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

THE XXII. BOOKE. (Book 22)

THE ARGVMENT.

Astolfo doth dissolue the charmed place, And spite of Atlant, sets his prisners free: Then Bradamant doth see Rogeros face: To helpe an unknowne knight they craued be; But by the way Rogero in short space, Subdewd foure knights, of worth and good degree, That were by Pinabell in prison hild, Whom Bradamant with iust reuengment kild.

1

YE courtly dames, that are both kind and true, Vnto your loues, if kinde and true be any, As sure I am in all your louely crue, Of so chast minde, there are not ouer many; Be not displeasd with this that doth ensue, For neither must I leaue it, neither can I, And beare with me for that I said before, When on Gabrina I did raile so sore.

2

* 1.1Mine ernest words, nor yet her great offence, Cannot obscure in honour and cleare fame, Those few, whose spotlesse liues want no defence, Whom hate nor enuie no way can defame: * 1.2He that his master sold for thirtie pence, To Iohn nor Peter breeds no blot nor blame: Nor men of Hipermestra, worse haue thought, * 1.3Although her sisters were vnchast and nought.

3

For one that in this verse I shall dispraise, As driu'n by course of this my present storie, Whole hundreds are whom I intend to praise, And magnifie their well deserued glorie, If this then be offensiue any wayes, To all or any, I can be but sorie: Now of the Scottish Prince a word or two, That heard a noise, and went forthwith thereto.

4

Betweene two mountaines in a shadie dale, He doth descend that way the noise him led, But when he came he saw vpon the vale, A Baron lately slaine and newly ded. But er I enter further in this tale, I first must tell you how Astolfo sped: Whom late I left in that most cursed cittie,* 1.4 Where women murther men without all pittie.

5

I told you how his horne with mightie blast, Not onely all his foes had driuen away, But also made his friends so sore agast, As not the stowtest of them there durst stay: Wherefore (I said) he was constraind at last, Alone to get him homward on his way, Forthwith on Rabicano he doth mount, An horse of which he makes no small account.

6

His horne that serues him still at all assayes, He carries with him and his learned booke, First by Armenia he goes his wayes, Then Brusia and the way of Thrase he tooke, So that within the space of twentie dayes, The streame Danubio he quite forsooke: Then from Boemia ward he doth decline, Vnto Franconia and the streame of Rhyne.

7

Then through Ardennas wood to Aquis graue, And thence to Flanders where he shipping found, What time a Northeast winde did blow to braue, As set him soone in sight of English ground: So that no whit annoyd with winde nor waue, His natiue soile receiu'd him safe and sound: He taketh horse, and er the Sunne was downe, At London he arriu'd the chiefest towne.

8

Here at his first arriuall straight he heares, How that the Turkes faire Paris did beseege, And how his sire (a man well stroke in yeares) Was there, and sent for ayd to raise the seege: And how of late the Lords and chiefest peares, Were gone with new supplies to helpe their leege, But little stay he makes these words once hard, But taketh ship againe to Callice ward.

9

And for the winde seru'd then not very well, They were by force thereof borne quite aside, So that the master scant himselfe could tell, What course he held, they were borne downe so wide, Yet at the last so luckie it besell, Within a kenning they some land had spide, And drawing neare they found the towne of Roan, Where presently the Duke tooke land alone.

10

And crossing through a wood when time drew neare, That neither day could well be cald nor night, He hapt to finde a christall spring and cleare, And by the side thereof he did alight, With mind to quench his thirst and rest him heare, As in a place of pleasure and delight, He ties his horse vnto a tree, and thinketh To have him tarrie safe there while he drinketh.

11

* 1.5Strange things may fall betweene the lip and cup, For scant Astolfo yet had wet his lip, But from a bush a villaine started vp, Vntide the horse, and on his backe doth skip: The Duke that scant had tasted yet a sup; And finds himselfe thus tane in such a trip, Forgets to drinke, and followes in a rage, For wrath not water doth his thirst asswage.

12

The little villaine that the horse had got, (Like one that did in knauish pranks delight) Although he might haue run yet did it not, Because Astolfo should not leese his sight: But with false gallop, or a gentle trot, He leads the Duke vnto that place aright, Where many knights and Lords of high degree, * 1.6Without a prison, more then prisners be.

