"ORLANDO ENRAGED" "SECOND PART" "Two Saracen knights, Sacripant and Ferrau, and a Christian knight, Rinaldo, wander in a forest searching the woman they are all three in love with," "Angelica, who has escaped from Paris and from the custody of paladin Orlando, who is also in love with her." "Thought which now makes me burn, now freeze with hate," "Which gnaws my heart and rankles at its root!" "What's left to me, I say, arrived too late," "While one more favoured bears away the fruit?" "Bare words and looks scarce cheered my hopeless state," "And the prime spoils reward another's suit." "Then since for me nor fruit nor blossom hangs," "Why for Angelica to be in pangs?" "In haste, I through the forest, here and there," "Seek the fair dame, with a desirous face;" "Like questing hound which loses sight of hare" "Or fox, of whom he late pursued the trace," "Into close thicket, ditch, or narrow lair," "Escaping from the keen pursuer's chase." "Without guide or company the lovers" "Through that wide forest, trying now this way," "Now that, wander, as their counsel hovers." "Meanwhile all alone I ride my palfrey" "And shake the floating bridle in the wind;" "And, entering a thick wood, discover near," "One, who is a bound for me, cavalier." "And, pale as is her cheek, and troubled sore," "Arriving, quickly to my very eyes" "(Though many days no news of her hath shown)" "The beautiful Angelica is known." "This seems that Rinaldo, good Aymon's seed," "Who Mount Albano hath in his command;" "As soon as seen, poor me who rode at speed" "The warrior knew, and while yet distant, scanned" "The affrighted damsel turns her palfrey round," "And shakes the floating bridle in the wind;" "And reckless, pale and trembling, and astound," "Leaves to her horse the devious way to find." "I, Rinaldo, will take, acting in wrath" "But follow Angelica on her path." "Through dreary woods and dark I have long fled," "By rude unharboured heath and savage height," "While every leaf or rustling spray, hath bred" "(Of oak, or elm, or beech), such new affright," "I've here and there my foaming palfrey sped" "By strange and crooked paths with furious flight;" "And at each shadow, seen in valley blind," "Or mountain, I fear Rinaldo behind." "Here!" "And, pale as is her cheek, and troubled sore," "Arriving, quickly to my very eyes" "(Though many days no news of her hath shown)" "The beautiful Angelica is known." "Thou yonder, black pagan, bold and brave knight," "Let that frightened damsel go her own ways" "Draw thy sword and against Rinaldo fight." " I'm Ferrau" " Think'st to injure me alone," "But know thou wilt thyself as much molest:" "What were thy gain, and what the guerdon won," "Though I should yield my life, or stoop my crest;" "If she shall never be thy glorious meed," "Who flies, while vainly we in battle bleed?" "Rinaldo, as fast as a knight on steed," "Angelica leaves us behind indeed." "Then how much better, since our stake's the same," "Thou, loving like myself, should'st mount and stay" "To wait this battle's end, the lovely dame," "Before she fly yet further on her way." "The lady taken, we repeat our claim" "With naked faulchion to that peerless prey:" "Else by long toil I see not what we gain" "But simple loss and unrequited pain." "Oh!" "goodly truth in cavaliers of old!" "Rivals we are, to different faith are bred." "Not yet our weary warriors' wounds are cold" "Still smarting from those strokes so fell and dread." "Yet we together ride by waste and wold," "And, unsuspecting, devious dingle thread." "And now I am at fault and lead astray," "Know not by which she might her palfrey goad," "(Since both, without distinction, there survey" "The recent print of hoofs on either road)," "Commit the chase to fortune and the way." "I take this, thou Rinaldo, take that road." "I take this, Ferrau thou, do take that road." "As a young roe or fawn of fallow deer," "Who, mid the shelter of its native glade," "Has seen a hungry pard or tiger tear" "The bosom of its bleeding dam, dismayed," "Bounds, through the forest green in ceaseless fear" "Of the destroying beast, from shade to shade," "And at each sapling touched, amid its pangs," "Believes itself between the monster's fangs," "One day and night, and half the following day," "As such I wander wide, nor whither know;" "Then enter a deep wood, whose branches play," "Moved lightly by freshening breezes which blow." "Weening removed the way by which I wend," "A thousand miles from loathed