_Brand._ The bordering islands, seated here in ken, Whose shores are sprinkled with rich orient pearl, More bright of hue than were the margarites[140] That Cæsar found in wealthy Albion; The sands of Tagus all of burnish'd gold Made Thetis never prouder on the clifts[141] That overpeer the bright and golden shore, Than do the rubbish of my country seas: And what I dare, let say the Portingale, And Spaniard tell, who, mann'd with mighty fleets, Came to subdue my islands to their king, Filling our seas with stately argosies, Carvels and magars, hulks of burden great, Which Brandimart rebated[142] from his coast, And sent them home ballas'd with little wealth.[143] But leaving these such glories as they be, I love, my lord; let that suffice for me.
_Orl._ Lords of the south, and princes of esteem, Viceroys unto the state of Africa, I am no king, yet am I princely born, Descended from the royal house of France, And nephew to the mighty Charlemagne, Surnam'd Orlando, the County Palatine. Swift fame hath sounded to our western seas The matchless beauty of Angelica, Fairer than was the nymph of Mercury, Who, when bright Phœbus mounteth up his coach, And tracts Aurora in her silver steps, And sprinkles from the folding of her lap White lilies, roses, and sweet violets. Yet thus believe me, princes of the south, Although my country's love, dearer than pearl Or mines of gold, might well have kept me back; The sweet conversing with my king and friends, Left all for love, might well have kept me back; The seas by Neptune hoisèd to the heavens, Whose dangerous flaws[144] might well have kept me back; The savage Moors and Anthropophagi, Whose lands I pass'd, might well have kept me back; The doubt of entertainment in the court When I arriv'd, might well have kept me back; But so the fame of fair Angelica Stamp'd in my thoughts the figure of her love, As neither country, king, or seas, or cannibals, Could by despairing keep Orlando back. I list not boast in acts of chivalry (An humour never fitting with my mind), But come there forth the proudest champion That hath suspicion in the Palatine, And with my trusty sword Durandell, Single, I'll register upon his helm What I dare do for fair Angelica. But leaving these such glories as they be, I love, my lord; Angelica herself shall speak for me.