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 Magd: Coll . ()xon :
 
 THE 
 
 FAERIE QUEEN E. 
 
 By EDMUND SPENSER. 
 
 With an exact Collation of the 
 
 Two ORIGINAL EDITIONS, 
 
 Published by 
 
 Himfelf at London inQjJARTo; the Former 
 
 containing the firft Three Books printed in 1590, and 
 the Latter the Six Books in 1596. 
 
 To which are now added, 
 
 A new Life of the AUTHOR, 
 
 AND ALSO 
 
 A GLOSSARY. 
 
 Adorn'd with thirty-two Copper-Plates, from the Original 
 Drawings of the late W. Kent, Efq; Architect and principal Painter to 
 his Majefty. 
 
 VOL. II. 
 
 L O N D O * i# : 
 
 Printed for J. Brindley, in New Bond-Street, and S. Wright, Clerk 
 of his Majefty's Works, at Hampton-Court. 
 M.DCC.LI.
 
 2.3 53 
 
 C * 3 ?h 
 
 The thirde Booke of 
 the Faerie Queene. 
 
 Contaynlng 
 
 The Legend of Britomartis. 
 
 Or of Chaflitie. 
 
 I. 
 
 i T falles me here to write of Chaftity, 
 
 W^tk> The faireft virtuej farre above the rer * ; 
 
 S&«i For which what needes me fetch from Faery 
 Forreine enfamples, it to have expreft ? 
 Sith it is fhrined in my Soveraine's breft, 
 And formd fo lively in each perfed part, 
 That to all ladies, which have it profeft, 
 Need but behold the pourtrai& of her hart, 
 
 If pourtravd it might be by any living art.. 
 
 V OL. 11. D
 
 % The thirde Booke of Cant. I. 
 
 II. 
 
 But living art may not leaft part expreffe, 
 
 Nor life-refembling pencill it can paint, 
 All were it Zeuxis or Praxiteles : 
 His Daedale hand would faile, and greatly faint, 
 And her perfections with his error taint : 
 Ne Poets wit, that paffeth Painter farre 
 In picturing the parts of beautie daint, 
 So hard a workemanfhip adventure darre, 
 For fear through want of words her excellence to marre. 
 
 III. 
 How then fhall I, apprentice of the (kill, 
 
 That whylome in divineft wits did raine, 
 Prefume fo high to ftretch mine humble quill ? 
 Yet now my luckelefle lot doth me conftraine 
 Hereto perforce. But, O dred Soveraine, 
 Thus far forth pardon, lith that choiceft wit 
 Cannot your glorious pourtraict figure plaine, 
 That I in colourd fhowes may fhadow it, 
 And antique praifes unto prefent perfons fit. 
 
 IV. 
 But if in living colours, and right hew, 
 Thy felte you covet to fee pictured, 
 Who can it doe more lively, or more trew, 
 Then that fweete verfe, with Neclar fprinckeled, 
 In which a gracious fervant pi<ftured 
 His Cynthia, his heaven's faireM: light ? 
 That with his melting fweetnefle raviihed, 
 And with the wonder of her beames bright, 
 My fenfes lulled are in flomber of delight. 
 
 V. But:
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene* 
 
 v. 
 
 But let that fame delirious Poet lend 
 
 A little leave unto a rufticke Mufe 
 
 To fing his miftrefle prayfe, and let him mend, 
 
 If ought amis her liking may abufe : 
 
 Ne let his fayreft Cynthia refufe, 
 
 In mirrours more then one her felfe to fee, 
 
 But either Gloriana let her chufe, 
 
 Or in Belphcebe fafhioned to bee : 
 In th'one her rule, in th'other her rare chaftetee. 
 
 B 2 Canto
 
 The thirde Booke of 
 
 Cant. I. 
 
 Canto I. 
 
 Guy o?i encountreth Britomart \ 
 Faire Florimell is chaced : 
 
 Duejfaes traines and Malecajlas 
 Champions are defaced. 
 
 I. 
 
 H E famous Briton Prince and Faerie knight, 
 After long wayes and perilous paines endur'd, 
 Having their wearie limbes to perfect plight 
 Reftord, and fory wounds right well recur'd, 
 Of the faire Alma greatly were procur'd, 
 To make there lenger fbjourne and abode ; 
 But when thereto they might not be aliur'd, 
 From feeking praife, and deeds of armes abrode, 
 They courteous conge tooke, and forth together yode. 
 
 II. 
 But the captiv'd Acrafia he fent, 
 
 Becaufe of travell long, a nigher way, 
 With a itrong gard, all reikew to prevent, 
 And her to Faerie court £ife to convay, 
 That her for witneffe of his hard aflay, 
 Unto his Faerie Queene he might prefent : 
 But he him felfe betooke another way, 
 To make more triail of his hardiment, 
 And feeke adventures, as he with Prince Arthur went. 
 
 III. Long
 
 Cant. L the Faerie Queene. 5 
 
 ill. 
 
 Long (o they travelled through waftefull wayes, 
 
 Where daungers dwelt, and perils moft did wonne, 
 To hunt for glorie and renowmed prayfe ; 
 Full many Countries they did overronne, 
 From the uprifmg to the fetting Sunne, 
 And many hard adventures did atchieve ; 
 Of all the which they honour ever wonne, 
 Seeking the weake oppreffed to relieve, 
 
 And to recover right for fuch, as wrong did grieve. 
 
 IV. 
 
 At laft as through an open plaine they yode, 
 
 They fpide a knight, that towards pricked faire, 
 And him beiide an aged fquire there rode, 
 That feemd to couch under his fhield three-fquare, 
 As if that age bad him that burden fpare, 
 And yield it thofe, that ftouter could it wield: 
 He then efpying, gan himfelfe prepare, 
 And on his arme addreffe his goodly fhield, 
 
 That bore a lion pafTant in a golden field. 
 
 V. 
 
 Which feeing good Sir Guyon dcare befought 
 
 The Prince of grace, to let him runne that turne. 
 lie graunted : then the Faery quickly raught 
 His poinant fpeare, and fharply gan to fpurne 
 His fomy fteed, whofe fierie feete did burne 
 The verdant grafs, as he thereon did tread ; 
 Ne did the other backe his foote returne, 
 But fiercely forward came withouten dread, 
 
 And bent his dreadful fpeare againft the other's head. 
 
 VI. They
 
 6 7he thirde Booh of Cant. I. 
 
 VI. 
 
 They beene ymet, and both their points arriv'd, 
 But Guyon drove fo furious and fell, 
 That feemd both fhield and plate it would have riv'd ; 
 Natheleffe it bore his foe not from his fell, 
 But made him ftagger, as he were not well : 
 But Guyon felfe, ere well he was aware, 
 Nigh a fpeare's length behind his crouper fell, 
 Yet in his fall fo well him felfe he bare 
 That mifchievous mifchance his life and limbs did fpare. 
 
 VII. 
 Great fhame and forrow of that fall he tooke ; 
 For never yet, fith warlike armes he bore, 
 And fhivering fpeare in bloudie field firft fhooke, 
 He found him felfe difhonored fo fore. 
 Ah ! gentleft knight, that ever armour bore, 
 Let not thee grieve difmounted to have beene, 
 And brought to ground, that never wail: before ; 
 For not thy fault, but fecret powre unfeene, 
 That fpeare inchaunted was, which layd thee on the grecne. 
 
 VIII. 
 But weenedft^thou, what wight thee overthrew, 
 Much greater griefe and mamefuller regret 
 For thy hard fortune then thou wouldft renew, 
 That of a lingle damzell thou wert met 
 On equall plaine, and there fo hard befet : 
 Even the famous Britomart it was, 
 Whom ftraunge adventure did from Britaine fet, 
 To feeke her lover (love farre fought alas !) 
 Whofe image me had feene in Venus looking-glas. 
 
 IX. Full
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene* 7 
 
 IX. 
 
 Full of difdainefull wrath, he fierce uprofe, 
 
 For to revenge that foule reprochfull fhame, 
 And fnatching his bright fword began to clofe 
 With her on foot, and ftoutly forward came ; 
 Die rather would he, then endure that fame. 
 Which when his Palmer faw, he gan to feare 
 His toward perill and untoward blame, 
 Which by that new rencounter he mould reare : 
 For death fate on the point of that enchaunted fpeare. 
 
 X. 
 And hafting towards him gan faire perfwade, 
 Not to provoke misfortune, nor to weene 
 His fpeare's default to mend with cruell blade j 
 For by his mightie fcience he had feene 
 The fecret virtue of that weapon keene, 
 That mortall puiflaunce mote not withftond : 
 Nothing on earth mote alwaies happie beene. 
 Great hazard were it, and adventure fond, 
 To loofe long gotten honour .with one evill hond. 
 
 XI. 
 By fuch good meanes he him difcounfelled 
 From profecuting his revenging rage ; 
 And eke the Prince like treaty handeled, 
 His wrathfull will with reafon to aflwaee. 
 \nd laid the blame, not to his carriage, 
 But to his ftarting fleed, that fwarv'd afyde, 
 And to the ill purveyaunce of his page, 
 That had his furnitures not firmely tyde • 
 So is his angry courage faire! v pacifyde. 
 
 XII. Thus
 
 8 The third* Booke of Cant. I, 
 
 XII. 
 
 Thus reconcilement was betweene them knit, 
 
 Through goodly temperance, and affection chafte, 
 And either vowd with all their power and wit, 
 To let not other's honour be defafte 
 Of friend or foe, who ever it embafle, 
 Ne armes to beare againfr. the other's iyde r 
 In which accord the Prince was alfo plafte, 
 And with that golden chaine of concord tvde. 
 
 So goodly all agreed, they forth yfere did ryde. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 O ! goodly ufage of thofe antique times, 
 
 In which the fword was fervant unto right ; 
 When not for malice and contentious crimes, 
 But all for praife, and proofe of manly might. 
 The martiall blood accufcomed to fight : 
 Then honour was the meed of victory, 
 And yet the vanquished had no delpight : 
 Let later age that noble ufe envy, 
 
 Vile rancour to avoid, and cruel furquedry. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Long they thus travelled in friendly wife, 
 
 Through countries wafte, and eke well edifydc, 
 Seeking adventures hard, to exercife 
 Their puiffance, whylome full dernely tryde : 
 At length they came into a foreft wyde, 
 Whofe hideous horror and lad trembling found 
 Full griefly feemd : Therein they long did ryde, 
 Yet trad: of living creature none they found, 
 
 Save Bears, Lyons, and Buls, which romed them around. 
 
 XV. All
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene. 9 
 
 XV. 
 
 All fuddenly out of the thickeft brufh, 
 
 Upon a milk white Palfrey all alone, 
 A goodly Ladie did foreby them rufli, 
 Whofe face did feeme as cleare as chriftall ftone, 
 And eke through feare as white as whales bone : 
 Her garments all were wrought of beaten gold. 
 And all her fteed with tinfell trappings fhone, 
 Which fled fo faft, that nothing mote him hold, 
 
 And fcarfe them leafure gave, her paffing to behold. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Still as me fled, her eye fhe backward threw, 
 As fearing evil, that purfewd her faft ; 
 And her faire yellow locks behind her flew, 
 Loofely difperfl with puffe of every blaft : 
 All as a blazing ftarre doth farre outcaft 
 His hearie beames, and flaming lockes difpred, 
 At flght whereof the people ftand aghaft : 
 But the fage wifard telles, as he has red, 
 
 That it importunes death and dolefull dreryhed. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 So as they gazed after her a while, 
 
 Lo ! where a griefly fofter forth did rufh, 
 Breathing out beaftly luft her to defile : 
 His tyreling jade he fiercely forth did pufli 
 Through thicke and thin, both over banke and bum, 
 In hope her to attaine by hooke or crooke, 
 That from his gorie fides the bloud did gufli : 
 Large were his limbes, and terrible his looke, 
 
 And in his clownifli hand a (harp bore-fpeare he fhooke.. 
 
 Vol. II. C XVIII. Which
 
 io The thirde Booke of Cant. I. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Which outrage when thofe gentle knights did fee, 
 Full of great envie and fell gealoiy, 
 They ftayd not to avife who firft fhould bee, 
 But all fpurd after faft, as they mote fly, 
 To refkew her from fhamefull villany. 
 The Prince and Guyon equally bylive 
 Her felfe purfewd, in hope to win thereby 
 Moll goodly meede, the faireft Dame alive : 
 
 But after the foule fofter Timias did ftrive. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 The whiles faire Britomart, whofe conftant mind 
 Would not fo lightly follow beautie's chace, 
 Ne reckt of Ladies love, did ftay behind, 
 And them awayted there a certaine fpace, 
 To weet, if they would turne backe to that place i 
 But when fhe faw them gone, fhe forward went, 
 As lay her journey, through that perlous pace, 
 With ftedfaft courage and ftout hardiment ; 
 
 Ne evil thing fhe feard, ne evil thing fhe ment. 
 
 XX. 
 
 At lafl as nigh out of the wood fhe came, 
 A ftately Caftle farre away fhe fpyde. 
 To which her fteps directly fhe did frame. 
 That Caftle was moft goodly edifyde, 
 And plafte for pleafure nigh that foreft fyde : 
 But faire before the gate a fpatious plaine, 
 Mantled with greene, it felf did fpredden wyde, 
 On which fhe fiw fix knights, that did darraine 
 
 Fierce battell againft one, with cruel 1 might and maine. 
 
 XXI. Mainly
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene. n 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Mainly they all attonce upon him laid, 
 
 And fore befet on every fide around, 
 
 That nigh he breathleffe grew, yet nought difinaid, 
 
 Ne ever to them yielded foot of ground, 
 
 All had he loft much bloud through many a wound, 
 
 But ftoutly dealt his blowes, and every way 
 
 To which he turned in his wrathfull ftound, 
 
 Made them recoile, and fly from dred decay, 
 
 That none of all the fixe before him durft aflay. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Like daftard curres, that having at a bay 
 
 The falvage beaft emboft in wearie chace, 
 Dare not adventure on the flubborne pray, 
 Ne byte before, but rome from place to place, 
 To get a fnatch, when turned is his face. 
 In fuch diftrefTe and doubtfull jeopardy 
 When Britomart him faw, fhe ran apace 
 Unto his refkew, and with earneft cry, 
 
 Bad thofe fame fixe forbeare that fingle enimy. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 But to her cry they lift not lenden eare, 
 
 Ne ought the more their mightie ftrokes furceafle, 
 But gathering him round about more neare, 
 Their direfull rancour rather did encreafle ; 
 Till that fhe ruining through the thicker! preafle 
 Perforce difparted their compacted gyre, 
 And foone compeld to hearken unto peace : 
 Tho gan fhe myldly of them to inquyre 
 
 The caufe of their diflention and outrageous yre. 
 
 C 2 XXIV. Whereto
 
 12 The thirdc Booke of Cant. I, 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Whereto that fingle knight did anfwere frame ; 
 
 Thefe fixe would me enforce by oddes of might. 
 
 To change my liefe, and love another dame, 
 
 That death me liefer were, then fuch defpight, 
 
 So unto wrong to yield my wrefted right : 
 
 For I love one, the trueft one on ground ; 
 
 Ne lift me chaunge ; fhe th' Erra?it Damzell hight,. 
 
 For whofe deare fake full many a bitter ftound 
 I have endurd, and tafted many a bloudy wound.. 
 
 XXV. 
 Certes, faid fhe, then beene ye fixe to blame,. 
 
 To weene your wrong by force to juftify : 
 
 For knight to leave his ladie were great fhame, 
 
 That faithfull is, and better were to dy. 
 
 All lofTe is leffe, and leffe the infamy, 
 
 Then lofTe of love to him, that loves but one ; 
 
 Ne may love be compeld by maiftery ; 
 
 For foone as maiftery comes, fweet love anone 
 Taketh his nimble winges, and foone away is gone. 
 
 XXVI. 
 Then fpake one of thofe fixe, There dwelleth here 
 
 Within this caftle wall a lady faire, 
 
 Whofe foveraine beautie hath no living pere, 
 
 Thereto fo bounteous and fo debonaire, 
 
 That never any mote with her compaire. 
 
 She hath ordaind this law, which we approve, 
 
 That every knight, which doth this way repaire, 
 
 In cafe he have no ladie, nor no love, 
 Shall do unto her fervice never to remove. 
 
 XXVII. Bin
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene. 13 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 But if he have a ladie or a love, 
 
 Then muft he her forgoe with fouie defame, 
 Or elfe with us by dint of fword approve, 
 That (he is fairer then our faireft dame, 
 As did this knight, before ye hither came. 
 Perdie, faid Britomart, the choife is hard : 
 But what reward had he, that overcame ? 
 He mould advanced be to high regard, 
 Said they, and have our ladie's love for his reward. 
 
 XXVII. 
 Therefore aread, Sir, if thou have a love. 
 
 Love have I fure, quoth me, but lady none ; 
 Yet will X not fro mine owne love remove, 
 Ne to your lady will I fervice done, 
 But wreake your wronges wrought to this knight alone 
 And prove his caufe. With that her mortall fpeare 
 She mightily aventred towards one, 
 And downe him fmote, ere well aware he weare ; 
 Then to the next fhe rode, and downe the next did beare, 
 
 XXIX. 
 Ne did (lie ftay,. till three on ground fhe layd,. 
 
 That, none of them rnmfelFe could rcare again ; 
 The fourth was by that other knight difmayd, 
 All were he wearie of his former paine, 
 That now there do but two of fix remaine ; 
 Which two did yield, before fhe did them fmight. 
 Ah ! faid fhe then, now may you all fee plaine, 
 That truth is ftrong, and trew love mod of might, 
 That for his trufty fervaunts doth fo ftrongly fight. 
 
 XXX. Too
 
 14 *The thirde Booke of Cant. I. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Too well we fee, faide they, and prove too well 
 
 Our faulty weakneffe, and your matchleffe might : 
 For thy, faire Sir, yours be the Damozell, 
 Which by her owne law to your lot doth light, 
 And we your liegemen faith unto you plight. 
 So underneath her feet their fwords they mard, 
 And after her befought, well as they might, 
 To enter in, and reape the dew reward : 
 
 She graunted, and then in they altogether fard. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Long were it to defcribe the goodly frame, 
 And ftately port of Cajile Joyeous, 
 (For fo that caftle flight by commune name) 
 Where they were entertaind with courteous 
 And comely glee of many gracious 
 Faire ladies, and of many a gentle knight, 
 Who through a chamber long and fpacious, 
 Eltfoones them brought unto their ladie's fight, 
 
 That of them cleeped was the Lady of Delight. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 But for to tell the fumptuous aray 
 
 Of that great chamber,- mould be labour loft : 
 
 For living wit, I weene, cannot diiplay 
 
 The royall riches and exceeding coft 
 
 Ol every pillour and of every poft ; 
 
 Which all of pureft bullion framed were, 
 
 And with great perles and pretious ftones emboft, 
 
 That the bright glifter of their beames cleare 
 
 Did fparckle forth great light, and glorious did appeare. 
 
