s: "Or if disposed to take him from my sight,


s: Before the youth be into France conveyed,


s: From its now rotted bark, long decayed."


s: "Prate as thou wilt, I shall restore the knight


s: "Nor offer shield and courser to resign,


s: Which are not in thy gift, -- already mine.


s: "Nor were they thine to take or to bestow,


s: Would it appear that such exchange were wise;


s: Thou sayest to save him from what stars foreshow,


s: And cheat an evil influence of the skies


s: Rogero is confined.  Thou canst not know,


s: Or knowing, canst not change his destinies:


s: Far less mayest thou another's fate foresee.


s: "Seek not thy death from me; for the petition


s: Is made in vain; but if for death thou sigh,


s: Though the whole world refused the requisition,


s: A soul resolved would find the means to die.


s: But ope thy gates to give thy guests dismission


s: Before thine hand the knot of life untie."


s: So spake the scornful dame with angry mock,


s: Speeding her captive still towards the rock.


s: Round by the conqueror with the chain he bore,


s: Atlantes walked, the damsel following nigh,


s: Although he seemed subdued in port and eye.


s: They at the mountain's foot the cleft espy,


s: With steps by which the rugged hill to round;


s: And climb, till to the castle-gate they wound:


s: Atlantes from the threshold, graved by skill,


s: With characters and wondrous signs, upturned


s: A virtuous stone, where, underneath the sill,


s: Pots, with perpetual fire and secret, burned.


s: The enchanter breaks them; and at once the hill


s: Then from the lady's toils the wizard clears


s: His limbs, as thrush escapes the fowler's snare;


s: And leaves the prisoned troop in open air;


s: From their gay lodgings, dames and cavaliers,


s: Unhoused upon that desert, bleak and bare.


s: Which dispossessed them of such life of joy.


s: And there, at last, the lovely Bradamant


s: Who, when assured it was that lady, flew


s: With joyful cheer to greet the damsel true;


s: As her he prized before his eyes, his heart,


s: His life; from that day cherished when she stood


s: Uncasqued for him, and from the fight apart;


s: And hence an arrow drank her virgin blood.


s: 'Twere long to tell who launched the cruel dart,


s: And how the lovers wandered in the wood;


s: Now guided by the sun, and now benighted,


s: Here first since that encounter reunited.


s: Now that the stripling sees her here, and knows


s: Alone she freed him from the wizard's nest,


s: He deems, his bosom with such joy overflows,


s: Thither, where late the damsel conquered, goes


s: The band, descending from the mountain's crest;


s: And finds the hippogryph, who bore the shield,


s: But in its case of crimson silk concealed.


s: Approached, and he stood fast till she was nigh,


s: Then spread his pinions to the liquid air,


s: And at short distance lit, half-mountain high:


s: And, as she follows him with fruitless care,


s: Not longer flight nor shorter will he try.


s: 'Tis thus the raven, on some sandy beach,


s: Lures on the dog, and flits beyond his reach.


s: With all those other knights below were met,


s: Where'er, they hope he may return, pursue


s: The beast, and up and down, each pass beset.


s: Among the rocks of the moist valley dropt,


s: And at short distance from Rogero stopt.


s: This was his only thought, his only care;


s: Who for such end dispatched the winged steed,


s: Him out of Europe by this sleight to bear.


s: Now the bold youth from his Frontino flings


s: Then leaps on him who towers in air, and stings


s: And goads his haughty heart with rowels bright.


s: He runs a short career; then upward springs.


s: And through mid ether soars a fairer flight


s: Than hawk, from which the falconer plucks away


s: In time the blinding hood, and points her prey.


s: When her Rogero the fair dame discerned,


s: In fearful peril, soar so high a strain,


s: She stood long space amazed, ere she returned


s: To her right judgement, and sound wits again:


s: And what she erst of Ganymede had learned,


s: Snatched up to heaven from his paternal reign,


s: Feared might befall the stripling, born through air,


s: As long as feeble sight can serve her use;


s: And in her mind next tracks him through the skies,


s: When sight in vain the cherished youth pursues.


s: And still renewing tears, and groans, and sighs,


s: Will not afford her sorrow peace or truce.


s: After the knight had vanished from her view,


s: Her eyes she on the good Frontino threw.


s: And lest the courser should become the prey


s: Of the first traveller, who passed the glen,


s: Him will not leave; but thence to bear away


s: Resolves, in trust to see his lord again.


s: The flying courser; while, beneath his ken,


s: Each peak and promontory sinks in guise,


s: That he discerns not flat from mountain-rise.


s: After the hippogryph has won such height,


s: That he is lessened to a point, he bends


s: His course for where the sun, with sinking light,


s: When he goes round the heavenly crab, descends;


s: And shoots through air, like well-greased bark and light,


s: Which through the sea a wind propitious sends.


s: Him leave we on his way, who well shall speed,


s: Forced by the wind, the spacious ocean through;


s: Now westward borne, and now toward the Bears;


s: For night and day the ceaseless tempest blew.


s: Scotland at last her dusky coast uprears,


s: Which, through its shadowy groves of ancient oak,


s: Oft echoes to the champion's sturdy stroke.


s: Through this roves many a famous cavalier,


s: Renowned for feat in arms, of British strain;


s: And throng from distant land, or country near,


s: French, Norse, of German knights, a numerous train.


s: Let none, save he be valiant, venture here,


s: Where, seeking glory, death may be his gain.


s: Here Arthur, Galahalt, and Gauvaine fought,


s: And well Sir Launcelot and Tristram wrought.


s: Whose trophies yet remain upon the ground;


s: Proof of their valiant feats, Rinaldo true


s: He bade, with all the haste they might, repair


s: To Berwick's neighbouring port, and wait him there.


s: Through that wide forest; choosing now this way,


s: Now that, now other, as it might present


s: Hope of adventurous quest or hard assay:


s: And, ere the first day's circling sun is spent,


s: Which spends much wealth in harbouring those who claim


s: Its shelter, warlike knight or wandering dame.


s: The monks and abbot to Mount Alban's peer


s: Who asked, but not before with savoury cheer


s: He amply had his wearied strength restored,


s: Often adventurous quest might be explored,


s: In which a man might prove, by dangerous deed,


s: If blame or glory were his fitting meed.


s: They answered, in those woods he might be sure


s: Many and strange adventures would be found;


s: But deeds, there wrought, were, like the place, obscure,


s: And, for the greater part, not bruited round.


s: "Then seek (they said) a worthier quest, secure


s: Your works will not be buried underground.


s: So that the glorious act achieved, as due,


s: Fame may your peril and your pain pursue.


s: "And if you would your warlike worth assay,


s: Prepare the worthiest enterprize to hear,


s: That, e'er in times of old or present day,


s: Our monarch's daughter needs some friendly stay,


s: Now sore bested, against a puissant peer:


s: Who would bereave her both of life and fame.


s: Perchance yet more for hatred than for right;


s: Hence death by fire will be the damsel's due,


s: Such is our law, unless some champion fight


s: (Nigh spent) upon the accuser prove the lie.


s: "Our impious Scottish law, severe and dread,


s: Wills, that a woman, whether low or high


s: Her state, who takes a man into her bed,


s: Except her husband, for the offence shall die.


s: Nor is there hope of ransom for her head,


s: And as her champion true, with spear and shield,


s: Maintain her guiltless in the listed field.


s: "The king, sore grieving for Geneura bright,


s: For such is his unhappy daughter's name,


s: Proclaims by town and city, that the knight


s: Who shall deliver her from death and shame,


s: With dower, well suited to a royal dame;


s: So that the valiant warrior who has stood


s: In her defence, be come of gentle blood.


s: "But if within a month no knight appear,


s: Or coming, conquer not, the damsel dies.


s: A like emrpize were worthier of your spear


s: Than wandering through these woods in lowly guise.


s: Besides, the eternal trophy you shall rear,


s: You by the deed shall gain a glorious prize,


s: The sweetest flower of all the ladies fair


s: That betwixt Ind and Atlas' pillars are.


s: "And you with wealth and state shall guerdoned be,


s: And the king's grace, if through your means he see


s: His honour raised anew, now well-nigh spent.


s: Are bound to venge the damsel foully shent.


s: For she, whose life is by such treason sought,


s: Is chaste and spotless in the common thought."


s: Because she with a lover's wish complied,


s: And quenched within her arms his fond desire?


s: Cursed be the law by which the dame is tried!


s: Cursed he who would permit a doom so dire!


s: Perish (such fate were just!) who cruel proves!


s: Not she that life bestows on him who loves.


s: "Or true or false Geneura's tale of shame;


s: For this my praise the lady well might claim,


s: My every thought is turned to aid the dame.


s: Grant me but one to guide my steps, and lead


s: Quickly to where the foul accuser stands,


s: I trust in God to loose Geneura's bands.


s: "I will not vouch her guiltless in my thought,


s: Boldly maintain, in such an act is nought


s: For which the damsel should deserve to die;


s: And ween unjust, or else of wit distraught,


s: Which, as iniquitous, should be effaced,


s: And with a new and better code replaced.


s: Move one and the other sex, who warmly press


s: To that soft end of love (their goal the same)


s: Which to the witless crowd seems rank excess;


s: Say why shall woman -- merit scathe or blame,


s: Though lovers, one or more, she may caress;


s: While man to sin with whom he will is free,


s: And meets with praise, not mere impunity?


s: I trust in God, which has been borne too long."


s: To good Rinaldo's sentence, with one will,


s: Deeming their sires unjust, assents the throng,


s: Their sires who such outrageous statute penned,


s: And king, who might, but does not, this amend.


s: When the new dawn, with streaks of red and white,


s: Broke in the east, and cleared the hemisphere,


s: Rinaldo took his steed and armour bright:


s: A squire that abbey furnished to the peer.


s: With him, for many leagues and miles, the knight


s: Pricked through the dismal forest dark and drear;


s: While they towards the Scottish city ride,


s: Where the poor damsel's cause is to be tried.


s: Seeking their way to shorten as they wound,


s: They to the wider track a path preferred;


s: When echoing through the gloomy forest round,


s: Loud lamentations nigh the road were heard.


s: Towards a neighbouring vale, whence came the sound,


s: This his Bayardo, that his hackney spurred;


s: And viewed, between two grisly ruffians there,


s: A girl, who seemed at distance passing fair.


s: Hard by the barbarous twain prepared the blade,


s: To deluge with that damsel's blood the green.


s: Until she pity moved with mournful mien.


s: This when Rinaldo near approaching eyes,


s: He thither drives with threats and furious cries.


s: The ruffians turn their backs and take to flight


s: As soon as they the distant succour view,


s: To her approaching, sues Mount Alban's knight,


s: And, to save time, commands his squire to stoop,


s: And take the damsel on his horse's croup.


s: Her wise behaviour marked and beauty's bloom;


s: Though her fait countenance was all dismayed,


s: And by the fear of death o'erspread with gloom.


s: Again to know, the gentle knight essayed,


s: Who had prepared for her so fell a doom;


s: Deemed by Geneura's fault his brother dead,


s: Weening the faithless duke, whom she refused,


s: And her before the king and peers accused:


s: Strives with his brother in disguise.  In season


s: Rinaldo comes to venge the secret treason.


