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

THE FOVRTEENTH BOOKE. (Book 14)

THE ARGVMENT.

Agramant mustring of his men, doth misse Two bands that by Orlando late were slaine: Mandricard vowes to be reuengd of this, But by the way he haps to entertaine Dame Doralice, whose beautie was his blisse. An Angell brings Renaldo and his traine Vnseene there where the Pagan did encampe, And sendéth discord to the Turkish campe.

1

AMong the fierce assaults, and cruell bloes, That France hath felt from Affrick and from Spaine, In which so many men fed Wolues and Croes, That were on both sides in the battell slaine, Although the French were foiled by their foes, * 1.1That long they came not to the field againe, Yet was this foile sore to the Pagans cost, For diuers Lords and Princes that they lost.

2

So bloudie was the victorie they gate, That scant this ioy did counte••uaile that wo, And if we may compare things done or late, (Renownd Alfons) to things done long ago, Rauennas fall by fortune or by fate, In which your vertue great did flourish so, To win the* 1.2 field so bloudy and so hard, With this of theirs may iustly be compard.

3

For when the souldiers of the Spanish band, Whom then the Pope retained in his pay, * 1.3Had almost got the victory in hand, The Frenchmen ready now to runne away, Thou camst to succor with that noble band Of valiant youths, that merited that day The honor of the gilded spurre and hilt, In recompence of blood so brauely spilt.

4

So didst thou bruse the * 1.4 Akorns rich of gold, So didst thou breake the •••• yellow staffe and red, So didst thou then the Flowre de luce vphold, When as the captaine was in battel dead,* 1.5 For which the Laurell crowne they ware of old, By iust desert belongeth to thy head; And Ciuill crowne, no lesse in honor precious, For sauing vnto Rome her owne Fabricius.

5

Colonna nam'd a collum true indeed, Vnto the state of Rome and Romane name, Whom you by value tooke, and sau'd by meed, By which more honor true and worthy fame, Vnto your selfe you did procure and breed: Then in the ouercomming all that came,* 1.6 Fom Aragon, from Castill and Nauar, For all their speares and new deuised car.

6

Now though we all our liues and safeties ow, To you that this great conquest did atchieue, Yet our side did receiue so great a blow, As scarce that ioy this sorrow did relieue: And that the dames of France most plainly show, Whom this so bloudie triumph still doth grieue, Witnesse their widdows in their mourning gownes, And watry eyes in villages and townes.

7

King Lews of France had need in time prepare,* 1.7 For captains new to these vnruly bands, That wickedly without all feare or care, Of lawes of God, of nature, or of lands, No sort, nor sex, nor age, nor order spare, From force of their vnchast and bloudie hands. Christs bodie in the sacrament they tare it, To beare away the siluer plate that bare it.

8

* 1.8Wretched Rauenna better had it beene, That thou the French shouldst not at all resist, Thou mightst by Bresey haue bene warnd I weene, Now thou a warning art for such as list, To shun like losse by thy mishaps foreseene, Not stubburnly in folly to persist; So Riminy and Faens were preserued, By marking in what sort thou hadst bene serued.

9

As now king Lews (I say) had need to send New captains to supply their roomes were dead, So then the Pagan Princes did intend To see their men from sundry countries led, And all disorders and defects to mend, To point them captains that do lacke a head; First then Marsilio all his souldiers veweth, And Agramant next after him enseweth.

10

* 1.9The chiefe of those are of Marsilios traine, Are first the Catalins, men of great land, And of the best and noblest blood of Spaine: The next that do to them in order stand, Are of Nauar, whose King was lately slaine At Burdels by Renaldos valiant hand, Marsilio sore laments the sory case, And pointeth Isolir supply his place.

11

* 1.10Bulligant gouerneth those of Lion, Grandomus for th•• Algarbys doth prouide, Marsilios brother called Falsiron, Doth those of lesser Castile rule and guide: Those of Mallaga do attend vpon Madrasso, so doth Ciuill all beside, There where as Beus water so abounds, As all about it makes them fruitfull grounds.

12

T••ssora, Bari••end and Stordilan, Vnto the field do bring their forces in, Granado this, Mai••rick he hath rane, The first to rule in Lisbon doth begin. Where Larbin late was brought vnto his bane, Tessyra vnto Larbin next of kin, Those of Gallicia Serpentine doth guide, Since valiant Maricold in battell dide.

13

Those of Toledo and of Calatraue, Whom Synagon did leade not long ago, Now Matalist their gouernment must haue, Because that he was slaine by Christen so: Then Pisardin a man in battell braue, With all the band of Salamance doth go, With many other souldiers of Pagenza, Of Auila, Zamorra and Palenza.

14

Those of the court and of Marsilios traine, * 1.11With those of Saragose, Ferraw doth guide, The chiefest flowre, and the chiefe host of Spaine, Well armd, well horst, well furnished beside, With whom two kings that late had lost their raine, Morgant and Malsatise did there abide, And in the state of priuate men remained, And were by him most friendly entertained.

15

The name of many a Duke, and Lord and Knight, For breuitie I purpose to omit, Such as were stout and hardie men in fight, Such as were wise and politike in wit, With th'Earle of Sagunt Archidant that hight, Langiran, Ammirant and Malagit: There was great Fulliron, Marsilios bastard, That in that fight did shew himselfe no dastard.

