OF	ORLANDO	FURTOSO.	BOOK	VI.
	Who,	arm'd	in	her	defence,	had	sought	the	field,
	Remain'd	apart	;	and	all	that	pass'd	beheld.	630
	But	now	the	king	dcsir'd	his	name	to	know.
	And	befrg'd	him	from	his	casque	his	face	to	show	;
	That	as	his	generous	purpose	claim'd	regard,
	He	might	with	royal	gifts	such	worth	reward.
	At	length,	with	much	entreaty,	from	his	head
	He	rais'd	his	helmet,	and	te	sight	display'd
	What	in	tli'	ensuing	book	we	shall	reveal,
	If	grateful	to	your	ear	appears	ruy	tale.
	BOOK	VI.
	THE	ARGUMENT.
	Th	conclusion	of	the	story	of	Geneura.	ftogero	is
	carried	by	the	flyins-horse	to	Alcina's	island,
	when*	he	finds	a	knight	turned	into	a	myrtle,
	who	gives	him	an	account	of	his	transformation,
	ai*d	warns	him	to	shun	the	wiles	of	the	sorceress,
	llogero	engages	in	combat	with	a	troop	of	mon
	sters,	who	oppose	his	passage	from	the	city	of
	Alcina;	and	is	afterwards	accosted	by	two	ladies
	belonging	to	her	palace.
	MOST	wretched	man,	who	hopes	in	long	disguise
	To	veil	his	evil	deeds	from	mortal	eyes	!
	Though	all	were	silent	else,	the	sounding	air,
	The	conscious	earth	his	trespass	shall	declare:
	Th'	Almighty	oft	in	wisdom	so	provides,
	The	sin	to	punishment	the	sinner	guides,
	Who,	whilst	he	strives	t'	elude	each	watchful	sight,
	Unheeding	brings	his	lurking	guilt	to	light.
	False	Polinesso	deern'd	his	state	secure,
	And	all	his	treason	from	discovery	sure;	10
	Dalinda	thus	remov'd,	from	whom	alone
	'He	deem'd	th'	important	secret	could	ba	known:
	With	crimes	increasing,	to	the	future	blind,
	He	hasten'	d	on	that	fate	he	shunn'd	to	find	;
	At	once	resigning	wealth,	the	valu'd	claim
	Of	friends,	of	life,	and	honour's	nobler	name	!
	Now	each,	impatient,	urg'd	the	stranger-knight
	To	show	his	face	so	long	conceal'd	from	sight}
	At	length	he	lifted	up	the	helm	he	wore.
	Disclosing	features	oft	disclos'd	before:	20
	Then	Ariodantes	all	with	joy	perceiv'd,
	H	;	m,	for	whose	loss	the	realm	of	Scotland	griev'd	;
	That	Ariodantes,	whom,	by	fame	misled,
	Geneura	and	his	brother	wept	for	dead	;
	For	whom	the	king,	the	court,	the	people	moum'd;
	So	brave	a	knight,	with	every	grace	a'lorn'd	!
	In	this	the	peasant's	truth	appear'd	to	tail,
	Whose	lips	had	told	the	fair	that	fatal	tale	:
	Yet	had	his	eyes	beheld	the	desperate	knight
	Leap	headlong	from	the	rocky	mountain's	height.
	But,	as	it	oft	befalls	the	wretch,	whose	grief	31
	Calls	death,	when	distant,	to	his	wish'd	relief	;
	To	quit	his	purpose,	when	he	sees	him	near,
	So	dark	and	comfortless	his	paths	appear
	Thus	Ariodantes,	plunging	in	the	wave,
	With	late	repentance	sought	his	life	to	save	;
	And	strong	of	limbs	above	the	waters	bore
	His	head,	and	ply'd	his	arms	and	swam	to	shore.
	Now	every	former	thought	of	death	he	blam'd,
	And	senseless	and	unjust	his	fancy	nam'd	;	4
	Then	journey'd	on	with	garments	briny	wet,
	Till	in	a	hermit's	cave	he	shelter	met	j
	,psolv'd	awhile	in	secret	there	to	stay,
	'ill	time	should	to	his	ears	the	truth	convey,
	'	for	his	loss	suppos'd,	Geneura	fj-riev'd,
	>r	if	with	joy	the	tidings	she	receiv'd.
	nd	soon	he	heard	so	far	her	sorrows	wrought,
	s	near	to	death	th'	unhappy	virgin	brought	;
	'hat	stern	Lurcanio,	by	resentment	"way'd,
	Tad	to	the	king	accus'cl	tha	guiltless	maid.	50
	S	T	ow	fierce	his	wrath	against	his	brother	turn'd,
	""ierce	as^before	for	lovo	his	bosom	burn	d.
	A	r	ith	grief	he	learnt,	that	yet	no	gal'anf	knight
	iad	ventur'd	in	Guneura's	cause	to	light	:
	lUrcnnio's	wisdom	and	his	valour	known,
	H	seenu'd	with	care	the	doubtful	strife	to	shun	;
	nd	thought	the	youth	in	such	a	dangerous
	strife,
	''	assert	n	falsehood	ne'er	would	risk	bis	life.
	But	Ariodantes	by	despair	impoll'd,
	le=olv'd	to	meet	hi?	brother	in	the	field.	60
	Can	I	behold,"	ih?	faithful	lovwr	said.
	To	cruel	death	mv	fair	Otinenra	le<"	'
	Vhom	still	I	must	my	queen	and	god^or-s	r-Hze,
	)ear	as	the	light	that	shines	before	my	eyes	!
	ust	or	unjust	the	cause,	still	let	me	fiy
	?	or	her	lov'd	sake	to	conquer	or	to	die.
	Vet.	ah!	too	sure	I	shall	the	wroa?	defend	;
	Jut	be	it	wrong;	my	blood	the	strife	shall	end	!
	One	thought	alone	in	death	will	give	me	pain,
	That,	if	ffall,	Geneura	must	be	slain	!	70
	Phis	comfort	yet	remains,	'twill	then	be	prov'd
	iow	well	by	Polinesso	was	she	lov'd	:
	Then	may	she	view	her	lover's	faith	display'd,
	Who	ne'er	appear'd	to	combat	in	her	aid	;
	While	me,	whose	truth	she	could	so	ill	requite,
	She	sees,	for	her	defence,	thus	slain	in	fight,
	Lurcanio	too	his	punishment	shall	feel,
	For	having	kindled	first	.his	flame	of	iH.
	ilemorse	and	grief	shall	rend	his	tortur'd	breast,
	When	all	the	fatal	conflict	stands	confest	;	80
	When,	thinking	to	revenge	his	brother's	death,
	He	finds	him	by	his	hand	depriv'd	of	breath	!"
	So	mus'd	the	knight;	and,	having	thus	decreed,
	Proc-.ir'd	new	armour,	and	a	hor<e	with	speed	;
	His	scarf	was	black;	and	round	his	ampfe	shield,
	With	yellow-green	*	was	fring'd	the	sable	field.
	He	next	receiv'd	a	squire	from	fortune's	hand
	Unknown	to	all,	a	stranger	in	the	lan-J	:
	Thus	well	disguis'd,	with	him	the	knight	pursu'd
	His	way,	and	arm'd	before	his	brother	stood.	99
	What	follow'd	then,	my	tale	before	has	shown,
	And	how	he	was	for	Ariodantes	known.
	Not	less	t"he	king	rejoic'd	his	face	to	see,
	Than	his	lov'd	daughter	from	her	danger	free	;
	And	justly	deem'd	he	ne'er	again	could	view
	A	youth	in	love	so	valiant	and	so	true	;
	Who,	when	such	seeming	wrongs	inflam'd	his
	thought,
	With	his	own	brother,	in	her	cause,	had	fought.
	Urg'd	by	bis	court,	and	at	Rinaldo's	prayer
	He	gave	to	Ariodant	Geneura	fair:	100
	Albania's	dukedom,	which	the	king	again
	Receiv'd,	the	traitor	Polinesso	slain,
	Which	could	not	chance	in	more	propitious	hour,
	He	gave	his	daughter	for	her	marriage	dower.
	1	The	colour	of	fading	leaves:	in	chivalry,	this
	colour	was	worn	as	a	mark	of	desperation.	So
	Bradamant	wears	a	scarf	of	the	same	colour.
	Book	xxxii,	ver.	32	j.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	IX.
	When	Friza's	king:,	who	long	with	artful	mind
	To	wed	me	to	his	only	son	design'd,
	Arbantes	nam'd,	dispatch'd	a	courtly	train
	My	hand	in	marriage	of	my	sire	to	gain	:
	But	I,	who	ne'er	could	change	my	constant	lore,
	Or	so	ungrateful	to	Bireno	prove,	160
	Soon	with	my	father	all	my	power	apply'd
	To	set	this	fatal	embassy	aside	:
	And	said,	'	I	rather	far	would	yield	my	life,
	Than	e'er	in	Fiiza's	realms	be	made	a	wife.'
	My	loving	sire,	who	all	I	ask'd	approv'd,
	Who	ne'er	would	view	my	breast	with	sorrow	mov'd,
	To	make	me	from	my	tears	and	plaints	desist,
	Without	consent	th'	ambassadors	dismissal.
	At	this	with	rage	the	king	of	Friza	burti'd,
	And	all	his	haughty	soul	to	vengeance	turn'd.	170
	Our	lands	he	entcr'd,	and	with	carnage	filt'd,
	Iji	which,	alas!	my	kindred	all	were	kill'd.
	Besides	his	mighty	strength,	in	arms	beheld,
	That	few	his	vigour,	in	our	age,	excell'd	;
	He	weapons	us'd,	to	former	times	unknown,
	And,	iu	the	present,	us'd	by	him	alone.
	An	iron	tube	he	bore,	whose	womb	enclos'd
	A	ball	and	nitrous	grain,	with	art	compos'd.
	Now	to	a	vent,	scarce	obvious	to	the	sight,
	Behind	the	barrel	he	directs	a	light	:	180
	A	surgeon	thus	the	lancet's	point	applies;
	The	fatal	bullet	from	the	concave	flies,
	With	lightning	flashes	and	with	thunder's	sound,
	And	scatters	death	and	desolation	round.
	With	this	device	our	bands	he	twice	o'ertbrew
	In	open	field,	and	both	my	brethren	slew.
	The	elder	tir.-t	was	doom'd	the	stroke	to	feel,
	His	heart	transpierc'd	through	plates	of	jointed	steel	:
	In	vain	the	second	strove	from	fate	to	fly	;
	He,	like	his	brother,	was	condemn'd	to	die.	190
	Sent	from	afar,	the	ball	its	force	impress'd
	Full	at	his	back	and	issu'd	at	his	breast.
	One	only	castle	to	my	sire	remaiu'd,
	Each	other	part	the	cruel	king	had	gain'd.
	This	while	he	sought	to	guard	with	fruitless	care,
	He	fell	the	last	sad	victim	of	the	war.
	The	traitor	mark'd	him	as	he	walk'd	the	round,
	And	pierc'd	his	forehead	with	a	mortal	wound.
	'	"	My	sire	and	brethren	slaughter'd,	I	reinain'd
	The	hapless	heiress	of	my	father's	land.	200
	The	king	of	Friza,	who	desir'd	to	gain
	A	lasting	footing	in	his	new	domain,
	On	friendly	terms	propoi'd	the	war	to	cease,
	And	grant	to	me	and	mine	a	lasting	peace,
	Would	I	consent	to	what	I	late	deny'd,
	And	yield	to	be	his	son	Arbantes'	bride.
	But	this	I	still	refus'd	my	steadfast	mind
	Detested	justly	him	and	all	his	kind.
	By	him	my	sire	and	brethren's	death	I	mourn'd,
	My	country	wasted	and	my	cities	burn'd.	210
	Still	was	1	hVd	to	shun	the	marriage	bed,
	Till	he	return'd	whom	I	had	sworn	to	wed.
	To	shake	my	stern	resolves	my	people	try,
	And	every	art	of	prayers	and	threats	employ	:
	When	all	their	prayers	and	threats	they	found	in
	But	saw	me	still	my	purpose	firm	maintain,	[vain,
	The	terms	t	with	him	agreed,	themselves	to	save,
	Me	and	the	fort	into	his	hands	they	gave.
	"	The	king	receiv'd	me	mildly,	and	assur'd
	My	life	and	lands	alike	should	rest	secur'd,	220
	Would	I	my	stubborn	purjwse	yet	forsake,
	And,	for	my	spouse,	his	son	Arbantes	take.
	Thus	cruelly	beset	on	every	side,
	1	gladly	would	t'	escape	his	power	have	dy'd.
	Yet	unreveng'd	to	die,	had	griev'd	me	more
	Than	all	the	sufferings	I	endur'd	before	:
	Cut	finding,	when	I	every	thought	had	weigh'd,
	Dissembling	could	alone	my	puipose	aid	;
	To	ask	forgiveness	of	the	past	I	feign'd,
	And	gave	consent	to	take	Arbantes'	hand.	230
	"	Two	brethren	in	my	father's	court	were	bred,
	Of	loyal	heart	and	of	inventive	head	:
	To	these	my	thoughts	disclos'd,	they.vow'd	to	join
	Their	mutual	aid	to	second	my	design.
	One,	to	secure	my	Sight,	a	ship	retain'd	:
	One,	near	my	person,	at	the	court	remain'd.
	"	While	strangers	now,	and	natives	all	were	led
	T>	attend	the	nuptial	rites,	a	rumour	spread
	That,	in	Biseaia	rais'd,	a	naval	power
	Bireno	brought	t'	invade	the	Holland	shore:	240
	For	when	in	luckless	tight	our	army	fail'd,
	In	which	I	first	a	brother's	death	bewail'd,
	With	speed	I	sent	to	let	my	lover	know
	The	fatal	inroad	of	our	barbarous	foe.
	Meanwhile	the	ruthless	king	his	course	pursifd,
	Till	all	our	realm	his	conquering	arms	subdu'd.
	Bireno,	now,	who	heard	not	all	was	lost,
	Had	loos'd	his	vessels	from	Biscaia's	coast:
	These	tidings	to	the	king	of	Friza	known,
	He	left	th'	approaching	nuptials	to	his	son	;	250
	And	sailing	with	his	fleet	engag'd	the	duke,
	:lis	ships	destroy'd,	and	him	a	prisoner	took.
	''	Now	had	the	youth	my	hand	receiv'd,	and	led
	At	night	impatient	to	the	nuptial	bed.
	Soon	as	my	faithful	friend,	who	stood	beside
	Jonceal'd,	the	bridegroom	drawing	near	espy'd,
	behind	him	with	an	axe	so	fierce	he	struck,
	That	life	and	speech	at	once	the	wretch	forsook	;
	As	sinks	the	slaughter'd	ox	besmear'd	with	gore,
	So	fell	Arbantes,	born	in	luckless	hour	!	'260
	pite	of	Cymosco,	doom'd	his	end	to	find,
	So	call'd	the	king,	the	basest	of	mankind	'
	Bv	whom	my	sire	and	brethren	found	their	fate,
	Who	now,	t'	ensure	possession	of	my	state,
	Espous'd	me	to	his	son	some	future	day
	To	take	perhaps	my	wretched	life	away.
	*	My	choicest	treasures	then	secur'd,	I	flew
	The	hated	place,	and	with	my	guide	withdrew,
	Whose	trusty	care	my	hasty	steps	convey'd
	To	where	his	brother	with	the	vessel	stay'd.	27A
	We	court	the	winds,	our	oars	divide	the	main,
	Till	Heaven	decrees	us	safe	this	land	to	gain.
	'Twere	hard	to	tell	which	bore	a	greater	part,
	Or	grief,	or	rage,	in	fell	Cymosco's	heart	:
	Grief	for	his	hapless	son	depriv'd	of	breath,
	Or	rage	against	the	author	of	his	death.
	He,	with	his	joyful	fleet,	the	land	regain'd,
	Elate	with	conquest,	and	Bireno	chaiu'd.
	He	came	prepar'd	a	nuptial	feast	to	share,
	And	view'd	his	triumph	chang'd	to	black	despaif.
	Nor	day,	nor	night,	he	found	a	moment's	rest,	281
	Revenge	and	sorrow	rankling	in	his	breast:
	But	since	the	dead	regard	not	all	our	grief,
	And	hate	from	vengeance	only	finds	relief;
	He	murder'd	those	that	friends	to	me	were	held,
	Their	wealth	he	seiz'd;	or	from	the	realm	expell'd
	The	hapless	train	;	a	thousand	schemes	engage
	His	cruel	thoughts	on	me	to	sate	his	rage.
	The	tyrant	doubtless	had	Bireno	slain,
	The	greatest	woe	he	knew	I	could	sustain	:	290
	But	while	he	spar'd	his	life,	he	surely	thought
	He	held	a	net	by	which	I	might	be	caught.
