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

THE FIRST BOOKE OR CANTO OF ORLANDO FVRIOSO.

THE ARGVMENT.

Charls hath the foyle, Angelica flies thence: Renaldos horse holpe him his Loue to find: Ferraw with him doth fight in her defence: She flies againe, they stay not long behind. Argalias ghost reproues Ferraws offence, The Spaniard to new vow himselfe doth bind. His mistris presence Sacrapant enioyeth, With Bradamant Renaldo him annoyeth.

1

aOF Dames, of Knights, of armes, of loues delight, Of courtesies, of high at∣tempts I speake, Then whē y^e Moores trans∣ported all their might On Africke seas, the force of France to breake: Incited by the youthfull heate and spight Of Agramant their king, that vowd to wreake The death of King Trayana (lately slaine) Vpon the Romane Emperour Charlemaine.

2

I will no lesse Orlandos acts declare, (A tale in prose ne verse yet sung or sayd) Who fell bestraught with loue, a hap most rare, To one that earst was counted wise and stayd: b If my sweet Saint that causeth my like care, My slender muse affoord some gracious ayd, I make no doubt but I shall haue the skill, As much as I haue promist to fulfill.

3

c Vouchsafe (O Prince of most renowmed race, The ornament and hope of this our time) T'accept this gift presented to your grace, By me your seruant rudely here in rime. And though I paper pay and inke, in place Of deeper debt, yet take it for no crime: It may suffise a poore and humble debter, To lay and if he could it should be better.

4

Here shall you find among the worthy peeres, Whose praises I prepare to tell in verse, Rogero; him from whom of auncient yeeres Your princely stems deriued, I reherses Whose noble mind by princely acts appeeres, Whose worthy fame euen to the skie doth perse•• So you vouchsafe my d lowly stile and base, Among your high conceits a httle plase.

5

Orlando who long time had e loued deare, Angeli••a the faire: and for her sake, About the world, in nations far and neare, Did high attempts performe and vndertake, Retur••d with her into the West that yeare, That Charles his power against the Turks did make: And with the force of Germanie and France, Neare Pyron f Alpes his standard did aduance.

6

To make the Kings of Affrike and of Spaine, Repent their rash attempts and foolish vaunts, One hauing brought from As••••ike in his traine, All able men to carry sword or launce, The other mou'd the Spaniards now againe To ouerthrow the goodly Realme of Fraunce. And hither (as I said) Orlando went, But of his comming straight he did repent.

7

For here (behold how humane iudgements art, And how the wiser sort are oft mistaken) His Ladie whom he guarded had so farr, Nor had in fights nor dangers great forsaken, Without the dint of sword or open warr, Amid his friends away from him was taken. For Charles the great, a valiant Prince and wise, Did this to quench a broile that did arise.

8

Betweene Orlando and Renaldo late, There fell about Angelica some brall, And each of them began the tother hate, This Ladies loue had made them both so thrall. But Charles who much mislikes that such debate Betweene such friends should rise, on cause so small, To Namus of Bauier in keeping gaue her, And suffred neither of them both to haue her.

9

But promist he would presently bestow The damsell faire, on him that in that fight, The plainest proofe should of his prowesse show, And danger most the Pagans with his might, But (ay the while) the Christens take the blow, Their souldiers slaine, their Captaines put to flight, The Duke himselfe a prisner there was taken, His tent was quite abandond and forsaken.

10

Where when the damsell faire a while had stayd, That for the victor pointed was a pray, She tooke her horse, ne farther time delayd, But secretly conuayd her selfe away. For she foresaw, and was full sore afrayd, That this to Charles would proue a dismall day. And riding through a wood, she hapt to meet A knight that came against her on his feet.

11

His curats on, his helmet not vndone, His sword and target ready to the same, And through the wood so swiftly he did runne, As they that go halfe naked for a game. But neuer did a shepheards daughter shunne More speedily a snake that on her came, Then faire Angelica did take her flight, When as she once had knowledge of the knight.

