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

THE FIFTEENTH BOOKE. (Book 15)

THE ARGVMENT.

Faire Paris is assaild on eur'ie part, By those of Affricke, and by those of Spaine: From Logestill' Astolfo doth depart, And takes Calligorant in his owne traine, Then slew Orillo, that by Magicke art Reuiu'd, when by the brothers he was slaine: Stout Sansonet Astolfo kind doth vse, But Gryphin of his mistres beares ill news.

1

TO winne the field against our armed foes, Is counted honorable anie wayes, Although it be with poli∣cie or blowes, Yet bloodie cōquests stain the Captaines praise, * 1.1But chiefest honour doth belong to those, Whom Fortune to such height of hap doth raise, To haue their foe supprest and ouerthrowne, With little losse and damage of their owne.

2

* 1.2Such was the victorie that you then gaind, O stout Hyppolito you conquerd so, When the Venetian Nauie had obtaind, With armed vessels all the streame of Poe, Your policie and vallue them constraind, With losse inestimable thence to go: Their marriners and souldiers all destroying, Our marriners and souldiers not annoying.

3

The Pagan 'Rodomont did want this skill, That forst ten thousand men the trench to enter, By his commandment sore against their will, Vpon so perillous a place to venter, Where straight the smother doth their bodies kill, And send their sinfull soules beneath the center, Himselfe in safetie sees them there a dying, Still swearing, cursing, heau'n it selfe defying.

4

* 1.3Now Agramant an hot assault and fearce, Gaue where he thought the same was lest exspected He striues the wals to batter, break and pearce With engins strong, and rams thereto erected: Those kings whose names I did before rehearse, Brought men, some stout, & some with fear infected, And such as rather wish to stand aloofe, Then weare a corslet of the surest proofe.

5

But Agramant herein was much deceaued, For where he thought them weake and vnprepard, He found that manfully he was receaued, And that the king himselfe the place did guard,* 1.4 With thousands more readie to be bereaued Of life and limbe, and such as nought regard, Before that they would take so great disgrace, As in their masters sight to leese their place.

6

But here I cease vntill another time,* 1.5 To tell of these assaults the hard successe, Of damage like to both sides: now my rime Vnto the English Duke I must addresse, Astolfo sonne of Oton whom sometime, Alcynas witchcraft held in great distresse, Who like another Cyrce men transformed, To trees, to beasts, and soules of shapes deformed.

7

You heard before how all her strange deceits, Melyssa sage did with the ring discouer, And how she gaue them also good receits, As made them all their former shapes recouer, How after hauing scaped all their sleights, They did no longer in such fancies houer, But to be surely able to resist her, They fled vnto her vertuous elder sister.

8

Where when they had with comfort great remained, Desirous to their countries to retire, They asked leaue of her, and leaue obtained, Of her that neuer hinders iust desire: But er they went she frendly them constrained, With precious gifts to be endowed by her, Such gilts as were of precious price indeed, And all their liues should stand them all in steed.

9

* 1.6But chiefly to this English Duke she gaue, Of secret skill a little written booke, Containing many a precept wise and graue, The which of her most thankfully he tooke; These teach a man from charmes himselfe to saue, That in the same aduisedly doth looke, And that to find them out he may be able, The booke had in the end a perfit table.

10

Beside this booke on him she doth bestow, Another gift of as great price and more, A horne in which if he do once but blow, The noise thereof shall trouble men so sore, That all both stout and faint shall flie therefro, So strange a noise was neuer heard before; When to the Duke these rare gifts were imparted, He humblie tooke his leaue and thence departed.

11

* 1.7And least Al••••na should by force attempt, To bring him backe or worke him some disease, Andronica was with a nauie sent, To waste him sate till he were past those seas, And vertuous So••hrosina with him went, To see him passe with safetie and with ease, So good a cond••cter, so sure a guide. As was not found in all the world beside.

