The theme, announced as I before stated, begins with the
threatened invasion of France; to consult on which, Agramant calls
a council of his tributary kings. Here Sobrino strongly opposes
the measure; but finding his opposition useless, observes that the
only thing which can render it effectual, will be to get
possession of Rogero, a youth who is the cousin of Agramant by the
mother's side, and now detained a prisoner by the African,
Atlantes, on the mountain of Carena. This advice is better
listened to than the former, and the council breaks up after it
has been adopted, and the king has commanded a search to be
prosecuted for him, on whose presence so much appears to depend.
The scene now again shifts to Albracca, from before the walls of
which, still besieged by Marphisa, Rinaldo departs in pursuit of
his new enemy, Orlando, accompanied by Astolpho, Iroldo, and
Prasildo.
Astolpho was at the head of this party when they fell in with a
weeping damsel, who, being questioned as to her cause of sorrow,
related that, on lately crossing a neighbouring bridge, a wretch
had issued from a tower which commanded it, and seized upon her
sister that accompanied her, whom he made prisoner, and whipt
bitterly; having first stript her, and tied her naked to a
cypress. Astolpho immediately places the weeping sister behind him
on his horse, and all proceed together to effect the deliverance
of the damsel.
The damsel, bridge, tower, and scourging warder are soon descried.
Iroldo and Prasildo first encounter the oppressor, but are
successively defeated; and the ruffian casts their bodies into a
lake, into which the river, bestrid by the bridge, disembogues
itself. Rinaldo now attacks him with as little success, and is
beat down with an iron mace; but when the conqueror attempts to
dispose of him like the others, he makes such violent efforts to
free himself, that the savage, being unable to throw him, springs
with him into the lake; where they both disappear.
Astolpho remains a long time in affliction upon the banks, but is
at last persuaded by the two damsels (for one sister had in the
meantime freed the other) to depart.
He accordingly mounts Bayardo, gives Rabican to one of the
damsels, and one of the Babylonian knights' horses to the other;
and they both, thus mounted, go forth under his guidance.
At this time, Brandimart (who, it may be remembered, was in
Albracca) hearing of Orlando's departure, determines to pursue
him.
The same resolution is taken by Gryphon and Aquilant; and these,
arriving at the shore, find a castle situated upon the beach, with
an open gallery towards the sea. In this, damsels are dancing; and
the brothers are informed by two maids, who are passing with hawks
upon their fists, that it is their usage to detain every
passenger; who is obliged to join in their dance, and to pass a
night under their roof.
The brothers consent to submit to this joyous usage, but have soon
reason to repent their complaisance. They soon see a damsel
approaching upon Brigliadoro, which she had stolen from Orlando,
as was told in the former book, and who, being interrogated as to
the manner in which she had become mistress of him, said that he
was the horse of a knight (describing his ensigns as those of
Orlando) whom she had found dead upon a plain, with the body of a
giant by his side.
The two brothers are much distressed by this falsehood, which
leaves them little inclination to enjoy the festivities of the
castle, in which they had been compelled to join.
To add to their misfortune, they are surprised the ensuing night
in their beds; and, having been detained for some days in chains,
are, together with the damsel, who had also arrived mounted on
Brigliadoro, led forth for execution. As they are however
conducting to the place of punishment, a stranger knight is seen
approaching; but here the author breaks off, and carries his
readers back to the war before Albracca.
Marphisa had now encountered and worsted every one of the
defenders of Angelica, in an attack which they made upon her camp,
when she was assailed by Sacripant, who had hitherto been confined
to the fortress from the effects of a former wound.
A desperate combat ensues, in which the Circassian is much
assisted by the speed and docility of his horse Frontilatte. In
the heat of this a courier brings him news of the invasion of his
kingdom by Mandricardo, the son of Agrican. As he and Marphisa,
however, cannot agree upon the conditions of a truce, this
occasions but a short interruption of the duel; which is at last
only broken off by the author, that he may give some account of
the search made for Rogero, in consequence of what was determined
at the council of Agramant.
The emissary of the king returns, reporting the inutility of his
journey, made through the mountain of Carena, and Rodomont,
enraged at the delay, sets out with his own forces for the
invasion of France. In the mean time Agramant is assured that
Rogero is upon Mount Carena; though the garden, where he is
confined, is invisible; and that the possession of Angelica's ring
would enable him to succeed in his enterprise.
Agramant now promises a kingdom to whoever shall obtain for him
this prize, and the theft is confidently promised by a dwarf, who
is entitled Brunello.
This while, Orlando, robbed by the damsel of Brigliadoro, was
plodding upon his way a-foot: when he one day fell in with an
escort of armed men, leading two knights as prisoners, whom he
immediately recognized for Gryphon and Aquilant, and the damsel
who had carried off his courser.
The escort was, it seems, carrying off these to be devoured by the
serpent of the garden of Orgagna; but Orlando immediately routs
the guard, and sets the prisoners at liberty.
He has scarcely looked the damsel in the face, when he forgets the
wrongs he has received; and Gryphon, who had exchanged hearts with
her, almost at sight, is yet more fascinated by her graces.
Orlando observing this, under some pretence sends the two brothers
away, that he may keep her to himself; and sitting down by her on
the grass, begins to woo her with such courtesy as he can.
While he is thus engaged, another damsel approaches on a white
palfrey, who warns Orlando of impending danger, and informs him he
is close to the garden of Orgagna. Orlando is delighted at the
intelligence, and entreats her to inform him how he is to procure
admittance.
She promises him full instructions; and, as the first of these,
tells him he must keep himself chaste for three days, previous to
attempting the adventure, if he would preserve himself from being
devoured by the dragon, who guards the gate. She then says she
will give him a book, in which he will find painted the garden and
all it contains, together with the palace of the false
enchantress, which she had only entered the day before, for the
purpose of executing a magic work in which she was engaged.
This, which was the manufacture of a sword, capable of cutting
through even enchanted substances, she only pursued on moonless
nights. The object of this labour was the destruction of a knight
of the west, hight Orlando; who, she had read in the book of Fate,
was destined to demolish her garden. To this, the damsel adds,
that the garden can only be entered at sunrise; and, having
presented him with a book of instructions, departs.
Orlando, who finds he must delay his enterprize till the next
morning, now lies down, and is soon asleep. In the mean time,
Origilla, who was still with him, meditated her escape, in order
to rejoin Gryphon; and yielding to the impulse of her evil nature,
was about to slay Orlando with his own sword, which she had drawn
for the purpose. Afraid, however, to execute her design, she
mounts Brigliadoro, and gallops off, carrying away Durindana.
Orlando wakes, in such indignation as may be supposed, on the
discovery of the theft; but, like a good knight and true, is not
to be diverted from his enterprise. He tears off a huge branch of
elm to supply the place of his sword, and, the sun rising, takes
his way towards the eastern gate, where the dragon was on his
watch.
This he slays by repeated blows upon the spine; but finds that the
wall of the enchanted garden, which he had entered, was closed
upon him. Looking round him, he saw a fair fountain of water,
which overflowed into a river, and in the centre of the fountain
was a figure, on whose forehead was written,
"The stream which waters violet and rose,
"From hence to the enchanted palace flows."
Following the banks of this flowery stream, and rapt in the
delights of the delicious garden, Orlando arrives at the palace,
and entering it, finds the mistress, clad in white, and with a
crown of gold upon her head, in the act of viewing herself in the
surface of the fatal sword. He surprises her before she can
escape, deprives her of the weapon, and holding her fast by her
long hair, which floated behind, threatens her with immediate
death if she does not instruct him in the means of retreat.
Falerina, however, was firm of purpose, and refused. Hence
Orlando, being unable to move her either by threats or kindness,
was under the necessity of binding her to a beech. Having thus
secured his prisoner, he renewed his questions, but she still
refused to point out the gate of the garden.
He now bethinks him of his book, and consulting it, finds there is
an entrance to the south but that it is watched by a bull, with
one horn of iron, and another of flame.
Moreover, before arriving at this, there is another impediment: a
lake is to be passed, pregnant with new danger; but to provide
against this, he is instructed by his book. According to its
directions,
* * * *
* * * *
He, still his path pursuing, gathers posies
Of flowers, which every where about him spring.
And filling well his casque and ears with roses,
Lists if he hears the birds in green-wood sing:
He sees the gaping beak, the swelling throat,
And ruffled plumes, but cannot catch a note.