16

After the Spanish hoast was viewd and past,* 1.12 Before king Agramant, the next that came, Was one that all the rest in stature past, The gouernor and king of great Orane, Then came a band, whose leader small time past, At Burdels field was brought vnto his bane, Lamenting that the king of Garamant Was conquerd by the Ladie Bradamant.

17

Then came the third, and that a headlesse crew, Whose captaine Argust was in battell slaine, To this the second and the fourth, a new King Agramant doth leaders fresh ordaine. But few there were that for these roomes did sew, So few sufficient men there did remaine; Buraldo and Argonio for the best, And Ormida he chose among the rest.

18

Then came Brunello with a chearlesse face,* 1.13 And looke for shame still fixed on the ground, For late he fell in Agramants disgrace, Who doubted that his faith had not bene sound, Ere since he went vnto th'inchanted place,* 1.14 Where to a tree dame Bradamant him bound, Because he lost his ring, whose losse so greeued him, That though he told him true, he not beleeued him.

19

But Isolir the brother of Ferraw, That was the first that found him and vntide him, Auoucht to Agramant the thing he saw, How there by force some enemie had tide him, So as the King his anger did withdraw, Although he neuer after well could bide him, But swore the next offence that he committed, An halter should vnto his necke be fitted.

20

With those of Esperie came Soridano, And D••ribon did come with those of set, With those of Nasomanie Prusiano, King Agricalt Amonios charge did get, Malabusers came with them of Fisano, The rest doth Pinadure in order set, Ballastro those that followd erst Tardocco, Those of Canaria and of Morocco.

21

From Mulga and Arsilla others came, The first their former captaine still doth hold, Vnto the next the King a new doth name, One Corineus a trustie man and bold, Then Baliuesse a man of euill fame, Clarindo next of whom great deeds ar•• old,* 1.15 Sobrino next a man of elder age, In all the campe was none more wise and sage.

22

Those of Getulia came with Rimedont. With Maribaldo those of Bolga went, And those of Cos••a came with Balnifront, Their former Lord his life in battell spent: Then came the king of Algier * 1.16 Rodomont, That lately into Turkie had bene sent, To bring some new supplies of horse and men, And backe againe was new returnd as then.

23

In all the campe was not a man more stout, In all the campe was not a man more strong, Nor one of whom the French stood more in doubt, Was there the Turkish armie all among, In Agramants nor in Marsilios rout, Nor all the followers did to them belong. Beside he was (which made them dred him chiefe) The greatest enemie to our beliefe.

24

Then Puliano came, a gallant king, And Agramantes cousen Dardanell, Whether some Owle did at their window sing, Or other lucklesse bird I cannot tell, As oft we see it is an vsuall thing, That some presage ones mischiefe shall fortell; But sure it was prefixt in heau'n on hie, What time and hour next day they both should die.

25

Now all their bands were musterd sauing two, Those of Noritia and of Tremisen, King Agramant doth maruell what they do, He knowes not where to heare of them nor when: Now as he was dispatching hereunto Some messenger, behold one of the men, That seru'd the king of Tremisen, in hast Came and discouerd all that had bene past.

26

Sir king (quoth he) by fortune and ill chance, The noble kings Alsird and Manilard, * 1.17Happend to meet a cruell knight of France, While with their bands they traueld hither ward, He ouerthrew them both, (oh hard mischance) And kild, and spoild, and draue away their guard, And sure (quoth he) I thinke his force is such, To all your campe he would haue done as much.

27

Among the rest that to this tale gaue eare, There was a Prince that late from Affricke came, To whom king Agramant great loue did beare, * 1.18And Mandricardo was the Princes name, His heart was stout, and far from any feare, His bodie strong and able to the same, And that which greatest glorie did him yeeld, He had in Sorie conquerd Hectors sheeld.

28

Now that the messenger his tale had done, Which made the hearers hearts for sorrow cold, This valiant Prince king Agricanes sonne, Straight was resolu'd (with heart and courage bold, That to win praise no paine did euer shonne, Although his purpose secret he de did hold, To be reuenged on this bloodie knight, That had to manie slaine and put to flight.

29

He askt the messenger what cloths he ware, And in what ••••••tourd garments he was clad? Blacke (quoth the messenger) his rayments are, No plume nor brauerie his helmet had: And true it was, Orlandos inward care, That made his heart so sorowfull and sad, Causd that his armour and his open shoes, Had like resemblance of his inward woes.

30

Marsilio had before a day or twaine,* 1.19 Giu'n vnto Mandricard a gallant steed, His colour bay, but blacke his taile and maine, Of Frizland was the dame that did him breed, The Sier was a villan braue of Spaine: On this braue beast this braue man mounts with speed,* 1.20 Swearing he will not to the campe turne backe, Till he had found the champion all in blacke.

31

He meetes the sillie people in the way, Halting, or maymd, or weeping for their frends, Their woofull lookes, their fearfull hearts bewray, (Weeping in such a losse but small amends) But when he came where the dead bodies lay, In vewing of their wounds some time he spends, As witnesses of his strong hand that gaue them, Him he enuies, and pities them that haue them.

32

Eu'n as a Wolfe, by pinching famine led,* 1.21 That in the field a carreu beast doth find, On which before the dogs and rau'ns haue fed, And nothing left but hornes and bones behind, Stands still, and gazeth on the carkasse dead: So at this sight the Pagan Prince repind, And curseth oft, and cals himselfe a beast, For comming tardie to so rich a feast.

