1532

ORLANDO FURIOSO

by Lodovico Ariosto

translated by John Harington

TO THE MOST EXCELLENT

VERTUOUS, AND NOBLE PRINCESSE,

ELIZABETH,

BY THE GRACE OF GOD, QUEENE OF

ENGLAND, FRANCE AND IRELAND,

DEFENDER OF THE FAITH, &c. -

MOST renowned (and most worthy to be most renowned) Soveraigne Ladie; I presume to offer to your Highnesse this first part of the fruit of the little garden of my slender skill. It hath been the longer in growing, and is the lesse worthy the gathering, because my ground is barren and too cold for such dainty Italian fruits, being also perhaps over-shaded with trees of some older growth: but the beams of your blessed countenance, vouchsafing to shine on so poore a soile, shall soone disperse all hurtfull mists that would obscure it, and easily dissolve all (whether they be Mel-dews, or Fel-dews) that would sterve this shallow set plant. I desire to be briefe, because I love to be plaine. Whatsoever I am or can, is your Majesties. Your gracious favours have been extended in my poore family even to the third generation, your bounty to us and our heires. Wherefore this (though unperfect and unworthy worke) I humbly recommend to that gracious protection, under which I enjoy all in which I can take joy. If your Highnesse will read it, who dare reject it? if allow it, who can reproove it? if protect it, what MOMUS barking, or ZOILUS biting can any way hurt or annoy it? And thus most humbly craving pardon for this boldnesse, I cease to write, though I will not cease to wish, that your high felicities may never cease. -

Your most humble servant,

JOHN HARINGTON.

THE FIRST BOOKE OF ORLANDO FURIOSO

THE ARGUMENT -

Charles hath the foyle, Angelica flies thence:

Renaldos horse holpe him his Love to find:

Ferraw with him doth fight in her defence:

She flies againe, they stay not long behind.

Argalias ghost reproves Ferraws offence,

The Spaniard to new vows himselfe doth bind:

His mistris presence Sacrapant enjoyeth,

With Bradamant, Renaldo him annoyeth.

1 -

Of Dames, of Knights, of armes, of loves delight,

Of courtesies, of high attempts I speake,

Then when the Moores transported all their might

On Africke seas, the force of France to breake:

Incited by the youthfull heate and spight

Of Agramant their King, that vow'd to wreake

The death of King Trayano (lately slaine)

Upon the Romane Emperour Charlemaine. -

2 -

I will no lesse Orlandos acts declare,

(A tale in prose ne verse yet sung or said)

Who fell bestraught with love, a hap most rare,

To one that erst was counted wise and stayd:

If my sweet Saint that causeth my like care,

My slender muse affoord some gracious ayd,

I make no doubt but I shall have the skill.

As much as I have promist to fulfill. -

3 -

Vouchsafe (O Prince of most renowned race,

The ornament and hope of this our time)

T'accept this gift presented to your grace,

By me your servant rudely here in rime.

And though I paper pay and inke, in place

Of deeper debt, yet take it for no crime:

It may suffice a poore and humble debter,

To say, and if he could it shoulde be better. -

4 -

Here shall you find among the worthy peeres,

Whose praises I prepare to tell in verse,

Rogero, him from whom of auncient yeeres

Your princely stems derived, I reherse:

Whose noble mind by princely acts appeares,

Whose worthy fame even to the skie doth perse:

So you vouchsafe my lowly stile and base,

Among your high conceits a little plase. -

5 -

Orlando who long time had loved deare,

Angelica the faire: and for her sake,

About the world, in nations far and neare,

Did high attempts performe and undertake,

Return'd with her into the West that yeare,

That Charles his power against the Turks did make:

And with the force of Germanie and France,

Neare Pyren Alpes his standard did advance. -

6 -