o'er	vast	tracts	of	seas	and	land	180
	I	know	not	if	your	mem'ry	still	retains,
	How	to	the	tree	that	day	the	griffin's	reins
	Rogero	left,	when,	bright	in	naked	charms,
	Albracca's	princess*	vanish'd	from	his	arms,
	And	left	him	whelm'd	in	shame	with	rapid	speed
	Back	to	his	lord	return'd	the	faithful	steed,
	Wondrous	to	see,	!	and	stabled	there	remain'd,
	Till	the	strong	spell	no	more	its	power	retain'd.
	No	chance	than	this	could	yield	s-incerer	joy
	To	good	Astolpho,	who	resolv'd	t'	employ	190
	Th'	occasion	given	new	regions	to	explore,
	Oceans	and	realms	by	him	unseen	before.
	He	prov'd	how	well	the	matchless	steed	could	bear
	The	flying	rider,	when	through	fields	of	air
	He	late	escap'd	from	India's	fatal	lands,
	Freed	by	Melissa	from	her	cruel	hands,
	Who,	with	infernal	art,	his	limbs	estrang'd
	From	human	form,	and	to	a	myrtle	chang'd.
	He	saw,	how	Logistilla,	to	restrain
	The	docile	beast,	had	fix'd	the	curbing	rein;	200
	And	mark'd	the	counsel	which	the	prudent	dame
	Rogero	gave,	his	furious	course	to	tame.
	The	ready	saddle	on	the	steed	he	brag'd,
	Then	in	his	mouth	the	bit	aud	reins	he	plac'd,
	As	suited	best;	for	choice	of	bridles	there	\H
	He	found,	which	many	a	steed	was	wont	to	wear.
	The	thought	of	Rabicano	yet	detain'd
	The	knight,	and	yet	awhile	his	flight	restrain'd.
	Well	had	he	cause	to	hold	the	courser	dear	;
	None	better	in	the	list	with	rested	spear	210
	s	Atlantes.	Nothing	more	is	heard	of	him	till
	the	xxxvith	Book,	ver.	461.
	8	Such	passages	as	these,	that	are	certainly
	ludicrous	and	familiar,	and	very	different	from	the
	genius	of	epic	writing,	will	not	admit	of	any	fle-
	vati	>n	of	language,	and	yet	ought	surely	to	be	pre
	served,	if	a	translation	means	to	exhibit	to	an
	English	reader	the	features	of	his	author.
	*	Atlantes.	Angelica.
	Could	run	at	tilt	:	with	him	at	Gallia's	land
	He	travell'd	safe	from	Egypt's	burning	sand.
	Debating	long,	Astolpho	now	decreed,
	With	some	well-chosen	friend	to	intrust	the	steed,
	Rather	than	leave	him	an	invalu'd	prey,
	For	him	whom	Fo'rtune	led	to	pass	the	way.
	His	purpose	fix'd,	with	looks	intent	he	stood,
	To	mark	if	hind	or	huntsman	cross'd	the	wood,
	Who	to	some	neighbouring	town	might	lead	behind
	Good	Rabicano,	to	his	charge	consign'd.	220
	All	day	he	stay'd,	he	stay'd	till	roseate	morn
	Had	made,	in	eastern	skies,	her	wish'd	return,
	When,	scarce	the	shadows	chas'd	by	misty	light,
	He	saw,	or	seem'd	to	see,	a	wand'ring	knight.
	But,	ere	I	speak	the	rests,	I	first	shall	tell
	What	to	the	noble	Bradamant	befel,
	With	brave	Rogero,	when	(dispell'd	their	fear)
	No	more	the	clangour	of	the	horn	they	hear.
	The	lovers	saw,	what,	ne'er	till	then	reveal'd,
	Atlantes	long	from	either	had	conceal	'd	:
	Such	mists	of	darkness	o'er	their	sight	he	drew.
	That	neither,	till	that	hour,	the	other	knew.
	On	Bradamant	Rogero	fix'd	his	eyes	;
	She	on	Rogero	gaz'd	with	like	surprise.
	Now	round	her	waist	his	eager	arms	he	throws,
	Her	blushes	kindling	like	the	maidn	rose,
	While	from	her	lips	each	balmy	sweet	he	proves,
	The	blossoms	of	his	first	auspicious	loves	!
	A	thousand	times	th'	enraptur'd	lovers	meet
	In	fond	embrace	;	a	thonsand	times	repeat	240
	Their	mutual	vows,	while	scarce	their	breasts
	contain
	The	joy	that	throbs	in	every	glowing	vein.
	Yet	much	they	sorrow'd,	that	by	magic	slight
	They	liv'd	so	long	estrang'd	from	cither's	sight,
	And	lost	so	many	ddys	of	dear	delight.
	While	Bradamant	such	favour'd	grace	bestows,
	As	the	chaste	maid	to	chaste	affection	owes,
	She	tells	Rogero,	would	he	hope	to	prove
	The	last	dear	blessings	of	connubial	love,
	He	from	her	father	Amon	(ere	the	bands	250
	Of	sacred	Hymen	join	their	plighted	hands)
	Must	gain	consent,	and	in	the	hallow'd	wave
	With	Christian	rites	his	Pagan	errours	lave.
	Rogero,	for	his	dearest	mistress'	sake,
	Not	only	yields	a	Christian's	name	to	take,
	Which	once	his	father	and	his	uncle	bore,
	Which	all	his	ancestors	profess'd	before;
	But	vows,	for	her,	in	every	chance	to	give
	The	remnant	years	Heaven	doom'd	him	yet	to	live.
	"	Behold	me	sworn,"	he	cries,	"	at	thy	desire,
	"	To	plunge	in	water,	or	to	plunge	in	fire."	261
	Then	first	to	be	baptiz'd,	and	next	to	wed,
	Rogero	follow'd	as	the	virgin	led	:
	Tow'rds	Vallombrosa	l	led	the	martial	dame,
	That	to	an	ancient	abbey	gave	the	name,
	Wealthy	and	fair,	in	hallow'd	rituals	blest,
	And	courteous	to	receive	the	stranger	guest
	Now	issuing	from	the	wood	a	gentle	maid
	They	chanc'd	to	meet,	whose	looks	her	grief	be-
	tray'd.
	9	The	poet	returns	to	Astolpho,	Book	xxiii.
	ver.	66.
	19	The	religious	order	of	Vallombrosa	had	its
	beginning	from	one	Giovanni	Gualberto,	a	Floren
	tine,	who,	forsaking	the	world,	led	a	solitary	life
	in	a	part	of	the	Appenines	called	Vail'	ombrosa
	(shady	vale),	and	built	a	church	there.
	Fornari.


192
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	The	Dardan	dame	pursues,	with	all	the	zeal
	Of	just	revenge,	and	whirls	her	fatal	steel,
	Now	at	his	side	or	bosom	aims	the	wound	:
	The	tumult	echoes,	and	the	woods	resound.
	But	at	the	castle	Pinabello's	crew	530
	Nor	heard	his	clamours,	nor	his	danger	knew	:
	There	every	eye	was	fix'd,	there	every	sense
	Rogero's	conflict	held	in	deep	suspense.
	And	now	the	three	remaining	champions	came
	From	forth	the	fort;	with	these	the	vengeful	dame
	Who	frara'd	the	base	device,	while	every	knight
	Blush'd	with	a	single	foe	to	wage	the	fight	;
	And	rather	wish'd	to	die,	in	fame	unstain'd,
	Than	meet	a	conquest	so	ignobly	gain'd.
	But	she,	who	first	th'	unequal	joust	design'd,	540
	T>	enforce	th'	observance,	bade	them	call	to	mind
	How	each	had	sworn,	by	every	solemn	tie,
	For	her	revenge	their	strength	combin'd	to	try.
	"	But	if	my	single	weapon	can	suffice,
	T'	unhorse	you'	warrior,"	Savage	Guido	cries,
	'Thus	shall	I	joust	!	be	mine	the	single	strife,
	Af	d	if	I	fail	exact	my	forfeit	life."
	T	Gryphon	and	Aquilant	alike	demand
	To	meet	the	stranger	singly,	hand	to	hand.
	To	these	th'	imperious	dame	"	Why	thus	delay
	In-	vain	debate	the	bus'ness	of	the	day	?	551
	I	brought	you	here	yon'	champion's	arms	to	take,
	Nor	other	compacts,	other	laws	to	make.
	Why	urge	not	pleas	like	this,	ere	yet	ye	swore
	T'	observe	my	will,	when	first	within	my	power;
	Not	when	th'	occasion	calls	you	to	maintain
	Your	promise	given,	nor	make	that	promise	vain?"
	Thus	they	"	Behold,"	Rogero	eager	cries,
	"	The	knights	and	dame	!	if	still	you	seek	the
	prize
	Of	armour,	steed,	or	vest,	why	this	delay	560
	To	seize	with	valour's	arms	the	offer'd	prey	?"
	The	matron	there	impels	each	tardy	knight,
	Here	storms	Rogero,	and	demands	the	fight.
	Till	forc'd	at	length,	though	fir'd	with	generous
	All	rush	at	once	the	stranger	to	engage.	[rage,
	First	rode	the	brother-chiefs,	whose	lineal	name
	From	the	high	marquis	of	Burgundia	came	;
	Then	mounted	on	a	steed	of	heavier	pace,
	Behind	them	Guido	Savage	held	his	place.
	Rogero	with	the	spear	to	combat	drew,	570
	The	spear	that	Sansonetto	late	o'erthrew	:
	His	valiant	arm	the	feted	buckler	bore,
	Which	in	Pyrene's	hills	Atlantes	wore;
	Th'	enchanted	buckler,	whose	resistless	light
	At	greatest	need	preserv'd	the	noble	knight	:
	Yet	only	thrice	the	wondrous	aid	he	try'd:
	And	only	thrice	the	shield	its	aid	supply'd	:
	Twice,	when	the	joys	of	shameful	life	he	fled
	For	seats	where	virtue	l	every	blessing	shed	;
	The	last,	when	in	the	billowy	main	he	left	580
	The	raging	ore,	of	precious	food	bereft.
	Save	these	alone,	in	every	chance	beside,
	A	veil	was	wont	the	dazzling	orb	to	hide	;
	At	ease	remov'd,	whene'er	the	dangerous	hour
	Requir'd	the	help	of	more	than	mortal	power.
	Well-fenc'd	by	this,	he	rush'd	with	warlike	heat
	Against	the	three	that	c*me	his	force	to	meet	:
	Not	more	he	fear'd	each	warrior's	threat'ning	spear,
	Than	boldest	hearts	the	weakest	infants	fear.
	At	Gryphon	now	Rogero	aim'd	the	thrust	590
	Above	the	buckler's	verge,	the	furious	joust
	See	Book	vii.	and	x.
	His	helm	confess'd	j	on	either	hand	he	reel'4,
	Till,	falling	from	his	steed,	he	press'd	the	fielcL
	Against	Rogero's	buckler	Gryphon	sent
	The	spear,	that,	erring	from	the	knight's	intent,
	Struck	on	th'	impassive	orb	with	fruitless	sound,
	And,	hissing,	glanc'd	across	the	polish'd	round	j
	The	veil	it	rent,	and	freed	the	magic	rays	:
	Advancing	Aquilant	receiv	d	the	blaze	;
	On	Guido	Savage	next,	who	came	the	last,	609
	The	wondrous	targe	its	beamy	splendour	cast
	All	fell	but	little	yet	Rogero	knew
	The	finish'd	joust,	and	swift	his	falchion	drew	;
	Then	wheel'd	his	steed,	when	on	the	ground	he
	view'd
	His	prostrate	foes	with	little	force	subdu'd	;
	Knights,	squires,	and	each	that	issu'd	to	the	plain,
	The	numerous	foot,	and	all	the	female	train,
	Alike	he	saw,	as	if	in	battle	dead,
	Prone	on	the	field	each	warrior	courser	spread:
	Till,	casting	down	a	casual	glance,	he	spy'd	619
	From	his	left	arm,	dependent	at	his	side,
	The	veil	that	still	was	wont	the	light	to	hide.
	Sudden	he	turn'd,	and	sought	with	anxious	care
	His	bosom's	best	belov'd,	the	martial	fair,
	Her	whom	he	left,	where,	plac'd	apart,	she	stood
	To	mark	the	tilt	begun;	but	when	he	view'd
	The	fair	no	more,	he	deem'd	her	course	was	bent
	To	free	the	lover,	and	his	fate	prevent,
	Who,	while	she	stay'd	to*	attend	the	castle's	strife,
	She	fear'd	in	flames	would	lose	bis	hapless	life.	620
	Among	the	rest	he	sees	the	gentle	maid,
	Their	fair	conductress,	deep	in	slumber	laid:
	Her	in	his	arms	he	rais'd,	and,	plac'd	before
	High	on	his	steed,	the	pensive	warrior	bore:
	Her	scarf	he	took,	and	wrapt	with	this,	conceal'd
	The	buckler's	blaze;	the	blaze	no	more	reveal'd,
	The	virgin	soon	her	heavy	eyes	unseal'd	:
	Rogero's	features	flush'd	with	rosy	shame,
	His	iown-cast	looks	his	secret	thoughts	proclaim	;
	He	fears	that	all	his	former	deeds	are	stain'd	630
	By	such	a	conquest	so	ignobly	gain'd.	[away
	"	Where	shall	I	turn?"	he	cries,	"how	cleanse
	The	infamy	of	this	ill-omen'd	day	?
	The	triumph	here	achiev'd	each	tongue	shall	tell,
	Not	due	to	valour,	but	to	magic	spell."
	Thus	he	:	with	generous	wrath	his	bosom	glow'd	;
	When,	what	he	sought,	spontaneous	chance	be-
	stow'd.
	Far	in	a	wood's	surrounding	gloom	he	found
	A	crystal	well,	that	sunk	beneath	the	ground	:
	Hither,	when	sated	herds	their	food	forsake,	640
	Oppress'd	with	heat	they	came	their	thirst	to	slake.
	Rogero	then	"	No	more	shall	scorn	or	blame,
	From	thee,	O	shield	!	arise	to	taint	my	name	:
	No	longer	mine	1	here	such	arms	forgo,
	Nor	more	to	thee	will	shameful	succour	owe."
	Thus	he;	and	swift	alighting	as	he	spoke,
	With	generous	wrath	a	craggy	stone	he	took;
	To	this	the	buckler,	well	secur'd,	he	tied,
	And	to	the	well	consign'd	"	Lie	there,"	he	cried,
	"	And	with	thee	there	my	foul	dishonour	hide."	650
	Deep	was	the	well,	and	high	the	waters	swell'd	:
	Ponderous	the	stone,	and	ponderous	was	the	shield	:
	At	once	it	sunk,	a	bed	the	bottom	gave,
	And	sudden	o'er	it	clos'd	the	limpid	wave.
	Soon	Fame	divulg'd	the	deed,	with	trumpet's	sound,
	Through	France,	through	Spain,	through	every
	region	round	;
	From	tongue	to	tongue	it	spread,	and	many	a	train
	Of	noble	knights	aspir'd	the	prize	to	gain.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XXIII.
	193
	Her	greeting	kind,	and	tell	him,	how,	detain'd,
	She	with	reluctance	from	his	sight	remain'd	;
	And	urge	(if	need	to	urge	him)	for	her	sake
	The	name	of	Christian	knight	baptiz'd	to	take;
	Then	woo	her	friends	his	amorous	suit	t'	approve,
	And	tie	the	knot	of	hymeneal	love.	180
	By	this	her	messenger,	his	generous	steed
	She	meant	to	send,	which,	fam'd	for	strength	and
	speed,
	Rogero	priz'd;	for	through	the	Pagan	lands,
	And	all	the	realms	the	Gallic	lord	commands,
	With	him	no	steed	the	courser's	glory	claim'd,
	Save	Brigliadoro	awl	Bayardo	6	fam'd.
