reu'rence this according to our vse Duke Leonell Lord generall doth it ow A famous man in time of warre and truce And nephew deare vnto the King my master Who gaue to him the Duke dorne of Lancaster 64 This banner that stands next vnto the kings With glittring shew that shakes the rest among And beares in azure field three argent wings To 〈◊〉 Earle of Warwicke doth belong This man the Duke of Glosters banner brings 〈◊〉 head except my guesse be wrong The sierbrand the Duke of Clarence is Thence the Duke of Yorke doth claime for his 65 The launce into three sundry peeces rent Belongs vnto the worthy Duke of Norfolke The lightning longs vnto the Earle of Kent The â—â—phin longs vnto the Earle of Pembroke The ballance eu'n by which iust doome is ment Belongs vnto the noble Duke of Suffolke The Dragon to the valiant Earle of Cumberland The garland is the braue Earls of Northumberland 66 The Earle of Arundell a ship halfe drownd The Marquesse Barkly giues an argent hill The gallant Earle of Essex hath the hound The bay tree Darby that doth flourish still The wheele hath Dorset euer running round The Earle of March his banner all doth fill With Caâ—dar trees the Duke of Somerset A broken chaire doth in his ensigne set 67 The Faulcon houering vpon her nest The Earle of Deu'nshire doth in banner beare And brings a sturdy crew from out the West The Earle of Oxenford doth giue the Beare The banner all with blacke and yellow drest Belongs vnto the Earle of Winchester He that the cristall crosse in banner hath Is sent from the rich Bishop of the Bath 68 The archers on horse with other armed men Are two and fortie thousand more or lesse The other â—ootmens number doubles them Or wants thereof but little as I guesse The banners shew their captains noble stem A crosse a wreath an azure bat a fesse 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 Edward bold and Harry Vnder their guide the footmen all do carry 69 The Duke of Buckingham that first appeares The next to him the Earle of Salibury Burgaâ— next a man well stricke in yeares And Edward next the Earle of Shrewsbury Now 〈◊〉 about and to the Scottish peares Braue men and well appointed you shall see Where 〈◊〉 sonne vnto the Scottish king Vnto the field doth thirtie thousand bring 70 All chosen men from many a shire and towne All ready to resist assaile inuade Their standerd is the beast of most renowne That in his paw doth hold a glittring blade This is the heire apparant to the crowne This is the goodly impe whom nature made To shew her chiefest workmanship and skill And aâ—ter brake the mould against her will 71 The Earle of Otton commeth after him That in his banner beares the golden barre The spotted Leopard that looks so grim That is the ensigne of the Duke of Marre Not far from him there commeth Alcubrin A man of mightie strength and fierce in warre No Duke nor Earle nor Marquesse as men say But of the sauages he beares the sway 72 The Duke of Trafford beares in ensigne bright The bird whose yong ones stare in Phoebus face Lurcanio Lord of Angus valiant knight Doth giue a Bull whom two dogs hold in chase The Duke of Albanie giue blue and white Since he obtained faire Geneuras grace Earle Bohune in his stately banner beares A Vulture that with clawes a Dragon teares 73 Their horsemen are with iacks for most part clad Their horses are both swift of course and strong They run on horseback with a slender gad And like aspeare but that it is more long Their people are of warre then peace more glad More apt to offer then to suffer wrong These are the succors out of Scotland sent That with the noble Prince Zerbino went 74 Then come the Irish men of valiant harts And actiue limbs in personages tall They naked vse to go in many parts But with a mantle yet they couer all Short swords they vse to carry and long darts To fight both neare and farre aloofe withall And of these bands the Lords and leaders are The noble Earles of Ormond and Kildare 75 Some sixteene thousand men or thereabout Out of the Irish I le at this time went Beside the other Ilands thereabout Sweueland and Island other succors sent To good king Charles for why they stood in doubt If he were conquerd they should all repent And still their numbers daily did increase Of those that better like of warre then peace 76 Now while Rogero learnes the armes and name Of euery Brittish Lord behold a rout Of citizens and folke of all sorts came Some with delight and some with dread and doubt To see a beast so strange so strong so tame And wondring much they compast him about They thought it was a strange and monstrous thing To see a horse that had a Grissons wing 77 Wherefore to make the people maruell more And as it were to sport himselfe and play He spurd his beast who straight aloft did soare And bare his master Westward quite away And straight he was beyond our English shore And meanes to passe the Irish seas that day Saint George his channell in a little while He past and after saw the Irish I le 78 Where men do tell strange tales that long ago Saint Patricke built a solitary caue Into the which they that deuoutly go By purging of their sinnes their soules may saue Now whether this report be true or no I not affirme and yet I not depraue But crossing from hence to Island ward he found Angelica vnto the rocke fast bound 79 Both nakt and bound at this same I le of wo For I le of wo it may be iustly called Where peerlesse peeces are abused so By monster vile to be deuourd and thralled Where pyrats still by land and sea do go Assaulting forts that are but weakly walled And whom they take by flattry or by force They giue a monster quite without remorce 80 I did declare not many books before If you the same in memory do keepe How certaine pyrats tooke her at a shore Where that chast hermit lay by her asleepe And how at last for want of other store Although their hearts did melt and eyes did weepe Mou'd with a helplesse and a vaine compassion Perforce they bound her on this wofull fashion 81 And thus the caitiues left her all forlorne With nothing but the rocks and seas in sight As naked as of nature she was borne And void of succor and all comfort quite No vaile of lawne as then by her was worne To shade the damask rose and lillies white Whose colours were so mixt in euery member Like fragrant both in Iuly and December 82 Rogero at the first had surely thought She was some image made of alla blaster Or of white marble curiously wrought To shew the skilfull hand of some great master But vewing nearer he was quickly taught She had some parts
Akorns rich of gold So didst thou breake the â—â— yellow staffe and red So didst thou then the Flowre de luce vphold When as the captaine was in battel dead For which the Laurell crowne they ware of old By iust desert belongeth to thy head And Ciuill crowne no lesse in honor precious For sauing vnto Rome her owne Fabricius 5 Colonna nam'd a collum true indeed Vnto the state of Rome and Romane name Whom you by value tooke and sau'd by meed By which more honor true and worthy fame Vnto your selfe you did procure and breed Then in the ouercomming all that came Fom Aragon from Castill and Nauar For all their speares and new deuised car 6 Now though we all our liues and safeties ow To you that this great conquest did atchieue Yet our side did receiue so great a blow As scarce that ioy this sorrow did relieue And that the dames of France most plainly show Whom this so bloudie triumph still doth grieue Witnesse their widdows in their mourning gownes And watry eyes in villages and townes 7 King Lews of France had need in time prepare For captains new to these vnruly bands That wickedly without all feare or care Of lawes of God of nature or of lands No sort nor sex nor age nor order spare From force of their vnchast and bloudie hands Christs bodie in the sacrament they tare it To beare away the siluer plate that bare it 8 Wretched Rauenna better had it beene That thou the French shouldst not at all resist Thou mightst by Bresey haue bene warnd I weene Now thou a warning art for such as list To shun like losse by thy mishaps foreseene Not stubburnly in folly to persist So Riminy and Faens were preserued By marking in what sort thou hadst bene serued 9 As now king Lews I say had need to send New captains to supply their roomes were dead So then the Pagan Princes did intend To see their men from sundry countries led And all disorders and defects to mend To point them captains that do lacke a head First then Marsilio all his souldiers veweth And Agramant next after him enseweth 10 The chiefe of those are of Marsilios traine Are first the Catalins men of great land And of the best and noblest blood of Spaine The next that do to them in order stand Are of Nauar whose King was lately slaine At Burdels by Renaldos valiant hand Marsilio sore laments the sory case And pointeth Isolir supply his place 11 Bulligant gouerneth those of Lion Grandomus for thâ— Algarbys doth prouide Marsilios brother called Falsiron Doth those of lesser Castile rule and guide Those of Mallaga do attend vpon Madrasso so doth Ciuill all beside There where as Beus water so abounds As all about it makes them fruitfull grounds 12 Tâ—ssora Bariâ—end and Stordilan Vnto the field do bring their forces in Granado this Maiâ—rick he hath rane The first to rule in Lisbon doth begin Where Larbin late was brought vnto his bane Tessyra vnto Larbin next of kin Those of Gallicia Serpentine doth guide Since valiant Maricold in battell dide 13 Those of Toledo and of Calatraue Whom Synagon did leade not long ago Now Matalist their gouernment must haue Because that he was slaine by Christen so Then Pisardin a man in battell braue With all the band of Salamance doth go With many other souldiers of Pagenza Of Auila Zamorra and Palenza 14 Those of the court and of Marsilios traine With those of Saragose Ferraw doth guide The chiefest flowre and the chiefe host of Spaine Well armd well horst well furnished beside With whom two kings that late had lost their raine Morgant and Malsatise did there abide And in the state of priuate men remained And were by him most friendly entertained 15 The name of many a Duke and Lord and Knight For breuitie I purpose to omit Such as were stout and hardie men in fight Such as were wise and politike in wit With th' Earle of Sagunt Archidant that hight Langiran Ammirant and Malagit There was great Fulliron Marsilios bastard That in that fight did shew himselfe no dastard 16 After the Spanish hoast was viewd and past Before king Agramant the next that came Was one that all the rest in stature past The gouernor and king of great Orane Then came a band whose leader small time past At Burdels field was brought vnto his bane Lamenting that the king of Garamant Was conquerd by the Ladie Bradamant 17 Then came the third and that a headlesse crew Whose captaine Argust was in battell slaine To this the second and the fourth a new King Agramant doth leaders fresh ordaine But few there were that for these roomes did sew So few sufficient men there did remaine Buraldo and Argonio for the best And Ormida he chose among the rest 18 Then came Brunello with a chearlesse face And looke for shame still fixed on the ground For late he fell in Agramants disgrace Who doubted that his faith had not bene sound Ere since he went vnto th'inchanted place Where to a tree dame Bradamant him bound Because he lost his ring whose losse so greeued him That though he told him true he not beleeued him 19 But Isolir the brother of Ferraw That was the first that found him and vntide him Auoucht to Agramant the thing he saw How there by force some enemie had tide him So as the King his anger did withdraw Although he neuer after well could bide him But swore the next offence that he committed An halter should vnto his necke be fitted 20 With those of Esperie came Soridano And Dâ—ribon did come with those of set With those of Nasomanie Prusiano King Agricalt Amonios charge did get Malabusers came with them of Fisano The rest doth Pinadure in order set Ballastro those that followd erst Tardocco Those of Canaria and of Morocco 21 From Mulga and Arsilla others came The first their former captaine still doth hold Vnto the next the King a new doth name One Corineus a trustie man and bold Then Baliuesse a man of euill fame Clarindo next of whom great deeds arâ— old Sobrino next a man of elder age In all the campe was none more wise and sage 22 Those of Getulia came with Rimedont With Maribaldo those of Bolga went And those of Cosâ—a came with Balnifront Their former Lord his life in battell spent Then came the king of Algier Rodomont That lately into Turkie had bene sent To bring some new supplies of horse and men And backe againe was new returnd as then 23 In all the campe was not a man more stout In all the campe was not a man more strong Nor one of whom the French stood more in doubt Was there the Turkish armie all among In Agramants nor in Marsilios rout Nor all the followers did to them belong Beside he was which made them dred him chiefe The greatest enemie to our beliefe 24
Bradamant I bend my time Who with her fall was yet of heauie cheare And had bene taught a gamball for the nonce To giue her death and buriall at once 7 Now when she came vnto her selfe againe And had recouerd memorie and sence She gets her on her feete although with paine In mind to seeke some way to get fro thence When loe before her face she seeth plaine A stately portall built with great expence And next behind the same she might descrie A larger roome and fairer to the eye 8 This was a church most solemne and deuout That stands on marble pillars small and round And raisd by art on arches all about That made ech voyce to yeeld a double sound A lightsome lampe that neuer goeth out Did burne on altar standing in the ground That though the rooms were large wide in space The lampe did serue to lighten all the place 9 The noble damsell full of reu'rent feare When as her selfe in sacred place she sees As one that still a godly minde did beare Begins to pray to him vpon her knees Whose holy side was perst with cruell speare And who to saue our liues his owne did leese And while she stayes deuoutly at her prayre The sage Melissa doth to her repaire 10 Her gowne vngyrt her haire about her hed Much like a priest or prophetesse arraid And in her booke a little while she red And after thus vnto the damsell said O thou by Gods appointment hither led O Bradamant most wise and worthy maid I long haue looked here for this thy comming Foretold thereof by prophet Merlines cunning 11 Here is the tombe that Merline erst did make By force of secret skill and hidden art In which sometimes the Ladie of the lake That with her beautie had bewitcht his hart Did make him enter fondly for her sake From whence he neuer after could depart And he was by a woman ouer reached That vnto others prophesied and preached 12 His carkas dead within this stone is bound But with dead corse the liuing soule doth dwell And shall vntill it here the trumpet sound That brings reward of doing ill or well His voyce doth liue and answer and expound And things both present past and future tell Resoluing men of eu'rie doubtfull case That for his counsell come vnto this place 13 About a month or little more or lesse It is since I repaird to Merlins graue Of him about the studie I professe Some precepts and instructions to haue And for I willing was I must confesse To meete you at your comming to this caueâ— For which he did prefixe this certaine day This moued me of purpose here to stay 14 Duke Ammons daughter silent stands and still The while the wise Melyssa to her spake Astonished at this vnusuall skill And doubting if she were a sleepe or wake A modest shame with grace her eyes doth fill With which downe cast this answer she doth make Alas what good or merite is in me That prophets should my comming so foresee 15 And glad of this aduenture vnexpected She followeth her guide with great delight And straight she saw the stately toombe erected Of marble pure that held his bones and sprite And that which one would little haue suspected The verie marble was so cleare and bright That though the sunne no light vnto it gaue The toombe it selfe did lighten all the caue 16 For whether be the nature of some stone A darke some place with lightsomnes to fill Or were it done by magike art alone Or else by helpe of Mathematike skill To make transparencies to meete in one And so conuey the sunne beames where you will But sure it was most curious to behold Set forth with carued workes and guilt with gold 17 Now when the damsell was approched nyre To this strange toombe where Merlins bones were plast Forth of the stones that shine like flaming fire His liuely voyce such speeches out doth cast Let fortune euer fauour thy desire O Bradamant thou noble maid and chast From out whose wombe an issue shall proceed That all the world in glorie shall exceed 18 The noble blood that came of ancient Troy By two