s: " `And me and thee no less can save,' (she said,)


s: `And this at better leisure will explain.'


s: The woman went her ways, the potion made,


s: A flask of Candian sweet wine she purveyed,


s: Wherewith Drusilla sheathed that deadly bane;


s: And kept the beverage for the nuptial day;


s: For now had ceased all hindrance and delay.


s: "On the fixt day she seeks the temple, dight


s: Where her lord's tomb, befitting such a knight,


s: Built by her order, two fair pillars rear.


s: The holy office there, with solemn rite,


s: Is sung, which men and women troop to hear;


s: And -- gay, beyond his usage -- with his heir,


s: Begirt by friends, Sir Marganor is there.


s: "When the holy obsequies at last were o'er,


s: And by the priest was blest the poisoned draught,


s: The wine, as by Drusilla had been taught,


s: She drank what sorted with her sex; nor more


s: Than would effect the purpose which she sought:


s: Then to the bridegroom, with a jocund eye,


s: Handed the draught, who drained the goblet dry.


s: "The cup returned -- Tanacro, blithe and gay,


s: Then altered was her sweet and winning way,


s: And to a tempest that long calm gave place.


s: She thrust him back, she motioned him away;


s: She seemed to kindle in her eyes and face;


s: And to the youth, with broken voice and dread,


s: -- `Traitor, stand off,' -- the furious lady said; --


s: " `Shalt thou then joy and solace have from me,


s: I tears from thee, and punishment and woe?


s: Now these mine hands shall make an end of thee.


s: This, if thou know'st it not, for poison know.


s: Much grieve I that thou should'st too honoured be


s: Should'st die a death too easy: since I wot,


s: For thee too shameful hand or pain is not.


s: " `In seeing this thy death, it gives me pain,


s: Nothing should lack that purpose to fulfill.


s: May my sweet consort not the work disdain,


s: And for the imperfect deed accept the will!


s: That, without power to compass what I would,


s: I have been fain to slay thee as I could!


s: " `And that deserved punishment, which I


s: I hope thy soul shall have; hope to be nigh,


s: To see thee suffer, in the realms of woe.'


s: Her turbid eyes then raising to the sky,


s: (She cried) `Olindro, take this victim's life,


s: With the good will of thine avenging wife;


s: " `And of our lord for me the grace obtain,


s: Without desert; say such I bring with me,


s: Who this fell impious monster, in his fane,


s: Offer, as my first-fruits; and what can be


s: "Her life, together with her speech, was spent;


s: And, even dead, her face appeared to glow


s: With joy, at having dealt such punishment


s: To him, that laid her cherished husband low.


s: Of follow hers, I wiss not; but, I trow,


s: Yet faster wrought, because he deeper drank.


s: Fall and expire, his outstretched arms between,


s: Well nigh had with Tanacro died, o'erthrown


s: Two sons he had, and now was left alone;


s: Brought to that pass he by two wives had been;


s: This was the cause one spent his vital breath


s: With her own hand, that dealt the other death.


s: Of death and vengeance, all together rend


s: And rack the childless and unhappy sire,


s: Who groans like sea, when wind and waves contend:


s: Towards the dame, with vengeful thoughts afire,


s: He goes, but sees that life is at an end;


s: Seeks to offend her corse that feels it not.


s: "As serpent, by the pointed spear pinned down,


s: Fixes his teeth in it, with fruitless spire;


s: Which has been flung by some wayfaring wight,


s: And gnaws it in his rage, nor will be gone


s: Until he venge himself; 'tis so the knight,


s: Offends Drusilla's cold and lifeless corse.


s: "And, for he venteth not, nor slakes his mood,


s: He springs, and there shows mercy unto none.


s: Mown are we with his impious sword, as strewed


s: Is grass with scythe, when dried by summer sun.


s: There is no 'scape; for straightways of our train


s: Are full a hundred maimed, and thirty slain.


s: There is no man who dares to lift his eyes:


s: The women with the meaner sort are fled,


s: His friends against the furious fit make head,


s: At last, with kind constraint and suppliant cries;


s: And, leaving every thing in tears below,


s: The wretch determines all the female band:


s: His people and his friends, with prayer, withstand;


s: Placed such his pleasures on these confines: woe


s: "Thus husbands from their wives divided are,


s: Despite that order, any one should dare,


s: Let none know this, who might the deed report!


s: For sorely mulcted for the transgression were


s: A statute for his town next made the peer:


s: "It wills, all women found within the vale,


s: (For thither even yet will some descend,)


s: His men with rods shall on the shoulders whale,


s: And into exile from those countries send;


s: But first their gowns shall clip, and parts unveil


s: Any wend thither, they are slain outright.


s: "Those that an armed warrior's escort have,


s: Are dragged as victims to his children's grave,


s: Where his own hand inflicts the murderous blow.


s: And steed, their champions to his prisons go;


s: And this can he compel; for, night and day,


s: "And I will add, moreover, 'tis his will,


s: Does he free any one, he first shall swear


s: To woman, while he lives, will hatred bear.


s: If then these ladies and yourself to spill


s: Seem good to you, to yonder walls repair;


s: And put to proof withal, if prowess more


s: So saying, in those maids of martial might


s: First she such pity moved and then disdain,


s: That they (had it been day instead of night)


s: Would then have gone against that castellain.


s: There rest the troop; and when Aurora's light


s: That they should all before the sun recede,


s: They don the cuirass and remount the steed:


s: With a long trample, when those warlike three


s: Look down the vale and roll their eyes around;


s: And they from thence, a stone's-throw distant, see


s: A troop, which through a narrow pathway wound:


s: On horseback, or on foot, their way pursue.


s: (Whom stricken sore in years her visage shows,)


s: Condemned to gallows, fire, or prison goes;


s: Who, notwithstanding that wide interval,


s: Is by her features known, as well as clothes:


s: Know her for fair Drusilla's chamber maid.


s: The chamber wench, made prisoner with his prize,


s: By the rapacious stripling, as I shewed,


s: Who being trusted with that ill emprize,


s: The poisoned draught of foul effect had brewed.


s: From the others she and those solemnites


s: Yea, this while, from that lordship had she fled,


s: Where she in safety hoped to hide her head.


s: He, with intent to burn the woman, sought


s: By costly presents, and by proffered pay,


s: Wrought on a lord, assured upon whose lands


s: The beldam lived, to put her in his hands.


s: To Constance-town, like merchandise addrest;


s: The use of speech, and prisoned in a chest.


s: From whence that rabble, his ill instrument,


s: Who has all pity banished from his breast,


s: Had hither brought her, that his impious rage


s: That cruel man might on the hag assuage.


s: As the flood, swoln with Vesulo's thick snows,


s: And, with Ticino and Lambra, seaward goes,


s: Ada, and other streams that tribute pay,


s: So much more haughty and impetuous flows;


s: Marganor's guilt, and so that gentle pair


s: Of damsels filled with fiercer choler are.


s: Them with such hatred, them with such disdain


s: Against the wretch so many crimes incense,


s: That they will punish him, despite the train


s: But speedy death appears too kind a pain,


s: Better they deem, mid pangs prolonged and slow,


s: He all the bitterness of death should know.


s: But first 'tis right that woman to unchain,


s: She whom the hangman-crew to death escort;


s: And the quick rowel and the loosened rein


s: Made the quick coursers make that labour short.


s: Who held it for a grace, with loss of shield,


s: Harness and captive dame, to quit the field;


s: Even as the wolf, who, laden with his prey,


s: And, when he deems that safest is the way,


s: Beholds it crost by hunter and by hound,


s: Flings down his load, and swiftly darts away,


s: Where most o'ergrown with brushwood is the ground.


s: Nor quicker are that band to void the vale,


s: Than those bold three are quicker to assail.


s: Not only they the dame and martial gear,


s: And, as the surest refuge in their fear,


s: Cast themselves down from bank and caverned nook:


s: Which pleased the damsels and the youthful peer;


s: Who three of those forsaken horses took,


s: To mount those three, whom, through the day before,


s: Upon their croups the three good coursers bore.


s: Thence, lightened thus, their way they thither bend,


s: Where that despiteous, shameful, lordship lies;


s: Resolved the beldam in their band shall wend,


s: That woman, who misdoubts the adventure's end,


s: And grieves, and shrieks, and weeps in piteous wise:


s: They reached a summit, and from thence espied


s: A town with many houses, large and rich;


s: With nought to stop the way on any side,


s: As neither compassed round by wall or ditch.


s: With a tall tower, upon its topmost pitch.


s: Fearlessly thither pricked the warriors, who


s: Marganor's mansion in that fortress knew.


s: Arrived, some footmen, who kept watch and ward,


s: Behind those warriors closed a barricade;


s: While that, before, they found already barred.


s: Some foot, some horsemen!  armed was all the guard;


s: Who to the strangers, in few words, but bold,


s: Marphisa, who had planned the thing whilere


s: With Aymon's daughter and the youthful knight,


s: For answer, spurred against the cavalier;


s: And, valiant as she was and full of might,


s: Not putting in the rest her puissant spear,


s: Or baring that good sword, so famed in fight,


s: So smote him with her fist upon the head,


s: That on his horse's neck he fell half dead.


s: The maid of France is with Marphisa gone,


s: Who with those two his course so bravely run,


s: That, though his lance he raised not from the rest,


s: Six men he slew; transfixed the paunch of one,


s: Another's head, of four the neck or breast;


s: I' the sixth he broke it, whom in flight he speared:


s: It pierced his spine and at his paps appeared.


s: On earth, by Bradamant's gold lance o'erthrown;


s: She seems a bolt, dismist form burning sky,


s: Which, in its fury, shivers and beats down


s: Some fly to plain, or castle from the town,


s: Others to sheltering church and house repair;


s: And none, save dead, are seen in street or square.


s: His back, the fierce Marphisa had made fast,


s: And to Drusilla's maid the wretch consigned,


s: Well pleased that such a care on her was cast.


s: To burn the town 'twas afterwards designed,


s: For, besides fearing lest Marphisa yearn


s: To execute more vengeance, -- lest she say,


s: -- She one and all will slaughter and will burn, --


s: The townsmen all were advised to the sway


s: Since none dares trust another, nor his will,


s: -- Out of suspicion -- to his comrades break,


s: From this his substance, that his honour take.


s: But the heart cries to Heaven, that here is still,


s: Till God and saints at length to vengeance wake:


s: Who, albeit they due punishment suspend,


s: Now seeks the wretch with word and deed to grieve;


s: As, it is said, all strip the fallen tree,


s: Which from its roots and wintry winds upheave:


s: To view fell Marganor's disastrous fall,


s: Fit penance for his sins, pleased great and small.


s: Many, of whom the sister had been slain,


s: The mother, or the daughter, or the wife,


s: Seeking no more their rebel wrath to rein,


s: Hurry, with their own hands to take his life;


s: Can scarce defend the felon in that strife;


s: Whom those illustrious three had doomed to die,


s: Mid trouble, fear, and lengthened agony.


s: To the hag, who bore such hatred to that wight,


s: They give their prisoner naked, bound so tight,


s: He will not at one shake the cordage tear;


s: And she, her pains and sorrow to requite,


s: Crimsons the wretch's body, here and there,


s: With a sharp goad, which, mid that village band,


s: Nor she the courier maid, nor they that ride


s: With her, aye mindful how they had been shent,


s: Now let their hands hang idle by their side;


s: No less than that old crone on vengeance bent:


s: Such was their fierce desire, it nullified


s: The power to harm; but rage must have its vent.,


s: Him one with stones, another with her nails,


s: This with her teeth, with needles that, assails.