12

This valiant knight was Lord of Clarimount, Duke Ammons sonne, as you shall vnderstand, Who hauing lost his horse of good account, That by mishap was slipt out of his hand, He followd him, in hope againe to mount, Vntill this Ladies sight did make him stand, Whose face and shape proportiond were so well, They seeme the house where loue itselfe did dwell.

13

But she that shuns Renaldo all she may, Vpon her horses necke doth lay the raine, Through thicke and thin she gallopeth away, Ne makes she choise of beaten way or plaine, But giues her palfrey leaue to chuse the way, And being mou'd with feare and with disdaine, Now vp, now downe, she neuer leaues to ride, Till she arriued by a riuer side.

14

Fast by the streame Ferravv she sees anone, (Who noyd, in part with dust, and part with sweat) Out of the battell hither came alone, With drinke his thirst, with aire to swage his heat; And minding backe againe to haue bene gone, He was detaind with an vnlookt for let, Into the streame by hap his helmet fell, And how to get it out he cannot tell.

15

And hearing now the noise and mournfull crie Of one with piteous voice demaunding ayd, Seeing the damsell eke approching nie, That nought but helpe against Renaldo prayd, What wight it was, he guessed by and by, Though looking pale, like one that had bene frayd, And though she had not late bene in his sight, He thought it was Angelica the bright.

16

And being both a stout and courteous knight, And loue a little kindling in his brest, He promist straight to aide her all he might, And to performe what euer she request. And though he want a helmet, yet to fight With bold Renaldo he will do his best. And both the one, the other straight defied, Oft hauing either others value tried.

17

Betweene them two, a combat fierce began, With strokes that might haue pierst y^e hardest rocks. While they thus fight on foote, and man to man, And giue and take so hard and heauy knocks, Away the damsell posteth all she can, Their paine and trauell she requites with mocks. So hard she rode while they were at their fight, That she was cleane escaped out of sight.

18

When they long time contended had in vaine, Who should remaine the maister in the field, And that with force, with cunning, nor with paine, The tone of them could make the other yeeld, Renaldo first did moue the Knight of Spaine (Although he vsd such curtesie but seeld) To make a truce; ne was he to be blamed, For loue his heart to other fight inflamed.

19

You thought (said he) to hinder me alone, But you haue hurt your selfe as much or more. You see the faire Angelica is gone, So soone we leese that earst we sought so sore. Had you me tane or slaine, your gaine were none, Sith you were ner the nere your loue therfore. For while we two haue made this little stay, She lets vs both alone and go'th her way.

20

But if you loue the Ladie, as you say, Then let vs both agree to find her out, To haue her first will be our wisest way, And when of holding her there is no doubt, Then by consent let her remaine his pray, That with his sword can proue himselfe most stout, I see not else after our long debate, How either of vs can amend his state.

21

Ferravv (that felt small plea••ure in the sight) Agreed a lound and friendly league to make: They lay aside all wrath aud malice quight, And at the parting from the running lake, The Pagan would not let the Christen knight To follow him on foote for manners sake: But prayes him mount behind his horses backe, Aud so they seeke the damsell by the tracke.

22

O auncient knights of true and noble hart, They ••iuals were, one faith they liu'd not vnder, Beside they felt their bodies shrewdly smart Or blowes late giuen, and yet (behold a wonder) Through thicke and thin, suspition set apart, Like friends they ride, and parted not asunder, Vntill the horse with double spurring driued Vnto a way parted in two arriued.

23

And being neither able to descrie Which way was gone Angelica the bright, Because the tracke of horses feet, whereby They seeke her out, appeare alike in sight. They part, and either will his fortune try, The left hand one, the other takes the right. The Spaniard when he wandred had a while, Came whence he went, the way did him beguile.

24

He was arriu'd but there, with all his paine, Where in the foord he let his helmet fall, And of his Ladie (whom he lou'd in vaine) He now had litle hope, or none at all. His helmet now he thinkes to get againe, And seekes it out, but seeke it while he shall, It was so deeply sunken in the sand, He cannot get it out at any hand.

