Then Puliano came a gallant king And Agramantes cousen Dardanell Whether some Owle did at their window sing Or other lucklesse bird I cannot tell As oft we see it is an vsuall thing That some presage ones mischiefe shall fortell But sure it was prefixt in heau'n on hie What time and hour next day they both should die 25 Now all their bands were musterd sauing two Those of Noritia and of Tremisen King Agramant doth maruell what they do He knowes not where to heare of them nor when Now as he was dispatching hereunto Some messenger behold one of the men That seru'd the king of Tremisen in hast Came and discouerd all that had bene past 26 Sir king quoth he by fortune and ill chance The noble kings Alsird and Manilard Happend to meet a cruell knight of France While with their bands they traueld hither ward He ouerthrew them both oh hard mischance And kild and spoild and draue away their guard And sure quoth he I thinke his force is such To all your campe he would haue done as much 27 Among the rest that to this tale gaue eare There was a Prince that late from Affricke came To whom king Agramant great loue did beare And Mandricardo was the Princes name His heart was stout and far from any feare His bodie strong and able to the same And that which greatest glorie did him yeeld He had in Sorie conquerd Hectors sheeld 28 Now that the messenger his tale had done Which made the hearers hearts for sorrow cold This valiant Prince king Agricanes sonne Straight was resolu'd with heart and courage bold That to win praise no paine did euer shonne Although his purpose secret he de did hold To be reuenged on this bloodie knight That had to manie slaine and put to flight 29 He askt the messenger what cloths he ware And in what â—â—â—tourd garments he was clad Blacke quoth the messenger his rayments are No plume nor brauerie his helmet had And true it was Orlandos inward care That made his heart so sorowfull and sad Causd that his armour and his open shoes Had like resemblance of his inward woes 30 Marsilio had before a day or twaine Giu'n vnto Mandricard a gallant steed His colour bay but blacke his taile and maine Of Frizland was the dame that did him breed The Sier was a villan braue of Spaine On this braue beast this braue man mounts with speed Swearing he will not to the campe turne backe Till he had found the champion all in blacke 31 He meetes the sillie people in the way Halting or maymd or weeping for their frends Their woofull lookes their fearfull hearts bewray Weeping in such a losse but small amends But when he came where the dead bodies lay In vewing of their wounds some time he spends As witnesses of his strong hand that gaue them Him he enuies and pities them that haue them 32 Eu'n as a Wolfe by pinching famine led That in the field a carreu beast doth find On which before the dogs and rau'ns haue fed And nothing left but hornes and bones behind Stands still and gazeth on the carkasse dead So at this sight the Pagan Prince repind And curseth oft and cals himselfe a beast For comming tardie to so rich a feast 33 But when the mourning knight not here he found From thence he traueld many a wearie mile Vntill he found a medow compast round With running streames that almost made an Ile Saue one small entrance left of solid ground Which guarded was with armed men that while Of whom the Pagan asketh why they stand To guard the place with weapons in their hand 34 Their captaine viewing well his braue attire Doth thinke he was a man of great regard And said king Stordilano did then hire Into these parts his daughter deare to guard Espousd to king of Sarza by her Sire Who shortly for the marriage prepard And here quoth he we do this passage keepe That none may trouble her while she doth sleepe 35 To morrow to the campe we minde to go Where she vnto her father shall be brought Who meanes on Rodomont her to bestow By whom this noble match is greatly sought Now when the captaine had him answerd so This Prince that setteth all the world at nought Why then quoth he this maid be like is faire I pray thee cause her hither to repaire 36 My hast is great but were it greater far Yet would I stay to see a prettie maid Alas you misse your marke your aime doth arr Gentle sir foole to him the captaine said Thus first they gan with bitter words to iar And then from blowes but little time they staid For straight the Prince did set his speare in rest And smot there with the captaine through the brest 37 And straight wayes he recouered his speare And at the next that came there with doth runne For why none other weapon he did weare Since he the Troian Hectors armor wonne At what time he most solemnly did sweare To win the sword worne by Traianos sonne Cald Durindan a blade of temper rare That Hector erst and now Orlando bare 38 Great was the force of this Tartarian knight That with his speare and weapon none beside Durst with so many ioynd togither fight Yet sets he spurs to horse and sloutly cride Where is a man that dare withstand my mighâ— Who dares forbid me where I list to ride And with that speare himselfe he so besturd That small preuaild against him bill or sword 39 But when his speare in peaces burst he saw The trunchen huge he takes in both his hands His blowes were such not blood but life to draw All dead or fled not one his force withstands As Ebrew Samson with the Assesiaw Did heapâ— on heaps the proud Philisten bands So Mandricard sinote oft with so great force As one stroke kild both horsman and his horse 40 Now though they tooke this thing in high disdaine To be thus conquerd with a broken sticke Yet when they learned had vnto their paine It was in vaine against the wall to kicke Though vnreuenged lie their fellowes slaine They leaue the dead rather then loose the quick But he so eager was to kill and slay That scant he sufferd one to scape away 41 And as the reeds in marishes and lakes Dride with the sunne or stubble in the field When as by hap the fire among it takes May not it selfe against that furie sheeld Fu'n so this crew but small resistance makes And eu'n of force is dâ—u'n at last to yeeld And leaue her vndefended to their shame For whose defence they from Granata came 42 Now when the passage open did appeare He hastens in the Ladie faire to see Whom he doth finde in sad and mourning cheare And leaning of her head against a tree Alâ— downe her cheekes ran streames of cristal cleare She makes such mone as greater could not be And in her
Castill Lisbon and Galicia are And Cordoue neare and Siuill see he might Which diuers crownes now ioyned in on raigne Are gouernd by the mightie king of Spaine 89 There saw he Gades where erst by Hercles hand Two pillars markes for Marriners were plast Then ouer Atlant sea to Egypt land And ouer Affrica forthwith he past And saw where Balearick Iles do stand Then traueld to Euiza with like hast And to Arzilla ward he thence departeth Quite ore that sea that it from Spagna eparteth 90 Oran he saw Ippon Marocco Fesse Algier Buzea and those stately townes Whose Princes with great pompe and pride possesse Of diuers Prouinces the stately crownes He saw Byserta and Tunigi no lesse And flying ouer many dales and downes He saw Capisse and Alzerbee I le And all the Cities to the flood of Nyle 91 Tripolie Bernick Tolomit and all Betweene the sea and Atlas woodie sides Then on the Cereneys he right doth fall And past Carena mounts and more besides Then crossing ou'r the barren fields and pall Where sands with wind do eb and flow like tides The tombe of Battus he doth leaue behind And Ammons temple now worne out of mind 92 Then came he by another Tremisen That followes eke of Mahomet the law Vnto another Ethyopia then He went the which before he neuer saw That differs both in language and in men From thence he toward Nubia then did draw Dobada and Coallee iust betweene Of which these Christend and those Turkish beene 93 The bord'rers still are armd in heate and cold Senapo yet of Ethyop is the chiefe And hath great store of iewels and of gold And much he varies not from our beliefe For he those principles most firme doth hold That can defend from euerlasting griefe Here is it if mine author be no her Where they do vse to be baptizd with fier 94 The Duke here lighted after trauell long And to Senapos stately Court was led The castle was more sumptuous then strong And admiration more then terror bred The locks barres chaines and all that did belong Vnto the bridge and gates from foote to head Which we make here of iron to endure Was there faire wrought in massie gold most pure 95 And though they haue great store of mettals fine Yet were the chambers and the lodgings here Borne vp with cristall collumns that did shine All ou'r the stately court most bright and cleare A stately border causd vnto the eine Red white greene blew and yellow to appeare Enriched with diuisions for the nones Of Rubie Smarag Zaphyr Topas stones 96 Most orient pearls and gems of passing price Were sprinkled on the pauements here and there Hence balme doth come hence other precious spice Which from Ierusalem men wont to beare Hence commeth muske for odours sweet and nice And amber pure that some in bracelets weare And finally all things grow there in plentie That in this country are esteemd most deintie 97 Most true it is else some haue written lies The Sowdan to this King doth tribute pay For that in this Kings powre alone it lies Great Cayre and fertile Egypt to decay Because that by those meanes he may deuise He may turne Nyle from them another way This Prince Senapo there is cald of many We call him Prester Iohn or Preter Iany 98 Of all the Kings that euer there did raigne This King exceld in riches and in treasure But losse of sight made all his comforts vaine And bard him eu'ry tast of worldly pleasure And this did much increase his care and paine And grieued him indeed beyond all measure That all his wealth and treasure not preuented But that with famine he was ay tormented 99 For when this Prince as hunger meere him drew Did but prepare himselfe to drinke or eate Straight of Harpias came a cursed crew With mightie wings huge pawes and bellies great And all the dishes quite they ouerthrew And greedily deuoured all the meate And that they left they did so file and slauer As few could brooke the sight but none the sauer 100 The cause was this why his great plague was such Because in youth when men most carelesse are Finding himselfe to be extold so much And passing other Kings in wealth so far So foule a pride his loftie heart did tuch Against his maker he would needs moue war To which intent a mightie powre he led Vnto that mount whence Nylus hath his hed 101 He had bene told and did it firme beleeue That on that mount whose top did touch the skie Was that same place where Adam dwelt and Eue Before their fall did cause them thence to flie He hoping some rare conquest to atchiue A mightie host prepared by and by With mind so hie his heart with pride did swell To make them tribute pay that there did dwell 102 But high Iehoua their foule pride represt And downe he sent his Angell that same night Who slue an hundred thousand for the least And him condemnd for ay to loose his sight Then sent he monsters vile him to molest Those vgly monsters that Harpias hight Which so deuoure and so spoyle all his meate Scarce they permit him once to drinke or eate 103 And that which draue him into meere despaire Was that one told by way of prophecie How those foule creatures euer should repaire Vnto that place till time they might espie A gallant knight all armed in the aire Vpon a winged beast aloft to flie And for that this vnpossible he deemed Past hope of helpe himselfe he then esteemed 104 Now when the people saw from eu'ry wall And from each towre the strangely flying knight He happie thought himselfe that first of all Could tell the king of this vnused sight Who straight the prophecie to mind did call And with the sudden ioy forgetting quite His trustie staffe went groping with his hand To welcome him that now came downe to land 105 Astolfo being lighted nearer drew And as he was the great court entring in Behold the King stood ready in his vew And kneeling downe to speake did thus begin O heau'nly Angell ô Messias new Though I deserue not pardon for my sin Yet thinke to vs is proper to offend To you to pardon those that wil amend 106 My guilt so heauie on my conscience lies I dare not sue thou shouldst my sight restore Though wel I wot that thou couldst heale mine eies That art of those that ay stand God before Let then this plague my want of sight suffice And let me not be steru'd thus euermore At least from me these filthy monsters driue And let me eate with quiet while I liue 107 And I do vow a temple vnto thee Of marble faire to build here in this place Whose gates and couer all of gold shall be Adornd with costly iewels in like case Nam'd by thy name and grau'd that men may see Thy miracle which no time shall deface Thus
and this for heat to leaue And this we carried in so secret sort As none there was our doings did perceaue For why this window standeth out of sight Where none do come by day nor yet by night 11 Twixt vs this vse continu'd many dayes Yea many months we vsd this priuie traine Loue set my heart on fire so many wayes That still my liking lasted to my paine I might haue found by certaine strange delayes That he but little lou'd and much did faine For all his sleights were not so closely couered But that they might full easly be discouered 12 At last my Duke did seeme enflamed sore One faire Geneura neither can I tell If now this loue began or was before That I did come to court with her to dwell But looke if I were subiect to his lore And looke if he my loue requited well He askt my aid herein no whit ashamed To tell me how of her he was enflamed 13 Not all of loue but partly of ambition He beares in hand his minde is onely bent Because of her great state and hie condition To haue her for his wife is his intent He nothing doubteth of the kings permission Had he obtaind Geneuras free assent Ne was it hard for him to take in hand That was the second person in the land 14 He sware to me if I would be so kind His hie attempt to further and assist That at his hands I should great fauour finde And of the king procure me what me list How he would euer keepe it in his mind And in his former loue to me persist And notwithstanding wife and all the rest I should be sure that he would loue me best 15 I straight consented to his fond request As readie his commandment to obay And thinking still my time emploied best When I had pleasd his fancie any way And when I found a time then was I prest To talke of him and good of him to say I vsed all my art my wit and paine Geneuras loue and liking to obtaine 16 God knowth how glad I was to worke his will How diligent I followd his direction I spar'd no time no trauell nor no skill To this my Duke to kindle her affection But alwayes this attempt succeeded ill Loue had her heart alreadie in subiection A comely knight did faire Geneura please Come to this countrie from beyond the seas 17 From Italy for seruice as I heare Vnto the court he and his brother came In tourneys and in tilt he had no peere All Britain soone was filled with his fame Our king did loue him well and hold him deere And did by princely gifts confirme the same Faire castels townes and lordships him he gaue And made him great such power great princes haue 18 Our Soueraigne much his daughter likt him more And Ariodant this worthy knight is named So braue in deeds of armes himselfe he bore No Ladie of his loue need be ashamed The hill of Sicil burneth not so sore Nor is the mount Vesuuio so inflamed As Ariodantes heart was set on fire Geneuras beautie kindling his desire 19 His certaine loue by signe most certaine found Did cause my sute vnwillingly was hard She well perceiu'd his loue sincere and sound Enclining to his sute with great regard In vaine I seeke my Dukes loue to expound The more I seeke to make the more I mard For while with words I seeke to praise grace him No lesse with workes she striueth to deface him 20 Thus being oft repulst so euill sped I To my too much beloued Duke I went And told him how her heart was fixt alredie How on the stranger all her mind was bent And praid him now sith there was no remedie That to surcease his sute he would consent For Ariodant so lou'd the princely wench That Neptunes floods vnneth his flames cold quench 21 When Polynesso so the Duke we call This tale vnpleasant oftentime had hard And found himselfe his likel'hood verie small When with my words her deeds he had compard Greeu'd with repulse and greeued there withall To see this stranger thus to be prefard The loue that late his heart so sore had burned Was cooled all and into hatred turned 22 Inâ—â—â—ding by some vile and subtil traine To part Geneura from her faithfull louer And plant so great mislike betweene them twaine Yet with so cunning shew the same to couer That her good name he will so foule distaine Alâ—e nor dead she neuer shall recouer But lest he might in this attempt be thwarted To none at all his secret he imparted 23 Now thus resolu'd Dalinda faire quoth he I so am cald you know though trees be topt And throwded low yet sprout yong shoots we see And issue from that head so lately lopt So in my loue it fareth now with me Though by repulse cut short and shrewdly cropt The pared tops such buds of loue do render That still I proue new passions do engender 24 Nâ— do I deeme so deare the great delight As I disdaine I should be so reiect And lest this griefe should ouercome me qâ—ight Because I faile to bring it to effect To please my fond conceit this very night I pray thee deare to do as I direct When faire Geneura to her bed is gone Take thou the clothes she ware and put them on 25 As she is wont her golden haire to dresse In stately sort to wind it on her wire So you her person liuely to expresse May dresse your owne and weare her head attire Her gorgets and her iewels rich no lesse You may put on t' accomplish my desire And when vnto the window I ascend I will my comming there you do attend 26 Thus I may passe my fancies foolish fit And thus quoth he my selfe I would deceiue And I that had no reason nor no wit His shamefull drift though open to perceiue Did weare my mistresse robes that seru'd me fit And stood at window there him to receiue And of the fraud I was no whit aware Till that fell out that caused all my care 27 Of late twixt him and Ariodant had past About Geneura faire these words or such For why there was good friendship in times past Betweene them two till loue their hearts did such The Duke such kind of speeches out did cast He said to Ariodant he marueld much That hauing alwayes lou'd and well regarded him That he againe so thanklesly rewarded him 28 I knâ—w you see for needs it must be seene The good consent and matrimoniall loue That long betweene Geneura and me hath beene For whom I meane ere long the king to moue Why should you fondly thrust your selfe betweene Why should you roue your reach so faire aboue For if my câ—e were yours I would forbeare Or if I knew that you so loued were 29 And I much more the other straight replies Do maruell you sir Duke are so vnkind That know our loue and see it
with your eies Except that wilfulnesse haue made you blind That no man can more sured knots deuise Then her to me and me to her do bind Into this sute so rashly are intruded Still finding from all hope you are excluded 30 Why beare you not to me the like respect As my good will requireth at your hand Since that our loue is growne to this effect We meane to knit our selues in weddings banâ— Which to fulfill ere long I do expect For know I am though not in rents or land Yet in my Princes grace no whit inferiour And in his daughters greatly your superiour 31 Well said the Duke errors are hardly moued That loue doth breed in vnaduised brest Each thinkes himselfe to be the best beloued And yet but one of vs is loued best Wherefore to haue the matter plainly proued Which should proceed in loue and which shold rest Let vs agree that victor he remaine That of her liking sheweth signes most plaine 32 I will be bound to you by solemne oth Your secrets all and counsell to conceale So you likewise will plight to me your troth The thing I shew you neuer to reueale To trie the matter thus they greed both And from this doome hereafter not repeale But on the Bible first they were deposed That this their speech should neuer be disclosed 33 And first the stranger doth his state reueale And tell the truth in hope to end the strife How she had promist him in wo and weale To liue with him and loue him all her life And how with writing with her hand and seale She had confirmed she would be his wife Except she were forbidden by her father For then to liue vnmarride she had rather 34 And furthermore he nothing doubts he said Of his good seruice so plaine proofe to show As that the king shall nothing be afraid On such a Knight his daughter to bestow And how in this he needeth little aid As finding still his fauour greater grow He doubts not he will grant his liking after That he shall know it pleaseth so his daughter 35 And thus you see so sound stands mine estate That I my selfe in thought can wish no more Who seekes her now is sure to come too late For that he seekes is granted me before Now onely rests in marridge holy state To knit the knot that must dure euermore And for her praise I need not to declare it As knowing none to whom I may compare it 36 Thus Ariodant a tale most true declared And what reward he hoped for his paine But my false Duke that him had fouly snared And found by my great folly such a traine Doth sweare all this might no way be compared With his no though himselfe did iudge remaine For I quoth he can shew signes so expresse As you your selfe inferiour shall confesse 37 Alas quoth he I see you do not know How cunningly these women can dissemble They least to loue where they make greatest show And not to be the thing they most resemble But other fauours I receiue I trow When as we two do secretly assemble As I will tell you though I should conceale it Because you promise neuer to reueale it 38 The truth is this that I full oft haue seene Her iuory corpes and bene with her all night And naked laine her naked armes betweene And full enioyne the fruites of loues delight Now iudge who hath in greatest fauour beene To which of vs she doth pertaine in right And then giue place and yeeld to me mine owne Sith by iust proofes I now haue made it knowne 39 Iust proofes quoth Ariodant nay shamefull lies Nor will I credit giue to any word Is this the finest tale you can deuise What hop'd you that with this I could be dord No no but sith a slander foule doth rise By thee to her maintaine it with thy sword I call thee lying traitor to thy face And meane to proue it in this present place 40 Tush quoth the Duke it were a foolish part For you to fight with me that am your frend Sith plaine to shew without deceit or art As much as I haue said I do intend These words did gripe poore Ariodantes hart Downe all his limbes a shiuering doth descend And still he stood with eyes cast downe on ground Like one would fall into a deadly sound 41 With wofull mind with pale and chearlesse face With trembling voice that came from bitter thought He said he much desir'd to see this place Where such strange feats and miracles were wrought Hath faire Geneura granted you this grace That I quoth he so oft in vaine haue sought Now sure except I see it in my vew I neuer will beleeue it can be trew 42 The Duke did say he would with all his hart Both shew him where and how the thing was done And straight from him to me he doth depart Whom to his purpose wholy he had wonne With both of vs he playth so well his part That both of vs thereby were quite vndone First he tels him that he would haue him placed Among some houses falne and quite defaced 43 Some ruynd houses stood opposd direct Against the window where he doth ascend But Ariodant discreetly doth suspect That this false Duke some mischiefe did intend And thought that all did tend to this effect By trechery to bring him to his end That sure he had deuised this pretence With mind to kill him ere he parted thence 44 Thus though to see this sight he thought it long Yet tooke he care all mischiefe to preuent And if perhap they offer force or wrong By force the same for to resist he ment He had a brother valiant and strong Lurcanio cald and straight for him he sent Not doubting but alone by his assistance Against twice twentie men to make resistance 45 He bids his brother take his sword in hand And go into a place that he would guide And in a corner closely there to stand Aloofe from tother threescore paces wide The cause he would not let him vnderstand But prayes him there in secret sort to bide Vntill such time he hapt to heare him call Else if he lou'd him not to stirre at all 46 His brother would not his request denie And so went Ariodant into his place And vndiscouerd closely there did lie Till hauing looked there a little space The craftie Duke to come he might descrie That meant the chast Geneura to deface Who hauing made to me his wonted signes I let him downe the ladder made of lines 47 The gowne I ware was white and richly set With aglets pearle and lace of gold well garnished My stately tresses couerd with a net Of beaten gold most pure and brightly varnished Not thus content the vaile aloft I let Which only Princes weare thus stately harnished And vnder Cupids banner bent to fight All vnawares I stood in all their sight 48 For why Lurcanio either taking care Lest
