d "the
champion who maintained from dawn to setting sun the arduous contest;
he comes to claim the guerdon of the fight." King Charlemagne, with all
his peerage, stood amazed; for all believed that the Grecian prince
himself had fought with Bradamante. Then stepped forth Marphisa, and
said, "Since Rogero is not here to assert his rights, I, his sister,
undertake his cause, and will maintain it against whoever shall dare
dispute his claim." She said this with so much anger and disdain that
the prince deemed it no longer wise to feign, and withdrew Rogero's
helmet from his brow, saying, "Behold him here!" Who can describe the
astonishment and joy of Marphisa! She ran and threw her arms about her
brother's neck, nor would give way to let Charlemagne and Rinaldo,
Orlando, Dudon, and the rest, who crowded round, embrace him, and press
friendly kisses on his brow. The joyful tidings flew fast by many a
messenger to Bradamante, who in her secret chamber lay lamenting. The
blood that stagnated about her heart flowed at that notice so fast,
that she had wellnigh died for joy. Duke Aymon and the Lady Beatrice no
longer withheld their consent, and pledged their daughter to the brave
Rogero before all that gallant company.

Now came the Bulgarian ambassadors, and, kneeling at the feet of
Rogero, besought him to return with them to their country, where, in
Adrianople, the crown and sceptre were awaiting his acceptance. Prince
Leo united his persuasions to theirs, and promised, in his royal
father's name, that peace should be restored on their part. Rogero gave
his consent, and it was surmised that none of the virtues which shone
so conspicuously in him so availed to recommend Rogero to the Lady
Beatrice as the hearing her future son-in-law saluted as a sovereign
prince.

THE BATTLE OF RONCESVALLES

After the expulsion of the Saracens from France Charlemagne led his
army into Spain, to punish Marsilius, the king of that country, for
having sided with the African Saracens in the late war. Charlemagne
succeeded in all his attempts, and compelled Marsilius to submit, and
pay tribute to France. Our readers will remember Gano, otherwise called
Gan, or Ganelon, whom we mentioned in one of our early chapters as an
old courtier of Charlemagne, and a deadly enemy of Orlando, Rinaldo,
and all their friends. He had great influence over Charles, from
equality of age and long intimacy; and he was not without good
qualities: he was brave a