 Section 11 of Bullfinches, The Legends of Charlemagne. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Anne Boulay. The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch. Section 11. Estolfo's adventures continued and Isabella's begun. When Estolfo escaped the cruel Alsina, after a short abode in the realm of the virtuous Logistilla, he desired to return to his native country. Logistilla let him the best vessel of her fleet to convey him to the mainland. She gave him at parting a wonderful book, which taught the secrets of overcoming all manners of enchantments, and begged him to carry it always with him, out of regard for her. She also gave him another gift, which surpassed everything of the kind that mortal workmanship can frame, yet it was nothing in appearance but a simple horn. Estolfo, protected by these gifts, thank the good fairy, took leave of her and set out on his return to France. His voyage was prosperous, and on reaching the desired port he took leave of the faithful mariners and continued his journey by land. As he proceeded over mountains and through valleys, he often met with bands of robbers, wild beasts, and venomous serpents, but he had only to sound his horn to put them all to flight. Having landed in France and traversed many provinces on his way to the army, he one day, in crossing a forest, arrived beside a fountain and alighted to drink. While he stooped at the fountain a young rustic spring from the copes, mounted Rabbikin and rode away. It was a new trick of the enchanter Atlantis. Estolfo, hearing the noise, turned his head just in time to see his loss, and, starting up, pursued the thief, who, on his part, did not press the horse to his full speed, but just kept in sight of his pursuer till they both issued from the forest. And then Rabbikin and his rider took shelter in a castle which stood near. Estolfo followed and penetrated without difficulty within the courtyard of the castle, where he looked around for the rider and his horse, but could see no trace of either, nor any person of whom he could make enquiry. Suspecting that enchantment was employed to embarrass him, he bethought of his book, and, on consulting it, discovered that his suspicions were well founded. He also learned what course to pursue. He was directed to raise the stone which served as a threshold, under which a spirit lay pent, who would willingly escape and leave the castle free of access. Estolfo applied his strength to lift aside the stone. Thereupon the magician put his arts in force. The castle was full of prisoners, and the magician caused that to all of them, Estolfo should appear in some false guise, to some a wild beast, to others a giant, to others a bird of prey. Thus all assailed him, and would quickly have made an end of him, if he had not be thought him of his horn. No sooner had he blown a blast than, at the horrid larum, fled the cavaliers and the necromancer with them, like a flock of pigeons at the sound of the fowler's gun. Estolfo then renewed his efforts on the stone, and turned it over. The underface was all inscribed with magical characters, which the knight defaced as directed by his book, and no sooner had he done so than the castle, with its walls and turrets, vanished into smoke. The knights and ladies said at liberty were, besides Rogero and Bradamonte, Orlando, Gradasso, Floressmart, and many others. At the sound of the horn they fled, one in all, men and steeds, except Rabacan, which Estolfo secured in spite of his terror. As soon as the sound had ceased, Rogero recognized Bradamonte, whom he had daily met during their imprisonment, but had been prevented from knowing by the enchanter's arts. No words can tell the delight with which they recognized each other, and recounted mutually all that had happened to each since they were parted. Rogero took advantage of the opportunity to express his suit and found Bradamonte as propitious as he could wish. Were it not for a single obstacle, the difference of their faiths? If he would obtain her in marriage, she said, he must in due form demand her of her father, Duke Iman, and must abandon his false prophet and become a Christian. The latter step was one which Rogero had for some time intended taking for reasons of his own. He therefore gladly accepted the terms and proposed that they should at once repair to the abbey of Valombrosa, whose towers were visible at no great distance. Thither they turned their horses' heads and we leave them to find their way without our company. I know not if my readers recollect that at the moment when Rogero had just delivered Angelica from the voracious orc, that scornful beauty placed her ring in her mouth and vanished out of sight. At the same time the Hippogriff shook off his bridle, soared away and flew to rejoin his former master, very naturally returning to his accustomed stable. Here Estalpo found him to his very great delight. He knew the animal's powers, having seen Rogero ride him, and he longed to fly abroad over all the earth and see various nations and peoples from his airy course. He had heard Lodget still as directions how to guide the animal and saw her fit a bridle to his head. He therefore was able, out of all the bridles he found in the stable, to select one suitable, and placing Ravican Saddle on the Hippogriff's back. Nothing seemed to prevent his immediate departure. Yet before he went, he bethought him of placing Ravican in hands where he would be safe, and once he might recover him in time of need. While he stood deliberating where he should find a messenger, he saw Bradamonte approach. That fair warrior had been parted from Rogero on their way to the Abbey of Valombrosa by an inopportune adventure which had called the night away. She was returning to Montalban, having arranged with Rogero to join her there. To Bradamonte, therefore, his fair cousin, Estalpo committed Ravican and also the Lance of Gold, which would only be an encumbrance in his aerial excursion. Bradamonte took charge of both, and Estalpo, bidding her farewell, soared in air. Among those delivered by Estalpo from the Magician's Castle was Orlando. Following the guide of chance, the paladin found himself at the close of day in a forest and stopped at the foot of a mountain. Surprised to discern a light which came from a cleft in the rock, he approached, guided by the ray, and discovered a narrow passage in the mountainside, which led into a deep grotto. Orlando fastened his horse, and then, putting aside the bushes that resisted his passage, stepped down from rock to rock till he reached a sort of cavern. Entering it, he perceived a lady, young and handsome, as well as he could discover through the signs of distress which agitated her countenance. Her only companion was an old woman, who seemed to be regarded by her young partner with terror and indignation. The courteous paladin saluted the women respectfully, and begged to know by whose barbarity they had been subjected to such imprisonment. The younger lady replied, in a voice often broken by sobs, Though I know well that my recital will subject me to worse treatment by the barbarous man who keeps me here, to whom this woman will not fail to report it, yet I will not hide from you the facts. Ah, why should I fear his rage? If he should take my life, I know not what better boon than death I can ask. My name is Isabella, I am the daughter of the king of Galicia, or rather I should say misfortune and grief are my parents. Young, rich, modest, and of tranquil temper, all things appear to combine to render my lot happy. Alas, I see myself today poor, humbled, miserable, and destined perhaps to yet further afflictions. It is a year since, my father having given notice that he would open the list for a tournament at Bayonne. A great number of shovelleers from all quarters came together at our court. Among these, Urbino, the son of the king of Scotland, victorious in all combats, eclipsed by his beauty and his valor all the rest, before departing from the court of Galicia, he testified the wish to espouse me, and I consented that he should demand my hand of the king, my father. But I was a Mohammedan, and Urbino a Christian, and my father refused his consent. The prince, called home by his father, to take command of the forces destined to the assistance of the French emperor, prevailed on me to be married to him secretly and to follow him to Scotland. He caused a galley to be prepared to receive me, and placed in command of it the chevalier O'Darrick of Biscayne, famous for his exploits both by land and sea. On the day appointed, O'Darrick brought his vessel to a seaside resort of my father's, where I embarked. Some of my domestics accompanied me, and thus I departed from my native land. Sailing with a fair wind, after some hours we were assailed by a violent tempest. It was to no purpose that we took in all sail. We were driven before the wind directly upon the rocky shore. Seeing no other hopes of safety, O'Darrick placed me in a boat, followed himself with a few of his men, and made for land. We reached it through infinite peril, and I no sooner felt the firm land beneath my feet, than I knelt down and poured out heartfelt thanks to the providence that had preserved me. The shore where we landed appeared to be uninhabited. We saw no dwelling to shelter us, no road to lead us to a more hospitable spot. A high mountain rose before us, whose base stretched into the sea. It was here the infamous O'Darrick, in spite of my tears and entreaties, sold me to a band of pirates, who fancied I might be an acceptable present to their prince, the Sultan of Morocco. This cavern is their den, and here they keep me under the guard of this woman, until it shall suit their convenience to carry me away. Isabella had hardly finished her recital when a troop of armed men began to enter the cavern. Seeing the Prince Orlando, one said to the rest, what bird is this we have caught without even setting a snare for him? Then addressing Orlando, it was truly civil in you, friend, to come hither with that handsome coat of armor and vest the very things I want. You shall pay for them then, said Orlando, and seizing a half-burnt branch from the fire, he hurled it at him, striking his head and stretching him lifeless on the floor. There was a massy table in the middle of the cavern, used for the pirates' repasse. Orlando lifted it and hurled it at the robbers as they stood clustered in a group towards the entrance. Half the gang were laid prostrate with broken heads and limbs. The rest got away as nimbly as they could. Leaving the den and its inmates to their fate, Orlando, taking Isabella under his protection, pursued his way for some days without meeting with any adventurer. One day they saw a band of men advancing who seemed to be guarding a prisoner, bound hand and foot, as if being carried to execution. The prisoner was a youthful cavalier of a noble and ingenuous appearance. The band bore the insigns of Count Anselm, head of the treacherous house of Maganza. Orlando desired Isabella to wait while he rode forward to inquire the meaning of this array. Approaching, he demanded of the leader who his prisoner was and of what crime he had been guilty. The man replied that the prisoner was a murderer, by whose hand, Pinnabell, the son of Count Anselm had been treacherously slain. At these words the prisoner exclaimed, I am no murderer, nor have I been in any way the cause of the young man's death. Orlando, knowing the cruel and ferocious character of the cheese of the house of Maganza, needed no more to satisfy him that the youth was the victim of injustice. He commanded the leader of the troop to release his victim and, receiving an insolent reply, dashed him to the earth with a stroke of his lance. Then by a few vigorous blows dispersed the band, leaving the deadly marks on those who were slowest to quit the field. Orlando then hastened to unbind the prisoner and assisted to recloth himself in his armor, which the false Magansian had dared to assume. He then led him to Isabella, who now approached the scene of action. How can we picture the joy, the astonishment, with which Isabella recognized in him Zurbino, her husband, and the prince discovered her whom he had believed overwhelmed in the waves? They embraced one another and wept for joy. Orlando, sharing in their happiness, congratulated himself in having been the instrument of it. The princess recounted to Zurbino what the illustrious paladin had done for her and the prince threw himself at Orlando's feet and thanked him as having twice preserved his life. While these exchanges of congratulation and thankfulness were going on, a sound in the underwood attracted their attention and caused the two knights to brace their helmets and stand on their guard. What the cause of the interruption was, we shall record in another chapter. End of Section 11. Section 12 of Bullfinches, the Legends of Charlemagne. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Anne Boulet. The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch. Section 12, Mendoro. France was at this time the theater of dreadful events. The Saracens and the Christians, in numerous encounters, slew one another. On one occasion, Ronaldo led an attack on the Infidel columns, broke and scattered them till he found himself opposite to a knight whose armor, whether by accident or by choice, it matters not. Bore the Blazen of Orlando. It was Dardanelle, the young and brave prince of Zumara, and Ronaldo remarked him by the slaughter he spread all around. Ah, he said to himself, let us pluck up this dangerous plant before it has grown to its full height. As Ronaldo advanced, the crowd opened before him, the Christians to let his sword have free course, the Pagans to escape its sweep. Dardanelle and he stood face to face. Ronaldo exclaimed fiercely, young man, whoever gave you that noble buckler to bear made you a dangerous gift. I should like to see how you are able to defend those quarterings, red and white. If you cannot defend them against me, how prey will you do so when Orlando challenges them? Dardanelle replied, that shall learn that I can defend the arms I bear and shed new glory upon them. No one shall rend them from me but with life. Saying these words, Dardanelle rushed upon Ronaldo with sword uplifted. The chill of mortal terror filled the souls of the Saracens when they beheld Ronaldo advance to attack the prince, like a lion against a young bull. The first blow came from the hand of Dardanelle and the weapon rebounded from Mambrino's helmet without effect. Dardanelle smiled and said, I will now show you if my strokes are more effectual. At these words he thrust the unfortunate Dardanelle in the middle of his breast. The blow was so violent that the cruel weapon pierced the body and came out a palm breath behind his back. Through this wound the life of Dardanelle issued with his blood and his body fell helpless to the ground. As a flower which the passing plow has uprooted languishes and droops its head, so Dardanelle, in his visage covered with the paleness of death, expires and the hopes of an illustrious race perish with him. Like the waters kept back by a dyke, which, when the dyke is broken, spread abroad through all the country, so the moors no longer kept in column by the example of Dardanelle fled in all directions. Ronaldo despised too much such easy victories to pursue them. He wished for no combats but with brave men. At the same time, the other paladins made terrible slaughter of the moors. Charles himself, Oliver, Guido, and Ogierre the Dane carried death into their ranks on all sides. The infidel seemed doomed to perish to a man on that dreadful day, but the wise king, Marsilius, at last put some slight degree of method into the general rout. He collected the remnant of the troops, formed them into a battalion, and retreated intolerable order to his camp. That camp was well fortified by entrenchments and a broad ditch. Thither the fugitives hastened, and by degrees all that remained of the Moorish army was brought together there. The emperor might perhaps that night have crushed his enemy entirely, but not thinking it prudent to expose his troops, fatigued as they were, to an attack upon a camp so well fortified, and intended himself with encompassing the enemy with his troops, prepared to make a regular siege. During the night the Moors had time to see the extent of their loss. Their tents resounded with lamentations. This warrior had to mourn a brother, that a friend. Many suffered with grievous wounds, all trembled at the fate in store for them. There were two young Moors, both of humble rank, who gave proof at that time that their fidelity rare in the history of man. Chloridin and Medoro had followed their prince, Dardanelles, to the wars of France. Chloridin, a bold huntsman, combined strength with activity. Medoro was a mere youth, his cheeks yet fair and blooming. Of all the Saracens, no one united so much grace and beauty. His light hair was set off by his black and startling eyes. The two friends were together on guard about midnight they gazed on the scene in deep dejection. Medoro, with tears in his eyes, spoke of the good Prince Dardanelles and could not endure the thought that his body should be cast out on the plane, deprived of funeral honors. Oh, my friend, he said, must then the body of our prince be the prey of wolves and ravens? Alas, when I remember how he loved me, I feel that I should sacrifice my life to do him honor. I should not do more than my duty. I wished, dear friend, to seek out his body on the battlefield and give it burial. And I hope to be able to pass through King Charles' camp without discovery, as they are probably all asleep. You, Chloridin, will be able to say for me if I should die in the adventure, that gratitude and fidelity to my prince were my inducements. Chloridin was both surprised and touched with this proof of the young man's devotion. He loved him tenderly and tried for a long time every effort to dissuade him from his design. But he found Medoro determined to accomplish his object or die in the endeavor. Chloridin, unable to change his purpose, said, I will go with you, Medoro, and help you in this generous enterprise. I value not life compared with honor, and if I did, do you suppose, dear friend, that I could live without you? I would rather fall by the arms of our enemies than die of grief for the loss of you. When the two friends were relieved from their guard duty, they went without any followers into the camp of the Christians. All there was still, the fires were dying out. There was no fear of any attempt on the part of the Saracens, and the soldiers, overcome by fatigue or wine, slept secure, lying upon the ground in the midst of their arms and equipage. Chloridin stopped and said, Medoro, I am not going to quit this camp without taking vengeance for the death of our Prince. Keep watch. Be on your guard that no one shall surprise us. I mean to mark a road with my sword through the ranks of our enemies. So saying, he entered the tent where Alpheus slept, who a year before had joined the camp of Charles and pretended to be a great physician and astrologer. But his science had deceived him. If it gave him hope of dying peacefully in his bed at a good old age, his lot was to die with little warning. Chloridin ran his sword through his heart. A Greek and a German followed, who had been playing late at dice. Fortunate if they had continued their game a little longer, but they never reckoned a throw like this among their chances. Chloridin next came to the unlucky Grillon, whose head lay softly on his pillow. He dreamed probably of the feasts from which he had but just retired. For when Chloridin cut off his head, wine flowed forth with the blood. The two young Moors might have penetrated even to the tent of Charlemagne. But knowing that the paladins and camped around him kept watch by turns, and judging that it was impossible they should all be asleep, they were afraid to go too near. They might also have obtained rich booty. But intent only on their object, they crossed the camp and arrived at length at the bloody field, where bucklers, lances, and swords lay scattered in the midst of corpses of poor and rich, common soldier and prince, horses and pools of blood. This terrible scene of carnage would have destroyed all hope of finding what they were in search of until dawn of day. Were it not that the moon lent the aid of her uncertain rays? Medoro raised his eyes to the planet and exclaimed, Oh, holy goddess, whom our fathers have adored under three different forms. Thou who displayest thy power in heaven, on earth, and in the underworld. Thou who aren't seen foremost among the nymphs chasing the beasts of the forest. Cause me to see, I implore thee, the spot where my dear master lies, and make me all my life long follow the example which thou dost exhibit of works of charity and love. Either by accident or that the moon was sensible of the prayer of Medoro, the cloud broke away, and the moonlight burst forth as bright as day. The rays seemed especially to gild the spot where lay the body of Prince Dardanelle, and Medoro, bathed in tears and with bleeding heart, recognized him by the quarterings of red and white on his shield. With groans stifled by his tears and lamentations in accents suppressed, not from any fear for himself, for he cared not for life, but lest anyone should be roused to interrupt their pious duty while yet incomplete. He proposed to his companion that they should together bear Dardanelle on their shoulders, sharing the burden of the beloved remains. Marching with rapid strides under their precious load, they perceived that the stars began to grow pale, and that the shades of night would soon be dispersed by the dawn. Just then, Zervino, whose extreme valor had urged him far from the camp in pursuit of the fugitives, returning, entered the wood in which they were. Some nights in his train perceived at a distance the two brothers in arms. Chloridin saw the troop, and, observing that they dispersed themselves over the plain as if in search of booty, told Medoro to lay down the body and let each save himself by flight. He dropped his part, thinking that Medoro would do the same. But the good youth loved his prince too well to abandon him, and continued to carry his load singly as well as he might, while Chloridin made his escape. Nearby there was a part of the wood tufted as if nothing but wild animals had ever penetrated there. The unfortunate youth, loaded with the weight of his dead master, plunged into its recesses. Chloridin, when he perceived that he had evaded his foes, discovered that Medoro was not with him. Ah, he exclaimed, how could I, dear Medoro, so forget myself as to consult your own safety without heeding yours. So saying, he retraced the tangled passes of the wood toward the place from whence he had fled. As he approached, he heard the noise of horses, and the menacing voices of armed men. Soon he perceived Medoro on foot with the cavalier surrounding him. Zurbino, their commander, bade them seize him. The unhappy Medoro turned now this way, now that, he can seal himself behind an oak or a rock, still bearing the body, which he would by no means leave. Chloridin not knowing how to help him, but resolved to perish with him, if he must perish, takes an arrow, fits it into his bow, discharges it, and pierces the breast of a Christian knight, who falls helpless from his horse. The others looked this way and that, to discover whence the fatal bolt was sped. One, while demanding of his comrades in what direction the arrow came, received a second in his throat, which stopped his words, and soon closed his eyes to the scene. Zurbino, furious at the death of his two comrades, ran upon Medoro, seized his golden hair, and dragged him forward to slay him. But the sight of so much youth and beauty commanded pity. He stayed his arm. The young man spoke in suppliant tones. Ah, senor, he said. I conjure you by the God whom you serve. Deprive me not of life until I shall have buried the body of the prince, my master. Fear not that I will ask you any other favor. Life is not dear to me. I desire death as soon as I shall have performed this sacred duty. Do with me then, as you please. Give my limbs a prey to the birds and bees. Only let me first bury my prince. Medoro pronounced these words with an air so sweet and tender that a heart of stone would have been moved by them. Zurbino was so to the bottom of his soul. He was on the point of uttering words of mercy. When a cruel subaltern, forgetting all respect to his commander, plunged his lance into the breast of the young Moor. Zurbino, enraged at his brutality, turned upon the wretch to take vengeance, but he saved himself by a precipitate flight. Chloridin, who saw Medoro fall, could contain himself no longer. He rushed from his concealment, threw down his bow, and, sword in hand, seemed only desirous of vengeance for Medoro, and to die with him. In a moment, pierced through and through with many wounds, he exerts the last remnant of his strength in dragging himself to Medoro to die embracing him. The Cavaliers left them thus to rejoin Zurbino, whose rage against the murderer of Medoro had drawn him away from the spot. Chloridin died, and Medoro, bleeding copiously, was drying near his end when help arrived. A young maiden approached the fallen knights at this critical moment. Her dress was that of a peasant girl, but her air was noble and her beauty celestial. Sweetness