and my horse I do not doubt to fetch thee backe by force 6 And first he lets the faulcon take her flight But Rabican as fast as she did flie Then from his horse the faulkner doth alight His horse flue like an arrow by and by Then went the dogge who was of course so light As is the wind that bloweth in the skie And last of all himselfe ran with such shift It seem'd the lightnings flame was not so swift 7 Rogero thinketh it a foule disgrace That any man should thinke he fled for feare And more because he now was had in chase Wherefore he doth a while the flight for beare And manfully to them he turnes his face And seeing no man but the faulkner there And that no weapon in his hand he saw He much disdaind on him his sword to draw 8 But straight the dog doth bite his horses heeles The hauke his head amazed with her wings When Rabycan such strange foes forces feeles He riseth vp before behinde he flings Rogero thought the world had run on wheeles And Balisarda out at once he brings But they it seemd so well were seene in fence That all his blowes to them brought no offence 9 Both loth to stay resolued not to yeeld He takes his target from his saddle bow And with the dazling light of that same sheeld Whose force Melyssa lately made him know He made them fall as if their eies were seeld So that no farther let from them did grow But hauing vanquisht them this wise with ease He now may ride at leasure where he please 10 These foes once foild their forces ouercome Alcyna straight had notice of his flight For of the watchmen one to her was come That while these things were done did stand in sight This made her stand like one halfe dead or dumme And after put her into such a fright That forthwith for auoiding further harme Through all the towne she made them crie alarme 11 And calling oft her selfe a foolish beast Because Rogero so from her was slipt Somtime she beates her head her face and breast Sometime in rage her garments all the ript She calleth all her men from most to least A part of whom vnto the sea she shipt And of the rest she makes a mightie band To fetch Rogero backe againe by land 12 All were so busie to this seruice bent That none remaind the pallace faire to gard Which greatly helpt Melyssas good intent Which chiefly was as you before haue hard To set at large poore prisners so long pent Which now to do she absent was not hard Dissoluing all her circles and her knots And stroying all her figures and her lots 13 And thus in fields in houses and in woods She set at large as many as she found That had bene turnd to trees to stones and floods And in that state by magicke art fast bound Likewise to them she rendred all their goods Who when they saw themselues so cleare vnbound Departing thence with all the hast they might To Logestilia they arriuâ—d that night 14 And first of all and chiefe of all the rest The English Duke came to himselfe againe Because Rogero lou'd and wisht him best And lends the ring that makes inchantments vaine But good Melyssa could by no meanes rest Vntil she could his armour eke regaine And that same famous worthie guilded launce That had to him such honor done in Fraunce 15 With which Argalia got no little fame Who vsed oft the same in fight to beare Now when Melyssa to the castle came She found his other armour with the speare And this atcheeu'd the sage and frendly dame Mounts on the Griffith horse without all feare And Duke Astolfo mounting on his crupper To Logestillas came that night to supper 16 Now was Rogero with no small a do Tiring himselfe amid those craggie wayes And striuing all that he with paine may do To cut of all those lothsome long delayes That hindred him for sooner comming to That Ladie faire whose vertues merit praise Till neare the Southerne sea with mickle paine He came vnto a sandy desert plaine 17 Here was he plagu'd with thirst and parching heat And with the sunne reflecting on the sand Which from the South vpon the banke did beat Enflaming still the aire on either hand But leauing now Rogero in this sweat That still I may not in one matter stand To Scotland now I will returne againe And of Renaldo talke a word or twaine 18 Great was his entertainment and his cheare Made by the king and people of the land Which feasts once done the worthie valiant peare As was his charge doth let them vnderstand How Charles the great whose state doth touch them neare In no small need of their good aid did stand And how for this he sent him to their nation And to this tale he ads an exhortation 19 Then was it answerd him without delay That for king Charles and for the Empires sake They all were readie to do all they may And would for this behoofe short order take And oftred him to shew if he would stay What store of horse and footmen he could make Namely the king himselfe would be right glad To go in person but his age forbad 20 Nor yet should age with him so much haue done As make him from the battell to abide Saue that he had a wise and valiant sonne Well able such a band of men to guide Whose value had alreadie praises wonne And of his youth was now in floure and pride This noble toward impe he doth intend As captaine of his armed men to send 21 Wherefore about his realme forthwith he sent To get of horses and of men good store With ships and things to war most pertinent As needfull meate and mony needfull more The while Renaldo into England went The king to Barwicke companie him bore And men report that when they should depart The king was seene to weepe for tender hart 22 Renaldo went with faire and prosprous wind And past along vpon the English coast Vntill he hapt the noble Tems to find Of which all London iustly make their boast Here he tooke land as first he had assign'd And in twelue houres iourney riding post Vnto the Prince of Wales he was conducted Whom of these matters fully he instructed 23 The Prince that was Vicegerent to the King That Oton hight who soiournd now in France From whom Renaldo did commission bring To take vp horse and men and ordinance When he had once true knowledge of that thing Which of all other he would most aduance He marshald men of armes without delay And points them meet at Callice by a day 24 But here I must a while from hence digresse Lest to one tale my pen should still be bound As good musitians do their skill expresse By playing on the strings of diuers sound While Renald here is cheard with great excesse As euer in the English
mist And that so vnprepard he could him take And much more grieu'd it him that this disgrace Was offerd him in such an open place 50 Wherefore to be aueng'd of so great wrong He steppeth backe and out his sword he drawes The tother doth no farther time prolong Though in respect of order there was cause Nay which was more he thought himselfe so strong To fight with all at once he askt no pause But to them both at once he makes defiance In his owne strength he had so great affiance 51 This man is mad but let me with him trie it Gradasso said I le make him wise againe Nay softly quoth Rogero I deny it For this same combat doth to me pertaine Stand backe saith tone saith tother nay not I yet Backe you yet both still in their place remaine Thus do these three with mallice great and spite Strangely begin a combat tripartite 52 And sure to much confusion it had growne Had not some men more stout perhap then wise Themselues among them vndiscreetly throwne With courage great but yet with small aduise To succour others danger with their owne Yet could no force them part nor no deuise Till Agramant himselfe their dreaded Lord In person came their quarrell to accord 53 The reu'rence great that vnto him they beare Made them forthwith their forces to restraine Who straight the causes of these broiles did heare And to compound them sought but all in vaine For scant Gradasso could be made forbeare The sword so long with tother to remaine Vntil the fight were ended now in hand Of which the sequell could not yet be scand 54 Scarse had the king with words of great perswasion This quarrell new begun a while appeasd But that another strife by new occasion In Rodomontes tent them all diseasd An hurlyburly and a fierce inuasion There grows betweene two Princes sore displeasd Betweene stout Sacrapant and Rodomount As I to you will presently recount 55 King Sacarpant as late before I told Helping to arme the cruell Sarzan king With those selfe armes that Nimrod ware of old From whom this Prince his pedigree did bring Whiles he I say did curiously behold His furniture and eu'rie other thing That to his horse or vnto him belong To see they might be sure and firme and strong 56 While he that stately steed Frontino vewd That proudly champing stood vpon his bit And all his raines with snowlike some be dewd Without regard whose hands embroderd it A thought vnpleasant in his mind renewd And to his heart did seeme full neare to sit He thinks this horse was verie like in sight To one of his that Frontlat whilom hight 57 And more and more with heedfull looke still eying The markes and shape and colour of the steed After his long and verie curious prying He saw and knew it was his horse indeed Which horse from him then at Albracca lying Brunello stale for want of better heed And shewed him an vnusuall cunning knacke To steale his horse while he sate on his backe 58 Brunello stale that time more things beside By name Orlandos sword hight Balisard Angellicas faire ring of vertue tride Which she recouerd as before you heard Likewise a sword eu'n from Marfisas side This done he gaue Rogero afterward Orlandos sword and this horse to the same But to Frontino first he changd his name 59 Now then I say when Sacrapant was sure This horse was Frontlat that sometime was his And that the markes he saw did him assure That he therein tooke not his marke amis To hold his peace he could not long endure But said good sir know mine Frontino is Stolne late from me as I can make good proofe Although I trow mine owne word is inough 60 One at Albracca stale from me this steed Yet for our late acquiantance I consent Because I see that now you stand in need That you shall vse him now I am content Conditionally that first it be agreed You shall acknowledge him not yours but lent Else here I claime him as my goods and chattell And will defend my right in open battell 61 The Sarzan king that past I thinke in pride All kings and knights that euer carrid sword And past I thinke in strength and courage tride All samples that old stories vs afford Made answer thus if any man beside Durst vnto me haue spoken such a word He should haue found I tooke it in such scorne He had bin better haue bin speechles borne 62 But for our late begunne acquiantance sake I am content this at your hands to beare So as you this do as a warning take The like attempt hereafter to forbeare And if you will but harke what end I make With Mandricardo then I do not feare But you shall see such sample of my force Shall make you glad to pray me take your horse 63 Then villany is courtesie with thee Saith Sacrapant inflamd with high disdaine When you be offerd faire you cannot see Wherefore my purpose is I tell you plaine My horse shall seruice do to none but mee And with these hands I will my right maintaine And that is more if these same hands should faile I will defend my right with tooth and naile 64 Thus galling speech betweene them multiplying Till each last word the former worser made At last they sell to acts of flat defying And tone the tother fiercely doth inuade Rodomont on his strength and armes relying Yet tother so defends him with his blade And makes it so about his head to houer That seemes alone his body all to couer 65 Eu'n as a charter wheele that runnes apace Seemes to the eye all solyd firme and sound Although twixt eu'rie spoake there is a space Concealed from our sights by running round So Sacrapant seemd armed in that place Though armour then about him none was found So dextrously himselfe he then besturd As well it stood vpon him with his sword 66 But quickly Serpentino and Ferraw With naked sword in hand stept them betwixt With others more that present were and saw As friends of either part togither mixt Yet them no force nor prayre could once withdraw Their lostie hearts were on reuenge so fixt And wrath had quite so put them out of frame Till Agramant to them in person came 67 Vpon the sight of him their soueraigne Lord They both agreed their furie to withhold Who straight perswaded them to good accord And much good counsell to them both he told But peace and good perswasions they abhord And either on his manhood made him bold Their king doth but among them leese his winde For more and more he froward them doth finde 68 By no meanes Sacrapant will be intreated Vnto the Sarzan king his horse to lend Except that he as I before repeated To borrow it of him would condiscend The tother at this verie motion freated And sweares nor heauen nor he should make him bend To seek to haue by
prayer or request A thing of which by force he was possest 69 King Agramant doth aske by what mischance He lost his horse or who it from him stale The tother opend all the circumstance And blusht for shame when as he told the tale Namely how late before he came to France One tooke him napping as it did befall And vnderpropt his saddell with foure stakes And so from vnder him his courser takes 70 Marfisa that was come to part this fray Hearing of this stolne horse among the rest Was grieu'd in minde for why that verie day Her sword was stolne as she most truly guest And then king Sacrapant she knew straight way Whom erst she knew not and that gallant beast For which of late those two began to fight She knew and said belongd to him in right 71 While these things passed thus the standers by That oft hereof had heard Brunello bost Straight in such sort to him did cast their eye As turned greatly to Brunellos cost By which Marfisa plainly did discrie Him by whose theft her sword she late had lost To be Brunello whom she saw there sitting Among great Lords a place for him vnfitting 72 She heard and much it grieued her to heare How for these thefts and many mo beside The king rewarded him and held him deare Whereas in law for them he should haue dide These news so greatly chang'd Marfisas cheare That hardly she her wrath could longer hide Let Agramant accept it as he will She minds Brunello presently to kill 73 Straight way she armed is from head to heele And makes her page her helmet close to claspe To him she goes and with her gloue of steele She giues him such a blow as made him gaspe And while the paine hereof doth make him reele With her strong hād his weak corse she doth graspe As doth the Faulcon fierce the Mallard gripe To which a while before she gaue a stripe 74 With furie great from thence away she flings While he for helpe and oft for mercie cride But wil he nill he him away she brings Like to a thiefe with hands togither tide Where Agramant among the meaner kings Sate like a iudge their causes to descide Then making some obeysance for good manner She speaketh thus in short but stately manner 75 Sir king I minde to hang this thiefe your man That by desart should long ere this haue dide For when he stale that horse from him eu'n than He stale my sword that hanged by my side But if there any be that dare or can Deny my words or say that I haue lide Here in your presences I do desire To trie by combat whether is the lier 76 But least some should as some by fortune may Affirme I chuse this time to make new strife Alone at such a time on such a day When other quarrels in the campe are rife I am content a day or two to stay And to prolong this wretched caitiues life To see if any man will him defend And after sure to hang him I intend 77 I meane quoth she to bring him three mile hence And keepe him as a prisner in yon towre And with his life I promise to dispence For two dayes space and longer not an howre If any list to fight in his defence There let him come and trie my force and powre Away she gallopt when she this had said And on her saddle bow the wretch she laid 78 The King was sore displeasd at this attempt And much it did his princely mind enrage And minds himselfe to wreake so great contempt Vntill Sobrino one both graue and sage Told him in wisedome he must be content His choler in this matter to asswage And said it were a base part for his highnesse To fight for one sprung vp by theft and slinesse 79 Yea though before hand he were sure to win Yet would such victorie dishonor haue Because a woman vanquisht were therein Wherefore quoth he if you his life might saue With one words speech to speake that word were sin For sure she doth but law and iustice craue And Princes neuer do themselues more wrong Then when they hinder iustice or prolong 80 You may said he to satisfie your mind Send after her in manner of request And promise her that if iust cause you find He shall be hangd and so all strife may rest But if to this you find her not inclind Giue her her will for so I thinke t is best So that she firmely in your friendship bide Hang vp Brunello and all theeues beside 81 This good direction Agramant obaying Went not himselfe nor sent none to molest her But yet according to Sobrinos saying He sent a messenger that might request her Himselfe the while doth trauell in allaying The tumults fierce that all his campe do pester Pride laughs at this and Discord so reioyces As vp to heau'n flie their eternall voyces 82 Fiue men most resolute haue set their rest To be the first that will begin the fight The strife so intricate as would molest Apollo to descide or set it right Yet Agramant still striues to do his best And to compound the matter if he might And thus to end the matter he begonne Twixt Rodomont and Agricanes sonne 83 He makes to them this good and friendly motion That sith for Doralice they onely straue They would agree to stand at her deuotion And let her take her choise which she will haue And that once made to raise no more commotion This pleasd them both to this consent they gaue A certaine hope and trust them both alluring Each on himselfe of her firme loue assuring 84 The Sarzan king doth thinke that needs she must Giue sentence on his side and be his owne Sith oft he had in turneys and in iust Her fauours worne and his affection showne How can she loue thinkes he or put her trust In one whō she scant three dayes space hath knowne Not was alone his owne opinion such But all the campe beside did thinke as much 85 They all thinke Mandricardo ouerseene And made no question but she would reiect him But he that knew what past had them betweene And found that she did inwardly affect him Was sure although his seruice were vnseene And done by night that she would not neglect him Wherefore of her good will he nothing doubting Did scorne their scorns and floured at their flouting 86 Thus hauing put the matter in her choyce And put the choice in her owne declaration She with a sober looke and lowly voyce Chose Mandricard against all expectation The Tartar prince here did much reioyce But all the rest were filld with admiration And Rodomont himselfe was so astound As hardly he could lift his eyes from ground 87 But when his wonted wrath had driu'n away That bashfull shame that dyde his face with red Vniust he cals that doome and curst that day And clapping hand vpon his sword he sed This
to haue the vpper hand By this deuice and herein follow me Put all the quarrels triall if you can To one and let Rogero be the man 63 I know and you do know and so we all Do know that our Rogero hath such might No Christen can so sturdie be or tall As hand to hand to conquer him in fight But if you meane to make warre generall Though he in strength far passe each other knight Yet in the fight he but for one can stand And what is one against a mightie band 64 I thinke it best if so you thinke it good To offer this to Charles that if he will If with his worthie courage so it stood For sauing those whom you on both sides kill And shunning of the shedding guiltlesse blood Which both of you on each side dayly spill Each side to chuse one champion at whose parrell To make a full conclusion of the quarrell 65 Prouided first that which so ere of these Shall dye his Prince shall pay the tother tribute I know this motion will not Charles displease For all his Lords will there-vnto contribute And this would worke our safetie and our ease For to Rogero so much I attribute That such his vallew is this cause so iusâ— Were Mars Antagonist yet yeeld heâ—â—â—st 66 These words Sobrino spake with such effect As Agramant thereto gaue his consent And then Interpreters he did direct Who straight to Charles with such a challenge went Charles meanes not such occasion to neglect He thinks the combat wonne incontinent He had such store of champions nere the latter Vnto Renaldo he commits the matter 67 Glad were both armies of this new accord Henceforth to liue in quiet they intend And either part doth praise his soueraigne Lord That of these broyles would make so speedie end Each one in mind these foolish bralls abhord That made them thus in warres their dayes to spend Each man could say and no man then denyd it That warre is sweet to those that haue not tryd it 68 Renaldo he in mind doth much reioyse To thinke his Prince had done him such a grace To make of him aboue so many choyse For triall of â—o great importing case And though Rogero were by common voyce The chiefe man deemd of all the Turkish race And hand to hand had killed Mandricard Renaldo this but little did regard 69 But good Rogero he was nothing glad Though of so many gallant men and stout His king to his great praise him chosen had Aboue all other knights and pikt him out His heart was heauie and his looke was sad Not that in mind he ought did dread or doubt Renaldos forces or Orlandos either No scarse and if they had beene both togither 70 But this procur'd his griefe because he knew Renaldo brother was vnto his deare Who did her plaints with letters oft renew And charged him so deepe as toucht him neare Now if he should to old wrongs adde this new To kill Renaldo then the case is cleare She should haue so great reason to reproue him He doubts she neuer will hereafter loue him 71 Now if Rogero do in silent sort Lament this combat tane against his will No doubt his spouse which heard this sad report Was worse appaid then he at least as ill She beats her brest and breakes her tresses short And many teares with sorrow she did spill And calls Rogero oftentimes vngrate And curseth euermore her cruell fate 72 It needs must turne vnto her griefe and paine Who ere is ouercome who euer win She dare not thinke Rogero can be slaine Her heart such anguish doth conceiue therein And if it pleased Christ so to ordaine For chastising his wretched peoples sin That man should dye that of her house was chiefe Besides his death that brought a further griefe 73 A griefe that was indeed beyond all measure To thinke she neuer might henceforth for shame Go to her spouse without the flat displeasure Of all her kin and house of whence she came And when she weigh'd the case at better leasure Each thing to her seemd worse and worse to frame For why she knew her tongue that knot had tyde That while she liu'd might neuer loose nor slide 74 But that deare frend of hers that neuer faild To helpe at chiefest needs the noble maid I meane the sage Melissa so preuaild That Bradamantés griefe was part alaid For when she knew the cause and what she aild Against the time she promised her aid And vndertooke that of that bloudy quarrell To her nor hers there should ariâ—e no parrell 75 This while the gallant knights against the fight Themselues and eke their weapons do prouide The choise whereof did appertaine in right Vnto the champion of the Christen side Who as a man that tooke but small delight Since he had lost his famous horse to ride Did chuse to fight on foot and in this sort All arm'd with axes long and daggers short 76 Or were it chance or were it in regard That Malagige aduised him thereto Because he knew the force of Balysard Or powre all charms of armour to vndoe Of whose sharpe edge you haue ere this time hard But this they did appoint betweene then two About the place likewise they do agree A plaine neare Arlie walls the same to be 77 Now when Aurora left the lothed bed Oâ— Tytan vnto whom she hath no list To th' end that no disorder may be bred On either side the marshalls partâ— he list At end whereof were rich pauillions spred Where nothing that belongs to stare was mist And distant from each tent a little space On either side they did an altar place 78 Not long time after this in battell ray The Turkish armie with their king came out Glistring in gold and stately rich aray In show with all Barbarian pompe set out A swift Arabian horse of colour bay He rode and by his side Rogero stout Rode cheeke by cheeke and to his greater same On him to wait Marsilio thought no shame 79 His helmet for the which the Tartar dyde Slaine by Rogero as I did rehearse Which since a thousand yeares and more beside Was celebrated in more stately verse Marsilio carrid by Rogeros side Well mounted on a Spanish genet fearce His arms and all that did thereto belong Some other states deuided them among 80 On tother side came worthie Charlemayne From out his tents strongly intrencht anone And all his bands of men he did ordayne So as if to battell he should then haue gone About him was of Peers a noble trayne Renaldo in the mids with armour on That onely helmet erst from Mambryn tane Was by Vggero borne the noble Dane 81 Two axes both alike in each respect Salemon and Duke Namus beare before The Chieftaines on each side their men direct To keepe within their limits euermore And in the midst was left a large prospect Betweene each company and roome good store
