That day had Dudon left his deck to meet
His sovereign Charles, and landing from the fleet
His spoils and captives, rang'd in long array
The solemn triumph through the public way.
Abash'd and mute th' unhappy prisoners stand;
Around exult the conquering Nubian band;

While, caught from man to man, with loud acclaim 560 The neighbouring cliffs resound with Dudon's name. This fleet, for Agramant's, the warlike youth

At first believ'd, and eager for the truth

His courser spurr'd; but as he nearer drew,

Too soon his eyes the mournful captives knew.

The king of Nasamana there he view'd:

There Bambirago, Agricaltes stood;

There Ferraurantes, Rimedon renown'd;

Balastro, Manilardo there he found.

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All these, with looks declin'd deep anguish show'd, 570

While down each cheek the manly sorrows flow'd.

The doleful state of those whom dear he lov'd:

But well he knew entreaty here would fail,
And aid, enforc'd by arms, alone prevail.
Against their guards his rested spear he drove,
Nor fail'd his spear its wonted force to prove.
His falchion next he drew, and round him slain
A hundred fell, and groaning bit the plain.
Dudon the tumult hears, beholds the blows
Rogero gives, nor yet the warrior knows:

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That iron mace, which in a thousand fields,
Had giv'n him endless glory, Dudon wields:
With this full well his rightful claim he show'd
To Danish valour and Ugero's blood.

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That sword, which helm and cuirass can divide,

Which scarce is equall'd through the world beside,
Rogero grasps, and while he grasps, displays

A virtue pair'd with noble Dudon's praise.
But good Rogero fear'd, o'er every fear,
T'offend the virgin to his soul so dear,

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Assur'd if by his hand the knight should bleed,

Her hatred must attend the luckless deed.

Skill'd in each noble house of France, he knew
Dudon his birth from Armellina drew,

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Sister to Beatrice, of whom was born

His Bradamant, whose gifts her sex adorn.

Hence ne'er with point direct the thrust he bends,
And seldom with its edge his blade descends:
Still on his guard, as falls the ponderous mace,
The stroke he parries, or he shifts his place.
Well Turpin thinks that by Rogero slain
Had noble Dudon prest the sanguine plain :
But he, who fears th' advantage given to use,
Still fights with caution, nor his stroke pursues.

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Ver. 612. That iron mace---] The poet here arms Dudon with a mace and Rogero with a sword, which may seem rather singular, as it is not explained how such difference of weapons was consonant to the laws of chivalry, nor is there any other example of the kind in Ariosto or Boyardo, though it is here said that Dudon was celebrated for the use of this weapon. It is however, certain, that the poet does not imply that any unfair advantage was taken, since he commends the courtesy of Dudon for casting away his spear to meet Rogero on equal terms. After all, the introduction of the mace might arise solely from a desire of giving more variety to the battle.

By turns Rogero in his skilful hand
With flat or edge his falchion can command:
Now whizzing round his rapid weapon flies,
And with such force astonish'd Dudon plies,
That scarce with dazzled eyesight can he rein
His frighted courser or his seat retain.

But more henceforth--who deigns to lend an ear, Some future time the finish'd tale shall hear.

END OF THE FORTIETH BOOK.

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