farewell of the good hermit who had taught him the true faith. Orlando
restored to him the horse and arms which were rightly his, not even
asserting his claim to Balisarda, that sword which he himself had won
from the enchantress.
The hermit gave his blessing to the band, and they reembarked. The
passage was speedy, and very soon they arrived in the harbor of
Marseilles.
Astolpho, when he had dismissed his troops, mounted the Hippogriff, and
at one flight shot over to Sardinia, thence to Corsica, thence, turning
slightly to the left, hovered over Provence, and alighted in the
neighborhood of Marseilles. There he did what he had been commanded to
do by the holy saint; he unbridled the Hippogriff, and turned him loose
to seek his own retreats, never more to be galled with saddle or bit.
The horn had lost its marvellous power ever since the visit to the moon.
Astolpho reached Marseilles the very day when Orlando, Rinaldo, Oliver,
Sobrino, and Rogero arrived there. Charles had already heard the news
of the defeat of the Saracen kings, and all the accompanying events. On
learning the approach of the gallant knights, he sent forward some of
his most illustrious nobles to receive them, and himself, with the rest
of his court, kings, dukes, and peers, the queen, and a fair and
gorgeous band of ladies, set forward from Arles to meet them.
No sooner were the mutual greetings interchanged, than Orlando and his
friends led forward Rogero, and presented him to the Emperor. They
vouch him son of Rogero, Duke of Risa, one of the most renowned of
Christian warriors, by adverse fortune stolen in his infancy, and
brought up by Saracens in the false faith, now by a kind Providence
converted, and restored to fill the place his father once held among
the foremost champions of the throne and Church.
Rogero had alighted from his horse, and stood respectfully before the
Emperor. Charlemagne bade him remount and ride beside him; and omitted
nothing which might do him honor in sight of his martial train. With
pomp triumphal and with festive cheer the troop returned to the city;
the streets were decorated with garlands, the houses hung with rich
tapestry, and flowers fell like rain upon the conquering host from the
hands of fair dames and damsels, from every balcony and window. So
welcomed, the mighty Emperor passed on till he reached the royal
palace, where many days he feasted, high in hall, with his lords, amid
tourney, revel, dance, and song.
When Rinaldo told his father, Duke Aymon, how he had promised his
sister to Rogero, his father heard him with indignation, having set his
heart on seeing her united to the Grecian Emperor's son. The Lady
Beatrice, her mother, also appealed to Bradamante herself to reject a
knight who had neither title nor lands, and give the preference to one
who would make her Empress of the wide Levant. But Bradamante, though
respect forbade her to refuse her mother's entreaty, would not promise
to do what her heart repelled, and answered only with a sigh, until she
was alone, and then gave a loose to tears.
Meanwhile Rogero, indignant that a stranger should presume to rob him
of his bride, determined to seek the Prince of Greece, and defy him to
mortal combat. With this design he donned his armor, but exchanged his
crest and emblazonment, and bore instead a white unicorn upon a crimson
field. He chose a trusty squire, and, commanding him not to address him
as Rogero, rode on his quest. Having crossed the Rhine and the Austrian
countries into Hungary, he followed the course of the Danube till he
reached Belgrade. There he saw the imperial ensigns spread, and white
pavilions, thronged with troops, before the town. For the Emperor
Constantine was laying siege to the city to recover it from the
Bulgarians, who had taken it from him not long before.
