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She view'd the visage of her prostrate foe,

With wrinkles furrow'd o'er, and worn with woe; 185 Who, by his silver locks and reverend mien,

At least the course of seventy years had seen.

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For Heaven's sake, youth! conclude the fatal strife, (The lost magician said) and take my life. But she no less to save his life conspir'd, Than he to leave the hated light desir'd. Meantime a new desire possess'd the dame, To learn th' enchanter's country, and his name; And what he by that rocky tower design'd, Built in a wild, to ravage all mankind. Alas! for no ill purpose (thus replies

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The old enchanter, mingling tears and sighs)

On yon steep rock I built my settled home,

Nor avarice makes me round the country roam;

But fond affection would my soul incite,

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To save from peril great a gentle knight,
Long threaten'd by his stars in Gallia's land
To die a Christian by a treacherous hand.
A youth like this, for looks and courage bold,
Ne'er did the sun 'twixt either pole behold;
Rogero call'd: his infancy with care
I nurs'd: Atlantes is the name I bear.
Desire of fame, but more his cruel chance.
With Agramant allur'd his step to France:
While I, who love him with a parent's love,
Seek him from France and danger to remove :
For this alone I rais'd the stately tower,
To keep Rogero's life from fortune's power;
Where late I kept him prisoner safe, and where
I vainly hop'd, alas! yourself to bear!

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With gallant dames and knights I fill'd the place,

With many others of the noblest race;

That, though deny'd to leave this safe retreat,

Society might make his bondage sweet.

Except their freedom, I with care provide
For every want, for every wish beside.

Whate'er the world affords each various coast
To give delight, these castle walls can boast:
The song, the dance, the costly garb, the feast;
Whate'er the heart can think, or tongue request!
Well had I sworn, and well the fruits enjoy'd;
But thou art come, and all my works destroy'd.
Alas! if like your gentle looks, you bear

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225.

A gentle heart, in pity hear my prayer.
That buckler take, which I with joy resign,

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And take that flying steed which once was mine.
Or, hast thou friends in yonder tower confin'd?
Free one, or two; remain the rest behind.
Nay, all my prisoners, if thou seek'st, receive,
So thou alone wilt my Rogero leave.

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But if, alas! ev'n him thou wouldst remove;
Before thou lead'st to France the youth I love,
Ah! let me by thy pitying sword be slain,

And free this spirit from her house of pain.

To this the maid---Thy fruitless plaints give o'er, 240
For know, I will the captive knight restore;
Nor offer shield, nor courser to resign,

No longer yours, by right of conquest mine:
Or were they yours to give, could gifts like these
For such a warrior's loss my mind appease?

For this Rogero is confin'd with care,

T'avoid the threatening influence of his star!

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O blind to fate! or, grant you can foresce,

What human power shall alter Heaven's decree?
But if your own near fate you never knew,
Far less another's fate your art can view.

Request not death from me; such prayers are vain:
Or if sincere you seek to end your pain;
Though all the world denies, the noble mind
Can from itself its own dismission find.
But first set wide the castle gate with speed,
And let your prisoners all from bonds be freed.
So spoke the virgin; and without delay,
With old Atlantes took her eager way.
Chains of his own the necromancer bind;
The cautious damsel follows close behind;
Før, still in doubt, some secret guile she fear'd,
Though deep submission in his face appear❜d.
Now near they came, where on the rocky side,
Scarce to be seen, a narrow clift she spy'd,
By which the steps, in windings from the mead,
To the high summit of the mountain lead.

Atlantes from the threshold mov'd a stone,
Where mystic signs and characters were shown:
Beneath were vessels, whence was seen expire
Sulphureous smoke that came from hidden fire.
All these the sorc'rer broke; and sudden grew
The country desart, comfortless to view!
As oft from nets the thrushes take their flight,
So swift the necromancer flew from sight;
At once with him, dissolv'd to empty air,

The vanquish'd castle left the mountain bare.
Surpris'd, themselves the knights and ladies found
From stately rooms remov'd to open ground:

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While many view'd their present state with pain,

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And wish'd for pleasing slavery again.
Gradasso, Sacripant were there to see:
The knight Prasildo too, from prison free,
Who with Rinaldo came from eastern lands;
Iroldo join'd with him in friendly bands.

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Here noble Bradamant with joy perceiv'd

Her lov'd Rogero, him for whom she griev'd;

Who, when he saw the beauteous maid, express'd
The grateful transports of an amorous breast;

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As one he valu'd, to his soul more dear
Than golden beams of light, or vital air,
Ere since the day, the fair her helm unbound,
And in her lovely head receiv'd a wound.
Each other night and day they sought in vain,
Nor till this blissful hour could meet again.
Now when with longing eyes Rogero view'd
Where she, his lov'd, his fair deliverer stood,

So vast a pleasure fill'd his ravish'd mind,

He deem'd himself the happiest of mankind.

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From shameful bondage freed, the warriors came, 300 Where in the valley stood the conquering dame:

And where the wondrous courser they beheld,

Who wore the buckler in the veil conceal'd.

Iroldo,---]

Christian knights in

Ver. 283.--Prasildo......285. Boyardo's poem, who had been imprisoned with Rinaldo, Dudon, and others, in a castle in the east, and being afterwards delivered, set out with Rinaldo for France, to the assistance of Charlemain, and are here supposed to have been taken prisoners by Atlantes.

Ver. 292. Ere since the day,-] See General View of Boyardo's Story.

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The damsel now to seize his reins essay'd,

And, till she nearer drew, the courser stay'd;

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But soon he spreads his wings, and spurns the plain;
Then, at a little distance, lights again.

Eager she follows, where she sees the steed

Now here, now there descending on the mead.

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Thus, on the sandy shore, in mazy rounds,
The wily crow the spaniel's search confounds.
Gradasso, Sacripant, Rogero try'd ;

Alike each knight his several art apply'd;

Some on the hills, some planted on the plain,

As best they thought the winged steed to gain;
But he (when first he had the warriors led
Up the rough paths to every mountain head,
And in the marshy vales beneath convey'd) ·
At length beside Rogero gently stay'd.

This was Atlantes' work, whose aged breast

A thousand anxious boding fears oppress'd,

Who oft had rack'd his thoughts with pious care,
To save Rogero from his fatal star.

For this he bids the griffin-horse alight,

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To bear from Europe's climes the youthful knight. 325
Rogero thought to lead him on the way,

But the steed, stopping short, refus'd t' obey.
From good Frontino then he leaps with speed,
(Frontino was the champion's generous steed)
He dares the strong-plum'd courser to bestride,
And claps his goring rowels in his side;

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Ver. 328.-Frontino-] The horse which Brunello stole from Sacripant, and gave to Rogero.

See General View of Boyardo's Story.

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