Translated by Jo Ann Cavallo and Claudia Antonini
Original manuscripts (DCO 547-548) in the Fondo Sarina, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Tortona (AL, Italy).
[Notebook 1]
Rinaldo kills Gattamogliere. Escape of Salimarte[1]
Gano exiled.
Peace between Rinaldo and Carlomagno who, invited, enters Montalbano and they celebrate his son Giovone
–Pontieri. Salimarte hosted by Gano. He wants to avenge Gattamogliere and sends messengers to his sister Stella in Bithynia, his sister Clemenza in Arabia, and other friends—Pinamonte, emperor of Trebizond known as the invincible, and Artimondo of Georgia, Pinamonte’s brother-in-law—so that they gather troops to assist him.
–Giliana Castle. Agolaccio has the secret of his birth explained to him and then sets off on a quest in search of fortune.
–Hall in Georgia. Artimondo is celebrating the birth of his firstborn son and has invited his brother-in-law Pinamonte, King Polidamasso of Armenia, and King Truffaldino of Damascus to the festivities. Everyone celebrates Aminta, wife of Artimondo, and Pinamonte, who is already in his eighties and who—having never thought of women and is therefore without an heir—wants the newborn to be called Pinamonte after himself and to inherit his empire. He then leaves for Trebizond because the Aras river has overflowed due to heavy rains, causing serious damage to the coastal populations. Before leaving, he takes off a large diamond with a chain and puts it around the baby’s neck as a gift. After Pinamonte’s departure, Artimondo suddenly has an idea. Since he knows that his brother-in-law is extremely valorous, he wants to know whether the child who bears the same name will be as valorous as his uncle. For this purpose, he summons a famous Magician named Balzaba to the palace to draw the boy’s horoscope. Balzaba arrives. Not only does he study the stars but he also uses necromancy. And the prophecy that he receives is so terrible that he trembles to reveal it. But, invited to speak by all those present, the Magician predicts that the boy will become a powerful warrior, but that at the age of eighteen he will kill his father Artimondo.
At these words, Artimondo trembles. His wife attempts to refute Balzaba, but he insists. She is dismayed when her husband hesitantly declares: “Ah, rather than being killed by him, I prefer to make him disappear.” Truffaldino pushes him even further to get rid of him, saying: “If I had ten children and they were to bring me misfortune, I would kill them all to save myself.” The Queen pleads with the Magician to find a solution, and he thinks, then replies: “What I can do, yes, is to turn him into a nobody, a foundling without parents, a lost person without a clue as to the identity of his family. Maybe, in this way, it is possible to alter fate … but… my efforts might also fail. Artimondo says: “Well, let’s do this… I will hide him in some place isolated from everyone and well-guarded… If 18 years pass, will the danger cease?” The magician confirms that it will. With this agreement, the Magician leaves with Aminta to cast a spell on the boy. But Truffaldino insinuates fear into Artimondo’s heart: “And if Balzaba’s spell is not enough to prevent the inauspicious fate?”
Salimarte’s messenger is announced. He delivers the letter invoking aid to Artimondo and then departs. But Artimondo has other things on his mind rather than running off to help Salimarte. Truffaldino and Polidamasso advise him to let the child die, and Artimondo replies: “What will my brother-in-law Pinamonte say?” – “You will tell him that the child died of illness and everything will be remedied.” – So Artimondo makes up his mind. He calls a trusted man named Brasco and orders him to abduct the boy during the night, while Aminta is asleep, and to take him to the sea, slit his throat, and then throw him into the water. Truffaldino and Polidamasso approve and everyone withdraws.
Garden in Artimondo’s palace. It is nighttime. Stealthily, Brasco is attempting to steal away with the King’s son. But he is discovered by the Queen who desperately tries to snatch the child from him. But Brasco says: “My Lady, even if I renounced the deed, another would replace me… your husband wants this and he must be obeyed.” But in the end her tears move him, especially since the magician might have been deceived, and so he promises that he won’t let the child die, but will entrust him to someone. Maybe she will never see him again, but at least the little one will not die. She resigns herself. Both swear secrecy and depart.
–Beach along the sea. Brasco sees a foreign merchant ship. This is his chance. The child will be taken very far away and he will not be able to return to his homeland. And so he calls out. Zenobio, an elderly merchant, arrives. Brasco says: “I have orders to kill and drown this child, but my heart can’t bear it. Take him, take him far away, wherever you want, and God will reward you.” But the merchant does not want to assume the responsibility. He has no family, he doesn’t want to bring trouble upon himself. But the other insists, saying: “You will entrust him to someone else.” “But who is he? Who are his parents?” – “I cannot tell you, but he is of noble blood and belongs to a warrior family.” Finally, Zenobio agrees to take the child to save him from death and then leaves on the ship with him. Brasco returns to assure the King that he has killed the child and to secretly tell everything to the Queen.
–Morbello beach. Rinaldo and Pampalughino are strolling along. They see a ship arriving. The merchant Zenobio disembarks, tells Rinaldo how he was entrusted with the child who was destined to be killed for some unknown reason, and begs him to accept him because he doesn’t know how to care for him. Rinaldo, moved by compassion, accepts him. The merchant departs. Rinaldo plans to take the baby to Montalbano, entrust him to Clerice [Clarice] and, through Malagigi, find out who he is.
–Montalbano. Rinaldo and Pampa arrive with the baby. Clerice does not believe what Rinaldo tells her. She assumes that he is Rinaldo’s own son and—despite Pampalughino’s testimony—she remains convinced of her assumption. Malagigi questions Nucalone but—given the spell of Balzaba—Nucalone cannot convey any information. Malagigi then advises Rinaldo to remove the child and deliver him to Beatrice in Darbena, and Rinaldo instructs Malagigi to take him there, entrust him to his mother, and explain to her how he found him. Moreover, since it is not known whether he is pagan or Christian, let him be baptized with the name of Morbello, the name of the beach where he was found, and let him keep around his neck the precious gem which perhaps one day will allow him to discover his family.
–In Darbena. Malagigi brings the child to Beatrice, narrating everything. He will be baptized with the name of Morbello; Beatrice will be the godmother and Malagigi the godfather.
–Pontieri. Salimarte waiting for help. In the meantime, he would like to do something. Gano advises him to conquer Orsitania, an easy prey because Buovo d’Agramonte has few soldiers. Salimarte accepts.
–In the forest. Salimarte encounters Agolaccio, who joins the Soriani. They go to wage war on Buovo.
–Orsitania. News of war. Buovo rushes to mount a defense.
–Field. War. Agolaccio kills Buovo. Escape of the Christians. Salimarte with his men enters Orsitania.
– Palace in Orsitania. Death of Lucietta on Salimarte’s orders. The city occupied by the pagans.
–Montalbano. Birth of Giunetto. Carlo is invited. Malagigi arrives and narrates that Beatrice has taken on the responsibility of raising Morbello. Arrival of Carlo and Orlando. Baptism of Giunetto; Orlando godfather and Aldabella godmother. Meneghino arrives with Viviano, who brings news of the death of King Buovo and Lucietta. Orlando, Rinaldo, and Viviano leave to take revenge.
–Orlando’s field. He sees a flag with the quartered insignia and sends Pampa to challenge whoever has the audacity to wave it. Rinaldo challenges Salimarte.
–Palace in Orsitania. Pampa relays the challenges. Challenges accepted.
-Field. Agolaccio reveals himself as the son of Milone and is defeated by Orlando; he becomes a Christian. Rinaldo kills Salimarte. Defeat and flight of the pagans. Everyone leaves for Paris.
–In Paris. Orlando, Rinaldo, and Viviano arrive with Agolaccio. The news is conveyed. Malagigi forgives Agolaccio, who is elected a paladin.
–Oliviero is traveling back to Paris with Gioppino. They find a man dressed as a warrior, unconscious and blindfolded. They help him, and he explains that he is Daniello, duke of the Marquisate of Helvetic Costance. When the Marquis Arcadio died, a castellan named Stridomaglio occupied the city of Constance by surprise and tried to force the Marquise Fedelsmonda, daughter of Arcadio, to marry him, and because she refused him, he keeps her prisoner. He tried to liberate her but—defeated and wounded by Stridomaglio—he fled to seek help at the court of Carlomagno. Oliviero assumes the responsibility of punishing Stridomaglio and rescuing Fedelsmonda, so he returns to Vienna to gather soldiers to march on Constance.
–Hall in Constance. Stridomaglio has the prisoner Fedelsmonda brought to him and threatens her with death if she does not give in to his wishes, but at that moment soldiers arrive to inform him that a strong host is approaching the city and he rushes out to battle.
–Field. War. Oliviero kills Stridomaglio, subdues the enemies, and enters victorious.
–Hall in Constance. Liberation of Fedelsmonda who, grateful, marries Oliviero. Victory celebrations.
–Hall in Acciuga. Cladinoro leaves his mother.
– Bordoez’s Hall. Cladinoro offers to slay the dragon.
–Lake. Cladinoro kills the dragon.
–Bordoez’s Hall. Cladinoro elected heir and Claudiana summoned to court.
–Montalbano. Rinaldo plans to go and see Morbello in Darbena, and with a pretext he tells Clerice that he is going to Paris. Instead, he leaves for Darbena with Pampalughino.
–Darbena. Beatrice is worried because the child is growing up with a very boisterous character and demonstrates a great disposition for weapons, so much so that as soon as he sees a sword, he wants to wield it and, even though it’s heavy, he holds it with prodigious strength for his age and stature. She was forced to hide all the weapons that were in the palace and now he plays with sticks. The other day he managed to ride the gardener’s mule and made it gallop all over the garden, overturning vases, trampling on flowers and with a stick like a sword he smashed the statue in the fountain. In short, he is restless and full of vitality. Beatrice tells this to Rinaldo. He decides to come often to instruct him in swordsmanship and, when he doesn’t have time personally, he will send Bradamante. Meanwhile, he pretends to be Morbello’s father because, as the years grow, it would be too painful for the boy not to know who his parents are.
Little Morbello arrives and embraces Rinaldo, calling him papà. Then he wrestles with Pampalughino and throws him in the air like a plaything, finally Rinaldo advises him to be good and obey Beatrice, promising to teach him swordsmanship. Morbello is happy. Rinaldo plans to send Don Trico to watch over Morbello and keep him in check.
– Bordoez’s Hall. Cladinoro decides to go to Paris to make himself known to the paladins. He leaves Soldanella and sets out with the consent of Bordoez and his mother.
–Royal Palace of Russia. The Barbassore has proclaimed a tournament to find a husband for his daughter Rossetta. The participating knights arrive, including the powerful Scapigliato from the Isola Piovosa [Rainy Island].
–Square in Russia. Cladinoro passes through. He goes to the hotel and, hearing that there is a tournament, wants to prove himself.
Tournament: Cladinoro defeats the Prince of Crimea
Cladinoro beats Galizio of Latvia
Cladinoro beats Achitaro Ono, Japanese
Cladinoro beats Giliarco of Bellamarina, then beats twice Scapigliato who has him attacked by his soldiers, but Cladinoro defends himself and defeats everyone.
– Royal Palace of Russia. Scapigliato is reprimanded. Cladinoro is honored and praised by Rossetta. The Barbassore declares them engaged. The anger of Scapigliato who swears to himself that he will prevent the wedding.
–Royal Palace of Persia. Miriante wants love from Marfisa, explaining to her that he is not her father. Marfisa kills him, making everyone believe that he was stabbed by a slave girl. The Persians elect her Queen of Persia
–Royal Palace of Russia. Scapigliato persuades the barons to take his side and they decide to kill Cladinoro at night while he sleeps. But Giliarco warns Cladinoro and they secretly leave together. Scapigliato insists, but Rossetta proposes the conquest of Paris. Scapigliato vows to make her happy and prepares for his departure.
–Mountains of Carena. Claudiana travels in search of her son because Bordoez is dead. Captured by a giant. Saved by Ruggero. Atalante examines Ruggero’s future and then locks him in a steel tower.
–Pontieri. Gano has learned about the end of Salimarte. He plans to return to Paris and instructs Berta to go to Carlo to make it known that Tebaldo had acted without his knowledge and that what happened was all Tebaldo’s fault.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Berta obtains forgiveness for Gano.
–Hall in Vienna. Fedelsmonda has given birth to twins. Baptized with the names of Gerardo and Ranieri. Oliviero leaves for Paris where he will share the news of this occurrence.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Arrival of Gano. Then the arrival of Astolfo, who senses what happened during his absence. Then Oliviero arrives and narrates his wedding with Fedelsmonda and the birth of their two children. News of war due to the arrival of Scapigliato’s army. They prepare to defend themselves.
–Scapigliato’s field. He takes prisoner Astolfo, Oliviero, Viviano, and Dudone.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Carlo sends for help. A soldier to Montalbano and Pampa to Orlando in Brava
–Woods. Gano kills the messenger who was going to Montalbano.
–Brava. Pampa arrives, but Orlando is ill and Albadella advises Pampa to go to Montalbano to warn Rinaldo.
–Field. Scapigliato takes prisoner Amone, Ottone, Ugieri, and Berlingeri. Gano makes an alliance with Scapigliato. At night he will open the door of San Dionigi.
–Montalbano. Pampa arrives. Rinaldo and brothers leave to save Paris. Don Trico is not there because he has been sent to Darbena to watch over Morbello.
–In the woods. Night. Rinaldo sees luminous signals. He rushes towards Porta San Dionigi with his men.
