s: His loss, for us that reft of him remain:


s: His death, with such surpassing glory hallowed,


s: To die all living warriors should be fain.


s: Those Decii; Curtius, in Rome's forum swallowed;


s: Cordus, so vaunted by the Grecian train;


s: Not with more honour to themselves, with more


s: Profit to others, went to death of yore."


s: These sad laments and more Orlando made;


s: And all this while white friars, and black, and gray,


s: With other clerks, by two and two arrayed,


s: Behind in long procession took their way;


s: And they to God for the departed prayed,


s: That he would to his rest his soul convey.


s: Before and all about were torches reared,


s: And changed to day the sable night appeared.


s: They raise the warrior's bier, and ranged to bear


s: By turns that honoured weight were earl and knight.


s: The pall was purple silk, with broidery rare


s: Of gold, and pearls in costly circles dight.


s: Thereon, of lordly work and no less fair,


s: On which was stretched the lifeless knight in view,


s: Those beadsmen all, in black and trailing gown.


s: A hundred pages followed them, who prest


s: A hundred puissant steeds, for warfare bown;


s: And by those pages backed, the portly steeds


s: Went, sweeping wide the ground with sable weeds.


s: Banners in front and banners borne in rear,


s: Whose fields with diverse ensignry is stained,


s: Which from a thousand vanquished bands were gained,


s: For Caesar and for Peter's church whilere,


s: By that rare force, which now extinct remained.


s: Bucklers by other followers carried are,


s: Won from good warriors, whose device they bear.


s: By hundreds and by hundreds followed more,


s: Ordained for different tasks, the steps of those;


s: Who burning torches like those others bore.


s: Mantled, say rather closely muffled, goes


s: His eyes suffused and red with weeping shows.


s: Nor wears a gladder face Montalban's peer.


s: In verse, wherewith Sir Brandimart was mourned;


s: The mantles, black or purple, given away;


s: The many torches which that eve were burned.


s: Wending to the cathedral, where the array


s: Past on its road, were no dry eyes discerned:


s: Gazed upon him so youthful, fair, and good.


s: He in the church was placed; and, when with vain


s: And Kyrie Eleison, by the priestly train,


s: In a fair ark, upraised on columns twain,


s: Was reared, with sumptuous cloth of gold o'erspread.


s: So willed Orlando; till he could be laid


s: Till porphyries he procures and alabasters,


s: And fair designs; and in their several arts


s: Has with large hire engaged the primest masters.


s: Next Flordelice, arriving in those parts,


s: Raises the quarried slabs and rich pilasters;


s: She, seeing that her tears unceasing flow,


s: And that of long lament she never tires;


s: Nor she, for mass or service said, her woe


s: Vows in her heart she thence will never go


s: Till from the wearied corse her soul expires;


s: And builds in that fair sepulchre a cell;


s: There shuts herself; therein for life will dwell.


s: And letter, Roland goes, her thence to take;


s: Her, would she wend to France, with goodly rent


s: On journeying to her father; for her sake


s: If wholly she to serve her God was willed,


s: Still in that sepulchre she dwelt, and worn


s: By weary penance, praying night and day,


s: It was not long, ere by the Parcae shorn


s: Was her life's thread: already on their way


s: Were the three Christian warriors, homeward borne,


s: For their fourth comrade who remained behind.


s: They would not go without a leech, whose skill


s: Might ease the wound of warlike Olivier;


s: Be salved, is hard to heal.  Meanwhile they hear


s: The champion so complain, his outcries fill


s: While they discoursed thereon, the skipper, moved


s: By a new notion, said what all approved.


s: A hermit not far distance hence, he said


s: Whose isle none, seeking succour, vainly tread,


s: Who hath done superhuman deeds; the dead


s: Restores to life; and makes the blind to see;


s: Hushes the winds; and with a sign o' the cross


s: Lulls the loud billows when they highest toss;


s: And adds they need not doubt, if they will go


s: Having his virtue proved by signs more clear.


s: That for the holy place he bids him steer;


s: Who never swerving from his course, espies


s: Worked by good mariners, the bark was laid


s: The marquis there, with crew and servants' aid,


s: They lowered into their boat; and through the swell


s: For the rude isle; thence sought the holy cell;


s: That they were thither bound in search of aid


s: Who, warring for the Christian faith, in fight


s: To perilous pass was brought by evil wound.


s: And promised he would make him wholly sound.


s: In that no unguents hath the holy wight,


s: His church he seeks, his knee to Jesus bows,


s: And issues from the fane with cheerful brows;


s: Oh!  grace vouchsafed to faith!  his sainted host


s: And to his foot restored its vigour lost.


s: He moved more nimble than before, and sure;


s: How worse with each succeeding day he grew,


s: And own in Christ a living God and true.


s: He, full of faith, with contrite heart demands


s: That monarch made as vigorous as whilere.


s: At this conversion no less gladness fell


s: Than when, restored from deadly wound, and well


s: Rogero more rejoiced than all that crew;


s: And still in faith and grace the warrior grew.


s: That band is counselled by the hermit hoar,


s: Who stands, benign, those warlike knights between,


s: Eschewing in their passage mire and moor,


s: To wade withal through that dead water, clean,


s: Which men call life; wherein so fools delight;


s: And evermore on heaven to fix their sight.


s: Roland on shipboard sends one from his throng,


s: Who fetches hence good wine, hams, cheese, and bread;


s: And makes the sage, who had forgotten long


s: All taste of partridge since on fruits he fed,


s: Even do for love, what others did, among


s: Those social guests for whom the board was spread.


s: They, when their strength by food was reinforced,


s: Of many things amid themselves discoursed;


s: That one thing from another takes its rise,


s: Renowned in arms; whose valour is of all


s: For him whose prowess he had proved in fight.


s: But he at first kept silence; for in fear


s: Of some mistake the monarch's tongue was tied.


s: Whose courtesy, whose might and daring through


s: All, for they know he is a Christian, stand


s: All press upon the knight; one grasps his hand;


s: Yet more than all the others of that band


s: Him would Montalban's lord caress and grace:


s: Why more than all the others will appear


s: In other strain, if you that strain will hear.


s: Rinaldo his sister to the Child hath plight,


s: And to Marseilles is with the warrior gone:


s: And having crimsoned wide the field in fight,


s: Therein arrives King Otho's valiant son.


s: To Paris thence: where to that squadron bright


s: Is mighty grace and wonderous honour done.


s: The Child departs, resolved on Leo's slaughter,


s: To whom Duke Aymon had betrothed his daughter.


s: In poor abode, mid paltry walls and bare,


s: Or in some royal court, beset with snare,


s: Mid envious wealth, and ease, and luxuries;


s: Nor friendship, unless counterfeit, is spied.


s: Hence it ensues that peace and pact between


s: Princes and peers are of such short-lived wear.


s: To-day king, pope, and emperor leagued are seen,


s: Because such is not as their outward mien


s: The heart, the spirit, that those sovereigns bear.


s: Since, wholly careless as to right or wrong,


s: But to their profit look the faithless throng.


s: Though little prone to friendship is that sort,


s: Because with those she loveth not to dwell,


s: Who, be their talk in earnest or in sport,


s: Speak not, except some cozening tale to tell;


s: They prisoned are by Fortune false and fell,


s: What friendship is they speedily discern;


s: Though years had past, and this was yet to learn.


s: Could bind his inmates with a faster noose,


s: And in true love more firmly them unite,


s: Than other could in domes where courtiers use;


s: That nothing short of death the tie could loose.


s: Benignant all the hermit found that crew;


s: Whiter at heart than swans in outward hue.


s: All kind he found them, and of courteous lore;


s: Go forth, unless concealed in some disguise.


s: All memory, by those comrades buried lies:


s: Nor could they better love, if from one womb


s: And from one seed that warlike band had come.


s: Had proved the peer so strong in martial gest,


s: As that he was more courteous and humane


s: Than any knight that e'er laid lance in rest:


s: But much more; that to him on many a ground


s: What time the Spanish monarch's hest was done,


s: And with his daughter he was seized in bed;


s: Of good Duke Buovo (as erewhile was said)


s: His evil followers, and the paynim band.


s: Him, Sir Rinaldo thought, this debt constrained;


s: And that he could not so have done whilere,


s: The warlike lord was sorely grieved and pained;


s: When one for Africk's monarch couched the spear,


s: And one the cause of royal Charles maintained:


s: What could not then be done he now would do.


s: Welcome, with endless proffers, on his side,


s: The prudent sire that in such kindness spied


s: An opening made for more, the pass assayed:


s: "And nothing else remains," that hermit cried,


s: "Nor will, I trust, my counsel be gainsaid)


s: But that, conjoined by friendship, you shall be


s: "That from the two bright progenies, which none


s: A race may spring, that brighter than the sun


s: Will shine, wherever that bright sun may glow;


s: And which, when years and ages will have run


s: Their course, will yet endure and fairer show,


s: While in their orbits burn the heavenly fires:


s: So me, for your instruction, God inspires."


s: And his discourse pursuing still, the seer


s: Albeit with either small entreaties need.


s: The counsel lauds, and would that union speed:


s: King Charles and Aymon will, he hopes, approve,


s: And France will welcome wide their wedded love.


s: Nor knew that Aymon, with King Charles' consent,


s: The heir and hope, to crave the maid had sent.


s: Such warmth the praises of her worth inspired,


s: Until he first hath spoken with his son,


s: Rinaldo, absent then from Charles's court;


s: Who with winged haste, he deems, will thither run,


s: But from the high regard he bears his heir,


s: Can nought resolve till thither he repair.


s: And of the imperial practice knowing nought,


s: Promised his beauteous sister as a bride,


s: Upon his own, as well as Roland's thought


s: And the others, harboured in that cell beside;


s: But most of all on him the hermit wrought;


s: And by such marriage, 'twas the peer's belief,


s: He could not choose but pleasure Clermont's chief.


s: That day and night, and of the following day


s: Great part, with that sage monk the warriors spent;


s: Scarce mindful that the crew their coming stay,


s: Albeit the wind blew fair for their intent,


s: But these, impatient at their long delay,


s: More than one message to the warriors sent;


s: And to return those barons urged so sore,


s: Parforce they parted from the hermit hoar.


s: The Child who, so long banished, had not stayed


s: From the lone rock, whereon the waters roared,


s: Who taught him the true faith: anew with sword


s: Orlando girt his side, and with the blade,


s: Frontino and martial Hector's arms restored;


s: As knowing horse and arms were his whilere,


s: And, though the enchanted sword with better right


s: Would have been worn by good Anglantes' chief,


s: Who from the fearful garden by his might


s: Had won the blade with mickle toil and grief,


s: Than by Rogero, who that faulchion bright


s: Received with good Frontino, from the thief,


s: As soon as asked, the warrior repossest.


s: The hermit blessings on the band implores:


s: They to their bark in fine return; their sails


s: Give to the winds, and to the waves their oars;


s: And such clear skies they have and gentle gales,


s: Nor vow nor prayer the patron makes; and moors


s: There, safely harboured, let the chiefs remain,


s: When of that bloody, dear-brought victory


s: He, seeing evermore fair France would be


s: Secure from mischief from the Moorish crew,


s: Devised, together with his army, through


s: The sandy desert, by the self-same track,


s: Through which he led them to Biserta's sack.


