Now bade Orlando from the vessel bear
Bread, wine, and viands, store of grateful fare,
To heap the genial board; and these he plac'd
Before the man of God, whose simple taste,
'Long us'd to roots and pulse, he gently press'd
To share with them a more luxurious feast.

1480

Their spirits thus refresh'd with wine and food, 1485 The knights and hermit their discourse renew'd; And, as it oft befalls in social wise,

When round the circle vary'd subjects rise,

At length Rogero (whose high deeds were blown
Throughout the world) was to Orlando known.
Then Olivero, and Rinaldo found

In him that youth so far in arms renown'd;
Nor had till then Rinaldo mark'd the knight,
With whom so late he met in listed fight.
Sobrino knew the young Rogero well,

1490

1495

When first he met him at the hermit's cell,

Yet held his peace: but when the rest had heard
That this was he, Rogero so rever'd

For warlike feats---all eager round him press'd,
And each with open look and smiles address'd:
One grasp'd his hand; one close embracing held;
One on his cheek the kiss of friendship seal'd:
But chief the lord of Mount Albano strove
To greet him with a brother's warmth of love.
Why he above the rest, I now conceal,

1500

1505

But with the book ensuing shall reveal.

END OF THE FORTY-THIRD BOOK.

THE

FORTY-FOURTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

THE ARGUMENT.

RINALDO promises his sister Bradamant to Rogero, at the instigation of the hermit, and with the concurrence of Orlando. The knights take their leave of the hermit, and sail to Marseilles. Astolpho dismisses the forces of king Senapus, who repair to their own country, and the duke himself returns to France, where he meets at Marseilles with Orlando, Rinaldo, Rogero, Olivero, and Sobrino. Charles, and all his nobles, prepare to welcome the conquering knights, who enter the gates of Paris in triumph. Great festival on the occasion. Dispute between Amon and his son Rinaldo concerning Bradamant, whom Amon had promised to Leon, son of the emperor Constantine. Distress of Bradamant and Rogero, The singular request of Bradamant to the emperor. She is taken away from the court by Amon, and closely confined in a castle. Rogero resolves to kill his rival Leon, and departs in disguise from Paris, attended with a single squire. He arrives at Belgrado, where he assists the Bulgarians, commanded by their king, against the Greeks commanded by Constantine and Leon, and entirely defeats the latter. Leon, in admiration of the valour of the strange knight, conceives a secret friendship for him. Gratitude of the Bulgarians. Rogero departs in pur suit of Leon.

THE

FORTY-FOURTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

OFT in the lowly roof, the humble cell
Of poverty, where pain and sorrow dwell,
Sincerer virtues in the breast we meet
Than in the stately dome and regal seat;
Where lords and kings are nurs'd in courtly wiles,
Midst deep suspicions and insidious smiles;
Where love and charity no place can claim,
And sacred friendship lives not but in name.
Kings, popes, and emperors, leagues of peace compose,
To-day are friends, to-morrow deadly foes:
Whate'er they seem, their thoughts in secret bear
No semblance oft to what their lips declare:
Nor right nor wrong they heed, but only prize
Those measures most, where most advantage lies!

All these in courts have ne'er the blessings try'd
Of godlike truth, for truth can ne'er reside,
Where, or in deep debate, or sportive vein,
The tongue, in speaking, speaks not but to feign:

10

15