Orlando in Love, episode 34: Dungeons and Disguises Both War and Love befit the young, both states hate sleep, both states court grief, both suit a man who's courteous, who welcomes work that's dangerous. They are what make a man's heart fit, though these days, if I'm not deceived, it's better, I can truly say, to speak of arms than have them on, because that worthy, honored art has been made _common_ in our time. And _Love's_ works? _They're_ no longer praised but made of vain imaginings~and sorrow, with no day of bliss. One feeds on fair looks and mild shows; as one who's dealt with them can say, women have little constancy. -- Please, ladies! Don't look with contempt because a man says- what he /means!/ All women aren't beneath one sign - one's loyal, but another's false. And I, for her who holds my heart, ask mercy from the rest, and peace. What I said in my rhyme before, I only meant for those of yore! Such as the traitress /Orrigill/, who I will tell you of tonight. False Orrigill had made the Count~Orlando fall in love with her. Not out of any love /she/ bore; she simply thought he'd be of use. Two times before, she's tricked him, sore, a new betrayal comes anon. -- Orlando has now learned that~many friends of his are prisoners~of _Manodant,_ a distant king. He rules The Islands Far Away. These cavaliers were captured~in a trap set for the Count himself. Orlando overcame that trap, but now desires to free his friends. King Manodante set the trap because of love for his lost son. His younger son, Prince Zilliant, was kidnapped by Morgahn the fay. She offered him in trade, if he~could get Orlando's head for her. -- Orlando, when he learned of~all his friends who'd fallen in that trap decided he would set them free, or he would die in the attempt. He spoke with his friend Brandymart~in secret, telling him his plan. So, sailing with a proper breeze, they reached the Islands Far Away, and those two daring cavaliers next day appeared before the king. (They didn't give their proper names; the King did not know who they were.) They told King Manodante that~they'd wrecked his trap in self-defense. They offered now, to please him, to catch Count Orlando by themselves. -- The King is heartened by this plan, and sets up their accomodations in a fine house next to his own palace. False Origille stays with them; the Count does not want her to leave. She's as deceitful and as fair as you heard me tell earlier. Now this girl found out everything~from Count Orlando -- all his plans -- because whoever is in love reveals the secrets of his heart. Although she does not love the Count, Orrigill is not /without/ love. She is in love with _another_ knight, a cavalier who's named _Grifon_. She learned he was a prisoner in one of Manodante's dungeons. She went to the king, that evil girl, and what Orlando said to her~in secret, how he'd free those knights, and everything that he'd arranged, to Manodante she proclaimed. -- The king had never felt such joy as when he heard the Count was here. He hugged himself for happiness, @ as if his son were home already. But then he thought: he gauged the strength and courage of that cavalier; Manodant understood -- foresaw -- the difficulty of his capture. King Manodante gave Grifone~to the maid as.he'd.promised, but~Grifon refused to leave unless~the king freed Grifon's.brother, Aquilant. He /was/ turned loose when all agreed that they and Orrigill would leave~the kingdom _at that instant_ and~no longer linger in this land. So they left in the dark of night, and, later, I'll recount their trip. -- I turn to Manodante now, who wondered how to safely snare~the knight whose prowess daunted him. For this he ordered up a potion that makes all men who drink it~drop into a dead and senseless slumber. Suspecting nothing, both knights drank,~at dinner, drafts of tainted wine, and they were seized in bed that night, and dragged away, insensible. They did not wake until next day. -- That morning, when they found themselves~tied up and in a tower dungeon, they understood the damsel had~betrayed the trust they'd placed in her. "O Heaven's King, O Virgin Queen," (L) the Count said, "Don't abandon me!" {deep, Connery knight} He called the saints whom he adored, all heaven holds, to bring him aid. He had the