I

  A woman for the most part reasons best

  Upon a sudden motion, and untaught;

  For with that special grace the sex is blest,

  'Mid those so many gifts, wherewith 'tis fraught;

  But man, of a less nimble wit possest,

  Is ill at counsel, save, with sober thought,

  He ruminates thereon, content to spend

  Care, time and trouble to mature his end.

  II

  That seemed good counsel, but was ill indeed

  Of Malagigi's, as before was said;

  Albeit he so rescued in his need

  His cousin Richardet, with odds o'erlaid,

  When from the paynim monarchs him he freed

  By ready demon, who his hest obeyed;

  For sure he never deemed they should be borne,

  Where they would work the Christian army scorn.

  III

  Had he some little prize for counsel stayed,

  (We with the same success may well suppose)

  He to his cousin might have furnished aid,

  Yet brought not on the Christian host their foes:

  That evil sprite he might as well have made,

  Him, who embodied in the palfrey goes,

  Eastward or west, so far that lady bear,

  That France should hear no further of the pair.

  IV

  So the two lovers, following her who flies,

  To other place than Paris might be brought:

  But this calamity was a surprise

  On Malagigi, through his little thought;

  And fiendish malice, banished from the skies,

  Which ever blood and fire and ravage sought,

  Guided them by that way to Charles' disaster;

  Left to his choice by him, the wizard master.

  V

  The wayward fiend who makes that palfrey ramp

  Bears off the frighted Doralice amain;

  Nor river nor yet yawning ditch, or swamp,

  Wood, rock, or rugged cliff, the steed restrain;

  Till, traversing the French and English camp,

  And other squadrons of the mingled train,

  Beneath the holy flag of Christ arraid,

  He to Granada's king the fair conveyed.

  VI

  The Sarzan and the Tartar the first day

  That royal damsel a long while pursue;

  Because her distant form they yet survey;

  But finally they lose that lady's view;

  When, like a lyme-dog, whom the hunters lay

  On hare or roebuck's trail, the valiant two

  Follow upon her track, nor halt, till told

  That she is harboured in her father's hold.

  VII

  Guard thyself, Charles: for, lo! against thee blown

  Is such a storm, that I no refuge see:

  Nor these redoubted monarchs come alone,

  But those of Sericane and Circassy;

  While Fortune, who would probe thee to the bone,

  Has taken those two shining stars from thee,

  Who kept thee by their wisdom and their light;

  And thou remainest blind and wrapt in night.

  VIII

  'Tis of the valiant cousins I would speak:

  Of these, Orlando of his wit bereft,

  Naked, in sun or shower, by plain or peak,

  Wanders about the world, a helpless weft;

  And he, in wisdom little less to seek,

  Rinaldo, in thy peril thee has left;

  And, for in Paris-town she is not found,

  In search of his Angelica is bound.

  IX

  A cunning, old enchanter him deceived,

  As in the outlet of my tale was said:

  Deluded by a phantom, he believed

  Angelica was with Orlando fled;

  And hence with jealousy, at heart, aggrieved

  (Lover ne'er suffered worse) to Paris sped;

  Whence he, as soon as he appeared at court,

  By chance, was named to Britain to resort.

  X

  Now, the field won, wherein with mickle fame

  He drove King Agramant his works behind,

  To Paris yet again the warrior came,

  Searched convent, tower, and house, and, save confined

  'Twixt solid walls or columns be the dame,

  Her will the restless lover surely find:

  Nor her nor yet Orlando he descries,

  So forth in the desire to seek them hies.

  XI

  Her to Anglantes or to Brava brought,

  He deemed the Count enjoyed in mirth and play;

  And vainly, here and there, that damsel sought,

  Nor here nor there, descried the long-sought prey.

  To Paris he repaired again, in thought

  The paladin returning to waylay;

  Because he deemed he could not rove at large

  Without that Town, but on some special charge.

