第24章

L

Orlandoshookhimself，andEngland\'sknight，Tenpacesoff，reversedupontheground；

YetloosednotBrandimart，whowithmoremightAndbetterholdhadclaspedthemadmanround。

ToOlivier，tooforwardinthatfight，Hedealtsofuriousandsofellawound，Withhisclenchedfist，thatpalethemarquisfell；

Andpurplestreamsfromeyesandnostrilswell；

LI

Andsavehismorionhadbeenmorethangood，BoldOlivierhadbreathedhislast，wholies，Sobatteredwithhisfall，itseemedhewou\'dBequeathhispartingsoultoparadise。

AstolphoandDudon，thatagainupstood(AlbeitswolnwereDudon\'sfaceandeyes)

AndSansonet，whopliedsowellhissword，AllmadetogetheratAnglantes\'lord。

LII

DudonOrlandofrombehindembraced，Andwithhisfootthefuriouspeerwouldthrow:

Astolphoandothersseizehisarms；butwasteTheirstrengthinallattemptstoholdthefoe。

Hewhohasseenabull，bymastiffschasedThatgorehisbleedingears，infurylowe，Draggingthedogsthatbaithimthereandhere，Yetfromtheirtusksunabletogetclear；

LIII

Lethimimagine，soOrlandodrewAstolphoandthosebandedknightsalong。

MeanwhileupstartedOliviero，whoBythatfellfistycuffonearthwasflung；

And，seeingtheycouldillbyRolanddoThatsoughtbygoodAstolphoandhisthrong，Hemeditates，andcompasses，awayThefranticpaladinonearthtolay。

LIV

Hemanyahawsermadethemthitherbring，Andrunningknotsinthemhequicklytied；

Whichonthecount\'swaist，arms，andlegs，theyfling；

Andthen，amongthemselves，theendsdivide，Conveyedtothisorthatamidthering，CompassingRolanduponeveryside。

ThewarriorsthusOrlandoflungparforce，Asfarrierthrowsthestrugglingoxorhorse。

LV

Assoonasdown，theyalluponhimare，Andhandsandfeetmoretightlytheyconstrain:

Heshakeshimself，andplungeshereandthere；

Butallhiseffortsforreliefarevain。

Astolphobadethemhencetheprisonerbear；

Forhewouldheal(hesaid)thewarrior\'sbrain。

ShoulderedbysturdyDudonistheload，Andonthebeach\'sfurthestbrinkbestowed。

LVI

SeventimesAstolphomakesthemwashtheknight；

Andseventimesplungedbeneaththebrinehegoes。

Sothattheycleanseawaythescurfandblight，Whichtohisstupidlimbsandvisagegrows。

Thisdone，withherbs，forthatoccasiondight，Theystophismouth，wherewithhepuffsandblows。

For，savehisnostrils，wouldAstolpholeaveNopassagewhencethecountmightairreceive。

LVII

ValiantAstolphohadpreparedthevase，WhereinOrlando\'ssenseswerecontained，Andtohisnostrilsinsuchmodeconveys，That，drawing-inhisbreath，thecountydrainedThemysticcupwithal。Ohwondrouscase！

Theunsettledminditsancientseatregained；

And，initsgloriousreasonings，yetmoreclearAndlucidwaxedhiswisdomthanwhilere。

LVIII

Asone，thatseemsintroubledsleeptoseeAbominableshapes，ahorridcrew；

Monsterswhicharenot，andwhichcannotbe；

Orseemssomestrange，unlawfulthingtodo，Yetmarvelsathimself，fromslumberfree。

Whenhisrecoveredsensesplayhimtrue；

SogoodOrlando，whenheismadesound，Remainsyetfullofwonder，andastound。

LIX

Aldabelle\'sbrother，Monodantes\'son，Andhimthatonhisbrainsuchcurehadwrought，Hewonderingmarked，butwordhespaketonone；

Andwhenandhowhewasbroughtthither，thought。

Heturnedhisrestlesseyesnowupnowdown，Norwherehewaswithal，imaginedaught，Marvellingwhyhetherewasnakedcast，Andwhereforetethered，neckandheels，sofast。

LX

Thensaid，aserstSilenussaid——whenseen，Andtakensleepingthecaveofyore——

SOLVITEME，withvisagesoserene，Withlooksomuchlesswaywardthanbefore，Thathimtheyfromhisbondsdeliveredclean，Andraimenttothenakedwarriorbore；

Allcomfortingtheirfriend，withgriefopprestForthatdelusionwhichhadhimpossest。

LXI

Whentohisformerselfhewasrecovered，Ofwiserandofmanliermindthane\'er，Fromloveaswellwasfreedtheenamouredlord；

