of those vnhappie men Whom erst you slue was husband vnto ten 68 So that for those same nine that you haue slaine Nine times ten women seeke reuenge to take Wherefore I wish that you and all your traine Within my roofe this night abode do make For so perhap from wrong they will abstaine If not for right at least for reuerence sake I le take your offer sir Marfisa saith So that hereof to me you giue your faith 69 That as in fight you shew your valew great As I haue proued in this present place So I may find your words without deceat Lest falshood should your noble deeds deface I will accept your lodging and your meat And will perswade my fellows in like case But rather then for feare you should it thinke Le ts fight it out by light of torch and linke 70 And thus in fine they all of them agreed That vnto him that night they would be guest Straight to a sumptuous pallace they proceed By torch light brought to chambers richly drest But when that each put off their warlike weed Then each of them with wonder was possest She that the knight did by his face appeare To be a boy of age but eighteene yeare 71 And he when by her haire her sex he knew Wonderd to see a woman of such might As namely that in sight nine tall men slew And after had with him prolongd the fight And either pleased the others vew Behold the one the other with delight Then each desir'd the others name to learne As in th' ensuing booke you shall discearne In the first staffe of this Canto is an excellent morall of the proâ—fe of frends which my father many yeares since did translate almost word for word as I haue set it downe applying it to his master the worthie Lord Admirall Seymor and because the verse was my fathers I count I may without vsurpation claime it by inheritance He applied it to that noble peere verie aptly diuers wayes both for his life and for his death but specially which I count worthy the noting for his seruants who loued him so dearely that euen in remembrance of his honorable kindnesse they loued one another exceedingly and my father I remember but a weeke before he died which was in the yeare 1582. wrote with his owne hand the names of those were then liuing of the old Admiraltiâ— so he called them that had bâ—ne my Lords men and there were then xxxiiij of them liuing of which many were knights and men of more reuenew then himselfe and some were but meane men as armorers artificers keepers and farmers and yet the memorie of his seruice was such a band among them all of kindnesse as the best of them disdained not the poorest and the meaner had recourse to the greatest for their countenance and ayd in their honest causes and many of them are euen now liuing and yet it wants little of fortie yeares since that noble man was put to death His picture my father gaue after to the Queenes Maiestie that now is with a prettie verse written on it and it hangs now in the gallerie at Somerset house That there were Amazons I thinke no man doubreth that hath read of Alexanders conquests In Angelicas wedding of Medore I gather this Allegorie Angelica is taken for honor which braue men hunt after by blood and battels and many hardy feats and misse it but a good seruant with faith and gratefulnesse to his Lord gets it Cloridan and Medore allude to Eurialus and Nisus in Virgils Aeneads The end of the notes of the xix booke THE TVVENTITH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT With Guidon all his worthie guests agree To breake from th' Amazons the morrow morne Astolfo doubting lest it would not be Doth driue them thence and scares them with his horne Zerbino laughs Gabrina gay to see Marfisa seemes to take it in great scorne And gainst his will commits her to his guiding By whom he hears of Isabella tiding 1 RIght wódrous deeds by diuers dames were donne In times of old as well by sword as pen Whereby their glorie shined like the sunne And famous was both far and neare as then The fame Harpalice in battell wonne Camillas worth is eke well knowne to men Corinnas praise and Saphos are discerned Aboue the rest because they both were lerned 2 What art so deepe what science is so hie But worthy women haue thereto attayned Who list in stories old to looke may trie And find my speech herein not false nor fained And though of late they seeme not to come nie The praise their sexe in former times haue gained No doubt the fault is either in backbiters Or want of skill and iudgement in the writers 3 For sure I see in this our present age Such vertuous parts in their sweet sexe to grow The young so sober and the rest so sage And all so chast as writers shall I know Haue worke enough to fill full many a page With their great praise that from their worth will flow To win the fame their ancestors did leese And passe Marfisa not in few degrees 4 But now â—o turne my speech to her againe I say that when the knight did aske her name She made him answer and did not disdaine To tell both what she was and whence she came Yet as her fashion was both briefe and plaine She saith thus to the knight I called am Marfisa and she need to say no more For all the world had heard the rest before 5 The tother when his turne to speake came in First making long and farther circumstance In such like manner doth his tale begin And sighing deepe you all haue heard perchance Both of my fathers house and of my kin Of fame in Italie in Spaine and France Forsure I am the house of Clarimount In all the world is knowne and of account 6 He that Charello and Mambrino slew And did their kingdoms ruine and deface Out of one stocke with me together grew Although we were not all borne in one place For why at lster flood to tell you trew My father me begat and in that case My mother great with childe he left behind And went to France by helpe of saile and wind 7 Thus seu'nteene yeares I liu'd like one exild Vntill I able was to breake a launce And for that place me seemd too base and vild I meane to seeke my frends and kin in Fraunce They name me Guidon sauage of a child As yet I could not much my name aduance For hither by a tempest I was borne As you were now with ship and tackle torne 8 Here first Argillon with nine meâ— I killed A leau'n months since and that same day at night The office of an husband I fulfilled Vnto ten Amazons in flesh delight This done to take my choise then was I willed Of any ten that pleased best my sight And these remaine my wiues