s: Sir Dudon's ships which did the paynims rout;


s: Whose prows (new miracle!) and poop, and side,


s: As soon as all their sable crews are out,


s: Are changed anew to leaves; which far and wide,


s: Raised by a sudden breeze, are blown about;


s: And scattered in mid-air, like such light gear,


s: Go eddying with the wind, and disappear.


s: Home, horse and foot, the Nubian host arraid


s: By squadrons, all, from wasted Africk go;


s: But to their king, first, thanks Astolpho paid,


s: And said, he an eternal debt should owe;


s: With all his might and main against the foe.


s: The skins Astolpho gave them, which confined


s: The turbid and tempestuous southern wind.


s: I say, enclosed in skins that wind he gave,


s: Which in such fury blows at noon, on high


s: I moves the shifting plain in many a wave,


s: And fills the eddying sand the troubled sky,


s: To carry with them, and from scathe to save


s: Their squadrons, lest the dusty whirlwind fly;


s: And bids them, when arrived at home, unnoose


s: The bladder's vent, and let their prisoners loose.


s: Turpin relates, are changed at once to stone;


s: So that the steeds return to what they were.


s: But it is time the Duke to France was gone;


s: For the main places in the Moorish land,


s: Made the hippogryph anew his wings expand;


s: He reached Sardinia at one flight and shear,


s: The foaming sea his venturous course did steer,


s: Inclining somewhat left the griffin's soar.


s: In the sea-marshes last his light career


s: He stopt, on rich Provence's pleasant shore:


s: What was erewhile enjoined by sainted John.


s: To him the charge did sainted John commit,


s: When to Provence by that winged courser borne,


s: To gall, but let him to his lair return.


s: Things lost on earth, of sound deprived his horn:


s: For this not only hoarse but mute remained,


s: As soon as the holy place Astolpho gained.


s: Thence to Marseilles he came; and came the day


s: Arrived therein, upon their homeward way,


s: Touched by the death of him, their comrade dear,


s: -- But for that sad disaster -- would have done.


s: Of the kings slain upon the paynim part,


s: The news from Sicily to Charles were blown,


s: Sobrino's fate, and death of Brandimart;


s: Charles stood with jocund fate and gladsome heart,


s: Rejoicing he had from his shoulders thrown


s: Will for long time prevent his standing straight.


s: To honour those fair pillars that sustain


s: The state -- the holy empire's corner-stone --


s: Dispatched, to meet the knights, as far as Saone;


s: And from his city with his worthiest train,


s: King, duke, and her, the partner of his throne,


s: The emperor Charles with bright and cheerful brow,


s: Lords, paladins and people, kinsmen, friends,


s: Fair love to Roland and the others show.


s: Mongrana and Clermont's cry the welkin rends.


s: No sooner, mid that kind and festal show,


s: The interchange of fond embracements ends,


s: Than Roland and his friends Rogero bring,


s: And mid those lords present him to the king;


s: And vouch in valour as his father's peer,


s: "Witnesses of his worth our squadrons are,


s: They best can tell his prowess with the spear."


s: Meanwhile, the noble and the lovely pair,


s: More coy, that other stands somedeal apart.


s: Who from his horse had lit, in reverence due;


s: And, side by side, with him his courser rein;


s: Nor aught omits that monarch which may do


s: The warrior honour, mid his martial train:


s: How the true faith he had embraced he knew;


s: When first those paladins set foot ashore.


s: With pomp triumphal and with festive cheer


s: The troop returns within the city-walls:


s: With leaves and garlands green the streets appear,


s: And tapestried all about with gorgeous palls.


s: Of herbs and flowers a mingled rain, where'er


s: They wend, upon the conquering squadron falls,


s: Which with full hands from stand and window throw


s: Of sudden structure arch and trophy high,


s: Scaffolds, upraised for different sports elsewhere


s: And merrimake and stage-play meet the eye;


s: And, writ with truth, above, below, between,


s: To THE EMPIRE'S SAVIOURS, everywhere is seen.


s: With sound of shrilling pipe and trumpet proud,


s: And other festive music, laughter light,


s: Applause and favour of the following crowd,


s: Which scarce found room, begirt with dames and knight,


s: The mighty emperor, mid those greetings loud.


s: His lords, mid tourney, mummery, mask and ball.


s: His sister he would make Rogero's bride;


s: Who think with him that kindred is there none


s: Wherewith to league themselves, on any side,


s: Better than his; nay, none so passing good.


s: Duke Aymon heard his heir with some disdain;


s: That, without concert with him, and alone


s: He dared to plight his daughter, whom he fain


s: Would marry to the Grecian emperor's son;


s: And not to him that has no kingly reign,


s: Nay has not ought that he can call his own;


s: And should not know, how little nobleness


s: Is valued without wealth; how virtue less.


s: But Beatrice, his wife, with more despite


s: Arraigns her son, and calls him arrogant;


s: And moves each open way and hidden sleight


s: Resolved to tax her every means and might


s: Firm in his purpose is Montalban's lord,


s: Nor will in ought forego his plighted word.


s: Beatrice who believes the highminded fair


s: Rather than she will be constrained to pair


s: With a poor knight, she is resolved to die;


s: Nor, if this wrong she from Rinaldo bear


s: Will she regard her with a mother's eye:


s: Let her refuse and keep her stedfast course;


s: Silent stands mournful Bradamant, nor dares


s: Meanwhile her lady-mother's speech gainsay;


s: To whom such reverence, and respect, she bears,


s: She thinks no choice is left but to obey.


s: Yet a foul fault it in her eyes appears,


s: If what she will not do, she falsely say:


s: She will not, for she cannot; since above


s: All guidance, great or small, is mighty Love.


s: Deny she dared not, nor yet seem content;


s: So, sighed and spake not; but -- when uncontrolled


s: She could -- she gave her secret sorrow vent,


s: While from her eyes the tears like billows rolled;


s: A portion of the pains that her torment,


s: Inflicting on her breast and locks of gold:


s: For this she beat, and those uptore and brake;


s: And thus she made lament, and thus she spake.


s: "Ah!  shall I will what she wills not, by right


s: More sovereign mistress of my will than I?


s: Hers shall I hold so cheaply, so to slight


s: Myself to husband, reckless of her will,


s: "Wo worth the while!  and shall I then to thee


s: Desire; or rather from those ties break free,


s: From all good children to good parents due;


s: Observance, reverence cast aside; and measure


s: "I know, alas!  what I should do; I know


s: That which a duteous daughter doth behove;


s: Nor think how to dispose; so strict his sway;


s: But, if I anger Love, whose prayer shall save


s: Of mine the Godhead shall vouchsafe to hear;


s: "Alas!  with long and obstinate pursuit,


s: To our faith to draw Rogero have I wrought;


s: And finally have drawn; but with what boot,


s: If my fair deed for other's good be wrought?


s: So yearly by the bee, whose labour's fruit


s: Is lost for her, is hive with honey fraught.


s: Of greater wisdom far than them possest;


s: Nor Time hath made that warrior's wit his prey;


s: And, one and the other, on my side are they;


s: A pair more feared and honoured far and wide


s: Than all the members of my house beside.


s: "If them the flower of Clermont's noble tree,


s: They, more than head o'ertops the foot, surmount;


s: I should not; so much less, as not affied


s: If cruel thoughts the afflicted maid torment,


s: For albeit those sad tidings have not vent


s: He o'er his humble fortunes makes lament


s: Dispensed so widely to a worthless train.


s: Of other goods which Nature's hand supplies,


s: Or which acquired by man's own study are,


s: Such and so large was never other's share:


s: In that, no beauty with his beauty vies;


s: In that, resistance to his might is rare.


s: The palm by none from him can challenged be,


s: Except the prudent man, distinguished none;


s: Nor emperor, pope, nor king, is raised more high


s: Than these by sceptre, mitre, or by crown,


s: Nor save by prudence; save by judgement, given


s: But to the favoured few by partial Heaven;


s: This vulgar (to say out what I would say)


s: Which only honours wealth, therewith more smit


s: Aught heed or aught esteem, ungraced with it,


s: Or goodness -- yet more vulgar stands confest


s: In that whereof I speak than in the rest.


s: In that, meanwhile, I hope, by me deposed


s: And I, encircled with their forfeit crown,


s: His cousin, erst before the hermit made,


s: What shall I do?  such grievous wrong shall I


s: "What shall I do?  her father then pursue,


s: On whom for vengeance this grave outrage cries?


s: Or if the attempt in me is weak or wise: --


s: But presuppose that, with his kindred crew


s: Slain by my hand that unjust elder dies;


s: This will in nothing further my content;


s: " `Twas ever my intent, and still 'tis so


s: To have the love, not hatred, of that fair;


s: But should I Aymon slay, or bring some woe


s: By plot or practice, on his house or heir,


s: And me, that foeman, as her lord forswear?


s: Ah!  no, by Heaven!  far rather I will die.


s: "Nay die I will not; but with better right


s: He and his unjust sire; less dear his flight


s: Nor yet in older time that foul despite,


s: My grief of heart shall son and father cost.


s: "Can it be true, my life, that to forsake


s: Thy champion for this Greek should grieve not thee?


s: And could thy father force thee him to take,


s: Though joined thy brethren with thy sire should be?


s: But 'tis my fear that thou would'st rather make


s: To wed with Caesar than with simple wight.


s: "Can it be true that royal name should blind,


s: And taint my Bradamant's egregious mind,


s: So that, as cheaper, she should cast behind


s: Her plighted faith, and from her promise fly?


s: Than she no longer say, what once she said?"


s: These things Rogero said, and more beside,


s: Discoursing with himself, and in such strain


s: That stander-by o'erheard the knight complain,


s: And more than once his grief was signified


s: To her that was the occasion of his pain;


s: Who no less for his cruel woe, when known,


s: But most, of all the sorrows that were said


s: To hear that he afflicts himself, in dread


s: Lest for the Grecian prince she him forego.


s: Hence this belief, this error, from his head


s: The trustiest of her bower-women, one day,


s: "Rogero, I what I was till death will be;


s: Deals Love in kindness or in scorn with me;


s: Hath doubtful Fortune good or ill in store;


s: And winds unmoved, which round about it roar


s: Nor I have changed for calm or storm, nor I


s: "Sooner shall file or chisel made of lead


s: To the rough diamond various forms impart,


s: Than any stroke, by fickle Fortune sped,


s: Or Love's keen anger, break my constant heart:


s: Sooner return, to Alp, their fountain-head,


s: The troubled streams that from its summit part,


s: Than e'er, for change or chances, good or nought,


s: Shall wander from its way my stedfast thought.


s: "All power o'er me have I bestowed on you,


s: Rogero; and more than others may divine:


s: I know that to a prince whose throne is new


s: Was never fealty sworn more true than mine;


s: Nor ever surer state, this wide world through,


s: By king or keysar was possest than thine.


s: Thou need'st not dig a ditch nor build a tower,


s: In fear lest any rob thee of that power.


s: "For if thou hire no aids, assault is none,


s: But what thereon shall aye be made in vain;


s: So vile a price no gentle heart can gain:


s: Nor beauty, puissant with the weak and light,


s: Shall ever make me thee for other slight.


s: "Thou hast no cause, amid thy griefs, to fear


s: My heart should ever bear new impress more:


s: It cannot be removed: that my heart's core


s: Is not of wax is proved; for Love whilere


s: Smote it a hundred times, not once, before


s: He by his blows a single scale displaced,


s: What time therein his hand thine image traced.


