The Morgante Maggiore Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCDCDCEE FCFCFCGG CHCICIJJ K LGLGLGMM K KNKNKNOO K KLKLKLKK K PJPJQJRR K STSESEUU R VRVRVRNW R UUUUUUNN R XYXYXYRR R RURURUZA2 R UB2UB2UB2RR K UUJUKURR K KC2KC2KC2D2E2 K UWUNUWKK K UJUJUJF2F2 K G2H2I2H2I2H2NN R RRRRRRJ2J2 R A2NK2NL2NTT R M2K2M2K2M2A2DD R UKUKUKEE R N2O2N2O2N2O2P2Q2 K R2KS2KS2KI2I2 K UF2UF2UF2NN K RRRRRRNN K XFXFXFKK K TUTUTUKK R RT2RT2RT2O2O2 R U2UV2UV2UV2V2 R RURURURR R V2YV2YV2YV2V2 R V2W2V2W2V2W2RR K TV2TV2TV2UU K V2V2V2V2V2V2V2V2 K UV2UV2UV2UU K RTRERTYY K X2UX2UX2URU R V2Y2V2Y2V2Z2YY R A3V2A3V2A3V2RR R RRRRRRNN R B3UC3RC3RV2V2 R UUUUUURR K RKRKRKV2V2 K V2UV2UV2UV2V2 K RV2RV2RV2V2V2 K UUUUUURV2 K RRRRRRRR R V2RV2RV2RRR R RNRM2RM2RR R V2UV2UV2UV2V2 R RB3RWRND3N R V2RV2RV2RRR K UB3UB3UB3RR K NV2NV2NV2V2V2 K V2NV2NV2NV2V2 K V2RV2RV2RV2V2 V2 V2V2V2V2V2V2YY R RV2RV2RV2NN R V2RV2RV2RA3A3 R RV2RV2RV2UU R RV2RV2RV2RR R V2NNNV2NV2V2 V2 RV2RV2RV2E3E3 V2 NRNRNRV2V2 V2 V2F3V2G3V2F3NN V2 V2UV2UV2UV2V2 V2 V2V2V2V2V2V2NN R V2NV2NV2NRR R RV2RV2RV2V2V2 R RH3RH3RH2NN R V2NV2NV2NRR R RV2RV2RV2RR V2 V2RV2RV2KUU V2 RV2RV2RV2UU V2 V2V2V2V2V2V2V2V2 V2 RV2RV2RV2YY V2 V2RV2RV2RRR R RRRRRRRR R UV2UV2UV2V2V2 R NV2NV2NV2I3J3 R V2RV2RV2RUU R URURURRR V2 RV2RV2RV2RR V2 V2RV2RV2RRR V2 V2KV2KV2KRRCanto The First | A |
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I | - |
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In the beginning was the Word next God | B |
God was the Word the Word no less was He | C |
This was in the beginning to my mode | D |
Of thinking and without Him nought could be | C |
Therefore just Lord from out thy high abode | D |
Benign and pious bid an angel flee | C |
One only to be my companion who | E |
Shall help my famous worthy old song through | E |
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II | - |
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And thou oh Virgin daughter mother bride | F |
Of the same Lord who gave to you each key | C |
Of Heaven and Hell and every thing beside | F |
The day thy Gabriel said All hail to thee | C |
Since to thy servants Pity's ne'er denied | F |
With flowing rhymes a pleasant style and free | C |
Be to my verses then benignly kind | G |
And to the end illuminate my mind | G |
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III | - |
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'Twas in the season when sad Philomel | C |
Weeps with her sister who remembers and | H |
Deplores the ancient woes which both befel | C |
And makes the nymphs enamoured to the hand | I |
Of Pha ton by Phoebus loved so well | C |
His car but tempered by his sire's command | I |
Was given and on the horizon's verge just now | J |
Appeared so that Tithonus scratched his brow | J |
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IV | K |
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When I prepared my bark first to obey | L |
As it should still obey the helm my mind | G |
And carry prose or rhyme and this my lay | L |
Of Charles the Emperor whom you will find | G |
By several pens already praised but they | L |
Who to diffuse his glory were inclined | G |
For all that I can see in prose or verse | M |
Have understood Charles badly and wrote worse | M |
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V | K |
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Leonardo Aretino said already | K |
That if like Pepin Charles had had a writer | N |
Of genius quick and diligently steady | K |
No hero would in history look brighter | N |
He in the cabinet being always ready | K |
And in the field a most victorious fighter | N |
Who for the church and Christian faith had wrought | O |
Certes far more than yet is said or thought | O |
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VI | K |
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You still may see at Saint Liberatore | K |
The abbey no great way from Manopell | L |
Erected in the Abruzzi to his glory | K |
Because of the great battle in which fell | L |
A pagan king according to the story | K |
And felon people whom Charles sent to Hell | L |
And there are bones so many and so many | K |
Near them Giusaffa's would seem few if any | K |
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VII | K |
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But the world blind and ignorant don't prize | P |
His virtues as I wish to see them thou | J |
Florence by his great bounty don't arise | P |
And hast and may have if thou wilt allow | J |
All proper customs and true courtesies | Q |
Whate'er thou hast acquired from then till now | J |
With knightly courage treasure or the lance | R |
Is sprung from out the noble blood of France | R |
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VIII | K |
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Twelve Paladins had Charles in court of whom | S |
The wisest and most famous was Orlando | T |
Him traitor Gan conducted to the tomb | S |
In Roncesvalles as the villain planned too | E |
While the horn rang so loud and knelled the doom | S |
Of their sad rout though he did all knight can do | E |
