he spake and watrie eies My sonne thou shalt not vnreuenged go And while in bed secure Zerbino lyes Not thinking he had bene betrayed so With armed men his lodging was beset He naked tane as is byrd in uet 39 With as great crueltie as could be showne His princely armes were piniond last behind him And to a dungeon deepe he straight was throwne And that vile place to bide in was assignd him Vntill the sentence of his death were knowne In fine Anselmus so did passion blind him Her likely tale his wrath so rashly leading Condemned him and neuer heard him pleading 40 Thus was this worthy Prince without all cause Condemnd to die such is the wo full being Where hests of lawlesse lords must stand for laws Though from all lawes and reason dilagreeing Now neare and neare his execution drawes And gazing people greedie still of seeing In clusters march and follow all confused On horse on foot as at â—uch time is vsed 41 But loe how God that euer doth defend Those innocents that put in him their trust A helpe vnlooked for did thither send And freed him from this doome of death vniust Orlando did eu'n then the hill ascend Orlando is the man that saue him must And at that time there did with him remaine The daughter of Galego king of Spaine 42 This was that Isabell whom he of late Recouerd from the outlawes in the caue And hauing brought her out of that ill state Yet still he promist care of her to haue And whatsoeuer danger or debate To him befell yet her still did saue Orlando all that great assemblie saw That did the knight to execution draw 43 He thither went and aske of him the cause Why he was drawne vnto a death so cruell Forsooth Zerbino said against all lawes I am condemn'd if you the matter knew well Anselmus rage that will admit no pause Vnto this flame doth kindle all the fewell Beleeuing falsely that I flue his sonne Whereas by me God knowes it was not done 44 Thus Zerbin said and said it in such sorr As made Orlando vow him to releeue For verie apt he was each ill report Of any of Maganza to beleeue Each house still thought to cut the the other short Each house still sought the other how to greeue Each house long time had tane a pride and pleasure To worke the tother danger and displeasure 45 Vnloose the knight ye caitiues straight he cride Else looke for death to be your due reward What man is this quoth one that gapes so wideâ— And speakes to soolishly without regard Were he of steele of strength and temper tride And we of straw his sute might hap be hard This said he taketh vp a mighty launce And runnes against the Palladine of Fraunce 46 Orlando ran at him with couched speare And though his armour were both good and sure As namely that Zerbino erst did weare Yet was the stroke too grieuous to endure For though the beauer did it stifly beare Yet did the blow a greater hurt procure For on the cheeke it gaue him such a checke That though it pierced not it brake his necke 47 Nor at that course did all his furie cease Six other of that speare the force then felt Then with his sword among the thickest prease Such store of thrusts and deadly blowes he delt That many in the place did straight decease And eu'n as snow against the Sunne doth melt So melted they and fainted in his fight That in an houre he put them all to flight 48 When they were fled he set Zerbino free Who would haue kist the ground whereon he trod And done him reuerence humbly on his knee But that the Earle such courtsie him forbod But yet he thank him in the high'st degree As one he honourd most excepting God Then did he put his armor on againe Which late was worne by him that there was slaine 49 Now while Zerbino there a little staid Preparing with Orlando to go hence Behold faire Isabell that princely maid That all the while had staid a little thence And sees no farther cause to be affraid Game neare brought greatioy and great offence By diuers passions bred of one desire Some cold as ice and some as hot as fire 50 For where before Zerbino thought her drownd Now certaine he reioyced very much To see her in his presence safe and found And that her misaduenture was not such But weying in whose hand he had her sound A iealous feare forthwith his heart doth tuch And inwardly a greater anguish bred Then late it had to heare that she was ded 51 To see her in the hands of such a knight It greatly did him anger and displease From whom to offer her to take by might It were no honestie now haply ease But for Orlandos sake he ought of right All passions both of loue and wrath appease To whom in thankfulnesse it were but meete To lay his hands vnder Orlandos feete 52 Wherefore he makes no words but on he goth In silent sort till comming to a well To drinke they lighted being thirstie both And each his drought with water doth expell But when the damsell saw and knew for troth That was Zerbino whom she lon'd so well For when to drinke his beuer he vntide Straight she her loue had through his beuer spide 53 With open armes she runs him to embrace And hangs about his necke a pleasant yoke And speechlesse she remaind a pretie space And with her cristall teares before she spoke Surprisd with ioy she all bedewd his face And long it was ere into speech she broke By which the noble Earle did plainly see That this could no man but Zerbino be 54 Now when she had againe her vitall sprites And that she able was her mind to show First she Orlandos great desarts recites That rescude her from place of shame and wo Commending him aboue all other knights That vndefiled had preserud her so And prayd her deare when she had made recitall Of his good deeds to make him some requitall 55 Great thanks were giu'n and profers great there were Of recompence and seruice on each â—â—de But lo a hap that made them speech forbeare For why an armed knight they had espide T was Mandricardo that arriued there Who as you heard these many dayes did ride To seeke this Earle till meeting by the way Faire Doralice a while it made him stay 56 You heard how Mandricard sought out the tracke Mou'd thereunto by enuie and disdaine Of this fierce knight appareld all in blacke By whom the king of Tremysen was slaine And those Noritians all so put to wracke As few of them vnwounded did remaine And now he found him as it came to passe Yet knew he not that this Orlando was 57 But marking well the signes and tokens like To those he heard of such as thence were fled You are quoth he the selfe same man I seeke By
corps of him to be disposed 56 The target like the carbuncle doth shine Such light was neuer seene with mortall eye It makes to ground the lookers on decline Be they farre off or be they standing nie And as it closed their sight it closed mine That 〈◊〉 a trance no little space was I. At last when I awakt and rose againe The aire was darke and voided was the plaine 57 The sorcerer hath tane them I surmise Into his castle as is likely most And by this light that dazeld all our eieâ— My hope is gone their libertie is lost This is the truth nâ— do I ought deuise You heare the same I felt it to my cost Now iudge if I haue reason to complaine That haue and do endure such endlesse paine 58 When as this Knight his dolefull tale had done He sate him downe all chearlesse in the place This was the Earle Pinnabel Anselmus sonne Borne in Maganza of that wicked race Who like the rest so lewd a course did runne He holpe the more his linage to deface For onely vertue noblenesse doth dignifie And vicious life a linage base doth signifie 59 The Ladie faire attentiue all this while Doth hearken vnto this Maganzâ—ses tale Rogeros name sometime doth make her smile Sometime againe for feare she looketh pale But hearing how a sorcerer base and vile Should in a castle so detaine him thrall She pitied him and in her mind she treated And oft desir'd to heare the tale repeated 60 When at the last the whole she vnderstood She said sir Knight mourne not but take some pleasure Perhaps our meeting may be to your good And turne your enemie vnto displeasure Shew me this fort for why it freats my blood So foule a prison holds so faire a treasure And if good fortune fauour mine intent You will right well suppose your trauell spent 61 Ah said the Knight should I returne againe To passe these mountaines hard and ouertwhaâ—t Though for my selfe it is but little paine To toile my bodie hauing lost my hart For you to go where as you may be slaine Or taken prisner were a foolish paâ—t Which if it hap yet me you cannot blame Because I giue you warning of the same 62 This said he riseth vp his horse to take The noble Ladie on the way to guide Who meanes to venter for Rogeros sake Or death or thraldome or what ere betide But loe a messenger great hast doth make That comes behind and tarry ho he cride This was the post that told to Sacraâ—ant How she that foyld him was Dame Bradamant 63 This messenger brought tidings in great post Both from Narbona and from Mompeleere How they were vp in armes along the cost Of Aquamort and all that dwelled neere And how Marsilias men their hearts had lost Because of her no tidings they could beare And for her absence made them ill apayd They sent to haue her presence and her ayd 64 These townes and others many to the same Betweene the streames of Rodon and of Vare The Empror had assignd this worthy dame Committing them vnto her trust and care Her noble value gat her all this fame Because in armes her selfe she brauely bare And so the cities vnder her subiection This message sent requiring her direction 65 Which when she heard it made her somewhat pause Twixt yea and no she stood a pretie space Of one side honor and her office drawes On th' other side loue helpes to pleade the case At last she meanes t' ensue the present cause And fetch Rogero from th'inchanted place And if her force cannot to this attaine At least with him a prisner to remaine 66 In câ—rteous sort her answer she contriued With gracious words and sent away the post She longs with her new guide to haue ariued To that same place where both their loues were lost But he perceiuing now she was deriued From Clarimont that he detested most Doth hate her sore and feareth to the same Lest she should know he of Maganza came 67 There was betweene these houses auncient hate This of Maganza that of Clarimount And each of them had weakned others state By killing men in both of great account This Pâ—nâ—abâ— a vile and wicked mate That all his kin in vices did surmount Meanes with himselfe this damsell to betray Or else to slip aside and go his way 68 And this same fancie so his head did fill With hate with feare with anger and with doubt That he mistooke the way against his will And knew not how againe to find it out Till in the wood he saw a little hill Bare on the top where men might looke about But Bradamant such amorous passions feeles She followeth like a spaniell at his heeles 69 The craftie guide thus wandring in the wood Intending now the Ladie to beguile Said vnto her forsooth he thought it good Sith night grew onâ— themselues to rest a while Here is quoth he and shewd which way it stood A castle faire and hence not many a mile But tarry you a little here vntill I may descrie the countrey from the hill 70 This said he mounted to the higher ground And standing now the highest part vpon He cast about his eyes and looked round To find some path whereby he might be gone When vnawares a monstrous caue he found And strange cut out and hollowd in the stone Deepe thirtie cubits downe it doth descend Hauing a faire large gate at lower end 71 Such as great stately houses wont to haue Out of which gate proceeds a shining light That all within most lightsome makes the caue And all this while on this felonious knight This noble Ladie due attendance gaue And neuer suffred him go out of sight She followd Pinnabel hard at his backe Because she was afeard to leese the tracke 72 When as this villaine traitor did espie That his designements foolish were and vaine Either to leaue her or to make her die He thought it best to trie a further traine Perswading her for to descend and trie What Ladies faire within the caue remaine For why said he within this little space I saw a goodly damsell in the place 73 Both rich arayd and very faire of hew Like one of noble linage and degree And this her fortune made me more to rew That here against her will she seemd to be And when I thought for to descend and vew The cause of this her griefe to know and see I was no sooner from my horse alighted But with infernall hags I was afrighted 74 The noble Bradamant that was more stout Then warie who it was did her perswade Hath such desire to helpe a damsell out That straight the caue she meaneth to inuade She finds by hap a long bough thereabout Thereof a pole of mightie length she made First with her sword she hewes and pares it fit That done she lets it downe into the pit 75 She giueth Pinnabel the bigger end And prayes
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
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
vs all it is intended That this foule fault hereafter shal be mended 16 Now of Marfisa and of Bradamant I meane to tell that still were so victorious As both my voice too faint and skill too scant Would be to count their famous deeds glorious Yet shall good will so farre supply my want As I will recken those were most notorious And were my might agreeing to my mind I would deserue as well of all their kind 17 If you remember I declared erst How good Rogero purposd to returne And how he heard the sound I then reherst Of some that seemed wofully to mourne Which wayling so his mind with pittie pierst As he a while his iourny did adiourne Both that to know the parties he desired And ment to succour them if cause required 18 With him those dames the noble cosins went And when they nearer came vnto the place They saw three damsels wofully lament Appareld strangely and in sorie case Their clothing all had bene clipt of and rent Vp to their nauels to their foule disgrace They sitting on the ground and durst not rise To hide their secret parts from strangers eyes 19 As Vulcans sonne by Pallas pointment nurst Whom without mother got of earth he had For whom Aglaur was plagu'd because she durst Looke on him when the Goddesse had forbad Sat in a coach by him deuised surst To hide his leggs that were deformd and bad So sat the wofull maids their secrets hiding Scarse from the ground to lift their looks abiding 20 The foule prospect did with great wrath inflame The worthie dames when they did plaine it vew And in the maids behalfs they blusht for shame As do in Peslus gardens roses new But Bradamant when as more neare she came Was grieued more for one of them she knew Whose name was Vllanie that since a while Was vnto France sent from the Island I le 21 She also knew both tother in effect For she had met them trau'ling on that cost But yet her speech she chiefly did direct To Vllanâ— whom she regarded most And askt her what vile wight did so neglect All law and had all humane nature lost As that without remorse he could abide To leaue that bare that nature seeks to hide 22 Poore Vâ—lanie that both by speech and sight The worthie damsell Bradamant did know To be a Ladie whom she saw last night To giue three Princes such an ouerthrow When first a while she sobbed had and sight The manner and the matter plaine doth show How people neare that place did ill intreat them And clippe their cloths and also whip and beat them 23 Fast by said she the Castle you may see Where they do keepe that vs so ill did vse As for the shield of gold and Princes three That came to win it she could tell no newes We onely ment to trudge on foote said shé To make complaint of those did vs abuse Vnto the noble Christen Emp'rour Charles Who punish will I trust such lawlesse catles 24 Braue Bradamant and stout Marfisa longs To go immediatly vnto this place And be auâ—ng'd on such enormous wrongs Done as they deeme to all the sexe disgrace Rogero eke that knows well what belongs Vnto the law of knight hood in such case To succour all that are by wrong opprest But chieflie women goes without request 25 With one consent they all put off their bases Which seru'd the maidens verie fit to hide The secret parts of those same priuie places That modestie to show cannot abide Then Bradamant straight way behind her places Faire Vilany and makes her so to ride Marfisa and Rogero take the paine Behind themselues to place the other twaine 26 The dame of Dordon led them all the way The tother two do follow with great hast But Villany showd where the Castle lay To which they many a hill and valley past But now so much was spent of that same day That they were quite benightâ—d at the last At night to take a village they were glad Where they good meat good drinke good lodging had 27 But when to looke about them they began They none cou'd see but women in the place The women drâ—st brought all and not a man In all the village that did show his face Among themselues they on the matter scan And much they mused at so strange a case Among so many fayre foule young and old As there they saw not one man to behold 28 I thinke that Iason neuer marueld more Nor those his Argonauts that with him came Then when they first arriu'd at Lemnos shore Where they found none but women void of shame That had their sires and brethren slaine before And did a common wealth of women frame Then did Rogero with the Ladies wonder To see no men but women such a nomber 29 Wherefore when first they had in seemly sort Prouided raiment for the damsels three If not so sumptuous certes not so short But to conceale that which men should not see Then they desir'd some dweller there report To them what might the cause and reason be Why in this towne there were allowd no men And in this sort the woman answerd then 30 This order at the which you seeme to wonder Was by a tyrant pointed for our paine A tyrant whose subiection we are vnder Who by his proclamation doth ordaine From mothers sonnes froÌ„ husbands wiues to sunder And in such hard exile we must remaine And suffer not by merit but by force From our deare spouses such a long diuorce 31 Thrise haue the trees with winter bene deleaued Since we haue bene into this place confind Of husbands fathers and of sonnes bereaued So sore the tyrant hateth all our kinde And if that any chance to be perceaued As some perhaps there be that are so kinde To come but once to looke vpon his wife The man and woman both shall loose their life 32 The lawlesse wretch that makes this cruell law Dwels two leagues hence and is of such behauiour As from his purpose no man can him draw How much so euer he be in his fauour He doth all women from his land withdraw As if he were infected with their sauour He is so fierce so sturdie and so strong That none dare once protect whom he will wrong 33 And which is strange he vseth strangers worst If any happen to his house arriue It seems he hath of womens bloud some thurst For though he let them part from thence aliue Yet first with whipping and with vsage curst He doth their torment and reproch contriue Wherefore if you your safeties do regard I wish you not to trauell thither-ward 34 At this Marfisa and the Dordon dame Were much incenst and did desire to know How he was cald and whence his furie came That made him first to such a madnes grow The woman maketh answer thus his name Is Marganor and if you please I le show The whole
