COMEDIA FAMOSA DE
LA CASA DE LOS CELOS Y SELVAS DE ARDENIA
THE FAMOUS COMEDY OF
THE HOUSE OF THE JEALOUSIES AND FORESTS OF ARDENNES
by
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
translation by
Marfisa
The First Day
Enter Rinaldo and Malagigi.
Rinaldo Without doubt being poor is the cause of this;
Well, by God!, these hands can
at any time, hold their own against all the rest
with barbarians, Frenchmen, and pagans.
To me, Roland, should this be done to me? 5
It raises you to the sovereign skies,
the banner that you have from the Church.
Either detest, or disbelief...
Malagigi Oh, brother!
Rinaldo Oh, curses...!
Malagigi Look that those words don't sound right.
Rinaldo They never surpass the limit of my intention. 10
Malagigi Then, why do you prepare to pronounce them?
Rinaldo I seethe with anger and die of spite!
Malagigi You put me in confusion.
Rinaldo And you put me...
Leave me! My heart is bursting with rage!
Malagigi By God!, you should tell me in this instant 15
with whom you are angry.
Rinaldo With the lord of Brittany.
With that bastard, misbegotten,
arrogant, blabbermouth, fickle,
more dressed with pomp than with honor.
Malagigi Won't you tell me, Rinaldo, what he did to you? 20
Rinaldo To what contempt have I come,
that a mongrel would dare cross me like this?
Well, I swear to God, even if it costs Rome,
that I'll kill him, fry him, and eat him!
He was on a palace balcony, 25
and with that Ganelon close by his side;
I came through the courtyard, very slowly,
on the same floor accompanying me;
the two saw my slow gypsy servant
and my head not adorned with pearls; 30
they took to laughing, and to my belief,
the laughter was on seeing my poor array.
I climbed the stairs as if with wings,
full of rage and empty of fear;
I didn't find them where I had seen, and I wanted 35
to execute on myself, my fury and determination.
They entered inside there, and, if it weren't for
that because I owe respect to my lord,
in his presence I would tear out his soul,
small recompense for such injury and little achievement. 40
Of that traitor Ganelon I take
no account, who is cowardly and stupid;
of Roland, I do, and it destroys me with rage,
since he knows me, and doesn't value me.
But, presently they will both get the payback, 45
paying with their lives for my scorn,
even though I'll hinder...
Malagigi Don't you see that this is nonsense?
Rinaldo With those words, you aggravate me even more.
Malagigi Roland is this one, see here he comes,
and with that Ganelon.
Rinaldo Get yourself to somewhere, 50
I want to see what this despicable one is worth,
who is taken by the world for a Mars.
Enter Roland and Ganelon.
Now, mocker, won't you regret
staying in Charles' abode,
nor forge enough treacheries and lies against you 55
to make my rage calm again!
Ganelon I'll go back, because this is an insult
and saying and doing make a point.
[Leaves.]
Rinaldo Have a good laugh at my appearance
both of you, I swear!
Roland I suspect that he is crazy! 60
Rinaldo Where is that coward?
Malagigi He has already left.
Rinaldo He was afraid of being left dead
if a blow from my mouth reached him.
Roland Your arrogance provokes me to laughter!
Who are you angry with, Rinaldo?
Rinaldo Me? With you. 65
Roland Me? Well, why?
Rinaldo You already know.
Roland I know nothing more than that I have always been your friend,
since you hold the keys to my affection.
Rinaldo Your laughter has been good testament to that;
there is no need to boast so without reason. 70
Tell me: Can, by chance, poverty
take away that which is given to us by nature?
If I wore my hands adorned
with rings of gold and I wore
with pomp, in a manner of real decorum, 75
my person fixed up; everywhere
I would yield with this to a strong Moor
or a gallant Spaniard, what would we expect?
No; costly attire does not give
strength to the arms and to bold hearts. 80
My person unclothed, and this sword,
and this indomitable heart you know,
people make way wherever they enter,
like sharp sickles in the dry grain.
My strength, recognized and esteemed, 85
is giving voice throughout the globe,
telling who I am; and like this, your mockery
against all reason mocks me.