  XII

  Within he takes a day or two's repose;

  And, when he finds Orlando comes not there,

  Again to Brava and Anglantes goes

  Inquiring tidings of the royal fair;

  Nor, whether morning dawns or noontide glows,

  — Nor night nor day — his weary steed does spare;

  Nor once — but twice a hundred times — has run

  The selfsame course, by light of moon or sun.

  XIII

  But the ancient foe, deluded by whose say,

  To the forbidden fruit Eve raised her hand,

  Turned his wan eyes on Charlemagne one day,

  When he the good Rinaldo absent scanned;

  And seeing what foul rout and disarray

  Might at that time be given to Charles's band,

  Of all the Saracens the choice and flower

  Marshalled in arms against the Christian power.

  XIV

  King Sacripant and King Gradasso (who

  Whilere companionship in war had made,

  When from Atlantes' palace fled the two)

  Together to unite their arms, in aid

  Of royal Agramant's beleaguered crew,

  And where through unknown lands the warriors hied,

  Made smooth the way, and served them as a guide.

  XV

  Thither another fiend that ruthless foe

  Bade Rodomont and Mandricardo bear

  Through ways, by which his comrade was not slow

  With the affrighted Doralice to fare:

  A third, lest they their enterprize forego,

  Rogero and Marphisa has in care:

  But their conductor journeys not so fast;

  And hence that martial pair arrives the last.

  XVI

  Later by half an hour, against their foes,

  So matched, Rogero and Marphisa speed;

  Because the sable angel, who his blows

  Aimed at the bands that held the Christian creed,

  Provided, that the contest which arose

  About that horse, his work should not impede;

  Which had again been kindled, had the twain,

  Rodomont and Rogero, met again.

  XVII

  The first four ride until themselves they find

  Where the besiegers and besieged they view;

  And see the banners shaking in the wind,

  And the cantonments of those armies two.

  Here they short counsel took, and next opined,

  In spite of Charlemagne's beleaguering crew,

  To carry speedy succour to their liege,

  And rescue royal Agramant from siege.

  XVIII

  Where thickest camped lay Charles's host, they spurred,

  Closing their files against the Christian foe.

  "Afric and Spain!" is the assailants' word,

  Whom at all points the Franks for paynims know.

  — "To arms, to arms!" throughout their camp is heard:

  But first is felt the Moorish sabre's blow:

  Even on the rear-guard falls the vengeful stroke,

  Not charged alone, but routed, beat and broke.

  XIX

  The Christian host throughout is overthrown,

  And how they know not, in tumultuous wise;

  And that it is a wonted insult done

  By Switzer or by Gascon, some surmise;

  But — since the reason is to most unknown —

  Each several nation to its standard flies,

  This to the drum, that to the trumpet's sound,

  And shriek and shout from earth to heaven redound.

  XX

  All armed is Charlemagne, except his head,

  And, girt with paladins, his faithful stay,

  Arrived demanding what alarm has bred

  Disorder in his host and disarray;

  And stopt with menace this or that who fled,

  And many fugitives, upon their way,

  Some with maimed face, breast, arm, or hand, espied,

  And some with head or throat with life-blood dyed.

  XXI

  Advancing, he on earth saw many more,

  Or rather in a lake of crimson laid,

  Horribly weltering in their own dark gore,

  Beyond the leech's and magician's aid;

  And busts dissevered from the heads they bore,

  And legs and arms — a cruel show — surveyed;

  And, from the first cantonments to the last,

  Saw slaughtered men on all sides as he past.

  XXII

  Where the small band advances in such wise,

  Deserving well eternal praise to gain,

  Vouching their deeds, a long-drawn furrow lies,

  A signal record of their might and main.

  His army's cruel slaughter, with surprise,

  Anger and rage, is viewed by Charlemagne.

  So he whose shattered walls have felt its force,

  Throughout his mansion tracks the lightning's course.

  XXIII

  Not to the ramparts of the paynim crew

  Of Agramant as yet had pierced this aid,

  When, on the further side, these other two,

  Rogero and Marphisa, thither made.