–Night. Porta San Dionigi. Gano opens and the pagans enter. Rinaldo arrives with his men. Death of Scapigliato. Extermination of the pagans. Gano taken by the servants and beaten.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Rinaldo arrives victorious. Gano excuses himself. They go to free the Christian prisoners. Victory celebrations.
–Royal Palace of Desiderio, king of the Lombards. Gerardo da Frata has taken refuge with Desiderio. He has now learned that Oliviero is married and has two children. He confides in Desiderio. He tolerated that Oliviero submitted to Carlo, but he cannot tolerate that even the newborns continue to serve and be subject to the emperor, therefore, knowing that Desiderio longs to enlarge his kingdom which has been greatly reduced by the pope for the benefit of Burgundy, he advises him to take advantage of the Franks’ weariness due to the war waged against Scapigliato in order to march against Vienna and, upon his victory, to impose the investiture of the valley of Entremont and the Valais as legitimate restitution of what they had taken from him. As for him, he will take Oliviero’s children to hide them and raise them in his own way.
Desiderio accepts and approves this advice and, having gathered his army, invades Burgundy.
–Hall in Vienna. The duke Daniello warns Fedelsmonda of the danger and rushes to the defense, but immediately sends Occhiorosso to Paris for help.
–Desiderio’s field. War. Gerardo kills Daniello. Victory of the Lombards, who enter Vienna victorious.
–Walls of Vienna. Fedelsmonda encourages the soldiers, but the enemies climb the walls. Skilled on horseback, she takes a good horse, and with her two children in her arms, flees through the door of the garden. Gerardo enters with soldiers. Once on the walls he gives the order to look for Oliviero’s wife and children. A soldier sees a woman fleeing on horseback with two children below the walls. Gerardo orders to shoot arrows at the horse to stop Fedelsmonda. The soldiers shoot, but the horse doesn’t stop. Thus while Desiderio occupies the fortress, Gerardo hastens with soldiers to persue the fugitive.
–Thick forest. Fedelsmonda’s horse wanders through the woods. The two sisters pass by, the White Sorceress and the Black Sorceress, who, seeing the horse covered in sweat and stained with blood, examine him but find that he is not injured… how can this be? … They conjure a spirit to get an explanation.
The spirit recounts that Fedelsmonda, wanting to save the children and very skilled at riding, fled, but she was hit by an arrow in the back. Yet she did not stop fleeing, but when she reached the forest, she fell from her horse. Her maternal love gave her the strength to resist until she reached the woods, but the arrow had reached her heart and she expired, falling from the horse. Her two children, Gerardo and Ranieri, remained unharmed, but Gerardo is in pursuit, and one can hear the trampling of the horse. He will arrive imminently.
The two sorceresses, moved and angry at Gerardo, want to leave him disappointed, so they take the two children, the White Sorceress keeps Girardo, the Black one keeps Ranieri, and they leave astride the spirits, swearing to raise and protect the two innocent babies.
Shortly thereafter, Gerardo arrives with the soldiers, following in the footsteps of the horse. They find Fedelsmonda’s body, they see the horse grazing, but there is no trace of the babies. Gerardo, at the sight of Fedelsmonda dead, shudders with dismay and remorse… He orders her to be taken to Vienna where she will be buried with honor… As for the children, he assumes that some shepherd or woodcutter has taken them away. He orders that the woods be searched and promises a prize to whoever finds them.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Occhiorosso arrives to report that Vienna is in danger. Orlando, Oliviero, Astolfo, and Rinaldo rush towards Vienna with their soldiers.
–In Vienna. Desiderio is preparing for battle with his captains, Unoldo and Adalgiso, because he is certain that Carlo will move against him. Gerardo is gloomy and disappointed because, despite all the searching for the two boys, nothing has been discovered.
A soldier announces the arrival of the Paladins. They rush to the field.
–Field. War. Astolfo falls prisoner to Unoldo
Orlando kills Unoldo and saves Astolfo
Rinaldo kills Adalgiso
Oliviero takes Desiderio prisoner
He apologizes, saying that he was instigated by Gerardo, asks for forgiveness, and tells the Paladins about Fedelsmonda’s death and the disappearance of her children. He, too, now deplores the behavior of Gerardo, who in a moment of furious exaltation ordered the shooting of arrows at the horse, but the woman was hit instead of the horse. Fury of Oliviero, who enters the city to take revenge against his grandfather Gerardo. If he didn’t show mercy to his wife, he will not show any for him. Rinaldo regrets having spared Gerardo’s life. Orlando tries to calm his brother-in-law, and they enter Vienna victorious.
–Hall in Vienna. In vain they look for Gerardo. He has disappeared. Oliviero issues an order: whoever can tell him where to find his children will receive a great reward. Desiderius signs the peace and is ready to pay expenses and tributes. After the war, the defeated Lombards return to their lands and the Paladins to Paris.
–In Montalbano, Giovone and Giunetto are in conversation with Bradamente. They know they have a brother in Darbena. But why doesn’t their father call him as well to Montalbano? – Bradamante is a little embarrassed because she knows that Rinaldo has now declared to everyone that Morbello is his son, and he did this so that his whole family would love him since news of his real family will never be known and also because the boy would live an unhappy life if he knew he was the son of unknown parents. So to please Giovone and Giunetto, Bradamante says that Rinaldo, on one of his journeys, fell under the sway of a sorceress, who then gave him that child. They would like to see him, and they beseech their aunt so much that in the end she makes up her mind and leaves with them for Darbena.
–Clerice confides in Ricciardetto. Knowing Rinaldo’s and Bradamante’s concern for Morbello, she is a little jealous… she cannot tolerate that unknown boy (if he is truly unknown) being treated like Giovone and Giunetto, but Ricciardetto tells her: Stay calm, Clerice, and consider that for a young man it is too painful to be devoid of affection. If your children were abandoned and lost, wouldn’t you be happy that someone took care of them? – Clerice begins to be moved and replies: “Maybe you’re right! I’ll try to resign myself… and if, as Bradamante tells me, he’s affectionate and handsome… I’ll try to love him, too, as if he were my son.
–Palace in Paris. Return of the Paladins. They tell how the war ended in Vienna. Carlo comforts Oliviero, while Gano is happy for the loss of Oliviero’s children: “Two bastards fewer!” –
–In Darbena. Bradamente arrives with Giovone and Giunetto. Morbello, who had heard a lot about them from Don Trico and wanted to see them, looks at them carefully and exclaims: “So you are my brothers?! Well, I like you! I know that your mother Clerice doesn’t love me. So be it! There is grandmother Beatrice instead who loves me, and father Rinaldo and aunt Bradamante are so affectionate. You enjoy the Castle of Montalbano… they say it’s so beautiful… it doesn’t matter, I’m satisfied with staying in Darbena.” – “But we love you (says Giovone) because father tells us so much about you, and for this reason we asked our aunt to bring us to meet you.” – “Very good! If you love me, I will love you. Agreed? … And in terms of swordplay, how are you?” – “I’m doing very well, as for Giunetto, he is starting now” – “Shall we give it a try?” – And with Bradamante’s permission they challenge each other. Although Morbello is a year younger than Giovone, he is a much better swordsman. Giunetto is soon defeated. Morbello asks them: “And thus far, how many Magonzesi have you killed?” – “No one” – “What? Our father Rinaldo was persecuted, grandmother Beatrice offended, and you who have more opportunity than me, you haven’t killed any of those scoundrels yet? …”
Bradamante calms him down, making him understand that now the Magonzesi no longer conspire and that every time they have tried to do harm, they have been punished; therefore, there is no need to undertake useless revenge. Thus, calming everyone, she exhorts Morbello to be obedient. She will bring Giovone back to Montalbano, Giunetto is invited to England by Astolfo’s mother. Morbello, happy to have met them, says: Greet your mother Clerice. I don’t know who my mother is, but I hope that one day Rinaldo will let me know her.
Continues with Mambriano who, advised by his mother, leaves to avenge his relatives. All the same as the script up to Gioppino who, made a necromancer by Malagigi, leaves to help Orlando. Death of Teode. Orlando and Astolfo leave for Utica.
–Rinaldo, in secret, in agreement with Malagigi, has himself taken to Darbena riding a spirit.
–Hall in Darbena. Rinaldo arrives and, before leaving for Soria, wants to see Morbello. The latter, hearing that his (presumed) father is leaving, would like to follow him to the war, but Rinaldo, while knowing him to be brave, also advised in secret by his mother Beatrice, thinks that it is not yet time to reveal to Carlo that he has another son (whom the Magonzesi would certainly call a bastard). On the other hand, upon their return from Soria, they will find a way to present him to the court and make him a knight and then, who knows, by showing himself to be handsome and valiant, he can gain respect and tame the evil tongues. And so Rinaldo leaves Morbello in Darbena with the admonition not to give Beatrice any trouble, so that upon his return from Soria he will bring him to the court. Albeit reluctantly, Morbello obeys, and Rinaldo sets off again advising Beatrice not to let him run into any danger.
–Montalbano. Rinaldo arrives, then Gioppino, who narrates that Orlando and Astolfo with Pampa have left for Utica. Thus, Rinaldo leaves his father Amone and Alardo, Salardo, and Ricciardetto with Carlo while he, along with Bradamante, Viviano, Oliviero, Agolaccio, and Malagigi, embarks in pursuit of Mambriano.
–Continues with the arrival of Orlando and Astolfo in Africa, everything as in the script until the peace in Piraga. Feasts and wedding of Sinodoro and Fulvia.
–Castel Monaco. Don Trico has taken Morbello to visit the castle where he practiced the trade of thief for many years. Morbello is interested in the story of Trico, who tells him what Rinaldo did when he was the gang leader at the Sommedoro castle, persecuted by Gano and Carlomagno. Morbello, who already hates the Magonzesi, ends up despising Carlomagno, and when Trico tells him that Rinaldo saved France at the time of Mambrino, Rovenza, and Scapigliato, Malaguerra thinks that his father Rinaldo, with the help of his family, could seize the crown from Carlo and become ruler of the empire. And Trico agrees with him… but Rinaldo isn’t ambitious and then… there’s Orlando who prevents… – “But Orlando is stronger than my father?” – “Maybe yes and maybe no… the fact is that at the time of Gattamolier, Orlando was defeated by your father…” – “I knew it!! My father is the best warrior in the world and I am proud of him! …
They see a knight approaching. It is Giliarco di Bellamarina, who civilly asks them for a refreshment. They welcome him courteously, and Don Trico, who knows him, asks him if he comes from some tournament, to which Giliarco replies: “No, gentlemen… I come from a very different company. I saw things that have left their impression on me” – Intrigued, the two ask what it is about, and Giliarco recounts: “I was travelling, when I met a very young knight, a certain Medoro who was going to try his luck and attempt to break an enchantment and thus conquer a very fine armor that in distant times belonged to Scipio, the terrible Roman destroyer of Carthage. You must know that not far from the bay of Calenta, among the steep rocks, a powerful wizard called Demogorgon has formed an enchanted garden and there, hanging from a tree, is the armor to be conquered. Unfortunately, however, the undertaking is terrible and dangerous. Being interested in this, I wanted to follow the young Medoro, and I entered that garden with him. But what was my surprise! … There are various flowers bushes there… And those flowers start talking by magic … I stopped at the entrance of the garden to see what was about to happen and Medoro, on the contrary, stepped forward with sword in hand to take possession of the beautiful armor… but!! Suddenly a monstrous giant appeared, armed with a heavy stick, and threw himself on Medoro. The latter defended himself and the fight began. Seeing that Medoro was about to succumb, I ran to help him, and with the sword I struck the giant in the side… I wish I had never done so! A few drops of blood flowed from that small wound, but every drop falling to the ground caused…” and Morbello asks: “Another flower?” – “No, handsome young man, no flower… every drop touching the ground made a lance with a sharp point rise up, pointed toward us, so that in a few moments it formed like a hedge of lances all around. Medoro fell prisoner to the giant, and I fled from there scared and horrified! … Whoever wants that armour can conquer it, for my part I prefer tournaments” – “But, then how can the enchantment be won? If the blood of that giant produces weapons, it is useless to try to kill him” – “There is a means to kill him and undo the spell, but who can succeed? … The giant should be defeated without hurting him … Enough, for me, I am convinced. I’m sorry about Medoro, but I can’t do anything; now I’ll refresh myself and then continue my journey” –
–In fact, as soon as he’s refreshed, Giliarco leaves. But Morbello is amazed and he wants to try to conquer the armor. Don Trico tries in vain to dissuade him, the youth insists with a bit with kindness and a bit with stubbornness, saying: “Just think how happy my father will be when he learns of my prowess!” – “He warned Beatrice to prevent any risk” – “And we will not say anything to grandmother Beatrice! Come on, I have my own plan; give me a flexible and strong rope! …” – “But…” – “Obey!” – “No!” – Then Morbello grabs him to lock him up in a room, so Don Trico gives in out of despair and follows him, carrying a pile of rope.
–Enchanted garden with thick flower bushes. Morbello enters with Don Trico, who is disconcerted. A strange light illuminates the bushes. A rose bush shakes and a voice comes out of it, saying: It is the rose speaking! Morbello, you will have love, but not the bride!
The surprise of Morbello and Don Trico.
A bush of large daisies shakes and says: The daisy predicts to you that your life will be short! and Morbello: “I understand, here they are trying to scare me.
A lily bush shakes itself and says: The lily speaks to you… In dying, you will know whose son you are! and Morbello: Deceitful flowers, you try in vain to intimidate me… I know whose son I am… My father is Rinaldo the invincible and no one scares me… That armor must be mine!” But as he is about to take it, a monstrous giant armed with a gnarled stick rushes out against Morbello, running around him without letting himself be hit. Don Trico tries to help the young man by bringing him the rope, but, struck by a blow, he falls to the ground in a daze. Morbello takes advantage of this and jumps on the giant’s back, takes away his stick, fights, and manages to tie him up.
