Brewer's: Argeo

(in Orlando Furioso). Baron of Servia, and husband of Gabrina. He is a sort of Potiphar. His wife tried to seduce Philander, a young Dutch knight, and failing in her effort, she accused him to her husband of adultery; whereupon Argeo threw the “faithless guest” into durance. In the course of time Gabrina implored the young captive to defend her against a wicked knight who had assailed her virtue. He consented to be her champion, and was placed in concealment. Presently a knight drew near, and Philander, rushing on him, dispatched him; but the supposed “adulterer” was, in reality, Argeo himself, and Gabrina, being now a widow, was free to marry her Dutch “Joseph.”

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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