33

But when the mourning knight not here he found, From thence he traueld many a wearie mile, Vntill he found a medow compast round, With running streames that almost made an Ile, Saue one small entrance left of solid ground, Which guarded was with armed men that while, Of whom the Pagan asketh why they stand, To guard the place with weapons in their hand.

34

Their captaine viewing well his braue attire, Doth thinke he was a man of great regard, And said king Stordilano did then hire,* 1.22 Into these parts his daughter deare to guard, Espousd to king of Sarza by her Sire, Who shortly for the marriage prepard: And here (quoth he) we do this passage keepe, That none may trouble her while she doth sleepe.

35

To morrow to the campe we minde to go, Where she vnto her father shall be brought, Who meanes on Rodomont her to bestow, By whom this noble match is greatly sought. Now when the captaine had him answerd so, This Prince that setteth all the world at nought, Why then (quoth he) this maid be like is faire, I pray thee cause her hither to repaire.

36

My hast is great, but were it greater far, Yet would I stay to see a prettie maid: Alas you misse your marke, your aime doth arr, (Gentle sir foole) to him the captaine said: Thus first they gan with bitter words to iar, And then from blowes but little time they staid, For straight the Prince did set his speare in rest, And smot there with the captaine through the brest.

37

And straight wayes he recouered his speare, And at the next that came there with doth runne, For why none other weapon he did weare, Since he the Troian Hectors armor wonne, At what time he most solemnly did sweare, To win the sword worne by Traianos sonne, Cald Durindan, a blade of temper rare, That Hector erst, and now Orlando bare.

38

Great was the force of this Tartarian knight, That with his speare and weapon none beside, Durst with so many ioynd togither fight: Yet sets he spurs to horse, and sloutly cride, Where is a man that dare withstand my migh•• Who dares forbid me where I list to ride? And with that speare himselfe he so besturd, That small preuaild against him bill or sword.

39

But when his speare in peaces burst he saw, The trunchen huge he takes in both his hands, His blowes were such, not blood but life to draw, All dead or fled, not one his force withstands: * 1.23As Ebrew Samson with the Assesiaw, Did heap•• on heaps the proud Philisten bands, So Mandricard sinote oft with so great force, As one stroke kild both horsman and his horse.

40

Now though they tooke this thing in high disdaine, To be thus conquerd with a broken sticke, Yet when they learned had vnto their paine, It was in vaine against the wall to kicke, Though vnreuenged lie their fellowes slaine, They leaue the dead, rather then loose the quick: But he so eager was to kill and slay, That scant he sufferd one to scape away.

41

* 1.24And as the reeds in marishes and lakes, Dride with the sunne, or stubble in the field, When as by hap the fire among it takes, May not it selfe, against that furie sheeld; Fu'n so this crew, but small resistance makes, And eu'n of force is d••u'n at last to yeeld, And leaue her vndefended to their shame, For whose defence they from Granata came.

42

Now when the passage open did appeare, He hastens in the Ladie faire to see, Whom he doth finde in sad and mourning cheare, And leaning of her head against a tree, Al•• downe her cheekes ran streames of cristal cleare She makes such mone as greater could not be, And in her countenance was plainly showne, Great griefe for others harmes, feare of her owne.

43

Her feare increast when as he nearer drew, With visage sterne and all with blood distained, The cries were great of her and of her crew, That to their gods of their ill haps complained, For why, beside the guard whom late he slew, She had, that priuatly with her remained, Laund'rers and nurses, playfellowes and teachers, With learnd Phisitions, and heathnish Preachers.

44

Now when the Pagan Prince saw that faire face, Whose fairer was not to be found in Spaine, He thinks if weeping giue her such a grace, What will ••she proue when she shall smile againe? He deemeth Paradise not like this place, And of his victorie he seekes this gaine, To haue his prisner suffer him to woe her, And yeeld himselfe a prisoner vnto her.

45

Howbe't he maketh her against her minde, Vpon her ambling nagge with him to ride, Her masters, maides, and seruants left behind, And promisd them he will for her prouide, He will be seruitor, and nurse, and hind, And playfellow, and gouernor, and guide, Adew my frends (quoth he) I you enlarge, For of your Mistres I will take the charge.

46

The wofull folke all mourning part away, With scalding sighes, cold hearts and watrie eyes, And one vnto another thus they say, How deepe reuenge will her stout spouse deuise, How will he rage to leese so faire a pray? Oh that he had bene at this enterprise, No doubt but he wold quickly wreak this slaughter And bring againe king Stordilanos daughter.

47

Of this faire pray the Prince was well apaid, Which fortune gate him ioyned to his might, And now it seemd his hast was well alaid, That late he made to meete the mourning knight, Before he rode in post, but now he staid, Bethinking where to rest himselfe that night, To finde a place was now his whole desire, Where he might quench his lately kindled fire.

48

And first to comfort and asswage the paine, Of Ladie Doralyce (so was her name••) He frames a tale and most thereof doth faine, And sweares that he allured by her fame, Had purposely forsooke his home and raigne,* 1.25 And for her loue into these quarters came, Not that he ought to France and Spaine that dutie, But onely to the beames of her rare beautie.

