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

THE XXXIX. BOOKE (Book 39)

THE ARGVMENT.

King Agramant breakes oth, and is constrained, Vnto his natiue soile by sea to flye, Where then Astolfo many townes had gained, And at Biserta siege as then did lye: Orlando thither commeth, madly brained, But th' English Duke did cure him by and by: Braue Dudon, with his nauie made of leaues, Meets Agramant, and hotly him receaues.

1

WHat tongue can tell, or learned pen expresse? The woes, to which Roge∣ro now did runne? In mind, and body, driu'n to such distresse, That of two deaths, the tone he cannot shun: If he be slaine, and if he kill no lesse, Both wayes he sees he shall be quite vndonne: By shame in death, and if he win and liue, By that offence he shall his true loue giue.

2

* 1.1The tother knight whom no such thoughts encombred Lets frankly fly his blows without regard, In so great store as was not to be numbred, No time, no place, nor no aduantage spard: Rogero seemd to him, as if he slumbred, Small list he had to strike, but all to ward, And if he did, in such a place he strake, His blow great sound, but little signe did make.

3

The Pagan Lords now doubt it will go wrong, They see the combat so vnequall grow, Renaldo seemd too lustie and too strong, Rogero seemd too lasie and too slow. But Agramant that sate the rest among, Doth ••ret, and fume, and chase, and sweat, and blow, Doth blame Sobrino chiefly, whose perswasion, Was of this combat chiefe and sole occasion.

4

* 1.2This while Melissa sage, whose skill was great In Magicke art, repaired to the place, And with some secret words she did repeat, She changd her voice, her statute, and her face, In mind hereby to worke a wondrous feat; She seemd all armed, in a Dragons case, In sword, in shield, in shew, in eu'rie thing, She seemed Rodomont the Sarzan king.

5

To wofull Agramant she straight doth ride, (In likenesse of an horse, she rode a sprite) And comming to his presence, lowd she cride, (My Liege) this was too fowle an ouersight, To match a beardlesse boy so meanly tride, With such a famous and renowned knight, And chiefe in matter that imports so much, As doth the whole estate of Affricke tuch.

6

Wherefore that you in time this losse may saue, Permit the combat to proceed no more, Let Rodomont the blame and blemish haue, Of breaking that, which you so rashly swore; Now each man shew how well his sword can shaue, Now I am here, each man is worth a score. These words in Agramant had so much force, That without more aduice, he straight tooke horse.

7

And thinking sure fierce Rodomont was theare, Forthwith the Christens host he doth i••uade, Of oth nor promise he hath now no feare, This one mans presence him so bold had made: Each man doth in a moment couch his speare, Or charge his pike, or draw his glittering blade: Melissa hauing set them thus togither, With this illusion vanisht (God knows whither)

8

The two stout champions when they plainly saw, ••heir combat, that all quarrell should descide, Disturbd against all promise, and all law, They cease all force, and lay all wrath aside, And by consent, themselues they do withdraw, Vntill it might more plainly be descride, In whether Prince of faith were found such want: In aged Charles, or youthfull Agramant.

9

And each of them of new doth vow and sweate, That vnto him that first did cou'nant breake, They will for euer endlesse hatred beare, And ioyne together such offence to wreake: The while the hosts of neither side forbeare To make quicke triall who be strong or weake, For lightly at the first conflict they shoe, Their hearts if they be resolute or no.

10

* 1.3Euen as a grewnd which hunters hold in slip, Doth striue to breake the string, or slide the coller, * 1.4(That sees the fearfull Deare, before him skip, Pursewd belike with some Actaeons scholler) And when he sees he can by no meanes slip, Doth howle, and whine, and bites the string for choler In such like case within the tents did stay, Marfisa with dame Bradamant that day.

11

All that same day vnto that present howre, They had beheld with great despite and paine, Such tempting baites yet had they not the powre, To set their foote in that forbidden plaine: But now they do the field on each side scowre, Though erst for duties sake they did abstaine, Now finding such a true and iust excuse, That Agramant had lewdly broke the truse.

