第29章
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  XXXVII

  “Aseverysparkisinthenightalive,Andsuddenlyextinguishedwhen\'tismorn;

  Whenmemysundothofhisraysdeprive,AgainstmefelonFearupliftshishorn:

  Buttheytheshadesofnightnosoonerdrive,ThanFearsarepastandgone,andHopesreturn。

  Return,alas!return,Oradiancedear!

  Anddrivefrommethatfoul,consumingFear。

  XXXVIII

  “Ifthesunturnfromusandshortenday,Earthallitsbeautiesfromthesightdothhide;

  Thewildwindshowl,andsnowsandiceconvey;

  Birdsingsnot;norisleaforflowerespied。

  So,whensoeverthouthygladsomeray,Omyfairsun,frommedostturnaside,Athousand,andallevil,dreads,makedrearWinterwithinmemanytimesayear。

  XXXIX

  “Return,mysun,return!andspringtidesweet,WhichevermoreIlongtosee,bringback;

  Dislodgethesnowsandicewithgenialhear;

  Andclearmymind,socloudedo\'erandblack。”

  AsPhilomel,orProgne,withthemeatReturning,whichherfamishedyounglingslack,Mournso\'eranemptynest,orasthedoveLamentshimselfathavinglostislove;

  XL

  TheunhappyBradamantlamentsherso,FearingtheChildisreftfromherandgone;

  Whileoftentearshervisageoverflow:

  Butshe,asbestshecan,concealshermoan。

  Oh!how——oh!howmuchworsewouldbeherwoe,Ifwhatsheknewnottothemaidwereknown!

  That,prisonedandwithpainandpineconsumed,Herconsorttoacrueldeathwasdoomed。

  XLI

  ThecrueltywhichbythatbeldamillWaspractisedontheprisonedcavalier,AndwhopreparedthewretchedChildtokill,Bytorturenewandpainsunusedwhilere,WhilesoRogeropined,thegraciouswillOfHeavenconveyedtogentleLeo\'sear;

  Andputintohisheartthemeanstoaid,Andnottoletsuchworthbeoverlaid。

  XLII

  ThecourteousLeothatRogeroloved,NotthattheGrecianknewhowe\'erthatheRogerowas,butbythatvalourmovedWhichsoleandsuperhumanseemedtobe,Thoughtmuch,andmused,andplanned,howitbehoved——Andfoundatlastaway——tosethimfree;

  SothathiscruelauntshouldhavenorightTogrieveorsayhedidheradespite。

  XLIII

  Insecret,LeowiththemanthatboreTheprison-keysaparleyhad,andsaid,Hewishedtoseethatcavalier,beforeUponthewretchwasdoneadoomsodread。

  Whenitwasnight,one,faithfulfoundofyore,Bold,strong,andgoodinbrawl,hethitherled;

  And——bythesilentwardertaughtthatnoneMustknow\'twasLeo——wasthedoorundone。

  XLIV

  Leo,escortedbynoneelsebeside,Wasledbythecompliantcastellain,Withhiscompanion,tothetower,wherestiedWashe,reservedfornature\'slatestpain。

  Thereroundtheneckoftheirunwaryguide,Whoturnshisbackthewickettounchain,Aslip-knotLeoandhisfollowercast;

  And,throttledbythenoose,hebreatheshislast。

  XLV——

  Thetrapupraised,byropefromthencesuspendedForsuchaneed——theGreciancavalier,Withlightedflambeauinhishand,descended,Where,straitlybound,andwithoutsuntocheer,Rogerolay,uponagrateextended,Lessthanapalm\'sbreadthofthewaterclear:

  Tokillhiminamonth,orbrieferspace,Nothingwasneededbutthatdeadlyplace。

  XLVI

  LovinglyLeoclipttheChild,and,“Me,Ocavalier!thymatchlessvalour,“cried,“Hathinindissolublebandstothee,Inwillingandeternalservice,tried;

  Andwillsthygoodtominepreferredshouldbe,AndIforthinemysafetysetaside,Andweighthyfriendshipmorethansire,andallWhomIthroughouttheworldmykindredcall。

  XLVII

  “ILeoam,thatthouwhatfitsmaystknow,Cometothysuccour,theGreekemperor\'sson:

  IfeverConstantine,myfather,trowThatIhaveaidedthee,IdangerrunTobeexiled,orayewithtroubledbrowRegardedforthedeedthatIhavedone;

  FortheehehatesbecauseofthosethybladePuttotheroutandslaughterednearBelgrade。”

  XLVIII

  Hehisdiscoursewithmorebesidepursues,ThatmightfromdeathtolifetheChildrecall;

  AndallthiswhileRogero\'shandsdothloose。

  “InfinitethanksIoweyou,“criesthethrall,“AndIthelifeyougaveme,foryouruseWilleverrenderback,uponyourcall;

  Andstill,atallyourneed,Iforyoursake,Andatalltimes,thatlifewillpromptlystake。”

  XLIX

  Rogeroisrescued;andthegaolerslainIsleftinthatdarkdungeoninhisplace;

  NorisRogeroknown,norarethetwain:

  Leothewarrior,freefrombondagebase,Bringshome,andthereinsafetytoremainPersuades,insecret,fourorsixdays\'space:

  MeanwhileforhimwillheretrievethegearAndcourser,byUngiardoreftwhilere。

  L

  Openthegaolisfoundatdawnoflight,Thegaolerstrangled,andRogerogone。

  Somethinkthattheseorthosehadhelpedhisflight:

  Alltalk;andyetthetruthisguessedbynone。

  WellmaytheythinkbyanyotherwightRatherthanLeohadthedeedbeendone;

  FormanydeemedhehadcausetohaverepaidTheChildwithscathe,andnonetogivehimaid。

  LI

  Sowilderedbysuchkindness,soimmersedInwonder,istherescuedcavalier,Sofromthosethoughtsisheestranged,thaterstSomanywearymileshadmadehimsteer,Hissecondthoughtsconfrontingwithhisfirst,Northeselikethose,northoseliketheseappear。

  Hefirstwithhatred,rage,andvenomburned;

  Withpityandwithlovethenwhollyyearned。

  LII

  Muchmuseshebynightandmuchbyday;——

  Norcaresforought,noroughtdesiresbeside——

  ByequalormorecourtesytopayThemightydebtthathimtoLeotied。

  Behislifelongorshort,orwhatitmay,AlbeittoLeo\'sserviceallapplied,Diesheathousanddeaths,hecandonought,Butmorewillbedeserved,Rogerothought。

  LIII

  ThithermeanwhilehadtidingsbeenconveyedOfCharles\'decree:thatwhoinnuptialtyeWouldyokewithBradamant,withtrenchantbladeOrlancemustwiththemaidhisprowesstry。

  ThesenewstheGrecianprincesoillappaid,Hischeekwasseentoblanchwithsicklydye;

  Because,asonethatmeasuredwellhismight,Heknewhewasnomatchforherinfight。

  LIV

  Communingwithhimself,hecansupplyHeseesthevalourwantingwithhiswit;

  Andthestrangeknightwithhisownensignry,Whosenameisyetunknowntohim,willfit:

  HimheagainstFrankchampion,farandnigh,Believeshemayforforceanddaringpit;

  Andiftheknighttothatemprizeagree,VanquishedandtakenBradamantwillbe。

  LV

  Buttwothingsmusthedo;must,first,disposeThatcavaliertoundertaketheemprize;

  Thensendafieldthechampion,whomhechose,Inmode,thatnonesuspecttheyouth\'sdisguise:

  TohimthematterLeodothdisclose;

  Andafterpraysinefficaciouswise,Thathethecombatwiththemaidwillclaim,Underfalsecoloursandinother\'sname。

  LVI

  MuchweighstheGrecian\'seloquence;butmoreThaneloquencewithgoodRogeroweighedThemightyobligationwhichhebore;

  Thatdebtwhichcannoteverberepaid。

  So,albeititappearedahardshipsoreAndthingwell-nighimpossible,hesaid,Withblitherfacethanheart,thatLeo\'swillInallthathecommandshewouldfulfil。

  LVII

  Albeitnosoonerhetheintentexprest,ThanwithsoregriefRogero\'sheartwasshent;

  Which,nightandday,andever,dothmolest,Everafflicthim,evermoretorment:

  Andthoughheseeshisdeathismanifest,Neverwillheconfesshedothrepent:

  RatherthannotwithLeo\'sprayercomply,Athousanddeaths,notone,theChildwilldie。

  LVIII

  Rightsureheistodie;ifheforegoThelady,heforegoeshislifenoless。

  Hisheartwillbreakthroughhisdistressandwoe,Or,breakingnotwithwoeandwithdistress,Hewill,himself,thebandsoflifeundo,Andofitsclaythespiritdispossess。

  Forallthingscanhebetterbearthanone;

  Thanseethatgentledamselnothisown。

  LIX

  Todieishedisposed;buthowtodieCannotasyetthesorrowinglorddecide:

  Sometimeshethinkshisprowesstobelie,Andoffertoherswordhisnakedside:

  ForneverdeathcancomemorehappilyThanifherhandthefatalfaulchionguide:

  Thensees,excepthewinsthemartialmaidForthatGreekprince,thedebtremainsunpaid。

  LX

  ForhewithBradamant,aswithafoe,Promisedtodo,notfeign,afightinmail,Andnottomakeofarmsaseemingshow;

  SothathisswordshouldLeoillavail。

  Thenbyhiswordwillheabide;andthoughHisbreastnowthesenowotherthoughtsassail,Allfromhisbosomchasedthegenerousyouth,Savethatwhichmovedhimtomaintainhistruth。

  LXI

  Withtheemperor\'slicence,armourtoprepare,Andsteedsmeanwhilehadwroughthisyouthfulson;

  WhowithsuchgoodlyfollowingasmightsquareWithhisdegree,uponhiswaywasgone:

  WithhimRogerorides,throughLeo\'scare,Equiptwithhorseandarms,thatwerehisown。

  Dayafterdaythesquadronpricks;nortarriesUntilarrivedinFrance;arrivedatParis。

  LXII

  Leowillenternotthetown;butnighPitcheshisbroadpavilionsontheplain;

  AndhisarrivalbyanembassyMakesknownthatdaytoroyalCharlemagne。

  Wellpleasedishe;andvisitstestifyAndmanygiftsthemonarch\'scourteousvein。

  Hisjourney\'scausetheGrecianprincedisplayed,Andtodispatchhissuitthesovereignprayed:

  LXIII

  Tosendafieldthedamsel,whodeniedEvertotakeinwedlockanylordWeakerthanher:forsheshouldbehisbride,Orhewouldperishbythelady\'ssword。

  Charlesundertookforthis;and,onherside,ThefollowingdayuponthelistedswardBeforethewalls,inhaste,enclosedthatnight,Appearedthemartialmaid,equiptforfight。

  LXIV

  RogeropastthenightbeforethedayWhereinbyhimthebattleshouldbedone,Likethatwhichfelonspends,condemningtopayLife\'sforfeitwiththenextsucceedingsun:

  HemadehischoicetocombatinthefrayAllarmed;becausehewoulddiscoveryshun:

  Norbardedsteedhebacked,norlanceheshook;

  Norotherweaponthanhisfaulchiontook。

  LXV

  Nolancehetook:yetwasitnotthroughfearOfthatwhichArgaliawhilomswayed;

  Astolpho\'snext;thenhers,thatincareerHerfoemeneveruponearthhadlaid:

  Becausenoneweenedsuchforcewasinthespear,Northatitwasbynecromancymade;

  ExceptingroyalGalaphronalone;

  Whohaditforged,andgaveittohisson。

  LXVI

  Nay,boldAstolpho,andtheladywhoAfterwardsboreit,deemedthatnottospell,Butsimplytotheirproperforce,wasdueThepraisethattheyinknightlyjoustexcel;

  Andwithwhateverspeartheyfought,thosetwoBelievedthattheyshouldhaveperformedaswell。

  WhatonlymakesthatknightthejoustforegoIsthathewouldnothisFrontinoshow。

  LXVII

  ForeasilythatsteedofgenerouskindShemighthaveknown,ifhimshehadespied;

  WhominMontalban,longtoherconsigned,Thegentledamselhadbeenwonttoride。

  Rogero,thatbutschemes,buthathinmindHowhefromBrandamanthimselfshallhide,NeitherFrontinonoryetotherthing。