s: "Ivory, gem, and every hard-grained stone


s: That best resists the griding tool, may break:


s: But, save the form it once hath taken, none


s: My heart like marble is, or thing least prone


s: Beneath the chisel's trenchant edge to flake:


s: Love this may wholly splinter, ere he may


s: And full of love and faith, she said beside;


s: Which might a thousand times have given him life,


s: Albeit a thousand times the knight had died:


s: But, when most clear of the tempestuous strife,


s: In friendly port these hopes appeared to ride,


s: These hopes a foul and furious wind anew


s: Far from the sheltering land to seaward blew.


s: Would do far more than she hath signified,


s: With wonted daring armed her heart again;


s: One day stood up before King Charlemagne;


s: And, "Sire, if ever yet," the damsel cried,


s: "I have found favour in your eyes for deed


s: That you to me your royal promise plight,


s: To grant my prayer; and fain would have you see


s: That what I shall demand is just and right."


s: "Thy valour, damsel dear, deserves from me


s: The boon wherewith thy worth I should requite"


s: (Charles answered), "and I to content thee swear,


s: Though of my kingdom thou should'st claim a share."


s: "The boon for which I to your highness sue,


s: (Pursued the martial damsel) save he shew


s: Would have me, or assay me with the sword.


s: Me as his wife let him that wins me, wear;


s: Let him that loses me, with other pair."


s: With cheerful face the emperor made reply,


s: The entreaty was well worthy of the maid;


s: And that with tranquil mind she might rely,


s: He would accord the boon for which she prayed.


s: This audience was not given so secretly,


s: But that the news to others were conveyed;


s: And both alike, with sudden anger fraught,


s: (For plainly they perceive, that in her claim


s: From being to a safe conclusion brought,


s: Privily take her from King Charles's court,


s: And thence to Rocca Forte's tower transport.


s: Had given to Aymon some few days before,


s: Resolved to send her eastward, there the twain


s: Than bold and full of fire before the foe,


s: Hath set, and she is free to come or go,


s: Yet prison, death, and every pain and woe


s: To suffer is resolved that constant maid


s: Rinaldo, who thus ravished from his hand,


s: By ancient Aymon's craft his sister spied,


s: And saw he could no more in wedlock's band


s: Of his old sire complains, and him doth brand,


s: Who by the maid will do as likes him best.


s: That he shall lose his bride; and Leo take,


s: If left alive, by force or love the maid,


s: Resolved within himself (but nothing spake)


s: Constantine's heir should perish by his blade;


s: He, save his hope deceived him and was vain,


s: Would sire and son deprive of life and reign.


s: His limbs in arms, which Trojan Hector's were,


s: And afterwards the Tartar king's, he steeled;


s: Exchanged, crest, surcoat and emblazoned shield.


s: On that emprize it pleased him not to bear


s: He chose from his attendant squires the best,


s: And willed none else should him accompany;


s: And gave him charge, that ne'er by him exprest


s: Crost Meuse and Rhine, and pricked upon his quest


s: Through the Austrian countries into Hungary;


s: Along the right bank of the Danube made,


s: And rode an-end until he reached Belgrade.


s: Where Save into dark Danube makes descent,


s: And to the sea, increased by him, doth flow,


s: He saw the imperial ensigns spread, and tent


s: And white pavilion, thronged with troops below.


s: For Constantine to have that town was bent


s: In person, with his son, is Constantine,


s: With all the empire's force his host to line.


s: Within Belgrade, and through the neighbouring peak,


s: Even to its bottom which the waters lave,


s: The Bulgar fronts him; and both armies seek


s: A watering-place in the intermediate Save.


s: A bridge across that rapid stream the Greek


s: Would fling; the Bulgar would defend the wave;


s: Beheld the hosts in fight, which hotly raged.


s: The Greeks in that affray were four to one,


s: And with pontoons to bridge the stream supplied;


s: And a bold semblance through their host put on


s: Of crossing to the river's further side.


s: With covert guile; he took a circuit wide,


s: Then thither made return; his bridges placed


s: From bank to bank, and past the stream in haste.


s: With many horse and foot in battle dight,


s: Along the river rode the Grecian knight;


s: And fiercely charged his enemies in flank.


s: The emperor, when his son appeared in sight.


s: Leading his squadrons on the farther bank,


s: Upon his part the stream with all his host.


s: King Vatran, chief of the Bulgarian band,


s: Wise, bold, withal a warrior, here and there


s: Laboured in vain such onset to withstand,


s: When Leo prest him sore, and with strong hand


s: The king to earth beneath his courser bare;


s: Whom at the prince's hest, for all to fierce


s: Is he to yield, a thousand faulchions pierce.


s: The Bulgar host hath hitherto made head;


s: But when they see their sovereign is laid low,


s: And everywhere that tempest wax and spread,


s: They turn their backs where erst they faced the foe.


s: The Child, who mid the Greeks, from whom they fled,


s: And bowned himself their battle to restore,


s: Is like the wind, and passes every steed;


s: He overtakes the troop, that in their fear


s: Fly to the mountain and desert the mead.


s: Many he stops and turns; then rests his spear;


s: And, as he puts his courser to his speed,


s: So fearful is his look, even Mars and Jove


s: Are frighted in their azure realms above.


s: With all its stalk in silk and gold was spied


s: Constantine's nephew, by the sister's side,


s: He was, but was no less beloved than son:


s: He split like glass his shield and scaly rind;


s: And the long lance appeared a palm behind.


s: He left the dead, and drew his shining blade


s: Cleft bodies, and made hearts from shoulders fly.


s: At throat, at breast and flank the warrior laid;


s: Smote hand, and arm, and shoulder, bust, and thigh;


s: And through that champaign ran the reeking blood,


s: As to the valley foams the mountain-flood.


s: None that behold those strokes maintain their place;


s: So are they all bewildered by their fear.


s: Thus suddenly the battle changed its face:


s: For, catching courage from the cavalier,


s: The Bulgar squadrons rally, turn, and chase


s: The Grecian troops that fled from them whilere.


s: Lost was all order in a thought, and they


s: With all their banners fled in disarray.


s: Seeing his followers fly, hath taken post;


s: Where woeful and bewildered (for to sight


s: Nothing in all the country round is lost)


s: He from his lofty station eyes the knight,


s: Who with his single arm destroys that host;


s: And cannot choose, though so his prowess harms,


s: But praise that peer and own his worth in arms.


s: That albeit to the foe he furnished aid,


s: Wondering his superhuman deeds surveyed;


s: To scourge the Greeks from quires above descended,


s: Whose sins so oft and oft had heaven offended;


s: (Where many others would have hatred sworn)


s: Would not desire to see him suffer scorn:


s: For one that died, six Grecians' death less smart


s: Would cause that prince; and better had he borne


s: And drive it forth in anger, in its fear


s: Neither to sire nor sister makes retreat;


s: But to her arms returns with fondling cheer:


s: Slaughters his routed van and threats his rear,


s: Cannot that champion hate; because above


s: His anger is the admiring prince's love.


s: Meseems that he an ill exchange hath made;


s: For him Rogero loathed; nor aught desired


s: More than to lay him lifeless with his blade:


s: Him with his eyes he sought; for him inquired;


s: Which with the prudence of the practised Greek,


s: Leo, for fear his bands be wholly spent,


s: Bids sound the assembly his Greek squadrons through:


s: To pray that he would pass the stream anew;


s: Might with his bargain he; and with a few


s: Recrost the bridge by which he past whilere.


s: Into the power o' the Bulgars many fall,


s: Stalin from the hill-top to the river-side;


s: And they into their hands had fallen all,


s: From the bridge many drop, and drown withal;


s: And many that ne'er turned their heads aside,


s: Thence to a distant ford for safety made;


s: And many were dragged prisoners to Belgrade.


s: When done was that day's fight, wherein (since borne


s: To ground the Bulgar king his life did yield)


s: His squadrons would have suffered scathe and scorn,


s: Had not for them the warrior won the field,


s: Wore for his blazon on a crimson shield,


s: To him all flock, in him with joy and glee


s: Some bow and some salute him; of the rest


s: Some kist the warrior's feet, and some his hand.


s: Round him as closely as they could they prest,


s: And happy those are deemed, that nearest stand;


s: More those that touch him; for to touch a blest


s: And supernatural thing believes the band.


s: On him with shouts that rent the heavens they cried,


s: To be their king, their captain, and their guide.


s: As liked them best, he said, but will not lay


s: On sceptre or on leading-staff his hand;


s: Nor yet Belgrade will enter on that day:


s: For first, ere farther flies young Leo's band,


s: And they across the river make their way,


s: That Grecian leader he o'ertake and kill.


s: A thousand miles and more for this alone


s: He thither measured, and for nought beside.


s: He saith; and from the multitude is gone,


s: And by a road that's shown to him doth ride.


s: For towards the bridge is royal Leo flown;


s: Haply lest him from this the foe divide:


s: Behind him pricks Rogero with such fire,


s: The warrior calls not, nor awaits, his squire.


s: The passage open hath he found and free;


s: And then destroys the bridge and burns his fleet.


s: Rogero arrived not, till beneath the sea


s: The sun was hid; nor lodging found; his beat


s: He still pursued; and now shone forth the moon:


s: But town or village found the warrior none.


s: Because he wots not where to lodge, he goes


s: All night, nor from his load Frontino frees.


s: When the new sun his early radiance shows,


s: As where he may his wearied courser ease,


s: Whom he so far that livelong night had pressed;


s: Nor had he drawn his bit, nor given him rest.


s: Constantine's liegeman, and to him right dear;


s: Who, since upon the Bulgars he had warred,


s: Much horse and foot had sent that emperor; here


s: Now entered (for the entrance was not barred)


s: Rogero, and found such hospitable cheer,


s: He to fare further had no need, in trace


s: Was lodged that evening a Romanian knight;


s: Present what time the Child with lance in rest


s: Succoured the Bulgars in that cruel fight;


s: Who hardly had escaped his hand, sore prest


s: And scared as never yet was living wight;


s: So that he trembled still, disturbed in mind,


s: And deemed the knight of the unicorn behind.


s: The cavalier, whose arms that blazon bear,


s: By hand of whom so many slaughtered were.


s: For audience, weighty tidings to declare;


s: And, to Ungiardo led forthwith, rehearsed


s: What shall by men in other strain be versed.


s: Making that maid appear less strong to be,


s: Disguised in fight like Leo; and, that done,


s: Straight in despite would slay himself; so he


s: Marphisa works, and kindles mighty strife.


s: By how much higher we see poor mortal go


s: On Fortune's wheel, which runs a restless round,


s: His heels; and he is prostrate on the ground.


s: This truth, and more whose names I shall not sound;


s: Hurled headlong from the height of sovereign sway.


s: By how much more deprest on the other side,


s: By how much more the wretch is downwards hurled,


s: He so much sooner mounts, where he shall ride,


s: If the revolving wheel again be twirled.


s: Some on the murderous block have well-nigh died,


s: That on the following day have ruled the world.


s: Ventidius, Servius, Marius this have shown


s: King Lewis, stepfather of my duke's son;


s: Left in his clutch by whom that field was won,


s: Both throned, when overblown was their mischance,


s: One king of Hungary, one king of France.


