Zerbino is a fictional character of the
Matter of France. He appears in Orlando Furioso, the 16th-century Italian romantic epic by
Ludovico Ariosto. He is the son of the King of
Scotland,
Duke of Ross, and brother of Ginevra. He takes part in a joust in
Galicia, where
Isabella, daughter of the King of Galicia, falls in love with him. In combat with the pagans outside
Paris, he pursues Cloridano and Medoro. One of his Scottish knights stabs Medoro. Zerbino leaves Medoro for dead, but Medoro is later nursed back to health by
Angelica. Zerbino is betrayed by Gabrina, and is about to be executed when he is rescued by
Orlando and Isabella. After Orlando goes mad, Zerbino goes in search of him. Zerbino finds Orlando's arms and armour, which he has discarded in his madness. Mandricardo does battle with Zerbino and wins the sword
Durendal from him.
References
Orlando Furioso, prose translation by Guido Waldman (Oxford, 1999).
ISBN0-19-283677-3.
Orlando Furioso, verse translation by
Barbara Reynolds in two volumes (Penguin Classics, 1975). Part one (cantos 1-23)
ISBN0-14-044311-8; part two (cantos 24–46)
ISBN0-14-044310-X. Part one has since been reprinted.