Having thus proved the force of his defence, he proceeds towards
the lake, which was small but deep; and so clear and tranquil,
that the eye could penetrate to the bottom.
He is no sooner arrived upon the banks, than the waters are seen
to gurgle; and a syren, rising midway out of the pool, sings so
sweetly, that birds and beasts troop to the water-side, attracted
by her song. Of this the count hears nothing; but feigning to
yield to the charm, sinks down beside the water; from which the
syren issues with the intent to accomplish his destruction.
Orlando, however, seizes her by the hair, and, while singing yet
louder (song being her only defence), cuts off her head, and (so
instructed by the book) stains himself all over with her blood.
Having done this as a protection against the horns of the bull,
and taken the roses from his helmet and ears, he proceeds towards
the southern gate.
Here he is encountered by the bull, whose horn of iron he severs
at a stroke. His horn of flame was however yet left, and by this
Orlando, but for the virtue of the syren's blood, would have been
consumed. Guarded by this, he pursues his advantage, and at last
slaughters his enemy. The bull is, however, no sooner slain, than
the gate, of which he is the guardian, disappears, the wall
closes, and Orlando again finds himself a prisoner, without the
means of escape.
Again resorting to his book, he finds that another river, running
westward, leads to a gate formed of jewels, which is kept by an
enchanted ass.
Taking his course towards this, he arrives at a tree of surprising
height, and again consulting his book, razes off his crest, and
makes a penthouse of his shield for the protection of his sight.
Covering himself with it, he advances with his eyes fixed upon the
ground, towards the miraculous tree.
On approaching it, a harpy with a beautiful female head, and
crowned with strangely coloured plumes, flutters out from the
branches, and hovering above the count, squirts her ordure at his
head. This is fortunately protected by his shield, on which it
hisses like boiling oil. Orlando, distracted by the yells of the
harpy, is often tempted to raise his eyes: he however perseveres
in keeping them fixed to the ground till he is near the tree, when
he falls, as if blinded by the burning liquor. The bird now swoops
to the ground, and having darted her talons into his breast-plate,
attempts to drag him towards the trunk. The count sees his time is
come, and dispatches her with a back-handed stroke of his sword.
The harpy demolished, he re-adjusted his crest, the gift of
Angelica, braced his shield anew, and took his way towards the
western gate. Nothing was ever seen more beautiful than this, with
respect to the materials, or the workmanship. Nor was the animal
who kept it less extraordinary; being an ass, armed with scales of
gold, and ears of such length and strength, as to be able to
seize, and drag to himself by the aid of them, whatever was within
his reach; his tail cut like a trenchant sword, and his bray made
the forest tremble.
Though his golden scales had resisted all other weapons, they were
not impenetrable by Orlando's steel, and he smote off his head at
a blow.
A strange wonder followed; the earth swallowed the carcase of the
ass, this gate too disappeared, and the walls again closed upon
Orlando.
He is now directed by his instructions to a a northern entrance,
and, strong in patience, proceeds in this direction. On his way
thither he sees a table spread in the wilderness. He is tempted by
the viands; but recurring to the book, is informed of his danger,
and refrains.
From this he learns that a faun lay conceale amongst the
neighbouring thorns and roses, provided with a chain, with which
she snared whoever tasted of the banquet. She fled from Orlando on
his approaching her haunt, dragging after her a serpent's tail,
till then concealed, which was as loathsome as her face was
lovely. Being overtaken, she made no defence and was slaughtered
at a blow.
The count now arrives at the northern gate, which he finds guarded
by a giant. Orlando had so often been engaged with enemies of this
description, that he thought little of the combat in which he was
going to engage. In effect, his expectations were in part
justified, as he slew his adversary. This was, however, but the
beginning of his labour; for, from the blood of the slaughtered
enemy sprang a fire, and from this issued two other giants yet
fiercer than the first. Orlando sees that to spill the blood of
these, would be but to multiply his foes, and accordingly,
changing his mode of proceeding, grapples with one of the two in
the hopes of squeezing him to death. He is, however, still
interrupted by the other, before he can accomplish his purpose;
and at last sees the necessity of separating them.
To effect this, he feigns to fly, but the giants, instead of
pursuing, return to keep guard over the enchanted gate. If,
however, Orlando was disappointed in his hope of dividing them,
his stratagem was productive of another advantage. He saw the
chain lying on the ground, which was spread for his destruction by
the faun. Returning with this, he nooses the giants and then again
recurs to the book for his future proceedings.
This informs him, that the total destruction of the garden (the
task imposed by Angelica) can only be accomplished by tearing off
a certain branch of a lofty tree, in which was involved the
destiny of this fairy creation.
According to the rules which he received, he returned through a
spacious valley towards the palace, passing Falerina, whom he had
left fastened to the beech. He soon descries the fatal tree, which
is of an immeasurable height: while the stem, even at the bottom,
is no more than a palm in girt.
No thicker; but from this close branch and spray
Bristled, whence foliage green and narrow grew.
The leaves which died and sprouted every day,
Conceal'd within sharp pointed thorns from view:
Apples of gold the loaded twigs display;
Apples in form, but burnish'd gold in hue.
Suspended from small stalks, so slight in show.
The man had periled life who walked below.
To obviate this danger (and we are afterwards told that the fruit
was as large as the human head), Orlando forms a sort of grating
of boughs of trees, and, under cover of this, proceeds towards the
tree, amidst a shower of the golden apples, which fall, loosened
by the vibration of the soil beneath his feet. Having reached it,
he severs the trunk close to the root, and every thing is
instantly involved in darkness.
The cloud at length clears away, and the sun shines forth upon a
wild landscape; where no vestige is to be seen of the garden, or
trace of the adventure, except in the appearance of the fairy
Falerina, who remains in the middle of the wilderness, fastened to
the beech.
Her tone is now changed, and she entreats Orlando's mercy,
assuring him that many lives depend upon the preservation of hers.
She explains herself by saying, that she had constructed the
garden and a neighbouring snare in a bridge over a torrent, in
order to be revenged on a knight called Ariantes, and an infamous
woman of the name of Origilla, who, though many had fallen into
her toils, had both hitherto escaped.
"Many," pursues the fairy, "were entrapped in my garden, and yet
more at the bridge; and here it was that I took a certain
enchantress, daughter of king Galaphron, who by some secret means
escaped, and effected the deliverance of her fellow prisoners.
Many more, however, have been taken since, and all these will
perish, if you are resolved on my destruction." Orlando
immediately promised her life, upon her pledging herself for the
deliverance of the captives.
With this view they proceed together, towards the bridge; but the
author snaps this thread, to take up that of the story of
Albracca.
Here Sacripant and Marphisa were left engaged in a single combat,
which was still continued with mutual animosity; while Angelica,
surrounded by a group of warriors, sate contemplating the fight
from the ramparts of the citadel. While the attention of all was
thus engaged, Brunello, who (it will be remembered) had undertaken
to steal Angelica's ring, arrived beneath the walls of Albracca,
scaled the rock and walls of the fortress, while the crowd was
watching the duel, and disputing on its probable result,
approached the princess unobserved, and, slipping the ring from
her finger, escaped amid the confusion which followed.
Having descended safely to the ground, and swam a water by which
the citadel was surrounded, the dwarf perceived that the two
combatants had separated for an interval of repose, and
immediately meditated a new exercise of his art. With this view,
he approached Sacripant, who, absorbed in an amorous reverie, sate
apart, upon his courser, and having first loosened the girths, and
supported the saddle by a piece of wood, withdrew the horse from
under him.*
* The reader will recollect the imitation of this absurd incident
in "Don Quixote," whose squire's ass, Dapple, is stolen in a
similar manner.
Marphisa, who was at a little distance, witnessed this with
wonder, and, before she recovered from her astonishment, was
herself plundered of her sword. Marphisa is no sooner aware of the
theft, than she pursues the robber; but he, mounted upon
Frontilatte, his new acquisition, soon distances the pursuer.
While Angelica, who felt her misfortune yet more than the others,
is in despair at the loss of her treasure, an alarm is given by
the warder, who reports the arrival of a new army before Albracca.
This was a Turkish force, led by Caramano, brother of Torindo, one
of the princes who had been seized and imprisoned by Truffaldino,
and who, having refused to enter into the engagement to which the
others agreed, on his delivering them from durance, now brought
this brother against Albracca.
