"Florimonda will wed the Knight,
who frees her from Agramant."
He threatens, and strikes the scarf from her hand—she falls on her knees in despair—a trumpet is sounded without—Agramant orders it to be answered—Eglantine enters, and offers to fight with him—the Green Knight points to the tree where the other knights are hanging, and disdaining the youthful appearance of Eglantine, advises her to avoid the combat—she insists on a trial—they fight—she is overthrown—the Green Knight is about to put her to death, when Valentine rushes on, discovers Eglantine, and fiercely defies Agramant, who, in derision, bids him try to pull down the shield from the tree—when Valentine approaches the shield, the Saracen Priest interposes, and speaks:
Priest.
Forbear!—this shield protects a prince not nursed by woman.
Valentine persists, and encounters the Green Knight, with battle-axe, broad sword, &c.—Valentine is worsted—Orson rushes on, and begs to fight Agramant—Valentine recollects the words of the priest, and bids Orson try to pull away the shield—which he is about to seize, when the priest again says:
Forbear!—this shield protects a prince not nursed by woman.
Orson, not regarding him, approaches the shield, and it flies into his hand—the Green Knight, forewarned of his fate, rushes on Orson in savage desperation—but every weapon breaks on the enchanted shield—Orson strikes Agramant to the ground—Valentine's soldiers rush on, and vanquish the Saracens—thunder is heard, and the Genius Pacolet is seen descending on a flying horse—he alights, comes forward, and addresses the characters.
Pacolet.
(To Agram.) Thine ill-earned laurels must to virtue yield,
(To Orson) While thou hast freed the Genius of the Shield;
To yonder castle haste (To Valen.) a golden head,
The wild-man's birth, and your's, shall truly read.
Then hence, brave knight, while honour you pursue,
This ring has power enchantment to subdue.