	When	good	Rogero	7	on	the	winged	horse
	Was	borne	aloft,	a	strange	and	fearful	course,
	He	left	Frontiuo,	which	the	martial	dame
	Reeeiv'd	in	trust	(Frontino	was	his	name),	190
	And	sent	to	Mount	Albano,	where,	at	large,
	Wanton	he	rov'd,	or	fed	beneath	her	charge
	In	plenteous	stalls	;	or	when	he	felt	the	rein,
	Was	gently	pac'd	along	the	level	plain	:
	Thus,	pamper'd	high	in	ease,	and	nurs'd	with	care,
	His	shining	skin	more	sleek,	more	noble	seem'd
	his	air.
	And	now	she	urg'd	her	virgins	to	divide
	The	pleasing	task	:	each	virgin	soon	apply'd
	Her	ready	skill,	and	wrought,	of	golden	thread,
	A	costly	net,	which	o'er	a	pall	they	spread	200
	Of	finest	silk,	and	on	the	courser	plac'd,
	With	trappings	gay,	and	rich	embroidery	grac'd.
	A	maid	she	chose,	of	long-experienc'd	truth,
	Whose	mother,	Callitrephia,	nurs'd	her	youth
	From	infant	years	:	to	her	she	oft	confess'd
	How	far	Rogero	all	her	soul	possess'd	;
	Full	oft	his	beauty	and	his	valour	prais'd,
	And	every	grace	above	a	mortal's	rais'd.
	To	her	she	spoke	"	Whom	sooner	shall	I	trust
	Than	thee,	Hippalca	dear,	discreet	and	just	?	210
	In	whom,	like	thee,	of	all	my	train,"	she	cried,
	"	Can	I	the	message	of	my	heart	confide	?"
	Hippalca	(such	the	faithful	damsel's	name)
	Was	now	dismiss'dj	and,	by	the	love-sick	dame
	Instructed	in	her	way,	receiv'd,	at	large,
	To	him	(her	bosom's	lord)	this	tender	charge	:
	To	say,	that	while	in	promise	late	she	fail'd
	To	reach	the	abbey's	walls,	no	change	prevail'd
	In	what	she	wish'd	;	but	Fortune,	that	has	still
	The	sovereign	rule	of	all,	oppos'd	her	will.	220
	Thus	she	:	then	bade	the	damsel	mount	her	steed,
	And	by	the	golden	reins	Frontino	lead	:
	But	should	she,	in	her	travel,	chance	to	find
	A	wretch	so	senseless,	or	so	base	of	mind,
	To	seize	the	steed,	she	will'd	her	but	to	tell
	The	courser's	lord,	his	folly	to	repel	:
	For	every	knight	she	deem'd	(whate'erhis	fame)
	In	arms	must	tremble	at	Rogero's	name.
	Much	more	she	said,	and	by	her	trusty	maid
	To	lov'd	Rogero	greetings	kind	convey'd	;	230
	Which,	treasur'd	in	her	mind,	without	delay
	Hippalca	bade	farewel	8	,	and	issu'd	on	her	way.
	-ne	sotto	il	signor	Gallo,
	Piu	bel	destrier	di	questo,	o	piu	gagliardo,
	Eccetto	Brigliadoro	solo	e	Baiardo.
	The	poet	seems	here	to	have	forgotten	Rabican,
	Astolpho's	horse.
	'	See	Book	iv.	ver.	321.
	He	returns	to	Bi	adamant,	Book	xxxi,	ver.	41.
	For	ten	long	miles	9	the	maid	her	journey	held,
	Through	beaten	path,	thick	wood,	or	open	field	:
	One	noon	of	day	descend'!]^	from	a	height,
	As	on	a	narrow	pass	she	chanc'd	to	light
	Stony	anil	rough,	fierce	Rodomont	she	view'd,
	Who	arm'd,	on	foot,	a	guiding	dwnrf	pursu'd	:
	On	her	the	cruel	Pagan	cast	h\*	eye,
	And	loud	blasphem'd	th'	eternal	hierarchy,	240
	To	find	a	steed	so	stately	and	so	fair
	Without	his	lord,	beneath	a	damsel's	care.
	Late	had	he	sworn,	his	arm	the	goodly	horse,
	He	first	should	meet,	would	seize	by	lawless	force.
	Lo!	this	the	first,	and	never	could	his	need
	Attain	the	conquest	of	a	nobler	steed.
	But	since	to	take	him	from	a	helpless	maid
	Honour	forbade,	awhile	in	doubt	he	stay'd;
	With	eager	looks	he	stood,	and,	gazing,	cried,	249
	"Why	artthou	here	without	thy	warlike	guide?"
	"	O	!	were	he	here,"	Hippalca	said,	"	thy	mind
	Would	soon	forgo	the	purpose	it	design'd	:
	Who	this	bestrides,	excels	thy	arms	in	fight,
	And.	through	the	world	scarce	breathes	so	brave	a
	knight."
	"	What	chief,"	return'd	the	Moor,	"thus	treads
	the	fame
	Of	others	down	?''	"	Rogero,"	said	the	dame.
	Then	he"	The	steed	I	mine	can	nobly	make,
	Which	from	Rogero	fam'd	in	arms	I	take	j
	And	should	he	seek	his	courser	to	regain,
	I	here	defy	him	to	the	listed	plain.	260
	The	weapon's	choice	be	his	this	prize	I	claim-
	War	is	my	sport,	and	Rodomont	my	name	!
	Where'er	I	go,	my	steps	he	may	pursue,
	My	deeds	shall	ever	point	me	forth	to	view	:
	I	shine	by	my	own	light,	and	mark	my	course
	With	tracks	more	fatal	than	the	thunder's	force."
	Thus	he;	and	turning,	as	these	words	he	said,
	The	golden	bridle	o'er	Frontino's	head,
	Leapt	in	the	seat,	and	sudden	left	behind
	Hippalca,	weeping	with	distressful	mind.	270
	On	Rodomont	her	threats	and	plaint	she	bends	:
	He	hears,	regardless,	and	the	hill	ascends	;
	Led	by	the	dwarf,	rage	flushing	on	his	cheeks,
	He	Dorali?	and	Mandricardo	seeks	;
	While	the	sad	maid	his	flight	indignant	views,
	And	from	afar	with	railings	vain	pursues.
	Some	other	time	shall	speak	10	what	these	befel	:
	Here	Turpin,	from	whose	page	the	tale	1	tell.
	Turns	to	the	land,	where	bleeding	on	the	plain
	Lies	the	foul	traitor	of	Maganza	slain.
	When	Amon's	daughter	from	the	place	in	haste
	Had	turn'd	her	steed,	and	through	the	forest	pass'd;
	Thither,	by	different	ways	arriving,	came
	The	good	Zerbino,	and	her	sex's	shame*	1	".
	He	sees	the	body	lifeless	in	the	vale,
	And	tender	thoughts	his	noble	breast	assail.
	There	Pinabello	lay	;	and,	drench'd	in	blood,
	Pour'd	from	such	numerous	wounds	the	crimson
	It	seem'd	a	hundred	foes,	in	crnel	strife,	[flood,
	Had	join'd	their	swords	to	end	his	wretched	life.
	9	In	the	xxvith	Book,	on	the	same	occasion,
	Ariosto	says	thirty	miles	a	little	slip	of	the	me
	mory.
	i	He	returns	to	Rod	>mont,	Book	xxiv.	ver.	695,
	and	to	Hippalca,	Book	xxvi.	ver.	401.
	11	See	the	beginning	of	the	present	Book,
	ver.	31.	.
	*	Gabrinar	M	Se	Book	xxii,	ver.	23.


195
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	The	knight	of	Scotland	was	not	slow	to	trace	291
	The	track	of	horses'	feet	that	niark'd	the	place,
	In	hope	to	find	where	from	pursuit	had	fled
	TU'	unknown	assassin	of	the	warrior	dead:
	Meantime	he	bade	Gabrina	to	remain,
	And	there	expect	hi?	quick	return	again.
	Now	near	the	scene	of	death	Gabrina	drew,
	Exploring	all	the	corse	with	greedy	view.;
	For	still	to	every	other	vice	she	join'd
	The	deepest	av'rice	of	a	female	mind	:	300
	And,	but	she	knew	not	to	conceal	her	theft,
	Her	hands	rapacious	had	the	knight	bereft
	Of	every	spoil	;	the	scarf	embroidcr'd	o'er
	With	gold,	and	all	the	glittering	arms	he	wore.
	A	belt	of	costly	work	she	safely	plac'd
	Beneath	her	vest,	conceal'd	around	her	waist	:
	'T	was	all	sbe	could	;	and,	while	of	this	possest,
	The	beldame	gricv'd	in	heart	to	leave	the	rest.
	Zerhino	now	returu'd,	who,	through	the	wood,
	With	fruitless	search	had	Bradamant	pursu'd;	310
	The	day	declining,	swift.his	course	address'd,
	With	that	dire	hag,	to	find	a	place	of	rest.
	Two	miles	remote	they	to	a	castle	came
	(Fam'd	Altariva	was	the	castle's	name),
	4nd	here	they	stay'd	to	pass	th'	approaching	night
	That	quench'd	the	splendour	of	departing	light.
	Here	scarce	arriv'd,	on	every	side	they	hear
	The	voice	of	loud	laments	invade	their	e;ir,
	And	tears	they	see	from	every	eye-lid	fall,
	As	if	one	conimon	woe	had	seiz'd	on	all.	3'2()
	Zerbino	ask'd	what	cause	their	anguish	wrought;
	And	heard	of	tidings	to	Ansehno	brought,
	How,	?	twixt	two	mountains,	in	a	shady	dell,
	His	son,	his	Pinabello,	murder'd	fell.
	Zerbiuo,	doubtful	of	some	evil	nigh,
	Withdraws	apart	froin.	every	prying	eye	:
	He	dcem'd	their	sorrows	must	his	death	bewail,
	Whom	late	he	saw	lie	bleeding	in	the	vale.
	Soon	came	the	bier	with	Pinabello	dead,
	While	torches	round	their	solemn	splendour	shed,
	To	where	the	thickest	ranks	lamenting	stand,	331
	Raise	the	shrill	cry,	and	wring	the	mournful	hand	;
	Where	every	eye	is	fill'd	with	gushing	woe,
	And	down	the	beard	the	trickling	currents	flow.
	Above	the	rest,	see,	impotent	in	grief.
	The	wretched	father	mocks	each	vain	relief;
	While	all,	as	sacred	custom	each	invites,
	Prepare,	with	pomp,	the	last	funereal	rites;
	Such	as	of	old	were	wont	the	dead	to	grace,
	Dut	now	forgot	by	this	degenerate	race.	340
	The	herald	from	the	prince	declares	aloud
	The	sovereign	will,	and	to	the	murmuring	crowd
	Proclaims,	that	vast	rewards	the	man	shall	gain
	Who	tells	the	wretch	by	whom	his	son	Was	slain.
	From	tongue	to	tongue	the	spreading	tidings	flew,
	From	ear	to	ear,	till	all	the	city	knew	:
	At	lajit	they	reach'd	the	hag,	whose	fury	fell
	JS'i/t	bears	or	tigers	of	the	wood	excel	;
	Who	now	Zerbino	to	destroy	prepares	;
	Whether	through	hatred	that	the	knight	she	bears;
	Or	that	her	impious	soul	aspir'd	to	show	351
	A	human	breast	that	mock'd	at	human	woe;
	Or	whether	greedy	gain	her	purpose	wrought;
	*f	he	presence	of	th'	afflicted	earl	she	sought	;
	There	first	with	plansive	speech	his	ear	amus'd,
	And	pood	Zerbino	of	the	deed	accus'd	;
	Then	from	her	lap,	to	prove	the	story	true,
	The	costly	belt	produc'd	in	open	view,
	Which,	seen,	too	well	the	wretched	parent	knew.
	With	tears,	his	hands	uplifting	to	the	skrcs,	360
	"	Thou	shall	not	perish	unreveng'd!"	he	cries	;
	Then	bids	surround	the	house.	With	furious
	The	people,	rous'd,	obey	their	ruler's	will	;	[zeal
	And	while	no	danger	near	Zerbino	knows,
	He	finds	himself	a	prisoner	to	his	foes,
	Giv'n	to	Ansehno's	rage,	when	sunk	to	rest
	Refreshing	sleep	his	heavy	eyes	depress'd.
	Him	in	a	darksome	cell	that	night	detain'd,
	They	kept	in	shackles	and	with	bolts	restraiii'd,
	Condemn'd	to	suffer	for	imputed	guilt,	370
	In	that	sad	valley	where	the	blood	was	spilt.
	No	further	proof	there	needs	the	&ct	to	try;
	Their	lord	has	sentenc'd,	and	th'	accus'd	must	die.
	When	from	her	couch	Aurora	made	return,
	With	rnany-colour'd	beams	to	paint	the	morn,
	The	populace,	as	with	one	voice,	demand
	The	prisoner's	life,	and	press	on	every	hand
	With	horse	and	foot;	Zerbino	thence	they	led
	To	atone	the	blood	another's	hand	had	shed.
	On	a	low	steed	the	knight	of	Scotland	rides,	38U
	His	noble	arms	close	pinion'd	to	his	sides,
	And	head	cast	down:	but	God,	who	still	defends
	The	guiltless	that	for	help	on	him	depends,
	Already	watchful	o'er	the	warrior's	state.
	Prepares	to	snatch	him	from	the	hand	of	fate.
	Orlando	thither	comes	'3,	and	comes	to	save
	The	prince	from	shame	and	an	untimely	grave:
	Along	the	plain	he	view'd	the	swarming	crew,
	That	to	his	death	the	wretched	champion	drew.
	Galego's	daughter,	Isabella	fair,	39t
	With	him	he	brought,	who,	from	the	watry	war
	And	bulging	vessel	sav'd,	was	doom'd,	at	land,
	Th'	unhappy	captive	of	a	lawless	band	;
	She,	whose	lov'd	form	Zerbino's	heart	possess'd,
	More	dear	than	life	that	warm'd	his	faithful	breast.
	Orlando,	since	he	freed	the	gentle	maid,
	Had	watch'd	beside	her	with	a	guardian's	aid.
	When	on	the	subject	plain	her	eyes	she	bent,
	She	ask'd	Orlando	\\hat	the	concourse	meant:	399
	"	'Tis	mine	to	learn	the	cause>"	the	warrior	said,
	Then	left	his	charge,	and	down	the	mountain	sped.
	The	throng	he	join'd	;	wheu,	from	th'	ignoble	train,
	Zerbino	soon	he	singled	on	the	plain	;
	And	by	his	outward	looks,	at	first,	divin'd
	The	chief	a	baron	of	no	vulgar	kind.
	Approaching	near,	he	ask'd	his	cause	of	shame,
	And	whither	led	in	bands,	and	whence	he	came.
	At	this,	his	head	the	mourning	champion	rear'd.
	And,	when	the	Paladin's	demand	he	heard,
	With	brief	reply	his	piteous	tale	disclos'd,	41*
	In	truth	sincere,	that	soon	the	earl	dispos'd,
	For	his	defence,	to	combat	on	his	side,
	Who,	guiltless	of	the	charge,	unjustly	dy'd.
	But	when	he	found	that	Altariva's	lord
	The	sentence	pass'd,	the	nobler	sufferer's	word
	Stood	more	confirm'd;	for	in	Anselmo's	breast
	He	deem'd	that	justice	ne'er	her	seat	possess'd.
