Yet, him except, through all the world remain'd
No single chief with whom he strife maintain'd.

Meanwhile Dordona's dame, in generous scorn,

To claim the combat blows her sounding horn.
Now Agramant, and now Marsilius heard

That near the walls some champion strange appear'd.
With these, as chance befel, a gallant knight,
Call'd Serpentino, stood, who for the fight
Requested leave to arm, and vow'd to bring
That bold unknown in bonds before the king.
Soon spreading rumour to the ramparts drew
Each sex and every age the field to view:
Not feeble years, nor childhood stay'd, but all
Alike impatient throng'd to line the wall.
With radiant arms and rich embroider'd vest,
King Serpentino of the star address'd
His dauntless course, and entering on the joust,
The first encounter stretch'd him in the dust.
The courteous dame pursu'd, and by the reins
Secur'd his steed that startled fled the plains;
Him to the Saracen her hand restor❜d:
Resume thy seat (she cry'd) and bid thy lord
Select another warrior from his band
Who better may in arms my force withstand.
The king of Afric saw with wide survey,
Amidst his train, the fortune of the day:
Behold (th' enraptur'd prince exclaim'd aloud,
In accents heard by all the Pagan crow'd)
Yon gallant chief a victor's right forego,
And from the plain dismiss his vanquish'd foe!

Grandonio of Volterna next appears,

No lord of Spain his crest so proudly rears;
With leave obtain'd the second course to try,
He issues forth the stranger to defy.

Then he--thy courtesy avails thee nought,

515

525

When thou in bonds before our sovereign brought 520
Shalt wait his nod, or by my weapon slain
Here stretch thy length on this contested plain.
Think not my soul (the noble maid reply'd
Shall quit her purpose for the threats of pride:
I warn thee to retire, ere prostrate here
Thy batter'd limbs confess my stronger spear.
Return, return--and to thy king declare,
'Tis not for such as thee these arms I bear:
But hither am I come to meet in fight
Some warrior that deserves a warrior's might.
These bitter words, in taunting vein addrest,
With burning wrath inflam'd the Pagan's breast:
He nought reply'd, but reining round his steed
Against the virgin urg'd his fiery speed;
Prepar❜d to joust, her golden lance she held,

530

535

And Rabican to meet his rage impell'd;

When scarce the fatal spear had touch'd his shield

With spurning heels aloft he press'd the field.
The noble championess his courser stay'd:
Confess that justly I foretold (she said)

Thy tongue might better far my message bear,
Than in the list thy arm my weapon dare.
Go then---and in my name thy king entreat
To choose a knight that may my challenge meet
On better terms; nor let me toil in vain
With those that knightly fame so ill sustain.

540

545

Midst summer's heat their blood with fear congeal'd.

To Brandimart some gave the champion's claim,
But to Rinaldo more ascrih'd his fame :
Orlando most had deem'd, but well they knew
His state, that tears from every hearer drew.
The third in turn, Lanfusa's son*, apply'd
To run the course; with little hope (he cry'd)
To win the palm, but, falling, that his shame
Might with his friends unhors'd partake the blame.
And furnish'd now with all that warriors need
In listed fight, he mounts a fiery steed,
Led from a thousand which his stalls contain,
For swiftness priz'd and steady to the rein.
He issues forth, but ere in joust he meets,
The virgin him, and he the virgin greets:
Then she-If this thou seek'st not to conceal,
To me in courtesy thy name reveal.

Who seldom sought himself or deeds to hide.

Though here to prove another knight I came.
What knight? return'd Ferrau---to whom the maid
Rogero cry'd--and scarce the word she said,

When o'er her face the mantling colour flew
And dy'd her lovely cheeks to crimson hue.

My beating breast with emulation warms:

Eager I burn with him in field to wage
The single fight and face to face engage.
Simply she spoke, what some malicious mind
May turn far other than the maid design'd.

To her Ferrau--Be first our conflict try'd,
The prize of strength between us first decide:
Then, should I fall, as fell my peers before;
To heal the chance of this disastrous hour,
That gentle knight shall enter next the course,
With whom thou long'st at tilt to prove thy force. ¡
As thus they parlying stood, her helm unclos'd
Her visage to the wondering gaze expos'd;
And while Ferrau those angel features view'd,

580

585

His heart confess'd him more than half subdu'd.

590

Then to himself-A form I sure behold

From Paradise, not bred of mortal mould;

And should I fail in joust the lance to meet,

Those conquering eyes have wrought my sure defeat.
Each measur'd now the ground; when, like the rest,
Ferrau o'erthrown the earth indignant press'd.

For him his courser Bradamant detain'd:
Return (she cry'd) and be my wish explain'd
To yonder knight. Ferrau abash'd withdrew,
And sought Rogero 'midst the courtly crew;
Before king Agramant the message told,
That him to joust defy'd the champion bold,
Rogero, while as yet he little thought

What unknown knight with him the combat sought,

596

600

Ver. 579. Simply she spoke,---] An instance, amongst many others,