25

Hard by the b••nke a tall yong P••pler grew, Which he cut downe, thereof a pole to make, With which each place in feeling and in vew, To find his scull he vp and downe doth rake: But lo a hap vnlookt for doth ensew, While he such needlesse frutelesse paine doth take; He saw a knight arise out of the brooke, Breast hie, with visage grim, and angry looke.

26

The knight was arm'd at all points saue the hed, And in his hand he held the helmet plaine, That very helmet that such care had bred In him that late had sought it with such paine And looking grimly on Ferraro he sed, Ah faithlesse wretch, in promise false and vaine, It greeues thee now this helmet so to misse, That should of right be rendred long ere this.

27

Remember (cruell Pagan) when you killed Me, brother to Angelica the bright: You sayd you would (as I then dying willed) Mine armour drowne, when finisht were the fight, Now if that fortune haue the thing fulfilled, Which thou thyself sholdst haue performd in right, Greeue not thy selfe, or if thou wilt be greeued, Greeue that thy promise cannot be beleeued.

28

But if to want an helmet thou repine, Get one wherewith thine honour thou maist saue, Such hath Orlando Countie Paladine, Renaldo such, or one perchance more braue, That was from Almont tane, this from Manbrine: Win one of these, that thou with praise m••st haue, And a•• for this, surcease to seeke it more, But leaue it as thou promisd me before.

29

Ferra•••• was much amazd to see the sprite, That made this strange appearance vnexpected, His voice was gone, his haire did stand vpright, His senses all were so to feare subiected. His heart did swell with anger and despight, To heare his breach of promise thus obiected, And that Argalia (lo the knight was named) With iust reproofe could make him thus ashamed.

30

And wanting time, the matter to excuse, And being guiltie of no litle blame, He rested mute, and in a senslesse muse, So sore his heart was tainted with the shame. And by Linsusas life he vowd to vse No helmet, till such time he gat the same, Which from the stout Almont Orlando wan, When as they two encountred man to man.

31

But he this vow to keepe more firmely ment, And kept it better then the first he had, Away he parted hence a malcontent, And many dayes ensuing rested sad. To seeke Orlando out is his intent, With whom to fight he would be very glad. But now what haps vnto Renaldo fell, That tooke the other way, tis time to tell.

32

Not farre he walkt, but he his horse had spide. That praunsing went before him on the way, Holla my boy holla (Renaldo crid:) The want of thee annoyd me much to day. But Bayard will not let his master ride, But takes his heeles and faster go'th away. His flight much anger in Renaldo bred: But follow we Angelica that fled.

33

That fled through woods and deserts all obscure, Through places vninhabited and wast, Ne could she yet repute her selfe secure, But farther still she gallopeth in hast. Each leafe that stirres in her doth feare procure, And maketh her affrighted and agast: Each noise she heares, each shadow she doth see, She doth mistrust it should Renaldo be.

34

Like to a fawne, or kid of bearded goate, That in the wood a tyger fierce espide, To kill her dam, and first to teare the throate, And then to feed vpon the haneh or side, Both feare lest the might light on such a lot, And seeke it selfe in thickest brackes to hide, And thinkes each noise the wind or aire doth cause, It selfe in danger of the tygers clawes.

35

That day and night she wandred here and there, And halfe the other day that did ensue, Vntil at last she was arriued where, A fine yong groue with pleasant shadow grew, Neare to the which two little riuers were, Whose moisture did the tender herbes renew, And make a sweete and very pleasing sound, By running on the sand and stonie ground.

36

Here she at last her selfe in safetie thought, As being from Renaldo many a mile, Tyr'd with annoy the heate and trauell brought, She thinkes it best with sleepe the time beguile, And hauing first a place conuenient sought, She lets her horse refresh his limbes the while, Who sed vpon the bankes well cloth'd with grasse, And dranke the riuer water cleere as glasse.