	Between	Maganza's	house,	and	Clarmont,	reign'd
	A	lineal	hate,	from	sire	to	son	maintaiu'd.	419
	Then	to	the	herd	he	turn'd	with	threat'ning	cry	:
	"	Ye	caitiff	bands	!	release	the	knight,	or	die	!"
	"	And	who	is	he,"	said	one	to	prove	his	zeal,
	In	luckless	hour.	"	that	thus	with	words	would	kill	J^
	Well	was	his	menace,	were	our	feeble	frame
	Of	wax	or	straw,	and	his	consuming	flame."
	4	3	See	Book	xiii.


OF	ORLANDO	FURTOSO.	ROOK	XXIII.
	He	said	;	and	ran	against	the	knight	of	France	;
	And	him	Orlando	met	with	rested	lance.
	That	glittering	armour,	which	the	night	before
	The	fierce	Maganza	from	Zerbino	tore,
	Now	proudly	worn,	conlcl	not	the	death	prevent,
	Which	from	his	spear	Aglaates'	warrior	sent.	43	1
	On	his	right	cheek	was	driv'n	the	pointed	wood,
	And	though	the	temper'd	helm	the	point	withstood,
	The	neck	refus'd	the	furious	stroke	to	bear;
	The	bone	snapt	short,	and	life	dissolv'd	in	air.
	At	once,	while	yet	the	spear	remain'd	in	rest,
	He	pierc'd	another	through	the	panting	breast	j
	There	left	the	lance,	and	Durindana	drew,
	And	midst	the	thickest	press	resis'	less	flew.
	Of	this,	the	skull	in	equal	parts	he	cleaves;	440
	Thatj	of	his	head	at	one	fierce	stroke	bereaves	:
	Some	in	the	neck	he	thrust	a	moment's	space
	Beholds	a	hundred	dead,	or	held	in	chase.
	A	third	are	slain,	or	fly	with	fear	oppress'd	:
	His	thundering	falchion	knows	nor	pau?e	nor	rest.
	This	quits	his	helmet	;	that,	his	cumbrous	shield	;
	All	ca^t	their	useless	weapons	on	the	field.
	Some	leap	the	fosse,	some	scour	the	broad-way	side;
	In	forests	some,	and	some	in	caverns	hide	:
	That	day	Orlando	gave	his	wravh	the	rein,	450
	And	will'd	that	none	should	there	alive	remain	:
	As	Turpin	writes,	from	whom	the	truth	I	tell,
	Full	fourscore	breathless	by	his	weapon	fell.
	The	throng	dispers'd,	he	to	Zerbino	press'd,
	Whose	anxious	heart	yet	trembled	in	his	breast	:
	What	words	can	speak	Zerbino'salter'd	cheer,
	Soon	as	he	saw	his	brave	deliverer	near	?
	J-ow	had	he	fall'n,	and	prostrate	on	the	ground
	Ador'd	the	knight	from	whom	such	aid	he	found;
	But	to	the	steed	his	feet	with	cords	were	bound.
	Orlando	now	his	limbs	tiom	shackle?	freed,	461
	And	help'd	him	to	resume	his	warlike	weed,
	Which	late	the	captain	of	Maganza's	train
	Had	worn	in	battle,	but	had	worn	in	vain.	(
	Meanwhile,	Zerbino	Isabella	view'd,
	Who	on	the	neighbouring	height	attentive	stood.
	Till	peace	succeeding	now	to	war's	alarms,
	She	left	the	hijl,	and,	bright	in	blooming	charms,
	Approach'd	the	field,	where,	when	she	nearer
	drew,
	In	her	his	best-belov'd	Zerbino	knew:	470
	Her,	whom	from	lying	fame	he	mourn'd	as	lost
	In	roaring	billows	on	the	rocky	coast.
	As	with	a	bolt	of	ice,	his	heart	became
	All	freezing	cold	;	a	trembling	seiz'd	his	frame	:
	But	soon	a	feverish	heat,	succeeding,	spread
	Through	every	part,	and	dy'd	his	cheeks	with	red.
	Love	bade	him	rush,	and	clasp	her	to	his	breast:	'
	But	reverence	for	Anglantes'	lord	repress'd
	His	eager	wish	and,	ah	!	too	sure	he	thought
	Her	virgin	grace	the	stranger's	soul	had	canght.^SO
	From	sorrows	thus	to	deeper	sorrows	cast,
	He	finds	how	soon	his	mighty	joys	are	past:
	And	better	could	he	bear	to	lose	her	charms
	By	death,	than	see	her	in	another's	arms	:
	But	most	to	find	her	in	his	power	he	griev'd,
	Whose	sword	so	late	his	threaten'd	life	repriev'd	:
	No	other	knight	(howe'er	in	battle	prov'd)
	Had	pass'd	unquestion'd	with	the	maid	he	lov'd.
	But	what	the	earl	had	wrought	that	glorious	day,
	Impell'd	him	every	grateful	meed	to	pay,	490
	And	at	the	champion's	feet	his	head	subjected	lay.
	Thus	journeying	on,	the	knights	and	princely
	maid,
	At	length	dismounting,	near	a	fountain	stay'd	:
	The	wearied	earl	releas'd	his	laden	brows,
	And	bade	Zerbino	there	his	helm	unclose.
	Soon	as	the	fair	her	lover's	face	espies,
	From	her	soft	check	the	rosy	colour	flies,
	Then	swift	returns	-so	looks	the	humid	flower
	When	Sol's	bright	beams	succeed	the	drizzlinj
	shower	:
	Careless	of	aug'it,	she	runs	with	eager	pace	*,	500
	And	clasps	Zerbino	with	a	dear	embrace	;
	There,	while	in	silence	to	his	neck	she	grows,
	Tear	following	tear,	his	face	and	breast	o'erflows.
	Orlando,	by	their	side,	attentive	stands,
	Their	meeting	marks,	nor	other	proof	demands
	That	this	unknown,	who	late	his	succour	prov'd,
	Was	prince	Zerbino	by	the	dame	belov'd.
	Soon	as	the	fair-one	rais'd	her	voice	to	speak,
	(The	drops	yet	hanging	on	her	tender,	cheek)
	Her	grateful	lips	no	other	could	proclaim	510
	Than	the	full	praises	of	Orlando's	name,
	His	valorous	succour	for	her	sake	bestow'd,
	And	every	courtesy	the	warrior	show'd.
	Zerbino,	who	so	lov'd	the	princely	maid,
	Her	good	with	his	in	equal	scales	he	weigh'd	:
	Low	at	his	knee	the	generons	earl	ador'd,
	Who	in	one	day	had	twice	his	life	restor'd.
	Thus	they:	when	sudden	from	the	neighbouring
	brake	[shake	;
	They	heard,	with	rustling	sound,	'the	branches
	Kach	to	his	naked	head	his	helm	apply	'd	:	5'20
	Each	seiz'd	the	reins	;	but,	ere	he	could	bestride
	His	foaming	courser,	from	the	woodland	came,
	Before	their	sight,	a	champion	and	a	dame	15	.
	The	knight	was	Mandricardo,	who	pursu'd
	Orlando's	track,	till	Doraiis	he	view'd	:
	But	when	the	warrior	from	her	numerous	band
	Had	won	the	damsel	with	his	conquering	hand,
	The	zeal	grew	slack	that	urg'd	him	to	obtain
	Revenge	on	him,	who	on	the	bloody	plain
	Had	Manilardo	quell'd,	and	young	Alzirdo	slain.
	He	knew	not	yet	the	sable	chief,	whose	nvg'.it	531
	Had	rais'd	his	envy,	was	Anglantes'	knight	;
	Though	him	his	deeds	and	fair	report	proclaim
	A	wandering	champion	of	no	common	fame.
	Him	(while	beside	unmark'd	Zerbino	stood,)
	From	head	to	foot	fierce	Mandricardo	view'd,
	And,	finding	every	sign	describ'd	agree,
	"	Lo	!	thou	the	man,"	he	cried,	"	I	wish	to	see.
	Ten	days	my	anxious	search,	from	plain	to	plaii.
	Has	trac'd	thy	course,	but	trac'd	till	now	in	vain	:
	So	have	thy	deeds,	in	all	our	camp	confest,	541
	With	rival	envy	fir'd	my	swelling	breast,
	For	hundreds	sent	by	thee	to	Pluto's	strand,
	Where	scarcely	one	escap'd	thy	dreadful	hand,
	To	tell	the	numbers	which	thy	weapon	slew
	Of	Tremizen	and	Norway's	valiant	crew	;
	I	was	not	slow	to	follow,	with	thy	sight
	To	feast	my	eyes,	and	prove	thy	force	in	fight.
	Full	well-inform'd	I	know	thy	sable	dress	;
	Thy	vest	and	armour	him	I	seek	coniess.	550
	'*	It	may	at	first	appear	extraordinary,	that
	this	discovery	should	not	have	happened	before,
	as,	by	the	poet's	words,	Zerbino	may	be	supposed
	to	have	declared	his	name	to	Orlando	when	the
	Paladin	first	accosted	him	;	but	it	must	be	ob.
	served,	in	defence	of	Ariosto,	thai	Isabella	w	js
	not	then	present,	being	left	by	Orlando	on	the
	hill	during	the	battle.
	5	See	Book	xiv.	ver.	490.


198
	IIOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	But	were	not	such	external	marks	reveal'd,
	And	didst	them	with	a	thousand	lurk	conceal'd,
	Thy	bold	demeanour	must	too	surely	tell
	That	thou	art	he	in	battle	prov'd	so	well."
	"	Thee	too,	no	less,"	Orlando	thus	replied,
	"	All	must	pronounce	a	knight	of	valour	try'd	;
	For	thoughts	so	noble	never	shall	we	find
	The	tenants	of	a	base	degenerate	mind.
	If	me	thou	com'st	to	view	indulge	thy	will
	Unloose	my	helmet,	and	behold	thy	fill	'	560
	But	having	view'd	me	well,	proceed	to	prove
	(What	most	thy	generous	envy	seem'd	to	move)
	How	much	in	arms	my	prowess	may	compare
	With	that	demeanour	thou	hast	held	so	fair."
	"	'T	is	there	I	fix	my	wish,"	the	Pagan	cried,
	"	My	first	demand	is	fully	satisfied."
	Meanwhile	the	earl	from	head	to	foot	explor'd
	The	Tartar	round,	but	view'd	nor	ax	nor	sword	;
	Then	ask'd	what	weapon	must	the	fight	maintain,
	Should	his	first	onset	with	the	lance	be	vain.	570
	"	Heed	not	my	want,"	he	said,	"	this	single	spear
	Has	often	taught	my	bravest	foes	to	fear	:
	A	solemn	oath	1	took,	no	sword	to	wear,
	Till	Durindana	from	the	earl	I	bear	:
	Him	through	the	world	I	seek	for	such	my	vow,
	When	first	I	plac'd	this	helmet	o'er	my	brow	:
	Which,	with	these	arms,	I	conquer'd	all	of	yore,
	By	Hector	worn	a	thousand	years	before.
	This	sword	alone	was	wanting	to	the	rest,
	How	stol'n,	I	know	not	;	but	of	this	possest	580
	T	is	said	the	Paladin	subdues	his	foes,
	And	hence	his	courage	more	undaunted	grows	:
	But	let	me	once	his	arm	in	combat	join,
	His	ill-got	spoils	he	quickly	shall	resign	:
	Yet	more	my	bosom	glows	with	fierce	desire
	To	avenge	the	death	of	Agrican,	my	sire,
	Whom	base	Orlando	slew	in	treacherous	strife,
	Nor	could	he	else	have	reach'd	his	noble	life."
	The	earl,	no	longer	silent,	stern	replies:
	"	Thou	ly'st,	and	each	that	dares	affirm	it	lies.	590
	Chance	gives	thee	what	thou	seek'st	Orlando	view
	In	me,	who	Agrican	with	honour	slew.
	Behold	the	sword	thou	long	hast	wish'd	to	gain,
	And,	if	thou	seek'st,	with	glory	mayst	obtain.
	Though	justly	mine,	yet	will	I	now	contend
	With	thee	my	claim,	and	to	a	tree	suspend
	The	valu'd	prize,	which	rightly	thou	shalt	take,
	If	me	thy	furce	can-	slay,	or	prisoner	make."
	He	said	:	and	instant	from	his	side	unbrac'd,
	And	Durindana	on	a	sapling	plac'd.	600
	Already	now	they	part	to	half	the	space,
	Sent	from	the	bow,	a	whizzing	shaft	can	trace	:
	Already	each	on	each	impels	his	steed,
	And	gives	the	reins	at	freedom	to	his	speed	:
	Already	each	directs	his	spear	aright,
	Where	the	clos'd	helmet	but	admits	the	light.
	The	ash	seems	brittle	ice,	and	to	the	sky
	With	sudden	crash	a	thousand	splinters	fly.
	The	staves	break	short	.yet	neither	knight	would
	yield	609
	One	foot,	one	inch	then	wheeling	round	the	field
	Again	they	meet,	and	with	the	vant-plate	16	rear,
	Firm	in	each	gi	asp,	the	truncheon	of	the	spear
	That	yet	remain'd	these	chiefs	that	once	engag'd,
	With	sword	or	lance,	like	rustics	now	engag'd,
	(Whoie	blows	dispute	the	stream	or	meadow's	right)
	With	shatter'd	staves	pursu'd	a	cruel	fight
	16	The	part	by	which	the	speav	was	fceld.
	Four	times	they	struck,	the	fourth	the	truncheon
	broke
	Close	to	the	wrist,	nor	bore	another	stroke	:
	While	either	knight,	as	mutual	fury	reign'd,
	Alone	with	gauntlet	arm'd	the	strife	maintain'd	:
	Where'er	they	grapple,	plate	and	steely	scale	621
	They	rend	asunder,	and	disjoint	the	mail	:
	Not	ponderous	hammers	fall	with	weightier	blows,
	Not	clasps	of	iron	stronger	can	enclose
	With	griping	hold.	What	now	remains	to	save
	The	Pagan's	honour	who	the	challenge	gave	?
	Or	what	in	such	a	fruitless	fight	avail'd,
	Where	more	th'	assailant	sufter'd	lhan	th'	assail	'd	?
	Each	nerve	exerting,	with	Orlando	clos'd
	The	Pagan	warrior,	breast	to	breast	oppos'd,	630
	In	hope	with	him	the	like	success	to	prove,
	As	with	Antaeus	once,	the	son	of	Jove.
	With	both	his	arms	he	grasps	the	mighty	foe,
	Tugs	with	full	force,	and	draws	him	to	and	fro	:
	He	foams,	he	raves	he	scarcely	can	contain
	His	rising	rage,	nor	heeds	his	courser's	rein.
	Collected	in	himself,	Orlando	tries
	Whate'er	advantage	strength	or	skill	supplies.
	His	hand	he	to	the	Pagan's	steed	extends,
	And	from	his	head	by	chance	the	bridle	rends.	640
	The	Saracen	with	every	art	essays,
	In	vain,	his	rival	from	the	seat	to	raise	:
	But,	firm,	with	pressing	knees,	the	earl	preserves
	His	saddle	still,	nor	here	nor	there	he	swerves	;
	Till,	yielding	to	the	Pagan's	furious	force,
	The	girth	breaks	short,	and	sudden	from	his	horse-
	Orlando	falls	to	earth	;	but	still	his	feet
	The	stirrups	keep,	and	still,	as	in	the	seat,
	His	thighs	are	strain'd,	while,	with	a	clanking
	sound,
	His	armour	rattled	as	he	touch'd	the	ground.	650
	The	adverse	courser,	from	the	bridle	freed,
	Across	the	champaign	bends	with	rapid	speed
	His	devious	way	:	when	thus	the	fair	espy'd
	Her	lover	borne	from	her	unguarded	sidej
	Without	his	presence	fearful	to	remain,
	His	flight	to	trace	she	turns	her	palfrey's	rein.