Angelica's last hopes of deliverance rest upon Gradasso; who, it
seems, was her relation, and who was meditating anew the invasion
of France. Hence Sacripant undertakes a secret embassy to this
prince, with the view of soliciting his succour.
Rodomont, this while, who was too impatient to wait for
_Agramant's_ attack upon Charlemagne, had already sailed for
France. A tremendous storm wrecked his fleet upon the coast of
that kingdom; but he, landing with such force as the tempest had
left him, made good his footing, and routed the Christians in more
engagements than one: though the balance at last turned in their
favour.
Previous, however, to this, Gano, or Ganelon, (as he is sometimes
called) enters into a traitorous correspondence with Marsilius,
whom he invites into France.
While great events are preparing in this quarter, the author
resumes the story of Orlando, who was journeying with Falerina
towards the bridge, where so many prisoners were entrapped. On
their way thither, however, they arrived at a yet more perilous
pass: this was the bridge, and lake into which the felon warrior
leaped with Rinaldo in his arms. Falerina, enchantress as she was,
turned pale at the sight of this place, and cursed the hour in
which they had taken the road which conducted them thither;
informing Orlando that they were approaching a snare, laid by
Morgana; who plotted revenge against a knight who had destroyed
many of her spells, and set at nought her riches and her power.
For this purpose she had formed the lake; and selected, as a
defender of the pass, a man named Arridano, a churl of the most
ferocious and pitiless character she could find. Him she had
clothed in invulnerable arms, and charmed in such a manner, that
his strength always increased in a six-fold proportion to that of
the adversary with whom he was matched. Hence, no one had hitherto
escaped from the contest; since, such was his strength and power
of endurance, that he could breathe freely under water. Hence,
having grappled with a knight, and sunk with him to the bottom of
the lake, he returned, bearing his arms in triumph to the top.
While Falerina is explaining the danger of the enterprise, Orlando
sees Rinaldo's arms, erected in form of a trophy, amongst other
spoils made by the villain; and forgetting their late quarrel,
determines upon revenging his friend. A desperate contest ensues
between the churl and the knight, during which Falerina flies. The
combatants (as in the case of Rinaldo) both grapple, and sink
together in the water. Arrived at the bottom, Orlando finds
himself in another world, upon a dry meadow, with the lake
overhead, through which shone the beams of our sun; the meadow
being on all sides surrounded by a crystal wall. Here the battle
was renewed, and in this Orlando had an advantage, which none had
hitherto possessed. Besides that he was himself invulnerable, he
was now in possession of the sword, tempered by Falerina, against
which no spells could avail. Thus armed, and countervailing the
strength of his adversary by his superior skill and activity, he
had the good fortune to lay him dead upon the field.
Orlando having slain his foe, discovers a gate in the crystal
wall; and having passed through a dark labyrinth, comes at last
where it is lighted by a carbuncle, whose lustre was equal to that
of day. This discovered to his view a river little less than
twenty-yards over, and beyond this was seen a field as thickly
covered with precious stones as the sky is full of stars.
Over this was thrown a bridge, only half a palm wide, and at each
end was stationed an iron figure with a mace. Orlando no sooner
attempted to pass this, than the figures smote upon it, and it was
instantly engulphed in the stream. Orlando however, being resolved
to accomplish the adventure or perish in the attempt, leapt the
river and arrived in the field, which contained the treasures of
the fairy.
When he had arrived at the other extremity of this, he entered a
building, where he beheld the likeness of a king, surrounded by
his peers, and encompassed by all the pomp and magnificence of
royalty. The monarch appeared to be seated at a banquet, with a
naked sword suspended over his head, and on the table before him
was a live coal, supported on a golden lily, which gave light to
the apartment. On his left stood a figure with a bended bow in
guise of one who waits the crossing of the stag; and on the right,
the form of one, who, from his likeness to the king, appeared to
be his brother, and who bore in one hand a writing illustrative of
the vanity of his worldly pursuits.
The troubled countenance of the king seemed to bear witness to the
truth of the inscription; and Orlando, having satisfied his
curiosity, departed through the door opposite to that by which he
had entered. He was however no sooner out of the apartment, than
all was darkness.
After wandering for some time at random, he bethought himself of
the coal, which was burning before the king, and returned in order
to take it. He had however no sooner laid his hand upon this, than
the archer let fly his arrow, which extinguished it, and night
followed. This was rendered terrible by an earthquake, which shook
the world to its centre. The earthquake at last ceased, the light
rekindled of itself, and all was as before. Again Orlando issued
through the dark passage, again was compelled to return in search
of the coal, and again witnessed the same effect.
A third attempt was more successful: he intercepted the arrow with
his shield, and carried off the light in safety. Using this as a
lamp, Orlando arrived where the way divided; and turning to the
left, instead of the right (which would have conducted him out of
the building) took the road which led to the dungeons of Morgana.
Here were imprisoned Rinaldo, Dudon, Brandimart, and others who
had fallen into the power of Morgana; but the count did not
immediately arrive at their place of confinement. Still guiding
himself by his light, he came to a cleft in the rock, through
which he passed into a flowery meadow, planted with trees covered
with fruit and flowers, and full of all imaginable delights.
In the middle of this was a fountain, and fast by it lay Morgana
asleep; a lady of a lovely aspect, dressed in white and vermilion
garments; her forehead well furnished with hair, but with scarcely
any behind.
While Orlando stood in silence, contemplating her beauty, he heard
a voice exclaim, "Seize the fairy by the forelock if thou hopest
fair success;" Orlando turning, and advancing in the direction
from which the voice came, discovered a prison of crystal in which
he beheld the captives of Morgana.
At the sight of these, he raised his sabre to smite the wall; but
was advertised by a female prisoner that all attempts to release
them would only be productive of new misery to those he sought to
benefit, unless he could take Morgana herself, and force from her
the keys of their prison-house.
Thus admonished, he returned towards the fountain. But the fairy,
who was awake and risen, was now dancing round its border with the
lightness of a leaf, and timing her steps to the following song:
"Who in this world would wealth and treasure share,
"Honour, delight, and state, and what is best,
"Quick let him catch me by the lock of hair
"Which flutters from my forehead, and be blest;
"But let him not the proffered good forbear,
"Nor, till he seize the fleeting blessing, rest.
"For present loss is sought in vain to-morrow,
"And the deluded wretch is left in sorrow."
The fairy, however, no sooner set eyes on the count, than she
bounded off, and fled from the flowery meadow over a high and
inhospitable mountain. Orlando pursued her through thorns and
rocks, though the sky, on her gaining this dreary scene, became
overcast, and he was assailed by tempest, lightning and hail.
While Orlando thus pursues, enveloped in storm, a pale and meagre
woman issues from a cave, armed with a whip, and treading close
upon the pursuer, scourges him, till his skin is raised in
furrows. She informs him, while she inflicts this discipline, that
she is Penitence, and sent to punish him for having neglected to
seize Morgana, when he found her sleeping by the fountain.
Orlando, determined to resist this chastisement, turns upon his
tormentor; but might as well seek to wound the wind. Convinced at
last of the shadowy nature of his persecutor, and observing that
Morgana gained upon him, while he was thus hopelessly engaged, he
determines to pursue the fairy without being diverted by the
molestation of Penitence.
Chasing Morgana, then, over rock and hill, he made sundry snatches
at her white and vermilion garments, which still eluded his grasp.
On the fairy, however, turning her head for an instant, he
profited by the chance, and seized her by the forelock. In an
instant the tempest ceased, the sky became serene, and Penitence
retreated into her cave.
Orlando now demanded of Morgana the keys of her dungeon; and the
fairy, feigning a complacent aspect, told him that these were at
his disposal; entreating him, though he should free all her other
prisoners, to leave her a youthful son of Monodontes, who was her
darling. Orlando consented to this, and the fairy delivered up a
key of silver, bidding him be cautious in the use of it; since, to
break the lock, would be to involve himself and all, in inevitable
destruction; a caution which gave the count room for long
meditation, and led him to consider
How few amid the suitors, who importune
The dame, know how to guide the keys of Fortune.
Keeping the fairy still fast by the forelock, Orlando proceeded
towards the prison, turned the key without occasioning the
mischief apprehended, and delivered the prisoners.
