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Rogero, ere he yet his friends forsook,

A courteous leave of every warrior took;
And back returning to the fountain, came
Where the lov'd brother of his beauteous dame
Remain'd apart; to him the gentle knight
Firm friendship vows, in good or evil plight;
Then to his sister, by the youth conveys

Fair thoughts and greeting, couch'd in cautious

phrase;

Such cautious phrase, as may her fears remove,
But no suspicion wake of secret love.

980

985

To Malagigi, Vivian, then in few,

To wounded Aldiger he bids adieu :

While these, with good Rogero, change no less
The grateful farewel, and their thanks express,
Again renew'd, with future service vow'd,
For ever due to aid so well bestow'd.

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Marphisa, eager Paris' walls to find,

Scarce bent a thought on those she left behind:
But Malagigi and good Vivian, prest

990

995

By friendly zeal, with distant signs address'd
The parting maid: her Richardetto view'd,
And with like greeting her retreat pursu❜d;
While hapless Aldiger, with recent wound,
Unwilling lay, reclin'd along the ground.

1000

Ver. 995.-aid so well bestow'd.] Alluding to the delivery of Vivian and Malagigi, Book xxvi.

Ver. 1002. While hapless Aldiger..] We hear no more of Aldiger in this poem.

4

First Rodomont with Mandricardo fled;
Next these Marphisa and Rogero sped

Their course to Paris-deeds transcending thought,
Shall in th' ensuing book to light be brought;
Deeds of those noble four, whose matchless hands,
With rout and death o'erthrew the Christian bands.

1005

END OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH BOOK.

THE

TWENTY-SEVENTH BOOK

OF

ORLANDO FURIOSO.

THE ARGUMENT.

RODOMONT and Mandricardo, following Doralis, are drawn near the Christian forces, where they are met by Gradasso and Sacripant, and all together fall upon the camp of Charles. Rogero and Marphisa arriving next, join them in the attack. Great slaughter of the Christians, who are compelled to retire within the walls of Paris. The archangel Michael finds out Discord in the monastery, and sends her again to the Pagans. Dissentions renewed amongst the leaders. Agramant commands that the contending knights should draw lots for the order of the combat. The first lot falls on Rodomont and Mandricardo. Preparations for the lists. While the knights are arming, a debate arises between Sacripant and Mandricardo for the sword Durindana. Rogero again asserts his claim to the shield of Hector. Agramant and Marsilius endeavour to pacify them. Another quarrel breaks out between Rodomont and Sacripant for the horse Frontino, which is likewise claimed by Rogero. Brunello is forcibly carried off by Marphisa in the face of Agramant and his whole court. Agramant persuades Rodomont and Mandricardo to refer their title to Doralis to her own décision: they agree, and Doralis de. cides in favour of Mandricardo. Rodomont leaves the camp with indignation. His invective against women. He is received and hospitably entertained by a country host,

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