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

THE TVVELFTH BOOKE. (Book 12)

THE ARGVMENT.

Orlando doth pursue with great disdaine, One that did seeme his loue by force to carrie: Rogero led by such another traine, With him doth in the charmed pallace tarrie: Orlando parting from the place againe, He sees indeed her whom he fai••e would marrie, Fights with Ferraw, and foiles two Turkish bands, And findes faire Isabell in outlawes hands.

1

FAire Ceres when she hast∣ned backe againe, From great Ideahomward to returne, There where Enceladus with endles paine, Doth beare mount Aetna that doth ener burne, When she had sought her daughter long in vaine, Whose losse so strange did make y^e mother mourne, * 1.1She spoiles for spite her brest, cheeks, eyes and heare, At last two boughs from Pyne tree she doth teare.

2

In Vulcans forge slie sets on fire the brands, And giues them powre for euer to be light, And taking one a peece in both her hands, And drawne in coach by yoked serpents might, She searcheth woods and fields and seas and lands, And brooks and streames and dens deuoyd of light, And hearing here on earth no newes to like her, At last she went to hell it selfe to seake her.

3

Were good Orlandos powre to be compared, As well with Ceres as his louing minde, He would no paine, no place, nor time haue spared, His deare belou'd Angelyca to finde, To go to rocks and caues he would haue dared, And place to saints, and place to sends assignd, He onely wanted one of Ceres waggons, In which she carried was with flying draggons.

4

How he did search all France before he told, Now Italy to search is his intent, And Germany and Castill new and old, And then to Affrica to pasle he ment, And as he thus determined, behold He heard a voice that seemed to lament, And drawing nye to vnderstand what tyding, On a great horse he saw a horse man ryding.

5

Perforce he bare vpon his saddle bow, A Lady sorrowfull and sore afrayd, That cryde a loud still making open show, Of inward griefe and thus to him she said, O worthy wight (Lord of Anglante) know I dye, I dye, without you bring me ayd, And then he thought coming more nie to vew her, It was Angelyca, and that he knew her.

6

I say not that it was, but that it seemd, To be Angelyca that thus was caryd, But he that iustly great disgrace it deemd, Thus in his sight, to haue his mistresse haryd, Whose loue aboue all treasures he esteemd, To take reuenge hereof he nothing taryd, But put his spurres to Bril••••adores sides, And in great hast to that same horseman rydes.

7

With many bloodie words and cruell threts, He bids that horseman to come backe againe, But he at naught his wordes and speeches sets, Reioycing in so rich a gotten gayne, The vilen still ground of Orlando gets, Vntill they came into a faire large plaine, Wherein a house of great estate was built, The gate hereof in gorgeous sort was gilt.

8

The building all of marble faire was wrought, Most costly caru'd and cunningly contriued, To this faire house his pray the soule thief brought, Straight after him Orlando there arriued: Then he alights and all abcut he sought, For him that had him of his ioy depriued, He maketh search in chambers all about, And galleries and halls to finde them out.

9

Each roome he finds set forth with rich aray, With beds of silke, and gold of curious art, But yet he finds not that desired pray. The want whereof did sore torment his hart. There might he finde with like affliction stray, Gradass••, Sacrapant and Brandimart, And fearce Ferraw postest with strange confusion, Procured in that place by strong illusion.

10

They all complaine in anger and in rage, How of this house the master them hath vsed, One lost his horse, another lost his page, Another doubts his mistresse is abused: Thus are they kept like birds within a cage, And stand with sense and wits and words confused, And manie with this strange deception carried, Within this place both weeks & months had tarried

11

Orlando when he saw he could not learne, Where this same theefe his mistresse had conuaid, Thought she was carride out at some posterne; Wherfore within no longer time he staid, But walkes about the cattle to discerne, I•• that were true of which he was asf aid: But as he ••alked vp and downe the plaine, He thought he heard her call him backe againe.

12

And to a window casting vp his eve, He thought he saw her face full of diuinitie, And that he heard her plainly thus to crie, Onoble wight of proued magnanimitie, Helpe now, or neuer helpe, alas shall In mine Orlandos sight leese my virginitie? Kill me, or let a thousand deathes befall me, Rather then let a villaine so to thrall me.

