Rodomonths infernall, or The Diuell conquered Ariastos conclusions. Of the marriage of Rogero with Bradamanth his loue, & the fell fought battell betweene Rogero and Rodomonth the neuer-conquered pagan. Written in French by Phillip de Portes, and paraphrastically translated by G.M.

Rodomonths Infernall . 1 I Sing of him and his eternall ire , Whose wraths high tempest neuer calme could boot , That in his life shak't heauens immortal fire , And made the earth to tremble at his foote : That first made aire weep teares of wrong'd desire , Of Furies tree both bodie , head , and roote : The high contemner of all deitie , Afflictions master and the wracke of Pittie . 2 Of him I sing that washt all Fraunce in blood , Great man , great might , but angers greatest great , Whose soule when Roger sent to Charons flood , Blacke Plutoes Mariner did faire intreat , Shaking like reed that in some marrish stood , And all hell skard , his rigorous armes await : Palenes ( forsworne ) then seazd on Ditis face , And Proserpine to new-felt feares gaue place . 3 Then were the furies with his viewe affright , And shrunke to hide their waue-like snakie haires , Whilst he thrugh girt with mad outragious might , Thunders his bedlam wrath in dead mens eares : And like an hoste drags forth the sole-sad Night , To slay the beautie Heauens fore-head beares . God of my Muse and me grace of my song , Sweeten my harsh lines with thy musicke tong . 4 WHat time braue Leon had to Paris brought , The soule of Virtu , Roger Prince of arms , ( Whom Charlemaine and all his Peeres had sought ) And in the view of France ceasd those alarms , Aimon . Which old Mount Albans gouernors had wrought Gainst him the deare controller of his harmes : Now to make sweete his life so loathsome led , Roger vnto his Bradamante is wed . 5 To Bradamante , the joy of Aimons age , Bradamant was Aimons daughter , and sister to Rinaldo . The martiall Conqueresse of all the world , Gainst whom , durst none but he strong battel gage , For all Knights els by her were ouer-hurld , Onely his eies launce did her power asswage , And in her haires twine were his sences curld : That striuing who the battels glory wonne , Neither were conquered , both were ouercome . 6 This nuptiall wedding , this conjunct of hearts , Charles for Charlymaine . Charles seekes to deifie with all renowne Fraunce could affoard , or hidden Magycke arts Could dignifie with nights bright starrie crowne : Two daies in neuer-equald joyes departs , Whilst Heauens fore-head neuer lent a frowne . And in all Tilting , Tourney , and all fight , The praise and prize on Rogers fortunes light . 7 Who of the glorious Architect would learne , The rare pauilion , the inchanted tower , Or who would Troyes rich miracle discerne , Wrought by diuine hands in a holy bower : Where humane arte from heauenly artes did earne Perfections title in a blessed hower , Ariosto can . 46. Let him to Ariostoes Legend runne , Great light of Poesie , and Poets sunne . 8 But when the third dayes curtine was o're-spred , Giuing the worlds eie leaue to cheare the earth : And Charlymaine emperiously was led With drums , with trumpets , vialls , flutes , & mirth , Such as no Age hath knowne , or Time hath read , Vnto Melissaes tent calld Wonders birth ; Melissa a famous inchauntresse . Where all the heauenly reuells were contain'd Whilst meaner objects , meaner eies disdain'd . 9 Then when the Peeres sate round about their king , The 12. Signes . Like Natures twins , through which the Sun doth ride , And monthly keepes a seuerall progressing ; And euery Baron sate by others side , Taking what place Birth or Desert could winne , Lending aboundance to aboundant pride : Cloyd with accates , yet still desiring more , Digest with talke what they had tane before . 10 Confusedly like ouerflowing streames , Ranne the disturbed eccho of their speech : Or like tumultuous muttring heard in dreames , Which through our troubled sence makes sensles brech : Or like the clamors in the Suns pure beams , Made by the busie Bees ( which labour teach ) Such tingling musick from their lips did break , Till the faire Bride fairely began to speake . 11 With golden Oratorie guilding thought , And sweetening eares with pleasant honie words , Shee tels the fearefull combates shee had fought Gainst Pagan Knights , Princes , & mightie Lords , And most of all , the glorie shee had bought , In foyling Rodomonth , whom fame affoards More hie renowne for martiall chiualrie , Than Homer lent Achilles deitie . 12 Vnto her words her Auditors assume The style of immortalitie and praise , And that the times-wast richly might consume Ioynd vnto hers , they paint moe bloodie daies , Adding to battels past , a present plume , Which warlike dangers hie to heauen might raise ; Whilst others told the sackings of great townes , Where infants cries , the mothers shriekings drownes . 13 Thus deepely wading in their bloody theame , Historifying mortall immortall deedes , Charles like Apollo set in his golden teame , Cheering with lookes both plants and soueraigne weeds Now plac't between the two vnited beams , The Bride & Bridegrom , ( on whom beuty feeds : ) He saw a mighty man clad all in blacke , Mounted vpon a mighty coursers backe . 14 Who with a slow-foote maiestie did pace Towards them all , with a disdainfull eie , Sending contempt , the curtaine of his face , To plead the hate that in his heart did lie : Reuerence he scornd , nor did he yield one grace To Charles , the ladies , or to any by , Till all in muse what his amaze would make , Thus vnto Roger and the rest he spake . 15 Roger , I am great Rodomount the King , Of fruitfull Argier on the Affricke bounds , Whome Virtue and Renowne doth hither bring , To chalenge thee false traitor , whose name sounds In heathen eares like Iews trumps when they ring , And will approoue , that in thy heart abounds , Falshood vnto thy chieftaine , and thy faith , Which from thy birth thou shouldst preserue til death . 16 And therewithall auerre , that no true Knight , Ought to dispute of thee , or of thy fame , Thogh ( brasen facde ) thou shunnest not the light , Which of thy monstrous perjuries exclaime : All which to justifie in single fight , Beholde my hand made ready for the same , A mighty engin made by Natures skill , To scourge thy damned execrable ill . 17 Yet if thy cowards heart pine with remorse , And certaine knowledge make thee faint in sinne : Chuse for thine ayde , to double thy dead force , Some of these Knights that hemme thy courage in , Foure , five , or if full twenty , nere the worse , The more they mount , the more my fame shal win , Whilst I immortaliz'd by this great deede , Wil triumph when thy trembling heart shal bleed 18 Here pawsde the Pagan , yet with staring eie , Bright as a fiery Metyor in the darke , Casting on all th' assembly lookes awry , Stroke in them wonder that his words did marke : Yet hauing leaue , Roger did thus reply : Sterne king of Sarza , vnto mine answer harke : Pure as the Sunne mine honor I respect , And false thou liest that falsly doost detect . 