earnestly he now repents them both And calls to God for mercie and in token Of true contrition voweth out of hand To be baptizd if ere he come to land 49 And that he would renownce all Turkish lawes Nor gainst a Christen Prince once weapon carrie But serue king Charles and aid the Churches cause And from the same hereafter not to varie And neuer seeke delay or farther pause His vertuous spouse Dame Brandamant to marrie T was strange no sooner he this vow had ended But that his strength increast swimming mended 50 And where before he greatly was affrayd That those same surging waters him would drowne He thinketh now they do his swimming ayd And sometime rising sometime going downe He passeth on with courage vndismayd And scarce he seemed once to wet his crowne That so with cunning part and part with strength He reached to the little I le at length 51 The rest of all his company was drownd Nor euer was a man of them seene more But by Gods onely grace Rogero found This little Ile and clammerd vp the shore And finding it a small and barren ground A new feare rose no lesse then that before Least in a place of needfull things too seant He should be staru'd with penurie and want 52 But yet with constant mind and vnappald Resolu'd to suffer all that God would send Vpon the rocke with much a do he crald And gat vpon the leuell ground in th' end When lo an aged man whose head was bald And beard below his girdle did descend That was an Hermit that did there inhabit Came forth to him in godly reu'rent habit 53 And comming neare he cride ô Saul ô Saul Why persecutest thou my people so As erst our Sauiour spake vnto Saint Paul Then when he gaue to him that blessed blow Behold how God when pleaseth him can call From sea from land from places high and low When you did weene him farthest he was nighest So strong an arme so long reach hath the highest 54 Thus spake this Hermit so deuout and old Who by an Angell in his sleepe that night Of good Rogeros comming was foretold And of all chances should on him allight With all his valiant actions manifold That he had done and should performe in fight And of his death and of his noble race That should succeed him after in his place 55 Now as I said this wise this Hermit spoke And part doth comfort him and part doth checke He blameth him that in that pleasant yoke He had so long deferd to put his necke But did to wrath his maker still prouoke And did not come at his first call and becke But still did hide himselfe away from God Vntill he saw him comming with his rod. 56 Then did he comfort him and make him know That grace is nere denide to such as aske As do the workmen of the Gospell show Receiuing pay alike for diuers taske Prouided that our prayre of zeale do grow And serue not as a viser or a maske This did the man of God Rogero tell And so from thence he led him to his cell 57 The cell a chappell had on th' Easterne side Vpon the Wester side a groue or berie Forth of the which he did his food prouide Smal chear God wot wherwith to make folk merie Yet fortie yeare he had that liuing tride And yet thereof it seemd he was not werie But eating berries drinking water cleare He had in strength and health liu'd fourscore yeare 58 Now kindled had the man of God some woed And on his boord he set a little frute The youth to drie his cloths not farre of stood For why to change he hath no other sute Then he by th' old mans teaching vnderstood The faith and how to Christ he must impute The pardon of his sinnes yet neare the later He told him he must be baptizd in water 59 And so he was the next ensuing day And afterward he rested in that place A while and with the man of God did stay Resoluing him of eu'rie doubtfull case Sometime of heau'n and of the later day Sometime of earth and of his noble race That should in time to come hold mightie Reames As was reueald to him in former dreames 60 And further vnto him he doth repeat How his chiefe house should be sirnamed Esté Because in time to come king Charles the great Should say to them in Latin words Hic este Which is as much to say be here the seat In which you shall hereafter euer rest ye And many future things to him he told Which were too long for me now to vnfold 61 This while Orlando and king Brandimart With Marquesse Oliuero as I told Met with those three of the contrarie part Young Agramanté and Gradasso bold With good Sobrino who for valiant hart Giues place to few of them though being old Each spurrres his horse that ran a wondrous pace And of their blowes resounded all the place 62 In this same course each plaid his part so well That vp to heau'n flew shiuerd eu'rie lance The hideous noise did cause the seas to swell And some report t was heard as farre as France Gradasso and Orlando as befell Did meet together were it choice or chance The match seemd eu'n saue that their horses differ And made Gradasso seeme to runne the stiffer 63 The weaker horse on which Orlando rode Was brused so with this so fearfull shocke As now he could no longer beare his lode But sinking downe lay senslesse with the knocke Orlando then did make but small abode His courser lying senslesse like a stocke Sith that with neither raines nor spurres he sturd He left his saddle and drew forth his sword 64 With Agramant the Marquesse hand to hand Did most betweene them equall went the game Sobrino was by Brandimartés hand Cast from his horse I know not how it came But at that time it could not well be scand If so the horse or horseman were to blame But whether beast or rider wanted force Sobrino certaine downe was from his horse 65 King Brandimart nere offerd once to tuch Sobrino when he saw him downe in vew But to Gradasso that had done as much Vnto Orlando in great hast he flew The Marquesse fight with Agramant was such As which side had the vantage no man knew For when their staues were shiuerd all and rent Their axes then they vsd incontinent 66 Orlando who by hap a horse did lacke And saw Gradasso bent another way Whom Brandimart did hold so hardly tacke That he enforced him thereby to stay I say the Palladine then looking backe Saw old Sobrino standing in his way And toward him he go'th with looke so fierce As though his eye as well as sword could pierce 67 Sobrino gainst the force of such a man Sought with his surest ward himselfe to saue And as a Pilot doth the best he can To shunne the
rest and ease him 51 But if you will vnto my counsell harke And that you haue as you pretend such hast I will appoint for you a little barke That shall with oares conuey you safe and fast There may you sleepe the while you find it darke And when your stomake serues you take repast Thus may you downe the streame in safety sliding Win one whole night saue a whole daies riding 52 Renaldo this good offer doth accept And gaue him heartie thankes then tooke his barge He found his host with him had promise kept And makes of needfull things prouision large No sooner was he setled but he slept But yet before he gaue the stearman charge If that to sleepe too long it did befall him When he came neare Ferrara then to call him 53 Now did the knight of France in quiet sleepe And past by diuers townes of count the whiles And still the barge a pace most swift doth keepe Vpon that hand where Poe make diuers Iles And now the Rosie colour gan to creepe To th'Esterne skie when hauing past some miles Bandano then the stearsman wakt Renaldo When they discouerd both rocks of Tealdo 54 Whereon when as the knight his eye had fixt He saith O happie place that I behold Of which by vew of wandring starres and fixt My cosin Malagigis oft foretold How that by heau'nly doome it was prefixt On thee to lay such blessings manifold As that thy glorie to such height should rise Of Italie to hold the chiefest prise 55 Thus good Renaldo spake the while his bote Downe that same streame did swim or rather fly And when the knight came nearer he did note The place that seemed then all wast to ly And with a moorish water all on flote Yet did he much reioice thereof for why He knew that that same towne in future time Ordained was to great renowne to clime 56 His cosin Malagige and he whileare Had past that way what time his cosin told That when the Ram had tane the golden spheare That fourth is plast in height seau'n hundred fold Then should there be the brauest Iland theare That euer sea or streame or lake did hold So well replenished that none should dare With this Nausicas Iland to compare 57 And that it should for building faire disgrace Tiberius I le that Capry they do call And that th'Helperides should giue it place For passing fruits and sundrie sorts with all Beside more store of beasts for vse or chase Then Circes erst did keepe in field or stall That Venus with her sonne and all the Graces Should chuse this seat and leaue all other places 58 And that a certaine Prince should this fulfill So prouident so stout so wise so stayd As hauing powre vnited to his will Should with strong Rampires fence the town he said That foes should haue no force to worke her ill Nor she should neuer need of forraine aid And that the man by whom this must be donne Should be both Hercles Site and Hercles sonne 59 Thus while the knight of France with great delight Did call to mind what should another day Vpon that happie Citie there alight His water-men did giue so lustie way That of the place he soone had left the sight And keeping on the right hand all the way They went beyond Saint Georges in an howre And passed by Giabanas ditch and Towre 60 And now Renaldo as doth oft befall That one conceipt another out doth driue Began the knight to memorie to call That last did him kind entertainment giue That had iust cause this City more then all To hate and should haue still while he did liue The cursed cup he further cald to minde In which men may their spouses falshood finde 61 And last of his hosts later speech he thought Concerning that same cup and how they sped I meane his guests that that same triall sought Into their bosoms still the liquor shed Now he doth halfe repent he mist the draught Yet was he glad thereof for why he sed Had it falne well what had I got thereby If not in what a case had then benel 62 I now beleeue so well as hauing tried With good successe beleeue I better should not So that I might haue well bene damnified But by my triall mend my state I could not But what griefe had it bene if I had spied By my most deare Clarice that I would not Much may they leese but gains get small or none That will in play a thousand lay to one 63 These later words so lowd and plaine he â—pake Though to himselfe that he that steard the bote Who to his speech and gestures heed did take The words and meaning of his words did note Wherefore a further cause of speech to make As one that though he ware a hu'rie cote Yet was well spoken and of good bold sprite He straight doth fall to reason with the knight 64 In fine the summe of all their argument Was that his wit was much to be controld That sought to make too great experiment Of womens truths more then their force can hold For she that can with chast and firme intent Maintaine her truth against assault of gold Might eu'n as easilie defend the same Against a thousand swords in midst of flame 65 To this the Bargeman said you sure may sweare it They must not be assayld with darts so fierce For their solt brests too tender are to beare it Sith coats of sounder proofe such shot will pierce And sure a prettie tale if you would heare it I could saith he to this effect rehearse Of one who though his wife had sore offended By her in greater sinne was apprehended 66 I meane the tale of that Adonio which The great grift gaue vnto the Iudges wife A little dogge that made his owner rich A thing that in these parts is knowne so rife The knight replide mine eares to heare it ich For neuer yet I heard it in my life Then if it please you heare it now you shall The stears-man said and thus began his tale 67 There was a learned Lawyer cald by name Anselmus borne here in our neighbour towne That so long studied Vlpian till he came To be a Iudge and weare a scarlet gowne And hauing won great wealth he woo'd a dame For bewtie and for state of great renowne They wedded were for better and for worse So he her person lik't so she his purse 68 Her qualities and hauiour past the rest She seemed all of louelynes composed Not fit indeed for him that was to rest And to his bookes more then to sports disposed Wherefore foule iealous thoughts his mind possest And that his wife plaid false he still supposed Yet cause was none of her so to misdeeme Saue that too faire and wittie she did seeme 69 Now in the selfe same Citie dwelt a knight Too neare a neighbour to this man of law That was
the Latins the Captain of one side and the army of the other side should perish wherupō he being then Consul ran wilfully on his enemies and was slaine and so gat the victory for the Romans His son Decius did the like after him Curtius lept into the gulfe that was prophecyed should neuer be stopt till the most precious iewell the Romans had were thrown into the same Codrus dyed thus the Dorians hauing warre with the Athenians the Oracle told them of Athens that if Codrus were slaine by the enemies then the Athenians should haue the victorie this newes being noised in the Dovians campe they gaue straight charge that none should kil Codrus but he minding to dye for the defence of his countrie countersaited himselfe like a Pedler or such like and came to the campe of enemies and picking a quarrell there of purpose with some of the souldiers was slaine among them The cuppe presented to Renaldo is allegorically to be vnderstood for suspition which whosoeuer drinketh of it is great ods he sheds it so into his bosome as he shal drinke the worse after it while he liues and therfore Renaldo said wel Drinke of the cup quoth he that list not I. I am not nor I minde not to be drie For the Mantuans tale it is not vnlike to that of Cephalus in Ouids Metamorphosis in the seuenth booke where he tels how in the like sort changed by negromancy he tempted his wife so farre Dum census dare me promitto loquendo Muneraque augendo tandem dubitare coegi I haue heard of a Gentleman that would needs court his owne wise in a maske causing her to be told he was some other man and made loue so long to her till he found himselfe more gracious with her then he had cause to beast of As for the Faery Manto whether there be any Faeries or no I wil not dispute the matter but I haue heard strange tales reported by credible persons of these witches and spirits whatsoeuer they be and I haue heard it often among the simpler sore that he that can please the Queene of Faeries shall neuer want while he liues and it seemes the like opinion hath crept into other countries though taken but as a fable or as the saying is It may be in my Paternoster indeed But sure it neuer shall come in my Creed Marrie for the shaghaird dog that could dance to please Ladies so well and had such pretie qualities I dare vndertake my seruant Bungy whose picture you may see in the first page of the booke and is knowne to the best Ladies of England may cōpare with any Pilgrims dog that serued such a saint this seuen yere only he wants that qualitie to shake duckats out of his eares But now to leaue these toying tales and fall to the soberer matter the solemne suneralls of Brandimart and Orlandos mourning alludes to the buriall of Pallas or Pallante in Virgil Bardino to Acetes and Orlando to Aenas but this here is set forth with denout and Christian termes and therefore more to be commended Here end the notes of the 43. booke THE XLIIII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Renaldo to Rogero giues his sister Against Duke Ammon and their mothers will Rogero doubting lest he should haue mist her Vowes Leon and his father both to Kill He leaueth France and to the streame of Ister He rides and trauels in those parts vntill He found the Bulgars fighting with the Greekes And aydeth those because he these mislikes 1 OFt times we see in house of meane estate In fortune bad and chances ouerthwart That men doe sooner lay aside debate And ioyne in sound accord with hand and hart The princes courts where riches gender hate And vilde suspect that louing mind doth part Where charitie is cleane consumde and vanished An' frendship firme is quite cast out and banished 2 Hence comes it that twixt Princes and great Lords Agreements all and cou'nants are so fraile Today Kings Popes and Emperors make accords Tomorrow deadly warres with tooth and nayle And why their thoughts stil vary from their words They keepe not othes but for their owne auaile Nor weigh they wrong or right or recken of it But as the same may turne to their owne profite 3 Now though such men as yet were neuer taught What frendship is nor euer knew the same For frendship neuer growes where there is nought But shewes disguisd in earnest or in game Yet if ill fortune them so low haue brought To meete in meaner place they straight do frame Their proud hy minds to frendship true and plaine Which erst they knew not or they did disdaine 4 The saintlik man had in his Cell more powre His guests in firme and sound accord do binde Then others should haue had in Princely bowre And more this frendship was of such a kind That euer after from that present houre Eu'n to their ends they all agreed in mind Appearing to this old man and deuout As white within as Swans are white without 5 He found them all both gentle kind and meeke And not in sort of which I erst complained Of those that neuer thinke and speake alike But euer go with speech and uisage fained They cleare forgat all grudge and old mislike No signe nor memorie thereof remained But loue together as if they had come All of one seede and laine all in one worne 6 But good Renaldo could by no meanes rest To shew Rogero kindnesse great and loue Both for his prowesse great and valiant brest Which hand to hand in fight he late did proue And for his courtsie that did passe the rest And was praise worthy all the rest aboue But chiefe the cause was this because he found His frends to him had sundry wayes bene bound 7 He knew for often he had heard it told How first Rogero saued Richardet Whom then Marsilio kept in cruell hold Because with child he did his daughter get And further Bouos sonnes should haue bene sold But them Rogero did at freedome set These things in honor true and reputation He knew were matters of great obligation 8 And though before he could no kindnes show To him while he profest himselfe a Turke Yet now that him a Christian he did know He would now let his loue no longer lurke Which when the Hermit saw he was not slow A farther kindnes them between to worke them He moues them sith he so good friends had seene That he might make affinitie betweene them 9 He said it was foreshowd him from on hie That by the ioyning their two lines in one Such ofspring should arise as vnder sky To passe or match the same there should be none Wherefore he wisheth them that by and by By his aduise they would agree thereon Renaldo at his motion straight allowes That Bradamant should be Rogeros spouse 10 Orlando Olivero soone to that Gaue their good will and fauour and assent Affirming that all France may ioy
had set forth his bookes in a sort and yet not set them forth meaning that they were so obscure that they would be vnderstood of few except they came to him for instructions or else without they were of verie good capacitie and studious of Philosophie But as I say Plato howsoeuer men would make him an enemie of Poetrie because he found indeed iust fault with the abuses of some comicall Poets of his time or some that sought to set vp new and strange religions yet you see he kept stil l that principall part of Poetrie which is fiction and imitation and as for the other part of Poetrie which is verse though he vsed it not yet his maister Socrates euen in his old age wrote certaine verses as Plutarke restifieth but because I haue named the two parts of Poetrie namely inuention or fiction and verse let vs see how well we can authorise the vse of both these First for fiction against which as I told before many inueiâ—h calling it by the foule name of lying though notwithstanding as I then said it is farthest from it Demosthenes the famous and renowned Orator when he would perswade the Athenians to warre against Philip told them a solemne tale how the Wolues on a time sent Ambassadors to the sheepe offering them peace if they would deliuer vp the dogs that kept their folds with all that long circumstance needelesse to be repeated by which he perswaded them far more strongly then if he should haue told them in plaine termes that Philip sought to bereaue them of their chiefe bulwarks defences to haue the better abilitie to ouerthrow them But what need we fetch an authority so far off from heathen authors that haue many neerer hand both in time and in place Bishop Fisher a stout Prelat though I do not praise his Religion when he was assaid by king Henrie the eight for his good will and assent for the suppression of Abbyes the king alledging that he would but take away the superfluâ—ties and let the substance stand still or at least see it conuerted to better and more godly vses the graue Bishop answered it in this kinde of Poeticall parable He said there was an axe that wanting a helue came to a thicke and huge ouergrown wood and be sought some of the great okes in that wood to spare him so much timber as to make him a handle or helue promising that if he might finde that fauour he would in recompence thereof haue great regard in preseruing that wood in pruning the branches in cuâ—â—ing away the vnprofitable and superfluous boughes in paring away the bâ—yers and thornes that were combersome to the fayre trees and making it in fine a groue of great delight and pleasure but when this same axe had obtained his suâ—e he so laid about him and so pared away both timber and top and lop that in short space of a woodland he made it a champion and made her liberalitie the instrument of her ouerthrow Now though this Bishop had no very good successe with his parable yet it was so farre from being counted a lye that it was plainly seene soone after that the same axe did both hew downe those woods by the roots and pared him off by the head and was a peece of Prophecie as well as a peece of Poetrie and indeed Prophets and Poets haue bene thought to haue a great affinitie as the name Vates in Latin doth testifie But to come againe to this manner of fiction or parable the Prophet Nathan reprouing king Dauid for his great sinne of adulterie and murther doth he not come to him with a pretie parable of a poore man and his lambe that lay in his bosome and eat of his bread and the rich man that had whole flocks of his owne would needs take it from him In which as it is euident it was but a parable so it were vnreuerent and almost blasphemous to say it was a lye But to go higher did not our Sauiour himselfe speake in parables as that deuine parable of the sower that comfortable parable of the Prodigall sonne that dreadfull parable of Diues and Lazarus though I know of this last many of the fathers hold that it is a storie indeed and no parable But in the rest it is manifest that he that was all holinesse all wisedome all truth vsed parables and euen such as discreet Poets vse where a good and honest and wholsome Allegorie is hidden in a pleasant and pretie fiction and therefore for that part of Poetrie of Imitation I thinke no body will make any question but it is not onely allowable but godly and commendable if the Poets ill handling of it doe nor marre and peruert the good vse of it The other part of Poetrie which is Verse as it were the clothing or ornament of it hath many good vses of the helpe of memorie I spake somewhat before for the words being couched together in due order measure and number one doth as it were bring on another as my selfe haue often proued and so I thinke do many beside though for my owne part I can rather bost of the marring a good memorie then of hauing one yet I haue euer found that Verse is easier to learne and farre better to preserue in memorie then is prose Another speciall grace in Verse is the forcible manner of phrase in which if it be well made it farre excelleth loose speech or prose a third is the pleasure and sweetenesse to the eare which makes the discourse pleasant vnto vs often time when the matter it selfe is harsh and vnacceptable for my owne part I was neuer yet so good a husband to take any delight to hearâ— one of mv ploughmen tell how an acre of wheat must be fallowd and twy fallowd and how cold land should be burned and how fruitfull land must be well harrowed but when I heare one read Virgil where he saith Saepe etiam steriles incendere profuit agros Atque leuem stipulam crepitantibus vrere flammis Siue inde occultas vires pabula terrae Pinguia concipiunt siue illis omne per â—onem Excoquitur vitium atque exsudat inutilis humor c. And after Mulium adeo rastris glebas qui frangit inertes Vimineasque trahit crates iuuat arua With many other lessons of homely husbandrie but deliuered in so good Verse that me thinkes all that while I could find in my heart to driue the plough But now for the authoritie of Verse if it be not sufficient to say for them that the greatest Philosophers and grauest Senatours that euer were haue vsed them both in their speeches and in their writings that precepts of all Arts haue beene deliuered in them that verse is as auncient a writing as prose and indeed more auncient in respect that the oldest workes extant be verse as Orphaeus Linus Hesiodus and others beyond memorie of man or mention almost of historie if none of these will
