Orlando furioso in English heroical verse, by Sr Iohn Haringto[n] of Bathe Knight.

THE SIXT BOOKE. (Book 6)

THE ARGVMENT.

Geneurafaire to Ariodant is giuen, And he a Duke is made that verie day. Rogero with the Griffeth horse is driuen, Unto Alcynas ile, and there doth stay. Amirtle in the middle strangly riuen, Alcinas frauds doth unto him bewray: Of which enformd he thence would haue departed, But by the way he finds his purpose thwarted.

1

Most wretched he, that thinks by doing ill, His euill deedes long to conceale and hide, For though the voice and tongues of men be still, By foules or beasts his sin shalbe discride: * 1.1And God oft worketh by his secret will, * 1.2That sinne it selfe the sinner so doth guide, That of his owne accord, without request, He makes his wicked doings manifest.

2

The gracelesse wight, Duke Polinesso thought, His former fault should sure haue bin concealed, If that Dalinda vnto death were brought, By whom alone the same could be reuealed. Thus making worse the thing before was nought, He hurt the wound which time perhaps had healed. And weening with more sinne the lesse to mend, He hastned on his well deserued end.

3

And lost at once his life, his state, and frends, And honour to, a losse as great or more. Now (as I sayd) that vnknowne knight entends, Sith euerie one to know him sought so sore, And sith the king did promise large amends, To shew his face which they saw oft before, And Ariodant most louely did appeare, Whom they thought dead as you before did heare.

4

He whom Geneura wofully did waile, He whom Lurcanio deemed to be dead, He whom the king and court did so bewaile, He that to all the realme such care had bred, Doth liue; the clownes report in this did faile, On which false ground the rumor false was spred. And yet in this the peasant did not mocke, He saw him leape downe headlong from the rock.

5

But as we see men oft with rash intent Are desperate and do resolue to die,* 1.3 And straight do change that fancie and repent, When vnto death they do approch more nie: So Ariodant to drowne himselfe that ment, Now plung'd in sea repented by and by, And being of his limbes able and strong, Vnto the shore he swam againe erre long.

6

And much dispraising in his inward thought, This fond conceit that late his minde poslest, At last a blind and narrow path him brought, All tyrd and wet to be an hermits guest: With whom to stay in secretsort he sought, Both that he might his former griefe digest, And learne the truth, if this same clownes report, Were by Geneura tane in griefe or sport.

7

There first he heard how she conceiu'd such griefe•• As almost brought her life to wofull end, He found of her they had so good beleefe, They thought she would not in such sort offend: He further heard except she had releefe, By one that would her innocence defend, It was great doubt Lurcanios acculation, Would bring her to a speedie condemnation.

8

And looke how loue before his heart enraged, So now did wrath enflame, and though he knew wel To wreake his harme, his brothers life was gaged, He nathles thought his act so foule and cruell, That this his anger could not be as••waged, Vnto his flame loue found such store of fewel: And this the more increast his wrath begun, To heare how eu••rie one the fight did shun.

9

For why Lurcanio, was so stout and wise, Except it were for to defend the truth, Men thought he would not so the king despise, And hazard life to bring Geneuras ruth, Which caused euerie one his friend aduise, To shunne the fight that must maintaine vntruth. But Ariodant after long disputation, Meanes to withstand his brothers accusation.

10

Alas (quoth he) Ineuer shall abide, Her through my cause to die in wo and paine, For danger or for death what eare betide, Be she once dead my life cannot remaine, She is my saint, in her my blisse doth bide, Her golden rayes my eies light still maintaine, Fall backe, fall edge, and be it wrong or right, In her defence I am resolu'd to fight.

11

I take the wrong, but yet ile take the wrong And die I shall, yet if I die I care not, But then alas, by law she dies er long, O cruell lawes so sweete a wight that spare not: Yet this small ioy I finde these griefes among, That Polinesso to defend her dare not, And she shall finde how little she was loued, Of him that to defend her neuer moued.

12

And she shall see me dead there for her sake, To whom so great a damage the hath done: And of my brother iust reuengement take I shall, by whom this strife was first begun, For there at least my death plaine proof shall make That he this while a foolish thred hath spun, He thinketh to auenge his brothers ill, The while himselfe his brother there shall kill.