Amongst these were Brandimart, Rinaldo, and all the knights,
baptized or infidel, who had been taken at the bridge. The only
unhappy person amid this joyous band was Ziliantes, the minion of
Morgana. This youth remained behind weeping; and time will come,
says the author, when Orlando will repent of having yielded to the
entreaties of the fairy.
The others, now delivered from their captivity, together with
Orlando, ascending a lofty stair issued into the field of
treasure, where was to be seen the king and his court, all
composed of the richest materials in the world. Rinaldo, on
finding himself amid this mass of wealth, could not resist the
temptation of seizing a gold seat that stood in his way, which, he
observed, would feed his hungry garrison of Mont Albano. This he
was bearing off, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Orlando,
when a violent wind blew him back as often as he approached the
gate, by which they were retiring. Rinaldo at length yielded to
necessity, rather than to the entreaties of his comrades, and cast
away his prize. All now climbing another immeasurable stair,
ascended into the upper world, and found themselves in the field
decorated with their arms.
Here each knight resumed his own; and all except the paladins and
their friends, separated, as their inclinations or duty prompted.
It was now that Dudon informed the cousins that he had been made
prisoner by Morgana, when in the discharge of an embassy to them
from Charlemagne, who called upon them to return to the defence of
Christendom. Orlando is too much fascinated by Angelica, to obey
this summons; and, followed by the faithful Brandimart, returns
towards Albracca. Rinaldo, accompanied by Dudon, Iroldo and
Prasildo, takes his way towards the west.
These, though unprovided with horses, (for their coursers were
lost at the bridge,) went laughing and talking on their way. Their
journey was without adventures till the sixth day, when they heard
a horn sound from a neighbouring castle. From this they were
divided by a river, and near the opposite bank was a small bark,
with a damsel in the stern, who proffered them a passage.
Arrived on the other shore, she tells them they must account for
this with the warder, who was then approaching. This was an old
man mounted on a heavy steed, and surrounded by a numerous escort.
He informs the knights, that they are upon the territory of the
king Monodontes, from which they will not be suffered to depart,
before they have rendered him a day's service. This was to avenge
him of a certain enemy named Balisardo, at once a giant and
enchanter, who kept a bridge, flanked with towers, near the mouth
of the river which they had crossed, and who had put many scorns
upon that monarch and those who travelled to his realm.
Nothing more agreeable could have been proposed to the warriors,
and they reimbark in the damsel's skiff for the purpose of seeking
the necromancer.
The event of the combat was, however, very different from what
they had anticipated. Encountering the giant singly, they all
became the victims of his enchantments, and were cast into his
dungeons, already peopled with illustrious knights, amongst whom
was Astolpho of England.
This prince, in company with the two damsels before mentioned, had
gone about the world, with Bayardo and Rabican, weeping the loss
of Rinaldo, whom he saw go to the bottom of the enchanted lake
with Arridano. Wandering thence, he had arrived on the same spot
where Rinaldo and his comrades afterwards found themselves; like
them he had ferried the river in the damsel's boat, like them, had
been dispatched against Balisardo; and, like them, had been made
prisoner by the wizard, who ensnared him, under the form of a
damsel.
In the mean time, Orlando, who had parted company with Rinaldo,
and the rest, was returning, with Brandimart, towards Albracca On
his way thither he, to his surprise, saw Marphisa in chase of
Brunello, and contemplating the two, was himself robbed of his
horn, and Balisarda.
As both he and Brandimart were on foot, to chase the robber was
useless; leaving, therefore, Marphisa still in pursuit, the two
warriors proceeded on their way. Pursuing this, they too arrived
at the same ferry as Rinaldo had, and there found two damsels
assailing each other with reproaches, the one in a boat, and the
other on horseback. Orlando immediately recognized the latter for
Origilla, who had stolen Brigliadoro and Durindana, previous to
his entering the garden of Orgagna. His resentment, however, was
forgotten on seeing her; and he received her again into his
company, embarking, as the others had done, for the adventure of
Balisardo.
In this his usual fortune deserted him, and having been vanquished
by the enchantments of the giant, he was cast on board a miserable
prison-ship, in order to be transported to some distant dungeons.
From this he is, however, delivered by the valour of Brandimart*,
who slays the giant, and rescues Orlando from captivity. The two
champions now interrogate the master of the prison-ship; who tells
them that the wizard-giant was the instrument of a certain king,
called Monodontes, who dwelt in Damogir, an island situated in the
ocean; where he had amassed riches, which surpassed the
imagination to conceive. As, something is always wanting to the
completion of human happiness, this prince was miserable in the
loss of his two only sons, the first of whom was carried off, in
his childhood, by a slave of the name of Bardino, and the second
taken and imprisoned by a fairy named Morgana, who was said to be
enamoured of the youth.
* The reader will have remarked that a vein of allegory, more or
less apparent, runs through the whole of the romance. This
observation will, perhaps, serve to explain the defeat of Orlando,
and the subsequent triumph of Brandimart. Orlando, by his love of
vice, as figured in Origilla, has derogated from his natural self,
and forfeited the protection of Providence, while Brandimart, the
model of purity and constancy, is proof against all the powers of
hell.
The ship-master, pursuing his story, stated that the fairy had
offered to surrender the stripling to his father, upon his putting
her in possession of a certain knight, entitled Orlando, with whom
she was at enmity, on account of his having destroyed her
enchantments. This the necromancer, overcome by Brandimart, had
offered to effect for Monodontes, but had never succeeded, though
he had crowded his dungeons with champions; amongst whom were
Rinaldo, Astolpho, Dudon, Gryphon and Aquilant, and others, too
many to mention.
Orlando listened to the narration in silence: then, after some
secret conference with the ship-master, bade him make sail for
Damogir, as he and Brandimart were now masters of the vessel, for
he was minded to put this Orlando into the hands of Monodontes. He
obeys his command, and the ship, after traversing the ocean,
arrives with them at the island.
Here the proposal was renewed by the knights, and accepted by
Monodontes; who, waiting the accomplishment of their promise,
lodged them in a magnificent palace near his own. Here too was
guested the infamous Origilla, who was privy to Orlando's design.
She having her mind entirely set upon Gryphon, who (it will be
remembered) was amongst the prisoners of Monodontes, and thinking
she was possessed of sure means of delivering him, secretly
presented herself before the king, and informed him that Orlando
was in his power.
As the covenanted reward of her service, Monodontes ordered
Gryphon to be delivered up to her; and he refusing freedom, unless
Aquilant was at the same time freed, both were set at liberty, and
departed with Origilla.
To take Orlando was a more difficult enterprise; but this was
accomplished through the means of a potion, by which both he and
Brandimart were put to sleep, and, while stupefied by the liquor,
lodged in the dungeons of Monodontes. In the solitude of their
prison Orlando converts Brandimart to the Christian faith; and
this knight, who appears to be the type of friendship and virtuous
love, upon the guards of the monarch coming in search of Orlando,
announces himself as the person sought for, and as such presents
himself to Monodontes.
This monarch tells Brandimart, whom he imagines to be Orlando,
that he seeks the liberation of his son Ziliantes; and as he knows
no method of obtaining him from the fairy, but by such a
sacrifice, is reluctantly compelled to offer him in exchange for
the royal captive. To which Brandimart replies, that if he only
seeks this, he may obtain his end without such a breach of
hospitality, as his comrade is ready to descend to the dungeons of
Morgana, where he has already been, and rescue him by force. That
in the meantime he will remain as his hostage, and if he whom he
is to free does not, within a month, return with Ziliantes, the
king can, at the worst, accomplish the deliverance of his son, by
giving him up (the king believing him to be Orlando) to the
vengeance of Morgana.
Monodontes accedes to this proposal, and the real Orlando is
suffered to depart.
In the meantime Brandimart, always under the name of Orlando,
remains for some time a prisoner at large; when the secret is
discovered, through the indiscretion of Astolpho, and Monodontes
in fury orders Brandimart to be cast into a dungeon, preparatory
to his expiating his imposture by death. Orlando this while is
bound upon his adventure, and arriving at the lake formerly kept
by Arridano, finds upon its banks a beautiful lady weeping over a
dead dragon.