12

Marfisa ran the first quite through the brest, And made the speare come forth a yard behind; Then with her sword she flies among the rest, There chiefe where most resistance she doth finde: And Bradamant puts Goldélance in rest, With like effects, but of another kind, For all she toucht therewith she ouerthrew, And yet not one among them all she slew.

13

Thus these two warriours euer as they went, Subdewd their enemies, and kept them vnder, Who euer met them surely should be shent, And each of them at tothers force did wonder: But being both to sharpe reuengement bent, At last they part themselues, and went asunder, Each by her selfe, such high exploits performing, As gaue the Turks long after cause of mourning.

14

* 1.5As when the Southerne winds do melt the snow, Congeald on tops of mountaines many dayes, It often happens that two streames do flow, * 1.6And taking in their course, two sundrie wayes, At last so violent and furious grow, That bearing downe, and breaking vsuall bayes, They wast the fields, and seeme on vye to runne, By which of them most damage may be donne.

15

Eu'n so these twaine, incenst with rage and wrath, And each in seu'rall acts their forces trying, Do worke the Turks, no little woe and ••cath, And leaue them ouerthrowne, or maymd, or dying: Scarse Agramant the powre by this time hath, (Say what he list) to keepe his men from flying, Himselfe not shrinking though, nor once retiring, But euermore for Rodomont enquiring.

16

By onely his aduise and exhortation, (For so the vnaduised Prince doth thinke) He broken had his solemne protestation, He maruels now, to find him so to shrinke; Likewise Sobrino with great lamentation, (Religion in his mind so deepe did sinke) Retyrd to Arly, euermore protesting) His faultlesse mind, that periurie detesting.

17

Marsilio eke vnto his countrie fled, The shamefull promise breach, of Agramant Strake in his mind such superstitious dred, He leaueth him to beare the brunt, who ••cant Against the Christen souldiers could make hed: That no supplies of forren powres did want, With Palladines among them fierce and bold, Mixt like rich gemmes in faire embroderd gold.* 1.7

18

But now a while I linquish this conflict,* 1.8 And passe beyond the seas without a barke, For to this tale I am not tyde so strict, But that I will repeat (if you will harke) Astolfos acts, who forward dayly prickt, With new made horsemen, as (if you did marke) I told you erst, and did all Affrike wast, Vntill three kings resisted him at last.

19

The king of Algazer, and stout Bransard, Did leuy powres, such as in hast they could, And put them all in armes without regard, That some to young were found and some to old; Yea from the musters, women scant were spar'd, For Agramant (as hath before bene told) With hope of vaine reuenge, without aduise, Of able men, vnpeopled Affrike twise.

20

Thus few were there, and of those few were theare, (So quite his countrie weale he did neglect) The greater part vnskilfull, armes to beare, As was more plainly proued in effect, For at first brunt they fled from thence for feare, In hope Biserta walls should them protect: Braue Bucifer was taken in the fight, Bransardo scapt, and sau'd himselfe by flight.

21

For Bucifer alone, he tooke more griefe, Then all the rest (he did him so esteeme) Because Biserta asked great reliese, For which this Bucifer most fit did seeme, Who was in all those parts of credit chiefe; Wherefore Bransardo faine would him redeeme, He many wayes doth cast, but none conclude on, Till at the last he did remember Dudon.

22

This Dudon was by blood and birth a Dane, But yet esteemd the Palladins among, He lately at the Bridge was prisner tane, Where Rodomont the sturdie Turke and strong, Brought many worthy men vnto their bane: To Affrike Dudon then he sent ere long, Now Bransard thinkes (nor was his thought amisse) Stout Bucifer by change to get for this.