13

And thus resolued, he gets him armour new, New horse and all things new that needfull b••ene All clad in blacke, a sad and mournfull hew, And crost with wreath of yellow and of greene, A stranger bare his sheeld that neither knew, His masters name nor him before had seene, And thus as I before rehearst, disguised He met his brother as he had deuised.

14

I told you what successe the matter had, How Ariodant himselfe did then discouer, For whom the king himselfe was euen as glad, As late before his daughter to recouer, And since he thought in ioyfull times and sad, No man could shew himselfe a truer louer Then he that after so great wrong, intended Against his brother her to haue defended.

15

Both louing him by his owne inclination, And praid thereto by many a Lord and knight, And chiefly by Renaldos instigation, He gaue to Ariodant Geneura bright. Now by the Dukes atteint and condemnation, Albania came to be the kings in right. Which dutchie falling in so luckie houre, Was giuen vnto the damsell for her dowr••.

16

Renaldo for Dalindas pardon praide, Who for her error did so sore repent, That straight she vowd,* 1.4 with honest mind and staid, To liue her life in prayre and penitent: Away she packt, nor further time delaid,* 1.5 In Datia, to a nunrie there she went. But to Rogero now I must repaire, That all this while did gallop in the aire.

17

Who though he were of mind and courage stout, And would not easly feare or be dismaid, Yet doubtlesse now his minde was full of doubt, His hart was now appald, and sore afraid. Farre from Europa, he had trauaild out, And yet his flying horse could not be staid, But past the pillars xij. score leagues and more, Pitcht there by Hercles many yeares before.

18

This Griffeth horse a birde most huge and rare, Doth pierce the ••kie with so great force of wing,* 1.6 That with that noble birde he may compare, Whom Poets faine Ioues lightning downe to bring To whom all other birds inferior are, Because they take the Eagle for their king. Scarse seemeth from the clouds to go so swift, The thunderboltsent by the lightnings drift.

19

When long this monster strange had kept his race, Straight as a line bending to neither side, He spide an Iland distant little space, To which he bends in purpose there to bide, Much like insemblance was it to the place, Where Arethusa vsd her selfe to hide, And seekes so long her loue to haue beguild,••* 1.7 Till at the last she found her selfe with child.

20

A fairer place they saw not all the while, That they had trauild in the aire aloft In all the world was not a fairer ile, If all the world to finde the same were sought: Here hauing trauaild many a hundred mile, Rogero by his bird to rest was brought, In pastures greene, and hils with coole fresh aire, Cleere riuers, shadie banks, and meddowes faire.

21

Heere diuers groues there were, of daintie shade, Of Palme, or Orenge trees, of Cedars tall, Of sundrie fruites and flowres that neuer fade, The shew was faire, the plentie was not small. And arbours in the thickest places made, Where little light, and heat came not at all: Where Nightingales did straine their little throtes, Recording still their sweete and pleasant notes.

22

Amid the lilly white and fragrant rose, Preseru'd still fresh by warme and temprate aire, The fearfull hare, and cunnie carelesse goes, The stag with stately head and bodie faire, Doth feed secure, not fearing any foes, That to his damage hither may repaire, The Bucke and Doe doth feed amid the fields, As in great store the pleasant forrest yeelds.

23

It needlesse was to bid Rogero light, When as his horse approched nigh the ground, He cast himselfe out of his saddle quight, And on his feet he falleth safe and sound, And holds the horses raines, left else he might Flic quite away, and not againe be found, And to a mirtle by the water side, Betweene two other trees his beast he tide.

24

And finding thereabout a little brooke, That neare vnto a shadie mountaine stands, His helmet from his head forthwith he tooke, His shield from arme, his gantlet from his hands, And from the higher places he doth looke, Full oft to sea, full oft to fruitfull lands, And seekes the coole and pleasant aire to take, That doth among the leaues a murmure make,

25

Oft with the water of that cristall well, He seekes to quench his thirst and swage his heate, With which his veines enflam'd did rise and swell, And ca••••d his other parts to fry in sweate: Well may it seeme a maruell that I tell, Yet will I once againe the same repeate, He traueld had aboue three thousand mile, And not put off his armour all the while.

26

Behold his horse he lately tied there, Among the boughs in shadie place to bide, Straue to go loose, and started backe for feare, And puls the tree to which the raines were tide, In which (as by the sequell shall appeare) A humane soule it selfe did strangely hide. With all his strength the steed st••ues to be loosed, By force whereof the mirtle sore was broosed.