s: 'Tis plain to sight, through instances that fill


s: The page of ancient and of modern story,


s: That ill succeeds to good, and good to ill;


s: That glory ends in shame, and shame in glory;


s: And that man should not trust, deluded still,


s: In riches, realm, or field of battle, gory


s: With hostile blood, nor yet despair, for spurns


s: Of Fortune; since her wheel for ever turns.


s: Through that fair victory, when overthrown


s: Who won that battle to such trust is grown,


s: In his good fortune and his peerless might,


s: He, without following, without aid, alone


s: (So is he prompted by his daring sprite)


s: Thinks, mid a thousand squadrons in array,


s: -- Footmen and horsemen -- sire and son to slay.


s: But she, that wills no trust shall e'er be placed


s: In her by man, to him doth shortly show,


s: How wight by her is raised, and how abased;


s: How soon she is a friend, how soon a foe;


s: She makes him know Rogero, that in haste


s: Is gone to work that warrior shame and woe;


s: The cavalier, which in that battle dread


s: With much ado had from his faulchion fled.


s: The Child who put the imperial host to flight,


s: Whose carnage many years will not repair,


s: Here past the day and was to pass the night;


s: And saith, that Fortune, taken by the hair,


s: Without more trouble, and without more fight,


s: Will, if he prisons him, the Bulgars bring


s: Beneath the yoke and lordship of his king.


s: Ungiardo from the crowd, which had pursued


s: Thither their flight from the ensanguined plain,


s: For, troop by troop, a countless multitude


s: (Arrived, because not all the bridge could gain)


s: For there the moiety of the Greeks was slain;


s: One host was saved, and one was overthrown;


s: And that undriven he should have made his way


s: Wondered, and showed his pleasure, at the say


s: Then softly sent his guard to take that lord;


s: And made the valiant Child, who had no dread


s: By his own shield accused, that witness true,


s: Marvellous mirth to have that prisoner shewed.


s: And what, since he was naked, could he do,


s: Bound, while his eyes were yet by slumber glued?


s: A courier, who the news should quickly bear,


s: Constantine on that night with all his host,


s: Raising his camp, from Save's green shore had gone:


s: Androphilus', his sister's husband's town,


s: Father of him, whose arms in their first joust


s: Had pierced and carved the puissant cavalier,


s: Here from attack the emperor makes assure


s: Lest, from the Bulgar squadrons ill secure,


s: Having so good a warrior for their guide,


s: His broken Grecians worse than fear endure;


s: Deeming the rest would by his hand have died.


s: Nor would he fear the banded world in arms.


s: Vanquished," he cries, with bold and cheerful brow.


s: That had of either arm deprived his foe;


s: So the emperor was assured, and so rejoiced,


s: When good Rogero's fate the warrior voiced.


s: Trusts to acquire Belgrade, and tower and town


s: Throughout the Bulgars' country to subdue,


s: He would by favours make the knight his own,


s: And hopes to rank him in his warlike crew:


s: King Charles', Orlando's, or Rinaldo's aid.


s: Whose son was killed by young Rogero's spear;


s: Which through his shoulders, entering at his breast,


s: Issued a palm's breadth in the stripling's rear;


s: Constantine's sister she, by grief opprest,


s: Fell down before him; and with many a tear


s: That dropt into her bosom, while she sued,


s: His heart with pity softened and subdued.


s: "I still before these feet will bow my knee,


s: Save on this felon, good my lord," (she cried)


s: "Who killed my son, to venge me thou agree,


s: Now that we have him in our hold; beside


s: That he thy nephew was, thou seest how thee


s: He loved; thou seest what feats upon thy side


s: That warrior wrought; thou seest if thou wilt blot


s: Thine own good name, if thou avenge him not.


s: "Thou seest how righteous Heaven by pity stirred


s: From the wide champaign, red with Grecian gore,


s: Bears that fell man; and like a reckless bird


s: Into the fowler's net hath made him soar;


s: That for short season, for revenge deferred,


s: My son may mourn upon the Stygian shore.


s: Give me, my lord, I pray, this cruel foe,


s: That by his torment I may soothe my woe."


s: So well she mourns; and in such moving wise


s: (Nor from before the emperor will arise,


s: Though he three times and four the dame has hent,


s: That he is forced her wishes to content;


s: And thus, according to her prayer, commands


s: Of respite has the knight: to have him torn


s: In quarters, yet alive; to rend and slay


s: Her prisoners publicly with shame and scorn,


s: Chains on his neck and hands and feet they don;


s: And put him in a dungeon-cell, where thread


s: And sometimes is he left two days with none;


s: And one that doth the place of jailer fill


s: Is prompter than herself to work him ill.


s: Oh!  if Duke Aymon's daughter brave and fair,


s: And how he in this guise in prison pined,


s: To his rescue either would have made repair,


s: And would have flung the fear of death behind:


s: Meanwhile King Charlemagne upon his side,


s: Heeding his promise made in solemn sort,


s: That none should have the damsel for his bride,


s: That of her prowess in the field fell short;


s: Not only had his sovereign pleasure cried


s: With sound of trumpet in his royal court,


s: Hence quickly through the world the bruit was blown.


s: Such the condition which he bids proclaim:


s: He that would with Duke Aymon's daughter wed


s: Must with the sword contend against that dame


s: From the suns rise until he seeks his bed;


s: And if he for that time maintains the game,


s: The lady is adjudged to have lost the stake;


s: The choice of arms must be by her foregone,


s: No matter who may claim it in the course:


s: And by the damsel this may well be done,


s: Good at all arms alike, on foot or horse.


s: Aymon, who cannot strive against the crown,


s: -- Cannot and will not -- yields at length parforce.


s: He much the matter sifts, and in the end


s: Resolves to court with Bradamant to wend.


s: Though for the daughter choler and disdain


s: The mother nursed, yet that she honour due


s: Might have, she garments, dyed in different grain,


s: Had wrought for her, of various form and hue.


s: Departs, and finding not her love, to her view


s: His noble court appears like that no more,


s: Which had appeared to her so fair before.


s: With flowers and leaves in April or in May,


s: And next beholds it, when the sun his light


s: Hath sloped toward the north, and shortened day,


s: No longer what it was appeared that court.


s: Demand, lest more suspicion thence be bred;


s: But listens still, and searches here and there;


s: That this by some, unquestioned, may be said;


s: Knows he is gone, but has no notion where


s: The warrior, when he went, his steps had sped;


s: Because, departing thence, he spake no word


s: Save to the squire who journeyed with his lord.


s: Oh!  how she sighs!  how fears the gentle maid,


s: Oh!  how above all other terrors, weighed


s: The fear, that to forget her he was gone!


s: That, seeing Aymon still his wish gainsayed,


s: And that to wed the damsel hope was none,


s: He fled, perchance, so hoping to be loosed


s: From toils wherein he by her love was noosed;


s: And that with further end the youthful lord


s: Her from his heart more speedily to chase,


s: Will rove from realm to realm, till one afford


s: Some dame, that may his former love efface;


s: Even, as the proverb says, that in a board


s: One nail drives out another from its place.


s: A second thought succeeds, and paints the youth


s: Arraigned of fickleness, as full of truth;


s: And so, this thought absolves the cavalier;


s: And that accuses; and both audience find;


s: And now this way, now that, she seemed to veer;


s: Nor this, nor that -- irresolute of mind --


s: Preferred: yet still to what gave most delight


s: Most promptly leaned, and loathed its opposite;


s: As for grave sin, remorse and sorrow grew


s: That she had nursed suspicion and affright;


s: Would blame herself, and would her bosom smite;


s: And say: "I see 'twas ill such thoughts to nurse,


s: But he, the cause, is even cause of worse.


s: "Love is the cause; that in my heart inlaid


s: Thy form, so graceful and so fair to see;


s: And so thy darling and thy wit pourtrayed,


s: And worth, of all so bruited, that to me


s: Blest with thy sight, should not be fired by thee;


s: And that she should not all her art apply


s: To unbind, and fasten thee with other tie.


s: "Ah!  wellaway!  if in my thought Love so


s: Thy thought, as thy fair visage, had designed,


s: This -- am I well assured -- in open show,


s: Would not still harass my suspicious mind;


s: And, where she is by me repulsed with pain,


s: Not quelled and routed would she be, but slain.


s: And who hath this so buried in his heart,


s: That he, for hoarded treasure still in fear,


s: Cannot live gladly from his wealth apart.


s: More puissant far than Hope, O Fear!  thou art;


s: To thee, though false and idle I give way;


s: And cannot choose but yield myself thy prey.


s: The light of thy glad countenance appear,


s: Against mine every credence, from mine eye


s: Concealed (and woe is me), I know not where, --


s: Oh!  how true Hope false Fear shall from on high


s: And comfort Hope, whom Fear hath almost slain.


s: "As when the sun withdraws his glittering head,


s: The shadows lengthen, causing vain affright;


s: And as the shadows, when he leaves his bed,


s: My hope by fear should wholly be opprest.


s: And suddenly extinguished when 'tis morn;


s: When me my sun doth of his rays deprive,


s: But they the shades of night no sooner drive,


s: Than Fears are past and gone, and Hopes return.


s: And drive from me that foul, consuming Fear.


s: "If the sun turn from us and shorten day,


s: Earth all its beauties from the sight doth hide;


s: The wild winds howl, and snows and ice convey;


s: Bird sings not; nor is leaf or flower espied.


s: A thousand, and all evil, dreads, make drear


s: "Return, my sun, return!  and springtide sweet,


s: Which evermore I long to see, bring back;


s: Dislodge the snows and ice with genial hear;


s: And clear my mind, so clouded o'er and black."


s: Returning, which her famished younglings lack,


s: Mourns o'er an empty nest, or as the dove


s: Fearing the Child is reft from her and gone;


s: But she, as best she can, conceals her moan.


s: Oh!  how -- oh!  how much worse would be her woe,


s: If what she knew not to the maid were known!


s: That, prisoned and with pain and pine consumed,


s: Her consort to a cruel death was doomed.


s: And who prepared the wretched Child to kill,


s: By torture new and pains unused whilere,


s: While so Rogero pined, the gracious will


s: And put into his heart the means to aid,


s: Not that the Grecian knew howe'er that he


s: Thought much, and mused, and planned, how it behoved


s: -- And found at last a way -- to set him free;


s: So that his cruel aunt should have no right


s: Upon the wretch was done a doom so dread.


s: When it was night, one, faithful found of yore,


s: Bold, strong, and good in brawl, he thither led;


s: And -- by the silent warder taught that none


s: Must know 'twas Leo -- was the door undone.


s: With his companion, to the tower, where stied


s: Was he, reserved for nature's latest pain.


s: There round the neck of their unwary guide,


s: Who turns his back the wicket to unchain,


s: And, throttled by the noose, he breathes his last.


s: -- The trap upraised, by rope from thence suspended


s: For such a need -- the Grecian cavalier,


s: With lighted flambeau in his hand, descended,


s: Where, straitly bound, and without sun to cheer,


s: Less than a palm's breadth of the water clear:


s: To kill him in a month, or briefer space,


s: Nothing was needed but that deadly place.


s: O cavalier!  thy matchless valour," cried,


s: And wills thy good to mine preferred should be,


s: And weigh thy friendship more than sire, and all


s: Whom I throughout the world my kindred call.