13

These wofull speeches once or twise repeted, Caus'd him returne into the house againe, And searching once againe he chaste and freted, (Hope still asswaging somewhat of his paine) And oft he heard the voice that counterfeted The speech of his Angelica most plaine, From side to side he follow'd still the sound, But of Angelica no signe he found.

14

Now while Orlando tarrid in this traunce, In hope for to auenge his mistresse harmes, Roger•• (who I told you had this chaunce) To see his Fradamant in gyants armes, (Drawne to this place with such another daunce) Namely by force of some vnusuall charmes, Saw first the gvant in this castle enter, And after him he boldly doth aduenter.

15

But when he came within the castle walls, And made much narrow search, as in such case, In garrets, towrs, in parlers and in halls, And vnder staires and many a homely place, Oft casting doubts what hurt his loue befalls, Or left the theefe were gone in this meane space, Forthwith he walketh out into the plaine, And heares a voice recall him backe againe.

16

That voice that lately did Orlando make, Returne in hope Angelica to finde, Rogero now for Bradamant doth take, Whose loue no lesse possest his carefull minde: And when the voice vnto Gradasso spake, Or Sacrapant, or Brandimart most kinde, To euerie one of these it plainely seemed, To be her voice whom ech one best esteemed

17

Atlanta had procur'd this strange inuention, Thereby to keepe Rogero from mischance, Because he saw, it was the heauens intention, That he by treason should be kild in France, Ferraw and those of whom I last made mention, Whith all whom vallew highest did aduance, To keepe him companie he here detained, With good prouision while they here remained.

18

And while these knights with strange enchanments bound Do here abide, behold the Indian queene Angelica that late her ring had found, (Whose vettue can her cause to go vnseene,* 1.2 And also frustrate magicke skill profound) Now longing home, where long she had not been, And being now of needfull things prouided, Yet wants she one that her might hom haue guided

19

Orlandos companie she would haue had, Or Sacrapant, she car'd not which oftwaine, Not that of eithers loue she would be glad, For them and all the world she did disdaine, But (for the way was dangerous and bad. In time of warre to trauell France and Spaine) She wisht for her owne safetie and her ease, To haue the companie of one of these.

20

Wherefore a while she trauels vp and downe, To seek for them that long in vaine had sought her, And passing many woods and many a towne, Vnto this place at last good fortune brought her, Where whē she saw these knights of great renowne, Thus seeke for her, she scant abstaines frō laughter, To see Atlantas cunning and dissembling, Her person and her voice so right resembling.

21

Her selfe vnseene, sees them and all the rest, Now meanes she sure to take one of them two, But yet she knowes not which (her doubtfull brest Did stay as vnresolued what to do) Orlandos vellew could defend her best, But then this doubt is added thereunto, That when she once so highly had prefard him, She shall not know againe how to discard him.

22

But Sacrapant although she should him lift High vp to heauen, yet maketh the no doubt, But she will find some sleight and pretie shift, With her accustom'd coynesse him to lout: To him she goes, resolued of this drift, And straight the precious ring she taketh out From of her mouth, which made her go concealed, With mind to him alone to be reuealed.

23

But straight came in Orlando and Ferraw, That both desired, her to haue enioyd, Thus all of them at once their goddesse saw, Not being now by magick•• art annoyd, For when the ring on finger she did draw, She made vnwares all their enchantments voyd, These three were all in complet armor, saue Ferraw no headpeece had, nor none would haue.

24

The cause was this, he solemnely had sworne, Vpon his head no helmet should be set, But that that was by stour Orlando worne, * 1.3Which he did erst from Traians brother get, Ferraw to weare a helmet had forborne, Since with the ghost of Argall he had met: Thus in this sort they came together armed, By vertue of her ring now all vncharmed.

25

All three at once do now the damsell vew, All three at once on her would straight haue seased, All three her faithfull louers were she knew, Yet with all three at once she is displeased, And from all three she straight her selfe withdrew, Who (haply) one at once would her haue pleased, From henceforth none of them she thinks to need, But that the ring shall serue in all their steed.