	The	haughty	Pagan,	as	his	courser	flies,
	Now	soothes,	now	strikes,	and	now	with	angry	criet
	He	threats	the	beast,	as	if	with	sense	eudu'd,
	Who,	mindless	of	his	lord,	his	way	pursu'd.	660
	Three	miles	he	bore,	and	still	had	borne	the	knight,
	But	that	a	crossing	ditch	oppos'd	their	flight	:
	There	fell	both	man	and	horse:	the	Pagan	struck
	Against	the	ground,	but	from	the	dangerous	shoclc
	Escap'd	unhurt	;	and	here	concludes	his	speed	:
	But	how	unbridled	shall	he	guide	the	steed	?
	Him	by	the	ruffled	mane,	in	furious	mood,
	The	Tartar	seiz'd,	and	now	debating	stood
	What	course	to	take,	To	whom	the	damsel	cried,
	"	Lo	!	from	my	palfrey	be	your	need	supi	ly	'd	;	6TO
	Bridled	or	loose,	mine,	patient	of	command,
	Obeys	the	voice,	and	answers	to	the	baud."
	The	Pagan	deem'd	it	ill	a	knight	became
	T'	accept	the	proffer	of	a	courteous	danie;
	But	Fortune,	wont	her	kindly	aid	to	give,
	Found	better	means	that	might	his	wants	relieve.
	And	foul	Gabrina	to	the	place	convey'd,
	Who,	since	her	guile	Zerbino	had	betray'd,
	Shuun'd	every	stranger,	like	the	wolf	that	flies
	The	hunters'	voice,	and	dogs'	pursuing	cries.	680
	This	beldame	now	the	yonthful	vestments	wore,
	Which	Pinabello's	dame	had	worn	before;
	She	press'd	the	saddle	(late	her	gorgeous	seat)
	And	uuawarcs	the	Tartar	chanc'd	to	meet.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XXV.
	20
	But	these	in	vain,	with	force	combin'd,	assail'd,
	Where	Love's	resistless	power	o'er	all	prevail'd	:
	He	bent	his	bow,	his	arrows	swiftly	flew,
	Till	Pride	and	Discord	from	the	field	withdrew:
	The	truce	confirm'd	by	her	whose	sovereign	sway
	Compell'd	each	barrly	champion	to	obey.	841
	One	warlike	steed	they	miss'd,	for	in	the	fight
	Lay	dead	the	courser	of	the	Tartar	knight;
	When	thither	gallant	Brigliadoro	stray	d,
	Who	cropt,	beside	the	stream,	the	verdant	glade.
	Since	here	the	book	concludes,	permit	Hie	here
	To	pause,	and	for	a	while	the	tale	defer.
	BOOK	XXV.
	THE	ARGUMENT.
	Rogero	goes,	with	the	damsel,	to	deliver	the	youth
	who	was	condemned	to	die.	Tale	of	Richardetto
	and	Flordespina.	Rogero	and	Richardetto	arrive
	at	the	C3Stle	of	Agrismont,	where	they	are	enter
	tained	by	Aldiger	of	the	house	of	Clarmont.
	Aldiger	gives	Richardetto	unwelcome	tidings	of
	their	kinsmen	Malagigi	and	Vivian,	who	were
	prisoners	to	Lanfusa,	the	mother	of	Ferrau.
	Rogero	engages	to	set	them	at	liberty.	Rogero's
	letter	to	Bradamant	to	excuse	his	absence.
	Rogero,	Richardetto.	and	Aldiger,	set	out	next
	day	to	rescue	Malagigi	and	Vivian	from	the
	hands	of	the	Pagans.
	THE	thirst	of	honour	and	the	force	of	love
	Eternal	strife	in	youthful	bosoms	move	:
	Nor	yet	is	known	which	most	inclines	the	scales,
	Since	this	or	that	alike	in	turn	prevails.
	The	call	of	glory,	and	the	sense	of	right,
	Not	little	now	can	weigh	with	either	knight
	To	stay	the	combat,	for	the	damsel	fought
	Till	succour	to	the	Moorish	camp	was	brought
	But	love	more	weigh'd	and	had	not	her	commands
	(Whose	power	was	sovereign)	held	their	wrathful
	hands,	10
	Ne'er	had	the	battle	ceas'd,	till	one	subdu'd
	Had	stain'd	his	rival's	wreaths	with	vital	blood	;
	And	Agramant,	with	all	his	social	train,	*
	Had	hop'd	assistance	from	their	arms	in	vain.
	Condemn	not	Love	if	oft	he	merits	blam<%
	His	generous	influence	oft	pur	praise	may	claim.
	AH	thoughts	of	contest	o'er,	the	w,:r!ike	pair
	Tow'rds	Paris'	walls,	with	her,	the	gentle	fair,
	Direct	their	steeds	:	the	dwarf	attends	their	course,
	The	dwarf	who	led,	to	meet	his	rival's	force,	20
	^he	jealous	Rodomont,	nor	ceas'd	to	trace
	The	Tartar,	till	he	brought	them	face	to	face.
	A	meadow	entering	now,	at	ease	they	find
	Four	kn	;	ghts	beside	a	crystal	fount	reclin'd,
	Two	all	unarm'd	;	two	wear	their	helmets	lac'd	;
	And	by	their	side	a	beautwus	dame	is	piac'd.
	But	who	the	knights	and	dame	1	,	some	future	time
	Shall	tell	Rogero	first	demands	my	rhyme	:
	Rogero,	who,	but	late	the	tab	has	ihowo,
	In	the	deep	well	2	his	magic	shield	had	thrown.	30
	Scarce	from	the	well	a	mile	Rogero	pass'd,
	When,	lo!	an	envoy	came;	(of	those	in	haste,
	1	He	returns	to	these	Book	xxvL	ver.	498.
	9	See	Book	xxii.	ver.	663.
	voi.	xxt.
	Dispatch'd	by	king	Troyano's	son,	to	claim
	His	champions	to	retrieve	the	Pagan	name)
	From	him	he	heard	the	camp'.;	disastrous	state,
	Where	now	the	powers,	besieg'cl	by	Charles,	await
	(Unless	reliev'd)	the	last	distress	of	fate.
	At	this,	conflicting	thoughts	Rogero	press	d,
	Ancl	rent	at	once	his	undetermin'd	breast	39
	With	different	calls	nor	which	t'	attend	he	knows,
	Scarce	time	or	place	to	weigh	their	choice	allows.
	At	length	the	herald	he	disrniss'd,	and	sped
	His	course	to	follow	where	the	damsel	led,
	Who	urg'd	him	on,	till	with	the	setting	Sun
	They	reach'd	a	city	by	Margins	won
	From	royal	Charles,	where	still	his	arms	maintain'd,
	Amid>t	the	heart	of	France,	his	conquest	gain'd.
	No	bridge	nor	portal	here	their	haste	delay'd	:
	None	clos'd	the	portal,	nor	their	passage	stay'd	;
	Though	near	the	fosse	and	gate	was	seen	to	stand
	guard	the	place)	an	ann'd	and	numerous
	band.	51
	The	maid,	his	fair	conductress,	well	they	knew,
	And	hence,	unquestion'd,	let	the	knight	pursue
	His	purpos'd	way,	till	to	the	square	he	came,
	And	saw	the	thronging	crowd	and	kindled	flame,
	Where	stood	the	youth,	who	seenYd	prepar'd	to
	wait,
	With	downcast	looks,	his	near-approaching	fate.
	But	when,	by	chance,	he	rais'd	his	mournful	eyes
	Suffus'd	in	tears,	Rogero,	with	surprise,
	Believ'd	in	him	his	Bradamant	he	view'd;	60
	So	much	the	youth	a	kindred	likeness	shew'd	:
	Still	as	he	gaz'd,	and	gaz'd	with	nearer	look,
	The	rnien	and	features	Bradamant	bespoke:
	'	Or	this,"	he	cries,	"	is	she,	or	I	no	more
	Am	that	Rogero	I	was	call'd	before.
	Through	too	much	zeal	to	give	th'	unhappy	aid,
	She	hither	came,	and	here,	by	fate	betray	'd.
	A	prisoner	stands	Why	did	thy	haste,	my	fair,
	Forbid	thy	knight	th'	adventurous	deed	to	share	?
	Yet,	thanks	to	Heaven!	that	favour'd	thus	I	come,
	With	timely	succour	to	reverse	thy	doom."	71
	His	sword	unsheathing	with	a	furious	look,
	(His	spear	on	Pinabello's	knights	be	br^ke)
	Against	the	throngs	unarmed	his	steed	he	guides,
	O'er	many	a	body,	prest	to	earth,	he	rides.
	With	crie~	the	wretches	fly,	and	all	the	train
	(So	numerous	late)	are	chas'd,	or	maim'd,	or	slain.
	As	when,	beside	a	pool,	the	household	breed
	Of	smaller	bird-;	in	flocks	securely	feed	;
	If	chance	a	hawk,	descending	from	the	skies,	8()
	Amidst	them	strikes,	and	makes	h	:	s	single	prize	;
	Each	quits	his	fellow,	far	himself	provider,
	And	from	his	feather'd	f"e	for	safety	hides	:
	So	had	you	seen	dispers'd	the	heartless	crew,
	When	first	Rogero	on	their	numbers	new	;
	From	four	or	P	ix	that	thence	too	slowly	fled,
	At	one	fierce	stroke	Rogero	lopt	the	head	:
	Cleft	to	the	breast	through	some	his	steel	he	sent	;
	There,	through	the	skull	;	here,	to	the	teeth	it	went.
	What	IhougS	no	ponderous	helms	their	heads	en
	close,
	But	lighter	morions	bind	each	wretch's	brows,	91
	Yet,	were	they	ann'd	at	proof,	his	raging	b!au>
	Through	temper'd	helmet	had	the	passage	made.
	Rogero's	strength	wa<	not	tne	strength	we	fi->d
	In	modern	knigh's,	or	their	degenerate	kind	:
	Not	such	the	tusky	boar	or	liou	boasts,
	The.	fiorces-t	bea<t	of	ours,	or	foreign	coasts	:
	Perchance	the	thunder	may	his	force	excel,
	Or	that	dire	fiend	(not	he	that	reigns	in	Hell,
	P


HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	In	vain	she	prays	in	vain	her	tears	her	love
	No	Macon	hears	her,	and	no	powers	approve.
	Ail	night	she	mourn'd,	till	Phoebus	from	the	wave
	His	locks	disclos'd,	and	light	returning	gave	:
	The	light	return'd,	from	bed	the	pair	arose,
	Day	adding	force	to	Flordespina's	woes	:
	For	Bradamant	(whom	much	it	irk'd	to	prove
	The	hapless	object	of	so	vain	a	love,	320
	And	by	her	presence	more	inflame	the	smart)
	Declar'd	her	speedy	purpose	to	depart.
	But,	ere	she	went,	fair	Flordespina	brought
	A	stately	steed,	with	trappings	richly	wrought	;
	To	these	a	surcoat	join'd	of	costly	make,
	Wbrk'd	by	her	hands,	and	will'd	her,	for	the	sake
	Of	parting	love,	the	precious	gifts	to	take.
	"	And	now	my	sister	urg'd	her	speedy	way
	To	Mount	Albano,	ere	the	close	of	day	;
	Where	we,	he	v	r	mother	and	her	brethren,	flew	330
	With	eager	joy,	her	welcome	face	to	view.
	Her	helm	unlac'd,	we	saw	her	tresses	shorn,
	Which	once	in	fillets	round	her	head	were	worn	;
	Nor	less	we	wonder'd	o'er	her	arms	to	find
	A	surcoat	us'd	by	knights	of	foreign	kind;
	Her	wound	receiv'd	and	cur'd,her	shorten'd	hair,
	Siie	told,	and	how	in	woods	the	huntress	fair
	Surprised	her	sleep	ng	nor	conceal'd	the	love
	The	virgin	profler'd	in	the	lonely	grove;	339
	What	pity	touch'd	her	breast,	and	how	the	maid
	Had	to	the	neighbouring	fort	her	steps	convey	'd,
	Where	in	sad	state	she	left	the	fair	to	mourn	:
	With	all	that	had	befall'n	till	her	return.
	"	Well	knon	to	me	was	Flordespiria's	name,
	At	Sarapozza	I	beheld	the	dame,
	And	since	in	France	;	when,	not	unmov'd,	I	view'd
	Her	sparkling	eyes,	her	features	rosy-hued,
	Her	neck	of	snow	but	cautious	1	repress'd
	The	young	desire	awakening	in	my	breast	;
	Since	hopeless	'ove	can	never	harbour	rest.	350
	But	now	such	fair	occasion	gave	it	way,
	My	flame	reviv'd	that	long	extinguish'd	lay.
	Love	fram'd	the	web	of	hope,	and	in	the	loom
	Prepar'd	tlie	texture	of	my	joys	to	come	:
	He	taught	me	with	the	fair	a	pleasing	part,
	To	gain	the	bliss	that	fires	the	lover's	heart.
	Easy	the	fraud	my	face	and	rnien	so	like
	My	sister's	form,	that	each	beholder	strike
	With	semblant	looks,	might	well	the	dame	deceive,
	To	make	her	fondly	all	I	wish'd	believe.	360
	"	Awhile	I	paus'd	but	young	and	amorous
	blood
	Impell'd	me	to	embrace	the	proffer'd	good.
	The	mighty	secret	that	employ'd	my	thought,
	To	none	I	told,	of	none	I	counsel	sought.
	At	night	1	hasten'd	where	the	arms	were	plac'd,
	The	arms	my	sister	from	her	limbs	unbrac'd.
	Array'd	in	these,	and	mounted	on	her	steed
	I	went,	nor	till	the	day	deferr'd	my	speed	:
	All	night	I	rode	till	early	dawn	of	day,
	While	love	and	Flordespina	led	the	way	:	370
	Her	scat	1	reach'd,	ere	from	th	1	ethereal	height
	The	Sun	in	briny	waves	had	quench'd	his	light.
	Each	knew	the	steed	I	rode,	the	arms	I	wore,
	With	which	my	sister	left	the	gate	before	;
	And	happy	he,	who	with	dispatcbful	caie
	First	brings	the	tidings	to	the	royal	fair	;
	Who	from	the	princely	dame	can	bear	away	,
	Such	thanks	and	gifts	as	fits	a	queen	to	pay.
	"	Soon	Flordespina	came,	with	eager	pacr.
	The	smile	of	transport	brightening	in	her	face	j	3SO
	Aud	Hew	to	meet	me	with	a	warm	embrace.
	Around	my	neck	her	milk-white	arms	she	threw,
	And	kiss'd	my	lips	as	to	my	breast	she	grew.
	Think	at	the	time	if	Love	employ'd	his	dart,
	And	drove	the	thrilling	weapon	to	my	heart.
	My	hand	she	seiz'd,	nor	sought	the	menial	aid
	Of	page	or	dame,	but	to	her	room	convey'd.
	Her	steps	I	follow'd	:	there,	with	eager	haste,
	Herself	from	helm	to	spur	my	arms	unlac'd.
	A	garment,	late	her	own,	she	took,	and	drest	390
	My	youthful	members	in	a	female	vest,
	Of	artful	work,	with	costlv	labour	crown'd;
	And	in	a	golden	caul	my	hair	she	bound.
	My	eyes	I	govern'd	like	a	bashful	maid,
	Nor	look,	nor	voice,	my	manly	sex	betray'd.
	And	now	she	brought	me	to	a	stately	hall,
	Where	knights	and	gallant	dames,	assembled	all,
	Receiv'd	us	entering,	and	such	honours	paid,
	As	suit	the	rank	of	queen	or	princely	maid.
