Methinks I see him with a scanty train, 405 See the five sons of great Alphonso near; Who shall their glories through the world display, 410 To fill the distant lands and spacious sea. View Hercules the second, first advance, Who weds the daughter of the king of France. The names of all that in thy race excel, Before my tale were done, the rising light 420 Must often chase the fleeting shades of night. 425 Ver. 406.-fifteen gallies--] The Venetians going up the Po with a fleet against Alphonso, cardinal Hippolito went out of the city with some horse and foot, and coming to Volona, a castle near the Po, planted the artillery there to such advantage, that finding the enemy's gallies unprovided, most of the crews being on shore, he sunk four of them and took fifteen; but Angelo Travisano, the ad miral, escaped with one. Ver. 412. View Hercules the second,--] Hercules II. the fourth duke of Ferrara. When Bradamant at length the silence broke, What mournful pair was that, who plac'd between Sighing they came, their eyes to earth declin'd, And gloomy sadness seem'd to fill their mind; 431 Far from their brethren's way their steps they press'd, As if they shunn'd to mingle with the rest. At this demand, the prophetess appears With visage chang'd, her eyes are fill'd with tears. For you Ah! let your goodness for their errors plead : 435 440 Seek not to ask, what must not now be shown: 445 Ver. 430. What mournful pair-] Ferrante of Estè, natural brother to Alphonso and Hippolito, either through views of ambition, or because Alphonso refused to procure him satisfaction for an injury which he had received from Hippolito, had conspired with Julio, his natural brother, to assassinate the duke; but the plot being discovered, they were condemned to perpetual imprisonment. Porcacchi. Ver. 439.--the wiles of treacherous men--] The poet, by this equivocal expression, seems desirous to cast a veil over the guilt of these brothers. Ver. 445. Seck not to ask,] This passage is a close copy of Virgil, where Eneas, seeing in a vision his successors pass before him, in the same manner as is here related of Bradamant, asks the same question, and receives for answer, ...... Luctus ne quere tuorum. En. vi. Seek not the sorrows of thy race to know. Concerning the misfortunes of the youths here alluded to, Sir John Harington tells the following story: Ah! gentle maid! suffice the good you know; Nor wish for that, which found may cause your woe. Soon as to-morrow's dawning light we view, The readiest path together we'll pursue, To where Rogero is in durance laid : 450 Myself will guide you through the forest-shade; 'Will teach you every winding of the road. All night the virgin in the cave remain'd, 455 460 Their course, and many a rock and torrent view'd, 465 Still, as they went, endeavouring to allay With sweet discourse the labours of the way. "It happened that Hippolito and one of these brothers fell in love with a courtesan, who shewing less affection to Hippolito, was one day very earnestly importuned by him to know what moved her to prefer his brother before him; she answered, it was his beautiful eyes; upon which, Hippolito ordered them to be thrust out; but the youth found means to preserve his sight, and meeting no redress, by making his complaint to the duke, he, and the other brother here' mentioned, conspired to kill him; but at the time of the execution, their hearts failed them, and the plot being discovered, they were kept in perpetual imprisonment." Notes to Sir John Harington's Translation, B. iii. But chief the prophetess instructs the maid 470 You would oppose th' enchanter's power in vain. His tower of steel on such a steepy height: 475 Not only does he rule a winged horse, That strangely through the air directs his course; That casts the gazer senseless on the field; And should you keep your eye-lids clos'd, to shun 480 485 Nor can the world an aid like this supply. This ring (late taken from an Indian queen) Than he, who keeps your knight, of magic wiles. 490 Ver. 486. King Agramant a ring--] This seems to be a new at'tempt of Brunello to free Rogero a second time from the hands of Atlantes. It has been before related, from Boyardo, how he was taken from the enchanted garden on Mount Carena in Africa. See Note on B. ii. Ver. 395. Ver. 489.-an Indian queen.] Angelica daughter of Galaphron. This man, so skill'd and crafty in deceit, Three days your course along the shore pursue; 495 500 505 510 515 But let him no suspicion entertain You know the ring that makes enchantments vain. And to the rocky mountain be your guide. Then follow him, and mark my words aright, 520 Soon as the rock appears before your sight, 525 |