While Orlando contemplates this spectacle with surprise, the lady
snatches up the dragon in her arms, and embarks with it in a
little pinnace, which was moored hard by. She now loosens from the
shore, sets her sail, and having reached the middle of the lake,
sinks to the bottom with her enchanted barque.
Orlando was yet absorbed in wonder at what he had witnessed, when
another damsel arrived upon the bank, mounted on a palfrey, and
accompanied by a single sergeant, who called upon the count by
name, and expressed the greatest pleasure at his sight.
This damsel was no other than Flordelis, the lady-love of
Brandimart; the damsel of the barque, it will be easily divined,
was Morgana.
This fairy, upon the departure of Orlando from her enchanted
garden, transformed Ziliantes, by the aid of certain witcheries,
into a dragon, meaning that he should supply the place of Arridano
and keep the avenues of her territory. Whether, however, from some
error in her enchantments or other cause, the transformation was
no sooner completed than the youth uttered a shriek and expired.
Hence the fairy, distracted with her loss, had embarked with him
in the pinnace, and descended to the bottom of the lake, in the
hope of re-animating him in her world below.
As soon as Flordelis, who was immediately recognised by the count,
had set eyes upon him, she conjured him to lend her his
assistance; and, that he might understand for what purpose,
entreated him to listen to her story, which she began in the
following words.
"I was wandering in search of Brandimart, when I fell in with the
sergeant, whom you see with me; and who, by a strange fortune,
turned out to be one who was also in search of him. His story was
yet more extraordinary than the accident which brought us
together, and is the cause of my present distress. He informed me
that he was formerly a slave of the king Monodontes, and named
Bardino; who, to avenge himself upon the monarch for some wrong,
conveyed away from him his eldest son, and sold him to the lord of
the Sylvan Tower; who conceived such fondness for him, that he
brought him up as his son, and dying, left him his possessions.
"His love of arms, however, carried him away from the Tower, of
which he had made Bardino castellan; and this was attacked by a
neighbour named Rupardo, in his absence, with such forces as
rendered a defence hopeless. Under these circumstances Bardino,
had cast lots to learn the fate of Brandimart, and found that he
was prisoner to Morgana. Hence it is," pursued the damsel, "that I
entreat you to lend your assistance to recover him from her
power."
Orlando related in return what had since happened to Brandimart,
and, lastly, how he had left him in the power of Monodontes,
meaning to redeem him, by the recovery of Ziliantes, from the
prisons of Morgana.
The damsel heard Orlando's recital with gratitude, and, throwing
herself on her knees, prayed devoutly for the success of his
undertaking.
He immediately entered upon his adventure. Descending by the
entrance, through which he had formerly ascended into the upper
air, and which he remembered, though concealed by briars and
thorns, he again traversed the field of treasure, and saw the
golden seat, lying in the very place where Rinaldo had been
obliged to abandon it.
Thus pursuing his old path, he came upon Morgana near the
fountain, where he had formerly found her disporting herself.
She was this time engaged in a very different occupation, and was
caressing Ziliantes, who had now resumed the human form, but
remained yet pale, and terrified by the effects of the
metamorphose. The count does not again neglect his opportunity,
but, seizing the fairy by the forelock, compels her to abandon her
prisoner. Orlando returning into light with Ziliantes by the
ancient staircase, finds Flordelis yet engaged in prayer, and now
all journeying to the coast, which was near, and embarking upon
the ocean, arrive safely at Damogir.
The delight of Monodontes at the recovery of his two sons, when he
had despaired of even retrieving Ziliantes, may be easily
imagined: king and people become Christians; Rinaldo, Astolpho,
Dudon, and the other prisoners are set at liberty; all is
festivity, and the offence of Bardino is forgiven, in consequence
of his subsequent attachment to Brandimart. To complete the
general joy, a lady arrives at this period, who is recognized as
the daughter of Monodontes and the damsel of the golden apples.
But human life is chequered by light and shade. The long continued
festivities of Damogir are broken in upon by Dudon the Dane, who
reminds the princes of their obligation to hurry to the defence of
Christendom.
Rinaldo and all the Franks obey the summons, with the exception of
Orlando; who, accompanied by Brandimart, his inseparable
companion, returns towards Albracca. In the meantime Rinaldo,
Iroldo, Prasildo, and the others, with Astolpho in the midst,
armed with his lance of gold, set forward on their return to
France.
Travelling thus, north about, into Europe, the knights found
themselves one morning in front of a beautiful castle and garden
on the sea-shore. This was the domain of Alcina, sister of
Morgana, and queen of the Atarberi. The fay herself was standing
on the beach, and amusing herself with taking fish, which she
inveigled by her enchantments.
She herself was ensnared by the beauties of Astolpho, whom she
invited to pass into a neighbouring island, in order to hear the
music of a syren who frequented it.
Astolpho crosses on horseback into the island, which lay close to
the shore; but this is in motion as soon as he reaches it, and
proves to be a large whale, which was a minister of the fairy.
Rinaldo and Dudon instantly swim off to his assistance, but the
horse of Dudon sinking with his rider, Rinaldo is compelled to
swim Bayardo to the relief of the Dane, whom he succeeds in
bringing to shore. Meantime the whale floats out of sight, and a
terrible tempest obscures both sky and ocean
To succour Astolpho was now impossible, and the confederated
champions continued their journey to the westward.
Pursuing this, they at last arrived at Buda in Hungary, whence the
king of that country was dispatching his son Ottachiero with a
large army to the succour of Charlemagne. Delighted with the
arrival of Rinaldo, he placed his son and troops under this
conduct, and these having, after long and distant marches, united
themselves with the troops of Desiderius king of Lombardy, passed
the Genovese Alps, and poured down into Provence.
The confederate armies had not marched many days through this gay
tract, before they heard a crash of drums and trumpets behind the
hills, which spoke the conflict between the paynims, led by
Rodomont, and the Christian forces.
Rinaldo, witnessing from a mountain the prowess of Rodomont,
leaves his troops in charge of his friends, and gallops towards
him with his lance in the rest. The impulse is irresistible, and
Rodomont is unhorsed. Rinaldo, however, in a high spirit of
chivalry, gallops back to the hill from which he had descended,
secures Bayardo amongst the baggage, and returns to pursue the
combat with his former antagonist on foot.
During this interval the battle had become general, the Hungarians
were routed by Rodomont, and Rinaldo, on his return, had the
mortification to find that Ottachiero was wounded, and Dudon a
prisoner.
He now again engages Rodomont; when in the midst of their strife,
a new sound of drums and trumpets was heard, and the army of
Charlemagne was descried advancing in battalia.
Rodomont, who had in the meantime mounted the horse of Dudon,
leaves Rinaldo, who was on foot, and gallops to the attack of the
enemy. A desperate battle ensues, but night separates the
combatants.
Rodomont now thinks only of Rinaldo, and deceived by a false
report, sets off in pursuit of him towards the forest of Arden.
Rinaldo, however, having this time gone in search of Bayardo, was
returning towards the field upon that courser, when he fell in
with the Saracens, engaged in carrying aboard their ships the
plunder, and the prisoners made in battle. Some of these had
already sailed for Africa with Dudon, while Rinaldo, still seeking
Rodomont, makes a tremendous carnage among the rest.
He at last learns that his adversary, following a false scent, is
gone towards Merlin's fountain, in the forest of Arden, when he
quits the pursuit of the Saracens, in order to follow him.
Rodomont was in the meantime far advanced upon his way, when he
fell in with a strange cavalier, that proved to be Ferrau, who
had, it seems, returned to France, in search of Angelica. The two
knights mixing in conversation, their talk, according to the
practice of chivalry, turned upon love, when Ferrau spoke of
Doralice, daughter of Stordilano, king of Granada, as a lady to
whom he had been a suitor. Rodomont, kindling at this, avowed his
passion for her, declared he would bear with no rival in his love,
and bade him resign all pretensions to her, or take his ground and
defend himself. Ferrau replied, that he had loved her and left
her; but that he would now love her in his despite.
A duel ensues, but the author leaves the knights engaged, in order
to pursue the story of Rinaldo. He, still seeking his pursuer,
Rodomont, misses him, whilst he is engaged in combat with Ferrau;
and wandering into a sylvan lawn, in the middle of the forest of
Arden, is surprised by the vision of a beautiful child, dancing
naked, with three damsels, as naked and as beautiful as himself.
