LXXV.

“I will not henceforth stranger shall complain, “So long as the world lasts, of this repair.” So said the maid, nor could the friendly train Take from her what had fallen to her share. Then,—either every thing to lose, or gain Their liberty,—to her they leave the care. With stubborn plate and mail all over steeled, Ready for cruel fight, she takes the field.

LXXVI.

High up the spacious city is a place, With steps, which serve as seats in rising rows; Which for nought else is used, except the chase , Tourney, or wrestling match, or such-like shows. Four gates of solid bronze secure the space. Thither of armed dames the rabble flows In troubled tide; and to Marphisa bold, That she may enter, afterwards is told.

LXXVII.

On pieballed horse Marphisa entered,—spread Were circles dappling all about his hair,— Of a bold. countenance and little head, And beauteous points, and haughty gait and air. Out of a thousand coursers which he fed, Him, as the best, and biggest, and most rare, King Norandino chose, and, decked with brave And costly trappings, to Marphisa gave .

LXXVIII.

Through the south gate, from the mid-day, the plain Marphisa entered, nor expected long, Before she heard approaching trumpet-strain Peal through the lists in shrilling notes and strong; And, looking next towards the northern wain, Saw her ten opposites appear: among These, as their leader, pricked a cavalier, Excelling all the rest in goodly cheer.

LXXIX.

On a large courser came the leading foe, Which was, excepting the near foot behind And forehead, darker than was ever crow: His foot and forehead with some white were signed. The horseman did his horse’s colours show In his own dress; and hence might be divined, He, as the mournful hue o’erpowered the clear, Was less inclined to smile, than mournful tear.

LXXX.

At once their spears in rest nine warriors laid, When the trump sounded, in the hostile train. But he in black no sign of jousting made, As if he held such vantage in disdain: Better he deemed the law were disobeyed, Than that his courtesy should suffer stain. The knight retires apart, and sits to view What against nine one single lance can do.

LXXXI.

Of smooth and balanced pace, the damsel’s horse To the encounter her with swiftness bore; Who poised a lance so massive in the course, It would have been an overweight for four. She, disembarking, as of greatest force, The boom had chosen out of many more. At her fierce semblance when in motion, quail A thousand hearts, a thousand looks grow pale.

LXXXII.

The bosom of the first she opens so, As might surprise, if naked were the breast: She pierced the cuirass and the mail below; But first a buckler, solid and well prest. A yard behind the shoulders of the foe Was seen the steel, so well was it addrest. Speared on her lance she left him on the plain, And at the others drove with flowing rein;

LXXXIII.

And so she shocked the second of the crew, And dealt the third so terrible a blow, From sell and life, with broken spine, the two She drove at once . So fell the overthrow, And with such weight she charged the warriors through! So serried was the battle of the foe!— I have seen bombard open in such mode The squadrons, as that band Marphisa strowed.

LXXXIV.

Many good spears were broken on the dame, Who was as little moved as solid wall, When revellers play the chace’s merry game , Is ever moved by stroke of heavy ball. So hard the temper of her corslet’s mail, The strokes aye harmless on the breast-plate fall, Whose steel was heated in the fires of hell, And in Avernus’ water slaked by spell.

LXXXV.

At the end of the career, she checked her steed, Wheeled him about; and for a little stayed; And then against the others drove at speed, Broke them, and to the handle dyed her blade. Here shorn of arms, and there of head, they bleed; And other in such manner cleft the maid, That breast, and head, and arms together fell, Belly and legs remaining in the sell.

LXXXVI.

With such just measure him she cleaves, I say, Where the two haunches and the ribs confine: And leaves him a half figure, in such way As what we before images divine; Of silver, oftener made of wax, survey ; Which supplicants from far and near enshrine, In thanks for mercy shown, and to bestow A pious quittance for accepted vow.

LXXXI.

Marphisa next made after one that flew, And overtook the wretch, and cleft (before He the mid-square had won) his collar through, So clean, no surgeon ever pieced it more. One after other, all in fine she slew, Or wounded every one she smote so sore, She was secure, that never more would foe Arise anew from earth, to work her woe.

LXXXI.

The cavalier this while had stood aside, Who had the ten conducted to the place, Since, with so many against one to ride, Had seemed to him advantage foul and base; Who, now he by a single hand espied So speedily his whole array displaced, Pricked forth against the martial maid, to show ’Twas courtesy, not fear, had made him slow.

LXXXI.

He, signing with his right hand, made appear That he would speak ere their career was run, Nor thinking that beneath such manly cheer A gentle virgin was concealed, begun: “I wot thou needs must be, sir cavalier, “Sore wearied with such mighty slaughter done; “And if I were disposed to weary thee “More than thou art, it were discourtesy.

XC.

“To thee, to rest untill to-morrow’s light, “Then to renew the battle, I concede. “No honour ’twere to-day to prove my might “On thee, whom weak and overwrought I read.” —“Arms are not new to me, nor listed fight; “Nor does fatigue so short a toil succeed,” Answered Marphisa, “and I, at my post, “Hope to prove this upon thee, to thy cost.

XCI.

“I thank thee for thy offer of delay, “But need not what thy courtesy agrees; “And yet remains so large a space of day “ ’Twere very shame to spend it all in ease.” —“Oh! were I (he replied) so sure to appay “My heart with everything which best would please, “As thine I shall appay in this!—but see, “That ere thou thinkest, daylight fail not thee.”

XCII.

So said he; and obedient to his hest Two spears, say rather heavy booms, they bear. He to Marphisa bids consign the best, And the other takes himself: the martial pair Already, with their lances in the rest, Wait but till other blast the joust declare. Lo! earth and air and sea the noise rebound, As they prick forth, at the first trumpet’s sound!

XCIII.

No mouth was opened and no eyelid fell, Nor breath was drawn, amid the observant crew: So sore intent was every one to spell Which should be conqueror of the warlike two. Marphisa the black champion from his sell, So to o’erthrow he shall not rise anew; Levels her lance; and the black champion, bent To slay Marphisa, spurs with like intent.

XCIV.

Both lances, made of willow thin and dry, Rather than stout and stubborn oak, appeared; So splintered even to the rest, they fly: While with such force the encountering steeds careered, It seemed, as with a scythe-blade equally The hams of either courser had been sheared. Alike both fall; but voiding quick the seat, The nimble riders start upon their feet.

XCV.

Marphisa in her life, with certain wound, A thousand cavaliers on earth had laid; And never had herself been borne to ground; Yet quitted now the saddle, as was said. Not only at the accident astound, But nigh beside herself, remained the maid. Strange to the sable cavalier withal, Unwont to be unhorsed, appeared his fall.

XCVI.

They scarcely touch the ground before they gain Their feet, and now the fierce assault renew, With cut and thrust; which now with shield the twain Or blade ward off, and now by leaps eschew. Whether the foes strike home, or smite in vain, Blows ring, and echo parted ether through. More force those shields, those helms, those breastplates show Than anvils underneath the sounding blow.

