Orlando in Love, Episode 17: Enter Marfisa Tonight, I speak of bold Rinaldo, champion of Charlemagne. He wields the famous sword Fusberta. His horse: Baiardo, best of steeds. That is, Baiardo /was/ his horse. When magic lured this knight from France, his noble steed was left behind. He found another in his travels, a /magic/ beast, of marvel great, a coal-black horse named Rabicano. Prince Argali, the son of great King Galafron, once owned this steed, but when he died, the beast was lost. Besides another horse, Rinaldo's gained himself three good companions. Two daring knights now ride with him, Iroldo & Prasildo named, and with these three, a maiden fair, the lady Fiordiligi. Rinaldo has come to India, and here, he hears news of a fight: a siege at the city of Albraka. It seems that one of the warriors there is his friend and cousin, Count Orlando. Rinaldo wants to see, and help him so quickly he rides tow'rds Albraka. This Indian city's been besieged by the Tartar lord, King Agrrican. The king of India, Galafron, now rides in arms to repossess it. As I have told in tales before, Galafron rides with armies three; The first two armies, I'll pass by, _tonight_ I'll tell you of the /third/. The third of Galafrone's armies is commanded by a mighty queen. Not a knight in all the East could match this lady in the saddle. She is bold, and she's lovely too. The woman I've been speaking of is named: _Marfisa_, one so fierce that she remained in arms *five years* from dawn until the dark of night. The overreaching maid had sworn a promise to her god Macon to wear her hauberk, plate, and mail till she subdued three kings in battle. These were the king of Serican - @ {count} I mean Gradasso, who's so strong - King Agrican, the Tartar lord, and King Charles, France's emperor. So proud her heart, such her presumption, that she herself would not contend in any way with anyone whose head did not display a crown. Therefore, she left the battlefield, and walked along the river's stream towards a pine tree's shade to sleep. But first, as she dismounted, she gave strict instructions to her maid. (R) Marfisa said, "Hear what I say! If you should see our squadron flee, see Galafrone slain or captured, his standard fallen on the field, awaken me and bring my steed. Until that time, don't talk to me-- *I'm* all we need for victory!" Meanwhile, Rinaldo reaches here, along with the lady and two knights. To her friends, Fiordiligi said (L) "If I remember that device- what you behold is not a /knight/ but a maiden who is named Marfisa. Search every realm, down every path, go where you will across this earth, you won't find _any_ one who's fiercer. "Therefore, be warned: if you should choose to joust with her, it's at your peril. Let's hurry, let's go back, let's turn. Believe me - I give you good counsel! We can escape /if/ we're not seen- but once she grips with her cruel talons, you're doomed to die in bitter pain. There's no defense against her power." Rinaldo laughs to hear these words. (~L) He says he's grateful for advice, but _wants_ to /test/ himself against her. He grasps his strong shield, takes his lance. @ The sun was halfway up the sky when those two closed in, eye to eye, both so brave, so powerful, that neither esteemed - at all - their rival. Marfisa watched Rinaldo come. She thought his steed already won - but she will have to sweat some first. They settled, in their saddles, and prepared for their ferocious clash. They turned their horses toward each other, just _then_... Just then, ~ a herald reached the stream. The messenger was an old man, accompanied by twenty soldiers. (L) "Your enemy has won the field!" he told Marfisa, "We're dispersed! The hammer of giant Archilor is worthless now, for he is dead. King Agrrican killed Archilor and now, all of our people run. "King Galafron has only you- all of his hopes are in your hands. To you alone he sends for help. Allow your courage and your force to bring you fame from this day forth. Capture this proud King Agrrican, who thinks he can oppose the _earth!_ Slaughter that man! Bring him down!" Marfisa said, "Wait here a minute!" (R) I won't be slow to join the battle. After I've beaten _these_ three knights (which I am sure will be quick work) I will /defeat/ King Agrrican, according to god Macon's will. Don't worry, I'll take him _alive_ and sentence him to spinning /thread!