26

She hastens hence and will no longer stay, Disdaine and feare together make her swift, Into a wood she leades them all the way, But when she saw there was none other shift, Into her mouth the ring she doth conuay, That euer holpe her at the deadest list, And out of all their fights forth with she vanished, And leaues them all with wonder halfe astonished.

27

Onely one path there was, and that not wide, In this they followd her with no small hast, But she first causd her horse to step aside, And standeth still a while till they were past, And then at better leisure she doth ride, A farre more easie pace, and not so fast, Vntill they three continuing still their riding, Came to a way in sundry parts diuiding.

28

And comming where they found no further tracke, Ferraw, that was before the tother two, In choler and in fury great turnd backe, And askt the other what they meant to do, And (as his maner was to brag and cracke) Demaunded how they durst presume to wo, Or follow her, whose propertie he claimed, Except they would of him be slaine or maimed.

29

Orlando straight replide, thou foolish beast, Saue that I see thou doest an helmet want, I would ere this haue taught thee at the least, Hereafter with thy betters not to vant: Ferraw doth thank•• him for his care (in ieast) And said it shewd his wits were very scant, For as he was he would not be afraid, To proue against them both that he had said.

30

Sir, said Orlando to the Pagan King, Lend him your headpeece, and er we go hence, I will this beast in better order bring, Or sharply punish him for his offence. Nay soft (said Sacrapant) that were a thing, The which to grant might shew I had no sence, Lend you him yours, for Ile not go to schoole, To know as well as you to bob a foole.

31

Tush (quoth Ferraw) fooles to your faces both, As though if I had bin disposd to weare one, I would haue sufferd (were you leiue or loth) The best and proudest of you both to beare one, The truth is this, that I by solemne oth Vpon a certaine chance did once forsweare one, That on my head no helmet should be donne, Vntill I had Orlandos helmet wonne.

32

What (quoth the Earle) then seems it vnto thee, Thy force so much Orlandos doth surmount, That thou couldst do the same to him, that he Vnto Almonta did in Aspramount? Rather I thinke, if thou his face should see, Thou wouldst so farre be wide of thine account, That thou wouldst tremble ouer all thy body, And yeeld thy selfe and armour like a nody.

33

The Spanish vaunter (like to all the nation) Said he had often with Orlando met, And had him at aduantage in such fashion, That had he lift he might his helmet get, But thus (quoth he) the time brings alteration, That now I seeke, I then at naught did set, To take his helmet from him then I spared, Because as then for it I little cared.

34

Then straight Orlando mou'd in rightfull anger, Made answer thus, thou foole and murren lier, I cannot now forbeare thee any longer, I am whom thou to find doest to desier, When met we two that thou didst part the stronger? Thou thoughtst me farder, thou shalt feele me nier, Try now if thou beest able me to foyle, Or I can thee of all thy armour spoyle.

35

Nor do I seeke to take this ods of thee, This said, forthwith his helmet he vntide, And hung the same fast by vpon a tree, Then drew his Durindana from his side; And in like sort you might the Spaniard see, That was no whit abated of his pride, How he his sword and target straight prepard, And lay most manfully vnto his ward.

36

And thus these champions do the fight begin Vpon their coursers fierce, themselues more fierce, And where the armour ioynes and is most thin, There still they striue with sturdy strokes to pierce: Search all the world, and two such men therein Could not be found, for as old bookes rehearse, Their skins were such, as had they bin vnarmed, Yet could they not with weapons haue bin harmed.

37

Ferraw had in his youth inchantment such, That but his nauell, hard was all the rest, Vnto Orlando there was done as much, By prayer of some saint (as may be guest) Saue in his feet, which he let no man tuch, Take it for truth, or take it for a iest, Thus I haue found it wrote, that they indeed Ware armor more for shew then any need.

38

Thus twixt them two the fight continues still, Yet not so sharpe in substance as in show; Ferraw imploying all his art and skill, Sharpe thrusts vpon the tother to bestow: Orlando that hath euer strength at will, Layth on the Spaniard many a lustie blow: Angelica doth stand fast by vnseene, And sees alone the battell them betweene.

39

For why the Pagan Prince was gone the while, To find her out, when they together fought, And by their strife, that he might both beguile, He hopes, and had conceiued in his thought: * 1.4He rides away, and trauels many a mile, And still his deare beloued mistris sought, And thus it came to passe that she that day, Was onely present at so great a fray.