Rinaldo's beat," "To rest myself a while I now intend," "Wearied with that long flight and summer's heat." "The virgin has her image in the rose" "Sheltered in garden on its native stock," "Which there in solitude and safe repose," "Blooms unapproached by shepherd or by flock." "For this earth teems, and freshening water flows," "And breeze and dewy dawn their sweets unlock:" "With such the wistful youth his bosom dresses." "With such the enamored damsel braids her tresses." "But wanton hands no sooner this displace" "From the maternal stem, where it was grown," "Than all is withered; whatsoever grace" "It found with man or heaven;" "bloom, beauty, gone." "The damsel who should hold in higher place" "Than light or life the flower which is her own," "Suffering the spoiler's hand to crop the prize" "Forfeits her worth in every other's eyes." "And be she cheap with all except the wight" "On whom she did so large a boon bestow." "Ah!" "false and cruel Fortune!" "foul despite!" "Can it be that I Angelica slight?" "And can I then my very life forego?" "No!" "let me die; 'twere happiness above" "A longer life, if I must cease to love." "Sacripant, my fair sir, peace be with you" "And God preserve my honour in his care," "Nor suffer that you blindly entertain" "Opinion of my fame so false and vain!" "And know how oft Orlando's friendly blade" "Hath saved me from dishonour, death, and pain;" "And how I so preserved my virgin flower" "Pure as it blossomed in my natal hour." "If fool Anglante's lord the prize forbore," "But me from harm amid these woods to keep," "Nor seized the fair occasion when he might," "Now I ween that I may his guidance need;" "The loss be his, if Fortune never more" "Nor will I, if I let the occasion sleep," "Him to enjoy so fair a prize invite." "Find escort that will stand me in such stead:" "To imitate that lord of little lore" "I think not, as fiery Circassa's knight." "No!" "I will pluck the fresh and morning rose," "Which, should I tarry, may be overblown." "With the bold semblance of a valiant knight," "Behold a warrior threads the forest hoar." "The stranger's mantle was of snowy white," "And white alike the waving plume he wore." "Thee I defy to fight, approaching nigh!" "And ween to make thee stoop thy haughty crest:" "I turn my steps into the gloomy chase," "And I run through rough path and tangled ally" "And oftentimes bend back my bloodless face," "And saw Sacripant from each thicket sally." "All night long counsel of his weary bed," "Vexed with a ceaseless care, Orlando sought;" "Now here, now there, the restless fancy sped," "Now turned, now seized, but never held the thought:" "To memory now returned his lady gay," "She rather ne'er was banished from his breast;" "And fanned the secret fire, which through the day" "(Now kindled into flame) had seemed at rest;" "Without me, my sweet life, beshrew me, where" "Art thou bestowed, so beautiful and young!" "My hope, where are thou, where?" "In doleful wise" "Dost thou, perchance, yet rove thy lonely round?" "Art thou, indeed, to ravening wolf a prize," "Without thy faithful Roland's succour found?" "And is the flower, which, with the deities," "Me, in mid heaven had placed, which, not to wound," "(So reverent was my love) thy feelings chaste," "I kept untouched, alas!" "now plucked and waste?" "If this fair flower be plucked, oh, misery!" "oh," "Despair!" "what more is left me but to die?" "Almighty God, with every other woe" "Rather than this, thy wretched suppliant try." "If this be true, these hands the fatal blow" "Shall deal, and doom me to eternity." "And to pass every where, yet not to show" "By this my dignity to stain or slight," "The old and honoured ensign I forego," "His ancient bearing, quartered red and white." "And in its place a sable ensign show," "Perhaps as suited to my mournful plight." "At midnight he departed silently," "Not to his uncle Charles, not to me, true" "And faithful comrade Brandimart, whom he" "So dearly cherished, even bade adieu." "Wise, full of all regards, and of the blest" "And glorious church the champion wont to be," "Now, little for himself or uncle, driven" "By a vain love, he cares, and less for heaven." "I sought Angelica where she may live," "I sought the woman who draws my passion," "Rove from Provence to Brittany's domain," "And from the Picards to the bounds of Spain." "Between October and November's moon," "In that dull season when the leafy vest" "Is stript from trembling plant, whose