Scriptures memorized, and he knew every prayer and psalm. What he knew, he recited, and~Brandymart listened with attention. -- Brandymart was a Saracen, but poorly taught and ignorant, as he was used, since he was small, to riding and to bearing arms. Now, when he heard this errant knight who prayed to God with all his might, who called on every blessed saint, he asked him what it was he said. (R) Although Orlando's still distressed, to save that lost soul, he recites~to him, first, the Old Testament; then tells him how God wished it changed, and then recites all of the New, And God so helps his speech that he~brings Brandymarte to his faith: like the Count, he believes the truth. -- Although he can't be baptized here, he has complete and sound instruction, and after thinking for a while, he speaks in this way to the Count: "It wass yourr wish to ssave my ssoul. (R) In turn, I want to save yourr life (saracen knight) ass long ass I musst die here. Now,~if you like, lissen to my plan. "You underrsstand ass well ass I (R) we're prrisoners becauss of you. You arre feared by the Ssarracens. You'rre Chrristianity's sole shield. "I'll take yourr name, and you take mine, (R) for if therre'ss no one elsse who knows and we both stay unrrecognized, you will be frreed while I'm retained. "I will insist that I'm Orlando. (R) Rremember, you are Brrandymart. Watch what you ssay, don't make misstakes, or you will quickly wreck our plan. "I'm in yourr hands if you escape, (R) so trry to get me out of herre; {trying to hide his fear} but if I perrish in thiss dungeon, prray for my ssoul, O worthey man." -- Orlando graciously replied, saying, "This isn't what God wants! (L) All who are Christian live with hope {Connery knight} in Heaven's King and Mary Mild. He's merciful; He'll set us free. "Without you, I will never leave! But if _you_ go, I'll gladly stay, (L) as long as you have promised me _never,_ for prayers or threats or fear, to leave the faith you have embraced. "Our life is only dust in the wind, (L) not to be loved or so esteemed that to preserve or lengthen it the soul is damned to endless flame!" Said Brandymarte, "Barron bold, (R) I'm assking, by _Chrrist's sufferring,_ that you consent to what I've ssaid, and if you won't, I prromise you, I'll turn back to Macon again!" -- Orlando did not answer him, not wanting to say yes or no. Suddenly soldiers armed with halberds opened the portal to their dungeon. A corporal said, "O knights, (L) the one~who is Orlando has to come. {++deep} Let him confess himself and move, since he must meet with Manodant!" Brandymart answered instantly. Orlando did not say a thing but breathed a sigh and stood aside. Those men took Brandymart away, still chained as he had been (so he~cannot defend himself or fight). -- The guards present him to the king. Manodant was a _civil_ man and spoke to him with courtesy. "Misfortune, a strange circumstance, (L) makes me unkind despite myself. {old man} Although you're Christian, and it's clear~you're our religion's enemy, I know your virtue and your worth. It grieves me not to honor you. "But my affection wrings me so, (L) my sorrow for a son of mine,~that -- I'll be brief, I'll make this short -- his troubles must be borne by you. "Cruel.destiny and wicked chance~left me, (L) of my two sons, just him. The boy is eighteen years of age. Morgana, queen of fortune, holds~my boy beneath her magic lake. -- "Because, it seems, _you_ once disdained~some stag with antlers made of gold and ruined her enchanted traps, (L) she hunts you everywhere and questions~everyone -- you're all she wants. "I have to trade you for my son, (L) to get him out of danger. Thus~I had you seized and tied last night, and I _will_ send you to her now. "I blush from my embarrassment. (L) I know you may be harmed. {embarrassed and regretful} I think~you /merit/ honor -- yet I see~no other means for his release." -- Brandymart answered, "I intend~to sserrve you and obey yourr will, (R) even if I'm a thousand miles~frrom thiss rrealm. I'm yourr prrisoner. You may command me ass you will. I _want_ to sserrve you, and I _shall._ "But by God's grrace, I'm asking you, (R) if yourr sson can be rrescued by~some otherr meanss -- ass I believe -- don't ssend me to such misserry. "Allow us