Orlando in Love, episode 24: In Service of Angelica's Heart The fair princess Angelica, most beautiful in all the world, is now in peril, under siege, within her fortress at Albraka. The siege is now commanded by Marfisa, saracen warrior queen. Angelica has several knights who've sworn to serve as her defense. Orlando is the best of them, a Paladin of Charlemagne. He is opposed, though, by his peer, the Paladin who's named Rinaldo. Rinaldo is the only man in all the world who hates that Maid. A magic spring, by accident, had made him hate she whom all men loved. Angelica, for her part, /loved/~that knight as much as he loathed her. Through complicated twists and turns that I won't re-tell all of now, Orlando got Rinaldo's horse, (L) That famous charger's named Baiardo, and is the best steed in the world. (Rinaldo'd found another horse, (R) a coal-black steed named Rabicano.) There's just one problem with Baiard, (L) he will not charge against Rinaldo! That wise horse knows his rightful owner, and will not move against that knight. Orlando leaves him in the castle, and rides his own horse in to battle. The paladins had dueled hard, from morning till the dark of night, but when the daylight disappeared, they quit their battle, out of shame, since, at that time, to fight /at night/~was not considered honorable. It was decided they'd return~next morning, when they'd take the field~to settle in a final fight _which_ was the boldest, strongest knight. So now Orlando and his friends returned in to the citadel. The others went back to their tents. Long horns and trumpets blared, and men~called out in different languages. One could see campfires in the field and torches on the fortress walls, Angelica, accompanied~by ladies meets the Count Orlando in an ornately furnished room, where food was served, good wine, and fruit. Orlando's overvest was torn, his fine shield was completely smashed, and he had lost his Cupid crest; Therefore, his sorry heart beat fast. So wretched were his thoughts, he did~not know if he was dead, or lived. He thought she might demand her crest or ask him how it had been lost. He had no _need_ to wonder, as, maliciously intuitive, she knew what /pleased/ Orlando, and~she spoke to him of only that. But, as they passed the time in talk about the battle on the plain, Orlando mentioned that he'd fought against _Rinaldo_ there that day. Until that time, Angelica had not known that her love was there. The maiden trembled visibly @ to hear Rinaldo mentioned, but the cunning damsel hid her thoughts. She tells the Count, "I'm melancholy. (R) I stood here all day on the walls and never knew you from the others, so many men surrounded you. "But if my fortune would allow~just one time, (R) when you're fully armed, that I might watch you fighting well, I'd pray to God for nothing else. "Although Marfisa's hard and cruel, (R) I wonder if it's possible that for a day she'd guarantee~my safety while I watched a duel?" Angelica sends a messenger to ask Marfisa for this favor. The pact was sealed. Diplomacy~made it secure to come and go. Now every star had left the sky except the one that precedes the sun. The dew, seen through the scented air, was shimmering and crystalline. A lovely morning sky appeared, taking on hues of gold and pink, and -- to say this in simple words -- dawn had arrived, but not the sun. Angelica, prompted by the heat that freezes minds and burns the heart, rose suddenly out of her bed, not waiting for the sun to shine, since every moment seemed a waste until she saw Rinaldo's face. And since, as I have said, she knows~that he is in the field below, she hasn't slept a wink the whole~night long; she thought of him alone. Happy and longing, sadly sighing, she waited for the dawn's clear light. This is her one wish, her desire: to see Rinaldo -- then, to die. But Count Orlando, undisturbed, was lying in his bed, asleep, [mime] and in his dreams, the baron bold was fighting as he had that day. I do not think there *lives* a knight who would not be a _little_ scared to see that baron -- *fast asleep*, he looks so terrible, so fierce. The maiden came to him, alone. She hardly dared to wake him, but~as one who waited for her chance, whose hours seemed days, whose days seemed months, The damsel, in a hurry -- more~than Count Orlando was -- to ride,~now with her sweet lips, now her hand, touched him and woke the valiant knight. "Rise," she said, "Baron, sleep no longer, (R) Daylight appears on every side. I woke because I thought I heard a high horn in the field below, and since I want to come _with_ you, and, if God wishes, come back too, I came to wake you up myself and ask a promise, as a present." Orlando saw her pretty face and felt the flames of love ignite. He trembled as Angelica~/embraced/ him, though they were _alone_. She told him, "I'm at your command, (R) but if you love me, baron, wait: Be reassured that what I say, I swear, I promise, on my faith. "I promise I will let you have your way with me _all_ that you want -- right here, alone as we now are -- (R) If