first favorable opportunity, and to join the Christian side. But
his honor forbade him to do this while his former friends were in
distress; and thus he waited for what time might bring forth, when he
was startled by the announcement that he had been selected to uphold
the cause of the Saracens against the Christians, and that his foe was
to be Rinaldo, the brother of Bradamante.

While Rogero was overwhelmed with this intelligence Bradamante on her
side felt the deepest distress at hearing of the proposed combat. If
Rogero should fall she felt that no other man living was worthy of her
love; and if, on the other hand, Heaven should resolve to punish France
by the death of her chosen champion, Bradamante would have to deplore
her brother, so dear to her, and be no less completely severed from the
object of her affections.

While the fair lady gave herself up to these sad thoughts, the sage
enchantress, Melissa, suddenly appeared before her. "Fear not, my
daughter," said she, "I shall find a way to interrupt this combat which
so distresses you."

Meanwhile Rinaldo and Rogero prepared their weapons for the conflict.
Rinaldo had the choice, and decided that it should be on foot, and with
no weapons but the battle-axe and poniard. The place assigned was a
plain between the camp of Charlemagne and the walls of Arles.

Hardly had the dawn announced the day appointed for this memorable
combat, when heralds proceeded from both sides to mark the lists.
Erelong the African troops were seen to advance from the city, Agramant
at their head; his brilliant arms adorned in the Moorish fashion, his
horse a bay, with a white star on his forehead. Rogero marched at his
side, and some of the greatest warriors of the Saracen camp attended
him, bearing the various parts of his armor and weapons. Charlemagne,
on his part, proceeded from his intrenchments, ranged his troops in
semicircle, and stood surrounded by his peers and paladins. Some of
them bore portions of the armor of Rinaldo, the celebrated Ogier, the
Dane, bearing the helmet which Rinaldo took from Mambrino. Duke Namo of
Bavaria and Salomon of Bretagne bore two axes, of equal weight,
prepared for the occasion.

The terms of the combat were then sworn to with the utmost solemnity by
all parties. It was agreed that if from either part any attempt was
made to interrupt the battle both combatants should turn their arms
against the party which should be guilty of the interruption