37

Hard by the brooke an arbor she descride, Wherein grew faire and very fragrant floures, With roses sweet, and other trees beside, Wherewith the place adornes the natiue boures, So fenced in with shades on either side, Safe from the heate of late or early houres: The boughes aud leaues so cunningly were mixt, No sunne, no light, could enter them betwixt.

38

Within; the tender herbes a bed do make, Inuiting folke to take their rest and ease: Here meanes this Ladie faire a nap to take, And fals to sleepe, the place so well doth please. Not long she lay, but her a noise did wake, The trampling of a horse did her disease, And looking out as secret as she might, To come all arm'd she saw a comely knight.

39

She knowes not yet if he be foe or friend, Twixt hope and feare she doubtfully doth stand, And what he meanes to do she doth attend, And who it was she faine would vnderstand. The knight did to the riuer side descend, And resting downe his head vpon his hand, All in a muse he sitteth still alone, Like one transform'd into a marble stone.

40

He tarri'd in this muse an houre and more, With looke cast downe in sad and heauie guise, At last he did lament his hap so sore, Yet in so sweete and comely mournefull wise, So hard a heart no tyger euer bore, But would haue heard such plaints with watrish eies. His heart did seeme a mountaine full of flame, His cheekes a streame of teares to quench the same.

41

Alas (said he) what meanes this diuers passion? I burne as fire, and yet as frost I freese, I still lament, and yet I moue compassion, I come too late, and all my labour leese. I had but words and lookes for shew and fashion, Put others get the game, and gainefull fees: If neither fruite nor floure come to my part, Why should her loue consume my carefull hart?

42

Like to the rose I count the virgine pure, That grow'th on natiue stem in garden faire, Which while it stands with wals enuirond sure, Where heardmen with their heards cannot repaire To fauor it, it seemeth to allure The morning deaw, the heate, the earth, the aire. Yong gallant men, and louely dames delight In their sweet sent, and in their pleasing sight.

43

But when at once tis gathered and gone, From proper stalke, where late before it grew, The loue, the liking little is or none, Both fauour, grace and beautie all adew. So when a virgin grants to one alone The precious floure for which so many sew, Well he that getteth it may loue her best, But she forgoes the loue of all the rest.

44

She may deserue his loue, but others hate, To whom of loue she shewd her selfe so scant. (Oh then my cruell fortune or my fate) Others haue store, but I am staru'd with want: Then leaue to loue this ladie so vngrate: Nay hue to loue (behold I soone recant) Yea first let life from these my limbs be rent, Ere 1 to change my loue shall giue consent.

45

If some perhaps desirous are to know, What wight it was with sorow so opprest, Twas Sacrapant that was afflicted so, And loue had bred this torment in his brest: That trickling wound, that flattring cruell foe, Most happie they that know and haue it least. The loue of her I say procur'd his woe, And she had heard and knew it long ago.

46

Her loue allur'd him from the Ester land, Vnto the Westerne shores, where sets the Sunne, And here he heard how by Orlandos hand, A passage safe from th'Indies she had wonne. Her sequestration he did vnderstand, That Charles had made, and how the same was done To make the knights more venterous and bold, In fighting for the Floure de luce of gold.

47

And furthermore himselfe had present bene When Charles his men were ouerthrowne and slaine. Since then, he traueld farre to find this Queene, But hitherto it hath bene all in vaine. Now much despaire, and little hope betweene, So rufully thereof he doth complaine, And with such wailing words his woes rehearst, As might the hardest stonie heart haue pearst.

48

And while in this most dolefull state he bides, And sighes full oft, and sheddeth many a teare, And speakes these same, and many words besides, (Which I to tell for want of time forbeare) His noble fortune so for him prouides, That all this came vnto his mistresse eare, And in one moment he preuailed more Then he had done in many yeares before.

