NOTES TO CANTO III.
This is the ancient memorable cave
Which Merlin, &c.
Stanza x. lines 1 and 2.
The story of Merlin is so familiar to all my readers, that it stands in no need of comment, and it is scarcely necessary to add, that the account given here of his death does not vary from the ancient romancers’ relations, except in that Ariosto has changed the scene from Britain, the original seat of all sorcery and chivalry, to France.
The noble blood, &c.
Stanza xvii. line 1.
The beginning of this pedigree is, of course, purely ideal.
A pentacle for more assurance tied.
Stanza xxi. line 6.
A five-sided instrument, as the name imports, constructed With some mystical reference to the five senses, and considered as the best defence against demons in the act of conjuration, &c. It is termed signum Salamonis by the cabalists (the Solomon’s seal of which we hear so many wonders in Eastern tales), and is still relied upon for its powers by the ignorant in Italy, and, probably, elsewhere: though in England it is only known through books.
