CIX.

And next implored the maid, she of her grace Would bear her on the croupe to the other shore. Marphisa, who was come of gentle race, The hag with her across the torrent bore; And is content to bear, till she can place In a securer road the beldam hoar, Clear of a spacious marish: at its end They see a cavalier towards them wend.

CX.

In shining armour and in fair array, The warrior rode on saddle richly wrought Towards the river, and upon his way With him a single squire and damsel brought. Of passing beauty was the lady gay, But little pleasing’ was her semblance haught; All overblown with insolence and pride, Worthy the cavalier who was her guide.

CXI.

He of Maganza was a count, who bore The lady with him (Pinabello hight): The same who Bradamant, some months before, Had plunged into a hollow cave in spite. Those many sobs, those burning sighs and sore, Those tears which had nigh quenched the warrior’s sight,— All for the damsel were, now at his side; And then by that false necromancer stied.

CXII.

But when the magic tower upon the hill Was razed, the dwelling of Atlantes hoar, And every one was free to rove at will, Through Bradamant’s good deed and virtuous lore, The damsel, who had. been compliant still With the desires of Pinabel before, Rejoined him, and now journeying in a round With him, from castle was to castle bound.

CXIII.

As wanton and ill-customed, when she spies Marphisa’s aged charge approaching near, She cannot rein her saucy tongue, but plies Her, in her petulance, with laugh and jeer. Marphisa haught, unwont in any wise Outrage from whatsoever part to hear, Makes answer to the dame, in angry tone, That ‘handsomer than her she deems the crone.

CXIV.

‘And that she this would prove upon her knight ‘With pact that she might strip the bonnibell ‘Of gown and palfrey, if, o’erthrown in fight, ‘Her champion from his goodly courser fell.’ —In silence to have overpast the slight Would have been sin and shame in Pinabel, Who for short answer seized his shield and spear, And wheeled, and drove at her in fierce career.

CXV.

Marphisa grasped a mighty lance, and thrust, Encountering him, at Pinabello’s eyes; And stretched him so astounded in the dust, That motionless an hour the warrior lies. Marphisa, now victorious in the just, Gave orders to strip off the glorious guise And ornaments wherewith the maid was drest, And with the spoils her ancient crone invest;

CXVI.

And willed that she should don the youthful weed, Bedizened at the haughty damsel’s cost; And took away as well the goodly steed Which her had thither borne, and—bent to post On her old track—with her the hag will speed, Who seems most hideous when adorned the most. Three days the tedious road the couple beat, Without adventure needful to repeat.

CXVII.

On the fourth day they met a cavalier, Who came in fury galloping alone. If you the stranger’s name desire to hear, I tell you ’twas Zerbino, a king’s son, Of beauty and of worth example rare, Now grieved and angered, as unvenged of one, Who a great act of courtesy, which fain The warrior would have done, had rendered vain.

CXVIII.

Vainly the young Zerbino, through the glade, Had chased that man of his, who this despite Had done him, who himself so well conveyed Away and took such ’vantage in his flight, So hid by wood and mist, which-overlaid The horizon and bedimmed the morning-light, That he escaped Zerbino’s grasp, and lay Concealed until his wrath was past away.

CXIX.

Zerbino laughed parforce, when he descried That beldam’s face, though he was full of rage; For too ill-sorted seemed her vest of pride With her foul visage, more deformed by age; And to the proud Marphisa, at her side The prince, exclaimed, “Sir warrior, you are sage, “In having chosen damsel of a sort, “Whom none, I ween, will grudge you should escort.”

CXX.

Older than Sibyl seemed the beldam hoar, (As far as from her wrinkles one might guess), And in the youthful ornaments she wore, Looked like an ape which men in mockery dress; And now appears more foul, as angered sore, While rage and wrath her kindled eyes express. For none can do a woman worse despite Than to proclaim her old and foul to sight.

CXXI.

To have sport of him—as she had—an air Of wrath the maid assumed upon her part, And to the prince, “By Heaven, more passing fair “Is this my lady than thou courteous art,” Exclaimed in answer; “though I am aware “What thou hast uttered comes not from thy heart. “Thou wilt not own her beauty; a device “Put on to masque thy sovereign cowardice.

CXXII.

“And of what stamp would be that cavalier “Who found such fair and youthful dame alone, “Without protection, in the forest drear, “Nor sought to make the lovely weft his own?” —“So well she sorts with thee,” replied the peer, “ ’Twere ill that she were claimed by any one: “Nor I of her would thee in any wise “Deprive; God rest thee merry with thy prize!

CXXIII.

“But wouldst thou prove what is my chivalry, “On other ground I to thy wish incline; “Yet deem me not of such perversity “As to tilt with thee for this prize of thine. “Or fair or foul, let her remain thy fee; “I would not, I, such amity disjoin. “Well are ye paired, and safely would I swear. “That thou as valiant art as she is fair.”

CXXIV.

To him Marphisa, “Thou in thy despite “Shalt try to bear from me the dame away. “I will not suffer that so fair a sight “Thou shouldst behold, nor seek to gain the prey.” To her the prince, “I know not wherefore wight “Should suffer pain and peril in affray, “Striving for victory, where, for his pains, “The victor loses, and the vanquished gains.”

CXXV.

“If this condition please not, other course “Which ill thou canst refuse, I offer thee,” (Marphisa cried): “If thou shalt me unhorse “In this our tourney, she remains with me: “But if I win, I give her thee parforce. “Then prove we now who shall without her be. “Premised, if loser, thou shalt be her guide, “Wherever it may please the dame to ride.”

CXXVI.

“And be it so,” Zerbino cried, and wheeled Swiftly his foaming courser for the shock, And rising in his stirrups scowered the field, Firm in his seat, and smote, with levelled stock, For surer aim, the damsel in mid-shield; But she sate stedfast as a metal rock, And at the warrior’s morion thrust so well, She clean out-bore him senseless from the sell.

CXXVII.

Much grieved the prince, to whom in other fray The like misfortune had not chanced before, Who had unhorsed some thousands in his day: Now shamed, he thought for ever. Troubled sore, And mute long space upon the ground he lay, And, when ’twas recollected, grieved the more, That he had promised, and that he was bound, To accompany the hag where’er she wound.

CXXVIII.

Turning about to him the victoress cried, Laughing, “This lady I to thee present, “And the more beauty is in her descried, “The more that she is thine I am content, “Now in my place her champion and her guide. “But do not thou thy plighted faith repent, “So that thou fail, as promised, to attend “The dame, wherever she may please to wend.”

CXXIX.

Without awaiting answer, to career She spurred her horse, and vanished in the wood. Zerbino, deeming her a cavalier, Cried to the crone, “By whom am I subdued?” And, knowing ’twould be poison to his ear, And that it would inflame his angered blood, She in reply, “It was a damsel’s blow “Which from thy lofty saddle laid thee low .

CXXX.

“She, for her matchless force, deservedly “Usurps from cavalier the sword and lance; “And even from the east is come to try “Her strength against the paladins of France.” Not only was his cheek of crimson dye, Such shame Zerbino felt at his mischance, Little was wanting (so his blushes spread) But all the arms he wore had glowed as red.