 XXXIII. Thele
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene. 15 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Thefe ftraunger knights through pairing, forth were led 
 Into an inner rovvme, whole royaltee 
 And rich purveyance might uneath be red ; 
 Mote Princes place be feeme fo deckt to bee. 
 Which (lately manner when as they did fee, 
 The image of fuperfluous riotize, 
 Exceeding much the ftate of meane degree, 
 They greatly wondred, whence fo fumpteous guize 
 Might be maintaynd, and each gan diverfely devize. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 The wals were round about apparelled 
 
 With coftly clothes of Arras and of Toure, 
 In which with cunning hand was pourtrahed 
 The love of Venus and her paramoure, 
 The faire Adonis^ turned to a flowre, 
 A worke of rare device, and wondrous wit. 
 Firft did it fhew the bitter balefull ftowre, 
 Which her afTayd with many a fervent fit, 
 When firft her tender hart was with his beautie (mit. 
 
 XXXV. 
 Then with what Heights and fweet allurements fhe 
 Entyft the boy, as well that art fhe knew, 
 And wooed him her paramoure to be ; 
 Now making girlonds of each flowre that grew, 
 To crowne his golden lockes with honour dew ; 
 Now leading him into a fecret made 
 From his beauperes, and from bright heaven's view, 
 Where him to fleepe fhe gently would perfwade, 
 Or bathe him in a fountaine by fome covert glade. 
 
 XXXVI. And
 
 16 *The thirde Booh of Cant. L 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 And whilft he flept, fhe over him would fpred 
 Her mantle, colour'd like the ftarry fkyes, 
 And her foft arme lay underneath his hed, 
 And with ambrofiall kiffes bathed his eyes ; 
 And whilft he bath'd, with her two crafty fpyes, 
 She fecretly would fearch each daintie lim, 
 And throw into the well fweet rofemaryes, 
 And fragrant violets, and pances trim, 
 
 And ever with fweet nectar me did fprinkle him. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 So did fhe fteale his heedeleffe hart away, 
 And joyd his love in fecret unefpyde. 
 But for fhe faw him bent to cruell play, 
 To hunt the falvage beaft in forreft wyde, 
 Dreadfull of daunger, that mote him betyde, 
 She oft and oft adviz'd him to refraine 
 From chafe of greater beaftes, whofe brutifh pryde 
 Mote breede him fcath unwares : but all in vain ; 
 
 For who can ihun the chaunce, that deft ny doth ordaine ? 
 
 XXXVIIL 
 
 Lo ! where beyond he lyeth languishing, 
 Deadly engored of a great wilde bore, 
 And by his fide the GoddefTe groveling 
 Makes for him endlefTe mone, and evermore 
 With her foft garment wipes away the gore, 
 Which ftaines his fnowy fkin with hatefull hew : 
 But when flie faw no helpe might him reftore, 
 Him to a dainty flowre fhe did tranfmew, 
 
 Which in that cloth was wrought, as if it lively grew. 
 
 XXXIX. So
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Quecne. 1 7 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 So was that chamber clad in goodly wize, 
 
 And round about it many beds were dight, 
 
 As whilome was the antique worlde's guize, 
 
 Some for untimely eafe, fome for delight, 
 
 As pleafed them to ufe, that ufe it might : 
 
 And all was full of damzels, and of fquires, 
 
 Dauncing and reveling both day and night, 
 
 And fwimming deepe in fenfual defires ; 
 And Cupid ftill emongeft them kindled luftfull fires. 
 
 XL. 
 And all the while fweet muficke did divide 
 
 Her loofer notes with Lydian harmony ; 
 
 And all the while fweet birdes thereto applide 
 
 Their daintie layes and dulcet melody, 
 
 Ay caroling of love and jollity, 
 
 That wonder was to heare their trim confort. 
 
 Which when tliofe knights beheld, with fcornefull eye, 
 
 They fdeigned fuch lafcivious difport, 
 And loath'd the loofe demeanure of that wanton fort. 
 
 XLI. 
 Thence they were brought to that great iadie's vew, 
 
 Whom they found fitting on a fumptuous bed, 
 
 That gliftred all with gold and glorious mew, 
 
 As the proud P erf an Queenes accuftomed : 
 
 She feemd a woman of great bountihed, 
 
 And of rare beautie, {living that aikaunce 
 
 Her wanton eyes, ill figns of womanhed, 
 Did roll too highly, and too often glaunce, 
 Without regard of grace, or comely amenaunce. 
 
 Vol. II. D XLII. Long
 
 1 8 The thirde Booke of Cant. I. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Lono- worke it were, and needlefTe to devize 
 
 Their goodly entertainement and great glee : 
 She can fed them be led in courteous wize 
 Into a bowre, difarmed for to bee, 
 And cheared well with wine and fpiceree. 
 The Redcrojfe Knight was foon difarmed there. 
 But the brave Mayd would not difarmed bee, 
 But onely vented up her umbriere, 
 And fo did let her goodly vifage to appere. 
 
 XLIII. 
 As when faire Cy?uhia, in darkefome night, 
 Is in a noyous cloud enveloped, 
 Where fhe may flnde the fubftance thin and light, 
 Breakes forth her filver beames, and her bright hed 
 Difcovers to the world difcomfited ; 
 Of the poore traveller, that went aflray, 
 With thoufand bleflings fhe is heried : 
 Such was the beautie and the mining ray y 
 With which faire Britomart gave light unto the day. 
 
 XLIV. 
 And eke thofe fix, which lately with her fought,, 
 
 Now were difirmd, and -did them felves prefent 
 Unto her vew, and company unfought ; 
 For they all feemed courteous and gent, 
 And all lixe brethren, borne of one parent, 
 Which had them traynd in all civilitee, 
 And goodly taught to tilt and turnament : 
 Now were they liegemen to this Ladie free, 
 And her knights fervice ought, to hold of her in fee. 
 
 XLV. The
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene. 19 
 
 XLV. 
 
 The firft of them by name Gardante hight, 
 
 A jolly perfon, and of comely vew ; 
 
 The fecond was Parlante, a bold knight, 
 
 And next to him Iocante did enfew ; 
 
 Bafciante did him felfe moll courteous mew ; 
 
 But fierce Bacchante feemd too fell and keene ; 
 
 And yet in armes No&ante greater grew : 
 
 All were faire Knights, and goodly well befeene, 
 But to faire Bromart they all but fhadows beene. 
 
 XLVI. 
 For Ihe was full of amiable grace, 
 
 And manly terrour mixed therewithall, 
 
 That as the one flird up affe&ions bace, 
 
 So th'other did mens ram defires apall, 
 
 And hold them backe, that would in errour fall ; 
 
 As he, that hath efpide a vermeill rofe, 
 
 To which fharpe thornes and breres the way forftall, 
 
 Dare not for dread his hardy hand expofe, 
 
 But wifhing it far off, his idle wifh doth lofe. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Whom when the Lady faw fo faire a wight. 
 All ignorant of her contrary fex, 
 (For fhee her weened a frefh and lufty knight) 
 She greatly gan enamoured to wex, 
 And with vaine thoughts her falfed fancy vex : 
 Her fickle hart conceived hafty fire, 
 Like fparkes of fire, that fall in fclender flex, 
 That fhortly brent into extreme defire, 
 
 And ranfackt all her vcines with paflion entire. 
 
 D 2 XLVIII. Eft-
 
 20 ^the thirde Booke of Cant. I. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Kftfoones flie grew to great impatience, 
 
 And into termes of open outrage bruft, 
 
 That plaine difcovered her incontinence, 
 
 Ne reckt me, who her meaning did miftruft ; 
 
 For flie was given all to flefhy luft, 
 
 And poured forth in fenfuall delight, 
 
 That all regard of fhame me had difcuft, 
 
 And meet reipect of honour put to flight : 
 
 So fhameleffe beauty foone becomes a loathly light. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Faire ladies, that to love captived arre, 
 
 And chafte defires do nourifh in your mind, 
 
 Let not her fault your fweete affections marre, 
 
 Ne blot the bounty of all womankind, 
 
 Mongft thoufands good one wanton dame to find : 
 
 Emongft the rofes grow fome wicked weeds j 
 
 For this was not to love, but luft inclind ; 
 
 For love does alwayes bring forth bounteous deeds. 
 
 And in each gentle hart defire to honour breeds. 
 
 L. 
 
 Nought fo of love this loofer dame did fkill, 
 But as a coale to kindle "flefhly flame, 
 Giving the bridle to her wanton will, 
 And treading under foote her honeft name : 
 Such love is hate, and fuch defire is fhame. 
 Still did ihe rove at her with crafty glaunce 
 Of her falfe eyes, that at her hart did aime, 
 And told her meaning in her countenauncej 
 
 But Britomart diffembled it with ignoraunce. 
 
 LI. Supper
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene* 21 
 
 LI. 
 
 Supper was fhortly (light, and downe they fate, 
 
 Where they were ferved with all fumptuous fare, 
 Whiles fruitfull Ceres and Lyceus fit 
 Pourd out their plenty, without fpight or fpare: 
 Nought wanted there, that dainty was and rare; 
 And aye the cups their bancks did overflow, 
 And aye betweene the cups, fhe did prepare 
 Way to her love, and fecret darts did throw; 
 But Britomart would not fuch guilfull meflage know. 
 
 LII. 
 So when they flaked had the fervent heat 
 Of appetite with meates of every fort, 
 The Lady did faire Britomart entreat, 
 Her to difarme, and with delightfull fport 
 Too loofe her warlike limbs and fbong effort. 
 But when fhe mote not thereunto be wonne, 
 (For fhe her fexe under that ftraunge purport 
 Did ufe to hide, and plaine apparaunce fhonne:) 
 In plainer wife to tell her grievaunce fhe begonne : 
 
 Lin. 
 
 And all attonce difcovered her deflre 
 
 With fighes, and fobs, and plaints, and piteous griefe. 
 
 The outward fparkes of her in-burning hre ; 
 
 Which fpent in vaine, at laft fhe told her briefe, 
 
 That but if fhe did lend her fhort reliefe, 
 
 And do her comfort, fhe mot algates die. 
 
 But the chafte damzell, that had never priefe 
 
 Of fuch malengine and fine forgerie, 
 Did eafily beleeve her ftrong extremitie 
 
 LIV. Full
 
 22 The thirde Booke of Cant. I. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 Full eafie was for her to have beliefe, 
 
 Who by felf-feeling of her feeble fexe, 
 And by long triall of the inward griefe, 
 Wherewith imperious love her heart did vexe, 
 Could judge what paines do loving harts perplexe. 
 Who meanes no guile, beguiled fooneft mall, 
 And to faire femblaunce doth light faith annexe ; 
 The bird, that knowes not the falfe fowlers call 
 
 Into his hidden net full eafily doth fail, 
 
 LV. 
 
 For-thy me would not, in difcourteife wife, 
 Scorne the faire offer of good will profeft; 
 For great rebuke it is, love to defpife, 
 Or rudely fdeigne a gentle harts requeft ; 
 But with faire countenaunce, as befeemed beft, 
 Her entertaynd j nath'lefTe fhee inly deemd 
 Her love too light, to wooe a wandrino- gueft: 
 Which fhe mifconftruing, thereby efteemd 
 
 That from like inward fire that outward fmoke had fteemd. 
 
 LVI. 
 
 Therewith a while fhe her flit fancy fed, 
 
 Till fhe mote winne fit time for her defire, 
 
 But yet her wound frill inward fremly bled, 
 
 And through her bones the falfe inftilled fire 
 
 Did fpred it felfe, and venime clofe infpire. 
 Tho were the tables taken all away, 
 
 And every knight and every gentle fquire 
 Gan choofe his dame with Bafc'wmani gay, 
 With whom he ment to make his fport and courtly play. 
 
 LVII. Some
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene. 23 
 
 LVII. 
 
 Some fell to daunce, fome fell to hazardry, 
 
 Some to make love, fome to make merimcnt, 
 
 As diverfe wits to diverfe things apply ; 
 
 And all the while faire Make aft a bent 
 
 Her crafty engins to her clofe intent. 
 
 By this th' eternall lampes, wherewith high fove 
 
 Doth light the lower world, were halfe yfpent, 
 
 And the moift daughters of huge Atlas ftrove 
 
 Into the Ocean deepe to drive their weary drove. 
 
 LVIIL 
 
 High time it feemed then for every wight 
 Them to betake unto their kindly reft ; 
 Eftfoones long waxen torches weren light, 
 Unto their bowres to guiden every gueft : . 
 Tho when the Britonnefle faw all the reft 
 Avoided quite, fhe gan her felfe defpoile, 
 And fafe commit to her foft fethered neft, 
 Where through long watch,, and late dayes weary toile 
 
 She. foundly flept, and carefull thoughts did quite afloile. 
 
 LIX>. 
 
 Now whenas all the world in filence. deepe 
 Ymrowded was,, and every mortall wight 
 Was drowned in the depth of deadly fteepe,.. 
 Faire Malecajla, whofe engrieved fpright 
 Could find no reft in fuch perplexed plight, 
 Lightly arofe out of her wearie bed, 
 And under the blacke vele of guilty Nighty 
 Her with a fcarlot mantle covered, 
 
 That was with gold and Ermines faire enveloped. 
 
 LX. Then
 
 ^4 The thirde Booke of Cant, 1. 
 
 LX. 
 
 Then panting foft, and trembling every joynt, 
 
 Her fearfull feete towards the bowre flie mov'd. 
 Where flie for fecret purpofe did appoynt 
 To lodge the warlike mayd unwifely lov'd, 
 And to her bed approching, firft me prov'd, 
 Whether me flept or wakt ; with her foft hand 
 She foitly felt, if any member mov'd, 
 And lent her weary eare to underftand, 
 
 II any puffe of breath, or figne of fence flie fond. 
 
 Ilxi. 
 
 Which whenas none me fond, with eafie fhift, 
 
 For feare leaft her unwares fhe mould abrayd, 
 Th'embrodered quilt me lightly up did lift, 
 And by her fide her felfe fhe foftly layd, 
 Of every rmeft fingers touch affrayd ; 
 Ne any noife fhe made, ne word flie fpake, 
 But inly figh'd. At laft the royall Mayd 
 Out of her quiet ilomber did awake, 
 
 And chaungd her weary fide, the better eafe to take. 
 
 LXII. 
 
 Where feeling one clofe couched by her fide, 
 She lightly lept out of her filed bed, 
 And to her weapon ran, in minde to gride 
 The loathed leachour. But the dame, halfe ded 
 Through fuddein feare and ghaftly drerihed, 
 Did fhrieke alowd, that through the houfe it rong, 
 And the whole family therewith adred, 
 Ramly out of their rouzed couches fprong, 
 
 And to the troubled chamber all in amies did throng. 
 
 LIU. And
 
 Cant. I. the Faerie Queene. 25 
 
 LXIII. 
 
 And thofe fixe knights, that ladies champions, 
 
 And eke the Redcrojfe knight ran to the ftound, 
 
 Halfe armd and halfe unarmd, with them attons : 
 
 Where when confufedly they came, they found 
 
 Their ladie lying on the fenceleffe ground ; 
 
 On th'other fide, they faw the warlike mayd 
 
 All in her fnow-white fmocke, with locks unbound, 
 
 Threatning the point of her avenging blade, 
 
 That with fo troublous terrour they were all difmayd. 
 
 LXIV. 
 
 About their ladie firft they flockt arownd, 
 
 Whom having laid in comfortable couch, 
 Shortly they reard out of her frofen fwound ; 
 And afterwardes they gan with fowle reproch 
 To ftirre up ftrife, and troublous contecke broch : 
 But by enfample of the laft daye's lofie, 
 None of them rafhly durft to her approch, 
 Ne in fo glorious fpoile themfelves emboffe : 
 
 Her fuccourd eke the Champion of the bloudy Crofle. 
 
 LXV. 
 
 But one of thofe fixe knights, Gardaiite hight, 
 Drew out a deadly bow and arrow keene, 
 Which forth he fent with felonous defpight, 
 And fell intent againft the virgin fheene : 
 The mortall fteele ftayd not, till it was feene 
 To gore her fide, yet was the wound not deepe, 
 But lightly rafed her foft filken fkin, 
 'That drops of purple bloud thereout did weepe, 
 
 Which did her lilly fmocke with ftaines of vermeil fteep. 
 
 Vol. II. E LXVI. Where-
 
 i6 T'he thirde Booke of Cant. I. 
 
 LXVI. 
 
 Wherewith enrag'd, flie fiercely at them flew, 
 And with her flaming fword about her layd, 
 That none of them foule mifchiefe could efchew, 
 But with her dreadfull ftrokes were all difmayd : 
 Here, there, and every where about her fwayd 
 Her wrathfull fteele, that none mote it abyde ; 
 And eke the Redcrojfe knight gave her good avd, 
 Ay joining foot to foot, and fyde to fyde, 
 
 That in fhort fpace their foes they have quite terrifyde. 
 
 LXVII. 
 
 Tho when as all were put to fhamefull flight, 
 The noble Britoma?-tis her arayd, 
 And her bright armes about her body dight : 
 For nothing would fhe lenger there be ftayd, 
 Where fo loofe life, and fo ungentle trade 
 Was ufd of knights and ladies feeming gent : 
 So earely ere the groffe earthes gryefy fhade 
 Was all difperft out of the firmament, 
 
 They tcoke their Heeds, and forth upon their journey went. 
 
 Canto
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 27 
 
 Canto II. 
 
 The Redcrojfe knight to Britomart 
 
 Defcribeth Ai'tegall : 
 The wondrous myrrhour, by which Jhe 
 
 In love with him did fall. 
 
 I. 
 
 ERE have I caufe, in men juft blame to find, 
 That in their proper prayfe too partiall bee, 
 And not indifferent to woman kind; 
 To whom no fhare in amies and chevalree 
 They doe impart, ne maken memoree 
 Of their brave geftes and prowefTe martiall. 
 Scarce do they fpare to one, or two, or three, 
 Rowme in their writs ; yet the fame writing final 1 
 Does all their deedes deface, and dims their glories all. 
 
 II. 
 But by record of antique times I find, 
 
 That women wont in warres to beare moft fvvay, 
 And to all great exploits them felves inclind ; 
 Of which they ftill the girlond bore away, 
 Till envious Men, fearing their rule's decay, 
 Gan coyne ftreight latves to curb their liberty ; 
 Yet iith they warlike armes have layd away, 
 They have exceld in artes and pollicy, 
 That now we foolifn men that prayfe gin eke t'envy. 
 
 E 2 HI. So
 
 28 The thirde Booke of Cant. II. 
 
 III. 
 
 Of warlike puifkiunce in ages fpent, 
 
 Be thou, faire Britomart, whofe prayfe I write, 
 
 But of all wifedom bee thou precedent, 
 
 O foveraigne Queene, whofe prayfe I would endite, 
 
 Endite I would as dewtie doth excite ; 
 
 But ah ! my rymes too rude and rugged arre, 
 
 When in fo high an object- they do lite, 
 
 And ftriving fit to make, I feare do marre : 
 Thy felfe thy prayfes tell, and make them knowen farre. 
 