49

If loue deserueth loue (quoth he) then I, Deserue your liking that haue lou'd you long, If stocke you do esteeme, my stocke is hie, Sith I am sonne to Agrican the strong, If state may stand in steed, who can denie, To God alone our homage doth belong? If valew in your choise be of behoofe, I thinke this day thereof I haue showd proofe.

50

These words and such as loue had then him taught, Who lent him eloquence to serue his turne, So sweetly in her tender fancie wrought, That in a little while she ceast to mourne, And first her feare asswag'd, and then her thought, A pleasing looke doth to her eye returne, By which the Prince (in loue no nouice) guest, That she ere long would grant him his request.

51

Now doth the night approch, and Phoebus facé In Ocean sea begins it selfe to hide, The which did cause them somwhat mend their pace And on their way with greater speed to ride: And now they traueld had but little space, * 1.26When first a smoke and then a light they spide, Then came they where they heard the bandogs bark When as the aire was now obscure and dark.

52

A few poore cotages where heardmen dwell, They find, and there together they allight, The houses poore, but such as very well Might serue them to repose them for a night, Their fare was meane, fit hunger to expell, To which the heardmen friendly them inuite, As curtesie oft times in simple bowres * 1.27Is found as great as in the stately towres.

53

But after supper what did passe betweene Dame Doralyce and Agricanes haire, May not be told, because it was not seene, But they may guesse, that haue with Ladies faire By night alone in place conuenient beene, Where to disturbe them no man did repaire, I doubt he did not so his passion bridle, To let so faire a dame lie by him idle.

54

But sure I am when day light did appeare, They both arose well pleasd and well content, And thankt the heardmen for their friendly cheare, And so from thence they both together went, Vntill they came vnto a riuer cleare, * 1.28Before the forenoone of the day was spent, And riding downe along the riuer side, Two horsemen with a damsell they espide.

55

But let them go, for why my high conceat Forbiddeth me long in one path to tread, * 1.29And cals me back of Agramant to treat, Who being newly troubled in his head, To heare there were from England succors great, Vnder the conduct of Renaldo led, To counsell cald the Princes sage and wise, Some remedie for mischiefes to deuise.

56

They all conclude the next ensuing day, With sealing, ladders on the wals to mount, Lest dangers new be bred by long delay, And succors fresh hinder their first account: Thus Agramant, thus doth Marsilio say, Sobrino sage, and cruell Rodomont, Who to destroy Paris alone doth threate, And to pull downe the sacred Romane seate.

57

And to this end they straight prouide in hast, Innumerable ladders apt to scale, With timber towres vpon great wheeles so plast, As that they may approch the citie wall, From whence they may broade bridges safely cast, And passe without all ieopardie to fall, And throw their balls compact of firy matter, Then haue they rams, the walls to bruse and batter.

58

But Charles, the day that went before that day, The Painims meant to do their worst and best, Did cause the Priests and Friers masse to say, Did cause the people all to be confest, And humbly prostrate vnto God to pray, To saue and pittie them that were opprest, And then they all receiu'd in Christen vnion, The blessed sacrament, that high communion.

59

Himselfe with Lords and Barons of great fame, (An humble feare of God in him so wrought)* 1.30 In person publikly performes the same, And by example others duties tought, And calling on our Sauiours blessed name, O Lord (said he) though I my selfe be nought, Let not my sinne, my wickednesse and ill, Moue thee thy faithfull peoples blood to spill.

60

And if it be thy sacred will (O God) To punish vs for our so great transgression, And make vs feele thy hand and heauy rod, At least defer this plague and iust oppression, That by thy foes we be not ouertrod, We that of thy true faith do make profession, Lest they blaspheme thy name (we ouerthrowne) And say thou couldest not defend thine owne.

61

So shall our fall make them thy law despise, So shall their wicked number still increase, So shall the powre of Babylon arise, So shall thy sacraments and Gospell cease, Looke on this people Lord with gracious eyes, Turne foiles and warres to victories and peace, That when these dogs and runnegates be daunted, Thy tombe and temple may be dayly haunted.

62

Alas our merits are of none effect, To pay a portion of our grieuous debt, Except thy grace our weaknesse so protect, That our misdeeds out of thy sight be set. Lord heale our soules with grieuous vice infect, Forgiue our faults, our errors all forget, And though our sinnes the sands in number passe, Yet let thy mercies greatnesse them surpasse.

63

Thus praid the Prince most sorowfull and sad, With humblenesse of heart and great contrition, And to this prayre he then a vow doth ad, Well suting to his state and high condition. Nor small effect these vowes and prayers had, For presently without all intermission, His Angell good vp to our Sauiour mounted, And there his vowes and prayers all recounted.

64

And thousand pray'rs alike at that same time, By messengers alike to God were brought, When lo the goodnesse, and the powre diuine, That neuer shall, nor neuer vaine was sought, His gracious care doth to their prayre incline, Those whō he made, and whō he deare had bought: Then to the Angell Michael straight he beckned, Who not a little of his calling reckned.

65

And thus he said, go thither straight in post, Where now in Picardie the Christens land, And so to Paris guide that English host, Let not their foes their comming vnderstand, In this attempt shall Silence helpe you most, Will him this enterprise to take in hand, This done then see you find dame Discord out, And will her hast vnto the Pagan ••out.

