bed Found out the troth and tooke them both together Found him a man and found her belly sped Away they carred her I know not whether Away vnto the prison he was led And must be burnd this day or else to morow The thought whereof doth moue my mind to sorow 34 This made me purposely to come from thence And not to see one of so comely shape So sharply punisht for this small offence As if it were for murder or for rape Nor any hope could sinke into my sence How possible it were for him to scape And who could see or thinke without compassion A fine yong youth tormented in such fashion 35 T was strange to thinke how nie this tale did touch The noble Bradamants most tender hart It seemed she pittide this mans state as much As if her brother had playd such a part Some cause there was to make her fancie such As afterward at large I shall impart And straight she makes this motion that they twaine Might saue this wofull youth from being slaine 36 Rogero much commends her noble mind And to the mourning damsell thus they said We both are to this enterprise inclind If fortune serue we will the yong man aid But when they saw that still the mournd and whind Tush quoth Rogero cease to be afraid T is more then time that we were going hence Not teares but force must serue for his defence 37 These comfortable words Rogero spake With that his warlike looke and manly show Did cause her heart of grace forth with to take Yet still she doubts which way were best to go Not that she feard the right way to mistake For all the wayes she perfuly did know To turne the way she came she was afraid Lest in the way they haply might be staid 38 There are quoth she two waves vnto the place Of which the stone is easie faire and plaine The tother foule and farre the greater space Yet at this time the safer of the twaine But yet I feare except God send more grace That ere we thither come he may be slaine Thus stood this damsell still not little musing Betweene the nearer way and safer châ—sing 39 Rogero that was resolute and stout Did aske what reason mou'd her to perswade Them two to take the farther way about And straight way she to them this answer made Forsooth said she the cause that moues my doubt Is this I feare that some will you inuade By meanes that Pinnabell Anselmus sonne Hath here of late a custome leud begunne 40 As namely that who euer that way ride Of what estate soeuer or degree Must leese their horses first and then beside Most of their clothes and raiment spoiled be Foure valiant youths of strength and courage tride Are sworne to this so that no he nor she Can passe that way without this euill paiment That he must weapons leese and she her raiment 41 The custome is as yet but three dayes old By Pinnabello and his wife deuised Who meeting haply as I heard it told A knight or one in knightly clothes disguised With whom a woman vgly to behold And by this couple scorned and despised This Pinnabell the worse had of the quarrell His wife was spoild of horse and of apparrell 42 This spite enraged so the womans mind That wishing to reuenge not knowing how Yet wrath and folly so her sence doth blind That straight she makes a foolish solemne vow And he that was to euill deeds inclind No lesse than she doth of the same allow The vow was this for anger of this foile A thousand others in like sort to spoile 43 That very night came to that house by chance Foure valiant knights as euer armor bare To fight on horse or foot with sword or lance But few many with the worst of them compare These foure I say were first that led this dance By night surprised ere they were aware Both Griffin Aquilant and Sansonet And Guidon Sauage scant a man as yet 44 These foure in shew he gently entertained And makes them friendly countenance and cheate With courteous speech and friendly manner fained As if he lou'd them well and held them deare But while secure they in their beds remained And when Sunne rising now approched neare He did beset the lodging where they lay And tooke their armor and their clothes away 45 And further bound them in that present place Both hand and foote as if they prisners were And ere he did those causlesse bonds vnlace He makes them solemnly to vow and sweare To keepe this order for a tweluemonths space That whosoeuer hapned to come there They foure endeuour should with all their forces To take away their raiment and their horses 46 To this by solemne oth are sworne they foure Constraind thereto by this their cruell host And though herewith they were offended sore Yet must they sweare for feare of farther cost Alreadie not so few as twise a score Their horses and their furniture haue lost And none as yet so able haue bene found But one of these haue laid him on the ground 47 But if some one do hap so strong to be To make his partie good with one of those Then straight the order is the other three Must him assist thus none vnconquerd goes Wherefore if you will be aduist by me T is best to shun this way as I suppose Sith each of these is such as I recited How great thinke you will be their force vnited 48 But presuppose that you their force withstand As your great courage makes me thinke you might Yet needs it hinder must the cause in hand And make you tarry here about all night Sith then this case so dangerously doth stand I would perswade you now to shun this fight Lest while you in this enterprise remaine The poore yong man may fortune to be slaine 49 Tush quoth Rogero haue no doubt at all Let vs endeuour still to do our best And then hap good or ill fall what may fall Let God and fortune gouerne all the rest I hope this enterprise I finish shall So well as I shall eke do your request And there arriue to saue him in good time That should be burned for so small a crime 50 This said he gets him on the nearest way Fast by the place where Pinnabell doth dwell And at the bridge they forced were to stay And straight a man whose name I know not well Came out in hast and stand to them doth say And then begins their order them to tell Perswading them if they will shunne the perell To yeeld in peace their horses and apparell 51 Peace quoth Rogero leaue thy foolish prating A tale alreadie knowne thou dost repeate Children with bugs and dogs are seard with rating With me it small auailes to brag or threate I leese but time with thee to stand debating Shew me the men that mind to do this feate My hast is such that long
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
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
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
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
woodhast right 30 Not wilfulnesse but ignorance did breed Thine iniury mine error in this case And made me do this vnaduised deed By which vnwares thy leaues I did deface But let thy speech so farre forth now proceed To tell me who thou art that in this place Dost dwell in tree amid the desert field As God from haile and tempest thee may shield 31 And if that â— for this amends may make Or now or after or by paine or art I sweare to thee by her and for her sake That holds of me and shall the better part That I shall not surcease all paines to take To worke thy ioy or to asâ—wage thy smart This said he saw againe the nurtle shake And then againe he heard that thus it spake 32 Sir knight your curtesie doth me constraine To shew to you the thing that you desier Although I sweat as you may see with paine Like greenest boughes vpon the flaming fier I will discouer vnto you her traine Wo worth the time that â—uer I came nie her That did for malice and by magicke strange My liuely shape to liuelesle branches change 33 I was an Earle Astolfo was my name Well knowne in France in time of warre and peace Orlandos cosen and Renalds whose fame While time shall last in earth shall neuer cease Of Oton king of English I le I came And should succeed him after his decease Both comely yong carelesle of worldly pelfe To none an enemie but to my selfe 34 For as we turned from the Ester Iles Whose banks are worne with surge of Indian waue Where I and many more with witching wiles Were straight inclosed in a hollow caue Vntill Orlando did auenge the guiles And found by force a meane his friends to saue We Westward went vpon the shore and sand That lieth on the Northside of the land 35 And as we traueld homeward on our way As chance did leade or destinie vs driue It was our fortune once on breake of day Hard by Alcynas castle to arriue Where she alone to sport her selfe and play Such kind of gins for fishes did contâ—â—ue That though we saw no net no bait no hooke Yet still we saw that store of fish she tooke 36 The Dolphin strong the Tunnie good of tast The Mullet Stargeon Samon princely fish With Porpose Sâ—ales and Thornpooles came as fast As she was pleased to commaund or wish And still she tooke of each kind as they past Some strange for shew some daintie for the dish The horsefish and the huge and monstrous whales Whole mightie members harnest are with scales 37 Among the rest that were too long to count We â—aw the fish that men Balena call Twelue yards aboue the water did amount His mightie backe the monster is so tall And for it stood to sâ—â—l we made account It had bene land but were deceiued all We were deceiâ—â—d well I may rew the while It was so huge we thought it was an â—le 38 I sav this potent witch Alcyna tooke All â—â—rtâ— oâ— fish without or net or aide But onâ—ly reading in a little booke Oâ— mumbling words I know not what she said But seâ—â—ng me so well she likt my looke That at her sport but little time 〈◊〉 staid But 〈◊〉 forthwiâ—h to trap me by her skill Which straight feâ—l â—ut according to her will 39 Fâ—â— toward me with pleasant cheare she came In modest maner and in 〈…〉 And dâ—d withall her speech 〈◊〉 frame And 〈…〉 to resort Oâ—â— I would be partner of hâ—â— gâ—me She oâ—tred me to shew me all the sport And all the kinds of fish in seas that were Some great some smal some smooth and some with haire 40 And if you 〈◊〉 â— Mermaid faire to see That can with song the raging stormes appease At yonâ— same little banke you may quoth the To which we two will safely paâ—le with ease Thâ— banke which she pretends to shew to me Was that same â—ish the monster of the seas And I that too much loued to aduenter Vpon the fishes backe with her did enter 41 My cousins 〈◊〉 and Ronaldo beckned To draw me thence I heard not what they said But of their speech and signes I little reckned I had not wit enough to be afraid But soone my courage was appald and weakned I straight was â—aine in vaâ—â—e to crie for aid The monstâ—ous fish that â—eemd to me an I le Straight bare me from the shore full many a mile 42 There was Ronaldâ— like to haue bene drownd Who 〈◊〉 to â—â—ue me if perhaps he might But â—o dainly of him and of the ground A 〈◊〉 ud did take away the sight 〈…〉 and I with seas enuirond round Did â—râ—uell on that monster all the night And then with gracious speeches she began To giâ—e me all the comfort that she can 43 And thus at last to this place we repaire Of which by wrong Alcyna keepes possession Deposing forcibly the rightfull heire Her elder lawfull sister by oppression The other two more vicious then faire Are bastards and begotten in transgression I heard it told and haue it not forgotten She and Morgana were in incest gotten 44 And as their first beginning was of sinne So is their life vngodly and defamed Of law â—or iustice passing not a pinne But like the heifer wanton and vntamed By warre they seeke their sisters right to winâ—e Their elder sister Logistilla named And haue so farre preuailed with their powers They haue of hers about an hundred towers 45 And had erâ— this time taken all away Saue that the rest is strongly fenced round For of one side the water stops the way On th' other side the vantage of the ground Which with a mightie banke doth make a stay Much like the English and the Scottish bound And yet the bastard sisters do their best And labour still to spoile her of the rest 46 And why because they see her good and holy They hated her because themselues are vicious But to returne and tell you of my folly That turnd to me so hurtfull and pernicious I now againe grew somewhat bold and iolly I see no cause to feare or be suspicious And finding she lou'd me by signes most plaine I wholy bent my selfe to loue againe 47 When I her daintie members did embrace I deemed then there was none other blisâ—e Me thought all other pleasures were but base Of friends nor kin I had no want nor misâ—e I onely wisht to stand in her good grace And haue accesse her corrall lips to kisse I thought my selfe the happiest of all creatures To haue a Ladie of so goodly features 48 And this the more confirmd my ioy and pride That toward me she shewd such loue and care By night and dayly I was by her side To do or speake against me no man dare I was her stay I was her houses guide I did commaund the rest as subiects are She trusted me alone with me she talked With me within
Within this place both weeks months had tarried 11 Orlando when he saw he could not learne Where this same theefe his mistresse had conuaid Thought she was carride out at some posterne Wherfore within no longer time he staid But walkes about the cattle to discerne Iâ— that were true of which he was asf aid But as he â—alked vp and downe the plaine He thought he heard her call him backe againe 12 And to a window casting vp his eve He thought he saw her face full of diuinitie And that he heard her plainly thus to crie Onoble wight of proued magnanimitie Helpe now or neuer helpe alas shall In mine Orlandos sight leese my virginitie Kill me or let a thousand deathes befall me Rather then let a villaine so to thrall me 13 These wofull speeches once or twise repeted Caus'd him returne into the house againe And searching once againe he chaste and freted Hope still asswaging somewhat of his paine And oft he heard the voice that counterfeted The speech of his Angelica most plaine From side to side he follow'd still the sound But of Angelica no signe he found 14 Now while Orlando tarrid in this traunce In hope for to auenge his mistresse harmes Rogerâ— who I told you had this chaunce To see his Fradamant in gyants armes Drawne to this place with such another daunce Namely by force of some vnusuall charmes Saw first the gvant in this castle enter And after him he boldly doth aduenter 15 But when he came within the castle walls And made much narrow search as in such case In garrets towrs in parlers and in halls And vnder staires and many a homely place Oft casting doubts what hurt his loue befalls Or left the theefe were gone in this meane space Forthwith he walketh out into the plaine And heares a voice recall him backe againe 16 That voice that lately did Orlando make Returne in hope Angelica to finde Rogero now for Bradamant doth take Whose loue no lesse possest his carefull minde And when the voice vnto Gradasso spake Or Sacrapant or Brandimart most kinde To euerie one of these it plainely seemed To be her voice whom ech one best esteemed 17 Atlanta had procur'd this strange inuention Thereby to keepe Rogero from mischance Because he saw it was the heauens intention That he by treason should be kild in France Ferraw and those of whom I last made mention Whith all whom vallew highest did aduance To keepe him companie he here detained With