27

* 1.8And as an arme of tree from bodie rent, By peasants strength with many a sturdie stroke, When in the fire the moisture all is spent, The emptie places fild with aire and smoke, Do boile and striue, and find at last a vent, When of the brand a shiuer out is broke, So did the tree striue, bend, writhe, wring and breake, Till at a little hole it thus did speake.

28

Right curteous knight (for so I may you deeme, And must you call not knowing other name) I•• so you are as gracious as you seeme, Then let your friendly deed confirme the same, Vnloose this monster, sent as I esteeme, To adde some farther torment to my shame. Alas, mine inward griefes were such before, By outward plagues they need be made no more.

29

Rogero mazed looked round about, If any man or woman he might see, At last he was resolued of his doubt, He found the voice was of the mirtle tree, With which abasht, though he were wise and stout, He said, I humbly pray thee pardon me,* 1.9 Whether thou be some humane ghost or spright, Or power deuine that in this woodhast right.

30

Not wilfulnesse, but ignorance did breed Thine iniury, mine error in this case: And made me do this vnaduised deed, By which vnwares thy leaues I did deface: But let thy speech so farre forth now proceed, To tell me who thou art that in this place, Dost dwell in tree amid the desert field, As God from haile and tempest thee may shield.

31

And if that •• for this amends may make, Or now or after, or by paine or art, I sweare to thee by her,* 1.10 and for her sake, That holds of me, and shall the better part, That I shall not surcease all paines to take, To worke thy ioy, or to as••wage thy smart. This said, he saw againe the nurtle shake, And then againe he heard that thus it spake.

32

Sir knight, your curtesie doth me constraine, To shew to you the thing that you desier, Although I sweat (as you may see) with paine, Like greenest boughes vpon the flaming fier, I will discouer vnto you her traine, (Wo worth the time that ••uer I came nie her) That did for malice and by magicke strange, My liuely shape to liuelesle branches change.

33

I was an Earle, Astolfo was my name, Well knowne in France in time of warre and peace, Orlandos cosen and Renalds, whose fame While time shall last in earth shall neuer cease. Of Oton king of English Ile I came, And should succeed him after his decease. Both comely, yong, carelesle of worldly pelfe, To none an enemie but to my selfe.

34

For as we turned from the Ester Iles, Whose banks are worne with surge of Indian waue, Where I and many more with witching wiles,* 1.11 Were straight inclosed in a hollow caue, Vntill Orlando did auenge the guiles, And found by force a meane his friends to saue, We Westward went vpon the shore and sand, That lieth on the Northside of the land.

35

And as we traueld homeward on our way, As chance did leade or destinie vs driue, It was our fortune once on breake of day, Hard by Alcynas castle to arriue, Where she alone, to sport her selfe and play, Such kind of gins for fishes did cont••••ue, That though we saw no net, no bait, no hooke, Yet still we saw that store of fish she tooke.

36

The Dolphin strong, the Tunnie good of tast, The Mullet, Stargeon, Samon (princely fish) With Porpose, S••ales, and Thornpooles came as fast, As she was pleased to commaund or wish. And still she tooke of each kind as they past, Some strange for shew, some daintie for the dish, The horsefish and the huge and monstrous whales, Whole mightie members harnest are with scales.

37

Among the rest that were too long to count, We ••aw the fish that men Balena call, Twelue yards aboue the water did amount His mightie backe, the monster is so tall: And (for it stood to s••••l) we made account, It had bene land, but were deceiued all, We were decei••••d, well I may rew the while, It was so huge we thought it was an ••le.

38

I sav this potent witch Alcyna tooke All ••••rt•• o•• fish without or net or aide, But on••ly reading in a little booke, O•• mumbling words, I know not what she said, But se••••ng me, so well she likt my looke, That at her sport but little time 〈◊〉〈◊〉 staid, But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forthwi••h to trap me by her skill, Which straight fe••l ••ut according to her will.

39

F•••• toward me with pleasant cheare she came, In modest maner and in 〈…〉〈…〉. And d••d withall her speech 〈◊〉〈◊〉 frame, And 〈…〉〈…〉 to resort, O•••• I would be partner of h•••• g••me, She o••tred me to shew me all the sport, And all the kinds of fish in seas that were, Some great, some smal, some smooth, and some with haire.