s: As torrent one while foams in haughty tide,


s: When fed with mighty rain or melted snow;


s: And, rending form the mountain's rugged side


s: Tree, rock, and crop and field, the waters go:


s: Then comes a season when its crested pride


s: And often dry-shod cross, its rugged bed.


s: So Marganor whilere each bound and bourn


s: Made tremble, whereso'er his name was heard:


s: Now one is come to bruise the tyrant's horn;


s: And now his prowess is so little feared,


s: That even the little children work him scorn:


s: Some pluck his hair and others pluck his beard.


s: Thence young Rogero and the damsels twain


s: Towards his rock-built castle turn the rein.


s: This without contest its possessors yield,


s: And the rich goods preserved in that repair.


s: These the friends partly spoiled, and partly dealed


s: With them, recovered was the golden shield,


s: And those three monarchs that were prisoned there;


s: Who, without arms, afoot, towards that hold


s: Had wended, as meseems whilere was told.


s: For from the day that they were overthrown


s: That hither came from her so distant shore.


s: Or worse, by her, that they their arms forbore;


s: Worse, touching her defence; but better far,


s: If they were losers in the doubtful war.


s: For she would have been dragged, -- like others, whom


s: Armed men had thither brought beneath their guide,


s: (Unhappy women) to the brothers' tomb, --


s: Death, sure, is worse, and more disastrous doom


s: Than showing that which modesty would hide;


s: And they who can to force ascribe the blame,


s: Before they hence depart, the martial twain


s: They to their wives the rule of that domain


s: Will leave, as well as every other care;


s: And that they will chastise, with heavy pain,


s: -- In fine, man's privileges, whatsoe'er,


s: They swear, shall be conferred on woman here:


s: Unless he swore by God and saints, or vow


s: Yet stronger made -- if stronger could be said --


s: That he the sex's cause would aye defend,


s: Foe to their foes, and woman's faithful friend;


s: And, if he then were wived, or ever were


s: -- Sooner or later -- linked in nuptial noose,


s: Still to his wife he would allegiance bear,


s: Nor e'er compliance with her will refuse.


s: Marphisa says, within the year, she there


s: Will be, and ere the trees their foliage lose;


s: And, save she find her statute in effect,


s: Nor hence they part ill from the filthy place,


s: Wherein it lay, Drusilla's corse is borne;


s: Her with her lord they in a tomb encase,


s: And, with what means the town supplies, adorn.


s: Drusilla's ancient woman, in this space,


s: Beside a church, the martial damsels twain


s: Behold a pillar, standing in the square;


s: Had graved that mad and cruel law; the pair,


s: In imitation, his helm, plate, and chain,


s: And shield, in guise of trophy fasten there;


s: That law they had enacted for the place.


s: Within the town the troop set up their rest,


s: Until the law is graved, of different frame


s: From that before upon the stone imprest,


s: Which every woman doom'd to death and shame.


s: Who deems, at court 'twere shameful to appear,


s: Should break his bonds and injure damsel more,


s: Made him, one day, leap headlong from a tower,


s: That journey toward Arles, the tale pursue.


s: Throughout all that and the succeeding day,


s: Till the forenoon, proceed those banded friends;


s: And, where the main-road branches, and one way


s: Towards the camp, to Arles the other tends,


s: A last farewell, which evermore offends.


s: The damsels seek the camp; to Arles is gone


s: To Arles the Child, to Charles Marphisa wends,


s: To be baptized, with Bradamant for guide.


s: Through whom with sight the Nubian is supplied:


s: Agramant's land he with his troop offends;


s: With Charles he bargains, that, on either side,


s: Two knights by strife their quarrel should decide.


s: Kind audience lend -- I read it in your cheer --


s: So suddenly, from her that held him dear,


s: Displeases ye, and scarce inflicts less pain


s: Than that which Bradamant endured whilere:


s: That feebly burned in him the amorous flame.


s: If from her side for other cause had gone,


s: Against that lady's will, the youthful lord;


s: Though in the hope more treasure to have won


s: Than swelled rich Croesus' or rich Crassus' hoard,


s: I too should deem the dart, by Cupid thrown,


s: For such a sovereign joy, a prize so high


s: This to preserve, I say, when to have done


s: In other wise, might shame and scandal raise;


s: And had fair Bradamant reluctance shown,


s: This, as a certain sign, had served to prove


s: For if his life, whom gentle woman loves,


s: (I speak of one at whom young Cupid roves


s: With arrows which beneath the mantle gore)


s: As man beyond his life his honour treasures,


s: Esteemed by him above all other pleasures.


s: Following the royal lord with whom he came;


s: For having no fair cause to quit his side,


s: He could not leave the Paynim without shame;


s: In this, King Agramant was not to blame;


s: To his liege-lord; so did that martial maid;


s: (As so she might have done) Rogero stayed.


s: The stripling may appay the warlike fair


s: But twice two hundred years will not atone


s: To Arles-town whither had his king conveyed


s: While they that, since their kindred was displayed,


s: Had a close friendship formed -- the damsels two --


s: Thither together go where Charles had made


s: His mightiest effort, with the Christian crew;


s: Hoping by siege or fight to break the foe,


s: And free his kingdom form so long a woe.


s: Bradamant, when she in the camp appeared,


s: Was greeted with a welcome warm and kind.


s: On all sides was she hailed, by all was cheered;


s: And she in this or that her head inclined.


s: Met her; nor young Richardo stayed behind;


s: And all received the maid with joyful face.


s: When next 'tis known, the second of the twain


s: Had journeyed, with a thousand laurels crowned,


s: Nor rich nor poor within their tents remain:


s: The curious crowd, encompassing them round,


s: Press, harm, and heave each other here and there,


s: In the sole wish to see so bright a pair.


s: And the first day was this (has Turpin shown)


s: Marphisa had been seen to bend her knee:


s: Mid emperors or kings that filled a throne,


s: Her kindly Charlemagne received, and wide


s: And, above king, and prince, and peer, beside


s: Himself the monarch placed that damsel true.


s: In little time, except the good and few.


s: Marphisa first began in grateful strain:


s: "Unconquered Caesar, glorious and august,


s: Who, to Alcides' strait from Indian main,


s: Mak'st Scythian's pale and Aethiop's race adust


s: Revere thy Christian cross of snowy grain,


s: -- Of earthly monarchs thou most sage and just --


s: Hither thy glory, which no limits bound,


s: Has brought me from the world's extremest ground;


s: "And (to avow the truth) in jealous mood


s: Because I grudged that king so puissant shou'd


s: Exist on earth, save he observed my rite.


s: Hence reek they ravaged fields with Christian blood;


s: And yet with greater rancour and despite,


s: But that it chanced, one changed me to a friend.


s: "When to worst harm and scaith thy bands I doom,


s: Beyond the sea, and bore in want and woe.


s: Till my seventh year by wizard nourished, I


s: Was stolen from him by thieves of Araby.


s: That after died beneath my faulchion, who


s: When grown, that king and all his court I slew;


s: Chased his ill race, and seized his royalty;


s: And -- such my fortune -- by a month or two,


s: I eithteen years had not o'erpast, before


s: "And, moved by envy of thy glorious fame


s: I in my heart resolved (as thou hast heard)


s: To abate the grandeur of they mighty name:


s: But now a chance has served that will to tame,


s: And clip my fury's wings; the having heard


s: "And, for my father thee, as kinsman, served,


s: And I that envy, that fierce hate, which nerved


s: And for his sire's and uncle's kin shall be;


s: They who were whilom guilty of the death


s: Of that unhappy pair, who gave me breath."


s: She adds, the Christian faith she will receive,


s: Will home return, with royal Charles's leave,


s: Shall be the Christian faith's and empire's gain.


s: Charles, no less eloquent upon his side,


s: Than bold in deed and prudent in design,


s: And much her father, much her noble line:


s: And of his heart his open front was sign.


s: As his last words, that he received the maid


s: As kinswoman and child, the monarch said.


s: Then rose and locked her in a new embrace,


s: And kissed her, like a daughter, on the brow.


s: Morgana and Clermont's kin, with joyful face,


s: All thither troop; 'twere tedious to tell how


s: Her martial prowess, tried by goodly test,


s: When they with girding siege Albracca pressed.


s: 'Twere long to tell how, with those worthies met,


s: Who, when Maganza's traitors made repair,


s: With those ill purchasers of Spain to trade,


s: Found such a faithful comrade in the maid.


s: They deck the ground for the ensuing day;


s: And Charlemagne takes care himself to see


s: That they the place shall sumptuously array,


s: Bishops are gathered, learned clerks, and they


s: That taught in all its doctrine by their care


s: And holy skill may be that martial fair.


s: Charlemagne from the healthful font the maid


s: With that, which treasured in the phial lies,


s: Wherewith Astolpho, from the lowest star,


s: The duke descended from the lucid round,


s: On this our earthly planet's loftiest height.


s: Wither he with that blessed vase was bound,


s: Which was the mighty champion's brain to right.


s: A herb of sovereign virtue on that ground


s: The apostle shows, and with it bids the knight


s: The Nubian's eyeballs touch, when him anew


s: He visits, and restore that sovereign's view.


s: That he, for this and for his first desert,


s: He may to battle train, in plate and mail;


s: And how to pass the deserts, without hurt,


s: Where men are dazzled by the sandy gale.


s: The order that throughout should be maintained


s: From point to point, the sainted sire explained;


s: Then made him that plumed beast again bestride,


s: By sainted John dismist, his reverend guide,


s: And coasting Nile, on one or the other side,


s: Saw Nubia's realm before him soon appear;


s: And there, in its chief city, to the ground


s: Great was the joy, and great was the delight,


s: Wherewith that king received the English lord;


s: Who well remembered how the gentle knight


s: Had from the loathsome harpies freed his board.


s: But when the humour, that obscured his sight,


s: Valiant Astolpho scaled, and now restored


s: Was the blind sovereign's eyesight as before,


s: But adds a hundred thousand from his bands,


s: Scarce on the open plain embattled stands,


s: -- All foot -- the Nubian host, for war arraid.


s: For few the horses which that region bore;


s: The night before the day, when on its road


s: The Nubian force should march, Astolpho rose,


s: And his winged hippogryph again bestrode:


s: To a high hill, the southern wind's abode;


s: Whence he towards the Bears in fury blows:


s: There finds a cave, through whose strait entrance breaks


s: The fell and furious Auster, when he wakes.


s: He, as his master erst instruction gave,


s: Which, at the vent of that dim Alpine cave,


s: Wherein reposed the wearied wind, was laid


s: That, issuing forth at morn, to sweep the plains,


s: Returns; and with that very light the peer,


s: With the black host, sets out upon his way,


s: And lets the victual follow in his rear.


s: Towards Mount Atlas with his whole array


s: Through shifting plains of powdery sand he past,


s: Nor dreaded danger from the sultry blast;


s: And having gained the mountain's hither side,


s: Whence are discerned the plain, and distant brine,


s: He chooses from the swarm he has to guide


s: The noblest and most fit for discipline;


s: And makes them, here and there, in troops divide,


s: At a hill's foot, wherewith the plains confine;


s: Then leaves his host and climbs the hill's ascent,


s: Like one that is on lofty thoughts intent.


