XCII "Thee will I keep no more, and this shall be Even the last shame which so on me is thrown:" The Child, so ending his self-colloquy, Dismounting, takes a large and heavy stone; Which to the shield he ties, and bodily Both to the bottom of the well are gone. "Lie buried there for ever, from all eyes, And with thee hidden be my shame!" he cries. XCIII Filled to the brim with water was the well; Heavy the stone, and heavy was the shield; Nor stopt they till they to the bottom fell, By the light, liquid element concealed. Fame was not slow the noble act to swell, But, wandering wide, the deed in brief revealed, And voicing it abroad, with trumpet-sound, Told France and Spain and all the countries round. XCIV When that so strange adventure to the rest Of the wide world, from mouth to mouth was blown, Knights out of number undertook the quest, From neighbouring parts and distant; but unknown To all remained the forest which possessed The spring wherein the virtuous shield was thrown: For she who told the action, would not say Where was the well, nor in what land it lay. XCV Upon Rogero's parting thence, where fell The four good champions of that evil law, Made by the castle's lord Sir Pinnabel, By him discomfited like men of straw, -- The shield withdrawn -- he had removed as well The light, which quelled their sight and minds who saw; And those, who, like dead men, on earth had lain, Had risen, full of wonderment, again. XCVI Nor any thing throughout that livelong day They 'mid themselves but that strange case relate; And how it was in that disastrous fray Each by the horrid light was quelled, debate. While these, discoursing, of the adventure say, Tidings are brought of Pinnabello's fate. That Pinnabel is dead the warriors hear, But learn not who had slain the cavalier. XCVII Bradamant in close pass, this while, had staid The faithless Pinnabel, and sorely prest; And many times had buried half her blade Within bleeding flanks and heaving breast. When of his crimes the forfeit had been paid By him, the infected country's curse and pest, She from the conscious forest turned away With that good steed the thief had made his prey. XCVIII She would return where she had left the knight, But never could make out the road anew; And now by valley, now by mountain-height, Wandered well-nigh the ample country through. Yet could she never (such her fortune's spite) Find out the way to join Rogero true. Him in another canto I attend Who loves the tale, to hear my story's end. CANTO 23 ARGUMENT Astolpho soars in air. Upon account Of Pinnabel is prisoned Scotland's heir: By Roland freed, Frontino Rodomont Takes from Hippalca, trusted to her care. With Mandricardo strives Anglantes' count: Who, next, offended by his lady fair, Into the fury falls, so strange and fell, Which in the world has not a parallel.