12

And thus she saild along that Indian shore, And sees and ••ee••eth sight of sundrie Iles, Those called fortunate and others more, That distant are, some few, some many miles, And for he neuer heard of them before) He askt his guide some questions others whiles, As whether from those Indian seas perchance, A ship may saile to England, Spaine, and France.

13

She answerd thus; to put you out of doubt, First know the earth itselfe it like an Iland, In ••toned with waters round about, * 1.8That compasse in on eu'ry side their drie land, And though to this day no man hath found out, Nor thinks there can be any way but by land, Because they iudge the lands length there is such, That it the other Hemispher doth tuch.

14

Yet I foresee, et many ages passe, N••w in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and masters new shall rise, * 1.9That shall find out that erst so hidden was, And that discouer where the passage lies, And all the men that went before surpasse, To find new lands, new starres, new seas, new skies, And ••asse about the earth as doth the Sunne, To search what with Antipodes is done.

15

Behold I see the signe of holy crosse, A signe within these quarters seene but seeld, I see where ten a thousand put to losse, And to th'imperiall banner all do yeeld, I see in spite of eu'rie thwart and crosse, The house of Aragon still wins the feeld, I see that fortune is disposd to lift, Vp vnto heau'n the name of Charles the fift.

16

It pleaseth God to keepe the wayes vnknowne, Vnto these parts as they haue bene and are, Vntill seuen hundred yeares be ouerblowne, What time he meanes to raise an Emp'ror rare, That shall both finde and make them all his owne, And one that shall most worthily compare, In warre for courage, and in peace for iustice, With Traian, with Aurelius or Augustus.

17

I see the will of heau'n doth so incline, The house of Austria and of Arragon, Shall linke togither in a happie line, And be by match vnited both in one: I see a braunch grow by the banke of Ryne,* 1.10 Out of this house, as like there hath bene none, Whose match (thus much to say I dare be bold) May not be found in writers new or old.

18

By him againe Astrea shall be brought, And be restored from her long exile, And vertues that haue long bene set at nought, Shall raigne and banish fraud deceit and guile;* 1.11 For which great works by him so nobly wrought, God meanes to grant him all this earthly Ile, And vnder this wise Prince his deare annointed, One shepheard and one flocke he hath appointed.

19

Which that it may the better be effected, He giues them Captaines both by sea and land, That shall win places neuer yet detected And none shall dare their forces to withstand; Cortese first, by whom shall be erected, The Emp'rors banner in the Indian sand, Who by his valiant hand and wise direction, Shall win and keepe those Indies in subiection.

20

Loe, with the noble Marques of Pescare, Prosper Colonna prosperous in fight, Loc him that may with both of them compare, Or be preferred if you do him right, I meane the Marques Vast, whose vallew rare, In tender youthfull yeares shall shine most bright, Like to a horse that running swiftest pace,* 1.12 Doth last set out, and first doth win the race.

21

In him shall faith and courage be so mixt, That when his years shal seeme but young & tēder As passing not the twentie yeare and fixt, Yet shall his fame and forces not be slender; On him shall eyes and hearts of men be fixt, To him shall townes and forts, and castels render, As to a Captaine with such worth endewed, As he alone the world might haue subdewed.

22

* 1.13What should I speake of famous Andrew D'Orie, That to the pyrats so much terror breeds, As Pompey so much praisd in Latin storie? This Andrew either matches or exceeds: What nobler name can be, what greater glorie, Then to roote out such hurtfull cursed weeds? So as men may with safetie and with ease, From Italy to Nylus passe the seas.

23

By his assistance, furtherance and his aide, In Italy Caesar a crowne obtaines, For which good seruice though he be well paid, Yet for himselfe thereby he nothing gaines: * 1.14The paine is his (ò noble mind well staid) The profit to his country sole remaines: And whereas some to rule their country sought, By him his countries freedome shall be wrought.

24

This loue by him vnto his country showne, In honor true shall more his name aduance, Then both the Caesars victories well knowne, In England, Spaine, in Italy and France: For thought their enemies were ouerthrowne, By valour oft, and oftentimes by chance, Yet this did blot their praise and make it lesse, That both their countries freedome did oppresse.