66

And charge her there according to her skill, Among the best to sow such soule dissension, That they may one the other wound and kill, And fill their camp with brauls and with contention: Let some men like their entertainment ill, And grudge because they haue no bigger pension, And let them all so vary out of measure, That they may do their Prince but little pleasure.

67

The blessed Angell not a word replies, But doth his makers holy will obay, Forthwith eu'n in a moment downe he flies, And where he goes the clouds do fleet away: But by the way he thinks and doth deuise, Of eu'ry place where Silence find he may, Though he an Angell were he could not tell, Where this same enemie of speech doth dwell.

68

At last he fully doth himselfe perswade, To find him in some houses of deuotion, That first for li••e monasticall were made, Where godly men despisers of promotion, I ••well ••aire from all this worldly wicked trade, With minds abhorring flesh and fleshly motion, Where idle words should counted be a shame, And where on eu'ry wall they write his name.

69

Wherefore into an Abbey he doth go, And makes no question Silence there to find, And Peace and Charitie, and Loue also, And lowly thoughts, and well contented mind: But soone he was aware it was not so, All contrary ther humors were in••lind, For Silence in that Ab••ey doth not host, His name was onely was vpon a post.

70

* 1.31Nor Quietnesse, nor Humblenesse, nor Peace, Nor Cha•••••• nor godly loue was here, They were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 es, ba•••• •• those times do cease, Now Cou•• and Ea••e and Belly cheare, Pride, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Ang••r •• so increase, That silence 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and comes not neare. With 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Angell then doth vew, And findeth Discord ••n this ••rew.

71

Her whom the heau'nly King did will him find,* 1.32 Next after Silence, her he findeth furst, To seeke her out in hell he had assignd, Among the spirits damned and accurst, It sore did grieue his pure vnspotted mind, Where he expected best, to find them worst, It seemd to him a thing vncouth and strange, In sacred place to find so great a change.

72

He knew her by her weed of sundry hew,* 1.33 All patcht with infinite vnequall lifts, Her skin in sundry places naked vew At diuers rents and cuts, he may that lifts: Her haire was gray, and red, and blacke and blew, And hard, and soft, in laces some she twists, Some hangeth downe, vpright some standeth stating, As if each haire with other had bene squaring.

73

Her lap was full of writs and of citations, Of processes, of actions and arrests, Of bils, of answers, and of replications, In courts of Delegats, and of Requests, To grieue the simple sort with great vexations She had resorting to her as her guests, Attending on her circuits and her iourneys, Scriu'ners and clarks, and lawyers and atturney••.

74

The Angell calleth her, and bids her go, Vnto the Turks as fast as she can hie, Among their kings such seeds of strife to sow, As one of them may cause the to ther die. Then he demaundeth her if she do know, Within what place Silence doth vse to lie, He thought that she that traueld much about, In stirring strife might hap to find him out.

75

I cannot call to mind (quoth she) as yet, That I haue talkt with Silence any time, I heare them talke of him, and praise his wit, And secretnesse to couer any crime; But my companion Fraud can serue you fit,* 1.34 For she hath kept him companie sometime, And which was Fraud she pointeth with her finger, Then hence she hies and doth no longer linger.

76

Fraud shewd in comely clothes a louely looke,* 1.35 An humble cast of eye, a sober pace, And so sweet speech, a man might her haue tooke, For him that said, haile Marie full of grace, But all the rest deformedly did looke, Fu'l of all filthinesse, and foule disgrace, Hid vnder long large garments that she ware, Close vnder which a poisond knife she bare.

77

The Angell asketh her if she do know The place where Silence makes his habitation. Forsooth (quoth Fraud) he dwelled long ago With the wise sages of the Greekish nation, Archytas and Pythagoras (I trow) That chiefe to vertue had their inclination, And afterward he spent these latter yeer•• With Carmelit and with Saint Bennet frier••.

78

But since these old Philosophers did faile, And these new saints their saintlike life did change, He sought new places for his most auaile, And secret and vncertaine he doth range: Sometime with theeues that true men do assaile, Sometime with louers that delight in change, Sometime with traitors he doth bide, and furder, I saw him late with one that did a murder.

79

With clippers and with coyners he doth stay, Sometime in secret dens and caues obscure, And oft he changeth places day by day, For long he cannot in a place endure. But I can tell you one most ready way, Where you to find him out shall be most sure, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 where as Sleepe doth dwell, and out of doubt, At midnight you shall find him thereabout.

80

Though Fraud by custome vse to lie and faine, Yet was this tale so euidently trew, The Angell now no longer doth remaine, But with his golden wings away he flew To Arabie, where in a country plaine, Far from all villages and cities vew, There lieth a vale with woods so ouergrowne, As scarce at noone the day light there is showne.

81

* 1.36Amid this darke thicke wood, there is a caue, Whose entrance is with Iuie ouerspread, They haue no light within, nor none they craue, Here Sleepe doth couch his euer drowsie head. * 1.37And Slouth lies by, that seems the gout to haue, And Idlenesse, not so well taught as fed, They point Forgetfulnesse the gate to keepe, * 1.38That none come in nor out to hinder Sleepe.

82

She knowes no names of men, nor none will learne, Their messages she list not vnderstand, * 1.39She knowes no businesse doth her concerne, There sentinell is Silence to this band, And vnto those he comming doth discerne, To come no neare he beckens with his hand, He treadeth soft, his shoes are made of felt, His garment short, and girded with a belt.