and goodness reigned in her lovely countenance. It was no other than Angelica, the Princess of Cathay. When she had recovered that precious ring, as we have before related, Angelica, knowing its value, felt proud in the power it conferred, traveled alone without fear, not without a secret shame that she had ever been obliged to seek protection in her wanderings of the Count Orlando and of Sacrepent. She reproached herself, too, as with a weakness that she had ever thought of marrying Rinaldo. In fine, her pride grew so high as to persuade her that no man living was worthy to aspire to her hand. Moved with pity at the sight of the young man wounded and melted to tears at hearing the cause, she quickly recalled to remembrance the knowledge she had acquired in India, where the virtues of plants and the art of healing form part of the education even of princesses. The beautiful queen ran into the adjoining meadow to gather plants of virtue to staunch the flow of blood. Meeting on her way a countryman on horseback seeking a strayed heifer, she begged him to come to her assistance and endeavor to remove the wounded man to a more secure asylum. Angelica, having prepared the plants by bruising them between two stones, laid them with her fair hand on Midoro's wound. The remedy soon restored in some degree the strength of the wounded man, who, before he would quit the spot, made them cover with earth and turf the bodies of his friend and of the prince. Then surrendering himself to the pity of his deliverers, he allowed them to place him on the horse of the shepherd and conduct him to his cottage. It was a pleasant farmhouse on the borders of the wood, bearing marks of comfort and competency. There the shepherd lived with his wife and children. There Angelica attended Midoro and there, by the devoted care of the beautiful queen, his sad wound closed over and he recovered his perfect health. Oh Count Rinaldo, oh King Sacrepant, what availed it you to possess so many virtues and such fame? What advantage have you derived from all your high desserts? Oh hapless king, great a Greekin! If you could return to life, how would you endure to see yourself rejected by one who will bow to the yoke of hymen in favor of a young soldier of humble birth? And thou, Pharao, and ye numerous others who a hundred times have put your lives at hazard for this cruel beauty, how bitter will it be to you that her sacrifice you all to the claims of the humble Midoro? There, under the low roof of a shepherd, the flame of hymen was lighted for this hotty queen. She takes the shepherd's wife to serve in place of mother, the shepherd and his children for witnesses, and marries the happy Midoro. Angelica, after her marriage, wishing to endow Midoro with the sovereignty of the countries which yet remained to her, took with him the road to the east. She had preserved through all her adventures a bracelet of gold enriched with precious stones, the present of Count Orlando. Having nothing else wherewith to reward the good shepherd and his wife, who had served her with so much care and fidelity, she took the bracelet from her arm and gave it to them. And then the newly married couple directed their steps toward the mountains which separate France and Spain, intending to wait at Barcelona, a vessel which should take them on their way to the east. End of section 12. Section 13 of Bullfinches, The Legends of Charlemagne. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Anne Boulet. The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch. Section 13. Orlando Mad. Orlando, on the loss of Angelica, laid aside his crest in arms and arrayed himself in a suit of black armor expressive of his despair. In this guise, he carried such slaughter among the ranks of the infidels that both armies were astonished at the achievements of the stranger knight. Mandracardo, who had been absent from the battle, heard the report of these achievements and determined to test for himself the valor of the knight so extolled. He it was who broke in upon the conference of Zurbino and Isabella and their benefactor Orlando as they stood occupied in mutual felicitations after the happy reunion of the lovers by the prowess of the paladin. Mandracardo, after contemplating the group for a moment, addressed himself to Orlando in these words. Thou must be the man I seek. For ten days and more I have been on thy track. The fame of thy exploits have brought me hither that I may measure my strength with thine. Thy crest and shield prove thee the same who spread such slaughter among our troops. But these marks are superfluous. And if I saw thee among a hundred I should know thee by thy marshal bearing to be the man I seek. I respect thy courage, said Orlando. Such a design could not have sprung up in any but a brave and generous soul. If the desire to see me has brought thee hither I would, if it were possible, show thee my inmost soul. I will remove my visor that you may satisfy your curiosity. But when you have done so I hope that you will also try and see if my valor corresponds to my appearance. Come on, said the Saracen. My first wish was to see and know thee. I will not gratify my second. Orlando, observing Magicardo, was surprised to see no sword at his side nor lance at his saddlebow. And what weapon hast thou, he said, if thy lance fail thee? Do not concern yourself about that, said Magicardo. I have made many good knights give ground with no other weapon than you see. Know that I have sworn an oath never to bear a sword until I went back the famous Durandana that Orlando, the Paladin carries. That sword belongs to the suit of armor which I wear. That only is wanting. Without doubt it was stolen. But how it got into the hands of Orlando I know not. But I will make him pay dearly for it when I find him. I seek him the more anxiously that I may avenge with his blood the death of King Aggregan, my father, whom he treacherously slew. I am sure he must have done it by treachery, for it was not in his power to subdue in a fair fight such a warrior as my father. Thou liest, cried Orlando, and all who say so lie. I am Orlando whom you seek. Yes, I am he who slew your father honorably. Hold, here is the sword. You shall have it if your courage avails to merit it. Though it belongs to me by right, I am sure he must have done it though it belongs to me by right. I will not use it in this dispute. See, I hang it on this tree. You shall be master of it if you believe me of life, not else. At these words, Orlando drew Durandana and hung it on one of the branches of a tree nearby. Both knights, boiling with equal ardor, rode off in a semi-circle, then rushed together with reins thrown loose and struck one another with their lances. Both kept their seats immovable. The splinters of their lances flew into the air, and no weapon remained for either but the fragment which he held in his hand. Then those two knights, covered with iron mail, were reduced to the necessity of fighting with staves, in the manner of two rustics, who dispute the boundary of a meadow or the possession of a spring. These clubs could not long keep hold in the hands of such dirty smiders who were soon reduced to fighting with naked fists. Such warfare was more painful to him that gave than to him that received the blows. They next clasped and strained each adversary, as Hercules did Anteas. Mandracardo, more enraged than Orlando, made violent efforts to unseat the paladin and drop the reign of his horse. Orlando, more calm, perceived it. With one hand he resisted Mandracardo, with the other he twitched the horse's bridle over the ears of the animal. The Saracen dragged Orlando with all his might, but Orlando's thighs held the saddle like a vice. At last the efforts of the Saracen broke the girts of Orlando's horse. The saddle slipped, and the knight, firm in his stirrups, slipped with it and came to the ground hardly conscious of his fall. The noise of his armor in falling startled Mandracardo's horse, with his bridle. He started off in full career, heeding neither trees nor rocks nor broken ground. Urged by fright, he ran with furious speed, carrying his master, who, almost distracted with rage, shouted and beat the animal with his fists, and thereby impaled his flight. After running thus three miles or more, a deep ditch opposed their progress. The horse and rider fell headlong into it and got him covered with featherbeds or roses. They got sadly bruised, but were lucky enough to escape without any broken limbs. Mandracardo, as soon as he gained his feet, seized the horse by his mane with fury, but having no bridle could not hold him. He looked round in hopes of finding something that would do for a rain. Just then Fortune, who seemed willing to help him at last, brought that way a peasant with a bridle who was in search of his farm horse that had strayed away. Orlando, having speedily repaired his horse's girths, remounted and waited a good hour for the Saracen to return. Not seeing him, he concluded to go in search of him. He took an affectionate leave of Zurbino and Isabella, who would willingly have followed him, but this brave paladin would by no means permit. He held it unnightly to go in search of an enemy accompanied by a friend who might act as a defender. Therefore, desiring them to say to Mandracardo if they should meet him that his purpose was to tarry in the neighborhood three days and then repaired to the camp of Charlemagne, he took down Durandana from the tree and proceeded in the direction which the Saracen's horse had taken. But the animal, having no guide but its terror, has so doubled and confused its traces that Orlando, after two days spent in the search, gave up the attempt. It was about the middle of the third day when the paladin arrived on the pleasant bank of a stream which wound through a meadow enameled with flowers. High trees, whose tops met and formed an arbor, overshadowed the fountain and the breeze which blew through their foliage tempered the heat. Hither the shepherds used to resort to quench their thirst and to enjoy the shelter from the midday sun. The air, perfumed with flowers, seemed to breathe the fresh strength into their veins. Orlando felt the influence, though covered with his armor. He stopped in this delicious arbor where everything seemed to invite to repose. But he could not have chosen a more fatal asylum. He there spent the most miserable moments of his life. He looked around and noted with pleasure all the charms of the spot. He saw that some of the trees were carved with inscriptions. The man read them. And what was his surprise to find that they composed the name of Angelica? Farther on he found the name of Medoro mixed with hers. The paladin thought he dreamed. He stood like one amazed. Like a bird that, rising to fly, finds its feet caught in a net. Orlando followed the course of the stream and came to one of its turns where the rocks of the mountain bend in such a way as to form a sort of grotto. The ivy and the wild vine draped the entrance of this recess, scooped by the hand of nature. The unhappy paladin, on entering the grotto, saw letters which appeared to have been lately carved. They were verses which Medoro had written in honor of his happy nuptials with the beautiful queen. Orlando tried to persuade himself it must be some other Angelica whom those verses celebrated. And as for Medoro, the sun was now declining and Orlando remounted his horse and went on his way. He soon saw the roof of a cottage whence the smoke ascended. He heard the barking of dogs and the lowing of cattle and arrived at a humble dwelling which seemed to offer an asylum for the night. The inmates, as soon as they saw him, hastened to tender him service. One took his horse, another his shield and caress, another his golden spurs. It was the very same where Medoro had been carried, deeply wounded, where Angelica had tended him and afterwards married him. The shepherd who lived in it loved to tell everybody the story of this marriage and soon related it with all its details to the miserable Orlando. Having finished it, he went away and returned with the precious bracelet which Angelica, grateful for his services, had given him as a memorial. The one which Orlando had himself given her. This last touch was the finishing stroke to the excited Paladin. Frantic, exasperated, he exclaimed against the ungrateful and cruel princess who had disdained him, the most renowned, the most indomitable of all the Paladins of France, him who had rescued her from the most alarming perils, him who had fought the most terrible battles for her sake, him a young Saracen. The pride of the noble count was deeply wounded. Indignant, frantic, a victim to ungovernable rage, he rushed into the forest uttering the most frightful