25

Wherefore let them and others all beside, That tyrannize their countries be ashamed, And hanging downe their heads, their faces hide, When they shall heare this noble. Andrew named, By whose rare temperate and happie guide, His countries peace and freedome shall be framed: And thus Andronica the Duke foretold, What men in future ages come there shold.

26

The while with prosprous winds the vessels driued, Came first within the view of Persian shore, And then from thence their way they so contriued, They past the gulfe (so called long before) And there to land so happily arriued, Misdoubting of Alcynas might no more, He thanks these guides y^e all the way defended him, And humbly to their Ladie recommended him.

27

More woods then one, more fields then one he past, More then one valley, more then one high hill: He meeteth the eues by night, by dayes as fast, That lie in wait poore trauellers to kill: Of beasts, of serpents huge he was agast, That with their terror those wild deserts fill, But when he blew his horne they fled away, No man nor beast durst in the hearing stay.

28

He trauels through the happie Arabie, So called for the store of spices sweet, * 1.15There where the bird that burnes and doth not die, To dwell of all the world hath thought most meet: Thence went he to the sea, that once was drie, Which Iacobs sons went through vpon their feet,* 1.16 Proud Pharao following them vnto his cost, Himselfe and all his charets drownd and lost.

29

Fast by the banks of Traians streame he rides, There where as Nylus doth receiue the same, An horse of passing swiftnesse he bestrides, That was ingendred twixt the wind and flame, Not such a beast in all the world besides, And Rabycano is this horses name:* 1.17 Now as along the riuers banke he past, He saw a boate make toward him in hast.

30

A simple hermit did the vessell steare, Whose beard with age was ouergrowne and gray, And when he came so nie that he might heare, These words to him he fatherly doth say, My sonne if you do hold your safetie deare, Except you meane to die this present day, Proceed no farther in the way you ride, But terme ouer to the other side.

31

For if you do that fatall way proceed, You shall within a mile a giant meet,* 1.18 Whole stature other men doth farre exceed, For why his height is counted fourteene feet, He makes a sport of eu'ry cruell deed, The flesh of man vnto his tast is sweet, He eateth some aliue, and some he slayeth, He quarters some, and other some he slayeth.

32

Amid this crueltie he hath great sport, To vse the seruice of a certaine net, Which in the common way in secret sort, With dust and grauell couerd he doth set, And then when strangers do that way resort, First if he may, behind them he doth get: And then with hideous outcries he them scares, Vntill they fall into his net vnwares.

33

But hauing caught them once in such a cage, Of birth or merit he hath no respect, Of wealth nor sex, of country nor of age, No priuiledge from him can them protect,* 1.19 Their carkases his hunger must asswage, Their sculs like monuments he doth erect, In posts and windowes hanging them on pins, His chambers all are hanged with their skins.

34

Take then (my sonne) take then this other way, Where with more ease and safetie you may go. Thanks (gentle Frier) the English Duke doth say, Yet can I not your counsell follow tho, Though danger bids go safest way one may, Yet what saith honor? honor saith not so, Let none retire with shame, thus honor seath,* 1.20 The worst that can befall one is but death.

35

But contrary, if I may him intrap, As he to do to others doth deuise, And take himselfe in his prepared trap, The good is great that hereof may arise. Well, quoth the hermit, God grant blessed hap, And send his Angell Michael from the skies, That may deliuer him into thy hand, Or giue thee strength his forces to withstand.

36

On 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Duke blest by the simple Frier, Much trusting in his sword, more in his sound: And being now approcht a little nier, The cruell grants gracelesse house he found, ••••••ond all with marrith ground and mier, His chambers all within were furnisht round With skins and skuls of many a wofull hed, Or such as euill chance had thither led.

37

Ash 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at by forrest wild do dwell, Naile by on the heads and pawes of Beares, And of their dangers do delight to tell, And call to mind their hardly scaped feares: So looke who did in strength the rest excell, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 grant kept some speciall limbs of theirs, The rest in ditches carelesly he throwes, To 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and be deuourd by dogs or crowes.

