LI.
“The wizard on Gradasso breaks his spear,
“He wounds the empty air, with fury vain.
“This in the feathered monster breeds no fear;
“Who to a distance shifts, and swoops again.
“While that encounter made the Alfana rear,
“Thrown back upon her haunches, on the plain.
“The Alfana that the Indian monarch rode,
“The fairest was that ever man bestrode[6].
LII.
“Up to the starry sphere with swift ascent
“The wizard soars, then pounces from the sky,
“And strikes the young Rogero, who, intent
“Upon Gradasso, deems no danger nigh.
“Beneath the wizard’s blow the warrior bent,
“Which made some deal his generous courser ply;
“And when to smite the shifting foe he turned,
“Him in the sky, and out of reach discerned.
LIII.
“His blows Rogero, now Gradasso, bruise
“On forehead, bosom, back, or flanks, between;
“While he the warrior’s empty blows eschews,
“Shifting so quickly that he scarce is seen.
“Now this, now that, the wizard seems to choose,
“The monster makes such spacious rings and clean,
“While the enchanter so deceives the knights,
“They view him not, and know not whence he smites.
