3 0250 OOmS 7E23
THE
ORLANDO FURIOSO
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH VERSE
FROM THE ITALIAN OF
LUDOVICO ARIOSTO
WITH NOTES
WILLIAM STEWART ROSE
VOL. VIII.
LONDON
JOHN MURRAY ALBEMARLE-STREET MDCCCXXXI
*RL£ tflg
CANTO XLIII
VOL.
ARGl'MENT.
conrtfout landlord Iifart What folly had destroyed hit every good f ffett leant* anothtr ttory, at he rieert Toward* Bavemna with the falling Jbod: THen latt arrive* »here, conqueror o'er hbjbet Orlando wot. but in mojoyjkl mood. // . <>>„! ths Child a Christian made whilere, Written* Sobrino, and healt OlMer.
THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.
CANTO XLIII.
I.
O EXECRABLE avarice! O vile thirst Of sordid gold ! it doth not me astound So easily thou seizest soul, immersed In baseness, or with other taint unsound; But that thy chain should bind, amid the worst, And that thy talon should strike down and wound One that for loftiness of mind would be Worthy all praise, if he avoided thee.
II.
Some earth and sea and heaven above us square, Know Nature's causes, works, and properties; What her beginnings, what her endings are; And soar till Heaven is open to their eyes: Yet have no steadier aim, no better care, Stung by thy venom, than, in sordid wise, To gather treasure: such their single scope, Their every comfort, and their every hope.
I I III tlltl .\\IXI 1 I UIOMI . \MO XI. III.
III.
Armies by him arc broken in liis pride.
Anil gutes of warlike towns in triumph past: Tin- foremost he to breast the furious tide Of fearful battle; to retire the last;
>Miiin.t vive himself from being sticd Till death, in thy dark dungeon prisoned fast. Of others that would shine thoti dimm'.st the praise ; Whom other studio, other arts would raise.
IV
What shall of hijjh and beauteous dames be said? Who (from their lovers' worth and charms secure) Against loii'_r service, I behold, more staid, More motionless, than marble shafts, endure: Then Avarice comes, who so her spells hath laid, I Me them stoop directly to her lure. — Who could believe? — unloving, in a day They fall some elder's, fall some monster's pri \
V.
Not without reason here I raise this cry: — Read me who can, I read m\self — nor so I from the beaten pathway tread awry, Nor thus the matter of my sonjj forego. Not more to what is shown do I apply
h.m to what I have to shou Hut now return we to the paladine, Who wa- about to t:i>te the enchanted wine.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FUKIOSO. 5
VI.
Fain would he think awhile, of whom I speak, (As said) ere to his lips the vase he bore ; He thought; then thus: " When finding what we seek " Displeases, this 'tis folly to explore. " My wife's a woman; every woman's weak. " Then let me hold the faith I held before. " Faith still has brought, and yet contentment brings. " From proof itself what better profit springs?
VII.
" From this small good, much evil I foresee:
" For tempting God moves sometimes his disdain.
" I know not if it wise or foolish be,
" But to know more than needs, I am not fain.
" Now put away the enchanted cup from me;
" I neither will, nor would, the goblet drain ;
" Which is with Heaven's command as much at strife,
" As Adam's deed who robbed the tree of life.
VIII.
" For as our sire who tasted of that tree,
" And God's own word, by eating, disobeyed,
" Fell into sorrow from felicity,
" And was by misery evermore o'erlaid ;
" The husband so, that all would know and see ;
" Whatever by his wife is done and said ;
" Passes from happiness to grief and pain,
" Nor ever can uplift his head again."
6 THE ORLANDO llllio-o .1111.
IV Mranwhilr tin- <:<>o<l Kinaldo saying so,
And pushing from himself thr cup abhorred,
Beheld of tears a plenteous fountain How
From the full eyes of that fair mansion'* lord ;
Who crird, now having somewhat calmed his woe,
" Accursed be he, persuaded by whose word,
" Alas ! I of the fortune made assay,
" Whereby my cherished wife was reft away !
X.
•• Wh«Trforc ton years ago wast tliou not known.
S> that I counselled might have been of tin " Before the sorrows and the grief begun, " That have nigh quenched my eyes; but raisedshall !»«• " The curtain from the SCI-IM-, that thou UJKJII
.My pain mayst look, and mayst lament with me; " And I to thee of mine unheard-of woe • The argument and very head will show.
XI.
" Above, was left a neighbouring city, pent " Within a limpid stream that forms a hike; " Which widens, and wherein I'o tind> a vrnt. " Tlu-ir way tin- waters from Benacus take. " Built \\-as thr city, when to ruin wi-nt " Wall> founded by the Agenorean snaki- '. " Here me of gentle line my mother 1 " But of small means, in humble home and |HK»r.
CANTO XMII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 7
XII.
" If Fortune's care I was not, who denied " To me upon my birth a wealthy boon, " Nature that want with graceful form supplied; " So that in beauty rival had I none. " Enamoured of me in youth's early tide " Erewhile was dame and damsel more than one: " For I with beauty coupled winning ways; " Though it becomes not man himself to praise.
XIII.
" A sage within our city dwelled, a wight, " Beyond belief, in every science great; " Who, when he closed his eyes on Phoebus' light, " Numbered one hundred years, one score and eight : " A savage life he led and out of sight, " Until impelled by love, the senior late " By dint of gifts obtained a matron fair, " Who secretly to him a daughter bare ;
XIV.
" And to prevent the child from being won, " As was erewhile the mother, that for gain " Bartered her chastity, whose worth alone " Excels what gold earth's ample veins contain, " With her he from the ways of man is gone, " And where he spies the loneliest place, his train " Of demons forces, in enchantment skilled, " This dome so spacious, fair, and rich, to build.
H TIM: OKI. ,\\i>o i i Kio-o . \\ m xi.in.
XV.
" By ancient and chaste dames he there made rear " This daughter, that in sovereign beauty grew; " Nor suffered her to see or even hear " A man beside himself; and, fur her vieu , " — Lest lights should lack, whereby her course to
steer —
" The senior every modest lady, who " E'er on unlawful love the barrier shut, " Made limn in picture, or in sculpture cut.
XVI.
" Nor he alone those virtuous dames, who, sage " And chaste, had so adorned antiquity, •• Whose fame, preserved by the historic page, " Is never doomed its dying day to see ; " But those as well that will in future age " Everywhere beautify fair Italy, " Made fashion in their well-known form and mien ; " As eight that round this fount by thee arc seen.
XVII.
" What time the damsel ripe for husband shows, " So that the fruit may now be gathered. I " (Did chance or my misfortune so dispose?) " Am worthiest found ; and those broad lands that lie " Without the walls which that fair town en close, " — The fishy flat no less than upland dry — " Extending twenty miles about that water He gives me for a dowry, with his daughter.
CANTO XLIIl. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.
XVIII.
" She was so mannered, was so fair of hue,
" None could desire she other gifts should bring; " So well to broider was she taught, and sew, " Minerva knew not better; did she sing, " Or play, or walk, to those that hear and view, " She seems a heavenly, and no mortal thing ; " And in the liberal arts was skilled as well " As her own sire, or scarce behind him fell.
XIX.
" With genius high and beauty no less bright,
" Which might have served the very stones to move,
" Such love, such sweetness did the maid unite,
" Thinking thereof meseems my heart is clove,
" She had no greater pleasure or delight
" Than being with me, did I rest or rove.
" 'Twas long ere we had any strife ; in fine
" We quarrelled ; and the fault, alas ! was mine.
XX.
" Five years my consort's father had been dead,
" Since to the yoke I stooped, and pledged my vow;
" When in short time (the manner shall be said)
" Began the sorrows that I feel even now.
" While me with all his pinions overspread
" Love of the dame, whose praises thus I blow,
" A noble townswoman with love of me
" Was smit ; more sorely smitten none could be.
10 Till OKI A VI >0 I I KIOM). CANTO XI. III.
XXI.
" She, in all magic versed, was of such skill " A* never was enchantress ; by her say " Moved solid earth, and made the MIH stand still, •• Illumined gloomy night and darkened day : " Yet never could she work upon my will, " The anguish of her amorous wound to allay*
With salve I could not jjive, except with scathe " Of her to whom erewhile I pledged my faith.
XXII.
•• Xnt because she right gentle was and bright. " Nor because I believed her love so true, " Nor for large gift, nor promise often plight, " Nor yet because she never ceased to sue, " Could .she from me obtain one spark of light " From that first flame my gentle consort bleu .
"•" mates and masters ever}- will in me " The knowledge of my wife's fidelity.
XXIII.
• I in the hope, belief, and certitude " JUy uife to me was faithful evermore, " Should with contempt the beauty have eschewed " Of that famed daughter which fair Leda bore ; " And all the wit and wealth, wherewith was wooed " The illustrious shepherd upon Ida ! " But no repulse withal with her avails, " Who me. for ever at my side, as-sails.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 1 1
XXIV.
" One day that me beyond my palace sees " That weird enchantress, who Melissa hight, " And where she can discourse with me at ease, " She finds a way whereby my peace to blight ; " And, goading me with evil jealousies, " The faith I nursed at heart, she puts to flight. " She 'gan commending my intent to be " Faithful to her who faithful was to me.
XXV.
' But that she faithful is, ye cannot say, ' Save of her faith ye have assurance true ; ' If she fails not withal, where fail she may, ' She faithful, modest may be deemed by you : ' But is she never from your side away, ' Is not permitted other man to view, ' How does this boldness come, that you would be ' The warrant of her untried modesty?
XXVI.
' Go forth awhile ; go forth from home alone ; ' And be the bruit in town and village spread ' That she remains behind, and you are gone ; ' Let lovers and let couriers have their head : ' If, unpersuaded still by prayer and boon, f She does no outrage to the marriage bed ; ' Though doing so she deem herself unseen, ' Then faithful you the dame may justly ween.'
12 i in OKI \MMI i i UOMK • \M" xi.in.
XXVII
•• I with such words and such-like words w:is plied, " Till so on me the shrewd enchantress wrought, •• I wished to see my consort's virtue tried " By certain proof, and to the touchstone brought. — ' Now grant we (I to that witch-lady cried) ' She prove what cannot by myself IK? thought, ' How liy some certain token can I read ' If she will merit punishment or meed?'
XXVIII. • A drinking-cup will I fur that assay
' Give you (she said) of virtue st range and rare: ' Such was for Arthur made by Morgue the fays, ' To make him of Genevra's fault aware. ' The chaste wife's lord thereof may drink ; but they ' Drink not, whose wedded partners wanton are: ' For, when they would the cordial beverage sup, ' Into their bosom overflows the cup
XXIX.
' Before departing, ymi the test shall try,
' And, to my thinking, now shall y«»u drink clean ;
' For clean as yet I think your consort, I :
' The event however shall by \«u be
' Vet will I warrant not your bosom dry,
' Should you repeat the proof; for if, between
' The cup and lip, the liijimr be not shed,
' You are the happiest wight that ever wed.'
CANTO XMII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.
XXX.
" The offer I accept, the vase to me
" Is given, and trial made with full success ; " For hitherto (as hoped) confirmed I see " My gentle consort's worth and faithfulness. ' Leave her awhile (Melissa said), and be ' A month or twain a truant, more or less : ' Then homeward wend ; again the goblet fill ; ' And prove if you the beverage drink or spill.'
XXXI.
" I thought it hard to leave my consort's side ; " Not as so much about her truth in pain, " As that I could not for two days abide, " Nay, not an hour without her could remain. ' — You in another way (Melissa cried) ' Guided by me, the truth shall ascertain ; ' Voice, vesture shall you change ; and to her sight 1 Present yourself, disguised like other wight.'
XXXII.
" Sir, a fair city nigh at hand, defends
" Twixt fierce and threatening horns the foaming Po ;
" Whose jurisdiction to the shore extends,
" Where the sea's briny waters come and go :
" This yields in ancientry, but well contends
" With neighbouring towns in rich and gorgeous show :
" A Trojan remnant its foundations placed,
" Which scaped from Attila's destructive waste4.
I i i in ma \\iio IM IIIOM. , urro ti in
\\xin.
" A rich, a youthful, and a handsome knight " Bridles this city with liis sovereign swa\ ; •• Who, following a lost falcon in its flight, " Entering by chance my dwelling on a day, " Beheld my wife, who pleased him so at sight,
Hi- In ire her impress in his heart away; " Nor ceased to practise on her, with intent " To incline the matron to his evil bent.
\\XIV.
" So often she repels the cavalier
" That finally his courtship is foregone ;
" But her fair image graved by Love will ne'er
" Be razed from memory; me Melissa won
" (So well she soothed and flattered) of that peer
" The face and figure to the sight to don ;
•• And changed me — nor well how can I declare —
•' In vi lice and visage and in eyes and hair.
XXXV. " I, having to my lady made a show
" As eastward bound and <_rone, — like him that wooed,
•• Her rich and youthful lover, altered so,
" His semblance, walk, voice, vest in me are \ i
" Homeward, attended by Melissa, go,
Into a page upon her side traiismewed;
" Who the most c«Mlv jewels with her bore
K'er brought from Ind. or KritJiracan sh-
( AM(> XL1II. THE ORLANDO KUHIOSO. I •")
XXXVI.
" I enter safely, that my palace knew,
" And with me wends Melissa ; and there I
" So wholly at her ease Madonna view,
" No woman or attendant squire is by.
" To her with suppliant prayer forthwith I sue,
" And next those goads to evil deed apply;
" Show emerald, ruby, diamond, that might serve
" To make the firmest heart from honour swerve ;
XXXVII.
" And I declare to her the gift is small
" To that, which she may hope to make her own ; " Then of the vantage speak, that from his hall " Her husband at the present time is gone ; " And I how long it was to her recall, " Since, as she knew, to her my love was shown ; " And that my loving with such faith, in the end " Might worthily to some reward pretend.
XXXVIII.
" At first she was somedeal disturbed ; became " Like scarlet ; nor would listen to my say; " But seeing those bright jewels flash like flame, " Her stubborn heart was softened, and gave way ; " And in brief speech and feeble said the dame " What to remember takes my life away: ' She \\ith my wishes, said, she would comply, ' If sure to be unseen of watchful eye.'
I'' THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTo xi.in.
XXXIX.
.Me my wife's words like i>oisoned weapon thrill, •• A ml pierce my suffering spirit through and through: " Tlirough bones and veins there unit a deadly chill; •• My tongue clave to my throat*: The witch withdrew • With that the magic mantle, and at will " Transformed me to mine ancient shape an»-w. " — Bethink thee of what hue my wife became, " Taken by me in such notorious shame !
XL.
" Of deadly hue we both of us remain ; •
" We both stand silent; both with downcast eyr. " So feeble is my tongue, that I with pain, " So faint my voice, that I with j)ain can cry; ' Thou wouldst betray me then, O wife, for gain, ' If there was one that would my honour buy !' " She nought replies; nor save by tears she speaks. " Which furrow, as they fall, her woeful cheeks.
XLI.
•• Shame stings her sore, but yet in sorer wise " Wrath at the outrage I to her had done; " And so without restraint it multiplies, " And into rage and cruel hate is run, " To fly from me forthwith does she devise; " And, what time from his car dismounts the sun.
.us to the shore, aboard her pinnace wends. " And all that night the stream in haste descends .
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 1 7
XLII.
" And she at morn presents herself before " Him that had loved her once, the cavalier, " Whose semblance and whose borrowed face I wore " When, to my shame, I tempted her whilere. rf To him that loved, and loves her evermore, " Her coming, it may be believed, is dear. " From thence she bade me never entertain " The hope she 'd love me or be mine again.
XLIII.
" Alas ! wij;h him she dwells in mickle glee
" Even from that day, and makes of me a jest; " And of that evil which I brought on me " I languish yet, and find no place of rest. " Justly this growing ill my death will be, " Of little remnant now of life possest. " I well believe I in a year had died, " But that a single comfort aid supplied.
XLIV.
" That comfort was; of all which harboured were " Here for ten years (for still to every guest " Beneath my roof I bade the vessel bear) " Was none but with the wine had bathed his breast. " To have so many comrades in my care, " Some little soothes the griefs that so molest. " Thou only of so many hast been wise, " Who wouldst forbear the perilous emprize.
VOL. VIII. 0
18 THE ORLANDO FUBIO8O. CANTO XM 1 1.
XLV.
" My wish, o'erpassing every fitting bound,
" To know what husband of his wife should know, " Is cause, by me no quiet will be found, " Whether my death be speedy or be slow. " Thereat at first Melissa joys; but drowned " Forthwith is her light mirth; for of my woe " Esteeming her the cause, that dame so sore " I hated, I would not ln-hold her more.
XLYI. •• Impatient to be treated with disdain
" By me, — of her more loved than life, she said —
" Where she forthwith as mistress to remain
" Had hoped, when thence the other was conveyed,
" — Not to Ix'hold such present cause of pain,
" Her own departure little she delayed;
" And went so far away, no further word
" By me was ever of that woman heard."
XLVII.
His tale the mournful cavalier so taught; And when he now had closed his history, With pity touched, somewhile immersed in thought Rinaldo mused, and after made reply : " Right ill advice to thec Melissa brought,
Who moved thee thus to anger wasps; and I " Perceive in thee small wisdom, that wouldst sound " A thing which thou wouldst gladly not have found.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 19
XL VIII.
" If she, thy wife, by avarice was inclined " To break her faith and be to thee untrue, " Muse not : nor first nor last of womankind, " She, worsted, from such cruel war withdrew; " And by a meaner bribe yet firmer mind " Is even tempted fouler deed to do. " Of men, of how many we hear, that sold " Their patrons and their friends for sordid gold ?
XLIX.
" With such fierce arms thou ill didst her assail, " If to behold a brave defence thou sought. " Knowst thou not, against gold of no avail " Is stone, or steel to hardest temper wrought ? " Meseems that thou in tempting her didst fail " More than herself, that was so quickly caught. " I know not, had she tempted thee as much, " If thou, thyself, hadst better stood the touch."
L.
Here ends Rinaldo, and — the parley done — Rises and to his rest desires to go: ' Awhile will he repose; and then be gone, ' An hour or two before the daylight show.' But little time has Aymon's warlike son; Nor idly will that little time bestow. To him the mansion's master made reply, ' He in his house might at his pleasure lie.
c2
20 THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XM 1 1.
LI.
' For bed and bower, within, were ready dight; ' But — would he take his counsel for his guide — ' In comfort might he sleep throughout the night, ' And yet advance some miles; " For thou," he cried, " Shalt have a pinnace, that with rapid flight " And without risque shall with the current glide. " Therein shalt thou all night pursue thy way, " And on thy journey «:ain withal a day."
LII.
Good seemed that proffer in Rinaldo's ••
And to the courteous host largo thanks In- paid; Then for the pinnace which that lord supplies, That waits him with her crew, the warrior made. Here, at full ease reclined, Kinaldo 1: While with the stream his frigate is conveyed; Which, by six oars impelled, flirs fa>t and fair, And cleaves tluvvntcr, as a bird the air.
LIII.
As soon as he reclines his weary head, Asleep is Mount Albano's cavalier; Having erewhile ' that they shall wake him,' said, ' As soon as they Ferrara's city near.' Melara lies left of that river's bed, Sermide to the right ; they in their rear Next leave Stcllata and Figarolo;
his two horns are lowered by angry Po.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 21
LIV.
Of those two horns that which t'ward Venice goes Rinaldo's pilot left, and took the right; Then the Bodeno past. Already shows Faintly the eastern blue, and fades from sight; For now Aurora from her basket throws All her rich flowers, and paints it red and white; When viewing the two castles of Tealdo, Again his head uplifts the good Rinaldo.
LV.
" O happy town ! whereof" (the warrior cried) " Spake Malagigi, having, far and near, " The fixt and wandering fires of heaven espied, " And forced some subject spirit to appear, " To me foretelling that in future tide, " — What time with him I took this way whilere — <e Even to such pitch thy glorious fame should rise, " Thou from all Italy wouldst bear the prize."
LVI.
So saying, in his barge he all this while Hurries, as if the bark with pinions flew, Scowering the king of rivers, to that isle Nearest the town6; and, though it not to view (Deserted and neglected then) doth smile, This yet rejoices to behold anew; Nor makes small mirth thereat; because aware Hereafter how adorned 'twill be and fair.
•J'J Till. ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO Xl.lll.
LVII.
Before when he with him that way had gone, From Mulagigi, his cousin, did ho hear That when seven hundred times his course had run, Circling the heaven in Aries, the fourth sphere7, Of islands this should be the fairest one In sea, or pool, or river, far and near, So that who this beheld, would brook no more To hear that praised which fair Nausiciia bore8-
LVIII.
He heard, ' it in fair mansions would outdo ' That island which Tiberius held so dear; ' And trees that in Hesperian gardens grew ' Would yield to what this beauteous place should bear; ' — So rare its race of beasts — no fairer shew ' Herded or housed erewhile by Circe were8; ' Venus with Loves and Graces there should sport, ' Nor more in Gnide and Cyprus keep her court;
LIX.
' And so would flourish through his study and care, ' Who will with knowledge and with power should blend; ' And who so safely should that bright repair ' With circling wall and sheltering dyke defend. ' The united world's assault it well might dare, ' Nor call on foreign power its aid to lend : ' And that Duke Hercules' sire and Hercules' son1" ' Was lie by whom this marvel should be done.'
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 23
LX.
So wends the warrior summing in his mind What erst to him had told his cousin wise; What time the sage of future things divined, Whereof with him he often wont devize; And aye contemplating that city blind, " How can it ever be," Rinaldo cries, " That in all liberal and all worthy arts " Shall flourish so these waste and watery parts ?
LXI.
" And that to city of such amplitude
" And beauty such a petty burgh should grow, " And where but marsh and miry pool is viewed, " Henceforth should full and fruitful harvests glow ? " Even now I rise, to hail the gentle blood, " The love, the courtesy thy lords shall show, " O thou fair city, in succeeding years; " Thy burghers' honours and thy cavaliers'.
LXII.
" The grace ineffable of powers above,
" Thy princes' wisdom, and their love of right, " Shall with perpetual peace, perpetual love " Preserve thee in abundance and delight; " And a defence from all the fury prove " Of such as hate thee; and unmask their spite. " Be thy content thy neighbours' wide annoy, " Rather than thou shouldst envy other's joy !"
Till. OKI.AKDO FUUIOSO. c \\mxi.lll.
LXIII.
While thus Hinaldo speaks, so swiftly borne By the quick current flies that nimble yawl; Not to the lure more .swiftly makes return Tin- falcon, hurrying at his lord's recall. Thenceforth the right-hand branch of the right horn Hinaldo takes; and hid are roof and wall : St. George recedes; recede from that swift boat The turrets OF GAIBANA and ov THE MOAT.
LXIV. Montalban's martial lord (as it befell,
That thought moved thought, which others moved
again)
In memory chances on the knight to dwell, That him at supper late did entertain; That, through this city's cause, the truth to tell, Hath reason evermore to be in pain; And of the magic vessel him bethinks Which shows his consort's guilt to him that drinks;
LXV
And him bethinks therewith of what the knight Related; how of all that he had tried, Who of his goblet drank, there was no wight But spilt the wine he to his lips would guide. Now he repents him; now, " 'Tis my delight," (.Mutters) " that I the proof would not abide : " Succeeding I should prove but what I thought; " And not succeeding, to what pass am brought !
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 25
LXVI.
" This my belief I deem a certainty ;
" And faith could have but small increase in me : " So, if I this should by the touchstone try, " My present good would little bettered be : " But small the evil would not prove, if I " Saw of my Clarice what I would not see. " This were a thousand against one to stake ; " To hazard much where I could nothing take."
LXVII.
The knight of Clermont buried in this mood, Who lifted not his visage from the floor, A mariner with much attention viewed, That overright was seated at his oar ; And, for he deemed he fully understood The thought that prest the cavalier so sore, Made him (well-spoken was the man and bold) Wake from his muse, some talk with him to hold.
LXVIII.
The substance of the talk between the two Was, ' that the husband little wit possest, ' Who, wishing to assay if she was true, ' Had tried his wife by too severe a test : ' For woman, proof to gold and silver, who, ' Armed but with modesty, defends her breast, ' This from a thousand faulchions will defend ' More surely, and through burning fires will wend.'
26 THE ORLANDO II KIc>-(> M.lll.
LXIX.
The mariner subjoined ; " Thou saidest well ;
•• With gifts so rich he should not hrr have- prest;
" For, these assaults, tlu-M- charges, to repel,
" Not good alike is every human breast.
" I know not if of wife thou hast heard toll
" (For haply not with us the tale may rest)
" That in the very .sin her husband spied,
" For which she by his sentence .should have died.
LXX.
" My lord should have remembered, gold and meed " Have upon every hardest matter wrought : " But he forgot this truth in time of need ; " And so upon his head this ruin brought. " Ah! would that he in proof, like me, a deed " Done in this neighbouring city had been taught, •• His country and mine own; which lake and fen, " Brimming with lUincius' pri.xmed waters, p.
LXXI.
• • I of Adonio speak, that in a hound
" A treasure on the judge's wife conferred. " " Thereof," replied the paladin, " the sound " Hath not o'erpast the Alps ; for never word " Of this in neighbouring France, nor in my round " Through far and foreign countries have I heard : " So tell, if telling irks not." said the j>eer, What willingly I bown nuself to |:.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 27
LXXII.
The boatman then ; " Erewhile was of this town " One Anselm, that of worthy lineage came ; " A wight that spent his youth in flowing gown, " Studying his Ulpian u : he of honest fame, " Beauty, and state assorting with his own, " A consort sought, and one of noble name : " Nor vainly; in a neighbouring city, crowned " With superhuman beauty, one he found.
LXXIII.
" She such fair manners and so graceful shows, " She seems all love and beauty; and much more " Perchance than maketh for her lord's repose ; " Thau well befits the reverend charge he bore. " He, wedded, strait in jealousy outgoes " All jealous men that ever were before : " Yet she affords not other cause for care " But that she is too witty and too fair.
LXXIV.
" In the same city dwelt a cavalier,
" Numbered that old and honoured race among,
" Sprung from the haughty lineage, which wliilorc
" Out of the jaw-bone of a serpent sprung:
" Whence Manto 12, doomed my native walls to rear,
" Descended, and with her a kindred throng.
" The cavalier (Adonio was he named)
" Was with the beauties of the dame inflamed ;
28 i in: OKI.AXDO Funioso. CANTO xi.in.
LXXV.
• Ami for tin- furtherance of his amorous quest, " To grace himself, began his wealth to spend, " Without restraint, in banquet and in vest, " And what might most a cavalier commend : " If he Tiberius' 13 treasure had possest, " He of his riches would have made an end. " I well believe two winters were not done, " Ere his paternal fortune was outrun.
LXXVI.
" Tlie house erewhile, frequented by a horde " — Morning and evening — of so many friends, " Is solitary; since no more his board " Beneath the partridge, quail, and pheasant bends. " Of that once noble troop upon the lord, " Save beggars, hardly any one attends. " Ruined, at length he thinks he will begone " To other country', where he is unknown.
LXXVI I.
" He leaves his native land with this intent, " Nor letteth any his departure know; " And coasts, in tears and making sad lament, " The marshes that about his city go : " He his heart's queen, amid his discontent, " Meanwhile forgets not, for this second woe. " Lo ! him another accident that falls, " From sovereign woe to sovereign bliss recalls !
CANTO XLIH. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 29
LXXVIII.
" He saw a peasant who with heavy stake
" Smote mid some sapling trunks on every side : " Adonio stopt, and wherefore so he strake, " Asked of the rustic, that in answer cried, ' Within that clump a passing ancient snake, ' Amid the tangled stems he had espied : ' A longer serpent and more thick to view ' He never saw, nor thought to see anew;
LXXIX.
' And that from thence he would not wend his way ' Until the reptile he had found and slain.' " When so Adonio heard the peasant say, " He scarce his speech with patience could sustain, " Aye reverence to the serpent wont to pay, " The honoured ensign of his ancient strain; " In memory that their primal race had grown " Erewhile from serpent's teeth by Cadmus sown ;
LXXX.
" And by the churl the offended knight so said, " And did withal, he made him quit the emprize ; u Leaving the hunted serpent neither dead, " Nor injured, nor pursued in further wise. " Thither, where he believes would least have spread " The story of his woe, Adonio hies ; " And in discomfort and in sorrow wears, " Far from his native land, seven weary years.
THK OKI \XIH) II IMOMi (.AXTO XI.III.
Neither for distance nor for straitened cheer,
• Which will not let Thought run its restless round,
" Ceased Love, so wont to rein tlie cavalier,
" Aye to intlamr liis heart, aye vex his \vound :
" At length those beauties, to his eyes so dear.
" Parforce must he revisit, homeward hound.
•• I'nshorn, afflicted, he, in poor array.
" Thither returns, from whence he went his \\
LXXXII.
-Aly city, at the time whereof I tell.
" To Rome was fain to send an embassy;
" That sometime near his holiness should dwell ;
" And for how long a time could none foresee.
" Tpon our judjre the lot of envoy fell :
" O day, that e\vr wept liy him will he !
" To be c\n .-lino promised. prayed.
" And bribed; but at the last parforce O!M-\C<|
LXXXIII. As no less cruel and less hard to abide
He deemed a woe which caused such pitnuis smart. " Than had he seen a hostile hand his side " Lay hare, and from his bosom pluck his heart: " Dead-white with jealous fear his cheek is d\ " Thntu-rh doubt of his fair consort while apart; " Ami in the mode he deems may 1'est avail. •• He supplicates her not in faith to fail.
CANTO XLIU. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 31
LXXXIV.
f Nor beauty/ to his wife the husband cries, ' Nor noble blood, nor fortune, are enow ( To make a woman to true honour rise, ' Save chaste in name and deed ;' subjoining how ' The virtue that mankind most highly prize ' Is that which triumphs after strife ; and now ' Through his long absence, a fair field and wide ' Is opened where that virtue may be tried.'
LXXXV.
" With such persuasions, and with many more " Anselm exhorts the lady to be true. "His going doth his woful wife deplore. " O heaven, what tears, what loud complaints ensue ! " Immersed in her despair, that lady swore, " Sooner the sun bedimmed the world should view " Than she would break her faith ; she would expire " Sooner than she would cherish such desire.
LXXXVI.
" Though to the lady's promise and protest
" He lent belief, and somewhat calmed his fears,
" Until he further hear he will not rest ;
" And till he can find matter for his tears.
" A soothsayer he among his friends possest,
" Prized for his knowledge, as the first of seers ;
" Who of all witchery and of magic art
'•" Had read the whole, or read the greater part.
32 mr OKI. .\xim i i itioso. CANTO XMII.
LXXXVII.
" To him before departing does he pray, " To take the charge upon himself to see " If true would be Argia while away " (So name his consort), or tin- contrary. " Won by his prayers, he takes tin- time o' the day : " Figures the heavens as they apjwar to !»<•. •• Aiiselmo left him at his work, and came •• His answer on the following day to claim.
LXXXVIII.
" The astrologer is silent, loath to expose " A matter that will work the doctor woe; " And would excuse himself with many a <:lo/ " But when he sees, he would the evil know. ' Argia will break faith witli him,' he shows, ' As soon as he shall from his threshold go. ' Nor prayer shall soften her, nor beauty fin- : ' Corrupted will she be by gain and hire.'
LXXXIX.
" When to Anselmo's early doubt and fear
" Are joined the threatnings of the signs above. " How stands his heart may well to thee appear. " If thou hast known the accidents of love ; " And worse than every woe, wherewith whil- " The afflicted spirits of that husband stn " Is that it by tin- prophet is foretold, " Argia's honour will IK- bought and sold.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 33
xc.
" Now to support his wife, as best he may, " From falling into such an evil deed. " For man, alas, will sometimes disarray " The altar, when he finds himself in need, " What gold and gems the judge had put away, " (A plenteous store) he leaves ; and field and mead, " Rents, fruits, and all possessions whatsoe'er " Leaves to his consort ; all his worldly gear :
XCI.
' With power,' he said, ' not only without measure, ' These, as thou needest, to enjoy and spend, ' But ,do with them according to thy pleasure, ' Consume and fling away, and give and vend : ' Other account I ask not of my treasure, ' If such as now I find thee in the end ; ' But such as now remain ; — at thy command ' (Even shouldst thou squander both) are house and land.
XCII.
' Unless she heard he thither made repair,
' He prayed that she would dwell not in the town ;
' But would a farm of his inhabit, where
' She might with all convenience live alone.'
" And this besought he of his consort fair,
" As thinking, that the rustics, which on down
" Pasture their flocks, or fruitful fallows till,
" Could ne'er contaminate her honest will.
VOL. VIII. D
34 THE ORLANDO KUHIOSO. i \\To Xl.lll.
XCIII.
" Her fearful husband still embracing close, " Her arms about his neck Argia threw : " A burst of tears her visage overtl«> " For from her eyes two streams their way pursue. " She grieves, ' he guilty should his wife suppose ; ' As if she hath already been untrue : 1 For his suspicion to its source she traced ; ' That in her faith no faith Anselmo placed.'
xciv.
" Citing their long farewell, I should exceed. ' — To thee at length,' he so the dame addrest, ' I recommend my honour ;' — and indeed " Took leave, and on his road in earnest prest ; " And truly felt, on wheeling round his steed, " As if his heart was issuing from his breast. " She follows him as long as she can follow " With eyes whose tears her furrowed visage hollow.
xcv.
" Poor, pale, unshorn, and wretched (as whilere " To you in former strain by me was said), " Homeward meanwhile the wandering cavalier, " Hoping he there should be unknown, had made. " Beside the lake that pilgrim journeyed, near " The city, where he gave the serpent aid, " In that thick brake besieged by village swain, Who with his staff the reptile would have slain.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 3f)
XCVI.
" Arriving here, upon the dawn of light,
" For yet some stars were glimmering in the skies,
" Approaching him, in foreign vesture dight,
le Along the shore, a damsel he espies.
" Though neither squire nor waiting-wench in sight
" Appears, yet noble is the lady's guise.
" With pleasing visage she Adonio boards,
" And then breaks silence in the following words.
XCVII.
' Albeit thou know'st me not, O cavalier, ' I am thy kin, and greatly bound to thee : ' I am thy kin ; for of the lineage clear ' Derived of haughty Cadmus' seed are we. ' I am the fairy Manto, that whilere ' Laid the first stone of this rude villagery ; ' And (as thou haply mayst have heard it famed) ' Mantua from me the rising town was named.
XCVIII.
' O' the fairies am I one : with that to show ' Our fatal state, and what it doth import; ' We to all other kinds of ill below ' Are subject by our natal influence, short ' Of death ; but with immortal being such woe ' Is coupled, death is not of direr sort. ( For every seventh day we all must take, ' By certain law, the form of spotted snake.
D2
36 mi. OKI. \\i>o i ruioso. i. \\IOXLIII
XCIX. ' So «ul it is that loathsome coil to fill,
' And prone, at length, upon the ground to crawl ;
' Equal to this there is no worldly ill ;
' So that immortal life is cursed by all.
' And thou the debt I owe thee (for my will
' Is to inform thee of its cause withal)
' Shalt know as well ; how on that fatal day
' Of change we are to countless ills a prey.
C.
' So hated as the serpent beast is none ; ' And we that wear its evil form, alarm, ' Outrage, and war endure from every one : ' For all that see us, hunt and do us harm : ' Unless we can to ground for shelter run, ' We feel how heavy falls man's furious arm. ' Happier it were to die, than languish — broke, ' Battered, and crippled by the cruel stroke.
CI.
' My mighty obligation due to thee
' Is that, when once thou didst this greenwood thread,
' Thou from a rustic's fury rescuedst me,
' By whose ill handling was I sore bested.
' But for thine aid, I should not have got free,
' Without a broken spine or battered head:
' With body crooked and crushed I should have lain,
' Albeit I could not by his arm be slain.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 37
CII.
' Because thou hast to know upon the day
f We sprang from earth with scales of dragon dight,
' — Subject to us at other times — to obey
' The heavens refuse ; and we are void of might :
' At other seasons, at our simple say
' The circling sun stands still, and dims its light :
' Fixt earth is moved, and in a circle wheels :
' Ice at our word takes fire, and fire congeals.
cm.
' Now here, prepared to render thee the meed ' Of benefit then done to me, I stand ; ' For now, dismantled of my dragon weed, ' Vainly no grace of me wilt thou demand. ' Even now, thrice richer art thou by my deed, ' Than when thou heirdst erewhile thy father's land : ' Nor will I that henceforth thou shalt be poor; ' But wealth, the more 'tis spent, augment the more :
CIV.
' And because with that ancient knot thou still, ' I know, art tangled, which by Love was tied, ' The mode and order, how thou mayst fulfil ' Thy wishes, shall by me be signified. e Now that her lord is absent, 'tis my will ' My scheme without delay by thee be tried; ' Go forth the lady at her farm to find, ' Without the town ; nor will I stay behind.'
38 Till OKI AMH) 1 I UIOSO. CANTO XMII.
( V. " She her discourse continuing, 'gan advise
" What form he to that lady's eyes should take : " I say, what vesture wear, and in what wise " Should speak, how tempt her ; what entreaties make " And said, how she her figure would disguise ;
l-'.ir. save the day wherein she was a snake, " Upon all others went the fairy drest " In whatsoever figure pleased her beet.
CVI.
" She in a pilgrim's habit clothed the knight, " Such as from door to door our alms entreat : " Into a dog she changed herself to sight ; " The smallest ever seen, of aspect sweet, " Long hair, than ermine's fur more snowy while : " And skilled withal in many a wondrous feat. " Towards Argia's villa, so transmewed, " The fairy and the knight their way pursued ;
CVII.
" And at the labourer's cabins in his round
" The stripling halts, before he stops elsewhere ;
" And certain rustic reeds begins to sound;
" His dog is up, and dances to the air.
" The dame, that hears the voice and cry rebound,
" Is by the rumour moved to sec the pair.
" Into her court she has the pilgrim brought.