/" That headstrong woman said no more but turned to face the cavalier. Then, in a threatening, fierce voice, she challenged all three knights together. Prasildo was both brave and fast and first to charge across the grass. In clashing with her, he shattered his lance. That damsel did not budge a bit, but /he/ flew cleanly from his saddle, falling down with a heavy thud. That lovely damsel said, "Now quick, the rest of you! so I can leave. (R) You see this herald hurries me, since Agrricane wants to fight." Iroldo, when he saw his friend fall by the road in that cruel encounter, galloped to joust without delay, but he fell from his saddle, too. She'll have more trouble with the third... Marfisa bore a massive lance of bone and sinew - very large. Her blue shield showed as its device @ a crown divided into thirds. Her surcoat also showed those arms. A large green dragon was her crest, high on her helmet, breathing flames. @ The flames were so constructed that they 'burned' with noise and windy blasts, and when she fiercely joined a fight their roar increased and caused more fright. The mail and metal plates she wore had all been formed by magic spells. This suit of arms so shielded her she felt completely safe from harm. Marfisa rode upon a charger, the largest nature ever made. It was a roan of russet grain, dark on its head and hooves and tail. Though it was not enchanted, its fierceness was boundless, its strength great. Riding this horse, the mighty queen moves rapidly, without restraint. Bold Rinaldo faced her now, with a spear of amazing thickness. Quickly, the lion-hearted knight _charged_ and struck her visor's center. He might as well have hit a tower. Marfisa did not move or bend as his lance shattered noisily to pieces smaller than a hand. That wondrous woman hit /Rinaldo/ forcefully, on his helmet's front. She bent him back, to his steed's rump and made his head ring in his helm. Yet here, Marfisa lost her lance because it split along its length. One hundred times and six, she'd used that spear, and it had always held. It broke now in this furious clash, and the maiden was amazed. Marfisa's stabbed by bitter fury because Rinaldo kept his seat. She called Macon unjust and evil, and cursed him as a horny goat. (RU) She said to him, "Why do you keep that baron in his seat, you rogue? Come down right now and show yourself! Select the weapon you prefer. I guarantee I'll leave your corpse upside down, stretched out on the field. You do not need to fear /my/ force, because I _can't_ ascend the sky, but if I *find* a way, be warned, I'll kill you! I'll burn Paradise!" While the proud maiden threatens to raze heaven and destroy Macon, Rinaldo turned in her direction - he had regained his wind by now - and rushes to encounter her. She is not worried by that baron, and when she sees him ride against her, she laughs out heartily, and scoffs. "Why don't you run along, you wretch, (R) while I take care of other business? Do you seek death to flee your debts? Does being beaten turn you on? You're in trouble, on my honor. I'll cut both of your arms clean off, and then, I'll give you such a drubbing, that you will die to the sound of clubbing." The proud maid spoke such words, but bold Rinaldo did not answer back. He had no idle chat for.that fierce one; his sharp sword was all his answer. When he met her face to face, he swung his sword with all his might, aiming Fusberta at her helmet. Marfisa did not feel a thing. She does not change one whit when hit. She gives the bold knight good return, smashing his helmet on his chin, sweeping his shield and slicing it. His hauberk, mail and plates don't help him, as she cuts - cruelly - his side. After Rinaldo feels blood flow, his spirit, pride, and anger grow. Through all his life, Rinaldo's never been in a battle such as this. He threw down what remained of his shield and in his fury swung both hands. He saw this duel was difficult, but that bold baron felt no fear as with a double-grip he struck her shield so hard it flew to earth. This bold attack infuriates as much as it amazes her. She lifts herself high up in her stirrups - her face is scarlet from her fury - and gives another monstrous swing just as /Rinaldo/ strikes _again_! Like her, he did not hesitate but flailed as soon as possible. Each weapon met the other, and when they collided, sparked and flamed. The blades were well-honed, razor-sharp, but in this clash - the final test - Fusberta *cut* Marfisa's sword like wood and knocked a length to earth. After Marfisa saw cut short the point-end of her precious sword that was so prized by her before, she rained down rapid strokes upon Rinaldo, like a desperate woman. But he knew well the art of fencing. He kept his eyes on every swing, guarding himself and parrying. Marfisa made a vicious stroke - she thought she saw an opening - and if she'd landed that mad swipe, Rinaldo /would/ have lost his life. He, with a wonderously quick eye, defended with his sword Fusberta, parrying her with such a blow that she had to let her weapon go. She saw her sword fall on the earth. No frenzy ever equalled hers. She spurred her horse with all her might. She charged in like a maddened boar. Her face aflame, she socked that knight, @ punching him on his left cheek-guard, battering him so very hard, she made their former joust seem slight. I marvel at such fisticuffs, but I say just what Turpin writes. That red blood spurted like a fountain from Rinaldo's nose and mouth and ears. The magic of Rinaldo's helmet saved the knight from a mortal fate, since if he'd worn a lesser helm she would have knocked his head clean off. Rinaldo lost his faculties, though he stayed