  When, once or twice, that worthy pair a view

  Have taken of the ground, and have surveyed

  The readiest way assistance to afford,

  They swiftly move in succour of their lord.

  XXIV

  As when we spark to loaded mine apply,

  Through the long furrow, filled with sable grain,

  So fast the furious wildfire darts, that eye

  Pursues the progress of the flash with pain;

  And as dire ruin follows, and from high,

  The loosened rock and solid bastion rain,

  So bold Rogero and Marphisa rush

  To battle, so the Christian squadrons crush.

  XXV

  Front and askance, the assailants smote, and low

  On earth heads, arms, and severed shoulders lay,

  Where'er the Christian squadrons were too slow

  To free the path and break their close array.

  Whoe'er has seen the passing tempest blow,

  And of the hill or valley, in its way,

  One portion ravage and another leave,

  May so their course amid that host conceive.

  XXVI

  Many who had escaped by quick retreat,

  Rodomont and those other furious three,

  Thank God that he had given them legs and feet,

  Wherewith to fly from that calamity;

  And from the Child and damsel new defeat

  Encounter, while with endlong course they flee:

  As man, no matter if he stands or run,

  Seeks vainly his predestined doom to shun.

  XXVII

  Who 'scape one peril, into other fly,

  And pay the penalty of flesh and blood;

  So, by the teeth of dog, is wont to die

  The fox, together with her infant brood,

  By one who dwells her ancient cavern nigh

  Unearthed, and with a thousand blows pursued;

  When from some unsuspected place, that foe

  Has filled with fire and smoke the den below.

  XXVIII

  Marphisa and the Child, of danger clear,

  Enter the paynim ramparts; and, with eyes

  Upturned, the Saracens, with humble cheer,

  Thank Heaven for the success of that emprize:

  The paladins no longer are their fear;

  The meanest Moor a hundred Franks defies;

  And 'tis resolved, without repose, again

  To drench with Christian blood the thirsty plain.

  XXIX

  At once a formidable larum rose;

  Horns, drums, and shrilling clarions filled the skies;

  And the wind ruffles, as it comes and goes,

  Banner and gonfalon of various dyes.

  The Germans and the warlike Bretons close;

  Ranged on the other part, in martial wise,

  Italians, English, French, were seen, and through

  Those armies furious war blazed forth anew.

  XXX

  The force of the redoubted Rodomont,

  And that of Agrican's infuriate son,

  That of Rogero, valiant's copious font,

  Gradasso's, so renowned for trophies won,

  The martial maid, Marphisa's fearless front,

  And might of Sacripant, excelled by none,

  Made Charles upon Saint John and Denys call,

  And fly for shelter to his Paris wall.

  XXXI

  Of fierce Marphisa and her bold allies

  The unconquered daring and the wondrous might,

  Sir, was not of a nature — of a guise —

  To be conceived, much less described aright:

  The number slaughtered hence may you surmise!

  What cruel blow King Charles sustained in fight!

  Add to these warriors of illustrious name,

  More than one Moor, with Ferrau, known to Fame.

  XXXII

  Many through reckless haste were drowned in Seine,

  For all too narrow was the bridge's floor,

  An wished, like Icarus, for wings in vain,

  Having grim death behind them and before,

  Save Oliver, and Ogier hight the Dane,

  The paladins are prisoners to the Moor:

  Wounded beneath his better shoulder fled

  The first, that other with a broken head.

  XXXIII

  And. like Orlando and Duke Aymon's son,

  Had faithful Brandimart thrown up the game,

  Charles had from Paris into exile gone,

  If he had scaped alive so fierce a flame.

  Brandimart does his best, and when 'tis done,

  Yields to the storm: Thus Fortune, fickle dame,

  Now smiles upon the paynim monarch, who

  Besieges royal Charlemagne anew.