" As AiiM-lm's evil destiny had wrought :
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 39
CVIII.
" And here Adonio gives the dog command ; " And here by that obedient dog is shown " Dance of our country and of foreign land, " With paces, graces, fashions of his own ; " And finally he does, amid that band, " With winning ways what else is to be done, " With such attention of the admiring crew, " None winked their eyes, their breath they scarcely drew.
C1X.
" Great marvel in the dame, then longing, bred " That gentle dog : she one that her had nursed " With no mean offer to his master sped. — ' If all the riches for which women thirst' " (To her embassadress in answer said " The wary pilgrim) ' in my bags were pursed, ' There is not in that treasure what would boot ' To purchase of my dog one single foot:'
CX.
" And he, the truth of his discourse to show, " Into a corner took the beldam old, " And bade the dog in courtesy bestow " Upon that messenger a mark of gold. " The dog obeyed, and shook himself; and lo ! " The treasure ! which he bade her have and hold : " Thereto he added, ' Thinkest thou by ought ' A dog so fair and useful can be bought ?
HI THK OKI.ANDO H'HIOSO. < OTTO XI. III.
(XI.
' For whatsoever I of him demand, ' I empty-handed never go away; ' Now pearl, now ring will he shake from him. and ' Now gift mi- with some rich and fair array. ' Yet tell madonna he is at her command ; ' But not for gold ; for him no gold can pa\ ; ' But if I for one night her arms may fill,
• Him may she take and do with him her will.'
CXII.
" So said, a gem, new-dropt, on her he prest, " And bade her to the lady bear the boon. " That in the costly produce she possest " Ten, twenty ducats' value deemed the crime. " She bore the message to the dame addressed, " And after wrought on her till she was won " To buy the Iwauteous dog, ' who might be bought ' By payment of a price which costeth nought.'
CXIII.
" Argla somewhat coy at first appears ;
" Partly that she her faith will not forego; " Partly that she believes not all she hears " That beldam of the dog and pilgrim show. " The nurse insists, and dins into her ears,
• That seldom such a chance occurs below;' " And makes her fix another day to see
" That dog, when t. \\, r ,-yes on her shall IH-.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 41
CXIV.
" The next appearance which Adonio made " Was ruin to the doctor ; for the hound " Doubloons, by dozens and by dozens, braid " Of pearl, and costly jewels scattered round. " So that Argia's pride of heart was laid; " And so much less the dame maintained her ground, " When she in him, who made the proffer, viewed " The Mantuan cavalier that whilom wooed.
cxv.
" The harlot nurse's evil oratory,
" The prayer and presence of the suitor lord,
" The occasion to acquire that mighty fee,
" Which wretched Anselm's absence would afford,
" The hope that none would her accuser be,
" So vanquish her chaste thoughts, she makes the
accord —
" Accepts the wondrous dog; and, as his pay, " To her leman yields herself a willing prey.
CXVI.
" The fruits of love long culled that cavalier " With his fair lady; unto whom the fay " Took such affection, whom she held so dear, " That she obliged herself with her to stay. " Through all the signs the sun had travelled, ere " The judge had leave to wend his homeward way. " He finally returned; but sore afraid " Through what the astrologer erewhile had said.
I III oi:i AXDO FDRIOSO. «
CXVII.
" Arrived, his first employment is to run " To that astrologer's abode, and crave, ' If shame and evil to Ills wife he done; ' Or if she yet her faith and honor save.' " The heavens he figured ; and to even- one " Of the seven planets its due station gave; " Then to the judge replied ' that it had been ' Even as he feared, and as it was foreseen.
CXVIII.
' By richest presents tempted to forego
' Her faith, a prey was she to other wight.' " This to the doctor's heart was such a blow; " Nor lance, nor spear, I deem, so sorely smite. " To be more certified he wends (although " He i> ton \vell assured the seer is right) " To that old nurse; and, drawing her apart. " To learn the truth employs his every art.
CXIX.
" He in wide circles doth about her wind,
" Hoping now here, now there, to spy some trace :
" But nought in the taginning can he find,
" With whatsoever care he sifts the case.
" For she, as not unpractised in that kind,
" Denies, and fronts him with untroubled face;
•• And, as well taught, above a month stands out,
" Holding the jiulire 't\vixt certainty and doubt.
CANTO XL1II. THE ORLANDO FTJRIOSO. 43
cxx.
" How blest would doubt appear, had he that wound " Foreseen, which would be given by certainty ! " When out of that false nurse at last he found " He could not fish the truth by prayer or fee, " Touching no chord but yielded a false sound, " He shrewdly waits his time till there should be " Discord between the beldam and his wife : " For whereso women are, is stir and strife.
CXXI.
" And even that Anselmo waited, so
" Befell; since, angered by the first despite, " Unsought of him, to him that nurse did go, " To tell the whole; and nothing hid from sight. " How sank his heart beneath that cruel blow, " 'Twere long to say; how prostrate lay his sprite. " So was the wretched judge with grief opprest, " He of his wits well-nigh was dispossest;
CXXIL
" And finally resolved to die, so burned
" His rage, but first would kill the faithless dame;
" And he with one destructive faulchion yearned
" To free himself from woe and her from shame.
" Stung by such blind and furious thoughts, returned
" Anselmo to the city, in a flame;
" And to the farm despatched a follower true,
" Charged with the bidding he was bound to do.
I I THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. « AMo xi.lll.
CXXIII.
I If bids the servant to the villa go,
" And to Argia in his name pretend ;
" He by a fever is reduced so low,
" She hardly can arrive before hi.s mil.
" Hence without waiting escort — would she show
" Her love — she with his man must backward wend,
" (Wend with him will she surely, nor delay)
" And bids him cut her throat upon the way.
CXXIV.
" The serving-man to call his lady went " Prepared his lord's command on her to do. " Having her little dog at starting hent, " She mounted and began her journey, through " The dog advised of Anselm's ill intent, " But bid no less her purpose to pursue; " For he had taken thought for her ; and aid " Should in the time of peril be purveyed.
cxxv.
" The servant from his pathway turns aside, " And through bye-roads and solitary goes; " Purposely lighting on a stream, whose tide " From Apennine into our river Hows; " \\'here, both of farm and busy city wide, '• A holt, and dark and dismal greenwood grows. " Silt-lit appeared the ^lo«miy place, and one •• Kitting the cruel deed which should IK- done.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 45
CXXVI.
" He drew his sword on her, and signified " The mandate by her angry husband given; " That so she might entreat, before she died, " Forgiveness of her every sin from Heaven. " I know not how; she vanished from his side, " When through her flank the blade he would have
driven.
" Vainly long time he seeks her, then remains " Foiled and outscorned, for guerdon of his pains.
CXXVII.
" He all astound and with bewildered face, " And full of shame, to seek his lord returns; " Who from the servant that unwonted case, " Unweeting how the thing had happened, learns: " Nor knows the fairy Manto fills a place " About Argia, prompt to serve her turns. " Because the nurse, that all the rest revealed " (I know not wherefore, I), had this concealed.
CXXVIII.
" He knows not what to do : the outrage sore " Avenged he has not, nor his pain allaid : " What was a mote is now a beam ; so sore " It prest him ; on his heart so heavy weighed. " So plain is what was little known before, " He fears that it will shortly be displaid. " At first, he haply might have hid his woe; " Which Rumour now throughout the world will blow.
46 THK OKI. \Vl»o 1-TltlMM.
CXXIX.
" Full well In- wots, that since his evil vein
•• I Ic to hi> wife, unhappy wn-tch! hath shown,
" Not to be subject to his yoke again,
" She to some strong protector will have flown ;
•• Who to his ignominy will maintain,
" Ami uttor scorn, the lady as his own :
" And haply may she to some losel flee,
" Who will her paramour and pandei
cxxx.
" For remedy; he sends in haste a band " Of messengers, with letters far and nigh. " Some of Argia here, some there demand ; " Nor town unscarched is left in Lombardy. " Next he in person goes; nor any land " Leaves unexamined by himself or spy. " Yet cannot he discover means or way " For learning where concealed his consort lay
CXXXI.
" The servant last he called on whom was laid " The ill heat, but who had .served not his de^; " And thither by his guidance was conveyed, " Where (as 'twas said) she vanished from his sight; " Who haply lurked by day in greenwood-shade . " And to some friendly roof retired at night. " He thither guided, where but t'nn st-trees " He thinks to find, a sumptuous palace see*.
CANTO xr.III. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 47
CXXXII.
" This while for bright Argia in that part " The fay had made with speedy toil prepare " An alabaster palace by her art, " Gilded within, without, and everywhere. " So wonderful, no tongue could tell, no heart " Conceive, how rich within, without how fair : " That, which thou deemed so fair, my master's home, " Is but a cottage to that costly dome.
CXXXIII.
" Curtain and cloth of arras deck the wall, " Sumptuously woven and in different wise, " In vaulted cellar and in littered stall; " Not only spread in latticed galleries, " Not only spread in lordly bower and hall. " Vase, gold and silver, gems of many dyes, " Carved into cup and charger, blue, red, green, " And countless cloths of silk and gold are seen.
CXXXIV.
" He chanced upon the costly dome (as I " To you was in my story making known) " When he expected not a hut to spy, " And but a weary waste of woodland lone. " As he beheld the dome with wondering eye, " Anselmo thought his intellects were gone : " That he was drunk, or dreamed that wondrous sight " He weened, or that his wits had taken flight.
48 mi. ..KI.. \si.o i i uio-o. i \\n> xi.in.
cxxxv.
" An ^Ethiop woman posted at the door, " With blubber lip and nostril, he descries. " Nor will he see again, nor rVr before " Had seen a visage of such loathsome guise . " Ill-favoured — such was ^sop feigned of yore: " If there, she would have saddened Paradise. " Greasy and foul and beggarly her vest; " Nor half her hideousness have I exprest.
CXXXVI.
" Anselm, who saw no other wight beside
" To tell who was that mansion's lord, drew nigh " To the Ethiopian, and to her applied; " And she; ' The owner of this house am I.' " The judge was well assured the negress lied, " And made that answer but in mockery : " But with rejwated oaths the negress swears; • 'Tis hers, and none with her the mansion shares ;
CXXXVII.
' And would he see the palace, him invites ' To view it at his ease; and recommends ' If there be ought within which him delights, ' To take it for himself or for his friends.1 " Anselmo hears, and from his horse alights. " Gives it his man; and o'er the threshold wends; " And by the hag conducted, mounts from hall " Below to bower above, admiring all.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FUIUOSO. 49
CXXXVIII.
" Form, site, and sumptuous work doth he behold, " And royal ornament and fair device; " And oft repeats, not all this wide world's gold " To buy the egregious mansion would suffice. " To him in answer said that negress old; ' And yet this dome, like others, hath its price; ' If not in gold and silver, price less high ' Than gold and silver will the palace buy :'
CXXXIX.
" And she to him prefers the same request, " Which erst Adonio to Argia made. " A fool he deemed the woman and possest, " Who for a boon so foul and filthy prayed. " Yet ceased she not, though more than thrice represt; " And strove so well Anselmo to persuade, " Proffering, for his reward, the palace still, " She wrought on him to do her evil will.
CXL.
" The wife Argia, that is hid fast by,
" When in such sin her husband she descries,
" Springs forth and saith; 'Ah! worthy deed! which I
' Of doctor, that was deemed so passing wise,
' Found in such foul and filthy work, espy!'
" Bethink thee, if his kindling blushes rise ;
" If he stands mute ! why opens not thy hollow
" And central womb, O earth, the wretch to swallow?
VOL. VIII. E
50 I HK ORLANDO KURIOSO. CANTO Xl.lll.
CXLI.
•• To clear herself and shame him, doth she stun " Anselmo, never ceasing to upbraid.
* What pain should by thyself be undergone ' For this so filthy deed, (Argia said)
' If thou would'st take my life for having done ' What Nature prompted and a lover prayed;
• One that was fair and gentle, and who brought
' A gift, compared wherewith, this dome is nought ?
CXLII.
' If worthy of one death thou deemest me, ' Worthy art thou a hundred deaths to die : ' And, though my pleasure might I do on thee, ' So passing puissant in this place am I, ' No other or worse vengeance done shall be ' Upon my side, on thy delinquency. ' The give against the take, O husband, place; ' And, as 'twas granted thee, so grant me grace :
CXLIII.
' And be there peace between us, and accord ' That all be to forgetfulness consigned; ' Nor thee / of thy fault by deed or word, ' Nor me of mine, henceforward / /ion n-niind!' " This seemed a goodly bargain to her lord ; " Nor to such pardon was he disinclined. " Thus peace and concord they at home rest « in , " And love each other dearly evermore."
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 51
CXLIV.
So said the mariner, and some brief fit
Of laughter in Montalban's master stirred;
And made his visage burn, as if 'twas lit
With fire, when of Anselmo's shame he heard.
Rinaldo greatly praised Argia's wit,
Who by such quaint device had trapped that bird;
Who fell into the net wherein the dame
Herself erewhile had fallen, but with less shame.
CXLV.
When the sun climbed a steeper road, the knight Ordered the board with food to be supplied, Which the good Mantuan landlord overnight Took care with largest plenty to provide; While the fair town, upon the left, from sight Retired, and on the right that marish wide. Argenta is come and gone, with circling walls And stream into whose bed Santerno falls14.
CXLVI.
Then was not fair Bastia built, deem I, Which little cause of boast affords to Spain (That there her banner has been raised on high), And causes deeper sorrow to Romagne. Thence in strait line their bark, that seems to fly, To the right shore the boatmen drive amain : Next through a stagnant channel make, that near Ravenna brings by noon the cavalier 15.
E2
52 THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO Xl.lll.
CXLVII.
Though oft of money he had small .supply, Then was the kni^lit so well hested. lit- mud.- The weary rowers, in his courtesy, A parting present, ere farewell was said Here changing horse and guide, to Rimini Rinaldo rode that very eve, nor stayed In Montefiore till the night was done; And well nigh reached Urbino with the sun.
CXLVIII.
Then Frederick was not there of gentle lore, Nor was Elizalwth nor Guido good ; Francis ftfaria nor sage Leonore; Who would in courteous, not in haughty mood, Have forced so famed a paladin for more Than one short eve, with them to make abode; As they long did, and do unto this day, By dames and cavaliers who pass that way.
CXLIX.
Since here none takes his rein, Rinaldo bends His course an-end to Cagli; o'er the height. Rifted by Gaurus and Metaurus, wends Past Apennine, no longer on his right, Umbri and Tuscans; and at Rome descends. From Rome to Ostia goes Montalban's knight : Thence to the city sails; wherein a grave His pious son to old Anchises gave.
CANTO XL1II. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 53
CL.
There changes bark ; and thence in haste he goes, Bound towards Lampedosa's island-shore, That place of combat chosen by the foes, And where they had encountered Frank and Moor. Rinaldo grants his boatmen no repose; That do what can be done by sail and oar. But with ill wind and strong the warrior strives; And, though'by little, there too late arrives.
CLI.
Thither he came what time Anglante's peer The useful and the glorious deed had done; Had slain those paynim kings in the career, But had a hard and bloody conquest won : Dead was Sir Brandimart ; and Olivier, Dangerously hurt and sore, sate woe-begone, Somedeal apart, upon the sandy ground, Martyred and crippled by his cruel wound.
CLII.
From tears could not the mournful Count refrain, When brave Rinaldo he embraced, and said, How in the battle Brandimart was slain. Such love, such faith endeared the warrior dead. Nor less Rinaldo's tears his visage stain When he so cleft beholds their comrade's head. Thence to embrace bold Oliviero, where He sits with wounded foot, he makes repair.
54 i: \un.
cam.
All comfort that he could he gave; though none Could good Rinaldo to himself afford ; Because he came but when the feast was dour ; Yea after the removal of the board. The servants wend to the demolished ton n, There hide the bones of either paynim lord Beneath Biserta's ruined domes, and nigh And far, the fearful tidings certify.
CLIV.
At the fair conquest won by Roland's blade, Sansonet and Astolpho make great cheer ; Yet other mirth those warriors would have made Had Brandimart not perished; when they hear That he is dead, their joy is so allayed They can no more the troubled visage clear. Which of them now the tidings of such woe To the unhappy Flordelice shall show ?
CLV.
The night preceding that ill-omened day Flordelice dreamed the vest of sable grain That she had made, her husband to array, And woven with her hand and worked with pain, Before her eyes all sprinkled-over lay With ruddy drops, in guise of pattering rain. That she had worked it so the lady thought; And then was grieved at set-ing what was wrought.
CAMTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 55
CLVI.
And seemed to say, " Yet from my lord have I " Command to make it all of sable hue; " Now wherefore is it stained with other dye " Against his will, in mode so strange to view?" She from that dream draws evil augury; And thither on that eve the tidings flew : But these concealed Astolpho from the dame Till he to her with Sansonetto came.
CLVIL
When they are entered, and she sees no show Of joyful triumph, she, without a word, Without a hint to indicate that woe, Knows that no longer living is her lord. With that her gentle heart was riven so, And so her harassed eyes the light abhorred. And so was every other sense astound, That, like one dead, she sank upon the ground.
CLVIII.
She in her hair, when life returns again, Fastens her hand; and on her lovely cheeks, Repeating the beloved name in vain, With all her force her scorn and fury wreaks; Uproots and tears her locks, and in her pain Like woman, smit by evil demon, shrieks, Or, as Bacchante at the horn's rude sound, Erewhile was seen to run her restless round.
56 Tin inn. \M>O i ritioso.
CLIX. Now to the one, to the other now her pra\
She made for knife, wherewith her heart to smite; Now she aboard the pinnace would repair That brought the corse of either paynini knight, And would on either, lifeless as they were, Do cruel scathe, and vent her fierce despite. Now would she seek her lord, till at his side She rested from her weary search, and died.
CLX.
" Ah ! wherefore, Brandiuiart, did I let thee " Without me wend on such a dire cmprize ? " She ne'er before did thy departure see, " But Flordelice aye followed thee," she cries : " Well aided mightest thou have been by me; " For I on thee should still have kept my eyes; " And when Gradasso caine behind thee, I " Thee might have succoured with a single cry;
CLXI.
• • And haply I so nimbly might have made
" Between you, that the stroke I might have caught,
" And with my head, as with a buckler, stayed :
" For little ill my dying would have wrought.
" Anyhow I shall die; and — that debt paid —
" My melancholy death will profit nought:
" When, had I died, defending thee in >trife,
•• I rould not better have Ix^toued my life.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FUEIOSO. 57
CLXII.
" Even if averse had been hard Destiny,
" And all heaven's host, when thee I sought to aid,
" At least my tears had bathed thy visage, I
" Should the last kiss thereon, at least, have laid;
" And, ere amid the blessed hierarchy
" Thy spirit mixt, ' Depart' — I should have said —
' In peace, and wait me in thy rest ; for there,
' Where'er thou art, I swiftly shall repair.
CLXIII.
' Is this, O Brandimart, is this the reign,
' Whose honoured sceptre thou wast now to take?
' With thee to Dommogire, thy fair domain,
' Thus wend I; me thus welcome dost thou make?
* Alas ! what hope to-day thou renderest vain !
* Ah ! what designs, fell Fortune, dost thou break ! ' Ah ! wherefore fear I, since a lot so blest
f Is lost, to lose as well the worthless rest ?' "
CLXIV.
Repeating this and other plaint, so spite And fury waxed, that she in her despair Made new assault upon her tresses bright, As if the fault was wholly in her hair: Wildly her hands together doth she smite, And gnaw; with nails her lip and bosom tear. But I return to Roland and his peers ; While she bemoans herself and melts in tears.
1 111. OKI. .\\lto l-rKI<iM>. . .\\T<) Xl.lll.
CLXV.
Kuland with Olivier, who much requires Some leech's care, his anguish to alky; And who, himself, some worthy place desires As much, wherein Sir Brandimurt to lay, Steers for the lofty mountain, that with tin--^ Brightens the night, with smoke obscures the day- The wind blows fair, and on the starboard hand, Not widely distant from them, lies that land.
CLXVI.
With a fresh wind, that in their favour blows, They loose their hawser at the close of day: In heaven above the silent goddess shows Her shining horn, to guide them on their wa\ : And on the following morn before them rose The pleasant shores that round Girgenti lay. Here Roland orders for the ensuing night All that is needful for the funeral rite.
CLXVII.
He, when he saw his order duly done,
And now th»- westering sun's fair light was SIK-IM, With many nobles, who from neighbouring town. At his in vital, to Girgenti went, — The shore with torches blazing up and down, And sounding wide with cries and loud lament,— Thither returned where late, of life bereft, His friend, beloved in lift- and death, was left.
CANTO XMII. THE ORLANDO FUBIOSO. 59
CLXVIII.
There stands Bardino, weeping o'er the bier, Who under Age's heavy burden bows ; Who, in the tears on shipboard shed whilere, Might well have wept away his eyes and brows : Upbraiding skies and stars, the cavalier, Like lion, in whose veins a fever glows, Roars as he wreathes his wayward hands within His hoary hair, and rends his wrinkled skin.
CLXIX.
Upon the paladin's return the cry
Redoubled, and the mourning louder grew. Orlando to the corse approached more nigh, And speechless stood awhile, his friend to view, Pale, as at eve is the acanthus' dye Or lily's, which were plucked at morn : he drew A heavy sigh, and on the warrior dead Fixing his stedfast eyes, the County said :
, CLXX.
" O comrade bold and true, that here liest slain, " And who dost live in heaven above, I know, " Rewarded with a life, thy glorious gain, " Which neither heat nor cold can take, my woe " Forgive, if thou beholdest me complain : " Because I sorrow to remain below, " And not to share in such delights with thee; " Not that thou art not left behind with me.
60 1IIK Oil LAN DO FUKIOSO. CANTO XLI1I.
CLXXI.
" Alone, without thee, there is nought I may " Ever possess, without thee, that can please. " If still with thee in tempest and affray, " Ah ! wherefore not with thee in calm and ease ? •• Right sore must be my trespass, since this clay " Will not to follow thee my soul release. " If in thv troubles still I bore a burden, " Why am I not a partner of thy guerdon ?
CLXXII.
• • Thine is the guerdon ; mine the loss ; thy gain " Is single ; but not single is my woe : " Partners with me in sorrow are Almayne, " And grieving France and Italy; and oh ! " How will my lord and uncle, Charlemagne, " How will his paladins lament the blow! " How will the Christian church and empire moan, " Whose best defence in thee is overthrown !
CLXXIII.
" Oh ! how thy foes will by the death of thee " Be freed henceforward from alarm and fear! " Alas ! how strengthened paynimry will be ! " What hardimcnt will now be theirs ! what elm r ! " What of thy consort will become ? I see " Even here her mourning, and her outcries hear. " Me she accuses, haply hutes, I know; " In that, through me, her every hope lies low.
CANTO XUII. THE ORLANDO FUKIOSO. Cl
CLXXIV.
" Yet by one comfort, Flordelice, is followed ' ' His loss, for us that reft of him remain : " His death, with such surpassing glory hallowed, " To die all living warriors should be fain. " Those Decii; Curtius, in Rome's forum swallowed; " Codrus, so vaunted by the Grecian train; " Not with more honour to themselves, with more " Profit to others, went to death of yore."
CLXXV.
These sad laments and more Orlando made ;
And all this while white friars, and black, and gray,
With other clerks, by two and two arrayed,
Behind in long procession took their way;
And they to God for the departed prayed,
That he would to his rest his soul convey.
Before and all about were torches reared,
And changed to day the sable night appeared.
CLXXVI.
They raise the warrior's bier, and ranged to bear
By turns that honoured weight were earl and knight. The pall was purple silk, with broidery rare Of gold, and pearls in costly circles dight. Thereon, of lordly work and no less fair, Cushions were laid, with jewels shining bright. On which was stretched the lifeless knight in view, Arrayed in vest of like device and hue.
I III. OKI \\lii) I I lilOMi. < ^ I.. XI. III.
CLXXVII.
A hundred men hud past before the rest, All taken from the poorest of tlir town ; And in one fashion equally were drest Those beadsmen all, in black and trailing gown. A hundred pages followed tin-in, who prest A hundred puissant steeds, for warfare bown ; And by those pages backed, the portly steeds Went, sweeping wide the ground with sable weeds.
CLXXVIII.
Banners in front and banners borne in rear, Whose field with diverse ensignry is stained, Unfurled accompany the funeral birr; Which from a thousand vanquished bands were gained, For Csesar and for Peter's church whilere, By that rare force, which now extinct remained. Bucklers by other followers carried are. Won from good warriors, whose device they bear.
CLXXIX.
By hundreds and by hundreds followed more, Ordained for different tasks, the steps of those ; Who burning torches like those others Ix.re. Mantled, say rather closely muffled, goes Roland in sables next, and evermore His eyes suffused and red with weeping shows. Nor wears a gladder face Montalban's peer. At home his wound detains Sir Olivier.
CANTO XL! II. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. G3
CLXXX.
The ceremonies would be long to say
In verse, wherewith Sir Brandimart was mourned ; The mantles, black or purple, given away; The many torches which that eve were burned. Wending to the cathedral, where the array Past on its road, were no dry eyes discerned : All sexes, ages, ranks, in pitying mood Gazed upon him so youthful, fair, and good.
CLXXXI.
He in the church was placed ; and, when with vain Lament the women had bemoaned the dead, And Kyrie eleison, by the priestly train, And other holy orisons were said, In a fair ark, upraised on columns twain, Was reared, with sumptuous cloth of gold o'erspread. So willed Orlando ; till he could be laid In sepulchre of costlier matter made :
CLXXXII.
Nor out of Sicily the Count departs,
Till porphyries he procures and alabasters, And fair designs ; and in their several arts Has with large hire, engaged the primest masters. Next Flordelice, arriving in those parts, Raises the quarried slabs and rich pilasters ; Who, good Orlando being gone before, Is hither wafted from the Africk shore.
f>l TIU (till \V1)O FURIOsu (\\HI\I.III
CLXXXIII.
She, seeing that her tears unceasing flow, And that of long lament she never tires ; Nor she, for mass or service said, her woe Can ease, or satisfy her sad dr>irrs, Vows in her heart she thence will never go Till from the wearied corse her soul expires; And builds in that fair sepulchre a coll; There shuts herself; therein for life will dwell.
CLXXXIV.
Thither in person, having courier sent
And letter, Roland goes, her thence to take ;
Her, would she wend to France, with goodly rent
Would gift, and Galerana's inmate make ;
As far as Lizza convoy her, if bent
On journeying to her father ; for her sake,
If wholly she to serve her God was willed,
A monastery would the warrior build.
CLXXXV.
Still in that sepulchre she dwelt, and worn By weary penance, praying night and day, It was not long, ere by the Parcac shorn Was her life's thread : already on their way Were the three Christian warriors, homeward borne, From the isle in whose old caves the Cyclops lay, Sorrowing and afflicted sore in mind For their fourth comrade who remained behind.
CANTO XLIII. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. C5
CLXXXVI.
They would not go without a leech, whose skill Might ease the wound of warlike Olivier; Which, as in the beginning it could ill Be salved, is hard to heal. Meanwhile they hear The champion so complain, his outcries fill Orlando and all that company with fear. While they discoursed thereon, the skipper, moved By a new notion, said what all approved.
CLXXXVII.
' A hermit not far distant hence, he said, ' A lonely rock inhabits in this sea; ' Whose isle none, seeking succour, vainly tread, ' Whether for counsel or for aid it be; ' Who hath done superhuman deeds ; the dead ' Restores to life; and makes the blind to see; e Hushes the winds; and with a sign o' the cross ' Lulls the loud billows when they highest toss ;
CLXXXVIII.
' And adds they need not doubt, if they will go ' To seek that holy man to God so dear, ' But he on Olivier will health bestow; 1 Having his virtue proved by signs more clear.' This counsel pleases good Orlando so, That for the holy place he bids him steer; Who never swerving from his course, espies The lonely rock, upon Aurora's rise.
VOL. VIII. F
I
(id I III OKI \\IHI I IKX'-u. CANT"
CLXXXIX
Worked by good mariners, the bark was laid Safely beside the rugged rock and fell : The marquis there, with crew and servants' aid, They lowered into their boat; and through the swell And foaming waters in that shallop made For the rude isle; thence sought the holy cell : The holy cell of that same hermit hoar, By whom Rogero was baptized before.
» XC.
The servant of the Lord of Farad i si- Receives Orlando and the rest on land; Blesses the company in cheerful wise; And after of their errand makes demand ; Though he already had received advice From angels of the coming of that band. ' That they were thither bound in search of aid ' For Oliviero's hurt," Orlando said ;
CXCI.
' Who, warring for tin- Christian faith, in fight ' To perilous pass was brought by evil \\ound.' All dismal fear relieved that eremite, And promised he would make him wholly sound. In that no unguents hath the holy wight, Nor is in other human medicine found, His church he seeks, his knee to J»-MIN hows, And issues from the fane with cheerful brows;
CANTO XLm. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 07
CXCII.
And in the name of those eternal Three,
The Father, and the Son, and Holy Ghost, * On Oliviero bade his blessing be.
Oh ! grace vouchsafed to faith ! his sainted host
From every pain the paladin did free;
And to his foot restored its vigour lost.
He moved more nimble than before, and sure ;
And present was Sobrino at the cure.
CXCIII.
Sobrino, so diseased that lie descried
How worse with each succeeding day he grew, As soon as he that holy monk espied The manifest and mighty marvel do, Disposed himself to cast Mahound aside, And own in Christ a living God and true. He, full of faith, with contrite heart demands Our holy rite of baptism at his hands.
CXCIV.
So him baptized the hermit; and as well That monarch made as vigorous as whilere. At this conversion no less gladness fell On Roland and each Christian cavalier, Than when, restored from deadly wound, and well The friendly troop beheld Sir Olivier. Rogero more rejoiced than all that crew; And still in faith and grace the warrior grew.
F2
I III Ui:i..\M)l) I I UIOMI. I ANTO XI. III.
cxcv.
Rogero from the day he swam ashore Upon that islet, tlirrr had ever been. That band is counselled by the hermit lm:ir. Who stands, benign, those warlike knights between, ' Eschewing in their passage mire and moor, ' To wade withal through that dead water, clean, ' Which men call life; wherein so fools delight; ' And evermore on heaven to fix their sight.'
CXCVI.
Roland on shipboard sends one from his throng,
Who fetches hence good wine, hams, cheese, and bread ;
And makes the sage, who had forgotten long
All taste of partridge since on fruits he fed,
Even do for love, what others did, among
Those social guests for whom the board was spread.
They, when their strength by food was reinforced,
Of many things amid themselves discoursed ;
CXCVII.
And as in talk it often doth befall
That one thing from another takes its rise,
Roland and Olivier Rogero call
To mind for that Rogero, in. such wise
Renowned in arms; whose valour is of all
Lauded and echoed with accordant cries.
Not even had Rinaldo known the knight
For him whose prowess he had proved in fight.
CANTO XLIII. THE OHLANDO FU1UOSO. 69
CXCVIII.
Him well Sobrino recognized whilere, As soon as with that aged man espied; But he at first kept silence; for in fear Of some mistake the monarch's tongue was tied. But when those others know the cavalier For that Rogero, famous far and wide, Whose courtesy, whose might and daring through The universal world loud Rumor blew,
CXCIX
All, for they know he is a Christian, stand About him with serene and joyful face : All press upon the knight; one grasps his hand; Another locks him fast in his embrace : Yet more than all the others of that band Him would Montalban's lord caress and grace : Why more than all the others will appear In other strain, if you that strain will hear.
NOTES TO CANTO XLIII.
it
Their •way the waters from Benacus take. Built was the city, when to rum went Walls founded by the Agenorian snake*
Stanza xi. lines 4, 5, 6.
Benacus is the ancient name of the Lago di Garda; the city is Mantua; and the " walls founded by the Agenorian snake" those of Thebes, built by the follower of Cadmus, son of Agenor; viz. those who sprung from the teeth of the serpent which Cadmus had slain.
2.
By her say
Moved solid earth, and made the sun stand still, Illumined gloomy night, and darkened day: Yet never could she work upon my will, The anguish of her amorous wound to allay.
Stanza xxi. lines 2. 3, 4, 5, 6.
Ariosto, who was an admirer and imitator of Ovid, seems to have had Medaea in his recollection.
" Nubilaque induco .... Stantia concutio cantu freta
concussaque sisto."
And again,
" Nil dea, nil Hecates sacra poteutis agunt."
ii) CANTO XI. 111.
3.
vat for Arthur made by Morgue the fay.
Stanza xxviii. line :t.
Morgue (he fay, or Morgana, according to the romances of the Round Table, was sister to King Arthur. Tin- story of her may In- found in many romance*, fabliaux, and ballads; among other collections, in Percy'* lieliqvet, &c.
4.
Sir, a fair city nigh at hand, ifc.
A Trajan remnant it* foundation* placed, Which reaped from Attila't destructive vatte.
Stanza xxxii. lines 1, 7, 8.
Kerrara ; which, according to common opinion, was founded by fugitive Paduans, the supposed descendants of the fol- lowers of Antenor.
5.
Through bone* and vein* there vent a deadly chill; My tongue clave to my throat.
Stanza xxxix. lines 3 and 4.
" Mihi frigidus horror Mt-mbra quatit.
vox faucibns hac.Mt."
6.
To that itle Nearett the town.
Stanza hi. lines 3 and 4.
An island on the Po termed Belvedere, in the time of Arii-t.- Unions for its buildings, garden*, and inrnaiM
NOTES TO CANTO XLIIl. 73
7.
Circling the Jieaven in Aries, the fourth sphere.
Stanza Ivii. line 4.
The astronomical year beginning with the entrance of the sun iuto Aries.
To hear that praised which fair Nausic'da bore.
Stanza Ivii. line 8.
The island of Phoeacia.
9.
Herded or housed erewhik by Circe were.
Stanza Iviii. line 6.
The reading of the edition printed in conformity to that revised by Ariosto, and from which I have taken my text, is
" Quante Vi fien ne in mandra Circe ebbe ne in Aara."
Hara, from the Latin, means a sty. The orthography of the other editions (ara) may mislead the reader in the construction of this passage.
10.
And that Duke Hercules' .tire and Hercules'1 son.
Stanza lix. line 7.
Alphonso the first was son of Hercules the first, and father of Hercules the second, dukes of Ferrara.
71 NOTES TO CANTO XLI11
n.
Sti«litinff hit Ulpiau.
Sian/a Ixxii. lint- 4.
A writer on law of the time of Alexander Sererus.
12. Whence Manto, Sfc.
Stanza Ixxiv. Hue 5.
Manto, the daughter of Tiresias, is not represented in mythology as the foundress of Mantua, but as the mother of Ocnus or Bianor, who built, and named, it after her.
13.
If he Ttberiiu* treature had pottert.
Stanza Ixxr. Hue 5.
Not i In- more famous emperor of that name, but the r <>t" .liiotinu* tlir younger, and famous for his immense
14. And ttream into vhote bed Santernofaib,
Stanza cxlv. line 8.
May, perhaps, puzzle some readers; the more so as the San- tcruo is not laid down in ilr- roniinun maps of Italy, or indeed described in common geographical dictioniuifs. It i> ;t torrent which flows into thr lU-no; which river in this place tKni|iii-< tin- ancient channel of that branch of the Po called Prhnaro, or P0
NOTES TO CANTO XLIII. 75
15.
Next through a stagnant channel make, that near Ravenna brings by noon the cavalier.-
Stanza cxlvi. lines 7 and 8.
This is the navigable canal mentioned by Pliny which was fed by the waters of the Po, and ran from that river to the port of Ravenna. It seems to have been gradually filled up, and no trace of it is found in modern maps. Harrington, speaking of it, says, " but now it is scant navigable."
The reader, conversant with the Italian, will see that I have changed one incident in the story related in this canto ; which, as it appeared to me, could not suffer translation. In doing so I have followed the example of Hoole. Harrington, the courtier and godson of Queen Elizabeth, to whom he has dedicated his work, was less scrupulous, and may be pronounced much grosser than his original : for Ariosto has at least had the grace,
" . . Male «ominatis
parcere verbis."
Whereas his first translator has, by a corresponding rhyme, indicated that a blank left by him in a stanza of this canto is to be filled up by a word which would hardly now be found in the most offensive ballad circulated within the liberties of St. Giles's. I am led to mention this more especially, because the fact seems to throw some doubt on the prevalent opinion, that the spirit of the age of Ariosto, and its neighbouring aeras, was much coarser and more licentious in Italy than in England. It is not, however, decisive of the contrary, and may perhaps be considered by some as rather indicative of individual than of national character ; for coarseness was the characteristic of Harrington, although the godson and the courtier of a virgin queen. From this source indeed are derived all his defects as a translator; hence the light and often half-veiled pleasantry
76 XOTES TO CANTO XL1II.
• »to is |,y liiin too often breadthencd into buffooiu i> , and idiom, in the management of which Ariosto is inimitable, converted into arrant slang. His translation of part of a stan/a, which is next but one to that to which I have referred, may illustrate what I have said. The ordinal makes the judge's wife observe to him, that they had better lei the give againtt the take, and forgive each other their mutual offences :
" Di par 1* avere e '1 dar, marito, poni ;
I'.i corn* in a te, che tu a me anon1 perdoni."
Which Harrington renders,
" I pardon thee, and thou shall me forgive; And quite each other all old debts and driblets, And set the hare's head against the goose giblets."
Canto cxliii. si an/a 13fi.
Now nothing like these blots is to be found in the Fairfaxes or other distinguished poets of the period whereof we are speak, ing, whether lyrical or dramatical, and the passage which I have last cited could not have been the familiar language of his day, because Harrington has thought it necessary to explain it in a marginal note. If, however, it may be contended that the prossness of one author is not enough to justify us in taxing his court or country with grossness, the extreme favour with which his work was received may, perhaps, fairly lead to such an inference.
THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.
CANTO XLIV.
ARGUMENT.