And, so you can see that I found myself in reason,
put your hand to the sword and make the test: 90
you will see that I am second to you in nothing,
and neither is the testing a new thing to me.
What are you laughing anew for, despite the world?
Roland What wicked fury, cousin, possesses you
to break our peace, or what laughter 95
misguides your guidance that way?
Malagigi He says that you made fun of him when
he entered through the palace courtyard,
seeing his little splendor and solitude,
and his gypsy servant, because of age, slow. 100
He thought about it, and, contemplating his poverty
and believing the laughter, in a short while
climbed the stairs; and, if he had found you there,
would have turned your laughter to tears.
Roland He would have done wrong, because I swear by God 105
that such a thing did not cross my mind;
and of this he can be certain and sure,
since I say it and moreover with an oath.
On the pillar of the Church, on the strong wall,
on the protection of France and on the courage 110
of valiant hearts, who would dare,
but that his life depended on it?
This apology suffices, oh beloved cousin!,
to temper your extraordinary fury;
it is not the custom of my honorable heart 115
to do such injury to anyone.
And moreover, to you, who have singly won
more gold that might have and has Liguria,
if it is that honor is worth more than the gold
that in Tibar covers the badly dressed Moor. 120
Give me that hand, oh, cousin!, because, in one
you are two that I imagine without equal,
I don't feel that there is anyone valorous enough
that from your door would arrive at the threshold.
Ganelon returns with the emperor Charlemagne.
Emperor Thus began to speak the pesterer, 125
and discovered in that manner signs of a fight,
that quick from an unruly tongue
might pass the anger to the sword?
Ganelon Do not make peace between them, because it is prudent,
and in matters of state, this is advised, 130
to have at blows two people at odds,
who are ministers of your life and death;
that, there being great competition between two
and between two counsellors, in such a way
the one and the other is afraid of the opposite, 135
that it is strength which virtuously both sides exert
for fear of the true gossip
that that one could tell you about this one;
and do not scorn my reasonings,
if you do not want it to cost you dearly. 140
Emperor They are not in such a fight as you said.
Say: is Roland not that one? Rinaldo, this one?
They are at peace, and holding hands.
Ganelon Sirs, have you not seen Charlemagne?
Roland Oh, great emperor!
Emperor Oh, beloved cousins! 145
Have you been having some angry matter?
Roland Without godparents the two of us have reconciled
when we have gone off the path of friendship.
Many times I confess that we quarreled,
but never for real.
Ganelon To speak challenges 150
Rinaldo and without anger, would not have made
our Emperor come here;
I brought him imagining, truly,
that the two of you were already in a great battle.
Malagigi You hoped that one was dead, 155
or even both, this intention is found in you.
Emperor Your fear has proved false in everything.
What pleases me, is that the armor
and the swords of these two barons
require more honorable occasions. 160
Roland Rinaldo, don't dislike
Ganelon, who in truth is our friend.
Malagigi Thus you see I put ashes,
or of the kind that I say in my mind!
This is the breath that pokes that fire 165
and starts it, for whom is always an enemy
our good king of our good lineage.
Rinaldo How out of breath comes that page!
Page Sir, if you want to see an adventure
the like of which has been seen in one's life, 170
put yourself in that corridor: I assure you
that it is a lovely and elegant affair.
Rinaldo The page has been witty!
Page I swear
on the life of my father. Ahead of her
a goddess from heaven has two savages 175
who serve as knights and pages;
one who could be your great-grandmother
comes behind atop a mule.
I say it is a thing to admire. But she
appears cold: see if she comes well arrayed. 180
Malagigi If it comes with half a caution,
such a great novelty?
Emperor It will cost you little
to find out if you take your book in hand.
Malagigi I have it here, and finding out is simple.