  XXXIV

  From earth beneath the widow's outcry swells,

  Mingled with elder's and with orphan's prayer,

  Into the pure serene, where Michael dwells,

  Rising above this dim and troubled air;

  And to the blest archangel loudly tells,

  How the devouring wolf and raven tear

  His faithful English, French, and German train,

  Whose slaughtered bodies overspread the plain.

  XXXV

  Red blushed the blessed angel, who believed

  He ill obedience to his lord had paid;

  And, in his anger, deemed himself deceived

  By the perfidious Discord and betrayed:

  He his Creator's order had received

  To stir the Moors to strife, nor had obeyed;

  Had rather in their eyes who marked the event,

  Appeared throughout to thwart his high intent.

  XXXVI

  As servant faithful to his lord, and more

  In love than memory strong, who finds that he

  Has that forgotten which at his heart-core,

  As precious as his life and soul should be,

  Hastes to repair his error, nor before

  He mend that fault, again his lord will see,

  So not to God St. Michael will ascend

  Until he has achieved his holy end.

  XXXVII

  Again he to that monastery flew,

  Where whilom he had Discord seen; and there

  Seated in chapter sees her, while anew

  Their yearly officers elected are,

  She taking huge delight those friers to view,

  That at each other hurled their books of prayer.

  His hand within her locks the archangel twists,

  And deals her endless scathe with feet and fists.

  XXXVIII

  On her he next a cross's handle broke;

  Wherewith her back, and arms, and head he plies:

  His mercy with loud voice the wretch bespoke,

  And hugged that angel's knees with suppliant cries.

  Michael suspends not the avenging stroke

  Till hunted to the Moorish camp she flies,

  Then thus: "Believe worse vengeance yet in store,

  If I beyond these lines behold thee more."

  XXXIX

  Albeit in back and arms all over shent

  Was Discord by that angel, in her fear

  Of suffering yet again such chastisement,

  Such horrid fury and such blows severe,

  She speedily to take her bellows went,

  And, adding food to what she lit whilere,

  And setting other ready piles afire,

  Kindled in many hearts a blaze of ire;

  XL

  And good Rogero (she inflames them so)

  With Rodomont and Mandricardo fares

  To Agramant; and all (since now the foe

  The paynims pressed no more, the vantage theirs)

  To him the seed of their dissensions show,

  And what the bitter produce which it bears:

  Then to the judgment of the king refer

  Who first in listed field his claim should stir.

  XLI

  As well Marphisa to Troyano's son,

  Relates her case, and will conclude the fray

  Which with the Tartar king she had begun,

  Because by him provoked to that assay;

  Nor will she yield her place to any one,

  No, not a single hour, yet less a day;

  But with loud instances maintains her right

  With Mandricardo first to wage the fight.

  XLII

  To have the first possession of the field

  No less renowned king Rodomont contended,

  Which he, the African array to shield,

  Had interrupted and till now suspended.

  Rogero to King Agramant appealed,

  As having borne too long, though sore offended,

  That Rodomont form him detained his horse,

  Nor yet would meet him first in martial course.

  XLIII

  The Tartar king, for more perplexity,

  Denied on any ground Rogero's right

  The bearer of the white-winged bird to be;

  And was so passing wood with wrath and spite,

  That, if to this those others would agree,

  He would at once those several quarrels fight;

  And so those others would as well have done,

  If Agramant's consent they could have won.

  XLIV

  King Agramant, with prayer and kingly word,

  Had willingly appeased that jarring crew;

  But since the foes were deaf to all accord,

  Nor would assent to peace or truce anew,

  Considered how at least he might afford

  The field of each of them in order due;

  And, as the best resolve, at last decreed,

  Each should by lot possess the listed mead.

  XLV

  Four lots the monarch bade prepare, which done,

  This "Rodomont and Mandricardo" said;

  "Rogero and Mandricardo" were in one;

  In one, "Rogero and Rodomont" were read;

  That "Mandricardo and Marphisa" run:

  Next, as the fickle goddess, Fortune, led,

  The lots are drawn, and in the first appear

  The Tartar king and sovereign of Argier.

