Though sensible of her obligations to her deliverer, her first necessity was for clothing, food, and repose.  She soon reached a shepherd’s hut, where, entering unseen, she found what sufficed for her present relief.  An old herdsman inhabited the hut, whose charges consisted of a drove of mares.  When recruited by repose Angelica selected one of the mares from the flock, and, mounting the animal, felt the desire revive in her mind of returning to her home in the East, and for that purpose would gladly have accepted the protection of Orlando or of Sacripant across those wide regions which divided her from her own country.  In hopes of meeting with one or the other of them she pursued her way.

Meanwhile Rogero, despairing of seeing Angelica again, returned to the tree where he had left his winged horse, but had the mortification to find that the animal had broken his bridle and escaped.  This loss, added to his previous disappointment, overwhelmed him with vexation.  Sadly he gathered up his arms, threw his buckler over his shoulders, and, taking the first path that offered, soon found himself within the verge of a dense and widespread forest.

He had proceeded for some distance when he heard a noise on his right, and, listening attentively, distinguished the clash of arms.  He made his way toward the place whence the sound proceeded, and found two warriors engaged in mortal combat.  One of them was a knight of a noble and manly bearing, the other a fierce giant.  The knight appeared to exert consummate address in defending herself against the massive club of the giant, evading his strokes, or parrying them with sword or shield.  Rogero stood spectator of the combat, for he did not allow himself to interfere in it, though a secret sentiment inclined him strongly to take part with the knight.  At length he saw with grief the massive club fall directly on the head of the knight, who yielded to the blow, and fell prostrate.  The giant sprang forward to despatch him, and for that purpose unlaced his helmet, when Rogero, with dismay, recognized the face of Bradamante.  He cried aloud, “Hold, miscreant!” and sprang forward with drawn sword.  Whereupon the giant, as if he cared not to enter upon another combat, lifted Bradamante on his shoulders, and ran with her into the forest.

Rogero plunged after him, but the long legs of the giant carried him forward so fast that the paladin could hardly keep him in sight.  At length they issued from the wood, and Rogero perceived before him a rich palace, built of marble, and adorned with sculptures executed by a master hand.  Into this edifice, through a golden door, the giant passed, and Rogero followed; but, on looking round, saw nowhere either the giant or Bradamante.  He ran from room to room, calling aloud on his cowardly foe to turn and meet him; but got no response, nor caught another glimpse of the giant or his prey.  In his vain pursuit he met, without knowing them, Ferrau, Florismart, King Gradasso, Orlando, and many others, all of whom had been entrapped like himself into this enchanted castle.  It was a new stratagem of the magician Atlantes to draw Rogero into his power, and to secure also those who might by any chance endanger his safety.  What Rogero had taken for Bradamante was a mere phantom.  That charming lady was far away, full of anxiety for her Rogero, whose coming she had long expected.