The knights ride on, as far as they can ride,
Until all traces of the path are lost.
They peer among the grass, on every side
And every possibility exhaust.
Then Ferraù, who would surpass in pride
The proudest heart that any age might boast,
Called to the other two in mighty wrath:
'With you I will consent to share no path!

'Turn back or take another way instead,
Or else prepare to die here by my hand.
No rivalry in love - be not misled -
I warn you - and all other men - I'll stand.'
Orlando to Circassia's monarch said:
'He scarce could be more bold in his demand
If he'd mistaken us for common riff-raff,
Or timid maidens sitting at their distaff.'

And then to Ferraù he said: 'You fool!
But that no helmet I perceive you wear,
And for that reason I am merciful,
How rash you are, I'd make you soon aware.'
The Saracen replied, as cool as cool:
'And if I heed it not, why should you care?
Against you both, no helmet on my head,
I will make good the words which I have said.'

'Pray', said the Count to the Circassian,
'Lend him your helmet, to oblige me, while
I castigate the madness in this man,
For such I've never seen'; and in this style
The king replied: 'What greater madness can
There be? But, no offence intended, I'll
Show you that I am just as good a tool:
Lend him your helmet; I'll chastise the fool!'

And Ferraù retorted: 'You are mad.
If I had cared about a helm, in truth
From one or other of your heads I had
By now snatched one or other helm, or both;
And for your information I will add:
To go without a helm I've sworn an oath
And thus I'll go, until the day I win
The helmet of Orlando, paladin.'

'So,' said Orlando, smiling, in response,
'You think that with no helmet on your head,
You'll take that which in Aspromonte once
Orlando from Almonte took? Instead,
I think that when in combat he confronts
You, you will tremble; so, be not misled:
No helmet you will gain, but in dismay
Your arms surrender to him straight away.'

The braggart said: 'I've many times before
Orlando pressed so hard that easily
I could have taken all the arms he wore;
If I did not, it was that clemency
Arose within my breast and I forbore.
Now such resolve I feel arise in me
That from all hesitation I am freed.
Next time I have no doubt that I'll succeed.'

Orlando lost his patience with him then
And shouted: 'Liar, ugly miscreant!
Where did you fight Orlando? Where and when
Did you perform those exploits which you vaunt?
Anglante's Count, Orlando, paladin,
Stands here before you while you rave and rant,
Thinking him miles away; for I am he.
So, of your boast, the outcome we shall see.

'This slight advantage, furthermore, I scorn.'
And with these words his helmet he removed
And hung it on the branches of a thorn;
Then drew his blade, in many a combat proved.
Next, undeterred, the Spaniard, in his turn,
Drew his and stood en garde, as it behoved.
Prepared and resolute, his shield held high,
Orlando's blows to parry he would try.

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