Orlando in Love, Book Two, Episode One (26): The War Council of King Agramante Singing, I call on memories of acts of prowess in times past. I'll tell the fairest chronicle (if you will listen -- quiet, still), the most renowned the world has seen; You'll hear of honored acts, esteemed,~of cavaliers of old, and feats~Orlando, in Love's grip, performed. You'll hear the prowess -- glorious; You'll hear the virtues of Rugier, whose fame and rank as paladin were known across all boundaries. Written in Turpin's book, I find~how Alexander, that strong king, having afflicted all the world and boldly toured the sea and sky, was grasped in Egypt's realm by _love._ He took a maiden as his mistress, {Elidonia} and for the love he bore her beauty, built a rich city by the sea. He named it Alexandria, after himself, and it still stands. He then set out for Babylon, and there was done a dismal deed, for one he trusted poisoned him. The earth was stirred by turmoil then: as different men grab different realms, the warring world is overwhelmed. In Egypt lived his lady, six~months pregnant, in great misery. After she heard the sorry news, and saw the world was so confused, she boarded, by herself, a boat~/without/ _a pilot_ at the helm, and she let _Fortune_ steer her sails. A stern wind thrusts her through the sea and carries her to Africa. Eventually, her boat reached land, and raising up her eyes, the maid~beheld an old man fishing there. She begs this man to pity her; in tears, she asks him for his aid. Compassionate, he took her in; and after three more months had passed, in her rude hut of poverty the damsel gave birth to three sons. And afterward, upon that shore, was built the town named Tripoli for these three sons the lady bore. And, as the heavens dispose on earth, {Sonniberr, Attamandro, Argant} those sons had so much martial worth they conquered Africa in war. They conquered, not by strength _alone,_ by wisdom, or by vigor, but~by excellence of character, which prompted men's obedience. Each one was courteous, and ~ each~liberally dispensed his wealth. Thus every city and each realm approached them to request their rule. They won without belligerence the sea from Egypt to Morocco. They won as far as one can go to dwellers in the distant sands. The eldest two died with no heirs, and one alone then ruled that realm. Triumphant and renowned on earth, begetter of a royal house of the great lords of Africa, Who caused the Christians countless woe, who conquered Spain with arrogance, divided Italy, stormed France. His grandson, King Troiano, led an army into Europe, but he was pushed back, and was slain by Charlemagne and the paladins. A son whom King Troiano left was seven when his father died. Although his shape was strong and fair, his face, his cruel gaze, brought fear. He was a scourge to Christian men, as I shall show you in this tale. Stay, lords, and listen for a while -- You'll see the world in flame and fire. Twenty-two years this noble youth, named /Agramante,/ now has passed. In Africa there is no knight~who dares to look him in the eye -- except an even _fiercer_ lad, the King of Sarza -- /Rodomont./ To council, Agramante called~thirty-two kings whom he controlled. In four months ~ he assembled~all these men outside his capital. Some came by land and some by sea -- such eminence was never seen. Thirty-two crowns -- in grand array -- entered his city Biserta that day. Biserta was a large place then, although a crumbled ruin now, since in this war it was destroyed: Orlando razed and leveled it. King Agramante kept his court in an expansive, royal castle. The sun had never seen another richer or more magnificent. The kings climbed, two by two, the stairs, wearing gold cloth for eminence, entered a room and seemed to see~Heaven and Paradise revealed. The room, five hundred paces long~exactly, was two hundred wide. The ceiling's vast expanse was gold, with red and green and white enamels. Sapphires and rubies in cascades adorned each figure on the wall wherein, engraved in full-fledged glory, was great King Alexander's story. The kings went in the hall and gazed, each one in wonder, each amazed. Damsels danced upon a dais beside magnificent musicians, playing on trumpets, drums, and pipes whose sweet sounds filled the tranquil air. Above them, on his high throne, in~his royal robes, sat Agramant. Those kings showed him great reverence, each bowing, face down, to the earth. He welcomes them with cheerful looks. He kisses and embraces each. Then he dismisses all the rest -- the chamber empties instantly. The kings stay, and their councillors, dukes, barons, counts, and cavaliers. On either side of his high throne thirty-two chairs of gold are set, the rest unequal and more low, though occupied by noble men. Most of them talk, some well, some ill, according to ability, but when they hear their daring lord, soon it is silent everywhere. He started, "Lords, you who assemble, (C) you who have come at my command, as much, I know, as you love me -- more than yourselves, as I have seen -- so must _I_ love and honor you; And certainly it is my wish~to love you always. My desire~is to /increase/ your fame -- and mine! "It's not by hunting, dancing, or~playing in gardens with the girls that we will win fame in this world, (C) but only by the drums of *war!