 IV. 
 
 She travelling with Guyon by the way, 
 
 Of fundry thinges faire purpofe gan to find, 
 T'abridg their journey long, and lingring day ; 
 Mongft which it fell into that Faerie's mind, 
 To afke this Briton Maid, what uncouth wind 
 Brought her into thofe partes, and what inqueft 
 Made her difiemble her difguifed kind : 
 Faire lady fhe him feemd, like lady dreft, 
 
 But faireft knight alive, when armed was her breft. 
 
 V. 
 
 Thereat {be fighing foftly, had no powre 
 
 To fpeake a while, ne ready anfwere make, 
 
 But with hart-thrilling throbs and bitter ftowre, 
 
 As if fhe had a fever fit, did quake, 
 
 And every daintie limbe with hofrour fhake, 
 
 And ever and anone the rofy red 
 
 Flaiht through her face, as it had beene a flake 
 
 Of lightning, through bright heaven fulmined •> 
 
 At laft the paiTion pad, fhe thus him anfwered. 
 
 VI. Faire
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 29 
 
 VI. 
 
 Faire Sir, I let you weete, that from the howre 
 
 I taken was from nourfe's tender pap, 
 
 I have beene trained up in warlike ftowre, 
 
 To tolTen fpeare and fhield, and to affrap 
 
 The warlike ryder to his moft mifhap. 
 
 Sithence I loathed have my life to lead, 
 
 As ladies wont, in pleafure's wanton lap, 
 
 To ringer the fine needle and nyce thread : 
 Me lever were with point of foeman's fpeare be dead. 
 
 VII. 
 All my delight on deedes of armes is fet, 
 
 To hunt out perills and adventures hard. 
 
 By fea, by land, wherefo they may be met, 
 
 Onely for honour and for high regard, 
 
 Without refpect of richefTe or reward. 
 
 For fuch intent into thefe partes I came, 
 
 Withouten compafTe, or withouten card, 
 
 Far fro my native foyle, that is by name 
 The greater Brytaine, here to feeke for prayfe and fame, 
 
 VIII. 
 Fame blazed hath, that here in Faerie lond 
 
 Doe many famous knightes and ladies wonne, 
 
 And many ftraunge adventures to be fond, 
 
 Of which great worth and worfhip may be wonne ; 
 
 Which I to prove, I this voyage have begonne. 
 
 But mote I weet of you, right curteous knight, 
 
 Tydings of one, that hath unto me donne 
 
 Late foule difhonour and reprochfull fpiglit, 
 The which I feeke to wreake, and Arthegall he hight. 
 
 IX. The
 
 3Q The thirde Booke of Cant. II. 
 
 IX. 
 
 The word gone out, fhe backe againe would call, 
 
 As her repenting fo to have miffayd, 
 
 But that he it up-taking ere the fall, 
 
 Her fhortly anfwered ; Faire martiall mayd, 
 
 Certes ye mifavifed beene, t'upbrayd 
 
 A gentle knight with fo unknightly blame : 
 
 For weete ye well of all, that ever playd 
 
 At tilt or tourney, or like warlike game, 
 The noble Arthegall hath ever borne the name. 
 
 X. 
 For thy great wonder were it, if fuch fhame 
 
 Should ever enter in his bounteous thought, 
 
 Or ever do, that mote deferven blame : 
 
 The noble courage never weeneth ought, 
 
 That may unworthy of it felfe be thought. 
 
 Therefore, faire damzell, be ye well aware, 
 
 Left that too farre ye have your forrow fought : 
 
 You and your Countrey both I wifh welfare, 
 And honour both ; for each of other worthy are. 
 
 XL 
 The royall maid woxe inly wondrous glad, 
 
 To heare her love fo highly magnifide, 
 
 And joyd, that ever fhe affixed had 
 
 LIcr hart on knight fo goodly glorif.de, 
 
 How ever finely fhe it faind to hide : 
 
 The loving mother, that nine monthes did beare, 
 
 In the deare clofet of her painefull fide, 
 
 Her tender babe, it feeing fate appeare, 
 Doth not fo much rejoyce, as fhe r'ejoyced theare. 
 
 XII. But
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 31 
 
 XII. 
 
 But to occafion him to further talkc, 
 
 To feed her humour with his pleafing ftile, 
 Her lift in ftrifull termes with him to balke, 
 And thus replyde, How ever, Sir, ye file 
 Your curteous tongue, his prayfes to compile, 
 It ill befeemes a knight of gentle fort, 
 Such as ye have him boafted, to beguile 
 A fimple mayd, and worke fo haynous tort, 
 
 In fhame of knighthood, as I largely can report. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Let be therefore my vengeance to diflwade, 
 
 And read, where I that faytour falfe may find. 
 Ah, but if reafon faire might you perfwade, 
 To flake your wrath, and mollify your mind, 
 Said he, perhaps ye fhould it better find : 
 For hardy thing it is, to weene by might, 
 That man to hard conditions to bind, 
 Or ever hope to match in equall fight, 
 
 Whofe proweffe paragon faw never living wight. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Ne foothlich is it eafie'for to read, 
 
 Where now on earth, or how he may be found ; 
 For he ne wonneth in one certaine ftead, 
 But reftleffe walkcth all the world around, 
 Ay doing things, that to his fame redound, 
 Defending; ladies caufe, and orohans right, 
 Where fo he heares, that any doth confound 
 Them comfortlefle, through tyranny or might; 
 
 So is his fovcraine honour raifde to heaven's night. 
 
 XV. His
 
 32. The thirde Booke of Cant. II. 
 
 XV. 
 
 His feeling words her feeble fenfe much pleafed, 
 And foftly funck into her molten hart ; 
 Hart, that is inly hurt, is greatly eafed 
 With hope of thing, that may allegge his fmart ; 
 For pleaiing words are like to magick art ; 
 That doth the charmed make in flomber lay. 
 Such fecret eafe felt gentle Britomart, 
 Yet lift the fame efforce with faind gainefay ; 
 
 So difchord oft in mufick makes the fweeter lay : 
 
 XVI. 
 
 And laid, Sir knight, thefe idle termes forbeare, 
 And fith it is uneath to find his haunt, 
 Tell me fome markes, by which he may appeare, 
 If chaunce I him encounter paravaunt ; 
 For perdie one fhall other ilay, or daunt : 
 What fhape, what fhield, what armes, what fteed, what fled, 
 And what fo elfe his perfon moft may vaunt ? 
 All which the Redcrojfe knight to point ared, 
 
 And him in every part before her fafhioned. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Yet him in every part before me knew, 
 
 How ever lift her now her knowledge faine, 
 Sith him whilom e in Brit aim fhe did vew, 
 To her revealed in a mirrhour plaine, ' 
 Whereof did grow her firft engrafted paine, 
 Whofe roote and ftalke fo bitter yet did taft, 
 That but the fruit more fweetnefle did containe, 
 Her wretched days in dolour fhe mote waft, 
 
 And yield the pray of love to lothfome death at laft. 
 
 XVIII. By
 
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 By ftrange occaflon flie did him behold, 
 
 And much more ftrangely gan to love his fight, 
 
 As it in bookes hath written bene of old. 
 
 In Deheubarthy that now South- Wales is hight, 
 
 What time King Ryence raign'd, and dealed right, 
 
 The great Magitian Merlin had deviz'd, 
 
 By his deepe fcience, and hell-dreaded might, 
 
 A looking-glaffe, right wondroufly aguiz'd, 
 
 Whofe vertues through the wyde worlde foone were folemniz'd. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 It vertue had, to mew in perfect fight, 
 
 What ever thing was in the world contaynd, 
 Betwixt the loweft earth and heaven's hight, 
 So that it to the looker appertaynd. 
 What eyer foe had wrought, or frend had faynd, 
 Therein difcovered was, ne ought mote pas, 
 Ne ought in fecret from the fame remaynd ; 
 For-thy it round and hollow fhaped was, 
 
 Like to the world it felfe, and feemd a world of glas. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Who wonders not, that readcs fo wonderous worke ? 
 But who does wonder, that has red the Towre, 
 Wherein th'Aegyptian Phao long did lurke 
 From all men's vew, that none might her difcoure; 
 Yet fhe might all men vew out of her bowre ? 
 Great Ptolomcse it for his leman's fake 
 Ybuilded all of glaffe, by magicke powre, 
 And alfo it impregnable did make ; 
 
 Yet when his love was falfe, he with a peaze it brake. 
 
 Vol. II. F XXI. Such
 
 a j, The thirde Booke of Cant. II. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Such was the glaflie globe, that Merlin made, 
 And gave unto King Ryence for his gard, 
 That never foes his kingdom might invade, 
 But he it knew at home before he hard 
 Tydings thereof, and fo them ftill debar'd. 
 It was a famous prefent for a Prince, 
 And worthy worke of infinite reward, 
 That treafons could bewray, and foes convince } 
 
 Happie this realme, had it remained ever fmce. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 One day it fortuned, faire Britomart 
 Into her father's clofet to repayre ; 
 For nothing he from her referv'd apart, 
 Being his onely daughter and his hayre : 
 Where when me had efpyde that mirrhour fayre, 
 Her felfe awhile therein fhe vewd in vaine : 
 Tho her avizing of the vertues rare, 
 Which thereof fpoken were, fhe gan againe 
 
 Her to bethinke of that mote to her felfe pertaine. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 But as it falleth, in the gentleft harts 
 
 Imperious love hath higheft fet his throne, 
 
 And tyrannizeth in the bitter fmarts 
 
 Of them, that to him buxome are and prone : 
 
 So thought this mayd (as maydens ufe to done) 
 
 Whom fortune for her hufband would allot, 
 
 Nor that fhe lufted after any one ; 
 
 For fhe was pure from blame of finfull blot, 
 
 Yet wift her life at laft muft lincke in that fame knot. 
 
 XXIV. Eft-
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 35 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Eftfoones there was prefented to her eye 
 
 A comely knight, all arm'd in complete wize, 
 Through whole bright ventayle lifted up on live 
 His manly face, that did his foes agrize, 
 And friends to termes of gentle truce entize, 
 Lookt forth, as Phcebus face out of the eaft, 
 Betwixt two fhady mountaines doth arize ; 
 Portly his perfon was, and much increaft 
 
 Through his heroicke grace, and honorable geft. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 His creft was covered with a couchant hound, 
 
 And all his armour feemd of antique mould, 
 But wondrous many, and aflured found, 
 And round about yfretted all with gold, 
 In which there written was with cyphres old, 
 Achilles armeSj which Arthogall did win : 
 And on his (hield enveloped fevenfold 
 He bore a crowned little -ermilin, 
 
 That deckt the azure field with her faire pouldred fkin. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 The damzell well did vew his perfonage, 
 
 And liked well, ne further faftned not, 
 But went her way ; ne her unguilty age 
 Did weene unwares, that her unlucky lot 
 Lay hidden in the bottome of the pot : 
 Of hurt unwifl moft daunrer doth redound. 
 
 O 
 
 But the falfe archer, which that arrow fhot 
 So flyly, that me did not feele the wound, 
 Did fmyle full fmoothly at her weetleffe wofull ftound. 
 
 F 2 XXVII. Thence-
 
 36 The thirde Booke of Cant. II. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Thenceforth the feather in her lofty creft, 
 Ruffed of love, gan lowly to availe, 
 And her prowd portance, and her princely geft, 
 With which fhe earft tryumphed, now did quaile : 
 Sad, folemne, fowre, and full of fancies fraile 
 She woxe ; yet wift ihe nether how, nor why, 
 She wift not, filly mayd, what fhe did aile, 
 Yet wift, fhe was not well at eafe perdy ; 
 Yet thought it was not love, but fome melancholy. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 So foone as night had with her pallid hew 
 Defafte the beautie of the mining fky, 
 And reft from men the world's delired vew, 
 She with her nourfe adowne to fleepe did ly ; 
 But fleepe full farre away from her did fly : 
 In ftead thereof fad fighes and forrows deepe 
 Kept watch and ward about her warily, 
 That nought fhe did but wayle, and often fteepe 
 Her daintie couch with teares, which clofely fhe did weepe, 
 
 XXIX. 
 And if that any drop of flombring reft 
 
 Did chaunce to ftill into her wearie fpright, 
 When feeble nature felt her felfe oppreft, 
 Streight way with dreames, and with fantafticke fight 
 Of dreadfull things, the fame was put to flight, 
 That oft out of her bed fhe did aftart, 
 As one with vew of ghaftly feends affright : 
 Tho gan fhe to renew her former fmart, 
 And thinke of that faire vifage, written in her hart, 
 
 XXX. One
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene* $y 
 
 XXX. 
 
 One night when me was toft with fuch unreft, 
 
 Her aged nurfe, whofe name was Glance hight, 
 Feeling her leape out of her loathed ncft, 
 Betwixt her feeble armes her quickly keight, 
 And downe againe in her warme bed her dight. 
 Ah my deare daughter ! ah my dearefl dread ! 
 What uncouth fit, faid (he, what evill plight 
 Hath thee oppreft, and with fad dreary-head 
 
 Chaunged thy lively cheare, and living made thee dead ? 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 For not of nought thefe fuddein ghaftly feares 
 All night afflict thy naturall repofe ; 
 And all the day, when as thine equall peares 
 Their fit difports with faire delight doe chofe, 
 Thou in dull corners doeft thy felte inclofe, 
 Ne tafteft princes pleafures, ne doeft ipred 
 Abroad thy frem youth's faireft flowre, but lofe 
 Both leale and fruit, both too untimely fhed, 
 
 As one in wilfull bale lor ever buried. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 The time, that mortall men their weary cares 
 Do lay away, and all wilde beaftes do reft, 
 And every river eke his courfe forbeares, 
 Then doth this wicked evil! thee infeft, 
 And rive with thoufand throbs thy thrilled breft. 
 Like an huge Aetri of deepe engulfed griefe, 
 Sorrow is heaped in thy hollow cheft, 
 Whence forth it breakes in fighes and anguifh rife, 
 
 As fmoke and fulphure mingled with conlufed ftrife. 
 
 XXXIII, Aye
 
 3 8 7%e thirde Booke of Cant. II. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Aye me ! how much I feare, leaft love it bee ! 
 But if that love it be, as fure I read 
 By knowen fignes and paflions, which I fee, 
 Be it worthy of thy race and royall fead ; 
 Then I avow by this moft facred head 
 Of my deare fofter childe, to eafe thy griefe, 
 And win thy will : Therefore away doe dread ; 
 For death nor daunger from thy dew reliefe 
 
 Shall me debarre : tell me therefore, my liefeft liefe. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 So having faid, her twixt her armes twaine 
 
 She ftraightly ftraynd, and colled tenderly, 
 And every trembling joynt, and every vaine 
 She fbftly felt, and rubbed bulily, 
 To doe the frofen cold away to fly ; 
 And her faire deawy eies with kiffes deare 
 She oft did bathe, and oft again e did dry ; 
 And ever her importund, not to feare 
 
 To let the fecret of her hart to her appeare. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 The damzell pauzd, and then thus fearfully ; 
 
 Ah nurfe ! what needeth 'thee to eke my paine? 
 Is not enough, that I alone doe dye, 
 But it muff doubled be with death of twaine ? 
 For nought for me but death there doth remaine. 
 O daughter deare ! faid fhe, defpaire no whit, 
 For never fore but mi^ht a falve obtaine : 
 That blinded God, which hath ye blindly fmit, 
 
 Another arrow hath your lover's hart to hit. 
 
 XXXVI. But
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 39 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 But mine is not, quoth me, like other wound ; 
 
 For which no reafon can finde remedy. 
 
 Was never fuch, but mote the like be found, 
 
 Said fne, and though no reafon may apply 
 
 Salve to your fore, yet love can higher flye 
 
 Then reafon's reach, and oft hath wonders donnc. 
 
 But neither God of love, nor God of fkye 
 
 Can doe, faid fhe, that, which cannot be donne. 
 Things oft impofiible, quoth me, feeme, ere begonne. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 Thefe idle words, faid fhe, doe nought afTwage 
 
 My ftubborne fmart, but more annoyance breed. 
 
 For no no ufuall fire, no ufuall rage 
 
 Yt is, O nourfe ! which on my life doth feed, 
 
 And fuckes the blood, which from my hart doth bleed. 
 
 But fince thy faithfull zeale lets me not hyde 
 
 My crime, (if crime it be) I will it reed. 
 
 Nor prince, nor pere it is, whofe love hath gryde 
 My feeble breft of late, and launched this wound wyde. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 Nor man it is, nor other living wight ; 
 
 For then feme hope I might unto me draw ; 
 
 But th'only made and femblant of a knight, 
 m Whofe fhape or perfon yet I never faw, 
 
 Hath me fubjecled to love's cruell law. 
 
 The fame one day, as me misfortune led, 
 
 I in my father's wondrous mirrhour faw, 
 
 And pleafed with that feeming goodly-hed, 
 Unwares the hidden hooke with baite I fwallowed. 
 
 XXXIX. Sithens
 
 40 77jc thirde Eooke of Cant. II. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Sithens it hatli infixed fafter hold 
 
 Within my bleeding bowels, and fo fore 
 Now ranckleth in this fame fraile flefhly mould, 
 That all mine entraiies flow with poyfnous gore, 
 And th'ulcer groweth daily more and more \ 
 Ne can can my ronning fore finde remedee, 
 Other than my hard fortune to deplore, 
 And languifh as the leafe fain from the tree, 
 Till death make one end of my dayes and miferee. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Daughter, faid me, what need ye be difmayd ? 
 
 Or why make ye fuch monfter of your minde ? 
 
 Of much more uncouth thing I was affrayd ; 
 
 Of filthy luft, contrarie unto kinde. 
 
 But this affection nothing ftraunge I finde ; 
 
 For who with reafon can you aye reprove, 
 
 To love the femblant pleafing moff. your minde ; 
 
 And yield your heart, whence ye cannot remove ? 
 
 No guilt in you, but in the tyranny of love. * 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Not fo th' Arabia?! Myrrhe did fet her mind ; 
 Nor fo did Biblis fpend her pining hart, 
 But lov'd their native flefh againft all kind, 
 And to their purpofe ufed wicked art. m 
 
 Yet playd Pafiphae a more monftrous part, 
 That lov'd a bull, and learnd a beafl: to bee. 
 Such mamefull lufts who loaths not, which depart 
 From courfe of nature and of modeflee ? 
 
 Sweet love fuch lewdnes bands from his faire companee. 
 