XCVII.

If heavy falls the savage damsel’s blade, That falls not lightly of her warlike foe. Equal the measure one the other paid; And both receive as much as they bestow. He who would see two daring spirits weighed, To seek two fiercer need no further go. Nor to seek more dexterity or might; For greater could not be in mortal wight.

XCVIII.

The women who have sate long time, to view The champions with such horrid strokes offend, Nor sign of trouble in the warriors true Behold, nor yet of weariness, commend Them with just praises, as the worthiest two That are, where’er the sea’s wide arms extend. They deem these of mere toil and labour long Must die, save they be strongest of the strong.

XCIX.

Communing with herself, Marphisa said, “That he moved not before was well for me! “Who risqued to have been numbered with the dead, “If he at first had joined his company. “Since, as it is, I hardly can make head “Against his deadly blows.” This colloquy She with herself maintained, and while she spoke, Ceased not to ply her sword with circling stroke.

C.

“ ’Twas well for me,” the other cried again, “That to repose I did not leave the knight. “I now from him defend myself with pain, “Who is o’erwearied with the former fight: “What had he been, renewed in might and main, “If he had rested till to-morrow’s light? “Right fortunate was I, as man could be, “That he refused my proffered courtesy!”

CI.

Till eve they strove, nor did it yet appear Which had the vantage of the doubtful fray: Nor, without light, could either foe see clear How to avoid the furious blows: when day Was done, again the courteous cavalier To his illustrious opposite ’gan say; “What shall we do, since ill-timed shades descend, “While we with equal fortune thus contend?”

CII.

“Meseems, at least, that till to-morrow’s morn “ ’Twere better thou prolonged thy life: no right “Have I thy doom, sir warrior, to adjourn “Beyond the limits of one little night. “Nor will I that by me the blame be born “That thou no longer shalt enjoy the light. “With reason to the sex’s charge, by whom “This place is governed, lay thy cruel doom.”

CIII.

“If I lament thee and thy company, “ He knows, by whom all hidden things are spied. “Thou and thy comrades may repose with me, “For whom there is no safe abode beside: “Since leagued against you in conspiracy “Are all whose husbands by thy hand have died. “For every valiant warrior of the men “Slain in the tourney, consort was of ten.

CIV.

“The scathe they have to-day received from thee, “Would ninety women wreak with vengeful spite; “And, save thou take my hospitality, “Expect by them to be assailed this night.” —“I take thy proffer in security,” (Replied Marphisa), “that the faith so plight, “And goodness of thy heart, will prove no less, “Than are thy corporal strength and hardiness.

CV.

“But if, as having to kill me, thou grieve, “Thou well mayst grieve, for reasons opposite; “Nor hast thou cause to laugh, as I conceive, “Nor hitherto hast found me worst in fight. “Whether thou wouldst defer the fray, or leave, “Or prosecute by this or other light, “Behold me prompt thy wishes to fulfil; “Where and whenever it shall be thy will!”

CVI.

So by consent the combatants divided, Till the dawn broke from Ganges’ stream anew; And so remained the question undecided, Which was the better champion of the two. To both the brothers and the rest who sided Upon that part, the liberal lord did sue With courteous prayer, that till the coming day They would be pleased beneath his roof to stay.

CVII.

They unsuspecting with the prayer complied, And by the cheerful blaze of torches white A royal dome ascended, with their guide, Divided into many bowers and bright. The combatants remain as stupified, On lifting up their vizors, at the sight One of the other; for (by what appears) The warrior hardly numbers eighteen years.

CVIII.

Much marvels with herself the gentle dame, That one so young so well should do and dare. Much marvels he (his wonderment the same) When he her sex agnizes by her hair. Questioning one another of their name, As speedily reply the youthful pair. But how was hight the youthful cavalier, Await till the ensuing strain to hear.

NOTES TO CANTO I.

By whom he is beloved can no one know, Who on the top of Fortune’s wheel is seated, &c .

Stanza i. lines 1 and 2.

It were long to recapitulate all the passages in ancient poets which may have suggested the obvious sentiments contained in the stanza upon which this is a comment. Ovid’s

Donec eris felix, multos numerabis amicos, . . . . . . .

and

Vulgus amicitias utilitate probat,

may serve as representatives of the tribe.

And if you needs must feed the beast and bird, Like Theban Creon, &c .

Stanza xii. lines 1 and 2.

Creon, the tyrant of Thebes, prohibited, under pain of death, the burial of Polinices, &c.

And calling back to memory her art, For she in Ind had learned chirurgery, (Since it appears such studies in that part Worthy of praise and fame are held to be, &c .

Stanza xxi. lines 1, 2, 3, 4.

Surgery was practised by ladies of the highest birth in Europe during the middle ages, and this use was probably continued in Asia till a later era; for in the ruder periods of society (as has been already observed) the useful, and not the ornamental, arts are held in the highest honour.

Whether dittany or pancy hight, &c .

Stanza xxii. line 3.

In the original,

Fosse dittano, fosse panacea.

This, like so many of Ariosto’s circumstances, is to be found, in parts, in classical authorities. Virgil , in his eighth Æneid, has

Dictamnum genitrix Creteâ carpit ab Idâ,

and Lucan , in his ninth book,

Et panacæa potens et Thessala centauræa.

O Count Orlando, O king of Circassy, Say what your valour has availed to you! &c .

Stanza xxxi. lines 1 and 2.

The hint of this stanza seems to have been given by Propertius :

Deinde ubi pertuleris quos dicit fama labores Herculis ut scribat, muneris et quid habes?

How hard would this appear, O Agricane!

Stanza xxxii. line 2.

He was one of the most furious of her lovers in the Inna- morato.

Ariosto is evidently indebted to Ovid for the double figure, expressed in the following lines.

To pluck, as yet untouched, the virgin rose, Angelica permits the young Medore. Was none so blest as in that garden’s close Yet to have set his venturous foot before .

Stanza xxxiii. lines 1, 2, 3, 4.

In the epistle to Phædria, he says:

Est aliquod plenis pomaria carpere ramis Et tenui primam deligere ungue rosam.

On Ziliantes, hid beneath the wave, This Morgue bestowed, &c .

Stanza xxxviii. lines 1 and 2.

This is also a reference to a story in the Innamorato.

Waves lifted by the waxing tempest start Castle and flooring .

Stanza xliv. lines 1 and 2.

In the original,

Castello e ballador spezza e fracassa L’ onda nemica.

Fornari says that ballador means either the gangway, or the flooring of the castles. I prefer the last as the most probable explanation.

One says; “Abreast of Limissò are we Among the shoals”—and by his reckoning, nigh The rocks of Tripoli the bark must be, Where shipwrecked, for the most part, vessels lie. Another; “We are lost on Sataly,” &c .

Stanza xlvi. lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

“Limissò, a city of Cyprus, by Ptolemy called Cario, and Satalìa, a royal city, situated upon the shore of Pamphilia formerly called Attalia,” says Fornari.