cleare springs in thee togither mixt Shall breed the flowre the iewell and the ioy Of all on whom the sunne his beames hath fixt Twixt those that heat and those that cold annoy From Tage to Inde Danub and Nile betwixt Emp'rors and kings and dukes and lords for ay Of this thy linage carrie shall the sway 19 And many a Captaine braue and worthy Knight Shall issue from this stocke that shall restore By warlike feates the glorie shining bright That Italy possessed heretofore And magistrates to maintaine peace and right As Numa and Augustus did before To cherish vertue vice so to asswage As shall to vs bring backe the golden age 20 Wherefore sith God hath by predestination Appointed thee to be Rogeros wife And means to blesse thine heirs and generation With all the graces granted in this life Persist thou firme in thy determination And stoutly ouercome each storme of strife And worke his worthy punishment and paine That doth thy liues delight from thee detaine 21 This said the prophet Merline holds his peace And giues Melissa time to worke her will Who when she did perceiue the voice to cease She purposeth by practise of her skill To shew the damsell part of that increase That should with fame the world hereafter fill And for this end she calls a great assemble Ofsprights that might their persons all resemble 22 Who straight by words of secret vertue bound In numbers great vnto the caue repaire Of whence I know not whether vnder ground Or else of those that wander in the aire Then thrise she drawes about a circle round And thrise she hallowes it with secret praire Then opens she a triple clasped booke And softly whispering in it she doth looke 23 This done she takes the damsell by the hand Exhorting her she should not be afraid And in a circle causeth her to stand And for her more securitie and aid And as it were for more assured band Vpon her head some characters she laid Then hauing done her due and solemne rites She doth beginne to call vpon the sprites 24 Behold a crew of them come rushing in In sundrie shapes with persons great and tall And now they filled all the roome within So readily they came vnto her call When Bradamant to feare did straight begin Her heart was cold her colour waxed pall But yet the circle kept her like a wall So that she needed not to feare at all 25 Howbeit Melyssa caused them be gone From thence vnto the next adioyning caue And thence to come before them one by one The better notice of their names to haue That at more leysure they may talke thereon When as occasion so may seeme to craue Although quoth she this short time cannot serue To speake of eu'rie
So Griffin did with deadly strokes him plie At last he left him stom'd on the plaine Straightway two valiant brothers standing by That at Griffino tooke no small disdaine The tone Corimbo tother Tirse hight These two forthwith do challenge him to fight 69 Successiuely them both he ouerthrew And now men thought that he the prise would win But Salintern that saw them downe in vew To enuie good Griffino doth begin This man the stoutst of all the courtly crew Doth take a speare in hand and enters in And to the combat Griffin straight defies And scornes to haue a stranger win the prize 70 But Griffin chose one staffe among the rest The biggest and the strongest of a score And with the same he pierceth backe and brest That downe he fell and neuer stirred more The King that loued and esteemd him best Laments his death and maketh mone therefore But yet the common sort were faine and glad That knew his mind and manners were but bad 71 Next after him two others he doth meat Ermofilo the captaine of his guard And Carmond Admirall of all his fleet With these a while he had a conflict hard The first vnhorst was left vpon his feet The other with a blow was almost mard Thus of eight challengers remaind but one The rest were quite subdude by him alone 72 This one was he of whom at first I spake Lord of Seleucia a valiant man This one to Griffin did resistance make And long it was ere ought of him he wan But one blow on his head so fierce he strake As he likewise to stagger now began Had not the King made them to haue bene parted Sure Griffin had him kild ere he had parted 73 Thus all those eight that all the world defide By one alone were vanquished and slaine So as the King was forced to prouide An order new for those that do remaine By parting runners some on either side For yet was spent not past an houre or twaine Lest this his triumph should haue end too soone He makes them spend therein the afternoone 74 But Griffin full of wrath and discontent Backe to his host with his companion came The praise he wan did him not so content As he was grieu'd at his companions shame Wherefore to leaue the towne they do consent While men were busie looking on the game And to a little towne fast by he goes And meanes himselfe a while for to repose 75 The trauell sore he had before endured So great a wearinesse in him had bred And such desire of sleepe withall procured As straight he gat him to his naked bed The while Martano to all fraud inured And vsing aid of her mischieuous head as he did soundly sleepe deuisd the while A stratageme most strange him to beguise 76 They do conclude to take Griffinos steed And cote and eu'ry warlike implement And that Martano in Griffinos steed Himselfe to Norandino shall present This they deuisd this they performd in deed And boldly backe againe Martano went In Griffins armor stoutly stepping in As did the Asse that ware the Lions skin 77 He rusheth in among the thickest presse An houre before the setting of the sunne The King and all the rest straightway do guesse That this was he that had such honor wonne And straight great honour they to him addresse And cause the like by others to be done And his base name not worthy to be named About the towne with honor was proclamed 78 Fast by the King he rideth cheeke by cheeke And in his praise they songs and verses make In Hebrew tongue in Latin and in Greeke And now this while did Griffin hap to wake And seeing that his armour was to seeke He first begins some small mistrust to take Yet hardly could it sinke into his reason That she had giu'n consent to such a treason 79 In feare and doubt no little time he houered But when his host the truth had plaine declard And that he saw the falshood plaine disouered By which she had in follies bands him snard Thē truth shewd plain that loue before had couered And to reuenge this wrong he straight prepard But wanting other furniture perforce He tooke Martanos armor and his horse 80 And backe vnto Damasco he doth ride Arriuing there within an houre of night And entring at the gate vpon the side The pallace of the King stood plaine in sight Where then the King a banket did prouide For many a Duke and Lord and valiant Knight And Griffin boldly sate among the rest Forgetting that he ware the scorned crest 81 And taken for the man whose coate he ware His presence did the better sort offend Of which when vile Martano was aware That of the table sate at th'vpper end And sees that to disgrace him they forbare And thinke him his companion and his frend His friendship and acquaintance he renounced And this hard doom of him he straight pronounced 82 Sir King quoth he it seems that for my sake You graciously forbeare to do him shame That of his basenesse shamefull proofe did make This day and now againe confirmes the same But you the matter and the man mistake I know not him his nation nor his name By chance I met him onely on the way I neuer saw him I till yesterday 83 Wherefore might I herein your grace aduise You should a sample make him for the rest That here presents vnto your princely eies Himselfe vnworthy and vnwelcome guest Let him tormented be in cruell wise This is my doome let him be hangd at least And vnreuenged let him not be borne That knighthood should receiue so great a scorne 84 Thus much the vile and base Martano seth And Origilla soothd it with as much And wisht an halter stop the villains breth Nay quoth the King the sinne is nothing such As is in law or reason worthy death His life or yet his libertie to tuch This for examples sake I thinke it meet To do him some disgrace in open street 85 And straight he rounds a Sergeant in his care And secretly appoints him what to do Who came forthwith vnto the table where Griffino sate and made no more ado But leadeth him that no such thing did feare A secret prison and a sure vnto And for that night he clapt him vp in fetters Where theeues do vse to lie and euill debters 86 Next day Martano that did greatly dread Lest this his foule deuice would come to light If Griffin should be heard his cause to pleade Therefore as soone as Phoebus shined bright Pretending businesse away he sped And leaues Griffino in this wofull plight But ere he goes the King to him imparts No small rewards for his not his desarts 87 But let him go his wayes and do not doubt That this vnknowne and vnreuengd shall be Straight was Griffino from the iayle put out And carted so as all men might him see Tide hand and foot and people all
sauage monster to obey his will And though by comurations strange he wrought In other things his fancie to fulfill As cunning men sultrie each strange conclusion Yet in this Griffeth horse was one collusion 15 The Ladie faire protected by the ring Found all his sleights although she seemd not so Her purpose to the better passe to bring And first she seemes to ward a comming blow And then to strike and oft to curse the wing That carride still away her flying so And sith to fight on horsebacke did not boote She seemes as in a rage to light on foote 16 The Necromancer as his manner is Disclosed at the last his shining shield Supposing that the vertue would not misse To make her as it had done others yeeld So haue I seene a craftie cat ere this Play with a silly mouse oâ— house or field And let it go a while for sport and play But kill at last and beare it quite away 17 I say that he the cat the other mise Resembled had in euery former fight But now this ring had made this one so wise That when she saw the strange enchanted light She falleth not of force but of deurie As though she were astoned at the sight And lay like one of life and sense bereaued By which the poore Magician was deceaued 18 For straight he lighted from the flying horse To take her as he had done many mo The shield and booke in which was all his force He left behind him at his saddle bow But thinking to haue found a senslesse corse Amazd and dead he finds it nothing so For vp the starts so quite the case was altred That with the cord he brought himselfe was haltred 19 And when with those selfe bonds she had him tide By which he thought before her to haue snared She strong and yong he witherd old and dride Alas an vnmeet match to be compared Forthwith determining he should haue dide To strike his head from shoulders she prepared Till she was mou'd to mercie with his teares And with the sight of white and hoaty haires 20 For when he saw his force was ouerlaid And that her strength was not to be withstood O pardon life thou heauenly wight he said No honour comes by spilling aged blood Which words to mercie mou'd the noble maid Whose mind was alwayes merciful and good Then why he built the castle she demanded And what he was to tell her him commanded 21 With wosull words the old man thus replide I made this castle for no ill intention For couetice or any sault beside Or that I loued rapine or contention But to preuent a danger shall betide A gentle knight I framed this inuention Who as the heauens hath shewd me in short season Shall die in Christian state by silthy treason 22 Rogero named is this worthy youth Whose good and safetie saine I would aduance My name Atlante is to tell you truth I bred him of a child till his hard chance And valiant mind that breeds alas my ruth With Agramant entist him into France And I that like mine owne child alway lou'd him From France and danger saine would haue remou'd him 23 By art and helpe of many a hellish else This castle for Rogero I did build And tooke him as I meant to take thy selfe But that with greater art I was beguild From daintie fare and other worldly pelse Because he should not thinke himselfe exild For company I brought him worthy wights Both men and women Ladies faire and Knights 24 They haue all plentie of desired pleasure I bend to their contentment all my care For them I spend my trauell and my treasure For musicke clothes and games and daintiesare As hart can think and mouth require with measure Great store for them within this castle are Well had I traueld well my time bestowed But you haue mard the fruits that I had sowed 25 But if your mind be gracious as your looke If stonie heart bide not in tender brest Behold I offer thee my shield and booke And flying horse and grant my iust request Some two or three or all the Knights I tooke I giue thee free let but Rogero rest Whose health whose wealth whose sasty and welfare Haue euer bene and euer shall my care 26 Your care quoth she is very ill bestowne In thraldome vile to keepe a worthy wiglit As for your gifts you offer but mine owne Sith by my conquest you are mine in right Those dangers great you say to be foreshowne And vpon him in time to come must light With figures cast and heauenly planets vewed Cannot be knowne or cannot be eschewed 27 How can you others harmes foresee so farre And not preuent your owne that were so nie I certaine shall suppose your art doth arre And for the rest the end the truth shall trie I now intend your matter all to marre And that before these bonds I will vntie You shall set free and loose your prisners all Whom in this castle you detained thrall 28 When as the poore old man was so distrest That needs he must for feare and dread obay And that this same imperious dames behest Could neither beare deniall nor delay To do as she commands he deemes it best And therefore takes th'inchanted place away He breaks some hollow suming pots of stone And straight the wais and buildings all were gone 29 This done himselfe eke vanisht out of sight As did the castle at that present hower Then Ladies Lords and many a worthy knight Were straight releast from his enchanted power And some there were had taken such delight In those so stately lodgings of that tower That they esteemd that libertie a paine And wisht that pleasant slauery againe 30 Here were at freedome set among the rest Gradasso Sacrapant two kings of name Prasyldo and Iroldo that from th'Est Into this country with Renaldo came Here Bradamant found him she loued best Her deare Rogero of renowned same Who after certaine notice of her had Did shew to see her he was very glad 31 As one of whom he great account did make And thought himselfe to her most highly bound Since stie put off her helmet for his sake And in her head receiu'd a grieuous wound T were long to tell what toile they both did take Both night and day each other to haue found But till this present time they had no meeting Nor giu'n by word nor writing any greeting 32 Now when before him present he beheld Her that from danger had him sole redeemed His heart with so great ioy and mirth was fild The happiest wight on earth himselfe he deemed And cristall teares from her faire eyes distild Embracing him whom she most deare esteemed As oft we see a strong and sodaine passion Bring forth effects quite of another fashion 33 The Griffeth horse the while vpon the plaine Stood with the target at his saddle bow The damsell thought to take him