noyse a trampling on the ground They thought it was some companie or rout That caused in the woods so great a sound At last they see a warlike horse and stout With guilded barb that cost full many a pound No hedge no ditch no wood no water was That stopped him where he was bent to passe 73 Angelica casting her eye aside Except said she mine eies all dazled be I haue that famous horse Bayardo spide Come trotting downe the wood as seemes to me How well for vs our fortune doth prouide It is the verie same I know t is he On one poore nag to ride we two were loth And here he commeth fit to serue vs both 74 King Sacrapant alighteth by and by And thinkes to take him gently by the raine But with his heeles the horse doth streight reply As who should say his rule he did disdaine It happie was he stood the beast not nye For if he had it had beene to his paine For why such force the horse had in his heele He would haue burst a mountaine all of steele 75 But to the damsell gently he doth go In humble manner and in lowly sort A spantell after absence fauneth so And seekes to make his master play and sport For Bayard cald to mind the damsell tho When she vnto Albracco did resort And vsd to feed him for his masters sake Whom she then lou'd and he did her forsake 76 She takes the bridle boldly in her hand And strokt his brest and necke with art and skill The horse that had great wit to vnderstand Like to a lambe by her he standeth still And while Bayardo gently there did stand The Pagan got him vp and had his will And she that erst to ride behind was faine Into her saddle mounted now againe 77 And being newly setled in her seate She saw a man on foote all armed runne Straight in her mind she ga◠to chase and fret Because she knew it was Duke Ammons sonne Most earnestly he sude her loue to get More earnestly she seekes his loue to shunne Once she lou'd him he hated her as much And now he loues she hates his hap was such 78 The cause of this first from two fountaines grew Like in the tast but in effects vnlike Plac'd in Ardenna each in others vew Who tasts the one loues dart his heart doth strike Contrary of the other doth ensew Who drinke thereof their louers shall mislike Renaldo dranke of one and loue much pained him The other dranke this damsell that disdained him 79 This liquor thus with secret venim mingled Makes her to stand so stiffely in the nay On whom Renaldos heart was wholy kindled Though scarce to looke on him she can away But from his sight desiring to be singled With soft low voice the Pagan she doth pray That he approch no nearer to this knight But flie away with all the speed he might 80 Why then quoth he make you so small esteeme Of me as though that I to him should yeeld So weake and faint my forces do you deeme That safe from him your selfe I cannot shield Then you forget Albracca it should seeme And that same night when I amid the field Alone vnarmed did defend you then Against king Agrican and all his men 81 No sir said she ne knowes she what to say Because Renaldo now approcht so nie And threatned so the Pagan in the way When vnder him his horse he did espie And saw the damsell taken as a pray In whose defence he meanes to liue and die But what fell out betweene these warriers fearce Within the second booke I do rehearse In this first booke may be noted in Angelica the vngratefulnes of women to their worthiest suters In the foure knights the passionate affections of loue and fancy And whereas first Bradamant and after Renaldo interrupt Sacrapant of his lasciuious purpose may be noted both the weake holdfast that men haue of worldly pleasures as also how the heauens do euer fauour chast desires Lastly in the two fountaines may be noted the two notable contrarieties of the two affections of loue and disdaine that infinite sorts of people daily tast of while they runne wandring in that inextricable labyrinth of loue Concerning the historie we find that in the time of Charles the great called Charlemaine sonne of Pepin king of France the Turkes with a great power inuaded Christendome Spaine being then out of the faith as some part thereof was euen within these four score yeares namely Granada which was held by the Moores And one Marcus Antonius Sabellicus writeth that for certaintie there liued in that time of Charlemaine many of those famous Palladines that are in this worke so often named and especially he maketh mention of Renaldo and Orlando affirming that they were indeed very martiall men and how Charles obtained great victories by their seruice and namely he talleth of one Ferraw a Spaniard of great stature and strength who tooke certaine Frenchmen prisoners afterward rescued by Orlando which Orlando fought with him hand to hand two whole dayes and the second vanquisht him Further the same author affirmeth that the same Charlemaine for his great fauour shewed to the Church of Rome was by Leo the third named Emperour of Rome and that he was a iust a fortunate and a mercifull Prince and one that within Europe as well as without did attaine great conquests suppressing the violent gouernement of the Lombards and taming the rebellious Saxons Huns and Baudrians and conquering a great part of Spaine all which testimonies shew that the ground of this Poeme is true as I shall haue particular occasion in sundry of the books ensuing to note and thus much for the story For the allegory in this Canto I find not much to be said except one should be so curious to search for an allegory where none is intended by the author himself yet an allegory may not vnfitly be gathered of the description of Bayardos following Angelica which may thus be taken Bayardo a strong horse without rider or gouernor is likened to the desire of mā that runs furiously after Angelica as it were after pleasure or honor or whatsoeuer man doth most inordinately affect Likewise in that Angelica flieth from Renaldo we may take an allegorical instruction that the temtations of the flesh are ouercome chiefly by flying from them as the Scripture it selfe teacheth saying Resist the diuel but fly fornication Further in that Bayardo striketh at Sacrapant but yeeldeth to Angelica it may be noted how the courage of our minds that cannot be abated with any force are often subdued by flatterie and gentle vsage till they be in the end euen ridden as it were with slauerie And whereas Renaldo followes Angelica on foote some haue noted thereby to be meant sensualitie that is euer in base and earthly or rather beastly affections neuer looking vpward For Allusions there are not any worth the
In the great praise of Rogero and Bradamant his posterittie noblemen and gentlemen of good houses may take 〈…〉 father vertu us ancestors and thinke themselves beloved of God and blessed with great temporall blessings 〈…〉 not from their worthy sure fathers Also we may note that commonly good parents bring good children 〈…〉 Melyssa brings Bradamant by intricate wayes from the cave and instructs her how to confound Atlantes 〈…〉 good and godly counsel makes men overcome all troubles and enables them to withstand all wicâ—◠〈…〉 that Bradamant dissembles with Brunello we may gather a lesson which in this age we be too apt 〈…〉 nameâ— to dissimble with dissemblers 〈…〉 is diners it diuers and therefore I meane to note the principallest of them as far as my litle reading 〈…〉 and first for Merlin called the English Prophet I know many are hard of beleef and think it a meeresable that is written both of his birth of his life and chiefly of his death for his birth indeed I beleeue not that he 〈…〉 by an Incubus yet the possibilitie thereof might be proued by this place â—rather held with the great clerk Bellarmine that such birth is either impossible or teacher to the great Antichrist when he shall come But concerning his life that there was such a man a great 〈…〉 to King Arthur I hold it certaine that he had a castle in â—shire called after him Merlinsburie now Marl◠〈…〉 likely the old ruines whereof are yet seene in our highway from Bath to London Also the great stones of 〈…〉 and number that he scattered about the place have given occasion to some to report and others 〈…〉 wrought by his great spill in Magicke as likewise the great stones at Stonage on Salisâ—◠〈…〉 which the ignorant people beleeue be brought out of Ireland and indeed the wiser sort can rather maruel at 〈…〉 they were set there But for the manner of his death and place of his buriall it is so diuersly written 〈…〉 countreys chalienged as a man may be bolder to say that all of them are saise then that any of them 〈…〉 will have him buried in Cornewall some in Wales where they say he was borne Ariosto by Poeticall lisence 〈…〉 or him in France and the fiction of the tombe is taken of a former fiction in King Arthurs booke 〈…〉 that Merlin being exceedingly in loue with the Ladie of the Lake to brag of his cunning shewed her one day 〈…〉 deuices of his a 〈◊〉 that he had made of sufficient capacitie to hold him and his wife and withall 〈…〉 a charme which being pronounced in an order that he shewed her the toombe would close and neuer againe be opened She having no mind to him or rather indeed flatly hating him grew on the sodaine very gamesome with him 〈…〉 him some extraordinary kindnesse and in the end for want of better pastime would needs perswade him to 〈…〉 would hold them both and so offered her selfe to go in with him he suspecting nothing lesse then her malicious purpose went imply in and straight she shut him in with the couer and bound it so fast with the charme as it will neuer 〈…〉 This I thought good to set donne for expounding the II. Staffe of this booke the plainer not that any matter here 〈◊〉 worth the noting without it be to warne men not to tell such dangerous secrets to women except they 〈…〉 to imitate the wisedome of Cato in repenting it after And thus much for Merlin The rest of the booke 〈…〉 a true historie and is a repetition of the pedegrue of Alfonso Duke of Ferrara with some briefe touches 〈…〉 of their great exploits in Italie the exposition of all which I will not pursue at length as being 〈…〉 the learned this haue read those stories and not very pleasant to the ignorant nor familiar to our nation 〈…〉 some very few of them such as I thinke most necessary and omit the rest or referre those 〈…〉 to informe themselues to some authors where they may reade it more at large Rogero 〈…〉 Bradamant and this Rogero so much spoken of in this whole booke came with Charles the great into 〈…〉 where among other Venetian captaines that holpe to suppresse Desiderius king of Lombardie this Rogero 〈…〉 so good seruice that the Emperour in reward gaue him and his heires the honors of Calaon and Este neare 〈…〉 The â—râ—me came to be the crest of the Vicounts of Millaine by this occasion Otho a valiant man of that family in the 〈…〉 that Gedfrey of Bullen made to Ierusalem called the holy warres did fight at the siege of Ierusalem hand to hand with Voluce 〈…〉 of the 〈…〉 and sue him whose to make himselfe more terrible did carry on his crest a huge viper deucuring of a 〈…〉 Euer since in memory hereof that house carries the viper Betingats 〈◊〉 name there were three but the chiefe man meant here was nephew to the first and came after the death of 〈…〉 grandfather into Italie and preuailed so farre that he was proclaimed Augustus and made his sonne King of I 〈…〉 with title King of Romanes but Agapitus then Bishop of Rome called in Otho King of the Almaines I deliuer Italie from the â—â—ranny of the Beringars who ouercame them and used them after with great clemency till afterward the feeling bâ—heâ—â—e fan usurping Pope tâ—tâ—rannize as before the same Otho came againe and in fine desir 〈…〉 in which it seemes Albertazzo did some great seruice Of Fruderike Barbarossa Sabellicus a riteth that he maintained Octauius Antipapa or vsurping Pope against Alexander 〈◊〉 great in Italy in Italy and much bloodshed and that the Romanes were so crushed in one battel that he 〈…〉 they would neuer be able againe to hold up their heads But after this Barbarossa both prosecuted by his enemies and 〈…〉 with the plague in his camp was glad to fly into Germany and comming back with new forces 〈…〉 the confederats unquished and 〈…〉 and driuen in the end to craue Pope Alexanders fauour Of this Alexander 〈…〉 make great boâ—â—t how they restored him and haue the story ingrauen or painted in one of their 〈…〉 Churches for the Pope saying that her in disgussed aparell and lining closely in the towne like a poore Priest 〈…〉 Crano discouered him and made him be greatly honoured by the whole city by whom as is a aforesaid 〈…〉 〈…〉 Guelss and Ghebellines is spoken of though it would ask a long discourse to tel the original how it first grew yet somewhat I must needs say of it the faction first rose of a 〈…〉 between two Dutchman in Italie being naturall brothers though unnaturally falling out and either drawing parties it grew in the end to such a faâ—tion as neither Sylla and Marius or Caesar and Pompey in Rome nor ours of Lancaster and Yorke in England nor any other growne of religion or what cause soeuer besides hath bene more violent Essellino a notable tyrant whom one
Ariodant should in some danger go Or that he sought as all desirous are The counsels of his dearest friend to know Close out of sight by secret steps and ware Hard at his heeles his brother followd so Till he was nearer come by fiftie paces And there againe himselfe he newly places 49 But I that thought no ill securely came Vnto the open window as I said For once or twice before I did the same And had no hurt which made me lesse afraid I cannot boast except I boast of shame When in her robes I had my selfe araid Me thought before I was not much vnlike her But certaine now I seemed very like her 50 〈…〉 that stood so farre aloofe Was more deceiu'd by distance of the place Aâ—d strâ—ght beleeu'd against his owne behoofe Seeing her clothes that he had seene her face Now â—et those iudge that partly know by proofe The wofull plight of Ariodantes case When Poâ—â—nessâ— came by faithlesse frend In both their sights the ladder to ascend 51 I that his comming willingly did wait And he once come thought nothing went amisse Embrac'd him kindly at the first receit His lips his cheeks and all his face did kisse And he the more to colour his deceit Did vse me kinder then he had ere this This sight much care to Ariodante brought Thinking Geneura with the Duke was nought 52 The griefe and sorrow sinketh so profound Into his heart he straight resolues to die He puts the pummell of his sword on ground And meanes himselfe vpon the point to lie Which when Iurâ—anio saw and plainly found That all this while was closely standing by And Pâ—â—messos comming did discerne Though who it was he neuer yet could learne 53 He held his brother for the present time That else himselfe for griefe had surely slaine Who had he not stood night and come betime His words and speeches had bene all in vaine What shall quoth he a faithlesse womans crime Cause you to die or put your selfe to paine Nay let them go and curst be all their kind Ay borne like clouds with eu'ry blast of wind 54 You rather should some iust reuenge deuise As she deserues to bring her to confusion Sith we haue plainly seene with both our eyes Her filthy fact appeare without collusion Loue those that loue againe if you be wise For of my counsell this is the conclusion Put vp your sword against your selfe prepared And let her sinne be to the king declared 55 His brothers words in Ariodantes mind Seeme for the time to make some small impression But still the carelesse wound remaind behind Despare had of his heart the full possession And though he knew the thing he had assignd Contrary to Christend knights profession Yet here on earth he torment felt so sore In hell it selfe he thought there was no more 56 Anâ—'eeming now after a little pause Vnto his brothers counsell to consent He froâ— the court next day himselfe withdrawes And makes not one priuie to his intent His brother and the Duke both knew the cause But neither knew the place whereto he went Diuers thereof most diuersly did iudge Some by good will perswaded some by grudge 57 Seu'n dayes entire about for him they sought Seu'n dayes entire no newes of him was found The eight a peasant to Geneura brought These newes that in the sea he saw him drownd Not that the waters were with tempest wrought Nor that his ship was stricken on the ground How then Forsooth quoth he and therewith wept Downe from a rocke into the sea he lept 58 And further he vnto Geneura told How he met Ariodant vpon the way Who made him go with him for to behold The wofull act that he would do that day And charged him the matter to vnfold And to his Princes daughter thus to say Had he bene blind he had full happie beene His death should shew that he too much had seene 59 There stands a rocke against the Irish I le From thence into the sea himselfe he cast I stood and looked after him a while The height and steepnesse made me sore agast I thence haue traueld hither many a mile To shew you plainly how the matter past When as the clowne this tale had told and verifide Geneuras heart was not a little terrifide 60 O Lord what wofull words by her were spoken Laid all alone vpon her restlesse bed Oft did she strike her guiltlesse brest in token Of that great griefe that inwardly was bred Her golden tresses all were rent and broken Recounting still those wofull words he sed How that the cause his cruell death was such Was onely this that he had seene too much 61 The rumor of his death spred farre and neare And how for sorrow he himselfe had killed The King was sad the court of heauy cheare By Lords and Ladies many teares were spilled His brother most as louing him most deare Had so his mind with sorrow ouerfilled That he was scantly able to refraine With his owne hands himselfe for to haue slaine 62 And oftentimes repeating in his thought The filthy fact he saw the other night Which as you heard the Duke and I had wrought I little looking it would come to light And that the same his brothers death had brought On faire Geneura he doth wreake his spight Not caring so did wrath him ouerwhelme To leese the kings good will and all his realmâ— 63 The king and nobles sitting in the hall Right pensiue all for Ariodants destruction Lurcanio vndertakes before them all To giue them perfect notice and instruction Who was the cause of Ariodantes fall And hauing made some little introduction He said it was vnchast Geneuras crime That made him kill himselfe before his time 64 What should I seeke to hide his good intent His loue was such as greater none could be He hop'd to haue your highnesse free assent When you his value and his worth should see But while a plaine and honest way he went Behold he saw another climbe the tree And in the midst of all his hope and sute Another tooke the pleasure and the frute 65 He further said not that he had surmised But that his eyes had seene Geneura stand And at a window as they had deuised Let downe a ladder to her louers hand But in such sort he had himselfe disguised That who it was he could not vnderstand And for due proofe of this his accusation He bids the combat straight by proclamation 66 How sore the king was grieu'd to heare these newes I leaue it as a thing not hard to guesse Lurcanio plaine his daughter doth accuse Of whom the King did looke for nothing lesse And this the more his feare and care renewes That on this point the lawes are so expresse Except by combat it be prou'd a lie Needs must Geneura be condemnd to die 67 How hard the Scottish law is in this case I do not doubt but you haue