	Before	the	youth	he	sets	these	terms	severe	:
	His	fate	he	respites	for	a	single	year.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XI.
	103
	The	monster	followed,	by	that	arm	compell'd
	Whose	strength	the	strength	of	mortal	man	e.xcell'd.
	As	when	a	bull	at	unawares	has	found
	With	straiten'd	cords	his	horns	encompass'd	round,
	Furious	he	leaps,	he	bounds	from	side	to	side,
	The	haulsers	all	his	fruitless	pains	deride	:	270
	So	far'd	the	ore,	while	from	his	mouth	he	shed
	A	tide,	that	dyes	the	ocean	still	with	red	;
	T.ash'd	by	his	tail	with	many	a	sounding	blow,
	The	parting	sea	reveals	th'	abyss	below	:
	Now	dash'd	aloft	the	briny	waves	are	thrown,
	Pollute	the	day,	and	blot	the	golden	Sun.
	The	neighbouring	forests,	and	the	mountains	hoar,
	The	winding	rocks	rebellow	to	the	roar.
	Rous'd	at	the	tumult,	from	his	pearly	bed,
	Old	Proteus	o'er	the	water	rais'd	his	head	:	280
	Soon	as	his	eyes	beheld	so	stransre	a	fight
	Between	the	monster	and	the	Christian	knight,
	He	left	his	flock	and	urg'd	his	fearful	flight.
	E'en	Neptune	on	his	car	(such	terrour	spread)
	With	dolphins	rein'd	to	Ethiopia	fled.
	Ino,	whose	breast	her	Melicerta	bears;
	The	sea-green	sisters,	with	dishevel!	'd	hairs;
	Glaucus	and	Triton	;	all	the	watery	train,
	In	diverse	parts,	fly	scatter'd	o'er	the	main.
	Anglante's	warrior	now,	the	conflict	o'er,	290
	Hnd	drawn	the	dreadful	monster	to	the	shore	;
	Which	scarce	he	reach'd,	when	spent	with	toil,
	and	spread
	Along	the	sand,	his	shapeless	bulk	lay	dead.
	Soon	swarming	o'er	the	coast	the	island	crew
	Came	hastening	down	the	wondrous	sight	to	view	;
	And	loudly	cried,	that	mighty	Proteus'	rage
	Would	once	again	bis	savage	herds	engage
	To	waste	the	land,	unless	with	humble	prayer
	They	mov'd	the	god,	themselves	and	race	to	spare	;
	And,	as	an	offering	for	his	monster	slain,	300
	They	whelm'd	th'	offending	champion	in	the	main.
	As	spreads	from	torch	to	torch	th'	increasing	light
	Till	all	the	region	with	the	blaze	is	bright;
	So	through	the	madding	vulgar	swiftly	ran
	The	fierce	contagion,	caught	from	man	to	man.
	One	takes	a	sling,	a	bow	another	takes	;
	This	draws	a	sword,	and	that	a	javelin	shakes.
	They	shout,	they	run,	they	cumber	all	the	strand,
	And	close	him	far	and	near	on-	every	hand.
	The	generous	Paladin	surpris'd	beheld	S10
	Th'	ungrateful	throng	with	hostile	thoughts	im-
	pell'd:
	Instead	of	meeting	fame	and	high	regard.
	He	sees	them	thus	his	valiant	deeds	reward.
	But	as	a	bear,	for	public	pastime	bred,
	In	Russia	or	in	Uthuania	led,
	Contemns	the	yelping	cur	;	with	like	disdain
	Orlando	near	beholds	the	dastard	train,
	Against	him	leagu'd,	with	stupid	anger	wield
	Their	idle	weapons	to	dispute	the	field.
	Soon	Durindana	from	the	sheath	he	drew,	320
	And	midst	his	foes	with	noble	fury	flew,
	Who	hop'd	with	ease	t'	oppress	a	single	knight,
	Nor	fenc'd	with	shield,	nor	casHl	in	armour	bright.
	They	little	deem'd	his	skin	from	bead	to	heel,
	Like	adamant,	could	BO	impression	feel	:
	But	while	himself	secure	uriwounded	stood,
	He	dy'd	bis	weapon	in	th'	assailants'	blood.
	At	ten	fterce	strokes,	beneath	his	conquering	hand
	Pull	thirty	fell,	and	soon	he	clear'd	the	strand.
	While	thus	th'	unequal	strife	the	knight	main-
	tain'd,	330
	Hibernia's	troops	the	fatal	island	gain'd,
	And	disembark'd	where	none	to	oppose	they	view'd	j
	A	dreadful	slaughter	through	the	land	ensu'd:
	Justice	their	plea	to	veil	the	soldier's	rage,
	All	pity	lost,	they	spar'd	nor	sex	nor	age	!
	The	wretched	natives	here	were	seen	but	few,
	And	these	nor	discipline	nor	order	knew	:
	Their	goods	were	pillag'd	by	the	Irish	train,
	The	houses	set	on	fire,	the	people	slain	:
	The	walls	were	raz'd,	and	scarce	remain'd	behind
	A	man	alive	of	this	devoted	kind.	341
	Orlando	hastens	now	the	dame	to	free,
	Prepar'd	for	death	beside	the	roaring	sea	:
	Near	and	more	near	he	draws,	and	thinks	he	spies
	Features	but	late	familiar	to	his	eyes	;
	Lo	!	hnag'd	to	his	thought	Olympia's	face,
	She,	most	unhappy	of	the	female	race
	By	man	betray	'd	Olympia	born	to	prove
	The	woes	and	changes	of	ungrateful	love.
	'T	was	her,	whom	fortune	gave	the	pirate	band	350
	Their	lovely	victim	on	Ebuda's	strand.
	Full	well	the	damsel	knew	th'	approaching	knight,
	But	from	his	look	she	turn'd	her	bashful	sight	;
	Confus'd	and	mute	she	hung	her	drooping	head,
	While	burning	blushes	on	her	cheeks	were	spread.
	The	warrior	then	inquir'd	what	envious	power
	Had	led	her	step	to	that	inhuman	shore.
	From	where	he	left	her	crown'd	with	joy	and	peace,
	Partaking	with	her	consort	every	bliss	?
	"	Alas	!	1	know	not,"	she	began	to	say,	360
	"	If	for	my	life	I	grateful	thanks	should	pay,
	Or'	rather	mourn	the	day	again	mi:st	close,
	And	not	behold	a	period	to	my	woes	:
	My	grateful	thanks	for	these	poor	limbs
	Sav'd	from	the	jaws	of	my	unnatural	foe	:
	But	little	I	rejoice	that	still	I	live,
	Since	death	alone	to	me	can	comfort	give.
	Then	let	thy	ha-id,	in	pity	to	my	grief,
	With	welcome	death	afford	the	sole	relief."
	She	said	;	and	sobbing	deep,	her	sorrows	spoke,
	How	her	false	lord	his	faith	and	honour	broke,	Jft
	To	leave	her	sleeping	on	the	desert	shore,
	Whence	to	the	ship	their	prey	the	pirates	bore.
	While	this	she	told,	she	turn'd,	and	blushing	show'd
	A	form	like	Dian,	pictur'd	in	the	flood
	With	naked	beauties,	wben	incens'd	she	threw
	On	rash	Actaeon's	brows	the	sprinkling	dew.
	Orlando,	pacing	on	the	shelly	strand,
	A\vaits	his	ship	to	anchor	near	the	land	;	319
	That	thence	v.ith	vestures	he	may	clothe	the
	dame	:
	While	this	his	thought	employ'd,	Oberto	came	I0	,
	Hibernia's	king,	who	beard,	the	monster	slain
	There	lay	extended	by	the	dashing	main	;
	That,	swimming	thro'	the	seas,	a	knight	unknown
	Had	in	his	jaws	a	ponderous	anchor	thrown,
	And	drawn	him	to	the	beach,	as	barks,	secur'd
	With	twisted	cables,	on	the	ground	are	moor'd.
	Now	tow'rds	the	shore,	to	learn	the	truth,	in	haste
	Oberto	came	;	meanwhile	the	land	to	waste,
	His	soldiers,	unrestrain'd,	their	rage	employ'd,	399
	And	towns	and	men	with	fire	and	sword	destroy'd.
	Soon	as	th'	Hibernian	king	Orlando	view'd,
	(Tho'	drench'd	with	water	and	deform'd	with	blood,
	With	blood	which	from	the	monster's	throat	he	drew)
	By	every	look	the	Paladin	he	knew.
	16	Oberto,	king	of	Ireland,	mentioned	in	the
	ninth	book	to	have	collected	a	force	to	iuvsuU*	th*
	island	of	Ebuda


HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	When	first	the	deed	he	heard,	his	noble	mind
	The	glorious	author	from	the	deed	divin'd.
	Him	well	he	knew,	with	him	in	Gallia	bred,
	At	Charles'	high	court	his	infant	years	were	led,
	Which	late	he	left	to	seek	his	native	land,	400
	(His	father	dead)	the	sceptre	to	command.
	Oft	had	he	seen	the	knight,	and	oft	before
	With	him	in	converse	past	the	social	hour.
	His	helmet	rais'd,	he	ran	with	eager	pace
	"to	hold	Orlando	in	a	warm	embrace;
	Nor	less	Orlando	felt,	the	king	to	view,
	And	round	his	neck	his	friendly	arms	he	threw.
	Orlando	to	Oberto	then	display'd
	The	cruel	sufferings	of	the	fair	betray'd;
	From	false	Bireno	doorn'd	her	wrongs	to	mourn,	4	1
	From	whom	she	least	deserv'd	such	base	return.
	What	proofs	Bireno	of	her	love	could	boast	;
	For	him	her	kindred	slain,	her	country	lost	;
	For	him	prepar'd	her	dearest	life	to	yield	:
	All	this	he	knew,	and	part	himself	beheld.
	While	thus	he	speaks,	the	gushing	sorrows	rise,
	And	trickle	from	the	fair	one's	weeping	eyes	:
	Like	vernal	skies	}er	lovely	visage	show'd,
	When,	gentle	showers	descending	from	a	clond,	419
	Frequent	and	soft,	the	Sun	with	cheering	gleams
	Darts	through	the	watery	veil	his	trembling	beams	:
	As	then	in	foliage	wet	with	glistening	dews,
	Sweet	Philomel	her	plaintive	note	renews	;
	So	Cupid	in	her	grief	reviv'd	appears,
	And	bathes	his	plumage	in	her	pearly	tears.
	His	golden	shaft	he	kindles	in	the	flame,
	That	from	her	piercing	eyes	like	lightning	came,
	And	tempers	in	the	crystal	stream	that	flows
	Between	the	lily	fair	and	blushing	rose.
	His	arrow	now	prepar'd,	the	bow	he	bends,	430
	And	at	th'	unguarded	youth	his	weapon	sends}
	For	whose	defence	no	arms	conld	here	avail,
	Nor	plated	shield,	nor	double	coat	of	mail:
	While	rapt	in	gaze	he	stands,	he	feels	the	dart,
	lie	knows	not	how,	infix'd	within	his	heart.
	Olympia's	form	was	such	as	few	can	find,
	For	every	part	was	perfect	in	its	kind.
	tier	eyes,	her	cheeks,	her	lips,	her	nose,	her	hair,
	Her	shoulders,	nee';,	beyond	description	fair.
	Her	skin	as	ivory	smooth,	and	white	as	snows,	440
	Which	yet	unsully'd	winter's	bosom	shows	!
	Her	lovely	breasts	with	frequent	heavings	seem
	jjs	in	the	rustic	vase	the	trembling	cream
	When	gently	mov'd:	the	beauteous	space	between,
	Like	that,	where	frost	has	silver'd	o'er	the	green,
	Which	some	fair	vale	discloses	to	divide
	Two	little	hills	that	rise	on	either	side	:
	Her	limbs,	so	truly	shap'd,	might	justly	claim
	The	skill	of	Phidias,	or	a	greater	name.
	Had	she	been	present	in	th'	Idean	grove,	450
	And	seen	by	Paris,	though	the	queen	of	love
	From	either	goddess	beauty's	triumph	held,
	Her	charms	had	scarce	Olympia's	charms	excell'd:
	Nor	had	he	sought	perhaps	the	Spartan	lauds,
	In	breach	of	sacred	hospitable	bands	;
	Exit	thus	declar'd,	"	Yon	fair	one	let	me	gain,
	And	Helen	with	her	consort	still	remain."
	Or	had	she	in	Crotona's	town	been	found,
	When	Zeuxis	gather'd	all	the	beauties	round,
	Culling	each	grace	from	many	a	naked	daine,	460
	For	Juno's	fane	a	faultless	shape	to	frame	:
	.She	for	his	model	had	alone	suffic'd,
	??in<*e	all	perfection	was	in	her	corhpris-'d.	-
	What	heart	will	think	Bireno	e'er	could	view	'
	Uvr	charms	unvcil'd,	or	half	his-	blessing	knew	;
	So	far	to	steel	his	unrelenting	mind,
	And	leave	her	in	that	desert	isle	behind	*
	Oberto,	fir'd	with	love,	no	more	snppress'd
	The	passion	struggling	in	his	amorous	breast.
	He	bade	th'	afflicted	fair	no	longer	mourn,	47(7
	But	hope	her	sorrow	soon	to	joy	might	turn;
	With	vows	t'	attend	her	steps	to	Holland's	shore,
	And	there	replace	her	in	the	sovereign	power	;
	Nor	cease	till	ii*	her	treacherous	spouse	he	gain'd
	A	just	revenge	for	all	her	wrongs	suitain'd.
	And	now	he	sends	fair	female	robes	to	find	1	;
	Nor	long	they	sought	for	robes	of	various	kind,
	Since	every	day	the	vestment	there	was	stor'd
	Of	some	lost	virgin	by	the	ore	devour'd.
	From	these	the	king	Olympia's	limbs	attir'd,	480
	But	could	not	clothe	her	as	his	soul	desir'd	;
	For	should	the	choicest	silks	from	far	be	brooght,
	With	every	cost	of	art	and	genius	wrought,
	Should	e'en	Minerva	all	her	skill	unfold,
	And	Lemnos'	god	supply	the	purest	gold	;
	Yet	to	th'	enamour'd	prince	't	would	scarce	appear
	A	covering	worthy	for	the	dame	to	wear.
	With	secret	joy	Orlando	saw	confest
	Th'	increasing	passion	in	Oberto's	breast	;
	For	hcrrce	he	knew	the	monarch	would	be	led	490
	T*	avenge	her	wrongs	on	false	Bireno's	head	j
	That	thus,	himself,	releas	;	d	from	further	stay,
	No	longer	need	his	amorous	search	delay;
	Who	came	not	thither	in	her	cause	to	prove
	His	prowess,	but	from	death	to	save	his	love;
	Whom	vainly	there	he	sought,	nor	yet	could	telly
	If	thither	brought,	or	what	the	fair	befell	:
	For,	slaughter'd	by	the	foe's	destroying	hand,
	Not	one	surviv'd	of	all	Ebuda's	band.
	Next	morn	the	king,	the	dame,	and	friendly	crew,
	Embarking,	from	{he	cruel	port	withdrew	:	501
	With	these	Orlando	to	Hibernia	went,
	Who	thence	to	France	his	speedy	voyage	meant.
	Scarce	on	the	island	he	remain'd	a	day	;
	Not	all	their	friendly	prayers	could	bribe	his	stay:
	Cupid,	the	wandering	lover's	constant	guide,
	No	longer	there	permits	him	to	reside;
	But	ere	he	went,	he	to	Oberto's	care
	The	cause	intrusted	of	the	injnr'd	fair:
	The	king,	already	by	her	quarrel	fir'd,	510
	hi	xeal	exceeded	what	the	earl	requir'd	:
	A	league	with	England	and	w.ith	Scotland	made;
	He	rais'd	a	force	the	traitor	to	invade,
	Drove	him,	an	outcast,	from	the	Belgic	shore,
	And	next	in	Friza	ruin'd	all	his	power:
	He	rous'd	his	native	Zealand	to	rebel,
	Nor	ceas'd,	till	in	the	war	Bireno	fell	:
	He	fell	;	yet	scarce	his	wretched	life	could	prove
	A	forfek	equal	to	his	breach	of	love.	529
	Olympia	soon	Oberto's	bride	is	seen,
	A	countess	late,	and	now	a	powerful	queen	11	.
	But	let	us	to	Orlando	turn	the	strain;
	Who	sailing	night	and	day	divides	the	main,
	Till	in	the	port	again	his	vessel	rides,
	The	port	from	which	he	first	had	plough'd	the	tides'*
	He	leaps	on	shore,	and	Brigliodoro	takes,
	All	arm'd	he	mounts,	and	wind	and	sea	forsakes.