good prouision while they here remained 18 And while these knights with strange enchanments bound Do here abide behold the Indian queene Angelica that late her ring had found Whose vettue can her cause to go vnseene And also frustrate magicke skill profound Now longing home where long she had not been And being now of needfull things prouided Yet wants she one that her might hom haue guided 19 Orlandos companie she would haue had Or Sacrapant she car'd not which oftwaine Not that of eithers loue she would be glad For them and all the world she did disdaine But for the way was dangerous and bad In time of warre to trauell France and Spaine She wisht for her owne safetie and her ease To haue the companie of one of these 20 Wherefore a while she trauels vp and downe To seek for them that long in vaine had sought her And passing many woods and many a towne Vnto this place at last good fortune brought her Where wheÌ„ she saw these knights of great renowne Thus seeke for her she scant abstaines froÌ„ laughter To see Atlantas cunning and dissembling Her person and her voice so right resembling 21 Her selfe vnseene sees them and all the rest Now meanes she sure to take one of them two But yet she knowes not which her doubtfull brest Did stay as vnresolued what to do Orlandos vellew could defend her best But then this doubt is added thereunto That when she once so highly had prefard him She shall not know againe how to discard him 22 But Sacrapant although she should him lift High vp to heauen yet maketh the no doubt But she will find some sleight and pretie shift With her accustom'd coynesse him to lout To him she goes resolued of this drift And straight the precious ring she taketh out From of her mouth which made her go concealed With mind to him alone to be reuealed 23 But straight came in Orlando and Ferraw That both desired her to haue enioyd Thus all of them at once their goddesse saw Not being now by magickâ— art annoyd For when the ring on finger she did draw She made vnwares all their enchantments voyd These three were all in complet armor saue Ferraw no headpeece had nor none would haue 24 The cause was this he solemnely had sworne Vpon his head no helmet should be set But that that was by stour Orlando worne Which he did erst from Traians brother get Ferraw to weare a helmet had forborne Since with the ghost of Argall he had met Thus in this sort they came together armed By vertue of her ring now all vncharmed 25 All three at once do now the damsell vew All three at once on her would straight haue seased All three her faithfull louers were she knew Yet with all three at once she is displeased And from all three she straight her selfe withdrew Who haply one at once would her haue pleased From henceforth none of them she thinks to need But that the ring shall serue in all their steed 26 She hastens hence and will no longer stay Disdaine and feare together make her swift Into a wood she leades them all the way But when she saw there was none other shift Into her mouth the ring she doth conuay That euer holpe her at the deadest list And out of all their fights forth with she vanished And leaues them all with wonder halfe astonished 27 Onely one path there was and that not wide In this they followd her with no small hast But she first causd her horse to step aside And standeth still a while till they were past And then at better leisure she doth ride A farre more easie pace and not so fast Vntill they three continuing still their riding Came to a way in sundry parts diuiding 28 And comming where they found no further tracke Ferraw that was before the tother two In choler and in fury great turnd backe And askt the other what they meant to do And as his maner was to brag and cracke Demaunded how they durst presume to wo Or follow her whose propertie he claimed Except they would of him be slaine or maimed 29 Orlando straight replide thou foolish beast Saue that I see thou doest an helmet want I would ere this haue taught thee at the least Hereafter with thy betters not to vant Ferraw doth thankâ— him for his care in ieast And said it shewd his wits were very scant For as he was he would not be afraid To
silly foole tooke it with good intention Thereby to breake their strife and sharp contention 49 Not that thereby this filthy Spaniard might By helpe of my deceit and doing wrong Keepe that by fraud he could not win by might Alas to thy true loue and seruice long A better recompence then this or right From me my good Orlando should belong And thus in this most kind and dolefull fashion She doth continue long her lamentation 50 Now meaneth she to trauell to the East Vnto her natiue soile and country ground Her iourney doth her other griefes digest Her ring doth in her iourney keepe her found Yet chanced she ere she forsooke the West To trauell neare a wood whereas she found A fine yong man betweene two dead men lying With wound in bleeding brest euen then a dying 51 But here a while I cease of her to treate Or Sacrapant or of the knight of Spaine First I must tell of many a hardy feate Before I can returne to them againe Orlandos actions I will now repeate That still endur'd such trauell and such paine Nor time it selfe that sorrowes doth appease Could grant to this his griefe an end or case 52 And first the noble Earle an headpeece bought By late ill fortune hauing lost his owne For temper or the strength he neuer sought So it did keepe him but from being knowne Now Phaebus charret had the daylight brought And hid the starres that late before were showne And faire Aurora was new risen when Orlando met two bands of armed men 53 One band was led by worthy Manilard A man though stout yet hoary haird for age Who with his men did make to Paris ward He not for warre but fit for counsell sage Alsyrdo of the other had the guard Then in the prime and chiefe floure of his age And one that passed all the Turkish warriers To fight at tilt at turney or at barriers 54 These men with other of the Pagan host Had layne the winter past not far fro thence When Agramant did see his men were lost By vaine assaults vnto his great expence And therefore now he sweares and maketh bost That he will neuer raise his siege fro thence Till they within that now had left the field Were forst by famine all their goods to yeeld 55 And for that cause now sommer comes againe He gets together all the men he may With new supplies of Affrike and of Spaine And some of France that did accept his pay But that in order due they may remaine He points them all to meet him in one day Who by commandment hither came in clusters To make appearance at the pointed musters 56 Now when Alsyrdo saw Orlando there Inflamd with pride end glory of his mind He longed straight with him to breake a speare And spurs his horse but quickly he doth find Himselfe too weake so sturdy blowes to beare And wisheth now that he had staid behind He falleth from the horses back downe dead The fearfull horse without his master fled 57 Straight there was raisd a mightie cry and shout By all the souldiers of Alsyrdos band When as they see their captaine late so stout Throwne downe and killed by Orlandos hand Then out of ray they compast him about On eu'ry side in number as the sand They that are nie with blowes do him assaile And those aloose throw darts as thicke as haile 58 Looke what a noise an herd of sauage swine Do make when as the wolse a pig hath caught That doth in all their hearings cry and whine They flocke about as nature hath them taught So do these souldiers murmure and repine To see their captaine thus to mischiefe brought And with great fury they do set vpon him All with one voice still crying on him on him 59 I say the nearer fight with sword and speare And those aloose send shafts and many a dart But he that neuer yet admitted feare To lodge in any harbour of his hart Vpon his shield a thousand darts doth beare And thousands more on euery other part Yet of them all makes no more care nor keepe Then doth a Lion of a flocke of sheepe 60 For when at once his fatall blade he drew That blade so often bathd in Pagans blood No steele there was of temper old or new Nor folded cloths the edge thereof withstood About the field heads legs armes shoulders flew The surrowes all did flow with crimson flood Death goeth about the field reioycing mickle To see a sword that so surpast his sickle 61 This made the Pagan rout so sore agast He that could swiftest runne was best apaid And as they came so fled they now as fast One brother for another neuer staid No memory of loue or friendship past Could make one stay to giue another aid He that could gallop fastest was most glad Not asking if the wayes were good or bad 62 Onely one man there was in all the field That had so long in vertues schoole bin bred That rather then to turne his backe or yeeld He meaneth there to leaue his carkas dead Old Manylard who taking vp his sheeld Euen as his valiant heart and courage led Sets spurs to horse and in his rest a lance And runs against the Palladin of France 63 Vpon Orlandos shield his speare he brake Who neuer stird for all the manly blow But with his naked sword againe he strake And made him tumble ore the saddle bow Fortune on vertue did some pitie take For why Orlandos sword fell flatling tho That though it quite amazd and ouerthrew him Yet by good hap it maimd him not nor flew him 64 With great confusion all the other fled And now of armed men the field was voyd Saue such as were or seemed to be dead So as Orlando now no more annoyd Went on his iourney as his fancie led To seeke herin whose fight he onely ioyd Through plains and woods through sandy ways and miry He trauels making still of her enquiry 65 Vntill it was his fortune toward night To come fast by a mountaine in whose side Forth of a caue he saw a glims of light And towards it he presently doth ride Then at the mouth thereof he doth alight And to a bush fast by his horse he tide He doubts as euer loue is full of feare That his belou'd Angelica was there 66 Eu'n as the hunters that desirous are Some present pastime for their hounds to see In stubble fields do seeke the fearfull hare By eu'ry bush and vnder eu'ry tree So he with like desire and greater care Seeks her that sole of sorrow can him free He enters boldly in the hollow caue And thinks of her some tidings there to haue 67 The entrance straight and narrow was to passe Descending steps into a place prosound Whereas a certaine faire yong Ladie was Kept by some outlawes prisner vnder ground Her beautie did the common sort surpasse So farre as scant her match was to be
time great lords and knights repaired thither Allured by the same of such a feast I told you from the holy citie hither Was fiue or sixe dayes iourney at the least But all the townes about both small and great Are not like this for state and fruitfull seat 13 For first beside the cleare and temprat aire Not noid with sommers heat nor winters cold There are great store of buildings large and faire Of carued stone most stately to behold The streetes all pau'd where is their most repaire And all the ground is of so fruitfull mold That all the yeare their spring doth seeme to last And brings them store of fruites of daintie tast 14 Aboue the Citie lies a little hill That shades the morning sunne in erly houres Of waters sweet which here we vse to still They make such store with spice and iuyce of flowrs As for the quantitie might driue a mill Their gardens haue faire walkes and shady bowrs But that which chiefe maintaineth all the sweets Two christall streames do runne a mid the streets 15 Such was the natiue beautie of the towne But now because they looke for great resort Of Princes and of Lords of great renowne They decke their citie in another sort Each Ladie putteth on her richest gowne Each house with Arras hang'd in stately port The noble youths do stand vpon comparison Whose horse doth best who weares the best caparisâ— 16 Thus Griffin and his mates come to this place And first they view these shows with great delight And after they had rode a little space A curteous squire perswades them to alight And praieth them to do his house that grace To eate and take their lodgings there that night They thanke him for his kind an friendly offer And straight accept the courtsie he doth profer 17 They had set downe before them costly meat Of sundrie wines there was no little store Of precious fruits the plentie was so great As they had seldome seene the like before The while their host doth vnto them repeat The cause of all this feasting and wherefore The king appointed all these solemne sports To draw togither knights of sundrie sorts 18 But Griffin though he came not for this end For praise and brauerie at tilt to runne But came to find his fleeting female frend Yet was his courage such he would not shunne In these braue sports some little time to spend Where of well doing honor might be wonne He promist straight though little were his leasure Before he go to see and shew some pleasure 19 And first he asketh farther of the feast If it were new ordaind or else of old His host replieth thus my worthie guest I shall in briefe to you this thing vnfold Our Prince the greatest Prince in all the East Hath newly pointed this great feast to hold This is the first but all of his retinew Mind ech fourth month this custome to continew 20 In token of great gladnes and great ioy By all the citie is the feast begunne In token of the danger and annoy That Norandin our king did lately shunne Lockt vp foure months where he could not enioy The vse of earth of water aire nor sunne Yet at the four months end by hap he scaped The death with yawning mouth on him that gaped 21 But plaine to shew you whence did come the seed Of which this danger seemed first to grow Loue did to Norandin this danger breed The king of Cypres daughter pleasd him so Because her beautie did the rest exceed To see her needs in person he would go He saw he likt he woode he wun he marrid her And homward then by ship he would haue carid her 22 But lo a wind and tempest rose so sore As three dayes space they looked to be drownd And made them land vpon an vnknowne shore Where straight we pitcht our tents vpon the ground And for of trees and grasse there was good store The King in hope some venson to haue found Into the next adioyning wood doth goe Two pages beare his quiuer and his boe 23 His meaning was some stag or buck to kill We wait his comming in the tent at ease When suddenly such noise our eares doth fill As winds in woods and waues do make in seas And ay more nie vs it approched till We plaine might see vnto our sore disease A monster huge that ran along the sand Destroying all that in the way did stand 24 This Orke for so men do the monster call Directed straight his course vpon our tent His eyes were out how ere it did befall But yet he was so quicke and sharpe of sent As all his blindnesse holpe not vs at all He hunteth like a spaniell by the vent His sent is such as none can hope to shunne him His pace is such as no man can outrunne him 25 Thus whether they prepar'd to fight or fly Or whether feare both sight and flight did let He takes them as his prisners by and by Of fortie ten scarce to the ship could get Among the other prisners tane was I Whilst I our Queene in safetie would haue set But all in vaine to flie it did not boote He was so quicke of sent aud swift of foote 26 As shepheards hang a wallet at their wast So at his gudle hangs a mightie sacke In which the better sort of vs he plast The rest he bound together in a packe And to his caue that was most huge and vast He beares vs hopelesse euer to come backe A comely matron in this den he had Maids faire and foule some poore some richly clad 27 Beside this female family of his He hath a caue wherein he keepes his flocke That caue in length and largenesse passeth this Made all by hand out of the stonie rocke And for mans flesh his chiefest daintie is Into the caue he safely doth vs locke The while he leades abroade his goates and sheepe Which in the fields adioyning he doth keepe 28 The King not knowing this returned backe The silence that he found some feare did breed But when he found his wife and men were lacke He then to sea did hast him with great speed He sees plaine signes of hast of spoyle of wracke Yet knowes he not the author of this deed Vntill he had his ship by hap recouered Then by his men the fact was plaine discouered 29 When he had heard at last the wofull newes How greatly was his heart surprysd with griefe What gods what fortune did he not accuse For all his losses but Lucyna chiefe But dangers all and death he first will chuse Ere he then leaue his loue without reliefe He either will her libertie procure Or else he will like chance with her endure 30 He leaues his ship and goes by land apace There where the monster had his loue conuaid And often wailes her hard and wofull case Desiring and despairing of her aid Now came he in the kenning of