40

Which when she saw continue in such sort, Not yet could guesse by ought that she did see, Which was most like to cut the other short, She takes away the helmet from the tree, And thinks by this to make her selfe some sport, Or they by this might sooner sundred be, Not meaning in such sort away to set it, But that the worthy Earle againe may get it.

41

And with the same away from hence she goes, The while they two with paine and trauell tired, In giuing and in taking deadly bloes, Ferraw (that mist the headpeece first) retired, And for he did most certainly suppose, That Sacrapant had tane it vndesired, Good Lord (said he) what meane we here to do? This other knight hath cousened vs two,

42

And vnawares the helmet tane away. Orlando hearing this, doth looke aside, And missing it, he doth beleeue straightway, As did Ferraw, and after him they ride: They came at last into a parted way, That in two parts itselfe doth there deuide, Fresh tracke in both of them was to be seene, This of the Knight, that of the Indian Queene.

43

Orlando hap was to pursue the Knight, Ferraw, that was more luckie of the twaine, Happend vpon Angelica to light, Who to refresh her former taken paine, Fast by a fountaine did before alight, And seeing sodainly the knight of Spaine, Straight like a shadow from his fight the past, And on the ground the helmet left with hast.

44

But as the fight of her did make him glad, In hope by this good fortune her to get, So thus againe to loose her made him sad, And shewd that she did him at nothing set: Then curst he as he had bin raging mad, Blaspheming Tryuigant and Mahomet, And all the Gods adord in Turks profession, The griefe in him did make so deepe impression.

45

Yet when he had Orlando helmet spide, And knew it was by letters writ thereon, The same for which Traianos brother dide, He takes it quickly vp and puts it on, And then in hast he after her doth ride, That was out of his sight so strangely gone, He takes the helmet, thinking little shame, Although he came not truly by the same.

46

But seeing she away from him was fled, Nor where she was he knew nor could not guesse, Himselfe from hence to Paris ward he sped, His hope to find her waxing lesse and lesse: And yet the sorrow that her losse had bred, Was part asswag'd, the helmet to possesse, Though afterward when as Orlando knew it, He sware great othes that he would make him rew it.

47

But how Orlando did againe it get, And how Ferraw was plagued for that crime, And how they two betweene two bridges met, Whereas Ferraw was killed at that time, My purpose is not to declare as yet, But to another story turne my rime: Now I must tell you of that Indian Queene, By vertue of her ring that goeth vnseene.

48

Who parted thence all had and discontented, That by her meanes Ferraw his will had got, That she (with this vnlookt for hap preuented) Left him the helmet, though she meant it not, And in her heart her act she sore repented, And with her selfe she laid alas God wot, I silly foole tooke it with good intention, Thereby to breake their strife and sharp contention.

49

Not that thereby this filthy Spaniard might By helpe of my deceit and doing wrong, Keepe that by fraud he could not win by might, Alas to thy true loue and seruice long, A better recompence then this or right, From me (my good Orlando) should belong: And thus in this most kind and dolefull fashion, She doth continue long her lamentation.

50

Now meaneth she to trauell to the East, Vnto her natiue soile and country ground, Her iourney doth her other griefes digest, Her ring doth in her iourney keepe her found, Yet chanced she, ere she forsooke the West, To trauell neare a wood, whereas she found A fine yong man betweene two dead men lying, With wound in bleeding brest euen then a dying.

51

* 1.5But here a while I cease of her to treate, Or Sacrapant, or of the knight of Spaine, First I must tell of many a hardy feate, Before I can returne to them againe: Orlandos actions I will now repeate, That still endur'd such trauell and such paine, Nor time it selfe, that sorrowes doth appease, Could grant to this his griefe an end or case.

52

And first the noble Earle an headpeece bought, By late ill fortune hauing lost his owne, For temper or the strength he neuer sought, So it did keepe him but from being knowne. Now Phaebus charret had the daylight brought, And hid the starres that late before were showne, And faire Aurora was new risen when Orlando met two bands of armed men.

