LXXVIII.
“Here heartily in face of Heaven I vow,
“That Christ my father worshipped, to adore;
“And till I venge my parents on the foe
“To wear this armour; and I will deplore
“Your deed, Rogero, and deplore even now,
“That you should swell the squadrons of the Moor,
“Or other follower of the Moslem faith,
“Save sword in hand, and to the paynim’s scathe.”
LXXIX.
Ah! how fair Bradamant uplifts again
Her visage at that speech, rejoiced in sprite!
Rogero she exhorts in earnest vein
To do as his Marphisa counsels right;
And bids him seek the camp of Charlemagne,
And have himself acknowledged in his sight,
Who so reveres and lauds his father’s worth,
He even deems him one unmatched on earth.
LXXX.
‘In the beginning so he should have done,’
(Warily young Rogero answer made,)
‘But, for the tale was not so fully known,
‘As since, the deed had been too long delaid.
‘Now, seeing it was fierce Troyano’s son
‘That had begirt him with the knightly blade,
‘He, as a traitor, well might be abhorred,
‘If he slew one, accepted as his lord.’