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
hath 31 Now while in this same doubt Zerbino staid Behold by hap Gabrina there was brought She that of late had this good Prince betraid And had to him so great a danger wrought Her horse that heard where other horses naid Came to the noise as nature had them taught Against her will she wanting force to sway him And hauing lost the raines wherewith to stay him 32 The beastly wretch cride helpe and out alas While thus her horse ran ouer fields and lands But when the Scottish Prince saw who she was And how she thither came he vnderstands He gaue God thanks that so had brought to passe To giue those two at once into his hands Which two for their misdeeds aboue the rest He had great cause to malice and detest 33 And after he had made a little pause Vnto his seruants turning thus he said Sirs Odricke shall not die although by lawes His fact deserues no lesse vprigtly waid For sith he faith affection was the cause Content I am on loue the fault be laid The sinne to which a man by loue is driuen So much the rather ought to be forgiuen 34 The force of strong affection hath ere this Distemperd yea and sometime ouerthrowne A wiser and a staider head then his As is to me by mine experience knowne And that here in he did his dutie misse I must confesse the fault was part mine owne That gaue to him such charge and did not know How quickly flaming heate can kindle tow 35 Then to the caitiue Odricke thus he spake Here I forgiue thee and do thee enlarge But yet the penance I will haue thee take Is this to take this woman in thy charge And sweare to me thou shalt her not forsake For one whole yeare but this thine oth discharge And that thou shalt if any would offend her Do thy deuoir and vnto death defend her 36 This was the punishment on him he layd And certainly this same had bene cnow If so the circumstance were duly wayd And Odericke had right performd his vow For why so many men she had betrayd And done such sinnes euen from her youth till now That whereâ—oere they had together traueld In her defence he must at last be graueld 37 Thus Zerbin let this wicked couple go And thinks sufficiently to plague them both But sweares if euer he did hap to know That he therein should violate his troth His flesh should serue as feeding for the crow A fit reward for such as breake their oth Thus went this honest couple thence together Lurking in corners wandring here and thether 38 But what in th' end of these same two became I know not and mine author doth not write I onely heard a speech or flying fame That when they once were quite from Zerbius fight Odricke to shun the quarrels and the shame That by her companie on him might light Did hang her vp and after in short space Almonio made him runne the selfe same race 39 The Prince that faine some tidings would haue heard Of that Earle Palladine who tother day Fought hand to hand with lostie Mandricard Vntill his rainlesse horse bare him away Doth trauell on his way to Paris ward Though faire and soft and lingring by the way And his two seruants he doth send before And kept with him his Ladie and no more 40 They rode not farre but that they found the caue And that same pleasant arbor and the spring At which Medoro vsd such sport to haue With that faire daughter of the Indian king Where she their names together did ingraue All tide with true loue knots a wondrous thing They looke and see the stones the words and letters All cut and mangled in a thousand fitters 41 And as they musd hereon they might espie Orlandos armor and his famous blade Hight Durindana on the ground to lie That sword that first for Hector had bin made They saw where Brigliador was feeding by Vpon the grasse amid the pleasant shade This sight did make them both exceeding sad Yet little did they deeme that th' Earle was mad 42 Had they but seene one little drop of blood They would haue surely thought he had bin staine But while in this most carefull doubt they stood Behold there came a country silly swaine That with no little speed ran through the wood And scapt the mad mans fury with great paine He told them how a man bestraught of sences Had done these outrages and great offences 43 And further gaue them perfect information And told each circumstance at their request Zerbino standeth still in admiration And as the manner is himselfe he blest And with great griefe of mind and lamentation He takes the sword and armor and the rest And Isabella helpeth them to gather And so they lay them on a heape together 44 This while by hap came by faire Fiordeliege Who as I told before with pensiue hart Went to seeke out her loued Lord and Liege I meane Orlandos friend King Brandimart Who leauing Paris in the wofull siege To seeke Orlando did from thence depart Till Atlant to that cage him did intice Which he had fram'd by magicall deuice 45 The which inchantment being now defeated By good Astolfos value and his skill And all the knights as I before repeated At libertie to go which way they will King Brandimart though much in mind he freated To thinke how long in vaine he had stood still Backe vnto Paris ward his course he turned Yet missing her the way that he returned 46 Thus as I said faire Fiordeliege by chance Saw much of that which hapt and heard the rest How that same worthy Palladine of France With inward giefe of mind and thought opprest Or by some other great and strange mischance Went like a man with some ill sprite possess And she likewise enquiring of the peasant Heard all the circumstance a tale vnpleasant 47 Zerbino being farre from any towne Hangs all Orlandos armor on a Pine Like to a Penon and lest any clowne Or peasant vile should take a thing so fine He writes vpon the tree Let none take downe This armour of Orlando Palladine As who should say if any man attempt it Orlando would ere long cause him repent it 48 And hauing brought this worthy worke to end And ready now to take his iourney hence Fierce Mandricard hapt thither to descend And when he saw the tree he askt of whence Those weapons were which knowne he doth intend To take away good Durindana thence He steps vnto the tree and takes the sword Nor so content he adds this spitefull word 49 Ah fir quoth he this hap doth make me glad My claime vnto this sword is not vnknowne And though before I no possession had Yet now I lawfully seize on mine owne Alas poore foolo and doth he faine him mad And hath away his sword and armor throwne Because he was not able to
maintaine it And was afeard that I by force would gaine it 50 Zerbino crieth out what peace for shame Take not his sword or thinke not I will beare it If by the coate of Hector so you came You stale it and vnworthy are to weare it Tush quoth the Pagan I will beare that blame As for your threatning do not thinke I feare it Thus tones sharpe answers tothers sharpe replying Made them to fall to termes of flat defying 51 And either shewing signes of plaine hostilitie Prepares the tother fiercely to inuade Zerbino with his skill and great agilitie His partie good against the Pagan made And voided all the blowes with much facilitie Though hauing great disuantage in the blade And in that armor massie so and strong That in times past to Hector did belong 52 Looke how a Grewnd that finds a sturdie Bore Amid the field far straying from the heard Doth runne about behind him and before Because of his sharpe tusks he is afeard So Zerbin that had seene oft heretofore That blade and of the force thereof had heard With heedfull eye to shun the blowes he watched Because he was in weapons ouermatched 53 Thus warily this worthy Prince did fight And though by heedfull skill he scaped oft The furious bloes of this Tartarian knight Yet lo at last one blow came from aloft And Durindan so heauie did alight As pierced through the hard vnto the soft A finger deepe and went in length a span Downe from the place where first the wound began 54 The Prince so earnest was he felt no smart Yet ran the blood out of the brest amaine And of his curats all the former part With crimson streame of blood it did distaine So haue I seene her hand that to mine hart Hath bene a cause of anguish and much paine When she a purple seame or flowre hath drawne In siluer kirtle or in sleeue of lawne 55 The wound was great but yet did greater show Which fight faire Isabella much amated The Prince that seemed not the same to know With force increased rather then abated Vpon the Pagans brow gaue such a blow As would no doubt haue made him checkt mated Saue that as I to you before rehearst His armor was not easie to be pearst 56 The blow was such as caused him to reele And on his stirrops staggringly he stood Had not his armor bene of passing steele The blow would sure haue entred to the blood The grieuous paine that he thereof did feele Did put him in so fierce a raging mood So that for all Zerbinos skill and sleight He wounded him in places seu'n or eight 57 Which when his louing Isabella saw She went to Doralice and her doth pray The fury of her husband to withdraw And ioyne with her to part the bloody fray Who both because she was in feare and aw Lest yet the Prince her spouse indanger may And for of nature kind she was and meeke Of that good motion she doth not mislike 58 Thus those two Ladies this fierce battell parted In which the prince receiued many a wound Though being as he was most valiant harted He neuer gaue the Pagan inch of ground From thence each couple presented departed Fierce Mandricard to pagan campe was bound To Paris ward the Prince but driu'n to stay By reason of his bleeding by the way 59 Dame Fiordeliege that stood this while aloofe And saw how Mandricard preuailed had And how the Prince had fought with euill proofe Departed thence all sorrowfull and sad Reuiling Mandricard with iust reproofe That of this euill gotten sword was glad And wished that her husband Brandimart Had present bin to take Zerbinos part 60 But as she traueld homeward to the campe She saw the noble Palladine of France Not like himselfe but of another stampe Besmeard and nakt as antiks wont to dance Quite was extinguished the shining lampe Of vertue bright that did his name aduance This fight in Fiodeliege much sorrow bred But tell me now how good Zerbino sped 61 Who on his way with painfull steps proceeding With Isabella onely and no more His former taken hurts still freshly bleeding Which now with cold were stiffe and waxed sore And yet this griefe in him the rest exceeding To thinke that sword of which I spake before Should mauger him be by a Turke poslest I say this grieu'd him more then all the rest 62 Now gan the dreadfull pangs of death assaile him So great a streame of blood his wound had draind His eyes were dim his speech began to faile him Strong hart to yeeld to weake limbs was constraind What can poore Isabella do but waile him She blam'd the heau'ns and fates that had ordaind Her to escape such dangers and such harmes And now to haue her deare die in her armes 63 Zerbino though he seant could draw his breath Yet hearing her lamenting in such fashion Doth ope his closed lips and thus he seath Both shewing then and mouing much compassion So might I my deare loue eu'n after death Be deare to thee as I do feele great passion To think when as my death frō hence shall reaue me Alone in wo and danger I shall leaue thee 64 Might I haue left thee in some safer place I should esteeme my death a blessed hap And that the hean'ns had giu'n me speciall grace To end my life in thy beloued lap Now greiues it me to thinke of thine hard case In what a world of woes I thee shall wrap When I must die and leaue thee here alone And none to helpe thy harme or heare thy mone 65 To this the wofull Isabell replies With watred eyes and heart surprisd with anguish Her face to his and ioyning her faire eyes To his that like a witherd rose did languish No thought said she my deare in thee arise For me for know I neither do nor can with Thee to suruiue I will be thine for euer Life could not and death shall not vs disseuer 66 No sooner shall thy breath thy brest forsake But I will follow thee I care not whither Griefe or this sword of me an end shall make And if some stranger after shall come hither I hope of vs such pittie he will take To lay our bodies in one ' graue togither This said about his necke her armes she clasped And drawes the fainting breath that oft he gasped 67 The Prince inforcing his forefeebled voyce Said thus I thee coniure my sole delight By that deare loue that made me first thy choyce And thee from natiue soyle to take thy flight If euer in my loue thou didst reioyce If to commaund thee I haue any right That thou still liue as long as God shall graunt thee And not despaire how euer fortune daunt thee 68 Th'almightie God from danger and from ill Hath hitherto and will I trust thee saue Eu'n as he sent that noble Earle to kill Those caitiues that did keepe thee in their caue
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
