LI.
Rogero ceased not from his task; he caught,
By hand or arm, the fiercely struggling pair,
Till to the utmost pitch of fury wrought
The fell Marphisa’s angry passions were.
She, that this ample world esteemed at nought,
Of the Child’s friendship had no further care.
Plucked from the foe, she ran to seize her sword,
And fastened next upon that youthful lord.
LII.
“Like a discourteous man and churl ye do,
“Rogero to disturb another’s fight;
“A deed (she cried) this hand shall make ye rue,
“Which, I intend, shall vanquish both.” The knight
Sought fierce Marphisa’s fury to subdue
With gentle speech; but full of such despite
He found her, and inflamed with such disdain,
All parley was a waste of time and pain.
LIII.
At last his faulchion young Rogero drew;
For ire as well had flushed that cavalier:
Nor it is my belief, that ever shew
Athens or Rome, or city whatsoe’er
Witnessed, which ever so rejoiced the view,
As this rejoices, as this sight is dear
To Bradamant, when, through their strife displaced,
Every suspicion from her breast is chased.
