International Poetry Day
March 21st is International Poetry Day!
Poetry day is the day when we curse the modern day, and all modern philosophy, which undermines, uglifies, and desecrates not only poetry, but love, truth, beauty, and virtue, and everything and anything that makes poetry a necessity for wholesome life.
Hail, poetry! Hail, Calliope and Euterpe, Thalia and Melpomene, Erato and Polyhymnia! (These are the patrons goddesses of epic and lyric poetry, comedy and tragedy, love poems and psalms. Urania is the muse of astronomy, so we Science Fiction writers regard her as our patron.)
Myself, having somewhat plebeian tastes, have always preferred epics to shorter works. The disadvantage is that such lengthy prodigies cannot be recited in one sitting.
To bring overdue attention to one of my favorite medieval poems, and to the Matter of France, allow me to quote the John Huntington translation of Ariosto’s ORLANDO FURIOSO (The Madness of Roland). The madness is brought about, as you might expect from those naughty Medievals, by love.
The Christians are fighting the Mohammedans, as every century (save the one where we were fighting Socialists) attests as the norm. Ah, but in elder days courtesy and chivalry held sway even between deadly foes of opposite faiths. The Muslim warriors of those days, or so the mild memory of the muse of poets attests, were brave and valiant, utterly unlike those of ours.
ORLANDO FURIOSO is a continuation of a different epic by another hand, Boyardo’s ORLANDO INNAMORATO (Roland in Love). Naughty, naughty Medievals.
You see, back in those days, it was not considered bigotry if a man did not want to court another man in drag, or perform some strange mockery of marital sacraments or mating rites with someone not of the opposite sex. Women liked being womanly back then, and they liked their men manly, the two were separate and sane, unlike today. Then, the main delight and main danger heaven grants to mankind, the division and the union of two sexes, was thought to be a delight as well as a danger. Modern people, that dwindling number who is not taking medication for depression nor yet committed suicide, on the other hand, believe there is no danger whatsoever in sex, and that there are more or less than two, or none, and any man can be any sex he wishes, or both, or neither. All delight has been smothered.
This is why moderns could never be time travelers. It is why they have to burn books, demonetize conservative YouTube videos, ban conservatives on social media while permitting terrorist groups to recruit, stuff the past down the memory hole, and forbid the use of words and phrases. They are angry at the past for the same reason they hate God. Moderns hate reality. So of course they hate poetry.
Because the modern world is barking moonbat mad, even the simple matter of epic poems must be explained to them: and that water is wet, Muslims make eternal war against Christians, fire burns, love is dangerous but delightful, the mother of adoration and madness, heartbreak and bliss.
I could explain what events were before this, but you can read Bullfinch as easily as I, and I wanted to rant about the madness of the modern day instead.
The action begins, as is typical for Homer, Virgil, Milton and STAR WARS, in media res. (This is a Latin phrase equivalent to our English phrase ‘in media res’. The difference is that Latin phrases are in italics.)
THE FIRST BOOK OR CANTO OF ORLANDO FURIOSO.
THE ARGUMENT.
Charls hath the foyle, Angelica flies thence:
Renaldos horse holpe him his Loue to find:
Ferraw with him doth fight in her defence:
She flies againe, they stay not long behind.
Argalias ghost reproves Ferraws offence,
The Spaniard to new vow himselfe doth bind.
His mistris presence Sacrapant enjoyeth,
With Bradamant Renaldo him annoyeth.
1
OF Dames, of Knights, of armes, of loves delight,
Of courtesies, of high attempts I speake,
Then when ye Moores transported all their might
On Africke seas, the force of France to break:
Incited by the youthful heat and spite
Of Agramant their king, that vowed to wreak
The death of King Trajano (lately slaine)
Upon the Roman Emperor Charlemaine.
2
I will no lesse Orlandos acts declare,
(A tale in prose ne verse yet sung or sayd)
Who fell bestraught with love, a hap most rare,
To one that earst was counted wise and staid:
If my sweet Saint that causeth my like care,
My slender muse affoord some gracious ayd,
I make no doubt but I shall have the skill,
As much as I have promist to fulfill.
3
Vouchsafe (O Prince of most renowned race,
The ornament and hope of this our time)
T’accept this gift presented to your grace,
By me your servant rudely here in rhyme.