40

And if you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •• Mermaid faire to see, That can with song the raging stormes appease, At yon•• same little banke you may (quoth the) To which we two will safely pa••le with ease: (Th•• banke which she pretends to shew to me, Was that same ••ish the monster of the seas) And I that too much loued to aduenter, Vpon the fishes backe with her did enter.

41

My cousins 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Ronaldo beckned To draw me thence, I heard not what they said, But of their speech and signes I little reckned, I had not wit enough to be afraid: But soone my courage was appald and weakned, I straight was ••aine in va••••e to crie for aid, The monst••ous fish that ••eemd to me an Ile, Straight bare me from the shore full many a mile.

42

There was Ronald•• like to haue bene drownd, Who 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to ••••ue me if perhaps he might, But ••o dainly of him and of the ground, A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ud did take away the sight: 〈…〉〈…〉 and I with seas enuirond round, Did ••r••uell on that monster all the night, And then with gracious speeches she began To gi••e me all the comfort that she can.

43

And thus at last to this place we repaire, Of which by wrong Alcyna keepes possession, Deposing forcibly the rightfull heire, (Her elder lawfull sister) by oppression: The other two more vicious then faire, Are bastards, and begotten in transgression, I heard it told, and haue it not forgotten,* 1.12 She and Morgana were in incest gotten.

44

And as their first beginning was of sinne, So is their life vngodly and defamed, Of law ••or iustice passing not a pinne, But like the heifer wanton and vntamed, By warre they seeke their sisters right to win••e, Their elder sister Logistilla named, And haue so farre preuailed with their powers, They haue of hers about an hundred towers.

45

And had er•• this time taken all away, Saue that the rest is strongly fenced round, For of one side the water stops the way, On th'other side the vantage of the ground, Which with a mightie banke doth make a stay, Much like the English and the Scottish bound: And yet the bastard sisters do their best, And labour still to spoile her of the rest.

46

And why, because they see her good and holy, They hated her because themselues are vicious, But to returne, and tell you of my folly, That turnd to me so hurtfull and pernicious, I now againe grew somewhat bold and iolly, I see no cause to feare or be suspicious, And finding she lou'd me by signes most plaine, I wholy bent my selfe to loue againe.

47

When I her daintie members did embrace, I deemed then there was none other blis••e, Me thought all other pleasures were but base, Of friends nor kin I had no want nor mis••e, I onely wisht to stand in her good grace, And haue accesse her corrall lips to kisse. I thought my selfe the happiest of all creatures, To haue a Ladie of so goodly features.

48

And this the more confirmd my ioy and pride, That toward me she shewd such loue and care, By night and dayly I was by her side, To do or speake against me no man dare, I was her stay, I was her houses guide, I did commaund, the rest as subiects are: She trusted me, alone with me she talked, With me within she sat, without she walked.

49

Alas why do I open lay my sore, Without all hope of medcine or releefe? And call to mind the fickle ioy before, Now being plungd in g••lfes of endlesse greefe? For while I thought she ••o••d me more and more, When as I deemd my ioy and blisse was cheefe, Her wauing loue away fro me was taken, A new guest came, the old was cleane forsaken.

50

Then did I find full soone, though too to late, Her wanton, wauering, wily womans wit, Accustomd in a trice to loue and hate, I saw another in my seate to sit: Her loue was gone, forgone my happie state, The marke is mist that I was wont to hit: And I had perfect knowledge then ere long, That to a thousand she had done like wrong.

51

And least that they about the world might go, And make her wicked life and falshood knowne, In diuers places she doth them bestow, So as abrode they shall not make their mone, Some into trees, amid the field that grow, Some into beasts, and some into a stone: In rockes or riuers she doth hide the rest, As to her cruell fancie seemeth best.

52

And you that are arriu'd by steps so strange, To this vnfortunate and fatall lle, Although in youthfull sports a while you range, And though Alcina fauour you a while, (Although you little looke for any change,) Although she friendly seeme on you to smile, Yet looke no les••e, but changd at last to be, Into some brutish beast, some stone or tree.

53

Thus though perhap my labour is but lost, Yet haue •• giu'n you good and plaine aduise, Who can themselues beware by others cost, May be accounted well among the wise: The waues that my poore ship so sore hath tost, You may auoid by heed and good deuise, Which if you do, then your successe is such, As many others could not do so much.

