more rich And meates the choisest of the sea or land For though the house had stately roomes full many In summer season this was best of any 72 This fountaine was by curious workmen brought To answer to the rest with double square Eight femall statues of white marble wrought With their left hands an azure skie vp bare Which raining still expelled heat and drought From all that vnder it or neare it are In their right hands was Amaltheas horne By eu'rie one of those eight statues borne 73 Each of these statues rested both their feete Vpon two Images of men below That seemd delighted with the noise so sweete That from the water came that there did flow They also seemd the Ladies low to greete As though they did their names and vertues know And in their haÌ„ds they hold long scroles of writings Of their owne pennings and their owne enditings 74 And in faire golden letters were the names Both of the women wrote and of the men The women were eight chast and sober dames That now do liue but were vnborne as then The men were Poets that their worthie fames In time to come should praise with learned pens These Images bare vp a brasen tressell On which there stood a large white Marble vessell 75 This tooke the water from the azure skie From whence with turning of some cocke or vice Great store of water would mount vp on hie And wet all that same court eu'n in a trice With sight of these Renaldo fed his eye So that his host could scarcely him entice To feed his stomacke yet he oft him told His meate would marre and sallets would be cold 76 Then downe at last they sat them at the boord And pleasant talke did helpe disgest their meate His host that was no niggard did affoord Great store of delicates to drinke and eate And all this while Renaldo spake no word Although he did it oft in mind repeate And though his tongue did itch to pray him tell What t was that would please marride men so well 77 At last he put him mannerly in minde Of that he first did promise him to show Eu'n then he plainely saw his host incliude To inward griefe and did more pensiue grow With secret sighs and leauing halfe behinde At last a Page came in with curtsie low And beares a standing cup of gold most fine Without of gemmes and full within of wine 77 With this the Master of the feast did smile And on Renaldo lookt with pleasant cheare But one that well had marked him that while Might see more griefe then mirth in him appeare Now noble guest quoth he within a while You shall see prou'd a strange conclusion heare That needs must be full welcome to be tried By all that are in bonds of wedlocke tied 78 For sure I thinke he said each husband ought Make search if so his wife esteeme him dearly If same or shame by her to him be brought If man or beast he be reputed mearly The burthen of the horne though it be thought To weigh so heauie and to touch so nearly No doubt but many get them in their marriage Yet feele them not they be so light in carriage 79 But if a man by certaine signes may know How that his wife to him is true and iust He hath more cause more kindnes her to show Then he that liues in right or wrong mistrust For some without a cause do iealous grow Whose wiues are chast and free-from lawlesse lust And some that for their wiues truth durst haue sworne Haue for their labours in their head a horne 80 Now sir if you beleeue your wife is true As sure till one do finde contrarie proofe I thinke both you and all men ought of dew For that no doubt is best for their behoose Here you shall see it tride within your vew For which I prayd you harbour in my roofe This cup said he if you desire to know it By drinking in the lame will clearely show it 81 Now drinke hereof and proue this passing skill For if Acteons armes be on your crest Do what you can you shall the liquor spill Beside your mouth vpon your lappe and brest But if your wife be chast then drinke your fill No such mischance your draught will then molest Thus much he said and fixt on him his eyne And thinkes Renaldo sure would spill the wine 82 Renaldo halfe allured to assay To finde a thing which found he might repent Did take in hand the golden cup straight way As if to quasse it off were his intent Yet first he doth the certaine danger way To which by tasting such a cup he went But giue me leaue a while some breath to take Before you heare what answer he did make This booke begins with a Morall against wrath and reuenge excusing rather then allowing them that yeeld to that bloodie passion but let all noble minded men I speake to men of the sword if they do as Orlando did reuenge the death of their deere friend yet after take example of Orlandos clemencie towards Sobrino whom after the furie of the combat was past he made to be cured Tully in his Oration pro Marcello hath many excellent sayings to this effect to â—raise Caesar and all such as being able to reuenge yet rather chuse to forgiue as in one place he saith verum animum vincere iracundiam cohibere victoriam temperare c. Haec quifaciat non ego eum summis viris comparo sed simillimum Deo iudico To ouercome the passions of the minde to bridle ones anger to moderate the victorie c. who doth these things I compare not him to the best sort of men but I liken him to God himselfe Further in the same oration he cals wrath an enemie to wisedome and our common English prouerbe saith the hastie man neuer wanteth woe all which I alledge rather to proue mine authours saying true that it is hard to bridle wrath and to temper revenge and consequently the more commendable for those that can do it according to the saying pulchra quae difficilia and therefore the more noble and great a man is either in byrth or fortune the more honorable it is for him to be spare and not bloodie in reuenge Posse nolle nobile And euen in this last booke you read how hurtfull desire of reuenge â—alleth of time to him that desireth it for Agramant came of purpose into France to be reuenged vpon Charles and was as you see first expelled out of that Realme and after bereft of his life Of Alfonsoes hurt you may reade in Guycchardin and how his men recouered the Bastia from the Spaniards who had certaine Moores with them at that time and therefore he saith of men whose greater part were circumcised Fulgoso or Fregoso was Archbishop of Salerne and as it seemes had carped at Ariostos verse of Lyppadusa but he defends the matter prettily alledging that
hath 31 Now while in this same doubt Zerbino staid Behold by hap Gabrina there was brought She that of late had this good Prince betraid And had to him so great a danger wrought Her horse that heard where other horses naid Came to the noise as nature had them taught Against her will she wanting force to sway him And hauing lost the raines wherewith to stay him 32 The beastly wretch cride helpe and out alas While thus her horse ran ouer fields and lands But when the Scottish Prince saw who she was And how she thither came he vnderstands He gaue God thanks that so had brought to passe To giue those two at once into his hands Which two for their misdeeds aboue the rest He had great cause to malice and detest 33 And after he had made a little pause Vnto his seruants turning thus he said Sirs Odricke shall not die although by lawes His fact deserues no lesse vprigtly waid For sith he faith affection was the cause Content I am on loue the fault be laid The sinne to which a man by loue is driuen So much the rather ought to be forgiuen 34 The force of strong affection hath ere this Distemperd yea and sometime ouerthrowne A wiser and a staider head then his As is to me by mine experience knowne And that here in he did his dutie misse I must confesse the fault was part mine owne That gaue to him such charge and did not know How quickly flaming heate can kindle tow 35 Then to the caitiue Odricke thus he spake Here I forgiue thee and do thee enlarge But yet the penance I will haue thee take Is this to take this woman in thy charge And sweare to me thou shalt her not forsake For one whole yeare but this thine oth discharge And that thou shalt if any would offend her Do thy deuoir and vnto death defend her 36 This was the punishment on him he layd And certainly this same had bene cnow If so the circumstance were duly wayd And Odericke had right performd his vow For why so many men she had betrayd And done such sinnes euen from her youth till now That whereâ—oere they had together traueld In her defence he must at last be graueld 37 Thus Zerbin let this wicked couple go And thinks sufficiently to plague them both But sweares if euer he did hap to know That he therein should violate his troth His flesh should serue as feeding for the crow A fit reward for such as breake their oth Thus went this honest couple thence together Lurking in corners wandring here and thether 38 But what in th' end of these same two became I know not and mine author doth not write I onely heard a speech or flying fame That when they once were quite from Zerbius fight Odricke to shun the quarrels and the shame That by her companie on him might light Did hang her vp and after in short space Almonio made him runne the selfe same race 39 The Prince that faine some tidings would haue heard Of that Earle Palladine who tother day Fought hand to hand with lostie Mandricard Vntill his rainlesse horse bare him away Doth trauell on his way to Paris ward Though faire and soft and lingring by the way And his two seruants he doth send before And kept with him his Ladie and no more 40 They rode not farre but that they found the caue And that same pleasant arbor and the spring At which Medoro vsd such sport to haue With that faire daughter of the Indian king Where she their names together did ingraue All tide with true