s: On earth, or who unite in friendly wise,


s: Whether they mix in peace or moody fray,


s: No male offends his mate.  In safety hies


s: The she bear, matched with hers, through forest gray:


s: Wolves, male and female, live in loving cheer;


s: Nor gentle heifer dreads the wilful steer.


s: Such poison in the human heart has shed,


s: That still 'twixt man and wife, with rage possessed,


s: Injurious words and foul reproach are said?


s: And blows and outrage hase their peace molest,


s: And bitter tears still wash the genial bed;


s: But often bathed by senseless ire with blood?


s: Who his foul hand against a woman rears,


s: Or of her head would harm a single hair.


s: But who what drug the burning entrail sears,


s: Or who for her would knife or noose prepare,


s: No man appears to me, though such to sight


s: He seem, but rather some infernal sprite.


s: Such, and no other were those ruffians two,


s: Whom good Rinaldo from the damsel scared,


s: That none might wot of her so foully snared.


s: To tell the occasion of her scathe prepared,


s: To the good Paladin, who brought release;


s: Other more savage soil, prepare to hear;


s: To these our Scottish shores approach less near


s: Than other land, 'tis that he would eschew


s: A foul ferocious race that shocks his view.


s: "All times have shown that man has still pursued


s: With hair, in every clime, his natural foe;


s: But to deal death to those who seek our good


s: Does from too ill and foul a nature flow.


s: Now, that the truth be better understood,


s: I shall from first to last the occasion show,


s: Why in my tender years, against all right,


s: Those caitiffs would have dome me foul despite.


s: " 'Tis fitting you should know, that in the spring


s: There served long time the daughter of the king,


s: And grew with her in growth, well placed in court.


s: Willed I should be his follower and his sport;


s: And made, beyond each Scottish lord and knight,


s: All mean; his love a love as ardent bred.


s: We hear, indeed, and see, but do not prove


s: Man's faith, nor is his bosom's purpose read.


s: Believing still, and yielding to my love,


s: Nor, of all chambers, in that evil hour,


s: Marked I was in Geneura's priviest bower.


s: "Where, hoarded, she with careful privacy


s: Preserved whatever she esteemed most rare;


s: From thence projected into the open air.


s: And (what he was to mount) a hempen stair,


s: When him I to my longing arms would call,


s: Who with the varying season changed her bed,


s: To shun the burning heat or pinching cold,


s: For, fronting a dismantled street, and old,


s: Was built that portion of the palace bright;


s: "So was for many days and months maintained


s: Still grew by love, and such new vigour gained,


s: And that he little loved, and deeply feigned


s: Weened not, so was I blinded to my shame:


s: Though, in a thousand certain signs betrayed,


s: The faithless knight his base deceit bewrayed.


s: He ruled my heart, how absolute his sway!


s: Since this he owned, and thought no shame to move


s: "Unlike what he bore me, he said, indeed,


s: That was not true which he for her displayed;


s: But so pretending love, he hoped to speed,


s: And celebrate due spousals with the maid.


s: He with her royal sire might well succeed,


s: Were she consenting to the boon he prayed;


s: For after our good king, for wealth and birth


s: In all the realm, was none of equal worth.


s: "Me he persuades, if through my ministry


s: For I must know he next the king would be


s: Advanced as high, as subject could repair,


s: And he would cherish me above his bride,


s: "I, who to please him was entirely bent,


s: Who never could or would gainsay his will,


s: And snatch at all occasions which present


s: A mode, his praise and merits to instil:


s: And for my lover with all labour strain,


s: "With all my heart, in furtherance of his suit,


s: I wrought what could be done, God truly knows;


s: But with Geneura this produced no friut,


s: Nor her to grace my duke could I dispose.


s: In her, whose every fond affection flows


s: Towards a gentle knight of courteous lore,


s: Who sought our Scotland from a distant shore:


s: "And with a brother, then right young, to stay


s: And there of knightly arms made such assay,


s: Was none in Britain more approved than he;


s: Prized by the king, who (no ignoble pay),


s: Bestowed upon the youth, with liberal hand,


s: Burghs, baronies, and castles, woods and land.


s: "Dear to the monarch, to the daughter still


s: Her with affection might his valour fill;


s: But knowledge of his love brought more delight.


s: Nor Troy-town, ever, with a blaze so bright,


s: Flamed, as with all his heart, the damsel learned,


s: For love of her young Ariodantes burned.


s: "The passion which she bore the lord, preferred


s: And loved with perfect truth and all her heart,


s: Nor hopeful answer would she e'er impart:


s: And still the more my lover's suit I stirred,


s: And to obtain his guerdon strove with art,


s: Him she would censure still, and ever more


s: Was strengthened in the hate she nursed before.


s: So vain and bootless an emprize to quit;


s: Nor idly hope to turn her stedfast sprite,


s: And make apparent to the Scottish knight,


s: In the young damsel's breast, that seas in flood


s: Would not have cooled one whit her boiling blood.


s: From me (for such the Scottish baron's name)


s: Well warranted by sight as well as word,


s: How ill his love was cherished by the dame.


s: Not only quenched the haughty warrior's flame,


s: But the fond love, which in his bosom burned


s: "Between Geneura and her faithful knight


s: Such discord and ill will he schemed to shed,


s: And put betwixt the pair such foul despite.


s: No time should heal the quarrel he had bred;


s: Bringing such scandal on that damsel bright,


s: The stain should cleave to her, alive or dead:


s: Nor, bent to wreck her on this fatal shelf,


s: Counselled with me, or other but himself.


s: " `Dalinda mine,' he said, his project brewed,


s: (Dalinda is my name) `you needs must know,


s: That from the root although the trunk be hewed,


s: Successive suckers many times will grow.


s: Tenacious still of life, and buds; although


s: Cut off by ill success, with new increase:


s: Nor, till I compass my desire, will cease.


s: " `Nor hope of pleasure this so much has wrought,


s: As that to compass my design would please;


s: And, if not in effect, at least in thought


s: To thrive, would interpose some little ease.


s: Then every time your bower by me is sought,


s: What she puts off, and be it still your care


s: To dress yourself in all her daily wear.


s: " `Dispose your locks and deck yourself as she


s: Goes decked; and, as you can, with cunning heed,


s: You, furnished with the corded stair, shall speed:


s: That you are she, of whom you wear the weed:


s: And hope, that putting on myself this cheat,


s: I in short time shall quench my amorous heat.'


s: "So said the knight; and I, who was distraught,


s: That the design, in which he help besought,


s: And in Geneura's clothes disguised, as taught,


s: Let down (so oft I used) the corded stair.


s: Nor I the traitor's foul deceit perceived,


s: "The duke, this while, to Ariodantes' ears


s: Had these, or other words like these, addressed;


s: (For leagued in friendship were the cavaliers,


s: Till, rivals, they pursued this common quest)


s: "I marvel, since you are of all my peers


s: He, whom I must have honoured and caressed,


s: And held in high regard, and cherished still,


s: Mine and Geneura's love, and old accord;


s: Then why disturb my suit, and why bestow


s: By Heaven, I should respect your claim and place,


s: Were your condition mine, and mine your case.'


s: " `And I,' cried Ariodantes, `marvel more'


s: (In answer to the Scottish lord) `at you,


s: We two have loved; -- was never love more true --


s: Are certain she alone would share my lot;


s: And are as well assured she loves you not.


s: " `Why have not I from you the same respect,


s: To which, for friendship past, you would pretend


s: From me; and I should bear you in effect,


s: If your hope stood more fair to gain its end?


s: And if your fortunes here my wealth transcend,


s: You, am I happy in his daughter's love.'


s: " `Of what a strange mistake,' (to him replied


s: The duke) `your foolish passion is the root!


s: You think yourself beloved; I, on my side,


s: Believe the same; this try we by the fruit.


s: You of your own proceeding nothing hide,


s: And let the man who proves least favoured, yield,


s: Provide himself elsewhere, and quit the field.


s: " `I am prepared, if such your wish, to swear


s: And will that you assure me, for your share,


s: You shall what I recount as well conceal.'


s: And when they had the mutual promise plighted,


s: "Then plainly, and by simple facts averred,


s: And how, engaged by writing and by word,


s: She swore she would not be another's spouse.


s: How, if to him the Scottish king demurred,


s: "Then added, how he hoped by worth, which he


s: Had more than once avouched, with knightly brand,


s: And honour of the king, and of his land,


s: To please so well that monarch, as to be


s: Of his fair child, espoused with his consent:


s: Since he in this her wishes would content.


s: "Then so concludes -- `I stand upon this ground,


s: Nor seek I more; 'tis here my hopes I bound;


s: Nor, striving for Geneura's love, would I


s: Seek surer sign of it than what is found,


s: By God allowed, in wedlock's lawful tie;


s: And other suit were hopeless, am I sure,


s: Told what reward he hoped should quit his pain,


s: My hopes, and shall confess your own are vain;


s: " `With you Geneura feigns, nor pays nor prizes


s: Your passion, which with hopes and words is fed;


s: And, more than this, your foolish love despises:


s: Vain, worthless words, or idle promise bred.


s: Though this I should in better faith conceal.


s: " `There passes not a month, but in that space


s: Three nights, four, six, and often ten, the fair


s: Receives me with that joy in her embrace,


s: Which seems to second so the warmth we share.


s: This you may witness, and shall judge the case;


s: If empty hopes can with my bliss compare.


s: Your wishes, yield, and seek another love.'


s: " `This will I not believe,' in answer cried


s: And that you have this string of falsehoods tied,


s: To scare me from the dear emprize I try.


s: But charge, so passing foul, you shall abide,


s: And vouch what you have said in arms; for I


s: Not only on your tale place no reliance;


s: "To him rejoined the duke, 'I ween 'twere ill


s: Since surer mean our purpose may fulfill;


s: And if it please, my proof I can impart.'


s: Went through his inmost bones; and sick at heart,


s: Had he in full believed his rival's boast,


s: Would on the spot have yielded up the ghost.


s: "With wounded heart, and faltering voice, pale face,


s: And mouth of gall, he answered, 'When I see


s: Proofs of thy rare adventure, and the grace


s: With which the fair Geneura honours thee,


s: But think not that thy story shall avail,


s: " `To warn in due time shall be my care.'


s: Two nights were scarecly passed, ere his repair


s: To the known bower was fixed for the assay.


s: And, ready now to spring his secret snare,


s: He sought his rival on the appointed day,


s: And him to hide, the night ensuing, prayed


s: I' the street, which none their habitation made.


s: The balcony, to which he clambered, shows.


s: Ariodantes weened, this while, the knight


s: Would him to seek that hidden place dispose,


s: And, bent to take his life, this ambush chose,


s: Under the false pretence to make him see


s: "To go the peer resolved, but in such guise,


s: He need not be by fear of death dismay'd.


s: First of the court in arms; and on his aid,


s: Lurcanio hight, relied with better heart


s: Than if ten others fought upon his part.


s: "He called him to his side, and willed him take


s: His arms; and to the place at evening led:


s: Yet not his secret purpose would be break;


s: Nor this to him, or other would have read:


s: Him a stone's throw removed he placed, and spake:


s: ` -- Come if thou hearest he cry,' the warrior said;


s: `But as thou lovest me (whatsoe'er befall)


s: Come not and move not, brother, till I call.'