49

Angelica with great attention hard, The m••i••e, and plaint, that him tormented sore, Who long had loued her, with great regard, As she had triall, many yeares before, Yet as a marble pilla•• cold and hard, She not incline, to pittie him the more. Like one that all the world doth much disdaine, And deemeth none worthie her loue againe.

50

But being now with danger compast round, She thought it best to take him for her guide. For one that were in water almost drownd, Were verie stout, if for no helpe he cryde: If ••he let passe the fortune now she found, She thinkes to want the like another tyde. And furthermore for certaine this she knew, That Sacrapant had beene her louer true.

51

Ne meant she tho to quench the raging fires, That ay consum'd his faithfull louing heart, Ne yet with that a louer most desires, T a••lwage the paine in all, or yet in part: She meanes he first shall pull her from the briers, And feed him then with words and womens art, To make him first of all to serue her turne, That doue, to wonted coynesse to returne.

52

Vnto the riuer side she doth descend, And toward him most goddesse like she came, And ••••id, all peace to thee my dearest frend, With modest looke, and cald him by his name, And further said, the Gods and you defend My chastitie, mine honor and my fame. And neuer grant by their diuine permission, That I giue cause of any such suspicion.

53

With how great ioy a mothers minde is fild, To see a sonne, for whom she long had mourned, Whom she hard late in battell to be kild, And saw the troopes without him home returned, Such ioy had Sacrapant when he behild, His Ladie deere: his teares to smiles are turned, To see her beautie rare, her comely fauour, Her princely presence, and her stately hanour.

54

Like one all rauisht with her heauenly face, Vnto his loued Ladie he doth runne, Who was content in armes him to embrace, Which she perhaps at home wold not haue done, But doubting now the dangerous time and place, She must go forward as she hath begun, In hope by his good seruice and assistance, To make her home returne without resistance.

55

And in most lou'ly manner she doth tell, The strange aduentures, and the diuers chance, That since they two did part to her be••ell. Both on the way, and since she came to France: And how Orlando vsed her right well, Defending her from danger and mischance, And that his noble force and magnammine, Had still preseru'd the floure of her virginitie.

56

It might be true, but sure it was incredible, To tell to one that were discreet and wise, But vnto Sacrapant it seemed poss••ble, Because that loue had dasled to his eyes: Loue causeth that we see to seeme inui••ible, And makes of things not seene, a shape to rise. It is a prouerbe vsed long ago, We soone beleeue the thing we would haue so.

57

But to himselfe thus Sacrapant doth say, B'it that my Lord of An••la••t were so mad, To take no pleasure of so faire a pray, When he both time and place, and power had, Yet am not I obliged any way, To in••••tate a president so bad. Ile rather take my pleasure while I may, Then waile my want of wit another day.

58

Ile gather now the fresh and fragrant rose, Whole beautie may with standing still be spent, One cannot do a thing (as I suppose) That better can a womans minde content: Well may they seeme much grieued for a glose, And weepe and waile, and dolefully lament, There shall no foolish plaints, nor fained ire, Hinder me to encarnat my desire.

59

This said, forthwith he did himselfe prepare, T'assault the fort that easly would be wonne, But loe a sodaine hap that bred new care, And made him cease his enterprise begonne, For of an enemie he was aware, He claspt his helmet late before vndone, And armed all, he mounteth one his best And standeth readie with his speare in rest.

60

Behold a warrior whom he did not know, Came downe the wood in semblance like a knight, The furniture was all as white as snow, And in the helme a plume of fethers white. King Sacrapant by proofe doth plainely show, That he doth take the thing in great despite, To be disturbd and hindred from that pleasure, That he preferd before each other treasure.

61

Approching nie, the warrior he defide, And hopes to set him quite beside the seat: The other with such loftie words replide, As persons vse, in choler and in heat. At last when glorious vaunts were laid aside, They come to strokes and each to do his feat, Doth couch his speare, and running thus they sped, Their coursets both encountred hed to hed.