you will promise me _one_ gift, to let me see and understand that you love me with *all* your heart. What I desire, what I request, is just one exploit, _when I ask._ "But if you are so inhumane (R) to take your pleasure and disgrace me, you always will be held a villain, and you will turn delight to tears. I'll kill myself with my own hand -- [weepy, pathos] I'll pierce my breast in front of you. It lies with you, and in your will, to let me live or see me killed." The Count Orlando could endure~no more; in fact, the Count wept more~than _she_ did and spoke quietly,~humbly, to beg her pardon for~_whatever_ he had done, blaming~his ardent heart and _matchless_ love. And then he swore an oath to her to honor all of her requests. The moonlight had already waned, the sun had climbed from sea to sky, when that knight, who's courageous and who never failed to do his best, to ready for this grisly battle covered himself in plate and mail. Though he possessed a manly heart, and he feared nothing in the world, still he checks all his armor closely, both his gloves, and his iron shoes, Because that noble knight knows well, his enemy has been proclaimed courageous in chivalric tests -- no sense in giving him an edge. He was enclosed in armor plate, his good sword girt around his waist, when beautiful Angelica gave him a tall crest and a shield. The shield, of inlaid gold, portrayed~a tree that, on his crest, was real. The great knight straps his helmet on; he mounts his steed and grips his spear. Other knights come as company, and ride down to the plain, unarmed. The Count descended after them~alongside of Angelica, who rode a white and ambling palfrey. When Orlando's at the flowering meadow, he blows his horn and challenges~Rinaldo, who, in supple mail~and plate, already waits beside~the queen, Marfisa, on the plain. Her helmet off, her face not hidden, she is most beautiful, indeed. She wore her blond hair up, and her~eyes were more lively than a star. Everything answered to her beauty: her dextrous movements, confident~speech, her long legs, and her tawny color. Angelica is not like her. She is more delicate, and milder. Her lips are scarlet, her skin white. Her silky glances fascinate and /steal/ the hearts of those who gaze. Her blond hair's coiled around her head. Her speech is gentle, and so sweet~it gladdens minds possessed by grief. She rode beside Orlando, as~I said a little while ago. Marfisa rode to meet them, and~with her were several valiant knights, Rinaldo was in front of all. After they reached the grassy meadow, each stayed on his side for a while, and blowing horns as challenges were the two greatest knights on earth. He who has never felt Love's might may blame this pair of famous knights, who dueled each other furiously, who met in anger face to face instead of with their due respect. Orlando most especially -- blame for the fight was mostly his. But he who knows the power of Love will offer to excuse that knight, since Love is stronger than the mind, beyond all skill, all intellect. Both young and old join in his dance, the peasant and the mighty lord. There's no relief from Love, or death: all feel them, every kind and class. And that will soon be clearly seen, because Orlando, born with sense, has changed his nature instantly, impatient to fulfill his passion, Rinaldo is his enemy. Close friendship once united them; now, in the field, he threatens him~with death. He sounds his horn. He cries: "You're not near Montalbano's heights, (L) walls you could use to save your life; Your cousin, who's a sorcerer, 'snot here to help with evil arts! What man can tear you from my hands? How will you run away? and where? No realm or city's found on earth where you have not committed crimes. "You went to Barbary -- disguised -- (L) to trade, and kidnapped Belisandra. There's no haven for you there. "Or will you hide in Thessaly? (L) You caught King Pantasilicor -- such cravenness was never seen! You took him prisoner and had~him hanged. You can't pass through his land! "I know I have not heard about~_all_ of your murders and your thefts, but I know Montalbano's road (L) both night and day is dangerous. "I know you stole the Indian gold~that rightfully belonged to me since Durasante, India's king, (L) was killed by _me_, not *you*, you *thief*! "During the truce of Charles the Great, (L) you stole Marsil's Macone idol. Repent, and listen hard: you'll pay~the price for *many* crimes today!" Rinaldo gave the Count a bitter~answer, blowing on his horn: "Take your place, vassal, you who were~a knight /once/, (R) since you are determined~to settle scores for every pagan killed in the course of being fleeced, abducted, or chastised by me. "But let me tell you, I avenge the unjust deaths of many Christians. I want you to recall the peer~Don Chyaro, (R) whom you killed in war. Because of that Girard despaired, and, due to you, became a pagan. Listen, you wicked renegade, those who _cause_ evil are to blame! "Oliver's father, you damned dog, (R) was killed by Charles because of you. You sliced Arnaldo of Bilanda in half before his father's eyes. "Villain, remember Aspromont: (R) The capture of that castle meant~death for the valiant King Balant -- _treachery_ done with your *consent*, since you stood near King Charles at court. You were not brave enough to face~him openly: at your behest~others went, and Roger died!" "Do you expect to go to heaven~by talk, (R) by prayers and crosses, when~you rise tomorrow? You will need~more than /fine words/ for your *foul deeds.