gaze around them
in wonder, and Rogero and Bradamant embrace with rapture, planning to
marry as soon as Rogero has been baptized.

But, on their way to Vallombroso where this sacrament is to take
place, the lovers meet with other adventures and are again separated.
Under escort of Astolfo, Bradamant sadly returns home, where her
mother decrees she shall remain until Rogero can come and get her.
Meantime Rogero has again joined the Saracens, just as Discord has
succeeded in kindling a quarrel between Rodomont and Mandricar, who
both admire the same lady. They are about to fight for her favor, when
the umpire of the lists pertinently suggests the lady be allowed to
express her preference! She frankly does so, and Rodomont, rejected,
departs in high dudgeon. In this unhappy frame of mind he attacks
everybody he meets, and after many victories is defeated in a battle
with the Christians. During this last encounter Rogero is too
grievously wounded to be able to join Bradamant, who, hearing a fair
lady is nursing her lover, is consumed by jealousy. She
therefore--notwithstanding her mother's decree--sets out in the garb
of a knight to challenge her recreant lover and defeat him by means of
her magic lance.

After unhorsing on the way all those who venture to tilt with her,
Bradamant meets Rogero, who, recognizing her in the midst of their
duel, flatly refuses to continue the fight, and implores her to
accompany him into a neighboring forest, where he promises to explain
all to her satisfaction. They are, however, followed thither by the
maiden who has nursed Rogero, who, jealous in her turn, now attacks
Bradamant. Rogero, infuriated by Bradamant's imminent peril, is about
to slay his nurse remorselessly, when an enchanter's voice proclaims
she is his sister, stolen in infancy! All excuse for mutual jealousy
being thus removed, the two women agree to join forces and fight in
behalf of Charlemagne until Rogero can discharge his obligations to
the Saracens, receive baptism, and join the Christian ranks.

Meantime Astolfo has ridden off on the hippogriff to the earthly
paradise, where he has interviews with sundry saints and apostles, and
whence St. John conveys him up to the moon. In that appropriate region
the apostle explains that Orlando's insanity is due to the fact he
loves an infidel! He further points out where the hero's stray wits
are stored, and directs Astolfo how to catch them in a vial and
restore them to their