Ettino, and other place of sanctity .

Stanza xlviii. line 3.

I learn, from the authority cited in my last note, that there was a chapel dedicated to the Virgin, called the Virgin of Ettino, situated upon a rock near Aquileia. Others contend that this-holy place was in the Isle of Tino, and others in Candia.

Water to water others of the number Rendered .

Stanza xlix. lines 5 and 6.

Æquorque refundit in æquor.

Ovid .

The wished appearance of St. Elmo’s light, Which ( every spar was gone ) descending glowed Upon a boat, which in the prow was stowed .

Stanza l. lines 6, 7, 8.

An electric flame said to be often visible in the Mediterranean, and the warrant of fine weather, when assuming a particular figure. It lights upon the masts and yards. I never saw it in that sea, but have seen it upon the beach in England, flaming on a sailor’s woollen cap, at the first beginning of a thunderstorm, and thus justifying the story of Castor and Pollux. The flame descended upon the boat, as the most natural place to light upon, in the absence of mast and yards.

For this the master finds a remedy, Who bids them cast out spars, and veer away A line which holds this float, and as they flee, So, by two-thirds, their furious course delay. This counsel boots, and more the augury From him whose lights upon the gunwale play .

Stanza liii. lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

In the original,

Rimedio a questo il buon nocchier ritrova, Che commanda gittar’ per poppa spere, E caluma la gomona, e fà prova Di duo terzi del corso ritenere, Questo consiglio, e più l’ augurio, giova Di chi avea acceso in proda le lumiere.

The manœuvre expressed in the four first lines would appear to have been a nautical usage in the time of Ariosto, and possibly may be practised still. For the way of a light vessel, with a shallow draft of water, as ships were then constructed and as many Mediterranean vessels are now, might assuredly be at least somewhat impeded by such a drag as is described.

The augury From him , whose lights upon the gunwale play,

refers of course to Sant’ Ermo, or St. Elmo, before alluded to, a saint of great Mediterranean, and particularly of great Neapolitan, reputation; to which he has a more especial claim, as the town of Gaieta in that territory possesses his bones. The poet has perhaps not described his lights in the plural merely for the sake of the rhyme; as a commentator says that when St. Elmo’s fire is double, and flashes like lightning, it is a salutary omen, but when single, is considered as of evil augury. The poet apparently means the gunwale of the boat upon which he had described it as alighting.

They, driven on Syria, in Laiazzo’s bay A mighty city rise .

Stanza liv. lines 1 and 2.

Nel golfo di Laiazzo in ver Soria Sopra una gran città si trovò sorto.

I have ventured to translate the Italian word sorto , by its English nautical equivalent, which I consider as a most picturesque phrase; and so indeed almost every thing in sea language is. I have done the same on some other occasions, where the correspondence between the two languages was exact, and where I thought a technical term deserved to be received into the ranks of poetical expression. Thus when Sacripant’s horse falls dead in his duel with Bradamant in the first canto, I have rendered the Italian

morì di corto,

by ‘ dropt short and dead,’ not thinking that the descriptive force of such a phrase was lessened by its being more usually applied to a partridge.

Considering that our whole syntax rests upon a different basis, and that much more than one half of our phraseology is derived from a different source, it is curious to observe what a close and whimsical relation there often is between English and Italian idiom. Early commercial connexions with Italy, our sole mistress in mercantile language, will explain these correspondences; as to make good and let lie dead —‘buonificare,’ and ‘lasciar star morti’—applied to money; ‘provo di essere,’ proved to be or turned out to be , ‘buttar via,’ to fling away , ‘dormirci sopra,’ to sleep upon it (or give it a night’s reflection), ‘starsene co’ primi danni,’ to sit down with the first loss , and many Venetianisms, such as ‘per l’ anima mia,’ for the soul of me , and ‘trovar fora,’ to find out , &c. &c. &c. &c. Keeping this observation in sight, we shall find the ready explanation of some expressions in Shakespeare and in other writers of the Elizabethan age, which have puzzled their commentators. Thus every Italian scholar understands Juliet when speaking of Romeo as of her ‘ husband combinate ,’ to mean her husband elect; and at this hour there is nothing more commonly in an Italian’s mouth than ‘Se si può combinarla ’ (if we can bring it to bear) when speaking with reference to any future arrangement.

Of him inquires the English knight, ‘ What kept his mind suspended in this sort, ‘ And why at first he had not made the port .’

Stanza lvi. lines 6, 7, 8.

Fornari finds a remarkable propriety in this question being assigned to an Englishman, as one having the best right to question the patron upon points of seamanship.

Like a half-moon, &c .

Stanza lxiv. line 1.

Ariosto says like a moon; but that he meant like a crescent, is evident from the whole description. The picture seems to correspond with that of Genoa, which he probably had in his eye.

Which for nought else is used except the chase .

Stanza lxxvi. line 3.

The ancient arena of Verona, and the modern one of Milan, are in the same way still appropriated to the bull-chase (la caccia di tori), &c. &c, &c.

Him, as the best, and biggest, and most rare, King Norandino chose, and, decked with brave And costly trappings, to Marphisa gave .

Stanza lxxvii. lines 6, 7, 8.

Lest the reader, unread in the usages of the age of chivalry, should be startled at one of the qualifications of the horse bestowed upon Marphisa, he is to be informed, that nothing much under a cart-horse could carry a man full-armed; and hence it was common for knights to make use of the palfrey or hackney, a lighter description of horse, for ordinary conveyance, their courser, or war-horse, being led by an attendant squire.

From sell and life, with broken spine, the two She drove at once .

Stanza lxxxiii. lines 3 and 4.

————————— animâque rotisque Expulit,

says Ovid , speaking of Phaeton, when smitten by the thunder of Jupiter. It is curious to see how poets in all ages have indulged in this sort of conceit. Pindar says,

“ Ελεν δ Οινομαȣ βιαν “ Και παρθενον συνευνον ,”

and Pope in the same spirit but much more appropriately to his cast of subject,

“And sometimes counsel took and sometimes tea.”

When revellers play the chace’s merry game .

Stanza lxxxiv. line 3.

Chaces is in tennis somewhat of an equivalent to hazards at billiards, and is a term sanctioned by Shakespeare in his Henry V . It is Ariosto’s word literally translated.

And leaves him a half figure, in such way As what we before images divine, Of silver, oftener made of wax, survey .

Stanza lxxxvi. lines 3, 4, 5.

It is hardly necessary to observe that the allusion is to the ex voto offerings of limbs, &c. made in catholic churches by those who have escaped death or mutilation.

Layout 2

THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.

CANTO XX.

ARGUMENT.

Guido and his from that foul haunt retire,

While all Astolpho chases with his horn,

Who to all quarters of the town sets fire,

Then roving singly round the world is borne.

Marphisa, for Gabrina’s cause, in ire

Puts upon young Zerbino scathe and scorn,

And makes him guardian of Gabrina fell,

From whom he first learns news of Isabel.

THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.

