_O femminile ingegno, dituttimali sede,_ _Come ti volgi e muti facilmente,_ _Contrario oggetto proprio de la fede!_ _O infelice, O miser chi ti crede!_ _Importune, superbe, dispettose,_ _Prive d'amor, di fede e di consiglio,_ _Timerarie, crudeli, inique, ingrate,_ _Per pestilenzia eterna al mondo nate._[152]
Villain, what art thou that followest me?
_Org._ Alas, my lord, I am your servant, Orgalio.
_Orl._ No, villain, thou art Medor; that rann'st away with Angelica.
_Org._ No, by my troth, my lord, I am Orgalio; ask all these people else.
_Orl._ Art thou Orgalio? tell me where Medor is.
_Orl._ What, sits he here, and braves me too?
_Orl._ Yes, villain. [_Draws him in by the leg._
_Enter the_ DUKE OF AQUITAIN _and_ Soldiers.
O, my lord of Aquitain, the Count Orlando is run mad, and taking of a shepherd by the heels, rends him as one would tear a lark! See where he comes, with a leg on his neck.
_Orl._ Villain, provide me straight a lion's skin, Thou see'st I now am mighty Hercules; Look where's my massy club upon my neck. I must to hell to fight with Cerberus, And find out Medor there or else I die.[153] You that are the rest, get you quickly away; Provide ye horses all of burnish'd gold, Saddles of cork, because I'll have them light; For Charlemagne the great is up in arms, And Arthur with a crew of Britons comes To seek for Medor and Angelica. [_So he beateth them all in before him, except_ ORGALIO.
_Org._ He, my lord, runs madding through the woods, Like mad Orestes in his greatest rage. Step but aside into the bordering grove, There shall you see engraven on every tree The lawless love of Medor and Angelica. O, see, my lord, not any shrub but bears The cursèd stamp that wrought the county's rage. If thou be'st mighty King Marsilius, For whom the county would adventure life, Revenge it on the false Angelica.
_Mars._ Trust me, Orgalio, Theseus in his rage Did never more revenge his wrong'd Hippolytus Than I will on the false Angelica. Go to my court, and drag me Medor forth; Tear from his breast the daring villain's heart. Next take that base and damn'd adulteress,-- I scorn to title her with daughter's name,-- Put her in rags, and, like some shepherdess, Exile her from my kingdom presently. Delay not, good Orgalio, see it done. [_Exit_ ORGALIO.