 XLII. But
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 But thine, my deare, (welfare thy heart, my deare !) 
 Though ftrange beginning had, yet fixed is 
 On one, that worthy may perhaps appeare ; 
 And certes feemes beftowed not amis : 
 Joy thereof have thou and eternall blis. 
 With that upleaning on her elbow weake, 
 Her alabafter breft fhe foft did kis, 
 Which all that while fhe felt to pant and quake, 
 
 As it an earthquake were ; at laft fhe thus befpake, 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Beldame, your words doe worke me little eafe ; 
 For though my love be not fo lewdly bent, 
 As thofe ye blame, yet may it nought appeafe 
 My raging fmart, ne ought my flame relent, 
 But rather doth my helpelefTe griefe augment. 
 For they, how ever fhamefull and unkind, 
 Yet did pofTefTe their horrible intent : 
 Short end of forrowes they thereby did find, 
 
 So was their fortune good, though wicked were their mind. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 But wicked fortune mine, though mind be good, 
 Can give no end, nor hope of my defire, 
 But feed on fhadowes, whiles I die for food, 
 / . And like a fhadow wexe, whiles with entire 
 Affection I doe languifli and expire. 
 I fonder, then Cephifus fooliili child, 
 Who having vewed in a fountaine {here 
 His face, was with the love thereof beguild ; 
 
 I fonder love a made, the body farre exild. 
 
 Vol. II. G XLV. Nought
 
 2j.2 T'he thirde Booke of Cant. II. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Nought like, quoth Ihe, for that fame wretched boy 
 Was of him felfe the idle paramoure ; 
 Both love and lover, without hope of joy, 
 For which he faded to a watry flowre. 
 But better fortune thine, and better howre, 
 Which lov'ft the fhadow of a warlike knight - y 
 No fhadow, but a bodie hath in powre : 
 That bodie, wherefoever that it light, 
 May learned be by cvphers, or by magicke might. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 But if thou may with reafon yet reprefle 
 
 The growing evill, ere it ftrength have got, 
 And thee abandond wholly doe poffefTe, 
 Againff. it ftrongly ftrive, and yield thee not,. 
 Till thou in open field adowne be fmot. 
 But if the pailion mayfter thy fraile might, 
 So that needs love or death muft be thy lot, 
 Then I avow to thee, by wrong or right 
 To compafTe thy defire, and find that loved knight. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Her chearefull words much cheard the feeble fpright 
 Of the ficke virgin, that her downe fhe layd 
 In her warme bed to fleepe, if that fhe might ; 
 And the old woman carefully difplayd + 
 
 The clothes about her round with bufie ayd, 
 So that at laft a little creeping lleepe 
 Surprifd her fenfe : She therewith well apayd, 
 The drunken lampe downe in the oyle did fleepe, 
 
 And fet her by to watch, and fet her by to weepe. 
 
 XLVIII. Earely
 
 Cant. II. the Faerie Queene. 43 
 
 XL VIII. 
 
 Earely the morrow next, before that day 
 
 His joyous face did to the world reveale, 
 They both uprofe, and tooke their readie way 
 Unto the church, their prayers to appeale, 
 With great devotion, and with little zeale : 
 For the faire damzel from the holy herfe 
 Her love-ficke hart to other thoughts did fteale ; 
 And that old dame faid many an idle verfe, 
 
 Out of her daughter's hart fond fancies to reverfe. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Returned home, the royall infant fell 
 
 Into her former fit ; for why, no powre, 
 Nor guidaunce of her felfe in her did dwell. 
 But th'aged nurfe her calling to her bowre, 
 Had gathered rew, and favine, and the flowre 
 Of Camphora^ and calamint, and dill, 
 All which fhe in an earthen pot did poure, 
 And to the brim with colt-wood did it fill, 
 
 And many drops of milke and bloud through it did fpill. 
 
 L. 
 
 Then taking thrife three haires from off her head, 
 Them trebly breaded in a threefold lace, 
 And round about the pot's mouth bound the thread, 
 And after having whifpered a fpace 
 Certaine fad words, with hollow voice and bace, 
 She to the virgin faid, thrife faid fhe it ; 
 Come, daughter, come, come ; fpit upon my face, 
 Spit thrife upon me, thrife upon me fpit ; 
 
 Th' uneven number for this bufineffe is moft fit. 
 
 G 2 LI. That
 
 44 *fhe thirde Eooke of Cant. II. 
 
 LI. 
 
 That fayd, her round about fhe from her turnd, 
 She turned her contrarie to the funne, 
 Thrife fhe her turnd contrary, and returnd, 
 All contrary ; for fhe the right did fhunne, 
 And ever what fhe did, was ftreight undonne. 
 So thought fhe to undoe her daughter's love - y 
 But love, that is in gentle brefr. begonne, 
 No idle charmes fo lightly may remove : 
 
 That well can witnefTe, who by triall it does prove, 
 
 LII. 
 
 Ne ought it mote the noble mayd avayle, 
 Ne flake the furie of her cruell flame, 
 But that fhe frill did wafte, and frill did wayle, 
 That through long languour, and hart-burning brame 
 She fhortly like a pyned ghoff. became, 
 Which long hath waited by the Stygian flrond. 
 That when old Glance faw, for feare leafl blame 
 Of her mifcarriage mould in her be fond, 
 
 She wift not how t'amend, nor how it to withflond. 
 
 Canto
 
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 i
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene* 45 
 
 Canto III. 
 
 Merlin bewray es to Britomart 
 
 'The ft ate of Artegall, 
 And Jbews the famous progeny, 
 
 Which frojn them fpringen Jhall. 
 
 r. 
 
 gpOST facred fire, that burneft mightily: 
 *Wt In living brefls, ykindled firfr. above, 
 Pf^l Emongft th'eternall fpheres and lamping fky, 
 
 And thence pourd into men, which men call love j 
 Not that fame, which doth bafe affections move 
 In brutifh mindes, and filthy luft inflame : 
 But that fweet fit, that doth true beautie love, 
 And chofeth vertue for his deareft dame ; 
 
 Whence fpring all noble deeds and never-dying fame : 
 
 II. 
 
 Well did antiquitie a God thee deeme, 
 
 That over mortall minds haft fo great might, 
 To order them, as beft to thee doth feeme, 
 And all their actions to direct: aright ; 
 The fatall purpofe of divine forefight, 
 Thou doelt effect in deflincd defcents, 
 Through decpe impreflion of thy fecret might, 
 And ftirredft up th'heroes high intents, 
 
 W T hich the late world admyres for wondrous moniments. 
 
 IIL But
 
 46 The thirde Booke of Cant. III. 
 
 III. 
 
 But thy dread darts in none doe triumph more, 
 Nc braver proofe in any, of thy powre 
 Shew'dft thou, then in this royall maid of yore, 
 Making her feeke an unknowne paramoure, 
 From the world's end, through many a bitter flowre : 
 From whofc two loynes thou afterwards did rayfe 
 Moft famous fruits of matrimoniall bowre, 
 Which through the earth have fpred their living prayfe, 
 
 That fame in trompe of gold eternally difplayes. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Bep-in then, O my deareft. facred dame, 
 
 Daughter of Phoebus and of Memone. 
 That doeft ennoble with immortal name 
 The warlike worthies, from antiquitie, 
 In thy great volume of eternitie : 
 Begin, O Clio, and recount from hence 
 My glorious Soveraine's goodly aunceftrie, 
 Till that by dew degrees and long pretence, 
 
 Thou have it laflly brought unto her Excellence. 
 
 V. 
 
 Full many wayes within her troubled mind 
 
 Old Glance caff, to cure this ladie's griefe : 
 
 Full many wayes fhe fought, but none could find, 
 
 Nor herbes, nor charmes, nor counfel, that is chiefe, 
 
 And choifeft med'cine for fick hart's reliefe : 
 
 For thy great care fhe tooke, and greater feare, 
 
 Leaf! that it ihould her turne to foule repriefe, 
 
 And lore reproch, when fo her father deare 
 
 Should of his deareft daughter's hard misfortune heare. 
 
 D 
 
 VI. At
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene* 47 
 
 VI. 
 
 At laft fhe her avifd, that he, which made 
 
 That mirrhour, wherein the ficke damofell 
 So ftraungely vewed her ftraunge lover's made, 
 To weet, the learned Merlin, well could tell, 
 Under what coaft of heaven the man did dwell, 
 And by what means his love might bed be wrought: 
 For though beyond the Africk Ifmaell, 
 Or th' Indian Peru he were, fhe thought 
 
 Him forth through infinite endevour to have fought.. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Forthwith them felves difguifing both in ftraunge 
 
 And bafe attyre, that none might them bewray-,. 
 To Maridunum, that is now by chaunge 
 Of name Cayr-Merdin cald, they tooke their way : 
 There the wife Merlin whylome wont, they fay, 
 To make his wonne, low underneath the ground, 
 In a deepe delve, far from the vew of day, 
 That of no living wight he mote be found, 
 
 When fo he counfeld with his fprights encompaft round. 
 
 VIII, 
 
 And if thou ever happen that lame way 
 
 To travell, go to fee that dreadmll place :: 
 It is an hideous hollow cave, they fay, 
 Under a rock, that lyes a little fpace 
 From the rvvift Barry, tombling down apace,. 
 Emontrft the woodie hilles of Dvnevowre : 
 But dare thou not, I charge, in any cace, ; 
 To enter into that fame balefull bowre, 
 
 For feare the cruell feendes fhould thee unwares devowre.. 
 
 DC. Rut
 
 48 T^he third e Bookc of Cant. III. 
 
 IX. 
 
 But Handing high aloft, low lay thine eare, 
 
 And there fuch ghaftly noife of yron chaines, 
 And brafen caudrons thou fhalt rombling heare, 
 Which thoufand fprights with long enduring paines 
 Doe toffe, that it will ftanne thy feeble braines, 
 And oftentimes great grones, and grievous ftounds, 
 When too huge toile and labour them conftraines : 
 And oftentimes loud ftrokes, and ringing founds 
 
 From under that deepe rocke mod horribly rebounds. 
 
 X. 
 
 The caufe, fome fay, is this : A little while 
 Before that Merlin dyde, he did intend, 
 A brafen wall in compas to compile 
 About Cairmardin, and did it commend 
 Unto thefe fprights, to bring to perfect end. 
 During which worke the Ladie of the Lake, 
 Whom long he lov'd, for him in hail did fend, 
 Who thereby forft his workmen to forfake, 
 
 Them bound, till his returne, their labour not to flake. 
 
 XL 
 
 In the meane time, through that falfe ladie's traine 
 He was furprifd, and buried under beare, 
 Ne ever to his worke returnd againe : 
 Nath'leffe thofe feends may not their worke forbeare, 
 So greatly his commaundement they feare, 
 But there doe toyle and travell day and night, 
 Untill that brafen wall they up doe reare : 
 For Merlin had in magicke more infight, 
 
 Then ever him before or after living wight. 
 
 XII. For
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene. 49 
 
 XII. 
 
 For he by words could call out of the fky 
 
 Both funne and moone, and make them him obay ; 
 The land to fea, and fea to maineland dry, 
 And darkfom night he eke could turne to day j 
 Huge hofr.es of men he could alone difmay, 
 And hoftes of men of meaneft thinges could frame. 
 When fo him lift his enemies to fray : 
 That to this day, for terror of his fame, 
 
 The feends do quake, when any him to them does name, 
 
 XIII. 
 
 And footh, men fay, that he was not the fonne 
 Of mortall lyre, or other living wight, 
 But wondroully begotten, and begonne 
 By falfe illufion of a guilefull fpright 
 On a faire lady nonne, that whilome hight 
 Matilda, daughter to Pubidius, 
 Who was the Lord of Mathraval by right, 
 And coofen unto King Ambrofius , 
 
 Whence he indued was with fkill fo mervelous. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 They here ariving, ftaid a while without, 
 Ne durft adventure rafhly in to wend, 
 But of their firft intent gan make new dout 
 For dread of daunger, which it might portend : 
 Untill the hardie mayd (with love to frend) 
 Firft entering, the dreadful Mage there found 
 Deepe bufied bout worke of wondrous end, 
 And writing ftrange characters in the ground, 
 
 With which the ftubbom feends he to his fervice bound. 
 
 Vol. II. H XV. He
 
 50 The thirde Booke of Cant. II L 
 
 XV. 
 
 He nought was moved at their entrance bold : 
 For of their coming well he wift afore, 
 Yet lift them bid their buftneffe to unfold, 
 As if ought in this world in fecret ftore 
 Were from him hidden, or unknowne of yore. 
 Then Glauce thus ; Let not it thee offend, 
 That we thus rafhly through thy darkefome dore 
 Unwares have preft ; for either fatall end, 
 
 Or other mightie caufe us two did hither fend. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 He bad tell on ; and then fhe thus began : 
 
 Now have three moones with borrowd brothers light 
 Thrice fhined faire, and thrice feemd dim and wan, 
 Sith a fore evill, which this virgin bright 
 Tormenteth, and doth plonge in doleful 1 plight, 
 Firft rooting tooke ; but what thing it mote bee, 
 Or whence it fprong, I can not read aright : 
 But this I read, that but if remedee 
 
 Thou her afford, full fhortly I her dead mall fee. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Therewith th'enchaunter foftly gan to fmyle 
 
 At her fmooth fpeeches, weeting inly well, 
 
 That me to him diffembled womanifh guyle, 
 
 And to her faid : Beldame, by that ye tell, 
 
 More neede of leach-craft hath your damozell, 
 
 Then of my fkill : who helpe may have elfewhere, 
 
 In vaine feekes wonders out of magicke fpell. 
 
 Th'old woman wox half blanck, thofe words to heare; 
 
 And yet was loth to let her purpofe plaine appeare : 
 
 XVIII. And
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queeve. 51 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 And to him faid, If any leaches' jfkill, 
 
 Or other learned meanes, could have redreft 
 This my deare daughter's deepe engrafFed ill, 
 Certes I mould be loth thee to moleft. 
 But this fad evill, which doth her infeft, 
 Doth courfe of naturall caufe farre exceed, 
 And houfed is within her hollow breft, 
 That either feemes fome curled witche's deed, 
 
 Or evill fpright, that in her doth fuch torment breed. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 The wifard could no lenger beare her bord, 
 
 But burfting forth in laughter, to her fayd ; 
 G/auce, what needes this colourable word, 
 To cloke the caufe, that hath itfelfe bewrayd ? 
 Ne ye, faire Britomartis i thus arayd, • 
 More hidden are, then funne in cloudy vele j 
 Whom thy good fortune, having fate obayd, 
 Hath hither brought, for fuccour to appele : 
 
 The which the powres to thee are pleafed to revele. 
 
 XX. 
 
 The doubtfull mayd, feeing her felfe defcryde. 
 Was all abafht, and her pure yvory 
 Into a cleare carnation fuddeine dydc j 
 As faire Aurora^ riling haftily, 
 Doth by her biuming tell, that fhe did lye 
 All night in old Tithonus frofen bed, 
 Whereof fhe feemes afhamed inwardly. 
 But her olde nurfe was nought difbartened, 
 
 But vauntage made of that, which Merlin had ared : 
 
 H 2 XXI. And
 
 52 The thirde Booke of Cant. III. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 And fayd, Sith then thou knoweft all our griefe, 
 
 (For what doeft not thou know ?) of grace I pray, 
 Pitty our plaint, and yield us meet reliefe. 
 With that the prophet ftill awhile did flay, 
 And then his fpirite thus gan forth difplay ; 
 Moft noble virgin, that by fatall lore 
 Haft learn'd to love, let no whit thee difmay 
 The hard begin, that meets thee in the dore, 
 
 And with fharpe fits thy tender hart oppreffeth fore, 
 
 XXII. 
 
 For fo muft all things excellent begin, 
 
 And eke enrooted deepe muft be that tree, 
 
 Whofe big embodied braunches fhall not lin, 
 
 Till they to heaven's hight forth ftretched bee. 
 
 For from thy wombe a famous progenie 
 
 Shall fpring, out of the auncient Trojan blood, 
 
 Which fhall revive the fleeprng memorie 
 
 Of thofe fame antique peres, the heaven's brood, 
 
 Which Greeke and Afian rivers ftained with their blood, 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Renowmed Kings, and facred Emperours, 
 
 Thy fruitfull ofspring, fhall from thee defcend ; 
 Brave captaines, and moft mighty warriours, 
 That fhall their conquefts through all lands extendj 
 And their decayed kingdoms fhall amend. 
 The feeble Britons, broken with long warre, 
 They fhall upreare, and mightily defend 
 Againft their forren foe, that commes from farre, 
 
 Till univerfall peace compound all civill jarre. 
 
 XXIV. It
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene, 53 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 It was not, Britomart) thy wandring eye, 
 
 Glauncing unwares in charmed looking-glas, 
 
 But the {freight courle of heavenly deftiny, 
 
 Led with eternall providence, that has 
 
 Guided thy glaunce, to bring his will to pas. 
 
 Ne is thy fate, ne is thy fortune ill, 
 
 To love the proweft knight, that ever was. 
 
 Therefore fubmit thy wayes unto his will, 
 And do by all dew meanes thy deftiny fulfill. 
 
 XXV. 
 But read, faid Glance, thou magitian, 
 
 What meanes mail fhe out feeke, or what wayes take ? 
 
 How mall fhe know, how mall me find the man ? 
 
 Or what needes her to toyle, fith fates can make 
 
 Way for themfelves, their purpofe to pertake ? 
 
 Then Merlin thus ; Indeed the fates are firme, 
 
 And may not fhrinck, though all the world do fhake : 
 
 Yet ought mens good endevours them confirme, 
 And guide the heavenly caufes to their conftant terme. 
 
 XXVI. 
 The man, whom heavens have ordaynd to bee 
 
 The fpoule of Britomart, is Arthegall : 
 
 He wonneth in the land of Fayeree, 
 
 Yet is no Fary borne, ne fib at all 
 
 To elfes, but fprong of feed terreftriall, 
 
 And whilome by falfe Faries ftolne away, 
 
 Whiles yet in infant cradle he did crall ; 
 
 Ne other to himfelfe is knowne this day, 
 
 But that he by an Elfe was gotten of a Fay. 
 
 XXVII. But
 
 54 ¥he thirde Booke of Cant. III. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 But footh he is the fcnne of Gorkis, 
 
 And brother u to Cador, Cornifh king, 
 
 And for his warlike feates renowmed is, 
 
 From where the day out of the fea doth fpring 
 
 Untill the clofure of the evening. 
 
 From thence him firmely bound with faithfull band, 
 
 To this his native foyle thou backe (halt bring, 
 
 Strongly to aide his countrey, to withftand 
 
 The powre of forrein Paynims, which invade thy land. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Great aid thereto his mighty puifTaunce, 
 
 And dreaded name mail give in that fad day : 
 Where alfo proofe of thy prow valiaunce 
 Thou then malt make, t'increafe thy lover's pray. 
 Long time ye both in armes mall beare great fway, 
 Till thy wombe's burden thee from them do call, 
 And his lafl fate him from thee take away, 
 Too rathe cut off by practife criminall 
 
 Of fecret foes, that him fhall make in mifchiefe fall, 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 With thee yet fhall he leave for memory 
 
 Of his late puifTaunce, his image dead, 
 
 That living him in all activity 
 
 To thee fhall reprefent. He from the head 
 
 Of his coofin Conjlcmtius, without dread, 
 
 Shall take the crowne, that was his father's right, 
 
 And therewith crowne himfelfe in th'others ftead : 
 
 Then mall he ificw forth with dreadfull might, 
 
 Againft his Saxon foes in bloudy field to fight. 
 