loue knots a wondrous thing They looke and see the stones the words and letters All cut and mangled in a thousand fitters 41 And as they musd hereon they might espie Orlandos armor and his famous blade Hight Durindana on the ground to lie That sword that first for Hector had bin made They saw where Brigliador was feeding by Vpon the grasse amid the pleasant shade This sight did make them both exceeding sad Yet little did they deeme that th' Earle was mad 42 Had they but seene one little drop of blood They would haue surely thought he had bin staine But while in this most carefull doubt they stood Behold there came a country silly swaine That with no little speed ran through the wood And scapt the mad mans fury with great paine He told them how a man bestraught of sences Had done these outrages and great offences 43 And further gaue them perfect information And told each circumstance at their request Zerbino standeth still in admiration And as the manner is himselfe he blest And with great griefe of mind and lamentation He takes the sword and armor and the rest And Isabella helpeth them to gather And so they lay them on a heape together 44 This while by hap came by faire Fiordeliege Who as I told before with pensiue hart Went to seeke out her loued Lord and Liege I meane Orlandos friend King Brandimart Who leauing Paris in the wofull siege To seeke Orlando did from thence depart Till Atlant to that cage him did intice Which he had fram'd by magicall deuice 45 The which inchantment being now defeated By good Astolfos value and his skill And all the knights as I before repeated At libertie to go which way they will King Brandimart though much in mind he freated To thinke how long in vaine he had stood still Backe vnto Paris ward his course he turned Yet missing her the way that he returned 46 Thus as I said faire Fiordeliege by chance Saw much of that which hapt and heard the rest How that same worthy Palladine of France With inward giefe of mind and thought opprest Or by some other great and strange mischance Went like a man with some ill sprite possess And she likewise enquiring of the peasant Heard all the circumstance a tale vnpleasant 47 Zerbino being farre from any towne Hangs all Orlandos armor on a Pine Like to a Penon and lest any clowne Or peasant vile should take a thing so fine He writes vpon the tree Let none take downe This armour of Orlando Palladine As who should say if any man attempt it Orlando would ere long cause him repent it 48 And hauing brought this worthy worke to end And ready now to take his iourney hence Fierce Mandricard hapt thither to descend And when he saw the tree he askt of whence Those weapons were which knowne he doth intend To take away good Durindana thence He steps vnto the tree and takes the sword Nor so content he adds this spitefull word 49 Ah fir quoth he this hap doth make me glad My claime vnto this sword is not vnknowne And though before I no possession had Yet now I lawfully seize on mine owne Alas poore foolo and doth he faine him mad And hath away his sword and armor throwne Because he was not able to
them sends And some of them doth burn and some doth drown Lo fickle fortune once againe intends To change her cheare and on the French to frowne With agews not with swords they all are slaine Scarce of an hundred one turnes home againe 52 These and such stories had the stately hall In marble rich ingraued on the skreene As were too tedious to recite them all Though then by them they were perusd and seene Their wonder great their pleasure was not small And oft they read the writings were betweene That in faire Roman letters all of gold The circumstance of eu'ry picture told 53 Now when the Ladies faire and all the rest Had seene and askt as much as they desired Their host doth bring them to their roomes of rest Where sleepe renews the strength of bodies tired Onely Duke Ammons daughter could not rest Though bed were soft room warm and wel attired Yet still she tost from left side to the right And could not sleepe one winke all that same night 54 With much ado her eyes at last she closed Not much afore the dawning of the day And as she slept she in her sleepe supposed Rogero present was and thus did say My deare what ailes thee to be thus disposed That false beleefe in thee doth beare such sway First shall the riuers to the mountaines clime Ere I will guiltie be of such a crime 55 Beside she thought she heard him thus to say Lo I am come to be baptizd my loue And that I seemd my comming to delay Another wound and not a wound of loue Hath bene the cause of my constrained stay Suspitions vaine and causlesse feare remoue With this the damsell wakt and vp she started But found her dreame and louer both departed 56 Then freshly she doth her complaints renew And in her mind thus to her selfe she spake Lo what I like are dreames vaine and vntrue And in a moment me do quite forsake But ah what me offends is to to true I dreame of good but none I find awake How are mine eyes alas in so ill taking That closd see good and nought but euill waking 57 Sweet dreame did promise me a quiet peace But bitter waking turneth all to warre Sweet dreame deluded me and soone did cease But bitter waking plagues and doth not arre If falshood ease and truth my paines increase I wish my selfe from truth I still might barre If dreames breed ioy and waking cause my paine Ay might I dreame and neuer wake againe 58 Oh happie wights whom sleepe doth so possesse As in six months you neuer open eye For sure such sleepe is like to death I guesse But waking thus is not like life thinke I How strange are then the pangs that me oppresse That sleeping seeme to liue and waking die But if such sleepe resemblance be of death Come death and close mine eies and stop my breath 59 Now were those Easter parts of heau'n madered Where Phoehus beames do first begin appeare And all the thicke and rainie clouds were fled And promised a morning faire and cleare When Bradamant forsooke her restlesse bed And giuing for her lodging and good cheare Right curteous thanks vnto her noble host She leaues his house and minds to part in post 60 But first she found how that the damsell faire The messenger that supt with her last night Was gone before with purpose to repaire To those three knights that lately felt her might When she did cause them caper in the aire Driu'n without stirrops from their steeds to light She found they had all night to their great paine Abid the wind the tempest and the raine 61 And that which greatly did increase their griefe Was that while those within had cheare great store They and their horse lackt lodging and reliefe But that which did offend their stomacks more And was indeed of all their sorrows chiefe Was least the maid of whom I spake before Would tell their mistresse of their hard mischance They had at their arriuall first in France 62 And hauing full resolued and designd To die or venge the foile receau'd last night To th' end the messenger might change her mind The messenger that Vilania hight Who thought their force and valew farre behind The vaunts that they had made of their great might Therefore as soone as Bradamant they spied Straight each of them to combat her defied 63 Not thinking though she should a damsell be For of a damsell gesture none she vsed The Ladie gently spake vnto them three And thought her hast the fight might haue excused But they did vrge her still so farre that she Without disgrace could not haue it refused Wherefore she coucht the golden headed launce And from their saddles made them all to daunce 64 And for that time thus ended was that fray For she sets spurs to horse and rode so post That ere they rose she quite was gone away They that their seats had twise togither lost Were so ashamd they knew not what to say For why they wonted were to make their bost No knight of France should able be to stand Against the worst of them with speare in hand 65 But Vllania further them to taunt That Bradamant a Ladie was them told Now sirs said she you that were wont to vaunt From Pālladins to win the shield of gold Lo how a womans forces can you daunt Now is I hope your loftie courage cold Sure for those knights you be too weake a match When one poore damsell you can ouermatch 66 What need said she be furder triall had You haue alreadie that for which you came Except that any of you be so mad To ioyne a future losse to present shame Or if perhaps ye would be faine and glad To end your liues by men of worthy fame Trow you that vanquisht are by womans hand Renaldo or Orlando to withstand 67 Now when as Vllanie declared had How that a damsell them had ouerthrowne With griefe and with disdaine they were so mad That scarse their wits and senses were their own Each one himselfe of armour all vnclad Their horse turnd loose their swords away were throwne And vowd for penance of so great disgrace To tuch no armour in a twelue-months space 68 They further vow they ne're will ride againe No not when that same yeare should be expired Although the way were mountany or plaine And though the way were grauelly or myred Vntill they could by force of arms regaine Such horses as for seruice are required And furniture for three such champions meet Till then they vowd to trauell on their feet 69 Thus wilfully they walkt while others rode But Bradamant went on and that same night She at a castle maketh her abode Neare to the way that leads to Paris right Heare by her host the Ladie faire was showd How Agramant was vanquisht in the fight Good meat good lodging and good news she had Yet eat she not nor slept nor