CANTO XX.

I.

Great feats the women of antiquity In arms and hallowed arts as well have done, And of their worthy works the memory And lustre through this ample world has shone. Praised is Camilla, with Harpalice, For the fair course which they in battle run. Corinna and Sappho, famous for their lore, Shine two illustrious lights, to set no more .

II.

Women have reached the pinnacle of glory, In every art by them professed, well seen; And whosoever turns the leaf of story, Finds record of them, neither dim nor mean. The evil influence will be transitory, If long deprived of such the world has been; And envious men, and those that never knew Their worth, have haply hid their honours due.

III.

To me it plainly seems, in this our age Of women such is the celebrity, That it may furnish matter to the page, Whence this dispersed to future years shall be; And you, ye evil tongues which foully rage, Be tied to your eternal infamy; And women’s praises so resplendent show, They shall, by much; Marphisa’s worth outgo.

IV.

To her returning yet: again; the dame To him, who showed,to her such, courteous lore, Refused not to disclose her martial.name, Since he agreed to tell the style he bore. She quickly satisfied the warrior’s claim; To learn his title she desired so sore. “I am Marphisa,”, the virago cried: All else was known, as bruited far and wide.

V.

The other, since ‘twas his to speak, begun With longer preamble; “Amid your train; “Sirs, it is my belief that there is none “But has heard mention of my race and strain. “Not Pontus, Æthiopia, Ind alone, “With all their neighbouring realms, but France and “Wot well of Clermont, from whose loins the knight “Issued who killed Almontes bold in fight,

VI.

“And Chiareîllo and Mambrino slew, “And sacked the realm whose royal crown they wore. “Come of this blood, where Danube’s waters, through “Eight horns or ten to meet the Euxine pour, “Me to the far-renowned Duke Aymon, who “Thither a stranger roved, my mother bore. “And ’tis a twelvemonth now since her, in quest “Of my French kin, I left with grief opprest;

VII.

“But reached not France, for southern tempest’s spite “Impelled me hither; lodged in royal bower “Ten months or more; for—miserable wight!— “I reckon every day and every hour. “Guido the Savage I by name am hight, “Ill known and scarcely proved in warlike stower. “Here Argilon of Melibœa I “Slew with ten warriors in his company.

VIII.

“Conqueror as well in other field confessed, “Ten ladies are the partners of my bed: “Selected at my choice, who are the best “And fairest damsels in this kingdom bred: “These I command, as well as all the rest, “Who of their female band have made me head; “And so would make another who in fight, “Like me; ten opposites to death would smite.”

IX.

Sir Guido is besought of them to say Why there appear so few of the male race, And to declare if women there bear sway O’er men, as men o’er them in other place. He; “Since my fortune has been here to stay, “I oftentimes have heard relate the case; “And now (according to the story told) “Will, since it pleases you, the cause unfold.

X.

“When, after twenty years, the Grecian host “Returned from Troy (ten years hostility “The town endured, ten weary years were tost “The Greeks, detained by adverse winds at sea), “They found their women had, for comforts lost, “And pangs of absence, learned a remedy; “And, that they might not freeze alone in bed , “Chosen young lovers in their husbands’ stead.

XI.

“With others’ children filled the Grecian crew “Their houses found, and by consent was, past “A pardon to their women; for they knew “How ill they could endure so long a fast. “But the adulterous issue, as their due, “To seek their fortunes on the world were cast: “Because the husbands would not suffer more “The striplings should be nourished from their store.

XII.

“Some are exposed, and others underhand “Their kindly mothers shelter and maintain: “While the adults, in many a various band, “Some here, some there dispersed, their living gain. “Arms are the trade of some, by some are scanned “Letters and arts; another tills the plain: “One serves in court, by other guided go “The herd as pleases her who rules below.

XIII.

“A boy departed with these youthful peers, “Who was of cruel Clytemnestra born; “Like lily fresh (he numbered eighteen years) “Or blooming rose, new-gathered from the thorn. “He having armed a bark, his pinnace steers “In search of plunder, o’er the billows borne. “With him a hundred other youths engage, “Picked from all Greece, and of their leader’s age.

XIV.

“The Cretans, who had banished in that day “Idomeneus the tyrant of their land, “And their new state to strengthen and upstay, “Were gathering arms and levying martial band, “Phalantus’ service by their goodly pay “Purchased (so hight the youth who sought that strand), “And all those others that his fortune run, “Who the Dictæan city garrison.

XV.

“Amid the hundred cities of old Crete, “Was the Dictæan the most rich and bright; “Of fair and amorous dames the joyous seat, “Joyous with festive sports from morn to night: “And (as her townsmen aye were wont to greet “The stranger) with such hospitable rite “They welcomed these; it little lacked but they “Granted them o’er their households sovereign sway.

XVI.

“Youthful and passing fair were all the crew, “The flower of Greece, whom bold Phalantus led; “So that with those fair ladies at first view, “Stealing their hearts, full well the striplings sped. “Since, fair in deed as show; they good and true “Lovers evinced themselves and bold in bed. “And in few days to them so grateful proved, “Above all dearest things they were beloved.

XVII.

“After the war was ended on accord, “For which were hired: Phalantus and his train, “And pay withdrawn, nor longer by the sword “Was aught which the adventurous youth can gain, “And they, for this, anew would go aboard, “The unhappy Cretan women more complain, “And fuller tears on this occasion shed, “Than if their fathers lay before them dead.

XVIII.

“Long time and sorely all the striplings bold “Were, each apart, by them implored to stay: “Who since the fleeting youths they cannot hold, “Leave brother, sire, and son, with these to stray, “Of jewels and of weighty sums of gold “Spoiling their households ere they wend their way. “For so well was the plot concealed, no wight “Throughout all Crete was privy to their flight.

XIX.

“So happy was the hour, so fair the wind, “When young Phalantus chose his time to flee, “They many miles had left the isle behind, “Ere Crete lamented her calamity: “Next, uninhabited by human kind, “This shore received them wandering o’er the sea. “ ’Twas here they settled, with the plunder reft, “And better weighed the issue of their theft.

XX.

“With amorous pleasures teemed this place of rest, “For ten days, to that roving company; “But, as oft happens that in youthful breast “Abundance brings with it satiety, “To quit their women, with one wish possest, “The band resolved to win their liberty; “For never burden does so sore oppress “As woman, when her love breeds weariness.

XXI.

“They, who are covetous of spoil and gain, “And ill-bested withal in stipend, know “That better means are wanted to maintain “So many paramours, than shaft and bow; “And leaving thus alone the wretched train, “Thence, with their riches charged the adventurers go “For Puglia’s pleasant land: there founded near “The sea, Tarentum’s city, as I hear.

XXII.

“The women when they find themselves betrayed “Of lovers by whose faith they set most store, “For many days remain so sore dismayed, “That they seem lifeless statues on the shore. “But seeing lamentations nothing aid, “And fruitless are the many tears they pour, “Begin to meditate, amid their pains, “What remedy for such an ill remains.