saith he be contented to lay their so delicate and daintily preserued morsels in such lothsome dishes to be daily smackt slauered binding themselues to suffer such a penance God knowes how long only to satisfie those humors of coueteousnesse and pride staruing to their griefe the third humour if they be so vertuous that is by some thought the predominant humor in that sex and many times dwels vnder the same roofe with the other two Yet surely I could rather commend his curtesan that he writes of in his Decameron who hauing bargained with a Dutchman one M. Bruffaldo for seuen dayes boord and lodging at a great rate hauing found him for one or two nights to be but an vnsauorie bed fellow she chose rather to leese those two nights hire then to endure fiue more at so painful a price But I doubt I grow too tedious while I shoot out such blots out of a Boccas Now to go forward in the morall You may note in Polynesso an enuious and trecherous mind in Ariodant the hurt of a credulous ielousie in Lurcanio the vehemencie of a wrong surmise In Polynessos intent to kill Dalinda you may obserue how wicked men often bewray their owne misdeeds with seeking to hide them In Geneuras accusation and deliuerie how God euer defends the innocent And lastly in Polynessos death how wickednesse ruines it seife For the historie of this booke either the whole is a historie or there is no matter historicall in it to be stood on Allegorie there is none in this booke at all Allusion there is in this tale of Geneura vnto a storie writteÌ„ in Alciats duello of a matron in France accused in such sort by two men and a certaine souldier of Barcellona came with a companion of his and tooke vpon them the defence of the woman and being fighting the companion of the souldier fled not withstanding he of Barcellona with his courage and vertue gat the victorie of the other two and so in strange attire went home to his country vnknowne to which Ariodant seems to allude Some others affirme that this very matter though set downe here by other names happened in Fâ—rrara to a kinsewoman of the Dukes which is here figured vnder the name of Geneura and that indeed such a practise was vsed against her by a great Lord and discouered by a damsell as is here set downe Howsoeuer it was sure the tale is a prettie comicall matter and ha â—bene written in English verse some few years past learnedly and with good grace though in â—erse of another kind by M. George Turberuil The rocke from which Ariodant leapt into the sea aliudeth to to the rocke of Lewcade where men that were mad for loue leapt into the water and washed away 〈◊〉 they thought that fancie Strabo calleth it faltus amatorius THE SIXT BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Geneurafaire to Ariodant is giuen And he a Duke is made that verie day Rogero with the Griffeth horse is driuen Unto Alcynas ile and there doth stay Amirtle in the middle strangly riuen Alcinas frauds doth unto him bewray Of which enformd he thence would haue departed But by the way he finds his purpose thwarted 1 Most wretched he that thinks by doing ill His euill deedes long to conceale and hide For though the voice and tongues of men be still By foules or beasts his sin shal be discride And God oft worketh by his secret will That sinne it selfe the sinner so doth guide That of his owne accord without request He makes his wicked doings manifest 2 The gracelesse wight Duke Polinesso thought His former fault should sure haue bin concealed If that Dalinda vnto death were brought By whom alone the same could be reuealed Thus making worse the thing before was nought He hurt the wound which time perhaps had healed And weening with more sinne the lesse to mend He hastned on his well deserued end 3 And lost at once his life his state and frends And honour to a losse as great or more Now as I sayd that vnknowne knight entends Sith euerie one to know him sought so sore And sith the king did promise large amends To shew his face which they saw oft before And Ariodant most louely did appeare Whom they thought dead as you before did heare 4 He whom Geneura wofully did waile He whom Lurcanio deemed to be dead He whom the king and court did so bewaile He that to all the realme such care had bred Doth liue the clownes report in this did faile On which false ground the rumor false was spred And yet in this the peasant did not mocke He saw him leape downe headlong from the rock 5 But as we see men oft with rash intent Are desperate and do resolue to die And straight do change that fancie and repent When vnto death they do approch more nie So Ariodant to drowne himselfe that ment Now plung'd in sea repented by and by And being of his limbes able and strong Vnto the shore he swam againe erre long 6 And much dispraising in his inward thought This fond conceit that late his minde poslest At last a blind and narrow path him brought All tyrd and wet to be an hermits guest With whom to stay in secretsort he sought Both that he might his former griefe digest And learne the truth if this same clownes report Were by Geneura tane in griefe or sport 7 There first he heard how she conceiu'd such griefeâ— As almost brought her life to wofull end He found of her they had so good beleefe They thought she would not in such sort offend He further heard except she had releefe By one that would her innocence defend It was great doubt Lurcanios acculation Would bring her to a speedie condemnation 8 And looke how loue before his heart enraged So now did wrath enflame and though he knew wel To wreake his harme his brothers life was gaged He nathles thought his act so foule and cruell That this his anger could not be asâ—waged Vnto his flame loue found such store of fewel And this the more increast his wrath begun To heare how euâ—rie one the fight did shun 9 For why Lurcanio was so stout and wise Except it were for to defend the truth Men thought he would not so the king despise And hazard life to bring Geneuras ruth Which caused euerie one his friend aduise To shunne the fight that must maintaine vntruth But Ariodant after long disputation Meanes to withstand his brothers accusation 10 Alas quoth he Ineuer shall abide Her through my cause to die in wo and paine For danger or for death what eare betide Be she once dead my life cannot remaine She is my saint in her my blisse doth bide Her golden rayes my eies light still maintaine Fall backe fall edge and be it wrong or right In her defence I am resolu'd to fight 11 I take the wrong but yet I le take the wrong And die I shall
yet if I die I care not But then alas by law she dies er long O cruell lawes so sweete a wight that spare not Yet this small ioy I finde these griefes among That Polinesso to defend her dare not And she shall finde how little she was loued Of him that to defend her neuer moued 12 And she shall see me dead there for her sake To whom so great a damage the hath done And of my brother iust reuengement take I shall by whom this strife was first begun For there at least my death plaine proof shall make That he this while a foolish thred hath spun He thinketh to auenge his brothers ill The while himselfe his brother there shall kill 13 And thus resolued he gets him armour new New horse and all things new that needfull bâ—ene All clad in blacke a sad and mournfull hew And crost with wreath of yellow and of greene A stranger bare his sheeld that neither knew His masters name nor him before had seene And thus as I before rehearst disguised He met his brother as he had deuised 14 I told you what successe the matter had How Ariodant himselfe did then discouer For whom the king himselfe was euen as glad As late before his daughter to recouer And since he thought in ioyfull times and sad No man could shew himselfe a truer louer Then he that after so great wrong intended Against his brother her to haue defended 15 Both louing him by his owne inclination And praid thereto by many a Lord and knight And chiefly by Renaldos instigation He gaue to Ariodant Geneura bright Now by the Dukes atteint and condemnation Albania came to be the kings in right Which dutchie falling in so luckie houre Was giuen vnto the damsell for her dowrâ— 16 Renaldo for Dalindas pardon praide Who for her error did so sore repent That straight she vowd with honest mind and staid To liue her life in prayre and penitent Away she packt nor further time delaid In Datia to a nunrie there she went But to Rogero now I must repaire That all this while did gallop in the aire 17 Who though he were of mind and courage stout And would not easly feare or be dismaid Yet doubtlesse now his minde was full of doubt His hart was now appald and sore afraid Farre from Europa he had trauaild out And yet his flying horse could not be staid But past the pillars xij score leagues and more Pitcht there by Hercles many yeares before 18 This Griffeth horse a birde most huge and rare Doth pierce the â—kie with so great force of wing That with that noble birde he may compare Whom Poets faine Ioues lightning downe to bring To whom all other birds inferior are Because they take the Eagle for their king Scarse seemeth from the clouds to go so swift The thunderboltsent by the lightnings drift 19 When long this monster strange had kept his race Straight as a line bending to neither side He spide an Iland distant little space To which he bends in purpose there to bide Much like insemblance was it to the place Where Arethusa vsd her selfe to hide And seekes so long her loue to haue beguild â— Till at the last she found her selfe with child 20 A fairer place they saw not all the while That they had trauild in the aire aloft In all the world was not a fairer ile If all the world to finde the same were sought Here hauing trauaild many a hundred mile Rogero by his bird to rest was brought In pastures greene and hils with coole fresh aire Cleere riuers shadie banks and meddowes faire 21 Heere diuers groues there were of daintie shade Of Palme or Orenge trees of Cedars tall Of sundrie fruites and flowres that neuer fade The shew was faire the plentie was not small And arbours in the thickest places made Where little light and heat came not at all Where Nightingales did straine their little throtes Recording still their sweete and pleasant notes 22 Amid the lilly white and fragrant rose Preseru'd still fresh by warme and temprate aire The fearfull hare and cunnie carelesse goes The stag with stately head and bodie faire Doth feed secure not fearing any foes That to his damage hither may repaire The Bucke and Doe doth feed amid the fields As in great store the pleasant forrest yeelds 23 It needlesse was to bid Rogero light When as his horse approched nigh the ground He cast himselfe out of his saddle quight And on his feet he falleth safe and sound And holds the horses raines left else he might Flic quite away and not againe be found And to a mirtle by the water side Betweene two other trees his beast he tide 24 And finding thereabout a little brooke That neare vnto a shadie mountaine stands His helmet from his head forthwith he tooke His shield from arme his gantlet from his hands And from the higher places he doth looke Full oft to sea full oft to fruitfull lands And seekes the coole and pleasant aire to take That doth among the leaues a murmure make 25 Oft with the water of that cristall well He seekes to quench his thirst and swage his heate With which his veines enflam'd did rise and swell And caâ—â—d his other parts to fry in sweate Well may it seeme a maruell that I tell Yet will I once againe the same repeate He traueld had aboue three thousand mile And not put off his armour all the while 26 Behold his horse he lately tied there Among the boughs in shadie place to bide Straue to go loose and started backe for feare And puls the tree to which the raines were tide In which as by the sequell shall appeare A humane soule it selfe did strangely hide With all his strength the steed stâ—ues to be loosed By force whereof the mirtle sore was broosed 27 And as an arme of tree from bodie rent By peasants strength with many a sturdie stroke When in the fire the moisture all is spent The emptie places fild with aire and smoke Do boile and striue and find at last a vent When of the brand a shiuer out is broke So did the tree striue bend writhe wring and breake Till at a little hole it thus did speake 28 Right curteous knight for so I may you deeme And must you call not knowing other name Iâ— so you are as gracious as you seeme Then let your friendly deed confirme the same Vnloose this monster sent as I esteeme To adde some farther torment to my shame Alas mine inward griefes were such before By outward plagues they need be made no more 29 Rogero mazed looked round about If any man or woman he might see At last he was resolued of his doubt He found the voice was of the mirtle tree With which abasht though he were wise and stout He said I humbly pray thee pardon me Whether thou be some humane ghost or spright Or power deuine that in this
strong and able And beares vpon his neck the ankers cable 33 And as a sauage Bull that vnaware About his hornes hath now a cord fast bound Doth striue in vaine to breake the hunters snare And skips and leaps and flings and runneth round So though Orlando with his strength so rare Assaid to draw him nearer to the ground Yet doth he fetch an hundred frisks and more Ere he could draw him vp vpon the shore 34 His wounded bowels shed such store of blood They call that sea the red sea to this howre Sometime he breathed such a sudden flood As made the clearest weather seeme to lowre The hideous noise fild eu'ry caue and wood So that god Proteus doubting his owne powre Fled straight fro thence himself in corners hiding Not daring longer here to make abiding 35 And all the gods that dwell in surging waues With this same tumult grow in such a feare They hid themselues in rocks and hollow caues Left that Orlando should haue found them there Neptune with triple mace by flight him saues His charret drawne with dolphins doth him beare Nor yet behind Glaucus or Triton taried For feare in these new broiles to haue miscaried 36 Those Ilanders that all this while attended And saw the monster drawne to land and tane With superstition moued much condemned This godly worke for wicked and profane As though that Proteus would be new offended That had before and now might worke their bane They doubt he wold thus fools their good haps consters Send to their land his flock of vgly monsters 37 And therefore Proteus anger to appease They meane to drowne Orlando if they can Whose deed they deemd his godhead did displeaseâ— And eu'n as fire doth creepe from bran to bran Vntill the pile of wood it wholy cease So doth this fury grow from man to man That they concluded all vpon the matter To throw Orlando bound into the water 38 One takes a sling another takes a bow This with a sword is armd he with a speare And some afore and some behind him go Some neare approch some stand aloofe for feare He museth much what his vngratefull so Should meane for benefits such mind to beare And inwardly he was displeasd and sory To find such wrong where he deserued glory 39 As little curres that barke at greatest Beare Yet cannot cause him once his way to shunne No more doth he these curlike creatures feare That like a sort of mad men on him runne And for they saw he did no armor weare They thought the feat would haue bin easly done They knew not that his skin from head to foote Was such to strike on it it was no boote 40 But when that he his Durindana drew He layd there with about him in such sort That straight their faintnes and his force they knew They found to fight with him it was no sport Thrise ten of them at blowes but ten he slew Their fellowes fled that saw them cut so short Which foes thus foild Orlando now intended T' vnloose the Ladie whom he had defended 41 But now this while behold the Irish band Arriued neare vnto their chiefest citie Who had no sooner set their foote on land But that forthwith they put apart all pittie And slue all sorts that came vnto their hand The fierce the faint the foolish and the wittie Thus were 't iust doome or were it cruell rage They spar'd of neither sexe nor neither age 42 Thus th'lle of wo is made a wofull I le And for the peoples sake they plague the place Orlando sets the Lady free the while That there was bound in that vnseemly case To haue bin giuen vnto the monster vile And viewing well he cald to mind her face And that it should Olympia be he guessed But t was Olympia that had thus bin dressed 43 Distrest Olympia thus vnkindly serued Whom loue and fortune made a double scorne For first of him of whom she best deserued She was forsaken quite and left forlorne And next by pyrats taken and reserued Of monster vile to be in peeces torne And in this case the good Orlando found her And then with great compassion he vnbound her 44 And thus he said now tell what strange annoy Or euill hap hath hurt thy happie raigne Whom late I left in solace and in ioy Why do I find in danger and in paine How is the blisse that thou didst then enioy So chang'd and turnd to misery againe And she in wofull maner thus replied When shame her cheeks with crimson first had died 45 I know not if my chance or else my choice If fortune or my folly be in blame Shall I lament or shall I now reioyce That liue in wo and should haue did in shameâ— And as she spake the teares did stop her voice But when againe vnto her selfe she came She told him all the wofull story weeping How false Byreno had betraid her sleeping 46 And how from that same I le where he betrayd her A crew of cursed pyrats did her take And to this wicked Iland had conuayd her For that same foule and vgly monsters sake Where now it was Orlandos hap to ayd her She walked naked when these words she spakeâ— Looke how Diana painted is in tables Among the rest of Ouids pleasant fables 47 Of whose sharpe doome the Poet there doth tell How she with hornes Actaeon did inuest Because he saw her naked at the well So stands Olympia faire with face and brest And sides and thighes to be discerned well And legs and feet but yet she hides the rest And as they two were talking thus together Oberto king of Irish Ile came thither 48 Who being moued at the strange report That one alone the monster should assaile And gag him with an anker in such sort To make his strength and life and all to faile Then draw him to the shore as ship to port Is towd with ropes without or oares or saile This made him go to find Orlando out The while his souldiers spoiled all about 49 Now when the King this worthy Knight did see Though all with bloud and water foule distained Yet straight he guest it should Orlando be For in his youth in France he had remained And knew the Lords and Knights of best degree In Charles his court a page of honor trained Their old acquaintance cauld at this new meeting They had a louing and a friendly greâ—ting 50 And then Orlando told the Irish king How and by whom Olympia was abused By one whom out of danger great to bring She had no paine nor death it selfe refused How he himselfe was witnesse of the thing While they thus talke Oberto her perused Whose sorrows past renewd with present feares Did fill her louely eyes with watry teares 51 Such colour had her face as when the Sunne Doth thine on watry cloud in pleasant spring And eu'n as when the sommer is begunne The Nightingales in boughes