  Wherebyhemaybeknown,afieldwillbring。

  LXVIII

  Withanewswordwillhethemaidawait;

  ForwellheknewagainsttheenchantedbladeAssoftaspastewouldproveallmailandplate;

  Forneveranysteelitsfurystayed;

  Andheavilywithhammer,torebateItsedge,aswellheonthisfaulchionlayed。

  Soarmed,Rogerointhelistsappeared,Whenthefirstdawnofdaythehorizoncheered。

  LXIX

  TolooklikeLeo,o\'erhisbreastisspreadThesurcoatthattheprinceiswonttowear;

  AndthegoldeaglewithitsdoubleheadHeblazonedonthecrimsonshielddothbear;

  AndwhattheChild\'sdisguisementwellmaystead

  Ofequalsizeandstaturearethepair。

  Intheother\'sformpresentshimselftheone;

  Thatotherletshimselfbeseenofnone。

  LXX

  Dordona\'smartialmaidisofaveinRightdifferentfromthegentleyouth\'s,whosoreHammersandbluntsthefaulchion\'stemperedgrain,Lestithisoppositeshouldcleaveorbore。

  Shewhetshersteel,andintoitwouldfainEnter,thatstriplingtothequicktogore:

  Yea,wouldsuchfurytoherstrokesimpart,Thateachshouldgodirectlytohisheart。

  LXXI

  Asonthestartthegenerousbarbinspied,Whenhethesignalfulloffireattends;

  Andpawsnowherenowthere;andopenswideHisnostrils,andhispointedearsextends;

  Sothebolddamsel,tothelistsdefied,WhoknowsnotwithRogeroshecontends,Seemedtohavefirewithinherveins,norfoundResting-place,waitingforthetrumpet\'ssound。

  LXXII

  AssometimesafterthundersuddenwindTurnstheseaupsidedown;andfarandnighDimcloudsofdustthecheerfuldaylightblind,Raisedinathoughtfromearth,andwhirledheaven-high;

  Scudbeastsandherdtogetherwiththehind;

  Andintohailandraindissolvesthesky;

  Sosheuponthesignalbaredherbrand,AndfellonherRogero,swordinhand。

  LXXIII

  Butwell-builtwall,strongtower,oragedoak,Nomorearemovedbyblaststhatroundthemrave,Nomorebyfuriousseaismovedtherock,Smotedayandnightbythetempestuouswave,Thaninthosearms,securefromhostilestroke,WhichersttoTrojanHectorVulcangave,MovedwashebythatireandhatredrankWhichstormedabouthishead,andbreast,andflank。

  LXXIV

  Nowaimsthatmartialmaidatrenchantblow,Andnowgivespoint;andwhollyisintent\'Twixtplateandplatetoreachherhatedfoe;

  Sothatherstifledfuryshemayvent:

  Nowonthisside,nowthat,nowhigh,nowlowShestrikes,andcircleshim,onmischiefbent;

  Andevermoresheragesandrepines;

  Asbalkedofeverypurposeshedesigns。

  LXXV

  Ashethatlayethsiegetowell-walledtown,Andflankedaboutwithsolidbulwarks,stillRenewstheassault;nowfainwouldbatterdownGatewayortower;nowgapingfossewouldfill;

  Yetvainlytoilsforentranceistherenone

  Andwasteshishost,ayefrustrateofhiswill;

  SosorelytoilsandstriveswithoutavailThedamsel,norcanopenplateormail。

  LXXVI

  Sparksnowhisshield,nowhelm,nowcuirassscatter,Whilestraightandbackstrokes,aimednowlow,nowhigh,WhichgoodRogero\'sheadandbosombatter,Andarms,bythousandsandbythousandsflyFasterthanonthesoundingfarm-roofpatterHailstonesdescendingfromatroubledsky。

  Rogero,athisward,withdexterouscare,Defendshimself,andne\'eroffendsthefair。

  LXXVII

  Nowstopt,nowcircled,nowretiredtheknight,Andofthishandhisfootaccompanied;