 XXX. Like
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene. 55 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Like as a lyon, that in drowfie cave 
 
 Hath long time flept, himfelfe fo mall he make, 
 
 And coming forth mall fpred his banner brave 
 
 Over the troubled South, that it mail make 
 
 The warlike Mertians for feare to quake : 
 
 Thrife mail he light with them, and twife mail win, 
 
 But the third time mall faire accordaunce make : 
 
 And if he then with vidlorie can lin, 
 He mall his dayes with peace bring to his earthly in. 
 
 XXXI. 
 His Tonne, hight Vortipore^ mail him fucceed 
 
 In kingdome, but not in felicity ; 
 
 Yet mall he long time warre with happy Ipeed, 
 
 And with great honour many battels try \ 
 
 But at the laft to th'importunity 
 
 Of froward fortune mall be forft to yield. 
 
 But his fonne Malgo mall full mightily 
 
 Avenge his father's lofle, with fpeare and fhield, 
 And his proud foes difcomfit in victorious field. 
 
 XXXII. 
 Behold the man, and tell me, Brito??iart, 
 
 If ay more goodly creature thou didft fee ; 
 
 How like a gyaunt in each manly part 
 
 Beares he himfelfe with portly majeftee, 
 
 That one of th'old Heroes feemes to bee : 
 
 He the fix ifiands, comprovinciall 
 
 In auncient times unto great Britainee, 
 
 Shall to the fame reduce, and to him call 
 Their fundry Kings to do their homage feveralL 
 
 XXXIII. All
 
 5 6 The thirde Booke of Cant. III. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 All which his forme Careticus awhile 
 
 Shall well defend, and Saxons powre fupprefTe, 
 Untill a ftraunger king from unknowne foile 
 Arriving, him with multitude opprefle ; 
 Great Gormond, having with huge mightineffe 
 Ireland fubdewd, and therein fixt his throne, 
 Like a fwift otter, fell through emptineffe, 
 Shall overfwim the fea with many one 
 
 Of his Norveyfes, to aflift the Britons fone. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 He in his furie all mall overronne, 
 
 And holy church with faithleffe hands deface, 
 
 That thy fad people, utterly fordonne, 
 
 Shall to the utmoft mountaines fly apace : 
 
 Was never fo great waft in any place, 
 
 Nor fo fowle outrage doen by living men : 
 
 For all thy cities they fhall facke and race, 
 
 And the greene grafTe, that groweth, they fhall bren, 
 
 That even the wild bead mall dy in ftarved den. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Whiles thus thy Britons do in languour pine, 
 
 Proud Etheldred (hall from the North arife, 
 Serving th'ambitious will of Augnfline, 
 And palling Dee with hardy enterprife, 
 Shall backe repulfe the valiaunt Brockwell twife, 
 And Bangor with maffacrcd martyrs fill ; 
 But the third time fhall rew his foolhardife : 
 For Ca divan pittying his people's ill 
 
 Shall ftoutly him defeat, and thoufand Saxons kilh 
 
 XXXVI. But
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene. 57 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 But after him, Cadwallin mightily 
 
 On his forme Edwin all thofe wrongs mall wreake ; 
 
 Ne mail availe the wicked forcery 
 
 Of falfe Pellite, his purpofes to breake, 
 
 But him mail flay, and on a gallows bleake 
 
 Shall give th'enchaunter his unhappy hire : 
 
 Then mall the Britons, late difmayd and weake, 
 
 From their long vafTallage gin to refpire, 
 
 And on their Paynim foes avenge their ranckled ire. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Ne mall he yet his wrath fo mitigate, 
 
 Till both the fonnes of Edwin he have flaine, 
 Off?'icke and Ofricke, twinnes unfortunate, 
 Both flaine in battell upon Layburne plaine, 
 Together with the King of Louthiane i 
 Hight Adifiy and the King of Orkeny, 
 Both joynt partakers of their fatal paine : 
 But Pendciy fearfull of like defteny, 
 
 Shall yield him felfe his liegeman, and fweare fealty. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Him ihall he make his fatal inftrument, 
 
 T'afflidf. the other Saxons unfubdewd ; 
 He marching forth with fury infolent 
 Againft the good King Ofivald, who indewd 
 With heavenly powre, and by Angels refkewd. 
 All holding crofies in their hands on hye, 
 Shall him defeate withouten bloud imbrewd : 
 Of which that field, for endleffe memory, 
 
 Shall Hevenfield be cald to all poftcrity. 
 
 Vol. II. I XXXIX. Whereat
 
 $8 The thirde Booke of Cant. III. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Whereat Cadwallin wroth, (hall forth iflew, 
 And a huge hofte into Northumber lead, 
 With which he godly Ofivald fhall fubdew, 
 And crowne with martyrdome his facred head. 
 Whofe brother Ofwin, daunted with like dread, 
 With price of iilver fhall his kingdome buy, 
 And Penda, feeking him adowne to tread, 
 Shall tread adowne, and do him fowly dye, 
 But fhall with gifts his lord Cadwallin pacify. 
 
 XL. 
 Then fhall Cadwallin die, and then the raine 
 Of Britons eke with him attonce fhall dye ; 
 Ne fhall the good Cadwallader with paine, 
 Or powre, be hable it to remedy, 
 When the full time preflxt by deftiny 
 Shall be expired of Britons regiment. 
 For heaven it felfe fhall their fucceffe envy, 
 And them with plagues and murrins peftilent 
 Confume, till all their warlike puiflance be fpent. 
 
 XLI. 
 Yet after all thefe forrowes, and huge hills 
 
 Of dying people, during eight years fpace, 
 
 Cadwallader ', not yielding to his ills, 
 
 From Armoricke> where long in wretched cace 
 
 He liv'd, returned to his native place, 
 
 Shall be by vifion ftaid from his intent : 
 
 For th' heavens have decreed, to difplace 
 
 The Britons, for their finnes dew punifhment, 
 
 And to the Saxons over-owe their government. 
 
 XLII. Then
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene. 59 
 
 XLIL 
 
 Then woe, and woe, and everlafting woe, 
 
 Be to the Briton babe, that fhall be borne, 
 To live in thraldome of his father's foe ; 
 Late king, now captive, late lord, now forlorne, 
 The world's reproch, the cruell victor's fcorne, 
 Banifht from princely bowre to wafteful wood : 
 O ! who fhall helpe me to lament, and monrne 
 The royall feed, the antique Trojan blood, 
 
 Whofe empire lenger here then ever any flood ? 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 The damzell was full deepe empaflioned, 
 
 Both for his griefe, and for her people's fake, 
 
 Whofe future woes fo plaine he fafhioned, 
 
 And fighing fore, at length him thus befpake ; 
 
 Ah ! but will heaven's fury never flake, 
 
 Nor vengeaunce huge relent it felfe at laft ? 
 
 Will not long mifery late mercy make ; 
 
 But fhall their name for ever be defaftc, 
 And quite from off. th'earth their memory be raft ? 
 
 XLIV. 
 Nay but the terme, faid he, is limited, 
 
 That in this thraldome B?'ito?ts mall abide, 
 
 And the juft revolution mcafured, 
 
 That they as ftraungers fhall be notihde. 
 
 For twife foure hundreth years fhall be iupplide. 
 
 Ere they to former rule reftor'd mail bee, 
 
 And their importune fates all latisfidc: 
 
 Yet during this their moft obfeuritee. 
 Their bcames fhall oft breake iorth, that men them faire may fee, 
 
 I 2 XLV. For
 
 60 The thirde Booke of Cant. III. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 For Rhcdoricke, whofe furname fhalbe Great, 
 Shall of him felfe a brave enfample {hew, 
 That Saxon Kings his friendfhip fhall intreat ; 
 And Howell Dha fhall goodly well indew 
 The falvage minds with {kill of juft and treu v 
 Then Griffyth Co?ian alfo fhall up reare 
 His dreaded head, and the old fparkes renew 
 Or native courage, that his foes fhall feare, 
 
 Leafr. back againe the kingdome he from them mould bearer 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Ne mail the Saxons felves all peaceably 
 
 Enjoy the crowne, which they from Britons wonne 
 
 Firfr. ill, and after ruled wickedly : 
 
 For ere two hundred years be full outronne, 
 
 There fhall a raven, far from riling funne, 
 
 With his wide wings upon them fiercely fly, 
 
 And bid his faithlelTe chickens overronne 
 
 The fruitfull plaines, and with fell cruelty, 
 
 In their avenge, tread downe the vi&ours furquedry. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Yet mall a third both thefe and thine fubdew ; 
 There mail a lion from the fea-bord wood 
 Of Neujlria come roring, with a crew 
 Of hungry whelpes, his battailous bold brood, 
 Whofe clawes were newly dipt in cruddy blood, 
 That from the Danifke tyrant's head fhall rend 
 Th'ufurped crowne, as if that he were wood, 
 And the fpoile of the countrey conquered 
 
 Emongft his young ones fhall divide with bountyhed. 
 
 XLVIII. Tho
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene. 61. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Tho when the terme is full accomplifhid, 
 
 There fhall a fparke of lire, which hath long-while 
 
 Bene in his afhes raked up, and hid, 
 
 Be frefhly kindled in the fruitfull ile 
 
 Of Mona, where it lurked in exile ; 
 
 Which fhall breake forth into bright burning flame, 
 
 And reach into the houfe, that bears the ftile 
 
 Of royall majefty and foveraine name ; 
 
 So fhall the Briton bloud their crowne againe reclame. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Thenceforth eternal union fhall be made 
 Betweene the nations different afore, 
 And facred peace fhall lovingly perfwade 
 The warlike minds, to learne her goodly lore, 
 And civil armes to exercife no more. 
 Then fhall a royall virgin raine, which fhall 
 Stretch her white rod over the Belgicke fhore, 
 And the great caftle finite fo fore with all, 
 
 That it fhall make him fhake, and fhortly learne to fall. 
 
 L. 
 
 But yet the end is not. There Merlin ftayd, 
 As overcomen of the fpirites powre, 
 Or other ghaftly fpectacle difmayd, 
 That fecretly he faw, yet note difcoure : 
 Which fuddein fit, and halfe extatick ftourc 
 When the two fearefull women faw, thev crew 
 Greatly confufed in behavioure ; 
 At lafk the fury paft, to former hew 
 
 He turnd againe, and chearfull looks, as earft, did fhew. 
 
 LI. Then,
 
 6 % The thlrde Booke of Cant. Ill, 
 
 U. 
 
 Then, when themfclves they well inllructed had 
 Of all, that needed them to be inquird, 
 They both conceiving hope of comfort glad, 
 With lighter hearts unto their home retird ; 
 Where they in fecret counfell clofe confpird, 
 How to effect fo hard an enterprize, 
 And to poiTefTe the purpofe they defird : 
 Now this, now that twixt them they did devife, 
 
 And diverfe plots did frame, to mafke in ftrange difguife. 
 
 LH. 
 
 At lafl: the nourfe in her foolhardy wit 
 
 Conceivd a bold devife, and thus befpake ; 
 Daughter, I deeme that counfel aye moft fit, 
 That of the time doth dew advauntage take. 
 Ye fee, that good King Uther now doth make 
 Strong warre upon the the Paynim brethren hight, 
 081a and Oza, whome hee lately brake 
 Befide Cayr Verolame, in victorious fight ; 
 
 That now all Britame doth burne in amies bright. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 That therefore nought our pafTage may impeach, 
 Let us in feigned armes our felves difguize^ 
 -And our weake hands (need makes good fchollers) teach 
 The dreadful fpeare and fhield to exercize : 
 Ne certes, daughter, that fame warlike wize, 
 I weene, mould you mifieeme ; for ye beene tall, 
 And large of limbe, t'atchieve an hard emprize ; 
 Ne ought ye want, but {kill, which practize fmall 
 
 Will bring, and fhortly make you a mayd martiall. 
 
 LIV. And
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queette. 6$ 
 
 LIV. 
 
 And footh, it ought your courage much inflame, 
 
 To heare fo often, in that royall hous, 
 
 From whence to none inferiour ye came : 
 
 Bards tell of many women valorous, 
 
 Which have full many feats adventurous 
 
 Performd, in, paragone of proudeffc men : 
 
 The bold Bunduca, whofe victorious 
 
 Exploits made Rome to quake ; flout Gwendolen, 
 Renowmed Martia, and redoubted Emmilen. 
 
 LV. 
 And that, which more then all the reft may fway, 
 
 Late dayes enfample, which thefe eyes beheld : 
 
 In the laft field before Menevia, 
 
 Which Uther with thofe forrein pagans held, 
 
 I faw a Saxon virgin, the which feld 
 
 Great Uji/i thrife upon the bloody plaine, 
 
 And had not Carados her hand withheld 
 
 From ram revenge, fhe had him furely flaine, 
 Yet Carados himfelfe from her efcapt with paine. 
 
 LVI. 
 Ah ! read, quoth Britomart, how is fhe hight ? 
 
 Faire Angela, quoth fhe, men do her call ; 
 
 No whit leffe faire, then terrible in fight : 
 
 She hath the leading of a martiall 
 
 And mightie people, dreaded more then all 
 
 The other Saxons, which do for her fike 
 
 And love, themfelves of her name Ativles call. 
 
 Therefore, faire infant, her enfample make 
 Unto thy felfe, and equall courage to thee take. 
 
 LVII. Her
 
 64 ^he thirde Booke of Cant. III. 
 
 LVII. 
 
 Her harty wordes fo deepe into the mynd 
 
 Of the yong damzell funke, that great defire 
 
 Of warlike amies in her forthwith they tynd, 
 And generous flout courage did infpire, 
 
 That me refolv'd, unweeting to her fire, 
 
 Advent' rous knighthood on her felfe to don, 
 
 And counfeld with her nourfe, her maide's attire 
 
 To turne into a mafly habergeon, 
 And bad her all things put in readinefle anon. 
 
 LVIII. 
 Th'old woman nought, that needed, did omit ; 
 
 But all things did conveniently purvay : 
 
 It fortuned (fo time their turne did fit) 
 
 A band of Britons ryding on forray 
 
 Few dayes before, had gotten a great pray 
 
 Of Saxon goods, emongft the which was feene 
 
 A goodly armour, and full rich aray, 
 
 Which long'd to A?igela, the Saxon Queene, 
 All fretted round with gold, and goodly well befeene. 
 
 LIX. 
 The fame, ' with all the other ornaments, 
 
 King Rjence caufed to be hanged hy 
 
 In his chiefe church, for endleffe moniments 
 
 Of his fucceiTe and gladfull viclory : 
 
 Of which her felfe aviling readily, 
 
 In th'evening late old Glauce thither led 
 
 Faire Britomart^ and that fame armory 
 
 Down taking, her therein .appareled, 
 Well as fhe might, and with brave bau.Mrick garniihed. 
 
 LX. Befide
 
 Cant. III. the Faerie Queene. 65 
 
 LX. 
 
 Befide thofe amies there flood a mightie fpeare, 
 
 Which Bladud made by magick art of yore, 
 
 And ufd the fame in battell aye to beare ; 
 
 Sith which it had beene here preferv'd in flore, 
 
 For his great virtues proved long afore : 
 
 For never wight fo fail in fell could fit, 
 
 But him perforce unto the ground it bore : 
 
 Both fpeare fhe tooke, and fhield, which hong by it; 
 Both fpeare and fhield of great powre, for her purpofe fit. 
 
 LXI. 
 Thus when fhe had the virgin all arayd, 
 
 Another harnefTe, which did hang thereby, 
 
 About her felfe fhe dight, that the young mayd 
 
 She might in equall amies accompany, 
 
 And as her fquire attend her carefully. 
 
 Tho to their ready fleeds they clombe full light, 
 
 And through back wayes, that none might them efpy, 
 
 Covered with fecret cloud of filent night, 
 Themfelves they forth conveyd, and palled forward light. 
 
 LXII. 
 Ne relied they, till that to Faerie lond 
 
 They came, as Merlin them directed late ; 
 
 Where meeting with this Redcroffe knight, fhe fond 
 
 Of diverfe things difcourfes to dilate, 
 
 But moft of Jlrthegall, and his eflate. 
 
 At laft their wayes fo fell, that they mote part : 
 
 Then each to other well affectionate 
 ■ Friendfliip profefled with unfained hart; 
 The Redcroffe knight diverft, but forth rode Britomart. 
 
 Vol. II. K Canto
 
 66 The thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 Canto IV. 
 
 Bold Marlnell of Britoma?'t 
 
 Is throwne on the rich ftrond ; 
 Faire Florimell of Arthur is 
 
 Long followed, but not fond, 
 
 I. 
 
 (HERE is the antique glory now become, 
 That whilome wont in women to appeare ? 
 Where be the brave atchievements doen by fome T 
 Where be the battels, where the iliield and fpeare, 
 And all the conquefta, which them high did rearc, 
 That matter made for famous Poets verfe, 
 And boaftfull men fo oft abafht to heare ? 
 Bene they all dead, and laid in dolefull herie ? 
 Or doen they onely flepe, and fhall againe reverfe.? 
 
 II. 
 If they be dead, then woe is me therefore r 
 
 But if they> fleepe, O let them foone awake F 
 For all too long I burne with envy fore, 
 To heare the warlike feates, which Homere fpake 
 Of bold Pentheflee, which made a lake 
 Of Greekijh bloud fo oft in 'Trojan plaine r 
 But when I reade, how flout Debora ftrake 
 Proud Sifera, and how CamiW hath flaine 
 The huge Orflochus, I fwell with great difdaine. 
 
 III. Yet
 
 Cant. IV. fix Faerie Queetie. 67 
 
 III. 
 
 Yet thefe, and all that elfe had puiflaunce, 
 Cannot with noble Britoma?"t compare, 
 Afwell for glorie of great valiaunte, 
 As for pure chaftitie and vertue rare, 
 That all her goodly deeds do well declare. 
 Well worthy ftock, from which the branches fprong, 
 That in late yeares fo faire a bloffome bare, 
 As thee, O Queene, the matter of my fong, 
 Whofe lignage from this lady I derive along. 
 
 IV. 
 Who when through fpeaches with the Redcrojfe knight, 
 She learned had th'eftate of Arthegally 
 And in each point her felfe informd aright, 
 A friendly league of love perpetuall 
 She with him bound, and Conge tooke withall. 
 Then he forth on his journey did proceede, 
 To feeke adventures, which mote him befall, 
 And win him worfhip through his warlike deed, 
 Which alwayes of his paines he made the chiefeft meed. 
 
