BULFINCH'S MYTHOLOGY: 1863 
LEGENDS OF CHARLEMAGNE OR ROMANCE OF THE MIDDLE AGES 
by Thomas Bulfinch

"How Agrican with all his northern powers 
Besieged Albracca, as romances tell; 
The city of Galaphron, from thence to win 
The fairest of her sex, Angelica, 
His daughter, loved of many prowest knights, 
Both paynim, and the peers of Charlemain." 
Paradise Regained. 

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. 
CHAPTER II. THE PEERS, OR PALADINS. 
CHAPTER III. THE TOURNAMENT. 
CHAPTER IV. THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA. 
CHAPTER V. ADVENTURES OF RINALDO AND ORLANDO. 
CHAPTER VI. THE INVASION OF FRANCE. 
CHAPTER VII. THE INVASION OF FRANCE, CONTINUED. 
CHAPTER VIII. BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO. 
CHAPTER IX. ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS. 
CHAPTER X. THE ORC. 
CHAPTER XI. ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED, AND ISABELLA'S BEGUN. 
CHAPTER XII. MEDORO. 
CHAPTER XIII. ORLANDO MAD. 
CHAPTER XIV. ZERBINO AND ISABELLA. 
CHAPTER XV. ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA. 
CHAPTER XVI. THE WAR IN AFRICA. 
CHAPTER XVII. ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE. 
CHAPTER XVIII. THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES. 
CHAPTER XIX. RINALDO AND BAYARD. 
CHAPTER XX. DEATH OF RINALDO. 
CHAPTER XXI. HUON OF BORDEAUX. 
CHAPTER XXII. HUON OF BORDEAUX, CONTINUED. 
CHAPTER XXIII. HUON OF BORDEAUX, CONTINUED. 
CHAPTER XXIV. OGIER, THE DANE. 
CHAPTER XXV. OGIER, THE DANE, CONTINUED. 
CHAPTER XXVI. OGIER, THE DANE, CONTINUED.



CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION.

THOSE who have investigated the origin of the romantic fables relating to 
Charlemagne and his peers are of opinion that the deeds of Charles Martel, 
and perhaps of other Charleses, have been blended in popular tradition with 
those properly belonging to Charlemagne. It was indeed a most momentous era; 
and if our readers will have patience, before entering on the perusal of the 
fabulous annals which we are about to lay before them, to take a rapid 
survey of the real history of the times, they will find it hardly less 
romantic than the tales of the poets. 

In the century beginning from the year 600, the countries bordering upon the 
native land of our Saviour, to the east and south, had not yet received his 
religion. Arabia was the seat of an idolatrous religion resembling that of 
the ancient Persians, who worshipped the sun, moon, and stars. In Mecca, in 
the year 571, Mahomet was born, and here, at the age of forty, he proclaimed 
himself the prophet of God, in dignity as superior to Christ as Christ had 
been to Moses. Having obtained by slow degrees a considerable number of 
disciples, he resorted to arms to diffuse his religion. The energy and zeal 
of his followers, aided by the weakness of the neighboring nations, enabled 
him and his successors to spread the sway of Arabia and the religion of 
Mahomet over the countries to the east as far as the Indus, northward over 
Persia and Asia Minor, westward over Egypt and the southern shores of the 
Mediterranean, and thence over the principal portion of Spain. All this was 
done within one hundred years from the Hegira, or flight of Mahomet from 
Mecca to Medina, which happened in the year 622, and is the era from which 
Mahometans reckon time, as we do from the birth of Christ. 

From Spain the way was open for the Saracens (so the followers of Mahomet 
were called) into France, the conquest of which, if achieved, would have 
been followed very probably by that of all the rest of Europe, and would 
have resulted in the banishment of Christianity from the earth. For 
Christianity was not at that day universally professed, even by those 
nations which we now regard as foremost in civilization. Great part of 
Germany, Britain, Denmark, and Russia were still pagan or barbarous. 

At that time there ruled in France, though without the title of king, the 
first of those illustrious Charleses of whom we have spoken, Charles Martel, 
the grandfather of Charlemagne. The Saracens of Spain had made incursions 
into France in 712 and 718, and had retired, carrying with them a vast 
booty. In 725, Anbessa, who was then the Saracen governor of Spain, crossed 
the Pyrenees with a numerous army, and took by storm the strong town of 
Carcassone. So great was the terror, excited by this invasion, that the 
country for a wide extent submitted to the conqueror, and a Mahometan 
governor for the province was appointed and installed at Narbonne. Anbessa, 
however, received a fatal wound in one of his engagements, and the Saracens, 
being thus checked from further advance, retired to Narbonne. 

In 732 the Saracens again invaded France under Abdalrahman, advanced rapidly 
to the banks of the Garonne, and laid siege to Bordeaux. The city was taken 
by assault and delivered up to the soldiery. The invaders still pressed 
forward, and spread over the territories of Orleans, Auxerre, and Sens. 
Their advanced parties were suddenly called in by their chief, who had 
received information of the rich abbey of St. Martin of Tours, and resolved 
to plunder and destroy it. 

Charles during all this time had done nothing to oppose the Saracens, for 
the reason that the portion of France over which their incursions had been 
made was not at that time under his dominion, but constituted an independent 
kingdom, under the name of Aquitaine, of which Eude was king. But now 
Charles became convinced of the danger, and prepared to encounter it. 
Abdalrahman was advancing toward Tours, when intelligence of the approach of 
Charles, at the head of an army of Franks, compelled him to fall back upon 
Poitiers, in order to seize an advantageous field of battle. 

Charles Martel had called together his warriors from every part of his 
dominion, and, at the head of such an army as had hardly ever been seen in 
France, crossed the Loire, probably at Orleans, and, being joined by the 
remains of the army of Aquitaine, came in sight of the Arabs in the month of 
October, 732. The Saracens seem to have been aware of the terrible enemy 
they were now to encounter, and for the first time these formidable 
conquerors hesitated. The two armies remained in presence during seven days 
before either ventured to begin the attack; but at length the signal for 
battle was given by Abdalrahman, and the immense mass of the Saracen army 
rushed with fury on the Franks. But the heavy line of the Northern warriors 
remained like a rock, and the Saracens, during nearly the whole day, 
expended their strength in vain attempts to make an impression upon them. At 
length, about four o'clock in the afternoon, when Abdalrahman was preparing 
for a new and desperate attempt to break the line of the Franks, a terrible 
clamor was heard in the rear of the Saracens. It was King Eude, who, with 
his Aquitanians, had attacked their camp, and a great part of the Saracen 
army rushed tumultuously from the field to protect their plunder. In this 
moment of confusion the line of the Franks advanced, and, sweeping the field 
before it, carried fearful slaughter amongst the enemy. Abdalrahman made 
desperate efforts to rally his troops, but when he himself, with the bravest 
of his officers, fell beneath the swords of the Christians, all order 
disappeared, and the remains of his army sought refuge in their immense 
camp, from which Eude and his Aquitanians had been repulsed. It was now 
late, and Charles, unwilling to risk an attack on the camp in the dark, 
withdrew his army, and passed the night in the plain, expecting to renew the 
battle in the morning. 

Accordingly, when daylight came, the Franks drew up in order of battle, but 
no enemy appeared; and when at last they ventured to approach the Saracen 
camp, they found it empty. The invaders had taken advantage of the night to 
begin their retreat, and were already on their way back to Spain, leaving 
their immense plunder behind to fall into the hands of the Franks. 

This was the celebrated battle of Tours, in which vast numbers of the 
Saracens were slain, and only fifteen hundred of the Franks. Charles 
received the surname of Martel (the Hammer) in consequence of this victory. 

The Saracens, notwithstanding this severe blow, continued to hold their 
ground in the South of France; but Pepin, the son of Charles Martel, who 
succeeded to his father's power, and assumed the title of king, successively 
took from them the strong places they held; and in 759, by the capture of 
Narbonne, their capital, extinguished the remains of their power in France. 

Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, succeeded his father, Pepin, on the 
throne in the year 768. This prince, though the hero of numerous romantic 
legends, appears greater in history than in fiction. Whether we regard him 
as a warrior or as a legislator, as a patron of learning or as the civilizer 
of a barbarous nation, he is entitled to our warmest admiration. Such he is 
in history; but the romancers represent him as often weak and passionate, 
the victim of treacherous counsellors, and at the mercy of turbulent barons, 
on whose prowess he depends for the maintenance of his throne. The 
historical representation is doubtless the true one, for it is handed down 
in trustworthy records, and is confirmed by the events of the age. At the 
height of his power, the French empire extended over what we now call 
France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and a great part of Italy. 

In the year 800, Charlemagne, being in Rome, whither he had gone with a 
numerous army to protect the Pope, was crowned by the Pontiff Emperor of the 
West. On Christmas day Charles entered the Church of St. Peter, as if merely 
to take his part in the celebration of the mass with the rest of the 
congregation. When he approached the altar and stooped in the act of prayer, 
the Pope stepped forward and placed a crown of gold upon his head; and 
immediately the Roman people shouted, "Life and victory to Charles the 
August, crowned by God the great and pacific Emperor of the Romans." The 
Pope then prostrated himself before him, and paid him reverence, according 
to the custom established in the times of the ancient Emperors, and 
concluded the ceremony by anointing him with consecrated oil. 

Charlemagne's wars were chiefly against the pagan and barbarous people, who, 
under the name of Saxons, inhabited the countries now called Hanover and 
Holland. He also led expeditions against the Saracens of Spain; but his wars 
with the Saracens were not carried on, as the romances assert, in France, 
but on the soil of Spain. He entered Spain by the Eastern Pyrenees, and made 
an easy conquest of Barcelona and Pampeluna. But Saragossa refused to open 
her gates to him, and Charles ended by negotiating, and accepting a vast sum 
of gold as the price of his return over the Pyrenees. 

On his way back, he marched with his whole army through the gorges of the 
mountains by way of the valleys of Engui, Eno, and Roncesvalles. The chief 
of this region had waited upon Charlemagne, on his advance, as a faithful 
vassal of the monarchy; but now, on the return of the Franks, he had called 
together all the wild mountaineers who acknowledged him as their chief, and 
they occupied the heights of the mountains under which the army had to pass. 
The main body of the troops met with no obstruction, and received no 
intimation of danger; but the rear-guard, which was considerably behind, and 
encumbered with its plunder, was overwhelmed by the mountaineers in the pass 
of Roncesvalles, and slain to a man. Some of the bravest of the Frankish 
chiefs perished on this occasion, among whom is mentioned Roland or Orlando, 
governor of the marches or frontier of Brittany. 

His name became famous in after times, and the disaster of Roncesvalles and 
death of Roland became eventually the most celebrated episode in the vast 
cycle of romance. 

Though after this there were hostile encounters between the armies of 
Charlemagne and the Saracens, they were of small account, and generally on 
the soil of Spain. Thus the historical foundation for the stories of the 
romancers is but scanty, unless we suppose the events of an earlier and of a 
later age to be incorporated with those of Charlemagne's own time. 

There is, however, a pretended history, which for a long time was admitted 
as authentic, and attributed to Turpin, Archbishop of Rheims, a real 
personage of the time of Charlemagne. Its title is "History of Charles the 
Great and Orlando." It is now unhesitatingly considered as a collection of 
popular traditions, produced by some credulous and unscrupulous monk, who 
thought to give dignity to his romance by ascribing its authorship to a 
well-known and eminent individual. It introduces its pretended author, 
Bishop Turpin, in this manner:- "Turpin, Archbishop of Rheims, the friend 
and secretary of Charles the Great, excellently skilled in sacred and 
profane literature, of a genius equally adapted to prose and verse, the 
advocate of the poor, beloved of God in his life and conversation, who often 
fought the Saracens, hand to hand, by the Emperor's side, he relates the 
acts of Charles the Great in one book, and flourished under Charles and his 
son Louis, to the year of our Lord eight hundred and thirty." The titles of 
some of Archbishop Turpin's chapters will show the nature of his history. 
They are these: "Of the Walls of Pampeluna, that fell of themselves." "Of 
the War of the holy Facundus, where the Spears grew." (Certain of the 
Christians fixed their spears, in the evening, erect in the ground, before 
the castle; and found them, in the morning, covered with bark and branches.) 
"How the Sun stood still for Three Days, and the Slaughter of Four Thousand 
Saracens." 

Turpin's history has perhaps been the source of the marvellous adventures 
which succeeding poets and romancers have accumulated around the names of 
Charlemagne and his Paladins, or Peers. But Ariosto and the other Italian 
poets have drawn from different sources, and doubtless often from their own 
invention, numberless other stories which they attribute to the same heroes, 
not hesitating to quote as their authority "the good Turpin," though his 
history contains no trace of them;- and the more outrageous the 
improbability, or rather the impossibility, of their narrations, the more 
attentive are they to cite "the Archbishop," generally adding their 
testimonial to his unquestionable veracity. 

The principal Italian poets who have sung the adventures of the peers of 
Charlemagne are Pulci, Boiardo, and Ariosto. The characters of Orlando, 
Rinaldo, Astolpho, Gano, and others, are the same in all, though the 
adventures attributed to them are different, Boiardo tells us of the loves 
of Orlando, Ariosto of his disappointment and consequent madness, Pulci of 
his death. 

Ogier, the Dane, is a real personage. History agrees with romance in 
representing him as a powerful lord who, originally from Denmark and a 
Pagan, embraced Christianity, and took service under Charlemagne. He 
revolted from the Emperor, and was driven into exile. He afterwards led one 
of those bands of piratical Norsemen which ravaged France under the reigns 
of Charlemagne's degenerate successors. The description which an ancient 
chronicler gives of Charlemagne, as described by Ogier, is so picturesque, 
that we are tempted to transcribe it. Charlemagne was advancing to the siege 
of Pavia. Didier, King of the Lombards, was in the city with Ogier, to whom 
he had given refuge. When they learned that the king was approaching, they 
mounted a high tower, whence they could see far and wide over the country. 
"They first saw advancing the engines of war, fit for the armies of Darius 
or Julius Caesar. 'There is Charlemagne,' said Didier. 'No,' said Ogier. The 
Lombard next saw a vast body of soldiers, who filled all the plain. 
'Certainly Charles advances with that host,' said the king. 'Not yet,' 
replied Ogier. 'What hope for us,' resumed the king, 'if he brings with him 
a greater host than that?' At last Charles appeared, his head covered with 
an iron helmet, his hands with iron gloves, his breast and shoulders with a 
cuirass of iron, his left hand holding an iron lance, while his right hand 
grasped his sword. Those who went before the monarch, those who marched at 
his side, and those who followed him, all had similar arms. Iron covered the 
fields and the roads; iron points reflected the rays of the sun. This iron, 
so hard, was borne by a people whose hearts were harder still. The blaze of 
the weapons flashed terror into the streets of the city." 

This picture of Charlemagne in his military aspect would be incomplete 
without a corresponding one of his "mood of peace." One of the greatest of 
modern historians, M. Guizot, has compared the glory of Charlemagne to a 
brilliant meteor, rising suddenly out of the darkness of barbarism to 
disappear no less suddenly in the darkness of feudalism. But the light of 
this meteor was not extinguished, and reviving civilization owed much that 
was permanently beneficial to the great Emperor of the Franks. His ruling 
hand is seen in the legislation of his time, as well as in the 
administration of the laws. He encouraged learning; he upheld the clergy, 
who were the only peaceful and intellectual class, against the encroaching 
and turbulent barons; he was an affectionate father, and watched carefully 
over the education of his children, both sons and daughters. Of his 
encouragement of learning, we will give some particulars. He caused learned 
men to be brought from Italy and from other foreign countries, to revive the 
public schools of France, which had been prostrated by the disorders of 
preceding times. He recompensed these learned men liberally, and kept some 
of them near himself, honoring them with his friendship. Of these the most 
celebrated is Alcuin, an Englishman, whose writings still remain, and prove 
him to have been both a learned and a wise man. With the assistance of 
Alcuin, and others like him, he founded an academy or royal school, which 
should have the direction of the studies of all the schools of the kingdom. 
Charlemagne himself was a member of this academy on equal terms with the 
rest. He attended its meetings, and fulfilled all the duties of an 
academician. Each member took the name of some famous man of antiquity. 
Alcuin called himself Horace, another took the name of Augustin, a third of 
Pindar. Charlemagne, who knew the Psalms by heart, and who had an ambition 
to be, according to his conception, a king after God's own heart, received 
from his brother academicians the name of David. 

Of the respect entertained for him by foreign nations an interesting proof 
is afforded in the embassy sent to him by the Caliph of the Arabians, the 
celebrated Haroun al Raschid, a prince in character and conduct not unlike 
to Charlemagne. The ambassadors brought with them, besides other rich 
presents, a clock, the first that was seen in Europe, which excited 
universal admiration. It had the form of a twelve-sided edifice with twelve 
doors. These doors formed niches, in each of which was a little statue 
representing one of the hours. At the striking of the hour the doors, one 
for each stroke, were seen to open, and from the doors to issue as many of 
the little statues, which, following one another, marched gravely round the 
tower. The motion of the clock was caused by water, and the striking was 
effected by balls of brass equal to the number of the hours, which fell upon 
a cymbal of the same metal, the number falling being determined by the 
discharge of the water, which, as it sunk in the vessel, allowed their 
escape. 

Charlemagne was succeeded by his son Louis, a well-intentioned but feeble 
prince, in whose reign the fabric reared by Charles began rapidly to 
crumble. Louis was followed successively by two Charleses, incapable 
princes, whose weak and often tyrannical conduct is no doubt the source of 
incidents of that character ascribed in the romances to Charlemagne. 

The lawless and disobedient deportment of Charles's paladins, instances of 
which are so frequent in the romantic legends, was also a trait of the 
declining empire, but not of that of Charlemagne. 



CHAPTER II. THE PEERS, OR PALADINS.

THE twelve most illustrious knights of Charlemagne were called Peers, for 
the equality that reigned among them; while the name of Paladins, also 
conferred on them, implies that they were inmates of the palace and 
companions of the king. Their names are not always given alike by the 
romancers, yet we may enumerate the most distinguished of them as follows: 
Orlando or Poland (the former the Italian, the latter the French form of the 
name), favorite nephew of Charlemagne; Rinaldo of Montalban, cousin of 
Orlando; Namo, Duke of Bavaria; Salomon, King of Brittany; Turpin, the 
Archbishop; Astolpho, of England; Ogier, the Dane; Malagigi, the Enchanter; 
and Florismart, the friend of Orlando. There were others who are sometimes 
named as paladins, and the number cannot be strictly limited to twelve. 
Charlemagne himself must be counted one, and Ganelon, or Gano, of Mayence, 
the treacherous enemy of all the rest, was rated high on the list by his 
deluded sovereign, who was completely the victim of his arts. 

We shall introduce more particularly to our readers a few of the principal 
peers, leaving the others to make their own introduction, as they appear in 
the course of our narrative. We begin with Orlando. 

ORLANDO.

Milon, or Milone, a knight of great family, and distantly related to 
Charlemagne, having secretly married Bertha, the Emperor's sister, was 
banished from France, and excommunicated by the Pope. After a long and 
miserable wandering on foot as mendicants, Milon and his wife arrived at 
Sutri, in Italy, where they took refuge in a cave, and in that cave Orlando 
was born. There his mother continued, deriving a scanty support from the 
compassion of the neighboring peasants; while Milon, in quest of honor and 
fortune, went into foreign lands. Orlando grew up among the children of the 
peasantry, surpassing them all in strength and manly graces. Among his 
companions in age, though in station far more elevated, was Oliver, son of 
the governor of the town. Between the two boys a feud arose, that led to a 
fight, in which Orlando thrashed his rival; but this did not prevent a 
friendship springing up between the two which lasted through life. Orlando 
was so poor that he was sometimes half naked. As he was a favorite of the 
boys, one day four of them brought some cloth to make him clothes. Two 
brought white and two red; and from this circumstance Orlando took his coat-
of-arms, or quarterings. 

When Charlemagne was on his way to Rome to receive the imperial crown, he 
dined in public in Sutri. Orlando and his mother that day had nothing to 
eat, and Orlando, coming suddenly upon the royal party, and seeing abundance 
of provisions, seized from the attendants as much as he could carry off, and 
made good his retreat in spite of their resistance. The Emperor, being told 
of this incident, was reminded of an intimation he had received in a dream, 
and ordered the boy to be followed. This was done by three of the knights, 
whom Orlando would have encountered with a cudgel on their entering the 
grotto had not his mother restrained him. When they heard from her who she 
was, they threw themselves at her feet, and promised to obtain her pardon 
from the Emperor. This was easily effected. Orlando was received into favor 
by the Emperor, returned with him to France and so distinguished himself 
that he became the most powerful support of the throne and of 
Christianity.(1)

ROLAND AND FERRAUGUS.

Orlando, or Roland, particularly distinguished himself by his combat with 
Ferragus. Ferragus was a giant, and moreover, his skin was of such 
impenetrable stuff that no sword could make any impression upon it. The 
giant's mode of fighting was to seize his adversary in his arms and carry 
him off, in spite of all the struggles he could make. Roland's utmost skill 
only availed to keep him out of the giant's clutches, but all his efforts to 
wound him with the sword were useless. After long fighting, Ferragus was so 
weary that he proposed a truce, and when it was agreed upon, he lay down and 
immediately fell asleep. He slept in perfect security, for it was against 
all the laws of chivalry to take advantage of an adversary under such 
circumstances. But Ferragus lay so uncomfortably for the want of a pillow, 
that Orlando took pity upon him, and brought a smooth stone and placed it 
under his head. When the giant woke up, after a refreshing nap, and 
perceived what Orlando had done, he seemed quite grateful, became sociable, 
and talked freely in the usual boastful style of such characters. Among 
other things, he told Orlando that he need not attempt to kill him with a 
sword, for that every part of his body was invulnerable, except this; and as 
he spoke, he put his hand to the vital part, just in the middle of his 
breast. Aided by this information, Orlando succeeded, when the fight was 
renewed, in piercing the giant in the very spot he had pointed out, and 
giving him a death-wound. Great was the rejoicing in the Christian camp, and 
many the praises showered upon the victorious paladin by the Emperor and all 
his host. 

On another occasion, Orlando encountered a puissant Saracen warrior, and 
took from him, as the prize of victory, the sword Durindana. This famous 
weapon had once belonged to the illustrious prince Hector of Troy. It was of 
the finest workmanship, and of such strength and temper that no armor in the 
world could stand against it. 

A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER.

Guerin de Montglave held the lordship of Vienne, subject to Charlemagne. He 
had quarrelled with his sovereign, and Charles laid siege to his city, 
having ravaged the neighboring country. Guerin was an aged warrior, but 
relied for his defence upon his four sons and two grandsons, who were among 
the bravest knights of the age. After the siege had continued two months, 
Charlemagne received tidings that Marsilius, king of Spain, had invaded 
France, and, finding himself unopposed, was advancing rapidly in the 
Southern provinces. At this intelligence, Charles listened to the counsel of 
his peers, and consented to put the quarrel with Guerin to the decision of 
Heaven, by single combat between two knights, one of each party, selected by 
lot. 

The proposal was acceptable to Guerin and his sons. The names of the four, 
together with Guerin's own, who would not be excused, and of the two 
grandsons, who claimed their lot, being put into a helmet, Oliver's was 
drawn forth, and to him, the youngest of the grandsons, was assigned the 
honor and the peril of the combat. He accepted the award with delight, 
exulting in being thought worthy to maintain the cause of his family. On 
Charlemagne's side Roland was the designated champion, and neither he nor 
Oliver knew who his antagonist was to be. They met on an island in the 
Rhone, and the warriors of both camps were ranged on either shore, 
spectators of the battle. At the first encounter both lances were shivered, 
but both riders kept their seats, immovable. They dismounted, and drew their 
swords. Then ensued a combat which seemed so equal, that the spectators 
could not form an opinion as to the probable issue. Two hours and more the 
knights continued to strike and parry, to thrust and ward, neither showing 
any sign of weariness, nor ever being taken at unawares. At length Orlando 
struck furiously upon Oliver's shield, burying Durindana in its edge so 
deeply that he could not draw it back, and Oliver, almost at the same 
moment, thrust so vigorously upon Orlando's breastplate that his sword 
snapped off at the handle. Thus were the two warriors left weaponless. 
Scarcely pausing a moment, they rushed upon one another, each striving to 
throw his adversary to the ground, and failing in that, each snatched at the 
other's helmet to tear it away. Both succeeded, and at the same moment they 
stood bareheaded face to face, and Roland recognized Oliver, and Oliver 
recognized Roland. For a moment they stood still; and the next, with open 
arms, rushed into one another's embrace. "I am conquered," said Orlando. "I 
yield me," said Oliver. 

The people on the shore knew not what to make of all this. Presently they 
saw the two late antagonists standing hand in hand, and it was evident the 
battle was at an end. The knights crowded round them, and with one voice 
hailed them as equals in glory. If there were any who felt disposed to 
murmur that the battle was left undecided, they were silenced by the voice 
of Ogier the Dane, who proclaimed aloud that all had been done that honor 
required, and declared that he would maintain that award against all 
gainsayers. 

The quarrel with Guerin and his sons being left undecided, a truce was made 
for four days, and in that time, by the efforts of Duke Namo on the one 
side, and of Oliver on the other, a reconciliation was effected. 
Charlemagne, accompanied by Guerin and his valiant family, marched to meet 
Marsilius, who hastened to retreat across the frontier.

RINALDO.

Rinaldo was one of the four sons of Aymon, who married Aya, the sister of 
Charlemagne. Thus Rinaldo was nephew to Charlemagne and cousin of Orlando. 

When Rinaldo had grown old enough to assume arms, Orlando had won for 
himself an illustrious name by his exploits against the Saracens, whom 
Charlemagne and his brave knights had driven out of France. Orlando's fame 
excited a noble emulation in Rinaldo. Eager to go in pursuit of glory, he 
wandered in the country near Paris, and one day saw at the foot of a tree a 
superb horse, fully equipped and loaded with a complete suit of armor. 
Rinaldo clothed himself in the armor and mounted the horse, but took not the 
sword. On the day when, with his brothers, he had received the honor of 
knighthood from the Emperor, he had sworn never to bind a sword to his side 
till he had wrested one from some famous knight. 

Rinaldo took his way to the forest of Arden, celebrated for so many 
adventures. Hardly had he entered it, when he met an old man, bending under 
the weight of years, and learned from him that the forest was infested with 
a wild horse, untamable, that broke and overturned everything that opposed 
his career. To attack him, he said, or even to meet him, was certain death. 
Rinaldo, far from being alarmed, showed the most eager desire to combat the 
animal. This was the horse Bayard, afterwards so famous. He had formerly 
belonged to Amadis of Gaul. After the death of that hero, he had been held 
under enchantment by the power of a magician, who predicted that, when the 
time came to break the spell, he should be subdued by a knight of the 
lineage of Amadis, and not less brave than he. 

To win this wonderful horse, it was necessary to conquer him by force or 
skill; for from the moment when he should be thrown down, he would become 
docile and manageable. His habitual resort was a cave on the borders of the 
forest; but woe be to any one who should approach him, unless gifted with 
strength and courage more than mortal. Having told this, the old man 
departed. He was not, in fact, an old man, but Malagigi, the enchanter, 
cousin of Rinaldo, who, to favor the enterprises of the young knight, had 
procured for him the horse and armor which he so opportunely found, and now 
put him in the way to acquire a horse unequalled in the world. 

Rinaldo plunged into the forest, and spent many days in seeking Bayard, but 
found no traces of him. One day he encountered a Saracen knight, with whom 
he made acquaintance, as often happened to knights, by first meeting him in 
combat. This knight, whose name was Isolier, was also in quest of Bayard. 
Rinaldo succeeded in the encounter, and so severe was the shock that Isolier 
was a long time insensible. When he revived, and was about to resume the 
contest, a peasant who passed by (it was Malagigi) interrupted them with the 
news that the terrible horse was near at hand, advising them to unite their 
powers to subdue him, for it would require all their ability. 

Rinaldo and Isolier, now become friends, proceeded together to the attack of 
the horse. They found Bayard, and stood a long time, concealed by the wood, 
admiring his strength and beauty. A bright bay in color (whence he was 
called Bayard), with a silver star in his forehead, and his hind feet white, 
his body slender, his head delicate, his ample chest filled out with 
swelling muscles, his shoulders broad and full, his legs straight and 
sinewy, his thick mane falling over his arching neck,- he came rushing 
through the forest, regardless of rocks, bushes, or trees, rending 
everything that opposed his way, and neighing defiance. 

He first descried Isolier, and rushed upon him. The knight received him with 
lance in rest, but the fierce animal broke the spear, and his course was not 
delayed by it for an instant. The Spaniard adroitly stepped aside, and gave 
way to the rushing tempest. Bayard checked his career, and turned again upon 
the knight, who had already drawn his sword. He drew his sword, for he had 
no hope of taming the horse; that, he was satisfied, was impossible. 

Bayard rushed upon him, fiercely rearing, now on this side, now on that. The 
knight struck him with his sword, where the white star adorned his forehead, 
but struck in vain, and felt ashamed, thinking that he had struck feebly, 
for he did not know that the skin of that horse was so tough that the 
keenest sword could make no impression upon it. 

Whistling fell the sword once more, and struck with greater force, and the 
fierce horse felt it, and drooped his head under the blow, but the next 
moment turned upon his foe with such a buffet that the Pagan fell stunned 
and lifeless to the earth. 

Rinaldo, who saw Isolier fall, and thought that his life was reft, darted 
towards the horse, and, with his fist, gave him such a blow on the jaws that 
the blood tinged his mouth with vermilion. Quicker than an arrow leaves the 
bow the horse turned upon him, and tried to seize his arm with his teeth. 

The knight stepped back, and then, repeating his blow, struck him on the 
forehead. Bayard turned, and kicked with both his feet with a force that 
would have shattered a mountain. Rinaldo was on his guard, and evaded his 
attacks, whether made with head or heels. He kept at his side, avoiding 
both; but, making a false step, he at last received a terrible blow from the 
horse's foot, and at the shock almost fainted away. A second such blow would 
have killed him, but the horse kicked at random, and a second blow did not 
reach Rinaldo, who in a moment recovered himself. Thus the contest continued 
until by chance Bayard's foot got caught between the branches of an oak. 
Rinaldo seized it, and putting forth all his strength and address, threw him 
on the ground. 

No sooner had Bayard touched the ground, than all his rage subsided. No 
longer an object of terror, he became gentle and quiet, yet with dignity in 
his mildness. 

The paladin patted his neck, stroked his breast, and smoothed his mane, 
while the animal neighed and showed delight to be caressed by his master. 
Rinaldo, seeing him now completely subdued, took the saddle and trappings 
from the other horse, and adorned Bayard with the spoils. 

Rinaldo became one of the most illustrious knights of Charlemagne's court,- 
indeed, the most illustrious, if we except Orlando. Yet he was not always so 
obedient to the Emperor's commands as he should have been, and every fault 
he committed was sure to be aggravated by the malice of Gan, Duke of 
Maganza, the treacherous enemy of Rinaldo and all his house. 

At one time Rinaldo had incurred the severe displeasure of Charlemagne, and 
been banished from court. Seeing no chance of being ever restored to favor, 
he went to Spain, and entered the service of the Saracen king, Ivo. His 
brothers, Alardo, Ricardo, and Ricciardetto, accompanied him, and all four 
served the king so faithfully that they rose to high favor with him. The 
king gave them land in the mountains on the frontiers of France and Spain, 
and subjected all the country round to Rinaldo's authority. There was plenty 
of marble in the mountains, the king furnished workmen, and they built a 
castle for Rinaldo, surrounded with high walls, so as to be almost 
impregnable. Built of white stone, and placed on the brow of a marble 
promontory, the castle shone like a star, and Rinaldo gave it the name of 
Montalban. Here he assembled his friends, many of whom were banished men 
like himself, and the country people furnished them with provisions in 
return for the protection the castle afforded. Yet some of Rinaldo's men 
were lawless, and sometimes the supplies were not furnished in sufficient 
abundance, so that Rinaldo and his garrison got a bad name for taking by 
force what they could not obtain by gift; and we sometimes find Montalban 
spoken of as a nest of freebooters, and its defenders called a beggarly 
garrison. Charlemagne's displeasure did not last long, and, at the time our 
history commences, Rinaldo and his brothers were completely restored to the 
favor of the Emperor, and none of his cavaliers served him with greater zeal 
and fidelity than they, throughout all his wars with the Saracens and 
Pagans. 

 

(1) It is plain that Shakespeare borrowed from this source the similar 
incident in his "As you Like it." The names of characters in the play, 
Orlando, Oliver, Rowland, indicate the same thing.

 


CHAPTER III. THE TOURNAMENT.

IT was the month of May and the feast of Pentecost. Charlemagne had ordered 
magnificent festivities, and summoned to them, besides his paladins and 
vassals of the crown, all strangers, Christian or Saracen, then sojourning 
at Paris. Among the guests were King Grandonio, from Spain; and Ferrau, the 
Saracen, with eyes like an eagle; Orlando and Rinaldo, the Emperor's 
nephews; Duke Namo; Astolpho, of England, the handsomest man living; 
Malagigi, the Enchanter; and Gano, of Maganza, that wily traitor, who had 
the art to make the Emperor think he loved him, while he plotted against 
him. 

High sat Charlemagne at the head of his vassals and his paladins, rejoicing 
in the thought of their number and their might, while all were sitting and 
hearing music, and feasting, when suddenly there came into the hall four 
enormous giants, having between them a lady of incomparable beauty, attended 
by a single knight. There were many ladies present who had seemed beautiful 
till she made her appearance, but after that they all seemed nothing. Every 
Christian knight turned his eyes to her, and every Pagan crowded round her, 
while she, with a sweetness that might have touched a heart of stone, thus 
addressed the Emperor:- 

"High-minded lord, the renown of your worthiness, and of the valor of these 
your knights, which echoes from sea to sea, encourages me to hope that two 
pilgrims, who have come from the ends of the world to behold you, will not 
have encountered their fatigue in vain. And, before I show the motive which 
has brought us hither, learn that this knight is my brother Uberto, and that 
I am his sister Angelica. Fame has told us of the jousting this day 
appointed, and so the prince my brother has come to prove his valor, and to 
say that, if any of the knights here assembled choose to meet him in the 
joust, he will encounter them, one by one, at the stair of Merlin, by the 
Fountain of the Pine. And his conditions are these: No knight who chances to 
be thrown shall be allowed to renew the combat, but shall remain prisoner to 
my brother, but if my brother be overthrown, he shall depart out of the 
country, leaving me as the prize of the conqueror." 

Now it must be stated that this Angelica and her brother who called himself 
Uberto, but whose real name was Argalia, were the children of Galafron, king 
of Cathay, who had sent them to be the destruction of the Christian host; 
for Argalia was armed with an enchanted lance, which unfailingly overthrew 
everything it touched, and he was mounted on a horse, a creature of magic, 
whose swiftness outstripped the wind. Angelica possessed also a ring which 
was a defence against all enchantments, and when put into the mouth rendered 
the bearer invisible. Thus Argalia was expected to subdue and take prisoners 
whatever knights should dare to encounter him; and the charms of Angelica 
were relied on to entice the paladins to make the fatal venture, while her 
ring would afford her easy means of escape. 

When Angelica ceased speaking, she knelt before the king and awaited his 
answer, and everybody gazed on her with admiration. Orlando especially felt 
irresistibly drawn towards her, so that he trembled and changed countenance. 
Every knight in the hall was infected with the same feeling, not excepting 
old white-headed Duke Namo and Charlemagne himself. 

All stood for a while in silence, lost in the delight of looking at her. The 
fiery youth Ferrau could hardly restrain himself from seizing her from the 
giants and carrying her away; Rinaldo turned as red as fire, while Malagigi, 
who had discovered by his art that the stranger was not speaking the truth, 
muttered softly, as he looked at her, "Exquisite false creature! I will play 
thee such a trick for this, as will leave thee no cause to boast of thy 
visit." 

Charlemagne, to detain her as long as possible before him, delayed his 
assent till he had asked her a number of questions, all of which she 
answered discreetly, and then the challenge was accepted. As soon as she was 
gone, Malagigi consulted his book, and found out the whole plot of the vile, 
infidel king Galafron, as we have explained it, so he determined to seek the 
damsel and frustrate her designs. He hastened to the appointed spot, and 
there found the prince and his sister in a beautiful pavilion, where they 
lay asleep, while the four giants kept watch. Malagigi took his book and 
cast a spell out of it, and immediately the four giants fell into a deep 
sleep. Drawing his sword (for he was a belted knight), he softly approached 
the young lady, intending to despatch her at once; but, seeing her look so 
lovely, he paused for a moment, thinking there was no need of hurry, as he 
believed his spell was upon her, and she could not wake. But the ring which 
she wore secured her from the effect of the spell, and some slight noise, or 
whatever else it was, caused her at that moment to awake. She uttered a 
great cry, and flew to her brother, and waked him. By the help of her 
knowledge of enchantment, they took and bound fast the magician, and, 
seizing his book, turned his arts against himself. Then they summoned a 
crowd of demons, and bade them seize their prisoner and bear him to king 
Galafron, at his great city of Albracca, which they did, and, on his 
arrival, he was locked up in a rock under the sea. 

While these things were going on, all was uproar at Paris, since Orlando 
insisted upon being the first to try the adventure at the stair of Merlin. 
This was resented by the other pretenders to Angelica, and all contested his 
right to the precedence. The tumult was stilled by the usual expedient of 
drawing lots, and the first prize was drawn by Astolpho. Ferrau, the 
Saracen, had the second, and Grandonio the third. Next came Berlinghieri, 
and Otho; then Charles himself, and, as his ill-fortune would have it, after 
thirty more, the indignant Orlando. 

Astolpho, who drew the first lot, was handsome, brave, and rich. But, 
whether from heedlessness or want of skill, he was an unlucky jouster, and 
very apt to be thrown, an accident which he bore with perfect good-humor, 
always ready to mount again and try to mend his fortune, generally with no 
better success. 

Astolpho went forth upon his adventure with great gayety of dress and 
manner, encountered Argalia, and was immediately tilted out of the saddle. 
He railed at fortune, to whom he laid all the fault; but his painful 
feelings were somewhat relieved by the kindness of Angelica, who, touched by 
his youth and good looks, granted him the liberty of the pavilion, and 
caused him to be treated with all kindness and respect. 

The violent Ferrau had the next chance in the encounter, and was thrown no 
less speedily than Astolpho; but he did not so easily put up with his 
mischance. Crying out, "What are the Emperor's engagements to me?" he rushed 
with his sword against Argalia, who, being forced to defend himself, 
dismounted and drew his sword, but got so much the worse of the fight that 
he made a signal of surrender, and, after some words, listened to a proposal 
of marriage from Ferrau to his sister. The beauty, however, feeling no 
inclination to match with such a rough and savage-looking person, was so 
dismayed at the offer, that, hastily bidding her brother to meet her in the 
forest of Arden, she vanished from the sight of both by means of the 
enchanted ring. Argalia, seeing this, took to his horse of swiftness, and 
dashed away in the same direction. Ferrau pursued him, and Astolpho, thus 
left to himself, took possession of the enchanted lance in place of his own, 
which was broken, not knowing the treasure he possessed in it, and returned 
to the tournament. Charlemagne, finding the lady and her brother gone, 
ordered the jousting; to proceed as at first intended, in which Astolpho, by 
aid of the enchanted lance, unhorsed all comers against him, equally to 
their astonishment and his own. The paladin Rinaldo, on learning the issue 
of the combat of Ferrau and the stranger, galloped after the fair fugitive 
in an agony of love and impatience. Orlando, perceiving his disappearance, 
pushed forth in like manner; and, at length, all three are in the forest of 
Arden, hunting about for her who is invisible. 

Now in this forest there were two fountains, the one constructed by the sage 
Merlin, who designed it for Tristram and the fair Isoude;(1) for such was 
the virtue of this fountain, that a draught of its waters produced an 
oblivion of the love which the drinker might feel, and even produced 
aversion for the object formerly beloved. The other fountain was endowed 
with exactly opposite qualities, and a draught of it inspired love for the 
first living object that was seen after tasting it. Rinaldo happened to come 
to the first-mentioned fountain, and, being flushed with heat, dismounted, 
and quenched in one draught both his thirst and his passion. So far from 
loving Angelica as before, he hated her from the bottom of his heart, became 
disgusted with the search he was upon, and, feeling fatigued with his ride, 
finding a sheltered and flowery nook, laid himself down and fell asleep.

Shortly after came Angelica, but, approaching in a different direction, she 
espied the other fountain, and there quenched her thirst. Then resuming her 
way, she came upon the sleeping Rinaldo. Love instantly seized her, and she 
stood rooted to the spot. The meadow round was all full of lilies of the 
valley and wild roses. Angelica, not knowing what to do, at length plucked a 
handful of these, and dropped them, one by one, on the face of the sleeper. 
He woke up, and, seeing who it was, received her salutations with averted 
countenance, remounted his horse, and galloped away. In vain the beautiful 
creature followed and called after him, in vain asked him what she had done 
to be so despised. Rinaldo disappeared, leaving her in despair, and she 
returned in tears to the spot where she had found him sleeping. There, in 
her turn, she herself lay down, pressing the spot of earth on which he had 
lain, and, out of fatigue and sorrow, fell asleep. 

As Angelica thus lay, fortune conducted Orlando to the same place. The 
attitude in which she was sleeping was so lovely, that it is not to be 
conceived, much less expressed. Orlando stood gazing like a man who had been 
transported to another sphere. "Am I on earth," he exclaimed, "or am I in 
Paradise? Surely it is I that sleep, and this is my dream." 

But his dream was proved to be none in a manner which he little desired. 
Ferrau, who had slain Argalia, came up, raging with jealousy, and a combat 
ensued which awoke the sleeper. 

Terrified at what she beheld, she rushed to her palfrey, and, while the 
fighters were occupied with one another, fled away through the forest. The 
champions continued their fight till they were interrupted by a messenger, 
who brought word to Ferrau that king Marsilius, his sovereign, was in 
pressing need of his assistance, and conjured him to return to Spain. 
Ferrau, upon this, proposed to suspend the combat to which Orlando, eager to 
pursue Angelica, agreed. Ferrau, on the other hand, departed with the 
messenger to Spain. Orlando's quest for the fair fugitive was all in vain. 
Aided by the powers of magic, she made a speedy return to her own country. 
But the thought of Rinaldo could not be banished from her mind, and she 
determined to set Malagigi at liberty, and to employ him to win Rinaldo, if 
possible, to make her a return of affection. She accordingly freed him from 
his dungeon, unlocking his fetters with her own hands, and restored him his 
book, promising him ample honors and rewards, on condition of his bringing 
Rinaldo to her feet. 

Malagigi accordingly, with the aid of his book, called up a demon, mounted 
him, and departed. Arrived at his destination, he inveigled Rinaldo into an 
enchanted bark, which conveyed him, without any visible pilot, to an island 
where stood an edifice called Joyous Castle. The whole island was a garden. 
On the western side, close to the sea, was the palace, built of marble, so 
clear and polished that it reflected the landscape about it. Rinaldo leapt 
ashore, and soon met a lady, who invited him to enter. The house was as 
beautiful within as without, full of rooms adorned with azure and gold, and 
with noble paintings. The lady led the knight into an apartment painted with 
stories, and opening to the garden, through pillars of crystal, with golden 
capitals. Here he found a bevy of ladies, three of whom were singing in 
concert, while another played on an instrument of exquisite accord, and the 
rest danced round about them. When the ladies beheld him coming, they turned 
the dance into a circuit round him, and then one of them, in the sweetest 
manner, said, "Sir Knight, the tables are set, and the hour for the banquet 
is come"; and, with these words, still dancing, they drew him across the 
lawn in front of the apartment, to a table that was spread with cloth of 
gold and fine linen, under a bower of damask roses by the side of a 
fountain. 

Four ladies were already seated there, who rose, and placed Rinaldo at their 
head, in a chair set with pearls. And truly indeed was he astonished. A 
repast ensued, consisting of viands the most delicate, and wines as fragrant 
as they were fine, drunk out of jewelled cups; and, when it drew towards its 
conclusion, harps and lutes were heard in the distance, and one of the 
ladies said in the knight's ear: "This house and all that you see in it are 
yours; for you alone was it built, and the builder is a queen. Happy indeed 
must you think yourself, for she loves you, and she is the greatest beauty 
in the world. Her name is Angelica." 

The moment Rinaldo heard the name he so detested, he started up, with a 
changed countenance, and, in spite of all that the lady could say, broke off 
across the garden, and never ceased hastening till he reached the place 
where he landed. The bark was still on the shore. He sprang into it, and 
pushed off, though he saw nobody in it but himself. It was in vain for him 
to try to control its movements, for it dashed on as if in fury, till it 
reached a distant shore covered with a gloomy forest. Here Rinaldo, 
surrounded by enchantments of a very different sort from those which he had 
lately resisted, was entrapped into a pit. 

The pit belonged to a castle called Altaripa, which was hung with human 
heads, and painted red with blood. As the paladin was viewing the scene with 
amazement, a hideous old woman made her appearance at the edge of the pit, 
and told him that he was destined to be thrown to a monster, who was only 
kept from devastating the whole country by being supplied with living human 
flesh. Rinaldo said, "Be it so; let me but remain armed as I am, and I fear 
nothing." The old woman laughed in derision. Rinaldo remained in the pit all 
night, and the next morning was taken to the place where the monster had his 
den. It was a court surrounded by a high wall. Rinaldo was shut in with the 
beast, and a terrible combat ensued. Rinaldo was unable to make any 
impression on the scales of the monster, while he, on the contrary, with his 
dreadful claws, tore away plate and mail from the paladin. 

Rinaldo began to think his last hour was come, and cast his eyes around and 
above to see if there was any means of escape He perceived a beam projecting 
from the wall at the height of some ten feet, and, taking a leap almost 
miraculous, he succeeded in reaching it, and in flinging himself up across 
it. Here he sat for hours, the hideous brute continually trying to reach 
him. All at once, he heard the sound of something coming through the air 
like a bird, and suddenly Angelica herself alighted on the end of the beam. 
She held something in her hand towards him, and spoke to him in a loving 
voice. But the moment Rinaldo saw her, he commanded her to go away, refused 
all her offers of assistance, and at length declared that, if she did not 
leave him, he would cast himself down to the monster and meet his fate. 

Angelica, saying she would lose her life rather than displease him, 
departed; but first she threw to the monster a cake of wax she had prepared, 
and spread around him a rope knotted with nooses. The beast took the bait, 
and, finding his teeth glued together by the wax, vented his fury in bounds 
and leaps, and, soon getting entangled in the nooses, drew them tight by his 
struggles, so that he could scarcely move a limb. 

Rinaldo, watching his chance, leapt down upon his back, seized him round the 
neck, and throttled him, not relaxing his grip till the beast fell dead. 

Another difficulty remained to be overcome. The walls were of immense 
height, and the only opening in them was a grated window of such strength 
that he could not break the bars. In his distress Rinaldo found a file which 
Angelica had left on the ground, and, with the help of this, effected his 
deliverance. 

What further adventures he met with will be told in another chapter. 

 

(1) See their story in "The Age of Chivalry."

 



CHAPTER IV. THE SIEGE OF ALBRACCA.

AT the very time when Charlemagne was holding his plenary court and his 
great tournament, his kingdom was invaded by a mighty monarch, who was 
moreover so valiant and strong in battle that no one could stand against 
him. He was named Gradasso, and his kingdom was called Sericane. Now, as it 
often happens to the greatest and the richest to long for what they cannot 
have, and thus to lose what they already possess, this king could not rest 
content without Durindana, the sword of Orlando, and Bayard, the horse of 
Rinaldo. To obtain these he determined to war upon France, and for this 
purpose put in array a mighty army. 

He took his way through Spain, and, after defeating Marsilius, the king of 
that country, in several battles, was rapidly advancing on France. 
Charlemagne, though Marsilius was a Saracen, and had been his enemy, yet 
felt it needful to succor him in this extremity from a consideration of 
common danger, and, with the consent of his peers, despatched Rinaldo with a 
strong body of soldiers against Gradasso. 