s: " `Doubt not' (the valiant brother said) `but go';


s: And hid within the lonely house, and low,


s: On the other side approached the fraudful foe,


s: And, while I nothing of the cheat divine,


s: Beneath my bower renews the wonted sign.


s: "And I in costly robe, in which were set


s: Fair stripes of gold upon a snowy ground,


s: Shaded with tassels of vermillion round,


s: In fair Geneura, at the accustomed sound,


s: The gallery mount, constructed in such mode,


s: "This while Lurcanio, either with a view


s: To snares which might beset his brother's feet,


s: And play the spy on other, where the street


s: Was darkest, and its deepest shadows threw,


s: And not ten paces from the knight aloof,


s: Bestowed himself beneath the self same roof.


s: In the same habits which I mentioned, dressed;


s: As more than once or twice (still happily)


s: Was in the moonlight clearly seen, and I,


s: Resembling much Geneura's shape and cheer,


s: "So much the more, that there was ample space


s: Hence the two brothers, posted in that place,


s: And figure what the wretched lover's woe,


s: When Polinesso climbed the stair, which I


s: Cast down to him, and scaled the gallery.


s: "Arrived, my arms about his neck I throw,


s: And kiss his lips and face with loving show,


s: And he assayed, with more than wonted glow,


s: That other, from afar, viewed all that passed,


s: "And fell into such fit of deep despair,


s: He there resolved to die; and, to that end,


s: I' the ground, its point against his breast to bend.


s: Lurcanio, who with marvel by that stair,


s: But knew not who the wight, with ready speed


s: Sprang forward, when he saw his brother's deed.


s: From turning his own hand against his breast.


s: Had the good youth been later, or less nigh,


s: To his assistance he had vainly pressed.


s: (He cried) `your better sense has dispossessed?


s: Be scattered like the mist before the wind!


s: " `Compass her death!  'tis well deserved; your own


s: Reserve, as due to more illustrious fate.


s: 'Twas well to love, before her fraud was shown,


s: But she, once loved, now more deserves your hate:


s: Since, witnessed by your eyes, to you is known


s: A wanton of what sort you worshipped late.


s: Her fault before the Scottish king to attest,


s: Reserve those arms you turn against your breast.'


s: Joined by his brother, the design in show;


s: But dead and withered with excess of woe:


s: As if the rage were spent which fired his veins.


s: Nor, save the duke and knight, for many a day


s: Was there who knew what moved the youth to ride:


s: And in the realm, was various sentiment.


s: "But eight days past or more, to Scotland's court


s: Drowned of his own free will was the report,


s: Since from a rock, which over ocean hung,


s: Into the raging waves he headlong sprung;


s: " `Who said, before he reached that frowning crest,


s: Come with me, that your tongue may manifest,


s: And tell her, too, the occasion of the rest,


s: Which you shall witness without more delay;


s: In having seen too much, the occasion lies;


s: Happy had I been born without these eyes!"


s: Were standing, overright the Irish shore;


s: When, speaking thus on that high headland, he


s: Plunged from a rock amid the watery roar.


s: I saw him leap, and left him in the sea;


s: And, hurrying thence, to you the tidings bore.'


s: And, at the fearful tale, remained half dead.


s: "O God!  what said, what did she, when alone,


s: She on her faithful pillow layed her head!


s: She beat her bosom, and she tore her gown,


s: The last sad words which Ariodantes said; --


s: That the sole source of such despair, and such


s: Disaster, was that he had seen too much.


s: "Wide was the rumour scattered that the peer


s: Had slain himself for grief; nor was the cry


s: Or by the monarch, heard with tearless eye.


s: But, above all the rest, his brother dear


s: Was whelmed with sorrow of so deep a dye,


s: That, bent to follow him, he well nigh turned


s: His hand against himself, like him he mourned.


s: "And many times repeating in his thought,


s: Who was to self-destruction moved by nought


s: But her ill deed, which he was doomed to view,


s: So on his mind the thirst of vengeance wrought,


s: That he thought little, graced of each estate,


s: To encounter king and people's common hate;


s: "And, when the throng was fullest in the hall,


s: Stood up before the Scottish king, and said,


s: `Of having marred my brother's wits withal,


s: Sir king, and him to his destruction led,


s: He loathed existence, and preferred to die.


s: Was honest, this I seek not, I, to veil;


s: Of thee, if faithful service might avail;


s: But while he stood aloof, and dared but scent


s: Scale the forbidden tree with happier boot,


s: And bear away from him the wished-for fruit.'


s: Geneura, and how dropped the corded stair;


s: Who, for disguise (he knew not hence his name),


s: Had changed his habits, and concealed his hair;


s: And, in conclusion, vowed that every word


s: So said, he would avouch with lance and sword.


s: "You may divine how grieves the sire, distraught


s: As well that what he never could have thought,


s: He of his daughter learns with wondering ears,


s: As that he knows, if succour be not brought


s: He cannot choose, but doom the maid to die.


s: Grants other than her wedded lord's desire.


s: She dies, unless a champion, good and true,


s: And her against the accuser base maintain


s: Unmeriting such death, and free from stain.


s: "The king has made proclaim by town and tower,


s: (For he believes her wronged, his child to free)


s: Her he shall have to wife, with ample dower,


s: But each to the other looks, and to this hour


s: No champion yet, 'tis said, appears: for he,


s: Lurcanio, is esteemed so fierce in fight,


s: It seems as he were feared of every knight.


s: "And evil Fate has willed her brother dear,


s: Since many months has roved the cavalier,


s: Proving his matchless worth with spear and mace;


s: For if the valiant champion were more near,


s: Whither in time the news might be conveyed,


s: He would not fail to bear his sister aid.


s: "The king, mean time, who would the quest pursue,


s: And by more certain proof than combat, try


s: Too certain risque the duke and I must share.


s: "That very night I from the palace flee,


s: And to the duke repair, escaped from court;


s: How much it either's safety would import:


s: He praised, and bade me of good courage be,


s: And, for his comfort, prayed me to resort


s: To a strong castle which he held hard by;


s: "With what full proofs, sir stranger, you have heard,


s: And clearly can discern, if so preferred,


s: That lord was justly bound to hold me dear.


s: Mark, in conclusion, what was my reward;


s: The glorious meed of my great merit hear!


s: However well she love, her love's return.


s: "For this perfidious, foul, ungrateful man,


s: At length suspicious of my faith and zeal,


s: In course of time, I haply might reveal,


s: Feigned that meanwhile the monarch's anger ran


s: Too high, he would withdraw me, and conceal


s: (Such was his real end) was doomed to die.


s: "For secretly the duke enjoined the guide,


s: Who with me through the gloomy forest went,


s: To slay me; and had compassed his intent,


s: But for your ready succour, when I cried.


s: Behold!  what wages love's poor slaves content."


s: As they together still pursued their way.


s: Was welcome to have found the gentle maid,


s: And her unblemished innocence displayed;


s: And, if he hoped, although accused with right,


s: He with more courage warred in her behoof.


s: And for St. Andrew's town, with eager speed,


s: And where the single fight, in listed mead,


s: The good Rinaldo pricked, nor spared his steed,


s: Now near the city, met a squire who brought


s: More recent tidings than the damsel taught:


s: That thither had repaired a stranger knight,


s: With ensigns strange, not known of living wight,


s: Since ever close concealed the warrior went;


s: Not, since he had been there, had bared to sight


s: And that the very squire who with him came,


s: Swore that he knew not what the stranger's name.


s: Not far they ride before the walls appear,


s: And now before the gate their coursers stand.


s: Yet followed, trusting in Rinaldo's brand.


s: The gate was shut, and to the porter near,


s: To him was said, the people, one and all,


s: Were trooped to see a fight without the wall:


s: Where, on a spacious meadow's level sward,


s: The porter opened to Mount Alban's lord,


s: And straight behind the peer the portal hight.


s: But in a hostel first the dame bestowed:


s: And will that she (he will not long delay


s: To seek her there) till his return repose;


s: And quickly to the lists pursued his way,


s: Where the two made that fell exchange of blows,


s: And strove and struggled yet in bloody fray.


s: Lurcanio's heart with vengeful hatred glows


s: Against Geneura; while that other knight


s: As well maintains the quarrel for her right.


s: Stand covered with the corslet's iron case;


s: Borne on a puissant steed of noble race:


s: Who there, as lord high-constable obeyed,


s: Was keeper of the field and of the place,


s: Rinaldo pierces through the parted swarm,


s: (So wide is felt the good Bayardo's sway,)


s: And he who hears the courser come in storm,


s: Halts not, in his desire to make him way:


s: The flower of those who mix in martial fray.


s: He stops his horse before the monarch's chair,


s: "Dread sir," to him the good Rinaldo said,


s: "Let not the pair this combat longer ply;


s: Since whichsoever of the two falls dead,


s: Know, that you let him perish wrongfully:


s: This thinks that he is right, and is misled,


s: Vouches the false, and knows not 'tis a lie:


s: Since that which brought his brother to his end,


s: "That, in pure gentleness, with little care


s: If what he here maintains be wrong or right,


s: Because he would preserve a maid so fair,


s: But first, for love of God, the battle stay;


s: Then list, sir king, to what I shall display."


s: Of one who seemed so worthy, by his cheer,


s: That he made sign the battle should not be


s: Further continued then with sword or spear:


s: Rinaldo all the treacherous plot displayed,


s: Next that he there in arms would testify


s: The truth of what he vouched, the warrior cried.


s: False Polinesso, called, with troubled eye,


s: Stood forth, but daringly the tale denied.


s: "By deeds be now the doubtful quarrel tried."


s: The field was cleared, and, ready armed, the foes,


s: How was the hope to king and people dear,


s: All trust that God will make the treason clear,


s: And show she was accused with foul intent:


s: And proud was held, and false and fraudulent.


s: So that none there, of all assembled, deemed


s: It marvel, if the knight such fraud had schemed.


s: False Polinesso, with a mien distressed,


s: A pallid cheek, and heart which thickly beat,


s: At the third trumpet, laid his lance in rest;


s: As well Rinaldo spurred the knight to meet,


s: And levelled at his evil foeman's breast,


s: Since through the warrior half his weapon went.


s: Him, through his breast, impaled upon the spear,


s: More than six yards beyond his horse he bore.


s: With speed alighted Mount Albano's peer,


s: And, ere he rose, unlaced the helm he wore:


s: But he for mercy prayed with humble cheer,


s: Unfit to strive in joust or warfare more:


s: And, before king and court, with faltering breath,


s: Confessed the fraud which brought him to his death.


s: He brings not his confession to a close,


s: And pangs of death the failing accents drown:


s: The prince, who ended saw his daughter's woes,


s: Redeemed from death and scorn, her virtue shown,


s: With more delight and rapture overflows,


s: Than if he, having lost his kingly crown,


s: Then saw it first upon his head replaced;


s: And when, through his uplifted casque displaid,


s: Features, well known before, the king descried,


s: His thanks to God with lifted hands he paid,


s: That he had deigned such succour to provide.


s: That other cavalier, who bared his blade,


s: And thither came from far, his aid to impart,


s: Looked upon all that passed, and stood apart.


s: His name, or, at the least, his visage shew;


s: That he might grace him with such guerdon fair,


s: The stranger, after long and earnest prayer,


s: Lifted to covering casque, and bared to view


s: With his loved bride, the fief of Albany.