	Ere	winter's	months	in	due	succession	roll'd,
	Full	many	an	action	worthy	to	be	told,
	The	knight	achiev'd,	but	blame	not	here	the	bard,
	If	worth	conceal'd	should	pass	without	regard	:	531
	11	The	poet	speaks	no	more	of	Oberto	and
	Olympia	in	the	course	of	this	work.


100
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	King	Sacripant	^	and	Brandimart	he	view'd,
	With	various	warriors,	who	like	him	pursu'd
	A	fruitless	search,	and	of	the	wrongs	complain'd
	They	from	the	master	of	the	dome	sustain'd	;
	Who	still,	himself	unseen,	their	sight	abus'd,
	Whom	each	of	some	discourteous	theft	accus'd.	80
	One	for	his	courser	stol'n	with	anger	burn'd;
	Another	for	his	ravish'd	mistress	mourn'd	:
	From	various	causes	others	there	remain'd	;
	And	many	knights	were	weeks	and	months	detain'd.
	Still	search'd	Orlando	round	;	and	oft	he	cry'd	:
	"	My	cares,	perchance,	are	all	in	vain	apply'd
	For	him	who	by	some	secret	gate	withdrew,
	And,	distant	now,	defies	me	to	pursue
	The	virgin	fair."	Debating	thus,	with	speed
	He	left	the	dome,	and	travers'd	o'er	the	mead,	90
	Still	gazing	round	with	downcast	look	to	trace
	What	tracks	of	feet	had	lately	mark'd	the	place.
	A	voice	he	beard,	that	call'd	Orlando's	name	;
	lie	look'd,	and	thought	he	view'd	his	much-lov'd
	dame;	[chang'd
	That	much-lov'd	dame,	whose	beauty's	power	so
	His	manly	heart,	and	every	thought	estrang'd.
	High	at	a	window	stood	the	seeming	maid,
	And	thus,	in	moving	words,	implor'd	his	aid	:
	"	Ah	!	help	!	I	give	to	thy	protecting	care
	My	honour,	dearer	than	the	vital	air	!	100
	Shall	this	vile	ravisher	his	will	pursue
	Unpunish'd,	in	my	dear	Orlando's	view	?
	Ah	!	rather	let	thy	sword	prevent	my	shame,
	And	save	by	timely	death	my	virgin	fame."
	These	words	repeated	oft	in	mournful	strain,
	Impell'd	the	knight	with	frequent	steps	again
	T'	explore	the	dome,	by	turns	with	anger	fir'd,
	By	turns	with	vain,	yet	pleasing	hope	inspir'd.
	Anon	he	stopp'd,	anon	he	seem'd	to	hear
	The	well-known	accents	breaking	on	his	ear.	110
	While	thus	he	listen'd,	though	th'	imploring	dame
	Appear'd	not	far	his	needful	aid	to	claim,
	He	knew	not	whence	the	sounds	distressful	came.
	But	turn	we	to	Rogero	;	who	pursu'd
	The	maid	and	giant	through	the	shady	wood	;
	Whence	to	a	spncious	mead	his	course	he	bore,
	(The	place	to	which	Orlando	came	before)
	Within	the	gate	the	tow'ring	giant	pass'd,
	Him	close	behind	Rogero	press'd	as	fast	;
	The	portal	entering	(wondrous	to	the	knight)	120
	The	maid	and	giant	vanish'd	from	his	sight.
	In	every	part	he	sought	with	fruitless	care,
	And	much	he	marvell'd	how	his	foe	could	bear
	So	sudden	from	his	view	the	captive	fair.
	Through	chambers,	halls,	and	fair	saloons	he	went,
	Then	search'd	beneath	the	winding	stairs'	ascent	;
	At	length	he	turn'd	him	to	the	neighbouring	wood,
	In	hope	but	soon	a	voice	his	steps	pursu'd;
	A	voice,	that	late	Anglantes'	knight	appal	I'd,
	And	now	Rogero	to	the	dome	recall'd.	130
	The	form	and	speech	illusive	that	deceiv'd
	Orlando,	for	Angelica	believ'd,
	To	good	Rogero	seem'd	the	Dardan	dame,
	Whose	virgin	charms	his	amorous	heart	inflame.
	This	strange	device,	the	like	unknown	before,
	By	old	Atlantes	of	Carena's	lore
	Was	fratn'd,	to	keep	Rogero	safe	from	war,
	Till	pabt	the	influence	of	his	evil	star
	The	last	we	heard	of	this	knight	xras	when	he
	a	left	by	Angelica,	after	their	duel	for	Angelica,
	book	ii.	ver.	136.
	That	menac'd	early	death	:	Atlantes'	power
	For	this	had	rais'd	the	steel-embattled	tower	$	140
	For	this	had	try'd	Alcina's	guileful	chain,
	In	love	the	youthful	champion	to	detain.
	Not	him	alone,	but	all	whose	martial	fame	[name,
	For	valorous	deeds	had	spread	thro'	France	their
	Atlantes	here	confin'd	in	magic	thrall,	[fall	;
	Lest	by	their	hands	5	the	much-lov'd	youth	should
	And	all	provisions	due	prepar'd	so	well,
	That	knight	and	dames	might	here	with	pleasure
	dwell.
	Now	to	Angelica	the	tale	we	bend,
	Who.<e	finger	wore	the	ring	that	could	defend	150
	From	deepest	spells,	that	in	her	mouth	convey'd
	Conceal'd	her	person	like	a	viewless	shade.
	The	virgin	in	the	cave	her	limbs	attir'd.
	And	found	such	food	as	nature's	wants	requir'd:
	A	mare	she	singled	from	the	grazing	train,
	Resolv'd	to	view	her	native	seats	again,
	Fair	India's	realms	and	gladly	would	she	take
	King	Sacripant,	or	brave	Orlando	make
	Guide	of	her	way;	tho'	neither	knight	she	priz'd,
	But	both	their	amorous	suits	alike	despis'd.	160
	Yet	bending	eastward	her	adventurous	course,
	By	towns	and	castles	girt	with	hostile	force,
	Some	guard	she	wish'd,	that	danger	could	defy,
	And	well	their	valour	might	her	want	supply	;
	Them	long	in	cities,	towas,	and	woods	she	sought,
	Till	chance	at	length	the	wandering	virgin	brought
	Where	Sacripant,	and	where	Orlando	bound
	By	fated	spells;	where	join'd	with	these	she	found
	Gradasso	stern,	Rogero	and	Fermi,
	And	many	more	in	abject	state	she	saw.	170
	The	gate	she	fearless	pass'd,	to	none	reveal'd,
	E'en	from	Atlantes	by	her	ring	conceal'd.
	Orlando	here	and	Sacripant	she	view'd,
	Who	thro'	the	dome	their	fruitless	search	parsu'd.
	She	knew	Atlaiites,	by	her	likeness	feigu'd,
	Orlando	and	king	Sacripant	detain'd
	With	covert	wiles	;	of	these	she	lonj	revolv'd
	The	doubtful	choice,	and	scarce	at	length	resolv'd
	On	whom	to	fix,	but	stood	in	deep	suspense,
	Between	Orlando	and	Circassia's	prince.	18t
	Full	well	she	knew	Orlando's	dauntless	might
	Could	best	defend	her	in	the	day	of	fight	;
	But	knew	not	how	hereafter	to	displace	6
	A	lover	thus	exalted	in	her	grace,
	s	It	may	appear	very	extraordinary,	that	At
	lantes	should	bring	together	in	one	place	with
	Rogero	the	knights,	from	some	of	whom	he	feared
	the	prophecy	might	be	fulfilled	that	threatened	the
	young	warrior's	life:	the	commentators	have
	observed,	that	during	their	abode	in	this	enchant
	ed	dwelling,	the	knights	were	totally	unknown	to
	each	other,	and	that	consequently	Rogero	was	in
	no	danger	from	any	national	hostility	;	and	that
	every	person,	being	engaged	by	the	spell,	on	bis
	own	particular	loss,	had	no	leisure	to	attend	10
	Rogero,	who	therefore	continues	perfectly	safe:
	but	surely	it	is	difficult	to	understand	how	his
	safety	is	more	secured	by	this	device	of	Atlantes.
	6	It	appears	to	me	that	Angelica	was	not	meant
	for	an	amiable	character,	but	is	rather	a	natural
	lively	picture	of,	and	covert	satire	on,	the	coquetry
	and	levity	of	many	of	the	fair	sex;	and	I	believe
	every	reader	will	confess,	through	all	the	course
	of	the	adventures,	or	even	in	any	misfortunes
	which	befall	her,	that	she	ntver	takes	hold	of	the


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XII.
	107
	When,	danger	past,	she	meant	t'	abridge	his	power,
	Or	send	him	back,	repuls'd,	to	Gallia's	shore	:
	But	let	her	raise	Circassia	to	the	skies,
	Again	submissive	at	her	foot	he	lies,
	Should	she	command	;	and	hence	each	reason	weigh'd
	Inclin'd	to	him	the	long	debating	maid	;	190
	Then	sudden	from	her	mouth	the	ring	she	took,
	And,	lo	!	the	mist	king	Sacripant	forsook;
	But	while	she	meant	from	Sacripant	to	draw
	Th'	obscuring	veil,	Orlando	and	Ferrau
	She	near	him	view'd,	who	both	had	long	exp'.or'd
	The	magic	roof	for	her	their	souls	ador'd.
	Around	the	princess	throng'd	th'	impatient	three,
	No	more	deny'd	their	lov'd-one's	charms	to	see.
	Two	warriors	on	their	breast	the	cuirass	wore,
	All	arm'd	in	proof,	their	heads	the	helmet	bore	-,	'200
	Nor	night,	nor	day,	they	cast	aside	their	arms,
	Since	first	they	reach'd	this	seat	of	magic	charms;
	Nor	seem'd,	by	use	inur'd,	their	limbs'	to	feel
	The	weighty	pressure	of	encumbering	steel.
	The	third,	Ferrau,	in	radiant	mail	was	cas'd,
	But	o'er	his	brows	no	temper'd	helmet	lac'd:
	All	helmets	he	renounc'd.	till	that	he	gain'd
	Which	once	Orlando's	valorous	arm	obtain'd
	From	great	Almontes	;	such	the	oath	he	took,
	When	for	Argalia's	casque	he	search'd	the	brook.
	Now	stood	Anglante's	champion	at	his	side,	21	1
	Nor	him	to	battle	yet	Ferrau	defy'd	:
	Foj-	neither	(such	th'	illusions	of	the	place)
	While	there	detain'd,	could	in	his	mind	retrace
	The	leas;	resemblance	of	another's	face.
	Here	night	and	day	the	ponderous	mail	they	wore,
	And	constant	on	their	arm	the	buckler	bore;
	In	stalls	at	hand	their	harness'd	coursers	stood,
	By	plenteous	cribs	surcharg'd	with	generous	food.
	No	longer	could	Atlantes'	baffled	power	220
	Detain	the	champions	captive	in	his	tower	;
	Who,	lightly	leaping	on	their	steeds,	withdrew
	In	haste,	the	rosy	damsel	to	pursue.
	The	black-ey'd	virgin,	bright	with	golden	hair,
	Who	now	to	flight	impell'd	her	gentle	mare	:
	Displeas'd	the	knights	she	view'd,	nor	wish'd	to
	prove
	At	once	three	rival-suitors	for	her	love.
	When	these	so	far	were	led,	she	fear'd	no	more
	Th'	enchanter's	arts	could	work	their	baleful	power;
	The	ring,	in	danger	ever	prov'd	her	shield,	230
	The	fair	between	her	ruby	lips	conceal'd;
	That	done,	she	vanish'd	from	their	longing	sight,
	And	mute	with	wonder	left	each	gazing	knight.
	The	wayward	damsel	who	so	late	design'd
	Orlando	or	king	Sacripant	to	find,
	Now,	sudden	chang'd.	far	other	thoughts	pursu'd,
	And	both	the	chiefs	alike	disdainful	view'd,
	Resplv'd	to	neither's	arm	that	aid	to	owe,
	Which,	in	their	stead,	her	ring	might	well	bestow.
	Meantime	the	lovers,	who	deluded	stood,	240
	On	either	side	amid	the	gloomy	wood,
	Alternate	gaz'd	:	like	hounds	that	lo*e	the	trace
	Of	hare	or	fox,	which	long	they	held	in	chase.
	Herself	invisible,	the	scornful	maid
	Their	baflled	plight	with	secret	smiles	survey'd.
	One	only	path	amid	the	forest	led,
	That	seem'd	to	point	the	way	by	which	she	fled.
	Orlando	and	Ferrau	with	eager	speed
	The	search	pursu'd,	and	Sacripant	his	steed
	heart	like	Bradamant,	Flordelis,	Isabella,	and
	others,	evidently	drawn	by	the	poet	for	models	of
	female	excellence.
	As	swiftly	spurr'd,	while	left	behind,	the	dame	250
	Her	bridle	check'd,	and	softly	pacing	came.
	But,	branching	now	in	tangled	brakes,	was	lost
	The	winding	way,	that	through	the	woodland	crost	:
	With	heedful	eyes	the	champions	sought	around
	What	track	of	horses'	feet	had	mark'd	the	ground	:
	Ferrau,	of	kings	the	proudest	midst	the	proud,
	Thus,	turning	tow'rds	the	two,	exclaim'd	aloud	:
	"	Say	whither	would	ye	go?	your	course	refrain
	Unless	you	breathless	mean	to	press	the	plain.
	Think	not	in	love	a	rival	will	I	view,	260
	Or	let	another	her	I	love	pursue."
	Then	to	Circassia's	king	Orlando	spoke:
	"	Who	dares	our	wrath	unpunish'd	thus	provoke,
	Must	deem	us,	sure,	a	vile	and	abject	pair,
	More	fit	the	distaff	than	the	lance	to	bear.
	Thou	wretch	!"	indignant,	to	Ferrau	he	said,
	"	But	that	I	view	no	helm	defends	thy	head,
	This	arm	should	teach	thee	to	repent	the	wrong,
	And	curse	th'	ungovern'd	license	of	thy	tongue."
	To	whom	the	Pagan	"	Lo	!	I	stand	prepar'd,
	Nor	think	my	head	defenceless	I	regard:	271
	Tho'	here	without	a	helm,	I	trust	full	well
	This	hand	your	force	united	can	repell."
	Then	thus	Orlando	Sacripant	addrcss'd	:
	"	Lend	him	awhile	your	helm	at	my	request,
	Till	with	this	weapon	I	chastise	in	fight
	Th'	unequall'd	folly	of	yon	boasting	knight."	[cry'd;
	"	Great	were	my	weakness	then,"	the	monarch
	"	But	if	thou	seck'st	to	have	his	wants	supply'd,
	Thy	own	bestow	nor	deem	me	less	prepar'd	280
	Than	thou,	to	give	a	fool	li	is	just	reward."
	Ferrau	rejoin'd	"	Insensate	both	!	for	know
	Did	I	a	helmet	seek	to	meet	the	foe,
	Yourselves	had	prov'd	my	prowess	to	your	cost*
	And	each	had	now	his	casque	in	combat	lost.
	Bare-headed	thus,	and	bound	by	solemn	vows,
	Learn,	never	covering	must	surround	my	brows
	But	what	Orlando	wears,	the	glorious	prize
	1	seek	to	gain."	Wilh	smiles	the	earl	replies	:
	"	Wilt	thou	secure,	with	head	defenceless	dare	290
	Assail	the	Paladin	in	equal	war,
	To	win	from	him	such	honour	as	he	won
	In	Aspramont	from	Agolantes'	son	?
	I	rather	deem	his	near	approach	would	make
	From	head	to	foot	thy	frame	with	terrour	shake;
	Make	thee	the	helmet's	boasted	claim	forgo,
	To	yield	thyself	and	weapons	to	the	foe."
	To	whom	the	Spanish	boaster	thus	reply'd	:
	"	Full	oft	this	arm	Orlando's	force	has	try'd	;
	When	I	at	pleasure,	not	his	helm	alone,	300
	But	all	his	armour	might	have	made	my	own;
	Then	little	priz'd,	though	now	I	seek	to	gain
	The	temper'd	helm,	and	trust	shall	soon	obtain."
	His	patience	lost,	enrag'd	Orlando	cries:
	"	Thou	infidel	!	artificer	of	lies	!
	When	was	the	time,	and	where	the	fatal	ground
	On	which	thy	arms	o'er	mine	th'	advantage	found	*
	Beheld	that	champion,	little	thought	so	near,
	Behold	in	me	the	Paladin	is	here	!