Rinaldo hit titter to the Child hath plight, And to Afiirsrilli-* i* •u.-ith th<- n tirrior gone: And har'niff crimtoncd vide thr firld in fight, Tlnrrin arrives King Othai't valiant ton. To Parit thence: vhere to that tquadron bright It mighty grace and wondrous honour done. The Child departty resolved on Lco't daughter, To uhom Duke Aymon had betrothed hit dai,_
CANTO XLIV.
I.
IN poor abode, mid paltry walls and bare, Amid discomforts and calamities, Often in friendship hearts united are, Better than under roof of lordly guise, Or in some royal court, beset with snare, Mid envious wealth, and ease, and luxuries; Where charity is spent on every side, Nor friendship, unless counterfeit, is spied.
II.
Hence it ensues that peace and pact between Princes and peers are of such short-lived wear. To-day king, pope, and emperor leagued are seen, And on the morrow deadly foemen are. Because such is not as their outward mien The heart, the spirit, that those sovereigns bear. Since, wholly careless as to right or wrong, But to their profit look the faithless throng. "
80 im «»;i \MIOIITRIOSO. \i-iv.
III.
Though little prom- to friendship is that sort, Because with those she loveth not t«> thvrll. Who, he thi-ir talk in earnest or in sport, Speak not, except some cozening tale to tell ; Yi-t if together in some poor resort They prisoned are by Fortune false and fell, What friendship is they speedily discern; Though years had past, and this was yet to learn.
IV.
In his retreat that ancient eremite
Could bind his inmates with a f;ister noose, And in true love more firmly them unite, Than other could in domes where courtiers use ; And so enduring was the knot and tight, That nothing short of death the tic could loose. Benignant all the hermit found that crew ; Whiter at heart than swans in outward hue.
V.
All kind he found them, and of courteous lore; Untainted with iniquity, in wise Of them I painted, and who nevermore Go forth, unless concealed in some disguise. Of injuries among them done before All memory. by thosr comrades buried lies: Nor could they better love, if from one womb And from one seed that warlike band had come.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 81
VI.
Rinaldo more than all that lordly train Rogero graced and lovingly caressed; As well because he on the listed plain Had proved the peer so strong in martial gest, As that he was more courteous and humane Than any knight that e'er laid lance in rest : But much more; that to him on many a ground By mighty obligation was he bound.
VII.
The fearful risk by Richardetto run He knew, and how Rogero him bested; What time the Spanish monarch's hest was done, And with his daughter he was seized in bed; And how he had delivered either son Of good Duke Buovo (as erewhile was said) From Bertolagi of Maganza's hand, His evil followers, and the paynim band.
VIII.
To honour and to hold Rogero dear,
Him, Sir Rinaldo thought, this debt constrained; And that he could not so have done whilere, The warlike lord was sorely grieved and pained; When one for Africk's monarch couched the spear, And one the cause of royal Charles maintained : Now he Rogero for a Christian knew, What could not then be done he now would do.
VOL. VIII. G
82 THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XMV.
IX.
Welcome, with endless proffers, on his side, And honour he to good Rogcro paid. The prudent sire that in such kindness spied An opening made for more, the pass assay* >1: " And nothing else remains," that hermit cried, " (Nor will, I trust, my counsel be gainsaid) " But that, conjoined by friendship, you shall be " Yet faster coupled by affinity.
X.
" That from the two bright progenies, which none " Will equal in illustrious blood below, " A race may spring, that brighter than the sun " Will shine, wherever that bright sun may glow; " And which, when years and ages will have run " Their course, will yet endure and fairer show. " While in their orbits burn the heavenly fires: " So me, for your instruction, God inspires."
XI.
And his discourse pursuing still, the seer So spake, he moves Rinaldo by his rede To give his sister to the cavalier; Albeit with either small entreaties need. Together with Orlando, Olivier The counsel lauds, and would that union speed: King Charles and Aynion \vill, he hopes, approve. And France will welcome wide their wedded It
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FCRIOSO. 83
XII.
So spake together peer and paladine:
Nor knew that Aymon, with King Charles' consent,
Unto the Grecian emperor Constantine
To give his gentle daughter had intent ;
Who for young Leo, of his lofty line
The heir and hope, to crave the maid had sent.
Such warmth the praises of her worth inspired,
With love of her unseen was Leo fired.
XIII.
To him hath Aymon answered ; ' he, alone, ' Cannot conclude thereon in other sort, ' Until he first hath spoken with his son, ' Rinaldo, absent then from Charles's court; ' Who with winged haste, he deems, will thither run, ' And joy in kinsman of such high report; ' But from the high regard he bears his heir, ' Can nought resolve till thither he repair.'
XIV.
Now good Rinaldo, of his father wide,
And of the imperial practice knowing nought, Promised his beauteous sister as a bride, Upon his own, as well as Roland's thought And the others, harboured in that cell beside; But most of all on him the hermit wrought; And by such marriage, 'twas the peer's belief, He could not choose but pleasure Clermont's chief.
o2
84 THE ORLANDO FUBIOSO. CANTO XI.IV
XV.
That day arid night, and of the following day
Great part, with that sage monk the warriors spont; Scarce mindful that the crew their coining stay, Albeit tin- wind Uew fair fur their intent. But these, impatient at their long delay, Afore than one message to the warriors sent ; And to return those barons urged so sore, Parforce they parted from tho hermit hoar.
XVI.
The Child who, so long banished, had not strayrd From the lone rock, whereon the waters roared, His farewell to that holy master made, Who taught him the true faith: anew with sword Orlando girt his side, and with the blade. Frontino and martial Hector's arms restored ; As knowing horse and arms were his whilere, As well as out of kindness to the peer;
XVII.
And, though the enchanted sword with better ri^lit Would have been worn by good Anglantes' chief, Who from the fearful garden by his might Had won the blade1 with mickle toil and grief, Than by Rogero, who that faulchion bright Received with good Frontino, from the tl. He willingly thereof, as with the rest, As soon as asked, the warrior repossest.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 85
XVIII.
The hermit blessings on the band implores : They to their bark in fine return; their sails Give to the winds, and to the waves their oars; And such clear skies they have and gentle gales, Nor vow nor prayer the patron makes; and moors His pinnace in the haven of Marseilles. There, safely harboured, let the chiefs remain, Till I conduct Astolpho to that train.
XIX.
When of that bloody, dear-bought victory The scarcely joyful tale Astolpho knew, He, seeing evermore fair France would be Secure from mischief from the Moorish crew, Homeward to send the king of ^thiopy Devised, together with his army, through The sandy desert, by the self-same track, Through which he led them to Biserta's sack.
XX.
Erewhile restored, in Afric waters ride
Sir Dudon's ships which did the paynims rout; Whose prows (new miracle!) and poop, and side, As soon as all their sable crews are out, Are changed anew to leaves; which far and wide, Raised by a sudden breeze, are blown about; And scattered in mid-air, like such light gear, Go eddying with the wind, and disappear.
86 THK OKLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XL1V-
XXI.
Home, horse and foot, the Nubian host arraid By squadrons, all, from wasted Africk go; But to their kinj:, first, thanks Astolplio paid, And said, he an eternal debt should owe; In that he had in person given him aid With all his niijiht and main against the foe. The skins Astolpho gave them, which confined The turbid and tempestuous southern \\ ind.
XXII.
I say, enclosed in skins that wind he gave, Which in such fury blows at noon, on high It moves the shifting plain in many a wave, And fills with eddying sand the troubled sky, To carry with them, and from scathe to save Their squadrons, lest the dusty whirlwind rly; And bids them, when arrived at home, nnnoose The bladder's vent, and let their prisoner loose.
XXIII.
When they have lofty Atlas' passes won, The horses that the Nubian riders bear, Turpin relates, are changed at once to stone; So that the steeds return to what they were. But it is time the Duke to France was gone; Who having thus provided, in hi> care, For the main places in the Moorish land, Made the hippogryph anew hi* wings expand;
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 87
XXIV.
He reached Sardinia at one flight and shear, Corsica from Sardinia; and then o'er The foaming sea his venturous course did steer, Inclining somewhat left the griffin's soar. In the sea-marshes last his light career He stopt, on rich Provence's pleasant shore : Where to the hyppogryph by him is done What was erewhile enjoined by sainted John.
XXV. To him the charge did sainted John commit,
When to Provence by that winged courser borne,
Him nevermore with saddle or with bit
To gall, but let him to his lair return.
Already had the planet, whither flit
Things lost on earth, of sound deprived his horn:
For this not only hoarse but mute remained,
As soon as the holy place Astolpho gained.
XXVI.
Thence to Marseilles he came; and came the day Orlando, and Rinaldo, and Olivier Arrived therein, upon their homeward way, With good Sobrino, and the better peer, Rogero : not so triumphs that array, Touched by the death of him, their comrade dear, As they fftr such a glorious victory won — But for that sad disaster — would have done.
>S I HI. OH1.ANDO H KlOMt. lANi.-XLIV.
XXVII.
Of the kings slain upon the puyniin part,
The news from Sicily to Charles wen- blown,
Sobrino's fate, and death of Urandimart;
Nor less of good Rogero had IM-I-II shown.
Charles stood with jocund face and gladsome heart,
Rejoicing he had from his shoulders thrown
The intolerable load wherof the weight
Will for long time prevent his standing straight.
XXVIII. To honour those fair pillars that sustain
The state — the holy empire's corner-stone — The nobles of his kingdom Charlemagne Dispatched, to meet the knights, as far as Saone; And from his city with his worthiest train, King, duke, and her, the partner of his throne, Issued amid a fair and gorgeous band Of noble damsels, upon either hand.
XXIX.
The emperor Charles with bright and cheerful brow, Lords, paladins and people, kinsmen, friends, Fair love to Roland and the others show. Mongrana and Clermout's cry the welkin rends. No sooner, mid that kind and festal show, The interchange of fond cmbracements ends, Than Roland and his friends Rogero biing. And mid those lords present him to the king;
CANTO XLIV. THE OELANDO FURIOSO. 89
XXX.
And him Rogero of Risa's son declare, And vouch in valour as his father's peer, " Witnesses of his worth our squadrons are, " They best can tell his prowess with the spear." Meanwhile, the ndble and the lovely pair, Marphisa and gentle Bradamant appear. This runs to fold Rogero to her heart; More coy, that other stands somedeal apart.
XXXI.
The emperor bids Rogero mount again,
Who from his horse had lit, in reverence due; And, side by side, with him his courser rein; Nor aught omits that monarch which may do The warrior honour, mid his martial train : How the true faith he had embraced he knew; Of all instructed by that band before ; When first those paladins set foot ashore.
XXXII.
With pomp triumphal and with festive cheer The troop returns within the city- walls : With leaves and garlands green the streets appear, And tapestried all about with gorgeous palls. Of herbs and flowers a mingled rain, where'er They wend, upon the conquering squadron falls, Which with* full hands from stand and window throw Damsel and dame upon the knights below..
90 THE ORLAXDO FUB1OSO. CANTO XI.IV.
XXXIII.
At every turn, in various places are,
Of sudden structure arch and trophj high,
Whereon Biserta's sack is painted fair,
Ruin and fire, and feat of chivalry :
Scaffolds, upraised for different snorts elsewhere
And merrimake and stage-play meet the eye;
And, writ with truth, above, below, In-tween,
To THE EMPIRE'S SAVIOURS, everywhere is seen.
XXXIV.
With sound of shrilling pipe and trumpet proud, And other festive music, laughter light, Applause and favour of the following crowd, Which scarce found room, begirt with danu-and kniirht. The mighty emperor, mid those greetings loud, Before the royal palace did alight : Where many days he feasted hiirli in hall His lords, mid tourney, mummery, mask and ball.
XXXV.
His son to Aymon on a day made known His sister he would make Rogero's bride; And, before Olivier and ^lilo's son*, Her to the Child by promise had allied ; Who think with him that kindred is there none Wherewith to league themselves, on any side, For valour or nobility of Mood, Better than his; nay, none so passing good. • Orlando.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 91
XXXVI.
Duke Aymon beard his heir with some disdain; That, without concert with him, and alone He dared to plight his daughter, whom he fain Would marry to the Grecian emperor's son; And not to him that has no kingly reign, Nay has not ought that he can call his own; And should not know, how little nobleness Is valued without wealth; how virtue less.
XXXVII.
But Beatrice, his wife, with more despite Arraigns her son, and calls him arrogant; And moves each open way and hidden sleight To break Rogero's match with Bradamant; Resolved to tax her every means and might To make her empress of the wide Levant. Firm in his purpose is Montalban's lord, Nor will in aught forego his plighted word.
XXXVIII.
Beatrice who believes the highminded feu- Is at her best, exhorts her to reply, ' Rather than she will be constrained to pair ' With a poor knight, she is resolved to die;' Nor, if this wrong she from Rinaldo bear Will she regard her with a mother's eye : Let her refuse and keep her stedfast course; For her free mil Rinaldo cannot force.
92 I III ORLANDO FUllIOSO. CANToxi.iV.
XXXIX.
Silent stands mournful Hradamant, nor dares M< 'aim-bile her lady-mother's sj)eecli {gainsay; To whom such reverence, and respect, she bears, She thinks no choice is left but to obey. Yet a foul fault it in her eyes appears, If what she will not do, she falsely say : She will not, for she cannot; since above All guidance, great or small, is mighty Love.
XL. Deny she dared not, nor yet seem content;
So, sighed and spake not; but — when uncontrolled She could — she gave her secret sorrow vent, While from her eyes the tears like billows rolled ; A portion of the pains that her torment, [flJUetmg on her breast and locks of gold : For this she Ix-at, ami those uptore and brake; And thus she made lament, and thus she spake.
XLI.
" Ah ! shall I will what she wills not, by right " More sovereign mistress of my will than I ? " Hers shall I hold so cheaply, as to slight " A mother's will, my own to satisfy .' " Alas! what blemish is so foul to sight " In damsel? What so ill, as to atf'v " Myself to husband, reckless of her will. Which 'tis my duty ever to fulfil ?
CANTO XLIV. THE OELANDO FURIOSO.
XLII.
" Wo worth the while ! and shall I then to thee " By filial love be forced to be untrue, " O my Rogero, and surrender me " To a new hope, a new love, and a new " Desire; or rather from those ties break free, " From all good children to good parents due; " Observance, reverence cast aside; and measure " My duty by my happiness, my pleasure ?
XLIII.
" I know, alas! what I should do; I know
" That which a duteous daughter doth behove;
" I know; but what avails it, if not so
" My reason moves me as my senses move;
" If she retires before a stronger foe;
" Nor can I of myself dispose, for Love;
" Nor think how to dispose; so strict his sway;
" Nor, saving as he dictates, do and say ?
XLIV.
" Aymon and Beatrice's child, the slave " Of Love am I; ah ! miserable me! " I from my parents am in hope to have " Pardon and pity, if in fault I be : " But, if I anger Love, whose prayer shall save " Me from his fury, till one only plea, " Of mine the Godhead shall vouchsafe to hear; " Nor doom me dead as soon as I appear ?
'.' ! THE ORLANDO FURIO8O. CANTO XI. iv.
XLV. " Alas ! with long and obstinate pursuit,
" To our faith to draw Rogero have I wrought; " And finally have drawn; lint with what hunt. " If my fair deed for other's Lr<*i(l he wrought "' " So yearly hy the bee, whose labour's fruit " Is lost for her, is hive with h-mey fraught. " But I will die ere I the Child forsake. " And other husband than Rogero take.
XLVI. " If I shall not obey my father's best,
" Nor mother's, I my brother's shall obey,
" Of greater wisdom far than them JM.VM-M ;
" Nor Time hath made that warrior's wit hi-; prey ;
" And what he wills by Holand is ]>r>
" And, one and the other, on my side are they ;
" A pair more feared and honoured far and wide
" Than all the members of my house beside.
XLVII.
" If them the flower of Clermont's noble tree, " The glory and the splendour all account ; " If all believe our other chivalry " They, more than head o'ertojis tlie foot, surmount; " Why would I Aymon should dispose of me, " Rather than irood Rinaldo and the Count? " I should not; so much less, as in-t attii d " To Leo, and Rogero's promised bride.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FCJRIOSO. 95
XLVIII.
If cruel thoughts the afflicted maid torment, Rogero's mind enjoys not more repose; For albeit those sad tidings have not vent Yet in the city, he the secret knows. He o'er his humble fortunes makes lament Which his enjoying such a good oppose; As unendowed with riches or with reign, Dispensed so widely to a worthless train.
XLIX.
Of other goods which Nature's hand supplies, Or which acquired by man's own study are, He such a portion in himself espies, Such and so large was never other's share : In that, no beauty with his beauty vies ; In that, resistance to his might is rare. The palm by none from him can challenged be, In regal splendour, magnanimity.
L.
But they at whose disposal honours lie, Who give at will, and take away renown; The vulgar herd; and from the vulgar I, Except the prudent man, distinguish none; Nor emperor, pope, nor king, is raised more high Than these by sceptre, mitre, or by crown, Nor save by prudence; save by judgement, given But to the favoured few by partial Heaven;
96 Till OKI \M)O FURIOSO. CANT" \ i r
LI.
This vulgar (to say out what I would say)
Which only honours wealth, therewith more smit Than any worldly thing ln'side, nor they Aught heed or aught esteem, ungraced with it, Be beauty or be daring what it may. Dexterity or prowess, worth, or wit, Or goodness — yet more vulgar stands con feat In that whereof I speak than in the rest.
LII.
Rogero said; " If Aymon is disposed •• An empress in his Bradamant to see, " Let not his treaty be so quickly closed " With Leo; let a year IK> granted me: " In that, meanwhile, I hope, by me drjxised " Shall Leo with his royal father lie. " And I, encircled with their forfeit crown. " Shall be for Aymon no unworthy sun
LIII.
" But if he gives without delay, as said. " His daughter to the son of Constant ine. " If to that promise no regard be paid. " Which good Rinaldo and the paladinc, " His cou>in, erst before the hermit made. " The Marquis Olivier and King Sobrine, " What shall I do"- such grievous wrong shall I " Endure, or, rather than endure it, die?
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 97
LIV.
" What shall I do? her father then pursue,
" On whom for vengeance this grave outrage cries?
" I heed not that the deed is hard to do,
" Or if the attempt in me is weak or wise : —
" But presuppose that, with his kindred crew
" Slain by my hand that unjust elder dies;
" This will in nothing further my content;
" Nay it will wholly frustrate my intent.
LV.
" 'Twas ever my intent, and still 'tis so,
" To have the love, not hatred, of that fair;
" But should I Aymon slay, or bring some woe,
" By plot or practice, on his house or heir,
" Will she not justly hold me as her foe,
" And me, that foeman, as her lord forswear?
" What shall I do, endure such injury ?
" Ah ! no, by Heaven ! far rather I will die.
LVI.
" Nay die I will not ; but with better right " Shall Leo die, who so disturbs my joy ; " He and his unjust sire; less dear his flight " With Helen paid her paramour of Troy; " Nor yet in older time that foul despite, " Done to Proserpina, cost such annoy " To bold Pirithous, as for her I 've lost " My grief of heart shall son and father cost.
VOL. VIII. H
98 THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XLIV.
LVII.
" Can it be true, my life, that to forsake
" Thy champion for this Greek should prii-vr not thee?
" And could thy father force thcc him t«i take,
" Though joined thy brethren with thy sire should be?
" But 'tis my fcnr that thou would'st nit her make
" Accord wit h;il with Aymnn than with me;
" And that it secmeth better in thy sight
" To \\t-d with ('.Tsar than with simple wight.
LVIII.
"Can it l>e true that royal naim- should blind. " Imperial title, pomp and majesty, " And taint my Bradamant's egregious mind, " Her mighty valour and her virtue high, " So that, as cheaper, she should cast behind " Her plighted faith, and from her promise fly? " Nor sooner she a foe to Love be made, " Than she no longer say, what once she said?"
LIX.
These things Rogero said, and more beside, Discoursing with himself, and in such strain Oftentimes the afflicted warrior cried, That stander by o'crheard the knight complain, And more than once his grief was signified To her that was the occasion of his pain; Who no less for his cruel woe, when known, Lamented than for sorrows of her own.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 99
LX.
But most, of all the sorrows that were said To vex Rogero, most it works her woe To hear that he afflicts himself, in dread Lest for the Grecian prince she him forego. Hence this belief, this error, from his head To drive, and comfort on the knight bestow, The trustiest of her bower-women, one day, She to Rogero bade these words convey.
LXI.
" Rogero, I what I was till death will be; " And be more faithful, if I can be more : " Deals Love in kindness or in scorn with me; " Hath doubtful Fortune good or ill in store; " I am a very rock of faith, by sea " And winds unmoved, which round about it roar. " Nor I have changed for calm or storm, nor I " Will ever change to all eternity.
LXII.
" Sooner shall file or chisel made of lead
" To the rough diamond various forms impart,
" Than any stroke, by fickle Fortune sped,
" Or Love's keen anger, break my constant heart:
" Sooner return, to Alp, their fountain-head,
" The troubled streams that from its summit part,
" Than e'er, for change or chances, good or nought,
" Shall wander from its way my stedfast thought
100 Tim ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO Xl.iv.
LXIII.
" All power o'er me have I bestowed on you, " Rogero; and more than others may divine: " I know that to a prince whose throne is new " Was never fealty sworn more true than mine; " Nor ever surer state, this wide world through, " By king or keysar was possest than thine. " Thou need'st not dig a ditch nor build a tower, " In fear lest any rob thee of that power.
LXIV.
•• For if thou hire no aids, assault is none,
" But what thereon shall aye be made in vain;
" Nor shall it be by any riches won :
" So vile a price no gentle heart can gain :
" Nor by nobility, nor kingly crown,
" That dazzle so the silly vulgar train;
" Nor beauty, puissant with the weak and light,
" Shall ever make me thee for other slight.
LXV.
" Thou hast no cause, amid thy griefs, to fear " My heart should ever bear new impress more : " So deeply is thine image graven here, " It cannot be removed : that my heart's core " Is not of wax is proved ; for Love whilere " Smote it a hundred times, not once, before " He by his blows a single scale displaced, " What time therein his hand thine image traced.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 101
LXVI.
" Ivory, gem, and every hard-grained stone
" That best resists the griding tool, may break : " But, save the form it once hath taken, none " Will ever from the graver's iron take. " My heart like marble is, or thing least prone " Beneath the chisel's trenchant edge to flake : " Love this may wholly splinter, ere he may " Another's beauty in its core enlay."
LXVII.
Other and many words with comfort rife, And full of love and faith, she said beside ; Which might a thousand times have given him life, Albeit a thousand times the knight had died : But, when most clear of the tempestuous strife, In friendly port these hopes appeared to ride, These hopes a foul and furious wind anew Far from the sheltering land to seaward blew.
LXVIII.
In that the gentle Bradamant, who fain Would do far more than she hath signified, With wonted daring armed her heart again; And boldly casting all respect aside, One day stood up before King Charlemagne; And, " Sire, if ever yet," the damsel cried, " I have found favour in your eyes for deed " Done heretofore, deny me not its meed;
HU TIIK ORLANDO FUHIOSO. CANTO XLIV.
LXIX. " And I entreat, before I claim my fee,
" That you to me your royal promise plight,
" To grant my prayer; and fain would have you see
" That what I shall demand is just and riirht."
" Thy valour, damsel dear, deserves from me
" The boon wherewith thy worth I should requite
(Charles answered), " and I to content thee swear,
"Though of my kingdom thou should'st claim a share.'
LXX.
" The boon for which I to your highness sue, • • Is not to let my parents me accord (Pursued the martial damsel) save he shew
• More prowess than myself, to any lord.
•• Let him contend with me in tourney, who " Would have me, or assay me with the sword. " Me as his wife let him that wins me, wear; " Let him that loses me, with other pair."
LXXI.
With cheerful face the emperor made reply, ' The entreaty was well worthy of the maid;
• And that with tranquil mind she might rely,
' He would accord the boon for which she prayed.' This audience was not given so secretly, But that the news to others were conveyed; Which on that very day withal were told In the ears of Beatrice and Aymon old ;
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 103
LXXII.
Wlio against Bradamant with fury flame, And both alike, with sudden anger fraught, (For plainly they perceive, that in her claim She for Rogero more than Leo wrought) And active to prevent the damsel's aim From being to a safe conclusion brought, Privily take her from King Charles's court, And thence to Rocca Forte's tower transport.
LXXIII.
A castle this, which royal Charlemagne Had given to Aymon some few days before, Built between Carcasson and Perpignan, On a commanding point upon the shore. Resolved to send her eastward, there the twain As in a prison kept her evermore. Willing or nilling, so must she forsake Rogero, and for lord must Leo take.
LXXIV.
The martial maid of no less modest vein Than bold and full of fire before the foe, Albeit no guard on her the castellain Hath set, and she is free to come or go, Observant of her sire, obeys the rein : Yet prison, death, and every pain and woe To suffer is resolved that constant maid Before by her Rogero be betrayed.
104 THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO Xi.iv.
LXXV.
Rinaldo, who thus ravished from his hand, By ancient Aymon's craft his sistrr spied, And saw he could no more in wedlock's band Dispose of her, by him in vain nmYd. Of his old sire complains, and him doth brand, Laying his filial love and fear asidr : But little him Rinaldo's words nmlot ; Who by the maid will do as likes him best.
LXX\ I
Rogero, hearing this and sore afraid
That he shall lose his bride; and Leo take, If left alive, by force or love the maid, Resolved within himself (but nothing spake) Constantino's heir should perish by his blade; And of Augustus him a god would make1. He, save his hope deceived him and was vain, Would sire and son deprive of life and reign.
LXXVII.
His limbs in arms, which Trojan Hector's were, And afterwards the Tartar king's, he steeled; Bade rein Frontino, and his wonted wear Exchanged, crest, surcoat and emblazoned shield. On that emprize it pleased him not to bear His argent eagle on its azure field. White as a lily, was a unicorn By him upon a field of crimson worn.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FUHIOSO. 105
LXXVIII.
He chose from his attendant squires the best, And willed none else should him accompany; And gave him charge, that ne'er by him exprest Rogero's name in any place should be ; Crost Meuse and Rhine, and pricked upon his quest Through the Austrian countries into Hungary; Along the right bank of the Danube made, And rode an-end until he reached Belgrade.
LXXIX.
Where Save into dark Danube makes descent, And to the sea, increased by him, doth flow, He saw the imperial ensigns spread, and tent And white pavilion, thronged with troops below. For Constantine to have that town was bent Anew, late won by the Bulgarian foe. In person, with his son, is Constantine, With all the empire's force his host to line.
LXXX.
Within Belgrade, and through the neighbouring peak, Even to its bottom which the waters lave, The Bulgar fronts him ; and both armies seek A watering-place in the intermediate Save. A bridge across that rapid stream the Greek Would fling ; the Bulgar would defend the wave ; When thither came Rogero ; and engaged Beheld the hosts in fight, which hotly raged.
KMi THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XLIT.
LXXXI.
The Greeks in that affray were four to one,
And with pontoons to bridge the stream supplied; And a bold semblance through their host put on Of crossing to the river's further side. Leo meanwhile was from the river gone With covert guile ; he took a circuit wide, Then thither made return ; his bridges placed From bank to bank, and past the stream in haste.
LXXXII.
With many horse and foot in battle dight, Who nothing under twenty thousand rank, Along the river rode the Grecian knight ; And fiercely charged his enemies in flank. The emperor, when his son appeared in sight, Leading his squadrons on the farther bank, Uniting bridge and bark together, crost Upon his part the stream with all his host.
LXXXIII.
King Vatran, chief of the Bulgarian band, Wise, bold, withal a warrior, here and there Laboured in vain such onset to withstand, And the disorder of his host repair; When Leo prest him sore, and with strong hand The king to earth In-neatli his courser bare; Whom at the prince's hest, for all too fierce Is he to yield, a thousand faulchions pierce.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 107
LXXXIV.
The Bulgar host hath hitherto made head ; But when they see their sovereign is laid low, And everywhere that tempest wax and spread, They turn their backs where erst they faced the foe. The Child, who mid the Greeks, from whom they fled, Was borne along, beheld that overthrow, And bowned himself their battle to restore, As hating Constantine and Leo more.
LXXXV.
He spurs Frontino, that in his career Is like the wind, and passes every steed; He overtakes the troop, that in their fear Fly to the mountain and desert the mead. Many he stops and turns ; then rests his spear; And, as he puts his courser to his speed, So fearful is his look, even Mars and Jove Are frighted in their azure realms above.
LXXXVI.
Advanced before the others, he descried A cavalier, in crimson vest, whereon With all its stalk in silk and gold was spied A pod, like millet, in embroidery done : Constantine's nephew, by the sister's side, He was, but was no less beloved than son : He split like glass his shield and scaly rind ; And the long lanee appeared a palm behind.
108 THK ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XLIV.
LXXXVII.
He left the dead, and dre\v his shining blade Upon a squadron, whom he saw most nigh ; And now at one, and now at other made ; Cleft bodies, and made heads from shoulders fly. At throat, at breast and flank the warrior hud ; Smote hand, and arm, and shoulder, bust, and thi^h ; And through that champaign ran the reeking blood, As to the valley foams the mountain-flood.
LXXXVIII.
None that behold those strokes maintain their place ; So are they all bewildered by their fear. Thus suddenly the battle changed its face : For, catching courage from the cavalier, The Bulgar squadrons rally, turn, and chase The Grecian troops that fled from them whilere. Lost was all order in a thought, and they With all their banners fled in disarray.
LXXXIX.
Leo Augustus on a swelling height,
Seeing his followers fly, hath taken post ; Where woful and bewildered (for to sight Nothing in all the country round is lost) He from his lofty station eyes the knight, Who with his single arm destroys that host; And cannot choose, though so his prowess harms, But praise that peer and own his worth in arms.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 109
xc.
He knew full well by ensignry displaid, By surcoat and by gilded panoply, That albeit to the foe he furnished aid, That champion was not of his chivalry; Wondering his superhuman deeds surveyed ; And now an angel seemed in him to see, To scourge the Greeks from quires above descended, Whose sins so oft and oft had heaven offended ;
XCI.
And, as a man of great and noble heart,
(Where many others would have hatred sworn)
Enamoured of such valour, on his part,
Would not desire to see him suffer scorn :
For one that died, six Grecians' death less smart
Would cause that prince ; and better had he borne
To lose as well a portion of his reign,
Than to behold so good a warrior slain.
XCII.
As baby, albeit its fond mother beat And drive it forth in anger, in its fear Neither to sire nor sister makes retreat ; But to her arms returns with fondling cheer: So Leo, though Rogero in his heat Slaughters his routed van and threats his rear, Cannot that champion hate ; because above His anger is the admiring prince's love. „
110 THE ORLANDO FMKIOSO. CANTO Xi.iv,
XCIII.
But if yonng Leo loved him and admired, Meseems that he an ill exchange hath made ; For him Rogero loathed ; nor aught desired More than to lay him lifeless with his blade : Him with his eyes he sought ; for him inquired : But Leo's fortune his desire gainsuycd ; Which with the prudence of tin- practised Greek, Made him in vain his hated rival seek.
XC'IV. Leo, for fear his bands be wholly spent,
Bids sound the assembly his Greek squadrons through :
He to his father a quick courier sent,
To pray ' that lie would pass the stream anew :
' Who, if the way was open, well content
' Might with his l>argain be ;' and with a feu
Whom he collects, the Grecian cavalier
Recrost the bridge by which he past whilere.
xcv.
Into the power o' the Bulgars many fall, Slain from the hill-top to the river-side ; And they into their hands had fallen all, But for the river's intervening tide. From the bridge many drop, and drown withal ; And many that ne'er turned their heads aside, Thence to a distant ford for safety made ; And many were dragged prisoners to Belgrade.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 1 1 1
XCVI.
When done was that day's fight, wherein (since borne To ground the Bulgar king his life did yield) His squadrons would have suffered scathe and scorn, Had not for them the warrior won the field, The warrior, that the snowy unicorn Wore for his blazon on a crimson shield, To him all flock, in him with joy and glee The winner of that glorious battle see.
XCVII.
Some bow and some salute him ; of the rest
Some kist the warrior's feet, and some his hand. Bound him as closely as they could they prest, And happy those are deemed, that nearest stand ; More those that touch him ; for to touch a blest And supernatural thing believes the band. On him with shouts that rent the heavens they cried, To be their king, their captain, and their guide.
XCVIII.
' As king or captain them will he command
' As liked them best,' he said, ' but will not lay ' On sceptre or on leading-staff his hand ; 1 Nor yet Belgrade will enter on that day : ' For first, ere farther flies young Leo's band, ' And they across the river make their way, < Him will he follow, nor forego, until ' That Grecian leader he o'ertake and kill.
112 THE ORLAXDO FURIOSO. CANTO XI. IV
XCIX.
' A thousand miles and more for this alone ' He thither measured, and for nought beside.' He saith ; and from the multitude is gone, And by a road that 's shown to him doth ride. For towards the bridge is royal Leo flown ; Haply lest him from this the fix- divide : Behind him pricks Rogero with such fire, The warrior calls not, nor awaits, his squire.
C.
Such vantage Leo has in flight (to flee He rather may be said than to retreat) The passage open hath he found and free ; And then destroys the bridge and burns his fleet. Rogero arrived not, till beneath the sea The sun was hid ; nor lodging found ; his beat He still pursued ; and now shone forth the moon : But town or village found the warrior none.
CI.
Because he wots not where to lodge, he goes All night, nor from his load Frontino frees. When the new sun his early radiance shows, A city to the left Rogero sees ; And there all day determines to repose, As where he may his wearied courser ease, Whom he so far that livelong night had pressed; Nor had he drawn his bit, nor given him rest.
CANTO XLIV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 113
CII.
Ungiardo had that city in his guard,
Constantine's liegeman, and to him right dear; Who, since upon the Bulgars he had warred, Much horse and foot had sent that emperor ; here Now entered (for the entrance was not barred) Rogero, and found such hospitable cheer, He to fare further had no need, in trace Of better or of more abundant place.
cut
In the same hostelry with him a guest Was lodged that evening a Romanian knight; Present what time the Child with lance in rest Succoured the Bulgars in that cruel fight ; Who hardly had escaped his hand, sore prest And scared as never yet was living wight; So that he trembled still, disturbed in mind, And deemed the knight of the unicorn behind.
CIV.
He by the buckler knew as soon as spied The cavalier, whose arms that blazon bear, For him that routed the Byzantine side ; By hand of whom so many slaughtered were. He hurried to the palace, and applied For audience, weighty tidings to declare; And, to Ungiardo led forthwith, rehearsed What shall by me in other strain be versed.
VOL. VIII. I
NOTES TO CANTO XLIV.
l.
Who from the fearful garden by his might Had won the blade,
Stanza xvii. lines 3 and 4.
To wit, the garden of Falerina; the destruction of which forms one of the wildest and most beautiful episodes of the Innamorato.
2.
And of Augustus him a god -would make.
Stanza Ixxvi. line 6.
The Roman emperors were deified as soon as dead; and, as the Grecian emperors were their successors, Ariosto makes Rogero destine the same honours to Leo.
i2
THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.
CANTO XLV.
ARGUMENT.
Young Leo doth from death Rogerofree; For him Rogero Bradamant hath von, Making ttuit maid appear let* ttrong to i*, Ditguixd in fight like Leo; am/, that done, Straight in detpite would tlay himtelf; to he By torrow, to by angvuh itforcdone. To hinder Leo of hit detlintd viff Afarphita work*, and kindkt mighty ttrife.
THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.
CANTO XLV.
I.
BY how much higher we see poor mortal go
On Fortune's wheel, which runs a restless round,
We so much sooner see his head below
His heels ; and he is prostrate on the ground.
The Lydian, Syracusan, Samian * show
This truth, and more whose names I shall not sound;
All into deepest dolour in one day
Hurled headlong from the height of sovereign sway.
II.
By how much more deprest on the other side,
By how much more the wretch is downwards hurled, He so much sooner mounts, where he shall ride, If the revolving wheel again be twirled. Some on the murderous block have well-nigh died, That on the following day have ruled the world. Ventidius, Servius, Marius this have shown In ancient days ; King Lewis in our own ; * Croesus, Dionysius, aud Polycrates.
I 'JO THE ORLANDO FUBIOs>0. IAMOXLV.
III.
King Lewis, stepfather of my duke's son ; Who, when his host at Santalbinu tied, Lri't in his clutch by whom that field wa,s won, Was nigh remaining shorter by the head. Nor long before the great Corvinus * run A yet more fearful peril, worse bested : Both throned, when overblown was their mischance, One king of Hungary, one king of France.
IV.
"f is plain to sight, through instances that fill The page of ancient and of modern story, That ill succeeds to good, and good to ill ; That glory ends in shame, and shame in glory; And that man should not trust, deluded still, In riches, realm, or field of battle, gory With hostile blood, nor yet despair, for spurns Of Fortune; since her wheel for ever turns'.
V.
Through that fair victory, when overthrown Were Leo and his royal sire, the knij-ht Who won that battle to such trust is grown, . In his good fortune and his peerless mit:ht, He, without following, without aid, alone (So is he prompted by his daring sprite) Thinks, mid a thousand squadrons in array, — Footmen and horsemen — sire and son to slay, lotviuus.
CANTO XL V. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 121
VI.
But she, that wills no trust shall e'er be placed In her by man, to him doth shortly show, How wight by her is raised, and how abased ; How soon she is a friend, how soon a foe; She makes him know Rogero, that in haste Is gone to work that warrior shame and woe ; The cavalier, which in that battle dread With much ado had from his faulchion fled.
VII.
He to Ungiardo hastens to declare
The Child who put the imperial host to flight, Whose carnage many years will not repair, Here past the day and was to pass the night ; And saith, that Fortune, taken by the hair, Without more trouble, and without more fight, Will, if he prisons him, the Bulgars bring Beneath the yoke and lordship of his king.
VIII.