23

He perfect notice had, by true espiall, The Nubians leader was an English Lord, Who loue a Dane (there can be no deniall) And once were Danes, as writers do record: Wherefore he sends a messenger for triall Vnto Astolfo, who doth soone accord, To free his kinsman, whom he lou'd so dearly, And ioyned was in blood to him so nearly.

24

Thus Dudon by the English Duke was freed, Who afterward his seruice did employ, Now (as Saint Iohn had wild him to proceed) He sought to worke the Turks some more annoy: And that he might set Prouence free with speed, Which Agramant and his did then enioy, He maketh of his men a new election, Whom he may ••••nd to free them from subiection.

25

And hauing chosen forth some men of these, As best from his huge armie might be mist, Whose number was so great, as he at ease With halfe of them three Affricks might resist: He causd them to be trained for the seas, And praying God his purpose to assist, That night was shewd Astolfo in a vision, How he of ships might make a large prouision.

26

Next day the weather being faire and calme, Astolfo walketh to the salt sea shore, And holding in his hands in either palme, Great store of leaues that he had tane before, Of Bayes, of Cedar trees, of Oke, of Palme, Into the sea he flang them in great store; O metamorphosis beyond all credit, O admirable powre diuine that b••ed it!

27

No sooner had the water wet the leaues, But presently they chang'd their former hue, The veines that were in them, each man perceaues To grow to ribs and posts in order due, And still at each end sharpe each lease reccaues, Eu'n of a sailing ship proportion true: And of the ships as many sorts there weare, As there were trees that those same leaues did beare.

28

A miracle it was to see them growne To ships and barks, with gallies hulks and crayes, Each vessell hauing tackling of their owne, With sailes and oares to heipe at all assayes. The Duke prouided, when it once was knowne, * 1.9Both marriners and masters in few dayes, For with his present pay he soone allured From Sard and Corsie men to ••eas inured.

29

Those that tooke shipping then, were counted more Then six and twentie thousand strong of hand, Great Admirall was Dudon, who before Had learnd the seruice both of sea and land: Now while they lay at anker nigh the shore, To wait when wind would for their purpose stand, It fortuned a man of warre came by them, Full lode with prisners, and cast anker nie them.

30

These were those prisners whom fierce Rodomount (As oft I haue declard) did dayly get, When at the bridge he did them so dismount, And sometime backward in the riuer set: Here were (among some more of good account) Braue Brandimart and worthy Sansonet, With Oliuer, and some I now not tutch, Both French, Italian, Gascoigne knights and Dutch.

31

The master of the barke had first assignd, His prisoners at Algier to vnlode, But being driu'n by ouer blowing wind, Farre past the place, he thought to make abode Neare great Biserta, where he thinks to find None but his countrimen within the rode; To which he thinks himselfe as welcome guest, As Progne is vnto her chirping nest.* 1.10

32

But after, when th'Imperiall bird he saw, Conioyned to the Pard and flowre of France, He was abasht, and looked pale for aw, Much like to him that waking new, doth chance On poisond serpent tred,* 1.11 and same would draw Himselfe from thence, for feare of more mischance;* 1.12 He quakes, and from the serpent doth retire, Whose poison swels, and eyes do flame like fire.

33

But now the wretched Pilot could not flie, And lesle could keepe the prisners he had caught, For both himselfe, and all they by and by, Vnto the place against his will were brought, Whereas the Duke and Dudon then did lie, Who welcomd well the Christens as they ought, And he that brought them thither, for his paines, Was made a gally slaue, and bound in chaines.

34

Thus were the knights most friendly entertained, And greatly welcomed by Otons sonne, Who horse and furniture for them ordained, And causd to them great honor to be donne: Eke Dudon with these knights some days remained, And thinks the time so spent, not lost but wonne: His iourney purposely three dayes deferring, To spend the same with these braue knights confer∣ring.

35

By their relation he doth vnderstand, In what estate King Charles and th'empire stood, What are the hau'ns, where he may safely land, And where they thought y^e same would be withstood. Thus while discreetly on each point they scand, And each man told what he thought ill or good, There suddenly rose in the campe alarme, The cause vnknown, but ech man cride, arme, arme.