There was much fighting, with doubtful results, and Gradasso was steadily 
advancing into France. But, impatient to achieve his objects, he challenged 
Rinaldo to single combat, to be fought on foot, and upon these conditions: 
If Rinaldo conquered, Gradasso agreed to give up all his prisoners and 
return to his own country; but if Gradasso won the day, he was to have 
Bayard. 

The challenge was accepted, and would have been fought had it not been for 
the arts of Malagigi, who just then returned from Angelica's kingdom with 
set purpose to win Rinaldo to look with favor upon the fair princess who was 
dying for love of him. Malagigi drew Rinaldo away from the army, by putting 
on the semblance of Gradasso, and, after a short contest, pretending to fly 
before him, by which means Rinaldo was induced to follow him into a boat, in 
which he was borne away, and entangled in various adventures, as we have 
already related. 

The army, left under the command of Ricciardetto, Rinaldo's brother, was 
soon joined by Charlemagne and all his peerage, but experienced a disastrous 
rout, and the Emperor and many of his paladins were taken prisoners. 
Gradasso, however, did not abuse his victory; he took Charles by the hand, 
seated him by his side, and told him he warred only for honor. He renounced 
all conquests, on condition that the Emperor should deliver to him Bayard 
and Durindana, both of them the property of his vassals, the former of 
which, as he maintained, was already forfeited to him by Rinaldo's failure 
to meet him as agreed. To these terms Charlemagne readily acceded. 

Bayard, after the departure of his master, had been taken in charge by 
Ricciardetto, and sent back to Paris, where Astolpho was in command, in the 
absence of Charlemagne. Astolpho received with great indignation the message 
despatched for Bayard, and replied by a herald that "he would not surrender 
the horse of his kinsman Rinaldo, without a contest. If Gradasso wanted the 
steed, he might come and take him, and that he, Astolpho, was ready to meet 
him in the field." 

Gradasso was only amused at this answer, for Astolpho's fame as a successful 
warrior was not high, and Gradasso willingly renewed with him the bargain 
which he had made with Rinaldo. On these conditions the battle was fought. 
The enchanted lance, in the hands of Astolpho, performed a new wonder; and 
Gradasso, the terrible Gradasso, was unhorsed. 

He kept his word, set free his prisoners, and put his army on the march to 
return to his own country, renewing his oath, however, not to rest till he 
had taken from Rinaldo his horse, and from Orlando his sword, or lost his 
life in the attempt. 

Charlemagne, full of gratitude to Astolpho, would have kept him near his 
person and loaded him with honors, but Astolpho preferred to seek Rinaldo, 
with the view of restoring to him his horse, and departed from Paris with 
that design.

Our story now returns to Orlando, whom we left fascinated with the sight of 
the sleeping beauty, who, however, escaped him while engaged in the combat 
with Ferrau. Having long sought her in vain through the recesses of the 
wood, he resolved to follow her to her father's court. Leaving, therefore, 
the camp of Charlemagne, he travelled long in the direction of the East, 
making inquiry everywhere, if, perchance, he might get tidings of the 
fugitive. After many adventures, he arrived one day at a place where many 
roads crossed, and, meeting there a courier, he asked him for news. The 
courier replied, that he had been despatched by Angelica to solicit the aid 
of Sacripant, king of Circassia, in favor of her father Galafron, who was 
besieged in his city, Albracca, by Agrican, king of Tartary. This Agrican 
had been an unsuccessful suitor to the damsel, whom he now pursued with 
arms. Orlando thus learned that he was within a day's journey of Albracca; 
and feeling now secure of Angelica, he proceeded with all speed to her city. 

Thus journeying he arrived at a bridge, under which flowed a foaming river. 
Here a damsel met him with a goblet, and informed him that it was the usage 
of this bridge to present the traveller with a cup. Orlando accepted the 
offered cup and drank its contents. He had no sooner done so than his brain 
reeled, and he became unconscious of the object of his journey, and of 
everything else. Under the influence of this fascination he followed the 
damsel into a magnificent and marvellous palace. Here he found himself in 
company with many knights, unknown to him and to each other, though if it 
had not been for the Cup of Oblivion of which they all had partaken, they 
would have found themselves brothers in arms.

Astolpho, proceeding on his way to seek Rinaldo, splendidly dressed and 
equipped, as was his wont, arrived in Circassia, and found there a great 
army encamped under the command of Sacripant, the king of that country, who 
was leading it to the defence of Galafron, the father of Angelica. 
Sacripant, much struck by the appearance of Astolpho and his horse, accosted 
him courteously, and tried to enlist him in his service; but Astolpho, proud 
of his late victories, scornfully declined his offers, and pursued his way. 
King Sacripant was too much attracted by his appearance to part with him so 
easily, and, having laid aside his kingly ornaments, set out in pursuit of 
him. 

Astolpho next day encountered on his way a stranger knight, named Sir 
Florismart, Lord of the Sylvan Tower, one of the bravest and best of 
knights, having as his guide a damsel, young, fair, and virtuous, to whom he 
was tenderly attached, whose name was Flordelis. Astolpho, as he approached, 
defied the knight, bidding him yield the lady, or prepare to maintain his 
right by arms, Florismart accepted the contest, and the knights encountered, 
Florismart was unhorsed and his steed fell dead, while Bayard sustained no 
injury by the shock. 

Florismart was so overwhelmed with despair at his own disgrace and the sight 
of the damsel's distress, that he drew his sword and was about to plunge it 
into his own bosom. But Astolpho held his hand, told him that he contended 
only for glory, and was contented to leave him the lady. 

While Florismart and Flordelis were vowing eternal gratitude, king Sacripant 
arrived, and coveting the damsel of the one champion as much as the horse 
and arms of the other, defied them to the joust. Astolpho met the 
challenger, whom he instantly overthrew, and presented his courser to 
Florismart, leaving the king to return to his army on foot. The friends 
pursued their route, and erelong Flordelis discovered, by signs which were 
known to her, that they were approaching the waters of Oblivion, and advised 
them to turn back, or to change their course. This the knights would not 
hear of, and, continuing their march, they soon arrived at the bridge where 
Orlando had been taken prisoner. 

The damsel of the bridge appeared as before with the enchanted cup, but 
Astolpho, forewarned, rejected it with scorn. She dashed it to the ground, 
and a fire blazed up which rendered the bridge unapproachable. At the same 
moment the two knights were assailed by sundry warriors, known and unknown, 
who, having no recollection of anything, joined blindly in defence of their 
prison-house. Among these was Orlando, at sight of whom Astolpho, with all 
his confidence not daring to encounter him, turned and fled, owing his 
escape to the strength and fleetness of Bayard. 

Florismart, meanwhile, overlaid by fearful odds, was compelled to yield to 
necessity, and comply with the usage of the fairy. He drank of the cup, and 
remained prisoner with the rest. Flordelis, deprived of her two friends, 
retired from the scene, and devoted herself to untiring efforts to effect 
her lover's deliverance. Astolpho pursued his way to Albracca, which Agrican 
was about to besiege. He was kindly welcomed by Angelica, and enrolled among 
her defenders. Impatient to distinguish himself, he one night sallied forth 
alone, arrived in Agrican's camp, and unhorsed his warriors right and left 
by means of the enchanted lance. But he was soon surrounded and overmatched, 
and made prisoner to Agrican. 

Relief was, however, at hand; for as the citizens and soldiers were one day 
leaning over their walls, they descried a cloud of dust, from which horsemen 
were seen to prick forth, as it rolled on towards the camp of the besiegers. 
This turned out to be the army of Sacripant, which immediately attacked that 
of Agrican, with the view of cutting a passage through his camp to the 
besieged city. But Agrican, mounted upon Bayard, taken from Astolpho, but 
not armed with the lance of gold, the virtues of which were unknown to him, 
performed wonders, and rallied his scattered troops, which had given way to 
the sudden and unexpected assault. Sacripant, on the other hand, encouraged 
his men by the most desperate acts of valor, having as an additional 
incentive to his courage the sight of Angelica, who showed herself upon the 
city walls. 

There she witnessed a single combat between the two leaders, Agrican and 
Sacripant. In this, at length, her defender appeared to be overmatched, when 
the Circassians broke the ring, and separated the combatants, who were borne 
asunder in the rush. Sacripant, severely wounded, profited by the confusion, 
and escaped into Albracca, where he was kindly received and carefully tended 
by Angelica. 

The battle continuing, the Circassians were at last put to flight, and, 
being intercepted between the enemy's lines and the town, sought for refuge 
under the walls. Angelica ordered the drawbridge to be let down, and the 
gates thrown open to the fugitives. With these Agrican, not distinguished in 
the crowd, entered the place, driving both Circassians and Cathayans before 
him, and the portcullis being dropped, he was shut in. 

For a time the terror which he inspired put to flight all opposers, but when 
at last it came to be known that few or none of his followers had effected 
an entrance with him, the fugitives rallied and surrounded him on all sides. 
While he was thus apparently reduced to the last extremities, he was saved 
by the very circumstance which threatened him with destruction. The soldiers 
of Angelica, closing upon him from all sides, deserted their defences; and 
his own besieging army entered the city in a part where the wall was broken 
down. 

In this way was Agrican rescued, the city taken, and the inhabitants put to 
the sword. Angelica, however, with some of the knights who were her 
defenders, among whom was Sacripant, saved herself in the citadel, which was 
planted upon a rock. 

The fortress was impregnable, but it was scantily victualled, and ill 
provided with other necessaries. Under these circumstances, Angelica 
announced to those blockaded with her in the citadel her intention to go in 
quest of assistance, and, having plighted her promise of a speedy return, 
she set out, with the enchanted ring upon her finger. Mounted upon her 
palfrey, the damsel passed through the enemy's lines, and by sunrise was 
many miles clear of their encampment. 

It so happened that her road led her near the fatal bridge of Oblivion, and, 
as she approached it, she met a damsel weeping bitterly. It was Flordelis, 
whose lover, Florismart, as we have related, had met the fate of Orlando and 
many more, and fallen a victim to the enchantress of the cup. She related 
her adventures to Angelica, and conjured her to lend what aid she might to 
rescue her lord and his companions. Angelica, accordingly, watching her 
opportunity and aided by her ring, slipped into the castle unseen, when the 
door was opened to admit a new victim. Here she speedily disenchanted 
Orlando and the rest by a touch of her talisman. But Florismart was not 
there. He had been given up to Falerina, a more powerful enchantress, and 
was still in durance. Angelica conjured the rescued captives to assist her 
in the recovery of her kingdom, and all departed together for Albracca. 

The arrival of Orlando, with his companions, nine in all, and among the 
bravest knights of France, changed at once the fortunes of the war. Wherever 
the great paladin came, pennon and standard fell before him. Agrican in vain 
attempted to rally his troops. Orlando kept constantly in his front, forcing 
him to attend to nobody else. The Tartar king at length bethought him of a 
stratagem. He turned his horse, and made a show of flying in despair. 
Orlando dashed after him as he desired, and Agrican fled till he reached a 
green place in a wood, where there was a fountain. 

The place was beautiful, and the Tartar dismounted to refresh himself at the 
fountain, but without taking off his helmet, or laying aside any of his 
armor. Orlando was quickly at his back, crying out, "So bold, and yet a 
fugitive! How could you fly from a single arm, and think to escape?" 

The Tartar king had leaped on his saddle the moment he saw his enemy, and 
when the paladin had done speaking, he said, in a mild voice, "Without doubt 
you are the best knight I ever encountered, and fain would I leave you 
untouched for your own sake, if you would cease to hinder me from rallying 
my people. I pretended to fly, in order to bring you out of the field. If 
you insist upon fighting, I must needs fight and slay you, but I call the 
sun in the heavens to witness I would rather not. I should be very sorry for 
your death." The Count Orlando felt pity for so much gallantry, and he said, 
"The nobler you show yourself, the more it grieves me to think that, in 
dying without a knowledge of the true faith, you will be lost in the other 
world. Let me advise you to save body and soul at once. Receptive baptism, 
and go your way in peace." 

Agrican replied: "I suspect you to be the paladin Orlando. If you are, I 
would not lose this opportunity of fighting with you to be king of Paradise. 
Talk to me no more about your things of another world for you will preach in 
vain. Each of us for himself, and let the sword be umpire." 

The Saracen drew his sword, boldly advancing upon Orlando, and a combat 
began, so obstinate and so long, each warrior being a miracle of prowess, 
that the story says it lasted from noon till night. Orlando then, seeing the 
stars come out, was the first to propose a respite. 

"What are we to do," said he, "now that daylight has left us?" Agrican 
answered readily enough, "Let us repose in this meadow, and renew the combat 
at dawn." 

The repose was taken accordingly. Each tied up his horse, and reclined 
himself on the grass, not far from the other, just as if they had been 
friends, Orlando by the fountain, Agrican beneath a pine. It was a beautiful 
clear night, and, as they talked together before addressing themselves to 
sleep, the champion of Christendom, looking up at the firmament, said, "That 
is a fine piece of workmanship, that starry spectacle; God made it all, that 
moon of silver, and those stars of gold, and the light of day, and the sun,- 
all for the sake of human kind." 

"You wish, I see, to talk of matters of faith," said the Tartar. "Now I may 
as well tell you at once, that I have no sort of skill in such matters, nor 
learning of any kind. I never could learn anything when I was a boy. I hated 
it so that I broke the man's head who was commissioned to teach me; and it 
produced such an effect on others, that nobody ever afterwards dared so much 
as show me a book. My boyhood was therefore passed, as it should be, in 
horsemanship and hunting, and learning to fight. What is the good of a 
gentle, man's poring all day over a book? Prowess to the knight, and 
preaching to the clergyman, that is my motto." 

"I acknowledge," returned Orlando, "that arms are the first consideration of 
a gentleman; but not at all that he does himself dishonor by knowledge. On 
the contrary, knowledge is as great an embellishment of the rest of his 
attainments, as the flowers are to the meadow before us; and as to the 
knowledge of his Maker, the man that is without it is no better than a stock 
or a stone or a brute beast. Neither without study can he reach anything of 
a due sense of the depth and divineness of the contemplation." 

"Learned or not learned," said Agrican, "you might show yourself better bred 
than by endeavoring to make me talk on a subject on which you have me at a 
disadvantage. If you choose to sleep, I wish you good night; but if you 
prefer talking, I recommend you to talk of fighting or of fair ladies. And, 
by the way, pray tell me, are you not that Orlando who makes such a noise in 
the world? And what is it, pray, that brings you into these parts? Were you 
ever in love? I suppose you must have been; for to be a knight, and never to 
have been in love, would be like being a man without a heart in his breast." 

The Count replied: "Orlando I am, and in love I am. Love has made me abandon 
everything, and brought me into these distant regions, and, to tell you all 
in one word, my heart is in the hands of the daughter of King Galafron. You 
have come against him with fire and sword, to get possession of his castles 
and his dominions; and I have come to help him, for no object in the world 
but to please his daughter and win her beautiful hand. I care for nothing 
else in existence." 

Now when the Tartar king, Agrican, heard his antagonist speak in this 
manner, and knew him to be indeed Orlando, and to be in love with Angelica, 
his face changed color for grief and jealousy, though it could not be seen 
for the darkness. His heart began beating with such violence that he felt as 
if he should have died. "Well," said he to Orlando, "we are to fight when it 
is daylight, and one or other is to be left here, dead on the ground. I have 
a proposal to make to you,- nay, an entreaty. My love is so excessive for 
the same lady, that I beg of you to leave her to me. I will owe you my 
thanks, and give up the siege and put an end to the war. I cannot bear that 
any one should love her, and that I should live to see it. Why, therefore, 
should either of us perish? Give her up. Not a soul shall know it." 

"I never yet," answered Orlando, "made a promise which I did not keep, and 
nevertheless I own to you that, were I to make a promise like that, and even 
swear to keep it, I should not. You might as well ask me to tear away the 
limbs from my body, and the eyes out of my head. I could as well live 
without breath itself as cease loving Angelica." 

Agrican had hardly patience to let him finish speaking, ere he leapt 
furiously on horseback, though it was midnight. "Quit her," said he, "or 
die!" 

Orlando seeing the infidel getting up, and not being sure that he would not 
add treachery to fierceness, had been hardly less quick in mounting for the 
combat. "Never," exclaimed he; "I never could have quitted her if I would, 
and now I would not if I could. You must seek her by other means than 
these." 

Fiercely dashed their horses together, in the night-time, on the green mead. 
Despiteful and terrible were the blows they gave and took by the moonlight. 
Agrican fought in a rage, Orlando was cooler. And now the struggle had 
lasted more than five hours, and day began to dawn, when the Tartar king, 
furious to find so much trouble given him, dealt his enemy a blow sharp and 
violent beyond conception. It cut the shield in two as if it had been made 
of wood, and, though blood could not be drawn from Orlando, because he was 
fated, it shook and bruised him as if it had started every joint in his 
body. His body only, however, not a particle of his soul. So dreadful was 
the blow which the paladin gave in return, that not only shield, but every 
bit of mail on the body of Agrican was broken in pieces, and three of his 
ribs cut asunder. 

The Tartar, roaring like a lion, raised his sword with still greater 
vehemence than before, and dealt a blow on the paladin's helmet, such as he 
had never yet received from mortal man. For a moment it took away his 
senses. His sight failed, his ears tinkled, his frightened horse turned 
about to fly; and he was falling from the saddle, when the very action of 
falling threw his head upwards, and thus recalled his recollection. 

"What a shame is this!" thought he; "how shall I ever again dare to face 
Angelica! I have been fighting, hour after hour, with this man, and he is 
but one, and I call myself Orlando! If the combat last any longer, I will 
bury myself in a monastery, and never look on sword again." 

Orlando muttered with his lips closed and his teeth ground together; and you 
might have thought that fire instead of breath came out of his nose and 
mouth. He raised his sword Durindana with both his hands, and sent it down 
so tremendously on Agrican's shoulder, that it cut through breastplate down 
to the very haunch, nay, crushed the saddle-bow, though it was made of bone 
and iron, and felled man and horse to the earth. Agrican turned as white as 
ashes, and felt death upon him. He called Orlando to come close to him, with 
a gentle voice, and said, as well as he could: "I believe on Him who died on 
the cross. Baptize me, I pray thee, with the fountain, before my senses are 
gone. I have lived an evil life, but need not be rebellious to God in death 
also. May He who came to save all the rest of the world, save me!" And he 
shed tears, that great king, though he had been so lofty and fierce. 

Orlando dismounted quickly, with his own face in tears. He gathered the king 
tenderly in his arms, and took and laid him by the fountain, on a marble rim 
that it had, and then he wept in concert with him heartily, and asked his 
pardon, and so baptized him in the water of the fountain, and knelt and 
prayed to God for him with joined hands. 

He then paused and looked at him; and when he perceived his countenance 
changed, and that his whole person was cold, he left him there on the marble 
rim of the fountain, all armed as he was, with the sword by his side, and 
the crown upon his head. 

 

CHAPTER V. ADVENTURES OF RINALDO AND ORLANDO.

WE left Rinaldo when, having overcome the monster, he quitted the castle of 
Altaripa, and pursued his way on foot. He soon met with a weeping damsel, 
who, being questioned as to the cause of her sorrow, told him she was in 
search of one to do battle to rescue her lover, who had been made prisoner 
by a vile enchantress, together with Orlando and many more. The damsel was 
Flordelis, the lady-love of Florismart, and Rinaldo promised his assistance, 
trusting to accomplish the adventure either by valor or skill. Flordelis 
insisted upon Rinaldo's taking her horse, which he consented to do, on 
condition of her mounting behind him. 

As they rode on through a wood, they heard strange noises, and Rinaldo, 
reassuring the damsel, pressed forward towards the quarter from which they 
proceeded. He soon perceived a giant standing under a vaulted cavern, with a 
huge club in his hand, and of an appearance to strike the boldest spirit 
with dread. By the side of the cavern was chained a griffin, which, together 
with the giant, was stationed there to guard a wonderful horse, the same 
which was once Argalia's. This horse was a creature of enchantment, 
matchless in vigor, speed, and form, which disdained to share the diet of 
his fellow-steeds,- corn or grass,- and fed only on air. His name was 
Rabican. 

This marvellous horse, after his master Argalia had been slain by Ferrau, 
finding himself at liberty, returned to his native cavern, and was here 
stabled under the protection of the giant and the griffin. As Rinaldo 
approached, the giant assailed him with his club. Rinaldo defended himself 
from the giant's blows, and gave him one in return, which, if his skin had 
not been of the toughest, would have finished the combat. But the giant, 
though wounded, escaped, and let loose the griffin. This monstrous bird 
towered in air, and thence pounced down upon Rinaldo, who, watching his 
opportunity, dealt her a desperate wound. She had, however, strength for 
another flight, and kept repeating her attacks, which Rinaldo parried as he 
could, while the damsel stood trembling by, witnessing the contest. 

The battle continued, rendered more terrible by the approach of night, when 
Rinaldo determined upon a desperate expedient to bring it to a conclusion. 
He fell, as if fainting from his wounds, and, on the close approach of the 
griffin, dealt her a blow which sheared away one of her wings. The beast, 
though sinking, gripped him fast with her talons, digging through plate and 
mail; but Rinaldo plied his sword in utter desperation, and at last 
accomplished her destruction. 

Rinaldo then entered the cavern, and found there the wonderful horse, all 
caparisoned. He was coal-black, except for a star of white on his forehead, 
and one white foot behind. For speed he was unrivalled, though in strength 
he yielded to Bayard. Rinaldo mounted upon Rabican, and issued from the 
cavern. 

As he pursued his way, he met a fugitive from Agrican's army, who gave such 
an account of the prowess of a champion who fought on the side of Angelica, 
that Rinaldo was persuaded this must be Orlando, though at a loss to imagine 
how he could have been freed from captivity. He determined to repair to the 
scene of the contest to satisfy his curiosity, and Flordelis, hoping to find 
Florismart with Orlando, consented to accompany him. 

While these things were doing, all was rout and dismay in the Tartarian 
army, from the death of Agrican. King Galafron, arriving at this juncture 
with an army for the relief of his capital, Albracca, assaulted the enemy's 
camp, and carried all before him. Rinaldo had now reached the scene of 
action, and was looking on as an unconcerned spectator, when he was espied 
by Galafron. The king instantly recognized the horse Rabican, which he had 
given to Argalia when he sent him forth on his ill-omened mission to Paris. 
Possessed with the idea that the rider of the horse was the murderer of 
Argalia, Galafron rode at Rinaldo, and smote him with all his force. Rinaldo 
was not slow to avenge the blow, and it would have gone hard with the king 
had not his followers instantly closed round him and separated the 
combatants. 

Rinaldo thus found himself, almost without his own choice, enlisted on the 
side of the enemies of Angelica, which gave him no concern, so completely 
had his draught from the fountain of hate steeled his mind against her. 

For several successive days the struggle continued, without any important 
results, Rinaldo meeting the bravest knights of Angelica's party, and 
defeating them one after the other. At length he encountered Orlando, and 
the two knights bitterly reproached one another for the cause they had each 
adopted, and engaged in a furious combat. Orlando was mounted upon Bayard, 
Rinaldo's horse, which Agrican had by chance become possessed of, and 
Orlando had taken from him as the prize of victory. Bayard would not fight 
against his master, and Orlando was getting the worse of the encounter, when 
suddenly Rinaldo, seeing Astolpho, who for love of him had arrayed himself 
on his side, hard beset by numbers, left Orlando, to rush to the defence of 
his friend. Night prevented the combat from being renewed; but a challenge 
was given and accepted for their next meeting. 

But Angelica, sighing in her heart for Rinaldo, was not willing that he 
should be again exposed to so terrible a venture. She begged a boon of 
Orlando, promising she would be his, if he would do her bidding. On 
receiving his promise, she enjoined him to set out without delay to destroy 
the garden of the enchantress Falerina, in which many valiant knights had 
been entrapped, and were imprisoned. Orlando departed, on his horse 
Brigliadoro, leaving Bayard in disgrace for his bad deportment the day 
before. Angelica, to conciliate Rinaldo, sent Bayard to him; but Rinaldo 
remained unmoved by this, as by all her former acts of kindness. 

When Rinaldo learned Orlando's departure, he yielded to the entreaties of 
the lady of Florismart, and prepared to fulfil his promise, and rescue her 
lover from the power of the enchantress. Thus both Rinaldo and Orlando were 
bound upon the same adventure, but unknown to one another. 

The castle of Falerina was protected by a river, which was crossed by a 
bridge, kept by a ruffian, who challenged all comers to the combat; and such 
was his strength that he had thus far prevailed in every encounter, as 
appeared by the arms of various knights which he had taken from them, and 
piled up as a trophy on the shore. Rinaldo attacked him, but with as bad 
success as the rest, for the bridge-ward struck him so violent a blow with 
an iron mace, that he fell to the ground. But when the villain approached to 
strip him of his armor, Rinaldo seized him, and the bridge-ward, being 
unable to free himself, leapt with Rinaldo into the lake, where they both 
disappeared. 

Orlando meanwhile, in discharge of his promise to Angelica, pursued his way 
in quest of the same adventure. In passing through a wood he saw a cavalier 
armed at all points, and mounted, keeping guard over a lady who was bound to 
a tree, weeping bitterly. Orlando hastened to her relief, but was exhorted 
by the knight not to interfere, for she had deserved her fate by her 
wickedness. In proof of which he made certain charges against her. The lady 
denied them all, and Orlando believed her, defied the knight, overthrew him, 
and, releasing the lady, departed with her seated on his horse's croup. 

While they rode, another damsel approached on a white palfrey, who warned 
Orlando of impending danger, and informed him that he was near the garden of 
the enchantress. Orlando was delighted with the intelligence, and entreated 
her to inform him how he was to procure access. She replied that the garden 
could only be entered at sunrise, and gave him such instructions as would 
enable him to gain admittance. She gave him also a book in which was painted 
the garden and all that it contained, together with the palace of the false 
enchantress, where she had secluded herself for the purpose of executing a 
magic work in which she was engaged. This was the manufacture of a sword 
capable of cutting even through enchanted substances. The object of this 
labor, the damsel told him, was the destruction of a knight of the west, by 
name Orlando, who, she had read in the book of Fate, was coming to demolish 
her garden. Having thus instructed him, the damsel departed. 

Orlando, finding he must delay his enterprise till the next morning, now lay 
down and was soon asleep. Seeing this, the base woman whom he had rescued, 
and who was intent on making her escape to rejoin her paramour, mounted 
Brigliadoro, and rode off, carrying away Durindana. 

When Orlando awoke, his indignation, as may be supposed, was great on the 
discovery of the theft; but, like a good knight and true, he was not to be 
diverted from his enterprise. He tore off a huge branch of an elm to supply 
the place of his sword; and, as the sun rose, took his way towards the gate 
of the garden, where a dragon was on his watch. This he slew by repeated 
blows, and entered the garden, the gate of which closed behind him, barring 
retreat. Looking around him, he saw a fair fountain, which overflowed into a 
river, and in the centre of the fountain a figure, over whose forehead was 
writtens,-

"The stream which waters violet and rose, 
From hence to the enchanted palace goes."

Following the banks of this flowing stream, and rapt in the delights of the 
charming garden, Orlando arrived at the palace, and entering it, found the 
mistress, clad in white, with a crown of gold upon her head in the act of 
viewing herself in the surface of the magic sword, Orlando surprised her 
before she could escape, deprived her of the weapon, and holding her fast by 
her long hair, which floated behind, threatened her with immediate death if 
she did not yield up her prisoners, and afford him the means of egress. She, 
however, was, firm of purpose, making no reply, and Orlando, unable to move 
her either by threats or entreaties, was under the necessity of binding her 
to a beech, and pursuing his quest as he best might. 

He then bethought him of his book, and consulting it, found that there was 
an outlet to the south, but that to reach it, a lake was to be passed, 
inhabited by a siren, whose song was so entrancing as to be quite 
irresistible to whoever heard it; but his book instructed him how to protect 
himself against this danger. According to its directions, while pursuing his 
path, he gathered abundance of flowers, which sprung all around, and filled 
his helmet and his ears, with them; then listened if he heard the birds 
sing. Finding that, though he saw the gaping beak, the swelling throat, and 
ruffled plumes, he could not catch a note, he felt satisfied with his 
defence, and advanced toward the lake. It was small but deep, and so clear 
and tranquil that the eye could penetrate to the bottom. 

He had no sooner arrived upon the banks than the waters were seen to gurgle, 
and the siren, rising midway out of the pool, sung so sweetly that birds and 
beasts came trooping to the water-side, to listen. Of this Orlando heard 
nothing, but, feigning to yield to the charm, sank down upon the bank. The 
siren issued from the water with the intent to accomplish his destruction. 
Orlando seized her by the hair, and while she sang yet louder (song being 
her only defence) cut off her head. Then, following the directions of his 
book, he stained himself all over with her blood. 

Guarded by this talisman, he met successively all the monsters, set for 
defence of the enchantress and her garden, and at length found himself again 
at the spot where he had made captive the enchantress, who still continued 
fastened to the beech. But the scene was changed. The garden had 
disappeared, and Falerina, before so haughty, now begged for mercy; assuring 
him that many lives depended upon the preservation of hers. Orlando promised 
her life upon her pledging herself for the deliverance of her captives. 

This, however, was no easy task. They were not in her possession, but in 
that of a much more powerful enchantress, Morgana, the Lady of the Lake, the 
very idea of opposing whom made Falerina turn pale with fear. Representing 
to him the hazards of the enterprise, she led him towards the dwelling of 
Morgana. To approach it he had to encounter the same uncourteous bridge-ward 
who had already defeated and made captive so many knights, and last of all, 
Rinaldo. He was a churl of the most ferocious character, named Arridano. 
Morgana had provided him with impenetrable armor, and endowed him in such a 
manner that his strength always increased in proportion to that of the 
adversary with whom he was matched. No one had ever yet escaped from the 
contest, since, such was his power of endurance, 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 enemy's arms in triumph to the 
surface. 

While Falerina was repeating her cautions and her counsels, Orlando saw 
Rinaldo's arms erected in form of a trophy, among other spoils made by the 
villain, and, forgetting their late quarrel, determined upon revenging his 
friend. Arriving at the pass, the churl presuming to bar the way, a 
desperate contest ensued, during which Falerina escaped. The churl finding 
himself overmatched at a contest of arms, resorted to his peculiar art, 
grappled his antagonist, and plunged with him into the lake. When he reached 
the bottom Orlando found himself in another world, upon a dry meadow, with 
the lake overhead, through which shone the beams of our sun, while the water 
stood on all sides like a crystal wall. Here the battle was renewed, and 
Orlando had in his magic sword an advantage which none had hitherto 
possessed. It had been tempered by Falerina so that no spells could avail 
against it. Thus armed, and countervailing the strength of his adversary by 
his superior skill and activity, it was not long before he laid him dead 
upon the field. 

Orlando then made all haste to return to the upper air, and, passing through 
the water, which opened a way before him, (such was the power of the magic 
sword,) he soon regained the shore, and found himself in a field, as thickly 
covered with precious stones as the sky is with stars. 

Orlando crossed the field, not tempted to delay his enterprise by gathering 
any of the brilliant gems spread all around him. He next passed into a 
flowery meadow, planted with trees, covered with fruit and flowers, and full 
of all imaginable delights. 

In the middle of this meadow 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, while she had 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." But 
his attention was arrested by another object, and he heeded not the warning. 
He saw on a sudden an array of towers, pinnacles and columns, palaces, with 
balconies and windows, extended alleys with trees, in short a scene of 
architectural magnificence surpassing all he had ever beheld. While he stood 
gazing in silent astonishment, the scene slowly melted away and 
disappeared.(1)

When he had recovered from his amazement, he looked again toward the 
fountain. The fairy had awaked and risen, and was dancing round its border 
with the lightness of a leaf, timing her footsteps to this song:-

"Who in this world would wealth and treasure share, 
Honor, 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, having sung thus, bounded off, and fled from the flowery meadow 
over a high and inaccessible mountain. Orlando pursued her through thorns 
and rocks, while the sky gradually became overcast, and at last he was 
assailed by tempest, lightning, and hail. While he thus pursued, a pale and 
meagre woman issued from a cave, armed with a whip, and, treading close upon 
his steps, scourged him with vigorous strokes. Her name was Repentance, and 
she told him it was her office to punish those who neglected to obey the 
voice of Prudence, and seize the fairy Fortune when he might. 

Orlando, furious at this chastisement turned upon his tormentor, but might 
as well have stricken the wind. Finding it useless to resist, he resumed his 
chase of the fairy, gained upon her, and made frequent snatches at her white 
and vermilion garments, which still eluded his grasp. At last, on her 
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 
Repentance retreated to her cave. Orlando now demanded of Morgana the keys 
of her prison, and the fairy, feigning a complacent aspect, delivered up a 
key of silver, bidding him to 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 turn the keys of Fortune.

Keeping the fairy still fast by the forelock, Orlando proceeded toward the 
prison, turned the key, without occasioning the mischiefs apprehended, and 
delivered the prisoners. 

Among these were Florismart, Rinaldo, and many others of the bravest knights 
of France. Morgana had disappeared, and the knights, under the guidance of 
Orlando, retraced the path by which he had come. They soon reached, the 
field of treasure. Rinaldo, finding himself amidst this mass of wealth, 
remembered his needy garrison of Montalban, and could not resist the 
temptation of seizing part of the booty. In particular a golden chain, 
studded with diamonds, was too much for his self-denial, and he took it and 
was bearing it off, notwithstanding the remonstrances of Orlando, when a 
violent wind caught him and whirled him back, as he approached the gate. 
This happened a second and a third time, and Rinaldo at length yielded to 
necessity, rather than to the entreaties of his friends, add cast away his 
prize. 

They soon reached the bridge and passed over without hindrance to the other 
side, where they found the trophy 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. 

Dudon, the Dane, one of the rescued knights, informed the cousins that he 
had been made prisoner by Morgana while in the discharge of an embassy to 
them from Charlemagne, who called upon them to return to the defence of 
Christendom. Orlando was too much fascinated by Angelica to obey this 
summons, and, followed by the faithful Florismart, who would not leave him, 
returned towards Albracca. Rinaldo, Dudon, Iroldo, Prasildo, and the others, 
took their way toward the west. 

 

(1) This is a poetical description of a phenomenon which is said to be 
really exhibited in the strait of Messina, between Sicily and Calabria. It 
is called Fata Morgana, or Mirage.

 

CHAPTER VI. THE INVASION OF FRANCE.

AGRAMANT, King of Africa, convoked the kings, his vassals, to deliberate in 
council. He reminded them of the injuries he had sustained from France, that 
his father had fallen in battle with Charlemagne, and that his early years 
had hitherto not allowed him to wipe out the stain of former defeats. He now 
proposed to them to carry war into France. 

Sobrino, his wisest councillor, opposed the project, representing the 
rashness of it; but Rodomont, the young and fiery king of Algiers, denounced 
Sobrino's counsel as base and cowardly, declaring himself impatient for the 
enterprise. The king of the Garamantes, venerable for his age and renowned 
for his prophetic lore, interposed, and assured the King that such an 
attempt would be sure to fail, unless he could first get on his side a youth 
marked out by destiny as the fitting compeer of the most puissant knights of 
France, the young Rogero, descended in direct line from Hector of Troy. This 
prince was now a dweller upon the mountain Carena, where Atlantes, his 
fosterfather, a powerful magician, kept him in retirement, having discovered 
by his art that his pupil would be lost to him if allowed to mingle with the 
world. To break the spells of Atlantes, and draw Rogero from his retirement, 
one only means was to be found. It was a ring possessed by Angelica, 
Princess of Cathay, which was a talisman against all enchantments. If this 
ring could be procured, all would go well; without it, the enterprise was 
desperate. 

Rodomont treated this declaration of the old prophet with scorn, and it 
would probably have been held of little weight by the council, had not the 
aged king, oppressed by the weight of years, expired in the very act of 
reaffirming his prediction. This made so deep an impression on the council, 
that it was unanimously resolved to postpone the war until an effort should 
be made to win Rogero to the camp. 

King Agramant thereupon proclaimed that the sovereignty of a kingdom should 
be the reward of whoever should succeed in obtaining the ring of Angelica. 
Brunello, the dwarf, the subtlest thief in all Africa, undertook to procure 
it. 

In prosecution of this design, he made the best of his way to Angelica's 
kingdom, and arrived beneath the walls of Albracca while the besieging army 
was encamped before the fortress. While the attention of the garrison was 
absorbed by the battle that raged below, he scaled the walls, approached the 
Princess unnoticed, slipped the ring from her finger, and escaped 
unobserved. He hastened to the seaside, and, finding a vessel ready to sail, 
embarked, and arrived at Biserta, in Africa. Here he found Agramant, 
impatient for the talisman which was to foil the enchantments of Atlantes 
and to put Rogero into his hands. The dwarf, kneeling before the King, 
presented him with the ring, and Agramant, delighted at the success of his 
mission, crowned him in recompense King of Tingitana. All were now anxious 
to go in quest of Rogero. The cavalcade accordingly departed, and in due 
time arrived at the mountain of Carena. 

At the bottom of this was a fruitful and well-wooded plain, watered by a 
large river, 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 even Brunello failed in every attempt to scale 
it. He did not, for this, despair of accomplishing the object; but, having 
obtained Agramant's consent, 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 joined the tourney, and was presented by Agramant with a splendid 
horse, Frontino, and a magnificent sword. Having learned from Agramant his 
intended invasion of France, he gladly consented to join the expedition. 

Rodomont, meanwhile, was too impatient to wait for Agramant's arrangements, 
and embarked with all the forces he could raise, made good his landing on 
the coast of France, and routed the Christians in several encounters. 
Previously to this, however, Gano, or Ganelon (as he is sometimes called), 
the traitor, enemy of Orlando and the other nephews of Charlemagne, had 
entered into a traitorous correspondence with Marsilius, the Saracen king of 
Spain, whom he invited into France. Marsilius, thus encouraged, led an army 
across the frontiers, and joined Rodomont. This was the situation of things 
when Rinaldo and the other knights who had obeyed the summons of Dudon set 
forward on their return to France. 

When they arrived at Buda in Hungary, they found the king of that country 
about despatching his son, Ottachiero, with an army to the succor of 
Charlemagne. Delighted with the arrival of Rinaldo, he placed his son and 
troops under his command. In due time the army arrived on the frontiers of 
France, and, united with the troops of Desiderius, king of Lombardy, 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, left his troops in charge of his friends, and galloped towards him 
with his lance in rest. The impulse was irresistible, and Rodomont was 
unhorsed. But Rinaldo, unwilling to avail himself of his advantage, galloped 
back to the hill, and having secured Bayard among the baggage, returned to 
finish the combat on foot. 

During this interval the battle had become general, the Hungarians were 
routed, and Rinaldo, on his return, had the mortification to find that 
Ottachiero was wounded, and Dudon taken prisoner. While he sought Rodomont 
in order to renew the combat, a new sound of drums and trumpets was heard, 
and Charlemagne, with, the main body of his army, was descried advancing in 
battle array. 

Rodomont, seeing this, mounted the horse of Dudon, left Rinaldo, who was on 
foot, and galloped off to encounter this new enemy. Agramant, accompanied by 
Rogero, had by this time made good his landing, and joined Rodomont with all 
his forces. Rogero eagerly embraced this first opportunity of distinguishing 
himself, and spread terror wherever he went, encountering in turn, and 
overthrowing many of the bravest knights of France. At length he found 
himself opposite to Rinaldo, who, being interrupted, as we have said, in his 
combat with Rodomont, and unable to follow him, being on foot, was shouting 
to his late foe to return and finish their combat. Rogero also was on foot, 
and seeing the Christian knight so eager for a contest, proffered himself to 
supply the place of his late antagonist. 

Rinaldo saw at a glance that the Moorish prince was a champion worthy of his 
arm, and gladly accepted the defiance. The combat was stoutly maintained for 
a time; but now fortune declared decisively in favor of the infidel army, 
and Charlemagne's forces gave way at all points in irreparable confusion. 
The two combatants were separated by the crowd of fugitives and pursuers, 
and Rinaldo hastened to recover possession of his horse. But Bayard, in the 
confusion, had got loose, and Rinaldo followed him into a thick wood, thus 
becoming effectually separated from Rogero. 

Rogero, also seeking his horse in the medley, came where two warriors were 
engaged in mortal combat. Though he knew not who they were, he could 
distinguish that one was a paynim and the other a Christian; and, moved by 
the spirit of courtesy, he approached them, and exclaimed, "Let him of the 
two who worships Christ pause, and hear what I have to say. The army of 
Charles is routed and in flight, so that if he wishes to follow his leader 
he has no time for delay." 

The Christian knight, who was none other than Bradamante, a female warrior, 
in prowess equal to the best of knights, was thunderstruck with the tidings, 
and would gladly leave the contest undecided, and retire from the field; but 
Rodomont, her antagonist, would by no means consent. Rogero, indignant at 
his discourtesy, insisted upon her departure, while he took up her quarrel 
with Rodomont. 

The combat, obstinately maintained on both sides, was interrupted by the 
return of Bradamante. Finding herself unable to overtake the fugitives, and 
reluctant to leave to another the burden and risk of a contest which 
belonged to herself, she had returned to reclaim the combat. She arrived, 
however, when her champion had dealt his enemy such a blow as obliged him to 
drop both his sword and bridle. 

Rogero, disdaining to profit by his adversary's defenceless situation, sat 
apart, upon his horse, while that of Rodomont bore his rider, stunned and 
stupefied, about the field. 

Bradamante approached Rogero, conceiving a yet higher opinion of his valor 
on beholding such an instance of forbearance. She addressed him, excusing 
herself for leaving him exposed to an enemy from his interference in her 
cause; pleading her duty to her sovereign as the motive. While she spoke, 
Rodomont, recovered from his confusion, rode up to them. His bearing was, 
however, changed; and he disclaimed all thoughts of further contest with one 
who, he said, "had already conquered him by his courtesy." So saying, he 
quitted his antagonist, picked up his sword, and spurred out of sight. 

Bradamante was now again desirous of retiring from the field, and Rogero 
insisted in accompanying her, though yet unaware of her sex. As they pursued 
their way, she inquired the name and quality of her new associate; and 
Rogero informed her of his nation and family. He told her that Astyanax, the 
son of Hector of Troy, established the kingdom of Messina in Sicily. From 
him were derived two branches, which gave origin to two families of renown. 
From one sprang the royal race of Pepin and Charlemagne, and from the other, 
that of Reggio, in Italy. "From that of Reggio am I derived," he continued. 
"My mother, driven from her home by the chance of war, died in giving me 
life, and I was taken in charge by a sage enchanter, who trained me to feats 
of arms amidst the dangers of the desert and the chase." 

Having thus ended his tale, Rogero entreated a similar return of courtesy 
from his companion, who replied, without disguise, that she was of the race 
of Clermont, and sister to Rinaldo, whose fame was perhaps known to him. 
Rogero, much moved by this intelligence, entreated her to take off her 
helmet, and, at the discovery of her face, remained transported with 
delight. 

While absorbed in this contemplation, an unexpected danger assailed them. A 
party which was placed in a wood, in order to intercept the retreating 
Christians, broke from its ambush upon the pair, and Bradamante, who was 
uncasqued, was wounded in the head. Rogero was in fury at this attack; and 
Bradamante, replacing her helmet, joined him in taking speedy vengeance on 
their enemies. They cleared the field of them, but became separated in the 
pursuit; and Rogero, quitting the chase, wandered by hill and vale in search 
of her whom he had no sooner found than lost. 

While pursuing this quest, be fell in with two knights, whom he joined, and 
engaged them to assist him in the search of his companion, describing her 
arms, but concealing, from a certain feeling of jealousy, her quality and 
sex. 

It was evening when their joined company, and having ridden together through 
the night, the morning was beginning to break, when one of the strangers, 
fixing his eyes upon Rogero's shield, demanded of him by what right he bore 
the Trojan arms. Rogero declared his origin and race, and then, in his turn, 
interrogated the inquirer as to his pretensions to the cognizance of Hector, 
which he bore. The stranger replied, "My name is Mandricardo, son of 
Agrican, the Tartar king, whom Orlando treacherously slew. I say 
treacherously, for in fair fight he could not have done it. It is in search 
of him that I have come to France, to take vengeance for my father, and to 
wrest from him Durindana, that famous sword, which belongs to me, and not to 
him." When the knights demanded to know by what right he claimed Durindana, 
Mandricardo thus related his history:- 

"I had been, before the death of my father, a wild and reckless youth. That 
event awakened my energies, and drove me forth to seek for vengeance. 
Determined to owe success to nothing but my own exertions, I departed 
without attendants or horse or arms. Travelling thus alone, and on foot, I 
espied one day a pavilion, pitched near a fountain, and entered it, intent 
on adventure. I found therein a damsel of gracious aspect, who replied to my 
inquiries, that the fountain was the work of a fairy, whose castle stood 
beyond a neighboring hill, where she kept watch over a treasure which many 
knights had tried to win, but fruitlessly, having lost their life or liberty 
in the attempt. This treasure was, the armor of Hector, prince of Troy, whom 
Achilles treacherously slew. Nothing was wanting but his sword Durindana, 
and this had fallen into the possession of a queen named Penthesilea, from 
whom it passed through her descendants to Almontes, whom Orlando slew, and 
thus became possessed of the sword. The rest of Hector's arms were saved and 
carried off by AEneas, from whom this fairy received them in recompense of 
service rendered. 'If you have the courage to attempt their acquisition,' 
said the damsel, 'I will be your guide.'" Mandricardo went on to say that he 
eagerly embraced the proposal, and being provided with horse and armor by 
the damsel, set forth on his enterprise, the lady accompanying him. 

As they rode, she explained the dangers of the quest. The armor was defended 
by a champion, one of the numerous unsuccessful adventurers for the prize, 
all of whom had been made prisoners by the fairy and compelled to take their 
turn, day by day, in defending the arms against all comers. Thus speaking 
they arrived at the castle, which was of alabaster, overlaid with gold. 
Before it, on a lawn, sat an armed knight on horseback, who was none other 
than Gradasso, king of Sericane, who, in his return home from his 
unsuccessful inroad into France, had fallen into the power of the fairy, and 
was held to do her bidding. Mandricardo, upon seeing him, dropt his visor, 
and laid his lance in rest. The champion of the castle was equally ready, 
and each spurred towards his opponent. They met one another with equal 
force, splintered their spears, and, returning to the charge, encountered 
with their swords. The contest was long and doubtful, when Mandricardo, 
determined to bring it to an end, threw his arms about Gradasso, grappled 
with him, and both fell to the ground. Mandricardo, however, fell uppermost, 
and, preserving his advantage, compelled Gradasso to yield himself 
conquered. The damsel now interfered, congratulating the victor, and 
consoling the vanquished as well as she might. 

Mandricardo and the damsel proceeded to the gate of the castle, which they 
found undefended. As they entered, they beheld a shield suspended from a 
pilaster of gold. The device was a white eagle on an azure field, in memory 
of the bird of Jove, which bore away Ganymede, the flower of the Phrygian 
race. Beneath was engraved the following couplet:-

"Let none with hand profane my buckler wrong 
Unless he be himself as Hector strong."

The damsel, alighting from her palfrey, made obeisance to the arms, bending 
herself to the ground. The Tartar king bowed his head with equal reverence; 
then advancing towards the shield, touched it with his sword. Thereupon an 
earthquake shook the ground, and the way by which he had entered closed. 
Another and an opposite gate opened, and displayed a field bristling with 
stalks and grain of gold. The damsel, upon this, told him that he had no 
means of retreat but by cutting down the harvest which was before him, and 
by uprooting a tree which grew in the middle of the field. Mandricardo, 
without replying, began to mow the harvest with his sword, but had scarce 
smitten thrice when he perceived that every stalk that fell was instantly 
transformed into some poisonous or ravenous animal, which prepared to assail 
him. Instructed by the damsel, he snatched up a stone and cast it among the 
pack, A strange wonder followed; for no sooner had the stone fallen among 
the beasts, than they turned their rage against one another, and rent each 
other to pieces. Mandricardo did not stop to marvel at the miracle, but 
proceeded to fulfil his task, and uproot the tree. He clasped it round the 
trunk, and made vigorous efforts to tear it up by the roots. At each effort 
fell a shower of leaves, that were instantly changed into birds of prey, 
which attacked the knight, flapping their wings in his face, with horrid 
screeching. But undismayed by this new annoyance, he continued to tug at the 
trunk till it yielded to his efforts. A burst of wind and thunder followed, 
and the hawks and vultures flew screaming away. 

