left aliue but my author here by Poeticall licence for I know no historicall ground of it saith that he was saued and a boy put in his steed and that thence forsooth are descended many houses of great account But this is not credible and the president thereof is perillous as I will shew in the Allusion By Atlants parting the fray betweene the brother and sister we may in Allegoricall sence vnderstand that when diuers that are neare of kin fall at variance there is nothing so auaileable for reconciling of them as the memory of some of their worthy auncestors which in well disposed minds will stirre a great reuerence and be a strong motiue vnto them to giue ouer their vnnaturall contentions Concerning the sauing of Astianax it puts me in mind of one or two perillous examples recorded in our Chronicles of the like deuice of one Perkin Warbecke who fained himselfe to be Richard the yonger sonne of Edward the fourth that was murdered in the Tower But what a trouble grew by that puppet for a time may there be seen which the Chronicles set out very largely Here end the annotations vpon the xxxvj booke THE XXXVII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Rogero with his sister and his spouse Find Vllanie halfe stript and strangely vsed Straight each of them but chiefe Marfisa vowes To be aneng'd on him that her misused She heares the law that women none allowes She finds the man that hath the sexe refused She plagues the tyrant for his proud behauiour And makes another law in womens fauour 1 IF worthie Ladies would but take such paine In studies that immortall glorie raise As they do often take in matters vaine Deseruing none at all or little praise Which notwithstanding that they might obtain They haue employed many nights and dayes To haue thereby some trifling want supplied That niggard nature had to them denied 2 And further if they could with their owne pen Set forth the worthie praise of their owne kind And not to be beholding vnto men Whom hate and enuie often so doth blind To make vs heare the good but now and then But eu'rie place full of their ill we find Then sure I iudge their praises would be such As hardly men should haue attaind so much 3 For many writers do not onely striue Too highly to extoll our sexes fame But that they thinke they must withall contriue To publish womens blemish and their blame As fearing haply lest they might arriue By their most due desart to greater name And so they might thereby obscure our praise As doth a cloud the Sunnes bright shining rayes 4 But yet for all such sparing pens do write Or lauish toâgues can speake in their disgrace Enforcing eu'rie il report for spite That may their credits slander and deface We still shall find their glorie shining bright We still shall see it keepes a worthie place Though wanting of that height the greater part To which it should attaine to by desart 5 Harpalicé and Thomeris beside With those that Turnus did and Hector ayd Besides that dame that in an Oxes hide The first foundation of faire Carthage layd Zenobia eke and she that quayld the pride Of Assur and both Inde and Persia frayd I say there haue bin many more then thease That haue bin famous both by land and seas 6 Nor only Rome and Greece haue bred such store Of faithfull matrons chast and stout and wise But all the world beside some lesse some more From whence it sets to where the Sun doth rise Though now their names obscured are so sore That few or none are laid before our eys And all because that they in those dayes wrate Were enuious and false and full of hate 7 Yet cease not Ladies ye that vertue loue To follow that your course and so good way And let not feare your minds from it remoue That your great fame hereafter may decay For true it is as we do daylie proue No good nor ill can still stand at a stay Though writers in time past were not your frends The present time shall make you large amends 8 The worthie writers of this present time Haue set your worthie praises so to vew Some in graue prose and some in learned time As none shall need this want hereafter rew And though they were infected with this crime Yet in this age so learn'd are some of you So well acquainted with the noble muses You could your selues remedie such abuses 9 And if I should recite the names of those That by the writers of our times are praisd Or that themselues haue wrote in verse or prose And haue their owne aud others glorie raisd As I might please some few so I suppose I might be blam'd of others and dispraisd Or in omitting some to do them wrong Or reckning all too tedious wax and long 10 Shall I then all omit that were not well Sith that to please them all I do desire Then will I chuse some one that doth excell The rest so farre as none may dare enuie her Whose name doth in such height of honor dwell As hard it is for any to come nye her Whose learned pen such priuilegde can giue As it can make eu'n those are dead to liue 11 For eu'n as Phebus shines on eu'rie star Yet on his sister casts his fairest light So eloquence and grace ay shining are Much more on her then any other wight And maketh her to passe the rest as farre As Phebé doth the other starrs in night Her light so splendent is and so diuine As makes another Sunne on earth to shine 12 Victoria is her name a most fit name For one in triumphs borne in triumphs bred That passeth Artimesia in the fame Of doing honor to her husband ded For though she did erect a wondrous frame For her Mausoleo with a Pyâamed Yet which is more to lay the dead in graue Or else from death with learned pen to saue 13 If Laodamie and if Brutus wife Argia Arria and Euadne chast Be to be praysed as they are so rise Because when as their husbands dayes were past They willingly forsooke this mortal life Then in what height must she of right be plast That such a gift vnto her spouse doth giue That being dead she still doth make him liue 14 And if the great Macedon enuie bare Vnto Achilles for Meonian Lyre Much more to noble Francis of Pescare He would haue borne whose praise is sounded hyre By such a wise so vertuous chast and rare As eu'n thy soule it selfe could not desire A louder trumpe thy prayses out to sound Sith hardly can a match to this be found 15 But to conclude both these and others prayse That I may follow on my present storie I say that both in these and former dayes Faire dames haue merited great fame and glorie Which though by writers enuie much decayes Yet need you not therefore now to be sorie Because amongst
many I am sure haue read With what sharpe checks I in my selfe am shent When into reasons recknings I do go And by such counts my selfe a bankrout know Of all those goods which heau'n to me hath lent Vnable quite to pay eu'n natures rent Which vnto it by birthright I did ow And which is worse no good excuse can show But that my wealth I haue most idly spent My youth doth wast my knowledge brings forth toyes My wit doth striue tho'e passions to defend With my reward spoyled with vaine annoyes I find my course to loose it selfe doth bend I see yet do no greater sorrow take Then that I leese no more for Stellas sake And this much of this matter of love In the conflict at Paris gate in presence of both Princes we may note how the Generall eye is a great encouragement to the souldier In Renaldos oration we may obserue that eloquence and learning is not onely a great ornament but sometime a great aid to a Captaine And for the speech it selfe it is both pithy and methodicall For being as they terme it of the deliberatiue kind it layes downe though briefly yet plainly if you mark it the facilitie the commendation the vtilitie and the necessitie of that to which he perswades them For historicall matter there is litle in this booke only where he touches the weake buildings of Paris being built so high and so sleight it is euident they are so at this day and doubtlesse it is a great blot in a magnificent citie to see browne paper houses which were a matter easily redressed in one age as Augustus Caesar did at Rome forbidding them to build but with stone and making great prouision for stuffe and cariage for such as would build at a reasonable price as Suetonius setteth downe at large but this is not much to the purpose Whereas Silence is said to be sent by God with an Angell to conduct the Christian succors to Paris by the Angell is meant allegorically Gods assistance and grace without which no victories can be obtained and by Silence is vnderstood wise secretnesse to conceale our intent from our enemies which is a great furtherance in warre For the Allusion of Martano I referre it to the next booke where his cowardize is more largely touched The end of the Annotations of the sixteenth Booke THE SEVENTEENTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Fierce Rodomont leaue Paris is constraind Martano at Damasco tilts most vyly Stout Griffin thinks his running thereby staind And goes fro thence the while Martano slyly Doth steale his coat and horse and so obtaind Great guifts and of the king is graced highly But Griffin taken in Martanos clothing Receiues disgrace each one his presence lothing 1 THe most iust God when once mans sins do grow Beyond the boúds of pardon and of grace Because that mé his iudgements iust may know No lesse then loue to rule on earth doth place Vile Monsters such as tyrannize vs so With wrong the right with lust they lawes deface For this same câuse were Sylla sent and Marius The Nerons both and filthie minded Varius 2 For this Domician held in Rome the raigne And Antoninus of that name the last And Massimin a base vnworthie swaine To plague mankind in Princely throne was plast For this in Thebs did cruell Creon raigne With other tyrants more in ages past For this of late hath Italie beene wonne By men of Lumbardie of Goth and Hunne 3 What should I of vniust Attyla speake Of Esselin and of an hundred more Whom God doth send his anger iust to wreake On vs that still neglect his sacred lore The times forepast long since the present cake Of such examples yeelds vs wofull store How we vnthankfull and vnfruitfull sheepe Are giu'n to hungrie rau'ning Wolues to keepe 4 Such Wolues as would not onely by their wills Seaze all our goods and substance as their pray But also send beyond the Alps high hills For other Wolues more hunger staru'd then thay The bones of men that Thrasimeno fills The fights of Treb and Cannas are but play If with our bloodie slaughters they compare Of Adda Mela Ronco and of Tare 5 No doubt God in heau'nly throne that sits And thence our deeds and thoughts doth plainly see Vs to be spoild and conquerd thus permits By those that are perhaps as ill as we But if to please him we would bend our wits Then from these foes he soone would set vs free And we should see their punishment er long That vs oppresse by villanie and wrong 6 But now to turne from whence I did digresse I told you how when Charles the news had hard Of houses burnd and men in great distresse By him that doth nor God nor man regard Vnto their aid he doth himselfe addresse And chuse some speciall men to be his guard And meeting such as fled their course he staid And these or such like words to them he said 7 O simple fooles what meane you hence to runne Turne backe for shame turne backe and do not fly You chuse the greater ill the lesse to shunne To liue with shame and may with honor dy What citie haue you left when this is wonne What hope is left a fortune new to try Shall one vile Pagan bost another day That he alone bath dâu'n you all away 8 This said he came vnto the pallace gate Where now the Pagan Prince triumphant stood Most like a serpent fierce that hath of late His old skin cast and left it in the wood Reioycing now of his renewed state Of his fresh strength of young and lustie blood He shewes his forked tongue and comes apace And eu'rie beast that sees him giues him place 9 Thus scornfull and thus proud the Pagan stands With threats to spoile the Pallace and deface And not a man that once his force withstands Vntill king Charles appeared in the place Who looking on his old victorious hands Said thus and is now alterd so the case That these my hands that wonted were to win To yeeld and to be faint should now begin 10 Why should the strength the vigor and the might That I was wont in you to feele now faile Shall this same Panim dogge eu'n in my sight My people slay my dwelling house assaile No first on me a thousand deaths alight No death can make a princely heart to quaile And with that word with couched speare in rest He runnes and smites the Pagan on the brest 11 And straight the other of the chosen crew On eu'rie side the Pagan do beset But how he scapt and what did then ensew Another time I le tell but not as yet For first some matters past I must renew And namely Griffin I may not forget And craftie Origilla with the tother That was her bedfellow and not her brother 12 These three vnto Damasco came togither The fair'st and richest towne of all the East What
time she pleased to appoint To haue him sent to crack his chiefest ioynt 9 Vnto some desart place he banisht was To serue for meat for carrion crowes and pyes Rogero that had helpt him oft alas Now cannot heare his pitteous mones and cryes He lyes sore wounded as it comes to passe And littles knowes where poore Brunello lyes And when he vnderstands thereof at last It is so late alreadie it is past 10 This while what torments Bradamant indured Those twentie days how did she waile and mourne Against which time she thought her selfe assured Her loue to her and to the faith should turne She makes no doubt but he might haue procured Within that space to make his home returne Yea though he were in prison kept or banished If troth and care of promise were not vanished 11 In this long looking she would often blame The fierie coursers of the heauenly light She thought that Phoebus wheeles were out of frame Or that his charriot was not in good plight Great Iosuahs day seemd shorter then these same And shorter seemd the false Amphitrions night Each day and night she thought was more then doubled So fancie blind her sence and reason troubled 12 She now enuyes the Dormouse of his rest And wisht some heauy sleepe might ouertake her Where with she might most deadly be possest Till her Rogero should returne to wake her But waking cares ay lodged in her brest That her desired sleepe did quite forsake her To sleepe so long doth so much passe her power She cannot frame her eyes to wincke one hower 13 But turnes and tosses in her restlesse bed Alas no turning turnes her cares away Oft at the window she puts forth her hed To see how neare it waxeth vnto day When by the dawning darkesome night is fled She notwithstanding stands at that same stay And during all the time the day doth last She wishes for the night againe as fast 14 When fifteene dayes were of the twentie spent She growes in hope that his approch is ny Then from a towre with eyes to Paris bent She waytes and watches if she can descry At least some messenger that he hath sent May bring the news where her sweet heart doth ly And satisfie her mind by what hard chance He is constraind to stay so long in France 15 If farre aloofe the shine of armour bright Or any thing resembling it she spies She straightway hopes it is her onely knight And wipes her face and clears her blubbred eyes If any one vnarm'd do come in sight It may be one from him she doth surmise And though by proofe she finde each hope vntrue She ceaseth not for that to hope anew 16 Sometime all arm'd she mounteth on her steed And so rides forth in hope to meet her deare But soone some fancie her concert doth feed That he is past some other way more neare Then homeward hasteth she with as much speed Yet she at home no newes of him can heare From day to day she passeth on this fashion Hither and thither tossed with her passion 17 Now when her twentie dayes were full expired And that beside were passed some dayes more Yet not Rogero come whom she desired Her heart with care and sorrowes waxed sore With cryes plaints the woods and caues she tyred Her breasts she beat her golden locks she tore Not while these gripes of griefe her heart embrace Doth she forbeare her eyes or Angels face 18 Why then quoth she beseemes it me it vaine To seeke him still who thus from me doth slide Shall I esteeme of him that doth disdaine My sute and scorne the torments I abide Him in whose heart a hate of me doth raine Him that accounts his vertues so well tride As though some goddesse should froÌ heau'n descéd Before that he his heart to loue would bend 19 Though stout he is he knows how well I loue him And how I honor him with soule and hart Yet can my hot affection nothing moue him To let me of his loue possesse some part And left he might perceiue it would behoue him To ease my griefe if he did know my smart To giue me hearing of my plaint he feares As to the charme the Adder stoppes his eares 20 Loue stop his course that doth so loosely range And flit so fast before my sorrie pace Or with my former state else let me change When I sought not to tracke thy tedious trace I hope in vaine remorce to thee is strange Thou dost triumph vpon my pitteous case For hearts thy meat thy drinke is louers teares Their cries the Musicke doth delight thine eares 21 But whom blame I it was my fond desire That first entist me to this killing call And made me past my reach so far aspire That now I feele the greater is my fall For when aloft my wings be toucht with fire Then farewell flight and I am left to fall But still they spring and still I vpward tend And still I see my fall and finde no end 22 Desire quoth I my selfe I was too light To giue desire an entrance in my brest Who when he had my reason put to flight And of my heart himselfe was full possest No roome for ioy is left or hearts delight Since I do harbour this vntruly guest Who though he guide me to my certaine fall The long expectance grieues me worst of all 23 Then mine the fault be if it be a fault To loue a knight deserues to be beloued With all good inward parts so richly fraught Whose vertues be so knowne and well approued And more whom would not his sweet face haue caught Myself I must confes his beautie moued What blind vnhappie wretch were she would shun The pleasing prospect of the precious Sun 24 Beside my destinie which drew me on By others sugred speech I was entrained As though I should by this great match anon Another Paradice on earth haue gained But now their words into the wind be gon And I in Purgatorie am restrained Well may I Merlin curse the false deceiuer Yet my Rogero I shall loue for euer 25 I hop't of Merlins and Melissas promises Who did such stories of our race foretell Is this the profit of beleeuing prophesies And giuing credit to the sprites of hell Alas they might haue found them better offices Then me to flout that trusted them so well But all for enuie haue they wrought me this So to bereaue me of my former blis 26 Thus sighs and lamentations are not fained Small place was left for comfort in her brest Yet spite of sorrows hope was entertained And though with much a do yet in it prest To ease her mourning heart when she complained And giuing her sometimes some little rest By sweet remembrance of the words he spake When he was forst of her his leaue to take 27 The minding of those words did so recure Her wounded heart that she was well content For one months space
noyse a trampling on the ground They thought it was some companie or rout That caused in the woods so great a sound At last they see a warlike horse and stout With guilded barb that cost full many a pound No hedge no ditch no wood no water was That stopped him where he was bent to passe 73 Angelica casting her eye aside Except said she mine eies all dazled be I haue that famous horse Bayardo spide Come trotting downe the wood as seemes to me How well for vs our fortune doth prouide It is the verie same I know t is he On one poore nag to ride we two were loth And here he commeth fit to serue vs both 74 King Sacrapant alighteth by and by And thinkes to take him gently by the raine But with his heeles the horse doth streight reply As who should say his rule he did disdaine It happie was he stood the beast not nye For if he had it had beene to his paine For why such force the horse had in his heele He would haue burst a mountaine all of steele 75 But to the damsell gently he doth go In humble manner and in lowly sort A spantell after absence fauneth so And seekes to make his master play and sport For Bayard cald to mind the damsell tho When she vnto Albracco did resort And vsd to feed him for his masters sake Whom she then lou'd and he did her forsake 76 She takes the bridle boldly in her hand And strokt his brest and necke with art and skill The horse that had great wit to vnderstand Like to a lambe by her he standeth still And while Bayardo gently there did stand The Pagan got him vp and had his will And she that erst to ride behind was faine Into her saddle mounted now againe 77 And being newly setled in her seate She saw a man on foote all armed runne Straight in her mind she gaâ to chase and fret Because she knew it was Duke Ammons sonne Most earnestly he sude her loue to get More earnestly she seekes his loue to shunne Once she lou'd him he hated her as much And now he loues she hates his hap was such 78 The cause of this first from two fountaines grew Like in the tast but in effects vnlike Plac'd in Ardenna each in others vew Who tasts the one loues dart his heart doth strike Contrary of the other doth ensew Who drinke thereof their louers shall mislike Renaldo dranke of one and loue much pained him The other dranke this damsell that disdained him 79 This liquor thus with secret venim mingled Makes her to stand so stiffely in the nay On whom Renaldos heart was wholy kindled Though scarce to looke on him she can away But from his sight desiring to be singled With soft low voice the Pagan she doth pray That he approch no nearer to this knight But flie away with all the speed he might 80 Why then quoth he make you so small esteeme Of me as though that I to him should yeeld So weake and faint my forces do you deeme That safe from him your selfe I cannot shield Then you forget Albracca it should seeme And that same night when I amid the field Alone vnarmed did defend you then Against king Agrican and all his men 81 No sir said she ne knowes she what to say Because Renaldo now approcht so nie And threatned so the Pagan in the way When vnder him his horse he did espie And saw the damsell taken as a pray In whose defence he meanes to liue and die But what fell out betweene these warriers fearce Within the second booke I do rehearse In this first booke may be noted in Angelica the vngratefulnes of women to their worthiest suters In the foure knights the passionate affections of loue and fancy And whereas first Bradamant and after Renaldo interrupt Sacrapant of his lasciuious purpose may be noted both the weake holdfast that men haue of worldly pleasures as also how the heauens do euer fauour chast desires Lastly in the two fountaines may be noted the two notable contrarieties of the two affections of loue and disdaine that infinite sorts of people daily tast of while they runne wandring in that inextricable labyrinth of loue Concerning the historie we find that in the time of Charles the great called Charlemaine sonne of Pepin king of France the Turkes with a great power inuaded Christendome Spaine being then out of the faith as some part thereof was euen within these four score yeares namely Granada which was held by the Moores And one Marcus Antonius Sabellicus writeth that for certaintie there liued in that time of Charlemaine many of those famous Palladines that are in this worke so often named and especially he maketh mention of Renaldo and Orlando affirming that they were indeed very martiall men and how Charles obtained great victories by their seruice and namely he talleth of one Ferraw a Spaniard of great stature and strength who tooke certaine Frenchmen prisoners afterward rescued by Orlando which Orlando fought with him hand to hand two whole dayes and the second vanquisht him Further the same author affirmeth that the same Charlemaine for his great fauour shewed to the Church of Rome was by Leo the third named Emperour of Rome and that he was a iust a fortunate and a mercifull Prince and one that within Europe as well as without did attaine great conquests suppressing the violent gouernement of the Lombards and taming the rebellious Saxons Huns and Baudrians and conquering a great part of Spaine all which testimonies shew that the ground of this Poeme is true as I shall haue particular occasion in sundry of the books ensuing to note and thus much for the story For the allegory in this Canto I find not much to be said except one should be so curious to search for an allegory where none is intended by the author himself yet an allegory may not vnfitly be gathered of the description of Bayardos following Angelica which may thus be taken Bayardo a strong horse without rider or gouernor is likened to the desire of maÌ that runs furiously after Angelica as it were after pleasure or honor or whatsoeuer man doth most inordinately affect Likewise in that Angelica flieth from Renaldo we may take an allegorical instruction that the temtations of the flesh are ouercome chiefly by flying from them as the Scripture it selfe teacheth saying Resist the diuel but fly fornication Further in that Bayardo striketh at Sacrapant but yeeldeth to Angelica it may be noted how the courage of our minds that cannot be abated with any force are often subdued by flatterie and gentle vsage till they be in the end euen ridden as it were with slauerie And whereas Renaldo followes Angelica on foote some haue noted thereby to be meant sensualitie that is euer in base and earthly or rather beastly affections neuer looking vpward For Allusions there are not any worth the
noting in this Canto saue that it seemes in Renaldos horse Bayardo he seemes to allude to Buccphalus Alexanders horse THE SECOND BOOKE THE ARGVMENT A Frire betweene two riuals parts the fray By magicke art Renaldo hasteth home But in embassage he is sent away When tempest makes the sea to rage and fome Bradamant seekes her spouse but by the way While she about the country wyld did rome Met Pinnabel who by a craftie traine Both sought and thought the Ladie to haue slaine 1 O Blind god Loue why takst thou such delight With darts of diuers force our hearts to wound By thy too much abusing of thy might This discord great in humane hearts is found When I would wade the shallow foord aright Thou draw'st me to the deepe to haue me dround From those loue me my loue thou dost recall And place it where I find no loue at all 2 Thou mak'st most faire vnto Renaldo seeme Angelica that takes him for a foe And when that she of him did well esteeme Then he dislikt and did refuse her thoe Which makes her now of him the lesse to deeme Thus as they say the renders quit pro quo She hateth him and doth detest him so She first will die ere she will with him go 3 Renaldo full of stately courage cride Downe theese from of my horse downe by and by So robd to be I neuer can abide But they that do it dearely shall abye Also this Ladie you must leaue beside Else one of vs in her defence will dye A horse so good and such a goodly dame To leaue vnto a theefe it were a shame 4 What ' me a theefe thou in thy throat dost lye Quoth Sacrapant that was as hot as he Theefe to thy selfe thy malice I defie For as I heare the name is due to thee But if thou dare thy might and manhood trie Come take this Ladie or this hoise from me Though I allow in this of thine opinion That of the world she is the matchlesse minion 5 Like as two mastiue dogges with hungrie mawes Mou'd first to hate from hate to raging ire Approch with grinning teeth and griefly iaws With staring eyes as red as flaming fire At last they bite and scratch with teeth and claws And teare themselues and tumble in the mire So after byting and reprochfull words Did these two worthy warriets draw their swords 6 One was on foote the tother was one horse You thinke perhaps the horseman vantage had No sure no whit he would haue wisht to skoâce For why at last to light he must be glad The beast did know thus much by natures force To hurt his master were a seruice bad The pagan could not nor with spur nor hand Make him vnto his mind to go or stand 7 He stops when he should make a full carite He runnes or trots when he would haue him rest At last to throw his rider in the nâite He plungeth with his head beneath his breast But Sacrapant that now had small desire At such a time to tame so proud a beast Did worke so well at last by sleight and force On his left side he lighted from his horse 8 When from Bayardos ouer furious might The Pagan had himselfe discharged so With naked swords there was a noble fight Sometimes they lye aloft sometimes aloe And from their blowes the fire flies out in sight I thinke that Vulcans hammers beat more slow Where he within the mountaine Aetnas chaps Doth forge for loue the fearfull thunderclaps 9 Sometimes they profer then they pause a while Sometime strike out like maisters of the play Now stand vpright now stoup another while Now open lye then couer all they may Now ward then with a slip the blow beguile Now forward step now backe a little way Now round about and where the tone giues place There still the other presleth in his place 10 Renaldo did the Pagan Prince inuade And strike at once with all the might he cowd The other doth oppose against the blade A shield of bone and steele of temper good But through the same a way Fusberta made And of the blow reâounded all the wood The steele the bone like yse in peeces broke And left his arme benummed with the stroke 11 Which when the faire and fearfull damsell saw And how great domage did ensue thereby She looked pale for anguish and for aw Like those by doome that are condemnd to dye She thinks it best her selfe from hence withdraw Else will Renaldo take her by and by The same Renaldo whom she hateth so Though loue of her procured all his wo. 12 Vnto the wood she turnes her horse in hast And takes a little narrow path and blind Her fearefull looks ofttimes she backe doth cast Still doubting lest Renaldo came behind And when that she a little way had past Alow the vale a Hermit she did find A weake old man with beard along his brest In shew deuout and holier then the rest 13 He seemd like one with fasts and age consumed He rode vpon a slouthfull going asle And by his looke a man would haue presumed That of his conscience scrupulous he was Yet her young face his old sight so illumed When as he saw the damsell by to pasle Though weake and faint as such an age behoued That charitie his courage somewhat moued 14 The damsell of the Hermit askt the way That might vnto some hav'n town lead most neare That she might part from France with out delay Where once Renaldos name she might not heare The frier that could enchaunt doth all he may To comfort her and make her of good cheare And to her safetie promising to looke Out of his bag forthwith he drew a booke 15 A booke of skill and learning so profound â That of a leafe he had not made an end But that there rose a sprite from vnder ground Whom like a page he doth of arrants send This sprite by words of secret vertue bound Goes where these knights their combat did intend And while they two were fighting verie hard He enters them betweene without regard 16 Good sirs quoth he for courtsie sake me show When one of you the tother shall haue slaine And after all the trauell you bestow What guerdon you expect for all your paine Behold Orlando striking nere a blow Not breaking staffe while you striue here in vaine To Paris ward the Ladie faire doth carie While you on fighting vndiscreetly tarie 17 I saw from hence a mile or thereabout Orlando with Angelica alone And as for you they iest and make a flout That fight where praise and profit can be none T wer best you quickly went to seeke them out Before that any farther they be gone Within the walls of Paris if they get Your eye on her againe you shall not set 18 When as the knights this message had receiued They both remaind amazed dumbe and sad To âeare Orlando had
them so deceiued Of whom before great iealosie they had But good Renaldo so great griefe conceiued That for the time like one all raging mad He sware without regard of God or man That he will kill Orlando if he can 19 And seeing where his horse stood still vntide He thither goes such hast he makeâ away He offers not the Pagan leaue to ride Nor at the parâng once adieu doth say Now Bayard felt his maisters spurres in side And gallops maine ne maketh any stay No riuers rocks no hâdge nor ditches wide Could stay his course or make him step aside 20 Nor maruell if Renaldo made some hast To mount againe vpon his horses backe You heard before how many dayes had past That by his absence he had felt great lacke The horse that had of humane wit some tast Ran not away for any iadish knacke His going onely was to this intent To guide his master where the Ladie went 21 The horse had spide her when she tooke her flight First from the tent as he thereby did stand And followd her and kept her long in fight As then by hap out of his master hand His master did not long before alight To combat with a * Baron hand to hand The horse pursude the damsell all about And holpe his master still to find her out 22 He followd her through valley hill and plaine Through woods and thickets for his masters sake Whom he permitted not to touch the raine For feare lest he some other way should take By which Renaldo though with mickle paine Twise found her out twise she did him forsake For first Ferraw then Sacrapant withstood That by twise finding her he did no good 23 Bayardo trusting to the lying sprite Whose false but likely tale so late he hard And doubting not it was both true and right He doth his dutie now with due regard Renaldo prickt with loue and raging spite Doth pricke apace and all to Paris ward To Paris ward he maketh so great shift The wind it selfe seemes not to go to swift 24 Such hast he made Orlando out to find That scant he ceast to trauell all the night So deeply stacke the storie in his mind That was of late deuised by the sprite Betimes and late as first he had assignd He rode vntill he saw the towne insight Where Charles whose chance all christned hearts did rew With the small relikes of his powre withdrew 25 And for he lookes to be assaulted then Or else besieg'd he vseth all his care To store himselfe with victuall and with men The walls eke of the towne he doth repare And take aduice both how and where and when For his defence each thing he may prepare An armie new to make he doth intend And for new souldiers into England send 26 He minds to take the field againe ere long And trie the hap of warre another day And all in hast to make himselfe more strong He sends Renaldo Englands ayd to pray Renaldo thought the Emperour did him wrong To send him in such hast and grant no stay Not that ill will to th'lland he did carie But for another cause he faine would tarie 27 Yet now although full sore against his mind As loth to leaue the Ladie he so loued Whom he in Paris hoped had to find Because t' obey his Prince it him behoued He taketh this embassage thus assignd And hauing straight all other lets remoued He posted first to Callis with great hast And there embarkt ere halfe next day was past 28 Against the mariners and masters minds Such hast he made to haue returned backe He takes the sea though swelling with great winds And threatning ruine manifest and wracke Fierce Boreas that himself despised finds Doth beate on seas with tempest foule and blacke By force whereof the waues were raisd so hie The very tops were sprinkled all thereby 29 The mariners take in their greater saile And by the wind they lie but all in vaine Then backe againe they bend without auaile Now they are out they cannot in againe No said the wind my force shall so preuaile Your bold attempts shall put you to some paine It was a folly any more to striue Needs must they follow as the wind did driue 30 In the foreship sometimes the blast doth blow Straight in the poope the seas breake to the skies Needs must they beare a saile though very low To void the waues that higher still did riâe But sith my web so diuerse now doth grow To weaue with many threds I must deuise I leaue Renaldo in this dangerous place And of his sister speake a little space 31 I meane the noble damsell Bradamant Of Ammon daughter and dame Beatrice In whose rare mind no noble part did want So full of value and so void of vice King Charls and France of her might rightly vauntâpunc So chast so faire so faithfull and so wise And in the feates of armes of so great fame A man might guesse by that of whence she came 32 There was a Knight enamourd on this dame That out of Affricke came with Agramant Rogero hight so was his fathers name His mother was the child of Agolant The damsell that of worthy linage came And had a heart not made of adamant Disdained not the loue of such a knight Although he had but seeld bene in her sight 33 Long trauell and great paine she had endured And rid alone her louer to haue found Ne would she thinke her safetie more assured If with an armie she were garded round You heard before how she by force procured King Sacrapant to fall and kisse the ground The wood she past and after that the mountaine Vntill at last she saw a goodly fountaine 34 A goodly fountaine running in a field All full of trees whose leaues do neuer fade Which did to passengers great pleasure yeeld The running streame so sweete a murmur made Vpon the South a hill the Sunne did shield The ground gaue floures the groues a grateful shade Now here the dame casting her eye aside A man at armes fast by the brooke descride 35 A man at armes she spied by the brooke Whose banks with flowres of diuers hew were clad Of which sweet place he so small pleasure tooke His face did shew his heart was nothing glad His targe and helmet were not farre to looke Vpon a tree where tide his horse he had His eyes were swolne with tears his mind oppressed With bitter thoughts that had his heart distresled 36 The damsell faire entic'd by deepe desire That all but chiefly women haue to know All strangers states doth earnestly require The dolefull knight his inward griefe to show Who marking well her manner and attire Her courteous speech with him preuailed so He te's his state esteeming by the sight That needs she must haue bene some noble knight 37 Good sir said he you first must vnderstand I serued
him stand aboue and hold it fast And by the same intending to descend Vpon her armes her whole waight she doth cast But he that to destroy her did ântend Doth aske if she would learne to leape a cast And laughing loosd his hands that were together And wisht that all the race of them were with her 76 Yet great good hap the gentle damsell found As well deseru'd a miâd so innocent For why the polâ strake first vpon the ground And though by force it shiuerd all and rent Yet were her limbes and life kept safe and sound For all his vile and traiterous intent Sore was the damsell mazed with the fall As in another booke declare I shall In thiâ second booke in the combat betweene Renaldo and Sacrapant we may obserue how the passion of loue together with the termes that men stand vpon for their reputation credit are oftentimes occasions of bitter quarels and in their sodaââe parting and great perplexitie that both of them were stricken into by the false tale that the spirit told them of Orlando we may gather how very apt ielousie is to conceiue and beleeue euery false report By Renaldos obedience to Charles in going on embassage notwithstanding all his priuat affaires and affections we may take example of dutiful obedience to our lawfull Prince And in that Pinnabel seekes to betray Bradamant and to kill her by letting her fall into the caue into the which she trusted he would haue let her downe safely and friendly we may note two speciall things one that it is good to be warie into whose hands we commit the sauegard of our liues and state the other that base minded men being wickedly set on reuenge care not by what treason or villanie they worke the ouerthrow of their enemies For the Historie of this Canto I will not affirme too precisely for I find not in any credible author of Renaldos embassage into England neither is it very likely if the King of England were then in Paris as in another place of this worke is affirmed that a Peere of France should be sent hither and not rather some English noble man sent from the King to his other subiects in England with directions and instructions from him That Paris and Charles himselfe were in some distresse about that time is not vnprobable and that the Turkes at their first arriuall preuailed very farre against the Christians though it lasted but a while As for Rogero whom he toucheth in this booke and that is so much spoken of in this wââle worke as Aeneas is in Virgil though in both rather in fabulous and in Allegoricall sence then plainly and historicaly yet I find it in very good Authors that a man of that name was indeed the chiefe raiser of the house of Este the now Dukes of Perrara For the Allegorie as I noted in the first booke of Bayardo so the same is still continued or rather repeated namely that the horse by which is meant mans feruent and furious appetite which is more plainly signified where it is said of the horse His going onely was to this intent To shew his master where the damsell went So that still this vnbridled desire figured by Bayardo leades Renaldo on foote whereby is vnderstood sensualitie to pursue Angelica with a base desire of the most base pleasure In the shield whose light amazed the lookers on and made them fall downe astonied may be Allegorically meant the great pompes of the world that make shining shewes in the bleared eyes of vaine people and blind them and make them to admire and fall downe before them hauing indeed nothing but shining titles without vertue like painted sheaths with leaden weapons or like straw without the graine either else may be meant the flaring beauties of some gorgeous women that astonish the eyes of weake minded men apt to receiue such louing impressions as Atlantas shield did amaze their senses that beheld it For the Allegorie of the horse what is meant thereby I reserue to another place where I will follow it more at large then this little space will giue me leaue and in that booke where he is more treated of The Allusion to which this flying horse is referred and from whence it is taken is from Pegasus the flying horse that Pindar writes of bred of the bloud of Medusa on which beast Bellerophon was wont to ride flying the false accusation of Pretus wife Also the shield it selfe seemes to allude to the fable of Medusas head that turned men into stones THE THIRD BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Faire Bradamant was falne in Marlins caue Melissa meetes her there her ancient friend And there to her she perfite notice gaue Of such braue men as should from her descend She told her where she should Rogero haue Whom old Atlanta had in prison pend And from Brunello how to take the ring That vnto libertie her deere might bring 1 OH that my head were so well storde with skill Of such a noble subiect fit to treat Oh that my wits were equall to my will To frame a phrase fit for so high conceat Ye muses that do hold the sacred hill Inspire my heart with flame of learned heat While I presume in base and lowly verse The names of glorious Princes to reherse 2 Such Princes as excell all Princes far In all the gifts of bodie and of mind Temprat in peace victorious eake in war Themselues most noble come of noble kind And such except my guesse do greatly arre As are by heau'ns eternall doome assignd In wealth in fame in rule and in prosperitie To liue themselues their children and posteritie 3 Nor can I now their seuerall actes most rare Atcheeud by eu'rie one of them recite No though my verse with Virgils might compare Or I as well as Homer could endite With their great praise great volumes filled are With large discourse by them that stories write I onely meane to show what was foreshowne Long er their persons or their deeds were knowne 4 But first of Pinnabel a word to speake Who as you heard with traiterous intent The bonds of all humanitie did break For which er long himselfe was after shent Thus while base minds their wroÌgs do basely wreak They do that once that often they repent And curse that time a thousand times too late When they pursude their vnreuenged hate 5 With fainting heart for sin is full of feare By stealing steps from hence he doth depart And as he goes he prieth here and there His fearefull looke bewrayes his guiltie hart Not yet his dread doth moue him to forbeare To heape more sin vpon this ill desart Appald with feare but toucht with no remorse Supposing she was slaine he takes her horse 6 But let him go vntill another time For I do meane hereafter you shall heare How he was dealt with when his double crime In secret wrought most open did appeare Now vnto
and this for heat to leaue And this we carried in so secret sort As none there was our doings did perceaue For why this window standeth out of sight Where none do come by day nor yet by night 11 Twixt vs this vse continu'd many dayes Yea many months we vsd this priuie traine Loue set my heart on fire so many wayes That still my liking lasted to my paine I might haue found by certaine strange delayes That he but little lou'd and much did faine For all his sleights were not so closely couered But that they might full easly be discouered 12 At last my Duke did seeme enflamed sore One faire Geneura neither can I tell If now this loue began or was before That I did come to court with her to dwell But looke if I were subiect to his lore And looke if he my loue requited well He askt my aid herein no whit ashamed To tell me how of her he was enflamed 13 Not all of loue but partly of ambition He beares in hand his minde is onely bent Because of her great state and hie condition To haue her for his wife is his intent He nothing doubteth of the kings permission Had he obtaind Geneuras free assent Ne was it hard for him to take in hand That was the second person in the land 14 He sware to me if I would be so kind His hie attempt to further and assist That at his hands I should great fauour finde And of the king procure me what me list How he would euer keepe it in his mind And in his former loue to me persist And notwithstanding wife and all the rest I should be sure that he would loue me best 15 I straight consented to his fond request As readie his commandment to obay And thinking still my time emploied best When I had pleasd his fancie any way And when I found a time then was I prest To talke of him and good of him to say I vsed all my art my wit and paine Geneuras loue and liking to obtaine 16 God knowth how glad I was to worke his will How diligent I followd his direction I spar'd no time no trauell nor no skill To this my Duke to kindle her affection But alwayes this attempt succeeded ill Loue had her heart alreadie in subiection A comely knight did faire Geneura please Come to this countrie from beyond the seas 17 From Italy for seruice as I heare Vnto the court he and his brother came In tourneys and in tilt he had no peere All Britain soone was filled with his fame Our king did loue him well and hold him deere And did by princely gifts confirme the same Faire castels townes and lordships him he gaue And made him great such power great princes haue 18 Our Soueraigne much his daughter likt him more And Ariodant this worthy knight is named So braue in deeds of armes himselfe he bore No Ladie of his loue need be ashamed The hill of Sicil burneth not so sore Nor is the mount Vesuuio so inflamed As Ariodantes heart was set on fire Geneuras beautie kindling his desire 19 His certaine loue by signe most certaine found Did cause my sute vnwillingly was hard She well perceiu'd his loue sincere and sound Enclining to his sute with great regard In vaine I seeke my Dukes loue to expound The more I seeke to make the more I mard For while with words I seeke to praise grace him No lesse with workes she striueth to deface him 20 Thus being oft repulst so euill sped I To my too much beloued Duke I went And told him how her heart was fixt alredie How on the stranger all her mind was bent And praid him now sith there was no remedie That to surcease his sute he would consent For Ariodant so lou'd the princely wench That Neptunes floods vnneth his flames cold quench 21 When Polynesso so the Duke we call This tale vnpleasant oftentime had hard And found himselfe his likel'hood verie small When with my words her deeds he had compard Greeu'd with repulse and greeued there withall To see this stranger thus to be prefard The loue that late his heart so sore had burned Was cooled all and into hatred turned 22 Inâââding by some vile and subtil traine To part Geneura from her faithfull louer And plant so great mislike betweene them twaine Yet with so cunning shew the same to couer That her good name he will so foule distaine Alâe nor dead she neuer shall recouer But lest he might in this attempt be thwarted To none at all his secret he imparted 23 Now thus resolu'd Dalinda faire quoth he I so am cald you know though trees be topt And throwded low yet sprout yong shoots we see And issue from that head so lately lopt So in my loue it fareth now with me Though by repulse cut short and shrewdly cropt The pared tops such buds of loue do render That still I proue new passions do engender 24 Nâ do I deeme so deare the great delight As I disdaine I should be so reiect And lest this griefe should ouercome me qâight Because I faile to bring it to effect To please my fond conceit this very night I pray thee deare to do as I direct When faire Geneura to her bed is gone Take thou the clothes she ware and put them on 25 As she is wont her golden haire to dresse In stately sort to wind it on her wire So you her person liuely to expresse May dresse your owne and weare her head attire Her gorgets and her iewels rich no lesse You may put on t' accomplish my desire And when vnto the window I ascend I will my comming there you do attend 26 Thus I may passe my fancies foolish fit And thus quoth he my selfe I would deceiue And I that had no reason nor no wit His shamefull drift though open to perceiue Did weare my mistresse robes that seru'd me fit And stood at window there him to receiue And of the fraud I was no whit aware Till that fell out that caused all my care 27 Of late twixt him and Ariodant had past About Geneura faire these words or such For why there was good friendship in times past Betweene them two till loue their hearts did such The Duke such kind of speeches out did cast He said to Ariodant he marueld much That hauing alwayes lou'd and well regarded him That he againe so thanklesly rewarded him 28 I knâw you see for needs it must be seene The good consent and matrimoniall loue That long betweene Geneura and me hath beene For whom I meane ere long the king to moue Why should you fondly thrust your selfe betweene Why should you roue your reach so faire aboue For if my câe were yours I would forbeare Or if I knew that you so loued were 29 And I much more the other straight replies Do maruell you sir Duke are so vnkind That know our loue and see it