And Dante in his comedy has given | U |
To him a happy seat with Charles in Heaven | U |
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IX | R |
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'Twas Christmas day in Paris all his court | V |
Charles held the Chief I say Orlando was | R |
The Dane Astolfo there too did resort | V |
Also Ansuigi the gay time to pass | R |
In festival and in triumphal sport | V |
The much renowned St Dennis being the cause | R |
Angiolin of Bayonne and Oliver | N |
And gentle Belinghieri too came there | W |
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X | R |
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Avolio and Arino and Othone | U |
Of Normandy and Richard Paladin | U |
Wise Hamo and the ancient Salamone | U |
Walter of Lion's Mount and Baldovin | U |
Who was the son of the sad Ganellone | U |
Were there exciting too much gladness in | U |
The son of Pepin when his knights came hither | N |
He groaned with joy to see them altogether | N |
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XI | R |
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But watchful Fortune lurking takes good heed | X |
Ever some bar 'gainst our intents to bring | Y |
While Charles reposed him thus in word and deed | X |
Orlando ruled court Charles and every thing | Y |
Curst Gan with envy bursting had such need | X |
To vent his spite that thus with Charles the king | Y |
One day he openly began to say | R |
Orlando must we always then obey | R |
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XII | R |
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A thousand times I've been about to say | R |
Orlando too presumptuously goes on | U |
Here are we counts kings dukes to own thy sway | R |
Hamo and Otho Ogier Solomon | U |
Each have to honour thee and to obey | R |
But he has too much credit near the throne | U |
Which we won't suffer but are quite decided | Z |
By such a boy to be no longer guided | A2 |
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XIII | R |
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And even at Aspramont thou didst begin | U |
To let him know he was a gallant knight | B2 |
And by the fount did much the day to win | U |
But I know who that day had won the fight | B2 |
If it had not for good Gherardo been | U |
The victory was Almonte's else his sight | B2 |
He kept upon the standard and the laurels | R |
In fact and fairness are his earning Charles | R |
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XIV | K |
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If thou rememberest being in Gascony | U |
When there advanced the nations out of Spain | U |
The Christian cause had suffered shamefully | J |
Had not his valour driven them back again | U |
Best speak the truth when there's a reason why | K |
Know then oh Emperor that all complain | U |
As for myself I shall repass the mounts | R |
O'er which I crossed with two and sixty counts | R |
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XV | K |
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'Tis fit thy grandeur should dispense relief | K |
So that each here may have his proper part | C2 |
For the whole court is more or less in grief | K |
Perhaps thou deem'st this lad a Mars in heart | C2 |
Orlando one day heard this speech in brief | K |
As by himself it chanced he sate apart | C2 |
Displeased he was with Gan because he said it | D2 |
But much more still that Charles should give him credit | E2 |
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XVI | K |
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And with the sword he would have murdered Gan | U |
But Oliver thrust in between the pair | W |
And from his hand extracted Durlindan | U |
And thus at length they separated were | N |
Orlando angry too with Carloman | U |
Wanted but little to have slain him there | W |
Then forth alone from Paris went the Chief | K |
And burst and maddened with disdain and grief | K |
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XVII | K |
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From Ermellina consort of the Dane | U |
He took Cortana and then took Rondell | J |
And on towards Brara pricked him o'er the plain | U |
And when she saw him coming Aldabelle | J |
Stretched forth her arms to clasp her lord again | U |
Orlando in whose brain all was not well | J |
As Welcome my Orlando home she said | F2 |
Raised up his sword to smite her on the head | F2 |
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XVIII | K |
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Like him a Fury counsels his revenge | G2 |
On Gan in that rash act he seemed to take | H2 |
Which Aldabella thought extremely strange | I2 |
But soon Orlando found himself awake | H2 |
And his spouse took his bridle on this change | I2 |
And he dismounted from his horse and spake | H2 |
Of every thing which passed without demur | N |
And then reposed himself some days with her | N |
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XIX | R |
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Then full of wrath departed from the place | R |
