第23章

VII

ToArles-townwhitherhadhiskingconveyedHisremnantofahost，heprickedanew；

Whiletheythat，sincetheirkindredwasdisplayed，Hadaclosefriendshipformed——thedamselstwo——

ThithertogethergowhereCharleshadmadeHismightiesteffort，withtheChristiancrew；

Hopingbysiegeorfighttobreakthefoe，Andfreehiskingdomformsolongawoe。

VIII

Bradamant，whensheinthecampappeared，Wasgreetedwithawelcomewarmandkind。

Onallsideswasshehailed，byallwascheered；

Andsheinthisorthatherheadinclined。

Rinaldo，whenheofhercomingheard，Mether；noryoungRichardostayedbehind；

NorRichardet；norothersofherrace；

Andallreceivedthemaidwithjoyfulface。

IX

Whennext\'tisknown，thesecondofthetwainIsthatMarphisa，soinarmsrenowned，WhofromCatayuntotheboundsofSpainHadjourneyed，withathousandlaurelscrowned，Norrichnorpoorwithintheirtentsremain:

Thecuriouscrowd，encompassingthemround，Press，harm，andheaveeachotherhereandthere，Inthesolewishtoseesobrightapair。

X

BythemwasCharlessalutedreverently，Andthefirstdaywasthis(hasTurpinshown)

Marphisahadbeenseentobendherknee:

ForPepin\'sroyalsontoher，alone，Deservingofsuchdutyseemedtobe，Midemperorsorkingsthatfilledathrone，Baptizedorinfidel，ofallthosenamedFormightyriches，orforvalourfamed。

XI

HerkindlyCharlemagnereceived，andwideOfthepavilionsmet，inopenview；

And，aboveking，andprince，andpeer，besideHimselfthemonarchplacedthatdamseltrue。

Whogonot，aredismist；sononeabideInlittletime，exceptthegoodandfew。

ThePaladinsandlordsremain；without，Islefttheunrespectedrabble-rout。

XII

Marphisafirstbeganingratefulstrain:

“UnconqueredCaesar，gloriousandaugust，Who，toAlcides\'straitfromIndianmain，Mak\'stScythian\'spaleandAethiop\'sraceadustReverethyChristiancrossofsnowygrain，——Ofearthlymonarchsthoumostsageandjust——

Hitherthyglory，whichnolimitsbound，Hasbroughtmefromtheworld\'sextremestground；

XIII

“And(toavowthetruth)injealousmoodAloneIcame，alonewiththeetofight；

BecauseIgrudgedthatkingsopuissantshou\'dExistonearth，saveheobservedmyrite。

HencereektheyravagedfieldswithChristianblood；

Andyetwithgreaterrancouranddespite，Likecruelfoe，Ipurposedtooffend，Butthatitchanced，onechangedmetoafriend。

XIV

“WhentoworstharmandscaiththybandsIdoom，Ifind(asatmyleisureIwillshow)

RogeroofRisawasmyfather，whomAnevilbrothertraitorouslylaidlow。

MemysadmothercarriedinherwombBeyondthesea，andboreinwantandwoe。

Tillmyseventhyearbywizardnourished，I

WasstolenfromhimbythievesofAraby。

XV

“TheytoakinginPersiavendedme，Thatafterdiedbeneathmyfaulchion，whoWouldfainhavetakenmyvirginity。

Whengrown，thatkingandallhiscourtIslew；

Chasedhisillrace，andseizedhisroyalty；

And——suchmyfortune——byamonthortwo，Ieithteenyearshadnoto\'erpast，beforeIaddedtomyrealmsixkingdomsmore；

XVI

“And，movedbyenvyofthygloriousfameIinmyheartresolved(asthouhastheard)

Toabatethegrandeuroftheymightyname:

Ihaplysohaddone；Ihaplyerred。

Butnowachancehasservedthatwilltotame，Andclipmyfury\'swings；thehavingheardSinceIarrivedinChristendom，howweAreboundbytiesofconsanguinity；

XVII

“And，formyfatherthee，askinsman，served，Sothouakinandservanthastinme；

AndIthatenvy，thatfiercehate，whichnervedMinearmwhilere，nowblotfrommemory。

Nay，theseforevilAgramantreserved，Andforhissire\'sanduncle\'skinshallbe；

TheywhowerewhilomguiltyofthedeathOfthatunhappypair，whogavemebreath。”

