The Works of Lord Byron Volume IV Part 48

The giant his astonishment betrayed, And turned about, and stopped his journey on, And then he stooped to pick up a great stone.

x.x.xV.

Orlando had Cortana bare in hand; To split the head in twain was what he schemed: Cortana clave the skull like a true brand, And pagan Pa.s.samont died unredeemed; Yet harsh and haughty, as he lay he banned, And most devoutly Macon still blasphemed[343]; But while his crude, rude blasphemies he heard, Orlando thanked the Father and the Word,--

x.x.xVI.

Saying, "What grace to me thou'st this day given!

And I to thee, O Lord! am ever bound; I know my life was saved by thee from Heaven, Since by the Giant I was fairly downed.

All things by thee are measured just and even; Our power without thine aid would nought be found: I pray thee take heed of me, till I can At least return once more to Carloman."

x.x.xVII.

And having said thus much, he went his way; And Alabaster he found out below, Doing the very best that in him lay To root from out a bank a rock or two.

Orlando, when he reached him, loud 'gan say, "How think'st thou, glutton, such a stone to throw?"

When Alabaster heard his deep voice ring, He suddenly betook him to his sling,

x.x.xVIII.

And hurled a fragment of a size so large That if it had in fact fulfilled its mission, And Roland not availed him of his targe, There would have been no need of a physician[344].

Orlando set himself in turn to charge, And in his bulky bosom made incision With all his sword. The lout fell; but o'erthrown, he However by no means forgot Macone.

x.x.xIX.

Morgante had a palace in his mode, Composed of branches, logs of wood, and earth, And stretched himself at ease in this abode, And shut himself at night within his berth.

Orlando knocked, and knocked again, to goad The giant from his sleep; and he came forth, The door to open, like a crazy thing, For a rough dream had shook him slumbering.

XL.

He thought that a fierce serpent had attacked him, And Mahomet he called; but Mahomet Is nothing worth, and, not an instant backed him; But praying blessed Jesu, he was set At liberty from all the fears which racked him; And to the gate he came with great regret-- "Who knocks here?" grumbling all the while, said he.

"That," said Orlando, "you will quickly see:

XLI.

"I come to preach to you, as to your brothers,-- Sent by the miserable monks--repentance; For Providence divine, in you and others, Condemns the evil done, my new acquaintance!

'Tis writ on high--your wrong must pay another's: From Heaven itself is issued out this sentence.

Know then, that colder now than a pilaster I left your Pa.s.samont and Alabaster."

XLII.

Morgante said, "Oh gentle Cavalier!

Now by thy G.o.d say me no villany; The favour of your name I fain would hear, And if a Christian, speak for courtesy."

Replied Orlando, "So much to your ear I by my faith disclose contentedly; Christ I adore, who is the genuine Lord, And, if you please, by you may be adored."

XLIII.

The Saracen rejoined in humble tone, "I have had an extraordinary vision; A savage serpent fell on me alone, And Macon would not pity my condition; Hence to thy G.o.d, who for ye did atone Upon the cross, preferred I my pet.i.tion; His timely succour set me safe and free, And I a Christian am disposed to be."

XLIV.

Orlando answered, "Baron just and pious, If this good wish your heart can really move To the true G.o.d, who will not then deny us Eternal honour, you will go above, And, if you please, as friends we will ally us, And I will love you with a perfect love.

Your idols are vain liars, full of fraud: The only true G.o.d is the Christian's G.o.d.

XLV.

"The Lord descended to the virgin breast Of Mary Mother, sinless and divine; If you acknowledge the Redeemer blest, Without whom neither sun nor star can s.h.i.+ne, Abjure bad Macon's false and felon test, Your renegado G.o.d, and wors.h.i.+p mine, Baptize yourself with zeal, since you repent."

To which Morgante answered, "I'm content."

XLVI.

And then Orlando to embrace him flew, And made much of his convert, as he cried, "To the abbey I will gladly marshal you."

To whom Morgante, "Let us go," replied: "I to the friars have for peace to sue."

Which thing Orlando heard with inward pride, Saying, "My brother, so devout and good, Ask the Abbot pardon, as I wish you would:

XLVII.

"Since G.o.d has granted your illumination, Accepting you in mercy for his own, Humility should be your first oblation."

Morgante said, "For goodness' sake, make known,-- Since that your G.o.d is to be mine--your station, And let your name in verity be shown; Then will I everything at your command do."

On which the other said, he was Orlando.

XLVIII.

"Then," quoth the Giant, "blessed be Jesu A thousand times with grat.i.tude and praise!

Oft, perfect Baron! have I heard of you Through all the different periods of my days: And, as I said, to be your va.s.sal too I wish, for your great gallantry always."

Thus reasoning, they continued much to say, And onwards to the abbey went their way.

XLIX.

And by the way about the giants dead Orlando with Morgante reasoned: "Be, For their decease, I pray you, comforted, And, since it is G.o.d's pleasure, pardon me; A thousand wrongs unto the monks they bred; And our true Scripture soundeth openly, Good is rewarded, and chastised the ill, Which the Lord never faileth to fulfil:

L.

"Because His love of justice unto all Is such, He wills His judgment should devour All who have sin, however great or small; But good He well remembers to restore.

Nor without justice holy could we call Him, whom I now require you to adore.

All men must make His will their wishes sway, And quickly and spontaneously obey.

LI.

"And here our doctors are of one accord, Coming on this point to the same conclusion,-- That in their thoughts, who praise in Heaven the Lord, If Pity e'er was guilty of intrusion For their unfortunate relations stored In h.e.l.l below, and d.a.m.ned in great confusion, Their happiness would be reduced to nought,-- And thus unjust the Almighty's self be thought.

LII.

"But they in Christ have firmest hope, and all Which seems to Him, to them too must appear Well done; nor could it otherwise befall; He never can in any purpose err.

If sire or mother suffer endless thrall, They don't disturb themselves for him or her: What pleases G.o.d to them must joy inspire;-- Such is the observance of the eternal choir."

LIII.

"A word unto the wise," Morgante said, "Is wont to be enough, and you shall see How much I grieve about my brethren dead; And if the will of G.o.d seem good to me, Just, as you tell me, 'tis in Heaven obeyed-- Ashes to ashes,--merry let us be!

I will cut off the hands from both their trunks, And carry them unto the holy monks.