As far as pagan countries roamed astray | R |
And while he rode yet still at every pace | R |
The traitor Gan remembered by the way | R |
And wandering on in error a long space | R |
An abbey which in a lone desert lay | R |
'Midst glens obscure and distant lands he found | J2 |
Which formed the Christian's and the Pagan's bound | J2 |
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XX | R |
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The Abbot was called Clermont and by blood | A2 |
Descended from Angrante under cover | N |
Of a great mountain's brow the abbey stood | K2 |
But certain savage giants looked him over | N |
One Passamont was foremost of the brood | L2 |
And Alabaster and Morgante hover | N |
Second and third with certain slings and throw | T |
In daily jeopardy the place below | T |
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XXI | R |
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The monks could pass the convent gate no more | M2 |
Nor leave their cells for water or for wood | K2 |
Orlando knocked but none would ope before | M2 |
Unto the Prior it at length seemed good | K2 |
Entered he said that he was taught to adore | M2 |
Him who was born of Mary's holiest blood | A2 |
And was baptized a Christian and then showed | D |
How to the abbey he had found his road | D |
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XXII | R |
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Said the Abbot You are welcome what is mine | U |
We give you freely since that you believe | K |
With us in Mary Mother's Son divine | U |
And that you may not Cavalier conceive | K |
The cause of our delay to let you in | U |
To be rusticity you shall receive | K |
The reason why our gate was barred to you | E |
Thus those who in suspicion live must do | E |
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XXIII | R |
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When hither to inhabit first we came | N2 |
These mountains albeit that they are obscure | O2 |
As you perceive yet without fear or blame | N2 |
They seemed to promise an asylum sure | O2 |
From savage brutes alone too fierce to tame | N2 |
'Twas fit our quiet dwelling to secure | O2 |
But now if here we'd stay we needs must guard | P2 |
Against domestic beasts with watch and ward | Q2 |
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XXIV | K |
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These make us stand in fact upon the watch | R2 |
For late there have appeared three giants rough | K |
What nation or what kingdom bore the batch | S2 |
I know not but they are all of savage stuff | K |
When Force and Malice with some genius match | S2 |
You know they can do all we are not enough | K |
And these so much our orisons derange | I2 |
I know not what to do till matters change | I2 |
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XXV | K |
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Our ancient fathers living the desert in | U |
For just and holy works were duly fed | F2 |
Think not they lived on locusts sole 'tis certain | U |
That manna was rained down from heaven instead | F2 |
But here 'tis fit we keep on the alert in | U |
Our bounds or taste the stones showered down for bread | F2 |
From off yon mountain daily raining faster | N |
And flung by Passamont and Alabaster | N |
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XXVI | K |
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The third Morgante 's savagest by far he | R |
Plucks up pines beeches poplar trees and oaks | R |
And flings them our community to bury | R |
And all that I can do but more provokes | R |
While thus they parley in the cemetery | R |
A stone from one of their gigantic strokes | R |
Which nearly crushed Rondell came tumbling over | N |
So that he took a long leap under cover | N |
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XXVII | K |
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For God sake Cavalier come in with speed | X |
The manna's falling now the Abbot cried | F |
This fellow does not wish my horse should feed | X |
Dear Abbot Roland unto him replied | F |
Of restiveness he'd cure him had he need | X |
That stone seems with good will and aim applied | F |
The holy father said I don't deceive | K |
They'll one day fling the mountain I believe | K |
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XXVIII | K |
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Orlando bade them take care of Rondello | T |
And also made a breakfast of his own | U |
Abbot he said I want to find that fellow | T |
Who flung at my good horse yon corner stone | U |
Said the abbot Let not my advice seem shallow | T |
As to a brother dear I speak alone | U |
I would dissuade you Baron from this strife | K |
As knowing sure that you will lose your life | K |
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XXIX | R |
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That Passamont has in his hand three darts | R |
Such slings clubs ballast stones that yield you must | T2 |
You know that giants have much stouter hearts | R |
Than us with reason in proportion just | T2 |