A river flowed between the camp of the Emperor and the Bulgarians, and
at the moment when Rogero approached, a skirmish had begun between the
parties from either camp, who had approached the stream for the purpose
of watering. The Greeks in that affray were four to one, and drove back
the Bulgarians in precipitate rout. Rogero, seeing this, and animated
only by his hatred of the Grecian prince, dashed into the middle of the
flying mass, calling aloud on the fugitives to turn. He encountered
first a leader of the Grecian host in splendid armor, a nephew of the
Emperor, as dear to him as a son. Rogero's lance pierced shield and
armor, and stretched the warrior breathless on the plain. Another and
another fell before him, and astonishment and terror arrested the
advance of the Greeks, while the Bulgarians, catching courage from the
cavalier, rally, change front, and chase the Grecian troops, who fly in
their turn. Leo, the prince, was at a distance when this sudden
skirmish rose, but not so far but that he could see distinctly, from an
elevated position which he held, how the changed battle was all the
work of one man, and could not choose but admire the bravery and
prowess with which it was done. He knew by the blazonry displayed that
the champion was not of the Bulgarian army, though he furnished aid to
them. Although he suffered by his valor, the prince could not wish him
ill, for his admiration surpassed his resentment. By this time the
Greeks had regained the river, and crossing it by fording or swimming,
some made their escape, leaving many more prisoners in the hands of the
Bulgarians. Rogero, learning from some of the captives that Leo was at
a point some distance down the river, rode thither with a view to meet
him, but arrived not before the Greek prince had retired beyond the
stream, and broken up the bridge. Day was spent, and Rogero, wearied,
looked round for a shelter for the night. He found it in a cottage,
where he soon yielded himself to repose. It so happened, a knight who
had narrowly escaped Rogero's sword in the late battle also found
shelter in the same cottage, and, recognizing the armor of the unknown
knight, easily found means of securing him as he slept, and next
morning carried him in chains and delivered him to the Emperor. By him
he was in turn delivered to his sister Theodora, mother of the young
knight, the first victim of Rogero's spear. By her he was cast into a
dungeon, till her ingenuity could devise a death sufficiently painful
to satiate her revenge.
Bradamante, meanwhile, to escape her father's and mother's importunity,
had begged a boon of Charlemagne, which the monarch pledged his royal
word to grant; it was that she should not be compelled to marry any one
unless he should first vanquish her in single combat. The Emperor
therefore proclaimed a tournament in these words: "He that would wed
Duke Aymon's daughter must contend with the sword against that dame,
from the sun's rise to his setting; and if, in that time, he is not
overcome the lady shall be his."
Duke Aymon and the Lady Beatrice, though much incensed at the course
things had taken, brought their daughter to court, to await the day
appointed for the tournament. Bradamante, not finding there him whom
her heart required, distressed herself with doubts what could be the
cause of his absence. Of all fancies, the most painful one was that he
had gone away to learn to forget her, knowing her father's and her
mother's opposition to their union, and despairing to contend against
them. But oh, how much worse would be the maiden's woe, if it were
known to her what her betrothed was then enduring!
He was plunged in a dungeon where no ray of daylight ever penetrated,
loaded with chains, and scantily supplied with the coarsest food. No
wonder despair took possession of his heart, and he longed for death as
a relief, when one night (or one day, for both were equally dark to
him) he was roused with the glare of a torch and saw two men enter his
cell. It was the Prince Leo, with an attendant, who had come as soon as
he had learned the wretched fate of the brave knight whose valor he had
seen and admired on the field of battle. "Cavalier," said he, "I am one
whom thy valor hath so bound to thee, that I willingly peril my own
safety to lend thee aid." "Infinite thanks I owe you," replied Rogero,
"and the life you give me I promise faithfully to render back upon your
call, and promptly to stake it at all times for your service." The
prince then told Rogero his name and rank, at hearing which a tide of
contending emotions almost overwhelmed Rogero. He was set at liberty,
and had his horse and arms restored to him.
Meanwhile, tidings arrived of King Charles' decree that whoever aspired
to the hand of Bradamante must first encounter her with sword and
lance. This news made the Grecian prince turn pale, for he knew he was
no match for her in fight. Communing with himself, he sees how he may
make his wit supply the place of valor, and employ the French knight,
whose name was still unknown to him, to fight the battle for him.
Rogero heard the proposal with extreme distress; yet it seemed worse
than death to deny the first request of one to whom he owed his life.
Hastily he gave his assent "to do in all things that which Leo should
command." Afterward, bitter repentance came over him; yet, rather than
confess his change of mind, death itself would be welcome. Death seems
his only remedy; but how to die? Sometimes he thinks to make none but a
feigned resistance, and allow her sword a ready access, for never can
death come more happily than if her hand guide the weapon. Yet this
will not avail, for, unless he wins the maid for the Greek prince, his
debt remains unpaid. He had promised to maintain a real, not a feigned
encounter. He will then keep his word, and banish every thought from
his bosom except that which moved him to maintain his truth.