But these only gave place to a new foe; for from the hole made by tearing up 
the tree issued a furious serpent, and, darting at Mandricardo, wound 
herself about his limbs with a strain that almost crushed him. Fortune, 
however, again stood his friend, for, writhing under the folds of the 
monster, he fell backwards into the hole, and his enemy was crushed beneath 
his weight. 

Mandricardo, when he was somewhat recovered, and assured himself of the 
destruction of the serpent, began to contemplate the place into which he had 
fallen, and saw that he was in a vault, incrusted with costly metals, and 
illuminated by a live coal. In the middle was a sort of ivory bier, and upon 
this was extended what appeared to be a knight in armor, but was in truth an 
empty trophy, composed of the rich and precious arms once Hector's, to which 
nothing was wanting but the sword. While Mandricardo stood contemplating the 
prize, a door opened behind him, and a bevy of fair damsels entered, 
dancing, who, taking up the armor, piece by piece, led him away to the place 
where the shield was suspended; where he found the fairy of the castle 
seated in state. By her he was invested with the arms he had won, first 
pledging his solemn oath to wear no other blade but Durindana, which he was 
to wrest from Orlando, and thus complete the conquest of Hector's arms. 

 

CHAPTER VII. THE INVASION OF FRANCE, CONTINUED.

MANDRICARDO, having completed his story now turned to Rogero, and proposed 
that arms should decide which of the two was most worthy to bear the symbol 
of the Trojan knight. 

Rogero felt no other objection to this proposal than the scruple which arose 
on observing that his antagonist was without a sword. Mandricardo insisted 
that this need be no impediment, since his oath prevented him from using a 
sword until he should have achieved the conquest of Durindana. 

This was no sooner said than a new antagonist started up in Gradasso, who 
now accompanied Mandricardo. Gradasso vindicated his prior right to 
Durindana, to obtain which he had embarked (as was related in the beginning) 
in that bold inroad upon France. A quarrel was thus kindled between the 
kings of Tartary and Sericane. While the dispute was raging, a knight 
arrived upon the ground, accompanied by a damsel, to whom Rogero related the 
cause of the strife. The knight was Florismart, and his companion Flordelis. 

Florismart succeeded in bringing the two champions to accord, by informing 
them that he could bring them to the presence of Orlando, the master of 
Durindana. 

Gradasso and Mandricardo readily made truce, in order to accompany 
Florismart, nor would Rogero be left behind. 

As they proceeded on their quest, they were met by a dwarf, who entreated 
their assistance in behalf of his lady, who had been carried off by an 
enchanter, mounted on a winged horse. However unwilling to leave the 
question of the sword undecided, it was not possible for the knights to 
resist this appeal. Two of their number, Gradasso and Rogero, therefore 
accompanied the dwarf, Mandricardo persisted in his search for Orlando, and, 
Florismart, with Flordelis, pursued their way to the camp of Charlemagne. 

Atlantes, the enchanter, who had brought up Rogero, and cherished for him 
the warmest affection, knew by his art that his pupil was destined to be 
severed from him, and converted to the Christian faith through the influence 
of Bradamante, that royal maiden with whom chance had brought him 
acquainted. Thinking to thwart the will of Heaven in this respect, he now 
put forth all his arts to entrap Rogero into his power. By the aid of his 
subservient demons, he reared a castle on an inaccessible height, in the 
Pyrenean mountains, and, to make it a pleasant abode to his pupil, contrived 
to entrap and convey thither knights and damsels many a one, whom chance had 
brought into the vicinity of his castle. Here, in a sort of sensual 
paradise, they were but too willing to forget glory and duty, and to pass 
their time in indolent enjoyment. 

It was by the enchanter that the dwarf had now been sent to tempt the 
knights into his power. 

But we must now return to Rinaldo, whom we left interrupted in his combat 
with Rodomont. In search of his late antagonist, and intent on bringing 
their combat to a decision, he entered the forest of Arden, whither he 
suspected Rodomont had gone. While engaged on this quest, he was surprised 
by the vision of a beautiful child dancing naked, with three damsels as 
beautiful as himself. While he was lost in admiration at the sight, the 
child approached him, and, throwing at him handfuls of roses and lilies, 
struck him from his horse. He was no sooner down than he was seized by the 
dancers, by whom he was dragged about and scourged with flowers till he fell 
into a swoon. 

When he began to revive, one of the group approached him, and told him that 
his punishment was the consequence of his rebellion against that power 
before whom all things bend; that there was but one remedy to heal the 
wounds that had been inflicted, and that was to drink of the waters of Love. 
Then they left him. 

Rinaldo, sore and faint, dragged himself toward a fountain which flowed near 
by, and, being parched with thirst, drank greedily and almost unconsciously 
of the water, which was sweet to the taste, but bitter at the heart. After 
repeated draughts he recovered his strength and recollection, and found 
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. 

This remembrance of the scene was followed by the recognition of his crime; 
and, repenting bitterly his ingratitude, he leaped upon Bayard, with the 
intention of hastening to Angelica's country, and soliciting his pardon at 
her feet. 

Let us now retrace our steps, and revert to the time when the paladins, 
having learned from Dudon the summons of Charlemagne to return to France to 
repel the invaders, had all obeyed the command with the exception of 
Orlando, whose passion for Angelica still held him in attendance on her. 
Orlando, arriving before Albracca, found it closely beleaguered. He, 
however, made his way into the citadel, and related 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 favor her escape from the 
pressing danger, and escort her into France. Orlando, who did not suspect 
that love for Rinaldo was her secret motive, joyfully agreed to the 
proposal, and the sally was resolved upon. 

Leaving lights burning in the fortress, they departed at nightfall, and 
passed in safety through the enemy's camp. After encountering numerous 
adventures, they reached the sea-side, and embarked on board a pinnace for 
France. The vessel arrived safely, and the travellers, disembarking in 
Provence, pursued their way by land. One day, heated and weary, they sought 
shelter from the sun in the forest of Arden, and chance directed Angelica to 
the fountain of Disdain, of whose waters she eagerly drank. 

Issuing thence, the Count and damsel encountered a stranger knight. It was 
no other than Rinaldo, who was just on the point of setting off on a 
pilgrimage in search of Angelica, to implore her pardon for his 
insensibility, and urge his new-found passion. Surprise and delight at first 
deprived him of utterance, but soon recovering himself, he joyfully saluted 
her, claiming her as his, and exhorting her to put herself under his 
protection. His presumption was repelled by Angelica with disdain, and 
Orlando, enraged at the invasion of his rights, challenged him to decide 
their claims by arms. 

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 Marsilius. Charles, having heard the damsel's 
tale, with difficulty separated the two cousins, and then consigned 
Angelica, as the cause of quarrel, to the care of Namo, Duke of Bavaria, 
promising that she should be his who should best deserve her in the 
impending battle. 

But these plans and hopes were frustrated. The Christian army, beaten at all 
points, fled from the Saracens; and Angelica, indifferent to both her 
lovers, mounted a swift palfrey and plunged into the forest, rejoicing, in 
spite of her terror, at having regained her liberty. She stopped at last in 
a tufted grove, where a gentle zephyr blew, and whose young trees were 
watered by two clear runnels, which came and mingled their waters, making a 
pleasing murmur. Believing herself far from Rinaldo, and overcome by fatigue 
and the summer heat, she saw with delight a bank covered with flowers, so 
thick that they almost hid the green turf, inviting her to alight and rest. 
She dismounted from her palfrey, and turned him loose to recruit his 
strength with the tender grass which bordered the streamlets. Then, in a 
sheltered nook tapestried with moss and fenced in with roses and hawthorn-
flowers, she yielded herself to grateful repose. 

She had not slept long when she was awakened by the noise made by the 
approach of a horse. Starting up she saw an armed knight who had arrived at 
the bank of the stream. Not knowing whether he was to be feared or not, her 
heart beat with anxiety. She pressed aside the leaves to allow her to see 
who it was, but scarce dared to breathe for fear of betraying herself. Soon 
the knight threw himself on the flowery bank, and, leaning his head on his 
hand, fell into a profound reverie. Then arousing himself from his silence, 
be began to pour forth complaints, mingled with deep sighs. Rivers of tears 
flowed down his cheeks, and his breast seemed to labor with a hidden flame. 
"Ah, vain regrets!" he exclaimed; "cruel fortune! others triumph, while I 
endure hopeless misery! Better a thousand times to lose life, than wear a 
chain so disgraceful and so oppressive!" 

Angelica by this time had recognized the stranger, and perceived that it was 
Sacripant, king of Circassia, one of the worthiest of her suitors. This 
prince had followed Angelica from his country, at the very gates of the day, 
to France, where he heard with dismay that she was under the guardianship of 
the Paladin Orlando, and that the Emperor had announced his decree to award 
her as the prize of valor to that one of his nephews who should best deserve 
her. 

As Sacripant continued to lament, Angelica, who had always opposed the 
hardness of marble to his sighs, thought with herself that nothing forbade 
her employing his good offices in this unhappy crisis. Though firmly 
resolved never to accept him as a spouse, she yet felt the necessity of 
giving him a gleam of hope in reward for the service she required of him. 
All at once, like Diana, she stepped forth from the arbor. "May the gods 
preserve thee," she said, "and put far from thee all hard thoughts of me!" 
Then she told him all that had befallen her since she parted with him at her 
father's court, and how she had availed herself of Orlando's protection to 
escape from the beleaguered city. At that moment the noise of horse and 
armor was heard as of one approaching; and Sacripant, furious at the 
interruption, resumed his helmet, mounted his horse, and placed his lance in 
rest. He saw a knight advancing, with scarf and plume of snowy whiteness. 
Sacripant regarded him with angry eyes, and, while he was yet some distance 
off, defied him to the combat. The other, not moved by his angry tone to 
make reply, put himself on his defence. Their horses, struck at the same 
moment with the spur, rushed upon one another with the impetuosity of a 
tempest, Their shields were pierced each with the other's lance, and only 
the temper of their breastplates saved their lives. Both the horses recoiled 
with the violence of the shock; but the unknown knight's recovered itself at 
the touch of the spur; the Saracen king's fell dead, and bore down his 
master with him. The white knight, seeing his enemy in this condition, cared 
not to renew the combat, but, thinking he had done enough for glory, pursued 
his way through the forest and was a mile off before Sacripant had got free 
from his horse. 

As a ploughman, stunned by a thunder-clap which has stricken dead the oxen 
at his plough, stands motionless, sadly contemplating his loss, so Sacripant 
stood confounded and overwhelmed with mortification at having Angelica a 
witness of his defeat. He groaned, he sighed, less from the pain of his 
bruises than for the shame of being reduced to such a state before her. The 
princess took pity on him, and consoled him as well as she could. "Banish 
your regrets, my lord," she said, "this accident has happened solely in 
consequence of the feebleness of your horse, which had more need of rest and 
food than of such an encounter as this. Nor can your adversary gain any 
credit by it, since he has hurried away, not venturing a second trial." 
While she thus consoled Sacripant they perceived a person approach, who 
seemed a courier, with bag and horn. As soon as he came up, he accosted 
Sacripant, and inquired if he had seen a knight pass that way, bearing a 
white shield and with a white plume to his helmet. "I have, indeed, seen too 
much of him," said Sacripant, "it is he who has brought me to the ground; 
but at least I hope to learn from you who that knight is." "That I can 
easily inform you," said the man; "know then that, if you have been 
overthrown, you owe your fate to the high prowess of a lady as beautiful as 
she is brave. It is the fair and illustrious Bradamante who has won from you 
the honors of victory." 

At these words the courier rode on his way, leaving Sacripant more 
confounded and mortified than ever. In silence he mounted the horse of 
Angelica, taking the lady behind him on the croup, and rode away in search 
of a more secure asylum. Hardly had they ridden two miles when a new sound 
was heard in the forest, and they perceived a gallant and powerful horse, 
which, leaping the ravines and dashing aside the branches that opposed his 
passage, appeared before them, accoutred with a rich harness adorned with 
gold. 

"If I may believe my eyes, which penetrate with difficulty the underwood," 
said Angelica, "that horse that dashes so stoutly through the bushes is 
Bayard, and I marvel how he seems to know the need we have of him, mounted 
as we are both on one feeble animal." Sacripant, dismounting from the 
palfrey, approached the fiery courser, and attempted to seize his bridle, 
but the disdainful animal, turning from him, launched at him a volley of 
kicks enough to have shattered a wall of marble. Bayard then approached 
Angelica with an air as gentle and loving as a faithful dog could his 
master, after a long separation. For he remembered how she had caressed him, 
and even fed him, in Albracca. She took his bridle in her left hand, while 
with her right she patted his neck. The beautiful animal, gifted with 
wonderful intelligence, seemed to submit entirely. Sacripant, seizing the 
moment to vault upon him, controlled his curvetings, and Angelica, quitting 
the croup of the palfrey, regained her seat. 

But, turning his eyes toward a place where was heard a noise of arms, 
Sacripant beheld Rinaldo. That hero now loves Angelica more than his life, 
and she flies him as the timid crane the falcon. The fountain of which 
Angelica had drunk produced such an effect on the beautiful queen, that, 
with distressed countenance and trembling voice, she conjured Sacripant not 
to wait the approach of Rinaldo, but to join her in flight. 

"Am I, then," said Sacripant, "of so little esteem with you that you doubt 
my power to defend you? Do you forget the battle of Albracca, and how, in 
your defence, I fought single-handed against Agrican and all his knights?" 

Angelica made no reply, uncertain what to do; but already Rinaldo was too 
near to be escaped. He advanced menacingly to the Circassian king, for he 
recognized his horse. 

"Vile thief," he cried, "dismount from that horse, and prevent the 
punishment that is your due for daring to rob me of my property. Leave, 
also, the princess in my hands; for it would indeed be a sin to suffer so 
charming a lady and so gallant a charger to remain in such keeping." 

The king of Circassia, furious at being thus insulted, cried out, "Thou 
liest, villain, in giving me the name of thief, which better belongs to 
thyself than to me. It is true, the beauty of this lady and the perfection 
of this horse are unequalled; come on, then, and let us try which of us is 
most worthy to possess them." 

At these words the king of Circassia and Rinaldo attacked one another with 
all their force, one fighting on foot, the other on horseback. You need not, 
however, suppose that the Saracen king found any advantage in this; for a 
young page, unused to horsemanship, could not have failed more completely to 
manage Bayard than did this accomplished knight. The faithful animal loved 
his master too well to injure him, and refused his aid as well as his 
obedience to the hand of Sacripant, who could strike but ineffectual blows, 
the horse backing when he wished him to go forward, and dropping his head 
and arching his back, throwing out with his legs, so as almost to shake the 
knight out of the saddle. Sacripant, seeing that he could not manage him, 
watched his opportunity, rose on his saddle, and leapt lightly to the earth; 
then, relieved from the embarrassment of the horse, renewed the combat on 
more equal terms. Their skill to thrust and parry was equal; one rises, the 
other stoops; with one foot set firm, they turn and wind, to lay on strokes 
or to dodge them. At last Rinaldo, throwing himself on the Circassian, dealt 
him a blow so terrible that Fusberta, his good sword, cut in two the buckler 
of Sacripant, although it was made of bone, and covered with a thick plate 
of steel well tempered. The arm of the Saracen was deprived of its defence, 
and almost palsied with the stroke. Angelica, perceiving how victory was 
likely to incline, and shuddering at the thought of becoming the prize of 
Rinaldo, hesitated no longer. Turning her horse's head, she fled with the 
utmost speed; and, in spite of the round pebbles which covered a steep 
descent, she plunged into a deep valley, trembling with the fear that 
Rinaldo was in pursuit. At the bottom of this valley she encountered an aged 
hermit, whose white beard flowed to his middle, and whose venerable 
appearance seemed to assure his piety. 

This hermit, who appeared shrunk by age and fasting, travelled slowly, 
mounted upon a wretched ass. The princess, overcome with fear, conjured him 
to save her life, and to conduct her to some port of the sea, whence she 
might embark and quit France, never more to hear the odious name of Rinaldo. 

The old hermit was something of a wizard. He comforted Angelica, and 
promised to protect her from all peril. Then he opened his scrip, and took 
from thence a book, and had read but a single page when a goblin, obedient 
to his incantations, appeared, under the form of a laboring man, and 
demanded his orders. He received them, transported himself to the place 
where the knights still maintained their conflict, and boldly stepped 
between the two. 

"Tell me, I pray you," he said, "what benefit will accrue to him who shall 
get the better in this contest? The object you are contending for is already 
disposed of; for the Paladin Orlando, without effort and without opposition, 
is now carrying away the princess Angelica to Paris. You had better pursue 
them promptly, for if they reach Paris, you will never see her again." 

At these words you might have seen those rival warriors confounded, 
stupefied, silently agreeing that they were affording their rival a fair 
opportunity to triumph over them. Rinaldo, approaching Bayard, breathes a 
sigh of shame and rage, and swears a terrible oath that, if he overtakes 
Orlando, he will tear his heart out. Then mounting Bayard and pressing his 
flanks with his spurs, he leaves the king of Circassia on foot in the 
forest. 

Let it not appear strange that Rinaldo found Bayard obedient at last, after 
having so long prevented any one from even touching his bridle; for that 
fine animal had an intelligence almost human; he had fled from his master 
only to draw him on the track of Angelica, and enable him to recover her. He 
saw when the princess fled from the battle, and Rinaldo being then engaged 
in a fight on foot, Bayard found himself free to follow the traces of 
Angelica. Thus he had drawn his master after him, not permitting him to 
approach, and had brought him to the sight of the princess. But Bayard now, 
deceived like his master with the false intelligence of the goblin, submits 
to be mounted and to serve his master as usual, and Rinaldo, animated with 
rage, makes him fly toward Paris, more slowly than his wishes, though the 
speed of Bayard outstripped the winds. Full of impatience to encounter 
Orlando, he gave but a few hours that night to sleep. Early the next day he 
saw before him the great city, under the walls of which the Emperor Charles 
had collected the scattered remains of his army. Foreseeing that he would 
soon be attacked on all sides, the Emperor had caused the ancient 
fortifications to be repaired, and new ones to be built, surrounded by wide 
and deep ditches. The desire to hold the field against the enemy made him 
seize every means of procuring new allies. He hoped to receive from England 
aid sufficient to enable him to form a new camp, and as soon as Rinaldo 
rejoined him, he selected him to go as his ambassador into England, to plead 
for auxiliaries. Rinaldo was far from pleased with this commission, but he 
obeyed the Emperor's commands, without giving himself time to devote a 
single day to the object nearest to his heart. He hastened to Calais, and 
lost not a moment in embarking for England, ardently desiring a hasty 
despatch of his commission, and a speedy return to France. 

 

CHAPTER VIII. BRADAMANTE AND ROGERO.

BRADAMANTE, the knight of the white plume and shield, whose sudden 
appearance and encounter with Sacripant we have already told, was in quest 
of Rogero, from whom chance had separated her, almost at the beginning of 
their acquaintance. After her encounter with Sacripant, Bradamante pursued 
her way through the forest, in hopes of rejoining Rogero, and arrived at 
last on the brink of a fair fountain. This fountain flowed through a broad 
meadow. Ancient trees overshadowed it, and travellers, attracted by the 
sweet murmur of its waters, stopped there to cool themselves. Bradamante, 
casting her eyes on all sides to enjoy the beauties of the spot, perceived, 
under the shade of a tree, a knight reclining, who seemed to be oppressed 
with the deepest grief. 

Bradamante accosted him, and asked to be informed of the cause of his 
distress. "Alas! my lord," said he, "I lament a young and charming friend, 
my affianced wife, who has been torn from me by a villain,- let me rather 
call him a demon,- who, on a winged horse, descended from the air, seized 
her, and bore her screaming to his den. I have pursued them over rocks and 
through ravines till my horse is no longer able to bear me, and I now wait 
only for death." He added, that already a vain attempt on his behalf had 
been made by two knights whom chance had brought to the spot. Their names 
were Gradasso, king of Sericane, and Rogero, the Moor. Both had been 
overcome by the wiles of the enchanter, and were added to the number of the 
captives, whom he held in an impregnable castle, situated on the height of 
the mountain. At the mention of Rogero's name, Bradamante started with 
delight, which was soon changed to an opposite sentiment when she heard that 
her lover was a prisoner in the toils of the enchanter. "Sir Knight," she 
said, "do not surrender yourself to despair; this day may be more happy for 
you than you think, if you will only lead me to the castle which enfolds her 
whom you deplore." 

The knight responded, "After having lost all that made life dear to me, I 
have no motive to avoid the dangers of the enterprise, and I will do as you 
request; but I forewarn you of the perils you will have to encounter. If you 
fall, impute it not to me." 

Having thus spoken, they took their way to the castle, but were overtaken by 
a messenger from the camp, who had been sent in quest of Bradamante to 
summon her back to the army, where her presence was needed to reassure her 
disheartened forces, and withstand the advance of the Moors. 

The mournful knight, whose name was Pinabel, thus became aware that 
Bradamante was a scion of the house of Clermont, between which and his own 
of Mayence there existed an ancient feud. From this moment the traitor 
sought only how he might be rid of the company of Bradamante, from whom he 
feared no good would come to him, but rather mortal injury, if his name and 
lineage became known to her. For he judged her by his own base model, and, 
knowing his ill deserts, he feared to receive his due. 

Bradamante, in spite of the summons to return to the army, could not resolve 
to leave her lover in captivity, and determined first to finish the 
adventure on which she was engaged. Pinabel leading the way, they at length 
arrived at a wood, in the centre of which rose a steep, rocky mountain. 
Pinabel, who now thought of nothing else but how he might escape from 
Bradamante, proposed to ascend the mountain to extend his view in order to 
discover a shelter for the night, if any there might be within sight. Under 
this pretence he left Bradamante, and advanced up the side of the mountain 
till he came to a cleft in the rock, down which he looked, and perceived 
that it widened below into a spacious cavern. Meanwhile Bradamante, fearful 
of losing her guide, had followed close on his footsteps, and rejoined him 
at the mouth of the cavern. Then the traitor, seeing the impossibility of 
escaping her, conceived another design. He told her that before her approach 
he had seen in the cavern a young and beautiful damsel, whose rich dress 
announced her high birth, who with tears and lamentations implored 
assistance; that before he could descend to relieve her, a ruffian had 
seized her, and hurried away into the recesses of the cavern. 

Bradamante, full of truth and courage, readily believed this lie of the 
Mayencian traitor. Eager to succor the damsel, she looked round for the 
means of facilitating the descent, and seeing a large elm with spreading 
branches, she lopped off with her sword one of the largest, and thrust it 
into the opening. She told Pinabel to hold fast to the larger end, while, 
grasping the branches with her hands, she let herself down into the cavern. 

The traitor smiled at seeing her thus suspended, and, asking her in mockery, 
"Are you a good leaper?" he let go the branch with perfidious glee, and saw 
Bradamante precipitated to the bottom of the cave. "I wish your whole race 
were there with you," he muttered, "that you might all perish together." 

But Pinabel's atrocious design was not accomplished. The twigs and foliage 
of the branch broke its descent, and Bradamante, not seriously injured, 
though stunned with her fall, was reserved for other adventures. 

As soon as she recovered from the shock, Bradamante cast her eyes around and 
perceived a door, through which she passed into a second cavern, larger and 
loftier than the first. It had the appearance of a subterranean temple. 
Columns of the purest alabaster adorned it, and supported the roof; a simple 
altar rose in the middle; a lamp, whose radiance was reflected by the 
alabaster walls, cast a mild light around. 

Bradamante, inspired by a sense of religious awe, approached the altar, and, 
falling on her knees, poured forth her prayers and thanks to the Preserver 
of her life, invoking the protection of his power. At that moment a small 
door opened, and a female issued from it with naked feet, and flowing robe 
and hair, who called her by her name, and thus addressed her. "Brave and 
generous Bradamante, know that it is a power from above that has brought you 
hither. The spirit of Merlin, whose last earthly abode was in this place, 
has warned me of your arrival, and of the fate that awaits you. This famous 
grotto," she continued, "was the work of the enchanter Merlin; here his 
ashes repose. You have no doubt heard how this sage and virtuous enchanter 
ceased to be. Victim of the artful fairy of the lake, Merlin, by a fatal 
compliance with her request, laid himself down living in his tomb, without 
power to resist the spell laid upon him by that ingrate, who retained him 
there as long as he lived. His spirit hovers about this spot, and will not 
leave it, until the last trumpet shall summon the dead to judgment. He 
answers the questions of those who approach his tomb, where perhaps you may 
be privileged to hear his voice." 

Bradamante, astonished at these words, and the objects which met her view, 
knew not whether she was awake or asleep. Confused, but modest, she cast 
down her eyes, and a blush overspread her face. "Ah, what am I," said she, 
"that so great a prophet should deign to speak to me!" Still, with a secret 
satisfaction, she followed the priestess, who led her to the tomb of Merlin. 
This tomb was constructed of a species of stone hard and resplendent like 
fire. The rays which beamed from the stone sufficed to light up that 
terrible place, where the sun's rays never penetrated; but I know not 
whether that light was the effect of a certain phosphorescence of the stone 
itself, or of the many talismans and charms with which it was wrought over. 

Bradamante had hardly passed the threshold of this sacred place, when the 
spirit of the enchanter saluted her with a voice firm and distinct. "May thy 
designs be prosperous, O chaste and noble maiden, the future mother of 
heroes, the glory of Italy, and destined to fill the whole world with their 
fame. Great captains, renowned knights, shall be numbered among your 
descendants, who shall defend the Church and restore their country to its 
ancient splendor. Princes, wise as Augustus and the sage Numa, shall bring 
back the age of gold.(1) To accomplish these grand destinies it is ordained 
that you shall wed the illustrious Rogero. Fly then to his deliverance, and 
lay prostrate in the dust the traitor who has snatched him from you, and now 
holds him in chains!"

Merlin ceased with these words, and left to Melissa, the priestess, the 
charge of more fully instructing the maiden in her future course. "To-
morrow," said she, "I will conduct you to the castle on the rock where 
Rogero is held captive. I will not leave you till I have guided you through 
this wild wood, and I will direct you on your way so that you shall be in no 
danger of mistaking it." 

The next morning Melissa conducted Bradamante, between rocks and precipices, 
crossing rapid torrents, and traversing intricate passes, employing the time 
in imparting to her such information as was necessary to enable her to bring 
her design to a successful issue. 

"Not only would the castle, impenetrable by force, and that winged horse of 
his baffle your efforts, but know that he possesses also a buckler whence 
flashes a light so brilliant that the eyes of all who look upon it are 
blinded. Think not to avoid it by shutting your eyes, for how then will you 
be able to avoid his blows, and make him feel your own? But I will teach you 
the proper course to pursue. 

"Agramant, the Moorish prince, possesses a ring stolen from a queen of 
India, which has power to render of no avail all enchantments. Agramant, 
knowing that Rogero is of more importance to him than any one of his 
warriors, is desirous of rescuing him from the power of the enchanter, and 
has sent for that purpose Brunello, the most crafty and sagacious of his 
servants, provided with his wonderful ring, and he is even now at hand, bent 
on this enterprise. But, beautiful Bradamante, as I desire that no one but 
yourself shall have the glory of delivering from thraldom your future 
spouse, listen while I disclose the means of success. Following this path 
which leads by the sea-shore, you will come erelong to a hostelry, where the 
Saracen Brunello will arrive shortly after you. You will readily know him by 
his stature, under four feet, his great disproportioned head, his squint 
eyes, his livid hue, his thick eyebrows joining his tufted beard. His dress, 
moreover, that of a courier, will point him out to you. 

"It will be easy for you to enter into conversation with him, announcing 
yourself as a knight seeking combat with the enchanter, but let not the 
knave suspect that you know anything about the ring. I doubt not that he 
will offer to be your guide to the castle of the enchanter. Accept his 
offer, but take care to keep behind him till you come in sight of the 
brilliant dome of the castle. Then hesitate not to strike him dead, for the 
wretch deserves no pity, and take from him the ring. But let him not suspect 
your intention, for by putting the ring into his mouth he will instantly 
become invisible and disappear from your eyes." 

Saying thus, the sage Melissa and the fair Bradamante arrived near the city 
of Bordeaux, where the rich and wide river Garonne pours the tribute of its 
waves into the sea. They parted with tender embraces. Bradamante, intent 
wholly on her purpose, hastened to arrive at the hostelry, where Brunello 
had preceded her a few moments only. The young heroine knew him without 
difficulty. She accosted him, and put to him some slight questions, to which 
he replied with adroit falsehoods. Bradamante, on her part, concealed from 
him her sex, her religion, her country, and the blood from whence she 
sprung. While they talk together, sudden cries are heard from all parts of 
the hostelry. "O queen of heaven!" exclaimed Bradamante, "what can be the 
cause of this sudden alarm?" She soon learned the cause. Host, children, 
domestics, all, with upturned eyes, as if they saw a comet or a great 
eclipse, were gazing on a prodigy which seemed to pass the bounds of 
possibility. She beheld distinctly a winged horse, mounted with a cavalier 
in rich armor, cleaving the air with rapid flight. The wings of this strange 
courser were wide extended, and covered with feathers of various colors. The 
polished armor of the knight made them shine with rainbow tints. In a short 
time, the horse and rider disappeared behind the summits of the mountains. 

"It is an enchanter," said the host, "a magician who often is seen 
traversing the air in that way. Sometimes he flies aloft as if among the 
stars, and at others, skims along the land. He possesses a wonderful castle 
on the top of the Pyrenees. Many knights have shown their courage by going 
to attack him, but none have ever returned, from which it is to be feared 
they have lost either their life or their liberty." 

Bradamante, addressing the host, said, "Could you furnish me a guide to 
conduct me to the castle of this enchanter?" "By my faith," said Brunello, 
interrupting, "that you shall not seek in vain; I have it all in writing, 
and I will myself conduct you." Bradamante, with thanks, accepted him for 
her guide. 

The host had a tolerable horse to dispose of, which Bradamante bargained 
for, and the next day, at the first dawn of morning, she took her route by a 
narrow valley, taking care to have the Saracen Brunello lead the way. 

They reached the summit of the Pyrenees, whence one may look down on France, 
Spain, and the two seas. From this height they descended again by a 
fatiguing road into a deep valley. From the middle of this valley an 
isolated mountain rose, composed of rough and perpendicular rock, on whose 
summit was the castle, surrounded with a wall of brass. Brunello said, 
"Yonder is the stronghold where the enchanter keeps his prisoners; one must 
have wings to mount thither; it is easy to see that the aid of a flying 
horse must be necessary for the master of this castle, which he uses for his 
prison and for his abode." 

Bradamante, sufficiently instructed, saw that the time had now come to 
possess herself of the ring; but she could not resolve to slay a defenceless 
man. She seized Brunello before he was aware, bound him to a tree, and took 
from him the ring which he wore on one of his fingers. The cries and 
entreaties of the perfidious Saracen moved her not. She advanced to the foot 
of the rock whereon the castle stood, and, to draw the magician to the 
combat, sounded her horn, adding to it cries of defiance. 

The enchanter delayed not to present himself, mounted on his winged horse. 
Bradamante was struck with surprise mixed with joy when she saw that this 
person, described as so formidable, bore no lance, nor club, nor any other 
deadly weapon. He had only on his arm a buckler, covered with a cloth, and 
in his hand an open book. As to the winged horse, there was no enchantment 
about him. He was a natural animal, of a species which exists in the 
Riphaean mountains. Like a griffin, he had the head of an eagle, claws armed 
with talons, and wings covered with feathers, the rest of his body being 
that of a horse. This strange animal is called a Hippogriff. 

The heroine attacked the enchanter on his approach, striking on this side 
and on that, with all the energy of a violent combat, but wounding only the 
wind, and, after this pretended attack had lasted some time, dismounted from 
her horse, as if hoping to do battle more effectually on foot. The enchanter 
now prepares to employ his sole weapon, by uncovering the magic buckler 
which never failed to subdue an enemy by depriving him of his senses. 
Bradamante, confiding in her ring, observed all the motions of her 
adversary, and, at the unveiling of the shield, cast herself on the ground, 
pretending that the splendor of the shield had overcome her, but in reality 
to induce the enchanter to dismount and approach her. 

It happened according to her wish. When the enchanter saw her prostrate, he 
made his horse alight on the ground, and, dismounting, fixed the shield on 
the pommel of his saddle, and approached in order to secure the fallen 
warrior. Bradamante, who watched him intently, as soon as she saw him near 
at hand, sprang up, seized him vigorously, threw him down, and, with the 
same chain which the enchanter had prepared for herself, bound him fast, 
without his being able to make any effectual resistance. 

The enchanter, with the accents of despair, exclaimed, "Take my life, young 
man!" but Bradamante was far from complying with such a wish. Desirous of 
knowing the name of the enchanter, and for what purpose he had formed with 
so much art this impregnable fortress, she commanded him to inform her. 

"Alas!" replied the magician, while tears flowed down his cheeks, "it is not 
to conceal booty, nor for any culpable design, that I have built this 
castle; it was only to guard the life of a young knight, the object of my 
tenderest affection, my art having taught me that he is destined to become a 
Christian, and to perish, shortly after, by the blackest of treasons. 

"This youth, named Rogero, is the most beautiful and most accomplished of 
knights. It is I, the unhappy Atlantes, who have reared him from his 
childhood. The call of honor and the desire of glory led him from me to 
follow Agramant, his prince, in his invasion of France, and I, more devoted 
to Rogero than the tenderest of parents, have sought the means of bringing 
him back to this abode, in the hope of saving him from the cruel fate that 
menaces him. 

"For this purpose I have got him in my possession by the same means as I 
attempted to employ against you; and by which I have succeeded in collecting 
a great many knights and ladies in my castle. My purpose was to render my 
beloved pupil's captivity light, by affording him society to amuse him, and 
keep his thoughts from running on subjects of war and glory. Alas! my cares 
have been in vain! Yet, take, I beseech you, whatever else I have, but spare 
me my beloved pupil. Take this shield, take this winged courser, deliver 
such of your friends as you may find among my prisoners, deliver them all if 
you will, but leave me my beloved Rogero; or if you will snatch him too from 
me, take also my life, which will cease then to be to me worth preserving." 

Bradamante replied: "Old man, hope not to move me by your vain entreaties. 
It is precisely the liberty of Rogero that I require. You would keep him 
here in bondage and in slothful pleasure, to save him from a fate which you 
foresee. Vain old man! how can you foresee his fate when you could not 
foresee your own? You desire me to take your life. No, my arm and my soul 
refuse the request." This said, she required the magician to go before, and 
guide her to the castle. The prisoners were set at liberty, though some, in 
their secret hearts, regretted the voluptuous life which was thus brought to 
an end. Bradamante and Rogero met one another with transports of joy. They 
descended from the mountain to the spot where the encounter had taken place. 
There they found the Hippogriff, with the magic buckler in its wrapper, 
hanging to his saddle-bow. Bradamante advanced to seize the bridle; the 
Hippogriff seemed to wait her approach, but before she reached him he spread 
his wings and flew away to a neighboring hill, and in the same manner, a 
second time, eluded her efforts. Rogero and the other liberated knights 
dispersed over the plain and hill-tops to secure him, and at last the animal 
allowed Rogero to seize his rein. The fearless Rogero hesitated not to vault 
upon his back, and let him feel his spurs, which so roused his mettle that, 
after galloping a short distance, he suddenly spread his wings, and soared 
into the air. Bradamante had the grief to see her lover snatched away from 
her at the very moment of reunion. 

Rogero, who knew not the art of directing the horse was unable to control 
his flight. He found himself carried over the tops of the mountains, so far 
above them that he could hardly distinguish what was land and what water. 
The Hippogriff directed his flight to the west, and cleaved the air as 
swiftly as a new-rigged vessel cut the waves, impelled by the freshest and 
most favorable gales. 

 

(1) This prophecy is introduced by Ariosto in this place to compliment the 
noble house of Este, the princess of his native state, the dukedom of 
Ferrara.

 

CHAPTER IX. ASTOLPHO AND THE ENCHANTRESS.

IN the long flight which Rogero took on the back of the Hippogriff, he was 
carried over land and sea, unknowing whither. As soon as he had gained some 
control over the animal, he made him alight on the nearest land. When he 
came near enough to earth, Rogero leapt lightly from his back, and tied the 
animal to a myrtle-tree. Near the spot flowed the pure waters of a fountain, 
surrounded by cedars and palm-trees. Rogero laid aside his shield, and, 
removing his helmet, breathed with delight the fresh air, and cooled his 
lips with the waters of the fountain. For we cannot wonder that he was 
excessively fatigued, considering the ride he had taken. He was preparing to 
taste the sweets of repose, when he perceived that the Hippogriff, which he 
had tied by the bridle to a myrtle-tree, frightened at something, was making 
violent efforts to disengage himself. His struggles shook the myrtle-tree so 
that many of its beautiful leaves were torn off, and strewed the ground. 

A sound like that which issues from burning wood seemed to come from the 
myrtle-tree, at first faint and indistinct, but growing stronger by degrees, 
and at length was audible as a voice which spoke in this manner: "O knight, 
if the tenderness of your heart corresponds to the beauty of your person, 
relieve me, I pray you, from this tormenting animal. I suffer enough 
inwardly without having outward evils added to my lot." 

Rogero, at the first accents of this voice, turned his eyes promptly on the 
myrtle, hastened to it, and stood fixed in astonishment when he perceived 
that the voice issued from the tree itself. He immediately untied his horse, 
and, flushed with surprise and regret, exclaimed, "Whoever thou art, whether 
mortal or the goddess of these woods, forgive me, I beseech you, my 
involuntary fault. Had I imagined that this hard bark covered a being 
possessed of feeling, could I have exposed such a beautiful myrtle to the 
insults of this steed? May the sweet influences of the sky and air speedily 
repair the injury I have done! For my part, I promise by the sovereign lady 
of my heart to do everything you wish in order to merit your forgiveness." 

At these words the myrtle seemed to tremble from root to stem, and Rogero 
remarked that a moisture as of tears trickled down its bark, like that which 
exudes from a log placed on the fire. It then spoke:- "The kindness which 
inspires your words compels me to disclose to you who I once was, and by 
what fatality I have been changed into this shape. My name was Astolpho, 
cousin of Orlando and Rinaldo, whose fame has filled the earth. I was myself 
reckoned among the bravest paladins of France, and was by birth entitled to 
reign over England, after Otho, my father. Returning from the distant East, 
with Rinaldo and many other brave knights, called home to aid with our arms 
the great Emperor of France, we reached a spot where the powerful 
enchantress Alcina possessed a castle on the borders of the sea. She had 
gone to the water-side to amuse herself with fishing, and we paused to see 
how, by her art, without hook or line, she drew from the water whatever she 
would. 

"Not far from the shore an enormous whale showed a back so broad and 
motionless that it looked like an island. Alcina had fixed her eyes on me, 
and planned to get me into her power. Addressing us, she said: 'This is the 
hour when the prettiest mermaid in the sea comes regularly every day to the 
shore of yonder island. She sings so sweetly that the very waves flow 
smoother at the sound. If you wish to hear her, come with me to her resort.' 
So saying, Alcina pointed to the fish, which we all supposed to be an 
island. I, who was rash, did not hesitate to follow her; but swam my horse 
over, and mounted on the back of the fish. In vain Rinaldo and Dudon made 
signs to me to beware; Alcina, smiling, took me in charge, and led the way. 
No sooner were we mounted upon him than the whale moved off, spreading his 
great fins, and cleft rapidly the waters. I then saw my folly, but it was 
too late to repent. Alcina soothed my anger, and professed that what she had 
done was for love of me. Erelong we arrived at this island, where at first 
everything was done to reconcile me to my lot, and to make my days pass 
happily away. But soon Alcina, sated with her conquest, grew indifferent, 
then weary of me, and at last, to get rid of me, changed me into this form, 
as she had done to many lovers before me, making some of them olives, some 
palms, some cedars, changing others into fountains, rocks, or even into wild 
beasts. And thou, courteous knight, whom accident has brought to this 
enchanted isle, beware that she get not the power over thee, or thou shalt 
haply be made like us, a tree, a fountain, or a rock." 

Rogero expressed his astonishment at this recital. Astolpho added, that the 
island was in great part subject to the sway of Alcina. By the aid of her 
sister Morgana, she had succeeded in dispossessing a third sister, 
Logestilla, of nearly the whole of her patrimony, for the whole isle was 
hers originally by her father's bequest. But Logestilla was temperate and 
sage, while the other sisters were false and voluptuous. Her empire was 
divided from theirs by a gulf and chain of mountains, which alone had thus 
far prevented her sisters from usurping it. 

Astolpho here ended his tale, and Rogero who knew that he was the cousin of 
Bradamante, would gladly have devised some way for his relief; but, as that 
was out of his power, he consoled him as well as he could, and then begged 
to be told the way to the palace of Logestilla, and how to avoid that of 
Alcina. Astolpho directed him to take the road to the left, though rough and 
full of rocks. He warned him that this road would present serious obstacles; 
that troops of monsters would oppose his passage, employed by the art of 
Alcina to prevent her subjects from escaping from her dominion. Rogero 
thanked the myrtle, and prepared to set out on his way. 

He at first thought he would mount the winged horse, and scale the mountain 
on his back; but he was too uncertain of his power to control him to wish to 
encounter the hazard of another flight through the air, besides that he was 
almost famished for the want of food. So he led the horse after him, and 
took the road on foot, which for some distance led equally to the dominions 
of both the sisters. 

He had not advanced more than two miles when he saw before him the superb 
city of Alcina. It was surrounded with a wall of gold, which seemed to reach 
the skies. I know that some think that this wall was not of real gold, but 
only the work of alchemy; it matters not; I prefer to think it gold, for it 
certainly shone like gold. 

A broad and level road led to the gates of the city, and from this another 
branched off, narrow and rough, which led to the mountain region. Rogero 
took without hesitation the narrow road; but he had no sooner entered upon 
it than he was assailed by a numerous troop which opposed his passage. 

You never have seen anything so ridiculous, so extraordinary, as this host 
of hobgoblins were. Some of them bore the human form from the neck to the 
feet, but had the head of a monkey or a cat; others had the legs and the 
ears of a horse; old men and women, bald and hideous, ran hither and thither 
as if out of their senses, half clad in the shaggy skins of beasts; one rode 
full speed on a horse without a bridle, another jogged along mounted on an 
ass or a cow; others, full of agility, skipped about, and clung to the tails 
and manes of the animals which their companions rode. Some blew horns, 
others brandished drinking-cups; some were armed with spits, and some with 
pitchforks. One, who appeared to be the captain, had an enormous belly and a 
gross fat head; he was mounted on a tortoise, that waddled, now this way, 
now that, without keeping any one direction. 

One of these monsters, who had something approaching the human form, though 
he had the neck, ears, and muzzle of a dog, set himself to bark furiously at 
Rogero, to make him turn off to the right, and re-enter upon the road to the 
gay city; but the brave chevalier exclaimed, "That will I not, so long as I 
can use this sword,"- and he thrust the point directly at his face. The 
monster tried to strike him with a lance, but Rogero was too quick for him, 
and thrust his sword through his body, so that it appeared a hand's breadth 
behind his back. The paladin, now giving full vent to his rage, laid about 
him vigorously among the rabble, cleaving one to the teeth, another to the 
girdle; but the troop was so numerous, and in spite of his blows pressed 
around him so close, that, to clear his way, he must have had as many arms 
as Briareus. 

If Rogero had uncovered the shield of the enchanter which hung at his 
saddle-bow, he might easily have vanquished this monstrous rout; but perhaps 
he did not think of it, and perhaps he preferred to seek his defence nowhere 
but in his good sword. At that moment, when his perplexity was at its 
height, he saw issue from the city gate two young beauties, whose air and 
dress proclaimed their rank and gentle nurture. Each of them was mounted on 
a unicorn, whose whiteness surpassed that of ermine. They advanced to the 
meadow where Rogero was contending so valiantly against the hobgoblins, who 
all retired at their approach. They drew near, they extended their hands to 
the young warrior, whose cheeks glowed with the flush of exercise and 
modesty. Grateful for their assistance, he expressed his thanks, and, having 
no heart to refuse them, followed their guidance to the gate of the city. 
This grand and beautiful entrance was adorned by a portico of four vast 
columns, all of diamond. Whether they were real diamond or artificial, I 
cannot say. What matter is it, so long as they appeared to the eye like 
diamond, and nothing could be more gay and splendid. 

On the threshold, and between the columns, was seen a bevy of charming young 
women, who played and frolicked together. They all ran to receive Rogero, 
and conducted him into the palace, which appeared like a paradise. 

We might well call by that name this abode, where the hours flew by, without 
account, in ever-new delights. The bare idea of satiety, want, and, above 
all, of age, never entered the minds of the inhabitants. They experienced no 
sensations except those of luxury and gayety; the cup of happiness seemed 
for them ever-flowing and exhaustless. The two young damsels to whom Rogero 
owed his deliverance from the hobgoblins, conducted him to the apartment of 
their mistress. The beautiful Alcina advanced, and greeted him with an air 
at once dignified and courteous. All her court surrounded the paladin, and 
rendered him the most flattering attentions. The castle was less admirable 
for its magnificence than for the charms of those who inhabited it. They 
were of either sex, well matched in beauty, youth, and grace; but among this 
charming group the brilliant Alcina shone, as the sun outshines the stars. 
The young warrior was fascinated. All that he had heard from the myrtle-tree 
appeared to him but a vile calumny. How could he suspect that falsehood and 
treason veiled themselves under smiles and the ingenuous air of truth? He 
doubted not that Astolpho had deserved his fate, and perhaps a punishment 
more severe; he regarded all his stories as dictated by a disappointed 
spirit, and a thirst for revenge. But we must not condemn Rogero too 
harshly, for he was the victim of magic power. 

They seated themselves at table, and immediately harmonious lyres and harps 
waked the air with the most ravishing notes. The charms of poetry were 
added, in entertaining recitals; the magnificence of the feast would have 
done credit to a royal board. The traitress forgot nothing which might charm 
the paladin, and attach him to the spot, meaning, when she should grow tired 
of him, to metamorphose him as she had done others. In the same manner 
passed each succeeding day. Games of pleasant exercise, the chase, the 
dance, or rural sports, made the hours pass quickly; while they gave zest to 
the refreshment of the bath, or sleep. 

Thus Rogero led a life of ease and luxury, while Charlemagne and Agramant 
were struggling for empire. But I cannot linger with him, while the amiable 
and courageous Bradamante is night and day directing her uncertain steps to 
every spot where the slightest chance invites her, in the hope of recovering 
Rogero. 

I will therefore say, that, having sought him in vain in fields and in 
cities, she knew not whither next to direct her steps. She did not apprehend 
the death of Rogero. The fall of such a hero would have re-echoed from the 
Hydaspes to the farthest river of the West; but, not knowing whether he was 
on the earth or in the air, she concluded, as a last resource, to return to 
the cavern which contained the tomb of Merlin, to ask of him some sure 
direction to the object of her search. 

While this thought occupied her mind, Melissa, the sage enchantress, 
suddenly appeared before her. This virtuous and beneficent magician had 
discovered by her spells that Rogero was passing his time in pleasure and 
idleness, forgetful of his honor and his sovereign. Not able to endure the 
thought that one who was born to be a hero should waste his years in base 
repose, and leave a sullied reputation in the memories of survivors, she saw 
that vigorous measures must be employed to draw him forth into the paths of 
virtue. Melissa was not blinded by her affection for the amiable paladin, 
like Atlantes, who, intent only on preserving Rogero's life, cared nothing 
for his fame. It was that old enchanter whose arts had guided the Hippogriff 
to the isle of the too charming Alcina, where he hoped his favorite would 
learn to forget honor, and lose the love of glory. 

At the sight of Melissa, joy lighted up the countenance of Bradamante, and 
hope animated her breast. Melissa concealed nothing from her, but told her 
how Rogero was in the toils of Alcina. Bradamante was plunged in grief and 
terror; but the kind enchantress calmed her, dispelled her fears, and 
promised that before many days she would lead back the paladin to her feet. 