* Rinaldo shouted out these words, and others more spectacular, until Orlando could endure~no more. He *charged*: what a great storm! Both crouched behind their shields for cover @ and set their spears with awful fury. They came together, knights of daring. Their two steeds seemed like wind and lightning. As in the sky, out on the ocean, two terrible opposing winds abruptly crash together @ and~make small boats sink, cause ships to founder, or as a mountain stream descends, uprooting trees and breaking rocks, so those courageous barons *smash*~together with a rending crash. Neither one moved a finger's breadth, though their enormous lance's shafts went hurtling through the air to heaven. Quickly they wheeled; they drew their blades. @ No nearby pagan was so brave he was not truly terrified when they turned, with their frightening, grim, and intimidating eyes. The world has seen no crueler thing than the fierce onslaught of this duel. Those who just watch it sweat and tremble. Imagine what those toiling do! Their skin was bare in many places. Plate and chain mail fell on the plain. Rinaldo braves the Count and swings: @ on his strong shield the great blow rings. The shield splits, and the sword blade passes~through, past his armored shoulder, to~fracture the vambrace on his arm. @ The Count, from that stroke, is in torment, and he attacks Rinaldo with~a stroke that whistles like the wind. Left-handed, he swings that cruel sword, shatters _his_ shield, and hits _his_ shoulder. Gradually, their wrath grows greater. Rinaldo hits Orlando's helmet. Sword blades can't harm that magic helm. Although the knight is in a daze from the mean blow his head has taken, he soon revives, and his heart is~consumed by anger and by shame. Mighty Orlando grits his teeth, swings at Rinaldo's head, and hits~the magic helm that that knight owned: such an attack was never known. Rinaldo, knocked unconcious, slumped. Rabican does not stop, but runs~around the field as if with wings, and Count Orlando's spurs mean nothing; he can't catch that rapid horse. A sight was never seen as sad as that of valorous Rinaldo, hanging down limply from his saddle, dragging his sword along the field while blood was pouring from his helmet. That furious, enormous dint~caused him great agony and pain, as his blood flowed from every vein. It issued from his nose and mouth; His breast had little spirit left; Though that knight's in a sorry state, no snake or dragon _ever_ matched Rinaldo, when he woke again. What follows next surpasses all~the battles there have been on earth. Rinaldo takes his shield and hurls~it down to earth -- it loudly crashes -- then grips his gruesome sword Fusberta~with both hands as he drops his reins, and -- screaming -- swings at strong Orlando. @ He hit his forehead in the middle. The Count could not withstand that thump and banged his head on his steed's rump; His arms hung loosely at his sides. He does not show his wonted force as he rides, swinging back and forth. Not much was keeping stunned Orlando from fully falling from his saddle. But like a man of sovereign strength, Orlando came out of his swoon, and, seeing Durindana, said, * "This sword is mine, or I'm deceived -- (L) the one I won beside the spring that killed so many Saracens. I've got to see if I'm deranged, or if this weapon's been exchanged." So he spoke, and he looked around, finding a block of marble stone: Orlando swung good Durindan and _split_ that stone from top to bottom. He turned Rinaldo's way. He flared. His squinted eyes appeared like flames, and like a dragon, he breathed rage: and swung both hands with awful force. @ O Virgin Queen and God in Heaven, defend Rinaldo at this moment, since that swing's fierce, so ruinous it could destroy a diamond mountain. Sharp Durindan cuts _anything_: armor can make no truce with it, But God, ~ to save Rinaldo bold, let fall the _flat_ side of the weapon. Had the sword landed on its edge, it would have sliced him to the saddle. His chain mail ~ would not have been worth~a clove of garlic: he'd be dead. But there was danger, still, of that, because the impact stuns him so and gives his helmet such a smash that from his ears and lips blood flows. Everyone who stood round to watch raised a great cry at that mean stroke, and quietly Marfisa wept, because she thought Rinaldo lost. The Count draws back for another blow to cut that cavalier across, and he could easily have done it: Rinaldo lay as still as death. But that stroke never did descend because Angelica, who's present, grabbed Orlando's arm. She showed to him a smiling