limbs are shown" "Of all their mantling foliage dispossess'd" "And in close flights the swarming birds are flown," "As such I enter on my amorous quest:" "This I pursue the livelong winter through," "Nor quit when gladsome spring returns anew." "If I find any one in waking case," "Sighing, to him I paint her form and show;" "Then pray him that for courtesy, he where" "The damsel is, will reach me to repair." "As (such my wont) from land to land I go," "A river's side I reach on a day;" "Which, swoln with mountain rain and melted snow," "Then thundered, white with foam and flashing-spray:" "And with impetuous stream had overtopt" "Its brim, and burst the bridge, and passage stopt." "Vainly I this bank and the other eyed," "So to gain footing on the adverse shore;" "When, with a damsel in the poop, he spied" "A ready pinnace that towards him bore:" "She steered, as if she would approach the strand;" "To thee, fair damsel, I make petition" "To put me o'er the stream, prithee." "No knight" "Passes this ferry, but upon condition" "He shall his faith and promise duly plight," "That he will do a battle, at my prayer," "Upon the justest quarrel and most fair." "Know, beyond Ireland, in the briny flood," "An island, amid many others, lies;" "Ebuda is its name; whose people rude" "(Such is their law), in search of plunder hies;" "And all the women that it takes, for food" "To a voracious animal supplies;" "Which every day to shore for this does speed," "And finds new wife or maid whereon to feed:" "O wretched maids!" "whom 'mid that barbarous rout" "Ill-fortune on that wretched shore has tost!" "We for the stranger damsel prowl about," "Of her to make an impious holocaust;" "Every day they give a damsel for meal" "To the monster lying on the seabed." "The orc, which ever lurks above the seabed of Ebuda, demands this meal so dread." "Promise me, ere the month which is at hand" "(since now I so pursue my speech), expire," "To sack Ebuda's isle; of all compress'd" "By ocean's circling waves, the cruellest." "Ere to be first in that emprize I swear," "As one who evil deed mislikes to hear," "And with impatience like relation bear:" "Hence first I come to think, and next to fear," "Angelica is captive on that shore." "To navigate to that fell island bound" "Ere I a vessel at St. Malo's found;" "In which, embarking on my quest, I, count," "Put forth, and cleared that night St. Michael's Mount." "I pray thee, on a damsel's part, that thou" "To her wouldst think not irksome to repair;" "Whom of unequalled good nature, I vow," "And sweetness, thou wouldst find, as well as fair;" "Nor prove less pliant than have been before" "All the knights errant, who have sought that shore:" "For hitherto, by land or sea conveyed," "No cavalier hath journeyed to this place" "That hath refused to parlay with the maid," "And give her counsel in a cruel case." "I, in all kind and courteous usage bred," "My way direct where by thee shall be led." "The daughter of the Count of Holland, named" "Olympia, thou seest, Sir cavalier." "Though not his only offspring (for two famed brothers I had also) to him so dear," "That, for whatever favour I applied," "I never met refusal from the peer." "I living glady in this happy sort," "Duke Bireno was guested at our court;" "The Duke of Zealand, meaning for Biscay;" "With purpose there to war upon the Moor;" "His youth and beauty, then in manhood's May," "And force of love, unfelt by me before," "Made me, with little strife, his easy prey:" "Persuaded by his outward cheer yet more," "I thought, and think, and still shall think, the peer" "Loved me, and loves me yet with heart sincere." "I promised him, and he to me, his hand," "On his return, in wedlock's holy band." "Friesland's king, when my Bireno was gone," "Designing to bestow me on his son," "Arbantes hight (the monarch had no more)," "To Holland sent the worthiest of his land," "Me of the count, my father, to demand." "I told my father I would rather shed" "My very life-blood, than in Friesland wed." "At this proud Friesland's sovereign such displeasure" "Conceived, and entertained such high disdain," "He entered Holland, and the war began," "In which my kin were slaughtered to a man." "Such is in evil deeds his cunning sleight," "He laughs to scorn what wit and force can do." "Strange arms he bears, unknown to any wight," "Save him, of the ancient nations or the new:" "A hollow iron, two yards long, whose small" "Channel he loads with powder and a