there with much a do are glad and faine To catch some burning boord and being loth To dye of either death they dye of both 84 Some one for feare of sword or axe or pike Doth all in vaine vnto the sea betake him For why some stone or arrow or such like Ere he be farre from thence doth ouertake him But least the reader haply may mislike My too long tale this motion I would make him That to another season he defarre To heare the sequell of this bloudy warre In Rogeros irresolute fighting may be noted how necessary it is for a man before he go to fight to put on a good and firme resolution and chiefly of the goodnes of his cause In Agramants breach of the oth and promise we may see how odious a thing it is before God and man to be Foedifragi Truce-breakers which maketh them indeed to be forsaken of their frends prosecuted with great malice of their enemies lothed detested and scorned of their owne subiects and in the end breeds their vtter confusion In that Agramants souldiers do mutine against him and reuile him secretly and he notwithstanding thinkes himselfe to be well beloued of them and well thought of we may see in what a lamentable case those Princes are that as is said of them Neuer see lookes but fawningly disguised Neuer heare words but fayningly deuised Of the Historie of this booke first for Sileno that was Virgils Schoolemaster it is written of him he was one day laid to sleep after he had bene made drunke with wine and his schollers merily bound him wherupon he waking said that verse Soluite me pueri satis est potuisse videri Concerning this great battell at Arlie certaine it is as diuers Historiographers haue noted it that there remaine to this home great heapes of bones betokening some great slaughter of men in that place but when it should be done I cannot precisely affirme In that Mehsla by the helpe of the deuill taking vpon her a false image of Rodomont moued Agramant to breake truce the Allegorie thereof is that they be diuels or diuellish persons that will moue Princes to breake their word and their promise Of Orlandos restoring to his wit which indeed is the chiefe Allegorie of all the booke and where-upon the booke taketh thâ— name Orlando Furioso this in briefe is the meaning thereof Orlando a man of noble birth Erle of Auglant nephew to Charles the great falls so farre in loue with Angelica by which as I haue often noted is meant pleasure or honor that he leeseth his wits and becomes mad by which may be meant any sâ—lly that young men fall into with loue with prodigalitie with ambition or vaine studies which are at large recited in the 34. booke Astolfo with the receit he had of S. Iohn makes him wise againe that is by the grace of God and by the Gospell which teacheth vs how to despise all these worldly things and either quite leaue them or turne them to our good and benefite The sea fight which is in the later end of this booke described is like that which Lucan sets forth in the ciuil wars between Caesar and Pompey or rather indeed to that he speaks of in the next book of Cardinal Hippolito against the Venetians Here end the annotations vpon the 39. booke THE XL. BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Great Agramant doth fly and in his flight Would kill himselfe but Sobrin him forbode Biserta being fir'd a wofull sight At last they meet Gradasso in a rode They send a challenge three to three to fight Vnto Orlando where he then abode Rogero fights with Dudon to set free Seu'n kings whom bound in chaines he chaunst to see 1 T Were long my Lord to tell of all that fought In that sea fight and certes all the while That I should tell it you I should be thought To beare pots as they say to Samos I le Where earthen vessels in great store are wrought Or Owles to Athens Crocodils to Nyle For more then can of this by me be told Your selfe haue caused many to behold 2 Your faithfull people had a long prospect When all a day vpon the streame of Poe Your men as your great vallew did direct The shipping of your foes assaulted so That with their blood the streame they did infect And brought vpon them all a world of woe Then both your selfe and others plaine did see How sundry deaths in fights of sea there be 3 It was not then indeed my hap to see 't Sent then to Rome six dayes before in post To craue then at the holy fathers feet Reliefe and aid against so great an host And in that time your grace with them did meet In such a sort so sorely to their cost And so you par'd the Lyons teeth and pawes That since that time to feare we had no cause 4 But Aifonsin and Mâ—ore that saw the same Aâ—sranio Anniball and Lerbinet Albert and Baygn and three that beare my name Declar'd to me the conquest you did get Also their banners monuments of fame Which offerd in the Churches you did set With fifteene Gallies tane a thousand botes Of that rich conquest giue vs open notes 5 He that had seene the fire and wondrous wreake That at that time was wrought vpon your foes When for your few their many were too weake He might describe the deaths and diuers woes Of Agramantés host of which I speake And of their great and grieuous ouerthrowes Then when amids the surging waues and salt Stout Dudon in the night did them assault 6 When first the fight began the night was darke But when the flame vpon the pitch tooke hold The fire gaue light and did so clearly sparke That Agramant might plainly now behold His enemies and their great number marke Incredible if any had it told Wherefore in season to preuent the worst He changd the course he had intended furst 7 And chusing out a vessell swift of sayle And placing there his things of greatest price With Brigliadore sith all hope now doth fayle To steale from thence he closlie doth deuise And while that Dudon doth his men assayle In all the hast he can away he flyes His men the sword the sea the fire destroyes And he is fled that caused their annoyes 8 And in that Barke with him Sobrino fled Who much complaind and was not little greeued That that which he before so truly sed Yet then by Agramant was not beleeued But tell we now how good Astolfo sped And what exploits Orlando had atcheeued Who counseld so to raze Biserta towne That it might neuer noy th' Imperiall crowne 9 And so it was in publicke sort proclaymd That the third day th' assault they should expect Astolfo had some ships before ordaynd For Dudon had not all for this effect And these same ships with Sansonet remaynd A man that could by sea and land direct Who rode at
licencious liuers Treasurers and other great officers of the common wealth with graue counsellers whose wise heads are the pillars of the state he affirmeth generally to be robbers and peelers of the realme and priuie traitors that sell their Princes fauours and rob wel-deseruing seruitors of their reward I omit as his peccadilia how he nicknameth priests saying for the most part they are hypocrites lawiers saying they are all theeues phisitians saying they are many of them murtherers so as I thinke it were a good motion and would easily passe by the consent of the three estates that this mans authoritie should be vtterly adâ—ihilated that dealeth so hardly and vniustly with all sorts of professions But for the reiecting of his writings I refer it to others that haue power to do it and to condemne him for a generall libeller but for that he writeth against Poetrie I meane to speake a word or two in refuting thereof And first for lying I might if I list excuse it by the rule of Poetica licentia and claime a priueledge giuen to Poetrie whose art is but an imitation as Aristotle calleth it and therefore are allowed to faine what they list according to that old verse Iuridicis Erebo fisco fas viuere rapto Militibus medicis tortori occidere Ludo est Mentiri Astronomis pictoribus atque Poetis Which because I count it without reason I will English it without rime Lawyers Hell and the Checquer are allowed to liue on spoile Souldiers Phisitians and hangmen make a sport of murther Astronomers Painters and Poets may lye by authoritie Thus you see that Poets may lye if they list Cum priuilegio but what if they lye least of all other men what if they lye not at all then I thinke that great slaunder is verie vniustly raised vpon them For in my opinion they are said properly to lye that affirme that to be true that is false and how other arts can free themselues from this blame let them look that professe them but Poets neuer affirming any for true but presenting them to vs as fables and imitations cannot lye though they would and because this obiection of lyes is the chiefest and that vpon which the rest be grounded I wil stand the longer vpon the clearing thereof The ancient Poets haue indeed wrapped as it were in their writings diuers and sundrie meanings which they call the sences or mysteries thereof First of all for the literall sence as it were the vtmost barke or ryne they set downe in manner of an historie the acts and notable exploits of some persons worthie memorie then in the same fiction as a second rine and somewhat more fine as it were nearer to the pith and marrow they place the Morall sence profitable for the actiue life of manâ— approuing vertuous actions and condemning the contrarie Manie times also vnder the selfesame words they comprehend some true vnderstanding of naturall PhilosophÃe or sometime of politike gouernement and now and then of diuinitie and these same sences that comprehend so excellent knowledge we call the Allegorie which Plutarch defineth to be when one thing is told and by that another is vnderstood Now let any man iudge if it be a matter of meane art or wit to containe in one historicall narration either true or fained so many so diuerse and so deepe conceits but for making the matter more plaine I will alledge an example thereof Perseus sonne of Iupiter is fained by the Poets to haue slaine Gorgon and after that conquest atchieued to haue flowen vp to heauen The Historicall sence is this Perseus the sonne of Iupiter by the participation of Iupiters vertues that were in him or rather comming of the stock of one of the kings of Creet or Athens so called slue Gorgon a tyrant in that countrey Gorgon in greeke signifieth earth and was for his vertuous parts exalted by men vp into heauen Morally it signifieth thus much Perseus a wise man sonne of Iupiter endewed with vertue from aboue slayeth sinne and vice a thing base and earthly signified by Gorgon and so mounteth to the skie of vertue It signifies in one kinde of Allegorie thus much the mind of man being gotten by God and so the childe of God killing and vanquishing the earthlinesse of this Gorgonicall nature ascendeth vp to the vnderstanding of heauenly things of high things of eternall things in which contemplation consisteth the perfection of man this is the naturall allegorie because man one of the chiefe works of nature It hath also a more high and heauenly Allegorie that the heauenly nature daughter of Iupiter procuring with her continuall motion corruption and mortalitie in the interiour bodies seuered it selfe at last from these earthly bodies and flew vp on high and there remaineth for euer It hath also another Theologicall Allegorie that the angelicall nature daughter of the most high God the creator of all things killing and ouercomming all bodily substance signified by Gorgon ascended into heauen the like infinite Allegories I could picke out of other Poeticall fictions saue that I would auoid tediousnesse It sufficeth me therefore to note this that the men of greatest learning and highest wit in the auncient times did of purpose conceale these deepe mysteries of learning and as it were couer them with the veile of fables and verse for sundrie causes one cause was that they might not be rashly abused by prophane wits in whom science is corrupted like good wine in a bad vessell another cause why they wrote in verse was conseruation of the memorie of their precepts as we see yet the generall rules almost of euerie art not so much as husbandrie but they are ofâ—ner recited and better remembred in verse then in prose another and a principall cause of all is to be able with one kinde of meate and one dish as I may so call it to feed diuers-tastes For the weaker capacities will feed themselues with the pleasantnesse of the historie and sweetnes of the verse some that haue stronger stomackes will as it were take a further tast of the Moralisence a third sort more high conceited then they will digest the Allegorie so as indeed it hath bene thought by men of verie good iudgement such manner of Poeticall writing was an excellent way to preserue all kinde of learning from that corruption which now it is come to since they left that mysticall writing of verse Now though I know the example and authoritie of Aristotle and Plato be still vrged against this who tooke to themselues another manner of writing first I may say indeed that lawes were made for poore men and not for Princes for these two great Princes of Philosophie brake that former allowed manner of writing yet Plato still preserued the fable but refused the verse Aristotle though reiecting both yet retained still a kinde of obscuritie insomuch he answered Alexander who reprooued him in a sort for publishing the sacred secrets of Philosophie that he
did it the rather because Plutarke in one place speaking of Homer partly lamenteth and partly blameth him that writing so much as he did yet in none of his workes there was any mention made or so much as inkling to be gathered of what stocke he was of what kindred of what towne nor saue for his language of what countrey Excuse me then if I in a worke that may perhaps last longer then a better thing and being not ashamed of my kindred name them here and there to no mans offence though I meant not to make euerie body so far of my counsell why I did it till I was told that some person of some reckening noted me of a little vanitie for it and thus much for that point For my omitting and abreuiating some things either in matters impertinent to vs or in some too tedious flatteries of persons that we neuer heard of if I haue done ill I craue pardon for sure I did it for the best But if any being studious of the Italian would for his better vnderstanding compare them the first sixe bookes saue a little of the third will stand him in steed But yet I would not haue any man except that I should obserue his phrase so strictly as an interpreter nor the matter so carefully as if it had bene a storie in which to varie were as great a sin as it were simplicitie in this to go word for word But now to conclude I shall pray you all that haue troubled your selues to read this my triple Apologie to accept my labors and to excuse my errors if with no other thing at least with the name of youth which commonly hath need of excuses and so presuming this pardon to be granted we shall part good frends Onely let me intreate you in reading the booke ensuing not to do me that iniurie that a Potter did to Artosto AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER BEFORE HE READE THIS POEME OF SOME THINGS TO BE OBSERVED as vvell in the substance of this vvorkâ— as also in the setting forth thereof vvith the vse of the Pictures Table and annotations to the same annexed THere are peraduenture many men and some of those both graue and godly men that in respect they count all Poetrie as meerly tending to wantonnesle and vanitie will at the very first sight reiect this booke and not onely not allow but blame and reproue the trauel taken in letting forth the same in our mother tongue And surely for such censurers as will condemne without hearing the cause pleaded I can be well content to haue them spare the labor in reading which they thinke I haue lost in writing and appealing from them if not to higher at least to more indifferent iudges namely such as wil vouchsafe to heare what can be spoken in defence of the matter and then will yeeld as wise men euer should do to the stronger reason I do to them direct this my short aduertisement which because all that may reade this booke are not of equall capacities I will endeuor to explane more plainly then for the learned sort had haply bene requisite And first if any haue this scruple that it might be hurtfull for his soule or conscience to reade a booke of Poetry as though it might alien his mind from vertue and religion I referre him beside many other excellent mens writings both in defence and praise thereof to a litle briefe treatise in the beginning of this booke written by me generally in defence of Poemes and specially of this present worke which I dare affirme to be neither vicious nor profane but apt to breed the quite contrary effects if a great fault be not in the readers owne bad disposition Secondly I haue in the marginall notes quoted the apt similitudes and pithie sentences or adages with the best descriptions and the excellent imitations and the places and authors from whence they are taken Further where diuers stories in this worke seeme in many places abruptly broken off I haue set directions in the margent where to find the continuance of euery such storie though I would not wish any to reade them in that order at the first reading but if any thinke them worthy the twise reading then he may the second time not vnconueniently vse it if the meane matter betweene the so deuided stories vpon which commonly they depend be not quite out of his memorie Also according to the Italian maner I haue in a staffe of eight verses comprehended the contents of euery Book or Canto in the beginning thereof which hath two good vses one to vnderstand the picture the perfecter the other to remember the storie the better As for the pictures they are all cut in brasse and most of them by the best workmen in that kind that haue bin in this land this many yeares yet I will not praise them too much because I gaue direction for their making and in regard thereof I may be thought partiall but this I may truly say that for mine owne part I haue not seene any made in England better nor indeed any of this kind in any booke except it were a treatise set forth by that profound man master Broughton the list yeare vpon the Reuelation in which there are some three or foure pretie pictures in octauo cut in brasse very workmanly As for other bookes that I haue seene in this Realme either in Latine or English with pictures as Liuie Gesner Alciats emblemes a booke de Spectris in Latine and in our tongue the Chronicles the booke of Martyrs the booke of hauking and hunting and M. Whitneys excellent Emblemes yet all their figures are cut in wood and none in metall and in that respect inferiour to these at least by the old prouerbe the more cost the more worship The vse of the picture is euident which is that hauing read ouer the booke you may reade it as it were againe in the very picture and one thing is to be noted which euery one haply will not obserue namely the perspectiue in euery figure For the personages of men the shapes of horses and such like are made large at the bottome and lesser vpward as if you were to behold all the same in a plaine that which is nearest seemes greatest and the fardest shewes smallest which is the chiefe art in picture If the name of any man woman country towne horse or weapon seeme strange to any I haue made a table where to find it And in the same table a direction for the seuerall tales where to begin and end those that may conueniently be read single of which kind there are many and those not vnpleasant Lastly at the end of euery Book or Canto because the Reader may take not only delight but profit in reading I haue noted in all as occasion is offered the Morall the Historie the Allegorie and the Allusion The Morall that we may apply it to our owne manners
on such a lot And seeke it selfe in thickest brackes to hide And thinkes each noise the wind or aire doth cause It selfe in danger of the tygers clawes 35 That day and night she wandred here and there And halfe the other day that did ensue Vntil at last she was arriued where A fine yong groue with pleasant shadow grew Neare to the which two little riuers were Whose moisture did the tender herbes renew And make a sweete and very pleasing sound By running on the sand and stonie ground 36 Here she at last her selfe in safetie thought As being from Renaldo many a mile Tyr'd with annoy the heate and trauell brought She thinkes it best with sleepe the time beguile And hauing first a place conuenient sought She lets her horse refresh his limbes the while Who sed vpon the bankes well cloth'd with grasse And dranke the riuer water cleere as glasse 37 Hard by the brooke an arbor she descride Wherein grew faire and very fragrant floures With roses sweet and other trees beside Wherewith the place adornes the natiue boures So fenced in with shades on either side Safe from the heate of late or early houres The boughes aud leaues so cunningly were mixt No sunne no light could enter them betwixt 38 Within the tender herbes a bed do make Inuiting folke to take their rest and ease Here meanes this Ladie faire a nap to take And fals to sleepe the place so well doth please Not long she lay but her a noise did wake The trampling of a horse did her disease And looking out as secret as she might To come all arm'd she saw a comely knight 39 She knowes not yet if he be foe or friend Twixt hope and feare she doubtfully doth stand And what he meanes to do she doth attend And who it was she faine would vnderstand The knight did to the riuer side descend And resting downe his head vpon his hand All in a muse he sitteth still alone Like one transform'd into a marble stone 40 He tarri'd in this muse an houre and more With looke cast downe in sad and heauie guise At last he did lament his hap so sore Yet in so sweete and comely mournefull wise So hard a heart no tyger euer bore But would haue heard such plaints with watrish eies His heart did seeme a mountaine full of flame His cheekes a streame of teares to quench the same 41 Alas said he what meanes this diuers passion I burne as fire and yet as frost I freese I still lament and yet I moue compassion I come too late and all my labour leese I had but words and lookes for shew and fashion Put others get the game and gainefull fees If neither fruite nor floure come to my part Why should her loue consume my carefull hart 42 Like to the rose I count the virgine pure That grow'th on natiue stem in garden faire Which while it stands with wals enuirond sure Where heardmen with their heards cannot repaire To fauor it it seemeth to allure The morning deaw the heate the earth the aire Yong gallant men and louely dames delight In their sweet sent and in their pleasing sight 43 But when at once t is gathered and gone From proper stalke where late before it grew The loue the liking little is or none Both fauour grace and beautie all adew So when a virgin grants to one alone The precious floure for which so many sew Well he that getteth it may loue her best But she forgoes the loue of all the rest 44 She may deserue his loue but others hate To whom of loue she shewd her selfe so scant Oh then my cruell fortune or my fate Others haue store but I am staru'd with want Then leaue to loue this ladie so vngrate Nay hue to loue behold I soone recant Yea first let life from these my limbs be rent Ere 1 to change my loue shall giue consent 45 If some perhaps desirous are to know What wight it was with sorow so opprest T was Sacrapant that was afflicted so And loue had bred this torment in his brest That trickling wound that flattring cruell foe Most happie they that know and haue it least The loue of her I say procur'd his woe And she had heard and knew it long ago 46 Her loue allur'd him from the Ester land Vnto the Westerne shores where sets the Sunne And here he heard how by Orlandos hand A passage safe from th' Indies she had wonne Her sequestration he did vnderstand That Charles had made and how the same was done To make the knights more venterous and bold In fighting for the Floure de luce of gold 47 And furthermore himselfe had present bene When Charles his men were ouerthrowne and slaine Since then he traueld farre to find this Queene But hitherto it hath bene all in vaine Now much despaire and little hope betweene So rufully thereof he doth complaine And with such wailing words his woes rehearst As might the hardest stonie heart haue pearst 48 And while in this most dolefull state he bides And sighes full oft and sheddeth many a teare And speakes these same and many words besides Which I to tell for want of time forbeare His noble fortune so for him prouides That all this came vnto his mistresse eare And in one moment he preuailed more Then he had done in many yeares before 49 Angelica with great attention hard The mâ—iâ—e and plaint that him tormented sore Who long had loued her with great regard As she had triall many yeares before Yet as a marble pillaâ— cold and hard She not incline to pittie him the more Like one that all the world doth much disdaine And deemeth none worthie her loue againe 50 But being now with danger compast round She thought it best to take him for her guide For one that were in water almost drownd Were verie stout if for no helpe he cryde If â—he let passe the fortune now she found She thinkes to want the like another tyde And furthermore for certaine this she knew That Sacrapant had beene her louer true 51 Ne meant she tho to quench the raging fires That ay consum'd his faithfull louing heart Ne yet with that a louer most desires T aâ—lwage the paine in all or yet in part She meanes he first shall pull her from the briers And feed him then with words and womens art To make him first of all to serue her turne That doue to wonted coynesse to returne 52 Vnto the riuer side she doth descend And toward him most goddesse like she came And â—â—id all peace to thee my dearest frend With modest looke and cald him by his name And further said the Gods and you defend My chastitie mine honor and my fame And neuer grant by their diuine permission That I giue cause of any such suspicion 53 With how great ioy a mothers minde is fild To see a sonne for whom she long had mourned Whom she hard
