XLII.
When she, that gentle damsel, now more near,
Beholds renowned Rinaldo, him she knows,
Acquainted with each paladin and peer.
She news which sorely grieve the warrior shows;
And thus begins; “My lord, your cousin dear,
“To whom its safety Church and Empire owes,
“Roland, erewhile so honoured and so sage,
“Now roves the world, possest with frantic rage.
XLIII.
“Whence woe, so direful and so strange, ensued
“Cannot by me to you be signified:
“I saw on earth his sword and armour strewed,
“Doffed by that peer, and scattered far and wide;
“And I a pious knight and courteous viewed
“Those arms collecting upon every side,
“Who, in the guise of trophy, to a tree
“Fastened that fair and pompous panoply.
XLIV.
“But from the trophied stem the sword withdrew
“The son of Agrican that very day.
“Thou mayst conceive what mischief may ensue
“To Charles and to the christened host’s array,
“From loss of Durindana, if anew
“The infidels that goodly blade should sway.
“Good Brigliador as well, who roved, forsaken,
“About those arms, was by the paynim taken.