with your eies Except that wilfulnesse haue made you blind That no man can more sured knots deuise Then her to me and me to her do bind Into this sute so rashly are intruded Still finding from all hope you are excluded 30 Why beare you not to me the like respect As my good will requireth at your hand Since that our loue is growne to this effect We meane to knit our selues in weddings banâ Which to fulfill ere long I do expect For know I am though not in rents or land Yet in my Princes grace no whit inferiour And in his daughters greatly your superiour 31 Well said the Duke errors are hardly moued That loue doth breed in vnaduised brest Each thinkes himselfe to be the best beloued And yet but one of vs is loued best Wherefore to haue the matter plainly proued Which should proceed in loue and which shold rest Let vs agree that victor he remaine That of her liking sheweth signes most plaine 32 I will be bound to you by solemne oth Your secrets all and counsell to conceale So you likewise will plight to me your troth The thing I shew you neuer to reueale To trie the matter thus they greed both And from this doome hereafter not repeale But on the Bible first they were deposed That this their speech should neuer be disclosed 33 And first the stranger doth his state reueale And tell the truth in hope to end the strife How she had promist him in wo and weale To liue with him and loue him all her life And how with writing with her hand and seale She had confirmed she would be his wife Except she were forbidden by her father For then to liue vnmarride she had rather 34 And furthermore he nothing doubts he said Of his good seruice so plaine proofe to show As that the king shall nothing be afraid On such a Knight his daughter to bestow And how in this he needeth little aid As finding still his fauour greater grow He doubts not he will grant his liking after That he shall know it pleaseth so his daughter 35 And thus you see so sound stands mine estate That I my selfe in thought can wish no more Who seekes her now is sure to come too late For that he seekes is granted me before Now onely rests in marridge holy state To knit the knot that must dure euermore And for her praise I need not to declare it As knowing none to whom I may compare it 36 Thus Ariodant a tale most true declared And what reward he hoped for his paine But my false Duke that him had fouly snared And found by my great folly such a traine Doth sweare all this might no way be compared With his no though himselfe did iudge remaine For I quoth he can shew signes so expresse As you your selfe inferiour shall confesse 37 Alas quoth he I see you do not know How cunningly these women can dissemble They least to loue where they make greatest show And not to be the thing they most resemble But other fauours I receiue I trow When as we two do secretly assemble As I will tell you though I should conceale it Because you promise neuer to reueale it 38 The truth is this that I full oft haue seene Her iuory corpes and bene with her all night And naked laine her naked armes betweene And full enioyne the fruites of loues delight Now iudge who hath in greatest fauour beene To which of vs she doth pertaine in right And then giue place and yeeld to me mine owne Sith by iust proofes I now haue made it knowne 39 Iust proofes quoth Ariodant nay shamefull lies Nor will I credit giue to any word Is this the finest tale you can deuise What hop'd you that with this I could be dord No no but sith a slander foule doth rise By thee to her maintaine it with thy sword I call thee lying traitor to thy face And meane to proue it in this present place 40 Tush quoth the Duke it were a foolish part For you to fight with me that am your frend Sith plaine to shew without deceit or art As much as I haue said I do intend These words did gripe poore Ariodantes hart Downe all his limbes a shiuering doth descend And still he stood with eyes cast downe on ground Like one would fall into a deadly sound 41 With wofull mind with pale and chearlesse face With trembling voice that came from bitter thought He said he much desir'd to see this place Where such strange feats and miracles were wrought Hath faire Geneura granted you this grace That I quoth he so oft in vaine haue sought Now sure except I see it in my vew I neuer will beleeue it can be trew 42 The Duke did say he would with all his hart Both shew him where and how the thing was done And straight from him to me he doth depart Whom to his purpose wholy he had wonne With both of vs he playth so well his part That both of vs thereby were quite vndone First he tels him that he would haue him placed Among some houses falne and quite defaced 43 Some ruynd houses stood opposd direct Against the window where he doth ascend But Ariodant discreetly doth suspect That this false Duke some mischiefe did intend And thought that all did tend to this effect By trechery to bring him to his end That sure he had deuised this pretence With mind to kill him ere he parted thence 44 Thus though to see this sight he thought it long Yet tooke he care all mischiefe to preuent And if perhap they offer force or wrong By force the same for to resist he ment He had a brother valiant and strong Lurcanio cald and straight for him he sent Not doubting but alone by his assistance Against twice twentie men to make resistance 45 He bids his brother take his sword in hand And go into a place that he would guide And in a corner closely there to stand Aloofe from tother threescore paces wide The cause he would not let him vnderstand But prayes him there in secret sort to bide Vntill such time he hapt to heare him call Else if he lou'd him not to stirre at all 46 His brother would not his request denie And so went Ariodant into his place And vndiscouerd closely there did lie Till hauing looked there a little space The craftie Duke to come he might descrie That meant the chast Geneura to deface Who hauing made to me his wonted signes I let him downe the ladder made of lines 47 The gowne I ware was white and richly set With aglets pearle and lace of gold well garnished My stately tresses couerd with a net Of beaten gold most pure and brightly varnished Not thus content the vaile aloft I let Which only Princes weare thus stately harnished And vnder Cupids banner bent to fight All vnawares I stood in all their sight 48 For why Lurcanio either taking care Lest
Ariodant should in some danger go Or that he sought as all desirous are The counsels of his dearest friend to know Close out of sight by secret steps and ware Hard at his heeles his brother followd so Till he was nearer come by fiftie paces And there againe himselfe he newly places 49 But I that thought no ill securely came Vnto the open window as I said For once or twice before I did the same And had no hurt which made me lesse afraid I cannot boast except I boast of shame When in her robes I had my selfe araid Me thought before I was not much vnlike her But certaine now I seemed very like her 50 ãâ¦ã that stood so farre aloofe Was more deceiu'd by distance of the place Aâd strâght beleeu'd against his owne behoofe Seeing her clothes that he had seene her face Now âet those iudge that partly know by proofe The wofull plight of Ariodantes case When Poâânessâ came by faithlesse frend In both their sights the ladder to ascend 51 I that his comming willingly did wait And he once come thought nothing went amisse Embrac'd him kindly at the first receit His lips his cheeks and all his face did kisse And he the more to colour his deceit Did vse me kinder then he had ere this This sight much care to Ariodante brought Thinking Geneura with the Duke was nought 52 The griefe and sorrow sinketh so profound Into his heart he straight resolues to die He puts the pummell of his sword on ground And meanes himselfe vpon the point to lie Which when Iurâanio saw and plainly found That all this while was closely standing by And Pââmessos comming did discerne Though who it was he neuer yet could learne 53 He held his brother for the present time That else himselfe for griefe had surely slaine Who had he not stood night and come betime His words and speeches had bene all in vaine What shall quoth he a faithlesse womans crime Cause you to die or put your selfe to paine Nay let them go and curst be all their kind Ay borne like clouds with eu'ry blast of wind 54 You rather should some iust reuenge deuise As she deserues to bring her to confusion Sith we haue plainly seene with both our eyes Her filthy fact appeare without collusion Loue those that loue againe if you be wise For of my counsell this is the conclusion Put vp your sword against your selfe prepared And let her sinne be to the king declared 55 His brothers words in Ariodantes mind Seeme for the time to make some small impression But still the carelesse wound remaind behind Despare had of his heart the full possession And though he knew the thing he had assignd Contrary to Christend knights profession Yet here on earth he torment felt so sore In hell it selfe he thought there was no more 56 Anâ'eeming now after a little pause Vnto his brothers counsell to consent He froâ the court next day himselfe withdrawes And makes not one priuie to his intent His brother and the Duke both knew the cause But neither knew the place whereto he went Diuers thereof most diuersly did iudge Some by good will perswaded some by grudge 57 Seu'n dayes entire about for him they sought Seu'n dayes entire no newes of him was found The eight a peasant to Geneura brought These newes that in the sea he saw him drownd Not that the waters were with tempest wrought Nor that his ship was stricken on the ground How then Forsooth quoth he and therewith wept Downe from a rocke into the sea he lept 58 And further he vnto Geneura told How he met Ariodant vpon the way Who made him go with him for to behold The wofull act that he would do that day And charged him the matter to vnfold And to his Princes daughter thus to say Had he bene blind he had full happie beene His death should shew that he too much had seene 59 There stands a rocke against the Irish I le From thence into the sea himselfe he cast I stood and looked after him a while The height and steepnesse made me sore agast I thence haue traueld hither many a mile To shew you plainly how the matter past When as the clowne this tale had told and verifide Geneuras heart was not a little terrifide 60 O Lord what wofull words by her were spoken Laid all alone vpon her restlesse bed Oft did she strike her guiltlesse brest in token Of that great griefe that inwardly was bred Her golden tresses all were rent and broken Recounting still those wofull words he sed How that the cause his cruell death was such Was onely this that he had seene too much 61 The rumor of his death spred farre and neare And how for sorrow he himselfe had killed The King was sad the court of heauy cheare By Lords and Ladies many teares were spilled His brother most as louing him most deare Had so his mind with sorrow ouerfilled That he was scantly able to refraine With his owne hands himselfe for to haue slaine 62 And oftentimes repeating in his thought The filthy fact he saw the other night Which as you heard the Duke and I had wrought I little looking it would come to light And that the same his brothers death had brought On faire Geneura he doth wreake his spight Not caring so did wrath him ouerwhelme To leese the kings good will and all his realmâ 63 The king and nobles sitting in the hall Right pensiue all for Ariodants destruction Lurcanio vndertakes before them all To giue them perfect notice and instruction Who was the cause of Ariodantes fall And hauing made some little introduction He said it was vnchast Geneuras crime That made him kill himselfe before his time 64 What should I seeke to hide his good intent His loue was such as greater none could be He hop'd to haue your highnesse free assent When you his value and his worth should see But while a plaine and honest way he went Behold he saw another climbe the tree And in the midst of all his hope and sute Another tooke the pleasure and the frute 65 He further said not that he had surmised But that his eyes had seene Geneura stand And at a window as they had deuised Let downe a ladder to her louers hand But in such sort he had himselfe disguised That who it was he could not vnderstand And for due proofe of this his accusation He bids the combat straight by proclamation 66 How sore the king was grieu'd to heare these newes I leaue it as a thing not hard to guesse Lurcanio plaine his daughter doth accuse Of whom the King did looke for nothing lesse And this the more his feare and care renewes That on this point the lawes are so expresse Except by combat it be prou'd a lie Needs must Geneura be condemnd to die 67 How hard the Scottish law is in this case I do not doubt but you haue
his youthfull course from that which he shall after surely repent Rogeros offring to go to Logestilla which betokens vertue signifies the good motiues that men haue often by reading good bookes or hearing good sermons to amend their liues but then the monstrous crew that stoppeth Rogero signifying the base conceits of men and foule desires that assaile them as namely those seaâen sinnes which be called the deadly sinnes by strong temptations and lewd suggestions do put vs out of that right way or at least encomber vs so as we proceed but slowly howbeit these do not preuaile so farre but that an honest and well giuen minde doth withstand them and yeeldeth not to them till the two Ladies riding vpon Vnicornes which some vnderstand by chast loue or at the least a shew of honorable loue or rather I suppose thereby to be meant ambition and desire of aduancement these two driue away all those base thoughts that assailed him but yet they bring him at last vnto the court of Alcina where he is held fast as shall be shewed in the next booke By Erifila is ment couetousnesse as the name it selfe shewes which must be beaten downe er we can come to honour or loue By Logestilla that is inuaded by the two basâerd sisters is ment allegorically the true Christian religion and there is another cosen of theirs called heresie and the graundsire of them all called Atheisme that are of late very busie with her But she is defended with the water which signifies the holy Scripture and with the mountaine which in the Scripture it selfe is taken for preachers as S. Augustine noteth vpon the Psalmes I lift vp mine eies to the hils whânce commeth my saluation The transformation of Astolfo alludes to Cyrces witchcrast in Homer THE SEVENTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT When foule Erifila was ouercome Rogero guided by two stately dames Vnto Alcynas sumptuous court doth come Where he his time in pleasure sâends and games Melissa him rebukes he standeth dumme And at her true reproofes he greatly shames In fine by her good counsell and direction He frees himselfe from that most foule subiection 1 ALL they that to far countries do reâort Shall see strange sights in earth in seas in skies Which when againe at home they shall report Their solemne tales esteemed are as lyes For âây the fond and simple common sort Beleeue but what they feele or see with eyes Therefore to them my tale may seeme a fable Whose wits to vnderstand it are not able 2 But carelesse what the simplâ sots surmise If they shall deeme it â deuice or deede Yet sure to those that are discreete and wise It will no wonder nor no passion breed Wherefore my tale to such I do deuise And with them to the same to take good heed For some there are may fortune in this booke As in a glasse their acts and haps to looke 3 For many men with hope and show of pleasure Are carri'd far in foolish fond conceit And wast their pretious time spend their treasure Before they can discouer this deceit O happie they that keepe within their measure To turne their course in time and found retreit Before that wit with late repentance taught Were better neuer had then so deare bought 4 A little while before I did reherse How that Rogero by two dames was brought To combat with Erifila the feerse Who for to stop the bridge and passage soughte In vaine it were for to declare in verse How sumptuously her armor all was wrought All set with stones and guilt with Indian gold Both fit for vse and pleasant to behold 5 She mounted was but not vpon a steed Insteed thereof she on a Wolfe doth sit A Wolfe whose match Apuliâ doth not breed Well taught to hand although she vsd no bit And all of sandie colour was her weed Her armes were thus for such a champion fit An vgly Tode was painted on her shield With poyson swolne and in a âable field 6 Now each the other forthwith had descride And each with other then prepard to fight Then each the other scornefully deside Each seekes to hurt the other all he might But she vnable his fierce blowes to bide Beneath the vizer smitten was so right That from her seat âixe pacâs she was heaued And lay like one of life and sense bereaued 7 Rogero readie was to draw his sword To head the monster lying on the sand Vntill those dames with many a gentle word Asswagd his heat and made him hold his hand He might in honour now her life affoord Sith at his mercie wholly she doth stand Wherefore sir knight put vp your blade say thây Le ts passe the bridge and follow on our way 8 The way as yet vnpleasant was and ill Among the thornie bushes and betweene All stony steep ascending vp the hill A way lesse pleasant seldome hath bene seene But this once past according to their will And they now mounted vp vpon the greene They saw the fairest castle standing by That erst was seene with any mortall eye 9 Alâyna met them at the outer gate And came before the rest a little space And with a count'nance full of high estate Salutes Rogero with a goodly grace And all the other courtiers in like rate Do bid Rogero welcome to the place With so great showes of dutie and of loue As if some god descended from aboue 10 Not onely was this pallace for the sight Most goodly faire and stately to behold But that the peoples courtsie bred delight Which was as great as could with tongue be told All were of youth and beautie shining bright Yet to confirme this thing I dare behold That faire Alâyna past the rest as farre As doth the Sunne another little starre 11 A shape whose like in waxe t were hard to frame Or to expresse by skill of painters rare Her haire was long and yellow to the same As might with wire of beaten gold compare Her louely cheekes with shew of modest shame With roses and with lillies painted are Her forehead faire and full of seemely cheare As smoth as polisht Iuorie doth appeare 12 Within two arches of most curious fashion Stand two black eyes that like two cleare suns shind Of stedie looke but apt to take compassion Amid which lights the naked boy and blind Doth cast In s darts that cause so many a passion And leaue a sweet and curelesle wound behind From thence the nose in such good sort descended As enuie knowes not how it may be mended 13 Conioynd to which in due and comely space Doth stand the mouth stand with Vermilion hew Two rowes of precious perle serue in their place To show and shut a lip right faire to vew Hence come the courteous words and full of grace That mollifie hard hearts and make them new From hence proceed those smilings sweet and nice That seeme to make an earthly paradice 14 Her brest as
turne vnto the caue Where lie the great and learned Merlins bones And at that tombe to crie so loud and raue As shall with pitie moue the marble stones Nor till she may some certaine notice haue Of her belou'd to stay her plaints and mones In hope to bring her purpose to effect By doing as that Prophet should direct 34 Now as her course to Poytiers ward she bent Melyssa vsing wonted skill and art Encountred her her iourney to preuent Who knew full well and did to her impart Both where her loue was and how his time he spent Which grieu'd the vertuous damsell to the hart That such a knight so valiant erst and wise Should so be drownd in pleasure and in vice 35 O poysond hooke that lurkes in sugred bait O pleasures vaine that in this world are found Which like a subtile theefe do lie in waite To swallow man in sinke of sinne profound O Kings and peeres beware of this deceit And be not in this gulfe of pleasure dround The time will come and must I tell you all When these your ioyes shall bitter seeme as gaââ 36 Then turne your cloth of gold to clothes of heares Your feasts to fasts to sorrowes turne your songs Your wanton toyes and smilings into teares To restitution turne your doing wrongs Your fond securenesse turne to godly feares And know that vengeance vnto God belongs Who when he comes to iudge the soules of men It will be late alas to mend it then 37 Then shall the vertuous man shine like the sunne Then shall the vicious man repent his pleasure Then one good deed of almes sincerely done Shall be more worth then mines of Indian treasure Then sentence shall be giu'n which none shall shun Then God shall wey and pay our deeds by measure Vnfortunate and thrice accursed thay Whom fond delights do make forget that day 38 But to returne vnto my tale againe I say Melyssa tooke no little care To draw Rogero by some honest traine From this same place of feasts and daintie fare And like a faithfull friend refusd no paine To set him free from her sweet senslesse snare To which his vnkle brought him with intent His destinie thereby for to preuent 39 As oft we see men are so fond and blind To carry to their sonnes too much affection That when they seeme to loue they are vnkind For they do hate a child that spare correction So did Atlanta not with euill mind Giue to Rogero this so bad direction But of a purpose thereby to withdraw His fatall end that he before foresaw 40 For this he sent him past so many seas Vnto the I le that I before did name Esteeming lesse his honour then his ease A few yeares life then euerlasting fame For this he caused him so well to please Alcyna that same rich lasciuious dame That though his time old Nestors life had finished Yet her affection should not be diminished 41 But good Melyssa on a ground more sure That louâd his honor better then his weale By sound perswasions meanes him to procure From pleasures court to vertues to appeale As leeches good that in a desprate cure With steele with flame and oft with poison heale Of which although the patient do complaine Yet at the last he thankes him for his paine 42 And thus Melyssa promised her aid And helpe Rogero backe againe to bring Which much recomforted the noble maid That lou'd this knight aboue each earthly thing But for the better doing this she said It were behouefull that he had her ring Whose vertue was that who so did it weare Should neuer need the force of charmes to feare 43 But Bradamant that would not onely spare Her ring to do him good but eke her hart Commends the ring and him vnto her care And so these Ladies take their leaue and part Melissa for her iourney doth prepare By her well tried skill in Magicke art A beast that might supply her present lacke That had one red foot and another blacke 44 Such hast she made that by the breake of day She was arriued in Alcynas I le But straight she changd her shape and her array That she Rogero better might beguile Her stature tall she makes her head all gray A long white beard she takes to hide the wile In fine she doth so cunningly dissemble That she the old Atlanta doth resemble 45 And in this sort she waiteth till she might By fortune find Rogero in fit place Which very seldome hapt for day and night He stood so high in faire Alcyna grace That she could least abide of any wight To haue him absent but a minute space At last full early in a morning faire She spide him walke abroade to take the aire 46 About his necke a carknet rich he ware Of precious stones all set in gold well tride His armes that erst all warlike weapons bare In golden bracelets wantonly were tide Into his eares two rings conueyed are Of golden wire at which on either side Two Indian pearles in making like two peares Of passing price were pendent at his eares 47 His locks bedewd with waters of sweet sauour Stood curled round in order on his hed He had such wanton womanish behauiour As though in Valence he had long bene bred So changd in speech in manners and in fauour So from himselfe beyond all reason led By these inchantments of this am'rous dame He was himselfe in nothing but in name 48 Which when the wise and kind Melyssa saw Resembling still Atlantas person sage Of whom Rogero alwayes stood in aw Euen from his tender youth to elder age She toward him with looke austere did draw And with a voice abrupt as halfe in rage Is this quoth she the guerdon and the gaine I find for all my trauell and my paine 49 What was 't for this that I in youth thee fed With marrow of the Beares and Lions fell That I through caues and deserts haue thee led Where serpents of most vgly shape do dwell Where Tygers fierce and cruell Leopards bred And taught thee how their forces all to quell An Atis or Adonis for to be Vnto Alcyna as I now thee see 50 Was this foreshewd by those obserued starres By figures and natiuities oft cast By dreames by oracles that neuer arres By those vaine arts I studide in time past That thou shouldst proue so rare a man in warres Whose famous deeds to endlesse praise should last Whose acts should honord be both farre and neare And not be matcht with such another peare 51 Is this a meane or ready way you trow Which other worthy men haue trod before A Caesar or a Scipio to grow And to increase in honor more and more But to the end a man may certaine know How thrall thou art vnto Alcynas lore Thou wearest here her chaines and slauish bands With which she binds thy warlike armes and hands 52 If thou regard not thine owne
the Sentnell softly in his eare What was his name and what was his intent Who straight abast the bridge without all feare Supposing sure his vncle had him sent And straight vpon the Pagan campe he lighted As in the booke ensuing is recited In the hard adventures of Angelica we may note how perilous a thing beautie is if it be not especially garded with the grace of God and with vertue of the minde being continually assaild with enemies spirituall and temporall In Orlandos dreame we may see how vnquiet thoughts are bred in the mindes of those that are giuen ouer to the passion of loue or ambicion or whatsoeuer else may be vnderstood by Angelica Lastly in that Orlando abandons his Prince and country in their greatest extremitie we may obserue the vncomely and carelesse actes that dishonest or vnordinat loue do prouoke euen the noblest vnto if once they get harbour in their mindes and be not ouerruled with reason and grace In this booke is little historical matter saue of the distresse of the Parisians of which I will not greatly stand more then that I said before it is not improbable that they were about that time assayled by the Turke ãâã for other matters that be here lightly touched as the deuotion of Paule or Hylarion the sable of Proteus or such like the table shall set it downe more plaine The former Allegorie is here continued of Rogeros flying from Alcyna by which must still be vnderstood a man reforming his course of life and flying from sensualitie and pleasureâ now whereas it is said in this booke that Alcynas man or her faulkner with his horse hauke and dog did impeach Rogeros passage I take it that by these foure are ment the foure passions that most trouble the minde when it begins to encline to vertue namely by the seruant feare may be vnderstood which is euer seruile and base by the hauke couetousnesse that is euer seeking new prey and is neuer satisfied by the dog griefe and discontentment that is alway byting and enuying and greeuing at others well doing by the horse is vnderstood inordinatioy which is in another kinde an enemie to vertue and constancie for as soone is a temperat and moderate minde discouered in prosperitie as in aduersitie and as Tully saith a wise man is neither Aduersis rebus oppreslus nec elatus secundis to which effect I remember a verse of my fathers written to an Earle many yeares since Such one is ware by what degrees he clymes Rather pleasant then proud in high estate Rather bold then abasht in lowring times And can in both so well vphold his state As many would but few can do or none Of which few sort I wish your Lordship one But to proceed in the Allegorie these impediments that disturbe men in their good course are all but like owls or batts driuen away with sunne shine for the light of vnderstanding and the shining of true worthines or as M. Dyer in an excellent verse of his termeth it the light that shines in worthines dissolueth and disperseth these dustie impediments that let a man in his iourney to Logestillas Court that is to the court of vertue of temperance of pietie where all good lessons are taught as shal be showed more plaine in that part of this booke where Rogero comes to Logestilla By Melyssa that recouers from Alcyna Astolfos armour and the Lancia d'oro or Goldelaunce and likewise restores Astolfo to his former state and shape by vertue of the ring in the absence of Alcyna by her I say we may vnderstand some graue and ghostly counseller that with strong reasons and godly perswasions hauing driuen away for the time a mans sinfull thoughts and desires takes occasion vtterly to extinguish them and deliuer a man from them with the same reasons and to draw him to vertue and Religion Alcynas forces she prepares by sea and by land signifie the meanes our ghostly enemies vse to bring vs backe againe to our old vices like the dog to his vomit by land she followes him and after by sea she encounters him which briefely showes that the remembrance of passed pleasures make a man often in perill to be drawen backe as it were by landâ and then by sea as a place of terrour and danger we are assailed with greenous aduersities as without speciall succour we should be quite cast away Rogeros hard trauell stony wayes and afterward the sweat and drought he abode signifie Allegorically the vnpleasantnes of the change of euill life to an austere course of liuing which after notwithstanding is most exceeding comfortable and delightsome The bawdâârier that by his impotencie more then his honestie saued Angelicas maydenhead is alluded by my author as some haue supposed to some such Prelate in Italie of his acquaintance and but for good manners sake might be alluded to some that haue bene so illuded by such good men that notwithstanding they might sue their writ of dotage yet will still be as forward as the youngest in that seruice Atque iacent pigro crimen onuâque toro Angellicas horse that carried her into the sea Alludes to the bull that bare Europa such another voiage THE NINTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Orlando hastes his iourney when he hears What costly food Proteus his Orke allowes But by the way mou'd with Olimpias tears That did lament her late captiued spouse His hastie iourney be a while forbears To wreake her wrong vpon her foe he vowes Which done no longer in the place he tarries Byreno false the faire Olympiâ marries 1 ALas what damage cannot Cupid bring A noble hart once thralled to his lore That makes Orlando carelesse of his king To whom of late most faithfull loue he bore Who earst so gaue wise in euerie thing And of the church a champion was before Now that in loues blind pathes he learns to plod Forgets himselfe his countrie and his God 2 Faine would I him disburden of this blame Glad in my faults a fellow such to finde For to my good I feele me dull and lame But prompt to ill and swifter then the wind He not be thinking him how great a shame It was to leaue his helplesse friends behind Went where the kings of Affricke and of Spaine Didly in field encampt with all their traine 3 Yet not encampt I can them call for why They lay abrode dispersed with the raine Some twentie ten or eight together lie Or sixe or fiue or foure or three or twaine Some farther off and some are lodged nie All weane with their former taken paine He might haue kill'd of them a worthie crew Ne yet is Durindana once he drew 4 The cause was this so noble was his minde To murther men asleepe he thought it base He lets them rest and seekes his loue to finde By eu'rie person and in eu'rie place And those he meets with words and speeches kind Describing her apparell and her
forrain nations but yet we may note withall an inconuenience that comes many times with it to see some Angelicas naked that will tempt men of very stanch gouernment and staid yeares to that which they shall after repent as Rogero did this his wantonnesse as appears more plainly in the next booke where you shall find he lost both his horse and the ring by the vngratefulnesse of Angelica For the matter historicall of this tenth booke there is litle to be said and nothing to be affirmed for the succors sent to France from England Scotland Ireland and many places thereabouts though I cannot affirme precisely of the time yet sure it is that many have bin sent hence against the Turk to France and elsewhere And whereas he speakes of S. Patrick the Irish Saint I would haue them that would know the story of him to look in Surius de vitis Sanctorum and there they may see it at large for mine owne part at my being in Ireland where I taried a few moneths I was inquisitiue of their opinion of this Saint and I could learne nothing other then a reuerent conceit that they had of him as becomes all Christians to haue of deuout men and chiefly of those by whom they are first instructed in the Christian faith but for his purgatory I found neither any that affirmed it or beleeued it Logestillas castle the ornaments thereof the herbs of the garden all these figure the true magnificence glory comfort and vtilitie of vertue The foure Ladies sent to rescue Rogero are the foure Cardinall vertues which being well vnited together are able to ouerthrow whole nauies of vicious pleasures And so whatsoeuer else is spoken of Logestilla in Allegory is taken for vertue In Angelica tied to the rock and deliuered by Rogero he alludes manifestly to the tale in Ouid of Andromade and Perseus who with his shield turned the beholders into stones THE ELEVENTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Angelica doth hide her selfe away By vertue of the ring Rogero lent her Rogero sees a gyant beare away His spouse halfe dead and greatly doth lament her Orlando at the I le of woe doth stay Where many women meete but hard aduenter Here be the monster kild Olympia freed To marrie whom Oberto soone agreed 1 THe galiant courser in his full carrire Is made by man to stop with slânder raigne But man himselfe his lust and fond desire Is seldome drawn by reason to refraine T is hard to stop but harder to retire When youthfull course ensueth pleasure vaine As Bears do breake the hiues and weake defences When smell of honie commeth to their sences 2 No maruell if Rogero could not hold But that he would now take a little sport That naked did Angelica behold Within a groue alone from all resort His loue to Bradamant now waxeth cold Or at the least is temperd in such sort He meanes therewith at this time to dispence And not to let this go a maiden hence 3 Whose beautie was so rare as well it might Haue made Zenocrates an Epicure No maruell then if this same gentle knight Could not so great temptation well endure But while he hastend to his hopt delight Of which he thought him in possession sure There fell a strange and vnexpected thing By meanes Angelica did know the ring 4 This was the ring that she with her had brought To France the verie first time she was there What time by ayd thereof so well she wrought She holp her brother to th'inchanted speare By vertue of this ring she set at nought Those magicke arts that men so greatly feare With this Orlando Countie Palladine She did release from wicked Dragontine 5 By helpe of this inuisible she went Out of the towre where Atlant had her set For this same ring Brunello false was sent By Agramant who longd the same to get To tell that storie is not my intent For feare it might my other matter let But certaine t is that when this ring was lost In fortunes waues she had bene euer tost 6 Now when she saw this ring was on her hand She was so strooke with maruell and with ioy That scarce she could discerne and vnderstand If she were wake or if she dreamd sometoy But to make triall how the case doth stand And know if she this treasure doth inioy Into her mouth the ring she doth conuay And straight inuisible she goeth away 7 Rogero that each minute thought an howre His armour of and readie for the play Expecting now the damsell in a bowre Where he had pointed her for him to stay Found all to late that by the rings strange powre She had vnseene conuayd her selfe away He lent it her to saue her eyes from blindnesse And for reward she quits him with vnkindnesse 8 With which her act dipleasd and ill apaid He curst himselfe and chased in his mind O cruell and vnthankfull wench he said Is this the loue that I deseru'd to find Dost thou reward him thus that brought thee aid To thy preseruer art thou so vnkind Take ring and shield and flying horse and me This onely barre me not thy face to see 9 This said he goâth about where she had beene Still groping as the weather had bin darke Embracing oft the aire his armes betweene In steed of her then heedfull he doth harke To find her by the sound that was not seene And whence the same doth come he wel doth mark But on went she vntill it was her lote To come into a silly shepheards cote 10 And though this same were far from any towne Yet there she quickly did her selfe prouide Of meate and drinke and of a simple gowne Sufficient for the time her bare to hide Not suting for a Ladie of renowne That had bin euer clad in pompe and pride Had gownes of crimson purple and carnasion Of eu'ry colour and of eu'ry fashion 11 But yet no kind of weed so base or ill is Her of her princely beautie to bereaue They that so much extoll faire Amarillis Or Galate do but them themselues deceaue Cease Tyterus to praise thy golden Phillis Peace Melebe this passes by your leaue Ye souldiers all that serue in Cupids garrison May not presume with this to make comparison 12 Now here the damsell faire a palfrey hired With other things most needfull for her way And means to her owne home to haue retired From whence she had bin absent many a day The while Rogero now with trauell tired Lamenting he had lost so faire a pray Doth seeke his horse who had not long bin idle But in his masters absence brake his bridle 13 Which when he found the raines in peeces torne The horse soard far away with mightie wing How could such haps with patientnesse be borne Of one great losse to find a greater spring He sitteth in a dumpe like one forlorne For losse of her his horse and of his ring Whose vertue great did make
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 greâting 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
bene counted a great signe of modestie and chast disposition in women to be rather cleanly then sumptuous in apparrell for the vaine expence therin hath bene often occasion both to corrupt the minds and manners of many not ill disposed And therefore that excellent verse of Sir Philip Sidney in his first Arcadia which I know not by what mishap is left out in the printed booke is in mine opinion worthie to be praised and followed to make a good and vertuous wife Who doth desire that chast his wife should bee First be he true for truth doth truth deserue Then be he such as she his worth may see And alwayes one credit with her preserue Not toying kind nor causlesly vnkind Not stirring thoughts nor yet denying right Not spying faults not in plaine errors blind Neuer hard hand nor euer rayns too light As far from want as far from vaine expence Tone doth enforce the tother doth entice Allow good companie but driue fro thence All filthie mouths that glorie in their vice This done thou hast no more but leaue the rest To nature fortune time and womans brest In which you see his opinion of the two extremities of want and vaine expence Of the inuention of gunnes as I somewhat touched two bookes before so here you see how he affirmath in a manner that they were inuented in Germanie And so I haue read that the first time they were vsed was in the yeare 1391. in the Venetians war against the Genoas but it is maruell that the inuentors name of so monstrous a thing is not knowne Baken the great English necromancer wrote many yeares before that time that he knew how to make an engin that with salt peter and brimstone wel tempered together should proue notable for batterie but he said he would not discouer it for feare it would be a meane to destroy all mankinde In the destruction of the I le of Ebuda and all that hath bene sayd of it before with the monsters that are said to deuoure women naked and forsaken this Allegoricall sence is to be picked out though to some perhaps it will seeme greatly strayned By the Iland is signified pride and loosnesse of life that they are brought to by pirats which signifie flatterers that go rouing about to tise them hither robbing them indeed of all their comely garments of modestie and sobrietie and at last leaue them naked vpon the shore despised and forsaken to be deuoured of most vgly and misshapen monsters signified by the Orke as filthie diseases ' deformities and all kinde of contemptiple things which monsters a good plaine friend with an anker of fidelitte will kill as Orlando did this and so cloth againe the nakednesse that before pride and flatterie made vs lay open to the world And whereas is it said that Neptune and Proteus fled from Orlando it is meant that a true Christian driues a-away all superstitious idolatrie where soeuer he commeth I finde no Allusion worth the noting THE TVVELFTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Orlando doth pursue with great disdaine One that did seeme his loue by force to carrie Rogero led by such another traine With him doth in the charmed pallace tarrie Orlando parting from the place againe He sees indeed her whom he faiâe would marrie Fights with Ferraw and foiles two Turkish bands And findes faire Isabell in outlawes hands 1 FAire Ceres when she hastned backe againe From great Ideahomward to returne There where Enceladus with endles paine Doth beare mount Aetna that doth ener burne When she had sought her daughter long in vaine Whose losse so strange did make the mother mourne She spoiles for spite her brest cheeks eyes and heare At last two boughs from Pyne tree she doth teare 2 In Vulcans forge slie sets on fire the brands And giues them powre for euer to be light And taking one a peece in both her hands And drawne in coach by yoked serpents might She searcheth woods and fields and seas and lands And brooks and streames and dens deuoyd of light And hearing here on earth no newes to like her At last she went to hell it selfe to seake her 3 Were good Orlandos powre to be compared As well with Ceres as his louing minde He would no paine no place nor time haue spared His deare belou'd Angelyca to finde To go to rocks and caues he would haue dared And place to saints and place to sends assignd He onely wanted one of Ceres waggons In which she carried was with flying draggons 4 How he did search all France before he told Now Italy to search is his intent And Germany and Castill new and old And then to Affrica to pasle he ment And as he thus determined behold He heard a voice that seemed to lament And drawing nye to vnderstand what tyding On a great horse he saw a horse man ryding 5 Perforce he bare vpon his saddle bow A Lady sorrowfull and sore afrayd That cryde a loud still making open show Of inward griefe and thus to him she said O worthy wight Lord of Anglante know I dye I dye without you bring me ayd And then he thought coming more nie to vew her It was Angelyca and that he knew her 6 I say not that it was but that it seemd To be Angelyca that thus was caryd But he that iustly great disgrace it deemd Thus in his sight to haue his mistresse haryd Whose loue aboue all treasures he esteemd To take reuenge hereof he nothing taryd But put his spurres to Brilââadores sides And in great hast to that same horseman rydes 7 With many bloodie words and cruell threts He bids that horseman to come backe againe But he at naught his wordes and speeches sets Reioycing in so rich a gotten gayne The vilen still ground of Orlando gets Vntill they came into a faire large plaine Wherein a house of great estate was built The gate hereof in gorgeous sort was gilt 8 The building all of marble faire was wrought Most costly caru'd and cunningly contriued To this faire house his pray the soule thief brought Straight after him Orlando there arriued Then he alights and all abcut he sought For him that had him of his ioy depriued He maketh search in chambers all about And galleries and halls to finde them out 9 Each roome he finds set forth with rich aray With beds of silke and gold of curious art But yet he finds not that desired pray The want whereof did sore torment his hart There might he finde with like affliction stray Gradassâ Sacrapant and Brandimart And fearce Ferraw postest with strange confusion Procured in that place by strong illusion 10 They all complaine in anger and in rage How of this house the master them hath vsed One lost his horse another lost his page Another doubts his mistresse is abused Thus are they kept like birds within a cage And stand with sense and wits and words confused And manie with this strange deception carried
silly foole tooke it with good intention Thereby to breake their strife and sharp contention 49 Not that thereby this filthy Spaniard might By helpe of my deceit and doing wrong Keepe that by fraud he could not win by might Alas to thy true loue and seruice long A better recompence then this or right From me my good Orlando should belong And thus in this most kind and dolefull fashion She doth continue long her lamentation 50 Now meaneth she to trauell to the East Vnto her natiue soile and country ground Her iourney doth her other griefes digest Her ring doth in her iourney keepe her found Yet chanced she ere she forsooke the West To trauell neare a wood whereas she found A fine yong man betweene two dead men lying With wound in bleeding brest euen then a dying 51 But here a while I cease of her to treate Or Sacrapant or of the knight of Spaine First I must tell of many a hardy feate Before I can returne to them againe Orlandos actions I will now repeate That still endur'd such trauell and such paine Nor time it selfe that sorrowes doth appease Could grant to this his griefe an end or case 52 And first the noble Earle an headpeece bought By late ill fortune hauing lost his owne For temper or the strength he neuer sought So it did keepe him but from being knowne Now Phaebus charret had the daylight brought And hid the starres that late before were showne And faire Aurora was new risen when Orlando met two bands of armed men 53 One band was led by worthy Manilard A man though stout yet hoary haird for age Who with his men did make to Paris ward He not for warre but fit for counsell sage Alsyrdo of the other had the guard Then in the prime and chiefe floure of his age And one that passed all the Turkish warriers To fight at tilt at turney or at barriers 54 These men with other of the Pagan host Had layne the winter past not far fro thence When Agramant did see his men were lost By vaine assaults vnto his great expence And therefore now he sweares and maketh bost That he will neuer raise his siege fro thence Till they within that now had left the field Were forst by famine all their goods to yeeld 55 And for that cause now sommer comes againe He gets together all the men he may With new supplies of Affrike and of Spaine And some of France that did accept his pay But that in order due they may remaine He points them all to meet him in one day Who by commandment hither came in clusters To make appearance at the pointed musters 56 Now when Alsyrdo saw Orlando there Inflamd with pride end glory of his mind He longed straight with him to breake a speare And spurs his horse but quickly he doth find Himselfe too weake so sturdy blowes to beare And wisheth now that he had staid behind He falleth from the horses back downe dead The fearfull horse without his master fled 57 Straight there was raisd a mightie cry and shout By all the souldiers of Alsyrdos band When as they see their captaine late so stout Throwne downe and killed by Orlandos hand Then out of ray they compast him about On eu'ry side in number as the sand They that are nie with blowes do him assaile And those aloose throw darts as thicke as haile 58 Looke what a noise an herd of sauage swine Do make when as the wolse a pig hath caught That doth in all their hearings cry and whine They flocke about as nature hath them taught So do these souldiers murmure and repine To see their captaine thus to mischiefe brought And with great fury they do set vpon him All with one voice still crying on him on him 59 I say the nearer fight with sword and speare And those aloose send shafts and many a dart But he that neuer yet admitted feare To lodge in any harbour of his hart Vpon his shield a thousand darts doth beare And thousands more on euery other part Yet of them all makes no more care nor keepe Then doth a Lion of a flocke of sheepe 60 For when at once his fatall blade he drew That blade so often bathd in Pagans blood No steele there was of temper old or new Nor folded cloths the edge thereof withstood About the field heads legs armes shoulders flew The surrowes all did flow with crimson flood Death goeth about the field reioycing mickle To see a sword that so surpast his sickle 61 This made the Pagan rout so sore agast He that could swiftest runne was best apaid And as they came so fled they now as fast One brother for another neuer staid No memory of loue or friendship past Could make one stay to giue another aid He that could gallop fastest was most glad Not asking if the wayes were good or bad 62 Onely one man there was in all the field That had so long in vertues schoole bin bred That rather then to turne his backe or yeeld He meaneth there to leaue his carkas dead Old Manylard who taking vp his sheeld Euen as his valiant heart and courage led Sets spurs to horse and in his rest a lance And runs against the Palladin of France 63 Vpon Orlandos shield his speare he brake Who neuer stird for all the manly blow But with his naked sword againe he strake And made him tumble ore the saddle bow Fortune on vertue did some pitie take For why Orlandos sword fell flatling tho That though it quite amazd and ouerthrew him Yet by good hap it maimd him not nor flew him 64 With great confusion all the other fled And now of armed men the field was voyd Saue such as were or seemed to be dead So as Orlando now no more annoyd Went on his iourney as his fancie led To seeke herin whose fight he onely ioyd Through plains and woods through sandy ways and miry He trauels making still of her enquiry 65 Vntill it was his fortune toward night To come fast by a mountaine in whose side Forth of a caue he saw a glims of light And towards it he presently doth ride Then at the mouth thereof he doth alight And to a bush fast by his horse he tide He doubts as euer loue is full of feare That his belou'd Angelica was there 66 Eu'n as the hunters that desirous are Some present pastime for their hounds to see In stubble fields do seeke the fearfull hare By eu'ry bush and vnder eu'ry tree So he with like desire and greater care Seeks her that sole of sorrow can him free He enters boldly in the hollow caue And thinks of her some tidings there to haue 67 The entrance straight and narrow was to passe Descending steps into a place prosound Whereas a certaine faire yong Ladie was Kept by some outlawes prisner vnder ground Her beautie did the common sort surpasse So farre as scant her match was to be