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 skoâ—ce 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 nâ—ite 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 reâ—ounded 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 â—eare Orlando had
being full resolued not to yeeld Vnto such beasts but ere he parted thence He would his carkasse leaue amid the field And manfully would die in his defence Then â—o good hap that failes the forward seeld Prouided him a meane to rid him hence There came two Ladie either like a Queene And each of them most stately to be seene 69 For each of them an Vnicorne did ride As white as Lillies or vnmolten snow And each of them was deckt with so great pride As might most richly set them forth to show But each of them was so diuinely eide Would moue a man in loue with them to grow And each of them in all points was so choice As in their sight a man would much reioyce 70 Then both of them vnto the mâ—â—ow came Whereas Râ—gâ—â—â—â—ought with all that rout And both of them those brutish beasts did blame That â—ought to harme a knight so strong and sâ—ouâ— Râ—gerâ—bluâ—hing â—bluâ—hing now with modest shame Thankt them that had of danger holpt him out And straight consented with those Ladies faire Vnto 〈◊〉 castle to repaire 71 Those ornaments that do set forth the gate Embost a little bigger then the rest All are enricht with stones of great estate The best and richest growing in the East In parted quadrons with a seemly rate The collons diamonds as may be guest I say not whether counterfait or true But shine they did like diamonds in vew 72 About these stately pillars and betweene Are wanton damsels gadding to and fro And as their age so are their garments greene The blacke oxe hath not yet trod on their toe Had vertue with that beautie tempred beene It would haue made the substance like the show These maids with curteous speech and manners nice Welcome Rogero to this paradise 73 If so I may a paradise it name Where loue and lust haue built their habitation Where time well spent is counted as a shame No wise staid thought no care of estimation Nor nought but courting dauncing play and game Disguised clothes each day a sundry fashion No vertuous labour doth this people please But nice apparrell belly-cheare and ease 74 Their aire is alway temperate and cleare And wants both winters storms and summers heaâ—e As though that Aprill lasted all the yeare Some one by fountaines side doth take his seaâ—e And there with â—ained voice and carelesse cheare Some sonnet made of loue he doth repeate Some others other where with other fashions Describe vnto their loues their louing passions 75 And Cupid then the captaine of the crew Triumphs vpon the captiues he hath got And more and more his forces to renew Supplies with fresh the arrowes he hath short With which he hits his leuell is so true And wounds full deepe although it bleedeth not This is the place to which Rogero went And these the things to which our youth is bent 76 Then straight a stately steed of colour bay Well limbd and strong was to Rogero brought And deckt with faire capparison most gay With gold and pearle and iewels richly wrought The Griffeth horse that whilome to obay The spurre and bit was by Atlanta tought Because his iourney long required rest Was carrid to a stable to be drest 77 The Ladies faire that had the knight defended From that same wicked and vngracious band Which as you heard at large before pretended Rogeros passage stoutly to withstand Told now Rogero how that they intended Because his valew great they vnderstand Of him to craue his furtherance and aâ—d Against their so that made them oft afraid 78 There is quoth they a bridge amid our way To which we are alreadie verie nie Where one Erifila doth all she may To damage and annoy the passers by A Giantesâ—e she is she liues by pray Her faâ—hions are to fight deceiue and lye Her teeth belong her visage rough with heare Her nayles be sharpe and scratching like a Beare 79 The harme is great this monster vile doth doe To stop the way that but for her were free She spils and spoiles she cares not what nor who That griefe to heare and pittie is to see And for to adde more hatred her vnto Know this that all yon monsters you did see Are to this monster either sonnes or daughters And liue like her by robberies and slaughters 80 Rogero thus in curteous sort replide Faire Ladies gladly I accept your motion If othâ—rseruice I may do beside You may command I stand at your deuotion For this I weare this coat and blade well tride Not to procure me riches or promotion But to defend from iniurie and wrong All such as haue their enemies too strong 81 The Ladies did Rogero greatly thanke As well deâ—eru'd so stout and braue a knight That proferd at the first request so franke Against the gyantesse for them to fight Now they drew nye vnto the riuers banke When as Erifila came out in sight But they that in this storie take some pleasure May heare the rest of it at further leasure In Ariodants combat with his brother we may note how the loue of kinred often giues place to the loue of carnalitie In Dalindas going into religion after she had her pardon we may note that amendment of life is necessary after true repentance In Rogeros travelling three thousand miles and then resting at Alcynas we may obserue how the thoughts of men ranging abrode into a thousand matters lastly abide in the pleasantest In Astolfos metamorphosis into a myrtle tree which tree is said to be dedicated to Venus we may note how men giuen ouer to sensualitie leese in the end the verie forme of man whch is reason and so become beastes or stockes but these two last notes will be more aptly considered in the Allegorie Historie there is none in this booke but the continuation of the tale of Geneura amplified probably though I thinke no way truely The rest of this whole booke is an Allegorie so plaine to those that will indeed looke heedfully into it as needs no exposition and it is continued in the next booke and in a manner there expounded to the vnderstanding of any reasonable capacitie yet for plainnes sake I will touch some things with my accustomed briefenes and leaue the rest to the discreet reader to scan and to applie to his owne profit First therefore of Rogero as we have in part touched before we may understand the Griffeth horse that carried him to signifie the passion of the minde contrarie to reason that caries men in the aire that is in the height of their imaginations out of Europe that is out of the compasse of the rules of Christian religion and feare of God vnto the I le of Alcyna which signifieth pleasure and vanities of this world The example of Astolfos mishap and his good counsell which Rogero followed so slenderly shew how neither the counsels of friends nor no examples can for the most part stay a man in
arriuall to the shore Foure damsels met him sent by Logestilla Andronica that wisely sees before And Fronesis the iust and chast Drusilla And she that boldly fights for vertues lore Descending from the Romane race Camilla And straight rusht out of men a worthy band Ay prest to meet their foes on sea and land 45 Within a large and very quiet bay A nauie was of vessels big and tall That readie at an howers warning lay To go to fight at any little call And now there was begun a great affray By land and sea the conflict was not small Which did the realme in hurly burly set Alcyna late did from her sister get 46 T is strange to see of wars the strange successe She that of late was counted of such might Is now so driu'n in danger and distresse That scant she could preserue her selfe by flight Rogeros parting brought her griefe no lesse Then did the foile which both bred such despite And such despaire to die she had intended If so she might to haue her torments ended 47 And as her selfe the dame of Carthage kild When as the Troyan Duke did her forsake Or as her blood the Queene of Aegypt spild For that so famous Romaine captaines sake Euen to Alcyna with like sorrowes fild Wisht of her selfe with like death end to make But either auncient folke beleeu'd a lie Or this is true a fairy cannot die 48 But leaue we now Alcyna in this paine That from her elder sister fled apace And to Rogero let vs turne againe That was conducted to a beeter place Where finding now that he did safe remaine He thanked God that gaue him so much grace To see his foes of forces all depriued Himselfe within the castle safe arriued 49 And such a castle that in starely show And costly substance others all surmounted The value of the wals can no man know Except he first vpon the same had mounted Men haue not iewels of such price below For Di'monds are to these but drosse accounted And Pearles but pelse and Rubies all are rotten Where stones of such rare vertue can be gotten 50 These wals are built of stones of so great price All other vnto these come farre behind In these men see the vertue and the vice That cleaueth to the inward soule and mind Who looks in such a glasse may grow so wise As neither flattring praises shall him blind With tickling words nor vndeserued blame With forged faults shall worke him any shame 51 From hence doth come the euerlasting light That may with Phoebus beames so cleare compare That when the Sunne is downe there is no night With those that of these iewels stored are These gems do teach vs to discerne aright These gems are wrought with workmanship so rare That hard it were to make true estimation Which is more worth the substance or the fashion 52 On arches raisd of porphiry passing hie So hie that to ascend them seemd a paine Were gardens faire and pleasant to the eie Few found so faire below vpon a plaine Sweet smelling trees in order standing by With fountaines watring them in steed of raine Which do the same so naturally nourish As all the yeare