Ungiardo from the crowd, which had pursued Thither their flight from that ensanguined plain, (For, troop by troop, a countless multitude Arrived, because not all the bridge could gain) Knew what a cruel slaughter had ensued : For there the moiety of the Greeks was slain ; And knew that by a cavalier alone One host was saved, and one was overthrown ;
122 THE OHI.AS'DO FURIOSO. t AN TO XLV.
IX.
And that undriven he should have made his way Into the net, and of his own accord, Wondered, and showed his pleasure at the gay In visage, gesture, and in joyful word. He waited till Rogero sleeping lay ; Then softly sent his guard to take that lord ; And made tin- valiant Child, who had no dread Of such a danger, prisoner in his bed.
X.
By his own shield accused, that witness true, The Child is captive in Novogorood*, To Ungiardo, worst among the cruel, who Marvellous mirth to have that prisoner shewed. And what, since he was naked, could he do, Bound, while his eyes were \et liy slumlxT glued? A courier, who the news should quickly bear, Ungiardo bids to Constantino repair.
XI.
Constantine on that night with all his host,
Raising his camp, from Save's green shore had gone :
With this in Belcticche he takes jmt,
Androphilus', his sister's husband's town,
Father of him, whose arms in their first joust
(As if of wax had Ix-en his halwrgeon)
Had pierced and carved the puissant cavalier,
Now by I'li-riardi* jn-nt in dungeon drear.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 123
XII.
Here from attack the emperor makes assure The city walls and gates on every side; Lest, from the Bulgar squadrons ill secure, Having so good a warrior for their guide, His broken Grecians worse than fear endure ; Deeming the rest would by his hand have died. Now he is taken, these breed no alarms; Nor would he fear the banded world in arms.
XIII.
The emperor, swimming in a summer sea, Knows not for very pleasure what to do : " Truly the Bulgars may be said to be " Vanquished," he cries, with bold and cheerful brow. As he would feel assured of victory, That had of either arm deprived his foe ; So the emperor was assured, and so rejoiced, When good Rogero's fate the warrior voiced.
XIV.
No less occasion has the emperor's son For joying ; for besides that he anew Trusts to acquire Belgrade, and tower and town Throughout the Bulgars' country to subdue, He would by favours make the knight his own, And hopes to rank him in his warlike crew : Nor need he envy, guarded by his blade, King Charles', Orlando's, or Rinaldo's aid.
1 -' 1 THF. ORI.AXDO FUUIOSO. « \\TOXLV.
XV.
Theodora was by other tlionghts possest,
Whose son was killed by young Rogero's spear; Which through his shoulders, entering at his breast, Issued a palm's breadth in the stripling's rear; Constantino's sister she, by grief opprest, Fell down before him ; and with many a tear That dropt into her bosom, while she sued, His heart with pity softened and subdued.
XVI.
•" I still before these feet will bow my knee,
" Save on this felon, good my lord," (she cried) " Who killed my son, to venge me thou agree, " Now that we have him in our hold; beside " That he thy nephew was, thou seest lto\v thee " He loved; thou seest what feats upon thy side " That warrior wrought; thou seest if thou wilt blot " Thine own good name, if thou avenge him not.
XVII.
" Thou seest how righteous Heaven by pity stirred " From the wide champaign, red with Grecian gore, • • Bears that fell man ; and like a reckless bird " Into the fowler's net hath made him soar; " That for short season, for revenge deferred, .My son may mourn upon tlie Stygian shore. '• Give me, /»»/ lord, I pray, this cruel foe, " That by liis torment I may soothe my woe."
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 125
XVIII.
So well she mourns; and in such moving wise And efficacious doth she make lament; (Nor from before the emperor will arise, Though he three times and four the dame has hent, And to uplift by word and action tries) That he is forced her wishes to content; And thus, according to her prayer, commands The Child to be delivered to her hands;
XIX.
And, not therein his orders to delay, They take the warrior of the unicorn To cruel Theodora; but one day Of respite has the knight : to have him torn In quarters, yet alive; to rend and slay Her prisoner publicly with shame and scorn, Seems a poor pain; and he must undergo Other unwonted and unmeasured woe.
XX.
At the commandment of that woman dread,
Chains on his neck and hands and feet they don ; And put him in a dungeon-cell, where thread Of light was never by Apollo thrown : He has a scanty mess of mouldy bread; And sometimes is he left two days with none; And one that doth the place of jailer fill Is prompter than herself to work him ill.
126 THE ORLANDO FDR I OSO. CANTO XLV.
XXI.
Oh! if Duke Aymon's daughter brave and fair, Or if Marphisa of exalted mind Had heard Rogero's sad estate declare. And how he in this guise in prison pined, To his rescue either would have made repair, And would have flung the fear of death behind : Nor had bold Bradamant, intent to aid, Respect to Beatrice or Aymon paid.
XXII.
Meanwhile King Charlemagne u]xm his side, Heeding his promise made in solemn sort, That none should have the damsel for his bride, That of her prowess in the field fell short; Not only had his sovereign pleasure cried With sound of trumpet in his royal court, But in each city subject to his crown. Hence quickly through the world the bruit was blown.
XXIII.
Such the condition which he bids proclaim :
• He that would with Duke Aymon's daughter wed
• Must with the sword contend against that dame
• From the sun's rise until he seeks his bed;
' And if he for that time maintain* the game. ' And is not overcome, without more said, ' The lady is adjudged to have !<»>t the stake; ' Nor him for husband can refuse to take.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FUEIOSO. 127
XXIV.
' The choice of arms must be by her foregone, ' No matter who may claim it in the course :' And by the damsel this may well be done, Good at all arms alike, on foot or horse. Aymon, who cannot strive against the crown, — Cannot and will not — yields at length parforce. He much the matter sifts, and in the end Resolves to court with Bradamant to wend.
XXV.
Though for the daughter choler and disdain The mother nursed, yet that she honour due Might have, she garments, dyed in different grain, Had wrought for her, of various form and hue. Bradamant for the court of Charlemagne Departs, and finding not her love, to her view His noble court appears like that no more, Which had appeared to her so fair before.
XXVI.
As he that hath beheld a garden, bright
With flowers and leaves in April or in May,
And next beholds it, when the sun his light
Hath sloped toward the north, and shortened day,
Finds it a desert horrid to the sight;
So, now that her Rogero is away,
To Bradamant, who thither made resort,
No longer what it was appeared that court.
1-N THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CAXTO XI.V
XXVII.
What is become of him she doth not dare Demand, lest more suspicion thence be bred : But listens still, and searches here and there; That this by some, unquer-tioned, may lie said; Knows he is gone, but has no notion where The warrior, when he went, his steps had sp< •<! ; Because, departing thence. In- spake no word Save to the squire who journeyed with his lord.
XXVIII.
Oh ! how she sighs ! how fears the gentle maid, Hearing Rogero, as it were, was flown ! Oh ! how above all other terrors, weighed The fear, that to forget her he was gone ! That, seeing Aymon still his wish gainsayed, And that to wed the damsel hope uas none, He fled, perchance, so hoping to l>e loosed From toils wherein he by her love was noosed;
XXIX.
And that with further end the youthful lord Her from his heart more speedily to chase, Will rove from realm to realm, till one afford Some dame, that may his former love efface; Even, as the proverb says, that in a board One nail drives out another from its place*. A second thought succeeds, and paints the youth Arraigned of fickleness, as full of truth;
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 129
XXX.
And her reproves for having lent an ear To a suspicion so unjust and blind; And so, this thought absolves the cavalier; And that accuses; and both audience find; And now this way, now that, she seemed to veer; Nor this, nor that — irresolute of mind — Preferred: yet still to what gave most delight Most promptly leaned, and loathed its opposite j
XXXI.
And thinking, ever and anon, anew On that so oft repeated by the knight, As for grave sin, remorse and sorrow grew That she had nursed suspicion and affright; And she, as her Rogero were in view, Would blame herself, and would her bosom smite; And say; " I see 'twas ill such thoughts to nurse, " But he, the cause, is even cause of worse.
XXXII.
" Love is the cause; that in my heart inlaid " Thy form, so graceful and so fair to see ; " And so thy daring and thy wit pourtrayed, " And worth, of all so bruited, that to me " It seems impossible that wife or maid, " Blest with thy sight, should not be fired by thee; " And that she should not all her art apply " To unbind, and fasten thee with other tie.
VOL. VIII. K
1 30 THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XLV.
XXXIII.
" Ah! wellaway! if in my thought Love so
1 • Thy thought, as thy fair visage, had designed,
" This — am I well assured — in open show,
" As I unseen believe it, should I find;
" And be so quit of Jealousy, that foe
" Would not still harass my suspicious mind;
" And, where she is by me repulsed with pain,
" Not quelled and routed would she be, but slain.
XXXIV.
" I am like miser, so intent on gear,
" And who hath this so buried in his heart,
" That he, for hoarded treasure still in fear,
" Cannot live gladly from his wealth apart.
" Since I Rogero neither see nor hear,
" More puissant far than Hope, O Fear ! thou art;
" To thee, though fake and idle, I give way;
" And cannot choose but yield myself thy prey.
XXXV.
" But I, Rogero, shall no sooner spy
" The light of thy glad countenance appear,
" Against mine every credence, from mine eye
" Concealed (and woe is me), I know not where, —
" Oh ! how true Hope false Fear shall from on high
" Depose withal, and to the bottom bear !
" Ah ! turn to me, Rogero ! turn again,
" And comfort Hope, whom Fear hath almost slain.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 131
XXXVI.
" As when the sun withdraws his glittering head, " The shadows lengthen, causing vain affright; " And as the shadows, when he leaves his bed, " Vanish, and reassure the timid wight: " Without Rogero so I suffer dread; " Dread lasts not, if Rogero is in sight. " Return to me, return, Rogero, lest " My hope by fear should wholly be opprest.
XXXVII.
" As every spark is in the night alive,
" And suddenly extinguished when 'tis morn ;
" When me my sun doth of his rays deprive,
" Against me felon Fear uplifts his horn :
" But they the shades of night no sooner drive,
" Than Fears are past and gone, and Hopes return.
" Return, alas ! return, O radiance dear !
" And drive from me that foul, consuming Fear.
XXXVIII.
" If the sun turn from us and shorten day,
" Earth all its beauties from the sight doth hide; " The wild winds howl, and snows and ice convey ; " Bird sings not; nor is leaf or flower espied. " So, whensoever thou thy gladsome ray, " O my fair sun, from me dost turn aside, " A thousand, and all evil, dreads, make drear " Winter within me many times a year.
K2
132 THE ORLANDO FURIO8O. CANTO XI.V.
XXXIX.
" Return, my sun, return! and springtide sweet, " Which evermore I long to see, bring back ; " Dislodge the snows and ice with genial heat; " And clear my mind, so clouded o'er and black." As Philomel, or Progne, with the meat Returning, which her famished younglings lack, Mourns o'er an empty nest, or as the dove Laments himself at having lost his low
XL.
The unhappy Bradamant laments her so,
Fearing the Child is reft from her and gone;
While often tears her visage overflow:
But she, as best she can, conceals her moan.
Oh ! how — oh ! how much worse would be her woe,
If what she knew not to the maid were known !
That, prisoned and with pain and pine consumed,
Her consort to a cruel death was doomed.
XLI.
The cruelty which by that beldam ill Was practised on the prisoned cavalier, And who prepared the wretched Child to kill, By torture new and pains unused whilere, While so Rogero pined, the gracious will Of Heaven conveyed to gentle Leo's car; And put into his heart the means to aid, And not to let such worth be overlaid.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 133
XLII.
Tlie courteous Leo that Rogero loved,
Not that the Grecian knew howe'er that he
Rogero was, but by that valour moved
Which sole and superhuman seemed to be,
Thought much, and mused, and planned, how it behoved
— And found at last a way — to set him free;
So that his cruel aunt should have no right
To grieve or say he did her a despite.
XLIII.
In secret, Leo with the man that bore The prison-keys a parley had, and said, ' He wished to see that cavalier, before ' Upon the wretch was done a doom so dread.' When it was night, one, faithful found of yore, Bold, strong, and good in brawl, he thither led ; And — by the silent warder taught that none Must know 'twas Leo — was the door undone.
XLIV.
Leo, escorted by none else beside, Was led by the compliant castellain, With his companion, to the tower, where stied Was he, reserved for nature's latest pain. There round the neck of their unwary guide, Who turns his back the wicket to unchain, A slip-knot Leo and his follower cast; And, throttled by the noose, he breathes his last4.
I • • 1 THE ORLANDO FUBIOSO. CANTO x ' v .
XLV.
— The trap upraised, by rope from thence suspended For such a need — the Grecian cavalier. With lighted flambeau in his hand, descended, Where, straitly bound, and without sun to cheer, Rogero lay, upon a grate extended, Less than a palm's breadth of the water clear : To kill him in a month, or briefer space, Nothing was needed but that deadly place.
XL VI.
Lovingly Leo dipt the Child, and, " Me, " O cavalier ! thy matchless valour," cried, " Hath in indissoluble bands to thee, " In willing and eternal service, tied; " And wills thy good to mine preferred should be, " And I for thine my safety set aside, " And weigh thy friendship more than sire, and all " Whom I throughout the world my kindred call.
XLVII. " I Leo am, that thou what fits mayst know,
" Come to thy succour, the Greek emperor's son :
" If ever Constantino, my father, trow
" That I have aided thee, I danger run
" To be exiled, or aye with troubled brow
• • Regarded for the deed that I have done ;
'• For thee he hates because of those thy blade
' • Put to the rout and slaughtered near Belgrade."
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FUEIOSO. 135
XLVIII.
He his discourse with more beside pursues, That might from death to life the Child recall; And all this while Rogero's bands doth loose. " Infinite thanks I owe you/' cries the thrall, " And I the life you give me, for your use " Will ever render back, upon your call; " And still, at all your needs, I for your sake, " And at all times, that life will promptly stake."
XLIX.
Rogero is rescued; and the gaoler slain Is left in that dark dungeon in his place; Nor is Rogero known, nor are the twain : Leo the warrior, free from bondage base, Brings home, and there in safety to remain Persuades, in secret, four or six days' space : 1 Meanwhile for him will he retrieve the gear ' And courser, by Ungiardo reft whilere.'
L.
Open the gaol is found at dawn of light, The gaoler strangled, and Rogero gone. Some think that these or those had helped his flight : All talk; and yet the truth is guessed by none. Well may they think by any other wight Rather than Leo had the deed been done; For many deemed he had cause to have repaid The Child with scathe, and none to give him aid.
136 THK UK LAN 1)0 *TU10MJ. i ANTO XLV.
LI.
So wildered by such kindness, so immersed In wonder, is the rescued cavalier, So from those thoughts is he estranged, that erst So many weary miles had made liini steer, His second thoughts confronting with his first, Nor these like those, nor those like these ap]>ear. He first with hatred, rage, and venom burned; With pity and with love then wholly yearned.
LII.
.Much muses he by night and much by day;
— Nor cares for ought, nor ought desires beside —
By equal or more courtesy to pay
The mighty debt that him to Leo tied.
Be his life long or short, or what it may,
Albeit to Leo's service all applied,
Dies he a thousand deaths, he can do nought,
But more will be deserved, Rogero thought.
LIII.
Thither meanwhile had tidings been conveyed Of Charles' decree ; ' that who in nuptial tye • Would yoke with Bradamant, with trenchant blade ' Or lance must with the maid his prowess try.' These news the Grecian prince so ill appaid, His cheek was seen to blanch with sickly dye; Because, as one that meaMiml \\< 11 his might, He knew he was no match for her in fight.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 137
LIV.
Communing with himself, he can supply (He sees) the valour wanting with his wit; And the strange knight with his own ensignry, Whose name is yet unknown to him, will fit: Him he against Frank champion, far and nigh, Believes he may for force and daring pit; And if the knight to that emprize agree, Vanquished and taken Bradamant will be.
LV.
But two things must he do ; must, first, dispose That cavalier to undertake the emprize ; Then send afield the champion, whom he chose, In mode, that none suspect the youth's disguise : To him the matter Leo doth disclose ; And after prays in efficacious wise, That he the combat with the maid will claim, Under false colours and in other's name.
LVI.
Much weighs the Grecian's eloquence ; but more Than eloquence with good Rogero weighed The mighty obligation which he bore ; That debt which cannot ever be repaid. So, albeit it appeared a hardship sore And thing well-nigh impossible, he said, With blither face than heart, ' that Leo's will 1 In all that he commands he would fulfil.'
138 THE ORLANDO FUB1OSO. CANTO XLV.
LVII.
Albeit no sooner he the intent exprest,
Than with sore grief Rogero's heart was shent ; Which, night and day, and ever, doth molest, Ever afflict him, evermore torment : And though he sees his death is manifest, Never will he confess he doth repent: Rather than not with Leo's prayer comply, A thousand deaths, not one, the Child will die.
LVIII.
Right sure he is to die ; if he forego The lady, he foregoes his life no less. His heart will break through his distress and woe, Or, breaking not with woe and with distress, He will, himself, the bands of life undo, And of its clay the spirit dispossess. For all things can he better bear than one ; Than see that gentle damsel not his own.
LIX.
To die is he disposed ; but how to die Cannot as yet the sorrowing lord decide : Sometimes he thinks his prowess to belie, And offer to her sword his naked side : For never death can come more happily Than if her hand tin- fatal faulchion guide: Then sees, except In* wins the martial maid For that Greek prince, the debt remains unpaid.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 139
LX.
For he with Bradamant, as with a foe, Promised to do, not feign, a fight in mail, And not to make of arms a seeming show; So that his sword should Leo ill avail. Then by his word will he abide ; and though His breast now these now other thoughts assail, All from his bosom chased the generous youth, Save that which moved him to maintain his truth.
LXI.
With the emperor's licence, armour to prepare,
And steeds meanwhile had wrought his youthful son; Who with such goodly following as might square With his degree, upon his way was gone : With him Rogero rides, through Leo's care, Equipt with horse and arms, that were his own. Day after day the squadrons pricks ; nor tarries Until arrived in France ; arrived at Paris.
LXII.
Leo will enter not the town ; but nigh Pitches his broad pavilions on the plain ; And his arrival by an embassy Makes known that day to royal Charlemagne. Well pleased is he ; and visits testify And many gifts the monarch's courteous vein. His journey's cause the Grecian prince displayed, And to dispatch his suit the sovereign prayed:
NO THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XLV.
LXIII.
• To send afield the damsel, who denied ' Ever to take in wedlock any lord ' Weaker than her: for she should be his bride, ' Or he would perish by the lady's sword.' Charles undertook for this ; and, on her side, The following day upon the listed sward Before the walls, in haste, enclosed that night, Appeared the martial maid, equipt for fight.
LXIV.
Rogero past the night before the day
Wherein by him the battle should be done, Like that which felon spends, condemned to pay Life's forfeit with the next succeeding sun : He made his choice to combat in the fray All armed; because he would discovery shun: Nor barded steed he backed, nor lunce he shook ; Nor other weapon than his faulchion took.
LXV.
No knee he took : yet was it not through fear Of that which Argaliu whilom swayed ; Astolpho's next ; then hers, that in career Her foemen ever upon earth had laid : Because none weened such force was in the spear, Nor that it was by necromancy made ; Excepting royal Galaphroii ;il<me; Who had it forged, and gave it to his son.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 141
LXVI.
Nay, bold Astolpho, and the lady who
Afterwards bore it, deemed that not to spell, But simply to their proper force, was due The praise that they in knightly joust excel ; And with whatever spear they fought, those two Believed that they should have performed as well. What only makes that knight the joust forego Is that he would not his Frontino show.
LXVII.
For easily that steed of generous kind
She might have known, if him she had espied ; Whom in Montalban, long to her consigned, The gentle damsel had been wont to ride. Rogero, that but schemes, but hath in mind How he from Brandamant himself shall hide, Neither Frontino nor yet other thing, Whereby he may be known, afield will bring.
LXVIII.
With a new sword will he the maid await ; For well he knew against the enchanted blade As soft as paste would prove all mail and plate ; For never any steel its fury stayed ; And heavily with hammer, to rebate Its edge, as well he on this faulchion layed. So armed, Rogero in the lists appeared, When the first dawn of day the horizon cheered.
I IJ THE ORLANDO FURIO8O. CANTO XLV.
LXIX
To look like Leo, o'er his breast is spread The surcoat that the prince is wont to wear; And the gold eagle with its double head He blazoned on the crimson shield doth I.. And (what the Child's disgnisement well may stead) Of equal size and stature are the pair. In the other's form presents himself the one ; That other lets himself be seen of none.
LXX.
Dordona's martial maid is of a vein
Kight different from the gentle youth's, who sore Hammers and blunts the faulchion's tempered grain, Lest it his opposite should cleave or bore. She whets her steel, and into it would fain Enter, that stripling to the quick to g> Yea, would such fury to her strokes impart, That each should go directly to his heart.
LXXI.
As on the start the generous barb is spied, When he the signal full of tire attends; And paws now here now there ; and opens wide His nostrils, and his pointed ears extends; So the bold damsel, to the lists defied. Who knows not with Hogero she contends, Seemed to have fire within In i vein*, nor found Resting-place, waiting for the trumpet's sound.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 143
LXXII.
As sometimes after thunder sudden wind
Turns the sea upside down ; and far and nigh Dim clouds of dust the cheerful daylight blind, Raised in a thought from earth, and whirled heaven- high ;
Scud beasts and herd together with the hind ; And into hail and rain dissolves the sky; So she upon the signal bared her brand, And fell on her Rogero, sword in hand.
LXXIII.
But well-built wall, strong tower, or aged oak,
No more are moved by blasts that round them rave, No more by furious sea is moved the rock, Smote day and night by the tempestuous wave, Than in those arms, secure from hostile stroke, Which erst to Trojan Hector Vulcan gave, Moved was he by that ire and hatred rank Which stormed about his head, and breast, and flank.
LXXIV.
Now aims that martial maid a trenchant blow, And now gives point; and wholly is intent 'Twixt plate and plate to reach her hated foe ; So that her stifled fury she may vent: Now on this side, now that, now high, now low She strikes, and circles him, on mischief bent; And evermore she rages and repines ; As balked of every purpose she designs.
I 1 I THE OKI.AXDO FI'RIOSO. ( \MO XI.V.
LXXV.
As he that layeth siege to well-walled town, And flanked about with solid bulwarks, still Renews the assault; now fain would hatter down Gateway or tower; now gaping fosse would fill ; Yet vainly toils (for entrance is there none) And wastes his host, aye frustrate of his will ; So sorely toils and strives without avail The damsel, nor can open plate or mail.
LXXVI.
Sparks now his shield, now helm, now cuirass scatter, While straight and back strokes, aimed now low. now
high,
Which good Rogero's head and l>osom batter, And arms, by thousands and 1>\ thousands fly Faster than on the sounding farm-roof patter Hailstones descending from a troubled sky Rogero, at his ward, with dexterous care, Defends himself, and ne'er offends the fair.
LXXVI I
Now stopt, now circled, now retired the knight, And oft his hand his foot accompanied ; And lifted shield, and shifted sword in fight, Where shifting he the hostile hand espied. Either he smote her not, or — did he smite — Smote, u here he deemed least evil would betide. The lady, ere the \ve>terinjr sun descend, Desires to bring that duel to an end.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 145
LXXVIII.
Of the edict she remembered her, and knew Her peril, save the foe was quickly sped : For if she took not in one day, nor slew Her claimant, she was taken ; and his head Phcebus was now about to hide from view, Nigh Hercules' pillars, in his watery bed, When first she 'gan misdoubt her power to cope With that strong foe, and to abandon hope-
LXXIX.
By how much more hope fails the damsel, so Much more her anger waxes ; she her blows Redoubling, yet the harness of her foe Will break, which through that day unbroken shows; As he, that at his daily drudgery slow, Sees night on his unfinished labour close, Hurries and toils and moils without avail, Till wearied strength and light together fail.
LXXX.
Didst thou, O miserable damsel, trow
Whom thou wouldst kill, if in that cavalier Matched against thee thou didst Rogero know, On whom depend thy very life-threads, ere Thou killed him thou wouldst kill thyself; for thou, I know, dost hold him than thyself more dear; And when he for Rogero shall be known, I know these very strokes thou wilt bemoan.
VOL. VIII. L
I (I! THK M|(|. .\\IMI i PROM . vx 10 XI v.
LXXXI.
King Charles and peers him sheathed in plate and shell Deem not Rogero, but the emperor's son; And viewing in that combat tierce and fell Such force and quickness by tin- stripling shown; And, without e'er offending her, hmv well That knight defends himself, now change their tone ; Esteem both well assorted ; and declare The champions worthy of each other are.
LXXXII.
When Phoebus wholly under water goes, Charlemagne bids the warring pair divide ; And Bradamant (nor boots it to oppose) Allots to youthful Leo as a bride. Not there Rogero tarried to repose; Nor loosed his armour, nor his helm untied : On a small hackney, hurrying sore, he went Where Leo him awaited in his tent.
LXXXIII.
Twice in fraternal guise and oftener threw Leo his arms about the cavalier ; And next his helmet from his head withdrew, And kiss'd him on both cheeks with loving cheer. " I would," he cried, " that thou wouldst ever do " By me what pleaseth thee ; for thou wilt ne'er " Weary my love : at any call I lend " To thee myself and state ; these freely spend ;
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FUBIOSO. 147
LXXXIV.
" Nor see I recompense, whicli can repay " The mighty obligation that I owe; " Though of the garland I should disarray " My brows, and upon thee that gift bestow." Rogero, on whom his sorrows press and prey, Who loathes his life, immersed in that deep woe, Little replies; the ensigns he had worn Returns, and takes again his unicorn;
LXXXV.
And showing himself spiritless and spent,
From thence as quickly as he could withdrew, And from young Leo's to his lodgings went; When it was midnight, armed himself anew, Saddled his horse, and sallied from his tent; (He takes no leave, and none his going view;) And his Frontino to that road addrest, Which seemed to please the goodly courser best.
LXXXVI.
Now by straight way and now by crooked wound Frontino, now by wood and wide champaign; And all night with his rider paced that round, Who never ceased a moment to complain: He called on Death, and therein comfort found ; Since broke by him alone is stubborn pain; Nor saw, save Death, what other power could close The account of his insufferable woes.
L2
148 THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTo xi \ .
LXXXVII
•• Whereof should I complain," he said, " wo is me ! " So of my every good at once forlorn? " Ah ! if I will not bear this injury " Without revenge, against whom shall I turn"- " For I, besides myself, none other see " That hath indicted on me scathe and scorn. " Then I to take revenge for all the harm " Done to myself, against myself must arm.
LXXXVIII.
" Yet was but to myself this injury done,
" Myself to spare (because this touched but me) " I haply could, yet hardly could, be won ; " Nay, I will say outright, I could not be. " Less can I be, since not to me alone, " But Bradamant, is done this injury ; " Even if I could consent myself to spare, " It fits me not unvenged to leave that fair.
LXXXIX.
" Then I the damsel will avenge, and die, " (Nor this disturbs me) whatsoe'er betide ; " For, bating death, I know not aught, whereby " Defence against my grief can be supplied. " But I lament myself alone, that I, " Before offending her, should not have died. " O happier Fortune ! had I breathed my but " In Theodora's dungeon prisoned fast !
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 149
xc.
" Though she had slain, had tortured me before " She slew, as prompted by her cruelty, " At least the hope would have remained in store " That I by Bradamant should pitied be : " But when she knows that I loved Leo more " Than her, that, of my own accord and free, " Myself of her, I for his good, deprive, " Dead will she rightly hate me or alive."
XCI.
These words he said and many more, with sigh And heavy sob withal accompanied, And, when another sun illumed the sky, Mid strange and gloomy woods himself espied; And, for he desperate was and bent to die, And he, as best he could, his death would hide; This place to him seemed far removed from view, And fitted for the deed that he would do.
XCII.
He entered into that dark woodland, where He thickest trees and most entangled spied: But first Frontino was the warrior's care, Whom he unharnessed wholly, and untied. " O my Frontino, if thy merits rare " I could reward, thou little cause" (he cried) " Shouldst have to envy him, so highly graced, " Who soared to heaven, and mid the stars was placed*.
I ."»ti i HI. oi;i..\si><> . .vro XL
XCIII.
" Nor Cillurus, nor Arion8, was whilere
•• \\ orthier than thee, nor merited more praise;
" Nor any other steed, whose name we hear
" Sounded in (Jrocian or in Latin lays.
" Was any such in other {mints thy JK-LT,
" None of them, well I know, the vaunt can raise;
" That such liijjh honour and such courtesy
• Were upon him bestowed, as were on thee.
XCIV.
• Since to the gentlest maid, of fairest dye, " And boldest that hath been, or evermore " Will be, thou wast so dear, she used to tie " Thy trappings, and to thee thy forage bore : " Dear wast thou to my lady-love : Ah ! why " Call I her mine, since she is mine no more? " If I have given her to another lord, " Why turn I not upon myself this sword?"
xcv.
If him these thoughts so harass and torment, That bird and beast are softened tiy his cries; (For, savin <; these, none hears the sad lament. Nor sees the flood that trickles from his eyes) You are not to believe that more content The Lady Bradamant in Paris 1: Who can no longer her delay exci Nor Leo for her uechled lord n !
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 151
XCVI.
Ere she herself to any consort tie, Beside her own Rogero, she will fain Do whatso can be done ; her word belie; Anger friends, kindred, court, and Charlemagne; And if she nothing else can do, will die, By poison or her own good faulchion slain: For not to live appears far lesser woe, Than, living, her Rogero to forego.
XCVII.
" Rogero mine, ah ! whither gone" (she cried) " Art thou; and canst thou so far distant be, " Thou heardest not this royal edict cried, " A thing concealed from none, excepting thee? " Faster than thee would none have hither hied, " I wot, hadst thou known this; ah ! wretched me ! " How can I e'er in future think of aught, " Saving the worst that can by me be thought?
XCVIII.
" How can it be, Rogero, thou alone
" Hast read not what by all the world is read ? " If thou hast read it not, nor hither flown, " How canst thou but a prisoner be, or dead ? " But well I wot, that if the truth were known, " This Leo will for thee some snare have spread : " The traitor will have barred thy way, intent " Thou shouldst not him by better speed prevent.
152 THE OKLAXDO FURIOSO. lOXLV.
XCIX.
" From Charles I gained the promise, that to none " Less puissant than niy.self should I be given; " In the reliance thou wouldst he that one, " With whom I should in arms have vainly striven. " None I esteemed, excepting thee alone : " But well my rashness is rebuked by Heaven : " Since I by one am taken in this \\ " Unfamed through life for any fair emprize.
C.
• • If I am held as taken, since the knight " I had not force to take nor yet to slay ; " A thing that is not, in my judgment, right ; " Nor I to Charles's sentence will give way, " I know that I shall be esteemed as light, " If what I lately said, I now unsay; " But of those many ladies that have past " For light, I am not, I, the first or last.
CI.
" Enough I to my lover faith maintain,
" And, firmer than a rock, am still found true ! " And far herein surpass the female train, " That were in olden days, or are in new ! " Nor, if they me as fickle shall arraign, " Care I, so good from fickleness ensue ; " Though I am lighter than a leaf be said, " 80 I be forct-d not with that Greek to wed."
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 153
CII.
These things and more beside the damsel bright ('Twixt which oft sobs and tears were interposed), Ceased not to utter through the livelong night Which upon that unhappy day had closed. But, when within Cimmeria's caverned height Nocturnus with his troop of shades reposed7, Heaven, which eternally had willed the maid Should be Rogero's consort, brought him aid :
CHI.
This moves the haught Marphisa, when 'tis morn, To appear before the king ; to whom that maid Saith, ' to the Child, her brother, mighty scorn ' Was done; nor should he be so ill appaid, ' That from him should his plighted wife be torn; ' And nought thereof unto the warrior said; ' And on whoever lists she will in strife ' Prove Bradamant to be Rogero's wife ;
CIV.
f And this, before all others, will prove true ' On her, if to deny it she will dare ; ' For she had to Rogero, in her view, ' Spoken those words, which they that marry swear; ' And with all ceremony wont and due ' So was the contract sealed between the pair, ' They were no longer free; nor could forsake ' The one the other, other spouse to take.'
I.") I I Ml OKI ANDi) I rill.' CAN'I.. XI v
cv.
Whether -Marphisa true or fal.sely spake, I well believe that, rather with intent Young Leo's purpose, right or wrong, to break, Than tell the truth, she speaks; and with consent Of Bradamant doth that avowal make : For to exclude the hated Leo bent, And of Rogero to be repossest, This she believes her shortest way and beat.
CVI.
Sorely by this disturbed, King Charlemagne Bade Bradamant be called, and to her told That which the proud Marphisa would maintain; And Aymon present in the press behold ! — Bradamant drops her head, nor treats as vain, Nor vouches what avows that virgin bold, In such confusion, they may well believe That fierce Marphisa speaks not to deceive.
CVII.
Joy good Orlando and joy Kinaldo show, Who view in valorous Marphisa's plea A cause the alliance shall no further go, Which sealed already Leo deemed to be, And yet, in spite of stubborn Aymon's no, Bradamant shall Rogero's consort be j And they may, without strife, uitlmut despite Done to Duke Ayinon. jjive her to the knight.
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 155
CVIII.
For if such words have pass'd between the twain, Fast is the knot and cannot be untied; They what they vowed more fairly will obtain, And without further strife are these affied. " This is a plot, a plot devised in vain; " And ye deceive yourselves (Duke Aymon cried) " For, were the story true which ye have feigned, " Believe not therefore that your cause is gained.
C1X.
" For granting what I will not yet allow, " And what I to believe as yet demur; " That weakly to Rogero so her vow " Was plighted, as Rogero's was to her; " Where was the contract made, and when and how? " More clearly this to me must ye aver. " Either it was not so, I am advised; " Or was before Rogero was baptized.
CX.
" But if it were before the youthful knight " A Christian was, I will not heed it, I ; " For 'twixt a faithful and a paynim wight, " I deem that nought avails the marriage-tie. " For this not vainly in the doubtful fight " Should Constantine's fair son have risked to die; " Nor Charlemagne for this, our sovereign lord " Will forfeit, I believe, his plighted word.
I ."in" THE ORLANDO FUR1OSO. i \\ro XLV.
CXI.
" What now you say you should before have said, " While yet the matter wax unbroke, and en- " Charles at my daughter's prayer that edict made " Which has dra\vn Leo to the combat here." Orlando and Rinaldo were gainsayed So before royal Charles by Clermont's peer; And equal Charlemagne heard either side, But neither would for this nor that decide.
CXII.
As in the southern or the northern brer/c
The greenwood murmurs; and as on the shore, When jEolus with the god that rules the seas Is wroth, the hoarse and hollow breakers roar8, So a loud rumour of this strife, that flees Through France, and spreads and circles evcrmorr. Affords such matter to rehearse and hear, That nought beside is bruited far or near.
CXIII.
These with Rogero, those with Leo side; But the most numerous are Rogero's friends, Who against Aymon, ten to one, divide. Good Charlemagne to neither party bends; But wills that cause shall be by justice tried, And to his parliament the matter sends. Marphisa, now the bridal was deferred, Appeared anew, and other question stirred;
CANTO XLV. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 157
CXIV.
And said, " In that another cannot have " Bradamant, while my brother is alive, " Let Leo, if the gentle maid he crave, " His foe in listed fight of life deprive; " And he, that sends the other to his grave, " Freed from his rival, with the lady wive." Forthwith this challenge, as erewhile the rest, To Leo was declared at Charles' behest.
cxv.
Leo who if he had the cavalier
Of the unicorn, believed he from his foe Was safe; and thought no peril would appear Too hard a feat for him ; and knew not how Thence into solitary woods and drear That warrior had been hurried by his woe; Him gone for little time and for disport Believed, and took his line in evil sort.
CXVI.
This shortly Leo was condemned to rue : For he, on whom too fondly he relied, Nor on that day nor on the following two Appeared, nor news of him were signified; And combat with Rogero was, he knew, Unsafe, unless that knight was on his side : So sent, to eschew the threatened scathe and scorn, To seek the warrior of the unicorn.
158 THE ORLANDO FDRIOSO. Pa M \
CXVII.
Through city, and through hamlet, and through town. He sends to seek Rogero, far and near : And not content with this, himself is In person, on his steed, to find the peer. But of the missing warrior tidings none Nor he nor any of the Court would hear But for Melissa : I for other verse Reserve mygelf, her doings to rehearse.
NOTES TO CANTO XLV.
i.
i since her wheel for ever turns.
Stanza iv. line 8.
THE sentiments in this and the preceding stanzas, which are sufficiently obvious, are, I believe, to be found in parts in many of the classical poets, and may be found summed in two pas- sages of Seneca the tragedian.
Nulla sors longa est. Dolor ac voluptas Invicem cedunt ; . . .
Ima permutat brevis hora summis.
Quern dies vidit veniens superbum, Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem. Nemo confidat nimium secundis : Nemo disperet ineliora, lapsus., Miscet hsec illis ; prohibetque Clotho Stare Fortunam; rotat omneFatum.
2. In Nowgorood.
Stanza x. line 2.
So I translate Novengrado, as this city is called in the ori- ginal; but I cannot conjecture what place is meant by Beleticche, which is mentioned in the succeeding stanza; and leave it as I find it.
ICO NOTES TO CANTO XI v
One nail drive* out another from Hi place.
Stanza xxix. line 6.
TnN imago, which Ariostohas used on a former occasion, is to l>r found in Petrarch, and in Cirero, who say», " et jam IIOMI (jiKidatu auiurc veterciu amorem, taiiquuiii clavo clavuiu fjiciendam putat."
4.
And, throttled by the nootc, he breathet hit latt.
Stanza xliv. line 8.