"My daughter," she said, "give me the ring which you wear, and which 
possesses the power to overcome enchantments. By means of it, I doubt not 
but that I may enter the stronghold where the false Alcina holds Rogero in 
durance, and may succeed in vanquishing her, and liberating him." Bradamante 
unhesitatingly delivered her the ring, recommending Rogero to her best 
efforts. Melissa then summoned by her art a huge palfrey, black as jet, 
excepting one foot, which was bay. Mounted upon this animal, she rode with 
such speed that by the next morning she had reached the abode of Alcina. 

She here transformed herself into the perfect resemblance of the old 
magician Atlantes, adding a palm-breadth to her height, and enlarging her 
whole figure. Her chin she covered with a long beard, and seamed her whole 
visage well with wrinkles. She assumed also his voice and manner, and 
watched her chance to find Rogero alone. At last she found him, dressed in a 
rich tunic of silk and gold, a collar of precious stones about his neck, and 
his arms, once so rough with exercise, decorated with bracelets. His air and 
his every motion indicated effeminacy, and he seemed to retain nothing of 
Rogero but the name; such power had the enchantress obtained over him. 

Melissa, under the form of his old instructor, presented herself before him, 
wearing a stern and serious visage. "Is this, then," she said, "the fruit of 
all my labors? Is it for this that I fed you on the marrow of bears and 
lions, that I taught you to subdue dragons, and, like Hercules, strangle 
serpents in your youthful grasp, only to make you, by all my cares, a feeble 
Adonis? My nightly watchings of the stars, of the yet warm fibres of 
animals, the lots I have cast, the points of nativity that I have 
calculated, have they all falsely indicated that you were born for 
greatness? Who could have believed that you would become the slave of a base 
enchantress? O Rogero, learn to know this Alcina, learn to understand her 
arts and to countervail them. Take this ring, place it on your finger, 
return to her presence, and see for yourself what are her real charms." 

At these words, Rogero, confused, abashed, cast his eyes upon the ground, 
and knew not what to answer. Melissa seized the moment, slipped the ring on 
his finger, and the paladin was himself again. What a thunder-clap to him! 
Overcome by shame, he dared not to encounter the looks of his instructor. 
When at last he raised his eyes, he beheld not that venerable form, but the 
priestess Melissa, who in virtue of the ring now appeared in her true 
person. She told him of the motives which had led her to come to his rescue, 
of the griefs and regrets of Bradamante, and of her unwearied search for 
him. 

"That charming Amazon," she said, "sends you this ring, which is a sovereign 
antidote to all enchantments. She would have sent you her heart in my hands, 
if it would have had greater power to serve you." 

It was needless for Melissa to say more. Rogero's love for Alcina, being but 
the work of enchantment, vanished as soon as the enchantment was withdrawn, 
and he now hated her with an equal intensity, seeing no longer anything in 
her but her vices, and feeling only resentment for the shame that she had 
put upon him. 

His surprise when he again beheld Alcina was no less than his indignation. 
Fortified by his ring from her enchantments, he saw her as she was, a 
monster of ugliness. All her charms were artificial, and, truly viewed, were 
rather deformities. She was, in fact, older than Hecuba or the Sibyl of 
Cumae; but an art, which it is to be regretted our times have lost, enabled 
her to appear charming, and to clothe herself in all the attractions of 
youth. Rogero now saw all this, but, governed by the counsels of Melissa, he 
concealed his surprise, assumed under some pretext his armor, long 
neglected, and bound to his side Balisardo, his trusty sword, taking also 
the buckler of Atlantes, covered with its veil. 

He then selected a horse from the stables of Alcina, without exciting her 
suspicions; but he left the Hippogriff, by the advice of Melissa, who 
promised to take him in charge, and train him to a more manageable state. 
The horse he took was Rabican, which belonged to Astolpho. He restored the 
ring to Melissa. 

Rogero had not ridden far when he met one of the huntsmen of Alcina, bearing 
a falcon on his wrist, and followed by a dog. The huntsman was mounted on a 
powerful horse, and came boldly up to the paladin, demanding, in a somewhat 
imperious manner, whither he was going so rapidly. Rogero disdained to stop 
or to reply; whereupon the huntsman, not doubting that he was about making 
his escape, said, "What if I, with my falcon, stop your ride?" So saying, he 
threw off the bird, which even Rabican could not equal in speed. The 
huntsman then leapt from his horse, and the animal, open-mouthed, darted 
after Rogero with the swiftness of an arrow. The huntsman also ran as if the 
wind or fire bore him, and the dog was equal to Rabican in swiftness. 

Rogero, finding flight impossible, stopped and faced his pursuers; but his 
sword was useless against such foes. The insolent huntsman assailed him with 
words, and struck him with his whip, the only weapon he had; the dog bit his 
feet, and the horse drove at him with his hoofs. At the same time, the 
falcon flew over his head and over Rabican's, and attacked them with claws 
and wings, so that the horse in his fright began to be unmanageable. At that 
moment the sound of trumpets and cymbals was heard in the valley, and it was 
evident that Alcina had ordered out all her array to go in pursuit. Rogero 
felt that there was no time to be lost, and luckily remembered the shield of 
Atlantes, which he bore suspended from his neck. He unveiled it, and the 
charm worked wonderfully. The huntsman, the dog, the horse, fell flat; the 
trembling wings of the falcon could no longer sustain her, and she fell 
senseless to the ground. Rogero, rid of their annoyances, left them in their 
trance, and rode away. 

Meanwhile Alcina, with all the force she could muster, sallied forth from 
her palace in pursuit. Melissa, left behind, took advantage of the 
opportunity to ransack all the rooms, protected by the ring. She undid one 
by one all the talismans and spells which she found, broke the seals, burned 
the images, and untied the hag-knots. Thence, hurrying through the fields, 
she disenchanted the victims changed into trees, fountains, stones, or 
brutes; all of whom recovered their liberty, and vowed eternal gratitude to 
their deliverer. They made their escape, with all possible despatch, to the 
realms of the good Logestilla, whence they departed to their several homes. 

Astolpho was the first whom Melissa liberated, for Rogero had particularly 
recommended him to her care. She aided him to recover his arms, and 
particularly that precious golden-headed lance which once was Argalia's. The 
enchantress mounted with him upon the winged horse, and in a short time 
arrived through the air at the castle of Logestilla, where Rogero joined 
them soon after. 

In this abode the friends passed a short period of delightful and improving 
intercourse with the sage Logestilla and her virtuous court; and then each 
departed, Rogero with the Hippogriff, ring, and buckler; Astolpho with his 
golden lance, and mounted on Rabican, the fleetest of steeds. To Rogero 
Logestilla gave a bit and bridle suited to govern the Hippogriff; and to 
Astolpho a horn of marvellous powers, to be sounded only when all other 
weapons were unavailing. 

 

CHAPTER X. THE ORC.

WE left the charming Angelica at the moment when, in her flight from her 
contending lovers, Sacripant and Rinaldo, she met an aged hermit. We have 
seen that her request to the hermit was to furnish her the means of gaining 
the sea-coast, eager to avoid Rinaldo, whom she hated, by leaving France and 
Europe itself. The pretended hermit, who was no other than a vile magician, 
knowing well that it would not be agreeable to his false gods to aid 
Angelica in this undertaking, feigned to comply with her desire. He supplied 
her a horse, into which he had by his arts caused a subtle devil to enter, 
and having mounted Angelica on the animal, directed her what course to take 
to reach the sea. 

Angelica rode on her way without suspicion, but when arrived at the shore, 
the demon urged the animal headlong into the water. Angelica in vain 
attempted to turn him back to the land; he continued his course till, as 
night approached, he landed with his burden on a sandy headland. 

Angelica, finding herself alone, abandoned in this frightful solitude, 
remained without movement, as if stupefied, with hands joined and eyes 
turned towards heaven, till at last, pouring forth a torrent of tears, she 
exclaimed: "Cruel fortune, have you not yet exhausted your rage against me! 
To what new miseries do you doom me? Alas! then, finish your work. Deliver 
me a prey to some ferocious beast, or by whatever fate you choose bring me 
to an end. I will be thankful to you for terminating my life and my misery." 
At last, exhausted by her sorrows, she fell asleep, and sunk prostrate on 
the sand. 

Before recounting what next befell, we must declare what place it was upon 
which the unhappy lady was now thrown. In the sea that washes the coast of 
Ireland there is an island called Ebuda, whose inhabitants, once numerous, 
had been wasted by the anger of Proteus till there were now but few left. 
This deity was incensed by some neglect of the usual honors which he had in 
old times received from the inhabitants of the land, and, to execute his 
vengeance, had sent a horrid sea-monster, called an Orc, to devour them. 
Such were the terrors of his ravages, that the whole people of the isle had 
shut themselves up in the principal town, and relied on their walls alone to 
protect them. In this distress they applied to the Oracle for advice, and 
were directed to appease the wrath of the sea-monster by offering to him the 
fairest virgin that the country could produce. 

Now it so happened that the very day when this dreadful oracle was 
announced, and when the fatal mandate had gone forth to seek among the 
fairest maidens of the land one to be offered to the monster, some sailors, 
landing on the beach where Angelica was, beheld that beauty as she lay 
asleep. 

O blind Chance! whose power in human affairs is but too great, canst thou 
then abandon to the teeth of a horrible monster those charms which different 
sovereigns took arms against one another to possess? Alas, the lovely 
Angelica is destined to be the victim of those cruel islanders. 

Still asleep, she was bound by the Ebudians, and it was not until she was 
carried on board the vessel that she came to a knowledge of her situation. 
The wind filled the sails and wafted the ship swiftly to the port, where all 
that beheld her agreed that she was unquestionably the victim selected by 
Proteus himself to be his prey. Who can tell the screams, the mortal anguish 
of this unhappy maiden, the reproaches she addressed even to the heavens 
themselves, when the dreadful information of her cruel fate was made known 
to her? I cannot; let me rather turn to a happier part of my story. 

Rogero left the palace of Logestilla, careering on his flying courser far 
above the tops of the mountains, and borne westward by the Hippogriff, which 
he guided with ease, by means of the bridle that Melissa had given him. 
Anxious as he was to recover Bradamante, he could not fail to be delighted 
at the view his rapid flight presented of so many vast regions and populous 
countries as he passed over in his career. At last he approached the shores 
of England, and perceived an immense army in all the splendor of military 
pomp, as if about to go forth flushed with hopes of victory. He caused the 
Hippogriff to alight not far from the scene, and found himself immediately 
surrounded by admiring spectators, knights and soldiers, who could not 
enough indulge their curiosity and wonder. Rogero learned, in reply to his 
questions, that the fine array of troops before him was the army destined to 
go to the aid of the French Emperor, in compliance with the request 
presented by the illustrious Rinaldo, as ambassador of King Charles, his 
uncle. 

By this time the curiosity of the English chevaliers was partly gratified in 
beholding the Hippogriff at rest, and Rogero, to renew their surprise and 
delight, remounted the animal, and, clapping spurs to his sides, made him 
launch into the air with the rapidity of a meteor, and directed his flight 
still westwardly, till he came within sight of the coasts of Ireland. Here 
he descried what seemed to be a fair damsel, alone, fast chained to a rock 
which projected into the sea. What was his astonishment when, drawing nigh, 
he beheld the beautiful princess Angelica. That day she had been led forth 
and bound to the rock, there to wait till the sea-monster should come to 
devour her. Rogero exclaimed as he came near, "What cruel hands, what 
barbarous soul, what fatal chance can have loaded thee with those chains?" 
Angelica replied by a torrent of tears, at first her only response; then, in 
a trembling voice, she disclosed to him the horrible destiny for which she 
was there exposed. While she spoke, a terrible roaring was heard far off on 
the sea. The huge monster soon came in sight, part of his body appearing 
above the waves, and part concealed. Angelica, half dead with fear, 
abandoned herself to despair. 

Rogero, lance in rest, spurred his Hippogriff toward the Orc, and gave him a 
thrust. The horrible monster was like nothing that nature produces. It was 
but one mass of tossing and twisting body, with nothing of the animal but 
head, eyes, and mouth, the last furnished with tusks like those of the wild 
boar. Rogero's lance had struck him between the eyes; but rock and iron are 
not more impenetrable than were his scales. The knight, seeing the 
fruitlessness of the first blow, prepared to give a second. The animal, 
beholding upon the water the shadow of the great wings of the Hippogriff, 
abandoned his prey, and turned to seize what seemed nearer. Rogero took the 
opportunity, and dealt him furious blows on various parts of his body, 
taking care to keep clear of his murderous teeth; but the scales resisted 
every attack. The Orc beat the water with his tail till he raised a foam 
which enveloped Rogero and his steed, so that the knight hardly knew whether 
he was in the water or the air. He began to fear that the wings of the 
Hippogriff would be so drenched with water that they would cease to sustain 
him. At that moment Rogero bethought him of the magic shield which hung at 
his saddle-bow; but the fear that Angelica would also be blinded by its 
glare, discouraged him from employing, it. Then he remembered the ring which 
Melissa had given him, the power of which he had so lately proved. He 
hastened to Angelica, and placed it on her finger. Then, uncovering the 
buckler, he turned its bright disk full in the face of the detestable Orc. 
The effect was instantaneous. The monster, deprived of sense and motion, 
rolled over on the sea, and lay floating on his back. Rogero would fain have 
tried the effect of his lance on the now exposed parts, but Angelica 
implored him to lose no time in delivering her from her chains, before the 
monster should revive. 

Rogero, moved with her entreaties, hastened to do so, and, having unbound 
her, made her mount behind him on the Hippogriff. The animal, spurning the 
earth, shot up into the air, and rapidly sped his way through it. Rogero, to 
give time to the princess to rest after her cruel agitations, soon sought 
the earth again, alighting on the shore of Brittany. Near the shore a thick 
wood presented itself, which resounded with the songs of birds. In the 
midst, a fountain of transparent water bathed the turf of a little meadow. A 
gentle hill rose near by. Rogero, making the Hippogriff alight in the 
meadow, dismounted, and took Angelica from the horse. 

When the first tumults of emotion had subsided, Angelica, casting her eyes 
downward, beheld the precious ring upon her finger, whose virtues she was 
well acquainted with, for it was the very ring which the Saracen Brunello 
had robbed her of. She drew it from her finger and placed it in her mouth, 
and, quicker than we can tell it, disappeared from the sight of the paladin. 

Rogero looked around him on all sides, like one frantic, but soon remembered 
the ring which he had so lately placed on her finger. Struck with the 
ingratitude which could thus recompense his services, he exclaimed: 
"Thankless beauty, is this then the reward you make me? Do you prefer to rob 
me of my ring rather than receive it as a gift? Willingly would I have given 
it to you, had you but asked it." Thus he said, searching on all sides, with 
arms extended, like a blind man, hoping to recover by the touch what was 
lost to sight; but he sought in vain. The cruel beauty was already far away. 

Though sensible of her obligations to her deliverer, her first necessity was 
for clothing, food, and repose. She soon reached a shepherd's hut, where, 
entering unseen, she found what sufficed for her present relief. An old 
herdsman inhabited the hut, whose charge consisted of a drove of mares. When 
recruited by repose, Angelica selected one of the mares from the flock, and, 
mounting the animal, felt the desire revive in her mind of returning to her 
home in the East, and for that purpose would gladly have accepted the 
protection of Orlando or of Sacripant across those wide regions which 
divided her from her own country. In hopes of meeting with one or the other 
of them, she pursued her way. 

Meanwhile, Rogero, despairing of seeing Angelica again, returned to the tree 
where he had left his winged horse, but had the mortification to find that 
the animal had broken his bridle and escaped. This loss, added to his 
previous disappointment, overwhelmed him with vexation. Sadly he gathered up 
his arms, threw his buckler over his shoulders, and, taking the first path 
that offered, soon found himself within the verge of a dense and wide-spread 
forest. 

He had proceeded for some distance when he heard a noise on his right, and, 
listening attentively, distinguished the clash of arms. He made his way 
toward the place whence the sound proceeded, and found two warriors engaged 
in mortal combat. One of them was a knight of a noble and manly bearing, the 
other a fierce giant. The knight appeared to exert consummate address in 
defending himself against the massive club of the giant, evading his 
strokes, or parrying them with sword or shield. Rogero stood spectator of 
the combat, for he did not allow himself to interfere in it, though a secret 
sentiment inclined him strongly to take part with the knight. At length he 
saw with grief the massive club fall directly on the head of the knight, who 
yielded to the blow, and fell prostrate. The giant sprang forward to 
despatch him, and for that purpose unlaced his helmet, when Rogero, with 
dismay, recognized the face of Bradamante. He cried aloud, "Hold, 
miscreant!" and sprang forward with drawn sword. Whereupon the giant, as if 
he cared not to enter upon another combat, lifted Bradamante on his 
shoulders, and ran with her into the forest. 

Rogero plunged after him, but the long legs of the giant carried him forward 
so fast that the paladin could hardly keep him in sight. At length they 
issued from the wood, and Rogero perceived before him a rich palace, built 
of marble, and adorned with sculptures executed by a master hand. Into this 
edifice, through a golden door, the giant passed, and Rogero followed; but, 
on looking round, saw nowhere either the giant or Bradamante. He ran from 
room to room, calling aloud on his cowardly foe to turn and meet him: but 
got no response, nor caught another glimpse of the giant or his prey. In his 
vain pursuit he met, without knowing them, Ferrau, Florismart, King 
Gradasso, Orlando, and many others, all of whom had been entrapped like 
himself into this enchanted castle. It was a new stratagem of the magician 
Atlantes to draw Rogero into his power, and to secure also those who might 
by any chance endanger his safety. What Rogero had taken for Bradamante was 
a mere phantom. That charming lady was far away, full of anxiety for her 
Rogero, whose coming she had long expected. 

The Emperor had committed to her charge the city and garrison of Marseilles, 
and she held the post against the infidels with valor and discretion. One 
day Melissa suddenly presented herself before her. Anticipating her 
questions, she said, "Fear not for Rogero; he lives, and is as ever true to 
you; but he has lost his liberty. The fell enchanter has again succeeded in 
making him a prisoner. If you would deliver him, mount your horse and follow 
me." She told her in what manner Atlantes had deceived Rogero, in deluding 
his eyes with the phantom of herself in peril. "Such," she continued, "will 
be his arts in your own case, if you penetrate the forest and approach that 
castle. You will think you behold Rogero, when, in fact, you see only the 
enchanter himself. Be not deceived, plunge your sword into his body, and 
trust me when I tell you that, in slaying him, you will restore not only 
Rogero, but with him many of the bravest knights of France, whom the 
wizard's arts have withdrawn from the camp of their sovereign." 

Bradamante promptly armed herself, and mounted her horse. Melissa led her by 
forced journeys, by field and forest, beguiling the way with conversation on 
the theme which interested her hearer most. When at last they reached the 
forest, she repeated once more her instructions, and then took her leave for 
fear the enchanter might espy her, and be put on his guard. 

Bradamante rode on about two miles when suddenly she beheld Rogero, as it 
appeared to her, hard pressed by two fierce giants. While she hesitated, she 
heard his voice calling on her for help. At once the cautions of Melissa 
lost their weight. A sudden doubt of the faith and truth of her kind 
monitress flashed across her mind. "Shall I not believe my own eyes and 
ears?" she said, and rushed forward to his defence. Rogero fled, pursued by 
the giants, and Bradamante followed, passing with them through the castle 
gate. When there, Bradamante was undeceived, for neither giant nor knight 
was to be seen. She found herself a prisoner, but had not the consolation of 
knowing that she shared the imprisonment of her beloved. She saw various 
forms of men and women, but could recognize none of them; and their lot was 
the same with respect to her. Each viewed the others under some illusion of 
the fancy, wearing the semblance of giants, dwarfs, or even four-footed 
animals, so that there was no companionship or communication between them. 

 

CHAPTER XI. ASTOLPHO'S ADVENTURES CONTINUED, AND ISABELLA'S BEGUN.

WHEN Astolpho escaped from the cruel Alcina, after a short abode in the 
realm of the virtuous Logestilla, he desired to return to his native 
country. Logestilla lent him the best vessel of her fleet to convey him to 
the mainland. She gave him at parting a wonderful book, which taught the 
secret of overcoming all manner of enchantments, and begged him to carry it 
always with him, out of regard for her. She also gave him another gift, 
which surpassed everything of the kind that mortal workmanship can frame; 
yet it was nothing in appearance but a simple horn. 

Astolpho, protected by these gifts, thanked the good fairy, took leave of 
her, and set out on his return to France. His voyage was prosperous, and on 
reaching the desired port he took leave of the faithful mariners, and 
continued his journey by land. As he proceeded over mountains and through 
valleys, he often met with bands of robbers, wild beasts, and venomous 
serpents, but he had only to sound his horn to put them all to flight. 

Having landed in France, and traversed many provinces on his way to the 
army, he one day, in crossing a forest, arrived beside a fountain, and 
alighted to drink. While he stooped at the fountain, a young rustic sprang 
from the copse, mounted Rabican, and rode away. It was a new trick of the 
enchanter Atlantes. Astolpho, hearing the noise, turned his head just in 
time to see his loss; and, starting up, pursued the thief, who, on his part, 
did not press the horse to his full speed, but just kept in sight of his 
pursuer till they both issued from the forest; and then Rabican and his 
rider took shelter in a castle which stood near. Astolpho followed, and 
penetrated without difficulty within the court-yard of the castle, where he 
looked around for the rider and his horse, but could see no trace of either, 
nor any person of whom he could make inquiry. Suspecting that enchantment 
was employed to embarrass him, he bethought him of his book, and on 
consulting it discovered that his suspicions were well founded. He also 
learned what course to pursue. He was directed to raise the stone which 
served as a threshold, under which a spirit lay pent, who would willingly 
escape, and leave the castle free of access. 

Astolpho applied his strength to lift aside the stone. Thereupon the 
magician put his arts in force. The castle was full of prisoners, and the 
magician caused that to all of them Astolpho should appear in some false 
guise,- to some a wild beast, to others a giant, to others a bird of prey. 
Thus all assailed him, and would quickly have made an end of him, if he had 
not bethought him of his horn. No sooner had he blown a blast than, at the 
horrid alarm, fled the cavaliers and the necromancer with them, like a flock 
of pigeons at the sound of the fowler's gun. Astolpho then renewed his 
efforts on the stone, and turned it over. The under face was all inscribed 
with magical characters, which the knight defaced, as directed by his book; 
and no sooner had he done so, than the castle, with its walls and turrets, 
vanished into smoke. 

The knights and ladies set at liberty were, besides Rogero and Bradamante, 
Orlando, Gradasso, Florismart, and many more. At the sound of the horn they 
fled, one and all, men and steeds, except Rabican, which Astolpho secured, 
in spite of his terror. As soon as the sound had ceased, Rogero recognized 
Bradamante, whom he had daily met during their imprisonment, but had been 
prevented from knowing by the enchanter's arts. No words can tell the 
delight with which they recognized each other, and recounted mutually all 
that had happened to each since they were parted. Rogero took advantage of 
the opportunity to press his suit, and found Bradamante as propitious as he 
could wish, were it not for a single obstacle, the difference of their 
faiths. "If he would obtain her in marriage," she said, "he must in due form 
demand her of her father, Duke Aymon, and must abandon his false prophet, 
and become a Christian." The latter step was one which Rogero had for some 
time intended taking, for reasons of his own. He therefore gladly accepted 
the terms, and proposed that they should at once repair to the abbey of 
Vallombrosa, whose towers were visible at no great distance. Thither they 
turned their horses' heads, and we will leave them to find their way without 
our company. 

I know not if my readers recollect that, at the moment when Rogero had just 
delivered Angelica from the voracious Orc, that scornful beauty placed her 
ring in her mouth, and vanished out of sight. At the same time the 
Hippogriff shook off his bridle, soared, away, and flew to rejoin his former 
master, very naturally returning to his accustomed stable. Here Astolpho 
found him, to his very great delight. He knew the animal's powers, having 
seen Rogero ride him, and he longed to fly abroad over all the earth, and 
see various nations and peoples from his airy course. He had heard 
Logestilla's directions how to guide the animal, and saw her fit a bridle to 
his head. He therefore was able, out of all the bridles he found in the 
stable, to select one suitable, and, placing Rabican's saddle on the 
Hippogriff's back, nothing seemed to prevent his immediate departure. Yet 
before he went, he bethought him of placing Rabican in hands where he would 
be safe, and whence he might recover him in time of need. While he stood 
deliberating where he should find a messenger, he saw Bradamante approach. 
That fair warrior had been parted from Rogero on their way to the abbey of 
Vallombrosa, by an inopportune adventure which had called the knight away. 
She was now returning to Montalban, having arranged with Rogero to join her 
there. To Bradamante, therefore, his fair cousin, Astolpho committed 
Rabican, and also the lance of gold, which would only be an encumbrance in 
his aerial excursion. Bradamante took charge of both; and Astolpho, bidding 
her farewell, soared in air.

Among those delivered by Astolpho from the magician's castle was Orlando. 
Following the guide of chance, the paladin found himself at the close of day 
in a forest, and stopped at the foot of a mountain. Surprised to discern a 
light which came from a cleft in the rock, he approached, guided by the ray, 
and discovered a narrow passage in the mountain-side, which led into a deep 
grotto. 

Orlando fastened his horse, and then, putting aside the bushes that resisted 
his passage, stepped down from rock to rock till he reached a sort of 
cavern. Entering it, he perceived a lady, young and handsome, as well as he 
could discover through the signs of distress which agitated her countenance. 
Her only companion was an old woman, who seemed to be regarded by her young 
partner with terror and indignation; The courteous paladin saluted the women 
respectfully, and begged to know by whose barbarity they had been subjected 
to such imprisonment. 

The younger lady replied, in a voice often broken with sobs:- "Though I know 
well that my recital will subject me to worse treatment by the barbarious 
man who keeps me here, to whom this woman will not fail to report it, yet I 
will not hide from you the facts. Ah! why should I fear his rage? If he 
should take my life, I know not what better boon than death I can ask. 

"My name is Isabella. I am the daughter of the king of Galicia, or rather I 
should say misfortune and grief are my parents. Young, rich, modest, and of 
tranquil temper, all things appeared to combine to render my lot happy. 
Alas! I see myself to-day poor, humbled, miserable, and destined perhaps to 
yet further afflictions. It is a year since, my father having given notice 
that he would open the lists for a tournament at Bayonne, a great number of 
chevaliers from all quarters came together at our court. Among these, 
Zerbino, son of the king of Scotland, victorious in all combats, eclipsed by 
his beauty and his valor all the rest. Before departing from the court of 
Galicia he testified the wish to espouse me, and I consented that he should 
demand my hand of the king, my father. But I was a Mahometan, and Zerbino a 
Christian, and my father refused his consent. 

The prince, called home by his father to take command of the forces destined 
to the assistance of the French Emperor, prevailed on me to be married to 
him secretly, and to follow him to Scotland. He caused a galley to be 
prepared to receive me, and placed in command of it the chevalier Oderic, a 
Biscayan, famous for his exploits both by land and sea. On the day 
appointed, Oderic brought his vessel to a sea-side resort of my father's, 
where I embarked. Some of my domestics accompanied me, and thus I departed 
from my native land. 

"Sailing with a fair wind, after some hours we were assailed by a violent 
tempest. It was to no purpose that we took in all sail; we were driven 
before the wind directly upon the rocky shore. Seeing no other hopes of 
safety, Oderic placed me in a boat, followed himself with a few of his men, 
and made for land. We reached it through infinite peril, and I no sooner 
felt the firm land beneath my feet, than I knelt down and poured out heart-
felt thanks to the Providence that had preserved me. 

"The shore where we landed appeared to be uninhabited. We saw no dwelling to 
shelter us, no road to lead us to a more hospitable spot. A high mountain 
rose before us, whose base stretched into the sea. It was here the infamous 
Oderic, in spite of my tears and entreaties, sold me to a band of pirates, 
who fancied I might be an acceptable present to their prince, the Sultan of 
Morocco. This cavern is their den, and here they keep me under the guard of 
this woman, until it shall suit their convenience to carry me away." 

Isabella had hardly finished her recital, when a troop of armed men began to 
enter the cavern. Seeing the prince Orlando, one said to the rest, "What 
bird is this we have caught, without even setting a snare for him?" Then 
addressing Orlando, "It was truly civil in you, friend, to come hither with 
that handsome coat of armor and vest, the very things I want." "You shall 
pay for them, then," said Orlando; and, seizing a half-burnt brand from the 
fire, he hurled it at him, striking his head, and stretching him lifeless on 
the floor. 

There was a massy table in the middle of the cavern, used for the pirates' 
repasts. Orlando lifted it and hurled it at the robbers as they stood 
clustered in a group towards the entrance. Half the gang were laid 
prostrate, with broken heads and limbs; the rest got away as nimbly as they 
could. 

Leaving the den and its inmates to their fate, Orlando, taking Isabella 
under his protection, pursued his way, for some days, without meeting with 
any adventure. 

One day they saw a band of men advancing, who seemed to be guarding a 
prisoner, bound hand and foot, as if being carried to execution. The 
prisoner was a youthful cavalier, of a noble and ingenuous appearance. The 
band bore the ensigns of Count Anselm, head of the treacherous house of 
Maganza. Orlando desired Isabella to wait, while he rode forward to inquire 
the meaning of this array. Approaching, he demanded of the leader who his 
prisoner was, and of what crime he had been guilty. The man replied, that 
the prisoner was a murderer, by whose hand Pinabel, the son of Count Anselm, 
had been treacherously slain. At these words, the prisoner exclaimed, "I am 
no murderer, nor have I been in any way the cause of the young man's death." 
Orlando, knowing the cruel and ferocious character of the chiefs of the 
house of Maganza, needed no more to satisfy him that the youth was the 
victim of injustice. He commanded the leader of the troop to release his 
victim, and, receiving an insolent reply, dashed him to the earth with a 
stroke of his lance; then, by a few vigorous blows, dispersed the band, 
leaving deadly marks on those who were slowest to quit the field. 

Orlando then hastened to unbind the prisoner, and to assist him to reclothe 
himself in his armor, which the false Magencian had dared to assume. He then 
led him to Isabella, who now approached the scene of action. How can we 
picture the joy, the astonishment, with which Isabella recognized in him 
Zerbino, her husband, and the prince discovered her whom he had believed 
overwhelmed in the waves! They embraced one another, and wept for joy. 
Orlando, sharing in their happiness, congratulated himself in having been 
the instrument of it. The princess recounted to Zerbino what the illustrious 
paladin had done for her, and the prince threw himself at Orlando's feet, 
and thanked him as having twice preserved his life. 

While these exchanges of congratulation and thankfulness were going on, a 
sound in the underwood attracted their attention, and caused the two knights 
to brace their helmets and stand on their guard. What the cause of the 
interruption was, we shall record in another chapter. 

 

CHAPTER XII. MEDORO.

FRANCE was at this time the theatre of dreadful events. The Saracens and the 
Christians, in numerous encounters, slew one another. On one occasion 
Rinaldo led an attack on the infidel columns, broke and scattered them, till 
he found himself opposite to a knight whose armor (whether by accident or 
choice, it matters not) bore the blazon of Orlando. It was Dardinel, the 
young and brave prince of Zumara, and Rinaldo remarked him by the slaughter 
he spread all around. "Ah," said he to himself, "let us pluck up this 
dangerous plant before it has grown to its full height." 

As Rinaldo advanced, the crowd opened before him, the Christians to let his 
sword have free course, the Pagans to escape its sweep. Dardinel and he 
stood face to face. Rinaldo exclaimed, fiercely, "Young man, whoever gave 
you that noble buckler to bear made you a dangerous gift; I should like to 
see how you are able to defend those quarterings, red and white. If you 
cannot defend them against me, how pray will you do so when Orlando 
challenges them?" Dardinel replied: "Thou shalt learn that I can defend the 
arms I bear, and shed new glory upon them. No one shall rend them from me 
but with life." Saying these words, Dardinel rushed upon Rinaldo with sword 
uplifted. 

The chill of mortal terror filled the souls of the Saracens when they beheld 
Rinaldo advance to attack the prince, like a lion against a young bull. The 
first blow came from the hand of Dardinel, and the weapon rebounded from 
Mambrino's helmet without effect. 

Rinaldo smiled, and said, "I will now show you my strokes are more 
effectual." At these words, he thrust the unfortunate Dardinel in the middle 
of his breast. The blow was so violent, that the cruel weapon pierced the 
body, and came out a palm-breadth behind his back. Through this wound the 
life of Dardinel issued with his blood, and his body fell helpless to the 
ground. 

As a flower which the passing plough has uprooted languishes, and droops its 
head, so Dardinel, his visage covered with the paleness of death, expires, 
and the hopes of an illustrious race perish with him. 

Like waters kept back by a dike, which, when the dike is broken, spread 
abroad through all the country, so the Moors, no longer kept in column by 
the example of Dardinel, fled in all directions. Rinaldo despised too much 
such easy victories to pursue them; be wished for no combats but with brave 
men. At the same time, the other paladins made terrible slaughter of the 
Moors. Charles himself, Oliver, Guido, and Ogier the Dane, carried death 
into their ranks on all sides. 

The infidels seemed doomed to perish to a man on that dreadful day; but the 
wise king, Marsilius, at last put some slight degree of method into the 
general rout. He collected the remnant of the troops, formed them into a 
battalion, and retreated in tolerable order to his camp. That camp was well 
fortified by intrenchments and a broad ditch. Thither the fugitives 
hastened, and by degrees all that remained of the Moorish army was brought 
together there. 

The Emperor might perhaps that night have crushed his enemy entirely; but 
not thinking it prudent to expose his troops, fatigued as they were, to an 
attack upon a camp so well fortified, he contented himself with encompassing 
the enemy with his troops, prepared to make a regular siege. During the 
night, the Moors had time to see the extent of their loss. Their tents 
resounded with lamentations. This warrior had to mourn a brother, that a 
friend; many suffered with grievous wounds, all trembled at the fate in 
store for them. 

There were two young Moors, both of humble rank, who gave proof at that time 
of attachment and fidelity rare in the history of man. Cloridan and Medoro 
had followed their prince, Dardinel, to the wars of France. Cloridan, a bold 
huntsman, combined strength with activity. Medoro was a mere youth, his 
cheeks yet fair and blooming. Of all the Saracens, no one united so much 
grace and beauty. His light hair was set off by his black and sparkling 
eyes. The two friends were together on guard at the rampart. About midnight 
they gazed on the scene in deep dejection. Medoro, with tears in his eyes, 
spoke of the good prince Dardinel, and could not endure the thought that his 
body should be cast out on the plain, deprived of funeral honors. "O my 
friend," said he, "must then the body of our prince be the prey of wolves 
and ravens? Alas! when I remember how he loved me, I feel that, if I should 
sacrifice my life to do him honor, I should not do more than my duty. I 
wish, dear friend, to seek out his body on the battlefield, and give it 
burial, and I hope to be able to pass through King Charles's camp without 
discovery, as they are probably all asleep. You, Cloridan, will be able to 
say for me, if I should die in the adventure, that gratitude and fidelity to 
my prince were my inducements." 

Cloridan was both surprised and touched with this proof of the young man's 
devotion. He loved him tenderly, and tried for a long time every effort to 
dissuade him from his design; but he found Medoro determined to accomplish 
his object or die in the endeavor. 

Cloridan, unable to change his purpose, said, "I will go with you, Medoro, 
and help you in this generous enterprise. I value not life compared with 
honor, and if I did, do you suppose, dear friend, that I could live without 
you? I would rather fall by the arms of our enemies than die of grief for 
the loss of you." 

When the two friends were relieved from their guard duty, they went without 
any followers into the camp of the Christians. All there was still; the 
fires were dying out; there was no fear of any attempt on the part of the 
Saracens, and the soldiers, overcome by fatigue or wine, slept secure, lying 
upon the ground in the midst of their arms and equipage. Cloridan stopped, 
and said, "Medoro, I am not going to quit this camp without taking vengeance 
for the death of our prince. Keep watch, be on your guard that no one shall 
surprise us; I mean to mark a road with my sword through the ranks of our 
enemies." So saying, he entered the tent where Alpheus slept, who a year 
before had joined the camp of Charles, and pretended to be a great physician 
and astrologer. But his science had deceived him, if it gave him hope of 
dying peacefully in his bed at a good old age; his lot was to die with 
little warning. Cloridan ran his sword through his heart. A Greek and a 
German followed, who had been playing late at dice: fortunate if they had 
continued their game a little longer; but they never reckoned a throw like 
this among their chances. Cloridan next came to the unlucky Grillon, whose 
head lay softly on his pillow. He dreamed probably of the feast from which 
he had but just retired; for when Cloridan cut off his head, wine flowed 
forth with the blood. 

The two young Moors might have penetrated even to the tent of Charlemagne; 
but knowing that the paladins encamped around him, kept watch by turns, and 
judging that it was impossible they should all be asleep, they were afraid 
to go too near. They might also have obtained rich booty; but, intent only 
on their object, they crossed the camp, and arrived at length at the bloody 
field, where bucklers, lances, and swords lay scattered in the midst of 
corpses of poor and rich, common soldier and prince, horses and pools of 
blood. This terrible scene of carnage would have destroyed all hope of 
finding what they were in search of until dawn of day, were it not that the 
moon lent the aid of her uncertain rays. 

Medoro raised his eyes to the planet, and exclaimed, "O holy goddess, whom 
our fathers have adored under three different forms,- thou who displayest 
thy power in heaven, on earth, and in the under-world,- thou who art seen 
foremost among the nymphs chasing the beasts of the forest,- cause me to 
see, I implore thee, the spot where my dear master lies, and make all my 
life long follow the example which thou dost exhibit of works of charity and 
love." 

Either by accident, or that the moon was sensible of the prayer of Medoro, 
the cloud broke away, and the moonlight burst forth as bright as day. The 
rays seemed especially to gild the spot where lay the body of Prince 
Dardinel; and Medoro, bathed in tears and with bleeding heart, recognized 
him by the quarterings of red and white on his shield. 

With groans stifled by his tears, and lamentations in accents suppressed, 
not from any fear for himself, for he cared not for life, but lest any one 
should be roused to interrupt their pious duty while yet incomplete, he 
proposed to his companion that they should together bear Dardinel on their 
shoulders, sharing the burden of the beloved remains. 

Marching with rapid strides under their precious load, they perceived that 
the stars began to grow pale, and that the shades of night would soon be 
dispersed by the dawn. Just then Zerbino, whose extreme valor had urged him 
far from the camp in pursuit of the fugitives, returning, entered the wood 
in which they were. Some knights in his train perceived at a distance the 
two brothers-in-arms. Cloridan saw the troop, and, observing that they 
dispersed themselves over the plain as if in search of booty, told Medoro to 
lay down the body, and let each save himself by flight. He dropped his part, 
thinking that Medoro would do the same; but the good youth loved his prince 
too well to abandon him, and continued to carry his load singly as well as 
he might, while Cloridan made his escape. Near by there was a part of the 
wood tufted as if nothing but wild animals had ever penetrated it. The 
unfortunate youth, loaded with the weight of his dead master, plunged into 
its recesses. 

Cloridan, when he perceived that he had evaded his foes, discovered that 
Medoro was not with him. "Ah!" exclaimed he, "how could I, dear Medoro, so 
forget myself as to consult my own safety without heeding yours?" So saying, 
he retraced the tangled passes of the wood toward the place from whence he 
had fled. As he approached, he heard the noise of horses, and the menacing 
voices of armed men. 

Soon he perceived Medoro, on foot, with the cavaliers surrounding him. 
Zerbino, their commander, bade them seize him. The unhappy Medoro turned now 
this way, now that, trying to conceal himself behind an oak or a rock, still 
bearing the body, which he would by no means leave. Cloridan, not knowing 
how to help him, but resolved to perish with him, if he must perish, takes 
an arrow, fits it to his bow, discharges it, and pierces the breast of a 
Christian knight, who falls helpless from his horse. The others look this 
way and that, to discover whence the fatal bolt was sped. One, while 
demanding of his comrades in what direction the arrow came, received a 
second in his throat, which stopped his words, and soon closed his eyes to 
the scene. 

Zerbino, furious at the death of his two comrades, ran upon Medoro, seized 
his golden hair, and dragged him forward to slay him. But the sight of so 
much youth and beauty commanded pity. He stayed his arm. The young man spoke 
in suppliant tones. "Ah! signor," said he, "I conjure you by the God whom 
you serve, deprive me not of life until I shall have buried the body of the 
prince, my master. Fear not that I will ask you any other favor; life is not 
dear to me; I desire death as soon as I shall have performed this sacred 
duty. Do with me then as you please. Give my limbs a prey to the birds and 
beasts; only let me first bury my prince." Medoro pronounced these words 
with an air so sweet and tender, that a heart of stone would have been moved 
by them. Zerbino was so to the bottom of his soul. He was on the point of 
uttering words of mercy, when a cruel subaltern, forgetting all respect to 
his commander, plunged his lance into the breast of the young Moor. Zerbino, 
enraged at this brutality, turned upon the wretch to take vengeance, but he 
saved himself by a precipitate flight. 

Cloridan, who saw Medoro fall, could contain himself no longer. He rushed 
from his concealment, threw down his bow, and, sword in hand, seemed only 
desirous of vengeance for Medoro, and to die with him. In a moment, pierced 
through and through with many wounds, he exerts the last remnant of his 
strength in dragging himself to Medoro, to die embracing him. The cavaliers 
left them thus, to rejoin Zerbino, whose rage against the murderer of Medoro 
had drawn him away from the spot. 

Cloridan died; and Medoro, bleeding copiously, was drawing near his end when 
help arrived. 

A young maiden approached the fallen knights at this critical moment. Her 
dress was that of a peasant-girl, but her air was noble and her beauty 
celestial; sweetness and goodness reigned in her lovely countenance. It was 
no other than Angelica, the Princess of Cathay. When she had recovered that 
precious ring, as we have before related, Angelica, knowing its value, felt 
proud in the power it conferred, travelled alone without fear, not without a 
secret shame that she had ever been obliged to seek protection in her 
wanderings of the Count Orlando and of Sacripant. She reproached herself too 
as with a weakness, that she had ever thought of marrying Rinaldo; in fine, 
her pride grew so high as to persuade her that no man living was worthy to 
aspire to her hand. 

Moved with pity at the sight of the young man wounded, and melted to tears 
at hearing the cause, she quickly recalled to remembrance the knowledge she 
had acquired in India, where the virtues of plants and the art of healing 
formed part of the education even of princesses. 

The beautiful queen ran into the adjoining meadow to gather plants of virtue 
to stanch the flow of blood. Meeting on her way a countryman on horseback 
seeking a strayed heifer, she begged him to come to her assistance, and 
endeavor to remove the wounded man to a more secure asylum. 

Angelica, having prepared the plants by bruising them between two stones, 
laid them with her fair hand on Medoro's wound. The remedy soon restored in 
some degree the strength of the wounded man, who, before he would quit the 
spot, made them cover with earth and turf the bodies of his friend and of 
the prince. Then surrendering himself to the pity of his deliverers, be 
allowed them to place him on the horse of the shepherd, and conduct him to 
his cottage. It was a pleasant farm-house on the borders of the wood, 
bearing marks of comfort and competency. There the shepherd lived with his 
wife and children. There Angelica tended Medoro, and there, by the devoted 
care of the beautiful queen, his sad wound closed over, and he recovered his 
perfect health. 

O Count Rinaldo, O King Sacripant! what availed it you to possess so many 
virtues and such fame? What advantage have you derived from all your high 
deserts? O hapless king, great Agrican! if you could return to life, how 
would you endure to see yourself rejected by one who will bow to the yoke of 
Hymen in favor of a young soldier of humble birth? And thou, Ferrau, and ye 
numerous others who a hundred times have put your lives at hazard for this 
cruel beauty, how bitter will it be to you to see her sacrifice you all to 
the claims of the humble Medoro! 

There, under the low roof of a shepherd, the flame of Hymen was lighted for 
this haughty queen. She takes the shepherd's wife to serve in place of 
mother, the shepherd and his children for witnesses, and marries the happy 
Medoro. 

Angelica, after her marriage, wishing to endow Medoro with the sovereignty 
of the countries which yet remained to her, took with him the road to the 
East. She had preserved through all her adventures a bracelet of gold 
enriched with precious stones, the present of the Count Orlando. Having 
nothing else wherewith to reward the good shepherd and his wife, who had 
served her with so much care and fidelity, she took the bracelet from her 
arm and gave it to them, and then the newly-married couple directed their 
steps toward those mountains which separate France and Spain, intending to 
wait at Barcelona a vessel which should take them on their way to the East. 

 

CHAPTER XIII. ORLANDO MAD.

ORLANDO, on the loss of Angelica, laid aside his crest and arms, and arrayed 
himself in a suit of black armor, expressive of his despair. In this guise 
he carried such slaughter among the ranks of the infidels, that both armies 
were astonished at the achievements of the stranger knight. Mandricardo, who 
had been absent from the battle, heard the report of these achievements, and 
determined to test for himself the valor of the knight so extolled. He it 
was who broke in upon the conference of Zerbino and Isabella, and their 
benefactor Orlando, as they stood occupied in mutual felicitations, after 
the happy reunion of the lovers by the prowess of the paladin. 

Mandricardo, after contemplating the group for a moment, addressed himself 
to Orlando in these words: "Thou must be the man I seek. For ten days and 
more I have been on thy track. The fame of thy exploits has brought me 
hither, that I may measure my strength with thine. Thy crest and shield 
prove thee the same who spread such slaughter among our troops. But these 
marks are superfluous, and if I saw thee among a hundred I should know thee 
by thy martial bearing to be the man I seek." 

"I respect thy courage," said Orlando; "such a design could not have sprung 
up in any but a brave and generous mind. If the desire to see me has brought 
thee hither, I would, if it were possible, show thee my inmost soul. I will 
remove my visor, that you may satisfy your curiosity; but when you have done 
so, I hope that you will also try and see if my valor corresponds to my 
appearance." 

"Come on," said the Saracen, "my first wish was to see and know thee; I will 
now gratify my second." 

Orlando, observing Mandricardo, was surprised to see no sword at his side, 
nor mace at his saddle-bow. "And what weapon hast thou," said he, "if thy 
lance fail thee?" 

"Do not concern yourself about that," said Mandricardo; "I have made many 
good knights give ground with no other weapon than you see. Know that I have 
sworn an oath never to bear a sword until I win back that famous Durindana 
that Orlando, the paladin, carries. That sword belongs to the suit of armor 
which I wear; that only is wanting. Without doubt it was stolen, but how it 
got into the hands of Orlando I know not. But I will make him pay dearly for 
it when I find him. I seek him the more anxiously that I may avenge with his 
blood the death of King Agrican, my father, whom he treacherously slew. I am 
sure he must have done it by treachery, for it was not in his power to 
subdue in fair fight such a warrior as my father." 

"Thou liest," cried Orlando; "and all who say so lie. I am Orlando, whom you 
seek; yes, I am he who slew your father honorably. Hold, here is the sword: 
you shall have it if your courage avails to merit it. Though it belongs to 
me by right, I will not use it in this dispute. See, I hang it on this tree: 
you shall be master of it, if you bereave me of life; not else." 

At these words, Orlando drew Durindana, and hung it on one of the branches 
of a tree near by. 

Both knights, boiling with equal ardor, rode off in a semicircle; then 
rushed together with reins thrown loose, and struck one another with their 
lances. Both kept their seats, immovable. The splinters of their lances flew 
into the air, and no weapon remained for either but the fragment which he 
held in his hand. Then those two knights, covered with iron mail, were 
reduced to the necessity of fighting with staves, in the manner of two 
rustics, who dispute the boundary of a meadow, or the possession of a 
spring. 