Musatto a Padoan in a tragedie he wrote affirmes to haue bin gotten by the diuell His crueltie was such he would cut up women quicke with child and burned at one time 12000 men aliue He was after taken prisoner and died of famine Of Hercules of Este as the praises are great he giues him so it appeares in Guychardine they are well deserued For when Charles the eight came into Italie like a thunder as writers of those times call him this Hercules with his prudent cariage so ordered himselfe as he and his countrie escaped that tempest Concerning the victorie that this Hippolito had of the Venetians I shall haue more occasion to speake of it in the 40. booke The two that Bradamant asketh Melyssa of were brothers to Alfonso Duke of Ferrara their names are Ferdinand and Lulio the storie is this It happened that being all yong men Hippolito and one of these yonger brothers fel both in loue with one Curtesan but she entertained the loue of the yonger with most kindnes whereupon Hippolito asked her one day very instantly what it was that moued her to prefer his brother asore him and she said it was his beautifull eie wherupon Hippolito made some of his pages to thrust out his eies Notwithstanding he afterward recouered his eies and finding no redresse by complaining to Alfonso he and one other brother conspired to kill him but at the time of the execution their hearts failed them or their minds altered and after the conspiracie being discouered they were kept in perpetuall prison And in this he alludes to that of Marcellus in Virgil Luctus ac quaeretuorum THE FOVRTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Bradamant ouercomes the false Magician And sets Rogero free who by and by Leapt on a horse not knowing his condition Who bare him quite from sight of any eye Renaldo sailed as he had commission To England ward but borne by wind awrie At Callidon in Scotland he arriued When faire Geneuras soule death was contriued 1 THough he that useth craft and simulation Doth seldome bend his acts to honest ends But rather of an euill inclination His wit and skill to others mischiefe bends Yet sith in this our worldly habitation We do not euer dwell among our frends Dissembling doubtlesse oftentimes may saue Mens liues their same and goods and all they haue 2 If man by long acquaintance and great proofe To trust some one man seant can be allured To whom he may in presence or aloofe Vnfold the secrets of his mind assured Then doth this damsell merite no reproofe That with Brunello to all fraud inured Doth frame her selfe to counterfeit a while For to deceiue deceiuers is no guile 3 Now while these two did to conferre begin She to his fingers hauing still an eie The host and other seruants of the Inne Came on the sodaine with a wofull crie And some did gaze without and some within As when men see a Comet in the skie The cause of this their wondring and their crying Was that they saw an armed horseman flying 4 And straight by th' host and others they were told How one that had in Magicke art great skill Not farre from thence had made a stately hold Of shining steele and plac'd it on a hill To which he bringeth Ladies yong and old And men and maids according to his will And when within that castle they haue beene They neuer after haue bene heard or seene 5 No sooner can he spie a pretie maide But straight he takes her vp into the aire The which his custome makes them all afraid That either are or thinke that they be faire Those hardie knights that went to giue them aide Of which sort many hither did repaire Went like the beasts to the sicke Lions den For all went in but none returnd agen 6 This tale in worthy Bradamant did breed A kind of pleasure and confused ioy In hope which after she performd indeed The sight of her beloued to enioy She praid the host procure a guide with speed As though each little stay did breed annoy She sweares that in her heart she longd to wrastle With him that kept the captiues in his castle 7 Because that you sir knight should want no guide Brunello said I will my selfe be he I know the way and somewhat haue beside By which may fortune you may pleasur'd be He meant the ring offorce and vertue tride Although he meant not she the same should see Great thanks quoth she that you will take the paine In hope hereby the precious ring to gaine 8 Thus each from other hiding their intent They forward set like friends by breake of day Brunello sometime foremost of them went Sometime behind as chanced on the way Now had they certaine houres in trauell spent When they arriued where the castle lay Whereas mount Pyrene stands aboue the plaine So high as may discouer France and Spaine 9 When is the castle did in sight appeare So strange so faire so stately and so hie In which that knight whom the esteem'd so deare With many others prisoner did lie She thought her finest time drew very neare To take the ring and make Brunello die Wherefore with open force she doth assaile him Whose strength with age and feare soon gan to saile him 10 Her meaning was the Caitise to haue kild But vnto that her noble heart said nay Small praise would come from bloud so basely spild She meanes to get the ring another way But first the bound him wher he wild or nild And though with teares he did for pittie pray Yet lest she him vnto a tree fast tide And with the ring away the straight did ride 11 And being in the greene fast by the towre Straight as the fashion was her horne she blew Out came that armed knight that present houre And seeing there a challenger in vew He seemeth to assault her with great powre But by the ring she all his falshood knew She saw he carride neither sword nor speare Nor any weapon that one need to feare 12 He onely carride at his saddle bow A shield all wrapped in a crimson case And read a booke by which he made to show Some strange and strong illusions in the place And many that these cunnings did not know He had deceâ—'d and tane in little space And could both swords and lances to appeare When neither word nor lances them were neare 13 But yet the beast he rode was not of art But gotten of a Griffeth and a Mate And like a Griffeth had the former part As wings and head and clawes that hideous are And passing strength and force and ventrous hart But all the rest may with a horse compare Such beasts as these the hils of Ryfee yeeld Though in these parts they haue bin seene but seeld 14 This monster rare from far theft regions brought This rare Magician ord ed with such skill That in one month or little more he tought The
So Griffin did with deadly strokes him plie At last he left him stom'd on the plaine Straightway two valiant brothers standing by That at Griffino tooke no small disdaine The tone Corimbo tother Tirse hight These two forthwith do challenge him to fight 69 Successiuely them both he ouerthrew And now men thought that he the prise would win But Salintern that saw them downe in vew To enuie good Griffino doth begin This man the stoutst of all the courtly crew Doth take a speare in hand and enters in And to the combat Griffin straight defies And scornes to haue a stranger win the prize 70 But Griffin chose one staffe among the rest The biggest and the strongest of a score And with the same he pierceth backe and brest That downe he fell and neuer stirred more The King that loued and esteemd him best Laments his death and maketh mone therefore But yet the common sort were faine and glad That knew his mind and manners were but bad 71 Next after him two others he doth meat Ermofilo the captaine of his guard And Carmond Admirall of all his fleet With these a while he had a conflict hard The first vnhorst was left vpon his feet The other with a blow was almost mard Thus of eight challengers remaind but one The rest were quite subdude by him alone 72 This one was he of whom at first I spake Lord of Seleucia a valiant man This one to Griffin did resistance make And long it was ere ought of him he wan But one blow on his head so fierce he strake As he likewise to stagger now began Had not the King made them to haue bene parted Sure Griffin had him kild ere he had parted 73 Thus all those eight that all the world defide By one alone were vanquished and slaine So as the King was forced to prouide An order new for those that do remaine By parting runners some on either side For yet was spent not past an houre or twaine Lest this his triumph should haue end too soone He makes them spend therein the afternoone 74 But Griffin full of wrath and discontent Backe to his host with his companion came The praise he wan did him not so content As he was grieu'd at his companions shame Wherefore to leaue the towne they do consent While men were busie looking on the game And to a little towne fast by he goes And meanes himselfe a while for to repose 75 The trauell sore he had before endured So great a wearinesse in him had bred And such desire of sleepe withall procured As straight he gat him to his naked bed The while Martano to all fraud inured And vsing aid of her mischieuous head as he did soundly sleepe deuisd the while A stratageme most strange him to beguise 76 They do conclude to take Griffinos steed And cote and eu'ry warlike implement And that Martano in Griffinos steed Himselfe to Norandino shall present This they deuisd this they performd in deed And boldly backe againe Martano went In Griffins armor stoutly stepping in As did the Asse that ware the Lions skin 77 He rusheth in among the thickest presse An houre before the setting of the sunne The King and all the rest straightway do guesse That this was he that had such honor wonne And straight great honour they to him addresse And cause the like by others to be done And his base name not worthy to be named About the towne with honor was proclamed 78 Fast by the King he rideth cheeke by cheeke And in his praise they songs and verses make In Hebrew tongue in Latin and in Greeke And now this while did Griffin hap to wake And seeing that his armour was to seeke He first begins some small mistrust to take Yet hardly could it sinke into his reason That she had giu'n consent to such a treason 79 In feare and doubt no little time he houered But when his host the truth had plaine declard And that he saw the falshood plaine disouered By which she had in follies bands him snard Thē truth shewd plain that loue before had couered And to reuenge this wrong he straight prepard But wanting other furniture perforce He tooke Martanos armor and his horse 80 And backe vnto Damasco he doth ride Arriuing there within an houre of night And entring at the gate vpon the side The pallace of the King stood plaine in sight Where then the King a banket did prouide For many a Duke and Lord and valiant Knight And Griffin boldly sate among the rest Forgetting that he ware the scorned crest 81 And taken for the man whose coate he ware His presence did the better sort offend Of which when vile Martano was aware That of the table sate at th'vpper end And sees that to disgrace him they forbare And thinke him his companion and his frend His friendship and acquaintance he renounced And this hard doom of him he straight pronounced 82 Sir King quoth he it seems that for my sake You graciously forbeare to do him shame That of his basenesse shamefull proofe did make This day and now againe confirmes the same But you the matter and the man mistake I know not him his nation nor his name By chance I met him onely on the way I neuer saw him I till yesterday 83 Wherefore might I herein your grace aduise You should a sample make him for the rest That here presents vnto your princely eies Himselfe vnworthy and vnwelcome guest Let him tormented be in cruell wise This is my doome let him be hangd at least And vnreuenged let him not be borne That knighthood should receiue so great a scorne 84 Thus much the vile and base Martano seth And Origilla soothd it with as much And wisht an halter stop the villains breth Nay quoth the King the sinne is nothing such As is in law or reason worthy death His life or yet his libertie to tuch This for examples sake I thinke it meet To do him some disgrace in open street 85 And straight he rounds a Sergeant in his care And secretly appoints him what to do Who came forthwith vnto the table where Griffino sate and made no more ado But leadeth him that no such thing did feare A secret prison and a sure vnto And for that night he clapt him vp in fetters Where theeues do vse to lie and euill debters 86 Next day Martano that did greatly dread Lest this his foule deuice would come to light If Griffin should be heard his cause to pleade Therefore as soone as Phoebus shined bright Pretending businesse away he sped And leaues Griffino in this wofull plight But ere he goes the King to him imparts No small rewards for his not his desarts 87 But let him go his wayes and do not doubt That this vnknowne and vnreuengd shall be Straight was Griffino from the iayle put out And carted so as all men might him see Tide hand and foot and people all
him such proofs of high gentilitie And tooke vpon him actions for her sake Which time to come for miracles may take 3 Rogero as before I did recite With Aldiger and Richardetto came To rescue those two prisners if they might That should be sold with great reproch and shame I told you how they met a gallant knight Whose shield had painted that same bird of fame That still renews it selfe and neuer dien And onely one in all the world there flieâ— 4 Now when this knight was of these three aware That stood like men new plast in battell ray He comes to them and seeing what they are Will there quoth he some one of you assay If so his value can with mine compare With staffe with sword or any any other way If any will come then and let vs trie it If none then say so quickly and denie it 5 Sir answerd Aldiger I were content To trie myselfe with you about or two But we three came not here for this intents We come a greater feate then this to do And at this time a little time mispent May hinder vs and little pleasure you We three intend if God do say Amen Two take two prisners from sixe hundred men 6 Sure said that other if you mind indeed So great an enterprise to take in hand No doubt it doth of valiant mind proceed And pittiet ' were your purpose to withstand I rather shall assist you in this deed If you vouch safe to make me of your band And by my seruice I will quickly shoe Good proofe if I deserue such grace or no. 7 Perhap that some would know and if they may What valiant knight this was that did intreat To take Rogeros part in such a fray Whereas the danger could not be but great Now she not he hereafter I must say Marfisa was of whom I did repeat How she both fought and foyld a little since And with Gabrina chargd the Scottish Prince 8 Rogero stout and they of Clarimount Of her and of her offer well esteemed She ioynd with them they making full account That she had bene of that same sex she seemed Straight ready on their horses backs they mount They see aloofe a cornet as they deemed Of horse and mingled some on foote together And all of them directly tending thether 9 Their march their ensignes penons and their flags Did cause for Moores they knowne were discride Amid this crew vpon two little nags The prisners rode with hands behind them tide That must be changd for certaine golden bags That Bertolage had promist to prouide Come saith Marfisa to the other three Now let the feast begin and follow me 10 Soft quoth Rogero there be wanting some Of those that to the banquet must be bidden And to begin afore the guests be come In reason and good manners is forbidden By this the tother crew had ouercome The hill that late before from them were hidden These were the traitrous wretches of Magaunse And now was ready to begin the daunce 11 Maganza men of one side merchant like Brought laden moyles with gold and costly ware The Moors their prisners brought with sword pike Enuirond round about with heed and care The Captains meet with mind a match to strike The prisners present at the bargaine are And now are bought and sold for ought they know To Bertolage their old and mortall foe 12 Good Aldiger and noble Ammons sonne Could hold no longer seeing Bertolage But both together at him they do runne With hearts all set on fierce reuenge and rage His force nor fate their fury could not shunne Their speares his armor and his brest did gage Downe falls the wretch his wealth him cannot saue Such end I wish all wicked wretches haue 13 Marfisa and Rogero at this signe Set out without expecting trumpets blast And with two staues of straight well seasond Pine Twise twentie men vnto the ground they cast The Captaine of the Moores doth much repine They of Maganza murmured as fast For each side deemed as they might in reason That this had happend by the tothers treason 14 Wherefore each side with wrath and fury kindled Vpbraiding tone the tother with vntruth With swords and bils pel mel together mingled Do fight and then a bloudy fray ensu'th The Moorish Duke was by Rogero singled A man eu'n then in prime and strength of youth But youth nor strength nor armour could not saue him From such a blow as good Rogero gaue him 15 Marfisa doth as much on tother side And in such sort besturd her with her blade That looke which way soeuer she did ride An open lane for her the people made If any were so stout the brunt to bide Yet soone they found their forces ouerlaid Through coats of proof they prou'd her sword wold enter She sent their soules below the middle center 16 If you haue seene the hony making Bees To leaue their hiues and going out in swarmes When as their kings and masters disagrees And they make camps in th' aire like men at armes Straight in among them all the Swallow flees And eates and beates them all vnto their harmes So thinke Rogero and Marfisa then Did deale among these bands of armed men 17 Now Aldlger and Richardet no lesse Vpon Maganza met chants lay on lode Both free to set their kinsmen from distresse And for they hated them like snake or tode They that the cause nor quarrell could not guesse And saw their Captaine dead made short abode Their plate their coine and treasure all they yeeld And were the first that faintly left the field 18 So flie from Lions silly heards of Goates That haue deuourd and spoild them at their list And torne their sides their hanches and their throtes Yet none of them their fellowes dare assist So fled these men and cast away their coates And weapons all and durst no more resist Nor matuell if these two had Lions harts That ready find such two to take their parts 19 Whose acts at large to tell I do refraine At which that age did not a little wonder And now to tell them men would thinke I faine Yea though my words their actions far were vnder For at one blow oft horse and man was slaine From head to foote whole bodies clou'n in sunder And either standing on their reputation Bred for their foes a costly emulation 20 Still tone of them markt tother 's valiant deed And each of tother fell in admiration She deemes him Mars or one of Mars his seed And farre aboue all humane generation And saue he was deceiued in her weed He would haue giu'n her equall commendation And likned her as well he liken might Vnto Bellona for her valiant fight 21 Thus of two bands these foure the battell wonne And all their stuffe and carriages they got The prisners loosd their bands were all vndone Their foes all foild such is their happie lot The man
