AGRAMANT, King of Africa, convoked the kings, his
vassals, to deliberate in council. He reminded them of the
injuries he had sustained from France, that his father had
fallen in battle with Charlemagne, and that his early
years had hitherto not allowed him to wipe out the stain
of former defeats. He now proposed to them to carry war
into France.
Sobrino, his wisest councillor, opposed the project,
representing the rashness of it; but Rodomont, the young
and fiery king of Algiers, denounced Sobrino's counsel as
base and cowardly, declaring himself impatient for the
enterprise.
The
king of the Garamantes, venerable for his age and renowned
for his prophetic lore, interposed, and assured the King
that such an attempt would be sure to fail, unless he
could first get on his side a youth marked out by destiny
as the fitting compeer of the most puissant knights of
France, the young Rogero, descended in direct line from
Hector of Troy. This prince was now a dweller upon the
mountain Carena, where Atlantes, his fosterfather, a
powerful magician, kept him in retirement, having
discovered by his art that his pupil would be lost to him
if allowed to mingle with the world. To break the spells
of Atlantes, and draw Rogero from his retirement, one only
means was to be found. It was a ring possessed by
Angelica, Princess of Cathay, which was a talisman against
all enchantments. If this ring could be procured, all
would go well; without it, the enterprise was desperate.
Rodomont treated this declaration of the old prophet
with scorn, and it would probably have been held of little
weight by the council, had not the aged king, oppressed by
the weight of years, expired in the very act of
reaffirming his prediction. This made so deep an
impression on the council, that it was unanimously
resolved to postpone the war until an effort should be
made to win Rogero to the camp.
King Agramant thereupon proclaimed that the sovereignty
of a kingdom should be the reward of whoever should
succeed in obtaining the ring of Angelica. Brunello, the
dwarf, the subtlest thief in all Africa, undertook to
procure it.
In prosecution of this design, he made the best of his
way to Angelica's kingdom, and arrived beneath the walls
of Albracca while the besieging army was encamped before
the fortress. While the attention of the garrison was
absorbed by the battle that raged below, he scaled the
walls, approached the Princess unnoticed, slipped the ring
from her finger, and escaped unobserved. He hastened to
the seaside, and, finding a vessel ready to sail,
embarked, and arrived at Biserta, in Africa. Here he found
Agramant, impatient for the talisman which was to foil the
enchantments of Atlantes and to put Rogero into his hands.
The dwarf, kneeling before the King, presented him with
the ring, and Agramant, delighted at the success of his
mission, crowned him in recompense King of Tingitana.
All were now anxious to go in quest of Rogero. The
cavalcade accordingly departed, and in due time arrived at
the mountain of Carena.
At the bottom of this was a fruitful and well-wooded
plain, watered by a large river, and from this plain was
descried a beautiful garden on the mountain-top, which
contained the mansion of Atlantes; but the ring, which
discovered what was before invisible, could not, though it
revealed this paradise, enable Agramant or his followers
to enter it. So steep and smooth was the rock by nature,
that even Brunello failed in every attempt to scale it. He
did not, for this, despair of accomplishing the object;
but, having obtained Agramant's consent, caused the
assembled courtiers and knights to celebrate a tournament
upon the plain below. This was done with the view of
seducing Rogero from his fastness, and the stratagem was
attended with success.
Rogero joined the tourney, and was presented by
Agramant with a splendid horse, Frontino, and a
magnificent sword. Having learned from Agramant his
intended invasion of France, he gladly consented to join
the expedition.
Rodomont, meanwhile, was too impatient to wait for
Agramant's arrangements, and embarked with all the forces
he could raise, made good his landing on the coast of
France, and routed the Christians in several encounters.
Previously to this, however, Gano, or Ganelon (as he is
sometimes called), the traitor, enemy of Orlando and the
other nephews of Charlemagne, had entered into a
traitorous correspondence with Marsilius, the Saracen king
of Spain, whom he invited into France. Marsilius, thus
encouraged, led an army across the frontiers, and joined
Rodomont. This was the situation of things when Rinaldo
and the other knights who had obeyed the summons of Dudon
set forward on their return to France.
When they arrived at Buda in Hungary, they found the
king of that country about despatching his son,
Ottachiero, with an army to the succor of Charlemagne.
Delighted with the arrival of Rinaldo, he placed his son
and troops under his command. In due time the army arrived
on the frontiers of France, and, united with the troops of
Desiderius, king of Lombardy, poured down into Provence.
The confederate armies had not marched many days through
this gay tract, before they heard a crash of drums and
trumpets behind the hills, which spoke the conflict
between the paynims, led by Rodomont, and the Christian
forces. Rinaldo, witnessing from a mountain the prowess of
Rodomont, left his troops in charge of his friends, and
galloped towards him with his lance in rest. The impulse
was irresistible, and Rodomont was unhorsed. But Rinaldo,
unwilling to avail himself of his advantage, galloped back
to the hill, and having secured Bayard among the baggage,
returned to finish the combat on foot.