CXXXI.

He mounts, and blames himself in angry wise, In that he had no better kept his seat. Within herself the beldam laughs, and tries The Scottish warrior more to sting and heat. To him for promised convoy she applies; And he, who knows that there is no retreat, Stands like tired courser, who in pensive fit, Hangs down his ears, controlled by spur and bit .

CXXXII.

And, sighing deeply, cries, in his despair, “Fell Fortune, with what change dost thou repay “My loss! she who was fairest of the fair, “Who should be mine, by thee is snatched away! “And thinkest thou the evil to repair “With her whom thou hast given to me this day? “Rather than make like ill exchange, less cross “It were to undergo a total loss.

CXXXIII.

“Her, who for virtue and for beauteous form “Was never equalled, nor will ever be, “Thou on the rocks hast wrecked, in wintry storm, “As food for fowls and fishes of the sea; “And her who should have fed the earth-bred worm “Thou hast delivered from her destiny; “Preserved beyond her date, some ten or score “Of years, to harass and torment me more.”

CXXXIV.

So spake Zerbino, and like grief displaid, In his despairing words and woful mien, For such an odious acquisition made, As he had suffered when he lost his queen. The aged woman now, from what he said, Though she before Zerbino had not seen, Perceived ’twas him of whom, in the thieves’ hold, Isabel of Gallicia erst had told.

CXXXV.

If you remember what was said before, This was the hag who ’scaped out of the cave, Where Isabella, who had wounded sore Zerbino’s heart, was long detained a slave; Who oft had told how she her native shore Had left, and, launching upon ocean’s wave Her frigate, had. been wrecked by wind and swell Upon the rocky shallows near Rochelle.

CXXXVI.

And she to her Zerbino’s goodly cheer And gentle features had pourtrayed so well, That the hag hearing him, and now more near, Letting her eyes upon his visage dwell, Discerned it was the youth for whom, whilere, Had grieved at heart the prisoned Isabel; Whose loss she in the cavern more deplored, Than being captive to the murderous horde.

CXXXVII.

The beldam, hearing what in rage and grief Zerbino vents, perceives the youth to be Deceived, and cheated by the false belief That Isabel had perished in the sea; And though she might have given the prince relief, Knowing the truth, in her perversity What would have made him joyful she concealed, And only what would cause him grief revealed.

CXXXVIII.

“Hear, you that are so proud,” (the hag pursues), “And flout me with such insolence and scorn, “You would entreat me fair to have the news “I know of her whose timeless death you mourn; “But to be strangled would I rather choose, “And be into a thousand pieces torn. “Whereas if you had made me kinder cheer, “Haply from me the secret might you hear.”

CXXXIX.

As the dog’s rage is quickly overblown, Who flies the approaching robber to arrest, If the thief proffer piece of bread or bone; Or offer other lure which likes him best; As readily Zerbino to the crone Humbled himself, and burned to know the rest; Who, in the hints of that old woman, read That she had news of her he mourned as dead.

CXLI.

And with more winning mien to her applied, And her did supplicate, entreat, conjure, By men and gods, the truth no more to hide, Did she benign or evil lot endure. The hard and pertinacious crone replied, “Nought shalt thou hear, thy comfort to assure. “Isabel has not yielded up her breath, “But lives a life she would exchange for death.

CXLI.

“She, since thou heardest of her destiny, “Within few days, has fallen into the power “Of more than twenty. If restored to thee, “Think now, if thou hast hope to crop her flower.” —“Curst hag, how well thou shapest thy history, “Yet knowest it is false! Her virgin dower “Secure from brutal wrong, would none invade, “Though in the power of twenty were the maid.”

CXLII.

Questioning of the maid, he when and where She saw her, vainly asked the beldam hoar, Who, ever restive to Zerbino’s prayer, To what she had rehearsed would add no more. The prince in the beginning spoke her fair, And next to cut her throat in fury swore. But prayers and menaces alike were weak; Nor could he make the hideous beldam speak.

CXLIII.

At length Zerbino to his tongue gave rest, Since speaking to the woman booted nought; Scarcely his heart found room within his breast, Such dread suspicion had her story wrought. He to find Isabella was so pressed, Her in the midst of fire he would have sought; But could not hurry more than was allowed By her his convoy, since he so had vowed.

CXLIV.

They hence, by strange and solitary way, Rove, as the beldam does her will betoken, Nor climbing, nor descending hill, survey Each other’s face, nor any word is spoken. But when the sun upon the middle day Had turned his back, their silence first was broken By cavalier encountered in their way: What followed the ensuing strain will say.

NOTES TO CANTO XX.

Praised is Camilla, with Harpalicè, For the fair course which they in battle ran. Corinna and Sappho, famous for their lore, Shine two illustrious lights, to set no more .

Stanza i. lines 5, 6, 7, 8.

Harpalice was a Thracian virago, who freed her father, made prisoner by the Getæ. Virgil , speaking of her, says,

Vel qualis equos Thrëissa fatigat Harpalice, volucremque fugâ pravertitur Hebrum.

Camilla has been made too notorious by him in Æneas’s Italian Wars to require farther mention. Sappho has as little need of it. Of the Corinnas (as there were three) it is not clear to which Ariosto alludes; probably to her who was the supposed mistress of Ovid, or to the yet more famous woman of that name, who vanquished Pindar in a poetic contest.

When, after twenty years, the Grecian host Returned from Troy, &c .

Stanza x. lines 1 and 2.

As we have seen Ariosto, in the preceding canto, making up his fable of the Amazons out of different classical stories, so we may here detect him in the same species of manufacture. We have a jumble and alteration of stories, Messenian, Scythian, and Trojan.

Phalantus, who led off the youth that were the offspring of the Spartan ladies’ gallantries, though not during the Trojan war, went straight to Italy, where he founded, or where he restored, Tarentum, as stated by the poet.

And, that they might not freeze alone in bed, &c .

Stanza x. line 7.

Non ego deserto jacuissem frigida lecto.

Ovid

The Cretans, who had banished in that day Idomeneus .

Stanza xiv. lines 1 and 2.

Fama volat pulsum regnis cessisse paternis Idomenea ducem,

Virgil

A captive made by her own prisoner .

Stanza xxxix. line 8.

Victorem victæ succubuisse queror.

Ovid

Scarcely Lycaon’s child, her furrow done, Has turned about her ploughshare in the sky, &c .

Stanza lxxxii. lines 3 and 4.

Calisto, daughter of Lycaon, who having been violated by Jupiter, was, by Juno, metamorphosed into a she-bear, and again by Jupiter into the constellation called the Bear, or Bootes’ Wain; and as this constellation only disappears towards morning, the poet designates the dawn by the retreat of Calisto, whom he describes as turning her plough, instead of her wain, in order to depart; for this constellation taking its name from the position of some of its stars resembling that of oxen in harness, might perhaps as fairly be likened to one as to the other.