These clubs could not long keep whole in the hands of such sturdy smiters, 
who were soon reduced to fight with naked fists. Such warfare was more 
painful to him that gave than to him that received the blows. They next 
clasped, and strained each his adversary, as Hercules did Antaeus. 
Mandricardo, more enraged than Orlando, made violent efforts to unseat the 
paladin, and dropped the rein of his horse. Orlando, more calm, perceived 
it. With one hand he resisted Mandricardo, with the other he twitched the 
horse's bridle over the ears of the animal. The Saracen dragged Orlando with 
all his might, but Orlando's thighs held the saddle like a vise. At last the 
efforts of the Saracen broke the girths of Orlando's horse; the saddle 
slipped; the knight, firm in his stirrups slipped with it, and came to the 
ground hardly conscious of his fall. The noise of his armor in falling 
startled Mandricardo's horse, now without a bridle. He started off in full 
career, heeding neither trees nor rocks nor broken ground. Urged by fright, 
he ran with furious speed, carrying his master, who, almost distracted with 
rage, shouted and beat the animal with his fists, and thereby impelled his 
flight. After running thus three miles or more, a deep ditch opposed their 
progress. The horse and rider fell headlong into it, and did not find the 
bottom covered with feather-beds or roses. They got sadly bruised; but were 
lucky enough to escape without any broken limbs. 

Mandricardo, as soon as he gained his feet, seized the horse by his mane 
with fury, but, having no bridle, could not hold him. He looked round in 
hopes of finding something that would do for a rein. Just then fortune, who 
seemed willing to help him at last, brought that way a peasant with a bridle 
in his hand, who was in search of his farm horse that had strayed away. 

Orlando, having speedily repaired his horse's girths, remounted, and waited 
a good hour for the Saracen to return. Not seeing him, he concluded to go in 
search of him. He took an affectionate leave of Zerbino and Isabella, who 
would willingly have followed him; but this the brave paladin would by no 
means permit. He held it unknightly to go in search of an enemy accompanied 
by a friend, who might act as a defender. Therefore, desiring them to say to 
Mandricardo, if they should meet him, that his purpose was to tarry in the 
neighborhood three days, and then repair to the camp of Charlemagne, he took 
down Durindana from the tree, and proceeded in the direction which the 
Saracen's horse had taken. But the animal, having no guide but its terror, 
had so doubled and confused its traces that Orlando, after two days spent in 
the search, gave up the attempt. 

It was about the middle of the third day when the paladin arrived on the 
pleasant bank of a stream which wound through a meadow enamelled with 
flowers. High trees, whose tops met and formed an arbor, overshadowed the 
fountain; and the breeze which blew through their foliage tempered the heat. 
Hither the shepherds used to resort to quench their thirst, and to enjoy the 
shelter from the midday sun. The air, perfumed with the flowers, seemed to 
breathe fresh strength into their veins. Orlando felt the influence, though 
covered with his armor. He stopped in this delicious arbor, where everything 
seemed to invite to repose. But he could not have chosen a more fatal 
asylum. 

He there spent the most miserable moments of his life. He looked around, and 
noted with pleasure all the charms of the spot. He saw that some of the 
trees were carved with inscriptions,- he drew near, and read them, and what 
was his surprise to find that they composed the name of Angelica. Farther 
on, he found the name of Medoro mixed with hers. The paladin thought he 
dreamed. He stood like one amazed,- like a bird that, rising to fly, finds 
its feet caught in a net. 

Orlando followed the course of the stream, and came to one of its turns 
where the rocks of the mountain bent in such a way as to form a sort of 
grotto. The twisted stems of ivy and the wild vine draped the entrance of 
this recess, scooped by the hand of nature. 

The unhappy paladin, on entering the grotto, saw letters which appeared to 
have been lately carved. They were verses which Medoro had written in honor 
of his happy nuptials with the beautiful queen. Orlando tried to persuade 
himself it must be some other Angelica whom those verses celebrated, and as 
for Medoro, he had never heard his name. The sun was now declining, and 
Orlando remounted his horse, and went on his way. He soon saw the roof of a 
cottage whence the smoke ascended; he heard the barking of dogs and the 
lowing of cattle, and arrived at a humble dwelling which seemed to offer an 
asylum for the night. The inmates, as soon as they saw him, hastened to 
render him service. One took his horse, another his shield and cuirass, 
another his golden spurs. This cottage was the very same where Medoro had 
been carried, deeply wounded,- where Angelica had tended him, and afterwards 
married him. The shepherd who lived in it loved to tell everybody the story 
of this marriage, and soon related it, with all its details, to the 
miserable Orlando. 

Having finished it, he went away, and returned with the precious bracelet 
which Angelica, grateful for his services, had given him as a memorial. It 
was the one which Orlando had himself given her. This last touch was the 
finishing stroke to the excited paladin. Frantic, exasperated, he exclaimed 
against the ungrateful and cruel princess who had disdained him, the most 
renowned, the most indomitable of all the paladins of France,- him, who had 
rescued her from the most alarming perils,- him, who had fought the most 
terrible battles for her sake,- she to prefer to him a young Saracen! The 
pride of the noble Count was deeply wounded. Indignant, frantic, a victim to 
ungovernable rage, he rushed into the forest, uttering the most frightful 
shrieks. 

"No, no!" cried he, "I am not the man they take me for! Orlando is dead! I 
am only the wandering ghost of that unhappy Count, who is now suffering the 
torments of hell! 

Orlando wandered all night, as chance directed, through the wood, and at 
sunrise his destiny led him to the fountain where Medoro had engraved the 
fatal inscription. The frantic paladin saw it a second time with fury, drew 
his sword, and hacked it from the rock. Unlucky grotto! you shall no more 
attract by your shade and coolness, you shall no more shelter with your arch 
either shepherd or flock. And you, fresh and pure fountain, you may not 
escape the rage of the furious Orlando! He cast into the fountain branches, 
trunks of trees which he tore up, pieces of rocks which he broke off, plants 
uprooted, with the earth adhering, and turf and bushes, so as to choke the 
fountain, and destroy the purity of its waters. At length, exhausted by his 
violent exertions, bathed in sweat, breathless, Orlando sunk panting upon 
the earth, and lay there insensible three days and three nights. 

The fourth day he started up and seized his arms. His helmet, his buckler, 
he cast far from him; his hauberk and his clothes he rent asunder; the 
fragments were scattered through the wood. In fine, he became a furious 
madman. His insanity was such that he cared not to retain even his sword. 
But he had no need of Durindana, nor of other arms, to do wonderful things. 
His prodigious strength sufficed. At the first wrench of his mighty arm, he 
tore up a pine-tree by the roots. Oaks, beeches, maples, whatever he met in 
his path, yielded in like manner. The ancient forest soon became as bare as 
the borders of a morass, where the fowler has cleared away the bushes to 
spread his nets. The shepherds, hearing the horrible crashing in the forest, 
abandoned their flocks to run and see the cause of this unwonted uproar. By 
their evil star, or for their sins, they were led thither. When they saw the 
furious state the Count was in, and his incredible force, they would fain 
have fled out of his reach, but in their fears lost their presence of mind. 
The madman pursued them, seized one and rent him limb from limb, as easily 
as one would pull ripe apples from a tree. He took another by the feet, and 
used him as a club to knock down a third. The shepherds fled; but it would 
have been hard for any to escape, if he had not at that moment left them to 
throw himself with the same fury upon their flocks. The peasants, abandoning 
their ploughs and harrows, mounted on the roofs of buildings and pinnacles 
of the rocks, afraid to trust themselves even to the oaks and pines. From 
such heights they looked on, trembling at the raging fury of the unhappy 
Orlando. His fists, his teeth, his nails, his feet, seize, break, and tear 
cattle, sheep, and swine, the most swift in flight alone being able to 
escape him. 

When at last terror had scattered everything before him, he entered a 
cottage which was abandoned by its inhabitants, and there found that which 
served for food. His long fast had caused him to feel the most ravenous 
hunger. Seizing whatever he found that was eatable, whether roots, acorns, 
or bread, raw meat or cooked, he gorged it indiscriminately. 

Issuing thence again, the frantic Orlando gave chase to whatever living 
thing he saw, whether men or animals. Sometimes he pursued the deer and 
hind, sometimes he attacked bears and wolves, and with his naked hands 
killed and tore them, and devoured their flesh. 

Thus he wandered, from place to place, through France, imperilling his life 
a thousand ways, yet always preserved by some mysterious providence from a 
fatal result. But here we leave Orlando for a time, that we may record what 
befell Zerbino and Isabella after their parting with him. 

The prince and his fair bride waited, by Orlando's request, near the scene 
of the battle for three days, that, if Mandricardo should return, they might 
inform him where Orlando would give him another meeting. At the end of that 
time, their anxiety to know the issue led them to follow Orlando's traces, 
which led them at last to the wood where the trees were inscribed with the 
names of Angelica and Medoro. They remarked how all these inscriptions were 
defaced, and how the grotto was disordered, and the fountain clogged with 
rubbish. 

But that which surprised them and distressed them most of all was to find on 
the grass the cuirass of Orlando, and not far from it his helmet, the same 
which the renowned Almontes once wore. Hearing a horse neigh in the forest, 
Zerbino turned his eyes in that direction, and saw Brigliadoro, with the 
bridle yet hanging at the saddle-bow. He looked round for Durindana, and 
found that famous sword, without the scabbard, lying on the grass. He saw 
also the fragments of Orlando's other arms and clothing scattered on all 
sides over the plain. 

Zerbino and Isabella stood in astonishment and grief, not knowing what to 
think, but little imagining the true cause. If they had found any marks of 
blood on the arms or on the fragments of the clothing, they would have 
supposed him slain, but there were none. While they were in this painful 
uncertainty, they saw a young peasant approach. He, not yet recovered from 
the terror of the scene which he had witnessed from the top of a rock, told 
them the whole of the sad events. 

Zerbino, with his eyes full of tears, carefully collected all the scattered 
arms. Isabella also dismounted to aid him in the sad duty. When they had 
collected all the pieces of that rich armor, they hung them like a trophy on 
a pine; and to prevent their being violated by any passers-by, Zerbino 
inscribed on the bark this caution: "These are the arms of the Paladin 
Orlando." 

Having finished this pious work, he remounted his horse, and just then a 
knight rode up, and requested Zerbino to tell him the meaning of the trophy. 
The prince related the facts as they had happened; and Mandricardo, for it 
was that Saracen knight, full of joy, rushed forward, and seized the sword, 
saying, "No one can censure me for what I do; this sword is mine; I can take 
my own wherever I find it. It is plain that Orlando, not daring to defend it 
against me, has counterfeited madness to excuse him in surrendering it." 

Zerbino vehemently exclaimed, "Touch not that sword. Think not to possess it 
without a contest. If it be true that the arms you wear are those of Hector, 
you must have got them by theft, and not by prowess." 

Immediately they attacked one another with the utmost fury. The air 
resounded with thick-falling blows. Zerbino, skilful and alert, evaded for a 
time with good success the strokes of Durindana; but at length a terrible 
blow struck him on the neck. He fell from his horse, and the Tartar king, 
possessed of the spoils of his victory, rode away. 

 

CHAPTER XIV. ZERBINO AND ISABELLA.

ZERBINO'S pain at seeing the Tartar prince go off with the sword surpassed 
the anguish of his wound; but now the loss of blood so reduced his strength, 
that he could not move from where he fell. Isabella, not knowing whither to 
resort for help, could only bemoan him, and chide her cruel fate. Zerbino 
said, "If I could but leave thee, my best beloved, in some secure abode, it 
would not distress me to die; but to abandon thee so, without protection, is 
sad indeed." 

She replied, "Think not to leave me, dearest; our souls shall not be parted; 
this sword will give me the means to follow thee." Zerbino's last words 
implored her to banish such a thought, but live, and be true to his memory. 
Isabella promised, with many tears, to be faithful to him so long as life 
should last. 

When he ceased to breathe, Isabella's cries resounded through the forest, 
and reached the ears of a reverend hermit, who hastened to the spot. He 
soothed and calmed her, urging those consolations which the word of God 
supplies; and at last brought her to wish for nothing else but to devote 
herself for the rest of life wholly to religion. 

As she could not bear the thoughts of leaving her dead lord abandoned, the 
body was, by the good hermit's aid, placed upon the horse, and taken to the 
nearest inhabited place, where a chest was made for it, suitable to be 
carried with them on their way. The hermit's plan was to escort his charge 
to a monastery, not many days' journey distant, where Isabella resolved to 
spend the remainder of her life. Thus they travelled day after day, choosing 
the most retired ways, for the country was full of armed men. One day a 
cavalier met them, and barred their way. It was no other than Rodomont, king 
of Algiers, who had just left the camp of Agramant, full of indignation for 
a fancied wrong received from that leader. 

At sight of the lovely lady and her reverend attendant, with their horse 
laden with a burden draped with black, he asked the meaning of their 
journey. Isabella told him her affliction, and her resolution to renounce 
the world and devote herself to religion, and to the memory of the friend 
she had lost. Rodomont laughed scornfully at this, and told her that her 
project was absurd; that charms like hers were meant to be enjoyed, not 
buried, and that he himself would more than make amends for her dead lover. 
The monk, who promptly interposed to rebuke this impious talk, was commanded 
to hold his peace; and still persisting, was seized by the knight and hurled 
over the edge of the cliff, where he fell into the sea, and was drowned. 

Rodomont, when he had got rid of the hermit, again applied to the sad lady, 
heartless with affright, and, in the language used by lovers, said, "she was 
his very heart, his life, his light." Having laid aside all violence, he 
humbly sued that she would accompany him to his retreat, near by. It was a 
ruined chapel from which the monks had been driven by the disorders of the 
time, and which Rodomont had taken possession of. Isabella, who had no 
choice but to obey, followed him, meditating as she went what resource she 
could find to escape out of his power, and keep her vow to her dead husband, 
to be faithful to his memory as long as life should last. At length she 
said, "If, my lord, you will let me go and fulfil my vow, and my intention, 
as I have already declared it, I will bestow upon you what will be to you of 
more value than a hundred women's hearts. I know an herb, and I have seen it 
on our way, which, rightly prepared, affords a juice of such power, that the 
flesh, if laved with it, becomes impenetrable to sword or fire. This liquor 
I can make, and will, to-day, if you will accept my offer; and when you have 
seen its virtue, you will value it more than if all Europe were made your 
own." 

Rodomont, at hearing this, readily promised all that was asked, so eager was 
he to learn a secret that would make him as Achilles was of yore. Isabella, 
having collected such herbs as she thought proper, and boiled them, with 
certain mysterious signs and words, at length declared her labor done, and, 
as a test, offered to try its virtue on herself. She bathed her neck and 
bosom with the liquor, and then called on Rodomont to smite with all his 
force, and see whether his sword had power to harm. The pagan, who during 
the preparations had taken frequent draughts of wine, and scarce knew what 
he did, drew his sword at the word, and struck across her neck with all his 
might, and the fair head leapt sundered from the snowy neck and breast. 

Rude and unfeeling as he was, the pagan knight lamented bitterly this sad 
result. To honor her memory he resolved to do a work as unparalleled as her 
devotion. From all parts round he caused laborers to be brought, and had a 
tower built to enclose the chapel, within which the remains of Zerbino and 
Isabella were entombed. Across the stream which flowed near by he built a 
bridge, scarce two yards wide, and added neither parapet nor rail. On the 
top of the tower a sentry was placed, who, when any traveller approached the 
bridge, gave notice to his master. Rodomont thereupon sallied out, and 
defied the approaching knight to fight him upon the bridge, where any chance 
step a little aside would plunge the rider headlong in the stream. This 
bridge he vowed to keep until a thousand suits of armor should be won from 
conquered knights, wherewith to build a trophy to his victim and her lord. 

Within ten days the bridge was built, and the tower was in progress. In a 
short time many knights, either seeking the shortest route, or tempted by a 
desire of adventure, had made the attempt to pass the bridge. All, without 
exception, had lost either arms or life, or both; some falling before 
Rodomont's lance, others precipitated into the river. One day, as Rodomont 
stood urging his workmen, it chanted that Orlando in furious mood came 
thither, and approached the bridge. Rodomont halloed to him, "Halt, churl; 
presume not to set foot upon that bridge; it was not made for such as you!" 
Orlando took no notice, but pressed on. Just then a gentle damsel rode up. 
It was Flordelis, who was seeking her Florismart. She saw Orlando, and, in 
spite of his strange appearance, recognized him. Rodomont, not used to have 
his commands disobeyed, laid hands on the madman, and would have thrown him 
into the river, but to his astonishment found himself in the grip of one not 
so easily disposed of. "How can a fool have such strength?" he growled 
between his teeth. Flordelis stopped to see the issue, where each of these 
two puissant warriors strove to throw the other from the bridge. Orlando at 
last had strength enough to lift his foe with all his armor, and fling him 
over the side, but had not wit to clear himself from him, so both fell 
together. High flashed the wave as they together smote its surface. Here 
Orlando had the advantage; he was naked, and could swim like a fish. He soon 
reached the bank, and, careless of praise or blame, stopped not to see what 
came of the adventure. Rodomont, entangled with his armor, escaped with 
difficulty to the bank. Meantime, Flordelis passed the bridge unchallenged. 

After long wandering without success she returned to Paris, and there found 
the object of her search; for Florismart, after the fall of Albracca, had 
repaired thither. The joy of meeting was clouded to Florismart by the news 
which Flordelis brought of Orlando's wretched plight. The last she had seen 
of him was when he fell with Rodomont into the stream. Florismart, who loved 
Orlando like a brother, resolved to set out immediately, under guidance of 
the lady, to find him, and bring him where he might receive the treatment 
suited to his case. A few days brought them to the place where they found 
the Tartar king still guarding the bridge. The usual challenge and defiance 
was made, and the knights rode to encounter one another on the bridge. At 
the first encounter both horses were overthrown; and, having no space to 
regain their footing, fell with their riders into the water. Rodomont, who 
knew the soundings of the stream, soon recovered the land; but Florismart 
was carried downward by the current, and landed at last on a bank of mud 
where his horse could hardly find footing. Flordelis, who watched the battle 
from the bridge, seeing her lover in this piteous case, exclaimed aloud, 
"Ah! Rodomont, for love of her whom dead you honor, have pity on me, who 
love this knight, and slay him not. Let it suffice he yields his armor to 
the pile, and none more glorious will it bear than he." Her prayer, so well 
directed, touched the pagan's heart, though hard to move, and he lent his 
aid to help the knight to land. He kept him a prisoner, however, and added 
his armor to the pile. Flordelis, with a heavy heart, went her way.

We must now return to Rogero, who, when we parted with him, was engaged in 
an adventure which arrested his progress to the monastery whither he was 
bound with the intention of receiving baptism, and thus qualifying himself 
to demand Bradamante as his bride. On his way he met with Mandricardo, and 
the quarrel was revived respecting the right to wear the badge of Hector. 
After a warm discussion, both parties agreed to submit the question to King 
Agramant, and for that purpose took their way to the Saracen camp. Here they 
met Gradasso, who had his controversy also with Mandricardo. This warrior 
claimed the sword of Orlando, denying the right of Mandricardo to possess it 
in virtue of his having found it abandoned by its owner. King Agramant 
strove in vain to reconcile these quarrels, and was forced at last to 
consent that the points in dispute should be settled by one combat, in which 
Mandricardo should meet one of the other champions, to whom should be 
committed the cause of both. Rogero was chosen by lot to maintain Gradasso's 
cause and his own. Great preparations were made for this signal contest. On 
the appointed day it was fought in the presence of Agramant, and of the 
whole army. Rogero won it; and Mandricardo, the conqueror of Hector's arms, 
the challenger of Orlando, and the slayer of Zerbino, lost his life. 
Gradasso received Durindana as his prize, which lost half its value in his 
eyes, since it was won by another's prowess, not his own. 

Rogero, though victorious, was severely wounded, and lay helpless many weeks 
in the camp of Agramant, while Bradamante, ignorant of the cause of his 
delay, expected him at Montalban. Thither he had promised to repair in 
fifteen days, or twenty at furthest, hoping to have obtained by that time an 
honorable discharge from his obligations to the Saracen commander. The 
twenty days were passed, and a month more, and still Rogero came not, nor 
did any tidings reach Bradamante accounting for his absence. At the end of 
that time, a wandering knight brought news of the famous combat, and of 
Rogero's wound. He added, what alarmed Bradamante still more, that Marphisa, 
a female warrior, young and fair, was in attendance on the wounded knight. 
He added, that the whole army expected that, as soon as Rogero's wounds were 
healed, the pair would be united in marriage. 

Bradamante, distressed by this news, though she believed it but in part, 
resolved to go immediately and see for herself. She mounted Rabican, the 
horse of Astolpho, which he had committed to her care, and took with her the 
lance of gold, though unaware of its wonderful powers. Thus accoutred, she 
left the castle, and took the road toward Paris and the camp of the 
Saracens. 

Marphisa, whose devotion to Rogero in his illness had so excited the 
jealousy of Bradamante, was the twin sister of Rogero. She, with him, had 
been taken in charge when an infant by Atlantes, the magician, but while yet 
a child she had been stolen away by an Arab tribe. Adopted by their chief, 
she had early learned horsemanship and skill in arms, and at this time had 
come to the camp of Agramant with no other view than to see and test for 
herself the prowess of the warriors of either camp, whose fame rang through 
the world. Arriving at the very moment of the late encounter, the name of 
Rogero, and some few facts of his story which she learned, were enough to 
suggest the idea that it was her brother whom she saw victorious in the 
single combat. Inquiry satisfied the two of their near kindred, and from 
that moment Marphisa devoted herself to the care of her new-found and much-
loved brother. 

In those moments of seclusion Rogero informed his sister of what he had 
learned of their parentage from old Atlantes. Rogero, their father, a 
Christian knight, had won the heart of Galaciella, daughter of the Sultan of 
Africa, and sister of King Agramant, converted her to the Christian faith, 
and secretly married her. The Sultan, enraged at his daughter's marriage, 
drove her husband into exile, and caused her with her infant children, 
Rogero and Marphisa, to be placed in a boat and committed to the winds and 
waves, to perish; from which fate they were saved by Atlantes. On hearing 
this, Marphisa exclaimed, "How can you, brother, leave our parents unavenged 
so long, and even submit to serve the son of the tyrant who so wronged 
them?" Rogero replied, that it was but lately he had learned the full truth; 
that when he learned it he was already embarked with Agramant, from whom he 
had received knighthood, and that he only waited for a suitable opportunity 
when he might with honor desert his standard, and at the same time return to 
the faith of his fathers. Marphisa hailed this resolution with joy, and 
declared her intention to join with him in embracing the Christian faith.

We left Bradamante when, mounted on Rabican and armed with Astolpho's lance, 
she rode forth, determined to learn the cause of Rogero's long absence. One 
day, as she rode, she met a damsel, of visage and of manners fair, but 
overcome with grief. It was Flordelis, who was seeking far and near a 
champion capable of liberating and avenging her lord. Flordelis marked the 
approaching warrior, and, judging from appearances, thought she had found 
the champion she sought. "Are you, Sir Knight," she said, "so daring and so 
kind as to take up my cause against a fierce and cruel warrior who has made 
prisoner of my lord, and forced me thus to be a wanderer and a suppliant?" 
Then she related the events which had happened at the bridge. Bradamante, to 
whom noble enterprises were always welcome, readily embraced this, and the 
rather as in her gloomy forebodings she felt as if Rogero was forever lost 
to her. 

Next day the two arrived at the bridge. The sentry descried them 
approaching, and gave notice to his lord, who thereupon donned his armor and 
went forth to meet them. Here as usual, he called on the advancing warrior 
to yield his horse and arms an oblation to the tomb. Bradamante replied, 
asking by what right he called on the innocent to do penance for his crime. 
"Your life and your armor," she added, "are the fittest offering to her 
tomb, and I, a woman, the fittest champion to take them." With that she 
couched her spear, spurred her horse, and ran to the encounter. King 
Rodomont came on with speed. The trampling sounded on the bridge like 
thunder. It took but a moment to decide the contest. The golden lance did 
its office, and that fierce Moor, so renowned in tourney, lay extended on 
the bridge. 

"Who is the loser now?" said Bradamante: but Rodomont, amazed that a woman's 
hand should have laid him low, could not or would not answer. Silent and 
sad, he raised himself, unbound his helm and mail, and flung them against 
the tomb; then, sullen and on foot, left the ground; but first gave orders 
to one of his squires to release all his prisoners. They had been sent off 
to Africa. Besides Florismart, there were Sansonnet and Oliver, who had 
ridden that way in quest of Orlando, and had both in turn been overthrown in 
the encounter. 

Bradamante after her victory resumed her route, and in due time reached the 
Christian camp, where she readily learned an explanation of the mystery 
which had caused her so much anxiety. Rogero and his fair and brave sister, 
Marphisa, were too illustrious by their station and exploits not to be the 
frequent topic of discourse even among their adversaries, and all that 
Bradamante was anxious to know reached her ear, almost without inquiry. 

We now return to Gradasso, who by Rogero's victory had been made possessor 
of Durindana. There now only remained to him to seek the horse of Rinaldo; 
and the challenge, given and accepted, was yet to be fought with that 
warrior, for it had been interrupted by the arts of Malagigi. Gradasso now 
sought another meeting with Rinaldo, and met with no reluctance on his part. 
As the combat was for the possession of Bayard, the knights dismounted and 
fought on foot. Long time the battle lasted. Rinaldo, knowing well the 
deadly stroke of Durindana, used all his art to parry or avoid its blow. 
Gradasso struck with might and main, but wellnigh all his strokes were spent 
in air, or if they smote, they fell obliquely and did little harm. 

Thus had they fought long, glancing at one another's eyes, and seeing naught 
else, when their attention was arrested perforce by a strange noise. They 
turned, and beheld the good Bayard attacked by a monstrous bird. Perhaps it 
was a bird, for such it seemed; but when or where such a bird was ever seen 
I have nowhere read, except in Turpin; and I am inclined to believe that it 
was not a bird, but a fiend, evoked from underground by Malagigi, and 
thither sent on purpose to interrupt the fight. Whether a fiend or a fowl, 
the monster flew right at Bayard, and clapped his wings in his face. Thereat 
the steed broke loose, and ran madly across the plain, pursued by the bird, 
till Bayard plunged into the wood, and was lost to sight. 

Rinaldo and Gradasso, seeing Bayard's escape, agreed to suspend their battle 
till they could recover the horse, the object of contention. Gradasso 
mounted his steed, and followed the foot-marks of Bayard into the forest. 
Rinaldo, never more vexed in spirit, remained at the spot, Gradasso having 
promised to return thither with the horse, if he found him. He did find him, 
after long search, for he had the good fortune to hear him neigh. Thus he 
became possessed of both the objects for which he had led an army from his 
own country, and invaded France. He did not forget his promise to bring 
Bayard back to the place where he had left Rinaldo; but, only muttering, 
"Now I have got him, he little knows me who expects me to give him up; if 
Rinaldo wants the horse, let him seek him in India, as I have sought him in 
France,"- he made the best of his way to Arles, where his vessels lay; and 
in possession of the two objects of his ambition, the horse and the sword, 
sailed away to his own country. 

 

CHAPTER XV. ASTOLPHO IN ABYSSINIA.

WHEN we last parted with the adventurous paladin Astolpho, he was just 
commencing that flight over the countries of the world from which he 
promised himself so much gratification. Our readers are aware that the eagle 
and the falcon have not so swift a flight as the Hippogriff on which 
Astolpho rode. It was not long, therefore, before the paladin, directing his 
course toward the southeast, arrived over that part of Africa where the 
great river Nile has its source. 

Here he alighted, and found himself in the neighborhood of the capital of 
Abyssinia, ruled by Senapus, whose riches and power were immense. His palace 
was of surpassing splendor; the bars of the gates, the hinges and locks, 
were all of pure gold; in fact this metal, in that country, is put to all 
those uses for which we employ iron. It is so common that they prefer for 
ornamental purposes rock crystal, of which all the columns were made. 
Precious stones of different kinds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, and topazes 
were set in ornamental designs, and the walls and ceilings were adorned with 
pearls. 

It is in this country those famous balms grow of which there are some few 
plants in that part of Judaea called Gilead. Musk, ambergris, and numerous 
gums, so precious in Europe, are here in their native climate. It is said 
the Sultan of Egypt pays a vast tribute to the monarch of this country to 
hire him not to cut off the source of the Nile, which he might easily do, 
and cause the river to flow in some other direction, thus depriving Egypt of 
the source of its fertility. 

At the time of Astolpho's arrival in his dominions, this monarch was in 
great affliction. In spite of his riches and the precious productions of his 
country, he was in danger of dying of hunger. He was a prey to a flock of 
obscene birds called Harpies, which attacked him whenever he sat at meat, 
and with their claws snatched, tore, and scattered everything, overturning 
the vessels, devouring the food, and infecting what they left with their 
filthy touch. It was said this punishment was inflicted upon the king 
because when young, and filled with pride and presumption, he had attempted 
to invade with an army the terrestrial paradise, which is situated on the 
top of a mountain whence the Nile draws its source. Nor was this his only 
punishment. He was struck blind. 

Astolpho, on arriving in the dominions of this monarch, hastened to pay him 
his respects. King Senapus received him graciously, and ordered a splendid 
repast to be prepared in honor of his arrival. 

While the guests were seated at table, Astolpho filling the place of dignity 
at the king's right hand, the horrid scream of the Harpies was heard in the 
air, and soon they approached, hovering over the tables, seizing the food 
from the dishes, and overturning everything with the flapping of their broad 
wings. In vain the guests struck at them with knives and any weapons which 
they had, and Astolpho drew his sword and gave them repeated blows, which 
seemed to have no more effect upon them than if their bodies had been made 
of tow. 

At last Astolpho thought of his horn. He first gave warning to the king and 
his guests to stop their ears; then blew a blast. The Harpies, terrified at 
the sound, flew away as fast as their wings could carry them. The paladin 
mounted his Hippogriff, and pursued them, blowing his horn as often as he 
came near them. They stretched their flight towards the great mountain, at 
the foot of which there is a cavern, which is thought to be the mouth of the 
infernal abodes. Hither those horrid birds flew, as if to their home. Having 
seen them all disappear in the recess, Astolpho cared not to pursue them 
farther, but, alighting, rolled huge stones into the mouth of the cave, and 
piled branches of trees therein, so that he effectually barred their passage 
out, and we have no evidence of their ever having been seen since in the 
outer air. 

After this labor, Astolpho refreshed himself by bathing in a fountain whose 
pure waters bubbled from a cleft of the rock. Having rested awhile, an 
earnest desire seized him of ascending the mountain which towered above him. 
The Hippogriff bore him swiftly upwards, and landed him on the top of the 
mountain, which he found to be an extensive plain. 

A splendid palace rose in the middle of this plain, whose walls shone with 
such brilliancy that mortal eyes could hardly bear the sight. Astolpho 
guided the winged horse towards this edifice, and made him poise himself in 
the air while he took a leisurely survey of this favored spot and its 
environs. It seemed as if nature and art had striven with one another to see 
which could do the most for its embellishment. 

Astolpho, on approaching the edifice, saw a venerable man advance to meet 
him. This personage was clothed in a long vesture as white as snow, while a 
mantle of purple covered his shoulders, and hung down to the ground. A white 
beard descended to his middle, and his hair, of the same color, overshadowed 
his shoulders. His eyes were so brilliant, that Astolpho felt persuaded that 
he was a blessed inhabitant of the heavenly mansions. 

The sage, smiling benignantly upon the paladin, who from respect had 
dismounted from his horse, said to him: "Noble chevalier, know that it is by 
the Divine will you have been brought to the terrestrial paradise. Your 
mortal nature could not have borne to scale these heights and reach these 
seats of bliss if it were not the will of Heaven that you should be 
instructed in the means to succor Charles, and to sustain the glory of our 
holy faith. I am prepared to impart the needed counsels; but before I begin, 
let me welcome you to our sojourn. I doubt not your long fast and distant 
journey have given you a good appetite." 

The aspect of the venerable man filled the prince with admiration; but his 
surprise ceased when he learned from him that he was that one of the 
Apostles of our Lord to whom he said, "I will that thou tarry till I come." 

St. John, conducting Astolpho, rejoined his companions. These were the 
patriarch Enoch and the prophet Elijah; neither of whom had yet seen his 
dying day, but, taken from our lower world, were dwelling in a region of 
peace and joy, in a climate of eternal spring, till the last trumpet shall 
sound. 

The three holy inhabitants of the terrestrial paradise received Astolpho 
with the greatest kindness, carried him to a pleasant apartment, and took 
great care of the Hippogriff, to whom they gave such food as suited him, 
while to the prince they presented fruits so delicious that he felt inclined 
to excuse our first parents for their sin in eating them without permission. 

Astolpho, having recruited his strength, not only by these excellent fruits, 
but also by sweet sleep, roused himself at the first blush of dawn, and, as 
soon as he left his chamber, met the beloved Apostle coming to seek him. St. 
John took him by the hand, and told him many things relating to the past and 
the future. Among others, he said, "Son, let me tell you what is now going 
on in France. 

Orlando, the illustrious prince who received at his birth the endowment of 
strength and courage more than mortal, raised up as was Samson of old to be 
the champion of the true faith, has been guilty of the basest ingratitude in 
leaving the Christian camp when it most needed the support of his arm, to 
run after a Saracen princess, whom he would fain marry, though she scorns 
him. To punish him, his reason has been taken away, so that he runs naked 
through the land, over mountains and through valleys, without a ray of 
intelligence. The duration of his punishment has been fixed at three months, 
and that time having nearly expired, you have been brought hither to learn 
from us the means by which the reason of Orlando may be restored. True, you 
will be obliged to make a journey with me, and we must even leave the earth, 
and ascend to the moon, for it is in that planet we are to seek the remedy 
for the madness of the paladin. I propose to make our journey this evening, 
as soon as the moon appears over our head." 

As soon as the sun sunk beneath the seas, and the moon presented its 
luminous disk, the holy man had the chariot brought out in which he was 
accustomed to make excursions among the stars, the same which was employed 
long ago to convey Elijah up from earth. The saint made Astolpho seat 
himself beside him, took the reins, and giving the word to the coursers, 
they bore them upward with astonishing celerity. At length they reached the 
great continent of the Moon. Its surface appeared to be of polished steel, 
with here and there a spot which, like rust, obscured its brightness. The 
paladin was astonished to see that the earth, with all its seas and rivers, 
seemed but an insignificant spot in the distance. 

The prince discovered in this region so new to him rivers, lakes, plains, 
hills, and valleys. Many beautiful cities and castles enriched the 
landscape. He saw also vast forests, and heard in them the sound of horns 
and the barking of dogs, which led him to conclude that the nymphs were 
following the chase. 

The knight, filled with wonder at all he saw, was conducted by the saint to 
a valley, where he stood amazed at the riches strewed all around him. Well 
he might be so, for that valley was the receptacle of things lost on earth, 
either by men's fault, or by the effect of time and chance. Let no one 
suppose we speak here of kingdoms or of treasures; they are the toys of 
Fortune, which she dispenses in turning her wheel; we speak of things which 
she can neither give nor take away. Such are reputations, which appear at 
one time so brilliant, and a short time after are heard of no more. Here, 
also, are countless vows and prayers for unattainable objects, lovers' sighs 
and tears, time spent in gaming, dressing, and doing nothing, the leisure of 
the dull and the intentions of the lazy, baseless projects, intrigues and 
plots; these and such like things fill all the valley. Astolpho had a great 
desire to understand all that he saw, and which appeared to him so 
extraordinary. Among the rest, he observed a great mountain of blown 
bladders, from which issued indistinct noises. The saint told him these were 
the dynasties of Assyrian and Persian kings, once the wonder of the earth, 
of which now scarce the name remains. 

Astolpho could not help laughing when the saint said to him, "All these 
hooks of silver and gold that you see are the gifts of courtiers to princes, 
made in the hope of getting something better in return." 

He also showed him garlands of flowers in which snares were concealed; these 
were flatteries and adulations, meant to deceive. But nothing was so comical 
as the sight of numerous grasshoppers which had burst their lungs with 
chirping. These, he told him, were sonnets, odes, and dedications, addressed 
by venal poets to great people. 

The paladin beheld with wonder what seemed a lake of spilled milk. "It is," 
said the saint, "the charity done by frightened misers on their death-beds." 
It would take too long to tell all that the valley contained: meannesses, 
affectations, pretended virtues, and concealed vices were there in 
abundance. 

Among the rest, Astolpho perceived many days of his own lost, and many 
imprudent sallies which he had made, and would have been glad not to have 
been reminded of. But he also saw among so many lost things a great 
abundance of one thing which men are apt to think they all possess, and do 
not think it necessary to pray for,- good sense. This commodity appeared 
under the form of a liquor, most light and apt to evaporate. It was 
therefore kept in vials, firmly sealed. One of these was labelled, "The 
sense of the Paladin Orlando." 

All the bottles were ticketed, and the sage placed one in Astolpho's hand, 
which he found was his own. It was more than half full. He was surprised to 
find there many other vials which contained almost the whole of the wits of 
many persons who passed among men for wise. Ah, how easy it is to lose one's 
reason! Some lose theirs by yielding to the sway of the passions; some, in 
braving tempests and shoals in search of wealth; some, by trusting too much 
to the promises of the great; some, by setting their hearts on trifles. As 
might have been expected, the bottles which held the wits of astrologers, 
inventors, metaphysicians, and above all, of poets, were in general the best 
filled of all. 

Astolpho took his bottle, put it to his nose, and inhaled it all; and Turpin 
assures us that he was for a long time afterwards as sage as one could wish; 
but the Archbishop adds, that there was reason to fear that some of the 
precious fluid afterwards found its way back into the bottle. The paladin 
took also the bottle which belonged to Orlando. It was a large one, and 
quite full. 

Before quitting the planetary region, Astolpho was conducted to an edifice 
on the borders of a river. He was shown an immense hall full of bundles of 
silk, linen, cotton, and wool. A thousand different colors, brilliant or 
dull, some quite black, were among these skeins. In one part of the hall an 
old woman was busy winding off yarns from all these different bundles. When 
she had finished a skein, another ancient dame took it and placed it with 
others; a third selected from the fleeces spun, and mingled them in due 
proportions. 

The paladin inquired what all this might be. "These old women," said the 
saint, "are the Fates, who spin, measure, and terminate the lives of 
mortals. As long as the thread stretches in one of those skeins, so long 
does the mortal enjoy the light of day; but nature and death are on the 
alert to shut the eyes of those whose thread is spun." 

Each one of the skeins had a label of gold, silver, or iron, bearing the 
name of the individual to whom it belonged. An old man, who, in spite of the 
burden of years, seemed brisk and active, ran without ceasing to fill his 
apron with these labels, and carried them away to throw them into the river, 
whose name was Lethe. When he reached the shore of the river, the old man 
shook out his apron, and the labels sunk to the bottom. A small number only 
floated for a time, hardly one in a thousand. Numberless birds, hawks, 
crows, and vultures hovered over the stream, with clamorous cries, and 
strove to snatch from the water some of these names; but they were too heavy 
for them, and after a while the birds were forced to let them drop into the 
river of oblivion. But two beautiful swans, of snowy whiteness, gathered 
some few of the names, and returned with them to the shore, where a lovely 
nymph received them from their beaks, and carried them to a temple placed 
upon a hill, and suspended them for all time upon a sacred column, on which 
stood the statue of Immortality. 

Astolpho was amazed at all this, and asked his guide to explain it. He 
replied, "The old man is Time. All the names upon the tickets would be 
immortal if the old man did not plunge them into the river of oblivion. 
Those clamorous birds which make vain efforts to save certain of the names 
are flatterers, pensioners, venal rhymesters, who do their best to rescue 
from oblivion the unworthy names of their patrons; but all in vain; they may 
keep them from their fate a little while, but erelong the river of oblivion 
must swallow them all. 

"The swans, that with harmonious strains carry certain names to the temple 
of Eternal Memory, are the great poets, who save from oblivion worse than 
death the names of those they judge worthy of immortality. Swans of this 
kind are rare. Let monarchs know the true breed, and fail not to nourish 
with care such as may chance to appear in their time." 

 

CHAPTER XVI. THE WAR IN AFRICA.

WHEN Astolpho had descended to the earth with the precious phial, St. John 
showed him a plant of marvellous virtues, with which he told him he had only 
to touch the eyes of the king of Abyssinia to restore him to sight. "That 
important service," said the saint, "added to your having delivered him from 
the Harpies, will induce him to give you an army wherewith to attack the 
Africans in their rear, and force them to return from France to defend their 
own country." The saint also instructed him how to lead his troops in safety 
across the great deserts, where caravans are often overwhelmed with moving 
columns of sand. Astolpho, fortified with ample instructions, remounted the 
Hippogriff, thanked the saint, received his blessing, and took his flight 
down to the level country. 

Keeping the course of the river Nile, he soon arrived at the capital of 
Abyssinia, and rejoined Senapus. The joy of the king was great when he heard 
again the voice of the hero who had delivered him from the Harpies. Astolpho 
touched his eyes with the plant which he had brought from the terrestrial 
paradise, and restored their sight. The king's gratitude was unbounded. He 
begged him to name a reward, promising to grant it, whatever it might be. 
Astolpho asked an army to go to the assistance of Charlemagne, and the king 
not only granted him a hundred thousand men, but offered to lead them 
himself. 

The night before the day appointed for the departure of the troops, Astolpho 
mounted his winged horse, and directed his flight towards a mountain, whence 
the fierce South-wind issues, whose blast raises the sands of the Nubian 
desert, and whirls them onward in overwhelming clouds. The paladin, by the 
advice of St. John, had prepared himself with a leather bag, which he placed 
adroitly, with its mouth open, over the vent whence issues this terrible 
wind. At the first dawn of morning the wind rushed from its cavern to resume 
its daily course, and was caught in the bag, and securely tied up. 

Astolpho, delighted with his prize, returned to his army, placed himself at 
their head, and commenced his march. The Abyssinians traversed without 
danger or difficulty those vast fields of sand which separate their country 
from the kingdoms of Northern Africa, for the terrible South-wind, taken 
completely captive, had not force enough left to blow out a candle. 

Senapus was distressed that he could not furnish any cavalry, for his 
country, rich in camels and elephants, was destitute of horses. This 
difficulty the saint had foreseen, and had taught Astolpho the means of 
remedying. He now put those means in operation. Having reached a place 
whence he beheld a vast plain and the sea, he chose from his troops those 
who appeared to be the best made and the most intelligent. These he caused 
to be arranged in squadrons at the foot of a lofty mountain which bordered 
the plain, and he himself mounted to the summit to carry into effect his 
great design. Here he found vast quantities of fragments of rock and 
pebbles. These he set rolling down the mountain's side, and, wonderful to 
relate, as they rolled they grew in size, made themselves bodies, legs, 
necks, and long faces. Next they began to neigh, to curvet, to scamper on 
all sides over the plain. Some were bay, some roan, some dapple, some 
chestnut. The troops at the foot of the mountain exerted themselves to catch 
these new-created horses, which they easily did, for the miracle had been so 
considerate as to provide all the horses with bridles and saddles. Astolpho 
thus suddenly found himself supplied with an excellent corps of cavalry, not 
fewer (as Archbishop Turpin asserts) than eighty thousand strong. With these 
troops Astolpho reduced all the country to subjection, and at last arrived 
before the walls of Agramant's capital city, Biserta, to which he laid 
siege.

We must now return to the camp of the Christians, which lay before Arles, to 
which city the Saracens had retired after being defeated in a night attack 
led on by Rinaldo. Agramant here received the tidings of the invasion of his 
country by a fresh enemy, the Abyssinians, and learned that Biserta was in 
danger of falling into their hands. He took counsel of his officers, and 
decided to send an embassy to Charles, proposing that the whole quarrel 
should be submitted to the combat of two warriors, one from each side, 
according to the issue of which it should be decided which party should pay 
tribute to the other, and the war should cease. Charlemagne, who had not 
heard of the favorable turn which affairs had taken in Africa, readily 
agreed to this proposal, and Rinaldo was selected on the part of the 
Christians to sustain the combat. 

The Saracens selected Rogero for their champion. Rogero was still in the 
Saracen camp, kept there by honor alone, for his mind had been opened to the 
truth of the Christian faith by the argument of Bradamante, and he had 
resolved to leave the party of the infidels on the first favorable 
opportunity, and to join the Christian side. But his honor forbade him to do 
this while his former friends were in distress; and thus he waited for what 
time might bring forth, when he was startled by the announcement that he had 
been selected to uphold the cause of the Saracens against the Christians, 
and that his foe was to be Rinaldo, the brother of Bradamante. 

While Rogero was overwhelmed with this intelligence, Bradamante on her side 
felt the deepest distress at hearing of the proposed combat. If Rogero 
should fall, she felt that no other man living was worthy of her love; and 
if, on the other hand, Heaven should resolve to punish France by the death 
of her chosen champion, Bradamante would have to deplore her brother, so 
dear to her, and be no less completely severed from the object of her 
affections. 

While the fair lady gave herself up to these sad thoughts, the sage 
enchantress, Melissa, suddenly appeared before her. "Fear not, my daughter," 
said she, "I shall find a way to interrupt this combat which so distresses 
you." 

Meanwhile Rinaldo and Rogero prepared their weapons for the conflict. 
Rinaldo had the choice, and decided that it should be on foot, and with no 
weapons but the battle-axe and poniard. The place assigned was a plain 
between the camp of Charlemagne and the walls of Arles. 

Hardly had the dawn announced the day appointed for this memorable combat, 
when heralds proceeded from both sides to mark the lists. Erelong the 
African troops were seen to advance from the city, Agramant at their head; 
his brilliant arms adorned in the Moorish fashion, his horse a bay, with a 
white star on his forehead. Rogero marched at his side, and some of the 
greatest warriors of the Saracen camp attended him, bearing the various 
parts of his armor and weapons. Charlemagne, on his part, proceeded from his 
intrenchments, ranged his troops in semicircle, and stood surrounded by his 
peers and paladins. Some of them bore portions of the armor of Rinaldo, the 
celebrated Ogier, the Dane, bearing the helmet which Rinaldo took from 
Mambrino. Duke Namo of Bavaria and Salomon of Bretagne bore two axes, of 
equal weight, prepared for the occasion. The terms of the combat were then 
sworn to with the utmost solemnity by all parties. It was agreed that, if 
from either part any attempt was made to interrupt the battle, both 
combatants should turn their arms against the party which should be guilty 
of the interruption; and both monarchs assented to the condition, that in 
such case the champion of the offending party should be discharged from his 
allegiance, and at liberty to transfer his arms to the other side. 

When all the preparations were concluded, the monarchs and their attendants 
retired each to his own side, and the champions were left alone. The two 
warriors advanced with measured steps towards each other, and met in the 
middle of the space. They attacked one another at the same moment, and the 
air resounded with the blows they gave. Sparks flew from their battle-axes, 
while the velocity with which they managed their weapons astonished the 
beholders. Rogero, always remembering that his antagonist was the brother of 
his betrothed, could not aim a deadly wound; he strove only to ward off 
those levelled against himself. Rinaldo, on the other hand, much as he 
esteemed Rogero, spared not his blows, for he eagerly desired victory for 
his own sake, and for the sake of his country and his faith. 

The Saracens soon perceived that their champion fought feebly, and gave not 
to Rinaldo such blows as he received from him. His disadvantage was so 
marked, that anxiety and shame were manifest on the countenance of Agramant. 
Melissa, one of the most acute enchantresses that ever lived, seized this 
moment to disguise herself under the form of Rodomont, that rude and 
impetuous warrior, who had now for some time been absent from the Saracen 
camp. 

Approaching Agramant, she said, "How could you, my lord, have the imprudence 
of selecting a young man without experience to oppose the most redoubtable 
warrior of France? Surely you must have been regardless of the honor of your 
arms, and of the fate of your empire! But it is not too late. Break without 
delay the agreement which is sure to result in your ruin." So saying, she 
addressed the troops who stood near. "Friends," said she, "follow me; under 
my guidance every one of you will be a match for a score of those feeble 
Christians." Agramant, delighted at seeing Rodomont once more at his side, 
gave his consent, and the Saracens, at the instant, couched their lances, 
set spurs to their steeds, and swept down upon the French. Melissa, when she 
saw her work successful, disappeared. 

Rinaldo and Rogero, seeing the truce broken, and the two armies engaged in 
general conflict, stopped their battle; their martial fury ceased at once, 
they joined hands, and resolved to act no more on either side until it 
should be clearly ascertained which party had failed to observe its oath. 
Both renewed their promise to abandon forever the party which had been thus 
false and perjured. 

