on his arm-chest, “a creature like a cat, yet it was not a cat either,” &c.
As from a peak of Apennine the eye
May Tuscan and Sclavonian sea explore,
There, whence we journey to Camaldoli.
Stanza xi. lines 4, 5, 6.
Ariosto is in general so correct in his localities, that I suppose he is right in this assertion, though I was unable to verify it in a mountain-tour which I once made in Tuscany in company with an English and an Italian acquaintance, who, as well as myself, notwithstanding their being gifted with better eyes than me, were unable to discern the double sea we were taught to expect. I should add, that the atmosphere appeared sufficiently clear for the purpose.
Then from the lady’s toils the wizard clears
His limbs, as thrush escapes the fowler’s snare;
With him as well his castle disappears.
Stanza xxxix. lines 1, 2, 3.
The reader may be tempted to ask why he did not escape before; a thing which seemed as much in his power at one time as at another; but we must not be too jealous about consistencies where magic is concerned. A more extraordinary oversight appears to be the disappearance of the castle, together with the enchanter, which was described as having vanished in the preceding stanza.
There is Gradasso, there is Sacripant,
There is Prasildo, noble cavalier,
Who with Rinaldo came from the Levant;
Iroldo too, Prasildo’s friend sincere.
Stanza xl. lines 1, 2, 3, 4.
These are all characters in the Innamorato; in which Iroldo and Prasildo are particularly distinguished by their friendship.