great heat Against the Tartar Agricanes sonne This she desires with hast and instance great As one that thinks great wrong to her was done If in regard of any state or powre She should attend one day or yet one howre 31 But Rodomont alledgeth that of right He first should end the matter with his riuall Sith by accord they first deferd the fight Till time might serue after their here arriuall No lesse Rogero for his horse takes spight And sweares that whether they agree or striue all To take Frontino no man should restraine him Or else to fight with him that doth detaine him 32 Further the matter farther to entangle The argent Eagle in the azure field Gaue to the Tartar matter more to iangle And quarrell with Rogero for his shield And so confusedly he then did wrangle As though with all at once he would the field And in his furie sure he had attempted it But that the kings commandment flat preuented it 33 Who first with graue and frendly admonition To peace and good attonement did exhort them But when beyond all meanes of composition He saw that wrath and furie did transport them To certaine Marshals he doth giue commission According to the law of armes to sort them And of all wayes this was not thought the worst To trie by lots which two should combat furst 34 Foure little scrowles were put into a pot The first had Rodomont and Mandricard Rodomont and Rogero next they wrot The third Rogero was and Mandricard The fourth paire that must trie the present lot Was stout Marfisa ioynd to Mandricard When lots were cast these two first out were tane Fierce Rodomont and sonne of Agrican 35 Mandricard and Rogero next they finde Rodomont and Rogero next was said Mandricard and Marfisa staid behinde With which the stately dame was ill apaid Nor was Rogero well content in minde Doubting that when they first their parts had plaid The combat will be such betweene them two He and Marfisa should haue nought to do 36 Not farre from Paris lay a leuell ground That was in compasse scant a thousand paces This plain with rayles and bars was compast round And tents therein were set with equall spaces With scaffolds raysd vpon the outward bound To giue to lookers on conuenient places Now came the time these strifes should be decided Among those knights those tents were thus deuided 37 In the pauillion bordring on the East Stands Rodomont with visage sterne and grim Ferraw and Sacrapant were readie prest To put his scally serpents hide on him In tother tent that was vpon the West Gradasso and stout Falsyron do trim With Hectors armes so stately and so faire The valiant Prince king Agricanes haire 38 On one side in a high tribunall seat Do sit the kings of Affrica and Spaine With Stordilan and other Princes great Both feard and followd of the Turkish traine Happie was he that day that could but get A place to sit or stand although with paine On rigde of house or wall or top of tree In so greatpresse the goodly shew to see 39 On tother side sat Ladies of great name In stately sort to see and to be seene That out of diuers realmes and countries came To visite or attend the Spanish queene There Doralyce was plast that louely dame Who wears a robe of crimson cut on greene Yet was the crimson staind in such a fashion It rather seemd inclining to carnation 40 Among the rest Marfisa sat that day In short light clothes most sumptuously arrayd The fashion of such kind as well it may Become a warrior and yet a maid Hippolita I thinke vsd such array When in the field her banner she displaid Thus each thing was prepared for the fight And each man was prepared for the sight 41 An Herald in his coate of armes steppes out And of the law of armes expounds the guise Prosessing to resolue each little doubt That in such case accustoms to arise The people gasing standeth all about Attent with listning ears and longing eyes When from the tent of valiant Mandricard Behold a sodaine noyse and sturre was hard 42 The cause was this the king of Sericane Who as before I did rehearse was one That holpe to arme the sonne Agricane Taking his sword in hand to put it on Saw written in the handle Durindane And looking more aduisedly thereon He saw Almontes armes grau'n on the blade The which strange sight him greatly wonder made 43 And glad he was when once he did espy it The chiefest cause that first to France he came Although before he neuer could come by it Wherefore he questions straight vpon the same If Mandricardo wan it or did buy it Who in this sort his answer then did frame I with Orlando for this sword did quarrell And ear I had it put my life in perrell 44 Further vnto this answer he doth ad A farther lie his glorie to increase How that Orlando for the feare he had That for this sword he neuer should haue peace Had throwne away the sword and faind him mad That thereby he might cause his quartell cease Doing herein as is the Castor wonted Bite of his stones when he is nearly hunted 45 Well quoth Gradasso what Orlando ment I cannot now discusse nor do I know But sure I am it is not mine intent Now I haue found it here to let it go The money men munition I haue spent Deserue as good a thing as this I trow You did but finde it you your selfe confesse it And now I challenge it and do possesse it 46 If you denie my claime here I will proue it This field the court this list my pleading bar My plea is such as no writ can remoue it My iugde must be the sequell of the war War said thother who can better loue it Then I these words to me as musicke are If so the king of Sarza will agree To stay his combat till I fight with thee 47 Be sure I le answer thee and all beside That dare presume to offer me offence With that Rogero stept betweene and cride Ho sirs with this I minde not to dispence Or let the fight proceed as lots haue tride Or I my selfe will put you to your fence Shall he denie the sword and shall I yeeld That you shall weare mine Eagle on your shield 48 Wherefore preserue that order first agreed on From which in honour you may no way start Or if to breake it further you proceed on I breake will all if you do breake a part Tush quoth the Tartar threats we haue no need on If Mars were in you both and tooke your part Yet both should finde it folly to attempt Me of my shield or sword once to preuent 49 And with that word forthwith he bent his fist And on Gradassos hand so fierce he strake That sodainly or ear Gradasso wist He made him vnawares the sword forsake Who much repind he thus his purpose
subiect to thy force He could not breake her sleepe for pitties sake That brake all bonds of faith without remorse But back he goes before they did awake And from his house he gets him to his horse Loue so pricks him and he so pricks his steed He ouertakes his companie with speed 24 His looke is sad all changed is his cheare Full heauie was his heart they well perceiued They see no cause of griefe nor guesse they neare And they that guesse most likely are deceiued They thought he went to Rome but you do heare How at Cornetto he his hurt receiued Each man espide that loue procur'd that passion But none descride the manner nor the fashion 25 His brother deemes that all his griefe doth grow Because his louing wife is left alone But he a cleane contrary cause doth know Her too much companie did cause his mone He bends his browes his looks he casts alow With powting lips and many a grieuous grone In vaine doth Faustus comfort seeke to bring him For why he knowes not where the shoo doth wring him 26 He giues a salue afore the sore is found His plaisters are as poison to the smart He seeks to heale and wider makes the wound He names his wife but her name kils his hart Gone was his tast his sleeps do grow vnsound Nature decayth and little helpeth art And that faire face that erst was of such fame Is now so chang'd it seemeth not the same 27 His eyes are sunke so deepe into his hed It made his nose seeme bigger then it should His flesh doth shrinke his bones do seeme to spred He was so chang'd as more cannot be told At last an agew makes him keepe his bed And bait at Innes more often then he would His faire complexion now is pale and withered Much like the Rose that yesterday was gathered 28 With this mishap was Fdustus sore aggrieued Not onely for his brothers wofull state But fearing of his Prince to be reproued Vnto whose grace he vndertooke so late To shew the goodliest man as he beleeued Now growne vncouth by force of inward bate Yet as they could their way they so contriued That at the last in Pauie they arriued 29 He would not straightway shew him to the King Lest eu'ry one might deeme his iudgement small But sent by letters notice of the thing And what mishap his brother was befall How scant aliue he could him thither bring A secret griefe so greatly did him gall And with an agew puld him downe so sore He seemd not now the man he was before 30 And yet behold this noble King is glad That he is come and meanes to make him cheare As if he were the dearest friend he had So sore he had desird to see him heare Nor would the worthy naturd Prince be sad In praise of beautie to haue found a Peare He knew Iocundos beautie had excelled But that by this disease it was expelled 31 He placeth him to his owne lodging nie He visits him each day and eu'ry houre Great plentie of prouâ—sio nhe doth buy To welcome him he bendeth all his powre But still Iocundo languishing doth lie His wiues misdeeds makes all his sweet seeme sowre No songs no sights which oft he heard or saw One dram of this his dolour could withdraw 32 Fast by his lodging was amongst the rest A faire large roome which very few did vse Here would he walke as one that did detest All pleasing sights and comforts all refuse Here the wide wound he bare within his brest With thousand thoughts vnpleasant he renews Yet here he found which few would haue belieued A remedy for that which had him grieued 33 For at the vpper end of this old hall There was a place of windowes voyd and light Saue that the lime new moulten from the wall Let in a little beame that shined bright Here did he see which some may thinke a tale A very strange and vnexpected sight He heard it not but saw it in his vew Yet could he scant beleeue it should be trow 34 For at the chinke was plainly to be seene A chamber hangd with faire and rich aray Where none might come but such as trusty beene The Princesse here in part doth spend the day And here he saw a Dwarfe embrace the Queene And striue a while and after homely play His skill was such that ere they went asunder The Dwarfe was got aloft and she lay vnder 35 Iocundo standeth still as one amazed Supposing sure that he had seene a vision But seeing plaine when he a while had gazed It was an act and not an apparition Good God said he are this Queenes eyes so dazed To loue a dwarfe more worthy of derision Whose husband is a Prince of worthy fame So braue a man such loue now fie for shame 36 He now began to hold his wife excused His anger now a little was relented And though that she her bodie had abused And to her seruant had so soone consented Not her for this but he the sex accused That neuer can with one man be contented If all quoth he with one like staine are spotted Yet on a monster mine was not besotted 37 The day ensuing he returned thither And saw the dwarfe couragious still and iolly Eke he another day repaired hither And still he found the Queene committing folly He oft returnes he finds them oft together They cease not worke on dayes prophane nor holy Yea which was strange the goodly Queen coÌ„plained That of the dwarfe she found she was disdained 38 One day when in the corner he had stayd He sees her come all sad and malcontent Because the dwarfe his comming still delayd For whom of purpose twise before she sent Once more she sends this answer brings the mayd Forsooth vnto his play he is so bent That for mistrust at Chesse to leese a shilling To come to you the apes face is not willing 39 Iocundo who before had still bene sad Vpon this sight became of better cheare The paines the plaints the cloudie stormes he had Away were blowne the coast began to cleare Most ruddie faire he chearfull grew and glad That angellike his beautie did appeare So as the King and others thought it strange In so short time to find so great a change 40 Now as the King desired much to know The meane whereby his hurt so soone was healed No lesse Iocundo did desire to show And would not haue the thing from him concealed So as his choller might no greater grow Then his had beene when as it were reuealed But first he made him sweare on his saluation Vpon the parties to vse no castigation 41 He made him sweare for ought he heard or saw Wherewith his mind might fortune be diseased Yet from his choller so much to withdraw As that in shew he may not seeme displeased Nor punish it by might nor yet by law Not first nor last but hold himselfe appeased
as common harlots been 79 Surely the man on whom your tale you father Cannot himselfe nor other men excuse Who still to take an vnknowne peece had rather Although there owne were better far to chuse But if themselues were wood I surely gather Such courtesies they neuer would refuse But rather straine themselues beyond their might Such kindnes with more kindnes to requite 80 But be 't some woman breaks chast wedlocks laws And leaues her husband and becomes vnchast Yet commonly it is not without cause She sees her man in sin his substance wast She feels that he his loue from her withdraws And hath on some perhap lesse worthie plast Who striks with sword the scabberd theÌ„ may strike And sure loue craueth loue like asketh like 81 Indeed in their behalfe agree would I That all wiues that adulterie do commit Should by a law condemned be to die If so their husbands guiltles be of it But if that men vnpunisht walke awry Doubtles in sence and reason t is not fit The weaker sex should for this sin be vext Do as you would be done to saith the text 82 Yet when a man is bent to speake his worst That in despite he can of women say He cals them but incontinent and curst No greater fault he to their charge can lay To rob to spoile houses to breake and burst Whole Cities townes and countries to betray Vsuâ—e murder all such sinnes appeare Proper to men women of them are cleare 83 This said this graue wise man and would haue told Some storie to the same his speech to verifie Of women that had liu'd till they were old Chastlie and vertuouslie and with sinceritie But that the cruell Turke did him behold With so grim looke as did the poore man terrifie And made him hold his peace with threats terror Yet hating inwardly the Pagans error 84 These brables ended night on them did creep To rest they went hauing their bodies fed But Rodomont scant all the night could sleep For cares that ran still in his troubled hed His vnkind mistres him doth waking keep She troubles him whether he lye on bed Whether he go or ride or sit or stand Whether it be by water or by land 85 But though himselfe could take but little rest Yet of his horse he takes no little care Both that he should be diligently drest And haue good prouander to mend his fare To go by water now he thought it best Himselfe to ease and his good horse to spare That horse he gat as he might iustlie vant Spite of Rogero and of Sacrapant 86 He takes a barke and downe the pleasant streame Of Sonna he doth passe with winde and ore Great hast he makes to get to his owne Reame But changing place doth helpe him neare the more In sleepe of her vnkindnes he doth dreame A wake he sighs and still renews the sore To talke was best and yet not much the better Say what he list yet cannot he forget her 87 Anoyd by bote againe he taking land Vienna Lions and Valenza past All which then were in Agramantes hand His late good hap had so them all agast To Aquamort he turns on his right hand And thence he will to Algier turne in hast And in his way his iourney to abridge He past Auignon at the sumptuous bridge 88 Not far from Mompelier a towne he saw Of Bacchus and of Ceres well beloued Though then so spoild by souldiers that for aw The dwellers all themselues â—ro thence remoued Also there was a Church for Christen law But yet the Priests in this to be reproued To saue theÌ„selues their Church had quite forsaken So as the same by Rodomont was taken 89 This seat this place did so the Pagan please That here he mind to make his firme abode For of the tone side he might see the seas On tother side the ground with corne well lode Here all prouisions he might finde with ease Here he doth cause his men his stuffe vnlode And makes that Church oh horrible abute Serue him to his profane vngodly vse 90 Now standing pensiue in this pleasing place As still he vsd he saw a Ladie faire Though mourning yet most ful of pleasing grace Who with a Frire made thither her repaire A goodly horse they led a soft flow pace And as they went he taught her many a praire That horse did beare a coffin on his backe All ouerspred in mourning sort with blacke 91 Me thinke by this description you may guesse Who this same Frire and who this damtell is Yet for more plainesse sake I will expresse Her name lest any may the matter misse T was Isabella who did late professe That state that leadeth strait to heau'nlie blisse He was the Frire that to that mind conuerted her When as dispaire had almost quite subuerted her 92 Within the mourning coffin was enclosed His corse whom she so lou'd aliue and dead And though to griefe she seemed all disposed Though all in blacke she went from foot to head Yet in that wofull shew there was disclosed So worthie grace as in the Pagan bred A fancie mouing such an alteration As made him change his first determination 93 For where before he did dispraise and scorne All women now againe he doth commend That sex that doth indeed the world adorne His second loue to place he doth intend On this sith that his first hath him forlorne Here now he hopeth all his wo to end And with this passion to driue out the tother As men do driue out one naile with another 94 And straight in mildest manner that he can Saluting her he askt what cauld her paine And she the wofull tale to tell began How her true loue by Mandricard was slaine For whose sake she would neuer marrie man But serue God all her life that doth remaine The Pagan laughs at that the damsell faith As one that knows no God and hath no faith 95 And greatly he her good intent controld Affirming her to merit as great blame As doth the miser that hoords vp his gold And neither doth himselfe imploy the same And yet from those that would doth it withhold So shut not vp your selfe quoth he for shame Fierce Lions Bears and serpents that haue stings Should be shut vp not faire and harmlesse things 96 The godly Frire that tooke no little care Lest this ill speech might turne her to small good With new exhortings bad her to be ware That such intisements strongly be withstood And for that end forthwith he doth prepare A sumptuous messe of ghostly inward food But this vile Pagan did no sooner tast it But vp againe his squemish stomacke cast it 97 And seeing that the speeches of this Frire WhoÌ„ he could make by no means hold his peace Seemd greatly to contrarie his desire Wrath kindled and at last did so increase That this poore priest gat but a forie hire But
comming till the day expect Which good Rogero brake not by occasion That he his word and promise did neglect But that which hapt against his expectation His wounds had bred so dangerous effect But chiefe the same he last tooke in his hed Which made him fortie dayes to keepe his bed 83 Now Bradamant doth waite the twentie dayes And staid at Montalbano with her mother And making still enquirie many wayes If she might heare some news of one or other But none she heard saue that which to his praise Was told her after by her younger brother Which though she ioyd to heare as was most meet Yet mingled was some soure with that same sweet 84 For why the vallew of Marsisa stout Which did assist them greatly as he told To win their kinsmen from the moorish rout That vnto Bertolage should haue bin sold This bred in Bradamantes minde some doubt And strake into her heart a iealiouse cold Because t was said they two together went To Agramant that in his campe was pent 85 For though she could not chuse but greatly praise her That did her selfe so stout and valiant proue Yet one the tother side her beautie frayes her Lest he perhap on her might set his loue But yet in fine hope of his promise stayes her So that in twentie dayes he did not moue From Montalbano and in that same space There thither came the chiefe man of her race 86 I meane not chiefe of birth but chiefe of name For two there were in birth more old then he Renaldo vnto Montalbano came His brothers cosins and his frends to see Whom he had heard by speech of flying fame Now safe ariued at that place to be And how Rogero and Marsisa wrought Their libertie when they were sold and bought 87 Wherefore he came to see them face to face And vnderstand with them how each thing stood It seemd he was as welcome to the place As is the swallow to her tender brood That almost starued and in sorrie case Haue long expected sustenance and food And when they there had staid a day or twaine Both they and he to Paris went againe 88 Alardo and Guichiardo Richardet And Malagigy and good Viviane Close after this braue Lord themselues do get And Bradamant with them they would haue tane But she alledg'd she could not come as yet But hopes ere long they should be ouertane She prays them for that time content to hold them For why she was not well at ease she told them 89 And true it was she was not well at rase Not that she had a fit of any feauer Or any other corporall disease It was a fit of loue that burneth euer Whole heat no herbe nor phisicke can appease This fit did her from that braue crew disseuer But in another booke I shall repeat What succour they did bring to Charls the great In this thirtith booke in Orlandos mad pranks though they be fained things we may note what hard and impossible matters are attempted and sometime atchieued by mad men of which the reason is doubtfull a naturall reason is given though many will doubt thereof that the cause of their extraordinarie strength is that nature Intendens omnem vim as they terme it that is to say bending her whole force at one instant doth by that means double the strength and abilitie to any hard and vnmeasurable matter as we see men often at the pangs of death through otherwise but weake yet so strong that three or foure men cannot hold them or as men somtimes in a feare leape ouer a wall or downe from a window without harme which at another time would breake their neckes Another reason of mad mens vnreasonable strength is metaphysicall or supernaturall and that is when they are possessed with spirits of which there are many examples In Agramant that endeuors to end two quarrels with one combat we may obserue that it beseemes the wisedome of a Prince either to take vp quarrels and civill dissentions betweene their great subiects absolutely or at least to draw them to as speedie a triall and with as little damage as may be Concerning the Eagle about which the two champions straue who should beare it for his armes or Cognizance as we terme it he seemes to allude to the civill warres that were betweene Caesar and Pompey where as Lucan complayneth in his excellent Poem Infestisque obuia signis Signa pares aquilas pila minantia pilis For the Romaines Ensigne was the Eagle and it is strange that is reported by credible writers how in a battell fought neare Thessalia between Brutus and Cassius of the one side and Octauius and Anthony of the other side two Eagles were visibly seene fighting in the ayre with their beaks and tallents in most fierce manner And finally that of Anthonyes side preuayled and put the other to flight Here end the notes of the XXX booke THE XXXI BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Vnwares doth Guidon with Renaldo fight But afterward is by his brethren knowne By whose great courage and vnited might The Turks are vanquished and ouerthrowne Good Brandimart seeks out that wofull knight Whose wits by loue distraught are not his owne Is tane and of his life was in great perrell Renaldo and Gradasso fall to quarrell 1 WHat state of life more pleasing may we find Then theirs that true and heartie loue do beare Whom that sweete yoke doth fast together bind That man in Paradice first learnd to weare Were not some so tormented in their mind With that same vile suspect that filthie feare That torture great that foolish frenesie That raging madnesse called iealousie 2 For eu'rie other sowre that gets a placo To seat it selfe amid this pleasant sweet Doth helpe in th' end to giue a greater grace And makes loues ioy more gratful when they meet Who so abstaines from sustenance a space Shall find both bread and water rellish sweet Men know not peace not rightly how to deeme it That haue not first by war bin taught t'steeme it 3 Though eyes want sight of that they would see faine The thought yet sees hearts with patience take it Long absence grieues yet when they meet againe That absence doth more sweet and pleasant make it To serue and sue long time for little gaine So that all hope do not eu'n quite forsake it One may endure for when the paine is past Reward though long it stay yet comes at last 4 The sharpe repulses and the deepe disdaines And all the torments that in loue are found At last with pleasure recompence the paines And make far more contentment to abound But if this hellish plague infect the braines Though afterward it seeme both whole and sound The qualitie thereof is so mischieous The verie though is to a louer grieuous 5 This is that cruell wound against whose smart No liquors force preuailes nor any plaster No skill of starres no