shrieks. No! No! he cried. I am not the man they take me for. Orlando is dead. I am only the wandering ghost of that unhappy count who is now suffering the torments of hell. Orlando wandered all night as chance directed through the wood, and at sunrise his destiny led him to the fountain where Medoro had engraved in the fatal inscription. The frantic Paladin saw it a second time with fury, drew his sword, and hacked it from the rock. Unlucky grotto, you shall no more attract by your shade and coolness, you shall no more shelter with your arch, either shepherd or flock. In a fresh and pure fountain you may not escape the rage of the furious Orlando. He cast into the fountain branches, trunks of trees which he tore up, pieces of rocks which he broke off, plants uprooted with the earth adhering, and turf in brushes so as to choke the fountain and destroy the purity of its waters. At length, exhausted by his violent exertions, bathed in sweat, breathless, Orlando sunk panting upon the earth and lay there insensible three days and three nights. The fourth day he started up and seized his arms. His helmet, his buckler, he cast far from him. His hobber in his clothes he rent asunder. The fragments were scattered through the wood. In fine he became a furious madman. His insanity was such that he cared not to retain even his sword, but he had no need of Durandana, nor of other arms to do wonderful things. His prodigious strength sufficed. At the first wrench of his mighty arm he tore up a pine tree by the roots. Oaks, beaches, maples, whatever he met in his path yielded in like manner. The ancient forest soon became as bare as the borders of a morass where the fowler has cleared away the bushes to spread his nets. The shepherds, hearing the horrible crashing in the forest, abandoned their flocks to run and see the cause of this unwanted uproar. By their evil star or for their sins they were led thither. When they saw the furious state the count was in and his incredible force they would feign have fled out of his reach, but in their fears lost their presence of mind. The madman pursued them, seized one and rent him limb from limb, as easily as one would pull ripe apples from a tree. He took another by the feet and used him as a club to knock down a third. The shepherds fled but it would have been hard for any to escape. If he had not at that moment left them to throw himself with the same fury upon their flocks. The peasants, abandoning their plows and harrows, mounted on the roofs of buildings and pinnacles of the rocks, afraid to trust themselves even to the oaks and pines. From such heights they looked on, trembling at the raging fury of the unhappy Orlando. His fists, his teeth, his nails, his feet, seas, break and tear, cattle, sheep and swine, the most swift in flight alone being able to escape him. When at last terror had scattered everything before him he entered a cottage which was abandoned by his inhabitants and there found that which served for food. His long fast had caused him to feel the most ravenous hunger, seizing whatever he found that was edible, whether roots, acorns or bread, raw meat or cooked, he gorged it indiscriminately. Issuing thence again the frantic Orlando gave chase to whatever living thing he saw, whether man or animals. Sometimes he pursued the deer in hind, sometimes he attacked bears and wolves and with his naked hands killed and tore them and devoured their flesh. Thus he wandered from place to place, through France, imperiling his life a thousand ways, yet always preserved by some mysterious providence from a fatal result. But here we leave Orlando for a time, that we may record what befell Zervino and Isabella after their parting with him. The prince and his fair bride waited, by Orlando's request, near the scene of the battle for three days, that if Mandracardo should return they might inform him where Orlando would give him another meeting. At the end of that time their anxiety to know the issue led them to follow Orlando's traces, which led them at last to the wood where the trees were inscribed with the names of Angelica and Maduro. They remarked how all these inscriptions were defaced and how the grotto was disordered and the fountain clogged with rubbish. But that which surprised them and distressed them most of all was to find on the grass the caress of Orlando far from it his helmet, the same which the renowned Almontes once wore. Hearing a horse neigh in the forest Zervino turned his eyes in that direction and saw Brigliodoro with the bridal yet hanging at the saddlebow. He looked round for Durandana and found that famous sword without the scabbard lying on the grass. He saw also the fragments of Orlando's other arms and clothing scattered on all sides over the plane. Zervino and Isabella stood in astonishment and grief not knowing what to think but little imagining the true cause. If they had found any marks of blood on the arms or on the fragments of the clothing they would have supposed him slain but there were none. While they were in this painful uncertainty they saw a young peasant approach. He not yet recovered from the terror of the scene which he had witnessed from the top of a rock told them full of the sad events. Zervino with his eyes full of tears carefully collected all the scattered arms. Isabella also dismounted to aid him in the sad duty. When they had collected all the pieces of that rich armor they hung them like a trophy on a pine and to prevent their being violated by any passersby Zervino inscribed on the bark this caution these are the arms of the paladin Orlando. When he finished this pious work he remounted his horse and just then a night rode up and requested Zervino to tell him the meaning of the trophy. The prince related the facts as they had happened and Madricardo for it was that Saracen knight full of joy rushed forward and seized the sword saying no one can censure me for what I do this sword is mine I can take my own wherever I find it. It is plain Orlando not daring to defend it against me has counterfeited madness to excuse him in surrendering it. Zervino vehemently exclaimed touch not that sword think not to possess it without a contest if it be true that the arms you wear are those of Hector you must have got them by theft and not by prowess. Immediately they attacked one another with the utmost fury they air resounded with thick falling blows. Zervino skillful and alert evaded for a time with good success the strokes of Durandana but at length a terrible blow struck him on the neck he fell from his horse and the Tartar king possessed of the spoils of his victory rode away. End of section 13 section 14 of bullfinches the legends of Charlemagne this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Anne Boulay the age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch section 14 Zervino and Isabella Zervino's pain at seeing the Tartar prince go off with the sword surpassed the anguish of his wound but now the loss of blood so reduced his strength that he could not move from where he fell Isabella not knowing whether to resort for help could only be moaned him and chide her cruel fate Zervino said if I could but leave thee my best beloved in some secure abode it would not distress me to die but to abandon thee so without protection is sad indeed she replied think not to leave me dearest our soul shall not be parted this sword will give me the means to follow thee Zervino's last words implored her to banish such a thought but live and be true to his memory Isabella promised with many tears to be faithful to him so long as life should last when he ceased to breathe Isabella's cries resounded through the forest and reached the ears of a reverend hermit who hastened to the spot he soothed and calmed her urging those consolations which the word of God supplies and at last brought her to wish for nothing else but to devote herself for the rest of life holy to religion as she could not bear the thoughts of leaving her dead lord abandoned the body was by the good hermit's aid placed upon the horse and taken to the nearest inhabited place where a chest was made for it suitable to be carried with them on their way hermit's plan was to escort his charge to a monastery not many days journey distant where Isabella resolved to spend the remainder of her days thus they traveled day after day choosing the most retired ways for the country was full of armed men one day a cavalier met them and barred their way it was no other than Rhoda Montt king of Algiers who had just left the camp of Agra Montt full of indignation at the treatment he had received from Dora Lise at sight of the lovely lady and her reverend attendant with their horse laden with a burden draped with black he asked the meaning of their journey Isabella told him her affliction and her resolution to renounce the world and devote herself to religion and to the memory of the friends she had lost Rhoda Montt laughed scornfully at this and told her that her project was absurd that charms like hers were meant to be enjoyed not buried and that he himself would more than make amends for her dead lover the monk who promptly interposed to rebuke this impious talk was commanded to hold his peace and still persisting was seized by the night and hurled over the edge of the cliff where he fell into the sea and was drowned Rhoda Montt when he had got rid of the hermit again applied to the sad lady heartless with a fright and in the language used by lovers said she was his very heart his life his light having laid aside all violence he humbly sued that she would accompany him to his retreat nearby it was a ruined chapel from which the monks had been driven by the disorders of the time and which Rhoda Montt had taken possession of Isabella who had no choice but to obey followed him meditating as she went what resource she could escape out of his power and keep her vow to her dead husband to be faithful to his memory as long as life should last at length she said if my lord you will let me go and fulfill my vow and my intention as I have already declared it I will bestow upon you what will be to you of more value than a hundred women's hearts I know an herb and I have seen it on our way which rightly prepared for as a juice of such power that the flesh, if labbed with it becomes impenetrable to sword and fire this liquor I can make and will today if you will accept my offer and when you have seen its virtues you will value it more than if all Europe were made your own Rhoda Montt at hearing this readily promised all that was asked so eager was he to learn a secret that would make him as Achilles was of your Isabella having collected such herbs as she thought proper and boiled them with certain mysterious signs and words at length declared her labor done and as a test offered to try its virtue on herself she bathed her neck and bosom with the liquor and then called on Rhoda Montt to smite with all his force and see whether his sword had power to harm the pagan who during the preparations had taken frequent drafts of wine and which knew what he did drew his sword at the word and struck across her neck with all his might and the fair head lep sundered from the snowy neck and breast rude and unfeeling as he was the pagan knight lament bitterly this sad result to honor her memory he resolved to do a work as unparalleled as her devotion from all parts round he caused labors to be brought and had a tower built to enclose the chapel within which the remains of Zurbino and Isabella were entuned across the stream which flowed nearby he built a bridge, scarce two yards wide, and added neither parapet nor rail on the top of the tower a century was placed who, when any traveler approached the bridge, gave notice to his master Rhoda Montt thereupon sallied out and defied the approaching knight to fight him upon the bridge where any chance step a little aside would plunge in the stream this bridge he vowed to keep until a thousand suits of armor should be won from conquered knights wherewith to build a trophy to his victim and her lord within ten days the bridge was built and the tower was in progress in a short time many knights either seeking the shortest route or tempted by a desire of adventure had made the attempt to pass the bridge all without exception had lost either arms or life or both some falling before Rhoda Montt's lands others precipitated into the river one day as Rhoda Montt stood urging his workmen it chanced that Orlando in his furious mood came thither and approached the bridge Rhoda Montt hallowed to him HALT CURR presumed not to set foot upon that bridge it was not made for such as you Orlando took no notice but pressed on just then a gentle damsel rode up it was Floridilise who was seeking her floor's mart she saw