A bolt of lightning is heard and everything disappears. An infernal spirit hands him the armor and the wizard Demogorgon appears, saying: “Brave young man! You have won, and Scipio’s armor is yours. No one will defeat you, do not fear iron, do not fear an enemy… I tell you this, beware of poison!”
That said, Demogorgon disappears.
Don Trico, who has recovered, is amazed, but the victorious Morbello does not give credence to the prophecy, and with the armor he leaves with Don Trico for Castel Monaco, where they will hide it until the right opportunity comes along, and they keep silent about this adventure. Medoro, freed from the spell, disappointed in his failed attempt, thanks his liberator and returns to Africa.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Carlomagno is worried. With him there is only Duke Amone… Nothing is yet known about those who are absent, and this makes them anxious. Falconetto d’Altafoglia, son of the extinct Falcone, arrives at the Reggia, and, in the absence of Gano, comes to ask the Emperor’s consent to marry Rosanna, daughter of Adelberto Count of Orléans. Carlo gives his consent. Adelberto is a faithful subject and he therefore wishes Falconetto every happiness. Falconetto would like to invite Carlo to the celebration that will be held in the castle of Altafoglia, but Carlo does not want to abandon the palace and Falconetto leaves.
–In Darbena. Beatrice is worried about Rinaldo, Bradamente, and Giovone. She realizes that Morbello is impatient and more than once has asked her permission to leave and join Rinaldo, but she has always calmed him down by promising that when the paladins return, she herself will advise Rinaldo to give the young man weapons. In the meantime, he is constantly on the move… He visits the surroundings, often goes to Castel Monaco… in short, he never leaves the faithful Don Trico in peace for a moment.
Meanwhile, Don Trico, speaking with some passing merchants, has learned that Falconetto is to marry Rosanna d’Orléans, and he is sorry about it because Count Adelberto is very rich and this marriage increases the power of the Magonzese clan. He talks about this to Morbello, who feels compelled to prevent this union … Recalling that Falcone, Falconetto’s father, was the cause of Rinaldo’s first exile, he wants to intervene and avenge his father. Don Trico begs him not to cause trouble, but Morbello is adamant. On the pretext of going to Castel Monaco for a hunting party, he says goodbye to Beatrice and leaves, followed by Don Trico.
–Banquet Hall in Altafoglia Castle. Among the guests at the ceremony are Iuba, Gilfi, Caldonio, and Cubebe with his wife Lisena, Gano’s niece, the one who took Beatrice’s ring. Adelberto and his beautiful sixteen-year-old daughter, Rosanna, are surrounded and celebrated. The dancing begins, but at the height of the festivities, Gilfi lands among the couples, flung by Morbello who enters with Scipio’s armor and visor.
Havoc occurs. Who is this one?! … And Morbello exclaims: Stop everyone! Who am I?! I am the Knight of Darkness! I live in the shadows and veiled by mystery… At my signal tombs are uncovered and ghosts appear! My name is Malaguerra and I command you, charming damsel, not to tarnish your coat of arms by marrying an unworthy Magonzese … You are a dove and he is a rapacious sparrowhawk! I prevent this wedding!!” Everyone is stunned. Falconetto yells: “What audacity is yours and what devil from hell has brought you here?” “Fate brought me! Tremble, everyone! …
All those present draw their swords and shout “Death to him!!” But Morbello draws his sword and throws everyone into confusion. Some Magonzese die, Rosanna faints, Morbello picks her up and runs away with her. The instant of surprise having passed, some run to one side, some to the other. Falconetto is wounded. They try to chase him, but in vain. The rapid gallop of a horse is heard in the distance… The rider has disappeared with Rosanna into the darkness of night… They light torches and, if possible, follow the trail of the phantom Knight.
–Interior of Castel Monaco. Don Pardo, the caretaker, sees Trico and Malaguerra arrive accompanying Rosanna. Having recovered her senses, she rails against her abductor (who always has his visor down) “By what right did you upset the party? … What insane claim is this to want to prevent my wedding with Falconetto? This action of a highway robber is shameful and infamous. I can’t find adequate words to express to you all my indignation and the horror I feel within me… I hate you, villain… I despise you! …” – “Go ahead… your reproaches don’t dismay me… I’m only sorry that beautiful lips like yours pronounce such vulgar words… is it possible that you have learned the language of the Magonzese so early?” – “And what!! Would you expect me to thank you for what you have done? … Do you think I am glad to find myself the victim of your outrageous act?” – “My Lady! Watch what you say! No one does any harm to you here… You fainted there, I took you far from that herd of crows, I held you in my arms as my good steed galloped… I had your face close to mine… You are beautiful, Rosanna, yet I have not even given you a kiss and you say that I have committed an outrage against you? …” “And isn’t it a base and cowardly act to abduct a young girl from the side of her betrothed? …” – “On the contrary, mine is an action to be admired since at the risk of my life I prevented you from soiling yourself with the filthy mud of Mainz… How could I allow you, lovely and perfumed lily of Orléans, to be seized by a cowardly and abject being? … You are still a child and you submit to nuptial chains? …” – “In truth, I obeyed my father’s will…” – “And if your father told you to kill yourself, would you kill yourself? … Is it possible that with so many kind and valiant knights who are at the court of Carlomagno you really have to sacrifice yourself to a Magonzese? … Listen to me! … You will stay here for a few days… guarded yes, but respected. Reflect on what I have told you and if you are still determined to marry Falconetto, I will give you back to him, safe, sound, and respected … What do you think?” “Because I can’t rebel…” – “It’s better this way… Don Pardo… The apartment? …” – “Ready” – And Rosanna: “Since I’m a prisoner, won’t you lock me up in a prison?…” – “Not a prisoner, but a guest, with all the consideration due to a delicate and courteous damsel” – “You try to deceive me to make my lot seem less bitter” – “You are wrong. With my frank sincerity I try to convince you of my loyal intentions and show you how much distance exists between your naive goodness and the sneaky Magonzese malice.” Then Don Pardo accompanies Rosanna to the apartment and Morbello, having removed his armor, returns to Darbena with Trico.
–Hall in Altafoglia. Falconetto has his arm in a bandage around his neck as he was injured. With him are Aldelberto, Iuba, Caldonio, and Gilfi, all angry that they have found no trace of the knight Malaguerra. Cubebe arrives and announces the arrival of Bertolagi (son of Tolomeo and grandson of Gano), a tall man with an imposing appearance. He has been informed of what happened and is amazed at how Rosanna’s abductor managed to carry out the coup in the midst of so many, and he almost derides those present… Ah, if he had only been there! … And many assumptions are made… Who can it be? … If Rinaldo were not absent, one might suspect him … and then there is also the difference in height … Perhaps someone in love with Rosanna or a secret lover of hers? Finally, Bertolagi proposes to send servants around spreading the news that he, Bertolagi, challenges the mysterious Malaguerra to a duel in order to reclaim the honor of the Magonza family, declaring Malaguerra cowardly and unworthy to bear arms if he does not accept. Messengers leave with the task of spreading this challenge everywhere.[2]
–Darbena. Don Trico announces to Morbello that the Magonzese servants are going everywhere spreading the news of the challenge. Morbello is furious. What! To declare cowardly a knight who single-handedly faced all those assembled for the wedding feast? … It is clear that the Magonzesi need another lesson … and he decides to accept the challenge. Don Trico fears some deception and advises him to restrain himself, but the other does not give in … it is what he wants! … Sending a Mangonzese braggart to hell! … What a gratification! However, advised by Don Trico, he will be prudent and will challenge Bertolagi in a place where the traitors will not be able to prepare ambushes and that is in the Terralba clearing where there is a statuette of the Madonna. The place is far from the town and devoid of trees and hiding places. In order not to compromise anyone, Morbello plans to write on a sheet of paper that Don Trico will then attach to an arrow that, with a bow, he will plant in the gate of the castle of Altafoglia without being seen. And since Rinaldo is not rich, Morbello plans to earn money for his father. The sheet has the following message: “The knight Malaguerra, who is not cowardly, responds to the arrogant Bertolagi by accepting his challenge to the bitter end and awaits his adversary at the statue of the Madonna in the Terralba clearing on Thursday at the sixth hour. He will lead the young Rosanna, whom he will leave with the Magonzese in the event of his own defeat. But Bertolagi will have to bring ten sums of gold to the place, which will become the property of the Knight Malaguerra if Bertolagi is defeated. Neither of them may arrive escorted. Only the company of a squire is permitted.”
Don Trico reluctantly obeys and leaves with a bow, arrows, and the letter, which he will secretly launch from among the trees at the door of the Castle of Altafoglia. And all this, unbeknownst to Beatrice.
–Royal Palace of Bohemia. Ercolaro, King of Bohemia, cousin of Fieramonte (who had claimed Aldabella and was killed by Orlando), sees the moment has come to avenge his cousin. He knows that Carlomagno has no defenders, whereas he has at his command two powerful captains, almost gigantic, named Marforio and Pirronte, with a large army; he leaves to besiege Paris and conquer the empire… having defeated Carlo, he will proceed to Rome where he will force Pope Leo to crown him.
–In Altafoglia. In the morning, the sentinel on guard at the gate of the Castle found an arrow planted in the gate, and attached to the arrow was the letter with the challenge sent by the mysterious Malaguerra. Bertolagi would go confidently to the site, he is sure of winning the duel and freeing Rosanna, but Falconetto, distrustful, advises that it is better to ensure his victory by plotting an ambush. Bertolagi finds this impossible because the shrewd Malaguerra chose the clearing of Terralba where there are no plants or bushes where he could hide soldiers, but Falconetto says: “Nearby there is a statue of the Madonna that the populace considers miraculous, and it is the destination of frequent pilgrimages. We will have many Magonzesi disguised as friars with weapons hidden under their cloaks. They will arrive there in a religious procession, complete with a standard at the time of the duel. Malaguerra, seeing them, will suspect nothing, and while he is intent on the duel, he will be surrounded and killed.” – The idea is approved and they rush to make preparations. As for the ten sums of gold, bags filled with stones will be placed on the cart and a single Magonzese will lead the horse as a squire, as the challenge dictates. So everyone is happy, they are assured of victory.
–Terralba clearing with the statue of the Madonna. Malaguerra arrives armed and wearing a visor, with him is Don Trico dressed as a squire, also wearing a visor and accompanying Rosanna. Morbello says to her: “I promised to give you back to your fiancé, but it is clear that he prefers to send another in his place… apparently, he cares a lot about his own life” – “I think he was wounded that night…” – “It is possible, you do well to defend him… I really see that you are in love with him… He is so beautiful and brave…” – “He is not beautiful, I know, but certainly better than you who hide your face so as not to show it” – “You guessed it, beautiful Rosanna… I am monstrous… I realize that you are always angry with me and you do not miss any opportunity to show me how hateful I am to you… But even insolences, when they are pronounced by a beautiful damsel like you, always please me” – “Do not continue, your ironies make me feel bitter … you are becoming more and more hateful and despicable! …” – “You will tolerate me for a little longer… I see your champion approaching. Here he is… and behind him the squire who holds the horse by the bridle that pulls the cart with the ten sums of gold…” – And Rosanna: “How shameful! Ten sums of gold in exchange for my person!!”. “What do you want?! You may be worth all the treasures on earth, but it is I who declare myself honest in my claims. Did I perhaps ask you for something? … Have I perhaps made an attempt on your virtue? … Nothing, right? And yes, you are very desirable and if I were an unscrupulous villain, I could have tried…” – “I would have scratched and bit you… I would have become a beast! …” – “Do not get angry, dear child, and get ready to see your Falconetto again” –
Bertolagi arrives fully armed and says: “Are you Malaguerra?” – “I am, but if you have any doubts, ask Mademoiselle who knows me” – “I hope you have not abused her!” – “Who do you take me for! For a Magonzese?” – “What?!” – “But sure… if you had been in my place, you would certainly not have respected this lovely girl…” – “Shut up, serpent” – “Better serpent than mandrill… Come on, Rosanna, since you are so energetic and witty, tell him how I treated you… your honor is at stake!” – And Rosanna, a bit resentful, replied: “Bertolagi! Your insinuations offend me… be more cautious in your expressions!” – “So be it! I’m here to free you and give you back to Falconetto” – And she asks: “Why did he not come with you? He himself could have been your squire” – And Morbello: “He preferred to stay safe… he loves you but, of course, he loves his skin even more” – Bertolagi says: “There on the vehicle are the ten gold sums” – “Then we can fight.”
But at this moment the voices of the fake friars are heard who approach in a column chanting. “What a mishap!” says Morbello, “We have to wait for them to go away… it is not nice to make them see a show of blood.” But when they reach the statue, Bertolagi shouts: “Death to Malaguerra!!” The fake friars, taking up the swords they had hidden under their cloaks, surround and attack Morbello. He shouts: “Death to you, traitors!!” And he defends himself furiously. Don Trico helps him and the Magonzesi are exterminated. Bertolagi is killed by Morbello and few manage to escape. Rosanna had stood aside in dismay. Morbello says to her: “Have you seen your Magonzese heroes? … What fine gentlemen?” – “Say rather, what robbers!! Knight, are you wounded?” – “No, this fine armor defends me” – “And your valor saves you! …” – “Anyway, if you want, I will leave you free and I will take you to your Falconetto” – “I’d rather you take me to my father…” – “To Orléans?” – “Yes, to my castle!” –
Meanwhile Don Trico has gone to seize the ten sums of gold, but instead he finds bags full of stones. And Morbello mockingly remarks: “Here is another proof of Magonzese loyalty… What do you think of this, Rosanna?” – “That I did not expect such cowardice and falsehood!” – “And now, come! I will take you to your father’s house” And they all leave. Don Trico leads the cart to Castel Monaco.