The young prince, richly attended, set out, and with him Rogero. They
arrived at Paris, but Leo preferred not to enter the city, and pitched
his tents without the walls, making known his arrival to Charlemagne by
an embassy. The monarch was pleased, and testified his courtesy by
visits and gifts. The prince set forth the purpose of his coming, and
prayed the Emperor to dispatch his suit--"to send forth the damsel who
refused ever to take in wedlock any lord inferior to herself in fight;
for she should be his bride, or he would perish beneath her sword."
Rogero passed the night before the day assigned for the battle like
that which the felon spends, condemned to pay the forfeit of his life
on the ensuing day. He chose to fight with sword only, and on foot, for
he would not let her see Frontino, knowing that she would recognize the
steed. Nor would he use Balisarda, for against that enchanted blade all
armor would be of no avail, and the sword that he did take he hammered
well upon the edge to abate its sharpness. He wore the surcoat of
Prince Leo, and his shield, emblazoned with a golden, double-headed
eagle. The prince took care to let himself be seen by none.
Bradamante, meanwhile, prepared herself for the combat far differently.
Instead of blunting the edge of her falchion she whets the steel, and
would fain infuse into it her own acerbity. As the moment approached
she seemed to have fire within her veins, and waited impatiently for
the trumpet's sound. At the signal she drew her sword, and fell with
fury upon her Rogero. But as a well-built wall or aged rock stands
unmoved the fury of the storm, so Rogero, clad in those arms which
Trojan Hector once wore, withstood the strokes which stormed about his
head and breast and flank. Sparks flew from his shield, his helm, his
cuirass; from direct and back strokes, aimed now high, now low, falling
thick and fast, like hailstones on a cottage roof; but Rogero, with
skilful ward, turns them aside, or receives them where his armor is a
sure protection, careful only to protect himself, and with no thought
of striking in return. Thus the hours passed away, and, as the sun
approached the west, the damsel began to despair. But so much the more
her anger increases, and she redoubles her efforts, like the craftsman
who sees his work unfinished while the day is wellnigh spent. O
miserable damsel! didst thou know whom thou wouldst kill,--if, in that
cavalier matched against thee thou didst but know Rogero, on whom thy
very life-threads hang, rather than kill him thou wouldst kill thyself,
for he is dearer to thee than life.
King Charles and the peers, who thought the cavalier to be the Grecian
prince, viewing such force and skill exhibited, and how without
assaulting her the knight defended himself, were filled with
admiration, and declared the champions well matched, and worthy of each
other.
When the sun was set Charlemagne gave the signal for terminating the
contest, and Bradamante was awarded to Prince Leo as a bride. Rogero,
in deep distress, returned to his tent. There Leo unlaced his helmet,
and kissed him on both cheeks. "Henceforth," said he, "do with me as
you please, for you cannot exhaust my gratitude." Rogero replied
little, laid aside the ensigns he had worn, and resumed the unicorn,
then hasted to withdraw himself from all eyes. When it was midnight he
rose, saddled Frontino, and sallied from his tent, taking that
direction which pleased his steed. All night he rode absorbed in bitter
woe, and called on Death as alone capable of relieving his sufferings.
At last he entered a forest, and penetrated into its deepest recesses.
There he unharnessed Frontino, and suffered him to wander where he
would. Then he threw himself down on the ground, and poured forth such
bitter wailings that the birds and beasts, for none else heard him,
were moved to pity with his cries.
Not less was the distress of the lady Bradamante, who, rather than wed
any one but Rogero, resolved to break her word, and defy kindred,
court, and Charlemagne himself; and, if nothing else would do, to die.
But relief came from an unexpected quarter. Marphisa, sister of Rogero,
was a heroine of warlike prowess equal to Bradamante. She had been the
confidante of their loves, and felt hardly less distress than
themselves at seeing the perils which threatened their union. "They are
already united by mutual vows," she said, "and in the sight of Heaven
what more is necessary?" Full of this thought she presented herself
before Charlemagne, and declared that she herself was witness that the
maiden had spoken to Rogero those words which they who marry swear; and
that the compact was so sealed between the pair that they were no
longer free, nor could forsake the one the other to take another
spouse. This her assertion she offered to prove, in single combat,
against Prince Leo, or any one else.
