385

See here Francesco of Pescara fam'd,

And there Alphonso see of Vasco nam'd.
Where is Gonsalvo next, whose acts shall raise
The Spanish realm with never-dying praise?

Of him would Malagigi gladly tell,

Whom none, in this intrepid band, excel.
William of Monserrato's name is read,

With those who come the monster's blood to shed,
While midst the chiefs that thus th' assault maintain,
Lo! some are wounded there, some here are slain.
Thus in discourse, the banquet of the mind,
Their hunger fled, on carpets rich reclin'd,

Ver. 385.

395

Francesco of Pescara--] Marquis of Pescara, and son of Alphonso. He was a great commander, and prosperous in every undertaking, except at Ravenna, where, receiving many wounds, he was taken prisoner; but fortune from that time was ever favourable to him. To the study of arms he joined the embellishment of letters; and while prisoner with the French, addressed to his wife Victoria an elegant dialogue on love. At last, after many victories obtained over the French, his strength being wasted with fatigue, he died in the flower of his age, covered with laurels.

Fornari.

Ver. 386.
Alphonso---of Vasco-] Cousin to the before-named
Francesco, and no less an ornament to the house of Avoli.

Fornari.

Ver. 387.Gonsalvo---] Gonsalvo Ferrantes was born at Cordova in Andalusia, of an ancient and noble family. By his assistance Ferdinando conquered the city of Granada, and the kingdom of Naples. He gained the title of Great, and at last died of a fever in the seventy-second year of his age, in the year 1515.

Fornari,

Ver. 391. William of Monserrato--- ] He means William the third marquis of Monserrato. He was rich in every accomplishment of mind and body, and gained many victories in France. He died in the flower of his age.

Fornari.

Beside the fount in bowery shades they lay,
And careless pass'd the sultry hours away;
While Malagigi, and while Vivian drest

In shining steel, kept watch to guard the rest.
Now unaccompany'd behold a dame,
With looks impatient, to the fountain came:
Hippalca was she call'd, from whom the hand
Of ruthless Rodomont Frontino gain'd:

:

Him all the live-long day pursu'd the maid,
With threats to move him, or with prayers persuade;
But when she found nor threats nor prayers succeed,
Direct for Agrismont she bent her speed,

Since there she heard (but how, remains untold)
Rogero stay'd with Richardetto bold.

The place full well she knew, the ready way
As well she knew that near the fountain lay.
She came, and sudden there Rogero view'd;

But as Love's prudent envoy, well indu'd

400

405

410

With cautious thought, whatever chance might fall, 415
And prompt to change at meet occasion's call;
Soon as her lady's brother she beheld,

She check'd her bridle, and her haste repell'd,

And midst the warriors coldly passing by,

On young Rogero cast a stranger's eye.
Then Richardetto rose to meet the dame,

And ask'd her whither bound, and whence she came.
She then with heavy cheer, and eyes yet red
From many a falling tear, thus, sighing, said;
But spoke so loud, that brave Rogero's ear,
Who stood beside, might every accent hear.

420

425

Late, at your sister's charge, o'er hill and plain

I led a generous courser by the rein,

In the swift race, and fields of battle prov'd,
Frontino call'd, and much the steed she lov'd.
Full thirty miles I unmolested pass'd,
And hop'd secure to reach Marseilles at last;
To which ere long she meant to bend her way,
And bade me there for her arrival stay
A few short days---and such my fond belief--
I thought the world knew not so bold a chief
To seize the beast, when I, t' oppose the deed,
Should say---" Rinaldo's sister owns the steed.”

But vain my thoughts have prov'd, since yester's sun A Pagan hand by force Frontino won;

430

435

410

Nor, when he heard his noble owner's name,

Restor'd the courser, or allow'd the claim.

With many a curse, with many a fruitless prayer,
Him I pursu'd; nor yet have left him far,
Where his stol'n courser, and his boasted might,
Can scarce defend him, closely press'd in fight
By one who seem'd to challenge all his skill,
And may, I trust, avenge the wrongs I feel.

445

She said; and scarcely thus her speech could close Ere, starting from his seat, Rogero rose,

450

And, turning swift to Richardetto, pray'd

(The sole reward he ask'd for welcome aid

But late bestow'd) that he alone might go,
And with the damsel seek her daring foe,

Ver. 431.

Full thirty miles-] In the xxiiid Eook, Ariosto says ten miles only.

Ver. 447. By one who seem'd, &c.] After Rodomont had taken Frontino from Hippalca, she followed him till he met Mandricardo, with whom she left him engaged in single combat; to which cir cumstance she here alludes. See Book xxiv.

The haughty Saracen, whose lawless force
Had from her guidance reft the warrior horse.
Though Richardetto deem'd it ill became
A courteous champion, at another's claim,
To quit the deed that on his honour lay;
Yet, now compell'd, he gave unwilling way
To good Rogero's suit, who bade adieu,
And with Hippalca from the rest withdrew;
Who, left behind, all silent with amaze,
Scarce found a tongue his valorous acts to praise.
Meantime at distance now from listening ears,
Hippalca to th' impatient knight declares
Her tender greeting, in whose gentle breast
His matchless virtues ever liv'd imprest,
Which late before her faithful lips had told,
But Richardetto's sight her speech control'd:
She said, the Pagan, as he seiz'd the steed,
This vaunt had added to his lawless deed:
"Since 'tis Rogcro's, I more gladly make
This courser mine, which, if he would retake,
Tell him, whene'er he dares assert his right,
I ne'er shall seek to hide me from his sight;
That Rodomont am I---whose dauntless name,
Where'er I go, my noble deeds proclaim."

Rogero heard, and by his features show'd
What deep resentment in his bosom glow'd:
Frontino much he priz'd, and more he lov'd,

455

460

465

170

475

480

As sent from her whose deeds her truth had prov'd:
He deem'd this outrage done in foul despite,

To stain the name and honour of a knight;

And shame were his, unless his arm with speed 485 From Rodomont redeem the generous steed,

And on the Sarzan's head avenge th' ungentle deed.

The dame Rogero led with eager pace,

To bring him with the Sarzan face to face:
They journey'd till they reach'd a double way:
One, down the plain; one, up the mountain lay;
And either to the neighbouring valley brought:
Where Rodomont with Mandricardo fought:
Short was the uphill path, but rough to tread:
Longer, but smooth, the path that downward leu.
Hippalca took the first, in zeal to gain

490

495

The lost Frontino, and revenge obtain.

The king of Algiers, with the dwarf, the dame,
And Tartar knight, the way less rugged came.

These knights, who sought but late each other's life, 500
With Doralis, the lovely cause of strife,

In friendship rode, descending to the plain,

And reach'd the fountain where the noble train,
Where Malagigi, and where Vivian stay'd;
Where Aldiger and Richardetto laid,

505

And though but rare appear'd the martial maid
Without her cuirass, helm and beamy blade;
Yet, at their suit, she now her mail unbrac'd,
And shone a dame with every beauty grac❜d.

Soon as the Tartar had Marphisa seen,
He purpos'd from her knights the dame to win,

515

And, in exchange for Doralis, bestow

Her youthful beauties on his rival foe,

As if the lover should such terms approve,

To sell a mistress, or transfer a love!

520