54

Rogero did with much attention heare Astolfos speech, and by his name he knew To Bradamant he was of kindred neare, Which made him more his wofull state to rew: And for her sake that loued him most deare, To whom from him all loue againe was dew, He ••ought to bring him aid and some releefe, At least with comfort to asswage his griefe.

55

Which hauing done, he asked him againe, The way that would to Logistilla guide, For were it by the hils, by dale or plaine, He thither meant forthwith to runne or ride. Astolfo answerd it would aske much paine, And many a weary iourney he should bide, Because to stop this way Alcina sets A thousand kinds of hindrances and lets.

56

For as the way it selfe is very steepe, Not pas••able without great toile and paine, So she that in her mischiefe doth not sleepe, Doth make the matter harder to attaine, By placing men of armes the way to keepe, Of which she hath full many in her traine. Rogero gaue Astolfo many thanks, For giuing him this warning of her pranks.

57

And leading then the flying horse in hand, Not during yet to mount a beast so wilde, Least (as before I made you vnderstand) He might the second time haue bene beguild: He meanes to go to Logistillas land, A vertucus Ladie, chast, discreet and mild, And to withstand Alcina tooth and naile, That vpon him her force might not preuaile.

58

But well we may commend his good intent, Though missing that to which he did aspire,* 1.13 Who iudgeth of our actions by th'euent, I wish they long may want their most desire. For though Rogero to resist her ment, And feared her as children feare the fire, Yet was he taken to his hurt and shame,* 1.14 Euen as the flie is taken in the flame.

59

For going on his way, behold he spies A house more stately then can well be told, Whose wals do seeme exalted to the skies, From top to bottome shining all of gold, A sight to rauish any mortall eyes, It seemd some Alcumist did make this hold, The wals seemd all of gold, but yet I trow All is not gold that makes a golden show.* 1.15

60

Now though this stately sight did make him stay, Yet thinking on the danger him foretold, He left the easie and the beaten way, That leadeth to this rich and stately hold, And to her house where vertue beares the sway, He bends his steps with all the hast he could: But er•• he could ascend the mountaines top, A crew of caitiues sought his way to stop.

61

A foule deformd, a brutish cursed crew, In bodie like to antike worke dcuised, Of monstrous shape, and of an vgly hew, Like masking Machachinas all disguised. Some looke like dogs, and some like apes in vew,* 1.16 Some dreadfull looke, and some to be despised, Yong shamelesse folke, and doting foolish aged, Some nakd, some drunk, some bedlem like enraged.

62

One rides in hast a horse without a bit, Another rides as slow, an asse or cow, The third vpon a Centaurs rumpe doth sit. A fourth would flie with wings, but knows not how, The fift doth for a speare employ a spit, Sixt blowes a blast like one that gelds a sow. Some carrie ladders, others carrie chaines, Some sit and sleepe while others take the paines.

63

The Captaine of this honorable band, With belly swolne, and puffed blubberd face, Because for drunkennesle he could not stand, Vpon a tortes••e rode a heauy pace: His sergeants all were round about at hand, Each one to do his office in his place: Some wipe the sweat, with faus some make a wind, Some stay him vp before, and some behind.

64

Then one of these that had his feet and brest Of manlike shape, but like vnto a hound In ••ares, in necke, and mouth, and all the rest Doth vtter barking words with currish sound, Part to commaund, aud partly to request The valian•• knight to leaue the higher ground, And to repaire vnto Alcynas castle, Or else (for••ooth) they two a pull would wrastle.

65

This monster seeing his request denide, Strake at Rogeros beauer with a launce, But he that could no such rude iests abide, With Ball••sarda smote him in the paunch. * 1.17Out came the sword a foote on th'other side, With which he led his fellowes such a daunce, That some hopt headlesse, some cut by the knees, And some their arms, and some their eares did leese.

66

In vaine it was their targets to oppose Against the edge of his enchanted blade, No steele had force to beare those fatall blowes, Vnto the quicke the sword a passage made: But yet with numbers they do him inclose, Their multitude his force did ouerlade: He needs at least Briarius hundred armes To ••oile the foes that still about him swarmes.

67

Had he remembred to vnfold the shield, Atlanta car••••d at his saddle bow, He might haue quickly ouercome the field, And cau••d them all without receiuing blow, Like men dismaid and blind themselues to yeeld: But he perhaps that vertue did not know, Or if he did, perhaps he would disdaine, Where force did faile, by fraud his will to gaine.

