Chapter 9 - Page 2

father. Returning from the distant East, with Rinaldo and
many other brave knights, called home to aid with our arms the great
Emperor of France, we reached a spot where the powerful enchantress
Alcina possessed a castle on the borders of the sea. She had gone to
the water-side to amuse herself with fishing, and we paused to see
how, by her art, without hook or line, she drew from the water
whatever she would.
"Not far from the shore an enormous whale showed a back so broad and
motionless that it looked like an island. Alcina had fixed her eyes on
me, and planned to get me into her power. Addressing us, she said:
'This is the hour when the prettiest mermaid in the sea comes
regularly every day to the shore of yonder island. She sings so
sweetly that the very waves flow smoother at the sound. If you wish to
hear her, come with me to her resort.' So saying, Alcina pointed to
the fish, which we all supposed to be an island. I, who was rash,
did not hesitate to follow her; but swam my horse over, and mounted on
the back of the fish. In vain Rinaldo and Dudon made signs to me to
beware; Alcina, smiling, took me in charge, and led the way. No sooner
were we mounted upon him than the whale moved off, spreading his great
fins, and cleft rapidly the waters. I then saw my folly, but it was
too late to repent. Alcina soothed my anger, and professed that what
she had done was for love of me. Erelong we arrived at this island,
where at first everything was done to reconcile me to my lot, and to
make my days pass happily away. But soon Alcina, sated with her
conquest, grew indifferent, then weary of me, and at last, to get
rid of me, changed me into this form, as she had done to many lovers
before me, making some of them olives, some palms, some cedars,
changing others into fountains, rocks, or even into wild beasts. And
thou, courteous knight, whom accident has brought to this enchanted
isle, beware that she get not the power over thee, or thou shalt haply
be made like us, a tree, a fountain, or a rock."
Rogero expressed his astonishment at this recital. Astolpho added,
that the island was in great part subject to the sway of Alcina. By
the aid of her sister Morgana, she had succeeded in dispossessing a
third sister, Logestilla, of nearly the whole of her patrimony, for
the whole isle was hers originally by her father's bequest. But
Logestilla was temperate and sage, while the other sisters were
false and voluptuous. Her empire was divided from theirs by a gulf and
chain of mountains, which alone had thus far prevented her sisters
from usurping it.
Astolpho here ended his tale, and Rogero who knew that he was the
cousin of Bradamante, would gladly have devised some way for his
relief; but, as that was out of his