The Beginning of the Story - Page 17 of 25

257   Well, that was mine and Father's plight –
Doomed to a common sorrow's blight;
While thus we clasped each other tight,
Crotona's herald came in sight.

258   He'd just been to the palace where
The king, sire of my mother fair,
Learned of his mission; and from there,
A note to Father did he bear.

259   The king asked succor, for his foes
Were marching to Crotona close;
A hero, who from Persia rose,
General Osmalik, headed those.

260   Reports assigned to him a name
Next to his prince, of worldwide fame –
Your country's Aladdin, the same
Whom warriors fear, and I acclaim.

261   And here, the Muslim list'ning by
Smiled, and then gently made reply:
Few rumors with the facts comply,
If true at all they magnify.

262   Too, often valiancy is spurred
By timorous foes with doubts deterred;
A conqueror, with luck conferred
Wins fame – and fear f him is stirred.

263   If Aladdin is famed as brave,
His life must still go down the grave;
Like you, his fortunes ill behave;
Like you, to sufferings a slave.

264   Florante spoke: May he be spared,
This famous brave, the ills I fared,
Even with enemies declared,
I do not wish these ordeals shared.

265   When Father learned Crotona faced
The perils that would lay it waste,
He went, and I with him, in haste
To Linceus, for battle braced.

266   Scarce had our feet the stairway spanned
To cross the palace gorgeous, grand,
The royal king came forward and
Enclasped my father, shook my hand.

267   Said he: 'O Duke, this form I see –
How like that noble one is he,
Of whom I dreamt, as telling thee
My kingdoms's pillar he woul be...

268   'Who and from where com?' Hereupon,
My Father spoke: 'My only son,
Brought to your royal feet, hence on
Among your faithful vassals, one.'

269   Surprised, the king embraced me tight,
'Your coming is opportune quite!
You shall command the troops to fight
Those Muslims down Crotona's site.

270   'Prove it is none but you alone
The daring warrior dream had shown,
To the entire world, making known
The glory and the might I own.

271   'You owe it to Crotona's king,
Your mother's father, aid to bring;
And as of royal blood you spring,
Let war your praise and honor sing!'

272   So reasoned was his speech, indeed,
Father, though pained, had to accede,
To bid me unto battle speed
Though youth or inexperience plead.