During this interval the battle had become general, the
Hungarians were routed, and Rinaldo, on his return, had
the mortification to find that Ottachiero was wounded, and
Dudon taken prisoner. While he sought Rodomont in order to
renew the combat, a new sound of drums and trumpets was
heard, and Charlemagne, with, the main body of his army,
was descried advancing in battle array.
Rodomont, seeing this, mounted the horse of Dudon, left
Rinaldo, who was on foot, and galloped off to encounter
this new enemy.
Agramant, accompanied by Rogero, had by this time made
good his landing, and joined Rodomont with all his forces.
Rogero eagerly embraced this first opportunity of
distinguishing himself, and spread terror wherever he
went, encountering in turn, and overthrowing many of the
bravest knights of France. At length he found himself
opposite to Rinaldo, who, being interrupted, as we have
said, in his combat with Rodomont, and unable to follow
him, being on foot, was shouting to his late foe to return
and finish their combat. Rogero also was on foot, and
seeing the Christian knight so eager for a contest,
proffered himself to supply the place of his late
antagonist. Rinaldo saw at a glance that the Moorish
prince was a champion worthy of his arm, and gladly
accepted the defiance. The combat was stoutly maintained
for a time; but now fortune declared decisively in favor
of the infidel army, and Charlemagne's forces gave way at
all points in irreparable confusion. The two combatants
were separated by the crowd of fugitives and pursuers, and
Rinaldo hastened to recover possession of his horse. But
Bayard, in the confusion, had got loose, and Rinaldo
followed him into a thick wood, thus becoming effectually
separated from Rogero.
Rogero, also seeking his horse in the medley, came
where two warriors were engaged in mortal combat. Though
he knew not who they were, he could distinguish that one
was a paynim and the other a Christian; and, moved by the
spirit of courtesy, he approached them, and exclaimed,
"Let him of the two who worships Christ pause, and
hear what I have to say. The army of Charles is routed and
in flight, so that if he wishes to follow his leader he
has no time for delay." The Christian knight, who was
none other than Bradamante, a female warrior, in prowess
equal to the best of knights, was thunderstruck with the
tidings, and would gladly leave the contest undecided, and
retire from the field; but Rodomont, her antagonist, would
by no means consent. Rogero, indignant at his discourtesy,
insisted upon her departure, while he took up her quarrel
with Rodomont.
The combat, obstinately maintained on both sides, was
interrupted by the return of Bradamante. Finding herself
unable to overtake the fugitives, and reluctant to leave
to another the burden and risk of a contest which belonged
to herself, she had returned to reclaim the combat. She
arrived, however, when her champion had dealt his enemy
such a blow as obliged him to drop both his sword and
bridle. Rogero, disdaining to profit by his adversary's
defenceless situation, sat apart, upon his horse, while
that of Rodomont bore his rider, stunned and stupefied,
about the field.
Bradamante approached Rogero, conceiving a yet higher
opinion of his valor on beholding such an instance of
forbearance. She addressed him, excusing herself for
leaving him exposed to an enemy from his interference in
her cause; pleading her duty to her sovereign as the
motive. While she spoke, Rodomont, recovered from his
confusion, rode up to them. His bearing was, however,
changed; and he disclaimed all thoughts of further contest
with one who, he said, "had already conquered him by
his courtesy." So saying, he quitted his antagonist,
picked up his sword, and spurred out of sight.
Bradamante was now again desirous of retiring from the
field, and Rogero insisted in accompanying her, though yet
unaware of her sex.
As they pursued their way, she inquired the name and
quality of her new associate; and Rogero informed her of
his nation and family. He told her that Astyanax, the son
of Hector of Troy, established the kingdom of Messina in
Sicily. From him were derived two branches, which gave
origin to two families of renown. From one sprang the
royal race of Pepin and Charlemagne, and from the other,
that of Reggio, in Italy. "From that of Reggio am I
derived," he continued. "My mother, driven from
her home by the chance of war, died in giving me life, and
I was taken in charge by a sage enchanter, who trained me
to feats of arms amidst the dangers of the desert and the
chase."
Having thus ended his tale, Rogero entreated a similar
return of courtesy from his companion, who replied,
without disguise, that she was of the race of Clermont,
and sister to Rinaldo, whose fame was perhaps known to
him. Rogero, much moved by this intelligence, entreated
her to take off her helmet, and, at the discovery of her
face, remained transported with delight.
While absorbed in this contemplation, an unexpected
danger assailed them. A party which was placed in a wood,
in order to intercept the retreating Christians, broke
from its ambush upon the pair, and Bradamante, who was
uncasqued, was wounded in the head. Rogero was in fury at
this attack; and Bradamante, replacing her helmet, joined
him in taking speedy vengeance on their enemies. They
cleared the field of them, but became separated in the
pursuit; and Rogero, quitting the chase, wandered by hill
and vale in search of her whom he had no sooner found than
lost.
While pursuing this quest, be fell in with two knights,
whom he joined, and engaged them to assist him in the
search of his companion, describing her arms, but
concealing, from a certain feeling of jealousy, her
quality and sex.