68

But being full resolued not to yeeld Vnto such beasts, but ere he parted thence He would his carkasse leaue amid the field, * 1.18And manfully would die in his defence, Then ••o good hap that failes the forward seeld, Prouided him a meane to rid him hence. There came two Ladie;, either like a Queene, And each of them most stately to be seene.

69

* 1.19For each of them an Vnicorne did ride, As white as Lillies, or vnmolten snow, And each of them was deckt with so great pride, As might most richly set them forth to show, But each of them was so diuinely eide, Would moue a man in loue with them to grow, And each of them in all points was so choice, As in their sight a man would much reioyce.

70

Then both of them vnto the m••••ow came, Whereas R••g•••••• ••ought with all that rout, And both of them those brutish beasts did blame, That ••ought to harme a knight so strong and s••ou••. R••ger ••blu••hing now with modest shame, Thankt them that had of danger holpt him out, And straight consented with those Ladies faire, Vnto 〈◊〉〈◊〉 castle to repaire.

71

Those ornaments that do set forth the gate, Embost a little bigger then the rest, All are enricht with stones of great estate, The best and richest growing in the East, In parted quadrons, with a seemly rate, The collons diamonds as may be guest: I say not whether counterfait or true, But shine they did like diamonds in vew.

72

About these stately pillars and betweene Are wanton damsels gadding to and fro, And as their age, so are their garments greene, The blacke oxe hath not yet trod on their toe, Had vertue with that beautie tempred beene, It would haue made the substance like the show: These maids with curteous speech and manners nice Welcome Rogero to this paradise.

73

If so I may a paradise it name, Where loue and lust haue built their habitation, Where time well spent is counted as a shame, No wise staid thought, no care of estimation, Nor nought but courting, dauncing, play and game, Disguised clothes, each day a sundry fashion, No vertuous labour doth this people please, But nice apparrell, belly-cheare and ease.

74

Their aire is alway temperate and cleare, And wants both winters storms, and summers hea••e, As though that Aprill lasted all the yeare, Some one by fountaines side doth take his sea••e, And there with ••ained voice and carelesse cheare, Some sonnet made of loue he doth repeate: Some others other where with other fashions, Describe vnto their loues their louing passions.

75

And Cupid then, the captaine of the crew, Triumphs vpon the captiues he hath got, And more and more his forces to renew, Supplies with fresh the arrowes he hath short, With which he hits (his leuell is so true) And wounds full deepe, although it bleedeth not: This is the place to which Rogero went, And these the things to which our youth is bent.

76

Then straight a stately steed of colour bay, Well limbd and strong was to Rogero brought, And deckt with faire capparison most gay, With gold and pearle and iewels richly wrought, The Griffeth horse (that whilome to obay The spurre and bit was by Atlanta tought) Because his iourney long required rest, Was carrid to a stable to be drest.

77

The Ladies faire that had the knight defended, From that same wicked and vngracious band, Which as you heard at large before pretended, Rogeros passage stoutly to withstand, Told now Rogero how that they intended, Because his valew great they vnderstand, Of him to craue his furtherance and a••d, Against their so that made them oft afraid.

78

There is (quoth they) a bridge amid our way, To which we are alreadie verie nie, * 1.20Where one Erifila doth all she may, To damage and annoy the passers by, A Giantes••e she is, she liues by pray, Her fa••hions are to fight, deceiue and lye: Her teeth belong, her visage rough with heare, Her nayles be sharpe, and scratching like a Beare.

79

The harme is great this monster vile doth doe, To stop the way that but for her were free, She spils and spoiles, she cares not what nor who, That griefe to heare, and pittie is to see: And for to adde more hatred her vnto, Know this, that all yon monsters you did see, Are to this monster either sonnes or daughters, And liue like her by robberies and slaughters.

80

Rogero thus in curteous sort replide, Faire Ladies gladly I accept your motion, If oth••rseruice I may do beside, You may command, I stand at your deuotion: For this I weare this coat and blade well tride, Not to procure me riches or promotion, But to defend from iniurie and wrong, All such as haue their enemies too strong.

81

The Ladies did Rogero greatly thanke, As well de••eru'd so stout and braue a knight, That proferd at the first request so franke, Against the gyantesse for them to fight. Now they drew nye vnto the riuers banke, When as Erifila came out in sight: But they that in this storie take some pleasure, May heare the rest of it at further leasure.