	In	secret	oft	I	smil'd,	when	I	beheld	400
	The	courtly	youths,	by	soft	desire	impell'd,
	With	wanton	glances	meet	my	bashful	eyes	;
	Nor	know	what	lurk'd	beneath	my	coy	disguise.
	"	'T	was	late	;	and	now	remov'd	the	festive	board,
	With	every	viand	of	the	season	stor'd,
	The	princely	maid,	by	fond	atlection	led,
	That	night	receiv'd	me	to	partake	her	bed.
	The	train	of	pages	gone,	with	all	the	state
	Of	dames	and	maids	accustom'd	there	to	wait,
	We,	both	despoil'd	of	vests,	together	lay,	410
	With	torches	naming	like	the	beams	of	day.
	"	Then	thus	Be	not	surpris'd,	O	lovely	maid	!
	To	find	your	guest	so	soon	return'd,'	I	said	;
	'	When	you,	perchance,	believ'd	me	wandering	far,
	And	hop'd	to	see	me	Heaven	knew	when	Qr	where!
	First	learn	the	cause	1	left	you	thus	to	mourn,
	Then	learn	the	cause	of	my	unlook'd	return.
	Could	my	long	dwelling	here,	O	gentle	dame	!
	Have	quench'd	the	sparks	of	your	unhappy	flame,
	Ne'er	had	1	left	your	roof,	by	night	or	day,	420
	Blest	in	your	sight	to	wear	my	life	away.
	But	since	my	presence	more	inflam'd	your	grief,
	I	deenrd	my	absence	best	could	yield	relief.
	Chance	led	my	travel	from	the	beaten	road
	Through	the	deep	mazes	of	a	tangled	wood,
	Where	loud	resounding	from	the	neighbouring
	shade,
	1	heard	a	female	voice	that	call'd	for	aid	:
	I	ran,	and	close	behind	a	crystal	brook
	Beheld	a	Faun,	that	in	his	meshes	took
	A	naked	damsel	from	the	stream,	and	stood	430
	Prepar'd	to	make	the	prey	his	living	food.
	I	saw,	and	instant	flew	with	sword	in	hand,
	By	force	his	cruel	purpose	to	withstand.
	The	impious	fisher	of	his	life	bereft,
	She	to	the	stream	return'd	which	late	she	left.
	'	Thou	hast	not	given	me	aid,'	she	cries,	'	in	vain	;
	Ask	what	thou	wilt,	and,	what	thou	ask'st,	obtain,
	A	watery	nymph	am	I,	and	here	reside,
	Beneath	the	surface	of	this	limpid	tide.
	All	miracles	are	mine	my	power	can	force	440
	.The	elements,	and	alter	Nature's	course	:
	Drawn	by	my	voice,	the	Moon	her	sphere	for
	sakes,
	Fire	turns	to	ice,	and	air	a	body	takes	:
	And	oft,	by	simple	word-;,	n	y	power	I	prove
	To	stop	the	Sun,	the	soli	1	'	arth	to	move.
	Now	fix	thy	choice	and	at	thy	choice	receive
	What	fUs	th'ee	best	to	ask,	and	me	to	give.'
	"	'So	profter'd	she;	but	I	no	wealth	desir'd,
	Nor	rule,	nor	lauds,	uor	o'er	mankind	aspir'd


S14
	BOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	At	this	good	Aldiger.	with	alter'd	mind,
	To	do	him	reverence	every	thought	inclin'd	;
	And	at	his	table	plac'd,	where	Plenty	pour'd
	Her	well-fill'd	horn	;	he	honour'd	as	his	lord.
	And	now	the	knights	and	noble	youth	ngree,
	Without	more	aid	the	captive	pair	to	free.
	The	hour	approach'd,	when	sleep	prepar'd	to
	close	560
	The	eyes	of	lords	and	knights	in	soft	repose,
	All,	save	Rogero'sj	in	whose	anxious	breast
	Corroding	thought	repell'd	approaching	rest.
	The	siege	of	Agramant,	which	late	he	heard,
	Eugross'd	his	thoughts	:	he	knew	each	hour	de-
	ferr'd
	To	join	his	lord,	must	sully	his	fair	fame	;
	Nor	could	he,	but	with	deepest	sense	of	shamfe,
	Assist	his	sovereign's	foes,	and	own	the	Christian
	.name.
	His	change	of	faith	at	other	times	had	prov'd
	A	mind	sincere,	by	pure	religion	mov'd	;	570
	But	now,	when	Agramant,	in	state	distrest,
	Requir	d	his	arm,	might	rather	speak	him	prest
	With	dastard	fear,	than	urg'd	by	force	of	truth	:
	Wljile	these	reflections	pain	the	generous	youth,
	He	dares	not	yet	to	Agramant	depart,
	Without	her	leave,	the	sovereign	of	his	heart.
	Each	thought	by	turns	his	dubious	bosom	sways	;
	Now	this	prevails,	and	now	more	lightly	weighs.
	Once	had	he	hop'd,	but	vainly	hop'd,	to	meet
	His	IJradamant	at	Flordespina's	seat,	580
	Which	with	the	guiding	fair	and	martial	maid	l	*
	He	lately	sought	in	Richardetto's	aid.
	And	now	he	calls	to	mind	his	first	design,
	At	Vallombrosa's	walls	his	love	to	join,
	His	virgin-love,	who	there	might	well	expect
	His	sight	in	vain,	and	blame	his	slow	neglect.
	His	thoughts	thus	changing,	never	at	a	stay,
	He	fix'd	at	length,	by	letter	to	convey
	His	secret	soul	;	though	doubtful	yet	whose	care
	Might	to	her	hand	the	gentle	message	bear;	59(
	Yet	trusts	that	chance	would	on	his	way	provide
	A	messenger,	in	whom	he	might	confide.
	He	quits	his	bed	and	pens	and	light	**	demands	:
	The	ready	pages,	with	officious	hands,
	Each	need	supply	and	first,	as	lovers	use,
	He	greets	her	fair,	then	greets	th'	unwelcome	news.
	He	bids	her	think,	on	him	what	shame	must	wait,
	Should	death	or	bondage	be	his	sovereign's	fate	:
	That	since	he	hop'd	her	husband's	name	to	gain,
	No	slightest	blemish	must	his	honour	slain	:	600
	As	nought	impure	must	her	pure	love	enjoy,
	Whose	soul	was	truth,	re	fin	'd	from	all	alloy.
	If	e'er	he	wish'd	to	purchase	virtuous	fame,
	Or	wish'd,	when	purchas'd,	to	preserve	the	claim,
	What	must	he	now,	when	she,	his	future	wife,
	Would	shave	with	him	in	each	event	of	life	?
	'3	Eradamant.
	*	The	Italian	:
	salta	delle	piume,
	Sa	fa	dar	carta,	inchiostro,	penna	e	lume
	Literally,
	He	leaps	from	his	bed,
	And	causes	paper,	ink,	pens,	and	a	light	to	be	given
	him.
	These	familiar	passages	cnnnot	well	be	rendered
	in	our	language,	and	it	is	surely	difficult,	to	con
	vey,	in	any	tolerable	manner,	the	author's	sense
	in	English	verse.
	With	him	in	weal	or	woe	be	ever	join'd.
	Two	bodies	link'd	by	one	informing	mind	?
	And	as	he	oft	had	vow'd,	he	thus	once	more
	His	TOWS	confirm'd	;	the	fated	season	o'er,	610
	For	which	he	to	his	lord	must	keep	unstain'd
	His	loyal	truth;	he	then,	if	life	remain'd,
	By	every	proof	would	all	her	fears	relieve,
	And	Christian	faith	with	open	rites	receive;
	And	from	her	sire,	her	brother,	all	her	train
	Of	kindred	friends,	her	hand	in	marriage	gain.
	"	First	will	I	raise,"	he	said,	"	with	thy	consent,
	The	siege	by	which	my	sovereign	lord	is	pent,
	Lest	men	should	say,	while	Agramant	maintain'd
	His	prosperous	state,	Rogero	firm	remain'd	:	620
	Hut	now,	for	Charles,	since	Fortune	changes	hands,
	He	spreads	his	standard	with	the	victors*	bands.
	Some	thrice	five	days,	or	twenty,	let	me	prove
	My	force,	my	monarch's	danger	to	remove,
	Then	will	I	frame	a	just	excuse,	to	take
	My	leave	of	Agramant	for	honour's	sake,
	{	ask	no	more,	and	all	my	future	life
	I	give	to	thee,	my	mistress	and	my	wife."
	In	phrase	like	this	"5,	Rogero	painted	well	629
	His	secret	thoughts,	which	scarce	the	Muse	can	tell;
	Nor	stay'd	his	pen,	till,	words	fast	flowing	o'er,
	The	love-directed	page	could	hold	no	more.
	The	letter	ending	here,	the	lines	he	seal'd,
	And,	sealing,	in	his	careful	bosom	held,
	In	hopes	some	friend,	ere	one	revolving	day,
	Might	to	her	hand	the	gentle	charge	convey.
	The	letter	clos'd,	he	clos'd	in	slumber	deep
	His	heavy	lids	o'er-watch'd	;	the	power	of	sleep
	Stood	near	his	couch,	and	o'er	his	members	threw
	The	peaceful	drops	of	Lethe's	silent	dew.	640
	He	slept,	till	in	the	east	a	breaking	cloud
	With	blended	hues	of	white	and	purple	glow'd	;
	Whence	flowers	were	strow'd	o'er	all	the	smiling
	skies,
	And,	thron'd	in	gold,	the	morn	began	to	rise.
	When	now	the	birds	from	every	verdant	spray,
	With	early	music	hail'd	the	new-born	day,
	Good	Aldiger	(Rogero	thence	to	lead,
	With	Richardetto,	where	their	venturous	deed
	Must	set	the	brethren	free	from	captive	bands
	Condemn'd	to	impious	Bertolagi's	hands)	650
	Was	first	on	foot	;	and	with	him	either	guest,
	Who	heard	the	summons,	left	his	downy	rest.
	Now	cloth'd	"	ith	temper'd	steel,	in	meet	array,
	Rogero	w	ith	the	kinsmen	took	his	way.
	Oft	had	Rogero	pray'd,	but	pray'd	in	vain,
	His	single	arm	might	that	day's	glory	gain	:
	The	two,	through	ardour	in	their	kinsmen's	cause
	To	join	his	arms,	and	urg'd	by	honour's	laws,
	Like	rocks	unmov'd,	refus'd	to	him	to	yield
	Alone	the	danger	of	so	brave	a	field.	66<
	The	hour	approach'd,	when	either	Pagan	train
	Prepar'd	to	bring	each	car,	and	loaded	wain,
	With	Malagigi,	Vivian,	and	the	gold
	For	which	the	wretched	chiefs	were	bought	and	sold.
	The	w	arriors	reach'd	the	place	;	a	field	that	lay,
	Of	wide	extent,	expos'd	to	Phoebus'	ray	:
	No	laurel	there,	no	myrtle's	fragrant	wood,
	Nor	oak,	nor	elm,	nor	lofty	cypress	stood	;
	's	Spenser	has	in	like	manner	introduced	a	letter
	nto	his	poem	;	upon	which	Mr.	Upton	observes,
	'	Spenser	has	not	the	authority	of	Homer	and
	Virgil	for	introducing	an	epistle	in	his	epic	poem,
	but	he	has	the	authority	of	Ariosto."


220
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	But	spoke	so	loud,	that	brave	Rogero's	ear,
	Who	stood	beside,	might	every	accent	hear:
	"Late,	at	your	sister's	charge,	o'er	hill	and	plain,
	J	led	a	generous	courser	by	the	rein,
	In	the	svrit't	race	and	fields	of	battle	prov'd,
	Front	ino	call'd,	and	nv.ch	the	steed	she	lov'd.	430
	Full	thirty	miles	3'	1	unmolested	pass'd,
	And	hop'd	secure	to	reach	Marseilles	at	last;
	To	which	ere	long	she	meant	to	bend	her	way,
	And	bade	me	there	for	her	arrival	stay
	A	few	short	days	and	such	my	fond	belief
	I	thought	the	world	knew	not	so	bold	a	chief
	To	seize	the	beast,	when	I,	t'	oppose	the	deed,
	Should	say	'Rinaldo's	sister	owns	the	steed.'	[sun
	But	vain	my	thoughts	have	prov'd,	since	yester's
	A	Pagan	hand	by	force	Frontino	won	;	440
	Nor.	when	he	heard	his	noble	owner's	name,
	Restor'd	the	courser,	or	allow'd	the	claim.
	With	many	a	curse,	with	many	a	fruitless	prayer,
	Him	I	pursu'd	;	nor	yet	have	left	him	far,
	Where	his	stol'n	courser,	and	his	boasted	might,
	Can	scarce	defend	him,	closely	prrss'd	in	fight
	By	one	who	seem'd	3'	to	challenge	all	his	skill,
	And	may,	I	trust,	avenge	the	wrongs	I	feel."	[close,
	She	said;	and	scarcely	thus	her	speech	could
	Ere,	starting	from	his	?eat,	Rogero	rose,	450
	And,	turning	swift	to	Richardetto,	pray'd
	(The	sole	reward	he	ask'd	for	welcome	aid
	But	late	bestow'd)	that	he	alone	might	go,
	And	wilh	the	damsel	seek	her	daring	foe,
	The	haughty	Saracen,	whose	lawless	force
	Had	from	her	guidance	reft	the	warrior	horse.
	Though	Richardetto	deem'd	it	ill	became
	A	courteous	champion,	at	another's	claim,
	To	quit	the	deed	that	on	his	honour	lay	;
	Yet,	now	compell'd,	he	gave	unwilling	way	460
	To	good	Rogero's	suit,	who	bade	adieu,
	And	with	Hippalca	from	the	rest	withdrew	;
	Who,	left	behind,	all	silent	with	amaze,
	Scarce	found	a	tongue	his	valorous	acts	to	praise.
	Meantime	at	distance	now	from	listening	ears,
	Hippalca	to	th'	impatient	knight	declares
	Her	tender	greeting,	in	whose	gentle	breast
	His	matchless	virtues	ever	liv'd	imprest,
	Which	late	before	her	faithful	lips	had	told,
	But	Richardetto's	sight	her	speech	control'd	:	470
	She	said,	the	Pagan,	as	he	seiz'd	the	steed,
	This	vaunt	had	added	to	his	lawless	deed	:
	"	Since	't	is	Rogero's,	I	more	gladly	make
	This	courser	mine,	which	if	he	would	retake,
	Tell	him,	whene'er	he	dares	assert	his	right,
	I	ne'er	shall	seek	to	hide	me	from	his	sight	;
	That	Rodomont	am	I	whose	dauntless	name,
	Where'er	1	go,	my	noble	deeds	proclaim."
	Rogero	heard,	and	by	his	features	show'd
	What	deep	resentment	in	his	bosom	glow'd	:	430
	Frontino	much	he	priz'd,	and	more	he	lov'd,
	As	sent	from	her	whose	deeds	her	truth	had	prov'd:
	He	deem'd	this	outrage	done	in	foul	despite,
	To	stain	the	name	and	honour	of	a	knight;
	And	shame	wen:	his,	unless	his	arm	with	speed
	From	Rodomont	redeem	the	generous	steed,
	And	on	the	Sarzan's	head	avenge	th'	ungentle	deed.
	3'	In	the	xxiiid	book,	Ariosto	.says	ten	miles	only.
	3	J	After	Rodomont	had	taken	Frontino	from
	Hippalca,	she	followed	him	till	he	met	Mandri-
	canlo,	with	whom	she	left	him	engaged	in	single
	combat;	to	which	circumstance	she	here	alludes.
	Jku	Book	xxiv.