Orlando and in spite of his strange appearance recognized him Rhoda Montt not used to having his commands disobeyed laid hands on the madman and would have thrown him into the river but to his astonishment found himself in the grip of one not so easily disposed of how can a fool have such strength he growled through his teeth Floridilise stopped to see the issue where each of these peasant warriors strove to throw the other from the bridge Orlando at last had strength enough to lift his foe with all his armor and fling him over the side but had not wit to clear himself from him so both fell together high flashed the wave as they together smote at surface here Orlando had the advantage he was naked and could swim like a fish he soon reached the shore and careless appraiser stopped not to see what came of the adventure Rhoda Montt entangled with his armor escaped with difficulty to the bank meantime Floridilise passed the bridge unchallenged after long wandering without success she returned to Paris and there found the object of her search for Floridilise Mart after the fall of Albraca had repaired thither the joy of meeting was clouded to Floridilise Mart by the news which Floridilise brought of Orlando's wretched plight the last she had seen of him was when he fell with Rhoda Montt into the stream Floridilise Mart who loved Orlando like a brother resolved to set out immediately under the guidance of the lady to find him and bring him where he might receive the treatment suited to his case a few days brought them to the place where they found the Tartar King still guarding the bridge the usual challenge and defiance was made to encounter one another on the bridge at the first encounter both horses were overthrown and having no space to regain their footing fell with their riders into the water Rhoda Montt who knew the soundings of the stream soon recovered the land but Floridilise Mart was carried downward by the current and landed at last on a bank of mud where his horse could hardly find footing Floridilise who watched the battle from the bridge seeing her lover in this piteous case exclaimed aloud ah Rhoda Montt for love of her whom dead you honor have pity on me who love this knight and slay him not let it suffice he yields his armor to the pile and none more glorious will it bear than his her prayer so well directed touched the pagan's heart though hard to move and he lent his aid to help the knight to land he kept him a prisoner however and added his armor to the pile Floridilise with a heavy heart went her way we now must return to Rogero who when we parted with him was engaged in an adventure which arrested his progress to the monastery whether he was bound with the intention of receiving baptism and thus qualifying himself to demand Bradamonte as his bride on his way he met Magicardo and the quarrel was revived respecting the right to wear the badge of Hector after a warm discussion both parties agreed to submit the question to King Agramonte and for that purpose took their way to the Saracen camp here they met Gradasso who had his controversy also with Magicardo this warrior claimed the sword of Orlando denying the right of Magicardo to possess it in virtue of his having found it abandoned by its owner King Agramonte strove in vain to reconcile these quarrels forced at last to consent that the points in dispute should be settled by one combat in which Magicardo should meet one of the other champions to whom should be committed the cause of both Rogero was chosen by lot to maintain Gradasso's cause and his own great preparations were made for this signal contest on the day appointed it was fought in the presence of Agramonte and of the whole army Rogero won it and Magicardo the conqueror of Hector's arms the challenger of Orlando and the slayer of Zervino lost his life Gradasso received Durandana as his prize which lost half his value in his eyes since it was won by another's prowess not his own Rogero though victorious was severely wounded and lay helpless many weeks in the camp of Agramonte while Bradamonte ignorant of the cause of his delay to meet him at Maltauban Vither he had promised to repair in 15 days or 20 at furthest hoping to have obtained by that time an honorable discharge from his obligations to the Saracen commander the 20 days were passed and a month more and still Rogero came not nor did any tidings reach Badamonte accounting his absence at the end of that time a wandering knight brought news of the famous combat and of Rogero's wound he added what alarmed Bradamonte still more that Marfisa a female warrior young and fair was in attendance on the wounded knight he added that the whole army expected that as soon as Rogero's wounds were healed the pair would be united in marriage Bradamonte distressed by this news though she believed it but in part resolved to go immediately and see for herself she mounted Ravikon the horse of Afo which he had committed to her care and took with her the lance of gold though unaware of its wonderful powers thus accoutred she left the castle and took the road towards Paris and the camp of the Saracens Marfisa whose devotion to Rogero in his illness had so excited the jealousy of Bradamonte was the twin sister of Rogero she with him had been taken in charge when an infant by Atlantis the nation but while yet a child she had been stolen away by an Arab tribe adopted by their chief she had early learned horsemanship and skill in arms and at this time had come to the camp of Agramonte with no other view than to see and test for herself the prowess of the warriors of either camp whose fame rang through the world arriving at the very moment of the late encounter the name of Rogero and some few facts of his story which she learned were enough to suggest the idea that it was her brother whom she saw victorious in the single combat Inquiry satisfied the two of their near kindred and from that moment Marfisa devoted herself to the care of her new found and much loved brother in those moments of seclusion Rogero informed his sister of what he had learned of their parentage from old Atlantis Rogero their father a Christian knight had won the heart of Gallicella the daughter of the Sultan of Africa and sister of King Agramonte converted her to the Christian faith and secretly married her the Sultan enraged at his daughter's marriage drove her husband into exile and caused her with her infant children Rogero and Marfisa to be placed in a boat and committed to the winds and waves to perish from which fate they were saved by Atlantis on hearing this Marfisa exclaimed how can you brother leave our parents on avenge so long and even submit to serve the son of the tyrant who so wronged them Rogero replied that it was but lately he had learned the full truth that when he learned it he was already embarked with Agramonte from whom he had received knighthood and that he only waited for a suitable opportunity when he might with honor desert his standard and at the same time return to the faith of his fathers Marfisa hailed this resolution with joy and declared her intention to join with him in embracing the Christian faith we left Bratamonte when mounted on Rebacan and armed with Astolfo's lance she rode forth determined to learn the cause of Rogero's long absence one day as she rode she met a damsel of visage and of manners fair but overcome with grief it was Florida Lee's who was seeking far and near a champion capable of liberating and avenging her lord Florida Lee marked the approaching warrior and judging from appearances thought she found the champion she sought are you sir knight she said so daring and so kind as to take up my cause against a fierce and cruel warrior who has made prisoner of my lord and forced me thus to be a wanderer and a suppliant then she related the events which had happened at the bridge Bratamonte to whom noble enterprises were always welcome readily embrace this and the rather as in her gloomy forebodings she felt as if Rogero was forever lost to her next day the two arrived at the bridge the century described them approaching and gave notice to his lord who there upon dawn his armor and went forth to meet them here as usual he called on the advancing warrior to yield his horse and arms and oblation to the tomb Bratamonte replied asking by what right he called on the innocent to do penance for his crime your life and your armor she added are the fittest offering to her tomb and I a woman the fittest champion to take them with that she couched her spear spurred her horse and ran to the encounter King Rotamonte came on with speed the trampling sounded on the bridge like thunder it took but a moment to decide the contest the golden lance did its office and the fierce more so renowned internee lay extended on the bridge who is the loser now said Bratamonte but Rotamonte amazed that a woman's hand should have laid him low could not or would not answer silent and sad he raised himself unbound his helm and mail and flung them against the tomb then sullen and on foot left the ground but first gave orders to one of his squires to release all his prisoners they had been sent off to Africa besides floris mart there were sancinette and Oliver who had ridden that way in quest of Orlando and had both in turn been overthrown in the encounter Bratamonte after her victory resumed her route and in due time reached the Christian camp where she readily learned an explanation of the mystery which had caused her so much anxiety Rogero and his fair and brave sister Marfeza were too illustrious by their station and exploits not to be the frequent topic of discourse even among their adversaries and all that Bratamonte was anxious to know reached her ear almost without inquiry we now return to grad also who by Rogero's victory had been made possessor of Durandana there now only remain to him to seek the horse of Ronaldo and the challenge given and accepted was yet to be fought with that warrior for it had been interrupted by the arts of Maligigi grad also now sought another meeting with Ronaldo and met with no reluctance on his part as the combat was for the possession of Bayard the knights dismounted and fought on foot long time the battle lasted Ronaldo knowing well the deadly stroke of Durandana used all his art to parry or avoid its blow and also struck with might and main but well nigh all his strokes were spent in air or if they smote they fell obliquely and did little harm thus had they fought long glancing at one another's eyes and seeing not else when their attention was arrested per force by a strange noise they turned and beheld the good Bayard attacked by a mysterious bird perhaps it was a bird for such it seemed but when or where such a bird and I have nowhere read except in Turpan and I am inclined to believe that it was not a bird but a fiend evoked from underground by Maligigi and Vither sent on purpose to interrupt the fight whether a fiend or a fowl the monster flew right at Bayard and clapped his wings in his face there at the steed broke loose and ran madly across the plane pursued by the bird till Bayard plunged into the wood at the site Ronaldo and Gradosso seeing Bayard's escape agreed to suspend their battle till they could recover the horse the object of contention Gradosso mounted his steed and followed the foot marks of Bayard into the forest Ronaldo never more vexed in spirit remained at the spot Gradosso having promised to return Vither with the horse if he found him fortunate to hear him nay thus he became possessed of both the objects for which he had led an army from his own country and invaded France he did not forget his promise to bring Bayard back to the place where he had left Ronaldo but only muttering now I have got him he little knows me who expects me to give him up if Ronaldo wants the horse let him seek him in India as I have sought him in France he made the best of his way to Arles where his vessels lay and in possession of the two objects of his ambition the horse and the sword sailed away to his own country end of section 14 section 15 of Bullfinches the legends of Charlemagne this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Anne Boulay The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch section 15 Estolfo in Abyssinia when we last parted with the adventurous paladin Estolfo he was just commencing that flight over the countries of the world from which he promised himself so much gratification our readers are aware that the eagle and the falcon have not so swift a flight as the hippogriff on which Estolfo rode it was not long therefore before the paladin directing his course toward the southeast arrived over the part of Africa where the Great River Nile has its source here he alighted and found himself in the neighborhood of