  Andliftedshield,andshiftedswordinfight,Whereshiftinghethehostilehandespied。

  Eitherhesmotehernot,or——diehesmite——

  Smote,wherehedeemedleastevilwouldbetide。

  Thelady,erethewesteringsundescend,Desirestobringthatdueltoanend。

  LXXVIII

  Oftheedictsherememberedher,andknewHerperil,savethefoewasquicklysped:

  ForifshetooknotinonedaynorslewHerclaimant,shewastaken;andhisheadPhoebuswasnowabouttohidefromview,NighHercules\'pillars,inhiswaterybed,Whenfirstshe\'ganmisdoubtherpowertocopeWiththestrongfoe,andtoabandonhope。

  LXXIX

  Byhowmuchmorehopefailsthedamsel,soMuchmoreherangerwaxes;sheherblowsRedoubling,yettheharnessofherfoeWillbreak,whichthroughthatdayunbrokenshows;

  Ashe,thatathisdailydrudgeryslow,Seesnightonhisunfinishedlabourclose,Hurriesandtoilsandmoilswithoutavail,Tillweariedstrengthandlighttogetherfail。

  LXXX

  Didstthou,Omiserabledamsel,trowWhomthouwouldstkill,ifinthatcavalierMatchedagainsttheethoudidstRogeroknow,Onwhomdependthyverylife-threads,ereThoukilledhimthouwouldstkillthyself;forthou,Iknow,dostholdhimthanthyselfmoredear;

  AndwhenheforRogeroshallbeknown,Iknowtheseverystrokesthouwiltbemoan。

  LXXXI

  KingCharlesandpeershimsheathedinplateandshellDeemnotRogero,buttheemperor\'sson;

  AndviewinginthatcombatfierceandfellSuchforceandquicknessbythestriplingshown;

  And,withoute\'eroffendingher,howwellThatknightdefendshimself,nowchangetheirtone;

  Esteembothwellassorted;anddeclareThechampionsworthyofeachotherare。

  LXXXII

  WhenPhoebuswhollyunderwatergoes,Charlemagnebidsthewarringpairdivide;

  AndBradamantnorbootsittooppose

  AllotstoyouthfulLeoasabride。

  NotthereRogerotarriedtorepose;

  Norloosedhisarmour,norhishelmuntied:

  Onasmallhackney,hurryingsore,hewentWhereLeohimawaitedinhistent。

  LXXXIII

  TwiceinfraternalguiseandoftenerthrewLeohisarmsaboutthecavalier;

  Andnexthishelmetfromhisheadwithdrew,Andkiss\'dhimonbothcheekswithlovingcheer。

  “Iwould,“hecried,“thatthouwouldsteverdoBymewhatpleaseththee;forthouwiltne\'erWearymylove:atanycallIlendTotheemyselfandstate;thesefriendlyspend;

  LXXXIV

  “NorseeIrecompense,whichcanrepayThemightyobligationthatIowe;

  ThoughofthegarlandIshoulddisarrayMybrows,andupontheethatgiftbestow。”

  Rogero,onwhomhissorrowspressandprey,Wholoatheshislife,immersedinthatdeepwoe,Littlereplies;theensignshehadwornReturns,andtakesagainhisunicorn;

  LXXXV

  Andshowinghimselfspiritlessandspent,Fromthenceasquicklyashecouldwithdrew,AndfromyoungLeo\'stohislodgingswent;

  Whenitwasmidnight,armedhimselfanew,Saddledhishorse,andsalliedfromhistent;

  Hetakesnoleave,andnonehisgoingview;

  AndhisFrontinotothatroadaddrest,Whichseemedtopleasethegoodlycourserbest。

  LXXXVI

  NowbystraightwayandnowbycrookedwoundFrontino,nowbywoodandwidechampaign;

  Andallnightwithhisriderpacedthatround,Whoneverceasedamomenttocomplain:

  HecalledonDeath,andthereincomfortfound;

  Sincebrokebyhimaloneisstubbornpain;

  Norsaw,saveDeath,whatotherpowercouldcloseTheaccountofhisinsufferablewoes。

  LXXXVII

  “WhereofshouldIcomplain,“hesaid,“woisme!

  Soofmyeverygoodatonceforlorn?

  Ah!ifIwillnotbearthisinjuryWithoutrevenge,againstwhomshallIturn?

