From malice free, was Mount Albano's lord)
Confess'd the thunder of his rival's sword,
By none surpass'd; and wish'd, but wish'd in vain,
The fight untry'd t' avenge his courser slain.
Fain would he now the dangerous sport elude,
But conscicous honour such design withstood.
Deep and more deep the glooms of evening rose,
Till darkness seem'd to mock their random blows:
Ill could they strike, and worse could ward the blade,
Conceal'd in either's hand with murky shade.
The lord of Mount Albano first address'd
His gallant foe--The hour requires to rest:
Defer the fight till slow Arcturus' wain'
Has left its place in Heaven's o'er-spangled plain.
Meanwhile in our pavilion shalt thou meet
A friendly welcome and secure retreat,
Attended as ourself, and at our hands
Receive such honour as thy worth demands.
Thus far Rinaldo, nor in vain he spoke,
His proffer'd grace the courteous baron took :
And now Rinaldo from his ready squire
Receiv'd a stately steed with rich attire;
To sword and spear well train'd in every fight,
And with this gift he grac'd the stranger knight,
Who knew ere long the chief with whom he came.
Was Clarmont's leader, as by chance the name
Escap'd his lips, while journeying thus they went
To join the warriors at Rinaldo's tent.
These noble knights were near by kindred ties,
Brethren by blood; and hence new passions rise,
That conflicts in the stranger's bosom move,
Who sheds the mingled tear of joy and love.
This youth was Guido savage, who before
On stormy seas such toils and dangers hore
With Olivero's sons *, Marphisa bold,
And Sansonetto, as the Muse has told.
This knight in Pinabello's fraudful hands
A prisoner fall'n, was held in shameful bands
From his lov'd friends, and there compell'd was stay'd
T' enforce an impious law his host had made.
Guido who now with eager gaze beheld
Rinaldo, who in arms such chiefs excell'd,
On whom so oft he wish'd to bend his sight,
As sighs the blind to view the long-lost light,
With transport thus began---O! honour'd lord!
What ill-starr'd chance could ever lift my sword
On one, for whom such rooted love I feel,
For whom, o'er all, I glow with kindly zeal.
My name is Guido---me Constantia bore
To noble Amon on the Euxine shore:
Not less than thine my ancestry I trace,
An alien branch of Clarmont's noble race:
A fond desire my journey hither drew,
Thyself and all my kindred friends to view:*
Ver. 207. This youth was Guido savage,---] This Guido was the champion with whom Marphisa fought amongst the Amazons (see Book xix. and xx.) and who afterwards with Gryphon, Aquilant, and Sansonetto, being sworn to defend the law made by Pinabello, was cast down by the enchanted light of Rogero's shield: the poet gives no further account of him till his meeting with Rinaldo in this book, nor does it appear how, or where he parted from the other knights: the lady in his company was Aleria his favourite wife, whom he brought from the land of the Amazons.
Ver. 208. On stormy seas---] landed amongst the Amazons.
Alluding to the storm before they
But when I reverence meant, behold I give
Such greeting only foes from foes receive!
If to my fault indulgence may be shown,
Thy valiant followers and thyself unknown,
O! say, what fair amends can such offence atone?
Courteous he said; and now on either side
Th' embrace exchang'd, Rinaldo thus reply'd.
Here cease-no more disturb thy generous mind
T'excuse the fight, since from our ancient kind
Thou spring'st a genuine shoot--no proof we claim
Beyond the last to speak thy lineal fame.
Thy birth were doubtful, were thy courage less,
But high soul'd thoughts a race as high confess.
No lions fierce from timorous deer proceed;
Nor doves from eagles, or from falcons breed.
So spoke the knights, and now their way pursu'd,
And, as they pass'd, their friendly talk renew'd.
The tent they reach'd, where to his comrades bold,
Of savage Guido found, Rinaldo told;
That Guido whom so long they wish'd to view,
Whom Fortune thither to their wishes drew.
The welcome tidings gladden'd every breast,
And all in him his mighty sire confess'd.
I pass the greetings of his noble race,
How oft, with joy unhop'd, the fond embrace
Sage Malagigi, Richardetto brave,
Alardo, Aldiger, and Vivian grave:
How lords and knights to him observance paid,
What he to them, and they in answer said.
At every time the kinsmen had beheld
Guido with joy--but now the joy excell'd
Beyond compare, when public need requir'd
Each arm and sword, and every bosom fir'd.
Now rose the sun from ocean's blue profound,
With orient rays his shining temples bound:
When with the brethren, all the warrior-kind
Of Amon's race, the banners Guido join'd.
Day following day, the band their march pursu'd,
Till now the shores of winding Seine they view'd,
Whence, scarce ten miles remote, the guarded towers
Of Paris rose, besieg'd by Pagan powers.
Here Gryphon with his Aquilant they found,
The brother chiefs for arms of proof renown'd,
Of Sigismunda born--with these appear'd
A dame, that seem'd far other than the herd
Of vulgar females; splendid to behold
Round her white vests she wore a fringe of gold.
Lovely her mien, replete with every grace,
Though tears stood trembling on her mournful face,
While by her gestures and her looks intent,
She seem'd on some important converse bent.
These knights to Guido known, nor less to these 280 Was he, with whom so late they plough'd the seas. Behold a pair (he. to Rinaldo.cries).
Whose like in battle scarce the world supplies:
Let these for Charles-with us united stand,
And soon I trust will shrink yon Pagan band.
Rinaldo then confirm'd the praise he gave,
And own'd each warrior brave amongst the brave;
One clad in white, and one in sable vest,
And each in arms of sumptuous fashion drest.
No less the brother champions saw and knew
Rinaldo, Guido, all the generous crew;
These greeting fair Rinaldo, they embrac'd,
And cast a veil o'er all unkindness past:
Time was, at strife (which now were long to tell)
The gallant warriors, for Truffaldin fell!
But now in brothers' love and friendship join'd,
All former hate was scatter'd to the wind.
To Sansonetto next (the last who came)
Rinaldo turning, to his noble name
Due honours paid, for oft Albano's knight
His praise had heard, and own'd his force in fight.
When now the dame more near Rinaldo drew,
And mark'd (for well each Paladin she knew)
His mien and arms--she to the generous chief
Disclos'd a tale that fill'd his soul with grief.
O prince! (she said) thy kinsman so belov'd,
Whose saving arm our church, our empire prov'd,
Orlando, once so wise, so far renown'd
For deeds of prowess, roves the world around,
Of better sense distraught; nor can I tell
From what strange cause this dire mischance befel.
These eyes beheld his cuirass, sword and shield
Dispers'd at random o'er the wood and field:
Ver. 295.--Truffaldin---] Truffaldin was a Pagan in Albracca, who, taking Sacripant prisoner by surprize, offered treacherously to betray the city into the hands of king Agrican; but the proposal was generously rejected by Agrican. Having possession of the fort, he refused admittance to Orlando till Angelica had promised him protection from punishment. The knights were divided in parties about him. Rinaldo fought with Gryphon who defended him. Orlando, being armed by Angelica, left the walls to engage with Rinaldo. At length Rinaldo having seized Truffaldin dragged him at his horse's tail, and put an end to his life.
Orl. Innam, B. i. c. xiv. xx, xxvi.
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