1

This said; he parted thence, and eager flew
Through ways the squadrons taught him to pursue,
By which the Greek to reach the bridges try'd,
Ere danger, near at hand, the pass deny'd.
Rogero follow'd close, inflam'd with ire,
Nor call'd, nor waited for his lagging squire:
Yet such advantage Leon's flight could meet,
(For flight it must be call'd, and not retreat)
He found the passage free, he crost the stream,
Then broke each bridge, and left the barks on flame.
Rogero reach'd the banks when day withdrew
His parting beam, nor where to rest he knew ;
And thence he journey'd by the moon's pale light,,
But yet no town, nor castle met his sight.
Unknowing of his way, all night he press'd
His faithful steed, till, red in splendor drest,

755

760

765

770

Sol's eastern car the twilight gloom dispell❜d,
When, on the left, a city he beheld.

There all the day he purpos'd to remain

T' amend the wrong Frontino might sustain,

On whom, nor freed from bit, nor eas'd from toil,

775,

That night he journey'd many a weary mile..

For Constantine, Unguardo held the place,

A man exalted in his sovereign's grace ;.

And now (in dangerous times) a numerous force
The walls contain'd, of mingled foot and horse.
Where to his way the portal open stood,

780

Rogero enter'd, and full gladly view'd.

What seem'd to speak, he ne'er elsewhere could meet
A better welcome, and more wish'd retreat.

It chanc'd' that where he stay'd, at evening light. 785
Arriv'd for shelter a Romanian knight,

Who present view'd the deeds his arm had wrought,
When late to aid Bulgaria's troops he fought.
This knight had scarce escap'd the bloody strife,
And still he trembl'd for his threaten'd life;
And still he saw in fancy's troubled eye,
The furious knight pursue, the Grecians fly.
Soon as his sight had caught the warrior shield,
The noted ensign and vermilion field,

790

He knew the knight, whose arm such buckler bore, 795
Was he that dy'd the plains in Grecian gore:

With eager step he sought the palace gate,
And audience gain'd, impatient to relate
Such news as well might claim the ruler's ear,
Such as shall in th' ensuing book appear.

800

END OF THE FORTY-FOURTH BOOK.

THE

FORTY-FIFTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

THE ARGUMENT.

ROGERO is betrayed in his sleep, and made prisoner by Unguardo, one of Constantine's governors. He is then delivered over to Theodora, sister to Constantine, desirous to revenge the death of her son killed by Rogero. The challenge of Bradamant is published by proclamation. She returns to the court. Leon gene. rously delivers Rogero from prison. Afterwards, not knowing him to be Rogero, he engages him to enter the lists with Brada. mant in his stead. Rogero, under the name and ensigns of Leon, fights with Bradamant, and then retires in despair to the woods. Lamentation of Bradamant. Marphisa pleads the cause of Rogero with Charles, and contests the claim of Leon. Orlando and Rinaldo side with them, and Amon apposes them.

THE

FORTY-FIFTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

WHEN highest plac'd on giddy Fortune's wheel,
Unhappy man must soon expect to feel

A sad reverse, and in the changing round
With rapid whirl as sudden touch the ground,
Of this Polycrates, with Lydia's lord,

And Dionysius ample proofs afford:

With numbers that from boasted wealth and fame,
One day has sunk to poverty and shame.

Ver. 5. Of this Polycrates--] Polycrates the tyrant, who reigned in the island of Samos, in the time of Cambyses, and maintained an absolute dominion over all the islands of the Archipelago, till at last, by a reverse of fortune, as Herodotus writes, he was treacherously taken prisoner by Oretes, a governor of Lydia, for the king of Persia, and miserably put to death.

Ver. 5. with Lydia's lord,

Porcacchi.

And Dionysius--] Cræsus, king of Lydia, and Dionysius, the tyrant of Syracuse, are well known to have fallen from the height of prosperity to the lowest adversity.