* Only _renown_ can outlive death, and they are truly miserable who don't incessantly attend~to fame: life hurries to its end! "Don't think great Alexander, (C) who~was founder of our family's house, subdued the world for festivals or banquets of the finest fare. His name is now known everywhere. His history, depicted here, reveals that honor is obtained~by sweat -- it's gained with naked blades. "And so I ask you, barons bold, (C) if you've remembrance of yourselves, if you're concerned for your renown, if you have love for me, your lord,... Come.with.me, if you please, to _France_ and wage a war 'gainst /Charlemagne/ to glorify *our* god's _true_ law." The king said nothing more than this~and -- silent -- waited for response. The councillors below his throne discussed what seemed most opportune. Most prudent of them all was held an age'd ruler, King Branzard. Seeing men look at only him, he rises up to speak at once. The old man said, "Magnanimous lord, (R) Facts are proved true by reason, by example, or experience. And so, responding to your speech -- since I must offer my advice -- I'll have to say, 'gainst Charlemagne your voyage will be cursed and vain! "First reason makes this manifest: (R) Within his borders, Charles is strong, and of a venerable line, well used to fighting wars *united;* And when the storm of battle's worst, his men won't leave their mates afield. But you must fight with _new_ recruits; They'll lose against experience. "For our /example/, let us take~your predecessor, Alexander: (R) He crossed the sea with gray-haired men, but they were used to fight *as one.* Darius of Persia battled him, with a tremendous, noisy rabble. No /Persian/ knew his comrade's names: _Those troops_ were overcome and slain. "As for /experience,/ I wish~that someone else provided it. (R) _I_ went to Italy with many~other kings, some time ago, and all of them died dismally. Great Durindan was lost, and~your own father, King Troian, was slain! "For God's sake, drop this evil plan: (R) Bridle your will, before you can't. "Dear lord, if I oppose you, (R) I~have more right than the others have, as every harm to you hurts me. I carried you when you were small: Your perils pain me all the more for, to me, you're both son and lord." Another old man rose to his feet, that wise king who is named Sobrino. He'd travelled throughout Europe to~survey our realm for this attack. "My lord," he said, (C) "The whitened beard~I wear perhaps makes one believe my many years impair my valor. But I swear by great God Macon, that though I feel my /body/ worn, my _spirit_ feels no different from~what it was in times of yore. "So don't think that through _cowardice_ (C) I want to turn you from your trip, nor that I fear for my _own_ life, for anyway it can't last long. Although it may be only brief, I'll spend it as you think is fit. But as your ancient servitor, I'll counsel what to me seems best. "One may reach France by just two means, (C) places that I have seen myself. One is by sea, towards Aigues-Mortes, a way that desperate men would choose, since where one wants to disembark, armed Christians will defend the shore, arranged in their resistant lines, we'd need a hundred to their ten. "The other, more convenient means (C) is passing through Gibraltar's strait. Your friend Marsilio, king of Spain, will hold your undertaking dear and come to you with all his men. Then Christianity _can't_ win --~/they say/... But _I_ believe, at heart, there'll be more work to _end_ than start. "We'll reach the plain in Gascony, (C) and we _will_ put the people down, but *then* ~ at Montalban we'll find~/Rinaldo,/ guarding well the pass. May God protect us from his hand! None can withstand his fierce attack. When you've subdued and chased him, he~assaults you from the other flank. "King Charles will come with all his court: (C) There are no better men on earth. Don't think they'll stay behind their gates: they'll follow standards through the plains! That mighty fiend Orlando, who now wields Durindan, will come. There's no defense against that knight: he severs all with that sharp