This story of the Amazons (more especially Guido’s relation) may serve as a specimen of that tone of prosing and repetition with which Ariosto has been reproached. I cannot, however, at all agree with those who condemn him for the ‘lungaggini’ which are usually objected to the Italian writers. I suspect him of much cunning and design in many of his apparent defects, especially in his prosing, and am much pleased to find that I am supported in this opinion by the late Mr. Fox; as I learn from is high authority, who must be the best depository of that accomplished man’s opinions. The reader may here remark, in support of such an idea, that the poet is infinitely more succinct in his own recital of things than he has made others; as Pinnabello in the narration of the loss of his mistress in one of the first cantos, and Guido in the present. This was well; as I have remarked, in Pinnabello’s case, and is well in Guido’s; for Guido may be naturally supposed to be much more interested in these quorum pars magna fuit than the author; and, besides, he has his hearers at his mercy; he has them at his own table.

“I know the man who must hear me, “To him my tale I teach.”

I do not mean to insinuate, however, that Ariosto does not often prose in propriâ personâ: but I believe, as I have suggested in my preface, that he proses, like Defoe, to intent and purpose. What would the history of Robinson Crusoe be worth without its diffuseness and its circumstantiality? In a play we do not look upon poetry as the predominant. excellence of the author; nor should we make it the single qualification of the romancer. Ariosto often considers the developement of manners or passion as a more striking consideration, though, when there is an opening for poetry, without prejudice to the truth of story, no one is better instructed in the art:

‘qua se quaque possit Tollere humo, victorque virum volitare per ora.’

“ It was a damsel’s blow “ Which from thy lofty saddle laid thee low .”

Stanza cxxix. lines 7 and 8.

So the courier who is pursuing Bradamant, mortifies Sacripant by telling him, much in the same words, that it was a damsel who had unhorsed him.

Stands like tired courser, who in pensive fit, Hangs down his ears .

Stanza cxxxi. lines 7 and 8.

Demitto auriculas ut iniquæ mentis asellus.

Horace .

Layout 2

THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.

CANTO XXI.

ARGUMENT.

Zerbino for Gabrina, who a heart

Of asp appears to bear, contends. O’erthrown,

The Fleming falls upon the other part,

Through cause of that despised and odious crone.

He wounded sore, and writhing with the smart,

The beldam’s treason to the prince makes known,

Whose scorn and hatred hence derive new force.

Towards loud cries Zerbino spurs his horse.

THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.

CANTO XXI.

I.

No cord I well believe is wound so tight Round chest, nor nails the plank so fastly hold, As Faith enwraps an honourable sprite In its secure, inextricable, fold; Nor holy Faith, it seems, except in white Was mantled over in the days of old; So by the ancient limner ever painted, As by one speck, one single blemish tainted .

II.

Faith should be kept unbroken evermore, With one or with a thousand men united; As well if given in grot or forest hoar, Remote from town and hamlet, as if plighted Amid a crowd of witnesses, before Tribunal, and in act and deed recited: Nor needs the solemn sanction of an oath: It is sufficient that we pledge our troth.

III.

And this maintains as it maintained should be, In each emprize the Scottish cavalier , And gives good proof of his fidelity, Quitting his road with that old crone to steer; Although this breeds the youth such misery, As ’twould to have Disease itself as near, Or even Death; but with him heavier weighed Than his desire the promise he had made.

IV.

Of him I told who felt at heart such load, Reflecting she beneath his charge must go, He spake no word; and thus in silent mode Both fared: so sullen was Zerbino’s woe. I said how next their silence, as they rode, Was broke, when Sol his hindmost wheels did show, By an adventurous errant cavalier, Who in mid pathway met the crone and peer.

V.

The hag, who the approaching warrior knew, (Hermonides of Holland he was hight) That bore upon a field of sable hue A bar of vermeil tint, transversely dight, Did humbly now to good Zerbino sue, —Her pride abased, and look of haught despite— And him reminded of the promise made, When her Marphisa to his care conveyed.

VI.

Because as foe to her and hers she knew The knight they were encountering, who had slain Her only brother and her father true; And was advised, the traitor would be fain By her, the remnant of her race, to do What he had perpetrated on the twain. “Woman, while guarded by my arm (he said), “I will not thou shouldst any danger dread.”

VII.

As nearer now, the stranger knight espied That face, which was so hateful in his sight, With menacing and savage voice he cried, “Either with me prepare thyself to fight, “Or arm thee not on that old woman’s side, “Who by my hand shall perish, as is right. “If thou contendest for her, thou art slain; “For such their portion is who wrong maintain.”

VIII.

Him young Zerbino answered courteously, ‘Twas sign of evil and ungenerous will, ‘And corresponded not with chivalry, ‘That he a woman should desire to kill; ‘Yet if the knight persists, he will not flee— ‘But bids him well consider first how ill ‘ ’Twould sound, that he, a gentle knight and good, ‘Should wish to dip his hand in woman’s blood.’

IX.

This and yet more he vainly says; nor stand They idle long; from word they pass to deed; And having compassed on the level land Enough of ground, encounter on the mead. Not fired in some rejoicing, from the hand Discharged, so fast the whistling rockets speed, As the two coursers bear the cavaliers To hurtle in mid space with rested spears.

X.

Hermonides of Holland levelled low, And for the youth’s left flank the stroke intended; But his weak lance was shivered by the blow, And little the opposing Scot offended: But vain was not the spear-thrust of his foe, Who bored his opposite’s good shield, and rended His shoulder, by the lance pierced through and through, And good Hermonides on earth o’erthrew.

XI.

Thinking him slain who only lay amazed, By pity prest, Zerbino leapt to ground, And from his deathlike face the vizor raised; And he, as wakened out of sleep profound, In silence, hard upon Zerbino gazed; Then cried, “It does not me, in truth, confound, “To think that I am overthrown by thee, “Who seem’st the flower of errant chivalry.

XII.

“But it with reason grieves me this is done “Upon account of a false woman’s spite; “Whose wicked cause I know not why you own, “An office ill according with your might: “And when to you the occasion shall be known “Which urges me her wickedness to quite, “Whene’er you think on it, you will repent “How she by you was saved, and I was shent.

XIII.

“And if enough of breath, although I fear “The contrary, is left me to expound “Her evil actions, I shall make appear “She in all guilt transgresses every bound. “I had a brother once: the youthful peer “Set out from Holland’s isle, our natal ground, “To serve Heraclius, ’mid his knights arrayed, “Who then the Grecian empire’s sceptre swayed.

XIV.

“Brother in arms and bosom-friend installed “Here was he by a baron of that court, “Who, in a pleasant site, and strongly walled, “On Servia’s distant frontier had a fort. “Argæus he of whom I tell was called, “Husband of that ill hag, whom in such sort “He loved, as passed all mean, and misbecame “One of his worth and honourable fame.

XV.

“But she, more volatile than leaf, when breeze “Of autumn most its natural moisture dries , “And strips the fluttering foliage from the trees, “Which, blown about, before its fury flies, “Changes her humour, and her husband sees, “Whom she some time had loved, with other eyes; “And in her every wish and every thought “Schemes how my brother’s love may best be bought.