proue against them both that he had said 30 Sir said Orlando to the Pagan King Lend him your headpeece and er we go hence I will this beast in better order bring Or sharply punish him for his offence Nay soft said Sacrapant that were a thing The which to grant might shew I had no sence Lend you him yours for I le not go to schoole To know as well as you to bob a foole 31 Tush quoth Ferraw fooles to your faces both As though if I had bin disposd to weare one I would haue sufferd were you leiue or loth The best and proudest of you both to beare one The truth is this that I by solemne oth Vpon a certaine chance did once forsweare one That on my head no helmet should be donne Vntill I had Orlandos helmet wonne 32 What quoth the Earle then seems it vnto thee Thy force so much Orlandos doth surmount That thou couldst do the same to him that he Vnto Almonta did in Aspramount Rather I thinke if thou his face should see Thou wouldst so farre be wide of thine account That thou wouldst tremble ouer all thy body And yeeld thy selfe and armour like a nody 33 The Spanish vaunter like to all the nation Said he had often with Orlando met And had him at aduantage in such fashion That had he lift he might his helmet get But thus quoth he the time brings alteration That now I seeke I then at naught did set To take his helmet from him then I spared Because as then for it I little cared 34 Then straight Orlando mou'd in rightfull anger Made answer thus thou foole and murren lier I cannot now forbeare thee any longer I am whom thou to find doest to desier When met we two that thou didst part the stronger Thou thoughtst me farder thou shalt feele me nier Try now if thou beest able me to foyle Or I can thee of all thy armour spoyle 35 Nor do I seeke to take this ods of thee This said forthwith his helmet he vntide And hung the same fast by vpon a tree Then drew his Durindana from his side And in like sort you might the Spaniard see That was no whit abated of his pride How he his sword and target straight prepard And lay most manfully vnto his ward 36 And thus these champions do the fight begin Vpon their coursers fierce themselues more fierce And where the armour ioynes and is most thin There still they striue with sturdy strokes to pierce Search all the world and two such men therein Could not be found for as old bookes rehearse Their skins were such as had they bin vnarmed Yet could they not with weapons haue bin harmed 37 Ferraw had in his youth inchantment such That but his nauell hard was all the rest Vnto Orlando there was done as much By prayer of some saint as may be guest Saue in his feet which he let no man tuch Take it for truth or take it for a iest Thus I haue found it wrote that they indeed Ware armor more for shew then any need 38 Thus twixt them two the fight continues still Yet not so sharpe in substance as in show Ferraw imploying all his art and skill Sharpe thrusts vpon the tother to bestow Orlando that hath euer strength at will Layth on the Spaniard many a lustie blow Angelica doth stand fast by vnseene And sees alone the battell them betweene 39 For why the Pagan Prince was gone the while To find her out when they together fought And by their strife that he might both beguile He hopes and had conceiued in his thought He rides away and trauels many a mile And still his deare beloued mistris sought And thus it came to passe that she that day Was onely present at so great a fray 40 Which when she saw continue in such sort Not yet could guesse by ought that she did see Which was most like to cut the other short She takes away the helmet from the tree And thinks by this to make her selfe some sport Or they by this might sooner sundred be Not meaning in such sort away to set it But that the worthy Earle againe may get it 41 And with the same away from hence she goes The while they two with paine and trauell tired In giuing and in taking deadly bloes Ferraw that mist the headpeece first retired And for he did most certainly suppose That Sacrapant had tane it vndesired Good Lord said he what meane we here to do This other knight hath cousened vs two 42 And vnawares the helmet tane away Orlando hearing this doth looke aside And missing it he doth beleeue straightway As did Ferraw and after him they ride They came at last into a parted way That in two parts itselfe doth there deuide Fresh tracke in both of them was to be seene This of the Knight that of the Indian Queene 43 Orlando hap was to pursue the Knight Ferraw that was more luckie of the twaine Happend vpon Angelica to light Who to refresh her former taken paine Fast by a fountaine did before alight And seeing sodainly the knight of Spaine Straight like a shadow from his fight the past And on the ground the helmet left with hast 44 But as the fight of her did make him glad In hope by this good fortune her to get So thus againe to loose her made him sad And shewd that she did him at nothing set Then curst he as he had bin raging mad Blaspheming Tryuigant and Mahomet And all the Gods adord in Turks profession The griefe in him did make so deepe impression 45 Yet when he had Orlando helmet spide And knew it was by letters writ thereon The same for which Traianos brother dide He takes it quickly vp and puts it on And then in hast he after her doth ride That was out of his sight so strangely gone He takes the helmet thinking little shame Although he came not truly by the same 46 But seeing she away from him was fled Nor where she was he knew nor could not guesse Himselfe from hence to Paris ward he sped His hope to find her waxing lesse and lesse And yet the sorrow that her losse had bred Was part asswag'd the helmet to possesse Though afterward when as Orlando knew it He sware great othes that he would make him rew it 47 But how Orlando did againe it get And how Ferraw was plagued for that crime And how they two betweene two bridges met Whereas Ferraw was killed at that time My purpose is not to declare as yet But to another story turne my rime Now I must tell you of that Indian Queene By vertue of her ring that goeth vnseene 48 Who parted thence all had and discontented That by her meanes Ferraw his will had got That she with this vnlookt for hap preuented Left him the helmet though she meant it not And in her heart her act she sore repented And with her selfe she laid alas God wot I
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
far and neare may carie the report Of these great triumphs vnto eu'rie cost This tale the courteous host did tell his guest Of him that first ordaind the sumptuous feast 50 In this and such like talke they spend the night And then they sleepe vpon their beds of downe But when that once it shined cleare and light The trumpets sounded ouer all the towne And Griffin straight puts on his armor bright Aspiring after same and high renowne His leud companion likewise doth the same To shew a hope as well as he of fame 51 All armed thus they came vnto the field And view the warlike troupes as they did passe Where some had painted on their crest and shield Or some deuice that there described was What hope or doubt his loue to him did yeeld They all were Christens then but now alas They all are Turks vnto the endlesse shame Of those that may and do not mend the same 52 For where they should employ their sword and lance Against the Infidels our publike foes Gods word and true religion to aduance They to poore Christens worke perpetuall woes To you I write ye kings of Spaine and France Let these alone and turne your force on those And vnto you also I write as much Ye nations fierce Zwizzers I meane and Dutch 53 Lo tone of Christen kings vsurps a name Another Catholike will needs be called Why do not both your deeds declare the same Why are Christs people slaine by you and thralled Get backe againe Ierusalem for shame That now the Turke hath tane from you and walled Constantinople get that famous towne That erst belonged to th' Imperiall crowne 54 Dost not thou Spaine confront with Affrike shore That more then Italy hath thee offended Yet to her hart thou leauest that before Against the Infidels thou hadst intended O Italy a slaue for euermore In such sort mard as neuer can be mended A slaue to slaues and made of sinne a sinke And lotted sleepe like men orecome with drinke 55 Ye Swizzers fierce if feare of famine driue you To come to Lombardie to seeke some food Are not the Turks as neare why should it grieue you To spill your foes and spare your brothers blood They haue the gold and riches to relieue you Enrich your selues with lawfull gotten good So shall all Europe be to you beholding For driuing them from these parts and withholding 56 Thou Lion stout that holdst of heau'n the kayes A waightie charge see that from drowsie sleepe Thou wake our realme and bring her ioyfull dayes And from these forren wolues it safely keepe God doth thee to this height of honor raise That thou mayst feed and well defend thy sheepe That with a roring voice and mighty arme Thou mayst withhold thy flock from eu'ry harme 57 But whither roues my rudely rolling peâ— That waxe so sawcie to reproue such peeres I said before that in Damasco then They Christend were as in records appeares So that the armor of their horse and men Was like to ours though changd of later yeares And Ladies fild their galleries and towrs To see the iusts as they did here in ours 58 Each striues in shew his fellow to exceed And to be gallant in his mistris sight To see each one manage his stately steed Was to the standers by a great delight Some praise vnto themselues some shame do breed By shewing horses doings wrong or right The chiefest prize that should be of this tilt An armor was rich set with stone and gilt 59 By hap a merchant of Armenia found This armour and to Norandin it sold Who had he knowne how good it was and sound Would not haue left it sure for any gold The circumstance I cannot now expound I meane ere long it shall to you be told Now must I tell of Griffin that came in Iust when the sport and tilting did begin 60 Eight valiant knights the chalenge did sustaine Against all commers that would runne that day These eight were of the Princes priuate traine Of noble blood and noble eu'ry way They fight in sport but some in sport were slaine For why as hotly they did fight in play As deadly foes do fight in battell ray Saue that the King may when he list them stay 61 Now Griffins fellow was Martano named Who though he were a coward and a beast Like bold blind Bayard he was not ashamed To enter like a knight among the rest His countenance likewise in shew he framed As though he were as forward as the best And thus he stood and viewd a bitter fight Between a Baron and another Knight 62 Lord of Seleucia the tone they call And one of eight that did maintaine the iust The Knight Ombruno hight of person tall Who in his vizer tooke so great a thrust That from his horse astonied he did fall And with his liuely blood distaind the dust This sight amazd Martano in such sort He was afraid to leese his life in sport 63 Soone after this so fierce conflict was done Another challenger straight steppeth out With whom Martano was requird to runne But he whose heart was euer full of doubt With fond excuses sought the same to shunne And shewd himselfe a faint and dastard lout Till Griffin egd him on and blam'd his feare As men do set a mastiue on a Beare 64 Then tooke he heart of grace and on did ride And makes a little florish with his speare But in the middle way he stept aside For feare the blow would be too big to beare Yet one that would seeke this disgrace to hide Might in this point impure it not to feare But rather that his horse not good and redie Did shun the tilt and ranne not eu'n nor stedie 65 But after with his sword he dealt so ill Demosthenes him could not haue defended He shewd both want of courage and of skill So as the lookers on were all oftended And straight with hissing and with voices shrill The conflict cowardly begun was ended In his behalfe was Griffin sore ashamed His heart thereto with double heate inflamed 66 For now he sees how much on him it stands With double value to wipe out the blot And shew himselfe the more stout of his hands Sith his companion shewd himselfe a sot His fame or shame must flie to forren lands And if he now should faile one little iot The same wold seem a foule and huge transgression His mate had fild their minds with such impression 67 The first he met Lord of Sidona hight And towards him he runs with massie speare And gaue a blow that did so heauie light As to the ground it did him backward beare Then came of Laodice another knight On him the staffe in peeces three did teare Yet was the counterbuffe thereof so great The knight had much ado to keepe his seate 68 But when they came with naked swords to trie Which should the honor and the prise obtaine
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
for a farthing Secondly in Filandro we may note a speciall good nature and inclination that would rather abandon a place which he liked very well then either breake the lawes of frendship and hospitalitie or accuse the wife to her husband In his killing Argeo and all the tragicall proceedings of the wicked Gabrina we may note the mōstrous effects of an vnbridled affectiō in a mischieuous woman that killed both her husbands and lastly the Phisition and stil continued working fresh mischief til her death as after foloweth Orestes whom he spake of in the 55. staffe of this 21. booke was sonne of Agamemnon who being slaine by the trecherie of his wife Clytemnestra Orestes in reuenge there of killed his mother and after that was himselfe tormented with furies or rather with his conscience for so horrible an act and so fell mad and was healed againe and after that notable accident of Pilades and him fell out Simon Fornarie affirmeth that in this tale of Gabrina my authour doth allude to a woman of like lewdnesse liuing in his time and by Argeo and Filandro to be ment two Gentlemen of Naples but the truth is the tale is almost verbatim taken out of Apuleius golden Asse Specially for that part of the Phisition Sed vxor quae iampridem nomen vxoris cum fide perdiderat medicum conuenit quendam norae persidie qui iam multarum palmarum spectatus praelijs magna dextrae suae trophoea numerabit as I before noted on the 57. staffe The end of the notes vpon the xxj booke THE XXII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Astolfo doth dissolue the charmed place And spite of Atlant sets his prisners free Then Bradamant doth see Rogeros face To helpe an unknowne knight they craued be But by the way Rogero in short space Subdewd foure knights of worth and good degree That were by Pinabell in prison hild Whom Bradamant with iust reuengment kild 1 YE courtly dames that are both kind and true Vnto your loues if kinde and true be any As sure I am in all your louely crue Of so chast minde there are not ouer many Be not displeasd with this that doth ensue For neither must I leaue it neither can I And beare with me for that I said before When on Gabrina I did raile so sore 2 Mine ernest words nor yet her great offence Cannot obscure in honour and cleare fame Those few whose spotlesse liues want no defence Whom hate nor enuie no way can defame He that his master sold for thirtie pence To Iohn nor Peter breeds no blot nor blame Nor men of Hipermestra worse haue thought Although her sisters were vnchast and nought 3 For one that in this verse I shall dispraise As driu'n by course of this my present storie Whole hundreds are whom I intend to praise And magnifie their well deserued glorie If this then be offensiue any wayes To all or any I can be but sorie Now of the Scottish Prince a word or two That heard a noise and went forthwith thereto 4 Betweene two mountaines in a shadie dale He doth descend that way the noise him led But when he came he saw vpon the vale A Baron lately slaine and newly ded But er I enter further in