And though I paper pay and ink, in place
Of deeper debt, yet take it for no crime:
It may suffice a poor and humble debtor,
To lay and if he could it should be better.
4
Here shall you find among the worthy peers,
Whose praises I prepare to tell in verse,
Rogero; him from whom of ancient years
Your princely stems derived, I rehearse
Whose noble mind by princely acts appears,
Whose worthy fame even to the sky doth pierce
So you vouchsafe my lowly stile and base,
Among your high conceits a little place.
5
Orlando who long time had loved deare,
Angelica the faire: and for her sake,
About the world, in nations far and neare,
Did high attempts performe and undertake,
Retured with her into the West that yeare,
That Charles his power against the Turks did make:
And with the force of Germany and France,
Near Pyron Alpes his standard did advance.
6
To make the Kings of Affrick and of Spaine,
Repent their rash attempts and foolish vaunts,
One having brought from Affrick in his train,
All able men to carry sword or launce,
The other mou’d the Spaniards now againe
To overthrow the goodly Realme of Fraunce.
And hither (as I said) Orlando went,
But of his coming straight he did repent.
7
For here (behold how humane judgments art,
And how the wiser sort are oft mistaken)
His Ladie whom he guarded had so far,
Nor had in fights nor dangers great forsaken,
Without the dint of sword or open warr,
Amid his friends away from him was taken.
For Charles the great, a valiant Prince and wise,
Did this to quench a broil that did arise.
8
Betweene Orlando and Renaldo late,
There fell about Angelica some brawl,
And each of them began the tother hate,
This Ladies love had made them both so thrall.
But Charles who much mislikes that such debate
Betweene such friends should rise, on cause so small,
To Namus of Bauier in keeping gave her,
And suffered neither of them both to have her.
9
But promist he would presently bestow
The damsel faire, on him that in that fight,
The plainest proofe should of his prowess show,
And danger most the Pagans with his might,
But (ay the while) the Christens take the blow,
Their souldiers slaine, their Captaines put to flight,
The Duke himselfe a prisner there was taken,
His tent was quite abandond and forsaken.
10
Where when the damsel faire a while had stayd,
That for the victor pointed was a pray,
She tooke her horse, ne farther time delayd,
But secretly convey’d her selfe away.
For she foresaw, and was full sore afraid,
That this to Charles would prove a dismall day.
And riding through a wood, she hapt to meet
A knight that came against her on his feet.
11
His curats on, his helmet not undone,
His sword and target ready to the same,
And through the wood so swiftly he did runne,
As they that go halfe naked for a game.
But never did a shepheards daughter shunne
More speedily a snake that on her came,
Then faire Angelica did take her flight,
When as she once had knowledge of the knight.
12
This valiant knight was Lord of Clarimount,
Duke Ammons sonne, as you shall understand,
Who having lost his horse of good account,
That by mishap was slipt out of his hand,
He followd him, in hope againe to mount,
Untill this Ladies sight did make him stand,
Whose face and shape proportiond were so well,
They seeme the house where love itselfe did dwell.
13
But she that shuns Renaldo all she may,
Upon her horses necke doth lay the raine,
Through thicke and thin she gallopeth away,
Ne makes she choise of beaten way or plaine,
But gives her palfrey leaue to chuse the way,
And being mou’d with feare and with disdaine,
Now up, now downe, she never leaues to ride,
Till she arriued by a riuer side.
14
Fast by the streame Ferraw she sees anone,
(Who noyd, in part with dust, and part with sweat)
Out of the battell hither came alone,
With drinke his thirst, with aire to swage his heat;
And minding backe againe to have bene gone,
He was detaind with an unlookt for let,
Into the streame by hap his helmet fell,
And how to get it out he cannot tell.
15
And hearing now the noise and mournfull crie
Of one with piteous voice demaunding ayd,
Seeing the damsel eke approching nie,
That nought but helpe against Renaldo prayd,
What wight it was, he guessed by and by,
Though looking pale, like one that had bene frayd,
And though she had not late bene in his sight,
He thought it was Angelica the bright.
16
And being both a stout and courteous knight,
And love a little kindling in his brest,
He promist straight to aide her all he might,
And to performe what ever she request.
And though he want a helmet, yet to fight
With bold Renaldo he will do his best.
And both the one, the other straight defied,
Oft having either others value tried.
17
Betweene them two, a combat fierce began,
With strokes that might have pierst ye hardest rocks.
While they thus fight on foote, and man to man,
And gives and take so hard and heavy knocks,
Away the damsel posteth all she can,
Their paine and trauell she requites with mocks.
So hard she rode while they were at their fight,
That she was cleane escaped out of sight.
18
When they long time contended had in vaine,
Who should remaine the master in the field,
And that with force, with cunning, nor with paine,
The tone of them could make the other yeeld,
Renaldo first did move the Knight of Spaine
(Although he us’d such courtesy but seeld)
To make a truce; ne was he to be blamed,
For love his heart to other fight inflamed.
19
You thought (said he) to hinder me alone,
But you have hurt your selfe as much or more.
You see the faire Angelica is gone,
So soone we leese that earst we sought so sore.
Had you me ta’en or slain, your gain were none,
Sith you were ner the nere your love therfore.
For while we two have made this little stay,
She lets us both alone and go’th her way.
20
But if you love the Ladie, as you say,
Then let us both agree to find her out,
To have her first will be our wisest way,
And when of holding her there is no doubt,
Then by consent let her remaine his pray,
That with his sword can prove himselfe most stout,
I see not else after our long debate,
How either of us can amend his state.
21
Ferraw (that felt small pleasure in the sight)
Agreed a lound and friendly league to make:
They lay aside all wrath aud malice quite,
And at the parting from the running lake,
The Pagan would not let the Christen knight
To follow him on foote for manners sake:
But prayes him mount behind his horses backe,
Aud so they seeke the damsel by the tracke.
22
O auncient knights of true and noble hart,
They rivals were, one faith they liv’d not under,
Beside they felt their bodies shrewdly smart
Or blowes late given, and yet (behold a wonder)
Through thicke and thin, suspicion set apart,
Like friends they ride, and parted not asunder,
Untill the horse with double spurring drived
Unto a way parted in two arrived.
23
And being neither able to descrie
Which way was gone Angelica the bright,
Because the track of horses feet, whereby
They seeke her out, appeare alike in sight.
They part, and either will his fortune try,
The left hand one, the other takes the right.
The Spaniard when he wandred had a while,
Came whence he went, the way did him beguile.
24
He was arriv’d but there, with all his pain,
Where in the foord he let his helmet fall,
And of his Ladie (whom he lov’d in vaine)
He now had little hope, or none at all.
His helmet now he thinkes to get againe,
And seekes it out, but seeke it while he shall,
It was so deeply sunken in the sand,
He cannot get it out at any hand.
25
Hard by the banke a tall yong Popler grew,
Which he cut downe, thereof a pole to make,
With which each place in feeling and in vew,
To find his scull he up and downe doth rake:
But lo a hap unlookt for doth ensew,
While he such needlesse frutelesse paine doth take;
He saw a knight arise out of the brooke,
Breast hie, with visage grim, and angry looke.
26
The knight was arm’d at all points save the hed,
And in his hand he held the helmet plaine,
That very helmet that such care had bred
In him that late had sought it with such paine
And looking grimly on Ferraro he sed,
Ah faithless wretch, in promise false and vaine,
It grieves thee now this helmet so to miss,
That should of right be rendred long ere this.
27
Remember (cruell Pagan) when you killed
Me, brother to Angelica the bright:
You sayd you would (as I then dying willed)
Mine armour drowne, when finisht were the fight,
Now if that fortune have the thing fulfilled,
Which thou thyself sholdst have performd in right,
Grieve not thy selfe, or if thou wilt be grieved,
Grieve that thy promise cannot be believed.
28
But if to want an helmet thou repine,
Get one wherewith thine honour thou mayest save,
Such hath Orlando Countie Paladine,
Renaldo such, or one perchance more brave,
That was from Almont tane, this from Manbrine:
Win one of these, that thou with praise must have,
And all for this, surcease to seeke it more,
But leave it as thou promisd me before.
29
Ferraw was much amazd to see the sprite,
That made this strange appearance unexpected,
His voice was gone, his hair did stand upright,
His senses all were so to fear subjected.
His heart did swell with anger and despite,
To heare his breach of promise thus objected,
And that Argalia (lo the knight was named)
With just reproof could make him thus ashamed.
30
And wanting time, the matter to excuse,
And being guilty of no little blame,
He rested mute, and in a senslesse muse,
So sore his heart was tainted with the shame.
And by Linsusas life he vow’d to use
No helmet, till such time he gat the same,
Which from the stout Almont Orlando wan,
When as they two encountred man to man.
31
But he this vow to keepe more firmely ment,
And kept it better then the first he had,
Away he parted hence a malcontent,
And many dayes ensuing rested sad.
To seeke Orlando out is his intent,
With whom to fight he would be very glad.
But now what haps unto Renaldo fell,
That tooke the other way, tis time to tell.
32
Not farre he walkt, but he his horse had spied.
That prancing went before him on the way,
Holla my boy holla (Renaldo crid:)
The want of thee annoyd me much to day.
But Bayard will not let his master ride,
But takes his heeles and faster go’th away.
His flight much anger in Renaldo bred:
But follow we Angelica that fled.
33
That fled through woods and deserts all obscure,
Through places vninhabited and wast,
Ne could she yet repute her selfe secure,
But farther still she gallopeth in hast.
Each leaf that stirres in her doth feare procure,
And maketh her affrighted and aghast:
Each noise she heares, each shadow she doth see,
She doth mistrust it should Renaldo be.
34
Like to a fawn, or kid of bearded goat,
That in the wood a tyger fierce espide,
To kill her dam, and first to teare the throate,
And then to feed upon the haneh or side,
Both feare lest the might light on such a lot,
And seeke it selfe in thickest brackes to hide,
And thinkes each noise the wind or aire doth cause,
It selfe in danger of the tygers clawes.
35
That day and night she wandred here and there,
And half the other day that did ensue,
Until at last she was arriued where,
A fine young grove with pleasant shadow grew,
Neare to the which two little rivers were,
Whose moisture did the tender herbes renew,
And make a sweet and very pleasing sound,
By running on the sand and stonie ground.
36
Here she at last her self in safety thought,
As being from Renaldo many a mile,
Tyr’d with annoy the heat and travell brought,
She thinkes it best with sleepe the time beguile,
And having first a place convenient sought,
She lets her horse refresh his limbes the while,
Who sed upon the bankes well cloth’d with grasse,
And dranke the riuer water cleere as glasse.
37
Hard by the brooke an arbor she descride,
Wherein grew faire and very fragrant flowers,
With roses sweet, and other trees beside,
Wherewith the place adornes the natiue boures,
So fenced in with shades on either side,
Safe from the heate of late or early hours:
The boughes aud leaves so cunningly were mixt,
No sun, no light, could enter them betwixt.
38
Within, the tender herbes a bed do make,
Inviting folk to take their rest and ease:
Here meanes this Ladie faire a nap to take,
And falls to sleepe, the place so well doth please.
Not long she lay, but her a noise did wake,
The trampling of a horse did her disease,
And looking out as secret as she might,
To come all arm’d she saw a comely knight.
39
She knowes not yet if he be foe or friend,
Twixt hope and feare she doubtfully doth stand,
And what he meanes to do she doth attend,
And who it was she faine would understand.
The knight did to the river side descend,
And resting downe his head upon his hand,
All in a muse he sitteth still alone,
Like one transform’d into a marble stone.
40
He tarri’d in this muse an houre and more,
With looke cast downe in sad and heavy guise,
At last he did lament his hap so sore,
Yet in so sweete and comely mournefull wise,
So hard a heart no tyger ever bore,
But would have heard such plaints with watrish eies.
His heart did seeme a mountaine full of flame,
His cheekes a streame of teares to quench the same.
41
Alas (said he) what meanes this divers passion?
I burne as fire, and yet as frost I freese,
I still lament, and yet I move compassion,
I come too late, and all my labour leese.
I had but words and lookes for shew and fashion,
Put others get the game, and gainefull fees:
If neither fruite nor flower come to my part,
Why should her love consume my carefull hart?
42
Like to the rose I count the virgine pure,
That grow’th on native stem in garden faire,
Which while it stands with wals environd sure,
Where heardmen with their heards cannot repaire
To favor it, it seemeth to allure
The morning dew, the heate, the earth, the aire.
Young gallant men, and lovely dames delight
In their sweet sent, and in their pleasing sight.
43
But when at once tis gathered and gone,
From proper stalke, where late before it grew,
The love, the liking little is or none,
Both favour, grace and beautie all adieu.
So when a virgin grants to one alone
The precious flower for which so many sue,
Well he that getteth it may love her best,
But she forgoes the love of all the rest.
44
She may deserve his love, but others hate,
To whom of love she shewd her selfe so scant.
(Oh then my cruell fortune or my fate)
Others have store, but I am starv’d with want:
Then leaue to love this ladie so ungrate:
Nay hue to love (behold I soone recant)
Yea first let life from these my limbs be rent,
Ere I to change my love shall gives consent.
45
If some perhaps desirous are to know,
What wight it was with sorow so opprest,
Twas Sacrapant that was afflicted so,
And love had bred this torment in his brest:
That trickling wound, that flattring cruel foe,
Most happy they that know and have it least.
The love of her I say procur’d his woe,
And she had heard and knew it long ago.
46
Her love allur’d him from the Easter land,
Unto the Westerne shores, where sets the Sunne,
And here he heard how by Orlandos hand,
A passage safe from th’Indies she had wonne.
Her sequestration he did understand,
That Charles had made, and how the same was done
To make the knights more venterous and bold,
In fighting for the Floure de Luce of gold.
47
And furthermore himselfe had present bene
When Charles his men were ouerthrowne and slaine.
Since then, he traueld farre to find this Queene,
But hitherto it hath bene all in vaine.
Now much despaire, and little hope betweene,
So rufully thereof he doth complaine,
And with such wailing words his woes rehearst,
As might the hardest stonie heart have pearst.
48
And while in this most dolefull state he bides,
And sighes full oft, and sheddeth many a teare,
And speakes these same, and many words besides,
(Which I to tell for want of time forbeare)
His noble fortune so for him provides,
That all this came unto his mistresse eare,
And in one moment he prevailed more
Then he had done in many yeares before.
49
Angelica with great attention hard,
The moan, and plaint, that him tormented sore,
Who long had loved her, with great regard,
As she had triall, many yeares before,
Yet as a marble pillar cold and hard,
She not incline, to pittie him the more.
Like one that all the world doth much disdaine,
And deemeth none worthie her love againe.
50
But being now with danger compast round,
She thought it best to take him for her guide.
For one that were in water almost drownd,
Were verie stout, if for no helpe he cryde:
If she let passe the fortune now she found,
She thinkes to want the like another tyde.
And furthermore for certaine this she knew,
That Sacrapant had beene her lover true.
51
Ne meant she tho to quench the raging fires,
That ay consum’d his faithfull loving heart,
Ne yet with that a lover most desires,
T asswage the paine in all, or yet in part:
She meanes he first shall pull her from the briers,
And feed him then with words and womens art,
To make him first of all to serve her turne,
That done, to wonted coynesse to returne.
52
Unto the river side she doth descend,
And toward him most goddesse like she came,
And said, all peace to thee my dearest frend,
With modest looke, and call’d him by his name,
And further said, the Gods and you defend
My chastitie, mine honor and my fame.
And never grant by their divine permission,
That I give cause of any such suspicion.
53
With how great joy a mothers minde is fill’d,
To see a sonne, for whom she long had mourned,
Whom she hard late in battell to be kill’d,
And saw the troops without him home returned,
Such joy had Sacrapant when he behild,
His Ladie deere: his tears to smiles are turned,
To see her beautie rare, her comely favour,
Her princely presence, and her stately havour.
54
Like one all ravisht with her heavenly face,
Unto his loved Ladie he doth runne,
Who was content in armes him to embrace,
Which she perhaps at home would not have done,
But doubting now the dangerous time and place,
She must go forward as she hath begun,
In hope by his good service and assistance,
To make her home returne without resistance.
55
And in most lou’ly manner she doth tell,
The strange adventures, and the divers chance,
That since they two did part to her befell.
Both on the way, and since she came to France:
And how Orlando used her right well,
Defending her from danger and mischance,
And that his noble force and magnammine,
Had still preseru’d the flower of her virginitie.
56
It might be true, but sure it was incredible,
To tell to one that were discreet and wise,
But unto Sacrapant it seemed possible,
Because that love had dasled to his eyes:
Love causeth that we see to seeme invisible,
And makes of things not seene, a shape to rise.
It is a proverb used long ago,
We soone believe the thing we would have so.
57
But to himselfe thus Sacrapant doth say,
B’it that my Lord of Anglant were so mad,
To take no pleasure of so faire a pray,
When he both time and place, and power had,
Yet am not I obliged any way,
To imitate a precedent so bad.
I’ll rather take my pleasure while I may,
Then waile my want of wit another day.
58
I’ll gather now the fresh and fragrant rose,
Whole beautie may with standing still be spent,
One cannot do a thing (as I suppose)
That better can a womans minde content:
Well may they seeme much grieued for a glose,
And weepe and waile, and dolefully lament,
There shall no foolish plaints, nor fained ire,
Hinder me to encarnat my desire.
59
This said, forthwith he did himselfe prepare,
T’assault the fort that easly would be wonne,
But loe a sodaine hap that bred new care,
And made him cease his enterprise begonne,
For of an enemie he was aware,
He claspt his helmet late before undone,
And armed all, he mounteth one his best
And standeth readie with his speare in rest.
60
Behold a warrior whom he did not know,
Came downe the wood in semblance like a knight,
The furniture was all as white as snow,
And in the helme a plume of fethers white.
King Sacrapant by proofe doth plainely show,
That he doth take the thing in great despite,
To be disturbd and hindred from that pleasure,
That he preferd before each other treasure.
61
Approching nie, the warrior he defide,
And hopes to set him quite beside the seat:
The other with such loftie words replide,
As persons use, in choler and in heat.
At last when glorious vaunts were laid aside,
They come to strokes and each to do his feat,
Doth couch his speare, and running thus they sped,
Their coursets both encountred hed to hed.
62
As Lions meete, or Buls in pastures greene,
With teeth & hornes, & staine with bloud the field,
Such eger fight these warriers was betweene.
And eithers speare had pearst the tothers sheild,
The sound that of these strokes had raised beene,
An eccho lowd along the vale did yeeld.
T’was happie that their curats were so good,
The Lances else had pierced to the blood.
63
For quite unable now about to wheele,
They butt like rammes, the one the others head,
Whereof the Pagans horse such paine did feele,
That ere long space had past he fell downe dead.
The tothers horse a little gan to reel,
But being spur’d, fall quickly up he sped.
The Pagans horse thus overthrowne and slaine,
Fell backward greatly to his masters paine,
64
That unknowne champion seeing thother down,
His horse upon him lying dead in view,
Expecting in this fight no more renowne,
Determind not the battell to renew.
But by the way that leadeth from the towne,
The first appointed journey doth pursue,
And was now ridden halfe a mile at least,
Before the Pagan parted from his beast.
65
Like as the tiller of the fruitfull ground,
With sodaine storme and tempest is astonished
Who sees the flash, & heares the thunders sound,
And for their masters sakes, the cattell punished,
Or when by hap a fair old pine he found,
By force of raging winds his leaves diminished.
So stood amazd the Pagan in the place,
His Ladie present at the wofull case.
66
He fetcht a sigh most deepely from his heart,
Not that he had put out of joynt, or lamed
His arme, his legge, or any other part,
But chiefly he, his euill fortune blamed,
At such a time, to hap lo overthwart,
Before his love, to make him so ashamed:
And had not she some cause of speech found out,
He had remained speechlesse out of doubt.
67
My Lord (said she) what ails you be so sad?
The want was not in you, but in your steed,
For whom a stable, or a pasture had
Beene fitter then a course at tilt indeed.
Nor is that adverse partie very glad,
As well appears, that parted with such speed,
For in my judgement they be said to yield,
That first leave off, and do depart the feeld.
68
Thus while she gives him comfort all she may,
Behold there came a messenger in post,
Blowing his horne, and riding downe the way,
Where he before his horse, and honor lost.
And comming nearer he of them doth pray,
To tell if they had seene passe by that cost,
A champion armd at all points like a knight,
The shield, the horse, and armour all of white.
