Orlando in Love, episode 47: The Fountain Fay In days when Pipin's son, King Charles, ruled his high, happy state in France, there came an eastern Saracen who almost ruined all the world. Not where the sun comes up at dawn nor where it sets -- nowhere on earth -- has there been seen a cavalier more daring, dauntless, or more fierce. That pagan's name was Mandricard, he of such courage and such strength, no greater ever armed, But he -~ the emperor of Tartary -- had so much pride, so little pity, that he refused to be the lord~of men not strong and skilled in war; He had all lesser people killed! One day, an old and desperate man~was bound and captured, and not knowing~what else to do, could only fall~to earth before the king and scream; and his laments, so loud and strange, drew everybody near, to listen. -- "Wait till I speak," the old man cried, " and then do what you want with me. The damned soul of your father can't~traverse the evil stream of hell because you have neglected his~revenge. He moans along the bank, head bowed, and he weeps constantly, as other dead men pass him by. "Your father Agrican, you know (though you maybe afraid to show it), was killed by Count Orlando, and~you must avenge his tragic end. "You have men killed who've done no harm because your pride sets you too high, But understand: no one wins praise~by hurting those who are defenseless! "Go find a man who can fight back. Go show your fury to Orlando! Disgrace like yours can't be concealed -- all that a lord does stands revealed. Faint-hearted villain! Don't you cringe to think of your embarrassment~and your great shame? Are you so _base_~you don't /care/ where you show your face?" -- Now violent King Mandricard can't bear to listen any more. A burning rage so heats his heart, he feels compelled to leave at once, and in his chamber, locked alone, he is on fire from spite and scorn. After much thinking, he decided~to leave his kingdom, his whole realm. He swore he'd never come to court, but call himself an exile till~he had avenged his father's death. He first provided that the realm would be ruled by the wisest men, then sought the temple of his gods and dedicated to the fire~his crown, and then he left, at night,~unknown, to seek his fortune. Like~a pilgrim, with no arms, on foot, he started walking toward the West. Armor he'd none, he had no horse -- so no one in the world could say that he'd required any aid to overcome his scorn and shame. He figured he would easily~/acquire/ a fine horse and some armor as he pursued his plan to use~his strength alone, not force of rule. -- Always alone, he traveled through~Armenia and some other realms, and one day from a hill he saw~a large tent standing by a fountain. Descending, he thought -- in his heart -- if he found armor or a horse, he would not leave until he was~equipped -- with good will or by force. So he descended to the plain and entered that tent, unafraid, and there was no one, near or far, who tended to the tent as guard. He found, laid on a tablecloth, all of the arms a knight might need, and.tied to a pine tree's trunk, outside, a warhorse that was fully armed. Without a thought that baron bold~put on the armor, all of it. But as he took the horse to go, a _fire_ rose -- quick! -- in front of him. -- It started burning in the pine and spread down till it scorched the roots, and the flames covered everything except the fountain and the tent. The grass nearby, the trees, the *stones*~ignited, all in great confusion, and soon the flames spread farther, till~they closed King Mandricard inside. The magic fire leaps at him, covering helmet, arms, and shield. His plate, his mail, and his steel hauberk burn on his body like dry straw. This marvel does not make the knight's~accustomed pride abate at all. Leaving his horse, that headstrong soul~runs through the middle of the fire till he comes to the fountain's pool, then jumps and lets himself sink down, the only way he can survive: Even his underclothes caught fire, leaving him naked as a babe. -- Now, as that lusty baron plays, sporting and bobbing in the water, convinced that the peril now is passed, he winds up... in a _maid's_ embrace. The maid was naked and the water~revealed her clearly, though it covered~her breasts and every little hair as if it were a subtle veil. This woman hugged that cavalier and several times she kissed his mouth, then told him, "You're a prisoner, like many, of the Fountain Fay, but if you prove a champion, you'll rescue countless other men, so many knights and ladies that~your fame will rise above the stars. "Let me explain this step by step: A fairy's magic made this fount and many knights have fallen here, more than a human being can count. "Gradasso is a prisoner, the lord of all of Serican. His large realm is past India; despite