this tale I first must tell you how Astolfo sped Whom late I left in that most cursed cittie Where women murther men without all pittie 5 I told you how his horne with mightie blast Not onely all his foes had driuen away But also made his friends so sore agast As not the stowtest of them there durst stay Wherefore I said he was constraind at last Alone to get him homward on his way Forthwith on Rabicano he doth mount An horse of which he makes no small account 6 His horne that serues him still at all assayes He carries with him and his learned booke First by Armenia he goes his wayes Then Brusia and the way of Thrase he tooke So that within the space of twentie dayes The streame Danubio he quite forsooke Then from Boemia ward he doth decline Vnto Franconia and the streame of Rhyne 7 Then through Ardennas wood to Aquis graue And thence to Flanders where he shipping found What time a Northeast winde did blow to braue As set him soone in sight of English ground So that no whit annoyd with winde nor waue His natiue soile receiu'd him safe and sound He taketh horse and er the Sunne was downe At London he arriu'd the chiefest towne 8 Here at his first arriuall straight he heares How that the Turkes faire Paris did beseege And how his sire a man well stroke in yeares Was there and sent for ayd to raise the seege And how of late the Lords and chiefest peares Were gone with new supplies to helpe their leege But little stay he makes these words once hard But taketh ship againe to Callice ward 9 And for the winde seru'd then not very well They were by force thereof borne quite aside So that the master scant himselfe could tell What course he held they were borne downe so wide Yet at the last so luckie it besell Within a kenning they some land had spide And drawing neare they found the towne of Roan Where presently the Duke tooke land alone 10 And crossing through a wood when time drew neare That neither day could well be cald nor night He hapt to finde a christall spring and cleare And by the side thereof he did alight With mind to quench his thirst and rest him heare As in a place of pleasure and delight He ties his horse vnto a tree and thinketh To have him tarrie safe there while he drinketh 11 Strange things may fall betweene the lip and cup For scant Astolfo yet had wet his lip But from a bush a villaine started vp Vntide the horse and on his backe doth skip The Duke that scant had tasted yet a sup And finds himselfe thus tane in such a trip Forgets to drinke and followes in a rage For wrath not water doth his thirst asswage 12 The little villaine that the horse had got Like one that did in knauish pranks delight Although he might haue run yet did it not Because Astolfo should not leese his sight But with false gallop or a gentle trot He leads the Duke vnto that place aright Where many knights and Lords of high degree Without a prison more then prisners be 13 Astolfo though his armour doth him cumber Yet fearing least he might arriue too late In following the villaine doth nor slumber Vntill he came within the pallace gate Where as I said of Lords no little number Were wandring vp and downe in strange estate Astolfo of their presence doth not force But runneth vp and downe to finde his horse 14 The craftie villaine was in no place found Though many a homely place for him was sought Yet still the Duke doth search the pallace round And for his beast he takes no little thought
ere they went this Earle Zerbino praid If first he hapt on Mandricard to light To tell him how long time for him he staid And meant to seeke him out againe to fight Now that his comming was so long delaid He meant to Paris ward to go that night To Charls his camp where if he wold enquire of him At any time he should be sure to heare of him 77 Thus much be praid and thence away he went To seeke out Mandricard but found him not And for the day now more then halfe was spent The Sunne and season waxing somewhat hot A shadie groue he found and there he ment To take some ease but found small ease God wot He thinks his thirst and heate a while to swage But found that set him in worse heate and rage 78 For looking all about the groue behold In sundry places faire ingrau'n he sees Her name whose loue he more esteemes then gold By her owne hand in barkes of diuers trees This was the place wherein before I told Medoro vsd to pay his surgeons fees Where she to bost of that that was her shame Vsd oft to write hers and Medoros name 79 And then with true loue knots and pretie poses To she how she to him by loue was knit Her inward thoughts by outward words discloses In her much loue to shew her little wit Orlando knew the hand and yet supposes It was not she that had such postes writ And to beguile himselfe tush tush quoth he There may be more Angelicas then she 80 Yea but I know too well that pretie hand Oft hath she sent me letters of her writing Then he bethinks how she might vnderstand His name and loue by that same new inditing And how it might be done long time he scand With this fond thought so sondly him delighting Thus with small hope much feare all malcontent In these and such conceits the time he spent 81 And ay the more he seekes out of his thought To driue this fancie still it doth increase Eu'n as a bird that is with birdlime caught Doth beate her wings and striues and doth not cease Vntill she hath her selfe all ouerwrought And quite intangled in the slimie grease Thus on went he till him the way did bring Vnto a shadie caue and pleasant spring 82 This was a place wherein aboue the rest This louing paire leauing their homely host Spent time in sports that may not be exprest Here in the parching heate they tarrid most And here Medore that thought himselfe most blest Wrote certaine verses as in way of bost Which in his language doubtlesse sounded prittie And thus I turne them to an English dittie 83 Ye pleasant plants greene herbs and waters faire And caue with smell and gratefull shadow mixt Where sweet Angelica daughter and heire Of Galafronne on whom in vaine were fixt Full many hearts with me did oft repaire Alone and naked lay mine armes betwixt I poore Medore can yeeld but praise and thanks For these great pleasures found amid your banks 84 And pray each Lord whom Cupid holds in pray Each knight each dame aud eu'ry one beside Or gentle or meane sort that passe this way As fancie or his fortune shall him guide That to the plants herbs spring and caue he say Long may the Sun and Moon maintaine your pride And the faire crew of Nymphs make such purueyance As hither come no heards to your annoyance 85 It written was there in th' Arabian toong Which toong Orlando perfect vnderstood As hauing learnt it when he was but yoong And oft the skill thereof had done him good But at this time it him so deeply stoong It had bin well that he it neuer coud And yet we see to know men still are glad And yet we see much knowledge makes men mad 86 Twise thrise yea fiue times he doth reade the time And though he saw and knew the meaning plaine Yet that this loue was guiltie of such crime He will not let it sinke into his braine Oft he peruled it and eu'ry time It doth increase his sharp tormenting paine And ay the more he on the matter mused The more his wits and senses were confused 87 Eu'n then was he of with welnigh bestraught So quite he was giu'n ouer vnto griese And sure if we beleeue as proofe hath taught This torture is of all the rest the chiefe His â—prite was dead his courage quaild with thought He doth despaire and looke for no reliefe And sorrow did his senses so surprise That words his toong and teares forsooke his eyes 88 The raging pang remained still within That would haue burst out all at once too fast Eu'n so we see the water tarry in A bottle little mouthd and big in wast That though you topsie turâ—y turne the brim The liquor bides behind with too much hast And with the striuing oft is in such taking As scant a man can get it out with shaking 89 At last he comes vnto himselfe anew And in his mind another way doth frame That that which there was written was not trew But writ of spite his Ladie to defame Or to that end that he the same might vew And so his heart with iealousie inflame Well be 't who list quoth he I see this clearly He hath her hand resembled passing nearly 90 With this small hope with this poore little sparke He doth some deale reuiue his troubled sprite And for it was now late and waxed darke He seekes some place where he may lie that night At last he heares a noise of dogs that barke He smels some smoke and sees some candle light He takes his Inne with will to sleepe not eate As fild with griefe and with none other meate 91 But lo his hap was at that house to host Where faire Angelica had layne before And where her name on eu'ry doore and post With true loue knots was ioyned to Medore That knot his name whom he detested most Was in his eye and thought still euermore He dares not aske nor once the matter tuch For knowing more of that he knowes too much 92 But vaine it was himselfe so to beguile For why his host vnasked by and by That saw his guest sit there so sad the while And thinks to put him from his dumps thereby Beginneth plaine without all fraud or guile Without concealing truth or adding lie To tell that tale to him without regard Which diuers had before with pleasure heard 93 As thus how at Angelicas request He holpe vnto his house to bring Medore Who then was sorely wounded in his brest And she with surgery did heale his sore But while with her owne hands the wound she drest Blind Cupid wounded her as much or more That when her skill and herbs had cur'd her patient Her curelesse wound in loue made her vnpatient 94 So that admit she were the greatest Queene Of same and liuing in those Easter parts Yet so
pen can paint and speech aspire That thy iust praises may be plaine exprest To future times Go soule to heauen or hyer And if my verse can graunt to thee this chartir Thou shalt be cald of chastitie the Martir 30 At this her deed so strange and admirable He that aboue all heau'ns doth ay remaine Lookt downe and said it was more commendable Then hers for whom Tarquinio lost his raigne And straight an ordinance inuiolable Ay to be kept on earth he doth ordaine And thus he said eu'n by my selfe I sweare Whose powre heau'n earth sprites men and Angels feare 31 That for her sake that dide of this name last Who euer shall hereafter beare that name Shall be both wise and continent and chast Of faultlesse manners and of spotlesse fame Let writers striue to make their glòrie last And oft in prose and verse record the same Let Hellicon Pindus Parnassus hill Sound Isabella Isabella still 32 Thus said the Hy'st and then there did ensew A wondrous calme in waters and in aire The chast soule vp into the third heau'n flew Where Zerbin was to that the did repaire Now when the beastly Turke saw plaine in vew How he had prou'd himselfe a womanslayre When once his drunken furfet was digested He blam'd himselfe and his owne deed detested 33 In part to satisfie for this offence And to appease her ghost as t were in part Although he thought no pardon could dispence Not punishment suffice for such desart He vowes a monument of great expence Of costly workmanship and cunning art To raise for her nor minds he to go furder Then that selfe church where he had done the murder 34 Of that selfe place he minds her tombe to make And for that cause he gets of workmen store For loue for mony and for terrors sake Six thousand men he set to worke and more From out the mountaines massie stones they take With which wel wrought hewd squard therfore With hie and stately arch that church he couers And in the midst intombs the blessed louers 35 And ouer this was raisd with curious sleight A Pyramid a huge and stately towre Which towre an hundred cubit had in heighâ— By measure from the top vnto the flowre It seemd a worke of as great charge and weight As Adrian made to bost his wealth and powre Of goodly stones all raisd in seemly ranks Vpon the edge of stately Tybris banks 36 Now when this goodly worke was once begunne He makes a bridge vpon the water by That of great depth and force did euer tunne In former time a ferrie there did lye For such as would a further circuit shunne And passe this way more easie and more nye The Pagan takes away the ancient ferrie And leaues for passengers not bote not wherrio 37 But makes a bridge where men to row are wont And though the same were stroÌ„g of great length Yet might two horses hardly meet a front Nor had the sides a raile or any strength Who comes this way he meanes shall bide a bront Except he haue both corage good and strength For with the armes of all that this way come He means to bewtifie faire Isbels toome 38 A thousand braue Atchieuments he doth vow Where with he will adorne this stately worke From whom he taketh all these spoiles or how He cares not whether Christian or Turke Now was the bridge full finished and now His watchmen on each side in corners lurke To make him know when any one coms neare For all that come he means shall buy it deare 39 And further his fantastike braine doth thinke That sith by drinking wine he did that sin In lieu thereof he now would water drinke As oft as by mishap he should fall in For when he should vnto the bottome sinke The top would be an ell aboue his clun As who should say for eu'rie euill action That wine procures were water satisfaction 40 Ful many there arriued in few days Some men as in the way from Spaine to France Some others fondly thirsting after prayse In hope by this exploit their names t' aduance But Rodomont doth meet them both the ways And such his vallew was so good his chance That still as many men as there arriues Lost all of them their arms and some their liues 41 Among the many prisners that he tooke All those were Christians to Algyre he sent And willd his men safely to them to looke Because ere long himselfe to come he ment The rest saue that their armors they forsooke All harmelesse backe into their countries went Now while such feats were by the Pagan wrought Orlando thither came of wits bestraught 42 At that same instant that Orlando came Was Rodomont all armed saue his hed The naked Earle with wits quite out of frame Leaps ou'r the bar and went as folly led To passe the bridge the Pagan him doth blame For his presumption and withall he sed Stay sawcy villen proud and vndiscreet For such as thee this passage is not meet 43 For Lords and knights and squyres of good estate This bridge was built and not for thee thou beast He that no sence had in his idle pate Not heeding what was said still onward prest I must the Pagan thinks this fools pride bate It seems belike he thinks I am in iest And thereupon he makes the madman towards And minds to drowne him sith he was so frowards 44 He little lookt to find a match so hard Now while they two together gan to striue Behold a gallant dame of great regard At that same bridge by fortune did arriue Faire Fiordeliege that late before had hard How loue did of his witts this Earle deprius She hither came to seeke out Brandimart That now in Pari was with pensiue hart 45 And thus this Ladie as before I told Came at that season to this dangerous place And knew this Earle when she did him behold And wonderd much to see him in such case Now held Orlando with his foe hard hold In vaine the Pagan striues him to displace And grinning to himselfe he said at length Who could haue thought a foole had such strength 46 And stretting that he had his purpose mist He doth by sleight the madmans force assay Sometime he puts his hand below his twist Sometime aboue sometime another way Orlando stands vnmou'd do what he list The Pagan seemd to do by him that day ' As doth the Beare that would dâ—g vp the tree From whence she fell but fees it will not be 47 Orlando full of force though void of sence About the middle tooke the Pagan fast And heaues him vp from ground so from thence Into the streame himselfe he backward cast Vnto the bottome both do sinke from whence Each one was glad to get him in great hast Orlando nakt and light swam like a fish So that he soone gat out as he would wish 48 And being out away