both flowres and frutes do flourish 53 No weeds or fruitlesse trees are in this place But herbs whose vertues are of highest price As soueraigne sage and thrift and herbe of grace And time which well bestowed maketh wise And lowly patience proud thoughts to abase And hearts ease that can neuer grow with vice These are the herbs that in this garden grew Whose vertues do their beauties still renew 54 The Ladie of the castle greatly ioyed To see the safe arriuall of this knight And all her care and trauell she employed That honor might be done him in her sight Altolfo in his passage lesle annoyed Doth take in his acquaintance great delight And all the other his good fauour sought That by Melyssa to themselues were brought 55 Now hauing all themselues some dayes reposed In Logestillas house and taken rest And finding all themselues right well disposed To make returne againe into the West The good Melyssa for them all proposed Vnto the mightie Ladie this request That by her leaue without incurring blame They might returne them all frō whence they came 56 To whom dame Logestilla thus replide That after they a day or two had staid She would for them most carefully prouide For all their iourney furniture and aid And first she taught Rogero how to ride The flying horse of whom he was afraid To make him pace or passe a full careere As readily as other horses here 57 When all was ready now for him to part Rogero bids this worthy dame farewell Whom all his life time after from his hart He highly honored and loued well First I will shew how well he playd his part Then of the English Duke I meane to tell How in more time and with far greater paine He did returne to Charles his court againe 58 Rogero mounted on the winged steed Which he had learnd obedient now to make Doth deeme it were a braue and noble deed About the world his voyage home to take Forthwith beginneth Eastward to proceed And though the thing were much to vndertake Yet hope of praise makes men no trauell shunne To say another day we this haue done 59 And leauing first the Indian riuer Tana He guides his iourney to the great Catay From thence he passeth vnto Mangiana And came within the fight of huge Quinsay Vpon the right hand leauing Sericana And turning from the Scythians away Where Asia from Europa first doth draw Pomeria Russia Prutina he saw 60 His horse that hath the vse of wings and feet Did helpe with greater haste home to retire And tho with speed to turne he thought it meet Because his Bradamant did so desire Yet hauing now of trauell felt the sweet Most sweet to those to knowledge that aspire When Germany and Hungry he had past He meanes to visit England at the last 61 Where in a medow on a morning faire Fast by the Tems at London he did light Delighted with the water and the aire And that faire citie standing in his sight When straight he saw that souldiers did repaire To muster there and asking of a knight That in the medow he had met by chance He vnderstood that they were bound for France 62 These be the succors thus the knight him told Renaldo sude for at his comming hither With Irish men and Scots of courage bold To ioyne in hearts and hands and purse together The musters tane and each mans name enrold Their onely stay is but for wind and wether But as they passe I meane to you to shew them Their names and armes that you may better know them 63 You see the standerd that so great doth show That ioynes the Leopard and the Flouredeluce That chiefest is the rest do come below And
Within this place both weeks months had tarried 11 Orlando when he saw he could not learne Where this same theefe his mistresse had conuaid Thought she was carride out at some posterne Wherfore within no longer time he staid But walkes about the cattle to discerne Iâ— that were true of which he was asf aid But as he â—alked vp and downe the plaine He thought he heard her call him backe againe 12 And to a window casting vp his eve He thought he saw her face full of diuinitie And that he heard her plainly thus to crie Onoble wight of proued magnanimitie Helpe now or neuer helpe alas shall In mine Orlandos sight leese my virginitie Kill me or let a thousand deathes befall me Rather then let a villaine so to thrall me 13 These wofull speeches once or twise repeted Caus'd him returne into the house againe And searching once againe he chaste and freted Hope still asswaging somewhat of his paine And oft he heard the voice that counterfeted The speech of his Angelica most plaine From side to side he follow'd still the sound But of Angelica no signe he found 14 Now while Orlando tarrid in this traunce In hope for to auenge his mistresse harmes Rogerâ— who I told you had this chaunce To see his Fradamant in gyants armes Drawne to this place with such another daunce Namely by force of some vnusuall charmes Saw first the gvant in this castle enter And after him he boldly doth aduenter 15 But when he came within the castle walls And made much narrow search as in such case In garrets towrs in parlers and in halls And vnder staires and many a homely place Oft casting doubts what hurt his loue befalls Or left the theefe were gone in this meane space Forthwith he walketh out into the plaine And heares a voice recall him backe againe 16 That voice that lately did Orlando make Returne in hope Angelica to finde Rogero now for Bradamant doth take Whose loue no lesse possest his carefull minde And when the voice vnto Gradasso spake Or Sacrapant or Brandimart most kinde To euerie one of these it plainely seemed To be her voice whom ech one best esteemed 17 Atlanta had procur'd this strange inuention Thereby to keepe Rogero from mischance Because he saw it was the heauens intention That he by treason should be kild in France Ferraw and those of whom I last made mention Whith all whom vallew highest did aduance To keepe him companie he here detained With good prouision while they here remained 18 And while these knights with strange enchanments bound Do here abide behold the Indian queene Angelica that late her ring had found Whose vettue can her cause to go vnseene And also frustrate magicke skill profound Now longing home where long she had not been And being now of needfull things prouided Yet wants she one that her might hom haue guided 19 Orlandos companie she would haue had Or Sacrapant she car'd not which oftwaine Not that of eithers loue she would be glad For them and all the world she did disdaine But for the way was dangerous and bad In time of warre to trauell France and Spaine She wisht for her owne safetie and her ease To haue the companie of one of these 20 Wherefore a while she trauels vp and downe To seek for them that long in vaine had sought her And passing many woods and many a towne Vnto this place at last good fortune brought her Where wheÌ„ she saw these knights of great renowne Thus seeke for her she scant abstaines froÌ„ laughter To see Atlantas cunning and dissembling Her person and her voice so right resembling 21 Her selfe vnseene sees them and all the rest Now meanes she sure to take one of them two But yet she knowes not which her doubtfull brest Did stay as vnresolued what to do Orlandos vellew could defend her best But then this doubt is added thereunto That when she once so highly had prefard him She shall not know againe how to discard him 22 But Sacrapant although she should him lift High vp to heauen yet maketh the no doubt But she will find some sleight and pretie shift With her accustom'd coynesse him to lout To him she goes resolued of this drift And straight the precious ring she taketh out From of her mouth which made her go concealed With mind to him alone to be reuealed 23 But straight came in Orlando and Ferraw That both desired her to haue enioyd Thus all of them at once their goddesse saw Not being now by magickâ— art annoyd For when the ring on finger she did draw She made vnwares all their enchantments voyd These three were all in complet armor saue Ferraw no headpeece had nor none would haue 24 The cause was this he solemnely had sworne Vpon his head no helmet should be set But that that was by stour Orlando worne Which he did erst from Traians brother get Ferraw to weare a helmet had forborne Since with the ghost of Argall he had met Thus in this sort they came together armed By vertue of her ring now all vncharmed 25 All three at once do now the damsell vew All three at once on her would straight haue seased All three her faithfull louers were she knew Yet with all three at once she is displeased And from all three she straight her selfe withdrew Who haply one at once would her haue pleased From henceforth none of them she thinks to need But that the ring shall serue in all their steed 26 She hastens hence and will no longer stay Disdaine and feare together make her swift Into a wood she leades them all the way But when she saw there was none other shift Into her mouth the ring she doth conuay That euer holpe her at the deadest list And out of all their fights forth with she vanished And leaues them all with wonder halfe astonished 27 Onely one path there was and that not wide In this they followd her with no small hast But she first causd her horse to step aside And standeth still a while till they were past And then at better leisure she doth ride A farre more easie pace and not so fast Vntill they three continuing still their riding Came to a way in sundry parts diuiding 28 And comming where they found no further tracke Ferraw that was before the tother two In choler and in fury great turnd backe And askt the other what they meant to do And as his maner was to brag and cracke Demaunded how they durst presume to wo Or follow her whose propertie he claimed Except they would of him be slaine or maimed 29 Orlando straight replide thou foolish beast Saue that I see thou doest an helmet want I would ere this haue taught thee at the least Hereafter with thy betters not to vant Ferraw doth thankâ— him for his care in ieast And said it shewd his wits were very scant For as he was he would not be afraid To