13

Astolfo, though his armour doth him cumber, Yet fearing least he might arriue too late, In following the villaine doth nor slumber, Vntill he came within the pallace gate, Where (as I said) of Lords no little number, Were wandring vp and downe in strange estate: Astolfo of their presence doth not force, But runneth vp and downe to finde his horse.

14

The craftie villaine was in no place found, Though many a homely place for him was sought, Yet still the Duke doth search the pallace round, And for his beast he takes no little thought: At last he guest it was enchaunted ground, And as by Logestilla he was tought, He tooke his booke and searcheth in the table, How to dissolue the place he might be able.

15

And straight in th'index for it he doth looke, Of pallaces fram'd by such strange illusion, Among the rest, of this (so saith the booke) That it should neuer come vnto confusion; Vntill a certaine stone away were tooke, In which a sprite was kept by strange inclusion, And if he did but lift the threshold stone, The goodly house would vanish and be gone.

16

The Duke not doubting now of good successe, Go'th to the threshold where the stone was laid, And which it was he presently doth guesse, And then by force to moue it he aslaid: But Atlant, that expected nothing lesse, And sees his bold attempt, was sore affraid, And straight an hundred meanes he doth deuise, To hinder him from this bold enterprise.

17

He makes the Duke, by this his diuellish skill, To seeme of diuers shapes vnto the rest, To one a darse, of face and faucurill, To one a gyant, to a third a beast, And all their hearts with hatred he doth fill, He thinkes by them the Duke should be distrest: By seeming vnto eu'rie one the same, For which each one into the pallace came.

18

Behold Rogero stout, and Brandimart,* 1.7 Prasildo, Bradamant, and others moe, Vpon Astolfo set with cruell hart, As to reuenge themselues vpon their foe: But with his horne the Duke then plaid his part, And brought their loftie stomackes somwhat low: But had not th'horne procur'd him this exemption, No doubt the Duke had dyde without redemption.

19

For when they heard the strange and fearfull blast, They forced were for feare away to runne,* 1.8 As fearefull Pigeons flie away agast When men do ring a bell or shoot a gunne; The Sorcerer himselfe was not the last, That sought by flight the fearfull noise to shunne: Yea such it was, that neither rat nor mouse, Durst tarrie in the circuit of the house.

20

Among the horses that did breake their bands, Was Rabican of whom before I told, Who by good hap came to Astolfos hands, Who was full glad when of him he had hold, Also Rogeros Griffith horse there stands, Fast tyed in a chaine of beaten gold, The Duke, as by his booke he had bene tought, Destroyed quite the house by magike wrought.

21

I do not doubt but you can call to minde, How good Rogero lost this stately beast, What time Angelica his eyes did blinde, Denying most vnkindly his request: The horse that sored swifter then the winde, Went backe to Atlant whom he loued best, By whom he had bene of a young one bred, And diligently taught, and costly fed.

22

This English Duke was glad of such a pray, As one that was to trauell greatly bent, And in the world was not a better way For him to serue his purpose and intent; Wherefore he meaneth not to let him stray, But takes him as a thing from heau'n him sent, For long ere this he had of him such proofe, As well he knew what was for his behoofe.

23

Now being full resolu'd to take in hand, To trauell round about the world so wide, And visite many a sea and many a land, As none had done, nor euer should beside, One onely care his purpose did withstand, Which causd him yet a little time to bide, He doth bethink him oft, yet doth not know On whom his Rabicano to bestow.

24

He would be loth that such a stately steed Should by a peasant be possest or found, And though of him he stood then in no need, Yet had he care to haue him safe and sound, In hands of such as would him keepe and feed; While thus he thought and lookt about him round, * 1.9Next day a while before the Sunne was set, A champion all in armes vowares he met.

25

But first I meane to tell you what became Of good Rogero and his Bradamant, Who when againe vnto themselues they came, The pallace quite destroyd of old Atlant: Each knew and cald the other by their name, And of all courtesies they were not scant, Lamenting much that this inchanted pallace, Had hinderd them so long such ioy and sollace.