the capital of Abyssinia ruled by Senepus whose riches and power were immense his palace was of surpassing splendor the bars of the gates the hinges and locks were all a pure gold in fact this medal in that country is put to all those uses for which we employ iron it is so common that they prefer for ornamental purposes rock crystal of which all the columns were made precious stones of different kinds rubies, emeralds sapphires and topazes were set in ornamental designs and the walls and ceilings were adorned with pearls it is in this country those famous balms grow plants in that part of Judea called Gilead musk, ambergris and numerous gums so precious in Europe are here in their native climate it is said the Sultan of Egypt pays a vast tribute to the monarch of this country to hire him not to cut off the source of the Nile which he might easily do and cause the river to flow in some other direction thus depriving Egypt of the source of its fertility at the time of Astolfo's arrival in his dominions this monarch was in great affliction in spite of his riches and the precious production of his country he was in danger of dying of hunger he was prey to a flock of obscene birds called harpies which attack him whenever he sat at meat and with their claws snatched tore and scattered everything overturning the vessels devouring the food and infecting what they left with their filthy touch it was said this punishment ended upon the king because when young and filled with pride and presumption he had attempted to invade with an army the terrestrial paradise which is situated on the top of a mountain once the Nile draws its source nor was this his only punishment he was struck blind Astolfo on arriving in the dominions of this monarch hasten to pay him his respects King Centipus received him graciously and ordered a splendid repass and prepared in honor of his arrival while the guests were seated at table Astolfo filling the place of dignity at the king's right hand the horrid screech of the harpies was heard in the air and soon they approached hovering over the tables seizing the food from the dishes and overturning everything with the flapping of their broad wings in vain the guests struck at them with knives and any weapons which they had and Astolfo drew his sword and gave them repeated blows they have no more effect upon them than if their bodies had been made of toe at last Astolfo thought of his horn he first gave warning to the king and his guests to stop their ears then blew a blast the harpies, terrified at the sound flew away as fast as their wings could carry them the paladin mounted his hippogriff and pursued them blowing his horn as often as he came near them they stretched their flight towards the great mountain at the foot of which there is a cavern which is thought to be the mouth of the infernal abodes hither these horrid birds flew as if to their home having seen them all disappear in the recess Astolfo cared not to pursue them farther but a lighting rolled huge stones into the mouth of the cave and piled branches of trees therein so that he effectually barred their passage out and we have no evidence of their ever having been seen since in the outer air after this labor Astolfo refreshed himself by bathing in a fountain whose pure waters bubbled from a cleft of the rock having rested a while an earnest desire seized him of ascending the mountain which towered above him the hippogriff bore him swiftly upwards and landed him on the top of the mountain which he found to be an extensive plain a splendid palace rose in the middle of this plain whose walls shown with such mortal eyes could hardly bear the sight Astolfo guided the winged horse towards this edifice and made him pose himself in the air while he took a leisurely survey of this favorite spot and its environs it seemed as if nature and art had striven with one another to see which could do the most for its embellishment Astolfo, on approaching the edifice, saw a venerable man advance to meet him this personage was clothed in a long vesture as white as snow while a mantle of purple covered his shoulders and hung down to the ground a white beard descended to his middle and his hair of the same color overshadowed his shoulders his eyes were so brilliant that Astolfo felt persuaded that he was a blessed inhabitant of the heavenly mansions the sage smiling benignantly upon the paladin who from respect had dismounted his horse said to him noble chevalier know that it is by the divine will you have been brought to the terrestrial paradise your mortal nature could not have born to scale these heights and reach these seats of bliss if it were not the will of heaven that you should be instructed in the means to sucker Charles and to sustain the glory of your holy faith I am prepared to impart the needed counsels but before I begin let me welcome you to our sojourn I doubt not your long fast and distant journey have given you a good appetite the aspect of the venerable man filled the prince with admiration but his surprise ceased when he learned from him that he was that one of the apostles of our lord to whom he said I will that thou tarry till I come Saint John conducting Astolfo rejoined his companions these were the patriarch Enoch and the prophet Elijah neither of whom had yet seen his dying today but taken from our lower world were dwelling in a region of peace and joy in a climate of eternal spring till the last trumpet shall sound the three holy inhabitants of the terrestrial paradise received Astolfo with the greatest kindness carried him to a pleasant apartment and took care of the hippogriff to whom they gave such food as suited him while to the prince they presented fruit so delicious that he felt inclined to excuse our first parents for even in eating them without permission Astolfo having recruited his strength not only by these excellent fruits but also by sweet sleep roused himself at the first blush of dawn and as soon as he left his chamber met the beloved apostle coming to seek him Saint John took him by the hand and told him many things relating to the past and the future among others he said son let me tell you what is now going on in France Orlando the illustrious prince who received at his birth the endowment of strength encouraged more than mortal raised up as was Samson of old to be the champion of the true faith has been guilty of the basis in gratitude in leaving the Christian camp when it most needed the support of his arm to run after a Saracen princess whom he would feign Mary though she scorns him to punish him his reason has been taken away so that he runs land over mountains and through valleys without a ray of intelligence the duration of his punishment has been fixed at three months and that time having nearly expired you have been brought hitherto learn from us the means by which the reason of Orlando may be restored true you will be obliged to make a journey with me and you must even leave the earth and ascend to the moon for it is in that planet we are to seek the remedy for the madness of the paladin I propose to make our journey this evening as soon as the moon appears over our head as soon as the sun sunk beneath the seas and the moon presented its luminous disc the holy man had the chariot brought out in which he was accustomed to make excursions among the stars the same which was employed long ago to convey Elijah up from earth the saint made as Staltho seat himself beside him took the reins and giving the word to the corsers they bore them upward with astonishing celerity at length they reached the great continent of the moon its surface appeared to be a polished deal with here and there a spot which like rust obscured its brightness the paladin was astonished to see that the earth with all its seas and rivers seemed but an insignificant spot in the distance the prince discovered in this region so new to him rivers lakes plains hills and valleys many beautiful cities and castles enriched the landscape he also saw a vast forest and heard in them the sound of horns and the barking of dogs which led him to conclude that the nymphs were following the chase the night filled with wonder at all he saw was conducted by the saint to a valley where he stood amazed at the riches strewn all around him well he might be so for that valley was the receptacle of things lost on earth unspalled or by the effect of time and chance let no one suppose we speak here of kingdoms or of treasures they are the toys of fortune which she dispenses in turning her wheel we speak of things which she can neither give nor take away such are reputations which appear at one time so brilliant and a short time after are heard of no more here also are countless thousand prayers for unattainable objects lovers size and years time spent in gaming dressing and doing nothing the leisure of the dull and the intentions of the lazy baseless projects intrigues and plots these and such like things fill all the valley as Stalpho had a great desire to understand all that he saw and which appeared to him so extraordinary among the rest he observed a great mountain of blown bladders from which issued indistinct noises the saint told him these were the dynasties of Assyrian and Persian kings once the wonder of the earth of which now scarce the name remains as Stalpho could not help laughing when the saint said to him all these hooks of silver and gold that you see are the gifts of courtiers to princes made in the hope of getting something better in return he also showed him garlands of flowers in which snares were concealed these were flatteries and agulations meant to deceive but nothing was so comical as the sight of numerous grasshoppers which had burst their lungs with chirping these he told him were sonnets, odes and dedications addressed by venal poets to great people the paladin beheld with wonder what seemed a lake of spilled milk it is said the saint the charity done by frightened misers on their deathbeds it would take too long to tell all that the valley contained meanness, affections pretended virtues and concealed vices were there in abundance among the rest as Stalpho perceived many days of his own lost and many imprudent sallies which he had made and would have been glad not to have been reminded of but he also saw among so many lost things a great abundance of one thing which men are apt to think they all possess and do not think it necessary to pray for good sense this commodity appeared under the form of a liquor most light and apt to evaporate it was therefore kept in vials firmly sealed one of these was labeled the sense of the paladin orlando all the bottles were ticketed and the sage placed one in a Stalpho's hand which he found was his own it was more than half full he was surprised to find there many other vials which contained almost the whole of the wits of many persons who passed among men as Stalpho took his bottle how easy it is to lose one's reason some lose theirs by yielding to the sway of passions some in braving tempests and shoals in search of wealth some by trusting too much to the promises of the great some by setting their hearts on trifles as might have been expected the bottles which held the wits of astrologers, inventors, metaphysicians and above all of poets were in general the best build of all Stalpho took his bottle put it up to his nose and inhaled it all and Turpin assures us that he was for a long time afterwards as sage as one could wish but the archbishop adds that there was reason to fear that some of the precious fluid afterwards found its way back into the bottle the paladin took also the bottle which belonged to Orlando it was a large one and quite full before quitting the planetary region Stalpho was conducted to an edifice on the borders of a river he was shown an immense hall full of bundles of silk, linen, cotton and wool a thousand different colors, brilliant or dull some quite black were among these skeins in one part of the hall an old woman was busy winding off yarns from all these different bundles when she had finished a skein another ancient dame took it and placed it with others a third selected from the fleeces spun and lingled them in due proportions the paladin inquired what all this might be these old women said the saint are the fates who spin, measure and terminate the lives of mortals as long as the thread stretches in one of those skeins so long does the mortal enjoy the light of day but nature and death are on the alert to shut the eyes of those whose thread is spun each one of the skeins had a label of gold, silver or iron bearing the name of the individual to whom it belonged an old man who, in spite of the burden of years seemed brisk and active ran without ceasing to fill his apron with these labels