Malagigi goes off to one side of the stage, takes out a
little book, reads from it, and soon the figure of a demon
comes out from a recess in the stage and comes to
Malagigi's side; and from the patio should begin to enter
Angelica the beauty, on a palfrey, concealed and the most
richly dressed that is possible; two savages have the
reigns, dressed with ivy or with hemp dyed green; behind
comes a woman on a mule with a horse blanket: before her
she has a rich coffer and a lap dog; upon making a circle
of the courtyard, she is halted by the savages, and goes
where the emperor is, who, seeing how she comes, says:
Emperor I say that she has a gallant demeanor 185
and gallant is her dress and rare,
and if beauty reaches courage,
then it passes from the human to the divine.
Malagigi This is a venture? It's bad luck.
Emperor What are you saying, Malagigi?
Malagigi I have yet to determine 190
quite what it is.
Emperor Well, pay more attention.
Malagigi I am still trying to complete your command.
Emperor Go out to the stair and receive her,
and bring the lady into my presence.
Rinaldo Certainly this is a strange miracle. 195
Malagigi Certainly my science will not err here.
Emperor What is that, Malagigi?
Malagigi You would give
pleased ears to hear her, but don't believe her;
this lady that you see... I still don't know the rest;
listen to her, I shall learn presently. 200
Angelica enters the stage with the savages and the Lady,
accompanied by Rinaldo, Roland and Ganelon; Angelica comes
covered.
Angelica Prosper to the high heavens,
powerful sir, your royal estate,
and be on earth
for one and another century prolonged
of such rare fortune, 205
that you shall be secure from changeable time.
Although your presence
has me assured of a certain courtesy,
I would not dare without permission
tell you, oh great sir!, a message, 210
that increases fame,
that to such glory and honor calls you.
Emperor Say what pleases you.
Angelica Your consent made correct my thoughts.
Lend to what I say, 215
sacred emperor, attentive ear,
and lend me those
to which your collars showed the ruff.
I am the only heir
of the great king Galafron, whose wide empire 220
from this sea the shore,
not even almost half the hemisphere,
describes its limits;
that lives in other seas and other skies.
Similar to his greatness 225
his knowledge, in which he had news
to be my bad fortune,
if just as royal estate covets,
I surrender myself to a man
that in blood and greatness equals me. 230
He found out for certain and plainly
that the one who wins in single battle
against my little brother
who wears honorable, though early armor,
this one, certainly, would be 235
good for his kingdom and my fortune.
Through diverse provinces
I have come with him, where I have had
now favorable, now unfavorable
fortunes, and finally I have led myself 240
to this kingdom of France,
where I certainly have my gain.
In the shady forests of Ardennes
my brother stays, there awaiting
whoever, now for greedy 245
rewards, or desiring this beauty,
Uncovers herself.
tries his strong arm;
and it is what I have to say what must be done.
Whoever is unhorsed
by the hit of the lance, should be prisoner, 250
because it is forbidden
to put a hand to the sword; and it is express
from the king this mandate,
or, better to say, agreed and made pact.
And if my brother touches the ground, 255
whoever defeats him will be left
raised to my status,
be he a noble, or whoever,
and not by any other way.
Malagigi How well she relates the lie! 260
Angelica Come on, then, knights!
whoever craves kingdoms and refinement,
lend your steel,
they sell at little price this beauty
that you see, come swiftly. 265
Roland By God, how enchanting!
Rinaldo Amazing, hail heaven!
Angelica I have already told you my intent.
It suits me to return now.
It becomes dark.
Emperor Stay a moment,
if you can cope with my command or request 270
so that you are pleased
according to your well-known greatness.
Angelica You ask the impossible of me;
give me leave and say no more.
Emperor Then I see
that you measure yourself to your pleasure, 275
happily I let you go, and accept
my desire to serve you.
Malagigi The same deceit lives in this liar!
Angelica and her company leaves.
Rinaldo Why are you following her,
Roland?
Roland Your demands are useless. 280
Rinaldo Only I should go with her.
Roland How impertinent and arrogant you're being!
Rinaldo Stop, don't follow her!
Roland Rinaldo, that's enough; don't pursue me.
Malagigi Stop them, don't let them; 285
have, sir, that witch arrested.
Rinaldo If you don't leave from here,
I'll pay you justly for your intention.
Emperor What shamelessness is this?