38

〈…〉〈…〉 is this giants name) Stands looking at his gate with watchfull eie, Reioycing much when any stranger came, And namely now the Duke he doth espie, Not doubting but by him to do the same, He had to others done, and make him die; But first he seekes behind the Duke to get, And thinks hereby to driue him to the net.

39

When as the Duke the Giant fierce espide, He stand his horse and would not forward go, For feare left in the net he might be tide, Of which the hermit had forewarnd him tho: Then bl••weth he his horne of vertue tride, That in the heaters terror breeds and wo, Which to possest his senses altogether, As straight he fled, and saw not where nor whether.

40

〈◊〉〈◊〉 with his heart he lost his eies, And still he fled, and cares not how nor where, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the place where that most strange net lies, Which he to take the Duke had placed there, Th•••• has armes and all his members ties, Which when Astolfo saw (now out of feare) He lights and drawes his sword, intending then To venge the death of thousand guiltlesse men.

41

But finding him so sure and strongly bound, He thought it were a base vngentle part, To stay a prisner whom in bands he found, So as he could not stir, nor no way start: God Fulcan wrought this net in caues profound, Of flaming Aetna, with such skill and art, That though the wires did seem but smal and weak, Yet could no force the same consume nor breake.

42

I say this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 net then Vulcan wrought, When certaine iealous thoughts his heart inflamed, His spouse the•• with in Mars his armes he caught, And openly then made them both ashamed, At which prospect though many gods then laught, * 1.21Yet many wisht in like sort to be shamed: She Mercury did after steale this net, His louely Clora therewithall to get.

43

Faire Cloris who flies out before the morne, And sprinkleth aire with smell of fragrant flowres, That in her louely lap about are borne, From whence do fall the pleasant Aprill showres: But Mercury, sith she his loue did scorne, ••ay with his net in waite not many houres, Till at the last by Nylus banks he caught her, And there to daunce la volta then he taught her.

44

The net in Anubs temple he did leaue, Where many yeares in safetie it did bide, Vntill Calygorant not asking leaue, And caring not what should thereof betide, Or this great relique did the church bereaue, With all the plate and ornaments beside: And to this wicked vse the net employed, By which the passengers were sore annoyed.

45

Now of this net Astolfo tooke a wire, And (like a theefe) behind him tide his hands, Who now was meeke as any could desire, And like a lambe by him most gently stands: At least the waight thereof himselfe might tire, First hauing bound his prisner sure in bands, He makes him carry that vpon his backe, And vsde him like a mule to beare a packe.

46

And thus he parteth thence triumphing so, And led the giant prisner in a string, And all about the country him doth show, (A sight that to them all great ioy did bring) To Memphis Pyramids he then doth go, Most famous for the tombe of many a King,* 1.22 More hie in height then fiftie times Pauls steeple, Then saw he Cayr so huge and full of peeple.

47

But not so peopled as they now report, That thousands in the streets by night do lie For want of roome, yet builded in such sort, That eu'ry house is made three stories hie, Where runnegates do dwell, that make a sport, Their saith and their saluation to denie: Of which the Sowdan for his owne behoofe, Keepes fifteene thousand lodging in one roofe.

48

Thence went Astolfo to the banks of Nyle, To Damyat a citie thereabout, And here he heard within a dozen myle Oryllo dwelt, a hardy theefe and stout,* 1.23 That robd poore men, and kild them other while, As trauellers of him stood sore in doubt, And (that which him with greater wonder filled) The common voice was he could not be killed.

49

Full many a thrust, full many a cruell blow, Of many men in fight he had endured, And vnto many men great care and wo, And death itselfe he often had procured: Put his owne bodie was enchanted so, As eu'ry wound he had forthwith was cured, I thinke some Fayry was his dame, or rather I thinke some Incubus had bene his father.