If go you will guard well against their arts | R |
For these are very barbarous and robust | T2 |
Orlando answered This I'll see be sure | O2 |
And walk the wild on foot to be secure | O2 |
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XXX | R |
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The Abbot signed the great cross on his front | U2 |
Then go you with God's benison and mine | U |
Orlando after he had scaled the mount | V2 |
As the Abbot had directed kept the line | U |
Right to the usual haunt of Passamont | V2 |
Who seeing him alone in this design | U |
Surveyed him fore and aft with eyes observant | V2 |
Then asked him If he wished to stay as servant | V2 |
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XXXI | R |
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And promised him an office of great ease | R |
But said Orlando Saracen insane | U |
I come to kill you if it shall so please | R |
God not to serve as footboy in your train | U |
You with his monks so oft have broke the peace | R |
Vile dog 'tis past his patience to sustain | U |
The Giant ran to fetch his arms quite furious | R |
When he received an answer so injurious | R |
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XXXII | R |
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And being returned to where Orlando stood | V2 |
Who had not moved him from the spot and swinging | Y |
The cord he hurled a stone with strength so rude | V2 |
As showed a sample of his skill in slinging | Y |
It rolled on Count Orlando's helmet good | V2 |
And head and set both head and helmet ringing | Y |
So that he swooned with pain as if he died | V2 |
But more than dead he seemed so stupified | V2 |
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XXXIII | R |
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Then Passamont who thought him slain outright | V2 |
Said I will go and while he lies along | W2 |
Disarm me why such craven did I fight | V2 |
But Christ his servants ne'er abandons long | W2 |
Especially Orlando such a knight | V2 |
As to desert would almost be a wrong | W2 |
While the giant goes to put off his defences | R |
Orlando has recalled his force and senses | R |
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XXXIV | K |
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And loud he shouted Giant where dost go | T |
Thou thought'st me doubtless for the bier outlaid | V2 |
To the right about without wings thou'rt too slow | T |
To fly my vengeance currish renegade | V2 |
'Twas but by treachery thou laid'st me low | T |
The giant his astonishment betrayed | V2 |
And turned about and stopped his journey on | U |
And then he stooped to pick up a great stone | U |
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XXXV | K |
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Orlando had Cortana bare in hand | V2 |
To split the head in twain was what he schemed | V2 |
Cortana clave the skull like a true brand | V2 |
And pagan Passamont died unredeemed | V2 |
Yet harsh and haughty as he lay he banned | V2 |
And most devoutly Macon still blasphemed | V2 |
But while his crude rude blasphemies he heard | V2 |
Orlando thanked the Father and the Word | V2 |
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XXXVI | K |
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Saying What grace to me thou'st this day given | U |
And I to thee O Lord am ever bound | V2 |
I know my life was saved by thee from Heaven | U |
Since by the Giant I was fairly downed | V2 |
All things by thee are measured just and even | U |
Our power without thine aid would nought be found | V2 |
I pray thee take heed of me till I can | U |
At least return once more to Carloman | U |
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XXXVII | K |
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And having said thus much he went his way | R |
And Alabaster he found out below | T |
Doing the very best that in him lay | R |
To root from out a bank a rock or two | E |
Orlando when he reached him loud 'gan say | R |
How think'st thou glutton such a stone to throw | T |
When Alabaster heard his deep voice ring | Y |
He suddenly betook him to his sling | Y |
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XXXVIII | K |
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And hurled a fragment of a size so large | X2 |
That if it had in fact fulfilled its mission | U |
And Roland not availed him of his targe | X2 |
There would have been no need of a physician | U |
Orlando set himself in turn to charge | X2 |
And in his bulky bosom made incision | U |
With all his sword The lout fell but o'erthrown he | R |
However by no means forgot Macone | U |
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XXXIX | R |
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Morgante had a palace in his mode | V2 |
Composed of branches logs of wood and earth | Y2 |
And stretched himself at ease in this abode | V2 |
And shut himself at night within his berth | Y2 |
Orlando knocked and knocked again to goad | V2 |
The giant from his sleep and he came forth | Z2 |