Andshe，sogentledeemed，sofairwhilere，AndbyrenownedOrlandosoadored，Didbuttohimaworthlessthingappear。

Whathethroughlovehadlost，toreacquireWashiswholestudy，washiswholedesire。

LXII

MeanwhileBardinotoldtoBrandimart，HowMonodantes，hisgoodsire，wasdead，And，onhisbrother，Gigliantes\'part，Tocallhimtohiskingdomhadhesped，Aswellasfromthoseisles，whichmostapartFromotherlands，ineasternseasarespread，Thatprince\'sfairinheritance；thanwhichWasnonemorepleasant，populous，orrich。

LXIII

Hesaid，midmanyreasonswhichheprest，Thathomewassweet，and——werethewarriorfainTotastethatsweet——heeverwoulddetestAwanderinglife；andBrandimartagainReplies，throughallthatwar，hewillnotrestFromservingRolandandKingCharlemagne；

Andafter，ifhelivestoseeitsend，Tohisownmattersbetterwillattend。

LXIV

Uponthefollowingday，forProvencesteerTheshippingunderDanishDudon\'scare；

WhenwiththedukeretiredAnglantes\'peer，Andheardthatlordthewarfare\'sstatedeclare:

ThenprestwithsiegeBiserta，farandnear，ButletgoodEngland\'sknightthehonourwearOfeveryvantage；whileAstolphostillInallwasguidedbyOrlando\'swill。

LXV

TheordertakentoattackthetownOfhugeBiserta，when，andonwhatside；

How，atthefirstassault，thewallsarewon，AndwithOrlandowhothepalmdivide，LamentnotthatInowshallleaveunshown，SinceforshorttimeIlaymytaleaside。

Inthemeanwhile，howfierceanoverthrowTheMoorsreceivedinFrance，bepleasedtoknow。

LXVI

WellnighabandonedwastheirroyallordInhisworstperil；fortoArlesagainHadgone，withmanyofthepaynimhorde，ThesageSobrinoandthekingofSpain；

Who，forthedeemedthelandunsafe，aboardTheirbarkssoughtrefuge，withanumeroustrain，Baronsandcavaliers，thatservedtheMoor；

Whomovedbytheirexampleputfromshore。

LXVII

YetroyalAgramantthefightmaintains；

Butwhenhecannolongermakeastand，Turnsfromthecombat，anddirectlystrainsForArles，notfarremote，uponthestrand。

HimRabicanpursues，withflowingreins，WhomAymon\'sdaughterdriveswithheelandhand。

Himwouldsheslay，throughwhomsooftencrost，ThatmartialmaidhadherRogerolost。

LXVIII

Marphisabythesamedesirewasstirred，Whohadherthoughtsontardyvengeanceplaced，Forherdeadsire；andasshefiercelyspurred，Madeherhotcourserfeelhisrider\'shaste。

Butneithermartialmaid，amidthatherdOfflyingMoors，sowellthemonarchchased，Astoo\'ertakehiminhisswiftretreat，FirstintoArles，andthenaboardhisfleet。

LXIX

Astwofairgenerouspards，thatfromsomecragTogetherdart，andstretchacrosstheplain；

Whentheyperceivethatvigorousgoatorstag，Theirnimblequarry，ispursuedinvain，Asifashamedtheyinthatchasedidlag，Returnrepentantandinhighdisdain:

So，withasigh，returnthosedamselstwo，Whentheythepaynimkinginsafetyview:

LXX

Yetthereforehaltnot，butinfurygoAmidthatcrowd，whichflies，possestwithdread；

Feeling，nowhere，nowthere，ateveryblow，Manythatnevermoreupreartheirhead。

Toevilpasswasbroughtthebrokenfoe；

Forsafetywasnotevenforthemthatfled:

SinceAgramant，asureretreattogain，Badeshutthecity-gatewhichfacedtheplain；

LXXI

AndbadeonRhonebreakallthebridgesdown。

Unhappypeople，everheldascheap——Weighedwiththetyrant\'swantwhowearsacrown——

Asworthlessherdofgoatsorsillysheep！

Theseinthesea，thoseintheriverdrown；

Andthosewithbloodthethirstyfallowssteep。

TheFranksfewprisonersmade，andmanyslew；

Forransominthatbattlewasforfew。

LXXII

Ofthegreatmultitudeofeithertrain，Christenedorpaynim，killedinthatlastfight，Thoughinunequalparts(for，oftheslain，ByfarmoreSaracenswerekilledinflight，Byhandsofthoseredoubteddamselstwain)，Signseventothisdayremaininsight:

For，hardbyArles，wheresleepsthelazyRhone，Theplainwithrisingsepulchresisstrown。

LXXIII

MeanwhilehisheavyshipsofdeepestdraughtKingAgramanthadmadeputforthtosea，Leavingsomebarksinport——hislightestcraft——

Forthemthatwouldaboardhisnavyflee:

Hestaystwodays，whiletheythestragglerswaft，And，forthewindsarewildandcontrary，Onthethirdday，tosailhegivecommand，IntrusttomakereturntoAfrick\'sland。

LXXIV

RoyalMarsilius，inthatfatalhour，FearingthecostswillfalluponhisSpain，Andthattheclouds，whichbigwithtempestlower，Intheendwillburstuponhisfieldsandgrain，MakesforValentia；wherehetownandtowerBeginstofortifywithmicklepain；

Andforthatwarprepares，whichafterendsInthedestructionofhimselfandfriends。

LXXV

KingAgramanthissailsforAfrickbent:

Hisbarksill-armedandalmostemptygo；

Emptyofmen，butfullofdiscontent，Inthatthree-fourthshadperishedbythefoe。

Ascruelsome，asweakandproudsomeshentTheirking，and(asstillhappensinlikewoe)

Allhatehimprivily；but，fortheyfearHisfury，inhispresencemuteappear。

LXXVI

Yetsometimestwoorthreetheirlipsunclose，——Someknotoffriends，whereeachoneachrelies——

Andtheirpentcholerandtheirrageexpose:

YetAgramantbeneaththeillusionlies，Thateachwillloveandpityoverflows；

Andthisbefalls，becausehestillespiesFalsefaces，hearsbutvoicesthatapplaud，Andnoughtbutadulation，liesandfraud。

LXXVII

NotinBiserta\'sporthishosttolandWasthesagekingofAfrica\'sintent，WhohadsurenewsthatshorebyNubia\'sbandWasheld，buthesofaraboveitmeantTosteerhisMoorishsquadron，thatthestrandShouldnotbesteeporruggedfordescent:

Therewouldhedisembark，andthencewouldaidForthwithhispeople，brokenanddismaid。

LXXVIII

ButfavourednotbyhisfouldestinyWasthatintention，providentandwise；

Whichwilledthefleet，fromleavesofgreenwoodtree，Produceduponthebeachinwondrousguise，That，boundforFrance，nowploughedthefoamingsea，Shouldmeetthekingatnight；thatfromsurpriseInthatdark，dismalhour，amidhiscrewWorsepanicanddisordermightensue。

LXXIX

Notyettohimhavetidingsbeenconveyed，Thatsquadronsofsuchforcethebillowsplow:

Norwouldhehavebelievedinhimwhosaid，Ahundredbarkshadsprungfromonesmallbough；

AndhenceforAfricathekinghadweighed，Notfearingtoencounterhostileprow；

Norhashewatchmeninhistopstospy，Andmakereportofwhattheyhencedescry。

LXXX

`Twassothoseships，byEngland\'speersuppliedToDudon，mannedwithgoodandarmedcrew，WhichseethatMoorishfleetateventide，Andthatstrangearmamentforthwithpursue，Assailedthemunawares，and，far，andwide，Amongthosebarkstheirgrappling-ironsthrew，Andlinkedbychains，totheiropponentsclung，WhenknownforMoorsandfoemenbytheirtongue。

LXXXI

Inbearingdown，impelledbywindsthatblowPropitioustotheDanishchief\'sintent，Thoseweightyshipssoshockedthepaynimfoe，Thatmanyvesselstothebottomwent；

Then，taxingwitsandhands，toworkthemwoe，Themwithfire，sword，andstonestheChristiansshent；

Whichontheirshipsinsuchwideruinpour，Liketempestnevervexttheseabefore。

LXXXII

BoldDudon\'smen，towhomunwontedmightAnddaringwasimpartedfromonhigh，(SincethehourwascomethepaynimstorequiteFormorethanoneilldeed，)fromfarandnigh，TheMoorssopestilentlygallandsmite，Agramantfindsnoshelter；fromtheskyAbove，thickcloudsofwhistlingarrowsstrike；

Aroundgleamhookandhatchet，swordandpike。

LXXXIII

Thekinghearshugeandheavystonesdescend，Fromchargedmachineorthunderingenginesent，Which，falling，poopandprowandbroadsiderend，Openingtoraveningseasamightyvent；

Andmorethanallthefuriousfiresoffend，Firesthatarequicklykindled，slowlyspent，Thewretchedcrewswouldfainthatdangershun，Andeverintodirerperilrun。