s: There from a myrtle-tree her every deed,


s: And thence would go; but they who first withdrew


s: Him from one strife, engage him in a new.


s: Wretched that evil man who lives in trust


s: His secret sin is safe in his possession!


s: Since, if nought else, the air, the very dust


s: In which the crime is buried, makes confession,


s: And oftentimes his guilt compels the unjust,


s: Though sometime unarraigned in worldly session,


s: So God has willed, deeds hidden from the day.


s: In this, and only could the fact reveal;


s: Offence, but hurried on the dread appeal,


s: Which haply he had stunned, at least deferred;


s: But he to self-destruction blindly spurred.


s: And forfeited estate, and life, and love


s: Of friends at once, and honour, which was more.


s: Long of the king and court entreated sore,


s: At length the covering helmet did remove,


s: Of late lamented weeping Scotland through;


s: Such light his goodness and his valour shed.


s: The pilgrim therefore might appear to lie


s: Yet was it true that from a headland, he


s: Had seen him plunge into the foaming sea.


s: But, as it oft befalls despairing wight,


s: Who grisly Death desires till he appear;


s: But loathes what he had sought, on nearer sight;


s: So painful seems the cruel pass and drear.


s: Thus, in the sea engulphed, the wretched knight,


s: Repentant of his deed, was touched with fear;


s: And, matchless both for spirit and for hand,


s: Beat back the billows, and returned to land.


s: The fond desire which did to death impell,


s: Thence, soaked and dripping wet, his way did tread,


s: And housed within the holy father's shed,


s: There secretly awhile designed to dwell;


s: Till to his ears by rumour should be voiced,


s: At first he heard that, through excess of woe,


s: 'Twas talked of in the island, far and wide:


s: Far other proof than that deceitful show,


s: Which to his cruel grief he thought he spied!


s: Lurcanio to her sire his charge preferred:


s: Than was the love he lately bore the maid;


s: Esteemed the deed, although for him essayed;


s: That none appeared to lend the damsel aid,


s: Because so puissant was Lurcanio's might,


s: All dreaded an encounter with the knight,


s: And that who well the youthful champion knew,


s: He never would have risqued so rash a feat,


s: -- For this the greater part the fight eschew,


s: Fearing in wrongful cause the knight to meet --


s: Ariodantes (long his doubts are weighed)


s: My death too bitter and too dread would be,


s: She is; -- the light and comfort of my eye.


s: Her, right or wrong, I cannot choose but shield,


s: "I know I choose the wrong, and be it so!


s: And in the cause shall die: nor this would move;


s: But that, alas!  my death, as well I know,


s: Will such a lovely dame's destruction prove,


s: "And me, so wronged by her, the maid shall view


s: My brother, who such flames of discord blew,


s: Shall pay the debt of vengeance due to me.


s: Who will have thought to venge me with his brand,


s: And will have slain me with his very hand."


s: He, having this concluded in his thought,


s: Made new provision of arms, steed, and shield;


s: Black was the vest and buckler which he bought,


s: Where green and yellow striped the sable field:


s: By hazard found, with him a squire he brought,


s: A stranger in that country; and, concealed


s: (As is already told) the unhappy knight,


s: Against his brother came, prepared for fight.


s: And yielding to his natural inclination,


s: And at the suit of all his court beside,


s: Assigned the youth the damsel as his bride.


s: Since this the monarch made his daughter's dower.


s: Who from her fault's due punishment went free.


s: She, satiate of the world, (and this to shun,


s: The damsel so had vowed) to God will flee:


s: And hence, in Denmark's land, to live a nun,


s: Straight from her native Scotland sailed the sea.


s: Who on his courser posts the welkin through.


s: Not from his cheek the wonted hues depart.


s: I ween that faster than a leaf i' the wind


s: Fluttered within his breast the stripling's heart.


s: In his swift course; and, issuing in that part,


s: Passed by a mighty space, the southern sound


s: Where great Alcides fixed the sailor's bound.


s: That hippogryph, huge fowl, and strange to sight,


s: Bears off the warrior with such rapid wing,


s: He would have distanced, in his airy flight,


s: The thunder bearing bird of Aether's king:


s: Nor other living creature soars such height,


s: I scarce believe that bolt, or lightning flies,


s: Or darts more swiftly from the parted skies.


s: When the huge bird his pinions long had plied,


s: In a straight line, without one stoop or bend,


s: He, tired of air, with sweeping wheel and wide,


s: Like that fair region, whither, long unspied


s: Of him, her wayward mood did long offend,


s: Whilom in vain, through strange and secret sluice,


s: A more delightful place, wherever hurled


s: Through the whole air, Rogero had not found:


s: Would not have seen a lovelier in his round,


s: Than that, where, wheeling wide, the courser furled


s: His spreading wings, and lighted on the ground,


s: Moist meadow, shady bank, and crystal rill.


s: Small thickets, with the scented laurel gay,


s: Cedar, and orange, full of fruit and flower,


s: Pleached in mixed modes, all lovely, form a bower;


s: And, breaking with their shade the scorching ray,


s: Make a cool shelter from the noontide hour.


s: And nightingales among those branches wing


s: Their flight, and safely amorous descants sing.


s: Which the soft breezes freshen as they fly,


s: And stag, with branching forehead broad and high.


s: These, fearless of the hunter's dart or snare,


s: While, swarming in those wilds, from tuft or steep


s: Dun deer or nimble goat, disporting, leap.


s: When the hyppogryph above the island hung,


s: And had approached so nigh that landscape fair,


s: That, if his rider from the saddle sprung,


s: He might the leap with little danger dare,


s: But held him, lest he should remount the air:


s: And to a myrtle, nigh the rolling brine,


s: Made fast, between a bay-tree and a pine.


s: And there, close-by where rose a bubbling fount,


s: He drops the shield, the helmet from his front


s: Uplifts, and, either hand from gauntlet free,


s: Now turning to the beach, and now the mount,


s: Catches the gales which blow from hill or sea,


s: The lofty top of beech, or feathery fir:


s: And, now, to bathe his burning lips he strains;


s: Now dabbles in the crystal wave, to chase


s: The scorching heat which rages in his veins,


s: Caught from the heavy corslet's burning case.


s: No ramble his in square or market-place!


s: Three thousand miles, without repose, he went,


s: And still, at speed, in ponderous armour pent.


s: Meanwhile the courser by the myrtle's side,


s: Whom he left stabled in the cool retreat,


s: Started at something in the wood descried,


s: Scared by I know not what; and in his heat


s: So made the myrtle shake where he was tied,


s: He brought a shower of leaves about his feet;


s: He made the myrtle shake and foliage fall,


s: But, struggling, could not loose himself withal.


s: Where scanty pith ill fills the narrow sheath,


s: Struggles, tormented by the fire beneath;


s: And, till its prisoned fury find a vent,


s: Is heard to hiss and bubble, sing and seethe:


s: Groaned, murmured, and at last unclosed its rind:


s: "If, as thy cheer and gentle presence teach,


s: Thou courteous art and good, his reign unbound,


s: Release me from this monster, I beseech:


s: Griefs of my own inflict sufficient wound:


s: Nor need I, compassed with such ills about,


s: Other new pain to plague me from without."


s: Whence came the voice, and, in unused surprise,


s: Stands, when he finds it issues from the tree;


s: Then, with a face suffused with crimson, he


s: In answer to the groaning myrtle, cries;


s: "Pardon! and, whatsoe'er thou art, be good,


s: Of spirit, pent beneath the knotty rind,


s: Have done this scathe and outrage undesigned.


s: What art thou, who, in rugged case confined,


s: Dost live and speak?  And so may never hail


s: From angry heaven your gentle boughs assail!


s: I, by that lady dear, my promise plight,


s: To strive with word and deed, till thou requite


s: The service done with praise and grateful heart."


s: Rogero said; and, as he closed his suit,


s: That gentle myrtle shook from top to root.


s: Next drops were seen to stand upon the bark,


s: As juice is sweated by the sapling-spray,


s: New-severed, when it yields to flame and spark,


s: Sometime in vain kept back and held at bay.


s: And next the voice began:  "My story dark,


s: Forced by thy courteous deed, I shall display; --


s: What once I was -- by whom, through magic lore,


s: Changed to a myrtle on the pleasant shore.


s: "A peer of France, Astolpho was my name,


s: Looked to all England's crown; my lawful claim


s: More dames than one my beauty served to warm,


s: And in conclusion wrought my single harm.


s: "Returning from those isles, whose eastern side


s: Where good Rinaldo and more knights beside


s: With me were pent in dark and hollow seat,


s: Thence, rescued by illustrious Brava's pride,


s: Whose prowess freed us from that dark retreat,


s: Westward I fared along the sandy shores,


s: On which the stormy north his fury pours.


s: Came (such our evil doom) upon the strand,


s: Where stood a mansion seated by the sea:


s: Puissant Alcina owned the house and land.


s: We found her, where, without her dwelling, she


s: Had taken on the beach her lonely stand;


s: And though nor hook nor sweeping net she bore,


s: What fish she willed, at pleasure drew to shore.


s: "Thither swift dolphins gambol, inly stirred,


s: And open-mouthed the cumbrous tunnies leap;


s: Thither the seal or porpus' wallowing herd


s: Troop at her bidding, roused from lazy sleep;


s: Raven-fish, salmon, salpouth, at her word,


s: And mullet hurry through the briny deep,


s: With monstrous backs above the water, sail


s: Ork, physeter, sea-serpent, shark, and whale.


s: "There we behold a mighty whale, of size


s: His back appears above the surface green:


s: And (for still firm and motionless he lies,


s: And such the distance his two ends between)


s: We all are cheated by the floating pile,


s: As soon as seen, my aspect pleased the fay;


s: Who showed it in the countenance she wore:


s: Then wrought with art, and compassed her intent,


s: To part me from the friends with whom I went.


s: "She came towards us with a cheerful face,


s: With graceful gestures, and a courteous air,


s: And said:  'So you my lodging please to grace,


s: You shall behold the wonders of my chace,


s: And note the different sorts of fish I snare;


s: Shaggy or smooth, or clad in scales of light,


s: And more in number than the stars of night:


s: " 'And would you hear a mermaid sing so sweet,


s: That the rude sea grows civil at her song,


s: (With that she showed the monster huge and long


s: -- I said it seemed an island -- as her seat)


s: Pass with me where she sings the shoals among.'


s: I now lament my rashness, climb the fish.


s: With laughing face Alcina mounts behind,


s: The obedient fish performs the task assigned,


s: And through the yielding water works his way.


s: Repentant of my deed, I curse the snare,


s: And was nigh drowned amid the waves that rise;


s: For a south-wind sprang up that, far and near,


s: Covered with sudden darkness seas and skies.


s: And all that day, and night which followed, me


s: "Till to this isle we drifted with the morn,


s: And for those other two false sisters were


s: One who rehearsed the tale) in incest bred.


s: Wisely on better things has set her heart.


s: Hence, leagued against her, in conspiracy,


s: Those others are, to drive her from her part:


s: And more than once their armies have o'errun


s: Her realm, and towns above a hundred won.


s: "Nor at this hour a single span of ground


s: Would Logistilla (such her name) command,


s: But that a mountain here, and there a sound,


s: Protects the remnant from the invading band.


s: 'Tis thus the mountain and the river bound


s: England, and part it from the Scottish land.