the learned and that same out lasteth and out styeth all things as the well learned Gentleman and my very good frend M. Henrie Constable wrate in his Sonnet to the now king of Scotland Where others hooded with blind loue do fly A low on ground with buzzard Cupids wings A heau'nly loue from loue to loue thee brings And makes thy Muse to mount aboue the sky Young Muses be not woont to fly so hy Age taught by time such sober dittie sings But thy youth flyes from loue of youthfull things And so the wings of time doth ouerfly Thus thou disdainst all wordly wings as slow Because thy Muse with Angels wings doth leaue Times wings behind and Cupids wings below But take thou heed least Fames wings thee deceaue With all thy speed from Fame thou canst not slee But more thou flees the more it followes thee For the punishment of Lidy as ingratitude by hanging in the eternall smoke makes me call to minde a story of the Emperour Seuerus as I remember who hearing that a fauorite of his accustomed to promise many men great furtherancein their suits by his favour with the Prince and having taken their reward his promise vanished into the aire like a vapour and left the poore suters nothing but his vaine breathed words the iust Emperour caused him to be smothered to death with smoke saying Fumo percat qnifumum vendidit Let sume him choake that selleth smoke Here end the annotations vpon the xxxiiij booke THE XXXV BOOE THE ARGVMENT Saint Iohn the praise of writers doth recount Bradamant doth with good successe recouer The prisners that were tane by Rodomount This done she sends a challenge to her louer And sends withall an horse of good account Which makes Rogero long in doubt to houer The while before his face the fall he saw Of Serpentine Grandonio and Ferraw 1 FAire mistresse who for me to heau'n shall fly To bring again frō thence my wandring wit Which I still loose since from that piercing ey The dart came forth that first my heart did hit Nor of my losse at al complaine would I. Might I but keepe that which remaineth yet But if it still decrease within short space I doubt I shall be in Orlandos case 2 Yet well I wot where to recouer mine Though not in Paradise nor Cynthias spheare Yet doubtlesse in a place no lesse diuine In that sweet face of yours in that faire heare That rubie lip in those two starlike cyne There is my wit I know it wanders there And with my lips if you would giue me leaue I there would search I thence would it receaue 3 But to returne vnto that English Prince Whom if you do remember with S. Iohn By vgly streame I left a little since The fatall sister spinners looking on Who sometime do prolong and sometime mince Our threed of life I say he saw anon Among a million more one passing fleece More sine then that that Iason brought to Greece 4 So shone the thred that from that fleece out came No gold nor Orient perle could looke so bright Astolfo much desir'd to know his name And time of birth that to that thred had right Straightways this answer vnto him doth frame He that the darke Apocalips did write The number of his birth shall noted be When twentie shal be tane from M and D. 5 And as the fleece which here so faire doth show In finest substance pasteth all the rest So shall the person that the same doth ow Make that same age in which be liueth blest For all the gifts that nature can bestow Or with which studie can a man inuest Shall powred be on him with large proportion Assigned from aboue to be his portion 6 There stands said he neare to the bankes of Poe A village now of small or none account Whose moorish seat the streame doth ouerflow But in that time that I to you recount Vnto a Citie of such state shall grow As all the neighbour townes it shall surmount Nor sole in walls and buildings fayre and stately But in good arts of old found out or lately 7 Nor thinke you this preferment to proceed By peraduenture or as it were by chance But eu'n as a thing by God himselfe decreed For one mans sake his natiue soile t' aduance As still we see those that good fruits will breed Do grasse the stocke and prune pike the branch Or as the goldsmith pollisheth the mettell In which he minds a gemme of price to settell 8 For nere shall soule that shall to earth descend With mortall garment be more comely clad Neuer did God a soule from hence downe send That more choise gifts nor more rare vertues had Then this which vnto him he doth intend That shall his country and his friends make glad Hippolito of Est his name shall be To whom the heau'ns such fauours do decree 9 For all those vertues great that wonted are To set forth diuers diuersly deuided Shall ioyned be in this same man most rare Vnto such place by heau'ns appointment guided Maintaind shall studies be by his great care All quarrels cease and broyls shall be decided Whose vertues all if I to tell prolong Orlando should expect his wit too long 10 Thus much the follower of Iesus spake The while Astolfo those same webs doth vew From whence our liues end and beginning take One spun one cut the third doth stuffe renew Then came they to the foule and lothsome lake Darke deepe and mirie of a deadly hew Where was the aged man that neuer stinted To carry bundels of the names imprinted 11 This was the man whom as I told before Both vse and nature so swift pac't had made He neuer rested but ranne euermore And with his running he did vse this trade A heape of names within his cloke he bore And in the riuer did them all vnlade Or plaine to speake away he cast them all Into this streame which Lethee we do call 12 This prodigall old wretch no sooner came Vnto this cursed riuers barren banke But despratly without all feare of blame Or caring to deserue reward or thanke He hurld therein full many a precious name Where millions soone into the bottome sanke And scant in eu'ry thousand one was found That was not in the gulfe quite lost and drownd 13 Yet all about great store of birds there flew As vultures carren crowes and chattring pies And many more of sundry kinds and hew That made leud harmonie with their lowd cries These when the carelesse wretch the tresor threw Into that streame did all they could deuise What with their talents some and some with beake To saue some names but find themselues too weake 14 For euer as they sought themselues to raise To beare away those names of great renowne The weight of them so heauie downeward wayes They in the stream were driu'n to cast them downe Onely two swans sustaind so great a praise