  XLVI

  Rogero and Mandricardo for that play

  Were next; Rogero and Rodomont were third;

  Marphisa's lot and Mardricardo's lay

  At bottom; whence the dame was deeply stirred;

  Nor young Rogero seems a whit more gay:

  Who knows the prowess of those two preferred

  Will nothing in the listed combat leave

  For him or for Marphisa to achieve.

  XLVII

  There lies a place, of Paris little wide,

  Covering a mile or somewhat less, and round;

  Like ancient theatre, on every side,

  Encompast by a tall and solid mound;

  With castle whilom was it fortified,

  Which sword and fire had levelled with the ground.

  The Parmesan like circle does survey,

  Whenever he to Borgo wends his way.

  XLVIII

  In this place is prepared the listed mead,

  Which palisades of little height inclose;

  A square, of just proportions for that need,

  With two capacious gates, as usage goes.

  The day on which to combat have agreed

  Those valiant knights, who will not balk their foes,

  Beside the palisades, to left and right,

  Facing each entrance, are pavilions pight.

  XLIX

  In that, which looks towards the western sun,

  Is lodged the giant monarch of Argier;

  And him assist his serpent-hide to don

  Bold Ferrau and Circassia's cavalier.

  Gradasso and the puissant Falsiron,

  In that which fronts the morning hemisphere,

  Clothe with their hands, in Trojan plate and chain,

  The good successor of King Agricane.

  L

  High on a throne of ample state appeared

  Agramant and Marsilius; next in place

  Were Stordilane and all the chiefs, revered

  Throughout the squadrons of the paynim race.

  Happy was he who found himself upreared

  On mound or tree, above that level space.

  Great was the throng, and round the palisade

  On every side the eddying people swayed.

  LI

  Were seated with the Queen of fair Castille

  Queens, princesses, and dames of noble strain,

  From Arragon, Granada, and Seville,

  And Atlas' columns; and amid the train

  Assembled to behold that fierce appeal,

  Was placed the daughter of King Stordilane:

  Two costly vests — one red, one green — she wore;

  But ill the first was dyed, and faded sore.

  LII

  In dress succinct Marphisa sate; in plight

  Such as beseemed a warrior and a maid:

  Thermodoon haply witnessed Hippolyte

  And her fair squadron in like garb arrayed.

  Afield already, in his livery dight,

  Agramant's herald made proclaim, and said

  It was forbid to all men, far and wide,

  In act or word, with either part to side.

  LIII

  The frequent crowd expects the double foe;

  And often, in impatience, they complain,

  And call those famous cavaliers too slow:

  When from the Tartar's tent an angry strain

  Is heard, and cries which multiply; sir, know

  It was the martial king of Sericane,

  And puissant Tartar, who that question stirred,

  And made the mighty tumult which has heard.

  LIV

  Sericane's monarch, having with his hand

  Equipt the king of Tartary all o'er,

  Approached to gird him with that sovereign brand,

  With which Orlando went adorned of yore.

  When Durindana on the hilt he scanned,

  Graved with the quartering that Almontes wore;

  Which from that wretched man, beside a font,

  Youthful Orlando reft in Aspramont.

  LV

  He, seeing this, agnised it for the blade

  So famous, which Anglantes' warrior bore,

  For which he had the fairest fleet arrayed

  Which ever put to sea from eastern shore;

  And had Castille's rich kingdom overlaid,

  And conquered fruitful France some years before;

  But cannot now imagine how that sword

  Is in possession of the Tartar lord;

  LVI

  And asks had he by force or treaty won,

  And when and where and how, that faulchion bright;

  And Mandricardo said that he had done

  Fierce battle for that sword with Brava's knight;

  Who feigned himself of sober sense foregone,

  Hoping that so he should conceal his fright:

  — "For I on him would ceaseless war have made,"

  (He added) "while he kept the goodly blade."

  LVII

  Saying the Count, in yielding to his foe

  That sword, the Beavers' known device had tried;

  Who. followed closely by the hunter, know

  Their fell pursuer covers nought beside.