Charlemagne, sadly perplexed at this, commanded Bradamante to be
called, and told her what the bold Marphisa had declared. Bradamante
neither denied nor confirmed the statement, but hung her head, and kept
silence. Duke Aymon was enraged, and would fain have set aside the
pretended contract on the ground that, if made at all, it must have
been made before Rogero was baptized, and therefore void. But not so
thought Rinaldo, nor the good Orlando, and Charlemagne knew not which
way to decide, when Marphisa spoke thus:
"Since no one else can marry the maiden while my brother lives, let the
prince meet Rogero in mortal combat, and let him who survives take her
for his bride."
This saying pleased the Emperor, and was accepted by the prince, for he
thought that, by the aid of his unknown champion, he should surely
triumph in the fight. Proclamation was therefore made for Rogero to
appear and defend his suit; and Leo, on his part, caused search to be
made on all sides for the knight of the Unicorn.
Meanwhile Rogero, overwhelmed with despair, lay stretched on the ground
in the forest night and day without food, courting death. Here he was
discovered by one of Leo's people, who, finding him resist all attempts
to remove him, hastened to his master, who was not far off, and brought
him to the spot. As he approached he heard words which convinced him
that love was the cause of the knight's despair; but no clew was given
to guide him to the object of that love. Stooping down, the prince
embraced the weeping warrior, and, in the tenderest accents, said:
"Spare not, I entreat you, to disclose the cause of your distress, for
few such desperate evils betide mankind as are wholly past cure. It
grieves me much that you would hide your grief from me, for I am bound
to you by ties that nothing can undo. Tell me, then, your grief, and
leave me to try if wealth, art, cunning, force, or persuasion cannot
relieve you. If not, it will be time enough after all has been tried in
vain to die."
He spoke in such moving accents that Rogero could not choose but yield.
It was some time before he could command utterance; at last he said,
"My lord, when you shall know me for what I am, I doubt not you, like
myself, will be content that I should die. Know, then, I am that Rogero
whom you have so much cause to hate, and who so hated you that, intent
on putting you to death, he went to seek you at your father's court.
This I did because I could not submit to see my promised bride borne
off by you. But, as man proposes and God disposes, your great courtesy,
well tried in time of sore need, so moved my fixed resolve, that I not
only laid aside the hate I bore, but purposed to be your friend
forever. You then asked of me to win for you the lady Bradamante, which
was all one as to demand of me my heart and soul. You know whether I
served you faithfully or not. Yours is the lady; possess her in peace;
but ask me not to live to see it. Be content rather that I die; for
vows have passed between myself and her which forbid that while I live
she can lawfully wive with another."
So filled was gentle Leo with astonishment at these words that for a
while he stood silent, with lips unmoved and steadfast gaze, like a
statue. And the discovery that the stranger was Rogero not only abated
not the good will he bore him, but increased it, so that his distress
for what Rogero suffered seemed equal to his own. For this, and because
he would appear deservedly an Emperor's son, and, though in other
things outdone, would not be surpassed in courtesy, he says: "Rogero,
had I known that day when your matchless valor routed my troops that
you were Rogero, your virtue would have made me your own, as then it
made me while I knew not my foe, and I should have no less gladly
rescued you from Theodora's dungeon. And if I would willingly have done
so then, how much more gladly will I now restore the gift of which you
would rob yourself to confer it upon me. The damsel is more due to you
than to me, and though I know her worth, I would forego not only her,
but life itself, rather than distress a knight like you."
This and much more he said to the same intent; till at last Rogero
replied, "I yield, and am content to live, and thus a second time owe
my life to you."
But several days elapsed before Rogero was so far restored as to return
to the royal residence, where an embassy had arrived from the Bulgarian
princes to seek the knight of the unicorn, and tender to him the crown
of that country, in place of their king, fallen in battle.