50

The worthy knight this wicked creature sought, Vntill at last he came vnto the place, Where then Orillo with two champions fought, The combat hauing held no little space, Yet at his hands they both had gained nought, Though both of them gaue ••undry blowes apace, * 1.24Their names were these that held this mungrell tack, Griffin the white and Aquilant the black.

51

The Necromancer fought with vantage great, He rode vpon a cruell hideous beast, A Crocodile that flesh of men doth eat, And birds and beasts, and doth them all digest, Yet had the brethren throwne him from his seat, And ••urther had the Crocodile distrest: But him to wound and kill in vaine they striued, For still his wounds did heale, and he reuiued.

52

Sometime they cleft his head by force in twaine, As butchers cleaue a bullocks with an axe, But straight he ioyneth both the parts againe, As if they had bene made of melting waxe. Who so hath seene the Alcumists most vaine, That work with Mercurie their cunning knacks, Which quite disperst, reioyneth eu'ry member, Would soone by this be made that to remember.

53

Fierce Aquilant among so many bloes, With one, his head from off his shoulders strake, About he seekes and gropeth as he goes, And in the dust to find his head doth take, And finding it, he takes it by the nose, Or by the locks, nor more ado doth make, But sets it on as if it were but glewed, And fights as if his forces were renewed.

54

Stout Griffin at a blow cuts off his arme, And takes it vp and flings it in the brooke, But he like one that had receiu'd no harme, Doth diue the same within the streame to looke, Which found, he ioynes (I know notw^t what charm) Vnto the place it late before forsooke: Two dames stood by in white and blacke attire, The combat being fought at their desire.

55

These were the courteous dames that with great care * 1.25Had brought them vp eu'n frō their swathing bands, For the••e two brothers did by fortune rate, In their first childhood chance into their hands: These two to Oliuer Gysmonda bare, Though straight they were conuaid to forren lands, Where these two Ladies kept them as their owne, I need not tell at large a tale so knowne.

56

Now was the time that neare approcht the night, That makes each thing with shadow shew obscure, So that not want of force, but want of light, Did cause the combat could no longer dure: The Ladies clad in garments blacke and bright, That (as I said) this conflict did procure, On this condition did them all dismisse, That to returne next day they do not miss••.

57

But when that English Duke both saw and knew, The valiant youths Griffin and Aquilant, Not onely by their armes he saw in vew, But by their blowes, of which they were not scant, He doth acquaintance old with them renew, And they no point of courtesie do want, For straightway by the Ladies he was led, To take with them a supper and a bed.

58

Then in a garden sweet they did prouide Great store of daintie meats and costly wine, Fast by a coole and pleasant fountaines side, As best agreeth with the sommer time, The while the giant with strong chaines they tide Vnto the bodie of an auncient Pine, Lest he might hap to trouble and molest them, While they determind to refresh and rest them.

59

The boord with rich and costly fare was filled, And yet their smallest pleasure was their meat,* 1.26 The Knights in languages and learning skilled, Talke of Oryllo and the wonder great, To see one wounded so, and yet not killed, It seemd to them a dreame and strange conceat, And eu'n the wisest and most learnd did wonder, How he reioynd his members cut in sunder.

60

Astolfo onely in his booke had read, (That booke that taught all charmes to ouerthrow) How this Oryllo neuer could be dead, While in his head one fatall haire did grow, But hauing puld this haire from off his head, He should be subiect vnto eu'ry blow, Thus said the booke, but precept there was none, Among so many haires to find that one.

61

Astolfo ioyfull of this good instruction, Not doubting but by this to make him die, First makes some circumstance of introduction, And prayes the brothers giue him leaue to trie, If he could bring Oryllo to destruction, And they this friendly sure do not denie, Not doubting he alone would striue in vaine, With him that late resisted had them twaine.

62

Now had the Sunne remou'd the nights darke vaile, When as Oryllo turned to the field, And then the English Duke did him assaile, Both fought on horseback, both with spear & shield. Eu'n then Oryllo felt his heart to faile, (A hap to him that hapned had but feeld) Eu'n then some strange presage did him offend, That shewd his dayes drew shortly to their end.