–Hall in Paris. The arrival of the army of Bohemia is announced to Carlomagno. He is desperate, having with him only Duke Amone. The latter prepares to defend Paris, meanwhile messengers are sent out to seek help. One messenger to Montalbano to call upon Rinaldo’s three brothers and another to Rome to ask Pope Leo to help defend them from the Romans.
–Countryside near Orléans. Morbello stops with Rosanna and sends Don Trico, still dressed as a squire with a visor, to advise Adalberto to come and receive his daughter. Left alone, Morbello says to her: “I hope that telling your father about me, you will not speak too badly of me” – “Why are you saying this to me?” – “Eh, I do not want to appear to be a completely contemptible knight” – “Contemptible? … Who despises you?” – “The Magonzesi and yourself!” – “I?” – “Eh, yes… since you’ve been in my power, you’ve done nothing but scold me! Perhaps I was a little overbearing, but I had good reasons and, as I already told you, I tried to prevent a noble and rich damsel like yourself from falling into the trap of traitors, but since you are madly in love with Falconetto…” – “I beseech you not to speak to me about him anymore!” – “You beseech me? … Oh, it really pleases me to sense that you are a little less harsh with me” – “You are quite strange and acerbic, but it cannot be denied that you are valiant and loyal” – “It gets better and better. This makes me sure that we will part without rancor” – “That’s what I think, too!” – “Listen to my advice … You are very young and you must not be in a hurry to get married, but if you decide to marry … Go to Carlomagno, tell him to call his young champions in a tournament and let the winner have your hand in marriage as a prize… Who knows what a contest of knights and what a grand celebration! …” – “What if the winner does not please me? …” – “You were satisfied with Falconetto who, to tell the truth, is no Apollo…” – “But you who joke about the beauty of others, why don’t you show your own face? Are you really as monstrous as you said? …” – “I hide my face because I want to remain incognito with everyone!” – “A good pretext to hide one’s ugliness” – “Do you really want to see my face? … Well, at the cost of horrifying you, I will show it to you alone, my dearest curious one!” – And saying this, he raises his visor and Rosanna is surprised to see Morbello’s handsome face and she murmurs to herself: “What a handsome young man!” – “It seems that I didn’t make a bad impression on you! It’s better this way” – and lowers his visor again – Rosanna ponders, then says: “Malaguerra… if I decided to follow your advice and ask Carlomagno for a tournament for my hand in marriage… would you accept the challenge and fight to win me?” – “Probably, yes” – “You must assure me” – “And why should I try to attain you when you hate me?” – “What do you know about my heart?” – “Let’s not argue. If there is a tournament for you, since you desire it, even if it’s your whim, I promise I will come!” –
Don Trico returns with Adalberto, who is surprised to see his daughter together with Malaguerra. He would like to be indignant at Morbello’s behavior, but Rosanna exclaims: “My father, do not get upset. I return to you safe, sound, and respected. In addition, I have been made aware of certain intrigues that I did not even remotely imagine. But we will talk about this later. For now, rest assured that nothing bad has happened to me. Indeed, I would say that the whole situation has turned to my advantage … Let’s leave, and you, Knight Malaguerra … remember your promise.” – “I have a good memory!” – Adalberto leaves with his daughter and Morbello says: “Dear Don Trico, let’s go back to Castel Monaco where we will lay down our arms and then join my grandmother Beatrice… but… silence on everything” – “It will be done! But I cannot get over the prank of the Mangonzesi… stones and more stones instead of the ten sums of gold!” – “Do not worry, friend. Bertolagi and many others have already paid for their deception… As for Falconetto… the hour will strike for him, too.”
–Montalbano. Carlo’s messenger arrives. Alardo, Salardo, and Ricciardetto leave for Paris, Giunetto arms himself and stays with his mother Clerice in Montalbano, and Don Mercurio organizes a defense in case of need.
–Field outside Paris. Ercolaro plans to divide the army; he sends Marforio to besiege Montalbano and he and Pirronte are at the siege of Paris.
–Royal Palace in Paris. Arrival of the three brothers who go to the field with their father Amone.
–Field. Pirronte takes Alardo, Salardo, and Ricciardetto prisoner. Amone saves himself by fleeing to Paris.
–Montalbano. Seeing themselves besieged, Giunetto goes out to battle.
–Field outside Montalbano. Giunetto taken prisoner. Marforio prepares the night assault.
–In Montalbano. Clerice desperate. Assault of the enemies. Clerice escapes with Don Mercurio through the dungeon. Marforio, master of the castle, sacks it and garrisons it.
–Darbena. Clerice arrives with Don Mercurio and weeping announces to Beatrice the loss of the castle. Morbello, who had timidly withdrawn having been notified of Clerice’s arrival by Don Trico, seeing her weeping, comes forward and exclaims: “Courage, My Lady! I know you do not love me but, although you are not my mother, I love you because you are the mother of my brothers. My father’s beautiful castle is lost? Well, we will win it back! I am Rinaldo’s son; he and Aunt Bradamante instructed me in swordsmanship and I will honor those who made me a warrior.” – “You? … Are you Morbello? …” – “More than Morbello, I want to call myself Malaguerra… waging fierce and ruthless war against the enemies of my father, my brothers and you, Clerice. Everything my father loves is sacred to me… woe to anyone who tries persecute the Montalbanese!…” – “But what can you do alone, without soldiers, against a castle now occupied by enemies? …” – “I will enter by the underground way and I will have Don Trico with me who will be my guide” – “You are going to meet certain death!” – “I do not fear danger and, if I should die … well, you will tell my father that I have tried to be worthy of calling myself his son and you will give him my last greetings and my last kiss! … Hey there, Don Trico! My armor! … Let’s go to Castel Monaco! I am Malaguerra! … Either I will conquer Montalbano or I will die in the performance of my duty! …” (he is about to leave, then stops abruptly and, turning to Clerice, says) My Lady… I did not know my mother… they told me she is dead! … It is a sad thing not to feel caressed by a mother’s hands… Many times, when we are little, we cry even for trivial things, and it is then that a mother’s voice comforts and consoles… Dear grandmother Beatrice was for me an angel of goodness…yet, I want at least one good word from you…I am going into danger…won’t you say goodbye to me? …” – Clerice bursts into tears and says: “Come here, boy, come here, so that I may embrace you! … You are worthy of my affection!” – “Oh thank you, Clerice!” – saying this, he throws himself into her arms. And she: “Call me Mom! From now on I will be such for you!” – “Goodbye, Mom!” – “Goodbye Morbello…” – And the young man leaves shouting: “Malaguerra! Malaguerra!” – Don Trico follows him and also Don Mercurio – Beatrice says to Clerice: “Courage! He will win” – And an emotional Clerice responds: “May God help and bless him!
–Interior of Montalbano. It is night. Bohemian soldiers carouse. They have found all sorts of valuables in the castle. Some are drunk. All of a sudden an armed Malaguerra swoops in. Like an exterminating angel, he kills and strikes. The Bohemians scream, cries of alarm are heard. Marforio rushes forward, but Malaguerra confronts him and kills him. Don Trico and Mercurio with lit torches shout: Death to the Bohemians – Many of them, believing that there are many Montealbanesi, flee and so Montalbano is reacquired, Giunetto freed. Don Trico raises the bridge and victory is complete.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Carlo and Amone fear an enemy assault at any moment when the help of the Romans arrives, led by the Archbishop Turpino and the two young Roman captains, Lucanio and Ariodante. This arrival restores courage to the Parisians and they rush into battle.
–Field. Ercolaro has received the announcement that Montalbano was taken by Marforio and he is studying the assault on Paris when war cries are heard.
Lucanio confronts and kills Pirronte.
Ariodante kills Ercularo.
Defeat and flight of the Bohemians. Release of prisoners and celebrations in Paris.
Darbena. Morbello arrives with Don Trico to announce that Montalbano is now safe and guarded by Giunetto and Don Mercurio. Clerice will be accompanied by various servants. She would like Morbello to go and live in Montalbano, but Morbello replies: “Your invitation is dear to me, but I cannot accept it because my father is not here to grant me it. He gave me Darbena as a home and until he himself decides otherwise, I will stay here. I do not want to disobey his orders” And Clerice says: “When he returns, it will be I myself who will tell him to call you to Montalbano where you will live with your brothers” – “I will not fail and I will rush to accept the call.
–So Clerice, with an escort of servants, returns to Montalbano while Morbello, with Trico, remains in Darbena.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Arrival of Gano, Namo, Ottone, Berlingeri, Uggieri, Dudone, Oliviero, Agolaccio, Viviano, Malagigi, and Giovone. They narrate the exploits of Utica and Soria. Then Carlo asks about Orlando, Rinaldo, Astolfo, and Bradamante, and he learns that they have gone to Piraga. Malagigi knows through his art that everything ended well in Piraga, too, and soon Orlando and the others will also arrive.
To honor his paladins, Carlo thinks of prolonging the festivities by narrating the danger incurred because of the Bohemians, and he presents Lucanio and Ariodante as newly appointed paladins. By now, on the golden book, there are twelve paladins, actually, thirteen, and they are:
Orlando – Rinaldo – Astolfo – Oliviero – Viviano – Dudone – Agolaccio – Alardo – Salardo – Ricciardetto – Lucanio – Ariodante – Giovone.
–Turpino the archbishop takes Malagigi aside and urges him to marry Eraclina, the sister of Lucanio and Ariodante. Malagigi met her on one of her trips to Rome with her uncle, the Pontiff, and she revealed her affection for Malagigi to Turpino. He happily agrees and leaves for Rome with Turpino, Lucanio, and Ariodante.
–Falconetto arrives in Paris with Iuba, Gilfi, and Caldonio. Falconetto, now healed from his wound, tells Gano about all the events beginning from his failed wedding up to Bertolagi’s death, which places Gano in great fear. “A mysterious adversary? … Who can this Malaguerra be? … Ah! We will have to find out and destroy him, otherwise, trouble! … ”
–Adalbert of Orléans arrives in Paris with his daughter Rosanna and presents himself to Carlo, begging him to excuse him for his daughter’s whim. She was to marry Falconetto d’Altafoglia, but after several vicissitudes she changed her mind and asked the Emperor for a tournament in Paris. She will be married to the victor. Carlo likes the idea. Seeing Rosanna’s beauty and knowing her to be very rich, he is convinced that all his Paladins who are still celibate will want to prove themselves, and this will make even livelier the celebrations in Paris in honor of all the Paladins who returned from Soria and Utica. So he proclaims that the tournament that will take place as soon as Orlando and his companions from Piraga arrive.
–Falconetto, who is in Paris, hearing this, eagerly presents himself to Carlo, protesting that Rosanna is already his betrothed, and Gano, who would gladly see such a union, supports Falconetto’s claim. Surprised, Carlo has Rosanna and Adalberto called to find out how things are. Rosanna frankly replies: “Magnanimous Emperor…When Falconetto asked my father to become my husband, I had not yet turned sixteen. I had no idea was marriage was and did not yet appreciate its importance, and so when my father announced it to me, I consented without opposition. But in the meantime, events occurred that made me realize that marriage is a very serious matter, especially for me, daughter of the Count of Orléans. Falconetto is noble, yes, but I came to understand that he is not a great champion in terms of valor, and that is why I appealed to Your Majesty for a tournament. I want a strong and valiant husband, and this is the only way to attain one. Let Falconetto also prove himself in the competition and, if he succeeds as a winner, I will be quite happy to become his wife ” – Carlo finds that Rosanna’s proposal is sensible and wants her to be satisfied. Rosanna returns to the Empress and an angry Falconetto goes with Gano, who wants to teach him some of his own techniques to facilitate his victory.
–In Darbena. Don Trico secretly announces to Morbello that Carlo granted Rosanna’s request of a tournament, so Morbello, in order to prepare himself, on the pretext of going hunting, says goodbye to Beatrice and leaves Don Trico in Darbena, saying that, since it is rumored that Rinaldo is about to arrive, should he come looking for him, Don Trico must personally warn him, and their meeting place is the little forest near the Seine where he will hide while awaiting the tournament in which he will participate unbeknownst to all; Rosanna, however, will certainly recognize him by Scipio’s armor.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Arrival of Orlando, Rinaldo, Astolfo, and Bradamante. A grand welcome on everyone’s part. Orlando and Astolfo remain in Paris, but Rinaldo and Bradamante continue on to Montalbano. Alardo, Salardo, Giovone, and Ricciardetto stay on to try their hand in the tournament, and they tell Astolfo about the vicissitudes of the disappointed Falconetto, at which Astolfo laughs and is curious to know who the mysterious Malaguerra is.
–In Montalbano, Rinaldo and Bradamante arrive. Clerice and Giunetto recount the danger they faced and how Morbello defeated their enemies. Rinaldo is pleased with this news and Clerice, by now fond of Morbello, beseeches Rinaldo to bring him from Darbena to Montalbano. Rinaldo sets off on Baiardo. Not seeing Giovone and Rinaldo’s three brothers, Clerice asks Bradamante about it, and she explains that they have stayed in Paris for Rosanna’s tournament. Don Mercurio celebrates the return of Pampa, Gioppino, and Tascone.