Ariodant should in some danger go Or that he sought as all desirous are The counsels of his dearest friend to know Close out of sight by secret steps and ware Hard at his heeles his brother followd so Till he was nearer come by fiftie paces And there againe himselfe he newly places 49 But I that thought no ill securely came Vnto the open window as I said For once or twice before I did the same And had no hurt which made me lesse afraid I cannot boast except I boast of shame When in her robes I had my selfe araid Me thought before I was not much vnlike her But certaine now I seemed very like her 50 〈…〉 that stood so farre aloofe Was more deceiu'd by distance of the place Aâ—d strâ—ght beleeu'd against his owne behoofe Seeing her clothes that he had seene her face Now â—et those iudge that partly know by proofe The wofull plight of Ariodantes case When Poâ—â—nessâ— came by faithlesse frend In both their sights the ladder to ascend 51 I that his comming willingly did wait And he once come thought nothing went amisse Embrac'd him kindly at the first receit His lips his cheeks and all his face did kisse And he the more to colour his deceit Did vse me kinder then he had ere this This sight much care to Ariodante brought Thinking Geneura with the Duke was nought 52 The griefe and sorrow sinketh so profound Into his heart he straight resolues to die He puts the pummell of his sword on ground And meanes himselfe vpon the point to lie Which when Iurâ—anio saw and plainly found That all this while was closely standing by And Pâ—â—messos comming did discerne Though who it was he neuer yet could learne 53 He held his brother for the present time That else himselfe for griefe had surely slaine Who had he not stood night and come betime His words and speeches had bene all in vaine What shall quoth he a faithlesse womans crime Cause you to die or put your selfe to paine Nay let them go and curst be all their kind Ay borne like clouds with eu'ry blast of wind 54 You rather should some iust reuenge deuise As she deserues to bring her to confusion Sith we haue plainly seene with both our eyes Her filthy fact appeare without collusion Loue those that loue againe if you be wise For of my counsell this is the conclusion Put vp your sword against your selfe prepared And let her sinne be to the king declared 55 His brothers words in Ariodantes mind Seeme for the time to make some small impression But still the carelesse wound remaind behind Despare had of his heart the full possession And though he knew the thing he had assignd Contrary to Christend knights profession Yet here on earth he torment felt so sore In hell it selfe he thought there was no more 56 Anâ—'eeming now after a little pause Vnto his brothers counsell to consent He froâ— the court next day himselfe withdrawes And makes not one priuie to his intent His brother and the Duke both knew the cause But neither knew the place whereto he went Diuers thereof most diuersly did iudge Some by good will perswaded some by grudge 57 Seu'n dayes entire about for him they sought Seu'n dayes entire no newes of him was found The eight a peasant to Geneura brought These newes that in the sea he saw him drownd Not that the waters were with tempest wrought Nor that his ship was stricken on the ground How then Forsooth quoth he and therewith wept Downe from a rocke into the sea he lept 58 And further he vnto Geneura told How he met Ariodant vpon the way Who made him go with him for to behold The wofull act that he would do that day And charged him the matter to vnfold And to his Princes daughter thus to say Had he bene blind he had full happie beene His death should shew that he too much had seene 59 There stands a rocke against the Irish I le From thence into the sea himselfe he cast I stood and looked after him a while The height and steepnesse made me sore agast I thence haue traueld hither many a mile To shew you plainly how the matter past When as the clowne this tale had told and verifide Geneuras heart was not a little terrifide 60 O Lord what wofull words by her were spoken Laid all alone vpon her restlesse bed Oft did she strike her guiltlesse brest in token Of that great griefe that inwardly was bred Her golden tresses all were rent and broken Recounting still those wofull words he sed How that the cause his cruell death was such Was onely this that he had seene too much 61 The rumor of his death spred farre and neare And how for sorrow he himselfe had killed The King was sad the court of heauy cheare By Lords and Ladies many teares were spilled His brother most as louing him most deare Had so his mind with sorrow ouerfilled That he was scantly able to refraine With his owne hands himselfe for to haue slaine 62 And oftentimes repeating in his thought The filthy fact he saw the other night Which as you heard the Duke and I had wrought I little looking it would come to light And that the same his brothers death had brought On faire Geneura he doth wreake his spight Not caring so did wrath him ouerwhelme To leese the kings good will and all his realmâ— 63 The king and nobles sitting in the hall Right pensiue all for Ariodants destruction Lurcanio vndertakes before them all To giue them perfect notice and instruction Who was the cause of Ariodantes fall And hauing made some little introduction He said it was vnchast Geneuras crime That made him kill himselfe before his time 64 What should I seeke to hide his good intent His loue was such as greater none could be He hop'd to haue your highnesse free assent When you his value and his worth should see But while a plaine and honest way he went Behold he saw another climbe the tree And in the midst of all his hope and sute Another tooke the pleasure and the frute 65 He further said not that he had surmised But that his eyes had seene Geneura stand And at a window as they had deuised Let downe a ladder to her louers hand But in such sort he had himselfe disguised That who it was he could not vnderstand And for due proofe of this his accusation He bids the combat straight by proclamation 66 How sore the king was grieu'd to heare these newes I leaue it as a thing not hard to guesse Lurcanio plaine his daughter doth accuse Of whom the King did looke for nothing lesse And this the more his feare and care renewes That on this point the lawes are so expresse Except by combat it be prou'd a lie Needs must Geneura be condemnd to die 67 How hard the Scottish law is in this case I do not doubt but you haue
