XXVIII But Sacripant at pleasure could depose, Though him she had uplifted to the sky. Hence him alone she for her escort chose, And feigned to trust in his fidelity. The ring she from her mouth withdraws, and shows Her face, unveiled to the Circassian's eye: She thought to him alone; but fierce Ferrau And Roland came upon the maid, and saw. XXIX Ferrau and Roland came upon the maid; For one and the other champion equally Within the palace and without it strayed In quest of her, who was their deity. And now, no longer by the enchantment stayed, Each ran alike towards the dame, for she Had placed the ring upon her hand anew, Which old Atlantes' every scheme o'erthrew. XXX Helm on the head and corselet on the breast Of both the knights, of whom I sing, was tied; By night or day, since they into this rest Had entered, never doffed and laid aside: For such to wear were easy as a vest, To these, so wont the burden to abide. As well was armed, except with iron masque, Ferrau, who wore not, nor would wear, a casque. XXXI Till he had that erst wrested by the peer, Orlando, from the brother of Troyane; For so had sworn the Spanish cavalier, What time he Argalia's helm in vain Sought in the brook; yet though the count was near, Has not stretched forth his hand the prize to gain. For so it was, that neither of the pair Could recognise the other knight while there. XXXII Upon the enchanted dome lay such a spell, That they from one another were concealed; They doffed not, night nor day, the corselet's shell, Not sword, nor even put aside the shield. Saddled, with bridle hanging at the sell, Their steeds were feeding, ready for the field, Within a chamber, near the palace door, With straw and barley heaped in plenteous store. XXXIII Nor might nor mean in old Atlantes lies To stop the knights from mounting, who repair To their good steeds, to chase the bright black eyes, The fair vermillion cheeks and golden hair Of the sweet damsel, who before them flies, And goads to better speed her panting mare; Ill pleased the three assembled to discern, Though haply she had taken each in turn. XXXIV And when these from the magic palace she Had ticed so far, that she no more supposed The warriors to the wicked fallacy Of the malign enchanter were exposed, The ring, which more than once from misery Had rescued her, she 'twixt her lips enclosed, Hence from their sight she vanished in a thought, And left them wondering there, like men distraught. XXXV Although she first the scheme had entertained Roland or Sacripant to have released, To guide her thither, where her father reigned, King Galaphron, who ruled i' the farthest East, The aid of both she suddenly disdained, And in an instant from her project ceased; And deemed, without more debt to count or king, In place of either knight sufficed the ring.