found So as that darke and solitary den Might seeme to be a paradise as then 68 On her an aged woman there did wait The which as oft with women doth befall About some matter of but little waight Did happen at that time to chide and brall But when they saw a stranger comming straight They held their peaces and were quiet all Orlando doth salute them with good grace And they do bid him welcome to the place 69 Then after common words of salutation Although at first of him they were afraid Yet straight he enterd in examination By whom in that same caue they had bin staiâ And who they were in so vnseemly fashion That kept a comely and a noble maid And said he saw it written in her face Her nurture and her linage were not base 70 She told him straight how long she there had beene And by what hap she had bin thither brought Amid her words the sighs do passe betweene The corall and the pearle by nature wrought Sweet teares vpon her tender cheeks were seene That came from fountaine of her bitter thought But soft left I should do the Reader wrong I end this booke that else would be too long In that Angelica would haue chosen Sacrapant before Orlando we may note how women for the most part in their choose follow rather some priuat respect then the true worth of the men that offer themselues at their deuotion In thâ soe took away the helmet with purpose to make sport with it though at last Orlando by that means lost it against her wil we may see that things done in list oft turne to earnest and therfore that excellent rule of ciuilitie is euermore to be kept Play with me and hurt me not Ieft with me and shanâ me not In the quarrell betweene Orlando and Ferraw we may see the common originall of all quarrels namely honour and women Of Ferraw I spake in the first booke of his strength and stature but whether it be true or might be true that his body should be made impenetrable by sorcery and witchcraft I can neither assume it was so nor maintaine that it could possible be so yet I know some that beleeue the contrary and as they thinke vpon good grounds and some say it is a great practise in Ireland to charme girdles and the like persuading men that while they weare them they cannot be hurt with any weapon and who can tell whether the diuel may not sometime protect some of his seruants but one notable example I haue heard tending much to this effect Rorie Oge a notable rebell of Ireland hauing taken in a vile and trecherous Parlee my valiant cosin sir Henrie Harington prisoner had one night his caben or little houell where he lay beset with one hundred souldiers of the said sir Henrie his band meaning to rescue their captaine by force sith the rebels demaunds for his deliuery were such as sir Henrie himselfe being his prisoner would not condescend vnto but would rather hazard his life as he knew he should I say these hundred men wel appointed be set the house strongly being made of nothing but hardels and durt yet the villain ere they could get in gat vpin his shirt and gaue the knight xiiij wounds very deadly and after gat through them all without hurt where a mouse almost could not haue got betweene them and I haue heard it affirmed in Ireland that it was with meere witchcraft In the pallace where euery one hath that he liketh best presented vnto him yet no man can enioy it is to be vnderstood that he that followes his owne vaine desires without the rule of reason shal euer run astray and neuer attaine to the true contentment he desires In Orlando and Ferraw he alludes to the fight of Cygnus and Achilles who were both in like sort fained to haue bin inusolable THE THIRTEENTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Orlando heares Zerbynos loue to tell Her strange misfortune and her hard aduenter These outlawes that in that vast caue did dwell Orlando hang'd that had in prison pent her Bradamant though Melissa did her tell Atlanta frauds yet doth his Pallace enter Where she is staid by force of Atlants charmes While Agramant musters his men of armes 1 FVll ventrous were the noble knights of old And worthy that their same should ay endure That durst with valiant heart and courage bold Find cut in dens and places all obscure Such as in courts we now but seeld behold Faire dames of beautie mind and manners pure As erst I told you how Orlando found A braue young Ladie hidden vnder ground 2 Now in my former matter to proceed I say when he had vewd her person well And markt her face and hauiour with great heed He doth request the damsell faire to tell Who was the author of so soule a deed To force her in so vnfit place to dwell And the as plaine and briefly as she can In this sweet sort her wofull speech began 3 Most worthy knight she said although I know That I shall buy my speech to you full deare For sure I am this woman here will show My words to him that first did place me heare Truth I will tell though truth increase my woe And make him looke on me with angrie cheares Dispaire hath euer danger all contemned What should she feare that is eu'n now condemned 4 I am that Fabel that somtime was A daughter deare vnto the king of Spaine Well did I say I was for now alas I am the child of anguish and and of paine Loue onely loue this great change brought to passe Loue onely loue of thee I may complaine That flattring alwaies in thy first beginnings Yeeld'st certaine losse in steed of hoped winnings 5 Then in good state I spent my happie dayes Noble and young honest and rich and faire Now base despised poore and wanting prayes Drownd in a dungeon of most deepe dispaire Thus loue throws downe whom fortune hie doth raise And marrs the sport in which he is a plaire He that in art of loue did show his skill Saith loue and maiestie agrees but ill 6 But that I plainly may declare my mind Thus it fell out my father twelue months since To make a famous triumph had assig nd Vnto the which came many a Lord and Prince Now whether liking did mine eies so blind Or that his vertue did it selfe conuince Zerbin me thought the king of Scotlands sonne In this same triumph honor chiefe had wonne 7 The passing feates of armes I saw him do In which he was compared with the best His person and his beautie ioynd thereto In which he far surpassed all the rest Did cause that heno sooner did me woe But I as quickly granted his request Interpreters nor other means none wanted To make the seeds to grow that loue had planted 8 When as these feasts and solemne shewes were ended My Zerbin backe
againe to Scotland hasted Wherewith how grieuously I was offended Well may you guesse if euer loue you tasted But he that cannot be too much commended Whose loue to me no lesse in absence lasted With purpose and with promise firme to marry me Studed all meanes away from hence to carry me 9 T were vaine he thought to aske me of my fire Zerbin a Christen I a Sarazine Our country law contrarid that desire To which our loues so wholy did encline This feat doth some new stratagem require More heedfull secret circumspect and fine When loue hath knit two hearts in persite vnitie They seldome faile to find their oportunitie 10 An house of great estate in Bayon towne My father had with gardens sweet and faire In which with large descents still going downe Vnto a riuer comes the garden staire Here if ill fortune on vs do not frowne He meanes when I shall walke to take the aire Soone to surprise me walking in an ally And so conuey me to his armed gally 11 But sith with him the case did then so stand Not to be present at this enterprise He sent me letters written with his hand By Oderike of Byskie stout and wise Expert in seruice both of sea and land And wils me do as he should me aduise Whose faith he nothing doubteth to be found As one to him by benefits much bound 12 This firme and fast and sure obliged frend Of proued courage value and of skill Against the time appointed he doth send And I that for their comming looked still Against the time appointed did descend To giue him scope to worke his masters will And he accordingly came vnespide With armed men vnder the garden side 13 I seeing them my selfe most fearfull saine They seeing me soone of their purpose sped Those that resistance made forthwith were slaine And some afraid and faint like cowards fled The rest with me as prisners do remaine Then straight we were vnto the gally led And gone so farre we could not be recouered Before my father had the fact discouered 14 Of this departure I my selfe was glad In hope ere long my Zerbin to haue found But lo a sodaine tempest made vs sad And neare to Rochell almost had vs dround The master of the ship no cunning had To keepe the keele from striking on the ground It booted not against the waues to striue Vpon sharpe rockes the tempest doth vs driue 15 In vaine it was to pull downe all our sailes And on the foreboord close to couch the mast No paine against the raging sea preuailes On land we looke each minute to be cast Diuine helpe oft doth come when humane failes And when in reason all releese is past For doubtlesse I do deeme by powre diuine We were preserued in this dang'rous time 16 The Byskin that the danger well doth note Doth meane a desprate remedy to trie He straightway launcheth out the little bote He and two more go downe therein and I This done he cuts the rope and lets her flore Threatning with naked sword that he should die That durst presume to giue so bold aduenter Against our wils into the bote to enter 17 The rope now cut away the bote was carried By force of waues vnto the shallow shore And by geat fortune none of vs miscarried So great a plunge I neuer scapt before But they poore soules that in the gally tarried Were drownd the vessell quite in peeces tore Where though my losse of stuffe and iewels greeu'd me My hope to see my Zerbin still releeu'd me 18 Now being come to land in lucklesse houre And trusting onely Oderikes direction Loue that doth euer loue to shew his power In tempring and distempring our affection My good to ill my sweet doth turne to sower My hope to hurt my health into infection He in whose trust Zerbin so much relieth Freezeth in faith and in new fancie frieth 19 Now whether first at sea this humor grew Or else he moued was with new occasion To haue me here alone with so small crew As from his will I could not make euasion He bids all faith and honestie adew And yeelds himselfe vnto this foule perswasion And that he may his pleasure surely warrant He sends the seruants of a sleeuelelle arrant 20 Two men there were that had so luckie lot With vs into the shipbote to descend One hight Almonio by birth a Scot A valiant man and Zerbius trustie frend Odrike tels him that it beseemed not So few vpon a Princesse to attend And that the daughter of the King of Spaine Should go on foote and with so small a traine 21 Wherefore he wisheth him to go before To Rochell there a palfrey to prouide And hire some men a dozen or a score Me to my lodging mannerly to guide Almonio went then was there left no more But Coreb one of wit and courage tride In whom the Byskin put the more affiance Because that he was one of his alliance 22 Yet long he seemd in doubtfull mind to houer Faine if he could he would haue rid him thence At last he thinks so fast a friend and louer Will with his friends iniquitie dispence Wherefore he doth to him his mind discouer In hope that he would further his offence And do as friends in our dayes haue a fashion Aduance their pleasure more then reputation 23 But he whose honest mind could not suppose That Oderike had had so little grace The fact not onely threatens to disclose But cals him false and traitor to his face From bitter words vnto more bitter bloes They came and fought together in the place And â in this prospect no whit delighting Fled to the wood while they two were a fighting 24 Betweene them two the combat was not long But âo the worser cause the better sped Whether he were more skilfull or more strong Oârike doth lay Corebo there for dead That done he runs the woods and seme among And followes fast the way that I had fled I thinke that he god Cupids wings did borrow He made such hast to hasten on my sorrow 25 Feare made me swift for sore I was afraid Loue made him twister runne to ouertake me Then sore against my will my courie he staid Then sundrily both foule and faire he spake me Sometime he promised sometime he praid Sometime he threatned he by force would make me With ãâã with gifts with threats he oft did proue me With âat with gifts with threats he nought did moue me 26 But when he could not with his words preuaile He doth resolue no farther time to stay With open force he then did me assaile As doth a hungry Beare cease on his pray And I de ended me with tooth and naile And cries and skreeks and all the wayes I may Not was I in mine owne defence afeard To scratch his eyes and pull away his beard 27 I know not if it were my skreech and crie
That might haue well bin heard a league and more Or if it were their vse that dwell there by To come to seeke some shipwracks on the shore But straight vpon the hill we might descrie Come toward vs of companie good store Which makes my Byskie man away to runne And to surcease his enterprise begunne 28 Thus this vnlookt for crew preseru'd me then And hinderd him of his vmust desire But I was sau'd as is the flounder when He leapeth from the dish into the fire For though these barbarous and sauage men To touch my person did not once aspire No vertuous thought did breed this moderation But hope of gaine and greedie inclination 29 The leader of this miserable band Did thinke his market will be raised much In selling me when men shall vnderstand He sels a maid whom none did euer tuch And now I heare a merchant is in hand Of him to buy me if his lucke be such From whom into the East I shall be sent Where to the Souldan they will me present 30 And in this sort her wofull tale she told And mingled sighes with teares in rufull fashion Expressed with such dolefull words as would Haue mou'd a stonie heart to take compassion It easd in part her mind thus to vnfold The bitter cause of her vnpleasant passion Now while Orlando to this tale attended The crew of caitiues to the caue descended 31 A barbarous and foule misshapen crew Armed one with a spit one with a prong Mouthes eyes and face most vgly were to vew One had no nose anothers was too long But when their leader somewhat nearer drew And saw Orlando standing there among Turning to his companion he said Lo here a bird for whom no net we laid 32 Then to the Earle he said I am right glad To find one so well armed in my caue For long for such an armor longd I had And surely now this I suppose to haue How thinke you when my person shall be clad With this your coate shall I not then be braue Wherefore good sir think not your welcome scant That come so fitly to supply my want 33 Orlando turning with a sower smile Answerd his armor was of price too hie And that he greatly did himselfe beguile That thought of him his armor there to buy And as they nearer came he stoopt the while And tooke a brand that in the fire did lie And straight he threw it at the caitiues head And laid him there along the floore for dead 34 A short thicke planke stood on a scrubby post That seru'd them for a boord to drinke and eate And for the same full heauy was and great This like a coight at them Orlando tost It fell downe there among them to their cost They neuer saw before so strange a feat By which scarce one of them escaped harme In head in leg in brest in side or arme 35 So shall you see a country man that takes In time of spring a brickbat or a stone And throwes the same vpon a knot of snakes That he together clusterd all in one How great a spoile the stone among them makes And those that scape how quickly they be gone So did Orlando with these pesants play That glad were they that scapt to runne away 36 Those that could scape the heauie tables fall Vnto their feete commended their defence Which were as Turpin writes but seuen in all Which seuen were glad to runne away from thence But yet their flying brought them helpe but small Orlando meanes to punish their offence Their feete nor yet their fence could them so gard But that he brought them to the hanging ward 37 Now when the foresaid aged woman saw In how bad sort these trends of hers were serued She was affeard for well she knew by law That no lesse punishment she had deserued Forthwith from thence she stale away for aw And vp and downe the desert wood she swarued Vntill at last a warrior stout her met But who it was I may not tell as yet 38 The tender damsell doth Orlando pray Her chastitie and honour to protect Who made her go with him and from that day Had vnto her a fatherly respect Now as they went a prisner by the way They saw whose name I may not now detect Now should I speake of Bradamant by right Whom erst I left in such a dolefull plight 39 The valorous Lady looking long in vaine When her Rogero would to her returne Lay in Marsilia to the Pagans paine Where eu'ry day she did them some shrowd turne For some of them in Prouence did remaine And Languedock where they did spoile and burne Till with her valew she did them rebuke Supplying place of captaine and of duke 40 Now on a day as she sat still and mused The time of his appointment long expired Doubting left she by him might be abused Or that her companie he not desired And often whom she blamd she straight excused Thus while with carefull thought her selfe she tired Melissa whom she thought not to be neare her Came suddenly of purpose for to cheare her 41 With pleasant countenance Melissa sage Much like to those that carrie welcome newes Wils her her causelesse sorrow to asswage And good Rogeros absence doth excuse Swearing that she durst lay her life to gage He would not absent be if he might chuse And that he did now in his promise hault Was not by his but by anothers fault 42 Wherefore quoth she get you to horsebacke straight If you would set your faithfull louer free And I my selfe intend on you to wait Till you his prison with your eye shall see Whereas Atlanta with a strange deceit Detaineth men of base and hie degree And showes by strange illusion distrest Each one the partie whom he loueth best 43 Each one doth deeme he sees in great distresse His loue his frend his fellow or his page According as mens reasons more or lesse Are weake or strong such passion to asswage Thus do they follow this their foolish guesse Vntill they come like birds into a cage Searching the pallace with a pensiue hart The great desire not suffering them to part 44 Now then said she when you shall once draw nye Where this same Necromancer strange doth dwell He will your coming and the cause descrye And to delude you marke me what I tell He straight will offer there vnto your eye By helpe of some inhabitants of hell Rogeros person all in wofull plight As though he had beene conquered in fight 45 And if you follow thinking him to ayd Then will he stay you as he doth the rest But kill him therefore and be not affraid For so you shall your frend deliuer best So shall your foe Atlanta be betrayd In his owne trap when as he looketh left And feare not when he commeth by to strike him Though he your deare resemble and looke like him 46 I know full well how hard t
will be to trye And how your heart wil faile and hand wil tremble When you shall go about to make one dye That shall Rogeros shape so right resemble But in this case you may not trust your eye But all your sprites and forces all assemble For this assure you if you let him go You worke your owne and your Rogeros wo. 47 The Prouerbe faith one that is warn'd is armd The which old saw doth proue by due construction That they that after warning had are harmd Did ill regard or follow good instruction Now Bradamant rides to the place so charmd And vowd that old Magicians destruction And that they may the tedious way beguile They spend the time in pleasant talke the while 48 And oft Melissa doth to her repeat The names of those that should be her posteritie That should in force and deeds of armes be great But greater in Religion and sinceritie Atchiuing many a strange and worthy feat And vse both head and hand with great dexteritie In ruling iust and bountifull in giuing Cesars in fight and saints in godly liuing 49 Now when Melissa sage such things did show The noble Lady modestly replide Sith God quoth she doth giue you skill to know The things that shall in future times betide And meanes on me vnworthy to bestow An issue such as few shall haue beside Tell me among so many men of name Shall there no woman be of worthy fame 50 Yes many a one said she both chast and wife Mothers to such as beare imperiall crownes Pillars and staves of roiall families Owners of realmes of countries and of townes Out of thy blessed offpring must arise Such as shal be eu'n in their sober gownes For chastitie and modestie as glorious As shall their husbands be in warre victorious 51 Nor can I well or do I now intend To take vpon me all their names to tell For then my speech would neuer haue an end I finde so many that deserue so well Onely I meane a word or two to spend Of one or two that do the rest excell Had you but talkt hereof in Merlins caue You should haue seen the shapes that they shal haue 52 Shall I begin with her whose vertue rare Shall with her husband liue in happie strife Whether his valiant actions may compare Or be preferd before her honest life He fights abroad against king Charles at Tare She staid at home a chast and sober wife Penelope in spending chast her dayes As worthie as Vlysses was of praise 53 Then next dame Beatrice the wife sometime Of ââdwickeSforze surnamed eke the More Wise and discreet and knowne without all crime Of fortunes gifts and natures hauing store Her husband liu'd most happie all her time And in such state as few haue liu'd before But after fell from being Duke of Millen To be a captiue fetterd like a villen 54 To passe the famous house I should be sorie Of Aragon and that most worthie queene Whose match in neither greeke nor latine storie Or any writer else hath euer beene And full to perfite her most worthy glorie Three worthie children shall of her be seene Of whom the heauens haue pointed her the mother Istell by name Alfonso and his brother 55 As siluer is to tinne as gold to brasse As roses are to flowres and herbs more base As diamonds and rubyes are to glasse As cedars are to sallows in like case Shall famous Leonora others passe In vertue beautie modestie and grace But aboue all in this she shall excell In bringing vp her children passing well 56 For as the vesseil euer beares a tast Of that same iuyce wherwith it first was filled And as in fruitfull ground the seed growes fast That first is sowne when as the same is tilled So looke what lore in youthfull yeares is plast By that they grow the worse or better willed When as they come to manly age and stature Sith education is another nature 57 Then next her neece a faire and famous dame That hight Renata I may not forget Daughter to Lews the xij king of that name Whom of the Britten Dutches he did get Whose vertue great shall merite lasting fame While fier shal be warme and water wet While wind shall blow earth stand firm sound And heau'nly sphears shall run their courses round 58 I passe all those that passe all these some deale Whose soules aspiring to an higher praise Despising pompe and ease and worldly weale In sacred rytes shall spend their blessed dayes Whose hearts and holy loue and godly zeale To heau'nly ioyes from earthly thoughts shall raise That to good workes to prayre and pure diuinitie Shall consecrate their liues and their virginitie 59 Thus doth Melyssa vnto her discourse Of those should come hereafter of her seed And while they talked oft by entercourse They in their iourney onward do proceed And oftentimes Melyssa hath recourse To will her of Atlanta take great heed And least she should with faint and foolish kindnes Be led vnwares in error and in blindnes 60 Now when they neare approched to the place Then Bradamant departed from her guide And after she had rode a little space She saw one brought with hands togither tide Exceeding like Rogero in the face In voice in stature haire and all beside Bound fast with chaines betweene two gyants led That threttend him er long he should be ded 61 But when the damsell saw within her vew The lamentable state and hard condicion Of him whose face she certaine thought she knew She changeth straight her trust into suspicion Doubting Melyssa of some malice new Or hidden hate had giu'n her such commission To make Rogero for a greater spite Be slaine by her in whom he doth delight 62 Is not this he thus to her selfe she spake Whom stil mine heart and now mine eies do see If my Rogero I can so mistake I neuer shall haue knowledge which is he I either dreame and am not now awake Or else no doubt it can none other be Melyssa what may not Melyssa lye Shall I beleeue her tale and not mine eye 63 Now while that thus she thought and thus she said And in this vnwise doubt did thus perseuer She thought she heard him speake and aske for aid Saying my loue assist me now or neuer What shall I in thy fight be so betraid Doest thou forsake me then farewell for euer These vnkind words her heart so greatly daunted She followes him into the house inchaunted 64 No sooner was she enterd in the gate But that the common error her possest Wandring about the house betimes and late Nor night nor day she taketh any rest The strange inchantment brought her in that state That though she saw the man that lou'd her best And spake with him and met him eu'rie howre To know the tone the tother had no powre 65 But let not now the reader be displeased Although I
Then Puliano came a gallant king And Agramantes cousen Dardanell Whether some Owle did at their window sing Or other lucklesse bird I cannot tell As oft we see it is an vsuall thing That some presage ones mischiefe shall fortell But sure it was prefixt in heau'n on hie What time and hour next day they both should die 25 Now all their bands were musterd sauing two Those of Noritia and of Tremisen King Agramant doth maruell what they do He knowes not where to heare of them nor when Now as he was dispatching hereunto Some messenger behold one of the men That seru'd the king of Tremisen in hast Came and discouerd all that had bene past 26 Sir king quoth he by fortune and ill chance The noble kings Alsird and Manilard Happend to meet a cruell knight of France While with their bands they traueld hither ward He ouerthrew them both oh hard mischance And kild and spoild and draue away their guard And sure quoth he I thinke his force is such To all your campe he would haue done as much 27 Among the rest that to this tale gaue eare There was a Prince that late from Affricke came To whom king Agramant great loue did beare And Mandricardo was the Princes name His heart was stout and far from any feare His bodie strong and able to the same And that which greatest glorie did him yeeld He had in Sorie conquerd Hectors sheeld 28 Now that the messenger his tale had done Which made the hearers hearts for sorrow cold This valiant Prince king Agricanes sonne Straight was resolu'd with heart and courage bold That to win praise no paine did euer shonne Although his purpose secret he de did hold To be reuenged on this bloodie knight That had to manie slaine and put to flight 29 He askt the messenger what cloths he ware And in what âââtourd garments he was clad Blacke quoth the messenger his rayments are No plume nor brauerie his helmet had And true it was Orlandos inward care That made his heart so sorowfull and sad Causd that his armour and his open shoes Had like resemblance of his inward woes 30 Marsilio had before a day or twaine Giu'n vnto Mandricard a gallant steed His colour bay but blacke his taile and maine Of Frizland was the dame that did him breed The Sier was a villan braue of Spaine On this braue beast this braue man mounts with speed Swearing he will not to the campe turne backe Till he had found the champion all in blacke 31 He meetes the sillie people in the way Halting or maymd or weeping for their frends Their woofull lookes their fearfull hearts bewray Weeping in such a losse but small amends But when he came where the dead bodies lay In vewing of their wounds some time he spends As witnesses of his strong hand that gaue them Him he enuies and pities them that haue them 32 Eu'n as a Wolfe by pinching famine led That in the field a carreu beast doth find On which before the dogs and rau'ns haue fed And nothing left but hornes and bones behind Stands still and gazeth on the carkasse dead So at this sight the Pagan Prince repind And curseth oft and cals himselfe a beast For comming tardie to so rich a feast 33 But when the mourning knight not here he found From thence he traueld many a wearie mile Vntill he found a medow compast round With running streames that almost made an Ile Saue one small entrance left of solid ground Which guarded was with armed men that while Of whom the Pagan asketh why they stand To guard the place with weapons in their hand 34 Their captaine viewing well his braue attire Doth thinke he was a man of great regard And said king Stordilano did then hire Into these parts his daughter deare to guard Espousd to king of Sarza by her Sire Who shortly for the marriage prepard And here quoth he we do this passage keepe That none may trouble her while she doth sleepe 35 To morrow to the campe we minde to go Where she vnto her father shall be brought Who meanes on Rodomont her to bestow By whom this noble match is greatly sought Now when the captaine had him answerd so This Prince that setteth all the world at nought Why then quoth he this maid be like is faire I pray thee cause her hither to repaire 36 My hast is great but were it greater far Yet would I stay to see a prettie maid Alas you misse your marke your aime doth arr Gentle sir foole to him the captaine said Thus first they gan with bitter words to iar And then from blowes but little time they staid For straight the Prince did set his speare in rest And smot there with the captaine through the brest 37 And straight wayes he recouered his speare And at the next that came there with doth runne For why none other weapon he did weare Since he the Troian Hectors armor wonne At what time he most solemnly did sweare To win the sword worne by Traianos sonne Cald Durindan a blade of temper rare That Hector erst and now Orlando bare 38 Great was the force of this Tartarian knight That with his speare and weapon none beside Durst with so many ioynd togither fight Yet sets he spurs to horse and sloutly cride Where is a man that dare withstand my mighâ Who dares forbid me where I list to ride And with that speare himselfe he so besturd That small preuaild against him bill or sword 39 But when his speare in peaces burst he saw The trunchen huge he takes in both his hands His blowes were such not blood but life to draw All dead or fled not one his force withstands As Ebrew Samson with the Assesiaw Did heapâ on heaps the proud Philisten bands So Mandricard sinote oft with so great force As one stroke kild both horsman and his horse 40 Now though they tooke this thing in high disdaine To be thus conquerd with a broken sticke Yet when they learned had vnto their paine It was in vaine against the wall to kicke Though vnreuenged lie their fellowes slaine They leaue the dead rather then loose the quick But he so eager was to kill and slay That scant he sufferd one to scape away 41 And as the reeds in marishes and lakes Dride with the sunne or stubble in the field When as by hap the fire among it takes May not it selfe against that furie sheeld Fu'n so this crew but small resistance makes And eu'n of force is dâu'n at last to yeeld And leaue her vndefended to their shame For whose defence they from Granata came 42 Now when the passage open did appeare He hastens in the Ladie faire to see Whom he doth finde in sad and mourning cheare And leaning of her head against a tree Alâ downe her cheekes ran streames of cristal cleare She makes such mone as greater could not be And in her
countenance was plainly showne Great griefe for others harmes feare of her owne 43 Her feare increast when as he nearer drew With visage sterne and all with blood distained The cries were great of her and of her crew That to their gods of their ill haps complained For why beside the guard whom late he slew She had that priuatly with her remained Laund'rers and nurses playfellowes and teachers With learnd Phisitions and heathnish Preachers 44 Now when the Pagan Prince saw that faire face Whose fairer was not to be found in Spaine He thinks if weeping giue her such a grace What will âshe proue when she shall smile againe He deemeth Paradise not like this place And of his victorie he seekes this gaine To haue his prisner suffer him to woe her And yeeld himselfe a prisoner vnto her 45 Howbe't he maketh her against her minde Vpon her ambling nagge with him to ride Her masters maides and seruants left behind And promisd them he will for her prouide He will be seruitor and nurse and hind And playfellow and gouernor and guide Adew my frends quoth he I you enlarge For of your Mistres I will take the charge 46 The wofull folke all mourning part away With scalding sighes cold hearts and watrie eyes And one vnto another thus they say How deepe reuenge will her stout spouse deuise How will he rage to leese so faire a pray Oh that he had bene at this enterprise No doubt but he wold quickly wreak this slaughter And bring againe king Stordilanos daughter 47 Of this faire pray the Prince was well apaid Which fortune gate him ioyned to his might And now it seemd his hast was well alaid That late he made to meete the mourning knight Before he rode in post but now he staid Bethinking where to rest himselfe that night To finde a place was now his whole desire Where he might quench his lately kindled fire 48 And first to comfort and asswage the paine Of Ladie Doralyce so was her nameâ He frames a tale and most thereof doth faine And sweares that he allured by her fame Had purposely forsooke his home and raigne And for her loue into these quarters came Not that he ought to France and Spaine that dutie But onely to the beames of her rare beautie 49 If loue deserueth loue quoth he then I Deserue your liking that haue lou'd you long If stocke you do esteeme my stocke is hie Sith I am sonne to Agrican the strong If state may stand in steed who can denie To God alone our homage doth belong If valew in your choise be of behoofe I thinke this day thereof I haue showd proofe 50 These words and such as loue had then him taught Who lent him eloquence to serue his turne So sweetly in her tender fancie wrought That in a little while she ceast to mourne And first her feare asswag'd and then her thought A pleasing looke doth to her eye returne By which the Prince in loue no nouice guest That she ere long would grant him his request 51 Now doth the night approch and Phoebus facé In Ocean sea begins it selfe to hide The which did cause them somwhat mend their pace And on their way with greater speed to ride And now they traueld had but little space When first a smoke and then a light they spide Then came they where they heard the bandogs bark When as the aire was now obscure and dark 52 A few poore cotages where heardmen dwell They find and there together they allight The houses poore but such as very well Might serue them to repose them for a night Their fare was meane fit hunger to expell To which the heardmen friendly them inuite As curtesie oft times in simple bowres Is found as great as in the stately towres 53 But after supper what did passe betweene Dame Doralyce and Agricanes haire May not be told because it was not seene But they may guesse that haue with Ladies faire By night alone in place conuenient beene Where to disturbe them no man did repaire I doubt he did not so his passion bridle To let so faire a dame lie by him idle 54 But sure I am when day light did appeare They both arose well pleasd and well content And thankt the heardmen for their friendly cheare And so from thence they both together went Vntill they came vnto a riuer cleare Before the forenoone of the day was spent And riding downe along the riuer side Two horsemen with a damsell they espide 55 But let them go for why my high conceat Forbiddeth me long in one path to tread And cals me back of Agramant to treat Who being newly troubled in his head To heare there were from England succors great Vnder the conduct of Renaldo led To counsell cald the Princes sage and wise Some remedie for mischiefes to deuise 56 They all conclude the next ensuing day With sealing ladders on the wals to mount Lest dangers new be bred by long delay And succors fresh hinder their first account Thus Agramant thus doth Marsilio say Sobrino sage and cruell Rodomont Who to destroy Paris alone doth threate And to pull downe the sacred Romane seate 57 And to this end they straight prouide in hast Innumerable ladders apt to scale With timber towres vpon great wheeles so plast As that they may approch the citie wall From whence they may broade bridges safely cast And passe without all ieopardie to fall And throw their balls compact of firy matter Then haue they rams the walls to bruse and batter 58 But Charles the day that went before that day The Painims meant to do their worst and best Did cause the Priests and Friers masse to say Did cause the people all to be confest And humbly prostrate vnto God to pray To saue and pittie them that were opprest And then they all receiu'd in Christen vnion The blessed sacrament that high communion 59 Himselfe with Lords and Barons of great fame An humble feare of God in him so wrought In person publikly performes the same And by example others duties tought And calling on our Sauiours blessed name O Lord said he though I my selfe be nought Let not my sinne my wickednesse and ill Moue thee thy faithfull peoples blood to spill 60 And if it be thy sacred will O God To punish vs for our so great transgression And make vs feele thy hand and heauy rod At least defer this plague and iust oppression That by thy foes we be not ouertrod We that of thy true faith do make profession Lest they blaspheme thy name we ouerthrowne And say thou couldest not defend thine owne 61 So shall our fall make them thy law despise So shall their wicked number still increase So shall the powre of Babylon arise So shall thy sacraments and Gospell cease Looke on this people Lord with gracious eyes Turne foiles and warres to victories and peace That when these dogs and runnegates
retier 100 Thus eu'ry one do clammer vp the wall For value some and other some for feare And some are slaine and some are made to fall Repenting late that euer they came there Fierce Rodomont alone contemning all No paine no place for perill doth forbeare But rusheth on more despratly then stoâtly Blaspheming God while others pray denoutly 101 A paire of curats passing hard he ware Made of an vgly Dragons scaly skin This armour his great auncestor first bare He that to build Babel did first begin A towre whose height shold with the clouds coÌpare And thought from God the rule of heau'n to win And to the same effect likewise he made Of passing proofe an helmet shield and blade 102 Thus Rodomont that came of Nimrods kind As proud and irreligious as was he Regardeth not a passage safe to find Or where the wall might weakest guarded be But with a heart to mischiefe all inclind Where he the same defended best doth see Protected with his shield he makes no bones To go through fire and water darts and stones 103 When once vpon the battlement he was Where all the wall was broade and largely paued How did he slay the Christens then alas How fierce he vnto them himselfe behaued His blade doth pierce their plates of steele and bras Al were not priests whose crowns that day were shaued He kild alone so many as their blood Did cause the ditch to fill with crimson flood 104 Beside the baser sort these men of name At this same first conflict by him were slanie Orgetto Duke that late from Flanders came Arnold and Hugo two of Charles his traine And Lews that gouernd Prouence with great fame Walter and Denis Hawnce of Satallaine Some were thrust through some had past all releefe Their helmets and their heads clou'n to the teeth 105 And some by force from off the wall he caft Among the which was one Moschino hight That by his will would neuer water tast But still in wine did put his whole delighâ But lo his lucke was to be drownd at last Within this dirtie dish for further spite And he that neuer water could abide In all his life now here in water dide 106 Thus while that Rodomont did kill and slay All that he found vpon the vtmost wall His band of men the while had found the way To passe the ditch and so the wall to scale But now within another dike there lay The sight whereof their courage did appall For why the Christens sent such store of shot As this same place did seeme to them too hot 107 The dike was drie the bottome eu'n and plaine Both sides were steep but steepest next the towne At this the souldiers curtesie do straine Which of them first shall venter to go downe Within the citizens had made a traine With about great and cost of many a crowne That when the ditch with armed men was filled Wâhâeat and smother they should all be killed 108 It cubits had in bredth thrise ten and more And in the bottome there were closely plast Barrels of pitch brimstone and oyle good store All matter quicke to kindle long to last The captaine led them all the way before And thousand souldiers followd them as fast But Rodomont as though he had had wings Quite ore the dike like to a grewnd he springs 109 And being placed on the inner side Armd and vnarmed men to him are like No steele there was his forces could abide Death followth eu'rie blow that he doth strike Which when a while to their great cost they tride They do of force abandon quite the dike He follows slaying without all remorse So sharpe his sword so furious is his force 110 But when the souldiers thought the banke to mount With scaling ladders as they did the wall They found themselues deceiu'd of their account For straight the fier works were kindled all Whose sudden flames the clouds theÌselues surmount Which sight the Pagans greatly did appall And to increase their terror and their wonder It made a noise like to continuall thunder 111 The Christens do reioyce at this reliefe To see their practise had succeeded well The Pagans plagu'd with heat and smother chiefe In great dispaire do rore alowd and yell Thus twixt the noise of fier and cries of griefe They make an harmonie most meete for hell And here I meane to leaue them in the fire For to repose my selfe I now desire In Mandricardo that after his great exploites atchieued in other countries is still ready to hazard his person for more honor may be obserued that ambition is as vnsatiable as any other humour of man In his woing of Doralice we may see how loue makes men many times not onely valiant but eloquent In the assaulting and defending of Paris is set downe what sundry accidents happen when such populous cities come to so great extremitie In Charles that first makes his praiers to God and after makes all prouident preparation for defence of the towne we see a liuely patterne of an excellent and worthy Prince both for deuotion and policie Concerning the historie I haue quoted many things in the margent as the straightnesse of roome would permit that the simplest reader may vnderstand what is meant by the fourth staffe here onely I will ad a word of Rauenna referring the reader that is desirous to be better informed hereof to Guicciardin who sets it downe at large Rauenna was besieged by the French vnder the conduct of one Fois a notable captaine of so young a man The Spaniards and Pope Iulio tooke vpon them to defend it but in the heat of that assault Fois was slaine yet the souldiers either by force or by parlee gat into the towne and being within they committed the notablest outrages that haue bene heard of neither abstaining from rapes nor sacriledge Concerning the Catalyns whoÌ he nameth formost in the musters they are the chiefe house in all Spaine and it is to be noted that Spaine is deuided into fiue kingdomes Nauar Castill Catalogna which is now called Aragon Portugall and Granata For Gallicia is counted none because it had a king but a while The rest of the strange names you may find in the table In the description of Discord and Fraud and finding Silence in the house of sleep being long since banished from philosophers and diuines the allegorie is so plain as it were time lost to spend time to expound it because it expounds it selfe so plainly only I will obserue one thing in which mine Author is thought to keep an excellent decorum For making Discord and Fraud of the feminine gender he still makes Silence the masculine as the like pretie conceit is in our Cambridge Comedie Pedantius at which I remember the noble Earle of Essex that now is was present where the Pedantius himselfe examining the Gramaticall instruction of this verse Caedant arma togae concedat laurea linguae vpon speciall
we can haue in this world to keepe vs from pleasures snares or violent assaults Also whereas Astolfo looks first in his booke ere he take vpon him the enterprise to fight with Orillus it is to be vnderstood that good aduice is to be taken before men vndertake dangerous exploits The house of Callygorant alludeth vnto the den of Cacus in the vij of the Aeneads in Virgill Semperque recenti Caede tenebat humus foribus affixa superbis Ora virum tristi pendebant pallida tabo Simon Fornatius thinks that in the person of Calligorant he meant a subtill sophister that became an heretike and corrupted many but after recanting did good seruice in the Church The fatall haire of Orillus though it be meerly fabulous yet hath it allusion to some truth for besides that diuers Poets haue written of some whose life lay in their haire as Nysus killed by his daughter and Alcest that could not die til Mercury cut off one haire and of Dido likewise is said that Iris was sent to cut her haire to rid her out of her paine besides these I say the Scripture testifies of the vertue of Samsons strength to haue bin in his haire which is as strange for reason as any of the rest Here end the notes of the xv booke THE SIXTEENTH BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Stout Griffin finds his subtle mistres straying With vile Martano but is pacifi'd The Turks and Christians all their force displaying Do fight on both sides many thousands dyde Both man and house by sword and fire decaying Do make a wofull sight on either side Without the towne the Christians plague the Turkes Within fierce Rodomont much mischiefe workes 1 GReat paines in loue full many men haue found Of which my selfe haue prou'd so great a part As by my skill some good may hap redound To such as are lesse skilfull in this art Wherefore what I affirme with iudgement found To breed iust cause of lesse or greater smart Beleeue what I set downe for your behoofe Probatum est I know t is trne by proofe 2 I do affirme and haue and euer shall That he that binds himselfe in worthy bands Although his mistres shew him grace but small Although he find no fauour at her hands Sharp words coy looks smal thanks hope none at al Though more and more aloofe from him she stands Yet so his heart and thoughts be highly paced He must not mourne no though he die disgraced 3 Let him lament let him mourne pine and die Whom wanton wandring eies whom staring heare Haue made a slaue when vnder them doth lie A heart corrupt a tongue that false will sweare Like wounded Deare in vaine he seekes to flie And in his thigh the shaft about doth beare And this aboue the rest torments him cheefe He is asham'd and dares not shew his greefe 4 Such was the hap such was the wofull state Of Griffin now possest with foolish loue He knew her mind and manners worthy hate Yet could not he this fancie fond remoue His reason faine his passion would abate But appetite is placed her aboue That be she near so false ingrate or nought Yet needs of him she must be lou'd and sought 5 Away he steales from hence in secret sort Nor to his brother once adew doth say For feare least that his brother would dehort Him from her loue as oft he did assay And that his iourney may be cut more short He coasts the countrie for the nearest way He trauels all the day and halfe the night Vntill Damasco came within his sight 6 Fast by this towne this trull he ouertooke That louingly with her new loue did ride And all old frends and louers all forsooke He was her Champion he her onely guide A man might boldly sweare it on a booke He were a husband fit for such a bride He false vnconstant trecherous so was she She had a modest looke and so had he 7 He rode all armd vpon a stamping steed With guilded barb that cost full many a crowne She ware no lesse magnificent a weed A rich embrodied purple veluet gowne Thus to Damasco ward they do proceed Where late there was proclaimed in the towne A solemne feast that should endure some dayes For iusts for tilt for turneyes and for playes 8 Now when the queane good Griffin had espide For whó she knew her squire would be to weake Though sore appald as scant she could it hide Least he his wrath on both at once should wreake Yet as the time permits she doth prouide Consulting with her guide before she speake And when they had agre'd how to deceiue him With open armes she runneth to receiue him 9 And framing then her speech with great regard To answer fit vnto her gestures kind Deare sir quoth she is this the due reward My loyall loue to you deserues to find That from your sight I should a yeare be bard Your sight that soly can content my mind You left me greeued with a burning feauer But burning more in loue of you for euer 10 Where I your comming lookt for long in vaine Each houre a day each month did seeme a yeare And of your absence long I did complaine Enquiring oft if I of you could heare Alas how full is carefull loue of paine So sad mine heart so heauie was my cheare As being in dispaire which way to mend it I loth'd my life and did desire to end it 11 But loe how fortune when I looked least Hath now prouided me of double aid And sent my brother this most welcome guest With whom I haue without dishonour staid And now your selfe whose presence makes me blest For had your comming longer bene delaid So was my heart and soule to you inclined That sure for greife I should haue dyde and pined 12 Thus flattring words where with her tongue abounds Holpe her in so good sort her tale to frame That new on him the greater fault redounds As glad he was to scuse himselfe fro blame And her strong reasons founded on weake groundâ Do cleare both her and him that with her came And makes him deemd a kinsman and a brother That did his best to make this maide a mother 13 So that he did not onely not reproue Her that so trech'rously had him betraid So that he did not wreake as did behoue Th 'ad alterer that false with her had plaid But thinkes it well if he the blame remoue Which to his charge so probablie she laid And as for him loue makes him see so blindly He calls him kinsman and salutes him kindly 14 Thus Griffin of his loue no whit abates But keepes her companie as with his owne Vntill they came within Damasco gates Where none of them were seene before or knowne The towne was full of Lords and greate states The rumor of the feast so far was blowne Which that they might haue more securely haunted The king to all that came sate conduct graunted 15
