Orlando Furioso by Lodovico Ariosto

Author:Lodovico Ariosto
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620113059
Publisher: Duke Classics

Canto 25

*

ARGUMENT

Rogero Richardetto from the pains

Of fire preserves, doomed by Marsilius dead:

He to Rogero afterwards explains

Fully the cause while he to death was led.

Them mournful Aldigier next entertains,

And with them the ensuing morning sped,

Vivian and Malagigi to set free;

To Bertolagi sold for hire and fee.

I

Oh! mighty springs of war in youthful breast,

Impetuous force of love, and thirst of praise!

Nor yet which most avails is known aright:

For each by turns its opposite outweighs.

Within the bosom here of either knight,

Honour, be sure, and duty strongly sways:

For the amorous strife between them is delayed,

Till to the Moorish camp they furnish aid.

II

Yet love sways more; for, save that the command

Was laid upon them by their lady gay,

Neither would in that battle sheathe the brand,

Till he was crowned with the victorious bay;

And Agramant might vainly with his band,

For either knight's expected succour, stay.

Then Love is not of evil nature still;

— He can at times do good, if often ill.

III

'Twas now, suspending all their hostile rage,

One and the other paynim cavalier,

The Moorish host from siege to disengage,

For Paris, with the gentle lady, steer;

And with them goes as well that dwarfish page,

Who tracked the footsteps of the Tartar peer,

Till he had brought the warrior front to front,

In presence with the jealous Rodomont.

IV

They at a mead arrived, where, in disport,

Knights were reposing by a stream, one pair

Disarmed, another casqued in martial sort;

And with them was a dame of visage fair.

Of these in other place I shall report,

Not now; for first Rogero is my care,

That good Rogero, who, as I have shown,

Into a well the magic shield had thrown.

V

He from that well a mile is hardly gone

Ere he a courier sees arrive at speed,

Of those dispatched by King Troyano's son

To knights whom he awaited in his need;

From him Rogero hears that so foredone

By Charles are those who hold the paynim creed,

They will, save quickly succoured in the strife,

As quickly forfeit liberty and life.

VI

Rogero stood awhile in pensive case,

Whom many warring thoughts at once opprest;

But neither fitted was the time nor place

To make his choice, or judge what promised best.

The courier he dismist, and turned his face

Whither he with the damsel was addrest;

Whom aye the Child so hurried on her way,

He left her not a moment for delay.

VII

Pursuing thence their ancient road again,

They reached a city, with the westering sun;

Which, in the midst of France, from Charlemagne

Marsilius had in that long warfare won:

Nor them to interrupt or to detain,

At drawbridge or at gate, was any one:

Though in the fosse, and round the palisade,

Stood many men, and piles of arms were laid.

VIII

Because the troop about that fortress see

Accompanying him, the well-known dame,

They to Rogero leave the passage free,

Nor even question him from whence he came.

Reaching the square, of evil company

He finds it full, and bright with ruddy flame;

And, in the midst, is manifest to view

The youth condemned, with face of pallid hue.

IX

As on the stripling's face he turns his eyes,

Which hangs declined and wet with frequent tear,

Rogero thinks he Bradamant descries;

So much the youth resembles her in cheer:

More sure the more

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