With those two brothers nam'd the black and white And Sansonet vntill by craft and guile They were surprised as you heard last night And made against their wils to wait a while For maintenance of lawes vniust and bad That wicked Pinnabell deuised had 25 Now when as noble Guidon certaine knew That this Renaldo was whom he before Desired long to see he much did rew That he had done and did lament it sore A blind man would not be more glad to vew The light he doubted he should nere see more Then Guidon in his mind was well apaid To see this knight and thus to him he said 26 What stranger mishap what sinister aduenter Hath bred this fault in me my noble Lord That I with you into this strife should enter With whom I ought to haue all kind accord I am your fathers sonne not by one venter I euer haue your name and stock adord Guidon I hight Constanza was my mother Borne beyond Euxin seas and yet your brother 27 Wherefore I pray pardon my fond offence That haue in steed of dutie offerd wrong And tell me wherein I may recompence This ouersight and I will do ere long Renaldo that had heard of him long since And to haue seene him did not little long Embrast him and not onely did forgiue him But commendation great and praise did giue him 28 He said his valew was a perfect signe To shew himselfe in fight so fierce and stout That he was truly come of that same line Whose noble brute was blowne the world about For if your manners did to peace incline Then had there bene said he more cause of doubt The fearfull Hart comes not of Lions seed Nor doth a silly Doue a Faulcon breed 29 Thus fell they two acquainted on the way And talkt together friendly as they went But neither did their talke the iourney stay Nor did their riding make their speech relent Vntill they came where all their brothers lay When as a great part of the night was spent Who with great ioy and pleasure did behold them And chiefe when who this was Renaldo told them 30 For though he must to them no doubt haue euer Bene verie welcome as a brother deare Yet could he be to them more welcome neuer Then now what time as you before did heare They all did mind to do their best indeuer To rescue Charles that was of heauie cheare Wherefore for this one cause aboue the rest He was vnto them all a welcome guest 31 Thus now the day ensuing on went Guidon Ioyning himselfe vnto Renaldos crew And as to Paris walls they forward ride on They met two valiant youths that well him knew Further with them conferring they descride one A Ladie richly clad and faire of hew These warlike youths had Gismond to their mother White Griffiin and blacke Aquilant his brother 32 Now Guidon knew them and to them was knowne As hauing bene together many dayes By whom they were vnto Renaldo showne And praisd for gallant men at all assayes As in your iudgement likewise in mine owne Renaldo said these youths do merit praise For they haue oft bene prou'd two perfect warriers As well in spite as sport at tilt and barriers 33 Renaldo did by their apparell know them Tone euer wearing white the tother blacke And friendly countenance he now did show them Chiefly because the King did succour lacke Wherefore into his band he doth bestow them That band that to the Turks must bring much wracke And they do ioyne them to Renaldos banner Forgetting all old iarres in louing manner 34 Betweene the house of Ammon and these twins About one Truffaldin a iarre there fell The matter at the first not worth two pins Wherefore the circumstance I will not tell But now Renaldo their affection wins By vsing them so curteously and well For curteous speech and vsage mild and kind Wipes malice out of eu'ry noble mind 35 Now after these another knight there came Hight Sansonet a man of great account Who welcom'd was and tooke it for no shame Of stout Renaldos band himselfe to count While this thus past behold the gallant dame That knew this noble Lord of Clarimount For she was one that all the French Lords knew Told him a tale that made him greatly rew 36 My Lord saiâ— she I bring you sory tiding He whom the Church and Empire held so deare Runs all about in no one place abiding Of sence and argument depriued cleare He naked goes not natures secrets hiding Which me to tell and you must grieue to heare Orlando that same light and lampe of France Hath lost his wits God knowes by what mischance 37 His armes and sword that he away had throwne As things by him left and forsaken clearly I saw a curteous knight to me vnknowne But one it seemd that lou'd Orlando dearly Them gather where they scattered were and sowne And eu'n of charitie as seemed mearly In triumph wise on tree he hangd the same And vnderneath he grau'd Orlandos name 38 But straight the sword that hanged on the tree With force and scornfull speech away was tane As I can witnesse well that did it see By Mandricard the sonne of Agricane Thinke you what hurt this will to Europe be That once againe the Turks haue Durindane The gentle knight straue long with him to saue it But in the end was forst to let him haue it 39 I saw Orlando late in monstrous guise To runne about vncouth and all vnclad With strangest clamours and most hideous cries In fine I do conclude that he is mad And saue I saw it so with these mine eyes I would not trust if any told it had She further told how she had seene him later With Rodomont to tumble in the water 40 And last of all she told him she had heard How that about this sword there grew some strife Betweene Gradasso stout and Mandricard And how the Tartar hauing lost his life The sword was giuen Gradasso afterward As ouer all the Pagan campe was rife And hauing ended this so sad narration Thereto she addeth this short exhortation 41 That he and eu'ry one that were not foe To stout Orlando would take so much paine In Paris or elsewhere him to bestow Till he had purged his distemperd braine Mine husband Brandimart said she I know To do him any good himselfe would straine Thus Fiordeliege spake the louing wife Of Brandimart that lou'd her as his life 42 At this strange tale and wofull accident Such inward griefe the good Renaldo felt That with the thought his heart incontinent Did seeme like snow against the Sunne to melt And with all speed he might to go he ment And by all meanes he might so to haue delt To seeke Orlando whom if he can find He hopes to bring him to a better mind 43 But sith he now had thither brought his band Or wer 't the will of God or were it
them sends And some of them doth burn and some doth drown Lo fickle fortune once againe intends To change her cheare and on the French to frowne With agews not with swords they all are slaine Scarce of an hundred one turnes home againe 52 These and such stories had the stately hall In marble rich ingraued on the skreene As were too tedious to recite them all Though then by them they were perusd and seene Their wonder great their pleasure was not small And oft they read the writings were betweene That in faire Roman letters all of gold The circumstance of eu'ry picture told 53 Now when the Ladies faire and all the rest Had seene and askt as much as they desired Their host doth bring them to their roomes of rest Where sleepe renews the strength of bodies tired Onely Duke Ammons daughter could not rest Though bed were soft room warm and wel attired Yet still she tost from left side to the right And could not sleepe one winke all that same night 54 With much ado her eyes at last she closed Not much afore the dawning of the day And as she slept she in her sleepe supposed Rogero present was and thus did say My deare what ailes thee to be thus disposed That false beleefe in thee doth beare such sway First shall the riuers to the mountaines clime Ere I will guiltie be of such a crime 55 Beside she thought she heard him thus to say Lo I am come to be baptizd my loue And that I seemd my comming to delay Another wound and not a wound of loue Hath bene the cause of my constrained stay Suspitions vaine and causlesse feare remoue With this the damsell wakt and vp she started But found her dreame and louer both departed 56 Then freshly she doth her complaints renew And in her mind thus to her selfe she spake Lo what I like are dreames vaine and vntrue And in a moment me do quite forsake But ah what me offends is to to true I dreame of good but none I find awake How are mine eyes alas in so ill taking That closd see good and nought but euill waking 57 Sweet dreame did promise me a quiet peace But bitter waking turneth all to warre Sweet dreame deluded me and soone did cease But bitter waking plagues and doth not arre If falshood ease and truth my paines increase I wish my selfe from truth I still might barre If dreames breed ioy and waking cause my paine Ay might I dreame and neuer wake againe 58 Oh happie wights whom sleepe doth so possesse As in six months you neuer open eye For sure such sleepe is like to death I guesse But waking thus is not like life thinke I How strange are then the pangs that me oppresse That sleeping seeme to liue and waking die But if such sleepe resemblance be of death Come death and close mine eies and stop my breath 59 Now were those Easter parts of heau'n madered Where Phoehus beames do first begin appeare And all the thicke and rainie clouds were fled And promised a morning faire and cleare When Bradamant forsooke her restlesse bed And giuing for her lodging and good cheare Right curteous thanks vnto her noble host She leaues his house and minds to part in post 60 But first she found how that the damsell faire The messenger that supt with her last night Was gone before with purpose to repaire To those three knights that lately felt her might When she did cause them caper in the aire Driu'n without stirrops from their steeds to light She found they had all night to their great paine Abid the wind the tempest and the raine 61 And that which greatly did increase their griefe Was that while those within had cheare great store They and their horse lackt lodging and reliefe But that which did offend their stomacks more And was indeed of all their sorrows chiefe Was least the maid of whom I spake before Would tell their mistresse of their hard mischance They had at their arriuall first in France 62 And hauing full resolued and designd To die or venge the foile receau'd last night To th' end the messenger might change her mind The messenger that Vilania hight Who thought their force and valew farre behind The vaunts that they had made of their great might Therefore as soone as Bradamant they spied Straight each of them to combat her defied 63 Not thinking though she should a damsell be For of a damsell gesture none she vsed The Ladie gently spake vnto them three And thought her hast the fight might haue excused But they did vrge her still so farre that she Without disgrace could not haue it refused Wherefore she coucht the golden headed launce And from their saddles made them all to daunce 64 And for that time thus ended was that fray For she sets spurs to horse and rode so post That ere they rose she quite was gone away They that their seats had twise togither lost Were so ashamd they knew not what to say For why they wonted were to make their bost No knight of France should able be to stand Against the worst of them with speare in hand 65 But Vllania further them to taunt That Bradamant a Ladie was them told Now sirs said she you that were wont to vaunt From Pālladins to win the shield of gold Lo how a womans forces can you daunt Now is I hope your loftie courage cold Sure for those knights you be too weake a match When one poore damsell you can ouermatch 66 What need said she be furder triall had You haue alreadie that for which you came Except that any of you be so mad To ioyne a future losse to present shame Or if perhaps ye would be faine and glad To end your liues by men of worthy fame Trow you that vanquisht are by womans hand Renaldo or Orlando to withstand 67 Now when as Vllanie declared had How that a damsell them had ouerthrowne With griefe and with disdaine they were so mad That scarse their wits and senses were their own Each one himselfe of armour all vnclad Their horse turnd loose their swords away were throwne And vowd for penance of so great disgrace To tuch no armour in a twelue-months space 68 They further vow they ne're will ride againe No not when that same yeare should be expired Although the way were mountany or plaine And though the way were grauelly or myred Vntill they could by force of arms regaine Such horses as for seruice are required And furniture for three such champions meet Till then they vowd to trauell on their feet 69 Thus wilfully they walkt while others rode But Bradamant went on and that same night She at a castle maketh her abode Neare to the way that leads to Paris right Heare by her host the Ladie faire was showd How Agramant was vanquisht in the fight Good meat good lodging and good news she had Yet eat she not nor slept nor
must haue to make Orlando wise 68 Thus all that day they spent in diuers talke With solace great as neuer wanteth there But when the Sunne began this earth to balke And passe into the tother hemispheare Then they prepard to fetch a further walke And straight the firie charret that did beare Elias when he vp to heau'n was carrid Was ready in a trice and for them tarrid 69 Foure horses fierce as red as flaming fire Th' Apostle doth into the charret set Which when he framed had to his desire Astolfo in the carre by him he set Then vp they went and still ascending hire Aboue the firie region they did get Whose nature so th' Apostle then did turne That though they went through fire they did not burne 70 I say although the fire were wondrous hot Yet in their passage they no heate did feele So that it burnd them nor offends them not Thence to the Moon he guides the running wheele The Moone was like a glasse all voyd of spot Or like a peece of purely burnisht steele And lookt although to vs it seemd so small Welnigh as big as earth and sea and all 71 Here had Astolfo cause of double wonder One that that region seemeth there so wide That vnto vs that are so farre asunder Seems but a little circle and beside That to behold the ground that him lay vnder A man had need to haue bin sharply eide And bend his browes and mark eu'n all they might It seemd so small now chiefly wanting light 72 T were infinite to tell what wondrous things He saw that passed ours not few degrees What towns what hils what riuers and what springs What dales what pallaces what goodly trees But to be short at last his guide him brings Vnto a goodly valley where he sees A mightie masse of things strangely confused Things that on earth were lost or were abused 73 A store-house strange that what on earth is lost By fault by time by fortune there is found And like a merchandize is there ingrost In stranger fort then I can well expound Not speake I sole of wealth or things of cost In which blind fortunes powre doth most abound But eu'n of things quite out of fortunes powre Which wilfully we wast each day and houre 74 The precious time that fooles mis-spend in play The vaine attempts that neuer take effect The vowes that sinners make and neuer pay The counsels wise that carelesse men neglect The fond desires that leade vs oft astray The praises that with pride the heart insect And all we loose with folly and mis-spending May there be found vnto this place ascending 75 Now as Astolfo by those regions past He asked many questions of his guide And as he on tone side his eye did cast A wondrous hill of bladders he espide And he was told they had bin in time past The pompous crownes and scepters full of pride Of monarks of Assiria and of Greece Of which now scantly there is left a peece 76 He saw great store of baited hookes with gold And those were gifts that foolish men prefard To giue to Princes couetous and old With fondest hope of future vaine reward Then were there ropes all in sweet garlands rold And those were all false flatteries he hard Then heard he crickets songs like to the verses The seruant in his masters praise reherses 77 There did he see fond loues that men pursew To looke like golden giues with stones all set Then things like Eagles talents he did vew Those offices that fauorites do get Then saw he bellows large that much wind blew Large promises that Lords make and forget Vnto their Ganimeds in flowre of youth But after nought but beggery enfewth 78 He saw great Cities seated in faire places That ouerthrowne quite topsie turuie stood He askt and learnd the cause of their defaces Was treason that doth neuer turne to good He saw fowle serpents with faire womens faces Of coyners and of thieues the cursed brood He saw fine glasses all in peeces broken Of seruice lost in court a wofull token 79 Of mingled broth he saw a mightie masse That to no vse all spilt on ground did lye He askt his teacher and he heard it was The frutlesse almes that men giue when they dye Then by a faire greene mountaine he did passe That once smelt sweet but now it stinks perdye This was that gift be 't said without offence That Constantin gaue Silvester long since 80 Of birdlymd rodds he saw no little store And these O Ladyes sayre your bewties be I do omit ten thousand things and more Like vnto these that there the Duke did see For all that here is lost there euermore Is kept and thither in a trise doth flee Howbeit more nor lesse there was no folly For still that here with vs remaineth wholly 81 He saw some of his owne lost time and deeds But yet he knew them not to be his owne They seemd to him disguisd in so strange weeds Till his instructer made them better knowne But last the thing which no man thinks he needs Yet each man needeth most to him was showne By name mans wit which here we leese so fast As that one substance all the other past 82 It seemd to be a body moyst and soft And apt to mount by eu'ry exhalation And when it hither mounted was aloft It there was kept in pots of such a fashion As we call Iarrs where oyle is kept in oft The Duke beheld with no small admiration The Iarrs of wit amongst which one had writ Vpon the side thereof Orlandos wit 83 This vessell bigger was then all the rest And eu'ry vessell had ingrau'n with art His name that erst the wit therein possest There of his owne the Duke did finde a part And much he musd and much himselfe he blest To see some names of men of great desart That thinke they haue great store of wit and bost it And here it playne appeard they quite had lost it 84 Some loose their wit with loue some with ambition Some running to the sea great wealth to get Some following Lords and men of high condition And some in sayre iewells rich and costly set One hath desire to proue a rare Magicion And some with Poetrie their wit forget Another thinks to be an Alcumist Till all be spent and he his number mist. 85 Astolfo takes his owne before he goes For so th'Euangelist did him permit He set the vessels mouth but to his nose And to his place he snuft vp all his wit Long after wise he liu'd as Turpin shows Vntill one fault he after did commit By name the loue of one fayre Northerne lasse Sent vp his wit vnto the place it was 86 The vessell where Orlandos wit was closed Astolfo tooke and thence with him did beare It was far heauier then he had supposed So great a quantitie of
