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THE SARACEN FRIENDS
Part the Second
THE ADVENTURES OF ANGELICA Part
I. Angelica and her Suitors
II. Angelica and Medoro
III. The Jealousy of Orlando
WITH THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENCHANTED FOREST:
Part I. Armida in the Christian Camp
II. Armida's Hate and Love
III. The Terrors of the Enchanted Forest
IV. The Loves of Rinaldo and Armida
V. The Disenchantment of the Forest, and the Taking of
Jerusalem, &c.
I. The Death of Agrican
II. Angelica and Medoro Translation
III. The Jealousy of Orlando
IV. The Death of Clorinda
V. Tancred in the Enchanted Forest
Critical Notice of his Life and Genius.
Critical Notice
While Pulci in Florence was elevating romance out of the street-ballads,and laying the foundation of the chivalrous epic, a poet appeared inLombardy (whether inspired by his example is uncertain) who was destinedto carry it to a graver though still cheerful height, and prepare the wayfor the crowning glories of Ariosto. In some respects he even excelledAriosto: in all, with the exception of style, shewed himself a genuinethough immature master.
Little is known of his life, but that little is very pleasant. Itexhibits him in the rare light of a poet who was at once rich, romantic,an Arcadian and a man of the world, a feudal lord and an indulgentphilosopher, a courtier equally beloved by prince and people.
Matteo Maria Boiardo, Count of Scandiano, Lord of Arceto, Casalgrande,&c., Governor of Reggio, and Captain of the citadel of Modena (it ispleasant to repeat such titles when so adorned), is understood to havebeen born about the year 1434, at Scandiano, a castle at the foot of theApennines, not far from Reggio, and famous for its vines.
He was of an ancient family, once lords of Rubiera, and son of Giovanni,second count of Scandiano, and Lucia, a lady of a branch of the Strozzifamily in Florence