ndo, eager
to succor him, was delayed for a moment in securing and mounting the
horse of the King Sobrino. It was but an instant, and with sword
upraised, he rushed upon Gradasso who, noways disconcerted at the onset
of this second foe, shouted his defiance, and thrust at him with his
sword, but, having miscalculated the distance, scarcely reached him,
and failed to pierce his mail. Orlando, in return, dealt him a blow
with Balisardo, which wounded as it fell face, breast, and thigh, and,
if he had been a little nearer, would have cleft him in twain. Sobrino,
by this time recovered from his swoon, though severely wounded, raised
himself on his legs, and looked to see how he might aid his friends.
Observing Agramant hard pressed by Oliver, he thrust his sword into the
bowels of the latter's horse, which fell, and bore down his master,
entangling his leg as he fell, so that Oliver could not extricate
himself. Florismart saw the danger of his friend, and ran upon Sobrino
with his horse, overthrew him, and then turned to defend himself from
Agramant. They were not unequally matched, for though Agramant, mounted
on Brigliadoro, had an advantage over Florismart, whose horse was but
indifferent, yet Agramant had received a serious wound in his encounter
with Oliver.

Nothing could exceed the fury of the encounter between Orlando and
Gradasso. Durindana, in the hands of Gradasso, clove asunder whatever
it struck; but such was the skill of Orlando, who perfectly knew the
danger to which he was exposed from a stroke of that weapon, it had not
yet struck him in such a way as to inflict a wound. Meanwhile, Gradasso
was bleeding from many wounds, and his rage and incaution increased
every moment. In his desperation he lifted Durindana with both hands,
and struck so terrible a blow full on the helmet of Orlando, that for a
moment it stunned the paladin. He dropped the reins, and his frightened
horse scoured with him over the plain. Gradasso turned to pursue him,
but at that moment saw Florismart in the very act of striking a fatal
blow at Agramant, whom he had unhorsed. While Florismart was wholly
intent upon completing his victory, Gradasso plunged his sword into his
side. Florismart fell from his horse, and bathed the plain with his
blood.

Orlando recovered himself just in time to see the deed. Whether rage or
grief predominated in his breast, I cannot tell; but, seizing Balisardo
with fury, his first blow fell upon Agramant, wh