While he is lost in admiration at the sight, the child approaches
him, and smiting on his helmet with a bunch of roses and lilies,
strikes him from his horse. He is no sooner down than he is seized
by the dancers, by whom he is dragged about and scourged with
flowers till he falls into a swoon. While he is yet absorbed in
this, one of the group approaches him, who says her name is
Pasiphae; that his punishment is the consequence of his rebellion
against that power, before whom every thing bends; and that there
is but one remedy that can heal the wounds which have been
inflicted; and this is, to drink of the waters of Love.
Rinaldo, sore and faint, drags himself into the neighbouring wood,
and being parched with thirst, drinks greedily, and almost
unconsciously, of a spring which he finds there. After repeated
draughts of the water, which is sweet to the taste, but bitter at
the heart, he recovers his strength and recollection, and finds
himself in the same place where Angelica had formerly awakened him
with a rain of flowers, and whence he had fled in contempt of her
courtesy.
His remembrance of the scene is followed by the recognition of his
crime; and, repenting bitterly of his ingratitude, he leaps upon
Bayardo with the intention of following Angelica to India, and
soliciting his pardon at her feet. He has not ridden far with this
intention, when he beholds, at a distance, a damsel mounted upon a
palfrey, attended by a cavalier who bore a burning mountain for
his device: but, before explaining who were the damsel and knight,
the author returns to Marphisa, lately left in pursuit of
Brunello.
She had now hunted him for fifteen days. Her horse had sunk under
her during the chase; and she had cast away her arms, to be the
better able to pursue him.
Her pains were thrown away. Brunello arrived before her at the
sea-side, and finding a vessel ready to sail, embarked, and
arrived at Biserta, in Africa. Here he found Agramant, who was
impatient for the ring, which was to foil the enchantments of
Atlantes and to put Rogero into his hands. The dwarf, now kneeling
before the king, related his story, and presented him with the
ring of Angelica, and the horn stolen from Orlando; when Agramant,
delighted at the success of his mission, crowned him, in
recompense, king of Tingitana.
All are now anxious to go in quest of Rogero, nor will Brunello be
left behind. The cavalcade accordingly departs, and having
traversed the Great Desert, arrives at the mountain of Carena.
At the bottom of this was a fruitful and well-wooded plain,
watered by a large river, which traversed it in its way to the
sea; and from this plain was descried a beautiful garden on the
mountain-top, which contained the mansion of Atlantes: but the
ring, which discovered what was before invisible, could not,
though it revealed this paradise, enable Agramant or his followers
to enter it. So steep and smooth was the rock by nature, that none
could scale it; and even Brunello was obliged to renounce the
attempt. He did not, however, for this, despair of accomplishing
the object of the enterprise; and, having obtained Agramant's
approbation, caused the assembled courtiers and knights to
celebrate a tournament upon the plain below. This was done with
the view of seducing Rogero from his fastness, and the stratagem
was attended with success.
Rogero joins the tourney, presented by Brunello with Sacripant's
horse, Frontilatte, (whose name is afterwards changed into
Frontino,) and with Balisarda, the sword of Orlando. In the medley
he is treacherously wounded, but avenges himself of the traitor;
and, returning to the summit of the mountain, is healed by the
skill and attention of Atlantes, having previously learned from
Brunello the preparations which were making for the invasion of
France, and having indeed received his horse and arms, as an
earnest for his service in the expedition.
The author now leaves him again on the mountain of Carena, to
accompany Orlando and Brandimart.
These two, having separated from Rinaldo, Astolpho, and the rest,
were pursuing their journey through India, when they found
themselves near a stone, situated by a fountain, where sate a
lady, having her eyes fixed upon the ground, while a bridge, which
divided two roads hard by, was kept by an armed knight.
While Orlando and Brandimart were engaged in a friendly contest,
who should first encounter him, a pilgrim advanced towards the
bridge, notwithstanding the prohibition of him who kept it; and
finding that the knight approached in order to enforce his threat,
cast off his pilgrim's slough, and showed that he was armed cap-à-pe.
A fierce combat now ensued, between him and the warder of the
bridge, whom both Brandimart and Orlando thought they had seen
before, but could not recognise, through the strangeness of his
disguise. In this strife the pilgrim at last succeeded in making
the warder give ground, and retire slowly from his post.
On the other side of the bridge, and near the fountain which
formed the stream, was a monument, which an inscription proclaimed
to be the sepulchre of Narcissus.
Contemplating himself in the neighbouring fountain, he had pined
away; and his death was productive of new calamities. The fairy
Silvanella, as her evil destiny would have it, passing near the
body, fell in love with the dead youth, whom she entombed in this
mausoleum of alabaster. Here, too, consumed by hopeless passion,
_she_ perished, and left this dying curse upon the waters; that
who contemplated them should see pourtrayed there such a vision of
beauty, that they should become incapable of departing from the
place.
Many, who had arrived upon the banks of the river, in consequence
of her malediction, remained gazing upon the stream, till they
expired. Among these was the gentle king Larbino, who came there
with his leman Calidora, who remained inconsolable for his loss,
and took up her dwelling in the meadow, where he died. This is
she, who sits weeping by the water-side, and whose champion
maintains the bridge against all comers.
And such was the tale she told Orlando, whom she conjured, in
favour of her pious intentions, to aid her cavalier, hard pressed
by the pilgrim.
Orlando, moved by her prayer, thrust himself between the
combatants, whom he separated, and recognized one for Sacripant,
and the other for Isoliero. Isoliero had accompanied the lady from
Spain to India, for the purpose of rendering her this service; and
Sacripant had been dispatched (as was said) by Angelica, to king
Gradasso, for assistance, towards whose kingdom he was now upon
his way.
When the count had learned from this monarch the object of his
journey, and the peril of Angelica, he fled with Brandimart, from
the dangerous water, mindful of the fate of those that had
perished there; leaving Isoliero, who had been severely wounded by
Sacripant, in the company of Calidora.
While Orlando took his way to Albracca, Sacripant took up the
pilgrim's garb and staff, and pursued his towards the kingdom of
Gradasso.
Orlando, arriving before Albracca, finds it closely beleaguered.
He, however, makes his way into the citadel, and relates his
adventures to Angelica, from the time of his departure, up to his
separation from Rinaldo and the rest, when they departed to the
assistance of Charlemagne. Angelica, in return, described the
distresses of the garrison, and the force of the besiegers; and in
conclusion, prayed Orlando to favour her escape from the pressing
danger, and escort her into France. Orlando, who did not suspect
that love for Rinaldo, who had returned thither, was her secret
motive, joyfully agreed to the proposal, and the sally was
resolved.
Leaving lights burning in the fortress, they departed at night-fall,
and passed in safety through the enemy's camp. On the
ensuing day, however, the besiegers discovered the deceit, stormed
and sacked the citadel, and then pursued the deserters.
Of these, Orlando went first, escorting Angelica and Flordelis,
while Brandimart covered their retreat. In consequence of this
arrangement, Brandimart was separated one night from his
companions, while Orlando and the two damsels were advancing on
their way.
As these last, sorely tormented by hunger, were entering a valley
at sunset, they saw, at the other extremity, a party of
Lestrigonians, seated at their supper, and immediately galloped
towards them; Orlando first, but followed by the damsels. Arriving
amongst these cannibals, he prayed them, either for courtesy or
hire, to give them food; and, being received with a feigned
hospitality, had already dismounted from his horse, in order to
take some refreshment, when the leader of the party, coming behind
him, dealt a blow with his club, that laid him senseless on the
ground. The damsels, who had just come up, terrified at this
catastrophe, fled different ways, pursued by a party of the
Lestrigonians.
During this time, the others had stript Orlando of his arms; and
were handling him, to see if he was fat, when he was awakened by
the operation. Possessing himself of Durindana, he soon cleared
the field of the cannibals, and was seeking an outlet from the
valley, when he recognized Angelica, hunted by those who had
pursued her and Flordelis. To save her, and avenge her of the
miscreants, was the work of a moment.
It was said that the two damsels separated in their flight; in
directing which, chance conducted each towards her natural
protector; for Flordelis, flying east, whilst Angelica fled west,
galloped towards a wood, where Brandimart was sleeping, after
having long sought his companions in vain. Brandimart was as
prompt in rescuing her, as Orlando was in saving Angelica. It is
needless to describe his transports on this occasion: these were,
however, of short duration; and he heard, with the bitterest
regret, the narrative of Flordelis, who, relating what she
believed she had witnessed, informed him she had left Orlando dead
upon the field.