s: Yet will the sisters give their foe no rest,


s: "Because in wickedness and vice were bred


s: The pair, as chaste and good they loath the dame.


s: With full delights; nor I a weaker flame


s: For her, within my burning heart did bear,


s: "Clasped in her dainty limbs, and lapt in pleasure,


s: I weened that I each separate good had won,


s: Which to mankind is dealt in different measure,


s: Little or more to some, and much to none.


s: Nor France nor aught beside I thought upon:


s: Centered and ended as their common scope.


s: Others, in truth, the fairy's love did share:


s: And served by her, where they commanded were.


s: With me she counselled, and to me referred;


s: Nor, night nor day, to other spake a word.


s: "Why touch my wounds, to aggravate my ill,


s: And that, alas!  without the hope of cure?


s: Why thus the good possessed remember still,


s: From me the heart she gave, the fay withdrew,


s: And yielded all her soul to love more new.


s: "Late I discerned her light and fickle bent,


s: Two months, I reigned not more, no sooner spent,


s: And me, with scorn, she doomed to banishment,


s: From her fair grace cast out.  'Tis then I weet


s: I share a thousand lovers' fate, whom she


s: Had to like pass reduced, all wrongfully.


s: "And these, because they should not scatter bruits,


s: Roaming the world, of her lascivious ways,


s: She, up and down the fruitful soil, transmutes


s: These, as you see me changed, Alcina roots;


s: While this transformed into a monster strays;


s: As suits that haughty fairy's wanton will.


s: "Thou, too, that to this fatal isle art led


s: May be for thee transformed to wave or stone,


s: Thou shalt, with more than mortal pleasures fed,


s: But shalt be sure to join the common flock,


s: Transformed to beast or fountain, plant or rock.


s: Yet 'twill be better, that informed, in part,


s: Of her false ways, she harm not by surprise.


s: And wit of man an equal difference lies,


s: To the ill, which thousand others could not fly."


s: The good Rogero, who from Fame had learned


s: That he was cousin to the dame he wooed,


s: From his true form, to barren plant and rude:


s: And for her love, for whom so sore he burned,


s: Would gladly serve the stripling if he cou'd:


s: But, witless how to give the wished relief,


s: Might but console the unhappy warrior's grief.


s: As best he could, he strove to soothe his pain;


s: Then asked him, if to Logistil's retreat


s: Were passage, whether over hill or plain;


s: -- `There was a way', the myrtle said again,


s: -- `But rough with stones, and rugged to the feet --


s: If he, some little further to the right,


s: Would scale the Alpine mountain's very height:


s: `But that he must not think he shall pursue


s: The intended journey far; since by the way


s: And fierce, who serve as rampart to the fay,


s: That block the road against the stranger, who


s: Would break her bounds, and the deserter stay.'


s: Rogero thanked the tree for all, and taught,


s: Departed thence with full instructions fraught.


s: Nor would he, as before, the horse bestride,


s: Lest he should bear him off against his will:


s: He mused this while how safely he might find


s: Firm in his purpose every nerve to strain,


s: He to remount the steed, and through the air


s: Now thought; but doubted next, in fear to fare


s: Worse on the courser, restive to the rein.


s: "No, I will win by force the mountain stair,"


s: Nor by the beach two miles his way pursued,


s: Which girds a spacious town within its bound;


s: It seems as if its summit touched the sky,


s: And all appears like gold from top to ground.


s: For me, I deem it gold because it shines.


s: When he was nigh the city-walls, so bright,


s: The world has not their equal, he the straight


s: And spacious way deserts, the way which dight


s: Across the plain, conducted to the gate;


s: Strains now against the mountain; but, in wait,


s: Who furiously the Child's advance oppose.


s: Of mien more hideous, or more monstrous shape.


s: Formed downwards from neck like men, he scanned


s: Some with the head of cat, and some of ape;


s: With hoof of goat that other stamped the sand;


s: While some seemed centaurs, quick in fight and rape;


s: These doting sires, those striplings bold in sin.


s: This backs the sluggish ass, or bullock slow;


s: These mounted on the croup of centaur sit:


s: Those perched on eagle, crane, or estridge, go.


s: Some male, some female, some hermaphrodit,


s: These drain the cup and those the bungle blow.


s: The captain of this crew, which blocked the road,


s: Appeared, with monstrous paunch and bloated face;


s: Who a slow tortoise for a horse bestrode,


s: That passing sluggishly with him did pace:


s: Down looked, some here, some there, sustained the load,


s: For he was drunk, and kept him in his place.


s: Some wipe his brows and chin from sweat which ran,


s: And others with their vests his visage fan.


s: One, with a human shape and feet, his crest,


s: Fashioned like hound, in neck and ears and head,


s: Bayed at the gallant Child with angry quest,


s: "That will I never, while of strength possessed


s: To brandish this," the good Rogero said:


s: With that his trenchant faulchion he displayed,


s: And pointed at him full the naked blade.


s: That monster would have smote him with a spear,


s: Thrust at his paunch, and drove his faulchion sheer


s: Through his pierced back a palm; his buckler flung


s: Before him, and next sallied there and here:


s: But all too numerous was the wicked throng.


s: Now grappled from behind, now punched before,


s: He stands, and plies the crowd with warfare sore.


s: One to the teeth, another to the breast,


s: Of that foul race he cleft; since no one steeled


s: In mail, his brows with covering helmet dressed,


s: Or fought, secured by corslet or by shield;


s: That it would need the Child, to clear the field,


s: And to keep off the wicked crew which swarms,


s: More than Briareus' hundred hands and arms.


s: If he had thought the magic shield to show,


s: Which dazed the sight of the astonished foe,


s: Blinded by this, had sunk the knight before.


s: But haply he despised such mean as vile,


s: And would prevail by valour, not by guile.


s: This as it may: the Child would meet his fate,


s: When, lo!  forth issuing from the city's gate,


s: Whose wall appeared like shining gold I said,


s: Two youthful dames, not born in low estate,


s: If measured by their mien and garb, nor bred


s: By swain, in early wants and troubles versed;


s: But amid princely joys in palace nursed!


s: A beast than spotless ermine yet more white;


s: Their garb, and with such graceful fashion dight,


s: That he who closely viewed the youthful pair,


s: Would need a surer sense than mortal sight,


s: To judge between the two.  With such a mien


s: Embodied Grace and Beauty would be seen.


s: Into the mead rode this and the other dame,


s: Where the foul crew opposed the Child's retreat.


s: The rabble scattered as the ladies came,


s: Who with extended hand the warrior greet.


s: He, with a kindling visage, red with shame,


s: Thanked the two damsels for their gentle feat;


s: And was content upon their will to wait,


s: With them returning to that golden gate.


s: Above, a cornice round the gateway goes,


s: In which is not a single part but glows,


s: Propp'd at four points, the portal did repose


s: Whether what met the eye was false or true,


s: Was never sight more fair or glad to view.


s: Upon the sill and through the columns there,


s: Ran young and wanton girls, in frolic sport;


s: Who haply yet would have appeared more fair,


s: Had they observed a woman's fitting port.


s: All are arrayed in green, and garlands wear


s: Of the fresh leaf.  Him these in courteous sort,


s: With many proffers and fair mien entice,


s: For so with reason I this place may call,


s: Where, it is my belief, that Love had birth;


s: Where life is spent in festive game and ball,


s: And still the passing moments fleet in mirth.


s: Here hoary-headed Thought ne'er comes at all,


s: Nor finds a place in any bosom.  Dearth,


s: Where Plenty fills her horn throughout the year.


s: Here, where with jovial and unclouded brow,


s: Glad April seems to wear a constant smile,


s: Troop boys and damsels: One, whose fountains flow,


s: On the green margin sings in dulcet style;


s: In dance, or no mean sport the hours beguile.


s: While this, who shuns the revellers' noisy cheer,


s: Tells his love sorrows in his comrade's ear.


s: Above the laurel and pine-tree's height,


s: Through the tall beech and shaggy fir-tree's spray,


s: Sport little loves, with desultory flight:


s: These, at their conquests made, rejoiced and gay:


s: These, with the well-directed shaft, take sight


s: At hearts, and those spread nets to catch their prey;


s: One wets his arrows in the brook which winds,


s: And one on whirling stone the weapon grinds.


s: To good Rogero here was brought a steed,


s: That other winged horse, which, at his need,


s: The friendly damsels to a youth consigned,


s: That kindly pair who, by the wicked band


s: Offended fate, had saved the youthful knight;


s: The wicked crew, that did the Child withstand,


s: When he the road had taken on his right,


s: Exclaimed, "Fair sir, your works already scanned


s: By us, who are instructed of your might,


s: "We soon shall reach a bottom which divides


s: A bridge maintains, which there a stream bestrides,


s: Who cheats, and robs, and scathes, whoever rides


s: To the other shore, a giantess in frame;


s: Who has long poisonous teeth her prey to tear,


s: And scratches with her talons like a bear.


s: "Besides that she infests the public way,


s: Which else were free; she often ranging through


s: This thing or that.  Of the assassin crew,


s: Many her sons, the whole her followers call,


s: Silver and land to conquer, plate or mail


s: I swear not, I, in warlike cuirass pent;


s: And, most of all, to beauteous dames like you."


s: Their grateful thanks the ladies, worthily


s: Bestowed on such a valiant champion, paid:


s: They talking thus the bridge and river see,


s: (Sapphire and emerald decked the panoply)


s: Till other strain the issue of the fray.


s: That done, he to Alcina's labyrinth, where


s: More than one knight is tied and prisoned, goes.


s: Whence he, by her advised, with downcast eye,


s: And full of shame forthwith resolves to fly.


s: The traveller, he, whom sea or mountain sunder


s: From his own country, sees things strange and new;


s: That the misjudging vulgar, which lies under


s: Hence inexperience, as I know full well,


s: Will yield small credence to the tale I tell.


s: But this be great or small, I know not why


s: The rabble's silly judgement I should fear,


s: Convinced you will not think the tale a lie,


s: In whom the light of reason shines so clear.


s: The fruit of my fatigues to render dear.


s: Of bridge and stream was seen, the passage barred.


s: Mounted, but not on palfrey, for the fight:


s: In place of that, she on a wolf had sped,


s: Sped on a wolf towards the pass; and rode


s: On sell, that rich beyond all custom showed.


s: More huge than bull, unguided by her hand;


s: The accursed Plague, arrayed in surcoat, comes


s: Above her arms, in colour like the sand;


s: That, saving in its dye, was of the sort


s: Which bishops and which prelates wear at court.


s: For ensign, decked with swoln and poisonous toad.


s: Before the bridge, prepared for battle, showed,


s: Threatening, as wont to some, with levelled spear,


s: To do the warrior scorn and bar the road.


s: A lance he takes, and threats her and defies.


s: Spurred her wolf, seated well for that dread game:


s: In mid career she laid her lance in rest,


s: And made earth quake beneath her as she came;


s: Yet at the encounter fierce the champaign pressed;


s: For underneath the casque, with stedfast aim,


s: The beldam backward six good yards and more:


s: Drawn for that end, to take her haughty head;


s: Among the grass and flowers, like one that's dead.


s: But, " 'Tis enough that she is vanquished," said


s: The pair, "No further press thy vengeance dread.