s: Assurance he was heard, he downward thrust


s: A heap of stones.  O what things may he do


s: That in the Saviour wholly puts his trust!


s: The stones beyond the use of nature grew;


s: Next, neck and muzzle, legs and belly show.


s: They, neighing shrill, down narrow paths repair,


s: With lusty leaps; and lighting on the plain,


s: Uplift the croup, like coursers as they are,


s: Some bay, some roan, and some of dapple stain.


s: The crowds that waiting in the valleys were,


s: Layed hands on them, and seized them by the rein.


s: Thus in a thought each soldier had his horse,


s: Born ready reined and saddled for the course.


s: He fourscore thousand of his Nubian power,


s: To horsemen changes, who wide Afric scour,


s: And, upon every side, sack, burn, and slay.


s: Till his return, to king Branzardo's sway,


s: To Fersa's king, and him of the Algaziers;


s: And these against Astolpho lead their spears.


s: Erewhile a nimble bark, with sail and oar,


s: They had dispatched, which, stirring feet and wings,


s: News of the Nubian monarch's outrage bore


s: That rests not, night nor day, till to the shore


s: Of Provence she her doleful tiding brings;


s: And finds her monarch half subdued in Arles,


s: For camped within a mile was conquering Charles.


s: His realm, through his attack on Pepin's reign,


s: Calls kings and princes of the paynim train;


s: And when he once or twice has turned his eyes


s: -- Eldest and wisest they those lords among --


s: The monarch so bespeaks the assembled throng:


s: To say, `on this I thought not,' this I say;


s: Because when from a quarter comes the blow,


s: 'Tis for such fault a fair excuse, I trow;


s: If there was ground to fear the Nubian sack.


s: "But who could think, save only God on high


s: That, from land, beneath such distant sky,


s: Such mighty host would come, to work us woe?


s: 'Twixt shifting sands, which restless whirlwinds blow:


s: Yet they their camp have round Biserta placed,


s: And laid the better part of Africk waste.


s: "I now on this, O peers!  your counsel crave.


s: If, bootless, homeward I should wend my way,


s: Or should not such a fair adventure wave,


s: Till Charles with me a prisoner I convey;


s: Who can advise, is prayed his lore to shew,


s: That we may learn the best, and that pursue."


s: Next turned his eyes, who in the signal read,


s: The Spaniard rose, and bending reverently


s: Again his honoured seat in council prest,


s: And in these words the Moorish king addrest:


s: "My liege, does Rumour good or ill report,


s: It still increases them; hence shall I ne'er,


s: Under despondence, lack for due support,


s: Nor bolder course than is befitting steer,


s: For what may chance, of good or evil sort;


s: O'errated still; and which we should not mete


s: "Which should so much more doubtfully be viewed,


s: As it seems less with likelihood to stand.


s: That king who reigns in so remote a land,


s: Should set his foot on warlike Africk's strand;


s: "I well believe, that from some neighbouring hill


s: The Arabs have poured down, to waste the plain;


s: Have taken, burnt, destroyed and sacked and slain;


s: And that Branzardo, who your place doth fill,


s: Has set down thousands, where he tens should write;


s: "The Nubian squadrons, I will even yield,


s: Have been rained down on Africk from the skies;


s: Or haply they have come, in clouds concealed,


s: In that their march was hidden from all eyes:


s: Think you, because unaided in the field,


s: Your Africk from such host in peril lies?


s: Your garrisons were sure of coward vein,


s: If they were scared by such a craven train.


s: "But will you send some frigates, albeit few,


s: (Provided that unfurled your standards be)


s: No sooner shall they loose from hence, that crew


s: Of spoilers shall within their confines flee;


s: -- Nubians are they, or idle Arabs -- who,


s: From your own realm, and warring with our band,


s: "Now take your time for vengeance, when the son


s: Of the hostile sect resistance can be made.


s: If, through neglect or blindness, be foregone


s: The glorious Fortune, which for you has stayed,


s: She her bald front, as now her hair, will show,


s: The Moorish squadrons should in France abide,


s: So spake in answer to the king of Spain:


s: "My liege, when I to peace exhorted you,


s: Would that my prophecy had proved less just!


s: Whom I would here see gladly, front to front;


s: "To twit that warrior with his threat to do


s: By France, what by the brittle glass is done;


s: And throughout heaven and hell your course pursue,


s: Yea (as the monarch said) your course outrun.


s: Yet lapt in foul and loathsome ease, while you


s: So need his help, lies Ulien's lazy son;


s: "And ever will be while this life I bear;


s: Which, albeit 'tis with yours sore laden, still


s: Daily for you is risked with them that are


s: The best of France; and -- be he who he will --


s: There is not mortal living, who will dare


s: Yea, many who vaunt more, amid your host,


s: Have not so much, nay lighter, cause for boast.


s: "I speak, these words to show that what whilere


s: I said and say again, has neither sprung


s: From evil heart, nor is the fruit of fear;


s: But that true love and duty move my tongue.


s: You homeward with what haste you may to steer,


s: Who risks his own to gain another's right.


s: "If there be gain, ye know, Late thirty-two,


s: Your vassal kings, with you our sails we spread;


s: Now, if we pause to sum the account anew,


s: Hardly a third survives; the rest are dead.


s: May it please Heaven no further loss ensue!


s: But if you will pursue your quest, I dread


s: Lest not a fourth nor fifth will soon remain;


s: And wholly spent will be your wretched train.


s: "Orlando's absence so far aids, that where


s: Our troops are few, there haply none would be;


s: But not through this removed our perils are,


s: There are the shoots; with paladin and peer,


s: "And the other Mars (albeit against my heart


s: Whose feats no less than fierce Orlando's show;


s: Whose mighty prowess I have proved in part,


s: In part, at others' cost I see and know.


s: Yet we have lost more fields than we have won.


s: "I fear, if heretofore our band has lost,


s: A heavier forfeit will henceforth be paid.


s: Martial Gradasso hath withdrawn his aid;


s: Marphisa, at our worst, has left her post;


s: So Argier's lord; of whom it may be said,


s: Where he as true as strong, we should not need


s: "While aids like these are lost to our array,


s: While on our side such slaughtered thousands lie,


s: Those looked-for are arrived, nor on her way


s: Is any vessel fraught with new supply --


s: Charles has been joined by four, that, as they say,


s: With reasons, for from hence to Bactrian shore,


s: Ill would you hope to find such other four.


s: For these I more respect, more fear I bear,


s: Who for the Roman empire rests the spear,


s: Though I misrate not those of newer stamp,


s: That, to our scathe, are gathered in their camp.


s: Worsted so oft, or broken, shall you be.


s: Were losers, when sixteen to eight were we,


s: What will ensue, when banded with Almayn


s: When with our six twice six their weapons cross,


s: What else can we expect but shame and loss?


s: "You lose your people here, and there your reign,


s: -- Returning -- us, the remnant of your train,


s: You save, together with your royal state.


s: It were ill done to leave the king of Spain,


s: Since all for this would hold you sore ingrate;


s: Yet there's a remedy in peace; which, so


s: It pleases but yourself, will please the foe.


s: "But, if, as first defeated, on your part


s: Have war and wasteful battle more at heart,


s: Waged hitherto with what success you see,


s: Which may be yours, if you are ruled by me.


s: Lay all our quarrel's trial on one peer,


s: That -- pitted one to one in listed fight --


s: Not Roland, not Rinaldo stands more high,


s: But would ye kindle warfare far and nigh,


s: Though superhuman be that champion's might,


s: Matched singly with a host of martial peers.


s: Ye should propose to Charles the war to end;


s: And that, to spare the constant waste of blood,


s: Which his, and countless of your warriors spend,


s: He -- by a knight of yours to be withstood --


s: A champion, chosen from his best should send;


s: And those two all the warfare wage alone,


s: Till one prevails, and one is overthrown;


s: "On pact the king, whose champion in the just


s: Nor will this pact displease King Charles, I trust,


s: Though his was the advantage in the fray.


s: I deem, that he will surely win the day;


s: Who would prevail (so certain is our right)


s: Though Mars himself should be his opposite."


s: With these and other sayings yet more sound,


s: So wrought Sobrino, he his end obtained;


s: And on that day interpreters were found,


s: And they that day to Charles their charge explained.


s: Charles, whom such matchless cavaliers surround.


s: Next to Orlando in his sovereign's trust.


s: In this accord like cause for pleasure find,


s: As well the Christian as the paynim foe:


s: Those warriors all were weary, all were woe.


s: To pass what time remained to him below:


s: Each cursed the senseless anger and the hate


s: Which stirred their hearts to discord and debate.


s: That Charles, for what in him so strong weighed,


s: More trusted him than all his court beside,


s: And glad the honoured enterprise assayed:


s: And thought he ill could keep him from his blade.


s: Nor deemed the Child could equal him in fight,


s: Albeit he slew in strife the Tartar knight.


s: Rogero, though much honoured, on his part,


s: That him his king has chosen from the rest,


s: Yet shows a troubled face; not that the heart


s: Of that good knight unworthy fears molest;


s: Him, with Orlando leagued, he would not dread --


s: But because sister of the Christian knight


s: (He knows) is she, his consort true and dear;


s: That to the stripling evermore did write,


s: In sobs his consort dear to hers gave vent,


s: When shortly to her ears the tidings flew.


s: She beat her breast, her golden tresses rent:


s: Fast, scalding tears her innocent cheeks bedew:


s: Nought can result to Bradamant but pain,


s: For this, 'twould seem, her very heart would rend;


s: And should our Lord the fall of France ordain,


s: That kingdom for more sins than one to amend,


s: The gentle maid, beside a brother's loss,


s: Would have to weep a worse and bitterer cross.


s: For, without shame and scorn, she never may,


s: As, thinking upon this by night and day,


s: She oftentimes had purposed in her mind;


s: And so by promise both were tied withal,


s: Room for repentance and retreat was small.


s: But she, that ever, when things adverse were,


s: With faithful succour Bradamant had stayed,


s: To hear the wailings of the woeful maid;


s: And proffered succour in due time and said,


s: She would disturb that duel 'twixt the twain,


s: The occasion of such grief and cruel pain.


s: Meanwhile their weapons for the future fray


s: The choice whereof with that good warrior lay,


s: The Roman empire's knight by Charles declared;


s: He lost his goodly steed afoot had fared,


s: Made choice, afoot and fenced with plate and mail,


s: Whether Chance moved Mountalban's martial lord,


s: That knew how young Rogero's charmed sword


s: Cleft helm and hauberk in its greedy rage,


s: (As said) without their faulchions to engage.


s: The place of combat chosen by that twain


s: Was near old Arles, upon a spacious plain.


s: Of old Tithonus hath put forth her head,


s: Prefixed and ordered for that duel dread,


s: When deputies from either hostile power,


s: On this side and on that forth issuing, spread


s: Tents at each entrance of the lists; and near


s: The two pavillions, both, an altar rear.


s: After short pause, was seen upon the plain


s: The paynim host in different squadrons dight.


s: Rich in barbarick pomp, amid that train,


s: Rode Africk's monarch, ready armed for fight:


s: Bay was the steed he backed, with sable mane;


s: Two of his legs were pied, his forehead white


s: And him to serve Marsilius thought no shame.