	Prove	if	thy	force	can	make	this	helmet	thine,	310
	Or	this	right	hand	thy	shield	and	armour	mine;
	Nor	seek	I	any	vantage?."	Thus	he	said,
	And	swift	the	casque	unlacing	from	his	head,
	7	Both	the	poet	and	Orlando,	and	likewise	Fer
	rau	before,	ver.	271,	seem	to	have	forgot	the	*
	chantment,	by	which	each	knight	was	incapable	ot'
	being	wounded.	But	one	general	observation	will
	serve	for	all	these	circumstances,	whenever	they
	occur;	they	are	such	slips	as	will	be	found	in	every


'138
	On	virtuous	beauty,	let	him	cease	to	mourn,
	Nor	deem	bis	state	of	every	hope	forlorn	:
	But	let	him	weep,	him	wretched	must	we	call,
	Whom	lovely	locks	and	sparkling	eyes	enthrall,
	'Where	beauty	serves	but	as	a	treacherous	blind
	To	hide	each	vice	that	taints	the	female	mind.
	He	seeks	to	fly,	but,	like	a	wounded	hart,
	Where'er	he	goes,	he	bears	the	fatal	dart	;
	He	'blushes	for	himself,	he	feels	his	shame,
	He	knows	no	cure,	nor	dares	avow	his	flame,	20
	Such	was	unhappy	Gryphon's	state,	who	views
	His	fault	too	well,	and	stiH	that	fault	pursues,
	He	sees	how	ill	his	doting	thoughts	are	plac'd
	On	Origilla,	faithless	and	unchaste;
	Yet	reason	to	controlling	love	gives	way,
	And	passion	over	will	usurps	the	sway.
	Her	baseness,	her	ingratitude	he	knows,
	And	still	pursues	her	steps	where'er	she	goes.
	Now	to	resume	the	pleasing	tale	:	Unknown
	To	all,	he	issu'd	from	the	walls	alone	:	30
	Nor	to	his	brother	durst	his	purpose	move,
	Whose	better	wisdom	oft	had	check'd	his	love.
	But	turning	to	the	left,	without	delay,
	'^"o	distant	Rome	he	takes	the	ready	way.
	Six	days	elaps'd,	Damascus	strikes	his	eyes,
	And	thence	his	course	to	Antioch's	city	lies	:
	When	near	Damascus'	walls	the	knight	he	met
	On	whom	his	faithless	dame	'	had	newly	set
	Her	changeful	heart,	and	well	the	pair	agreed
	As	with	the	fetid	flower	the	noisome	weed.	40
	Both	fickle,	base,	and	vers'd	in	every	wile,
	With	courteous	show	concealing	mutual	guile.
	Thus,	as	I	said,	the	base	deceiver	rode,
	And,	arm'd	in	pomp,	a	stately	steed	bestrode,
	With	Origilla,	richly	to	behold
	Array'd	in	azure	garments	fring'd	with	gold.
	Two	squires	beside	him	pac'd	along	the	field,
	Who	bore	by	turns	his	helmet	and	his	shield.
	For	now	he	sought,	with	every	splendour	shown,
	To'	attend	a	tilting	in	Damascus'	town.	50
	It	chanc'd	the	Syrian	monarch	then	declar'd.
	By	trumpet's	sound,	a	sumptuous	feast	prepar'd	;
	Hence,	from	afar	(as	candidates	for	fame)
	Adorn'd	with	every	cost	the	warriors	came.
	Soon	as	the	dame	beheld	her	injur'd	knight,
	Brave	Gryphon	near,	she	trembled	with	affright
	She	knew	her	lover's	force	too	weak	to	wield
	His	arms	against	him	in	an	equal	field.
	But	vers'd	in	fraud,	each	feature	soon	she	clears,
	No	voice,	no	gesture	tells	her	inward	fears:	60
	Now	with	her	partner	she	concerts	the	guile,
	Then	hastes	to	Gryphon	with	a	treacherous	smile:
	In	well-dissembled	joy	her	arms	she	throws
	Around	his	neck,	and	to	his	bosom	grows	:
	With	honied	words,	with	every	soothing	art
	Of	dalliance	fond	she	melts	his	easy	heart.
	Then	weeping	thus	"	Is	this,	my	long-lost	lord,
	Is	this,	alas	!	my	constant	love's	reward	?
	Twelve	tedious	months	neglected	and	alone.
	Gryphon	nor	hears	my	sighs,	nor	heeds	my
	moan	;	70
	And	had	I	stay'd	his	wish'd	return	to	see,
	That	day	perchance	had	ne'er	been	seen	by	me	!
	When	with	impatience	from	Nicosia's	court,
	1	This	intrigue	of	Origilla	rs	not	mentioned	by
	Boyardo,	but	appears	to	be	an	incident	naturally
	grafted	on	her	story	by	Ariosto,	and	suitable	to	her
	character	in	the	Orlando	lunamorato.
	(Where	many	a	knight	and	damsel	made	resort)
	1	hop'd	thy	swift	return	to	me	bereft
	Of	every	joy,	by	thee	unkindly	left;
	When	the	fell	fever	prcy'd	upon	my	life,
	And	death	stood	threatening	in	the	dubious	strife	;
	I	heard	my	Gryphon	(all	his	vows	forgot)
	Had	Syria	reach'd	How	cruel	then	my	lot	!	80
	Hopeless	to	follow	desperate	thoughts	suggest
	With	my	own	hand	to	pierce	my	wretched	breast.
	But	favouring	Fortune's	better	care	supply'd
	That	succour,	which	thy	cold	neglect	deny'd	:
	She,	in	my	brother,	sent	a	ralu'd	friend
	From	all	mischance	my	honour	to	defend	;
	And	now,	a	bliss	above	each	blessing	dear,
	Gives	me	to	meet	my	lord,	my	Gryphon	here	!
	Sure	but	for	this	my	soul	had	wing'd	her	flight
	In	fond	impatience	for	thy	mnch-lov'd	sight	!"	9O
	So	spoke	the	damsel	fraudulent	of	mind,
	Mistress	of	art	and	basest	of	her	kind	;
	So	well	she	knew	her	feign'd	complaints	to	frame,
	That	all	to	Gryphon	she	transferr'd	the	blame	;
	And	made	him	with	such	eyes	her	minion	view,
	As	if	their	birth	they	from	one	parent	drew	;
	And	with	such	specious	tales	beguil'd	the	youth,
	Not	John	nor	Luke	bore	clearer	marks	of	truth.
	Thus	she,	as	foul	in	heart	as	fair	in	look,
	Disarm'd	brave	Gryphon	of	prepar'd	rebuke:	100:
	Enough,	that	from	himself	he	can	remove
	The	heavy	charge	of	her	neglected	love.
	Th'	impostor	greeting	now,	with	him	he	steer'd
	His	friendly	way,	and	as	they	journey'd,	heard
	That	Syria's	wealthy	king	proclaim'd	a	court,
	For	splendid	show,	where	knights	of	every	sort,
	Of	Christian	faith,	or	bred	in	Pagan	laws,
	Whom	rumour	to	the	festive	meeting	draws,
	Without	the	walls,	or	in	the	town	secure,
	Remain,	unquestion'd,	while	the	jousts	endure.	110.
	Yet	think	me	not	so	eager	still	to	dwell
	On	Origilla	4	,	and	her	story	tell,
	(Whose	life	each	lover,	that	her	smiles	believ'd,
	A	thousand	times	with	female	guile	deceiv'd,)
	That	here	my	Muse	forgets	again	to	tarn
	Where	warring	squadrons	throng'd	on	squadron*
	burn
	With	martial	fury,	while	in	arms	they	make
	Proud	Paris	tremble,	and	her	bulwarks	shake.
	I	left	where	Agramant	assail'd	a	gate
	He	vainly	deem'd	in	weak	defenceless	state,	120.
	But	not	a	part	more	strongly	could	oppose,
	With	chosen	troops,	th'	incursion	of	the	foes.
	There	Charles	himself,	with	leaders	well	prepar'd,
	There	Otho	and	Avolio	kept	the	guard	:
	Two	Guidos,	either	Angel	ino	there,
	Avino,	Angelero,	Berlinger.
	Each	Pagan	warrior	to	new	fame	aspires,
	Nor	less	each	Christian	glows	with	generous	fires:
	All	anxious	in	their	sovereign's	sight	to	gain
	The	meed	and	praise	which	loyal	deeds	obtain.	130
	Nor	yet	the	Moors	with	hardy	feats	of	arms
	Efface	the	stain	of	late	inflicted	harms;
	While	countlc.-s	numbers,	slaughterd	by	the	foe,
	A	dire	example	to	the	living	show.
	Thick	from	the	walls,	like	hail,	the	arrows	pour,
	And	whelm	th'	assailants	with	an	iron	shower.
	From	either	host	in	deafening	clamour	rise
	Tumultuous	shouts,	and	mingle	in	the	skies.
	The	story	of	Origilla	and	Gryphon	is	continued,
	Book	xvii.	ver.	118.


142
	Thusl	ow	on	earth	each	hapless	Pagan	laid,
	Was	captive	to	the	English	camp	convey'd	}
	And	Baricondo	in	the	fatal	strife,
	To	noble	Clarence	yields	his	forfeit	life.
	Such	terrours	now	each	Pagan	foe	oppress'd,
	Such	courage	swell'd	in	every	Christian	breast,
	That	those	no	longer	wield	their	arms	in	fight,
	But	quit	their	ranks	and	turn	their	backs	to	flight:
	While	these	advancing	as	their	foes	withdrew,
	Press'd	on	their	rear	and	unresistcd	flew:	510
	And	had	not	succour	reach'd	the	fainting	host,.
	That	day	had	quell'd	each	Pagan's	haughty	boast.
	Ferrau,	who	distant	thence	till	now	engag'd,
	On	king	Marsilius'	side	the	battle	wag'd,
	Soon	as	the	flying	standards	he	beheld,
	The	slaugbter'd	troops	and	half	his	army	quell'd,
	His	foaming	courser	spurr'd,	and	instant	flew
	Amidst	the	thickest	of	the	warring	crew	;
	Where	first	he	saw	fall	headlong	to	the	plain,
	Cleft	through	the	head-piece,	young	Olympic
	slain	10	:
	Once	was	he	skill'd	in	sweetest	lays	to	sing	521
	Soft	notes	responsive	to	the	tuneful	string	;
	And	boasted	with	his	harp	and	voice	to	move
	The	sternest	breast	to	blandishment	and	love.
	Well	if	contented	with	his	humbler	fame,
	He	ne'er	had	sought	the	warrior's	dangerous	name,
	But	loath'd	the	buckler,	quiver,	shield	and	lance,
	That	wrought	his	downfall	in	the	fields	of	France.
	When	now	Ferrau,	who	priz'd	him	dear,	beheld
	The	stripling	pale,	and	bleeding	on	the	field,	530
	For	this	his	ruthless	bosom	sorrowed	more
	Than	all	the	thousands	that	were	slain	before.
	Against	the	victor	swift	his	rage	he	bent,
	Sheer	through	his	casque	the	steel	resistless	went,
	Sever'd	between	the	brows	his	gasping	head,
	Cleft	to	the	breast,	and	hurl'd	him	with	the	dead.
	Nor	thus	appeas'd,	he	whirl'd	around	his	blade,
	Through	helm	and	mail	its	edge	a	passage	made.
	Through	face,or	breast	the	speeding	steel	he	thrust	:
	There	drops	an	arm	;	here	rolls	a	head	in	dust.	540
	Where	late	th'	ignoble	vulgar,	fill'd	with	dread,
	t)ispers'd	and	broken	from	the	battle	fled	;
	Now	here,	now	there	he	hew'd	his	bloody	way,
	And	sudden	chang'd	the	foilune	of	the	day.
	Meanwhile	king	Agramant	advancing,	came
	To	prove	his	valour	in	the	field	of	fame;
	He	Bali	verso,	Ferrarantes	brought	;
	With	him	king	Prusio,	Bambirago	fought,
	And	Soridano	with	a	throng,	whose	blood
	Might	drench	the	meadows	in	an	ample	flood.	550
	Their	number	such	'twere	easier	to	explore
	Th'	autumnal	leaves	that	strow	the	valleys	o'er.
	Now	Agramant	collects	a	chosen	force
	(Drawn	from	the	walls)	of	mingled	foot	and	horse	j
	These,	guided	by	the	king	of	Fez,	he	sent
	To	guard	his	camp	that	stretch'd	in	wide	extent,
	On	which	th'	Hibernian	chiefs	their	forces	bent.
	This	task	perform'd,	the	monarch	summons	all
	The	remnant	powers	;	they	thicken	at	his	call.
	10	There	is	a	great	resemblance	between	the
	following	passage	describing	the	death	of	Olympic
	and	the	behaviour	of	Ferrau	upon	the	occasion,
	with	that	of	Tasso,	in	the	ninth	book	of	the	Jeru
	salem,	where	Solyman	sees	his	favourite	page
	killed	by	Argellino.	The	circumstances	are	beauti
	ful	in	each	poet,	nor	can	Tasso	be	accused	of
	taking	much	more	than	the	hint	from	Ariosto.
	These	to	the	charge	with	rapid	haste	he	leads,	56(1
	Where	near	the	stream	the	light	his	presence	needs	:
	And	whence	a	message	in	Sobrjno's	name,
	But	late	arriv'd,	his	sudden	aid	to	claim.
	Beneath	him	rang'd,	a	vast	innuinerous	throng
	(His	army's	better	half)	now	pours	along	:
	So	loud	their	march,	the	Scots	suspended	hear,
	They	leave	their	ranks	and	stain	their	fame	with
	fear.
	Alone	Zerbino	and	Lutcanio	stay,
	With	Ariodantes,	in	the	dreadful	day.
	Zerbino	still	unhors'd	perchance	had	died,	5fO
	But	that	Rinaldo	timely	aid	supply'd.
	The	glorious	Paladin	had	driven	in	flight
	A	hundred	banners	from	the	fatal	fight,
	When	to	his	ear	dispers'd	by	ready	fame,
	The	tidings	of	Zerbino's	danger	came,
	Whom	single	and	on	foot	to	death	expos'd,
	His	troops	had	left	by	shouting	Moors	enclos'd.
	He	heard,	and	turn'd	his	steed	with	ire,
	Where	from	the	field	he	saw	the	Scots	retire.
	And	thus	aloud	"	Ah	!	whither	would	ye	haste	?
	What	shameful	panic	has	your	arms	disgrac'd	?
	Shall	this	vile	race	your	ancient	honours	scorn	?
	Behold	the	spoils	that	should	your	fanes	adorn	!
	Great	is	your	praise,	from	circling	foes	to	run,
	And	leave	unhors'd,	alone,	your	monarch's	sonj"
	Then	from	his	squire	a	mighty	spear	he	took,
	And	Prusio	king	of	Alvarecchia	struck,
	Who	met	the	weapon	on	his	breast,	and	left
	His	lofty	steed,	of	seat	and	life	bereft	:
	He	Agricaltes	slew,	and,	hurl'd	to	ground,	590
	Stretch'd	Bambirago	with	a	mortal	wound	:
	Brave	Soridano	next	his	spear	had	slain,
	But	with	the	stroke	the	weapon	burst	in	twain.
	His	javelin	broke,	Fusberta	next	he	drew,
	And	rushing	fierce	on	Serpentine	flew,
	Who	on	his	shield	a	star	conspicuous	bore,
	And	armour,	forg'd	by	fatal	magic,	wore	:
	Yet	fell	the	sword	with	such	resistless	sway,
	That	stunn'd	and	breathless	on	the	plain	he	lay.
	When	the	brave	chief	of	Caledonia's	band	600
	Beheld	the	wish'd	relief,	his	ready	hand
	A	courser	seiz'd	from	those	that	o'er	the	plains
	Freed	from	their	riders	ran	with	loosen'd	reins.
	In	happy	time	the	vacant	seat	he	gain'd,
	For	lo	!	with	many	a	gallant	troop	sustain'd,
	Young	Dardinel	and	Agramant	appear,
	The	king	Sobrino	and	Balastro	near.
	But	fearless,	from	his	courser	he	survey'd
	The	thickening	crowd,	and,	whirling	round	his
	blade,
	Now	this,	now	that	dispatch'd	to	shades	of	Hell,	610
	The	lives,	which	mortals	led	on	Earth,	to	tell.
	Rinaldo,	who,	with	generous	ardour	fir'd,
	To	vanquish	those	of	highest	name	aspir'd,
	On	Agramant,	who	towerM	in	arms	above
	A	thousand	chiefs,	Bayardo	swift	he	drove
	With	sidelongshock,	and	sept,	with	thundering	force,
	To	earth	at	once	the	horseman	and	the	horse.
	While	thus	without	the	walls	the	hosts	engag'd,
	Where	mutual	hatred,	death	and	horrour	rag'd,
	In	Paris	Rodomont	the	people	slew.	620
	And	fire	amidst	the	domes	and	temples	threw.
