Chapter 7 - Page 2

power.
But we must now return to Rinaldo, whom we left interrupted in his
combat with Rodomont. In search of his late antagonist, and intent
on bringing their combat to a decision, he entered the forest of
Arden, whither he suspected Rodomont had gone. While engaged on this
quest, he was surprised by the vision of a beautiful child dancing
naked, with three damsels as beautiful as himself. While he was lost
in admiration at the sight, the child approached him, and, throwing at
him handfuls of roses and lilies, struck him from his horse. He was no
sooner down than he was seized by the dancers, by whom he was
dragged about and scourged with flowers till he fell into a swoon.
When he began to revive, one of the group approached him, and told him
that his punishment was the consequence of his rebellion against
that power before whom all things bend; that there was but one
remedy to heal the wounds that had been inflicted, and that was to
drink of the waters of Love. Then they left him.
Rinaldo, sore and faint, dragged himself toward a fountain which
flowed near by, and, being parched with thirst, drank greedily and
almost unconsciously of the water, which was sweet to the taste, but
bitter at the heart. After repeated draughts he recovered his strength
and recollection, and found himself in the same place where Angelica
had formerly awakened him with a rain of flowers, and whence he had
fled in contempt of her courtesy.
This remembrance of the scene was followed by the recognition of his
crime; and, repenting bitterly his ingratitude, he leaped upon Bayard,
with the intention of hastening to Angelica's country, and
soliciting his pardon at her feet.
Let us now retrace our steps, and revert to the time when the
paladins, having learned from Dudon the summons of Charlemagne to
return to France to repel the invaders, had all obeyed the command
with the exception of Orlando, whose passion for Angelica still held
him in attendance on her. Orlando, arriving before Albracca, found
it closely beleaguered. He, however, made his way into the citadel,
and related his adventures to Angelica, from the time of his departure
up to his separation from Rinaldo and the rest, when they departed
to the assistance of Charlemagne. Angelica, in return, described the
distresses of the garrison, and the force of the besiegers; and in
conclusion prayed Orlando to favor her escape from the pressing
danger, and escort her into France. Orlando, who did not suspect
that love for Rinaldo was her secret motive, joyfully agreed to the
proposal, and the sally was resolved upon.
Leaving lights burning in the fortress, they departed at
nightfall, and passed in safety through the enemy's camp. After
encountering numerous adventures,