s: "I Leo am, that thou what fits mayst know,


s: Come to thy succour, the Greek emperor's son:


s: For thee he hates because of those thy blade


s: Put to the rout and slaughtered near Belgrade."


s: He his discourse with more beside pursues,


s: That might from death to life the Child recall;


s: And all this while Rogero's hands doth loose.


s: "Infinite thanks I owe you," cries the thrall,


s: "And I the life you gave me, for your use


s: And still, at all your need, I for your sake,


s: And at all times, that life will promptly stake."


s: Is left in that dark dungeon in his place;


s: Leo the warrior, free from bondage base,


s: Brings home, and there in safety to remain


s: Persuades, in secret, four or six days' space:


s: Meanwhile for him will he retrieve the gear


s: Open the gaol is found at dawn of light,


s: Some think that these or those had helped his flight:


s: All talk; and yet the truth is guessed by none.


s: For many deemed he had cause to have repaid


s: The Child with scathe, and none to give him aid.


s: So wildered by such kindness, so immersed


s: So from those thoughts is he estranged, that erst


s: His second thoughts confronting with his first,


s: Nor these like those, nor those like these appear.


s: He first with hatred, rage, and venom burned;


s: With pity and with love then wholly yearned.


s: -- Nor cares for ought, nor ought desires beside --


s: Be his life long or short, or what it may,


s: Dies he a thousand deaths, he can do nought,


s: But more will be deserved, Rogero thought.


s: Thither meanwhile had tidings been conveyed


s: Of Charles' decree: that who in nuptial tye


s: Would yoke with Bradamant, with trenchant blade


s: Or lance must with the maid his prowess try.


s: These news the Grecian prince so ill appaid,


s: His cheek was seen to blanch with sickly dye;


s: Because, as one that measured well his might,


s: He knew he was no match for her in fight.


s: (He sees) the valour wanting with his wit;


s: And the strange knight with his own ensignry,


s: Whose name is yet unknown to him, will fit:


s: Him he against Frank champion, far and nigh,


s: Believes he may for force and daring pit;


s: And if the knight to that emprize agree,


s: But two things must he do; must, first, dispose


s: Then send afield the champion, whom he chose,


s: In mode, that none suspect the youth's disguise:


s: That he the combat with the maid will claim,


s: Under false colours and in other's name.


s: Much weighs the Grecian's eloquence; but more


s: And thing well-nigh impossible, he said,


s: With blither face than heart, that Leo's will


s: In all that he commands he would fulfil.


s: Than with sore grief Rogero's heart was shent;


s: Which, night and day, and ever, doth molest,


s: And though he sees his death is manifest,


s: Rather than not with Leo's prayer comply,


s: A thousand deaths, not one, the Child will die.


s: His heart will break through his distress and woe,


s: Or, breaking not with woe and with distress,


s: He will, himself, the bands of life undo,


s: For all things can he better bear than one;


s: Than see that gentle damsel not his own.


s: Cannot as yet the sorrowing lord decide:


s: Sometimes he thinks his prowess to belie,


s: Than if her hand the fatal faulchion guide:


s: Then sees, except he wins the martial maid


s: For that Greek prince, the debt remains unpaid.


s: Promised to do, not feign, a fight in mail,


s: Then by his word will he abide; and though


s: His breast now these now other thoughts assail,


s: All from his bosom chased the generous youth,


s: Save that which moved him to maintain his truth.


s: With the emperor's licence, armour to prepare,


s: And steeds meanwhile had wrought his youthful son;


s: Who with such goodly following as might square


s: With him Rogero rides, through Leo's care,


s: Equipt with horse and arms, that were his own.


s: Day after day the squadron pricks; nor tarries


s: Until arrived in France; arrived at Paris.


s: Pitches his broad pavilions on the plain;


s: Makes known that day to royal Charlemagne.


s: And many gifts the monarch's courteous vein.


s: His journey's cause the Grecian prince displayed,


s: And to dispatch his suit the sovereign prayed:


s: Weaker than her: for she should be his bride,


s: Charles undertook for this; and, on her side,


s: Before the walls, in haste, enclosed that night,


s: Appeared the martial maid, equipt for fight.


s: Wherein by him the battle should be done,


s: Like that which felon spends, condemning to pay


s: Life's forfeit with the next succeeding sun:


s: He made his choice to combat in the fray


s: All armed; because he would discovery shun:


s: Nor barded steed he backed, nor lance he shook;


s: Nor other weapon than his faulchion took.


s: No lance he took: yet was it not through fear


s: Astolpho's next; then hers, that in career


s: Because none weened such force was in the spear,


s: Who had it forged, and gave it to his son.


s: Afterwards bore it, deemed that not to spell,


s: But simply to their proper force, was due


s: The praise that they in knightly joust excel;


s: And with whatever spear they fought, those two


s: Believed that they should have performed as well.


s: What only makes that knight the joust forego


s: She might have known, if him she had espied;


s: Whom in Montalban, long to her consigned,


s: The gentle damsel had been wont to ride.


s: Rogero, that but schemes, but hath in mind


s: How he from Brandamant himself shall hide,


s: Whereby he may be known, afield will bring.


s: With a new sword will he the maid await;


s: For well he knew against the enchanted blade


s: As soft as paste would prove all mail and plate;


s: Its edge, as well he on this faulchion layed.


s: When the first dawn of day the horizon cheered.


s: To look like Leo, o'er his breast is spread


s: The surcoat that the prince is wont to wear;


s: He blazoned on the crimson shield doth bear;


s: And (what the Child's disguisement well may stead)


s: In the other's form presents himself the one;


s: That other lets himself be seen of none.


s: Right different from the gentle youth's, who sore


s: Hammers and blunts the faulchion's tempered grain,


s: Lest it his opposite should cleave or bore.


s: She whets her steel, and into it would fain


s: Enter, that stripling to the quick to gore:


s: Yea, would such fury to her strokes impart,


s: That each should go directly to his heart.


s: As on the start the generous barb in spied,


s: When he the signal full of fire attends;


s: And paws now here now there; and opens wide


s: His nostrils, and his pointed ears extends;


s: So the bold damsel, to the lists defied,


s: Seemed to have fire within her veins, nor found


s: Resting-place, waiting for the trumpet's sound.


s: Turns the sea upside down; and far and nigh


s: Dim clouds of dust the cheerful daylight blind,


s: Raised in a thought from earth, and whirled heaven-high;


s: Scud beasts and herd together with the hind;


s: And into hail and rain dissolves the sky;


s: But well-built wall, strong tower, or aged oak,


s: No more are moved by blasts that round them rave,


s: No more by furious sea is moved the rock,


s: Smote day and night by the tempestuous wave,


s: Than in those arms, secure from hostile stroke,


s: Which erst to Trojan Hector Vulcan gave,


s: Moved was he by that ire and hatred rank


s: Which stormed about his head, and breast, and flank.


s: Now aims that martial maid a trenchant blow,


s: And now gives point; and wholly is intent


s: 'Twixt plate and plate to reach her hated foe;


s: Now on this side, now that, now high, now low


s: She strikes, and circles him, on mischief bent;


s: As he that layeth siege to well-walled town,


s: And flanked about with solid bulwarks, still


s: Renews the assault; now fain would batter down


s: Gateway or tower; now gaping fosse would fill;


s: Yet vainly toils (for entrance is there none)


s: And wastes his host, aye frustrate of his will;


s: So sorely toils and strives without avail


s: Sparks now his shield, now helm, now cuirass scatter,


s: While straight and back strokes, aimed now low, now high,


s: Which good Rogero's head and bosom batter,


s: And arms, by thousands and by thousands fly


s: Faster than on the sounding farm-roof patter


s: Hailstones descending from a troubled sky.


s: Rogero, at his ward, with dexterous care,


s: Defends himself, and ne'er offends the fair.


s: Now stopt, now circled, now retired the knight,


s: And lifted shield, and shifted sword in fight,


s: Where shifting he the hostile hand espied.


s: Either he smote her not, or -- die he smite --


s: Smote, where he deemed least evil would betide.


s: The lady, ere the westering sun descend,


s: Of the edict she remembered her, and knew


s: Her peril, save the foe was quickly sped:


s: Her claimant, she was taken; and his head


s: Phoebus was now about to hide from view,


s: Nigh Hercules' pillars, in his watery bed,


s: When first she 'gan misdoubt her power to cope


s: With the strong foe, and to abandon hope.


s: By how much more hope fails the damsel, so


s: Much more her anger waxes; she her blows


s: Will break, which through that day unbroken shows;


s: Sees night on his unfinished labour close,


s: Hurries and toils and moils without avail,


s: Till wearied strength and light together fail.


s: Whom thou wouldst kill, if in that cavalier


s: Matched against thee thou didst Rogero know,


s: On whom depend thy very life-threads, ere


s: Thou killed him thou wouldst kill thyself; for thou,


s: I know, dost hold him than thyself more dear;


s: I know these very strokes thou wilt bemoan.


s: King Charles and peers him  sheathed in plate and shell


s: And viewing in that combat fierce and fell


s: Such force and quickness by the stripling shown;


s: And, without e'er offending her, how well


s: That knight defends himself, now change their tone;


s: Charlemagne bids the warring pair divide;


s: Nor loosed his armour, nor his helm untied:


s: On a small hackney, hurrying sore, he went


s: Twice in fraternal guise and oftener threw


s: And next his helmet from his head withdrew,


s: And kiss'd him on both cheeks with loving cheer.


s: "I would," he cried, "that thou wouldst ever do


s: By me what pleaseth thee; for thou wilt ne'er


s: To thee myself and state; these friendly spend;


s: My brows, and upon thee that gift bestow."


s: Rogero, on whom his sorrows press and prey,


s: Who loathes his life, immersed in that deep woe,


s: And showing himself spiritless and spent,


s: From thence as quickly as he could withdrew,


s: And from young Leo's to his lodgings went;


s: When it was midnight, armed himself anew,


s: Saddled his horse, and sallied from his tent;


s: (He takes no leave, and none his going view;)


s: Which seemed to please the goodly courser best.


s: Now by straight way and now by crooked wound


s: Frontino, now by wood and wide champaign;


s: And all night with his rider paced that round,


s: He called on Death, and therein comfort found;


s: Since broke by him alone is stubborn pain;


s: Nor saw, save Death, what other power could close


s: "Whereof should I complain," he said, "wo is me!


s: Without revenge, against whom shall I turn?


s: That hath inflicted on me scathe and scorn.


s: Done to myself, against myself must arm.


s: "Yet was but to myself this injury done,


s: Myself to spare (because this touched but me)


s: I haply could, yet hardly could, be won;


s: Nay, I will say outright, I could not be.


s: Even if I could consent myself to spare,


s: It fits me not unvenged to leave that fair.


s: "Then I the damsel will avenge, and die,


s: (Nor this disturbs me) whatsoe'er betide;


s: For, bating death, I know not aught, whereby


s: Defence against my grief can be supplied.


s: Before offending her, should not have died.


s: O happier Fortune!  had I breathed my last


s: "Though she had slain, had tortured me before


s: At least the hope would have remained in store


s: But when she knows that I loved Leo more


s: Than her, that, of my own accord and free,


s: Dead will she rightly hate me or alive."