63

Their speares now broke their naked swords they drew, Astolfo layes on blowes on him a maine, About the field Oryllos members flew, But he together gathers them againe, And straight his fight and forces doth renew, The English Duke dismembring him in vaine, Vntill at length one blow so luckie sped, That by his shoulders he cut off his hed.

64

And hauing headed him so eu'n and iust, Straight with his head on horsebacke he doth mount And rides away, Orillo in the dust Doth grope to find the same as he was wont, But missing it and full of new mistrust, To ouertake him yet he makes account, He ride•• and would haue cride ho tarrie tarrie, But in his hand the Duke his tongue doth carrie.

65

But though his head were lost, he finds his heeles, To ••purre and pricke he neuer doth forbeare, The headlesse body neuer stirs nor reeles, Put sits as sure as if the head were there: The while the skull Astolfo puls and peeles, Among such store to find th'inchanted haire, For in the haires no diffrence was in sight, To know if he did take the wrong or right.

66

But sith to make sure worke he thought it best, He makes his sword serue for a barbers knife, To shaue the skull therewith he doth not rest, Vntill he finisht had the bloudy strife: He cuts that haire by chance among the rest, That haue that h••ld Orillo in his life, The face looks pale, deuoid of liuely heate, The body backward fals out of the seate.

67

This done, the Duke brought in his hand the head, Returning to the companie againe, And shewd them where he left the carkas dead, Which when they saw with certain signes and plaine A kind of enuious ioy in them it bred, For glad they were their enemie was slaine, But inwardly they were displeasd and sorie, That this saine Duke had got from them the glorie.

68

The women also were not well content, That he had slaine Orillo in the fight, Because 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had their first intent, Which was to stay these youths al means they might, In hope thereby some mischiefes to preuent, Which th••y foresaw should vnto them alight: Straight all that country was with rumor filled, How th'English Duke Orillo fierce had killed.

69

* 1.27For as in all those cities they dovse, The keeper of the next adioyning fort, Sent by a Doue a letter of the newes, From Damiat vnto the nearest port, By which deuice most rare they cannot chuse But heare and send with speed each true report: And thus in eu'ry country and in towne, They do extoll this English Dukes renowne.

70

The worthy Duke the brothers doth perswade, From thence their courses into France to bend, To do the dutie for which man was made, Gods honour and their countries to defend, Which now the Turks and Pamims did inuade, And neare had brought the same to wofull end: Which counsell from so great a Prince proceeding, They follow straight with forwardnesse exceeding.

71

The women now with teares in watry eies, Bid them farewell, and so they parted thence: And for they heard the holy citie lies Not passing sixe or seu'n dayes iourney thence, To take it in their way they do deuise, To see the place, where for humane offence, True God, true man, descending from aboue, Did die for vs vnworthy of such loue.

72

And sith the way betweene was large and wide, And void of fruits for sustenance of man, They do good store of bread and wine prouide, With needfull things, as for the time they can, And on the giants shoulders them they tide, Who like a sumpter horse them after ran, And on this sort with most deuour intent, Like pilgrims to Ierusalem they went.

73

Sixe dayes they traueld in their weary way, Nor seeing man, nor beast, nor bird aliue, The seuenth, immediat after breake of day, In that most blessed citie they arriue: Then visit they the tombe where Iesus lay, When with his death he did vs dead reuiue, And brought hell, sinne and death into subiection, With suffring, dying and his resurrection.

74

Now while the tombe with great heed they behold, Bare head and feet in shew of meek submission, And with more inward ioy then can be told, Yet ioyned with a deepe and sad contrition, That strake their hearts in awe and made them cold, With true remorse deuoid of superstition, And with themselues they still continued musing, Each one himselfe in such like words accusing.

75

Why then, where thou deare Lord didst for our sake,* 1.28 With water and with blood the ground distaine, Shall not mine eyes some small amends to make, Shed teares in memory of so great paine? Oh drowsie heart that dost not now awake, Oh frozen heart that meltest not in raine, Oh stony heart that dost not now relent, Lament thee now, or else for ay lament.