s: The casque that he from Mandricardo wrung


s: The casque that (as in loftier strain is sung)


s: Cased Hector's head, a thousand years before,


s: Enriched with precious pearls and rough with gold.


s: On the other part, without his camp appears


s: Charles, with his men at arms in squadrons dight;


s: As they would keep, if marshalled for the fight.


s: Fenced is the monarch with his famous peers,


s: And with him wends, all armed, Montalban's knight,


s: Armed, save his helmet, erst Mambrino's casque;


s: Is to this side, with all his following, gone,


s: To that wend those of Africk and of Spain.


s: In the mid space between the hosts is none;


s: Empty remains large portion of the plain;


s: For he is doomed to death who thither goes,


s: By joint proclaim, except the chosen foes.


s: After the second choice of arms was made


s: By him, the champion of the paynim clan,


s: Thither two priests of either sect conveyed


s: Two books; that, carried by one holy man,


s: -- Him of our law -- Christ's perfect life displayed;


s: The emperor in his hands the Gospel took,


s: Lifted his hands, "O God, that for our sake"


s: (Exclaimed the monarch) "wast content to die,


s: -- O thou that found such favour in his eye,


s: That God from thee the flesh of man did take,


s: Borne for nine months within thy holy womb,


s: While aye thy virgin flower preserved its bloom,


s: For me and those that after me shall reign,


s: To Agramant and those that heir his sway,


s: My champion vanquished in the lists remain;


s: And vow I will straightway from warfare cease,


s: And from henceforth maintain perpetual peace;


s: "And may your joint and fearful wrath descend


s: And none beside, amid this numerous show!


s: That all in briefest time may comprehend,


s: My breach of promise has brought down the woe."


s: Charles held, and fixed on heaven his earnest look.


s: This done, they seek that altar, sumptuously


s: Decked for the purpose, by the pagan train;


s: Where their king swears, that he will pass the sea,


s: With all his army, to his Moorish reign,


s: If vanquished, young Rogero shall remain;


s: Upon the pact declared by Charles before;


s: And like him, nor in under tone, he swears,


s: And on the volume which his pontiff bears,


s: To observe what he has promised plights his troth.


s: And mid their several powers are harboured both.


s: Next these, to swear arrive the champions twain;


s: And this the promise which their oaths contain.


s: Should his king mar, or send to mar, the fray,


s: Will serve, but wholly Charlemagne obey.


s: -- Rinaldo -- if in breach of their accord,


s: Him from the field King Charles would bear away,


s: Till one or the other is subdued in fight,


s: That he will be the Moorish monarch's knight.


s: And there, to seek their camps the two divide.


s: Nor long, therein delayed; when trumpets clear


s: Now to the charge advanced each cavalier,


s: Measuring with cautious care his every stride.


s: Lo!  the assault begins; now low, now high,


s: That pair the sounding steel in circles ply.


s: Now with the axe's blade, now with its heel


s: Their strokes they at the head or foot address;


s: As needs must shock all credence to express.


s: The Child, that at her brother aims the steel,


s: Evermore with such caution strikes his blow,


s: That he is deemed less vigorous than his foe.


s: He know not what to wish; that low should lie


s: Nor willingly the Child by him would die.


s: Agramant breaks the pact, is overthrown,


s: And forced fair France for Afric to forego.


s: Having with numerous host besieged the foe,


s: By hazard there arrives bold Milo's son,


s: Restores his wits.  At sea does Dudon meet


s: King Agramant, and sore annoys his fleet.


s: Than that fell woe which on Rogero weighs


s: Harder, and bitterer pain forsooth is none,


s: Which upon flesh and more on spirit preys:


s: For of two deaths there is no scaping one.


s: Him, if in strife o'erlaid, Rinaldo slays,


s: For if he killed her brother, well he knew


s: Her hate, than death more hateful, would ensue.


s: Fierce and despiteous whirled his axe, and sought


s: Now in the arms, now head, to wound the foe.


s: Rogero circled here and there, and caught


s: Upon his weapon's shaft the coming blow;


s: Where he should injure least Montalban's knight.


s: To most of them that led the paynim bands,


s: But too unequal seemed the fierce assay.


s: Too slowly young Rogero plied his hands;


s: With troubled face the king of Afric stands:


s: He sighed, and breathless gazed upon the fray;


s: And all the blame of that ill counsel flung


s: On King Sobrino's head, from whom it sprung.


s: Meanwhile the weird Melissa, she -- the font


s: Of all that wizards or enchanters know --


s: Had by her art transformed her female front,


s: And taken Argier's mighty shape; in show


s: And seemed, like him, in dragon's hide to go:


s: Such was her belied sword and such her shield;


s: Nor aught was wanting which he wore afield.


s: She towards Troyano's mournful son did guide,


s: And with a troubled visage loudly cried,


s: "My liege, this is too foul an oversight,


s: Against a Gaul, so stout and famed in fight,


s: Your champion in so fierce a strife to make;


s: Where Afric's realm and honour are at stake.


s: "Let not this battle be pursued, my lord,


s: In that 'twould cost our Moorish cause too dear.


s: Let sin of broken faith and forfeit word


s: Let each now show the metal of his sword,


s: Each for a hundred stands when I am here."


s: That king pressed forward without further thought.


s: He, thinking that the monarch of Algiers


s: Is with him, of the pact has little care;


s: So high, if handed in his aid they were.


s: Hence steeds reined-in and spurred, hence levelled spears


s: Are seen in one short instant here and there.


s: Melissa, when the hosts are mixed in fight


s: By her false phantoms, vanishes from sight.


s: The champions two, that, against all accord,


s: Against all faith, disturbed their duel see,


s: No longer strive in fight, but pledge their word


s: That they, on neither part, will draw the sword,


s: Who broke the pact, established by that twain,


s: They sweat anew, the king who had o'erthrown


s: That truce, and broken faith, as foe to treat.


s: The field of combat is turned upside down;


s: Some hurry to the charge, and some retreat.


s: Who most deserved disgrace, who most renown,


s: Was seen, on both hands, in the selfsame feat;


s: All ran alike: but, 'mid that wild affray,


s: These ran to meet the foe, those ran away.


s: As greyhound in the slip, that the fleet hare


s: Scowering about and circling him discerns,


s: (For him the hunter holds), with anger burns;


s: Torments himself and mourns in his despair,


s: And whines, and strives against the leash, by turns;


s: Of Aymon's daughter and the martial queen.


s: They till that hour upon the spacious plain,


s: Had watched so rich a prize throughout the day;


s: Had sore lamented and had grieved in vain,


s: Now seeing truce and treaty broke, among


s: The Moorish squadrons they rejoicing sprung.


s: Marphisa piercing her first victim's breast,


s: (Two yards beyond his back the lance did pass)


s: In briefer time than 'tis by me exprest,


s: Broke with her sword four helms which flew like glass;


s: But them her spear reduced to other pass.


s: All touched by that gold lance she overthrew;


s: Doubling Marphisa's score; yet none she slew.


s: They witness to each others' exploits are,


s: (Those maids to one another are so near)


s: Then, whither fury drives, the martial pair,


s: Dividing, through the Moorish ranks career.


s: Who could each several warrior's name declare,


s: Stretched on the champaign by that golden spear?


s: As when benigner winds more swiftly blow,


s: Two turbid torrents with like fury flow,


s: Which, in their fall, two separate channels wear,


s: Uproot hard rocks, and mighty trees which grow


s: On their steep banks, and field and harvest bear


s: Which should do mightiest damage on its side:


s: So those high-minded virgin warriors two,


s: Scowering the field in separate courses, made


s: Huge havock of the Moors; whom they pursue


s: One with couched lance, and one with lifted blade.


s: From flight, beneath his royal banners stayed:


s: In search of Rodomont, he vainly turned;


s: Nor tidings of the missing warrior learned.


s: Had broke the treaty made in solemn wise,


s: To witness which the gods were called aloud;


s: Who then so quick vanished from his eyes:


s: To Arles, and deems that day some vengeance dread


s: So has that monarch holy faith at heart.


s: 'Tis hence, that feebly King Troyano's son


s: Resists the crew, that war on Charles's part,


s: Are all; and, scattered upon every part,


s: Are mixed the paladins, those barons bold,


s: And, with those peers, is more than one confest


s: Of that fierce, daring female twain whilere;


s: But, putting this affray some while aside,


s: To them of France so fast I am not tied,


s: Of the grace given him by his holy guide


s: I told erewhile, and told (it seems to me)


s: Against the duke had mustered all their spears.


s: Such as the monarchs could in haste engage,


s: Raked from all Africa, that host contained;


s: Scarce from impressing women they refrained,


s: Resolved his thirst of vengeance to assuage,


s: Few people in the land were left, and they


s: So proved they; for the foe was scarce in view,


s: Like sheep, their quailing bands Astolpho slew,


s: Charging at his more martial squadrons' head;


s: And with the slain filled all that champaign; few


s: The town in safety King Branzardo gained;


s: Than had he lost the rest in arms arrayed.


s: Wide and in want of ramparts is the town;


s: And these could ill be raised without his aid.


s: While fain to ransom him, he thinks upon


s: The means, and stands afflicted and dismayed,


s: Dudon, has many a month his prisoner been.


s: In his first passage, Sarza's monarch took.


s: Thenceforth had been a prisoner evermore


s: Branzardo thought, in this distress, to truck;


s: And knowing through sure spy, Astolpho led


s: The Nubians, to that chief the offer sped.


s: And when that case the Moorish envoy shows,


s: Dudon from prison loosed, his thanks bestows;


s: With his illustrious chief, the English lord.


s: As might have well seven Africas opprest,


s: And recollecting 'twas the saint's command,


s: That fair Provence and Aquamorta's strand


s: He from the reaving Saracen should wrest,


s: Made through his numerous host a second draught


s: Of such as least inapt for sea he thought;


s: And filling next as full as they could be


s: His hands with many different sorts of leaves,


s: Plucked from palm, olive, bay and cedar tree,


s: Approached the shore, and cast them on the waves.


s: O grace!  which rarely man from God receives;


s: O strange and wondrous miracle, which sprung


s: Out of those leaves upon the waters flung!


s: Becoming crooked and heavy, long, and wide.


s: The slender veins that branch on either side:


s: Taper the masts; and, moored in the salt stream,


s: All in a thought transformed to vessels, ride;


s: As are the plants, whereon they grew whilere.


s: To galliot, galley, frigate ship, and boat;


s: Wondrous, that they with tackling of their own,


s: Nor lack there men to govern them, when blown


s: By blustering winds -- from islands not remote --


s: Twenty-six thousand were the troop that manned


s: Those ready barks of every sort and kind.


s: Which yet lay anchored off the Moorish strand,


s: To put to sea; when, freighted with a load


s: Of prisoners, lo!  a vessel made the road.


s: She carried those, whom at the bridge of dread,


s: -- On that so narrow place of battle met --


s: Orlando's kin, and, with them, prisoners led,


s: With more; to tell whereof there is no need;


s: The patron, yet unweeting he should find


s: Foes in the port, here entered to unload;


s: Had driven his bark beyond her destined road;


s: Deeming himself as safe and welcome guest,


s: As Progne, when she seeks her noisy nest.