  ForI,besidesmyself,noneotherseeThathathinflictedonmescatheandscorn。

  ThenItotakerevengeforalltheharmDonetomyself,againstmyselfmustarm。

  LXXXVIII

  “Yetwasbuttomyselfthisinjurydone,Myselftosparebecausethistouchedbutme

  Ihaplycould,yethardlycould,bewon;

  Nay,Iwillsayoutright,Icouldnotbe。

  LesscanIbe,sincenottomealone,ButBradamant,isdonethisinjury;

  EvenifIcouldconsentmyselftospare,Itfitsmenotunvengedtoleavethatfair。

  LXXXIX

  “ThenIthedamselwillavenge,anddie,Northisdisturbsmewhatsoe\'erbetide;

  For,batingdeath,Iknownotaught,wherebyDefenceagainstmygriefcanbesupplied。

  ButIlamentmyselfalone,thatI

  Beforeoffendingher,shouldnothavedied。

  OhappierFortune!hadIbreathedmylastInTheodora\'sdungeonprisonedfast!

  XC

  “Thoughshehadslain,hadtorturedmebeforeSheslew,aspromptedbyhercruelty,AtleastthehopewouldhaveremainedinstoreThatIbyBradamantshouldpitiedbe:

  ButwhensheknowsthatIlovedLeomoreThanher,that,ofmyownaccordandfree,Myselfofher,Iforhisgood,deprive,Deadwillsherightlyhatemeoralive。”

  XCI

  Thesewordshesaidandmanymore,withsighAndheavysobwithalaccompanied,And,whenanothersunillumedthesky,Midstrangeandgloomywoodshimselfespied;

  And,forhedesperatewasandbenttodie,Andhe,asbesthecould,hisdeathwouldhide;

  Thisplacetohimseemedfarremovedfromview,Andfittedforthedeedthathewoulddo。

  XCII

  Heenteredintothatdarkwoodland,whereHethickesttreesandmostentangledspied:

  ButfirstFrontinowasthewarrior\'scare,Whomheunharnessedwholly,anduntied。

  “OmyFrontino,ifthymeritsrareIcouldreward,thoulittlecause“hecried

  “Shouldsthavetoenvyhim,sohighlygraced,Whosoaredtoheaven,andmidthestarswasplaced。

  XCIII

  “NorCillarus,norArion,waswhilereWorthierthanthee,normeritedmorepraise;

  Noranyothersteed,whosenamewehearSoundedinGrecianorinLatinlays。

  Wasanysuchinotherpointsthypeer,Noneofthem,wellIknow,thevauntcanraise;

  ThatsuchhighhonourandsuchcourtesyWereuponhimbestowed,aswereonthee。

  XCIV

  “Sincetothegentlestmaid,offairestdye,Andboldestthathathbeen,orevermoreWillbe,thouwastsodear,sheusedtotieThytrappings,andtotheethyforagebore:

  Dearwastthoutomylady-love:Ah!whyCallIhermine,sincesheisminenomore?

  IfIhavegivenhertoanotherlord,WhyturnInotuponmyselfthissword?“

  XCV

  Ifhimthesethoughtssoharassandtorment,Thatbirdandbeastaresoftenedbyhiscries;

  For,savingthese,nonehearsthesadlament,Norseesthefloodthattricklesformhiseyes

  YouarenottobelievethatmorecontentTheLadyBradamantinParislies;

  Whocannolongerherdelayexcuse,NorLeoforherweddedlordrefuse。

  XCVI

  Eresheherselftoanyconsorttie,BesideherownRogero,shewillfainDowhatsocanbedone;herwordbelie;

  Angerfriends,kindred,court,andCharlemagne;

  Andifshenothingelsecando,willdie,Bypoisonorherowngoodfaulchionslain:

  Fornottoliveappearsfarlesserwoe,Than,living,herRogerotoforego。

  XCVII

  “Rogeromine,ah!wondergone“shecried

  “Artthou;andcanstthousofardistantbe,Thouheardestnotthisroyaledictcried,Athingconcealedfromnone,expectingthee?

  Fasterthantheewouldnonehavehitherhied,Iwot,hadstthouknownthis;ah!wretchedme!