s: These words he said and many more, with sigh


s: Mid strange and gloomy woods himself espied;


s: And, for he desperate was and bent to die,


s: And he, as best he could, his death would hide;


s: This place to him seemed far removed from view,


s: And fitted for the deed that he would do.


s: He entered into that dark woodland, where


s: He thickest trees and most entangled spied:


s: But first Frontino was the warrior's care,


s: I could reward, thou little cause" (he cried)


s: "Shouldst have to envy him, so highly graced,


s: Who soared to heaven, and mid the stars was placed.


s: Worthier than thee, nor merited more praise;


s: None of them, well I know, the vaunt can raise;


s: Were upon him bestowed, as were on thee.


s: "Since to the gentlest maid, of fairest dye,


s: Will be, thou wast so dear, she used to tie


s: Thy trappings, and to thee thy forage bore:


s: Dear wast thou to my lady-love: Ah!  why


s: Call I her mine, since she is mine no more?


s: If him these thoughts so harass and torment,


s: That bird and beast are softened by his cries;


s: (For, saving these, none hears the sad lament,


s: Nor sees the flood that trickles form his eyes)


s: You are not to believe that more content


s: Anger friends, kindred, court, and Charlemagne;


s: And if she nothing else can do, will die,


s: By poison or her own good faulchion slain:


s: "Rogero mine, ah!  wonder gone" (she cried)


s: "Art thou; and canst thou so far distant be,


s: Thou heardest not this royal edict cried,


s: A thing concealed from none, expecting thee?


s: Faster than thee would none have hither hied,


s: I wot, hadst thou known this; ah!  wretched me!


s: How can I e'er in future think of aught,


s: Saving the worst that can by me be thought?


s: Hast read not what by all the world is read?


s: If thou hast read it not, nor hither flown,


s: How canst thou but a prisoner be, or dead?


s: But well I wot, that if the truth were known,


s: This Leo will for thee some snare have spread:


s: The traitor will have barred thy way, intent


s: Thou shouldst not him by better speed prevent.


s: "From Charles I gained the promise, that to none


s: Less puissant than myself should I be given;


s: In the reliance thou wouldst be that one,


s: With whom I should in arms have vainly striven.


s: But well my rashness is rebuked by Heaven:


s: Unfamed through life for any fair emprize.


s: "If I am held as taken, since the knight


s: I had not force to take nor yet to slay;


s: A thing that is not, in my judgment, right;


s: Nor I to Charles's sentence will give way,


s: I know that I shall be esteemed as light,


s: For light, I am not, I, the first or last.


s: And, firmer than a rock, am still found true!


s: And far herein surpass the female train,


s: Nor, if they me as fickle shall arraign,


s: Though I am lighter than a leaf be said,


s: So I be forced not with that Greek no wed."


s: These things and more beside the damsel bright


s: ('Twixt which oft sobs and tears were interposed),


s: Ceased not to utter through the livelong night


s: But, when within Cimmeria's caverned height


s: Nocturnus with his troops of shades reposed,


s: Heaven, which eternally had willed the maid


s: Should be Rogero's consort, brought him aid:


s: This moves the haught Marphisa, when 'tis morn,


s: To appear before the king; to whom that maid


s: Saith, to the Child, her brother, mighty scorn


s: Was done; nor should he be so ill appaid,


s: That from him should his plighted wife be torn;


s: And nought thereof unto the warrior said;


s: And this, before all others, will prove true


s: Spoken those words, which they that marry swear;


s: So was the contract sealed between the pair,


s: They were no longer free; nor could forsake


s: The one the other, other spouse to take.


s: Young Leo's purpose, right or wrong, to break,


s: Than tell the truth, she speaks; and with consent


s: This she believes her shortest way and best.


s: Sorely by this disturbed, King Charlemagne


s: Bade Bradamant be called, and to her told


s: That which the proud Marphisa would maintain;


s: -- Bradamant drops her head, nor treats as vain,


s: Nor vouches what avows that virgin bold,


s: In such confusion, they may well believe


s: That fierce Marphisa speaks not to deceive.


s: A cause the alliance shall no further go,


s: And yet, in spite of stubborn Aymon's no,


s: And they may, without strife, without despite


s: Done to Duke Aymon's, give her to the knight.


s: For if such words have pass'd between the twain,


s: They what they vowed more fairly will obtain,


s: And without further strife are these affied.


s: "This is a plot, a plot devised in vain;


s: And ye deceive yourselves (Duke Aymon cried)


s: For, were the story true which ye have feigned,


s: Believe not therefore that your cause is gained.


s: "For granting what I will not yet allow,


s: Where was the contract made, and when and how?


s: "But if it were before the youthful knight


s: For 'twixt a faithful and a paynim wight,


s: I deem that nought avails the marriage-tie.


s: For this not vainly in the doubtful fight


s: Should Constantine's fair son have risked to die;


s: Nor Charlemagne for this, our sovereign lord


s: Will forfeit, I believe, his plighted word.


s: "What now you say you should before have said,


s: While yet the matter was unbroke, and ere


s: Charles at my daughter's prayer that edict made


s: Which has drawn Leo to the combat here."


s: So before royal Charles by Clermont's peer;


s: And equal Charlemagne heard either side,


s: But neither would for this nor that decide.


s: As in the southern or the northern breeze


s: The greenwood murmurs; and as on the shore,


s: When Aeolus with the god that rules the seas


s: Is wroth, the hoarse and hollow breakers roar,


s: So a loud rumour of this strife, that flees


s: Through France, and spreads and circles evermore,


s: Affords such matter to rehearse and hear,


s: That nought beside is bruised far or near.


s: But the most numerous are Rogero's friends,


s: Good Charlemagne to neither party bends;


s: But wills that cause shall be by justice tried,


s: Appeared anew, and other question stirred;


s: His foe in listed fight of life deprive;


s: And he, that sends the other to his grave,


s: Freed from his rival, with the lady wive."


s: Forthwith this challenge, as erewhile the rest,


s: Of the unicorn, believed he from his foe


s: Was safe; and thought no peril would appear


s: Too hard a feat for him; and knew not how


s: That warrior had been hurried by his woe;


s: Him gone for little time and for disport


s: Believed, and took his line in evil sort.


s: Nor on that day nor on the following two


s: Appeared, nor news of him were signified;


s: Unsafe, unless that knight was on his side:


s: So sent, to eschew the threatened scathe and scorn,


s: Through city, and through hamlet, and through town,


s: And not content with this, himself is gone


s: In person, on his steed, to find the peer.


s: Him Leon finds, and yields to him his prize:


s: Informed of all -- already with that maid


s: When thither he that Sarza's sceptre swayed


s: To infect such bliss with impious venom hies,


s: But falls in combat; and, blaspheming loud,


s: I, if my chart deceives me not, shall now


s: In little time behold the neighbouring shore;


s: To one, so long my guide through that wide roar


s: Of waters, where I feared, with troubled brow,


s: But now, methinks -- yea, now I see the land;


s: I see the friendly port its arms expand.


s: Rumbles along the sea and rends the sky.


s: I chiming bells, I shrilling trumpets hear,


s: Confounded with the people's cheerful cry;


s: And now their forms, that swarm on either pier


s: All seem rejoiced my task is smoothly done,


s: What beauteous dames and sage, here welcome me!


s: With them what cavaliers the shore adorn!


s: Of thanks for their delight at my return.


s: Correggio's seed, on the harbour's furthest horn.


s: To Phoebus and the Aonian choir so dear.


s: And fair Richarda d'Este, Lo!  the twain,


s: Blanche and Diana, with their sister train!


s: Beauteous, but wiser and more chaste than fair,


s: I Barbara Turca, linked with Laura, know:


s: 'Twixt Ind and where the Moorish waters flow.


s: That never worthier or more honoured thing


s: What time, from conquered Gaul returning home,


s: Julius stood fearing on the river-shore,


s: To ford the stream and make a foe of Rome,


s: That dame, discharged his trophies, and such doom,


s: Such pact would have received as liked her best;


s: And haply ne'er had Freedom been opprest.


s: Behold!  the mother, sisters, cousinhood;


s: Lo!  she to whom all living dames forego


s: The palm, and all of Grecian, Latin blood,


s: Or barbarous, all that ever were, whose name


s: For grace and beauty most is noised by Fame;


s: She moves, where'er she turns her lucid eyes,


s: But seems a goddess lighted from the skies:


s: With her is paired her brother's wife, who ne'er


s: Swerved from her plighted faith -- aye good and wise --


s: Because ill Fortune bore her long despite;


s: Anne gentle, courteous, and as sage as fair,


s: With her, her sister dims all beauty, where


s: Her radiance shines.  Lo!  one that hath set free


s: Her conquering lord from Orcus' dark repair,


s: (Beyond all modern instance) raised on high,


s: By those fair faces, is the shining light


s: Adorned with scarlet hat, and scarlet pall,


s: With him Campeggio and Mantua's cardinal;


s: And (if I dote not) mark how one and all


s: In face and gesture show such mighty glee


s: With them Lactantius is, Claude Ptolemy,


s: Sasso, and Molza, and Florian hight Montine;


s: With him, by whom through shorter pathway we


s: Learned company that follows in his train!


s: I see, through whom our pure, sweet idiom rose,


s: And who, of vulgar usage winnowed clear,


s: Admires the pains which he so well bestows.


s: My boat near land shows pleasure and surprise.


s: There, from those dames apart, my Valery


s: By her he shall not evermore be charmed.


s: By love and blood, lo!  Pico and Pio true;


s: He that approaches at the kinsmen's side,


s: -- So honoured by the best -- I never knew;


s: To leave their fountain for the foaming brine.


s: The learned Pistophilus, mine Angiar here,


s: And the Acciajuoli their joint pleasure show


s: That for my bark there is no further fear.


s: That these my nest-notes shall by friendly wind


s: Be blown from Calpe's rock to furthest Ind.


s: Joys Victor Fausto; Tancred joys to view


s: My sail; and with them joy a hundred more.


s: At my return rejoicing, crowd the shore.


s: Then, since the wind blows fair, nor much to do


s: Remains, let me my course delay no more;


s: And so at heart had either's weal and woe,


s: That she from hour to hour of them would hear:


s: Hence ever on that quest she spirits sent,


s: A prey to deep and stubborn grief, reclined


s: Nor from that purpose to be turned aside;


s: Who took a road, from home forth issuing, where


s: She met the Grecian emperor's youthful heir;


s: Leo that, one by one, dispatched his train


s: Of followers, far and wide, through every bourn,


s: The wise enchantress, that will sell and rein,


s: Constantine's son encountered in her course.


s: "If such as your ingenuous mien" (she cried


s: And corresponding with your fair outside


s: Some help, some comfort, sir, for one provide


s: In whom the best of living knights we see;


s: Who, save ye help and comfort quickly lend,


s: "The best of knights will die of all, who don,


s: Or e'er donned sword and buckler, the most fair


s: And gentle of all warriors that are gone,


s: Or who throughout the world yet living are,


s: And simply for a courteous deed, if none


s: Shall comfort to the youthful sufferer bear.


s: Then come, sir, for the love of Heaven, and try


s: The knight of whom she parlayed was that same,


s: Whom throughout all the land he sought to find,


s: And seeking whom, he now in person came.


s: Such pious work, he spurred behind the dame;


s: Who thither led (nor tedious was the way)


s: Where nigh reduced to death the stripling lay.