me into his hands to get 43 Wherefore he set a hard and cruell law Except Byreno could in twelue months space Find meanes by fraud or forces me to draw To yeeld my selfe a prisner in his place Such Princes are that haue of God no aw Then die he should without all hope of grace So that to saue his life my death alone Must be the meanes for other can be none 44 All that by paine or cost procure I could With diligence I haue already done Sixe castles faire in Flanders I haue sold The mony spent and yet no profit wonne I sought to bribe those that him kept in hold But they my craft with greater craft did shunne I also mou'd our neighbours neare and farre English and Dutch on him to make sharpe warre 45 But those I sent when they long time had staid I thinke they would not or they could not speed They brought me many words but little aid My store decreast but greater grew my need And now the thought whereof makes me afraid That time drawes nie when neither force nor meed As soone as full expired is the yeare From cruell death can safe preserue my deare 46 For him my father and his sonnes were slaine For him my state and liuing all is lost For him those little goods that did remaine I haue consum'd to my great care and cost For him with hearts disease and bodies paine With troublous waues of fortune I am tost Now last of all I must lay downe my life To saue my spouse from blow of bloudy knife 47 And finding that my fortune is so bad I must to saue his life lay downe mine owne To leese mine owne I shall be faine and glad Where sorrow springs of seeds that loue had sowne This onely feare and doubt doth make me sad Because I know not how it may be knowne If I shall sure release Byrenos bands By yeelding me into the tyrants hands 48 I feare when he hath shut me in this cage If all the torments I shall then endure His fury to Byreno may asswage Whose libertie I study to procure I rather feare least following his rage When he shall find he hath vs both so sure He will not care his oath and vow to breake Vpon vs both at once his wrath to wreake 49 Behold the cause why I did long so sore To speake with you demaunding your aduice As I haue oft of others done before Yet found I none so hardy nor so wise That would assure his freedome to restore Whose loue doth me to hate my selfe intice The cause no doubt is this they stand in feare Of those his guns whose force no steele can beare 50 But if your vertue do not disagree With this your comely shape and manly show Let me request you sir to go with me Where I my selfe in prison shall bestow And promise me to set Byreno free If so the tyrant from his promise go For I shall die with great content and ioy If by my death Byreno scape annoy 51 Her dolefull tale the damsell here did end Which oft was interrupted with her teares Orlando louing not the time to spend In idle talke all answers long forbeares But in his mind he fully doth intend To foile her foes and rid her of her feares He briefly said that she should him commaund To do much more then she did him demaund 52 He meanes not tho that she her selfe should yeeld Vnto the cruell tyrant as a pledge Except his sword that failed him but seeld Had on the sodaine lost his force and edge He meanes like common birders in the field To catch the birds and neuer hurt the hedge And thus resolu'd to do this worthy deed From Flanders now by sea they go with speed 53 The skilfull Pilot doth the vessell steare Sometime on th' one sometime on th' other side The Iles of Zeland some before appeare And some behind as fast themselues do hide And straight to Holland they approched neare Orlando went to land but bids her bide His meaning is that she shall vnderstand The tyrants death before she come on land 54 Himselfe forthwith was mounted on a steed A darke browne bay with white starre in his face Both large and strongly limbd like Flemish breed But not so full of life nor swift of pace Yet good enough to serue him at his need When as his Briliador was not in place And thus he came to Dordreck where he found With men of armes the gates enuirond round 55 The wayes the wals with arm'd men watched were For tyrants still are most of such condition And chiefly new that ay they stand in feare And further now some newes had bred suspition How that an armie great approched neare Well stor'd with men and stuffed with munition The which they said Byrenos cosin brought By force his kinsmans freedome to haue wrought 56 Orlando wils a watchman carry word Vnto their King how that a wandring knight Desires to proue his force with speare and sword Whom if the King could ouercome in fight Then he should haue the Ladie by accord That slue Arbante on his wedding night For he had taken her into protection And could deliuer her to his subiection 57 But craued eke the King should bounden be By promise firme if he were ouercome To let his prisner cald Byreno free And of his message this was all the summe And this was told vnto the King but he That of true vertue neuer tasted câ—umme Bent all his will and wit against all reason To falshood foule to false deceit and treason 58 He makes account if he this knight can stay The which to do he meanes great meanes to make That then the Ladie quickly get he may And make him yeeld her for his safetie sake He sendeth thirtie men a priuie way Him to inclose about and prisner take Who fetching compasse to auoid suspition At last arriued where they had commission 59 In this meane time with words he foded out The worthy Earle vntill he saw his men According as he bad them come about Enclosing all the way behind and then Out of the gates he rusheth with a rout Of men on horse and foot of three times ten As hunters do inclose the beasts in woods Or fishers do inclose the fish in floods 60 So doth the king Cymosco care and striue To stop the wayes with all foresight and heed And meaneth sure to haue him tane aliue And thinks the same is such an easie deed That of those guns with which he did depriue So many liues he thinks there is no need For such a weapon serueth very ill Where he did meane to take and not to kill 61 As cunning fowlers do the birds reserue That first they take in hope of greater pray And makes them for a bait and stale to serue To take the rest by sport and pretie play So meanes the king aliue him to preserue But vnto this Orlandos force