19 Vnto my King I euer haue bin true , Linking Eternitie vnto my loue , Euen from the first age , to this last , none knew Spot in my faith , which euermore did moue Stainlesse , vnblemisht , whilst affection drew My constant thoughts the highest heauens aboue : And here ( false Pagan ) shall my life maintaine , That yet my life did neuer suffer staine . 20 And for these multitudes to ayde my wrong , My single selfe , single shall thee suffice , Well shalt thou find me bold enough and strong To quell the stormes that from thy furies rise , And in my soule , I hope ere it be long , Thou shalt confesse ( with anguish from thine eies ) That one alone contending in the right , Is both too many , and of too great might . 21 This said ; the two faire sonnes of Oliuer , Sanson , Orlando , Renald , and the rest , Stroue who should first Roger from wrong deliuer , Kindling a greedie ardor in their breast , Alleadging that his spowsals should disceuer Him from this conflict , and to them addrest This quarrels ground ; whilst Bradamant did swear , Marfyza Rogers sister . And faire Marfyza , they apart would beare . 22 But Roger fiercer , mad with their desire ; Breeding new Aetnas in his boyling heart , Swore their excuse should not make him retire , For sole to him belong'd that dreadfull part : Here-with he takes his armour ( bright as fire ) Made by inchantment , and by Magycke arte ; And scarce would stay ( so earnest was his flame ) Had not those states helpt to put on the same . 23 Marfyza and faire Bradamant his bride , Begyrt his curats on his manly backe , Charles coucht his trustie sword vnto his side , His spurres Orlando buckles ; nor doth lacke His helme , which on his head Astolpho ti'de , Dudon his stirrop holds , and in this wracke , Namus about the field takes speciall charge , To martiall it , and make it cleare and large . 24 Rinaldo held his courser by the raine , Whose hollow hoofe beating the humble ground , ( As basest element ) in high disdaine Spurn'd it , and gaue it many a drierie wound : And chiding his controlling bit in vaine , A milke-white foamy mantle bout it is wound ; Then neying lowd , charging his wel prickt eares , He shews his ioyes in warlike acts appeares . 25 Like Danaes sonne on the Pegasian steed , So mounted Roger on this princely beast , Whilst Oliuer gaue to their further speed , Speares of one length & strength ; neither increas't , But gaue to equall chance their equall deed : Then like two Buls with fierie rage opprest , Leauing the Heard , retiring to their course , So parted they , to meet with greater force . 26 The halfe-dead liuing Ladies looking on , Trembled poore soules , as doth the sillie Doues , Who in the mild aire playing the sands vpon , By stormes are driuen to shrowd in houses roues , Whilst vnder cloudes the Sunne to rest is gone , And all the heauens with mourning vizage moues : Euen so the pittying Ladies wept no lesse , When they beheld the Pagans mightinesse . 27 The Pagan that euen then spurrd forth his horse , whose windlike fury flying more swift then thoght Made the amazed ground quake thrugh his course As if great Ioue some new reuengement wrought . On th' other side , Roger with Princely force Ran with such puissance , that his horse hoofs taght The sullen earth ( created dumb and lame ) To sing , to cry , to eccho and exclame . 28 Or like a flood , that falling downe a rocke , Reuerberats huge clamors through the stones , So sounds his noise , till meeting in the shocke , That cracke of thunder drowns the lesser ones ; Brauely they meet , and in their meetings broke Their shiu'red staues ( wherat their palfries groans ) With such pure might , that as if splints would fly Beyond all sight , they mounted in the skie . 29 Yet were their blowes in nature different : For why , the Pagan lighting on his shield , Which Vulcan well had temperd , to preuent A greater force than mortall man could yield , With little hazard all in peeces rent : But Roger ( taught how mighty acts to wield ) With vnknowne puissaunce through his target stricke , Albe it was of steele six inches thicke . 30 And had his speare sustain'd his manly power , And not like feathered plumes flowne in the aire , The combate had tane end in that same hower : For why no armour able was to beare The huge incounter of that stormie shower , Whose lightning through his heart had made repaire : Yet break it did , & with a breach so sound , That both the horses buttocks kist the ground . 31 With helpe of bit and blame of angrie spurre , Their skilfull riders rais'd them vp againe , Who in their saddles rock-like did not sturre , But like to Imps of Sagittarius straine , All of one matter with their steedes concurre , And manag'd mightie actions vnto paine : And now with swords threatening the losse of breath Began the wounded Proem vnto death . 32 Hote was th' assault , implacable the blowes , Eager the wishes , either for others end , Each from his steeled coat maine lightning throwes , Which downward to the parched ground descend , Whose sun-burnt face sweat to indure their woes , That euen to wonders did new wonders lend : And in this fury both did seeke a good , To make the earth drunke with their worthy blood . 33 Like wanton Goates winding vpon a plaine , Turning and tossing in their nimble salts , Now on the right , then on the left againe ; So did these knights , whom memorie exalts , Handle their horses , seeking to regaine Mightie aduantage , either by others falts : And whilst their thoughts their furies ouerwhelms , Their swords kept time vpon their sounding helmes . 34 The Pagan which had lost his Serpents hyde , That aged Time for Nemirod had made , His first great Grandsire , Lord of Babels pride , And left forlorne , his memorable blade , Albe he now had gyrt vnto his side , Another which for strength might heauen inuade : Yet neither this , nor that , was found so hard , As to withstand the edge of Balysard . 35 Of Balysard Rogeroes trustie sword , Which through the Pagans steele had beat his way , For neither charme , nor temper could affoard A suertie vnto his skinne that day : Rebatelesse edge , hard stars , and might accord , The fatall scene of bloody death to play : Whilst Roger of the Pagans blood had made A skarlet mantle to impale his blade . 