s: Sheathe, courteous cavalier, thy sword anew:


s: Along the path, which through a forest lay,


s: Roughish and somedeal ill to beat, they went.


s: Besides that strait and stony was the way,


s: This, nigh directly, scaled a hill's ascent.


s: And a more pleasant palace on that green


s: Beheld, and brighter than was ever seen.


s: Advanced some way beyond the outer gate;


s: While all the rest to him such honour do,


s: And on the knight with such deep reverence wait,


s: They could not have displayed more zeal and love,


s: Had Jove descended from the choirs above.


s: Not so much does the palace, fair to see,


s: Which the whole world contains, within it dwell:


s: Between, in youth and beauty matched as well:


s: As the bright sun outshines each lesser star.


s: As best to feign the industrious painter knows,


s: With long and knotted tresses; to the eye


s: Not yellow gold with brighter lustre glows.


s: Like ivory smooth, the forehead gay and round


s: Fills up the space, and forms a fitting bound.


s: Two clear black eyes, say suns of radiant light,


s: Round these appears to sport in frolic flight,


s: Hence scattering all his shafts, the little Love,


s: And seems to plunder hearts in open sight.


s: Thence, through mid visage, does the nose descend,


s: As if between two vales, which softly curl,


s: The mouth with vermeil tint is seen to glow:


s: Within are strung two rows of orient pearl,


s: Which her delicious lips shut up or show.


s: Of force to melt the heart of any churl,


s: However rude, hence courteous accents flow:


s: And here that gentle smile receives its birth,


s: Like milk the bosom, and the neck of snow;


s: Round is the neck, and full and large the breast;


s: Where, fresh and firm, two ivory apples grow,


s: Which rise and fall, as, to the margin pressed


s: By pleasant breeze, the billows come and go.


s: Not prying Argus could discern the rest.


s: Yet might the observing eye of things concealed


s: Conjecture safely, from the charms revealed.


s: And a white hand is oftentimes descried,


s: Which narrow is, and somedeal long; and where


s: For finish of that stately shape and rare,


s: A foot, neat, short, and round, beneath is spied.


s: Concealed beneath no covering veil can lie.


s: On all sides did she speak, smile, sing, or move;


s: No wonder then the stripling was her prey,


s: With him the guilt and falsehood little weigh,


s: Of which the offended myrtle told above.


s: Nor will he think that perfidy and guile


s: No!  he could now believe, by magic art,


s: Astolpho well transformed upon the plain,


s: For punishment of foul ungrateful heart,


s: And, as for all he heard him late impart,


s: 'Twas prompted by revenge, 'twas false and vain.


s: By hate and malice was the sufferer stung,


s: To blame and wound the fay with slanderous tongue.


s: The beauteous lady whom he loved so well


s: Is newly banished from his altered breast;


s: The image of her love, and self impressed.


s: So witched, Rogero sure some grace deserves,


s: If from his faith his frail affection swerves.


s: At board lyre, lute and harp of tuneful string,


s: Made, round about, the joyous palace ring,


s: With glorious concert and sweet harmony.


s: Nor lacked there well-accorded voice to sing


s: Nor who, with rare inventions, choicely versed,


s: Delightful fiction to the guests rehearsed.


s: Of Ninus, though triumphant were the board,


s: Or what more famous and more costly, where


s: Could with this banquet's matchless joys compare,


s: I think not such a feast is spread above,


s: Where Ganymede presents the cup to Jove.


s: They form a ring, the board and festive cheer


s: Removed, and sitting, play a merry game:


s: Each asks, still whispering in a neighbour's ear,


s: What secret pleases best; to knight and dame


s: Their love, unheard of any, to proclaim.


s: Their word, to meet together on that night.


s: Soon, and much sooner than their wont, was ended


s: The game at which the palace inmates play:


s: When pages on the troop with torches tended,


s: And with their radiance chased the night away.


s: Girt with that goodly squadron, in a gay


s: The guests their bodies reverently incline,


s: And to their bowers depart the courtly crew.


s: He upon perfumed sheets, whose texture fine


s: Seemed of Arachne's loom, his body threw:


s: Hearkening this while with still attentive ears,


s: At every movement heard on distant floor,


s: Hoping 'twas her, Rogero raised his head:


s: He thinks he hears; but it is heard no more,


s: Then sighs at his mistake: ofttimes from bed


s: And peeped abroad, but still no better sped;


s: And cursed a thousand times the hour that she


s: "Yes, now she comes," the stripling often said,


s: Which from her bower where haply to be made


s: To that where he was waiting for the fay.


s: These thoughts, and other thoughts as vain, he weighed


s: Before she came, and restless at her stay,


s: Often believed some hinderance, yet unscanned,


s: Might interpose between the fruit and hand.


s: At length, when dropping sweets the costly fay


s: The time now come she need no more delay,


s: Since all was hushed within the palace, she


s: Stole from her bower alone, through secret way,


s: And passed towards the chamber silently,


s: Where on his couch the youthful cavalier


s: Lay, with a heart long torn by Hope and Fear.


s: Those smiling stars above him, at the sight


s: A flame, like that of kindled sulphur, flies


s: Through his full veins, as ravished by delight


s: Plunged in a sea of bliss, he swims outright.


s: He leaps from bed and folds her to his breast,


s: Though but in a light sendal clad, that she


s: Wore in the place of farthingale or gown;


s: And white, about her limbs the fay had thrown:


s: Embraced her, and that veil remained alone,


s: More than clear glass the lily or the rose.


s: With whose green boughs its stem is interlaced.


s: Than those fond lovers, each from either's lip


s: The balmy breath collecting, he embraced:


s: Rich perfume this, whose like no seed or slip


s: While so to speak their joys is either fixed,


s: That oftentimes those meeting lips are mixed.


s: These things were carried closely by the dame


s: And youth, or if surmised, were never bruited;


s: For silence seldom was a cause for blame,


s: By those shrewd courtiers, conscious of his claim,


s: Worshipped of all those inmates, who fulfil


s: In this the enamoured far, Alcina's will.


s: No pleasure is omitted there; since they


s: Alike are prisoners in Love's magic hall.


s: They change their raiment twice or thrice a day,


s: Now for this use, and now at other call.


s: 'Tis wrestling, tourney, pageant, bath, and ball.


s: They read the amorous lays of ages past:


s: Now by glad hill, or through the shady dale,


s: They hunt the fearful hare, and now they flush


s: Wild pheasant from the stubble-field or bush.


s: Now where green junipers perfume the gale,


s: Suspend the snare, or lime the fluttering thrush:


s: And casting now for fish, with net or book,


s: Disturb their secret haunts in pleasant brook.


s: While Charles and Agramant are troubled sore.


s: But not for him their story will I slight,


s: Mid toilsome pain and care, her cherished knight,


s: Ravished from her, did many a day deplore;


s: Whom by unwonted ways, transported through


s: Mid air, the damsel saw, nor whither knew.


s: Who many days pursued her search in vain;


s: By shadowy wood, or over champaign bare,


s: By farm and city, and by hill and plain;


s: But seeks her cherished friend with fruitless care,


s: Of hundreds questioned, upon every side,


s: She roams from post to post, and far and wide


s: Searches pavilion, lodging, booth, or rent,


s: And this, mid foot or horsemen, unespied,


s: Thanks to the ring, whose more than mortal aid,


s: When in her mouth, conceals the vanished maid.


s: She cannot, will not, think that he is dead;


s: Because the wreck of such a noble knight


s: Would, from Hydaspes' distant waves have spread,


s: To where the sun descends with westering light.


s: She knows not what to think, nor whither sped,


s: He roams in earth or air; yet, hapless wight,


s: Has sobs and sighs, and every bitter pain.


s: At length to find the wondrous cave she thought,


s: Where the prophetic homes of Merlin lie,


s: And there lament herself until she wrought


s: For thence, if yet he lived would she be taught,


s: Had yielded up; and, when she was possessed


s: Of the seer's councils, would pursue the best.


s: Directed thither, where in Poictier's wood


s: The vocal tomb, containing Merlin's clay,


s: Concealed in Alpine place and savage, stood.


s: But that enchantress sage, who night and day


s: Thought of the damsel, watchful for her good,


s: She, I repeat, who taught her what should be


s: She who preserved her with protecting care,


s: That same enchantress, still benign and wise,


s: Who, knowing she a matchless race should bear


s: Spies daily what her thoughts and actions are,


s: And lots for her each day, divining, tries; --


s: She all Rogero's fortune knew, how freed;


s: Then borne to India by the griffin steed:


s: Him on that courser plainly she had eyed,


s: Who would not the controlling rein obey;


s: When, severed by such interval, he hied,


s: Borne through the perilous, unwonted way:


s: And knew that he sport, dance, and banquet plied,


s: Once loved so well, preserved, not of his fame.


s: And thus such gentle knight ingloriously


s: Would have consumed his fairest years and best,


s: Body and soul, destroyed; and that, possessed


s: That flower, whose sweets outlive the fragile rest


s: Which quickens man when he in earth is laid,


s: Would have been plucked or severed in the blade.


s: But that enchantress kind, who with more care


s: Than for himself he watched, still kept the knight,


s: Designed to drag him, by rough road and bare,


s: Towards true virtue, in his own despite;


s: As often cunning leech will burn and pare


s: The flesh, and poisonous drug employ aright:


s: Who, though at first his cruel art offend,


s: Is thanked, since he preserves us in the end.


s: She, not like old Atlantes, rendered blind


s: By the great love she to the stripling bore,


s: Set not on gifting him with life her mind,


s: As was the scope of that enchanter hoar;


s: Who, reckless all of fame and praise declined,


s: Wished length of days to his Rogero more


s: Than that, to win a world's applause, the peer


s: Should of his joyous life forego one year.


s: Dispatched, that in her palace he might dwell,


s: The heart had fastened of that fairy-queen,


s: That she the knot would never disengage,


s: Though he should live to more than Nestor's age.


s: She thither did her journey straight pursue,


s: Where she met Aymon's daughter by the way


s: Forlorn and wandering: Bradamant at view


s: Of her enchantress, erst to grief a prey,


s: Nigh dead the maid remains, in piteous guise,


s: Grieves that she danger to her love descries,


s: Save this some strong and speedy cure restore.


s: But her the enchantress comforts, and applies


s: A salve where it was needed most, and swore


s: That few short days should pass before anew


s: Lady (she said), the virtuous ring dost wear,


s: This, where thine every good is hidden, hear,


s: And thence to bring thee back thy cherished care.


s: The mode which she was purposing to employ,


s: From that effeminate, soft realm to bring


s: Back into warlike France the cherished boy.


s: Bradamant from her finger slipt the ring,


s: Nor this alone would have bestowed with joy;


s: But heart and life would at her feet have laid,


s: If she had deemed they could Rogero aid.


s: Giving the ring, her cause she recommends


s: Countless salutes by her the damsel sends,


s: Then of Provence, departing seeks the shore.


s: The enchantress to another quarter wends;


s: Conjures, that eve, a palfrey, by her art,


s: With one foot red, black every other part.


s: I think, whom in that form she raised from hell;


s: And with loose hair, dishevelled horribly,


s: Ungirt and barefoot, mounted in the sell.