36

The Duke Astolfo with his noble crew, That at that time conferring were together, Straight armd themselues, and out their swords they drew And went enquiring hither still and thither, To learne of whence this sudden tumult grew, But yet no cause they could suspect or gether, At last they saw a madman stare and stampe, That nakt alone did trouble all the campe.

37

Those that had seen him first belike did flout him, But when some few vnto their cost had found, That with a bat he so did play about him, His blowes made many fall in deadly sound: They now began so much to dread and doubt him, That they had giu'n to him no little ground, And none of them to meet him had the harts, They onely shot at him, or cast some darts.

38

The noble Duke, and those with him did see, The wondrous force and most stupendious wracke, The madman wrought, and marueld much that he Alone could driue so many souldeirs backe: When lo, a Ladie of no meane degree, Rode towards them attyred all in blacke, And vnto Brandimart she came in hast, And claspt her arms about his necke full fast.

39

I know you know, without my further showing, This was the spouse of noble Brandimart, Who euer since his wofull ouerthrowing, By Rodomont, did with a pensiue hart, Seeke his release, till at the last she knowing, (As I before did more at large impart) How he beyond the seas was prisner sent, Her selfe at Arly to take shipping ment.

40

But while that louing purpose she pursewth, Bardino met with her, an Easterne knight, Who brought vp Brandimart in tender youth, And kept him at a Castell (Siluan hight) He hearing at her mouth at large the truth, And how in Africa they find him might, They soone agreed, no long time ouerslipping, To seeke him out and so forthwith tooke shipping.

41

No sooner they on Affrike shore did land, (Bardino sage, and faithfull Fiordeliege) But first the people let them vnderstand, Astolfo great Biserta did besiege, With many a Captaine braue, and gallant band; Likewise a brute of Brandimart their liege Was spred, that he was there ariued newly, But none was able to confirme it truly.

42

Vntill so long they traueld on the cost, At last she found and saw him with her eyes, Among those Lords, amid the Nubian host, With which such ioy did in her thoughts arise, * 1.13As vitall sprites did faile in her almost, Not any word to speake could she deuise, But hangd about his necke a burden sweet, And he as louingly his spouse did greet.

43

Full glad was he to see her, and as glad To see his ancient tutor and his frend, And further talke with them he would haue had, But he was forst to make a speedie end, By meanes the man that naked ran and mad, Did keepe such rule as did them all offend. Faire Fiordeliege that lookt with eye more curious, Cride, ah my deare, this is Orlando furious.

44

Astolfo eke when as he did behold him, And saw how madly he about did range, And no man durst him meet, nor none could hold him, He wonderd greatly at the sight so strange, And by the marks that erst Saint Iohn had told him, He knew it was the man; but such a change There was in all his shape, from top to toe, He rather seemd a beast, more then a man in show.

45

Astolfo straight did call vnto the rest, And said my Lords, this man that you had vewd, Orlando is: at this themselues they blest, And eu'rie one his wofull pickle rewd: Well (said the Duke) to helpe our frend is best, And not to wayle; and therefore to conclude, Come ioyne your force to mine, and let vs take him And I do hope ere long Ile sober make him.

46

To this they soone assent, and Brandimart, With Sansonet and Oliuero iolly, And Dudon closd him round, on eu'rie part, But he as full of strength, as foole of folly, At Dudon strake, and saue the blow in part Was broke by Oliuer, and fell not wholy On Dudon, sure I thinke that staffe accurst, His shield his headpeece, head and all had burst.

47

His shield it brake, and thunderd on his scull, That noble Dudon there withall fell backe, But Sansonet strake with his sword so full, That of the staffe three yards he made him lacke: Now Brandimart thinks backward him to pull, And leaps behind, a pick pack, on his backe, And holds his armes: the Duke doth then deuise, To hold his leg, and Oliuer his thyes.