Leo's romantic generosity to Roger o, and injustice and cruelty to his jailer, will, perhaps, to many, hardly seem con- sistent with the chivalric character with which Ariosto has invested him; I think, however, to speak familiarly, that the poet knew what he was about, and that the conduct of Leo is not to be considered as unnatural; indeed it differs little from that of the most chivalric of our mouarchs upon a very me- morable occasion. Leo honours and benefits the knight who has waged desperate war upon his father and himself, and murders the burgher-Castellain, against every principle of justice and humanity. Edward HI. degraded, and threatened with death, with the apparent intention of executing his threat, six citi/ens of Calais, who had done tlu-ir duty by assisting in the defence of their town against him in legitimate warfare; and afterwards honoured and rewarded a troop of knights who treacherously attacked it, and failed in their enterprise; men whose conduct might have justified his severest rigour on their falling into his power.
I give the story in the words of Hume ; who begins by men- tioning the first cruel conditions imposed by Edward III. on the surrender of Calais; but observe-, that IK- mitigated these, and " iiiMstcd that MX of the most considerable citizens should be sent to him, to be disposed of as he thought proper; that they should come to his camp carrying the keys of the city in
XOTliS TO CANTO XLV. 1 6 I
their hands, bareheaded and barefooted, with ropes about their necks; and on these conditions he promised to spare the lives of all the remainder.
" When this intelligence was conveyed to Calais, it struck the inhabitants with new consternation. To sacrifice six of their fellow-citizens to certain destruction for signalizing their valour in a common cause appeared to them even more severe than that general punishment with which they were before threatened, and they found themselves incapable of coming to any resolution in so cruel and distressful a situation. At la&t one of the principal inhabitants, called Eustace de St. Pierre, whose name deserves to be recorded, stepped forth, and declared him- self willing to encounter death for the safety of his friends and companions ; another, animated by his example, made a like generous offer; a third and a fourth presented themselves to the same fate, and the whole number was soon completed. These six heroic burgesses appeared before Edward in the guise of malefactors, laid at his feet the keys of their city, and were ordered to be led to execution. It is surprising that so generous a prince should ever have entertained such a barbarous purpose against such men, and still more that he should seriously per- ' sist in the resolution of executing it. But the entreaties of his queen saved his memory from that infamy. She threw herself on her knees before him, and, with tears in her eyes, begged the lives of these citizens. Having obtained her request, she carried them into her tent, ordered a repast to be set before them, and, after making them a present of money and clothes, dismissed them in safety.
" The king took possession of Calais, and immediately exe- cuted an act of rigour more justifiable, because more necessary, than that which he had before resolved on. He knew that, notwithstanding his pretended title to the crown of France, every Frenchman regarded him as a mortal enemy. He there- fore ordered all the inhabitants of Calais to evacuate the town, and he peopled it anew with English ; a policy which probably preserved so long to his successors the dominion of that im-
VOL. VIII. M
Ifij son . 10 \i \ .
portant fortress. He made it the staple of wool, leather, tin, and lead — the four chief if not the sole commodities of the kingdom for which there was airy considerable demand in foreign markets. All the English wen- obliged tulninn thither these goods; foreign merchants came to the same |>!.UT in onh -r to purchase them ; and ;it a period when po-t- were not esta- bli.-hed, and when the communication between states was SO imperfect, ihis in«titiition, llmiiuh it hurt tin: naui-at'inn of England, was probably of advantage to the kingdom.
"Through the mediation of the pope's legates, Edward con- cluded a truce with France; but, even duriug this cessation of ami*, he had very nearly lost Calais, the sole fruit of all his boasted victories. The king had intrusted that place to Airnery ilu Pavie, an Italian, who had di>covcrcd bravery and conduct in the wars, but was utterly destitute of every principle of honour and fidelity. This man agreed to deliver up C'a! the sum of twenty thousand crowns; and Geoffrey de Charni, who commanded the French forces in those quarters, and who knew that, if he succeeded in this service, he should not be disavowed, ventured, without consulting his master, to conclude the bargain with him. Edward, informed of this treachery l>y mean.- of Aimer) 's sccretaiy, summoned the governor to Lon- don on other pretences, and, having charged him with the Miilt, promised him his life, but on condition that he would turn the contrivance to the destruction of the enemy. The Italian easily agreed to this double treachery. A day \\as appointed for the admission of the French; and Edward having prepared a force of about a thousand men, under Sir Walter Manny, secretly departed from London, carrying with him the Prince of Wales, and, without being suspected, arrived the evening before at Calais. He made a proper disposition for the recep- tion of the enemy, and kept all hi.s forces and the garrison under arms. On the appearance, of Charni, a clm>en hand of French soldiers \\ a* admitted at the postern; and Aimery, iccriviiig the stipulated sum, promi-cd that, with their assistance, he would immediately open the i/rcal tate to the troop-;, who
NOTES TO CANTO XLV. 1 63
were waiting with impatience for the fulfilling of his engage- ment. All the French who entered were immediately slain or taken prisoners. The great gate opened ; Edward rushed forth with cries of battle and of victory. The French, though astonished at the event, behaved with valour. A fierce and bloody engagement ensued. As the morning broke, the king, who was not distinguished by his arms, and who fought as a private man under the standard of Sir Walter Manny, re- marked a French gentleman, called Eustace de Ribaumout, who exerted himself with singular vigour and bravery, and he was seized with a desire of trying a single combat with him. He stepped forth from his troop, and, challenging Ribauinont by name (for he was known to him) , began a sharp and dangerous encounter. He was twice beaten to the ground by the valour of the Frenchman. He twice recovered himself. Blows were redoubled with equal force on both sides. The victory was long undecided, till Ribaumont, perceiving himself to be left almost alone, called out to his antagonist, ' Sir Knight, I yield myself your prisoner,' and at the same time delivered his sword to the king. Most of the French being overpowered by numbers, and intercepted in their retreat, lost either their lives or their liberty.
" The French officers who had fallen into the hands of the English were conducted into Calais, where Edward discovered to them the antagonist with whom they had the honour to be engaged, and treated them with great regard and courtesy. They were admitted to sup with the Prince of Wales and the English nobility; and, after supper, the king himself came into the apartment, and went about conversing familiarly with one or other of his prisoners. He even addressed himself to Charni, and avoided reproaching him in too severe terms with the treacherous attempt which he had made upon Calais during the truce; but he openly bestowed the highest encomiums on Ribaumont, called him the most valorous knight that he had ever been acquainted with, and confessed that he himself had at no time been in so great danger as when engaged in combat
M2
101 NUTKs TO CANTO Xl.v.
with him. He then took a strine of pearls which he wore about his own head, and throwing it over the head of Kibau- mont, he said to him, ' Sir Kustace, I tx-stow this present upon you as a testimony of my esteem for your bravery, and I desire you to wear it a year for my sake. I know you to be gay and amorous, and to take delight in the company of ladies and damsels. Lit them all know from what hand you had the present. You are no longer a prisoner; I acquit you of your ransom ; and you are at liberty to-morrow to dispose of yourself as you think proper.' "
Such is the text of Hume, who, after telling the story thus confidently, throws a douht upon Edward's conduct towards the six citizens of Calais in his notes, and observes, that it rests upon the sole authority of Froissart. As to this ob- jection, I should say that, judging from internal evidence, it would be difficult to find a more honest chronicler. But if Froissart is to be suspected of partiality, he is more to be sus- pected of leaning towards Edward, who is the hero of his tale, than of depreciating his character.
Another mode of explaining the thing, and more worthy of consideration, has been suggested as well by Hume as by a distinguished modem historian ; to wit, by the supposition that the punishment of the burghers was never intended, but threat- eued only with a view of striking terror, and that their pardon at the intercession of Philippa was a measure pre-concerted and acted for stage-effect. This ingenious supposition is, how- ever, gratuitous, and (what is more) is, as I think, inconsistent with the circumstances of the story. For it was useless to strike terror into the inhabitants of Calais, which Edward was about to dispeople for his future security; and if we could suppose that he thought of striking terror into any other cities which he might hereafter conquer (and he was then about to discontinue the war), the sentence executed upon the whole population of Calais was more likely to produce such an effect than the threaten* •<! punishment of half a dozen of her muni. • ipality. For my«elt, I think the authority of Frois«ait tuf-
NOTES TO CANTO XLV. 165
ficient to establish the fact; and I see nothing in the story which should reasonably startle belief. We are too apt to be- lieve in the regular aud consistent influence of the beautiful ideal of chivalry upon the spirit of those who professed it, and, instead of recurring to more authentic sources of information, take this purely from the old romances or (what is much more questionable) from their echoes— from the
" Primaleons, Pantagruels, knights of the sun, Abortives of the fabulous dark cloister."
In the age of chivalry, which is in question, the debased con- dition of the middling and lower orders of society procured them little or very uncertain sympathy from their superiors. I suspect that Edward looked upon the heroism of the citizens of Calais very much as a generous Turk may be supposed to have looked upon any similar act of virtue displayed by a band of Candiots or Roraeliots during the late Greek insurrection; and if the feelings of the chivalrick Edward III. were such as 1 conceive, were they not very similar to those which in a much more civilized age actuated the liberal and generous William III. when he expressed himself contemptuously upon the death of a civilian volunteer who had fallen fighting for his country ? Edward, who honoured valour in knights, punished it in burghers as a quality presumptuous and misplaced: and is not this, in truth, the spirit wherein William III., who would have honoured such a death in a military man, contemplated the death of the civilian ? for why should he have sought to take all dignity from his catastrophe, but because he thought that to aspire to " fight nations' battles and be crowned with honour" was impertinent in one that was not bred a soldier? He considered military courage in a citizen, as a fine lady would consider personal delicacy in a scavenger; and this is the key to the supposed inconsistency of Edward, and Ariosto may be said to have painted Leo from the life.
From thus questioning the consistency of the chivalrick virtues, of the practical effects of which, I think, Ariosto had a very accurate notion, I am far from meaning to draw a general
166 soi i XLV.
inference unfavourable to tin sh.iln ; fur if it> \x»-
fenon did not always act up to ii> ideal of pertVi-fion, tin- re- proach which is in. nil- to them maybe extended to the prufewort of every code that is, was, or ever will be. Chivalry w»« assuredly the day-star of the dark ages on which it dawned; and its last glimmers yet gild the vulgarities of the happier but homelier a?ra* which have succeeded them.
5. Who toured to heaven and mid the ttan wot placed.
Stanza xcii. Hue 8. Pegasus.
6. Nor CUlarut, nor Anon.
Stanza xciii. line 1.
( "illarus wu> the horse of Castor, and Arion that of Adrastus.
7. Nocturnut with hit troop ofthadet repoted.
Stanza cii. line 5.
Nocturuus is here made the god of night. Is it a proper name (as it is suggested to me) formed out of an epithet ? .-'mo- Statius, in the Thebaid, speaking of Lucifer reappearing as Vesperus, says,
" Mutato Nocturnus eqno."
8. A* in the tonthern or the northern breeze
The greenwood murmur i ; and a* on the thorc, When sEolut with the god that rulct the teat It wroth, the hoarte and hollow brcakert roar.
Stanza cxii. lines 1 , 2, 3, 4.
" Qualia succinctis ubi trux insibilat Eurus, Muniiiir.i pinetis rinnt, vel qualia fluctus
ei facimit, si 'juis procul audiat illo-."
OVID.
CANTO XLVI.
ARGUMENT.
After long ttarchfor good Rogtro made,
Him Leonjtndt, and yicldt to him hit prize: Informed of all— already vlth that maid He velvet ; already in her botom liet : When thither he that Sarsa't tceptre imaged To infect fitch bliit a i//i impiout renom hitt, But fall i in combat; and, blatpheming loud, To Acheron detcendt hit spirit proud.
THE ORLANDO FURIOSO.
CANTO XLVJ.
I.
I, IP my chart deceives me not, shall now In little time behold the neighbouring shore ; So hope withal to pay my promised vow To one, so long my guide through that wide roar Of waters, where I feared, with troubled brow, To scathe my bark or wander evermore. But now, methinks — yea, now I see the land; I see the friendly port its arms expand.
II.
A burst of joy, like thunder to my ear, Rumbles along the sea and rends the sky. I chiming bells, I shrilling trumpets hear, Confounded with the people's cheerful cry; And now their forms, that swarm on either pier Of the thick-crowded harbour, I descry. All seem rejoiced my task is smoothly done, And I so long a course have safely run.
170 I III OKI .A SOU KLK10SO. CANTO XI.VI.
III.
What beauteous dames and sage, here welcome me ! With them what cavaliers the shore adorn1 ! What friends! to whom I owe eternitv Of thanks for their delight at my return. .Mamma, Ginevra, with the rest I see, Correggio's seed8, on the harbour's furthest horn. Veronica de Gambara3 is hen-. To Phoebus and the Aonian choir so dear.
IV.
With Julia, a new Ginevra is in sight', Another offset from the selfsame tree; Hippolita Sforza, and Trivultia bright4, Bred in the sacred cavern, I with thee Emilia Pia, and thee, Margherite, Angela Borgia, Graziosa, see, And fair Richurda d' Este6. Lo! the twain, Blanche and Diana, with their sister train7!
V.
Beauteous, but wiser and more chaste than fair, I Barbara Turca, linked with Laura, know* : Nor beam* the sun upon a better pair 'Twixt Ind and where the Moorish waters flow Behold Ginevra! that rich gem and rare Which gilds the house of Malatesta so0, That never worthier or more honoured thing Adorned the dome of Keysar or of king.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 171
VI.
If she had dwelt in Rimini of yore,
What time, from conquered Gaul returning home,
Julius stood fearing on the river-shore,
To ford the stream and make a foe of Rome,
He every banner would have bowed before
That dame, discharged his trophies, and such doom,
Such pact would have received as liked her best;
And haply ne'er had Freedom been opprest.
VII.
The consort of my lord of B6zzolo
Behold! the mother, sisters, cousinhood10; Them of Torello, Bentivoglio, Pallavigini's and Visconti's brood11! Lo! she to whom all living dames forego The palm, and all of Grecian, Latin blood, Or barbarous, all that ever were, whose name For grace and beauty most is noised by Fame;
VIII.
Julia Gonzaga12, she that wheresoe'er
She moves, where'er she turns her lucid eyes,
Not only is in charms without a peer,
But seems a goddess lighted from the skies :
With her is paired her brother's wife 13, who ne'er
Swerved from her plighted faith — aye good and wise —
Because ill Fortune bore her long despite ;
Lo! Arragonian Anna, Vasto's light14!
17.' THK . OKI.AMK) H IUOSO. CANTO XI.VI.
Anne gentle, courteous, and as sage as fair, Temple of Love and Truth and Chastity : With her, her sister1* dims all beauty, where Her radiance shines. Lo! one that hath set free Her conquering lord from Orcus' dark repair, And him in spite of death and destiny (Beyond all modern instance) raised on high, To shine with endless glory in the sky.
X.
My ladies of Ferrara, those of gay Urbino's court are here; and I desrry Mantua's dames, and all that fair array Which Lombardy and Tuscan town supply. The cavalier amid that band, whom they So honour, unless dazzled is mine eye By those fair faces, is the shining light Of his Arezzo, and Accolti hight18.
XI.
Adorned with scarlet hat, and scarlet pall, His nephew Benedict17, lo! there I see; With him Campeggio and Mantua's cardinal"; Glory and light of the consistory ; And (if I dote not) mark how one and all In face and gesture show such mighty glee At my return, no easy task 'twould seem So vast an obligation to redeem.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FUR1OSO. 173
XII.
With them Lactantius is, Claude Ptolemy, Trissino, Pansa, and Capilupi mine 19, Latino Giovenal20, it seems to me; Sasso21, and Molza22, and Florian hight Montine2'; With him, by whom through shorter pathway we Are led to the Ascreean font divine, Julio Camillo24; and meseems that I Berna, and Sanga, and Flaminio25 spy.
XIII. Lo ! Alexander of Farnese 26, and O
Learned company that follows in his train !
Phaedro, Cappella, Maddalen', Portio,
Surnamed the Bolognese, the Volterrane 27.
Blosio, Pierio, Vida, famed for flow
Of lofty eloquence of exhaustless vein;
Mussuro, Lascari, and Navagero,
And Andrew Maro, and the monk Severo28.
XIV.
Lo ! two more Alexanders ! of the tree Of the Orologi one, and one Guarino : Mario d' Olvito, and of royalty That scourge, divine Pietro Aretino. I two Gir6lamos amid them see, Of Veritade and the Cittadino; See the Mainardo, the Leoniceno, Panizzato, Celio, and Teocrerio89.
17 » THE OUI.AXDO ITKIOSO. < UNTO Xl.VI.
\\
Hernanlo Capel, Peter Bembo here
I see, through whom our pure, sweet idiom rose,
And who, of vulgar usage winnowed clear,
Its «rennine form iu liis example show>.
Bcliold an Obysnn, that in his rear
Admires the pains which he so well bestows.
I Fracastdro, Bevezziino note,
And Tryphon Gabriel, Tasso more remote50.
XVI. Upon me Nicholas Tiepoli
And Nicholas Ammanio fix their eyes; With Anthony Fulgoso, who to spy My l>oat near land shows pleasure and surprise. There, from those dames apart, my Valery Stands with Barignan31, haply to device With him how, evermore hy woman harmed, By her he shall not evermore be charmed.
XVII. Of high and superhuman genius, tied
By love and blood, lo ! Pico and Pio true ;
He that approaches at the kinsmen's side.
— So honoured by the best — I never knew ;
l?ut, if by certain tokens signified.
Hi- is tin- man I so desire to view.
That Sanna/aro", who persuades the nine
To lean- tlit-ir fountain for the foaming brine.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 1 75
XVIII.
Diligent, faithful secretary,, lo !
The learned Pistophilus 33, mine Angiar here.
And the Acciajuoli their joint pleasure show
That for my bark there is no further fear.
There I my kinsman Malaguzzo know;
And mighty hope from Adoardo hear,
That these my nest-notes shall by friendly wind
Be blown from Calpe's rock to furthest Ind.
XIX.
Joys Victor Fausto; Tancred joys to view34 My sail; and with them joy a hundred more. Women and men I see, a mingled crew, At my return rejoicing, crowd the shore. Then, since the wind blows fair, nor much to do Remains, let me my course delay no more; And turning to Melissa, in what way She rescued good Rogero let me say.
XX.
Much bent was this Melissa (as I know I many times have said to you whilere) That Bradamant in wedlock should bestow Her hand upon the youthful cavalier; And so at heart had either's weal and woe, That she from hour to hour of them would hear: Hence ever on that quest she spirits sent, One still returning as the other went.
1/6 VHK ORLANDO II K1OSO. CAMTO XLVf <
XXI.
A prey to deep and stubborn grief, reclined Mid gloomy shades Rogero they descried; Firm not to swallow food of any kind, Nor from that purpose to be turned aside; And so to die of hunger he designed .- But weird Melissa speedy aid supplied; Who took a road, from home forth issuing, where She met the Grecian emperor's youthful heir;
XXII. Leo that, one by one, dispatched his train
Of followers, far and wide, through every bourn,
And afterwards, in person, went in vain,
To find the warrior of the unicorn.
The wise enchantress, that with sell and rein,
Had on that day equipt a demon, borne
By him, in likeness of a hackney horse,
Constantine's son encountered in her course.
XXIII.
" If such as your ingenuous mien" (she cried To Leo) " is your soul's nobility, " And corresponding with your fair outside " Your inward goodness and your courtesy, " Some help, some comfort, sir, for one provide " In whom the best of living knights we see; " Who, save ye help and comfort quickly lend, " Is little distant from his latter end.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 177
XXIV.
" The best of knights will die of all, who don,
" Or e'er donned sword and buckler, the most fair " And gentle of all warriors that are gone, " Or who throughout the world yet living are, " And simply for a courteous deed, if none " Shall comfort to the youthful sufferer bear. " Then come, sir, for the love of Heaven, and try " If any counsel succour may supply."
XXV.
It suddenly came into Leo's mind
The knight of whom she parleyed was that same, Whom throughout all the land he sought to find, And seeking whom, he now in person came. So that obeying her that would persuade Such pious work, he spurred behind the dame; Who thither led (nor tedious was the way) Where nigh reduced to death the stripling lay.
XXVI.
They found Rogero fasting from all food
For three long days, so broken down; with pain The knight could but upon his feet have stood, To fall, albeit unpushed, to ground again. With helm on head, and with his faulchion good Begirt, he lay reclined in plate and chain. A pillow of his buckler had he made, Where the white unicorn was seen pourtraid.
VOL. VIII. N
178 I III. OKI.ANUO KUKIOSO. .oxi.VI.
\\VII.
There thinking what an injury he had done To his lady love — how ingrate, how untru»> To her had been — not simple grief alone Overwhelmed him, to such height his fury grew, He bit his hands and lips ; while pouring down His cheeks, the tears unceasing ran, and through The passion that so wrapt his troubled sprite, Nor Leo nor Melissa heard the knight.
XXVIII.
Nor therefore interrupts he his lament,
Nor checks his sighs, nor checks his trickling tears. Young Leo halts, to hear his speech intent ; Lights from his courser, and towards him steers: He knows that of the sorrows which torment Love is the cause; but yet from nought appears Who is the person that such grief hath bred; For by Rogero this remains unsaid.
XXIX.
Approaching nearer and yet nearer, now He fronts the weeping warrior, face to face, Greets with a brother's love, and stooping low, His neck encircles with a fast embrace. By the lamenting Child I know not how Is liked his sudden presence in that place ; Who fears annoy or trouble at his hand; And lest he should his wish for death withstand.
CANTO XI.VI. THK OULANDO FUUIOSO. 1/9
XXX.
Him with the sweetest words young Leo plied, And with the warmest love that he could show, " Let it not irk thee," to the Child he cried, " To tell the cause from whence thy sorrows flow: " For few such desperate evils man betide, " But that there is deliverance from his woe, " So that the cause be known ; nor he bereft " Of hope should ever be, so life be left.
XXXI.
" Much grieve I thou wouldst hide thyself from me, " That know me for thy faithful friend and true; " Not only now I am so bound to thee, " That I the knot can never more undo; " But even from the beginning, when to be " Thy deadly foeman I had reason due. " Hope then that I will succour thee with pelf, " With friends, with following, and with life itself.
XXXII.
" Nor shun to me thy sorrow to explain, " And I beseech thee leave to me to try " If wealth avail to free thee from thy pain, " Art, cunning, open force, or flattery. " If my assistance is employed in vain, " The last relief remains to thee to die: " But be content awhile this deed to shun " Till all that thou canst do shall first be done."
N 2
M THK ORLANDO FT HOSO. -P-MM.
XXXIII
He aid; and with snch forceful prayer appealed; So gently and benignly soothed his moan ; That good Rogero owld i>ot choose but yield, Whose heart was not of iron or of stone; Who deemed, anksa he now his lips nnsealed, He should a fool discourteous deed hare done. He fain would have replied, bat Made assay Yet twice or thrice, ere words could find their way.
XXXIV.
" My lord, when known fin? what I am (and me " Now shah thon know)," he Bade at last reply,
I wot thon, like myself, content wilt be, " And haply more content, that I should die. " Know me for him so hated once by thee; " Rogero who repaid that hate am I; " And now tit many days since with intent •:" putting thee to death from court I went.
XXXV.
I would not aee my promised bride off by thee; in that Duke Aymon's lore " And favour was engaged upon thy side. " But, for man purposes, and God abore " Disposes, thy great courtesy, well tried " In a sore need, my fixt resolve did more. " Nor only I renounced the hate I bore, " But purposed to be thine for eretmoie.
CAXTO ZLTI. THE OKLJtXDO FUKIOSO. - " 1
XXXVL
•'•' What time I as Rogero was unknown, " Thou madest suit I would obtain fir tbee " The Lady Bradamant ; which was all one " As to demand mv heart aiul soul Ikusa me. " Whether thy wish I rather than mine own " Sought to «n«t*"t, thou hast been made to see. '•' Thine is the lady; her in peace possess; " Far more than mine I prize thy happiness.
XXXVTL
" Content thee, that deprived of her, as well " I should myself of worthless life deprive; " For better I without a soul could dwell •• Than without Bradamant remain alive. " And never while these veins with life-blood swell ** Canst thou with her legitimately wive: " For vows erewhile have been bciifeeu us said; " Nor she at once can with two ^"Tfr"'1! wed."
XXX VIII.
So filled is gentle Leo with amaze
When he the stranger for Rogero knows,
With lips and brow unmoved, with fitrdfasf gaze
And rooted feet, he like a statue :
Like statue more than man, which
In churches, for acquittance of then-
He deems that courtesy of so high
Was never done nor will be done again;
I UK OIIIAM'O 1 I ltl<l>0. CAXTO XLVI.
XXXIX.
And that he him doth for Rogero know Not only that goodwill he bore whilere Abates not, but augments his kindness so, That no less grieves the Grecian cavalier Than good Rogero for Rogero's woe. For this, as well as that he will appear Deservedly an emperor's son — although In other things outdone — he will not be Defeated in the race of courtesy ;
XL.
And says, " That day my host was overthrown, " Rogero, by thy wond'rous valour, though " I had thee at despite, if I had known " Thou wast Rogero, as I know it now, " So me thy virtue would have made thine own, " As then it made me, knowing not my foe; " So hatred from my bosom would have chased, " And with my present love have straight replaced.
XLI.
" That I Rogero hated, ere I knew " Thou wast Rogero, will I not deny. " But think not that I further would pursue " Tin- hatred that I bore thee; and had I, " When thee I from thy darksome dungeon drew, " Descried the truth, as this I now descry, " Such treatment slmuliKt thou then have had, as thuu " Shalt have from me, to thine advantage, now ;
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 183
XLIL
" And if I willingly had done so then,
" When not, as I am now, obliged to thee;
" How much more gladly should I now; and when,
" Not doing so, I should with reason be
" Deemed most ungrateful amid ingrate men;
" Since thou foregoest thine every good for me!
" But I to thee restore thy gift, and, more
" Gladly than I received it, this restore.
XLIII.
" The damsel more to thee than me is due; " And though for her deserts I hold her dear, " If that fair prize some happier mortal drew, " I think not I my vital thread should shear: " Nor would I by thy death be free to woo: " That from the hallowed bands of wedlock clear " Wherein the lady hath to thee been tied, " I might possess her as my lawful bride.
XLIV.
" Not only Bradamant would I forego, " But whatsoe'er I in the world possess; " And rather forfeit life than ever know " That grief, through me, should such a knight oppress. " To me is thy distrust great cause of woe, " That since thou couldst dispose of me no less " Than of thyself, thou — rather than apply " To me for succour — wouldst of sorrow die."
1s! THE OllLANDO FUBIO8O. • ^ M " Xl.vi.
XLV.
These words he spake, and more to that intent, Too tedious in these verses to recite; Refuting evermore such argument As might be used in answer by the knight: Who said, at last, " I yield, and am content " To live; but how can ever I requite " The obligation, which by me is owed " To thee that twice hast life on me bestowed?"
XLVI.
Melissa generous wine and goodly cheer Thither bade carry, in a thought obeyed; And comforted the mourning cavalier, Who would have sunk without her friendly aid. Meanwhile the sound of steeds Frontino's ear Had reached, and thither had he quickly made: Him Leo's squires at his commandment caught, And saddled, and to good Rogero brought;
XLVII.
Who, though by Leo helped, with much ado And labour sore the gentle courser scaled. So wasted was the vigour which some few Short days before, in fighting field, availed To overthrow a banded host, and do The deeds he did, in cheating armour mailed. Departing thence, ere they had measured more Than half a league, they reached an abbey hoar:
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 185
XLVIII.
Wherein what of that day was yet unworn They past, the morrow, and succeeding day; Until the warrior of the unicorn His vigour had recruited by the stay. He, Leo, and Melissa then return To Charles's royal residence; where lay An embassy, arrived the eve before, Which from the Bulgars' land a message bore.
XLIX.
Since they that had for king proclaimed the knight Besought Rogero thither to repair Through these their envoys, deeming they would light On him in Charles's court, where they should swear Fidelity, and yield to him his right; And he from them the crown receive and wear. Rogero's squire who served this band to steer Has published tidings of the cavalier.
L.
He of the fight has told which at Belgrade Erewhile Rogero for the Bulgars won; How Leo and his sire were overlaid, And all their army slaughtered and undone; Wherefore the Bulgars him their king had made; Their royal line excluding from the throne : Then how Ungiardo took the warrior brave, And him to cruel Theodora gave.
186 THE OKLAXDO KUBIOSO. CANTO XI VI.
LI.
He speaks with that of certain news, which say ' How good RogenA jailer was found dead, ' The prison broke and prisoner away :' Of what became of him was nothing said. — Towards the city by a secret way (Nor was his visage seen) Rogero sped. He, on the following morning, and his friend, Leo, to Charles's court together wend.
LI I.
To Charles's court he wends; the bird he bore Of gold with its two heads — of crimson hue Its field — and that same vest and ensigns wore, As was erewhile devised between the two; And such as in the listed fight before His bruised and battered armour was in shew. So that they quickly knew the cavalier For him that strove with Bradamant whilere.
LIII.
In royal ornaments and costly gown,
Unarmed, beside him doth young Leo fare.
A worthy following and of high renown
Before, behind him, and about him are.
He bowed to Charlemagne, who from his throne
Had risen to do honour to the pair:
Then holding still Rogero by the hand,
So spake, while all that warrior closely scanned.
CANTO XLVI. THE OELANDO FURIOSO. 187
LIV.
" Behold the champion good, that did maintain " From dawn till fall of day the furious fight; " And since by Bradamant nor taken, slain, " Nor forced beyond the barriers was the knight, " He is assured his victory is plain, " Dread sir, if he your edict reads aright; " And he hath won the lady for his wife: " So comes to claim the guerdon of the strife.
LV.
" Besides that by your edict's tenor none " But him can to the damsel lift his eyes, " — Is she deserved by deeds of valour done, " What other is so worthy of the prize ? " — Should she by him that loves her best be won, " None passes him, nor with the warrior vies; " And he is here to fight against all foes " That would in arms his right in her oppose."
LVI.
King Charlemagne and all his peerage stand Amazed, who well believed the Grecian peer With Bradamant had striven with lifted brand In fight, and not that unknown cavalier. Marphisa, thither borne amid the band, That crowded round the royal chair to hear, Hardly till Leo made an ending staid; Then prest before the listening troop, and said :
1^ Till-: OKI. AM)0 KUHIOSO. CANTO XI.V1.
LVII. " Since here Rogero is not, to contest
" The bride's possession with the stranger knight,
" Lest he, as undefended, be oppr.-t.
" And forfeit so without dispute his right,
" On his belialf I undertake this quest,
" — His sister I — against whatever wight
•• Shall here assert a claim to Bradamant,
" Or more desert than good Rogero vaunt."
LVIII.
She spake this with such anger and disdain, Many surmised amid the assistant crew, That, without waiting leave from Charlemagne, What she had threatened she forthwith would do. No longer Leo deemed it time to feign ; And from Rogero's head the helm withdrew; And to Marphisa, " For himself to speak, " Behold him here and ready !" cried the Greek.
LIX.
As looked old .flSgeus at the accursed board35, Seeing it was his son to whom — so willed His wicked consort — that Athenian lord Had given the juice from deadly drugs distilled; Whom he, if he had recognised his sword Though but a little later, would have killed; So looked Murphisii when, disclosed to view, She in the stranger knight Rogero knew;
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 189
LX.
And ran forthwith to clip the cavalier;
Nor could unclasp her arms : with loving show Charlemagne, Roland, and Rinaldo, here And there, fix friendly kisses on his brow. Nor him Sir Dudon, nor Sir Olivier, Nor King Sobrino can caress enow : Nor paladin nor peer, amid the crew, Wearies of welcoming that warrior true.
LXI.
Leo, who well can play the spokesman, now
That warlike band hath ceased to clip the knight, Tells before Charles and all that audience, ' how ' Rogero's daring, how Rogero's might, ' — Albeit to his good squadron's scathe and woe — ' Which at Belgrade he witnessed in that fight, ' So moved him that they overweighed all harms ' Inflicted on him by the warrior's arms.
LXII.
' So that to her Rogero being brought,
' Who would all havoc of the youth have made,
' He setting all his family at nought,
' Had out of durance vile the knight conveyed;
' And how Rogero, that the rescue wrought
( By Leo might be worthily repaid,
' Did that high courtesy; which can by none,
' That ever were or e'er will be, outdone;'
190 THK OKI . AX 1)0 KUBIOSO. CA\m\i\i.
LXIII.
And he from point to point continuing, said ' That which Rogero had for him achieved; ' And after, how by sorrow sore bested, ' In that to leave his cherished wife he grieved, • He had resolved to die, and, almost dead, ' Was only by his timely aid relieved;' And this he told so movingly, no eye Remained, amid those martial many, dry.
LXIV.
So efficaciously he after prayed
To the obstinate Duke Aymon, not alone The stubborn sire of Bradamant lit- swayed, And to forego his settled purpose won; But that proud lord in person did persuade To beg Rogero's pardon, and his son And son-in-law to be beseech the knight ; And thus to him his Bradamant was plight.
LXV.
To her, where, of her feeble life in doubt, She in a secret chamber made lament, Through many a messenger, with joyful shout And mickle haste, the happy tidings went. Hence the warm blood, that stagnated about Her heart, by her first sorrow thither sent, Ebbed at this notice in so full a tide, Well nigh for sudden joy the damsel died.
CANTO XI.VI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 191
LXVI.
Of all her vigour is she so foregone, She cannot on her feeble feet rely : Yet what her force must needs to you be known, And what the damsel's magnanimity. None doomed to prison, wheel or halter, none Condemned some other evil death to die, About whose brows the sable band is tied, Rejoices more to hear his pardon cried.
LXVII.
Joys Clermont's, joys Mongrana's noble house36, Those kindred branches that fresh knot to view. With equal grief Count Anselm overflows, Gan, Falcon, Gini and Ginami's crew : Yet they meanwhile beneath contented brows Conceal the dark and envious thoughts they brew. As the fox waits the motions of the hare, They wait their time for vengeance, and forbear.
LXVIII.
Besides that oftentimes before the rage Of Roland and Rinaldo on them fell, Though they were calmed by Charles's counsel sage, And common danger from the infidel, They had new cause for grief in Bertolage Slain by their foemen and Sir Pinnabel : But they concealed their hatred, and endured Those griefs, as of the matter ill assured.
192 THi: <>i:l \\i)() I UKIOSO. .AM.. MM.
LXIX. Those envoys of the Bulgars that had made
For Charles's court (as hath rn-whih- Wn shown),
II<»]>ing to find the knight, whose shield pourtrayed
The unicorn, elected to their throne,
Bless the good fortune which their hope repayed,
Seeing that valiant warrior, and fall down
Before his feet, and him in humble speech
' Again to seek their Bulgary beseech ;
LXX.
' Where kept for him in Adrianople are 'The sceptre and the crown, his royal due: ' But let him succour to his kingdom bear; ' For — to their further scathe — advices shew ' Constantino doth a mighty host prepare, * And thitherward in person moves aii> ' And they — of their elected king possest — ' Hope the Greek empire from his hands to wrest.'
LXXI.
He accepts the realm, by their entreaties won; And, to afford them aid against their foes, Will wend to Bulgary when three months arc done ; Save Fortune otherwise of him dispose. When this is heard 1>\ that Greek emperor's son, ' He bids Rogero on his faith repose; ' For since by him the Bulgars' realm is swayed, ' Peace between them and Constantine is made ;
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 193
LXXII.
' Nor needeth he depart in haste, to guide 'His Bulgar bands against the Grecian foe; ' For all that he had conquered far and wide, ' He will persuade his father to. forego.' None of the virtues, in Rogero spied, Moved Bradamant's ambitious mother so, Or so to endear her son-in-law availed, As hearing now that son a sovereign hailed.
LXXIII.
The rich and royal nuptials they prepare As well befits him, by whose care 'tis done, 'Tis done by Charles; and with such cost and care As if 'twere for a daughter of his own. For such the merits of the damsel are, And such had all her martial kindred shown, Charles would not think he should exceed due measure If spent for her was half his kingdom's treasure.
LXXIV.
He a free court bids cry; whither his way Securely every one that wills may wend; And offers open lists till the ninth day .
To whosoever would in arms contend; And bids build b9wers afield, and interlay Green boughs therein, and flowers and foliage blend; And make those bowers so gay with silk and gold, No fairer place this ample world doth hold.
VOL. VIII. O
I'll THK ORLANDO FUBIO8O. CANToXI.Vl.
LXXV.
(iuotfd within fair Paris cannot be
The countless foreign bands that thither fare ; Who, rich and poor, of high and low degree, And Greeks and Latins and Barbarians are. There is no end of lord and embassy That thither from all ends of earth repair; All lodged conveniently, to their content , Beneath pavilion, booth, and bower and tent.
LXXVI.
The weird Melissa against the coming night With singular and matchless ornament Had for that pair the nuptial chamber dight; Whereon long time before she had been bent : Long time before desirous of the rite Had been that dame, presageful of the event ; Presageful of futurity, she knew What goodly fruit should from their stem ensue.
LXXVI I.
She had prepared the genial, fruitful bed, Under a broad pavilion; one more rich, Adorned, and jocund, never overhead (Did this for peace or war its master pitch) Was in the world, before or after, spread; And this from Thracian strand had borne the witch. The costly prize from Constantino she bore. Who for disport wa> tented on that shore.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 195
LXXVIII.
She with young Leo's leave, or rather so The Grecian's admiration to obtain, And a rare token of that art to show, Which on Hell's mighty dragon puts the rein, And at her pleasure rules that impious foe Of Heaven, together with his evil train, Bade demons the pavilion through mid air To Paris from Constantinople bear.
LXXIX.
From Constantino that lay therein, who swayed The Grecian empire's sceptre, at mid-day This with its cordage, shaft whereby 'twas stayed, And all within and out, she bore away; And of the costly tent, through air conveyed, For young Rogero made a lodging gay. The bridal ended, this her demon crew Thither, from whence 'twas brought, conveyed anew.
LXXX.