76

Thus with an humble and repentant sprite, They tarride at the tombe no little space, When so the priest appeared in their sight, Whose office was to keepe the holy place, Who seeing them so lowly and contrite, He doth impart to them this speciall grace, (Sith to amendment they were now resolued) Them of their sinnes forepassed he absolued.

77

This done, they went about and viewd the towne, Held in those happy dayes by Christen hands, Who striuing now to keepe each other downe,* 1.29 With causlesse warres do trouble sea and lands, Or leesing or neglecting that renowne, In which Gods honour and their safetie stands: But letting this great enemy increase, By their seeld making, neuer keeping peace.

78

A gallant knight whom Sansonet they call, This citie gouernd vnder Charles the great, Who then intended to repaire the wall, And make the towne a strong and stately seat: Astolfo gaue to him the Giant tall, For strength and stature fit for such a feat, To serue his present purpose for the nonce, Vnto the walls to carry heauy stones.

79

And Sansonet doth eke on him bestow, A curious belt and hangers for a blade, And spurs of gold, in substance rich and show, That for that knight were thought to haue bin made * 1.30That slue the Dragon with a deadly blow, Which did the Ladie chast and faire inuade: Thus gifts both giu'n and tane on either part, Each from the other friendly doth depart.

80

Now going from Ierusalem, behold They met a Greekish pilgrim by the way, That such ill newes to good Griffino told, As made him out of temper all the day: It was his euill fortune, deare to hold, And giue his heart vnto her for a pray, That had a pleasing hew, and faire smooth skin, But false, vnchast, and trecherous within.

81

Her name was Origilla, whom of late He left at Constans of an Agew sicke; And hoping now to find her in good state, He heares she hath him seru'd a sluttish tricke, As namely she had got a newfound mate, Not caring if that he were dead or quicke: She thought that for her yong yeares twas no reason, To lie alone in that sweet pleasant season.

82

This newes his mind doth gripe, his heart doth bite, He mournes by day, by night he takes no rest, That breeds him paine that others breeds delight, And this torments him more then all the rest, He shames, and shuns to haue it come to light, What was his griefe that did him so molest. And this to keepe it close the rather made him, Because from her his brother did disswade him.

83

But all in vaine, for he was wholy bent To follow her, although he knew her nought, Yet to himselfe he keepeth his intent, That secretly his going may be wrought: He vowes to makes th'adulterer repent, Who now to Antiochia her had brought: But in another booke I will expresse, Of his departure what was the successe.

In the beginning of this booke was an excellent morall (if you obserued it) shewing how hurtfull it is for a captain to be prodigall of his men,* 1.31 and rash or headlong in his attempts: the former of which faults (that worthy and valiant gentle∣man) sir Iohn Smith hath very grauely and iustly reproued in some captains of our time, in that treatise that he wrote in defence of the vse of long bowes: and indeed it cannot be denied but bloudy conquests are no praise to the conquerour: In token whereof the Lacedemonians appointed, that he that wan a bloody victory should sacrifice a cocke; but he that o∣uercame by policie without bloudshed, an oxe: so much they preferred wisedome that is peculiar to man, before strength that is common to beasts. In Charles is to be noted the prouidence of a wise and valiant Prince: In Astolfo, that by the power of his horne rids the country of theeues and malefactors, we may learne to apply the talents are giuen vs, to good vses: In Griffin, that after all his deuotion at Ierusalem, comes againe to Origilla, we may note the frailtie of flesh, and withall, that outward holinesse without inward zeale auaileth nothing.

The historie (set downe here in maner of a prophecie) of the prosperous raigne of Charles the fift,* 1.32 is too long to stand vpon in this place, but Iouius, Guycciardin, Vlloa, Surius, and Sleydan himselfe (though his enemy) do witnes his great conquests, his happie discouery of the Indies, his notable captains, and the great felicitie of his whole life: of which authors, because two are already in English, I imagine there be few that are like to reade this, but haue read the one of them, and consequently know as much to be true as I do here set downe. And for the Indian voyages, we need not so much admire the captains of forren nations, hauing two of our owne nation that haue both as forwardly aduentured, and as fortunatly performed them, namely, sir Francis Drake, whom I touched before, and yong Master Candish.

