also connected in blood to the numerous progeny of Constantine, but of which every member (with the single exception of Baldwin) appears to have been born a traitor. The history of their ancient hatred to the Paladins, particularly to those of the same imperial lineage, "were long to tell," and perhaps not very profitable if told.

(4) Namo, or Naymes, king of Bavaria, and Salamon, Duke of Bretagne, two of Charlemagne's most powerful vassals and faithful counsellors.

(5) "Britain's valiant King, the wise and old ?"] Reverting to the fabulous genealogy already cited, we find that Buovo or Beuves d'Antona (whose actions form the subject of another Italian romance which bears his name) was the common progenitor of Milo lord of Anglante already mentioned, and of three brothers of at least equal repute; Beuves of Aigremont, Aymon of Dordogne, and Otho King of Britain. The latter of these is the personage here alluded to; and he was the father of Astolpho, another of the Paladins. Of the two former, Beuves was father of the famous Christian enchanter Maugis (called by the Italians Malagigi), and Aymon was rendered illustrious by the splendid achievements of his four sons (les quatre filz Aymon), Renaud (or Rinaldo), Guichard (Guiscardo),

Alard, and Richard (or Ricciardetto). Of these more hereafter.

(6) Marsilius, King of Saragossa, has been already mentioned in the Argument. He was the son of Galafro, and brother of two "bloody Pagans," Balugand and Falseron. I am here speaking on the authority of the ancient romances; Boyardo and Ariosto have strangely confounded the pure historical records of Archbishop Turpin, &c.

(7) "Montalban's raven voice."] The enchanter Maugis or Malagigi, already mentioned; who held the strong castle of Montalban for his cousin Rinaldo during his absence in the East.

(8) "The Princess of Cathay,"-" Angelica the vain."] The existence of this celebrated princess, who is called the daughter of Galafron, King of Cathay (or China), is owing to the creative fancy of Boyardo alone. Her name is not mentioned in any of the older romances: but the reader will immediately perceive that my allusion is to the "Orlando Furioso."

(9) I am unable to say any thing of this worthy, further than that he was Count of Arles (Arli in Italian), and one of the bravest and most devoted champions at Roncesvalles.

(10) The marches of Spain, (Marca Hispanica,) which formed a part of Charlemagne's empire. Sobrarbe is the name of a mountainous region at the foot of the Pyrenees, bordering on Spanish Navarre, The early princes of the house of Inigo are sometimes called kings of Sobrarbe.

(11) Caradore was sovereign of a certain kingdom in "Paganìa," whose daughter Meridiana had by her beauty attracted the admiration, among many others, of a gallant " Paynim," by name Manfredonio. The war which this ardent lover makes on the father in hopes of winning the daughter forms the subject of some of the earlier cantos of the Morgante Maggiore, and is one of the most interesting and best parts of that poem. Orlando having enlisted himself in the service of her suitor meets the martial princess in single combat, of which the termination is described in a very poetical manner :

"All full of rage, the Paladin her foe

His heavy sword drove furious at her crest;

Crest, plume, and helm, were sever'd by the blow,
And her long hair dropt loosen'd o'er her breast;
Bright as the stars in cloudless night that glow,
Fair as the locks the Queen of Love confest,
Or Daphne's tresses floating in the wind,
Fann'd by Apollo's panting breath behind.”

C. iii. st. 17.

Shortly afterwards, Oliver, ignorant that his brotherin-law is in the enemy's camp, espouses the cause of this hardly-treated virago; and Orlando himself, repenting of the unknightly office he had assumed, leaves the unfortunate suitor to his fate. I shall have recourse to M. Ginguené for the conclusion of the adventure :

"Les Paladins réunis à cette cour sont fêtés comme des libérateurs. Méridienne était devenue amoureuse d'Olivier. Elle ne peut plus s'y contraindre, lui découvre son amour, et veut l'engager à y repondre. 'Je n'en ferai rien,' dit Olivier; 'vous êtes Sarrazine et moi Chrétien: notre Dieu m'abandonnerait: tuez-moi plutôt de votre main.'-' Eh bien,' reprend Méridienne, 'démontre-moi clairement que notre Mahomet est un faux dieu, et je me ferai baptiser pour l'amour de toi.' Le bon Olivier se met à catéchiser sommairement Mé. ridienne; et voici, autant que je puis me permettre de le traduire, comment se fait cette conversion.

“Olivier lui parla de la Trinité, et lui dit comment elle est à la fois une seule substance et trois personnes, et leur puissance, et leur divinité. Ensuite il lui fit une comparaison. Si vous doutez encore que l'on puisse être un et trois, un exemple vous le fera comprendre. Une chandelle allumée en allume mille, et ne cesse pas de rendre la même lumière.' Il lui donne d'autres explications tout aussi claires. Elle n'a rien à y répondre, et demande aussitôt qu'il la baptise;

F

E dopo a questo vennono alla Cresima
Tanto che in fine e' ruppon la quaresima.

C. viii. st. 11.

"Je prie qu'on ne se scandalise pas," adds our commentator, "mais qu'on veuille bien se rappeler mes doutes sur l'emploi sérieux des textes sacrés et des prières qu'on trouve si fréquemment dans le poëme du Pulci. Cette citation ne suffît-elle pas pour nous apprendre ce que nous en devons penser ?" Hist. Litt. d'Italie, tom. iv. p. 222.

(12) "Piment and clairet, hypocras and mead."] These are the names given to certain compositions of wine, honey, spices, and other delectable ingredients, fit nourriture des Héros, which were much in vogue among the ancient worthies, and the various recipes for which may be found in more than one modern treatise on chivalry and romance.

(13) Florisena was another princess to whom this faithless Paladin vowed unalterable affection :

"Non si diparte amor si leggiermente
Che per conformità nasce di stella.

Dovunque andremo in Levante o in Ponente,
Amerò sempre Florisena bella."

So says the knight at parting; notwithstanding which he shortly after enters into the service of Meridiana;