Returning with Brandimart towards the spot where she had left the
count, a strange adventure for a long time delayed their search;
for they had not ridden far, before they fell in with a cavalier
on foot, unarmed, except as to his sword, who defied Brandimart to
battle; and while he, in a spirit of generosity, refused the
challenge, snatched Flordelis from her palfrey, and running up a
steep rock with his burden, threatened to throw her down a
precipice, unless Brandimart ransomed her with his armour and his
steed.
As Brandimart's armour rendered it impossible for him to pursue,
he consented to the sacrifice; and the stranger appropriated the
spoils. This was Marphisa, who had thrown-by her arms, in order to
pursue Brunello, and who, finding the chace hopeless, took this
method to equip herself anew.
Brandimart, now reduced to his tunick, and deprived of his
courser, mounted the damsel's palfrey, seated her on the croup,
and proceeded on his way.
They were doomed to experience new dangers and interruptions. For
journeying thus, they fell in with a band of robbers, from whom
Brandimart fled, in the hope of finding some means of defence. His
hope was realized; for, penetrating a wood, he arrived at a
fountain, near which a king lay dead, who was armed cap-a-pe.
Providing himself with his sword, Brandimart turned to bay, and
soon made his pursuers repent of their temerity. These slain or
put to flight, he clothed himself reluctantly in the other arms of
the monarch, leaving him his crown and regal ornaments. This king
was no other than Agrican, so preserved by a visible miracle.
An after-combat with the captain of these corsairs put the knight
in possession of a steed, and thus re-equipt, he accompanied
Flordelis in search of Orlando.
This paladin, having recovered Angelica (as has been related) had
journeyed as far homeward as the sea-coast of Syria without
impediment. Here he found a vessel ready to carry the king of
Damascus, Norandino, to the island of Cyprus, where he was to make
his first essay of arms.
This was to be made for love of a lady whose name was Lucina, and
whose father, Tibiano was king of Cyprus. This sovereign had
proclaimed a tournament, of which the princess was to be the
prize, and thither went Norandino, who invited Orlando to
accompany him. The count, disguising his name and country, and
feigning himself a Circassian, called Rotolante, accepted the
offer, and, together with Angelica, joined Norandino, who was
accompanied by a brilliant train of adventurers. He was scarcely
on ship-board before a breeze sprang up from the land, and the
galley was under sail.
For the tournament which was preparing, many Greeks and many
Pagans had assembled, among whom were Basaldo and Morbeco, Turks,
and Gostanzo a Greek. This Gostanzo was the son of Vataron,
emperor of Constantinople, and had brought Gryphon and Aquilant in
his company, who, together with Origilla had sought the
hospitality of the Grecian court.
In the tourney the combatants are ranged under the banner of this
Gostanzo on the one side, and that of Norandino on the other.
Gryphon and Aquilant serve under the first, and Orlando under the
second. They are, however, disguised from each other by borrowed
devices, and Gryphon only suspects a knight who bore away the
honors of the first day, to be Orlando, from his superior prowess,
and from the presence of Angelica, whom he had observed seated
amongst the ladies that honoured the spectacle with their
presence.
Imparting his suspicions to Gostanzo after the trumpets had blown
to lodging, the wily Greek determined to rid himself of so
formidable an adversary. He accordingly introduced himself
secretly to Orlando, and informed him of a treason which (as he
said) the king of Cyprus meditated against him, at the instigation
of Ganelon, offering him at the same time the means of escape.
This was a pinnace moored in a creek, in which Orlando, breathing
vengeance against the Maganzese, embarked with Angelica, for
France.
Disembarking in Provence, they pursued their way by land, and
arriving hot, and weary, in the forest of Arden, where Rinaldo had
lately drunk of the fountain of Love, chance directed Angelica to
the waters of Disdain, of which she drank.
Issuing thence, the count and damsel encountered a stranger
knight. This was no other than Rinaldo, who had missed Rodomont,
then engaged in combat with Ferrau; and who, on a nearer approach,
recognised Angelica with joy, though his new arms and ensigns
disguised Orlando, who accompanied her. The consequences of such a
meeting are easily foreseen. Angelica views Rinaldo with disgust,
and a new cause of strife is kindled between the kinsmen.
Terrified at the combat which ensued, Angelica fled amain, through
the forest, and came out upon a plain, covered with tents. This
was the camp of Charlemagne, who led the army of reserve, destined
to support the troops which had advanced to oppose the descent of
Rodomont. Charles, having heard the damsel's tale, with difficulty
separates the two cousins, and then consigns Angelica, as the
cause of quarrel, to the care of Namus duke of Bavaria, promising
she shall be _his_ who best deserves her, in the first battle with
the Saracens.
The author here returns to Agramant, who was left holding a
tournament at the foot of Mount Carena in Africa. He having heard
of the knight who was slain, and _that_, contrary to his orders,
(which were only to employ courteous weapons,) determined to take
vengeance upon his murderer, and supposing Brunello to be the
criminal, (since Rogero had appeared with his arms and steed,)
ordered him to be hanged upon the spot.
The danger of him who was about to suffer for his sake, now again
brought Rogero from his retreat. He routed the troops appointed to
watch over the execution, rescued Brunello, and then, presenting
himself to Agramant, related every thing as it had passed.
Agramant, too happy to find the object of his search in the youth
who had performed such wonders, forgave the death of the
slaughtered cavalier, knighted Rogero, and carried him off to
Biserta, where his vassal kings and barons assembled for the
invasion of Christendom.
While they are in the midst of their revelry, a messenger reports
the return of Rodomont's fleet, whose followers brought with them,
as a prisoner, Dudon the Dane; but could give no account of
Rodomont their leader.
He was this while engaged in battle with Ferrau, with whom we left
him quarrelling about Doralice; but their strife was soon
interrupted by the arrival of a messenger, who brought news that
Marsilius was, at the instigation of Ganelon, besieging Mount
Albano. On hearing this, the duellists make peace, and ride
together to join the besiegers.
On their way they fall in with Vivian and Malagigi, sons of duke
Aymon, of Mount Albano, who are proceeding towards Paris, to
demand succour of Charlemagne; and Malagigi, retiring with Vivian
into a wood, performs a magic rite, by which he ascertains the
design of the approaching warriors Rodomont and Ferrau. To
frustrate this, he conjures up a bevy of fiends, armed and mounted
as knights, divides them into two squadrons, takes the command of
one himself, and gives that of the other to Vivian. Thus
accompanied, the Christian knights charge their adversaries. But
the Pagans are too strong for them, take Malagigi and Vivian
prisoners, and send their demons howling back to hell.
Here the author exclaims,
But that I would not seem with folly tainted,
I own I would have fain beheld the attack;
So great is my desire to be acquainted
With those the wizard brought his cause to back:
And prove with my own eyes, if truly painted,
The devil be so very foul and black;
More; that his pictures differ as to nail,
And horn, and hoof, and length and breadth of tail.
To return to the story, Rodomont and Ferrau arrive in the Spanish
camp before Mount Albano, which is shortly afterwards attacked by
the army of Charlemagne. Divers feats of prowess are achieved on
both sides; but the most interesting circumstance is a single
combat between Rodomont and Bradamant; which the author breaks off
in order to resume the story of Brandimart.
This knight, having obtained a steed and armour, as has been
before related, proceeds with Flordelis towards Europe.
Thus journeying, the pair arrived in front of a magnificent
palace. Here a damsel, standing in a balcony, motioned to them to
take another way; but in vain; for Brandimart, feigning not to
understand the purport of her signs, rode boldly up to the gate.
He is now opposed by a giant, armed with a serpent, which he uses
as a sword. Him the knight vanquishes after a long battle, in
which he is opposed by a variety of enchantments; the giant and
serpent exchanging forms, as one or the other is slain He next
kills a knight who kept a sepulchre in the inner court, and
opposed his further progress.
He and Flordelis, who had followed her lover, now seek the gate by
which they had entered, but all appearance of it was lost.