s: But when, arrived, the imperial eagle spread,


s: And pards and golden lilies he descries,


s: With countenance as sicklied o'er by dread,


s: Has chanced on fell and poisonous snake to tread,


s: Which, in the grass, opprest with slumber lies;


s: And, pale and startled, hastens to retire


s: From that ill reptile, swoln with bane and ire.


s: But no retreat from peril is there here,


s: Nor can the patron keep his prisoners down:


s: Sansonet and those others drag, where known


s: And greeted are the friends with joyful cheer,


s: By England's duke and Danish Ogier's son;


s: Who read that he who brought them to that shore


s: Should for his pains be sentenced to the oar.


s: Unto those Christian cavaliers, as said:


s: Who -- honoured at his hospitable board --


s: With arms and all things needful were purveyed.


s: His going, for their sake, the Danish lord


s: Deferred, who deemed his voyage well delayed,


s: To parley with those peers, though at the cost


s: Of one or two good days, in harbour lost.


s: Of Charles, and in what state, what order are


s: The affairs of France they gave advices true;


s: Told where he best could disembark, and where


s: To most advantage of the Christian crew.


s: While so the cavaliers their news declare,


s: A noise is heard; which ever louder grew,


s: As to more fears than one gave rise in all.


s: The duke Astolpho and the goodly throng,


s: That in discourse with him were occupied,


s: Armed in a moment, on their coursers sprung,


s: And hurried where the Nubians loudest cried;


s: And seeking wherefore that wide larum rung,


s: Now here, now there -- those warlike lords espied


s: A savage man, and one so strong of hand,


s: Naked and sole he troubled all that band.


s: The naked savage whirled a sapling round,


s: So hard, so heavy, and so strong of grain,


s: That every time the weapon went to ground,


s: Some warrior, more than maimed, opprest the plain.


s: Above a hundred dead are strewed around;


s: Nor more defence the routed hands maintain;


s: Save that a war of distant parts they try;


s: For there is none will wait the champion nigh.


s: Astolpho, Brandimart, the Danish knight,


s: Hastening towards that noise with Olivier,


s: And courage, which in that wild man appear.


s: When, posting thither on a palfry light,


s: And both her arms about the warrior throws.


s: This was fair Flordelice, whose bosom so


s: Burned with the love of Monodantes' son,


s: She, when she left him prisoner to his foe


s: At that streight bridge, had nigh distracted gone.


s: From France had she past hither -- given to know --


s: By that proud paynim, who the deed had done,


s: When now she for that harbour would have weighed,


s: An eastern vessel in Marseilles she found,


s: Which thither had an ancient knight conveyed:


s: To seek his Brandimart that lord had made,


s: For he, upon his way, had heard it told,


s: How he in France should find the warrior bold.


s: With little Brandimart had taken flight,


s: And reared his nursling in THE SYLVAN FORT;


s: Then hearing what had thither brought the knight,


s: With her had made him loosen from the port;


s: Brandimart had to Africk passed from France.


s: Besieged by good Astolpho's band, they hear;


s: That Brandimart is with him in the emprize,


s: They learn, but learn not as a matter clear.


s: Now in such haste to him the damsel flies,


s: As plainly shows her joy; which woes o'erblown


s: Had made the mightiest she had ever known.


s: His faithful and beloved consort's face;


s: Her whom he prized above all things beside;


s: And clipt and welcomed her with loving grace;


s: Nor his warm wishes would have satisfied


s: From France, together with that faithful dame.


s: He stretched his arms, and would embrace the knight;


s: And -- wherefore he was come -- would bid him say:


s: Of the sacred host, which fled in disarray,


s: Before the club of that mad, naked wight,


s: Who with the brandished sapling cleared his way.


s: Flordelice viewed the furious man in front;


s: And cried to Brandimart, "Behold the count!"


s: That this was good Orlando plainly knew,


s: By signs, whereof those ancient saints had told,


s: In the earthly paradise, as tokens true.


s: None of those others, who the knight behold,


s: That from long self-neglect, while wild he ran,


s: Had in his visage more of beast than man.


s: With breast and heart transfixed with pity, cried


s: Valiant Astolpho -- bathed with many a tear --


s: "Behold Orlando!"  Him awhile they eyed,


s: Straining their eyes and lids; then knew the peer;


s: And, seeing him in such a piteous plight,


s: Were filled with grief and wonder at the sight.


s: So grieve and so lament the greater part


s: Of those good warriors, that their eyes o'erflow.


s: " `Tis time" (Astolpho cried) "to find some art


s: To heal him, not indulge in useless woe";


s: And from his courser sprang: bold Brandimart,


s: All leap to ground, and all together make


s: At Roland, whom the warriors fain would take.


s: And makes fierce Dudon feel (who -- couched below


s: His buckler -- on the madman would break in)


s: How grievous is that staff's descending blow;


s: Broke in some sort its force, that stake accurst


s: Had shield and helmet, head and body burst.


s: It only burst the shield, and in such thunder


s: Broke on the casque, that Dudon prest the shore:


s: With that, Sir Sansonet cut clean asunder


s: The sapling, shorn of two cloth-yards and more,


s: So vigorous was that warrior's stroke, while under


s: And to the champion's legs Astolpho clung.


s: Orlando shook himself, and England's knight,


s: Ten paces off, reversed upon the ground;


s: Yet loosed not Brandimart, who with more might


s: And better hold had clasped the madman round.


s: He dealt so furious and so fell a wound,


s: With his clenched fist, that pale the marquis fell;


s: And purple streams from eyes and nostrils well;


s: And save his morion had been more than good,


s: Bold Olivier had breathed his last, who lies,


s: So battered with his fall, it seemed he wou'd


s: (Albeit swoln were Dudon's face and eyes)


s: And Sansonet, who plied so well his sword,


s: And with his foot the furious peer would throw:


s: Astolpho and others seize his arms; but waste


s: Their strength in all attempts to hold the foe.


s: He who has seen a bull, by mastiffs chased


s: That gore his bleeding ears, in fury lowe,


s: Dragging the dogs that bait him there and here,


s: Yet from their tusks unable to get clear;


s: Astolpho and those banded knights along.


s: By that fell fistycuff on earth was flung;


s: That sought by good Astolpho and his throng,


s: He many a hawser made them thither bring,


s: And running knots in them he quickly tied;


s: Which on the count's waist, arms, and legs, they fling;


s: And then, among themselves, the ends divide,


s: The warriors thus Orlando flung parforce,


s: As farrier throws the struggling ox or horse.


s: And hands and feet more tightly they constrain:


s: He shakes himself, and plunges here and there;


s: But all his efforts for relief are vain.


s: Astolpho bade them hence the prisoner bear;


s: For he would heal (he said) the warrior's brain.


s: And on the beach's furthest brink bestowed.


s: Seven times Astolpho makes them wash the knight;


s: And seven times plunged beneath the brine he goes.


s: So that they cleanse away the scurf and blight,


s: Which to his stupid limbs and visage grows.


s: This done, with herbs, for that occasion dight,


s: They stop his mouth, wherewith he puffs and blows.


s: For, save his nostrils, would Astolpho leave


s: No passage whence the count might air receive.


s: Wherein Orlando's senses were contained,


s: And to his nostrils in such mode conveys,


s: That, drawing-in his breath, the county drained


s: The mystic cup withal.  Oh wondrous case!


s: The unsettled mind its ancient seat regained;


s: And, in its glorious reasonings, yet more clear


s: And lucid waxed his wisdom than whilere.


s: As one, that seems in troubled sleep to see


s: Monsters which are not, and which cannot be;


s: Or seems some strange, unlawful thing to do,


s: Yet marvels at himself, from slumber free.


s: When his recovered senses play him true;


s: Remains yet full of wonder, and astound.


s: And him that on his brain such cure had wrought,


s: He wondering marked, but word he spake to none;


s: And when and how he was brought thither, thought.


s: He turned his restless eyes now up now down,


s: Nor where he was withal, imagined aught,


s: And wherefore tethered, neck and heels, so fast.


s: Then said, as erst Silenus said -- when seen,


s: With look so much less wayward than before,


s: That him they from his bonds delivered clean,


s: All comforting their friend, with grief opprest


s: For that delusion which had him possest.


s: When to his former self he was recovered,


s: From love as well was freed the enamoured lord;


s: And she, so gentle deemed, so fair whilere,


s: Did but to him a worthless thing appear.


s: What he through love had lost, to reacquire


s: Was his whole study, was his whole desire.


s: How Monodantes, his good sire, was dead,


s: As well as from those isles, which most apart


s: From other lands, in eastern seas are spread,


s: That prince's fair inheritance; than which


s: Was none more pleasant, populous, or rich.


s: He said, mid many reasons which he prest,


s: That home was sweet, and -- were the warrior fain


s: To taste that sweet -- he ever would detest


s: Replies, through all that war, he will not rest


s: From serving Roland and King Charlemagne;


s: Upon the following day, for Provence steer


s: When with the duke retired Anglantes' peer,


s: And heard that lord the warfare's state declare:


s: Then prest with siege Biserta, far and near,


s: But let good England's knight the honour wear


s: Of huge Biserta, when, and on what side;


s: How, at the first assault, the walls are won,


s: Lament not that I now shall leave unshown,


s: Since for short time I lay my tale aside.


s: In the meanwhile, how fierce an overthrow


s: The Moors received in France, be pleased to know.


s: Well nigh abandoned was their royal lord


s: Had gone, with many of the paynim horde,


s: Who, for the deemed the land unsafe, aboard


s: Their barks sought refuge, with a numerous train,


s: Barons and cavaliers, that served the Moor;


s: Who moved by their example put from shore.


s: Turns from the combat, and directly strains


s: For Arles, not far remote, upon the strand.


s: Him Rabican pursues, with flowing reins,


s: Whom Aymon's daughter drives with heel and hand.


s: Him would she slay, through whom so often crost,


s: Marphisa by the same desire was stirred,


s: For her dead sire; and as she fiercely spurred,


s: Made her hot courser feel his rider's haste.


s: But neither martial maid, amid that herd


s: Of flying Moors, so well the monarch chased,


s: As to o'ertake him in his swift retreat,


s: First into Arles, and then aboard his fleet.


s: As two fair generous pards, that from some crag


s: Together dart, and stretch across the plain;


s: When they perceive that vigorous goat or stag,


s: Their nimble quarry, is pursued in vain,


s: As if ashamed they in that chase did lag,


s: So, with a sigh, return those damsels two,


s: When they the paynim king in safety view:


s: Amid that crowd, which flies, possest with dread;


s: Feeling, now here, now there, at every blow,


s: To evil pass was brought the broken foe;


s: For safety was not even for them that fled:


s: Bade shut the city-gate which faced the plain;


s: And bade on Rhone break all the bridges down.


s: -- Weighed with the tyrant's want who wears a crown --


s: As worthless herd of goats or silly sheep!


s: These in the sea, those in the river drown;


s: And those with blood the thirsty fallows steep.


s: The Franks few prisoners made, and many slew;


s: Christened or paynim, killed in that last fight,


s: Though in unequal parts (for, of the slain,


s: By far more Saracens were killed in flight,


s: By hands of those redoubted damsels twain),


s: For, hard by Arles, where sleeps the lazy Rhone,


s: The plain with rising sepulchres is strown.


s: Meanwhile his heavy ships of deepest draught


s: King Agramant had made put forth to sea,


s: Leaving some barks in port -- his lightest craft --


s: For them that would aboard his navy flee:


s: He stays two days, while they the stragglers waft,


s: And, for the winds are wild and contrary,


s: On the third day, to sail he give command,


s: In trust to make return to Africk's land.