saddled on his steed. His charger bore him off, full speed, and the maid can't catch up with him. Rabican raced so rapidly, his hooves made no mark in the grass. He's not just silent, but scarce seen. Marfisa lifts her eyebrows, shocked to see a steed that moves so fast. She goes back to retrieve her sword and then begins to chase once more. By now, Rinaldo is far off, but when he wakes again, at once he hurries towards Marfisa, since he's eager to exact revenge. He felt blood flowing down his face, and he reproved himself this way: (L) "Where would you like your cowardice, your low, vile soul, to be displayed? Look here, a *woman's* chasing you! What would the Count Orlando say if he could see me in this field, unable to subdue a maid?" He dies from shame, he feels disgraced. He's sure that he'll be scorned and mocked because a woman made him dance and yield more than he could advance. Marfisa is herself enraged - and shows it more than her opponent. She wished she never had been born, since in so much /time/ she's not _won_. Her shield is hacked, her sword cut short, her weary body growing sore, yet she's not wounded, and she pours no blood, for her armor's magical. These two battled on for *hours,* and neither of them advanced one jot. While the two fought, King Galafron, with Orlando's help, has beat the Tartar. He now pursues that army's remnants as all of the beaten rabble fled. The army went past the two knight's duel, with Galafron in hot pursuit, his allies and armies close behind. When Galafron saw this vicious fight, he knew Marfisa at first sight. Not knowing who the strange knight is who fights with her on equal terms, he judges him an eminent, powerful and audacious man. While watching, Galafrone sees Rinaldo's steed, good Rabican. This horse, you may recall, had once been owned by Galafrone's son. The aged parent made laments when he beheld that coal-black steed. "O star of virtue! Argali! (R) The one I loved more than my life! Is this the traitor who killed you? My nostrils smell the evil-doer who took your life by treachery. But quarter me to feed my hounds and grind my body down to dust if this deceiver thinks he can boast of your death in foreign lands!" So saying, his sword in both hands, he madly charges at Rinaldo, hitting him with a swing so hard Rinaldo hangs from his horse's neck. Marfisa, seeing that old man disturb the battle that is hers, flies into a fearsome rage. She wants to avenge that base offense, and angry, charges /Galafron/! Now Brandimart had just arrived with Albarossia's Antifor. Neither knew who the woman was. They figured she must be a knight from Agrricane's camp, who fought, and seeing her assault so hard, they interposed to help the king. That haughty damsel, lit by rage, had unhorsed Galafron by then, and had her sword possessed a point, the old king would have died at once. Galafron /would/ have died, I tell you, since he had fallen off his steed, but Brandimarte fought for him, and Antifor was there to help. Their assistance cost them dearly. Antifor was the first to go. Marfisa walloped him so hard, she beat him down and knocked him cold. Brandimart was much harder work, since he more nearly matches her. That knight knew /all/ the arts of war, but this maid had enormous force. Rinaldo draws himself aside, thinking Eternal Providence wishes these two to kill each other, since Pagans are beyond his law. When he observed that deadly contest to see who swung his sword the best, he judged that both of them had worth but thought the maid had greater prowess. Look, Antifor rose off the ground and quickly leaped to his horse's saddle. Galafron draws his sword, joins him, and both move fast against Marfisa. Here comes Oberto dal Leon, and also mighty King Ballan, King Adrian, and bold Chiaron. The four of them arrive together, each following King Galafron. Now three kings and three barons charge against the glorious damsel, who's already fighting Brandimart. She, like a mastiff-baited boar that madly circles in a ring and arches its proud forehead hairs while foam pours down its bloody teeth, whose tiny eyes are like two flames, whose bristles rise, who with no rest revolves its lightning-quick fierce head. and gives the closest hound the worst -- Not otherwise battles proud Marfisa, with thrusts and strokes past any measure, as she assaults them, ruthless, cruel, intimidating all of them. Now, over thirty form a group against the damsel in battle fierce. Soon, a hundred, and the ranks still swell. She greets the newcomers as well. To bold Rinaldo, as he watched, it seems the maid is being wronged. He calls to her, "I want to help, (L) even if I must die with you." Marfisa, when she heard his offer, was soothed, and greatly reassured, and told him, (L) "Jolly knight, if /you're/ with _me,_ I need not fear the *world*!" Speaking like that, the savage woman charges and swings at bold Obert, squashes his helmet on his head, and slices up his shield so that it fell on both sides of his saddle. No help was King Ballano's