XLIII -- "Then" (smiling, to the Spaniard said the count) "With naked head, thou thinkest to repeat On Roland what he did in Aspramont, By Agolant's bold son: but shouldst thou meet The warrior whom thou seekest, front to front, I warrant thou wouldst quake from head to feet; Nor only wouldst forego the casque, but give The knight thine other arms to let thee live." XLIV -- "So oft have I had Roland on the hip, And oft," (exclaimed the boaster) "heretofore; From him it had been easy task to strip What other arms, beside his helm, he wore; And if I still have let the occasion slip, -- We sometimes think of things unwished before: Such wish I had not; I have now; and hope To compass easily my present scope." XLV The good Orlando could no more forbear, And cried, "Foul miscreant, liar, marched with me, Say, caitiff, in what country, when and where Boast you to have obtained such victory? That paladin am I, o'er whom you dare To vaunt, and whom you distant deemed: now see If you can take my helm, or I have might To take your other arms in your despite. XLVI "Nor I o'er you the smallest vantage wou'd." He ended, and his temples disarrayed, And to a beech hung up the helmet good, And nigh as quickly bared his trenchant blade. Ferrau stands close, and in such attitude, (His courage not for what had chanced dismayed) Covered with lifted shield and naked sword, As might best shelter to his head afford. XLVII 'Twas thus those warriors two, with faulchions bare, Turning their ready steeds, began to wheel; And where the armour thinnest was, and where The meeting plates were joined, probed steel with steel; Nor was there in the world another pair More fitted to be matched in fierce appeal: Equal their daring, equal was their might, And safe alike from wound was either knight. XLVIII By you, fair sir, already, I presume, That fierce Ferrau was charmed is understood, Save where the child, enclosed within the womb Of the full mother, takes its early food; And hence he ever, till the squalid tomb Covered his manly face, wore harness good (Such was his wont) the doubtful part to guard, Of seven good plates of metal, tempered hard. XLIX Alike a charmed life Orlando bore, Safe every where, except a single part: Unfenced beneath his feet, which evermore By him were guarded with all care and art. The rest than diamond dug from mountain hoar More hard, unless report from truth depart; And armed to battle either champion went, Less for necessity than ornament. L Waxing more fierce and fell the combat rages, Of fear and horror full, between the twain: The fierce Ferrau such dreadful battle wages, That stroke or thrust is never dealt in vain: Each mighty blow from Roland disengages And loosens, breaks, or shatters, plate and chain. Angelica alone, secure from view, Regards such fearful sight, and marks the two.