Meanwhile, the Christians, after the first moment of surprise, met the 
Saracens with courage redoubled by rage at the treachery of their foes. 
Guido the Wild, brother and rival of Rinaldo, Griffon and Aquilant, sons of 
Oliver, and numerous others whose names have already been celebrated in our 
recitals, beat back the assailants, and at last, after prodigious slaughter, 
forced them to take shelter within the walls of Arles.

We will now return to Orlando, whom we last heard of as furiously mad, and 
doing a thousand acts of violence in his senseless rage. One day he came to 
the borders of a stream which intercepted his course. He swam across it, for 
he could swim like an otter, and on the other side saw a peasant watering 
his horse. He seized the animal, in spite of the resistance of the peasant, 
and rode it with furious speed till he arrived at the sea-coast, where Spain 
is divided from Africa by only a narrow strait. At the moment of his 
arrival, a vessel had just put off to cross the strait. She was full of 
people who, with glass in hand, seemed to be taking a merry farewell of the 
land, wafted by a favorable breeze. 

The frantic Orlando cried out to them to stop and take him in; but they, 
having no desire to admit a madman to their company, paid him no attention. 
The paladin thought this behavior very uncivil; and by force of blows made 
his horse carry him into the water in pursuit of the ship. The wretched 
animal soon had only his head above water; but as Orlando urged him forward, 
nothing was left for the poor beast but either to die or swim over to 
Africa. 

Already Orlando had lost sight of the bark; distance and the swell of the 
sea completely hid it from his sight. He continued to press his horse 
forward, till at last it could struggle no more, and sunk beneath him. 
Orlando, nowise concerned, stretched out his nervous arms, puffing the salt 
water from before his mouth, and carried his head above the waves. 
Fortunately they were not rough, scarce a breath of wind agitated the 
surface; otherwise, the invincible Orlando would then have met his death. 
But fortune, which it is said favors fools, delivered him from this danger, 
and landed him safe on the shore of Ceuta. Here he rambled along the shore 
till he came to where the black army of Astolpho held its camp. 

Now it happened, just before this time, that a vessel filled with prisoners 
which Rodomont had taken at the bridge had arrived, and, not knowing of the 
presence of the Abyssinian army, had sailed right into port, where of course 
the prisoners and their captors changed places, the former being set at 
liberty and received with all joy, the latter sent to serve in the galleys. 
Astolpho thus found himself surrounded with Christian knights, and he and 
his friends were exchanging greetings and felicitations, when a noise was 
heard in the camp, and seemed to increase every moment. 

Astolpho and his friends seized their weapons, mounted their horses, and 
rode to the quarter whence the noise proceeded. Imagine their astonishment 
when they saw that the tumult was caused by a single man, perfectly naked, 
and browned with dirt and exposure, but of a force and fury so terrible that 
he overturned all that offered to lay hands on him. 

Astolpho, Dudon, Oliver, and Florismart gazed at him with amazement. It was 
with difficulty they knew him. Astolpho, who had been warned of his 
condition by his holy monitor, was the first to recognize him. As the 
paladins closed round Orlando, the madman dealt one and another a blow of 
his fist, which, if they had not been in armor, or he had had any weapon, 
would probably have despatched them; as it was, Dudon and Astolpho measured 
their length on the sand. But Florismart seized him from behind, Sansonnet 
and another grasped his legs, and at last they succeeded in securing him 
with ropes. They took him to the water-side and washed him well, and then 
Astolpho, having first bandaged his mouth so that he could not breathe 
except through his nose, brought the precious phial, uncorked it, and placed 
it adroitly under his nostrils, when the good Orlando took it all up in one 
breath. O marvellous prodigy! The paladin recovered in an instant all his 
intelligence. He felt like one who had awakened from a painful dream, in 
which he had believed that monsters were about to tear him to pieces. He 
seemed prostrated, silent, and abashed. 

Florismart, Oliver, and Astolpho stood gazing upon him, while he turned his 
eyes around and on himself. He seemed surprised to find himself naked, 
bound, and stretched on the sea-shore. After a few moments he recognized his 
friends, and spoke to them in a tone so tender that they hastened to unbind 
him, and to supply him with garments. Then they exerted themselves to 
console him, to diminish the weight with which his spirits were oppressed, 
and to make him forget the wretched condition into which he had been sunk. 

Orlando, in recovering his reason, found himself also delivered from his 
insane attachment to the queen of Cathay. His heart felt now no further 
influenced by the recollection of her than to be moved with an ardent desire 
to retrieve his fame by some distinguished exploit. 

Astolpho would gladly have yielded to him the chief command of the army, but 
Orlando would not take from the friend to whom he owed so much the glory of 
the campaign; but in everything the two paladins acted in concert, and 
united their counsels. They proposed to make a general assault on the city 
of Biserta, and were only waiting a favorable moment, when their plan was 
interrupted by new events. Agramant, after the bloody battle which followed 
the infraction of the truce, found himself so weak that he saw it was in 
vain to attempt to remain in France. So, in concert with Sobrino, the 
bravest and most trusted of his chiefs, he embarked to return to his own 
country, having previously sent off his few remaining troops in the same 
direction. The vessel which carried Agramant and Sobrino approached the 
shore where the army of Astolpho lay encamped before Biserta, and, having 
discovered this fact before it was too late, the king commanded the pilot to 
steer eastward, with a view to seek protection of the king of Egypt. But the 
weather becoming rough, he consented to the advice of his companions, and 
sought harbor in an island which lies between Sicily and Africa. There he 
found Gradasso, the warlike king of Sericane, who had come to France to 
possess himself of the horse Bayard and the sword Durindana; and, having 
procured both these prizes, was returning to his own country. 

The two kings, who had been companions in arms under the walls of Paris, 
embraced one another affectionately. Gradasso learned with regret the 
reverses of Agramant, and offered him his troops and his person. He strongly 
deprecated resorting to Egypt for aid. "Remember the great Pompey," said he, 
"and shun that fatal shore. My plan," he continued, "is this: I mean to 
challenge Orlando to single combat. Possessed of such a sword and steed as 
mine, if he were made of steel or bronze, he could not escape me. He being 
removed, there will be no difficulty in driving back the Abyssinians. We 
will rouse against them the Moslem nations from the other side of the Nile, 
the Arabians, Persians, and Chaldeans, who will soon make Senapus recall his 
army to defend his own territories." 

Agramant approved this advice except in one particular. "It is for me," said 
he, "to combat Orlando; I cannot with honor devolve that duty on another." 

"Let us adopt a third course," said the aged warrior Sobrino. "I would not 
willingly remain a simple spectator of such a contest. Let us send three 
squires to the shore of Africa to challenge Orlando and any two of his 
companions in arms to meet us three in this island of Lampedusa." 

This counsel was adopted; the three squires sped on their way; and now 
presented themselves, and rehearsed their message to the Christian knights. 

Orlando was delighted, and rewarded the squires with rich gifts. He had 
already resolved to seek Gradasso and compel him to restore Durindana, which 
he had learned was in his possession. For his two companions, the Count 
chose his faithful friend Florismart and his cousin Oliver. 

The three warriors embarked, and sailing with a favorable wind, the second 
morning showed them, on their right, the island where this important battle 
was to be fought. Orlando and his two companions, having landed, pitched 
their tent. Agramant had placed his opposite. 

Next morning, as soon as Aurora brightened the edges of the horizon, the 
warriors of both parties armed themselves and mounted their horses. They 
took their positions, face to face, lowered their lances, placed them in 
rest, clapped spurs to their horses, and flew to the charge. Orlando met the 
charge of Gradasso. The paladin was unmoved, but his horse could not sustain 
the terrible shock of Bayard. He recoiled, staggered, and fell some paces 
behind. Orlando tried to raise him, but, finding his efforts unavailing, 
seized his shield, and drew his famous Balisardo. Meanwhile Agramant and the 
brave Oliver gained no advantage, one or the other; but Florismart unhorsed 
the King Sobrino. Having brought his foe to the ground, he would not pursue 
his victory, but hastened to attack Gradasso, who had overthrown Orlando. 
Seeing him thus engaged, Orlando would not interfere, but ran with sword 
upraised upon Sobrino, and with one blow deprived him of sense and motion. 
Believing him dead, he next turned to aid his beloved Florismart. That brave 
paladin, neither in horse nor arm equal to his antagonist, could but parry 
and evade the blows of the terrible Durindana. Orlando, eager to succor him, 
was delayed for a moment in securing and mounting the horse of the King 
Sobrino. It was but an instant, and with sword upraised, he rushed upon 
Gradasso; who, noways disconcerted at the onset of this second foe, shouted 
his defiance, and thrust at him with his sword, but, having miscalculated 
the distance, scarcely reached him, and failed to pierce his mail. Orlando, 
in return, dealt him a blow with Balisardo, which wounded as it fell, face, 
breast, and thigh, and, if he had been a little nearer, would have cleft him 
in twain. Sobrino, by this time recovered from his swoon, though severely 
wounded, raised himself on his legs, and looked to see how he might aid his 
friends, Observing Agramant hard pressed by Oliver, he thrust his sword into 
the bowels of the latter's horse, which fell, and bore down his master, 
entangling his leg as he fell, so that Oliver could not extricate himself. 
Florismart saw the danger of his friend, and ran upon Sobrino with his 
horse, overthrew him, and then turned to defend himself from Agramant. They 
were not unequally matched, for though Agramant, mounted on Brigliadoro, had 
an advantage over Florismart, whose horse was but indifferent, yet Agramant 
had received a serious wound in his encounter with Oliver. 

Nothing could exceed the fury of the encounter between Orlando and Gradasso. 
Durindana, in the hands of Gradasso, clove asunder whatever it struck; but 
such was the skill of Orlando, who perfectly knew the danger to which he was 
exposed from a stroke of that weapon, it had not yet struck him in such a 
way as to inflict a wound. 

Meanwhile, Gradasso was bleeding from many wounds, and his rage and 
incaution increased every moment. In his desperation, he lifted Durindana 
with both hands, and struck so terrible a blow full on the helmet of 
Orlando, that for a moment it stunned the paladin. He dropped the reins, and 
his frightened horse scoured with him over the plain. Gradasso turned to 
pursue him, but at that moment saw Florismart in the very act of striking a 
fatal blow at Agramant, whom he had unhorsed. While Florismart was wholly 
intent upon completing his victory, Gradasso plunged his sword into his 
side. Florismart fell from his horse, and bathed the plain with his blood. 
Orlando recovered himself just in time to see the deed. Whether rage or 
grief predominated in his breast, I cannot tell, but, seizing Balisardo with 
fury, his first blow fell upon Agramant, who was nearest to him, and smote 
his head from his shoulders. At this sight, Gradasso, for the first time, 
felt his courage sink, and a dark presentiment of death come over him. He 
hardly stood on his defence when Orlando cast himself upon him, and gave him 
a fatal thrust. The sword penetrated his ribs, and came out a palm's breadth 
on the other side of his body. 

Thus fell beneath the sword of the most illustrious paladin of France the 
bravest warrior of the Saracen host. Orlando then, as if despising his 
victory, leaped lightly to the ground, and ran to his dear friend 
Florismart, embraced him, and bathed him with his tears. Florismart still 
breathed. He could even command his voice to utter a few parting words: 
"Dear friend, do not forget me,- give me your prayers,- and oh! be a brother 
to Flordelis." He died in uttering her name. 

After a few moments given to grief, Orlando turned to look for his other 
companion and his late foes. Oliver lay oppressed with the weight of his 
horse, from which he had in vain struggled to liberate himself. Orlando 
extricated him with difficulty; he then raised Sobrino from the earth, and 
committed him to his squire, treating him as gently as if he had been his 
own brother. For this terrible warrior was the most generous of men to a 
fallen foe. He took Bayard and Brigliadoro, with the arms of the conquered 
knights; their bodies and their other spoils he remitted to their 
attendants. 

But who can tell the grief of Flordelis when she saw the warriors return, 
and found not Florismart as usual after absence hasten to her side. She knew 
by the aspect of the others that her lord was slain. At the thought, and 
before the question could pass her lips, she fell senseless upon the ground. 
When life returned, and she learned the truth of her worst fears, she 
bitterly upbraided herself that she had let him depart without her. "I might 
have saved him by a single cry when his enemy dealt him that treacherous 
blow, or I might have thrown myself between, and given my worthless life for 
his. Or if no more, I might have heard his last words, I might have given 
him a last kiss." So she lamented, and could not be comforted. 



CHAPTER XVII. ROGERO AND BRADAMANTE.

AFTER the interruption of the combat with Rinaldo, as we have related, 
Rogero was perplexed with doubts what course to take. The terms of the 
treaty required him to abandon Agramant, who had broken it, and to transfer 
his allegiance to Charlemagne; and his love for Bradamante called him in the 
same direction; but unwillingness to desert his prince and leader in the 
hour of distress forbade this course. Embarking, therefore, for Africa, he 
took his way to rejoin the Saracen army; but was arrested midway by a storm 
which drove the vessel on a rock. The crew took to their boat, but that was 
quickly swamped in the waves, and Rogero with the rest were compelled to 
swim for their lives. Then while buffeting the waves Rogero bethought him of 
his sin in so long delaying his Christian profession, and vowed in his heart 
that, if he should live to reach the land, he would no longer delay to be 
baptized. His vows were heard and answered; he succeeded in reaching the 
shore, and was aided and relieved on landing by a pious hermit, whose cell 
overlooked the sea. From him he received baptism, having first passed some 
days with him, partaking his humble fare, and receiving instruction in the 
doctrines of the Christian faith. 

While these things were going on, Rinaldo, who had set out on his way to 
seek Gradasso and recover Bayard from him, hearing, on his way of the great 
things which were doing in Africa, repaired thither to bear his part in 
them. He arrived too late to do more than join his friends in lamenting the 
loss of Florismart, and to rejoice with them in their victory over the Pagan 
knights. On the death of their king, the Africans gave up the contest, 
Biserta submitted, and the Christian knights had only to dismiss their 
forces, and return home. Astolpho took leave of his Abyssinian army, and 
sent them back laden with spoil to their own country, not forgetting to 
entrust to them the bag which held the winds, by means of which they were 
enabled to cross the sandy desert again without danger, and did not untie it 
till they reached their own country. 

Orlando now, with Oliver, who much needed the surgeon's care, and Sobrino, 
to whom equal attention was shown, sailed in a swift vessel to Sicily, 
bearing with him the body of Florismart, to be laid in Christian earth. 
Rinaldo accompanied them, as did Sansonnet and the other Christian leaders. 
Arrived at Sicily, the funeral was solemnized with all the rites of 
religion, and with the profound grief of those who had known Florismart, or 
had heard of his fame. Then they resumed their course, steering for 
Marseilles. But Oliver's wound grew worse instead of better, and his 
sufferings so distressed his friends that they conferred together, not 
knowing what to do. Then said the pilot, "We are not far from an isle, where 
a holy hermit dwells alone in the midst of the sea. It is said none seek his 
counsel or his aid in vain. He hath wrought marvellous cures, and if you 
resort to that holy man, without doubt he can heal the knight." Orlando bade 
him steer thither, and soon the bark was laid safely beside the lonely rock; 
the wounded man was lowered into their boat, and carried by the crew to the 
hermit's cell. It was the same hermit with whom Rogero had taken refuge 
after his shipwreck, by whom he had been baptized, and with whom he was now 
staying, absorbed in sacred studies and meditations. 

The holy man received Orlando and the rest with kindness, and inquired their 
errand; and being told that they had come for help for one who, warring for 
the Christian faith, was brought to perilous pass by a sad wound, he 
straightway undertook the cure. His applications were simple, but they were 
seconded by his prayers. The paladin was soon relieved from pain, and in a 
few days his foot was perfectly restored to soundness. Sobrino, as soon as 
he perceived the holy monk perform that wonder, cast aside his false 
prophet, and with contrite heart owned the true God, and demanded baptism at 
his hands. The hermit granted his request, and also by his prayers restored 
him to health, while all the Christian knights rejoiced in his conversion 
almost as much as at the restoration of Oliver. More than all, Rogero felt 
joy and gratitude, and daily grew in grace and faith. 

Rogero was known by fame to all the Christian knights, but not even Rinaldo 
knew him by sight, though he had proved his prowess in combat. Sobrino made 
him known to them, and great was the joy of all when they found one whose 
valor and courtesy were renowned through the world no longer an enemy and 
unbeliever, but a convert and champion of the true faith. All press about 
the knight; one grasps his hand, another locks him fast in his embrace; but 
more than all the rest, Rinaldo cherished him, for he more than any knew his 
worth. It was not long before Rogero confided to his friend the hopes he 
entertained of a union with his sister, and Rinaldo frankly gave his 
sanction to the proposal. But causes unknown to the paladin were at that 
very time interposing obstacles to its success. 

The fame of the beauty and worth of Bradamante had reached the ears of the 
Grecian Emperor Constantine, and he had sent to Charlemagne to demand the 
hand of his niece for Leo, his son, and the heir to his dominions. Duke 
Aymon, her father, had only reserved his consent until he should first have 
spoken with his son Rinaldo, now absent. 

The warriors now prepared to resume their voyage. Rogero took a tender 
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 Balisardo, that sword which he himself had won from 
the enchantress. 

The hermit gave his blessing to the band, and they re-embarked. 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 O 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's 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 for 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 Balisardo, 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 by 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; be 
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. 




CHAPTER XVIII. 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. 

Gan heaved a sigh, as if he was unwillingly compelled to allow the force of 
what the king said; but, unable to contain himself long, he lifted up his 
face, radiant with triumphant wickedness, and exclaimed: "Every word you 
utter is truth; die he must, and die also must Oliver, who struck me that 
foul blow at court. Is it treachery to punish affronts like these? I have 
planned everything,- I have settled everything already with their besotted 
master. Orlando will come to your borders,- to Roncesvalles,- for the 
purpose of receiving the tribute. Charles will await him at the foot of the 
mountains. Orlando will bring but a small band with him: you, when you meet 
him, will have secretly your whole army at your back. You surround him, and 
who receives tribute then?" 

The new Judas had scarcely uttered these words when his exultation was 
interrupted by a change in the face of nature. The sky was suddenly 
overcast, there was thunder and lightning, a laurel was split in two from 
head to foot, and the Carob-tree under which Gan was sitting, which is said 
to be the species of tree on which Judas Iscariot hung himself, dropped one 
of its pods on his head. Marsilius, as well as Gan, was appalled at this 
omen; but on assembling his soothsayers they came to the conclusion that the 
laurel-tree turned the omen against the Emperor, the successor of the 
Caesars, though one of them renewed the consternation of Gan by saying that 
he did not understand the meaning of the tree of Judas, and intimating that 
perhaps the ambassador could explain it. Gan relieved his vexation by anger; 
the habit of wickedness prevailed over all other considerations; and the 
king prepared to march to Roncesvalles at the head of all his forces. 

Gan wrote to Charlemagne to say how humbly and submissively Marsilius was 
coming to pay the tribute into the hands of Orlando, and how handsome it 
would be of the Emperor to meet him halfway, and so be ready to receive him 
after the payment at his camp. He added a brilliant account of the tribute, 
and the accompanying presents. The good Emperor wrote in turn to say how 
pleased he was with the ambassador's diligence, and that matters were 
arranged precisely as he wished. His court, however, had its suspicions 
still, though they little thought Gan's object in bringing Charles into the 
neighborhood of Roncesvalles was to deliver him into the hands of Marsilius, 
after Orlando should have been destroyed by him. 

Orlando, however, did as his lord and sovereign desired. He went to 
Roncesvalles, accompanied by a moderate train of warriors, not dreaming of 
the atrocity that awaited him. Gan, meanwhile, had hastened back to France, 
in order to show himself free and easy in the presence of Charles, and 
secure the success of his plot; while Marsilius, to make assurance doubly 
sure, brought into the passes of Roncesvalles no less than three armies, 
which were successively to fall on the paladin in case of the worst, and so 
extinguish him with numbers. He had also, by Gan's advice, brought heaps of 
wine and good cheer to be set before his victims in the first instance; "for 
that," said the traitor, "will render the onset the more effective, the 
feasters being unarmed. One thing, however, I must not forget," added he; 
"my son Baldwin is sure to be with Orlando; you must take care of his life 
for my sake." 

"I give him this vesture off my own body," said the king. "let him wear it 
in the battle, and have no fear. My soldiers shall be directed not to touch 
him." 

Gan went away rejoicing to France. He embraced the sovereign and the court 
all round with the air of a man who had brought them nothing but blessings, 
and the old king wept for very tenderness and delight. "Something is going 
on wrong, and looks very black," thought Malagigi, the good wizard; "Rinaldo 
is not here, and it is indispensably necessary that he should be. I must 
find out where he is, and Ricciardetto too, and send for them with all 
speed." Malagigi called up by his art a wise, terrible, and cruel spirit, 
named Ashtaroth. "Tell me, and tell me truly, of Rinaldo," said Malagigi to 
the spirit. The demon looked hard at the paladin, and said nothing. His 
aspect was clouded and violent. 

The enchanter, with an aspect still cloudier, bade Ashtaroth lay down that 
look; and made signs as if he would resort to angrier compulsion; and the 
devil, alarmed, loosened his tongue, and said, "You have not told me what 
you desire to know of Rinaldo." 

"I desire to know what he has been doing, and where he is." 

"He has been conquering and baptizing the world, east and west," said the 
demon, "and is now in Egypt with Ricciardetto." 

"And what has Gan been plotting with Marsilius?" inquired Malagigi; "and 
what is to come of it?" 

"I know not," said the devil. "I was not attending to Gan at the time, and 
we fallen spirits know not the future. All I discern is that by the signs 
and comets in the heavens something dreadful is about to happen,- something 
very strange, treacherous, and bloody;- and that Gan has a seat ready 
prepared for him in hell." 

"Within three days," cried the enchanter, loudly, "bring Rinaldo and 
Ricciardetto into the pass of Roncesvalles. Do it, and I hereby undertake to 
summon thee no more." 

"Suppose they will not trust themselves with me?" said the spirit. 

"Enter Rinaldo's horse, and bring him, whether he trust thee or not." 

"It shall be done," returned the demon. 

There was an earthquake, and Ashtaroth disappeared.

Marsilius now made his first movement towards the destruction of Orlando, by 
sending before him his vassal, King Blanchardin, with his presents of wines 
and other luxuries. The temperate but courteous hero took them in good part, 
and distributed them as the traitor wished; and then Blanchardin, on 
pretence of going forward to salute Charlemagne, returned, and put himself 
at the head of the second army, which was the post assigned him by his 
liege-lord. King Falseron, whose son Orlando had slain in battle, headed the 
first army, and King Balugante the third. Marsilius made a speech to them, 
in which he let them into his design, and concluded by recommending to their 
good-will the son of his friend Gan, whom they would know by the vest he had 
sent him, and who was the only soul amongst the Christians they were to 
spare. 

This son of Gan, meanwhile, and several of the paladins, who distrusted the 
misbelievers, and were anxious at all events to be with Orlando, had joined 
the hero in the fated valley; so that the little Christian host, considering 
the tremendous valor of their lord and his friends, were not to be sold for 
nothing. Rinaldo, alas! the second thunderbolt of Christendom, was destined 
not to be there in time to meet the issue. The paladins in vain begged 
Orlando to be on his guard against treachery, and sent for a more numerous 
body of men. The great heart of the Champion of the Faith was unwilling to 
harbor suspicion as long as he could help it. He refused to summon aid which 
might be superfluous; neither would he do anything but what his liege-lord 
had directed. And yet he could not wholly repress a misgiving. A shadow had 
fallen on his heart, great and cheerful as it was. The anticipations of his 
friends disturbed him, in spite of the face with which he met them. Perhaps 
by a certain foresight he felt his death approaching; but he felt bound not 
to encourage the impression. Besides, time pressed; the moment of the 
looked-for tribute was at hand, and little combinations of circumstances 
determine often the greatest events. 

King Marsilius was to arrive early next day with the tribute, and Oliver, 
with the morning sun, rode forth to reconnoitre, and see if he could 
discover the peaceful pomp of the Spanish court in the distance. He rode up 
the nearest height, and from the top of it beheld the first army of 
Marsilius already forming in the passes. "O devil Gan," he exclaimed, "this 
then is the consummation of thy labors!" Oliver put spurs to his horse, and 
galloped back down the mountain to Orlando. "Well," cried the hero, "what 
news?" 

"Bad news," said his cousin, "such as you would not hear of yesterday. 
Marsilius is here in arms, and all the world is with him." The paladins 
pressed round Orlando, and entreated him to sound his horn, in token that he 
needed help. His only answer was to mount his horse, and ride up the 
mountain with Sansonetto. 

As soon, however, as he cast forth his eyes, and beheld what was round about 
him, he turned in sorrow, and looked down into Roncesvalles, and said, "O 
miserable valley! the blood shed in thee this day will color thy name 
forever." 

Orlando's little camp were furious against the Saracens. They armed 
themselves with the greatest impatience. There was nothing but lacing of 
helmets and mounting of horses, while good Archbishop Turpin went from rank 
to rank exhorting and encouraging the warriors of Christ. Orlando and his 
captains withdrew for a moment to consultation. He fairly groaned for 
sorrow, and at first had not a word to say; so wretched he felt at having 
brought his people to die in Roncesvalles. Then he said: "If it had entered 
into my heart to conceive the king of Spain to be such a villain, never 
would you have seen this day. He has exchanged with me a thousand courtesies 
and good words; and I thought that the worse enemies we had been before, the 
better friends we had become now. I fancied every human being capable of 
this kind of virtue on a good opportunity, saving, indeed, such base-hearted 
wretches as can never forgive their very forgivers; and of these I did not 
suppose him to be one. Let us die, if die we must, like honest and gallant 
men, so that it shall be said of us, it was only our bodies that died. The 
reason why I did not sound the horn was partly because I thought it did not 
become us, and partly because our liege-lord could hardly save us, even if 
he heard it." And with these words Orlando sprang to his horse, crying, 
"Away, against the Saracens!" But he had no sooner turned his face, than he 
wept bitterly, and said, "O Holy Virgin, think not of me, the sinner 
Orlando, but have pity on these thy servants!" 

And now, with a mighty dust, and an infinite sound of horns and tambours 
which came filling the valley, the first army of the infidels made its 
appearance, horses neighing, and a thousand pennons flying in the air. King 
Falseron led them on, saying to his officers: "Let nobody dare to lay a 
finger on Orlando. He belongs to myself. The revenge of my son's death is 
mine. I will cut the man down that comes between us." 

"Now, friends," said Orlando, "every man for himself, and St. Michael for us 
all! There is not one here that is not a perfect knight," And he might well 
say it, for the flower of all France was there, except Rinaldo and 
Ricciardetto,- every man a picked man, all friends and constant companions 
of Orlando. 

So the captains of the little troop and of the great army sat looking at one 
another, and singling one another out as the latter came on, and then the 
knights put spear in rest, and ran for a while two and two in succession, 
one against the other. 

Astolpho was the first to move. He ran against Arlotto of Soria, and thrust 
his antagonist's body out of the saddle, and his soul into the other world. 
Oliver encountered Malprimo, and, though he received a thrust which hurt 
him, sent his lance right through the heart of Malprimo. 

Falseron was daunted at this blow. "Truly," thought he, "this is a marvel." 
Oliver did not press on among the Saracens, his wound was too painful; but 
Orlando now put himself and his whole band in motion, and you may guess what 
an uproar ensued. The sound of the rattling of blows and helmets was as if 
the forge of Vulcan had been thrown open. Falseron beheld Orlando coming so 
furiously, that he thought him a Lucifer who had burst his chain, and was 
quite of another mind than when he purposed to have him all to himself. On 
the contrary, he recommended himself to his gods, and turned away, meaning 
to wait for a more auspicious season of revenge. But Orlando hailed him, 
with a terrible voice, saying, "O thou traitor! was this the end to which 
old quarrels were made up?" Then he dashed at Falseron with a fury so swift, 
and at the same time with a mastery of his lance so marvellous, that, though 
he plunged it in the man's body so as instantly to kill him, and then 
withdrew it, the body did not move in the saddle. The hero himself, as he 
rushed onwards, was fain to see the end of a stroke so perfect, and turning 
his horse back, touched the carcass with his sword, and it fell on the 
instant! 

When the infidels beheld their leader dead, such fear fell upon them that 
they were for leaving the field to the paladins, but they were unable. 
Marsilius had drawn the rest of his forces round the valley like a net, so 
that their shoulders were turned in vain. Orlando rode into the thick of 
them, and wherever he went thunderbolts fell upon helmets. Oliver was again 
in the fray, with Walter and Baldwin, Avino and Avolio, while Archbishop 
Turpin had changed his crosier for a lance, and chased a new flock before 
him to the mountains. Yet what could be done against foes without number? 
Marsilius constantly pours them in. The paladins are as units to thousands. 
Why tarry the horses of Rinaldo and Ricciardetto? 

The horses did not tarry, but fate had been quicker than enchantment. 
Ashtaroth had presented himself to Rinaldo in Egypt, and, after telling his 
errand, he and Foul-mouth, his servant, entered the horses of Rinaldo and 
Ricciardetto, which began to neigh, and snort, and leap with the fiends 
within them, till off they flew through the air over the pyramids and across 
the desert, and reached Spain and the scene of action just as Marsilius 
brought up his third army. The two paladins on their horses dropped right 
into the midst of the Saracens, and began making such havoc among them that 
Marsilius, who overlooked the fight from a mountain, thought his soldiers 
had turned against one another. Orlando beheld it, and guessed it could be 
no other but his cousins, and pressed to meet them. Oliver coming up at the 
same moment, the rapture of the whole party is not to be expressed. After a 
few hasty words of explanation they were forced to turn again upon the 
enemy, whose numbers seemed perfectly without limit. 

Orlando, making a bloody passage towards Marsilius, struck a youth on the 
head, whose helmet was so strong as to resist the blow, but at the same time 
flew off. Orlando prepared to strike a second blow, when the youth 
exclaimed, "Hold! you loved my father; I am Bujaforte!" The paladin had 
never seen Bujaforte, but he saw the likeness to the good old man, his 
father, and he dropped his sword. "O Bujaforte," said he, "I loved him 
indeed; but what does his son do here fighting against his friends?" 

Bujaforte could not at once speak for weeping. At length he said: "I am 
forced to be here by my lord and master, Marsilius; and I have made a show 
of fighting, but have not hurt a single Christian. Treachery is on every 
side of you, Baldwin himself has a vest given him by Marsilius, that 
everybody may know the son of his friend Gan, and do him no harm." 

"Put your helmet on again," said Orlando, "and behave just as you have done. 
Never will your father's friend be an enemy to the son." 

The hero then turned in fury to look for Baldwin, who was hastening towards 
him, at that moment, with friendliness in his looks. 

"'Tis strange," said Baldwin, "I have done my duty as well as I could, yet 
nobody will come against me. I have slain right and left, and cannot 
comprehend what it is that makes the stoutest infidels avoid me." 

"Take off your vest," said Orlando, contemptuously, "and you will soon 
discover the secret, if you wish to know it. Your father has sold us to 
Marsilius, all but his honorable son." 

"If my father," said Baldwin, impetuously tearing off the vest, "has been 
such a villain, and I escape dying, I will plunge this sword through his 
heart. But I am no traitor, Orlando, and you do me wrong to say it. Think 
not I can live with dishonor." 

Baldwin spurred off into the fight, not waiting to hear another word from 
Orlando, who was very sorry for what he had said, for he perceived that the 
youth was in despair. 

And now the fight raged beyond all it had done before; twenty pagans went 
down for one paladin, but still the paladins fell. Sansonetto was beaten to 
earth by the club of Grandonio, Walter d'Amulion had his shoulder broken, 
Berlinghieri and Ottone were slain, and at last Astolpho fell, in revenge of 
whose death Orlando turned the spot where he died into a lake of Saracen 
blood. The luckless Bujaforte met Rinaldo, and, before he could explain how 
he seemed to be fighting on the Saracen side, received such a blow upon the 
head that he fell, unable to utter a word. Orlando, cutting his way to a 
spot where there was a great struggle and uproar, found the poor youth 
Baldwin, the son of Gan, with two spears in his breast. "I am no traitor 
now," said Baldwin, and those were the last words he said. Orlando was 
bitterly sorry to have been the cause of his death, and tears streamed from 
his eyes. At length down went Oliver himself, He had become blinded with his 
own blood, and smitten Orlando without knowing him. 

"How now, cousin," cried Orlando, "have you too gone over to the enemy?" "O 
my lord and master," cried the other, "I ask your pardon. I can see nothing; 
I am dying. Some traitor has stabbed me in the back. If you love me, lead my 
horse into the thick of them, so that I may not die unavenged." 

"I shall die myself before long," said Orlando, "out of very toil and grief; 
so we will go together." 

Orlando led his cousin's horse where the press was thickest, and dreadful 
was the strength of the dying man and his tired companion. They made a 
street through which they passed out of the battle, and Orlando led his 
cousin away to his tent, and said, "Wait a little till I return, for I will 
go and sound the horn on the hill yonder." 

"'Tis of no use," said Oliver, "my spirit is fast going, and desires to be 
with its Lord and Saviour." He would have said more, but his words came from 
him imperfectly, like those of a man in a dream, and so he expired. 

When Orlando saw him dead, he felt as if he was alone on the earth, and he 
was quite willing to leave it; only he wished that King Charles, at the foot 
of the mountains, should know how the case stood before he went. So he took 
up the horn and blew it three times, with such force that the blood burst 
out of his nose and mouth. Turpin says that at the third blast the horn 
broke in two. In spite of all the noise of the battle, the sound of the horn 
broke over it like a voice out of the other world. They say that birds fell 
dead at it, and that the whole Saracen army drew back in terror. Charlemagne 
was sitting in the midst of his court when the sound reached him; and Gan 
was there. The Emperor was the first to hear it. 

"Do you hear that?" said be to his nobles. "Did you hear the horn as I heard 
it?" 

Upon this they all listened, and Gan felt his heart misgive him. The horn 
sounded a second time. 

"What is the meaning of this?" said Charles. 

"Orlando is hunting," observed Gan, "and the stag is killed." 

But when the horn sounded yet a third time, and the blast was one of so 
dreadful a vehemence, everybody looked at the other, and then they all 
looked at Gan in fury. Charles rose from his seat. 

"This is no hunting of the stag," said he. "The sound goes to my very heart. 
O Gan! O Gan! Not for thee do I blush, but for myself. O foul and monstrous 
villain! Take him, gentlemen, and keep him in close prison. Would to God I 
had not lived to see this day!" 

But it was no time for words. They put the traitor in prison, and then 
Charles with all his court took his way to Roncesvalles, grieving and 
praying. 

It was afternoon when the horn sounded, and half an hour after it when the 
Emperor set out; and meantime Orlando had returned to the fight that he 
might do his duty, however hopeless, as long as he could sit his horse. At 
length he found his end approaching, for toil and fever, and rode all alone 
to a fountain where he had before quenched his thirst. His horse was wearier 
than he, and no sooner had his master alighted than the beast, kneeling down 
as if to take leave, and to say, "I have brought you to a place of rest," 
fell dead at his feet. Orlando cast water on him from the fountain, not 
wishing to believe him dead; but when he found it to no purpose, he grieved 
for him as if he had been a human being, and addressed him by name with 
tears, and asked forgiveness if he had ever done him wrong. They say that 
the horse, at these words, opened his eyes a little, and looked kindly at 
his master, and then stirred never more. They say also that Orlando then, 
summoning all his strength, smote a rock near him with his beautiful sword 
Durindana, thinking to shiver the steel in pieces, and so prevent its 
falling into the hands of the enemy; but though the rock split like a slate, 
and a great cleft remained ever after to astonish the eyes of pilgrims, the 
sword remained uninjured. 

And now Rinaldo and Ricciardetto came up, with Turpin, having driven back 
the Saracens, and told Orlando that the battle was won. Then Orlando knelt 
before Turpin, and begged remission of his sins, and Turpin gave him 
absolution. Orlando fixed his eyes on the hilt of his sword as on a 
crucifix, and embraced it, and he raised his eyes and appeared like a 
creature seraphical and transfigured, and, bowing his head, he breathed out 
his pure soul. 

And now King Charles and his nobles came up. The Emperor, at sight of the 
dead Orlando, threw himself, as if he had been a reckless youth, from his 
horse, and embraced and kissed the body, and said: "I bless thee, Orlando; I 
bless thy whole life, and all that thou wast, and all that thou ever didst, 
and the father that begat thee; and I ask pardon of thee for believing those 
who brought thee to thine end. They shall have their reward, O thou beloved 
one! But indeed it is thou that livest, and I who am worse than dead." 

Horrible to the Emperor's eyes was the sight of the field of Roncesvalles. 
The Saracens indeed had fled, conquered; but all his paladins but two were 
left on it dead, and the whole valley looked like a great slaughter-house, 
trampled into blood and dirt, and reeking to the heat. Charles trembled to 
his heart's core for wonder and agony. After gazing dumbly on the place, he 
cursed it with a solemn curse, and wished that never grass might grow in it 
again, nor seed of any kind, neither within it nor on any of its mountains 
around, but the anger of Heaven abide over it forever. 

Charles and his warriors went after the Saracens into Spain. They took and 
fired Saragossa, and Marsilius was hung to the carob-tree under which he had 
planned his villainy with Gan; and Gan was hung and drawn and quartered in 
Roncesvalles, amidst the execrations of the country. 



CHAPTER XIX. RINALDO AND BAYARD.

CHARLEMAGNE was overwhelmed with grief at the loss of so many of his bravest 
warriors at the disaster of Roncesvalles, and bitterly reproached himself 
for his credulity in resigning himself so completely to the counsels of the 
treacherous Count Gan. Yet he soon fell into a similar snare when he 
suffered his unworthy son Charlot to acquire such an influence over him, 
that he constantly led him into acts of cruelty and injustice that in his 
right mind he would have scorned to commit. Rinaldo and his brothers, for 
some slight offence to the imperious young prince, were forced to fly from 
Paris, and to take shelter in their castle of Montalban; for Charles had 
publicly said, if he could take them, he would hang them all. He sent 
numbers of his bravest knights to arrest them, but all without success. 
Either Rinaldo foiled their efforts and sent them back, stripped of their 
armor and of their glory, or, after meeting and conferring with him, they 
came back and told the king they could not be his instruments for such a 
work. 

At last Charles himself raised a great army, and went in person to compel 
the paladin to submit. He ravaged all the country round about Montalban, so 
that supplies of food should be cut off, and he threatened death to any who 
should attempt to issue forth, hoping to compel the garrison to submit for 
want of food. 

Rinaldo's resources had been brought so low that it seemed useless to 
contend any longer. His brothers had been taken prisoners in a skirmish, and 
his only hope of saving their lives was in making terms with the king. 

So he sent a messenger, offering to yield himself and his castle if the king 
would spare his and his brothers' lives. While the messenger was gone, 
Rinaldo, impatient to learn what tidings he might bring, rode out to meet 
him. When he had ridden as far as he thought prudent he stopped in a wood, 
and, alighting, tied Bayard to a tree. Then he sat down, and, as he waited, 
he fell asleep. Bayard meanwhile got loose, and strayed away where the grass 
tempted him. 

Just then came along some country people, who said to one another, "Look, is 
not that the great horse Bayard that Rinaldo rides? Let us take him, and 
carry him to King Charles, who will pay us well for our trouble." They did 
so, and the king was delighted with his prize, and gave them a present that 
made them rich to their dying day. When Rinaldo woke he looked round for his 
horse, and, finding him not, he groaned, and said, "O unlucky hour that I 
was born! how fortune persecutes me!" So desperate was he, that he took off 
his armor and his spurs, saying, "What need have I of these, since Bayard is 
lost?" While he stood thus lamenting, a man came from the thicket, seemingly 
bent with age. He had a long beard hanging over his breast, and eyebrows 
that almost covered his eyes. He bade Rinaldo good day. Rinaldo thanked him, 
and said, "A good day I have hardly had since I was born." Then said the old 
man, "Signor Rinaldo, you must not despair, for God will make all things 
turn to the best." Rinaldo answered, "My trouble is too heavy for me to hope 
relief. The king has taken my brothers, and means to put them to death. I 
thought to rescue them by means of my horse Bayard, but while I slept some 
thief has stolen him." The old man replied, "I will remember you and your 
brothers in my prayers. I am a poor man, have you not something to give me?" 
Rinaldo said, "I have nothing to give," but then he recollected his spurs. 
He gave them to the beggar, and said, "Here, take my spurs. They are the 
first present my mother gave me when my father, Count Aymon, dubbed me 
knight. They ought to bring you ten pounds." 

The old man took the spurs, and put them into his sack, and said, "Noble 
sir, have you nothing else you can give me?" Rinaldo replied, "Are you 
making sport of me? I tell you truly if it were not for shame to beat one so 
helpless, I would teach you better manners." The old man said, "Of a truth, 
sir, if you did so, you would do a great sin. If all had beaten me of whom I 
have begged, I should have been killed long ago, for I ask alms in churches 
and convents, and wherever I can." "You say true," replied Rinaldo, "if you 
did not ask, none would relieve you." The old man said, "True, noble sir, 
therefore I pray if you have anything more to spare, give it me." Rinaldo 
gave him his mantle, and said, "Take it, pilgrim, I give it you for the love 
of Christ, that God would save my brothers from a shameful death, and help 
me to escape out of King Charles's power." 

The pilgrim took the mantle, folded it up, and put it into his bag. Then a 
third time he said to Rinaldo, "Sir, have you nothing left to give me in my 
prayers?" "Wretch!" exclaimed Rinaldo, "do you make me your sport?" and he 
drew his sword, and struck at him: but the old man warded off the blow with 
his staff, and said, "Rinaldo, would you slay your cousin, Malagigi?" When 
Rinaldo heard that he stayed his hand, and gazed doubtingly on the old man, 
who now threw aside his disguise, and appeared to be indeed Malagigi, "Dear 
cousin." said Rinaldo, "pray forgive me. I did not know you. Next to God, my 
trust is in you. Help my brothers to escape out of prison, I entreat you. I 
have lost my horse, and therefore cannot render them any assistance." 
Malagigi answered, "Cousin Rinaldo, I will enable you to recover your horse. 
Meanwhile, you must do as I say." 

Then Malagigi took from his sack a gown, and gave it to Rinaldo to put on 
over his armor, and a hat that was full of holes, and an old pair of shoes 
to put on. They looked like two pilgrims, very old and poor. Then they went 
forth from the wood, and, after a little while, saw four monks riding along 
the road. Malagigi said to Rinaldo, "I will go meet the monks, and see what 
news I can learn." 

Malagigi learned from the monks that on the approaching festival there would 
be a great crowd of people at court, for the prince was going to show the 
ladies the famous horse Bayard that used to belong to Rinaldo. "What!" said 
the pilgrim; "is Bayard there?" "Yes," answered the monks; "the king has 
given him to Charlot, and, after the prince has ridden him, the king means 
to pass sentence on the brothers of Rinaldo, and have them hanged." Then 
Malagigi asked alms of the monks, but they would give him none, till he 
threw aside his pilgrim garb, and let them see his armor, when, partly for 
charity and partly for terror, they gave him a golden cup, adorned with 
precious stones that sparkled in the sunshine. 

Malagigi then hastened back to Rinaldo, and told him what he had learned. 

The morning of the feast-day Rinaldo and Malagigi came to the place where 
the sports were to be held. Malagigi gave Rinaldo his spurs back again, and 
said, "Cousin, put on your spurs, for you will need them." "How shall I need 
them," said Rinaldo, "since I have lost my horse?" Yet he did as Malagigi 
directed him. 

When the two had taken their stand on the border of the field among the 
crowd, the princes and ladies of the court began to assemble. When they were 
all assembled, the king came also, and Charlot with him, near whom the horse 
Bayard was led, in the charge of grooms, who were expressly enjoined to 
guard him safely. The king, looking round on the circle of spectators, saw 
Malagigi and Rinaldo, and observed the splendid cup that they had, and said 
to Charlot, "See, my son, what a brilliant cup those two pilgrims have got. 
It seems to be worth a hundred ducats." "That is true," said Charlot; "let 
us go and ask where they got it." So they rode to the place where the 
pilgrims stood, and Charlot stopped Bayard close to them. 

The horse snuffed at the pilgrims, knew Rinaldo, and caressed his master. 
The king said to Malagigi, "Friend, where did you get that beautiful cup?" 
Malagigi replied, "Honorable sir, I paid for it all the money I have saved 
from eleven years' begging in churches and convents. The Pope himself has 
blessed it, and given it the power that whosoever eats or drinks out of it 
shall be pardoned of all his sins." Then said the king to Charlot, "My son, 
these are right holy men; see how the dumb beast worships them." 

Then the king said to Malagigi, "Give me a morsel from your cup, that I may 
be cleared of my sins." Malagigi answered, "Illustrious lord, I dare not do 
it, unless you will forgive all who have at any time offended you. You know 
that Christ forgave all those who had betrayed and crucified him." The king 
replied, "Friend, that is true; but Rinaldo has so grievously offended me, 
that I cannot forgive him, nor that other man, Malagigi, the magician. The 
two shall never live in my kingdom again. If I catch them, I will certainly 
have them hanged. But tell me, pilgrim, who is that man who stands beside 
you?" "He is deaf, dumb, and blind," said Malagigi, Then the king said 
again, "Give me to drink of your cup, to take away my sins." 

Malagigi answered, "My lord king, here is my poor brother, who for fifty 
days has not heard, spoken, nor seen. This misfortune befell him in a house 
where we found shelter, and the day before yesterday we met with a wise 
woman, who told him the only hope of a cure for him was to come to some 
place where Bayard was to be ridden, and to mount and ride him; that would 
do him more good than anything else." Then said the king, "Friend, you have 
come to the right place, for Bayard is to be ridden here to-day. Give me a 
draught from your cup, and your companion shall ride upon Bayard." Malagigi, 
hearing these words, said, "Be it so." Then the king, with great devotion, 
took a spoon, and dipped a portion from the pilgrim's cup, believing that 
his sins should be thereby forgiven. 

When this was done, the king said to Charlot, "Son, I request that you will 
let this sick pilgrim sit on your horse, and ride if he can, for by so doing 
he will be healed of all his infirmities." Charlot replied, "That will I 
gladly do." So saying, he dismounted, and the servants took the pilgrim in 
their arms, and helped him on the horse. 

When Rinaldo was mounted, he put his feet in the stirrups, and said, "I 
would like to ride a little." Malagigi, hearing him speak, seemed delighted, 
and asked him whether he could see and hear also. "Yes," said Rinaldo, "I am 
healed of all my infirmities." When the king heard it, he said to Bishop 
Turpin, "My lord bishop, we must celebrate this with a procession, with 
crosses and banners, for it is a great miracle." 

When Rinaldo remarked that he was not carefully watched, he spoke to the 
horse, and touched him with the spurs. Bayard knew that his master was upon 
him, and he started off upon a rapid pace, and in a few moments was a good 
way off. Malagigi pretended to be in great alarm. 

"O noble king and master," he cried, "my poor companion is run away with; he 
will fall and break his neck." The king ordered his knights to ride after 
the pilgrim, and bring him back or help him if need were. They did so, but 
it was in vain. Rinaldo left them all behind him, and kept on his way till 
he reached Montalban. Malagigi was suffered to depart, unsuspected, and he 
went his way, making sad lamentation for the fate of his comrade, who he 
pretended to think must surely be dashed to pieces. 

Malagigi did not go far, but, having changed his disguise, returned to where 
the king was, and employed his best art in getting the brothers of Rinaldo 
out of prison. He succeeded; and all three got safely to Montalban, where 
Rinaldo's joy at the rescue of his brothers and the recovery of Bayard was 
more than tongue can tell. 



CHAPTER XX. DEATH OF RINALDO.

THE distress in Rinaldo's castle for want of food grew more severe every 
day, under the pressure of the siege. The garrison were forced to kill their 
horses, both to save the provision they would consume, and to make food of 
their flesh. At last, all the horses were killed except Bayard, and Rinaldo 
said to his brothers, "Bayard must die, for we have nothing else to eat." So 
they went to the stable and brought out Bayard to kill him. But Alardo said, 
"Brother, let Bayard live a little longer; who knows what God may do for 
us." 