26

The noble maid to shew her selfe as kind, As might become a virgin wise and sage, Doth in plaine termes as plaine declare her mind, As thus, that she his loues heare will asswage, And vnto him her selfe in wedlocke bind, And spend with him all her ensuing age, If to be christned first he were content, And afterwards to aske her friends consent.

27

But he that would not onely not refuse To change his life for his beloueds sake, But also if the choise were his to chuse, To leese his life and all the world forsake, Did answer thus, my deare, what ere ensues I will performe what ere I vndertake, To be baptizd in water or in fire, I will consent if it be your desire.

28

* 1.10This said, he goes from thence with full intent, To take vpon him christend state of life, Which done he most sincerely after ment, To aske her of her father for a wife; Vnto an Abbey straight their course they bent, As in those dayes were in those places rise, Where men deuout did liue with great frugalitie, And yet for strangers kept good hospitalitie.

29

But ere they came to that religious place, They met a damsell full of beauty cheare, That had with teares bedewed all her face, Yet in those teares great beautie did appeare, Rogero, that had euer speciall grace In courteous acts and ••peech when she came neare, Doth aske other what dangers or what feares, Did moue her so to make her shed such teares.

30

She thus replies, the cause of this my griefe, Is not for feare or danger of mine owne, But for good will, and for compassion chiefe, Of one yong knight, whose name is yet vnknowne, Who if he haue not great and quicke reliefe, Is iudgd into the fier to be throwne, So great a fault they say he hath committed, That doubt it is it will not be remitted.

31

The fault was this, there was good will betweene Him and the daughter of the King of Spaine, And left his loue should be descride and seene, He finely doth himselfe a woman saine, And went and spake as if he had so beene, And thus he plaid (to tell the matter plaine) The maid in shew, the man in deed so well, That in a while he made her belly swell.

32

But out alas, what can so secret be, But out it will when we do least suspect?* 1.11 For posts haue eares, and walls haue eyes to see, Dumbe beast and birds haue tongues ill to detect,* 1.12 First one had found it out, then two or three: And looke how fire doth creepe that men neglect,* 1.13 So this report from mouth to mouth did spring, Till at the last it came vnto the king.

33

The King straight sends a trustie seruant thether, Who making search when they two were in bed, Found out the troth and tooke them both together, Found him a man, and found her belly sped, Away they carred her I know not whether, Away vnto the prison he was led, And must be burnd this day or else to morow, The thought whereof doth moue my mind to sorow.

34

This made me purposely to come from thence, And not to see one of so comely shape, So sharply punisht for this small offence, As if it were for murder or for rape, Nor any hope could sinke into my sence, How possible it were for him to scape, And who could see or thinke without compassion, A fine yong youth tormented in such fashion?

35

Twas strange to thinke how nie this tale did touch The noble Bradamants most tender hart, It seemed she pittide this mans state as much, As if her brother had playd such a part:* 1.14 Some cause there was to make her fancie such, As afterward at large I shall impart: And straight she makes this motion, that they twaine Might saue this wofull youth from being slaine.

36

Rogero much commends her noble mind, And to the mourning damsell thus they said, We both are to this enterprise inclind, If fortune serue we will the yong man aid, But when they saw that still the mournd and whind, Tush (quoth Rogero) cease to be afraid, Tis more then time that we were going hence, Not teares but force must serue for his defence.

37

These comfortable words Rogero spake, With that his warlike looke and manly show, Did cause her heart of grace forth with to take, Yet still she doubts which way were best to go, Not that she feard the right way to mistake, For all the wayes she perfuly did know, To turne the way she came she was afraid, Lest in the way they haply might be staid.

38

There are (quoth she) two waves vnto the place, Of which the stone is easie, faire and plaine, The tother foule, and farre the greater space, Yet at this time the safer of the twaine, But yet I feare, except God send more grace, That ere we thither come, he may be slaine: Thus stood this damsell still, not little musing, Betweene the nearer way and safer ch••sing.

39

Rogero that was resolute and stout, Did aske what reason mou'd her to perswade Them two to take the farther way about; And straight way she to them this answer made, Forsooth (said she) the cause that moues my doubt Is this, I feare that some will you inuade, By meanes that Pinnabell (Anselmus sonne) Hath here of late a custome leud begunne.