s: But, with wise caution, from her finger she


s: Withdrew the ring, lest it should mar the spell:


s: And then by him was with such swiftness born,


s: Herself she changed with wonderful disguise,


s: And made her limbs of a proportioned size;


s: And of the very measure seemed to sight,


s: As was she deemed, the necromancer wise,


s: Who with such care had reared the youthful knight.


s: With long-descending beard she clothed her chin,


s: And wrinkled o'er her front and other skin.


s: To imitate his speech, and face, and cheer,


s: She knew so well, that, by the youth descried,


s: She might the sage Atlantes' self appear;


s: Next hid, and watched so long, that she espied


s: At length detached from his Alcina's side:


s: For still, in motion or at rest, the fay


s: Ill bore the youth should be an hour away.


s: Alone she finds him, fitting well her will,


s: Beside a brook, which trickled from a hill,


s: Streaming towards a limpid lake and fair.


s: His fine, soft garments, wove with cunning skill,


s: These with her hand, such subtle toil well taught,


s: For him in silk and gold Alcina wrought.


s: About the stripling's neck, a splendid string


s: Of gems, descending to mid-breast, is wound;


s: With the bright hoop, a bracelet fair is bound.


s: Pierced with golden wire, in form of ring,


s: Is either ear; and from the yellow round


s: Depend two precious pearls; not such the coast


s: Crisped into comely ringlets was his hair,


s: Wet with the costliest odours and the best;


s: And soft and amorous all his gestures were,


s: Like one who does Valentian lady's hest.


s: In him, beside his name, was nothing fair,


s: And more than half corrupted all the rest.


s: Changed from his former self by potent spell.


s: She fronts, who bore the enchanter's borrowed cheer;


s: With that grave face, and reverend with age,


s: And with that eye, which in his pupillage,


s: Beaming with wrath, he whilom so did fear.


s: And sternly cries, "Is this the fruit at last


s: Which pays my tedious pain and labour past?


s: Didst thou for this thine early banquet make,


s: And, trained by me, by cliff or cavern-lair,


s: Strangle with infant hands the crested snake;


s: Their claws from tiger and from panther tear,


s: And tusks from living boar in tangled brake,


s: That, bred in such a school, in thee should I


s: "Is this the hope that stars, observed by me,


s: Signs in conjunction, sacred fibres, bred;


s: And all those lots I but too deeply read,


s: Which, while yet hanging at the breast, of thee,


s: When these thy years should be accomplished, said,


s: Thy fears should so be bruited far and near,


s: Thou justly should be deemed without a peer?


s: "This does, in truth, a fair beginning show;


s: A seed which, we may hope, will soon conceive


s: Who thee Alcina's bondsman could believe;


s: And (for the world the shameful fact might know)


s: That all should, manifest to sight, perceive


s: Upon thy neck and arms the servile chains,


s: Wherewith she at her will her captive trains?


s: "If thine own single honour move not thee,


s: And the high deeds which thou art called to do,


s: Of what, was oft predicted, should ensue?


s: Alas!  why seal the womb God willed should be


s: Pregnant by thee with an illustrious crew,


s: That far renowned, and more than human line,


s: "Forbid not of the noblest souls the birth,


s: Destined, from age to age, to visit earth,


s: Sprung from thy stock, and clothed in corporal rind;


s: The spring of thousand palms and festal mirth,


s: Through which, to Italy with losses pined


s: And wounds, thy good descendants shall restore


s: The fame and honours she enjoyed of yore.


s: "Not only should these many souls have weight


s: To bend thy purpose, holy souls, and bright,


s: Which from thy fruitful tree shall vegetate;


s: But, though alone, a single couple might


s: Whose like was seldom witnessed to this time,


s: Through all the paths whence men to virtue climb.


s: "I was more wont to dwell upon this pair


s: Than all the rest, of whom I prophesied;


s: As well that these a greater part should bear


s: Thee, listening to my lore with closer care,


s: Than to the tale of all thy seed beside.


s: I saw thee joy that such a pair would shine


s: "Say, what has she, thou makest thy fancy's queen,


s: More than what other courtezans possess?


s: How used her lovers in the end to bless,


s: Thou truly know'st: but that she may be seen


s: Without disguise, and in her real dress,


s: This ring, returning, on thy finger wear,


s: And thou shalt see the dame, and mark how fair."


s: In vain to her reproof an answer sought:


s: Whose virtue to himself the warrior brought.


s: And such remorse and shame within him spring,


s: When on his altered sense the change is wrought,


s: A thousand fathoms deep he fain would lie


s: So speaking, to the natural shape she wore


s: Before his eyes returned the magic dame;


s: The good effect obtained for which she came.


s: To tell you that which was not told before,


s: And told with what design she thither sped:


s: Dispatched by her, who him in anxious pain


s: With the intent to loose him from the chain


s: And had put on, more credence to obtain,


s: Seeing his health restored, now willed the youth,


s: Through her should hear and see the very truth.


s: "That gentle lady who so loves thee, who


s: To whom (unless forgot, thou know'st how true


s: The tale) thou debtor for thy freedom art,


s: This ring, which can each magic spell undo,


s: Sends for thy succour, and would send her heart,


s: If with such virtue fraught, her heart could bring


s: Thee safely in thy perils, like the ring."


s: How Bradamant had loved, and loves, she says,


s: To this, her worth commends with fitting praise,


s: Tempering in truth and fondness her narration;


s: And still employs the choicest mode and phrase,


s: And on the false Alcina brings such hate,


s: Brings hate on that which he so loved before;


s: Nor let the tale astonish which you hear,


s: For since his love was forced by magic lore,


s: The ring the false enchantment served to clear.


s: This too unmasked the charms Alcina wore,


s: And made all false, from head to food, appear.


s: None of her own, but borrowed, all he sees,


s: And the once sparkling cup now drugged with lees.


s: Like boy who somewhere his ripe fruit bestows,


s: And next forgets the place where it is laid,


s: By chance, where he the rich deposit made,


s: And wonders that the hidden treasure shows,


s: And hates, and scorns, and loathes, with altered eyes,


s: And throws away what he was used to prize.


s: And that good ring of sovereign virtue wore,


s: Which, on the finger placed, all spells o'erturned;


s: For that fair damsel he had left before,


s: To his surprise, so foul a dame discerned,


s: That in this ample world, examined round,


s: Pale, lean, and wrinkled was the face, and white,


s: And thinly clothed with hair Alcina's head;


s: Her stature reached not to six palms in height,


s: And every tooth was gone; for she had led


s: But thus by practice, to our age unknown,


s: Appeared with youth and beauty not her own.


s: By art she gave herself the lovely look,


s: Which secrets, hid for many ages, taught.


s: No wonder then that he the dame forsook,


s: And banished from his mind all further thought


s: Of love for false Alcina, found in guise


s: Which no new means of slippery fraud supplies.


s: His wonted semblance for a time, till he


s: And, lest Alcina should his end explore,


s: Feigned to make proof if for his arms he were


s: Too gross, long time unwont the mail to bear.


s: (For so Rogero's trenchant sword was hight),


s: And took the wondrous buckler, which, espied,


s: But seemed, when its silk veil was drawn aside,


s: This at his neck the youthful warrior slung.


s: And bade with bridle and with saddle dight


s: A horse more black than pitch; for so the dame


s: Counselled, well-taught how swift the steed and light.


s: And he the courser was, that with the knight,


s: Who stands beside the sea, the breeze's sport,


s: The whale of yore conducted to that port.


s: The hippogryph he might have had at need,


s: But that the dame had cried to him, "Take heed,


s: Thou know'st how ill that courser is to ride";


s: And said the following day the winged steed


s: 'Twas her intention from that realm to guide,


s: Where he should be instructed at his leisure,


s: To rein and run him every where at pleasure:


s: Nor, if he took him not, would he suggest


s: Suspicion of the intended flight: The peer


s: This while performed Melissa's every hest,


s: So feigning, from the wanton dome possessed


s: By that old strumpet, rode the cavalier;


s: And pricking forth drew near unto a gate,


s: Whence the road led to Logistilla's state.


s: He, sword in hand, the squadron set upon;


s: This one he wounded, and that other slew,


s: And, point by point made good, the drawbridge won:


s: My next shall tell his route, and how he gained


s: At last the realm where Logistilla reigned.


s: To their true shape Melissa does restore;


s: Rinaldo levies knights and squadrons, pressed


s: In aid of Charles assaulted by the Moor:


s: Departs from Paris sore against his will.


s: How many enchanters are there, though unknown!


s: Who for their love make man or woman glow,


s: Changing them into figures not their own.


s: But these on hearts with fraud and falsehood plot,


s: Were fortified with Reason's ring, would see


s: This now seems fair and good, whose borrowed hue


s: The virtuous ring which served the truth to explore!


s: Found the guard unprepared, not let his blade,


s: He passed the bridge, and broke the palisade,


s: Some slain, some maimed; then t'wards the forest hied;


s: But on that road small space had measured yet,


s: Which he made fly for pastime every day;


s: Now on the champaign, now upon the shore


s: Of neighbouring pool, which teemed with certain prey;


s: And rode a hack which simple housings wore,


s: He, marking well the haste with which he hies,


s: Towards him came the knave, with semblance haught,


s: Demanding whither in such haste he sped:


s: He hence assured more clearly that he fled,


s: Within himself to stop the warrior thought,


s: And thus, with his left arm extended, said:


s: And thou find no defence against this hawk?"


s: Then flies his bird, who works so well his wing,


s: The falconer from his back to ground did spring,


s: And freed him from the bit which held him tight;


s: Who seemed an arrow parted from the string,


s: And terrible to foe, with kick and bite;


s: While with such haste behind the servant came,


s: He sped as moved by wind, or rather flame.


s: Nor will the falconer's dog appear more slow;


s: Not to stand fast the warrior deems disgrace,


s: And turns towards the swiftly-footed foe,


s: The servant made at him, and smote him sore;


s: The dog his left foot worried; while untied


s: From rein, the lightened horse three times and more


s: Lashed from the croup, nor missed his better side.


s: The hawk, oft wheeling, with her talons tore


s: The stripling, and his horse so terrified,


s: The courser, by the whizzing sound dismayed,


s: Constrained at length, his sword Rogero drew


s: To clear the rabble, who his course delay;


s: Did now its point, and now its edge display.


s: But with more hinderance and vexatious crew


s: Swarm here and there, and wholly block the way;


s: He knew each little that he longer stayed,


s: Would bring the fay and followers on the trail;


s: Already drums were beat, and trumpets brayed,


s: And larum-bells rang loud in every vale.


s: An act too foul it seemed to use his blade


s: On dog, and knave unfenced with arms or mail:


s: The buckler, old Atlantes' work, to bare.


s: He raised the crimson cloth in which he wore


s: The wondrous shield, enclosed for many a day;


s: Its beams, as proved a thousand times before,


s: Work as they wont, when on the sight they play;


s: Senseless the falconer tumbles on the moor;


s: Drop dog and hackney; drop the pinions gay,


s: Which poised in air the bird no longer keep:


s: Then glad Rogero leaves a prey to sleep.


s: How he had forced the gate, and, in the press,


s: Slaughtered a mighty number of her guard,


s: Remained nigh dead, o'erwhelmed with her distress;


s: She tore her vesture, and her visage marred,


s: And cursed her want of wit and wariness.


s: Then made forthwith her meiny sound to arms,


s: And round herself arrayed her martial swarms.