the world so deemd it But yet himselfe of all men most esteemd it 5 He did not of his scepter take such pride Nor that degree that common men are vnder Nor wealth nor frends nor meaner kings beside That there about dwelt neare or far asunder But of his beautie which he would not hide At whole rare worth he thought the world did wonder This was his ioy and all that he intended To heare his comely face and shape commended 6 Among his courtiers one aboue the rest Fausto by name by birth a Romane knight Who hearing oft so praisd as they know best His face and hands and all that praise he might The king did bid him tell at his request Neare or far of if he had seene that wight That in all parts so perfectly was wrought But he was answerd as he little thought 7 My Liege quoth Fausto plainly to declare Both what my selfe doth see and others say But few with your rare beautie can compare And that same few were none were one away Iocundo hight a man of beautie rare And brother mine excepting whom I may Prefer your grace before all other creatures But he doth match or passe you for his features 8 The king to heare such tidings strange it thought As hauing still till that day kept the prise And with a deepe desire straight wayes he sought To know this man and see him with his eies In fine with Fausto so far forth he wrought To bring him to his court he must deuise Although quoth he to bring my brother to it I shall be sure of worke enough to do it 9 The cause is this my brother neuer went Foorth of the gates of Rome scant all his life And such small goods as Fortune hath him lent He hath enioyd in quiet free from strife Left by our sire and them he hath not spent Nor yet increast his gaines are not so rife And he will thinke it more to go to Pauy Then some would thinke to th' Indies in a Nauy 10 But I shall finde it hardest when I proue To draw him from his louing wife away To whom he is so linkt in chaines of loue That all is vaine if once his wife say nay But yet your grace is so far all aboue You shall command me certes all I may Thanks quoth the king and addeth such reward As might haue moued any to regard 11 Away he posts arriuing in few dayes At Rome and to his brothers house he went And with such earnest words his brother prayes That to returne with him he doth consent Also his sisters loue he so allayes That she doth hold her peace as halfe content Beside great thanks laying before her eyes Preferments large that hereof might arise 12 Iocundo now resolu'd to go his way Gets men and horse against he should depart Sets forth himselfe with new and rich aray As still we see nature adornd by art His wife at night in bed at boord by day With watrie eyes to shew a sorrie hart Complaines his absence will so sore her grieue Till his returne she doubts she shall not liue 13 Ay me the thought quoth she makes me so fraid That scant the breath abideth in my brest Peace my sweete loue and life Iocundo said And weepes as fast and comforts her his best So may good fortune ay my iourny aid As I returne in threescore dayes at least Nor will I change the day I set thee downe No though the king would grat me halfe his crowne 14 All this might not asswage this womans paine Two months were long yea to to long she cries Needs must I die before you come againe Nor how to keepe my lite can I deuise The dolefull dayes and nights I shall sustaine From meat my mouth from sleepe will keepe mine eyes Now was Iocundo readie to repent That to his brother he had giu'n consent 15 About her necke a iewell rich she ware A crosse all set with stone in gold well tride This relicke late a Boem Pilgrim bare And gaue her father other things beside Which costly things he kept with no small care Till comming from Ierusalem he dyde And her of all his goods his heire he makes This precious crosse to her goodman she takes 16 And prayes him for her sake to weare that token And thinke on her the man that was most kind Receiu'd it with more ioy then can be spoken Although he needed not be put in mind For why no time nor no state sound nor broken Nor absence long a meane should euer find To quayle his loue not only while his breath Maintains his life but neither after death 17 That verie night that went before the morrow That they had pointed surely to depart Iocundos wife was sicke and sounds for sorrow Amid his armes so heauie was her hart All night they wake and now they bid Godmorrow And giue their last farewell and so they part Iocundo on his way with all his traine His louing wife doth go to bed againe 18 Scant had Iocundo rode two mile forthright But that his crosse now came into his minde Which on his pillow he had laid last night And now for hast had left the same behinde He would deuise to scuse it if he might But no excuse sufficient could he finde But that his loue must needs be much suspected To finde the precious iewell so neglected 19 When no excuse within his minde could frame But that all seemed friuolous and vaine To send his man he counted it a shame To go himselfe it was but little paine He staid and when his brother did the same Ride soft quoth he till I returne againe For home againe I must there is no nay But I will ouertake you on the way 20 Th' affaire is such as none can do but I But doubt you not I will returne as fast Away he spurres as hard as he could hy Alone without or man or page for hast Now had the sunnes new rising cleard the sky With brightest beames ear he the streame had past He hies him home and findes his wife in bed Full sound asleepe such cares were in her hed 21 He draws the curtaine softly without sound And saw that he would little haue suspected His chast and faithfull yokefellow he found Yokt with a knaue all honestie neglected Th' Adulterer though sleeping verie sound Yet by his face was easily detected A beggers brat bred by him from his cradell And now was ryding on his masters sadell 22 Now if he stood amazd and discontent Beleeue it yee to trie that would be loth For he that tries it doubtlesse will repent As poore Iocundo did who was so wroth That out he drew his sword with iust intent For their vngratefull act to kill them both But lo the loue he bare her did withstand Against his heart to make him hold his hand 23 O ribald loue that such a staue couldst make Of one that now was
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
he had tride it oft Where all the shelues and where the channell lay Which parts were grauelly and which were soft The tother ignorant was borne away Tost here and there now low and then aloft The while the Pagan greedie of his pray At all aduantages doth still assaile him Whose horses footing more and more did faile him 63 At last with plunging and with striuing tired He backward fell into the weeds and mud Where he was like to haue bin drownd and mired Saue that his spouse that by the riuer stood In humble wise the Pagan Prince desired And in most earnest manner that she coud Eu'n for her sake whose ghost he did adore To helpe her worthy knight vnto the shore 64 Ah gentle fit if euer you did tast Or loue she said or of a louers passion Saue that same knight on whom my loue is plast And let him not be drownd in so vile fashion Suffice it you your tombe will be more grast With one such prisner of such reputation Then hunderds other that shall here arriue Then take his spoiles and saue himselfe aliue 65 These words that might haue mou'd a stone I thinke Mou'd him to rescue noble Brandimart Who without thirst had tane such store of drinke As from his limbs his life did welny part But ere he brought him to the riuers brink He causd him with his sword and armes depart And made him sweare now he was in his powre To yeeld himselfe true prisner to his towre 66 The dame of comfort all was quite be reaued When as she saw how ill her spouse had sped And yet lesse griefe of this chance she conceaued Then if he had beene in the water dead She calls herselfe the cause that he receaued This harme that fondly had him thither led Into a place of danger such and iopardie As needs must hazard either life or libertie 67 About the place in vaine she long did houer Then parted she in mind to seeke some knight Of Charles his campe that might her losse recouer And proue himself though not more strong in fight At least more fortunate then was her louer Long did she trauell all that day and night And eake the day ensuing ere she met one Yet was it her good hap at last to get one 68 A champion in a rich attyre she met All wrought with witherd leaues of Cypresse tree Hereafter I will tell you but not yet What wight this was whether a he or she Now turne I to the campe least I forget The noble knights that set their â—oueraigne free I meane Renaldo and his new come brother With cunning Malagige and many other 69 Vnpossible it was account to keepe Of those were kild that night and those that fled Fierce Agramant was wakned from his sleepe And with all speed that might be vp he sped He weighes the perill and the danger deepe His souldiers runne away near making hed Marsillo with Sobrino and the rest Wish him to flie for feare he be distrest 70 Aduising him sith fortune now gan frowne Vnto this tempest wisely to giue place And go to Arly or some other towne So strong to dure assault no little space So might he saue his person and his crowne As first was to be car'd for in such case And then with wisedome warily proceeding To waite till time might serue of better speeding 71 Thus Agramant to so great danger brought Well knew not what to do nor what to say But did as by his counsell he was taught And in great hast conueyd himselfe away The while much woe vnto his men was wrought The Christens them discomfite kill and slay The darknesse causd the number be vnknowne That in this fight were kild and ouerthrowne 72 With hast full many were in water drownd That saw there was no safetie in the land More succour in their heeles then hands they found Against such fierce assaylants few durst stand But greatest damage did to them redound By those six hundred of Renaldos band Who did distribute strokes in so great plentie As eu'rie one of them massacred twentie 73 Some thinke that Malagigi plaid his part In this conflict not wounding men nor slaying But making of their foes by Magike art To heare so huge a noyse of horses naying Such found of Drums such shouts from eu'ry part As all the world had vowed their decaying By which they all were striken in such feare As not a man of them durst tarrie theare 74 Yet though the Turkish Prince fled thence so fast The braue Rogero he would not forget But caused him from danger to be plast And on an easie paced horse him set Thus now the Turks were by the Christens chast And glad they were a walled towne to get But yet Gradasso and his valiant band Did still vnto their tackle stoutly stand 75 Nay which was more when as he vnderstood How that Renaldo Palladine of France Was he that shed such store of Turkish blood He was so glad he ready was to dance He thanks his Gods that were to him so good To send him this so much desired chance By which he hopes and makes account most clearly To win that horse Renaldo held so dearly 76 For why Gradasso king of Serycane Long since to France came with an army Ryal With onely hope to conquer Durindan That famous blade of so good proofe and triall And eake Renaldos courser to haue tane That Bayard hight and now when by espiall He knew Renaldo was on that beast mounted The conquest sure the horse his owne he counted 77 So much the rather for that once before About this matter they had made a fray Fast by the sea vpon the sandie shore To tell the circumstance I may not stay But Malagigi thence his cosin bore And did into a barge him sale conuay And thereupon Renaldo euer since Was tane but for a coward by this Prince 78 Wherfore in hope so rich a spoile to reape Two howres before the rising of the sonne All armed on Alfana he doth leape And with his launce to death are diuers done On French the Moores on Moores he French doth heape And all he meeteth he doth ouerrunne So did ambition set his heart on fire To meet Renaldo such was he desire 79 Soone after this each met with speare in rest But neither then at first the tother 's knew Each brake his speare vpon the tother crest Vnto the heau'nly car the splinters flew Then with their swords either was readie prest Their lances thrown away their swords they drew Each laying on the other so fell strokes As if not knights had fought but clownes feld okes 80 Gradasso though he knew him not by sight For yet the morning beames were not displaid Yet did he guesâ—e both by the horses might And those fierce strokes the tother on him laid Wherfore with words that sauord scorne and spight He straight begins Renaldo to vpbraid And said he had his challenge disappointed And
felt of griefe that scant She kept in teares so sad a sight to see She askt her what misfortune or what want Of her sad plight vnworthy cause might be Faire Fiordeliege that for a knight did hold her The circumstance of all the matter told her 34 And in most rufull sort she did recount Both of the tombe and bridge the wofull storie And how the cruell Pagan Rodomount Had taken him for whom she was so sorie Not that he could in value him surmount That for his value had obtaind much glorie But that the Pagan not to strength did trust But to a bridge and vantages vniust 35 Wherefore most noble minded knight said she If such you be as by your speech I gueste Helpe my deare spouse from bondage vile to free And plague the Pagan that doth him oppresse Or if you cannot so yet counsell me Where I may find some ayd for my distresse Some knight so stout of heart and strong of hand As may this cruell Sarazen withstand 36 So shall you do a braue and noble deed That wandring knights do think they ought of due So might you ayd a worthy man indeed And one in loue most faithfull and most true As for his other praise it is no need For me to tell mine owne griefes to renue Sith well I know they plainly are appearing To all that haue their sense of sight and hearing 37 The worthie Dame that thirsted still for praise Agrees to take this hard exploit in hand As one that readie was at all aslayes On horse on foote by water or by land For either thus she shall her glorie raise If so she shall the Pagans force withstand Or die she shall which danger lesse doth moue her Because she thinks Rogero doth not loue her 38 And thus she sayd most louely louing Dame Gladly I shall my vtmost forces proue To succour one that merits so great same Yet of his praises chiefly me doth moue Because you giue him such a noble name That he is true and faithfull in his loue Which sith you speake by triall I must weene so Else I durst sweare no man aliue had beene so 39 These last words ending with a scalding sigh A sigh that came indeed from grieuous thought Then on they went till they approched nigh The parlous bridge that Rodomont had wrought And straight the watch descride them from â—on high And blew a horne by which the Pagan thought That trauellers were come the bridge to passe Came out all armed as his manner was 40 But when that he one all in armour saw He greets them lowd with this lewd salutation Ho stay and er you passe obserue this law Vnto this tombe humbly to make oblation Of horse and armes with feare and reu'rent aw Else with this speare expect sharpe castigation She that before had heard of Isbels deth And of this tombe thus stoutly to him seth 41 Ah damned wretch why should the innocent Indure the penance of thy grieuous guilt Thy selfe shouldst die or suffer punishment That killedst her if please her ghost thou wilt Her soule vpon my soule would be content If by my hand thy guiltie blood were spilt More then with all the armors men and horses That thou dost win by thy vnlawfull forces 42 And so much more it will accepted be To her if thou by my right hand mayst die Because I am a woman as was she And only come on thee my force to trie But let vs first vpon these points agree That if you hap to vanquish me then I Shall suffer at your hands so and no more Then other prisoners haue done before 43 But if