Malagigi Command that that liar be arrested, 290
who will be, from what I see,
the ruin of France in certain manner.
Roland I'll complete my desire
to your grief, and even to the whole world.
Rinaldo Go, then, and beware. 295
Emperor Finish, Malagigi, with your declaration.
Malagigi This one you have seen is the daughter
of Galafron, which she said; but her intent,
that is tempered by heaven,
is different from her fanciful story, 300
because her father commands
to have your Twelve Peers in chains;
and, if they are taken, plans
to take over your kingdom and conquer you;
and he plans this offense 305
by sending his son and adorning him
with a beautiful lance,
with which he reaches victory over all.
The lance is enchanted,
and has such virtue that, whoever it touches, 310
it unseats, and it is golden;
that is why that despicable and crazy woman asks
that they not try the sword
who dare the undertaking with valor.
As a lure she uses 315
that incomparable beauty,
which prepares the heart
of even the most cowardly creature
for the attempt,
where, even if he loses, he never repents. 320
Your Twelve Peers will be
prisoners if you do not prevent it, my lord,
and many thousands of others
of yours who have strength and determination
for better things. 325
Emperor The things you have said are very frightening;
but I don't know how to remedy them,
and it is because I don't believe them. It is left to you
to believe them and prevent them.
Malagigi I will do as much as my ingenuity and science can. 330
Ganelon They aren't very sincere,
to tell you the truth, your counsellors.
Exit the Emperor and Ganelon.
Malagigi My brother is angry
with Roland; I want to prevent his harm.
Into a labyrinth I have entered 335
which I may scarcely escape. Oh blind deceit,
oh powerful force
of woman which is, on top of false, beautiful.
Exit Malagigi, and enter Bernard of Carpio, armed, and
bringing his helmet a Basque, his squire, with boots and
padding and his sword.
Bernard Here, away from the road,
I can rest a bit. 340
Basque Wise sir, you're crazy,
you turn sense to nonsense.
A Basque as a squire
you take with you, he advises you
not to walk in such a hurry, 345
take the pace of a muleteer.
Land you seek, land you leave,
it seems so much a deed,
well, entering a strange land,
by God, you leave your own proper. 350
Although there is much to do in Spain;
you have Moors on the frontiers,
drums, horns, flags
are there; you see.
Bernard Have I not yet told you the intent 355
that has brought me to this land?
Basque Curiously much daring
never enjoys thought.
You might, you might,
leave such a bad deed; 360
to those that war and Spain
call.
Bernard I understand you now, Blas.
Basque It is good that you know of me
that I give good counsel;
that, by Juan Gaicoa, I'm 365
Basque; a mule, no.
Sir, look, if you want to see
the power of France,
this road is not
right; you can go back. 370
Bernard They say that these forests are
where are found continuously,
through whichever path or road,
admirable adventures,
and that in the middle or the end, 375
or at the beginning, or I don't know where,
in some forest is hidden
the great tomb of Merlin,
that great enchanter
whose father was the demon. 380
Basque The testimony is false,
and it is concocted, sir.
Bernard We should search and find,
if we go a thousand times around
these forests.
Basque Time flies; 385
sleep, or keep traveling.
Bernard Go back, and see if Ferrau
is coming, who stayed behind,
and tell him where I am.
Basque Always a bloody squire. 390
Bernard Difficult and detestable war,
only for this are you good:
you make feathers of sand,
and soft bed of earth.
You offer, wherever you are, 395
wide and spacious beds,
if there are not wide plains
where the path leads.
You are a true cradle
that, in worries and anger, 400
offers always to the eyes
gentle, though necessary sleep.
You are of your nature,
according to the experience,
mother of diligence, 405
stepmother of idleness.
Come here you, highest,
rich and incomparable piece,
and, since you are of the head,
serve me as head of the bed, 410
now dreams headlong
are occupying my senses.
Well they say that those who sleep
are the image of death!
Bernard goes to sleep next to the tomb of Merlin, which
should be stained marble, that can be opened or closed, and
at this instant appears in front of the mountain the young
man Argalia, brother of Angelica the beauty, armed with a
gold lance.
