NOTES TO CANTO IX.
Yet never bared his puissant Durindane.
Stanza iii. line 8.
The name of Orlando’s sword.
To hear the whole Orlando scarce could bear,
Ere to be first in that emprize he swore.
Stanza xiv. lines 1 and 2.
This is quite consonant to the spirit of romances of chivalry, and so is indeed every thing in the poems of Boiardo and Ariosto. Thus the Orlando of the Innamorato, fighting with Agrican, grants him respite, that he may rally his troops; and even offers his services for that purpose against the very forces with which he was associated for Agrican’s destruction. Thus Rinaldo, in this poem, when in the execution of an embassy, neglects it, and embarks in an adventure which suspends the execution of a solemn and urgent duty. In the same spirit Orlando even delays his quest of his mistress, to succour this damsel, who was unknown to him; though Ariosto has ingeniously softened the extravagance of his conduct by making him reflect that in this expedition he might also serve his Angelica.