83

To him the Angell go'th, and in his eare He tels him thus, Iehouah bids you guide Renaldo, with the succors he doth beare, To Paris walls, so as they be not spide, Nor let the Pagans once suspect or feare Their comming, nor for it at all prouide, And let them heare no incling of these foes, Vntill they find their force and feele their bloes.

84

No answer Silence made, but with his head He made a signe, as who should say he would, And with the Angell straight himselfe he sped, In greater hast then can be thought or told, To Picardie, from whence the Angell led, That present day the bands of souldiers bold, To Paris walls, an hundred miles asunder, Yet no man was aware it was a wonder.

85

And Silence still surueyeth all the rout, Before, beside, behind, with great regard, And with a cloud doth compaste them about, No man of them was seene, no noise was heard, Then walketh he among the Pagans ••cour, And vnto them that kept their watch and ward, And brought them somewhat (what I do not find) That made them for the time both deafe and blind.

86

Now while Renaldo came with so great hast,* 1.40 As well it seemd an Angell did him guide, And as he went, with so great silence past, As by his foes his comming was not spide: King Agramant had now his footmen plast By Paris walls, fast by the ditches side, He meanes the citie to assaile that day, On eu'ry side by all the meanes he may.

87

He that would take vpon him to declare, Of Agramant host the certaine number, That to destroy this Citie did prepare, Shall seeme himselfe as frutelesly to cumber, As if he told what flowres in Hyble are, What fish in sea, what water drops in Humber, What starres in skie at midnight when it couers, The vnchast acts of close and secret louers.

88

The larum bell in eu'ry place doth ring, About the towne with strange disorderd sound, In Churches Mattens they do say and sing, Some kneeling down, some groueling in y^e ground, If gold were vnto God so gratefull thing, As fond men think, no doubt there would be found, Enough in this extremitie, that would Make all the saints new images of gold.

89

There might you see godly old men and iust, Lamenting that their liues so long did last,* 1.41 And call them happie that were laid in dust, And buried many yeares and ages past; But gallant youths, deuoid of all mistrust, Not with these perils any whit agast, Whom enemies nor engines none appalls, Go to defend right manfully the walls.

90

Bold Barons, Earles and Dukes of great degree, With souldiers, forreiners, and of the towne, Did come to Charles, and praid him to agree, To let them out, and let the drawbridge downe: Glad was king Charles their forward minds to see, To fight for Christs religion and his crowne, But yet as then he doth not thinke it best, In this one point to grant them their request.

91

He rather thinks it better them to place, The forces of the fierce assault to breake, With distant bands a great or little space, According as the wall was strong or weake: Himselfe with chearfull vigor in his face, Vnto them all most curteously doth speake, These he doth comfort, them he doth encourage, And fill the stout with hope, the faint with courage.

92

* 1.42Faire Parislieth in a pleasant plaine, Eu'n in the nauell, rather in the hart Of France, the riuer cuts the same in twaine, And makes an Iland of the better part, The rest that doth in greatnesse more containe, A ditch and wall doth from the plaine depart, King Agramant assaults the Westerne side, As hauing Westward gotten all beside.

93

Marsilio with the warlike bands of Spaine, He points to keepe the field in armed ranks, Sabrino sage and those with him remaine, Are placed vpon Sequans fruitfull banks. Himselfe with an innumerable traine, With ladders, bridges, fagots, barres and planks, Doth thinke to fill the ditch and make it leuell, And at the walles do keepe vnruly reuell.

94

What should I speake of Rodomont most fell, Blaspheming God, not onely scorning men, That knew to vse a glittring blade so well, As I so well know not to vse my pen: His deeds alone would aske a day to tell, That in few houres he did performe as then: As for the rest they came like swarmes of flies, And fild the aire with shouts and hideous cries,

95

* 1.43And they no lesse prouided are within, With rampers, bulwarks, and with double dikes, And where their foes to climbe do once begin, They push them down with bils, with staues & pikes; If one be kild, another steppeth in, No man his place for feare of hurt mislikes, Some throw down bricks, some stones, some scalding water, And grieue them much with all, most with the later.

96

Some throw among them newly slacked lime, That burneth most when most it seems to quench, With pots of brimstone, pitch and turpentine, Annoying them with heate, and smoke, and stench, The rest are still employd, and leese no time, With wreathed stakes to fortifie the trench: Thus all within were busie, all without, On both sides fortune standing still in doubt.

97

The while the king of Sarza brought about His owne and men of diuers other lands, Himselfe to shew his might and courage stout, * 1.44That made him counted valiant of his hands, From Cupid•• campe was not excluded out, But rather soly subiect to such bands, A Lion geuls he giues in loftie banner, A Ladie bridling him in lowly manner.

98

So by the beast he meant his owne fierce mind, And by the dame his mistris faire was ment, The bridle was to shew how loue could bind His loftie heart, and bow it to her bent. He little knew, that shewd himselfe so kind, How of his purchase others tooke the rent: He knew not Mandricard did pleade possession, Of her to whom he makes this kind profession.

99

Straight to the wals are thousand ladders plast,* 1.45 With double ranks that two may climbe at once, And vp the souldiers get on them in hast, One shoulders vp another for the nonce: He that goes slow, and he that climbes too fast, Are each in perill of a broken sconce. Their enemies assailing still the hier, Their captains those that linger or retier.