40

As namely that who euer that way ride, Of what estate soeuer or degree, Must leese their horses first, and then beside Most of their clothes and raiment spoiled be. Foure valiant youths of strength, and courage tride, Are sworne to this, so that no he nor she Can passe that way without this euill paiment, That he must weapons leese, and she her raiment.

41

The custome is, as yet but three dayes old, By Pinnabello and his wife deuised, * 1.15Who meeting haply (as I heard it told) A knight, or one in knightly clothes disguised, With whom a woman vgly to behold, And by this couple scorned and despised, This Pinnabell the worse had of the quarrell, His wife was spoild of horse and of apparrell.

42

This spite enraged so the womans mind, That wishing to reuenge, not knowing how, Yet wrath and folly so her sence doth blind, That straight she makes a foolish solemne vow, And he that was to euill deeds inclind No lesse than she, doth of the same allow: The vow was this, for anger of this foile, A thousand others in like sort to spoile.

43

That very night came to that house by chance, Foure valiant knights as euer armor bare, To fight on horse or foot with sword or lance, But few many with the worst of them compare, These foure I say were first that led this dance, By night surprised ere they were aware, Both Griffin, Aquilant and Sansonet, And Guidon Sauage, scant a man as yet.

44

These foure in shew he gently entertained, And makes them friendly countenance and cheate, With courteous speech and friendly manner fained, As if he lou'd them well and held them deare: But while secure they in their beds remained, And when Sunne rising now approched neare, He did beset the lodging where they lay, And tooke their armor and their clothes away.

45

And further bound them in that present place,* 1.16 Both hand and foote as if they prisners were, And ere he did those causlesse bonds vnlace, He makes them solemnly to vow and sweare, To keepe this order for a tweluemonths space, That whosoeuer hapned to come there, They foure endeuour should with all their forces, To take away their raiment and their horses.

46

To this by solemne oth are sworne they foure, Constraind thereto by this their cruell host, And though herewith they were offended sore, Yet must they sweare for feare of farther cost, Alreadie not so few as twise a score, Their horses and their furniture haue lost, And none as yet so able haue bene found, But one of these haue laid him on the ground.

47

But if some one do hap so strong to be, To make his partie good with one of those, Then straight the order is, the other three Must him assist, thus none vnconquerd goes. Wherefore if you will be aduist by me, Tis best to shun this way as I suppose, Sith each of these is such as I recited, How great thinke you will be their force vnited?

48

But presuppose that you their force withstand, As your great courage makes me thinke you might, Yet needs it hinder must the cause in hand, And make you tarry here about all night: Sith then this case so dangerously doth stand, I would perswade you now to shun this fight, Lest while you in this enterprise remaine, The poore yong man may fortune to be slaine.

49

Tush quoth Rogero, haue no doubt at all, Let vs endeuour still to do our best, And then hap good or ill, fall what may fall, Let God and fortune gouerne all the rest:* 1.17 I hope this enterprise I finish shall So well, as I shall eke do your request, And there arriue to saue him in good time, That should be burned for so small a crime.

50

This said, he gets him on the nearest way, Fast by the place where Pinnabell doth dwell, And at the bridge they forced were to stay, And straight a man (whose name I know not well) Came out in hast, and stand to them doth say, And then begins their order them to tell, Perswading them, if they will shunne the perell, To yeeld in peace their horses and apparell.

51

Peace (quoth Rogero) leaue thy foolish prating, A tale alreadie knowne thou dost repeate, * 1.18Children with bugs, and dogs are seard with rating, With me it small auailes to brag or threate, I leese but time with thee to stand debating, Shew me the men that mind to do this feate, My hast is such that long I may not stay, Wherefore I pray you bid them come away.

52

Lo here comes one of them, this old man sed, And as he spake the words, out came a knight, A tall strong man, all armd from foot to hed, His armor like a fornace shined bright, His colours that he ware were white and red, This was the first, and Sansonet he hight, And for he was a man of mightie strength, Two massie speares he brought of mightie length.