LXXXIV

Oneheadlongplunged，pursuedbyfireandsword，Andperishedmidthewaters，onewhowroughtFasterwitharmsandfeet，hispassageoaredTootherbarque，alreadyoverfraught:

Butsherepulsedthewretchthatfainwouldboard；

Whosehand，whichtooimportunatelysoughtToclamber，graspedtheside，whilehisloptarmAndbodystainedthewavewithlife-bloodwarm。

LXXXV

Him，thattosavehislifei\'thewatersthought，Or，attheworst，toperishwithlesspain，(Sinceswimmingprofitedthecaitiffnought，Andheperceivedhisstrengthandcouragedrain)

Tothehungryfiresfromwhichtherefugesought，Thefearofdrowninghurriesbackagain:

Hegraspsaburningplank，andinthedreadOfdyingeitherdeath，bybothissped。

LXXXVI

Thisvainlytothesearesorts，whomspearOrhatchet，brandishedcloseathand，dismay；

Forstoneorarrowfollowinginhisrear，Permitthecraventomakelittleway。

Buthaply，whileityetdelightsyourear，\'Twerewellandwiselydonetoendmylay，RatherthanharpuponthethemesolongAstoannoyyouwithatedioussong。

CANTO40

ARGUMENT

ToflytheroyalAgramantisfain，AndseesBisertaburningfaraway；

ButlandingfindstheroyalSericane，Whoofhisfaithgivesgoodlywarrant；theyDefyOrlando，backedbychampionstwain；

WhomboldGradassofirmlytruststoslay。

Forsevenkings\'sake，fastprisonerstotheirfoes，RogeroandtheDaneexchangerudeblows。

I

Thediversechancesofthatsea-fightdread，Heretorehearsewouldtakeawearywhile；

Andtodiscoursetoyouuponthishead，GreatsonofHercules，weretoSamos\'isleTocarryearthenvessels，as\'tissaid，ToAthensowls，andcrocodilestheNile。

Inthat，mylord，bywhatisvouchedtome，Suchthingsyousaw，suchthingsmadeotherssee。

II

Yourfaithfulpeoplegazedonalongshow，Thatnightandday，whereintheycrowdedstood，Asinatheatre，andhemmedonPoTwixtfireandsword，thehostilenaviesviewed。

Whatoutcriesmaybeheard，whatsoundsofwoe，Howriversmayrunredwithhumanblood，Insuchlikecombat，inhowmanyamodeMendie，yousaw，andyoutomanyshowed。

III

Isawnot，I，whowascompelledtocourse，Evermorechangingnags，sixdaysbefore，ToRome，inheatandhaste，somehelpfulforceOfhimourmightypastortoimplore。

But，after，needwasnoneoffootorhorse，Forsothelion\'sbeakandclawsyoutore，FromthatdayuntothisIhearnotsaidThathemoretroubleinyourlandhasbread。

IV

ButTrotto，presentatthisvictory，Afranio，Moro，Albert，Hannibal，Zerbinat，Bagno，theAriostosthree，Assuredmeofthemightyfeatwithal，Certifiedafterbythatensignry，Suspendedfromtheholytemple\'swall，Andfifteengalleysatourriver-side，WhichwithathousandcaptivebarksIspied。

V

Hethatthosewrecksandblazingfiresdiscerned，Andsuchsoreslaughter，underdifferentshows，Which——vengingusforhallandpalaceburned——

Whilebarkremained，ragedwideamongthefoes，MightalsodeemhowAfrick\'speoplemourned，WithAgramant，middiversedeathsandwoes，Onthatdarknight，whentheredoutedDaneAssaultedinmidseatheMoorishtrain。

VI

\'Twasnight，norgleamwasanywheredescried，Whenfirstthefleetsinfuriousstrifewereblended；

Butwhenlitsulphur，pitchandtarfromsideAndpoopandprowintotheskyascended，Andthedestructivewild-fire，scatteredwide，Feduponshipandshallopilldefended，ThethingsaboutthemalldescriedsoclearThatnightwaschangedtoday，as\'twouldappear。

VII

HenceAgramant，thatbythedarkdeceived，Hadratednotsohighthefoes\'array，Nortoencountersuchaforcebelieved，Butwould，if\'twereopposed，atlastgiveway，Whenthatwidedarknesscleared，andheperceived(Whatleastheweeneduponthefirstaffray)

Thattwiceasmanyweretheshipshefought，AshisownMoorishbarks，tookotherthought。

VIII

Intoaboathewithsomefewdescends，Brigliadorandsomepreciousthings，toflee；

Andso，twixtshipandship，insilencewends，Untilhefindshimselfinsafersea，Farfromhisown；whomfieryDudonshends，Reducedtosadandsoreextremity；

Themsteeldestroy