ball" "He, where 'tis closed behind, in the iron round," "Touches with fire a vent, discerned with pain;" "Whence flies the bullet with such deafening sound," "That bolt and lightening from the hollow cane" "Appear to dart, and like the passing thunder," "Burn what they smite, beat-down or rend asunder." "And I remaining, sire and brethren dead," "The isle of Holland's only heir, the king" "Of Friesland to me and my people said," "I peace and quiet to my state might bring," "Would I (when I before would not accord)" "Now take his son Arbantes for my lord." "Bireno to whom I the tidings sent" "For Holland had equipt an armament." "Cymosco, the named Friesland's monarch, he" "Confiding to his son the wedding's care," "To meet Bireno's squadron puts to sea," "And (so chance willed) burns, sinks, or routs them there," "Leading him off into captivity;" "This while I to young Arbantes am wed," "Who, when the sun sought his, would seek my bed." "Behind the curtains, I had hid the tried" "And faithful follower, of whom I said," "Who moved not till the bridegroom he descried," "Yet waited not till he in bed was laid:" "But raised a hatchet, and so well applied" "Behind the stripling's head the ponderous blade," "Of speech and life it reft him;" "I, who note" "The deed, leap lightly up and cut his throat." "Me my companion by a cord, with speed," "Drops from a window, where with boat purveyed" "In Flanders at earlier time for my need," "His brother, watchful of our motions, stayed:" "We dip the oar, we loose the sail, and driven" "By both, escape, as was the will of Heaven." "The daring feat achieved, I cannot say" "If Cymosco more sorrowed for his son," "Or raged at me: he there arrived, the day" "Ensuing, where the dreadful deed was done," "And thought to feast and nuptials he was bound," "But in his home all grief and darkness found." "And he had killed Bireno, since he knew" "The pain to me the deadly deed would do" "But that he, saving him in malice, thought" "He had a net wherewith I might be caught." "Yet him a cruel proposition made," "Granting a year his purpose to complete;" "Condemned to privy death, till then delayed," "Save in that time he by his true friends' aid," "Conveyed into his prisons;" "so that he" "Can only saved by my destruction be." "If nothing more be left me then to try," "This life I gladly will lay down:" "one fear" "Alone molests me;" "and it is that I" "I fear, when I shall be in captive plight," "And he has put all tortures upon me," "He may not loose Bireno, and the knight" "Have not to thank me for his liberty:" "But by Bireno neither less nor more" "Will do, than he had done by me before." "Now, if as strong Herculean port and bold" "Appear to vouch, such worth to you belong;" "Be with me, when committed to his hold," "Since I shall fear not, in your convoy strong," "When you are with me, that my lord, though I" "Be after slain, shall by his order die." "Tis not my scheme to place thee in the hand" "Of thy foul foe, to have Bireno freed;" "I shall save both the lovers, if my brand" "And wonted valour fail me not at need." "Embarked this very day, I put from land." "With a clear sky and prosperous wind to speed." "We navigate through the isles of Zealand," "Disembark on the third day in Holland." "One of you, sirs, I to the monarch's ear" "Bid bear a message, that an errant knight" "On him will prove himself, with sword and spear;" "But will lay down this pact before the fight:" "That if victory to Cymosco cheer," "Her who Arbantes slew, he has by right." "I will the king on his side to agree," "If him the knight in combat overbear," "Forthwith release from his captivity," "Bireno to full freedom to repair." "At once I will direct my whole intent" "The count by treacherous fraud to circumvent." "I him lifeless, and in no other guise," "Will have, and lightly hope my end to gain;" "And let the earthly thunderbolt arise," "That hath so many and so many slain:" "Which here I deem won't serve his purpose ill," "Where I desire not to take but to kill." "Where Orlando sees the foes thickest stand," "He rests his lance, and sticks in his career" "First one and afterwards another, and" "Another, and another, who appear" "Of paste;" "till six he of the circling band" "Kills." "A seventh left out by the push is slain" "Since the clogged weapon can no more contain." "My trembling heart, like leaf which flutters still," "Makes hand and arm together flinch and quail;" "Or that it is not the Creator's