62

As Lions meete, or Buls in pastures greene, With teeth & hornes, & staine with bloud the field, Such eger fight these warriers was betweene. And eithers speare had pearst the tothers sheild, The sound that of these strokes had raised beene, An eccho lowd along the vale did yeeld. T'was happie that their curats were so good, The Lances else had pierced to the blood.

63

For quite vnable now about to wheele, They butt like rammes, the one the others head, Whereof the Pagans horse such paine did feele, That ere long space had past he fell downe dead. The tothers horse a little gan to reele, But being spurd, fall quickly vp he sped. The Pagans horse thus ouerthrowne and slaine, F••ll backward greatly to his masters paine,

64

That vnknowne champion seeing thother downe, His horse vpon him lying dead in vew, Exspecting in this fight no more renowne, Determind not the battell to renew. But by the way that leadeth from the towne, The first appointed iourney doth pursew, And was now ridden halfe a mile at least, Before the Pagan parted from his beast.

65

Like as the tiller of the fruitfull ground, With sodaine storme and tempest is astonished Who sees the flash, & heares the thunders sound, And for their masters sakes, the cattell punished, Or when by hap a faire old pine he found, By force of raging winds his leaues diminished. So stood amazd the Pagan in the place, His Ladie present at the wofull case.

66

He fetcht a sigh most deepely from his heart, Not that he had put out of ioynt, or lamed His arme, his legge, or any other part, But chiefly he, his euill fortune blamed, At such a time, to hap lo ouerthwart, Before his loue, to make him so ashamed: And had not she some cause of speech found out, He had remained speechlesse out of doubt.

67

My Lord (said she) what ailes you be so sad? The want was not in you, but in your steed, For whom a stable, or a pasture had Beene fitter then a course at tilt indeed. Nor is that aduerse partie verie glad, As well appeares, that parted with such speed, For in my iudgement they be said to yeeld, That first leaue off, and do depart the feeld.

68

Thus while she giues him comfort all she may, Behold there came a messenger in post, Blowing his horne, and riding downe the way, Where he before his horse, and honor lost. And comming nearer he of them doth pray, To tell if they had seene passe by that cost, A champion armd at all points like a knight, The shield, the horse, and armour all of white.

69

I haue both seene the knight, and felt his force, (Said Sacrapant) for here before you came, He cast me downe and also kild my horse, Ne know I (that doth greeue me most) his name. Sir (quoth the post) the name I will not force, To tell, sith you desire to know the same, First, know that you were conquerd in this fight, By vallew of a damsell faire and bright.

70

Of passing strength, but of more passing hew, And Bradamant, this damsell faire is named, She was the wight, whose meeting you may rew, And all your life hereafter be ashamed. This laid, he turnd his horse and bad adew. But Sacrapant with high disdaine enflamed, Was first lo wroth, and then so shamed thereto, He knew not what to say, not what to do.

71

And after he had staid a while and musd, That at a womans hands he had receiued, Such a disgrace as could not be excusd, Nor how he might reuenge it he perceiued, With thought hereof his mind was so confusd, He stood like one of wit and sense bereaued. At last he go'th, a better place to finde, He takes her horse and makes her mount behind.

72

Now hauing rode a mile, or there about, They heard a noyse a trampling on the ground, They thought it was some companie or rout, That caused in the woods so great a sound: At last they see a warlike horse, and stout, With guilded barb, that cost full many a pound, No hedge, no ditch, no wood no water was, That stopped him where he was bent to passe.

73

Angelica casting her eye aside: Except (said she) mine eies all dazled be, I haue that famous horse Bayardo spide, Come trotting downe the wood, as seemes to me: (How well for vs our fortune doth prouide) It is the verie same, I know tis he: On one poore nag to ride we two were loth, And here he commeth fit to serue vs both.

74

King Sacrapant alighteth by and by, And thinkes to take him gently by the raine, But with his heeles the horse doth streight reply, As who should say, his rule he did disdaine. It happie was he stood the beast not nye, For if he had, it had beene to his paine, For why, such force the horse had in his heele, He would haue burst a mountaine all of steele.