  Ere he had heard him out, — "Nor I forego

  That sword to thee nor any one," (replied

  Gradasso, fierce,) "well earned by me, at cost

  Of treasure, and of pain, and people lost.

  LVIII

  "Some other faulchion for thyself purvey;

  This will I have; nor deem my reasons new;

  Whether Orlando wise or foolish stray,

  I make it mine where'er it meets my view.

  With none to witness, thou, beside the way

  Usurped that sword; I claim it as my due:

  For this my scimeter shall reasons yield,

  And we will try the cause in listed field.

  LIX

  "Prepare to win the sword before thou rear

  That goodly blade against King Rodomont.

  To win his arms is use of cavalier,

  Before his foe in duel he affront."

  — "No sweeter music ever soothes my ear"

  (Replied the Tartar, as he raised his front)

  "Than voice which champions me to martial field;

  But see that his consent the Sarzan yield.

  LX

  "Be thou the first; and, next on listed ground

  Let Sarza's valiant lord the question try;

  Nor doubt but I in readiness be found

  To thee and every other to reply."

  " — Thou shalt not so the ordered lots confound,

  Or break our compact (was Rogero's cry):

  Either, first Rodomont shall take the field,

  Or shall to me his right of battle yield.

  LXI

  "It that be true Gradasso has averred,

  That knight should win the arms he would assay,

  Thou hast no title to my white-winged bird,

  Save this from me thou first shalt bear away.

  But since, forsooth, whilere I said the word,

  I will not what I once pronounced unsay,

  That mine shall be the second battle, so

  That Argier's monarch first affront his foe.

  LXII

  "I will confuse the order of the field,

  Throughout, if partially confused by thee;

  Abandon will I not my blazoned shield,

  Unless thou combat for it now with me."

  — "Were one and the other Mars, for battle steeled,

  (Replies enraged, the king of Tartary)

  "Nor one nor the other's might should make me waive

  My title to that shield and goodly glaive";

  LXIII

  And over mastered by his choler, flies

  With a clenched fist at him of Sericane,

  And smites him with his right-hand in such wise,

  As makes him quit his hold of Durindane.

  Gradasso bold was taken by surprise,

  Not deeming him so furious and insane;

  And, while he looked not to the Tartar lord,

  Found himself robbed of good Orlando's sword.

  LXIV

  Fury and scorn Gradasso's visage heats,

  Which seems to flash with fire, at that disgrace;

  And with more rage and pain his bosom beats,

  In that 'twas offered in such public place.

  To draw his scimeter, the king retreats,

  Intent upon revenge, some little space.

  So Mandricardo on himself relies

  Rogero he to fight, as well defies.

  LXV

  "Come on in arms against me, both combined,

  And be King Rodomont the third!" (he said)

  "Come Spain and Afric and all human kind;

  Ne'er will I turn." And he, at nought dismaid,

  So saying, in his fury, sawed the wind

  About him, with Almontes' noble blade,

  Embraced his shield, and, full of choler, stood

  Against Gradasso and Rogero good.

  LXVI

  "Leave me the care," the fierce Gradasso cried,

  "The phrensy of this madman to subdue."

  — "Not so, by Heaven!" Rogero wroth replied,

  "For I this field claim justly as my due."

  — "Stand back!" and "stand thou back!" on either side

  They shout; yet neither of the twain withdrew.

  And thus among those three began a feud;

  And thence some strange result would have ensued,

  LXVII

  If many had not interposed, and sought

  With little wit their fury to restrain;

  Who had well-nigh too dear the experience bought

  Of saving others at their proper pain;

  Nor to accord the world had ever brought

  Those knights, but that the worthy king of Spain

  Came thither with renowned Troyano's heir;

  Awed by whose sovereign presence all forbear.

  LXVIII

  Agramant those contending warriors made

  The cause of their so burning strife display;

  Next earnestly bestirred himself, and prayed

  Gradasso that he would, in courteous way,

  Concede the Trojan Hector's goodly blade

  To Mandricardo, solely for that day,

  Until the cruel fight was at an end,

  Wherein he should with Rodomont contend.

