The sordid miser, brooding on his store, Not guiltless maids who breathe but love and charms. Attends his charge, lest lightly drawn astray, 730 At length, when oft he chid, oft strove in vain 735 The preacher's hateful counsel to restrain, His patience wasted, with vindictive ire He rais'd his arm against that aged sire: We, for your ease, will close the labours here, 740 END OF THE TWENTY-EIGHTH BOOK. THE ARGUMENT. RODOMONT falls in love with Isabella, and endeavours to persuade her to break her vow: His behaviour to the hermit who opposes him. The fortitude of Isabella, and her device to preserve her chastity. Conflict between Rodomont and Orlando, Further account of the mad actions of Orlando. Medoro and Angelica, in their way to embark for India, meet with Orlando, when Angelica, with great difficulty, escapes from the madman's hands. 1 THE TWENTY-NINTH BOOK OF ORLANDO FURIOSO. BEHOLD the state of man's unstable mind, So much, fair dames, his words your bard provoke, That never will I leave him, till his breast Again has beauty's sovereign sway confess'd: Still shall my verse condemn his slanderous speech, 10 The shafts of rage he from his quiver drew, 15 But Isabella, with a single look, At once his firmest resolution shook; 1 And now to her he chang'd his former flame, To shake the purpose of her steadfast will, 21 25 By pious reasons, strong and duly weigh'd, With all his power stood forth to guard the maid. Not long the impious Pagan could endure The holy sire, who preach'd in zeal secure: 30 He bade him, in good time, his cell regain, And leave the damsel; but he bade in vain: Till rouz'd at length, no longer he forbore, But seiz'd his beard, whence by the roots he tore The silver hairs; and, with dire rage impell'd, $5 With savage grasp his aged neck he held; And, whirling round, some three miles thence he threw; Swift tow'rds the sea the wretched hermit flew! What then befel him, little I relate, For various tales are rumour'd of his fate : Some say against a rock his limbs were thrown, 40 Ver. 37. And, whirling round-] No partiality for the poet can apologize for the extravagance of such passages as these: wherever they occur, the translator freely gives them up to the critic, as lawful game, and means this for a general declaration of his opinion on the subject. |