In that Logestilla giueth Astolfo at his departing a booke to instruct him, and a horne to breed terror to his enemies;* 1.33 by the booke is signified wisedome, whereby all charmes and toyes are discouered: and by the horne is vnderstood iustice, that indeed brings terror to all misdoers, and driues them out of the country. Further, whereas Logestilla sends Andro∣nica and Sophrosina to safe conduct Astolfo, least Aleyna should attempt any new matter against him, it is to be vnder∣stood allegorically, that fortitude and temperance are the two most notable guides that we can haue in this world to keepe vs from pleasures snares, or violent assaults. Also whereas Astolfo looks first in his booke ere he take vpon him the enter∣prise to fight with Orillus, it is to be vnderstood, that good aduice is to be taken before men vndertake dangerous exploits.

The house of Callygorant alludeth vnto the den of Cacus in the vij. of the Aeneads in Virgill,* 1.34

—Semper{que} recenti Caede tenebat humus, foribus affixa superbis, Ora virum tristi pendebant pallida tabo.

Simon Fornatius thinks that in the person of Calligorant, he meant a subtill sophister that became an heretike, and corrupted many, but after recanting, did good seruice in the Church. The fatall haire of Orillus, though it be meerly fa∣bulous, yet hath it allusion to some truth: for besides that, diuers Poets haue written of some, whose life lay in their haire, as Nysus killed by his daughter, and Alcest that could not die til Mercury cut off one haire: and of Dido likewise is said that Iris was sent to cut her haire to rid her out of her paine: besides these (I say) the Scripture testifies of the vertue of Samsons strength to haue bin in his haire, which is as strange for reason as any of the rest.

Here end the notes of the xv. booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  ••he spake of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 3. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Guye∣•••• as large.
• * 1.3

  ••emant.
• * 1.4

  Charles.
• * 1.5

  In the xvi book. in the xvi. staff.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.7

  Look•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Al∣legorie.
• * 1.8

  There is a previous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 beyond 〈…〉〈…〉 one would for that be 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.9

  Sir Francis 〈…〉〈…〉 the su••nes 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.10

  Charles the 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.11

  It was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that 〈…〉〈…〉 to conquer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 world, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to enter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pope and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to enter 〈…〉〈…〉 and becomes Pope and Emp∣eror both, so verse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈…〉〈…〉, but a 〈…〉〈…〉 of some 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.12

  Simile.
• * 1.13

  〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.14

  •• great praise ••need of D'Oria 〈…〉〈…〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉 more then his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.15

  ••henix.
• * 1.16

  Red sea.
• * 1.17

  Rabicano Astol∣fos horse of excel∣lens swifines.
• * 1.18

  Caligorans.
• * 1.19

  Looke in the Al∣lusion.
• * 1.20

  Sentence.
• * 1.21

  Atque a••••qum 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.22

  Peter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 proverb 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the great Pyra∣mid 〈…〉〈…〉 furlongs 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thereforth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in compasse 〈…〉〈…〉 more then in long of 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.23

  Oryllo.
• * 1.24

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 and A∣••••.
• * 1.25

  ••ding as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the poet 〈…〉〈…〉 as 〈…〉〈…〉 ••thor fol∣••.
• * 1.26

  Sentence. For in deede at a wise mans boord the smallest plea∣sure the guests haue, is their cheare in compa∣rison of the plea∣sing talke that happens either in mirth or grauity.
• * 1.27

  T•• have ••ard some 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.28

  A ••spand••.
• * 1.29

  A true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.30

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 George.
• * 1.31

  Moral.
• * 1.32

  Historie.
• * 1.33

  Allegorie.
• * 1.34

  Allusion.