XVIII

Sheadds，theChristianfaithshewillreceive，And，afterhavingspentkingAgramant，Willhomereturn，withroyalCharles\'sleave，HerkingdomtobaptizeintheLevant，AndwaruponwhatevernationcleaveTocheatingMahoundortoTermagant；

Promisingthatwhate\'erherarmsobtainShallbetheChristianfaith\'sandempire\'sgain。

XIX

Charles，nolesseloquentuponhisside，Thanboldindeedandprudentindesign，Muchthatillustriousladymagnified，Andmuchherfather，muchhernobleline:

Hecourteouslytoeverypointreplied；

Andofhishearthisopenfrontwassign。

Ashislastwords，thathereceivedthemaidAskinswomanandchild，themonarchsaid。

XX

Thenroseandlockedherinanewembrace，Andkissedher，likeadaughter，onthebrow。

MorganaandClermont\'skin，withjoyfulface，Allthithertroop；\'tweretedioustotellhowRinaldodidthegentledamselgrace；

ForhehadoftentimesespiederenowHermartialprowess，triedbygoodlytest，WhentheywithgirdingsiegeAlbraccapressed。

XXI

\'Twerelongtotellhow，withthoseworthiesmet，GuidorejoicedtoseeMarphisathere；

GryphonandAquilant，andSansonet，Thatwithherinthecruelcitywere；

Vivian，andMalagigi，andRichardet；

Who，whenMaganza\'straitorsmaderepair，WiththoseillpurchasersofSpaintotrade，Foundsuchafaithfulcomradeinthemaid。

XXII

Theydeckthegroundfortheensuingday；

AndCharlemagnetakescarehimselftoseeThattheytheplaceshallsumptuouslyarray，WhereinMarphisa\'sbaptismistobe。

Bishopsaregathered，learnedclerks，andtheyWhokenthelawsofChristianity；

ThattaughtinallitsdoctrinebytheircareAndholyskillmaybethatmartialfair。

XXIII

Insacredstole，pontifical，arraid，HerthearchbishopTurpindidbaptize；

CharlemagnefromthehealthfulfontthemaidUpliftedwithbefittingceremonies。

ButitistimethewitlessheadtoaidWiththat，whichtreasuredinthephiallies，WherewithAstolpho，fromtheloweststar，DescendedinElias\'fierycar。

XXIV

Thedukedescendedfromthelucidround，Onthisourearthlyplanet\'sloftiestheight。

Witherhewiththatblessedvasewasbound，Whichwasthemightychampion\'sbraintoright。

AherbofsovereignvirtueonthatgroundTheapostleshows，andwithitbidstheknightTheNubian\'seyeballstouch，whenhimanewHevisits，andrestorethatsovereign\'sview。

XXV

Thathe，forthisandforhisfirstdesert，Maygivehimbands，Bisertatoassail；

AndshowshimhowthatpeopleinexpertHemaytobattletrain，inplateandmail；

Andhowtopassthedeserts，withouthurt，Wheremenaredazzledbythesandygale。

TheorderthatthroughoutshouldbemaintainedFrompointtopoint，thesaintedsireexplained；

XXVI

Thenmadehimthatplumedbeastagainbestride，Rogero\'sandAtlantes\'steedwhilere。

BysaintedJohndismist，hisreverendguide，Thoseholyregionsleftthecavalier；

AndcoastingNile，ononeortheotherside，SawNubia\'srealmbeforehimsoonappear；

Andthere，initschiefcity，tothegroundDescended，andanewSenapusfound。

XXVII

Greatwasthejoy，andgreatwasthedelight，WherewiththatkingreceivedtheEnglishlord；

WhowellrememberedhowthegentleknightHadfromtheloathsomeharpiesfreedhisboard。

Butwhenthehumour，thatobscuredhissight，ValiantAstolphoscaled，andnowrestoredWastheblindsovereign\'seyesightasbefore，Hewouldthatwarriorasagodadore。

XXVIII

SothatnotonlythosewhomhedemandsFortheBisertinewar，hegivesinaid；

Butaddsahundredthousandfromhisbands，Andofferofhisroyalpersonmade。

Scarceontheopenplainembattledstands，——Allfoot——theNubianhost，forwararraid。

Forfewthehorseswhichthatregionbore；

Ofelephantsandcamelsalargestore。

XXIX

Thenightbeforetheday，whenonitsroadTheNubianforceshouldmarch，Astolphorose，Andhiswingedhippogryphagainbestrode:

Then，hurryingeversouth，infurygoesToahighhill，thesouthernwind\'sabode；

WhencehetowardstheBearsinfuryblows:

Therefindsacave，throughwhosestraitentrancebreaksThefellandfuriousAuster，whenhewakes。

XXX

He，ashismastererstinstructiongave，Withhimanemptybladderhadconveyed；

Which，attheventofthatdimAlpinecave，Whereinreposedtheweariedwind，waslaidQuaintlyandsoftlybythebaronbrave；

Andsounlookedforwastheambuscade，That，issuingforthatmorn，tosweeptheplains，Austerimprisonedintheskinremains。

XXXI

ToNubiahe，rejoicinginhisprey，Returns；andwiththatverylightthepeer，Withtheblackhost，setsoutuponhisway，Andletsthevictualfollowinhisrear。

TowardsMountAtlaswithhiswholearrayInsafetygoesthegloriouscavalier。

Throughshiftingplainsofpowderysandhepast，Nordreadeddangerfromthesultryblast；

XXXII

Andhavinggainedthemountain\'shitherside，Whencearediscernedtheplain，anddistantbrine，HechoosesfromtheswarmhehastoguideThenoblestandmostfitfordiscipline；

Andmakesthem，hereandthere，introopsdivide，Atahill\'sfoot，wherewiththeplainsconfine；

Thenleaveshishostandclimbsthehill\'sascent，Likeonethatisonloftythoughtsintent。

XXXIII

Afterhe，lowlykneelinginthedust，Hisholymasterhadimplored，intrueAssurancehewasheard，hedownwardthrustAheapofstones。OwhatthingsmayhedoThatintheSaviourwhollyputshistrust！

Thestonesbeyondtheuseofnaturegrew；

Whichrollingtothesandyplainbelow，Next，neckandmuzzle，legsandbellyshow。

XXXIV

They，neighingshrill，downnarrowpathsrepair，Withlustyleaps；andlightingontheplain，Upliftthecroup，likecoursersastheyare，Somebay，someroan，andsomeofdapplestain。

Thecrowdsthatwaitinginthevalleyswere，Layedhandsonthem，andseizedthembytherein。

Thusinathoughteachsoldierhadhishorse，Bornreadyreinedandsaddledforthecourse。

XXXV

HefourscorethousandofhisNubianpower，Onehundredandtwofootmen，inadayTohorsemenchanges，whowideAfricscour，And，uponeveryside，sack，burn，andslay。

Agramanthadintrustedtownandtower，Tillhisreturn，tokingBranzardo\'ssway，ToFersa\'sking，andhimoftheAlgaziers；

AndtheseagainstAstolpholeadtheirspears。

XXXVI

Erewhileanimblebark，withsailandoar，Theyhaddispatched，which，stirringfeetandwings，NewsoftheNubianmonarch\'soutrageboreToAgramantfromhisvicegerentkings，Thatrestsnot，nightnorday，tilltotheshoreOfProvencesheherdolefultidingbrings；

AndfindshermonarchhalfsubduedinArles，ForcampedwithinamilewasconqueringCharles。

XXXVII

Agramant，hearinginwhatperilliesHisrealm，throughhisattackonPepin\'sreign，Himinthispressingperiltoadvise，Callskingsandprincesofthepaynimtrain；

AndwhenheonceortwicehasturnedhiseyesOnsageSobrinoandthekingofSpain，——Eldestandwisesttheythoselordsamong——

Themonarchsobespeakstheassembledthrong:

XXXVIII

“Albeitiffitsnotcaptain，asIknow，Tosay，`onthisIthoughtnot，\'thisIsay；

Becausewhenfromaquartercomestheblow，Fromeveryhumanforethoughtfaraway，\'Tisforsuchfaultafairexcuse，Itrow；

Andhereallhinges；IdidilltolayUnfurnishedAfrickopentoattack，IftherewasgroundtofeartheNubiansack。

XXXIX

“Butwhocouldthink，saveonlyGodonhighPrescientofallwhichistobebelow，That，fromland，beneathsuchdistantsky，Suchmightyhostwouldcome，toworkuswoe?

