LXIII.
She forward rode, within the enclosure sped,
And o’er the bridge and through the gateway wended,
And (furnished with a guide, who thither led)
To young Rogero’s inn; and there descended.
She to the Child, as bid, her message said,
And gave the courser, to her care commended:
Then (for she waits not for an answer) speeds
In haste to execute her proper needs.
LXIV.
Rogero stands confused; he finds no end
To his perplexing thoughts, and cannot see
Who should defy him, who that message send,
To speak him ill, and do him courtesy.
Who thus as faithless him should reprehend,
Or any reprehend, whoe’er it be,
Nor knows he nor imagines; least of all
On Bradamant the knight’s suspicions fall.
LXV.
To think ’twas Rodomont the youthful peer
Was more inclined than any other wight;
And wherefore even from him he this should hear,
Muses, nor can the cause divine aright;
Save him, in all the world the cavalier
Knows not of one, that has him at despite.
Meanwhile Dordona’s lady craved the field;
And loud that martial damsel’s bugle pealed.