face He prayes of all good fellowship to shoe Or where she is or whither she did goe 5 When light apporcht and day began to breake By day he seekes her in the host of Turkes His passions strong do make his reason weake Yeeld to the fit that in his fancie workes Some helpe it was he could their language speake By which the safer he among them lurkes His words his weeds so like to theirs were seene As though that bred in Tripoly he had beene 6 But when he saw his staying was for nought At three dayes end away from thence he flang He left no towne of France and Spaine vnsought Ne yet this paine could ought asswage that pang Him Autumne first this wandring humor brought When frutes do fade his fruitlesse loue first sprang And lasted still his force and rage renuing Both all the spring and summer next ensuing 7 Now hauing traueld as his custome was From realme to realme he came vpon a day Where as the riuer cleare sometime as glasse That twixt the Britans and the Normans lay Was growne so high as now he could not passe The snow and raine had borne so great a sway By force wherof the bridge was ouerthrwowne The passage stopt the foords were ouerflowne 8 And looking round about the shore at large Deuising how to passe to th' other side He saw a little way from thence a barge That seemed toward him the course to guide Of which a certaine damsell had the charge To whom with voice aloud Orlando cride Intreating her because his hast was great Within the barge him to affoord a seat 9 The maid affirm'd no price the barge could hire And to command it he had no commission But promist she would grant him his desire Vpon a certaine cou'nant and condition Which was to vndertake by sword and fire For to destroy an Ile without remission A cruell I le Ebuda cald by name The wickedst place where euer creature came 10 For know quoth she beyond the Irish land There lies among the rest this gracelesse I le That yearely sends of wicked wights a band To rob to spoile to fraud and to beguile All women kinde that happen in their hand They giue for food vnto a monster vile A monster vile that vseth euerie day To haue a maid or woman for his pray 11 Of merchants and of pyrates that do come They get them store and of the fairest most Now guesse by one a day how great a somme Of women kinde within this I le are lost If then of loue you euer tasted cromme Make one within the king of Irelands host That make them readie shortly to proceed To take a faire reuenge of this foule deed 12 No sooner had Orlando heard her out But vowd to be as forward as the first To ioyne himselfe with that same worthie rout And now for loue doth euer cast the worst Within himselfe begins to cast this doubt Least that this wicked monster and accurst Had got his Ladie for a daintie bit Because he heard no newes of her aâ— yet 13 And this conceit his minde so much possest And in his heart made such a deepe impression For both in nature he did still detest All such as vnto others do oppression And much he fear'd his loue among the rest Might fall into the monsters vile possession That straight he shipt and by their due account Within three dayes he past saint Michels mount 14 But hauing passed now the milke white sand Of which the Ile of Albion takes his name The wind that in the South before did stand With â—o great furie to the Northwest came In vaine it was against the same to stand And therefore to retire it was no shame Backe in one night the tempest draue them more Then they had sayl'd three dayes and nights before 15 For when they saw it was no boote to striue Against the furie of so fearce a winde They went euen as the weather did them driue Vntill the streame of Antwerpe they did finde Where they to land with safetie did arriue There loe an aged man with yeares halfe blinde Who deemd Orlando of that crew the chiefe To this effect vtterd to him his griefe 16 How that a certaine dame of noble blood Of vertue verie great of beautie rare Of sober cheare and of behauiour good Though now opprest with miserie and care Requested him except his hast withstood That she to him a matter might declare In which to aske his wise aduice she ment To which Orlando quickly did consent 17 The Ladies pallace stood within the land To which the Earle conducted was with speed Where at the entrie did the Ladie stand In mourning shew and sorrowfull in deed Who brought Orlando sadly by the hand Into a chamber hang'd with mournfull weed First him by her to sit she doth beseech And then in ruefull sort she vs'd this speech 18 First worthy knight I would you vnderstood I was the Earle of Hollands daughter deare Who was to me so tender and so good That though my brothers both were him as neare Yet my desire in nothing he withstood Nor spake the word that I was loth to heare Thus whiles in state most stedie I did stand A certaine Duke arriued in this land 19 The Duke of Zeland and his arrant was To Bisky there against the Moores to fight His age and beautie that did others passe Moou'd me that had not tafted loues delight Nor arm'd against his darts with steele or brasse To yeeld my selfe his prisner without fight Beleeuing then as still I do and shall That he to me doth carrie loue not small 20 For while the windes contrarie here him stay Though naught for his yet exc'lent for my drift What time me seem'd each weeke was but a day The pleasant houres did slide away so swift We kept our selues togither day by day Till at the last we made vs so good shift That er we parted we had so procured Each was to other man and wise assured 21 Byreno was from hence but newly gone So is my deare beloued husbands name But that a great Ambassador anon Directly â—om the king of Friseland came To treat a certaine marriage vpon With other of that nation of good fame That to my Sire from Holland did repaire That I might marrie with his sonne and haire 22 But I in whom faith tooke so deepe a roote I could not change my new made choise and tho I would to striue with loue it was no boote That wounded me so lately with his bow To stop the motions newly set on foote Before they might to farther matter grow I would not go I flatly told my father That I to die a thousand deaths had rather 23 My louing sire that chiefest care did take That all he did might me his daughter please Agreeing to my will and for my sake My griefe so new conceiued to appease Straightway the motion of this marriage brake
Which did so sore the Friseland king displease He made sharpe warres on Holland in short space By force whereof he ruind all my race 24 For first he is of limbes and bodie strong To meete his enemies in open field And then so politike in doing wrong He makes their force vnto his fraud to yeeld He hath his other weapons strange among A weapon strange before this seene but seeld A trunke of iron hollow made within And there he puts powder and pellet in 25 All closed saue a little hole behind Whereat no sooner taken is the flame The bullet flies with such a furious wind As though from clouds a bolt of thunder came And whatsoeuer in the way it find It burnes it breakes it teares and spoiles the same No doubt some fiend of hell or diuellish wight Deuised it to do mankind a spite 26 And thus with this deuice and many other In open field our battels twise he brake And first in fight he slue mine elder brother The bulâ—et through his curat way did make And next in flight he tooke and kild the tother Which causd my fathers aged heart to quake Who notwithstanding stoutly did intend His honor and my safetie to defend 27 But in a hold that onely now was left him They him besieg'd that all the rest had wonne And by sharpe battell all the rest had rest him Where to a loup one leueld so a gunne The blow thereof of life and sense bereft him So swift it came as none the same may shun A weapon vile wherewith a foolish boy May worthy captaines mischiefe and annoy 28 Thus was my father and my brothers slaine Before this furious king his warre would cease And I sole heire of Holland did remaine Which made his former fancie more increase He thinks by match with me my land to gaine And offerd to my people rest and peace If I Arbante marry would his sonne Which I before refused to haue done 29 And I as well for hatred I did beare Most iust to him and all his generation By whom my fire and brothers killed were By whom was spoild and robbed all our nation As that to breake my promise I did feare Which I Byreno made with protestation That howsoeuer fortunes wheele should turne Yet none should marry me till his returne 30 Made answer this that if for euery ill I now abide I should haue thousands more Though they my corpes with cruell torments kill I would not breake my promise giuen before My countrimen perswade me change this will First praying me then threatning me full sore Except I do to yeeld me and my land Desired prey into mine enemies hand 31 But finding still their threats and prayers vaine And still that in my former mind I staid Me and my country by a priuie traine Vnto the king of Friseland they betraid Who thinking now with flatâ—â—ie me to gaine First bid me not to feare or be dismaid 〈◊〉 â—red free to giue me lands and life 〈◊〉 would be his sonne Arbantes wife 32 Then I that see my selfe inforced so Although I meant that death should set me free Yet loth as vnreuenged hence to go On those that had so greatly iniur'd me Did muse on many meanes to helpe my wo At last I thought dissembling best to be Wherefore I fained that I was relented And that to haue his sonne I was contented 33 Among some seruants that my father had Two brethren strong and hardy I did chuse Most apt to do what euer I them bad And for my sake no danger to refuse For each of them was brought vp of a lad Within our house I did their seruice vse In warre and peace and found their faiths as great As were their hearts to any hardy feat 34 To these two men I open made my mind They promist me their seruice and their aid One into Flanders went a barke to find The tother with my selfe in Holland staid Now was our day for marriage assingd When flying newes the strangers made afraid With many sailes Byreno was reported Into these parts newly to haue resorted 35 For when the first conflict and broile was fought Wherein my brother cruelly was slaine I straight by letters with Byreno wrought To make all speed to succor vs from Spaine But while prouision for each thing was sought The Friseland king gat all that did remaine Byreno hearing not what late was past Conducts his nauie hither in great hast 36 The Frisâ—land king that heard of his repaire Dâ—th leaue the marriage for his eldest sonne And to the sea he goes with nauie faire They meet they fight the king of Friseland wonne And to expell all comfort with despaire 〈◊〉 prisner tane I quite vndone Abrode Byreno captiue like was carried At home vnto his en'my I was married 37 But when he thought in armes me to embrace And haue that due that wiues their husbands ow My seruant standing in a secret place Which I to him did for this purpose show Affoords him to his sport but little space And with a Pâ—llax strake him such a blow That staggring straight and making little strife He left his loue his liuing and his life 38 And thus this youth borne in vnhappie houre Came to his death as he deserued well In spite of all his sire Cymâ—seas powre Whose tyranme all others did excell Whose sword my sire and brothers did deuoure And from my natiue soile did me expell And meant to enter vpon all my lands While I by marridge should be in their hands 39 But when we once performed had this deed And taken things of greatest price away Before that any noise or tumult breed Out of the window we deni'd a way And packing thence with all expedient speed We came to sea before the breake of day Where as my seruant waited with a barge As he before receiu'd of me in charge 40 I know not if 〈◊〉 tooke more griefe Or wrath or 〈◊〉 kindled in his mind To 〈◊〉 his torne that lay past all reliefe To find aâ— thing of value left behind Then when his pride and glory should be chiefe Then when to make a triumph he assignd And hoping all were at a wedding glad He finds them all as at a buriall sad 41 His hate of me and pittie of his sonne Torment him night and day with endlesse greefe But sith by teares no good the dead is done And sharpe reuenge asâ—wageth malice cheese From dolefull teares to rage he straight doth runne And seeks of all his sorrow this releefe To get me in his hands with subtile traines Then me to kill with torments and with paines 42 Those of my friends or seruants he could find Or that to me did any way retaine He all destroyd and left not one behind Some hang'd some burn'd and some with torment slaine To kill 〈◊〉 once he had assignd O purpose onely to procure my paine But that he thought his life would be a net The sooner
him much repent it But yet much more her vertue that had sent it 14 And in this rage he puts his armor on And on his shoulder carieth his shield Pursuing that first path he lights vpon He found it brought him to a goodly field On side whereof when he a while had gone It seemd the wood adioynd some sound did yeeld And still the neare and nearer that he goes The plainer sound he heard of sturdy bloes 15 A combat twixt a Giant and a Knight He sees hard by most furiously begunne The Giant with a club doth think by might The battell of the tother to haue wonne The tother with his sword and nimble fight His furious blowes with watchfull eye doth shunne Rogero seeing this great inequalitie Yet standeth still and shewes no partialitie 16 But in his mind he wisht the Knight to win When lo the Giant with new fury fed To lay on lode with both hands doth begin And with one blow he layes him downe for dead And straight in cruell sort he steppeth in For to disarme him and cut off his head But when the Giant had the face disarmed Rogero knew the partie he had harmed 17 He saw it was his Bradamant most deare Whom this same Giant would haue made to die Wherefore with courage stout he steppeth neare The Giant to new combat to defie Who either heares him not or would not heare Or meaneth not a conflict new to trie But tooke her vp and on his shoulders layd her And so in hast away from thence conuayd her 18 So haue I seene a wolfe to beare away A lambe from shepheards fold so haue I seene An Eagle on a silly Doue to pray And soare aloft the skie and earth betweene Rogero hies him after as he may Vntill he came vnto a goodly greene But th' other eu'ry step so much out stept him That in his view Rogero scantly kept him 19 But now a while of him I speake no more And to Orlando I returne againe Who hauing lost the sight of Holland shore Did hasten to Ebuda with much paine I did declare not many books before How he Cymoscos engin strange did gaine And to the bottome of the sea did throw it That none might find it out againe or know it 20 And though his meaning and intent was so Yet vaine it was as after was perceiued For why that serpent vile our auncient so That Eua first in Paradise deceiued Not much aboue two hundred yeares ago As we from our forefathers haue receiued From out the sea by necromancie brought it And then in Almanie afresh they wrought it 21 They wrought it both in iron and in brasse The cunning and the art increasing still As oft by proofe we find it comes to passe The worse the worke the greater growes the skill And to each kind a name assignd there was According to the first inuenters will To tell the names of all were but a trouble Some demicanons some are called double 22 The Culâ—erings to shoot a bullet farre The Falcon â—aker â—iniâ—n and the Sling Not armed men but walled townes to marre Such 〈◊〉 force is in this hellish thing Ye souldiers braue and valiant men of warre Now cease to field your manly darts to bring And get a hargubush vpon your shoulder Or elâ—e in vaine you sue to be a souldier 23 How didst thou find oh filthy foule inuention A harbor â—afe in any humane hart Thou mak'st a coward get the souldiers pension And souldiers braue thou robst of due desart Whole millions haue bin slaine as stories mention Since first 〈◊〉 was this wicked art France Italy and England chiefe may rew it Since first they vsd this art and first they knew it 24 The English bowmen may go burne their boes And breake their 〈◊〉 and cut in two the string That weapon now may keepe the corne from croes That did the French at Agincourt so sting But to that wight I wish a world of woes That did to light deuice so diu'llish bring Let him be giu'n into the hands of Sathan To be tormented ay with Câ—re and Dathan 25 Now good 〈◊〉 though he greatly striued With speed to get him to the I le of wo Yet first the Irish King was there arriued By chance or else that God would haue it so Because it might the better be contriued On wrongfull wights his iudgements iust to show But when â— bâ—â—â— once in sight appeared Orlando all the companie straight cheared 26 And putting off his armes of colour sable He bids the master out to launch his boate And in the same anker strong and cable With which he meanâ—s vnto this I le to floate Not doubting if lucke serue he will be able To put the anker in the monsters throate And thus alone the noble Knight doth venter Into the Iâ—e â— buda then to enter 27 Now was the time when as Aurora faire Began to shew the world her golden head And looke abroade to take the coole fresh aire 〈◊〉 lying still in iealous bed When as Orlando hither did repaire By two blind guides Cupid and Fortune led When lo vnto the shore his shipboate turning He seemd to heare a noise as one were mourning 28 At which strange sound casting his eye aside He might discerne a goodly damsell naked With armes abrode vnto the rocke fast tide That what with cold and what with terror shaked Eftsoones the hideous monster he espide Whose light might well haue made stout harts haue quaked Orlandâ—â—â—nd â—â—nd therewith is not 〈◊〉 Nor his high courage any wâ—â—â— abated 29 He gets betweene the monster and his pray That pray that he so hotly doth pursue And for before he was resolu'd what way He would attempt the monster to subdue Vpon his shoulder doth the anker lay And when he came within his vgly vew Euen mauger all his malice might and rancor Into his open iawes he beares the ancor 30 As they that dig in mine of cole or stone The same in sundry places vnderprop Lest it should fall when least they thinke thereon And so their breath or else their passage stop So is this anker fastend in the bone Both in the bottome of his mouth and top That though he would againe he could not close it Nor wider open it for to vnlose it 31 Now hauing gagd his hideous chaps so sure That out and in he can with safetie go He enters with his sword the place obscure And there bestoweth many a thrust and blow And as that citie cannot be secure That hath within her wals receiu'd her fo No safer could this Orke be now from danger That in his entrals hath receiu'd a stranger 32 But griped now with pangs of inward paine Sometime he plungeth vp vnto the skie Sometime he diueth to the deepe againe And makes the troubled sands to mount on hie Orlando feels the sea come in amaine That forced him at last his swimming trie He swims to shore with body
34 This speech by him pronounc'd with so good spright With voice so audible with comely grace Incensed them with such desire to fight That tedious seemd to them each little space And as we see in riding men delight To spurre a horse although he runne apace So stird Renaldo with this exhortation Those of the English and the Scottish nation 35 And hauing thus confirmd their forward hearts And promist largely in his masters name Great recompence to eu'ry mans desarts Vnto the riuer walls he closely came His armie he deuides in sundry parts Least breach of order bring them out of frame And with the Irish band he first indents To spoile their lodgings and to rob their tents 36 The rest he thus in prudent sort deuides The â—award 〈◊〉 hath in gouerment The Duke of Lancaster the battell guides The Duke of Clarence with the rereward went 〈◊〉 with some chosen men besides 〈◊〉 first the charge by generall consent This on a sodaine they do raise a shout And fild our side with courage theirs with doubt 37 〈◊〉 riding out afore the rest With â—â—rd to do as much as he had said Puts spurs to horse and sets his speare in rest His onely sight the Pagans greatly fraid With fainting hearts pale lookes and panting brest They shew most certaine signes of minds dismaid Yet stout king Pulians shewes no token Of heart astonished or courage broken 38 But trusting to his strength and void of foare And ranging out in sight of all his band He met him man to man and speare to speare He met him horse to horse and hand to hand But straight it plainly was discerned theare Sleight without force in little steed doth stand This kind of fight was of a rougher sort Then running of a course at tilâ— in sport 39 Thus was king Pulian ouerthrowne and tane Toâ—â—â— small tenor of the Pagan host Next came the king that giant of Oran That of his goodly stature much doth best But soone Renaldo brought him to his bane His horse his weapon and his life he lost The horse was glad to find himselfe enlarged And of his heauy burden to discharged 40 Not was Renaldo of his sword more spare Then 〈…〉 before himselfe he shewd His blade 〈◊〉 purced to the bare When he his thrusts or deadly blowes bestowd No shields no coates of so good temper are Nor cloth in hundred 〈◊〉 together sowd That this same fatall blade of his withstood But that at cu'ry blow it fetcht the blood 41 Nor did â—erbino merit common praise That of his value shewd that day good proofe He met the stoutest Turkes at all assayes On horse on foote at hand and farre aloofe Attempting and performing sundry waves That might be for their harme and his behoofe And all his band in fight was fierce and hot As is the nature of the valiant Scot. 42 And thus their firy heate and courage bold Well shewd by blowes they to the Pagans gaue Did make their stomacks faint their courage cold And glad in th' end by flight themselues to saue For Sâ—brin one in yeares and iudgement old Though no lesse stout the these lesse age that haue Doth now a little with his band retire To shun the fury of the Scottish fire 43 The worthy Dukes of Albanie and Mar Ensude in valiant sort the good successe And with the same preuailed had so far As they had brought the Turkes to great distresse Till Isolir the new king of Nauar Came with his band their fury to represse And on that side the battell did restore Almost now lost at least declind before 44 Then grew the fight on both sides firme and stable Both sides defend both sides alike inuade They cast on both sides darts innumerable And make there with a darke vnpleasing shade An endlesse worke it were to write the table The Christens kild with bow with bill with blade Sometime the sway goeth hither sometime thether Like waters driu'n with doubtfull tides and wether 45 When one is slaine his roome another fils When one is hurt another takes his place And he that now another smites and kils * Fals dead himselfe within a little space Great heapes of bodies dead make little hils The earth it selfe doth looke with bloudy face The greene wherewith it erst was ouerspred Did â—urne to sanguin and vermilion red 46 My pen would faile and skill would be too scant To tell the famous acts that Zerbin wrought How his new brother noble Ariodant A fresh supply against the Pagans brought And how still one supplying tothers want Against the Turks with mutuall forces fought Then namely when the Prince was almost slaine By bastards two of Aragon in Spaine 47 Chelindo one the other Mosco hight These two at once on Zerbin bent their force In hope that if their hands could hit aright To wound him sore or at the least vnhorse They wound him not yet forst him to alight For vnder him so sore they hurt his horse To serue his Lord he was no longer able But made the field his euerlasting stable 48 This foile and fall his courage more do whet To lose the seruice of his trustie steed But from the saddle quickly he doth get His losse his wrath his wrath reuenge doth breed He meanes not long to tarry in their debt That to his horse did this vnworthy deed And first he gaue to Mosco such a thrust As made him tumble senslesse in the dust 49 But when Chelindo saw his brother ded Reuenge and feare in him together straue His inward feare prouokt him to haue fled Himselfe from danger imminent to saue But straight reuenge another humor bred Expelling feare and makes him bold and braue He spurs his horse in hope to ouertunne him But Zerbin slightly steps aside to shunne him 50 And such a blow he lent him as he past Vpon his shoulders from the reredemaine That horse and man vnto the ground were cast Whence neither of them rose aliue againe And now the Spanish band came in so fast As noble Zerbin had almost bin slaine But Ariodante then himselfe besturd And makes an open lane by dint of sword 51 The while the Duke of Clarence doth assaile Their rere that was by Baricondo led The English archers shoot as thick as haile Which to their horsemen great annoyance bred On eu'ry side the Christens do preuaile On eu'ry side the fearfull Pagans fled Great store were slaine and many prisners taken Their battell now declined sore and shaken 52 And had bin lost had not Ferraw by chance Come to their aid as yong Olimpio fell Slaine by a knight of Scotland or of France A cruell knight whose name I cannot tell Ferraw was sore aggriue'd at this mischance He knew this youth and lou'd him passing well Because his skill in musick was so choice Both for sweet stroke and for his pleasing voice 53 Had not the humor of ambition vaine With crotchets new his foolish fancie