\'Twixtshiftingsands，whichrestlesswhirlwindsblow:

YettheytheircamphaveroundBisertaplaced，AndlaidthebetterpartofAfrickwaste。

XL

“Inowonthis，Opeers！yourcounselcrave。

If，bootless，homewardIshouldwendmyway，Orshouldnotsuchafairadventurewave，TillCharleswithmeaprisonerIconvey；

OrhowImayaswellourAfricksave，Andruinthisredoubtedempire，say。

Whocanadvise，isprayedhisloretoshew，Thatwemaylearnthebest，andthatpursue。”

XLI

Hesaid；andonMarsiliusseatednighNextturnedhiseyes，whointhesignalread，ThatitbelongedtohimtomakereplyTowhatthekingofAfricahadsaid。

TheSpaniardrose，andbendingreverentlyToAgramantthekneeaswellashead，Againhishonouredseatincouncilprest，AndinthesewordstheMoorishkingaddrest:

XLII

“Myliege，doesRumourgoodorillreport，Itstillincreasesthem；henceshallIne\'er，Underdespondence，lackforduesupport，Norboldercoursethanisbefittingsteer，Forwhatmaychance，ofgoodorevilsort；

Weighinginevenbalancehopeandfear，O\'erratedstill；andwhichweshouldnotmeteBywhatIhearsomanytonguesrepeat；

XLIII

“Whichshouldsomuchmoredoubtfullybeviewed，Asitseemslesswithlikelihoodtostand。

Nowitisseen，iftherebelikelihood，Thatkingwhoreignsinsoremotealand，Followedbysuchamightymultitude，ShouldsethisfootonwarlikeAfrick\'sstrand；

Traversingsands，towhichinevilhourCambysestrustedhisill-omenedpower。

XLIV

“Iwellbelieve，thatfromsomeneighbouringhillTheArabshavepoureddown，towastetheplain；

Who，forthecountrywasdefendedill，Havetaken，burnt，destroyedandsackedandslain；

AndthatBranzardo，whoyourplacedothfill，Asviceroyandlieutenantofthereign，Hassetdownthousands，wherehetensshouldwrite；

Thebettertoexcusehiminyoursight。

XLV

“TheNubiansquadrons，Iwillevenyield，HavebeenraineddownonAfrickfromtheskies；

Orhaplytheyhavecome，incloudsconcealed，Inthattheirmarchwashiddenfromalleyes:

Thinkyou，becauseunaidedinthefield，YourAfrickfromsuchhostinperillies?

Yourgarrisonsweresureofcowardvein，Iftheywerescaredbysuchacraventrain。

XLVI

“Butwillyousendsomefrigates，albeitfew，(Providedthatunfurledyourstandardsbe)

Nosoonershalltheyloosefromhence，thatcrewOfspoilersshallwithintheirconfinesflee；——

Nubiansarethey，oridleArabs——who，KnowingthatyouareseveredbytheseaFromyourownrealm，andwarringwithourband，Havetakencouragetoassailyourland。

XLVII

“Nowtakeyourtimeforvengeance，whenthesonOfPepiniswithouthisnephew\'said。

SinceboldOrlandoisaway，bynoneOfthehostilesectresistancecanbemade。

If，throughneglectorblindness，beforegoneThegloriousFortune，whichforyouhasstayed，Sheherbaldfront，asnowherhair，willshow，Toourlonginfamyandmightywoe。”

XLVIII

ThuswarilytheSpanishkingreplied，Provingbythisandotherargument，TheMoorishsquadronsshouldinFranceabide，TillCharlemagnewasintoexilesent。

ButKingSobrino，hethatplainlyspiedThescopewhereonMarsiliuswasintent，Topublicgoodpreferringprivategain，SospakeinanswertothekingofSpain:

XLIX

“Myliege，whenItopeaceexhortedyou，Wouldthatmyprophecyhadprovedlessjust！

Of，ifIwastoproveaprophettrue，YeinSobrinohadreposedmoretrust，ThaninKingRodomontandinthatcrew，Alzirdo，MartasineandMarbalust！

WhomIwouldhereseegladly，fronttofront；

ButseemostgladlyboastfulRodomont。

L

“TotwitthatwarriorwithhisthreattodoByFrance，whatbythebrittleglassisdone；

Andthroughoutheavenandhellyourcoursepursue，Yea(asthemonarchsaid)yourcourseoutrun。

Yetlaptinfoulandloathsomeease，whileyouSoneedhishelp，liesUlien\'slazyson；

AndI，thatasacowardwasdecriedFormytrueprophecy，amatyourside；

LI

“AndeverwillbewhilethislifeIbear；

Which，albeit\'tiswithyourssoreladen，stillDailyforyouisriskedwiththemthatareThebestofFrance；and——behewhohewill——

Thereisnotmortalliving，whowilldareTosaySobrino\'sdeedswereeverill:

Yea，manywhovauntmore，amidyourhost，H