I may not stay Wherefore I pray you bid them come away 52 Lo here comes one of them this old man sed And as he spake the words out came a knight A tall strong man all armd from foot to hed His armor like a fornace shined bright His colours that he ware were white and red This was the first and Sansonet he hight And for he was a man of mightie strength Two massie speares he brought of mightie length 53 The one of these he to Rogero gaue The other to himselfe he doth reserue Then each in hope the victorie to haue Do spurte their stedie steeds that will not swerue Rogeros shield from wounding doth him saue The others did him not so well preserue The speare both pierst his shield and prickt his arme And ouerthrew him to this further harme 54 You do not sure nor cannot yet forget What of Rogeros shield before I told That made the fâ—ends of hell with toyle to swet And shind so bright as none could it behold No maruell then though valiant Sansonet Although his hands were strong and hart were bold Could not preuaile so strong a shield to pierce Of so great force as late I did rehearse 55 This while was Pinnabell approched nie To Bradamant and askt of her his name That in their sight his force so great did trie To ouerthrow a knight of so great fame Lo how the mighty God that sits on hie Can punish sinne when least men looke the same Now Pinnabel fell in his enemies hands When in his owne conceit most safe he stands 56 It was his hap that selfe same horse to ride Which eight months past from Bradamant he stale Then when he falsly let the pole to slide At Merlins caue if you did marke the tale But now when she that traitor vile had spide That thought by trechery to worke her bale She stept forthwith betweene him and his castle And sweares that she with him a pull would wrastle 57 Looke how a fox with dogs and hunters chast That to come backe vnto her hole did weene Is vtterly discourag'd and agast When in her way she nets and dogs hath seene So he that no such perill did forecast And sees his so stept him and home betweene With word him threatning and with sword assailing Doth take the wood his heart and courage failing 58 Thus now on flight his onely hope relying He spurd that horse that chiefe his trouble bred No hope of helpe and yet for helpe still crying For doubt of death almost already ded Sometime the fact excusing or denying But she beleeuing not a word he sed None in the castle were of this aware About Rogero all so busied are 59 This while forth of the gate came th' other three That to this law so solemnly had sworne Among the rest that came was also she That causd this law full of disdaine and scorne And none of these but sooner would agree With horses wilde to be in peeces torne Then to distaine their honor and good name With any act that might be worthy shame 60 Wherefore it grieu'd them to the very gall That more then one at once should one assaile Saue they were sworne to runne together all If so the first of victorie did faile And she vncessantly on them did call What meane you sirs quoth she what do you aile Do you forget the cause I brought you â—â—ther Are you not sworne to take part all togither 61 Fie answerd Guidon what a shame is this Let rather me alone my fortune trie And if of victory I hap to misle At my returning backe then let me die Not so quoth she my meaning other is And you I trust will not your word denie I brought you hither for another cause Not now to make new orders and new lawes 62 Thus were they vrged by this scornfull dame To that which all their hearts abhorred sore And which they thought to them so great a shame As neuer like had chanced them before Alâ—o Rogeros words increast the same Vpbraiding them and egging more and more And asking why they made so long delay To take his armor and his horse away 63 And thus in maner forts and by constraint They came all three Rogero to inuade Which act they thought wold sore their honors taint Though full account of victory they made Rogero at their comming doth not faint As one well vsd through dangers great to wade And first the worthy Oliueros sonnes With all their force against Rogero runnes 64 Rogero turnd his horse to take the field With that same staffe that lately ouerthrew Stout Sansonet and with that passing shield That Atlant made by helpe of hellish crew That shield whose ayd he vsed very seeld Some vnexpected danger to eschew Twise when Alcynas kingdome he forsooke Once when the Indian Queene froÌ„th'Ork he tooke 65 Saue these three times he neuer vsd the aid Of this his shield but left it couerd still If he abroade or if within he slaid He neuer left it open by his will As for these three he was no more afraid Or all their strenght their number nor their skill Nor made no more account with them to fight Then if they had seemd children in his sight 66 And first he met the yonger of the twaine That Griffiâ— hight who had to great a blo As in the saddle he could scant remaine But quite amazed reeled to and fro He strake Rogero but it was in vaine For why the stroke fell ouerthwartly so That quite beside Rogeros shield it slipt But yet the case it all to tare and ript 67 Now when the renting of the silken case In which Rogero vsd the shield to hide Had cast out such a light in each mans face That none of them the force thereof could bide They fell downe all amazed in the place Admit they sit or stand or go or ride Rogero with the cause not yet acquainted Did maruell how his foes so soone had fainted 68 But when he once was of the cause aware And how the couer of his shield was rent By meane whereof it open lay and bare And thence such light vnto the lookers sent He lookes about where his companions are Because forthwith to get him thence he ment I meane his Bradamant and that same maid That for that youth did erst demaund his aid 69 But his belou'd as then he found not where He erst had left her when he went to iust And when he plainly saw she was not there And that that happend he could not mistrust He parted thence and with him he doth beare The maid that made to him the sute so iust Who lay that tune amazed with the rest With sudden blasing of the light distrest 70 He takes her kirtle and with it doth hide The light that did so dazle all their eyes That light on which to looke none could abide As if two Sunnes had shone at once in skies Fortwith himselfe