  HowcanIe\'erinfuturethinkofaught,Savingtheworstthatcanbymebethought?

  XCVIII

  “Howcanitbe,Rogero,thoualoneHastreadnotwhatbyalltheworldisread?

  Ifthouhastreaditnot,norhitherflown,Howcanstthoubutaprisonerbe,ordead?

  ButwellIwot,thatifthetruthwereknown,ThisLeowillfortheesomesnarehavespread:

  Thetraitorwillhavebarredthyway,intentThoushouldstnothimbybetterspeedprevent。

  XCIX

  “FromCharlesIgainedthepromise,thattononeLesspuissantthanmyselfshouldIbegiven;

  Inthereliancethouwouldstbethatone,WithwhomIshouldinarmshavevainlystriven。

  NoneIesteemed,exceptingtheealone:

  ButwellmyrashnessisrebukedbyHeaven:

  SinceIbyoneamtakeninthiswiseUnfamedthroughlifeforanyfairemprize。

  C

  “IfIamheldastaken,sincetheknightIhadnotforcetotakenoryettoslay;

  Athingthatisnot,inmyjudgment,right;

  NorItoCharles\'ssentencewillgiveway,IknowthatIshallbeesteemedaslight,IfwhatIlatelysaid,Inowunsay;

  ButofthosemanyladiesthathavepastForlight,Iamnot,I,thefirstorlast。

  CI

  “EnoughItomyloverfaithmaintain,And,firmerthanarock,amstillfoundtrue!

  Andfarhereinsurpassthefemaletrain,Thatwereinoldendays,orareinnew!

  Nor,iftheymeasfickleshallarraign,CareI,sogoodfromficklenessensue;

  ThoughIamlighterthanaleafbesaid,SoIbeforcednotwiththatGreeknowed。”

  CII

  Thesethingsandmorebesidethedamselbright\'Twixtwhichoftsobsandtearswereinterposed,CeasednottoutterthroughthelivelongnightWhichuponthatunhappydayhadclosed。

  But,whenwithinCimmeria\'scavernedheightNocturnuswithhistroopsofshadesreposed,Heaven,whicheternallyhadwilledthemaidShouldbeRogero\'sconsort,broughthimaid:

  CIII

  ThismovesthehaughtMarphisa,when\'tismorn,Toappearbeforetheking;towhomthatmaidSaith,totheChild,herbrother,mightyscornWasdone;norshouldhebesoillappaid,Thatfromhimshouldhisplightedwifebetorn;

  Andnoughtthereofuntothewarriorsaid;

  AndonwhoeverlistsshewillinstrifeProveBradamanttobeRogero\'swife;

  CIV

  Andthis,beforeallothers,willprovetrueOnher,iftodenyitshewilldare;

  ForshehadtoRogero,inherview,Spokenthosewords,whichtheythatmarryswear;

  AndwithallceremonywontanddueSowasthecontractsealedbetweenthepair,Theywerenolongerfree;norcouldforsakeTheonetheother,otherspousetotake。

  CV

  WhetherMarphisatrueorfalselyspake,Iwellbelievethat,ratherwithintentYoungLeo\'spurpose,rightorwrong,tobreak,Thantellthetruth,shespeaks;andwithconsentOfBradamantdoththatavowalmake:

  FortoexcludethehatedLeobent,AndofRogerotoberepossest,Thisshebelieveshershortestwayandbest。

  CVI

  Sorelybythisdisturbed,KingCharlemagneBadeBradamantbecalled,andtohertoldThatwhichtheproudMarphisawouldmaintain;

  AndAymonpresentinthepressbehold!——

  Bradamantdropsherhead,nortreatsasvain,Norvoucheswhatavowsthatvirginbold,Insuchconfusion,theymaywellbelieveThatfierceMarphisaspeaksnottodeceive。

  CVII

  JoygoodOrlandoandjoyRinaldoshow,WhoviewinvalorousMarphisa\'spleaAcausetheallianceshallnofurthergo,WhichsealedalreadyLeodeemedtobe;

  Andyet,inspiteofstubbornAymon\'sno,BradamantshallRogero\'sconsortbe;

