XVIII.
“Captains and cavaliers shall spring from thee,
“Who both by knightly lance and prudent lore,
“Shall once again to widowed Italy
“Her ancient praise and fame in arms restore;
“And in her realms just lords shall seated be,
“(Such Numa and Augustus were of yore),
“Who with their government, benign and sage,
“Shall re-create on earth the golden age.
XIX.
“Then, that the will of Heaven be duly brought
“To a fair end through thee, in fitting date,
“Which from the first to bless thy love has wrought,
“And destined young Rogero for thy mate,
“Let nothing interpose to break that thought,
“But boldly tread the path prescribed by fate;
“Nor let aught stay thee till the thief be thrown
“By thy good lance, who keeps thee from thine own.”
XX.
Here Merlin ceased, that for the solemn feat
Melissa might prepare with fitting spell,
To show bold Bradamant, in aspect meet,
The heirs who her illustrious race should swell.
Hence many sprites she chose; but from what seat
Evoked, I know not, or if called from hell:
And gathered in one place (so bade the dame),
In various garb and guise the shadows came.