34 This speech by him pronounc'd with so good spright With voice so audible with comely grace Incensed them with such desire to fight That tedious seemd to them each little space And as we see in riding men delight To spurre a horse although he runne apace So stird Renaldo with this exhortation Those of the English and the Scottish nation 35 And hauing thus confirmd their forward hearts And promist largely in his masters name Great recompence to eu'ry mans desarts Vnto the riuer walls he closely came His armie he deuides in sundry parts Least breach of order bring them out of frame And with the Irish band he first indents To spoile their lodgings and to rob their tents 36 The rest he thus in prudent sort deuides The â—award 〈◊〉 hath in gouerment The Duke of Lancaster the battell guides The Duke of Clarence with the rereward went 〈◊〉 with some chosen men besides 〈◊〉 first the charge by generall consent This on a sodaine they do raise a shout And fild our side with courage theirs with doubt 37 〈◊〉 riding out afore the rest With â—â—rd to do as much as he had said Puts spurs to horse and sets his speare in rest His onely sight the Pagans greatly fraid With fainting hearts pale lookes and panting brest They shew most certaine signes of minds dismaid Yet stout king Pulians shewes no token Of heart astonished or courage broken 38 But trusting to his strength and void of foare And ranging out in sight of all his band He met him man to man and speare to speare He met him horse to horse and hand to hand But straight it plainly was discerned theare Sleight without force in little steed doth stand This kind of fight was of a rougher sort Then running of a course at tilâ— in sport 39 Thus was king Pulian ouerthrowne and tane Toâ—â—â— small tenor of the Pagan host Next came the king that giant of Oran That of his goodly stature much doth best But soone Renaldo brought him to his bane His horse his weapon and his life he lost The horse was glad to find himselfe enlarged And of his heauy burden to discharged 40 Not was Renaldo of his sword more spare Then 〈…〉 before himselfe he shewd His blade 〈◊〉 purced to the bare When he his thrusts or deadly blowes bestowd No shields no coates of so good temper are Nor cloth in hundred 〈◊〉 together sowd That this same fatall blade of his withstood But that at cu'ry blow it fetcht the blood 41 Nor did â—erbino merit common praise That of his value shewd that day good proofe He met the stoutest Turkes at all assayes On horse on foote at hand and farre aloofe Attempting and performing sundry waves That might be for their harme and his behoofe And all his band in fight was fierce and hot As is the nature of the valiant Scot. 42 And thus their firy heate and courage bold Well shewd by blowes they to the Pagans gaue Did make their stomacks faint their courage cold And glad in th' end by flight themselues to saue For Sâ—brin one in yeares and iudgement old Though no lesse stout the these lesse age that haue Doth now a little with his band retire To shun the fury of the Scottish fire 43 The worthy Dukes of Albanie and Mar Ensude in valiant sort the good successe And with the same preuailed had so far As they had brought the Turkes to great distresse Till Isolir the new king of Nauar Came with his band their fury to represse And on that side the battell did restore Almost now lost at least declind before 44 Then grew the fight on both sides firme and stable Both sides defend both sides alike inuade They cast on both sides darts innumerable And make there with a darke vnpleasing shade An endlesse worke it were to write the table The Christens kild with bow with bill with blade Sometime the sway goeth hither sometime thether Like waters driu'n with doubtfull tides and wether 45 When one is slaine his roome another fils When one is hurt another takes his place And he that now another smites and kils * Fals dead himselfe within a little space Great heapes of bodies dead make little hils The earth it selfe doth looke with bloudy face The greene wherewith it erst was ouerspred Did â—urne to sanguin and vermilion red 46 My pen would faile and skill would be too scant To tell the famous acts that Zerbin wrought How his new brother noble Ariodant A fresh supply against the Pagans brought And how still one supplying tothers want Against the Turks with mutuall forces fought Then namely when the Prince was almost slaine By bastards two of Aragon in Spaine 47 Chelindo one the other Mosco hight These two at once on Zerbin bent their force In hope that if their hands could hit aright To wound him sore or at the least vnhorse They wound him not yet forst him to alight For vnder him so sore they hurt his horse To serue his Lord he was no longer able But made the field his euerlasting stable 48 This foile and fall his courage more do whet To lose the seruice of his trustie steed But from the saddle quickly he doth get His losse his wrath his wrath reuenge doth breed He meanes not long to tarry in their debt That to his horse did this vnworthy deed And first he gaue to Mosco such a thrust As made him tumble senslesse in the dust 49 But when Chelindo saw his brother ded Reuenge and feare in him together straue His inward feare prouokt him to haue fled Himselfe from danger imminent to saue But straight reuenge another humor bred Expelling feare and makes him bold and braue He spurs his horse in hope to ouertunne him But Zerbin slightly steps aside to shunne him 50 And such a blow he lent him as he past Vpon his shoulders from the reredemaine That horse and man vnto the ground were cast Whence neither of them rose aliue againe And now the Spanish band came in so fast As noble Zerbin had almost bin slaine But Ariodante then himselfe besturd And makes an open lane by dint of sword 51 The while the Duke of Clarence doth assaile Their rere that was by Baricondo led The English archers shoot as thick as haile Which to their horsemen great annoyance bred On eu'ry side the Christens do preuaile On eu'ry side the fearfull Pagans fled Great store were slaine and many prisners taken Their battell now declined sore and shaken 52 And had bin lost had not Ferraw by chance Come to their aid as yong Olimpio fell Slaine by a knight of Scotland or of France A cruell knight whose name I cannot tell Ferraw was sore aggriue'd at this mischance He knew this youth and lou'd him passing well Because his skill in musick was so choice Both for sweet stroke and for his pleasing voice 53 Had not the humor of ambition vaine With crotchets new his foolish fancie
of France Straight for this enterprise themselues prepare But chiefe the Duke that doubted no mischance By vertue of his booke and horne most rare Marfisa eke though for the second daunce She was not fit so manly mind she bare As she would needs her force and fortune trie And sware her sword all weapons should supplie 50 And straight they all agreed some lots to draw And to conclude on her the hazard fell But she that quite was void of feare and aw Did promise to performe her office well This sword quoth she shall abrogate this law And plague them all that in this citie dwell And to vndo these doubts I will prouide As Alexander Gordius knots vatide 51 No fortreiner hereafter shall bewaile The wicked law of this vngodly land This said she putteth on her coate of maile In hope alone against ten men to stand Then came the ten were pointed to assaile But he that was the formost of the band As far as by apparance might be guest Was one that farre surpassed all the rest 52 His horse was blacke as pitch or polish ieat Saue in one foote and in his brow a starre A shining spot of white not very great A loftie raine an eye that threatned warre Such as the horse such was his owne conceat His sorrows did exceed his ioyes so farre And deadly care so drownd his small delight As did the blacke the little spot of white 53 This knight that euer vantage did eschew Would not accompanie those other nine But standeth still on horseback taking vew Which way the victorie did most incline Marfisa rode a horse of daintie hew Giu'n vnto her of late by Norandine His colour pide powderd with many a spot Small head fierce looke cleane limbd and lofty trot 54 Now when that giu'n of battell was the signe On her alone all nine at once did flie And she alone sustaind the force of nine The tenth I said was quiet standing by As one that did against that vse repine When more then one should seeke to make one die And with the first encounter thus she sped She layd downe foure of them on ground for ded 55 The fist she iustles and by force vnhorses And with a trunch the sixt she gaue a blo That to the ground both man and horse inforces With mazed head and foltring feet to go The standers by admire her passing forces And chiefe their wiues that law them killed so For as a chainshot sweeps all in the way So with those nine Marfisa then did play 56 She bathd he blade in blood vp to the hilt And with the same their bodies all she mangled All that abode her blowes their blood was spilt They scaped best that here and thither rangled Or those whose horses ouerthrowne at tilt Lay with their masters on the earth intangled Thus of nine enemies remained none For all were kild or maimd or ouerthrowne 57 The knight that was arrayd in blacke attire And stood aside and saw this hardie fight To shew that he for feare did not retire But to make knowne his curtsie