Such fire was not by water to be drowned, nor he his nature changed by changing ground.

Ariosto's government satisfied both the sovereign and the people given over to his care however; indeed there is a story about a time when he was walking alone and fell into the company of a group of bandits the chief of which on discovering that his captive was the author of Orlando Furioso apologized for not having immediately shown him the respect due his rank. His excuses were not well-received and he was denied even an interview. [citation needed].

Ludovico Ariosto (Italian: [ludoˈviko ariˈɔsto]; 8 September 1474 – 6 July 1533) was an Italian poet. Ariosto composed the poem in the ottava rima rhyme scheme and introduced narrative commentary throughout the work.