48

Orlando shakes himselfe, and with a spring, Ten paces off, the English Duke he cast, But Brandimart from him he could not fling, That was behind him, and did hold him fast, But yet with Oliuer he was to bring, For with his fist he smot him as he past, That downe he fell, and hardly scaped killing, From mouth, nose, eyes, the bloud apace distilling.

49

Of headpeece strong he neuer had more need, For sure he could not haue escaped death, Except it had a good one bene indeed. This while Astolfo now had taken breath, And Dudon both who late for want of heed, Were by Orlando tumbled on the heath, With Sansonet, that par'd his staffe so well, All these at once vpon Orlando fell.

50

Good Dudon that endeuors him to cast, With Brandimart, about his shoulders hangs; Astolfo and the rest his arms hold fast, He seeks to loose himselfe with sudden pangs: * 1.14Who so hath seene a Bull with mastiues chast, That in his eares haue fixt their cruell fangs, How he doth runne, and rore, and with him beares The eager doggs, that still hold fast his eares.

51

Let him imagine that Orlando now, In such sort drew the warriours on the plaine; But Oliuer, that had the broken brow, Againe on foote recouerd vp againe, Did cast within his mind a reason how, To do with ease, that they did seeke with paine: He doth bethinke a way, that will not misse To do the feat: and his deuice was this.

52

* 1.15Full many a halser, and full manie a cord With sliding knots all knit he doth prouide, And to the leggs and armes of this mad Lord, He made them on the sudden to be tyde; And then their ends on each side by accord, They all of them amongst themselues deuide. Thus were those Princes faine to do vnto him, * 1.16As Smiths do to an oxe, when they do shoe him.

53

Then ••ell they on him when he lay on ground, And then they bind him sure, both hand and foote: Orlando when he felt himselfe thus bound, Doth striue in vaine, for striuing will not boote, Astolfo that doth meane to make him sound, And saw his skin looke blacke as any soote, Requested them vnto the shore to beare him, Which soone was done, for now they need not feare him.

54

Then seau'n times was he washed in the place, And seau'n times dipped ouer eares and hed, To get the scurse from of his skin and face, Which with his naked going had bene bred: Then with some herbs, the Duke gat in this space, He made them stop his mouth, for why he sed, For certaine secret reasons that he knowes, He must not fetch his breath but at his nose.

55

Then kneeling downe as if he askt some boone Of God, or some great Saint, that pot he brought, Which he had carride••r•• beyond the Moone, The latre, in which Orlandos wit was caught, And closd it to his nostrills, and estsoone, He drawing breath, this miracle was wrought, The Iarre was void, and empty'd eu'rie whit, And he restord vnto his perfect wit.

56

* 1.17As one that in some dreame or fearfull vision, Hath dreamt of monstrous beasts, and vgly fends Is troubled when he wakes with superstition, And feareth what such vgly sight intends, And lying wake, thinks of that apparition, And long time after in that fancie spends: So now Orlando lay, not little musing, At this his present state, and vncouth vsing.

57

He holds his peace, but lifting vp his eyes, He sees his ancient frends king Brandimart, And Oliuer, and him that made him wise, All whom he knew, and loued from his hart; He thinks, but cannot with himselfe deuise, How he should come to play so made a part, He wonders he is nakt, and that he feeles, Such store of cords about his hands and heeles.

58

At last he said,* 1.18 as erst Sileno said, To those that tooke him napping in the caue, Solute me: with countenance so stayd, And with a cheare so sober and so graue, That they vnloosed him, as he them prayde, And sufferd him his libertie to haue, And clothed him, and comforted his sadnesse, That he conceiued of his former madnesse.

59

Thus being to his former wits restord, He was likewise deliuerd cleane from loue; The Ladie whom he erst so much adord, And did esteeme all earthly ioyes aboue, Now he despisde, yea rather quite abhord: Now onely he applies his wits to proue, That fame and former glorie to recouer, Which he had lost, the while he was a louer.

