We must now return to Rogero, who, when we parted with him, was engaged in an adventure which arrested his progress to the monastery whither he was bound with the intention of receiving baptism, and thus qualifying himself to demand Bradamante as his bride.  On his way he met with Mandricardo, and the quarrel was revived respecting the right to wear the badge of Hector.  After a warm discussion both parties agreed to submit the question to King Agramant, and for that purpose took their way to the Saracen camp.  Here they met Gradasso, who had his controversy also with Mandricardo.  This warrior claimed the sword of Orlando, denying the right of Mandricardo to possess it in virtue of his having found it abandoned by its owner.  King Agramant strove in vain to reconcile these quarrels, and was forced at last to consent that the points in dispute should be settled by one combat, in which Mandricardo should meet one of the other champions, to whom should be committed the cause of both.  Rogero was chosen by lot to maintain Gradasso’s cause and his own.  Great preparations were made for this signal contest.  On the appointed day it was fought in the presence of Agramant, and of the whole army.  Rogero won it; and Mandricardo, the conqueror of Hector’s arms, the challenger of Orlando, and the slayer of Zerbino, lost his life.  Gradasso received Durindana as his prize, which lost half its value in his eyes, since it was won by another’s prowess, not his own.

Rogero, though victorious, was severely wounded, and lay helpless many weeks in the camp of Agramant, while Bradamante, ignorant of the cause of his delay, expected him at Montalban.  Thither he had promised to repair in fifteen days, or twenty at furthest, hoping to have obtained by that time an honorable discharge from his obligations to the Saracen commander.  The twenty days were passed, and a month more, and still Rogero came not, nor did any tidings reach Bradamante accounting for his absence.  At the end of that time, a wandering knight brought news of the famous combat, and of Rogero’s wound.  He added, what alarmed Bradamante still more, that Marphisa, a female warrior, young and fair, was in attendance on the wounded knight.  He added that the whole army expected that, as soon as Rogero’s wounds were healed, the pair would be united in marriage.

Bradamante, distressed by this news, though she believed it but in part, resolved to go immediately and see for herself.  She mounted Rabican, the horse of Astolpho, which he had committed to her care, and took with her the lance of gold, though unaware of its wonderful powers.  Thus accoutred, she left the castle, and took the road toward Paris and the camp of the Saracens.