Argalia Much land is discovered 415
in front of this mountain:
from this part is an open field,
from this other one the forest obscures it;
there the path whitens it,
and goes straight to Paris. 420
May my sister have done
the grand thing she desires!
But, if perhaps my sight doesn't lie,
that is, without doubt,
she who bends and changes the road, 425
and guides the way towards here.
She sends the palfreys
through the real path.
In how much she does, she does no wrong;
it is courtesy to receive her. 430
Exit Argalia and enter Angelica with two savages and the
lady.
Angelica Certainly this is the path,
or I don't find correctly the signs,
and around these boulders
without doubt is our tent.
Lady When, madam, will we see 435
the end of our travels?
When from this insanity
will we leave to our right mind?
When will I see myself, woe is me!,
with my pillow, seated 440
in the drawing room and rested,
as I saw myself at one time?
When will I stop walking,
when the sun rises or sets,
from this forest on that mountain, 445
from one place to another?
When from my bottles
will I see the white make-ups,
the ointments, the oils,
the tan pills? 450
When will I give myself a good period
of rest and without suspicion?
My face looks like
the bottom of a shoe.
The crude air of France 455
has me in this manner.
Angelica Be quiet, everything will come out right.
Lady I wouldn't want to be in your shoes;
since I saw the courage
of those two paladins, 460
of your travels and ends
I cannot expect a happy ending.
Angelica You haven't figured out the truth;
quiet, my brother comes.
Enter Argalia.
Argalia Oh rich archive, where your 465
treasures have beauty!
How are you, and in what manner
have you come out with your intention?
Angelica It measured up to my thinking,
the plan almost in everything. 470
Let's go to the pavilion,
there, leisurely and sitting,
I will tell you of my errand
the beginning and the end.
Argalia Well you say, sister; come, 475
it is very close to here.
Lady The poor thing is doing like me,
I know that she is not doing well;
my insides knot in
a great pain, truly. 480
All of this is numb
from riding on horseback.
Exit everyone, except Bernard, who is still asleep; he
dreams of sad music from flutes; Bernard wakes up, opens
the tomb, a dead figure appears, and says:
Spirit Valiant Spaniard, whose lofty intention
takes you from your country and your friends,
turn your thought to your beloved father, 485
which a large prison and darkness encloses.
To such a deed it is great reason to be attentive,
and not in seeking useless war
through such remote parts and unnecessary,
where sayings are misfortunes. 490
The time will come that from valiant France,
to the margin of the Pyrenees mountains,
you will lower the haughty and noble forehead
and gain most honorable trophies.
The current continues from your venture, 495
that equals the grand valor of your desires;
you will see how your fortune will increase
before the crescent phase of the moon.
Because of you your country will see itself in peace,
free from another's hand and dominion; 500
you will be water to the burning fire
which burns in the heart that of chastity is cold.
Leave these forests, where you travel blindly,
taken by a curious delirium.
Return, return, Bernard, to where 505
an immortal renown and bright fame call you.
The enchanted spirit of Merlin
I am, here I lie in this dark forest,
guarded from the heavens for good and bad,
though for my faults it is always averted; 510
and I will not be taken from this place
to the black region where pain lasts,
until these wild forests are crossed
by many Christian banners.
A thousand things are left to tell you, 515
that I will tell you another time, because now it is important
to conceal yourself behind these branches,
where your stay will be brief and short.
Two, each of whom in himself is a Mars,
you will put at peace, or show how cuts 520
your sword. And, without speaking, do what I say,
and understand that I am and will be your friend.
The tomb closes, exit Bernardo without saying a word, and
soon enters Rinaldo.
Rinaldo In vain I move my feet
then, in these so many flowers
there aren't any signs of the plants 525
that I take as guide and north.
If they had stepped here,
it would be clear that this ground
would be a copy of the sky,
painted of various lights. 530
Which flower would touch the beautiful
plant, to me so sweet and dear,
that soon would not turn,
either now into a sun, or into a clear star?
Far am I from the path, 535
where is my heavenly guide,
since this ground does not transmit,
either clear light, or divine odor.