the Vicker And drinke vnto her spouse the blessed licker 54 Tanacro liketh well of this her motion Respecting little how much it imported To let her marrie with so strange deuotion He onely wisht to haue the season shorted And not mistrusting that same hallowd potion To cut of all delays he her exhorted Each makes like hast though sundry in cōstruction He to her wedding she to his destruction 55 Among her women seruants that were theare Drusilla had one old ilfauord trot She calleth her and bad her in her eare That some strong sodaine poyson may be got You know said the to get it how and wheare Conuay it safe into some pretie pot For I quoth she haue found the way and skill The wicked sonne of Marganor to kill 56 And doubt not I know how to saue vs both As I will let thee know at better leasure The woman doth the feat though seeming loth Saue onely that it was her mistres pleasure Then for a cup of Candie wine she goth And mingles this and that in so due measure As made it with but little alteration Not sowre in tast yet sure in operation 57 Now came Drusilla on the wedding day With gorgeous gowns and costly iewels dect There where Olindros corps intombed lay Raisd high on collumns as she did direct The Priest began the solemne Masse to say To which came great resort without suspect And Marganor himselfe now most contenting Came with his son and frends the place frequenting 58 When all the solemne rites to end were brought Then in a cup of massie gold and fine The Priest powrd out as she before had taught The cursed poyson with the blessed wine She soberly drinks a conuenient draught Inough to do the feat she did designe Then to Tanacro with a louely cheare She gaue it who supt vp the challice cleare 59 And rendring then the challice to the Frire He thought in open arms her to embrace But then she sodainly began retire Then her sweet looks and words so full of grace Were gone her eyes did seeme to flame like fire Then wrath and spite were written in her face She cries with grisly looke and voice vnpleasant Anaunt and touch not me thou traitor peasant 60 Thoughtst thou of me solace to haue and sport And bring me cause of torment teares and woe No now I trow that I haue cut thee short That drinke was poyson if you do not know But ah this death is of too gentle sort And I too noble hangman am I trow A hangman ought with halter stop thy breath This was for thee too honorable death 61 My onely sorrow is that ere I dyde My sacrifice was not in full perfection And that thy wicked sire and more beside Did not with thee tast of that strong confection But pardon me my deare dead spouse she cride If I haue fayld for fault of good direction If I perhaps haue not done all I should do Yet sure I haue performed all I could do 62 And looke what I do want in all or part In working him torture condigne and shame I hope the world to come with greater smart Will pay it him and I shall see the same Thus much she said and then with chearfull hart Still calling on her former spouses name Take here in worth said she this sacrifice That thy poore wife did for thy sake deuise 63 And of our Lord for me a place obtaine In Paradise with thy most blessed spirit And if he say that none must there remaine But they that by good works the same inherit Tell him I haue a cruell tyrant slaine Of tyrants death I bring with me the merit To kill a tyrant what can be more glorious Or in the sight of God more meritorious 64 Thus much she said and fell dead therewithall And being dead she kept a chearfull looke And sure to her the comfort was not small That for her spouse so sharpe reuenge she tooke I know not if Tanacro in his fall Did follow her or else her ouertooke He ouertooke her sure as may be thought That dranke the bottome and the greater draught 65 Fell Marganor that heard his sonnes last grone And seeing him lie dead past all reliefe Made at the first so great and grieuous mone As though he would haue dide of very griefe Two sons he had of late now hath he none Two women had hereof bin causes chiefe One mou'd the first to hazard life the tother With her owne hands gaue poison to his brother 66 Loue pitie griefe disdaine and hate and wrath Desire of death and of reuenge together The dolefull parent so inraged hath Like to the roring seas in fowlest wether Faine to Drusilla he would do some scath But she was dead before yet goes he thether As blinded hate did him still forward pricke He seeks to harme the corse that was not quicke 67 Eu'n as a snake whom speate to ground doth naile Doth bite the steele and wood that sense hath none Or as a dog that doth a man asfaile If one do fling at him a sticke or stone Doth runne and bite the same without auaile Till he that hurled it is past and gone So Marganor more fierce then dog or snake Seeks on the senslesse corse reuenge to take 68 And when that harrying it and all to tearing Could not in any part his wrath asswage Eu'n in the Church on vs no such thing fearing He drawes his sword and in his senslesse rage Doth hew and mangle women none forbearing For dignitie for beautie nor for age While we cried out and at his furie wondred He thirtie kild and hurt and maimd an hundred 69 So sorely of his people he is dreaded That no man dare against his acts oppose him Vnto his will he is so firmely wedded That for the time starke mad ye would suppose him Who would reforme him hangd shall be headed For guerdon of his paine when once he knows him His seruants do as doth the prouerbe say When furie runs le ts furie haue her sway 70 But when at last himselfe was almost tired With killing vs though voyd of all remorce Then by his friends request he was desired And as it were constraind by honest force And to his castle he himselfe retired Appointing there this law of our diuorce And clemencie forsooth he doth it call In that he did forbeare to kill vs all 71 Thus whether they obeyd or else repined Men are from wiues babes frō their dames deuided And hither all the women be confined This towne of purpose is for vs prouided Where if that any man to loue inclined And by a good and kind affection guided Come but to see his wife and thereby show it Wo be to him if Marganor may know it 72 And worse then this he hath ordaind an order Such one I thinke was neuer heard before All women that are tane within his border Must first be whipt with rods till they
Giu'n to Rogero many recompences 6 He did but well in going to his Lord And she as well it cannot be denied In that she thereto granted her accord Which she might hap haue stopt had she replied That from the same her liking had abhord What now she wants henceforth may be supplied But if that honor haue one minuts slaine An hundred yeares scant can it cleanse againe 7 Now while â—Rogero vnto Arly went As dutie bound him to Traianos haire Vnto the Christen campe incontinent Rogeros spouse and sister noble paire As louing frends and coâ—ns now they went And vnto Charles his tent they did repaire Who minds by siege or battels doubtfull chance To driue these tedious troubles out of France 8 When in the campe it was made knowne and bruted That Bradamant was come her noblest brothers Came forth to her and kindly her saluted With Guidon though they came of sundry mothers And she as for her sexe and calling suted Did resalute both them and diuers others By kissing some and speaking to the best And making frendly gestures to the rest 9 But when Marfisas name was heard and knowne Whose noble acts eu'n from Catay to Spaine And ouer all the world beside were blowne To looke on her all were so glad and faine With presse and thrust not few were ouerthrowne And scarse aman could in the tents remaine But heauing shouing hither-ward and thither To see so braue a paire as these togither 10 Now when to Charles his presence come they be Vpon her knee Marfisa did decline And as Turpino writes no man did see Her knee to touch the ground before that time To none of anie calling or degree Not vnto Christen Prince or Sarazine She onely doth esteeme king Pepins sonne As worthie whom such honor should be donne 11 But Charles arose and met her halfe the way And in kinde stately sort did her embrace And set her by his side that present day Aboue the Princes all and gaue her place Then voided was the roome that none might stay But Lords and knights well worthie so great grace Excluding all the sawcie baser sort And then Marfisa spake in such like sort 12 Most mightie Caesar high renownd and glorious That from our Indies to Tyrinthian shore From Scythia frosen full with breath of Boreas To Aethiopia scorching euermore Makst thy white crosse so famous and victorious By value much but by thy iustice more Thy praise O Prince and thy renowned name Were cause from countries farre I hither came 13 And to say troth flat enuie mou'd me chiefe Because thy powre to reach so farre I saw I must confesse I tooke disdaine and griefe That any Prince that fauord not our law And was to vs of contrarie beliefe Should grow so great to keepe vs all in aw Wherefore I came with mind to haue destroid thee Or by all meanes I could to haue annoyd thee 14 For this I came for this I stayd in France To seeke your ruin and your ouerthrow When lo a chance if such a thing can chance Made me a frend and subiect or a so I will not stay to tell each circumstance But this in substance it did make me know That I your bloodie enemie Marfisa Was daughter to Rogero late of Ryla 15 He by my wicked vncles was betraid And left my wofull mother big with child Who neare to Syrté downe her bellie laid As strangely sau'd as wrongfully exild She brought a twin a man child and a maid We fosterd were seuen yeares in forrest wild By one that had in Magicke art great skill But I was stolne from him against his will 16 For some Arabians sold me for a slaue Vnto a Persian king whom growne in yeares Because he my virginitie would haue I killed him and all his Lords and Peeres And then such hap God and good fortune gaue I gat his crowne and armes as yet appeares And ere I fully was twise ten yeare old Seuen crownes I gat beside which yet I hold 17 And being enuious of your endlesse fame As erâ—t I told I came with firme intent By all the meanes I could to quaile the same And haply might haue done the hurt I ment But now a better minde that minde doth tame Now of my malice I do much repent Since by good hap I lately vnderstood That I was neare allide to you in blood 18 And sith I know my father was your man I meane no lesse then he did you to serue As for the hate and enuie I began To beare you I now the same reserue For Agramant and all the harme I can To all his kin that do the same deserue Because I now do know and am assured His ancestors my parents death procured 19 This said Marfisa and withall did adde That she would be baptized out of hand And when that Agramant she vanquisht had Returne if Charles to pleasd to her owne land And Christen them and farther would be glad Against all those that would Christs law withstand Ay to beare armes with vow that all her gaine To Charles and holy Church should ay remaine 20 The noble Charles of tongue as eloquent As wise in head as valorous in heart Did much extoll the Ladie excellent And all her kin and sire by iust desart And of her former speech incontinent Most graciouslie he answerd eu'rie part Concluding that he would for euer after Accept her as his cousin and his daughter 21 And her againe he did embrace of new And kilt her forhead as his child indeed It long would be to tell how braue a crew From Clarimount and Mongrane did proceed To welcome her or when Renaldo knew Marfisas name what ioy in him did breed He calls to mind what force in her he found Then when Albracca he besieged round 22 It long would be to tell of Guidons ioy With Griffin Aquilant and Sansonet That leapt with her their land that do destroy Those men that in their Realme they hap to get No lesse did Malagige and Vinian ioy Remembring how she ioynd with Richardet To rescue them as long before I told When vnto Bertolage they had bene sold. 23 Now was prepard against th' ensuing day A place as was by Charles himselfe deuised Set stately forth and hangd with rich aray Where this most worthy dame should be baptised Then Bishops were employd by whom she may Be taught the Christen faith and Catechised And all that day a learned Clarke and Preacher The principles of Christen faith did teach her 24 Then Turpin Archbishop of chiefe account In his robes pontificiall doth baptise her Charles with great reu'rence standeth by the fount And what to answer he did still aduise her But now t is time that to the Moone I mount For that receit must make Orlando wiser From whence the Duke descending by strange byas Came with S. Iohn in charret of Elyas 25 And by his guide he backe againe was led And keeps
To grow to ribs and posts in order due And still at each end sharpe each lease reccaues Eu'n of a sailing ship proportion true And of the ships as many sorts there weare As there were trees that those same leaues did beare 28 A miracle it was to see them growne To ships and barks with gallies hulks and crayes Each vessell hauing tackling of their owne With sailes and oares to heipe at all assayes The Duke prouided when it once was knowne Both marriners and masters in few dayes For with his present pay he soone allured From Sard and Corsie men to â—eas inured 29 Those that tooke shipping then were counted more Then six and twentie thousand strong of hand Great Admirall was Dudon who before Had learnd the seruice both of sea and land Now while they lay at anker nigh the shore To wait when wind would for their purpose stand It fortuned a man of warre came by them Full lode with prisners and cast anker nie them 30 These were those prisners whom fierce Rodomount As oft I haue declard did dayly get When at the bridge he did them so dismount And sometime backward in the riuer set Here were among some more of good account Braue Brandimart and worthy Sansonet With Oliuer and some I now not tutch Both French Italian Gascoigne knights and Dutch 31 The master of the barke had first assignd His prisoners at Algier to vnlode But being driu'n by ouer blowing wind Farre past the place he thought to make abode Neare great Biserta where he thinks to find None but his countrimen within the rode To which he thinks himselfe as welcome guest As Progne is vnto her chirping nest 32 But after when th' Imperiall bird he saw Conioyned to the Pard and flowre of France He was abasht and looked pale for aw Much like to him that waking new doth chance On poisond serpent tred and same would draw Himselfe from thence for feare of more mischance He quakes and from the serpent doth retire Whose poison swels and eyes do flame like fire 33 But now the wretched Pilot could not flie And lesle could keepe the prisners he had caught For both himselfe and all they by and by Vnto the place against his will were brought Whereas the Duke and Dudon then did lie Who welcomd well the Christens as they ought And he that brought them thither for his paines Was made a gally slaue and bound in chaines 34 Thus were the knights most friendly entertained And greatly welcomed by Otons sonne Who horse and furniture for them ordained And causd to them great honor to be donne Eke Dudon with these knights some days remained And thinks the time so spent not lost but wonne His iourney purposely three dayes deferring To spend the same with these braue knights conferring 35 By their relation he doth vnderstand In what estate King Charles and th' empire stood What are the hau'ns where he may safely land And where they thought the same would be withstood Thus while discreetly on each point they scand And each man told what he thought ill or good There suddenly rose in the campe alarme The cause vnknown but ech man cride arme arme 36 The Duke Astolfo with his noble crew That at that time conferring were together Straight armd themselues and out their swords they drew And went enquiring hither still and thither To learne of whence this sudden tumult grew But yet no cause they could suspect or gether At last they saw a madman stare and stampe That nakt alone did trouble all the campe 37 Those that had seen him first belike did flout him But when some few vnto their cost had found That with a bat he so did play about him His blowes made many fall in deadly sound They now began so much to dread and doubt him That they had giu'n to him no little ground And none of them to meet him had the harts They onely shot at him or cast some darts 38 The noble Duke and those with him did see The wondrous force and most stupendious wracke The madman wrought and marueld much that he Alone could driue so many souldeirs backe When lo a Ladie of no meane degree Rode towards them attyred all in blacke And vnto Brandimart she came in hast And claspt her arms about his necke full fast 39 I know you know without my further showing This was the spouse of noble Brandimart Who euer since his wofull ouerthrowing By Rodomont did with a pensiue hart Seeke his release till at the last she knowing As I before did more at large impart How he beyond the seas was prisner sent Her selfe at Arly to take shipping ment 40 But while that louing purpose she pursewth Bardino met with her an Easterne knight Who brought vp Brandimart in tender youth And kept him at a Castell Siluan hight He hearing at her mouth at large the truth And how in Africa they find him might They soone agreed no long time ouerslipping To seeke him out and so forthwith tooke shipping 41 No sooner they on Affrike shore did land Bardino sage and faithfull Fiordeliege But first the people let them vnderstand Astolfo great Biserta did besiege With many a Captaine braue and gallant band Likewise a brute of Brandimart their liege Was spred that he was there ariued newly But none was able to confirme it truly 42 Vntill so long they traueld on the cost At last she found and saw him with her eyes Among those Lords amid the Nubian host With which such ioy did in her thoughts arise As vitall sprites did faile in her almost Not any word to speake could she deuise But hangd about his necke a burden sweet And he as louingly his spouse did greet 43 Full glad was he to see her and as glad To see his ancient tutor and his frend And further talke with them he would haue had But he was forst to make a speedie end By meanes the man that naked ran and mad Did keepe such rule as did them all offend Faire Fiordeliege that lookt with eye more curious Cride ah my deare this is Orlando furious 44 Astolfo eke when as he did behold him And saw how madly he about did range And no man durst him meet nor none could hold him He wonderd greatly at the sight so strange And by the marks that erst Saint Iohn had told him He knew it was the man but such a change There was in all his shape from top to toe He rather seemd a beast more then a man in show 45 Astolfo straight did call vnto the rest And said my Lords this man that you had vewd Orlando is at this themselues they blest And eu'rie one his wofull pickle rewd Well said the Duke to helpe our frend is best And not to wayle and therefore to conclude Come ioyne your force to mine and let vs take him And I do hope ere long I le sober make him 46 To this they soone