band That oft in Christen blood their hands imbrewd And none almost but they did now withstand But destinie can neuer be eschewd As may by their successe be rightly scand Behold Renaldo comes and as he came It seem'd he carrid lightning fierce or flame 21 Nor long before Almontes valiant sonne Hight Dardanell had slaine a Christian knight And proud of that his glorie lately wonne And of this good successe he had in fight About the field he carelessely did runne Vntill he hapt to see a wofull sight He saw Alfeo yeelding vp the ghost A youth whom he esteem'd and loued most 22 Lurcanio was the man that did the deed And Dardanell to venge it doth intend Lurcanio followd on and tooke no heed The other all on him his force doth bend And with a waightie speare him and his steed Vnto the earth together he doth send And pierst his thigh and put him in such paine As scant he able was to rise againe 23 But Ariodant that deare his brother loued And sees him in such paine and danger lie Was there with all in wrath so greatly moued He meaneth to auenge his hurt or die But though that he attempted oft and proued Yet could he not to Dardanell come nie For still of other men the throng and number Did him in this attempt molest and cumber 24 No doubt the heau'ns had Dardanell ordained To perish by a more victorious hand Renaldos blade must with his blood be stained And was as after you shall vnderstand By him this praise and glorie must be gained The fame whereof must fill both sea and land But let these westerne warres a while remaine And of Griffino talke we now againe 25 Who taught those of Damasco to their harmes What wrong they did to cart him in such sort They fill the towne with vprores and alarmes Mens mouthes and eares were full of this report The King brings forth fiue hundred men in armes And sends fiue more to fortisie the fort For why this tumult brought him in perswasion That sure some host of men did make inuasion 26 But when he saw no men no host no band No troupes of horse the citie to inuade Onely one man well knowne that there did stand And of his people such a slaughter made Mou'd with remorce he stretcheth out his hand Naked in shew of peace as is the trade And openly his rashnesse he lamented That such a knight to harme he had consented 27 And Griffin when to find he now begunne The King was of so good an inclination And that the wrong to him before was done Not of his owne but others instigation To make a friendly concord doth not shunne Because hereby he lost no reputation And there he tarid at the kings request To cure his wounds and take a little rest 28 This while his brother Aquilant the blacke That with Astolfo still in Iewrie staid And sees his brother now so long did lacke Was in his mind all sad and ill apaid They heard no newes of him they found no tracke Though wait about in eu'ry place was laid Vntill the Greekish pilgrim they had met By whom of him some inkling they did get 29 He told them how a certaine wanton dame Hight Origilla with a ruffian knaue That kept her openly without all shame Yet going in apparell fine and braue These two the pilgrim said together came From Antioch as forth in speech they gaue And to Damasco then they meant to go But what became of them he did not know 30 And further vnto Aquilant he told How he Griffino met this other day And did to him the matter all vnfold And how forthwith Griffino went his way With chase enough and swearing that he would Kill this same vile adultrer if he may No sooner had his speech the pilgrim ended In post to follow Aquilant intended 31 In post he followd to Damasco ward And when he traueld had a day or twaine Behold that God that euer doth reward The good with blessings and the bad with paine That gracelesse couple that before you heard Betraid Griffino with that diuellish traine Into the hands of Aquilant did giue While they in pleasure most securely liue 32 I say that Aquilant by Gods permission Doth meet the vile Martano on the way His horse his coate and outward apparition So like vnto Griffino eu'ry way That Aquilant at first without suspition Went to embrace him and began to say Brother well met I ioy of your welfare Your absence bred in me much feare and care 33 But when he saw the tother not replide But shrunke away like one that were afraid Ah traitor villain yeeld thy selfe he cride Thou hast my brother spoiled and betraid Tell me thou wretch doth he in life abide To whom in humble sort Martano said With fainting hart with quaking voice trembling Yet in the midst of all his feare dissembling 34 Oh pardon sir your brother is aliue And like to liue and hath no hurt nor shall The truth is this I being loth to striue With him because I found him stout and tall Did with no ill intent this drift contriue To saue my selfe and do him hurt but small For this same womans sake that is my sister With open force not daring to assist her 35 It grieued me to see how he by lust Did her abuse whom nature made me loue And for I thought it was both meet and iust Her from this wicked custome to remoue And sith I did his valew great mistrust I thought it best by pollicie to proue I stale his horse and coate while he was sleeping And so conuaid her quite out of his keeping 36 Well might Martano beare away the bell Or else a whetstone challenge for his dew That on the sodaine such a tale could tell And not a word of all his tale was trew Put yet in shew it all agreed well Saue one which Aquilant most certaine knew Was false and he in vaine did seeke to smother He was her bedfellow and not her brother 37 With hand and tongue at once he doth replie And in one instant he both strake and spake I know quoth he vile villaine thou dost lie And on the face so fiercely him he strake He makes two teeth into his throate to flie Then with great violence he doth him take And him and her he binds in bitter bands Like captiues carrid into forren lands 38 And thus in hast vnto Damaseo riding He swears that he these bands would not vnbind Till of his brother he do heare some tiding Whom in Damasco after he did find Who now with cunning Phisicke and good guiding Was almost heald in body and in mind And when he saw his vnexpected brother They both saluted and embrac'd each other 39 And after they had made in speech some sport About full many a foolish accident For Aquilant had heard a large report Of Griffins carting and his punishment At last he asketh
Griffin in what sort They should this couple worthily torment To hang and draw and burne their priuie parts Was not too much for their too foule desarts 40 The King and a'l his Councell thought it good Because their fault was such so open knowne That they should publikely dispill their blood And their desarts might publikely be showne But yet that motion Griffin straight withstood Pretending priuate causes of his owne Onely he wisht Martano should be stript And at a cart drawne through the street and whipt 41 And as for her although she had deserued A punishment as great as he or more Yet was the sentence of her doome reserued Vntill I ucina came and not before So that by Griffins meane she was preserued So great a sway loue in his fancie bote Here Aquilant by Griffin was procured To bide with him vntill his wounds were cured 42 Now Norandin that all his powre still bends To honor Griffin all the meanes he may And with great courtesie to make amends For that disgrace he did him th' other day To make another triumph he intends Set forth with pompe and state and rich array And that the same may she to forraine nations He notifies it straight by proclamations 43 At foure weekes end the triumph should begin The fame whereof about so farre was blowne Without the land of Iewrie and within At last vnto Astolfo it was knowne Who asking Sansonets aduice herein Whose wisedome he preferd before his owne At last for companie they both agree To go together these same iusts to see 44 Now as they went vpon their way behold They met a gallant and a stately dame With whom this Duke acquainted was of old Marfisa was this noble Ladies name She traueld like a Knight her heart was bold Her bodie passing strong vnto the same And when she knew both why and where they went To go with them she quickly did consent 45 And thus these three their iourney so contriue As iust against the day and solemne feast Together at Damasco they arriue Each one well mounted on a stately beast The King that specially did care and striue To honor Griffin more then all the rest By all the meanes and wayes he could deuise Augmented much the valew of the prise 46 And where it was as I before declar'd A single armor rich and finely wrought Now Norandino at this time prepar'd To set it out with things not lightly bought To this he adds a horse most richly barbd By riders skill to great perfection brought Well shapt wel markt strong limbd and passing swift The beast alone fit for a Princess gift 47 All this he did because great hope he saw That Griffin once againe the prise would win But then was verifide the old said saw Much falls betweene the Challice and the chin For when Marfisa void of feare or aw Without had viewd this armor and within And finds it had bene hers by marks well knowne She seizeth straight vpon it as her owne 48 The King that ill so great disgrace could brooke Did shew himselfe there with much discontent And with a princely frowne and angry looke His silence threatned that she should repent And in so great despite the thing he tooke That straight some sergeants vnto her he sent With souldiers some on foote and some on horse Deceiu'd much in her sex more in her force 49 For neuer did a child take more delight With gawdie flowres in time of spring to play Nor neuer did yong Ladie braue and bright Like dauncing better on a solemne day Then did Marfisa in the sound and sight Of glittring blades and speares delight to stay And this did cause her take therein more pleasure Because her strength was great beyond all measure 50 Those few that were to apprehend her sent And punish her for this vnlawfull deed Were cauld their comming quickly to repent And others by their harmes tooke better heed The armed Knights most diuersly were bent Some standing still to mark what this would breed Some to the sergeants thought to bring reliefe Or whom were Griffin and his brother chiefe 51 The English Duke doth deeme it were a shame To leaue Marfisa in this dangerous case Sith chiefly for his companie she came And Sansonet doth deeme it like disgrace Wherefore they meane how ere the matter frame Not leaue her vnassisted in the place Astolfo had a charmed speare all gilt With which he vsed oft to runne at tilt 52 The vertue of this charmed speare was such Besides the gilding bright and faire of hew That whom so ere the head thereof did tuch Straight him from off his horse it ouerthrew Griffino first although disdaining much He quite vnhorst nor who it was he knew Then Aquilant that to reuenge it ment Vnto the ground in manner like was sent 53 Thus did these warriers three themselues behaue But chiefe Marfisa who would neuer rest But would in spite of all the armor haue Nor once vouchsaft to aske it or request She doth the King and all his nobles braue And when the best of them had done his best On eu'ry side she beat the people downe And from them all made way out of the towne 54 Sansonet and Astolfo did the like King Norandinos men of armes pursew The foolish people crie stop kill and strike But none comes neare but stand aloofe to vew A narrow bridge there was this place they pike And to defend it against all the crew Till Griffin came hauing his horse recouered And by some markes the English Duke discouered 55 And straight his brother Aquilante came And of Astolfo both acquaintance take And then in ciuill termes they somewhat blame Her litle count she of the King did make Astolfo friendly told to them her name And in defence of her some words he spake The rest that came maruell to what it tends To heare them talke together now like frends 56 But when that Norandinos souldiers hard Her name so dreaded ouer all the East They surely thought that they should all be mard And that the citie would be tane at least Therefore they pray the King to haue regard But now Marfisa moued by request Of those two brothers friendly doth consent Her selfe before the Prince for to present 57 And thus without much reuerence she spake Sir King I maruell what your highnesse ment A prise and gift of such a thing to make As is not yours without I giue consent The armes this armor hath plaine proofe do make Namely a crowne into three peeces rent Once I put off this armor in a way To chase a theefe that stale from me a pray 58 Then said the King faire dame the truth is so Of one Armenian merchant I them bought I make no question be they yours or no Nor needs for proofe more witnesse to be brought For though they were not I would them bestow On you if so the same by you were sought As for
and must vntill One come that me with other nine can kill 9 Vnto the knights this seemd a maru'lous storie And much they wonderd at this gouernment They maruell that so great a territorie For want of men was not consum'd and spent They thought no lesse the women would be sorie For want of men to liue so continent T was strange one man sufficed ten of thease Sith one with vs can scant one woman please 10 And straight they were inquisitiue to know When first this foolish order there began And vpon what occasion it did grow That women in that countrie ruled man Then Guidon answerd thus I shall you show The whole discourse as briefely as I can According as my selfe haue heard the same Since by mishap into this realme I came 11 When as the Greekes had quite defaced Troy And after twise ten yeares returned home For ten whole years in danger and annoy Of surging seas they vp and downe did rome They found their wiues that had but little ioy So long a time to liue and lye alone Each one a lustie louer to haue chosen Lest with the cold they might be staru'd and frozen 12 Their houses full of bastard brats they see In fine they purpose after consultation To pardon all their wiues and let them free But for these boyes that bred some altercation To driue them out a doore they do agree And make them seeke a forraine habitation It was contrarie much to their desiers That others brats should warme thé at their fiers 13 Thus some thrown out some close their mothers keep In corners from their angrie husbands sight And when as elder years on them do creepe Each one betakes him to his most delight Some plow some get them heards of goats sheep Some sciences and some do learne to fight Thus eu'rie one betooke him to some trade As he assignes that all the world hath made 14 Among the rest that Art of war ensue Phalanto sonne of Clytemnestra Queene But eighteene yeares of age and âresh of hue And in the floure of youths well pleasing greene This one to him an hundred gallants drue And getting ships and things that needfull beene With writs of Mart a thing that breeds much sorow He gets him to the sea in mind to borow 15 Now while Phalanto with his cursed fleet Abode at sea with that more cursed traine It fortund at that time that they of Creet Had Idumeo driu'n out of his raigne Wherfore for better strength they thought it meet Phalanto and his men to entertaine They giue to him great hire and great reward The citie of Ditea for to guard 16 Ditea was a towne of great estate Rich and frequented with no small resort And yeelds in plentie large betimes and late Of sundrie kinds of pleasures and of sport And as they all men vsd so in like rate They vsd their souldiers in so friendly sort As though they had agreed by sound accords To make them all their masters and their Lords 17 But chiefe they found with women so great grace As they wan most of them vnto their lure But when the warres were ended in short space And that their pay no longer did endure They all prepar'd to leaue this pleasant place Which to the damsels did great griefe procure To leese their husbands brother or their father Then these new louers eu'rie one had rather 18 And when they saw they could not make them stay By no deuice of theirs nor no request They do agree with them to steale away And take such things as were of value best Thus came these damsels loden with their pray And thence to sea and were now gone at left An hundred leagues with these new lawles louers Before Ditea this their flight discouers 19 The wind so good then for their purpose blew Phalanto quickly landed in this cost And here the amorous and wanton crew Vnto their loues of this their lewdnesse bost But now that saying was confirmed trew That pleasant things do often cloy the most And there can be a greater clog to no man Then to be wearie of a wanton woman 20 Wherefore like men that were and had bene euer Of gaine most greedie sparing of expence They secretly consulting do endeuer To take the goods and then to steale from thence Thus while the women still in loue perseuer They that regard not pleasure more then pence Lode with their wealth of which there was good store Stale to the sea left them on the shore 21 Sore were the damsels daunted and dismayd When once they saw their loues had the forsaken For what more spite can be then be betraid Of him to whom one hath her selfe betaken And fith they find that weeping doth nât ayd They meane betime some order shal be taken What they shall do and how heareafter liue And eu'rie one doth straight her verdit giue 22 One home to turne againe doth thinke it best And to their kin and friends them to submit And with repentance pardon to request And vow the like fault neuer to commit Another that good motion doth detest And sweares it shewd the mouer had no wit And that with greater honestie or ease They might go drowne them headlong in the seas 23 Among the rest one Orontea hight That lineally of Mynos was descended And past the rest in beautie and good sprite And had lesse grieuously then they offended For to Phalanto she her troth did plight And to haue bene his honest spouse intended This one declareth thus her resolution And makes the rest put it in execution 24 She wishes them to tary in this land That had both fruitfull earth and pleasant aire And fountaines sweet and woods on eu'ry hand And medowes greene and pastures fresh and faire Beside large hau'us where ships at ease might stand To which the merchants often made repaire By tempest driuen well loden with good trafficke Of things that come from Egipt and from Affricke 25 Wherefore this place she minds not to forsake But that they may as chiefly they desire A sharpe reuenge on men for euer take They vow to put to sacke to sword and fire Such ships as to their hauen repaire do make And kill the men and this they all conspire And still when any come this trade they vse Nor left a man aliue to carry newes 26 But when this cruell law some yeares had lasted Which they had meant to haue confirmd for ay They find that they so fast consumd and wasted That this their barren kingdome would decay Except to find some remedy they hasted And hauing long consulted on the way They meane of this their law to bate some rigor Yet leaue the substance still in strength and vigor 27 And thus they do they chuse among such men As tempests driue to this their wicked nation Some few as were so lustie as with ten They could performe the act of generation All in one night
lost then wonne Then answerd stout Marfisa I will make Another offer which you may not shunne On this condition let vs for her sake A course at field one with the other runne That if you win then I will keepe her still If I then you shall serue he while she will 85 Content quoth Zerbin and with that they ran With couched spears and met amid the plaine But Zerbin had the worse Marfisa wan As better horst and stronger of the twaine Who seeing Zerbin downe she then began To talke with him and iest with him againe Behold quoth she I here to you present This louely damsell for your more content 86 Now see you keepe your promise and your troth To this faire dame to be a champion trew And do not breake the bands of sacred oth And so quoth she for now I bid adew Zerbin was mou'd with shame and anger both Shame for his foile a thing most strange and new And wrath for her whom he thereby did gaine Which he might deeme the greater losse of twaine 87 Then of his mistresse new he doth enquire What knight it was that did him ouerthrow She willingly did graunt him his desire Supposing to his griefe might greater grow It was a Ladie in a knights attire Marfisa hight quoth she that layd you low The which strange news I thinke not much did lacke To make his armor blush vpon his backe 88 Vpon his horse in anger great he gets And curst himselfe he had not sit more sure He bites his lips and inwardly he frets And she in him more anger to procure With byting words his discontentment whets Yet he doth for his oth sake all endure Like tired horse he quiet all abides That hath the bit in mouth and spurs in sides 89 At last into this bitter plaint he burst On thee ô fortune well I may complaine And call my selfe vnhappie and accurst That dost at once two plagues for me ordaine Two plagues that of all plagues I count the worst As first this foile my former fame to staine And hauing lost a Ladie of rare features To haue this mistresse fowlest of all creatures 90 She whose surpassing beautie well deserued All worldly blisse whose match was neuer found She from misfortune could not be preserued But that by cruell stormes she must be dround And this who if she had bene rightly serued Ought longer this haue fed worms vnder ground Thou hast these many yeares and still dost saue That I by her at last this plague might haue 91 By these and such like words as Zerbin spake That aged woman giues a sured guesse That this was he to whom and for whose sake Faire Isabell kept erst in great distresse There where Orlando did from theeues her take Was wont so great affection to professe And to describe his parts and shape so trew As eu'rie one might know him at a vew 92 And now that by his words she plainely found That this was Zerbin and that he beleeued Faire Isabella was in tempest dround With which conceit she saw he sore was greeued She that did know her to be safe and sound Yet meaning not his griefe should be releeued She telleth onely that that would disease him And doth conceale that which she thought would please him 93 You sir quoth she that me so greatly scorne If you but knew what tydings I could tell Other whom you lament as dead and lorne You would both speake me faire and vse me well But first I will with horses wild be torne And suffer all the paines of earth and hell Before that I will condescend to show it Or then by me you euer come to know it 94 Looke how a gentle grewnd that doth assaile And flies vpon a stranger at the furst Will on the lodaine faune and wag his taile If âo of bread one profer him a crust So Zerbin that before on her did raile And bitterly vnto her face her curst Now he inteates her and doth pray and flatter To giue him farther notice of the matter 95 At last with long intreatie she replies And faith faire Isabella is not ded But so she liues that sure she death enuies And neuer hope to haue her maidenhed For I haue seene quoth she with these mine eyes How twentie lawlesse men her captiue led And eu'rie one might haue her at their pleasure As hauing libertie and lust and leasure 96 Ah wicked hagge thou know'st it is a lie And yet behold how thou canst paint it out Thou know'st that none of them with her did lie Thou know'st Orlando thence did fetch her out And made the malefactors all to die That of her danger now there was now doubt But now alas this lying storie bred A thousand iealousies in Zerbines hed 97 He askt herwhere and when his loue she saw He speakes her oftentimes both soule and faire But not a word more could he from her draw Neither by threatning words nor yet by prayre He feeles a corzie cold his heart to gnaw His little hope was turnd to great dispaire And thus this old ilfauord spitefull Callet Gaue good Zerbino such a choking fallet 98 What patience thus prouoked could haue borne At such a womans hands so vile a spite And saue he was vnto her seruice sworne No doubt he would haue done her then her right Thus she of mallice full and be of scorne Went on their way vntill they met a knight But what became hereof if you will know The booke ensuing shall the sequell show In the tale of Phalanto and his companie women may note the notable inconstancie of young mens dishonest loues how sweet and pleasant so ever they be at the first In Pynabello and his wife that scorned Gabrinas olde age and deformitie we may obserue the soule sinne and the iust punishment of pride and contempt of others In the good Zerbino that for his promise sake suffers himselfe to be so notoriously abused of a spitefull malicious old wretch we may marke a notable example of a man true and faithfull of his word In the beginning of this booke he reciteth the names of foure women famous two for warre two for learning and indeed there haue bene many more excellent in either kind as Thomeris that killed Cyrus Zenobea Hipsicratea wife to Mythridates Debora the Hebrew whom the Scripture commendeth Valesca queene of Boemia Thenca queene of Slauonia Amalasunta queene of the Gothes All these are famous for their wise government And for learning diuers women haue greatly excelleds as Eriana Aspasia Cleobulyna Theana Leontio Manto Hicostrata Carmenta the Sibils Sulpicia But for a persite patterne of excellency in both kinds both in gouerning the common wealth most wisely peaceably prosperously and skill in all kind of learning and languages Greeke Latine French Italian and Spanish I may say it truly and without flatterie that our gracious soueraigne is to be preferred before any of them yea
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 âprite 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 turây 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
maintaine it And was afeard that I by force would gaine it 50 Zerbino crieth out what peace for shame Take not his sword or thinke not I will beare it If by the coate of Hector so you came You stale it and vnworthy are to weare it Tush quoth the Pagan I will beare that blame As for your threatning do not thinke I feare it Thus tones sharpe answers tothers sharpe replying Made them to fall to termes of flat defying 51 And either shewing signes of plaine hostilitie Prepares the tother fiercely to inuade Zerbino with his skill and great agilitie His partie good against the Pagan made And voided all the blowes with much facilitie Though hauing great disuantage in the blade And in that armor massie so and strong That in times past to Hector did belong 52 Looke how a Grewnd that finds a sturdie Bore Amid the field far straying from the heard Doth runne about behind him and before Because of his sharpe tusks he is afeard So Zerbin that had seene oft heretofore That blade and of the force thereof had heard With heedfull eye to shun the blowes he watched Because he was in weapons ouermatched 53 Thus warily this worthy Prince did fight And though by heedfull skill he scaped oft The furious bloes of this Tartarian knight Yet lo at last one blow came from aloft And Durindan so heauie did alight As pierced through the hard vnto the soft A finger deepe and went in length a span Downe from the place where first the wound began 54 The Prince so earnest was he felt no smart Yet ran the blood out of the brest amaine And of his curats all the former part With crimson streame of blood it did distaine So haue I seene her hand that to mine hart Hath bene a cause of anguish and much paine When she a purple seame or flowre hath drawne In siluer kirtle or in sleeue of lawne 55 The wound was great but yet did greater show Which fight faire Isabella much amated The Prince that seemed not the same to know With force increased rather then abated Vpon the Pagans brow gaue such a blow As would no doubt haue made him checkt mated Saue that as I to you before rehearst His armor was not easie to be pearst 56 The blow was such as caused him to reele And on his stirrops staggringly he stood Had not his armor bene of passing steele The blow would sure haue entred to the blood The grieuous paine that he thereof did feele Did put him in so fierce a raging mood So that for all Zerbinos skill and sleight He wounded him in places seu'n or eight 57 Which when his louing Isabella saw She went to Doralice and her doth pray The fury of her husband to withdraw And ioyne with her to part the bloody fray Who both because she was in feare and aw Lest yet the Prince her spouse indanger may And for of nature kind she was and meeke Of that good motion she doth not mislike 58 Thus those two Ladies this fierce battell parted In which the prince receiued many a wound Though being as he was most valiant harted He neuer gaue the Pagan inch of ground From thence each couple presented departed Fierce Mandricard to pagan campe was bound To Paris ward the Prince but driu'n to stay By reason of his bleeding by the way 59 Dame Fiordeliege that stood this while aloofe And saw how Mandricard preuailed had And how the Prince had fought with euill proofe Departed thence all sorrowfull and sad Reuiling Mandricard with iust reproofe That of this euill gotten sword was glad And wished that her husband Brandimart Had present bin to take Zerbinos part 60 But as she traueld homeward to the campe She saw the noble Palladine of France Not like himselfe but of another stampe Besmeard and nakt as antiks wont to dance Quite was extinguished the shining lampe Of vertue bright that did his name aduance This fight in Fiodeliege much sorrow bred But tell me now how good Zerbino sped 61 Who on his way with painfull steps proceeding With Isabella onely and no more His former taken hurts still freshly bleeding Which now with cold were stiffe and waxed sore And yet this griefe in him the rest exceeding To thinke that sword of which I spake before Should mauger him be by a Turke poslest I say this grieu'd him more then all the rest 62 Now gan the dreadfull pangs of death assaile him So great a streame of blood his wound had draind His eyes were dim his speech began to faile him Strong hart to yeeld to weake limbs was constraind What can poore Isabella do but waile him She blam'd the heau'ns and fates that had ordaind Her to escape such dangers and such harmes And now to haue her deare die in her armes 63 Zerbino though he seant could draw his breath Yet hearing her lamenting in such fashion Doth ope his closed lips and thus he seath Both shewing then and mouing much compassion So might I my deare loue eu'n after death Be deare to thee as I do feele great passion To think when as my death froÌ hence shall reaue me Alone in wo and danger I shall leaue thee 64 Might I haue left thee in some safer place I should esteeme my death a blessed hap And that the hean'ns had giu'n me speciall grace To end my life in thy beloued lap Now greiues it me to thinke of thine hard case In what a world of woes I thee shall wrap When I must die and leaue thee here alone And none to helpe thy harme or heare thy mone 65 To this the wofull Isabell replies With watred eyes and heart surprisd with anguish Her face to his and ioyning her faire eyes To his that like a witherd rose did languish No thought said she my deare in thee arise For me for know I neither do nor can with Thee to suruiue I will be thine for euer Life could not and death shall not vs disseuer 66 No sooner shall thy breath thy brest forsake But I will follow thee I care not whither Griefe or this sword of me an end shall make And if some stranger after shall come hither I hope of vs such pittie he will take To lay our bodies in one ' graue togither This said about his necke her armes she clasped And drawes the fainting breath that oft he gasped 67 The Prince inforcing his forefeebled voyce Said thus I thee coniure my sole delight By that deare loue that made me first thy choyce And thee from natiue soyle to take thy flight If euer in my loue thou didst reioyce If to commaund thee I haue any right That thou still liue as long as God shall graunt thee And not despaire how euer fortune daunt thee 68 Th'almightie God from danger and from ill Hath hitherto and will I trust thee saue Eu'n as he sent that noble Earle to kill Those caitiues that did keepe thee in their caue
water cold Which to my skinne so sooner were arriued But I was changd from that I was of old And of my former state I was depriued I felt I saw yet seant beleeue I can That of a woman I was made a man 56 And sauing that eu'n now I am so nie you As you may quickly proue my tale not fained Else you might thinke I said it but to trie you Now so since I for you this wish obtained Aske what you please I nothing shall denie you Enioy that which my loue for you hath gained When I had pleaded thus and she had heard it On sight of euidence she gaue her vardit 57 As one whose state is ouerwhelmd with debt By lending or by spending out of measure That looks ech houre when prouling shreeus wil set Himselfe toward and of his goods make seasure If some vnlookt for gaine he hap to get By some mans death or by some trouie treasure Is so surprisd with ioy he scant doth know If true it be or if he dreamed so 58 So she that now did see and feele and tuch That which she long had longed for in vaine It ouerfild her mind with ioy so much It seemed in a trance she did remaine Therein her incredulitie was such As to resolue her I did take much paine If these be dreames quoth she for these dreams sake I euer wish to dreame and neuer wake 59 Not sound of drum of trumpet or of phife Nor warlike instrument of any sort Did sound alarum to our friendly strife But douelike billing followd louely sport This battell hazards neither limbe nor life Without a ladder I did seale the fort And stoutly plant my standerd on the wall And vnder me I made my so to fall 60 If that same bed were full the night before Of teares of plaints of anguish and annoyes No doubt but now it had in as great store Both smilings sports and solaces and ioyes No Iuy doth embrace the pillar more Then she did me nor Apes can find more toyes Then we yong fooles did find to make vs merie Till ioy it selfe of ioy did make vs werie 61 The thing twixt vs did secret long remaine And certaine months this pleasure did endure Till some had found and told it to my paine As you well know that did my life assure Yet I confesse great griefe I still sustaine Not knowing how her safetie to procure This Richardetto to ' Rogero told And all the while their iourney on they hold 62 By that time Richardettos tale was done They gan vp to a little hill to mount And when an houre and more was set the Sunne They came vnto the castle Agrismount Kept then by Aldiger the bastard sonne Of Bouo of the house of Clarimount A wise and sober man and of good qualitie And bountifull in keeping hospitalitie 63 And after he had bid them welcome both One as his kinsman tother as his frend I heare ill newes quoth he that I am loth To tell to you least it should you offend But thus it is to let you know the troth I heare that Bertolage doth sure intend To buy the prisners that Ferraw hath tane As namely Malagige and Viuiane 64 Lanfusa taketh vpon her to sell them And as I heare tomorrow is the day Vnto your brothers I sent one to tell them But they be absent hence so farre away As ere they come from hence they may expel them I am too weake to force too poore to pay My loue is great to wish all good vnto them But powre so small as good I can none do them 65 Young Richardetto much mislikt the newes So did Rogero for the tothers sake And when he saw they both were in a muse Nor knew what counsell or what course to take No feare quoth he let me this matter vse On me this enterprise I le vndertake So I shall handle this affaire so handsome This sword alone shall pay your kinsmens ransome 66 This spake Rogero his companions chearing But notwithstanding Aldiger his host Gaue to those lostie promises such hearing As if there were great boast and little rost Which vnto Richardetto plaine appearing Who knew his vallew greater then his bost Good cosen if you knew him well that sed it You would said he vnto his word giue credit 67 Then Aldiger on better information Gaue care and credit to his noble guest And made him cheare to sute his reputation And plast him at the boord aboue the rest And supper done he was in seemely fashion In chamber lodgd of all the house the best The master of the house in nothing scant His worthy guest will suffer nothing want 68 Now was the time when all men foundest sleepe Rogero onely cannot sleepe a winke For cares and thoughts that him do waking keepe And in his troubled braine profoundly sinke The siege of Agramant doth pierce him deepe And what dishonor men of him may thinke And deeme his heart but faint his faith but fickle To leaue his soueraigne inso wosull pickle 69 Had he reuolted at some other time Men might haue thought that true religion mou'd him None could haue it imputed as a crime Nor no man probably could haue reprou'd him Now when his masters fortune did decline And when to aid him chiefest it behoou'd him Feare men will thinke his change procured chiefe Nor iust remorse nor zeale of true beliefe 70 This troubled him and little lesse then this It troubled him to thinke of his deare hart Whom now by euill fortune he doth misse Nor cannot once salute er he depart Wherefore to write to her his purpose is And so to her at large his minde impart Both that of him she may haue certaine newes As that he may his sodaine going scuse 71 The chamberlaines both prudent and discreet Vpon Rogero quicke attendance gaue Prouiding him of needfull things and meet Inke paper light and what he else would craue Then as the manner is he doth her greet Vpon the front as letters vse to haue Thus after verie hartie commendations Or some such phrase of friendly salutations 72 Then tels he her how that the Turkish Prince Had for his ayd by speciall message sent Who is besiegd and hath bene long time since And how to rescue him is his intent Least men of cowardise might him conuince That he away in time of danger went And now would leaue his lawfull Lord and liege Then when his enemies did him besiege 73 He prayeth her to weigh how foule a deed How full it were of infamie and shame To yeeld his Prince no aid in such a need That sent to him of purpose for the same He wisht her for her owne sake to take beed That no such staine might spot her spouses name That being she so true and so sinceare She should no blemish in her husband and beare 74 He further doth his zeale to her protest As erst he
had in word so now in writing And sweares that when his Prince were vndistrest The siege quite raisd by concord or by fighting That foolish people might not make a iest To his reproch that common speach reciting Rogero loues to take the lurer side And turnes his sailes as fortune turnes her tide 75 I shall he writes when that time doth expire Which in a month I hope wil be effected Finde some occasion from them to retire And of no breach of honour be suspected Then shall I full accomplish your desire And do as I by you shal be directed This onely for my honour I demand thee And after this thou euer shalt command mee 76 These things and like to these Rogero wrate As then by hap came in his troubled hed To certifie his loue of his estate And of the cause that his departure bred By that time he had done it was full late And then againe he got him to his bed And closd his eies when he had closd the letter And after tooke his ease a great deale better 77 Next day they all arose at breake of day With minde to go to set their kinsmen free And though Rogero earnestly did pray That none might take that enterprise but he Yet both the other stifly said him nay And there unto by no meanes would agree Vnto the place assignd they ride togither And by the time appointed they came thither 78 The place they came to was a goodly plaine In which no tree nor bush was to be seene Here Bertolage did point to take them twaine As was agreed Lanfuse and him betweene But first they met while here they did remaine One that a Phenix bare in field all greene With armor faire embost and guilt with gold As in the booke that follows shal be told In this xxv booke in Rogeros valiant proceeding for the deliuerie of Richardetto though as then not knowne to him what he was may be noted a wonderfull courage and promptnes to honorable exploits In the great likenes of face of Bradamant and Richardetto though this be but a fiction yet we may obserue the rare and as it were cunning workmanship of nature admirable as well in making so many sundrie countenances one vnlike another as also sometimes in making some so exceeding like which indeed though it seldomer fortunes and sooner alters in brother and sister yet in two brothers it is seene many times and therefore not improbable to be written as it is here for the forenamed couple I have heard in England of the two Tremaines not many yeares past I haue knowne myselfe two of the Wrothes in Eaton schoole and lately in her Maiesties court two Tracies two proper and valiant young Gentlemen whom my selfe being familiarly acquainted with yet I could verie hardly know one from the other But to come to the tale of Richardetto and Fiordispina which name signifieth as much as the flowre of thorne and not vnapt for her prickling condition I must confesse my author sheweth in the tale rather pleasant wit then any sober grauitie and the best I can say is this that it is a bad matter not verie ill handled But as I vndertooke in the beginning to make speciall note of all she good matters by which the honest reader might take profite so I thinke it as conuenient where any light and lasciuious matter fals as this is surely one to temper it in such sort or at least to salue it so as it may do least hurt Namely I would not haue that xxv staffe by misapplying it made worse being perhaps bad enough at the best For what can be more cullen like and base And fitter for a man were made of straw Then standing in a gallant Ladies grace To shew himselfe a cockow or a daw Leesing occasion both of time and place c. This taken as many will take it may seeme but lewd doctrine but thus it ought and may be honestly taken that he that in good honorable sort as put the case in the way of marriage may obtaine the loue of some worthy Ladie and stands in her high sauour and then will be so bashfull either for want of wit or heart to leese that oportunitie he may be in good reason indued with those gentle titles neuerthelesse to vnderstand it generally were vngoodly considering the Scripture commendeth to vs the example of Ioseph that refused his mistres kindnes But to conclude the morall of this tale we may note how full of doubts and feares these vnlawfull pleasures are how soeuer some men like better to hunt by stealth in another mans walke then to haue the fairest course that may be at game of their owne The examples that Fiordispina recites of other womens vnlawfull lusts preferring them before her owne for their possibilitie hers being vnpossible are confirmed by diuers authors as of Nynus wife Semiramis that lusted after a horse Nynos wise after a bull and other such tales though I thinke vntrue or rather cullerd by such names as in that of Pasiphae it is thought she loued one that was called Taurus to say a bull and thereupon the light headed Poets that haue a priuiledge as free for the pen as painters haue for the pencill make a great wonder of it whereas perhaps indeed it was but euen an ordinarie matter that is dayly or at least nightly committed by many in these times Thus tale of Fiordispina alludes to that in the ninth of the Metamorphosis of Iphis and the complaint she makes is much taken from thence and is wonderfull finely written by Ouid as you may reade there more at large Vix\`quetenens lachrimas quis me manet exitus inquit Cognita quam nulli quam prodigiosa nouaeque Cura tenet Veneris si dij mihi parcere vellent Perdere debuerant si non perdere vellent Naturale malum saltem de more dedissent Nec vaccam vaccae c. Here end the notes of the xxv booke THE XXVI BOOKE THE ARGVMENT The learned Malagige strange riddles showes To his companions out of Merlins well With Mandricard the Sarzan thither goes And each tooke quarrels new as there befell For Discord seed of strife among them sowes But Doralices horse by fiend of hell Affrighted doth his mistres beare away Which causd the Pagans both breake off the fray 1 RIght worthy dames there were in times of old That more esteemd of vertue then of wealth But now our iron age is all for gold For bad and worse in sicknes and in health But she that will that elder custome hold And leaue this new deserues where ere she dwelth Here in this life to haue a happie choice And in the next for euer to reioice 2 Such was the noble Bradamantas mind Who sought not after wealth and rich abilitie Nor state nor pompe that many women blind But after vertue pure the true nobilitie And well deserued he to find her kind That shewd in
was well whose horse could swiftest runne Small count they make of amble or of trot The tone side leaue their gold on asses loden The tother of their captiues are forboden 22 The noble vanquishers do seize the pray Which was both rich and sumptuous to behold Of Flanders worke an hanging rich and gay To hang a stately roome of silke and gold They also found rich clothing and array That should haue bene vnto Lanfusa fold And namely mong the rest a gallant gowne Embroderd round with cost of many a crowne 23 They further found good vittels and good store Wine bottels coole and fresh and good of tast With which not hauing eate that day before They do agree to baite and breake their fast And eu'ry one prepares himselfe therefore And to that end their curats they vnlast Now when Marfisa had put off her beauer To be a woman eu'ry one perceaue her 24 Her golden haire trust vp with carelesse art Her forehead faire and full of stately grace Her eye her lip and eu'ry other part So suting to her comely shape and face As bred eu'n then in each beholders hart A reu'rend loue and wonder in like case And straight they askt her name the which she told them And with as great delight she doth behold them 25 But she her selfe farre more then all the rest Rogeros shape and person doth regard His vallew great his vnappalled brest Before the others all she much prefard To him alone her speeches she addrest Of him alone she would her speech were hard Thus she in him and he delighted in her The while the other had prepard their dinner 26 The place they din'd in was a pleasant caue And one of foure that famous Merlin wrought Where he in milke white marble did ingâave Strange stories which things future strangely taught The very images seemd life to haue And sauing they were dumb you weld haue thought Both by their lookes and by their heely features That they had mou'd and had bene liuing creatures 27 From out a desert wood an vgly beast There seemd to come whose shape was thus defined An asles cares a wolte in head and breil A carkas all with pinching ãâã pined A Lions grizly raw but all the test To fox like shape did seeme to be inclined In England France in Italy and Spaine Yea all the world this monster seemd to raigne 28 Where ere this cruell monster set his foote He kild and spoild of eury sort and state No height of birth or state with him did boote He conquerd kings and clownes all in a rate Yea this beasts powre had tane so deepe a roote It enterd in Christs vicars sacred gate And vexed Cardinals and Bishops chiefe And bred a scandall eu'n in our beliefe 29 Vnto this beast men seemd to bow and bend This beast brake through each wall and eu'ry sence No citie could itselfe there from defend Strong castels made from it but weake defence In fine her powre did seeme so farre extend That many were so fond and void of fence To thinke and to beleeue this monster fell Had powre of all things both in heau'n and hell 30 But when this beast had rang'd a while behold One wearing on his head a lawrell crowne With three that wore the flowre de luce of gold Embroderd richly on their purple gowne And with these three a stately Lion bold Did ioyne his force to put the monster downe The titles and the names that them concerned Might in their garments plainly be discerned 31 One that with sword the beast thrusts in the paunch Was he whose praise no time shall euer smother Francis the first of that name king of France Of Austria Maximullen is another Then Charles the fist that with a mightie launce Smites through the beast froÌ tone side to the tother The fourth that in the brest with arrow wounds him Was Henrie th' eight the writing to expounds him 32 Leo the tenth the Lion fierce is called Who chast him and fast caught him by the eare And in the chase the beast so tyrd and galled As others tooke him while he held him there By this the world seemd freed that erst was thralled By this men seemd secure and void of feare Seing that beast whose look late made them tremble Stroyd by the powre of this so braue assemble 33 This story so set forth as I haue told With costly workmanship great pleasure bred In all their minds that did the same behold And on this sight more then their meat they fed And chiefe Marfisa wisht to heare it told What men these were if men already dead Or else a prophecie of things ensuing ãâã ââdden skill laid ope to each mans vewing 34 The Malagigi was by them requested As one in Mathematikes seene right well And had the method thereof so digested As he all hidden mysteries could tell To shew what monster thus the world molested And who be these that him froÌ earth expell For though they saw their names they did not know them But he they knew by his great skil could show them 35 Know then quoth he that these whose names appeare In marble pure did neuer liue as yet But long time hence after six hundred yeare To their great praise in princely throne shall sit Merlin the English prophet plast them here In Arthurs time and by his passing wit Set here as yet their vuperformed deeds And noted all their names vpon their weeds 36 This beast you saw had first her habitation Beneath amongst the wicked fiends of hell And staid there till that wicked generation I meane the iron age on earth did dwell When none durst trust without an obligation When fraud first came tween them that buy and sel And when the mightie to their great reproch First on the poore mens liuings did incroch 37 Then first this monster cruell got abrode And euer since her powre doth still increase And wheresoere she maketh her abode There is no friendship firme nor godly peace Conscience and iustice vnder foote are trod Good gouernment and wholsome lawes do cease That Python Phoebus kild with thousand darts Was monster lesse then this by thousand parts 38 Thus Malagigi said and then he told Who those should be that should the monster kill That should come then when as the world were old That should renew each good and mend each ill Whose names in sacred stile to be inrold Deserue and to be praisd aud honourd still That should in time to come as he did conster With bountie kill that miserable monster 39 Those fiue I nam'd and more by fiue times fiue Mine author names that holpe to slay the beast Rogero and the rest the time did driue In such like talke during the present feast And ere they rose behold there did arriue Vnto this caue vnwares another guest By name that maid from whom of late by force Fierce Rodomont had tane Rogeros
them forthwith these two agreed Though not to follow as they went in post Not doubting but when Agramant were freed At leasure them to meet and to their cost They onward go but yet Rogero ment To bid his friends farewell asore he went 98 Downe from his horse he gently doth descend And Richardetto he aside doth take And promist him for ay to be his frend And to his noble sister for his sake To whom said he I pray you me commend Yet in such prettie sort the same he spake His inward loue was not thereby detected Nor her great loue to him one whit suspected 99 Thus solemne leaue once tane on either side And profers of great loue and curtsie made To him was hurt and all the rest beside As still among great nobles is the trade Rogero with Marfisa on doth ride But how they did the Christen campe inuade And what great losse did Charls thereby receiue In next ensuing booke you may perceiue In the xxvi booke I obserue that Aldiger did discreetly refuse the challenge of Marfisa which might perhaps haue hindred his better purpose in rescuing of his kinsmen In Hippalca we may note the wisedome of a warie messenger that knows as well to hold her peace as to speake Lastly in Rogero Rodomont Mandricard and Marfisa the confused effects of discord The Princes named by mine author to be killers vanquishers of the miserable monster as I called it by which auarice is ment are so famous in all writings of this age that I need not speake of them specially our king Henrie the eight whose bountie and magnificence can neuer be forgotten while this realme shall be peopied or any histories read This description of the monster of couetousnesse is in my fancy very well handled by mine Author far beyond the like in Dant who maketh her onely like a Wolfe pined with famine But Ariosto goeth farder and more significantly describing her first to be vgly because of all vices it is the most hatefull eares of an asse being for the most part ignorant or at the least carelesse of other mens good opinions a Wolfe in head and breast namely rauenous and neuer satisfied a Lions grisly iaw terrible and deuouring a foxe in all the rest wyly and craftie and timerous of those that are stronger then himselfe all which applications are so proper and so plaine as it is needlesse to stand vpon them Some verie fondly haue surmised and published the same in print that this was alluded to the Bishop of Rome but how absurd that imagination is the praise of the Pope then liuing following in the 32. staffe doth plainly shew But Fornarius supposeth it to be meant rather by some temporall Prince of Italie that with his couetousnesse oppressed the people and therefore might be not vnfitly termed such a monster Here end the notes of the xxvj booke THE XXVII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Rogero and those other Pagan kings Make Charles againe to Paris wals retire Among the Turks new seed of quarrell springs And kindles in their hearts a quenchlesse fire Which all their campe in great disorder brings Agramant to appease them doth desire Fierce Rodomont doth leaue the campe in wrath Because his mistres him forsaken hath 1 AMong the many rare and speciall gifts That in the femal sex are found to sit This one is chiefe that they at sodayne shifts Giue best aduice and show most readie wit But man except he thinks and chews and fifts How eu'ry part may answer tother fit By rash aduice doth often ouershoot him And doth attempt the things that do not boot him 2 Good Malagigi thought he had done wisely In making Doralice to Paris fly But if he had the matter wayd precisely Though Richardetto was perseru'd thereby He would haue sure confest it done vnwisely His safetie with so great a losse to buy For by this act which he then not forethought A losse vnspeakeable to Charles was wrought 3 Alas how much might he haue better done If he had made the fiend the wench conuay Vnto the fall or rising of the Sunne To West or East or any other way Where Rodomont and Agricanes sonne From Paris wals might haue gone far astray But he that euer wisheth Christens euill So at this time did proue himselfe a Deuill 4 The siend her silly horse most slily enterd And not before prescribed any place He quickly all the company distemperd Nor bare he her away a common pace But ouer brooks and streams and ditches venterd She crying still for ayd as in such case Nor leaues her beast to fling run snore and stampe Vntill she quite was past the Christen campe 5 There did she come eu'n as she could desire Among the midst of Agramantes traine And there at last she found the king her sire That of Granata did possesse the raigne The while her louers both themselues do tire And in pursuing her do take great paine By tracing her with as great toile and care As huntlmen do with pleasure trace the Hare 6 Now Charles t is time for thee to looke about Vnto thy wals and strengths in time betake thee Thou neuer canst escape this plunge I doubt Except thou stir vp quickly and awake thee Thy strength the lamps of France are quenched out I meane thy frends champions chiefe forsake thee Orlando thee his wits haue him relinquished And all his vertues drownd and quite extinguished 7 Likewise Renaldo though not fully mad Yet little lesse then mad seekes there and hearâ For faire Angelica and is full sad To see that he of her no news can heare For why a certaine old inchaunter had Told him a forged tale that toucht him neare How she to whom of loue he made profession Was in Orlandos keep ng and possession 8 This made him at the first so loth to go To England whither he was sent for ayd This made him backe againe to hasten so Then when the Turks his presence so dismaid And thinking after that some news to know By priuie search the Nunries all he laid And Castels all in Paris and about To see if he by search could finde her out 9 But when he heard of her no news nor tiding And that Orlando there likewise did want He could in Paris make no longer biding Doubting his riuall sought him to supplant But vp and downe about the countrie riding Sometime to Braua sometime to Anglant Snpposing still Orlando her had hidden Lest of his pleasure he might be forbidden 10 And thus the wicked fiend his time espide To giue the Christens such a fatall blo When as these two in whom they most affide Were absent now their Prince and countrie fro Furder for souldiers of the Turkish side All that were valiant men or counted so Were all against this time entised hither Wholly vniting all their force togither 11 Gradasso stout and Sacrapantee fearce That in that charmed castell long had dwelt Which th'
