Orlando Innamorato

Orlando Innamorato, a poem by Boiardo published 1487, on the subject of the falling in love of Orlando (the Roland of the Charlemagne cycle) with Angelica, daughter of Galafron, king of Cathay. She arrives at the court of Charlemagne, under false pretences, to carry off the Christian knights to her father's country. Several knights attempt to win her, the chief among them being Astolfo, Ferrau, Rinaldo, and Orlando. Her brother Argalia is slain and Angelica flees, but, drinking of an enchanted fountain, falls in love with Rinaldo, who, drinking of another enchanted fountain, conceives a violent aversion to her. He runs away, pursued by her, and they reach her father's country, where she is besieged in the capital, Albracca, by Agrican, king of Tartary, to whom her hand had been promised (an incident to which Milton refers in Paradise Regained, III. 337 ff.). Orlando slays Agrican, and carries Angelica off to France whither he had been summoned to assist Charlemagne against Agramant, king of the Moors. Owing once more to enchanted waters, Rinaldo this time falls in love with Angelica, and Angelica into hatred of him. A fierce combat ensues between Orlando and Rinaldo, suppressed by Charlemagne, who entrusts Angelica to Namo, duke of Bavaria.