and carried them away to throw them into the river whose name was Letha when he reached the shore of the river the old man shook out his apron and the label sunk to the bottom a small number only floated for a time hardly one in a thousand numberless birds, hawks, crows and vultures hovered over the stream with clamorous cries and strove to snatch from the water some of these names but they were too heavy for them and after a while the birds were forced to let them drop into the river of Oblivion but two beautiful swans of snowy whiteness gathered some of the names and returned with them to the shore where a lovely nymph received them from their beaks and carried them to a temple placed upon a hill and suspended them for all time upon a sacred column on which stood the statue of immortality Estafel was amazed at all this and asked his guide to explain it he replied the old man is time all the names upon the tickets would be immortal if the old man did not plunge them into the river of Oblivion those clamorous birds which make vain efforts to save certain of the names of flatters, pensioners venal rhymesters who do their best to rescue from Oblivion the unworthy names of their patrons but all in vain they may keep them from their fate a little while but ere long the river of Oblivion must swallow them all the swans that with harmonious strains carry certain names to the temple of eternal memory are the great poets who save from Oblivion worse than death the names of those they judge worthy of immortality swans of this kind are rare let monarchs know the true breed and fail not to nourish with care such as may chance to appear in their time End of Section 15 Section 16 When Astolfo had descended to the earth with a precious file sent John showed him a plant of marvelous virtues with which he told him he had only to touch the eyes of the king of Abyssinia to restore him to sight That important service, said the saint added to your having delivered him from the harpies will induce him to give you an army wherewith to attack the Africans in their rear to return from France to defend their own country The saint also instructed him how to lead his troops in safety across the great deserts where caravans are often overwhelmed with moving columns of sand Astolfo, fortified with ample instructions remounted the hippogriff, thanked the saint received his blessing and took his flight down to the level country Keeping the course of the river Nile he soon arrived at the capital of Abyssinia and rejoined Sinopas The joy of the king was great when he heard again the voice of the hero who had delivered him from the harpies Astolfo touched his eyes with the plant which he had brought from the terrestrial paradise and restored their sight The king's gratitude was unbounded He begged him to name a reward promising to grant it, whatever it might be Astolfo asked an army to go to the assistance of Charlemagne and the king not only granted him a hundred thousand men but offered to lead them himself The night before the day appointed for the departure of the troops Astolfo mounted his winged horse and directed his flight towards a mountain whence the fierce south wind issues whose blast raises the sands of the Nubian desert and whorls them onward in overwhelming clouds The paladin, by the advice of Saint John had prepared himself with a leather bag which he placed adroitly with its mouth open over the vent whence issues this terrible wind At the first dawn of mourning the wind rushed from its caravan to resume its daily course and was caught in the bag and securely tied up Astolfo, delighted with his prize returned to his army, placed himself at their head and commenced his march The Abyssinians traversed without danger or difficulty those vast fields of sand which separate their country from the kingdoms of northern Africa For the terrible south wind, taken completely captive had not force enough left to blow out a candle Sinopas was distressed that he could not furnish any cavalry for his country, rich in camels and elephants was destitute of horses This difficulty the saint had foreseen and had taught Astolfo the means of remedying He now put those means in operation Having reached a place whence he beheld a vast plain and the sea he chose from his troops those who appeared to be the best made and the most intelligent These he caused to be arranged in squadrons at the foot of a lofty mountain which bordered the plain and he himself mounted to the summit to carry into effect his great design Here he found vast quantities of fragments of rock and pebbles These he set rolling down the mountain side and, wonderful to relate, as they rolled they grew in size made themselves bodies, legs, necks, and long faces Next they began to neigh, to cuvee, to scamper on all sides over the plain Some were bay, some roan, some dapple, some chestnut The troops at the foot of the mountain exerted themselves to catch these new created horses, which they easily did for the miracle had been so considerate as to provide all the horses with bridles and saddles Astolfo thus suddenly found himself supplied with an excellent core of cavalry not fewer, as Archbishop Turin asserts, than 80,000 strong With these troops Astolfo reduced all the country to subjection and at last arrived before the walls of Agremont's capital city, Besserta to which he laid siege We must now return to the camp of the Christians, which lay before Arle to which city the Saracens had retired after being defeated in a night attack led on by Ronaldo Agremont here received the tidings of the invasion of his country by a fresh enemy the Abyssinians, and learned that Besserta was in danger of falling into their hands He took counsel of his officers and decided to send an embassy to Charles proposing that the whole quarrel should be submitted to the combat of two warriors one from each side according to the issue of which it should be decided which party should pay tribute to the other and the war cease Charlemagne, who had not heard of the favourable turn which affairs had taken in Africa readily agreed to this proposal and Ronaldo was selected on the part of the Christians to sustain the combat The Saracens selected Rogero for their champion Rogero was still in the Saracen camp, kept there by honour alone for his mind had been opened to the truth of the Christian faith by the arguments of Bratamont and he had resolved to leave the party of the Infidels on the first favourable opportunity to join the Christian side but his honour forbade him to do this while his former friends were in distress and thus he waited for what time might bring forth when he was startled by the announcement that he had been selected to uphold the cause of the Saracens against the Christians and that his foe was to be Ronaldo, the brother of Bratamont While Rogero was overwhelmed with his intelligence Bratamont on her side felt the deepest distress at hearing of the proposed combat If Rogero should fall she felt that no other man living was worthy of her love and if on the other hand Heaven should resolve to punish France by the death of her chosen champion Bratamont would have to deplore her brother so dear to her and be no less completely severed from the object of her affections While the Lady Fair gave herself up to these sad thoughts the sage enchantress Melissa suddenly appeared before her Fear not, my daughter, said she, I shall find a way to interrupt this combat which so distresses you Meanwhile, Ronaldo and Rogero prepared their weapons for the conflict Ronaldo had the choice and decided that it should be on foot and with no weapons but the battle-axe and poignard The place assigned was a plane between the camp of Charlemagne and the walls of Aro Hardly had the dawn announce the day appointed for this memorable combat when heralds proceeded from both sides to mark the lists Air-long the African troops were seen to advance from the city Aggrimante at their head, his brilliant arms adorned in the Moorish fashion his horse Abbe with a white star on his forehead Rogero marched at his side and some of the greatest warriors of the Saracen camp attended him bearing the various parts of his armor and weapons Charlemagne on his part proceeded from his entrenchments ranged his troops and semicircle and stood surrounded by his peers and paladins Some of them bore portions of the armor of Ronaldo The celebrated Augier, the Dane bearing the helmet which Ronaldo took from Mambrino Duke Namo of Bavaria and Salomon of Bretagne bore two axes of equal weight prepared for the occasion The terms of the combat were then sworn to with the utmost solemnity by all parties It was agreed that if, from either part any attempt was made to interrupt the battle both combatants should turn their arms against the party which should be guilty of the interruption and both monarchs assented to the condition that in such case the champion of the offending party should be discharged from his allegiance and at liberty to transfer his arms to the other side When all the preparations were concluded the monarchs and their attendants retired each to his own side and the champions were left alone The two warriors advanced with measured steps towards each other and met in the middle of the space They attacked one another at the same moment and the air resounded with the blows they gave Sparks flew from their battle axes while the velocity with which they managed their weapons astonished the beholders Rogero, always remembering that his antagonist was the brother of his betrothed could not aim a deadly wound he strove only to ward off those leveled against him Ronaldo on the other hand much as he esteemed Rogero spared not his blows for he eagerly desired victory for his own sake and for the sake of his country and his faith The Saracens soon perceived that their champion fought feebly and gave not to Ronaldo such blows as he received from him His disadvantage was so marked that anxiety and shame were manifest on the countenance of Agremont Melissa, one of the most acute enchantresses that ever lived seized this moment to disguise herself under the form of Rotamont that rude and impetuous warrior who had for some time been absent from the Saracen camp Approaching Agremont she said, how could you, my lord, have the impudence of selecting a young man without experience to oppose the most redoubtable warrior of France? Surely you must have been regardless of the honor of your arms and of the fate of your empire but it is not too late Break without delay the agreement which is sure to result in your ruin So saying she addressed the troops who stood near Friends, said she, follow me, under my guidance every one of you will be a match for a score of those feeble Christians Agremont, delighted at seeing Rotamont once more at his side, gave his consent and the Saracens at the instance couched their lances, set spurs to their steeds and swept down upon the French Melissa, when she saw her work successful, disappeared Ronaldo and Rogero seeing the truce broken and the two armies engaged in general conflict stopped their battle, their martial fury ceased at once, they joined hands and resolved to act no more on either side until it should be clearly ascertained which party had failed to observe its oath Both renewed their promise to abandon forever the party which had been thus false and perjured Meanwhile the Christians, after the first moment of surprise, met the Saracens with courage redoubled by rage at the treachery of their foes Guido the Wild, brother and rival of Ronaldo, Griffin and Aquilont, sons of Oliver and numerous others whose names have already been celebrated in our recitals, beat back the assailants and at last, after prodigious slaughter, forced them to take shelter within the walls of Aurore We will now return to Orlando, whom we last heard of as furiously mad and doing a thousand acts of violence in his senseless rage One day he came to the borders of a stream which intercepted his course He swam across it, for he could swim like an otter, and on the other side saw a peasant watering his horse He seized the animal, in spite of the resistance of the peasant, and rode it with furious speed till he arrived at the sea coast where Spain is divided from Africa by only a narrow strait At the moment of his arrival a vessel had just put off to cross the strait She was full of people who, with glass and hand, seemed to be taking a merry farewell of the land, wafted by a favourable breeze The frantic Orlando cried out to them to stop and take him in, but they, having no desire to admit a madman to their company, paid him no attention The Paladin thought this behaviour very uncivil, and by force of blows made his horse carry him into the water in pursuit of the