I vanquish you as sure I trust Then I will haue the spoile of all the rest And make your horse and arms a guist more iust Vpon the tombe of her for euer blest And then withall to me you promise must That all your prisners straight shall be releast When thus the Dame her mind had signified Thus the fierce Turke mildly to her replied 44 Faire Dame you seeme to me to speake but reason And thereto I my franke assent affoord But true it is that I for feare of treason My prisners all haue sent from hence aboord So as I cannot free them at this season But firmely here to you I passe my word If you foile me of which there is small reobertie I will send word to set them all at libertie 45 But if I conquer you as sure I shall For so it is most likely and most meet I will not hang your armour on the wall Nor send you hence a prisner in my fleet I will remit to you my conquest all For that faire faces sake and looke so sweet Suffise it that this curtesie may moue thee Where now thou seemst to hate me thé to loue me 46 Be not faire Dame in your owne strength be guyld I offer not such grace to eu'rie stranger For I am strong at this the damsell smyld But such a smyle as shewd not mirth but anger And whether courage had all feare exyld Or that dispaire made her to doubt no danger She spurd her horse nor other answer made him But with her speare in rest she doth inuade him 47 This so did moue the cruell Rodomount Vpon his horse he doth himselfe aduance Not making doubt but that he would dismount Out of her seat the noble Dame of France But he was quite deceiu'd of his account No sooner was he toucht with Goldelance But eu'n as if of strength he had bin reaued Quite from the saddle backward he was heaued 48 But yet the Dame her selfe in danger was To fall into the streame so swift and fleet By meanes the bridge so narrow was to passe That hardly two at once thereon could meet But Rabican whose swiftnesse did surpasse All foure foot beasts did firmely keepe his feet Although so straight and narrow was the bridge He was constraind to runne vpon the ridge 49 Now when the Pagan lay thus ouerthrowne She turnd to him and sporting thus she spake Now sir said she I hope it may be knowne Of vs two which the worser cause did take But he like one whose wits were not his owne He either could or would no answer make But still he stood looking on ground and musing Neither his foyle â—enying nor excusing 50 And hauing walkt some halfe a dozen paces He suddenly cast all his armour off And hurles it gainst the stones and it defaces That scant he left vnbroke one peece thereof Determining after such foule disgaces To hide himselfe and go a great way of But er he went he graunted full commission To free his prisners without intermission 51 So thence he went and what of him became Or what he did no notice cleare I haue But onely this that eu'n for verie shame He long liu'd close within a secret caue The while his armes by that victorious Dame Were hangd vp at the tombe for triumph braue The tother
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
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
many mouthes shall make report 44 And I beleeue each tale so much the lesse By how much more from likelihood it doth arre Now in this present cause let any guesse It like it be a king that dwels so farre Could come with such an host as they expresse To Africa so often vsd to warre And passe those parlous sands where to his cost Cambises erst did leese his mightie host 45 But they be Nubians let it be allowd By miracle come in a showre of raine Or closely carrid thither in some clowd Sith by the way none saw so large a traine Hath Affrike euer to such people bowd Must they haue aide to driue them home againe I sure may think you kept a sorie garison If them and yours betweene there be comparison 46 I rather thinke th' Arabians are come downe From those their hils and done some spoile or wast And tane some men burnt some baggage towne But small resistance finding as they past And that Bransardo for his owne renowne Whom as your deputie you there had plast For one sets downe one hundred in his letter To th' end that his excuse may seeme the better 47 But if you will but send some ship or twaine That but your standard may therein appeare No doubt but they will hie them home againe By that time these but weigh their ankers here If they Arabians that can bide no paine Or if they Nubians be the case is cleare Who onely taken haue this heart of grace To know your person absent from the place 48 This therefore is the summe of my perswasion Make sure the conquest here ere you go hence Charles can no more endure your sharpe euasion Now that his nephew is distraught of sence Now by the forehead let vs take Occasion Least after all our trauell and expence He hide away his haire and turne his bald And we vnprouident be thought and cald 49 With these so warie words and such as these The subtle Spaniard labourd to perswade The king of Affrike not to passe the seas Till of the warres in France and end were made But sage Sobrino that espide with ease How deepe he seemd in shallow streames to wade Respecting priuat more then publike cause Did answer thus after a little pause 50 My Liege when first to peace I counseld you I would I had not bin so true a Prophet Or if my sayings needs must proue so true I would you had beleeu'd them for your profit Not Rodomont with that rash youthfull crue Of Alcyrd Marbalust that then did scoffe it Whom now I wish here present face to face But chiefly ' Rodomont I wish in place 51 He that then vndertooke to make all France But like the dust that flies before the wind He that did vow in heau'n or hell your lance To follow nay to leaue it farre behind Now when he should the matter most aduance Vnprofitably lurkes in corners blind And I that then because I told you true Was cald a coward still abide with you 52 And still I will abide what ere ensuth During this life which though made weak with age I will not feare against the strongest youth That liues in France in your defence to gage Nor yet can any charge me with vntruth Not from the proudest Prince to poorest page And well I wot I haue done more then some That promist much ere they were hither come 53 Thus much I say thereby more plaine to proue That what I then did say or now impart Came from true seruice and of loyall loue And not of faint much lesse of hollow hart Now I aduise you hence with speed remoue And that you homeward in all hast depart For well you wot that wisedome it is none In winning other mens to leese ones owne 54 Yet know not I why we should call it winning If of our losses iust account we yeeld Thirtie two kings we were at the beginning A third part now scarce tarries in the field And we our selues here vp in corners pinning Scant safe within these rampiers can vs shield We so decay except in time we cease At last we shall be driu'n to sue for peace 55 Orlando is not there t is true what tho Had he bin there we had all dide ere this His want doth but prolong our ouerthrow By other men our state in danger is They haue Renaldo there that plaine doth show His force and courage not much lesse then his There are his cousins all the Palladins Eternall terror to our Sarazins 56 They further haue a man in strength and hart I needs must praise my foe against my will A second Mars I meane king Brandimart Whose great puissance ioynd to actiue skill My selfe in single fight haue found in part And further proofe haue seene by others ill Besides Orlando wanted long ago Since which we more haue lost then won you know 57 Now if we sped no better in time past We shall speed worse hereafter I do dread We see Gradasso ouer sea is past And that the valiant Mandricard is dead Marfisa hath forsaken vs at last And Rodomont of whom it may be sed Were but his faith with force to be compared The rest might in a manner haue bin spared 58 Now when as so great helpes and succors faile vs So many thousands of our souldiers slaine And all supplies that should at all auaile vs Alreadie come from Affrike and from Spaine They haue of late got foure new knights to quaile vs Compard with any of the Christen traine Foure knights that if you search from hence to Inde Foure knights to match these foure you shal not find 59 I know not if you euer heard before Of Oliueros sons and Sansonet With Guidon sauage whom I value more Then all their other succors that they get From Almanie the higher or the lower Although such aids at nought we cannot set And we do plainly see before our eyes That eu'ry day they may haue fresh supplies 60 We may assure our selues if any more We take the field our side goes to the pot For if when we were two for one before Yet we must needs confesse we gained not Now they so much increased haue their store With forraine powre both English Dutch and Scot What can we hope but after all our toyle To haue bad recompence of shame and toyle 61 Yet all is well if you will part betime And hie you home before it proue too late But if you tarry any longer time You here will leese your men at home your state Now if to leaue Marsilio seeme a crime For feare the world condemne you for vngrate To saue him harmlesse you for peace must sue Which they will so accept if so will you 62 But if you thinke such motion may not stand With honour of your state and high degree And hope by sight to make a surer hand Which yet how it succeeded hath your see Yet seeke at least
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
furie of the surging waue Eu'n so this well experienc't Turke began Himselfe in this great danger to behaue With sword and shield his best defence he made Against the fearfull edge of that same blade 68 Which blade of such an edge in such an arme No maruell if to pierce it seldome faile Against the which in vaine was any charme For though his shield was steeld his cote of maile Yet quite through shield and armour it did harme To saue his shoulder all could not auaile But he to wound Orlando was not able For God had made his skinne impenetrable 69 The valiant Earle redoubled still his blow And thinks from shoulders off to cut his head He that the force of Clarimont did know Gaue backward or his ground still trauersed But in his trauersing he was so slow That with one blow he laid him downe for dead The blow fell flatling but with force so maine As crusht his helmet and amazd his braine 70 Downe fell Sobrino backward on the ground From whence long time it was er he arose Orlando thinks that he was safe and sound And that he was starke dead he doth suppose Wherefore since single foe he no where found Vnto Gradasso presently he goes To whom king Brandimart in armes and horse In sword inferiour was perhaps in force 71 But yet the noble minded Brandimart Vpon Rogeros horse Frontino mounted With that same Sarasin so plaid his part As if his forces he but little counted And sure Gradasso not in skill not hart But in his sword and armour him surmounted Enforcing him ofttimes to stand aloofe Because his armour was of no good proofe 72 But good Frontino bare away the bell For being readie to the riders hand It seemd where euer Durindana fell Frontino had such wit to vnderstand That euer more he did escape it well But all this while it hardly could be scand In tother twaine on which side fortune works In Oliuero or the king of Turks 73 Orlando had as late before I told Left good Sobrino on the gound for ded Wherefore on foot he goes with courage bold To succour Brandimart if ill he sped But in the way by hap he did behold Sobrinos horse that without rider fled Orlando straight into the saddle valted Not looking if he went vpright or halted 74 One hand his sword the tother holds his raine And so he rideth to Gradasso ward Who when he saw him come did not refraine But to encounter with him straight prepard To fight with one of them or else with twaine It seemd he little reckoned nor car'd He minds and hopeth to effect it soone To make them both to thinke it night ere noone 75 Yet for a while king Brandimart he leaues And turnes him to the Earle and with a thrust Whereas his armour weakest he perceaues There doth the fierce Gradasso hit him iust And enterd but his cunning him deceaues Orlandos skin be pierced neuer must But when with Ballisard Orlando strake His helmet coate of maile and shield he brake 76 So that both in his face his breast and side He wounded sore the king of Sericane Who maruels much what strange chance did betide For neuer erst such sore hurt he had tane He thought there could not be a blade beside To pierce his coate he hauing Durindane And sure that blow had him dispatched clearly If it had had more strength or come more nearly 77 He sees that now he must take better heed And not trust armour but a surer ward To seeke to saue himselfe he now hath need And looke vnto his limbs with more regard Now while twixt them the fight did thus proceed Good Brandimart did see he might be spard Wherefore to breath himselfe he then retired Still ready t'ayd each part if cause required 78 Now had Sobrino long laine in a trance With that same bruse and with that bloody wound Giu'n him by that great Palladine of France That at two blowes had laid him on the ground With much a do he doth himselfe aduance And standing on his feet and looking round He thought his Master was in weakest case And to his aid he moues his silent pace 79 At Oliueros backe he comes vnspide Who sole on Agramant did fixe his eyes And that same horse that Oliuer did ride He hought behind in such despitefull wise That wanting strength he fell downe on his side And was not able any more to rise And which was worse then his vnlookt for fall His foot hung in the stirop therewithall 80 Sobrino doubled then his blowes againe Thinking from shoulders off his head to pare But yet the steele made that attempt but vaine That Vulcan temperd erst and Hector ware King Brandimart at Sobrin runnes amaine When of his doings he was well aware And ouerthrew him quite and stoutly smote him But th' old fierce man soone on his feet vp got him 81 And once againe at Oliuer he flies And once againe he thinketh him to kill Or at the least cause him he shall not rise But he that had his better arme at will Layd with his sword about him in such wise As that he kept himselfe from further ill And made his foe that was of no great strength Stand distant from him almost twise his length 82 The Marquesse hopes ere long to ease his paine If he can cause Sobrino stand aloofe Who bled so fast as now from fight t' abstaine He thought it would be best for his behoofe Now Oliuero all his force doth straine And to get loose he maketh manie a proofe But still his foot was fast to his great hurt And still the horse lay tumbling in the durt 83 This while king Brandimart doth go to find Traianos sonne and now he hath him found Frontino now before and straight behind That good Frontino that can turne so round The horse was sure and of a passing kind The Sotherne kings was readie strong and sound He had that famous courser Brigliadore The which Rogero gaue him late before 84 But sure the Turke great ods in armour had For he had one of proofe well tride and sure And Brandimartés was indeed but bad Such as he could in warning short procure Wherefore to change it now he would be glad And that he shall his heart doth him assure So that he waxed stouter still and bolder Though Agramant had hurt him in the shoulder 85 Gradasso further had about his thye Him giu'n a blow not to be tane in sport But yet the king did so the fight apply And laid on loade in so couragious sort As that he wounded his left arme thereby And pricked his right hand thus they report But all this was but May game and delight Vnto Gradassos and Orlandos fight 86 Gradasso hath Orlando halfe disarmd And made him with one blow his shield forsake He could not wound him for his skin was charmd But yet his headpeece on both sides he brake But him Orlando hath in