In Ariodants combat with his brother, we may note how the loue of kinred often giues place to the loue of carnalitie. In Dalindas going into religion, after she had her pardon, we may note, that amendment of life is necessary after true repentance. In Rogeros travelling three thousand miles, and then resting at Alcynas, we may obserue how the thoughts of men ranging abrode into a thousand matters, lastly abide in the pleasantest.

In Astolfos metamorphosis into a myrtle tree (which tree is said to be dedicated to Venus) we may note, how men giuen ouer to sensualitie, leese in the end the verie forme of man (whch is reason) and so become beastes or stockes: but these two last notes will be more aptly considered in the Allegorie.

Historie there is none in this booke,* 1.21 but the continuation of the tale of Geneura, amplified probably, though I thinke no way truely.

The rest of this whole booke is an Allegorie,* 1.22 so plaine to those that will indeed looke heedfully into it, as needs no expo∣sition, and it is continued in the next booke, and in a manner there expounded, to the vnderstanding of any reasonable capacitie, yet for plainnes sake I will touch some things with my accustomed briefenes, and leaue the rest to the discreet reader to scan, and to applie to his owne profit. First therefore of Rogero, (as we have in part touched before) we may understand the Griffeth horse that carried him, to signifie the passion of the minde contrarie to reason, that caries men in the aire, that is in the height of their imaginations, out of Europe, that is, out of the compasse of the rules of Christian religion and feare of God, vnto the Ile of Alcyna; which signifieth pleasure and vanities of this world.

The example of Astolfos mishap, and his good counsell which Rogero followed so slenderly, shew how neither the counsels of friends, nor no examples, can for the most part stay a man in his youthfull course, from that which he shall af∣ter surely repent. Rogeros offring to go to Logestilla, which betokens vertue, signifies the good motiues that men haue of∣ten, by reading good bookes, or hearing good sermons to amend their liues: but then the monstrous crew that stoppeth Ro∣gero, signifying the base conceits of men, and foule desires that assaile them, as namely those sea••en sinnes which be called the deadly sinnes: by strong temptations and lewd suggestions, do put vs out of that right way, or at least encomber vs so as we proceed but slowly: howbeit these do not preuaile so farre, but that an honest and well giuen minde doth with∣stand them, and yeeldeth not to them till the two Ladies riding vpon Vnicornes, which some vnderstand by chast loue, or at the least a shew of honorable loue, or rather I suppose thereby to be meant ambition and desire of aduancement, these two driue away all those base thoughts that assailed him, but yet they bring him at last vnto the court of Alcina, where he is held fast, as shall be shewed in the next booke.

By Erifila is ment couetousnesse, as the name it selfe shewes, which must be beaten downe er we can come to honour or loue.

By Logestilla, that is inuaded by the two bas••erd sisters, is ment allegorically, the true Christian religion; and there is another cosen of theirs called heresie, and the graundsire of them all, called Atheisme, that are of late very busie with her. But she is defended with the water, which signifies the holy Scripture, and with the mountaine, which in the Scripture it selfe is taken for preachers, as S. Augustine noteth vpon the Psalmes. I lift vp mine eies to the hils, wh••nce commeth my saluation.

The transformation of Astolfo,* 1.23 alludes to Cyrces witchcrast in Homer.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Poet to this ef.
• * 1.2

  ••word ubi se 〈◊〉〈◊〉 persomnia quentes 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Sentence.
• * 1.4

  He••••e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tale of G••••
• * 1.5

  He ret•••••• Renald•••• st. 16. Foge••••
• * 1.6

  The E••ght 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.7

  Aret•••••• in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.8

  ••irken out 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.9

  Ouid.••. Me••am. Quisq•••• ••s •• fa∣••••••••.
• * 1.10

  Bradamant. To whom Rog•••••• ••as a s••t••r.
• * 1.11

  This hath refe∣rence to the booke called Orland••, Ina••••ora••o.
• * 1.12

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.13

  ••uid•• Care••t successi•••• opt•• quisquis ab cuen∣•••• facts not•••••••• pu••••••.
• * 1.14

  Simile. Petrark.
• * 1.15

  Sense••••••
• * 1.16

  Look in the A••••••∣gory.
• * 1.17

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.18

  Sentence. 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.19

  Looke 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.20

  ••llegorie
• * 1.21

  ••ie.
• * 1.22

  ••••ri••.
• * 1.23

  ••••••