I will have no more sloth
in seeking this beautiful sun, 540
since they should guide me on seeing
now your light, now your beauty.
But, what is this, sleep
harasses and clutches at me like this?
Oh free strength, subject 545
by force to such a despicable master!
Here I should lay me down,
at the foot of this rigid cliff,
making the image of a corpse,
except for breathing. 550
Rinaldo goes to sleep, putting his sword as his headboard,
and soon enters Roland clasping his own sword.
Roland So many trips without profit!
Where, oh sun!, did you set
after you left your light
in the better of my heart?
Reveal yourself, beautiful sun, 555
I am searching for your light
through plain and through peak,
discouraged and anguished.
Oh Angelica, divine light
of my human blindness, 560
north star your brightness
be my guide anew!
When will my eyes see you,
or when, if I should not see you,
will come frightening death 565
to triumph of my spoils?
But, who is this layabout
that sleeps with such sluggishness?
There isn't anyone who doesn't rest
except for the wretched Roland. 570
What is this? Rinaldo is
the one who lies here asleep.
Oh cousin, born into the world
as shackles for my feet,
as handcuffs for my hands, 575
as inferno for my glories,
as opposite for my victories,
to make my triumphs in vain,
to bitter my pleasure!
But I'll make you not be: 580
without the world or even you seeing
that I pass the limit of justice,
I want to take your life.
But, oh, Roland! What is this?
Thus you fling yourself so quickly 585
to be a traitor and murderer?
What are you telling me, bad judgement?
You tell me that he is my rival,
and that in his harm consists
all the cure of my torment? 590
You do say; but I know, in the end,
that he who is well enamored
has a more honorable heart
than of treachery and of ruin.
I was Roland without love, 595
and I will be Roland with it,
at all times faithful,
since I seek honor in everything.
Sleep, then, cousin, in season;
my sword protecting you; 600
that, although love could conquer me,
treachery will not.
I want to take yours,
because you advise, if you awaken,
that friendships that are true 605
no one can upset.
Roland lies next to Rinaldo and puts as his headboard
Rinaldo's sword, and soon Rinaldo wakes up.
Rinaldo Angelica! Oh strange vision!
Isn't this Roland that I see,
and the one that of the object of my desire
seeks to make the conquest? 610
He is; but, who put
his sword for my protection?
Your excellent courtesy, oh cousin!,
without doubt brought this about.
Easily you could kill me, 615
since you found me sleeping,
to remove that contrast
that you should find in my life;
however your courtesy
is stronger than love in your heart, 620
in the custom that you have made
of performing acts of nobility.
But, if it was for contempt
leaving me with my life?
No, because it is known 625
that I am a man of worth;
and you yourself have proved it
one and another time and a hundred.
I can't figure out which thought
is more correct: 630
if he leaves me for arrogance,
or if it was for friendship;
perhaps disloyalty
lives in the jealous lover.
Oh! If he left me 635
alone in my ambition,
with heart and soul,
by God!, I adore him;
but if not, don't imagine,
cousin, that for your goodness 640
I would leave my will
to follow your sweet ends.
And for this intention of mine
you should not blame me,
because love and power 645
never admit company.
Safely at my side
you could lie yourself down to sleep,
since a man that is enchanted
can't be harmed; 650
and thus, you removed the occasion
that your dream offered me,
to use the courtesy
that you used with me.
But, awaken, we will see 655
where your intention is inclined;
and if where I travel,
will get in the way of your exertions.
Kinship would be tossed out,
courtesy to some part, 660
if Mars himself came down
to hinder him from his heaven.
Oh Roland! Roland, wake up!,
it is great carelessness which you have,
and more if, by chance, you come 665
where my suspicion guesses.
Take your sword, and return
mine. Wake up now!
[Roland] [Dreaming.] Oh Angelica, lady
of my life and my will! 670
Where do you hide your face
that encloses all my good?
Rinaldo Your war is declared,
and our peace lost.
Roland, stop, wake up; 675
we'll destroy the swords!