 V. 
 But Britomart kept on her former courfe, 
 
 Ne ever dofte her armes, but all the way 
 Grew penlive through that amorous difcourfe, 
 By which the Redcrojfe knight did earft difplay 
 Her lover's fhape, and chevalrous aray. 
 A thoufand thoughts me fafhiond in her mind, 
 And in her feigning fancie did pourtray 
 Him fuch, as fitteft he for love could find, 
 Wife, warlike, perfonable, curteous, and kind. 
 
 K 2 VI. With
 
 68 'The thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 VI. 
 
 With fuch felfe-pleaiing thoughts her wound fhe fed, 
 And thought fo to beguile her grievous fmart ; 
 But fo her fmart was much more grievous bred, 
 And the deepe wound more deepe engord her hart, 
 That nought but death her dolour mote depart. 
 So forth £he rode without repofe or reft, 
 Searching all lands, and each remoteft part, 
 Following the g-uidaunce of her blinded &;ueft, 
 
 Till that to the fea-coaft at length fhe her addreft. 
 
 VII. 
 
 There fhe alighted from her light-foot beaft, 
 And fitting downe upon the rocky fhore, 
 Bad her old fquire unlace her lofty creafL 
 Tho having vewd a while the furges hore, 
 That gainft the craggy clifts did loudly rore, 
 And in their raging furquedry difdaynd, 
 That the faft earth affronted them fo fore, 
 And their devouring covetize reftraynd, 
 
 Thereat fhe fighed deepe, and after thus complaynd, 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Huge fea of forrow, and tempeftuous griefe, 
 Wherein my feeble barke is toffed long, 
 Far from the hoped haven of' reliefe, 
 Why do thy cruel billowes beat fo ftrong, 
 And thy moyft mountaines each on others throng, 
 Threatning to fwallow up my fearefull life ? 
 O do thy cruell wrath and fpightfull wrong 
 At length allay, and ftint thy ftormy ftrife, 
 ich in thy troubled bowels raignes, and rageth rife. 
 
 IX. For
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queene. 69 
 
 IX. 
 
 For elfe my feeble veffell crazd, and crackt 
 
 Through thy ftrong buffets and outrageous blowes, 
 
 Cannot endure, but needs it muft be wrackt 
 
 On the rough rocks, or on the fandy fhallowes, 
 
 The whiles that love it fteres, and fortune rowes : 
 
 Love, my lewd pilot, hath a reftleffe mind, 
 
 And fortune, botefwaine, no affuraunce knowes, 
 
 But faile withouten ftarres, gainft tide and wind : 
 
 How, can they other do, iith both are bold and blind ? 
 
 X. 
 
 Thou, God of winds, that raigneft in the feas, 
 
 That raigneit alfo in the continent, 
 
 At laft blow up fome gentle gale of eafe, 
 
 The which may bring my fhip, ere it be rent, 
 
 Unto the gladfome port of her intent : 
 
 Then when I mail my felfe in fafety fee, 
 
 A table for eternall moniment 
 
 Of thy great grace, and my great jopardee, 
 
 Great Neptune^ I avow to hollow unto thee. 
 
 XL 
 
 Then fighing foftly fore, and inly deepc, 
 
 She fhut up all her plaint in privy griefe ; 
 
 For her great courage would not let her weepe, 
 
 Till that old Glance gan with fharpe repriefe 
 
 Her to reftraine, and give her good reliefe, 
 
 Through hope of thofe, which, Merlin had her told, 
 
 Should of her name and nation be chiefe, 
 
 And fetch their being from the ficred mould 
 
 Of her immortall womb, to be in heaven enrold. 
 
 XII. Thus
 
 70 The thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Thus as me her recomforted, me fpyde, 
 
 Where farre away one all in armour bright, 
 With haftie gallop, towards her did ryde : 
 Her dolour foone me ceaft, and on her dight 
 Her helmet, to her courfer mounting light : 
 Her former forrow into fuddein wrath, 
 Both coofen paflions of diflroubled fpright, 
 Converting, forth {he beates the duftie path ; 
 Love and defpight attonce her courage kindled hath. 
 
 XIII. 
 As when a foggy mill hath overcafl 
 
 The face of heaven, and the cleare aire engroft, 
 The world in darknefTe dwels, till that at laft 
 The watry fouthwinde from the feab'ord cofl 
 Upblowing, doth difperfe the vapour lo'ft, 
 And poures it felfe forth in a ftormy fhowre ; 
 So the faire Britomart having difclo'ft 
 Her clowdy care into a wrathfull ftowre, 
 The mih: of griefe diuolv'd did into vengeance powre. 
 
 XIV. 
 Eftfoones her goodly fhield addrefling faire, 
 
 That mortall fpeare fhe in her hand did take, 
 And unto battel did her felfe prepaire. 
 The knight approaching, fternly her befpake ; 
 Sir knight, that doeft thy voyage rafhly make 
 By this forbidden way in my defpight, 
 Ne doeft by others death enfample take, 
 I read thee foone retyre, whiles thou haft might, 
 Leaft afterwards it be too late to take thy flight. 
 
 XV. Ythrild
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queene* 71 
 
 XV. 
 
 Ythrild with deene difdaine of his proud threat,. 
 She ihortly thus ; Fly they, that need to fly ; 
 Words fearen babes. I meane not thee entreat 
 To paiie ; but maugre thee will paffe or dy. 
 Ne lenger ftayd for th'other to reply, 
 But with fharpe fpeares the reft made dearly knowne. 
 Strongly the ftraunge knight ran, and fturdily 
 Strooke her full on the breft, that made her downe 
 
 Decline her head,, and touch her crouper with her crowne. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 But me ao-aine him in the fhield did finite 
 
 With fo fierce furie and great puifTaunce, 
 
 That through his threefquare fcuchin percing quite, 
 
 And through his mayled hauberque, by mifchaunce 
 
 The wicked ftcele through his left fide did glaunce ; 
 
 Him fo transfixed me before her bore 
 
 Beyond his croupe, the length of all her launce, 
 
 Till fadly foucing on the fandie fhore, 
 
 He tombled on an heape, and wallowd in his gore. 
 
 XVIL 
 
 Like as the facred oxe, that careleile ftands, 
 
 With gilded homes, and flowry girlonds crownd, 
 Proud of his dying honor and deare bands, 
 Whiles th'altars fume with frankincenfe arownd, 
 All iuddenly with mortall ftroke aftownd, 
 Doth groveling fall, and with his ftreaming gore 
 Diftaines the pillours, and the holy grownd, 
 And the faire flowres, that decked him afore ; 
 
 So fell proud Marinell upon the pretious more. 
 
 XVIII. The
 
 72 The thirrfc Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 The martiall mayd ftayd not him to lament, 
 
 But forward rode, and kept hex readie way 
 Along the ftrond, which, as me over- went, 
 She law beftrowed all with rich aray 
 Of pearles and pretious ftones of great aflay, 
 ' And all the gravell mixt with golden owre. 
 Whereat me wonderd much, but would not ftay 
 For gold, or perles, or pretious ftones an howre, 
 
 But them defpifed all ; for all was in her powre. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 "Whiles thus he lay in deadly ftomihment, 
 
 Tydings hereof came to his mother's eare ; 
 His mother was the blacke-browd Cymoent, 
 The daughter of great Nerens, which did beare 
 This warlike fonne unto an earthly peare, 
 The famous Dumarin\ who on a day 
 Finding the nymph a lleepe in fecret wheare, 
 As he by chaunce did wander the fame way, 
 
 Was taken with her love, and by her clofely lay. 
 
 XX. 
 
 There he this knight of her begot, whom borne 
 She of his father Marindl did name, 
 And in a rocky cave, as wight forlorne, 
 Long time Hie foftred up, till he became 
 A mightie man at armes, and mickle fame 
 Did get through great adventures by him donne : 
 For never man he fuffred by that fame 
 Rich Jrro?id to travell, whereas he did wonne, 
 
 But that he muft do battel with the fea-nymphe's fonne. 
 
 XXI. An
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queene* 73 
 
 XXI. 
 
 An hundred knights of honorable name 
 
 He had fubdew'd, and them his vaflals made, 
 That through all Faerie lond his noble fame 
 Now blazed was, and feare did all invade, 
 That none durfi: paffen through that perilous glade. 
 And to advance his name and glory more, 
 Her fea-god fyre fhe dearely did perfwade 
 T'endow her fonne with threafure and rich flore, 
 
 Bove all the fonnes, that were of earthly wombes ybore. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 The God did graunt his daughter's deare demaund, 
 To doen his nephew in all riches flow : 
 Eftfoones his heaped waves he did commaund, 
 Out of their hollow bofome forth to throw 
 All the huge threafure, which the lea below 
 Had in his greedie gulfe devoured deepe, 
 And him enriched through the overthrow 
 And wreckes of many wretches, which did weepe, 
 
 And often waile their wealth, which he from them did keepe. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Shortly upon that more there heaped was 
 
 Exceeding riches and all pretious things, 
 The fpoyle of all the world, that it did pas 
 The wealth of th'Eaft, and pompe diPerf.an kings : 
 Gold, amber, yvorie, perles, owches, rings, 
 And all that elfe was pretious and deare, 
 The fea unto him voluntary brings, 
 That fhortly he a great lord did appeare, 
 
 As was in all the lond of Faerie, or elfewheare. 
 
 Vol. II. L XXIV. Thereto
 
 74 T7ie thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Thereto he was a doughtie dreaded knight, 
 
 Tryde often to the fcath of many deare, 
 
 That none in equall amies him matchen might ; 
 
 The which his mother feeing, gan to feare, 
 
 Leaft his too haughtie hardines might reare 
 
 Some hard mifhap, in hazard of his life : 
 
 For-thy me oft him counfeld to forbeare 
 
 The bloudie battel!, and to ftirre up ftrife, 
 But after all his warre, to reft his wearie knife; 
 
 XXV. 
 And for his more afturance, fhe inquir'd 
 
 One day of Proteus by his mightie fpell, 
 
 (For Proteus was with prophecie infpir'd) 
 
 Hear deare fonne's dcftinie to her to teli„ 
 
 And the fad end of her fweet MarineU. 
 
 Who, through forefight of his eternall fkill, 
 
 Bad her from womankind to keepe him well ; 
 
 For of a woman he fhould have much ill ; 
 A virgin ftrange and flout him mould difmay, 01? kill. 
 
 XXVI. 
 For-thy fhe gave him warning every day, 
 
 The love of women not to entertaine ; 
 
 A leffon too too hard for living clay, 
 
 For love in courfe of nature to refraine : 
 
 Yet he his mother's lore did well retaine, 
 
 And ever from faire ladies love did fly ; 
 
 Yet many ladies faire did oft complaine, 
 
 That they for love of him would algates dy : 
 Dy, who fo lift for him, he was loves enimy. 
 
 XXVII. But
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queene. 75 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 But ah ! who can deceive his deftiny, 
 
 Or weene by warning to avoyd his fate ? 
 That when he fleepes in mod fecurity, 
 And fafeft feemes, him fooneft doth amate, 
 And hndeth dew effect or foone or late. 
 So feeble is the powre of flefhy arme. 
 His mother bad him womens love to hate, 
 For fhe of woman's force did feare no harme ; 
 
 So weening to have arm'd him, fhe did quite difarme. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 This was that woman, this that deadly wound, 
 That Proteus prophecide fhould him difmay, 
 The which his mother vainely did expound, 
 To be hart-wownding love, which fhould allay 
 To bring her fonne unto his laft decay. 
 So tickle be the termes of mortall flate, 
 And full of fubtile fophifmes, which do play 
 With double fenfes, and with falfe debate, 
 
 T'approve the unknowen purpofe of eternall fate. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Too trew the famous Marinell it fownd, 
 
 Who, through late triall, on that wealthy flrond 
 Inglorious now lies in fenfelefTe fwownd, 
 Through heavy ftroke of Britomartis hond. 
 Which when his mother deare did underftond, 
 And heavy tydings heard, whereas fhe playd 
 Among her watry fitters by a pond, 
 Gathering fweete daffadillyes, to have made 
 
 Cay girlonds, from the fun their forheads faire to made, 
 
 L 2 XXX. Eft-
 
 j 6 *The thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Eftfoones both flowres and girlonds farre away 
 She flong, and her faire deawy lockes yrent ; 
 To forrow huge /lie turnd her former play, 
 And gamefon merth to grievous dreriment. 
 She threw her felfe downe on the continent, 
 Ne word did fpeake, but lay as in a fwowne, 
 Whiles all her fitters did for her lament 
 With yelling outcries, and with fhrieking fbwne ; 
 
 And every one did teare her girlond from her crowne. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Soone as fhe up out of her deadly fit 
 
 Arofe, fhe bad her charet to be brought, 
 And all her fitters, that with her did fit, 
 Bad eke attonce their charets to be fought. 
 Tho full of bitter griefe and penfive thought, 
 She to her wagon clombe ; clombe all the reft, 
 And forth together went, with forrow fraught. 
 The waves, obedient to their beheaft, 
 
 Them yielded readie pafTage, and their rage furceatt. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Great Neptune ftood amazed at their fight, 
 
 Whiles on his broad round backe they foftly flid, 
 And eke him felfe mournd at their mournful 1 plight, 
 Yet wift not what their wailing ment, yet did 
 For great companion of their forrow, bid 
 His mightie waters to them buxome bee : 
 Eftfoones the roaring billowes ftill abid, 
 And all the griefly montters of the fee 
 
 Stood gaping at their gate, and wondred them to fee. 
 
 XXXIII. A
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Qneem. 77 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 A teme of dolphins, raunged in aray, 
 
 Drew the fmooth charet of fad Cymoent ; 
 They were all taught by 'Triton, to obay 
 To the long traines, at her commaundement : 
 As fwift as fwallowes, on the waves they went, 
 That their broad flaggy finnes no fome did reare, 
 Ne bubbling roundell they behinde them fent ; 
 The reft of other fifties drawen weare, 
 
 Which with their finny oars the fwelling fea did fheare, 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Soone as they bene arriv'd upon the brim 
 
 Of the Rich Jlrond y their charets they forlore, 
 
 And let their temed fifties foftly fwim 
 
 Along the margent of the fomy fhore, 
 
 Leaft they their finnes ftiould bruze, and furbate fore 
 
 Their tender feete upon the ftony ground : 
 
 And coming to the place, where all in gore 
 
 And cruddy bloud enwallowed they found 
 
 The lucklefte Marinell, lying in deadly fwound ; 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 His mother fwowned thrife, and the third time 
 Could fcarce recovered be out of her paine ; 
 Had ftie not beene devoide of mortall flime, 
 She ftiould not then have beene reliv'd againe : 
 But foone as life recovered had the raine, 
 She made fo piteous mone and deare wayment, 
 That the hard rocks could fcarfe from tears refraine. 
 And all her fifter nymphe's with one confent 
 
 Supplide her fobbing breaches with fad complement. 
 
 XXXVI. Dear
 
 78. The thlrde Booh of Cant. IV, 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Deare image of my felfe, fhe faid, that is, 
 
 The wretched forme of wretched mother borne, 
 Is this thine high advauncement ? O ! is this 
 Th'immortall name, with which thee yet unborne 
 Thy grandfire Ne?~eus promifl to adorne ? 
 Now lyeft thou of life and honor reft ; 
 Now lyeft thou a lumpe of earth forlorne, 
 Ne of thy late life memory is left, v 
 
 Ne Can thy irrevocable deftiny be weft ? 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Fond Proteus ', father of falfe prophecis, 
 
 And they more fond, that credit to thee give, 
 
 Not this the worke of woman's hand 3, 
 
 That fo deepe wound through thefe deare members drive. 
 
 I feared love ; but they, that love, do live, 
 
 But they, that dye, do neither love nor hate. 
 
 Nath'lerTe to thee thy folly I forgive ; 
 
 And to my felfe, and to accurfed fate, 
 
 The guilt I do afcribe : deare wifedom bought too late. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 O ! what availes it of immortall feed 
 
 To beene ybred, and never borne to die ? 
 
 Far better I it deeme to die with fpeed, 
 
 Then wafte in woe and wailefull miferie. 
 
 Who dyes, the utmoft dolor doth abie, 
 
 But who, that lives, is left to waile his lofTe : 
 
 So life is lofTe, and death felicitie. 
 
 Sad life worfe than glad death ; and greater crofle 
 
 To fee friends grave, then dead the grave felfe to engrorTe. 
 
 XXXIX. But
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queenc* < r 9 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 But if the heavens did his dayes envie, 
 
 And my fhort Mis' maligne, yet mote they well 
 
 Thus much afford me, ere that he did die, 
 
 That the dim eyes of my deare Mar'mell 
 
 I mote have clofed, and him bed farewell, 
 
 Sith other offices for mother meet 
 
 They would not graunt. 
 
 Yet maulgre them farewell, my fweetefl fweet ; 
 
 Farewell, my fweetefl: fonne, fith we no more fhall meet. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Thus when they all had iorrowed their fill, 
 
 They fortly gan to fearch his griefly wound ; 
 And that they might him handle more at will, 
 They him difarmd, and fpredding on the ground 
 Their watchet mantles frindgd with filver round, 
 They foftiy wipt away the gelly blood 
 From th' orifice ; which having well upbound, 
 They pourd in foveraine balme, and nectar good, 
 
 Good both for erthly med'cine, and for heavenly food, 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Tho when the lilly handed Liagore^ 
 
 (This Lie gore wrrylome had learned fkill 
 In leaches craft, by great Appolloes lore, 
 Sith her whylome upon high Pindus hill, 
 He loved, and at laft her wombe did fill 
 With heavenly feed, whereof wife Paeon fprong) 
 Did feele his pulfe, me knew there ftaied ftill 
 Some little life his feeble fprites emong ; 
 
 Which to his mother told, defpaire fhe from her flong. 
 
 XLII. Tho
 
 f; tfhe thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Tho up him taking in their tender hands, 
 They eafily unto her charet beare : 
 Her teme at her commaundement quiet (lands, 
 Whiles they the corfe into her wagon reare, 
 And ftrowe with flowres the lamentable beare : 
 Then all the reft into their coches clim, 
 And through the brackifh waves their paffage fheare ; 
 Upon great Neptune's necke they foftly fwim, 
 And to her watry chamber fwiltly carry him. 
 
 XLIII. 
 JPeepe in the bottome of the fea, her bowre 
 Is built of hollow billowes heaped hye, 
 Like to thicke clouds, that threat a ftormy mowre, 
 And vauted all within, like to the fay, 
 In which the Gods do dwell eternally : 
 There they him laid in eafie couch well dight ; 
 And fent in hafte for Tryphon, to apply 
 Salves to his wounds, and medicines of might : 
 For Tryphon of fea Gods the foveraine leach is hight. 
 
 XLIV. 
 The whiles the Nymph es fit all about him round, 
 Lamenting his mifhap and heavy plight • 
 And oft his mother vewing'his wide wound, 
 Curfed the hand, that did fo deadly fmight 
 Her deareft fonne, her deareft hart's delight. 
 But none of all thofe curfes overtooke 
 The warlike maid, th'enfample of that might, 
 But fairely well flie thryvd, and well did brooke 
 Her noble deeds, ne her right courfe for ought forfooke. 
 