but a single month (R) and sset frree my companion; I'll~rremain your prrisoner meanwhile -- "Then hang me frrom a gallowsstrree (R) if in the time I have obtained yourr sson's not brrought back, ssafe and ssound. "The knight hass visited that place: (R) I swearr to you upon my faith, he will go boldly, and rreturn." -- These words were said by Brandymart, he's someone who discourses well and always has a quick response. At last, the old king was convinced. Though he would have to wait a month, which seemed a _year,_ to free his son, Manodant nonetheless agreed. Brandymart dropped down to his knees and thanked the king profusely. He~was then led back to prison, and,~there, Count Orlando was released. -- Who can recount the gentle words the two friends trade, or how they weep, now that Orlando has to leave? I can't say how much parting grieves. They knew what terms had been confirmed, that in a month he must return,~so, having bid his friend good-bye, he boarded ship and sailed the sea. A few days later he reached land, quite near Morgana's magic realm. _Later_ I'll tell what he did there, *now,* back to Manodante's court. -- Some frolic, some play tunes, some sing, some pledge Macone cows and sheep if he will let them see the day Prince Zilliant returns to them. It is a holiday, I say. In town, for pleasure and delight, all of the towers are set alight~with torches, and from every roof~loud drums and horns and trumpets call: It seems earth flames and heaven falls. -- _Astolfo,_ who's an English duke, with many others, as you've heard, was held a captive there, and though~deep in a tower, still could hear~the great commotion. When he asked~the cause, the guard assigned to him~responded, "Let me make this clear. (L) In one month you'll be out of here. {nasal, -deep} I want to tell you everything, so you won't keep on pestering. "Our king no longer must maintain~his quest to capture cavaliers, (L) because a knight has come to court, known as /Orlando/ through the world. The king can _trade_ *him* for his son. "It is true that a pagan knight, (L) who, it appears, is his best friend, was set free by our sovereign king, but he must come back in a month. He swore he'd bring back Zilliant -- but I don't rate his vow one fig! The king _may_ trade, though, if he likes, _Orlando_ to secure his son." -- Astolfo's face was troubled, and~his heart _more_ troubled, when he heard~the Count had come to such a pass, and he began to beg the guard, "Brother," he said, "please, by Macon, (R) take my request to your high king, {very young knight} that by his courteous crown I _see_~Orlando: he's my countryman!" Everyone always liked Astolfo -- for he would always make them laugh. The guard departed instantly and took his message to the king. -- Because of Brandymarte's promise, the king had given him a chamber in which to wait the month in ease. Now.Manodant went to Brandymart and asked him who 'Astolfo' was. (L) In his mind, Brandymart was troubled. He broods, not answering the king, because he clearly understands~that it is day, that he can't hide,~that he is ruined, that he'll die once the whole plot has been revealed. At last, not to increase suspicion, he said, "I think perrhapss I know (R) this 'Ass-tol-fo' of whom you speak. "I saw a varrlet once in Frrance (R) whose name, it seems to me, wass that. He wass considered mad at courrt, and he wass called the English fool. "Big he wass, blond, of noble lookss, (R) hiss face wass white, hiss eyess werre dark, but he wass lacking in hiss brrain, forr everry time the moon was new, he turned curst, like a raging hound, and he no longer knew a soul, how to amusse, or play a game: all fled frrom him ass frrom a flame." -- "That sounds like him," said Manodant. (C) "I want to listen to his banter." So saying, he sent forth a groom to usher him into the room. Coming before Astolf, this servant~at once commenced explaining that~the king would like him well because~he was a jester and a fool. He said his fellow cavalier, Orlando, told the ruler that. Immediately, Astolfo lost~his temper and, most furious,~followed the groom to the king's court. Though all those gathered stared at him, he never ceased his stride, while "Where's~Orlando?! Where's that rogue?!" he cried. (L) "Where is he?" he