And fau'd thee from the Biskins wicked will First hauing thee preseru'd from salt sea waue Liue then my deare and trust in him aboue And while you liue be mindfull of my loue 69 These latter words his lips had scantly past When death vnto his heart was softly crept And as the lampe go'th out when oyle doth wast So quietly the noble Zerbin slept What tongue can tell how sore she was agast How she lamented wailed mournd and wept To her owne eyes and faire haire doing force When as she saw her deare a senslesse corse 70 And griefe had set her in so great a rage With Zerbins sword she thinks an end to make Of her owne life her sorrow to asswage Neglecting those last words Zerbino spake But lo a certaine saintlike personage That sword from hand that thought from hart doth take A certaine godly hermit and deuout That was by hap abiding thereabout 71 Who came and said oh damsell leaue despaire Mans nature weake and womens sex is fraile Feare him that rules both heau'n and earth and aire Who saith the word and his word cannot faile That those that vnto him for helpe repaire And put their trust in him shall neuer quaile Then shewd he her to proue his saying true Examples out of Scriptures old and new 72 Of saintlike women that in time of old Their liues and prayre in chastitie had spent And further to the damsell faire he told And prou'd and shewd by reasons euident That worldly things are vaine and haue no hold Alone in God is ioy and true content In fine he makes to her this godly motion Her future life to spend in true deuotion 73 His godly speech by helpe of heau'nly grace Pourd in her heart by hie diuine infusion Wrought such effect and found so great a place She ceast to seeke or worke her owne confusion But leauing the profession of her race Profest her selfe a Christen in conclusion She gaue her selfe to prayre and pure diuinitie And vowd to God her life and her virginitie 74 Yet did she not remoue out of her thought The feruent loue Zerbino had her borne But by the hermits helpe the corse she brought And thinks it sin to leaue it so forlorne And in some village thereabout she bought Sweet balmes to fill the flesh all cut and torne Then in a Cypres coffin she doth close it Not being yet resolu'd where to dispose it 75 That aged fire though being wise and staid Yet would not trust in his owne stay so well To carry such a faire and goodly maid To soiourne with him in his little cell T were perill great thus to himselfe he said That fire and straw should nie together dwell Wherefore he meanes to Prouince her to carie And there to place her in a monestarie 76 But as he thitherward with Isbell went And by the way deuoutly did her teach All things vnto religion pertinent And of the same most learnedly did preach Behold a Pagan fierce with soule intent This purpose and their iourney doth impeach As I shall shew more largely afterward Now back I must returne to Mandricard 77 Who hauing ended that same cruell fight In which the worthist Prince aliue was slaine Soone after by a shadie banke did light And turnd his horse a grazing on the plaine Dame Doralice in whom he tooke delight Alone with him in that place did remaine When looking sodainly by chance aside An armed knight come toward them she spide 78 She guest but yet she knew not by the view Who it might be vntill she spide her page That came with him then certainly she knew T was Rodomont full of reuenge and rage Wherefore vnto her knight she nearer drew And said my Lord mine honour I dare gage That yon is Rodomont mine ancient louer Who thinks by fight from you me to recouer 79 Looke how the Falcon in the aire doth mount When she espies a Bittor or a Herne So when this Prince espied Rodomount And by his hast his furie did discerne Like one that made of conquest full account He starteth vp with visage grim and sterne Straight armd and horst he is his foe to meete In hand the raynes in sterops are his feete 80 When as the tone the tother came so neare As each might harken what the tother sed Fierce Rodomont spake lowd as he might heare With threatning gesture both of hand and hed And sayd be sure I le make thee buy it deare That with a short vaine pleasure hast bene led To do to one so foule and open wrong That can and will it wreake on thee er long 81 The Tartar Prince that for him little cared Made answer thus in vaine you me do threat Poore boyes with words or women may be scared Not I that fight as willingly as eat Proue when you please I am not vnprepared At any time for any warlike feat On horse on foote in field or in the list I shal be readie trie me when you list 82 Thus words bred wrath and wrath engendred blowes And blowes encreast their sharpe auenging will Eu'n as the wind that first but calmely blowes But after more and more increasing still At last it trees and houses ouerthrowes And seas and lands with tempest it doth fill So cruell grew the fight them two betweene Whose match might hardly in the world be seene 83 Their hearts were stout so were their bodies strong Desire to win in both a like was great One doth maintain tother would venge his wrong And loue their furie equally doth whet In equall paise the fight endured long Nor each of tother any gaine could get But each of them so firmely kept his ground As if each inch thereof had cost a pound 84 Among an hundred blowes the Tartar smit Of which small hurt to Rodomont did rise Yet one at last so heauily did hit Vpon his helmet ouer both his eyes His senses all were so amazd with it He thought he saw more starres then are in skies And almost downe he was eu'n in her fight For whom he first began this cruell fight 85 But as a strong and iustly temperd bow Of Pymount steele the more you do it bend Vpon recoile doth giue the bigger blow And doth with greater force the quarrell send Eu'n so the Sarzan king that stoupt so low As highly to reuenge it doth intend And to acquite himselfe of this disgrace He striketh at the Tartar Princes face 86 So fierce he strake in this so furious mood An inch or little more aboue his fight That saue those armes of Hector were so good No doubt that blow had finisht all the fight But so astond therewith the Tartar stood He could not tell if it were noone or night And while in this amazment he abode The tother ceaseth not to lay on lode 87 The Tartars horse that saw the glittering blade That Rodomont about his head so tost Did start aside and with a
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
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