ship The wretched animal soon had only his head above water, but as Orlando urged him forward, nothing was left for the poor beast, but either to die or swim over to Africa Already Orlando had lost sight of the bark, distance and the swell of the sea completely hit it from his sight He continued to press his horse forward till at last it could struggle no more and sunk beneath him Orlando, no wise concerned, stretched out his nervous arms, puffing the salt water from before his mouth, and carried his head above the waves Fortunately they were not rough, scarce a breath of wind agitated the surface, otherwise the invincible Orlando would then have met his death But fortune, which it is said favours fools, delivered him from this danger, and landed him safe on the shore of Xiuta Here he rambled along the shore till he came to where the Black Army of Astolfo held its camp End of Section 16 Section 17 of Bullfinches The Legends of Charlemagne This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Age of Charlemagne by Thomas Bullfinch Section 17 The War in Africa Part 2 Now it happened, just before this time, that a vessel filled with prisoners which Rotamond had taken at the bridge had arrived And not knowing of the presence of the Abyssinian army had sailed right into port, where of course the prisoners and their captors changed places The former being set at liberty and received with all joy the latter sent to serve in the galleys Astolfo thus found himself surrounded with Christian knights, and he and his friends were exchanging greetings and felicitations When a noise was heard in the camp, and seemed to increase every moment Astolfo and his friends seized their weapons, mounted their horses, and rode to the quarter once the noise proceeded Imagine their astonishment when they saw that the tumult was caused by a single man, perfectly naked, and browned with dirt and exposure But of a force and fury so terrible that he overturned all that offered to lay hands on him Astolfo, Doudon, Oliver, and Floramar gazed at him with amazement It was with difficulty they knew him. Astolfo, who had been warned of his condition by his holy monitor, was the first to recognize him As the paladins closed round Orlando, the madmen dealt one and another a blow of his fist, which if they had not been in armor or he had had any weapon would probably have dispatched them As it was, Doudon and Astolfo measured their length on the sand But Floramar seized him from behind. Sansonet and another grasped his legs, and at last they succeeded in securing him with ropes They took him to the water side and washed him well, and then Astolfo, having first bandaged his mouth so that he could not breathe except through his nose, brought the precious file, uncorked it, and placed it adroitly under his nostrils, when the good Orlando took it all up in one breath Oh, marvelous prodigy! The paladin recovered in an instant all his intelligence. He felt like one who had awakened from a painful dream, in which he had believed that monsters were about to tear him to pieces He seemed prostrated, silent, and abashed. Florasmart, Oliver, and Astolfo stood gazing upon him, while he turned his eyes around and on himself He seemed surprised to find himself naked, bound, and stretched on the seashore After a few moments he recognized his friends, and spoke to them in a tone so tender that they hastened to unbind him, and to supply him with garments Then they exerted themselves to console him, to diminish the weight with which his spirits were oppressed, and to make him forget the wretched condition in which he had sunk Orlando, in recovering his reason, found himself also delivered from his insane attachment to the Queen of Cathay His heart felt now no further influenced by the recollection of her than to be moved with an ardent desire to retrieve his fame by some distinguished exploit Astolfo would gladly have yielded to him the Chief Command of the Army, but Orlando would not take from the friend to whom he owed so much the glory of the campaign But in everything the two paladins acted in concert, and united their councils They proposed to make a general assault on the city of Becerta, and were only waiting a favorable moment, when their plan was interrupted by new events Aggrimant, after the bloody battle which followed the infraction of the truce, found himself so weak that he saw it was in vain to attempt to remain in France So in concert with Sobrino, the bravest and most trusted of his chiefs, he embarked to return to his own country, having previously sent off his few remaining troops in the same direction The vessel which carried Aggrimant and Sobrino approached the shore where the army of Astolfo lay encamped before Becerta And having discovered this fact before it was too late, the King commanded the pilot to steer eastward, with a view to seek protection of the King of Egypt But the weather becoming rough, he consented to the advice of his companions, and sought harbour in an island which lies between Sicily and Africa There he found Gradasso, the warlike king of Seracane, who had come to France to possess himself of the horse Bayard and the sword Durandana And having procured both these prizes was returning to his own country The two kings, who had been companions in arms under the walls of Paris, embraced one another affectionately Gradasso learned with regret the reverses of Aggrimant and offered him his troops in his person He strongly deprecated resorting to Egypt for aid Remember the great Pompey, said he, and shunned that fatal shore My plan, he continued, is this I mean to challenge Orlando to single combat, possessed of such a sword and steed as mine, if he were made of steel or bronze he could not escape me He being removed there will be no difficulty in driving back the Abyssinians We will rouse against them the Muslim nations from the other side of the Nile, the Arabians, Persians and Caldeans Who will soon make Sennepists recall his army to defend his own territories Aggrimant approved this advice except in one particular It is for me, said he, to combat Orlando, I cannot with honour devolve that duty on another Let us adopt a third course, said the aged warrior Sobrino I would not willingly remain a simple spectator of such a contest Let us send three squires to the shore of Africa to challenge Orlando and any two of his companions in arms to meet us three in this island of Lampedusa This council was adopted, the three squires sped on their way and now presented themselves and rehearsed their message to the Christian knights Orlando was delighted and rewarded the squires with rich gifts He had already resolved to seek gradaso and compel him to restore Durandana, which he had learned was in his possession For his two companions the count chose his faithful friend Floresmart and his cousin Oliver The three warriors embarked and sailing with a favourable wind the second morning showed them on their right, the island where this important battle was to be fought Orlando and his two companions, having landed, pitched their tent Agrimant had placed his opposite Next morning, as soon as Aurora brightened the edges of the horizon, the warriors of both parties armed themselves and mounted their horses They took their positions, face to face, lowered their lances, placed them in rest, clapped spurs to their horses and flew to the charge Orlando met the charge of gradaso The paladin was unmoved, but his horse could not sustain the terrible shock of Bayard He recoiled, staggered and fell some paces behind Orlando tried to raise him, but finding his efforts unavailing seized his shield and drew his famous balisardo Meanwhile, Agrimant and the brave Oliver gained no advantage, one or the other, but Floresmart unhorsed King Sabrina Having brought his foe to the ground, he would not pursue his victory, but hastened to attack gradaso, who had overthrown Orlando Seeing him thus engaged, Orlando would not interfere, but ran with sword upraised upon Sabrina, and with one blow deprived him of sense and motion Believing him dead, he next turned to aid his beloved Floresmart That brave paladin, neither in horse nor arms equal to his antagonist, could but parry and evade the blows of the terrible Durandana Orlando, eager to sucker him, was delayed for a moment in securing and mounting the horse of the king Sabrina It was but an instant, and with sword upraised, he rushed upon gradaso, who, no ways disconcerted the onset of this second foe, shouted his defiance and thrust at him with his sword But having miscalculated the distance, scarcely reached him, and failed to pierce his mail Orlando in return dealt him a blow with balisardo, which wounded as it fell, breast and thigh, and if he had been a little nearer, would have cleft him in twain Sabrina, by this time recovered from his swoon, though severely wounded, raised himself on his legs, and looked to see how he might aid his friends Observing Agremont hard pressed by Oliver, he thrust his sword into the bowels of the latter's horse, which fell and bore down his master, entangling his leg as he fell, so that Oliver could not extricate himself Floresmart saw the danger of his friend, and ran upon Sabrina with his horse, overthrew him, and then turned to defend himself from Agremont They were not unequally matched, for though Agremont, mounted on Brigliadoro, had an advantage over Floresmart, whose horse was but indifferent, yet Agremont had received a serious wound in his encounter with Oliver Nothing could exceed the fury of the encounter between Orlando and gradaso. Durandana, in the hands of gradaso, clove asunder whatever it struck, but such was the skill of Orlando, who perfectly knew the danger to which he was exposed from a stroke of that weapon It had not yet struck him in such a way as to inflict a wound Meanwhile, gradaso was bleeding from many wounds, and his rage and incaution increased every moment In his desperation he lifted Durandana with both hands, and struck so terrible a blow full on the helmet of Orlando, that for a moment it stunned the paladin He dropped the reins, and his frightened horse scoured him over the plane Gradaso turned to pursue him, but at that moment saw Floresmart in the very act of striking a fatal blow at Agremont, whom he had unhorst While Floresmart was wholly intent upon completing his victory, gradaso plunged his sword into his side Floresmart fell from his horse, and bathed the plane with his blood Orlando recovered himself just in time to see the deed Whether rage or grief predominated in his breast I cannot tell, but seizing Balasardo with fury, his first blow fell upon Agremont, who was nearest to him, and smote his head from his shoulders At this site gradaso for the first time felt his courage sink, and a dark presentiment of death came over him He hardly stood on his defense when Orlando cast himself upon him, and gave him a fatal thrust The sword penetrated his ribs, and came out a palm's breadth on the other side of his body Thus fell beneath the sword of the most illustrious paladin of France, the bravest warrior of the Saracen host Orlando then, as if despising his victory, leapt lightly to the ground, and ran to his dear friend Floresmart, embraced him, and bathed him with his tears Floresmart still breathed. He could even command his voice to utter a few parting words Dear friend, do not forget me, give me your prayers, and oh, be a brother to Floridilis He died in uttering her name After a few moments given to grief Orlando turned to look for his other companion and his late foes Oliver lay oppressed with the weight of his horse, from which he had in vain struggled to liberate himself Orlando extricated him with difficulty. He then raised Sabrina from the earth, and committed him to his squire, treating him as gently as if he had been his own brother For this terrible warrior was the most generous of men to a fallen foe He took Bayard and Brigliadoro with the arms of the conquered knights, their bodies and their other spoils he remitted to their attendance But who can tell the grief of Floridilis when she saw the warrior's return, and found not Floresmart as usual after absence hastened to her side She knew by the aspect of the others that her lord was slain At the thought, and before the question could pass her lips, she fell senseless upon the ground When life returned, and she learned the truth of her worst fears, she bitterly abraded herself that she had let him depart without her I might have saved him by a single cry when his enemy dealt him that treacherous blow, or I might have thrown myself between and given my worthless sigh for his Or if no more, I might have heard his last words, I might have given him a last kiss So she lamented and could not be comforted