XXIII.

“Some laying their opinions now before “The others, deem, ‘that to return to Crete ‘Is in their sad estate the wiser lore, ‘Throwing themselves at sire and husband’s feet, ‘Than in those wilds, and on that desert shore, ‘To pine of want.’ Another troop repeat, ‘They should esteem it were a worthier notion ‘To cast themselves into the neighbouring ocean;

XXIV.

‘And lighter ill, if they as harlots went ‘About the world,—beggars or slaves to be, ‘Than offer up themselves for punishment, ‘Well merited by their iniquity.’ “Such and like schemes the unhappy dames present, “Each harder than the other. Finally, “One Orontea amid these upstood, “Who drew her origin from Minos’ blood.

XXV.

“Youngest and fairest of the crew betrayed “She was, and wariest, and who least had erred, “Who to Phalantus’ arms had come a maid, “And left for him her father: she in word, “As well as in a kindling face, displayed “How much with generous wrath her heart was stirred; “Then, reprobating all advised before, “Spake; and adopted saw her better lore.

XXVI.

‘She would not leave the land they were upon, ‘Whose soil was fruitful, and whose air was sane, ‘Throughout which many limpid rivers ran, ‘Shaded with woods, and for the most part plain; ‘With creek and port, where stranger bark could shun ‘Foul wind or storm, which vexed the neighbouring main, ‘That might from Afric or from Egypt bring ‘Victual or other necessary thing.

XXVII.

‘For vengeance (she opined) they there should stay ‘Upon man’s sex, which had so sore offended. ‘She willed each bark:and crew which to that bay ‘For shelter from.the angry tempest wended, ‘They should, without remorse, burn, sack, and slay, ‘Nor mercy be to any one extended.’ “Such was the lady’s motion, such the course “Adopted; and the statute put in force.

XXVIII.

“The women, when they see the changing heaven “Turbid with tempest, hurry to the strand, “With savage Orontea, by whom given “Was the fell law, the ruler of the land; “And of all barks into their haven driven “Make havoc dread with fire and murderous brand, “Leaving no man alive, who may diffuse “Upon this side or that the dismal news.

XXIX.

“ ’Twas thus with the male sex at enmity, “Some years the lonely women lived forlorn: “Then found that hurtful to themselves would be “The scheme, save changed; for if from them were born “None to perpetuate their empery, “The idle law would soon be held in scorn, “And fail together with the unfruitful reign, “Which they had hoped eternal should remain.

XXX.

“So that some deal its rigour they allay, “And in four years, of all who made repair “Thither, by chance conducted to this bay, “Chose out ten vigorous cavaliers and fair; “That for endurance in the amorous play “Against those hundred dames good champions were: “A hundred they; and, of the chosen men, “A husband was assigned to every ten.

XXXI.

“Ere this, too feeble to abide the test, “Many a one on scaffold lost his head. “Now these ten warriors so approved the best, “Were made partakers of their rule and bed; “First swearing at the sovereign ladies’ hest, ‘That they, if others to that port are led, ‘No mercy shall to any one afford, ‘But one and all will put them to the sword.’

XXXII.

“To swell, and next to child, and thence to fear, “The women turned to teeming wives, began, “Lest they in time so many males should bear “As might invade the sovereignty they plan, “And that the government they hold so dear “Might finally from them revert to man. “And so, while these are children yet, take measure, “They never shall rebel against their pleasure.

XXXIII.

“That the male sex may not usurp the sway, “It is enacted by the statute fell, ‘Each mother should one boy preserve, and slay ‘The others, or abroad exchange or sell. ‘For this, they these to various parts convey, ‘And to the bearers of the children tell, ‘To truck the girls for boys in foreign lands, ‘Or not, at least, return with empty hands.’

XXXIV.

“Nor by the women one preserved would be, “If they without them could the race maintain. “Such all their mercy, all the clemency “The law accords for theirs , not others’ gain. “The dames all others sentence equally; “And temper but in this their statute’s pain, “That, not as was their former practice, they “All in their rage promiscuously slay.

XXXV.

“Did ten or twenty persons, or yet more, “Arrive, they were imprisoned and put by; “And every day one only from the store “Of victims was brought out by lot to die, “In fane by Orontea built, before: “An altar raised to Vengeance; and to ply “As headsman, and dispatch the unhappy men, “One was by lot selected from the ten.

XXXVI.

“To that foul murderous shore by chance did fare, “After long years elapsed, a youthful wight, “Whose fathers sprung from good Alcides were, “And he, of proof in arms, Elbanio hight; “There was he seized, of peril scarce aware, “As unsuspecting such a foul despite: “And, closely guarded, into prison flung, “Kept for like cruel use the rest among.

XXXVII.

“Adorned with every fair accomplishment, “Of pleasing face and manners was the peer, “And of a speech so sweet and eloquent, “Him the deaf adder might have stopt to hear; “So that of him to Alexandria went “Tidings as of a precious thing and rare. “She was the daughter of that matron bold, “Queen Orontea, that yet. lived, though old.

XXXVIII.

“Yet Orontea lived, while of that shore “The other settlers all were dead and gone; “And now ten times as many such or more “Had into strength and greater credit grown. “Nor for ten forges, often closed, in store “Have the ill-furnished band more files than one; “And the ten champions have as well the care “To welcome shrewdly all who thither fare.

XXXIX.

“Young Alexandria, who the blooming peer “Burned to behold so praised on every part, “The special pleasure him to see and hear, “Won from her mother; and, about to part “From him, discovers that the cavalier “Remains the master of her tortured heart; “Finds herself bound, and that ’tis vain to stir, “—A captive made by her own prisoner .”

XL.

‘If pity,’ (said Elbanio) ‘lady fair, ‘Was in this cruel region known, as through ‘All other countries near or distant, where ‘The wandering sun sheds light and colouring hue, ‘I by your beauty’s kindly charms should dare ‘(Which make each gentle spirit bound to you) ‘To beg my life; which always, at your will, ‘Should I be ready for your love to spill.

XLI.

‘But since deprived of all humanity ‘Are human bosoms in this cruel land, ‘I shall not now request my life of thee, ‘(For fruitless would, I know, be the demand) ‘But, whether a good knight or bad I be, ‘Ask but like such to die with arms in hand, ‘And not as one condemned to penal pain; ‘Or like brute beast in sacrifice be slain.’

XLII.

“The gentle maid, her eye bedimmed with tear, “In pity for the hapless youth, replied; ‘Though this land be more cruel and severe ‘Than any other country, far and wide, ‘Each woman is not a Medæa here ‘As thou wouldst make her; and, if all beside ‘Were of such evil kind, in me alone ‘Should an exception to the rest be known.

XLIII.

‘And though I, like so many here, of yore ‘Was full of evil deeds and cruelty, ‘I can well say, I never had before ‘A fitting subject for my clemency. ‘But fiercer were I than a tiger, more ‘Hard were my heart than diamond, if in me ‘All hardness did not vanish and give place ‘Before your courage, gentleness, and grace.