asked. (L) "Where's the rascal~who slanders me? That pizzle! I'd~pay gold -- a thousand ounces -- for~a cudgel to attack that whoreson!" -- The king and Brandymarte, on~the balcony, could hear his voice, so _loud_ did Duke Astolfo threaten that he would club the Count to death. Brandymart felt relieved, and he~told the king, "By God, leht hihm be, (R) since he will jusst annoy uss all. One can get liittle frrom a fool. He hass completely left his sensess. Moon must be waning -- that'ss the rreason! I've seen him. I know how he iss. Pity thosse in prroxmity!" Manodant said, "See that his bonds~are tight, (C) then have him brought up here. I would be safe from lunacy." {aside (L)} -- @ After Astolfo found himself~bound, @ a reputed lunatic, he started reigning in his rage~somewhat, like one who's moderate. He was presented, and the king~chastised him: "You are very rude~to this knight from _your_ court, (C) though he's~from France and you're an Englishman." -- Astolfo then searched every nook. He said, "But where's the squint-eyed knave (L) who makes the claim that _I'm_ a fool when /his/ estate's not one-_third_ mine? "I wouldn't let him groom my horse! (L) Must be this fellow talks for sport. He knows for sure -- make no mistake! -- I deem him equal to a slave. Where _are_ you, cross-eyed *bastard?!* Don't~you know I want to /punish/ you?" -- The king said, "You unfortunate! (C) You face him and seem not to see!" Astolfo then searched every corner, searched everyone from head to foot. He said, "If someone has not covered~him in a mantle, (L) he's not here! That's certain! Of these many men~I know just _this_ one, Brandymart." @{nudge R} Marveling, Manodante said, "God help me now! Who's /Brandymart/? (C) _This_ is _Orlando,_ isn't it? {gesture L} I think that you've gone mad again!" And Brandymart, a bit dismayed, boldly concealed his fear and said~to Manodant, "When the moon waness (R) (don't you rrecall?) he iss insane. I thought you would rremember that -- I mentioned it not long ago!" -- Astolfo then began to scream, (L) "_You_ heathen *dog!* You _renegade!_ I'll let you have a -- _kick_ so hard, [realizes can't move arms] I'll leave my boot stuck in your gut!" The king responded, "Hold him tight, (C) his malady is growing worse!" Astolfo's anger but increased and it emerged in most strange ways. He threatened to bring down the roof, to ravage all this land with flame~and fire and burn five hundred miles~in all directions -- in _one_ day! The king commanded him away. Astolfo, as he was led off, now deemed a madman, was reduced... to _reason,_ as a final option. -- He started speaking quietly, and in a soft voice begged the king not to send him away just yet, for he could prove the king'd been duped. "If you'll send word to prison, (L) if~you'll tell your men to bring Rinaldo -- or even that young man Dudon -- then you will hear the truth from them. "I'd like to stay and watch the test. If I lied have me flayed to death -- for that false knave who sits by you is /Brandymarte,/ _not_ Orlando." -- The king, afraid he'd been deceived, began to stare at Brandymart, @L who seemed to be distraught and tense, making him even more suspect. Brandymart, brought to such a pass, no longer could conceal the truth; and he confessed that he'd conceived~this plan to keep the Count alive. Manodant rent his cloak in grief @ and tore his white beard into shreds @ because he _loved_ his son, and he~_despaired_ for Zilliant's return. In town, the only sounds are sobs; gladness gives way to bitterness. As if they'd lost their heads, all cried, "Quarter that Brandymart alive!" -- He was arrested, chained from head~to foot, and shut inside a tower. People considered those consigned~to that cell not to be alive, and if God in His mercy does~not help, then Brandymart _will_ die. Astolfo, when he understood~the way things were, was _very_ sorry. He would have _helped_ him willingly, done all he could in word and deed, but his assistance comes too late -- as always, when one talks too much. That noble knight is now condemned, due to _his_ words, _his_ little sense. _I_ would not wish to cause offence, as _he_ did, by a careless tongue, that prattled on for far too long;~and so, hoping to 'scape such fault, _my_ story, for tonight, I halt.