It was evening when their joined company, and having
ridden together through the night, the morning was
beginning to break, when one of the strangers, fixing his
eyes upon Rogero's shield, demanded of him by what right
he bore the Trojan arms. Rogero declared his origin and
race, and then, in his turn, interrogated the inquirer as
to his pretensions to the cognizance of Hector, which he
bore. The stranger replied, "My name is Mandricardo,
son of Agrican, the Tartar king, whom Orlando
treacherously slew. I say treacherously, for in fair fight
he could not have done it. It is in search of him that I
have come to France, to take vengeance for my father, and
to wrest from him Durindana, that famous sword, which
belongs to me, and not to him." When the knights
demanded to know by what right he claimed Durindana,
Mandricardo thus related his history:-
"I had been, before the death of my father, a wild
and reckless youth. That event awakened my energies, and
drove me forth to seek for vengeance. Determined to owe
success to nothing but my own exertions, I departed
without attendants or horse or arms. Travelling thus
alone, and on foot, I espied one day a pavilion, pitched
near a fountain, and entered it, intent on adventure. I
found therein a damsel of gracious aspect, who replied to
my inquiries, that the fountain was the work of a fairy,
whose castle stood beyond a neighboring hill, where she
kept watch over a treasure which many knights had tried to
win, but fruitlessly, having lost their life or liberty in
the attempt. This treasure was, the armor of Hector,
prince of Troy, whom Achilles treacherously slew. Nothing
was wanting but his sword Durindana, and this had fallen
into the possession of a queen named Penthesilea, from
whom it passed through her descendants to Almontes, whom
Orlando slew, and thus became possessed of the sword. The
rest of Hector's arms were saved and carried off by
AEneas, from whom this fairy received them in recompense
of service rendered. 'If you have the courage to attempt
their acquisition,' said the damsel, 'I will be your
guide.'"
Mandricardo went on to say that he eagerly embraced the
proposal, and being provided with horse and armor by the
damsel, set forth on his enterprise, the lady accompanying
him.
As they rode, she explained the dangers of the quest.
The armor was defended by a champion, one of the numerous
unsuccessful adventurers for the prize, all of whom had
been made prisoners by the fairy and compelled to take
their turn, day by day, in defending the arms against all
comers. Thus speaking they arrived at the castle, which
was of alabaster, overlaid with gold. Before it, on a
lawn, sat an armed knight on horseback, who was none other
than Gradasso, king of Sericane, who, in his return home
from his unsuccessful inroad into France, had fallen into
the power of the fairy, and was held to do her bidding.
Mandricardo, upon seeing him, dropt his visor, and laid
his lance in rest. The champion of the castle was equally
ready, and each spurred towards his opponent. They met one
another with equal force, splintered their spears, and,
returning to the charge, encountered with their swords.
The contest was long and doubtful, when Mandricardo,
determined to bring it to an end, threw his arms about
Gradasso, grappled with him, and both fell to the ground.
Mandricardo, however, fell uppermost, and, preserving his
advantage, compelled Gradasso to yield himself conquered.
The damsel now interfered, congratulating the victor, and
consoling the vanquished as well as she might.
Mandricardo and the damsel proceeded to the gate of the
castle, which they found undefended. As they entered, they
beheld a shield suspended from a pilaster of gold. The
device was a white eagle on an azure field, in memory of
the bird of Jove, which bore away Ganymede, the flower of
the Phrygian race. Beneath was engraved the following
couplet:-
"Let none with hand profane my buckler wrong
Unless he be himself as Hector strong."
The damsel, alighting from her palfrey, made obeisance
to the arms, bending herself to the ground. The Tartar
king bowed his head with equal reverence; then advancing
towards the shield, touched it with his sword. Thereupon
an earthquake shook the ground, and the way by which he
had entered closed. Another and an opposite gate opened,
and displayed a field bristling with stalks and grain of
gold. The damsel, upon this, told him that he had no means
of retreat but by cutting down the harvest which was
before him, and by uprooting a tree which grew in the
middle of the field. Mandricardo, without replying, began
to mow the harvest with his sword, but had scarce smitten
thrice when he perceived that every stalk that fell was
instantly transformed into some poisonous or ravenous
animal, which prepared to assail him. Instructed by the
damsel, he snatched up a stone and cast it among the pack,
A strange wonder followed; for no sooner had the stone
fallen among the beasts, than they turned their rage
against one another, and rent each other to pieces.
Mandricardo did not stop to marvel at the miracle, but
proceeded to fulfil his task, and uproot the tree. He
clasped it round the trunk, and made vigorous efforts to
tear it up by the roots. At each effort fell a shower of
leaves, that were instantly changed into birds of prey,
which attacked the knight, flapping their wings in his
face, with horrid screeching. But undismayed by this new
annoyance, he continued to tug at the trunk till it
yielded to his efforts. A burst of wind and thunder
followed, and the hawks and vultures flew screaming away.
