Was first upon his feet; and either peer
Issues as well from bed, when him they hear.
When clad and thoroughly in arms arrayed—
Rogero with the cousins took his way,
Having that pair already warmly prayed
The adventure on himself alone to lay:
But these, by love for those two brethren swayed,
And deeming it discourtesy to obey,
Stood out against his prayer, more stiff than stone,
Nor would consent that he should wend alone.
True to the time and place of change, they hie
Whither Sir Aldigier’s advices teach;
And there survey an ample band who lie
Exposed to fierce Apollo’s heat; in reach,
Nor myrtle-tree nor laurel they descry,
Nor tapering cypress, ash, nor spreading beech:
But naked gravel with low shrubs discerned,
Undelved by mattock and by share unturned.
Those three adventurous warriors halted where
A path went through the uncultivated plain,
And saw a knight arrive upon the lair,
Who, flourished o’er with gold, wore plate and chain,
And on green field that beauteous bird and rare,
Which longer than an age extends its reign.
No more, my lord: for at my canto’s close
I find myself arrived, and crave repose.
Canto XXVI
Of mighty matters, sculptured in a font,
Does Malagigi to his comrades tell:
On them come Mandricardo and Rodomont,
And forthwith battle follows fierce and fell.
Discord goes scattering quarrel and affront
Amid the crew: but whither, forced by spell,
Fair Doralice upon her palfrey speeds,
The Tartar king, and Sarzan, turn their steeds.
In former ages courteous ladies were,
Who worshipt virtue, and not worldly gear.
Women in this degenerate age are rare,
To whom aught else but sordid gain is dear;
But they who real goodness make their care,
Nor with the avaricious many steer,
In this frail life are worthy to be blest,
—Held glorious and immortal when at rest.
Bradamant well would deathless praise inherit,
Who nor in wealth nor empire took delight;
But in Rogero’s worth, excelling spirit,
In his unbounded gentlesse; and aright
For this did good Duke Aymon’s daughter merit
To be beloved of such a valorous knight;
Who, what might be for miracles received,
In future ages, for her sake achieved.
He, with those two of Clermont, as whilere
To you I in the former canto said,
I say with Richardet and Aldigier,
Was gone, to give the prisoned brethren aid:
I told, as well how they a cavalier
Of haughty look approaching had surveyed,
Who bore that noble bird, by fiery birth
Renewed, and ever single upon earth.
When those three of that warrior were espied,
Poised on the wing, as if about to smite,
He fain by proof their prowess would have tried,
And if their semblance tallied with their might.
“Is there, among you, one,” the stranger cried,
“Will prove upon me, which is best in fight,
With lance or sword, till one to ground be cast,
While in the sell his foe is seated fast?”
“—I, at your choice,” said Aldigier, “were fain
To flourish faulchion, or to tilt with spear;
But this with feat, which, if you here remain,
Yourself may witness, so would interfere,
That for the present parley time with pain
Suffices, and yet less for the career.
Six hundred men, or more, we here attend,
With whom we must to-day in arms contend.
“Two of our own to rescue from their foes,
And free from chains, us Love and Pity sway.”
He to that stranger next the reason shows
Why thus in steel their bodies they array.
“So just is the excuse which you oppose,”
—He answered—“that I ill should this gainsay,
And hold you surely for three cavaliers
That seldom upon earth will find their peers.
“With you a lance or two I would have crost
To prove how great your prowess in the field;
But, since ’tis shown me at another’s cost,
Forego the joust, and to your reasons yield.
Warmly I pray your leave against that host,
To join with your good arms this helm and shield;
And hope, if suffered of your band to be,
No worthless comrade shall you find in me.”
Some one, meseems, may crave the stranger’s name,
Who thus the champions on their road delayed,
And so to partnership in arms laid claim
With those three warriors, for the strife arrayed:
She—style no more a man that martial dame—
Marphisa was; that on Zerbino laid
The task to bear about, against his will,
Ribald Gabrina, prone to every ill.
The two of Clermont and their bold compeer295
Gladly received her succour in their cause,
Whom certes they believed a cavalier,
And not a damsel, and not what she was.
A banner was espied by Aldigier
And shown the others, after little pause,
Which by the wavering wind was blown about,
And round about it ranged a numerous rout.
And when, now nearer, the advancing crew
Were better marked in Moorish habit stoled,
For Saracens the stranger band they knew;
And they upon two sorry jades behold,
I’ the middle of that troop, the prisoners, who
Were to the false Maganza to be sold.
Marphisa cries, “Why is the feast delayed,
When lo! the guests are here, for whom we stayed?”
—“Not all,” Rogero said, “Of the array
Invited, lacks as yet a numerous part:
A solemn festival is held to-day,
And we, to grace it more, use every art:
Yet they can now but little more delay.”
While thus they parley, they from other part
Descry the treacherous Maganzese advance;
So all was ready to begin the dance.
They of Maganza from one quarter steer,
And laden mules beneath their convoy go,
Bearing vest, gold, and other costly gear.
On the other side, mid faulchion, spear, and bow,
Approached the captive two with doleful cheer,
Who found themselves awaited by the foe;
And false and impious Bertolagi heard,
As with the Moorish captain he conferred.
Nor Buovo’s nor Duke Aymon’s valiant son296
Can hold, when that false Maganzese they view;