60

This while Bardino told to Brandimart, How that his father Monodant was dead, And how his brother Gylyant on the part Of all that those East Iles inhabited, Him sent of purpose these news to impart, And pray him (as he ought) to be their head: Sith all the world had not a Realme more wealthy, Nor any Prince could wish a seate more healthy.

61

Wherefore (saith he) deare sir, it is most meet, That you should now repaire to your owne home, For home though homely twere,* 1.19 yet is it sweet, And natiue soile is best: you would not rome About the world, did you once tast and see't, Thus much he said, but Brandimart in whome, True loue & great renown were bands more strong Then priuat profit, answerd this er long.

62

My brothers message, and your frendly paine I kindly take, but lo; my word is past, With Charles and with Orlando to remaine, And them to serue while these garboyles do last: Now in my steed, I will my brother raigne, Let him be my vice-roy, and I will hast, When once these warres are at a finall end, To come, and there my life with them to spend.

63

Thus these did part, and next ensuing day, Went Dudon with his fleet to Prouence ward, Orlando with the Brittish Prince doth stay; And when the state of those same warres he hard, Vnto Biserta straight a siege they lay, But euermore Orlando had regard, That (as Astolfo followd his aduise) To giue him th'honor of each enterprise.

64

But how they did the great Biserta win, * 1.20When they assaulted it, and on which side, How at the first assault, the men within Did yeeld, and durst no longer triall byde, I cannot farther now proceed herein, But must deferre it to another tyde: Now I do purpose vnto you to show, How Agramant receiu'd an ouerthrow.

65

Who was wel••ye abandond of his men, Eu'n in the verie furie of the fight, For why Marsilio and Sobrino then Were gone, in minde to saue themselues by flight; In walled townes they feard themselues to pen, But went to sea with all the hast they might, And many Princes of the Turkish trayne, The sample follow giu'n them by these twayne.

66

Yet Agramant did beare it out a space, But when he saw there was no other shift, Then from his enemies he turnd his face, To get into the towne was all his drift: Him Bradamant pursewd a wondrous pace, Still spurring Rabican, that ran full swift, She wisht vpon his corps to venge the wrong, In keeping of her deare from her so long.

67

On tother side Marsisa rode as fast, To venge though late, her fathers wofull end, She makes her horse to feele she is in hast, But each of them doth misse that they intend: He got within the gates and made them fast, And then to sea he doth himselfe commend, He sees he was not able to withstand, The forces of his enemies by land.

68

As two coragious Pards, that held in chase An Hart, or bearded Goat vpon a plaine, That scaped then by swiftnesse of his pace, With no small wrath, and chase turne backe againe, As though they thought they had a great disgrace, In that they followd had the prey in vaine, So did the damsels chase, and sigh, and fret, That they to Agramant no neare could get.

69

But though he scapt their hands, yet sure the rest Escaped not, full dearely then abuying, Some wounded in the side, in backe, and brest, Some slaine out right, some worse thē dead a dying, How sorily (pooresoules) had they bene drest, Whose safetie was not wrought, no not by flying, For Agramant, himselfe more sure to saue, To shut the Citie gates commandment gaue.

70

He made the bridges cake to be cut downe, On Rodon streame, that was both large and deepe, Ah wofull subiects vnto tyrants crowne, Who that they may their persons safely keepe, Regard not if their people swim or drowne, But deeme of them like beasts, or silly sheepe, That so themselues they pamper may and cherish, They care not if their men in millions perish.

71

Twas infinite the number that was slaine, In this same last conflict, nor fewer drownd, While they attempted despratly in vaine, To passe the streame, so brode and so profound; Of which great slaughter yet the signes remaine, For dayly neare to Arlie walls are found, Huge heaps of dead mens bones, and of their sculls, Whose flesh was then deuourd, by crows and gulls.