53

The one of these he to Rogero gaue, The other to himselfe he doth reserue, Then each, in hope the victorie to haue, Do spurte their stedie steeds that will not swerue, Rogeros shield from wounding doth him saue, The others did him not so well preserue, The speare both pierst his shield and prickt his arme, And ouerthrew him to this further harme.

54

You do not sure, nor cannot yet forget, What of Rogeros shield before I told, That made the f••ends of hell with toyle to swet, And shind so bright as none could it behold, No maruell then though valiant Sansonet, Although his hands were strong and hart were bold, Could not preuaile so strong a shield to pierce, Of so great force as late I did rehearse.

55

This while was Pinnabell approched nie To Bradamant, and askt of her his name, That in their sight his force so great did trie, To ouerthrow a knight of so great fame. * 1.19(Lo how the mighty God that sits on hie, Can punish sinne when least men looke the same) Now Pinnabel fell in his enemies hands, When in his owne conceit most safe he stands.

56

It was his hap that selfe same horse to ride, * 1.20Which eight months past from Bradamant he stale, Then when he falsly let the pole to slide, At Merlins caue (if you did marke the tale) But now when she that traitor vile had spide, That thought by trechery to worke her bale, She stept forthwith betweene him and his castle, And sweares that she with him a pull would wrastle.

57

Looke how a fox, with dogs and hunters chast,* 1.21 That to come backe vnto her hole did weene, Is vtterly discourag'd and agast, When in her way she nets and dogs hath seene: So he that no such perill did forecast, And sees his so stept him and home betweene, With word him threatning and with sword assailing, Doth take the wood his heart and courage failing.

58

Thus now on flight his onely hope relying, He spurd that horse that chiefe his trouble bred, No hope of helpe, and yet for helpe still crying, For doubt of death almost already ded, Sometime the fact excusing or denying, But she beleeuing not a word he sed, None in the castle were of this aware, About Rogero all so busied are.

59

This while forth of the gate came th'other three, That to this law so solemnly had sworne, Among the rest that came was also she That causd this law, full of disdaine and scorne, And none of these but sooner would agree With horses wilde to be in peeces torne, Then to distaine their honor and good name, With any act that might be worthy shame.

60

Wherefore it grieu'd them to the very gall, That more then one at once should one assaile, Saue they were sworne to runne together all, If so the first of victorie did faile: And she vncessantly on them did call, What meane you sirs (quoth she) what do you aile? Do you forget the cause I brought you ••••ther? Are you not sworne to take part all togither?

61

Fie, answerd Guidon, what a shame is this? Let rather me alone my fortune trie, And if of victory I hap to misle, At my returning backe then let me die. Not so quoth she, my meaning other is, And you I trust will not your word denie: I brought you hither for another cause, Not now to make new orders and new lawes.

62

Thus were they vrged by this scornfull dame, To that which all their hearts abhorred sore, And which they thought to them so great a shame, As neuer like had chanced them before; Al••o Rogeros words increast the same, Vpbraiding them, and egging more and more, And asking why they made so long delay, To take his armor and his horse away.

63

And thus in maner forts and by constraint, They came all three Rogero to inuade, Which act they thought wold sore their honors taint, Though full account of victory they made, Rogero at their comming doth not faint, As one well vsd through dangers great to wade, And first the worthy Oliueros sonnes, With all their force against Rogero runnes.

64

Rogero turnd his horse to take the field, With that same staffe that lately ouerthrew Stout Sansonet, and with that passing shield, That Atlant made by helpe of hellish crew, That shield, whose ayd he vsed very seeld, Some vnexpected danger to eschew: Twise when Alcynas kingdome he forsooke, Once when the Indian Queene frōth'Ork he tooke.

65

Saue these three times he neuer vsd the aid Of this his shield, but left it couerd still, If he abroade, or if within he slaid, He neuer left it open by his will. As for these three, he was no more afraid Or all their strenght, their number nor their skill, Nor made no more account with them to fight, Then if they had seemd children in his sight.

66

And first he met the yonger of the twaine, That Griffi•• hight, who had to great a blo, As in the saddle he could scant remaine, But quite amazed reeled to and fro; He strake Rogero but it was in vaine, For why, the stroke fell ouerthwartly so, That quite beside Rogeros shield it slipt, But yet the case it all to tare and ript.