sword. "I also know Ogier the Dane -- (C) a pagan once, he's like a giant -- Oliver, and King Salamon, and *all* those paladins, _each_ one. We fought them when your father, King Troiano, crossed to Italy. I tried them; I can swear to you the best plan is to let them be." After Sobrino spoke, the next to~rise was young, bold Rodomont. His arrogance was without match, and he despised the whole wild world. He stood. He said, "In every place~where one ignites a fire, (L) the flame~is small at first, and then it grows. But as it nears its end, it wanes And human beings do the same, since when their age has passed their prime, they lose their courage, sense, and sight. "At present, this is clearly seen (L) in the two old men who have just spoken. Each of them was _once_ prudent, but~*now* all their common sense is gone. Would they deny our glorious king what he requested them with prayer? The reason? -- gray-heads always give~/advice/ more willingly than aid. "Your lord asks you not to _advise,_ (L) if you've heard his proposal, but -- for his fame and your reverence -- to *join* his royal enterprise! All who refuse are traitorous, and to each one who goes against~the royal call, I say, _Beware_ -- I challenge him to _mortal_war!"_ So spoke the young and eager man, proud Rodomont, the king of Sarza. He looks around, his dark face scowls, but all are silent, scared of him. The king of Garamanta was~in council, Appolino's priest, a sage of more than ninety years, astrologer, enchanter, seer. He lets no trees grow on his land, so he may see the heaven's sides. His realm, an open plain, is large: He measures heaven and counts stars. This bearded old man was not cowed, though Rodomonte threatened still, but he said, "Fine lords, this lad wants~to be the only one who talks. (R) If he won't hear my speech, the harm~that he can do me, let him do. You listen to the words of _God!_ I worry not for him, but you! "Devoted people, mark and hear (R) what great god Appolino says: All those who will be brought to France after a long and painful trip will *die,* and they'll be cut to bits. Neither the great nor small will live, and Rodomont, for all his strength, will be a feast for crows in France." Laughing his hardest, Rodomonte~heard the.old.man's prophetic words, but when he saw him mute and silent, in loud and booming voice he said, "It's all right while we're still here (L) to prophesy all you desire, but /after/ we have crossed the sea and *ruined* France with sword and fire, don't come to _me_ to make predictions -- *I'll* be the prophet over there! "To /these/ men you can threaten harm (L) but *I* do not believe in you. Your foolish brain and lots of /vino/ @ make you speak out of Appolino!" Many men laughed and gladly heard the haughty cavalier's response. Most of the /younger/ Africans were eager for the enterprise. The old though, who had fought against~our cavaliers with King Troian, insisted it was obvious that Africa would be destroyed. Debate was great among the low, but Agramante raised his hand @ to silence their conflicting talk. "Lords, it is my wish (C) that we go~to meet King Charles, no matter how, and I decree that *all* must come -- _I_ give /commands!/ I _don't_ *obey!* "Do not believe that when the crown of King Charles cracks and falls apart you will have any rest from me! (C) After the baptized men are conquered, my heart will turn to those realms left till I've subjected _all the earth_ -- And after I have won the world, I'll want to war with *Paradise!*" Great Rodomont could now be seen~to rise up gladly, face aglow, "My lord, let your name spread (L) to every spot that daylight warms on earth. I swear to you I'll do your bidding~steadfastly, and in.all.events. I'm at your back through heaven and hell, or if you want, I'll *lead*, in front!" The younger kings all quickly vow to follow Agramant in war, each trying to be seen most fierce. There's not a single frightened face -- with bold pride, each man menaces. The old men find it difficult yet vow -- each quickly promises -- till Garamanta's aging king begins to speak another time: "Lord, I will /gladly/ die with you, (R) since /all/ our men _will_ be undone. I *want* to come with you to Europe. Saturn is lord of the ascendent, so we'll all perish anyway. I'm not concerned -- let come what may -- and my back bears so many years I can't survive for very long. "But I *beg* you, by heaven's God, (R) listen to me at _least_ in *this* -- I speak on _Appolino's_ part -- {fast, desperate} since you've decided you'll invade. "In your realm lives a warrior (R) whose prowess is unmatched on earth. I've seen by my astrology, he is the greatest in the world. "To you, lord, ~ Appolino says (R) that