36 But Rodomonth that felt his sword rebound , Like to a tennis ball within a court , As oft as it on Rogers helme did sound , And found with-all an infinit resort Of painefull thoughts , purchast by many a wound , Albe he cloaks maine griefes ( his madde consort : ) Yet when he saw the conduits of his blood , He grew impatient , mad , and raging wood . 37 Euen like a Boare chast in the wildernesse , Enuyous of himselfe , wanting a meane To be aueng'd of venging mightinesse , Gnashing his teeth , wrapt in a foamy straine : Or like the seas distempered ouglinesse , Hurld by the winter wind with might & maine ; Euen so forsakes his shield , and doth intend , With both his hands to giue the combate end . 38 Yet e're he heau'd his hands , he curst the skie , And slandred shamefully the god of warre , Then with such might as stormes in spring do flie , He lift them vp , and fetching force from farre , Stroake that the earth betweene the poles did crie : Or like an oake in a tempestuous jarre , Rent by the roots , with vnknown terror braues , The broad vast desarts , and the hollowe caues . 39 So fell on Rogers helme this hatefull blowe , Which had it not by Magycke art beene wrought , His fame , no fame had liu'd to ouergoe : Yet so the puissance had his sence bestraught , That gainst the saddle pommell twise in shoe , He knockt his head , robd of recouering thought : The Pagan now exalted in his pride , Stroke with like strength another on his side . 40 The golden raines , guid of Rogeroes steed , Fell from his hand , ope flewe his holding thies , And senslesse with each motion mou'd like reed , Whilst weeping Honor in her waining cries : The Pagan hopefull , greedie in this deed , Doubles maine strokes on stroks , and gods defies : Till in the end with multitudes of blowes , He broke his sword , the terror of his foes . 41 Amaz'd at this , hauing but hilt in hand , With a small remnant of the broken blade , As if that heauen his will did countermand , Against the heauens blacke protestations made , Blasphemously the God of gods he band , And Mahomet with sternie threats doth lade : And vowes , in spight of heauen , and heauenly power , Rogero shal not liue to breath an hower . 42 At this , the help-forsaken Knight he takes , And from his saddle lifts him vp by force , Thence to the earth he throwes him , whilst earth makes A silent sorrow for his murdred coarse : Which seene , the Pagan smiles , and then forsakes Thought of ensuing harme , and with his horse Trots in disdaine about Rogeroes head , Saying , his worke was done , his foe was dead . 43 But as the Libique sea wrong'd with the winde , Recouers mightier forces in his foile , So Roger by his fall new strength doth finde , And as awak't , makes all his sence recoile : And to augment his foes amazed minde , Nimbly rose vp , whilst blushing rage did boile Fresh in his cheekes , for as his eies did mooue , The first he spi'd was Bradamant his loue . 44 Euen Bradamant , whose pale , wan , troubled thought , Had almost wed her princely life to death , Which seene , with venging shame halfe captiue brought , Vowes a requital , or to loose his breath : At which , the Pagans bridle raine he caught , And on his thies maine deadly woundings lai'th : All which he felt so vehement and sore , That Rodomonth grew madder than before . 45 The bedlam Turke , with whom their did remaine Part of the blade that was in peeces flowne , With it smote so on Rogers helme againe , That once more almost he was ouerthrowne : But the milde Prince seeing there did remaine A great aduantage , vntill then vnknowne , By the left hand doth take the Turke by force , And spight of spight puls him besides his horse . 46 Now whether t' were his strength , fine ssieght , or chance , I cannot gesse , but on his feete he fell , No vantage was betweene them , more or lesse ; Saue in the swords , which Roger vs'd so well , That when the Pagan ouer-neare did presse , With point he kept him out , though nere so fell : For he did deeme in dangerous and ill , To close with one of such huge strength & skil 47 Againe he saw the Pagan bleed so sore , That lingring time would giue the conflict end , For strength flew forth at his vaines opened dore : Which Rodomonth perceiuing , thought to lend Despaire a desperate hazard , lesse or more ; And therefore with a diuellish force did send The hilt and pommell of the broken steele To Rogers head , which made him soundly reele . 48 It strake him twixt the shoulder and the head , And gaue to him a blow so firme and sound , That good Rogero there-with staggered , And hardly stood from falling on the ground ; Rodomonth to close with him then hastened , But loe , his foot fail'd with his former wound : So that his too much haste ( as oft we see ) Hurt him , and made him fall vpon his knee . 49 Roger accepting Times aduantage lent , Wounded the Turke on head , on breast , and face , But he got vp againe incontinent , And made starke mad , with this most vile disgrace , Ranne vpon Roger , and in 's armes him pent , Folding him with a most vnkind imbrace ; And then they striue , heaue , shoue , thrust to and fro , And either seekes the others ouerthrow . 50 With force they striue , with arte , and with agilitie , Whether shall sooner fall vnto the ground ; The Pagans strength was weakned by extremity , By means of many a deepe receiued wound : Rogers arte was great , great his abilitie , Much vs'd to wrastle , and he quickly found Th' aduantage , which he did not ouer-slip , But on the weakest side , his foe did trip . 51 Downe like a tower to the ground he went , Or like a rocke throwne headlong in the sea , Whereby his blood in great aboundance spent Freshly began to spring ; making that day The earth ( in skarlet clad ) much to lament : Downe is he held , to rise he finds no way ; The while Rogero set his daggers point Vnto his throat , and to his chiefest joynt . 52 And with sharp words ( th' imbassadors of death ) Told him , except to mercie he submit , Nothing should saue his life , or lend him breath , Such firme resolue within his heart did sit ; But Rodomonth , whose hie couragious faith , Rather then yeild , a thousand deaths thought fit , Spake not a word , but stroue himselfe to sunder From him ; or if he could , to get him vnder . 53 Looke how a Martin in a Mastiues fang , Foames at the mouth , fights with his ouerthrow , Whilst from his red eies beames of fire flang : And at the end , impatient of his woe , Grinning , lifts vp his lips , where slauers hang , And his vaine vnreuenging teeth doth shoe : So doth the cruell Pagan striue and threat , But all he can cannot his death defeat . 