better arbitrate our matters may Then womens foolish doome by fancie led Who oftentimes are so peruerse in chusing They take the worst the offerd best refusing 88 Go then quoth Mandricard I little care I hope that fight shall yeeld you like successe And thus againe to fight they ready are But Agramant doth soone that rage represse And said vpon this point againe to square Quite were against all lawes of armes expresse And Rodomont he sharply then controld That in his sight was against law so bold 89 The Sarzan king that saw himselfe that day So noted by those Peeres with double scorne Both from his Prince whom he must needs obay And her to whom so great loue he had borne With fury great he flings from thence away And counts himselfe disgrast and quite forlorne Of all his traine two men he onely taketh The king the campe the place he quite forsaketh 90 And as a Bull his loued heard that leaues By his strong riuall forced to be gone Among the trees all clad with thickest leaues Doth hide himselfe and seekes to be alone So he whom shame of comfort all bereaues Flies sight of men yet still he thinks thereon And chiefe when he remembers what disgrace His mistris did him in so open place 91 Rogero gladly would haue him pursude To get his horse but yet he doth refraine Lest men should thinke he had the fight eschude That did twixt Mandricard and him remaine But Sacrapant whom no cause doth include Pursues the Sarzan king the horse to gaine And doubtlesse had outgone him that same day But for mishap that chanced by the way 92 A damsell fell by hap into a riuer And was in perill great to haue bin drownd He lighting from his horse backe to relieue her Lept in and brought her out all safe and sound But doing this good act her to deliuer Scarce all that day his horse againe he found His horse got loose and he with all his cunning Could scantly catch him in six howers running 93 At last with much ado he doth him get And after Rodomont he then doth make But where and how long after him he met And how the Sarzan did him prisner take I may not now proceed to tell as yet First tell we what vild words the Sarzan spake That cald his Prince and mistris both vnkind And for her fault doth raile of all her kind 94 With scalding sighes that inward pangs bewrayd He breathes out flames in places where he goes From rocks and caues his plaints doth eccho ayd And takes compassion on his rufull woes O womens wits how weake you are he sayd How soone to change you do your selues dispose Obseruers of no faith nor good direction Most wretched all that trust in your protection 95 Could neither seruice long nor sured loue By me aboue a thousand wayes declared Thy fickle mind to fastnesse so farre moue But wilfully to let thy selfe be snared If reason could haue led thy mind to proue Was Mandricard with me to be compared Hereof can reason be alledgd by no man But this alone my mistris is a woman 96 I thinke that nature or some angry God Brought forth this wicked sex on earth to dwell For some great plague or iust deserued rod To vs that wanting them had liued well As in the wormes an Adder Snake and Tode Among the beasts Beares Wolues and Tygers sell And makes the aire the Flie and Waspe to breed And Tares to grow among the better seed 97 Why did not Nature rather so prouide Without your helpe that man of man might come And one be grafted on anothers side As are the Apples with the Peare and Plom But Nature can no meane nor rule abide But still the must exceed in all or some Full easie t is the cause thereof to render For Nature selfe is of the womans gender 98 Yet be not therefore proud and full of scorne O womankind that men come of your seed The fragrant Rose growth on the pricking thorne The Lilly faire comes of a filthy weed In lothsome soyle men sow the wholsome corne The basest mould the fairest flowre doth breed Vngratefull false and craftie y' are and cruell Borne of our burning hell to be the fuell 99 These words and like to these the Pagan fearce Doth spend amid his rage and frantike fumes And like a mad man did the same rehearse Sometime in hie oft times in baser tunes I tremble to set downe in my poore verse The blasphemie that he to speake presumes And writing this I do know this that I Full oft in heart do giue my pen the lie 100 But passion did this Pagans sense so blind And left within the same so sharpe a sting That he not onely blam'd his loue vnkind But also rag'd against his soueraigne King And cursed him and wished in his mind That fortune so great woes on him might bring That he might loose his state and princely crowne And see his country turnd quite vpsidowne 101 And being to such miseries once brought And with aduersitie assaild so sore That then by him his freedome might be wrought And that he might his former state restore That Agramant might by such proofe be taught Of faithfull friends indeed to set more store And learne to know that such a friend as he Deseru'd in right and wrong preferd to be 102 Thus blaming oft his Lord more oft his loue To his owne natiue soyle his course he bent But changing place could not his sorrow moue Nor trauels paine his paine of mind relent It seemd his horse Frontino well to proue Before his bridle should be drawne he ment To Sonna he doth ride without a bait And minds fro thence to passe to Prouence strait 103 And there to cast away all care and carke And all his anguish quickly to appease For Affrica he will himselfe imbarke And passe the large Mediterranian seas But for the weather now waxt dim and darke First in his Inne he minds to take his ease For all the counntry eu'n as farre as Spaine In Agramantes powre did then remaine 104 Now he resolues to lodge about the cost And long he is not of a place to seeke For straight he was inuited by an host To take his house if so it might him like It pleasd the Pagan well to heare him bost That he had Corsike wine and French and Greeke For though he were a Turke in all the rest Yet did he like French fashion drinking best 105 The pleasant host that was indeed of those That can with double diligence attend As hauing sau'd amid both friends and foes His goods and gaind by that which both do spend When by that princes view he did suppose Him some great man he straight abroade did send And thither doth his kin and friends request To helpe to waite and welcome such a guest 106 But loe his guest fits musing all apart And of his Mistres runneth all his
thought Which though he would forget spite of his hart He thinks on still so strong the fancie wrought The standers by are not so malypart To talke to him till he occasion sought Which hauing found vp from his chaire he started And salutations to them all imparted 107 Then askt he many questions of them all And as occasion seru'd discourses varid But still we finde and euer finde we shall By thought of heart the speech of tongue is carid For last to treat of marridge he doth fall And asketh of the men if they be marrid And if they be he prayth them to declare Of their wiues truthes what their opinions are 108 Straight all of them made answer they had wiues And but mine host all praisd the happie state And said they were the comforts of their liues That draw a happie yoke without debate A playfellow that farre off all griefe driues A steward early that prouides and late Both faithfull chast and sober mild and trustie Nurse to weake age and pleasure to the lustie 109 Tush quoth mine host vnder your good correction Most noble guest these fellows say not right But either with fond loue or foule subiection So blinded are they take the blacke for white I once my selfe was toucht with this infection But now I see that then I wanted sight And now I know as being better taught That theirs and mine be all vnchast and naught 110 For as the Phoenix is a bird alone And of that kind the whole world hath no more So thinke I of all wiues there is but one That liueth chast in loue and vertues lore He blest may be that lighteth her vpon Small hope thinke I there is in so scant store That many should haue one of such a kind Of which in all the world but one I finde 111 I once so blinded was as now be thease Till by good hap vnto my house there came A Gentleman of Venice from the seas Francis Valerio was he cald by name He knew and could declare them all with ease All womens wiles and stories to the same He had of old and of the later times To shew both wiues and single womens crimes 112 He said and bad me hold it as my creed That all of them are false if they be trides If some seemd chast it did of this proceed They had the wit to do and not be spide And knew by deepe dissembling and good heed With sober looks their wanton lusts to hide And this to proue he told me such a tale As while I liue I still remember shall 113 And if it like you sir to lend me eare In my rude fashion I shall it recite Right glad quoth Rodomont by heau'ns I sweare For thou hast hit my present humor right Wherefore said he sit downe I pray thee theare For in thy speech alreadie I delight But heare I end this booke for doubt I haue That in his tale mine host will play the knaue In this booke we may obserue how important a thing it is in an army to haue store of good leaders as Liuie noteth of the old Remaines Fortiorem rem Romanam ducibus esse quam militibus That the strength of the Romaines consisted more in Captaines then in souldiers In quarrels that grew in the campe vpon trifling causes we may note a fault that many of English Seruitors though otherwise braue men haue many times bene noted of in their forren seruice where they verie seldome agree togither but seeke to disgrace one another In Agramant we may note a princely maiestie in compounding such controuersies In Rodomonts bitter inuective against women we may see how passionate extreames loue and hate be In mine Host we note how such base fellows are still readie to feed the humors of Princes though it be in shamefull vices or manifest errors Hippolita to whom Marfisa is compared as also the whole countrie of Amazons and their lawes I haue spoken of elsewhere this is that Hippolita that was brought by Theseus to Athens and there had a sonne called Hippolitus In that he faineth that the spright entring into Doralices horse conueyed her into the campe of the Pagans to the great damage of the Christians we may thereby note how that ghostly enemie doth indeed watch as the scripture saith like a roring Lion whom he may deuour to do mankind all the hurt that may be and therefore we must not giue him an inch least as the prouerbe saith he take an ell In the solemnitie of their combats and preparation Fornarius noteth that he alludes to a ' policie vsed by Isabella wife to Ferdinando king of Spaine She to make her men of armes more valiant and couragious caused them to fight with the Moors in the verie sight of their Ladies and Mistresses and partly thereby expulsed the Moores out of Granata But for Doralices reiecting of Rodomont and chusing Mandricard it alludes to a like thing written by Plutarch in his loue discourses where Calysto was taken and Strato refused of which afterward insued the death of al three Here end the notes of the xxvij booke THE XXVIII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Fierce Rodomont hears of his prating Host A lying tale to womens great disgrace Vnto Algier he minds to passe in post But by the way he finds more pleasing place Faire Isabell passeth by that cost The Pagan changeth mind and sues for grace The Hermit warnes her keepe her vow and oth At which the Pagan Prince is passing wroth 1 YOu Ladies yee that Ladies hold in prise Giue not perdie your eare to this same tale The which to telll mine Host doth here deuise To make men think your vertues are but small Though from so base a tongue there can arise To your sweete sexe no iust disgrace at all Fooles will find fault without the cause discerning And argue most of that they haue no lerning 2 Turne ou'r the leaf and let this tale alone If any thinke the sex by this disgraced I write it for no spite nor mallice none But in my Authors booke I finde it placed My loyall loue to Ladies all is knowne In whom I see such worth to be imbraced That theirs I am and glad would be therefore To shew thereof a thousand proofes and more 3 Peruse it not or if you do it reed Esteeme it not but as an idle table Regard it not or if you take some heed Belieue it not but as a foolish fable But to the matter thus it was indeed When all the guests were cheared at the table Neare Rodomont so was the Pagan named Downe sate mine Host and thus his tale he framed 4 Astolfo whilom king of Lombardy To whom his elder brother left his rayne Was in his youth so fresh and faire to see As few to such perfection could attaine Appelles match or Zeuces he might be That such a shape could paint without much paine Great was his grace and all
the world so deemd it But yet himselfe of all men most esteemd it 5 He did not of his scepter take such pride Nor that degree that common men are vnder Nor wealth nor frends nor meaner kings beside That there about dwelt neare or far asunder But of his beautie which he would not hide At whole rare worth he thought the world did wonder This was his ioy and all that he intended To heare his comely face and shape commended 6 Among his courtiers one aboue the rest Fausto by name by birth a Romane knight Who hearing oft so praisd as they know best His face and hands and all that praise he might The king did bid him tell at his request Neare or far of if he had seene that wight That in all parts so perfectly was wrought But he was answerd as he little thought 7 My Liege quoth Fausto plainly to declare Both what my selfe doth see and others say But few with your rare beautie can compare And that same few were none were one away Iocundo hight a man of beautie rare And brother mine excepting whom I may Prefer your grace before all other creatures But he doth match or passe you for his features 8 The king to heare such tidings strange it thought As hauing still till that day kept the prise And with a deepe desire straight wayes he sought To know this man and see him with his eies In fine with Fausto so far forth he wrought To bring him to his court he must deuise Although quoth he to bring my brother to it I shall be sure of worke enough to do it 9 The cause is this my brother neuer went Foorth of the gates of Rome scant all his life And such small goods as Fortune hath him lent He hath enioyd in quiet free from strife Left by our sire and them he hath not spent Nor yet increast his gaines are not so rife And he will thinke it more to go to Pauy Then some would thinke to th' Indies in a Nauy 10 But I shall finde it hardest when I proue To draw him from his louing wife away To whom he is so linkt in chaines of loue That all is vaine if once his wife say nay But yet your grace is so far all aboue You shall command me certes all I may Thanks quoth the king and addeth such reward As might haue moued any to regard 11 Away he posts arriuing in few dayes At Rome and to his brothers house he went And with such earnest words his brother prayes That to returne with him he doth consent Also his sisters loue he so allayes That she doth hold her peace as halfe content Beside great thanks laying before her eyes Preferments large that hereof might arise 12 Iocundo now resolu'd to go his way Gets men and horse against he should depart Sets forth himselfe with new and rich aray As still we see nature adornd by art His wife at night in bed at boord by day With watrie eyes to shew a sorrie hart Complaines his absence will so sore her grieue Till his returne she doubts she shall not liue 13 Ay me the thought quoth she makes me so fraid That scant the breath abideth in my brest Peace my sweete loue and life Iocundo said And weepes as fast and comforts her his best So may good fortune ay my iourny aid As I returne in threescore dayes at least Nor will I change the day I set thee downe No though the king would grat me halfe his crowne 14 All this might not asswage this womans paine Two months were long yea to to long she cries Needs must I die before you come againe Nor how to keepe my lite can I deuise The dolefull dayes and nights I shall sustaine From meat my mouth from sleepe will keepe mine eyes Now was Iocundo readie to repent That to his brother he had giu'n consent 15 About her necke a iewell rich she ware A crosse all set with stone in gold well tride This relicke late a Boem Pilgrim bare And gaue her father other things beside Which costly things he kept with no small care Till comming from Ierusalem he dyde And her of all his goods his heire he makes This precious crosse to her goodman she takes 16 And prayes him for her sake to weare that token And thinke on her the man that was most kind Receiu'd it with more ioy then can be spoken Although he needed not be put in mind For why no time nor no state sound nor broken Nor absence long a meane should euer find To quayle his loue not only while his breath Maintains his life but neither after death 17 That verie night that went before the morrow That they had pointed surely to depart Iocundos wife was sicke and sounds for sorrow Amid his armes so heauie was her hart All night they wake and now they bid Godmorrow And giue their last farewell and so they part Iocundo on his way with all his traine His louing wife doth go to bed againe 18 Scant had Iocundo rode two mile forthright But that his crosse now came into his minde Which on his pillow he had laid last night And now for hast had left the same behinde He would deuise to scuse it if he might But no excuse sufficient could he finde But that his loue must needs be much suspected To finde the precious iewell so neglected 19 When no excuse within his minde could frame But that all seemed friuolous and vaine To send his man he counted it a shame To go himselfe it was but little paine He staid and when his brother did the same Ride soft quoth he till I returne againe For home againe I must there is no nay But I will ouertake you on the way 20 Th' affaire is such as none can do but I But doubt you not I will returne as fast Away he spurres as hard as he could hy Alone without or man or page for hast Now had the sunnes new rising cleard the sky With brightest beames ear he the streame had past He hies him home and findes his wife in bed Full sound asleepe such cares were in her hed 21 He draws the curtaine softly without sound And saw that he would little haue suspected His chast and faithfull yokefellow he found Yokt with a knaue all honestie neglected Th' Adulterer though sleeping verie sound Yet by his face was easily detected A beggers brat bred by him from his cradell And now was ryding on his masters sadell 22 Now if he stood amazd and discontent Beleeue it yee to trie that would be loth For he that tries it doubtlesse will repent As poore Iocundo did who was so wroth That out he drew his sword with iust intent For their vngratefull act to kill them both But lo the loue he bare her did withstand Against his heart to make him hold his hand 23 O ribald loue that such a staue couldst make Of one that now was
So as th' offenders might not haue suspected That their misdeeds were to his grace detected 42 The King so sure by oth so solemne bound As one that little thought his Queene so stained Iocundo first his owne griefe doth expound Why he so long so dolefull had remained And in whose armes his owne wife he had found And how the griefe thereof so sore him pained Had not that salue vplookt for bene applied Of that conceit no doubt he should haue died 43 But lying in your highnesse house forlorne I saw quoth he that minisht much my mone For though it grieued me to weare a home It pleasd me well I ware it not alone This said he brought him where the wall was torne And shewd him that that made his heart to grone For why the dwarfe did mannage with such skill Though she curuets he keeps his stirrop still 44 Much did the King this foule prospect mislike Beleeue my word I say I need not sweare Horne wood he was he was about to strike All those he met and his owne flesh to teare His promise to haue broken he was like If of his oth he had not had some feare But vnreuenged all must now be borne For on his Agnus Dei he had sworne 45 Now to Iocundo gently he doth speake Good brother mine aduise me what to do Sith I am bound by oth I may not wreake The fact with such reuenge as longs thereto Forsooth let 's trie if others be as weake Iocundo said and make no more ado This was the counsell he did giue the King Into their order other men to bring 46 We both are yong and of such pleasing hew Not to be matcht with such another paire What she will be so obstinatly true But will be wonne with youth and being faire If youth and beautie both do misse their due The want herein our purses shall repaire Let vs not spare our beautie youth and treasure Till of a thousand we haue had our pleasure 47 To see strange countries placed farre apart Of other women eke to make some triall Will ease the paine that whilom pierst our hart And salue out sore there can be no deniall The King that longd to ease his new found smart Consented straight and to auoid espiall Himselfe the Knight two pages and no mo Out of the Realme forthwith disguised go 48 Away they past through Italy and France And though the Flemish and the English land And those whose beauties highest did aduance Those still they found most ready to their hand They giue they take so luckie is their chance They see their stocke at one stay still to stand Some must be woode forsooth they were so chast And some there were that wooed them as fast 49 In countries some a month or two they tarried In some a weeke in others but a day In all of them they find the women married Like to their wiues too gentle to say nay At last because they doubt to haue miscarried They meane to leaue this sport and go their way They found it full of danger and debate To keepe their standings in anothers gate 50 They do agree to take by common voyce Some one whose shape and face may please them both In whom without suspect they might reioyce For wherefore quoth the King should I be loth To haue your selfe a partner in my choyce I must haue one and I beleeue for troth Among all women kind there is not one That can content her selfe with one alone 51 But of some one we two might take our pleasure And not inforce our selues beyond our ease But as they say take meate and drinke and leasure And by our doings other not displease Well might that woman thinke she had a treasure That had vs two her appetite to please And though to one man faithfull none remaine No doubt but faithfull they would be to twaine 52 The Roman youth much praisd the Princes mind And to performe it seemed very faine Away they posted as they had assignd By towne and citie ouer hill and plaine Till at the last a pretie peece they find The daughter of an Inkeeper in Spaine A girle of person tall and faire of fauour Of comely presence and of good behauour 53 She was new entring in the flower and pride Of those well pleasing youthfull yeares and tender Her father many children had beside And pouertie had made his portion slender And for them all vnable to prouide It made him soone consent away to send her The price agreed away the strangers carry her Because the father money wants to marry her 54 In concord great she did with them remaine Who tooke their pleasure one and one by turne As bellows do where Vulcans wonted paine By mutuall blast doth make the mettall burne Their meaning is now they had traueld Spaine By Siphax realme to make their home returne And hauing left Valenza out of sight At faire Zatiua they did lodge at night 55 The masters go abrode to view the towne And first the Churches for deuotions sake And then the monuments of most renowne As trauellers a common custome take The girle within the chamber sate her downe The men are busied some the beds do make Some care to dresse their wearid horse and some Make ready meate against their masters come 56 In this same house the girle a Greeke had spide That in her fathers house a boy had beene And slept full often sweetly by her side And much good sport had passed them betweene Yet fearing lest their loue should be descride In open talke they durst not to be seene But when by hap the pages downe were gone Old loue renewd and thus they talke thereon 57 The Greeke demaunds her whither she was going And which of these two great estates her keeps She told them all she needs no further woing And how a night betweene them both she sleeps Ah quoth the Greeke thou tellest my vndoing My deare Fiametta and with that he weeps With these two Lords wilt thou from Spain be banished Are all my hopes thus into nothing vanished 58 My sweet designements turned are to sower My seruice long finds little recompence I made a stocke according to my power By hoording vp my wages and the pence That guests did giue that came in luckie hower I meant ere long to haue departed hence And to haue askt thy fires good will to marry thee And that obtaind vnto a house to carry thee 59 The wench of her hard fortune doth complaine And saith that now she doubts he sues too late The Greeke doth sigh and sob and part doth faine And shall I die quoth he in this estate Let me enioy thy sweetnesse once againe Before my dayes draw to their dolefull dateâ One small refreshing ere we quite depart Will make me die with more contented hart 60 The girle with pittie moued thus replies Thinke not quoth she but I desire the
no pittie of her wofull case That onely for his lust would her perswade To breake the vow that she to God had made 11 Her heart and eyes oft times to heau'n she lifts And prayes the blessed Virgin and her Sonne To saue her from this Pagans filthy drifts That vnto her no villanie be donne She doth bethinke her of an hundred shifts How she his beastly lust may safely shunne That like an open gulfe on her did gape So as it seemd vnpossible to scape 12 She finds out many scuses and delayes That to prolong which faine she would preuent Sometime in humble manner him the prayes That to release her he would be content But being still repulst at all assayes At last she doth a way and meanesinuent Not onely how to shun that present shame But merit to her selfe eternall name 13 Vnto the cruell Turke that now began From all good course of curtesie to swarue She commeth in the meekest sort she can And faith if he her honor will preserue Which is the part of each true valiant man She would of him that fauour well deserue And giue him such a gift as in due measure Should farre surpasse this momentarie pleasure 14 But if you needs will me defloure I wis She said when you haue done you will repent To thinke how fondly you haue done amisse And lost that might haue bred you true content As for your carnall loue you need not misse More faire then I and fitter for your bent But in ten thousand one you shall not know That such a gift vpon you can bestow 15 I know quoth she an herbe and I haue seene A little since the place where as it grew That boild vpon a fire of cypresle cleene And mixt with elder berries and with rew And after strained harmlesle hands betweene Will yeeld a iuyce that who in order dew Annoint therewith shall neuer domage feele By flame of fire nor yet by dint of steele 16 I say if one therewith annoint him thrise These strange effects thereof will strait ensew Prouided alwayes that in any wise He must each month the liquors strength renew I haue the way to make it in a trice And you shall see by proofe that it is true This thing I thinke should ioy you more to gaine Then if you conquerd had all France or Spaine 17 And now for my reward of you I pray Let me obtaine this fauourable meed To sweare that you henceforth will not assay My chastitie by either word or deed Foll Rodomont thinks this a blessed day And hopes he now shall neuer armor need And sweares he will her honour safe defend Though to performe it he doth not intend 18 Yet till she might this worke bring to effect He doth himselfe against his mind inforce And that she might no violence expect He doth not offer any signe of force But that once doire his oth he will neglect For of an oth he neuer had remorce But specially he thought it least disgrace His oth to violate in such a case 19 He makes to her a solemne protestation And with most damned oaths the same doth bind That he will neuer do her molestation If she procure a iuyce of such a kind This sink so deepe in his imagination Of Cygnius and Achilles runs his mind For by this meanes he doth himselfe assure Such priuiledge as they had to procure 20 Poore Isabella glad of this delay By which a while her chastitie she shields Receiuing this his promise go'th straightway To seeke these herbs amid the open fields In eu'ry bank and groue and hedge and way She gathers some such as the country yeelds And all the while the Pagan walketh by And to the damsell casteth still an eye 21 And least she should want cypresse wood to bunie He with his sword cuts downe whole cypresse trees And in all other things to serue her turne That each thing may prouided be he sees Now with her herbs she made her home returne The caldrons are on fire no time to leese She boyles and perboyles all those herbs and flowres In which he thought there were such hidden powres 22 At all these ceremonies he stands by And what she doth he many times doth looke The smoke and heate at last him made so dry That want of drinke he could no longer brooke Greeke wines there were and those he doth apply Two firkins late from passengers he tooke He and his men by drinking both that night Their heads full heauie made their hearts full light 23 Though by their law they are forbidden wine Yet now that here they did the liquor tast They thought it was so sweet and so diuine That Nectar and that Manna farre it past At that restraint they greatly do repine That did debar them of so sweet repast And at their owne law and religion laffing They spend that night carowsing and in quaffing 24 Now had faire Isbell finisht that confection Which this grosse Pagan doth beleeue to be Against both steele and fire a safe protection Now sir she said you shall the triall see And that you may be sure that no infection Is in these drugs you first shall proue by me I shall you shew thereof so perfect triall As you shall see the proofe past all deniall 25 My selfe quoth she mind first to take the say That you may see I do not faine nor lie Then after on your selfe you proue it may When you haue made a witnes of your eie Now therefore bid your men to go away That none be present here but you and I And thus as with her selfe she had appointed Her neck and brefts and shoulders she annointed 26 Which done in chearefull sort she open layd Her naked necke before the beastly Turke And bad him strike for she was not afrayd She had such skill and trust in this rare worke He vnaduâd and haply ouerlayd With wine that in his idle braine did worke Was with her speech so vndiscreetly led That at one blow he quite cut off her head 27 The head where loue and all the graces dwelt By heedlesse band is from the bodie seuered Alas whose heart at such hap could not melt Yea that is more the head cut off endeuered To shew what pleasure of her death she felt And how she still in her first loue perseuered Thrise from the floore the head was seene rebound Thrise it was heard Zerbines name to sound 28 His name to whom so great loue she did beare As she to follow him would leaue her life To whom us hard so say if that she were A truer widow or a kinder wife O soule that didst not death nor danger feare A sample in these latter times not rise To saue thy chastitie and vowed truth Eu'n in thy tender yeares and greenest youth 29 Go soule go sweetest soule for euer blest So may my verse please those whom I desire As my poore Muse shall euer do her best As farre as
vnto him no answer he affords 7 Hoe saith Orlando fellow dost not heare I must thy curtall haue thon needst not laffe And with that word approching somewhat neare The crabbed herdman with a crabtree staffe Gaue him a bastinado on his care Which put the mad Erle into such a chafe That with his fist he made the herdman reele Till paine it selfe made him no paine to feele 8 This done he leapeth on the horses backe And at aduenture on he takes his way Where ere he comes he putteth all to wracke His horse tastes neither prouender nor hay But though this tyrd a horse he may not lacke The next he meets by force he takes away To striue with him it was but little boote He is resolued not to go a foote 9 He passeth to the straites of Zibeltar Or Zibelterra call it which you will And as he went with force of open war Townes he did burne and all the dwellers kill Ten yeares will hardly make that he would mar Within one houre and thus he traueld still Till on a day riding vpon the sand He saw a ship new loosed from the land 10 The aire was cleare and mild and calme the wether And certaine Gentlefolke had hyr'd the barke With mind to take their solace there together And to returne againe er it were darke The madman cries hoe sits let me come thither His deeds his words they neither marke nor harke Or if they did you may be sure they thought They would not comberd be with such a fraught 11 He hallows after them and whopes and hayles To haue them stay with faire words doth wo thÌe Glad might they be they went with oars and says For might he come he surely would vndoe them The soole that sees how small his speech preuayls Beats on his horse and meanes to ride vnto them In vaine his horse would shun this hard aduenter But he perforce makes him the sea to enter 12 First he his feete doth wet and then his knees And next his belly after that his backe Now scant his nose one in the water sees And full he layes him on poore horse alacke That either in these seas his life must leese Or swim to Affricke et he can turne backe At last with swimming tyrd with water cloyd His belly fild till limbs of life were void 13 The horse vnto the bottome quickly funke And had for company his buthern drownd If fortune that helpe frantike men and drunke Had not him safe conueyd to Affrike ground Orlando at the danger neuer shrunke But to the shore he swam both safe and sound It happie was the seas were then so still Else had the Erle bin drownd for all his skill 14 Now being safe arriued at the shore Neare Setta strayt he ranged ou'r the cost And did such deeds as he had done before On tother side to many poore mens cost At last he came where as he found great store Of warlike weapons and a mightie host But how with them this madman disagreed I may not in this booke to tell proceed 15 And further how Angelica the faire Did meet her loue againe and what a Lord He grew by matching with so great an haire And liu'd with her in loue and sweet accord Although in birth an vnsit matched paire I leaue for other Muses to record For now I must adresse my selfe to tell What haps in Agramantes campe besell 16 I told you two bookes past or there about How Mandricard was Doralices choice And how in face of all the Pagan rout She gaue that doome that made him much reioyce For she was deemd for beautie out of doubt The best in Europe by the common voices Now chiefe since faire Angelica was fled And worthy Isabella lost her hed 17 But yet this pleasure was not so entire But that it sawced was with some annoy For wrath and enuie set his heart on fire And much abated of his present ioy It spites him that Rogero dare aspire To giue his coat being a berdlesse boy And further that the king of Sericane Should openly lay claime to Durindane 18 And first Rogero will by no meanes yeeld By no intreatie nor by no request That Mandricard should carrie that same sheeld Which had the Argent Eagle on the crest Except he first could win it in the feeld On tother side Gradasso doth not rest But he will be the first to trie by fight Which of them two had to the sword most right 19 With Agramant Marsilio tooke great paine In all or part these quarrels to appease But when they saw their labour was in vaine To gouerne or perswade with one of these Thé chance quoth Agramant shal make that plain For which you striue and eu'n as fortune please So let it be and let some lots be cast Which two or three shall fight the first or last 20 And yet this iust request denie me not Before the matter any further goth Though now you be so violent and hot That speech of peace and all accord you loth To grant that who shall combat first by lot May leesing leese and winning win for both This motion most indifferent must seeme Sith both their vallews equall we esteeme 21 This motion neither of them do mislike And straight Gradassos and Rogeros name Vpon two scroles were writ so passing like You would haue iudgd them both to be the same A boy of fourteene yeare of age they pike To draw the lot and he that first out came Must fight with Mandricard and make it knowne He fights for tothers title and his owne 22 When on this order all parts were agreed The lot to fight vpon Rogero fell Which hap great griese did in Gradasso breed Although in shew he seemd to take it well Contrariwise it did all ioy exceed The ioy Rogero had it so befell So well of his owne vallew he belieued He ioyd at that at which the tother grieued 23 But yet Gradasso doth with great regard Both fauour and aduane Rogeros side And sheweth him how he must lie to ward A comming blow how he might slip a side How for a thrust he may be best prepard Which blowes be firme and which be falsiside When best time is to follow thrust or blow How one may best take vantage of his foe 24 The rest of that same day that did remaine Ensuing this same course of casting lots They spent as pleased each mans pleasing vaine In talke or banquetting or tossing pots To see this fight the people glad and faine Clammer the scaffolds gazing still like lots Some for desire do coâne by breake of day And some all night within the place do stay 25 Thus as I say these simple fooles do long To see the combat these braue knights betwixt And blame the stay and thinke the time too long That for the same the Herralds had prefixt But sober men that knew what did belong To such exploits whose wiser heads were
fixt On publike good this quarrell much lament And traueld all they can it to preuent 26 And chiefe Marsilio and Sobrino sage Aduise king Agramant to stay the fight And these same champions furie to asswage And to take vp the quarrell if they might Forewarning him when he must battell wage With Charles of France the losse of one such knight Will do him greater hurt and damage then Then would the losse of thousands and other men 27 But Agramant knew all was true they spake And saine he would their counsell wise obay But could not tell his grant how to reuoke Onely he doth in curteous sort them pray That he may strike with them so great a stroke Either to end or to defer the fray And yeeld the rather vnto his perswasion Because it rose vpon so light occasion 28 Or if they did esteeme such toyes so far As though they matters were of true renowne That yet they would the fight so long defar Vntill the sonne of Pipen were put downe And till they conquerd had the Realme by war And tane from him his mantle and his crowne This motion had in likelihood taken place Saue each thought first consent would be disgrace 29 Aboue them all and more then all the rest That in this sort their speech in vaine had spent Faire Doralyce doth Mandricard request That to the kings desire he would assent She doth exhort intreat perswade protest She doth complaine and languish and lament To thinke that by his ouer haftie cholor She still must liue in anguish and in dolor 30 How can I hope said she that ere I shall Liue any houre in solace and in ioy When still I see you readie be to brall With eu'rie man for eu'rie trifiting toy The Sarzans foile doth me no good at all My choyce of you hath bred me more annoy To end that quarrell ah what did it boot Sith straight another quarrell is on foot 31 I simple foole in minde was proud and glad That such a Prince so braue a man as you For loue of me his whole state venterd had But now I finde by this that doth ensew That I had far more reason to be sad Sith each like cause like danger doth renew And not my loue but your owne natiue furie To bide such hard aduentures did procure yee 32 But if your loue be such as in your speech You do professe and in your open show Then by that loue I humbly you beseech And by that fancie which too well I know Doth eu'n my heart and soule with loue bewitch Let not this quarrell any further grow I see not why it should you so molest To see your Eagle in anot hers crest 33 If needs you will attempt this hardie feat And venter life vpon a thing âo vaine Then hazard that you make must needs be great But none or verie small can be the gaine But if that fortune change her fickle fear Thinke then ô thinke what woe shall I sustaine There neuer yet was Emperor or king Could boast that he had Fortune in a string 34 But if that life be vnto you lesse deare Then is a painted bird vpon a sheeld Yet for my sake whom it doth touch more neare Let me intreat you to this motion yeeld If you were staine what ioy could I haue heare Death sole from wo both could should me sheeld Not feare I death my onely griefe would bee Before my death thy wofull end to see 35 Thus earnestly faire Doralycee delt All that same night as in his armes she lyes And as she spake the teares distill and melt In warrie streames downe from her cristall eyes The Tartar that no little passion felt T'o comfort her faith all he can deuise And wipes her checkes and her sweet lip dothkisse And weeps for company and answers this 36 Ah do not grieue thy selfe so sore my deare Ah do not grieue thy selfe for such a toy Plucke vp thy sprights and be of better cheare There is no cause of feare mine onely ioy No though that all the kings and captains heare Had sworne my death and vowed mine annoy Yet all the kings and captaines I would vanquish Why then should you causles in sorrow languish 37 What did not I with trunchen of a speare You know your selfe whether I say the truth Not hauing sword nor other weapon theare Win you from all your gard and shall a youth A beardlesse boy cause you my safetie feare And breed in you so vnaduised ruth Well might you deeme I were a dastard lout If of Rogero I should stand in doubt 38 Gradasso though vnto his griefe and shame Yet if one aske him can it not gainesay That when he last vnto Sorya came I met and tooke him prisner by the way Yet he is of another manner same Then is Rogero you your selfe will say I had him there a prisner at my will And if I listed might haue kept him still 39 And least I should of this good witnes want Beside Gradasso there be hunderds more As namely Isolyr and Sacrapant Whom I set free and had great thanks therefore Also the famous Grissin and Aquilant That there were taken but few dayes before With diuers more both Turkish and baptised That by my force were taken and surprised 40 Their wonder in those countries still doth last Of that great vallew I that time did show And should I now a doubt or perrill cast Am I in greater danger now you trow Shall one young youth me hand to hand agast Shall I now doubt his force or feare his blow Now hauing Durindana by my side And Hectors armour on my backe beside 41 Why did not I as pointed was by lot With Rodomont first bloudie barrell wage That by his ill successe you might forewot The speedie end of this young sorrie page Drie vp these teares my deare and bring me not Before the combat at such an ill presage Nor thinke an Eagle on a target painted Moues me hereto but doubt of honor tainted 42 Thus much said he but she such answer made him With words expressing such alouing mone As were not onely able to perswade him But might I thinke haue mou'd a marble stone The force was great wherewith she did inuade him In fine so farre she conquers him alone He grants thus farre to be at her deuotion If peace be offerd to accept the motion 43 And so I thinke indeed he would haue done Had not Rogero early in the morne Got vp before the rising of the Sunne And enterd in the lists and blowne his horne To shew that he the battell would not shunne And that Ioues bird by him was iustly borne Which either he will carrie on his shield Or else will leaue his carkas in the field 44 But when the Tartar fierce did heare that found And that his men thereof had brought him word He thinks great shame should vnto him redound If any treatie he of
curats prest and ribs and flesh it tore And found a passage to the naked hart Now must the Tartar Prince for euermore In sword and painted shield forsake his part Not onely so but that which grieues him more He must forsake his much beloued life More loued honour and most loued wife 64 The wretch yet vnreuenged did not die But gaue hard recompence ere he departed At good Rogeros head he doth let flie And had no doubt the same in sunder parted Saue that his arme was maymd and so thereby Much of his force from thence had bin diuarted Much of his force diuerted was from thence Before when for his arme he wanted fence 65 But as it was yet to to hard it fell And causd the noble knight great paine to feele His helmet it did cleaue though plated well And made for proose of tough well temperd steele And in the very skull it cloue a spell Two fingers deepe and made him backward teele He backward fals the paine was so exceeding With grieuous wound his hed most freshly bleeding 66 Rogero was the first that tumbled downe And Mandricardo fell a good while after All thought Rogero dead because his crowne Still bled but chiefly Strodilanos daughter Ioyes that her spouse had won this fights renowne Now hopes she she shal turne her teares to laughter And as she thought so was the common voyce So that the Tartars friends did all reioyce 67 But when there did appeare by certaine signes The lieue man liuing and the dead man slaine Then Doralycee wrings her hands and whines And griefe came there and comfort here againe The chiefest part whose fauour all inclines Vnto Rogero are full glad and saine And gratulate his good successe and grace him And runne to him and in their armes embrace him 68 Nor was this shew of loue dissimulation But true vnsained kindnesse and good faith But yet Gradassos saint congratulation Makes men surmise he thinks not as he faith He secretly enuies such reputation Though outwardly the slatterer he playth And curseth were it destinie or chance That to this enterprise did him aduance 69 But Agramant that euer did before Do him great honor and him well esteeme Now he doth him admire extoll adore So highly of his valew he doth deeme In him alone he puts affiance more Then all his campe together it should seeme Now that the seed of Agricane was spent And Rodomont gone thence a malcontent 70 What should I tell the praise that many a Ladie Gaue of this knight of Affrike and of Spaine Who knew that Mandricardo was no babie And saw him now by this mans valew staine Yea dolefull Doralyce her selfe it may be Saue that for modestie she must resraine Would haue bene moued with a small request To speake as well of him as did the rest 71 I say it may be but I cannot tell For why before vnconstant she was proued And sure Rogeros parts did so excell As any Ladie doubtlesse might haue moued While tother liu'd perhap she likt him well But now to seeke a new it her behoued Such one as she her selfe might able warrant To ride both day and nightly on her arrant 72 Now brought the King Rogero with great care To his owne tent that there he may be cured The best Phisitions thither sent for are To search his wounds they straight his life assured The shield and armes that Mandricardo bare The which this bloudie battell first procured All saue the sword that was Gradassos right Were hanged vp by his beds head that night 73 Howbeit that braue courser Brigliadore Rogero needs would giue vnto the King Who tooke it thankfully and set more store By that same steed then any such like thing But hereof now a while I treate no more First must you heare what news the maide did bring I meane Hyppalca to her mistris deare Whom loue had made to be of heauie cheare 74 She told her first what hap to her befell How Frontine by a Turke was tane away And after how she found at Merlins well Richardo and Rogero that same day To whom she did her hard aduenture tell And how Rogero went with her straightway To win the horse out of the Pagans fist But at that season he his purpose mist. 75 Also she told to Bradamant the cause Why her deare loue himselfe did now absent Who promist her to take a little pawse And then her mind most thoroughly content In sine Hyppalca from her bosome drawes That letter which was to her mistris sent Who so much lesse did seeme to like the letter Because she would haue likt his presence better 76 For fith before she did himselfe expect Now paper in his steed to haue and inke It caused her to feare and to suspect And made some doubts into her thoughts to sinke Yet likt she well the meaning and effect And kist the letter oft and sure I thinke Had burnd it with the heate of her desire Saue that the teares she shed did quench that fire 77 She read the writing ou'r fiue times or six The words the phrase the sence her pleasd so well And then she made the maid each time betwix The message that Rogero sent to tell And saue he did so short a time prefix To come to her and ay with her to dwell I thinke she neuer would haue ceased mourning Till she had seene or heard of his returning 78 Rogero to Hippalca promist had Fifteene or twentie dayes at most to stay And her to tell her mistresse so he bad But swearing to come sooner if he may But nearethelesse good Bradmant is sad Still doubting chances to prolong that day All things said she to fortune are subiected And chiefe in warres that are by chance directed 79 Ay my Rogero who could once haue thought Sith I more then my selfe esteemed thee That thou by any means couldst haue bin brought To beare thy verie foes more loue then me WhoÌ thou should hurt by thee their help is sought Whom thou should saue by thee they spoiled be Needs must I blame thy negligent regarding As well in punishing as in rewarding 80 Traiano flue thy fire I thinke thou knowest For sure the stones it know yet to his sonne Thou thinkst in honor thou such dutie owest That thou must see no hurt may him be donne Is this sufficient a reuenge thou trowest Thinkst thou true fame can by such facts be wonne Lo vnto what thy shew of honor tends To serue thine enemies and slay thy frends 81 Thus Bradamant spake to her absent loue With passion great and euermore her maid With reason seeks that fancie to remoue Assuring her she need not be affraid And wishing her with patient mind to proue If so he would not do as he had said And that she would in all things hope the best And then to God and fortune leaue the rest 82 With this good speech of hers and strong perswasion She doth his