XVI.

“But not Acroceraunus fronts the brine, “—Ill-famed—against whose base the billow heaves, “Nor against Boreas stands the mountain pine, “That has a hundred times renewed its leaves, “And towering high on Alp or Apennine, “With its fast root the rock as deeply cleaves, “So firmly as the youth resists the will “Of that foul woman, sink of every ill.

XVII.

“Now, as it oft befalls a cavalier “Who seeks and finds adventure, high and low, “It happened that my gentle brother near “His comrade’s fort was wounded: by a foe; “Where often, uninvited by the peer, “He guested, was his host with him or no; “And thither he resorted from the field, “There to repose until his wounds were healed.

XVIII.

“While there he wounded lay, upon some need “It chanced Argæus was compelled to ride. “Quickly that wanton, from his presence freed, “As was her use, my brother’s fealty tried. “But he, as one unstained in thought and deed, “So fell a goad no longer would abide; “And to preserve his faith, as lures increased, “Of many evils chose what seemed. the least.

XIX.

“To break communion with the cavalier, “To him—of many—seemed the lightest ill, “And go so far, that wanton should not hear “More of his name: this purpose to fulfil “Was honester (though quitting one so dear “Was hard) than to content her evil will, “Or her foul wishes to her lord impart, “Who cherished her as fondly as his heart.

XX.

“And though yet smarting with his wounds and pined, “He dons his arms, and from the tower departs; “And wanders thence with firm and constant mind, “Ne’er to return again into those parts. “But nought availed the purpose he designed; “His projects Fortune baffled with new arts. “This while, behold! the castellain returned, “And bathed in bitter tears the wife discerned.

XXI.

“And with flushed face, and hair in disarray, “He asks of her what had disturbed her mood; “Who, ere she in reply a word will say, “Is vainly more than once to answer wooed; “And all the while is thinking in what way “The knight can best with vengeance be pursued. “And well it suited with her fickle vein, “Lightly to change her love into disdain.

XXII.

‘Ah! why should I conceal (in fine she cried) ‘The fault committed while you were away? ‘For though I it from all the world should hide, ‘This would my conscience to myself bewray. ‘The soul, which is with secret evil dyed, ‘Does with such penitence its fault appay , ‘As every corporal sufferance exceeds ‘That thou couldst deal me for my evil deeds;

XXIII.

‘If evil be the deed, when done parforce. ‘But, be it what it may, the mischief know; ‘Then, with thy sword from this polluted corse, ‘Delivered, let my spotless spirit go; ‘And quench these wretched eyes, which in remorse, ‘I, if I lived, on earth must ever throw, ‘As the least penance of so foul a blame, ‘And, look on whom they may, must blush for shame.

XXIV.

‘My honour has been ruined by thy mate, ‘Who to this body violence has done, ‘And fearing lest I all to thee relate, ‘Without farewell the graceless churl is gone.’ “She by this story made her husband hate “The youth, than whom before was dearer none. “Argæus credits all, without delay “Arms him, and, breathing vengeance, posts away.

XXV.

“In knowledge of that country not to seek, “He overtook the knight in little space; “For my poor brother, yet diseased and weak, “Rode, unsuspicious, at an easy pace; “Argæus, eager his revenge to wreak, “Assailed him straight in a sequestered place. “My brother would excuse him if he might, “But his indignant host insists on fight.

XXVI.

“ This one was sound and full of new disdain, “ That weak and friendly, as aye wont to be: “My brother was ill fitted to sustain “His altered comrade’s new-born enmity. “Philander, then unmeriting such pain, “(So was the stripling named, described by me) “Not gifted with the power to undergo “Such fierce assault, was taken by the foe.

XXVII.

‘Forbid it Heaven! I should be led astray ‘So by just wrath and thy iniquity, ‘(To him Argæus cried) as thee to slay, ‘Who loved thee once, and certes thou loved’st me, ‘Though in the end thou ill didst this display, ‘I yet desire this ample world may see ‘That, measured by my deeds, I rank above ‘Thyself in hate as highly as in love.

XXVIII.

‘In other mode shall I chastise the deed, ‘Than spilling more of thine ill blood’ “The peer, “This said, commands his followers, on a steed, “Of verdant boughs composed, to place a bier, “And with the knight half-lifeless homeward speed, “And in a tower enclose the cavalier; “There dooms the guiltless stripling to remain, “And suffer prisonment’s perpetual pain.

XXIX.

“Yet nothing but his former liberty “Thence to depart was wanting to the knight; “In all the rest, as one at large and free, “He ordered, and was still obeyed aright. “But that ill dame her former phantasy “Pursuing ever with unwearied sprite, “Having the keys, repaired nigh every day “To the close turret where the prisoner lay.

XXX.

“And evermore my brother she assailed, “And with more boldness prest her former suit. ‘Mark what to thee fidelity availed!’ (She cries,) ‘which all mere perfidy repute. ‘With what triumphant joy shalt thou be hailed! ‘What noble spoils are thine, what happy fruit! ‘Oh what a worthy guerdon is thy meed! ‘Branded by all men for a traitor’s deed!

XXXI.

‘How well thou mightst have given, and without stain ‘Of thine own honour, what I sought of thee! ‘Now of so rigorous mood the worthy gain ‘Have and enjoy. In close captivity ‘Thou art; nor ever hope to break thy chain, ‘Unless thou soften thy obduracy. ‘But, if compliant, I a mean can frame ‘To render thee thy liberty and fame.’

XXXII.

‘No, no; have thou no hope,’ (replied the knight,) ‘That my true faith shall ever change, although ‘It thus should happen that, against all right, ‘I should so hard a sentence undergo. ‘Let the world blame. Enough that in his sight, ‘—Who sees and judges every thing below, ‘And in his grace divine my fame can clear— ‘My innocence unsullied shall appear.

XXXIII.

‘Does not Argæus deem enough to sty ‘Me in his prison, let him take away ‘This noisome life. Nor yet may Heaven deny ‘Its meed, though ill the world my work appay. ‘And yet he who condemns me may, when I ‘Am parted from this tenement of clay, ‘Perceive that he has wronged me in the end, ‘And shall bewail when dead his faithful friend.’

XXXIV.

“Thus oftentimes that shameless woman prest “The good Philander, but obtained no fruit. “Nursing her blind desires, which know not rest “In seeking what her wicked love may boot, “She her old vices, in her inmost breast, “Ransacks for what may best the occasion suit, “And sifts them all: then, having overrun “A thousand evil thoughts, resolved on one.

XXXV.

“Six months she waited ere again she sought “The prisoner’s tower, as she was wont before: “From which the sad Philander hoped and thought “That love to him the dame no longer bore. “Lo! Fortune for her an occasion wrought, “(To evil deed propitious evermore) “To give effect, with memorable ill, “To her irrational and evil will.

XXXVI.

“The husband had an ancient feud with one “Who was by name Morando hight the fair; “Who even within the fort would often run “In its lord’s absence; but the knight’s repair “At the wide distance of ten miles would shun, “Was he assured the castellain was there: “Who now, to lure him thither, bruited how “He for Jerusalem was bound by vow.