face,~and said, "This morning, I did swear (R) that I'd make you a happy man -- and how and when, you shall command -- But first for me you must fulfill~an undertaking, as you know,~which I can order when I wish. Therefore, I say to you bold peer, be on your way immediately! "Follow this road across the country (R) and do not hesitate or rest until you reach Orrgagn~a's borders, where you will find a wondrous thing. "There, a malicious, crafty queen (R) (May God in heaven give her grief!) has made a garden, using magic, that is the ruin of her kingdom. "And this false garden's guardian, (R) a _dragon_, lives before the gate: It has wrecked the surrounding land and slaughtered the inhabitants. No stranger passes through that realm, no maid -- not even with a baron~defending her, and no knight, but~they're caught and given to that dragon. "Therefore, I ask you, /if you love me/ (R) as I've seen from experience, remove this burden from my heart that I no longer can endure. I know your valor is so large, your courage and your skill so great, that though the deed is dangerous, you'll finish it victorious." At once, Orlando bows to her -- @ she need not say another word. He gallops off so rapidly, he is _already_ out of view. Rinaldo, full of rage, revived, his mood destructive, ruinous, and gripped his angry blade two-handed, seeking revenge on Count Orlando. But by then, he has gone at least~a league. Rinaldo vows that he~will follow, for until one ceased~to live, Rinaldo wants no peace. Marfisa and his other friends~all plead and speak convincingly: Rinaldo, whose mind /was/ on fire, calms, and abandons his desire. That evil battle had this end, Rinaldo went to have wounds tended. Angelica would like to talk, but he won't hear her -- not at all -- since he has such hate for that girl that he could hardly look at her. She leaves, returns to her high walls, Rinaldo, to his camp pavilion. The damsel, in her citadel, of fortune and of love complains. She weeps profusely, asks to die, and cries, "Beneath the moon, on earth, (R) has any sad maid ever lived, feeling such ardor and such pain as my tormented heart sustains? That noble cavalier has seized~my soul. (R) He wants me dead, but he~won't kill me! He's cruel. He won't hear me! If only I could make him listen~*once* to the torments I've endured, and after, quickly end my life, then I would die content: at least~he would have learned what pain I feel! "Every contemptuous, hard heart (R) will yield at last to love and tears, so hope assures me ~ maybe he~_will_ give me what he now denies. The only way to have good fortune is to have patience, pray, and cry, and if I don't succeed, it will~not be because I did not try. "I'll *conquer* his discourtesy! (R) It may take time, but he'll _be_ pleased. My pain, the boundless flames in which~I burn, will make him pity me. And now, to start upon this path, I'll offer him Baiardo, since~as I hear -- everyone says this -- to him, no thing on earth's as precious. "/Orlando/ *never* will return (R) since skill and strength are useless where~I sent him, it's so dangerous. I may use his horse as I wish. Heavenly God! How cruel am I, to cause so strong a man to die! But God knows I could not stand still and see the man I *love* be killed. "Orlando now will surely die (R) to keep Rinaldo dear alive. That man loves me more than his life; this man won't even pity me! Indeed, my conscience tortures me -- I know that what I've done is wrong. The fault is Love's, who rules his subjects~as he likes, and obeys no laws." Angelica calls a damsel forth, a serving maid of hers since birth, of noble manner, pleasing words. Angelica tells her "Mount your horse! (R) Ride out, upon your palfrey, lead~the horse Baiardo to the field. Quick, find Rinaldo Montalban: offer him his good charger's reins and say that, though he's inhumane~to let me perish by desire, I do not want his steed to starve. "At no time could I ever let~his horse endure the least distress, even when he's besieging me -- (R) an injustice beyond all bounds! If I've wronged him, it's only by~loving him past belief, as I~must while I have blood, life, a heart -- whether it's what I want or not! "You'll speak with him. (R) Use such a tack, and _try_ to bring an answer back. He has so little sympathy, he may disdain to talk with you." The maiden left the citadel, and she descended to the field. She gave her message to Rinaldo, courteously, and speaking softly, kneeling before him as she spoke. I can't say if he understood, since when he heard who sent her, he~turned his back and stopped listening. But friends of Rinaldo claim the horse, and take it from her, in his name. Rinaldo wonders why the Count~Orlando left the battlefield. He knows the Count would never *flee*, for _any_ reason, in disgrace. So he decides, whatever may~befall, to search and find the Count. He will not find Orlando fast, the Count's already far from there, about to be the victim of _another_ maid's deceitful charms. But that's another tale my friends; for now, I'm done: _this_ story ends.