as three nights But this I submit to the iudgement of learned Diuines The colour and embrodery of Bradamants bases in the 47. staffe betokening desperation is there shewed I need not long to stand vpon for as for those hidden misteries of colours with their applications of blue to constancie twanie forsaken white to virginitie and the rest they are very well knowne to all our gallant Gentlemen who often haue more cost in their clothes and wit in their colours then coyne in their coffers or learning in their heads Of the Island Queene that sent the shield of gold to France which Bradamant thought would but breed quarrels Fornarius noteth that mine Author did therein couertly allude to a matter betweene England and France for Ariosto liued in Henry the eight his time and maketh very honorable mention of him But thus it was After the death of Lewes of France Marie the younger sister of K. Henrie the eight remaining his Dowager our King sent for his sister to come into England but Francis the first loth she should go out of France in respect of the great dower she should carry with her which by the custome of that country was a third part of the reuenue of the Crowne and yet fearing to have warres with king Henrie made this offer that if he would send some braue man at armes that could win her in the field he should haue her our King made no dainties to accept the offer and making it knowne to his Court Sir Charles Brandon tooke the matter on him and in fine ouercomming foure French men with the franke consent of both Kings married the Queene Dowager and was here in England as we all know made Duke of Suffolk of whose offspring there remaine yet some most worthy branches but the like to him for armes and cauallary as we terme it is my noble good Lord the Lord Strange whose value and vertue need not this my barren and briefe testimonie The end of the annotations vpon the xxxij booke THE XXXIII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Faire Bradamant sees grau'n by passing art The future wars of France vpon a screene Bayardos flight the combat fierce doth part Renaldo and the Serican beweene Astolso hauing past the greater part Of all the world and many countries seene Vnto Senapos kingdome last arriues And from his boord the foule Harpias driues 1 TYmagoras Parrhasius Polignote Timant Protogenes Apollodore With Zewces one for skill of special note Apelles eke plast all the rest before Whose skill in drawing all the world doth note And talke of still to writers thanks therefore Whose works and bodies time and death did wast Yet spite of time and death their fames doth last 2 With others that in these our later dayes Haue liu'd as Leonard and Iohn Belline And he that carues and drawes with equall praise Michell more then a man Angell diuine And Flores whom the Flemmings greatly praise And Raphael and Titian passing fine With diuers others that by due desart Do ment in this praise to haue a part 3 Yet all these cunning drawers with their skill Could not attaine by picture to expresse What strange euents should happen well or ill In future times no not so much as guesse This art is proper vnto Magike still Or to a Prophet or a Prophetesse By this rare art the Brittish Merlin painted Strange things with which our age hath bin acquainted 4 He made by Magike art that stately hall And by the selfe same art he could to be Strange histories ingraued on the wall Which as I said the guests desir'd to see Now when they were from supper risen all The pages lighted torches two or three Making the roome to shine as bright as day When to his guests the owner thus did say 5 I would quoth he my guests that you should know That these same stories that here painted are Of future warres the sequels sad do show That shall to Italie bring wo and care Whereas the French full many a bloodie blow Shall take while others they to harme prepare As Merlin here hath layd downe being sent From English Arthur chiefe for this intent 6 King Feramont that was the first that past The streame of Rhine with armie great of France And being in possession quiet plast Of all those parts sturd with so luckie chance Straight in ambitious thought began to cast His rule and scepter higher to aduance Which that he might to passe the better bring He made a league with Arthur English king 7 Informing him how that his meaning was Of Italie the rule and crowne to get And askt his ayd to bring the same to passe Which neuer had atchieued bin as yet Now Merlin that did all men far surpasse In Magike art his purpose sought to let For Merlin had with Arthur so great credit He thought all Gospell was if once he sed it 8 This Merlin then did first to Arthur show And then by Arthur was of purpose sent To Fieramont of France to let him know The cause why he misliked his intent As namely many mischiefs that would grow To all that now or that hereafter ment The like attempt aduising him abstaine From certaine trouble for vncertaine gaine 9 And that he might his courage more appall And quite remoue him from this enterprise He made by Magicke this so stately hall Adorned as you see in sumptuous wise And drew these histories vpon the wall That what he saw in mind they might with eyes And thereby know that in Italian ground The Flour de luce can near take root profound 10 And how as often as the French shall come As frends to aid and free them from distresse So oft they shall their foes all ouercome And fight with honor great and good successe But be they sure to haue that place their toome If so they come their freedome to oppresse Thus much the owner of the house them told And so went on the storie to vntold 11 Lo first how Sigisbert in hope of gaine And promises of Emperour Mauricius Doth passe the mountaines with a mightie traine With mind to Lombardie to be pernicious But Ewtar driues him backe by force againe When he of such attempt is least suspicious So that his enterprise is quite reuersed Himselfe doth flie and leaue his men dispersed 12 Next after him the proud Clodoueus went And had with him one hundred thousand men But him doth meet the Duke of Beneuent With searse for eu'rie hundred souldiers ten Who doth intrap him in an ambushment So as the French might well be lik'ned then While Lombard wines too greedily they tooke To fish beguiled with a baited hooke 13 Straight Childibertus with a mightie host Doth come with mind to wipe away this blot But of his gainings he may make small bost For of his purpose he preuailed not His enterprise by heau'nly sword is croft The plague doth grow among his men so hot What with the
burning feauer and the flixe Of sixtie men there scant returneth sixe 14 Another picture liuely doth expresse How that king Pepin and king Charles his sonne Fought both in Italie with good successe Not with intent that Realme to ouerrunne But to set free Pope Steu'n from sharpe distresse And wrongs that by Astolso were him done One tames Astolso that was Steu'ns oppressor To ther takes Desiderius his successor 15 Behold another Pepin yet an youth Not like his father doth that Realme inuade And thinking to procure their wofull ruth Of ships and boats a mightie bridge he made But marke what ill successe to him ensuth Ear he through his great enterprise could wade A tempest did his massie worke consound His bridge was broken and his souldiers drownd 16 Lo Lews of Burgundie descending theare Where as it seemes he taken is and bound And he that takes him maketh him to sweare That he shall neare beare arms gainst Latian ground Lo how he breakes his oth without all feare Lo how againe his foes do him confound And like a moldwarpe make him loose his eyes A iust reward for such as oths despise 17 See here how Hugh of Arly doth great fears Driuing the Beringars from natiue soile Forcing them twise or thrise to change their feats And cause the Hunnes and Bauiers backe recoile But greater force at last his acts defeats First he compounds and after all his toile He dies not after long his heire doth tane But yeeldeth vp his crowne to Beringarie 18 Lo heare another Charles that by perswasion Of euill shepherd sets on fire the fold And kills two kings in this his fierce inuasion Manfred and Corradin which makes him bold But his owne faults of his fall gaue occasion His crueltie was such so vncontrold That he and his were all kild as they tell Eu'n at the ringing of an eu'niong bell 19 Now after these about one hundred yeares For so the space betweene did seeme to say From France one shall inuade those famous peeres The Vicount Galeasses and shall lay Siege vnto Alexandria as appeares By those that here do stand in battell ray Lo how the Duke preuenting eu'rie doubt Prouideth strength within deceipt without 20 And with this warie policie proceeding He doth the Frenchmen at aduantage take Not finding his ambushment and not heeding Together with the Lord of Arminake Who dieth of his hurts with ouerbleeding Lo how the streame of bloud there spilt doth make A sanguin colour in the streame of Poe By meanes Tanarus into it doth goe 21 After all these one comes that Maria hight And three that do of Aniow houle proceed All these to those of Naples do much spite Yet none of these can brag of their good speed For though to French they ioyne some Latiā might Of greedie sort that with their crownes they feed Yet still for all their paine and their expence Alfonso and Ferdinando driue them thence 22 Lo Charles the eight descending like a thunder Downe from the Alps with all the floure of France And conqu'ring all to all mens passing wonder Not drawing once a sword nor breaking lance Except that rocke that Typheus lyeth vnder While he to high himselfe straue to aduance This I le and castle both that Iskia hight Defended was by Vasto gallant knight 23 Now as the master of the castle told And pointed out each storie in his place It came into his fancy to vnfold The worthy praise of Aluas noble race Which as for certaintie they all did hold Wise Merlin propheside who had the grace To shew before hand both with tongue and pen What accidents should hap and where and when 24 And namely that this knight whom here you see Defending so the castle and the rocke As though he feard not those same fires that flee As far as Fare but them did scorne and mocke From this same knight there shal descend quoth he Out of the root of this most worthie stocke A knight shall win such fame and reputation As all the world shall hold in admiration 25 Though Nereus were faire Achilles strong Though Ladas swift though Nestor was most wise That knew so much and liued had so long Though bold Vilsses could both well deuise And execute what doth to warre belong Though Caesar bountie praisd be to the skies Yet place to giue all these may thinke no scorne To one that shall in Iskia I le be borne 26 And if that ancient Creta may be prowe Because that Celus nephew sprang therein If Thebs of Bacchus birth doth vant so lowd And Hercules If Delus of their twin Then may that I le no lesse be well allowd To vant it selfe that hath so happie bin To haue that Marquesse borne within that place On whom the heau'ns shall powre so great a grace 27 Thus Merlin vsd to tell and oft repeat How he should be for such a time reserued When Roman Empires high and stately seat At lowest eb should be and welnigh starued That his rare parts againe might make it great And that by him it might be safe preserued Which that you may see plainly to his glorie Marke in this table the ensuing storie 28 Lo here said he how Lodwicke doth repent That he had thither brought king Charles the eight Which at the first he did but with intent To weaken not to presse with so hard weight His ancient foe for now gainst Charles he went Making new leagues according to his sleight He thinks to take him prisner by the way But Charles by force through thē doth make his way 29 But yet the souldiers that behinde him staid Had not the like good fortune nor successe For Ferdinando grew by Mantuan aid So strong that soone he did the French distresse To whose great griefe this Marquesse was betraid By Gypsen vile when he fear'd nothing lesse Which doth in Ferdinand so great griefe breed As doth his ioy of victorie exceed 30 Next after these he shews them Lews the twelfth That puls out Lodwicke Storse with mightie hand And gets by force what he had got by stelth And plants the Flour de luce in Millen land Yet he no long time there in quiet dwelth The great Consaluo with a Spanish band His Captaines and Lieutenants oft repulses And in the end from Millen quite expulses 31 Lo here which I forgat before to show How Lodwickes frends and his own men betray him One sells his castell neuer striking blow The Swizzers eke that might away conuay him And had his pay and did him seruice ow For filthie lucres sake they do bewray him Whereby without once breaking of a lance Two victories came to the king of France 32 Lo how by fauour of his mightie king The bastard Caesar Borgia grew full great And doth the necks of many nobles wring Of Italie that had most ancient seat Lo how this king doth eke the
akornes bring To Bulloign lo how with another feat He doth the Genowais in fight subdue And maketh them their late reuolt to rue 33 Lo here not far from thence how all the feeld With dead mens bones is heald at Geriadad How all the cities vnto Lews do yeeld How Venice to shut vp her gates is glad And searse her selfe frō this great storme can sheeld Lo how the Pope his part that herein had Doth take away vnto his great rebuke Modone and more from good Ferraras Duk◠34 At which king Lews with rightfull choller moued Giues Bulloign to the Bentiuols againe And thence to Breskie all his force remoued And succours to Felsina doth ordaine What time the Churches souldiers felt and proued The French mens force vnto their mickle paine Lo after where both armies meet to fight Neare Chassie shore to trie their vtmost might 35 On this side France on that the powre of Spaine Vnited is and deadly blows ensew The ditches all seemd fild with bodies slaine A hap to make a stonic heart to rew Long time in doubt doth victorie remaine Which way the sway would carry no man knew Till by the vertue of Alfonse alone The French preuaile the Spanish forst are gone 36 Lo how the Pope his lip doth bite for griefe Because the French men do Rauenna sacke Lo how he sent to Swizzers for reliefe Lo how they come and driue the French men back And they that with their treason caused chiefe Of Lodiwike the ouerthrow and wracke To make some mends for that they erst had done Vnto the fathers place restore the sonne 37 But lo a prince of France then new created Meets with the Swizzers to their mickle cost And so their courage quaild and force abated As all the nations seemed welnigh lost And of their title that them animated Those villens vile hereafter need not bost Defenders of the Church tamers of Kings They cleaped were now clipped are their wings 38 Lo how the French king Francis in despite Of all the league faire Millen doth surprise Bourbon defending it from Geno as might Lo while this King doth practise and deuise Some great exploit while by foule ouersight His lawlesse men the towne did tyrannize Their hauing too much pride and want of pitie Doth cause them sodainly to loose the citie 39 Lo yet another Francis Sforse a man Like to his Grandfire both in acts and name Who to driue out the Frenchmen well began And Millen did recouer with great fame Lo France againe endeuour all they can To win with praise that they had lost with shame But Mantuas worthy Duke on Tycian streame Cut off his way and kept him from that Realme 40 Yong Fredericke yet but a beardlesse boy Scant hauing on his chin a little downe Lo how he saues Pauia from annoy When furiously the French besiege the towne He makes their earnest plots turne to a toy The Lion of the sea he beateth downe Lo here two Marquesses both of one blood Both borne to do their country endlesse good 41 The first of these is that Alfonsos sonne That by the Negro erst you saw betraid Behold what feates of armes by him are donne How at their greatest need he them doth aid How oft he hath on Frenchmen glorie wonne That of his very name they seem afraid The tother that so mild doth looke in sight Is Lord of Vasto and Alfonso hight 42 This is that worthy knight of whom I told Then when I did the I le of Iskia show Of whom I said that Merlin had foretold To Feramont what he by skill did know That when this world were worne and waxen old And Rome and Italy were brought most low Then he should spring who to his endlesse praise Their foes should ouerthrow and them should raise 43 Lo how he with his cousin of Pescare And with Colonnas prosprous ayd no lesse The French and Dutch that at Bycocca are Do foyle and slay and driue to great distresse Lo how againe the French men do prepare With new attempts to mend their bad successe One campe the king in Lombardie doth make And with another Naples he would take 44 But she that vseth men as wind doth dust First take it vp and blow it very high And from that highest place straight when she lust She throwes it downe whereas it first did lie She makes this king deuoyd of all mistrust Thinke he hath men an hundred thousand nie At Pauie siege beleeuing others musters But wo to kings whose seruants are no iuster 45 So while this noble Prince mistrusts no harme His wicked Captaines greedy gaine to win Cauld that the souldiers in the night alarme Came to their colours slow and very thin Within their tents they feele their skirmish warme The warie Spaniards soone had entred in With those two guides with whom they durst assay In hell or else in heau'n to breake a way 46 Lo how the chiefe nobilities of France Lie dead on ground a cause of many teares How many an hargubush a sword and launce This stout king hath alone about his eares His horse slaine vnder him by hard mischance And yet he nothing yeelds nor nothing feares Though all the host assaulted him alone And all the rescues and supplies were gone 47 The valiant King defends him on his feet Bathing his blade long time in en'mies blood But vertue that with too much force doth meet Must yeeld at last it cannot be withstood Lo him here prisner lo how in a fleet He passeth into Spaine the salt sea flood Whence Vasto doth the chiefest honour bring Of the field wonne and of the prisner king 48 Thus both that host the king had thither brought And that he meant to Naples to haue sent Were both dispersed quite and came to nought Much like a lampe when all the oile is spent Lo how the King againe so well hath wrought He leaues his sons for pledge and homeward went Lo how abroade he doth new quarrels pike Lo how at home some do to him the like 49 Lo here the wofull murders and the rapes That Rome doth suffer in the cruell sacke Where neither thing prophane nor holy scapes But all alike do go to spoile and wracke The league that should relieue sits still and gapes And where they should step forward they shrinke backe Thus Peters successor by them forsaken Is straight besieged and at length is taken 50 The King sends Lautrek new supplies to gather Not that he should to Lombardie do ought But that he might set free the holy father That to so low an ebbe so soone was brought But Lautrek should haue come a little rather The Popes own coyn hath his own freedom bought Lautrek attempts to conquer Naples towne And soone turnes all that country vpside downe 51 Lo how a faire Imperiall nauie bends His course to succor the distressed towne But Doria backe with heaue and ho