54 Yet with long striuing , and with wondrous paines He freed his better arme , and void of awe , His ponniard , which in his right hand remaines , That in this latter conflict he did draw , He seekes to stab into Rogeroes raines ; But when the valiant youth the perill saw , Then for his safeties sake he was constrained To kill the cruell Turke , that grace disdained . 55 And lifting his victorious hand on hie , In the Turkes face he stabd his dagger twice Vp to the hilts , and quickly made him die , Ridding himselfe of trouble in a trice ; Downe to the lake where damned ghosts doe lie Sunke his disdainfull soule , now cold as yee : Blaspheming ( as it were ) and cursing lowd , That was on earth so loftie and so prowd . 56 The eie-beholders wondring at this deed , In showtes and cries to heauen bore Rogers fame , In gazing on him , Eies and Eares doe feed , And from all mouthes his all great praises came ; From age to sucking babes his acts succeed , And infants sonet on his sacred name ; And al the Peers of France kindly imbrac't him , And Charlimaine within his armes inlac't him . 57 He kist him kindly , and orecome with joy , Dissolu'd faire pearle , and siluer on his checke , Kinde thoughts , more kinder thoughts sought to destroy ; Eternal their abode , the King doth seeke , As much Marfyza did , and would enioy Perpetuall comfort from his lookes so meeke : Orlandos loue , nor yet Rinaldos lacke , Aquitan and Griffin . Neither the warlike brothers , white and blacke . 58 Last , but not least , for shee exceeded all , Came Bradamant his bride , his loue , his Queene , Thought-guiding goddesse , warlike principall , Within whose eies , are thousand Cupids seene , Shee on his hands kisses and teares le ts fall , ( So boundlesse her immortall pleasures beene ) And from his face wipes with her cheeks so bright The sweat and dust that hindred had his sight . 59 How many deaths , alas how many paines , How many slaine hopes , what abundant feares Ran vncontrolled through this Ladies veines : How many idle wishes , what dispaires , Felt shee forlorne ; the while the fight retaines , A doubtfull issue , who the triumph beares : Trembling for her Roger , her purest heart , Her god , her life , her loue , and euery part . 60 How many times succeslesse did shee wish Her selfe well arm'd , plac'd in her louers stead , Not that shee fear'd his starres would run amisse , But for the Pagans puissance made her dread ; Who lent no minutes respite to her blisse , But with each stroke seemd to awake the dead : And more than with the blows the Pagan strooke , He pierc't her soule and life with euery looke . 61 Now contrary , rauisht with her delight , Shee winds her armes like vines about his necke , Calls him her loue , her joy , and her liues spright , Her better selfe , all that her comforts decke ; Now doth shee chide the day for too slow flight , And euening for her lazie pace doth checke , Making her praiers to Night , her welcom guest Whose silence must to waking loue yield rest . 62 During this joy , numberlesse people flow About the body of the Pagan King , Whose monstrous greatnesse seemd to ouer-goe The Aetnean Cyclops , or some greater thing : Some at his beard in admiration grow , Some of his countenance , some of his shape do ring ; In briefe , ther 's none beleeues that he is dead , Or that one man , such might could captiue lead 63 Till Charlimaine both to cut off amaze , As also to make Rogers deeds diuine , Caus'd to disarme the Turk ( on whom they gaze , ) And on faire pillars wrought of stately pine , ( Trophees that time nor ruine should down raze ) Within that place , most rich in Paris eine , Hung vp his head-peece , curats , and the rest , With all that his great body did inuest . 64 The masse of flesh , by force of horse and man , ( For like a mountaine it lay on the plaine ) Was dragd into the Voyrie , and than Left as a prey for Rauens to remaine ; Who hiely feasted , in their croking gan Triumph vpon his carrion , and grow faine , Singing in base songs , that French babes to beare Might wonder when of Rogers acts they heare . 65 And now by this th' outragious bedlam soule Of euer-angrie Rodomonth was got Down through the earths sad corners , to the fowle Blacke streame of Acheron , which first doth float About the bounds of hell ; on whose banks knowle Millions of sprights he sees with clamors trot : Crying on Charon , who transported then His Bardge downe laden with a world of men . 66 But he contemptuously hating to stay The lazie pleasure of the old mans sloath , Into the lake leaps head-long , and makes way With his deuided armes ; yet as he goeth , With spightfull threatnings euer did inuay Against the Bardge-man , who was likewise wroth , And for he knew his Fare he had not paid , With Oare in hand , his landing passage staid . 67 Th' ambitious Pagan staring in his face , First smil'd , then said , alas poore silly man , Thinkst thou , whom age hath linckt to weake disgrace , Against immortall Rodomounth to stan ; If all the diuels in hell be in thy case , All shall be slaues to me , that all things can : Say thus said Rodomount the god of hell , Whose wil 's a law , whose law dare none repell . 68 Packe hence then crooked lozzell , hide thy head , A better man , a brauer boat I le haue , The boat-swaine , who such words nere heard nor read , Thinking to drown him in the inkie waue , Taking a stretcher , at the spirit laid : Which seene , the nimble Turk , with corage braue , Into the boat leapes , that with force it reeles , And therewithal strikes vp the old mans heeles 69 Then on his snowie beard he claps his hold , Giuing him buffets more then two or three , The silly wretch singled with courage cold , Yet to auoid him wants abilitie ; Both were impatient , both their strengths vnfold , Till they , the boat and all , orewhelmed be : With such a noise , as hels vast vaults resounded , And Charon cri'd for Plutoes aide , confounded . 70 The soule of Rodomont from Kings descended , Swame downe the riuer easily at his will , And drags along with him madly offended The boat and boat-man , whether he will or nill : These as sad Trophees on his rage depended , Whom he torments with worse then worst of ill : Anon he lands them , and doth then begin , To looke how he might hels great Palace win . 71 Pluto , that from hels tower looked downe , Sweats and torments himselfe to see this wrath , Scarce can he tell how to preserue his crowne , All that by doome of destenie he hath ; Now he begins to fret , to scold , and frowne , Vowing iniustice manageth his scath : And then he feares hie Ioue is down descended , To take from him the right he long defended . 