 XLV. Yet
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queene. 81 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Yet did falfe Archimage her ftill purfew, 
 
 To bring to paftc his mifchievous intent, 
 
 Now that he had her fingled fron: the crew 
 
 Of courteous knights, the Prince, and Faerie gent, 
 
 Whome late in chace of beautie excellent 
 
 She left, purfewing that fame fofter ftrong ; 
 
 Of whofe foule outrage they impatient, 
 
 And full of fiery zeale, him followed long, 
 
 To refkew her from fhame, and to revenge her wrong. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Through thick and thin, through mountains and through plains, 
 Thofe two great champions did attonce purfew 
 The fearfull damzell, with inceffant pains ; 
 Who from them fled, as light-foot hare from vew 
 Of hunter fwift, and fent of houndes trew. 
 At laft they came unto a double way, 
 Where, doubtfull which to take, her to refkew, 
 Themfelves they did difpart, each to aflay, 
 
 Whether more happie were, to win fo goodly pray. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 But Ttmias, the Prince's gentle fquire, 
 
 That ladie's love unto his lord forlent, 
 
 And with proud envy, and indignant ire, 
 
 After that wicked fofter fiercely went. 
 
 So beene they three three fundry wayes ybent. 
 
 But faireft fortune to the Prince befell, 
 
 Whofe chaunce it was, that foone he did repent, 
 
 To take that way, in which that damozell 
 
 Was fled afore, affraid of him, as feend of hell. 
 
 Vol. II. M XLVIII. At
 
 8 2 \the thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 At laft of her farre off he gained vew : 
 
 Then gan he frefhly pricke his fomy fteed, 
 
 And ever as he nigLer to her drew, 
 
 So evermore he did increafe his fpeed, 
 
 And of each turning frill kept warie heed : 
 
 Aloud to her he oftentimes did call, 
 
 To doe away vaine doubt, and needleffe dreed : 
 
 Full myld to her he fpake, and oft let fall 
 
 Many meeke wordes, to flay and comfort her withall. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Eut nothing might relent her haftie flight ; 
 
 So deepe the deadly feare of that foule fwaine 
 Was earft impreffed in her gentle fpright : 
 Like as a fearefull dove, which through the raine 
 Of the wide aire her way does cut amaine, 
 Having farre off efpyde a taffel gent, 
 Which after her his nimble wings doth ftraine, 
 Doubleth her haft for feare to be for-hent, 
 
 And with her pineons cleaves the liquid firmament, 
 
 L. 
 
 With no leffe haft, and eke with no leffe dreed, 
 That fearefull ladie fled from him, that ment 
 To her no evill thought, nor evill deed ; 
 Yet former feare of being fowly fhent 
 Carried her forward with her firft intent : 
 And though oft looking backward, well fhe vewd 
 Her k\k freed from that fofter infolent, 
 And that it was a knight, which now her fewd, 
 
 Yet fhe no leffe the knight feard, then that villein rude. 
 
 LI. His
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queene. S$ 
 
 LI. 
 
 His uncouth fhield and ftraunge armes her difmayd, 
 Whofe like in Faerie lond were feldom feme, 
 That fail flie from him fled, no lefie afrayd, 
 Then of wilde beaftes if fhe had chafed beene : 
 Yet he her followd ftill with courage keene, 
 So long that now the golden Hefperus 
 "Was mounted high in top of heaven fheene, 
 And warnd his other brethren joyeous 
 
 To light their bleffed lamps in Joves eternall hous. 
 
 LII. 
 
 All fuddenly dim woxe the dampifli ayre, 
 
 And griefly fhadowes covered heaven bright, 
 That now with thoufand ftarres was decked fayre ; 
 Which when the Prince beheld, a lothfull fight, 
 And that perforce, for want of lenger light, 
 He mote furceafe his fuit, and lofe the hope 
 Of his long labour, he gan fowly wyte 
 His wicked fortune, that had turnd aflope, 
 
 And curfed night, that reft from him fo goodly fcope. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 Tho when her ways he could no more defcry, 
 But to and fro at difaventure ftrayd ; 
 Like as a fhip, whofe lodeflarre, fuddenly 
 Covered with cloudes, her pilot hath difmayd, 
 His wearifome purfuit perforce he ftayd, 
 And from his loftie fteed difmounting low, 
 Did let him forage. Downe himfelfe he 'ayd 
 Upon the graffie ground, to fleepe a throw ; 
 
 The cold earth was his couch, the hard fteele his pillow. 
 
 M 2 UV. But
 
 84 7& thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 But gentle fleepe envyde him any reft ; 
 
 In ftead thereof fad forrow and difdaine 
 
 Of his hard hap did vexe his noble breft, 
 
 And thoufand fancies bet his idle brainc 
 
 With their light wings, the fights of femblants vaine : 
 
 Oft did he wifh, that lady faire mote bee 
 
 His Faerie Queene, for whom he did complaine : 
 
 Or that his Faerie Queene were fuch, as fhee : 
 
 And ever haftie night he blamed bitterlie. 
 
 LV. 
 
 Night, thou foule mother of annoyance fad, 
 Sifter of heavie death, and nourfe of woe, 
 Which waft begot in heaven, but for thy bad 
 And brutifh fhape thruft downe to hell below, 
 Where by the grim floud of Cocytus How 
 Thy dwelling is, in Herebus black hous, 
 (Black HereSus, thy hufband, is the foe 
 Of all the Gods) where thou ungratious, 
 
 Halfe of thy dayes doeft lead in horrour hideous : 
 
 LVI. 
 
 What had th'eternall maker need of thee, 
 
 The world in his continuall courfe to keepe, 
 That doeft all things deface, ne letteft fee 
 The beautie of his worke ? Indeed in fleepe 
 The flouthfull bodie, that doth love to fteepe 
 His luftleffe limbes, and drowne his bafer mind, 
 Doth praife thee oft, and oft from Stygian deepe 
 Calles thee, his goddefie in his error blind, 
 
 And great dame Nature's handmaide, chearing every kind. 
 
 LVII. But
 
 Cant. IV. the Faerie Queene. S$ 
 
 lvii. 
 
 But well I wote, that to an heavy hart 
 
 Thou art the root and nourfe of bitter cares, 
 
 Breeder of new, renewer of old fmarts ; 
 
 In ftead of reft thou lendeft rayling teares ; 
 
 In ftead of ileepe thou fendeft troublous feares, 
 
 And dreadfull virions, in the which alive 
 
 The dreary image of fad death appeares : 
 
 So from the wearie fpirit thou doeft drive 
 Defired reft, and men of happinefte deprive. 
 
 LVIII. 
 Under thy mantle black there hidden lye 
 
 Light-fhonning thefte, and traiterous intent : 
 
 Abhorred bloodfhed, and vile felony, 
 
 Shamefull deceipt, and daunger imminent; 
 
 Fowle horror, and eke hellifh dreriment : 
 
 All thefe, I wote, in thy protection bee, 
 
 And light doe fhonne, for feare of being fhent : 
 
 For light ylike is loth'd of them and thee, 
 And all, that lewdneffe love, doe hate the light to fee, 
 
 LIX. 
 For day difeovers all difhoneft wayes, 
 
 And fheweth each thing, as it is indeed : 
 
 The prayfes of high God he faire difplayes, 
 
 And his large bountie rightly doth areed. 
 
 Day's deareft children be the blefted feed, 
 
 Which darknefTe fhall fubdue, and heaven win : 
 
 Truth is his daughter ; he her firft did breed, 
 
 Moft facred virgin, without fpot of fin : 
 
 Our life is day, but death with darknefTe doth begin. 
 
 LX. O ?
 
 86 The thirde Booke of Cant. IV. 
 
 LX. 
 
 O ! when will day return to me againe, 
 
 And bring with him his long expected light ? 
 O "Titan ! hafte to reare thy joyous waine : 
 Speed thee to fpred abroad thy beames bright, 
 And chafe away this too long lingring night, 
 Chafe her away, from whence me came, to hell. 
 She, fhe it is, that hath me done defpight : 
 There let her with the damned fpirits dwell, 
 
 And yeeld her roome to day, that can it governe well. 
 
 LXI. 
 
 Thus did the Prince that wearie night outweare, 
 In reftleffe anguifh and unquiet paine ; 
 And earely, ere the morrow did upreare 
 His deawy head out of the Ocean maine, 
 He up arofe, as halfe in great difdaine, 
 And clombe unto his Heed. So forth he went, 
 With heavie looke and lumpifh pace, that plaine 
 In him bewraid great grudge and maltalent : 
 
 His fteed eke feemd t' apply his fteps to his intent. 
 
 Canto
 
 Cant. V. the Faerie Queene. By 
 
 Canto V. 
 
 Prince Arthur heares of Fiorimell '; 
 
 'Three fofers Ti?nias woimd^ 
 Belphebe finds him almojl dead } 
 
 And reareth out of fownd. 
 
 I. 
 
 PMONDER it is to fee, in diverfe minds 
 if* W ^3 How diverfly love doth his pageants play, 
 i%^M^l And fhewes his powre in variable kinds : 
 The bafer wit, whofe idle thoughts alway 
 
 Are wont to cleave unto the lowly clay, 
 
 It ftirreth up to fenfuall defire, 
 
 And in lewd flouth to wafte his careleiTe day : 
 
 But in brave fprite it kindles goodly fire, 
 That to all high defert and honour doth alpire. 
 
 II. 
 Ne fuffereth it uncomely idleneffe, 
 
 In his free thought to build her fluggifh neft s 
 
 Ne fuffereth it thought of ungentlenefle 
 
 Ever to creepe into his noble breft, 
 
 But to the higheft and the worthier! 
 
 Lifteth it up, that elfe would lowly fall : 
 
 It lets not fall, it lets it not to reft : 
 
 It lets not fcarfe this Prince to breath at all, 
 But to his firft pourfuit him forward full doth call t 
 
 III. Who
 
 88 Woe thirde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 III. 
 
 Who long time wandred through the forreft wyde, 
 To finde fome iflue thence, till that at laft 
 He met a dwarfe, that feemed terrifyde 
 With fome late perill, which he hardly paft, 
 Or other accident, which him aghafl ; 
 Of whom he afked, whence he lately came, 
 And whither now he travelled To faft : 
 For fore he fwat, and ronning through that fame 
 
 Thicke foreft, was befcratcht, and both his feet nigh lame, 
 
 IV. 
 
 Panting for breath, and almoft out of hart, 
 
 The dwarfe him anfwerd, Sir, ill mote I flay 
 
 To tell the fame. I lately did depart 
 
 From Faerie court, where I have many a day 
 
 Served a gentle lady of great fway, 
 
 And high accompt, throughout all Elfin land, 
 
 Who lately left the fame, and tooke this way : 
 
 Her now I feeke, and if ye underftand 
 
 Which way fhe fared hath, good Sir, tell out of hand. 
 
 V. 
 
 What mifter wight, faid he, and how arayd ? 
 Royally clad, quoth he, in cloth of gold, 
 As meeteft may befeeme a noble mayd ; 
 Her faire lockes in rich circlet be enrold ; 
 A fairer wight did never funne behold, 
 And on a palfrey rides more white then fnow, 
 Yet fhe her felfe is whiter manifold : 
 The fureft figne, whereby ye may her know, 
 
 Is, that me is the faireft wight alive, I trow. 
 
 VI. Now
 
 Cant, V. the Faerie Queene. 89 
 
 VI. 
 
 Now certes fwaine, faid he, fuch one, I weene, 
 Faft flying through this foreft from her fo, 
 A foule ill favoured fofter, I have feene. 
 Her felfe, well as I might, I refkewd tho, 
 But could not ftay ; fo fail: me did foregoe, 
 Carried away with wings of fpeedy feare. 
 Ah deareft God ! quoth he, that is great woe, 
 And wondrous ruth to all, that mall it heare. 
 
 But can ye read, Sir, how I may her find, or where ? 
 
 VII. 
 
 Perdy me lever were to weeten that, 
 
 Said he, then ranfome of the richer! knight, 
 Or all the good, that ever yet I gat : 
 But froward fortune, and too forward night 
 Such happinefle did, maulgre, to me rpight, 
 And fro me reft both life and light attone. 
 But, dwarfe, aread, what is that lady bright, 
 That through this foreft wandreth thus alone ; 
 
 For of her errour ftraunge I have great ruth and mone. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 That lady is, quoth he, where fo me bee, 
 
 The bountieft virgin, and moft debonaire, 
 
 That ever living eye, I weene, did lee ; 
 
 Lives none this day, that may with her compare 
 
 In ftedfaft chaftitie and vertue rare, 
 
 The goodly ornaments of beautie bright ; 
 
 And is ycleped Florimell the faire, 
 
 Faire Florimell belov'd of many a knight, 
 
 Yet fhe loves none but one, that Marinell is hight. 
 
 Vol. II. N IX. A
 
 po The thirde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 IX. 
 
 A fea-nymphe's forme, that Marinell is hight, 
 
 Of my deare dame is loved dearely well ; 
 
 In other none, but him, me fets delight ; 
 
 All her delight is fet on Marme/I ; 
 
 But he lets nought at all by Florimell : 
 
 For ladies love his mother long ygoe 
 
 Did him, they fay, forwarne through facred fpell ; 
 
 But fame now flies, that of a forreine foe 
 He is yflaine, which is the ground of all our wee. 
 
 X. 
 Five days there be, fince he, they fay, was flaine, 
 
 And foure, fince Florimell the court forwent, 
 
 And vowed never to returne againe, 
 
 Till him alive or dead fhe did invent. 
 
 Therefore, faire Sir, for love of knighthood gent, 
 
 And honour of trew ladies, if ye may 
 
 By your good counfell, or bold hardiment, 
 
 Or fuccour her, or me direct the way, 
 Do one, or other good, I you moft humbly pray. 
 
 XI. 
 So may you gaine to you full great renowme 
 
 Of all good ladies, through the world fo wide, 
 
 And haply in her hart find higheft rowme, 
 
 Of whom ye feeke to be moft magnifide : 
 
 At leaft eternall meede mail you abide. 
 
 To whom the Prince ; Dwarfe, comfort to thee take, 
 
 For till thou tidings learne, what her betide, 
 
 I here avow thee never to forfake. 
 Ill weares he armes, that nill them ufe for ladies fake. 
 
 XII. So
 
 Canf. V. the Faerie Queene. 91 
 
 XII. 
 
 So with the dvvarfe he backe retum'd againe, 
 
 To feeke his lady, where he mote her find ; 
 But by the way he greatly gan complaine 
 The want of his good fquire late left behind, 
 For whom he wondrous peniive grew in mind, 
 For doubt of daunger, which mote him betide ; 
 For him he loved above all mankind, 
 Having him trew and faithfull ever tride, 
 
 And bold, as ever fquire that waited by knight's fide. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Who all this while full hardly was aflayd 
 
 Of deadly daunger, which to him betid ; 
 
 For whiles his lord purfewd that noble mayd, 
 
 After that fofter fowle he fiercely rid, 
 
 To bene avenged of the fhame, he did 
 
 To that faire damzell : Him he chaced long 
 
 Through the thicke woods, wherein he would have hid 
 
 His fhamefull head from his avengement ftrong, 
 
 And oft him threatned death for his outrageous wrong. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 NathlefTe the villein fped himfelfe fo well, 
 
 Whether through fwiftnefTe of his fpeedy beafl ; 
 
 Or knowledge of thofe woods, where he did dwell, 
 
 That fhortly he from daunger was releafl, 
 
 And out of light efcaped at the lean 1 ; 
 
 Yet not efcaped from the dew reward 
 
 Of his bad deeds, which dayly he increaft ; 
 
 Ne ceafed not, till him opprefTed hard 
 
 The heavy plague, that for fuch leachours is prepaid. 
 
 N 2 XV. For
 
 92 The thirde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 XV. 
 
 For fbone as he was vanifht out of fight, 
 
 His coward courage gan emboldned bee, 
 And caft t' avenge him of that fowle defpight, 
 Which he had borne of his bold enimee. 
 Tho to his brethren came ; for they were three 
 Ungratious children of one gracelefle fire, 
 And unto them complained, how that he 
 Had ufed bene of that foolehardy fquire ; 
 So them with bitter words he ftird to bloodie ire. 
 
 XVI. 
 Forthwith themselves with their fad inflruments 
 Of fpoyle and murder they gan arme by live, 
 And with him forth into the foreft went, 
 To wreake the wrath, which he did earft revive 
 In their fterne brefts, on him which late did drive 
 Their brother to reproch and fhamefull flight ; 
 For they had vow'd, that never he alive 
 Out of that foreft fhould efcape their might ; 
 Vile rancour their rude harts had fild with fuch defpight. 
 
 XVII. 
 Within that wood there was a covert glade, 
 
 Foreby a narrow foord, to them well knowne, 
 Through which it was uneath for wight to wade, 
 And now by fortune it was overflowne : 
 By that fame way they knew that fquire unknowne 
 Mote algates paile ; for thy themfelves they fet 
 There in await, with thicke woods over growne, 
 And all the while their malice they did whet 
 With crueil threats, his pafTage through the ford to let. 
 
 XVIII. It
 
 Cant. V. the Faerie Queene. 93 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 It fortuned, as they devized had, 
 
 The gentle fquire came ryding that fame way, 
 
 Unweeting of their wile and treafon bad, 
 
 And through the ford to patten did affay ; 
 
 But that fierce fofter, which late fled away, 
 
 Stoutly forth ftepping on the further fhore, 
 
 Him boldly bad his pafTage there to ftay, 
 
 Till he had made amends, and full reftore 
 For all the damage, which he had him doen afore. 
 
 XIX. 
 With that at him a quiv'ring dart he threw, 
 
 With fo fell force and villeinous defpite, 
 
 That through his haberjeon the forkehead flew, 
 
 And through the linked mayles empierced quite, 
 
 But had no powre in his foft flefh to bite. 
 
 That ftroke the hardy fquire did fore difpleafe, 
 
 But more that him he could not come to fmite ; 
 
 For by no meanes the high banke he could feafe, 
 But labour'd long in that deepe ford with vaine difeafe, 
 
 XX. 
 And ftill the fofter with his long bore-fpeare 
 
 Him kept from landing at his wifhed will ; 
 
 Anone one fent out of the thicket neare 
 
 A cruell fhaft, headed with deadly ill, 
 
 And fethered with an unlucky quill ; 
 
 The wicked fteele ftayd not, till it did light 
 
 In his left thigh, and deepely did it thrill : 
 
 Exceeding griefe that wound in him empight, 
 But more that with his foes he could not come to fight. 
 
 XXI. At
 
 94 ¥!?£ thirde Eooke of Cant. V. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 At laft through wrath and vengeaunce making way, 
 He on the bancke arrivd with mickle paine, 
 Where the third brother him did fore affay, 
 And drove at him with all his might and maine 
 A forefl bill, which both his hands did ftraine ; 
 But warily he did avoide the blow, 
 And with his fpeare requited him againe, 
 That both his fides were thrilled with the throw, 
 And a large ftreame of bloud out of the wound did flow. 
 