time great lords and knights repaired thither Allured by the same of such a feast I told you from the holy citie hither Was fiue or sixe dayes iourney at the least But all the townes about both small and great Are not like this for state and fruitfull seat 13 For first beside the cleare and temprat aire Not noid with sommers heat nor winters cold There are great store of buildings large and faire Of carued stone most stately to behold The streetes all pau'd where is their most repaire And all the ground is of so fruitfull mold That all the yeare their spring doth seeme to last And brings them store of fruites of daintie tast 14 Aboue the Citie lies a little hill That shades the morning sunne in erly houres Of waters sweet which here we vse to still They make such store with spice and iuyce of flowrs As for the quantitie might driue a mill Their gardens haue faire walkes and shady bowrs But that which chiefe maintaineth all the sweets Two christall streames do runne a mid the streets 15 Such was the natiue beautie of the towne But now because they looke for great resort Of Princes and of Lords of great renowne They decke their citie in another sort Each Ladie putteth on her richest gowne Each house with Arras hang'd in stately port The noble youths do stand vpon comparison Whose horse doth best who weares the best caparisâ— 16 Thus Griffin and his mates come to this place And first they view these shows with great delight And after they had rode a little space A curteous squire perswades them to alight And praieth them to do his house that grace To eate and take their lodgings there that night They thanke him for his kind an friendly offer And straight accept the courtsie he doth profer 17 They had set downe before them costly meat Of sundrie wines there was no little store Of precious fruits the plentie was so great As they had seldome seene the like before The while their host doth vnto them repeat The cause of all this feasting and wherefore The king appointed all these solemne sports To draw togither knights of sundrie sorts 18 But Griffin though he came not for this end For praise and brauerie at tilt to runne But came to find his fleeting female frend Yet was his courage such he would not shunne In these braue sports some little time to spend Where of well doing honor might be wonne He promist straight though little were his leasure Before he go to see and shew some pleasure 19 And first he asketh farther of the feast If it were new ordaind or else of old His host replieth thus my worthie guest I shall in briefe to you this thing vnfold Our Prince the greatest Prince in all the East Hath newly pointed this great feast to hold This is the first but all of his retinew Mind ech fourth month this custome to continew 20 In token of great gladnes and great ioy By all the citie is the feast begunne In token of the danger and annoy That Norandin our king did lately shunne Lockt vp foure months where he could not enioy The vse of earth of water aire nor sunne Yet at the four months end by hap he scaped The death with yawning mouth on him that gaped 21 But plaine to shew you whence did come the seed Of which this danger seemed first to grow Loue did to Norandin this danger breed The king of Cypres daughter pleasd him so Because her beautie did the rest exceed To see her needs in person he would go He saw he likt he woode he wun he marrid her And homward then by ship he would haue carid her 22 But lo a wind and tempest rose so sore As three dayes space they looked to be drownd And made them land vpon an vnknowne shore Where straight we pitcht our tents vpon the ground And for of trees and grasse there was good store The King in hope some venson to haue found Into the next adioyning wood doth goe Two pages beare his quiuer and his boe 23 His meaning was some stag or buck to kill We wait his comming in the tent at ease When suddenly such noise our eares doth fill As winds in woods and waues do make in seas And ay more nie vs it approched till We plaine might see vnto our sore disease A monster huge that ran along the sand Destroying all that in the way did stand 24 This Orke for so men do the monster call Directed straight his course vpon our tent His eyes were out how ere it did befall But yet he was so quicke and sharpe of sent As all his blindnesse holpe not vs at all He hunteth like a spaniell by the vent His sent is such as none can hope to shunne him His pace is such as no man can outrunne him 25 Thus whether they prepar'd to fight or fly Or whether feare both sight and flight did let He takes them as his prisners by and by Of fortie ten scarce to the ship could get Among the other prisners tane was I Whilst I our Queene in safetie would haue set But all in vaine to flie it did not boote He was so quicke of sent aud swift of foote 26 As shepheards hang a wallet at their wast So at his gudle hangs a mightie sacke In which the better sort of vs he plast The rest he bound together in a packe And to his caue that was most huge and vast He beares vs hopelesse euer to come backe A comely matron in this den he had Maids faire and foule some poore some richly clad 27 Beside this female family of his He hath a caue wherein he keepes his flocke That caue in length and largenesse passeth this Made all by hand out of the stonie rocke And for mans flesh his chiefest daintie is Into the caue he safely doth vs locke The while he leades abroade his goates and sheepe Which in the fields adioyning he doth keepe 28 The King not knowing this returned backe The silence that he found some feare did breed But when he found his wife and men were lacke He then to sea did hast him with great speed He sees plaine signes of hast of spoyle of wracke Yet knowes he not the author of this deed Vntill he had his ship by hap recouered Then by his men the fact was plaine discouered 29 When he had heard at last the wofull newes How greatly was his heart surprysd with griefe What gods what fortune did he not accuse For all his losses but Lucyna chiefe But dangers all and death he first will chuse Ere he then leaue his loue without reliefe He either will her libertie procure Or else he will like chance with her endure 30 He leaues his ship and goes by land apace There where the monster had his loue conuaid And often wailes her hard and wofull case Desiring and despairing of her aid Now came he in the kenning of
band That oft in Christen blood their hands imbrewd And none almost but they did now withstand But destinie can neuer be eschewd As may by their successe be rightly scand Behold Renaldo comes and as he came It seem'd he carrid lightning fierce or flame 21 Nor long before Almontes valiant sonne Hight Dardanell had slaine a Christian knight And proud of that his glorie lately wonne And of this good successe he had in fight About the field he carelessely did runne Vntill he hapt to see a wofull sight He saw Alfeo yeelding vp the ghost A youth whom he esteem'd and loued most 22 Lurcanio was the man that did the deed And Dardanell to venge it doth intend Lurcanio followd on and tooke no heed The other all on him his force doth bend And with a waightie speare him and his steed Vnto the earth together he doth send And pierst his thigh and put him in such paine As scant he able was to rise againe 23 But Ariodant that deare his brother loued And sees him in such paine and danger lie Was there with all in wrath so greatly moued He meaneth to auenge his hurt or die But though that he attempted oft and proued Yet could he not to Dardanell come nie For still of other men the throng and number Did him in this attempt molest and cumber 24 No doubt the heau'ns had Dardanell ordained To perish by a more victorious hand Renaldos blade must with his blood be stained And was as after you shall vnderstand By him this praise and glorie must be gained The fame whereof must fill both sea and land But let these westerne warres a while remaine And of Griffino talke we now againe 25 Who taught those of Damasco to their harmes What wrong they did to cart him in such sort They fill the towne with vprores and alarmes Mens mouthes and eares were full of this report The King brings forth fiue hundred men in armes And sends fiue more to fortisie the fort For why this tumult brought him in perswasion That sure some host of men did make inuasion 26 But when he saw no men no host no band No troupes of horse the citie to inuade Onely one man well knowne that there did stand And of his people such a slaughter made Mou'd with remorce he stretcheth out his hand Naked in shew of peace as is the trade And openly his rashnesse he lamented That such a knight to harme he had consented 27 And Griffin when to find he now begunne The King was of so good an inclination And that the wrong to him before was done Not of his owne but others instigation To make a friendly concord doth not shunne Because hereby he lost no reputation And there he tarid at the kings request To cure his wounds and take a little rest 28 This while his brother Aquilant the blacke That with Astolfo still in Iewrie staid And sees his brother now so long did lacke Was in his mind all sad and ill apaid They heard no newes of him they found no tracke Though wait about in eu'ry place was laid Vntill the Greekish pilgrim they had met By whom of him some inkling they did get 29 He told them how a certaine wanton dame Hight Origilla with a ruffian knaue That kept her openly without all shame Yet going in apparell fine and braue These two the pilgrim said together came From Antioch as forth in speech they gaue And to Damasco then they meant to go But what became of them he did not know 30 And further vnto Aquilant he told How he Griffino met this other day And did to him the matter all vnfold And how forthwith Griffino went his way With chase enough and swearing that he would Kill this same vile adultrer if he may No sooner had his speech the pilgrim ended In post to follow Aquilant intended 31 In post he followd to Damasco ward And when he traueld had a day or twaine Behold that God that euer doth reward The good with blessings and the bad with paine That gracelesse couple that before you heard Betraid Griffino with that diuellish traine Into the hands of Aquilant did giue While they in pleasure most securely liue 32 I say that Aquilant by Gods permission Doth meet the vile Martano on the way His horse his coate and outward apparition So like vnto Griffino eu'ry way That Aquilant at first without suspition Went to embrace him and began to say Brother well met I ioy of your welfare Your absence bred in me much feare and care 33 But when he saw the tother not replide But shrunke away like one that were afraid Ah traitor villain yeeld thy selfe he cride Thou hast my brother spoiled and betraid Tell me thou wretch doth he in life abide To whom in humble sort Martano said With fainting hart with quaking voice trembling Yet in the midst of all his feare dissembling 34 Oh pardon sir your brother is aliue And like to liue and hath no hurt nor shall The truth is this I being loth to striue With him because I found him stout and tall Did with no ill intent this drift contriue To saue my selfe and do him hurt but small For this same womans sake that is my sister With open force not daring to assist her 35 It grieued me to see how he by lust Did her abuse whom nature made me loue And for I thought it was both meet and iust Her from this wicked custome to remoue And sith I did his valew great mistrust I thought it best by pollicie to proue I stale his horse and coate while he was sleeping And so conuaid her quite out of his keeping 36 Well might Martano beare away the bell Or else a whetstone challenge for his dew That on the sodaine such a tale could tell And not a word of all his tale was trew Put yet in shew it all agreed well Saue one which Aquilant most certaine knew Was false and he in vaine did seeke to smother He was her bedfellow and not her brother 37 With hand and tongue at once he doth replie And in one instant he both strake and spake I know quoth he vile villaine thou dost lie And on the face so fiercely him he strake He makes two teeth into his throate to flie Then with great violence he doth him take And him and her he binds in bitter bands Like captiues carrid into forren lands 38 And thus in hast vnto Damaseo riding He swears that he these bands would not vnbind Till of his brother he do heare some tiding Whom in Damasco after he did find Who now with cunning Phisicke and good guiding Was almost heald in body and in mind And when he saw his vnexpected brother They both saluted and embrac'd each other 39 And after they had made in speech some sport About full many a foolish accident For Aquilant had heard a large report Of Griffins carting and his punishment At last he asketh
and lou'ly eyes This mayd with secrets all shee trusted best On this mayds secrecie she much relyes Hyppalea named was this trustie mayd Her then she cald and thus to her she said 20 Hyppalea mine you know of all my crew Of women seruants I esteeme you most As one that hath bene secret wise and trew A praise of which we women seld can bost My meaning is to make a choise of you To haue you to Rogero ride in post And vnto him mine absence to excuse And shew that I could neither will nor chus◠21 Your selfe quouth she may ride a little nagge And in your hand lead by Frontino spare And if perhap some foole wil be so bragge As that to take the horse from you he dare To make him that he shall no farther wagge But tell who owes the horse and do not care She thought Rogero was of so great fame That eu'rie one would quake to heare his name 22 Thus when Hypalca was instructed well Of all that to her arrant did belong And that no more remaind behind to tell She tooke her horse and there she stayd not long In ten miles space so luckie it befell None offer made to do her any wrong No traueller no knight nor peasant staid her Nor once with word or deed so much as frayd her 23 About the time the Sunne to South did mount She met poore soule a knight vnto her cost That Turke most terrible cald Rodomount That followd armd on foote a page in post Who when he saw a horse of such account He God blasphemd and all the heau'nly host That such a gallant seruiceable beast In some mans hand he had not found at least 24 He had before profest by solemne vow When wanting horse he traueld on his feet That were 't frō knight or knaue that driues a plow To take perforce the next horse he should meet Yet though he likt the horse to take this now And rob a mayb thereof he thought vnmeet He sees her leade a horse and he doth lacke And oft he wisht his master on his backe 25 I would he were quoth she he soone would make You change your mind and glad to get you hence And you should find how much you do mistake Your strength and force to offer him offence And who quoth he is this of whom you 〈◊〉 Rogero she replies forsooth and sence So great a champion is the horses owne I may said he then take him with 〈◊〉 honor 26 To take his horse quoth he I now intend For of a horse you see I stand in need And if I find it true as you pretend That he so stout a champion is in deed I Rodomont this action will defend Now on my present iourney I proceed And where I go my vertues shine so bright He soone may find me if he list to fight 27 This said with cruell threats and part with force He gat his will full sore against her will And straight he mounteth vp vpon that horse She cursing followd him and banning still But of those curses he doth little force Then winners bost when leesers speake their fill Best pleasd was he when as she wisht him worst As still the foxe fares best when he is curst 28 But what she saith he little doth regard Suppose she curst or prayd or rayld or cride He seekes out Doralice and Mandricard And had the little dwarfe to be his guide No little hast he maketh thitherward But here a whilemine author steps aside And to that place of purpose makes digression Where Pinabell was shriu'n without confession 29 The noble Dame no sooner left the place Where late this caitiue by her hand was slaine But Zerbin there arriu'd in little space With old Gabrina who perceiuing plaine One murtherd straight he followed the trace Lest murther vnreuenged should remaine He minds if fortune be so much his furderer To be reuenged sharply on the murderer 30 Gabrina to the quarrie straight approcheth Looke all about searching the corse and prying As one that still on eu'rie gaine encrocheth To win both by the liuing and the dying In purses and in pokets all she pocheth Of him that murtherd on the ground was lying As hauing this conioynd to other euills In couetise to passe the verie deuills 31 She would haue had his cote and armor faine Saue that she knew not how them to haue hidden But from great part of that desired gaine By want of leysure she was then forbidden Howb'it she did conuay away his chaine And er Zerbino backe againe was ridden She put it safely where it was not seene Her vpper gowne and peticore betweene 32 And sore it grieued her to leaue the rest But now Zerbino was returned backe And for the time drew nigh of taking rest And night came now to spred his mantell blacke To seeke some lodging out they thought it best Of which in that wild countrie was great lacke They leaue the valley and they came that night Vnto a castell Altariua hight 33 They thither went and long they had not stayd But in came people with great exclamation With wofull news that many hearts dismayd And filld their mouths and eyes with lamentation How Pinabell was murdered and betrayd And lost his life wordly habitation And straight they brought the corse with light of torches And led the same through all the courts porches 34 Great were the plaints the sorow and the griefe By kindred made by tenants and his frends But by his father old Anselmus chiefe Who though reuenge be but a small amends And his sonnes life was now past all reliefe By search to find the murdrer he intends Zerbino hereof makes himselfe a stranger As well to shunne suspition as danger 35 Now when the funerals in stately sort Ordained were with pompe and superstition To which great store of people did resort And all that would had franke and free permission Straight with oyes a crier doth report Thereto assigned by that Earles commission That who so could the murderer bewray Should haue a thousand duckats for his pay 36 This newes from mouth to mouth from eare to eare As newes are wont to do did flie so fast That old Gabrina being present there Among the rest heard of it at the last Who either for the hatred she did beare To good Zerbino for some matters past Or else for gaine of that so great reward Straight to destroy Zerbino the prepard 37 And that she might more surely him entrap With th'Erle himselfe to speake she doth request And probably she tels how this mishap Was by Zerbino wrought his new come guest And straight she puld the chaine out of her lap Which sole might serue to verifie the rest That aged fire that all the tale beleeued Was sore inrag'd herewith not onely grieued 38 And lifting vp his handsvnto the skies With age now feeble feeble now with woe With fainting voice
the world so deemd it But yet himselfe of all men most esteemd it 5 He did not of his scepter take such pride Nor that degree that common men are vnder Nor wealth nor frends nor meaner kings beside That there about dwelt neare or far asunder But of his beautie which he would not hide At whole rare worth he thought the world did wonder This was his ioy and all that he intended To heare his comely face and shape commended 6 Among his courtiers one aboue the rest Fausto by name by birth a Romane knight Who hearing oft so praisd as they know best His face and hands and all that praise he might The king did bid him tell at his request Neare or far of if he had seene that wight That in all parts so perfectly was wrought But he was answerd as he little thought 7 My Liege quoth Fausto plainly to declare Both what my selfe doth see and others say But few with your rare beautie can compare And that same few were none were one away Iocundo hight a man of beautie rare And brother mine excepting whom I may Prefer your grace before all other creatures But he doth match or passe you for his features 8 The king to heare such tidings strange it thought As hauing still till that day kept the prise And with a deepe desire straight wayes he sought To know this man and see him with his eies In fine with Fausto so far forth he wrought To bring him to his court he must deuise Although quoth he to bring my brother to it I shall be sure of worke enough to do it 9 The cause is this my brother neuer went Foorth of the gates of Rome scant all his life And such small goods as Fortune hath him lent He hath enioyd in quiet free from strife Left by our sire and them he hath not spent Nor yet increast his gaines are not so rife And he will thinke it more to go to Pauy Then some would thinke to th' Indies in a Nauy 10 But I shall finde it hardest when I proue To draw him from his louing wife away To whom he is so linkt in chaines of loue That all is vaine if once his wife say nay But yet your grace is so far all aboue You shall command me certes all I may Thanks quoth the king and addeth such reward As might haue moued any to regard 11 Away he posts arriuing in few dayes At Rome and to his brothers house he went And with such earnest words his brother prayes That to returne with him he doth consent Also his sisters loue he so allayes That she doth hold her peace as halfe content Beside great thanks laying before her eyes Preferments large that hereof might arise 12 Iocundo now resolu'd to go his way Gets men and horse against he should depart Sets forth himselfe with new and rich aray As still we see nature adornd by art His wife at night in bed at boord by day With watrie eyes to shew a sorrie hart Complaines his absence will so sore her grieue Till his returne she doubts she shall not liue 13 Ay me the thought quoth she makes me so fraid That scant the breath abideth in my brest Peace my sweete loue and life Iocundo said And weepes as fast and comforts her his best So may good fortune ay my iourny aid As I returne in threescore dayes at least Nor will I change the day I set thee downe No though the king would grat me halfe his crowne 14 All this might not asswage this womans paine Two months were long yea to to long she cries Needs must I die before you come againe Nor how to keepe my lite can I deuise The dolefull dayes and nights I shall sustaine From meat my mouth from sleepe will keepe mine eyes Now was Iocundo readie to repent That to his brother he had giu'n consent 15 About her necke a iewell rich she ware A crosse all set with stone in gold well tride This relicke late a Boem Pilgrim bare And gaue her father other things beside Which costly things he kept with no small care Till comming from Ierusalem he dyde And her of all his goods his heire he makes This precious crosse to her goodman she takes 16 And prayes him for her sake to weare that token And thinke on her the man that was most kind Receiu'd it with more ioy then can be spoken Although he needed not be put in mind For why no time nor no state sound nor broken Nor absence long a meane should euer find To quayle his loue not only while his breath Maintains his life but neither after death 17 That verie night that went before the morrow That they had pointed surely to depart Iocundos wife was sicke and sounds for sorrow Amid his armes so heauie was her hart All night they wake and now they bid Godmorrow And giue their last farewell and so they part Iocundo on his way with all his traine His louing wife doth go to bed againe 18 Scant had Iocundo rode two mile forthright But that his crosse now came into his minde Which on his pillow he had laid last night And now for hast had left the same behinde He would deuise to scuse it if he might But no excuse sufficient could he finde But that his loue must needs be much suspected To finde the precious iewell so neglected 19 When no excuse within his minde could frame But that all seemed friuolous and vaine To send his man he counted it a shame To go himselfe it was but little paine He staid and when his brother did the same Ride soft quoth he till I returne againe For home againe I must there is no nay But I will ouertake you on the way 20 Th' affaire is such as none can do but I But doubt you not I will returne as fast Away he spurres as hard as he could hy Alone without or man or page for hast Now had the sunnes new rising cleard the sky With brightest beames ear he the streame had past He hies him home and findes his wife in bed Full sound asleepe such cares were in her hed 21 He draws the curtaine softly without sound And saw that he would little haue suspected His chast and faithfull yokefellow he found Yokt with a knaue all honestie neglected Th' Adulterer though sleeping verie sound Yet by his face was easily detected A beggers brat bred by him from his cradell And now was ryding on his masters sadell 22 Now if he stood amazd and discontent Beleeue it yee to trie that would be loth For he that tries it doubtlesse will repent As poore Iocundo did who was so wroth That out he drew his sword with iust intent For their vngratefull act to kill them both But lo the loue he bare her did withstand Against his heart to make him hold his hand 23 O ribald loue that such a staue couldst make Of one that now was
