THE TWENTY-SEVENTH BOOK OF ORLANDO FURIOSO. AMIDST the various gifts by Heaven assign'd, Convey'd the Tartar* prince and Sarzan lord To distance far; nor then the sage foreknew, What mischief hence on Christian Charles he drew. * Mandricardo and Rodomont. 5 10 15 His kinsman's life, nor would, in evil hour, To bear to furthest east or western land Th' affrighted dame, for France no more to view, To her lov'd sire Granada's royal lord. The flying fair, and soon no longer view'd: Yet, by the track they follow'd still the chace, As nimble hounds the goat or leveret trace: Till either lover certain tidings gain'd, That with her sire the princely dame remain❜d. 40 Ver. 26. Since his dread master---] Since Malagigi had not pre scribed the rout which the demon was to take, but left him to his own disposal, he took that course with the damsel which would draw Mandricardo and Rodomont towards the Christian camp, and consequently bring distress on Charlemain. 2 45 Take heed, O Charles!-What clouds thy sky deform! Hang o'er thy head, and threat the bursting storm! Not these alone, but king Gradasso stands With Sacripant, prepar'd to assault thy bands; While fortune, to complete thy ruin'd state, Has robb'd thee of each glorious lamp, that late, Of strength and wisdom beam'd thy purest light, And leaves thee now in long enduring night. Orlando now, estrang'd to every thought Of good or evil, roves with wit distraught, O'er hill and plain, unhous'd and naked lies In heat or cold, in fair or stormy skies! Rinaldo, scarce with better sense inspir'd, 50 55 Has left his prince, when aid was most requir'd, In Paris lately sought, but sought in vain: An aged hermit, vers'd in magic art, (As once I told) had play'd a fraudful part; 60 And wrought th' unwary knight to fond belief, * Orlando. 65 Ver. 45,--king Gradasso.] The last we heard of Gradasso was at the enchanted palace of Atlantes, Book xii. from which place all the knights were released by Astolpho. Vér. 59. An aged hermit--] See Book ii. ver. 89. where the hypocritical hermit deceives Rinaldo and Sacripant with a lying vision, and parts the battle between the two rivals. The battle fought, in which such fame he won, 70 He deem'd, with Brava's chief, the lovely maid To Brava or Anglante's seats convey'd : Now pass'd the hours; and thither hastes the knight; But there nor chief nor damsel meets his sight; And thence to Paris' walls he turns anew, In hopes, ere long, the Paladin to view: In morn's cool breeze, or noon-tide's sultry ray; 75 80 But he, our ancient foe, through whom the hand 85 90 Ver. 67.--such fame he won, &c.] See Books xvi. xvii. and seq. Ver. 91.--had companions far'd] This seems to be a little slip of the poet's memory, as Sacripant and Gradasso did not leave the palace of Atlantes together; for Sacripant (see Book xii. ver. 220.) Along the way: he these incites to aid 100 95 Nor yet so swiftly to the camp they pass'd, But of the six, these two arriv'd the last. 105 Th' infernal angel who relentless sought The Christian's loss, this subtle train had wrought, The late contention for the steed reviv'd Should cross his great design, for either knight 110 Might then renew his undecided fight. The first brave warrior that together join'd, Beheld in distant prospect to the wind The banners wave, and saw the tents ascend, Where those besiege the works, and these defend. 115 In spite of Charles, and all his numerous power, when the ring had dispelled the illusion that so long detained him, had quitted the palace with Orlando and Ferrau, and followed the flight of Angelica; but it appears (see Book xxii. ver. 141.) that Gradasso remained behind in the enchanted palace with Rogero, Bradamant, Iroldo, and others, till the enchantment was dissolved by Astolpho. Of this oversight of the poet the Italian commentators have taken no notice. |