an earthquake or inundation had destroyed all the leuell ground The like reproofe had Virgil about the hauen of Mongibello which he describes at the roote of that hill where indeed there was none and the like excuse is made for him that it filled with the continuall casting vp of stones out of the burning hill Catalani are the chiefe house of Spaine alledged here by the Poet for their good successe in discouering the Indies though indeed the Portugals Lusitani not Catalani deserue the praise of it The monster that assaulted Renaldo signifies Iealousie that he had that another possest his loue the knight that deliuered him was Disdaine that with the heat of noble courage signified by the fierie Mace ouerthrew the monster and draue him quite away it is so plaine in the verse it needs no exposition The cup that Renaldo was offerd puts me in minde of the like fansie in the Historie of Herodotus in the second booke briefely it is thus Pharao King of Egypt hauing by ill hap lost his eiesight was aduised by some Oracle to bath his eyes in the vrine of a chast woman Wherefore first he proued his wiues and after diuers other great Ladies but he found none did him good but one poore gentelwoman wherefore being recouered of his fight he put all the other to death and married that one but because the matter of the cup is continued in the next booke I shall speake more to this effect in my notes vpon the same Here end the notes of the XLII booke THE XLIII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Renaldo heares two tales to like effect Tone of a Bargeman tother of a knight Both prouing that rewards will soone infect The mindes of chastest dames and make them light To Lippaduse he doth his course direct But first Orlando finisht had his fight That Hermit that Rogero did baptise Heal'd Oliuer and Sobrine in likewise 1 O Curst ô greedie ô vnsaciable Desire of gaine I do not maruell sure If thou the base and filthy minds art able To cause to stoope vnto thy carren lure Sith oft we see some persons honorable Can scarce thy weake and base assaults endure Who if they could thy foule entisements shun No doubt but they great glory should haue won 2 Some men can measure earth and sea and sky And tell the change and cause of eu'ry season And wade so farre with wit or mount so hy They search both heau'n hel with depth of reason But when thou com'st in place then by and by Thou putst their daintie tasts so out of season They place their whole delight their hope their health In only scraping and in heaping wealth 3 Another man in warres hath great renowne And gets the conquest in each bloudie strife And wins this fortresse and that walled towne Opposing his stout brest to perils rife Thou onely conquerst him and thrusts him downe And keepest him thy prisner all his life Some men excelling in each art and studdie Thou doest obscure with base desires and muddie 4 What should I speake of dames of worth not small That hauing louers men of great desarts Oppose their honours as a brasen wall Against their suits with vnrelenting harts But come some miser base deformed squall That saue his riches hath no worthy parts They breake the wall and make therein a gap To take the showre that fell in Danaes lap 5 Nor without cause hereof complaine do I Take me that can for I do rightly take it Nor from my matter do I swarue awrie Or by a vaine digression do for sake it Yet to my former speach I not applie But tending to a future tale I spake it Now let me tell you of Renaldo first That with one draught wold swage his double thirst 6 But whether that his courage did him faile Or that on more aduise he changed minde He thought and said what should it one auaile To seeke a thing he would be loth to finde My wife a woman is their sex is fraile I yet am to beleeue the best enclinde I know I cannot better my beliefe And if I change it it will be my griefe 7 What good may come by such a straight espy all Into my sences surely cannot sinke Much hurt may come there can be no denyall Let nothing seuer those whom God doth linke Wherefore to make so vnaccustomd triall Were sinne and tempting God as I do thinke Then drinke this cup quoth he that lift not I I am not nor I minde not to be drie 8 God would such skill from mortall men be hid And eu'n as Adam wrought his ouerthrow By tasting fruit that God did him forbid So he that curiously will search to know All that his wife hath said or what she did May fortune at the last himselfe beshrow And shall confound himselfe this thinke I verily And liue in sorrow that did erst liue merily 9 Thus much said good Renaldo and withall He thrust away that hatefull cup of wine And then he saw of teares a streame not small Flow from the master of that house his eyne Which past he said now foule may them befall That first procurd this miserie of mine To proue which I shall sorrow all my life That which berest me of my dearest wife 10 Why was not I said he with you acquainted Ten yeares ere this to take aduise so sound Before my heart was thus with sorrow tainted Of which no ease can now nor end be found But that you may as in a table painted Behold my griefes I will to you expound What cauld this mine vncomparable woe And then you sure will pittie me I know 11 Not farre from hence you left a little towne About the which there runnes a prettie lake That fals into this streame of great renowne But from Banaco first his head doth take Erected when those walls were beaten downe That erst Agenors dragon there did make There was I borne of house and stocke not base Though of meane wealth inferiour to my race 12 But though to me dame Fortune was but spare That by my birth small wealth to me there grew Yet Nature did with bountie great and care Supply that want by faire and comely hew My seemly personage my beautie rare To me the liking of full many drew My qualities thereto were quaint and iollie Although I know to praise ones selfe is follie 13 Within this towne a great rich man did tarrie Well learnd and wise and old beyond all credit For ere he dide he on his backe did earrie Full sixscore yeares and eight at least he sed it An hundred yeares he liued solitarie But after that you know what humor bred it He lou'd a dame and with his wealth so wrought her That at the last he gat of her a daughter 14 And least the daughter should proue like the mother To sell her chastiue for filthie pelfe
of that same stocke descended right That had their ofspring from the serpents iaw From whence the Fairy eake that Manto hight And built our Citie doth her lynage draw This knight that was Adonio cald by name Was much enamord on the louely dame 70 And that he might attaine this Ladies loue He doth begin to spend beyond all measure In clothes in feasts his calling far aboue In showes in playes to do his mistres pleasure To beare the charge thereof it would behoue To haue that Emperour Tiberius treasure So as I weene ere winters twaine were past His lands were quite consum'd he spent so fast 71 Wherefore compeld to strike his loftie sayles He sodainly surceast his stately port The house now that the Lords reuenue fayles Stood solitarie quite without resort There were no Feasants Partriges nor Quayles His pittance now was growne but bare and short And he that earst was king of all this feasting Playd least in sight now doubting of arresting 72 And therefore lothing to be knowne or seen He purposd in this place not long to tarrie But with a minde to leaue his country cleen He stale away fro thence all solitarie Her onely loue that of his heart was Queen In all his woes he still with him doth carrie But lo when as his Ebb did seeme most low Good fortune made his tyde most high to flow 73 For as he wanderd here and there abroad He saw how that a sturdie clowne and stout With sturdie staffe layd on no little load Vpon a bush still beating there about Adonio in the place makes some aboad And ask the cause of that same country lout Who told him that a monstrous snake and huge Had taken that same bush for a refuge 74 And told him further he that stir did make With minde to finde and kill it ere he part Adonio for his crest did giue the Snake And therefore lou'd and fauord Snakes in hart As from whose kinde he did his gentrie take Wherefore vnto the clowne he doth impart His minde so farre at last he him perswaded To let alone the Snake he so inuaded 75 This done he went as he was bent before Farre from his country where he was vnknown And so indur'd till seu'n whole yeares and more Of woe and want quite ore his head were blown But that great loue he to his mistres bore Him forst though now all out of fashion grown With bushie beard leane cheekes ragged cloths To turne vnto the place that most he lothes 76 In this meane time our towne had cause to send Some sage Ambassadour vnto the Pope That must vpon his Holynes attend And for his suit to take a whole yeare scope The Iudge by lot was chosen to that end O cursed lot that killed all his hope To shunne this office he tryes many shifts By scuses promises by prai'rs and gifts 77 But finding that he straue against the streame At last against his will he takes the place Though to depart into another Reame It seemed vnto him a grieuous case His iealousie there with grew most extreame Misdoubting his wiues truth so long a space Yet nath'les her in graue and frendlesse speech To haue great care thereof he doth beseech 78 He saith a woman cannot take vpon her With bewtie riches nor with high Nobillitie To clayme the true diserued prayse of honer If chastitie do faile by her fragillitie This is the vertue that defends her owner And now she may he saith with great facillitie Attaine great praise and show thereof great proofe While he is forst to stay so farre aloofe 79 These words he spake and many such as thease Thereby to moue her to continue true And she poore soule yet free from such disease His parting thence did much lament and rue She swears that sooner men should draine the seas Then draw her mind so to forget her due Yea first she will eu'n dye the death she saith Much rather then to falsifie her faith 80 The Iudge appeased with this her protestation Began to haue of her the lesse mistrust But yet his fond and iealous inclination So moues him that search further needs he must He had a friend that could by coniuration Foretell of future matters true and iust That were it skill in Magicke or in starres His guesse was such as that it seldome arres 81 He speaketh to that friend to this effect That he his wiues natiuitie would cast To learne if he did right or wrong suspect That she would in his absence liue vnchast The man thus praid the figure doth erect And in their place the Planets all he plast Anselmus leaues him busie and next day Doth come to heare him what he hath to say 82 T was long before th' Astronomer would speake As loth to speake that would the Iudge offend With many scuses friuolous and weake He shifts him off but vrged by his frend He told him flatly she would wedlocke breake And that she would to him proue false in th' end Not mou'd by bewty not by suit desired But eu'n for lucres sake directly hyred 83 Now when Anselmus former bad beleefe Was newly reconfirmd by Spheares supernall It doubtlesse did so much augment his greefe I thinke his torture past the paines infernall And more then all the rest this greeu'd him cheefe And to his heart a corsiue was eternall To thinke that Auarice should her entise Vpon her chastitie to set a price 84 Yet to preuent all that such minde might breed Most earnestly he bendeth all his powre For as they say man is compeld by need To rob the Church and hallow'd things deuowre His iewells plate and stocke that did exceed He put all in her hands that present howre And made it all her owne by deed of gift And told her plaine what was herein his drift 85 He saith he giues it her on this condition Not that she should striue to increase or mend it For why he said she should haue free commission To sell to giue cast it away and spend it But onely that she should auoyd suspisition Of wedlocke breach and by no meanes offend it On this condition all he then bequeaths her That he may find her such as now he leaues her 86 He further doth her earnestly exhort That presently when he is gone away She should for more eschuing of resort Not any longer in the Citie stay But at his countrey house where in good sort Till his returne the season passe she may Belike he thought in tillers of the ground And country swaines entisements none are found 87 His louely wife Argia all this space Still hanging on his necke while he did speake With kindly teares bedewed all his face And much it greeu'd her to be iudgd so weake And to be deemed so deuoyd of grace That in his absence she would wedlocke breake Her manners haue not bene so light and vicious She saith to moue him to be thus suspitious