	Imperial	Charles,	who	thence	at	distance	fought,
	Nor	saw	nor	heard	what	woes	the	Pagan	wrought;
	And	now	intent	auxiliary	force	to	gain,
	Receiv'd	within	the	gates	the	British	train,
	By	Arirnon	and	gallant	Ivlward	led:
	When	lo	!	a	squire,	his	visage	pale	with	dread,


150
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	Seleucia's	lord,	who	still	his	place	maintain'd,
	The	bravest	champion	of	the	eight	remain'd	;
	Nor	only	brave	:	a	steed	the	warrior	bore
	Of	generous	race,	and	arms	of	proof	lie	wore.
	Now	rushing	furious	each	his	spear	oppos'd
	To	where	against	the	*ight	the	vizor	clos'd:
	But	Gryphon	with	such	force	the	Pagan	shook,
	His	left	foot	straight	the	stirrup's	hold	forsook.
	Their	broken	lances	now	aside	they	threw,
	And	wheeling	round	their	beaming	falchions	drew.
	From	Gryphon	first	a	stroke	the	Pagan	feels	721
	That	from	his	thundering	arm	the	Christian	deals;
	Sheer	through	the	shield's	tough	plate	and	bone	it
	goes,
	Which	from	a	thousand	shields	the	warrior	chose	:
	His	thigh	had	next	receiv'd	the	biting	blade,
	But	double	folds	of	steel	the	fury	stay'd.
	Seleucia's	lord	at	Gryphon's	vizor	drove
	The	weapon's	edge,	which	falling	from	above
	Had	piere'd	through	all,	but	that	the	warrior's	arms
	By	potent	spell	secur'd	each	limb	from	harms	;	730
	While	happier	Gryphon,	at	each	furious	stroke
	Cleft	the	tough	mail	and	jointed	armour	broke.
	All	present	now	Seleucia's	lord	beheld
	By	nob!e	Gryphon	in	the	field	excell'd	j
	And	had	not	Norandino	itay'd	the	fight,
	That	day	had	sunk	him	to	eternal	night	!
	But	to	his	guards	the	king	a	signal	made
	To	part	the	combatants	:	the	guards	obey'd	:
	All	view'd	with	joy	the	dreadful	conflict	cease,
	And	prals'd	their	gracious	king	who	gave	the	peace.
	Those	gallant	eight,	who	chalieng'd	all	the	list,	741
	Too	weak	a	single	warrior	to	resist,
	Were	vanquish'd	one	by	one	;	the	rest	who	came
	To	meet	their	challenge	found	their	hope	of	fame
	In	Gryphon	lost,	who	thus	unmatch'd	had	run,
	And	from	the	eight	an	easy	conquest	won.
	Behold	in	one	short	hour	the	tilting	ceas'd	!
	But	Norandino,	to	prolong	the	fea^t
	Till	close	of	day,	descends	and	gives	command
	To	clear	the	square,	then	of	the	knightly	band	750
	Two	troops	he	forms,	where	each	by	birth	or	deed
	He	mates	in	pairs,	and	bids	the	jousts	proceed.
	Meantime	brave	Gryphon	to	his	home	returns	"S,
	\Vhile	indignation	in	his	bosom	burns,
	Still	more	deprest	with	vile	Mariano's	shame
	Than	joyful	at	his	own	well-purchas'd	fame.
	Martano	every	art	industrious	tries
	His	shame	to	palliate	with	unmanly	lies	;
	While	the	foul	partner	of	his	guilt	and	wile
	Each	falsehood	seconds,	adding	guile	to	guile.	7fiO
	Howe'er	the	youthful	knight	their	tales	be	liev'd,
	He	heard	in	silence	and	th*	excuse	receiv'd,
	But	deem'd	it	best	to	part	in	secret	thence,
	Lest,	seen	again,	Martano	should	incense
	The	people's	rage.	'I	hus	by	a	private	way	[lay.
	They	reach'd	the	gate	through	which	their	journey
	Then,	whether	Gryphon's	courser	needed	rc^t,
	Or	heavy	toil	the	champion's	eyes	opprcss'd,
	The	nearest	dwelling	for	repose	he	sought,
	Two	miles	the	warrior	to	a	dwelling	brought:	770
	His	helm	he	loos'd,	his	limbs	from	armour	freed,
	Aud	from	the	reins	and	bit	releas'd	his	steed	;
	Then,	in	a	room	retir'd,	the	door	he	clos'd,
	And	on	the	couch	in	slumber	deep	repos'd.
	?	s	The	poet	must	mean	where	he	was	first	enter
	tained	at	iiis	arrival,	though	the	passage	seuns
	Now	Origilla	and	Martano,	bent
	On	foulest	treason,	to	the	garden	went,
	And	there	the	most	Tinheard-of	scheme	design'd
	That	craft	e'er	whisper'd	to	the	basest	mind.
	Martano	means	to	seize	the	arms	and	ve.	t
	By	Gryphon	worn,	the	steed	which	late	he	press'd,
	And	thus	before	the	king	in	borrow	:	d	spoils,	781
	Usurp	the	honour	of	another's	toils.
	Soon	as	resolv'd,	he	takes	the	warrior's	weed,
	The	dazzling	armour	and	the	milk-white	steed:
	He	grasps	his	buckler,	and	his	crest	he	rears,
	And	a	new	Gryphon	to	the	sight	appears.
	Then	with	the	dame	and	squires	he	turn'd	to	where'
	The	busy	throng	still	fill'd	the	public	square,
	And	came	what	time	the	martial	rivals	ceas'd
	To	wield	the	sword	and	place	the	lance	in	rest	790
	The	monarch	gives	command	to	seek	the	knight
	Whose	lofty	crest	was	deck'd	with	plnmage	white;
	His	courser	white,	and	white	the	vest	he	wore,
	Though	yet	unknown	the	name	the	warrior	bore.
	He,	who	from	looks	assum'd,	deriv'd	his	pride
	Like	the	vile	ass	beneath	the	lion's	bide,
	The	summons	heard,	and	with	unblushing	face
	To	Norandino	went	in	Gryphon's	place.
	Soon	as	the	king	the	seeming	knight	espy'd,
	He	rose,	embrac'd,	and	plac'd	him	at	his	side,	808
	Nor	deem'd	enough,	himself	Mich	praise	to	yield,
	But	will'd	his	worth	to	blazon	o'er	the	field;
	He	bids	the	heralds	to	the	lists	around
	Him	glorious	victor	of	the	day	resound.
	With	trumpets'	sprightly	notes,	in	loud	acclaim
	Wide	spreads	from	tongue	to	tongue	bis	worthless
	name	;
	And	when	the	monarch	to	his	palace	rode,
	He	kept	him	near,	and	every	honour	show'd,
	Such	honours,	as	transcending	mortal	praise,
	The	deeds	of	Mars	or	Hercules	might	raise.	819
	He	gave	him	fair	and	stately	rooms	prepar'd
	Within	the	court,	where	Origilla	shar'd
	An	equal	grace,	on	whom	in	royal	state
	A	train	of	noble	knights	and	damsels	wait.
	But	let	us	now	to	Gryphon	change	the	style,
	Who,	little	conscious	of	his	comrade's	guile,
	Still	unsuspecting	lock'd	in	slumber	lay,
	Nor	wak'd	till	low	declin'd	the	light	of	day.
	His	sleep	dispell'd,	and	blushing	thus	to	waste
	The	fleeting	hours,	he	quits	his	bed	in	haste,	82*
	And	seeks	^as	yet	unknowing	of	his	shame)
	The	lying	kinsman	and	deceitful	dame
	Whom	late	he	left	with	all	th'	attendant	train	:
	When	these	he	finds	no	more,	and	seeks	in	vain
	His	arms	and	vesture,	new	suspicions	rise,
	Increasing	when	his	comrade's	arms	he	spies.
	The	host	stept	forth,	and	all	the	truth	display'd,
	That	he,	whom	now	he	sought,	erewhile	array'd
	In	armour	white,	had	with	the	dame	and	train
	Of	followers,	to	the	list	return'd	again.	830
	By	slow	degrees	to	Gryphon	now	reveal'd,
	That	truth	appear'd	which	love	had	long	con-
	ceal'd	;
	Soon	to	his	grief	he	found	a	brother's	name
	Hut	veil'd	the	partner	of	her	lawless	flame	:
	He	now	repents	that	e'er	his	mind	was	wrought
	To	slight	the	tidings	by	the	pilgrim	brought,
	And	lend	an	ear	to	her	whose	tears	or	smiles
	Had	oft	betray'd	him	in	her	treacherous	wiles.
	What	should	he	do	?	Impell'd	by	present	need,
	He	takes	the	base	Martano's	arms	and	steed,	840
	But	better	had	he	gone	unarm'd	than	wear
	The	cuirass	sucb	a	breast	was	wont	to	bear;


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XVIII.
	157
	Sojne	thus	exclaim	"	How	well	the	pair	agree	!
	Not	he	more	treacherous	than	deceitful	she	!"
	With	railing	these,	with	curses	those	pursue
	Their	hateful	way	;	while,	eager	for	a	view,
	Through	streets	and	squares	th'	impatient	vulgar
	throng.
	Press	on	each	other's	steps	and	pour	along.
	With	joy	the	king	these	tidings	entertaiu'd,	600
	With	greater	joy	than	for	a	kingdom	gain'd	;
	And	wi;h	his	few	attendants	eairer	press'd
	To	meet	brave	Aquilant,	his	welcome	guest,
	And	pay	such	honours	as	to	him	belong'	d
	Whose	valour	had	aveng'd	'his	Gryphon	wrong'd.
	Now	Norandino	with	the	knight's	consent,
	Within	a	gloomv	cell	his	captives	pent.
	But	Aquilant	he	led,	where	(since	the	day
	He	hied	in	combat)	wounded	Gryphon	lay	;
	Who,	when	he	yiew'd	his	brother,	glow'd	with	shame
	As	conscious	that	he	knew	his	sully'd	fame,	611
	With	all	that	chanc'd	:	when	Aquilant	awhile
	His	love	had	rallv'd	with	a	friendly	smile	;
	They	held	debate	what	penance	to	impose
	On	them	from	whom	such	foul	deceit	arose.
	Severe	the	king	and	Aquilant	decreed
	Their	pains;	but	Gryphon	wish'd	for	her	to	plead	:
	Yet,	since	he	blijsh'd	to	urge	her	cause	alone,
	He	begg'd	his	pleading	might	for	both	atone.
	At	length	't	was	doom'd	(to	end	the	friendly	strife)
	To	scourge	Marfano,	but	to	spare	his	life.	621
	Next	day	they	gave	him	to	the	hangman's	hands.
	Who	bound	his	limbs,	but	not	in	flowery	bands	'3,
	Then	on	the	culprit	many	a	lash	bestow'd,
	From	street	to	street,	amidst	the	gaping	crowd.
	But	Origilla	still	they	kept	to	mourn
	In	bonds	till	fair	Lucina	should	return,
	Whose	sage	decree	(for	so	these	lords	ordain)
	Her	doom	must	lighten	to	enforce	her	pain.
	Here	Aquilant	remain'd,	till	Gryphon	heal'd	630
	Of	every	wound	his	arms	again	could	wield.
	From	errours	past	the	king	more	prudent	grown,
	Believes	he	never	can	enough	atone
	For	such	misdeed,	by	which	he	brought	to	shame
	A	knight	whose	worth	might	every	tribute	claim.
	Each	day,	each	hour,	he	bent	his	care	to	chase
	From	Gryphon's	mind	the	thoughts	of	late	disgrace
	And	soon	he	purpos'd	in	the	public	view,
	With	every	honour	to	his	merits	due,
	To	give	him	to	redeem	his	ravish'd	spoils,	640
	Where	once	he	suffer'd	by	his	comrade's	wiles.
	Now	through	the	realms	the	regal	mandate	pass'd
	To	form	a	joust	more	splendid	than	the	last	;
	Within	a	month	he	bade	the	lists	prepare
	In	all	the	pomp	that	fits	a	monarch's	care.
	Soon	ready	Fame	her	rapid	wings	expands,
	And	spreads	the	tidings	through	the	Syrian	lands
	Phoenicia,	Palestine,	the	rumour	hear,
	Which	reach'd	at	length	to	good	Astolpho's	ear	;
	Who,	with	the	noble	regent	'4,	now	inc'in'd	65'
	To	see	the	lists	by	Syria's	prince	design'd.
	Great	was	the	praise	of	Sansonetto's	name,
	Great	was	his	strength	in	arms	and	knightly	fame
	Whom,	made	a	Christian	by	Orlando's	hand,
	Charles	gave	in	charge	to	rule	the	Holy	Land.
	*3	This	may	possibly	allude	to	the	verses	of	Pe
	trarch,	where,	speaking	of	Julius	Ca?sar,	he	says
	that	Cleopatra	bound	him	with	flowery	wreath
	Fornar
	*	Sansonetto.
	These	valiant	sons	of	chivalry,	to	meet
	he	knights	at	Norandino's	regal	seat,
	rom	town	to	town	pursu'd	their	easy	way
	'o	reach	the	tilting	on	th'	appointed	day
	With	vigour	unimpair'd,	and	chanc'd	to	light	660
	Where	two	paths	join'd)	on	one	who	seem'd	a
	knight:
	Jut	one,	whose	outward	vest	and	looks	conceal'd
	A	virgin	glorious	in	the	martial	field.
	Marphisa	'5	was	her	name,	of	generous	strain,
	iVho	oft	was	known	the	combat	to	maintain
	With	Brava's	mighty	lord	'	6	,	and	oft	had	clos'd
	With	Mount	Albano's	'7,	sword	to	sword	oppos'd.
	i?y	day,	by	night,	in	shining	arms	array'd,
	Through	woods	and	dales,	o'er	hills	and	plains	sh
	stray'd
	encounter	wandering	knights,	and	nobly	raise
	Victorious	trophies	of	immortal	praise.	671
	As	Sansonetto	and	Astolpho	came
	n	plate	and	mail	before	the	fearless	dame,
	She	deem'd	them	warriors	well	in	battle	known,
	?or	both	were	large	of	limb	and	strong	of	bone.
	Then	eager	in	the	field	their	force	to	try,
	She	wheel	'd	her	steed	the	strangsrs	to	defy,
	But	to	her	mind	recall'd,	as	near	she	drew,
	['he	Paladin	whom	in	Cathay	she	knew	18	,
	Where	oft	she	mark'd,	in	council	and	in	fight,	680
	The	gallant	bearing	of	the	English	knight.
	This	seen,	the	gauntlet	from	her	hand	she	took,
	Call'd	him	by	name,	and	with	a	gracious	look
	Her	beaver	rais'd,	nor,	though	the	first	in	pride,
	To	meet	the	duke	with	fair	salute	deny'd;
	While	the	brave	Paladin	as	gladly	paid
	His	cordial	greeting	to	the	wondrous	maid.
	Now	each	began	t'	inquire	the	other's	way;
	Astolpho	first	reply'd	his	journey	lay
	To	reach	Damascus,	where	the	Syrian	king	690
	Sought	in	his	lists	from	various	climes	to	bring
	The	bravest	knights.	"	Permit,"	Marphisa	cried
	'	My	arms	with	yours	the	glory	to	divide."
	She	said,	and	gladly	to	her	wish	they	yield,
	O'erjoy'd	at	such	a	partner	in	the	field.
	At	length	the	day	befare	the	festive	rite,
	They	see	Damascus	rising	to	their	sight,
	And	here,	without	the	walls,	awhile	they	stay
	Till	fair	Aurora	with	her	early	ray
	Shall	gild	the	morn	;	but	when	with	ruddy	blaze
	The	Sun	began	to	shed	his	orient	rays,	701
	The	dame	and	knights	their	limbs	in	armour	cas'd,
	And	to	the	lists	an	envoy	sent	in	haste,
	To	give	the	signal	when	the	jousts	began,
	When	spear	with	spear,	and	man	engag'd	with
	man,
	Now	to	the	place	king	Norandino	came,
	The	place	he	destin'd	for	the	dangerous	game;
	"5	The	character	is	continued	from	the	Orlando
	Innamorato,	where	she	makes	a	principal	figure.
	Boyardo	tells	us	that	Galaphron,	the	father	of
	Angelica,	brought	with	him	a	numerous	force	to
	raise	the	siege	of	Albracca,	among	which	was
	Marphisa,	a	female	warrior	of	dauntless	courage,
	and	who	had	made	a	vow	never	to	disarm	herself
	till	she	had	taken	three	kings	prisoners	in	battle,
	Gradasso,	Agrican,	and	Charlemain.
	See	Orl.	Innam.	b.	i.	c.	xvL
	16	Orlando.	1?	Rinaldo.
	18	Alluding	to	Boyardo's	action.


15R
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	While	the	brave	virgin	>9,	and	the	knightly	pair	20
	Press	through	the	city	to	the	crowded	square,
	Where,	waiting	for	the	sign,	on	either	hand	71
	The	knights	of	noble	strain	impatient	stand.