The door to open like a crazy thing | Y |
For a rough dream had shook him slumbering | Y |
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XL | R |
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He thought that a fierce serpent had attacked him | A3 |
And Mahomet he called but Mahomet | V2 |
Is nothing worth and not an instant backed him | A3 |
But praying blessed Jesu he was set | V2 |
At liberty from all the fears which racked him | A3 |
And to the gate he came with great regret | V2 |
Who knocks here grumbling all the while said he | R |
That said Orlando you will quickly see | R |
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XLI | R |
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I come to preach to you as to your brothers | R |
Sent by the miserable monks repentance | R |
For Providence divine in you and others | R |
Condemns the evil done my new acquaintance | R |
'Tis writ on high your wrong must pay another's | R |
From Heaven itself is issued out this sentence | R |
Know then that colder now than a pilaster | N |
I left your Passamont and Alabaster | N |
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XLII | R |
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Morgante said Oh gentle Cavalier | B3 |
Now by thy God say me no villany | U |
The favour of your name I fain would hear | C3 |
And if a Christian speak for courtesy | R |
Replied Orlando So much to your ear | C3 |
I by my faith disclose contentedly | R |
Christ I adore who is the genuine Lord | V2 |
And if you please by you may be adored | V2 |
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XLIII | R |
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The Saracen rejoined in humble tone | U |
I have had an extraordinary vision | U |
A savage serpent fell on me alone | U |
And Macon would not pity my condition | U |
Hence to thy God who for ye did atone | U |
Upon the cross preferred I my petition | U |
His timely succour set me safe and free | R |
And I a Christian am disposed to be | R |
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XLIV | K |
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Orlando answered Baron just and pious | R |
If this good wish your heart can really move | K |
To the true God who will not then deny us | R |
Eternal honour you will go above | K |
And if you please as friends we will ally us | R |
And I will love you with a perfect love | K |
Your idols are vain liars full of fraud | V2 |
The only true God is the Christian's God | V2 |
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XLV | K |
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The Lord descended to the virgin breast | V2 |
Of Mary Mother sinless and divine | U |
If you acknowledge the Redeemer blest | V2 |
Without whom neither sun nor star can shine | U |
Abjure bad Macon's false and felon test | V2 |
Your renegado god and worship mine | U |
Baptize yourself with zeal since you repent | V2 |
To which Morgante answered I'm content | V2 |
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XLVI | K |
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And then Orlando to embrace him flew | R |
And made much of his convert as he cried | V2 |
To the abbey I will gladly marshal you | R |
To whom Morgante Let us go replied | V2 |
I to the friars have for peace to sue | R |
Which thing Orlando heard with inward pride | V2 |
Saying My brother so devout and good | V2 |
Ask the Abbot pardon as I wish you would | V2 |
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XLVII | K |
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Since God has granted your illumination | U |
Accepting you in mercy for his own | U |
Humility should be your first oblation | U |
Morgante said For goodness' sake make known | U |
Since that your God is to be mine your station | U |
And let your name in verity be shown | U |
Then will I everything at your command do | R |
On which the other said he was Orlando | V2 |
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XLVIII | K |
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Then quoth the Giant blessed be Jesu | R |
A thousand times with gratitude and praise | R |
Oft perfect Baron have I heard of you | R |
Through all the different periods of my days | R |
And as I said to be your vassal too | R |
I wish for your great gallantry always | R |
Thus reasoning they continued much to say | R |
And onwards to the abbey went their way | R |
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XLIX | R |
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And by the way about the giants dead | V2 |
Orlando with Morgante reasoned Be | R |
For their decease I pray you comforted | V2 |
And since it is God's pleasure pardon me | R |
A thousand wrongs unto the monks they bred | V2 |
And our true Scripture soundeth openly | R |
Good is rewarded and chastised the ill | R |
Which the Lord never faileth to fulfil | R |
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L | R |
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Because His love of justice unto all | R |
Is such He wills His judgment should devour | N |