Two thousand tedious years were nigh complete, Since this fair work was fashioned by the lore Of Trojan maid, warmed with prophetic heat; Who, 'mid long labour and 'mid vigil sore, With her own fingers all the storied sheet Of the pavilion had embroidered o'er; Cassandra hight; that maid to Hector brave (Her brother he) this costly present gave.
o2
196 THE ORLANDO FriUOSO. (AMD xivi.
LXXXI
The curliest cavalior, the kimlluM shoot
That ever from her brother's stock should grow
(Albeit she knew fur distant from its root,
With many a branch betutvn, should be that bough)
In silk and gold upon the gorgeous suit
Of hangings had she wrought in goodly show.
Much prized that gift, while living, Priam's son,
For its rare work and her by whom 'twas done.
LXXXII.
But when by treachery perished Priam's heir S7, And Greeks the Trojans scathed in cruel sort, When her gates opened by false Sinon were, And direr ill was done than tales report, This plunder fell to Mcnelaiis' share, Wherewith to Egypt's land he made resort ; There left it to King Proteus, Egypt's lord, In ransom for his prisoned wife restored58 ;
LXXXIII.
She Helen hight: her Menelaus to free, To Proteus the pavilion gave away; Which, passing through the line of Ptolemy. To Cleopatra fell; from her in fray Agrippa's band on the Leucadian sea Bore off the treasure, amid other prey. Augustus and Tiberius heired the loom, Kept till the time of Constantinc in Rome :
CAXTO XLVI. THE OllLAXDO FURIOSO. 197
LXXXIV.
That Constantino, whom thou shalt ever rue Fair Italy, while the heavens above are rolled. Constant! ne to Byzantium, when he grew Weary of Tyber, bore the tent of old. Melissa from his namesake this withdrew, Its pole of ivory and its cords of gold, And all its cloth with beauteous figures fraught; Fairer Apelles' pencil never wrought.
LXXXV.
Here the three Graces in gay vesture gowned Assisted the delivery of a queen *9. Not in four ages in this earthly round Was ever born a boy so fair of mien. Jove, Venus, Mars, and Mercury renowned For fluent speech, about the child are seen : Him have they strewed, and strew with heaven's
perfume, Ambrosial odours and aetherial bloom.
LXXXVI.
' Hippolytus' a little label said,
Inscribed upon the baby's swaddling clothes.
By the hand him Fortune leads in age more staid;
And Valour as a guide before him goes.
An unknown band in sweeping vest arraid,
With long descending locks, the tapestry shows,
Deputed by Corvinus to desire
The tender infant from his princely sire40.
198 THE ORLANDO FURIO8O. r<> \i.\i.
LXXXVII.
He reverently parts from Hercules' side, From her, his lady mother, Eleanor; And to the Danul>e wends; where far and wide They meet the boy, and as a god adore. The prudent king of Hungary is descried, Who does due honour to his ripened lore, In yi-t unripe, yea, raw and tender years, And ranks the stripling above all his peers.
LXXXVIII.
One is there that in his green age and new Places Strigonia's crozier in his hand. Him ever at Corvinus' side we view; Whether he doth in court or camp command, Whether against the Turk, or German crew The puissant monarch loads his martial band, Watchful Hippolytus is at his side, And gathers virtue from his generous guide.
LXXXIX.
There is it seen, how he his blooming age Divides mid arts and wholesome discipline: The secret spirit of the ancient page There Fuscus well instructs him to divine : " This must thou shun, that follow" — seems the sage To say — " if thou immortally wouldst shine." Fashioned withal with so much skill and care By her who wrought that work, their gestures were.
CANTO XLVI. THE OttLANDO FUUIOSO. 199
xc.
A cardinal he next is seen, though young In years, at council in the Vatican; Where for deep wisdom graced by eloquent tongue, With wonder him the assembled conclave scan. " What will he be" — they seem to say among Themselves — ' ' when he is ripened into man ? " Oh! if on him St. Peter's mantle fall, " What a blest aera! what a happy call!"
XCI.
That brave youth's liberal pastimes are designed In other place; on Alpine mountain hoar Here he affronts the bear of rugged kind; And there in rushy bottom bays the boar : Now on his jennet he outgoes the wind, And drives some goat or gallant hind before ; Which falls o'ertaken on the dusty plain, By his descending faulchion cleft in twain.
XCII.
He is descried, amid a fair array Of poets and philosophers elsewhere. This pricks for him the wandering planets' way; These earth, these heaven for his instruction square. Some chant sad elegies, some verses gay, Lays lyric or heroic; singers there He with rich music hears; nor moves a pace But what in every step is sovereign grace.
200 lili: UKl.ANDO FUKIOSO. CANTOXI.VI.
XCIII.
The first part of the storied walls pourtraied That noble prince's gentle infancy. Cassandra all beside hud overlaid With feats of justice, prudence, modesty, Valour, and that fifth virtue, which hath made With those fair sisters clr-cst amity; I speak of her that gives and that best With all these virtues gilt, the stripling glows.
XCIV. In this part is the princely youth espied
With that unhappy duke, the Insubri's head41; In peace they sit in council at his side, Together armed, the serpent-banner spread. The youth by one unchanging faith is tied To him for ever, well or ill bested; His follower still in flight before the foe, His guide in peril, his support iu woe.
XCV.
Him in another quarter you descry, For his Ferrara and her duke in fear, Who by strange proofs doth sift, and certify To his just brother, vouched by tokens clear, The close device of that ill treachery, Hatched by tho.-e kin.Miicn whom he held most dear; Hence justly he becomes that title's heir, Which Rome yet free bade righteous Tully bear.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 201
XCVI.
Elsewhere in martial panoply he shone.,
Hasting to help the church with lifted blade; With scanty and tumultuous levy gone Against well-ordered host in arms arraid: And lo ! the coming of that chief alone Affords the priestly band such present aid, Extinguished are the fires before they spread. He came, he saw, he conquered, may be said.
XCVII.
Elsewhere he stands upon his native strand, Fighting against the mightiest armament, That whensoever against Argive land, Or Turkish, from Venetian harbour went; Scatters and overthrows the hostile band, And — spoil and prisoners to his brother sent — Nothing reserves save that unfading bay; The only prize he cannot give away.
XCVIII.
Upon those figures gazed the courtly crew, But read no meaning in the storied wall : Because there was not any one to shew That these were things hereafter to befall. Those fair and quaintly fashioned forms they view With pleasure, and peruse the scrolls withal : But Bradamant, to whom the whole was known, By wise Melissa taught, rejoiced alone.
-I'-' THE ORLANDO KURIOso i AN 10 \i.\ ,.
XCIX.
Though not instructed in that history
Like gentle Brndmnant, the affianced knight
Remembers how amid his progeny
Atlanta often praised this Hippolyte.
— Who faithfully could verse such courtesy,
As Charlemagne vouchsafed to every wight?
With various games that solemn feast was cheered,
And charged with viands aye the board appeared.
C.
Who is a valiant knight, is here descried; For daily broke a thousand lances lay: Singly to combat or in troops they ride; On horseback or afoot, they mix in fray. Worthiest of all Rogero is espied, Who always conquers, jousting night and day; And so, in wrestling, dance, and every deed, Still from his rivals bears away the meed.
CI.
On the last day, when at their festive cheer Was seated solemnly the assembled band, Where at Charles' left was placed the wedded peer, And Bradamant upon his better hand, Across the fields an armed cavalier, Of semblance haughty, and of stature grand, Was seen to ride towards the royal table; Himself and courser wholly clothed in sable.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 203
CII.
The King of Argier he; that for the scorn
Received from her, when on the bridge he fell, Never to clothe himself in arms had sworn, Nor draw the faulchion nor bestride the sell, Till he had like an anchoret outworn A year and month and day in lowly cell. So to chastise themselves for such like crimes Were cavaliers accustomed in those times.
cm.
Albeit of Charles and Agramant the Moor Had heard the several fortunes while away, Not to forswear himself, he armed no more Than if in nought concerned in that affray: But when the year and month were wholly o'er, And wholly past was the succeeding day, With other courser, harness, sword, and lance, The king betook him to the court of France.
CIV.
He neither lighted from his horse, nor bowed His head; and, without sign of reverence due, His scorn for Charlemagne by gestures showed, And the high presence of so fair a crew. Astound and full of wonder stood the crowd, Such licence in that haughty man to view. All leave their meat, all leave their talk, to hear The purpose of the stranger cavalier.
-<> 1 1 UK ORLANDO FURIOSO. CANTO XLVI.
cv.
To Charles and to Rogero opposite,
With a loud voice, and in proud accent, " I
" Am Rodomont of Sarza," said the knight,
" Who thee, Rogero, to the field defy ;
" And here, before the sun withdraws his light,
" Will prove on thee thine infidelity;
•• And that thou, as a traitor to thy lord,
" Deserv'st not any honour at this board.
CVI.
" Albeit thy felony be plain and clear,
" Which thou, as christened, canst not disavow ; " Nathless to make it yet more plain appear, " This will I prove upon thee; and, if thou " Canst find a knight to combat for thee here, " Him will accept; — if one be not enow — " Will four, nay six accept; and will maintain " My words against them all in listed plain."
CVI I.
Rogero, with the leave of Pepin's
Uprose at that appeal, and thus replied ;
" That he — nor he alone — but every one,
" Who thus impeached him as a traitor, lied;
" That so he by his king had ever done,
•• Him none could justly blame ; and on his side,
•• He \vas prepared in listed field to shew
" He evermore by him had done his due.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 205
CVIII.
" He can defend himself; nor need he crave " Another warrior's help that course to run; " And 'tis his hope to show him he would have " Enough, perhaps would have too much, of one." Thither Orlando and Rinaldo, brave Olivier, and his white and sable son*, Thither good Dudon and Marphisa wend; Who fain with that fierce paynim will contend.
CIX.
They tell Rogero that, ' as newly wed ' The combat he in person should refuse.' " Take ye no further pains," the warrior said, " For such would be for me a foul excuse." The Tartar's arms were brought, which cut the thread Of more delay and of all further truce : With spurs Orlando deck'd the youthful lord, King Charlemagne begirt him with the sword.
CX.
Marphisa and Bradamant in corslet case
His breast, and clothe him in his other gear. Astolpho led his horse of noble race : Sir Dudon held his stirrup: far and near Rinaldo and Namus made the mob give place, Assisted by the Marquis Olivier. All from the crowded lists they drive with speed, Evermore kept in order for such need. * Gryphon and Aqnilaut.
-<>fi Till OKLAXDO KUH10SO. CANTO XLVI.
CXI.
The pale-fuced dames and damsels troop, in ;;uise Of pigeons round the lists, a timid show; When, homeward bound, from fruitful field they rise, Scared by wide-sweeping winds, which loudly blow, Mid flash and clap; and when the sable skies Threat hail and rain, the harvest's waste and woe: A timid troop, they for Rogero fear, 111 matched they deem with that fierce cavalier.
CXII.
So him deemed all the rabble; and so most Of those bold cavaliers and barons thought; In that they had not yet the memory lost Of what that paynim had in Paris wrought, When singly fire and sword the warrior tost, And much of that fair town to ruin brought; Whose signs remained, and yet will long remain: Nor ever greater havoc plagued that reign.
CXIII.
Bradamant's heart above those others' beat : Not that she deemed the Saracen in might, Or valour which in the heart-core hath its seat, Was of more prowess than the youthful knight; Nor (what oft gives success in martial feat) That with the paynim was the better right. Yet cannot she her some ill misgivings quell. But upon those that love such fear sits well.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 207
CXIV.
Oh ! in her fear for him, how willingly She battle for Rogero would have done ! If lifeless on the listed field to lie Surer than sure, — in fight with Ulien's son *. More than one death would she consent to die, If she withal could suffer more than one, Rather than she in that unhappy strife Would see her cherished consort risk his life.
cxv.
But prayer availed not on the damsel's part To make Rogero leave to her the quest: She then with mournful face and beating heart Stood by to view that pair to fight addrest. From right and left the peer and paynim start, And at each other run with lance in rest. The spears seem ice, as they in shivers fly, The fragments birds, that mount through middle sky.
CXVI.
Rodomont's lance which smote in the career Upon mid-shield, yet harmed it little; so Perfect was famous Hector's iron gear, Hardened by Vulcan's hand, and safe from blow. As well against the shield his levelled spear Rogero guides, and that good buckler — though Well steeled within and out, with bone between, And nigh a palm in thickness — pierces clean; * Rodomout.
Till OKI. AS DO FURIOSO. CANTO XI \ I.
CXVII.
And — but liis lance resists not that fierce shock, And at the first assault its splinters ll\ . And bits and fragment^ of tin- «lii\en-d -lock Seem fledged with feathers they ax/end so high; Were his arms hewn from adamantine rock, The spear would pierce the paynim's panoply; And end that battle: but it breaks withal, And on their croups both staggering coursers fall.
CXVIII. With bridle and with spur the martial pair
Raise their proud horses nimbly from the ground ; And having broke their spears, with faulchions bare Return, to bandy fierce and cruel wound. Wheeling with wondrous mastery, here and there, The bold and ready coursers in a round, The warriors with their biting swords l>egin To try where cither's armour is most thin.
CXIX.
Rodomont had not that hard dragon-hide Which lieretofore had cased the warrior's breast; Nor Nimrod's trenchant sword was at his side ; Nor the accustomed helm his temples prest. For on that bridge which spanned the narrow tide, A loser to Dordona's lady *, vest And arms suspended from the votive stone He left; as I, meseems, erewhile have shown. • firadamaot.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 209
cxx.
Clad was the king in other goodly mail; Yet not like that first panoply secure : But neither this, nor that, nor harder scale Could Balisarda's deadly dint endure; Against which neither- workmanship avail, Enchantment, temper, nor prime steel and pure. So here so there Rogero plied his sword, He more than once the paynim's armour bored.
CXXI.
When Rodomont beholds in that fierce close His widely crimsoned arms, nor can restrain The greater portion of those griding blows From biting to the quick, through plate and chain, He with more fury, with more rage o'erflows, Than in mid winter the tempestuous main, Flings down his shield, and with both hands outright Lays at Rogero's helm with all his might.
CXXII.
With that excessive force, wherewith the gin, Erected in two barges upon Po, And raised by men and wheels, with deafening din Descends upon the sharpened piles below, With all his might he smote the paladin With either hand ; was never direr blow : Him the charmed helmet helped, or — such its force — The stroke would have divided man and horse.
VOL. VIII. P
210 THF. ORLANDO FURIOSO. < \\Mi XIAI.
(XXIII.
As if almut to fall, the youthful lord
Twice nodded, opening legs and arms; anew
Rodomont smote, in that he would afford
His foe no time his spirits to renew :
Then threatened other stroke; but that fine sword
Bore not such hammering, and in shivers rlcu ;
And the bold Saracen, bereft of brand,
Was in the combat left with unarmed hand.
CXXIV.
But not for this doth Rodomont refrain :
He swoops upon the Child, unheeding aught :
So sore astounded is Rogero's brain;
So wholly overclouded is his thought.
But him the paynim well awakes again.
Whom by the neck he with strong arm has caught,
And gripes and grapples with such mighty force,
He falls on earth, pulled headlong from his horse.
cxxv.
Yet leaps from earth as nimbly, moved by spleen Far less than shame; for on his gentle bride He turned his eyes, and that fair face serene Now troubled the disdainful warrior spied. She in sore doubt her champion's fall had seen ; And well nigh at that sight the lady died. Rogero, quickly to revenge the affront, Clutches his sword and faces Rodomont.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FUKIOSO. 211
CXXVI.
He at Rogero rode, who that rude shock Shunned warily, retiring from his ground, And, as he past, the paynim's bridle took With his left hand, and turned his courser round; While with his right he at his rider struck, Whom he in belly, flank and breast would wound; And twice sore anguish felt the monarch, gored In flank and thigh, by good Rogero's sword.
CXXVII.
Rodomont, grasping still in that close fight The hilt and pommel of his broken blade, Layed at Rogero's helmet with such might, That him another stroke might have dismaid : But good Rogero, who should win of right, Seizing his arm, the king so rudely swayed, Bringing his left his better hand to speed, That he pulled down the paynim from his steed.
CXXVIII.
Through force or skill, so fell the Moorish lord, He stood his match, I rather ought to say Fell on his feet; because Rogero's sword Gave him, 'twas deemed, advantage in the fray. Rogero stands aloof, with wary ward, As fain to keep the paynim king at bay. For the wise champion will not let a wight So tall and bulky close with him in fight;
JIJ THE ORLANDO FUKIOSO. CANTO XI. \ I.
(XXIX. K«>urro flank and thi};li dyed red beheld,
And other wounds; and hoped he would have failed
By little and by little, as it welled;
So that he finally should have prevailed.
His hilt and pommel in his fist yet held
The paynim, which with all his might he scaled
At young Rogero; whom he smote so sore,
The stripling never was so stunned before.
cxxx.
In the helmet-cheek and shoulder-bone below The Child was smit, and left so sore astound, He, tripping still and staggering to and fro, Scarce kept himself from falling to the ground. Rodomont fain would close upon his foe; But his foot fails him, weakened by the wound, Which pierced his thigh: he overtasked his might; And on his kneepan fell the paynim knight.
CXXXI.
Rogero lost no time, and with fierce blows Smote him in face and bosom with his brand ; Hammered, and held the Saracen so close, To ground he bore that champion with his hand. But he so stirred himself, again he rose : He gripes. Rogero so, fust locked they stand. Seconding their huge vigour l>y address, They circle one another, shake, and press.
CANTO XLVI. THE OKLANDO KURIOSO- 213
CXXXII.
His wounded thigh and gaping flank had sore Weakened the vigour of the Moorish king : Rogero had address; had mickle lore; Was greatly practised in the wrestlers' ring: He marked his vantage., nor from strife forbore; And, where he saw the blood most freely spring, And where most wounded was the warrior, prest The paynim with his feet, his arms, and breast.
CXXXIII.
Rodomont filled with spite and rage, his foe
Takes by the neck and shoulders, and now bends Towards him, and now pushes from him ; now Raises from earth, and on his chest suspends; Whirls here and there and grapples; and to throw The stripling sorely in that strife contends. Collected in himself, Rogero wrought, To keep his vantage taxing strength and thought.
CXXXIV.
So shifting oft his hold, about the Moor
His arms the good and bold Rogero wound;
Against his left flank shoved his breast, and sore
Strained him with all his strength engirdled round.
At once he past his better leg before
Rodomont's knees and pushed, and from the ground
Uplifted high in air the Moorish lord ;
Then hurled him down head foremost on the sward.
214 THE ORLANDO FURI08O. CANTO Xl.VI.
cxxxv.
Such was the shock wherewith King Rodomont
With battered head and spine the champaign smote,
That, issuing from his wounds as from a font,
Streams of red blood the crimsoned herbage float.
Rogero, holding Fortune by the front,
Lest he should rise, with one hand griped his throat,
With one a dagger at his eyes addrest;
And with his knees the paynim's belly prest.
(XXXVI.
As sometimes where they work the golden vein Within Pannonian or Iberian cave, If unexpected ruin whelm the train By impious avarice there condemned to slave, So with the load they lie opprest, with pain A passage can their prisoned spirit have: No less opprest the doughty paynim lay, Pinned to the ground in that disastrous fray.
CXXXVII.
Rogero at his vizor doth present
His naked poniard's point, with threatening cry, ' That he will slay him, save he yields, content ' To let him live, if he for grace apply.' But Rodomont, who rather than be shent For the least deed of shame, preferred to die, Writhed, struggled, and with all his vigour tried To pull Rogero down, and nought replied.
CANTO XLVI. THE ORLANDO FURIOSO. 215
CXXXVIII.
As mastiff that below the deer-hound lies, Fixed by the gullet fast, with holding bite, Sorely bestirs himself and vainly tries, With lips besmeared with foam and eyes alight, And cannot from beneath the conqueror rise, Who foils his foe by force, and not despite; So vainly strives the monarch of Argier To rise from underneath the cavalier.
CXXXIX.
Yet Rodomont so twists and strives, he gains The freedom of his better arm anew; And with the right hand, which his poniard strains, For he had drawn his deadly dagger too, Would wound Rogero underneath the reins : But now the wary youth the error knew Through which he might have died, by his delay That impious Saracen forthwith to slay;
CXL.
And smiting twice or thrice his horrid front, Raising as high as he could raise in air His dagger, buried it in Rodomont; And freed himself withal from further care. Loosed from the more than icy corse, to font Of fetid Acheron, and hell's foul repair, The indignant spirit fled, blaspheming loud; Erewhile on earth so haughty and so proud.
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI.
i.
What fair dames and sage, $c.
Stanza iii. line 1.
HARRINGTON has left out the first fifteen stanzas of this canto. Hoole apparently undertook them, with the intention to do what he could with them, and, where he was puzzled, to " skip and go on." My first disposition, on undertaking this work, was in all such passages to adopt what has been done by Harrington ; but I changed my mind upon a second consideration of the subject. In this I was influenced by more reasons than one. In the first place I observed that circumstances in some descriptions, like that before us, often threw light on some- thing in others. Thus in canto iii. stanza 56. referring to the Cardinal Ippolito d'Este,
La cui fiorita eta vuole il ciel giusto,
Ch' abbia un Maron, come un altro ebbe Augusto,
To whose glad aera hath indulgent Heaven A Maro with a new Augustus given,
the English reader, unless more than usually conversant with the biography of those times, understands Ariosto as guilty
218 NOTKS TO CANTO XLVI.
of a monstrous piece of self-conceit, in designating himself by Man as Augustus by Alphonso of Eslc. The thirteenth stanza, however,of the present canto seems to free him from such a suspicion, making it cl< .u (hat he -imply referred to Andrew Maro (Andrea Marone) a poet, living under the protection <>f the House of Este, aud here classed by him with t'itia and many other distinguished persons. Now if tliis observation applies to all Aiiosto's galleries of portraits, many of the originals of which, bating their rank and riches, cannot cer- tainly deserve the attention of any age but their own, how much mo.e deserving of regard is the group before us, con- sisting of the wits and learned men who shed their splendor on the age of the Medici! Besides this consideration, I observed that there were generally many beauties scattered through the catalogues of persons which the poet has given us, and 1 thought it a pity to throw away sand when grains of gold were contained in it. Thus in stanza Iv. canto iii. we have as fine a burst of martial music as is often to be heard in the Furioto.
Costui fara col senuo e con la lancia, Ch' avra 1* onor ne i campi di Honiagna D' aver dato a 1* esercito di Francia La gran vittoria contra Giulio e Spagna. Nuoteranno i destrier sin a la pancia NM sangue umau per tutta la campagna; Ch' a sepellire il popol verra manco, Tedesco, Greco, Ispano, Italo, e Franco.
'Tii he who that his wisdom and his lance Mi. ill \\iii the praise, that in Romaguan plain He opens to the chivalry of France The victory over Julius leagued with Spain. Girth-deep in human iron- shall steeds advance Where graves are insufficient for the slain, Which everywhere on that wide champaign reek, Italian, Spaniard, German, Frank, and Greek.
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 219
We have again a beautiful imitation of Virgil's luctus ne quaere tuorum in thesame canto : but it is unnecessary to multiply illustrations. At any rate, the reader will not think, I imagine, that I have made versions of such parts of the Furioso, as those to which I have alluded, for my own pleasure, unless he be one of those who finds amusement in untying a knot, or in re-packing clothes in a trunk of the same dimensions as that in which they were before contained.
Most indeed must admit that I have here (as in other similar cases) undertaken a painful as well as an ungrateful task. Nor was it a less unprofitable labour to Ariosto, as it would appear. Ugo Foscolo once told me that, so ill was his praise appreciated at the time, that some of those commemorated in this canto were indignant at having been mentioned by him. I do not know on what he founded this statement, unless he inferred it from the conduct of one who has repaid Ariosto's praise with censure, or spoke from a confused remembrance of letters of other worthies which I shall cite ; but (however this may be) Ariosto certainly displeased, and in one instance at least made a bitter enemy, by his omissions. This was the famous critic Sperone Speroni, not mentioned in the present catalogue, who writes thus to Bernardo Tasso : — " The poem of Ariosto may be likened to a woman, who has few really beautiful features, and is pleasing through a certain je ne sais quoi, which makes her only recommendation ; and perhaps that je ne sais quoi which we feel and acknowledge in him is none of his own, but borrowed. That is to say, the invention and disposition of his work, together with the names of the knights, were his, whom he has not deigned, (or, to speak more pro- perly,) has not dared, to name, fearing lest the world should find out that he had done by Boiardo as Mariano did by Gryphon ; and whoever doubts this may go and hear the miserable screech of five or six cantos which he has set up, and in which he has wretchedly stopt short, because he had no other dependence than that weak and worthless wind of his which breathes through them. He has died more like a goose than a swan," &c.
--'" NOTES TO CANTO XI. \ I
A curious contract to this letter is to be found in another from a much more distinguished person, the famous Machiavel, whom (strange to say!) Ariosto has also omitted in his list "t" distinguished friends. In this letter, addressed to Alauianui in 1517, he says, " I hare lately read Ariosto's Orlando furioto, and really the poem is beautiful throughout, and in m;my places admirable. If lie i> where you are, commend me to him, and tell him, I only grieve that, having recorded so many poets, he should not have given me a place as one ; and that In- has done by me in his Orlando what I will not do by him in my Golden Ass." Machiavel, however, has neither mentioned Ariosto nor any one else in bis Golden A--, having been pro- bably deterred from doing so by the objections which, upon consideration, offered themselves to such a practice.
These are well put in a letter from Bernardo Tasso, himself named in this canto, to Andrea Gallo. " Heaven pardon Ariosto," he says, " who by the introduction of this abuse into poems has obliged those who write after him to follow in his steps. He dwells so much upon the thing, and will make mention of w many, that he wearies us."
The objection of Bernardo Tasso will necessarily hare yet greater force with the modern reader, who will take less interest in this catalogue; for it must be confessed that out of th-.-r who figure in it there are some who do not seem to have deserved their place ; and who indeed, but for this mention of them, would be unknown to posterity. There is, however, nothing in this that should occasion u> sin prise; for sympa- thising, as everyone does more or Us* \\ith tin- "pinion* of those by whom he is surrounded, who can be an impartial judge of cotemporary merit? But if present praise is mur .iity for posthumous fume, it must h m- hern yet less so in the case of many of those eulogized by Aii<»t", who were of all poets the mo-t ephemeral, to wit, improvcitutnri. Maffei, the author of the Sloria detla Letteratura Italiana, says, " I am of opinion that these poets pleased from being accustomed to accompany their verses with the lute, singing them extern)*)-
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 22 I
rarily. How otherwise can we account for the excessive applause bestowed upon Bernardo Accolti ?" — one of the worthies celebrated in this cauto. — " He was overwhelmed with encomiums in the court of Urbino, where he sighed for the duchess, as may be gathered from a letter of Bembo. He lived to enjoy the munificence of Leo X.; and when it was rumoured that he was about to recite his verses, the shops used to be shut ; and the most learned men crowded to hear him : but considering one of his triplets, which was the wonder of the court of Leo, I find nothing in it but a thought for which he was indebted to scripture, aud that expressed with- out elegance."
I was disposed to do by these persons in my notes what 1 have done with respect to other cotemporaries celebrated by Ariosto; that is to say, to use such notices of them as had been furnished by Hoole, correcting his sins of omission aud commission as I could. But when I came to examine his commentary upon this canto, I found such a task impossible, from his utter confusion of places and persons. A single exam- ple of this may suffice. Not knowing that Aretino simply means ' of or belonging to Arezzo,' (a mistake, however, in which it must be confessed that he has many companions) he has con- founded the Unico Bernardo Accolti Aretino lately mentioned with the infamous Pietro Aretino, though the two persons are separately commemorated by Ariosto in the same page. Under such circumstances, I thought there would be less trouble in writing a commentary myself than in attempting to correct one which appeared to be incorrigible. 1 found, however, that I was utterly incompetent to the task; for the execution of which I have in consequence resorted to my friend Mr. Panizzi, of the London University, who has furnished me with the following notes. But notwithstanding his learning and industry,, well proved by his excellent work on the romantic narrative poetry of the Italians, some of the names of those celebrated have escaped even his researches. I am, however, disposed to consider these as flies preserved in amber.
'2-2-2 NOTES TO CANTO XM r.
2. Mamma, Ginevra, with the rut I tee,
( ttt rt'i?i;iv s set tit
/.a iii. Hoes 5 and 6. " Of tbe*e ladies I know nothing." — PANIZZI.
3.
Veronica de Gambara.
Stanza iii. line 7.
" VERONICA DA CAMBER A was daughter of Count (run-Fran- cesco Gambcra, and married to Giberto X. Lord of Curreggio, whom she lost nine years after their marriage, when tthe was scarcely 33 years of age. She ranted to be engraved on the door of her apartment the two beautiful lines,
' Hie rneos primus qui me sibi junxit amores Abstulit, illc habeat secura servetqne sepulcro.'
And she was more firm of purpose than Dido. She governed Correggio during the minority of her two sons, Girolamo and Ippolito. Her letters are remarkable for their easy elegance; and her poetry for its loftiness and vigour of ideas. Her con- duct was irreproachable ; and she held a literary correspond- ence with the greatest men of her age, of whom she was a generous patroness. Charles V. visited her twice at Correggio." — PANIZZI.
4.
With Julia, a new Ginevra it in tight.
Stanza iv. line 1.
" Of these ladies I know nothing." — PANIZZI.
5. Hippolita Sforxa, and Trii-ultia bright.
Stanza iv. line 3.
" HirrouTA SFORZA married to Alessandro Bontivoglio
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 223
of Ferrara, and is praised by Bandello (who dedicated to her the first of his novels) as a beautiful and learned woman, capable of appreciating the merit of Latin poetry. He also mentions the literary meetings which were held in her gardens at Milan, her native place.
" DAMIGELLA or DOMITILLA TRIVULCIA was wife of Fran- cesco Torello, Lord of Montecchiarugolo. She was renowned for her talents, her sweet voice, her knowledge of music, her grace, and her learning, as well as for her rare beauty. I suspect it is to her that the epigram of Ariosto
Quod genere et censu praestes Trivultia inultis is addressed. Ariosto wrote another epigram, Sis dives, generosa, bella, casta,
which cannot have pleased her so much, as he accuses her of being proud." — PANIZZI.
6.
Emilia Pia, and thee, Margherite, Angela Borgia, Graziosa, see, And fair Richarda ffEste.
Stanza iv. lines 5, 6, 7.
" EMILIA PIA was one of the brightest ornaments of the court of Urbino when it was the asylum of the muses under the Duke Guidobaldo da Montefeltro. Pia was married to Antonio, Count of Montefeltro, the duke's brother, who left her a widow when very young. She continued to reside at the duke's court in the most intimate friendship with Elizabetta his wife, who also was left early a widow. Of the elegance of that refined court, of the accomplishments, beauty, and purity of morals of these two ladies, Castiglione's Cortigiano may give an idea. See also above, canto xxvi. stanzas 49 and 50; and canto xliii. stanza 148.
JJ I XOTES TO CANTO XLVI.
" I do not know who MARGHF.RITE, ANGELA BORGIA, and
GRAZIOSA •••
" RICHARDA here named is not the same lady mentioned above, canto xiii. stanza 67. This was Ricciarda, Marchioness of Saluzzo, wife of Niccolo III. d'Este. She died in 1474."— PANIZZI.
7. Blanche and Diana, vilh thrir tuter train.
Stanza ir. line 8.
" DIANA and BIANCA (Blanche) were daughters of Sigis- moudo of Este ; the former married toUgnccione dc'Contrari, and the latter toAlberigo Sanscverino, both knights of Ferrara. Sigismondo was sou of Niccol I II. and of Ricciarda of Saluzzo, his third wife, and from him descended the branch of the Estes, Lords of San Martino iu Rio. Diana of Este was men- tioned above, canto xlii. stanza 90." — PANIZZI.
8. / Barbara Turca, linked with Laura, know.
Stanza v. line 2.
" I know nothing of this BARBARA. The family of the Turchi was, however, an ancient and powerful family at Ferrara.
" LAURA I suspect to be Lam i D. mi, after\\ards I^aura Enstochia, first the mistress then the third wife of Alfonso I., Duke of Ferrara. Her marriage has been indisputably proved by Muratori; yet on the plea that this la<l\ w.i> never lawfully wedded to Alfonso, the Popes robbed the House of Este of Ferrara." — PANIZZI.
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 225
9.
Behold Ginevra ! that rich gem and rare Which gilds the house of Malalesta, fyc.
Stanza v. lines 5 and 6.
" This is, I think, GINEVRA MALATF.STA, celebrated for her beauty and for the vehement affection which Bernardo Tasso bore to her. She was married to a knight of the family of Obizzi of Ferrara, and ou her marriage Tasso wrote a most elegant sonnet. The Malatestas were lords of Rimini or Arimino." — PANIZZI.
10.
The consort of my lord of Bozzolo Behold ! the mother, sisters, cousinhood.
Stanza vii. lines 1 and 2.
" I suppose that Ariosto alludes to the lady of FEDEKIGO GONZAGA, lord of Bozzolo, whose mother, Franceses Fieschi, as well as the sister, Cammilla Gonzaga, married to the Mar- quis Tripalda, and the relations, Isabella and Cammilla Gon- zaga da Gazzuolo, are celebrated as very accomplished ladies by cotemporary authors. It is, however, difficult to ascertain who were the ladies meant, as the house of Gonzaga, then di- vided into the branches of Mantova, Bozzolo, Gazzuolo, Lnz- zara, San Martino, Sabbioneta, &c. counted several ladies of very prominent merits, many of whom bore the same Christian name." — PAN iz/i.
11.
Them of Torello, Bentivbglio, Pallamgmi'' s and ViscontVs brood.
Stanza vii. lines 3 and 4.
" Four of the noblest families of Italy, and the former one of the oldest in the world. They are still existing, except the last. They were all related to Este, Gonzaga, Montefeltro ; and many ladies of those families were celebrated for their accomplishments and beauty in the poet's time." — PANIZZI.
VOL. VIII. Q
--''> NOTES TO CANTO XLV I.
12.
Julia Gonzaga.
Stanza viii. line 1.
" This lady, celebrated for lier learning, and Mill more for her extraordinary beauty, was married, when very yonug, to Vmpuiano Colonna, duke of Trajetto and carl of Ftunli, who was old and infirm, and very soon afterwards died. Julia, after his death, refined the most splendid offers of marriage, and lived in a secluded manner at Fondi. Ariadeno Barba- roesa, the famous pirate, afterwards dey of Tunis, on hearing her beauty so much praised, landed 2000 men at Fnmli one niuht, in 15H4, to carry her off to the Sultan Solyiuan II. She hud scarcely time to jump out of a window and fly from her brutal enemies, and, undressed .is she was, succeeded in makint: her escape to the neighbouring mountains." — PANI//I
13.
If "ith her it paired hrr brother1* wif<:
Stanza viii. line 5.
" ISABELLA COLONNA, married to Luigi, brother of Giulia (lonzaga, SMI named Rodomonlc on account of his bravery. The |>opc opposed their marriage, but the steady attachment <>t Isabella triumphed over all ohstac 'ex. To this Ariosto has alluded more at length in canto xxxvii. stan/a 9, et seq. Rodo- nii'iiie Gonzaga was a great friend of Ariosto, and wrote >«>me stanzas in praise of the /-'arioso. He was lord of Gazzuolo, and i« mentioned also canto xxvi. Man/a Ml." — PAMZZI.
14.
Lo ! Arragonian Anna, Vatto'i light.
Stanza viii. line 8.
" ANNA, daughter of Ferrante d' Arragona, duke of Montalto, married to Alfonso Davalo, Marquis Vasto — a great general, a good poet, and a splendid patron of literature, who, on the
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 227
18th of October, 1531, settled an annuity of one hundred golden ducats on Ariosto. He is praised more than once in the poem : see canto xv. stanza 28 ; canto xxxiii. stanza 24, et seq. ; and canto xxxiii. stanza 47." — PAMZZI.
15.
With her, the sister dims all beauty, -wltere Her radiance shines. Lo! one that hath set free Her conquering lord from Orcus* dark repair.
Stanza ix. lines 3, 4, 5.
" GIOVANNA D'ARRAGONA, married to Ascanio Colouna. " VITTORIA, daughter of Fabrizio Colonna, married to Fer- dinando Francesco, son of Alfonso Davalo (not the one just mentioned, but an older one), marquis of Pescara. He was one of the greatest generals of his day, and died of the wounds which he received at the battle of Pavia, where he had a great share in the capture of King Francis I. of France. There was a scheme set on foot for making him king of Naples. He pretended to acquiesce in some proposals concerning this, only to betray the conspirators and the Italian powers who were privy to it to Charles V. The reciprocal love of Vittoria and Francesco has never been surpassed. In her thirty-third year Vittoria lost her husband; a loss for which she was in- consolable all her life. Her poems are very good, and no lady has ever written better. She was as beautiful and virtuous as accomplished. Hence the infamous Aretino calumniated her. She was in correspondence with all the great geniuses of her age, more particularly with Veronica Gambara, mentioned above. She, as well as her husband, is always mentioned by Ariosto in the highest terms of praise : see canto xxxiii. stanzas 47 and 53, and canto xxxvii. stanza 16, et seq." — PANIZZI.
16.
The shining light Of his Arezzo, and Accolti hight.
Stanza x. lines 7 and 8.
" BERNARDO ACCOLTI, surnamed 1'Unico Accolti or 1'Unico
Q.2
--'* \<>rES TO CANTO XI.vj.
Arctino, son of the historian Benedetto Accolti, than whom no poet was ever more popular. The port i y he has left does not answer the high rc|iut:itiim he enjoved. As an improvviiatore he must have been much distinguished, .-inre he was admired at the court of ("rhino." — PAM//I.
17. Hit nrphev Benedict, £c.
Stanza xi. line 2.
" HF.NF.DF.TTO ACCOLTI, bi>hop of Cadiz, next of Crtmon i, and afterwards archbishop of Ravenna. He was, together with Sadoleto, secretary t6 Clement VII. when only twenty-five \iar- "face, and cardinal when tliirt) \car> old. He wa- Imu- imprisoned by order of Paul 111. without anyone knowing wliy, and wad liberated by the intercession of the cardinal of Man- tua, here mentioned, on paying a large fine. Not only was he a good poet, hut the liberal patron and warm friend of the greater men of his days." — PAM//I.