s: Fearing the costs will fall upon his Spain,


s: And that the clouds, which big with tempest lower,


s: In the end will burst upon his fields and grain,


s: Makes for Valentia; where he town and tower


s: And for that war prepares, which after ends


s: In the destruction of himself and friends.


s: King Agramant his sails for Africk bent:


s: His barks ill-armed and almost empty go;


s: In that three-fourths had perished by the foe.


s: As cruel some, as weak and proud some shent


s: Their king, and (as still happens in like woe)


s: All hate him privily; but, for they fear


s: Yet sometimes two or three their lips unclose,


s: -- Some knot of friends, where each on each relies --


s: And their pent choler and their rage expose:


s: And this befalls, because he still espies


s: False faces, hears but voices that applaud,


s: And nought but adulation, lies and fraud.


s: Who had sure news that shore by Nubia's band


s: To steer his Moorish squadron, that the strand


s: Should not be steep or rugged for descent:


s: There would he disembark, and thence would aid


s: Forthwith his people, broken and dismaid.


s: Which willed the fleet, from leaves of greenwood tree,


s: Produced upon the beach in wondrous guise,


s: That, bound for France, now ploughed the foaming sea,


s: Should meet the king at night; that from surprise


s: In that dark, dismal hour, amid his crew


s: Not yet to him have tidings been conveyed,


s: That squadrons of such force the billows plow:


s: Nor would he have believed in him who said,


s: A hundred barks had sprung from one small bough;


s: And hence for Africa the king had weighed,


s: And make report of what they hence descry.


s: `Twas so those ships, by England's peer supplied


s: To Dudon, manned with good and armed crew,


s: Which see that Moorish fleet at eventide,


s: And that strange armament forthwith pursue,


s: Assailed them unawares, and, far, and wide,


s: Among those barks their grappling-irons threw,


s: And linked by chains, to their opponents clung,


s: When known for Moors and foemen by their tongue.


s: In bearing down, impelled by winds that blow


s: Propitious to the Danish chief's intent,


s: Those weighty ships so shocked the paynim foe,


s: Then, taxing wits and hands, to work them woe,


s: Them with fire, sword, and stones the Christians shent;


s: Which on their ships in such wide ruin pour,


s: Bold Dudon's men, to whom unwonted might


s: (Since the hour was come the paynims to requite


s: For more than one ill deed,) from far and nigh,


s: The Moors so pestilently gall and smite,


s: Above, thick clouds of whistling arrows strike;


s: Around gleam hook and hatchet, sword and pike.


s: The king hears huge and heavy stones descend,


s: From charged machine or thundering engine sent,


s: Which, falling, poop and prow and broadside rend,


s: And more than all the furious fires offend,


s: Fires that are quickly kindled, slowly spent,


s: The wretched crews would fain that danger shun,


s: One headlong plunged, pursued by fire and sword,


s: And perished mid the waters, one who wrought


s: Faster with arms and feet, his passage oared


s: But she repulsed the wretch that fain would board;


s: Whose hand, which too importunately sought


s: To clamber, grasped the side, while his lopt arm


s: And body stained the wave with life-blood warm.


s: Him, that to save his life i' the waters thought,


s: Or, at the worst, to perish with less pain,


s: (Since swimming profited the caitiff nought,


s: And he perceived his strength and courage drain)


s: To the hungry fires from which the refuge sought,


s: The fear of drowning hurries back again:


s: He grasps a burning plank, and in the dread


s: This vainly to the sea resorts, whom spear


s: Or hatchet, brandished close at hand, dismay;


s: For stone or arrow following in his rear,


s: But haply, while it yet delights your ear,


s: 'Twere well and wisely done to end my lay,


s: Who of his faith gives goodly warrant; they


s: Defy Orlando, backed by champions twain;


s: Whom bold Gradasso firmly trusts to slay.


s: For seven kings' sake, fast prisoners to their foes,


s: Rogero and the Dane exchange rude blows.


s: The diverse chances of that sea-fight dread,


s: Here to rehearse would take a weary while;


s: Great son of Hercules, were to Samos' isle


s: To Athens owls, and crocodiles the Nile.


s: In that, my lord, by what is vouched to me,


s: Such things you saw, such things made others see.


s: Your faithful people gazed on a long show,


s: That night and day, wherein they crowded stood,


s: Twixt fire and sword, the hostile navies viewed.


s: What outcries may be heard, what sounds of woe,


s: How rivers may run red with human blood,


s: Men die, you saw, and you to many showed.


s: I saw not, I, who was compelled to course,


s: Evermore changing nags, six days before,


s: To Rome, in heat and haste, some helpful force


s: But, after, need was none of foot or horse,


s: For so the lion's beak and claws you tore,


s: That he more trouble in your land has bread.


s: Which with a thousand captive barks I spied.


s: He that those wrecks and blazing fires discerned,


s: And such sore slaughter, under different shows,


s: Which -- venging us for hall and palace burned --


s: While bark remained, raged wide among the foes,


s: Might also deem how Africk's people mourned,


s: With Agramant, mid diverse deaths and woes,


s: On that dark night, when the redouted Dane


s: 'Twas night, nor gleam was anywhere descried,


s: When first the fleets in furious strife were blended;


s: But when lit sulphur, pitch and tar from side


s: And poop and prow into the sky ascended,


s: And the destructive wild-fire, scattered wide,


s: The things about them all descried so clear


s: That night was changed to day, as 'twould appear.


s: Hence Agramant, that by the dark deceived,


s: But would, if 'twere opposed, at last give way,


s: When that wide darkness cleared, and he perceived


s: (What least he weened upon the first affray)


s: That twice as many were the ships he fought,


s: As his own Moorish barks, took other thought.


s: Brigliador and some precious things, to flee;


s: And so, twixt ship and ship, in silence wends,


s: Far from his own; whom fiery Dudon shends,


s: Them steel destroys, fires burn, and waters drown;


s: While he, that mighty slaughter's cause, is flown.


s: Agramant flies, and with him old Sobrine,


s: What time that sage foresaw with eye divine,


s: And told the woe wherewith he is aggrieved.


s: That it no more may Christian France annoy.


s: The camp should to its arms the third day stand;


s: For this, it was with many barks bested;


s: For all were placed not at the Dane's command.


s: Biserta, now was anchored by the knight.


s: Orlando and the duke, like Christians true,


s: Which dare no danger without God for guide,


s: That fast and prayer be made their army through,


s: And that upon the third day, when they view


s: The signal, all shall bown them, far and wide,


s: Which they, when taken, doom to fire and sack.


s: And so, when now devoutly have been done


s: Vigil and vow, and holy prayer and fast,


s: Kin, friends, and those to one another known,


s: Together feast; who, when with glad repast


s: Their wasted bodies were refreshed, begun


s: To embrace and weep; and acts and speeches past,


s: Upon the banquet's close, amid those crews


s: Such as best friends, about to sever, use.


s: Pray with their grieving people, and in tears,


s: Aye beat their bosoms, and for succour call


s: What vigils, offerings, and what gifts withal


s: Were promised silently, amid their fears!


s: What temples, statues, images were vowed,


s: And, when the cadi hath his blessing said,


s: The people arms and to the rampart hies.


s: When to their posts, their several troops to head,


s: And when they hear Orlando's signal blown


s: Assault with furious force Biserta's town.


s: Washed by the sea, upon two quarters, were


s: The city walls, two stood on the dry shore,


s: Wherein was seen the work of days of yore:


s: Of other bulwarks was the town nigh bare;


s: For since Branzardo there the sceptre bore;


s: The Nubian king is charged by England's peer,


s: With sling and arrow so the Moors to gall,


s: That none upon the works shall dare appear;


s: And that, protected by the ceaseless fall


s: Who loaded, some with plank, with rock-stone some,


s: And some with beam, or weightier burden, come.


s: This and that other thing the Nubians bore,


s: And by degrees filled-up that channel wide,


s: Whose waters were cut off the day before,


s: So that in many parts the ooze was spied.


s: Filled is the ditch in haste from shore to shore,


s: Cheering the footmen on the works to mount,


s: With pressing perils they were compassed, went


s: Protected by the sheltering boar and sow.


s: With battering ram, and other instrument,


s: To break the gate and make the turret bow,


s: For steel, and fire, and roof, and turret there,


s: In guise of tempest on the Nubians fell,


s: Which plank and beam from those dread engines tear,


s: In the ill beginning, and while dim the air,


s: But when the sun from his rich mansion breaks,


s: Fortune the faction of the Moor forsakes.


s: The assault is reinforced on every side,


s: The fleet, with Sansonetto for its guide,


s: Entered the harbour, and approached the strand;


s: And sorely they with various engines plied,


s: With arrows and with slings, the paynim band;


s: And sent the assailants scaling-ladder, spear,


s: And naval stores, and every needful gear.


s: Do fierce and furious battle on that part,


s: Which lies the furthest inland from the shore:


s: Each leads a portion of those Aethiops swart,


s: Ordered in equal bands beneath the four,


s: Who at the walls, the gateways, or elsewhere,


s: All give of prowess shining proofs and rare.


s: So better could be seen each warrior's claim,


s: That in confused in combat there and here.


s: To a thousand and to watchful eyes is clear.


s: Dragged upon wheels are towers of wooden frame,


s: And others well-trained elephants uprear,


s: Which so o'ertop the turrets of the foe,


s: Those bulwarks stand a mighty space below.


s: Brandimart to the walls a ladder brought,


s: Climbed, and to climb withal to others cried:


s: Many succeed, with bold assurance fraught,


s: For none can fear beneath so good a guide:


s: Nor was there one who marked, nor one who thought


s: Of marking, if such weight it would abide.


s: Clambered and fought, and grasped a battlement.


s: Here clang with hand and foot the daring knight,


s: Sprang on the embattled wall, and whirled his sword;


s: And, showing mickle tokens of his might,


s: The paynims charged, o'erthrew, hewed down and gored:


s: But all at once, o'erburthened with that weight,


s: The ladder breaks beneath the assailing horde;


s: And, saving Brandimart, the Christians all


s: Not therefore blenched the valiant cavalier,


s: Nor thought he of retreat, albeit was none


s: Of his own band that followed in his rear;


s: Although he was a mark for all the town.


s: Of many prayed, the warrior would not hear


s: The prayer to turn; but mid the foes leapt down;


s: Where the town-wall was thirty cubits deep.


s: He, without any harm on the hard ground,


s: As if on feathers or on straw, did light;


s: And, like cloth shred and shorn, the paynims round


s: In fury shreds and shears the valiant knight.


s: Now springs on these, now those, with vigorous bound;


s: And these and those betake themselves to flight.


s: They that without have seen the leap he made,


s: Too late to save him deem all human aid.


s: Throughout the squadrons a deep rumour flew,


s: From mouth to mouth, the Fame by motion grew,


s: And told and magnified the tale of fear:


s: For upon many quarters stormed that crew,


s: Where Otho's son, she flew on pinions light,


s: Those warriors, and Orlando most of all,


s: Who love and prize the gentle Brandimart,


s: Hearing, should they defy upon that call,


s: They would from so renowned a comrade part,


s: Their scaling-ladders plant, and mount the wall


s: With rivalry, which shows the kingly heart;


s: Who carry all such terror in their look,


s: That, at the very sight, their foemen shook.