s: For three long days, so broken down; with pain


s: The knight could but upon his feet have stood,


s: To fall, albeit unpushed, to ground again.


s: With helm on head, and with his faulchion good


s: Begirt, he lay reclined in plate and chain.


s: Where the white unicorn was seen pourtraid.


s: There thinking what an injury he had done


s: To his lady love -- how ingrate, how untrue


s: To her had been -- not simple grief alone


s: O'erwhelmed him, to such height his fury grew,


s: He bit his hands and lips; while pouring down


s: His cheeks, the tears unceasing ran, and through


s: The passion that so wrapt his troubled sprite,


s: Nor checks his sighs, nor checks his trickling tears.


s: Young Leo halts, to hear his speech intent;


s: Lights from his courser, and towards him steers:


s: He knows that of the sorrows which torment


s: Love is the cause; but yet from nought appears


s: Who is the person that such grief hath bred;


s: He fronts the weeping warrior, face to face,


s: Greets with a brother's love, and stooping low,


s: Is liked his sudden presence in that place;


s: And lest he should his wish for death withstand.


s: Him with the sweetest words young Leo plied,


s: And with the warmest love that he could show,


s: "Let it not irk thee," to the Child he cried,


s: "To tell the cause from whence thy sorrows flow;


s: For few such desperate evils man betide,


s: But that there is deliverance from his woe,


s: So that the cause be known; nor he bereft


s: Of hope should ever be, so life be left.


s: "Much grieve I thou wouldst hide thyself from me,


s: That known me for thy faithful friend and true;


s: Hope then that I will succour thee with pelf,


s: With friends, with following, and with life itself.


s: If wealth avail to free thee from thy pain,


s: Till all that thou canst do shall first be done."


s: He said; and with such forceful prayer appealed;


s: So gently and benignly soothed his moan;


s: That good Rogero could not choose but yield,


s: Whose heart was not of iron or of stone;


s: Who deemed, unless he now his lips unsealed,


s: He should a foul discourteous deed have done.


s: He fain would have replied, but made assay


s: Yet twice or thrice, ere words could find their way.


s: "My lord, when known for what I am (and me


s: Now shalt thou know)," he made at last reply,


s: "I wot thou, like myself, content wilt be,


s: And haply more content, that I should die.


s: And now 'tis many days since with intent


s: Of putting thee to death from court I went.


s: "Because I would not see my promised bride


s: Borne off by thee; in that Duke Aymon's love


s: Disposes, thy great courtesy, well tried


s: In a sore need, my fixt resolve did move.


s: Thou madest suit I would obtain for thee


s: Sought to content, thou hast been made to see.


s: Thine is the lady; her in peace possess;


s: Far more than mine I prize thy happiness.


s: "Content thee, that deprived of her, as well


s: I should myself of worthless life deprive;


s: And never while these veins with life-blood swell


s: For vows erewhile have been between us said;


s: Nor she at once can with two husbands wed."


s: With lips and brow unmoved, with stedfast gaze


s: And rooted feet, he like a statue shows;


s: Like statue more than man, which votaries raise


s: In churches, for acquittance of their vows.


s: He deems that courtesy of so high a strain


s: Abates not, but augments his kindness so,


s: That no less grieves the Grecian cavalier


s: For this, as well as that he will appear


s: In other things outdone -- he will not be


s: And says, "That day my host was overthrown,


s: So me thy virtue would have made thine own,


s: So hatred from my bosom would have chased,


s: And with my present love have straight replaced.


s: But think not that I further would pursue


s: When thee I from thy darksome dungeon drew,


s: Descried the truth, as this I now descry,


s: Such treatment shouldst thou then have had, as thou


s: Shalt have from me, to thine advantage, now;


s: How much more gladly should I now; and when,


s: Deemed most ungrateful amid ingrate men;


s: Since thou foregoest thine every good for me!


s: But I to thee restore thy gift, and, more


s: "The damsel more to thee than me is due;


s: And though for her deserts I hold her dear,


s: If that fair prize some happier mortal drew,


s: I think not I my vital thread should shear:


s: Nor would I by thy death be free to woo:


s: That from the hallowed bands of wedlock clear


s: Wherein the lady hath to thee been tied,


s: That grief, through me, should such a knight oppress.


s: To me is thy distrust great cause of woe,


s: That since thou couldst dispose of me no less


s: Than of thyself, thou -- rather than apply


s: To me for succour -- wouldst of sorrow die."


s: These words he spake, and more to that intent,


s: As might be used in answer by the knight:


s: Who said, at last, "I yield, and am content


s: To thee that twice hast life on me bestowed?"


s: Thither bade carry, in a thought obeyed;


s: Who would have sunk without her friendly aid.


s: Meanwhile the sound of steeds Frontino's ear


s: Had reached, and thither had he quickly made:


s: Him Leo's squires at his commandment caught,


s: And saddled, and to good Rogero brought;


s: Who, though by Leo helped, with much ado


s: And labour sore the gentle courser scaled.


s: Short days before, in fighting field, availed


s: The deeds he did, in cheating armour mailed.


s: Departing thence, ere they had measured more


s: Than half a league, they reached an abbey hoar:


s: They past, the morrow, and succeeding day;


s: Which from the Bulgars' land a message bore.


s: Since they that had for king proclaimed the knight


s: Through these their envoys deeming they would light


s: On him in Charles's court, where they should swear


s: And he from them the crown receive and wear.


s: Rogero's squire who served this band to steer


s: He of the fight has told which at Belgrade


s: And all their army slaughtered and undone;


s: Wherefore the Bulgars him their king had made;


s: Their royal line excluding from the throne:


s: Then how Ungiardo took the warrior brave,


s: He speaks with that of certain news, which say


s: How good Rogero's jailer was found dead,


s: He, on the following morning, and his friend,


s: To Charles' court he wends; the bird he bore


s: Of gold with its two heads -- of crimson hue


s: Its field -- and that same vest and ensigns wore,


s: As was erewhile devised between the two;


s: His bruised and battered armour was in shew.


s: From him that strove with Bradamant whilere.


s: Unarmed, beside him doth young Leo fare.


s: He bowed to Charlemagne, who from his throne


s: So spake, while all that warrior closely scanned.


s: "Behold the champion good, that did maintain


s: From dawn till fall of day the furious fight;


s: And since by Bradamant nor taken, slain,


s: Nor forced beyond the barriers was the knight,


s: Dread sir, if he your edict reads aright;


s: So comes to claim the guerdon of the strife.


s: "Besides that by your edict's tenor none


s: But him can to the damsel lift his eyes,


s: -- Is she deserved by deeds of valour done,


s: -- Should she by him that loves her best be won,


s: None passes him, nor with the warrior vies;


s: And he is here to fight against all foes


s: That would in arms his right in her oppose."


s: King Charlemagne and all his peerage stand


s: Amazed, who well believed the Grecian peer


s: With Bradamant had striven with lifted brand


s: In fight, and not that unknown cavalier.


s: That crowded round the royal chair to hear,


s: Then prest before the listening troop, and said:


s: The bride's possession with the stranger knight,


s: And forfeit so without dispute his right,


s: -- His sister I -- against whatever wight


s: She spake this with such anger and disdain,


s: That, without waiting leave from Charlemagne,


s: What she had threatened she forthwith would do.


s: And from Rogero's head the helm withdrew;


s: Behold him here and ready!" cried the Greek.


s: As looked old Aegeus at the accursed board,


s: Seeing it was his son to whom -- so willed


s: His wicked consort -- that Athenian lord


s: Had given the juice from deadly drugs distilled;


s: Though but a little later, would have killed;


s: So looked Marphisa when, disclosed to view,


s: Nor could unclasp her arms: with loving show


s: And there, fix friendly kisses on his brow.


s: Leo, who well can play the spokesman, now


s: That warlike band hath ceased to clip the knight,


s: Tells before Charles and all that audience, how


s: -- Albeit to his good squadron's scathe and woe --


s: Which at Belgrade he witnessed in that fight,


s: So moved him that they overweighed all harms


s: Who would all havoc of the youth have made,


s: Had out of durance vile the knight conveyed;


s: Did that high courtesy; which can by none,


s: That ever were or e'er will be, outdone;


s: And he from point to point continuing, said


s: In that to leave his cherished wife he grieved,


s: He had resolved to die, and, almost dead,


s: The stubborn sire of Bradamant he swayed,


s: But that proud lord in person did persuade


s: And son-in-law to be beseech the knight;


s: And thus to him his Bradamant was plight.


s: To her, where, of her feeble life in doubt,


s: Through many a messenger, with joyful shout


s: And mickle haste, the happy tidings went.


s: Hence the warm blood, that stagnated about


s: Her heart, by her first sorrow thither sent,


s: Well nigh for sudden joy the damsel died.


s: Yet what her force must needs to you be known,


s: None doomed to prison, wheel or halter, none


s: About whose brows the sable band is tied,


s: Joys Clermont's, joys Mongrana's noble house,


s: Those kindred branches that fresh know to view.


s: With equal grief Count Anselm overflows,


s: Yet they meanwhile beneath contented brows


s: Conceal the dark and envious thoughts they brew.


s: As the fox waits the motions of the hare,


s: They wait their time for vengeance, and forbear.


s: Though they were calmed by Charles's counsel sage,


s: They had new cause for grief in Bertolage


s: But they concealed their hatred, and endured


s: Those griefs, as of the matter ill assured.


s: Those envoys of the Bulgars that had made


s: For Charles's court (as hath erewhile been shown),


s: Hoping to find the knight, whose shield pourtrayed


s: Bless the good fortune which their hope repayed,


s: Seeing that valiant warrior, and fall down


s: Before his feet, and him in humble speech


s: The sceptre and the crown, his royal due:


s: But let him succour to his kingdom bear;


s: For -- to their further scathe -- advices shew


s: And they -- of their elected king possest --


s: Hope the Greek empire from his hands to wrest.


s: He accepts the realm, by their entreaties won;


s: And, to afford them aid against their foes,


s: Will went to Bulgary when three months are done;


s: When this is heard by that Greek emperor's son,


s: For since by him the Bulgar's realm is swayed,


s: Peace between them and Constantine is made;


s: Nor needeth he depart in haste, to guide


s: His Bulgar bands against the Grecian foe;


s: For all that he had conquered far and wide,


s: As hearing now that son a sovereign hailed.


s: The rich and royal nuptials they prepare


s: As well befits him, by whose care 'tis done,


s: 'Tis done by Charles; and with such cost and care


s: And such had all her martial kindred shown,


s: Charles would not think he should exceed due measure


s: If spent for her was half his kingdom's treasure.


s: He a free court bids cry; whither his way


s: And offers open lists till the ninth day


s: And bids build bowers afield, and interlay


s: Green boughs therein, and flowers and foliage blend;


s: And make those bowers so gay with silk and gold,


s: No fairer place this ample world doth hold.


s: The countless foreign bands that thither fare;


s: Who, rich and poor, of high and low degree,


s: And Greeks and Latins and Barbarians are.


s: That thither from all ends of earth repair;


s: All lodged conveniently, to their content,


s: Beneath pavilion, booth, and bower and tent.


s: The weird Melissa against the coming night


s: Had for that pair the nuptial chamber dight;


s: Whereon long time before she had been bent:


s: Had been that dame, presageful of the event;


s: What goodly fruit should from their stems ensue.