comming till the day expect Which good Rogero brake not by occasion That he his word and promise did neglect But that which hapt against his expectation His wounds had bred so dangerous effect But chiefe the same he last tooke in his hed Which made him fortie dayes to keepe his bed 83 Now Bradamant doth waite the twentie dayes And staid at Montalbano with her mother And making still enquirie many wayes If she might heare some news of one or other But none she heard saue that which to his praise Was told her after by her younger brother Which though she ioyd to heare as was most meet Yet mingled was some soure with that same sweet 84 For why the vallew of Marsisa stout Which did assist them greatly as he told To win their kinsmen from the moorish rout That vnto Bertolage should haue bin sold This bred in Bradamantes minde some doubt And strake into her heart a iealiouse cold Because t was said they two together went To Agramant that in his campe was pent 85 For though she could not chuse but greatly praise her That did her selfe so stout and valiant proue Yet one the tother side her beautie frayes her Lest he perhap on her might set his loue But yet in fine hope of his promise stayes her So that in twentie dayes he did not moue From Montalbano and in that same space There thither came the chiefe man of her race 86 I meane not chiefe of birth but chiefe of name For two there were in birth more old then he Renaldo vnto Montalbano came His brothers cosins and his frends to see Whom he had heard by speech of flying fame Now safe ariued at that place to be And how Rogero and Marsisa wrought Their libertie when they were sold and bought 87 Wherefore he came to see them face to face And vnderstand with them how each thing stood It seemd he was as welcome to the place As is the swallow to her tender brood That almost starued and in sorrie case Haue long expected sustenance and food And when they there had staid a day or twaine Both they and he to Paris went againe 88 Alardo and Guichiardo Richardet And Malagigy and good Viviane Close after this braue Lord themselues do get And Bradamant with them they would haue tane But she alledg'd she could not come as yet But hopes ere long they should be ouertane She prays them for that time content to hold them For why she was not well at ease she told them 89 And true it was she was not well at rase Not that she had a fit of any feauer Or any other corporall disease It was a fit of loue that burneth euer Whole heat no herbe nor phisicke can appease This fit did her from that braue crew disseuer But in another booke I shall repeat What succour they did bring to Charls the great In this thirtith booke in Orlandos mad pranks though they be fained things we may note what hard and impossible matters are attempted and sometime atchieued by mad men of which the reason is doubtfull a naturall reason is given though many will doubt thereof that the cause of their extraordinarie strength is that nature Intendens omnem vim as they terme it that is to say bending her whole force at one instant doth by that means double the strength and abilitie to any hard and vnmeasurable matter as we see men often at the pangs of death through otherwise but weake yet so strong that three or foure men cannot hold them or as men somtimes in a feare leape ouer a wall or downe from a window without harme which at another time would breake their neckes Another reason of mad mens vnreasonable strength is metaphysicall or supernaturall and that is when they are possessed with spirits of which there are many examples In Agramant that endeuors to end two quarrels with one combat we may obserue that it beseemes the wisedome of a Prince either to take vp quarrels and civill dissentions betweene their great subiects absolutely or at least to draw them to as speedie a triall and with as little damage as may be Concerning the Eagle about which the two champions straue who should beare it for his armes or Cognizance as we terme it he seemes to allude to the civill warres that were betweene Caesar and Pompey where as Lucan complayneth in his excellent Poem Infestisque obuia signis Signa pares aquilas pila minantia pilis For the Romaines Ensigne was the Eagle and it is strange that is reported by credible writers how in a battell fought neare Thessalia between Brutus and Cassius of the one side and Octauius and Anthony of the other side two Eagles were visibly seene fighting in the ayre with their beaks and tallents in most fierce manner And finally that of Anthonyes side preuayled and put the other to flight Here end the notes of the XXX booke THE XXXI BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Vnwares doth Guidon with Renaldo fight But afterward is by his brethren knowne By whose great courage and vnited might The Turks are vanquished and ouerthrowne Good Brandimart seeks out that wofull knight Whose wits by loue distraught are not his owne Is tane and of his life was in great perrell Renaldo and Gradasso fall to quarrell 1 WHat state of life more pleasing may we find Then theirs that true and heartie loue do beare Whom that sweete yoke doth fast together bind That man in Paradice first learnd to weare Were not some so tormented in their mind With that same vile suspect that filthie feare That torture great that foolish frenesie That raging madnesse called iealousie 2 For eu'rie other sowre that gets a placo To seat it selfe amid this pleasant sweet Doth helpe in th' end to giue a greater grace And makes loues ioy more gratful when they meet Who so abstaines from sustenance a space Shall find both bread and water rellish sweet Men know not peace not rightly how to deeme it That haue not first by war bin taught t'steeme it 3 Though eyes want sight of that they would see faine The thought yet sees hearts with patience take it Long absence grieues yet when they meet againe That absence doth more sweet and pleasant make it To serue and sue long time for little gaine So that all hope do not eu'n quite forsake it One may endure for when the paine is past Reward though long it stay yet comes at last 4 The sharpe repulses and the deepe disdaines And all the torments that in loue are found At last with pleasure recompence the paines And make far more contentment to abound But if this hellish plague infect the braines Though afterward it seeme both whole and sound The qualitie thereof is so mischieous The verie though is to a louer grieuous 5 This is that cruell wound against whose smart No liquors force preuailes nor any plaster No skill of starres no
depth of Magicke art Deuised by that great clarke Zoroaster A wound that so infects the soule and hart As all out sence and reason it doth master A wound whose pang and torment is so durable As it may rightly called be incurable 6 This is a plague that quickly doth infect All louers hearts and doth possesse their thought As well with causlesse as with iust suspect By this a man to madnesse meere is brought Oh plague by whose most damnable effect In deepe dispaire to die haue diuers sought Oh Iealousie that didst without desart Possesse the noble Prailamantes hart 7 Not for the tale her mayd or brother told Which made with in her mind a sharpe impression But other news that made her heart full cold How her loue of new loue did make profession As I more plaine hereafter shall vnfold For now I needs a while must make digression To braue Renaldo that to Paris ward Did march with that same crew of great regard 8 The day ensuing ere it yet was night They met an armed knight vpon the way A Ladie faire accompanid the knight His armour all was blacke saue that there lay A thwart the brest a wreath of Argent bright And straight the formost man in their array Which Richardetto was as then did chaunce He challenged with him to breake a launce 9 The gallant youth that neuer man refused Straight turnd his horse a space for course to take As one that for his time had often vsed Such feates as this to do and vndertake Renaldo standeth still and them perused To see which knight the fairest course would make Now Richardet thinks if I hit him iust I shall this gallant tumble in the dust 10 But otherwise it then to him befell And of his reckning he was quite deceaued The tother knew to hit and sit so well That Richardet was from the sadle heaued Alardo seeing how his brother fell Did thinke t' auenge the foile that he receaued But he likewise inferiour did remaine His arme was bruisd his shield was rent in twaine 11 Guicchiardo next the selfe same fortune tride And was constraind vnto the ground t'encline Although to him Renaldo lowdly cride Stay hold your hands for this course should be mine Vivian and Malagige and more beside That at their kinsmens foyle did much repine Would then haue fought with this same stranger knight Saue that Renaldo claymd it as his right 12 And said my friends we must to Paris hast But to himselfe he said it were a iest For me to stay till all they downe were cast By one and one I le fight and they shall rest This said he spurres his horse and commeth fast And as he runs he sets his speare in rest The tother doth as much and eithers speare The stroke doth in a thousand peeces teare 13 The horsemen with the stroke stur not an inch They both had learnd so perfectly to fit But on their horses it did shrowdly pinch Yet Bayard searce his course doth intermit The tothers horse had such a parlous wrinch That mard him quite and brake his backe with it His master that was greatly grieu'd to see 't Forsakes his seate and takes him to his feet 14 And to Renaldo that with naked hand Came toward him in shew of truce he sed Sir knight I giue you here to vnderstand I likt so well this horse that here is ded I thinke it would not with mine honor stand To leaue him vnreuengd which hath me led To challenge you eu'n as you are true knight That you will answer me againe in fight 15 Renaldo answerd if your horse you lost The onely cause of this your quarrell be Then comfort you for of mine onely cost Your want herein shall be supplide by me With such a horse as I may boldly bost To be as good a one as cre was he Not so fit said the tother you mistake it I will expound my mind and plainer make it 16 Though I lykt well my seruiceable horse Yet fith he now is in this conflict flame Thinke not that of his death I so much force As that alone moues me to fight againe But in plaine termes on foot to true your force As well as erst on horsebacke I would saine Renaldo that of no mans force accounted Without delay straight from his horse dismounted 17 And fith quoth he I see your noble mind Of this my company hath no suspition They shall go on and I will stay behind And so will fight with you on eu'n condition This said his band to part thence he assignd Who went their way vpon their Lords commission Which bred great admiration in the stranger To find a man so little fearing danger 18 Now when his standerd quite was out of sight And all Renaldos companie was gone Then hand to hand they do apply the fight With force and furie great they lay it on Each maruels at the tothers passing might And yet of either side the gaine is none They felt the blowes so heauie and so hard That glad they were to lie well to their ward 19 Thus these two knights for honors onely sake Together combat in such eager fort That eu'ry little error they should make Endangerd life in this vnpleasant sport An houre and halfe this trauell they did take Each labouring to cut the tother short And in his mind Renaldo maruels much Who this should be whose skill and force was such 20 And saue that he could not with his reputation He would haue wisht the battell at an end And offerd of a truce communication And of his vnknowne foe haue made his frend Likewise the tother felt such inclination Now finding scarce he could himselfe defend That he repented has rash hardie part And would haue had a truce with all his hart 21 It waxed darke there fell an eu'ning mist So that at last they neither of them know When he did hit aright or when he mist Nor how to giue nor how to ward a blow When first Renaldo wisht him to desist Sith now the Sunne descended was so low And that the combat might be now reiourned Till Phebus were about the world returned 22 Offring at which the stranger greatly musd And his rare curtesie therein commended To lodge him where he should both be well vsd And like a man of honour well attended The tother his great curt'sie not refusd And so betweene them two the fray was ended And straight Renaldo gaue him as his gift His pages horse that was both strong and swift 23 Thus on they rode vnto Renaldos tent And grew acquainted ere they thither came By meanes in certaine speeches as they went Renaldo happened to tell his name By which the stranger knew incontinent That this was that same Palladine of same And that himselfe was to Renaldo brother By fathers side alone and not by mother 24 The sauage Guidon this braue warrier hight That traueld had full many a hunderd mile
must haue to make Orlando wise 68 Thus all that day they spent in diuers talke With solace great as neuer wanteth there But when the Sunne began this earth to balke And passe into the tother hemispheare Then they prepard to fetch a further walke And straight the firie charret that did beare Elias when he vp to heau'n was carrid Was ready in a trice and for them tarrid 69 Foure horses fierce as red as flaming fire Th' Apostle doth into the charret set Which when he framed had to his desire Astolfo in the carre by him he set Then vp they went and still ascending hire Aboue the firie region they did get Whose nature so th' Apostle then did turne That though they went through fire they did not burne 70 I say although the fire were wondrous hot Yet in their passage they no heate did feele So that it burnd them nor offends them not Thence to the Moon he guides the running wheele The Moone was like a glasse all voyd of spot Or like a peece of purely burnisht steele And lookt although to vs it seemd so small Welnigh as big as earth and sea and all 71 Here had Astolfo cause of double wonder One that that region seemeth there so wide That vnto vs that are so farre asunder Seems but a little circle and beside That to behold the ground that him lay vnder A man had need to haue bin sharply eide And bend his browes and mark eu'n all they might It seemd so small now chiefly wanting light 72 T were infinite to tell what wondrous things He saw that passed ours not few degrees What towns what hils what riuers and what springs What dales what pallaces what goodly trees But to be short at last his guide him brings Vnto a goodly valley where he sees A mightie masse of things strangely confused Things that on earth were lost or were abused 73 A store-house strange that what on earth is lost By fault by time by fortune there is found And like a merchandize is there ingrost In stranger fort then I can well expound Not speake I sole of wealth or things of cost In which blind fortunes powre doth most abound But eu'n of things quite out of fortunes powre Which wilfully we wast each day and houre 74 The precious time that fooles mis-spend in play The vaine attempts that neuer take effect The vowes that sinners make and neuer pay The counsels wise that carelesse men neglect The fond desires that leade vs oft astray The praises that with pride the heart insect And all we loose with folly and mis-spending May there be found vnto this place ascending 75 Now as Astolfo by those regions past He asked many questions of his guide And as he on tone side his eye did cast A wondrous hill of bladders he espide And he was told they had bin in time past The pompous crownes and scepters full of pride Of monarks of Assiria and of Greece Of which now scantly there is left a peece 76 He saw great store of baited hookes with gold And those were gifts that foolish men prefard To giue to Princes couetous and old With fondest hope of future vaine reward Then were there ropes all in sweet garlands rold And those were all false flatteries he hard Then heard he crickets songs like to the verses The seruant in his masters praise reherses 77 There did he see fond loues that men pursew To looke like golden giues with stones all set Then things like Eagles talents he did vew Those offices that fauorites do get Then saw he bellows large that much wind blew Large promises that Lords make and forget Vnto their Ganimeds in flowre of youth But after nought but beggery enfewth 78 He saw great Cities seated in faire places That ouerthrowne quite topsie turuie stood He askt and learnd the cause of their defaces Was treason that doth neuer turne to good He saw fowle serpents with faire womens faces Of coyners and of thieues the cursed brood He saw fine glasses all in peeces broken Of seruice lost in court a wofull token 79 Of mingled broth he saw a mightie masse That to no vse all spilt on ground did lye He askt his teacher and he heard it was The frutlesse almes that men giue when they dye Then by a faire greene mountaine he did passe That once smelt sweet but now it stinks perdye This was that gift be 't said without offence That Constantin gaue Silvester long since 80 Of birdlymd rodds he saw no little store And these O Ladyes sayre your bewties be I do omit ten thousand things and more Like vnto these that there the Duke did see For all that here is lost there euermore Is kept and thither in a trise doth flee Howbeit more nor lesse there was no folly For still that here with vs remaineth wholly 81 He saw some of his owne lost time and deeds But yet he knew them not to be his owne They seemd to him disguisd in so strange weeds Till his instructer made them better knowne But last the thing which no man thinks he needs Yet each man needeth most to him was showne By name mans wit which here we leese so fast As that one substance all the other past 82 It seemd to be a body moyst and soft And apt to mount by eu'ry exhalation And when it hither mounted was aloft It there was kept in pots of such a fashion As we call Iarrs where oyle is kept in oft The Duke beheld with no small admiration The Iarrs of wit amongst which one had writ Vpon the side thereof Orlandos wit 83 This vessell bigger was then all the rest And eu'ry vessell had ingrau'n with art His name that erst the wit therein possest There of his owne the Duke did finde a part And much he musd and much himselfe he blest To see some names of men of great desart That thinke they haue great store of wit and bost it And here it playne appeard they quite had lost it 84 Some loose their wit with loue some with ambition Some running to the sea great wealth to get Some following Lords and men of high condition And some in sayre iewells rich and costly set One hath desire to proue a rare Magicion And some with Poetrie their wit forget Another thinks to be an Alcumist Till all be spent and he his number mist. 85 Astolfo takes his owne before he goes For so th'Euangelist did him permit He set the vessels mouth but to his nose And to his place he snuft vp all his wit Long after wise he liu'd as Turpin shows Vntill one fault he after did commit By name the loue of one fayre Northerne lasse Sent vp his wit vnto the place it was 86 The vessell where Orlandos wit was closed Astolfo tooke and thence with him did beare It was far heauier then he had supposed So great a quantitie of
in countenance with bashfull grace And oft his heart shot blood into his face 14 Yea feare inuaded him not feare of danger For force he feared not of any wight Of Turke nor Christen countryman or stranger The very cause of this his dolefull plight Was loue for loue feares nothing more then anger He doubts least she conceiu'd not of him right Thus wauing thoughts his mind do both waies cary If so he better were to go or tary 15 The while Marfisa that was present there And euer had a forward will to iust Could now no longer from the same forbeare Though seeing some before her lie on dust For all their fals did breed in her no feare So much in her great value she did trust Wherefore least good Rogero might preuent her First she rides forth and in the lists doth enter 16 And mounted on her horse came swiftly running Vnto the place where Bradamant did stay With panting heart to wait Rogeros comming With mind to take him prisner if she may She thinks how she might guide her staffe with cunning As with her stroke do him least hurt she may Thus commeth out Marfisa nothing fearing Vpon her loftie crest the Phenix bearing 17 Or that thereby to bost her strength she ment Of her rare strength of which the tooke some pride Or else thereby to note her chast intent She had a warlike virgine still to bide But Bradamant who first to meet her went And not to be Rogero now espide Did aske her name and by her name she knew That this was she that made her loue vntrew 18 Or to say better whom she did surmise To be the sole withholder of her deare Her whom she hates gainst whom her blood doth rise And minding now to make her buy it deare With furie great and rage at her she flies And that she may make all suspitions cleare With couched speare she fiercely runneth on her And meanes to kill her or to die vpon her 19 Marfisa was constrained with the stroke To kisse the ground as those before her had Which to such rage her courage did prouoke That with disdaine she seemd as one halfe mad Nor knowing how so great a foile to cloke She drawes her sword with an intention bad But Bradamant cry'th out with lostie hart What dost thou traitor thou my prisner art 20 And though I vsed curtsie to the rest To vse it vnto thee I am not tide Whosemind as I haue heard is eu'n a nest Wherein is bred all villanie and pride Looke how great waters rage and do not rest When as the winds do striue against the tide So rag'd Marfisa rather more then lesse And for meere spite could not a word expresse 21 But hurles about her blade with all her force Not caring what she strikes nor where nor how Vpon the horseman or vpon the horse Her rage in her no reason did allow And Bradamant as void of all remorse With mind to breake that that refuld to bow Ranne at her with the speare that would not misse And made her once againe the ground to kisse 22 But once againe vpon her feet she getteth And with her sword reuengement she intends Each fall she hath her furie sharper whetteth Yet still she fals and can haue none amends Nor goldelance his wonted force forgetteth For all it touches to the ground it sends Had not the speare bene as it was inchaunted It could not so Marfisas force haue daunted 23 Some of our men were hither come the while I meane some of the Christen host that lay Encamped neare the towne within a mile So as the wals of Arlie see they may And thinking for her sex did them beguile Some knight of theirs maintaind so great a fray They thither came with will and with delight To see so fierce and well maintaind a fight 24 Whom when as Agramant from far espide And thinks they came to bring their knight assistance He thought it best in wisedome to prouide If they should offer force to make resistance Wherefore he pointed some that of their side May stand from that same place a little distance Of this last crew Rogero was the first With whom the damsell so to fight did thirst 25 And seeing now how fierce the combat gro'th Betwixt these two to whom he wisht none ill Although in sundry kinds he fauord both For tone was loue the tother bare good will To suffer them to fight he was full loth Although for honors sake he must be still Else sure he could haue found it in his hart To step betweene them and the fray to part 26 But they that with him from the citie came And saw the Christen champion was so strong Stept in betwixt her and the tother dame And so withdrew Marfisa them among Which act the other Christens did inflame So that with mind to venge so foule a wrong They stept in to thus both sides cride alarme And soone the skirmish waxed fresh and warme 27 Such as before were armed out do runne They that vnarmed were their armor take And some runne out on foot on horseback some Each to his standerd doth himselfe betake The diuers sound of trumpet and of drum That doth the horsemen this the footmen wake But Bradamant is malcontent and wrath To thinke Marfisa thus escaped hath 28 Then lookt she wishly all about the place To find out him that caused all her care At last she knew him though not by his face Yet by the argent âagle that he bare And viewing well his person and good grace His goodly stature and his feature rare She rag'd to thinke another should possesse it And in these secret words she doth expresse it 29 Shall any other then that sweetlip kisse And I in loue thereof stil mourne and pine Shall any other then possesse my blisse Shalt thou anothers be if none of mine No certes rather then to suffer this Thou by my hand shalt die or I by thine If in this life we shall be ioyned neuer Death onely be the meane to ioyne vs euer 30 Although that thou shouldst fortune me to kill Thy death by right should pacifie my spirit For lawes appoint who guiltlesse blood do spill Shall for reward the doome of death inherit Yet still I shall sustaine the greater ill For I should guiltlesse die but thou by merit I killing thee kill one that hates me meerly Thou killing me kilst one that loues thee deerly 31 Why shouldst not thou my hand be strong and bold That by thy stroke his hard heart may be riuen Who vnto me sharpe wounds and manifold In time of loues sweet peace and truce hath giuen And doth eu'a now with stonie heart behold The wofull state to which poore I am driuen Heart now be stout to take thy iust reuenge Let this one death thy thousand deaths auenge 32 With that at him she runs but first aloud Defend thy selfe Rogero false she said And think
discourse to this they all agreed And she then on her tale did thus proceed 35 This Marganor that makes full many weepe Was bloodie from his buth by disposition But yet a while he did dislemble deepe That of the same there was but some suspition His sonnes did make him it the closer keepe Because they were of contrarie condition Both bouÌteous frank curteous of good qualitie Of strangers louers and of hospitalitie 36 Faire dames and knights that hapt to passe this way Were still by them so frendly entertained That by such kind of curteous vâage thay The loue and praise of eu'rie one had gained Their honors also farther to display The sacred right of knighthood they obtained Both stout both strong comly and of good stature Not wanting ornaments of art or nature 37 Cylandro and Tanacro nam'd they are And long they liu'd with no dishonor stained And longer had if they had bene so ware As not in Cupids snares to haue bene trained This foolish passion foyld all their welfare The passion men call loue this them constrained To change the worthie course they had begonne And do that by the which they were vndonne 38 It happend that there thither came a knight Belonging to this Emperour of Greece Who brought with him a Ladie faire and bright Of good behauour and a louely peece With whom Cylandro fell in loue that night And fully bent of her to haue a fleece He thought her beautie so possest his hart That he should surely dye if she depart 39 And for he deemd it labour lost to pray To open force he doth himselfe dispose And secretly all armd vnto the way Where tother needs must passe asore he goes And seeing him he would no longer stay But trusting to his manhood comes to bloes Not seeking vantage but with lance to lance He minds to trie of fight the doubtfull chance 40 Not thinking though but with his suer running To beat him downe and beare away his wife But this same knight that in this art was cunning Did pierce his shield and rest him of his life The newes hereof vnto his father comming Fild all the court with plaints and sorows rife At last when long the time had bene deferred By his great ancestors they him inteâed 41 Nor did this foule mishap and ill successe Make Marganor to minish ought his port Tanacro still did courtesie professe To strangers all and vsd them in good sort But loe it chanc't within a yeare and lesse A noble Baron thither did resort A comely man of personage to see With him a Ladie faire as faire might be 42 And to her beautie her behauour fitted Her looks are modest manners sober are Her words are ware and shew her sharply witted Likewise her Lord himselfe most comely bare As fit to whom the charge should be committed Of one in shape and qualities so rare He hight Olindro Lord of Longauilla The louely Lady named was Drusilla 43 No lesse Tenacro doted on this Dame Then had his brother done on that before But that foule end to which his brother came Made him more warie though not honest more By former good report that bred him fame And all his passed praise he sets no store Be fame be vertue troden in the dust So he may but fulfill his present lust 44 Thus caring onely to auoyd the danger In which he saw before his brother dyde He secretly that night way-laid the stranger There as he knew next day he needs must ride Not meaning his owne person to endanger In fine the Baron that to saue his bride Did stoutly giue and take full many a wound At last they left foule murderd on the ground 45 Drusilla se'ing her deare Olindro ded In deadly sound vnto the ground she sanke But thence in curteous sort the men her led WhoÌ to haue kild her she would giue more thanke But griefe in her such will to die had bred That wilfully she leapt downe from a banke To kill her selfe but poore soule could not dy But all her head and face was brusd thereby 46 Tanacro gets some surgeons and Phisicions To looke vnto her health and hurts to cure He causeth her to heare most rare musicions To cheare her heart and solace to procure He maks great brags of her so chast conditions With mind by marriage to make her sure He thinks a woman of so vertuous life Must not be termd a lemman but a wife 47 To marrie her he inwardly intends This outwardly in shew he doth make knowne And euermore he highly her commends And though her griefe was by his doings growne He saith he will for this make large amends And that he will her loue and be her owne But still the more that on that point he grateth The more in heart she him detests and hateth 48 But yet her hate did not so blind her wit But that to keepe it close she tooke good heed She knew full well she must dissemble it If she will be reuengd of him indeed Wherefore vntill the time may serue her fit She seemes vnto his meaning halfe agreed And did in shew the same so smoothly carrie That lastly the consented him to matrie 49 Sweet peace and loue were written in her eyes Reuenge and hate were in her heart engraued To kill him in her thought she doth deuise When with most kindnesse she her selfe behaued He needs must die needs die in any wise But eu'n thus long to liue of God she craued How can I better end my life she seth Then in reuenging my deare husbands deth 50 Thus seeming to forget all former wrong She chearfully expects the wedding day As though that she did for this marriage long And so she did although another way She shortens all that might the time prolong And paints her selfe and tricks her trim and gay She onely crau'd thus much for Christ his passion She might be marry'd of her country fashion 51 Not that her speech herein indeed was trew That such the custome was as she pretended But she doth mind to forge a custome new With trust assuredly to be reuenged On him that her beloued husband slew Reuenge reuenge was all that she intended She pray'th she might obserue her countrie guise Which in this sort she doth to them deuise 52 The widdow that to marrie new intends According as our countrie law allows Must first appease the ghost whom she offends I meane saith she that of her former spouse And make vnto his spirit some amends By Dirges trentals masles pray'rs and vows In that same Church whereas his bones be resting Then may she marrie new without molesting 53 But when of her new spouse she takes the ring The Priest in sight of all that stand about Of hallowd wine a bottle then must bring And in the Challice he must powre it out Then ouer it he must both say and sing Effectual prayrs and Psalmes and hymnes deuout Then must the woman take it of
a fooles bolt for the time yet proued too true afterward for in that iourney the king was taken and was sent prisoner to a Castle in Spaine called Madrillo In Marsilio and Sobrino we may see the qualities of a good counseller to a Prince and a bad one hauing only a regard to his owne priuat the tother plaine and faithfull and carefull for his Princes best safetie In that Sobrino the good and faithfull counseller aduiseth to make an end of the war one way or other either by taking or paying tribute one may obserue that indeed it is no policie for Princes but the vtter ruine beggering of their Realmes to prolong their wars to trifle away money time in such serious causes be as vncertain in the end as in the beginning The saying of a noble wise councellor another Sobrino in England is worthy to be remembered that with a prety tale he told vtterly condeÌned such lingring proceedings The tale was this a poore widow said he in the country doubting her prouisioÌ of wood would not last all the winter yet desiring to rost a ioint of meat a hen one day to welcome her frends laid on two sticks on the fire but when that would not scarse heat it she fetched two more so stil burning them out by two and two wheras one fagot laid on at the first would haue rosted it she spent foure or fiue fagots more then she needed yet when all was done her meat was scorched of one side and raw of the tother side her frends ill content with their fare and she enforced ere winter went about to borrow wood of her poore neighbours because so many of her owne fagots were spent Cresus was the king of Lydia who thought himselfe happie for his riches but Solon was of another opinion and therefore thought a foole by him till in the end Cresus being bound at a stake to be burned by his victorious enemy he cryed out on the name of Solon and through that thicke and darke smoke he could see that wisedome which before his eyes dazled with foolish wordly felicitie could not see Crassus called also the rich Crassus a Citizen of Rome his saying was that no man was rich that could not with his bare reuenue maintaine a Royall army which if it be a true saying I doubt whether any Prince Christened at this day be rich Crassus in reproch of his couetousnesse had molten gold poured into his mouth by the Parthians who tooke him prisoner and slew him Cambises sonne of Cyrus king of Persia hauing conquered Egipt inuaded the Ammonians with a great armie but for want of victuals was forced to giue ouer his enterprise Further he sent an armie before him of fiftie thousand men with commandement to destroy the Temple of Iupiter Amon and they entring the deserts of that country were neuer seene againe so as it was thought that while they sate at dinner in the field a furious Sotherne wind raysed such store of dust and sand as ouerwhelmed them and quite couered them In the miracles done by Astolfo is ment Allegorically that a man guided by vertue and assisted by grace makes all kinde of creatures to serue his turne His turning of stones to horses alludes to the like thing in Ouids Metamorphosis where Prometheus and Epimetheus made men of stones Inque breui spacio superorum numine saxa Iacta viri manibus faciem traxere virorum Et de foemineo reparata est foemina iactu In his taking the Southerne winde in a bagge it alludes to a like thing in Homers Odisseas of Vlisses that had the winde bound in a bagge and some say the Sorcerers neare the North sea vse to sell the winde to saylers in glasses and it is so common among them that they will laugh as much at those that beleeue it not as we would be to heare one tell it The end of the annotations vpon the 38. booke THE XXXIX BOOKE THE ARGVMENT King Agramant breakes oth and is constrained Vnto his natiue soile by sea to flye Where then Astolfo many townes had gained And at Biserta siege as then did lye Orlando thither commeth madly brained But th' English Duke did cure him by and by Braue Dudon with his nauie made of leaues Meets Agramant and hotly him receaues 1 WHat tongue can tell or learned pen expresse The woes to which Rogero now did runne In mind and body driu'n to such distresse That of two deaths the tone he cannot shun If he be slaine and if he kill no lesse Both wayes he sees he shall be quite vndonne By shame in death and if he win and liue By that offence he shall his true loue giue 2 The tother knight whom no such thoughts encombred Lets frankly fly his blows without regard In so great store as was not to be numbred No time no place nor no aduantage spard Rogero seemd to him as if he slumbred Small list he had to strike but all to ward And if he did in such a place he strake His blow great sound but little signe did make 3 The Pagan Lords now doubt it will go wrong They see the combat so vnequall grow Renaldo seemd too lustie and too strong Rogero seemd too lasie and too slow But Agramant that sate the rest among Doth âret and fume and chase and sweat and blow Doth blame Sobrino chiefly whose perswasion Was of this combat chiefe and sole occasion 4 This while Melissa sage whose skill was great In Magicke art repaired to the place And with some secret words she did repeat She changd her voice her statute and her face In mind hereby to worke a wondrous feat She seemd all armed in a Dragons case In sword in shield in shew in eu'rie thing She seemed Rodomont the Sarzan king 5 To wofull Agramant she straight doth ride In likenesse of an horse she rode a sprite And comming to his presence lowd she cride My Liege this was too fowle an ouersight To match a beardlesse boy so meanly tride With such a famous and renowned knight And chiefe in matter that imports so much As doth the whole estate of Affricke tuch 6 Wherefore that you in time this losse may saue Permit the combat to proceed no more Let Rodomont the blame and blemish haue Of breaking that which you so rashly swore Now each man shew how well his sword can shaue Now I am here each man is worth a score These words in Agramant had so much force That without more aduice he straight tooke horse 7 And thinking sure fierce Rodomont was theare Forthwith the Christens host he doth iâuade Of oth nor promise he hath now no feare This one mans presence him so bold had made Each man doth in a moment couch his speare Or charge his pike or draw his glittering blade Melissa hauing set them thus togither With this illusion vanisht God knows whither 8 The two stout champions when
assent and Brandimart With Sansonet and Oliuero iolly And Dudon closd him round on eu'rie part But he as full of strength as foole of folly At Dudon strake and saue the blow in part Was broke by Oliuer and fell not wholy On Dudon sure I thinke that staffe accurst His shield his headpeece head and all had burst 47 His shield it brake and thunderd on his scull That noble Dudon there withall fell backe But Sansonet strake with his sword so full That of the staffe three yards he made him lacke Now Brandimart thinks backward him to pull And leaps behind a pick pack on his backe And holds his armes the Duke doth then deuise To hold his leg and Oliuer his thyes 48 Orlando shakes himselfe and with a spring Ten paces off the English Duke he cast But Brandimart from him he could not fling That was behind him and did hold him fast But yet with Oliuer he was to bring For with his fist he smot him as he past That downe he fell and hardly scaped killing From mouth nose eyes the bloud apace distilling 49 Of headpeece strong he neuer had more need For sure he could not haue escaped death Except it had a good one bene indeed This while Astolfo now had taken breath And Dudon both who late for want of heed Were by Orlando tumbled on the heath With Sansonet that par'd his staffe so well All these at once vpon Orlando fell 50 Good Dudon that endeuors him to cast With Brandimart about his shoulders hangs Astolfo and the rest his arms hold fast He seeks to loose himselfe with sudden pangs Who so hath seene a Bull with mastiues chast That in his eares haue fixt their cruell fangs How he doth runne and rore and with him beares The eager doggs that still hold fast his eares 51 Let him imagine that Orlando now In such sort drew the warriours on the plaine But Oliuer that had the broken brow Againe on foote recouerd vp againe Did cast within his mind a reason how To do with ease that they did seeke with paine He doth bethinke a way that will not misse To do the feat and his deuice was this 52 Full many a halser and full manie a cord With sliding knots all knit he doth prouide And to the leggs and armes of this mad Lord He made them on the sudden to be tyde And then their ends on each side by accord They all of them amongst themselues deuide Thus were those Princes faine to do vnto him As Smiths do to an oxe when they do shoe him 53 Then âell they on him when he lay on ground And then they bind him sure both hand and foote Orlando when he felt himselfe thus bound Doth striue in vaine for striuing will not boote Astolfo that doth meane to make him sound And saw his skin looke blacke as any soote Requested them vnto the shore to beare him Which soone was done for now they need not feare him 54 Then seau'n times was he washed in the place And seau'n times dipped ouer eares and hed To get the scurse from of his skin and face Which with his naked going had bene bred Then with some herbs the Duke gat in this space He made them stop his mouth for why he sed For certaine secret reasons that he knowes He must not fetch his breath but at his nose 55 Then kneeling downe as if he askt some boone Of God or some great Saint that pot he brought Which he had carrideârâ beyond the Moone The latre in which Orlandos wit was caught And closd it to his nostrills and estsoone He drawing breath this miracle was wrought The Iarre was void and empty'd eu'rie whit And he restord vnto his perfect wit 56 As one that in some dreame or fearfull vision Hath dreamt of monstrous beasts and vgly fends Is troubled when he wakes with superstition And feareth what such vgly sight intends And lying wake thinks of that apparition And long time after in that fancie spends So now Orlando lay not little musing At this his present state and vncouth vsing 57 He holds his peace but lifting vp his eyes He sees his ancient frends king Brandimart And Oliuer and him that made him wise All whom he knew and loued from his hart He thinks but cannot with himselfe deuise How he should come to play so made a part He wonders he is nakt and that he feeles Such store of cords about his hands and heeles 58 At last he said as erst Sileno said To those that tooke him napping in the caue Solute me with countenance so stayd And with a cheare so sober and so graue That they vnloosed him as he them prayde And sufferd him his libertie to haue And clothed him and comforted his sadnesse That he conceiued of his former madnesse 59 Thus being to his former wits restord He was likewise deliuerd cleane from loue The Ladie whom he erst so much adord And did esteeme all earthly ioyes aboue Now he despisde yea rather quite abhord Now onely he applies his wits to proue That fame and former glorie to recouer Which he had lost the while he was a louer 60 This while Bardino told to Brandimart How that his father Monodant was dead And how his brother Gylyant on the part Of all that those East Iles inhabited Him sent of purpose these news to impart And pray him as he ought to be their head Sith all the world had not a Realme more wealthy Nor any Prince could wish a seate more healthy 61 Wherefore saith he deare sir it is most meet That you should now repaire to your owne home For home though homely t were yet is it sweet And natiue soile is best you would not rome About the world did you once tast and see 't Thus much he said but Brandimart in whome True loue great renown were bands more strong Then priuat profit answerd this er long 62 My brothers message and your frendly paine I kindly take but lo my word is past With Charles and with Orlando to remaine And them to serue while these garboyles do last Now in my steed I will my brother raigne Let him be my vice-roy and I will hast When once these warres are at a finall end To come and there my life with them to spend 63 Thus these did part and next ensuing day Went Dudon with his fleet to Prouence ward Orlando with the Brittish Prince doth stay And when the state of those same warres he hard Vnto Biserta straight a siege they lay But euermore Orlando had regard That as Astolfo followd his aduise To giue him th' honor of each enterprise 64 But how they did the great Biserta win When they assaulted it and on which side How at the first assault the men within Did yeeld and durst no longer triall byde I cannot farther now proceed herein But must deferre it to another tyde Now I do purpose vnto you to show How
his offer but the forme Of it he said doth no whit please my mind No thought thereby I might all harmes reforme And that I might Biletta towne regaine I would not do mine honor such a staine 48 If any man must challenge him then I It is that am in honor tide vnto it And whether I shall kill or else shall die I am resolued surely I will do it Nay then sir said Gradasso I will trie Another way if you assent but to it We two will make one challenge thus to fight Against Orlando and some other knight 49 So I be one then Agramant replide I care not though I second be or furst For in the world is not a man beside To trust whose courage more then yours I durst Sobrino that stood all the while aside Into such speech vpon the sudden burst Hath age quoth he brought me in such contempt To be excluded from so braue attemptâ 50 Disgrace me not so much to leaue out me Age hath not tane away my vigor cleene Skill and experience good companions be Age knoweth whatsoeuer youth hath beene Wherefore let me be one and you shall see That I am stronger then perhaps you weene To this request of his they soone agree And so they send their challenge three to three 51 They send a Herald as it is thevse The challenge to Orlando stout to beare With number like to meet at Lippaduse And so by combat end all matters theare The while each side should grant the other truse And all acts of hostilitie forbeare This Lippadusa is a little I le Distant from Affricke shore some twentie mile 52 The Herald made good hast and went apace And vsd all helpe of oares and sailes he could And comming to Orlando with good grace His message and the challenge plaine he told Amids Biserta in the market place He found him parting summes of coyne and gold Of that same sacked towne the many spoiles Vnto his men for guerdon of their toiles 53 Now when Orlando this braue challenge hard He did accept it and did much reioyce And gaue vnto the Herald in reward Of many sumptuous gifts great store and choiseâ He knew before the death of Mandricard And heard of Durindan by common voice How that Gradasso had it whom to find A voiage vnto th' Indies he assignd 54 But knowing that he need not go so farre And that his great good fortune so had wrought That he should send to offer single warre Whom he farre of had purposd to haue sought He now doth hope that long they should not barre Him of his sword that he so deare had bought Eke Brighadore he hopes now to regaine That did in Agramantés handâ remaine 55 He chuseth for hiâ frends to take his part In this so great and dangerous a fray His cousin and that faithfull Brandimart Both whom he oft law tride before that day Armours and horse and swords on eu'ry part He seekes to get for them the best he may For none of them had armour of his owne As I before this time haue made it knowne 56 Orlando when he first of all fell mad Lost both his sword and armour that same howre The tother 's twaine the Sarzan taken had And now they were safe lockt vp in a towre In Affrica their armour was but bad The warres in France did dayly theirs deuowre They seldome had in those parts any store And Agramant what was had had before 57 Such as he could though it were old and rustie He caused to be scowrd and furbusht new And eu'rie day with his companions trustie He talked of the fight that should ensew One day as in a morning fresh and lustie They walkt vpon the shore they saw in vew A great ship vnder saile with treble top Saile to the shore without all stay or stop 58 No saylers passengers nor anie guide Within the ship to be discouerd were But as the tempest draue her and the tide She came and safely so ariued there But here a while the emptie ship shall bide And these three knights because the loue I beare Vnto Rogero and Renaldo both To ouerpasse them longer makes me loth 59 You heard how they themselues aside did draw And of their owne accords their combat cease When as they saw against all right and law On either side the battell to increase They were so earnest neither of them saw Which side was first that brake their vowed peace Wherfore they aske of those that neare them came Which king of this foule breach should haue the blame 60 Rogero had a valiant trustie man That serued him with faithfulnesse and care Who neuer since the combat first began Had lost the sight of him and being ware Of this new breach with all the speed he can He did his masters sword and horse prepare And brought it him and wished him to vse it But for that day Rogero did refuse it 61 Howbe't from thence he did his course direct And promise with Renaldo doth renew That if his king were fiâst did oath neglect And shewd himselfe in promise so vntrue That he would leaue him and his wicked sect This said he bad Renaldo then adew Demanding all he met who was in fault Of this vngodly and vniust assault 62 Of all the world he heares it plainly spoken How that of youthfull Agramantés part The law of armes and late sworne truce was broken Which now was turnd vnto his losse and smart Yet thinks he men would deeme it were a token In him of faint or of vnfaithfull hart To leaue his Master in so great distresse Although his falshood had deseru'd no lesse 63 The thought thereof draue him to no small muse If better t were for him to go or tarrie If he do go he much shall her abuse Whom he so oft had promised to marrie Againe he thinketh that he cannot chuse In his returne to Affricke but miscarrie He knowes how periurie offendeth God How ouer it ay hangs a heauie rod. 64 On tother side he feares the great disgrace Men would impute to him his Lord to leaue And thinke it comes of fearfull heart and base What if some men perhaps his scuse receaue When they do know and vnderstand the case Yet most will say he doth his Lord deceaue And that a man such promise may forsake As at the first vnlawfull was to make 65 All that same day and all that night ensuing He did the matter with himselfe debate His loue his Lord on either side renewing The doubtfull question each in diuers rate But noble minde the greater shame eschewing Chose lastly to releeue his masters state Much lou'd he Bradamant much thought he on her But more he lou'd his dutie and his honer 66 Wherefore resolued to depart the Reame He sought at Arly ships him to transport But neither at the sea nor in the streame Could he there find a ship of any sort For Agramaut in
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