	The	dame	Rogero	led	with	eager	pace,
	To	bring	him	with	the	Sarzan	face	to	face:
	They	journey'd	till	they	reach'd	a	double	way:	490
	One,	down	fie	plain	;	one,	up	the	mountain	lay;
	And	either	to	the	neighbouring	valley	brought,
	Where	Rodomont	with	Mandricardo	fought	:
	Short	was	the	uphill	path,	but	rough	to	tread
	Longer,	but	smooth,	the	path	that	downward	led.
	Hippalca	took	the	first,	in	zeal	to	gain
	The	lost	Frontino,	and	revenge	obtain.
	The	king	of	Algiers,	with	the	dwarf,	the	dame,
	And	Tartar	knight,	the	way	less	rugged	came.
	These	knights,	who	sought	but	late	each	other's	life,
	With	Doralis,	the	lovely	cause	of	strife,	501
	In	friendship	rode,	descending	to	the	plain,
	And	reach'd	the	fountain	where	the	noble	train,
	Where	Malagigi,	and	where	Vivian	stay'd;
	Where	Aldiger	and	Richardetlo	laid,
	With	bold	Marphisa	rested	in	the	shade.
	Marphisa,	at	each	noble	knight's	request,
	Had	cloth'd	her	person	in	a	female	vest,
	With	rich	attire	and	costly	ornament,
	By	Kertolagi	to	Lanfusa	sent;	510
	And	though	but	rare	appear'd	the	martial	maid
	Without	her	cuirass,	helm	and	beamy	blade	;
	Yet,	at	their	suit,	she	now	her	mail	unbroc'd,
	And	shone	a	dame	with	every	beauty	grac'd.
	Soon	.as	the	Tartar	had	Marphisa	seen,
	He	purpos'd	from	her	knights	the	dame	to	win,
	And,	in	exchange	for	Doralis,	bestow
	Her	youthful	beauties	on	his	rival	foe,
	As	if	the	lover	should	such	terms	approve,
	To	sell	a	mistress,	or	transfer	a	love	!	520
	With	joy	he	view'd	MarphL-a's	mien	and	face,
	That	worthy	seem'd	the	bravest	knight	to	grace;
	And	sudden	every	chief	he	there	beheld
	He	call'd	to	joust,	and	dar'd	them	to	the	field.
	Vivian	and	Malagigi,	ready	drest
	In	helmet,	plate,	and	mail	to	guard	the	rest,
	Upstarted	from	their	seats,	prepar'd	to	fight
	With	each	advancing	chief	;	but	Sarza^	knight,
	Who	came	not	thither	in	the	jousts	to	run,
	Stood	still,	and	left	the	champions	one	to	one.	530
	First	Vivian,	with	a	heart	unus'd	to	fear,
	Firm	in	the	rest	declin'd	a	ponderous	spear	:
	The	Pagan	monarch	with	superior	force
	Appear'd	well	vers'd	in	every	dreadful	course:
	Each	aim'd	his	weapon,	where	he	deem'd	the	blow
	Might	surest	take	full	on	his	helm	the	foe
	From	gallant	Vivian's	hand	receiv'd	the	stroke;
	But	he	nor	fell,	nor	bow'd	beneath	the	shock.
	The	Pagan	king	his	tougher	spear	impell'd,
	Which	broke,	like	ice,	the	plates	of	Vivian's
	shield:	540
	Hurl'd	from	his	seat,	amid	the	flowery	way,
	Stretch'd	on	his	side	the	hapless	warrior	lay.
	Then	Malagigi,	rous'd	at	honour's	call,
	In	haste	advanc'd	t'	avenge	his	brother's	fall;
	But	unadvis'd	his	haste	so	ill	he	far'd,
	He	less	aveng'd	him	than	his	fortune	shar'd.
	The	third	brave	brother,	eager	for	the	fight,
	Before	his	kinsman	on	his	courser	light
	Leaps	clad	in	arms,	the	Saracen	defies,
	Throws	up	the	reins,	and	to	the	trial	flies.	550
	Fierce	on	the	Pagan's	temper'd	helm,	below
	The	vizor's	sight,	resounds	the	forceful	blow	:
	Shiver'4	in	four,	the	spear	to	heaven	ascends	:
	Firm	sits	the	knight,	nor	in	the	saddle	bends.
	The	Tartar	champion,	in	the	furious	course,
	On	Aldiger's	left	side	with	cruel	force


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XXVI.
	221
	His	weapon	drove	the	shield	oppos'd	in	vain,
	And	less	the	cuirass	could	the	stroke	sustain	:
	Through	bis	white	shoulder	pass'd	the	ruthless	steel.
	And	wounded	Aldiger	began	to	reel	;	560
	Then	falling,	on	the	flowery	turf	lay	spread,
	All	pale	his	features,	and	his	armour	red	33	I
	Next	Richardetto	to	th'	encounter	press'd,
	And	coming,	plac'd	so	huge	a	spear	in	rest,
	As	prov'd	how	justly	(often	prov'd	before)
	The	name	of	Paladin	of	France	he	bore.
	Well	on	the	Pagan	knight	his	spear	he	bent,
	Had	favouring	fortune	answer'd	his	intent;
	But	headlong	on	the	ground	he	lay	o'erthrown,
	His	falling	courser's	fault,	and	not	his	own.	570
	No	knight	appearing	more	whose	venturous	hand
	With	Mandricardo	in	the	joust	might	stand,
	The	Pagan	deem'd	his	arms	had	won	the	dame,
	And	where	she	sate	he	near	the	fountain	came,
	And	thus	began	"	Thou,	damsel,	art	my	prize,
	If	in	thy	cause	no	other	champion	rise
	To	rein	th*e	steed	thy	charms	revert	to	me,
	For	so,	thou	know'st,	the	laws	of	arms	decree."
	Marphisa,	raising	with	indignant	pride	[ory'd,
	Her	haughty	looks	"	Thy	judgment	errs,"	she
	"	I	grant	the	plea	(nor	should	thy	right	decline)	5fcl
	That	I	by	laws	of	war	were	justly'thine	;
	Did	I,	of	these	thy	spear	to	earth	has	thrown,
	One	for	my	lord	or	for	my	champion	own.
	I	own	no	lord,	to	none	have	subject	been,
	And	he	who	wins	me,	from	myself	must	win.
	I	wield	the	buckler,	and	the	lance	sustain,
	And	many	a	knight	by	me	has	press'd	the	plain.
	My	arms	and	steed	!"	the	fiery	virgin	said,
	And,	at	her	word,	the	ready	squires	obey'd.	SCO
	Stripp'd	oft'	her	flowing	robe,	in	vesture	light
	She	stands	with	well	turn'd	limbs	reveal'd	to	sight	-	}
	Beauty	and	strength	uniting	in	her	frame,
	All	save	her	face	ihe	god	of	war	proclaim.
	And	now	with	plate	and	mail	encompass'd	round,
	Her	sword	she	girts,	and,	with	an	active	bound,
	Bestrides	her	steed,	which,	govern'd	by	her	han'1,
	Rears,	turns,	and	wheels	subservient	to	command.
	Now	boldly	she	the	Pagan	prince	defies,
	Wields	her	strong	lance,	and	to	th'	encounter	flies.
	Penthesilea	thus,	in	battle	prov'd,	tOl
	Through	Trojan	fields	to	meet	Achilles	mov'd.
	.	Close	to	the	grasp,	like	brittle	glass,	were	rent
	The	crashing-	spears	;	but	neither	rider	bent
	One	foot,	one	inch	then	fir'd	with	generous	rage,
	To	prove	how	well	her	daring	foe	could	wage
	A	closer	fight,	Marphisa	bar'd	the	sword,
	And	rush'd	intrepid	on	the	Tartar	lord.
	The	Tartar,	who	the	dame	unhurt	espies,
	Blasphemes	each	element,	and	threats	the	skies	;6lO
	While	she,	who	hop'd	his	shield	to	rend	in	twain.
	Accuses	Heaven	in	no	less	angry	strain.	[round,
	Each	wields	the	gleaming	sword,	while,	batter'd
	Their	jointed	arms	like	beaten	anvils	sound.
	Alike	in	arms	of	fated	steel	attir'd,
	Arms	never	more	than	on	this	day	requir'd	:
	So	strong	the	helm,	the	cuirass,	plate,	and	greave,
	No	point	could	pierce	them,	and	no	edge	could
	The	strife	had	lasted	till	the	setting	light,	[cleave.
	Nor	yet	th'	ensuing	day	had	cios'd	the	fight,	620
	But	Rodomont	rush'd	in	their	rage	to	stay,
	And	chide	his	rival	for	ill-tim'd	delay.
	SJ	Literal	from	the	Italian.
	Rosso	hu	1'arine	e	pallido	nel	volto.
	"	If	war	thou	seek'st,"	the	king	of	Algiers	cry'd,
	"	First	let	us	two	our	late	dispute	decide.
	Thou	know'st,"	he	said,	"	our	truce	was	made	to
	give
	Our	monarch	succour,	and	his	camp	relieve	;
	Nor	must	we,	ere	our	friends	are	freed	from,	harms,
	Engage	in	jousts,	or	mix	in	fiercer	arms."
	Then	to	Marphisa,	with	a	courteous	air,
	He	turn'd,	and	show'd	the	regal	messenger,	630
	And	told	her	how	from	Agramant	he	came,
	To	ask	their	swords	to	save	the	Moorish	name;
	And	hop'd,	at	his	request	her	valour	won
	Would	aid	the	cause	of	king	Troyano's	son	:
	By	this	't	were	better	far,	with	generous	aim,
	To	lift	to	heaven	the	pinions	of	her	fame.
	Than	by	low	brawls	defeat	the	great	design,
	Against	the	common	foe	their	strength	to	join.
	Long	had	Marphisa	wish'd	with	sword	and	lance
	To	prove,	in	equal	field,	the	peers	of	France,	640
	Who	fou	ghtfor	Charles;	and	hence	the	dame	agreed
	To	assist	their	sovereign	at	his	greatest	need,
	Till	from	the	Christian	powers	the	camp	was	freed.
	Meanwhile	Rogero,	with	the	guiding	maid,
	The	rugged	path,	that	up	the	hill	convey'd,
	Pursu'd	in	vain,	for	when	the	vale	they	gain'd,
	No	longer	there	fierce	Rodomont	remain'd.
	Rogero	thence,	to	reach	the	fount	that	stood
	By	Merlin	rais'd.	with	eager	speed	pursu'd
	The	late-worn	track	that	in	the	turf	he	view'd.	650
	He	will'd	Hippalca	then,	without	delay,
	Should	Mount	Albano	seek,	that	distant	lay
	A	day's	short	journey,	but	a	different	road
	The	traveller	to	Merlin's	fountain	show'd.
	He	bade	her	trust	in	him,	nor	trust	in	vain,
	His	arm,	ere	long,	Frontino	would	regain	;
	To	her	he	gave	the	tender	lines	to	bear,
	Which	late,	at	Agrismont,	his	anxious	care
	Had	penn'd	to	ease	the	dear	expecting	maid,
	Aud	hither,	in	his	breast	conceal'd,	convey'd.	660
	To	this	he	added	many	a	gentle	charge,
	To	speak	his	love,	and	plead	his	cause	at	large.
	All	these	Hippalca	promis'd	to	retain	;
	Then	bade	adieu,	and	turn'd	her	palfrey's	rein.
	Swift	on	her	way	the	trusty	envoy	giies,
	And	Mount	Albano	sees	34	at	evening	close.
	Rogero	then	the	Sarzan	prince	pursu'd,
	With	anxious	speed,	till	near	the	fount	he	view'd
	The	king,	with	Mandricardo	at	his	side,
	And	Doralis	in	peace	and	friendship	ride.	670
	Now	to	the	place	in	haste	Rogero	drew,
	And	by	Frontino	well	his	rider	knew	:
	Low	o'er	his	spear	the	youth	impatient	bent,
	And	to	the	chief	a	stern	defiance	sent	:
	But	less	the	sullering	patience	Job	of	old
	DUplay'd,	so	full	in	hallow'd	pages	told.
	Than	Rodomont	that	day,	who	curb'd	his	pride,
	His	wonted	fury,	when	to	fight	defy'd.
	Deaf	to	the	combat	!	he,	whom	danger's	charms
	Had	ever	fir'd,	who	joy'd	to	mix	in	arms	!	680
	Ne'er	till	this	day,	nor	since,	tlie	Sarzan	knight
	Was	ever	known	to	shun	the	profler'd	fight	;
	So	much	the	wish	to	aid	his	king	distress'd,
	The	ruling	passion	of	his	soul	suppress'd.
	So	fix'd	he	stood,	that	had	his	prescient	mind
	The	certain	issue	of	the	strife	divin'd,
	As	sure	a	prize,	as	when	the	leopard	draws
	The	tearful	hare	within	his	ravenous	paws,
	34	He	returns	to	Hippalca,	Book	xxx.	ver.	543.


234
	BOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	But	to	resume	my	task	When	every	guest
	A	due	attention	in	his	looks	express'd,	20
	Mine	host	oppos'd	against	the	Pagan	sate,
	And	thus	began	his	story	to	relate	:
	"	Where	Lombardy	extends	her	fruitful	plain
	The	young	Astolpho	held	his	peaceful	reign,
	His	brother's	heir	renown'd	for	every	grace
	Of	manly	person,	and	the	charms	of	face.
	Scarce	could	Apelles,	Zeuxis.	or	a	name
	More	fam'd	in	art,	have	sketch'd	a	lovelier	frame.
	Thus	fresh	in	blooming	youth	the	monarch	shone,
	Fair	in	all	eyes,	but	fairer	in	his	own.	30
	Much	less	he	priz'd	his	state	of	kingly	power,
	His	numerous	armies,	his	exhaustless	store
	Of	wealth	and	friends,	in	which	he	far	excell'd
	Each	boasted	prince	that	near	dominion	heW,
	Than	beauty's	gift,	whose	full	perfection	rais'd
	His	form	o'er	every	youth	for	beauty	prais'd.
	Amongst	the	train,	that	in	their	prince's	sight
	Paid	daily	homage,	was	a	Roman	knight	;
	Faustus	his	name,	whom	dear	the	king	esteem'd,
	And	oft	with	him	would	boast	how	high	he	deem'd
	His	person's	charms,	and	bade	him	boldly	tell	41
	If	one	he	knew	to	match,	much	less	excel,
	Such	manly	grace	:	thus	he	in	vaunting	pride	:
	And,	as	he	little	thought,	the	knight	replied,
	*O	king!'	said	Faustus,	'doubtless	few	there	are
	Whose	beauty	can	with	Pavia's	lord	compare	:
	But	one	I	know	may	urge	so	bold	a	claim,
	My	brother	he,	Jocundo	is	his	name	:
	Set	him	apart,	your	charms	all	charms	eflaco	:
	His	equal	yours,	or	boast	superior	grace.*	50
	"Astolpho	with	surprise	these	words	receiv'd,
	And	scarce	such	unexpected	truth	believ'd	;
	Then	felt	a	wish	within	his	bosom	rais'd
	To	see	this	youth	unknown,	sp	highly	prais'd	;
	And	Faustus	urg'd	his	sacred	faith	to	plight,
	Tp	bripg	tbjs	wonder	to	his	prince's	sight.
	"	'Great	king,'	the	knight	retuni'd,	'	with	truth
	1	fear,
	Hard	is	the	task	to	bring	Jocundo	here	:
	Pleas'd	with	his	humble	lot	assign'd	by	Fate,
	Scarce	is	he	known	to	pass	the	city's	gate	;	60
	He	lives	content	with	his	paternal	stove,
	Nor	squanders	that,	nor	seeks	to	gather	more	;
	And	he	as	distant	Pavia's	towers	would	deem,
	As	some	the	banks	of	Tana'is'	icy	stream;
	But	most	I	dread	the	attempt	the	youth	to	tear
	From	her	whose	love	partakes	his	joy	and	care;
	Th'	enamour'd	husband	from	a	wife	to	draw,
	Whose	every	wish	to	him	is	more	than	law.
