LXVI.
“But yet, because the Christian paladine
“Has sinned against his heavenly Maker less,
“He only for three months, by will divine,
“Is doomed to cleanse himself of his excess.
“Nor yet with other scope did your design
“Of wending hither the Redeemer bless,
“But that through us the mode you should explore,
“Orlando’s missing senses to restore.
LXVII.
“’Tis true to journey further ye will need,
“And wholly must you leave this nether sphere;
“To the moon’s circle you I have to lead,
“Of all the planets to our world most near.
“Because the medicine, that is fit to speed
“Insane Orlando’s cure, is treasured here.
“This night will we away, when over head
“Her downward rays the silver moon shall shed.”
LXVIII.
In talk the blest apostle is diffuse
On this and that, until the day is worn:
But when the sun is sunk i’ the salt sea ooze,
And overhead the moon uplifts her horn,
A chariot is prepared, erewhile in use
To scower the heavens, wherein of old was borne
From Jewry’s misty mountains to the sky,
Sainted Elias, rapt from mortal eye.