else with sword in hand him so behaue As that he can withstand me in the feeld Behold the onely fauour that I craue I would be his that proues himselfe so stout The rest may be content to stand without 68 Most noble maid the Emp'ror straight replide Thy stout demand well to thy minde doth sute Wherefore by me it may not be denyde It is so noble and so iust a sute Now for she sought not this her suit to hide All they that heard thereof sure were not mute But eu'n ere night it publisht was so rise As it was knowne to Ammon and his wife 69 And thereupon they presently conceaued Against their daughter great disdaine and wrath For by such motion plainly they perceaued She to Rogero most deuotion hath Wherefore to th' end she might be quite bereaued All hope to follow that forbidden path From out the court they traind her by a slight And sent her to their castle that same night 70 This was a fortresse that but few dayes past The Prince had giu'n to them vpon request Betweene Perpignan and Cirtasso plast And neare the sea not of importance least Here as a prisner they did keepe her fast With minde to send her one dâ—y vnto th' East They purpose will she nill she she must take Don Leon and Rogero quite forsake 71 The Damsell though not kept with watch or guard Yet bridled with the Parents awfull raine Did keepe her close with good and due regard And of their rigor did no whit complaine But yet to this her thoughts were full prepard To bide imprisonment or any paine Or death it selfe by torture or by racke More rather then from promise to go backe 72 Renaldo finding that his suttle fire Had tane his sister thus from out his fist Nor able as his promise did require Rogeros suit to further and assist Forgets he is his sonne and in his ire Rebukes his Parents but say what he list They are content to giue the words to loosers But in their daughters match they will be choosers 73 Rogero hearing this and greatly fearing Least Leon should by loue or by constraint Possesse his Lady by his long forbearing He minds but none he doth therewith acquaint To giue a speedie death to Leon swearing That he of Caesar will make him a saint And that he will except his hope deceiue him Of scepter life and loue and all bereaue him 74 And in his minde resolued full thereon Don Hectors armor that from Mandricard He late had wonne forwith he putteth on Frontino cake he secretly prepard But Eagle on his sheeld he would haue none I cannot tell you well in what regard In steed thereof an argent Vnicorne In field of Gewls by him as then was borne 75 One onely trustie seruant and no mo He takes with him his purpose to conceale He giueth him in charge where ere he go That he his name to no man do reueale Thus Mosa Rhyne he past with pace not slow And Austria to th'Vngarian common weale And vpon Isters banke such speed he made That in a while he came vnto Belgrade 76 Where Saua doth into Danubia fall And all along that streame he might discouer Ensignes and banners all Imperiall That nye the streame in numbers great did houer Great was their multitude and Grecians all Who with a hope that citie to recouer Which late before from them the Bulgars wonne Were thither brought by th' Emperor and his sonne 77 Twixt Belgrade and the streame in warlike rankes The Bulgars stood eu'n to the monntaines ridge Both armies waterd at the riuers bankes The Greekes endeuord there to cast a bridge And for that end prepared boats and plankes The Bulgars sought their purpose to abridge Scarse had Rogero vewd them wel and seene them But that there fell a skirmish hot betweene them 78 The Greeks were foure to one beside they haue Good store of boats with many a planke and boord And to the place a sharpe assault they gaue And mean to passe although there were no foord But this was but a policie and braue For Leon so this while himselfe besturd That with a compasse that about he fet Both he and his the streame past without let 79 With little lesse then twentie thousand men Along the banks he secretly doth ride And gaue to them a fresh alarum then Vnlooked for vnwares and vnespide No lesse the Emp'ror Constantino when He saw his sonne on land on tother side By ioyning planke to planke and boat to boat With all his powre an easie passage got 80 The Bulgar Captaine that Vatrano hight And was a valiant warrior and a wise Endeuord both by policie and fight To beare the bront but nothing could suffice For Leon both by multitude and might Vnhorsed him and ere he could arise Sith he to yeeld him prisner did disdaine Among a thousand swords he there was slaine 81 Till then the Bulgars valiantly made hed But when they saw their king and Captaine slaine So great a terror in their minds was bred In their faint hearts no courage did remaine Rogero seeing how the Bulgars fled And none to stay or bring them backe againe To helpe the weaker part resolueth briefly For hate of Constantine but Leon chiefly 82 He spurres his horse that like the winde doth runne And makes them stand that fled with fainting brest And hauing spide one brauer then the Sunne A gallant youth more forward then the rest This same was Constantinos sisters sonne At him Rogero runnes with speare in rest He brake his shield and coat like brittle glasse And through his bodie made the speare to passe 83 He leaues him dead and Ballisard he drawes And with that blade he shewd himselfe so stout Who meeteth with him to repent haue cause He presseth in among the thickest rout Ones skull he cleaueth to the verie iawes Heads leggs and armes flew all the field about The streame that erst did run as Christall cleare Vermillion now doth to the sight appeare 84 No man that saw much lesse that felt his blowes Dare once make head against them or resist them Rogero in the field triumphant goes The Bulgars now march freely where it list them Nor was there one amongst them all that knowes What wight it was that did so well assist them This change they saw procur'd in little space Who lately fled now held their foes in chase 85 The young Augustus standing on a hill A place aboue the rest much eminent Seeing one man his men to slay and kill And that their losse and flight was euident He wonders at his courage and his skill And thinks that God had sure some Angel sent To plague the Grecians for their old offences And for the Bulgars succours and defences 86 He sees both by his armes and Vnicorne That sure he was a knight of forraine Nation And where as some more hate wold him haue born He rather held him in more admiration His heart whom
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