All who have sin however great or small | R |
But good He well remembers to restore | M2 |
Nor without justice holy could we call | R |
Him whom I now require you to adore | M2 |
All men must make His will their wishes sway | R |
And quickly and spontaneously obey | R |
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LI | R |
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And here our doctors are of one accord | V2 |
Coming on this point to the same conclusion | U |
That in their thoughts who praise in Heaven the Lord | V2 |
If Pity e'er was guilty of intrusion | U |
For their unfortunate relations stored | V2 |
In Hell below and damned in great confusion | U |
Their happiness would be reduced to nought | V2 |
And thus unjust the Almighty's self be thought | V2 |
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LII | R |
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But they in Christ have firmest hope and all | R |
Which seems to Him to them too must appear | B3 |
Well done nor could it otherwise befall | R |
He never can in any purpose err | W |
If sire or mother suffer endless thrall | R |
They don't disturb themselves for him or her | N |
What pleases God to them must joy inspire | D3 |
Such is the observance of the eternal choir | N |
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LIII | R |
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A word unto the wise Morgante said | V2 |
Is wont to be enough and you shall see | R |
How much I grieve about my brethren dead | V2 |
And if the will of God seem good to me | R |
Just as you tell me 'tis in Heaven obeyed | V2 |
Ashes to ashes merry let us be | R |
I will cut off the hands from both their trunks | R |
And carry them unto the holy monks | R |
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LIV | K |
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So that all persons may be sure and certain | U |
That they are dead and have no further fear | B3 |
To wander solitary this desert in | U |
And that they may perceive my spirit clear | B3 |
By the Lord's grace who hath withdrawn the curtain | U |
Of darkness making His bright realm appear | B3 |
He cut his brethren's hands off at these words | R |
And left them to the savage beasts and birds | R |
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LV | K |
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Then to the abbey they went on together | N |
Where waited them the Abbot in great doubt | V2 |
The monks who knew not yet the fact ran thither | N |
To their superior all in breathless rout | V2 |
Saying with tremor Please to tell us whether | N |
You wish to have this person in or out | V2 |
The Abbot looking through upon the Giant | V2 |
Too greatly feared at first to be compliant | V2 |
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LVI | K |
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Orlando seeing him thus agitated | V2 |
Said quickly Abbot be thou of good cheer | N |
He Christ believes as Christian must be rated | V2 |
And hath renounced his Macon false which here | N |
Morgante with the hands corroborated | V2 |
A proof of both the giants' fate quite clear | N |
Thence with due thanks the Abbot God adored | V2 |
Saying Thou hast contented me O Lord | V2 |
- | |
LVII | K |
- | |
He gazed Morgante's height he calculated | V2 |
And more than once contemplated his size | R |
And then he said O Giant celebrated | V2 |
Know that no more my wonder will arise | R |
How you could tear and fling the trees you late did | V2 |
When I behold your form with my own eyes | R |
You now a true and perfect friend will show | V2 |
Yourself to Christ as once you were a foe | V2 |
- | |
LVIII | V2 |
- | |
And one of our apostles Saul once named | V2 |
Long persecuted sore the faith of Christ | V2 |
Till one day by the Spirit being inflamed | V2 |
'Why dost thou persecute me thus ' said Christ | V2 |
And then from his offence he was reclaimed | V2 |
And went for ever after preaching Christ | V2 |
And of the faith became a trump whose sounding | Y |
O'er the whole earth is echoing and rebounding | Y |
- | |
LIX | R |
- | |
So my Morgante you may do likewise | R |
He who repents thus writes the Evangelist | V2 |
Occasions more rejoicing in the skies | R |
Than ninety nine of the celestial list | V2 |
You may be sure should each desire arise | R |
With just zeal for the Lord that you'll exist | V2 |
Among the happy saints for evermore | N |
But you were lost and damned to Hell before | N |
- | |
LX | R |
- | |
And thus great honour to Morgante paid | V2 |
The Abbot many days they did repose | R |
One day as with Orlando they both strayed | V2 |
And sauntered here and there where'er they chose | R |
The Abbot showed a chamber where arrayed | V2 |
Much armour was and hung up certain bows | R |
And one of these Morgante for a whim | A3 |
Girt on though useless he believed to him | A3 |
- | |
LXI | R |
- | |
There being a want of water in the place | R |
Orlando like a worthy brother said | V2 |
Morgante I could wish you in this case | R |
To go for water You shall be obeyed | V2 |
In all commands was the reply straight ways | R |