72 The starre of Sicill , Proserpin the faire , Lanthorne of hell , the paramour to Dis , Felt selfe-like pangs , and twice so great despaire , By which her plaints grew more extream than his ; With heauie eies , wan cheekes , and carelesse haire , Round about hell shee runnes madly amisse : And all the damned soules calles to her aide , With flattering words , thus in sweet liquor laid . 73 You soules ( shee said ) you spirits miserable , That burne in yce , and frieze in scorching fire , And you that nere to feele Loues darts were able , To whom no golden touch of thoughts aspire ; Though pittie here by course is detestable , Yet pittie me , pittie my whole desire , And with that pittie , keepe and hold my right , For which , this prowd imperious foe doth fight 74 See how his rage claimes this vast Emperie , Needs will he rule this damned fatall place , My crowne he claimes , my scepters dignitie , My husbands birth-right , al black Nights imbrace : Downe falls my rule , vnlesse your chiualrie , Vnto my eager hopes bid happy base : Which if you doe , and I thereby repaire My ruin'd thoghts , mark what I vow & sweare . 75 By sacred Styx , by that obscure aspect , By the dread spindle of the fatall three Twinnes got by Erebus , and Nights defect ; And by the rocke on which the world doth lie , I vowe my thoughts no labour shall neglect , Vntill those dames brands of your miserie , Come to this place , and either ease your smarts , Or feele due paine for such stiffe steeled hearts . 76 But as for you , that Loues flames haue not tasted , But liue in hell for other hainous sinnes , If through your aide my woes away be wasted , And my ioyes Legend in your fame begins , Then neuer more hence-forth shal you be blasted With tortures , woes , or ought that sorrow brings : And if in hell sweet solace may be had , I grant it them that make my sighings glad . 77 When faire Eurydice had spoken thus , The shadows which in blacke Auernus lay , Thundring came vp , and of her words discusse , Glad of her promise , and this holy day . All promise aide , no threats were burdenous , And Agrican himselfe did first display , Then Agramant , then Mandricard , then more , Each striuing which should goe the rest before . 78 All with imperious eagernesse contend , Which first shall triumph ore the Pagan King , At which debate , heauens frame with griefe did bend Bowing his breast , to peace them summoning : But seeing that their rage did more extend , From this his vault did stormy lightening fling ; Thunder and tempest flew from heauens dore , Such stormes till then was neuer seene before . 79 Euen from the highest round that mooueth all , To the low center , Hell by some writers is said to be in the center of the earth where we hell repute , The noise was heard , which did all eares appale , And from the same consuming fire did shute , Which like well armed warriours in a brawle , Seemd with reuenge each other to rebuke : Whose broken speares like fierie arrowes fell , And hung from heauen vnto the lowest hell . 80 Th' opposed earth at these extreames admired , Seeing hell quake , and heauen thus inflamed Stroke dumbe and blinde , mercie for sins desired ; Such prodigies fore times had neuer framed : Earth thinkes the day of Doome is full expired , For all in all , and all things are ashamed : Onely the Pagans soule from earth deuided , Stood dreadlesse , & these hellish sights derided . 81 Th' imperiall seat of heauenly loue he threats , Bans aire , and earth , and elementall powers , Vowing by his owne rage , which all things beats , That if he meete , or finde deaths hatefull bowers , The life hee tooke from him with mild intreats , Hee shall restore againe in teary showers : And he in spight of Plutoes deitie , Will there in hell erect his Emperie . 82 Where ere he went , the Furies fled before him , The whilst his pride augmented by their flight , All things without hell gates ran to adore him ; This bridg is fained to be kept by Cerberus the three headed dogge . And now the draw-bridge stands within his sight , On it he prowdly leaps , that quaking bore him , And vaunts himselfe therof Lord , king , & knight : For why th' Ecchiddnian curre for feare was fled , And in the burning lake did hide his head . 83 And now he pulls the Eban bridge in sunder , And hauing Charon this while by the heeles , Like to a maull makes his old pate to thunder , Beating the bridge , whose rented pillars reeles , Whilst Pluto ( who at all these acts did wonder ) More woes than hell includes , with terror feeles : His austere looke , black , swarthie , angry redde , Now grew exchang'd pale , wan , drie , and dead . 84 Like haplesse Pelops in an iuorie mount , Vnnaturally , so the blacke god stood , Of woes the huge infinitiue account , With stearne impatience makes him growe starke wood : This hard disasterous chance he doth recount , Boyling his heart in this distempered blood : Now this , now that , are grounds of this strange war , Now neither this , nor that , th' occasions are . 85 One while he thinkes the bastard sonne of loue , Great Hercules is come from heauen againe , Hercules brought Proserpina from hell when Pluto had stollen her from her mother Ceres . Led by a second fire , a greater loue , More fell than that of which the Poets faine : He dreads that he his bed-right will remoue , Which very thought puts him to mightie paine : Aie me he cries , Proserpina thy face , From thence this furious warre begins his race . 86 Scarce was that thought well setled in his thought , But a new humour dispossest it straight , New broyles , old warres vnto confusion brought , Conceit torments conceit ; and then the weight Of vnknowne sorrowes madly him distraught , Now woes in words flew far beyond woes height ; Vntill the anguish of his soules tormenting , Showers forth black teares , to bath his heart relenting . 87 Then from those teares his sighs and sorrows flie , And to the caues imparts his heauy groanes , From whose vast wombs impatient ecchoes crie , Yet neither know nor vnderstand his moanes : The damned soules in Phlegeton that lie , Daunc't to his sorrow in their fierie thrones : But he that saw his losse grow greater great , Implores their aides with this sad sweet intreat. 88 You airie ghosts and citizens of hell , You sad abortiue monsters of the darke , All you that in perpetuall torments dwell , Behold my woes , all my afflictions marke : Come number my distempered thoughts , then tel The fraught of feares borne in my bodies barke : And though remorse did neuer you importune , Yet for your selues and me , ease my misfortune . 89 I sweare that he , what euer be his happe , That gainst this man , this monster , or this deuill , Brauely will beare himselfe , and can intrap Th' vnconquered strong , ridding vs of his euill , Shall as my sonne sit on my sacred lappe , And in our burning Palace brauely reuell : All paines from him I 'le banish and exclude , And call him hels new champion , Fortitude . 