A sound like that which issues from burning wood seemed to come from the myrtle-tree, at first faint and indistinct, but growing stronger by degrees, and at length was audible as a voice which spoke in this manner:  “O knight, if the tenderness of your heart corresponds to the beauty of your person, relieve me, I pray you, from this tormenting animal.  I suffer enough inwardly without having outward evils added to my lot.”

Rogero, at the first accents of this voice, turned his eyes promptly on the myrtle, hastened to it, and stood fixed in astonishment when he perceived that the voice issued from the tree itself.  He immediately untied his horse, and, flushed with surprise and regret, exclaimed, “Whoever thou art, whether mortal or the goddess of these woods, forgive me, I beseech you, my involuntary fault.  Had I imagined that this hard bark covered a being possessed of feeling, could I have exposed such a beautiful myrtle to the insults of this steed?  May the sweet influences of the sky and air speedily repair the injury I have done!  For my part, I promise by the sovereign lady of my heart to do everything you wish in order to merit your forgiveness.”

At these words the myrtle seemed to tremble from root to stem, and Rogero remarked that a moisture as of tears trickled down its bark, like that which exudes from a log placed on the fire.  It then spoke: 

“The kindness which inspires your words compels me to disclose to you who I once was, and by what fatality I have been changed into this shape.  My name was Astolpho, cousin of Orlando and Rinaldo, whose fame has filled the earth.  I was myself reckoned among the bravest paladins of France, and was by birth entitled to reign over England, after Otho, my father.  Returning from the distant East, with Rinaldo and many other brave knights, called home to aid with our arms the great Emperor of France, we reached a spot where the powerful enchantress Alcina possessed a castle on the borders of the sea.  She had gone to the water-side to amuse herself with fishing, and we paused to see how, by her art, without hook or line, she drew from the water whatever she would.

“Not far from the shore an enormous whale showed a back so broad and motionless that it looked like an island.  Alcina had fixed her eyes on me, and planned to get me into her power.  Addressing us, she said:  ’This is the hour when the prettiest mermaid in the sea comes regularly every day to the shore of yonder island.  She sings so sweetly that the very waves flow smoother at the sound.  If you wish to hear her come with me to her resort.’  So saying, Alcina pointed to the fish, which we all supposed to be an island.  I, who was rash, did not hesitate to follow her; but swam my horse over, and mounted on the back of the fish.  In vain Rinaldo and Dudon made signs to me to beware; Alcina, smiling, took me in charge, and led the way.  No sooner were we mounted upon him than the whale moved off,