While some he deeply wounded, fome he flew, Then o'er the bridge with fpeed impetuous flew ; 500 Th' ensuing book shall tell what course he past, Till he to Logistilla came at laft. END OF THE SEVENTH BO O K. THE ARGUMEN T. ROGERO makes his escape from Alcina, and travels towards the country of Logistilla. Rinaldo leaves Scotland, and arrives in England, where he obtains fuccours from the regent to be transported to the affiftance of Charlemain. Angelica is carried by magic art to a defolate ifland, where she is cast into a deep fleep by a hermit: from this place fhe is taken away by mariners to be devoured by a fea-monfter. Orlando, difturbed with a dream, quits the city of Paris, then befieged by Agramant, and goes out, disguised, in search of his mistress. THE EIGHT H. BOOK O F ORLANDO FURIOSO. WH HAT ftrange enchanters in our times What strange enchantreffes alike are found! Nor do they work these wonders on the mind, 5 By influence of the stars, or sprites confin'd; He, who from fortune can fuch grace obtain, The ring of fair Angelica to gain, Or rather that of reafon, fhall display Their foul difguifes to the face of day. IQ Ver. 11. Or rather that of reafon, ] The allegory is here plainly opened by the poet. How bleft Rogero then! whofe ring difpell'd Rogero, as my tale before declar'd, game: 15 20 25 Ver. 20. He met a fervant-] This paffage, confidered literally, has fomething odd in it; neither is the allegory of the servant, horse, dog, and falcon, very obvious. An Italian commentator thus explains it. "The four animals that attack Rogero, are the four paffions that govern the foul: the fervant denotes fear; the bird, defire; the dog, grief; and the palfrey, joy. The fhield fignifies that the paffions are to be conquered by oppofing to them their contraries." 6 Advancing |