While they are vainly seeking the means of escape, they are
addressed by the damsel who had at first waved them from the
palace; and who informed Brandimart, he must open the sepulchre,
and kiss whatever issued from it, if he expected deliverance from
his prison. Brandimart, little terrified by the injunction,
promised compliance; but started back, and put his hand to his
sword, on the appearance of a dragon. Reproached by the damsel of
the castle for his breach of promise, he manned his spirits for
the encounter, and kissed the monster in the mouth. A sudden cold
ran through his bones at coming in contact with her: but what was
his surprise, on seeing the dragon transformed into a beautiful
damsel!
This was a fay so transmuted, who, grateful for her deliverance,
offered to enchant the horse and arms of Brandimart, at the same
time entreating him to conduct the lady of the castle, who was
named Doristella, into Syria.
This promised, the gate re-appeared, the fay enchanted the steed
and arms of Brandimart, and he, accompanied by the two ladies,
departed upon the quest enjoined.
They had ridden some time in silence, when Doristella, rallying
the knight for his taciturnity, proposed to beguile the way with
the relation of her adventures. The offer was gratefully received,
and the damsel began her story as follows:—
"My father, king Doliston," said she, "had two daughters, the
eldest of whom, while yet a child, was carried off by a thief from
the shore of Lissa. Of this daughter, who was the promised spouse
of Theodore the son of a neighbouring king, nothing was ever
afterwards heard."
"And what was the name of the mother?" exclaimed Flordelis; but
Brandimart having checked her for her interruption, Doristella
continued her narrative in her own way. "My intended brother-in-law,"
said the damsel, "still kept up his connection with my
family, and he and I soon became mutually enamoured of one
another. The young man at length unbosomed himself to my father,
and demanded me in marriage; but my father, to his mortification,
told him, that he had that very day promised me to the wretch,
whom you slew in the palace.
"To this wretch, named Usbeck of Bursa, a Turcoman by nation, was
I wedded; a man valiant in the field, but, as to the rest, little
capable of winning a lady's love. This man, who was jealous in
proportion to the grounds he gave me for disgust, was compelled to
join an expedition against Vatarone the emperor of Greece.
Departing, he left me in care of a slave called Gambone, a monster
of deformity, whom he commanded never to stir from my side. He had
not been long absent, when Theodore arrived at Bursa, and having
corrupted Gambone, obtained access to my bed.
"Our intercourse was long continued, to our mutual satisfaction,
when Usbeck arrived suddenly one night at Bursa, and demanded
instant entrance into his house. Our courage did not desert us
under these circumstances, and Theodore, slipping down stairs in
the dark, escaped at the same time that Usbeck was admitted. Our
danger, however, did not end here; for my husband's suspicions had
been awakened by his detention at the door, and searching every
part of my chamber, he found a mantle which my lover had left
behind him in his retreat.
"His suspicions being now confirmed, he burst into a transport of
jealous fury, and ordered the slave Gambone for instant execution.
According to the custom of the country, his other slaves were
conducting him for that purpose, through the city with a horn
sounding before him, when Theodore met the procession, and falling
upon the criminal, reproached him, amid a shower of blows, with
having robbed him of his mantle. This trick of Theodore's, who was
unknown to Usbeck, saved the slave, and effaced the suspicions
which he entertained of my fidelity. New offences, however, on my
part, for I still continued my intercourse with Theodore, renewed
his jealousy, and he at last shut me up in the enchanted palace
whence you delivered me; though it was not then kept by the giant
and serpent, which were the afterwork of a necromancer who wrought
for him."
The damsel was here interrupted by an outcry, and the party was
instantly set upon by thieves. These were, however, beaten off,
and their leader taken prisoner by Brandimart. He, throwing
himself at the feet of the cavalier, entreated him not to carry
him to Lissa, as he dreaded the vengeance of Doliston, the prince
of that country, for having formerly carried off his eldest
daughter, whom he had sold to the lord of the Sylvan Tower.
Brandimart, however, who has secret reasons (as will be shortly
seen) for being pleased at this account, insists upon carrying him
to Lissa; and arriving before Doliston's capital, finds it
besieged by Theodore, in revenge for the monarch's having refused
him Doristella. All now is cleared up. Flordelis turns out to be
the missing daughter of Doliston, who had been wooed by Brandimart
in the Sylvan Tower; and no further obstacle existing to the union
of Theodore and Doristella, these two, as well as Brandimart and
Flordelis, are united in marriage; Doliston and Theodora having
previously made peace.
After long festivities in honour of these double espousals,
Brandimart and Flordelis, still anxious to pursue Orlando, embark
for France with a prosperous wind. This, however, changes;
increases to a tempest; and finally drives them on the shores of
Carthage. Here Brandimart, less anxious for his own safety than
for that of Flordelis and his companions, conceals his being a
Christian, and announcing himself only as son of Monodontes, king
of the Distant Isles, declares that it was his purpose to visit
Agramant in Biserta.
He accordingly sets off, always attended by Flordelis, for that
capital; where he is magnificently received, and is afterwards
carried off by Agramant, together with Rogero, on his expedition
against France.
Agramant, leaving Dudon a prisoner at large in Biserta, which was
to be governed in his absence by a vice-roy, embarks upon his long
meditated enterprise, disembarks in Spain, and arrives, by forced
marches, near Mount Albano, in the neighbourhood of which the
armies of Charlemagne and Marsilius were left engaged.
The strife was still continued with unabated fury; and in this
Rinaldo was matched with Ferrau, king Grandonio with the marquis
Oliviero, Serpentine with Ogier the Dane, and Marsilius himself
against Charlemagne.
These duels were, however, of little account, compared with that
which raged between Rodomont and Bradamant. Of this desperate
contest Orlando was a witness; who would not turn his arms against
Rodomont while he was engaged with so formidable an adversary.
While Orlando thus played the part of a looker-on, he was
surprised by the sound of an approaching enemy, and casting his
eyes in that direction, saw a plump of spears, with banners and
pennons, descending the sides of a mountain. He immediately
stooped from his saddle to pick up a weighty lance which was lying
on the ground, and thus prepared himself for the encounter of what
proved to be the army of Agramant.
This sovereign had in the meantime dispatched one of his vassal
kings, named Pinadoro, towards the field of battle, with orders to
bring him one or more prisoners, who might inform him of the state
of the Christian army. Pinadoro and Orlando meet and tilt
together; but the feudatory king, instead of accomplishing the
orders of his sovereign, remains the prisoner of the count. He is,
however, no sooner taken than liberated by his conqueror, who bids
him return to his army in peace. The report of his ill success
does not frighten Agramant from his purpose; and the Moorish army
descends like a torrent into the plain.
At the sight of these new enemies, Charles left Marsilius, who was
closely pressed by him, and ordered Rinaldo also to give a respite
to Ferrau, and lead a squadron against the approaching troops,
whom he divined to be what they really were. Other divisions of
the army followed in support of one another, and a bloody battle
ensued, with various and very doubtful success.
Meantime Orlando, who wished such measure of misfortune to
Charlemagne as should make his assistance necessary, and ensure
him the possession of Angelica as his reward, had retired from the
medley into a neighbouring wood, and was praying devoutly for the
discomfiture of the Christians. By accident, Ferrau, fatigued by
his long contest with Rinaldo, and lately as hard pressed by him
as Marsilius was by Charlemagne, had sought shelter in the same
retreat. Here, stooping to drink from the banks of a river, he
dropt his helmet in the water, and was engaged in a vain attempt
to recover it, when he was discovered by Orlando. The count,
however, was too generous to attack an enemy under such
disadvantages, and weakened as Ferrau evidently was by the combat
he had previously waged against Rinaldo. He accordingly, after a
short conference with him, in which he learned the state of
things, spurred his courser, in order to join the army of
Charlemagne.
Here he performs high feats of valour, and, after the slaughter of
many adversaries, is advancing against Rogero, when Atlantes, who
had accompanied the youth, (since he could not restrain him from
following his destiny,) diverts Orlando from his object by the
vision of a triumphant Pagan squadron, and of the personal danger
of Charlemagne. Fascinated by this illusion, he follows the
supposed Saracens into the forest of Arden. Here the vision
disappears; and the count, wearied with the fruitless chace,
lights from Brigliadoro near a fountain. Stooping to drink, he
sees a crystal palace at the bottom, through the walls of which he
beholds a dance of ladies, and, unable to resist the temptation of
an adventure, plunges, armed as he is, into the fountain.
THE ORLANDO INNAMORATO.