not the sword for that himselfe doth weare The horse that was of shape and goodnesse rare Had Brandimart and thus deuided were Among these three in guerdon of their paines An equall share and portion in the gaines 30 Now each prepard against the day of fight Braue furniture with cost of many a crowne Orlando on his quarter bare in sight High Babels towre with lightning striken downe His cosin had a Lyme hound argent bright His Lyme laid on his backe he couching downe The word or Mot was this vntill he commeth The rest was rich and such as him becommeth 31 But Brandimart who as I erst made mention Had heard his fathers death went all in blacke Of braueries he now had no intention Left men might thinke he did discretion lacke He ear'd for no deuice nor new inuention Nor 〈…〉 clothing on his backe He 〈…〉 one border richly set 〈…〉 but darkned ouer with a net 32 A net that Fiordeliege his dearest Queene With her owne hands against that day did make But neither then nor all the time betweene That first she vndertooke it for his sake Till she had done it was she euer seene To laugh or smile or any ioy to take Her heart still heauie was her looke still sad And yet herselfe did know no cause she had 33 But still in feare and still in doubt she is Her spouse by death shall now from her be sunderd Oft times herselfe hath seene him be ere this In greater fights an hunderd and an hunderd Yet neuer did her heart so giue amisse Wherefore at her owne feare she greatly wonderd And eu'n that reason made her feare the more Because she was not vsd to feare before 34 Now when each thing in order fit was set The chāpions three were shipped with their horses Vnto Astolfo and to Sansonet The charge was left of all those Christen forces But dolefull Fiordeliege although as yet To hide her sorow she herselfe inforces Yet when the wind away the vessell beares She bursteth out to open cries and teares 35 With Sansonet Astolfo tooke much paine To bring her to her chamber from the shore Who lying on her bed she still doth plaine That she hath lost her spouse for euermore To seeke to comfort her it was in vaine For talking made her feare increase the more But now the worthie champions in this while Were safe arriu'd at Lippadusa I le 36 No sooner set they foot vpon the land But on the Easterne side they pitcht a tent Because perhap that part was nearest hand Or else vpon some politicke intent On tother side with such an equall band Came Agramant but sith this day was spent They all agreed all fight to be forborne Vntill the verie next ensuing morne 37 A watch was charged then on either part That neither side the tother may deceaue But ere it yet was darke king Brandimart Though not without Orlandos speciall leaue Doth meane a wondrous fauour to impart To Agramant if he the same receaue For why the tone the tother oft had seene As frends and had in France together beene 38 Now after ioyning hands and salutation The noble minded Brandimart begun To vse vnto the Turke an exhortation That with Orlando he the combat shun Affirming vnto him with protestation Would he beleeue but in the Virgins sonne That he both present peace would then assure him And all his Realmes in Affricke safe procure him 39 Because you are and haue bene deare to me Therefore he saith this counsell you I geeue And sith I follow it my selfe you see Thereby you may be sure I it beleeue Christ is my God a God indeed is he An Idol Mawmet is that doth not liue Wherefore deare Sir I do desire to moue From errors foule your selfe and all I loue 40 This is indeed the way of truth and life All other wayes but this do leade astray Why should you liue in error and in strife When in true peace and knowledge liue you may Tempestuous cares this world hath euer rife And if your present state you would but way You plainly may perceiue your venter such As you to win but little hazard much 41 What if you could the sonne of Milo kill Or vs that come with him to win or die Thinke you that then you shall haue all you will Thinke you your state you can restore thereby No sure the state of Charles is not so ill But that he quickly can our lacke supply Wherefore deare Sir vnto my counsell listen All would be well if you would be a Christen 42 Thus much said Brandimart and more beside He would haue said to peace him to exhort Saue that with scornfull speech and full of pride Fierce Agramant this wife did cut him short A madnesse meere it is thus he replide In you or any man that in such sort Will counsell and aduise men what to do Not being cald of counsell thereunto 43 And where you say to this loue mou'd you chiefe That you haue borne and still do beare to me Herein you pardon must my hard beliefe While in Orlandos companie you be I rather thinke dispaire and spite and griefe Hath mou'd you hereunto because you see Your soule is damned to eternall fire To draw vs thither with you you desire 44 What victories or else what ouerthrowes I shall hereafter haue God onely knoweth Not you nor I nor yet Orlando knowes God onely where he lift the same bestoweth◠But as for me no feare nor foolish showes Shall daunt my courage how so ere it goeth Die first I will with torment and with paine Much rather then to yeeld my stocke to staine 45 Now when you list depart from hence you may As little thankt as slenderly rewarded And if to morrow you the Champion play No better nor no more to be regarded Then you haue plaid the Orator to day Orlando sure will be but weakely guarded And these last words in manner such he said As that thereby much choller he bewraid 46 Thus parted they and rested all that night But readie they were all by breake of day All armd and readie for the future fight Small speech was vsd no lingriug nor no stay They couch their spears run with all their might But while I tell you of this bloody fray I doubt I do vnto Rogero wrong To leaue him swimming in the sea so long 47 The gallant youth had labourd many an howre To swim and saue himselfe from being drownd The surging waue still threats him to deuowre But guiltie conscience more doth him confound He thinks that God will of his mightie powre Sith he foreslowed when he was on ground To be baptizd in waters fresh and fitter To sowse him now in waues both salt and bitter 48 He now remembers he had plighted troth To Bradamant nor done as he had spoken How to Renaldo he had made an oth And that the same by him was fouly broken Most
but liu'st in heauenly seat Where thy great ioyes shall neuer haue an end Nor euer be impaird with cold or heat Yet pardon me in that I do offend To wayle my woe and miserie so great My sorrow is not for thy parting hence But that my selfe am so long absent thence 163 To thinke that he is seuerd now so far In whom I ioyd this doth my paine increase I was with thee in tempests and in war Why am not I with thee in calme and peace O mirie flesh that me from blisse doth bar Why cannot I obtaine a like release Sith still I was copartner of thy paine Why am I kept from part of so great gaine 164 To you the happie guerdon and the gaine To vs the losse and damage all is left France Germanie and Italy complaine Their chiefe defence and their chiefe buckler rest How shall my Prince and vncle now sustaine Depriu'd of so good helpe so great a heft Thy losse of succour hath bereaued wholie Both holy Church and eake the Empire holie 165 The Pagans whom thou dantedst in thy life How will they gather heart now with thy death How will they stirre new storms of fearfull strife Now hauing so good meanes to gather breth But how great sorrow will thy dearest wife Sustaine me thinks I heare eu'n now she seth I am to blame and that she hates me most And saith by me she hath her worlds ioy lost 166 Yet Fiordeliege this comfort may reuiue Both thee and all that for his death are sorie That all the valiant knights that him suruiue Haue cause to enuie and admire his glorie The Decij nor the knight that lept aliue In Curtain lake so praisd in Latin storie Nor Codrus by the Greekes so magnified With greater praise nor honor neuer dyed 167 These words and such as these Orlando spake The while the Fryres both white blacke and gray A solemne and a long procession make In goodly ranke and in deuout array That God to heau'n the dead mans spirit take Requiem aeternam for his soule they pray And tapers in the midst before behind Did cause that knight like to the noone day shind 168 Then diuers Earles and knights the hearse vphold All ouer which a mantle rich was spred Of purple silke embroderd braue with gold And with fayre pearle and stone well garnished Of equall cost and bewtie to behold The coffin was that held the bodie ded Prouided by the Palladine to be Fit for his calling and his high degree 169 Three hunderd people of the poorer sort Of dweller that inhabited the towne Vnto the funerals did then resort And vnto each was giu'n a mourning gowne An hundred Pages mounted in good sort On warlike steeds clothd to the ground adowne And both the Pages and the gallant steeds From top to toe were clad in mourning weeds 170 Then bare they diuers banners fayre displayd And painted diuers armes that he obtaind From armed bands alone without all ayd And had to Caesar and to Peter gaind With hunderds more all in blacke gowns arrayd To whom were diuers offices ordaind And last Renaldo and Orlando came But Oliuero staid for he was lame 171 It long would be ere I could it rehearse And tell what ceremonies vsed weare Nor can I comprehend well in vearse How orderly they were accomplisht theare Vnto the chiefest Church they bare a hearse The while nor old nor young to weepe for beare His noblenesse his value and his youth Did breed in all their hearts so wondrous ruth 172 Now when the women finisht had and donne Their bootlesse weeping and their fruitlesse paine The Priest had said their Kyrieleisonne And all the rites that there-unto pertaine The carkasse of great Monodantes sonne So chested on two collumns to remaine Orlando causd till time he might procure A costly and more stately sepulture 173 From Sicilie Orlando not departs Till he for Tutch and Porpherle had sent And all that were most skilfull of those arts Had talkt with all and told them his intent Then Fiordeliege comming to those parts Her time her trauell and her treasure spent To make the tombe most stately for her spouse At which to spend her future time she vowes 174 And sith her plaints and teares were neuer tired In that selfe place she meane her dayes to passe And for her husbands soule she still desired Continuall Dirges and perpetuall Masse From company her selfe she quite retired And to the place such her deuotion was That by the tombe she built a litle cell In which till death she purposed to dwell 175 Orlando diuers messages did send To her and after that in person went To fetch her into France and did pretend That her to place with Galeran he ment Or if the time in prayre she still would spend He would a Nunrie build for that intent Or that he would if so she so had rather Attend her to her country and her father 176 But at the tombe she tarride obstinate And would tro thence by no meane be remoued Still doing saying both betime and late Penance and prayrs for him that she so loued Till death in th' end cut off her dolefull date And sent her soone to find her deare beloued But now the knights of France from Sicill parted For losse of their companion heauie harted 177 And Oliuer still of his foote complained For why no salue nor surgerie preuailed But that he was with griefe so greatly pained They doubted that his life would then haue failed Thus while they all in doubtfull dumpe remained The man that steard the barke in which they sailed Did make to them this motion sage and wise And they agreed to follow his aduise 178 He told them that not far from thence there dwelled An Hermit in a solitarie place That so in sanctitie of life excelled That he could remedie each doubtfull case Diseases diuers were by him expelled Dumb blind and lame were heald such was his grace And that he could with one signe of the crosse Allay the waues when they do highest tosse 179 In fine he told them sure there was no doubt To find reliefe eu'n present at the hands Of that same man so holy and deuour As scarce his match was found in many lands Orlando hauing heard the Pylot out Inquired of the place which way it stands And presently the place to him was showd And toward it in hast they sayld and rowd 180 Next morning they discouerd all the I le But kept aloofe so as their ship might float And there they cast their anchor and the while Conuayd the wounded Marquesse in a boat Vpon the shallow waues scant halfe a mile Vnto the blesled Hermits simple coat That verie Hermit that before but late Had brought Rogero vnto Christian state 181 The man of God that had his dwelling heare Came forth and met Orlando at the gate And welcomd him with kind and frendly cheare Inquiring of his arrant and their
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
else with sword in hand him so behaue As that he can withstand me in the feeld Behold the onely fauour that I craue I would be his that proues himselfe so stout The rest may be content to stand without 68 Most noble maid the Emp'ror straight replide Thy stout demand well to thy minde doth sute Wherefore by me it may not be denyde It is so noble and so iust a sute Now for she sought not this her suit to hide All they that heard thereof sure were not mute But eu'n ere night it publisht was so rise As it was knowne to Ammon and his wife 69 And thereupon they presently conceaued Against their daughter great disdaine and wrath For by such motion plainly they perceaued She to Rogero most deuotion hath Wherefore to th' end she might be quite bereaued All hope to follow that forbidden path From out the court they traind her by a slight And sent her to their castle that same night 70 This was a fortresse that but few dayes past The Prince had giu'n to them vpon request Betweene Perpignan and Cirtasso plast And neare the sea not of importance least Here as a prisner they did keepe her fast With minde to send her one dâ—y vnto th' East They purpose will she nill she she must take Don Leon and Rogero quite forsake 71 The Damsell though not kept with watch or guard Yet bridled with the Parents awfull raine Did keepe her close with good and due regard And of their rigor did no whit complaine But yet to this her thoughts were full prepard To bide imprisonment or any paine Or death it selfe by torture or by racke More rather then from promise to go backe 72 Renaldo finding that his suttle fire Had tane his sister thus from out his fist Nor able as his promise did require Rogeros suit to further and assist Forgets he is his sonne and in his ire Rebukes his Parents but say what he list They are content to giue the words to loosers But in their daughters match they will be choosers 73 Rogero hearing this and greatly fearing Least Leon should by loue or by constraint Possesse his Lady by his long forbearing He minds but none he doth therewith acquaint To giue a speedie death to Leon swearing That he of Caesar will make him a saint And that he will except his hope deceiue him Of scepter life and loue and all bereaue him 74 And in his minde resolued full thereon Don Hectors armor that from Mandricard He late had wonne forwith he putteth on Frontino cake he secretly prepard But Eagle on his sheeld he would haue none I cannot tell you well in what regard In steed thereof an argent Vnicorne In field of Gewls by him as then was borne 75 One onely trustie seruant and no mo He takes with him his purpose to conceale He giueth him in charge where ere he go That he his name to no man do reueale Thus Mosa Rhyne he past with pace not slow And Austria to th'Vngarian common weale And vpon Isters banke such speed he made That in a while he came vnto Belgrade 76 Where Saua doth into Danubia fall And all along that streame he might discouer Ensignes and banners all Imperiall That nye the streame in numbers great did houer Great was their multitude and Grecians all Who with a hope that citie to recouer Which late before from them the Bulgars wonne Were thither brought by th' Emperor and his sonne 77 Twixt Belgrade and the streame in warlike rankes The Bulgars stood eu'n to the monntaines ridge Both armies waterd at the riuers bankes The Greekes endeuord there to cast a bridge And for that end prepared boats and plankes The Bulgars sought their purpose to abridge Scarse had Rogero vewd them wel and seene them But that there fell a skirmish hot betweene them 78 The Greeks were foure to one beside they haue Good store of boats with many a planke and boord And to the place a sharpe assault they gaue And mean to passe although there were no foord But this was but a policie and braue For Leon so this while himselfe besturd That with a compasse that about he fet Both he and his the streame past without let 79 With little lesse then twentie thousand men Along the banks he secretly doth ride And gaue to them a fresh alarum then Vnlooked for vnwares and vnespide No lesse the Emp'ror Constantino when He saw his sonne on land on tother side By ioyning planke to planke and boat to boat With all his powre an easie passage got 80 The Bulgar Captaine that Vatrano hight And was a valiant warrior and a wise Endeuord both by policie and fight To beare the bront but nothing could suffice For Leon both by multitude and might Vnhorsed him and ere he could arise Sith he to yeeld him prisner did disdaine Among a thousand swords he there was slaine 81 Till then the Bulgars valiantly made hed But when they saw their king and Captaine slaine So great a terror in their minds was bred In their faint hearts no courage did remaine Rogero seeing how the Bulgars fled And none to stay or bring them backe againe To helpe the weaker part resolueth briefly For hate of Constantine but Leon chiefly 82 He spurres his horse that like the winde doth runne And makes them stand that fled with fainting brest And hauing spide one brauer then the Sunne A gallant youth more forward then the rest This same was Constantinos sisters sonne At him Rogero runnes with speare in rest He brake his shield and coat like brittle glasse And through his bodie made the speare to passe 83 He leaues him dead and Ballisard he drawes And with that blade he shewd himselfe so stout Who meeteth with him to repent haue cause He presseth in among the thickest rout Ones skull he cleaueth to the verie iawes Heads leggs and armes flew all the field about The streame that erst did run as Christall cleare Vermillion now doth to the sight appeare 84 No man that saw much lesse that felt his blowes Dare once make head against them or resist them Rogero in the field triumphant goes The Bulgars now march freely where it list them Nor was there one amongst them all that knowes What wight it was that did so well assist them This change they saw procur'd in little space Who lately fled now held their foes in chase 85 The young Augustus standing on a hill A place aboue the rest much eminent Seeing one man his men to slay and kill And that their losse and flight was euident He wonders at his courage and his skill And thinks that God had sure some Angel sent To plague the Grecians for their old offences And for the Bulgars succours and defences 86 He sees both by his armes and Vnicorne That sure he was a knight of forraine Nation And where as some more hate wold him haue born He rather held him in more admiration His heart whom
vertuous thoughts did still adorne And euer was of noble inclination Made him extoll him for his deeds of armes Although his men by him receiu'd such harmes 87 Eu'n as a babe whom sometime mou'd with ire The mother beats with rod or with it chafeth Runnes not vnto the sister nor the fire But to the Mam and sweetly her imbraceth So now though Leons men are made retire And though Rogero killeth them and chaseth Yet his great valew maketh Leon loue him Much more then hate him for the harm he doth him 88 But if that Leon loue him and admire Me thinks he hath but sorrie recompence For why Rogeros hope and sole desire Is to do Leon damage and offence He lookes for him and oft he doth enquire Which way he was but still the diligence And long experience of the warie Greeke Do cause Rogero him in vaine did seeke 89 Don Leon saw his souldiers flie so fast He sounds retreit and to his father sent A messenger forthwith in all post hast And of his message this was chiefe content To let him vnderstand how things had past And wish him flie for feare of being shent Likewise himselfe and his hast all they may Backe ore the streame themselves then to conuay 90 But yet for all his hast his men were slaine And some with hast were drowned in the streame The Bulgars now did conquerors remaine That erst in perill were to loose their Reame The knight of th'Vnicorne they all see plaine Causd all their good wherefore with ioy extreame To him they go acknowledging indeed That all their glorie did from him proceed 91 Some kisse his hands and some do kisse his feete And in most humble manner him salute They thinke for him a praise diuine were meete And powre diuine they do to him impute They send their chiefest Captaines him to meete And all of them to him do make this sute And vp to heau'n their ioyfull voyces ring That he would be their Captaine guide and king 92 Rogero vnto them this answer made That he will be their guide as they thinke best But that he will not come into Belgrade Nor staffe nor scepter touch at no request Vntill that Leon that did them inuade He haue once slaine or tane him at the least For why a thousand miles for this alone He riden had and other cause had none 93 This said forthwith he biddeth them adew And would no longer stay at their desiring But that way Leon fled did him pursew For flight it was indeed and not retyring How beit Leon and his men that knew What in such case for safetie was requiring Brake downe the bridge when they the streame had past And so as then they made the passage fast 94 Rogero failing of his first intent Did seeke some place to passe to tother side Along that streame till all that day was spent And all that night vncessantly doth ride Be time next morne vnto a towne he went To ease his wearied bodie and beside To make his horse amends for so great wrong In keeping him without a bait so long 95 Vngardo one of reckning good and state Held this same towne to Constantino deare And footmen had and horsemen got of late Since of these warres he did first tidings heare Rogero finding none to watch the gate More boldly enterd finding passage cleare The towne it selfe within he likewise found With meat and drinke and lodging to abound 96 Now where Rogero lodged that same night One of Romania happend there to oste That present was at that precedent fight When as Rogero holpe the Bulgars host And at that time did him so sore affright That though of his escaping he might bost Yet still he feard him and still did doubt him And still he thought that Vnicorne about him 97 Wherefore when as he saw that sheeld he knew This was the man that eu'n before so late So many of the Grecian armie slew Straightway he hasted to the castle gate And that he may haue audience he doth sew For matter that concernes the Realme and state But when he was admitted what he told Within the booke insuing ile vnfold How truly and vpon how iust cause mine author blameth Princes for their weake keeping promise and their continuall breaking of leagues be they made euer so solemnly I thinke our present time can witnesse in which it is hard to say whether any two Princes in Europe at this day be assured each of others loue the reason is plaiue They weigh not wrong nor right nor recken of it Further then it may tend to their owne profit And as the fault is theirs so sure they haue a great punishment for it which is that they liue in perpetuall feare one of another and euer one iealous of anothers greatnes it was a happie time if euer there was a time when it was otherwise In dame Beatrice we may note the notable ambitious humor of women specially in matching their children aboue their calling which I touched more at large in the notes of the fist booke neither are the wiser sort of men free from this folly for if they may match their daughters so as they may say my Lord my sonne they thinke they haue God almightie by the toe as the prouerbe saith whereas many times they haue the diuell by the claw but those that glorie so to make their sonnes their Lords I would haue them heare that verse of Martiall to one that called his father his Lord. Seruum te dicis natum ingenueq fateris Cum dicis dominum Sosibiane patrem A slaue thou art by birth of this I gather For euermore thou saist my Lord my father Perythous would needs take vpon him by the helpe of Theseus to steale away the daughter of the king of Molossus but being both taken Perithous was deuoured by Cerberus a great dogge that the said king kept and Theseus was after resiued by Hercules thence arose the fable that they went to hell togither to steale Proserpina for so was that kings daughter named In the many lets that Rogero hath ear he can get Bradamant the Allegorie is â—ontinued from the beginning to the end of the whole worke to shew how hardly a man comes to a true contentment and peaceable state in this world which is figured in the match with Bradamant man hauing still enemies bodily or ghostly to hinder or interrupt the same In Bradamants constant loue to Rogero he alludes to a Lady of the house of Colonna that married Luigy Gonzaga against the Popes will and many of his adherents Here end the notes of the 44. booke THE XLV BOOKE THE ARGVMENT The noble Leon doth Rogero saue In Theodoras cruell prison pent Soone after Leon doth Rogero craue To win him Bradamant he doth assent And fought with her xij houres a combat brane Of which he after did so sore repent In sorrow great he thought to end his life To thinke
