unpaid. He had promised to maintain a real, not a feigned
encounter. He will then keep his word, and banish every thought from
his bosom except that which moved him to maintain his truth.

The young prince, richly attended, set out, and with him Rogero. They
arrived at Paris, but Leo preferred not to enter the city, and pitched
his tents without the walls, making known his arrival to Charlemagne by
an embassy. The monarch was pleased, and testified his courtesy by
visits and gifts. The prince set forth the purpose of his coming, and
prayed the Emperor to dispatch his suit--"to send forth the damsel who
refused ever to take in wedlock any lord inferior to herself in fight;
for she should be his bride, or he would perish beneath her sword."

Rogero passed the night before the day assigned for the battle like
that which the felon spends, condemned to pay the forfeit of his life
on the ensuing day. He chose to fight with sword only, and on foot, for
he would not let her see Frontino, knowing that she would recognize the
steed. Nor would he use Balisarda, for against that enchanted blade all
armor would be of no avail, and the sword that he did take he hammered
well upon the edge to abate its sharpness. He wore the surcoat of
Prince Leo, and his shield, emblazoned with a golden, double-headed
eagle. The prince took care to let himself be seen by none.

Bradamante, meanwhile, prepared herself for the combat far differently.
Instead of blunting the edge of her falchion she whets the steel, and
would fain infuse into it her own acerbity. As the moment approached
she seemed to have fire within her veins, and waited impatiently for
the trumpet's sound. At the signal she drew her sword, and fell with
fury upon her Rogero. But as a well-built wall or aged rock stands
unmoved the fury of the storm, so Rogero, clad in those arms which
Trojan Hector once wore, withstood the strokes which stormed about his
head and breast and flank. Sparks flew from his shield, his helm, his
cuirass; from direct and back strokes, aimed now high, now low, falling
thick and fast, like hailstones on a cottage roof; but Rogero, with
skilful ward, turns them aside, or receives them where his armor is a
sure protection, careful only to protect himself, and with no thought
of striking in return. Thus the hours passed away, and, as the sun
approached the west, the damsel began to despair. But so much the more
her anger increases, and she redoubles her effort