The Story

The story begins with a description of a dark, dangerous, deserted forest in the kingdom of Albania, that is inhabited by serpents, basilisks, hyenas, and tigers.  Deep in the heart of the depressing jungle where the tangled growth of vines and thickets intertwined, and the great canopy of heavy foliaged trees formed a roof over the dismal jungle clearing, the moans and anguished cries of a forsaken man filled the savage stillness of the air.  The man is tied to a tree and is barely alive.  He is Florante, the son of Duke Briseo and Princess Floresca.  He has blonde hair, fair smooth skin, and a face and body that is comparable to that of Narcissus and Adonis.

Florante, while tied to a tree, questions the heavens for the suffering of the people of Albania.  Here he describes the treachery and suffering that are happening inside and outside of the kingdom of Albania.  Gone are the days of peace and and justice.  Innocent people have become victims of those who are hungry for power and money. Those who fought to save the kingdom have suffered grievously.   He mentions that Count Adolfo was said to be behind the treachery with his plot to steal the crown from King Linceo and the wealth of Duke Briseo.  Florante begs heaven to save the kingdom of Albania.

The man tells the heavens that he can take whatever trial or challenge that may come his way as long as Laura will always remember him.  Aside from all that is happening to Albania, he takes refuge in the memories of the times he shared with Laura.  He mentions that he would be pleased to see Laura crying over his dead body if Laura would betray him.  With this, he imagines Laura in the arms of Count Adolfo. This thought brings him to tears and devastation which made him tired and cause him to pass out.

The man cries for Laura to save him, but she does not come.  With this, the man thinks that Count Adolfo has finally stolen Laura from him. He mentions that he will thank Count Adolfo for all the hardship as long as he doesn't take Laura from him.  With too much to bear, the man cries in despair and faintes.

In another part of the forest comes Aladin, a Muslim soldier.  He sits on a stump and professes his love for a woman named Flerida.  He talks about his overwhelming love for Flerida and vows to kill for the sake of love.  He says that no one can stand in his way nor is there anyone who can take his love from him, not even his father.  He also says that love can make a person blind to the truth and make him forget about reason and honor.

After professing his love for Flerida, the Muslim soldier hears a voice in the forest.  This voice talks about the brutal death of his loving father.  The man talks about how his father was beheaded and had his body thrown somewhere else.  No one attempted to bury his father's remains for fear of Count Adolfo's wrath.   Even without seeing his father, the man knew that the old man was thinking of him until the end of his life.

While tied to a tree, Florante was approached by two lingering lions.  But the lions did not seem to attack, thinking that the man might already be dead.  Realizing the approach of death, the man says his farewell to Albania, the land he wished to serve since he was a child, and to Laura, whom he will forever love.

Upon hearing the man's cries, Aladin set off to find the man.  His timing was impeccable because the lions were about to attack Florante.  With a swift motion of his weapon, the Muslim soldier killed the two lions.  With his courage and precision in combat, he was compared to Ares, the god of war.