Giu'n to Rogero many recompences 6 He did but well in going to his Lord And she as well it cannot be denied In that she thereto granted her accord Which she might hap haue stopt had she replied That from the same her liking had abhord What now she wants henceforth may be supplied But if that honor haue one minuts slaine An hundred yeares scant can it cleanse againe 7 Now while â—Rogero vnto Arly went As dutie bound him to Traianos haire Vnto the Christen campe incontinent Rogeros spouse and sister noble paire As louing frends and coâ—ns now they went And vnto Charles his tent they did repaire Who minds by siege or battels doubtfull chance To driue these tedious troubles out of France 8 When in the campe it was made knowne and bruted That Bradamant was come her noblest brothers Came forth to her and kindly her saluted With Guidon though they came of sundry mothers And she as for her sexe and calling suted Did resalute both them and diuers others By kissing some and speaking to the best And making frendly gestures to the rest 9 But when Marfisas name was heard and knowne Whose noble acts eu'n from Catay to Spaine And ouer all the world beside were blowne To looke on her all were so glad and faine With presse and thrust not few were ouerthrowne And scarse aman could in the tents remaine But heauing shouing hither-ward and thither To see so braue a paire as these togither 10 Now when to Charles his presence come they be Vpon her knee Marfisa did decline And as Turpino writes no man did see Her knee to touch the ground before that time To none of anie calling or degree Not vnto Christen Prince or Sarazine She onely doth esteeme king Pepins sonne As worthie whom such honor should be donne 11 But Charles arose and met her halfe the way And in kinde stately sort did her embrace And set her by his side that present day Aboue the Princes all and gaue her place Then voided was the roome that none might stay But Lords and knights well worthie so great grace Excluding all the sawcie baser sort And then Marfisa spake in such like sort 12 Most mightie Caesar high renownd and glorious That from our Indies to Tyrinthian shore From Scythia frosen full with breath of Boreas To Aethiopia scorching euermore Makst thy white crosse so famous and victorious By value much but by thy iustice more Thy praise O Prince and thy renowned name Were cause from countries farre I hither came 13 And to say troth flat enuie mou'd me chiefe Because thy powre to reach so farre I saw I must confesse I tooke disdaine and griefe That any Prince that fauord not our law And was to vs of contrarie beliefe Should grow so great to keepe vs all in aw Wherefore I came with mind to haue destroid thee Or by all meanes I could to haue annoyd thee 14 For this I came for this I stayd in France To seeke your ruin and your ouerthrow When lo a chance if such a thing can chance Made me a frend and subiect or a so I will not stay to tell each circumstance But this in substance it did make me know That I your bloodie enemie Marfisa Was daughter to Rogero late of Ryla 15 He by my wicked vncles was betraid And left my wofull mother big with child Who neare to Syrté downe her bellie laid As strangely sau'd as wrongfully exild She brought a twin a man child and a maid We fosterd were seuen yeares in forrest wild By one that had in Magicke art great skill But I was stolne from him against his will 16 For some Arabians sold me for a slaue Vnto a Persian king whom growne in yeares Because he my virginitie would haue I killed him and all his Lords and Peeres And then such hap God and good fortune gaue I gat his crowne and armes as yet appeares And ere I fully was twise ten yeare old Seuen crownes I gat beside which yet I hold 17 And being enuious of your endlesse fame As erâ—t I told I came with firme intent By all the meanes I could to quaile the same And haply might haue done the hurt I ment But now a better minde that minde doth tame Now of my malice I do much repent Since by good hap I lately vnderstood That I was neare allide to you in blood 18 And sith I know my father was your man I meane no lesse then he did you to serue As for the hate and enuie I began To beare you I now the same reserue For Agramant and all the harme I can To all his kin that do the same deserue Because I now do know and am assured His ancestors my parents death procured 19 This said Marfisa and withall did adde That she would be baptized out of hand And when that Agramant she vanquisht had Returne if Charles to pleasd to her owne land And Christen them and farther would be glad Against all those that would Christs law withstand Ay to beare armes with vow that all her gaine To Charles and holy Church should ay remaine 20 The noble Charles of tongue as eloquent As wise in head as valorous in heart Did much extoll the Ladie excellent And all her kin and sire by iust desart And of her former speech incontinent Most graciouslie he answerd eu'rie part Concluding that he would for euer after Accept her as his cousin and his daughter 21 And her againe he did embrace of new And kilt her forhead as his child indeed It long would be to tell how braue a crew From Clarimount and Mongrane did proceed To welcome her or when Renaldo knew Marfisas name what ioy in him did breed He calls to mind what force in her he found Then when Albracca he besieged round 22 It long would be to tell of Guidons ioy With Griffin Aquilant and Sansonet That leapt with her their land that do destroy Those men that in their Realme they hap to get No lesse did Malagige and Vinian ioy Remembring how she ioynd with Richardet To rescue them as long before I told When vnto Bertolage they had bene sold. 23 Now was prepard against th' ensuing day A place as was by Charles himselfe deuised Set stately forth and hangd with rich aray Where this most worthy dame should be baptised Then Bishops were employd by whom she may Be taught the Christen faith and Catechised And all that day a learned Clarke and Preacher The principles of Christen faith did teach her 24 Then Turpin Archbishop of chiefe account In his robes pontificiall doth baptise her Charles with great reu'rence standeth by the fount And what to answer he did still aduise her But now t is time that to the Moone I mount For that receit must make Orlando wiser From whence the Duke descending by strange byas Came with S. Iohn in charret of Elyas 25 And by his guide he backe againe was led And keeps
still in his hand that pot or Iarre That should againe make wise the mased hed Of that same Palladin well seene in warre Likewise the Saint vnto Astolfo sed Assoone as they allighted from the carre That with an herbe of which there grew great store He should againe Sonapos sight restore 26 For which and for his former great desart He should haue men t' assault Biserta land He teacheth him those people vnexpart He should so traine to make them to his hand He further learned him the way and art How he might safely passe th'vnstable sand And plainly thus S. Iohn from point to point What th' English Duke should do did him appoint 27 Then did Astolfo take his winged steed And of the Saint deuoutly tooke his leaue And soaring downe he makes no little speed To do that which in charge he did receaue So farre by Nylus bankes he doth proceed Vntill that Nubia he did plaine perceaue And following the course of that same streame Came to Senapo head of that same Reame 28 Great was the pleasure triumph and the ioy Senapo tooke when he thereof had woord Remembring well the trouble and annoy The foule Harpias brought him at his booâ—d But when he made him eke his sight enioy And did so rare a grace to him affoord That by his meanes his eye sight was restord him He worshipt him and like a God adord him 29 Nor onely did he giue him souldiers then Wherewith he might Biserta towne inuade But for each one he askt he gaue him ten That soone two hundred thousand men he made Scarce had the fields roome for so many men But footmen all â—â—o is that countryes trade For horses in that Region are but dentie But Elephants and Camells they haue plentie 30 Now that same day that went before the day In which the men of Nubia made account To march on forward some part of their way Astolfo on his Griffith horse doth mount And Southward he doth passe and doth not stay Vntill he came neare to a mightie mount At foote whereof a vast caue he doth finde Which was the lodging of the Sotherne winde 31 The mightie caue had but a narrow mouth At which the Duke as Christs Apostle taught Did watch so long vntill the wind of South Came home to ease his spirits ouerwrought To enter in Astolfo him allowth But when anone to haue come out he thought Within a leather sacke the Duke had plast At that caues mouth he caught and tyde him fast 32 The Palladin full proud of such a pray Returnes to Nubia ward before t was night And to the Negros then he showd the way Appointing them how they should trauell right He victualls doth and cariages conuay All safe vnto that hill that Atlas hight Quite ore those fields where many haue bene found With wind for want of water more then drownd 33 And being come vnto the mountaines side There where he might discouer all the plaine He doth his bands and companies deuide And chuseth those that are most apt to traine And those he parts and putteth them aside And orders for the rest he doth ordaine Then he in fight of all the hill ascendeth And lookt like one that some great feat intendeth 34 And kneeling downe as one that did beleeue His prayre should granted be as well as hard He prayd his master their great want releeue Then casting stones that were before prepard What cannot firme beleefe in Christ atcheeue The very stones a thing to credit hard Did grow and hue and moue by hidden cause And had both bellyes legges and necks and iawes 35 And naying lowd fild all the place with sound Of horse some bay some roane some daple gray And of all them were readie horses found The spurre the wand the leg and voyce t' obay To stop to start to passe carier to bound To gallop straight or round or any way Thus were the men well horst with little paines For eu'rie horse had saddle bit and raines 36 Thus by this vertuous Duke within one houre Were fourscore thousand footmen horsemen made With which so great and vnexpected powre Full fiercely he all Affrike did inuade And burnt and spoild full many a towne and towre All giuing way to his victorious blade Vntill three Princes Agramants vicegerents Made head against the Duke with their adherents 37 The king of Aldyzer and he of Ferse With stout Bransardo all three mightie kings That find their enemies to grow so fierce Do send their Lord by sea word of these things A little fricket straight the waues doth pierce And of these euill newes quicke notice brings To Agramant that lay that time in Arlie Besieged by an armie strong and warlie 38 Who hearing of his countries wofull case And by his absence what did them betide He cald his Lords and Princes to the place Consulting how for this harme to prouide And looking once or twice with stately grace Now on the tone then on the tother side But on Marsilio and Sobrino chiefe In such like words he told to them his griefe 39 Although I wot it worst beseemes of all A Generall to say I had not thought Yet so say I for when a harme doth fall Beyond the reach of humane sence or thought Then sure the blame is either none or small And in this compasse may my fault be brought My fault it was Affricke to leaue vnarmed If of the Nubians now they could be harmed 40 But who could thinke but God that vnderstands The things to come as well as those are past So great an host could passe to many lands That were from vs so great a distance plast Twixt whom and vs lies those vnstable sands That dangerously are mou'd with Southerne blast Yet are they come and haue so farre preuailed Byserta selfe is now by them assailed 41 Now on this point your consels here I craue If so I shall all fruitlesse hence retire Or trie before I go if I can haue The crowne of France to which I do aspire Or how I may at home my country saue And this destroy which is my most desire If any know the meane then speake he to it To th' end that we may know the best and do it 42 Thus much the sonne of great Traiano spake And on Marsilio fixt his eyes that he As chiefe in place thereby might notice take That first by him he would aduised be Who when he had stood vp for reu'rence sake And bowd his bodie and withall his knee Downe sate him in his honorable seate And spake such words as I shall here repeate 43 What euer fame doth bring of good or ill To make it greater it doth euer vse Wherefore my soueraigne Lord I neuer will Be bold or basht with hearing flying newes But moue such doubt and such assurance still As though I would not all reports refuse Yet would I thinke the truth of other sort Then as so