90 Nere shall he hence-forth bath in frosty fire , Or feele the iron torrents , hearts despight , Which from the doome of Minos doe aspire , And on the poore condemned spirits light : But as my selfe sit in a seat much hier , As if from him I held my soueraigne right : And this he spake with such a feeling passion , As moued in all the ghosts a milde compassion . 91 Like Crowes about a carrion newly slaine , Or like small flies about a candles flame , So millions of the subiects vnto paine , Condemned soules about blacke Pluto came : First they whose liues the whole world did distain , Kindling mischieuous brands with enuies blame ; Whose hie ambitions wed to Pollicie , Stird ciuill warres to murder Pietie . 92 Vp came the tyrants gorgd with bloodie goare , And misers , whose insatiate greedy thirst , Ouerthrew nobilitie , and slew the poore : Then came the murderers , with blood halfe burst , Whose hands the guiltlesse hearts in peeces tore : The traitours came , vp came the worst of worst , The mutenous , the strife-ingendring flame , The enuious , and inconstant louers came . 93 Vp rize the soules , that had by fauours hold , Taken the poore mans right to make him great ; And with them those , which had for treasure sold Their countries freedome , to a forraine seat : Vp came the slanderous wise , the desperate bold , The wilfull periur'd , on whom shames awaite : And these began aloft to eleuate Their strengths and prowesses for Plutoes sake . 94 But when the king of Death had heard their vant , He sent them backe , and thus their pride s represt ; Retire weake soules , vaine , feeble , and inconstant , T' is not on you my hopes or safeties rest , For he that must giue cure vnto my want , Confirme my peace , and make mee happy blest : Must be a valiant Chieftaine full of might , A famous warriour , and approued knight . 95 Euen he whose fame is planted on the seas , In heauen , in earth , and here with vs in hell ; Who hath transported armies through all these , Whose blade hath conquered men & monsters fell : He that in chains of gold leads thrugh dark waies Inthralled kings , with whom all honors dwell : This is the soule must shine in armes for me , And venge my cause , and set mine Empire free . 96 The soule of king Gradasso hearing this , Mounted aloft , and thus made his reply . Leaue to complaine ( thou god of diuels blisse , ) For if on Fame or Knighthood thou relie , Or on the Prince that nere led man amisse ; Whose troups haue scal'd those mounts which losse the skie : Then is it onely I must set thee free , Though gods conspire to cope in armes with me . 97 A thousand wreaths of conquering Lawrel binds My holy temples , with faire tresses curld , The rumor of my name spread in the winds , Hath dar'd the Champions of the Western world , Spaine haue I sackt , my sword all Belgia blinds , And Fraunce by me was topsie turuie turnd : Two vowes I made , and brought to passe with pain , The like , the world shall neuer see again . 98 And these they were ; In spring time of my yeares , Flying from Wealth , and Pleasure two fell foes , That often thrals and conquers mighty Peeres , Deuote to Valure , vow'd despight of nose To giue Orlando combate , and sans feares , To trie in fight what force from Reinald flowes : Which done , Orlandos horse I got as gaine , And wan the sword of Reinald for my paine . 99 This said , and seeking more his praise to say , The soule of Mandricard which aie disdaind Such base false bruits should beare the prize away ; Full fraught with furie , madly himselfe demeand , And rushing forth , lowd as the Lyons bray , Thunderd this answer , hardly well restraind From handy blowes ; yet casting about his eie , Lookt on Gradasso most despightfully . 100 Harke ( quoth he ) how this terror , scourge of flies , Warmd with the blood that boyleth on his heart , Boasteth his manhood in a thousand lies : I saw the day , when spight of all his arte , He Spanniel-like for mercie to me cries ; I and I saw Astolpho , on whose part Honor , nor any valiant acte depended , On whom the name of Knight neuer attended . 101 Euen him I saw with a weake golden launce , ( A weapon farre vnfitting for the warre ) Orethrow this mightie one , and in a traunce Left him disgraced , like a falling starre ; And yet himselfe boue vs he doth aduance , Threatneth bright heauen , which can wel declare That his contempt is false , his praise a shade , And onely our deeds are immortall made . 102 These orethwart words made prowd Gradasso mad ( Madnes is euer silent for a space ) At length his fury burst from humor sad , And like a flame did all his soule imbrace ; For aduocate , strokes and not words he had , Yet as he gaue the lie , ( words worst disgrace , ) The mightie ghost of Agramant vpraised , Bade them be still vntill he were appaised . 103 Then with a voice huge as a Northerne gale , Doing to Pluto solemne reuerence , He thus proceeded in his hawty tale ; What fire is this , what winged violence , What hie desire doth these great Peeres exhale , And like false starres draw them vnto offence , Like old men that forget decaying might , Making them graspe at what is mine by right . 104 For if the pride of armes this honour winne , Iustice must plead me worthiest of the three , For thirtie two annoynted Kings haue bin Vassals to me , and my huge dignitie ; T' account my men , no number could begin , For why , they were more then the world could see , Exceeding all the sparkling starry light , Which in cleere Phebes hall doe polish Night . 105 Hills with the hollow downes I leuell made , Floods haue I couerd with mine armed hoste , Men on parcht plaines in bloody seas did wade , And hnnger-starued death through me did boast An Empire , that no time should make to fade , By me he got what ere fore times had lost : For day and night I held him at a baie , And still increast his kingdome and his sway . 106 Pluto thou knowest , and hell will witnesse beare , ( For in thine Eban booke my fame is writ ) And from hels gates no Fate shall euer weare My rumor out ; or shall Obliuion sit , And my liues Chronicle in peeces teare : Thou knowest right well , that to this damned pit , Millions of millions , weeping are descended Of slaughtered soules , that my right-hand condemned . 107 Call Charon forth , let him for me protest , Whose armes in work did nere waxe feeble weak , Saue with my powers , who numberlesse opprest , And almost made his withered sinewes breake . Againe , that these Kings soules may liue at rest , And vaine hopes made no further vants to speak , Fetch forth thy bedrolls , paper-books & notes , Thy Chronicles , in which all soules thou coates . 