s: Rogero took, she sent; the bands were two:


s: She at the port embarked the next array,


s: And straight to sea dispatched the warlike crew.


s: With this good squadron went the desperate fay,


s: And darked by loosened sails the billows grew;


s: Without a guard she left her palace there,


s: Which to Melissa, prompt her time to seize,


s: To loose her vassals that in misery were,


s: -- To range, at leisure, through the palace fair,


s: To raze the seal, burn images, and loose


s: Or cancel hag-knot, rhomb, or magic noose.


s: Thence, through the fields, fast hurrying from that dome,


s: The former lovers changed, a mighty train,


s: Some into rock or tree, to fountain some,


s: Or beast, she made assume their shapes again:


s: And these, when they anew are free to roam,


s: Of Logistilla's sage; and from that bourn


s: To Scythia, Persia, Greece, and Ind return.


s: They to their several homes dispatched, repair,


s: Bound by a debt which never can be paid:


s: The English duke, above the rest her care,


s: Of these, was first in human form arrayed:


s: For much his kindred and the courteous prayer


s: Beside his prayers, the ring Rogero gave;


s: That him she by its aid might better save.


s: Thus by Rogero's suit the enchantress won,


s: To his first shape transformed the youthful peer;


s: But good Melissa deemed that nought was done


s: Save she restored his armour, and that spear


s: Of gold, which whensoe'er at tilt he run,


s: And source of mighty fame to both in France.


s: The sage Melissa found this spear of gold,


s: Of which he was in that ill dome uncased.


s: She climbed the courser of the wizard old,


s: And on the croup, at ease, Astolpho placed:


s: Repaired to Logistilla, knight and dame.


s: Meantime, through rugged rocks, and shagged with thorn,


s: From cliff to cliff, from path to path forlorn,


s: Till he, with labour huge oppressed and worn,


s: 'Twixt sea and mountain, open to the south,


s: Deserted, barren, bare, and parched with drouth.


s: The sunbeams on the neighbouring mountain beat


s: And glare, reflected from the glowing mass


s: So fiercely, sand and air both boil with heat,


s: In mode that might have more than melted glass.


s: The birds are silent in their dim retreat,


s: Save the bough perched Cicala's wearying cry,


s: Which deafens hill and dale, and sea and sky.


s: The heat and thirst and labour which he bore


s: Bur for I may not still pursue this lore,


s: Nor should you busied with one matter be,


s: By king, by daughter, and by all degrees,


s: And next the warrior, at his better ease,


s: That he from thence and England, subsidies


s: Of men was seeking, for his monarch's aid,


s: In Charles's name; and added, in his care,


s: The justest reasons to support his prayer.


s: The king made answer, that `without delay,


s: Taxed to the utmost of his powers and might,


s: His means at Charlemagne's disposal lay,


s: For the honour of the empire and the right.


s: Such horsemen, as he had in arms, would dight;


s: And, save that he was now waxed old, would lead


s: Worthy to stop him, but that he possessed


s: A son, and for such charge that cavalier,


s: Measured by wit and force, was worthiest.


s: Though not within the kingdom was the peer,


s: It was his hope (as he assured his guest)


s: He would, while yet preparing was the band,


s: Return, and find it mustered to his hand.'


s: So sent through all his realm, with expedition,


s: And ships prepared, and warlike ammunition,


s: And money, stores and victual for their needs.


s: Meantime the good Rinaldo on his mission,


s: Leaving the courteous king, to England speeds;


s: He brought him on his way to Berwick's town,


s: And was observed to weep when he was gone.


s: Embarked and bade farewell to all; the sheet


s: Still loosening to the breeze, the skipper stood,


s: Till where Thames' waters, waxing bitter, meet


s: Salt ocean: wafted thence by tide of flood,


s: Through a sure channel to fair London's seat,


s: Safely the mariners their course explore,


s: Making their way, with aid of sail and oar.


s: The Emperor Charles, and he, King Otho grave,


s: Who was with Charles, by siege in Paris pressed,


s: With letters to the Prince of Wales addressed,


s: And countersigns had given, dispatched to crave


s: What foot and horse were by the land possessed.


s: The whole to be to Calais' port conveyed;


s: That it to France and Charles might furnish aid.


s: The prince I speak of, who on Otho's throne


s: Sate in his stead, the vacant helm to guide,


s: He not with such his king had gratified.


s: Next, all to good Rinaldo's wish, was done:


s: Since for his martial bands on every side,


s: In Britain, or the isles which round her lay,


s: To assemble near the sea he fixed a day.


s: But here, sir, it behoves me shift my ground,


s: Like him that makes the sprightly viol ring,


s: Who often changes chord and varies sound,


s: And now a graver strikes, now sharper string:


s: Thus I: -- who did to good Rinaldo bound


s: Late left, where saved from him by hasty flight,


s: Told how the maid of him with earnest care,


s: Enquired, how she towards the shore might fly:


s: Who of the loathed Rinaldo has such fear,


s: She dreads, unless she pass the sea, to die,


s: Because he pleasure took with her to stay.


s: His heart with love of that rare beauty glowed,


s: And to his frozen marrow pierced the heat;


s: Who, after, when he saw that she bestowed


s: Small care on him, and thought but of retreat,


s: His sluggish courser stung with many a goad;


s: But with no better speed he plied his feet.


s: Ill was his walk, and worse his trot; nor spur


s: Could that dull beast to quicker motion stir:


s: And he would soon have ceased to track her steed,


s: To the dark cave recurred the hermit hoar,


s: And conjured up of fiends a grisly breed:


s: And first informed the demon of his need;


s: Then in the palfrey bade him play his part,


s: Before, accustomed fox and hare to chase,


s: If he behold the quarry choose one side,


s: The other takes, and seems to slight the trace:


s: Already tearing what he crossed to face;


s: Will meet, wherever she her palfrey goad.


s: What was the friar's design I well surmise;


s: And you shall know; but in another page.


s: Nought fearing this: while conjured by the sage,


s: As fire sometimes will hide its smothered rage:


s: Then blazes with devouring flame and heat,


s: Unquenchable, and scarce allows retreat.


s: After the flying maid had shaped her course


s: By the great sea which laves the Gascon shore,


s: Still keeping to the rippling waves her horse,


s: Where best the moistened sand the palfrey bore,


s: Him, plunged into the brine, the fiend perforce


s: Dragged, till he swam amid the watery roar.


s: Save that she closer to her saddle grew.


s: Govern the horse, who swims the surge to meet:


s: Her raiment she collects and holds it high;


s: And, not to wet them, gathers up her feet.


s: Her tresses, which the breeze still wantonly


s: Assaults, dishevelled on her shoulders beat.


s: The louder winds are hushed, perchance in duty,


s: Intent, like ocean, on such sovereign beauty.


s: Landward in vain her eyes the damsel bright


s: Directs, which water face and breast with tears,


s: The beach she left, which less and less appears.


s: The courser, who was swimming to the right,


s: To shore, where rock and cavern shag the brink,


s: When in that desert, which but to descry


s: Bred fear in the beholder, stood the maid


s: Alone, as Phoebus, plunged in ocean, sky


s: And nether earth had left obscured in shade;


s: She paused in guise, which in uncertainty


s: Might leave whoever had the form surveyed,


s: Resemblance, coloured in the living rock.


s: She, fixed and stupid in her wretchedness,


s: Stood on the shifting sand, with ruffled hair:


s: Her hands were joined, her lips were motionless,


s: Her languid eyes upturned, as in despair,


s: And whelm her, all the fates united were.


s: Astound she stood awhile; when grief found vent


s: Through eyes and tongue, in tears and in lament.


s: "Fortune what more remains, that thou on me


s: Shouldst not now satiate thy revengeful thirst?


s: What more (she said) can I bestow on thee


s: Than, what thou seekest not, this life accurst?


s: Thou wast in haste to snatch me from the sea,


s: Where I had ended its sad days, immersed;


s: "But what worse torment yet remains in store


s: By thee from my fair throne, which nevermore


s: I, what is worse, my honour lost deplore;


s: Give matter by my wanderings to be stung


s: Has lost her honour, in this earthly ball?


s: What profits it that, whether false or true,


s: I am deemed beauteous, and am young withal?


s: No thanks to heaven for such a gift are due,


s: Whence on my head does every mischief fall.


s: To whom small help enchanted arms supplied:


s: Subdued my sire, who Galaphron was hight,


s: 'Tis hence I am reduced to such a plight,


s: At morn, where I shall lay my head at night.


s: If thou hast ravished what thou couldst, wealth, friends,


s: And honour; say what more thy wrath intends.


s: "If death by drowning in the foaming sea


s: Send, if thou wilt, some beast to swallow me,


s: So that he keep me not in pain!  Thy hate


s: My death, but I shall thank thee for my fate!"


s: Thus, with loud sobs, the weeping lady cried,


s: From the extremest height the hermit hoar


s: Of that high rock above her, had surveyed


s: Beneath the cliff, afflicted and dismayed.


s: He to that place had come six days before;


s: For him by path untrod had fiend conveyed:


s: And he approached her, feigning such a call


s: As e'er Hilarion might have had, or Paul.


s: When him, yet unagnized, she saw appear,


s: The lady took some comfort, and laid by,


s: Though still her visage was of death-like dye.


s: "Misericord!  father," when the friar was near


s: (She said), "for brought to evil pass am I."


s: And told, still broke by sobs, in doleful tone,


s: To comfort her, some reasons full of grace,


s: Sage and devout the approaching hermit cites:


s: And, now his hand upon her moistened face,


s: Him, kindling into pretty scorn, she smites


s: With one hand on his breast, and backward throws,


s: Then flushed with honest red, all over glows.


s: A pocket at the ancient's side was dight,


s: Where he a cruise of virtuous liquor wore;


s: And at those puissant eyes, whence flashed the light


s: Of the most radiant torch Love ever bore,


s: Threw from the flask a little drop, of might


s: Hopeless, at length upon the beach he lies,


s: And by the maid, exhausted, falls asleep.


s: When to torment him new misfortunes rise:


s: If she with mortal man is pleased to sport.


s: It here behoves me, from the path I pressed,


s: In the great northern sea, towards the west,


s: (Its people wasted through the Godhead's hate)


s: The hideous orc, and Proteus' other herd,


s: By him against that race in vengeance stirred.


s: Old stories, speak they falsely or aright,


s: Tell how a puissant king this country swayed;


s: Who had a daughter fair, so passing bright


s: And lovely, 'twas no wonder if the maid,


s: When on the beach she stood in Proteus' sight,


s: Left him to burn amid the waves: surveyed,


s: One day alone, upon that shore in-isled,


s: Her he compressed, and quitted great with child.


s: This was sore torment to the sire, severe


s: And impious more than all mankind; nor he,


s: Such is the force of wrath, was moved to spare


s: Nor, though he saw her pregnant, would forbear


s: Ere born, his grandchild, who had done no ill.


s: Sea-Proteus to his flocks' wide charge preferred


s: By Neptune, of all ocean's rule possessed,


s: Inflamed with ire, his lady's torment heard,


s: The land (no sluggard in his anger) stirred


s: His monsters, orc and sea-calf, with the rest;


s: Who waste not only herds, but human haunts,


s: Farm-house and town, with their inhabitants:


s: And girding them on every side, the rout