67

Now when the renting of the silken case, In which Rogero vsd the shield to hide, Had cast out such a light in each mans face, That none of them the force thereof could bide, They fell downe all amazed in the place, Admit they sit, or stand, or go, or ride, Rogero with the cause not yet acquainted, Did maruell how his foes so soone had fainted.

68

But when he once was of the cause aware, And how the couer of his shield was rent, By meane whereof it open lay and bare, And thence such light vnto the lookers sent: He lookes about where his companions are, Because forthwith to get him thence he ment, I meane his Bradamant and that same maid, That for that youth did erst demaund his aid.

69

But his belou'd as then he found not, where He erst had left her when he went to iust, And when he plainly saw she was not there, And that that happend he could not mistrust, He parted thence, and with him he doth beare The maid that made to him the sute so iust, Who lay that tune amazed with the rest, With sudden blasing of the light distrest.

70

He takes her kirtle, and with it doth hide The light that did so dazle all their eyes, That light on which to looke none could abide, As if two Sunnes had shone at once in skies: Fortwith himselfe all malcontent doth ride, To haue this combat ended in such wise, As might imputed be to Magicke art, And not his prowesse or his valiant hart.

71

Now while this thought such passions did him yeeld, That though he had indeed most brauely donne, Yet men would thinke the glorie of the field, Not by his valiantnesse to haue bene wonne, But by the force of that inchanted shield, That cast a light more piercing then the Sunne, I say as thus he thought, he passed by A large deepe well, that by the way did lie.

72

A well at which the beasts in summers heate Did vse their thirstie drought to quench and coole,* 1.22 And chew againe their vndigested meate, And walke about the shallowes of the poole. Here did Rogero oft these words repeate, Thou shield, that late didst make me such a foole, To cause me get a conquest with such shame, Lie there (quoth he) with thee go all my blame.

73

With that he threw the shield into the well, The well was deepe, the shield of mightie weight, That to the bottome suddenly it fell, The water ouer it a monstrous height: But lo dame Fame the thing abroade doth tell, How he because he would not win by sleight, But by meere value, had his target drownd, Where it should neuer afterward be found.

74

Yet many (that had heard the strange report) Of those that dwelled thence, some farre, some nire, To seeke the target thither did resort, And to haue found it out had great desire, But it was cast away in such a sort, As none vnto their purpose did aspire, For why the maid that onely did behold it, And knew which well it was, yet neuer told it.

75

But when the knights came to themselues againe, And were awake, and one the other saw, That late were vanquisht with so little paine, As if to him they had bene men of straw, They wondred much what troubled had their braine, And all of them did thence themselues withdraw, And all that day they argue and deuise. How that same light should dazle so their eyes.

76

This while came notice of the wofull fall Of Pinnabell, whom Bradamant had killed, With which they greatly were displeased all, Not knowing why or who his blood had spilled; His wife and sire that heard what was befall, His sonne, her spouse, the place with outcries filled, And curst and chafed with too late repentance, That none on Pinnabell had giu'n attendance.

77

Now when the damsell iustly had him slaine, And tane away his horse, sometime her owne, She would haue turnd the way she came againe, But that the same was vnto her vnknowne; To purpose small, she trauels with great paine, To seeke it out, as after shall be showne: For here to stay is my determination, And pawse a little for my recreation.