Upon his shoulder a great tub he laid | V2 |
And went out on his way unto a fountain | U |
Where he was wont to drink below the mountain | U |
- | |
LXII | R |
- | |
Arrived there a prodigious noise he hears | R |
Which suddenly along the forest spread | V2 |
Whereat from out his quiver he prepares | R |
An arrow for his bow and lifts his head | V2 |
And lo a monstrous herd of swine appears | R |
And onward rushes with tempestuous tread | V2 |
And to the fountain's brink precisely pours | R |
So that the Giant's joined by all the boars | R |
- | |
LXIII | R |
- | |
Morgante at a venture shot an arrow | V2 |
Which pierced a pig precisely in the ear | N |
And passed unto the other side quite through | N |
So that the boar defunct lay tripped up near | N |
Another to revenge his fellow farrow | V2 |
Against the Giant rushed in fierce career | N |
And reached the passage with so swift a foot | V2 |
Morgante was not now in time to shoot | V2 |
- | |
LXIV | V2 |
- | |
Perceiving that the pig was on him close | R |
He gave him such a punch upon the head | V2 |
As floored him so that he no more arose | R |
Smashing the very bone and he fell dead | V2 |
Next to the other Having seen such blows | R |
The other pigs along the valley fled | V2 |
Morgante on his neck the bucket took | E3 |
Full from the spring which neither swerved nor shook | E3 |
- | |
LXV | V2 |
- | |
The tub was on one shoulder and there were | N |
The hogs on t'other and he brushed apace | R |
On to the abbey though by no means near | N |
Nor spilt one drop of water in his race | R |
Orlando seeing him so soon appear | N |
With the dead boars and with that brimful vase | R |
Marvelled to see his strength so very great | V2 |
So did the Abbot and set wide the gate | V2 |
- | |
LXVI | V2 |
- | |
The monks who saw the water fresh and good | V2 |
Rejoiced but much more to perceive the pork | F3 |
All animals are glad at sight of food | V2 |
They lay their breviaries to sleep and work | G3 |
With greedy pleasure and in such a mood | V2 |
That the flesh needs no salt beneath their fork | F3 |
Of rankness and of rot there is no fear | N |
For all the fasts are now left in arrear | N |
- | |
LXVII | V2 |
- | |
As though they wished to burst at once they ate | V2 |
And gorged so that as if the bones had been | U |
In water sorely grieved the dog and cat | V2 |
Perceiving that they all were picked too clean | U |
The Abbot who to all did honour great | V2 |
A few days after this convivial scene | U |
Gave to Morgante a fine horse well trained | V2 |
Which he long time had for himself maintained | V2 |
- | |
LXVIII | V2 |
- | |
The horse Morgante to a meadow led | V2 |
To gallop and to put him to the proof | V2 |
Thinking that he a back of iron had | V2 |
Or to skim eggs unbroke was light enough | V2 |
But the horse sinking with the pain fell dead | V2 |
And burst while cold on earth lay head and hoof | V2 |
Morgante said Get up thou sulky cur | N |
And still continued pricking with the spur | N |
- | |
LXIX | R |
- | |
But finally he thought fit to dismount | V2 |
And said I am as light as any feather | N |
And he has burst to this what say you Count | V2 |
Orlando answered Like a ship's mast rather | N |
You seem to me and with the truck for front | V2 |
Let him go Fortune wills that we together | N |
Should march but you on foot Morgante still | R |
To which the Giant answered So I will | R |
- | |
LXX | R |
- | |
When there shall be occasion you will see | R |
How I approve my courage in the fight | V2 |
Orlando said I really think you'll be | R |
If it should prove God's will a goodly knight | V2 |
Nor will you napping there discover me | R |
But never mind your horse though out of sight | V2 |
'Twere best to carry him into some wood | V2 |
If but the means or way I understood | V2 |
- | |
LXXI | R |
- | |
The Giant said Then carry him I will | R |
Since that to carry me he was so slack | H3 |
To render as the gods do good for ill | R |
But lend a hand to place him on my back | H3 |
Orlando answered If my counsel still | R |
May weigh Morgante do not undertake | H2 |
To lift or carry this dead courser who | N |
As you have done to him will do to you | N |
- | |
LXXII | R |
- | |
Take care he don't revenge himself though dead | V2 |
As Nessus did of old beyond all cure | N |
I don't know if the fact you've heard or read | V2 |
But he will make you burst you may be sure | N |
But help him on my back Morgante said | V2 |
And you shall see what weight I can endure | N |
In place my gentle Roland of this palfrey | R |
With all the bells I'd carry yonder belfry | R |
- | |
LXXIII | R |
- | |
The Abbot said The steeple may do well | R |
But for the bells you've broken them I wot | V2 |
Morgante answered Let them pay in Hell | R |
The penalty who lie dead in yon grot | V2 |
And hoisting up the horse from where he fell | R |
He said Now look if I the gout have got | V2 |
Orlando in the legs or if I have force | R |
And then he made two gambols with the horse | R |
- | |
LXXIV | V2 |
- | |
Morgante was like any mountain framed | V2 |
So if he did this 'tis no prodigy | R |
But secretly himself Orlando blamed | V2 |