cosin so much more presume Vpon his reconcilement and true loue And promist to assist him if he may And for his answer he prefixt a day 34 And straight from thence he go'th vnto the place Where he was wont the spirits to coniure A strong vast caue in which there was great space The precepts of his Art to put in vre One spright he calls that of each doubtfull case Of Cupids court could giue him notice sure Of him he askt what bred Renaldos change By him he heard of those two fountaines strange 35 And how Renaldo by misfortune led First happend of that hatefull spring to drinke Which his dislike of that faire Ladie bred And made her loue and profferd seruice stinke And how againe by some ill starre misled He drank of th' other spring which causd him thinke Her onely to be loued and admired Whom erst he hated more then cause required 36 Moreouer he to Malagigis showd How that same famous Indian Queene nay quean Had on a Pagan youth herselfe bestowd Of parentage of state of liuing meane And how from Spaine they in a galley rowd All Christendome and Spaine forsaking cleane And passing both with safetie and with ease In ventrous barks of Catalyn the seas 37 Now when Renaldo for his answer came His learned cosin seekes him to perswade Vnto some better thought his minde to frame Nor further in this gulfe of loue to wade Alledging what a slander and a shame It was to fancy one her selfe had made Not like a Queene but like a vile maide Marian A wife nay slaue vnto a base Barbarian 38 In fine he said she was to th' Indies gon With her Medoro and was welnie there Renaldo not a little musd thereon Yet all the rest he could with patience beare And for the paine he counts it small or none So he at last might finde her any where Wherefore of it he had no care not keepe Nor could that make him once to breake his sleepe 39 But when he heard that one of birth so base Had with his mistres laid his knife a boord It seemd this strake him speechles in the place He was not able to pronounce a word His heart did quake within his lips like case So trembled answer he could none afford But ouercome with anguish of the passion He flang away from thence in carelesse fashion 40 And much lamenting this her foule abuse He vowes to follow her what ere insue But yet to Charles he faineth this excuse That sith Gradasso of his word vntrue Had tane his horse contrary to the vse Of valiant Knights he meanes him to pursue Alledging that it were his great dishoner To let Bayardo haue a forren owner 41 And that a Turke should bost another day That he by fight did him thereof bereaue King Charles though loth yet could not say him nay To such an honest sute but gaue him leaue Which tane alone from thence he goes his way And all his frends in Paris he doth leaue With Guidon Dudon stout to him do proffer Their company but he refusd their offer 42 Away he goes alone yet not alone Griefs teares and plaints still his companions are And oft in heart he bitterly doth grone To thinke that erst he should so little care For her great loue which wilfully forgone He now esteemes at rate so high and rare He could haue wisht thus was his mind perplext But one day to enioy and die the next 43 Then he bethinkes with no lesse griefe nayrage How she could finde in that her lofty hart To set her loue on such a sorry page The merites all and seruice put apart Done vnto her eu'n from her tender age By men of high renowne and great desart Thus with a fired hart and watred eyne He rode vntill he toucht the bankes of Rhyne 44 Ere long into Ardenna woods he enters Soone after he Basylea quite had past Ardenna woods whence many come repenters And in that forrest haue bene sore agast To trauell through the same Renaldo venters When suddenly the skie did ouercast And there arose a blacke and hideous storme And then appeard a monster of strange forme 45 She seem'd of womans shape but in her hed A thousand eyes she had that watch did keepe As many eares with which she harkened Her eyes want lids and therefore neuer sleepe In steed of haire her crowne snakes ouerspred Thus marched she foorth of the darknesse deepe Her tayle one Serpent bigger then the rest Which she with knots had tyde about her brest 46 This fight Renaldos mind appald so sore He feeles his heart alreadie gan to fayle him And sith it neuer had done so before He maruels what the goody eare now should aile him Yet still his minde misgaue him more and more To see the monster comming to assaile him He nathlesse countersets his wonted boldnesse Though quaking haÌds bewraid his inward coldnesse 47 The monster straight assaulted him much like To one that parfet was and skild in fence And when againe he with his sword did strike He misled and could doe her none offence Much doth Renaldo this ill match mislike And little wants to quite distract his sence Right blowes and reardemaine he striketh many But yet he cannot hit her right with any 48 The monster stickes a Serpent in his brest That strake his heart in to a freesing cold Another fixed is below his crest And on his necke and shoulders taketh hold Renaldo thinkes to get him gone is best And spurres away with all the speed he could But that vile monster was not lame to find him But ouertooke him and leapt vp behind him 49 And whether he go straight or go he wide The monster fitteth sure and holds him fast He knowes not how to be from her vntide Nor any meane within his mind can cast His heart eu'n quakes within him and beside That he was with this hideous plague agast He sorrowd so not knowing how to mend it He loth'd his life and did desire to end it 50 He spurres amaine and purposely he takes The rugged wayes the worst that he could find By craggie Rocks and hils through bryers brakes Through copsies thicke by narrow paths and blind But sure the knight the matter much mistakes He cannot from the monster him vnwind And like it was great harme had him betyded Had not for him bene helpe in time prouided 51 For loe a knight vnto his succour went All armd in shining steele and on his shield He bare a yoke in sundry peeces rent And flames of fire all in a yellow field So weaponed he was as if he ment To make all that encountred him to yeeld A sword and speare he had and to the same A Mace from whence he threw continuall flame 52 His Mace was stor'd with euerlasting fire That euer burned and did neuer wast No other weapon needed one desire To make good way with wheresoeu'r he past And sure
the Latins the Captain of one side and the army of the other side should perish wherupoÌ he being then Consul ran wilfully on his enemies and was slaine and so gat the victory for the Romans His son Decius did the like after him Curtius lept into the gulfe that was prophecyed should neuer be stopt till the most precious iewell the Romans had were thrown into the same Codrus dyed thus the Dorians hauing warre with the Athenians the Oracle told them of Athens that if Codrus were slaine by the enemies then the Athenians should haue the victorie this newes being noised in the Dovians campe they gaue straight charge that none should kil Codrus but he minding to dye for the defence of his countrie countersaited himselfe like a Pedler or such like and came to the campe of enemies and picking a quarrell there of purpose with some of the souldiers was slaine among them The cuppe presented to Renaldo is allegorically to be vnderstood for suspition which whosoeuer drinketh of it is great ods he sheds it so into his bosome as he shal drinke the worse after it while he liues and therfore Renaldo said wel Drinke of the cup quoth he that list not I. I am not nor I minde not to be drie For the Mantuans tale it is not vnlike to that of Cephalus in Ouids Metamorphosis in the seuenth booke where he tels how in the like sort changed by negromancy he tempted his wife so farre Dum census dare me promitto loquendo Muneraque augendo tandem dubitare coegi I haue heard of a Gentleman that would needs court his owne wise in a maske causing her to be told he was some other man and made loue so long to her till he found himselfe more gracious with her then he had cause to beast of As for the Faery Manto whether there be any Faeries or no I wil not dispute the matter but I haue heard strange tales reported by credible persons of these witches and spirits whatsoeuer they be and I haue heard it often among the simpler sore that he that can please the Queene of Faeries shall neuer want while he liues and it seemes the like opinion hath crept into other countries though taken but as a fable or as the saying is It may be in my Paternoster indeed But sure it neuer shall come in my Creed Marrie for the shaghaird dog that could dance to please Ladies so well and had such pretie qualities I dare vndertake my seruant Bungy whose picture you may see in the first page of the booke and is knowne to the best Ladies of England may coÌpare with any Pilgrims dog that serued such a saint this seuen yere only he wants that qualitie to shake duckats out of his eares But now to leaue these toying tales and fall to the soberer matter the solemne suneralls of Brandimart and Orlandos mourning alludes to the buriall of Pallas or Pallante in Virgil Bardino to Acetes and Orlando to Aenas but this here is set forth with denout and Christian termes and therefore more to be commended Here end the notes of the 43. booke THE XLIIII BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Renaldo to Rogero giues his sister Against Duke Ammon and their mothers will Rogero doubting lest he should haue mist her Vowes Leon and his father both to Kill He leaueth France and to the streame of Ister He rides and trauels in those parts vntill He found the Bulgars fighting with the Greekes And aydeth those because he these mislikes 1 OFt times we see in house of meane estate In fortune bad and chances ouerthwart That men doe sooner lay aside debate And ioyne in sound accord with hand and hart The princes courts where riches gender hate And vilde suspect that louing mind doth part Where charitie is cleane consumde and vanished An' frendship firme is quite cast out and banished 2 Hence comes it that twixt Princes and great Lords Agreements all and cou'nants are so fraile Today Kings Popes and Emperors make accords Tomorrow deadly warres with tooth and nayle And why their thoughts stil vary from their words They keepe not othes but for their owne auaile Nor weigh they wrong or right or recken of it But as the same may turne to their owne profite 3 Now though such men as yet were neuer taught What frendship is nor euer knew the same For frendship neuer growes where there is nought But shewes disguisd in earnest or in game Yet if ill fortune them so low haue brought To meete in meaner place they straight do frame Their proud hy minds to frendship true and plaine Which erst they knew not or they did disdaine 4 The saintlik man had in his Cell more powre His guests in firme and sound accord do binde Then others should haue had in Princely bowre And more this frendship was of such a kind That euer after from that present houre Eu'n to their ends they all agreed in mind Appearing to this old man and deuout As white within as Swans are white without 5 He found them all both gentle kind and meeke And not in sort of which I erst complained Of those that neuer thinke and speake alike But euer go with speech and uisage fained They cleare forgat all grudge and old mislike No signe nor memorie thereof remained But loue together as if they had come All of one seede and laine all in one worne 6 But good Renaldo could by no meanes rest To shew Rogero kindnesse great and loue Both for his prowesse great and valiant brest Which hand to hand in fight he late did proue And for his courtsie that did passe the rest And was praise worthy all the rest aboue But chiefe the cause was this because he found His frends to him had sundry wayes bene bound 7 He knew for often he had heard it told How first Rogero saued Richardet Whom then Marsilio kept in cruell hold Because with child he did his daughter get And further Bouos sonnes should haue bene sold But them Rogero did at freedome set These things in honor true and reputation He knew were matters of great obligation 8 And though before he could no kindnes show To him while he profest himselfe a Turke Yet now that him a Christian he did know He would now let his loue no longer lurke Which when the Hermit saw he was not slow A farther kindnes them between to worke them He moues them sith he so good friends had seene That he might make affinitie betweene them 9 He said it was foreshowd him from on hie That by the ioyning their two lines in one Such ofspring should arise as vnder sky To passe or match the same there should be none Wherefore he wisheth them that by and by By his aduise they would agree thereon Renaldo at his motion straight allowes That Bradamant should be Rogeros spouse 10 Orlando Olivero soone to that Gaue their good will and fauour and assent Affirming that all France may ioy
made of sundry flowres The streets were hanged all with rich array And damsels from the windowes high and towres To gratulate their prosperous deeds and haps Cast showres of Roses from their tender laps 30 At eu'ry corner market-crosse or gate High arches triumph-like were new erected Some of Bysertas fall and wofull state Which they had ouerthrowne and quite deiected Some of the combat that was fought so late With playes and new deuises vnexpected Thus dedicate and thus entitled wholly To those Redeemers of the Empire holly 31 With gratefull sound of instruments and voyce With sundrie sweet and musicall consorts The people shew how greatly they reioyce With Iubiles and shoutes and playes and sports Then Charles and all his knights and Barons choise To his owne house and his owne court resorts And there with tilting turneis and with playes They spent a few of then ensuing dayes 32 Renaldo taking time vpon a day The marriage matter to his father brake And told him he had promist by the way His sister should for spouse Rogero take By which allyance such procure they may As men may count great folly to forsake In which himselfe the further did proceed Because Orlando was thereto agreed 33 With much disdaine this speech Duke Ammon hard Affirming he presumptously had donne To promise so sith he had now prepard To match her to the Greekish Emp'rors sonne And not this priuate knight who he had hard Had not one foote of land scant vnder Sunne Alas quoth he poore gentrie small auailes And vertue lesse if land and riches failes 34 But chieflie Ammons wife dame Beatrice Doth call her sonne vngrate and arrogant And thinks to worke so by her wise aduise To make an Empresse of her Bradamant Renaldo much condemneth that deuice Nor will not of his word one tittle want But said his sister vnder their correction Would therein ruled be by his direction 35 The mother in her daughter much beguild Perswades with her and comforts her to say That she will rather dye and be exild Then match someane when higher match she may She saith she will not take her for her child If she will let her brother beare such sway Wherefore saith she be bold and do denie it And with your brother giue me leaue to try it 36 Poore Bradamant doth silent stand and still She dares not scarse in thought for reu'rence sake Gainsay her mother or withstand her will On tother side she dare not promise make Of that which to performe did passe her skill And was aboue her powre to vndertake No powre she had in this nor great nor small For long ere this loue sealed on it all 37 She dares not giue consent nor yet deny She onely sighes and answer maketh none But when she is alone that none are by Vnto her selfe she makes a piteous mone She makes her brests and her faire haire to trie In part her griese for why she beates the tone In spitefull wife the tother short she teares And thus she speakes amid her plaints and feares 38 Wo me shall then my will and fancie varie From hers whose will should rule and gouern mine Shall my will to my mothers be contrarie Or that di'daine my mother doth designe Shall I presume with such a man to marrie At whom my parents both do so repine What fowler blot can staine a damsels praise Then when her parents will she disobayes 39 Shall then my mothers reu'rence and my sites Make me my deare Rogero to forget And to new loues new hopes and new desires Be take my selfe and him at nought to set Or shall the reu'rence which their age requires And which my selfe hath borne them euer yet Be now forgot and I be wholy bent To mine owne ioy and solace and content 40 I know alas I know my dutie well But powre I haue not to performe the same My fancie reasons rule doth quite expell And my well orderd thoughts put out of frame And tyrant Loue gainst whom who dare rebell Makes me cast off all feare of others blame My speech my deeds my thoughts he doth dispose And ruleth them against my will God knowes 41 To Ammon daughter and to Beatrice I am but vnto Loue I am a slaue Though I do now refuse their wise aduise Of them I may hereafter pardon haue But if I Loue resist who knowes the price Or who can me from his great furie saue He will not stay to harken to my scuses But slay me presently for such his vse is 42 With much adoe and with long time I drew My deare Rogero to the Christian faith What profite doth thereof to me ensew It still ill hap my purpose good gainsaith So doth the Bee not for himselfe renew The hony that in combes he safely laith But sooner of my life they shall me reaue Then force me my Rogero deare to leaue 43 But though herein I disobey my mother And father to which I to do am loth What though yet I therein obey my brother That is reputed wiser then they both Orlando eke for me speakes tone and tother And fauour will this match how ere it goth And sure I am the world doth of them twaine Make more esteeme then all our house againe 44 Sith then the world esteemes and calleth those The glorie and the flowre of Clarimount Lesse shame it is for me as I suppose If that I suffer men of such account Of me in marriage matters to dispose That all my kin in credit do surmount Beside they haue the word directly spoken But to the Greeke the matter is but broken 45 But now if Bradamant her selfe torment And doth her euill hap bewaile and blame No doubt Rogero is as malcontent Who had some priuie inckling of the same He secretly doth his ill state lament And curseth fortune that vnconstant dame That had for wealth so sparing left his lot Which diuers base vnworthy men had got 46 In each thing else that nature man can graunt Or that is got by industrie or art He knowth and each man saith that none canvaunt daunt To haue a greater no nor such a part His strength was such no strength the same could His person past his strength his noble hart His Princely manners and his braue behauour Wan each mans loue each mans applause fauour 47 But this same vulgar sort vntaught and rude That as them list distribute praise and shame And saue the wise and learned I include All men that liue on earth within that name For Myters states nor crownes may not exclude Popes mightie kings nor Keysars from the same But onely wisedome graue and learning cleare Gifts giuen from heau'n that are not common heare 48 This vulgar sort to tell my meaning out That sauing wealth and riches nought admyre And nothing thinke praise worthy them without And in their base conceits can looke no hyre That be one neu'r so learnd so
vertuous thoughts did still adorne And euer was of noble inclination Made him extoll him for his deeds of armes Although his men by him receiu'd such harmes 87 Eu'n as a babe whom sometime mou'd with ire The mother beats with rod or with it chafeth Runnes not vnto the sister nor the fire But to the Mam and sweetly her imbraceth So now though Leons men are made retire And though Rogero killeth them and chaseth Yet his great valew maketh Leon loue him Much more then hate him for the harm he doth him 88 But if that Leon loue him and admire Me thinks he hath but sorrie recompence For why Rogeros hope and sole desire Is to do Leon damage and offence He lookes for him and oft he doth enquire Which way he was but still the diligence And long experience of the warie Greeke Do cause Rogero him in vaine did seeke 89 Don Leon saw his souldiers flie so fast He sounds retreit and to his father sent A messenger forthwith in all post hast And of his message this was chiefe content To let him vnderstand how things had past And wish him flie for feare of being shent Likewise himselfe and his hast all they may Backe ore the streame themselves then to conuay 90 But yet for all his hast his men were slaine And some with hast were drowned in the streame The Bulgars now did conquerors remaine That erst in perill were to loose their Reame The knight of th'Vnicorne they all see plaine Causd all their good wherefore with ioy extreame To him they go acknowledging indeed That all their glorie did from him proceed 91 Some kisse his hands and some do kisse his feete And in most humble manner him salute They thinke for him a praise diuine were meete And powre diuine they do to him impute They send their chiefest Captaines him to meete And all of them to him do make this sute And vp to heau'n their ioyfull voyces ring That he would be their Captaine guide and king 92 Rogero vnto them this answer made That he will be their guide as they thinke best But that he will not come into Belgrade Nor staffe nor scepter touch at no request Vntill that Leon that did them inuade He haue once slaine or tane him at the least For why a thousand miles for this alone He riden had and other cause had none 93 This said forthwith he biddeth them adew And would no longer stay at their desiring But that way Leon fled did him pursew For flight it was indeed and not retyring How beit Leon and his men that knew What in such case for safetie was requiring Brake downe the bridge when they the streame had past And so as then they made the passage fast 94 Rogero failing of his first intent Did seeke some place to passe to tother side Along that streame till all that day was spent And all that night vncessantly doth ride Be time next morne vnto a towne he went To ease his wearied bodie and beside To make his horse amends for so great wrong In keeping him without a bait so long 95 Vngardo one of reckning good and state Held this same towne to Constantino deare And footmen had and horsemen got of late Since of these warres he did first tidings heare Rogero finding none to watch the gate More boldly enterd finding passage cleare The towne it selfe within he likewise found With meat and drinke and lodging to abound 96 Now where Rogero lodged that same night One of Romania happend there to oste That present was at that precedent fight When as Rogero holpe the Bulgars host And at that time did him so sore affright That though of his escaping he might bost Yet still he feard him and still did doubt him And still he thought that Vnicorne about him 97 Wherefore when as he saw that sheeld he knew This was the man that eu'n before so late So many of the Grecian armie slew Straightway he hasted to the castle gate And that he may haue audience he doth sew For matter that concernes the Realme and state But when he was admitted what he told Within the booke insuing ile vnfold How truly and vpon how iust cause mine author blameth Princes for their weake keeping promise and their continuall breaking of leagues be they made euer so solemnly I thinke our present time can witnesse in which it is hard to say whether any two Princes in Europe at this day be assured each of others loue the reason is plaiue They weigh not wrong nor right nor recken of it Further then it may tend to their owne profit And as the fault is theirs so sure they haue a great punishment for it which is that they liue in perpetuall feare one of another and euer one iealous of anothers greatnes it was a happie time if euer there was a time when it was otherwise In dame Beatrice we may note the notable ambitious humor of women specially in matching their children aboue their calling which I touched more at large in the notes of the fist booke neither are the wiser sort of men free from this folly for if they may match their daughters so as they may say my Lord my sonne they thinke they haue God almightie by the toe as the prouerbe saith whereas many times they haue the diuell by the claw but those that glorie so to make their sonnes their Lords I would haue them heare that verse of Martiall to one that called his father his Lord. Seruum te dicis natum ingenueq fateris Cum dicis dominum Sosibiane patrem A slaue thou art by birth of this I gather For euermore thou saist my Lord my father Perythous would needs take vpon him by the helpe of Theseus to steale away the daughter of the king of Molossus but being both taken Perithous was deuoured by Cerberus a great dogge that the said king kept and Theseus was after resiued by Hercules thence arose the fable that they went to hell togither to steale Proserpina for so was that kings daughter named In the many lets that Rogero hath ear he can get Bradamant the Allegorie is âontinued from the beginning to the end of the whole worke to shew how hardly a man comes to a true contentment and peaceable state in this world which is figured in the match with Bradamant man hauing still enemies bodily or ghostly to hinder or interrupt the same In Bradamants constant loue to Rogero he alludes to a Lady of the house of Colonna that married Luigy Gonzaga against the Popes will and many of his adherents Here end the notes of the 44. booke THE XLV BOOKE THE ARGVMENT The noble Leon doth Rogero saue In Theodoras cruell prison pent Soone after Leon doth Rogero craue To win him Bradamant he doth assent And fought with her xij houres a combat brane Of which he after did so sore repent In sorrow great he thought to end his life To thinke
another should possesse his wife 1 LOoke how much higher Fortune doth erect The clyming wight on her vnstable wheele So much the nigher may a man expect To see his head where late he saw his heele Polycrates hath prou'd it in effect And Dionysius that too true did feele Who long were luld on high in Fortunes lap And fell downe sodainely to great mishap 2 On tother side the more a man is pressed And vtterly ou'rthrowne by Fortunes lowre The sooner comes his state to be redressed When wheele shal turne and bring the happy houre Some from the blocke haue grown to be so blessed Whole realmes haue bene subiected to their powre As Marius and Ventidius sample is In former age and Lews of France in this 3 That Lews of France the storie well is knowne That to Alfonsos sonne did giue his daughter Who was at Saint Albinos ouerthrowne And eu'n with much adoe escaped slaughter A like misfortune by like danger growne Coruino scaped but a little after And hauing past that moment by good chance One ruled Hungarie the tother France 4 T is manifest in stories new and old That good and ill each other do succeed And worldly blisse hath but a slender hold Wherefore a man of wisedome will take heed And on his fortune neuer be too bold Although his state and riches farre exceed Nor yet in fortune ill dispaire or doubt For euermore her wheele doth turne about 5 Rogero as I lately did repeat Now hauing both repulst the sonne and fire Grew to such pride therewith and such conceat Ambition euermore aspiring hire He thinkes by fortune and his force so great To kill Don Leon which was his chiefe desire And for that purpose aid he asketh none But thinketh sure to do the fear alone 6 But she that cannot suffer nor abide That any long should of her fauour bost Now in the midst of all his praise and pride When in her fauour he affied most Did cause him of this knight to be discride Who went vnto Vngardo straight in post And told him how that man that put to flight The Greekish host would lie in towne that night 7 He said t was happend eu'n as one could wish If so they mard not all by ill contriuing That he was taken now as is a fish That to the net approcheth without driuing Or rather layes it selfe into the dish And makes resistance none nor any striuing Much did the Captaine at these newes reioyce And shewd the same by gesture and by voyce 8 And presently prouision such he made That good Rogero taken was that night And kept as prisner now in Nouengrade For so the towne where he was taken hight What should he do when arm'd men did inuade Him naked and a sleepe with so great might Vngardo straight doth send this ioyfull tyding To Constantin at Beltrich now abyding 9 For since his forces late were beaten downe He thought it safest quickly to withdraw Vnto some strength or to some walled towne For of the Bulgars now he had such aw He doubted they would hazard eu'n his crowne Now hauing such a guide as erst he saw And this same towne was strong and did pertaine To him whose sonne was by Rogero slaine 10 But when this message of their Captains taking By letters and by Post was brought to him He was therewith in such a ioyfull taking He thought he now in seas of milke did swim His face that pale his heart that earst was quaking Vpon this newes it chearfull was and trim The Bulgars now he counts as ouerthrowne The victorie he iudgeth sure his owne 11 As doth the father ioy so doth the sonne Of this good hap though for a further end He hopeth this braue knight may now be wonne By curtesie to be his faithfull frend He needeth not enuie if that were donne King Charles the great he thinks but eu'n contend Both with his Palladines ând all his garrison For flowre of Chiualrie to make comparison 12 But Theodora was of other minde Don Leons Ant whose sonne Rogero slew For she with choller carri'd headlong blinde And for his losse whose death she most did rew To Constantin her Lord and brother kinde She went and at his feete herselfe she threw And when she first had made a piteous plaint She with her suit this wise did him acquaint 13 I will not rise from these your feete she seth My liege vntill you grant me powre to wreake My selfe on him that brought my sonne to deth And did with cruell speare his bowels breake Besides he was your nephew while his breth Did dure you saw his loue and seruice eake Your highnes knowes it were too great a wrong To let his death be vnreuenged long 14 You further see that God of goodnes meare Had causd that wretch the campe thus to forsake And come like bird to bayt the case is cleare Whereas Vngardo did him prisner take Because my onely sonne I lou'd so deare Might not go vnreueng'd to Stigian lake Then giue me him my Lord and be content I swage my griefe with his sharpe punishment 15 Her plaints and mone so well she doth deuise So forcibly and heartily she prayd Nor would not sturre from thence in any wise Although the noble Emp'ror did and sayd Eu'n all he could to make her thence arise That sith she would by no meanes be denayd But still renewd her suit with piteous weeping He granteth her the prisner in her keeping 16 And thus at last to make the matter short He sendeth for the knight of th'Vnicorne And gaue him her whose chiefe delight and sport Was to deuise to worke him woe and scorne All common deaths were of too milde a sort To haue him hangd and all in peeces torne And on each gate to set a quartred lim She thought it was not plague enough for him 17 Chaind hands and feete and uecke she lockt him vp In dungeon voide of light but full of stinke With mouldie bread she made him dine and sup And gaue him puddle water for his drinke She shortly meanes that he a sorrie cup Shall tast but till she may herselfe be thinke The kinde of death she giueth him a keeper Whose rancor was as deepe as hers or deeper 18 Oh had Duke Ammons noble daughter knowne Of her Rogeros now distressed state Or if it had bene to Marfisa showne Who lou'd him deare though in another rate Both tone and tother thither would haue flowne And would not cease to ride be times and late To rescue good Rogero and assist Let Ammon and his wife say what they list 19 Now Charles the great began to call to minde His promise by the which himselfe was bound That husband none should euer be assinde To Bradamant but he in fight were found Her match and as kings vse in such a kinde He published the same by trumpets found Ou'r all his Empire sending proclamations That soone the same did flye to forren
nations 20 Thus much the writing made men vnderstand That no man Bradamant to wife should get But one that would attempt with sword in hand From rising of the Sun vntill it set Her force in single combat to withstand Which if that any could there was no let But she agrees and Charles himselfe allows That such a one should haue her for his spouse 21 This Article was likewise there set downe That they should name the weapon if they list For why her vallew was of great renowne To fight on horse on foote in field in list Duke Ammon now that to withstand the crowne Wants force and will no longer doth resist But after long discourses with his daughter Compeld in fine backe to the Court he broughther 22 Her mother eke though wroth and malcontent Yet both for nature and for honours sake Good store of costly clothes incontinent Both gownes and kirtles she for her doth make Thus Bradamant with both her parents went Vnto the Court where she small ioy did take She scarce esteemed it a Court to be When that her louer there she could not see 23 As one that saw in Aprill or in May A pleasant garden full of fragrant flowres Then when fresh earth new clad in garments gay Deckes eu'ry wood and groue with pleasant bowres And comes againe on some Decembers day And sees it mard with winters stormes and showres So did this Court to Bradamant appeare When as she saw Rogero was not heare 24 She dares not aske of any man for feare Least such a question might her loue accuse How beit secretly she lendeth eare To others talke as in such case men vse Each man saith gon he is but none knowes wheare For to the Court of him there came no newes And he himselfe when as he thence departed His purpose vnto no man there imparted 25 Oh in what feare and rage these newes do set her To heare Rogero was in manner fled She thinks that sure because he could not get her And that her father nay to him had sed That now he sought of purpose to forget her And shunne her sight that all his sorrow bred She thinks that he from thence himselfe withdrawes For this alone and for none other cause 26 But more then all this doubt her heart assayles That he was gone to seeke some forren loue And sith that of his purpose here he fayles To speed some otherwhere he straight would proue As from a boord men driue out nayles with nayles So with new loue he woud her loue remoue But straight another thought that thought gainsaith She thinketh her Rogero full of faith 27 And there-vpon her selfe she reprehends That she her louer should so much abuse Thus in her minde one fancie him defends And then another doth him sore accuse And she her thought to either fancie lends And in great doubt she is which part to chuse But when a while she had her selfe bethought She leaneth most vnto best pleasing thought 28 Then chiefe when in her mind she doth repeat Rogeros promise which he bad her trust She thinks to him the iniurie is great That causlesly she now should him mistrust And eu'n as he were present she doth beat Her brest that still doth harbor thoughts vniust My selfe hath sinn'd she saith which now I curse But he that caused it is cause of worse 29 Loue was the cause quoth she that in my hart Your face and grace ingraued hath so seemely And therewith hath set forth each vertuous part Beseeming thee so sweetly and so trimly That sure no dame that knowes well what thou art Can chuse but fall in loue with thee extreemly And therewithall with all her powre indeuer To win thy loue and make thee hers for euer 30 Oh if that loue had grau'd thy thoughts so well As it hath grau'd thy visage in my minde In how great ioy and blisse should I then dwell For well I know that they be true and kinde Then iealousie the onely plague of hell To which alas I am too much inclinde Should quickly cease and I should free me from it Nor would I in my heart once thinke vpon it 31 But as a miser hoording vp his treasure Doth doubt in absence still that theeues be there So I when thou that art mine onely pleasure Art absent far from me I know not where I straight suspect and straight I doubt false measure And straight my hope grows lesse more my feare Which though I thinke both bootlesse and vniust Yet still I doubt and still I do mistrust 32 But yet no sooner shall the pelasing light Of thy sweet count'nance come vnto mine eyes O thou my ioy ô thou my lines delight Though where thou art I cannot now deuise But that true hope false feare shall put to flight And knowledge plaine all doubts shall satisfie Come then my deare and hasten thy returning Ere hope feare shal wast me quite with mourning 33 As when the night hath spred her mantle blacke Faint harted folke are wont to be affrayd But when againe the day-light doth come backe They seeme of better cheare and well appayd So I do faint when as my deare I lacke But in his presence I am vndismayd Come then my deare Rogero come vnto me Before that hope and doubt do quite vndo me 34 As in the night each little fierie sparke May plainly be discerned with our eyne But when the day doth come we then shall marke That all are dampt and do no longer shine So kindels feare in minde with doubt made darke Vntill my Sunne in my Horizon shine Turne then my deare and with thy light illume me And driue away this care that doth consume me 35 As when the Sun declines to South most low The land doth Ieese the beautie that she had And winter stormes breed raine and I se and snow The pleasant birds all silent sit and sad So when as thou from me farre of dost go O shining Sunne whose beames do make me glad A thousand feares but all vniust and vaine Make winter in my heart to my great paine 36 Shine then on me O my cleare Sun and bring Thy beames more nye this snow and I se to thaw Refresh these branches witherd in their spring And do no more thy selfe so farre withdraw As Philomena dolefully doth sing When as her young ones all destroyd she saw Or as the Turtle early mourns and late When she hath lost her deare beloued mate 37 So noble Bradamant still mournes and plaines With feare Rogeeo had her loue reiected And with salt teares her louely cheeks distaines Yet secretly for feare to be detected Oh had she knowne that he was bound in chaines And eu'rie houre a cruell death expected What griefe of minde thinke you would she then take That was so grieu'd alreadie for his sake 38 But loe the heau'nly goodnes so ordaines That Theodoras rage and cruell spight Against her
Leon in his wooing might preuayle And make dame Bradamant his owne for euer Thus though that diuers thoughts his minde assayle Yet wholy in that thought he doth perseuer That moueth him most plaine to deale and trew And to all other thoughts he bids adew 58 This while Don Leon with his fathers leaue With such retinue as his state required Of knights and squyres his natiue soyle did leaue And went to see the dame he so desired Rogero did of him before receaue His armes and horse and in strange clothes attired Day after day they so their iorney frame That it the last to Paris walls they came 59 Don Leon to the Citie would not go But neare vnto the same he pitcht a tent And by Ambassage made the king to know How he was come and vnto what intent King Charles was glad and did his gladnes show With gifts and vnto him in person went Don Leon tels what did his comming breed And prayes he may dispatched be with speed 60 And that King Charles that noble maid would cause To come the day ensuing to the feeld That would against all common wedlocks lawes Be wood and wonne with onely sword and sheeld King Charles her cals and she that askt no pause Vnto the motion willingly did yeeld And so accordingly next day she came Vnto the lists prepared for the same 61 That day that went before the day of fight Rogero passed with as great content As doth a man condemned spend the night The which before his execution went He chusd to fight all clad in armour bright Because as then to be vnknowne he ment And for to hurt her was not his pretence Saue sword he vsd no weapon of offence 62 Lance he would none not that he feard the lance Which first Argalia then Astolfo bare Which forced men beside their seat to dance And vnto many men procurde great care For neither he that vsde it first in France Nor any of those other was aware How all those fears were by inchantment donne Saue that same king that gaue it to his sonne 63 Likewise Astolfo and the Dordon dame That with that speare full many did vnhorse Thought not that it from Nigromancy came But from their fleight and their owne proper force They thought with any speare to do the same But now Rogero did both speare and horse Refuse because if he had vsde his owne He thought it would by Bradamant be knowne 64 Needs must the damsell call to minde the steed For why she kept him long at Clarimount And vsed him with her owne hands to feed And made of him a speciall deare account Wherefore Rogero that tooke speciall heed To go vnknowne refusd on horse to mount Or any other thing by which he may Vnto his dearest loue himselfe bewray 65 He further needs another sword would take For well he knew against his Ballisard No steele nor armor none defence could make Whose edge so keene whose mettall was so hard Of that new sword likewise he for her sake Rebates the edge so great was his regard And thus himselfe both weakning and disguising He came into the field at Phebus rising 66 And that each one for Leon might him note Vntill the controuersie were discided He wears vpon his backe Don Leons cote The golden Eagle with the head deuided Their making both was like from foot to throte Thus when all things were readily prouided The tone presents him in the open greene The tother kept him close and was not seene 67 But Bradamant now farre in other rate Herselfe in readines for fight doth set And if the knight do his swords edge rebate As fast the damsell her swords edge doth whet She wisheth with a heart most full of hate Her sword a passage to the quicke would get Yea comfort her it would and do her good If she with eu'rie blow could draw the blood 68 Eu'n as a Barbrye horse that runnes a race And for the signe thereof hath long expected Against his will doth stay his running pace With swelling nostrils and with eares erected Eu'n so the noble damsell in like case That of Rogeros presence naught suspected Did swell with wrath and burnes like flaming fier Vnto the combat such was her desier 69 And as ofttimes vpon some fearfull clap Of thunder straight a hurlewinde doth arise And lifts the waues aloft from Thetys lap Eu'n in a moment vp vnto the skyes The Herdman doubting of some great mishap About some tree or caue close hidden lyes So Bradamant with rage of anger driuen Aslayld Rogero when the signe was giuen 70 But neuer did a stiffe and aged oke Against the Northerne blast more firmely stand Nor better doth a rocke indure the stroke Of surging waues still wallowing to the land Then good Rogero guarded in the cloke Of Hectors armes her forces did withstand Though she still layd on loade with spite and hate Vpon his armes his sides his brest and pate 71 Sometimes she giues a blow sometime a thrust According as her vantage most she spide And still she watcht if she could hit him iust Betweene the plates or where the same were tide T was well the core was such as one might trust For she doth search it still on eu'rie side And inwardly she fretteth in her minde That nought fell out of that she had assignd 72 So shall you see some men besiege a towne Wel walld and strongly flankt with rampiers mayne Assault it oft and striue to batter downe Some towres or gates with perill great and payne And wast their time and spending many a crowne To loose their men about the same in vayne No more the damsels force did now preuayle To pierce a plate or to vnriuet nayle 73 Sometime foorth of his helmet and his sheeld She made the sparks of fire fly out in sight Still smiting him with blowes not soft nor seeld Sometime at rear demaine and oft downe right As thicke as haylstones that vpon the feeld Or on the tyled houses do alight But still Rogero close lyes to his ward And not to hurt her still he hath regard 74 Oft standing still now turning then retiring He makes his foote accompanie his fist With sword with shield with slip cause so requiring He wards the blowes or shunnes them as him lift And euer not to damage her desiring When he might hit of purpose still he mist Yet in such wife that she her selfe was ware And all the rest that he the same forbare 75 But Bradamant when she her selfe bethought What was containd in th' Emperors Edict That whosoeu'r with her a whole day fought Should haue her at the end of such conflict With all her force endeuord still and sought To gall her aduersarie and afflict And now the more she troubled was in minde To see the Sun to West so low declinde 76 And as her hope still lesse and lesser grew So her desire increast still more and more Her
in person and to seeke him out But neither he nor all Regeros frends In France had euer light on him I doubt Had not Melissa holpe him at his need As in the booke insuing you may reed This booke began with an excellent Moral of the vnstablenesse and varietie of Fortune which as it is plainly set downe and notably proued by examples so if a man will rightly apply it to his owne state I know not whether any thing in this whole worke hath bene yea or can be said to better purpose not onely for humanitie but in some sort for diuinitie For in matters of the world who knoweth not that the wisest counsell a man can giue and the wisest course a man can take is this Vtnecoppressus sis aduersis rebus necelatus secundis neither to be abasht with aduersitie nor puffed vp with prosperitie and in diuinitie as the most learned diuines haue written the two onely rocks at which our vessells make shipwrade the Silla and Caribdis that drown so many thousand Christians in this their worldly passage are these two extreames of presumption and dispaire betweene which two he that can keepe his course euen it is vnpossible be should miscarrie but by wonderfull and euen most wilfull negligence In the great curtesie vsed by Leon toward Rogero and afterward by Rogero toward him as is shewed both in this booke and the next we may note first the wonderfull effects of vertue that breeds loue not in strangers onely but euen in enemies secondly we may see that a man of a true noble nature thinks himselfe more bound to requite a benefit then to reuenge an iniurie For to fayle in reuenge often proceedeth of vertue but to be vnthankfull is a most hatefull thing euen in the greatest and can neuer proceed but from a most vile nature In Charles may be noted the iust and moderate proceeding of a wife and discreet Prince who when the controuersie about Bradamant began to grow so intricate that it was hard to discouer where the right was in the hearing of the matter he shewd no maner of partialitie and in the end referred ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã the determining of the free Court of Parliament thereby shewing that he presumed not too farre of his owne wit and that he meant to haue the matter heard openly and indifferently and yet he did wisely remoue from himselfe the enuie and grudge that might grow to him by giuing a definit sentence in a cause so ambiguous which a wise Prince will eschue as much as may be specially when the matter shall concerne great personages Polycrates was king of Samos a man so exceeding fortunate that he tooke no exploit in hand were it neuer so difficult but be brought it to the end he desired so as being willing as it seemed to moderat this great enuie of his fortune with a voluntarie mishap he threw one day into the sea a iewell of exceeding great value with purpose to leese it and thereby to frame to himselfe a cause of sorrow but his good fortune would not suffer it for a Fisherman not long after bringing him a faire fish for a present this iewell was found in the bellie of that fish and so most strangely recouered Yet behold this fortunate Polycrates going with an armie against Darius was taken prisoner by one Orontes one of Darius Captains and after hanged vpon the top of a high mountaine doubtlesse a notable example for such as make fortune their Goddesse if any such there be who haue indeed no reason to thinke they are aduanced by fortune but euen the guiltinesse of their owne base and vicious minds worthy of no part of Polycrates aduancement but euen his last Dionysius a tyrant of Sicilie and sonne of that tyrant that spoiled the Churches and tooke away a cloke of gold from Iupiter saying a cloth cloke was lighter for summer and warmer for winter and tooke away Aesculapius golden beard saying it was a sawcie part for him to haue a long beard and his father Apollo to haâe none This Dionysius that we may see how well the children of them prosper that scorne the false gods and beleeue not in the true continued his fathers tyrannie in Syracusa and was by them inforced to flye the Realme so as being a runnegate hauing no meanes to liue he went to Corinth and liued there a priuate and meane life as in the life of Tymoleon in Plutarke is set downe at large and is verie well worth the reading for the many prettie sayings and pleasant scoffings that were giuen him and some returned by him againe as that of one that in derision comming into the roome where Dionysius sat in a blinde tauerne or alehouse shooke his gowne so they vsed to do that came to the presence of tyrants to show they had no weapons about them tush saith Dionysius this was needlesse at your comming in but at your going out it would not be amisse to see if you steale nothing with you Yet this vertue Dionysius had if a tyrant can haue any vertue that he bare his aduersitie not onely patiently but euen pleasantly which is surely praiseworthy according to that I spake before in the Morall not to be abashed with euill fortune which also Dionysius himselfe confessed he had gotten by Philosophy and sure it is a point of good courage to be able to beare aduersitie according to that saying Fortiter ille facit qui miser esse potest Of Marius I need not speake much considering how largely his whole life is set downe in the forenamed Plutarkes liues onely I will adde a word of Valerius Maximus opinion of his fortune Nothing in the world saith he could be more variable then the state of Marius For if you will place him among the vnfortunate you shall find him most miserable if among the happie you shall finde him most fortunate Two examples are alledged by mine author of this age Lewes the 12. of France and Mathia Coruino of Hungary Of these two a word Charles the 8. king of France conceiuing some displeasure against the Duke of Orleans father to to this Lewes cut off his head and was in some doubt and mammering if he should not do as much to his sonne yet after many hard aduentures it was his hap at last to be king of France Mathia Coruino was kept in close prison by Vladislaus king of Hungarie because his elder brother had slaine the Earle of Cyglia vnckle to the said king but the king dying young and without issue this Mathia was made of a prisoner a Prince but of this kind of sodaine change our Realme hath one example that passeth not onely these but all I thinke that haue bene heard of or written and that is the Queenes most excellent Maiestie that now is who from the expectation of a most vndeserued death came to the possession of a most renowned kingdome for what greater extremity could one come from or what