	Yet,	gracious	king,	thy	servant	shall	obey,
	And	prove	each	art	to	speed	him	on	his	way.'	70
	"	The	king	adds	royal	gifts	to	earnest	prayers,
	And	for	his	embassy	the	knight	prepares.
	"	On	wings	of	zeal	observant	Faustus	flew,
	And	soon	imperial	Rome	arose	in	view	:
	Then	to	his	brother's	humble	roof	he	went,
	Told	the	king's	wish,	and	gain'd	his	slow	consent;
	Implor'd	the	wife,	and	check'd	each	rising	sigh
	With	thoughts	of	mighty	gifts	and	honours	high,
	And	for	his	sake	besought	her	to	comply.
	"	At	length	Jocundo	nVd	the	parting	day,	80
	And	steeds	and	servants	hir'd,	and	fair	array
	To	deck	his	manly	form,	for	oft	the	grace
	Of	costly	vest	improves	a	beauteous	face.
	Meanwhile	with	heaving	breast	and	flowing	tears,
	The	dear	companion	of	his	life	appears;
	Vows	that	his	absence	she	shall	ever	mourn,
	And	never	live	to	see	his	wish'd	return.
	'	Cease,	my	lov'd	spouse,	'	the	tender	husband	cries,
	While	equal	sorrows	trickle	from	his	eyes.
	'	Cease	thy	dear	plaints	:	so	Fortune	speed	my	wav,
	As	but	two	months	I	my	return	delay,	?1
	Nor	Pavia's	proffer'd	crown	should	bribe	my	longer
	stay.'
	'	Ah,	me	!'	she	sigh'd,	'	and	must	I	then	sustain
	Such	length	of	absence,	such	an	age	of	pain	?
	Ah	!	no,	the	grave	will	first	my	portion	be,
	These	fading	eyes	no	more	their	lord	shall	see	:
	Then	welcome	death	!'	To	sorrow	thus	a	prey,
	Food	she	rejects,	and	groans	the	night	away	;
	Touch'd	with	her	grief	he	lifts	his	eyes	to	Heaven,
	Oft	sighs,	and	oft	repents	his	promise	given.	100
	"	Now	from	her	lovely	neck	a	cross	she	drew,
	Thick	set	with	precious	gems	of	various	hue,
	Which	once	a	pilgrim	of	Bohemia	bore
	When	sick,	returning	from	Judaea's	shore	;
	Her	sire	the	drooping	stranger	eatertajn'd,
	And	at	his	death	the	hallow'd	relic	gaiu'd.
	This	cross	she	hegg'd	him	at	his	neck	to	wear,
	And	in	his	mind	her	dear	remembrance	bear.
	With	joy	the	youth	is	seen	the	pledge	to	take,
	Not	for	memorial,	but	the	giver's	sake;	HO
	Since	neither	time	nor	place	bis	faith	could	move,
	Nor	fortune,	good	or	ill,	disperse	his	love	;
	Nor	could	her	image	from	his	thought	depart,
	Or	death's	strong	grasp	divide	it	from	his	heart
	"	On	that	black	evening,	which	foreran	the	day
	That	her	lov'd	consort	summon'd	on	his	way,
	Increasing	grief	her	tender	soul	oppress'd,
	And	oft	she	fainted	on	her	husband's	breast.
	Not	once	they	clos'd	their	eyes;	no	tongue	ca*
	tell
	How	oft	they	kiss'd.	how	oft	they	bade	farewelj	120
	Till	breaking	from	her	soft	embrace	he	fled,
	And	left	her	drown'd	in	sorrow	on	the	bed,
	"	Scarce	two	short	miles	he	jourpey'd*	ere	hii,
	mind
	RecalPd	the	treasure	to	his	care	consign'd,
	The	precious	cross,	which	in	his	thoughtless	haste
	He	left	behind	beneath	his	pillow	plac'd.
	'Ah	me!'	he	cried,	'	how	fitly	shall	I	frame
	A	fair	pretence	to	mitigate	the	blame	?
	Well	may	my	wife	my	loyal	truth	suspect,
	Her	gifts	and	love	repaid	with	such	neglect.'	130
	He	knew	't	were	vain,	with	cold	excuse	to	send
	A	menial	servant,	or,	a	nearer	friend,	:
	Himself	in	person	must	return	to	prove
	His	faith	untainted,	and	her	doubts	remove.
	He	rein'd	his	steed,	and	cried,	'	My	Faustus,	go
	Tow'rds	Pavia's	court	with	gentle	steps	and	s)oj
	I	must	again	to	Rome	;	but	short	my	stay,
	Soon	shall	my	speed	o'ertake	you	on	the	way	;
	No	other	can	supply	my	wants'	He	said	;
	Then	bade	adieu,	and	turn'd	his	courser's	head	:	140
	Alone	he	cross'd	old	Tiber's	yellow	stream,
	What	time	the	shade	retir'd	from	Phoebus'	beam	:
	When,	hastening	home,	be	found	tho	darling	fair
	Fast	lock'd	in	sleep	(so	poignant	was	her	care	!)
	The	curtain	with	a	cautious	hand	he	drew,
	And	view'd,	what	little	there	he	thought	to	viewj
	For,	lo	!	his	chaste,	his	faithful	spouse	he	found
	In	wanton	sheets,	with	amorous	fetters	bound,
	.'lasp'd	by	a	youth,	in	whose	adulterous	face
	He	knew	the	author	of	his	foul	disgrace	:	150
	A	low-born	hind	defil'd	his	master's	bed,
	Whose	hand	had	rear'd	him,	and	whose	bounty	fed.
	Think	what	amazement	chill'd	his	curdling	blood,
	As	u\'d	in	stupid	gaze	he	speechless	stood	:


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XXVIII.
	235
	Ne'er	may	your	soul,	by	sad	experience,	know
	The	cruel	anguish	of	Jocundo's	woe	!
	Rage	urg'd	him	on	to	draw	the	sword,	and	take
	A	just	revenge	;	but	Love,	that	still	could	wake,
	For	this	ingrate,	soft	feelings	in	his	breast,
	Spite	of	himself	the	threatening	stroke	repress'd.	160
	All-powerful	Love,	that	from	his	anger	sav'd
	Her	forfeit	life,	so	far	his	heart	enslav'd,
	He	fear'd	to	chase	the	slumber	from	her	eyes,
	And	with	the	shock	her	tender	soul	surprise.
	Silent	the	room	he	left,	with	silent	speed
	The	stairs	descended,	and	regain'd	his	steed	;
	Gcaded	by	grief,	he	goads	his	riery	beast,
	And	joins	his	brother	ere	the	hour	of	rest,	[look,
	"	All	mark'd	his	change	of	cheer,	his	mournful
	That	some	near	anguish	at	his	heart	bespoke	;	17*)
	Yet	none,	amidst	so	many,	e'er	divin'd
	The	secret	cause	that	rankled	in	his	mind:
	All	knew	he	left	them	to	return	to	Rome,
	But	he	had	made	a	trip	to	Cuckoldom".
	Each	deem'd	that	love	lay	festering	in	his	thought,
	But	none	could	tell	how	love	his	sorrow	wrought.
	His	brother	deem'd	he	mourn'd	his	consort	left,
	Of	comfort	and	society	bereft	j
	But	he	had	different	motives	to	complain,
	Her	too	much	company	had	caus'd	his	pain,	180
	He	sighs,	he	weeps,	while	Faustus	to	his	grief
	(The	cause	unknown)	can	yield	no	kind	relief:
	In	vain	he	seeks	the	healing	balm	to	pour,
	What	hand	can	heal,	that	cannot	probe	the	sore	?
	The	healing	balm	is	rankest	venom	found,
	Which	more	inflames,	and	wider	makes	the	wound.
	His	consort's	once-lov'd	name	distracts	his	breast,
	His	appetite	is	gone,	and	lost	his	rest	;
	While	those	fair	features,	that	so	late	might	claim
	The	prize	of	beauty,	secm'd	no	more	the	same	:	190
	With	deep-sunk	eyes,	and	large	projecting	nose,
	With	wither'd	flesh,	a	skeleton	he	shows	;
	And,	bred	from	grief,	a	fever	on	the	way
	At	Arbia,	and	at	Arno	forc'd	his	stay,
	Till	lost	those	charms	that	once	such	fame	had	won,
	Like	gather'd	roses	fading	in	the	sun.
	"Though	Faustus,	touch'	d	with	deep	regret,	per-
	ceiv'd
	His.	brother's	woeful	state,	no	less	he	grjev'd
	To	think	the	prince,	to	whom	his	faith	he	ow'd,
	Shoirfd	doubt	his	truth	for	praise	so	ill	bestow'd.SGC
	He	promjs'd	one	of	matchless	form	and	face,
	And	one	he	brings	depriv'd	of	every	grace:
	Yet	with	Jocundo,	still	he	journey'd	on,
	Till	now	they	enter'd	Pavia's	regal	town	:
	But,	fearful	of	disgrace,	the	Roman	knight
	At	first	declin'd	to	meet	Astolpho's	sight,
	Till	to	the	king	by	letter	he	reveal'd
	That	dire	disease,	and	some	distress	conceal'd,
	Prey'd	on	his	brother's	ruin'd	health,	defac'd
	His	rosy	bloom,	and	laid	each	beauty	waste.	11
	Astolpho,	gracious	prince,	well	pleas'd	to	hear
	The	man	he	long'd	so	much	to	see	was	near,
	Resolv'd	his	noblest	welcome	to	extend,
	And	greet	Jocundo	as	his	Dearest	friend.
	2	The	Italian	is,
	gito	era	a	Corneto	:
	Corneto,	the	name	of	a	place	near	Rome.	The
	word	likewise	means	cuckoldom	;	but	the	humou
	of	the	original,	arising	from	the	double	meaning	o
	th	w.ord,	could	not	be	preserved	iu	the	same	man
	ner	in	the	translation.
	Vo	envy	in	his	generous	breast	was	known,
	7o	find	a	beauty	that	excell'd	his	own;
	nce,	but	for	pale	disease,	full	well	he	knew
	iis	rival's	charms	must	every	charm	subdue.
	Superb	apartments	to	the	youth	he	gives,
	And	only	in	Jocundo's	presence	lives	;	220
	'tf	wishes	to	prevent	all	means	applies,
	And	every	way	to	do	him	honour	tries	j
	iVhile	he,	unblest,	in	languor	wastes	his	life,
	Lamenting	still	the	falsehood	of	his	wife	:
	Nor	song,	nor	dance,	nor	music's	sprightly	strains
	','an	drown	remembrance,	or	assuage	his	pains.
	"	In	these	apartments	of	the	regal	dome,
	An	ancient	hall	was	next	his	lonely	room,
	The	room	where	oft	retir'd	in	grief	he	pines,
	And	shows,	and	games,	and	company	declines	;	230
	Broods	o'er	the	deed	that	robb'd	his	soul	of	rest,
	And	adds	pew	scorpions	to	his	tortur'd	breast	;
	Yet,	strange	to	tell,	a	balsam	here	he	found,
	Of	sovereign	power	to	close	his	rankling	wound.
	"	Far	in	the	hall,	where	artificial	night,
	With	windows	ever	clos'd,	expell'd	the	light,
	A	chink	appear'd,	and	through	the	mouldering	flaw,
	Whence	came	a	feeble	ray,	he	thought	he	saw
	What	few	would	hear,	and	fewer	would	believe,
	Nor	from	another	would	himself	receive.	240
	There,	through	the	opening	chink,	reveal'd	was	seen
	The	secret	chamber	of	Astolpho's	queen	;
	A	sacred	privacy	to	all	deny'd,
	But	those	in	whom	the	fair	could	well	confide:
	Here	oft	Astolpho's	beauteous	consort	sate,
	Forgetful	of	her	lord	and	regal	state;
	And	here	he	view'd	a	dwarf	of	hideous	face,
	And	shape	uncouth,	the	wanton	fair	embrace.
	"	Struck	with	the	sight,	yet	doubting	what	he
	view'd,
	As	in	a	trance	awhile	Jocundo	stood	:	250
	But,	when	convinc'd,	no	longer	could	he	deem
	The	sight	th'	allusion	of	an	idle	dream.
	'	Ye	gods	!'	he	cried,	'	can	she	resign	her	charms
	To	the	rude	clasp	of	such	a	lover's	arms	?
	A	queen,	whose	lord	with	every	gift	is	crown'd,
	In	form	unrivall'd,	as	in	worth	renown'd	!'
	Reflection,	that	before	so	pain'd	his	heart,
	Now	took,	by	slow	degrees,	his	consort's	part.
	What	though	she	sought	a	young	gallant	to	find,
	Her	fault	was	but	the	fault	of	all	her	kind	:	'260.
	Whose	favours	none	could	ever	singly	prove,
	And	if	desire	of	change	her	breast	could	move,
	At	least	no	monster	had	enjoy'd	her	love.
	"	Next	day,	returning	at	th'	accustom'd	hour,
	He	found	the	lovers	busy'd	as	before:
	Still	fearless	of	surprise,	the	dwarf	and	dame
	The	king	dishonour'd	with	the	deed	of	shame.
	Day	following	day	their	mutual	vigour	proves,
	And	Sunday	was	no	sabbath	to	their	loves.
	Yet	most	he	marvdl'd	that	the	fair	complain'd.	2^0
	And	thought	th'	ill-shapen	cub	her	charms	dis-
	dain'd.
	One	morn,	when	to	the	friendly	chink	he	came,
	He	found,	dissolv'd	in	tears,	the	amorous	dame,
	Who	twice	already,	by	her	trusty	maid,
	Had	call'd	the	dwarf,	and	still	the	dwarf	delay'd.
	Again	she	sent:	her	maid	these	tidings	brought	J
	'	The	dice,	my	lady,	take	up	all	his	thought	;
	And	rather	than	forgo	his	gain	at	play,
	He	dares	your	gracious	summons	disobey.'
	"	At	this	strange	sight	Jocundo	chang'd	hi*
	cheer,	.	280
	No	more	his	cheeks	receive	the	falling	tear	;


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XXVIII.
	In	happier	days,	when,	with	her	father	plac'd,
	He	liv'd	a	menial	by	her	bounty	grac'd.
	Each	other	well	they	knew,	but	fear'd	to	speak,
	Lest	squint	suspicion	on	their	words	should	break.
	But,	all	the	rest	retir'd,	the	lovers	meet,
	And,	from	discovery	safe,	each	other	greet.
	The	youth	demands	her	whither	she	was	bound,
	And	which,	of	either	lord,	her	favour	found	?
	Flammetta	own'd	the	t	truth,	for	such	the	name	420
	The	damsel	bore	;	from	Greece	her	lover	came.
	'	Ah,	me	!'	he	cried,	'	when	fortune	seem'd	to	give
	The	long'd-for	day	with	thee	in	joy	to	live,
	My	dear	Flammetta	seeks	a	foreign	shore,
	And	wretched	1	must	ne'er	behold	her	more.
	Thou	go'st	and	others	have	thy	charms	possess'd,
	Sweet	love	is	turn'd	to	poison	in	my	breast:
	In	vain	I	hop'd,	while	still	I	strove	to	save
	My	pittance,	earn'd	by	what	each	stranger	gave,
	With	thee	my	slender	fortune	to	divide,	430
	And	from	thy	father's	hand	receive	iny	beauteous
	bride.'	[breast,
	"	The	sorrowing	fair-one	clasp'd	him	to	her
	And	mourn'd	his	fruitless	suit	so	late	addrest.
