Critical Observations on the Morgante Maggiore. 
And liquid flames, too fierce for human eyes; 
To sweetest harps, harmonious notes re- 
plied, 
Such notes as to the heav’n of heav’ns aspire, 
Ereath’d out, melodious, by th’ angelic choir. 
The knights, who silent saw their champion 
die, 
Stood rapt in fervent trance upon the plain ; 
Lost to themselves, and rais’d to worlds on 
high, 
They seem’d a glorious seat in heav’n to 
gain: 
Till ceas’d the long and dulcet psalmody, 
And loud and full Te Deums* clos’d the 
strains 
So stood the sage of old, and so ador’d, 
When up to heav’a Elijah’s chariot soar’d. 
St. 153. 
In the mean time, Charles, at his 
camp of Pied-du-port, heard the first 
blast of Orlando’s horn, and, startled at 
the summons, was about to order his 
troops to march to his assistance: but 
the traitor Gano, who rejoiced inwardly 
at the work of death which he perceived 
had commenced, persuaded him that it 
was but a hunting-party among the moun- 
tains. At the third blast, however, the 
. emperor knew that it was Orlando’s horn, 
and that the sound was that of distress 
aud danger. Suspicion of treachery at 
length possessed him too late, and he 
caused the wicked Maganzese to be put 
in irons, while he hastened, with his few 
remainirg Paladins, to Roncesyalles. The 
sun stood still in the heavens for a day 
and a night, to allow his arrival at the 
fatal place without delay. He was met 
on the road by Terigi, who informed him 
‘of the sad catastrophe that had taken 
place; and soon atter, from the sur- | 
rounding heights, they beheld the tield of 
Rtoncesvalles coyered with ghastly heaps 
of dead and dying. pis, 
When Charles beheld that field of blood, he 
cast 
His eyes tow’rds Roncesvalles; and ex- 
claim’d, 
* The original has a beautiful thought 
which it is difficult to express in translation. 
The angels were known, it says, by the 
trembling of their wings. 
Cantar 
Sentitu fu degli angeli solenne, 
Che si cognoble al tremolar le penne. 
It is also much more particular in its ac- 
count of the ce/estial psalmody. For instance, 
the *¢Te Deum” was not the only anthena 
performed. They alsosung ‘In Exitu Israel.” 
705 
** Because in thee the fame of France is past, 
Through every age be thou with curses 
nam’d ! 
So long as this wide world, and time, shall 
last, 
Be everlasting barrenness proclaim’d, 
Thy lofty hills and spreading vales around, 
And heavn’s own lightnings blast <h’accursed 
ground !” 
But when he reach’d the fatal mountain’s 
base, 
Where, at the fount, Rinaldo watch’d the 
dead, ; 
More lamentable tears hedew’d his face ; 
The stiffen’d corse he kissed, embrac’d, and 
said, 
‘Oh blessed soul! look from the realms of 
grace 
Upon this old and miserable head! 
And, if all crimes are not fergotten there, 
Oh pardon me for having brought thee here! 
** Where is the faith, my son, I bade thee 
prove, 4 
The pledge in happier days receiv’d and 
giv’n? 
Oh shade ador’d! if ought of human love, 
Or human pity may survive in heav’n, 
Restore to me, from thy blest seat above, 
As the sweet token of oftence forgiv’n, 
That sword with which I made thee knight 
, and count, 
Ev’n as thou erst didst swearat Aspramount !?? 
It was Heaven’s will, that, at his sovereign’s 
word, 
Orlando’s body rose from earth once more, 
And knelt before his ancient king and lord, 
With courtly reverence, as in days of yore ; 
Stretch’d forth his hand, and renser’d back 
_ the sword, 
(The same he held in Aspramount be- 
fore)— i 
Then, with a smile, to heav’n the spirit fied ; 
‘the corpse fell back, and lay for ever dead. 
O’er Charles’s limbs a sudden tremour ran, 
Something between a thrilling awe and love; 
By his cold hand he grasn’d the dying many 
And felt affur’d of happier lite above ; 
A holy herrour every breast began 
To'seize ; and ev’n RKinaldo’s heart to prove 
The pow’r of fear; while, humbly kneeling 
round, 
They kiss’ with bended face the sacred 
ground. St. 201, 
This truly romantic miracle was fol- 
lowed by another no less extraordinary. 
Charles prayed for power to distinguish, 
among the heaps of slain, the Christian 
from the Pagan dead; and on his return 
to the field he found that his prayer had 
béen heard. The Pagans all lay flat on 
their faces; the Christians with their eyes 
turned upwards to heaven, On the lat- 
4U 2 ter 