100

Thus eu'ry one do clammer vp the wall, For value some, and other some for feare, And some are slaine, and some are made to fall, Repenting late that euer they came there: Fierce Rodomont alone (contemning all) No paine, no place for perill doth forbeare, But rusheth on, more despratly then sto••tly, Blaspheming God while others pray denoutly.

101

A paire of curats passing hard he ware, Made of an vgly Dragons scaly skin, This armour his great auncestor first bare, He that to build Babel did first begin: (A towre whose height shold with the clouds cōpare) And thought from God the rule of heau'n to win: And to the same effect likewise he made, Of passing proofe an helmet, shield and blade.

102

Thus Rodomont that came of Nimrods kind, As proud and irreligious as was he, Regardeth not a passage safe to find, Or where the wall might weakest guarded be, But with a heart to mischiefe all inclind, Where he the same defended best doth see, (Protected with his shield) he makes no bones, To go through fire and water, darts and stones.

103

When once vpon the battlement he was, Where all the wall was broade and largely paued, How did he slay the Christens then alas, How fierce he vnto them himselfe behaued? His blade doth pierce their plates of steele and bras, Al were not priests whose crowns that day were sha∣ued, He kild alone so many as their blood Did cause the ditch to fill with crimson flood.

104

Beside the baser sort, these men of name, At this same first conflict by him were slanie, Orgetto Duke, that late from Flanders came, Arnold and Hugo, two of Charles his traine, And Lews that gouernd Prouence with great fame, Walter and Denis, Hawnce of Satallaine, Some were thrust through, some had (past all releefe) Their helmets and their heads clou'n to the teeth.

105

And some by force from off the wall he caft, Among the which was one Moschino hight, That by his will would neuer water tast, But still in wine did put his whole deligh•• But lo his lucke was to be drownd at last, Within this dirtie dish for further spite, And he that neuer water could abide In all his life, now here in water dide.

106

Thus while that Rodomont did kill and slay, All that he found vpon the vtmost wall, His band of men the while had found the way, To passe the ditch and so the wall to scale. But now within another dike there lay, The sight whereof their courage did appall, For why the Christens sent such store of shot, As this same place did seeme to them too hot.

107

The dike was drie, the bottome eu'n and plaine, Both sides were steep, but steepest next the towne, At this the souldiers curtesie do straine, Which of them first shall venter to go downe, * 1.46Within the citizens had made a traine, With about great and cost of many a crowne, That when the ditch with armed men was filled, W••h••eat and smother they should all be killed.

108

It cubits had in bredth thrise ten and more, And in the bottome there were closely plast, Barrels of pitch, brimstone, and oyle good store, All matter quicke to kindle, long to last. The captaine led them all the way before, And thousand souldiers followd them as fast, But Rodomont as though he had had wings, Quite ore the dike like to a grewnd he springs.

109

And being placed on the inner side, Armd and vnarmed men to him are like, No steele there was his forces could abide, Death followth eu'rie blow that he doth strike: Which when a while to their great cost they tride, They do of force abandon quite the dike, He follows slaying without all remorse, So sharpe his sword, so furious is his force.

110

But when the souldiers thought the banke to mount, With scaling ladders, as they did the wall, They found themselues deceiu'd of their account, For straight the fier works were kindled all, Whose sudden flames the clouds thēselues surmount Which sight the Pagans greatly did appall; And to increase their terror and their wonder, It made a noise like to continuall thunder.

111

The Christens do reioyce at this reliefe, To see their practise had succeeded well: The Pagans plagu'd, with heat, and smother chiefe; In great dispaire do rore alowd and yell: Thus twixt the noise of fier and cries of griefe, They make an harmonie most meete for hell. And here I meane to leaue them in the fire, For to repose my selfe I now desire.

In Mandricardo that after his great exploites atchieued in other countries,* 1.47 is still ready to hazard his person for more honor, may be obserued, that ambition is as vnsatiable as any other humour of man. In his woing of Doralice, we may see how loue makes men many times, not onely valiant, but eloquent. In the assaulting and defending of Paris, is set downe what sundry accidents happen when such populous cities come to so great extremitie. In Charles that first makes his prai∣ers to God, and after makes all prouident preparation for defence of the towne, we see a liuely patterne of an excellent and worthy Prince, both for deuotion and policie.

Concerning the historie,* 1.48 I haue quoted many things in the margent, as the straightnesse of roome would permit, that the simplest reader may vnderstand what is meant by the fourth staffe: here onely I will ad a word of Rauenna, referring the reader that is desirous to be better informed hereof, to Guicciardin, who sets it downe at large. Rauenna was besie∣ged by the French vnder the conduct of one Fois, a notable captaine of so young a man. The Spaniards and Pope Iulio tooke vpon them to defend it, but in the heat of that assault Fois was slaine: yet the souldiers either by force or by parlee gat into the towne, and being within, they committed the notablest outrages that haue bene heard of, neither abstai∣ning from rapes nor sacriledge. Concerning the Catalyns, whō he nameth formost in the musters, they are the chiefe house in all Spaine: and it is to be noted, that Spaine is deuided into fiue kingdomes, Nauar, Castill, Catalogna (which is now called Aragon) Portugall, and Granata. For Gallicia is counted none, because it had a king but a while. The rest of the strange names you may find in the table.