greater felicitie might one come to She that was sent for from Asbridge with commandement to be brought either aliue or dead she that was committed to the Towre of London she that was so often and so straightly examined she that demanded if the Lady Ianes scaffold were taken downe doubting to play on the same such another Pageant she that doubted murdering if her keeper had bene an ill disposed man she that sent word to her seruants that came to know how she did tanquam ouis lastly she that wrate in the window at Woodstocke with a Diamond Much suspected by me quoth Elizabeth prisoner Nothing proued can be quoth Elizabeth prisoner Became of the sodaine a crowned Queene with greater applause then either Lewes in France or Coruino in Hungarie and not onely hath raigned but doth raigne most happily All which her highnesse troubles my selfe haue the better cause to remember because the first worke I did after I could write Latin was to translate that storie out of the booke of Martyrs into Latin as M. Thomas Arundell and Sir Edward Hobby can tell who had their parts in the same taske being then schollers in Eaton as I was and nmaely that last verse I remember was translated thus Plurimi de me malè suspicantur Attamen de me mala non probantur Elizabetha carcere clausa And thus much for example of the change of fortunes In Bradamants fight against Rogero we may see how our opinion blinded with a false supposition striveth oftentimes most vehemently against that it would be loth to ouerthrow if it were rightly informed The cruell minde of the Theodora alludes to the cruelty of another Theodora wife to Iustinianus who exercised all those cruelties that this intended against Rogero vpon Pope Vigilius Here and the notes of the xlv booke THE XLVI BOOKE THE ARGVMENT Leon by search doth good Rogero finde And hauing learnd the cause of his annoy He grants to him his loue in manner kinde Whom now Rogero sweetly doth enioy Onely the Sarzan king with hatefull minde Comes to disturbe Rogeros ease and toy Nathelesse he is decciu'd of his account In fine Rogero kills fierce Rodomount 1 NOw if my compasse and my card be trew I am not fatre from that desired cost Where I shal pay my vow and promise dew Vnto my Saint of whose great grace I bost I looked earst with pale and chearlesse hew For feare in this wide Ocean to be lost But now me thinke I see I now see surely The hau'n in which I harbor shall securely 2 Harke harke what peals of Ord'nance great and Guns Are shot in token of congratulation Harke how they sound the Trumpets the Drums To gratulate my happie nauigation See how on either shore the people runs To see me after my long per'grination Behold a crew of peerlesse knights and dames Now I discerne them now I know their names 3 But least my ship should perish in the port As oft it doth befall for want of heed I will go forward in my first report And tell to you how well the prince did speed That sought Rogero who in wofull fort Did pine and languished and wisht indeed Sith that dame Bradamant he might not marry To dye all comfortlesse and solitary 4 But sage Melyssa that had euer sought To make that match as often hath bene fed And euermore did take great care and thought That good Rogero Bradamant might wed By her great skill in Magicko art so wrought She had continuall notice how they sped Two sprites she did imploy for that intent And still as one came home another went 5 By them she quickly had intelligence How he had tane so inward griefe and great He taryd in a wood with firme pretence To pine himselfe away with want of meat Melyssa parteth presently from thence And with some secret words she did repeat In likenesse of a horse a sprite she tooke And to met Leon that for him did looke 6 And thus she said to him sir if you be So gracious as your semblance makes me weene If your good minde with your good lookes agree If so you haue not lost all pittie cleene Come then o'come and helpe and ioyne with me To ayd the brauest knight that ere was seene Who for one curteous part that he hath done Except you helpe is like to bevndone 7 The noblest stourest and the prowest knight That euer carryd shield or blade forth drew The seemlyest and most worthy minded wight That euer was in age or old or new Is like to perish in most wofull plight Except he may relieued be by you Come quickly then vnto his aide perdye And suffer not so braue a man to dye 8 Don Leon straight supposed in his minde That this same knight of whom the stranger spake Was he whom long he sought and could not finde And be for whom such care himselfe did take Melissa leads the way he close behind Doth follow her and so good shift they make That in some twaine at most in three houres ryding They came there where Rogero was abyding 9 Now being at the place to which they hafted They both alighted there with minde to stay There saw they how he pinde away and wasted For in two dayes before nor all that day No liquor he had drunke nor meat had tasted But in his armor on the ground he lay And made a pillow of that noble sheeld With th'Vnicorne vpon vermillion feeld 10 Here as I said he lay along and mused On his owne miserie and on that wrong With which he had his loue so much abused And bites for griefe his hands and lips and tong And his conceits and wits were so confused To set his thoughts vpon one thing so long And hauing on his griefe so firmely fixt them He saw not them although he were betwixt them 11 Don Leon harkned to his lamentation And heard him often call himselfe vnkind And saw him vexe himselfe in such a fashion As vnto pittie great his heart inclind He finds that loue bred all this molestation But yet whose loue it was he did not find He heard how sundry times himselfe he blamed But all that while his loue he neuer named 12 And therefore pitying much his wofull case Although awhile he silent stood and mute Yet after stood before him face to face And with great louingnesse doth him salute And with affection great doth him imbrace Intreating him and making speciall sute That he would tell him plaine and make him know What cause had bred him so great griefe and woe 13 Rogero loth to liue resolu'd to dye Prayes Leon now to trouble him no more But he most sweetly doth to him reply That God hath made a salue for eu'uie sore If men would learne the same how to apply And that no one thing may auayle man more To cure a griefe and perfectly to heale it Then if he do vnto some frend reucale it 14 And
sure said he I take it in ill part Because you trust not me that am your frend Not onely since with your late frendly part You bound me vnto you to my liues end But was eu'n then when you with hatefull hart At Belgrade siege did me and mine offend Thinke not but I will still procure your good Both with my lands my frends and with my blood 15 Why should it grieue you to declare your griefe To one that may perhaps your losse repayre Bad haps are holpe with hope and good beliefe Wherefore a wise man neuer will dispayre I hope my selfe shall bring you some reliefe By force by policie or else by prayre When all meanes haue bene tryde and all hope past Then dye at least keepe that vnto the last 16 These words so earnestly Don Leon spake And with such efficacie him he praid Beleeching him his frendly counsell take That tother now with kindnesse ouerlaid Was forst an answer vnto him to make But in his answer sodainly he staid And slammerd twise ere he could bring it out Dispaire still mouing him to causlesse doubt 17 Good sir he said when I my name shall show As I do meane and that eu'n by and by You will be then full well content I trow To grant me leaue and libertie to dye I am Rogero if you needs will know That went from France and if I shall not lye Mine arrant was your fire and you to kill And would haue done it had I had my will 18 And all because indeeed I then supposed Your onely life did let me of my loue Man purposes but all things are disposed By that great God that fits and rules aboue Behold it hapst I was in prison closed And there I did your noble courtsie proue For there you did me such a great good turne As all my haued into loue did turne 19 And hauing bound me with so great desart And ignorant that I Rogero was You did your secrets vnto me impart And praid me win for you that warlike lasse Which was all one as to haue askt my hart Yet loe for you I brought the same to passe Now take her to your selfe and much good do you More good then to my selfe I with vnto you 20 But yet withall forbid me not to dye As now I trust I shall ere many houres For liue as well without a soule can I As without her that holds my vitall powres And sure t is best for your behoofe for why While I do liue she is not lawfull yours For we two are betrotht and law allowes One woman but of one to be the spouse 21 Don Leon with these newes was so accrazed He seemed in a traunce he knew not how And on Rogero stedfastly he gazed Not euer mouing lip nor hand nor brow But like an Image long he stood amazed That some hath hallowd to performe his vow This act of his so curteous he doth weene He thinks the like before had neuer beene 22 So that he did not when he knew his name Repent him of the good he had him done But rather greatly did increase the same Proceeding in the course he had begunne Wherefore to shew from how great stocke he came And that he was indeed an Emperiors sonne Although in other things he was inferior In courtesie he meanes to be superior 23 And thus he said my deare Rogero know If I as well had knowne your person when As by your meanes I had an ouerthrow And that you foyled me and all my men Yet that great vertue that you there did show Should eu'n in manner like haue mou'd me then And so I would all malice haue remoued And so I would your vertue great haue loued 24 That once I did dislike Rogeros name Before I knew you I must needs confesse But that I now continue should the same Assure your selfe I purpose nothing lesse And if when first I to the prison came To set you free from danger and distresse I knowne had all the truth yet then I vow I would haue done the same I will do now 25 And surely if I would haue done it then When I had reason to haue borne you hate Much rather now I ought to do it when Not doing it I should be most vngrate And most vnthankfull of all other men Sith you your loue your life and whole estate Haue freely giuen for me but as you gaue it Of me againe so freely you shall haue it 26 More due to you then me the Damzell is Whom though I much esteeme of due desart Yet not so much that if I her do misse Straightwayes the griefe thereof should kil my hart Nor shall your death auantage me in this Sith you in her alreadie claime such part That lawfully while you abide in life She can by no meanes be anothers wise 27 As for my part first I will quite forsake Both her and all my worldly ioyes beside Then it shall once be said that for may sake A noble knight of so great worth had dide This onely thing I could vnkindly take That you that had before my kindnes tride Would rather chuse to end your daies with griefe Then at my hands haue comfort and reliese 28 These words Don Leon spake and many more Which now would be too tedious to recite Refuting good Rogero euermore That in conclusion being vanquisht quite He said I yeeld and I le resist no more I will not die but when shall I requite Your courtesie that twise to me haue giuen My life when I to greatest woe was driuen 29 Now had Melissa caused to be brought Both cordiall meates and wines of her puruaying And made him take the same who now with thought And tasting long was eu'n almost decaying His horse likewise as nature hath them taught Came where he heard the other horses naying Don Leon cauld his lackies him to get And then his saddle on his backe to let 30 And so Rogero with Don Leons aid With much adoe did clammer to his feat So greatly was his former strength decaid With which he ouerthrew an army great And lately did withstand that warlike maid So weakly weapond as I did repeat And thus with all conuenient speed they might They brought him to an Abbey that same night 31 Where all the night and three dayes that ensewd They staid and had of needfull things good store Vntill Rogero had his strength renewd Which had with fasting long bene weakned sore Then priuily among them they conclude To turne to Paris where the night before A few Bulgarians came with an embassage And this was all the substance of their message 32 They said how that the people of their Nation To whom Rogero late such aid did bring Beyond all hope beyond all expectation Had therefore chosen him to be their king Reiecting all their owne kings generation And all his royall race no vsuall thing So much they loued him so well they leeke him And therefore
it I will accept of any one or more Yea not to faile of six or halfe a score 91 Rogero when he first had licence craued Of Charles this wise to Rodomont replide And said he euer had his honour saued And who so said contrarie lowdly lide For he had to his Prince himselfe behaued Most loyally eu'n to the day he dide And said he there was readie to maintaine That yet his faith had neuer sufferd staine 92 And that himselfe was bold enough and strong With him to buckle hand to hand alone And that he hopte to make him feele ere long He had enough perhap too much of one Straightwayes Renaldo to auenge this wrong Orlando and the Marquis would haue gone Marsisa with the brothers white and blacke And Dudon would be on the Pagans iacke 93 Alledging that sith he was newly marrid For him to fight it was against all vie But from their speeches his opinion varid And swears that that for him was no excuse Those armes that erst the famous Tartar carid He takes nor will he make one houre of truse To arme him all those states their aids afford King Charles himâelie holpe to put on his sword 94 His wife takes care his Curats well may fit Orlando tyes his spurres Marsisa bold Doth fast vpon his head his beauer knit Asiâlfâ is content his horse to hold His ãâã Dudon others thinke it fit To rid the lysts and driue out young and old Renaldo Namus Oliuer take charge To Martiall it and make it cleare and large 95 Faire dames and dimzels stand with lookes dismaid With feare and trembling like to fearfull Doues Whó some black teÌpest-bringing cloud hath fraid And driu'n from fields to shrowd in houses rooues Downe fals the haile which which the come is laid And profitlesse vnto his owner proues So do they this fierce Pagans forces feare Which sure they iugde Rogero cannot beare 96 Not onely do saint people so surmise But many knights of worth the same did weene That cald to mind what erst before their eyes To their griefe they had in Parish seene When he with fire and sword in fearfull wise Did welny spoile the towne and wast it cleene Of which the wofull signes did still appeare And would remaine yet many a month and yeare 97 But Bradamant more feard then all the rest Not that she thought in strength or skill well tride The Pagan past her spouse nor valiant brest Or that he had more reason of his side Which vnto victorie auailes not least When men by combat quarels do discide Yet still her minde is sad her lookes vncheatfull Nor blame her though for loue is euer fearfull 98 Great suit she makes great labour to procure That vpon her she may the quarrell take Yea if to haue bene slaine she had bene sure To laue her spouse but all in vaine she spake The champions now their lances put in vre And each with couched speare the tother strake The staues like Ise in shiners small did flie The splints like birds did mount vnto the skie 99 The Pagan that his lance did full direct Against the middle of Rogeros sheeld Did smyte on it to small or none effect For Vulcan had the same most firmely steeld The tothers Target had no knowne detect Yet to the stroke it did a passage yeeld Yet was it thicke a quarter of a foote Of bone and linde with plated steele to boote 100 And saue the lance sustained not the blow But at the first did breake and was dispersed So that the peeces of it seem'd in show To haue bene featherd foules as I rehearsed That stroke had finished that strise I trow And had his Curats and his bodie pearced But now it brake and both gaue strokes so sound As made both horses cruppers kisse the ground 101 The riders neare the lesse sate firme and stedie And laboured so well with spurre and raine Their horses were got vp on foote alredie The men so fight addresse themselues againe With swords their horses both were strong redie And each with skill some vantage sought to gaine And where they thought their armors were most thin With force they straue to pierce enter in 102 Fierce Rodomont had not that Serpents hide He vsde to weare nor yet that shauing blade That he was wont to carrie by his side For Nimrod his great ancestor first made He lost those armes and many more beside Then when as Bradamant did him inuade At that same church where he a tweluemonth since Entombed Isbell with that peerelesse Prince 103 He had another armor good and sure But not like that so passing tough and hard But neither this nor any else could dure Against the piercing edge of Ballisard No mixture such no metall was so pure No charme so strong but that this blade theÌ mard Rogero so besturd him with this blade More then on hole in tothers coate he made 104 Now though a little while the Pagan clokes His hurts receiu'd with vnappaled minde Yet when he saw his blood and felt the strokes So smart that still they seem'd the quicke to finde To so great wrath and rage it him prouokes Eu'n like the sea turmoyld with blustring winde He hurles away his shield and doth endeuer With both his hands to cleaue Rogeros beauer 105 With force as great he strikes and as extreame As doth that engin in the Riuer Poe Borne twixt two shippes vpon the stately streame Enforcing downe with many a heauie bloe Some peece of timber or some sharpned beame I say the Pagan smore Rogero so Had not the charmed helmet bene of force He doubtlesse would haue clou'n him his horse 106 Rogero sitteth staggring in his seat His hand the bridell left his thighes their hold Rodomont giues another blow as great To maze him more by all the meanes he could And last a third but now he so did beat His blade of mettall free it would not hold But burst in twaine with his continuall hammering And left the Pagan in no little mammering 107 But yet for this the Turke doth not restaine But still inuades the knight that wants defence So had the blow amaz'd his head and braine So dazed had the blow his wit and sence The Pagan minds to waken him againe First he doth close with him and so from thence Wringing him by the necke with all his force To leaue the saddle he doth him enforce 108 He fell but yet the ground he touched seant But that he rose inflamd with wrath and shame For looking vp he saw faire Bradamant Whose blush did shew how ill she tooke the same Yea eu'n of sounding she did little want And still her fainting colour went and came Which seene Rogero with his sword intends For this so great disgrace to make amends 109 The Pagan with his horse would ouer-runne him And iustles him but he with little paine Doth step aside and warily doth shunne him
this to do being as it were the verie kyrnell and principall part or as the marrow and the rest but the bone or vnprofitable shell or according as I said in my Apologie vsing Tassoes comparison like to the pill that is lapped in suger and giuen a child for a medicine who otherwise would not be drawne to take the simple drugge though it were to saue his life But to come to the matter mine author as you may see from the beginning applyeth his whole worke and referreth all the parts thereof to two principall heads and common places namely Armes and Loue in both which men commit great ouersights and from both which proceed many great enormous disorders both in publique and priuate For these two faults of wantonnesse and wilfulnesse are so coupled commonly with youth that they seeme to be borne at a burthen therewith and as it were accidents inseperable and a man might almost canonize him for a Saint that hath passed the heat of his youth and not offended in one of these but many doubtlesse offend in them both And this is the cause that mine authour hath propounded many examples but specially two in the which men may see their frailtie in the latter of these which I will handle first namely in the passion of loue As first Orlando who with a long and tedious voyage guardeth Angelica from the Indies then hath her taken from him among his friends after looseth her and by sundrie aduentures pursuing her and yet missing most narrowly of his purpose in the end falleth starke madde for her till by Saint Iohn his wits are sent him againe which is as much to say till by the grace of God and the light of the Gospel he discouereth the darknes he walked in and so comes againe to himselfe Secondly and principally in Rogero whom he faineth to haue bene a man of infinite value and of courage able to ouercome a thousand of our common worldly miseries but yet ouercome himselfe of this passion of loue without any resistance this is the reason that he is borne away vpon a horse with wings which would not be gouerned vp into the aire to the countrey of Alcyna which we may easily conceiue to be the court of pleasure by which mine aâthour giues vs to vnderstand that the principall occasion of our euill proceedeth of this when our appetite not ruled by reason ruleth vs. as Horace writeth of anger and may be applyed to any passion that striueth with reason Ira furor breuis est animum rege quinisiparet Imperat hune frenis huno tu compesce catena Wherefore this same appetite is that passionate desire of the minde that we are so often counsailed to restraine Now to this desire to this inordinate lusting is ioyned idlenesse as an assistant and great furtherer as I partly noted in the fourth booke out of Ouid Otiasitollas c. This idlenes is fayned by the Poer verie grosse and corpulent drunken and drowsie ryding vpon a Tortesse in token of slouth and he forsooth is ring-leader of a monstrous band of which some haue heads like dogges some haue neckes like cranes some are mounted vpon Oxen or Asses some haue countenances and gestures of Apes some are armed with prongs with forkes with hookes with broches all out of the Kitchen of all which what other meaning can be gathered but this that idlenes and slouth and the not beraking ones selfe to some honest trauell causeth men to proue drunkards gluttons backbytets reprochers iesters parasites and promoters with other monstrous and filthie faultes though worthie to be punished yet not worthie to be named Wherefore the auncient fathers haue not without great iudgement and iust cause placed slouth among the seauen deadly sinnes being so precise in the confideration thereof that they haue deliuered their opinion thus farre of it that though simply to be idle is not a mortall sinne as they terme it yet so to be idle as to be kept thereby from some good exercise as hearing of Gods word or helping out brother that wanted out assistance may make it mortall But now because in common sence it had not bene fit nor probable that a man of a high spirit and noble courage as his Rogero is described to be should be daunted with such a shamefull and base companie as these were therefore you see he defends himselfe against them most resolutely though their assault seeme terrible and their number infinite and in despight of them he proceedeth towards the house of Logestilla by which is meant vertue by that craggie and painfull way and shunneth the other way to Alcyna by meanes of the good warning Astolfo had giuen him of the daunger thereof But loe two faire yong Ladies sent from Alcyna which as I noted in the seuenth booke caried a shew of honourable and chast loue these wanne him without any resistance and make him of a resolute warriour a dissolute louer but trow you he can come to Aleyna with the bare name of a louer no if he be poore there is no place for him in dame Pleasures court he must spend he must giue he must lash it out Erifila a couetous wretch keeps the bridge by which is vnderstood that many men are stopt from this course of folly in regard of the great charge and expence thereof and so stay at this bridge and though no consideration of vertue withhold them yet feare of the charge doth terrifie them But when Erifila is once ouerthrowne then they are presently receiued into the bosome of Alcyna then all the cheare sporting dauncing and courting that can be imagined is applied to the welcoming of this youthfull Rogero Thus he is drowned and viterly ouerwhelmed in this gulfe of pleasure which mine author hath set downe so liuely as it were the very picture of the Prodigall sonne spoken of in the Scripture giuen ouer to all vnthristinesse all loosenesse of life and conuersation But because the Poet knew very well that youth of it selfe hath many good gifts of nature if the same were applied and that many yong men comming to themselves againe haue become notable members of their countreys and worthy patternes of prowesse and vertue therefore he deuiseth most excellently a meane whereby Rogero vnwindeth himselfe out of the bonds of Alcyna shewing how one day being gotten from her a thing that seldome happened vnto him Melissa recalled him againe and gaue him that Ring that discouered all Alcynas trumperies and made here odious in his sight so as now he cursed her in his heart and was ashamed that euer he had set his loue so basely This is to be vnderstood that a man besotted in the fond pleasures of this world entring into godly consideration with himselfe of his owne estate heareth Melyssa which is to be vnderstood the diuine inspiration of the grace of God calling him from the damned course of life to an honest and vertuous course
minde And now euery part of the body engenders such seeds of concupiscence that nature is become a bastard sister to reason and vsurpes that gouernement that is due onely to her and leaueth her onely one castell which was so strongly situated that it was impregnable so that now reason is retired as it were to her principall fortresse to the head the rest of this kingdome being possessed by Alcyna by pleasure and fond delights Now then what maruell is it if this new Hercules described by mine author do with so great difficultie and through so many impediments claÌmer vp to this stately seate of Logestilla built with such rare workemanship and of such pure stuffe that a man may in the walls thereof see euen into his very soule and conscience In these men see the vertue and the vice That cleaâeth to their inward soule and minde Who lookes in such a glasse may grow so wise As neither flat'ring praises shall him blind With tickling words nor undeserued blame With forged faults shall worke him any shame As for those gildings and paintings that were in the Pallace of Alcyna though the show of it were glorious the substance of it was drosse and nothing but Alcumie and cosenage but these of Logestilla be precious stones indeed of inestimable vallue The looking glasse and mirrour that will shew vs how our soule and our minde is spotted oh he that would vse such a glasse what a notable Antidoton it would be against the poyson of flatterie You faire Ladies that spend so many houres in looking and prying in a glasse to see if this shadow sit handsomely if your rebatoes be well set if your wyers stand euen vpon your heads and the pendent iust in the middle of your forheads and in the least of these matters you will not beleeue your maids eyes but you will see it your selues why are you so credulous to beleeue lyers and flatterers that tell you your chastities and other womanlie vertues be extolled and praysed and will not looke in that true glasse to see if you deserue it or no It is true that men are no fit iudges of themselues because commonly they are parciall in their owne cause yet is it as true that he that will dispose him to iudge indifferentlie of himselfe can do it better then any bodie else because a man can see further into his owne minde and heart then any one else can But now to come to this faire house of Logestilla to which I would so fayne inuite you all both Lordes and Ladies that reade this discourse here be sweete gardens here be wholesome herbes here is the continuall spring Here that vnbridled horse that bare away Rogero so farre out of Europe is taught to obey the rodde and the rayne and made seruiceable and at commaundement Further by the helpe of the ring as was touched before manie that had bene transformed into brute beastes were restored to their shape againe these were such as were so drowned in vice and in beastlie pleasures that no part of the reasonable man was left in them Astolfo was restored to his shape that had bene turned into a myrtle now the myrtle was said euer to haue bene Venus tree and because he was so entangled in Venerie that he could not get himselfe out of it therefore he is fayned to haue taken roote in the ground as the tree doth and so was fastened that without Melyssas assistance he could not haue stirred from thence Thus as you see mine Authour vnder a prettie fiction hath brought you to behold the whole miserie of the life of man and there in the beginning of the seuenth booke he exhorteth men to consider the meaning of his tale Wherefore to some my tale may seeme a fable Whose wits to vnderstand it are not able But now because there are diuers kindes of errours in this laberinth of loue and as diuers meanes by which men offen as there are diuers sortes of men that offend therefore you may perceiue how my autâour hath filled the whole booke with sundry examples both of men and women as beside Orlando of whom I spake before whose madnesse gaue the name to his worke calling it Orlando Furioso there is Sacrapant that followes Angelica from the Indies and is still foded out by her with faire wordes There is Renaldo that is extreamely in loue with her till the water of disdaine draue away and cooled the heat of his affection and the whole booke is full of examples of men and women that in this matter of loue haue bene notable in one kinde or other of which I will touch some speciall ones and omit the rest as not so much worth the standing vpon The ordinarie kindes of loue are set downe to vs of the good and the bad in two couples Angelica and Doralice of the worse kinde and Olympia and Bradamant of the the better sort In Angelica the excellentnesse of her beautie bred such an exceeding pride that disdayning the greatest and worthyest Princes that liued in that age she cast herselfe away at last vpon a poore seruing-man for a iust recompence of her too haughtie conceipt In Doralyce is set downe a patterne of great lightnesse of manners and behauiour that first louing Rodomont and being forciblie taken by Mandricard yet in one night was so well pacified toward him that she was content to tarrie with him and in the end refused Rodomont openlie for him though in so doing one might make a reasonable excuse for her but after when Mandricard was slaine she could haue found in her heart to haue loued Rogero also In Olympia contrarie we see an honest chast loue though very hardly required yet hath it in my opinion some reproofe namely that it was too sodaine and violent But in the worthy Bradamant is a perfect patterne of true honorable loue to Rogero moued first by his value by his courage by his behauiour by his worth which made him worthie of her loue In her you shall finde no rashnesse no want of constancie of faith of all other due regards for neither could her sundry ouerthwart chances neither the expectation and length of time which is wont to breed alterations nor the obstinate couetousnesse of her father nor the vaine ambition of her mother nor the state and Empire of Leon with all the promised riches and treasures his Father and he possessed once withdraw her minde from her first loue Further Bradamant did not rashlie fall in loue as did Olympia but the Prophetesse Melyssa and tokens from aboue did encourage her to her honest loue for showing her of her noble posteritie and of all those blessings that accompanie the same so as indeed in her onely we haue a patterne of honest and commendable loue before marriage Now there are in like manner two payre of marryed women one worthie all reproch the tother meriting all praise The shamelesse Orygilla and her filchie Martano are a patterne of base
a place to haue them plaide and represented in his court and he vsed other great tokens of fauour to him but specially which is indeed the onely true token of fauour in a Prince he gaue him great rewardes enabling him thereby to build a conuenient house in Ferrara with a delicate garden to it in which he vsed often to sit and walke and make verses and writing diuers other both wittie and pleasant discourses or translations out of French or Spanish with such felicitie and good grace in the Italian that his doings were in great account with all the Princes of Italy and they sent him manie giftes for copies of them but office of charge he was exceeding loth to take saying that he would not sell his libertie for the best Hat in Rome meaning a Cardinals Hat further he would confesse of himselfe that he was variable in his desires and in his disposition and therefore would be tide to nothing For his dyet he was verie temperate and a great enemie of excesse and surfetting and so carelesse of delicates as though he had had no perseuerance in the tast of meates in so much as one day a friend of his in sport caused a Muskite to be set before him in steed of a Partrich but by mistaking of the seruingmaÌ that set it on the boord another Gentleman happened to tast it and so the iest was discouered and he writeth of himselfe in one place Io non ho troppo gusto de viuande Che Scalco sia fui degno esser almondo Quando viuean gli huomiuni di grande That is to say that his tast was not delicate and that he was fit to haue liued in the world when they fed on Akornes howbeit for women I cannot so much praise his temperance for he is noted to haue had dishonest companie with one Alexandra though some say he was married to her priuilie and durst not be acknowne of it for feare to leese some spirituall liuings that he had which were not lawfull to be held by a married man but howsoeuer it was his two sonnes were counted but base borne though both of them prospered reasonable well in the world their names were Virginio and Gian Battista Virginio became a spirituall man and his father surrendered some of his liuings vnto him the other became Captaine of a band of the Dukes and a man of good account with the Duke Also there was a Ladie called Genewra a faire and modest Ladie whom he made great profession of loue vnto but whether he enioyed her or no it is not knowne and therefore we may imagine the best he fell in loue with one whether that were this Genewra or no I know not in Florence in the house of Vestucci a kinswoman of his finding her one day dressing of a core like an armour for one of her sonnes against he should go into the great shew that they haue there on midsomer eeue as they were wont to haue here in London whereupon he made that comparison in the 54. stanse of the xxiiij booke of Orlando Furioso of the wound that the noble Zerbino Pince of Scotland had receiued of Mandricardo The Prince so eager was he felt no smart Yet ran the blond out of his brest amaine And of his armour all the former part With crimsen streame of bloud it did distaine So haue I seene her hand that to mine hart Hath bene a cause of anguish great and paine When she a purple seame or flowre hath drawne In siluer kirtle or in sleeue of lawne Also his prettie fantasticall beginning of the fiue and thirtith Canto in the first and second staffe with the first and second and third of the sixteenth Canto do proue that he was subiect to that passion of loue but withall that his loue was placed vpon women of good worth and of great modestie Now though I dare not excuse him in this so great a fault yet partly in respect he was vnmarried partly because these white diuels haue such a tempting power vpon the earth me thinkes I should easily obtaine a pardon for him of all you that reade this short discourse of his life But omitting this one peccadilio in all his other proceedings he was verie modest and iust and affable and verie graue and discreet as he well approued when after the death of Leo the tenth he was though halfe against his will employed by the Duke as a Lieutenant or high shreeue in the countrie called Grassignana being then full of factions and diuisions which he so orderdly gouerned and so well quieted that he left them all in good peace and concord leauing among them a verie good report of his wisedome and equitie and winning not onely the loue of the better sort but also a wonderfull reuerence of the wilder sort of people and a great awe euen in robbers and theeues as appeared one day by a chance that happened to him in the time of that forenamed office For as he rode one day with fiue or sixe horses in one of the most licentious and disorderly parts of the countrie he was to passe neere Rhodea by a companie of armed men that lay dispersed in the shade and by meanes of the dissention and falling out of two men of some reckening in that countrey called Domenico Morotto and Philippo Paechione there were dayly diuers ryots and outrages committed thereabout vpon the passengers by su ch kinde of men so as he rode by them not without some doubt to haue bene assaulted but being past them about a stones cast the chiefe of the companie demaunded of his man that rode hindermost what his masters name was he told him Master Lodomke Ariosto whereupon straight the partie armed as he was ran after him Ariosto stayed his horse seeing him come after him doubting in his minde to what purpose he came but when he came nearer he craued pardon of him that he had not done his dutie vnto him in his going by shewing him how he was Philippo Pacchione desiring his acquaintance and offering to be at his commaundement with all humilitie and courtesie Not long after this hauing occasion about some matter of his office to haue some conference with one of the principall Gentlemen of Lucca and appointing the same Gentleman to meete him at a towne called San Pellegrino at his comming thither he found not onely the said Gentleman there ready to attend him but also diuers others with Ladies and gentlewomen that came of purpose to see him drawne by the sound of his learning and wit where they feasted him and entertained him verie noblie euerie one striuing who could do him most countesie Immediatly after this commission of his was expired he was earnestly dealt with to haue bene Ambassadour to Pope Clement but he would by no meanes accept it At his comming home giuing himselfe still to writing the Duke intreated him to translate the Menecmie of Plautus into Italian
Simile Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion Sentence ãâã Virgil âaith of Dido âri âinfoelix Dido totaâ vagatur ârbe furens Sentence Sentence Simile Sentence Simile He returneth to Orlando in the 29 booke the 41. staffe Oderik taken prosoner brought to Zerbino Almonios speech Great praise in ãâã Prince to proââââ innocent ãâã not malesaâââ Odrick speech Sentence Sentence Simile Sentence Sentence Sentence Sentence Odricks punishment Gabrinas death Hector Fiordeliege Astolfo de ãâã this inchantments Booke 22. At the bârâl of knights of â order or great persons they ãâã up their arms with a sword a beadpeece Mandricard The combat betweene Mandricard Zerbino ãâã He turnes to Mandricard in this book 76. staf He returnes to Fiordeliege and Orlando both in the 29 books 44 staffe Horace hath the like to this Ah re mee si partemanima rapit Maturier vis quid morââ alteral ãâã Looks in the story of the ãâã There is ãâã made ãâã marriage therefore ãâã being a ãâã though ãâã to her graââ He ãâã bell in the ãâã booke 90 ãâã â phrase to ãâã fire out of eâes and to ãâ¦ã see ãâã aâ noone Simile Another phrase to strike one to make him think it night as the Spaniard that had but one eye hauing the tother strike ân ãâã at tennis said Buenas Noches Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion Loue and ambitiââ two strong ãâã ãâã He commeth to ãâã a âaine in be 16. booke ãâã was Fucharââ to Bradaâats ââher but evââ like Bra ãâ¦ã You looke in ãâã Here you may begin the tale Furdispina Of this looke ââ the morall of the booke Sentence Looke in the ãâã of the ãâã Looke in the story of the ãâã That place was Marsilies catch where Richerdet should ãâã beene burned ãâã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã Simile The end of ãâã âale of Fââdispina Aldiger Bertolage of ãâã house of Magaza Malagigi and Vimea ãâã Prouerbs Rogeros letter to Bradamant Prouerbe Morall Historie Allusion ãâã Marfisa ãâã Simile Virgel wrises that Bees do fight set battels many times Horace Cana perus angus Simile Flânders hath ãâ¦ã Of this looke in the Allegory Of King Hâââ the 8 ãâã historie of the booke ãâã saith of the âge âunemque ââsculumina â aurae ãâã humum ãâã signauit ãâã messor fruit of coâââânesse and ãâã ãâ¦ã in the ãâã ãâã Sentence Rodomont Mandricard Doralice Sentence Cleopatra ãâã his diâressent Prince ãâã Eagle The Eagle was âând to beare vp âword to Iupiter Simile Simile Simile Medew and aââable ground Rodomont was sonne of Vlieââ king of Algiov Simile Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion ãâã wits ãâã sudden theÌ ãâã Lib. 2. Simile Simile Simile ãâã Mors ãâ¦ã Virg. Stat ãâã dies Simile ãâ¦ã the Foxe ãâã Proueââe ãâã ãâã againe ãâã beaten Discord among the PagaÌ ãâã Tully noting a man of light behaviour said he was a man of two colours Gradasso and Mandricard fell out about the sword ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã froena ãâã spumantia ãâã A latin prouerb Dentibus vâ gutbus ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã ãâã A ãâ¦ã possible to be true ãâã a sage ãâã seller ãâ¦ã most true ãâã Sentence Simile Lucan hath the like of ãâã Bulls in his 2 booke of Pharsalia Rodoments ãâã against women Similia Sentence Vergol ãâ¦ã Sentence Simile ãâã saith Rara ãâã in terris ãâ¦ã Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion ãâã ãâã of Astol ãâ¦ã Two excellent painters Sentence ãâ¦ã saith ãâã Clodius ãâ¦ã vlcere Junenal saith of one Iberina Vnus Iberinae vir suffuit cuius illud Extorquebus ut haec ociâo contenta sit uno He cals ãâã ââther because ãâã were back of ãâã sociâââ Sentence ãâã ãâã that ãâ¦ã makes some ãâã ãâã of a smith ãâã Fiametta ImitanoÌ of Ouid in 1. de fallu Surget amans ãâ¦ã vestigia furum Suspenso ãâ¦ã gradus Her ãâ¦ã made her thinke the fault found A ãâ¦ã women Ouid saith ãâ¦ã Sentence Sentence Horace xvi Ode 2 ãâã Quid ãâ¦ã cadeÌtes sole ãâ¦ã quu ãâã Se quoquefugit Scandis ãâã virto sa naues cura nec ãâã equitum ãâã That is to say stored with corne and wine Isabella Christianitie Simile ãâ¦ã pesius Morall Allusion Senâââ Simile Simile ãâã ãâã Looke in the Allusion They are foyd so haue beene so inchaânted that they could feels no paine of fire nor steele Isabella ãâ¦ã of A propââââ all ãâã sid bease the ãâã of Isabella Moles ãâã now called ãâã Seââ ãâ¦ã ãâã of He ãâã by means ãâã of ãâã Simile Mantell is a vesliment of solemamitie we use by Princes He returnes to Fiordehege in the ãâã booke slesse 36. and after againe ãâã 51. Simila Simila Stapidious that is so say uvnderfull Viste that is so say huge or great Two son was ãâã ãâ¦ã Oesis the maide that the sy'de be aâeth betâ ãâ¦ã Simile ãâã Quantum ãâã we sagâtta ãâã poâest Ouid de arte avr Fallute fallenies ex magna parto profaenum suns genus Verisas odium parse Terense Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion ãâã Paleno ãâ¦ã the end ãâ¦ã ãâã Neseit ãâ¦ã ãâã is in ãâã as much compassion âââfecung of ãâã Fortunasauet ãâã as the Latine preuerbe ãâã Hereu ãâã to Orlando in the 39 book 36 staff There is ãâã of Angelica this work ãâã is almost the ãâã cause why morals between ãâã and ãâã states be so ãâã taken up Dorayces speech to ãâã Mandricard to peace ãâã Sentence Mâââuards ãâã They say in Latin Malderânatââ persue verbu ãâ¦ã Ae ãâã Orlando Look inside Allussion ãâ¦ã Simile He ãâã Rogeros ãâã in the ãâã 35. books Sentence â this you may ãâã more on the ãâã end of the â5 book Sentence Renaldo Simile Morall Historie and Allusion Against isalofic Marriage Dulcia non me rust qus non ãâ¦ã Simile Sentence Sentence Zaraeâââenses of ãâã ãâã Sauage â would not ãâã upbraid ãâã Simile Sent. Nes imbellem fero'es progemerant aguila columbaâ Griffââ Aguiland Fur de ãâã Sentence Sansonet ââdebege to ãâã ââwas Zarbano They vse in camp to deuide the night into foure watches Sentence Simile ãâã Bradrââ as appears ââbe 35. booke stanza Morall The first fiftie slaues of this 32. booke are of one theâ translator as you shall be noted in some part of the notes vpon this booke Looke hereof in the Moral ãâã the ãâ¦ã in the ãâã of this book saith thus mens sum fruelâ lumps reâ Lauserum ãâã Heââesse Sentence against loue ãâã Sentence ãâã ãâ¦ã ãâã Loose in the ãâã of this shield of gold Simile ãâ¦ã ãâã Simile Simile Simile Simile ãâã Sentence ãâã * ãâã when the ãâã ascend as ãâã as ice midle ãâã straight ãâã grow to ãâã a great ãâã in them ãâã makes the ãâã beare them ãâã though they ãâã of ãâ¦ã as we see ãâ¦ã ãâã ãâã Simile Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion Of these famous drawers looke on the history of this booke This part ãâã a fiction for ãâ¦ã was ãâã yeares afore Arthur ãâã Thereof in ãâã history of this ãâã ãâã ãâã in the ãâã ãâã
where be dwele end to ãâã his going ãâã son ãâ¦ã Sentence Marfisas oration She means the voice out of the ãâã in the later end of the 26. booke ãâã It was the ãâã in the old time for ãâã then ãâã or of ãâã in the ãâ¦ã ãâã to ãâ¦ã booke 10. âhe vnstable ãâã looke in the ãâã Looke in the Allusion Because the wind â as wont to ãâã the sand sometimes in such sort as it ãâã the men that went in it âuid Metam 7. Saâ a quu hoc credat ãâã protests ãâã He turnes to Astolfo in the next booke 18 staffe Agramants Oration Marsâân ãâã to perswade ãâã to ãâ¦ã warrs in ãâã Looke in the stone ãâã Thâââ how strongly be ãâã forced ãâã reasons ãâã or ãâ¦ã made him ãâã France ãâ¦ã to his ãâã ãâ¦ã Antagonist is deriued from a Greeke word signifying the aduersarie that fights hand to hand Sentence Dulce bellum the âpertu Looke in the Table ãâã Hoââââ Virgels ãâã ãâã challeges âââade the ãâã appoints ãâã th parte ãâã must ãâã and bring ãâã weapons and the challenger ãâã choise ãâ¦ã Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion Renaldo Melissa ãâã ãâã be ãâã or huââââââcauâe he ãâ¦ã ãâã ãâã Or vie A prase to say ãâã which ãâã go faster Simile He turnes to Agramant in this âooke the 64. st Those two Ilands haue store of good sailers Simile Simile Virgiâ Imâââsum ãâã qui sentious ââguim Pressie humi mitens c. ãâ¦ã Simiâe ãâ¦ã a long ãâ¦ã Simiâe ãâã Looke in the storie Sentence ãâã of the ãâã of Biâeria ãâã booke ãâã Looke in the Morall Description of a ãâã eâ fight Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion Looke in the History of the similitudes Ariofso was sent post to Rome to pacifie Pope Iulio the second which he toucheth in one of his Satyres The Lions teeth and pawes meaning the Venccians called the Lyons of the sea Three of the name of Anâ ãâ¦ã ãâã of ãâã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâã Terms of ãâã Priest ãâ¦ã Helme is the best of the straw with which they thatch houses Prouerbs Looke in the Allusion Similâ Simile Poâ called king of ãâã Agramant Sobrinâs Oretââ to Agramanâ perswade him not to kill himselfe ãâã ãâ¦ã ãâã Gradasso Pompey berraied in Aegypt The Arabian horse is of great account Looke in the Morall of this Oââuero cosin to Orlando He comes to ãâã againe in the next booke ãâã 24. staffe Rogerâ ãâã ãâã ãâ¦ã Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion Simile Simile The Icarus was not sonne of Dedilus but of Bacchus Simile Horace sauh ãâ¦ã forsibus Est in lunencis est in equis patris ãâã c. That vertue is clemencie and gratefulnesse ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã Vir. 1. Aenead Praeseniemque ãâ¦ã omnia moriem They that haue bene at the sea do understand these phrases He turnes to Rogero againe in the 47 staffe of ãâã booke Orlando All this hath reference to Bââââ dos booke Looke in the ãâã Fiordeliege ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã of ãâã ãâ¦ã Rogero In the Acts of the Apostles Sentence Of age and deuotion âooâe in the Morall Iugum Christi suaâe The house of ãâã He turnes ãâã to Rogero in the 43. booke 188â The combat of the sixe knight ãâ¦ã ãâã was ãâã the house ãâã Morall Historie Allusion âword ãâã the ãâã of this book Simile A true praise a noble mind Looke in the story ãâã to Or. ãâã 43. ãâã 144. ãâã Looke in the story Looke in the Allegory ãâã is ãâã in the ãâ¦ã this book ãâã of ãâã Of this Well you heard in the first booke Hâere you must begin to reade the tale of the Manââ in knight that had the married mans âuppe That ãâã nifieth pleaââââ copâa cornuâ Of Amaltââ looke in the ãâã Il Salaââ ãâã the Italian ãâã Acteons armes were horneâ giuen him by Diana wherupon a pleasant fellow wrote this deslicke of one that had married a light huswife Thââda âe crediâ dââisse sed illa Dâana est Namque Acteoneum daâ ãâã Gauââ caput Historie Allegorie Allusion ãâã ãâã men ãâã men ãâã ãâã professions ãâ¦ã Omid Aureanuns verââunt seculapâurimus ãâã Venit hones ãâã amor Danaâ had a ãâã of gold fell in her lap Looke in the Table One thirst was for were the tother to know his wiues cââstââe Sentence ãâã to that ãâã Mâlutâ bene posiâum ne moue as Sentence Sentence Simile This was well considered of Renaldo Bânaco Cadmus sonne of Agenor turned into a Dragon bult the towne of âââbs Sentence Take such Laus prâprio sordescit âre and Catovold verse Nec te collcudes nec te culpaueris ipse Sentence Chast old ãâã for if they ãâã bene unchast ãâã their youth be but ill ââânesses These eight ãâã those that supported the sound in the xlij book It was a faire demaine Pallas was excelleÌnt on ãâã works Look in the Table Sentence Looke in the Allusion ãâã ãâ¦ã ãâã ãâã broââ king ãâã of Cânââll ãâ¦ã Giabana it is to be pronounced Iabana a ãâã vpon the riuer of Dae Looke in the Allusion Sentence Sentence ãâ¦ã Sentence it is ãâã Latin ãâ¦ã Horace ãâã per ãâã dios are satellite perrââââ ãâã ãâ¦ã Of these you may looke the table if you be not instructed in the historie This is said to the praise of Alfonso Duke of Ferrara In this Citie ãâã he that kept his wife Clarice wife to Renaldo Sentence Here begins the Stearsman âale Vlpian wrote of the ãâã law Of Manto looke in the Historie This Tiberius was a ruft and a CâââââaÌ Prince looke in the Table Ouid in the third of the ãâã hath a tale of ãâã vesias that ãâã smiâing of two snakes changed his shape ãâã ãâã selum ãâã est Of Fayries looke on the Historie Thence comes the saying cane peâââ angue Looke in the Allusion This was plâââ dealing Sentence Proverb Mâ master was the knight of Mantos at whose houâe Renaide supped ãâã used for ãâã reckonings ãâã used ãâã 'T is lake is Pa ââ of which ãâã speakes ãâã the store ãâã but now ãâã almost dry * You is called ãâã of Lonâââââ Filo ãâã Poe runs ãâã six myle ãâã * The standing ãâã to Raââââ 12. myle ãâã has now it is ãâã navigable * âpanâ writes of ãâã cals it ãâã Mâssanisa That Cisie is called Trapania Orlando Fiordeliege her dreame Menades were they that sacrificed to Bacthus Damagyre the Realme of which BraÌdamart was King The mount Aetna in Scicilie ãâã faââ Orat. oâââââmart ãâã leoke ãâ¦ã Orlandos mother Morall Historie Allusion Allegorie Of friendship Looke in the Allegorie of myracles Renaldo motio\Ìs the marriage for Bradamant Sentence The common opinion of the people Looke of this in the Moral Sentence ãâã meliora ãâã Deseâââa Siquâr Simile Sentence Sentence Sentence Of the comââââ opâon of makâââ marriage ãâã ãâ¦ã the slory Bradamants lettâr Rogier qual sempre fui tal esser voglia Sentence Fard ' Augâdius for mâ the Emperâ were dead deified them called them which imporâ much as sââ Simile This was a true noble nature Morall Historie Allegorie Allusion The unstablines of Foriune Looke in the Allusion Looke in the slorie ãâã Simile Simile Simile Simile Simile ãâã Simile The same Lanâa d'oro was sometime king Galafrons father of Angelica ãâã ãâã ãâã Simile Simile Sentence Pegasus lockesâ the Table ãâã Nocturâââ farnââ to be the god of the night Simile Outd Qusha succincts vbi truxinsibilat Eurus Murmura piâatu ãâã veâqualia âluâtus ãâã quâeâacâââ si quu procul audâat illos A wonder lasts nine âayâs Morall Historie This little booke was given to her Maiestie Allegorie Allusion Sentence Sentence Sentence Sentence Smile looke in the historie Smile This section of pauillion is to take occasion to praise ãâã Rogero Nepheâ to Atlans Ura deâ russunÌo unquarn creaira Tââââ Hippolito of Hectors race Proteus looke in the ãâã That was he that gaue Rome to the Pope The first age gold The 2 siluer The 3 brasse The 4 Iron These were Ambassadors sent by Coruine to bring Hippolito to Hungarie Fusco ãâã ster to Hippoli When he was made a Cardiâ Of his activities Of his studie ãâã companie His virtues His bountie ãâã frend ãâã ãâã of ãâã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã That was in the 35. booke Simile Sentence Sentence Ed res sollicui plena ãâã ãâã ãâã Simile Simile Simile The like is as London bridge Simile Simi'e and a ve ãâã apl comparison for a gâhoâd will ouârâsome a mâlliue in continuaÌce of tight ãâã ãâã bene tried Morall Historie In English not verie cleanly thus Allegorie Allusion In the Resolution of the accounting day Simile of a surset Armes Lâââ Orlando Rogero Alcyna the court of pleasure Idlenes captaine of all other filthie vices Logestilla betokens vertue Erifila Consideration Simile In the tenth booke Of armes Who are worthie to haue their liues written Plutarksliues The xij Cesars The x. Emperours The Mirour of Magistrats Ariosto his parentage His father His mother His brothers His towardnes in his childhood His seruice of Cardinall Hippolito Why he wrote not in Latine So did Virgil by Homer for the same cause His imployments His ambassage His seruice by sea His second ambassage His danger to haue bene put to death His troubles His sauour credit with disââso His Comedies he made His felicitie in translating out of Spanish other tongs His reperance in diet His mariage doubtfull His sonnes bastards Another peece of seruice in Grassignana Loue of the people of all sorts Menecmi of Plantus A prety chÌace An early riser A good copanion vpon the way His good pronunciation A prettie tale how he vsed a Potter His manner of building He was borne 1474. His writings do shew he had great skill in Cosmography