if this baron comes with you you'll gain respect and praise in France and /often/ you'll defeat King Charles. "His father was a Christian knight, (R) his mother was your father's sister. After her husband had been killed, she died of grief, but ere she did, she gave birth to two fine babes. One was a girl, her fate unknown, but the young boy was named Ruggiero, after his father who had died. "Ruggiero was raised by a mage (R) who came across that foundling babe, the necromancer Atalant, thanks be to God, a Saracen. For if Rugier should Christian be, 'twould be our _doom_ unfailingly. "A great astrologer and seer, (R) he knew the force and mighty strength that infant would possess on earth. He therefore, rightly, nourished him on nothing else but lion meat. And, he accustomed him to skills required in the art of arms. "Atalant has a magic garden (R) he has built on Mount Carena, very difficult to reach. He made that place invisible, to keep Ruggiero safe from harm. "Be sure that he is in your army -- (R) though I think you'll strive hard for that! This is the sole, the *only* way~you have to ruin Charles the Great. Otherwise, I'll tell you plainly, your _men_ will lose and _you'll_ be slain!" Thus spoke that old, gray-bearded man, and Agramant believed his words since he was held a prophet, skilled in necromantic wizardry, And in the past, he'd always watched~the path of every single star, and he'd predicted, in advance, both war and peace, good times and famine. The resolution instantly was reached to search that mountain out until they found the bold young man that they required for their war. One king is sent, with a hundred knights. to scour Mount Carena's heights, but bold Ruggiero is not found. Back to Biserta he returned and faced King Agramant to state: "My lord, to follow your command, (C) I searched Carena's mountain heights. Despite long toils and grievous care, I saw the same first day and last, and I assure you -- this I swear -- that no Ruggier can be found there. Old Ruggier long _ago_ was mourned, {resigned} I think no _other_ has been born. "Therefore, if Garamanta wants, (C) let *him* divine where he resides, since he /pretends/ to know that art. But we are crazy if we _wait_~for this old-timer, who charms snakes. We should have crossed the sea by now. *He* searches for what _can't_ be found so that your men won't go to war." When he heard him, King Rodomont, laughing hard, with audacious looks, cried out, "That's what I told you first! (L) He made our king a mockery, trying to set this war aside. It's foolishness to give such credence~to /other's/ words, to what's _not_ seen. "Lying is lately /fashionable,/ (L) and hardly anyone's ashamed; They boldly chart the heaven's course, creating more alluring tales, and they announce what /must/ occur, interpreting your dreams, {mocking} and say~Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars, promote _peace_ here and _there_ cause war. "*If* there's a God, which I don't know, (L) his care's *above*, not _here_ below. There's no one who has witnessed him, but /craven/ men believe from fear. I'll tell you *my* faith openly: it's just my armor, my good sword, my horse, the club I carry, and~the heart I have -- _I'm_ my *own* god. "But Garamant draws circles in~the ashes with an olive branch, (L) and says when Venus holds the sun {mocking} the world will lose all enmity, and when the tender herbs in spring~are flowering, when weather's fine, the king should not /then/ seek France, but~remain at rest and ~ scratch his gut. @ "I marvel that my daring lord~can bear such tales. (L) I often want~to grab the hair of that old man who holds us, who won't let us leave, and put him, with _no boat,_ in France: I'd *throw* him overseas /by air./" Gray-haired Garamant smiled a bit,~then said, "The words and fearsome looks~this clever young lad shows to me (R) can't frighten me from speaking truth: He's lost perspective, as you see, though he was never all /that/ sound. He does not heed God, nor God him. Leave off; let's talk of other men. "I told you lords, and say again, (R) that on Carena's peak resides the young man whose fate's fixed, a man~_unmatched_ on earth for strength and might. If you forget, I'll say once more, to find him is most difficult because his mentor Atalant's~a wizard, and he guards him well. "Up on the peak he built a garden (R) and ringed it with a wall of glass raised so high on its lofty cliff he can remain there safe and fearless. The cliff is sheer on every side; it's walls are wondrous tall and hard. *Hell's* spirits, by enchantment, built~the whole thing in a _single_ day. "One can't ascend without permission~from that old man. (R) He guards the summit. Nobody