In the description of Discord and Fraud,* 1.49 and finding Silence in the house of sleep, being long since banished from philo∣sophers and diuines; the allegorie is so plain, as it were time lost to spend time to expound it, because it expounds it selfe so plainly: only I will obserue one thing, in which mine Author is thought to keep an excellent decorum. For, making Discord and Fraud of the feminine gender, he still makes Silence the masculine; as the like pretie conceit is in our Cambridge Comedie Pedantius, (at which I remember the noble Earle of Essex that now is, was present) where the Pedantius him∣selfe, examining the Gramaticall instruction of this verse: Caedant arma togae, concedat laurea linguae, vpon speciall consideration of the two last words, taught his scholler Parillus, that laurea, lingua sunt vtraque foemininae generis, sed lingua potissimum, and so consequently silence might not by any meanes haue bene of the feminine gender.

In Mandricardos rape of Doralice,* 1.50 he alludes euidently to a notable villany in the like kind, done by Caesar Borgia son to Pope Alexander the sixt. For one Caraccio a captaine of Venice, hauing bene lately contracted to a gentlewoman of good account, she came with an honorable train neare to a citie called Cesenna in Romagna: here Borgia with a band of men, set vpon her company, and took her away by force, and neither by threats nor intreatie of the Venecian Ambassador would restore her again: the allusion holds in many parts, as first where he saith in the 29. staff. That Marsilio had giuen Mandricardo an horse.

Of colour bay, but blacke the taile and maine, Of Frizland was the mare that did him breed, The sier was a villan braue of Spaine.

This notes Borgia, whose father was a Spaniard, his mother a Flemming, and he a mungrel bastard. In the one an thirtith staffe, in the simile of the Wolfe, he noteth his crueltie: in the eight and fortith staffe where he saith,

If state may stand insteed, who can denie, Onely to God our homage doth belong▪

In that he alludes plainly to the Pope that is reputed Christs Vicar on earth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  ••n the 1. booke is ••s mentioned how Charlemaine left ••he field at Bur∣••els, since w••••ch ••me they kept ••bet went and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not come to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 battell. This Alfonso was Duke of Ferrara 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whō he speakes ••n the 3. book, bro∣••her to Hipolyto. Of this battell ••k Guicciard••n
• * 1.2

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.3

  By the honour of ••lded spurre and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 understood ••ighthood. Pope 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gaue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 armes the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with ••ak••nes of gold.
• * 1.4

  The king of A. ••gōs colars was ••llow and red.
• * 1.5

  The laurel by the ancient Romans was giuen to him that had slaine or takē aboue 5000 in battell. Ciuica corona was his that sa∣ued a citizen of Rome.
• * 1.6

  In this battel the Spaniards deus∣sed to haue men placed in carts, & drauing them violently on their enemies, disorde∣red them.
• * 1.7

  Foys was slaine as this battell.
• * 1.8

  Gu••••din sets downe the •• or∣ders of the soul∣diors at the sack of Ra••en••a.
• * 1.9

  The states of Spaine are here set down in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••stars.
• * 1.10

  If any be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••o vnderstand ••••se names. I refer him to the Table.
• * 1.11

  Ferra••.
• * 1.12

  Agr••••••ts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ster of African Note that the word past. in vsed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 there sundry ••••ces, downe in the Apologie.
• * 1.13

  Brunt••••••.
• * 1.14

  Of this look be•••• in the beginning of the •••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.15

  Sobr••••••.
• * 1.16

  ••od••mont a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 T••rze•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 in the took •• was king of ••••ier, & 〈…〉〈…〉 A. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.17

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Canto 12. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 l••••ter end.
• * 1.18

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.19

  Looke hereof is the Allusion.
• * 1.20

  A race of horses in Spaine, called villan di Spagna interior to the Ginnes.
• * 1.21

  Simile.
• * 1.22

  Doraly••e.
• * 1.23

  Simile.
• * 1.24

  Simile. 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.25

  M••
• * 1.26

  ••gil. Etiam ••ma procul ••arum cul∣•••• sumant.
• * 1.27

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.28

  •• followes in ••xxij booke, •••• staffe.
• * 1.29

  ••rement.
• * 1.30

  The example of the Prince doth much with the people. Charls his prayer
• * 1.31

  T•••• repro•••• is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most if them. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.32

  Discord
• * 1.33

  Discords 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and descrip•••••• Virgil. Ex•• gaudens was 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.34

  Fraud
• * 1.35

  Descript•••••• of Fraud.
• * 1.36

  ••ihouse of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.37

  ••ub ••nesse.
• * 1.38

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.39

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.40

  He returnes to Renaldo in the 16 Cant. 24 staf.
• * 1.41

  Virg••••, Oterque quater que beats.
• * 1.42

  〈…〉〈…〉 of Paris.
• * 1.43

  A description of the a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 well de∣fended.
• * 1.44

  Rodomonts de∣•••• ••.
• * 1.45

  Herest 〈…〉〈…〉 seale.
• * 1.46

  •• stratagem ••uch is now ••actised with gunpowder.
• * 1.47

  Moral.
• * 1.48

  Historie.
• * 1.49

  Allegorie.
• * 1.50

  Allusion.