chance He first doth mind to end the cause in hand And rescue Paris and the king of France Wherefore he makes his men all quiet stand Till night what time himselfe will leade the dance And then betweene the fourth and second watch He meanes at once the matter to dispatch 44 He makes his men lie close for all that day By way of Ambuscado in a wood And ease themselues and horses all they may And take the sustenance of rest and food The place within three leagues of Paris lay And when the Sunne was set he thought it good What time the world doth vse his lesser lampe To Paris ward to moue his silent campe 45 And as he purposd he performd in deed For straight himselfe with that same gallant grew Set out by night as first they had decreed In silent sort suspition to eschew Now came the time that they must do the deed Now neare vnto the Turkish campe they drew When first the heedlesse Sentinels intrapping They kild them al because they took them napping 46 The watch once slaine they are no longer dumme But after stout Renaldo soone they came They sound the trumpet and strike vp the drumme And calling still vpon that noble name That often had the Pagans ouercome I meane Renaldos house of Montalbane Which crie he cauld both his owne men to quicken And that the Turks might in more feare be stricken 47 Himselfe well mounted on his famous horse Doth presse amidst the Pagan Princes tents And with his owne and with his horses force He treds them downe and all in peeces rents Vnarmd or armd he kils without remorse Who euer commeth in his way repents The drowsie men halfe armd make poore resistance Against so braue a man with such assistance 48 For why beside those men I nam'd before Whose vertue and whole value oft were showne Renaldo had sixe hundred men and more All perfect traind of strength and courage knowne Which about Clarimont he kept in store For his owne vse and causes of his owne Though at this need his Princes turne to furnish He soone agreed his owne townes to vnfurnish 49 And though Renaldo had no great reuenue The which chiefe sinews vnto warre affords Yet kept he still six hundred in rennue What with good vsage and with gentle words That all of them did still with him continue At his commaund with launces horse and swords Nor was there any that from him away went Though diuers others offerd greater payment 50 Now thinke when this braue crue the Turks assailed At vnawares halfe wake or halfe asleepe How that same name and that same noise them quailed How here they fled and there with hold and keepe But smally flight and lesse their fight preuailed But euen as Goates from Lions or as sheepe FroÌ„ Wolues make small defence such in comparison These Pagans made against Renaldos garison 51 On tother side king Charles that by espiall Had notice of Renaldos comming hither With all that crue so noble and so loyall That to his aid combined were togither With diuers Lords came forth in person royall And all his men of armes likewise came thither Eke Brandimart rich Monodontes heire Did with king Charles vnto the field repaire 52 Whom when his spouse that neare about did hoâ—er Had found out by his standard and his armes And plainly saw it was her dearest louer She rusheth in among the men of armes And vnto him herselfe she doth discouer Who straight embraced her in open armes And leauing then the battell drew apart That each to other might their minds impart 53 And after sweet embracing oftentimes They did conferre together of their state Overtue of those vnsuspicious times When Ladies early wander might and late And yet be faultlesse deemd and free of crimes Where now each small suspect turnes loue to hate Yea eu'n for all their watching and safe keeping They doubt their wiues do wake while they are sleeping 54 Among the conference this couple had The Ladie did vnto her spouse vnfold How his good friend Orlando was falne mad How she herselfe his madnes did behold His running naked carelesse and vnclad Not credible had any else it told But credible it was now she had sed it For in far greater things he gaue her credit 55 She further did to Brandimart recount How she had seene the bridge the Pagan made I meane the cruell Pagan Rodomount Vpon the streame so deepe as none could wade Where he the passengers of best account Did from each side with furie great inuade And with the spoiles of those he kild and tooke Did beautifie a tombe made by the brooke 56 And last she told how with his strength extreame Orlando heau'd the Turke armd from the ground And so with him fell backward in the streame With perill great there to haue both bene drownd From whence Orlando went about the Reame Where his mad parts wold make him soon be found This tale in Brandimart did breed such sorrow He staid not for the next ensuing morrow 57 But taking for his guide faire Fiordeliege And being readie armd as then he was He go'th to seeke that foresaid parlous bridge In mind what euer hap the same to passe Where many men their liues line did abridge As in such dangers soone it comes to passe No sooner came he to the vtmost ward But Rodomont had notice by his guard 58 He greatly did to heare such newes reioyce And straight he cometh forth with warlike gesture And bids him with a loud and scornfull voyce Vnto the tombe to yeeld his armes and vesture Or threatens him if he refuse this choyce To make him drinke beyond all good disgesture But Brandimart his threats did nothing feare And makes no answer but with couched speare 59 Then straight to horses side he sets the spurs The horse he rode vpon Batoldo hight The horse though good yet snores and starts sturs Much scar'd with narrow bridge and waters sight Eke Rodomont his good Frontino spurs Who neuer starts as vsed to this fight Although the bridge did shake all vnder feet When in the middle way these kinghts did meet 60 Their speares that were of firme well seasond wood With so great force vpon their armour strake That though their horses were both strong good Yet both fell from the bridge into the lake Quite ouerwhelmd with water and with mood Yet neither horseman did his horse forsake Long taried they within the streame below To search if any Nymph dwelt there I trow 61 This had not bin the first time nor the fift That from this bridge the Turke had bene throwne downe Wherefore his horse and he could better shift For neither horse nor he did doubt to drowne For where the streame was most profound and swift He often had bene plung'd aboue his crowne Which made his horse and him the more audacious Amid the streame although profound and spacious 62 He knew by proofe for
not appeared at the day appointed 81 Belike you thought I should haue met you neuer But now said he you here are met right well Assure your selfe I will pursue you euer Were you tane vp to heau'n or downe to hell No height nor depth should hinder mine endeuer I meane to finde you out where eare you dwell To shunne the fight with meit doth not boote Vntill you leaue your horse and go on foote 82 At this his speech were diuers standing by As Guidon Richarder and others more Who would haue slaine Gradasso by and by Had not Renaldo stepped them before And said in wrath what masters am not I Well able wreake my priuate wrongs therefore Then to the Pagan gently thus he spake And wisht him marke the answer he did make 83 Who euer faith that I did fight eschew Or â—hew defect of vallew any way I say and do auouch he faith vntrue And I will proue by combat what I say I came vnto the place to meete with you No â— cuses I did seeke not no delay And frankly here to you I offer fight But first I wish you were informed right 84 Then tooke he him aside and more at large He told what hapned him and how by art His cosin Malagige into a barge Conuayed him and forst him to depart In fine himselfe of blame quite to discharge He brought him out to witnes eu'rie part And then to proue that this was true indeed He offerd in the combat to proceed 85 Gradasso that both curteous was and stout Gaue eare vnto the tale Renaldo told And though it seemd he stood thereof in doubt Yet him in all his speech he not controld But in conclusion hauing heard it out He doth his former purpose firmely hold Which was by combat fierce to try and know If so he could Bayardo win or no. 86 The Palladine that passed not a point Of no mans force to meet him gaue his word The place in which to meet they did appoint Was neare a wood and by a pleasant foord There only added was a further point Which was that Duriudan Orlandos sword Should to Renaldo as of right accrew If he the Pagan ouercame or slew 87 Thus for the present time departed they Vntill the time approcht of pointed fight Although Renaldo frendly did him pray To rest him in his tent that day and night And offerd franke safe conduit for his stay So curteous was this same couragious knight Gradasso greatly praisd the noble offer But yet refusd the courtsie he did profer 88 The feare was great that secretly did lurke In all the minds of all Renaldos kin Who knew the strength and cunning of this Turke Was such as doubt it was which side should win Faine Malagigi by his art would worke To end this fray before it should begin Saue that he feard Renaldos vtter enmity In so base sort for working his indemnity 89 But though his frends did feare more then was meet Himselfe assurde himselfe of good successe Now at the pointed time and place they meet Both at one verie instant as I guesse And first they kindly do embrace and greet The tone the tother with all gentlenesse But how sweet words did turne to bitter blowes The next booke sauing one the sequell showes In the xxxi Canto I finde little worth any speciall noting but that which in the beginning of the booke is said against 〈◊〉 which is one of thethree incurable diseases noted in our old English Prouerbe From Heresie Phrenesie and Icalsousie good Lord deliuer me The rest of the booke hath no new matter but such as hath bin noted before and therfore I will end this little space with this short note Here end the Notes of the xxxj THE XXXII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Good Bradamant Rogero long expecteth But heareth newes that touch her verie nie How he all other loues beside neglecteth To wed Marfisa thus the farne doth flie To Arly Bradamant her course directeth To kill Marfisa or her selfe to die Three kings and Vllany she doth subdew Those with her speare and this with passing hew 1 I Now remember how by promise bound Before this time I should haue made you know Vpon what cause faire Bradamant did ground The realouse humors ouer charg'd her so She neuer tooke before so fore a wound She neuer felt before such bitter wo No not the tale which Richardett told her In such a fit and so great pangs did hold her 2 To tell you first when I should haue begonne Renaldo call'd my tale another way No sooner with Renaldo had I done But straight with Guidon I was forst to stay From this to that thus vnawares I tonne That I forgot of Bradamant to say But now I meane to speake of her before I speake of those two champions any more 3 Yet needs I borrow must a word or twaine How Agramant to Arly d d retyre And gatherd there the few that did remaine Escaped from the furie of the fire Where not farre off from Affrica nor Spaine He plants as fit as he could we I desire For lying on a flood so neare the seas Both men and vitell were supplyde at ease 4 To muster men Marsilio had commission That may supply the place of them were lost Of ships of warre there was no small prouision Soone had he gatherd vp a mightie host There was no want of armour and munition Ther was no spare of labour nor of cost That with such taxes Affrica was sessed That all the Cities were full sore oppressed 5 And further Agramant that he might win Fierce Rodomont to aid him with his power Did offer him a match of his neare kin King Almonts daughter with a Realme in dower But he his profer weys not worth a pin But keepes the bridge and doth the passage scower That with his spoiles the place was welny filled Of those he had dismounted tane and killed 6 But faire Marfisa tooke another way For when she heard how long the siege had lasted How Agramant his campe at Arly lay How both his men were slaine and store was wasted She sought no cause of any more delay But thither straight without inuiting hasted Her purse and person offring in the fight In iust defending of his crowne and right 7 She brings Brunello and the king she gaue him Who had giu'n cause of very iust offence Ten dayes and ten she did of courtsie saue him To see who durst to stand in his defence But when y s no man made the meanes to haue him Though she to kill him had so good pretence She thought it base her noble hands to file Vpon an abiect dastard and a vile 8 She will deferre reuenge of all his wrong And vnto Arly brought him to the king Whose ioy to tell would aske a learned tongue Both for the aid and present she did bring For shew whereof before it should be long He offerd her to make Brunello wring And at what
For present death it was if any venter Saue those two champions in the list to enter 82 When second choise of weapon as was fit Was giu'n Rogero to auoid suspect Two Priests before the rest came forth to wit Of each side one and one of either sect Each had a booke ours had Christs holy writ Theirs Alcoran with errours foule infect With ours came forth the Christen Prince deuout With that of theirs the king of Turks came out 83 Now first king Charles neare to his altar stands And this great protestation there did make And lifts to heauen both heart and eyes and hands O God O Christ that suffredst for our sake O blessed Ladie that in swathing bands Heldst him that mortall flesh of thee did take And didst nine months inclose that high diuinitie In sacred wombe still keeping true virginitie 84 Be witnesses that here I make it knowne And promise faithfully for me and mine To Agramant and who so ere shall owne The crowne of Affrike in ensuing time That if my champion shall be ouerthrowne To pay to them each yeare of gold most fine Ten horslode and forthwith the warres to cease And euermore hereafter to haue peace 85 And if I fayle then let the fearfull wrath Of both on me at once this folly wreake And worke vnto my sect all wo and seath That all insuing ages plaine may speake Loe what a plague and iust reward he hath That durst his oth to you and promise breake This said his hand he laid vpon the booke And vp on heauen he fixt his stedfast looke 86 When this was done then all departed thence There where the Turks had with much superstition Adornd their altar with no small expence And their king Agramant with like condition Vowd neuer after this to do offence To Charles but passe the seas with expedition And ay keepe peace and equail tribute pay If that Rogero vanquisht were that day 87 And in like sort he did protest alowd And cald on Mahomet his Idol great And by that booke that his Priest held he vowd To keepe most duly all he did repeat This done to part from thence were all allowd And either Prince retired to his seat Then in like sort they sweare the champions both And thus much in effect containd their oth 88 Rogero promiseth that if the fight By Agramant shall be disturbd or parted That neuer after he will be his knight But serue king Charles and be to him true harted Renaldo in like sort his faith doth plight That if to him Charles any aid imparted Before that one of them were ouercome That then himselfe to Agramant would come 89 Now when these ceremonies all were ended Then eu'rie man departed to his side And then the warriours onely now attended The trumpets sound that battell signifide Which when both heard then each of theÌ„ intended To show the vtmost of his vallew tride Now sounds the steele with blows not few nor soft Now they themselues strike low and now aloft 90 Sometime they would beguile the tone the tother With mind vnto their strength to ad their art They profer at one place and strike another Inuading still the least defended part But good Rogero that against the brother Of her did fight that did possesse his hart Did oft bestow his blows with such regard Most thought Renaldo was for him too hard 91 He seemed readier to ward then strike For he himselfe well knew not what he ment To kill Renaldo that he did not like To dy himselfe that was not his intent But now I hope that none will it mislike Sith in this booke so much time hath bene spent And least my tediousnesse may some molest In this ensuing booke to heare the rest In the beginning of this booke is set downe how great a regard a man ought to haue of true honor indeed namely to do nothing â— herein it may be iustly touched not as our young gallants in these dayes that stand vpon their puntos in tristing matters hauing neither honor in their hearts nor truth in their mouths No doubt but to a noble nature and disposition honor in the tenderest thing that may be And therefore it may well of them be said Ma al honor chimancha in vn momento Non puo in cento annisatisfar ne in cento But if that honor haue one minutes staine An hundred yeares scant can it clense againe But as in Religion the true vsage thereof us most necessary to the good of the soule but heresies and superstition be most damnable so in this desire of worldy reputation the good and considerat regard thereof is the most worthy and Gentlemanly thing that can be but the vaine and friuolous maintenance thereof is as ridiculous and to be scorned For example imagine some man so chast as Caesar was called omnium mulierum vir or to vse our homely English phrase as the towne Bull of the Parish so true of his word as he that Heywood writes of that kept all the commandements and namely that concerning false witnesse With witnesse false thou hurtest none for why Each word thou spakest each man doth know a ly So temperat in eating and drinking that he surfets but once a weeke vidz from Saterday to Saterday and endewed with other magnificall qualities as swearing and gaming and now and then of the gentlenes of his nature not scorning a Pandars occupation Can you maruell I say if such â—â—an stand somewhat nycely vpon his honor if he be touched therein but the true honorable person indeed will neither giue iust cause of offence nor beare any wrong or disgrace and whosoeuer sailes either in the first of these for want of stayd gouernment or faints in the later of these for want of true courage let him know his honor goeth lame on one legge onely the first of these two mayms may be cured but the tother is called a priuie maimâ— and is vtterly incurable Concerning the Orations of Agramant Marsilio and Sobrino a man might make a long not vnnecessary discourse of the matter but that I haue taken vpon me to note and not to discourse First therefore in Agramant we may obserue how young couragious Princes such as he is described to have bin are egged on by their grand minions to whom peace is a penance to warre vpon other mens countryes and many times leaue their owne vnguarded In which kind fooles sometimes giue wiser counsell then they As in the time of that good king of France Francis the first they report that when he inuaded Italy he consulted with his counsell where he were best to enter Lombardy some aduising one way some another a foole standing by and hearing their consultation came in amongst them and sware that they were all fooles for saith he here is euerie man that aduiseth the king how to enter into Italy but none of you takes care how he shall get out againe this though accounted as it was but
anker neare Biserta shore But distant from the hau'n a myle and more 10 The Brittish Duke and valiant Palladine That like good Christens vsed euermore To pray to God for grace and aide deuine Proclaymed in the campe three dayes before That to assault the towne they did assigne By fast and publicke prayre Christ to adore And craue his aid against that wicked towne That they might raze it quite and beat it downe 11 And hauing ended that their solemne fast And made their vowes accustomd in such case Then frendly they together take repast And each his frend and parent doth embrace And spake as if those words should be their last The kindly teares oft trickling downe their face And eu'rie one resolued by and by Either to win the towne or in the place to dy 12 Also the wretched Priests within the towne With sayned show of foolish superstition Pray vnto Macon that he do not frowne On them and vow to him on that condition Great Holocausts with cost of many a crowne Of him they seeke to haue their sinnes remission And as if he the fates could mend or alter They offer sacrifices on his alter 13 Then when they were by their great Cady blest They went but faintly to their Citie wall Yet did the fayre Aurora take her rest And scarce the Esterne coast yet looked pale When Sansonet Astolfo and the rest That had the needfull things prouided all The noble enterprise did take in hand And did assault the towne by sea and land 14 Biserta hath this manner situation Two parts thereof with water are enclosed Two parts with goodly wall of ancient fashion But not so strong as one would haue supposed And though to make new strength and reparation The king Bransardo all the towne disposed His time and warning were so short and small He could do little good or none at all 15 Astolfo did appoint the Nubian king Such wise to noy the keepers of the wall With darts and Turkish bowes and many a sling That from the battlements he draue them all That now he might both horse and footmen bring Vpon the ditch in perill none or small And each according to his powre and skill Brought matter wherewithall the ditch to fill 16 Some fagots brought some brought store of helme Some heauy stones some light planks and boords And lest the stream their worke might ouerwhelme They turned it away by other foords Great store of wood there grew in that same Realme The which to them great store of stuffe affoords And now that Prouerbe see performd you might That many hands make heauie works but light 17 The Nubians fierce impatient of all stay And by desire of gaine all headlong led The perill great and danger do not way But each man clapps his target on his hed And then their battrie to the walls they lay With rammes and engines strongly furnished With which to shake the walls they do begin Nor were they all vnfurnished within 18 Darts stones and planks yea eu'n their houses tyle They flang down on thē whē they drew more neare By which they brake and pierced otherwhile Their engines huge so as it might appeare Dame Fortune seemd at first on Turks to smilé But after soone againe she changd her cheare No sooner night was gone and Sun once vp But that they tasted of another cup. 19 Then on each side they had so hot a charge As hardly they were able to sustaine Sansonet of the shipping had the charge And he by sea assaults them to their paine And for their powre was great and place was large Each Captaine tooke with him a seuerall traine Thereby the more to trouble all their foes And of their vertue to make larger shoes 20 And for that speciall cause they do deuide Their mightie host into foure seu'rall parts To th' end that by that meanes it might be spide Which men had stout and which had fainting harts Great towres on mightie wheeles did seeme to ride Drawne with great force like ordinary carts And Elephants did carrie towres so tall As did in height surpasse the Citie wall 21 A scaling ladder Brandimart doth beare And clymes himselfe and causeth others clyme For what man hauing such a guide could feare Each man to stay doth thinke it haynous crime The ladders strength was weighd by no man there Each roung a man and some beares two sometime Now Brandimart to conquest wholy bent Gets to the top and winnes a battlement 22 With hand and foote he clammerd in such sort He wan a batlement and did it keepe Then with his sword he made them all such sport As causd the lookers on not laugh but weepe The ladder now chargd with too great resort Standing aslope and not vpright and steepe Brake in the midst so that saue Brandimart All of them fell vnto their paine and smart 23 Their Captaine though with this no whit dismayd Keepes still his place though he the hap did marke Although he saw his men him could not ayd Though he alone were all their shooting marke His men below cryde out to him and prayd Him to retire but he no whit could harke But boldly from the wall into the towne Which was thrise ten foote deepe he leaped downe 24 As if the pau'ment had bene straw not stone So lept he downe so nimble and so light And being there layd so about alone He made them all giue place vnto his might Of those that fought he killed many a one The rest thought best to saue themselues by flight But they that saw him leape downe from without Within their minds were full of dread and doubt 25 Straightwayes about the campe a rumor spred From mouth to mouth man to man doth come And same doth fly and flying gathers hed Of that hard feat that Brandimart had done And comes at last whereas Orlando led His band and after to king Otons sonne And then to Oliuero neuer ceasing But in her going still her tale increasing 26 All these but chiefe Orlando all among That Brandimart in minde did dearely loue An◠hearing it from thence they tarrid long It would be hard his danger to remoue Vnto the walls set scaling ladders strong Resolued now their vtmost force to proue And vp they mount with looks so grim and bold As scant their enemies durst them behold 27 As when the seas are wrought with sturdie wind The ventrous vessell tost with many a waue Is sometime smote before sometime behind And each surge striues a passage free to haue The fearfull Pilot with astonisht mind Knowes not which way himselfe he should behaue Till at the last one surge the whole possesseth And to both Pilot ship and all oppresseth 28 So when those three of whom before I spake Had got the wall they did the souldiers teach To follow them and so large path did make As thousands of them now the wall did reach
