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 V2KV2KV2KRR

Canto The First	A
	-
	-
I	-
	-
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
	-
II	-
	-
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
	-
III	-
	-
'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
	-
IV	K
	-
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
	-
V	K
	-
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
	-
VI	K
	-
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
	-
VII	K
	-
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
	-
	-
VIII	K
	-
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
	-
IX	R
	-
'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
	-
X	R
	-
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
	-
XI	R
	-
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
	-
XII	R
	-
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
	-
XIII	R
	-
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
	-
XIV	K
	-
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
	-
XV	K
	-
'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
	-
XVI	K
	-
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
	-
XVII	K
	-
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
	-
XVIII	K
	-
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
	-
XIX	R
	-
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
	-
XX	R
	-
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
	-
XXI	R
	-
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
	-
XXII	R
	-
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
	-
XXIII	R
	-
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
	-
XXIV	K
	-
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
	-
XXV	K
	-
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
	-
XXVI	K
	-
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
	-
XXVII	K
	-
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
	-
XXVIII	K
	-
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
	-
XXIX	R
	-
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
	-
XXX	R
	-
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
	-
XXXI	R
	-
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
	-
XXXII	R
	-
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
	-
XXXIII	R
	-
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
	-
XXXIV	K
	-
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
	-
XXXV	K
	-
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
	-
XXXVI	K
	-
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
	-
XXXVII	K
	-
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
	-
XXXVIII	K
	-
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
	-
XXXIX	R
	-
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
	-
XL	R
	-
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
	-
XLI	R
	-
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
	-
XLII	R
	-
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
	-
XLIII	R
	-
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
	-
XLIV	K
	-
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
	-
XLV	K
	-
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
	-
XLVI	K
	-
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
	-
XLVII	K
	-
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
	-
XLVIII	K
	-
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
	-
XLIX	R
	-
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
	-
L	R
	-
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
	-
LI	R
	-
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
	-
LII	R
	-
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
	-
LIII	R
	-
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
	-
LIV	K
	-
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
	-
LV	K
	-
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
	-
LVI	K
	-
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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