18. With him Campeggio and Mantnat cardinal.
- .nza xi. Hue 3.
" KRCOLF. OONZACA, M.H of Kianre«co, last marquis, and lirnther '»f Kerlcriuo, fii»t duke, of M.uitua, one of the pres'nl* nt> of the CVincil of Trent, was ' Manilla's cardinal.'
" CHHI|)I -L'.'i" \\.i« l.fn:ix/o ( \Mifi.r.i, from whose family sprang so many learned civilian- in tli«- -ixteetith century. Loren/o \s.,» piofcs-or of law at Padna and Bologna, then (having lost his wife and become a priest) jud^e of the Rota at Rome, bishop of Fcltre, and finally cardinal. Leo X. and Clement VII. sent him either a* legate or as nuncio to the fir»t potentates of Europe. He was twice let ate in this country; nr-t from Leo X., then from Clement VII. to judce with the validity of the marri.i-.-c of Henry VIII. with Ca- therine of Arracon."— P\\I//I.
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 229
19.
With them Lactantius is, Claude Ptolemy, TV-mine, Pansa, and Capiltipi mine,
Stanza xii. lines 1 and 2.
" Of LATTANZIO TOLOMMEI, Giovio says, ' Nihil enim vel aspectu arduum, vel reipsa difficile, vel maguitudine iunneu- sum morari posse existimo Lactautium Ptolomeum Seuensem, turn familiae alque opum dignitate turn recouditis artibus atque aniuii virtute uohilissimum.' I know nothing more of him.
" CLAUDIO TOLOMMEI was a whimsical character. He was doctor of civil law, but for some unknown reason insisted on being undoctored and passing through the same formalities with which the degree had been conferred upon him. He tried to bring Italian hexameter and pentameter verses into fashion, and failed. He was of the court of Cardinal Jppolito of Este the younger, nephew of that Cardinal Ippolito to whom Ariosto dedicated his poem.
" Three brothers CAPILUPI were contemporaries of Ariosto — Lelio, Ippolito, and Cammillo, the first of whom was celebrated for his great skill in composing poems with verses studiously taken from other poets. The brothers Capilupi were considered good poets themselves, and Ippolito and Cammillo enjoyed the reputation of good statesmen and diplomatists.
" PAULO PANSA, of whom Giovio says, ' Veluti ab joco ad studia Latinorutn carminum, in quibus serius atque felicius se exercet, ingenium traduxit.' I know nothing more of him.
" GIORGIO TRISSINO (in the original Dresino), the author of Sofonisba and L' 'Italia Liberata, was the first who attempted to write a tragedy and an epic poem after the classical models. He was not ashamed, in return for Ariosto's compliment, of saying, in his poem,
L'Ariosto Coti quel Furioso suo che piace al volgo ! ! !"
— PANIZZI.
'-'.'«' NOTKb TO CANTO XLV1.
20. Latino Giovcnhl.
Stanza \\\. line 3.
" LATINO GIOVENALE OB* NANNETTI, praised liy Bembo, his friend, as a writer of good Italian verses. His Latin verse* are certainly very elegant. He was a learned antiquary and a distinguished diplomatic. After liavinir been nuncio to several courts, lie was appointed commissioner for the preservation of antiques at Rome."— PANIZ.ZI.
21. Saito.
Stanza xii. line 4.
i, who is said to have died in 1527. Giraldi says of him, ' Kxtemporalis pocta ... in faciendis vends pr"iiipt'i»imu>. . . . Illi memoiia pene divinu. . . . Minus omnino Sassio judicii ac lima*.' Giovio (who wrote after the plunder of Rome in 1527) writes, ' Retinet adhuc Pamphilus Saxius Mutinensis pristinuin ilium volucris et exnltantis inge- nii furorem, ct in hfic exacta xtate Latinis etiani »-t Hetru>cis epigramiuatiscum tliMi'i.ti^siiuisjuvenitiiscolludit.'" — PANIZZI.
22. And Molza.
Stanza xii. line 4.
41 FRANCESCO MARIA MOLZA, celebrated for his fondness of the fair sex, his extensive learning, and his truly exqui-itc put -try, 1'otli Latin and Italian. He was the neatest imitator of Tibullus. His name occurs above, canto xxxvii. stanza 12. K.i\lr i.s mistaken when he thinks that upon him was written the following epitaph, which I transcribe for its singularity. It is still to be read in the cathedral of Modcna. ' Si animarum uuciio fuict Franciscuin Molzam licitareutur virtutes p.iiria et C'atharina, cjus uxor, qua: ill! ct sibi vivcns hoc posuit.'
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 231
Our Francesco Maria was not married to a Cathariua. He was, however, from Modeiia, where the family still exists." — PANIZZI.
23. And Florian hight Montine.
Stanza xii. line 4.
" To FLORIANO MONTINO, Manardo the physician, whom I shall presently mention, dedicated his book Epistolarum Medi- cinalium, ' propter antiquam inter nos auiicitiam, singularemque tuam eruditionem optimis moribus conjunctam.' I suspect this Floriano to be Floriauo de' Floriani da Montagnana, who married a lady of the court Cornaro at Asola, on which occa- sion Bembo supposes the dialogues to have taken place which he wrote with the title of Asolani." — PANIZZI.
24. Julio Camillo.
Stanza xii. line.7.
" GIULIO CAMMILLO DEIMINIO, who could talk much and say nothing. He boasted of having invented a certain Teatro (nobody ever understood what it was to be) by means of which in a month a person of rank (for Delminio protested he would not teach any other) might learn all that has ever been known, and easily equal the eloquence of Demosthenes and Cicero. Francis 1. of France took two lessons from him. He imposed upon some, but was little valued bymostofhiscotemporaries." — PANIZZI.
The dialogue among the Erasmi colloquia, entitled Ars notoria, shows this to have been among the European follies of the day.
25. Berna, and Sanga, and Flamlnio spy.
Stanza xii. line 8.
" GIOVANNI BATTISTA SANGA was a good Latin poet, and secretary to Cardinal Bibiena, then to Giberti when Datario, then to Cardinal Salviati, then to Clement VII.
NOTES TO CANTO XI,VI.
" FRANCESCO BBRNI, or HF.KNA, or HKKMA, a po< i
wi-ll known. He siuri-edcd Sanpa as Gihciti'* M rretary; and when the latter rct'ned to \>\- diocese of Verona, llrrni followed him thither. In the transla1 ion of Rose's Orliimln liinnninrulu 'I ni rod. p. xxxix.) it !•* said h\ mistake that lie \\a- then in the service ofCanlin.il Hihiena. The cardinal di< d eight \t-.ns before that, in 1520. To tins cardinal IU-rni alluded when he spoke of
A cardinal allied to him by blood, And one that neither did him harm nor good. See ibid. p. xlv.
" MARC' ANTONIO Fi AMMIMO, \\ho>e lyric Latin verses are by common Italian consent the most exquisite poems in that language \\iitu n after the middle ages. Flammii.io was one of the most amiable men that ever lived. He \\a- a favourite of Leo X., ofGiberti, whom he followed to Verona, of Alexander Farnese Pope Paul III. mentioned next), and of Cardinal Polo, who glories in having |>reventcd him from turning protest ant. His death was considered a national calamity." — PAMZZI.
26. Lo! Alexander of Famete.
Stanza xiii. line 1.
" ALBSSANDRO FARNESE and MARCELLO€ERVINI (afterwards Pope Marcello II.) formed the princely scheme of publishing, at their own expense, the Creek MSS. of the Vatican Library. They established a press, and called the printer Hlado to Rome for that purpose. Farnese was a great patron of literature. When pope he created cardinals some of the greatest men of his age ; amongst others, Contarini, Polo, Bembo, Pio, Sadolcto, his friend Cervini, &c." — PANIZ/I.
27.
Hfufdro, CappeUa, Maddalen\ Portio, Surnamcd the Bolognctc, the Volterrcme.
Stanza xiii. lines 3 and 4. "TOMMASO iMiiiiKAMi, having performed with great ap-
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 233
plause the part of Phaedra in Seneca's Hyppolitus, was surnamed FEDKO. He was a good Latin poet, and librarian to the Vatican. Erasmus says he was called the Cicero of his age.
" BERNARDINO CAPPELLA, praised as a good Latin poet by Glraldi.
" EVANGELISTA FAUSTO MADDALENi is mentioned as an elegant Latin poet by Gira!di, who says that he would have done more had not his wife left him little leisure for the muses.
" CAMMILLO PORZIO, or DE' PORCARI (not the historian), professor of literature, and a distinguished courtier of Leo X., who made him a bishop. He and Fedro are thus celebrated byGiovio: — ' luteriit ilia tola velus dfcciplinarecteac temperate Laiinas voces exj)rimeudi et rotunda facundia orationes et car- mina recitandi postquam T. Phaedrus et Portins Camillus prae- clara Acad. Romauae Lumina fato extincta optimas literas feli- cioris eloqnentiae hue orbatas reliquerunt.'
" FILIPPO BEROALDO DA BOLOGNA the youngest, a Latin poet, and librarian to the Vatican, was surnamed the Bolognese. He died in 1518.
" There were two MAFFEI from Volterra, called each of them Volterrano — MARIO and RAFFAELLE. I think Ariosto speaks of the former, as he, as well as most of those mentioned in this stanza, were members of the Roman Academy, and are praised by Sadoleto in one of his letters almost in the same order as they are mentioned by Ariosto." — PANJZZI.
28.
. Slosio, Pierio, Vida, famed for flow Of lofty eloquence ofexhaustkss vein; Mussiiro, Ldscari, and Navagero^ And Andrew Maro, and the monk Severo.
Stanza xiii. lines 5, 6, 7, 8.
" BIAGIO PALLAI, who, according to the fashion of the day, on entering the Roman Academy, had his vulgar name changed into the more classically sounding name of Blosio Palladio,was an elegant Latin poet, and one of the heads of the
NOTKS TO ( AN 10 XI.VI.
DIMM i>it\ of i;<ini", i lie Vtpienza. He was secretary to Popes Clement \'ll. and Paul III., and in the name of (he former he wrote the privilege for the com-eted edition of Ariosto's poem of 1532, dated mi the 31st of January of that year. He was elected bishop of FoliiMio by the latter of these popes. Aii«>M<i mentions him a* a friend in his satire addressed to Pi.«tofilo, which
' Pistofilo tu f-crivi che se apprc-
of which a translation by Lord Holland may be seen at the end of the fifth volume of this tianslatiou.
" GIAMPIETRO or (as he was called afterwards) PIERIO VALERIAM was an adherent of the Mediei. He enjoyed the favour of Leo X., was elected professor of literature t>y Clement VII., and then trusted with the education of Ippolito and Alexander de' Medici, two pupils who did not great eicdit to their masters. Pierio was a good historian, an elegant Latin poet, and a very learned man.
" MARCO GIROLAMO VIDA, bishop of Alba, whose poems Chr'utiadot, Scacchla Ludut, Art Poetica, Bombicet, are too well known to require any praise. He was called /'irgiliut rcdivitnui and, if any thing, he may be said to have been ex- cessively Vireilian. Hi.* generous dispositi. n reiiden d him very popular among the poor of his di<>
" MARCO MUSURO of Creta (whom Ariosto calls Musnra in his satire addressed to Beuibo), a pupil of John Lascari; a man of extensive learning, professor at the university of Padua, and archbishop of Malvasia. A few Latin epigrams only have survived him. Erasmus says that he was ' Latinae linguae usque ad mil ariilum doctus : quod vix ulli Grseco contigit.'
" GIOVANNI LASCARI of Constantinople fled to Italy on the conquest of that city by the Turks, and was educated at Padua. His extensive learning and amiable character rendered him a favourite of Lorenzo il Maguifico, Leo X., and Charles VIII., as well as Francis I. of France.
" ANDREA NATAGF.RO, not the historian of Veniee, whose work was published by Muiaturi, It. I. S., \ol.22d, but a learned
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 235
uiau, second to none in taste and elegance in his Latin verses, and who died at Blois in France on the 8th of May, 1529. He detested so much Martial's poetry that he sacrificed every year to Vulcan a copy (some say more) of his epigrams. Six lines of this author may serve as a favourable specimen of his Latin poetry.
' AUTO quse levibus percurritis aera pennis
Et strepitis blatido per neniora alta sono; Serta dat hsec vobis, vobis haec rusticus Idmou
Spargit odorato plena cauistra croco. Vos lenite aestum, et paleas sejungite inanes
Dum medio fruges ventilat ille die.'
" ANDREA MARONE ; a man who was never equalled for his facility of making good Latin verses impromptu, and whose genius is described by Giovio, who knew him, as incredibile, portentosum. The same historian, to give us an idea of the manner in which Marone made his extemporary verses, uses the following words: — ' Fidibus et cantu musas invocat; et quum simul conjectam in numeros mentem alacriore spiritu inflaverit, tanta vi in torrentis modum concitatus ftrtur, ut fortuna et subi- tariis tractis ducta, multum ante provisa et meditata carmina videantur. Canenti defixi exardent oculi, sudores manant, venae contumescunt, et, quod inirum est, eruditae aures, lam- quam alienae ac intentae omnem impetum proflueutuni numero- rum exactissima ratioue moderantur.' He was mentioned by our poet, above, c. Hi. st. 56, as equal to his namesake Virgil; and also in the satire to A. Ariosto and Baguo, which begins
lo desidero iutendere da voi;
where the poet advises Marone to give up making verses and learn an art to please his eminence of Este, who disliked Ariosto because he was a poet.
" The MONK SEVERO. Perhaps Severo Varino, called also Severo da Piacenza, or da Firenzuola, a learned Benedictine; or Severo da Volterra, a Benedictine also, and a poet, among whose MSS. there were sonnets addressed to Ariosto, as Por- cacchi informs us."— PANIZZI.
NOTR8 TO CANTO XI. VI.
29.
IM ! two more Alexander* Softlte tree Of the Orolbgi one, and one Guurlno: Mario d' Olrlto, and of rot/tilt;/ That scourge, divine Pietro Aretlno. I tun Girolamot amid them tee, Of Veritade and the Cittadlno; See the Afaindrdo, the Lroniceno, Panizzdto, Celio, and Tcocreno.
Stanza xiv.
" ALKSSANUKO OROLOGI, a gentleman from Padua: (For- nari). I know nothing more of him.
" ALKSSANDKO GUAKINI, secretary to the duke of Fvrrara. He published an edition of Catullus corrected by hi* father, with notes of his own.
" MARIO EOUICOLA u'AtviTO (and not OUito, a> all the i <li- tinn- of Ariosto say) took his name from the place of his birth. He wrote a history of Mantua, a treatise on jioetry, and another on the nature of love. He was secretary to Isabella d'Kste, Marchioness Gonzaga of Mantua, of whom Ariosto makes a splendid panegyric, canto xiii. «t.59, et seq., to her husband Francis, and to her son Frederick, with whom Mario was be- sieged in I'avia. Calcai;niiii di -crihi •> him as ' m.inu slreiiiuim, lingua disertnm, inn-nio clari^simum.'
"PlKTRO ARETINO. The basest and most imptidrnt wr»-lch that ever lived, with neither talents nor honour. He called himself ' divino' and ' Ilaiicllo de' principi,' hut none ever flat- tered them more barefacedly. He attacked in the most scur- rilous manner all those from whom he had nothing to fear. He took his name from Arezzo, hi- native place, heing a bastard. His father was, it ia said, Luigi Bacci. The following epitaph was considered appropriate to his merits :
' Qui giace 1' Aretin poet a Tosco Che disse mal d'ognnn, fuor che di Dio, Scusandosi col dii : non lo coimsco.'
NOTKS TO CANTO XLVI. 237
" GIROLAMO VERITA is said to have beeu an elegant poet, and a man fond of scientific pursuits. Giovio says, ' Laudatur in Veriteii Vtrouensis carmine nitidissinius candor, atque in omuem semper partein diffusus et aequabilis.'
" GIROLAMO CITTADINO was a friend of Bembo, who, in a letter, piaises two sonnets of his. He lived at Ferrara, as I learn from Bandello, iu the service of Ippolita Sforza, mentioned above, stanza 4. Giovio praises him as a good Latin poet. — ' Hierou. Cittadinus Insuber poeuiata sua odoratis atque veuereis floribus mollissinie conspergit.'
" NICCOLO LEONICENO, a distinguished physician, of great learning, an elegant writer of Latin verses, when young, and of a most pure life. He was one of the first who dared to question the authority of Pliny, and died, 96 years old, at Ferrara, in 1524.
" GIOVANNI MANARDI (notMainardi,as is erroneously printed in all Ariosto's editions),- a physician of note. He travelled much, and was one of the first who boldly appealed to reason and observation instead of authority, as may be seen from the first of his Epistularum Medicinalium, already quoted. Ca!- cagnini wrote to Erasmus that he was ' vir Graece et Latine doctissimus. Scripsit plurima digna immortalitate; sed vir minime ambitiosus ea rondum pubblicam materiam fecit: hoc superstite, uiinus Leonicenum desideramns.'
" BENEDETTO TAGLIACARNK, or TEOCRENO (as he chose to call himself), was named tutor to the son of Francis I. of France, who appointed him to the bi-hopric of Grasse. Teocreno had spoken slightly of Erasmus; and her.ce we may understand why Olivarius called him a pedant. He generally is considered to have been a learned man.
" CELIO CALCAGNINI, a learned man, but an affected writer, highly esteemed by Erasmus. Before Copernicus published his astronomical system in 1543, Calcagnmi published a book to demonstrate ' quod coelum stet, terra autem moveatur.' Having followed the cardinal of Este to Hungary, he was appointed professor of literature at Ferrara on his return; whilst Ariosto,
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI.
who did nut like (o go, lost lii» eminence's good grares. In the satire addressed to A. Ariosto and Bagno, qnoted above, ihe poet relates it himself, and adds, that lie tares not for the car- dinal preferring Marnnc and ('din to him. Calraenini is also prai.-ed above, canto xlii. stan/.a HO. These reasons make me think (hat it was Celio Calcai;nini, and not Cello Kirhcri from Hovii;o, who took i he n.iiiie of Celio Rodigino, a learned man also then living, of whom Arlosfo speaks here. This Celio had been a pupil of Leonireno, and was then professor nt liteiatme at Ferrara.
" NICCOLO MAHIA, or MARIO PANIZ/.ATO, at .t poet
of some note, acrordini: totiiialdi. He wa- piotV-»nr ><\ litert ture in that city, and it has been said that An»M» -unlied under him." — PANI/./I.
30. Bernardo Capel, Peter Bembo here
I tee, through whom our pnrf, tweet idiom > •
Ami a-Ao, of vulgar mage w'uinownl <7.
It t genuine form in lit.* i;ramplc thovt.
Hi /mid an (Hit/son, that In hit rear
Admlret the pa tin iih'tch he to well bettovt.
I Fracuttoro, Bcvezzdno n»t'\
And Tryphon Gabriel, Tatto more rental, .
Staoi
"BERNARDO CAPF.I.LO, a Venetian nnhleman, and a pupil of Bembo. He was iniquitously hauls! cd by the Cmmc'il of X.on account of his freedom of speech in the senate — 'niiiii<|irtm suspi- catus,'as very properly l.-'i.:i/io siys, ' ut in liberacivitate, nimia libertas aibi olliceic posset.' He went to Rome, where he \\.i< \cry well received by Cardinal Farnese, and died an exile. His lyric poetry is excellent. He was a poet, not a timid imitator of Petrarca. Gio\ io mentions a Carlo Capello of whom I ne\ ei heard; and perhaps it is a mistake in the name: — 'Carolum (.'apellium nohilcm \'enetum, qui Grxceetiam profecit, gcuero- -nin poetam evadere perspicimus.'
" PIBTRO BEMBO, a Venetian, whose family ranked among the very 6rst of that proud republic. He was a learned and
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 239
accomplished man, of a kind and amiable disposition. He wrote the most Ciceronian Latin, and his name stands very high in the annals of Italian literature. He deserves more credit for the patronage which he granted to literature than for his own works. He was, with Sadoleto, secretary to Leo X. ; and to this excellent colleague he owed his cardinalship, as it was only by his intercession that Paul III. was induced to pass over Bembo's juvenile levities. He was then bishop, first of Gubbio, and afterwards of Bergamo. Capello and Beinbo were mentioned above, canto xxxvii. stanza 8; and Bembo again, canto xlii. stanza 86. To him Ariosto addressed the satire which begins
' Beinbo, 5o vorrei com' e il comun desio;
and also a very curious and interesting Latin elegy, beginning
' Me taciturn perfene mese peccata puelhe?'
" CASPAR OBIZZI, a friend of Beinbo, who addressed to him his 58th sonnet, praising his poetry. I do not know whether he was the one who married Ginevra Malatesta, mentioned above, stanza 5.
" GIROLAMO KRACASTORO, whose name is well known as that of a mail who in his Latin poem De Morbo Galileo vied with Virgil. Fracastoro was, moreover, a great physician, zoo- logist, astronomer, and geographer. He is said to have been the first to use a kind of telescope to observe the stars. He was highly respected and esteemed by all those who knew him for his kind and generous disposition.
" AGOSTINO BEVAZZANO, or BEAZZANO, a great friend of Bembo, who introduced him to Leo X., by whom he was pa- tronised. He was an indifferent Italian poet, but wrote very elegant Latin verses.
" TRIFON GABRIELLO, of a patrician family of Venice, is celebrated as a learned and upright man. Of him was said by Valiero, his countryman, 'Gabriela familia Venetuni Socratem peperisse existimatur Tryphonem.' Speroni, alluding to this surname, says, ' Che a guisa di Socrate 11011 iscrisse mai cosa alcana, ma insegnavacio che sapeva.' A sonnet of his to Bembo,
240 NOTES TO CANTO XLVI.
which 'n printed. iy poor opinion of hin poetical ta-
lents. Ik-rnardo Tasso confesses hi in self highly indehtcd to hi* suggestions respecting his |x>fin Amadigi.
" BKKSAKDO TASXO, father of Tonjiiato; :i elMiniMii-hcd lyric poet, peculiarly soft ami MWI, and tin- author of a lomanesque poem, The Amatl'mi, in 100 canto*, in which In- tried tosurpa-ss Ario.-to. Although he failed in \\\\<, tin- work is full of poetry. The Fnri,,.,,, The /////<;;«<//•-;//,, The Mt.r- ganle, and The stmudii-i, are ihe hot poems «.f thi^ The first and last distant ' lonirn intervallo" no donlit." —
31.
Upon me Nichola$ Tiijmli And Nlchulat Amaniojix lltrir njm; With Anthony Fnlg»*o, who to ipy My boat Hear land */i«ir* pleasure and *urpr\M. Thfrc^from thote dames apart, my I '<//<•/// Standt vit/i Barignan.
Stan/a \\\. lines 1, 2, ;<, I.
" NlCCOLO TlEPOLO, of a paiiieiHii famih i.l \'eni< . honoured by I'ope Jmiu.> II., \\IH> eonleind upon him the deuiee of doctor with his own han rdini; to lli-mlto. in a
letler to the duchess of Fenaia, the famous Lucre/ia !'•• he had given proofs 'dY<scie il piu vilcntc di«piitante e i die per awentiira in Italia oi;ui >ia.' (iiovio wrote, ' l-'lorei \"e- oetiis piilchen iiinmim carininum lainle illu-ni ac cU
" NICCOI.O \M\MO (not Animanio, as it is erroiiron-l\ printed in all modern ArioMo's cdiiion* is mentioned hy Bandello in hi> lir»t novel, \\ ho calls him ' dotio Dottore e •oavisgiiuo |M>eta;' ami (ii-uio pr.iiseil in him ' pics«nni et floriduni din-ndi i-i nti^.'
" ANTONIO FUI.<.<>M>, or I'KK.OSO, or CAMPOFREGOSO, of a patrician family of (ienoa, and who-e i elation, l-Yil- i i.-n Fulgoso, was mvutioiidl in so friendly and playful a mann< r l>\
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 241
Ariosto, canto xlii. stanza 20. Antonio wrote some Latin verses now forgotten, and was surnaraed Fileremo, on account of his fondness of seclusion.
" GIOVANNI FRANCESCO VALERIO, an illegitimate son of a nobleman of the patrician family Valerio of Venice. He was a prelate, and was put to death as a traitor to his republic, for having bribed the secretaries of the senate, and communicated the secrets of the state to the Turks. A volume of tales which he wrote was never published, and I consider it fortunate for young readers, as one may deduce from the story of Fiatn- metta the merit of which Ariosto attributes to him. — See canto xxvii. stanza 137, and canto xxviii. slanza 78. Giovio praises him as a poet: ' Valerius cum in versis turn in amatoriis dis- sertationibus elegans, acutus, salsus.' He was a favourite with the great and the literati his cotemporaries.
" PIETRO BARIGNANO, a poet, of whom Giovio said, * Lau- datur .... Barennianus e Brixia uti circumscriptus, suavis, et floridus.' Why he kept aloof from the ladies, ' not to be still a martyr to their charms,' may be learned from Fornari." — PANIZZI.
32.
Of high and superhuman genius, tied By love and blood, lo! Fico and Pio true;
He is the man I so desire to view, That Sannazaro.
Stanza xvii. lines 1, 2, 6, 7.
" GIAN FRANCESCO Pico, lord of Mirandola, son of the famous Giovanni Pico, had as much talent as his uncle, and used it much better. He was one of the most learned men of his days, and highly esteemed by his contemporaries.
" ALBERTO Pio,lord of Carpi, sou of a sister of Giovanni Pico, aunt of Gian Francesco. He was a learned man, and a VOL. VIII. R
JIJ NOTES TO CANTO XLVI.
great patron of literature. His name is connected with that of Erasmus, on account of a theological dispute which took place between them. He waa accused of having excited Leo X. to make war on the duke of Ferrara, who eventually succeeded in depriving Pio of his dominion?. It is remarkable that Ariosto, living at the court of Ferrara, could MI nobly praise Pin, \\lio appears to have been a great friend of his. To him is addressed Ariosto's carmen,
' Alberte, proles inclyta Ctesarum ;' and also another on the death of his mother : —
' Fama tuac matris crudeli funere raptae,' where Ariosto uses the comparison to be read in the Furioso, canto i. stanza 69. I here transcribe the verses, that the scholar may compare Ariosto's Italian and Latin style.
' Deprensus veluti sub querno tegmine pastor Cujus glandiferos populatur fulmine raraos Jupiter, ut rutilo reteguntur lumine sylvse, Et procul horrenti quatitur nenius omne fracore; Labitur ille impos mentis, rigor occupat artos, stant immoti oculi, ora iiumota, immobile poudu-.'
" JACOPO SANNAZZARO, who, on entering the academy of Poutano, changed, according to the fashion of the day, his cliristian name for that of Azzio Sincere. He was one of the first, about the end of the fiftri nth century, who returned to the elegance and sweetness of Petrarca's language. He wrote eclogues, some describing the life and costumes of shepherds, some of fi>hermen ; — but we must remember he spoke of fisher- men in the Bay of Naples. He was equal to Vida, and some even say to Fracas toro in his Latin poems, of which thai !>•• Partu Virgin'u is the most celebrated, and very justly so. He died in 1530, and his sepulchre not being far from that of Virgil, Bembo wrote on him the following epitaph : —
' Da sacro ciueri flores : hie ille Maioni Sincerus Musi proximus, ut tumulo.'"
— PANIZZI.
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 243
33.
The learned Pistaphilus^ mine Angiar here, And the Acciajuoli their joint pleasure show That for my bark there is no further fear. There I my kinsman Malaguzzo know; And mighty hope from Adoardo hear, S^c.
Stanza xviii. Hues 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
" BONA VENTURA PjsTOFiLO, secretary to the duke of Fer- rara, a patron of literature, and a poet, to whom, Giovio says, ' molliores musse delicata ubera praebueruut.' To him Ariosto addresses one of his satires, as I have observed.
" PIETRO MARTIRE D'ANGHIARI, or D'ANGHIERA, was a celebrated traveller and historian. Here, however, I suppose Ariosto spoke of Girolamo Angeriano, whom Giovio says, ' Amatoria judiciis hominum famse commeudata celebrem fecerunt.'
" PIETR' ANTONIO and JACOPO ACCIAJUOLI are highly praised by Giraldi; Jacopo more particularly, whose Latin verses were also the subject of Calcagnini's encomiums. They were of a Florentine family, but had settled at Ferrara.
" ANNIBAL MALAGUZZI, from Reggvo in Lombardy, where the family still exists, was Ariosto's first cousin, since Daria, sister of Valerio Malaguzzi, was the poet's mother. He was an intimate friend of Ariosto, who addressed to him the satire, ' Poi che Anuibale intendere vuoi come ;' and the other, ' Da tutti gli altri amici, Aunibal, odo.'
" Of this ADOARDO I know nothing." — PANIZZI.
34.
Joys Victor Fausto; Tancredjoys to view.
Stanza xix. line 1.
« VITTOR FAUSTO succeeded Musuro as professor of Greek, and was, moreover, famous for having invented a ship of a large size, properly a galley called quinquereme, of which a description may be found in a letter of Bembo to Barrusio, May 29th, 1529.
R 2
244 NOTES TO CANTO XLVI.
" ANGIOLO TANCREDI was professor at the university <>f Padna, and an intimate friend of Francesco Negro, also a pro- fessor there, who afterwards went to the court of the Canlin.il d*Este, to whom the Furioto is dedicated." — PANIZZI.
35.
At looked old JEgtut at the accurtcd board.
Stanza lix. line 1.
" Kgcus, king of Athens, being on his travels entertained at the house of Pittocus, in Trezene, had an intrigue with Ktra his daughter, and when he departed left with her his sandal* and sword, charging her, if she should be brought to bed of a boy, to send him to Athens with these tokens. She was after- wards delivered of Theseus, who being grown op, took the sword and sandals, deposited with Etra by his father, and went to Athens, where he found all the city in confusion by the ma- chinations of Medea, who, at the arrival of Theseus, made him suspected by Egeus, and persuaded the king to destroy him at a banquet by poison ; but fortunately, as the youth reached out his hand to receive the cup, Egeus perceived his sword, and embracing him, acknowledged him for his son." — HOOLB.
36. Joy i Clermonfi, joyt Mongrand't noble home.
Stanza Ixvii. line 1.
Mr. Panizzi seems to be of opinion that Ariosto considered Mongrana as the same as Risa, or Reggio. Mongrana, or Reggio, then was the house of Rogero, and Clermont the house of Bradatnant.
37. But when by treachery perithed Priam'i heir.
Stanza Ixxxii. line 1.
" Ariosto, with the romantic writers in general, whenever the siege of Troy is alluded to in his poem, gives the story a partial turn in favour of the Trojans, from whose great hero
NOTES TO CANTO XL VI. 245
Rogcro is said to derive his origin. In the xxxivth Book, he makes St. John impute the account given by Homer of the Grecian heroes and heroines to the venality of the poet. He always speaks of the death of Hector as brought about by trea- chery. To this we may observe, that our great countryman, Shakspeare, whose materials are often drawn from popular stories, particularly from an old story hook of the siege of Troy, has, in his Troilus and Cressida, represented the characters of the Trojans superior to the Greeks, and has made Achilles kill Hector at an unfair advantage." — HOOLE.
38.
There left it to King Proteus, Egypfs lord, In ransom for his prisoned wife restored.
Stanza Ixxxii. lines 7 and 8.
" Ariosto here alludes to a story of Helen told by Herodotus, that Paris, returning with Helen from Troy, was received by Proteus king of Egypt, who afterwards sending away Paris, detained Helen, with all her treasure, at his court; and Ariosto here relates, that she was ransomed by Menelaus for this tent, which he gave to Proteus." — HOOLE.
39.
Here the three Graces in gay vesture gowned Assisted the delivery of a queen.
Stanza Ixxxv. lines 1 and 2.
" Leonora of Arragon, daughter of Ferdinando king of Na- ples, to whom the poet here gives the title of queen, married to duke Hercules I. by whom she had Hippolito of Este, Ariosto's patron, whose birth is here celebrated." — HOOLE.
40.
Deputed by Corvinus to desire The tender infant from his princely sire.
Stanza Ixxxvi. lines 7 and 8.
*' Beatrice, sister of Leonora, and wife of the great Matteo Corvino king of Hungary, being without children, sent for young
246 NOTES TO CANTO XLVI.
Hippolito from his parents; who, arriving in Hungary, was • il l>y tin- king witli every mark of esteem and affection: He afterwards made him archhi>hop of Stiiyoiiia, before he was eight years of age. Lmlovico Sforza, called II Moro, the duke of Milan, who had married Beatrice, the sister of Hippolito, hearing of his great virtues, procured for him the bishopric of Milan ; after which, being very young, he was created cardinal, and taken to assist him in the government." — HOOLE.
41. There FUICUI, fc.
Stanza Ixxxix. Hue 4.
"Tomma^o Fu*oi. fn>t tutor to Hippol'iio, and afterwards lii> private secretary. Cculio Calcagninu dedicated to him lfi> translation of Lucian." — HOOLE.
42. In thit part it the princely youth ctpled
With t/iul uit/Kijijiy </«Av, the Intubri't head,
St.mxa xciv. lines 1 and 2.
" Ludovico Sforza, duke of Milan, deposed by Louis XII."- HOOLE.
43. Upon thote figure* gazed the courtly crew.
Stan/a xcviii. line 1.
" In the old poem of Atpran,ontet is a dexriptinn of the bridal bed of Rogero and Gallicella, the father and mother of our Rogero, from which, possibly, Ariosto might take his hint for the pavilion and bed here di -ci ihed. See Atpramontc, c. x." — HOOLE.
NOTES TO CANTO XLVI. 247
44.
Tofont
Of fetid Acheron, and helVsfoul repair, The indignant spirit fled.
Stanza cxl. lines 5, 6, 7.
Vitaque cum gemitu fugit indignata sub umbras.
Ariosto is particularly happy (as it appears to me) in this his last imitation, in which he has added the point of Virgil to the more satisfactory conclusion of the modern novellisr. He leaves his readers satisfied. Would I could entertain such a hope, on thus finishing my task !
INDEX
ALL THE PROPER NAMES, WITH THE PRINCIPAL
MATTERS, CONTAINED IN THE
ORLANDO FURIOSO.
The first number (as VIII.) refers to the volume, the second (xliii.) to the canto, and the third (71) to the stanza.
ADONIO, the lover of Argia ; his story, VIII. xliii. 71.
Agramant. "Winter being over, assembles his troops in the field, and appoints new captains, III. xiv. 10. Makes pre- parations to attack Paris, III. xiv. 65. Storms Paris, assisted by Marsilius and Rodomont, III. xiv. 109. Attacks one of the gates in person, III. xv. 6. Engages in the battle, III. xvi. 15. Is overthrown by Rinaldo, III. xvi. 84. Remounts on horseback, III. xviii. 40. Being routed, withdraws to his encampment, III. xviii. 157- Sends messengers to recall the captains and private knights to their standard, IV. xxiv. 108. Routs Charles ^nd besieges him once more, V. xxvii. 30. Endeavours to compose the discords of the knights, V. xxvii. 44. Declares Rodomont to be in the wrong, V. xxvii. 109. Orders two quarrels to be settled by one fight, V. xxx.
250 INDKX.
Agramant, continued.
•_'l . Attacked bj Rinaldo in the night-time, is defeated,
VI. \\\i. ."il. I^eads many of his people out of the intrenchments, VI. xxxvi. 25. Having heard that Africa is attacked by the Nubians, orders a council of war to be assembled, VI. xxxviii. 'M>. With a solemn oath, puts the whole decision of the war upon a single combat, VII. xxxviii. 85. Breaks the agreement, and attacks the < hristian army, VII. xxxix. 0. Being conquered, orders the bridges on the Rhone to be broken down, and flies to his fleet, VII. xxxix. 71. Meets with Dudo's fleet,
VII. xxxix. 80: and hardly escapes from it with a few followers, VII. xL 8. On seeing the destruction of Biserta is about to kill himself, VII. xL 36. Driven by for. tune to a small island, VII. xl. 44. Being encouraged by Oradasso and Sobrino, sends a challenge to Orlando and two other knights, VII. xl. 54. Refuses the con- ditions offered to him by Orlando, VII. xli. 42. Fights with Oliviero, VII. xlL 71. With Brandimart, VII. xli. 91. Is killed by Orlando, VII. xlii. 8.
Alcina — Catches fish without a net, I. vi. 38. Falls in love with Astolpho, I. vi. 38. Changes her lovers into wild beasts and plants, I. vi. .">!. Keeps different monsters as her servants, I. vi. (!.">. Her borrowed beauty described, II. vii. 1 1. She enamours Rogero, and intrigues with him, II. vii. 18. Her deformity, II. vii. 73. She goes with a fleet to recover Rogero, II. viii. 13. Fights a battle with Logistilla, and is defeated, II. x. 53.
Aldigiero, the brother of Malagigi, V. xxv. "1-
Angelica — Given in charge to Duke Namus by order of King Charles; having seen the rout of the Christians, flies alone, I. i. 8, 9. She meets first Rinaldo, then Ferraii, I. L 11. Finds Sacripant and takes him for her guide, I. i. .'til. Flying anew, she meets with a hermit, who falls in love with her, I. ii. 12. By a charm she is transported by sea into a desert, where she is tempted and embraced by him, II. viii. 30. She is taken
INDEX. 251
Angelica, continued.
while asleep by some pirates of the Isle of Ebuda, II. viii. 61. Is exposed naked as food to the ork, II. x. 94. Is released by Rogero, II. x. 107- She retrieves her ring, which frustrates enchantments ; she escapes from Rogero, who would force her, II. xi. 6. She enters the palace of Atlantes, where she shows herself to Sa- cripant, Ferraii, and Orlando, II. xii. 26. She carries off Orlando's helmet in sport, II. xii. 52. Overtaken by Ferraii, she leaves the helmet to him, II. xii. 38. She sets out for the east, II. xii. 65. Cures Medoro, who is wounded, and takes him for her husband, IV. xix. 20. She gives a shepherd the gold ring, of which Orlando had made her a present, IV. xix. 40. Overtaken by Orlando, who had gone mad, she with difficulty escapes from him, V. xxix. 61.