prisner whom she keeps in chaines And means to kil with torture all she might Reseruing him aliue for greater paines Came to the eare of Caesars sonne one night And put into his heart to saue and cherish And not to suffer so great vallew perish 39 The noble Leon that Rogero loues Not knowing tho that this Rogero was Whom his rare vertue and great vallew moues Which he did thinke all humane farre to passe Deuising sundry wayes this one he proues And by the same he brought the feate to passe So that his cruell Ant could not espy him Nor once complaine that she was wronged by him 40 He speaketh in the secretst sort he can Vnto the bloudy wretch that kept the kayes And prayth him show him the condemned man For why he must examaine him he sayes A knight a valiant man that was his man He takes with him fit for all bold assayes The cruell layler that no fraud suspected In all points did as Leon him directed 41 He leads him secretly vnto the den Where good Rogero was in prison pent Nor tooke he with him any of his men But as their guide the formost of them went Who when they saw the time best serued then No longer to defer th' occasion ment But vnawares they at aduantage catch him And with a sodaine stab they do dispatch him 42 Then open they the trap doore out of hand And downe they let the ladder that was by And Leon with a lanterne in his hand Of light conceald went where the knight did ly Fast bound vpon a grate with bitter band Not in the water but thereto so ny The very dampe was such that one might guesse That â—ole would kill him in a month or lesse 43 With great compassion Leon him imbraced And sayd sir knight the vertue you haue showne With sured knots my loue hath knit and laced To you since first the same to me was knowne So as my heart and thoughts are wholly placed To seeke your fafetie rather then mine owne Ventring your welfare and your loue to win To leese my fires good will and all my kin 44 To tell you true the Emp'rours sonne I am Leon by name as yet to you a stranger To set you free of purpose now I came And put my person and my state in danger That both my father greatly me may blame And looke vpon me euermore with anger The losse at Belgrade which you wrought him late Makes him to beare to you so sharpe an hate 45 These sugred words and many more beside Which were for me too tedious to repeat He spake and then his bands he all vntyde And secretly he causd him moue his seat Rogero in this wise to him replyde Your curtesie is such your gift so great To giue me life that you shall ay command it When euer it shall please you demand it 46 Thus Leon in this secret sort vnknowne Rogero from the prison doth conuay And sent him to a castle of his owne Whereas he might secure in silence stay Vntill this tumult all were ouerblowne And till againe for him regaine he may His armes and gallant horse and famous blade Kept by Vngardo Lord of Nouengâ—ade 47 The keeper slaine the next ensuing morne The prison gates from off the hinges heaued The chaines and manicles in peeces torne Each man might see but none by whom perceaued All thought that Leon had him hatred borne Wherefore of him they no mistrust conceaued The cause he had of hate each man doth know By name his late receaued ouerthrow 48 At this great curtesie that Leon vsed Rogero wonders much and thinks it strange And sore he was in minde and thought confused And sodainly he feeles a wondrous change His heart relented and all hate refused And turnde it all to loue by sweet exchange What earst malicious cruell was and hatefull Is turned now to kinde and milde and gratefull 49 So deepe into his head and heart it sinkes That it possessed all his soule and sence On this he studies when he wakes or winkes How he may do to him some recompence To spend eu'n all his future dayes he thinkes Sole in his seruice and in his defence Could not requite no scarce the twentith part Of so great curtsie and so great desart 50 In this meane while the newes was come from France Which Charles had notifide to many a nation Of her that would be woo'd by sword and lance In single fight so said the proclamation Don Leon was quite out of countenance To heare of this her strange determination And as a man that well his owne strength knowes Himselfe too weake for her he doth suppose 51 And long debating how he might supply His want of force and courage by his wit In fine he purposd with himselfe to try This new made fréd whose name he knows not yet Although he well could witnesse with his eye That for no braue exploit he was vnfit He hopeth by his manhood and his aid To conquer and to haue that hardie maid 52 But two things he must do before he goes One is the minde of this same vnknowne knight Vnto this hardie enterprise dispose The tother is to bring him to the fight So secretly as none might it disclose And all that while to keepe himselfe from fight First then in earnest sort he doth intreat Rogero take on him this hardie feat 53 Much might the Greeke preuaile by eloquence The which he vsd to leade him thereunto But more preuayld the bond of recompence So firme as no time euer could vndo That though the motion bred him great offence And seemd a thing vnpossible to do With gladder looke then heart he doth reply Deare sir I nothing may to you deny 54 Though he no sooner had this word pronounced But that he felt such griefe did gripe his hart As if damnation were to him denounced Such pangs he had such torture and such smart But yet his promise giu'n he not renounced Nor from the same once purposd to depart For first a thousand deaths he ment to chuse Then one request of Leons to refuse 55 Dye sure he shall he thinks for if he leaue His loue he knowes he cannot byde aliue For either sorrow will of life him reaue Or if that nature shall with sorrow striue Of his owne hands he will his death receaue And so his soule from hated harbor driue Each other thing on earth to him seems possible But missing her to liue he thinks impossible 56 Then die he must onely he doubts what kinde Of death were for his state and fancie best Once this conceit did come into his minde To lay in fight his naked open brest Might she him slay he deemeth in his minde That such a death in death might make him blest But then he sees what follow would of this That noble Leon should his purpose misse 57 And then himselfe of promise eke should fayle Which was not to dissemble but indeuer That
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
and filthie loue grounded vpon ribauldrie and continued with all fraudulent practises that may be in which also the fond affection and doting fancie of Griffino is to be pitied that could not see her trecherie til with notable shame and scorne he felt the fruits of it Another patterne of lewdnesse in all kindes is the tragicall life of the abhorninable Gabryna that for her filthie lust brake all the lawes of hospitalitie and humanitie First tempting Fylandro most impudentlie then accusing him most falselie lastlie circumuenting him most subtillie and making him with a most rare crueltie to kill her husband and marrie her selfe and finallie when she grew wearie of him she found the meanes to poyson both him and the Phisition and not resting there spent all her life after in working all kinde of treason and mischiefe euen to her last gaspe which she fetcht on the gallowes Such Gabrynas and Medeas as this perhaps there are in the world that to effect their diuellish purposes will not sticke to practise any kinde of trecherie and poysoning yea and take a pride and felicitie when they can ouerthrow noble houses set great men together by the eares cause bloudshed and ruine and hurlyburlie in Cities and common wealthes and cause brothers to cut off one anothers head whereupon that old verse may seeme to haue bene made vpon some ground Non audet Stigius Pluto tentare quod audet Presbiter effrenis planaque fraudis axus But now in recompence of these two passing lewd women we haue two excellent vertuous women Fiordeliege married to Brandimart and Isabell espoused to Zerbino Which I thinke mine author hath deuised to haue great aduersities and to haue lost their husbands most vnfortunatly to the end to lay before all chast and vertuous matrones an example how the troubles that happen to their husbands must be a meane to set foorth their praise the more And indeed to attribute to them the highest point of glorie in this kinde that may be you see how he maketh them leese their husbands euen in the prime of their owne yeares Zerbyno slaine in France and Brandimart in Barbarie and both of them naming their wiues at their last houre to shew how dearely they loued them which causeth them to breake into such piteous lamentations as would moue not onely a tender hearted Ladie but euen a valiant hearted man to shed teares with compassion Further the deathes of both these Ladies in sundry kindes are most admirable Fiordeliege builds her a little roome in the sepulcher of her husband and there becomes an Anchorite Isabella falling into the hand of the barbarous Rodomont and hauing no way to saue her chastitie from his violence deuised a meane to redeeme it with the price of her life Oh worthy Isabella that deseruest to be painted in Tables and set foorth in clothes of Arres for an example to all young Ladies of constant chastitie But now to goe forward we haue to consider likewise of the inchaunted Pallace in which as it were in an infinite laberinth so many braue young men of great vallour loose themselues in seeking their loues and when they would depart thence they heare themselues called backe and thinke they see their faces but when they come thinking to finde them they vanish out of their sights and turne to shadowes This inchantment is likewise referred to loue that painteth forth in our fancie the Image of the party loued representing to vs the sweete speech the seemely behauiour the gracious lookes of our Idol that we worship but neither can we finde it when we seeke for it neither doth the heart take any repose still labouring to attaine to the end which more do misse then hit and yet when they do attaine to it for the most part they grow as wearie as before they grew fond We may say that Dido was in this laberinth when as Virgil describeth her At Regina graui iamdudum saucia cura Vulnus alit vaenis caeco carpitur igni Multa viri virtus animo multusque recurrat Gentis honos haerent insixi peclore vultus Verbaque nec placidam membris dat cura quietem Wherefore this passion may well be called That tickling wound that flat'ring cruell foe as it is in the first booke And no maruell if Rogero once againe hauing lost his ring of reason he drawne into this inchaunted Pallace Onely Astolfo taught by a booke Logestilla gaue him to take away a fantasticall Image or some such witchcraft as lay vnder the threshold dissolued the inchauntment But whereas it is said that Atlanta did build it thereby to keepe Rogero in an idle life therein he toucheth the fond tendernes of diuers parents ouer their children who bringing them vp in wantonnesse ease and pride make them the more apt to fall into this inchanting laberinth Many more examples are alledged by mine author as that prettie Comicall tale of Ariodant and Genewra the fantasticall tale of Norandino and Lucyna that were lapt in goates skinnes the death of Marganorres two sonnes the tale of the Mantuan knight that had the married mens cup. All which haue good Moralities and may be fitlie applyed to this common place of loue Now the other common place is of armes which indeed is more pertinent to matters of state as tother is to priuate life and manners and in this mine author hath carried his inuention verie daintilie and well worth the marking For he propoundeth to vs the example of two mightie Emperours one of which directeth all his counsels by wisedome learning and Religion But the other being rash and vnexperienced ruined himselfe and his counttrie and in this storie though much of it be fayned yet are set downe the verie ordinarie causes and the vsuall sequels of all such garboyls and troubles It is almost an vsuall matter to reade of young Princes that being left in peace and prosperitie and hauing so much wealth they know not what to do withall straight follow their youthfull humour of reuenging some I know not what old iniuries and be put in hope by such hare-brayne Counsellours as Rodomont and his fellowes of great conquestes and in the end ouerthrow indeed great armies not of their enemies but of their owne as the Oracle mocked Craesus Craesus Halim penetrans magnam perueriet opum vim So did Hanniball in Italie though indeed he preuayled a great while led thereto by a dreame as some write Now in these matters of warres the chiefe fault commonly is in those Counsellors that put a sword into a mad-mans hand by putting such conceits into Princes heads Yet we see Agramant hath his graue Sobrino that aduised him at the first not to inuade other mens countryes but to keepe his owne that aduiseth him to preuent mischiefe in time and to sue for peace that aduiseth him to put the matter to a combat of one man and the partie ouercome to pay yearely tribute and finally that not onely with faithfull counsell but with
a place to haue them plaide and represented in his court and he vsed other great tokens of fauour to him but specially which is indeed the onely true token of fauour in a Prince he gaue him great rewardes enabling him thereby to build a conuenient house in Ferrara with a delicate garden to it in which he vsed often to sit and walke and make verses and writing diuers other both wittie and pleasant discourses or translations out of French or Spanish with such felicitie and good grace in the Italian that his doings were in great account with all the Princes of Italy and they sent him manie giftes for copies of them but office of charge he was exceeding loth to take saying that he would not sell his libertie for the best Hat in Rome meaning a Cardinals Hat further he would confesse of himselfe that he was variable in his desires and in his disposition and therefore would be tide to nothing For his dyet he was verie temperate and a great enemie of excesse and surfetting and so carelesse of delicates as though he had had no perseuerance in the tast of meates in so much as one day a friend of his in sport caused a Muskite to be set before him in steed of a Partrich but by mistaking of the seruingmā that set it on the boord another Gentleman happened to tast it and so the iest was discouered and he writeth of himselfe in one place Io non ho troppo gusto de viuande Che Scalco sia fui degno esser almondo Quando viuean gli huomiuni di grande That is to say that his tast was not delicate and that he was fit to haue liued in the world when they fed on Akornes howbeit for women I cannot so much praise his temperance for he is noted to haue had dishonest companie with one Alexandra though some say he was married to her priuilie and durst not be acknowne of it for feare to leese some spirituall liuings that he had which were not lawfull to be held by a married man but howsoeuer it was his two sonnes were counted but base borne though both of them prospered reasonable well in the world their names were Virginio and Gian Battista Virginio became a spirituall man and his father surrendered some of his liuings vnto him the other became Captaine of a band of the Dukes and a man of good account with the Duke Also there was a Ladie called Genewra a faire and modest Ladie whom he made great profession of loue vnto but whether he enioyed her or no it is not knowne and therefore we may imagine the best he fell in loue with one whether that were this Genewra or no I know not in Florence in the house of Vestucci a kinswoman of his finding her one day dressing of a core like an armour for one of her sonnes against he should go into the great shew that they haue there on midsomer eeue as they were wont to haue here in London whereupon he made that comparison in the 54. stanse of the xxiiij booke of Orlando Furioso of the wound that the noble Zerbino Pince of Scotland had receiued of Mandricardo The Prince so eager was he felt no smart Yet ran the blond out of his brest amaine And of his armour all the former part With crimsen streame of bloud it did distaine So haue I seene her hand that to mine hart Hath bene a cause of anguish great and paine When she a purple seame or flowre hath drawne In siluer kirtle or in sleeue of lawne Also his prettie fantasticall beginning of the fiue and thirtith Canto in the first and second staffe with the first and second and third of the sixteenth Canto do proue that he was subiect to that passion of loue but withall that his loue was placed vpon women of good worth and of great modestie Now though I dare not excuse him in this so great a fault yet partly in respect he was vnmarried partly because these white diuels haue such a tempting power vpon the earth me thinkes I should easily obtaine a pardon for him of all you that reade this short discourse of his life But omitting this one peccadilio in all his other proceedings he was verie modest and iust and affable and verie graue and discreet as he well approued when after the death of Leo the tenth he was though halfe