75

But to the damsell gently he doth go, In humble manner, and in lowly sort. A spantell after absence fauneth so, And seekes to make his master play, and sport, For Bayard cald to mind the damsell tho, When she vnto Albracco did resort, And vsd to feed him for his masters sake, Whom she then lou'd, and he did her forsake.

76

She takes the bridle boldly in her hand, And strokt his brest, and necke, with art and skill: The horse that had great wit to vnderstand, Like to a lambe, by her he standeth still, And while Bayardo gently there did stand, The Pagan got him vp, and had his will. And she that erst to ride behind was faine, Into her saddle mounted now againe.

77

And being newly setled in her seate, She saw a man on foote all armed runne, Straight in her mind she ga•• to chase and fret, Because she knew it was Duke Ammons sonne, Most earnestly he sude her loue to get, More earnestly she seekes his loue to shunne. Once she lou'd him, he hated her as much, And now he loues, she hates, his hap was such.

78

The cause of this first from two fountaines grew, Like in the tast, but in effects vnlike, Plac'd in Ardenna, each in others vew, Who tasts the one, loues dart his heart doth strike, Contrary of the other doth ensew, Who drinke thereof, their louers shall mislike. Renaldo dranke of one, and loue much pained him, The other dranke this damsell that disdained him.

79

This liquor thus with secret venim mingled, Makes her to stand so stiffely in the nay, On whom Renaldos heart was wholy kindled, Though scarce to looke on him she can away, But from his sight desiring to be singled, With soft low voice the Pagan she doth pray, That he approch no nearer to this knight, But flie away with all the speed he might.

80

Why then (quoth he) make you so small esteeme Of me, as though that I to him should yeeld? So weake and faint my forces do you deeme, That safe from him your selfe I cannot shield Then you forget Albracca it should seeme, And that same night, when I amid the field, Alone vnarmed did defend you then, Against king Agrican and all his men.

81

No sir, said she, (ne knowes she what to say) Because Renaldo now approcht so nie, And threatned so the Pagan in the way, When vnder him his horse he did espie, And saw the damsell taken as a pray, In whose defence he meanes to liue and die. But what fell out betweene these warriers fearce, Within the second booke I do rehearse.

In this first booke may be noted in Angelica the vngratefulnes of women to their worthiest suters. In the foure knights, the passionate affections of loue and fancy. And whereas first Bradamant, and after Renaldo interrupt Sacrapant of his lasciuious purpose, may be noted, both the weake holdfast that men haue of worldly pleasures, as also how the heauens do euer fauour chast desires. Lastly, in the two fountaines may be noted the two notable contrarieties of the two affections, of loue and disdaine, that infinite sorts of people daily tast of, while they runne wandring in that inextricable labyrinth of loue.

Concerning the historie, we find that in the time of Charles the great (called Charlemaine) sonne of Pepin king of France, the Turkes with a great power inuaded Christendome, Spaine being then out of the faith, (as some part thereof was euen within these four score yeares, namely Granada, which was held by the Moores.) And one Marcus Antonius Sabellicus writeth, that for certaintie there liued in that time of Charlemaine, many of those famous Palladines, that are in this worke so often named, and especially he maketh mention of Renaldo and Orlando, affirming that they were indeed very martiall men, and how Charles obtained great victories by their seruice; and namely he talleth of one Fer∣raw a Spaniard of great stature and strength, who tooke certaine Frenchmen prisoners, afterward rescued by Orlando, which Orlando fought with him hand to hand two whole dayes, and the second vanquisht him. Further, the same author affirmeth, that the same Charlemaine, for his great fauour shewed to the Church of Rome, was by Leo the third named Emperour of Rome: and that he was a iust, a fortunate, and a mercifull Prince, and one that within Europe as well as without did attaine great conquests, suppressing the violent gouernement of the Lombards, and taming the rebelli∣ous Saxons, Huns and Baudrians, and conquering a great part of Spaine: all which testimonies shew, that the ground of this Poeme is true, as I shall haue particular occasion in sundry of the books ensuing to note: and thus much for the story.