In the person of Bradamant,* 1.23 that was so readily inclined to the ayd of a young man, though then we vnknowne to her, we may note, how to a noble disposition, a little perswasion suffiseth, to moue them to the succour of such as are distressed. in Pinabello and his wife, that thought to reuenge the scorne they receiued, with doing the like scorne to others, we may see, how base and dunghill dispositions follow not any course of value or true reputation, but onely to wreake their malice on some bodie, not caring whom: as they are wont to tell of Will Sommer (though otherwise a harmelesse foole) that would euermore if one had angerd him, strike him that was next him. Lastly in Bradamant that met Pinabell by hap, riding on the same horse that he had stolen from her long before (what time he left her for dead) and thereby now dis∣couered him, and killed him, we may note a most notable example of diuine iustice, in the like cases, as many times it fal∣leth out, and in this Poet you shall find many of them: as Polynessos death in the fift bookes; Martanos punishment in the eighteenth booke, Marganorres execution in the seuen and thirtith booke: all which examples (whether true or fained) haue this chiefe scope and end, to make men know that there is a diuine power, that will iudge and punish the actions of men, be they neuer so secure or so secret; and onely the cleare conscience it is that assureth a man of his estate, both in this world and in the world to come: and he that feareth not that diuine power, it is vnpossible that he can liue free of most wicked acts. That wise and honorable counseller Sir Walter Mildmay, as in all other things he shewed himselfe an vncorrupt man to his end, so his writings and sayings were euer spiced with this reuerent feare of God: for ex abun∣dantia cordis os loquitur: and among other of his (worth the noting) of which he himselfe gaue me a little volume when I was a boy of Eaton college (the which since his death haue bene published in print) but one speciall verse he had to that effect in Latin, and was by me put into English at the request of that honorable Gentleman his sonne in law, Master William Fitzwilliams.

Vltio peccatum sequitur, delinquere noli, Nam seelus admissum poena seuera premit: Quod si fortè Deus, patiendo differat iram, Sera licet veniat, certa venire solet. Flie sinne, for sharpe reuenge doth follow sinne, And wicked deeds, do wrathfull doomes procure: If God stay long ear he to strike beginne, Though long he stay, at last he striketh sure.

A worthie saying of a most worthie man, and thus much for the morall.

Hipermestra was daughter to Egittus, this Egittus had fiftie daughters,* 1.24 who caused them all to be maried to Da∣naos fifty sonnes, and being commanded by their tyrannous father, killed them all in one night, only Hipermestra refused to obey so filthie a commandement, and saued her husband, whose name was Linus.

Astolfo that with helpe of his booke dissolues the inchanted pallace,* 1.25 and with his horne draue away those that assaul∣ted him and put him in great danger, signifieth allegorically (as I haue in part touched before) how wisdome with the helpe of eloquence, discouereth the craftiest, and tameth the wildest. Furder in that Rogero casteth away the inchanted shield, and refuseth the vse thereof, the Allegorie thereof signifieth, that though a man for necessitie sake, sometimes be driuen to take some helpes of no verie honorable sort, and sometimes to reliue himselfe with policies scarce commen∣dable, yet one should when that vrgent necessitie is past, hurle such conceipt from him where it may neuer be found again, as Rogero flang his shield into that well; and so fame shall blow abrode our noble mind in so doing, as it did Rogeros for refusing an ayd of such force.

The end of the Annotations vpon xxij. booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ouid. Parc••te paucarum dis∣fundere crimina in omnes.
• * 1.2

  Iudas Iscariot.
• * 1.3

  Hipermestra one of the 50 Sisters. Loo•••• in the Sto∣rie of this booke.
• * 1.4

  He come to that matter in the 25 Booke. st. 29.
• * 1.5

  Sentence. Mul••a cadune enter caelicem su∣premari•• labra.
• * 1.6

  Atlantti caste••••.
• * 1.7

  Rogero. Bradama••••.
• * 1.8

  Simile
• * 1.9

  Of this you shall see more in the 23. booke. 7 staff.
• * 1.10

  Though Rogero in here willing to be baptized, and after still defer∣red it, you must note be knew not in what danger 〈◊〉〈◊〉 master was in •• afterwards in the xxv. booke.
• * 1.11

  Sentence.
• * 1.12

  Sentence.
• * 1.13

  Simile.
• * 1.14

  It was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her brother, •••• you 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seen, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 25. booke.
• * 1.15

  This was 〈…〉〈…〉 Gal••••na, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 you might reade before in the latter end of this 20. lo••ke.
• * 1.16

  Pinnabels l••w.
• * 1.17

  Sentence.
• * 1.18

  Sentence.
• * 1.19

  Sentence.
• * 1.20

  Of this ye might made in the end of the ••. booke.
• * 1.21

  Simile.
• * 1.22

  Ouid. Atque 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pasto pasca•• antecib••.
• * 1.23

  Morall.
• * 1.24

  Historie.
• * 1.25

  Allegorie.