ever sees this garden, whether up close or at a distance. Rodomont will not think it true,~I know -- see how the madman laughs! -- but you *can* view this garden,~*if* -- you have a /ring/ I've heard about. "That ring is made in such a way (R) that all enchanted forgeries will in its presence disappear. It currently is in the hands~of beautiful Angelica, a fair princess of far Cathay, whose fortress now is under siege. "Unless this ring is in your power, (R) that garden will be sought in vain -- you can be sure it won't be found. You will invade without Ruggiero, and you will all endure the worst~while overseas. *None* will come back. I clearly see that Fortune _wants_~for Africa to dress in black." "I'm more unlucky than the rest; {sadly} (R) I know /my/ fate before its time. For proof of what I prophesy, {resigned, but determined} I say *my death* has *now* arrived: When the sun enters Cancer's sign @ my life will have come to its end. "'Twill be before this hour's past. (R) If you want something from Macon, {making light} I'll bring your message up to him. "Hold fast within your mind ~ the words~I've said, {serious} (R) and which I will repeat: If you seek France without that knight {dying} that I have shown will be our shield, _everyone_ will be lost. You'll die!" His time was not more long or short than he'd foretold, that shrewd old man. He died in the predicted span. King Agramant was terrified -- everyone there received a fright -- and those who'd been most bold before believed, now, Garamanta's words, seeing the dead king at their feet. The haughty Rodomonte was~the only one who was not scared. He said, "I, too, my lord, with ease (L) could.have.predicted this event. This prattling, devious, old scold was not about to live much longer,~he was so full of years, he /hurt,/ and knew his life was growing short. "Now it _seems_ he gave some /great proof/ (L) because he told us he would die. Perhaps it's something /strange/ and /new/ to see an ancient man's life _end_? Stay then -- don't anybody move! I'll go across the sea *alone* and test if heaven has the strength to stop _my_ being *crowned* in France." Rodomont had no more to say, but went then, with no formal leave, returning to his own country. He does not stay there long, but soon~he comes with his men to Algiers, preparing to traverse the sea. Later, I'll tell you how he crossed, the war he made, and what he lost. The others in assembly in~Biserta speak of different things. King Agramant is bold once more. He will invade no matter what. All are content to go with him, _provided_ that Ruggier is found; if not, they go /unhappily:/ King Agramant himself agreed. And he vows to his council that~if any man is found who dares to steal the ring that beautiful Angelica on her finger wears, he'll make him king of many lands and rich in treasure past compare. Everyone understands this, yet nobody undertakes the quest. A white-haired king attending there~said, "Sir, if I may have your leave, (C) let me go out to fetch my servant. If god Macon will give us aid, I think _he'll_ get this ring for you." He did not stay away for long but came back with a little knave who had the fastest hands of any: /Brunello/ is that great thief's name. He's physically a little man but is malicious past belief and always speaks in roguish slang: His height is four feet, maybe less; His hair is cropped short, curly, black. His voice seems like a horn that blows; He's unrestrained in lies and theft, and never goes by day, but night; Once in, he saw the many gems~that I described, the golden plates, and in his heart yearned to be _huge,_ so he could haul it _all_ away. When he had come before the throne, he said, "My lord, I'll never sleep (L) until by skill, deceit, or brains I have acquired the promised realm. The ring I'll get -- I won't slip up -- I'll bring it to your palace fast -- "But let me ask you: (L) don't you~have a _bigger_ job that I can do? I could pluck down the moon from heaven, or steal the devil's triple fork, or I could spite the Christians -- take~the sound from bells, and rob the Pope." Agramant marvels in his mind that this dwarf has such self-assurance, and orders _him_ to steal the ring. Brunello rushes off to rest, since he prefers to go by night. None of those people notices~the gems he pried loose from the wall. He's sorry that his strength's so small: he gladly would have taken more, but barely carries these away. The council was dissolved then, for~the long assembly's work was done. Each man returned to his own land to look to the invasion's needs. My song is finished here for now; you lords who've listened and remained, come for the next -- I promise you a story that will entertain.