For the allegory, in this Canto I find not much to be said, except one should be so curious to search for an allegory where none is intended by the author himself: yet an allegory may not vnfitly be gathered of the description of Bayardos follow∣ing Angelica, which may thus be taken. Bayardo a strong horse, without rider or gouernor, is likened to the desire of mā, that runs furiously after Angelica, as it were after pleasure or honor, or whatsoeuer man doth most inordinately affect.

Likewise in that Angelica flieth from Renaldo, we may take an allegorical instruction, that the temtations of the flesh are ouercome, chiefly by flying from them, as the Scripture it selfe teacheth, saying, Resist the diuel, but fly fornication.

Further, in that Bayardo striketh at Sacrapant, but yeeldeth to Angelica, it may be noted how the courage of our minds that cannot be abated with any force, are often subdued by flatterie and gentle vsage, till they be in the end euen ridden as it were with slauerie.

And whereas Renaldo followes Angelica on foote, some haue noted thereby to be meant sensualitie, that is euer in base and earthly, or rather beastly affections, neuer looking vpward.

For Allusions, there are not any worth the noting in this Canto, saue that it seemes in Renaldos horse Bayardo, he seemes to allude to Buccphalus Alexanders horse.

Notes

• a

  The ••••••inning is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by imi∣tation ••••••n Vir∣gil, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1. of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Arma 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cano.
• b

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 bere∣〈…〉〈…〉 mistresse, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 speakes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 staffe.
• c

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 intended 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hip∣〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more
• d

  Imitati•• of V••¦gel to Octa••i••s: Atque hau•• sin•• tempora circum ••nter felaces hede∣tam ••ib•• s••rpere laures.
• e

  This hath refe∣rence to a former treatise called Orlandos loues, written by one Boyardus.
• f

  The hilles that part France and Spa••••e.
• Nam••s D••ke of Ba••er.
• Sim••le. Imitatió of Vir∣gil 2. Ae••ead. Improussu•••• as∣sirus v••luse qua sentibus angue.
• Renaldo his horses name was Lisardo.
• Ferraw•••• nisb Knigh••.
• Riuals are those that be ••••strs to one 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as are competitors to 〈…〉〈…〉.
• Ferra••.
• Pepler 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a tree that groweth by the water like a Willow.
• The ghost of Ar∣ga••
• This is a fit dee••∣rum, so to make Ferr••nv to swet•• by his mothers life, which is the Spanish manner.
• He finds Orlādo, the 12. booke in Atlantes inchā∣ted pallace, the 28. staffe.
• He finds his horse t••u book 77. staff
• Eimil••.
• The lamentation of Sacrap••••.
• Simile. This is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Catuli•• greatly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 V•• flos is secretus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hortis, &c.
• The flour de•• taken for Fi•• it selfe, be•••• armes of Fi••
• Simile.
• This is the phrase of the cast coun∣trie people: peace be to you.
• Such; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 respect of his 〈…〉〈…〉 that he discoue∣red afore. Simile.
• S••ntence.
• Orlando was Lord of Anglant
• Ouid. vim licet appelles. grata est vis illa puellu, quod tuuas in∣uita, sape dedisse toiu••.t.
• Bradamam.
• Simile.
• Simile 7 ••••ke is in Da 1 of goats.
• Simile. The hbe u in O u••d de tre••ts us 3 Fle. H••ud a. ••t••r ••lu••; u•• quato qus Iouu igni••••s actus v••u••t 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est vita ••es••••us ••ps•• su••.
• This post 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taketh Bi•• Bookes••••
• Bayardo•• to Bucep•••• that he in suffer no•• quietly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 master.
• Simile.
• Albracca•• in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 table.
• ••••id 1. 〈…〉〈…〉 to be true 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈…〉〈…〉 ••••ope. 〈…〉〈…〉.
• The Morall.
• The Historie.
• Allegorie.
• Allusion.