King Balugantes marked his discontent, And reading, as he weened, his secret thought, To him his trucheman with a message sent. To wot if it was true, as he was taught. That honour, not by worth and wisdom went, But in this Christian court was sold and bought: That he a stranger and a Turk, if true, Might render each and all the honour due.
The good Rinaldo smiled, and to the sable Reporter of the royal message said,— "To solve the question, as I best am able, "(If I in rules of court am rightly read,) "Honour and place to glutton at the table "Are duly yielded, as to dame in bed; "But in the field, where warriors spur their steeds, "The worth of man is measured by his deeds."
While this conversation is passing, music sounds; the meats are served up, and the feast is commenced with all the pomp and circumstance of chivalric magnificence.
In the middle of this their merriment, four giants enter the further end of the hall, having between them a damsel of incomparable beauty, attended by a single knight. Many ladies (some of whose names are specified) were seated at the different tables: but all were outshone by the beautiful stranger. The Christians, lords or simple knights, swarm about the damsel, and every Pagan is in an instant on his feet. She smiles upon all; but forthwith addresses herself to Charlemagne. After a complimentary preface,
"Sir King," said the damsel, "before I show the motive which has brought us hither, learn that this knight is my brother Uberto, and that I am his sister, Angelica; both of us banished without reason from the paternal mansion. Upon the Tanais, where we dwelt, two hundred days' journey from hence, news were brought us of this feast; and we have traversed so many provinces to see your magnificence, and, if possible, to gain the wreath of roses, which is said to be the guerdon of the jousts.
"For this purpose, my brother awaits all comers, Christian or Saracen, at the stair of Merlin*; it being premised that the war is to be conducted on the following conditions: Whoever is unseated in the tilt, shall be allowed no further course or trial, but remain the prisoner of him by whom he was unhorsed: while whoever flings my brother shall have me for his reward; and Uberto shall depart with his giants."