Anselmo, a doctor of law, a story, VIII. xliii. 72.
Aquilant fights with Orrilo, III. xv. 67. Goes to Jerusalem with Astolpho, III. xv. 92. Departs from Jerusalem to go in search of Gryphon, III. xviii. ?2. Meets Martano with Origilla and takes them bound to Damascus, III. xviii. 76. Unhorsed by Astolpho, III. xviii. 118. Encounters a storm at sea, together with Marphisa, Astolpho, and Sansonet, IV. xix. 43. They are driven into the port of Alexandria, and from thence to the city of the Amazons, IV. xix. 57. Is made a prisoner at Pinabello's castle, IV. xxii. 53. Hears from Flordelice of Orlando's madness, VI. xxxi. 42. Rinaldo and Aqui- lant go together to the camp and rout the Moors, VI. xxxiv. 2.
Argalia — his spirit speaks to Ferraii, I. i. 29.
Argia, a story, VIII. xliii. 87-
Ariodantes, the lover of Ginevra, I. v. 18. Goes with the army of England and with Rinaldo into France, II. x. 75.
Astolpho, transformed into a myrtle by Alcina, I. vi. 26. Re- stored to his former shape, recovers his golden spear, and being mounted on the hippogryph, repairs to Logistilla,
INDEX.
Astolpho, continued.
II. viii. IK. Instructed by Logutilla, who gives him a •mall book and a wonderful horn, he M.-U sail in a galley, when Andronica imparts to him sonic knowledge of mo- dern navigation, III. xv. 1U. Blowing his horn he makes Caligorant fall into hu own net, III. XT. 63. Fights with Orrilo and kills him, III. xv. 81. Visits the Holy Land, III. xv. :i_'. (ioing towards Damascus with Sansonetto he joins Marphisa, III. xviii. (Hi. Un- horses Gryphon and Aquilant, III. xviii. 118. Takes the way towards France with his companions, III. xviii. I'M. By good luck is transported to the island of the Amazon!), III. xix. 54. Delivers himself and his com- panions from them, IV. xx. 88. Returns to England, I V. xxii. 10. Destroys the enchanted castle of Atlantcs, and finds the hippogryph there, IV. xxii. 21. Leaves Kabican to Bramlimart, and flics away on the hippogryph, IV. xxiii. 11. Scowering many countries, he arrives In Kthiopia at the palace of Prester-John, and drives away the harpies, VI. xxxiii. 103. Descends to the infernal regions, VI. xxxiv. (>. Ascends to the terrestrial paradise, where St. John shows him various things, and gives him the senses of Orlando inclosed in a phial. Here he also recovers a pan of his own, VI. xxxiv. 62. Having descended from paradise he restores the power of sight to Prester-John ; shuts up the wind in a skin ; converts stones into horses ; then overruns Africa with an army of Nubians, VII. xxxviii. •_'!. Defeats the African;, exchanges Bucifar for Dudo, and having turned leaves into ships, sends him with a large fleet to France, V. axxix. 2 1 . Cures Orlando of his madness by the power of the phial, VII. xxxix. 5?. Conquers Biserta by the advice of Orlando, VII. xl. 14. After the victory, sends the Nubians back to their country, and returns himself to France, VIII. xliv. l!l.
Atlantcs steals beautiful women, I. ii. 38. Fights with Gra- rtusn and with Rogcro, I. ii. 48. A description of his
INDEX. 253
Atlantes, continued.
castle made by enchantment, I. iv. 7- Of his horse the hippogryph, I. iv. 1 8. Fights with Bradamant, and is made her prisoner, I. iv. 28. He himself destroys his castle, I. iv. 38. Shows himself to Rogero under the shape of Bradamant, II. xi. 19. Under the shape of Angelica and Bradamant he draws into the enchanted castle Orlando, Rogero, and several knights, II. xii. 5. Flies from Astolpho, who destroys his enchanted palace, IV. xxii. 21. His spirit after death parts Rogero andMar- phisa, showing that she is Rogero's sister, VI. xxxvi. 59.
Aymon disturbs the intended marriage of his daughter Bradamant with Rogero, declaring that he had promised her to Leo, VIII. xliv. 36. Jointly with Beatrice takes Bradamant away from the court and sends her to Rocca Forte, VIII. xliv. 72. Entreats Rogero to accept him as his father- in-law, VIII. xlvi. 64.
Bardino brings up Brandimart, VII. xxxix. 40. Weeps at Brandimart's death, VIII. xliii. 168.
Beatrice, the mother of Bradamant, VIII. xliv. 72.
Bireno enamoured of Olimpia, II. ix. 22. Is released from prison, II. ix. 81. He marries and abandons Olimpia ; is deprived of his state and killed by King Oberto, II. xi. 79-
Bradamant, in search of Rogero, falls in with Pinabello, being betrayed by whom, she is precipitated into a cave, I. ii. 33. Led by Melissa to the tomb of Merlin, she sees the appearances of her descendants, I. iii. 10. She finds Brunello, I. iii. 75- Takes him for a guide and deprives him of his ring, having tied him to a tree, I. iv. 9. Fights Atlantes, conquers him, and frees Rogero and the other prisoners, I. iv. 28. Rogero being carried away through the air by the hippogryph, she sorrowfully leads away his Frontino,!. iv. 48. A Icina having got possession of Rogero, Bradamant gives the ring to Melissa that she may deliver him, II. vii. 45. She sets out to take Rogero away from the enchanted palace of Atlantes, and falls into the same
.'.'• I INDEX.
Bradamant, continued.
ilihiMon, HI. xiii. 7!'- Having escaped from AtlantcV palace the knows Rogero, and they rejoice greatly at meeting, IV. xxii. 31. She knows PinabcUo, and kills him, IV. \\ii. 7-'- Having missed Rogero, she arrives at Montalbano, from whence she sends Frontino by a cham- bennaid to him, IV. xxiii. 27. Complains that the ap- pointed lime being elapsed Rogero does not come ; then becoming jealous of him, sets off from Montolbano in despair, VI. xxxii. It;. She unhorses the three kings who had boasted to carry off from France the golden shield to the Queen of Iceland, VI. xxxii. 75. She is declared handsomer than I'lania, VI. xxxiL 98. She again un- horses the three kings, VI. xxxiii. <J9. Being conducted by Flurdelice to Rodomont's bridge, she jousts with him and unhorses him, VI. xxxv. 40. Arrived at Aries, she sends Frontino to Rogero and challenges him, VI. xxxv. 59. Unhorses Serpentine, Grandonio, and Ferrau, VI. xxxv. C7. Unhorses Marphisa, and in a rage spurs her hone against Rogero; then repairs with him to a lonely place, where Marphisa coming upon them, she again fights with her, VI. xxxvi. 20. She with Marphisa subdues the town of Marganor, giving him up to his female enemies, and establishing there new laws, VII. xxxvii. 09. Is grieved at the battle of her brother with Hogcro, VII. xxxviiL 70. Follows Agramant with intention to kill him ; send* one of her chambermaids to console Rogero, VIII. xliv. 60. Begs of King Charles that no person shall marry her that has not shown himself stronger than her, VIII. xliv. 70. Fights with Rogero thinking he is Leo, VI II. xlv. 71. She is married to Rogero, VIII. xlvi. ?•<.
I3randimart does every thing in his power for the defence of Paris, V. xxviL 33. Embraces Flordelice, from whom he hears that Orlando is become mad, VI. xxxi. 61. Going in March of Orlando, fights with Rodomont at the bridge, and Is made a prisoner, VI. xxxL 6?. Freed with the other prisoners by Astolpho, VII. xxxix. 33. Finds his
INDEX. 255
Branditnart, continued.
Flordelice, VII. xxxix. 38. Hears of die death of his father and is called to his throne, but will not quit Orlando in the African war, VII. xxxix. 62. Leaps intoBiserta, VII. xl. 25. Chosen by Orlando for his partner in battle, VII. xl. 58. Killed by Gradasso, VII. xli. 101. Buried by Orlando with great pomp, VIII. xliii. 176.
Branzardo, a viceroy of King Agramant's, in Biserta, VII. xxxviii. 35.
Brunello offers himself as a guide to Bradamant, who ties him to a tree, and deprives him of his ring, I. iv. 9. Is taken by Marphisa, loses Agramant's favour, V. xxvii. 89. Freed by Marphisa, is hanged by Agramant, VI. xxxii. 8.
Bucifaro, of Algazir, in Biserta, VII. xxxviii. 35.
Caligorant, a giant, III. xv. 43.
Charles, the emperor of France, I. i. 5. Sends Rinaldo to England, I. ii. .26. Is attacked, sustains the siege in Paris, III. xiv. 68. Encourages his people against Rodo- mont, VI. xvii. 14. Attacks Rodomont, VI. xviL 16. Is defeated again, and besieged in Paris, V. xxvii. 17- Goes out to swear to certain conditions with Agramant, VII. xxxviii. 81. Makes the edict requested by Brada- mant, VIII. xlv. 22.
Cloridano and Medoro go out of their encampment to find the corpse of Dardinello ; slay a great many of the sleeping Christians, III. xviii. 171- Cloridano is killed by a knight of Zerbino, IV. xix. 15.
Cup, an enchanted one, to prove the chastity of wives, VII. xlii. 102.
Dardinello kills Lurcanio, III. xviii. 54. Is slain by Rinaldo,
III. xviii. 152.
Defence of women, V. xxviii. 78. Discord between Rodomont, Rogero, Gradasso, Mandricardo, and
others, by which the victory of Agramant is interrupted,
V. xxvii. 40.
INDEX.
Doralicc declares that she prefers Mandricardo to Rodomont, at which the latter leaves the camp, V. xxvii. 10/. Entreats Mandricardo not to fight with Rogero, V. xxv
Drusilla, her story, VII. xxxvii. .Yj.
Dudo redeemed by Astolpho, VII. xxxix. _'l.
Duel between Rinaldo and Rogero, VII. xxxviii. 87. Between Bradamant and Rogero, supposed to be Leo, VIII. xlv. ;.'. Between Rogero and Rodomont, VIII. xlvi. 115.
Fcrrau swears never to wear any helmet but that of Orlando, I. L 30. Having found it, he returns to the camp, II. xii. 59.
Flordelice relates to Rinaldo that Orlando was become mad, VI. xxxi. 42. Finds Brandimart, and conducts him to the bridge of Rodomont, where he remains a prisoner, VI. xxxi. 45. She and Bardino find Brandimart, VII. xxxix. 38. She fears for Brandimart 's safety, VII. xli. 33. She dies, VIII. xliii. 185.
Flordespinc, her story, V. xxv. 27.
Gabrina in a youthful dress, IV. xx. 1 15. Gives a false account of Isabella to Zerbino, IV. xx. 140. Takes a rich sash from the body of Pinabello, and accuses Zerbino of having been his murderer, so that he is put in prison and condemned to death, IV. xxiii. 42.
Ginevra, her story, I. v. 5.
Gradasso having found Bayardo, without regard to the agreement made with Rinaldo, and embarking with him in a galley, intends to return to his kingdom, VI. x \\iii. 1)3. Driven by a tempest to the Island of Lampcdosa ; con- soles Agnunant ; and at last they prepare themselves to fight, hand to hand, with Orlando and two other*, VII. xl. 46. He kills Brandimart, VII. xli. 101. Is slain by Orlando, VII. xlii. 11.
Gryphon leaves Aquilant to find Origilla, III. XT. 105. Is the conqueror at a joust in Damascus, III. xvii. 104. Is be- trayed by Martano, III. xvii. 110. Being freed, shows
INDKX. 257
Gryphon, continued.
wonderful prowess, III. xviii. 3 ; and III. xviii. 59. Is seized at Pinabello's castle, IV. xx. 104.
Guido, the savage, meeting Rinaldo, and knowing him for his brother, goes with him to Paris, VI. xxxi. 13.
Hippalca relates to Rogero that Rodomont had taken Frontino from her, V. xxvi. 63. Delivers to Bradamant Rogero's letter, V. xxx. 78.
Horses of Astolpho turned into stones, VIII. xliv. 23.
Jealousy, VI. xxxii. 1.
Iroldo in the castle of Atlantes, I. iv. 40.
Isabella in despair for the death of Zerbino, is overtaken by a
hermit, who, exhorting her to patience, conducts her. to a
monastery, V. xxviii. 95,
Leo, charmed with Rogero's bravery, secretly takes him out of prison, and keeps him in his own house, VIII. xlv. 46. Having heard of the proclamation of Charles respecting Bradamant, persuades Rogero to fight in his place, and Rogero takes the battle upon himself, VIII. xlv. 53. Leo astonished at the courtesy of Rogero, renounces Bra- damant, VIII. xlvi. 21. Presents Rogero to Charlemagne and obtains Bradamant for him, VIII. xlvi. 52.
Logistilla, her virtues, II. x. 45. She teaches Rogero how to master the hippogryph, II. x. 67- Gives Astolpho a book and a horn of wonderful power, III. xv. 13.
Lucina, her story, III. xvii. 29.
Lurcanio killed by Dardinello, III. xviii. 54.
Lydia, her story, VI. xxxiv. 11.
Madness of Orlando, V. xxix. 51.
Malagigi informs Rinaldo respecting Angelica, VII. xlii. 34. Mandricardo goes in search of Orlando, who had routed his troops, III. xiv. 32. He possesses himself of Doralice, III. xiv. 32. Challenges Orlando and fights with him, IV. xxiii. VOL. VIII. 8
INDRX.
Mamlricardo, continued.
76. Fights with Rodomont for Doralice, IV. xxiv. 99. Thinking to make a prize of Marphisa, he unhorses her companions, then fights with her, but is interrupted in the middle of the combat, V. xxvi. 71. His death, V. xxx. 1:7.
Marphisa joins Astolpho and Sansonetto, and they go together to the jousts in Damascus, III. xviii. 102. She discovers the arms that had been stolen from her by Bruncllo, takes them and throws the jousts into confusion, III. xviii. 1<>H. Fights nine persons and kills them, but cannot de- ctroy the tenth, who she i- •••!•! is (tuido the savage, I\'. xix. 80. Quits Astolpho and his companions, IV. xx. 102. Undertakes to defend Gabrina, strips Pina- bcllo's lady of her clothes and dresses the old woman in them, IV. xx. llo. I'nhorscs Zerbino, IV. xx. 12& Fights a duel with Mandricardo, V. xxvi. 78. Presents herself with Bradamant to Charlemagne, and is baptixed with pomp, VII. xxxviii. 10.
Martano steals the arms and ensigns of (iryphon, and sets himself up for the conqueror of the jousts, III. xvii. 110. Is taken with Origilla, who is condemned to prison, and he to be flogged, III. xviii. !•_'
Melissa shows to Bradamant the forms of her descendants, I. iii. •_'.'{. Informs her how to deliver Rogero, I. Hi. 66, By the power of her ring, Rogero discovers the false beauties of Alcina, and frees himself, II. vii. 70. She teaches Bradamant how to release Rogero from Atlantes* castle, then gives her an account of some of her descendants, III. xiii. 48. In the shape of Rodomont, disturbs the < of the duel between Rogero and Rinaldo, in conseqt of which the complete rout of Agramant follows, VII. xxxix. 4.
Merlin— two fountains of contrary power named from him, I. i. 78. His grotto and sepulchre, I. iii. ~.
Oliviero delivered by Dudo, VII. xxxix. 33. At the storming of
INDEX. 259
Oliviero, continued.
Biserta, VII. xl. 21 . At the fight of three against three in the Island of Lampedosa, VII. xli. 68. On the rock of the hermit who baptized Rogero and cured him, VIII. xliii. 186. In France with Orlando, Rinaldo, and the others, VIII. xliv. 26.
Olympia abandoned by Bireno in an island, II. x. 20. Her com- plaints, II. x. 25. She is exposed to the sea-ork, II. xi. 33. Her beauty, II. xi. 65.
Origilla, III. xv. 101.
Orrilo, a monster, III. xv. 65.
Orlando, his lamentation for the loss of Angelica, II. viii. 73. Sets out incognito from Paris with new bearings, II. viii. 91. Goes to the Isle of Ebuda, IL ix. 12. Kills Cymosco, II. ix. 86. Throws the arquebuss into the sea, II. ix. 91. Kills the ork, II. xi. 43. Delivers Olympia, II. xi. 45. Deceived by Atlantes, II. xii. 8. Meeting two squadrons of infidels, displays incredible prowess, II. xii. 69. Finds Isabella in a cave, II. xii. 90. Delivers Zerbino unjustly condemned to death, and restores Isabella to him, IV. xxiii. 62. Having heard the story of Angelica and Medoro, after much suffering, goes mad, IV. xxiii. 121. Arrives at Rodomont's bridge, and fighting with him, they both fall into the water, V. xxix. 30. Restored to his senses, VII. xxxix. 60. Kills Agramant, VII. xlii. 8. Kills Gradasso, VII. xlii. 11. Returns in triumph to Paris with his companions, VIII. xliv. 28.
Pinabello informs Bradamant respecting the castle of Atlantes, I. ii. 37. Is overthrown by Marphisa, IV. xx. 115.
Richardetto is delivered from fire by Rogero, and proves to be his lady's brother, V. xxv. 16.
Rinaldo sent by Charles to England to request the assistance of the king, I. ii. 26. Fights for the defence of Ginevra, I. v. 86. Kills Polinesso, I. v. 88. Arrived in Paris,
S2
260 1NDKX.
Rinaldo, continued.
exhorts his companions to fight. III. \\i. 32. Kills Dardincllo, III. \\iii. l.Vt. (ioing in search of Angelica, abandons the defence of Paris V. xxvii. 8. Fights with (niido the savage, VI. xxxi. 13. Kouts the camp of Agramant, and is challenged by Oradasso ; their fight is disturbed by a Moor, VI. xxxi. 89; and VI. xxviii. 7». Being delivered from a monster, embarks in order to be with Orlando in Lampedosa at the combat, VII. xlii. 57. Arrived at Lampedosa, congratulates Orlando upon his victory, VIII. xliii. l.'iO. lltnalilo and Orlando meeting with Hogero and Sobrino at the cell of the her- mit, he at the persuasion of the holy man promises Rinalilo's sister to Kogero, VIII. xliv. II.
Kodomont in Paris, III. xvi. l:». Hears from a dwarf the rape of Doralice, and full of jealousy, goes in search of Man- dricardo, III. xviii. 211. Takes from Hippalca Rogero's horse, IV. xxiii. .'<.*>. At the persuasion of a messenger of Agramant, puts off his combat with Mandricordo, and they go together to the relief of their camp, IV. xxiv. 113. Reaches the camp with Marphisa, Rogero, and Mandricardo, routs the army of Charles, and forces him to retire into Paris, V. xxvii. 30. Arrived at an inn, re- freshes himself there, and asks the host if he is a married man, and what he thinks of his wife, V. xxvii. 134. Listens to a story in dispraise of women, V. xxviii. 4. Happening to meet Isabella, and falling in love with her, interrupts her pious intentions, V. xxviii. 100. Kills the hermit, who is her guardian, V. xxvL 6. Being heated by wine, in order to make a trial of a certain enchanted water, destroys Isabella, V. xxix. 22. Orders a tomb to be erected for Isabella and Zcrbino, and keeps watch upon it, V. xxix. 31. Arrives unexpectedly at the court of diaries during a royal banquet, and there challenges Kogero to single combat, VI II-. xlvL 105. Is killed by Rogero, VIII. xlvi. 11 «.
Rogero carried away by the hippogryph, I. iv. Hi. (iocs to
INDEX. 261
Rogero, continued.
Alcina's city, I. vi. 70. Is stopped by monsters, I. vi. 60. Conquers Eriphila, II. vii. 6. Conquers Alcina by the brightness of the enchanted shield, II. viii. 11. Arrives in Logistilla's kingdom, II. x. 43. Delivers Angelica, II. x. 110. Endeavouring to force her, she disappears through the virtue of her ring, II. xi. 6. Complains of her unkindness, II. xi. 8. Wishing to assist Bradamant, he is decoyed into Atlantes' enchanted castle, II. xi. 17- Fights all the knights of Pinabello, and is conqueror by the power of the shield, and in indignation at his victory, throws the shield into a well, IV. xxii. 67. Delivers Richardetto from being burnt, and is apprised that he is a brother of his lady, V. xxv. 17- Writes a letter to Bradamant, V. xxv. 86. With Marphisa rescues Mala- gigi and Vivian from the hands of those of the house of Maganza, V. xxvi. 26. Led by Hippalca where Rodo- mont had taken his stand, fights with him for Frontino, V. xxvi. 117. Kills Mandricardo, V. xxx. 68. En- deavouring to part Bradamant and Marphisa, entices the latter to fight with him, VI. xxxvi. 51. Separates from Bradamant, VII. xxxvi. 83. Conquers Dudo, and de- livers seven kings; going to Africa is shipwrecked, VII. xli. 4. Being nearly drowned, makes a vow to be baptized, and succeeds in getting to shore, where he is baptized by a hermit, VII. xli. 47- Quits Paris to go and kill Leo, and being arrived at the Save meets the army of Constantine, and fighting for the Bulgarians, routs and destroys it, VIII. xliv. 76. Is taken at Novengorod, and put in prison, then set at liberty by Leo, VIII. xlv. 5. Fights for Leo, conquers Biadamant, and re- , tires into a desert, determined to die, VIII. xlv. 85. Marries Bradamant, and kills Rodomont, VIII. xlvi. 100, 140.
Sacripant is unhorsed by Bradamant, I. i. 62. Made prisoner by Rodomont, VI. xxxv. 54.
262 INDEX.
Sansonet in Jerusalem and Damascus, III. xviii. 1>7- In lt"-' castle of Pinabello, IV. xxii. .'•-'. <"** to the relief of Paris, VI. xxxi. 51. To Africa to storm Biserta, VII. xxxix. 30.
Sobrino is cured by the can of Orlando, and baptized by the hermit, VIII. xliii. 1
Tale of Richardetto and Flordespina, V. XXT. 60.
t'lania gives Brcdamant an account of herself, the three kings, and golden shield, VI. xxxii. 50.
Virtues and praises of some princes, whose images Ariosto feigns to have been carved on one of Merlin's fountains, V. xxvi. 34. Of Hippolitus of Este, VI. xxxv. &
Vivian, V. xxvi. 38.
Xirbino proves himself strong in fight, III. xvi. 59. Is enraged with -the knight who wounded Medoro, IV. xix. 13. Is unhorsed, and forced to take the defence of Gabrina, IV. xx. 1 •_'<;. I i horses and wounds Mormon ides of Holland, who relates to him afterwards the wickedness of Gabrina, IV. xxi. 10. Gives the defence of Gabrina in charge to Odorico as a punishment, who is the cause of her being hanged, IV. xxiv. 40. Is mortally wounded by Mandricardo, IV. xxiv. 70. In dying he tries to console Isabella, IV. xxiv. 83.
DRAMATIS PERSONS
ORLANDO FURIOSO.
ADONIC, a knight of Mantua.
AGRAMANT, Emperor of Africa, son of Trojano, son of Agolantes, who was also the father of Almontes, and Galaciella. The family descended from Alexander the Great.
AGRICALTES, King of Ammonia.
ALARDO, son of Aymon.
ALCABRUN, the head of a Scottish clan of Highlanders.
ALCINA, a fairy, Morgana's sister.
ALDA, wife of Orlando, daughter of Rinieri of Vienne.
ALDIGIERO, a bastard son of Buovo. See Malagigi.
ALERIA, an Amazon, married to Guido the savage.
ALFEUS, a physician and astrologer.
ALMONIO, a faithful follower of Zerbino.
ALMONTES, father of Dardinello.
ALTEO, a Saracen.
ALZIRDO, Bang of Tremisene.
AMBALDO, a Parisian.
AMMIRANTE (or Lamirante). Probably not a proper name, but a title, viz. the admiral. It is used speaking of a Spa- nish warrior.
AYMON, son of Bernard of Clermont, Duke of Dordona, father of Rinaldo, Alardo, Guicciardo, Bradamant, and Ricciardetto ; and brother of Milo, the father of Orlando.
ANALARDO, Lord of Barcellona.
-'I' I URAMATI8 PKKSONJE.
ANORoriin.i •>, brother-in-law of ('onstuntim-, tin- Greek em-
peror.
ANORONICA, a follower of Logistilla. ANDROTONO, a priest. -- ., a Greek warrior. ANGELICA, daughter of Galaphron, King of Catuy, and sister
of Argalia. I:LINO, of Bordeaux.
- , a Christian knight. ANGIOI ii iu>. ilitto.
ANGIOLINO, ditto (probably the same a* Angelinu >. ANSKI.MO, Count of Altaripa, a Maganzese.
- , of Stamford.
- , ot
ANTON A. See Southampton.
AQI'II.ANT, brothrr of (Jiyphon, and son of Olivieri.
ARAMON, of Cornwall.
ARBANTES, son of Cimosco.
ARCHIDANTKS, Count of Saragossa.
AUDALICO, son of the Count of Flanders.
ARGALIA. See Angrlira.
Auo.vi.iKfA (or Largalifa), a Spanish warrior.
ARGANIO, leader of the troops from Libicana.
ARGKO, a Servian knight, married to Gabrina.
AHIMANO, Duke of Somerx t.
ARIODANTES, an Italian knight at the court of Scotland, Duke
of Albany.
ARM A NO, Earl of Forbes. AKNAI.DO, of Thoulouae. ARRALICO, a Saracen. ARL-NUEL, Earl of. ASTOLPHO, son of Otho, King of England, who was one of
the sons of Bernard of Clennont, or Chiaramontc. , King of Lombardy. ATHOL, Earl of.
.\ 1 1 AN 1 1 --. iin ( nchaiitt i, Hogero's tutor. A\ INO. Mm- of N.IIIIII-'- sons.
DRAMATIS PERSONS. 265
AVOLIO (or Avorio), brother to the above. BALASTRO, leader of the troops from Alzerbe. BALIFRONTES, leader of the troops from Cosca. BALINVERNO, an exiled sovereign. See Malgarino. BALIVERZO, the greatest rogue among the paynims. (Bojardo
calls him King of Normundia — meaning, not Normandy
in France, but the northern country from which the
Northmen, or Normans came.) BALUGANTES, leader of the troops from the kingdom of Leon,
and Marsilius's brother. BAMBIRAGO, King of Arzilla. BARDINO, Brandimart's attendant. BARICONDO, leader of the army from Majorca. BATH, Bishop of.
BAVARTES, one of Marsilius's knights. BEATRICE, Aymon's wife, daughter of Namus, and sister of Er-
mellina, married to Ogier the Dane. BERKELEY, Marquis of. BERLINGHIERO, one of Namus's sons. BERTA, Orlando's mother, wife of Milo, then of Gano, and
sister of Charlemagne. BERTOLAGI, of Bayonne, a Maganzese. BIANCA, a fairy.
BIANZARDIN, leader of the troops from Asturias. BIRENO, Duke of Zealand. BOGIO, of Vergalle, a Christian knight. BRADAMANT, daughter of Aymon and Rogero's lady. BRANDIMART, son of Monodantes, King of the distant Islands. BRANZARDO, King of Bugia. BRUNA, a fairy.
BRUNELLO, a thief, King of Tingitana. BUCIFARO, King of Algazera. BURALDO, leader of the Garamanti.
CAICO, King of Almansilla. CALAMIDORO, of Barcellona. CALIGORANT, a giant.
1) HAW AT IS PKKhONAt.
( ' ARMONOO, King of Damascus.
CASIUIRO, a Saracen.
< HAKLKMAGNE.
(in i IN DO, of Aragon.
f 'n AXDRO, son of Marganorre.
CI.ARINUO, King of Bolga.
CLACDIO DAL BOBCO.
, of Tours.
CLERMONT (Chiaramontc),\\\e family name of Bernardo, father
of A vim >n, &C.
CLODIONE, son of Fieramonte, King of the Franks. CLORIDANO, from Tolomitta, a faithful follower of Dardinello. COREBO, of Bilbao, a faithful follower of Zerbino. COBIMBO, from Agamia. CORINEO, King of Mulga. CORRADO, a German. COSTANTINE, Emperor of Greece. CYMOSCO, King of Friesland.
DAI.INDA, a maid of honor of (iinevra, loved by Polinesso.
DARDINELLO, son of Almontes, King of Zumarra.
DERBY, Earl of.
DESMOND, Earl of.
DICILLA, one of Logistilla's followers.
DIONYSIUS, of Tours.
DORALICE, daughter of Stordilano, King of Grenada; loved by
Kodomont, but marries Mandricardo. DORCHINO, a Saracen. DORDOGNE, one of the titles of Bradamant : " La Donna di
Dordona."
DORICONT, one of Marsilius's knights. DOUII i. BO, leader of the Catalans. DORILONE, leader of the troops from Setta. DORSET, Earl of.
DausiLLA, wife of Olindro of Lunganlla. <>, son of Ogier the Dane.
I>1 I I IS DAL Mo-
DRAMATIS PERSONS. 267
EDWARD, Earl of Shrewsbury. ELIO DAL MONTE. ERIFILLA, a giantess. ERMANTE, Earl of Abergavenny. ERMOFJLO, a knight from Damascus. ERMONIDES, of Holland. ERROL, Earl of. ESSEX, Earl of. ETEARCO, a Saracen.
FALSIRONE, Marsilius's brother, leader of the troops from
New Castile.
FARURANTES, of Maurina. FERRAU (or Ferraguto, Ferracuto, Ferraute, and Ferrautte\
son of Falsirone, leader of the troops from Saragossa. FIERAMONTE, Duke of York. FILANDRO, a Dutch knight, in the service of Heraclius, the
Greek emperor : loved by Gabrina, who forces him to
marry her. FINADURRO, leader of the troops from the Canary Islands, and
from Morocco.
FLORDELICE, daughter of Dolistone, and loved by Brandimart. FLORDESPINA, daughter of Marsilius. FOLICONE (or Follicone, or Fuliconc), Count of Almeria, a
bastard son of Marsilius, and one of his knights. FOLVO, King of Fiessa, or Fiersa.
GABRINA, wife of Argeo, then of Filandro.
GALACIELLA. See Agramant.
GALAPHRON, King of Catay.
GALERANA (or Cabana), daughter of Galafro, King of Spain,
sister of Marsilius, and wife of Charlemagne. GANELONE (or Gano da Pontieri), the head of the race of Ma-
ganza.
GARDO, a Saracen.
GINEVRA, daughter of the King of Scotland: marries Ariodantes. GODFREY, Duke of Buckingham. GRADASSO, King of Sericana.
268 1WAMATIS PER80KB.
GRANDONIO, of Voltcrna, leader of the Algarbi. (iiui i<>, a ( hri>tian warrior. GRYPHON, brother of Aquilant.
11 i.<>, of Paris.
AROO, son of Aymon. Gi'iDo, the savage, a natural son of Aymon.
HLNRY, Duke of Clarence.
, Earl of Salisbury.
HIPPALCA, a confidential maid of Bradamant.
JOCONDO LATINI, a Roman.
IROLDO, a knight of Babylon.
ISABELLA, daughter of the King of Gallicia, married t.
bino. ISOLIKRO, Lord of Pampeluna, son of Falsirone, leader of the
troops from Navarre. IVONK, King of Bordeaux, father of Clarice, Rinaldo's wife.
KLST, Earl of. KILDARE, Earl of.
LABRETTO, Duke of.
LANGMIRANO, a Sjwni^h warrior.
LAODICEA, Lord of.
LEO, son of the Emperor Constantino.
LEONETTO, Duke of Lancaster.
LI.WI^, a Provencal.
LIBANIO, King of Constantino.
LOCISTII.LA, a fairy, Alcina's and Morgana's sister.
\, daughter of Tibiano, King of Cyprus and Rhodes;
wife of Norandino, King of Damascus. LURCANIO, Earl of Angus, brother of Ariodantes.
MAOARASSO, leader of the soldiers from Malaga and Seville. MAOAN/A, the family title of a race of traitors, hence called Maganieti.
DRAMATIS PERSONS. 269
MALABUFERSO, King of Fezano.
MALAGIGI, a famous enchanter, son of Buovo.
MALAZUK, a cunning Spanish warrior.
MALGARINO, an exiled monarch, in Marsiglius's court and army.
MALZARISE, as above.
MANDRICARDO, Emperor of Tartary, son of Agrican.
MANILARDO, King of Noritia.
MAR, Earl of.
MARBALUSTO, a giant, King of Orano.
MARCH, Earl of.
MARK and MATTHEW, two knights from the plains of St. Michel, near Paris.
MARPHISA, an Indian queen, daughter of Rogero of Risa, and of Galaciella.
MARGANO, a Saracen.
MARGANORRE, a brutal tyrant.
MARSILIUS, King of Spain.
MARTANO, a great coward, loved by Origilla.
MATTALISTA, Flordespina's brother, leader of the troops from Toledo, Calatrava, &c.
MEDORO, a faithful follower of Dardinello ; Cloridano's friend ; and, ultimately, Angelica's husband.
MELISSA, a witch or enchantress. (There are two.)
MERLIN, a famous enchanter.
MONGRANA, the family title of the descendants of Sinibaldo, uncle to Bernard of Clermont (Chiaramonte). They descended from Buovo d'Antona (Bevis of South- ampton).
MORATTO, an Irish chief.
MORGANA, a fairy, Alcina's sister.
MORGANTE, like Malgarino ; whom see.
MOSCHINO, who disliked water, and yet was drowned.
Mosco, of Arragon.
NAMUS, Duke of Bavaria. NORANDINO, King of Damascus. NORFOLK, Duke of. NORTHUMBERLAND, Earl of.
270 DRAMATIS PERSON*.
OBKRTO, King of Ireland.
- , of Tours. ODO, of Paris.
ODORICO, a treacherous follower of Zcrbino.
OciF.R (or Uggcro, the Dane), a paladin, man if<| to Krmel-
lina (or Amit-lltim), Nam us'* daughter, trum \\liuni
was born Dudon. OI.DRADO, Duke of Gloucester.
- , a Flemminir.
, a daughter of the Count of Holland: loved anil l.c-
trayed by Bireno. She then marric- Obcrto. Kim;
of Ireland.
OI.IMPIO n.M i A Si. is it A. Ferrau's favourite, a muMcian. Oi.r.vimo, of Lungavilla, DruMlla's husband. Oi IVII.KO, or I liviero, of Uur^undy : a tainous paladin, -on of
Kinieri of \'iciiim, brother of A Ida, and latln-r of
Gryphon and A<|iiilant. OMBONNO, a knight from Dama.-1-n-. OIIGIIKTTO, a Maganzese. ORIGILI.A, a coquette, loved by Gryphon. ORLAXIMI, tin- famous paladin. ORMIDA, the Iradrr of the troop-* from .Marmond. ORRII.O, an enchant. -d robber, living near the Nile. OTIIO, King of England. OXFORD, Earl of.
PALIDON, of Moncalieri.
PEMBROKE, Earl of.
PINABKLI.O, son of Anselmo, Count of Altaripa.
1'isAMoNT^ a Londoner.
.KSSO, Duke of Albany, Great Constable of Scotland. I'HANix), a Norman. PRASII.DO, a knight of Babylon. PRCSIOM :, Kinc of Alvaracchie. PVLIANO, King of Nasamona.
RAYMOND, li.n! »\ I>.\i>n-hire.
DRAMATIS PERSONJE. 271
RAYMOND, a Londoner. RICCARDO, a paladin. RICHARD, Earl of Warwick. RICHARDETTO, son of Aymon.
RICHARDO, one of Aymon's sons, according to Ariosto. RICHMOND, Earl of.
RIMEDONTES, leader of the troops from Getulia. RINALDO, of Montalbano, son of Aymon. RINIERI, of Vienne (in Dauphiny), son of Gherardo da Fratta. RODOMONT, son of Ulieno, King of Sarza and Algiers. ROGERO, son of Rogero of Risa, and of Galaciella : marries Bradamant.
SACRIPANT, King of Circassia.
SALAMON, King of Little Britanny.
SALINTLRNO, High- Marshal of the kingdom of Damascus.
SANSONETTO, a knight, converted to Christianity by Orlando,
Governor of Jerusalem. SATALLONE, of Paris. SELEUCIA, Lord of. SENAPUS, Emperor of Ethiopia. SERPENTINO, son of Balugantes, leader of the troops from Gal-
licia.
SIDONIA, Lord of. SOBRINO, King of Algoccio. SOPHROSINA, a lady of Logistilla. SORIDANO, King of Hesperia. SOUTHAMPTON, Earl of. SPINELLOCCIO, a Norman. STORDILANO, King of Grenada. STRAFFORD, Duke of. SUFFOLK, Earl of.
TANACRO, son of Marganorre. TEODORA, wife of Androphilus. TESIRA, King of Lisbon. TIRSE, a knight from Aparaia.
272 DRAMATIS PERSON*.
THRASON, Duke of Mar. TURPIN, Archbishop of Klu-iin-.
UBEBTO, of Mirford. UGHETTO, of Dordona. Uoo, of Tour-. ULANIA, a lady from Iceland. UNGIARDO, a Greek baron.
VATRANO, chief of the Bulgarians. VIVIANO, son of Buovo.
WALES, Prince of, Bon of Otho. WILLIAM of Burnicb.
Wist HI. -in u, Karl of.
ZERBINO, Duke of Rossliire, son of the King of Scotland.
PAM//I.
ERRATIC. Page 123, stanza xiv. line ulu/or King Charles', read King Charles.
I III I M>.
LONDON]
PRINTED BY THOMAS DAVISOH, WIIITEF Rl AR!».
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