  Andtheymay,withoutstrife,withoutdespiteDonetoDukeAymon\'s,givehertotheknight。

  CVIII

  Forifsuchwordshavepass\'dbetweenthetwain,Fastistheknotandcannotbeuntied;

  Theywhattheyvowedmorefairlywillobtain,Andwithoutfurtherstrifearetheseaffied。

  “Thisisaplot,aplotdevisedinvain;

  AndyedeceiveyourselvesDukeAymoncried

  For,werethestorytruewhichyehavefeigned,Believenotthereforethatyourcauseisgained。

  CIX

  “ForgrantingwhatIwillnotyetallow,AndwhatItobelieveasyetdemur;

  ThatweaklytoRogerosohervowWasplighted,asRogero\'swastoher;

  Wherewasthecontractmade,andwhenandhow?

  Moreclearlythistomemustyeaver。

  Eitheritwasnotso,Iamadvised;

  OrwasbeforeRogerowasbaptized。

  CX

  “ButifitwerebeforetheyouthfulknightAChristianwas,Iwillnotheedit,I;

  For\'twixtafaithfulandapaynimwight,Ideemthatnoughtavailsthemarriage-tie。

  ForthisnotvainlyinthedoubtfulfightShouldConstantine\'sfairsonhaveriskedtodie;

  NorCharlemagneforthis,oursovereignlordWillforfeit,Ibelieve,hisplightedword。

  CXI

  “Whatnowyousayyoushouldbeforehavesaid,Whileyetthematterwasunbroke,andereCharlesatmydaughter\'sprayerthatedictmadeWhichhasdrawnLeotothecombathere。”

  OrlandoandRinaldoweregainsayedSobeforeroyalCharlesbyClermont\'speer;

  AndequalCharlemagneheardeitherside,Butneitherwouldforthisnorthatdecide。

  CXII

  AsinthesouthernorthenorthernbreezeThegreenwoodmurmurs;andasontheshore,WhenAeoluswiththegodthatrulestheseasIswroth,thehoarseandhollowbreakersroar,Soaloudrumourofthisstrife,thatfleesThroughFrance,andspreadsandcirclesevermore,Affordssuchmattertorehearseandhear,Thatnoughtbesideisbruisedfarornear。

  CXIII

  ThesewithRogero,thosewithLeoside;

  ButthemostnumerousareRogero\'sfriends,WhoagainstAymon,tentoone,divide。

  GoodCharlemagnetoneitherpartybends;

  Butwillsthatcauseshallbebyjusticetried,Andtohisparliamentthemattersends。

  Marphisa,nowthebridalwasdeferred,Appearedanew,andotherquestionstirred;

  CXIV

  Andsaid,“InthatanthercannothaveBradamant,whilemybrotherisalive,LetLeo,ifthegentlemaidhecrave,Hisfoeinlistedfightoflifedeprive;

  Andhe,thatsendstheothertohisgrave,Freedfromhisrival,withtheladywive。”

  Forthwiththischallenge,aserewhiletherest,ToLeowasdeclaredatCharles\'behest。

  CXV

  LeowhoifhehadthecavalierOftheunicorn,believedhefromhisfoeWassafe;andthoughtnoperilwouldappearToohardafeatforhim;andknewnothowThenceintosolitarywoodsanddrearThatwarriorhadbeenhurriedbyhiswoe;

  HimgoneforlittletimeandfordisportBelieved,andtookhislineinevilsort。

  CXVI

  ThisshortlyLeowascondemnedtorue:

  Forhe,onwhomtoofondlyherelied,NoronthatdaynoronthefollowingtwoAppeared,nornewsofhimweresignified;

  AndcombatwithRogerowas,heknew,Unsafe,unlessthatknightwasonhisside:

  Sosent,toeschewthethreatenedscatheandscorn,Toseekthewarrioroftheunicorn。

  CXVII

  Throughcity,andthroughhamlet,andthroughtown,HesendstoseekRogero,farandnear:

  Andnotcontentwiththis,himselfisgoneInperson,onhissteed,tofindthepeer。

  ButofthemissingwarriortidingsnoneNorhenoranyoftheCourtwouldhearButforMelissa:IforotherverseReservemyself,herdoingstorehearse。

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