against his will employed by the Duke as a Lieutenant or high shreeue in the countrie called Grassignana being then full of factions and diuisions which he so orderdly gouerned and so well quieted that he left them all in good peace and concord leauing among them a verie good report of his wisedome and equitie and winning not onely the loue of the better sort but also a wonderfull reuerence of the wilder sort of people and a great awe euen in robbers and theeues as appeared one day by a chance that happened to him in the time of that forenamed office For as he rode one day with fiue or sixe horses in one of the most licentious and disorderly parts of the countrie he was to passe neere Rhodea by a companie of armed men that lay dispersed in the shade and by meanes of the dissention and falling out of two men of some reckening in that countrey called Domenico Morotto and Philippo Paechione there were dayly diuers ryots and outrages committed thereabout vpon the passengers by su ch kinde of men so as he rode by them not without some doubt to haue bene assaulted but being past them about a stones cast the chiefe of the companie demaunded of his man that rode hindermost what his masters name was he told him Master Lodomke Ariosto whereupon straight the partie armed as he was ran after him Ariosto stayed his horse seeing him come after him doubting in his minde to what purpose he came but when he came nearer he craued pardon of him that he had not done his dutie vnto him in his going by shewing him how he was Philippo Pacchione desiring his acquaintance and offering to be at his commaundement with all humilitie and courtesie Not long after this hauing occasion about some matter of his office to haue some conference with one of the principall Gentlemen of Lucca and appointing the same Gentleman to meete him at a towne called San Pellegrino at his comming thither he found not onely the said Gentleman there ready to attend him but also diuers others with Ladies and gentlewomen that came of purpose to see him drawne by the sound of his learning and wit where they feasted him and entertained him verie noblie euerie one striuing who could do him most countesie Immediatly after this commission of his was expired he was earnestly dealt with to haue bene Ambassadour to Pope Clement but he would by no meanes accept it At his comming home giuing himselfe still to writing the Duke intreated him to translate the Menecmie of Plautus into Italian
armes and furnitures among That erst to Pagan Princes did belong 52 But for all those that were from Christens wonne She laid them vp and did in safetie set Among the which was Monodantes sonne And Oliuero and stout Sansonet Who late before with ill successe did runne So that the Pagan did their armour get And them themselues as prisners did conuay Vnto Algirie farre from thence away 53 Among the rest that had their armour lost Was Sacrapant the fierce Circassen Prince Who sought for Frontlet to his paine and cost And with the Pagan fought but little since But being foyld he quite forlooke that coast Where men of such disgrace might him conuince And with great shame but what could shame him boot He came on horsback went théce on foot 54 Wherefore asham'd in such sort to returne He minds to follow that his former quest Of her whose loue long since his heart did burne Although her loue he neuer yet possest For still her froward mind did euer spurne Against his earnest and most iust request Of her returne he late had heard the news I know not how but now he her pursews 55 And let him her pursue for I proceed Of noble Bradamantes acts to tell Who hauing done this braue and worthie deed To free the passage where so many fell She wrate it so as eu'rie one might reed How all the circumstance thereof befell Which hauing done then she demands to know Which way Dame Fiordeliege did mind to go 56 Who straight her purpose vnto her vnfolding Told her to passe the sea by ship shement At Arly least the Turke his word not holding Might keepe her spouse too long in prison pent Then shall you saith the Dame be more beholding To me for sure said she t is mine intent Vnto that towne to guard you in your passage So you will do for me but one embassage 57 And that withall you me this grace affoord To giue Rogero this same horse from me And say an vnknowne champion sends him word To challenge him that all the world may see He hath bin false of promise and of word Of which our combat shall the triall be And tell him plainly there is no deniall But that by challenge I will make this triall 58 This say and say no more and if he aske My name then tell him plaine you may not tell The while mine armes shall serue me for a maske This I desire do tâ—â—s and so farewell This is said Fior â—â—ege an easie taske From you that haue of me deseru'd so well As binds me both to this that you demand me And to what euer else you would command me 59 This said she takes the bridle in her hand And with her leads Frontino on the way Vntill they both came to the salt sea sand That next vnto the towne of Arly lay But Fiordeliege goes to the towne by land And Bradamant doth in the suburbs stay To th' end she may conuenient respite giue her To him the horse and message to deliuer 60 Who when the bridge and gate she quite had past She prayeth one of those that kept the ward To bring her to Rogero in great hast And through the towne of curtsie her to guard This done she to Rogero came at last And did her message with most due regard And gaue Frontino and then went her way Nor would she once to heare his answer stay 61 Rogero standeth still all in a muse The messenger and message so beguile him He wonders who it is that both doth vse Such curtesie and yet withall reuile him He thinks the partie doth him much abuse With fowlest blot of breach of word to file him And of all others least of all he thought That Bradamant of him the combat sought 62 To thinke it Rodomont he was inclind But yet it could not sinke into his reach Why of a sudden he should be so kind And wherein he could blame his promise breach And saue with him he cannot call to mind With whom he had of frendship any breach The while the Ladie with a stately scorne In token of defiance blew her horne 63 Straightwayes the news to Agramant doth fly That one without did challenge some within And Serpentine that then by chance was by Askt leaue to fight with sured hope to win And swears the knight should yeeld or else should by And then the people flockt both thicke and thin And stood vpon the walls with young and old Betweene these two the combat to behold 64 Out Serpentino came in braue array And brauely with his speare in rest he ran But at the first encounter downe he lay The horse runnes leere away without the man But noble Bradamant the horse doth stay And backe restore then finely as she can She prayes him to king Agramant to speake To send a stronger knight sith he was weake 65 The mightie kings of Affricke and of Spaine That from the wall the courteous act did vew From praising of the same could notrefraine Though none of them thereof the author knew Now Serpentino backe returnd againe And to his Prince he told his message trew How that same champion did desire to fight With some more stout and more renowned knight 66 And then Grandonio fierce of Volaterne The proudest knight that Spaine long time had bred Obtaind next place and with a visage sterne And threatning voice thus to the damsell sed Your curtsie small reward for you shall earne For either here in fight you must be ded Or at the least I will you prisner bring Vnto Marsilio of great Spaine the king 67 Well answerd she keepe these your threats in store Your villany my curtfie shall not let But that I le frendly monish you before That backe againe vnto your king you get Ere that your â—all may make your body sore And say that I desired to haue met A man indeed of courage and of worth And not your selfe not him that last cameforth 68 This her replie so mild and yet so bitter The Pagan with more furie did enflame With speare then speech he thought an answer fitter And toward her in full carreer he came Intending sure some deadly blow to hit her But she that was accustomd to this game Bare well his blow and with her Goldélance She taught him how the somerlaut to dance 69 But yet his horse that loose about did runne She brought him backe and thus to him she sayd Loe sir you had bin better to haue donne My message when I curteouslie you prayd Yet here I will release my prisner wonne So you will tell your king that I haue stayd To combat with a man in fight well seene And not with nouices of skill so greene 70 The lookers on that sure thought nothing lesse Then that a virgin so could guide a speare With murmurings their wonder great expresse Still ayming with surmises who it were Some Brandimart and some Renaldo guesse Or others
whom the Turks had cause to seare But most they would Orlando haue suspected Saue they had heard his sences were distracted 71 Next stout Ferraw desir'd to haue the place Not that he hop't the conquest to haue wonne But that these knights may haue the lesse disgrace If I quoth he shall do as they haue donne A strong swift horse he takes and sure of pace Well made to beare the shocke and free to runne The choisest of an hundred that he kept And thus all arm'd vpon the beast he lept 72 Against the femall champion forth he goes And first they interchangeably salute Please it you said the Ladie to disclose Your name to me that shall be all my sute He that what longs to ciuill manners knowes To satisfie her therein was not mute And I refuse you not then said the tother Although I rather would haue had another 73 Whom quoth Ferraw Rogero she replyed And scarse she fully could bring forth his name But that a blush with rosie colour dyed Her louely cheekes with secret honest shame Further she addeth him whole vallew tryed And so much praysd was cause I hither came None else I seeke nor for none else care I Onely his manhood I desire to try 74 She spake the word in plaine and simple sence Which some perhaps will subtlie wrest awry Well said Ferraw yet now ere I go hence Let me with you haue leaue on ecourse to try To see if I can make no more defence Then those whom last you made one arth to ly If I fall as did they then I will send That gentle knight that may our errour mend 75 Her beauer open was while they confard At which when her the Spaniard well had vewed And markt her bewtie worthy of regard He was alreadie more then halfe subdewed He thought an Angell of the heau'nly guard Could not with greater bewtie be endewed Against her speare what fence can he deuise That is alreadie conquerd with her eyes 76 Now tooke they field and ran with all their force And now Ferraw is from his saddle borne The damsell doth of curtsie stay his horse The Spaniard lyeth like a man forlorne But backe he must vnto the king perforce Nor true to do his message doth he scorne He tels Rogero plaine before them all How this same knight onely for him doth call 77 Rogero who it is yet little knowing In hast to make him readie doth begin A setled hope of conquest plainly showing Willing to fight with mind assur'd to win As for their foyles and their fowle ouerthrowing That went before he weighd them not a pin But how they met how kindly him she serued Vnto the booke ensuing is reserued In the beginning of thu booke after the excessiue prayses of Hippolito he returnes to the former matter of the force of time the Allegorie whereof I will continue in this place onely for the Morall I will touch two speciall faults which mine authour reproues in men of the better sort one is the great account they make of Parasites Promoters and Iesters and such like for their basenes and filthines likened to the asse anporke and other is their venerie and drunkenes which he noteth by these words anzi venere e bacco I Englsh it by their owne surffeting and lust because surfeting contains both kinds of excesse in meat and drinke And surely I must grant that our Realme of England hath bin noted sorriot in meats many yeares since and not without cause though not alone for Plato found the like fault with Italie in his time but for this other vice of drinking which with the name of a health ouerthrowes all health and sobrietie it is nor growne as vsuall and more dious then the tother and I doubt it will not so easily be driuen out as it is sodainly crept in I haue beard a prettie tale not impertinent to this matter of a Gentleman that had his sonne at the Vniuersitie who being be like of so good a conscience as most of vs are in that kind to take but a little for his money and growing as it seemed more in yeares then either in learning or good manners his tutor to discharge his dutie sent his father word how he misdoubted the young mans well doing because he found him giuen to dycing and gaming the father was sorry but yet answered that he hoped when his sonne grew to haue more wit he would leaue that or at least not lose by it The next news he heard of his amendment was that now he began to follow women this touched the father somwhat nearer yet he replied againe that he made no question but he would leaue that ere long for his owne ease and therefore yet he would not dispaire of him The last newes he heard was that he began to mend his former two faults but that now he fell to bilbing and drinking Out vpon the villan said the father I will surely disinherit him for that fault the elder he waxeth the more he wil be subiect to it Wherefore I conclude this Morall with this exhortation that if wit cannot make men leaue play nor their owne ease make theē eschew venerie at least let the vglynes openesse and beastlines of this sin make them leaue it which hath no defence nor no praise I say praise because the Scripture saith The wicked man i◠praised in his wickednes But I neuer heard praise ascribed to a drinker but the well bearing of drinke which might be a good praise for a brewers horse or perhaps a brewers man but sure it is a small bost for a Gentleman Augustus Caesar was not such a Saint c. Of Augustus Caesars faults both Suetonius and Plutarke haue written at large and I am loth to renew the memorie of them except I did also recite his many vertues which made large recompence for his few vices sufficeth it to affirme that which mine author saith that his bountie and loue to learned men couered his faults and of his bountie among other things witnesseth the saire Pallace he gaue Virgil with a goodly Mannor or rather indeed territorie in the field called Ager Cremonensis neare Mantua Whereas it is said in the person of S. Iohn But yet for ought you know he might haue taught The contrarie to this if he had listed That Troy preuayld that Greeks were conquerd cleane And that Penelope was but a queane True it is that one Dion an Historiographer writeth to that effect and inforceth verie far to proue that the Greeks had the worse end of the staffe and onely that Homer fauoring the Greeks wrate the contrary Further some haue carped at Penelopes chastitie for what may not a mallicious with carpe at and they say Homer himselfe insinuateth somewhat of her lightnesse where he saith in his Odisseas that she obiected vnto her suters that none of them could shoot so strong a shoot as her husband but howsoeuer it is for my part seeing