shining bright Straight steppeth out and first he doth desire To speake with her whom he esteemd a knight For he could not imagine nor suppose A woman could haue giu'n such manly bloes 58 And thus he saith me seemes the ods too great That I of you should take to fight straightway Sith both your horse and you are in a sweat Mine offer is to respite you a day Till you may be refresht with rest and meate That with mine honour fight with you I may For I should thinke my selfe disgraced sore To vanquish one wearid and spent before 59 Weari'd and spent quoth she alas the while Thinke you I am so weari'd and so spent Your courteous offer causeth me to smile To thinke how quickly you will it repent You do deceiue your selfe and much beguile To thinke that I to pawse would be content I doubt not you shall find but little cause When you haue tride to offer me to pause 60 Well said the knight if you will trie it straight That you accept I cannot well refuse Forthwith two speares of mighty strength waight Were brought and he doth bid Marfisa chuse Now was the Sunne foure howers past his haight When as these two began their speares to vse The trumpets sound they set their speares in rest And each determining to do their best 61 The speares in spels and sundry peeces flew As if they had bene little sticks or cane Yet of the blowes to both did hurt ensew Their steeds were welnigh brought vnto their bane Quite ouerthrowne in all the peoples vew As though their legs had quite fro them bene tane So both their horses tumbled on the ground Yet both themselues from hurt were safe and sound 62 An hundred and an hundred knights and more Marfisa had subdude it was well knowne Yet such a chance she neuer had before To haue her horse so strangely ouerthrowne Also the knight that blacke apparell wore Doth maruel whence this great mishap was growne And not a little wondred at her force That had so stoutly ouerthrowne his horse 63 Forthwith on foote the combat they apply In which the tone the tother doth not spare And either thinks to make the other die And either of the tother doth beware But all the while among the standers by Appeared great attentiuenesse and care For neuer could they guesse from the beginning Which of the two was in best hope of winning 64 Now gan Marfisa to her selfe to say It happie was that he before stood still For had he holpe the tother nine to day No doubt with me it could haue bene but ill That now alone so hard doth hold me play As scant I saue my selfe with all my skill Thus to her selfe the stout Marfisa thought And all the while couragiously she fought 65 Contrarie to himselfe the knight thus seth T was well for me that he before was spent For had he bene but fresh in perfect breth I doubt me that er this I had bene shent Surely thought he I scant had scaped deth If he to rest himselfe had giu'n consent No question I did great aduantage take That he refusd that offer I did make 66 Thus did the combat long twixt them endure And neither party bosted of their gaine Vntill the nights darke shadow and obscure Did couer citie wood and vale and plaine And that that rest to all thing doth procure Did force them two to respit this their paine And first the knight thus said what can we do Behold how night is come to part vs two 67 You may said he one night prolong your life And longer not such is the cursed law Against my will God knows I hold this strife And now I feare and haue no little aw Lest eu'rie one that was to them a wife Whom late you kild will from your beds you draw For eu'rie one
ere they went this Earle Zerbino praid If first he hapt on Mandricard to light To tell him how long time for him he staid And meant to seeke him out againe to fight Now that his comming was so long delaid He meant to Paris ward to go that night To Charls his camp where if he wold enquire of him At any time he should be sure to heare of him 77 Thus much be praid and thence away he went To seeke out Mandricard but found him not And for the day now more then halfe was spent The Sunne and season waxing somewhat hot A shadie groue he found and there he ment To take some ease but found small ease God wot He thinks his thirst and heate a while to swage But found that set him in worse heate and rage 78 For looking all about the groue behold In sundry places faire ingrau'n he sees Her name whose loue he more esteemes then gold By her owne hand in barkes of diuers trees This was the place wherein before I told Medoro vsd to pay his surgeons fees Where she to bost of that that was her shame Vsd oft to write hers and Medoros name 79 And then with true loue knots and pretie poses To she how she to him by loue was knit Her inward thoughts by outward words discloses In her much loue to shew her little wit Orlando knew the hand and yet supposes It was not she that had such postes writ And to beguile himselfe tush tush quoth he There may be more Angelicas then she 80 Yea but I know too well that pretie hand Oft hath she sent me letters of her writing Then he bethinks how she might vnderstand His name and loue by that same new inditing And how it might be done long time he scand With this fond thought so sondly him delighting Thus with small hope much feare all malcontent In these and such conceits the time he spent 81 And ay the more he seekes out of his thought To driue this fancie still it doth increase Eu'n as a bird that is with birdlime caught Doth beate her wings and striues and doth not cease Vntill she hath her selfe all ouerwrought And quite intangled in the slimie grease Thus on went he till him the way did bring Vnto a shadie caue and pleasant spring 82 This was a place wherein aboue the rest This louing paire leauing their homely host Spent time in sports that may not be exprest Here in the parching heate they tarrid most And here Medore that thought himselfe most blest Wrote certaine verses as in way of bost Which in his language doubtlesse sounded prittie And thus I turne them to an English dittie 83 Ye pleasant plants greene herbs and waters faire And caue with smell and gratefull shadow mixt Where sweet Angelica daughter and heire Of Galafronne on whom in vaine were fixt Full many hearts with me did oft repaire Alone and naked lay mine armes betwixt I poore Medore can yeeld but praise and thanks For these great pleasures found amid your banks 84 And pray each Lord whom Cupid holds in pray Each knight each dame aud eu'ry one beside Or gentle or meane sort that passe this way As fancie or his fortune shall him guide That to the plants herbs spring and caue he say Long may the Sun and Moon maintaine your pride And the faire crew of Nymphs make such purueyance As hither come no heards to your annoyance 85 It written was there in th' Arabian toong Which toong Orlando perfect vnderstood As hauing learnt it when he was but yoong And oft the skill thereof had done him good But at this time it him so deeply stoong It had bin well that he it neuer coud And yet we see to know men still are glad And yet we see much knowledge makes men mad 86 Twise thrise yea fiue times he doth reade the time And though he saw and knew the meaning plaine Yet that this loue was guiltie of such crime He will not let it sinke into his braine Oft he peruled it and eu'ry time It doth increase his sharp tormenting paine And ay the more he on the matter mused The more his wits and senses were confused 87 Eu'n then was he of with welnigh bestraught So quite he was giu'n ouer vnto griese And sure if we beleeue as proofe hath taught This torture is of all the rest the chiefe His â—prite was dead his courage quaild with thought He doth despaire and looke for no reliefe And sorrow did his senses so surprise That words his toong and teares forsooke his eyes 88 The raging pang remained still within That would haue burst out all at once too fast Eu'n so we see the water tarry in A bottle little mouthd and big in wast That though you topsie turâ—y turne the brim The liquor bides behind with too much hast And with the striuing oft is in such taking As scant a man can get it out with shaking 89 At last he comes vnto himselfe anew And in his mind another way doth frame That that which there was written was not trew But writ of spite his Ladie to defame Or to that end that he the same might vew And so his heart with iealousie inflame Well be 't who list quoth he I see this clearly He hath her hand resembled passing nearly 90 With this small hope with this poore little sparke He doth some deale reuiue his troubled sprite And for it was now late and waxed darke He seekes some place where he may lie that night At last he heares a noise of dogs that barke He smels some smoke and sees some candle light He takes his Inne with will to sleepe not eate As fild with griefe and with none other meate 91 But lo his hap was at that house to host Where faire Angelica had layne before And where her name on eu'ry doore and post With true loue knots was ioyned to Medore That knot his name whom he detested most Was in his eye and thought still euermore He dares not aske nor once the matter tuch For knowing more of that he knowes too much 92 But vaine it was himselfe so to beguile For why his host vnasked by and by That saw his guest sit there so sad the while And thinks to put him from his dumps thereby Beginneth plaine without all fraud or guile Without concealing truth or adding lie To tell that tale to him without regard Which diuers had before with pleasure heard 93 As thus how at Angelicas request He holpe vnto his house to bring Medore Who then was sorely wounded in his brest And she with surgery did heale his sore But while with her owne hands the wound she drest Blind Cupid wounded her as much or more That when her skill and herbs had cur'd her patient Her curelesse wound in loue made her vnpatient 94 So that admit she were the greatest Queene Of same and liuing in those Easter parts Yet so