72

Now Agramant made speedie preparation, And causd his ships forth in the deepe to lanch, Prouiding all that longs to nauigation, In mind for ay to bid farewell to France: Two dayes the winde, stopt his determination, The third it seru'd, and then he did aduance His sayles, and eu'rie one did ship his ore, And so away they parted from the shore.

73

Marsilio doubting least his Realme of Spaine, Should now be driu'n to pay this costly shot, And fearing to be forced to sustaine, That storme alone, which fell in France so hot; Doth land at Valence, where he did ordaine All furniture, that might for warre be got, Repairing all his townes against that warre, That after him, and all his frends did marre.

74

But Agramant, his ships to Affrike bent, Ill armd, halfe void of men, but full of griefe, For most of them were sad and malcontent, Three parts of foure, were lost past all reliese: And though for feare perhaps, of being shent, None dare in publike speake to his repriese, Yet secretly, their burning hate to coole, Some cald him proud, some cruell, some a foole.

75

But (as I say) they speake this in their sleeues, For feare of blame, except some two or three, That each to other open dare their greeues, Yet wretched Agramant, he doth not see, How he is scorned; but he still beleeues, That he is lou'd, and why, because that he, Saw neuer lookes but fawningly disguised,* 1.21 Heard neuer words, but fainingly deuised.

76

Now he was fully purposd in his landing, To leaue Biserta and seeke harbour nyer, Because he late had perfect vnderstanding, The Nubians spoyld those parts with sword and fier Wherefore for doubt of dangerous withstanding, He meant to shun that port, and land farre hyer, And thence withall vnto his parts addicted, To bring reliefe vnto the towne afflicted.

77

But loe his cruell fate, doth ouerthrow His counsell sage, and quite his hope deceaues, For while scant winde did make him sayle but slow, Stout Dudon with that nauie made of leaues, Met him full butt, that no such thing did know, And with a fierce assault him there receaues, Enforcing him to vnexpected fight, In that darke, cloudie, and tempestuous night.

78

For Agramant no spy all had till now, Of these same ships, and would haue deemd a fable, If one had told him of a little bow, To make a hundred ships, a man was able: Wherefore he sayled on he car'd not how, And doubts no foe but waue, and wind vnstable, And not expecting such strange sodaine stops, He neuer let his watchmen in his tops.

79

On tother side, our men that had espyde, Their enemies, at sea an houre ere night, Came with great speed, although all vndeseride, For cu'tie ship kept close their fire and light: At last when as they saw their time, they tryde Their vtmost force, and with full sayles they light On their toes shipping, that at first did shrinke, And many did vnto the bottome sinke.

80

Now Dudons men began to play their parts, Some vsing fire, some heauie stones, some steele, Vpon the Turks fell such a storme of darts, As they before, the like did neuer feele: On our side God, with courage fill'd their harts, On their side, each mans hart was in his heele, They stood amazd with feare, and quite astonished, The time now come their old sins should be puni∣shed.

81

Thus Agramant is closd on eu'rie side, * 1.22With many a pike, and sword, and hooke, and axe, The stones that fell from high, made breaches wide, And much sea enterd at the new made cracks, But most the fire, which they could least abide, That takes in pitched boords, and wreathed flax, To kindle verie quicke, but slow to quench, Annoyd them sore with heat, & smoke, & stench.

82

Some ouer boord do fall in water cold, And there are drownd: some take thē to their swim∣ming, But on another bark while they take hold, They now full fraught, and fearing ouertrimming, With cruell sword (a foule sight to behold) Cut of their bands, w^t which they now were climing, The bleeding stumps all mangled there remained, And with fresh blood, the water salt was stained.

83

Some few to saue their liues that had desier, Or at the least, to leese them with least paine. Do leape in water to escape the fier, Till with new seare of drowning, they againe, Vnto the flaming shipwracks do retier, And there, with much a do are glad and faine, To catch some burning boord: and being loth, To dye of either death, they dye of both.