  LXIX

  While royal Agramant would peace restore,

  And now with this and now with that conferred,

  From the other tent, between the Sarzan Moor

  And Sacripant, another strife was heard.

  Valiant King Sacripant (as said before)

  To equip Sir Rodomont himself bestirred,

  And he and Ferrau had that champion drest

  In his forefather Nimrod's iron vest;

  LXX

  And there had they arrived, where with his spume

  The horse was making his rich bridle white:

  I of the good Frontino speak, for whom

  Rogero urged with yet unfelt despite.

  King Sacripant, who plays the part of groom,

  And has to bring afield the Sarzan knight,

  Marks narrowly the courser's gear and shoes,

  And sell and furniture throughout reviews;

  LXXI

  And as his points and nimble parts, more near,

  He, in this view, observes with better heed,

  The youthful king, beyond all doubt, is clear

  He sees his Frontilatte in that steed,

  Him he of old had held so passing dear,

  Whilom of such debates the fruitful seed;

  And for whose loss, whilere he was so woe,

  He evermore on foot resolved to go.

  LXXII

  This from beneath him had Brunello borne

  Before Albracca, on the very day

  Angelica's rare ring, and Roland's horn,

  And Balisarda he conveyed away,

  With fierce Marphisa's blade, — and on return

  To Afric — to Rogero, from his prey,

  Gave Balisarda and the courser, who

  Was by the Child Frontino named anew.

  LXXIII

  Assured 'twas no mistake, Circassia's chief

  Turned him about to Rodomont, and cried:

  "Reft from me in Albracca, by a thief,

  This horse is mine; which might be certified

  By them whose words would warrant well belief:

  But as my witnesses are distant wide,

  If it be questioned, I will make it plain,

  And will, with sword in hand, the truth maintain.

  LXXIV

  "Yet am I well contented, for that we

  Have for these some few days together gone,

  To lend him for to-day; since well I see,

  That not without him could the fight be done;

  But on condition, that the courser be

  Acknowledged mine, and furnished as a loan:

  Otherwise hope not for that horse, save first

  Me, on this quarrel, thou in combat worst."

  LXXV

  The furious king of Argier, that in pride

  Surpassed all knights that ever girt the sword,

  Whose paragon, for heart and prowess tried,

  Meseems no ancient histories record,

  Cried: "Sacripant, if any one beside

  Thyself, to me should utter such a word,

  He should deem quickly, from its bitter fruit,

  He from his birth would better have been mute.

  LXXVI

  "But, for that fellowship in which we went,

  (As thou hast said) together, I to show

  Such patience and forbearance am content,

  As warning thee, thy purpose to forego,

  Until thou shalt have witnessed the event

  Of strife between me and my Tartar foe:

  When him I such example hope to make,

  That thou shalt humbly say, `The courser take.' "

  LXXVII

  Fierce and enraged, replied Circassia's peer,

  "To play the churl with thee is courteous deed,

  But I to thee repeat more plain and clear,

  Thou ill wouldst aught design against that steed,

  For, while I an avenging sabre rear,

  This I prohibit thee, and, should it need,

  And every better means of battle fail,

  With thee for this would battle, tooth and nail."

  LXXVIII

  They from dispute proceed to ribaldry,

  From words to blows; and through their mickle ire,

  Fierce battle was inflamed, and blazed more high

  Than ever lightly-kindled straw took fire.

  King Rodomont is steeled in panoply;

  Sacripant neither plate nor mail attire:

  Yet so in fence is skilled that nimble lord,

  He seems all over sheltered by his sword.

  LXXIX

  No greater were the daring and the might

  (Though infinite) which Rodomont displaid

  Than the precaution and the nimble sleight

  Which the Circassian summoned to his aid:

  No mill-wheel ever turns with swifter flight

  The circling stone by which the grain is brayed,

  Than Sacripant at need moves foot or hand,

  And shifts now here, now there his restless stand.