horse 40 She hauing heard by hap vpon the way Her mistris brother was at Merlins caue Where she had bin her selfe an other day Not thinking now Rogero there to haue Him when she saw she not one word doth say To him nor any show or inckling gaue Like one that knew so well to do her arrant As she durst go sometime beside her warrant 41 But vnto Richardet she frames her tale Yet so as tother might her speeches heare How one from her a gallant courser stale Which Bradamant her mistris held full deare The horse quoth she Frontyno she did call And I had led him thirty mile well neare Marsilia toward where she bad me stay And pointed me to meet me at a day 42 So fond was I I feared no mans force Nor doubted no mans will to do me wrong When once I should but shew them how the horse Vnto Renaldos sister did belong Yet one fierce Pagan voide of all remorse Met me and tooke him from me and ere long Did meet a fo with whom I fighting left him That hath I hope by this of life bereft him 43 Rogero with this tale was so much moued That scant hereof Hyppalca made an end But Richardetto straight by him was moued Yea and coniurd as he would be his frend That this attempt might sole by him be proued And but this damsell none might him attend That she may bring him to the Pagans sight That tooke away her horse against all right 44 Stout Richardet though thinking too much wrong So oft to let another vndertake Those enterprises that to him belong Yet sith so earnestly Rogero spake He giues consent and tother staid not long But of the companie his leaue doth take And leaues them all in wonder great to see That such hie worth could in a yong man be 45 Now when Hyppalca was quite out of sight She opned to Rogero all the troth How she that counts him her beloued knight And voweth to be his by solemne oth Sent her of purpose to him this last night Which she before conceald as being loth Her mistris brother should her counsell know How she that horse vpon him did bestow 46 She told him how that he that tooke the steed Did adde these proud and scornfull words beside Because it is Rogeros horse indeed So much the rather on the horse I ride And if he will be grieu'd at this my deed Tell him I do not mind my selfe to hide For I am Rodomont he said whose name Where ere I passe filleth the world with fame 47 One might haue seene it in Rogeros face In how great dudgen this great wrong he tooke Both for the gift and giuer in like case And grosse abuse for which he did not looke He thinks what infamy and foule disgrace It were to him so great despite to brooke Which if he would then iustly eu'rybody Might take him for a dastard and a nody 48 Wherefore with heart vpon reuenge full set He followeth forthwith his female guide She that did thinke the fray vnparted yet That Rodomont and Mandricardo tride By darke blind wayes the nearest she could get Vnto the place directly she did ride But as you heard they had deferd the quarell And hasted thence to help their Liege from perell 49 And as I toucht before their hap them brought Vnto the foresaid Merlins famous caue There where before good Malagigi taught What secret meaning all the pictures haue Now had Marfisa by the rest besought Put on a womans garment passing braue Which lately for Lanfusa had bin made And so attyrd refresht her in the shade 50 When that Tartarian Prince had spide this dame Straight in his mind he plots this new found drift I will thought he by conquest win the same And giue her Rodomontee as my gift As though that loue were but a sport and game That might be sold and changed for a shift For why he thought what needs a man complaine If leesing one he do another gaine 51 Wherefore the tothers damage to repaire And that he might his owne in quiet haue And for Marfisa seemly was and faire As no man need a dame more comely craue He doth forthwith vnto them make repaire Denouncing straight the challenge stout and braue That he with those foure knights at tilt wold runne Till they slue him or he their Ladie wonne 52 Straight stept out Malagige and Viuian Both prest in her defence to breake a speare Not fearing to encounter man to man With those two Pagans they saw present there But when the fray betweene them now began Pierce Rodomont stood still and doth forbeare As comming thither with another mind And not to change his purpose first assignd 53 Now of the brothers Viuian was the first That with great might the Pagan did inuade Vpon whose crest in vaine his speare he burst His blow no hurt it did no signe it made His force was least so was his fortune worst For Mandricard more perfect in his trade With so great strength and skill his speare inforced That he was ouerthrowne and quite vnhorsed 54 To venge his brother Malagigi thought But of his thought he quickly was deceiued His force thus ouermatcht preuailed nought From off his saddle he was quickly heaued Next Aldiger his comming dearly bought For in his side a great wound he receaued So downe vpon the grasse he fell halfe dead His visage waxing pale his armorred 55 Then Richardetto came with mightie lance And prou'd himselfe by his great force to be Worthy the name of Palladine of France As oft his foes did feele his friends did see But at this time one ouerthwart mischance Did hap that downe among the rest lay he His horse wherein he put so great a trust Fell downe with him and tumbled in the dust 56 When at no other champion did appeare But all were ouerthrowne in this late fight Thinking this conquest now obtained cleare Without more stay he from his horse doth light And comming vnto her with smiling cheare Faire dame quoth he you now are mine by right You cannot it denie or once excuse it For by the lawes of battell so we vse it 57 Indeed Marfisa said it were no wrong And I were yours I grant by law of warre If I were theirs or did to them belong That you haue foiled in this present iarre But I shall make you know I hope ere long You misse your marke your aime did greatly arre I am mine owne mine owner is within me He that will haue me from my selfe must win me 58 I handle can quoth she both sword and speare And haue ere this made more then one man bleed Then cald she for her armor which was there Which by a page was brought to her with speed Off go'th her gowne and for she still did weare A slender trusse beneath her womans weed Her well shapt limbs therein were plainly seene In shape like Mars in face like Aegypts
Renaldos danger did require Quicke remedie wherefore the knight doth hast And when he saw this monster and did vew her With his stiffe speare forthwith he ouerthrew her 53 But this same fall did her no whit annoy Wherefore to vse his speare he now misliketh He onely will his fierie Mace imploy And with that same the monster foule he striketh Then she no longer could her force enioy Renaldo while she fled occasion piketh To scape away as him that knight perswaded While he this monster more and more inuaded 54 Now when the knight had with his fierie Mace Driu'n backe this monster to her darksome den Where she for spite doth beat her head and face Repining at the good of other men Then to Renaldo he doth ride apace And when he had soone ouertane him then He offerd in kind sort with him to ride From out the darksome places him to guide 55 But when Renaldo was from danger free And that same knight by whom his safetie came So courteously to come to him did see His speech to him in kind words he did frame And gaue him many thanks in hye degree And then besought him he might know his name That th' Emperor and all his court might know What knight did so great grace on him bestow 56 The knight in courteous manner thus replide I would not you should take it in displeasure That I my name from you a while shall hide But ere the shadow grow a yard by measure I shall you tell thus onward still they ride Renaldo being pleasd to stay his leasure So long they went together till they found A christall spring that ran along the ground 57 At which full oft the herdmen that did dwell Neare those same woods haue in their louing fits Drunke loue away with tasting of that well And of those passions purged cleane their wits Now for the knight that rode with him could tell That for Renaldos ill this Phisicke fits He doth aduise him there to stay a space And make that well their baite and resting place 58 Renaldo of the motion well allowth And lighteth straight and to the well doth go Both for that heat and trauell bred his drowth And that the monster had disturbd him so Vnto the christall well he puts his mouth And greedily drinks downe fiue gulps or mo And from his brest doth with one draught remoue His burning thirst and his more burning loue 59 Now when that other knight that with him went Saw him lift vp himselfe from that same brooke And found he did his foolish loue repent And that he now that humor quite forsooke Then to declare his name he was content And looking with a graue and loftie looke He said Renaldo know I hight Disdaine That came to loose thee from loues foolish chaine 60 This said he vanisht from Renaldo quite His horse nor him he could not after see Renaldo maruels at this wondrous sight And lookes about and saith what where is he At last he thinks t is some familiar spright That by good Malagigis sent might be To rid him of that tedious care and wo That many months had him afflicted so 61 Or else that God to him this helpe did lend Of his especiall grace and louing kindness As erst he did vnto Tobias send His Angel to deliuer him from blindnes But let it Angel be or be it send Renaldo takes