XLIV.

‘Ah! were the cruel statute less severe ‘Against the stranger to these shores conveyed! ‘So should I not esteem by death too dear ‘A ransom for thy worthier life were paid. ‘But none is here so great, sir cavalier, ‘Nor of such puissance as to lend thee aid; ‘And what thou askest, though a scanty grace, ‘Were difficult to compass in this place.

XLV.

‘And yet will I endeavour to obtain ‘For thee, before thou perish, this content; ‘Though much, I fear, ’twill but augment thy pain, ‘And thee protracted death but more torment.’ ‘So I the ten encounter,’ (said again Elbanio), ‘I at heart, am confident ‘Myself to save, and enemies to slay; ‘Though made of iron were the whole array.’

XLVI.

“To this the youthful Alexandria nought “Made answer, saving with a piteous sigh; “And from the conference a bosom brought, “Gored with deep wounds, beyond all remedy. “To Orontea she repaired, and wrought “On her to will the stripling should not die, “Should he display such courage and such skill “As with his single hand the ten to kill.

XLVII.

“Queen Orontea straightway bade unite “Her council, and bespoke the assembled band; ‘It still behoves us place the prowest wight ‘Whom we can find, to guard our ports and strand. ‘And, to discover whom to take or slight, ‘ ’Tis fitting that we prove the warrior’s hand: ‘Lest, to our loss, the election made be wrong, ‘And we enthrone the weak and slay the strong.

XLVIII.

‘I deem it fit, if you the counsel shown ‘Deem fit as well, in future to ordain, ‘That each upon our coast by Fortune thrown, ‘Before he in the temple shall be slain, ‘Shall have the choice, instead of this, alone ‘Battle against ten others to maintain; ‘And if he conquer, shall the port defend ‘With other comrades, pardoned to that end.

XLIX.

‘I say this, since to strive against our ten, ‘It seems, that one imprisoned here will dare: ‘Who, if he stands against so many men, ‘By Heaven, deserves that we should hear his prayer; ‘But if he rashly boasts himself, again ‘As worthily due punishment should bear.’ “Here Orontea ceased; on the other side, “To her the oldest of the dames replied.

L.

‘The leading cause, for which to entertain ‘This intercourse with men we first agreed, ‘Was not because we, to defend this reign, ‘Of their assistance stood in any need; ‘For we have skill and courage to maintain ‘This of ourselves, and force, withal, to speed. ‘Would that we could in all as well avail ‘Without their succour, nor succession fail!

LI.

‘But since this may not be, we some have made ‘(These few) partakers of our company; ‘That, ten to one, we be not overlaid; ‘Nor they possess them of the sovereignty. ‘Not that we for protection need their aid, ‘But simply to increase and multiply. ‘Then be their powers.to this sole feat addressed, ‘And be they sluggards, idle for the rest.

LII.

‘To keep among us such a puissant wight ‘Our first design would render wholly vain. ‘If one can singly slay ten men in fight, ‘How many women can he not restrain? ‘If our ten champions had possessed such might, ‘They the first day would have usurped the reign. ‘To arm a hand more powerful than your own ‘Is an ill method to maintain the throne.

LIII.

‘Reflect withal, that if your prisoner speed ‘So that he kill ten champions in the fray, ‘A hundred women’s cry, whose lords will bleed ‘Beneath his falchion, shall your ears dismay. ‘Let him not ’scape by such a murderous deed; ‘But, if he would, propound some other way. ‘—Yet if he of those ten supply the place, ‘And please a hundred women, grant him grace.’

LIV.

“This was severe Artemia’s sentiment, “(So was she named) and had her counsel weighed, “Elbanio to the temple had been sent, “To perish by the sacrificial blade. “But Orontea, willing to content “Her daughter, to the matron answer made; “And urged so many reasons, and so wrought, “The yielding senate granted what she sought.

LV.

“Elbanio’s beauty (for so fair to view “Never was any cavalier beside) “So strongly works upon the youthful crew, “Which in that council sit the state to guide, “That the opinion of the older few “That like Artemia think, is set aside; “And little lacks but that the assembled race “Absolve Elbanio by especial grace.

LVI.

“To pardon him in fine the dames agreed: “But, after slaying his half-score, and when “He in the next assault as well should speed, “Not with a hundred women, but with ten; “And, furnished to his wish with arms and steed, “Next day he was released from dungeon-den, “And singly with ten warriors matched in me, “Who by his arm successively were slain.

LVII.

“He to new proof was put the following night, “Against ten damsels naked and alone; “When so successful was the stripling’s might, “He took the ’say of all the troop, and won “Such grace with Orontea, that the knight “Was by the dame adopted for her son; “And from her Alexandria had to wife, “With those whom he had proved in amorous strife.

LVIII.

“And him she left with Alexandria, heir “To this famed city, which from her was hight, “So he and all who his successors were, “Should guard the law which willed, whatever wight, “Conducted hither by his cruel star, “Upon this miserable land did light, “Should have his choice to perish by the knife, “Or singly with ten foes contend in strife.

LIX.

“And if he should dispatch the men by day, “At night should prove him with the female crew; “And if so fortunate that in this play “He proved again the conqueror, he, as due, “The female band, as prince and guide, should sway, “And his ten consorts at his choice renew: “And reign with them, till other should arrive “Of stouter hand, and him of life deprive.

LX.

“They for two thousand years nigh past away “This usage have maintained, and yet maintain “The impious rite; and rarely passes day “But stranger wight is slaughtered in the fane. “If he, Elbanio-like, ten foes assay, “(And such sometimes is found) he oft is slain “In the first charge: nor, in a thousand, one “The other feat, of which I spake, has done.

LXI.

“Yet some there are have done it, though so few, “They may be numbered on the fingers; one “Of the victorious cavaliers, but who “Reigned with his ten short time, was Argilon: “For, smote by me, whom ill wind hither blew, “The knight to his eternal rest is gone. “Would I with him that day had filled a grave, “Rather than in such scorn survive a slave!

LXII.

“For amorous pleasures, laughter, game, and play, “Which evermore delight the youthful breast; “The gem, the purple garment, rich array, “And in his city place before the rest. “Little, by Heaven, the wretched man appay “Who of his liberty is dispossest: “And not to have the power to leave this shore “To me seems shameful servitude and sore.

LXIII.

“To know I wear away life’s glorious spring “In such effeminate and slothful leisure “Is to my troubled heart a constant sting, “And takes away the taste of every pleasure. “Fame bears my kindred’s praise on outstretched wing, “Even to the skies ; and haply equal measure “I of the glories of my blood might share “If I united with my brethren were.

LXIV.

“Methinks my fate does such injurious deed “By me, condemned to servitude so base, “As he who turns to grass the generous steed “To run amid the herd of meaner race, “Because unfit for war or worthier meed, “Through blemish, or disease of sight or pace. “Nor hoping but by death, alas! to fly “So vile a service, I desire to die.”

LXV.

Here Guido ceased to address the martial peers, And cursed withal the day, in high disdain, That he achieved o’er dames and cavaliers The double victory which bestowed that reign. Astolpho hides his name, and silent hears, Until to him by many a sign is plain That this Sir Guido is, as he had said, The issue of his kinsman Aymon’s bed.

LXVI.

Then cried; “The English duke, Astolpho, I “Thy cousin am,” and clipt him round the waist, And in a kindly act of courtesy, Not without weeping, kist him and embraced. Then, “Kinsman dear, thy birth to certify “No better sign thy mother could have placed “About thy neck. Enough! that sword of thine, “And courage, vouch thee of our valiant line.”

LXVII.

Guido who gladly would in other place So near a kin have welcomed, in dismay Beholds him here and with a mournful face; Knowing, if he himself survives the fray, Astolpho will be doomed to slavery base, His fate deferred but till the following day; And he shall perish, if the duke is free: So that one’s good the other’s ill shall be.

LXVIII.

He grieves, as well, the other cavaliers Should through his means for ever captive be; Nor, that he should, if slain, those martial peers Deliver by his death from slavery. Since if Marphisa from one quicksand clears The troop, yet these from other fails to free, She will have won the victory in vain; For they will be enslaved, and she be slain.

LXIX.

On the other hand, the stripling’s age, in May Of youth, with courtesy and valour fraught, Upon the maid and comrades with such sway, Touching their breasts with love and pity, wrought That they of freedom, for which he must pay The forfeit of his life, nigh loathed the thought; And if Marphisa him perforce must kill, She is resolved as well herself to spill.

LXX.

“Join thou with us,” she to Sir Guido cried, “And we from hence will sally”—“From within “These walls to sally”—Guido on his side Answered, “Ne’er hope: With me you lose or win.” “—I fear not, I,” the martial maid replied, “To execute whatever I begin; “Nor know what can securer path afford “Than that which I shall open with my sword.

LXXI.

“Such proof of thy fair prowess have I made, “With thee I every enterprise would dare. “To-morrow when about the palisade “The crowds assembled in the circus are, “Let us on every side the mob invade, “Whether they fly or for defence prepare; “Then give the town to fire, and on their bed “Of earth to wolf and vulture leave the dead.”

LXXII.

He; “Ready shalt thou find me in the strife “To follow thee or perish at thy side: “But let us hope not to escape with life. “Enough, is vengeance somedeal satisfied “Ere death; for oft ten thousand, maid and wife, “I in the place have witnessed; and, outside, “As many castle, wall and port, defend. “Nor know I certain way from hence to wend.”

LXXIII.

“And were there more (Marphisa made reply) “Than Xerxes led, our squadron to oppose, “More than those rebel spirits from the sky “Cast out to dwell amid perpetual woes, “All in one day should by this weapon die, “Wert thou with me, at least, not with my foes.” To her again, “No project but must fail, “(Sir Guido said) I know, save this avail.”

LXXIV.

“This only us can save, should it succeed; “This, which but now remembered I shall teach. “To dames alone our laws the right concede “To sally, or set foot upon the beach, “And hence to one of mine in this our need “Must I commit myself, and aid beseech “Whose love for me, by perfect friendship tied, “Has oft by better proof than this been tried.

LXXV.

“No less than me would she desire that I “Should ’scape from slavery, so she went with me; “And that, without her rival’s company, “She of my lot should sole partaker be. “She bark or pinnace, in the harbour nigh, “Shall bid, while yet ’tis dark, prepare for sea; “Which shall await your sailors, rigged and yare “For sailing, when they thither shall repair.

LXXVI.

“Behind me, in a solid band comprest, “Ye merchants, mariners and warriors, who, “Driven to this city, have set up your rest “Beneath this roof (for which my thanks are due) “—You have to force your way with stedfast breast, “If adversaries interrupt our crew. “ ’Tis thus I hope, by succour of the sword, “To clear a passage through the cruel horde.”

LXXVII.

“Do as thou wilt;” Marphisa made reply, “I of escape am confident withal: “And likelier ’twere that by my hand should die “The martial race, encompassed by this wall, “Than any one should ever see me fly, “Or guess by other sign that fears appall. “I would my passage force in open day, “And shameful in my sight were other way.

LXXVIII.

“I wot if I were for a woman known, “Honour and place from women I might claim, “Here gladly entertained; and classed as one “Haply among their chiefs of highest fame: “But privilege or favour will I none “Unshared by those with whom I hither came. “Too base it were, did I depart or free “Remain, to leave the rest in slavery.”

LXXIX.

These speeches by Marphisa made, and more, Showed that what only had restrained her arm Was the respect she to the safety bore Of the companions whom her wrath might harm; By this alone withheld from taking sore And signal vengeance on the female swarm. And hence she left in Guido’s care to shape What seemed the fittest means for their escape.

LXXX.

Sir Guido speaks that night with Alery (So the most faithful of his wives was hight) Nor needs long prayer to make the dame agree, Disposed already to obey the knight. She takes a ship and arms the bark for sea, Stowed with her richest chattels for their flight Feigning design, as soon as dawn ensues, To sail with her companions on a cruise.

LXXXI.

She into Guido’s palace had before Bid sword and spear and shield and cuirass bear; With the intent to furnish from this store, Merchants and sailors that half naked were. Some watch, and some repose upon the floor, And rest and guard among each other share; Oft marking, still with harness on their backs, If ruddy yet with light the orient wax.

LXXXII.

Not yet from earth’s hard visage has the sun Lifted her veil of dim and dingy dye; Scarcely Lycaon’s child, her furrow done, Has turned about her ploughshare in the sky ; When to the theatre the women run Who would the fearful battle’s end espy, As swarming bees upon their threshold cluster, Who bent: on change of realm in springtide muster.

LXXXIII.

With warlike trumpet, drum, and sound of horn, The people make the land and welkin roar; Summoning thus their chieftain to return, And end the unfinished warfare. Covered o’er With arms stand Aquilant and Gryphon stern, And the redoubted duke from England’s shore. Marphisa, Dudo, Sansonet, and all The knights or footmen harboured in that hall.

LXXXIV.

‘Hence to descend towards the sea or port ‘The way across the place of combat lies; ‘Nor was there other passage, long or short.’ Sir Guido so to his companions cries: And having ceased his comrades to exhort, To do their best set forth in silent wise, And in the place appeared, amid the throng, Head of a squad above a hundred strong.

LXXXV.

Towards the other gate Sir Guido went, Hurrying his band, but, gathered far and nigh The mighty multitude, for aye intent To smite, and clad in arms, when they descry The comrades whom he leads, perceive his bent, And truly deem he is about to fly. All in a thought betake them to their bows, And at the portal part the knight oppose.

LXXXVI.

Sir Guido and the cavaliers who go Beneath that champion’s guidance, and before The others bold Marphisa, were not slow To strike, and laboured hard to force the door. But such a storm of darts from ready bow, Dealing on all sides death or wounding sore, Was rained in fury on the troop forlorn, They feared at last to encounter skaith and scorn.