  LXXX

  But Serpentine and Ferrau interfere:

  They with drawn swords the twain asunder bore;

  With them Grandonio was and Isolier,

  And many other leaders of the Moor,

  This was the tumult which was heard whilere

  In the other tent, what time they laboured sore,

  Rogero vainly to a peace to bring

  With Tartary's and Sericana's king.

  LXXXI

  This while some voice to Agramant the news

  Reports aright, that Ulien's might seed,

  With Sacripant, Circassia's king, pursues

  A fierce and furious quarrel for the steed.

  Agramant, whom so many jars confuse,

  Exclaims to King Marsilius: "Take thou heed

  That no worse evil mid these knights betide,

  While for this new disorder I provide."

  LXXXII

  Rodomont reined his anger, and retired

  Some deal, at his approaching sovereign's view;

  Nor less respect in Sacripant inspired

  The Moorish monarch; of the furious two,

  He with grave voice and royal mien inquired

  What cause of strife such deadly discord blew;

  And having searched their quarrel to the root,

  Would fain accord them; but with little fruit.

  LXXXIII

  Circassia's monarch would not, on his side,

  Longer his horse to Argier's lord allow,

  Save humbly Rodomont to him applied,

  That steed for this occasion to bestow.

  To him Sir Rodomont, with wonted pride,

  Returned for answer: "Neither Heaven nor thou

  Shall make me recognize as gift or loan

  What I with this good hand can make mine own."

  LXXXIV

  The king bade Sacripant explain his right,

  And how that horse was taken from him sought;

  And this from first to last Circassia's knight

  Rehearsed, and reddened as the tale he taught,

  Relating to the king the robber's sleight;

  Who had surprised him overwhelmed with thought,

  Upon four spears his courser's saddle stayed,

  And from beneath the naked horse conveyed.

  LXXXV

  Marphisa, whom these cries, mid others, bring,

  When of the robbery of the horse advised,

  In visage is disturbed, remembering

  How on that day her faulchion was surprised;

  And when that courser (which equipt with wing

  Appeared when flying her) she recognized;

  And recognized as well — at first unknown —

  The valiant king who filled Circassia's throne.

  LXXXVI

  The others who stood round her, wont to hear

  Brunello often boast of the deceit,

  'Gan turn towards that wretch, and made appear

  By open signs they knew him for the Cheat.

  Marphisa who the subtle knave whilere

  Suspected as the author of that feat,

  Now questions this, now that, who all accord

  In saying 'twas Brunello stole her sword;

  LXXXVII

  Who, well deserving as a fitting pain

  To dangle from the gallows-tree in air,

  By Agramant the crown of Tingitane

  (An ill example) was preferred to wear.

  This fires anew Marphisa's old disdain,

  Nor she from instant vengeance will forbear,

  For this, as well as other shame and scorn

  She on her road had from that caitiff born.

  LXXXVIII

  A squire laced on her helmet, at her hest;

  She wore the remnant of her armour sheen;

  Nor without martial cuirass on her breast,

  Find I, that she ten times was ever seen,

  Even from the day when first that iron vest

  Braced on her limbs the passing-valiant queen:

  With helm on head, where, mid the highest rows,

  Brunello sits among the first, she goes.

  LXXXIX

  Him by mid breast Marphisa griped amain,

  And lifted up the losel from the ground;

  As is rapacious eagle wont to strain

  The pullet, in her talons circled round;

  And bore him where the sons of King Troyane

  Heard the two knights their jarring claims propound.

  He who perceives himself in evil hands,

  Aye weeps, and mercy of that maid demands.

  XC

  Above the universal noise and shout,

  Which rose nigh equally on either side,

  Brunello, who from all the crowd about

  For pity now, and now for succour, cried,

  So loud was heard, that of that ample rout

  He gathered round himself the pressing tide.

  Arrived before the Moorish army's head,

  To him with haughty mien Marphisa said: