LIBRARY

LINOIS

THE

TENTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

VOL. II.

THE ARGUMENT.

CONTINUATION of the story of Olympia. Rogero travels towards the country of Logistilla, and arrives safely at her castle, Alcina in vain endeavouring to oppose him. Description of the beauties of the habitation of Logistilla. The departure of Rogero and Astolpho, the former of whom returns with the griffin-horse to Europe; in his flight he visits England, where he is present at a review of the forces that had been raised to assist Charlemain. He then passes near the island of Ebuda, where he sees Angelica bound to a rock, ready to be devoured by the sea-monster.

THE

TENTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

AMONG the faithful hearts whose constant love
Nor time can change, nor fortune's frowns remove,
Olympia fair may boast the brightest name:

Or should another equal merit claim,

Yet past nor present days e'er set to view,

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A flame more tender and a breast more true.

What stronger tokens could Bireno find

To speak the firmness of a lover's mind?
Whose faith untainted, for its just reward,

Requir'd his gratitude and sole regard.

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No other dame should lure him from her arms,

Not she, whose face fill'd Asia with alarms;

Or one, could one be found, of more exalted charms,

Far rather let him quit his life and fame,

And every good that bears the dearest name.

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But if Bireno, faithful to the maid,

With equal warmth her matchless truth repay'd;

Ver. 12. Not she, whose face-] The celebrated Helen, wife to Menelaus king of Sparta..

If, join'd with her, he stemm'd the constant tide,
Nor ever turn'd his changing sails aside,

Soon shall we tell; and when the truth you know,
Rage shall contract the lip and bend the brow.
Who, gentle virgins! will again receive

The words of lovers, or their oaths believe!
The youth, who pants to gain the amorous prize,
Forgets that Heaven with all-discerning eyes
Surveys the secret heart; and when desire
Has, in possession, quench'd its short-liv'd fire,
The devious winds aside each promise bear,
And scatter all his solemn vows in air!

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Warn'd by the muse's voice, with cautious ear,

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The well-feign'd plaints and seeming sorrows hear!
Reflect, ye gentle dames! that much they know,
Who gain experience from another's woe.

Ah! fly the dangerous train, whose looks disclose
The flowery bloom that early youth bestows;
Where each warm passion bursts with sudden blaze,
Which soon again, like stubble fir'd, decays.

As on the hill or plain, the hunter's race
The trembling hare, in every season, chase;
But view, when taken, with a cold survey,
And only seek with joy the flying prey :

So while you shun their love, the youthful crew
Attend your every glance, with ardour sue,

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To gain your smiles---but when your smiles they gain, Lost are the trophies of your boasted reign!

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From your high state to abject slaves debas'd,

While on another's charms their wavering hearts are

plac'd!

Yet think not that my verse forbids to love,
Such thoughts far distant from your bard remove!
The lonely maid is like the vine, that knows
No friendly elm with tendrils to enclose,
But creeps neglected-yet, ye virgin-fair,
The down of young inconstancy beware;
Let not th' unripen'd fruits your care engage,
Nor gather those too far matur'd with age.

Bireno, as my tale before explain'd,
Cymosco's daughter in his power detain'd,
Whom, in his secret soul, he first design'd
In marriage with his brother to be join'd.
But soon new passions in his bosom rise,
He views, and envies him so rich a prize;
Nor thinks another should by him obtain
That treasure, which himself aspires to gain.
Scarce fourteen summers had the virgin seen,
Sweet were her looks, her gesture and her mien.
So infant roses from the bud display
Their opening beauties to the genial ray.

When first he view'd her lovely features spread With pious tears to 'wail a father dead,

What sudden warmth possess'd his beating heart!
Not half so swift the flames their rage impart,
Where hostile force, or envious hands conspire,
To give the ripen'd corn to wasting fire!
Satiate with love and cloy'd with full delight,
Olympia now was hateful in his sight:
But yet so far he veil'd his guileful thought,
Till time his purpos'd scheme to action brought,

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