–Darbena. Arrival of Rinaldo, who embraces his mother and wants to see Morbello. Embarrassment of Don Trico, who, however, says: “He went to Castel Monaco where there is a forest full of game … he is so fond of hunting …” And a happy Rinaldo says: “Good, I will take Baiardo and go to Castel Monaco” – But Don Trico exclaims: “No, messer Rinaldo, stay and rest, give me Baiardo… I will go and call Morbello… it will be easier for me to find him…” – “You go then” says Rinaldo – And Don Trico says to himself: “What a mishap… That boy will end up causing me some trouble! … May God send me good luck! …” – And he leaves on Baiardo, albeit not toward Castel Monaco, but toward Paris.
–Site of the tournament in Paris. It begins while Carlo is on the Imperial stage with Galerana, who acts as godmother to Rosanna. Orlando is the field marshal and Duke Namo is the judge.
Dudone defeats Astolfo with the sword
Falconetto defeats Dudone
Falconetto defeats Alardo
Falconetto defeats Salardo
Agolaccio defeats Falconetto
Malaguerra arrives with his visor down, defeats Agolaccio.
Malaguerra defeats Viviano.
Falconetto recognizes Malaguerra and points him out to Gano, who, to avenge Bertolagi and the Magonzesi, rushes to Carlo to denounce him. As the tournament goes on,
Malaguerra defeats Giliarco di Bellamarina
Malaguerra defeats Giovone
Duke Namo arrives and says to Malaguerra: “Brave Knight, just now the Marquis Gano brought a serious accusation against you before the Emperor. You are accused of persecution of the Magonzesi with the aggravating circumstance of killing the baron Bertolagi and many subjects of Gano. It may be that you have valid reasons for doing so, but the Emperor wants to know everything, so he orders you to give me your sword, raise your visor, make yourself known, and subject yourself to his supreme judgment” – Malaguerra replies resolutely: “I appeal to the laws of chivalry that allow me to remain incognito until someone manages to defeat me… I have valid reasons to hate and fight against the Magonzesi. It is true, I have killed some of them and will continue to kill them whenever the opportunity presents itself… if you want to know who I am… my name is Malaguerra. As for my sword, I do not give it to anyone, and if Carlomagno wants it, he will have to come and snatch it from my hands!” – “Young man… mind you… if I were to relay this answer to Carlo, you could find yourself in grave danger… if you have reasons, explain them and I will act as an intermediary of peace…” – “Wise baron… if a Magonzese had said these words to me, by now he would have already been dead. Threats do not scare me, and, since Gano is the accuser, let him come and argue with me!” – “I will take your answer to Carlomagno,” and he leaves. Malaguerra is furious: “Give up my sword? I, Rinaldo’s son, and give so much satisfaction to the Magonzesi? For heaven’s sake! Never ever! … But what is happening? …”
–Gano arrives with many armed Magonzesi and shouts: “By order of the Emperor! Relinquish your sword and surrender as prisoner!!” – And Malaguerra scornfully: “Now the tournament becomes interesting! Pack of jackals I am Malaguerra!!” And like lightning he kills. Gano saves himself by fleeing and Malaguerra shouts: “That’s how you respect the laws of the tournament? Carlomagno, foolish and disloyal Emperor, we will meet again!!” – Having said that, he departs in haste. Orlando, Oliviero, and Agolaccio arrive on the spot; then Carlomagno, who along with Gano cries out for revenge, commands the three barons to pursue him and take him prisoner in order to find out who he is and severely punish him. Orlando, Oliviero, and Agolaccio leave in different directions while Astolfo enthusiastically says: For all the devils! That’s a valiant warrior!! And he has it in for the Magonzesi… I, too, will go in search of him, but to protect and help him.
Rosanna is dismayed… What will become of Malaguerra? … Now she admires him for his valor and strength and regrets having invited him to the tournament… He put himself in danger because of her … She makes vows to God so that he will be able to save himself, and she returns to Orléans with her father in the hope that Malaguerra will go there seeking refuge to avoid the Imperial wrath.
–Little forest near the Seine. Don Trico has arrived with Baiardo. That is the meeting place, but Morbello is not here… May he at least arrive soon! … Rinaldo will be waiting impatiently in Darbena … there is no denying that… the boy is a magnificent champion, but he has an untamable character and an overly combative and impulsive instinct… Even if he were the biological son of Rinaldo, he could not be any more like him.” Malaguerra arrives, panting and agitated. He has left Paris, not out of fear, but rather to avoid shedding blood that is not that of a Magonzese. In short, he informs Don Trico of what has happened, and a frightened Don Trico shouts: “Poor us! What a mess you’ve made! But what will Rinaldo say when he knows what has happened? … He will go into a rage… You acted without thinking about the consequences… ”– “Silence! … You will not be compromised… but … someone is running toward us… – “Are you being chased?!.” “I don’t know; hide, quick!” – Trico hides. Orlando arrives with Durlindana drawn and says in a severe voice: “I have finally reached you… Why did you flee? … Have you therefore understood the severity of your guilt?” – “I have not committed any fault! I was attacked and I defended myself! Is it customary at the court of Carlomagno to mistreat knights?” – “You did not obey the Emperor … you rebelled against his orders!” – “I am not his servant and I am not obligated to obey him!” – “You have offended his dignity with words and deeds… you have outraged him and outrage demands punishment!” – “I am the outraged one, not him!” – “Give up your sword and follow me!” – “Malaguerra does not give up his sword to anyone!” – “Maybe you do not know me… I’m Orlando, first paladin and Gonfalonier of the Church… surrendering your sword to me, it is not a dishonor!” – “Even if you were Carlomagno or Pope Leo III, I would not give up my sword! – “Then I will take it from you by force!” – “Try, if you can!” –
They rush at each other and the fight is long and terrible until both are stunned.
–A desperate Don Trico rushes to Morbello, believing him dead or wounded. Instead, he is about to regain consciousness. The fine armor has withstood Durlindana’s blows. Malaguerra comes to and Don Trico advises the young man to run away and stay absent until things have calmed down… Of course, Rinaldo will not want to abandon him, but it is better for now to avoid his bad mood. Morbello says: “You are right. Give me Baiardo… and since Orlando wanted my sword… I will leave it to him, but I will take Durlindana, see you again Don Trico, say hello to my father!” So saying, he takes Durlindana, mounts Baiardo, and sets off at a gallop. Don Trico is perplexed… Who knows what uproar will result… he would like to help Orlando, but he would have to explain why he is there… he sees that Orlando is about to recover… better to go back to Darbena and tell Rinaldo everything. So he leaves. As Orlando regains consciousness, an old hermit approaches and stares at him. Orlando stands up and murmurs to himself: “I, on the ground… this place… ah! now I remember… the mysterious Malaguerra… the fight… For all the military glories! … I fell stunned! … I, I, who have won so many battles, who have annihilated ferocious giants, stunned by a knight of small stature and youthful appearance… And here! … instead of my Durlindana, any sword! … Ah, this does not seem true to me!”. The hermit speaks “It is real, you’d better believe it.” Orlando turns abruptly and sees the hermit, then says: “Defeated and robbed! … My dishonor! … Good old man, have you seen which way my opponent is headed? … tell me so that I can reach him and have my revenge! …” – “He set off on a swift steed, nor will you certainly be able to catch up with him” – “Ill fortune! What is left for me to do?” – “Keep your promise to God!” – “A promise? I don’t’ know which?” – “A heavenly voice told me last night that in a moment of extreme danger you made a vow to God… a vow that you have not yet kept… How can heaven still give you victory if you have forgotten about heaven?” – Orlando thinks, then exclaims: “It is true! When in the castle of the beautiful Fulvia everyone was about to die of hunger… yes, yes, now I remember… I invoked salvation from God, promising to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem… In the midst of so many undertakings, I had forgotten… But my word is sacred! Today I will set off… Good Hermit, do you have a pilgrim’s cloak? I will wear it and I will place my weapons in your hands… do you want to keep them until my return?” – “Why don’t you take them to Paris?” – “Because my uncle would not let me leave” – “Then I agree to keep your weapons. Come to my humble abode for a pilgrim’s robe… I have one… you will wear it” – “I do not know when I will be able to return…” – “It does not matter… In my cave there is a safe hiding place, there you will place your weapons… if I should die, you will find your weapons where you have hidden them…” “I have lost my Durlindana… this saddens me” – “The day will come when the fine sword will return to you… do not despair… come… Once your promise is fulfilled, you will get everything back… armour, sword, honor, and fortune! Come!”
And they leave together.
–In Darbena. Rinaldo is concerned about the lateness of Don Trico and Morbello. Beatrice calms him down by saying that the boy’s absences are very frequent and sometimes very long… he is so passionate about hunting! …”
Astolfo arrives and cheerfully announces to Rinaldo that the Magonzesi have found another opponent, and he narrates the unexpected appearance of a mysterious knight and the disastrous outcome of the tournament. Now Orlando, Agolaccio, and Oliviero are chasing the brave Malaguerra…
–Surprised, Rinaldo exclaims: But! … Malaguerra is my son’s nickname! …” – “Your son? … Which one? Giunetto? Because Giovone is in Paris!” – “Not Giovone or Giunetto… I’m talking about Morbello…” – “Morbello? … But where does this other son come from?” – “I can trust the secret to you, dear Astolfo. He is a son that I took as a child from the hands of a merchant… I don’t know who his parents are… he had to be killed, I don’t know by whose command… and I raised him, or rather, he was raised in Darbena by my mother … He is convinced that he is my son and educated in arms by me and Bradamante. He has already accomplished feats, saving Montalbano from the invasion of the Bohemians…” – “And from what I heard from Gano, he sent many Magonzesi to hell in Altafoglia, in the clearing of Terralba…” – “I did not know that…” – “Yes, he forbade the wedding of Rosanna of Orléans with Falconetto… For heaven’s sake!! How good!! Long live Malaguerra! Dear Rinaldo, you made a good acquisition!! – “But now, you told me that he is being followed… what will become of him? …”
At this instant Don Trico arrives, dejected and hesitant. Rinaldo says: “Come! I see you hesitant… you did not find him? … – And Trico: “I found him, but…” “Speak!..” Now he has escaped with Baiardo and Durlindana…” – “With Durlindana?…” – “Which he took from Orlando …” – “from Orlando?!” – “Whom I saw fall stunned …” – “By whom?” – “By the boy, by Morbello!” –
Everyone is surprised and Astolfo shouts: “By Saint Dionigi! This Malaguerra has the devil in his body! …” – And Don Trico: “If you only knew! … At Falconetto’s wedding…” – And Rinaldo: “I already know everything! But why did you not prevent… I even admonished you to keep an eye on him! …” – “Eh, yes, you are right, Messer Rinaldo, but who can stop him when he goes into a frenzy!? – “And where did he go?” – “I do not know… I advised him not to show himself for a while until the storm has passed…” Astolfo says: “If he is attached to his family, he will not go too far… Rinaldo, you have to go search for him and protect him!” – “You are right!” – So Rinaldo and Astolfo go in search of him and Don Trico stays to comfort the agitated Beatrice.
–A village. Malaguerra arrives on Baiardo. He is hungry. He has not eaten for a day. He sees a tavern. He ties the horse to the grating of a window and goes in to eat. Various farmers admire the beautiful horse when Oliviero arrives. He recognizes Baiardo and, believing Rinaldo is there, he asks the farmers where the knight is… and hearing that he is in the inn, he thinks of letting him know what happened so that he can help him look for the knight Malaguerra and at the entrance he calls: “Rinaldo!”
– “Who is calling Rinaldo? …” And Malaguerra goes out. The surprise of Oliviero, who says: “How do you have Baiardo?” – “That is none of your business!” – “Is that how you answer me? … Hand over your sword and follow me to Paris!” – “I will come to Paris when I feel like it, but not now.” – “And yet you will come… On the order of Carlomagno!” – “Carlomagno will wait until I’m good and ready!” – “I will force you with the sword!” So saying, Oliviero draws his sword” – “On guard!” says Morbello. – “What! Do I see Durlindana in your hand? How did you get it?” – “But do you know that you are very curious? … Curious and annoying! You disturbed me while I was at the table … But! By the way … I have to pay the bill to the innkeeper and I have no money … Would you be at least kind enough to pay it for me? …” – “But this is the height of impudence!” – “Are you also without money? How shameful!” – “My money is not for you! On guard!” – They fight furiously and Oliviero falls wounded. Malaguerra says to the innkeeper and the farmers: “Take care of him. He is wounded… he is unconcious… I am sorry for him since he is not a Magonzese… but he was too stubborn… (takes his bag away) Oh, good! Here is a bag well stocked with money… To you, innkeeper… two gold coins… the rest to me, I will need it!” And he sets off on Baiardo while the innkeeper and the farmers carry away the wounded Oliviero.
