—Homer, Odyssey.
“Of love and ladies, knights and arms, I sing,
Of courtesies and many a daring feat.”
—Ariosto, Orlando Furioso.
“I sing the pious arms and chief, who freed
The Sepulchre of Christ from thrall profane;
Much did he toil in thought and much in deed,
Much in the glorious enterprise sustain.”
—Tasso, Jerusalem Delivered.
“Of man’s first disobedience, and the fruit