Here Orlando seeks him, and learns all that has passed. Distracted with the news, and, above all, jealous of Rinaldo, he too, waits, only till evening to join in the pursuit; when he makes his secret sally, and rides towards the wood of Arden. Thus, three champions, to wit, Ferrau, Rinaldo, and Orlando are entered in the chase.
This, while Charlemagne is proceeding in his preparations for the tournament, the prize of which was to be the Crown of Roses. Many fair feats had already been wrought, and the knights are in the heat of the jousts, when Astolpho pricks forth into the medley*; but his courser falls with him and dislocates his foot. All regret this accident of the English prince, who is carried to his palace where his foot is set. The jousts are continued by the others, from whom Grandonio the giant bears away the honours of the field, wounding and unhorsing knights on all sides. In the meantime,
* Mischia, melée.
Astolpho was return'd into the square,
His single faulchion to his girdle tied,
And rode in gallant guise an ambling mare,
Unarm'd and weaponless in all beside:
And laugh'd and loiter'd with the ladies there,
And jested with the circle far and wide:
While he thus idly chatted, Gryphon fell,
Thrust by Grandonio from his lofty sell.
All who contend with Grandonio suffer the same destiny; while the outrageous Pagan overwhelms Charles and his paladins with invective. On the other hand, Charles vents threats and imprecations upon the absent Orlando, Rinaldo, and Gano, expressing at the same time his earnest desire to be revenged upon the Saracens.
Astolpho, hearing this, retreats, unobserved, to his palace, arms himself at all points and reappears amongst the combatants; not, as the author observes, that he expects to do himself much honour; in which opinion he seems to have agreed with the multitude who hailed his entrance with smiles and whispers, but with the intention of doing his duty to his lord, and leaving the event to Heaven. Accordingly
Firm on his prancing steed, he louted low
In graceful act, and "Know, Sir King," he cried,
"I come to venge thee of thy Pagan foe,
"Knowing that thou such wish hast signified."
As one whose mood was still fastidious; "Go,
"Go in the name of God;" King Charles replied:
Then, turning to the lords that hemm'd his seat;
"There lack'd but this to make our shame complete."
Astolpho, thus dismissed, pours a volley of abuse upon Grandonio, and tilts at him in fury. The golden lance works an unexpected miracle, and the giant tumbles like a tower that is undermined. King Charlemagne and all are in amazement, while Astolpho, though no less surprized at his own prowess, pursues his fortune, and clears the field. These events were immediately recounted to Gan, who was in his own house, and who, having armed a party of his kinsmen and retainers, comes before the king, and alleges some frivolous pretext for his tardy appearance; which, whether believed or not, is accepted by the sovereign. He now sends a message to Astolpho, proposing to close the tournament, as the paynims are defeated. To which the English prince replies, 'that he considers him every whit as false a Pagan as the others,' and immediately attacks him with his lance. Gan, Pinabello and all their household are unhorsed; but while Astolpho is in full career, a traitor assails him from behind, and bears him to the ground. He rises in fury, tilts at friends and foes, and outrages all, king Charlemagne among the rest; by whose order he is at last surrounded, mastered, and carried off to prison.
He was here ill bested, yet not so ill, says the author, as the other three, who suffered the pains of love for Angelica. These all arrived by different roads, and at different times in the wood of Arden. The first comer was Rinaldo; who, penetrating into the forest, beheld a beautiful fountain in the shade.
The alabaster vase was wrought with gold,
And the white ground o'erlaid with curious care;
While he who look'd within it, might behold
Green grove, and flowers, and meadow, pictur'd there.
Wise Merlin made it, it is said, of old.
For Tristan when he sigh'd for Yseult fair:
That drinking of its wave, he might forego
The peerless damsel, and forget his woe.