Bayard heard these words, and understood them as if he was a man, and fell 
on his knees, as if he would beg for mercy. When Rinaldo saw the distress of 
his horse his heart failed him, and he let him live. 

Just at this time, Aya, Rinaldo's mother, who was the sister of the Emperor, 
came to the camp, attended by knights and ladies, to intercede for her sons. 
She fell on her knees before the king, and besought him that he would pardon 
Rinaldo and his brothers; and all the peers and knights took her side, and 
entreated the king to grant her prayer. Then said the king, "Dear sister, 
you act the part of a good mother, and I respect your tender heart, and 
yield to your entreaties. I will spare your sons their lives, if they submit 
implicitly to my will." 

When Charlot heard this, he approached the king and whispered in his ear. 
And the king turned to his sister and said, "Charlot must have Bayard, 
because I have given the horse to him. Now go, my sister, and tell Rinaldo 
what I have said." 

When the Lady Aya heard these words, she was delighted, thanked God in her 
heart, and said, "Worthy king and brother, I will do as you bid me." So she 
went into the castle, where her sons received her most joyfully and 
affectionately, and she told them the king's offer. 

Then Alardo said, "Brother, I would rather have the king's enmity than give 
Bayard to Charlot, for I believe he will kill him." Likewise said all the 
brothers. When Rinaldo heard them, he said, "Dear brothers, if we may win 
our forgiveness by giving up the horse, so be it. Let us make our peace, for 
we cannot stand against the king's power." Then he went to his mother, and 
told her they would give the horse to Charlot, and more, too, if the king 
would pardon them, and forgive all that they had done against his crown and 
dignity. The lady returned to Charles and told him the answer of her sons. 

When the peace was thus made between the king and the sons of Aymon, the 
brothers came forth from the castle, bringing Bayard with them, and, falling 
at the king's feet, begged his forgiveness. The king bade them rise, and 
received them into favor in the sight of all his noble knights and 
counsellors, to the great joy of all, especially of the Lady Aya, their 
mother. Then Rinaldo took the horse Bayard, gave him to Charlot, and said, 
"My lord and prince, this horse I give to you; do with him as to you seems 
good." Charlot took him, as had been agreed on. Then he made the servants 
take him to the bridge, and throw him into the water. Bayard sank to the 
bottom, but soon came to the surface again and swam, saw Rinaldo looking at 
him, came to land, ran to his old master, and stood by him as proudly as if 
he had understanding, and would say, "Why did you treat me so?" When the 
prince saw that, he said, "Rinaldo, give me the horse again, for he must 
die." Rinaldo replied, "My lord and prince, he is yours without dispute," 
and gave him to him. The prince then had a millstone tied to each foot, and 
two to his neck, and made them throw him again into the water. Bayard 
struggled in the water, looked up to his master, threw off the stones, and 
came back to Rinaldo. 

When Alardo saw that, he said, "Now must thou be disgraced forever, brother, 
if thou give up the horse again." But Rinaldo answered, "Brother, be still. 
Shall I for the horse's life provoke the anger of the king again?" Then 
Alardo said, "Ah, Bayard! what a return do we make for all thy true love and 
service!" Rinaldo gave the horse to the prince again, and said, "My lord, if 
the horse comes out again, I cannot return him to you any more, for it 
wrings my heart too much." Then Charlot had Bayard loaded with the stones as 
before, and thrown into the water; and commanded Rinaldo that he should not 
stand where the horse would see him. When Bayard rose to the surface he 
stretched his neck out of the water and looked round for his master, but saw 
him not. Then he sunk to the bottom. 

Rinaldo was so distressed for the loss of Bayard, that he made a vow to ride 
no horse again all his life long, not to bind a sword to his side, but to 
become a hermit, He resolved to betake himself to some wild wood, but first 
to return to his castle, to see his children, and to appoint to each his 
share of his estate. 

So he took leave of the king and of his brothers, and returned to Montalban, 
and his brothers remained with the king. Rinaldo called his children to him, 
and he made his eldest born, Aymeric, a knight, and made him lord of his 
castle and of his land. He gave to the rest what other goods he had, and 
kissed and embraced them all, commended them to God, and then departed from 
them with a heavy heart. 

He had not travelled far when he entered a wood, and there met with a 
hermit, who had long been retired from the world, Rinaldo greeted him, and 
the hermit replied courteously, and asked him who he was and what was his 
purpose. Rinaldo replied, "Sir, I have led a sinful life; many deeds of 
violence have I done, and many men have I slain, not always in a good cause, 
but often under the impulse of my own headstrong passions. I have also been 
the cause of the death of many of my friends, who took my part, not because 
they thought me in the right, but only for love of me. And now I come to 
make confession of all my sins, and to do penance for the rest of my life, 
if perhaps the mercy of God will forgive me." The hermit said, "Friend, I 
perceive you have fallen into great sins, and have broken the commandments 
of God, but His mercy is greater than your sins; and if you repent from your 
heart, and lead a new life, there is yet hope for you that He will forgive 
you what is past." So Rinaldo was comforted, and said, "Master, I will stay 
with you, and what you bid me I will do." The hermit replied, "Roots and 
vegetables will be your food; shirt or shoes you may not wear; your lot must 
be poverty and want, if you stay with me." Rinaldo replied, "I will 
cheerfully bear all this, and more." So he remained three whole years with 
the hermit, and after that his strength failed, and it seemed as if he was 
like to die. 

One night the hermit had a dream, and heard a voice from heaven, which 
commanded him to say to his companion that he must without delay go to the 
Holy Land, and fight against the heathen. The hermit, when he heard that 
voice, was glad, and, calling Rinaldo, he said, "Friend, God's angel has 
commanded me to say to you that you must without delay go to Jerusalem, and 
help our fellow-Christians in their struggle with the Infidels." Then said 
Rinaldo, "Ah! master, how can I do that? It is over three years since I made 
a vow no more to ride a horse, nor take a sword or spear in my hand." The 
hermit answered, "Dear friend, obey God, and do what the angel commanded." 
"I will do so," said Rinaldo, "and pray for me, my master, that God may 
guide me right." Then he departed, and went to the seaside, and took ship 
and came to Tripoli in Syria. 

And as he went on his way his strength returned to him, till it was equal to 
what it was in his best days. And though he never mounted a horse, nor took 
a sword in his hand, yet with his pilgrim's staff he did good service in the 
armies of the Christians; and it pleased God that he escaped unhurt, though 
he was present in many battles, and his courage inspired the men with the 
same. At last a truce was made with the Saracens, and Rinaldo, now old and 
infirm, wishing to see his native land again before he died, took ship and 
sailed for France. 

When he arrived, he shunned to go to the resorts of the great, and preferred 
to live among the humble folk, where he was unknown. He did country work and 
lived on milk and bread, drank water and was therewith content. While he so 
lived, he heard that the city of Cologne was the holiest and best of cities, 
on account of the relics and bodies of saints who had there poured out their 
blood for the faith. This induced him to betake himself thither. When the 
pious hero arrived at Cologne, he went to the monastery of St. Peter, and 
lived a holy life, occupied night and day in devotion. It so happened that 
at that time, in the next town to Cologne, there raged a dreadful 
pestilence. Many people came to Rinaldo, to beg him to pray for them, that 
the plague might be stayed. The holy man prayed fervently, and besought the 
Lord to take away the plague from the people, and his prayer was heard. The 
stroke of the pestilence was arrested, and all the people thanked the holy 
man and praised God. 

Now there was at this time at Cologne a Bishop, called Agilolphus, who was a 
wise and understanding man, who led a pure and secluded life, and set a good 
example to others. This Bishop undertook to build the Church of St. Peter, 
and gave notice to all stone-masons and other workmen round about to come to 
Cologne, where they should find work and wages. Among others came Rinaldo; 
and he worked among the laborers and did more than four or five common 
workmen. When they went to dinner, he brought stone and mortar so that they 
had enough for the whole day. When the others went to bed, he stretched 
himself out on the stones. He ate bread only, and drank nothing but water; 
and had for his wages but a penny a day. The head-workman asked him his 
name, and where he belonged. He would not tell, but said nothing and pursued 
his work. They called him St. Peter's workman, because he was so devoted to 
his work. 

When the overseer saw the diligence of this holy man, he chid the laziness 
of the other workmen, and said, "You receive more pay than this good man, 
but do not do half as much work." For this reason the other workmen hated 
Rinaldo, and made a secret agreement to kill him. They knew that he made it 
a practice to go every night to a certain church to pray and give alms. So 
they agreed to lay wait for him with the purpose to kill him. When he came 
to the spot, they seized him, and beat him over the head till he was dead. 
Then they put his body into a sack, and stones with it, and cast it into the 
Rhine, in the hope the sack would sink to the bottom, and be there 
concealed. But God willed not that it should be so, but caused the sack to 
float on the surface, and be thrown upon the bank. And the soul of the holy 
martyr was carried by angels, with songs of praise, up to the heavens. 

Now at that time the people of Dortmund had become converted to the 
Christian faith; and they sent to the Bishop of Cologne, and desired him to 
give them some of the holy relics that are in such abundance in that city. 
So the Bishop called together his clergy to deliberate what answer they 
should give to this request. And it was determined to give to the people of 
Dortmund the body of the holy man who had just suffered martyrdom. 

When now the body with the coffin was put on the cart, the cart began to 
move toward Dortmund without horses or help of men, and stopped not till it 
reached the place where the church of St. Rinaldo now stands. The Bishop and 
his clergy followed the holy man to do him honor, with singing of hymns, for 
a space of three miles. And St. Rinaldo has ever since been the patron of 
that place, and many wonderful works has God done through him, as may be 
seen in the legends. 



CHAPTER XXI. HUON OF BORDEAUX.

WHEN Charlemagne grew old he felt the burden of government become heavier 
year by year, till at last he called together his high barons and peers to 
propose to abdicate the empire and the throne of France in favor of his 
sons, Charlot and Lewis. 

The Emperor was unreasonably partial to his eldest son; he would have been 
glad to have had the barons and peers demand Charlot for their only 
sovereign; but that prince was so infamous, for his falsehood and cruelty, 
that the council strenuously opposed the Emperor's proposal of abdicating, 
and implored him to continue to hold a sceptre which he wielded with so much 
glory. 

Amaury of Hauteville, cousin of Ganelon, and now head of the wicked branch 
of the house of Maganza, was the secret partisan of Charlot, whom he 
resembled in his loose morals and bad dispositions. Amaury nourished the 
most bitter resentment against the house of Guienne, of which the former 
Duke, Sevinus, had often rebuked his misdeeds. He took advantage of this 
occasion to do an injury to the two young children whom the Duke Sevinus had 
left under the charge of the Duchess Alice, their mother; and, at the same 
time, to advance his interest with Charlot by increasing his wealth and 
power. With this view, he suggested to the prince a new idea. He pretended 
to agree with the opinion of the barons; he said that it would be best to 
try Charlot's capacity for government, by giving him some rich provinces, 
before placing him upon the throne; and that the Emperor, without depriving 
himself of any part of his realm, might give Charlot the investiture of 
Guienne. For although seven years had passed since the death of Sevinus, the 
young Duke, his son, had not yet repaired to the court of Charlemagne to 
render the homage due to his lawful sovereign. 

We have often had occasion to admire the justice and wisdom of the advice 
which on all occasions the Duke Namo of Bavaria gave to Charlemagne, and he 
now discountenanced, with indignation, the selfish advice of Amaury. He 
represented to the Emperor the early age of the children of Sevinus, and the 
useful and glorious services of their late father, and proposed to 
Charlemagne to send two knights to the Duchess, at Bordeaux, to summon her 
two sons to the court of the Emperor, to pay their respects and render 
homage. 

Charlemagne approved this advice, and sent two chevaliers to demand the two 
young princes of their mother. No sooner had the Duchess learned the 
approach of the two knights, than she sent distinguished persons to receive 
them; and as soon as they entered the palace she presented herself before 
them, with her elder and younger sons, Huon and Girard. 

The deputies, delighted with the honors and caresses they received, 
accompanied with rich presents, left Bordeaux with regret, and, on their 
return, represented to Charlemagne that the young Duke Huon seemed born to 
tread in the footsteps of his brave father, informing him that in three 
months the young princes of Guienne would present themselves at his court. 

The Duchess employed the short interval in giving her sons her last 
instructions. Huon received them in his heart, and Girard gave as much heed 
to them as could be expected from one so young. The preparations for their 
departure having been made, the Duchess embraced them tenderly, commending 
them to the care of Heaven, and charged them to call, on their way, at the 
celebrated monastery of Cluny, to visit the Abbot, the brother of their 
father. This Abbot, worthy of his high dignity, had never lost an 
opportunity of doing good, setting an example of every excellence, and 
making virtue attractive by his example. 

He received his nephews with the greatest magnificence; and, aware how 
useful his presence might be to them with Charlemagne, whose valued 
counsellor he was, he took with them the road to Paris. When Amaury learned 
what reception the two deputies of Charlemagne had received at Bordeaux, and 
the arrangements made for the visit of the young princes to the Emperor's 
court, he suggested to Charlot to give him a troop of his guards, with which 
he proposed to lay wait for the young men in the wood of Montlery, put them 
to death, and thereby give the prince Charlot possession of the duchy of 
Guienne. 

A plan of treachery and violence agreed but too well with Charlot's 
disposition. He not only adopted the suggestion of Amaury, but insisted upon 
taking a part in it. They went out secretly, by night, followed by a great 
number of attendants, all armed in black, to lie in ambuscade in the wood 
where the brothers were to pass. Girard, the younger of the two, having 
amused himself as he rode by flying his hawk at such game as presented 
itself, had ridden in advance of his brother and the Abbot of Cluny. 
Charlot, who saw him coming, alone and unarmed, went forth to meet him, 
sought a quarrel with him, and threw him from his horse with a stroke of his 
lance. 

Girard uttered a cry as he fell; Huon heard it, and flew to his defence, 
with no other weapon than his sword. He came up with him, and saw the blood 
flowing from his wound. "What has this child done to you, wretch?" he 
exclaimed to Charlot. "How cowardly to attack him when unprepared to defend 
himself!" "By my faith," said Charlot, "I mean to do the same by you. Know 
that I am the son of Duke Thierry of Ardennes, from whom your father, 
Sevinus, took three castles; I have sworn to avenge him, and I defy you." 
"Coward," answered Huon, "I know well the baseness that dwells in your race; 
worthy son of Thierry, use the advantage that your armor gives you; but know 
that I fear you not." At these words Charlot had the wickedness to put his 
lance in rest, and to run upon Huon, who had barely time to wrap his arm in 
his mantle. With this feeble buckler be received the thrust of the lance. It 
penetrated the mantle, but missed his body. Then, rising upon his stirrups, 
Sir Huon struck Charlot so terrible a blow with his sword that the helmet 
was cleft asunder, and his head too. The dastardly prince fell dead upon the 
ground. 

Huon now perceived that the wood was full of armed men. He called the men of 
his suite, and they hastily put themselves in order, but nobody issued from 
the wood to attack him. Amaury, who saw Charlot's fall, had no desire to 
compromit himself; and, feeling sure that Charlemagne would avenge the death 
of his son, he saw no occasion for his doing anything more at present. He 
left Huon and the Abbot of Cluny to bind up the wound of Girard, and, having 
seen them depart and resume their way to Paris, he took up the body of 
Charlot, and, placing it across a horse, had it carried to Paris, where he 
arrived four hours after Huon. 

The Abbot of Cluny presented his nephew to Charlemagne, but Huon refrained 
from paying his obeisance, complaining grievously of the ambush which had 
been set for him, which he said could not have been without the Emperor's 
permission. Charlemagne, surprised at a charge which his magnanimous soul 
was incapable of meriting, asked eagerly of the Abbot what were the grounds 
of the complaints of his nephew. The Abbot told him faithfully all that had 
happened, informing him that a coward knight, who called himself the son of 
Thierry of Ardennes, had wounded Girard, and run upon Huon, who was unarmed; 
but by his force and valor he had overcome the traitor, and left him dead 
upon the plain. 

Charlemagne indignantly disavowed any connection with the action of the 
infamous Thierry, congratulated the young Duke upon his victory, himself 
conducted the two brothers to a rich apartment, stayed to see the first 
dressing applied to the wound of Girard, and left the brothers in charge of 
Duke Namo of Bavaria, who, having been a companion in arms of the Duke 
Sevinus, regarded the young men almost as if they were his own sons. 

Charlemagne had hardly quitted them when, returning to his chamber, he heard 
cries, and saw through the window a party of armed men just arrived. He 
recognized Amaury, who bore a dead knight stretched across a horse; and the 
name of Charlot was heard among the exclamations of the people assembled in 
the court-yard. 

Charles's partiality for this unworthy son was one of his weaknesses. He 
descended in trepidation to the court-yard, ran to Amaury, and uttered a cry 
of grief on recognizing Charlot. "It is Huon of Bordeaux," said the traitor 
Amaury, "who has massacred your son before it was in my power to defend 
him." Charlemagne, furious at these words, seized a sword, and flew to the 
apartment of the two brothers to plunge it into the heart of the murderer of 
his son. 

Duke Namo stopped his hand for an instant, while Charles told him the crime 
of which Huon was accused. "He is a peer of the realm," said Namo, "and if 
he is guilty, is he not here in your power, and are not we peers the proper 
judges to condemn him to death? Let not your hand be stained with his 
blood." The Emperor, calmed by the wisdom of Duke Namo, summoned Amaury to 
his presence. The peers assembled to hear his testimony, and the traitor 
accused Huon of Bordeaux of having struck the fatal blow, without allowing 
Charlot an opportunity to defend himself, and though he knew that his 
opponent was the Emperor's eldest son. 

The Abbot of Cluny, indignant at the false accusation of Amaury, advanced, 
and said, "By Saint Benedict, sire, the traitor lies in his throat. If my 
nephew has slain Charlot, it was in his own defence, and after having seen 
his brother wounded by him, and also in ignorance that his adversary was the 
prince. Though I am a son of the Church," added the good Abbot, "I forget 
not that I am a knight by birth. I offer to prove with my body the lie upon 
Amaury, if he dares sustain it, and I shall feel that I am doing a better 
work to punish a disloyal traitor, than to sing lauds and matins." 

Huon to this time had kept silent, amazed at the black calumny of Amaury; 
but now he stepped forth, and, addressing Amaury, said: "Traitor! darest 
thou maintain in arms the lie thou hast uttered?" Amaury, a knight of great 
prowess, despising the youth and slight figure of Huon, hesitated not to 
offer his glove, which Huon seized; then, turning again to the peers, he 
said: "I pray you let the combat be allowed me, for never was there a more 
legitimate cause." 

The Duke Namo and the rest, deciding that the question should be remitted to 
the judgment of Heaven, the combat was ordained, to which Charlemagne 
unwillingly consented. The young Duke was restored to the charge of Duke 
Namo, who the next morning invested him with the honors of knighthood, and 
gave him armor of proof, with a white shield. The Abbot of Cluny, delighted 
to find in his nephew sentiments worthy of his birth, embraced him, gave him 
his blessing, and hastened to the church of St. Germains to pray for him, 
while the officers of the king prepared the lists for the combat. 

The battle was long and obstinate. The address and agility of Huon enabled 
him to avoid the terrible blows which the ferocious Amaury aimed at him. But 
Huon had more than once drawn blood from his antagonist. The effect began to 
be perceived in the failing strength of the traitor; at last he threw 
himself from his horse, and, kneeling, begged for mercy. "Spare me," he 
said, "and I will confess all. Aid me to rise and lead me to Charlemagne." 
The brave and loyal Huon, at these words, put his sword under his left arm, 
and stretched out his right to raise the prostrate man, who seized the 
opportunity to give him a thrust in the side. The hauberk of Huon resisted 
the blow, and he was wounded but slightly. Transported with rage at this act 
of baseness, he forgot how necessary for his complete acquittal the 
confession of Amaury was, and without delay dealt him the fatal blow. 

Duke Namo and the other peers approached, had the body of Amaury dragged 
forth from the lists, and conducted Huon to Charlemagne. The Emperor, 
however, listening to nothing but his resentment and grief for the death of 
his son, refused to be satisfied; and under the plea that Huon had not 
succeeded in making his accuser retract his charge, seemed resolved to 
confiscate his estates and to banish him forever from France. It was not 
till after long entreaties on the part of Duke Namo and the rest, that he 
consented to grant Huon his pardon, under conditions which he should impose. 

Huon approached, and knelt before the Emperor, rendered him homage, and 
cried him mercy for the involuntary killing of his son. Charlemagne would 
not receive the hands of Huon in his own, but touched him with his sceptre, 
saying, "I receive thy homage, and pardon thee the death of my son, but only 
on one condition. You shall go immediately to the court of the Sultan 
Gaudisso; you shall present yourself before him as he sits at meat; you 
shall cut off the head of the most illustrious guest whom you shall find 
sitting nearest to him; you shall kiss three times on the mouth the fair 
princess his daughter, and you shall demand of the sultan, as token of 
tribute to me, a handful of the white hair of his beard, and four grinders 
from his mouth." 

These conditions caused a murmur from all the assembly. "What!" said the 
Abbot of Cluny; "slaughter a Saracen prince without first offering him 
baptism?" "The second condition is not so hard," said the young peers, "but 
the demand that Huon is bound to make of the old Sultan is very uncivil, and 
will be hard to obtain." 

The Emperor's obstinacy when he had once resolved upon a thing is well 
known. To the courage of Huon nothing seemed impossible. "I accept the 
conditions," said he, silencing the intercessions of the old Duke of 
Bavaria; "my liege, I accept my pardon at this price. I go to execute your 
commands, as your vassal and a peer of France." 

The Duke Namo and the Abbot of Cluny, being unable to obtain any relaxation 
of the sentence passed by Charlemagne, led forth the young Duke, who 
determined to set out at once on his expedition. All that the good Abbot 
could obtain of him was, that he should prepare for this perilous 
undertaking by going first to Rome, to pay his homage to the Pope, who was 
the brother of the Duchess Alice, Huon's mother, and from him demand 
absolution and his blessing. Huon promised it, and forthwith set out on his 
way to Rome. 



CHAPTER XXII. HUON OF BORDEAUX, CONTINUED.

HUON, having traversed the Apennines and Italy, arrived at the environs of 
Rome, where, laying aside his armor, he assumed the dress of a pilgrim. In 
this attire he presented himself before the Pope, and not till after he had 
made a full confession of his sins did he announce himself as his nephew. 
"Ah! my dear nephew," exclaimed the Holy Father, "what harder penance could 
I impose than the Emperor has already done? Go in peace, my son," he added, 
absolving him, "I go to intercede for you with the Most High." Then he led 
his nephew into his palace, and introduced him to all the Cardinals and 
Princes of Rome as the Duke of Guienne, son of the Duchess Alice, his 
sister. 

Huon, at setting out, had made a vow not to stop more than three days in a 
place. The Holy Father took advantage of this time to inspire him with zeal 
for the glory of Christianity, and with confidence in the protection of the 
Most High. He advised him to embark for Palestine, to visit the Holy 
Sepulchre, and to depart thence for the interior of Asia. 

Loaded with the blessings of the Holy Father, Huon, obeying his counsels, 
embarked for Palestine, arrived, and visited with the greatest reverence the 
holy places. He then departed, and took his way toward the east. But, 
ignorant of the country and of the language, he lost himself in a forest, 
and remained three days without seeing a human creature, living on honey and 
wild fruits which he found on the trees. The third day, seeking a passage 
through a rocky defile, he beheld a man in tattered clothing, whose beard 
and hair covered his breast and shoulders. This man stopped on seeing him, 
observed him, and recognized the arms and bearing of a French knight. He 
immediately approached, and exclaimed, in the language of the South of 
France, "God be praised! Do I indeed behold a chevalier of my own country, 
after fifteen years passed in this desert without seeing the face of a 
fellow-countryman?" 

Huon, to gratify him still more, unlaced his helmet, and came towards him 
with a smiling countenance. The other regarded him with more surprise than 
at first. "Good Heaven!" he exclaimed, "was there ever such a resemblance! 
Ah, noble sir," he added, "tell me, I beseech you, of what country and race 
you come?" "I require," replied Huon, "before telling you mine, that you 
first reveal your own; let it suffice you at present to know that I am a 
Christian, and that in Guienne I was born." "Ah! Heaven grant that my eyes 
and my heart do not deceive me," exclaimed the unknown; "my name is 
Sherasmin; I am brother to Guire, the Mayor of Bordeaux. I was taken 
prisoner in the battle where my dear and illustrious master, Sevinus, lost 
his life. For three years I endured the miseries of slavery; at length I 
broke my chains and escaped to this desert, where I have sustained myself in 
solitude ever since. Your features recall to me my beloved sovereign, in 
whose service I was from my infancy till his death." Huon made no reply but 
by embracing the old man, with tears in his eyes. Then Sherasmin learned 
that his arms enfolded the son of the Duke Sevinus. He led him to his cabin, 
and spread before him the dry fruits and honey which formed his only 
aliment. 

Huon recounted his adventures to Sherasmin, who was moved to tears at the 
recital. He then consulted him on the means of conducting his enterprise. 
Sherasmin hesitated not to confess that success seemed impossible; 
nevertheless, he swore a solemn oath never to abandon him. The Saracen 
language, which he was master of, would be serviceable to them when they 
should leave the desert, and mingle with men. They took the route of the Red 
Sea, and entered Arabia. Their way lay through a region which Sherasmin 
described as full of terrors. It was inhabited by Oberon, King of the 
Fairies, who made captive such knights as were rash enough to penetrate into 
it, and transformed them into Hobgoblins. It was possible to avoid this 
district at the expense of somewhat lengthening their route; but no dangers 
could deter Huon of Bordeaux; and the brave Sherasmin, who had now resumed 
the armor of a knight, reluctantly consented to share with him the dangers 
of the shorter route. 

They entered a wood, and arrived at a spot whence alleys branched off in 
various directions. One of them seemed to be terminated by a superb palace, 
whose gilded roofs were adorned with brilliant weathercocks covered with 
diamonds. A superb chariot issued from the gate of the palace, and drove 
toward Huon and his companion, as if to meet them half-way. The prince saw 
no one in the chariot but a child apparently about five years old, very 
beautiful, and clad in a robe which glittered with precious stones. At the 
sight of him, Sherasmin's terror was extreme. He seized the reins of Huon's 
horse, and turned him about, hurrying the prince away, and assuring him that 
they were lost if they stopped to parley with the mischievous dwarf, who, 
though he appeared a child, was full of years and of treachery. Huon was 
sorry to lose sight of the beautiful dwarf, whose aspect had nothing in it 
to alarm; yet he followed his friend, who urged on his horse with all 
possible speed. Presently a storm began to roar through the forest, the 
daylight grew dim, and they found their way with difficulty. From time to 
time they seemed to hear an infantine voice, which said, "Stop, Duke Huon; 
listen to me: it is in vain you fly me!" 

Sherasmin only fled the faster, and stopped not until he had reached the 
gate of a monastery of monks and nuns, the two communities of which were 
assembled at that time in a religious procession. Sherasmin, feeling safe 
from the malice of the dwarf in the presence of so many holy persons and the 
sacred banners, stopped to ask an asylum, and made Huon dismount also. But 
at that moment they were joined by the dwarf, who blew a blast upon an ivory 
horn which hung from his neck. Immediately the good Sherasmin, in spite of 
himself, began to dance like a young collegian, and seizing the hand of an 
aged nun, who felt as if it would be her death, they footed it briskly over 
the grass, and were imitated by all the other monks and nuns, mingled 
together, forming the strangest dancing-party ever beheld. Huon alone felt 
no disposition to dance; but he came near dying of laughter at seeing the 
ridiculous postures and leaps of the others. 

The dwarf, approaching Huon, said, in a sweet voice, and in Huon's own 
language, "Duke of Guienne, why do you shun me? I conjure you, in Heaven's 
name, speak to me." Huon, hearing himself addressed in this serious manner, 
and knowing that no evil spirit would dare to use the holy name in aid of 
his schemes, replied, "Sir, whoever you are, I am ready to hear and answer 
you." "Huon, my friend," continued the dwarf, "I always loved your race, and 
you have been dear to me ever since your birth. The gracious state of 
conscience in which you were when you entered my wood has protected you from 
all enchantments, even if I had intended to practise any upon you. If these 
monks, these nuns, and even your friend Sherasmin, had had a conscience as 
pure as yours, my horn would not have set them dancing, but where is the 
monk or the nun who can always be deaf to the voice of the tempter, and 
Sherasmin in the desert has often doubted the power of Providence." 

At these words Huon saw the dancers overcome with exertion. He begged mercy 
for them, the dwarf granted it, and the effect of the horn ceased at once; 
the nuns got rid of their partners, smoothed their dresses, and hastened to 
resume their places in the procession. Sherasmin, overcome with heat, 
panting, and unable to stand on his legs, threw himself upon the grass, and 
began, "Did not I tell you-" He was going on in an angry tone, but the 
dwarf, approaching, said. "Sherasmin, why have you murmured against 
Providence? why have you thought evil of me? You deserved this light 
punishment; but I know you to be good and loyal; I mean to show myself your 
friend, as you shall soon see." At these words, he presented him a rich 
goblet. "Make the sign of the cross on this cup," said he, "and then believe 
that I hold my power from the God you adore, whose faithful servant I am, as 
well as you." Sherasmin obeyed, and on the instant the cup was filled with 
delicious wine, a draught of which restored vigor to his limbs, and made him 
feel young again. Overcome with gratitude, he threw himself on his knees, 
but the dwarf raised him, and bade him sit beside him, and thus commenced 
his history:- 

"Julius Caesar, going by sea to join his army, was driven by a storm to take 
shelter in the island of Celea, where dwelt the fairy Glorianda. From this 
renowned pair I draw my birth. I am the inheritor of that which was most 
admirable in each of my parents: my father's heroic qualities, and my 
mother's beauty and magic art. But a malicious sister of my mother's, in 
revenge for some slight offence, touched me with her wand when I was only 
five years old, and forbade me to grow any bigger; and my mother, with all 
her power, was unable to annul the sentence. I have thus continued infantile 
in appearance, though full of years and experience. The power which I derive 
from my mother I use sometimes for my own diversion, but always to promote 
justice and to reward virtue. I am able and willing to assist you, Duke of 
Guienne, for I know the errand on which you come hither. I presage for you, 
if you follow my counsels, complete success; and the beautiful Clarimunda 
for a wife." 

When he had thus spoken, he presented to Huon the precious and useful cup, 
which had the faculty of filling itself when a good man took it in his hand. 
He gave him also his beautiful horn of ivory, saying to him, "Huon, when you 
sound this gently, you will make the hearers dance, as you have seen; but if 
you sound it forcibly, fear not that I shall hear it, though at a hundred 
leagues' distance, and will fly to your relief; but be careful not to sound 
it in that way, unless upon the most urgent occasion." 

Oberon directed Huon what course he should take to reach the country of the 
Sultan Gaudisso. "You will encounter great perils," said he, "before 
arriving there, and I fear me," he added, with tears in his eyes, "that you 
will not in everything obey my directions, and in that case you will suffer 
much calamity." Then he embraced Huon and Sherasmin, and left them. 

Huon and his follower travelled many days through the desert before they 
reached any inhabited place, and all this while the wonderful cup sustained 
them, furnishing them not only wine, but food also. At last they came to a 
great city. As day was declining, they entered its suburbs, and Sherasmin, 
who spoke the Saracen language perfectly, inquired for an inn where they 
could pass the night. A person who appeared to be one of the principal 
inhabitants, seeing two strangers of respectable appearance making this 
inquiry, stepped forward and begged them to accept the shelter of his 
mansion. They entered, and their host did the honors of his abode with a 
politeness which they were astonished to see in a Saracen. He had them 
served with coffee and sherbet, and all was conducted with great decorum, 
till one of the servants awkwardly overturned a cup of hot coffee on the 
host's legs, when he started up, exclaiming in very good Gascon, "Blood and 
thunder! you blockhead, you deserve to be thrown over the mosque!" 

Huon could not help laughing to see the vivacity and the language of his 
country thus break out unawares. The host, who had no idea that his guests 
understood his words, was astonished when Huon addressed him in the dialect 
of his country. Immediately confidence was established between them; 
especially when the domestics had retired. The host, seeing that he was 
discovered, and that the two pretended Saracens were from the borders of the 
Garonne, embraced them, and disclosed that he was a Christian. Huon, who had 
learned prudence from the advice of Oberon, to test his host's sincerity, 
drew from his robe the cup which the Fairy-king had given him, and presented 
it empty to the host. "A fair cup," said he, "but I should like it better if 
it was full." Immediately it was so. The host, astonished, dared not put it 
to his lips. "Drink boldly, my dear fellow-countryman," said Huon; "your 
truth is proved by this cup, which only fills itself in the hands of an 
honest man." The host did not hesitate longer; the cup passed freely from 
hand to hand; their mutual cordiality increased as it passed, and each 
recounted his adventures. Those of Huon redoubled his host's respect; for he 
recognized in him his legitimate sovereign: while the host's narrative was 
in these words:- 

"My name is Floriac; this great and strong city, you will hear with surprise 
and grief, is governed by a brother of Duke Sevinus, and your uncle. You 
have no doubt heard that a young brother of the Duke of Guienne was stolen 
away from the sea-shore, with his companions, by some corsairs. I was then 
his page, and we were carried by those corsairs to Barbary, where we were 
sold for slaves. The Barbary prince sent us as part of the tribute which he 
yearly paid to his sovereign, the Sultan Gaudisso. Your uncle, who had been 
somewhat puffed up by the flattery of his attendants, thought to increase 
his importance with his new master by telling him his rank. The Sultan, who, 
like a true Mussulman, detested all Christian princes, exerted himself from 
that moment to bring him over to the Saracen faith. He succeeded but too 
well. Your uncle, seduced by the arts of the Santons, and by the pleasures 
and indulgences which the Sultan allowed him, committed the horrid crime of 
apostasy; he renounced his baptism, and embraced Mahometanism. Gaudisso then 
loaded him with honors, made him espouse one of his nieces, and sent him to 
reign over this city and adjoining country. Your uncle preserved for me the 
same friendship which he had had when a boy; but all his caresses and 
efforts could not make me renounce my faith. Perhaps he respected me in his 
heart for my resistance to his persuasions, perhaps he had hopes of inducing 
me in time to imitate him. He made me accompany him to this city, of which 
he was master, he gave me his confidence, and permits me to keep in my 
service some Christians, whom I protect for the sake of their faith." 

"Ah!" exclaimed Huon, "take me to this guilty uncle. A prince of the house 
of Guienne, must he not blush at the cowardly abandonment of the faith of 
his fathers?" 

"Alas!" replied Floriac, "I fear he will neither be sensible of shame at 
your reproaches, nor of pleasure at the sight of a nephew so worthy of his 
lineage. Brutified by sensuality, jealous of his power, which he often 
exercises with cruelty, he will more probably restrain you by force or put 
you to death." 

"Be it so," said the brave and fervent Huon; "I could not die in a better 
cause; and I demand of you to conduct me to him tomorrow, after having told 
him of my arrival, and my birth." Floriac still objected, but Huon would 
take no denial, and he promised obedience. 

Next morning Floriac waited upon the Governor, and told him of the arrival 
of his nephew, Huon of Bordeaux; and of the intention of the prince to 
present himself at his court that very day. The Governor, surprised, did not 
immediately answer; though he at once made up his mind what to do. He knew 
that Floriac loved Christians and the princes of his native land too well to 
aid in any treason to one of them; he therefore feigned great pleasure at 
hearing of the arrival of the eldest born of his family at his court. He 
immediately sent Floriac to find him; he caused his palace to be put in 
festal array, his divan to be assembled, and, after giving some secret 
orders, went himself to meet his nephew, whom he introduced under his proper 
name and title to all the great officers of his court. 

Huon burned with indignation at seeing his uncle with forehead encircled 
with a rich turban, surmounted with a crescent of precious stones. His 
natural candor made him receive with pain the embraces which the treacherous 
Governor lavished upon him. Meanwhile the hope of finding a suitable moment 
to reproach him for his apostasy made him submit to those honors which his 
uncle caused to be rendered to him. 

The Governor evaded with address the chance of being alone with Huon, and 
spent all the morning in taking him through his gardens and palace. At last, 
when the hour of dinner approached, and the Governor took him by the hand to 
lead him into the dining-hall, Huon seized the opportunity, and said to him 
in a low voice, "O my uncle! O Prince, brother of the Duke Sevinus! in what 
condition have I the grief and shame of seeing you!" The Governor pretended 
to be moved, pressed his hand, and whispered in his ear, "Silence! my dear 
nephew; to-morrow morning I will hear you fully." 

Huon, comforted a little by these words, took his seat at the table by the 
side of the Governor. The Mufti, some Cadis, Agas, and Santons, filled the 
other places. Sherasmin sat down with them; but Floriac, who could not lose 
sight of his guests, remained standing, and passed in and out to observe 
what was going on within the palace. He soon perceived a number of armed men 
gliding through the passages and antechambers connected with the dining-
hall. He was about to enter to give his guests notice of what he had seen, 
when he heard a violent noise and commotion in the hall. The cause was this. 
Huon and Sherasmin were well enough suited with the first course, and ate 
with good appetite; but the people of their country not being accustomed to 
drink only water at their meals, Huon and Sherasmin looked at one another, 
not very well pleased at such a regimen. Huon laughed outright at the 
impatience of Sherasmin, but soon, experiencing the same want himself, he 
drew forth Oberon's cup, and made the sign of the cross. The cup filled, and 
he drank it off, and handed it to Sherasmin, who followed his example. The 
Governor and his officers, seeing this abhorred sign, contracted their 
brows, and sat in silent consternation. Huon pretended not to observe it, 
and having filled the cup again, handed it to his uncle, saying, "Pray join 
us, dear uncle; it is excellent Bordeaux wine, the drink that will be to you 
like mother's milk." The Governor, who often drank in secret with his 
favorite Sultanas the wines of Greece and Shiraz, never in public drank 
anything but water. He had not for a long time tasted the excellent wines of 
his native land; he was sorely tempted to drink what was now handed to him, 
it looked so bright in the cup, outshining the gold itself. He stretched 
forth his hand, took the brimming goblet and raised it to his lips, when 
immediately it dried up and disappeared. Huon and Sherasmin, like Gascons as 
they were, laughed at his astonishment. "Christian dogs!" he exclaimed, "do 
you dare to insult me at my own table? But I will soon be revenged." 

At these words he threw the cup at the head of his nephew, who caught it 
with his left hand, while with the other he snatched the turban, with its 
crescent, from the Governor's head, and threw it on the floor. All the 
Saracens started up from table, with loud outcries, and prepared to avenge 
the insult. Huon and Sherasmin put themselves on their defence, and met with 
their swords the scimitars directed against them. At this moment the doors 
of the hall opened, and a crowd of soldiers and armed eunuchs rushed in, who 
joined in the attack upon Huon and Sherasmin. The Prince and his followers 
took refuge on a broad shelf or sideboard, where they kept at bay the crowd 
of assailants, making the most forward of them smart for their audacity. But 
more troops came pressing in, and the brave Huon, inspired by the wine of 
Bordeaux, and not angry enough to lose his relish for a joke, blew a gentle 
note on his horn, and no sooner was it heard than it quelled the rage of the 
combatants and set them to dancing. Huon and Sherasmin, no longer attacked, 
looked down from their elevated position on a scene the most singular and 
amusing. Very soon the Sultanas, hearing the sound of the dance, and finding 
their guards withdrawn, came into the hall and mixed with the dancers. The 
favorite Sultana seized upon a young Santon, who performed jumps two feet 
high; but soon the long dresses of this couple got intermingled and threw 
them down. The Santon's beard was caught in the Sultana's necklace, and they 
could not disentangle them. The Governor by no means approved this 
familiarity, and took two steps forward to get at the Santon, but he 
stumbled over a prostrate Dervise and measured his length on the floor. The 
dancing continued till the strength of the performers was exhausted, and 
they fell, one after the other, and lay helpless. The Governor at length 
made signs to Huon that he would yield everything, if he would but allow him 
to rest. The bargain was ratified; the Governor allowed Huon and Sherasmin 
to depart on their way, and even gave them a ring which would procure them 
safe passage through his country and access to the Sultan Gaudisso. The two 
friends hastened to avail themselves of this favorable turn, and, taking 
leave of Floriac, pursued their journey. 



CHAPTER XXIII. HUON OF BORDEAUX, CONTINUED.

HUON had seen many beauties at his mother's court, but his heart had never 
been touched with love. Honor had been his mistress, and in pursuit of that 
he had never found time to give a thought to softer cares. Strange that a 
heart so insensible should first be touched by something so unsubstantial as 
a dream; but so it was. 

The day after the adventure with his uncle, night overtook the travellers as 
they passed through a forest. A grotto offered them shelter from the night 
dews. The magic cup supplied their evening meal; for such was its virtue 
that it afforded not only wine, but more solid fare when desired. Fatigue 
soon threw them into profound repose. 

Lulled by the murmur of the foliage, and breathing the fragrance of the 
flowers, Huon dreamed that a lady more beautiful than he had ever before 
seen hung over him, and imprinted a kiss upon his lips. As he stretched out 
his arms to embrace her, a sudden gust of wind swept her away. 

Huon awoke in an agony of regret. A few moments sufficed to afford some 
consolation in showing him that what had passed was but a dream; but his 
perplexity and sadness could not escape the notice of Sherasmin. Huon 
hesitated not to inform his faithful follower of the reason of his 
pensiveness; and got nothing in return but his rallyings for allowing 
himself to be disturbed by such a cause. He recommended a draught from the 
fairy goblet, and Huon tried it with good effect. At early dawn they resumed 
their way. They travelled till high noon, but said little to one another. 
Huon was musing on his dream, and Sherasmin's thoughts flew back to his 
early days on the banks of the flowery Garonne. 

On a sudden they were startled by the cry of distress, and, turning an angle 
of the wood, came where a knight hard pressed was fighting with a furious 
lion. The knight's horse lay dead, and it seemed as if another moment would 
end the combat, for terror and fatigue had quite disabled the knight for 
further resistance. He fell, and the lion's paw was raised over him, when a 
blow from Huon's sword turned the monster's rage upon a new enemy. His roar 
shook the forest, and he crouched in act to spring, when, with the rapidity 
of lightning, Huon plunged his sword into his side. He rolled over on the 
plain in the agonies of death. 

They raised the knight from the ground, and Sherasmin hastened to offer him 
a draught from the fairy cup. The wine sparkled to the brim, and the warrior 
put forth his lips to quaff it, but it shrunk away, and did not even wet his 
lips. He dashed the goblet angrily on the ground, with an exclamation of 
resentment. This incident did not tend to make either party more acceptable 
to the other; and what followed was worse. For when Huon said, "Sir knight, 
thank God for your deliverance,"- "Thank Mahomet, rather, yourself," said 
he, "for he has led you this day to render service to no less a personage 
than the Prince of Hyrcania." 

At the sound of this blasphemy Huon drew his sword and turned upon the 
miscreant, who, little disposed to encounter the prowess of which he had so 
lately seen proof, betook himself to flight. He ran to Huon's horse, and, 
lightly vaulting on his back, clapped spurs to his side, and galloped out of 
sight. 

The adventure was vexatious, yet there was no remedy. The prince and 
Sherasmin continued their journey with the aid of the remaining horse as 
they best might. At length, as evening set in, they descried the pinnacles 
and towers of a great city full before them, which they knew to be the 
famous city of Bagdad. 

They were wellnigh exhausted with fatigue when they arrived at its 
precincts, and in the darkness, not knowing what course to take, were glad 
to meet an aged woman, who, in reply to their inquiries, offered them such 
accommodations as her cottage could supply. They thankfully accepted the 
offer, and entered the low door. The good dame busily prepared the best fare 
her stores supplied,- milk, figs, and peaches,- deeply regretting that the 
bleak winds had nipped her almond-trees. 

Sir Huon thought he had never in his life tasted any fare so good. 

The old lady talked while her guests ate. She doubted not, she said, they 
had come to be present at the great feast in honor of the marriage of the 
Sultan's daughter, which was to take place on the morrow. They asked who the 
bridegroom was to be, and the old lady answered, "The Prince of Hyrcania," 
but added, "Our princess hates him, and would rather wed a dragon than him." 
"How know you that?" asked Huon; and the dame informed him that she had it 
from the princess herself, who was her foster-child. Huon inquired the 
reason of the princess's aversion; and the woman, pleased to find her chat 
excite so much interest, replied that it was all in consequence of a dream. 
"A dream!" exclaimed Huon. "Yes! a dream. She dreamed that she was a hind, 
and that the Prince, as a hunter, was pursuing her, and had almost overtaken 
her, when a beautiful dwarf appeared in view, drawn in a golden car, having 
by his side a young man of yellow hair and fair complexion, like one from a 
foreign land. She dreamed that the car stopped where she stood, and that, 
having resumed her own form, she was about to ascend it, when suddenly it 
faded from her view and with it the dwarf and the fair-haired youth. But 
from her heart that vision did not fade, and from that time her affianced 
bridegroom, the Hyrcanian prince, had become odious to her sight. Yet the 
Sultan, her father, by no means regarding such a cause as sufficient to 
prevent the marriage, had named the morrow as the time when it should be 
solemnized, in presence of his court and many princes of the neighboring 
countries, whom the fame of the princess's beauty and the bridegroom's 
splendor had brought to the scene." 

We may suppose this conversation woke a tumult of thoughts in the breast of 
Huon. Was it not clear that Providence led him on, and cleared the way for 
his happy success? Sleep did not early visit the eyes of Huon that night; 
but, with the sanguine temper of youth, he indulged his fancy in imagining 
the sequel of his strange experience. 

The next day, which he could not but regard as the decisive day of his fate, 
he prepared to deliver the message of Charlemagne. Clad in his armor, 
fortified with his ivory horn and his ring, he reached the palace of 
Gaudisso when the guests were assembled at the banquet. As he approached the 
gate, a voice called on all true believers to enter; and Huon, the brave and 
faithful Huon, in his impatience passed in under that false pretension. He 
had no sooner passed the barrier than he felt ashamed of his baseness, and 
was overwhelmed with regret. To make amends for his fault he ran forward to 
the second gate, and cried to the porter, "Dog of a misbeliever, I command 
you in the name of Him who died on the cross, open to me!" 

The points of a hundred weapons immediately opposed his passage. Huon then 
remembered for the first time the ring he had received from his uncle, the 
Governor. He produced it, and demanded to be led to the Sultan's presence. 
The officer of the guard recognized the ring, made a respectful obeisance, 
and allowed him free entrance. In the same way he passed the other doors to 
the rich saloon where the great Sultan was at dinner with his tributary 
princes. At sight of the ring the chief attendant led Huon to the head of 
the hall, and introduced him to the Sultan and his princes as the ambassador 
of Charlemagne. A seat was provided for him near the royal party. 

The Prince of Hyrcania, the same whom Huon had rescued from the lion, and 
who was the destined bridegroom of the beautiful Clarimunda, sat on the 
Sultan's right hand, and the princess herself on his left. It chanced that 
Huon found himself near the seat of the princess, and hardly were the 
ceremonies of reception over, before he made haste to fulfil the commands of 
Charlemagne by imprinting a kiss upon her rosy lips, and after that a 
second, not by command, but by good-will. The Prince of Hyrcania cried out, 
"Audacious infidel! take the reward of thy insolence!" and aimed a blow at 
Huon, which, if it had reached him, would have brought his embassy to a 
speedy termination. But the ingrate failed of his aim, and Huon punished his 
blasphemy and ingratitude at once by a blow which severed his head from his 
body. 

So suddenly had all this happened, that no hand had been raised to arrest 
it; but now Gaudisso cried out, "Seize the murderer!" Huon was hemmed in on 
all sides, but his redoubtable sword kept the crowd of courtiers at bay. But 
he saw new combatants enter, and could not hope to maintain his ground 
against so many. He recollected his horn, and, raising it to his lips, blew 
a blast almost as loud as that of Roland at Roncesvalles. It was in vain. 
Oberon heard it; but the sin of which Huon had been guilty in bearing, 
though but for a moment, the character of a believer in the false prophet, 
had put it out of Oberon's power to help him. Huon, finding himself 
deserted, and conscious of the cause, lost his strength and energy, was 
seized, loaded with chains, and plunged into a dungeon. 