53

One band was led by worthy Manilard, A man though stout, yet hoary haird for age, Who with his men did make to Paris ward, He not for warre, but fit for counsell sage: Alsyrdo of the other had the guard, Then in the prime and chiefe floure of his age, And one that passed all the Turkish warriers, To fight at tilt, at turney or at barriers.

54

These men with other of the Pagan host, Had layne the winter past not far fro thence, When Agramant did see his men were lost, By vaine assaults vnto his great expence, And therefore now he sweares and maketh bost, That he will neuer raise his siege fro thence, Till they within that now had left the field, Were forst by famine all their goods to yeeld.

55

And for that cause, now sommer comes againe, He gets together all the men he may, With new supplies of Affrike and of Spaine, And some of France that did accept his pay, But that in order due they may remaine, He points them all to meet him in one day, Who by commandment hither came in clusters, To make appearance at the pointed musters.

56

Now when Alsyrdo saw Orlando there, Inflamd with pride end glory of his mind, He longed straight with him to breake a speare, And spurs his horse, but quickly he doth find Himselfe too weake so sturdy blowes to beare, And wisheth now that he had staid behind, He falleth from the horses back downe dead, The fearfull horse without his master fled.

57

Straight there was raisd a mightie cry and shout, By all the souldiers of Alsyrdos band, When as they see their captaine (late so stout) Throwne downe and killed by Orlandos hand: Then out of ray they compast him about On eu'ry side in number as the sand, They that are nie, with blowes do him assaile, And those aloose throw darts as thicke as haile.

58

Looke what a noise an herd of sauage swine* 1.6 Do make when as the wolse a pig hath caught, That doth in all their hearings cry and whine, They flocke about as nature hath them taught: So do these souldiers murmure and repine, To see their captaine thus to mischiefe brought, And with great fury they do set vpon him, All with one voice, still crying, on him, on him.

59

I say the nearer fight with sword and speare, And those aloose send shafts and many a dart, But he that neuer yet admitted feare To lodge in any harbour of his hart, Vpon his shield a thousand darts doth beare, And thousands more on euery other part, Yet of them all makes no more care nor keepe, Then doth a Lion of a flocke of sheepe.

60

For when at once his fatall blade he drew, That blade so often bathd in Pagans blood, No steele there was of temper old or new, Nor folded cloths the edge thereof withstood, About the field, heads, legs, armes, shoulders flew, The surrowes all did flow with crimson flood, Death goeth about the field reioycing mickle, To see a sword that so surpast his sickle.

61

This made the Pagan rout so sore agast, He that could swiftest runne was best apaid, And as they came, so fled they now as fast, One brother for another neuer staid: No memory of loue or friendship past, Could make one stay to giue another aid, He that could gallop fastest was most glad, Not asking if the wayes were good or bad.

62

Onely one man there was in all the field, That had so long in vertues schoole bin bred, That rather then to turne his backe or yeeld, He meaneth there to leaue his carkas dead: Old Manylard, who taking vp his sheeld, Euen as his valiant heart and courage led, Sets spurs to horse, and in his rest a lance, And runs against the Palladin of France.

63

Vpon Orlandos shield his speare he brake, Who neuer stird for all the manly blow, But with his naked sword againe he strake, And made him tumble ore the saddle bow: Fortune on vertue did some pitie take, For why, Orlandos sword fell flatling tho, That though it quite amazd and ouerthrew him, Yet by good hap it maimd him not nor flew him.

64

With great confusion all the other fled, And now of armed men the field was voyd, Saue such as were or seemed to be dead, So as Orlando now no more annoyd, Went on his iourney as his fancie led, To seeke herin whose fight he onely ioyd, Through plains and woods, through sandy ways and miry, He trauels making still of her enquiry.

65

Vntill it was his fortune toward night * 1.7To come fast by a mountaine in whose side Forth of a caue he saw a glims of light, And towards it he presently doth ride: Then at the mouth thereof he doth alight, And to a bush fast by his horse he tide, He doubts, as euer loue is full of feare, That his belou'd Angelica was there.

66

Eu'n as the hunters that desirous are, * 1.8Some present pastime for their hounds to see, In stubble fields do seeke the fearfull hare, By eu'ry bush, and vnder eu'ry tree: So he with like desire and greater care, Seeks her that sole of sorrow can him free, He enters boldly in the hollow caue, And thinks of her some tidings there to haue.