[Roland] [Dreaming.] With what sweets, into blind knots
have you tied my throat;
I want to say my affection,
and the soul that I have surrendered to you! 680
Rinaldo If you don't wake up, I swear
this steel will wake you,
and even kill you, since you kill me,
now you sleep, now you wake!
These cruel intentions 685
are born of ungrateful hearts.
I am at the point leaving being
who I am. Come immediately,
respects, my correct
behavior is late! 690
Yearnings consume me,
suspicions tire me,
fears finish me,
jealousies pervert me!
Roland awakens.
Roland Rinaldo, what are trying to do? 695
Rinaldo Destroy myself, or destroy you!
Roland You want, cousin, to kill me?
Rinaldo Your life is in my desire.
Roland How in my desire?
Rinaldo I'll say it:
no more than in wanting to tell me 700
if you come to pursue me
in the search for my heaven;
if you come to look for
Angelica. Don't understand me?
Roland Of knowing what you want...? 705
Rinaldo Finish, or be finished!
Roland Does living embarrass you so,
that you follow your death?
Rinaldo False prophet, you foretell
the ill that threatens you thus. 710
Roland With you courtesies
have always been useless.
Rinaldo Give me my sword, and you'll see
how you always talk nonsense.
If you do not return to Paris, 715
you'll see also simultaneously
your offense and your punishment together.
Roland How easily you resolve yourself!
Neither should I go to Paris,
nor should I leave Angelica. 720
Consider what you want.
Rinaldo To cut
your insolent behavior.
Destroy you in my arms,
even though you are enchanted!
Roland You are a complete villain, 725
and you want to wrestle hand to hand!
Rinaldo You lie! And come with the sword,
that, even if you are made of diamond,
you'll see, arrogant criminal,
my true proof! 730
They go to wound each other with their swords; from a
recess in the stage come out flames of fire that do not let
them reach.
Roland I'm certain that he is around here,
afraid of your death,
but it won't avail you,
your doing Malagigi;
I would cross on the ferry 735
of the Acheron to punish you.
Rinaldo I would put to reach you
a mountain on top of another mountain;
I would throw myself into the flames,
as you see I do here. 740
Roland He does not leave of giving you your pay
your brother.
Rinaldo Then curse him!
Says the spirit of Merlin:
Spirit Strong Bernard, come out,
and put the two at peace.
Bernard comes out.
Bernard Knights, quarrel no more! 745
Strong warriors, out!
Rinaldo Did the sky rain you here?
What do you want, or what are you commanding?
Bernard My demands are so just,
that they should be obeyed. 750
And leave the hazardous
fight of such elusive peril.
Rinaldo You have made a very good argument,
and the demand is elegant.
Are you a Spaniard, by chance? 755
Bernard By chance, I am a Spaniard.
Rinaldo Leave, because only the sun
should witness our misfortune;
we don't want witnesses
other than the sun in our fight. 760
Bernard I should not leave without that you extend
the right hand of good friends.
Roland You'll be sorry!
Bernard More sorry
Will both of you be, if you notice.
Rinaldo Spaniard, why don't you leave? 765
Bernard By courtesies or requests,
your quarrel, for now,
should not go forth.
Roland I am the lord of Brittany.
Rinaldo I, Rinaldo.
Bernard It is an opportune time; 770
I compel whoever you are
to concede with my request.
Roland I do not deny that reason.
Rinaldo This Spaniard annoys me;
that nation was always 775
arrogant and stubborn.
Roland Sir, since it doesn't concern you,
don't hinder our quarrel;
leave us to complete to the end
our desire, that is just. 780
Bernard That would be my liking,
for it to be this way is Merlin's.
Roland Oh body of St. Dionysus,
with the Spanish pig!
Bernard You lie, infamous villain! 785
Rinaldo Your denial fell flat.
Out, Roland, no more!
Roland Leave, I burn in rage!
What is this? Who makes me retreat?
Roland's foot moves back? 790
Roland moves his foot back? What is this?
I neither flee, nor retreat!
Rinaldo This shot is from Merlin.
Bernard Then I will make you flee quickly.
Roland retreats back, and climbs the mountain as if by an
unseen force.
Rinaldo Indeed, into kind hands 795
your fortune has brought you!