in person and to seeke him out But neither he nor all Regeros frends In France had euer light on him I doubt Had not Melissa holpe him at his need As in the booke insuing you may reed This booke began with an excellent Moral of the vnstablenesse and varietie of Fortune which as it is plainly set downe and notably proued by examples so if a man will rightly apply it to his owne state I know not whether any thing in this whole worke hath bene yea or can be said to better purpose not onely for humanitie but in some sort for diuinitie For in matters of the world who knoweth not that the wisest counsell a man can giue and the wisest course a man can take is this Vtnecoppressus sis aduersis rebus necelatus secundis neither to be abasht with aduersitie nor puffed vp with prosperitie and in diuinitie as the most learned diuines haue written the two onely rocks at which our vessells make shipwrade the Silla and Caribdis that drown so many thousand Christians in this their worldly passage are these two extreames of presumption and dispaire betweene which two he that can keepe his course euen it is vnpossible be should miscarrie but by wonderfull and euen most wilfull negligence In the great curtesie vsed by Leon toward Rogero and afterward by Rogero toward him as is shewed both in this booke and the next we may note first the wonderfull effects of vertue that breeds loue not in strangers onely but euen in enemies secondly we may see that a man of a true noble nature thinks himselfe more bound to requite a benefit then to reuenge an iniurie For to fayle in reuenge often proceedeth of vertue but to be vnthankfull is a most hatefull thing euen in the greatest and can neuer proceed but from a most vile nature In Charles may be noted the iust and moderate proceeding of a wife and discreet Prince who when the controuersie about Bradamant began to grow so intricate that it was hard to discouer where the right was in the hearing of the matter he shewd no maner of partialitie and in the end referred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the determining of the free Court of Parliament thereby shewing that he presumed not too farre of his owne wit and that he meant to haue the matter heard openly and indifferently and yet he did wisely remoue from himselfe the enuie and grudge that might grow to him by giuing a definit sentence in a cause so ambiguous which a wise Prince will eschue as much as may be specially when the matter shall concerne great personages Polycrates was king of Samos a man so exceeding fortunate that he tooke no exploit in hand were it neuer so difficult but be brought it to the end he desired so as being willing as it seemed to moderat this great enuie of his fortune with a voluntarie mishap he threw one day into the sea a iewell of exceeding great value with purpose to leese it and thereby to frame to himselfe a cause of sorrow but his good fortune would not suffer it for a Fisherman not long after bringing him a faire fish for a present this iewell was found in the bellie of that fish and so most strangely recouered Yet behold this fortunate Polycrates going with an armie against Darius was taken prisoner by one Orontes one of Darius Captains and after hanged vpon the top of a high mountaine doubtlesse a notable example for such as make fortune their Goddesse if any such there be who haue indeed no reason to thinke they are aduanced by fortune but euen the guiltinesse of their owne base and vicious minds worthy of no part of Polycrates aduancement but euen his last Dionysius a tyrant of Sicilie and sonne of that tyrant that spoiled the Churches and tooke away a cloke of gold from Iupiter saying a cloth cloke was lighter for summer and warmer for winter and tooke away Aesculapius golden beard saying it was a sawcie part for him to haue a long beard and his father Apollo to haâ—e none This Dionysius that we may see how well the children of them prosper that scorne the false gods and beleeue not in the true continued his fathers tyrannie in Syracusa and was by them inforced to flye the Realme so as being a runnegate hauing no meanes to liue he went to Corinth and liued there a priuate and meane life as in the life of Tymoleon in Plutarke is set downe at large and is verie well worth the reading for the many prettie sayings and pleasant scoffings that were giuen him and some returned by him againe as that of one that in derision comming into the roome where Dionysius sat in a blinde tauerne or alehouse shooke his gowne so they vsed to do that came to the presence of tyrants to show they had no weapons about them tush saith Dionysius this was needlesse at your comming in but at your going out it would not be amisse to see if you steale nothing with you Yet this vertue Dionysius had if a tyrant can haue any vertue that he bare his aduersitie not onely patiently but euen pleasantly which is surely praiseworthy according to that I spake before in the Morall not to be abashed with euill fortune which also Dionysius himselfe confessed he had gotten by Philosophy and sure it is a point of good courage to be able to beare aduersitie according to that saying Fortiter ille facit qui miser esse potest Of Marius I need not speake much considering how largely his whole life is set downe in the forenamed Plutarkes liues onely I will adde a word of Valerius Maximus opinion of his fortune Nothing in the world saith he could be more variable then the state of Marius For if you will place him among the vnfortunate you shall find him most miserable if among the happie you shall finde him most fortunate Two examples are alledged by mine author of this age Lewes the 12. of France and Mathia Coruino of Hungary Of these two a word Charles the 8. king of France conceiuing some displeasure against the Duke of Orleans father to to this Lewes cut off his head and was in some doubt and mammering if he should not do as much to his sonne yet after many hard aduentures it was his hap at last to be king of France Mathia Coruino was kept in close prison by Vladislaus king of Hungarie because his elder brother had slaine the Earle of Cyglia vnckle to the said king but the king dying young and without issue this Mathia was made of a prisoner a Prince but of this kind of sodaine change our Realme hath one example that passeth not onely these but all I thinke that haue bene heard of or written and that is the Queenes most excellent Maiestie that now is who from the expectation of a most vndeserued death came to the possession of a most renowned kingdome for what greater extremity could one come from or what
this to do being as it were the verie kyrnell and principall part or as the marrow and the rest but the bone or vnprofitable shell or according as I said in my Apologie vsing Tassoes comparison like to the pill that is lapped in suger and giuen a child for a medicine who otherwise would not be drawne to take the simple drugge though it were to saue his life But to come to the matter mine author as you may see from the beginning applyeth his whole worke and referreth all the parts thereof to two principall heads and common places namely Armes and Loue in both which men commit great ouersights and from both which proceed many great enormous disorders both in publique and priuate For these two faults of wantonnesse and wilfulnesse are so coupled commonly with youth that they seeme to be borne at a burthen therewith and as it were accidents inseperable and a man might almost canonize him for a Saint that hath passed the heat of his youth and not offended in one of these but many doubtlesse offend in them both And this is the cause that mine authour hath propounded many examples but specially two in the which men may see their frailtie in the latter of these which I will handle first namely in the passion of loue As first Orlando who with a long and tedious voyage guardeth Angelica from the Indies then hath her taken from him among his friends after looseth her and by sundrie aduentures pursuing her and yet missing most narrowly of his purpose in the end falleth starke madde for her till by Saint Iohn his wits are sent him againe which is as much to say till by the grace of God and the light of the Gospel he discouereth the darknes he walked in and so comes againe to himselfe Secondly and principally in Rogero whom he faineth to haue bene a man of infinite value and of courage able to ouercome a thousand of our common worldly miseries but yet ouercome himselfe of this passion of loue without any resistance this is the reason that he is borne away vpon a horse with wings which would not be gouerned vp into the aire to the countrey of Alcyna which we may easily conceiue to be the court of pleasure by which mine aâ—thour giues vs to vnderstand that the principall occasion of our euill proceedeth of this when our appetite not ruled by reason ruleth vs. as Horace writeth of anger and may be applyed to any passion that striueth with reason Ira furor breuis est animum rege quinisiparet Imperat hune frenis huno tu compesce catena Wherefore this same appetite is that passionate desire of the minde that we are so often counsailed to restraine Now to this desire to this inordinate lusting is ioyned idlenesse as an assistant and great furtherer as I partly noted in the fourth booke out of Ouid Otiasitollas c. This idlenes is fayned by the Poer verie grosse and corpulent drunken and drowsie ryding vpon a Tortesse in token of slouth and he forsooth is ring-leader of a monstrous band of which some haue heads like dogges some haue neckes like cranes some are mounted vpon Oxen or Asses some haue countenances and gestures of Apes some are armed with prongs with forkes with hookes with broches all out of the Kitchen of all which what other meaning can be gathered but this that idlenes and slouth and the not beraking ones selfe to some honest trauell causeth men to proue drunkards gluttons backbytets reprochers iesters parasites and promoters with other monstrous and filthie faultes though worthie to be punished yet not worthie to be named Wherefore the auncient fathers haue not without great iudgement and iust cause placed slouth among the seauen deadly sinnes being so precise in the confideration thereof that they haue deliuered their opinion thus farre of it that though simply to be idle is not a mortall sinne as they terme it yet so to be idle as to be kept thereby from some good exercise as hearing of Gods word or helping out brother that wanted out assistance may make it mortall But now because in common sence it had not bene fit nor probable that a man of a high spirit and noble courage as his Rogero is described to be should be daunted with such a shamefull and base companie as these were therefore you see he defends himselfe against them most resolutely though their assault seeme terrible and their number infinite and in despight of them he proceedeth towards the house of Logestilla by which is meant vertue by that craggie and painfull way and shunneth the other way to Alcyna by meanes of the good warning Astolfo had giuen him of the daunger thereof But loe two faire yong Ladies sent from Alcyna which as I noted in the seuenth booke caried a shew of honourable and chast loue these wanne him without any resistance and make him of a resolute warriour a dissolute louer but trow you he can come to Aleyna with the bare name of a louer no if he be poore there is no place for him in dame Pleasures court he must spend he must giue he must lash it out Erifila a couetous wretch keeps the bridge by which is vnderstood that many men are stopt from this course of folly in regard of the great charge and expence thereof and so stay at this bridge and though no consideration of vertue withhold them yet feare of the charge doth terrifie them But when Erifila is once ouerthrowne then they are presently receiued into the bosome of Alcyna then all the cheare sporting dauncing and courting that can be imagined is applied to the welcoming of this youthfull Rogero Thus he is drowned and viterly ouerwhelmed in this gulfe of pleasure which mine author hath set downe so liuely as it were the very picture of the Prodigall sonne spoken of in the Scripture giuen ouer to all vnthristinesse all loosenesse of life and conuersation But because the Poet knew very well that youth of it selfe hath many good gifts of nature if the same were applied and that many yong men comming to themselves againe haue become notable members of their countreys and worthy patternes of prowesse and vertue therefore he deuiseth most excellently a meane whereby Rogero vnwindeth himselfe out of the bonds of Alcyna shewing how one day being gotten from her a thing that seldome happened vnto him Melissa recalled him againe and gaue him that Ring that discouered all Alcynas trumperies and made here odious in his sight so as now he cursed her in his heart and was ashamed that euer he had set his loue so basely This is to be vnderstood that a man besotted in the fond pleasures of this world entring into godly consideration with himselfe of his owne estate heareth Melyssa which is to be vnderstood the diuine inspiration of the grace of God calling him from the damned course of life to an honest and vertuous course
minde And now euery part of the body engenders such seeds of concupiscence that nature is become a bastard sister to reason and vsurpes that gouernement that is due onely to her and leaueth her onely one castell which was so strongly situated that it was impregnable so that now reason is retired as it were to her principall fortresse to the head the rest of this kingdome being possessed by Alcyna by pleasure and fond delights Now then what maruell is it if this new Hercules described by mine author do with so great difficultie and through so many impediments claÌ„mer vp to this stately seate of Logestilla built with such rare workemanship and of such pure stuffe that a man may in the walls thereof see euen into his very soule and conscience In these men see the vertue and the vice That cleaâ—eth to their inward soule and minde Who lookes in such a glasse may grow so wise As neither flat'ring praises shall him blind With tickling words nor undeserued blame With forged faults shall worke him any shame As for those gildings and paintings that were in the Pallace of Alcyna though the show of it were glorious the substance of it was drosse and nothing but Alcumie and cosenage but these of Logestilla be precious stones indeed of inestimable vallue The looking glasse and mirrour that will shew vs how our soule and our minde is spotted oh he that would vse such a glasse what a notable Antidoton it would be against the poyson of flatterie You faire Ladies that spend so many houres in looking and prying in a glasse to see if this shadow sit handsomely if your rebatoes be well set if your wyers stand euen vpon your heads and the pendent iust in the middle of your forheads and in the least of these matters you will not beleeue your maids eyes but you will see it your selues why are you so credulous to beleeue lyers and flatterers that tell you your chastities and other womanlie vertues be extolled and praysed and will not looke in that true glasse to see if you deserue it or no It is true that men are no fit iudges of themselues because commonly they are parciall in their owne cause yet is it as true that he that will dispose him to iudge indifferentlie of himselfe can do it better then any bodie else because a man can see further into his owne minde and heart then any one else can But now to come to this faire house of Logestilla to which I would so fayne inuite you all both Lordes and Ladies that reade this discourse here be sweete gardens here be wholesome herbes here is the continuall spring Here that vnbridled horse that bare away Rogero so farre out of Europe is taught to obey the rodde and the rayne and made seruiceable and at commaundement Further by the helpe of the ring as was touched before manie that had bene transformed into brute beastes were restored to their shape againe these were such as were so drowned in vice and in beastlie pleasures that no part of the reasonable man was left in them Astolfo was restored to his shape that had bene turned into a myrtle now the myrtle was said euer to haue bene Venus tree and because he was so entangled in Venerie that he could not get himselfe out of it therefore he is fayned to haue taken roote in the ground as the tree doth and so was fastened that without Melyssas assistance he could not haue stirred from thence Thus as you see mine Authour vnder a prettie fiction hath brought you to behold the whole miserie of the life of man and there in the beginning of the seuenth booke he exhorteth men to consider the meaning of his tale Wherefore to some my tale may seeme a fable Whose wits to vnderstand it are not able But now because there are diuers kindes of errours in this laberinth of loue and as diuers meanes by which men offen as there are diuers sortes of men that offend therefore you may perceiue how my autâ—our hath filled the whole booke with sundry examples both of men and women as beside Orlando of whom I spake before whose madnesse gaue the name to his worke calling it Orlando Furioso there is Sacrapant that followes Angelica from the Indies and is still foded out by her with faire wordes There is Renaldo that is extreamely in loue with her till the water of disdaine draue away and cooled the heat of his affection and the whole booke is full of examples of men and women that in this matter of loue haue bene notable in one kinde or other of which I will touch some speciall ones and omit the rest as not so much worth the standing vpon The ordinarie kindes of loue are set downe to vs of the good and the bad in two couples Angelica and Doralice of the worse kinde and Olympia and Bradamant of the the better sort In Angelica the excellentnesse of her beautie bred such an exceeding pride that disdayning the greatest and worthyest Princes that liued in that age she cast herselfe away at last vpon a poore seruing-man for a iust recompence of her too haughtie conceipt In Doralyce is set downe a patterne of great lightnesse of manners and behauiour that first louing Rodomont and being forciblie taken by Mandricard yet in one night was so well pacified toward him that she was content to tarrie with him and in the end refused Rodomont openlie for him though in so doing one might make a reasonable excuse for her but after when Mandricard was slaine she could haue found in her heart to haue loued Rogero also In Olympia contrarie we see an honest chast loue though very hardly required yet hath it in my opinion some reproofe namely that it was too sodaine and violent But in the worthy Bradamant is a perfect patterne of true honorable loue to Rogero moued first by his value by his courage by his behauiour by his worth which made him worthie of her loue In her you shall finde no rashnesse no want of constancie of faith of all other due regards for neither could her sundry ouerthwart chances neither the expectation and length of time which is wont to breed alterations nor the obstinate couetousnesse of her father nor the vaine ambition of her mother nor the state and Empire of Leon with all the promised riches and treasures his Father and he possessed once withdraw her minde from her first loue Further Bradamant did not rashlie fall in loue as did Olympia but the Prophetesse Melyssa and tokens from aboue did encourage her to her honest loue for showing her of her noble posteritie and of all those blessings that accompanie the same so as indeed in her onely we haue a patterne of honest and commendable loue before marriage Now there are in like manner two payre of marryed women one worthie all reproch the tother meriting all praise The shamelesse Orygilla and her filchie Martano are a patterne of base