Chapter 2 - Page 2

off, and made good his retreat in spite of their
resistance. The Emperor, being told of this incident, was reminded
of an intimation he had received in a dream, and ordered the boy to be
followed. This was done by three of the knights, whom Orlando would
have encountered with a cudgel on their entering the grotto had not
his mother restrained him. When they heard from her who she was,
they threw themselves at her feet, and promised to obtain her pardon
from the Emperor. This was easily effected. Orlando was received
into favor by the Emperor, returned with him to France and so
distinguished himself that he became the most powerful support of
the throne and of Christianity.* * It is plain that Shakespeare borrowed from this source the similar
incident in his "As you Like it." The names of characters in the play,
Orlando, Oliver, Rowland, indicate the same thing. ROLAND AND FERRAUGUS. Orlando, or Roland, particularly distinguished himself by his combat
with Ferragus. Ferragus was a giant, and moreover, his skin was of
such impenetrable stuff that no sword could make any impression upon
it. The giant's mode of fighting was to seize his adversary in his
arms and carry him off, in spite of all the struggles he could make.
Roland's utmost skill only availed to keep him out of the giant's
clutches, but all his efforts to wound him with the sword were
useless. After long fighting, Ferragus was so weary that he proposed a
truce, and when it was agreed upon, he lay down and immediately fell
asleep. He slept in perfect security, for it was against all the
laws of chivalry to take advantage of an adversary under such
circumstances. But Ferragus lay so uncomfortably for the want of a
pillow, that Orlando took pity upon him, and brought a smooth stone
and placed it under his head. When the giant woke up, after a
refreshing nap, and perceived what Orlando had done, he seemed quite
grateful, became sociable, and talked freely in the usual boastful
style of such characters. Among other things, he told Orlando that
he need not attempt to kill him with a sword, for that every part of
his body was invulnerable, except this; and as he spoke, he put his
hand to the vital part, just in the middle of his breast. Aided by
this information, Orlando succeeded, when the fight was renewed, in
piercing the giant in the very spot he had pointed out, and giving him
a death-wound. Great was the rejoicing in the Christian camp, and many
the praises showered upon the victorious paladin by the Emperor and
all his host.
On another occasion, Orlando encountered a puissant Saracen warrior,
and took from him, as the prize of victory, the sword Durindana.
This famous weapon had once belonged to the illustrious prince
Hector of Troy. It was of the