	The	prizes	doom'd	that	day	for	those	who	won,
	A	glittering	poll-ax,	and	a	sword	that	shone
	With	costly	gems	;	with	these	the	king	bestow'd
	A	steed,	whose	make	and	stately	trappings	show'd
	A	royal	gift	The	king	who	surely	held
	That	be,	who	first	had	all	opponents	quell'd,
	Would	win	the	second	jousts,	and	bear	away
	The	meed	and	praise	of	each	victorious	day,
	To	give	him	all	that	honour	could	demand,	72
	Those	arms,	which	late	by	fraud	Martano	gain'd,
	Aloft	he	hung;	the	sword	of	temper	try'd
	To	these	he	join'd	;	and	at	the	courser's	side
	The	poll-ax	plac'd,	all	destin'd	to	requite
	Brave	Gryphon,	from	his	garb	surnamM	the	white
	But	she,	who	lately	to	the	list	of	fame,
	With	Sansonetto	and	Astolpho	came,
	Soon	chang'd	the	scene	for	when	before	her	view
	These	arms	appear'd,	full	well	the	arms	she	knew
	Which,	once	her	own,	the	virgin	treasur'd	high,
	Their	value	such,	no	vulgar	price	could	buy.	73:
	These	once	impatient	from	her	limbs	she	drew
	And	cast	aside	01	,	impetuous	to	pursue
	Brunello,	vers'd	in	every	art	of	theft,
	Who	from	her	side	the	trusty	sword	had	reft.
	Nor	need	I	longer	on	the	story	dwell,
	Suffice	how	here	she	found	her	arms	to	tell.
	Now	when	the	maid,	by	certain	tokens	known,
	Again	in	these	with	joy	confess'd	her	own,
	So	dearly	priz'd	no	more	in	doubt	she	stay'd,	740
	But,	swift	advancing,	on	the	cuirass	laid
	That	hand,	which	ne'er	was	wont	in	field	to	fail,
	And	here	she	seiz'd,	and	there	she	strow'd	the	mail
	With	headlong	haste.	The	king	inccns'd	beheld,
	And	with	a	look	his	ready	train	impell'd
	T	avenge	the	deed	:	at	once	the	train	obey'd	:
	The	spear	they	rested	and	unsheath'd	the	blade,
	Mindless	of	what	they	found	so	late	requite
	Their	insult	offer'd	to	a	wandering	knight.
	Not	more,	when	Spring	unlocks	his	genial	stores
	The	playful	child	delights	in	gaudy	flowers	:	751
	Not	more	the	blooming	maid,	with	vestments	gay,
	In	the	swift	dance	or	music's	spritely	lay	;
	Than	she,	whose	valour	every	thought	exceeds,
	Joys	in	the	clang	of	arms	and	neigh	of	steeds;
	The	rattling	quiver,	and	the	crashing	spear,
	Where	streaming	blood	and	ghastly	death	appear.
	Her	courier	spurr'd	against	the	thoughtless	crew,
	Her	lance	in	rest	with	headlong	speed	she	flew	;
	Some	through	the	neck,	some	through	the	breast
	she	thrust,	760
	Some	with	a	shock	she	tumbled	on	the	dust.
	Then,	with	drawn	sword,	her	furious	strokes	ad-
	dress'd,
	She	lopp'd	the	head	or	broke-	the	brittle	crest	;
	There	pierc'd	the	side,	and	here	the	skull	she	cleft,
	The	right	arm	now	she	cropt,	and	now	the	left.
	*9	Marphisa.	*	Sansonetto,	and	Astolpho.
	91	This	story	is	told	by	Boyardo,	who	says	that
	she	pursued	Brnnello	fifteen	days,	that	on	the
	sixth	day	her	horse	falling	dead	through	weariness,
	she	continued	the	pursuit	on	foot,	till	BruneJlo
	getting	to	the	sea-side	made	his	escape	in	a	vessel,
	and	arrived	safe	at	Biserta	with	the	spoils	he	had
	made.	Orl,	Innam.	b.	ii.	c.	xvii.
	Brave	Sansonetto	and	Astolpho	bold
	Who	with	Marphisa	came	the	lists	tc	hold,
	Not	mix	in	serious	combat,	when	they	saw
	The	Syrian	troops	in	rank	of	battle	draw,
	At	once	their	lances	couch'd,	their	vizors	clos'd",
	And	pierc'd	th'	ignoble	herd,	where	few	oppos'd
	Their	dreadful	course	:	meantime	the	knights	who
	came
	From	various	realms,	the	candidates	for	fame,
	Their	sportive	weapons	turn'd	to	slaughter	view'd,
	And	promis'd	jousts	to	deeper	scenes	of	blood	;
	Yet	knew	nut	why	the	Syrian	people	sought
	Their	mad	revenge,	or	what-offence	had	wrought
	The	king's	resentment	;	hence,	on	either	hand,
	In	deep	amaze	and	speechless	doubt	they	stand.
	Some	forward	rush	the	people's	cause	to	join,	789
	But	soon	repent;	and	some,	whose	minds	incline
	On	either	part,	to	these	as	those	unknown,
	Prepare,	without	delay,	to	quit	the	town	:
	While	wiser	some,	still	hold	the	courser's	rein,
	And,	silent,	anxious	for	th'	event	remain.
	But	Aquilant	and	Gryphon	flew	where	swarmi
	Of	people	pour'd	to	clainftheir	sovereign's	arms
	So	proudly	seiz'd.	When	now	the	brethren	view'd
	The	king,	whose	fiery	eyes,	suffus'd	with	blood,
	Bespoke	his	wrath,	when	now	at	full	they	knew	790
	The	cause	from	which	such	dread	contention	grew;
	And	Gryphon	deem'd	such	insult	borne	must	shama
	Not	less	his	own,	than	Norandino's	name	;
	Each	bids	his	spear	be	brought	with	eager	speed,
	And	flies	to	vengeance	on	his	thundering	steed.
	On	t'other	part	Astolpho	swift	impell'd
	His	Rabicano,	while	in	hand	he	held
	The	lance	of	gold	22	,	that	with	enchanted	force
	Dismounts	each	warrior	in	the	listed	course.
	With	this	on	earth	two	noble	knights	he	leaves:	80Q
	First	Gryphon	falls,	then	Aquilant	receives
	The	weapon's	point,	that	glancing	on	the	shield,
	The	generous	youth	extended	on	the	field.
	Bold	Sansonetto	from	their	seats	remov'd
	The	bravest	knights,	in	many	a	conflict	prov'd:
	Swift	from	the	barriers	throng'd	th'	affrighted	crowd	:
	The	king,	inflam'd	with	anger,	storm'd	aloud.
	Meantime	Marphisa,	who	had	driven	away
	Whate'er	oppos'd	her	(victor	of	the	day)
	The	late	contested	arms	in	triumph	took,	810
	And	with	her	prize	the	fatal	lists	forsook.
	Nor	Sansonetto,	nor	Astolpho	stay'd,
	But	to	the	gate	pursu'd	the	martial	maid,
	While	Aquilant	and	Gryphon	moum'd	the	chance
	That	both	o'erthrew	with	one	resistless	lance,	[hand,
	D'erwhelm'd	with	shame	they	curse	the	stranger's
	Sbr	dare	in	Norandino's	presence	stand.
	They	i-eize	their	coursers,	and	their	seats	regain
	To	chase	the	foe	with	numbers	in	his	train
	The	king	pursues	All	equal	fury	breathe,	820
	ilesolv'd	on	vengeance	or	resolv'd	on	death.
	The	vulgar	throngs	applauding	clamours	send,
	But	gaze	at	distance	and	th'	event	attend.
	Now	Gryphon	came	to	where	the	three	had	gain'd
	The	bridge,	and	undismay'd	the	post	maintain'd:
	Arriv'd,	he	soon	Astolpho	knew,	who	wore
	lie	same	device	and	vests	he	view'd	before;
	'he	same	his	armour	and	the	same	his	steed	x
	\s	on	the	day	he	made	Oiilo	bleed.
	58	This	ranee,	formerly	the	property	of	Argalia,
	fter	his	death	came	to	Astolpbo.
	See	General	View	of	Boyardo's	Story.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XIX.
	165
	To	wreak	the	deed	;	but	wheeling	round,	the	knight
	His	courser	spurr'd	and.	urg'd	his	rapid	flight.
	When	Cloridano,	where	he	stood	conceal'd,
	Beheld	Medoro	prostrate	on	the	field,
	He	left	the	covert,	cast	aside	the	bow,
	And	rush'd	in	frantic	rage	amidst	the	foe,
	With	lifted	weapon	to	revenge	his	death,	110
	Or	with	Medoro	yield	his	latest	breath.
	At	length	amidst	such	numerous	swords	he	found
	His	gushing	blood	distain	the	purple	ground;
	Till	life,	fast	ebbing	with	the	vital	tide,
	He	sunk	contented	by	Medoro's	side.
	The	Scots	then	follow'd	where	their	chief	they
	view'd,
	Who	through	the	woods	his	angry	way	pursu'ds.
	Behind	remain'd	the	Pagans,	one	depriv'd
	Of	life's	last	breath,	and	one	who	scarce	surviv'd.
	Long	time	in	helpless	state	Medoro	lay,	120
	While	life	fast	flow'd	in	purple	streams	away;
	When,	sent	by	Fortune	to	his	timely	aid,
	A	damsel	came	in	cottage	weeds	array'd	:
	Of	humble	garb	;	but	of	a	form	most	rare,
	Of	courteous	manners	and	majestic	air.
	Perchance	your	niem'ry	scarce	recalls	to	mind
	(So	long	unsung)	this	loveliest	of	her	kind	;
	Angelica,	through	every	region	known,
	The	heiress	of	Cathay's	imperial	throne.
	When	fair	Angelica	4	had	now	regain'd	130
	Her	ring	which	false	Brunello	late	detain'd,
	Alone	she	went,	and,	filTd	with	scorn	and	pride,
	Disdain'd	the	noblest	warrior	for	her	guide	:
	She	blush'd	to	think	that,	midst	her	lovers	nam'd,
	Orlando	or	king	Sacripant	had	claim'd
	Her	least	regard;	but	most	her	haughty	mind
	Regrets	that	to	Rinaldo	once	inclin'd,
	She,	e'er	forgetful	of	her	regal	state,
	Could	bend	her	eyes	on	such	an	abject	mate.
	But	Love,	who	long	had	mark'd	his	slighted	power,
	Resolv'd	to	bear	her	cold	contempt	no	more,	141
	By	poor	Medoro	took	his	watchful	stand,
	And	brac'd	his	bow,	and	held	his	shafts	in	hand.
	Soon	as	Angelica	with	sad	survey
	Beheld	the	youth,	who	pale	and	wounded	lay,
	And	midst	his	own	misfortune	still	deplor'd
	Th'	unbury'd	corse	of	his	lamented	lord	;
	Strange	pity	touch'd	her	while	she	listening	hung
	To	hear	the	tale	that	falter'd	on	his	tongue.
	Then	to	her	mind	she	call'd	whate'er,	before	150
	In	India	taught,	she	knew	of	healing	lore;
	A"	art	in	which	such	numbers	there	excel	I'd,
	An	art	by	all	in	praise	and	honour	held	:
	Not	learn'd	by	turning	many	a	weary	page,
	But	by	the	sire	bequeath'd	from	age	to	age.
	Once	in	'a	lovely	mead,	with	searching	view,
	A	plant	she	met	whose	virtues	well	she	knew;
	Or	dittany,	or	panacea	nam'd,
	(Whate'er	the	herb)	for	powerful	influence	fam'd
	The	blood	to	stanch,	and	from	the	wounded	part
	Each	dangerous	symptom	drive	and	charm	the
	smart.	161
	This	now	she	sought,	and,	gathering,	swift	return'd
	To	where	his	slaughter'd	lord	Medoro	mouru'd.
	Amidst	her	way	a	simple	swain	she	view'd
	Who	through	the	forest	on	his	horse	pursu'd
	3	The	account	of	Zerbino	is	resumed	in	Book	xx.
	ver.	855.
	*	The	last	we	heard	of	Angelica	was	in	Book	xii.
	Ten	438,
	A	gentle	heifer,	that	abroad	to	roam
	(Then	past	two	days)	had	left	her	rustic	home.
	The	swain	she	led,	where,	issuing	with	his	blood,
	Fast	and	more	fast	Medoro's	vigour	flow'd,
	Till	from	his	breast	the	ground	was	dy'd	beneath,
	And	his	soul	hover'd	on	the	verge	of	death.	171
	The	virgin	from	her	palfrey	now	descends,
	The	peasant,	lighting,	on	her	steps	attends	;
	The	plant	she	bruises	with	a	stone,	and	stands
	Tempering	the	juice	between	her	ivory	hands.
	This	o'er	his	breast	she	sheds	with	sovereign	art,
	And	bathes	with	gentle	touch	the	wounded	part:
	The	wound	such	virtue	from	the	juice	derives,
	At	once	the	bl'wd	is	stanch'd,	the	youth	revives,
	And	wondrous	feels	a	sudden	strength	bestow'd:	138
	He	mounts	the	horse	which	late	the	shepherd	rode;
	Yet	went	not	thence,	till	duly	first	dispos'd
	He	saw	his	breathless	prince	with	earth	enclos'd;
	And,	laid	by	noble	Dardinello	dead,
	His	Cloridano	in	one	funeral	bed.
	The	virgin	to	the	shepherd's	cot	convey'd
	The	wounded	youth,	and	there	in	pity	stay'd
	To	wait	his	health	restor'd	;	so	deep	her	breast
	Retain'd	the	thoughts	which	first	his	sight	impress'd.
	She	mark'd	his	every	grace,	his	every	charm,	190
	And	felt,	by	slow	degrees,	a	new	alarm	:
	Quick	beat	her	pulse,	till	soon,	no	more	con
	ceal'd,
	The	flame	burst	forth	and	all	her	soul	reveal'd.
	Begirt	with	hills	and	bosom'd	in	a	wood,
	Of	structure	neat,	the	peasant's	dwelling	stood,
	Which	late	himself	had	rais'd	:	his	faithful	wife
	And	children	partners	of	his	humble	life.
	The	damsel	there	Medoro	soon	restor'd	5
	To	wonted	strength,	but	ah	!	meantime	deplor'd
	Her	own	deep	wound,	that	rankled	in	her	heart
	With	heavier	anguish,	while	an	unseen	dart	201
	The	light-wing'd	archer,	still	on	misclref	bent,
	From	sparkling	eyes,	and	golden	ringlets	sent.
	Still,	still	she	loves	and	while	her	care	is	shown
	To	cure	another's	pains,	forgets	her	own.
	Through	him	she	mourns,	and	while	his	sufferings
	cease
	Her	wound	but	widens	and	her	pangs	increase.
	He	gains,	she	loses	strength	;	and	now,	by	turns,
	With	cold	she	freezes,	and	with	heat	she	burns.
	From	day	to	day	improv'd	his	beauty	shines	;	210
	She,	hapless	maid,	with	wasting	sorrow	pines,
	5	Spenser	has	imitated	this	passage	of	Ariosto,
	relative	to	Medoro	and	Angelica,	in	his	story	of
	Belphcebe	and	Timias	the	squire,	where	the	virgin
	in	like	manner	heals	Timias;	but	in	one	respect
	the	picture	is	reversed	;	Angelica	in	Ariosto	is
	enamoured	of	Medoro,	but	in	Spenser	it	is	Timias
	who	feels	a	growing	passion	for	Belphcebe.	Bel
	phcebe,	like	Angelica,	is	skill'd	in	the	knowledg
	of	herbs.
	For	she	of	herbs	had	great	intend	iment.
	"	Ladies	of	great	antiquity,	of	the	highest	rank,
	were	skilful	in	physic	and	surgery.	Who	is	igno
	rant	of	Medea	the	daughter	of	a	king	?	of	Circe,
	or	of	the	wife	of	Thone,	who	taught	Helena	the
	use	and	nature	of	nepenthe	?	Let	us	turn	to	ro
	mance	writers,	no	small	imitators	of	Homer.	Sir
	Philip	Sydney	in	his	Arcadia,	p.	69,	introduces
	Gynecia	having	skill	in	surgery.	In	like	manner
	Erminia	in	Tasso	attends	and	heals	the	wounded
	Tancred.'	1	See	Upton's	Notes	on	Spenser.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XIX.
	175
	That	either's	spinal	bone	the	weapon	broke,
	And	both	at	once	their	seats	and	life	forsook.
	Together	now	the	remnant	six	engag'd
	The	gallant	maid,	and	war	united	wag'd.
	So	have	I	seen	a	bomb	the	ranks	divide,
	As	fierce	Marphisa	pierc'd	the	martial	tide	:
	Against	her	corslet	javelins	snapt	in	vain,
	While	she	unmov'd	could	every	stroke	sustain.
