ORLANDO FURIOSO, LUDOVICO ARIOSTO

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Translated by William Stewart Rose
This electronic edition was edited, proofed, and prepared by Douglas B. Killings, July, 1995. Additional
corrections made September, 1995.
This work is a continuation of the ”Orlando Innamorato” of Matteo Maria Boiardo, which was left unfinished upon the author’s death
in 1494. It begins more or less at the point where Boiardo leftit.
This is a brief synopsis of Boiardo’s work, omitting most of thenumerous digressions and incidental episodes associated with
these events:To the court of King Charlemagne comes Angelica (daughter to theking of Cathay, or India) and her brother Argalia. Angelica isthe most beautiful woman any of the Peers have ever seen, and allwant her. However, in order to take her as wife they must firstdefeat Argalia in combat. The two most stricken by her areOrlando and Ranaldo (”Rinaldo” in Rose).

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When Argalia falls to the heathen knight Ferrau, Angelica flees– with Orlando and Ranaldo in hot pursuit. Along the way, bothAngelica and Ranaldo drink magic waters – Angelica is filledwith a burning love for Ranaldo, but Ranaldo is now indifferent.Eventually, Orlando and Ranaldo arrive at Angelica’s castle.Others also gather at Angelica’s castle, including Agricane, Kingof Tartary; Sacripant, King of Circassia; Agramante, King ofAfrica and Marfisa (”Marphisa” in Rose), an Asian warrior-Queen.Except for Orlando and Ranaldo, all are heathen.Meanwhile, France is threatened by heathen invaders. Led by KingGradasso of Sericana (whose principal reason for going to war isto obtain Orlando’s sword, Durindana) and King Rodomonte ofSarzia, a Holy War between Pagans and Christians ensues.Ranaldo leaves Angelica’s castle, and Angelica and a verylove-sick (but very chaste and proper) Orlando, set out for
France in search of him. Again the same waters as before are drunk from, but this time in reverse – Ranaldo now burns for
Angelica, but Angelica is now indifferent. Ranaldo and Orlandonow begin to fight over her, but King Charlemagne (fearing theconsequences if his two best knights kill each other in combat)intervenes and promises Angelica to whichever of the two fightsthe best against the heathen; he leaves her in the care of DukeNamus. Orlando and Ranaldo arrive in Paris just in time to
repulse an attack by Agramante.Namus’ camp is overrun by the heathen. Angelica escapes, withRanaldo in pursuit. Also in pursuit is Ferrau, who (because hehad defeated Argalia) considers Angelica his. It is at this
point that the poem breaks off…

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