LXXV.
Moved by her words, he lent her lover aid,
So by his courser in the stream immersed;
Who, to his peril sore, was overlaid,
And largely drank, albeit with little thirst,
But Rodomont a while his help delayed,
And seized the warrior’s sword and helmet first.
Him half exhausted from the stream he drew,
And prisoned with that other captive crew.
LXXVI.
All happiness was in that damsel spent,
When taken she her Brandimart espied,
Although to see him captive more content,
Than to behold him perish in the tide.
None but herself she blames for the event,
Who thitherward had been the champion’s guide;
She having to that faithful warrior shown,
How at the bridge Orlando she had known.
LXXVII.
She parts, and has anew already planned
Thither with good Rinaldo to resort;
With Guido, Sansonet of doughty hand,
Or other cavalier of Pepin’s court;
Some warrior good by water and by land,
That with the Saracen will well assort.
Who, if no stronger than her baffled knight,
With better fortune may maintain the fight.