XXXVII.

“Said he would go; and went. Thus each who spies “His outset, of his journey spreads the fame: “Nor he, who only on his wife relies, “Trusts any with his purpose but the dame, “And home returned when dusky waxed the skies; “Nor ever, save at evening, thither came; “And with changed ensigns, at the dawn of day, “Unseen of any, always went his way.

XXXVIII.

“He now on this, now on the other side, “Roved round his castle but to ascertain “If credulous Morando, who to ride “Thither was wonted, would return again. “All day he in the forest used to hide, “And, when he saw the sun beneath the main, “Came to the tower, and, through a secret gate, “Was there admitted by his faithless mate.

XXXIX.

“Thus every one, except his consort ill, “Argæus many miles away suppose: “She, when ’tis time her errand to fulfil, “Hatching new mischief, to my brother goes. “Of tears she has a ready shower at will, “Which from her eyes into her bosom flows. ‘—Where shall I succour find, now needed most, ‘So that my honour be not wholly lost,

XL.

‘And, with my own, my wedded lord’s?’ (she cries;) ‘I should feel no alarm; if he were here. ‘Thou knowst Morando, know if deities ‘Or men he in Argæus’ absence fear. ‘He at this time tries all extremities; ‘Nor servant have I but by threat or prayer ‘He him to further his desire has swayed; ‘Nor know I whither to recur for aid.

XLI.

‘Of my lord’s absence hearing the report, ‘And that he would not quickly homeward fare, ‘He had the insolence within my court, ‘Upon no other pretext to repair; ‘Who, were my absent lord within his fort, ‘So bold a deed not only would not dare, ‘But would not deem himself secure withal, ‘By Heaven! at three miles’ distance from his wall.

XLII.

‘And what he erst by messenger had sought, ‘From me to-day has sued for face to face; ‘And in such manner that long time I thought ‘Dishonour must have followed and disgrace; ‘And if I had not humbly him besought, ‘And feigned to yield to him with ready grace, ‘He haply would have ravished that by force, ‘Which he expects to win by milder course.

XLIII.

‘I promise, not designing to comply, ‘For void is contract made in fear; alone ‘From his ill purpose would I put him by, ‘And what he then parforce would else have done. ‘So stands the case: the single remedy ‘Lies in yourself: my honour else is gone, ‘And that of my Argæus; which as dear, ‘Or more so, than your own you vowed whilere.

XLIV.

‘If you refuse me; I shall say, you show ‘That you have not the faith which you pretended, ‘But that in cruelty you said me no, ‘When vainly were my tears on you expended, ‘And no wise for Argæus’ sake, although ‘With this pretext you have yourself defended. ‘Our loves had been concealed and free from blame; ‘But here I stand exposed to certain shame.’

XLV.

‘To me such preface needs not (said anew ‘The good Philander), bound by amity ‘To my Argæus still; thy pleasure shew: ‘I what I ever was will be, and I, ‘Although from him I bear such ill undue, ‘Accuse him not; for him would I defy ‘Even death itself; and let the world, allied ‘With my ill destiny, against me side!’

XLVI.

“The impious woman answered, ‘ ’Tis my will ‘Thou slay him who would do us foul despite; ‘Nor apprehend to encounter any ill: ‘For I the certain mean will tell aright. ‘He will return, his purpose to fulfil, ‘At the third hour, when darkest is the night; ‘And, at a preconcerted signal made, ‘Be without noise by me within conveyed.

XLVII.

‘Let it not irk thee to await the peer ‘Within my chamber, where no light will be; ‘Till I shall make him doff his warlike gear, ‘And, almost naked, yield him up to thee.’ “So did his wife into that quicksand steer “Her hapless husband (it appears to me) “If wife she rightly could be called; more fell “And cruel than a fury sprung from hell.

XLVIII.

“She drew my brother forth, that guilty night, “With his good arms in hand, and him again “Secreted in the chamber without light, “Till thither came the wretched castellain. “As it was ordered, all fell out aright, “For seldom ill design is schemed in vain. “So fell Argæus by Philander’s sword, “Who for Morando took the castle’s lord.

XLIX.

“One blow divided head and neck; for nought “Was there of helm, the warrior to defend. “Without a struggle was Argæus brought “To his unhappy life’s disastrous end. “And he who slew him never had such thought, “Nor this would have believed: to aid his friend “Intent, (strange chance!) he wrought him in that blow “The worst that could be done by mortal foe.

L.

“When now, unknown, on earth Argæus lay, “My brother to Gabrina gave the blade, “(So was she named) who lived but to betray. “She, who discovery had till then delayed, “Wills that Philander with a light survey “The man whom he on earth has lifeless laid, “And she, with the assistanee of the light, “Shows him Argæus in the murdered wight.

LI.

“And threatens, save he with desires comply “To which her bosom had been long a prey, “What he would be unable to deny “She to the assembled household will display, “And he like traitor and assassin die, “Upon her tale, in ignominious way: “And minds him fame is not to be despised, “Albeit so little life by him be prized.

LII.

“Philander stood oppressed with grief and fear, “When his mistake to him the woman showed, “And to have slain her in his wrath went near, “And long he doubted, so his choler glowed; “And, but that Reason whispered in his ear “That he was in an enemy’s abode, “For lack of faulchion in his empty sheath, “He would have torn her piece-meal with his teeth.

LIII.

“As sometimes vessel by two winds which blow “From different points is vext upon the main , “And now one speeds the bark an end, and now “Another squall impels her back again; “Still on her poop assailed, or on her prow, “Till she before the strongest flies amain: “Philander, so distraught by two designs, “Takes what he pregnant with least ill opines.

LIV.

“Reason demonstrates with what peril fraught “His case, not more with death than lasting stain, “If in the castle were that murder taught; “Nor any time has he to sift his brain. “Will he or nill he, in conclusion nought “Is left him but the bitter cup to drain. “Thus in his troubled heart prevailing more, “His fear his resolution overbore.

LV.

“The fear of shameful punishment’s pursuit “Made him with many protestations swear “To grant in every thing Gabrina’s suit, “If from the fortilage they safely fare. “So plucks that impious dame, parforce, the fruit “Of her desires, and thence retreat the pair. “Thus home again the young Philander came, “Leaving behind him a polluted name;

LVI.

“And deeply graven in his bosom bore “The image of his friend so rashly slain; “By this to purchase, to his torment sore, “A Progne, a Medea; impious gain! “—And but his knightly faith, and oaths he swore, “Were to his fury as a curbing rein, “From him when safe she would have met her fate; “But lived subjected to his bitterest hate.

LVII.

“Thenceforth he nevermore was seen to smile: “All his discourse was sad, and still ensued “Sobs from his breast; afflicted in the style “Of vext Orestes, when he in his mood “Had slain his mother and Ægysthus vile; “By vengeful furies for the deed pursued. “Till broken by the ceaseless grief he fed, “He sickened and betook himself to bed.

LVIII.