His life was spared for the time, merely that he might be reserved for a 
more painful death. The Sultan meant that, after being made to feel all the 
torments of hunger and despair, he should be flayed alive. 

But an enchanter more ancient and more powerful than Oberon himself 
interested himself for the brave Huon. That enchanter was Love. The Princess 
Clarimunda learned with horror the fate to which the young prince was 
destined. By the aid of her governante she gained over the keeper of the 
prison, and went herself to lighten the chains of her beloved. It was her 
hand that removed his fetters, from her he received supplies of food to 
sustain a life which he devoted from thenceforth wholly to her. After the 
most tender explanations the princess departed, promising to repeat her 
visit on the morrow. 

The next day she came according to promise, and again brought supplies of 
food. These visits were continued during a whole month. Huon was too good a 
son of the Church to forget that the amiable princess was a Saracen, and he 
availed himself of these interviews to instruct her in the true faith. How 
easy it is to believe the truth when uttered by the lips of those we love! 
Clarimunda erelong professed her entire belief in the Christian doctrines, 
and desired to be baptized. 

Meanwhile the Sultan had repeatedly inquired of the jailer how his prisoner 
bore the pains of famine, and learned to his surprise that he was not yet 
much reduced thereby. On his repeating the inquiry, after a short interval, 
the keeper replied that the prisoner had died suddenly, and had been buried 
in the cavern. The Sultan could only regret that he had not sooner ordered 
the execution of the sentence. 

While these things were going on, the faithful Sherasmin, who had not 
accompanied Huon in his last adventure, but had learned by common rumor the 
result of it, came to the court in hopes of doing something for the rescue 
of his master. He presented himself to the Sultan as Solario, his nephew. 
Gaudisso received him with kindness, and all the courtiers loaded him with 
attentions. He soon found means to inform himself how the Princess regarded 
the brave but unfortunate Huon, and, having made himself known to her, 
confidence was soon established between them. Clarimunda readily consented 
to assist in the escape of Huon, and to quit with him her father's court to 
repair to that of Charlemagne. Their united efforts had nearly perfected 
their arrangement, a vessel was secretly prepared, and all things in 
forwardness for the flight, when an unlooked-for obstacle presented itself. 
Huon himself positively refused to go, leaving the orders of Charlemagne 
unexecuted. 

Sherasmin was in despair. Bitterly be complained of the fickleness and 
cruelty of Oberon in withdrawing his aid at the very crisis when it was most 
necessary. Earnestly he urged every argument to satisfy the prince that he 
had done enough for honor, and could not be held bound to achieve 
impossibilities. But all was of no avail, and he knew not which way to turn, 
when one of those events occurred which are so frequent under Turkish 
despotism. A courier arrived at the court of the Sultan, bearing the ring of 
his sovereign, the mighty Agrapard, Caliph of Arabia, and bringing the 
bowstring for the neck of Gaudisso. No reason was assigned; none but the 
pleasure of the Caliph is ever required in such cases; but it was suspected 
that the bearer of the bow-string had persuaded the Caliph that Gaudisso, 
whose rapacity was well known, had accumulated immense treasures, which he 
had not duly shared with his sovereign, and thus had obtained an order to 
supersede him in his Emirship. 

The body of Gaudisso would have been cast out a prey to dogs and vultures, 
had not Sherasmin, under the character of nephew of the deceased, been 
permitted to receive it, and give it decent burial, which he did, but not 
till he had taken possession of the beard and grinders, agreeably to the 
orders of Charlemagne. 

No obstacle now stood in the way of the lovers and their faithful follower 
in returning to France. They sailed, taking Rome in their way, where the 
Holy Father himself blessed the union of his nephew, Duke Huon of Bordeaux, 
with the Princess Clarimunda. 

Soon afterward they arrived in France, where Huon laid his trophies at the 
feet of Charlemagne, and, being restored to the favor of the Emperor, 
hastened to present himself and his bride to the Duchess, his mother, and to 
the faithful liegemen of his province of Guienne and his city of Bordeaux, 
where the pair were received with transports of joy. 



CHAPTER XXIV. OGIER, THE DANE.

OGIER, the Dane, was the son of Geoffroy, who wrested Denmark from the 
Pagans, and reigned the first Christian king of that country. When Ogier was 
born, and before he was baptized, six ladies of ravishing beauty appeared 
all at once in the chamber of the infant. They encircled him, and she who 
appeared the eldest took him in her arms, kissed him, and laid her hand upon 
his heart. "I give you," said she, "to be the bravest warrior of your 
times." She delivered the infant to her sister, who said, "I give you 
abundant opportunities to display your valor." "Sister," said the third 
lady, "you have given him a dangerous boon; I give him that he shall never 
be vanquished." 

The fourth sister added, as she laid her hand upon his eyes and his mouth, 
"I give you the gift of pleasing." The fifth said, "Lest all these gifts 
serve only to betray, I give you sensibility to return the love you 
inspire." Then spoke Morgana, the youngest and handsomest of the group, 
"Charming creature, I claim you for my own; and I give you not to die till 
you shall have come to pay me a visit in my isle of Avalon." Then she kissed 
the child and departed with her sisters. After this the king had the child 
carried to the font and baptized with the name of Ogier. 

In his education nothing was neglected to elevate him to the standard of a 
perfect knight, and render him accomplished in all the arts necessary to 
make him a hero. 

He had hardly reached the age of sixteen years, when Charlemagne, whose 
power was established over all the sovereigns of his time, recollected that 
Geoffroy, Ogier's father, had omitted to render the homage due to him as 
Emperor, and sovereign lord of Denmark, one of the grand fiefs of the 
empire. He accordingly sent an embassy to demand of the king of Denmark this 
homage, and on receiving a refusal, couched in haughty terms, sent an army 
to enforce the demand. Geoffroy, after an unsuccessful resistance, was 
forced to comply, and as a pledge of his sincerity delivered Ogier, his 
eldest son, a hostage to Charles, to be brought up at his court. He was 
placed in charge of the Duke Namo of Bavaria, the friend of his father, who 
treated him like his own son. 

Ogier grew up more and more handsome and amiable every day. He surpassed in 
form, strength, and address all the noble youths his companions; he failed 
not to be present at all tourneys; he was attentive to the elder knights, 
and burned with impatience to imitate them. Yet his heart rose sometimes in 
secret against his condition as a hostage, and as one apparently forgotten 
by his father. 

The king of Denmark, in fact, was at this time occupied with new loves. 
Ogier's mother having died, he had married a second wife, and had a son 
named Guyon. The new queen had absolute power over her husband, and fearing 
that, if he should see Ogier again, he would give him the preference over 
Guyon, she had adroitly persuaded him to delay rendering his homage to 
Charlemagne, till now four years had passed away since the last renewal of 
that ceremony. Charlemagne, irritated at this delinquency, drew closer the 
bonds of Ogier's captivity until he should receive a response from the king 
of Denmark to a fresh summons which he caused to be sent to him. 

The answer of Geoffroy was insulting and defiant, and the rage of 
Charlemagne was roused in the highest degree. He was at first disposed to 
wreak his vengeance upon Ogier, his hostage; but at the entreaties of Duke 
Namo, who felt towards his pupil like a father, consented to spare his life, 
if Ogier would swear fidelity to him as his liege-lord, and promise not to 
quit his court without his permission. Ogier accepted these terms, and was 
allowed to retain all the freedom he had before enjoyed. 

The Emperor would have immediately taken arms to reduce his disobedient 
vassal, if he had not been called off in another direction by a message from 
Pope Leo, imploring his assistance. The Saracens had landed in the 
neighborhood of Rome, occupied Mount Janiculum, and prepared to pass the 
Tiber and carry fire and sword to the capital of the Christian world. 
Charlemagne hesitated not to yield to the entreaties of the Pope. He 
speedily assembled an army, crossed the Alps, traversed Italy, and arrived 
at Spoleto, a strong place to which the Pope had retired. Leo, at the head 
of his Cardinals. advanced to meet him, and rendered him homage, as to the 
son of Pepin, the illustrious protector of the Holy See, coming, as his 
father had done, to defend it in the hour of need. 

Charlemagne stopped but two days at Spoleto, and learning that the Infidels, 
having rendered themselves masters of Rome, were besieging the Capitol, 
which could not long hold out against them, marched promptly to attack them. 

The advance posts of the army were commanded by Duke Namo, on whom Ogier 
waited as his squire. He did not yet bear arms, not having received the 
order of knighthood. The Oriflamme, the royal standard, was borne by a 
knight named Alory, who showed himself unworthy of the honor. 

Duke Namo, seeing a strong body of the Infidels advancing to attack him, 
gave the word to charge them. Ogier remained in the rear, with the other 
youths, grieving much that he was not permitted to fight. Very soon he saw 
Alory lower the Oriflamme, and turn his horse in flight. Ogier pointed him 
out to the young men, and, seizing a club, rushed upon Alory and struck him 
from his horse. Then, with his companions, he disarmed him, clothed himself 
in his armor, raised the Oriflamme, and, mounting the horse of the unworthy 
knight, flew to the front rank, where he joined Duke Namo, drove back the 
Infidels, and carried the Oriflamme quite through their broken ranks. The 
Duke, thinking it was Alory, whom he had not held in high esteem, was 
astonished at his strength and valor. Ogier's young companions imitated him, 
supplying themselves with armor from the bodies of the slain; they followed 
Ogier and carried death into the ranks of the Saracens, who fell back in 
confusion upon their main body. 

Duke Namo now ordered a retreat, and Ogier obeyed with reluctance, when they 
perceived Charlemagne advancing to their assistance. The combat now became 
general, and was more terrible than ever. Charlemagne had overthrown 
Corsuble, the commander of the Saracens, and had drawn his famous sword, 
Joyeuse, to cut off his head, when two Saracen knights set upon him at once, 
one of whom slew his horse, and the other overthrew the Emperor on the sand. 
Perceiving by the eagle on his casque who he was, they dismounted in haste 
to give him his death-blow. Never was the life of the Emperor in such peril. 
But Ogier, who saw him fall, flew to his rescue. Though embarrassed with the 
Oriflamme, he pushed his horse against one of the Saracens and knocked him 
down; and with his sword dealt the other so vigorous a blow that he fell 
stunned to the earth. Then helping the Emperor to rise, he remounted him on 
the horse of one of the fallen knights. 

"Brave and generous Alory!" Charles exclaimed, "I owe to you my honor and my 
life!" Ogier made no answer; but, leaving Charlemagne surrounded by a great 
many of the knights who had flown to his succor, he plunged into the 
thickest ranks of the enemy, and carried the Oriflamme, followed by a 
gallant train of youthful warriors, till the standard of Mahomet turned in 
retreat and the Infidels sought safety in their intrenchments. 

Then the good Archbishop Turpin laid aside his helmet and his bloody sword, 
(for he always felt that he was clearly in the line of his duty while 
slaying infidels,) took his mitre and his crosier, and intoned Te Deum. 

At this moment, Ogier, covered with blood and dust, came to lay the 
Oriflamme at the feet of the Emperor. He was followed by a train of warriors 
of short stature, who walked ill at ease loaded with armor too heavy for 
them. Ogier knelt at the feet of Charlemagne, who embraced him, calling him 
Alory, while Turpin, from the height of the altar, blessed him with all his 
might. Then young Orlando, son of the Count Milone and nephew of Charlemagne 
no longer able to endure this misapprehension, threw down his helmet, and 
ran to unlace Ogier's, while the other young men laid aside theirs. Our 
author says he cannot express the surprise, the admiration, and the 
tenderness of the Emperor and his peers. Charles folded Ogier in his arms, 
and the happy fathers of those brave youths embraced them with tears of joy. 
The good Duke Namo stepped forward, and Charlemagne yielded Ogier to his 
embrace. "How much do I owe you," he said, "good and wise friend, for having 
restrained my anger! My dear Ogier! I owe you my life! My sword leaps to 
touch your shoulder, yours, and those of your brave young friends." At these 
words he drew that famous sword, Joyeuse, and, while Ogier and the rest 
knelt before him, gave them the accolade conferring on them the order of 
knighthood. The young Orlando and his cousin Oliver could not refrain, even 
in the presence of the Emperor, from falling upon Ogier's neck, and pledging 
with him that brotherhood in arms, so dear and so sacred to the knights of 
old time; but Charlot, the Emperor's son, at the sight of the glory with 
which Ogier had covered himself, conceived the blackest jealousy and hate. 

The rest of the day and the next were spent in the rejoicings of the army. 
Turpin in a solemn service implored the favor of Heaven upon the youthful 
knights, and blessed the white armor which was prepared for them. Duke Namo 
presented them with golden spurs, Charles himself girded on their swords. 
But what was his astonishment when he examined that intended for Ogier! The 
loving Fairy, Morgana, had had the art to change it, and to substitute one 
of her own procuring, and when Charles drew it out of the scabbard, these 
words appeared written on the steel: "My name is Cortana, of the same steel 
and temper as Joyeuse and Durindana." Charles saw that a superior power 
watched over the destinies of Ogier; he vowed to love him as a father would, 
and Ogier promised him the devotion of a son. Happy had it been for both if 
they had always continued mindful of their promises. 

The Saracen army had hardly recovered from its dismay when Carahue, King of 
Mauritania, who was one of the knights overthrown by Ogier at the time of 
the rescue of Charlemagne, determined to challenge him to single combat. 
With that view, he assumed the dress of a herald, resolved to carry his own 
message. The French knights admired his air, and said to one another that he 
seemed more fit to be a knight than a bearer of messages. 

Carahue began by passing the warmest eulogium upon the knight who bore the 
Oriflamme on the day of the battle, and concluded by saying that Carahue, 
King of Mauritania, respected that knight so much that he challenged him to 
the combat. 

Ogier had risen to reply, when he was interrupted by Charlot, who said that 
the gage of the King of Mauritania could not fitly be received by a vassal, 
living in captivity; by which he meant Ogier, who was at that time serving 
as hostage for his father. Fire flashed from the eyes of Ogier, but the 
presence of the Emperor restrained his speech, and he was calmed by the kind 
looks of Charlemagne, who said, with an angry voice, "Silence, Charlot! By 
the life of Bertha, my queen, he who has saved my life is as dear to me as 
yourself. Ogier," he continued, "you are no longer a hostage. Herald! report 
my answer to your master, that never does knight of my court refuse a 
challenge on equal terms. Ogier, the Dane, accepts of his, and I myself am 
his security." 

Carahue, profoundly bowing, replied, "My lord, I was sure that the 
sentiments of so great a sovereign as yourself would be worthy of your high 
and brilliant fame; I shall report your answer to my master, who I know 
admires you, and unwillingly takes arms against you." Then, turning to 
Charlot, whom he did not know as the son of the Emperor, he continued, "As 
for you, Sir Knight, if the desire of battle inflames you, I have it in 
charge from Sadon, cousin of the King of Mauritania, to give the like 
defiance to any French knights who will grant him the honor of the combat." 

Charlot, inflamed with rage and vexation at the public reproof which he had 
just received, hesitated not to deliver his gage. Carahue received it with 
Ogier's, and it was agreed that the combat should be on the next day, in a 
meadow environed by woods and equally distant from both armies. 

The perfidious Charlot meditated the blackest treason. During the night he 
collected some knights unworthy of the name, and like himself in their 
ferocious manners; he made them swear to avenge his injuries, armed them in 
black armor, and sent them to lie in ambush in the wood, with orders to make 
a pretended attack upon the whole party, but in fact to lay heavy hands upon 
Ogier and the two Saracens. 

At the dawn of day Sadon and Carahue, attended only by two pages to carry 
their spears, took their way to the appointed meadow; and Charlot and Ogier 
repaired thither also, but by different paths. Ogier advanced with a calm 
air, saluted courteously the two Saracen knights, and joined them in 
arranging the terms of combat. 

While this was going on, the perfidious Charlot remained behind and gave his 
men the signal to advance. That cowardly troop issued from the wood and 
encompassed the three knights. All three were equally surprised at the 
attack, but neither of them suspected the other to have any hand in the 
treason. Seeing the attack made equally upon them all, they united their 
efforts to resist it, and made the most forward of the assailants bite the 
dust. Cortana fell on no one without inflicting a mortal wound, but the 
sword of Carahue was not of equal temper and broke in his hands. At the same 
instant his horse was slain, and Carahue fell, without a weapon and 
entangled with his prostrate horse. Ogier, who saw it, ran to his defence, 
and, leaping to the ground, covered the prince with his shield, supplied him 
with the sword of one of the fallen ruffians, and would have had him mount 
his own horse. At that moment Charlot, inflamed with rage, pushed his horse 
upon Ogier, knocked him down, and would have run him through with his lance 
if Sadon, who saw the treason, had not sprung upon him and thrust him back. 
Carahue leapt lightly upon the horse which Ogier presented him, and had time 
only to exclaim, "Brave Ogier, I am no longer your enemy, I pledge to you an 
eternal friendship," when numerous Saracen knights were seen approaching, 
having discovered the treachery, and Charlot with his followers took refuge 
in the wood. 

The troop which advanced was commanded by Dannemont, the exiled king of 
Denmark, whom Geoffroy, Ogier's father, had driven from his throne and 
compelled to take refuge with the Saracens. Learning who Ogier was he 
instantly declared him his prisoner, in spite of the urgent remonstrances 
and even threats of Carahue and Sadon, and carried him, under a strong 
guard, to the Saracen camp. Here he was at first subjected to the most 
rigorous captivity, but Carahue and Sadon insisted so vehemently on his 
release, threatening to turn their arms against their own party if it was 
not granted, while Dannemont as eagerly opposed the measure, that Corsuble, 
the Saracen commander, consented to a middle course, and allowed Ogier the 
freedom of his camp, upon his promise not to leave it without permission. 
Carahue was not satisfied with this partial concession. He left the city 
next morning, proceeded to the camp of Charlemagne, and demanded to be led 
to the Emperor. When he reached his presence he dismounted from his horse, 
took off his helmet, drew his sword, and, holding it by the blade, presented 
it to Charlemagne as he knelt before him. 

"Illustrious prince," he said, "behold before you the herald who brought the 
challenge to your knights from the King of Mauritania. The cowardly old King 
Dannemont has made the brave Ogier prisoner, and has prevailed on our 
general to refuse to give him up. I come to make amends for this ungenerous 
conduct by yielding myself, Carahue, King of Mauritania, your prisoner." 

Charlemagne, with all his peers, admired the magnanimity of Carahue; he 
raised him, embraced him, and restored to him his sword. "Prince," said he, 
"your presence and the bright example you afford my knights consoles me for 
the loss of Ogier. Would to God you might receive our holy faith, and be 
wholly united with us." All the lords of the court, led by Duke Namo, paid 
their respects to the King of Mauritania. Charlot only failed to appear, 
fearing to be recognized as a traitor; but the heart of Carahue was too 
noble to pierce that of Charlemagne by telling him the treachery of his son. 

Meanwhile the Saracen army was rent by discord. The troops of Carahue 
clamored against the commander-in-chief because their king was left in 
captivity. They even threatened to desert the cause, and turn their arms 
against their allies. Charlemagne pressed the siege vigorously, till at 
length the Saracen leaders found themselves compelled to abandon the city 
and betake themselves to their ships. 

A truce was made; Ogier was exchanged for Carahue, and the two friends 
embraced one another with vows of perpetual brotherhood. The Pope was 
reestablished in his dominions, and Italy being tranquil, Charlemagne 
returned, with his peers and their followers, to France. 



CHAPTER XXV. OGIER, THE DANE, CONTINUED.

CHARLEMAGNE had not forgotten the offence of Geoffroy, the King of Denmark, 
in withholding homage, and now prepared to enforce submission. But at this 
crisis he was waited upon by an embassy from Geoffroy, acknowledging his 
fault, and craving assistance against an army of invaders who had attacked 
his states with a force which he was unable to repel. The soul of 
Charlemagne was too great to be implacable, and he took this opportunity to 
test that of Ogier, who had felt acutely the unkindness of his father, in 
leaving him, without regard or notice, fifteen years in captivity. Charles 
asked Ogier whether, in spite of his father's neglect, he was disposed to 
lead an army to his assistance. He replied, "A son can never be excused from 
helping his father by any cause short of death." Charlemagne placed an army 
of a thousand knights under the command of Ogier, and great numbers more 
volunteered to march under so distinguished a leader. He flew to the succor 
of his father, repelled the invaders, and drove them in confusion to their 
vessels. Ogier then hastened to the capital, but as he drew near the city he 
heard all the bells sounding a knell. He soon learned the cause; it was the 
obsequies of Geoffroy, the King. Ogier felt keenly the grief of not having 
been permitted to embrace his father once more, and to learn his latest 
commands; but he found that his father had declared him heir to his throne. 
He hastened to the church where the body lay; he knelt and bathed the 
lifeless form with his tears. At that moment a celestial light beamed all 
around, and a voice as of an angel said, "Ogier, leave thy crown to Guyon, 
thy brother, and bear no other title than that of 'The Dane.' Thy destiny is 
glorious; and other kingdoms are reserved for thee." Ogier obeyed the divine 
behest. He saluted his stepmother respectfully, and, embracing his brother, 
told him that he was content with his lot in being reckoned among the 
paladins of Charlemagne, and resigned all claims to the crown of Denmark. 

Ogier returned covered with glory to the court of Charlemagne, and the 
Emperor, touched with this proof of his attachment, loaded him with 
caresses, and treated him almost as an equal. 

We pass in silence the adventures of Ogier for several ensuing years, in 
which the fairy-gifts of his infancy showed their force in making him 
successful in all enterprises, both of love and war. He married the charming 
Belicene, and became the father of young Baldwin, a youth who seemed to 
inherit in full measure the strength and courage of his father and the 
beauty of his mother. When the lad was old enough to be separated from his 
mother, Ogier took him to court and presented him to Charlemagne, who 
embraced him, and took him into his service. It seemed to Duke Namo, and all 
the elder knights, as if they saw in him Ogier himself, as he was when a 
youth; and this resemblance won for the lad their kind regards. Even Charlot 
at first seemed to be fond of him, though after a while the resemblance to 
Ogier which he noticed had the effect to excite his hatred. 

Baldwin was attentive to Charlot, and lost no occasion to be serviceable. 
The Prince loved to play chess, and Baldwin, who played well, often made a 
party with him. 

One day Charlot was nettled at losing two pieces in succession; he thought 
he could, by taking a piece from Baldwin, get some amends for his loss; but 
Baldwin, seeing him fall into a trap which he had set for him, could not 
help a slight laugh, as he said, "Check-mate." Charlot rose in a fury, 
seized the rich and heavy chess-board, and dashed it with all his strength 
on the head of Baldwin, who fell, and died where he fell. 

Frightened at his own crime, and fearing the vengeance of the terrible 
Ogier, Charlot concealed himself in the interior of the palace. A young 
companion of Baldwin hastened and informed Ogier of the event. He ran to the 
chamber, and beheld the body of his child bathed in blood, and it could not 
be concealed from him that Charlot gave the blow. Transported with rage, 
Ogier sought Charlot through the palace, and Charlot, feeling safe nowhere 
else, took refuge in the hall of Charlemagne, where he seated himself at 
table with Duke Namo and Salomon, Duke of Brittany. Ogier, with sword drawn, 
followed him to the very table of the Emperor. When a cupbearer attempted to 
bar his way, he struck the cup from his hand and dashed the contents in the 
Emperor's face. Charles rose in a passion, seized a knife, and would have 
plunged it into his breast, had not Salomon and another baron thrown 
themselves between, while Namo, who retained his ancient influence over 
Ogier, drew him out of the room. Foreseeing the consequences of this 
violence, pitying Ogier, and in his heart excusing him, Namo hurried him 
away before the guards of the palace could arrest him, made him mount his 
horse, and leave Paris. 

Charlemagne called together his peers, and made them take an oath to do all 
in their power to arrest Ogier, and bring him to condign punishment. Ogier 
on his part sent messages to the Emperor, offering to give himself up on 
condition that Charlot should be punished for his atrocious crime. The 
Emperor would listen to no conditions, and went in pursuit of Ogier at the 
head of a large body of soldiers. 

Ogier, on the other hand, was warmly supported by many knights, who pledged 
themselves in his defence. The contest raged long, with no decisive results. 
Ogier more than once had the Emperor in his power, but declined to avail 
himself of his advantage, and released him without conditions. He even 
implored pardon for himself, but demanded at the same time the punishment of 
Charlot. But Charlemagne was too blindly fond of his unworthy son to subject 
him to punishment for the sake of conciliating one who had been so deeply 
injured. 

At length, distressed at the blood which his friends had lost in his cause, 
Ogier dismissed his little army, and, slipping away from those who wished to 
attend him, took his course to rejoin the Duke Guyon, his brother. On his 
way, having reached the forest of Ardennes, weary with long travel, the 
freshness of a retired valley tempted him to lie down to take some repose. 
He unsaddled Beiffror, relieved himself of his helmet, lay down on the turf, 
rested his head on his shield, and slept. 

It so happened that Turpin, who occasionally recalled to mind that he was 
Archbishop of Rheims, was at that time in the vicinity, making a pastoral 
visit to the churches under his jurisdiction. But his dignity of peer of 
France, and his martial spirit, which caused him to be reckoned among the 
"preux chevaliers" of his time, forbade him to travel without as large a 
retinue of knights as he had of clergymen. One of these was thirsty, and 
knowing the fountain on the borders of which Ogier was reposing, he rode to 
it, and was struck by the sight of a knight stretched on the ground. He 
hastened back, and let the Archbishop know, who approached the fountain, and 
recognized Ogier. 

The first impulse of the good and generous Turpin was to save his friend, 
for whom he felt the warmest attachment; but his archdeacons and knights, 
who also recognized Ogier, reminded the Archbishop of the oath which the 
Emperor had exacted of them all. Turpin could not be false to his oath; but 
it was not without a groan that he permitted his followers to bind the 
sleeping knight. The Archbishop's attendants secured the horse and arms of 
Ogier, and conducted their prisoner to the Emperor at Soissons. 

The Emperor had become so much embittered by Ogier's obstinate resistance, 
added to his original fault, that he was disposed to order him to instant 
death. But Turpin, seconded by the good Dukes Namo and Salomon, prayed so 
hard for him, that Charlemagne consented to remit a violent death, but 
sentenced him to close imprisonment, under the charge of the Archbishop, 
strictly limiting his food to one quarter of a loaf of bread per day, with 
one piece of meat, and a quarter of a cup of wine. In this way he hoped 
quickly to put an end to his life without bringing on himself the hostility 
of the King of Denmark, and other powerful friends of Ogier. He exacted a 
new oath of Turpin to obey his orders strictly. 

The good Archbishop loved Ogier too well not to cast about for some means of 
saving his life, which he foresaw he would soon lose if subjected to such 
scanty fare, for Ogier was seven feet tall, and had an appetite in 
proportion. Turpin remembered, moreover, that Ogier was a true son of the 
Church, always zealous to propagate the faith and subdue unbelievers; so he 
felt justified in practising on this occasion what in later times has been 
entitled "mental reservation," without swerving from the letter of the oath 
which he had taken. This is the method he hit upon. 

Every morning he had his prisoner supplied with a quarter of a loaf of 
bread, made of two bushels of flour; to this he added a quarter of a sheep 
or a fat calf, and he had a cup made which held forty pints of wine, and 
allowed Ogier a quarter of it daily. Ogier's imprisonment lasted long. 
Charlemagne was astonished to hear, from time to time, that he still held 
out; and when he inquired more particularly of Turpin, the good Archbishop, 
relying on his own understanding of the words, did not hesitate to affirm 
positively that he allowed his prisoner no more than the permitted ration. 

We forgot to say that, when Ogier was led prisoner to Soissons, the Abbot of 
Saint Faron, observing the fine horse Beiffror, and not having at the time 
any other favor to ask of Charlemagne, begged the Emperor to give him the 
horse, and had him taken to his abbey. He was impatient to try his new 
acquisition, and, when he had arrived in his litter at the foot of the 
mountain where the horse had been brought to meet him, mounted him and rode 
onward. The horse, accustomed to bear the enormous weight of Ogier in his 
armor, when he perceived nothing on his back but the light weight of the 
Abbot, whose long robes fluttered against his sides, ran away, making 
prodigious leaps over the steep acclivities of the mountain, till he reached 
the convent of Jouaire, where, in sight of the Abbess and her nuns, he threw 
the Abbot, already half dead with fright, to the ground. The Abbot, bruised 
and mortified, revenged himself on poor Beiffror, whom he condemned, in his 
wrath, to be given to the workmen to drag stones for a chapel that was 
building near the abbey. Thus, ill-fed, hard-worked, and often beaten, the 
noble horse Beiffror passed the time while his master's imprisonment lasted. 
That imprisonment would have been as long as his life if it had not been for 
some important events which forced theEmperor to set Ogier at liberty. 

The Emperor learned at the same time, that Carahue, King of Mauritania, was 
assembling an army to come and demand the liberation of Ogier; that Guyon, 
King of Denmark, was prepared to second the enterprise with all his forces; 
and, worse than all, that the Saracens, under Bruhier, Sultan of Arabia, had 
landed in Gascony, taken Bordeaux, and were marching with all speed for 
Paris. 

Charlemagne now felt how necessary the aid of Ogier was to him. But, in 
spite of the representations of Turpin, Namo, and Salomon, he could not 
bring himself to consent to surrender Charlot to such punishment as Ogier 
should see fit to impose. Besides, he believed that Ogier was without 
strength and vigor, weakened by imprisonment and long abstinence. 

At this crisis he received a message from Bruhier, proposing to put the 
issue upon the result of a combat between himself and the Emperor or his 
champion; promising, if defeated, to withdraw his army. Charlemagne would 
willingly have accepted the challenge; but his counsellors all opposed it. 
The herald was therefore told that the Emperor would take time to consider 
his proposition, and give his answer the next day. 

It was during this interval that the three Dukes succeeded in prevailing 
upon Charlemagne to pardon Ogier, and to send for him to combat the puissant 
enemy who now defied him; but it was no easy task to persuade Ogier. The 
idea of his long imprisonment and the recollection of his son, bleeding and 
dying in his arms by the blow of the ferocious Charlot, made him long resist 
the urgency of his friends. Though glory called him to encounter Bruhier, 
and the safety of Christendom demanded the destruction of this proud enemy 
of the faith, Ogier only yielded at last on condition that Charlot should be 
delivered into his hands to be dealt with as he should see fit. 

The terms were hard, but the danger was pressing, and Charlemagne, with a 
returning sense of justice, and a strong confidence in the generous though 
passionate soul of Ogier, at last consented to them. Ogier was led into the 
presence of Charlemagne by the three peers. The Emperor, faithful to his 
word, had caused Charlot to be brought into the hall where the high barons 
were assembled, his hands tied, and his head uncovered. When the Emperor saw 
Ogier approach, he took Charlot by the arm, led him towards Ogier, and said 
these words: "I surrender the criminal; do with him as you think fit." 
Ogier, without replying, seized Charlot by the hair, forced him on his 
knees, and lifted with the other hand his irresistible sword. Charlemagne, 
who expected to see the head of his son rolling at his feet, shut his eyes 
and uttered a cry of horror. 

Ogier had done enough. The next moment he raised Charlot, cut his bonds, 
kissed him on the mouth, and hastened to throw himself at the feet of the 
Emperor. 

Nothing can exceed the surprise and joy of Charlemagne at seeing his son 
unharmed and Ogier kneeling at his feet. He folded him in his arms, bathed 
him with tears, and exclaimed to his barons, "I feel at this moment that 
Ogier is greater than I." As for Charlot, his base soul felt nothing but the 
joy of having escaped death; he remained such as he had been, and it was not 
till some years afterwards he received the punishment he deserved, from the 
hands of Huon of Bordeaux, as we have seen in a former chapter. 



CHAPTER XXVI. OGIER, THE DANE, CONTINUED.

WHEN Charlemagne had somewhat recovered his composure, he was surprised to 
observe that Ogier appeared in good case, and had a healthy color in his 
cheeks. He turned to the Archbishop, who could not help blushing as he met 
his eye. "By the head of Bertha, my queen," said Charlemagne, "Ogier has had 
good quarters in your castle, my Lord Archbishop; but so much the more am I 
indebted to you." All the barons laughed, and jested with Turpin, who only 
said, "Laugh as much as you please, my lords; but for my part I am not sorry 
to see the arm in full vigor that is to avenge us on the proud Saracen." 

Charlemagne immediately despatched his herald, accepting the challenge, and 
appointing the next day but one for the encounter. The proud and crafty 
Bruhier laughed scornfully when he heard the reply accepting his challenge, 
for he had a reliance on certain resources besides his natural strength and 
skill. However, he swore by Mahomet to observe the conditions as proposed 
and agreed upon. 

Ogier now demanded his armor, and it was brought to him in excellent 
condition, for the good Turpin had kept it faithfully; but it was not easy 
to provide a horse for the occasion. Charlemagne had the best horses of his 
stables brought out, except Blanchard, his own charger; but all in vain, the 
weight of Ogier bent their backs to the ground. In this embarrassment the 
Archbishop remembered that the Emperor had given Beiffror to the Abbot of 
St. Faron, and sent off a courier in haste to re-demand him. 

Monks are hard masters, and the one who directed the laborers at the abbey 
had but too faithfully obeyed the orders of the Abbot. Poor Beiffror was 
brought back lean, spiritless, and chafed with the harness of the vile cart 
that he had had to draw so long. He carried his head down, and trod heavily 
before Charlemagne; but when he heard the voice of Ogier he raised his head, 
he neighed, his eyes flashed, his former ardor showed itself by the force 
with which he pawed the ground. Ogier caressed him, and the good steed 
seemed to return his caresses; Ogier mounted him, and Beiffror, proud of 
carrying his master again, leapt and curvetted with all his youthful vigor. 

Nothing being now wanted, Charlemagne, at the head of his army, marched 
forth from the city of Paris, and occupied the hill of Montmartre, whence 
the view extended over the plain of St. Denis, where the battle was to be 
fought. 

When the appointed day came, the Dukes Namo and Salomon, as seconds of 
Ogier, accompanied him to the place marked out for the lists, and Bruhier, 
with two distinguished Emirs, presented himself on the other side. 

Bruhier was in high spirits, and jested with his friends, as he advanced, 
upon the appearance of Beiffror. "Is that the horse they presume to match 
with Marchevallee, the best steed that ever fed in the vales of Mount 
Atlas?" But now the combatants, having met and saluted each other, ride 
apart, to come together in full career. 

Beiffror flew over the plain, and met the adversary more than halfway. The 
lances of the two combatants were shivered at the shock, and Bruhier was 
astonished to see almost at the same instant the sword of Ogier gleaming 
above his head. He parried it with his buckler, and gave Ogier a blow on his 
helmet, who returned it with another, better aimed or better seconded by the 
temper of his blade, for it cut away part of Bruhier's helmet, and with it 
his ear and part of his cheek. Ogier, seeing the blood, did not immediately 
repeat his blow, and Bruhier seized the moment to gallop off on one side. As 
he rode he took a vase of gold which hung at the saddle-bow, and bathed with 
its contents the wounded part. The blood instantly ceased to flow, the ear 
and the flesh were restored quite whole, and the Dane was astonished to see 
his antagonist return to the ground as sound as ever. 

Bruhier laughed at his amazement. "Know," said he, "that I possess the 
precious balm that Joseph of Arimathea used upon the body of the Crucified 
One, Whom you worship. If I should lose an arm, I could restore it with a 
few drops of this. It is useless for you to contend with me. Yield yourself, 
and, as you appear to be a strong fellow, I will make you first oarsman in 
one of my galleys." 

Ogier, though boiling with rage, forgot not to implore the assistance of 
Heaven. "O Lord," he exclaimed, "suffer not the enemy of Thy name to profit 
by the powerful help of that which owes all its virtue to Thy divine blood." 
At these words he attacked Bruhier again with more vigor than ever; both 
struck terrible blows, and made grievous wounds; but the blood flowed from 
those of Ogier, while Bruhier stanched his by the application of his balm. 
Ogier, desperate at the unequal contest, grasped Cortana with both hands, 
and struck his enemy such a blow that it cleft his buckler, and cut off his 
arm with it; but Bruhier at the same time launched one at Ogier, which, 
missing him, struck the head of Beiffror, and the good horse fell, and drew 
down his master in his fall. 

Bruhier had time to leap to the ground, to pick up his arm and apply his 
balsam; then, before Ogier had recovered his footing, he rushed forward with 
sword uplifted to complete his destruction. 

Charlemagne, from the height of Montmartre, seeing the brave Ogier in this 
situation, groaned, and was ready to murmur against Providence; but the good 
Turpin, raising his arms, with a faith like that of Moses, drew down upon 
the Christian warrior the favor of Heaven. 

Ogier, promptly disengaging himself, pressed Bruhier with so much 
impetuosity that he drove him to a distance from his horse, to whose saddle-
bow the precious balm was suspended; and very soon Charlemagne saw Ogier, 
now completely in the advantage, bring his enemy to his knees, tear off his 
helmet, and, with a sweep of his sword, strike his head from his body. 

After the victory, Ogier seized Marchevallee, leaped upon his back, and 
became possessed of the precious flask, a few drops from which closed his 
wounds and restored his strength. The French knights who had been Bruhier's 
captives, now released, pressed round Ogier to thank him for their 
deliverance. 

Charlemagne and his nobles, as soon as their attention was relieved from the 
single combat, perceived from their elevated position an unusual agitation 
in the enemy's camp. They attributed it at first to the death of their 
general, but soon the noise of arms, the cries of combatants, and new 
standards which advanced, disclosed to them the fact that Bruhier's army was 
attacked by a new enemy. The Emperor was right; it was the brave Carahue of 
Mauritania, who, with an army, had arrived in France, resolved to attempt 
the liberation of Ogier, his brother in arms. Learning on his arrival the 
changed aspect of affairs, he hesitated not to render a signal service to 
the Emperor, by attacking the army of Bruhier in the midst of the 
consternation occasioned by the loss of its commander. Ogier recognized the 
standard of his friend, and, leaping upon Marchevallee, flew to aid his 
attack. Charlemagne followed with his army; and the Saracen host, after an 
obstinate conflict, was forced to surrender unconditionally. 

The interview of Ogier and Carahue was such as might be anticipated of two 
such attached friends and accomplished knights. Charlemagne went to meet 
them, embraced them, and putting the King of Mauritania on his right and 
Ogier on his left, returned in triumph to Paris. There the Empress Bertha 
and the ladies of her court crowned them with laurels, and the sage and 
gallant Eginhard, chamberlain and secretary of the Emperor, wrote all these 
great events in his history. 

A few days after, Guyon, King of Denmark, arrived in France with a chosen 
band of knights, and sent an ambassador to Charlemagne, to say that he came, 
not as an enemy, but to render homage to him as the best knight of the time 
and the head of the Christian world. 

Charlemagne gave the ambassador a cordial reception, and, mounting his 
horse, rode forward to meet the King of Denmark. These great princes, being 
assembled at the court of Charles, held council together, and the ancient 
and sage barons were called to join it. 

It was decided that the united Danish and Mauritanian armies should cross 
the sea and carry the war to the country of the Saracens, and that a 
thousand French knights should range themselves under the banner of Ogier, 
the Dane, who, though not a king, should have equal rank with the two 
others. 

We have not space to record all the illustrious actions performed by Ogier 
and his allies in this war. Suffice it to say, they subdued the Saracens of 
Ptolemais and Judaea, and, erecting those regions into a kingdom, placed the 
crown upon the head of Ogier. Guyon and Carahue then left him, to return to 
their respective dominions. Ogier adopted Walter, the son of Guyon of 
Denmark, to be his successor in his kingdom. He superintended his education, 
and saw the young prince grow up worthy of his cares. But Ogier, in spite of 
all the honors of his rank, often regretted the court of Charlemagne, the 
Duke of Namo, and Salomon of Brittany, for whom he had the respect and 
attachment of a son. At last, finding Walter old enough to sustain the 
weight of government, Ogier caused a vessel to be prepared secretly, and, 
attended only by one squire, left his palace by night, and embarked to 
return to France. 

The vessel, driven by a fair wind, cut the sea with the swiftness of a bird; 
but on a sudden it deviated from its course, no longer obeyed the helm, and 
sped fast towards a black promontory which stretched into the sea. This was 
a mountain of loadstone, and, its attractive power increasing as the 
distance diminished, the vessel at last flew with the swiftness of an arrow 
towards it, and was dashed to pieces on its rocky base. Ogier alone saved 
himself, and reached the shore on a fragment of the wreck. 

Ogier advanced into the country, looking for some marks of inhabitancy, but 
found none. On a sudden he encountered two monstrous animals, covered with 
glittering scales, accompanied by a horse breathing fire. Ogier drew his 
sword and prepared to defend himself; but the monsters, terrific as they 
appeared, made no attempt to assail him, and the horse, Papillon, knelt 
down, and appeared to court Ogier to mount upon his back. Ogier hesitated 
not to see the adventure through; he mounted Papillon, who ran with speed, 
and soon cleared the rocks and precipices which hemmed in and concealed a 
beautiful landscape. He continued his course till he reached a magnificent 
palace, and, without allowing Ogier time to admire it, crossed a grand 
court-yard adorned with colonnades, and entered a garden, where, making his 
way through alleys of myrtle, he checked his course, and knelt down on the 
enamelled turf of a fountain. 

Ogier dismounted and took some steps along the margin of the stream, but was 
soon stopped by meeting a young beauty, such as they paint the Graces, and 
almost as lightly attired as they. At the same moment, to his amazement, his 
armor fell off of its own accord. The young beauty advanced with a tender 
air, and placed upon his head a crown of flowers. At that instant the Danish 
hero lost his memory; his combats, his glory, Charlemagne and his court, all 
vanished from his mind; he saw only Morgana, he desired nothing but to sigh 
forever at her feet. 

We abridge the narrative of all the delights which Ogier enjoyed for more 
than a hundred years. Time flew by, leaving no impression of its flight. 
Morgana's youthful charms did not decay, and Ogier had none of those 
warnings of increasing years which less-favored mortals never fail to 
receive. There is no knowing how long this blissful state might have lasted, 
if it had not been for an accident, by which Morgana one day, in a sportive 
moment, snatched the crown from his head. That moment Ogier regained his 
memory, and lost his contentment. The recollection of Charlemagne, and of 
his own relatives and friends, saddened the hours which he passed with 
Morgana. The fairy saw with grief the changed looks of her lover. At last 
she drew from him the acknowledgment that he wished to go, at least for a 
time, to revisit Charles's court. She consented with reluctance, and with 
her own hands helped to reinvest him with his armor. Papillon was led forth, 
Ogier mounted him, and, taking a tender adieu of the tearful Morgana, 
crossed at rapid speed the rocky belt which separated Morgana's palace from 
the borders of the sea. 

The sea-goblins which had received him at his coming awaited him on the 
shore. One of them took Ogier on his back, and the other placing himself 
under Papillon, they spread their broad fins, and in a short time traversed 
the wide space that separates the isle of Avalon from France. They landed 
Ogier on the coast of Languedoc, and then plunged into the sea and 
disappeared. 

Ogier remounted on Papillon, who carried him across the kingdom almost as 
fast as he had passed the sea. He arrived under the walls of Paris, which he 
would scarcely have recognized if the high towers of St. Genevieve had not 
caught his eye. He went straight to the palace of Charlemagne, which seemed 
to him to have been entirely rebuilt. His surprise was extreme, and 
increased still more on finding that he understood with difficulty the 
language of the guards and attendants in replying to his questions; and 
seeing them smile as they tried to explain to one another the language in 
which he addressed them. 

Presently the attention of some of the barons who were going to court was 
attracted to the scene, and Ogier, who recognized the badges of their rank, 
addressed them, and inquired if the Dukes Namo and Salomon were still 
residing at the Emperor's court. At this question the barons looked at one 
another in amazement; and one of the eldest said to the rest, "How much this 
knight resembles the portrait of my grand-uncle, Ogier the Dane." "Ah! my 
dear nephew, I am Ogier the Dane," said he; and he remembered that Morgana 
had told him that he was little aware of the flight of time during his abode 
with her. The barons, more astonished than ever, concluded to conduct him to 
the monarch who then reigned, the great Hugh Capet. 

The brave Ogier entered the palace without hesitation; but when, on reaching 
the royal hall, the barons directed him to make his obeisance to the King of 
France, he was astonished to see a man of short stature and large head, 
whose air, nevertheless, was noble and martial, seated upon the throne on 
which he had so often seen Charlemagne, the tallest and handsomest sovereign 
of his time. 

Ogier recounted his adventures with simplicity and unaffectedness. Hugh 
Capet was slow to believe him; but Ogier recalled so many proofs and 
circumstances, that at last he was forced to recognize the aged warrior to 
be the famous Ogier the Dane. 

The king informed Ogier of the events which had taken place during his long 
absence; that the line of Charlemagne was extinct; that a new dynasty had 
commenced; that the old enemies of the kingdom, the Saracens, were still 
troublesome; and that at that very time an army of those miscreants was 
besieging the city of Chartres, to which he was about to repair in a few 
days to its relief. Ogier, always inflamed with the love of glory, offered 
the service of his arm, which the illustrious monarch accepted graciously, 
and conducted him to the queen. The astonishment of Ogier was redoubled when 
he saw the new ornaments and head-dresses of the ladies; still, the 
beautiful hair which they built up on their foreheads, and the feathers 
interwoven, which waved with so much grace, gave them a noble air that 
delighted him. His admiration increased when, instead of the old Empress 
Bertha, he saw a young queen who combined a majestic mien with the graces of 
her time of life, and manners candid and charming, suited to attach all 
hearts. Ogier saluted the youthful queen with a respect so profound that 
many of the courtiers took him for a foreigner, or at least for some 
nobleman brought up at a distance from Paris, who retained the manners of 
what they called the old court. 

When the queen was informed by her husband that it was the celebrated Ogier 
the Dane whom he presented to her, whose memorable exploits she had often 
read in the chronicles of antiquity, her surprise was extreme, which was 
increased when she remarked the dignity of his address, the animation and 
even the youthfulness of his countenance. This queen had too much 
intelligence to believe hastily; proof alone could compel her assent; and 
she asked him many questions about the old court of Charlemagne, and 
received such instructive and appropriate answers as removed every doubt. It 
is to the corrections which Ogier was at that time enabled to make to the 
popular narratives of his exploits, that we are indebted for the perfect 
accuracy and trustworthiness of all the details of our own history. 

King Hugh Capet, having received that same evening couriers from the 
inhabitants of Chartres, informing him that they were hard pressed by the 
besiegers, resolved to hasten with Ogier to their relief. Ogier terminated 
this affair as expeditiously as he had so often done others. The Saracens 
having dared to offer battle, he bore the Oriflamme through the thickest of 
their ranks; Papillon, breathing fire from his nostrils, threw them into 
disorder, and Cortana, wielded by his invincible arm, soon finished their 
overthrow. 

The king, victorious over the Saracens, led back the Danish hero to Paris, 
where the deliverer of France received the honors due to his valor. Ogier 
continued some time at the court, detained by the favor of the king and 
queen; but erelong he had the pain to witness the death of the king. Then it 
was that, impressed with all the perfections which he had discerned in the 
queen, he could not withhold the tender homage of the offer of his hand. The 
queen would perhaps have accepted it, she had even called a meeting of her 
great barons to deliberate on the proposition, when, the day before the 
meeting was to be held, at the moment when Ogier was kneeling at her feet, 
she perceived a crown of gold which an invisible hand had placed on his 
brow, and in an instant a cloud enveloped Ogier, and he disappeared forever 
from her sight. It was Morgana, the fairy, whose jealousy was awakened at 
what she beheld, who now resumed her power, and took him away to dwell with 
her in the island of Avalon. There, in company with the great King Arthur of 
Britain, he still lives, and when his illustrious friend shall return to 
resume his ancient reign, he will doubtless return with him, and share his 
triumph. 

THE END