Bernard Hands, I don't see any;
feet, yes, swift and sound,
and it is important to have them
to flee from my presence. 800
Rinaldo Without equal is your insolence!
Bernard climbs a boulder above, following Roland, and is
going behind Rinaldo. Enter Marfisa, richly armed; she has
as her seal a phoenix bird and a white eagle painted on her
shield, and, seeing the three climb the mountain, with
their swords unsheathed and just disappearing out of sight,
says
Marfisa If they over there fight?
If they do, I want to
make peace between them, if possible.
Oh, what a terrible mountain! 805
I can't expect to climb it,
nor go by horse,
though it try again;
but, nevertheless, I ought to try
the job of climbing. 810
My horse should be fine in the thicket
until I return;
there is never lacking in this forest
either good or bad adventure.
Marfisa climbs the mountain, and on to the stage come out
again, arguing, Roland, Bernard and Rinaldo.
Roland I don't know how it is 815
that against you I haven't any fury,
nor can I in such a fight
move my sword. This thing is strange!
Bernard The reason that helps me
puts your strength and your courage in doubt. 820
Rinaldo This doing is from Merlin,
there is no reason that avails with his enchantment;
that, even though his heart were
lion in fury and stone in hardness,
if there were no sorcerers, 825
never would my cousin turn backward.
Enter Angelica, crying, and with her the Basque, Bernardo's
squire.
Basque By God, he tossed you in the river!
You have Granada, brave Ferrau!
Angelica Oh, my poor brother!
Roland Why does that sky give tribute to the ground 830
of such beautiful tears,
if the same sky is owed them?
Angelica A Spaniard has murdered
my beloved brother; and he is a Moor
who did not honor the agreement 835
owed to the military and his decorum,
and he flung him in a river.
Roland Who is the Moor?
Bernard He is a friend of mine.
Roland Friend of yours? Oh dog,
you will take of your misdeed the punishment! 840
Rinaldo Roland, don't make such an error;
leave the punishment to me.
Angelica Here is ordered
my death, and more misfortune
if of the two one catches me, by chance.
To this dark forest 845
I want to surrender already my swift feet,
my custody and my happiness.
Bernard Why, Rinaldo, say, don't you advance
to wound me with your cousin?
For honor, I esteem life little. 850
Enter Marfisa, making peace and putting hand to the sword;
exit Angelica fleeing.
Marfisa What is this? Out, out;
out, knights!, begs you one
who can command it;
that, if my light doesn't impede your vision,
seeing this emblem, 855
you will see that I am the one without equal Marfisa.
Basque Damn, the maiden,
she's gone.
Roland Oh extraordinary misfortune!;
I should necessarily go after her.
Rinaldo I yes; you no.
Roland Notable is your lunacy! 860
Rinaldo Don't move your foot from here.
Roland I don't pay attention to your lunacies.
Rinaldo By God, if you move,
I'll tear you to pieces instantly!
Roland You dare to get in my way, 865
braggart, beggar and arrogant?
How are you so calm?
This coward does not fear me!
Exit Roland.
Basque Sir, let it go;
since not by there, but by the path 870
they stay, on the beach
they put the lady.
Marfisa Because of what was the fight?
Bernard I know that it was because of jealousy.
Tell me: was Ferrau injured?
Basque He's fine, hell, and how healthy. 875
Bernard Who did he battle with?
Basque You haven't heard yet?
He fought with the brother
of the fleeing beauty, and poor, and dead, and sad,
from Moorish anger, having
resolve, met with everything in the river, 880
and stays here awaiting
at the back of the mountain.
Marfisa I'll accompany you,
I want to know more about your deed;
I find signs in you 885
that show that you are more than what you seem.
And note that with you
you have the one without peer the only Marfisa,
that, in description and witness
is the only one in the world, whose emblem 890
is that new bird
that renews its life in fire.
[Bernard] I'll keep you company
whether you ascend to heaven or descend into the abyss.
Marfisa Such great courtesy 895
it cannot seem but to yourself,
and, making use of this pleasure,
I should follow yours, that is very just.
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