“Now in the harlot, when she had discerned “This other set by her so little store, “The former amorous flame was quickly turned “Into despiteous rage and hatred sore; “Nor with less wrath she towards my brother burned “Than for Argæus she had felt before; “And she disposed herself, in treasons versed, “To slay her second husband like the first.

LIX.

“Of a deceitful leech she made assay , “Well fitted for the work she had in hand, “Who better knew what deadly poisons slay “Than he the force of healing syrup scanned; “And promised him his service to repay “With a reward exceeding his demand, “When he should, with some drink of deadly might, “Of her detested husband rid her sight.

LX.

“In presence of myself and more beside, “The wicked elder, with his deadly dole, “Approaching my unhappy brother, cried, ‘It was a sovereign drink to make him whole.’ “But here a new device Gabrina tried, “And, ere the sickly man could taste the bowl, “To rid her of accomplice in the deed, “Or to defraud him of his promised meed,

LXI.

“Seized on his hand, the instant he presented “The poison to my brother. ‘Ill my fear, (Exclaimed the dame) ‘by you would be resented, ‘Excited for a spouse I hold so dear. ‘I, that the beverage has not been fermented ‘With evil drug and poisonous, will be clear; ‘Nor deem it meet that you to him convey ‘The proffered bowl, unless you take the ’say .’

LXII.

“In what condition think you, sir, remained “The wretched elder by his fears opprest? “Thus by the woman’s suddenness constrained, “He had no time for thinking what were best. “He, lest more doubt of him be entertained, “Tastes of the chalice, at Gabrina’s hest; “And the sick man, emboldened so, drinks up “All the remainder of the poisoned cup .

LXIII.

“As the trained hawk of crooked talon who “Clutches the partridge, when about to eat, “Is by the dog, she deems her comrade true, “O’ertaken and defrauded of the meat; “So on ill gain intent, the leech, in lieu “Of the expected aid, received defeat. “Hear, thus, what sovereign wickedness will dare, “And be like fate each greedy miscreant’s share!

LXIV.

“This past and done, the leech would homeward speed, “That he, to counteract the pest he bore “Within his bowels, in this fearful need, “Might use some secret of his cunning lore; “But this the wicked dame would not concede, “Forbidding him to issue thence before “His patient’s stomach should the juice digest, “And its restoring power be manifest .

LXV.

“No prayer will move, nor offered price will buy “The woman’s leave to let him thence depart. “The desperate man who saw that death was nigh, “And sure to follow, quickly changed his part; “And told the story to the standers-by; “Nor could she cover it with all her art. “Thus what he wont to do by many a one, “That goodly doctor by himself has done;

LXVI.

“And follows with his soul my brother true, “That hence, already freed, was gone before. “We, the assistants, that the matter knew “From the old man who lingered little more, “Took that abominable monster, who “More cruel was than beast in forest hoar, “And, prisoned in a darksome place, reserved “To perish in the fire, as she deserved.”

LXVII.

So said Hermonides, and had pursued His tale, and told how she from prison fled; But suffered from his wound a pang so shrewd, He fell reversed upon his grassy bed. Meanwhile two squires, who served him in the wood, A rustic bier of sturdy branches spread. Their master upon this the servants lay, Who could not thence be borne in other way.

LXVIII.

Zerbino, in excuse, assured the peer, ‘He grieved.so good a knight to have offended; ‘But, as was still the use of cavalier, ‘Had guarded her who in his guidance wended; ‘Nor had he else preserved his honour clear: ‘For when the dame was to his care commended, ‘Her to defend his promise he had plight ‘From all men, to the utmost of his might.

LXIX.

‘He, if he might, in any thing beside, ‘Would readily assist him in his need.’ —‘His only wish,’ (the cavalier replied,) ‘Was, he might be from ill Gabrina freed, ‘Ere him some mighty mischief should betide, ‘Of future penitence the bitter seed.’ Gabrina keeps on earth her downcast eye; For ill the simple truth admits reply.

LXX.

Zerbino thence, upon the promised way, With the old woman in his escort, went, And inly cursed her all the livelong day, That in her cause that baron he had shent. And having heard the knight her guilt display, Who was instructed in her evil bent, He—if before he had her at despite— So loathed her, she was poison to his sight.

LXXI.

Well read in young Zerbino’s hate, the dame Would not by him in malice be outdone, Nor bated him an inch, but in that game Of deadly hatred set him two for one. Her face was with the venom in a flame Wherewith her swelling bosom overrun. ’Twas thus and in such concord as I say, These through the ancient wood pursued their way.

LXXII.

When, lo! as it is now nigh eventide, They a mixt sound of blows and outcries hear, Which seem a sign of battle fiercely plied, And (as the deafening noise demonstrates) near. To mark what this might be, towards that side Whence came the tumult, moved the Scottish peer; Nor is in following him Gabrina slow: What chanced in other canto you shall know.

NOTES TO CANTO XXI.

Nor holy Faith, it seems, except in white Was mantled over in the days of old; So by the ancient limner’s pencil ever painted, As by one speck, one single blemish tainted .

Stanza i. lines 5, 6, 7, 8.

Et albo rara Fides colit Velata panno.

Horace .

But she, more volatile than leaf, when breeze Of autumn most its natural moisture dries, &c .

Stanza xv. lines 1 and 2.

Tu levior foliis tunc cum sine pondere succi Mobilibus ventis arida facta volant,

says Ovid ; who more than once repeats this allusion.

The soul, which is with secret evil dyed, Does with such penitence its fault appay, &c .

Stanza xxii. lines 5 and 6.

Evasisse putas, quos diri conscia facti, Mens habet attonitos et surdo verbere cœdit, Occulto quatiente animam tortore flagello? Pœna autem vehemens ac multo sævior illis, Quas et Sedicius gravis invenit aut Rhadamanthus, Nocte dieque suum portare in pectore testem.

Juvenal .

As sometimes vessel by two winds which blow From different points is vext upon the main, &c .

Stanza liii. lines 1 and 2.

Ariosto has taken this simile, with some little variation, from Silius Italicus .

Non graviore movent venti certamina mole Adrysius Boreas, et, Syrtim tollere pollens, Africus, obnixi cum bella furentia torquent. Distraxere fretum, ac diversa ad littora volvunt Æquor quisque suum: sequitur stridente procellâ Nunc huc, nunc illuc, raptim mare et intonat undis.

Of a deceitful leech, &c .

Stanza lix. line 1.

Ariosto has taken this incident from the Golden Ass of Apuleius , whom he has copied in many of his details, as will be seen in this and the succeeding notes. ‘Sed uxor, quæ jam pridem nomen uxoris cum fide perdiderat, medicum convenit notæ perfidiæ, qui jam multarum palmarum spectatus preliis, magna dextre suæ trophæa numerabat; eique protinus quinquaginta promittit sestertia, ut ille quidem momentarium venenum venderet, illa autem emeret mariti sui mortem.’

The poet has followed Apuleius yet more closely in the next stanzas.