his power, he's helpless now. Caught with him's noble Aquilant, and his bold brother, named GrifOn, and many ladies, many knights, so many I can't name them all. -- "Beyond the cliff that you behold, built on a plain, is a fine castle wherein the fairy has enclosed~all _Hector's_ arms, except his sword. "Hector of Troy -- he was renowned! He was the pride of chivalry. None was, or ever will be, found whose arms and courtesy match his! "He was beseiged inside of Troy by seventy kings and many knights~for over ten years. He fought long,~his strength the city's sole defense. "With many powers he was graced, more than the whole world had together, and none was nobler, none so fair -- Achilles killed him, in a snare. When he was dead, once-mighty Troy~fell, ruined and consumed by flames. "Now I'll explain how his fine arms chanced to come to this destination. A queen, Pantasile'a, took~his sword first, then, a little later~lost it when she was killed in war. That sword came to Almonte's hands; Orlando won it from that king. The sword is known as Durindan famous above all other blades. "Let me explain about the rest: After the total wreck of Troy, her people went away by sea, led by a duke, Aeneas, who~brought Hector's arms -- all but the sword. As Hector's closest relative the duke Aeneas owned that armor. "By wondrous chance, the Fountain Fay saved the duke from a misadventure, and as reward she asked him for~those fine arms, which he gladly gave her. Later, to this place she retired and made a work of magic, where~I'll lead you, when you want to go: Then I'll learn if your heart is bold. "If you don't want to come along, if you're oppressed by cowardice, I must say, all unwillingly, what destiny's in store for you. Within this fountain you must die, as multitudes have died before, who sank with no memorial, their bodies drowned, their souls in hell." -- To Mandricard, this quest seemed true~and not true -- as if he now dreamed. He answered her, "I /want/ to go~where you would like and where I must,~but since I'm /naked,/ modesty~slows me a bit. What should I do?" The lady said, "Don't be afraid; for this, provisions can be made." The maid was genial, and she~let her abundant tresses free, @ then eagerly embraced the knight, covering him with her blond hair. Thus, hidden underneath that veil, they left the fountain's lovely waves. Once out, without a long debate, they entered, arm in arm, her tent. It wasn't touched, I said, by fire, but decked with flowers, damask roses, and they lay down to sport awhile inside a splendid curtained bed. I cannot say /what/ games they played, for no one saw another thing. Turpin -- impartial, true -- reports~the tent collapsed around the pole. -- After they'd frolicked for a time, the maid then dressed the noble knight. She put a burnished breastplate on~his harness, buckled on a sword, gave him a helmet rich with jewels, a white shield, and a coat of arms, and then led forth a large, strong horse, King Mandricard seemed not yet tired or burdened by his plate or trim. He leaped into the saddle, armed. The damsel took a palfrey that~was tied to a green juniper, and when they'd gone a mile, or less, the lady told him, "Listen well,~there's more that I have yet to tell, so you will understand your task. You have to fight Gradasso, for he's now the castle's champion. Grifon held that post earlier but lost to him not long ago. "If he should beat you, you'll remain~in prison till some knight brings aid, but if you knock him down to earth, the last adventure will be yours. "You must come to this quest for glory, to win the armor Hector wore. The world has seen no spell so strong, and till now, each participant~has fallen in this enterprise -- its fame seems unattainable. Since you have come, you _must_ try: your~help will be Fortune -- or your strength." -- As they conversed, they reached the castle, and richer work was never seen: the walls were made of alabaster, each column's capital of gold. A small field flourished just in front; Before it stood a knight in arms. When Mandricard saw Gradasso there, he snapped his helmet's visor closed @ He spurred his swift horse at full tilt,~then, halfway there, he couched his lance. @ Strong King Gradasso charged _him,_ riding~rapidly from the other side, and neither horse was slow, but seemed~an arrow and a lightning bolt. They crashed together with a jolt as if the heavens dropped to hell, as if the earth and oceans fell. No ruin ever was so loud. -- Neither moved from his saddlebow, and both their spears had splintered so~the pieces hurtled through the sky. Now came the final test between~these paragons of chivalry, because they turned, drew out their blades, and fought each other on the plain. They started their dark, ghastly fight, a gruesome game that was no sport -- for each stroke caused great sparks to fly. They hammered. Their rage grew. They hit. Mandricard wrestled with Gradasso @ and dragged him from his saddle's seat, while King Gradasso grappled back, @ till both -- as one -- fell to the field. -- By destiny or happenstance~(I can't say which) when those two fell,~Mandricard landed on the top, and so Gradasso had to yield. Then the fair maiden that I've mentioned crossed the plain with a pleasant mien. She told Gradasso, "Cavalier,~one can't forbid what Fortune wants. This battle must be ended here. But for the /winner/ new cares loom. I tell you that beneath the moon,~on land or sea, no strange adventure~ever.matched what you now must face." Before them rose the castle-- heights~made out of stone -- resplendent, white -- with crenellated towers: none~were fairer in the universe. That building forms a square -- and each~facade's a quarter mile in reach. Its bridge and portal face the east, where one can enter with no fear. But when a knight or count arrives~within the entrance, he must swear~with loyalty and upright faith to touch the _shield_ before his face. That shield was placed within the courtyard. It remained just as strong as when~Hector himself had carried it. -- It was placed on a shaft of gold, and over it these words were written: "Don't touch me if you're not a Hector. He owned me. Earth has not his peer." The shield that I'm describing was~the color of a clear blue sky. The eagle was his family's sign, its feathers white as fallen snow. The maiden climbed down from her steed, and knelt on earth to show respect, and Mandricard knelt there as well; Then he, unhindered, walked into~the middle of the lovely court, drew out his sword, and tapped the shield. @ As soon as his blade touched the shield, the country all around them trembled~and rumbled as if heaven fell, and a _door_ opened instantly, revealing, on its other side,~a treasure field: It was a meadow~that had been seeded with a grain whose stalks and ears were solid gold. -- The eastern door, through which the knight~had passed, now closed itself up tight. The maid had told him, "Baron bold, here no man boasts -- indeed none leaves -- unless he reaps the grain you see~on all sides, _and_ removes the tree~that's standing in that furrowed field -- ripping it up and all its roots." Not wasting time, bold Mandricard~entered the field, with sword in hand, and when he started cutting grain, the magic spell was clear and plain, since every little seed became~a different _beast._ Horrendous, strange~panthers and unicorns and lions attacked the knight from every side. Seeds fell upon the ground and were~transformed to fearsome animals that hemmed in Mandricard, so all his~soldierly skill was little use. Such a strange war was never seen. The wolves and lions, bears, and boars, increased their numbers constantly: Some fought with claws, some bared their teeth. On raged that cruel and bitter battle, and Mandricard quite nearly fell. His sword was knocked out of his hand. -- Greatly disturbed by this ordeal -- unable to defend much longer, he leaned to earth and seized a stone, a /magic/ rock, though Mandricard~had no _awareness_ of its powers. That stone of which I speak had stripes~of green, gold, azure, red, and white, and when he tossed it at those beasts it brought them strife and misery because those savage bulls and boars and other untamed creatures started~to fight among _themselves_ and bite~so hard that, shortly, they all died. Now Mandricard did not delay, because his mind was fixed upon the next adventure he must face: I mean that large, imposing tree, which had a thousand flowering limbs. -- Quickly the baron went to it. With all his strength he seized the trunk But as he rocked and shook, the _blooms_~were separated from the leaves and downward through the air they flew. Flowers and leaves fell in profusion, turning to crows, becoming falcons, or eagles, nighthawks, rooks, or owls -- and all of them attack that baron. Although they can't tear off his clothes -- the knight is wearing plate and mail -- they are so numerous, he's flustered, their fluttering distracts his eyes,~and he can't do his task - to rip~up that tree by its golden roots. Doubling his force like one who's bold, he strained and tore it loose at last. The roots ripped like a thunderclap, and with dread noise a whirlwind rose, that blasted all the birds away. This tempest came from a deep cavern, where the tree's roots had left a crater. The great wind hurtled from that hole, roaring and slinging stones like those~projected from a catapult, -- And as the knight looked down, he saw~a serpent crawling from the pit, and then it seemed /two/, not just one, then more than six -- he thought -- or eight: he saw so many coiled tails. Now let me clarify what happened: Out of that hole there came a serpent that had _one_ body and _one_ head I I and *ten* tails sprouting from its haunches. VV But Mandricard was firm and bold, since he wished this adventure closed. He raised his sword, approached the snake, and caught its neck with his first blow. His sword-blade struck just where he'd aimed, behind its head, right on its nape -- that dragon, though, had magic skin, that kept it fully safe from harm. As a ship founders on a rock, it threw itself upon that knight and with two tails it grabbed his legs, wrapped tails around his arms, his chest, and forced him, bound thus, to the ground. The dragon's snout is long, its eyes~flash like flame, and its teeth are white. These last it fastens on the knight's~flank and chews up metal plates like paste. He twists around, although he's tired, @ and as he turns, _falls_ in the crater~from which that boundless creature came: no need to ask if he's afraid. -- His fortune, as he fell, was that~he found a means for cheating death, for as he hurtled through the depths, his own weight crushed the serpent's head. The beast relaxed its grip and stretched~along the ground. Its ten tails twitched. It never rose, for in an instant~the dragon died. The knight then checked~that gloomy cave from top to bottom. The cave was carved from solid rock, but it was covered and adorned with burnished silver, amber, coral, so no stone, not an inch, was shown. In the cave's center was a platform, made of exquisite, pure-white ivory, on which a blue cloth, starred with gold, had been spread like a counterpane. On top, it seemed an armored knight~was resting unconcerned -- I say~it seemed, but it was not. Observe:~this was an empty suit of armor. These were the arms of that bold man who in this world won great renown, Hector I mean, who was the crown~of every virtue praised on earth. Those plates were luminous and bright -- an eye can hardly stand the sight -- emblazoned with gold and precious gems, rubies and emeralds, giant pearls. Mandricard's craving for it rose: It seemed a thousand years till he'd~be harnessed! He gazed at the hauberk, but harder at the handsome helm. Right on the front, there was a ruby~that radiated like a flame, and the stone shone with so much power, it lit each corner of the cave. -- As he admired the armaments, behind his back that baron heard the creaking of a metal door. He turned and saw maids entering~two by two, paired up in a dance, dressed in fantastic frills and colors: others played castanets and fifes. The maids step rapidly and spring~in the air, whirling, capering, and as they do they start to sing~in high tones solos, harmonies. Finally, everyone falls silent: They face the cavalier and kneel. And then, one of the maidens rose and celebrated Mandricard, praising his power to the stars for the great wonder he'd performed. When she ceased speaking, two more ladies~undertook to disarm the knight, and then escorted him, unarmed, out of the grotto through the door. There, they gave him a splendid cloak of fine silk sewn with ciphered signs. Playing horns, tambourines, and flutes, with joyous revels and sweet singing, they brought him up a marble staircase, to the fine palace where, I've said, in the yard, Hector's shield was hung. Damsels were there and cavaliers, singing and dancing, laughing, sporting: never was there a nobler court. As soon as Mandricard is there, they face him, and to do him honor, they welcome his as their own lord. The fay herself, from her rich throne, Called.Mandricard.forth and said to him, "Cavalier, on this day you've won~a prize such as no man has known. It's up to you to add the sword. "On your faith you must swear to me that you'll win magic Durindan from Count Orlando in a duel. Till that adventure's been achieved, never permit yourself to rest, gird yourself with no other sword, and set no crown upon your head. "As you pursue your lofty quest, never abandon the white eagle~shown on this noble shield. This crest,~these arms _deserve_ -- as none do -- *triumphs!*" -- King Mandricard, most reverent, does what the fairy asks - he swears -- and then the maidens who were near array him in those armaments. When he's dressed, he bids them farewell, having achieved the great adventure in which so many daring barons~were captured and made prisoner. Now, everybody was released, Gradasso, young GrifOn, and~also GrifOn's brother, Aquilant. Many of worth and high estate~were also there, names of great glory, but names not mentioned in /this/ story. Bold King Mandricard rode away with his _new_ friend, /Gradasso,/ and it _won't_ be long till I've told what they encountered on the road, for they'll perform strange, wondrous deeds before they come at last to France. But those are other tales, I fear. Good night! God keep you all in cheer!