LXXXVII.

Of proof the corslet was each warrior wore, Who without this would have had worse to fear: Sansonnet’s horse was slain, and that which bore Marphisa: to himself the English peer Exclaimed, “Why wait I longer? As if more “My horn could ever succour me than here. “Since the sword steads not, I will make assay “If with my bugle I can clear the way.”

LXXXVIII.

As he was customed in extremity, He to his mouth applied the bugle’s round; The wide world seemed to tremble, earth and sky, As he in air discharged the horrid sound. Such terror smote the dames, that bent to fly, When in their ears the deafening horn was wound, Not only they the gate unguarded left, But from the circus reeled, of wit bereft.

LXXXIX.

As family, awaked in sudden wise, Leaps from the windows and from lofty height, Periling life and limb, when in surprise They see, now near, the fire’s encircling light, Which had, while slumber sealed their heavy eyes, By little and by little waxed at night: Reckless of life, thus each, impelled by dread, At sound of that appalling bugle fled.

XC.

Above, below, and here and there, the rout Rise in confusion and attempt to fly. At once, above a thousand swarm about Each entrance, to each other’s lett, and lie In heaps: from window these, or stage without, Leap headlong; in the press these smothered die. Broken is many an arm, and many a head; And one lies crippled, and another dead.

XCI.

Amid the mighty ruin which ensued, Cries pierce the very heavens on every part. Where’er the sound is heard, the multitude, In panic at the deafening echo, start. When you are told that without hardihood Appear the rabble, and of feeble heart, This need not move your marvel; for by nature The hare is evermore a timid creature.

XCII.

But of Marphisa what will be your thought, And Guido late so furious?—of the two Young sons of Olivier, that lately wrought Such deeds in honour of their lineage? who Lately a hundred thousand held as nought, And now, deprived of courage, basely flew, As ring-doves flutter and as coneys fly, Who hear some mighty noise resounding nigh.

XCIII.

For so to friend as stranger, noxious are The powers that in the enchanted horn reside. Sansonet, Guido, follow, with the pair Of brethren bold, Marphisa terrified. Nor flying, can they to such distance fare, But that their ears are dinned. On every side Astolpho, on his foaming’ courser borne, Lends louder breath to his enchanted horn.

XCIV.

One sought the sea, and one the mountain-top, One fled to hide herself in forest hoar; And this, who turned not once nor made a stop, Not for ten days her headlong flight forbore: These from the bridge in that dread moment drop, Never to climb the river’s margin more. So temple, house and square-and street were drained, That nigh unpeopled the wide town remained.

XCV.

Marphisa, Guido, and the brethren two, With Sansonetto, pale and trembling, hie Towards the sea, and behind these the crew Of frighted mariners and merchants fly; And ’twixt the forts, in bark, prepared with view To their escape, discover Alery; Who in sore haste receives the warriors pale, And bids them ply their oars and make all sail.

XCVI.

The duke within and out the town had beat From the surrounding hills to the sea-side, And of its people emptied every street. All fly before the deafening sound, and hide: Many in panic, seeking a retreat, Lurk, in some place obscure and filthy stied; Many, not knowing whither to repair, Plunge in the neighbouring sea, and perish there.

XCVII.

The duke arrives, seeking the friendly band, Whom he had hoped to find upon the quay; He turns and gazes round the desert strand, And none is there—directs along the bay His eyes, and now, far distant from the land, Beholds the parting frigate under way. So that the paladin, for his escape— The vessel gone—must other project shape.

XCVIII.

Let him depart! nor let it trouble you That he so long a road must beat alone; Where, never without fear, man journeys through Wild paynim countries: danger is there none, But what he with his bugle may eschew, Whose dread effect the English duke has shown; And let his late companions be our care, Who trembling to the beach had made repair.

XCIX.

They from that cruel and ensanguined ground To seaward, under all their canvas, bore; And having gained such offing, that the sound Of that alarming horn was heard no more, Unwonted shame inflicted such a wound, That all a face of burning crimson wore. One dares not eye the other, and they stand With downcast looks, a mute and mournful band.

C.

Fixed on his course, the pilot passes by Cyprus and Rhodes, and ploughs the Ægean sea: Beholds a hundred islands from him fly, And Malea’s fearful headland: fanned by free And constant wind, sees vanish from the eye The Greek Morea; rounding Sicily, Into the Tuscan sea his frigate veers, And, coasting Italy’s fair region, steers:

CI.

Last rises Luna, where his family Is waiting his return; the patron hoar Gives thanks to God at having passed the sea Without more harm, and makes the well-known shore. Here, offering passage to their company, They find a master, ready to unmoor For France, and that same day his pinnace climb; Thence wafted to Marseilles in little time.

CII.

There was not Bradamant, who used to sway The land, and had that city in her care, And who (if present there) to make some stay Would have compelled them by her courteous prayer. They disembarked; and that same hour away Did bold Marphisa at a venture fare; Bidding adieu to salvage Guido’s wife, And to the four, her comrades in the strife:

CIII.

Saying, ‘she deems unfitting for a knight ‘To fare in like great fellowship; that so ‘The starlings and the doves in flock unite, ‘And every beast who fears—the stag and doe; ‘But hawk and eagle, that in other’s might ‘Put not their trust, for ever singly go; ‘And lion, bear, and tyger, roam alone, ‘Who fear no prowess greater than their own.’

CIV.

But none with her opine, and, in the lack Of a companion, singly must she fare. So then, alone and friendless, she a track Uncouth pursues, and through a wooded lair. Gryphon the white and. Aquilant the black Take road more beaten with the other pair; And on the following day a castle see, Within which they are harboured courteously.

CV.

Courteously I, in outward show, would say; For soon the contrary was made appear. Since he, the castellain, who with display Of kindness sheltered them and courteous cheer, The night ensuing took them as they lay Couched in their beds, secure and void of fear. Nor from the snare would he his prisoners loose, Till they had sworn to observe an evil use.

CVI.

But I will first pursue the martial maid, Ere more of these, fair sir, I shall proclaim. Beyond the Durence, Rhone, and Saone she strayed, And to the foot of sunny mountain came; And there approaching in black gown arrayed, Beside a torrent, saw an ancient dame; Who with long journey weak, and wearied sore, Appeared, but pined by melancholy more.

CVII.

This was the beldam who had wont to ply Serving the robbers in the caverned mount; Whither stern Justice sent (that they might die By that good paladin) Anglante’s count. The aged harridan, for cause which I To you shall in another place recount, Now many days by path obscure had flown, Still fearing lest her visage should be known.

CVIII.

The semblance now of foreign cavalier She in Marphisa saw, in arms and vest; And hence she flies not her, though wont to fear, (As being natives of that land) the rest; —Nay, with security and open cheer, Stops at the ford the damsel to arrest: Stops at the ford—where that old beldam meets Marphisa, and with fair encounter greets.