Nor thus content, in person next he press'd

His steed, and to the search himself address'd:"

He sought amidst th' unnumber'd Christian train; 895 But vain his search, enquiry all as vain,

Till

sage Melissa came; what aid from her He met, I to th' ensuing book defer.

END OF THE FORTY-FIFTH BOOK.

THE ARGUMENT.

LEON goes in search of Rogero, and is met by Melissa, who conducts him to the wood where Rogero had retired with a resolution to end his life. Meeting of the two friends. Rogero discovers himself to Leon. Generosity of Leon. Rogero returns with them to the court of Charles. His reception there. The Bulgarian ambassadors invite him to take possession of the crown of Bulgaria. Amon and Beatrice consent to give him Bradamant to wife, and the marriage is celebrated with great pomp. Particular description of the nuptial tent and bed provided by Melissa. On the last day of the festival a knight appears before the assembly, and challenges Rogero to single combat. The knight proves to be Rodomont. Rogero accepts the challenge; and, after a dreadful combat, Rodomont is slain; with whose death the poem concludes.

THE.

FORTY-SIXTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

Now, if my chart be true, these longing eyes
Will soon perceive the port in prospect rise
Where to that power I hope my vows to pay,
Who safely led me such a length of way;

Ver. 1. Now, if my chart be true, &c.] The very poetical opening of this last book, with the metaphor drawn from a ship, appears to be imitated by Spenser in the first book of his Fairy Queen, Canto xii.

Behold I see the haven nigh at hand,

To which I mean my weary course to bend,
Veer the main sheet and bear up with the land,
The which afore is fairly to be kenn'd, &c,

Now strike your sails, ye jolly mariners,
For we be come into a quiet road,
Where we must land some of our passengers,

And light this weary vessel of her load.

Here she awhile may make her safe abode,

Till she, repaired have her tackles spent,

And wants supply'd......And then again abroad

On the long voyage whereto she is bent,

St. i.

Well may she speed, and fairly finish her intent. St. xlii.

When late I fear'd a wandering course to keep,
Or scarce return, escaping from the deep,
With shrouds and tackle torn--But now, behold
Th' approaching bay its welcome arms unfold!
Hark! how the sounds of transport rend the sky!
Hark! how the thunders o'er the billows fly!
I hear the clang of bells, and trumpets loud,
Mix'd with the tumults of the shouting crowd!
All seem rejoic'd to hail me near the shore,
My voyage finish'd and my perils o'er!

5

10

O! with what fair and prudent dames around,
O! with what knights I see the harbour crown'd!
See Mamma and Geneura grace the coast,
Lo! there the damsel train, Corregio's boast.

15

And Dante in the beginning of his second,

Per correr miglior acqua alza le vele
Homai la navecella del mio ingegno,
Che lascia dietro a se mar si crudele.

Now let my muse's vessel court the wind
With spreading sails, securer seas to find,
And leave the cruel stormy main behind.

Berni has borrowed the two first lines of Dante, and placed them at the beginning of his second book of the Innamorato.

And Pope,

Say, shall my little bark attendant sail,
Pursue the triumph and partake the gale?

Essay on Man, Ep. IV.

Ver. 17. See Mamma and Geneura---] He mentions Geneura three times, but it does not clearly appear whether they are all different persons. Mamma is no where else mentioned in the work.

Ver. 18. -- the damsel train, Corregio's boast. ] A general praise of the females of the family of Corregio. See Book xlii. Note to ver. 668.