108 Fetch forth the Antiquares of all those shades , Sent from the earth by Nature , Murder , Fight , Then shall they know I haue inricht these glades More in the circuit of a winters night , Then they in all their liues , with all their blades , Hell beeing peopled onely by my might : Thus did these three , with hauty tearms contend , And each to other hatefull speeches lend . 109 Pluto agrieu'd to see this ciuill brawle , Practizd to knit them in continuing peace , To him new arguments this broyle did call , Now doth he sweat to make their wraths surcease , And rage inrag'd , with rage he doth forestall , Their warre doth Rodomonts great warre increase : Who all this while vpon the bridge did stand , Tearing the yron barres vp with his hand . 110 But more he speakes , the more their angers rise , Like stormes that make disturbed waues growe mad , Anon the god with falling fierie eies , Thus to beseech with mildest tearmes was glad : Cease conquering Kings , these ciuil armes despise , A iuster cause may here with praise be had : These thre were the Iudges of Hell . As for your strife , best time shall it discusse , Fore Minos , Radamanth , and Eachus . 117 Thus to his grand tormentor hauing spoke , He with disdainfull semblance turnd about , And as like lightning from a darke clowd broak , Lookt on Gradas , and Agramant the stout , And said , return poore fooles , prides foolish yoke , Vnto the earth , and there anewe finde out Your leaden fames , which for a paltry sword , To one of you , such hie praise did affoard . 118 Agramant was the sonne of Traiano , who was slaine by Pipin king of Fraunce . But as for thee Traianos youthful heire , Led by yong thoughts ( inamorites to will ) In venging hate thy prowesse doth appeare , Where I haue scornd any by hate to ill ; For all my acts Cupids light wings doe beare Vp to faire Cytheron his mothers hill : And he that offers Loue his conquering sword , Is truely valiant both in deed and word . 119 Yet gratious Pluto , first disgrace this flame , And find a balme to cure Loues hatefull griefe , Murder this fire , extinguish Cupids name ; Then will I fight , and purchase thee reliefe : To this desire , thus Dis doth answere frame , Ha Mandricard , controll that vaine beliefe , Which in Loues ease doth any helpe assure , Loue is alone impossible to cure . 120 The God of gods , and I my selfe am thrald , No Fate the bane of Venus baite escheweth , Cupids keene shafts the Fiends in hell haue gald , And whilst his ceaslesse rigor me pursueth , By whom is Deitie alone forestald , I find no meane nor man that on me rueth : But look how fast my wretched flight pretendeth So fast he flies , and on my sorrow tendeth . 121 Earnest to follow on his tale begunne , A suddaine storme of teares fell from his eies , And from his talke so great controlement wonne , That sound of words , strange sounding sighs supplies , Sighes that in feruor did exceed the Sun , Making hot flames on watry billowes rise ; Whilst Rodomonth exlaimd on Dis from farre , And cals the fiends to combate , if they dare . 122 Now Mandricard the sonne of Agrican , By this was chosen champion for the darke , And armd in clowds , that Night from Nature wan , Came marching forth , whilst euery souie did mark The comely puisance of the mightie man , And to his courage euery eare did harke : Which he with hollow words brauely did cheer , Swearing a second death shall slay their feare . 123 But when the Pagan saw him thus prepar'd , Dissembling warlike Equipage in hell , Fast by the foote takes Charon ouerdar'd , And bout his head swings him , & makes him yell , Thence throwes him at the head of Mandricard , Who with such violence vpon him fell , That spight his heart he made him reele & fall , As when a Cannon beats a citie wall . 124 Poore Charon thus the pellet of his might , Hauing orethrowne the Tartar , tumbled by , And through mischance , on Plutoes foot did light , And with cold feare orecome began to crie , And like a coward king , fit Lord for Night , Let from his fist his yron scepter flie , Which with a bought at each end seemd to be Great as the heauens great seeming Appletree . 125 Which massie barre the Pagan soone surprizd , And like a tennis tost it in his hand , Swearing no diuell , nor diuels damme suffiz'd To quench his hates eternall burning brand , New immortalitie ( quoth he ) disguiz'd Armes me to win this neuer conquered land ; Nor dare huge infinites my will resist , Whilst I possesse this weapon in my fist . 126 Thus mad with pride , prowd that he was so mad , He with this engin scald the gates of hell , A second death by death the Furies had , For ne're a blow that from his crotcher fel , But made the shaking pit with terror sad , That all the soules in which dead slumbers dwell , Hied to their tombes by old confusion torne , And there with teares wept that they were forlorne . 127 But this the braue Tartarians soule reuiued , Like to a dreaming traueller from sleepe , And blushing to behold what Rage atchieued , With pensiue looks seemd , thogh vnseen to weep , Whose dying shame ( for shame is nere long liued ) Cast downe his eies much lower then the deepe , And lifting them againe , whilst wrath repines , Displaies a knot of fierie Serpentines . 128 Their backes and breasts were speckled blew and green , Their eies & nostrils spuing flames of fire , Whose noysome smoaks palpable felt and seene , Poyson'd the aire , and what than aire was hier , With liquid venime , and resistles tiene , Which dropping from their scalie fins retire : These Mandricard threw fiercely at his foe , In hope to quittance his receiued woe . 129 But Rodomount whom nothing could apale , Smild at reuenge , weakened for want of breath , And jesting at them , boldly gripes them all , Squeezing the damned monsters to the death , The sight whereof , broke the Tartarians gall , When scorne by scorn made scorn of valures faith ; And with that thought , flies at the Pagans face , And force perforce , justles him from the place . 130 Vnwares assaild , downe falls the Turkish king , Into the damned poole of dead-mens bones ; The op'ning billowes greedily suckt him in , And yet agast to heare his angrie groanes , Mounted him vp againe , lest wrath should bring Vnto their source confused endlesse moanes : And as he shakt himselfe , the drops fell downe , With pitteous grieuance to behold his frowne . 131 Mad with disgrace ( madnesse from enuie growes ) The Pagan swimming , gaind the shore againe , Setting the lake on fire , where-ere he goes , Throwes forth hie mountaines of admir'd disdain , The while his body like a furnace glowes , Lending new torments to vndying paine ; And foaming like a stormy beaten flood , Belcht riuers forth , that no restraint withstood . 