against him no vnkindnes He thanks and praises it and doth acknowledge To haue receiu'd of him grace wit and knowledge 62 Now that same great mislike and hate retorned Of faire Angelica whom late he loued Now he despised her and greatly scorned To thinke that he for her one foote had moued Yet onward into India ward he iourned As for Bayardos sake it him behoued Because both honor did compell him to it And to his Prince he vndertooke to do it 63 He rides to Basile next ensuing night Where verie late before some newes were hard How that Orlando challeng'd was to fight And for that fight how he himselfe prepard Not that Orlando newes here of did write But one that came from Sycill thitherward Affirmed he had heard the same reported By many that to Sycily resorted 64 These newes do set on edge Renaldos hart He faine would present be at this conflict He faine would take therein Orlandos part To whom he bounden was in bands most strikt Of friendship of allyance and desart Wherefore he takes post horse and spurd and prickt And changd both beasts guides each teÌ„ miles end And toward Italy he still doth bend 65 At Constance he did passe the streame of Rhine And then beyond the Alpes he soone doth goe To Mantoa and ere the Sun decline He passed ore the stately streame of Poe Here he did doubt and did not soone designe If he should trauell all the night or noe Till at the last a well behauourd knight And full of curtesie came in his sight 66 This knight forthwith vnto Renaldo went And askt him if he were a marride man Renaldo maruels what the question ment But answerd yea then tother straight began And praid him that he would be then content To be his guest at such cheare as he can Offring to show him while with him he tarride A sight well pleasing vnto all were marride 67 Renaldo glad so good a bait to make And no lesse willing haps most rare to heare Would not the offer of this knight forsake Of entertainment good and friendly cheare But onward with him doth his iourny take Vntill he saw a goodly place appeare So well set forth both for the shew and sence As seemd not for a priuat mans expence 68 The porch was all of Porpherie and Tutâ—h On which the sumptuous building raised was With Images that seemd to moue see tuch Some hewd in stone â—ome caru'd and cut in brasse Likewise within the beautie was asmuch Beneath a stateâ—y arch they straight did passe Vnto a court that good proportion bare And was each way one hundred cubites square 69 And either side a Porch had passing faire That with an arch is on two cullomns placed Of equall sise they seemed euerie paire Yet sundrie works which them the better graced At each of these a wide large easie staire Without the which all buildings are defaced And those same staires so stately mounting led Each to a chamber richly furnished 70 The cullomns hie the chapters guilt with gold The cornishes enricht with things of cost The Marbles set from farre and dearely sold By cunning workmen carued and imbost With Images and antikes new and old Though now the night thereof concealed most Shew that that worke so rich beyond all measure Could â—cant be builded with a Princes treasure 71 But nothing did so much the fight enrich As did the plenteous fountaine that did stand Iust placed in the middle vnder which The Pages spred a table out of hand And brought forth napry rich and plate
Dwelt at Giabana fit for this behoofe His personage was braue his purse well lyned His years but young to Venus all inclyned 33 That gallant youth had one day bene a halking His hawke by hap into my garden flew He comming thither found my wife a walking And much he likt her at the very vew But when he had a while with her bene talking To burning loue his warme affection grew That after that full many wayes he prou'd her If his request to grant he could haue mou'd her 34 But hauing still such short and sharpe repulses He meanes no more in that fond suit to wade But from his thought her shape he not expulses That first to giue the bold attempt him made So well Melissa knew to touch my pulses To take his forme she doth me soone perswade I straight was chang'd I know not how nor wheare In face in clothes in speech in eyes in heare 35 Now hauing to my wife a tale deuisd As though to th' East I then my iourny tooke And being like this youth so strange disguisd In gate in voyce apparell and in looke I came as sly Melissa me aduisd And she did like my Page or Lackie looke Vpon her arme she beares a little flasket In which of iewells rich she hid a casket 36 I that well knew each roome came in securely Into the house my Page and I together There where my Ladie sate alone demurely For neither groome as then nor maid was with her Then I expound my suit and that more surely She might beleâ—ue my words I needs would giue her Pearls Rubies Dyamonds of passing price The wicked baites to draw good minds to vice 37 I bad she should esteeme this gift but small To that she might of me in time exspect I said her husbands absence fit did fall And wisedome bids occasions not neglect I prayd her weigh my constant loue withall Which long had lasted though without effect And last I sware I had some grace deserued That had so long that had so truly serued 38 At first she blusht and lookt with lowring cheare And would not hearken but did still retire Lutth ' Orient Pearls and stones that shon so cleare Did mollifie her heart to my desire She softly saith but so as I might heare That for the thing which I so oft require She grant it would and would on me bestow it So she were sure that none beside might know it 39 This answer was to me a poysond dart To strike my soule in desperat disease And straight my heart my head and eu'rie part I felt a frozen iealousie to sease And presently Melissa by her art Restor'd my shape as she could do with ease How lookt my wife think you when by my trapping She found herselfe thus foulie taken napping 40 We both do looke like ashes pale and wan We both stood dum we both cast downe our eye Scarse able was my voyce do what I can To serue my turne while I did thinke to cry Then wouldst thou wife vnto another man Mine honour sell if he the same could by She held her peace and answer made me none But onely wept and made a piteous mone 41 The shame was much but much more the disdaine That of my foolish vsage tane she hath Within due bonds she could not it containe But that it brake to spite to hate to wrath Resolu'd with me no longer to remaine When Phebus charret trode his Westerne path That euening in a small barge of her owne Downe streame she swimmeth as if she had flowne 42 Betimes next day she doth vnto that knight Herselfe present that her before had loued In whose disguised shape I her last night Both gainst mine owu and gainst her honor proued You well may iudge it was a welcome fight To him that long before such suit had moued From thence she sends to me this message plaine That she would neuer come at me againe 43 Ah woe was me for from that houre to this She bydes with him where me they lout and scorne And I that could not see my sugred blys Now by forgoing it am quite forlorne Nor can I say but iust my penance is Which still growes more and will till I be worne And sure one yeare of life had quite berest me Saue for one onely comfort that was left me 44 This onely comfort brought me some releefe That for the space of ten yeares all my guests Though many of their wiues had great beleefe Yet still they shed the drinke vpon their brests To finde so many partners in my greefe Asswageth much the paine that me molests Your onely selfe hath bene the onely stranger That hath refusd a draught of so great danger 45 My ouermuch desire to sist my wife In so precise and in so straight a sort Doth cause that now I shall not all my life Liue on good houre endure it long or short Glad was Melissa that procurde this strife But soone I turnd and marred all her sport For finding she was of my harme procurer I hated her and could no more endure her 46 But she that finds herselfe disdained mearly Where she had hoped to haue found reward And me whom she profest to loue so dearly Her loue and kindness nothing to regard The griefe hereof did â—uch her minde so nearly To leaue this countrey she forthwith prepard And euer since farre hence she is abyding Whereas of her we heare no newes nor tiding 47 Thus told the wofull knight in dolefull wise This ruefull tale vnto his noble guest Who with compassion moued thus replyes Melissa counsell certes was not best That did without discretion you aduise To anger waspes or so to stirre their nest And you your selfe did greatly ouershoot you To seeke a thing whose finding would not boot you 48 What maruell is it if your wife were wonne With gifts and were to lightnes soone alluered Is she the first thinke you that so hath donne No nor the fiftith be you well assured Yea minds full sound haue wanted powre to shunne Such baites and haue not such assaults endured Haue you not heard of men that haue for gold Their masters and their friends most dearest sold 49 You should not with a dart so fierce assayle If her defend herselfe to see you sought What know you not stone walls cannot auayle Nor steele if gold be to the batt'ne brought Now sure your selfe of duetie more did fayle In tempting her then she in being caught Perhaps if she had tempted you â—o sore Your folly would haue bene as much or more 50 Thus spake Renaldo and withall he rose And prayd he might be take him to his rest He minds a while himselfe there to repose And after to depart he doth request Small time he hath and that he would dispose With great regard for so he thinks it best The gentle knight doth tel him when it please him He may within his chamber