And with his left hand takes the horses raine So as the Turke thereby no hurt hath done him The while he puts in vre his sword againe And with two thrusts he did the Pagan harme One in his thigh another in his arme 110 The Turke with whom a peece did yet remaine Of that same blade that was in peeces flowne Smote on Rogeros headpeece so againe As had wel-ny againe him ouerthrowne But good Rogero now perceiuing plaine His vantage that was erst to him vnknowne Takes him by his left arme with all his force And will he nill he puls him from his horse 111 Were it his strength or sleight I cannot tell But so he fell no ods was them betweene My meaning is that on his feete he fell For in the swords Rogeros odds was seene Rogero that did know his vantage well To keepe him now at bay his best doth weene It is not best for him he doth suppose With such a strong and big bon'd man to close 112 He further saw what store of blood he spilt So now he hopes by warily proceeding To force his foe to yeeld and leane the tilt Whose strength decaid stil more more with bleeding The Turke then takes the pomell and the hilt Of his owne sword and with force so exceeding Did hurle the same he smote the knight so sore He stund him more then eu'r he was before 113 It strake him twixt the shoulders aud the head And gaue to him a blow so firme and sound That good Rogero there with staggered And scant could keepe his feete vpon the ground The Turke to close with him then hast'ned But loe his foote did faile with former wound So that his too much hast as oft we see Did hurt and made him fall vpon his knee 114 Rogero lost no time in manfull wise To strike fierce Rodomont in brest or face And holds him short and so his force applies He laid him on the ground but in short space In spyte of him the Pagan doth arise And with small kindnes he doth him embrace And then they striue heaue shoue thrust to and fro And either seekes the tothers ouerthrow 115 Each striues with all his skill and his abilitie By force to lay the tother on the ground Now Rodomont was growne to some debilitie By meanes of more then one receiued wound Rogero had great practice and agilitie And vsdeto wrastle and he quickly found His vantage which he did not ouerslip But on his weakest side his foe doth trip 116 The Turke most full of wrath and of despight Vpon Rogeros necke tooke stedfast hold Now drawing toward him with all his might Now thrusting him backe from him all he could And by and by he heau'd him quite vpright As strong Antheus was in time of old Rogero notwithstanding sure doth stand And labord still to haue the vpper hand 117 Full ost the valiant knight his hold doth shift And with much prettie sleight the same did slippe In fine he doth applie one speciall drift Which was to get the Pagan on the hippe And hauing caught him right he doth him list By nymble sleight and in such wise doth trippe That downe he threw him and his fall was such His head-peece was the first that ground did tuch 118 The Turke with such an hard and heauie fall Was sore perplext and brused in such wise His wounds fell fresh on bleeding therewithall And make the place Vermillion where he lyes Rogero giues him respite verie small But keepe 's him downe and will not let him rise And presently presents his dagger point Vnto this throat and to his chiefest ioynt 119 As those that digge and search for golden ore Within Pannonian or Iberian hills Not vnderpropping sure the ground before Oft for a plague of their too greedie wills With sodaine ruine are surprisde so sore As to get forth againe doth passe their skills So was the Turke held downe and pressed so By braue Rogero his triumphant so 120 Who now his naked dagger did present Vnto the tothers vizer at his eye And with sharpe words he told him that he ment Except he yeeld to kill him by and by But Rodomont that rather then relent Or shew base mind a thousand deathes would dy No word doth speake but straue himselfe to sunder From him or if he could to get him vnder 121 Eu'n as a Mastiue fell whom Grewnd more fell Hath tyrde and in his throat now fastned hath His cruell fangs yet doth in vaine rebell Though vnder him and seekes to do some skath For still the Grewnd preuailes and doth excell In force of breath though not in rage and wrath So doth the cruell Pagan striue and straine To get from vnder him but all in vaine 122 But with long striuing and with wondrous paines He freed his better arme and void of aw His dagger that in his right hand remaines Which in this later bick'ring he did draw He seekes to stabbe into Rogeros raines But now the valiant youth the perill saw Then for his sasties sake he was constrained To kill the cruell Turke that grace disdained 123 And lifting his victorious hand on hie In that Turks face he stabd his dagger twise Vp to the hilts and quickly made him die And rid himselfe of trouble in a trise Downe to the lake where damned ghosts do lie Sunke his disdainful soule now cold as Ise Blaspheming as it went and cursing lowd That was on earth so lostie and so proud This last booke of Ariosto is so full of examples of courtesie as me thinke we should offer it great discourtesie if we should not â—ike out some good Morall from it to recommend to your considerations that haue perused and read ouer the booke the first and chiefest courtesie is in Leo that manageth the whole matter so well for Rogero knitting the consent of all parties like a well deuised Comedie then Marsisas kindnes is to be praised that would haue fought in defence of her brother honor Thirdly Ammon doth well to aske pardon of Rogero for his hard vsage then the Bulgars are to â—e allowed for their thank fulnes to make him king for his good seruice Further Charles the Emperor is to be extolled for 〈◊〉 Priâ—ely regard in honoring and feasting them so bountifully at the mariage Lastly Bradamant and the whole crew that would haue emerie one haue taken upon them Rogeros defence against Rodomont and Rogero not permitting it yet they disdained not to do him the seruice to helpe to arme him to put on his spurres to stay his horse to hold his â—â—rop in all which I doubt not but the noble minded readers will finde sufficient matter both to commend and to imitate without my further labouring to set forth the same Onely one note I may not omit yea though I were sure to be chidden by some of you faire Ladies for my labor namely the strong ambition of your sex which we call weake For you see