From prying eyes the more to hide his name,
Nor give each vulgar tongue ť asperse his fame,
He wore not those known arms, and ample shield
With red and white distinguish'd in the field;
But arms of sable hue, whose darkness shows
A just resemblance to his inward woes.
Not many years elaps'd, his matchless might
From Amostantes won this suit in fight.

Now midst the silence of the midnight hour,

He left his sovereign Charles; the Christian power
He left; nor bade adieu to Brandimart,

Once his lov'd friend and partner of his heart!
But when with golden tresses round her head,
The morn arose from rich Tithonus' bed,
And from earth's face the humid curtains drew,
Orlando's flight, incens'd, the monarch knew:

580

585

590

595

Guyon's horse, Brigadore: this horse was formerly the property of Almontes.

See Note to Book i. ver. 202.

Ver. 582.-those known arms,-] The armour which Orlando won from Almontes, brother to Troyano.

Ver. 537.---Amostantes-] The name of this warrior, who is not mentioned in Boyardo, appears in a muster of the forces brought over by Almontes: after the death of Almontes he was killed by Orlando.

See Aspramonte, C. v. xx.

Ver. 590.--Brandimart,] Brandimart is one of the principal pèrsonages in the Orlando Innamorato, where he makes a more con. spicuous figure than in the Furioso. Brandimart and Flordelis are described by Boyardo, as a pattern of conjugal affection, and this character of them is preserved by Ariosto: they were Pagans by birth, but Flordelis was first converted by Rinaldo, and Brandimart afterwards by the joint arguments of Orlando and Flordelis. Brandimart is introduced as the almost inseparable companion of Orlando, whom he accompanies to the siege of Albracca.

See Orlando Innam.

With deep concern his nephew's loss he heard,
When honour call'd him now, where danger rear'd
Her dreadful front, to guard from hostile hands
His king, his country, and his social bands.
Nor could he hide his anger, but express'd
The just resentment kindled in his breast;
With threats, if absent long, the recreant knight
Should dearly mourn this ill-concerted flight.

But noble Brandimart, whose faith well try'd,

600

No chance could shake, whom nothing could divide 605
From his lov'd friend; who inly hop'd once more

Orlando to his fellows to restore;

And scorn'd to hear reproach his fame upbraid,"

Swift from the host his eager steps convey'd;

Nor would to Flordelis his thoughts disclose,
Lest her fond love should his design oppose.
His wedded dame was she, his soul's delight,
Scarce was he ever absent from her sight:
The charms of beauty in her person shin'd,
And every prudent grace adorn'd her mind!
Yet, parting thus, he hop'd ere close of day

610

615

Again to measure back his former way:

But many a chance the wandering warrior prov'd,
That long detain'd him from the fair he lov'd.

620

A tedious month his consort stay'd in vain,

In hopes to see her Brandimart again;
Till fear and love her breast so strongly rend,
She quits the walls without a guide or friend;
And seeks him long in many a distant state,
As, in its place, the story shall relate:
Of these no more---the muse with nobler flight
Now turns the strain to great Anglante's knight;

Who, having chang'd his arms of well known fame,
Won from Almontes, to the portal came,
And to a chief, who there maintain'd the guard,
In a low voice his mighty name declar'd:
Soon at the word, he let the draw-bridge down,
When swift Orlando issued from the town,
And took the way to pass the slumbering foe!
What followed then th' ensuing book shall show.

630

635

END OF VOL. I.