“ In presence of myself and more beside, “ The aged prisoner, with his deadly dole, “ Approaching my unhappy brother, cried, ‘ It was a sovereign drink to make him whole .’ “ But here a new device Gabrina tried, “ And, ere the sickly man could taste the bowl, “ To rid her of accomplice in the deed, “ Or to defraud him of his promised meed,

“ Seized on his hand, the instant he presented “ The poison to my brother. ‘Ill my fear, ( Exclaimed the dame ) ‘ by you would be resented, ‘ Excited for a spouse I hold so dear. ‘ I, that the beverage has not been fermented ‘ With evil drug and poisonous, will be clear; ‘ Nor deem it meet that you to him convey ‘ The proffered bowl, unless you take the ’say .

Stanzas lx and lxi.

“Jamque, præsente familiâ, et inde nonnullis amicis et affinibus, ægroto poculum medicus probe temperatum manu suâ porrigebat: sed audax illa mulier, ut simul et conscium sceleris amoliretur et quam desponderat pecuniam lucraretur, detento calice, ‘Non prius (inquit) medicorum optime, non prius charissimo mihi marito trades istam potionem quam de hac bonam partem hauseris ipse. Unde enim sciam, an noxium in eâ lateat venenum: quæ res utique te tam prudentem tamque doctum virum nequaquam offendat; si religiosa uxor circa salutem mariti sollicitam necessariam offero pietatem. ’ ”

unless you take the say ,

(In the original,

se non ne fai tu il saggio)

is an idiom which shows the occasional necessity for resort ing to the time of Elizabeth in search of equivalents for phrases relating to customs now disused. ‘The phrase of to take the ’say (a taste of the meat as a precaution against poison) is common in our old writers.

In what condition think you, sir, remained The wretched elder by his fears opprest? Thus by the woman’s suddenness constrained, He had no time for thinking what were best. He, lest more doubt of him be entertained, Tastes of the chalice, at Gabrina’s hest; And the sick man, emboldened so, drinks up All the remainder of the poisoned cup .

Stanza lxii.

In this stanza we have the same close imitation.

“Quâ mirà desperatione truculente fæminæ repente perturbatus medicus, excussusque toto consilio, et, ob angustiam temporis, spatio cogitandi privatus, antequam trepidatione aliquâ vel cunctatione ipsâ daret malæ conscientiæ suspicionem, ibidem de potione gustat ampliter; quam fidem sequutus adolescens, et sumpto calice, quod afferebatur hausit.”

This past and done, the leech would homeward speed, That he, to counteract the pest he bore Within his bowels, in this fearful need, Might use some secret of his cunning lore; But this the wicked dame would not concede, Forbidding him to issue thence before His patients stomach should the juice digest, And its restoring power be manifest .

Stanza lxiv.

In this stanza, Ariosto has again followed closely in the footsteps of Apuleius ,

“Ad istum modum presenti transacto negotio, medicus quam ocissime domum remeabat, salutiferâ potione pestem præcedentis veneni festinans extinguere; nec eum obstinatione sacrilegâ, quâ semel cœperat truculenta mulier, ungue latius a se discedere passa est; ‘Priusquam (inquit) digestâ potione, medicinæ eventus probatus appareat. ’ ”

Such are the incidents which Ariosto has borrowed; there are, however, many circumstances of invention in this episode, such as the simile of the hawk and dog, &c. which, giving his peculiarity of touch to the picture, show how well he could assimilate and make his own whatever foreign graces he thought worthy of adoption. I may here remark with what felicity and discrimination he always paints the character of woman; the fidelity and fondness of Isabella, the coquetry of Angelica, the exalted character of Olympia, uncompromising in her love or hate, and the abandoned wickedness of Gabrina, a true though fearful picture of what woman is, when she utterly abandons the reins to her passions. This discrimination appears to me strikingly exemplified in the character of his two viragos. Bradamant and Marphisa, though equally brave, and, by the vagrant and unfeminine life which they lead, equally subjected to the same coarse suspicions, always appear to us in very different lights. The mere circumstance of his having armed the one with a golden spear, with which she tilts her enemies out of their saddles, and the other with a sabre to hack and hew, makes all the difference. If one could love an Amazon, it would be Bradamant; but one might as well think of falling in love with Moll of Flanders as with Marphisa. A late very ingenious periodical critic blames Ariosto for having made as little distinction between the characteristics of his heroes, as Virgil has between his fortemque Gyan fortemque Cloanthum; but I give the poet the same credit for his delineation of male as of female mind, and should say, that he was in this respect rather to be compared to Homer than to Virgil; that Rogero no more resembles Gradasso than Hector does Diomed; and that even in the attribute of courage, the quality in which Ariosto’s heroes must necessarily most resemble each other, a marked and striking distinction is visible. This is remarkable in those between whom there is most resemblance—as in Mandricardo and Rodomont, and Orlando and Rinaldo, &e. &c. This is also yet more worthy of admiration; inasmuch as Ariosto has, well or ill, subjected himself to embarrassing restrictions. For having adopted the dramatis personæ of the Innamorato, he, probably from greater refinement of taste, thought it necessary to soften down their prominence of character; and to do this, without obliterating their features, was to overcome no ordinary difficulty.

Layout 2

THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.

CANTO XXII.

ARGUMENT.

Atlantes’ magic towers Astolpho wight

Destroys, and frees his thralls from prison-cell.

Bradamant finds Rogero, who in fight

O’erthrows four barons from the warlike sell,

When on their way to save an errant knight

Doomed to devouring fire: the four who fell

For impious Pinnabel maintained the strife,

Whom, after, Bradamant deprives of life.

THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.

CANTO XXII.

I.

Ye courteous dames, and to your lovers dear, You that are with one single love content; Though, ’mid so many and many, it is clear Right few of you are of such constant bent; Be not displeased at what I said whilere, When I so bitterly Gabrina shent, Nor if I yet expend some other verse In censure of the beldam’s mind perverse.

II.

Such was she; and I hide not what is true; So was enjoined me for a task by one Whose will is law; therefore is honour due To constant heart throughout my story done. He who betrayed his master to the Jew For thirty pence, nor Peter wronged; nor John, Nor less renowned is Hypermnestra’s fame, For her so many wicked sisters’ shame .

III.

For one I dare to censure in my lays, For so the story wills which I recite, On the other hand, a hundred will I praise, And make their virtue dim the sun’s fair light; But turning to the various pile I raise, (Gramercy! dear to many) of the knight Of Scotland I was telling, who hard-by Had heard, as was rehearsed, a piercing cry.

IV.

He entered, ’twixt two hills, a narrow way, From whence was heard the cry; nor far had hied, Ere to a vale he came shut out from day, Where he before him a dead knight espied. Who I shall tell; but first I must away From France, in the Levant to wander wide, Till I the paladin Astolpho find, Who westward had his course from thence inclined.

V.

I in the cruel city left the peer, Whence, with the formidable bugle’s roar, He had chased the unfaithful people in their fear, And had preserved himself from peril sore; And with the sound had made his comrades rear Their sail, and fly with noted scorn that shore. Now following him, I say, the warrior took The Armenian road, and so that land forsook.

VI.