Because he was one of his family | R |
And fearing that he might be hurt or maimed | V2 |
Once more he bade him lay his burden by | K |
Put down nor bear him further the desert in | U |
Morgante said I'll carry him for certain | U |
- | |
LXXV | V2 |
- | |
He did and stowed him in some nook away | R |
And to the abbey then returned with speed | V2 |
Orlando said Why longer do we stay | R |
Morgante here is nought to do indeed | V2 |
The Abbot by the hand he took one day | R |
And said with great respect he had agreed | V2 |
To leave his reverence but for this decision | U |
He wished to have his pardon and permission | U |
- | |
LXXVI | V2 |
- | |
The honours they continued to receive | V2 |
Perhaps exceeded what his merits claimed | V2 |
He said I mean and quickly to retrieve | V2 |
The lost days of time past which may be blamed | V2 |
Some days ago I should have asked your leave | V2 |
Kind father but I really was ashamed | V2 |
And know not how to show my sentiment | V2 |
So much I see you with our stay content | V2 |
- | |
LXXVII | V2 |
- | |
But in my heart I bear through every clime | R |
The Abbot abbey and this solitude | V2 |
So much I love you in so short a time | R |
For me from Heaven reward you with all good | V2 |
The God so true the eternal Lord sublime | R |
Whose kingdom at the last hath open stood | V2 |
Meantime we stand expectant of your blessing | Y |
And recommend us to your prayers with pressing | Y |
- | |
LXXVIII | V2 |
- | |
Now when the Abbot Count Orlando heard | V2 |
His heart grew soft with inner tenderness | R |
Such fervour in his bosom bred each word | V2 |
And Cavalier he said if I have less | R |
Courteous and kind to your great worth appeared | V2 |
Than fits me for such gentle blood to express | R |
I know I have done too little in this case | R |
But blame our ignorance and this poor place | R |
- | |
LXXIX | R |
- | |
We can indeed but honour you with masses | R |
And sermons thanksgivings and pater nosters | R |
Hot suppers dinners fitting other places | R |
In verity much rather than the cloisters | R |
But such a love for you my heart embraces | R |
For thousand virtues which your bosom fosters | R |
That wheresoe'er you go I too shall be | R |
And on the other part you rest with me | R |
- | |
LXXX | R |
- | |
This may involve a seeming contradiction | U |
But you I know are sage and feel and taste | V2 |
And understand my speech with full conviction | U |
For your just pious deeds may you be graced | V2 |
With the Lord's great reward and benediction | U |
By whom you were directed to this waste | V2 |
To His high mercy is our freedom due | V2 |
For which we render thanks to Him and you | V2 |
- | |
LXXXI | R |
- | |
You saved at once our life and soul such fear | N |
The Giants caused us that the way was lost | V2 |
By which we could pursue a fit career | N |
In search of Jesus and the saintly Host | V2 |
And your departure breeds such sorrow here | N |
That comfortless we all are to our cost | V2 |
But months and years you would not stay in sloth | I3 |
Nor are you formed to wear our sober cloth | J3 |
- | |
LXXXII | R |
- | |
But to bear arms and wield the lance indeed | V2 |
With these as much is done as with this cowl | R |
In proof of which the Scripture you may read | V2 |
This Giant up to Heaven may bear his soul | R |
By your compassion now in peace proceed | V2 |
Your state and name I seek not to unroll | R |
But if I'm asked this answer shall be given | U |
That here an angel was sent down from Heaven | U |
- | |
LXXXIII | R |
- | |
If you want armour or aught else go in | U |
Look o'er the wardrobe and take what you choose | R |
And cover with it o'er this Giant's skin | U |
Orlando answered If there should lie loose | R |
Some armour ere our journey we begin | U |
Which might be turned to my companion's use | R |
The gift would be acceptable to me | R |
The Abbot said to him Come in and see | R |
- | |
LXXXIV | V2 |
- | |
And in a certain closet where the wall | R |
Was covered with old armour like a crust | V2 |
The Abbot said to them I give you all | R |
Morgante rummaged piecemeal from the dust | V2 |
The whole which save one cuirass was too small | R |
And that too had the mail inlaid with rust | V2 |
They wondered how it fitted him exactly | R |
Which ne'er had suited others so compactly | R |
- | |
LXXXV | V2 |
- | |
'Twas an immeasurable Giant's who | V2 |
By the great Milo of Agrante fell | R |
Before the abbey many years ago | V2 |
The story on the wall was figured well | R |
In the last moment of the abbey's foe | V2 |
Who long had waged a war implacable | R |
Precisely as the war occurred they drew him | R |
And there was Milo as he overthrew him | R |
- | |
LXXXVI | V2 |
- | |
Seeing this history Count Orlando said | V2 |
In his own heart O God who in the sky | K |
Know'st all things how was Milo hither led | V2 |
Who caused the Giant in this place to die | K |
And certain letters weeping then he read | V2 |
So that he could not keep his visage dry | K |
As I will tell in the ensuing story | R |
From evil keep you the high King of Glory | R |
George Gordon Byron
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