Thus were things situated when Prince Leo, leading by the hand Rogero,
clad in the battered armor in which he had sustained the conflict with
Bradamante, presented himself before the king. "Behold," he said "the
champion who maintained from dawn to setting sun the arduous contest;
he comes to claim the guerdon of the fight." King Charlemagne, with all
his peerage, stood amazed; for all believed that the Grecian prince
himself had fought with Bradamante. Then stepped forth Marphisa, and
said, "Since Rogero is not here to assert his rights, I, his sister,
undertake his cause, and will maintain it against whoever shall dare
dispute his claim." She said this with so much anger and disdain that
the prince deemed it no longer wise to feign, and withdrew Rogero's
helmet from his brow, saying, "Behold him here!" Who can describe the
astonishment and joy of Marphisa! She ran and threw her arms about her
brother's neck, nor would give way to let Charlemagne and Rinaldo,
Orlando, Dudon, and the rest, who crowded round, embrace him, and press
friendly kisses on his brow. The joyful tidings flew fast by many a
messenger to Bradamante, who in her secret chamber lay lamenting. The
blood that stagnated about her heart flowed at that notice so fast,
that she had wellnigh died for joy. Duke Aymon and the Lady Beatrice no
longer withheld their consent, and pledged their daughter to the brave
Rogero before all that gallant company.
Now came the Bulgarian ambassadors, and, kneeling at the feet of
Rogero, besought him to return with them to their country, where, in
Adrianople, the crown and sceptre were awaiting his acceptance. Prince
Leo united his persuasions to theirs, and promised, in his royal
father's name, that peace should be restored on their part. Rogero gave
his consent, and it was surmised that none of the virtues which shone
so conspicuously in him so availed to recommend Rogero to the Lady
Beatrice as the hearing her future son-in-law saluted as a sovereign
prince.
THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES
After the expulsion of the Saracens from France Charlemagne led his
army into Spain, to punish Marsilius, the king of that country, for
having sided with the African Saracens in the late war. Charlemagne
succeeded in all his attempts, and compelled Marsilius to submit, and
pay tribute to France. Our readers will remember Gano, otherwise called
Gan, or Ganelon, whom we mentioned in one of our early chapters as an
old courtier of Charlemagne, and a deadly enemy of Orlando, Rinaldo,
and all their friends. He had great influence over Charles, from
equality of age and long intimacy; and he was not without good
qualities: he was brave and sagacious, but envious, false, and
treacherous. Gan prevailed on Charles to send him as ambassador to
Marsilius, to arrange the tribute. He embraced Orlando over and over
again at taking leave, using such pains to seem loving and sincere,
that his hypocrisy was manifest to every one but the old monarch. He
fastened with equal tenderness on Oliver, who smiled contemptuously in
his face, and thought to himself, "You may make as many fair speeches
as you choose, but you lie." All the other paladins who were present
thought the same, and they said as much to the Emperor, adding that Gan
should on no account be sent ambassador to the Spaniards. But Charles
was infatuated.
Gan was received with great honor by Marsilius. The king, attended by
his lords, came fifteen miles out of Saragossa to meet him, and then
conducted him into the city with acclamations. There was nothing for
several days but balls, games, and exhibitions of chivalry, the ladies
throwing flowers on the heads of the French knights, and the people
shouting, "France! Mountjoy and St. Denis!"
After the ceremonies of the first reception the king and the ambassador
began to understand one another. One day they sat together in a garden
on the border of a fountain. The water was so clear and smooth it
reflected every object around, and the spot was encircled with
fruit-trees which quivered with the fresh air. As they sat and talked,
as if without restraint, Gan, without looking the king in the face, was
enabled to see the expression of his countenance in the water, and
governed his speech accordingly. Marsilius was equally adroit, and
watched the face of Gan while he addressed him. Marsilius began by
lamenting, not as to the ambassador, but as to the friend, the injuries
which Charles had done him by invading his dominions, charging him with
wishing to take his kingdom from him and give it to Orlando; till at
length he plainly uttered his belief that if that ambitious paladin
were but dead good men would get their rights.