84

Some one for feare of sword, or axe, or pike, Doth all in vaine, vnto the sea betake him, For why some stone, or arrow, or such like, Ere he be farre from thence, doth ouertake him: But least the reader haply may mislike, My too long tale, this motion I would make him, That to another season he defarre, To heare the sequell of this bloudy warre.

* 1.23In Rogeros irresolute fighting, may be noted how necessary it is for a man before he go to fight, to put on a good and firme resolution, and chiefly of the goodnes of his cause. In Agramants breach of the oth and promise, we may see how odious a thing it is before God and man to be Foedifragi, Truce-breakers; which maketh them indeed, to be forsaken of their frends, prosecuted with great malice of their enemies, lothed, detested, and scorned of their owne subiects, and in the end breeds their vtter confusion. In that Agramants souldiers do mutine against him and reuile him secretly, and he notwithstanding thinkes himselfe to be well beloued of them, and well thought of, we may see in what a lamentable case those Princes are, that (as is said of them)

Neuer see lookes, but fawningly disguised, Neuer heare words, but fayningly deuised.

* 1.24Of the Historie of this booke, first for Sileno that was Virgils Schoolemaster, it is written of him, he was one day laid to sleep, after he had bene made drunke with wine, and his schollers merily bound him, wherupon he waking said that verse,

Soluite me pueri, satis est potuisse videri.

Concerning this great battell at Arlie, certaine it is (as diuers Historiographers haue noted it) that there remaine to this home, great heapes of bones, betokening some great slaughter of men in that place: but when it should be done, I cannot precisely affirme.

* 1.25 In that Mehsla by the helpe of the deuill, taking vpon her a false image of Rodomont, moued Agramant to breake truce, the Allegorie thereof is, that they be diuels or diuellish persons, that will moue Princes to breake their word and their promise.

Of Orlandos restoring to his wit, which indeed is the chiefe Allegorie of all the booke, and where-upon the booke ta∣keth th•• name, Orlando Furioso, this in briefe is the meaning thereof.

Orlando a man of noble birth, Erle of Auglant, nephew to Charles the great, falls so farre in loue with Angelica, by which (as I haue often noted) is meant pleasure, or honor; that he leeseth his wits and becomes mad: by which may be meant any s••lly that young men fall into with loue, with prodigalitie, with ambition or vaine studies; (which are at large recited in the 34. booke.) Astolfo with the receit he had of S. Iohn, makes him wise againe, that is, by the grace of God and by the Gospell, which teacheth vs how to despise all these worldly things, and either quite leaue them or turne them to our good and benefite.

* 1.26The sea fight which is in the later end of this booke described, is like that which Lucan sets forth in the ciuil wars between Caesar and Pompey: or rather indeed, to that he speaks of in the next book of Cardinal Hippolito against the Venetians.

Here end the annotations vpon the 39. booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Renaldo.
• * 1.2

  Melissa.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or hu••∣•••••• ••••cau••e he 〈…〉〈…〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.6

  Or vie, A prase to say 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 go faster.
• * 1.7

  Simile.
• * 1.8

  He turnes to A∣gramant in this ••ooke the 64. st.
• * 1.9

  Those two Ilands haue store of good sailers.
• * 1.10

  Simile.
• * 1.11

  Simile.
• * 1.12

  Virgi•• Im••••••sum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 qui sentious ••••∣guim, Pressie humi mitens, &c.
• * 1.13

  〈…〉〈…〉.
• * 1.14

  Simi••e.
• * 1.15

  〈…〉〈…〉 a long 〈…〉〈…〉
• * 1.16

  Simi••e.
• * 1.17

  〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.18

  Looke in the storie.
• * 1.19

  Sentence.
• * 1.20

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Bi••eria 〈◊〉〈◊〉 booke 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.21

  Looke in the Morall.
• * 1.22

  Description of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, e•• fight.
• * 1.23

  Morall
• * 1.24

  Historie.
• * 1.25

  Allegorie
• * 1.26

  Allusion.