–Exterior of a grand villa by a lake. Rinaldo and Astolfo travelling. It is late in the evening and Astolfo says: “Yes, Rinaldo, in this villa we will find refreshments and rest. Night is approaching and today we have traveled enough without, unfortunately finding any trace of our good Malaguerra” – “As I understand it, you know the owner of this beautiful villa” – “Yes, and we go way back. The owner of this villa, where I have stayed on other occasions, is called Teodoro. A wealthy merchant of armor and weapons, he came to England several times when I was there with my mother. An excellent person, honest, loyal… Three years ago, when he got married, he came to see me, and, given our friendship, when he had a child, I held him at baptism and he was given the name Astolfo. In short, my name. You can imagine how happy he and his wife will be to see me again” – “Very well. We will spend the night here. Tomorrow we will resume our search.” –
Astolfo calls, and a servant comes out of the villa and asks what they want. Astolfo says: “Inform Teodoro, the owner of this villa, that the paladin Astolfo is here” – “Excuse me, Knight, but Mister Teodoro… He is no longer here…” – “Has he left?” – “He is dead” – “Dead! … What do I hear! … So, inform lady Flora, his wife” – “Alas, knight… Lady Flora is also dead” – “Flora, too? … And their child? …” – “He died, too!” – “But this is incredible! … And who now lives in the villa? …” – “Mister Teodoro’s sister, lady Giaèle” – “So tell lady Giaèle” – The servant leaves. Astolfo is dismayed to hear the sad news… and Rinaldo as well. Giaèle comes out, dressed in mourning, and kindly exclaims: “You, is it really you, the kind and valiant Astolfo?” – “Yes, and with me, my cousin Rinaldo… We wanted to spend the night here, but I learned the painful news from your servant… But what happened? … Teodoro, his wife, their child… All dead? …” – “Do not tell me about it… my heart is broken!” – “Please tell me how it happened!” – “A year ago, my brother Teodoro, finding himself sufficiently wealthy, sold his ship, stopped traveling, and bought this villa with the intention of living in peace with his family” – “I knew that. Continue” – “About three months ago, my sister-in-law went for a walk with the child on the nearby mount Corvo. How it happened, we do not know, but the fact is that mother and son fell into a horrid crevasse and their bodies were smashed in a horrifying way!” – “What a misfortune!” – “Not seeing them return by dinner time, both my brother and I began to search frantically… until we discovered them down there, whence with great difficulty we managed to recover their bodies. From that day on, my brother became melancholy and sad… always gloomy and closed in his pain. I tried in vain to console him… Until one evening, while I was up there at the window, I saw Teodoro approaching the lake… leap and dive into the water… He disappeared forever! … In vain I screamed. Frightened, I called the servants… in vain I tried to find his body… The depth of the waters prevented any search… Now, anguished, I live with the sad memory and try to resign myself” – “But it is something that makes the heart tremble! …” – “Yes, unfortunately … but if I am not mistaken … You seek hospitality” – “For tonight … tomorrow at dawn we will leave …” – “Come in, come in, knights, you will have refreshments and soft beds (and calls) Roingo, Roingo …” – A very tall and robust man comes out of the villa, dressed as a merchant who bows down at the sight of the paladins, saying: “Who is it that I see here!! The valiant paladins Rinaldo and Astolfo!” – “Do you know us?” – “Certainly. I am a merchant and I often go to Paris” – Giaèle says: “He was a great friend of my brother… now he is my fiancé and after the period of mourning, we will get married… Roingo, have two rooms prepared for the gentlemen, I will take care of the dinner.” And they all enter the villa.
–Interior of the villa. After dinner, Rinaldo goes to bed, but Astolfo is meditating on what has happened before turning in for the night. Those deaths that followed one another so quickly make him doubt, especially since he knew Teodoro to be a serious, religious, and well-balanced man… the idea of suicide does not sit right with him… he would like to investigate… And cautiously, it is almost night, he calls the servant aside and deftly interrogates him by giving him some coins… “Did no one else besides Giaèle see Theodore jump into the lake?” – “Me, sir” – “And did they try to look for his body in the lake?” – “Yes, some attempts were made…” – “As soon as I have time, I will take an interest in this… I know sailors in England who are experts in this kind of research… Enough, good night” and he goes to bed. The servant runs to Roingo and tells him what Astolfo has asked, and says… it seems that he has some suspicions… Roingo consults with Giaèle… if he has the lake searched and does not find the body… there will be trouble! …” – “We will let them leave and then we will really throw him away…” “Since he does not want to reveal where he has hidden his savings … it is better that we get rid of him, in any case, let us go and try one more time!” –
–Prison. Teodoro, chained, would like to be able to get out to take revenge on his sister and Roingo… but how to do it? … If he reveals where he has hidden his financial assets, they will certainly kill him, and it is precisely with the hope of finding the money that they have left him alive until now…”. Carrying a lantern, Roingo and Giaèle enter the prison and urge him to reveal where he has hidden the money he gained through trade and the sale of the ship. He says to leave him free and he will say where the money is. They promise to set him free, but first they want to know where the treasure is. Finally, Roingo furiously announces his imminent death and leaves with Giaèle, infuriated. Teodoro has lost all hope of rescue, he therefore resigns himself to death, he will go to join his wife and son who have, without a doubt, been thrown into the ravine by the perfidious Roingo.
–Interior of the villa. It is dawn. Rinaldo and Astolfo get up and thank Roingo and Giaèle for the hospitality. Then Astolfo brings the conversation around to Teodoro, assuring them that he will take on the responsibility of recovering the body of his friend Teodoro in a few days. Giaèle replies: “I will show you the place where you will have to try to recover the body because only I saw where he drowned” – The two Paladins leave. Then the traitors decide to get rid of Teodoro. They go and get him with the servant and drag him to the lake to throw him in.
–Lake shore with bushes around. Seeing that this time they really want to kill him, Theodore casts a curse on them: “I curse you! Murderers! But you will not have my treasure!” – Rinaldo and Astolfo suddenly appear. They kill the servant and Roingo who, dying, confesses that he threw Flora and Astolfino into the ravine. As for Giaèle, Teodoro begs the Paladins to allow her to leave… God will think about punishing her since she acted at the instigation of her lover. Thus Giaèle is sent away. Teodoro, freed, thanks the liberators saying that he had immediately suspected that his wife and son had been murdered… “Flora was too cautious and prudent to end up in a ravine… But you, how did you suspect?” – Astolfo replies: “Interrogating the servant, I understood that the false female had lied because she assured me that she alone had seen you fall into the lake, while the servant, cleverly questioned by me, claimed to have seen him, too; he was therefore an accomplice… This morning, as I left the villa, I informed Rinaldo of my suspicions and, instead of leaving, we hid to study the means to discover the truth. When we saw them dragging you to the lake, I understood that I had frightened them by saying that I intended to recover your body… and they had decided to really drown you so that their lie would not be detected”. Thus the two Paladins return to the villa and Teodoro wants to show them the place where he has hidden the treasure and that is in the garden near an elm tree, buried in a chest, and he offers it, but the paladins thank him[3] … Who knows, maybe one day they will need it…
–Countryside with the view of an old and gloomy castle. Giaèle wanders around like a desperate woman. “Where am I going? … Oh, terror! … Driven away … The plot discovered … Roingo dead … I am alone again, alone and miserable! … Oh, my dream of wealth and happiness, how destroyed you are!! … And now! What will become of me? … I have nothing more!! … Nothing? … Not so fast! – I am young and attractive enough to still find a man who can be attracted to me and maybe… have him protect me… and maybe even avenge me… to get my revenge!! It is true!! All is not lost and those two unfortunate Paladins will not rise up a second time to prevent my intrigues … Courage, Giaèle! … Here is a castle… let’s try our luck… But, who comes out? …”
A man with a gloomy countenance comes out of the castle. He is Talùagh, the master of the castle. Giaèle meets him and says: “Greetings to you, Lord!” – “And to you, greetings! All alone…a lady with a noble bearing …How do you explain such misfortune?” – “Are you the lord of this castle?” – “Yes… I am Talùagh, count of Rocca Tetra [Gloomy Rock]” – “And I am an unfortunate woman… victim of the tyranny of a cruel brother… My name is Giaèle… Tell me, Sir… in your life, have you ever loved? …” – “And who in life can say that they have not loved? … I have loved yes, but I cursed, and still curse, the moment in which my heart felt the first beat of affection!!” – “Were you unfortunate? …” – “No; I was a fool, and the woman I loved poisoned my life… Now I hate life… I hate all of humanity and my only pleasure is to see people suffer and make them suffer!” – “I, too, am going through a terrible period… I loved a man who was to become my husband… they killed him and I am driven away by a barbarous brother. I hate him, I hate him with all the strength of my being … Do you want to protect me? … Do you want to unite your hatred with mine and thus have an outlet against that humanity you abhor?” – Talùagh has an atrocious grin and replies: “Woman, your proposal makes me smile… And do you think, then, that I have waited until now to vent my furious wrath on mankind? … Listen to my story, and tremble!! Twenty years ago, I married a young peasant girl … her name was Flaminia. I, rich, had set my gaze on her, very poor and orphaned. She was beautiful and… I thought, docile and good-natured. She appeared enthusiastic to marry me and after about a year she gave me a son to whom I gave the name of Marchino. Blind with love, I did not notice that the perfidious woman was cheating on me with one of my young groomsmen. A necromancer friend of mine warned me of my wife’s infidelity… The child that was born was not my son!! – I managed to catch the two lovers together! Blind with rage, I slaughtered my rival and locked up my treacherous wife in prison. But that was not enough to vent my anger. I wanted my wizard friend to transform the child into a hideous little monster so that the captive mother would see him grow up before her eyes, not a man, but a monster. The years went by…The monster had become tall and ferocious… I left mother and son eight days without food, buried alive down there in the basement of my castle… and from a small hole, I was watching them… Hunger fulfilled my revenge… The hungry monster tore his mother to pieces!!” – Giaèle screams and shouts: “Horrible!! How terrifying!!” and she tries to flee, but Talùagh grabs her and holds her, grunting: “No… Stop! You must hear me to the end! … With the mother torn to pieces, I wanted to keep the monster alive and still enjoy my revenge… All those who pass in front of my castle are taken prisoner and one by one thrown into Marchino’s tomb to be devoured by the monster… Today, unfortunately, I have no one to deliver to him… You have arrived… Welcome! You will serve as a meal for Marchino!” – Giaèle yells: “Ah, no! No! Leave me! … I do not want to die! …” – “Did you say that you are unfortunate and unhappy? Your misfortunes will soon be over. Hey!!” – Two thugs rush out from the castle and Talùagh orders them: “Take her and throw her immediately into Marchino’s tomb!”–
Giaèle screams, but she struggles in vain; she is dragged away and they all enter the Castle.
[end of the first notebook]
–Royal Palace of Paris. Carlomagno comments with Gano about the events of Rosanna’s tournament and hopes that Orlando, Oliviero, and Agolaccio can reach that mysterious Malaguerra and lead him to Paris where his true identity will be discovered and he will be punished. Gano insists and tries to aggravate the faults of the wanted man by underscoring his appearance in Altafoglia and his killing of the Magonzesi. Once Gano remains alone, Falconetto approaches him. He cannot find peace for the loss of Rosanna and begs Gano to help him win back the girl. Gano thinks and he, too, sees this union as advantageous. He advises going to Orléans with a good escort and abducting the young woman… After all, she was already promised to Falconetto and only on a whim has she broken her word… She will have to be taken to Altafoglia… As for Carlomagno, he will take care of calming him down. Falconetto approves of Gano’s advice and leaves for the enterprise.
–Countryside. Malaguerra with Baiardo arrives near a shepherd’s house. He is worried. By now Don Trico will have told Rinaldo everything that happened… What will his father think of him? … Will he take into consideration his actions to the detriment of the Magonzesi or will he instead deplore his overeagerness to fight? … As Don Trico advised him, he does not intend to leave France so that he can be ready to join his father in case he is called back… He looks around and he sees a castle in the distance. He would like to go there but he does not know who lives there and he would not want to run into some baron of the imperial court… Better to ask that shepherd for information. Therefore, with a signal he calls him over and asks him who is the master of that castle. The shepherd, a little hesitant, replies: “Sir knight… I advise you to keep away from Rocca Tetra… It is dangerous to go there and you could get hurt!” – “Explain yourself, is it perhaps a den of thieves?” – “Who knows? Of course, the master of the castle is a man with a grim and repugnant appearance… Rarely does he leave the castle and I always try to avoid him” – “This is not enough to consider that castle dangerous…” – “Slow down, dear sir… there is something else. As far as I know, more than one traveler went to ask for an accommodation, but… all those I saw enter there, I never saw them leave… Once… brrr… I tremble just thinking about it… one of my sheep ran away from me towards those old and blackened walls… It was dusk… I chased the sheep to bring it back here… and I caught up with it right next to the tower… All of a sudden, in the silence of the evening, I heard frightening, heartbreaking screams coming from underground! … It was a human voice, do you understand? … As if someone were being tortured in a ferocious way, and among the lamentations I heard furious grunts as if a beast roared below! Trembling, I froze, holding even my breath… I realized that the screams and roars were coming from a kind of window above the ground at the bottom of the tower… The window was equipped with a grating and almost hidden by prickly brambles. The cries continued for a little while, but then everything went silent… and I, frightened, went away… I believed it was an illusion of mine, but after a few days curiosity prompted me to return to that place… I approached the opening… no moans… no noise… I looked down, but the darkness did not allow me to distinguish anything… That dungeon must be as deep as a well! – Touching it, I realized that the grating, corroded by rust, moved away from the wall… but a terrible roar rang in my ear and down very low I saw two luminous phosphorescent points… certainly the eyes of a beast! … I fled like a desperate man and never returned to the place… This is why I advise you to keep away from that castle… Something terrible must happen in there!” – Morbello replies: “Your narration is somewhat fantastic and excites my curiosity. For now, all I’m asking of you is a little refreshment… I have some money and I can repay you… Then, instead of entering that castle through the door, you will get me a strong rope that I will tie to a tree and try to get in there by lowering myself through the window you told me about…” – Frightened, the shepherd urges him to avoid such an undertaking, but Malaguerra replies: “Dangers are my passion… they do not scare me. Do it my way and you will be rewarded.
–Interior of Rocca Tetra. Talùagh is worried… In the holding cell for prisoners destined to become Marchino’s meal, there is no one left… he does not want the monster to die of hunger… It is clear that the disappearance of people from the surrounding area has made the inhabitants suspicious, and they now keep away from Rocca Tetra… Still, it is necessary to provide for it in some way…
–A servant announces a knight who, in passing, asks for hospitality. Talùagh exclaims: “He comes at a fitting time… Marchino is lucky… the knight will serve as dinner… First he will dine at my table, then he himself will become a meal for Marchino… whoever he is, we will put him to sleep with a pinch of narcotic… then…” (to the servant) Accompany the knight here. The servant accompanies Agolaccio. He is well received and asks if a knight named Malaguerra has passed through there… He gives the characteristics, but Talùagh says he knows nothing about it and invites him to lunch. Except that Agolaccio drinks very little and the narcotic numbs him without making him fall asleep… But he is taken and taken to the basement by the servants while almost devoid of his senses. He does not understand what they are doing with him.
–Dimly-lit basement. The monster Marchino wanders around grunting… he listens… he has heard someone coming in the corridor… The door opens and Agolaccio is pushed inside and immediately the door closes again… Agolaccio, who has fallen to the ground, stands up and… finds himself in front of the monster who stares at him yearningly. “What is happening to me? … Where did they bring me? … Who is in front of me!! A monster! And they also took away my sword!! I am betrayed, but why? …” The monster attacks him, Agolaccio tries to defend himself, a fight ensues, but the monster is stronger and bites him. Agolaccio shouts: “Help, help!!” – Malaguerra drops down from above shouting: “Take heart, I am here!” and he faces the monster. The latter gets angry and tries to grab him, but Malaguerra kills him, then assists Agolaccio and recognizes him. Agolaccio also recognizes Malaguerra and, while saying that he was looking for him to take him to Carlomagno, thanks him for saving his life. “We will talk about this later (says Morbello), now, by means of the rope by which I descended, we will get out of here and go to settle the bill with the master of the castle.”
And thus they leave the basement.
–Interior of Rocca Tetra. Talùagh is thinking that Marchino has food for two or three days… Giaèle, in fact, lasted almost three days… “But what noise is this? …” The frightened servants enter… A knight with his visor down has entered by surprise and is slaughtering those inside. Talùagh shouts: “To arms! To the defense, but Malaguerra enters furiously and kills everyone, then, with Agolaccio, he runs through the entire castle to see if there are any prisoners to save, but they find no one and depart from Rocca Tetra.
–Countryside with the shepherd’s house. He arrives trembling… At the spot where Malaguerra descended with the rope, he had heard screams and roars! Of course, the knight must have died there, and he fled frightened… but now that there is the rope… will that beast manage to climb up and get out? In any case, all he can do is flee to save himself. He sees two horsemen approaching. It is Rinaldo and Astolfo who ask if he has seen a knight pass by… and they give the characteristics. The shepherd replies that in fact he has passed by and he narrates everything, but he gives him up for dead. The two paladins are about to be led to the place when with joy and surprise they see Morbello and Agolaccio arriving. Rinaldo embraces his son, and Agolaccio, hearing that he is Rinaldo’s son, embraces him, calling him his savior. So Astolfo and Agolaccio think of going ahead of Rinaldo and Morbello to Paris to obtain Morbello’s forgiveness from Carlo. The shepherd is left master of the castle of Talùagh.
–In Orléans. Adalberto and his daughter are worried about Malaguerra. Falconetto arrives, announced by a servant. Rosanna says: “What is he doing here?” Falconetto enters and Adalberto asks him what he wants – “You should know, Count Adalberto… I come to claim my rights!” – “Rights? Which?” – “Do not try to fool me! … Your daughter Rosanna was supposed to marry me and, although the marriage was postponed due to an intruder, I feel authorized to remind you that Rosanna belongs to me” – And Rosanna replies: “When my ignorance had not yet allowed me to know who you really are, naive and trusting, I was about to fall into your snares, but as soon as I understood the danger, or rather, when I saw that you are a coward and a traitor, I hastened to detach myself from you, and, resorting to Carlomagno, find a husband worthy of me and my house” – “Ha, ha! … I understood enough of your game… You devised the tournament in the hope that Malaguerra would be the winner… Are you not ashamed of preferring to me—noble, rich and handsome—an unknown vagrant knight who perhaps hides an ugly and repulsive mug behind a massive visor?” – “He has a face a hundred times more beautiful than yours, but even if that were not the case, he has a mind a thousand times better than you and the entire Magonza clan!” – “Rosanna! Do not exasperate me, otherwise! …” – “What do you mean to say?” – “That I am ready to resort to extreme measures!” – Adalbert shouts: “Unworthy! Would you dare?” – “Either Rosanna returns to me with love or she will come back by force!!” – Adalberto shouts: “Hey, my trusted one, show this fellow to the door!!” – Falconetto grins: Your servants are have been immobilized by my Magonzesi…” – “Wretch! Woe to you!” – And Adalberto draws his sword, but Falconetto takes his sword, too, and calls his Magonzesi accomplices. Adalberto falls wounded and Rosanna is forcibly taken away.
Adalberto is rescued by his servants and taken to bed to recover.
–Royal Palace of Paris. While Gano is restless thinking who could be that mysterious Malaguerra who hates and persecutes his Magonzesi clan so much, Astolfo and Agolaccio arrive and present themselves to Carlomagno and say that Morbello, known as Malaguerra, is the son of Rinaldo, who, in order to have a quiet family life and to not hurt Clerice, was brought up by Beatrice in Darbéna and, it is understood, since the grandmother told him how much wrong Ginamo and the Magonzesi had done, he decided to hate the whole family. In the end, Rosanna no longer wants anything to do with Falconetto. They narrate the betrayal of Bertolagi and the fake friars at the clearing of Terralba, which has embittered even more the soul of Morbello. They add, however, that he saved Montalbano from the Bohemians. Gano would like Carlo to take into account the bloodthirsty character of Morbello, but Astolfo silences him by saying that the Imperial court would acquire an extraordinary champion in Malaguerra. Carlo is convinced and allows Morbello to be presented to him.
Rinaldo arrives with Morbello, who has his visor up. Carlo receives him and elects him the fifteenth paladin, urging him to be valiant, but respectful of the imperial orders and of the Magonzesi who are part of the forces of the entire Empire. As winner of the tournament, he is acknowledged to be worthy of marrying Rosanna. Then Rinaldo decides to go immediately to Montalbano to make preparations for the wedding of Morbello and Rosanna. Carlo promises to attend the wedding celebration. Morbello and Astolfo leave for Orléans to take Rosanna and her father back with them to Montalbano. Rinaldo leaves for his castle. Gano to himself, thinking that Falconetto will have already forced Rosanna to do his will, now fears some other disaster.
The fifteen elected paladins are:
Orlando – Rinaldo – Astolfo – Oliviero – Viviano – Dudone – Agolaccio – Alardo – Salardo – Ricciardetto – Lucanio – Ariodante – Giovone, Giunetto, Morbello.
–Hall in Orléans. Adalberto, bandaged, has one arm in a sling. Agitated, he wants to ask Carlo to punish Falconetto and is worried about Rosanna, when Malaguerra and Astolfo arrive and, hearing everything that has happened, they leave quickly for the castle of Altafoglia. Adalberto follows them at a short distance.
–In the castle of Altafoglia. Falconetto has Rosanna locked up in a room. He is irritated by the aversion she shows him while instead, in front of that damned Malaguerra, she showed herself docile and submissive… Now he has decided to drag her to church in front of a priest… and there, happy or not, she will have to submit. He calls a Magonzese priest named Don Pacuvio and instructs him on what he must do, that is, try to persuade her to agree to the marriage. Rosanna is brought into the presence of Falconetto and Don Pacuvio. She indignantly says: “I was already convinced that the Magonzesi were traitors, but that they could sink to the depths of offending women who cannot defend themselves, I would never have imagined!” Falconetto replies: “It’s your fault, Rosanna! Blame your whims, your fickleness. When a young girl changes her mind so easily, one must bring her back to the path of reason by any suitable means.” “Your suitable means, as you call them, make you even more contemptible in my eyes… What do you hope to get from me? … Know this… and this is the last time I will say it to you: I will never be your bride… I would rather die than join a vile and abject creature like you! – “You insult me! …Beware, love despised produces tremendous hatred and I could vent my anger on you… After all, you are in my hands and I can force you to do my will! …” – “Are you not ashamed to speak like that in front of a priest? … But yes… this minister of God, if he is a Magonzese, can only be your accomplice!” – Pacuvio says: “Damsel, you are out of your mind and you offend in a scandalous way! … Falconetto deserves respect… he loves you…” – “He loves my riches; he knows that my father is rich and he does not want to give up on becoming his heir… Enough! I claim my freedom. Do you not realize that my father will appeal to the Emperor and you will be punished for your wicked deed? … – “Sins of love are easily forgiven!” – “Even if Carlomagno were to forgive, you should fear the wrath of Malaguerra!” – “Ah, ah…Malaguerra!! Who knows where he is at this hour! …”
At this moment a frightful uproar is heard and many voices shouting: “Malaguerra! Malaguerra!!” –Dismayed, Falconetto yells: “What is going on?!” – The clash of arms gets closer and various Magonzese soldiers, among them Cubebe, enter the room. They are armed but afraid. Breathless, Cubeb shouts: “Malaguerra has entered the castle by surprise and is slaughtering our men…” – Falconetto draws his sword and shouts: “Let’s face him … let’s kill him!” –
Malaguerra enters furiously with Durlindana, and shouts: “Rosanna! I am here! …”– Astolfo, also armed, follows him. Malaguerra wreaks havoc. Falconetto falls to the ground wounded, Cubeb flees… the Magonzese soldiers are massacred. Rosanna shouts: “You arrived just in time!” – “This is the second time I have prevented your wedding. Last time you scolded me…” – “This time I thank you” – “Last time you shouted your hatred and contempt at me” – “Today I express my admiration and love for you” – “But I am a stranger to you” – “You are a brave and loyal knight and that is enough for me” – “Well, know that I am the son of the paladin Rinaldo… my name is Morbello, but for my enemies I am Malaguerra! –” “I met you under the name of Malaguerra and this name is so dear to me” – “To the point of accepting him as your husband?” – “Were you not the winner of the tournament? … You therefore have full rights over me…” – Astolfo sees Adalberto arrive and says to him: “Look at these sweet kids… they exchange such beautiful, moving words… Come on, embrace each other, and then, departure for Montalbano. That is where you will get married!”
But while the youths embrace each other, Falconetto stands up halfway and stabs Rosanna, saying: “Not mine, but not his either! … –
Rosanna wails while Malaguerra finishes off Falconetto with his sword. Astolfo and Adalberto support Rosanna – “Murderer! Malaguerra shouts and furiously strikes Falconetto even though he is dead, then runs to her and shouts, “Rosanna, speak… alas! A doctor!!” – “It would be useless… I feel that I am dying! …” – “Oh no, that cannot be … Rosanna…you dying? You are too young, you are too dear to my heart…Now that I have conquered you, God will not allow me to lose you! …” – “It is very sad to leave you… my beloved, my handsome knight, my life by your side would have been so beautiful…” – “Rosanna, you are tearing apart my soul, do not say that, you are tearing apart my heart …” – “You will remember me, right? … When I am in heaven, I will pray for you… Goodbye! …” – “Look at me, I am your Morbello.” – “Ma…laguerra!” – Rosanna dies.
Malaguerra weeps. Astolfo comforts him and Adalberto embraces his daughter’s body. Astolfo says: “Today there is one more angel in heaven.” And Morbello cries out: “But a demon will soon descend into hell… I am going to Paris to hurl Gano into the abyss of Satan!!” – And he runs off like a desperate man, shouting: “Burn this castle to the ground, so that one stone does not remain upon another!!”
Astolfo and Adalberto carry Rosanna away, after a while flashes are seen and amidst devastating noise the castle is destroyed by flames.
–Royal Palace of Paris. Cubebe arrives and tells Gano about the appearance of Malaguerra, the Magonzese massacre in Altafoglia, and the death of Rosanna and Falconetto. Gano is dismayed; however, he plans to change the appearance of what happened in order to exonerate the Magonzesi and unload the blame on Malaguerra. He presents himself to Carlomagno and says that by now Rosanna had regretted having rejected Falconetto and had decided to marry him, when, a moment after the wedding, Malaguerra reappeared in a rage. He killed Rosanna and Falconetto out of jealousy, massacred women, old people, and children without mercy in Altafoglia, and then set fire to the castle, destroying it. Carlomagno is horrified and calls out for the court barons, who rush in and quickly learn what Gano has told him. There is a sense of dismay all around, and at this moment Oliviero arrives. Hearing them speak of Malaguerra, he narrates his encounter with him, how he was wounded and saw Durlindana in the hands of Malaguerra, who certainly in some way (although he did not wanted to tell) put Orlando to death by robbing him of the sword while he stole his purse. Increasingly irate, Carlo orders to hunt down that bloodthirsty thief, traitor and arsonist, to arrest him and drag him into his presence.
But at this moment Morbello arrives armed with Durlindana, shouting: “Death to Gano, to all the Magonzesi and to those who protect them!” Carlo calls his guards, those present arm themselves. Morbello shouts that he wants Gano, but he is attacked. He defends himself furiously, kills several guards, and strikes the arm of Carlomagno, who flees with Gano. Viviano, Agolaccio, and Astolfo rush in and calm him down, and Astolfo advises him to go to Montalbano. Morbello recounts the abduction and death of Rosanna, which incenses Astolfo, who promises to clarify the matter with Carlo. Morbello, although still angry, to please Astolfo, leaves.