69
I have both seene the knight, and felt his force,
(Said Sacrapant) for here before you came,
He cast me downe and also kild my horse,
Ne know I (that doth greeve me most) his name.
Sir (quoth the post) the name I will not force,
To tell, sith you desire to know the same,
First, know that you were conquerd in this fight,
By vallew of a damsel faire and bright.
70
Of passing strength, but of more passing hew,
And Bradamant, this damsel faire is named,
She was the wight, whose meeting you may rue,
And all your life hereafter be ashamed.
This laid, he turnd his horse and bad adieu.
But Sacrapant with high disdain enflamed,
Was first lo wroth, and then so shamed thereto,
He knew not what to say, not what to do.
71
And after he had staid a while and mus’d,
That at a woman’s hands he had received,
Such a disgrace as could not be excus’d,
Nor how he might revenge it he perceived,
With thought hereof his mind was so confus’d,
He stood like one of wit and sense bereaved.
At last he go’th, a better place to find,
He takes her horse and makes her mount behind.
72
Now having rode a mile, or there about,
They heard a noyse a trampling on the ground,
They thought it was some companie or rout,
That caused in the woods so great a sound:
At last they see a warlike horse, and stout,
With guilded barb, that cost full many a pound,
No hedge, no ditch, no wood no water was,
That stopped him where he was bent to passe.
73
Angelica casting her eye aside:
Except (said she) mine eyes all dazled be,
I have that famous horse Bayardo spied,
Come trotting downe the wood, as seemes to me:
(How well for us our fortune doth prouide)
It is the verie same, I know tis he:
On one poor nag to ride we two were loth,
And here he commeth fit to serue us both.
74
King Sacrapant alighteth by and by,
And thinkes to take him gently by the raine,
But with his heeles the horse doth streight reply,
As who should say, his rule he did disdaine.
It happie was he stood the beast not nye,
For if he had, it had beene to his paine,
For why, such force the horse had in his heele,
He would have burst a mountaine all of steele.
75
But to the damsel gently he doth go,
In humble manner, and in lowly sort.
A spaniel after absence fawneth so,
And seekes to make his master play, and sport,
For Bayard call’d to mind the damsel tho’,
When she unto Albracco did resort,
And usd to feed him for his masters sake,
Whom she then lou’d, and he did her forsake.
76
She takes the bridle boldly in her hand,
And strokt his brest, and necke, with art and skill:
The horse that had great wit to understand,
Like to a lambe, by her he standeth still,
And while Bayardo gently there did stand,
The Pagan got him up, and had his will.
And she that erst to ride behind was faine,
Into her saddle mounted now againe.
77
And being newly setled in her seate,
She saw a man on foote all armed runne,
Straight in her mind she gave to chase and fret,
Because she knew it was Duke Ammons sonne,
Most earnestly he sude her love to get,
More earnestly she seekes his love to shunne.
Once she lov’d him, he hated her as much,
And now he loves, she hates, his hap was such.
78
The cause of this first from two fountaines grew,
Like in the taste, but in effects unlike,
Plac’d in Ardenna, each in others vew,
Who tasts the one, loves dart his heart doth strike,
Contrary of the other doth ensew,
Who drinke thereof, their lovers shall mislike.
Renaldo dranke of one, and love much pained him,
The other dranke this damsel that disdained him.
79
This liquor thus with secret venim mingled,
Makes her to stand so stiffely in the nay,
On whom Renaldos heart was wholy kindled,
Though scarce to looke on him she can away,
But from his sight desiring to be singled,
With soft low voice the Pagan she doth pray,
That he approch no nearer to this knight,
But flie away with all the speed he might.
80
Why then (quoth he) make you so small esteeme
Of me, as though that I to him should yeeld?
So weake and faint my forces do you deeme,
That safe from him your selfe I cannot shield
Then you forget Albracca it should seeme,
And that same night, when I amid the field,
Alone vnarmed did defend you then,
Against king Agrican and all his men.
81
No sir, said she, (ne knowes she what to say)
Because Renaldo now approcht so nie,
And threatned so the Pagan in the way,
When under him his horse he did espie,
And saw the damsel taken as a pray,
In whose defence he meanes to liue and die.
But what fell out betweene these warriers fearce,
Within the second booke I do rehearse.