	Sore	wept	the	crafty	Greek,	and,	with	a	sigh,
	'	Canst	thou,	inhuman,	let	thy	lover	die	?
	Give	me,	at	least,	ere	we	for	ever	part,
	T'	allay	the	flame	that	preys	upon	my	heart	j
	One	moment	past	in	thy	uelov'd	embrace,
	Will	make	me	death	without	complaining	face.'
	'	Not	less	my	wish,'	the	amorous	girl	replies,	440
	Consenting	passion	sparkling	in	her	eyes,
	'	But	how,	with	sp\ps	surrounded,	can	we	prove
	Our	mutual	warmth,	and	give	a	loose	to	love?'
	'	Ah	!'	said	the	Greek,	'	too	well	convinc'd	I	know,
	Did	half	my	ardour	in	thy	bosom	glow,
	Thy	wit	would	e'en	this	night	some	means	employ,
	To	snatch	at	least	a	momentary	joy.'
	.'	In	vain,'	she	answers.	'	much-lov'd	youth,	you	sue,
	Since	I	each	night	repose	between	the	two.'	449
	'	Weak	is	th'	excuse,'	the	plaintive	Greek	rejoin'd;
	'	For,	if	thou	feel'st	my	woe,	thy	gentle	mind
	Will	yield	relief,	and,	spite	of	all,	remove
	Whate'er	may	seem	t'	oppose	the	suit	of	love.'
	41	Awhile	she	paus'dj	then,	smiling,	bade	him
	come,
	While	all	were	slumbering,	to	the	wish'd-for	room;
	Describ'd	the	way,	and	taught	what	course	to	take,
	ilow,	umliscover'd,	his	return	to	make.
	"	Well	pleas'd	heheard.and	when	the	drowsy	god
	Had	laid	on	every	eye	his	potent	rod,
	lie	seeks	her	door,	with	long	and	silent	strides-;460
	The	door	admits	him	:	slowly	in	he	glides:
	Firm	on	his	hindmost	foot	awhile	he	stays,
	The	other,	rais'd,	with	cautious	stealth	essays
	A	forward	step	;	and	wide	his	hands	are	spread,
	On	either	side	to	find	th'	expected	be-].
	He	reach'd	the	feet,	and	made	his	artful	way
	Beneaih	the	covering	where	Flammeita	lay."	[o'er,
	"	Soon	as	the	Greek,	the	night's	short	blessing
	Returning	seeks	the	way	he	came	before,
	And	Phtt'bus'	beams	to	light	the	ea.-.t	begin,	470
	Flammetta	rising	lets	the	pages	in.
	"	Now	with	his	friend	the	king	prepares	to	jest	:
	'	Brother/	he	cried,	'	it	fits	thee	sure	to	rest:
	Some	leisure	must	recruit	your	weary	spright,
	Tir'd	with	the	watching	of	so	long	a	night.'
	Joettndo	then	replies	in	taunting	vein	:
	'	Repose	be	yours	r	since	you	the	toil	sustain.'
	'	You	use	my	words	fair	rest	betide	your	grace,
	As	to	the	huntsman	wearv'd	in	the	chase.'
	I,'	said	the	king,	'	I	would	in	truth	have	try'd	480
	The	lover's	suit,	but	found	my	suit	deny'd.*
	Again	Jocundo	thus	'	Your	slave	am	I,
	'T	is	yours	to	break,	or	with	our	terms	comply.
	But	such	dispute	or	taunts	there	needed	none,
	You	might	have	chid	my	love,	and	claim'd	your
	own.'
	"	Words	follow'd	words,	replies	succeed	replies,
	Till	oft	repeated	jests,	grown	serious,	rise
	To	harsh	debate:	they	call	the	girl	to	clear
	The	doubtful	truth	:	the	girl,	with	conscious	fear,
	Steps	trembling	forth,	commanded	to	reveal	490
	What	each	alike	seem'd	earnest	to	conceal.
	'	Declare,'	with	stern	regard	the	monarch	cried,
	'	And	fear	not	evil	shall	thyself	betide,
	Which	of	us	two,	so	long	in	love's	delight
	Usurp'd	with	thee	the	pleasures	of	the	night	?'
	"	Impatient	both	await	the	girl's	reply,
	And	hope	her	words	will	fix	on	one	the	liet
	Flammetta,	lowly	prostrate	on	the	ground,
	Of	life	despairing,	since	her	fault	was	found,
	Implor'd	forgiveness,	and	with	tears	confess'd,	500
	That,	urg'd	by	love,	which	long	had	sway'd	her
	Some	pity	on	a	faithful	swain	to	take,	[breast,
	Who	years	had	sigh'd,	and	sigh'd	but	for	her	sake,
	That	night	she	gave	the	tender	frailty	way,
	In	hopes	one	errour	would	alike	betray
	Each	noble	lover	that	beside	her	lay.
	"	Thus	she	:	Jocundo	and	the	king	amaz'd,
	Long	on	each	other's	face	in	silence	gaz'd	:
	Ne'er	had	they	heard,	nor	through	the	world	believ'd
	Two	like	themselves	by	female	guile	deceiv'd.	510
	Now	sudden	mirth	the	place	of	wonder	took,
	And	either's	side	convulsive	laughter	shook
	With	peals	so	loud,	that	scarcely	could	they	breathe,
	But	sunk	exhausted	on	the	couch	beneath.
	So	much	they	laugh'd,	theirbosoms	ak'd	with	pain,
	Nor	could	their	eyes	the	gushing	tears	restrain	:
	At	length	they	said	'	What	man	shall	hope	to	stay
	His	wife	from	wandering	the	forbidden	way	?
	Since	we,	in	one	same	bed,	so	closely	join'	d,
	Between	us	both	in	vain	this	lass	confin'd	?	520
	Were	numerous	as	his	hairs	a	husband's	eyes,
	A	wife's	deceit	would	every	watch	surprise.
	A	thousand	women	we	before	have	try'd,
	Yet	found	not	one	our	amorous	suit	deny'd.
	A	second	thousand	like	the	first	would	fall	:
	But	this	last	proof	may	well	suffice	for	all.-
	Then	cease	we	more	to	blame	our	mates,	or	find
	Their	thoughts	less	chaste	than	those	of	all	their
	And	since	they	both	are	virtuous	as	the	best,	[kind;
	Let	us	return	and	live	with	them	at	rest.'	550
	"	This	point	resolv'd,	they	bade	the	lover	come
	(Call'd	by	Flammetta)	to	receive	his	doom	;
	With	many	a	witness	present,	for	his	bride
	They	gave	the	girl,	with	ample	gifts	beside;
	Then	both	return'd	contented	to	their	wives,
	And	led	in	peace	the	remnant	of	their	lives."
	Here	ceas'd	mine	host*	his	story	to	relate,
	While	every	guett	with	mute	attention	satej
	5	This	is	copied	hy	Spenser,	in	his	account	of	the
	Squire	of	Dames,	with	no	less	severity	on	the	fair
	sex,	where	thesquire	relates,	that	travelling	through
	the	world	in^earch	of	a	chaste	woman,	he	finds
	only	three	to	reject	his	suit,	thus	humourously
	characterized	by	the	poet	:
	The	first	that	then	refused	me	(said	he)
	.Cer.es,	waa	but	a	common	courtesan^,
	1


The	hermit,	as	a	fencing	shield,	to	arm
	Her	chaste	intent	against	all	worldly	harm,
	By	pious	reasons,	strong	and	duly	weigh'd,
	With	all	his	power	stood	forth	to	guard	the	maid.
	Not	long	the	impious	Pagan	could	endure
	The	holy	sire,	who	preach'd	in	zeal	secure:	30
	He	bade	him,	in	good	time,	his	cell	regain,
	And	leave	the	damsel	;	but	he	bade	in	vain	:
	Till	rous'd	at	length,	no	longer	he	forbore,
	But	seiz'd	his	beard,	whence	by	the	roots	he	tore
	The	silver	hairs;	and,	with	dire	rage	impell'd,
	With	savage	grasp	his	aged	neck	he	held	;	[threw	'	;
	And,	whirling	round,	some	three	miles	thence	he
	Swift	towards	the	sea	the	wretched	hermit	flew	!
	What	then	befel	him,	little	I	relate,
	For	various	tales	are	rumour'd	of	his	fate	:	40
	Some	say	against	a	rock	his	limbs	were	thrown,
	And	piecemeal	dash'd	upon	the	craggy	stone	:
	Some	say,	that	midst	the	sea	his	death	he	found,
	And,	as	he	knew	not	how	to	swim,	was	drown'd
	Spite	of	his	orisons	Some	say,	the	hand
	Of	his	good	saint	convey'd	him	safe	to	land	:
	But	be	it	as	it	may,	I	pass	it	o'er,
	Henceforth	of	him	the	story	speaks	no	more.
	\Vhen	cruel	Rodomont	had	thus	remov'd
	The	talking	hermit,	oft	in	vain	reprov'd,	50
	With	milder	looks	he	turn'd,	where,	at	his	side,
	The	damsel	stood	all	pale	and	terrify'd	;
	Whom	now	in	speech	by	lovers	oft	addrest,
	He	call'd	his	life,	of	every	good	the	best;
	His	balm	of	hope,	fair	comfort,	smiling	joy,
	With	each	endearment	amorous	tongues	employ.
	Courteous	he	seem'd,	as	if	he	would	disarm
	Her	thoughts	of	fear,	that	any	force	might	harm
	Her	virgin	vow	:	those	graces	that	inilam'd
	His	cruel	heart,	his	wonted	pride	had	tam'd	;	60
	And	though	his	hand	could	pluck	the	fruit,	he	chose
	T'	abstain	at	distance,	and	but	touch	the	boughs.
	He	fondly	hpp'd	by	slow	degrees	to	find
	Fair	Isabella	to	his	wish	inclin'd	:
	While	she,	subjected	to	a	tyrant's	laws,	[claws)
	(Like	some	poor	mouse	2	within	her	foe's	sharp
	Unfriended	and	forlorn,	would	rather	dare
	The	worst	of	ills	than	what	she	fear'd	to	bear;
	Still	pondering	on	the	means,	if	such	could	be,
	Herself	and	honour	from	his	power	to	free	;	70
	Wjth	her	own	hand	determin'd	to	prevent
	Her	shame	by	death,	ere	his	abhorr'd	intent
	Should	make	her	wrong	the	knight,	who,	late	en-
	twin'd
	By	her	lov'd	arms,	his	parting	breath	resign'd	;
	To	whom,	with	heart	devout,	the	mourning	dame
	Had	vow'd	to	dedicate	her	virgin	name.	[fire
	She	mark'd,	and	trembling	mark'd,	th'	unhallow'd
	That	warm'd	the	Pagan	with	impure	desire.
	What	shall	she	do?	How	shape	her	dangerous
	course	?
	What	way	remains	t'	elude	his	brutal	force?	80
	Long	time	revolving	in	her	fearful	mind
	Athousandschemes,at	length,	her	thoughts	design'd
	1	No	partiality	for	the	poet	can	apologize	for
	the	extravagance	of	such	passages	as	ffiese	:
	wherever	they	occur,	the	translator	freely	gives
	them	up	to	the	critic,	as	lawful	game,	and	means
	this	for	a	general	declaration	of	his	opinion	on	the
	subject.
	*	Certainly	too	ludicrous	an	image	on	so	pathe
	tic	an	occasion.
	One	that	might	save	her	chastity	from	blame;
	Which	here	we	tell	to	her	eternal	fame.
	The	Pagan,	by	his	words	and	deeds,	confess'd
	The	lurking	purpose	of	his	impious	breast:
	Lost	was	the	courtesy	which	first	he	show*d,
	When	fair	his	speech	in	gentlest	accents	flow'd.
	To	him	the	damsel	"	Wouldst	thou	but	ensure
	My	honour	safe	3,	a	gift	thou	mayst	procure,	90
	Of	far	more	worth	than	aught	thou	canst	obtain
	From	what	must	fix	on	me	eternal	stain.
	Scorn	not	a	lasting	prize,	a	prize	to	raise
	O'er	all	the	sons	of	war	thy	deathless	praise.
	A	hundred	and	a	hundred	mayst	thou	find,
	Fair	dames,	the	loveliest	of	our	female	kind	;
	But	who,	like	me,	are	fated	to	bestow
	Th'	invalu'd	good	thou	to	my	hand	mayst	owe.
	A	herb	I	know,	and	late	have	seen,	that	boil'd
	With	rue	and	ivy,	o'er	a	fire	when	pil'd	100
	With	cypress-wood,	will	(strange	to	tell)	produce,
	By	guiltless	fingers	squeez'd,	a	sovereign	juice,
	With	which,	thrice	bath'd,	the	body	will	be	found
	One	moon	secur'd	unhurt	from	flame	or	wound	:
	That	month	elaps'd,	the	bathing	we	renew,
	No	longer	time	avails	the	powerful	dew.
	The	proof	of	what	I	tell,	thy	wondering	eyes
	Shall	witness	soon	to	thee	a	nobler	prize
	(Or	much	I	err)	than	if	this	day	had	view'd
	All	Europe	by	thy	conquering	arm	subdu'd.	110
	In	recompense	for	what	1	shall	bestow
	I	ask	but	this	here	plight	thy	solemn	vow,
	Ne'er	from	this	hour	by	word	or	deed	to	harm
	My	virgin	honour,	or	my	fears	alarm."
	The	damsel	thus	the	Pagan's	suit	repress'd,
	Who	now	with	new	desire	of	fame	possess'd,
	Vow'd	all	she	ask'd,	impatient	to	be	made
	Alike	impassive	to	the	flame	or	blade	:
	Resolv'd	to	curb	his	lust,	till	prov'd	he	view'd
	The	wondrous	water	with	such	spell	indu'd,	120
	Through	which	his	limbs	might	scorn	each	weapon's
	As	Cygnus	or	Achilles*	scorn'd	before	;	[power,
	3	A	similar	story	is	told	of	a	virgin	in	the	time
	of	Mirvan,	the	caliph,	in	the	eighth	century,	and
	of	another	named	Brasilia	(the	time	uncertain)	re
	lated	by	Francesco	Barbara,	in	his	book	concern
	ing	the	choice	of	a	wife.	Zatta.
	*	Ovid	tells	us,	Metam.	book	xii.	that	Cygnus,
	the	son	of	Neptune,	could	not	be	wounded.	The
	common	story	of	Achilles	is,	that	he	was	dipped	in
	the	river	Styx	by	his	mother	Thetis,	and	thereby
	became	invulnerable	in	every	part	except	the	heel
	by	which	she	held	him;	and	that	he	was	at	last
	shot	by	Paris	at	the	altar,	in	the	only	vulnerable
	place,	at	the	instigation	of	Apollo,	during	the	cere
	mony	of	his	nuptials	with	Polyxena,	the	daughter
	of	Priam.	This	fable	is	certainly	of	much	later
	date	than	Homer,	and	not	countenanced	in	the
	poems	of	Virgil,	Horace,	or	Ovid.	Homer	repre
	sents	him	as	being	wounded	in	the	battle	of	the
	river,	by	Asteropeus,	who	was	ambi-dexter,	and
	threw	two	darts	at	Achilles	at	the	same	time.
	At	once	Asteropeus	discharg'd	each	lance,
	(For	both	his	dextrous	hands	the	lance	could	wield)
	One	struck,	but	pierc'd	not	the	Vulcanian	shield:
	One	raz'd	Achilles'	hand,	the	spouting	blood
	Spun	forth	Pope's	Iliad,	b.	xxi.	ver.	182.
	Achilles	was	not	slain	in	the	temple,	but	fell	in
	the	field	of	battle,	according	to	Homer,	as	appears