furie of the surging waue Eu'n so this well experienc't Turke began Himselfe in this great danger to behaue With sword and shield his best defence he made Against the fearfull edge of that same blade 68 Which blade of such an edge in such an arme No maruell if to pierce it seldome faile Against the which in vaine was any charme For though his shield was steeld his cote of maile Yet quite through shield and armour it did harme To saue his shoulder all could not auaile But he to wound Orlando was not able For God had made his skinne impenetrable 69 The valiant Earle redoubled still his blow And thinks from shoulders off to cut his head He that the force of Clarimont did know Gaue backward or his ground still trauersed But in his trauersing he was so slow That with one blow he laid him downe for dead The blow fell flatling but with force so maine As crusht his helmet and amazd his braine 70 Downe fell Sobrino backward on the ground From whence long time it was er he arose Orlando thinks that he was safe and sound And that he was starke dead he doth suppose Wherefore since single foe he no where found Vnto Gradasso presently he goes To whom king Brandimart in armes and horse In sword inferiour was perhaps in force 71 But yet the noble minded Brandimart Vpon Rogeros horse Frontino mounted With that same Sarasin so plaid his part As if his forces he but little counted And sure Gradasso not in skill not hart But in his sword and armour him surmounted Enforcing him ofttimes to stand aloofe Because his armour was of no good proofe 72 But good Frontino bare away the bell For being readie to the riders hand It seemd where euer Durindana fell Frontino had such wit to vnderstand That euer more he did escape it well But all this while it hardly could be scand In tother twaine on which side fortune works In Oliuero or the king of Turks 73 Orlando had as late before I told Left good Sobrino on the gound for ded Wherefore on foot he goes with courage bold To succour Brandimart if ill he sped But in the way by hap he did behold Sobrinos horse that without rider fled Orlando straight into the saddle valted Not looking if he went vpright or halted 74 One hand his sword the tother holds his raine And so he rideth to Gradasso ward Who when he saw him come did not refraine But to encounter with him straight prepard To fight with one of them or else with twaine It seemd he little reckoned nor car'd He minds and hopeth to effect it soone To make them both to thinke it night ere noone 75 Yet for a while king Brandimart he leaues And turnes him to the Earle and with a thrust Whereas his armour weakest he perceaues There doth the fierce Gradasso hit him iust And enterd but his cunning him deceaues Orlandos skin be pierced neuer must But when with Ballisard Orlando strake His helmet coate of maile and shield he brake 76 So that both in his face his breast and side He wounded sore the king of Sericane Who maruels much what strange chance did betide For neuer erst such sore hurt he had tane He thought there could not be a blade beside To pierce his coate he hauing Durindane And sure that blow had him dispatched clearly If it had had more strength or come more nearly 77 He sees that now he must take better heed And not trust armour but a surer ward To seeke to saue himselfe he now hath need And looke vnto his limbs with more regard Now while twixt them the fight did thus proceed Good Brandimart did see he might be spard Wherefore to breath himselfe he then retired Still ready t'ayd each part if cause required 78 Now had Sobrino long laine in a trance With that same bruse and with that bloody wound Giu'n him by that great Palladine of France That at two blowes had laid him on the ground With much a do he doth himselfe aduance And standing on his feet and looking round He thought his Master was in weakest case And to his aid he moues his silent pace 79 At Oliueros backe he comes vnspide Who sole on Agramant did fixe his eyes And that same horse that Oliuer did ride He hought behind in such despitefull wise That wanting strength he fell downe on his side And was not able any more to rise And which was worse then his vnlookt for fall His foot hung in the stirop therewithall 80 Sobrino doubled then his blowes againe Thinking from shoulders off his head to pare But yet the steele made that attempt but vaine That Vulcan temperd erst and Hector ware King Brandimart at Sobrin runnes amaine When of his doings he was well aware And ouerthrew him quite and stoutly smote him But th' old fierce man soone on his feet vp got him 81 And once againe at Oliuer he flies And once againe he thinketh him to kill Or at the least cause him he shall not rise But he that had his better arme at will Layd with his sword about him in such wise As that he kept himselfe from further ill And made his foe that was of no great strength Stand distant from him almost twise his length 82 The Marquesse hopes ere long to ease his paine If he can cause Sobrino stand aloofe Who bled so fast as now from fight t' abstaine He thought it would be best for his behoofe Now Oliuero all his force doth straine And to get loose he maketh manie a proofe But still his foot was fast to his great hurt And still the horse lay tumbling in the durt 83 This while king Brandimart doth go to find Traianos sonne and now he hath him found Frontino now before and straight behind That good Frontino that can turne so round The horse was sure and of a passing kind The Sotherne kings was readie strong and sound He had that famous courser Brigliadore The which Rogero gaue him late before 84 But sure the Turke great ods in armour had For he had one of proofe well tride and sure And Brandimartés was indeed but bad Such as he could in warning short procure Wherefore to change it now he would be glad And that he shall his heart doth him assure So that he waxed stouter still and bolder Though Agramant had hurt him in the shoulder 85 Gradasso further had about his thye Him giu'n a blow not to be tane in sport But yet the king did so the fight apply And laid on loade in so couragious sort As that he wounded his left arme thereby And pricked his right hand thus they report But all this was but May game and delight Vnto Gradassos and Orlandos fight 86 Gradasso hath Orlando halfe disarmd And made him with one blow his shield forsake He could not wound him for his skin was charmd But yet his headpeece on both sides he brake But him Orlando hath in
Leon in his wooing might preuayle And make dame Bradamant his owne for euer Thus though that diuers thoughts his minde assayle Yet wholy in that thought he doth perseuer That moueth him most plaine to deale and trew And to all other thoughts he bids adew 58 This while Don Leon with his fathers leaue With such retinue as his state required Of knights and squyres his natiue soyle did leaue And went to see the dame he so desired Rogero did of him before receaue His armes and horse and in strange clothes attired Day after day they so their iorney frame That it the last to Paris walls they came 59 Don Leon to the Citie would not go But neare vnto the same he pitcht a tent And by Ambassage made the king to know How he was come and vnto what intent King Charles was glad and did his gladnes show With gifts and vnto him in person went Don Leon tels what did his comming breed And prayes he may dispatched be with speed 60 And that King Charles that noble maid would cause To come the day ensuing to the feeld That would against all common wedlocks lawes Be wood and wonne with onely sword and sheeld King Charles her cals and she that askt no pause Vnto the motion willingly did yeeld And so accordingly next day she came Vnto the lists prepared for the same 61 That day that went before the day of fight Rogero passed with as great content As doth a man condemned spend the night The which before his execution went He chusd to fight all clad in armour bright Because as then to be vnknowne he ment And for to hurt her was not his pretence Saue sword he vsd no weapon of offence 62 Lance he would none not that he feard the lance Which first Argalia then Astolfo bare Which forced men beside their seat to dance And vnto many men procurde great care For neither he that vsde it first in France Nor any of those other was aware How all those fears were by inchantment donne Saue that same king that gaue it to his sonne 63 Likewise Astolfo and the Dordon dame That with that speare full many did vnhorse Thought not that it from Nigromancy came But from their fleight and their owne proper force They thought with any speare to do the same But now Rogero did both speare and horse Refuse because if he had vsde his owne He thought it would by Bradamant be knowne 64 Needs must the damsell call to minde the steed For why she kept him long at Clarimount And vsed him with her owne hands to feed And made of him a speciall deare account Wherefore Rogero that tooke speciall heed To go vnknowne refusd on horse to mount Or any other thing by which he may Vnto his dearest loue himselfe bewray 65 He further needs another sword would take For well he knew against his Ballisard No steele nor armor none defence could make Whose edge so keene whose mettall was so hard Of that new sword likewise he for her sake Rebates the edge so great was his regard And thus himselfe both weakning and disguising He came into the field at Phebus rising 66 And that each one for Leon might him note Vntill the controuersie were discided He wears vpon his backe Don Leons cote The golden Eagle with the head deuided Their making both was like from foot to throte Thus when all things were readily prouided The tone presents him in the open greene The tother kept him close and was not seene 67 But Bradamant now farre in other rate Herselfe in readines for fight doth set And if the knight do his swords edge rebate As fast the damsell her swords edge doth whet She wisheth with a heart most full of hate Her sword a passage to the quicke would get Yea comfort her it would and do her good If she with eu'rie blow could draw the blood 68 Eu'n as a Barbrye horse that runnes a race And for the signe thereof hath long expected Against his will doth stay his running pace With swelling nostrils and with eares erected Eu'n so the noble damsell in like case That of Rogeros presence naught suspected Did swell with wrath and burnes like flaming fier Vnto the combat such was her desier 69 And as ofttimes vpon some fearfull clap Of thunder straight a hurlewinde doth arise And lifts the waues aloft from Thetys lap Eu'n in a moment vp vnto the skyes The Herdman doubting of some great mishap About some tree or caue close hidden lyes So Bradamant with rage of anger driuen Aslayld Rogero when the signe was giuen 70 But neuer did a stiffe and aged oke Against the Northerne blast more firmely stand Nor better doth a rocke indure the stroke Of surging waues still wallowing to the land Then good Rogero guarded in the cloke Of Hectors armes her forces did withstand Though she still layd on loade with spite and hate Vpon his armes his sides his brest and pate 71 Sometimes she giues a blow sometime a thrust According as her vantage most she spide And still she watcht if she could hit him iust Betweene the plates or where the same were tide T was well the core was such as one might trust For she doth search it still on eu'rie side And inwardly she fretteth in her minde That nought fell out of that she had assignd 72 So shall you see some men besiege a towne Wel walld and strongly flankt with rampiers mayne Assault it oft and striue to batter downe Some towres or gates with perill great and payne And wast their time and spending many a crowne To loose their men about the same in vayne No more the damsels force did now preuayle To pierce a plate or to vnriuet nayle 73 Sometime foorth of his helmet and his sheeld She made the sparks of fire fly out in sight Still smiting him with blowes not soft nor seeld Sometime at rear demaine and oft downe right As thicke as haylstones that vpon the feeld Or on the tyled houses do alight But still Rogero close lyes to his ward And not to hurt her still he hath regard 74 Oft standing still now turning then retiring He makes his foote accompanie his fist With sword with shield with slip cause so requiring He wards the blowes or shunnes them as him lift And euer not to damage her desiring When he might hit of purpose still he mist Yet in such wife that she her selfe was ware And all the rest that he the same forbare 75 But Bradamant when she her selfe bethought What was containd in th' Emperors Edict That whosoeu'r with her a whole day fought Should haue her at the end of such conflict With all her force endeuord still and sought To gall her aduersarie and afflict And now the more she troubled was in minde To see the Sun to West so low declinde 76 And as her hope still lesse and lesser grew So her desire increast still more and more Her
infant and adore Also the king Coruyno wonders when He saw in him both wit and iudgement more In those his tender childish yeares and greene Then many times in older men had beene 72 One doth endeuour in his childish hand Of the Strigonian Realme to put to the mace But euermore the tender youth doth stand So high in that same noble Princes grace That if he warre in manly Almans land Or in the Turkes or any other place Hippolito is euer by his side And learneth vertue vnder such a guide 73 Another place shewes how he doth dispence His youthfull time in Discipline and art Fusco instructs him in the hidden sence Of ancient writs and precepts doth impart What actions praise what actions breed offence What be reward of good and ill desart All which the picture did so well expresse That at the meaning eu'rie one might guesse 74 Loe where as yet a boy in Vatican Among the grauest Card'nals he doth sit And speakes so wisely that they all began To wonder at his towardnes and wit What manner man if once he were a man Would this man proue for Peters chaire how fit They seeme to say oh if he thither clime What holy age were that what happie time 75 Within another part described were His youthfull sports when he more strong did grow Oft in the mountaines he doth meet a Beare Oft-times a Bore in marrish grounds and low He rides his Genet fierce and void of feare He chaseth oft the Buck the Hart and Roe And by his horse swift pace doth ouer-ride them And then doth with his sword in twaine deuide them 76 Of Poets then and of Philosophars About him you should see a worthy band To make him know the course of wandring starres How heau'n doth moue why the earth doth stand Or reading of Elegies or verse of warres Fine Epigrams Odes hard to vnderstand Or sometime instruments of Musicke hearing In all his acts a speciall grace appearing 77 Then on another part was to bevewd His vertues each one by it selfe distinct First Prudence Temperance and Fortitude And Iustice and afift vnto them linkt So nye that who with it is not indewd The rest may seeme or blotted or extinct Good bountie shewd in giuing and in spending A speciall grace to all the other lending 78 This one place shewes be aids vnluckie Sforse Him euermore most faithfully assisting Sometime with policie sometime with force Him helping and his enemies resisting Of fortunes change he doth but little force In woe and weale in one faith still persisting He comforts him when euill haps do grieue him In dangers he doth saue in want relieue him 79 Then stands he studying at another season And for his countries safetie taking care He searcheth and he finds by depth of reason And finding to his brother doth declare Their most vnnaturall and filthy treason That some of his owne blood for him prepare By which he doth deserue such name to haue As Rome yet free to tamous Tully gaue 80 Fast by he stands all clad in armour bright And to relieue the Church he runnes in post With sodaine souldiers raw and armed light Against a setled and well ordred host Yet did his onely presence so affright The aduerse part that one may rightly bost It quencht the fire ere it to burne began So he may say I came I saw I wan 81 Here stands he by his natiue riuer side And straight encounters with the strongest fleete That euer yet Venetians did prouide Gainst Greeke or Turke but he doth boldly meet And vanquisht them and tooke them at one tide And though the bootie and the gaine was sweet All saue the praise he left vnto his brother For onely that cannot be giu'n another 82 Thus this Pauillion as before I told The which Melissa brought so farre from thence Did please the knights and dames that did behold The goodly imag'rie and rich expence Although they had not any to vnfold The meaning of the same and hidden sence But yet by good Melissas wise instruction Dame Bradamant did know their whole costruction 83 Rogero markt likewise with great attention Those goodly figures calling to his minde That oft his vnckle of that Prince made mention Hippolito the flowre of all his kinde But now king Charles whose care is and intention To giue to all men entertainment kinde Made playes and feasts with sundry sports and great And euermore the tables fild with meat 84 There men might plainly see and vnderstand The courage and the strength of eu'rie knight Sometimes in single wise now band to band In iusts and turnaments resembling fight But still Rogero had the vpper hand In all his exercise of day and night In leaping running wrastling and in dancing All men him far aboue the rest aduancing 85 But on the last of these dayes festiuall Then when to take away they did prouide What time king Charles was set amid them all Eu'n iust betweene the Bridgrome and the Bride Behold they saw a goodly man and tall That seemd directly toward them to ride Most proudly mounted on a coursers backe But yet his horse and he all clad in blacke 86 This was fierce Rodomont king of Algyre Who at his late receiued foile and I corne Of Bradamant inflamd with spight and ire All vse of horse and armor had forsworne Till one whole yeare one month one day expire But liue that while an Hermit all forlorne For so the knights were wont in ancient times Of their owne selues to punish their owne crimes 87 And though this while he oft had notice how King Agramant and how king Charles had sped Yet nathelesse for not breaking of his vow Forth of the doores he neuer put his hed But when the yeare and month were ended now And day beside himselfe he furnished With armor new new horse new sword new lance And came therewith vnto the court of France 88 Not once alighting nor so much as rising For reu'rence sake to bow his head or knee He bare the count'nance of a man despising Both Charles and all those Peeres of great degree At this each man amazed stands deuising What proud and sawcy fellow this might be From talking and from eating each man stayes To hearken what this lofire warrior layes 89 Now when he was to th'Emp'ror come so nye That he Rogero fully did confront With stately voice and with disdainfull crie He saith I am the king of Sarza Rodomont That thee Rogero flatly here defie And ere the Sunne go downe make full account To proue thou hast bene false vnto thy Prince And openly of treason thee conuince 90 For though thy treachery be knowne so cleare In being Christend thou canst not deny it Yet that to all the world it may appeare I offer here in single fight to trie it Or if thy courage faile if any here Will take on them thy quarrell to supply
was she glad 70 But now of her so much I must not say That I forget my storie out to tell Of those two knights that met this other day And tyde their horses at the running well No lands nor townes were causes of their fray Nor who in rule nor office should excell But eu'n that he that strongest was of twaine Should Bayard win and Durindana gaine 71 There needs no signe of war nor trumpets sound To warne them when to strike or when to pawse No Heralds need to limit out the ground Nor reade them lectures of their warlike laws They met as they by promise firme were bound And each his weapon at one instant draws And then they layd about them strong and nimble Blows bred their smart and smart their wrath did kindle 72 Two blades more firme in triall and more sure Could not in all the world haue bin prepard That hauing beene as these were put in vre Would not haue bene in peeces burst and mard But both these blades were of such temper pure So keene so tough and there withall so hard They might a thousand times at hard-edge met And neither blade thereby a gap would get 73 Renaldo quick hither and thither goes And often time was forst to change his place And trauerse ground for why the weight he knows Of Durindana that would cut a pase Gradasso euer gaue the stronger blows But tother still to scape them had the grace Or if they hit they hit in some such part Where though they made great sound they causd no smart 74 Renaldo with lesse strength but far more art Strake once or twise the Pagan on the arme And with a thrust had surely pierst his hart Saue that his armour strenghtned was by charme So that no maile out of his place would start But while each sought to do the other harme A sodaine noyse did part their earnest quarrell They lookt and saw Bayardo in great parell 75 I say they lookt about and spide at length Bayardo fighting with a monstrous fowle Bigger then he her beak three yards of length In other shape and making like an owle Her tallents huge and sharpe and of great strength The feathers of her wings all blacke and foule Her eyes like fire a long and hideous taile Her wings so huge they seemed like a saile 76 Perhaps it was a fowle but I thinke not Nor euer heard I erst of such a bird Onely so Turpin cals it well I wot If any will credit to him afoord Rather I deeme that Malagigi got Some sprite infernall that himselfe had sturd To come in shape as I did shew before Because the champions fierce might fight no more 77 Reynaldo eake himselfe beleeu'd the same And with his cousin Malagige fell out And to his charge laid not a little blame And gaue him euill language thereabout The tother sware by him that heau'ns did frame It was not he to put him out of doubt But were it fowle or were it a foule deuill Certaine to Bayard it did worke much euill 78 The horse that was puissant brake his raine When as the sharpnes of her claws he feels And what wish terrour mou'd and what with paine He yerketh at her fiercely with his heels She soard aloft and downe she comes againe And striks him so that Bayard almost reels And sith of other fence no meane he had He runs away as if he had bin mad 79 Vnto the nearest wood he right doth runne And still the feathered beast him held in chase Till the thicke boughs holp him her gripes to shun So that she gaue him ouer in short space And seeing that her sport with him was done She sored vp on high and left this place And to another coast her flight doth frame Where as she thought to find some other game 80 Gradasso and Renaldo when they saw The horse was fled that caused all the fray Do by consent themselues from thence withdraw To find Bayardo out and if they may But first each promist to obserue this law That he that found him first of both should stay At this same well till tother should come thither And then againe to fight it out togither 81 Thus when each had his word to th' other past That they would meet there at their coming backe They after go but Bayard ran so fast As soone they lost the sight of any tracke Gradasso rode and therefore made more hast The Palladine that his good horse did lacke Remaind behind all sad and grieued more And malcontent then ere he was before 82 And when he traueld had about in vaine In body wearie discontent in minde With losse of all his trauell and his paine He turneth to the place they first assignde In hope the tother would returne againe And bring the horse if so he could him finde But when he saw his looking did not boot He traueld backe vnto the campe on foot 83 But yet Gradassos paine succeeded well For why a while afore the lights decaying He passed neare the place as it befell Where in a caue he found him by his naying Still fearing that same monstrous impe of hell He takes him thence and then but little waying His promise made he turnes another way And to himselfe in secret thus doth say 84 Let them that list hold things in strife and war I meane to hold mine owne with peace and ease Onely to get this horse I came so far And past so many lands and many seas My promise breach to me shal be no bar To keepe that I so quietly do sease If he desire to win his horse againe To come to India let him take the painâ— 85 As safe as France hath bin for me now twise So safe for him shal be my Serycane I thither wish him come if he be wise Else of Bayardo now his leaue is tane If he will haue him he shall know the prise Now mine Bayardo is and Durindane This sayd he mounted on the steed so warly And by another way went backe to Arly 86 Where finding ships new riggd to sea-ward bent Though then at anker in the harbour lying With those rich spoils to passe the seas he ment In all post hast into his country hying Hereafter you shall heare which way he went And of his last conflict and of his dying Now him I leaue Renaldo and all France And tell you what did to Astolfo chance 87 Who mounted on his stately winged steed Well tamed late by Logestillas wit Tooke perfect vew of France with passing speed And saw how eu'rie towne of worth did sit Which hauing well obseru'd and markt with heed From Rhine to Pyren mount he thought it fit In manner like all ouer Spaine to ride And many countryes of the world beside 88 To Aragon he passed through Nauar Each man that saw him wondring at the sight Then Taracon he did dicery not far Vpon his left hand Biskie on his right Where