132 When Pluto saw him diuing in this brooke , ( The altar on which all the gods doe sweare ) Vnto his soule exalted ioyes he tooke , And thus his fainting armie newe doth cheare ; Friends ( said he ) fellow mates , glosse of my looke , My agents , euen my selfe , my best compeere , Mount you vpon these walls , and then retort This damned diuell from a landing port . 132 Which , who effects by vnimagind might , To him a wealthy coronet of Yew , A wreath of Cypresse , and a clowd of Night , I doe bequeath , whom all soules shall reuiewe : But Mandricard , now iealeous of his right , Seeing hel mooued , cried , Pluto , is this true ? Wilt thou dishonour me , shall any say , He seconded the Tartar in his fray ? 133 False god , rebate thine idle promise past , And keepe thy damned soules in yron chaines , For if dishonor on my crest be plac't , This power of mine , that all great power sustains , I 'le turne vpon thy head , and for disgrac 't , Drown thee and him within these muddy streams : Whilst this was speking , spight of might or main , Once more the Turke came to the shore againe . 135 And all his body mantled in filthy mire , Like a stearne Boare soild in the Summer time , Yet in his count'nance flam'd eternall fire Much hier then infernall eies could clime , Like lightning Salmicis wing'd with desire , Flies on the Tartar all besmeard with slime , And with his airie armes gripes aire so sore , That Mandricard fell down , and could no more . 136 Hence doth victorious Rodomont pursue His all-wonne conquest to the gates of hell , And Pluto swore , Destenie was vntrue ; Yet trying all , what euer could repell , From his neere bosome fatall inchantment drew , I meane Despaire , Griefe , and Amazement fell , Which in a viall he had closely plac't , And these at Rodomont with rage he cast . 137 But these were made to wound the Louers breast , They had no motion in a flintie minde , Of which the Pagan made an idle jeast , Spilt it vpon the ground , said , foolish blind , Poore god of hell , keepe in thy rusty chest These Pedlars trinckets , for some weaker kind , For louing asses , and for wanton boies , Slaine and orecome with sillie childrens toies . 138 For me , I feare no frost , no foyle , no flame , No monster , filth , nor hellish excrement : To dread thy priuie rage , were dastard shame , Nothing mooues me vnder the firmament , All things are held in awe by my great name ; And I as little feare thy worst intent , As stubborn Northern blasts , or Summers haile , Feare to encounter an vnfolded Snaile . 139 Thus did he say ( by rage taught what to say ) And saying what he said , burnt with his ire Felt a strong drought make thrugh his body way , Setting his soule and aierie parts on fire ; All which , his labours , passions , and paines obey , Adding huge violence to his desire ; For beeing with his drinesse almost burst , He leaues them all , & seeks to quench his thirst . 140 Like Hercules for Hyla , he runs madde , Crying and seeking for some cooling streame , Anon he finds one out , and then was glad ; Lethe he findes , Lethe which Poets dreame , That all Forgetfulnesse from it is had , ( Memory takes from that still pond his maime : ) The sight of which , when the prowd Pagan He laies him downe , & takes a mighty ( caught , draught . 141 Sooner he had not toucht the fatall spring , But all old memory and thought was gone , His former warre , his rage , his combating , And euery acte before that present done : Hell he forgat , Fiends , Furies , and their King , ( All which in consultation were alone , ) And had decreed , and taken Plutoes crowne , To make him King , and put old Ditis downe . 142 But like a man that knowes no former age , Or infants that forget their mothers wombe , Meeke as a Doue , that Lyon-like did rage , He finds the way through which he first did come , Passes ore Styx like a conuerted sage , And so ascending vp by fatall doome , Once more the aire , and earthly mansions won , Cheering his dead eies with the liuing sonne . 143 Restlesse he passed like a windie gale , Through all the crooked corners of this round , Till he found out againe that bloody vale , That euer to be memorized ground On which he tooke his death , and there his pale Dead mangled carkasse , rent and torne he found ; With broken skull , and flesh delacerate , About the which , a thousand Rauens sate . 144 Wrath at this sight waken'd his sleepy brands , And on the featherd tyrants spits his gall , Railes , but his raylings nothing vnderstands , Ore mounts he chases them , ore rockes , ore dale , Ore floods , and seas , beating the beaten strands , Making the woods resound his hydeous tale : Stil folowing on , where ere they took their flight , Threatening the silly birds to proue his might . 145 Led thus by conduct of his winged foes , Not apprehending what , or where he was , Stareth about , and then records his woes , For well he knew the heauens adored place , Within this Paradice his Trophees shoes , Here all his thoughts , his cares , and wonder was : A tower he saw out-braue the element , Which was faire Isabellaes monument . 146 Faire Isabella , flower of virgin maides , Whose fame is registred on heauens face , In whose last end eternall vertue reades , Faiths perpetuitie , and chast thoughts grace ; Whose neuer-mooued soule to ages pleads , Life , that no life or death shall counterface : Whose Angel loue to Angel sences bared , Her too vntimely end too well declared . 147 This mightie Tower , the Pagans teares agniz'd , He knew the gates , the bridge , the swans , the flood , And all those knightly shields , by honor priz'd , Which he had wonne in seas of purple blood ; For though that Lethe euery thought surpriz'd , Yet Loue it could not , Loue all charms withstood : And he that had forgot all other deedes , Records his Loue , Loue that perpetuall bleeds . 148 Like Centaures gazing on the Gorgon shield , So on this castle stone-like look't this king , And to it thousand orizons did yield , Deare tombe of Chastitie , O glorious thing . And now since fates , that al the world doth wield , About whose work the frame of heauen doth hing , Haue doomd vnburied soules ( though gods by birth ) An hundred yeres to trauel on the earth . 149 Therefore the Destinies this Pagan bound , So long to erre about this holy shrine , Constant and joyfull in his Loue-sicke wound , Shewing himselfe fearefull to mortall eine , With cries & clamors shaking the trobled ground , At whose huge noise , both gods and men repine ; Which seemes to call , O pulchra clara stella , Rodomount , Rodomount , Isabella , Isabella . FINIS .