XXIV. Now all were ready soon, some east, some west Such solitary ways displeased the rest, So with Astolphus sage Alardo's gone, And Richard stout.-These three to Spain addrest Their steeds, a land where Rowland's haunts were known, While Oliver, with many hundreds more, By different roads each distant clime explore. XXV. With Charlemagne now scarcely three times ten When at the palace of this King of men 53 A pagan herald blew a threatening sound, And fiercely made it known in accents plain, "That straight the Scricc's dread host would there be found, "Resolved each drop of christian blood to shed, "Or Richardet to have, alive or dead, F "Who gave XXVI. his dear and only son to death."54 Charles mildly answer'd, "To monarch turn, your "And say, both weak and wicked thoughts he hath; "He should alone the chance of battle mourn, "If Ricciardetto robb'd his son of breath, "And sent him whence no travellers return; 56 "Fortune to chop and change is never slack, "But on her favourites often turns her back. XXVII. 55 66 My heroes deal in force, and not in fraud, "Still fighting fairly as brave warriors use "Whom generous foes as well as friends applaud; "Nor speak I thus for that I war refuse : 66 My troops shall reap fresh laurels and new laud, "If your black Giant that same sport shall choose, "Braving his frightful Cafrians when they list "To meet them, sword to sword, or fist to fist. XXVIII. "Let them come on, that, from our city's wall, "Our wives and children may those monsters see; "Strange sight! 'twill stir their laughter, not their gall." -The herald heard these words with little glee, But looking fierce, said, "Then, have at you all! "The Scricc, as hawk on lark, to France shall flee, "And (for my master's threatenings are no joke) "Your braggart words repay with fire and smoke.”— XXIX. The herald thus despatch'd, great Carlo takes One pays the troops their long deferr'd arrears Repairs, provisions, embassies, require Talents by nature given, not had for hire. XXX. But leave we these-and let us follow fast Astolphus, Richard, and the sage Alard, Who, as along the road to Spain they past, Still tried with asking eye, and question hard, 57 To get some inkling of the Count at last. 58 But, learning nought their journey to retard, They traverse all the mountainous expanse, And rude, which parts the realm of Spain from France. XXXI. And having clear'd those lofty Pyrenees, And reach'd the land by Rowland favour'd most, They wend to Arragon by slow degrees; - Till thus a countryman gan them accost: "Stretch'd by a common-shore, or place of ease, "I've seen your knight, who hath his senses lost, "Where, bellowing like a bedlamite, he lay— ""Twas near Valentia, and but t'other day." XXXII. On hearing this the Paladins opine 'T were best to turn their steeds towards the east, And seek Valentia by the nearest line; So prick'd they on that road, till man and beast 59 Felt it was season fit to rest, and dine— Then, when of bandits half a score at least Stopp'd them on Orepésa's desert plain, They sent them one and all to Pluto's reign, XXXIII. Blaspheming as they fell !—To kiss the sea 60 Now Phebus slants his car-the mountains high Grow dark-the little feather'd songsters flee In haste to shelter in some forest nigh Mid covert close, where they may roost them, free From dread of human snares and treachery. The lazy toad crawls forth, the moping owls Scream out, the cricket chirps, the gaunt wolf howls! |