LX.
Whom by such long and by such tedious way
She sought throughout the realm of France in vain;
Here by the cognizance, his old display,
Afar, by her distinguished from the train.
At the first sight of her he quits the fray,
And wears a semblance loving and humane
He dipt her round with many a fond caress,
And kissed a thousand times, or little less.
LXI.
To dame and damsel in that ancient age
They trusted much, that, in their wandering vein,
Roved, unescorted, many a weary stage,
Through foreign countries and by hill and plain;
Whom they returning hold for fair and sage,
Nor of their faith suspicion entertain.
Here Brandimart by Flordelice was taught,
‘How Roland wandered, of his wits distraught.’
LXII.
Had he such strange and evil tidings heard
From other lips, he scarce had these believed:
But credited fair Flordelice’s word,
From whom more wondrous things he had received.
Nor this, as told by other, she averred;
This had she seen, and ill could be deceived;
For well as any she Orlando knows;
And both the when and where that damsel shows.