	In	tennis	thus	not	more	the	fencing	wall
	Resists	the	impulse	of	the	bounding	ball.	620
	In	vain	the	force	of	hostile	weapon	sought
	To	pierce	her	arms	of	purest	temper	wrought	;
	By	magic	wrought	in	Styx's	burning	steam,
	And	hissing	plung'd	in	black	Avernus'	stream.
	Now	at	the	barrier	bounds	awhile	she	stay'd,
	Then	wheel'd	her	courser,	and	with	brandish'	d	blade
	The	rest	assail'd,	her	victory	pursu'd,
	And	to	the	elbows	dy'd	her	arms	in	blood.
	From	this	a	hand,	from	that	she	!ops	the	head	:
	On	one	the	ghastly	sword	so	just	is	sped,	630
	Head,	arms,	and	breast	fall	sever'd	on	the	plain	;
	The	legs	and	belly	on	the	steed	remain.
	Thus	half	the	man	(a	dreadful	sight)	appear'd:
	So	holy	pilgrims	'7.	to	the	saint	rever'd,
	For	members	heal'd,	of	wax	or	silver	frame
	The	parts	restor'd,	and	in	their	patron's	name
	Suspend	the	pious	gift	to	him	whose	aid	they	claim.
	One,	as	the	list	he	8ed,	she	swift	pursu'd,
	And	ere	he	reach'd	the	midst	asunder	hew'd
	His	head	and	bleeding	trunk,	that	never	art	640
	Of	surgeon	could	suffice	to	close	the	part.
	Thus	by	her	valour	each	in	turn	was	slain,
	Or	lay	extended	senseless	on	the	plain,
	That	well	she	knew	he	never	more	could	rear
	The	massy	buckler	or	the	pointed	spear.
	The	knight,	who	in	the	list	retir'd	alone,
	Beheld	the	nine	by	one	brave	arm	o'erthrown,
	Now	spurr'd	his	steed	to	show	not	fear	detain'd,
	But	courtesy	his	generous	arm	reatrain'd	;
	Then	beckoning	with	his	hand	he	first	began	650
	To	ask	a	parley	ere	the	course	he	ran	;
	And	little	thinking	that	with	man's	array,
	Conceal'd	in	martial	weeds	a	virgin	lay,
	Graceful	he	spoke	"	Thy	spirits,	valiant	knight,
	May	surely	droop	in	such	unequal	fight;
	Nor	will	I	basely	now	in	arms	oppose
	That	strength	already	spent	with	numerous	foes.
	Till	morn	I	give	thee	from	the	field	to	rest,
	Then	mayst	thou	turn	to	fresher	strife	addrest	:
	So	shall	my	sword	a	noble	combat	claim,	660
	Nor	with	thy	vigour	spent	pollute	my	fame."
	"	To	warlike	toils	these	limbs	have	long	been	bred	:
	Nor	have	1	toil'd	so	far,"	Marphisa	said,
	"	But	to	thy	cost,	I	trust,	thou	soon	shalt	find
	My	nerve	and	spirit	of	a	nobler	kind.
	Thy	words,	the	proffer	of	a	courteous	breast,
	I	praise,	but	seek	not	yet	so	soon	to	rest	:
	Still	shines	the	day,	and	't	were	a	shame	for	knight
	To	lose	in	sloth	the	yet	remaining	light."
	The	stranger	then	"	O	!	that	tLy	woe-struck	mind
	Could	gain	as	sure	each	good	it	pants	to	find,	671
	As	thou	from	me	thy	fill	of	arms	shalt	taste,
	And	find	perchance	the	day	too	quickly	waste."
	'?	This	similitude	alludes	to	the	custom	in	the
	Romish	church	of	making	limbs	of	wax,	ivory	or
	*ilver,	which	the	pilgrims	hang	\\p	as	an	offering
	dedicated	to	the	saint,	by	whom	they	are	sup
	posed	to	be	healed	of	any	disease	or	lameness.
	He	said;	and	straight	two	beamy	lances,	wrought
	Like	ponderous	masts,	he	bids	with	speed	be
	brought	;
	To	bold	Marphisa's	hand	the	choice	he	gives,
	The	spear	which	she	rejects	himself	receives.
	The	trumpet	sounds	thecoursers	shake	the	ground,
	Earth,	air,	and	sea,	the	thundering	charge	resound.
	With	eyes	unmov'd	each	mute	assistant	stands;	680
	No	word,	no	breath,	is	heard	through	all	the	bands:
	So	fix'd	was	each	to	mark	with	longing	gaze
	Which	knight	would	win	the	palm	of	knightly
	praise.
	Marphisa	aims	her	spear	with	matchless	force.
	To	hurl	the	sable	warrior	from	his	horse,
	No	more	to	rise	;	nor	less	the	sable	foe
	Thinks	with	a	thrust	to	lay	Marphisa	low.
	Like	sapless	oziers	seem'd	each	lance's	length,
	Not	form'd	of	chosen	ash	with	massy	strength	:
	Up	to	the	rest	they	shiver'd	with	the	stroke	;	690
	And	either	steed	confess'd	the	mighty	shock	:
	At	once,	as	if	a	scythe	with	sweepy	force
	Had	cut	the	nerves,	down	sunk	each	floundering
	horse.
	Marphisa,	at	her	first	assault,	hud	known
	A	thousand	warriors	from	their	saddle	thrown,
	And	she,	who	ne'er	before	receiv'd	defeat,
	Now	(strange	to	tell	!)	was	tumbled	from	her	seat.
	Struck	with	the	chance,	with	more	than	rage	opprest,
	A	sudden	madness	seem'd	t'	inflame	her	breast:
	Alike	the	sable	knight	appear'd	to	grieve,	700
	Nut	lightly	wont	in	field	his	seat	to	leave.
	Scarce	had	they	touch	'd	the	ground,	when	either
	stood
	On	foot	recover'd,	and	the	fight	renew'd.
	Each	weapon's	edge	and	point	by	turns	theyply'd;
	With	sword	and	shield	they	fenc'd,	or	leapt	aside
	To	shun	the	stroke	:	the	well-aim'd	stroke	rebounds:
	The	stroke	that	miss'd,	in	hissing	air	resounds.
	In	secret	to	herself	Marphisa	said:
	"	In	happy	hour	for	me	this	warrior	stay'd;
	Nor	in	the	fight	his	nine	companions	led	:	710
	This	day	might	else	have	mix'd	me	with	the	dead:
	Since	now,	sore	labouring	in	the	doubtful	strife,
	Scarce	from	his	single	arm	I	guard	my	life."
	Marphisa	thus;	yet	ceas'd	not,	as	she	spoke,
	To	wield	her	sword	and	ward	each	coming	stroke*
	Not	less	the	stranger	thus	his	fortune	bless'd;
	"	In	happy	hour	this	knight	refus'd	to	rest	:
	Since	now	I	scarce	defend	me	from	his	might,
	Already	wearied	with	so	fierce	a.	fight.
	Had	he	with	morn	his	vigour	lost	renew'd,	720
	What	fortune	might	have	then	my	arms	pursu'd	!
	Great	were	my	risk	in	this	contested	place,
	Had	he	accepted	late	my	proffer'd	grace."
	The	battle	lasted	till	declining	light,
	Nor	seem'd	th'	advantage	to	the	dame	or	knight;
	And	now	so	deep	the	shades	increasing	grow,
	Not	this,	nor	that,	can	ward	the	threatening	blow.
	Now	darkness	clos'd	when	to	the	glorious	maid
	With	courteous	mien	the	generous	warrior	said
	"	Whatcanwe	more,	since	night	obtrudes	her	veil,
	While	yet	the	battle	hangs	in	equal	scale	?	731
	Then	hear	O	chief!	awhile	prolong	thy	life,
	At	least	till	morn	revives	the	noble	strife	;
	If	to	thy	wasting	days	a	single	night
	I	only	grant	no	blame	on	me	must	light	:
	Condemn	the	law	of	this	accursed	race,
	The	female	sex	that	rule	this	hated	place.
	But	HE,	from	whom	no	art	the	truth	conceali,
	Knws	if	for	thee	and	thine	my	bosom	feels.


OF	ORLANDO	FURIOSO.	BOOK	XX.
	181
	Nor	from	the	captives	would	their	chains	withdraw,
	Till	each	had	sworn	t'	observe	a	cruel	law.
	But	ere	we	further	speak	'?	what	these	befel,
	The	deeds	of	brave	Marphisa	let	us	tell.	780
	Druenza	past,	"the	Seine	and	Rhodan's	stream,
	At	length	she	near	a	lofty	mountain	came	;
	There	by	a	flood,	with	sudden	waters	swell'd,
	An	aged	dame	in	sable	weeds	beheld	:
	With	travel	spent	she	seem'd,	and	sore	distrest,
	But	more	with	heavy	thought	than	toil	oppress'd.
	Lo	!	this	was	she,	who,	far	from	haunts	of	men,
	Had	liv'd	with	outlaws	in	the	savage	den;
	Where	Heaven	the	Paladin	Orlando	drew,
	To	wreak	full	justice	on	that	impious	crew.	790
	The	beldame	fearing	death,	(and	why	such	fate
	She	seem'd	to	fear,	the	sequel	shall	relate,)
	Through	fields	and	forests	fled	remote	from	sight,
	And	shunn'd	to	meet	the	face	of	hind	or	knight.
	She	sees	the	vesture	of	the	martial	dame,
	With	foreign	arms,	a	stranger	born	proclaim	;
	And	hence	she	flies	not,	as	she	flies	from	those
	Whose	garb	a	warrior	of	the	country	shows.
	Beside	the	stream	she	waits,	and	now	she	meets
	Th'	approaching	knight,	and	low	saluting,	greets,
	Beseeching,	on	his	steed	to	waft	her	o'er	801
	Th'	opposing	torrent	to	the	further	shore.
	Marphisa,	courteous	from	her	earliest	years,
	Across	the	flood	the	ancient	beldame	bears,
	And,	past	the	ford,	disdains	not	to	convey
	Behind	her	courser,	till	they	pass'd	a	way
	Heavy	with	slough	when	clad	in	armour	bright,
	With	trappings	rich,	they	met	an	unknown	knight,
	Gay	pacing	tow'rds	the	stream	;	with	him	a	dame,
	And	single	squire-(his	sole	attendant)	came.	810
	Fair	was	the	dame	he	brought,	but	fair	in	vain,
	Her	haughty	carriage	cast	a	deepening	stain
	On	all	her	beauty,	while	her	scorn	and	pride
	Seem'd	well-befitting	him	that	grac'd	her	side.
	This	knight	was	Pinabel.	whose	treach'ry	gave
	To	Bradamant	the	fall	in	Merlin's	cave.
	His	sighs	were	breath'd,	his	scalding	tears	were
	shed
	For	her,	whom	now	beneath	his	care	he	led;
	For	her,	whom	then	the	magic	tower	detain'd	:
	But	when	Atlantes'	guile	no	more	restrain'd	820
	His	captives,	freed	by	brave	Dordona's	l8	dame,
	She,	not	unmindful	of	her	former	flame,
	To	Pinabel	return'd,	and	with	him	still
	Wander'd	from	tower	to	tower,	o'er	forest,	dale,
	and	hill.
	Soon	as	she	view'd	Marphisa's	aged	crone,
	The	shameless	fair,	to	taunting	ever	prone,
	No	more	the	venom	of	her	tongue	suppress'd,
	But	gave	full	vent	to	many	a	scornful	jest.
	Then	brave	Marphisa,	little	us'd	to	bear
	Another's	insult,	or	unpunish'd	hear,	830
	Inflam'd	with	anger,	to	the	dame	replies	:
	His	partner	should	with	her	dispute	the	prize
	Of	beauty's	bloom,	with	offer	on	her	knight
	To	vouch	the	proof:	and	these	the	terms	of	fight,
	That,	if	o'erthrown	her	lover	press'd	the	field,
	The	damsel	should	her	vest	and	palfrey	yield."
	Here	Pinabello,	rous'd	by	sense	of	shame,
	To'	accept	the	challenge	and	defend	his	dame,
	His	spear	and	buckler	seizing,	wheel'd	his	steed,
	And	on	Marphisa	rush'd	with	wrathful	speed.	840
	7	He	returns	to	these,	Book	xxii.	ver.	372.
	"	Ikadamantf
	Her	mighty	spear	in	rest	Marphisa	held,
	And	full	on	Pinabello's	helm	impell'd
	The	forceful	stroke	that	hurl'd	him	to	the	plain,
	Where	stunn'd	he	lay,	as	number'd	with	the	slain*
	At	length	he	rose	;	when,	victor	of	the	day,
	Marphisa	from	the	stranger	rent	away
	Her	glittering	.ornaments	and	youthful	vest,
	And	with	the	spoils	her	aged	beldame	dress'd;
	Then	on	the	palfrey	plac'd,	which	late	before,
	With	other	grace,	the	haughty	damsel	bore.	850
	This	done,	she	turn'd,	the	way	with	her	to	hold,
	Who	seem'd	by	dress	still	more	deform'd	and	old.
	Three	days	they	journey'd	on,	ere	anght	befel
	In	length	of	travel,	worthy	here	to	tell.
	The	fourth	they	met	a	knight,	who,	bent	on	speed,
	With	goring	rowels	urg'd	his	flying	steed	:
	Zerbino	nam'd,	the	king	of	Scotland's	son,
	For	manly	beauty	fam'd	and	battles	won	:
	Of	vengeance	late	defrauded,	on	the	hand
	Who	dar'd	his	godlike	mercy	to	withstand.	860
	In	vain	Zerbino	long,	incens'd,	pursn'd
	The	bold	offender	through	the	devious	wood,
	Who	knew	so	well	to	wind	each	tangled	brake,
	So	well	th'	advantage	of	the	ground	to	take,
	That,	shelter'd	by	surrounding	shade,	and	veil'd
	In	misty	vapours	by	the	morn	exhal'd,
	He	'scap'd	pursuit,	resolv'd	himself	to	hide,
	Till	time	should	bid	his	prince's	wrath	subside.
	Though	ill-dispos'd,	Zerbino	could	not	hold
	From	laughter,	when	he	view'd	the	beldame	old,
	Whose	youthful	habit	seem'd	so	ill	to	grace	871
	Her	doting	age	and	wither'd	homely	face.
	Then	to	Marphisa,	prancing	at	her	side	:
	"	Thy	prudence	merits	praise,	sir	Knight,"	he
	cried,
	"That,	choosing	for	thy	mate	so	fair	a	dame,
	Thou	need'st	not	fear	a	rival	in	thy	flame."
	By	sallow	hue,	and	wrinkled	skin,	appears
	Th'	'ill-favour'd	hag	1	*	beyond	the	Sibyl's	years.
	A	grandame	ape	she	looks,	in	gamesome	sort,
	With	vesture	clad	to	make	the	vulgar	sport	:	880
	Her	eyes	askance,	with	spite	and	anger	roll'd	:
	What	hurts	a	woman	more	than	to	be	told
	The	world	entitle	her	deform'd	and	old	?
	The	noble	maid,	here	feigning	wrath,	to	try
	What	haply	might	ensue,	made	this	reply	:
	"	She	whom	I	guard,	I	swear	by	Heaven,	has
	more
	Of	beauty's	claim	than	thou	of	courteous	lore.
	Thou	seem'st	to	her	transcendant	graces	blind,
	To	veil	the	baseness	of	thy	dastard	mind.
	What	other	knight,	that	here	should	chance	to	meet
	A	maid	so	young,	in	every	charm	complete,	89	1
	By	one	defended,	but	his	strength	would	prove
	To	win	in	her	the	sweet	reward	of	love	?"
	"	So	well	with	thee	she	suits,"	Zerbino	cries,
	"	'Twere	much	injustice	to	dispute	the	prize;
	Nor	shall	I,	lost	to	sense,	my	arms	employ
	In	such	a	cause	thou,	what	thou	hast,	enjoy.
	Yet,	if	thou	seek'st	with	me	in	fight	to	join,
	On	other	terms	I	shall	not	this	decline.
	But	think	me	not	so	blinded,	for	her	sake	900
	In	listed	field	a	single	lance	to	break.
	J	9	Dolce,	the	Italian	commentator,	here	gravely
	observes,	that	the	poet	particularly	dwells	on	this
	circumstance,	to	denote	the	years	of	Oabrina	;
	and	sagely	concludes,	that	wrinkles	are	a	mark	of
	old	age	!


182
	HOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	Homely	or	fair,	with	thee	she	shall	nbide,
	Nor	will	I	love,	so	aptly	pair'd,	divide.
	Heaven	knows,	you	both	are	join'd	beyond	compare,
	If	thou	art	valiant	as	the	nymph	is	fair."
	Marphisa	then	rejoin'd	"	In	thy	despite,
	To	win	this	damsel	must	thou	prove	the	fight:
	Ne'er	shall	thou	view	her	beauties	with	desire,
	And	not	to	win	those	peerless	charms	aspire."