s: She had prepared the genial, fruitful bed,


s: (Did this for peace or war its master pitch)


s: Was in the world, before or after, spread;


s: And this from Thracian strand had borne the witch.


s: The costly prize from Constantine she bore,


s: Who for disport was tented on that shore.


s: She with young Leo's leave, or rather so


s: Which on Hell's mighty dragon puts the rein,


s: And at her pleasure rules that impious foe


s: Of Heaven, together with his evil train,


s: Bade demons the pavilion through mid air


s: From Constantine that lay therein, who swayed


s: The Grecian empire's sceptre, at mid-day


s: This with its cordage, shaft whereby 'twas stayed,


s: And of the costly tent, through air conveyed,


s: Thither, from whence 'twas brought, conveyed anew.


s: Two thousand tedious years were nigh complete,


s: Since this fair work was fashioned by the lore


s: Of Trojan maid, warmed with prophetic heat;


s: Who, 'mid long labour and 'mid vigil sore,


s: With her own fingers all the storied sheet


s: Cassandra hight; that maid to Hector brave


s: (Her brother he) this costly present gave.


s: The curtiest cavalier, the kindliest shoot


s: That ever from her brother's stock should grow


s: (Albeit she knew far distant from its root,


s: With many a branch between, should be that bough)


s: Of hangings had she wrought in goodly show.


s: Much prized that gift, while living, Priam's son,


s: For its rare work and her by whom 'twas done.


s: But when by treachery perished Priam's heir,


s: And Greeks the Trojans scathed in cruel sort,


s: When her gates opened by false Sinon were,


s: And direr ill was done than tales report,


s: In ransom for his prisoned wife restored;


s: Which, passing through the line of Ptolemy,


s: Kept till the time of Constantine in Rome:


s: That Constantine, whom thou shall ever rue


s: Fair Italy, while the heavens above are rolled.


s: Melissa from his namesake this withdrew,


s: And all its cloth with beauteous figures fraught;


s: Here the three Graces in gay vesture gowned


s: For fluent speech, about the child are seen:


s: Him have they strewed, and stew with heaven's perfume,


s: Inscribed upon the baby's swaddling clothes.


s: By the hand him Fortune leads in age more staid;


s: An unknown band in sweeping vest arraid,


s: With long descending locks, the tapestry shows,


s: The tender infant from his princely sire.


s: He reverently parts from Hercules' side,


s: And to the Danube wends; where far and wide


s: The prudent king of Hungary is descried,


s: Who does due honour to his ripened lore,


s: In yet unripe, yea, raw and tender years,


s: And ranks the stripling above all his peers.


s: One is there that in his green age and new


s: Whether he doth in court or camp command,


s: Whether against the Turk, or German crew


s: The puissant monarch leads his martial band,


s: And gathers virtue from his generous guide.


s: There is it seen, how he his blooming age


s: Divides mid arts and wholesome discipline:


s: There Fuscus well instructs him to divine:


s: "This must thou shun, that follow" -- seems the sage


s: To say -- "if thou immortally wouldst shine."


s: Fashioned withal with so much skill and care


s: By her who wrought that work, their gestures were.


s: A cardinal he next is seen, though young


s: Where for deep wisdom graced by eloquent tongue,


s: With wonder him the assembled conclave scan.


s: "What will he be" -- they seem to say among


s: Themselves -- "when he is ripened into man?


s: That brave youth's liberal pastimes are designed


s: Here he affronts the bear of rugged kind;


s: And there in rushy bottom bays the boar:


s: And drives some goat or gallant hind before;


s: Which falls o'ertaken on the dusty plain,


s: By his descending faulchion cleft in twain.


s: This pricks for him the wandering planets' way;


s: These earth, these heaven for his instruction square.


s: He with rich music hears; nor moves a pace


s: But what in every step is sovereign grace.


s: The first part of the storied walls pourtraied


s: With fears of justice, prudence, modesty,


s: Valour, and that fifty virtue, which hath made


s: I speak of her that gives and that bestows.


s: With all these virtues gilt, the stripling glows.


s: In this part is the princely youth espied


s: With that unhappy duke, the Insubri's head;


s: In peace they sit in council at his side,


s: Together armed, the serpent-banner spread.


s: The youth by one unchanging faith is tied


s: His followers still in flight before the foe,


s: Who by strange proofs doth sift, and certify


s: To his just brother, vouched by tokens clear,


s: Hatched by those kinsmen whom he held most dear;


s: Hence justly he becomes that title's heir,


s: Which Rome yet free bade righteous Tully bear.


s: Hasting to help the church with lifted blade;


s: Against well-ordered host in arms arraid:


s: Affords the priestly band such present aid,


s: Extinguished are the fires before they spread.


s: He came, he saw, he conquered, may be said.


s: Elsewhere he stands upon his native strand,


s: Fighting against the mightiest armament,


s: Scatters and overthrows the hostile band,


s: And -- spoil and prisoners to his brother sent --


s: Nothing reserves save that unfading bay;


s: Upon those figures gazed the courtly crew,


s: But read no meaning in the storied wall:


s: That these were things hereafter to befall.


s: Those fair and quaintly fashioned forms they view


s: With pleasure, and peruse the scrolls withal:


s: But Bradamant, to whom the whole was known,


s: Like gentle Bradamant, the affianced knight


s: -- Who faithfully could verse such courtesy,


s: As Charlemagne vouchsafed to every wight?


s: With various games that solemn feast was cheered,


s: And charged with viands aye the board appeared.


s: Who is a valiant knight, is here descried;


s: Singly to combat or in troops they ride;


s: On horseback or afoot, they mix in fray.


s: Who always conquers, jousting night and day;


s: And so, in wrestling, dance, and every deed,


s: Still from its rivals bears away the meed.


s: On the last day, when at their festive cheer


s: Where at Charles' left was placed the wedded peer,


s: Of semblance haughty, and of stature grand,


s: Was seen to ride towards the royal table;


s: Himself and courser wholly clothed in sable.


s: The King of Argier he; that for the scorn


s: Received from her, when on the bridge he fell,


s: Never to clothe himself in arms had sworn,


s: Nor draw the faulchion nor bestride the sell,


s: So to chastise themselves for such like crimes


s: Were cavaliers accustomed in those times.


s: Had heard the several fortunes while away,


s: Not to foreswear himself, he armed no more


s: Than if in nought concerned in that affray:


s: But when the year and month were wholly o'er,


s: With other courser, harness, sword, and lance,


s: The king betook him to the court of France.


s: He neither lighted from his horse, nor bowed


s: His head; and, without sign of reverence due,


s: His scorn for Charlemagne by gestures showed,


s: And the high presence of so fair a crew.


s: Astound and full of wonder stood the crowd,


s: Such license in that haughty man to view.


s: All leave their meat, all leave their talk, to hear


s: With a loud voice, and in proud accent, "I


s: And here, before the sun withdraws his light,


s: And that thou, as a traitor to thy lord,


s: Which thou, as christened, canst not disavow;


s: Nathless to make it yet more plain appear,


s: This will I prove upon thee; and, if thou


s: Canst find a knight to combat for thee here,


s: Him will accept; -- if one be not enow --


s: Will four, nay six accept; and will maintain


s: My words against them all in listed plain."


s: Uprose at that appeal, and thus replied:


s: That he -- nor he alone -- but every one,


s: Who thus impeached him as a traitor, lied;


s: Him none could justly blame; and on his side,


s: He can defend himself; nor need he crave


s: Another warrior's help that course to run;


s: And 'tis his hope to show him he would have


s: Enough, perhaps would have too much, of one.


s: Who fain with that fierce paynim will contend.


s: "Take ye no further pains," the warrior said,


s: "For such would be for me a foul excuse."


s: The Tartar's arms were brought, which cut the thread


s: With spurs Orlando deck'd the youthful lord,


s: King Charlemagne begirt him with the sword.


s: His breast, and clothe him in his other gear.


s: Sir Dudon held his stirrup: far and near


s: Rinaldo and Namus made the mob give place,


s: All from the crowded lists they drive with speed,


s: The pale-faced dames and damsels troop, in guise


s: Of pigeons round the lists, a timid show;


s: When, homeward bound, from fruitful field they rise,


s: Scared by wide-sweeping winds, which loudly blow,


s: Mid flash and clap; and when the sable skies


s: Threat hail and rain, the harvest's waste and woe:


s: Ill matched they deem with that fierce cavalier.


s: So him deemed all the rabble; and so most


s: Of those bold cavalier and barons thought;


s: In that they had not yet the memory lost


s: Of what that paynim had in Paris wrought,


s: When singly fire and sword the warrior tost,


s: And much of that fair town to ruin brought;


s: Whose signs remained, and yet will long remain:


s: Nor ever greater havoc plagued that reign.


s: Bradamant's heart above those others' beat:


s: Not that she deemed the Saracen in might,


s: Or valour which in the heart-core hath its seat,


s: Was of more prowess than the youthful knight;


s: Nor (what oft gives success in martial feat


s: That with the paynim was the better right.


s: Yet cannot she her some ill misgivings quell.


s: But upon those that love such fear sits well.


s: Surer than sure, -- in fight with Ulien's son.


s: More than one death would she consent to die,


s: If she withal could suffer more than one,


s: Would see her cherished consort risk his life.


s: But prayer availed not on the damsel's part


s: She then with mournful face and beating heart


s: Stood by to view that pair to fight addrest.


s: From right and left the peer and paynim start,


s: And at each other run with lance in rest.


s: The spears seem ice, as they in shivers fly.


s: The fragments birds, that mount through middle sky.


s: Rodomont's lance which smote in the career


s: Upon mid-shield, yet harmed it little; so


s: Hardened by Vulcan's hand, and safe from blow.


s: As well against the shield his levelled spear


s: Rogero guides, and that good buckler -- though


s: Well steeled within and out, with bone between,


s: And nigh a palm in thickness -- pierces clean;


s: And -- but his lance resists not that fierce shock,


s: And at the first assault its splinters fly,


s: And bits and fragments of the shivered stock


s: Seem fledged with feathers they ascend so high;


s: Were his arms hewn from adamantine rock,


s: The spear would pierce the paynim's panoply;


s: And end that battle: but it breaks withal,


s: And on their croups both staggering coursers fall.


s: With bridle and with spur the martial pair


s: Raise their proud horses nimbly from the ground;


s: And having broke their spears, with faulchions bare


s: Return, to bandy fierce and cruel wound.


s: Wheeling with wondrous mastery, here and there,


s: The warriors with their biting swords begin


s: To try where either's armour is most thin.


s: Which heretofore had cased the warrior's breast;


s: Nor Nimrod's trenchant sword was at his side;


s: Nor the accustomed helm his temples prest.


s: For on that bridge which spanned the narrow tide,


s: And arms suspended from the votive stone


s: He left; as I, meseems, erewhile have shown.


s: But neither this, nor that, nor harder scale


s: Against which neither workmanship avail,


s: Enchantment, temper, nor prime steel and pure.


s: So here so there Rogero plied his sword,


s: He more than once the paynim's armour bored.


s: When Rodomont beholds in that fierce close


s: His widely crimsoned arms, nor can restrain


s: The greater portion of those griding blows


s: From biting to the quick, through plate and chain,


s: He with more fury, with more rage o'erflows,


s: Flings down his shield, and with both hands outright