67

The entrance straight and narrow was to passe, Descending steps into a place prosound, Whereas a certaine faire yong Ladie was, Kept by some outlawes prisner vnder ground, Her beautie did the common sort surpasse, So farre as scant her match was to be found, So as that darke and solitary den, Might seeme to be a paradise as then.

68

On her an aged woman there did wait, The which (as oft with women doth befall)* 1.9 About some matter of but little waight, Did happen at that time to chide and brall, But when they saw a stranger comming, straight They held their peaces, and were quiet all, Orlando doth salute them with good grace, And they do bid him welcome to the place.

69

Then after common words of salutation, Although at first of him they were afraid, Yet straight he enterd in examination, By whom in that same caue they had bin stai•• And who they were in so vnseemly fashion, That kept a comely and a noble maid? And said, he saw it written in her face, Her nurture and her linage were not base.

70

She told him straight how long she there had beene, And by what hap she had bin thither brought, Amid her words the sighs do passe betweene, The corall and the pearle by nature wrought, Sweet teares vpon her tender cheeks were seene, That came from fountaine of her bitter thought: But soft, left I should do the Reader wrong, I end this booke, that else would be too long.

* 1.10In that Angelica would haue chosen Sacrapant before Orlando, we may note how women for the most part in their choose follow rather some priuat respect, then the true worth of the men that offer themselues at their deuotion. In th•• soe took away the helmet, with purpose to make sport with it, though at last Orlando by that means lost it against her wil, we may see that things done in list, oft turne to earnest: and therfore that excellent rule of ciuilitie is euermore to be kept:

Play with me and hurt me not, Ieft with me and shan•• me not.

* 1.11In the quarrell betweene Orlando and Ferraw, we may see the common originall of all quarrels, namely honour and women. Of Ferraw I spake in the first booke of his strength and stature, but whether it be true, or might be true, that his body should be made impenetrable by sorcery and witchcraft, I can neither assume it was so, nor maintaine that it could possible be so, yet I know some that beleeue the contrary, and (as they thinke) vpon good grounds: and some say it is a great practise in Ireland to charme girdles, and the like, persuading men that while they weare them they cannot be hurt with any weapon and who can tell whether the diuel may not sometime protect some of his seruants? but one notable ex∣ample I haue heard tending much to this effect: Rorie Oge (a notable rebell of Ireland) hauing taken in a vile and tre∣cherous Parlee, my valiant cosin sir Henrie Harington prisoner, had one night his caben or little houell where he lay beset with one hundred souldiers of the said sir Henrie his band, meaning to rescue their captaine by force, sith the rebels demaunds for his deliuery were such as sir Henrie himselfe (being his prisoner) would not condescend vnto, but would rather hazard his life as he knew he should: I say these hundred men wel appointed, be set the house strongly, being made of nothing but hardels and durt, yet the villain ere they could get in, gat vpin his shirt, and gaue the knight xiiij. wounds very deadly, and after gat through them all without hurt, where a mouse almost could not haue got betweene them: and I haue heard it affirmed in Ireland, that it was with meere witchcraft.

* 1.12In the pallace, where euery one hath that he liketh best presented vnto him, yet no man can enioy it, is to be vnderstood that he that followes his owne vaine desires without the rule of reason, shal euer run astray, and neuer attaine to the true contentment he desires.

* 1.13In Orlando and Ferraw, he alludes to the fight of Cygnus and Achilles, who were both in like sort fained to haue bin inusolable.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••la duabus ••as p•• 〈…〉〈…〉 Sp••••undo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••er coach ••rpents.
• * 1.2

  Angelica
• * 1.3

  ••-••rasano.
• * 1.4

  〈…〉〈…〉 again•• 27 book, 15 staff.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall come 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her againe in •• 19. booke, •• staffee.
• * 1.6

  Simile.
• * 1.7

  Here you should begin •••• read the ••ale of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  Simala.
• * 1.9

  This old 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was Gabr•••• whom you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but a bad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the xxi book••.
• * 1.10

  Moral.
• * 1.11

  Historie.
• * 1.12

  Allegorie.
• * 1.13

  Allusion.