	"	I	know	not	who,"	Zerhino	made	reply,	910
	'	For	such	a	conquest	would	the	combat	try	;
	Where	courting	danger	with	unfruitful	pains,
	The	victor	loses	while	the	vanquish'd	gains."
	"	Since	terms	like	these	displease	thee,	hear
	me	make
	Another	offer	which	thou	well	mayst	take,"
	Marphisa	answered	;	"if	in	joust,	to	thine
	My	arms	submit,	this	dame	shall	still	be	mine	;
	But,	if	I	conquer,	her	thou	shall	receive;
	Thus	be	our	trial	who	the	prize	shall	leave.
	Should	Fortune	bid	thee	now	resign	the	day,	920
	'Tis	thine	to	guard	her	as	she	points	the	way."
	"	Agreed"	Zerbino	said,	and,	speaking,	wheel'd
	His	rapid	courser	to	dispute	the	lield:
	Firm	on	his	stirrups	with	collected	might,
	He	stood	;	and,	to	direct	his	spear	arighl,
	Against	her	buckler	drove	the	pointed	wood	;
	"Which,	like	a	mount	of	steel,	the	shock	withstood;
	While	she,	with	better	nerve,	his	helmet	found,
	And	instant	hurl'd	him	senseless	to	the	ground.
	Zerbino,	thus	unhors'd,	such	shame	confess'd,
	As	ne'er	till	then	his	generous	soul	depress'd.	931
	Full	many	a	warrior	had	his	spear	before
	Cast	from	their	seats:	but	now	he	ftars,	no	more
	Jiisarm	shall	clear	hisfame;	while,	lost	in	thought,
	New	anguish	in	his	pensive	bosom	wrought,
	To	think	henceforth,	by	sacred	promise	plight,
	Himself	constraint	to	rest	the	beldame's	knight.
	High	seated	on	her	steed,	the	conquering	maid
	Turn'd	with	a	smile	"	Accept	my	gift,"	she	said;
	"	The	more	I	see	the	dame	in	beauty	shine,	940
	It	joys	me	more	to	see	such	beauty	thine.
	Then,	in	my	place,	her	champion's	charge	sustain.
	Nor	let	thy	faith,	so	lately	pledg'd,	be	vain.
	Whate'er	she	bids,	it	tits	thee	to	obey,
	Guide	of	her	fate,	and	partner	of	her	way."
	She	stay'd	not	for	reply,	but	left	the	knight,
	And	soon	the	forest	shut	her	from	his	sight	10	.
	Then	to	the	crone	he	spoke	(for	sure	he	deeni'd
	His	conquering	foe	a	warrior	as	she	seem'd),
	"	Give	me	to	hear	what	knight	has	stain'd	my
	fame	'*	9j()
	The	beldame	answer'd,	eager	to	proclaim
	What	known	would	grieve	him	more	"	On	yon
	der	land
	Thou	fall'st,"	she	cried,	"	beneath	a	virgin's	hand;
	A	virgin,	who	for	valour	well	may	wield
	The	warrior's	falchion	and	the	warrior's	shield;
	Who	now	from	eastern	realms,	with	sword	and
	Is	come	to	prove	the	Paladins	of	France."	[lance,
	At	this,	Zerbino's	soul	indignant	glow'd,
	While	o'er	his	visage	flush'd	the	changing	blood;
	Through	all	his	frame	the	deep	contagion	spread,
	And	e'en	his	armour	seem'd	to	blush	with	red.	961
	Remounting	on	his	steed,	he	curs'd	in	vain
	The	nerves	that	could	not	late	his	seat	maintain.
	The	hag	in	secret	smil'd,	and	every	art
	Of	malice	try'd	to'	afflict	his	generous	heart
	*>	He	returns	to	Marphisa,	Book	xxv.	ver.	676.
	With	cruel	taunts,	and	bade	him	call	to	mind
	What	chance	had	now	to	hers	his	will	resign'd.
	Zerbino	heard	abash'd,	nor	aught	reply'd,
	Constrain'd	the	worst,	like	weary	steed,	to'	abide,
	Thnt	feels	the	bit	in	mouth,	and	rowels	at	his	side.
	In	frequent	sighs	he	gave	his	anguish	vent	:	971
	"	What	dire	revere,"	he	cried,	"has	Fortune
	While	she,	the	first	in	virtue	as	in	charms,	[sent!
	Untimely	torn	from	these	desiring	anns,
	Is	da-h'd	on	rocks,	or	given	the	precious	food
	Of	ravenous	fish	and	fowls	that	haunt	the	flood.
	Lo	!	her,	that,	buried	in	her	earthly	bed,
	Should	long	ere	this	the	hungry	worms	have	fed,
	Thou	now	preserv'st	beyond	her	loathsome	date,
	To	add	new	torments	to	my	wretched	state."	986
	Thus	spoke	Zerbino,	hapless	and	forlorn	:
	Nor	less	in	words	and	looks	he	seem'd	to	mourn
	His	odious	mate,	by	luckless	chance	acquir'd,
	Than	loss	of	her	whom	most	his	soul	desir'd.
	If	still	your	mind	retains	what	once	I	told,
	This	hag	was	she	who	left	the	cavern'd	hold,
	Where	Isabella,	who	Zerbino	held
	In	love's	soft	bonds,	some	days	a	prisoner	dwell'd	:
	Oft	had	she	there	rehears	'd	her	story	o'er,
	How	first	she	left	her	dear	paternal	shore	:	990
	How,	shipwreck'd	on	the	sea	and	shelvy	strand,
	She.	saved	her	life	on	Rochelle's	welcome	land.
	Oft	would	the	love-lorn	maid	delight	to	tell
	Of	lost	Zerbino	;	oft	with	rapture	dwell
	On	every	grace.	Soon	as	the	bePdame	nigh
	Had	mark'd	his	mien	and	face	with	heedful	e5'e,
	She	deem'd	in	him	she	view'd	the	noble	youth
	By	Isabella	wept	with	matchless	truth	;
	Whose	absence	to	her	soul	more	sorrow	gave
	Than	cruel	bondage	in	the	outlaws'	cave.	1000
	But	when	she	now	with	fix'd	attention	heard
	His	words	in	bitterness	of	soul	preferr'd,
	She	found	'twas	he,	who,	by	report	misled,
	His	dearest	Isabella	mourn'd	as	dead	,
	And	while	the	truth	she	knew,	with	impious	spite,
	To'	exclude	all	gleam	of	comfort	from	the	knight,
	What	best	might	raise	his	hope	she	kept	conceal'd,
	And	what	would	give	him	pain,	alone	reveal'd.
	"	Hear	thou,"	she	cried,	'	from	whom	I	thus
	have	borne
	Such	haughty	carriage,	such	insulting	scorn,	1010
	Didst	thou	but	think	what	tidings	I	could	tell
	Of	her	on	whom	thy	fond	affections	dwell,
	How	miglitst	thou	speak	me	fair	but	all	in	vain
	Would	force	or	soothing	now	that	secret	gain,
	Which,	had	thy	speech	more	gentle	manners	shown,
	Thou	tnightst,	perchance,	discourteous	youth,
	have	kno*n."
	As	the	grim	mastiff,	who	with	fury	threats
	Th'	invading	rubber,	soon	his	rage	forgets,
	Whene'er	by	scent	of	savoury	meat	allur'd,
	Or	lull'd	with	spells	by	magic	art	procur'd	:	1020
	Thus	soon	Zerbino,	with	a	soften'd	air,
	Besought	the	hag	with	tears	and	humble	prayer,
	By	Gods	and	men,	no	longer	to	conceal
	WhateVr	of	good	or	ill	she	could	reveal.
	"	Nought	canst	thou	know,	that	known	would
	yield	delight,"
	Th'	unfeeling	beldame	answered	to	the	knight:
	"She	lives	!	whom	now	as	dead	thy	sighs	deplore,
	But	lives	to	envy	those	who	live	no	more.
	Full	twenty,	not	by	laws	nor	faith	restrain'd,
	Thy	Isabella	long	in	bonds	detain'd	:	1030
	Then	think,	should	fate	restore	her	to	thy	arms,
	What	hope	remains	to'	enjoy	her	virgin	charms	r"


IJOOLE'S	TRANSLATION
	Thee	will	I	safe	in	secret	ambush	place,
	Without	a	i-ay	the	friendly	gloom	to	chase	;
	Till,	urg'd	by	me	his	arms	aside	to	lay,
	He	to	thy	justice	falls	an	easy	prey.'	350
	"	With	cruelty	unheard,	the	ruthless	wife
	Thus	form'd	the	snare	V	entrap	her	husband's	life;
	If	wife	she	may	be	call'd,	or	rather	nam'd
	A	fiend,	with	more	than	fiend-like	rage	inrtam'd.
	"	When	now	the	fatal	night	her	shadows	spread,
	She	to	her	room	my	wretched	brother	led	;
	There	plac'd	him	with	his	arms	and	trusty	sword,
	Till	home	return'd	the	castle's	absent	lord.
	All	to	her	impious	hopes	in	course	befel	;
	'T	is	rare	but	evil	deeds	succeed	too	well.	360
	Philander	deem'd	in	him	Argeo's	foe,
	And	at	his	own	Argeo	aim'd	the	blow	:
	The	cruel	weapon	cleft	his	head	in	twain,
	No	helm	was	there	the	fury	to	sustain	:
	Jspiftrchless	he	fell	;	and	bleeding	as	he	lay,
	Without	a	struggle	groau'd	his	life	away.
	Unheard-of	chance	!	when,	thinking	to	bestow
	A	friend's	kind	aid,	he,	with	a	fatal	blow,
	Such	greeting	gave	as	fits	the	deadliest	foe.
	The	husband	thus	dispatch'd,	his	murdering;	sword
	My	brother	to	Gabrina's	hand	restor'd.	371
	Gabrina	was	her	name,	who	every	day
	Is	born	to	curse,	and	lives	but	to	betray	!
	She	who,	till	then,	conceal	d	the	horrid	truth,
	With	lighted	torch	approach'd	th'	unhappy	youth,
	And	bade	him	view	how	well	his	arm	had	sped,
	And	show'd	where	lay	his	friend	Argeo	dead.
	She	menae'd	then,	unless	his	pliant	will
	The	dictates	of	her	hateful	love	fulfil,
	In	every	part	to	make	his	trespass	known,	580
	Which	all	should	tell,	and	he	in	vain	disown.
	So	must	he	die,	with	guilt	of	murder	stain'd,
	A	public	victim	to	the	hangman's	hand.
	She	bade	him	ponder,	tho'	to	die	lie	dar'd,
	If	for	a	shameful	death	he	stood	prepar'd.
	"	Philander,	when	his	dire	mistake	he	view'd,
	Congeal'd	with	horrour	and	amazement	stood	;
	Hemorse	and	rage	to	vengeance	first	impcll'd
	His	raving	thought,	and	had	not	reason	quell'd
	The	rash	design,	suggesting,	that	expos'd	390
	In	hostile	walls	he	stood	with	foes	enclos'd	;
	Though	now	disann'd,	his	hand	the	means	lia'd
	found
	To	rend	her	mangled	corse	with	many	a	wound,
	And	with	her	bleeding	members	strew	the	gruund.
	As	when	a	ship,	that	in	mid	ocean	sails,
	Drives	to	and	fro	by	two	opposing	gales	:
	Between	two	evils	thus	Philander	prest,
	Debates,	at	length	lie	fixes	on	the	least	:
	Beside	the	certain	view	of	speedy	death,
	He	fears	with	infamy	to	yield	his	breath	;	400
	If	in	the	castle	should	his	deed	be	try'd,
	And	little	time	is	left	him	to	decide.
	Fate	urges	now	the	dreadful	draught	to	take,
	Though	all	her	arts	before	could	never	shake
	His	constant	faith	:	the	dread	of	death	with	shame,
	Compels	him,	while	he	loaths	her	impious	flam*.
	To	plight	his	vow,	to	join	with	hers	his	hand,
	When	both	had	safely	left	the	Grecian	land.
	5'	Thus	the	foul	sorc'ress	won	his	forc'd	consent,
	And	with	him	closely	from	the	castle	went.	410
	Again	his	home	and	friends	Philander	view'd,
	But	infamy	in	Greece	his	name	pursu'd.
	Still	in	his	mind	he	bears,	with	thrilling	pain,
	His	lov'd	companion	by	his	weapon	slain;
	Whence,	for	a	murder'd	friend,	(Ah,	dire	to	tell	!)
	H[e	gain'd	a	Progne,	or	Medea	fell	;
	And,	but	his	honour	plighted	could	confront,
	With	powerful	ties,	th'	emotions	of	his	soul,
	Her	death	had	follow'd	:	yet	his	hatred	more
	Pursu'd	that	life,	his	sword,	compelled,	forbore.
	Ne'er	was	he	seen,	from	that	curst	hour,	to	wear	_
	A	cheerful	smile	;	his	looks	were	all	despair.	42$
	Sighs	burst	unceasing	from	his	mournful	brtast	:
	Like	young	Orestes	by	the	furies	prest,
	In	dread	avengement	for	the	fatal	deed,
	That	made	his	mother	and	Egystus	bleed.
	Deep,	and	more	deep,	grief	work'd	its	canker'd	way,
	Till	on	his	bed	of	sickness	sad	Philander	lay.
	'	The	foul	adultress,	who	his	heart	beheld
	Still	to	her	flame	averse,	indignant	swell'd	430
	To	fierce	resentment,	till	her	thoughts,	otrang'd
	From	all	her	love,	again	to	hatred	chang'd	:
	And	soon,	as	once	against	the	baron's	life,
	Against	my	brother's	wrought	this	impious	wife,
	From	this	bad	world	to	send,	with	arts	accurat,
	The	second	husband,	as	she	sent	the	first.
	"	A	leech	she	found,	far	better	taught	to	kill
	With	poisonous	than	with	wholesome	draughts	t
	heal	;
	And	him	she	drew,	by	hopes	of	vast	reward,
	With	her	infernal	purpose	to	accord,	44fr
	The	strength	of	some	envenom'd	juice	to	prove,
	And	from	her	loathing	sight	her	lord	remove.
	"	Join'd	with	myself,	a	mournhig	friendly	band
	Enclos'd	his	bed,	when	with	the	cup	in	hand
	The	leech	approach'd,	and	said	the	drink	he	bore
	Would	soon	my	brother's	wasted	health	restore.
	But	ere	the	patient	could	the	mixture	taste,
	Gabrina,	with	inhuman	craft,	in	haste
	Advanc'd,	perchance	a	witness	to	remove
	Who	know	th'	effects	of	her	detested	love	:	45
	Perchance	in	av'rice	to	withhold	his	gains,
	The	price	agreed	to	recompense	his	pains.
	She	sei/,'d	his	hand,	while	to	the	sick	he	held
	The	fatal	goblet	that	the	drink	conceal'd.
	'	Be	not	displeas'd,'	she	cried,	'	if	thus	I	fear
	For	one	whose	life	1	ever	held	so	dear.
	Give	me,	by	proof,	to	know	thou	hast	not	brought
	Some	potion	here	with	fatal	venom	fraught	:
	Think	not	my	lord	the	proffer'd	cup	shall	take,
	Till	first	thy	lips	the	medicine's	trial	make.'	460
	"	Reflect,	sir	Knight	!	how	stood	depriv'd	of
	speech,
	In	his	own	treason	caught,	the	wretched	leech:
	The	time,	that	press'd,	allow'd	not	to	revolve,
	And	fix	his	mind	on	what	he	should	resolve:
	Fearful	t'	expose	his	guilt,	he	deem'd	it	best,
	Without	delay,	to	give	th'	exacted	test
	The	sick	man	then,	with	unsuspecting	thought,
	Quaff'd	all	the	remnant	of	the	deadly	draught.
	As	when	a	hawk,	whose	crooked	talons	feel
	The	partridge	that	he	dooms	his	future	meal,	47
	Beholds,	the	dog,	late	partner	of	his	toil,
	Assail,	and	from	his	grasp	convey	the	spoil	:
	So	this	vile	leech,	by	thirst	of	gain	betray'd,
	Remains	deserted	where	he	look'd	for	aid.
	O	unexampled	guilt	!	henceforth	on	all,
	Who	thirst,	like	him,	for	gold,	may	equal	justice
	fall	!
	"	The	deed	complete,	the	wretch	prepar'd	to	take
	His	journey	home,	some	antidote	to	make,
	Ere	yet	too	far	the	poison	through	his	blood
	Had	spread	;	but	fell	Gabrina	this	withstood.	430
	She	vow'd	he	must	not	yet	his	patient	leave,
	Till	all	the	virtue	of	his	drugs	perceive.
	In	vain	with	prayers,	in	vain	with	bribes	he	try'd
	To	be	dismiss'd	;	the	traitress	La$	deny'd.