s: As on loud ocean, lashed by boisterous gale


s: The billows the rash bark assault, and still --


s: Now threatening poop, now threatening prow -- assail,


s: And, in their rage and fury, fain would fill;


s: The pilot sighs and groans, dismaid and pale,


s: -- He that should aid, and has not heart or skill --


s: At length a surge the pinnace sweeps and swallows,


s: And wave on wave in long succession follows;


s: Thus when those win the wall, they leave a space


s: So wide, that who beneath their conduct go,


s: Safely may follow them; for at its base,


s: A thousand ladders have been reared below.


s: Meanwhile the battering rams, in many a place,


s: Have breached that wall, and with such mighty blow,


s: The bold assailant can, from many a part,


s: Even with that rage wherewith the stream that reigns,


s: The king of rivers -- when he breaks his mound,


s: And makes himself a way through Mantuan plains --


s: The greasy furrows and glad harvests, round,


s: And, with the sheepcotes, flock, and dogs and swains


s: Bears off, in his o'erwhelming waters drowned;


s: Over the elm's high top the fishes glide,


s: Where fowls erewhile their nimble pinions plied;


s: Even with that rage rushed in the impetuous band,


s: Where many breaches in the wall were wrought,


s: To slay with burning torch and trenchant brand,


s: That people, which to evil pass were brought.


s: Murder and rapine there, and violent hand


s: Dipt deep in blood and plunder, in a thought,


s: Destroy that sumptuous and triumphant town,


s: Which of all Africk wore the royal crown.


s: Filled with dead bodies of the paynim horde,


s: Blood issued from so many a gaping wound,


s: A fouler fosse was formed and worse to ford


s: From house to house the fire in fury poured;


s: Mosque, portico, and palace, went to ground;


s: And spoiled and empty mansions with the clang,


s: Of beaten breast, and groan and outcry rang.


s: The victors, laden with their mighty prey,


s: From that unhappy city's gates are gone,


s: One with fair vase, and one with rich array,


s: The mother this, that bore the child away;


s: Rapes and a thousand evil things were done.


s: Of much, and what they cannot hinder, hear


s: Renowned Orlando and fair England's peer.


s: And -- every hope and comfort cast aside --


s: Branzardo slew himself with his own brand;


s: Pierced with three wounds whereof he shortly died,


s: The monarchs three, intrusted to whose care


s: His fleet this while, and with Sobrino fled,


s: How in that cruel strife his town had sped,


s: He thought of dying, and himself had slain,


s: But that Sobrino's words his arm restrain.


s: "What victory, my lord," (Sobrino cries)


s: "Could better than thy death the Christian cheer,


s: Whence he might hope to joy in quiet wise


s: Hence shall he evermore have cause for fear.


s: For well the foeman knows, save thou art gone,


s: He for short time will fill thine Africk throne.


s: "Thy subjects by thy death deprived will be


s: Of hope, the only good they have in store,


s: Thou, if thou liv'st, I trust, shalt set us free,


s: Redeem from trouble, and to joy restore.


s: Captives for ever, if thou diest, are we;


s: Although not for thyself, yet not to give


s: My liege, annoyance to thy followers, live.


s: "The soldan, he thy neighbour, will be won,


s: All efforts to restore thee to thy throne


s: By Norandine, thy kinsman, will be made.


s: If prayed, will all assist thee in thy need."


s: In such and such like words, with wary art,


s: With hope of quickly winning back his reign,


s: Sobrino soothed the king, while in his heart


s: He other thought perchance did entertain.


s: Well knows he to what pass, what evil mart


s: That lord is brought; how often sighs in vain,


s: Whoe'er foregoes the sceptre which he swayed,


s: And to barbarians hath recourse for aid.


s: In ancient times, good proof of this afford:


s: Learned from their fate; -- I speak to you, my lord --


s: That more on others than themselves rely;


s: And therefore aye, throughout that warfare drear


s: Waged by the pontiff, in his fierce disdain,


s: Could ill depend, though from Italian plain


s: Was driven the friend that aided him whilere,


s: And by the foe possessed was Naples' reign,


s: He against menace, against promise steeled,


s: Ne'er to another would his dukedom yield.


s: Eastward King Agramant had turned his prow;


s: And seaward steered his bark, of Africk wide;


s: When from the land a wicked wind 'gan blow,


s: And took the reeling vessel on one side:


s: The master, seated at the helm, his brow


s: Raised towards heaven, and to the monarch cried:


s: "I see so fell and fierce a tempest form,


s: Our pinnace cannot face the pelting storm.


s: "If you, my lords, will listen to my lore,


s: It seems that it were well to make that shore


s: And makes the larboard land, from peril free;


s: Which, for the sailor's weal, when tempests rise,


s: 'Twixt Vulcan's lofty forge and Africk lies.


s: Harbour wild stag and roebuck, deer and hare;


s: And, save to fishermen, is little known,


s: That oftentimes on the shorn brambles there


s: Hang their moist nets; meanwhile, untroubled sleep


s: Here other vessel, sheltered from the main,


s: They found, by tempest tost upon that land,


s: Erewhile from Arles; on one and the other hand,


s: In reverent wise and worthy of the twain,


s: Those valiant kings embraced upon the strand:


s: For friends the monarchs were, and late before


s: Heard by King Agramant his griefs displaid;


s: Then him consoled, and in his cause to fight,


s: Like courteous king, the kindly offer made:


s: And lacking faith, he should resort for aid.


s: Exiles (he said) are warned by Pompey's end.


s: And burnt and laid her chiefest city low.


s: And with their squadrons is Orlando, who


s: Was wandering void of wit, short while ago,


s: The fittest cure for all, whereby to scape


s: Out of this trouble I, meseems, can shape.


s: "I, for your love, will undertake the quest,


s: He vainly would, I wot, with me contest,


s: I rate the Christian church, were he at rest,


s: As wolf rates lambs, when hungering for his meal.


s: Next have I thought how of the Nubian band


s: -- A brief and easy task -- to free your land.


s: "I will make other Nubians, they that hold


s: Another faith, divided by Nile's course,


s: And men are these, and those in herds of horse),


s: Chaldaean, Perse, and many more, controlled


s: By my good sceptre, in such mighty force,


s: Will make them war upon the Nubians' reign,


s: Those reavers shall not in your land remain."


s: And much he blest the chances of the sea,


s: Which him upon that desert isle had thrown:


s: -- Nay, not to repossess Biserta's town --


s: Gradasso should for him in fight contend;


s: Deeming too sore his honour 'twoud offend.


s: " -- Follow my mode; another mode and new,


s: Which comes into my mind" (Gradasso cries),


s: "Let both of us together wage this fight


s: The first or last (said Agramant): I know


s: Though I should seek a comrade, high or low,


s: Force should have Counsel in his neighbourhood."


s: Stricken in years, yet vigorous was the sage,


s: And well had proved himself with sword and spear;


s: And said, he found himself in gray old age,


s: Such as in green and supple youth whilere.


s: They own his claim, and for an embassage


s: Forthwith a courier find, then bid him steer


s: For Africa, where camped the Christians lie,


s: With equal number of armed knights to be,


s: Matching his foes, on Lampedosa's shore;


s: Where on all quarters that circumfluent sea,


s: By which they are inisled, is heard to roar.


s: Like one in needful haste, used sail and oar,


s: The host beneath his eye their plunder share.


s: From those three monarchs to the cavalier


s: To the herald he was liberal of his gold:


s: From his companions had he heard whilere


s: Hence, to retrieve that faulchion from the foe,


s: Deeming he should not find that king elsewhere,


s: Who, so he heard, had sailed from the French shore.


s: A nearer place is offered now; and there


s: He hopes Gradasso shall his prize restore;


s: To accept the challenge which the herald bore;


s: He chose for his companions in the fight


s: Well has he proved the one and the other's might;


s: Good horses and good armour seeks the knight


s: And goodly swords and lances, far and near,


s: For him and his; meseems to you is known


s: How none of those three warriors had his own.


s: In fury, his had scattered wide and far;


s: The river, locked in that high turret are.


s: Few throughout Africa could they provide;


s: As well because to France, in that long war,


s: What could be had of armour, rusted o'er


s: Meanwhile with his companions on the shore,


s: He walks, discoursing on the future fight.


s: So wandering from their camp three miles and more,


s: It chanced that, turning towards the sea their sight,


s: Under full sail approaching, they descried


s: A helmless barque, with nought her course to guide.


s: She, without pilot, without crew, alone,


s: As wind and fortune ordered it, was bound:


s: The vessel neared the shore, with sails full-blown,


s: Furrowing the waves, until she took the ground.


s: But ere of these three warriors more be shown,


s: The love wherewith I to the Child am bound,


s: To his story brings me back, and bids record


s: What past 'twixt him and Clermont's warlike lord.


s: I spake of that good pair of warriors, who


s: Had both retreated from the martial fray,


s: Beholding pact and treaty broken through,


s: Which leader to his oath was first untrue,


s: Study to learn of all the passing train;


s: Meanwhile a servant of the Child's, at hand,


s: -- Faithful, expert and wary was the wight,


s: Nor in the shock of either furious band,


s: Had ever of his warlike lord lost sight --


s: To bold Rogero bore his horse and brand,


s: That he might aid his comrades now in flight.


s: Rogero backed the steed and grasped the sword;


s: But not in battle mixed that martial lord.


s: Thence he departed; but he first renewed


s: His compact with Montalban's knight -- that so


s: His Agramant convinced of perjury stood --


s: He but demands of all that make for Arles,


s: Who first broke faith, King Agramant or Charles?


s: From all he hears repeated, far and near,


s: That Agramant had broke the promise plight:


s: He loves that king, and from his side to veer,


s: For this, believes would be no error light.


s: The Moors were broke and scattered (this whilere


s: Has been rehearsed) and from the giddy height


s: Of HER revolving wheel were downward hurled,


s: Who at her pleasure rolls this nether world.


s: Or rather should his sovereign lord attend:


s: And bit, which lets him not to Africk wend;


s: Wheels him, and to a counter course again


s: Spurs him, and threats his restive mood to shend,


s: Save he maintains the treaty, and the troth


s: Pledged to the paladin with solemn oath.


s: A wakeful, stinging care, on the other side


s: Scourges and goads no less the cavalier;


s: He should be taxed with baseness or with fear.


s: Many would say, that oaths unbinding are,


s: Which 'tis unlawful and unjust to swear.


s: Remains alone, and so the following day;


s: Moved by his love for his liege-lady sore,


s: He made for Arles, where yet he hoped would ride


s: The fleet which him to Africa might bear;


s: Nor in the port nor offing ships espied,


s: For Agramant had swept the roadstead wide,


s: And burnt what vessels in the haven were.


s: Rogero takes the road, when his hope fails,


s: Along the sea-beat shore toward Marseilles.


s: Upon some boat he hoped to lay his hand,


s: Which him for love or force should thence convey.


s: With the barbarians' fleet, his captive prey.


s: You could not there have cast a grain of sand


s: Between those vessels; moored closely lay


s: The mighty squadrons to that harbour brought,


s: With conquerors these, and those with prisoners fraught.