Astolfo, Agolaccio, and Viviano look for Carlo and find him with a bandaged arm. He is so dejected and angry that he does not want to hear any excuse. Gano excites him and pushes him even further to take revenge on the perpetrator until Carlo decrees that he wants Morbello’s head. Astolfo shouts: “Come and get it in Montalbano!” and he leaves. Carlo orders preparations to lay siege to Montalbano, but Agolaccio and the others refuse and withdraw. Carlo orders Gano to raise troops, in the meantime he will send a messenger to Rinaldo with the order to hand over Morbello to him.
–Montalbano. Rinaldo and the whole family are worried about the delay of Morbello, Rosanna, and Adalberto while everything is ready to celebrate the wedding of Morbello and Rosanna. – Astolfo arrives, agitated and sorrowful, and is surprised not to find Morbello there since he had advised him to take refuge in Montalbano. So he recounts the whole event, the abduction of Rosanna by Falconetto and the entire disaster that ensued… great distress in everyone.
Adalberto arrives – He relates that Morbello passed through Orléans – He prayed and wept at Rosanna’s grave where he swore he would not love any other woman in the world, then he instructed Adalberto to go to Montalbano to tell his family that he needed to leave France for a time in order to not kill Carlo and bring on more destruction. He will go wandering through the world… He will return when his soul has calmed down… He bids goodbye to his father and all his loved ones … He remembers them with great affection and let them not think ill of him. This news throws everyone into despair! “How much must he suffer, poor boy… and will he be able to find any comfort all alone in the world in this way? … And where will his destiny take him? …”
Carlomagno’s messenger arrives with the letter demanding the arrest and delivery of Morbello.
This exasperates the soul of Rinaldo who, along with the whole family, wants justice and brings the siege to Paris.
–Beach along the sea. Morbello embarks on a merchant ship bound for the east. His soul is in turmoil… he feels that if he were to return to Paris, his first revenge would be on Carlomagno who protects the traitors and leads the empire to ruin.
–Royal Palace of Paris. News of war. Gano trembles. If Rinaldo backs Morbello, who knows what a disaster! – Carlo begins to fear a catastrophe, calls the barons together, and tries to persude them to curb Rinaldo’s anger – “Does it seem right to you that a father, instead of keeping his son in check, lends him a hand and supports his continued recourse to violence?” – Duke Namo with Agolaccio and Viviano go to the field to try to calm Rinaldo while Oliviero will prepare the defense.
–Rinaldo’s field. Rinaldo and Astolfo prepare to force their way into Paris, they see Namo, Agolaccio, and Viviano arriving in an attempt to avoid a battle. But since Rinaldo, backed by Adalberto’s testimony, explains what really happened, Namo and his two companions invite Rinaldo, Astolfo, and Adalberto to go to Carlo in order to clarify things.
–Royal Palace of Paris. With the appearance of Rinaldo before Carlo and the narration of Falconetto’s infamies, Carlo learns that if Morbello killed Falconetto and burned Altafoglia, he had good reason, and it was not he who killed Rosanna, but Falconetto, who had abducted her, wounded Adalberto, and intended to force her to marry him by using violence.
– Then Carlo angrily turns to Gano and exclaims: “How is it that you, on the contrary, told me that Malaguerra had killed Rosanna and Falconetto out of jealousy?” – And Gano, with a sorrowful voice, blames Cubeb for everything, claiming that he had told the false story, and he promises to punish him severely as soon as he has him in his hands. He curses Falconetto and swears at him. Carlo calms down and shows regret for what happened. He revokes any threat against Malaguerra “But where did he go?”. They wait for Malagigi to find out so that they can call him back to court. Gano is happy to have gotten away with it so well.
–Vast plain in Macedonia. Malaguerra has landed and is heading toward the capital city of Athens. He sees a well-armed knight approaching. They greet each other and the knight says “Excuse my curiosity… are you also headed for Athens?” “Yes, that is my intention” – The other looks at him suspiciously and asks “Are you going to try the feat as well?” – “What feat? I don’t know what you mean” – “Ah! Are you, therefore, ignorant of the big news that has been circulating for some time throughout Macedonia?” – “I have recently arrived in this kingdom and I come from France, and unfortunately I am not aware of what is happening in Macedonia” – “In that case, out of courtesy, I will inform you myself of the importance of the event.” – “Please do. I listen to you with pleasure.” – “The King of Macedonia is called Pigmalione, he has been a widower for some years and has an only daughter, Princess Arismena. He is a loyal man, very religious and very good-natured. Every year he is used to celebrating his daughter’s birthday and this year, too, the festivities took place with the participation of many knights, including me … My name is Cadmo and I am Prince of Albania.” – “I see.” – “At the height of the party, a magician named Solerte arrived at the Palace and with a certain boldness offered to predict the future of Princess Arismena. The young girl was perplexed for a while, then she replied that she preferred to ignore her fate because very often a concern for the future becomes a torment in the present life.” – “I am also of this opinion.” – “And since the magician insisted, King Pigmalione said to him: “Go away, Magician Solerte, I am a practicing Christian and I place no trust in the power of magicians, who unfortunately are familiar and in contact with the infernal powers.” Upon hearing this, the Magician Solerte became grim and exclaimed: “You do not believe in my power? Well, soon you will become ill and you will not recover until you can drink the water that flows from the rocks of Mount Artifaria! – Having said this, the Magician left the palace.” – “And did King Pygmalion really get sick?” – “Yes, knight: From that day on a cruel disease took hold of the King and in a short time he became weak, infirm, and worsening every day. He has even lost the use of speech…” – “Mute?!” – “Yes, mute” – “Eh, they needed to immediately attain the water from Monte Artifaria and give it to him to drink!” – “The princess sent some of her people to fetch the water, but those poor things never came back” – “And why?” – “It has been known that up on the mountain, guarding the spring, there is a terrible snake that devours all those who come close to the miraculous water… That snake was placed there by the wizards and sorceresses who occasionally go there to bathe.” – “A kind of enchantment, I understand… but enchantments can be undone…” – “Princess Arismena has promised a castle as a gift to anyone who can bring back the water to heal her father. Various knights offered and attempted the feat, but they all ended up devoured by the horrible snake.” – “But if no one manages to collect that water, what will the poor King do? …” – “He will end up slowly dying, consumed by the disease that is destroying him.” – “It is something that saddens…” – “Well, I confide this to you… I am on my way to go and conquer the miraculous water…” – “Really?” – “I am in love with Princess Arismena, I am strong and valiant… if, as I hope, I succeed in the enterprise, in addition to the castle that has been promised, I will ask for the princess’s hand in marriage, and I am sure that in her relief of seeing her father healed, Arismena will grant my request.” – “Ah! Are you decided?” – “Yes.” – “Your story has moved me and I was already thinking of attempting this feat myself.” – “You?” – “Yes, me!” – “But if you are a foreigner and you do not even know the sick King…” – “To help an unfortunate person, it is not necessary to know them.” – “In that case, I warn you that the right of precedence is mine both because I decided before you to go attain the water and then… I am a great friend of King Pygmalion” – “Oh, Lord Cadmus of Albania, go ahead to the source, I have no intention of preceding you…you go ahead with your journey, as I continue mine.” – “That is fine. Then I take leave and bid you farewell.” – Malaguerra returns the parting words and continues along the road to Athens, the other one leads towards Mount Artifaria.
–A square. Brillo, a shrewd innkeeper, has gathered in his inn several beautiful but loose girls so that when travelers pass by who appear to be wealthy, the girls come out and with a licentious manner invite them to the hotel. Once caught, they are not allowed to leave while they still have a penny in their pockets. Seeing Cadmo go by, Brillo calls the girls, and they surround the victim who, tempted by their ways, enters the hotel.
–Royal Palace with window in Macedonia. Princess Arismena gives her arm to her father Pigmalione who, pale and gaunt, leans against her. She speaks to him gently “Come, take courage, there’s still hope … The prince of Albania has offered himself with enthusiasm and good will … he is a brave young man, he shows me a lot of respect and sympathy, he will do everything possible to conquer the portentous water that will restore your health…You will return just as before, strong and vigorous, and you will regain your speech…Oh, I understand you, father, this torture must be terrible for you…Without the ability to speak…no longer giving orders and advice…but you have your daughter by your side who intuits by your gaze what passes through your mind … your daughter who does not abandon you… Ah, curse that infamous and vindictive magician Solerte… If I had imagined so much power in him, I would not have rejected his horoscope… But who could have thought that my refusal would have prompted him to cast such a terrible spell on you? … I had that cruel man searched for… our guards scattered throughout the kingdom to find him, but he disappeared… He took his revenge on our indifference… But since in his spell he informed us what remedy we must obtain to heal you, well, let’s hope, let’s hope that this misfortune will come to an end!”
A subject announces a foreign knight who wishes to introduce himself.”– He is welcomed. It is Malaguerra. Arismena and her father look at him with admiration. He says: “Having learned of the disaster that the wickedness of an infamous magician has brought to this palace, I, a knight of fortune, wanted to express to you all my regret for the sad event and all my indignation for the perfidy of Solerte the necromancer.” – “I thank you for your kind act, also in the name of my father who, having become mute, cannot in words show you how grateful he is for your courtesy… But, pardon my curiosity… Are you a foreigner?” – “I come from France and my name is Malaguerra.” – “Your appearance is that of a valiant and noble knight.” – “I am the son of a prince who is well known throughout the world for his prowess and marvelous exploits… You too, I am sure, you may have heard of him… my father is the Paladin Rinaldo, lord of Montalbano.” – “You, son of that hero? … But why did you leave the esteemed court of the great Emperor Carlomagno?” – “Princess…in that palace, among so many noble and generous champions, infamous and treacherous beings meander… And because of them I had to leave to seek elsewhere an outlet for my, perhaps, a little too energetic and impulsive character… Suffice it to say that because of those evil Magonzesi I lost an angelic maiden whom I had initially saved from their clutches and who was then to become my bride… Murdered, do you understand? … Slaughtered mercilessly… she died in my arms…” – “And you did not avenge her? ” – “In part, yes, but if I had given vent to all my desperation, I would have had to let a river of blood flow… Out of consideration for my father and my family, and to avoid a disaster, I abandoned France… I will return, it’s true, I will return to the family I love immensely, but only when my heart is resigned and my soul is calmer.” – “In my father’s palace, you will find a welcome worthy of you and you can stay as long as you want.” – “Princess, I am a young man of action and it is impossible for me to remain inert or indolent… I have an absolute need to act… and I confess that I have come to offer myself as your champion in an attempt to do something on behalf of your father.” – “Really?” – “Believe me… just as I hate and persecute traitors, I instead protect the persecuted and the unhappy. I learned that in order to heal your father it is necessary to make him drink the water from a spring on Mount Artifaria…” – “That is true… some brave men have already attempted the feat, but alas, they lost their lives… On the mountain, a monstrous serpent is said to be enchanted to guard the spring…” – “I was told.” – “A knight, prince of Albania offered to attempt the feat…” – “I know, I met him by chance and it was he who informed me of everything … Do you think he can succeed?” – “They say he is very brave and he gave me so much hope…” – “Well, if you allow me, I, too, will go to Mount Artifaria… if he succeeds… so much the better, but if on the contrary his attempt fails, I will also try myself…” – “Really? You? … And are you so interested in our fate that you push yourself to face so much danger? …” – “Danger, whatever it is, attracts me, tempts me, and in this case, overcoming it means restoring peace and joy in a family. I have decided… and I will leave today.” – “May you be blessed, handsome knight.” – “You will give me a bottle in which to pour the water, should I need it.” – “It will be done. Do you see how my father is moved? … With his look he expresses his gratitude. Come to lunch with us and then… May God protect you!” –
–Square of Argo. Brillo the hotelier is cheerful. The Knight spends and expands … the girls have made him unconscious, intoxicated with drugs, and he no longer knows if it is day or if it is night.
He sees Malaguerra go by, he calls the girls who run to invite him to the hotel. He rejects them disgustedly. Cadmo comes out of the hotel drunk and he, too, tries to lead Malaguerra to the hotel, but he rejects everyone and continues his journey, saying to himself: “Poor King of Macedonia! If he hopes to be rescued by this Albanian, he will remain silent for life!” –
–Mountainous place on the slopes of Monte Artifaria. Malaguerra struggles to climb as there is only a narrow path between brambles and thorns. All of a sudden he sees a crevasse in the rock and a rough cross planted in front of it… An old hermit comes out of the crevasse and stops him, saying: “Stop, knight … do not go any further if your life is dear to you!” – “Good old man, I already know what dangers I am facing, but the purpose that drives me is noble and great… I would be cowardly if I were to give it up.” – “I know why you insist; the life and health of the King of Macedonia depend on the spring that is up there, but conquering that water is impossible.”
Footnotes:
[1] The play begins with this heading on the first page of the notebook. However, the inside cover has a genealogical tree of the House of Magonza.
[2] The messengers, in the sentence’s original Italian, are “i gariella,” that is, figures related to the Bergamesque mask character Brighella (staged by Peppino Sarina as the three brothers Gariella, Brighella and Cavicchio. (The definition of “gariella” was supplied by Pietro Porta in a private email correspondence.)
[3] The use of “but” (“ma” in the original) indicates that the paladins decline his offer, even if the text does not specify.
Recent Comments