most sweet accord Were heard the while his spirit did ascend The which dissolued from this fleshly masse In sweetest melodie to heau'n did passe 15 Orlando though he should reioyce in hart Of this his end so holy and deuout Because he knew his louing Brandimart Was taken vp to heau'n without all doubt Yet flesh and blood in him so playd their part That without teares he cannot beare it out But that he needs must shew some change in cheare To leese one more then any brother deare 16 This while Sobrino brused in his hed And wounded sorely in his side and thye Vpon the ground so great a streame had bled It seemd his life in perill was thereby And Oliuero little better sped On whom his horse still ouerthrowne did lye He striuing but his striuing did not boot To get at libertie his brused foot 17 And sure it seemes he had bene worse apayd Had not his dolefull cosin quickly come And brought to him both quicke and needfull ayd Before the paine had him quite ouercome His foote that long had in the stirrop stayd Was there withall so void of sence and numme That when he stood vpright he was not able To tuch the ground much lesse tred firm stable 18 So that indeed Orlando in his hart But little ioy of so great conquest had He wayles the death of his deare Brandimart And that his kinsman was in state so bad Now lay Sobrino though aliue in part Yet with a looke so chearlesse and so sad And so much blood his aged veines had bled That doubtlesse in few howres he had bene ded 19 Saue that Orlando with compassion moued To see him ly so lorne and so distressed Gate him such needfull things as best behoued And charitably made his wounds be dressed So kindly that some kinseman deare beloued And not his foe a man might him haue guessed Such was this Earles good nature fierce in fight But fight once done from malice free or spight 20 The horse and bodies of the other twaine He tooke away and left their men the rest To be disposd to their owne priuate gaine Or to interre their Lords as they thought best But here that in my story I do faine Fredericke Fulgoso as I heare hath guest Sith at this I le he late arriuing found In all the same no leuell foote of ground 21 Nor doth he probable it deeme or take That sixe such knights as had in armes no peare On horsebacke should a combat vndertake Where no one foot of plaine ground doth appeare To which obiection I this answer make That then in times now past seau'n hundred yeare Plaine ground there was but now some inundation Or earthquake might procute this alteration 22 Wherfore Fulgoso honor of thy name Bright Fulgor causing all thy stocke to shine If in this point thou hadst imputed blame To me perhaps before that Prince deuine From whom thy countries good and quiet came And did it first to loue and peace incline Informe him now that eu'n perhaps in this My tale of truth or likelyhood doth not misse 23 This while Orlando looking from the shore A little Frigot did farre of deserie That both with sayle and with the helpe of ore Vnto that I le seemd in great hast to flie But ere of this I tell you any more I must to France as fast as I can hie To see if they be merrie there or sad Now they from thence the Turks expulsed had 24 First let vs see how faithfull Bradamant Doth take his absence whom she loueth most Who in his oth due care of faith did want Which he had tane in sight of either host Now sure she thinks his loue and faith too scant To heare he quite had left the Christen cost If in his publike oth he be vniust Whereto alas then whereto can she trust 25 And still returning to her former plaints And still bemoning her vnluckie fate With which her selfe she too too well acquaints She calls herselfe accurst and him vngrate Yea blaming God himselfe and all his Saints For not redressing this her wofull state She scarce abstaines high blasphemie to speake That God vniust and that Saints powres are weake 26 Then she Melissa absent doth reproue And curst that Oracles perswasion blind That lapt her in this Laberinth of loue Whence she herselfe by no meanes can vnwinde But to Marsisa all the rest aboue She open layes her stomacke and her mind With her she chides and vtters all her choller And yet she prayes her comfort this her doller 27 Marsisa comforts her in all she may And tels her what a vertue Patience is And partly doth excuse Rogeros stay And further giueth her her faith in this That if she find he wilfully delay She will constraine him mend all is amisse Or if she find that he refuse to do it To fight with him and so compell him to it 28 With this she did in part her paine asswage For why it is in sorrow great reliefe To those of either sex or any age To haue some frend to whom to tell their griefe But now if Bradamant be in such rage No lesse is he that of her house was chiefe I meane Renaldo that cannot expulse Loues fire from eu'rie sinew veine and pulse 29 I thinke I need not now to you repeat A thing by me so often told before By name that loue and that affection great That to Angelica Renaldo bore Nor did her beautie cause so much his heat As did that spring of which he dranke such store Now all the other Palladines were free From all their foes now Cupids thrall is he 30 An hundred messengers he sends about Himselfe the while an hundred wayes more riding To aske of her or else to finde her out Who hath her now or where is her abiding At last because he thinketh out of doubt That Malagige of her can learne some tiding He asketh him but blushing sore with shame If he knew what of th' Indian Queene became 31 His cosin wonders at so strange a case And in his mind thereon long time he mused That when Renaldo had both time and place Her offers large and kind he still refused When both herselfe did sue to haue his grace And many of his frends perswasions vsed And Malagige himselfe among the rest Had prou'd him oft with prayre and with request 32 The rather eke because Renaldo then By taking her had set his cosin free Who then was kept close prisner in a den And for that cause in perill slaine to be He maruels that he now would seeke her when No hope nor cause there was and further he With angrie looke did bid him call to mind How in this point he had bene too vnkind 33 But good Renaldo now quite of tune Pray'th him old quarrels from his mind to moue And doth most earnestly him importune Vnto his helpe his skill and bookes to proue Which made his
might But yet for all his hast it would not be The wind did for his purpose serue so slacke More then an houre too late it kept him backe 144 So that eu'n much about that time he came When as Orlando had that conquest wonne In which vnto his euerlasting same Two Turkish Princes vnto death were donne Yet was some sorrow mingled with the same Both for the death of Monodantés sonne And Oliueros hurt of which he found Such griefe he could not set his foote to ground 145 Now as the Earle Renaldo did imbrace He could not chuse but shed a streame of teares When as he show'd him in the present place Good Brandimart to whom such loue he beares Lye newly slaine with pale and liuelesse face Likewise to weepe Renaldo not forbeares To see his death and eke his cosins bruse So griâ—uous that his foote he could not vse 146 Renaldo comforts them in all he may Although himselfe of comfort tasted least And chiefe to thinke by his vnluckie stay He was come tardie to so great a feast This while the wofull seruants did conuay Their masters coarses to the towne distrest I meane Bisetta where they made it knowne Which side preuaild and which was ouerthrowne 147 Of this same conquest that Orlando wonne Astolso and stout Sansonet were glad Yet ioyd they not so as they would haue donne If Brandimart his death then had not had The fall of noble Monodantés sonne Strake them into a dumpe and made them sad But who shall now impart to Fiordeliege The wofull losse of her deare Lord and liege 148 Her selfe had dreamt a strange dreame ouernight Which did her minde in fearfull sort dismay She dreamt the bases of her loued knight Which she imbrodred blacke this other day With spots of red were powdred all in sight And on the same like storme of haylstones lay That she had done it so she sure beleeued And with the thought thereof was greatly greeued 149 She further thought that to her selfe she sed Did not my Lord command me blacke to make it What ment I then to mixt it so with red And in so strange a manner to mistake it And ill presage in her this fancie bred And for an euill token she did take it Then came these newes which none imparted with her Till th' English Duke and Sansonet came thither 150 When they came in and that she well had heeded Their count'nances in such a conquest sad No further newes no further notice needed To make her know they brought her tidings bad Forthwith her griefe and sorrow so exceeded Scarse any powre her vitall spirits had But presently in pale and deadly sound She fell in wofull trance vpon the ground 151 But when that life came to his course againe Her tender checkes and her sayre haire she tare Oft calling on his loued name in vaine Whose losse had bred in her such wofull care She screeches and cries out with griefe and paine Like those with deuils that possessed are Or as the Menades with sound of home In furious manner all about were borne 152 This man and that to lend she doth intreat A knife wherewith her selfe she murder may Straight to the hau'n she runnes with furie great There where the bodies of the dead kings lay With minde to mangle them and bruse and beat Then to the sea she will there is no nay And passe to Lippaduse and there abide And end her life by Brandimarts deare side 153 Ah Brandimart my loued Lord she said What meant I without me to let thee part Ay me vnluckie wretch in that I staid And was not present there to take thy part Mine eye might vnto thee haue bene an aid My voyce might haue assisted thee in part And if Gradasso thee behind had stricken One cry of mine might thee both warne quicken 154 Or else perhaps so well I might haue sped me As to haue stept the blow and thee betweene If thou hadst scapt although it did behed me I would haue said that it had happie bene Now dye I will though death no whit can sted me And though I know my death is fruitlesse cleene Whereas if I had dyde in thy defence My death had profit bred and not offence 155 And if the heau'ns had bene so hard in this That I could not haue holpe thee in the place At least my last farewell and solemne kisse I should haue giu'n thee and thy louely face Bedewd with teares and ere to heau'nly blisse They soule had flowne I should haue had the space To say depart from hence in peace my deare And know I haue not long to tarrie heare 156 Is this deare Brandimart is this thy raigne Of Damagyre whose scepter I should take Is this the dowre thou doest to me or daine Is this the royall seat of which you spake Ah fortune hard how friuolous and vaine Dost thou my hopes and my designements make Ah why cease I sith so great good is rest me To cast away what euer else is left me 157 With this againe so great her furie grew She made vpon her selfe a fresh assalt And her faire haire she rent and tare anew As if her haire had bene in all the falt Eu'n from her tender cheeks the bloud she drew Still dewing them with watrie teares and salt But let her here awhile lament and mourne For to Orlando I must now retourne 158 Who with his kinsman that did now require Some cunning Leach his grieuous wound to cure And for to Brandimar he did desire To giue an honorable sepulture To that hill went that doth the night with fire Make cleare and doth the day with smoke obscure And so the winde did fauour his intent In twentie houres he came to Agringent 159 Here when they were downe from their ships alighted The Sunne eu'n then preparing to go downe They sent abroad and in great hast inuited The chiefe Nobilitie of all the towne Straight at the shore of torches store was lighted And many men of honour and renowne When as Orlando to the shore retourned Went with him to the corps and with him mourned 160 There Bardyn stood a man well stricke in yeares And in such sort to wayle he did perseuer That with aboundant shedding of his teares Men thought he would haue lost his eyes for euer To blame the heu'ns and starres he not for beares But roaring like a Lyon in a feauer Tare his gray haire and all about it sprinkled And spared not his aged skin and wrinkled 161 When as the Palladine approched neare Straight doubled was the mourning noise and crye Each striu'd who should most sorrowfull appeare And eu'rie one lift vp his voice on hye Orlando with more heauy heart then cheare Still keeping fixed on the beare his eye When silence first by signes procur'd he had Pronounc't these words with mourning voyce sad 162 O stout ô deare champion mine and frend That here art dead
sent to Charles his court to seeke him 33 Rogeros lackey that had bene their guide Told cake his masters frends how he had sped As namely how the Greekes he damnifide And how the Bulgars hauing lost their hed Chose him for king how he alone did ride To Nouengrade where he was rane in bed And vnto Theodora was presented Who purposed to haue him sore tormented 34 And how he heard it commonly was spoken That he his cruell keeper closely slew And that the Prison gates were rent and broken And he was gone but whither no man knew Now while Rogeros man such things did open Rogero closely out of all mens vew Did come to towne and there that night did stay And he and Leon came to Charles next day 35 Don Leon arme in arme Rogero led Thus it was then deuised them betweene With that selfe cote and armes apparelled That were of late by all the people seene Then when dame Bradamant had combated With Leon as they falsely then did weene That batterd sword that cote that plume all torne That headpeece now was by Rogero worne 36 By which each man eu'n at first fight surmised This was that knight that had the Ladie wonne Don Leon selfe bare faced vndisguised Came richly clothed like an Emp'rors sonne And with retinue not to be dispised And when he had to Charles due reu'rence donne Rogero by the hand he then did take On whom all eyes were fixt and thus he spake 37 This is that stout and well approued knight That did with Bradamant fight hand to hand Whom sith she neuer tooke nor put to flight But that he did twelue houres her force withstand Most worthy sir to haue her ought of right If your edict we rightly vnderstand And therefore now accordingly he commeth To lay his claime to her as best becommeth 38 Besides his right by proclamation knowne That iustly doth all others claime debarre I thinke the vallew that he now hath showne Proues his sufficiencie in feates of warre If loue may win her she is sure his owne His loue to her doth passe all others farre And here he stands prepared to auer By law or force that he hath right to her 39 King Charles and all his court did greatly muse At this for why till then they little thought That he before did them so much abuse But that himselfe had that same combat fought This while Marfisa that with flying newes Of this same strange report was thither brought Scant him to end his speech she would permit But presently this wife she answerd it 40 Sith now Rogero absent is from hence That might his right against this knight defend And proue that this is but a vaine pretence Because the strife shal not so easely end I that his sister am in his defense And in defence of this same cause intend To fight with whomsoeuer in this place As shall deny his title or disgrace 41 And these last words she spake with such desdaine That some that knew her nature hastie euer Did feare she scantly would eu'n then refraine But without leaue to kill him straight endeuer Now Leon thinks it best no longer faine And forthwith pulling of Rogero beauer Loe here himselfe now readie prest he said To answer all shall to his charge be laid 42 As old Aegeus at his cursed boord Amazed sat to finde his spouses wile When to his sonne she poyson did affoord And if he lingred had a little while And had not knowne the handle of his sword Had kild his sonne he gate by Pitheus guile So stood Marfisa mazed in the place When as she saw and knew Rogeros face 43 And straight she runnes and on his necke doth fall And long it was ere from him she could part Renald ' Orlando Charles afore them all Embraced him and welcomd from their hart Good Dudon Oliver with ioy not small And old Sobrino health to him impart Eake all the other Lords and knights and Squyres To bid him welcome shew most prompt desires 44 Don Leon that in speech was eloquent When eu'rie one had done his gratulation Begins to tell to Charles incontinent And all the rest Rogeros commendation And how he to the Bulgars succour lent To no small damage of the Greekish nation And shewd such noble courage and such force As him to loue Rogero did enforce 45 So as when he was after tane and brought To her that vowd with torment him to slay Himselfe in spite of her and all that sought To hurt Rogero brought him safe away For which kind part of his Rogero thought Himselfe so bound to him that he last day Did him that courtesie that sure doth passe The greatest courtesie that euer was 46 He further doth from point to point declare What for his sake Rogero had atchieued But after this with anguish great and care The losse of his belou'd so sore him grieued As he to pine away did straight prepare Had not his sorrow bene in time releiued All which so rufully Don Leon sed Scarse was an eye but teares with blindnes shed 47 Then spake he to that obstinate old man I meane Duke Ammon that faire Ladies fire And with all skill and Rhetoricke he can He wooes his loue and pacifies his ire That by intreatie at the last he wan Himselfe to go in person and desire Rogeros pardon praying him in th' end To take him for his father-in law and frend 48 This while to Bradamant the ioyfull tiding Was quickly brought by more then one report Who in her chamber all her sorrow hyding Eschewd all solace shunning all resort Whereby the blood about the hart abiding Was drawne now thence in such a sodaine sort And this vnlookt for ioy so ouerfild her That eu'n the suddennes had almost kild her 49 Quite speechlesse liuelesse sinking to the ground So strange a quame her tender heart did feele And she in whom such force was lately found For want of strength did here and thither reele But neu'r did thiefe with hands togither bound Condemned to the rope the axe or wheele And blindfold looking eu'rie houre to die Ioy more to heare some man a pardon crie 50 The houses of Mongrane and Montalbane Reioyce at these their branches newly knit But by Maganza comfort small is tane For in their hearts they sorrie were for it Anselmus Falcon Gynamus and Gane Dissembling yet their thoughts with craftie wit But for a time of vengeance they do watch As doth the Fox the hurtlesse hare to catch 51 Beside old quarrels and their ancient hate New matters done of late did them displease Although the king and wife men of the state For common quiet did the same appease The death of Pynabello slaine but late And Bertolage did much their mindes disease Yet now in shew they do dissemble deepe And close in minde they do their malice keepe 52 In this meane time th' Ambassadors that came To Charles his court by those Bulgarian sent