s: The vessels of the Moor that were not made


s: The food of fire and water on that night


s: (Saving some few that fled) were all conveyed


s: Safe to Marseilles by the victorious knight


s: Seven of those kings, that Moorish sceptres swayed,


s: Who, having seen their squadron put to flight,


s: With their seven ships had yielded to the foe,


s: Stood mute and weeping, overwhelmed with woe.


s: And of the Moorish spoil and captive band


s: The prisoners all were ranged upon the strand,


s: And round them stood their Nubian victors gay;


s: Who, shouting in his praise, with loud acclaim,


s: Made all that region ring with Dudon's name.


s: Rogero, when from far the ships he spied,


s: Believed they were the fleet of Agramant,


s: And, to know further, pricked his courser's side;


s: Then, nearer, mid those knights of mickle vaunt,


s: Who stood with weeping eyes and drooping front.


s: In their unhappy state to leave that crew


s: The Child, who loved those monarchs, cannot bear;


s: That where force is not, little profits prayer.


s: He couched his lance, their keeper overthrew,


s: Then proved his wonted might with faulchion bare;


s: And in a moment stretched upon the strand


s: The noise Sir Dudon hears, the slaughter spies,


s: But knows not who the stranger cavalier:


s: He marks how, put to rout, his people flies;


s: With anguish, with lament and mighty fear;


s: Quickly for courser, shield, and helmet cries,


s: (Bosom, and arms, and thighs, were mailed whilere)


s: Leaps on his horse, nor -- having seized his lance --


s: And with the galling spur his courser prest;


s: Meanwhile a hundred other foes have died,


s: And filled with hope was every prisoner's breast;


s: Approach on horseback, (footmen were the rest,)


s: Esteeming him their head, he charged the knight,


s: Impelled by huge desire to prove his might.


s: Already, on his part, had moved the Dane;


s: But when he saw the Child without a spear,


s: He flang is own far from him, in disdain


s: "Belie himself he cannot," said the peer,


s: "And of those perfect warriors must be one


s: That as the paladins of France are known.


s: "If I my will can compass, he shall shew


s: His name, to me, ere further deed be done."


s: He made demand; and in the stranger knew


s: And from the Child as courteous answer won.


s: -- Their names on either side announced -- the foes


s: A bold defiance speak, and come to blows.


s: Which won him deathless fame in many a fight:


s: Wherewith he proved him fully of the race


s: Of that good Danish warrior, famed for might.


s: That best of faulchions, which through iron case


s: Of cuirass or of casque was wont to bite,


s: Youthful Rogero from the scabbard snatched,


s: And with the martial Dane his valour matched.


s: But for the gentle youth was ever willed


s: To offend his lady-love the least he could,


s: And knew he should offend her, if he spilled,


s: In that disastrous battle, Dudon's blood


s: (Well in the lineage of French houses skilled


s: -- Bradamant's mother she -- with Armelline,


s: He therefore never thrust in that affray,


s: And rarely smote an edge on plate and chain.


s: Now warding off the mace, now giving way,


s: Before the fall of that descending bane.


s: Sir Dudon in few sword-strokes to have slain.


s: Yet never when the Dane his guard foregoes,


s: Save on the faulchion's flat descend the blows.


s: The flat as featly as the edge he plies,


s: Of that good faulchion forged of stubborn grain;


s: And, at strange blindman's bluff, in weary wise,


s: Hammers on Dudon with such might and main,


s: But to win better audience for my rhyme,


s: His prisoners to the Child the Danish peer


s: Consigns, who, homeward bound, are wrecked at sea;


s: And faithful servant now of Christ is he.


s: And Roland fiercely charge the hostile three.


s: The odour which well-fashioned bear or hair,


s: Of that which find and dainty raiment steeps


s: -- Who often love awakens, as she weeps --


s: If it ooze forth and scent the ambient air,


s: And which for many a day its virtue keeps,


s: Well shows, by manifest effects and sure,


s: How perfect was its first perfume and pure.


s: The drink that to his cost good Icarus drew


s: Of yore his sun-burned sicklemen to cheer,


s: And which ('tis said) lured Celts and Boi through


s: Our Alpine hills, untouched by toil whilere,


s: Well shows that cordial was the draught, when new;


s: Since it preserves its virtue through the year.


s: The tree to which its wintry foliage cleaves,


s: Well shows that verdant were its spring tide leaves.


s: Of courtesy the great and lasting light,


s: Which ever, brightening as it burns, appears


s: To shine and flame more clearly to the sight,


s: Well proves the sire of Este's noble peers


s: Must, amid mortals, have shone forth as bright


s: In all fair gifts which raise men to the sky,


s: As the glad sun mid glittering orbs on high.


s: Rogero's valiant mind and courteous lore


s: Were showed by tokens clear and manifest,


s: And his high mindedness shone more and more;


s: -- So toward the Dane those virtues stood confest,


s: With whom (as I rehearsed to you before)


s: He had belied his mighty strength and breath;


s: For pity loth to put that lord to death.


s: No wish to slay him had the youthful knight,


s: Who spared him now, when open was his side;


s: Now, when so wearied he no more could smite.


s: When finally he knew, and plain descried


s: If with less vigour and less prowess steeled,


s: At least in courtesy he would not yield.


s: "Pardi, sir, make we peace;" (he said) "success


s: I covet peace, than 'tis desired by thee.


s: But this upon condition, that those seven


s: Are freed from bondage, and to me are given."


s: With that he showed those seven whereof I spake,


s: Bound and with drooping heads, a sad array;


s: Adding, he must to him no hindrance make,


s: And Dudon thus allowed the Child to take


s: Those seven, and him allowed to bear away


s: A bark as well; what likes him best he chooses,


s: Amid those vessels, and for Africk looses.


s: He looses bark and sail; and in bold wise


s: Trusting the fickle wind, to seaward stood.


s: At first on her due course the vessel flies,


s: The beach retreats, and from the sailors' eyes


s: So fades, the sea appears a shoreless flood.


s: Displays its fickle and perfidious kind.


s: It shifts from poop to beam, from beam to prow,


s: And even there short season doth remain:


s: The reeling ship confounds the pilot; now


s: Struck fore, now aft, now on her beam again.


s: Threatening the billows rise, with haughty brow,


s: And Neptune's white herd lows above the main.


s: As many deaths appear to daunt that rout,


s: As waves which beat their troubled bark about.


s: Now blows the wind in front, and now in rear,


s: And drives this wave an-end, that other back;


s: Others the reeling vessel's side o'erpeer;


s: The pilot sighs, confused and pale with fear;


s: Vainly he calls aloud to shift the tack,


s: To strike or jibe the yard; and with his hand,


s: Signs to the crew the thing he would command.


s: But sound or signal little boots; the eye


s: The voice unheard ascends into the sky, --


s: The sky, which with a louder larum smite


s: And roar of waters, which together fight.


s: Starboard or larboard, upon poop or prow.


s: In the strained tackle sounds a hollow roar,


s: Wherein the struggling wind its fury breaks;


s: With fearful thunder heaven's wide concave shakes.


s: One to the rudder runs, one grasps an oar;


s: One will make fast, another will let go;


s: Lo! howling horribly, the sounding blast,


s: Scourges with tattered sail the reeling mast:


s: Almost as high as heaven the water flows:


s: The oars are broken; and so fell and fast


s: That tempest pelts, the prow to leeward goes;


s: And the ungoverned vessel's battered side


s: Fallen on her starboard side, on her beam ends,


s: Meanwhile, his soul to Heaven each recommends,


s: Surer than sure to sink, with piteous cries.


s: Scathe upon scathe malicious Fortune sends,


s: And when one woe is weathered, others rise.


s: O'erstrained, the vessel splits; and through her seams


s: In many a part the hostile water streams.


s: A fierce assault and cruel coil doth keep


s: Upon all sides that wintry tempest fell.


s: Now to their sight so high the billows leap,


s: It seems that these to heaven above would swell;


s: Now, plunging with the wave, they sink so deep,


s: That they appear to spy the gulfs of hell.


s: Small hope there is or none: with faultering breath


s: On a despiteous sea, that livelong night,


s: The furious wind that with the dawning light


s: Should have abated, gathered force anew.


s: Lo!  a bare rock, ahead, appears in sight,


s: Which vainly would the wretched band eschew;


s: Whom towards that cliff, in their despite, impel


s: The raging tempest and the roaring swell.


s: Three times and four the pale-faced pilot wrought


s: The tiller with a vigorous push to sway;


s: And for the bark a surer passage sought:


s: But the waves snapt and bore the helm away.


s: To lower, or ease the bellying canvas aught


s: The sailors had no power; nor time had they


s: To mend that ill, or counsel what was best;


s: For them too hard the mortal peril prest.


s: Their bark from wreck on that rude rock and bare,


s: And only to preserve their life have care.


s: Who quickest can, into the skiff descend;


s: Through those so many who invade the boat,


s: That, gunwale-deep, she scarce remains afloat.


s: In doublet, as he is, sans mail and plate,


s: Hopes in the skiff, a refuge in that need:


s: But finds her overcharged with such a weight,


s: That the o'erwhelming wave the pinnace drown,


s: And she with all her wretched freight goes down;


s: Goes down, and, foundering, drags with her whoe'er


s: Then doleful shrieks are heard, 'mid sob and tear,


s: But for short space that shrilling cry they rear;


s: For, swoln with rage and scorn, the waters rise,


s: Whence issues that sad clamour and lament.


s: One sinks outright, no more to reappear;


s: Some rise, and bounding with the billows go:


s: Their course, with head uplifted, others steer;


s: An arm, an unshod leg, those others show:


s: Springs upward to the surface from below;


s: And little distant sees that rock, in vain


s: Eschewed by him and his attendant train.


s: Himself with hands and feet the warrior rows,


s: Hoping by force thereof to win the shore;


s: Breast boldly the importunate flood, and blows


s: With his unwearied breath the foam before.


s: Waxing meanwhile, the troubled water rose,


s: And from the rock the abandoned vessel bore;


s: (So curst their lot) the death from which they fly.


s: Alas!  for man's deceitful thoughts and blind!


s: The ship escaped from wreck, where hope was none;


s: When master and when men their charge resigned,


s: And let the vessel without guidance run.


s: It would appear the wind has changed its mind,


s: On seeing all that sailed in her are gone;


s: And blows the vessel from those shallows free,


s: Through better course, into a safer sea.


s: She, having drifted wildly with her guide,


s: Without him, made directly Africk's strand,


s: Two or three miles of waste Biserta wide,


s: And, as the sea went down and the wind died,


s: Stood bedded in that weary waste of sand.


s: Now thither Roland roved, who paced the shore;


s: Laden, or light, the stranded vessel were,


s: Beneath the hatchways they descend, but none


s: Find good Frontino, with the trenchant sword


s: And gallant armour of his youthful lord;


s: To Orlando known; which, Balisardo hight,


s: Was his erewhile; the tale's upon record,


s: And ye have read it all, as well I wite;


s: When waste as well her beauteous bowers he laid;


s: And how from him Brunello stole the blade;


s: How matchless was that faulchion's edge and grain,


s: And to heaven's king with grateful thanks o'erflowed;


s: And deemed, and often afterwards so said,


s: Heaven for such pressing need had sent the blade:


s: Such pressing need, in that he had to fight


s: And knew that he, besides his fearful might,


s: Not knowing them, Anglantes' valiant knight


s: As he that these had proved: they valour were,


s: But valued less as good than rich and fair;