will" "The church so soon her champion should bewail;" "I cleave thy head to the neck by the blow," "It's sent to shake its last on earth below." "Bireno, she'll be to thee in love's chain" "Ever linked and confer to thee her domain." "How I caress Bireno, with him stay," "What thanks both of us to Orlando pay." "To return to Zealand's duchy I planned," "And thou Olympia in my company." "There I will crown thee queen of all my land," "Repaying of ill fortune that thou didst see." "In my hand is the king's daughter." "Farther" "We'll lead her with the loot of the strife" "Of Cymosco by ship." "To my brother," "The younger of age, she'll be wedded wife." "The gentle damsel hath not past fourteen," "Is beautiful and fresh, and like a rose," "When this first opening from its bud is seen," "And with the vernal sun expands and grows." "So is the raging rife Olympia blew" "Within my breast, extinguished by a new." "O loathed, O cursed piece of enginery," "Cast in Tartarean bottom, by the hand" "Of Beelzebub, whose foul malignity" "The ruin of this world through thee has planned!" "To hell, from whence thou came, I render thee." "So said, I cast away the weapon:" "Meanwhile, with flowing sheet, my frigate goes," "By wind, which for" "the cruel island blows." "But while Orlando heads for Ebuda's Island to save Angelica from the monster, another knights precedes him on the same path." "It is Rogero, riding the hippogryph, armed with a magic shield and a ring of invisibility." "Look on Angelica, Sir, who dost ride" "In flying, to the rock with fetters tied;" "Here I was this morn bound in cruel wise;" "Where (to devour a living damsel speeds)" "The orc, that measureless sea-monster, hies." "The cruel and inhospitable crew" "To the voracious beast the dame expose" "Upon the sea-beat shore, as bare to view" "As nature did at first her work compose." "And gladly with my hands my face I'd hide," "Were they not fastened to the rugged stone:" "But with my tears (for this is not denied)" "Bedew it, and essay to hold it down." "O lady, worthy but that chain to wear," "With which Love's faithful servants fettered are." "Lo!" "and behold!" "The unmeasured-beast appears," "Half surging and half hidden, in such sort." "So the sea monster to his food repairs:" "And now the interval between is short." "Half dead, thou art, lady, through fear endured," "By Rogero's comfort be reassured." "So the fell orc, for sure, I will not smite" "With lance or faulchion where the rushes grow," "But aim that 'twixt the ears my blow may light;" "Now on the spine, or now on tail below." "I then new counsel take, and `tis the best," "With other arms the monster to pursue;" "And lifting from my shield the covering vest," "To dazzle with the light my blasted view." "I fly whither the rock-chained maid doth rest," "And on her little finger, lest a new" "Mischance should follow, slip the ring, which brought" "The enchantment of the magic shield to nought." "Firm stand, Rogero!" "Be the veil undone!" "I seem to give the sky another sun." "For heaven's sake turn and loose me, I thee pray," "In all haste, ere the orc awake again." "Bear me with thee, and drown me in mid-way." "Let me not this foul monster's food remain." "Although a feeble rein, in mid career," "Will oft suffice to stop courageous horse;" "'Tis seldom Reason's bit will serve to steer" "Desire, or turn him from his furious course." "Rogero turns and with thick kisses plies" "About my snowy breast and sparkling eyes." "Bold Rogero hath dropt both shield and spear," "And uncases his other arms in haste;" "When, casting down my eyes in shame and fear," "The virtuous ring upon my finger placed," "I happily descry, and which of yore" "From my Brunello another time bore." "I softly to my mouth the hoop convey," "And, quicker than the flash which cleaves the skies," "From bold Rogero's sight my beauty shrowd," "As disappears the sun, concealed in cloud." "Yet still I vainly gaze like wight distraught," "And hurry here and there with fruitless speed:" "But when I have recalled the ring to thought," "Foiled... and astounded, curse my little heed." "So saying, like one blind, with bootless care," "Feeling my way about the fount I aim." "How often I embrace the empty air," "Hoping in this to have embraced the dame!" "Ungrateful!" "With my ring you hide your cheer." "Cruel, though answering not, I know you hear." "END OF THE SECOND PART" "Subtitles adapted from the translation of William Stewart Rose"