prowess. Marfisa *grabs* /him/ by the helm, @ unsaddles him, and slams him flat. Rinaldo does yet greater deeds, but only some can I tell you, since he confronted many men whose names wise Turpin never knew. He wounded five men in the chest and cut away the heads of seven. He gave a dozen monstrous blows. Everyone was afraid of him. But more men joined and poured down on the two of them with each passing moment, since those behind don't know what trials Rinaldo offers those in front. Marfisa yelled, in her proud voice, (R) "You'll never make me move from here! I'll leave you all my land and wealth if you can force me back _one_ step!" _Now_, ~ stretched along the river comes a mighty and destructive horde, whose banner shows the broken crown that is their queen's heraldic sign. All of them are Marfisa's men; They run in ranks that never end, seeking to save their lady's life, fearing to find her caught or slain. A fearsome contest started then. That day there was no bloodier. Marfisa waded through the mob and in a fury whirled around, hacking men, cutting, left and right. Rinaldo, baron bold, chops off no fewer arms and legs and heads. Each man who sees them prays to god. All day the Drada River ran rapidly, swollen high with blood, teeming with moaning men in pain and steeds and cavaliers, defeated, fleeing before Marfisa's fury. She flashed her sword on every side. As flames burn dry straw, she created a space around her with her blade. Elsewhere, valiant Rinaldo had stricken these unlucky men, who ran alone, or fled in groups, like swallows, when a /falcon/ swoops. King Galafron is out in front with Aridano, and the flight includes Oberto, Antifor, and King Ballan, who flails his spurs. I can't explain why everyone lost his nerve in the rout that day. Chiaron showed his heels, and so did many barons I can't name. They galloped on their steeds full tilt until they reached the castle's bridge. Every great lord and baron entered, then with dismay, hauled up the bridge. Those whose horses were not fast, Marfisa murdered by the ditch. Her anger mounted to a rage because she'd clearly ascertained false Galafrone had escaped within, before the drawbridge raised. And so, she circled, menacing: (R) "I'll *kick* this citadel to pieces! I'd be ashamed to use my /blade/!" I can't repeat her other boasts, but they were of this kind, and worse. When nobody appears (because all of them cringe inside the castle) she scorns to enter it, and leaves. Down on the plain, she found Rinaldo, (R) and she said, "Knight, within those walls there is a vicious, evil whore, versed in deceit and magic spells. What's worse, and what annoys me more, a king's in there who has no equal for crime, deceit, and treachery. That sadist's name is Truf-al-dino. "The maid is called Angelica. Her name does not describe her, for she has no piety or faith. I am determined to make sure that neither escapes, not king nor damsel. They're trapped within those castle walls. "And /when/ I've razed that citadel, I want to battle _all the world!_ I want to smash Gradasso first, king of the great land Serican. Then I will search for Agrican, the lord of all of Tartary. Next I will have to travel west to topple France and Charles the Great. "Until I do, I can't remove my hauberk, mail, or armor plate I've sworn an oath to god Macon never to take this armor off till I have captured *every* last province and town and castle fortress. So, baron, /either/ leave my sight, *or* promise you will join with me, because I tell you plainly, he not with me is my enemy." From her, Rinaldo learned he'd found Angelica and Truf-al-dino. Truly, there are no two on earth he'd rather have within his power. His hatred for the /king/ was just, but for the _lady_? Holy God! She /loved/ him, and he *hated* her, though magic was what caused his error. A magic spring, by accident, had made him hate she whom all men loved. Rinaldo answered bold Marfisa, (L) "I'm happy to enlist with you and fight beneath your signs and pennants /until/ you've conquered Truf-al-dino. But I will join no /other/ action till time and place yield my decision." When they agreed, the great Marfisa ordered her soldiers to make camp. No further fray occurred that day, but the next, when the sun first shone, Rinaldo armed and blew his horn to call forth Trufaldin, the trickster. He sounds, he shouts, and he declares that king a renegade and traitor. When in the castle the knave heard a call to battle from the field, he quickly left the lofty walls. His face was white and trembling. He called the knights to his defense, reminding them that each had promised to fight for him until his death. They'd made this vow under /duress,/ for elsewise, he'd not let them in, but honor now makes them obey. Rinaldo still sounds on his horn, declaring Truf-al-din a hound. Now, the squalid brawl draws near, in which the paladin Rinaldo had more distress than e'er before, but of that I will say no more. It takes so long to tell that fight, I'll save it for another night.