He, after some few days, in Natoly Finds himself, and towards Brusa goes his ways; Hence wending, on the hither side o’ the sea, Makes Thrace; through Hungary by the Danube lays His course, and, as his horse had wings to flee, Traverses in less time than twenty days Both the Moravian and Bohemian line: Threaded Franconia next, and crost the Rhine.

VII.

To Aix-la-Chapelle thence, through Arden’s wood, Came and embarked upon the Flemish strand . To sea, with southern breeze his vessel stood ; And, so the favouring wind her canvas fanned, That he, at little distance, Albion viewed By noon, and disembarked upon her land. He backed his horse, and so the rowels plied, In London he arrived by even-tide.

VIII.

Here, leaning afterwards that Otho old Has lain for many months in Paris-town, And that anew nigh every baron bold Has after his renowned example done, He straightway does for France his sails unfold, And to the mouth of Thames again is gone. Whence issuing forth, with all his canvas spread, For Calais he directs the galley’s head.

IX.

A breeze which, from the starboard blowing light, Had tempted forth Astolpho’s bark to sea, By little and by little, waxed in might, And so at last obtains the mastery, The pilot is constrained to veer outright, Lest by the billows swampt his frigate be, And he, departing from his first design, Keeps the bark straight before the cresting brine.

X.

Now to the right, now to the other hand, Sped by the tempest, through the foaming main, The vessel ran; she took the happy land At last nigh Rouen; and forthwith, in chain And plate Astolpho cased, and girt with brand, Bade put the saddle upon Rabicane; Departed thence, and (what availed him more Than thousands armed) with him his bugle bore;

XI.

And traversing a forest, at the feet Of a fair hill, arrived beside a font, What time the sheep foregoes his grassy meat, Penned in the cabin or the hollow mount; And, overcome by feverish thirst and heat, Lifted the weighty morion from his front; Tethered his courser in the thickest wood, And, with intent to drink, approached the flood.

XII.

His lips he had not wetted in its bed Before a youthful rustic, ambushed near, Sprang from a copse, backed Rabican, and fled With the good courser of the cavalier. Astolpho hears the noise and lifts his head, And, when he sees his mighty loss so clear, Satiate, although he has not drunk, upstarts, And after the young churl in fury darts.

XIII.

That robber did not let the courser strain At speed, or he had from the warrior shot; But loosening now and tightening now the rein, Fled at a gallop or a steady trot. From the deep forest issued forth the twain, After long round, and reached in fine the spot Where so many illustrious lords were shent: Worse prisoners they than if in prison pent!

XIV.

On Rabican, who with the wind might race, The villain sped, within the enchanter’s won. Impeded by his shield and iron case, Parforce Astolpho far behind him run; Yet there arrives as well, but every trace Of what the warrior had pursued is gone. He neither Rabican nor thief can meet, And vainly rolls his eyes and plies his feet.

XV.

He plies his feet, and searches still in vain Throughout the house, hall, bower, or galleried rows: Yet labours evermore, with fruitless pain And care, to find the treacherous churl; nor knows Where he can have secreted Rabicane, Who every other animal outgoes: And vainly searched all day the dome about, Above, below, within it, and without.

XVI.

He, wearied and confused with wandering wide, Perceived the place was by enchantment wrought, And of the book he carried at his side, By Logistilla given in India, thought; Bestowed, should new enchantment him betide, That needful succour might therein be sought. He to the index turns, and quickly sees What pages show the proper remedies.

XVII.

I’ the book, of that enchanted house at large Was written, and in this was taught the way To foil the enchanter, and to set at large The different prisoners, subject to his sway. ‘Of these illusions and these frauds in charge, ‘A spirit pent beneath the threshold lay; ‘And the stone raised which kept him fast below, ‘With him the palace into smoke would go.’

XVIII.

Astolpho with desire to bring to end An enterprise so passing fair, delays No more, but to the task his force does bend, And prove how much the heavy marble weighs. As old Atlantes sees the knight intend To bring to scorn his art and evil ways, Suspicious of the ill which may ensue, He moves to assail him with enchantments new.

XIX.

He, with his spells and shapes of devilish kind, Makes the duke different from his wont appear; To one a giant, and to one a hind, To other an ill-visaged cavalier; Each, in the form which in the thicket blind The false enchanter wore, beholds the peer. So that they all, with purpose to have back What the magician took, the duke attack.

XX.

The Child , Gradasso, Iroldo, Bradamant, Prasildo, Brandimart, and many more, All, cheated by this new illusion, pant To slay the English baron, angered sore; But he abased their pride and haughty vaunt, Who straight bethought him of the horn he bore. But for the succour of its echo dread, They, without fail, had laid Astolpho dead.

XXI.

But he no sooner has the bugle wound And poured a horrid larum, than in guise Of pigeons at the musquet’s scaring sound, The troop of cavaliers affrighted flies. No less the necromancer starts astound, No less he from his den in panic hies; Troubled and pale, and hurrying evermore Till out of hearing of the horrid roar

XXII.

The warder fled; with him his prisoned train, And many steeds as well are fled and gone; (These more than rope is needed to restrain) Who after their astounded masters run, Scared by the sound; nor cat nor mouse remain, Who seem to hear in it, ‘ Lay on, lay on .’ Rabican with the rest had broke his bands, But that he fell into Astolpho’s hands.

XXIII.

He, having chased the enchanter Moor away, Upraised the heavy threshold from the ground; Beneath which, figures and more matters lay, That I omit; desirous to confound The spell which did the magic dome upstay, The duke made havock of whate’er he found, As him the book he carried taught to do: And into mist and smoke all past from view.

XXIV.

There he found fastened by a golden chain Rogero’s famous courser, him I say Given by the wizard, that to the domain Of false Alcina him he might convey: On which, equipt with Logistilla’s rein, To France Rogero had retraced his way, And had from Ind to England rounded all The right-hand side of the terrestrial ball.

XXV.

I know not if you recollect how tied To a tree Rogero left his rein, the day Galaphron’s naked daughter from his side Vanished, and him did with that scorn appay. The courser, to his wonder who espied, Returned to him whom he was used to obey; Beneath the old enchanter’s care to dwell, And stayed with him till broken was the spell.

XXVI.

At nought Astolpho could more joyous be Than this; of all things fortunate the best: In that the hippogryph so happily Offered himself; that he might scower the rest, (As much he coveted) of land and sea, And in few days the ample world invest. Him well he knew, how fit for his behoof; For of his feats he had elsewhere made proof.

XXVII.

Him he that day in India proved, when sped He was by sage Melissa, from the reign Of that ill woman who him, sore bested, Had changed from man to myrtle on the plain; Had marked and noted how his giddy head Was formed by Logistilla to the rein; And saw how well instructed by her care Rogero was, to guide him every where.

XXVIII.

Minded to take the hippogryph, he flung The saddle on him, which lay near, and bitted The steed, by choosing, all the reins among, This part or that, until his mouth was fitted: For in that place were many bridles hung, Belonging to the coursers which had flitted. And now alone, intent upon his flight, The thought of Rabicane detained the knight.