THE ARGUMENT. PROGRESS and perils of Orlando.-His engagement with a giant, placed by the King of Circassia to guard a pass.-Overcomes the sphinx--Defeats a cyclop.-Hears tidings of Angelica.—Arrives in the domain of Dragontine. -Tastes of her enchanted cup, and is disabled from pursuing his intended route. Remains a prisoner in her castle. CANTO VII. ÆONIAN maids, your flight celestial bend, To where Orlando's weary efforts tend, Far, far from duty's path, and honor's way, By pow'rs more strong than those of magic art- A progress unremitting he pursued, To reach where Tanias pours a plenteous flood, 5 And many a level tract irriguous laves, Before it mingles with the Euxine waves. 10 No sweet diversity the landscape cheers, No pleasing trace of social life appears. And Calmuck hunters chase their nimble prey; Or the Kirguisian shepherds wander wide, Their flocks with needful pasture to provide; 15 20 25 Far in a lonely wild, at early day, As museful he pursued his pensive way, An aged man he suddenly beheld, With feeble step advancing o'er the field; 30 Low bends the sire beneath the weight of years, But more with sorrow laden he appears; Orlando, who ne'er caught a sight of woe, His all of hope-the son he'd die to save, 35 40 45 |