 XXII. 
 He tombling downe, with gnafhing teeth did bite 
 The bitter earth, and bad to let him in 
 Into the balefull houfe of endleffe night, 
 Where wicked ghofts do waile their former fin. 
 Tho gan the battell frefhly to begin ; 
 For nathemore for that fpe&acle bad, 
 Did th'other two their cruell vengeaunce blin, 
 But both attonce on both fides him beftad, 
 And load upon him layd, his life for to have had. 
 
 XXIII. 
 Tho when that villain he aviz'd, which late 
 Affrighted had the faireft Florimell^ 
 Full of fiers fury, and indignant hate, 
 To him he turned, and with rigour fell 
 Smote him fo rudely on the pannikell, 
 That to the chin he cleft his head in twaine : 
 Downe on the ground his carkas groveling fell ; 
 His finfull foule with defperate difdaine 
 Out of her flefhly forme fled to the place of paine. 
 
 XXIV. That
 
 C. nt. V. the Faerie Queene. gc 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 That feeing now the only laft of three, 
 
 Who with that wicked fnaft him wounded had, 
 Trembling with horror, as that did forefee 
 The fearefull end of his avengement fad, 
 Through which he follow fhould his brethren bad, 
 His booteleffe bow in feeble hand upcaught, 
 And therewith fhot an arrow at the lad ; 
 Which faintly fluttring, fcarce his helmet raught, 
 
 And glauncing fell to ground, but him annoyed naught. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 With that he would have fled into the wood ; 
 But Ttmias him lightly overhent, 
 Right as he entring was into the flood, 
 And flrooke at him with force fo violent, 
 That headleffe him into the foord he fent : 
 The carcas with the ftreame was carried downe, 
 But th 'head fell backward on the continent. 
 So mifchief fell upon the meaner's crowne ; 
 
 They three be dead with fhame, the fquire lives with renowne. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 He lives, but takes fmall joy of his renowne ; 
 For of that cruell wound he bled fo fore, 
 That from his fleed he fell in deadly fwowne ; 
 Yet ftill the bloud forth gufht in fo great ftore, 
 That he lay wallowd all in his owne gore. 
 Now God thee keepe, thou gentled fquire, alive, 
 Elfe fhall thy loving lord thee fee no more, 
 But both of comfort him thou (halt deprive, 
 
 And eke thy fclfe of honour, which thou didft atchive. 
 
 XXVII. Pro-
 
 96 7%e thirde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Providence heavenly paiTeth living thought, 
 
 And doth for wretched mens reliefe make way ; 
 For loe ! great grace or fortune thither brought 
 Comfort to him, that comfortleiTe now lay. 
 In thofe fame woods, ye well remember may, 
 Hew that a noble huntereffe did wonne, 
 She, that bafe Braggadochio did affray, 
 And made him fall out of the foreft ronne ; 
 
 Belphcebe was her name, as faire as Phoebus funne. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 She on a day, as fhe purfewd the chace 
 
 Of fome wild beaft, which with her arrows keene 
 She wounded had, the fame along did trace 
 By tract of bloud, which fhe had frefhly feene 
 To have befprinckled all the grafTy greene : 
 By the great perfue, which me there perceav'd, 
 Well hoped fhe the beaft engor'd had beene, 
 And made more hafte, the life to have bereav'd : 
 
 But ah ! her expectation greatly was deceav'd. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Shortly fhe came, whereas that woefull fquirc, 
 
 With bloud deformed, lay in deadly fwound : 
 In whofe faire eyes, like lamps of quenched fire, 
 The chriftall humour flood congealed rownd ; 
 His locks, like faded leaves fallen to grownd, 
 Knotted with bloud, in bounches rudely ran, 
 And his fweete lips, on which before that ftownd 
 The bud of youth to blofibme faire began, 
 
 Spoild of their rolle red, were woxen pale and wan. 
 
 XXX. Saw
 
 Cant. V. the Faerie Queene. 97 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Saw never living eye more heavy fight, 
 
 That could have made a rocke of ftone to rew, 
 Or rive in twaine : which when that lady bright, 
 Befides all hope, with melting eyes did vew, 
 All fuddeinly abafht me chaunged hew, 
 And with fterne horrour backward gan to ftart : 
 But when fhe better him beheld, me grew 
 Full of foft paflion and unwonted fmart : 
 
 The point of pity perced through her tender hart. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Meekly fhe bowed downe, to weete, if life 
 Yet in his frofen members did remaine, 
 And feeling by his pulfes beating rife, 
 That the weake foule her feat did yet retaine, 
 She caft to comfort him with bufy paine : 
 His double folded necke fhe reard upright, 
 And rubd his temples, and each trembling vaine \ 
 His mayled haberjeon fhe did undight, 
 
 And from his head his heavy burganet did light, 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Into the woods thenceforth in haft ilie went, 
 
 To feeke for hearbes, that mote him remedy ; 
 
 For fhe of herbes had great intendiment, 
 
 Taught of the nymphe, which from her infancy 
 
 Her nourced had in trew nobility : 
 
 There, whether it divine Tobacco were, 
 
 Or Pcmachcea^ or Polygo?ty^ 
 
 She found, and brought it to her patient deare, 
 
 Who all this while lay bleeding out his hart-bloud neare. 
 
 Vol. II. O XXXIII, The
 
 98 The thirde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 The foveraine weede betwixt two marbles plaine 
 She pownded fmall, and did in peeces bruze, 
 And then atweene her lilly handes twaine, 
 Into his wound the juice thereof did fcruze, 
 And round about, as fhe could well it ufe, 
 The flefh therewith fhe fuppled and did fteepe, 
 T'abate all fpafme, and foke the fwelling bruze, 
 And after having fearcht the intufe deepe, 
 
 She with her fcarfe did bind the wound from cold to keepe. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 By this he had fweet life recur'd againe, 
 
 And groaning inly deepe, at laft his eies, 
 His watry eies, drizling like deawy raine, 
 He up gan lift toward the azure ikies, 
 From whence defcend all hopeleffe remedies : 
 Therewith he figh'd, and turning him afide, 
 The goodly mayd full of divinities, 
 And gifts of heavenly grace, he by him fpide, 
 
 Her bow and gilden quiver lying him befide. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Mercy, deare Lord, faid he, what grace is this, 
 That thou haft fhewed to me finfull wight, 
 To fend thine Angell from her bowre of blis, 
 To comfort me in my diftreffed plight ? 
 Angell, or Goddeffe do I call thee right ? 
 What fervice may I do unto thee meete, 
 That haft from darkneffe me returnd to light, 
 And with thy heavenly falves and med'eines fweete, 
 
 Haft dreft my finfull wounds ? I kiife thy bleffed feete. 
 
 XXXVI. Thereat
 
 Cant. V. the Faerie Queene. 99 
 
 xxxvi. 
 
 Thereat me blufhing faid, Ah ! gentle fquire, 
 
 Nor GoddefTe I, nor Angell, but the mayd, 
 
 And daughter of a woody nymphe, defire 
 
 No fervice, but thy fafety and ayd, 
 
 Which if thou gaine, I fhalbe well apayd. 
 
 We mortall wights, whofe lives and fortunes bee 
 
 To commun accidents ftill open layd, 
 
 Are bound, with common bond of frailtee, 
 
 To fuccour wretched wights, whom we captived lee. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 By this her damzells, which the former chace 
 Had undertaken after her, arriv'd, 
 As did Belphcebe^ in the bloudy place, 
 And thereby deemd the beaft had bene depriv'd 
 Of life, whom late their ladie's arrow riv'd : 
 For- thy the bloudy tract they followd faft, 
 And every one to ronne the fwifteft flriv'd ; 
 But two of them the reft far overpaft, 
 
 And where their lady was, arrived at the laft. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Where when they faw that goodly boy, with blood 
 Defowled, and their lady dreffe his wownd, 
 They wondred much, and fhortly underftood, 
 How him in deadly cafe their lady fownd, 
 And refkewed out of the heavy ftownd. 
 Eftfoones his warlike courfer, which was ftrayd 
 Farre in the woodes, whiles that he lay in fwownd, 
 She made thofe damzels fearch, which being ftayd, 
 
 They did him fet theron, and forthwith them convayd. 
 
 O 2 XXXIX. Into
 
 i oo The thlrde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Into that foreft farre they thence him led, 
 
 Where was their dwelling, in a pleafant glade, 
 
 With mountaines round about environed, 
 
 And mighty woodes, which did the valley made, 
 
 And like a (lately theatre it made, 
 
 Spreading it felfe into a fpatious plaine. 
 
 And in the midfl: a little river plaide 
 
 Emongft the pumy ftones, which feemd to plaine 
 
 With gentle murmure, that their courfe they did refbaine, 
 
 XL. 
 
 Beiide the fame a dainty place there lay, 
 
 Planted with mirtle trees and laurells greene, 
 
 In which the birds fong many a lovely lay 
 
 Of God's high praife, and of their fweet loves teene, 
 
 As it an earthly paradize had beene : 
 
 In whofe enclofed fhadow there was pight 
 
 A faire pavilion, fcarcely to be feene, 
 
 The which was all within moft richly dight, 
 
 That greateft princes living it mote well delight. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Thither they brought that wounded fquire, and layd 
 
 In eafie couch his feeble limbes to reft ; 
 
 He refted him a while, and then the mayd 
 
 His readie wound with better falves new dreft, 
 
 Daily (he dreffed him, and did the beft 
 
 His grievous hurt to garifh, that fhe nvght ; 
 
 That ihortly me his dolour hath redreft, 
 
 And his foule fore reduced to faire plight : 
 
 It fhe reduced, but himfelfe deftroyed quight. 
 
 XLII. O
 
 Cant. V. the Faerie Queene. 101 
 
 XLII. 
 
 O foolifh phyftck, and unfruitfull paine, 
 
 That heales up one, and makes another wound : 
 She his hurt thigh to him recurd againe, 
 But hurt his hart, the which before was found, 
 Through an unwary dart, which did rebound, 
 From her faire eyes and gracious countenance. 
 What bootes it him from death to be unbound, 
 To be captived in endleffe duraunce 
 
 Of forrow and defoaire without alego-eaunce ? 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Still as his wound did gather, and grow hole, 
 
 So ftill his hart woxe fore, and health decayd : 
 Madnefle to fave a part, and lofe the whole. 
 Still whenas he beheld the heavenly mayd, 
 Whiles dayly plaifters to his wound fhe layd, 
 So ftill his malady the more increaft, 
 The whiles her matchlefle beautie him difmayd. 
 Ah ! God, what other could he do at leaft, 
 
 But love fo faire a lady, that his life releaft ? 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Long while he fcrove in his courageous breft, 
 
 With reafon dew the paflion to fubdew, 
 
 And love for to diflodge out of his neft : 
 
 Still when her excellencies he did vew, 
 
 Her foveraigne bountie, and celeftiall hew, 
 
 The fame to love he ilrongly was conftraind : 
 
 But when his meane eftate he did revew, 
 
 He from fuch hardy boldnefic was reftraind, 
 
 And of his luckleffe lot and cruell love thus plaind. 
 
 XLV. Vvi-
 
 io2 The thirde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Unthankfull wretch, faid he, is this the meed, 
 
 With which her foveraigne mercy thou doeft quight ? 
 
 Thy life fhe faved by her gracious deed ; 
 
 But thou doeft weene with villeinous defpight, 
 
 To blot her honour, and her heavenly light. 
 
 Dye rather, dye, then fo difloyally 
 
 Deeme of her high defert, or feeme fo light : 
 
 Faire death it is, to fhonne more fhame, to dy : 
 Dye rather, dy, then ever love difloyally. 
 
 XLVI. 
 But if to love diiloyalty it bee, 
 
 Shall I then hate her, that from deathes dore 
 
 Me brought ? Ah ! fane be fuch reproch fro mee ! 
 
 What can I leffe do, then her love therefore, 
 
 Sith I her dew reward cannot reft ore ? 
 
 Dye rather, dye, and dying doe her ferve, 
 
 Dying her ferve, and living her adore ; 
 
 Thy life fhe gave, thy life fhe doth deferve : 
 Dye rather, dye, then ever from her fervice fwerve. 
 
 XLVII. 
 But, foolifh boy, what bootes thy fervice bace 
 
 To her, to whom the heavens do ferve and few ? 
 
 Thou a meane fquire, of meeke and lowly place ; 
 
 She heavenly borne, and of celeftiall hew. 
 
 How then ? of all love taketh equal 1 vew : 
 
 And doth not higheft God vouchfafe to take 
 
 The love and fervice of the bafeft crew ? 
 
 II fhe will not, dye meekly for her fake ; 
 Dye rather, dye, then ever fo faire love forfake. 
 
 XLVIII. Thus
 
 Cant. V. the Faerie Queene. 103 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Thus warreid he long time againft his will, 
 
 Till that through weakneiTe he was forft at laft, 
 To yield himfelfe unto the mighty ill : 
 Which, as a victour proud, gan ranfack faft 
 His inward parts, and all his entrayles waft, 
 That neither bloud in face, nor life in hart 
 It left, but both did quite drye up, and blaft j 
 As percing levin, which the inner part 
 
 Of every thing confumes, and calcineth by art. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Which feeing faire Belphcebe, gan to feare, 
 
 Leafl that his wound were inly well not heald, 
 
 Or that the wicked fteele empoyfned were : 
 
 Little me weend, that love he clofe conceald. 
 
 Yet ftill he wafted, as the fnow congeald, 
 
 When the bright fiinne his beams thereon doth beat ; 
 
 Yet never he his hart to her reveald, 
 
 But rather choie to dye for forrow great, 
 
 Then with dishonourable termes her to entreat. 
 
 L. 
 
 She, gracious lady, yet no paines did fpare, 
 To do him eafe, or do him remedy : 
 Many reftoratives of virtues rare, 
 And coftly cordiallcs fhe did apply, 
 To mitigate his ftnbborne malady : 
 But that fweet cordiall, which can reftore 
 A love-fick hart, fhe did to him envy ; 
 To Him, and to all th'unworthy world forlorc 
 
 She did envy that foveraigne falve, in fecret ftore. 
 
 LI. That
 
 104 5fife thirde Booke of Cant. V. 
 
 LI. 
 
 That daintie rofe, the daughter of her morne, 
 
 More deare then life (he tendered, vvliofe flowre 
 The girlond of her honour did adorne : 
 Ne fuffred fhe the midday e's fcorching povvre, 
 Ne the fharp northerne wind thereon to fhowre, 
 But lapped up her filken leaves moil chaire, 
 When fo the froward fkye began to lowre : 
 But foone as calmed was the chriftall aire, 
 She did it faire difpred, and let to floriih faire. 
 
 LII. 
 Eternall God in his almighty -powre, 
 
 To make enfample of his heavenly grace, 
 In paradize whilome did plant this flowre ; 
 Whence he it fetcht out of her native place, 
 And did in ftocke of earthly flefh enrace, 
 That mortall men her glory fliould admire, 
 In gentle ladies brefle, and bounteous race 
 Of womankind it faired flowre doth fpire, 
 And beareth fruit of honour and all chad deiire. 
 
 LIII. 
 Fayreympes'of beautie, whofe bright mining beames 
 Adorne the world with like to heavenly light, 
 And to your willes both royalties and reames 
 Subdew, through concjueft of your wondrous might, 
 With this faire flowre your goodly girlonds dight, 
 Of chaftity and vertue virginall, 
 That (hall embellifh more your beautie bright, 
 And crowne your heades with heavenly coronall, 
 
 Such as the Angels weare before God's tribunal!. 
 
 LI. To
 
 Cant. V. the Faerie Queene. 105 
 
 LIV. 
 
 To your faire felves a faire enfample frame 
 Of this faire virgin, this Belphcebe faire, 
 To whom in perfect love, and fpotleffe fame 
 Of chaftitie, none living may compaire : 
 Ne poyfnous envy juftly can empaire 
 The prayfe of her frefh flowring maydenhead ; 
 For-thy me ftandeth on the higheft ftaire 
 Of th'honorable ftage of womanhead, 
 That ladies all may follow her enfample dead. 
 
 LV. 
 In fo great prayfe of ftedfafl chaftity, 
 
 Nathleffe fhe was fo courteous and kind, 
 Tempred with grace, and goodly modefty, 
 That feemed thofe two virtues ftrove to find 
 The higher place in her heroick mind : 
 So ftriving each did other more augment, 
 And both encreaft the prayfe of woman kind, 
 And both encreaft her beautie excellent ; 
 So all did make in her a perfect complement. 
 
 Vol. II. P Canto
 
 io6 the thirde Boole of Cant. VI. 
 
 Canto VI. 
 
 The birth of fair e Belphcebe and 
 
 Of Amor et is told : 
 The gar dins of Ado?:is fraught 
 
 With pleafures manifold. 
 
 I. 
 
 fo^ELL may I weenc, faire ladies, all this while 
 Ye wonder, how this noble damozell 
 So great perfections did in her compile, 
 Sith that in falvage forefts fhe did dwell, 
 So farre from court and royall citadell, 
 The great fchoolmiftreiTe of all courtefy. 
 Seemeth that fuch wild woods mould far expell 
 All civill ufage and gentility, 
 And gentle fprite deforme with rude rufticity.. 
 
 II. 
 But to this faire Belphcebe in her birth 
 
 The heavens fo favourable were and free,. 
 Looking with myld afpecl: upon the earth 
 In th' Horofcope of her nativitee r . 
 That all the gifts of grace and chaftitee 
 On her they poured forth of plenteous home.. 
 Jove laught on Venus from his foveraigne fee, 
 And Phoebus with faire beames did her adorne, 
 And all the Graces rockt her cradle being borne, 
 
 III. Her
 
 Cant. VI. the Faerie Queene* 107 
 
 III. 
 
 Her berth was of the wombe of Morning Dew, 
 
 And her conception of the joyous Prime, 
 
 And all her whole creation did her fhew 
 
 Pure and unfpotted from all loathly crime, 
 
 That is ingenerate in flefhly flime. 
 
 So was this virgin borne, fo was me bred, 
 
 So was me trayned up from time to time, 
 
 In all chafte vertue and true bounti-hed, 
 Till to her dew perfection fhe were ripened. 
 
 IV. 
 Her mother was the faire Chtyfogonee, 
 
 The daughter of Amfhifa^ who by race 
 
 A Faerie was, yborne of high degree : 
 
 She bore Belphcebe, me bore in like cace 
 
 Faire Amoretta in the fecond place : 
 
 Thefe two were twinnes, and twixt them two did mare 
 
 The heritage of all celeftiall grace, 
 
 That all the reft it feemd they robbed bare 
 Of bountie, and of beautie, and all vertues rare. 
 
 V. 
 It were a goodly ftoric, to declare, 
 
 By what ftraunge accident faire Chryfogone 
 
 Conceiv'd thefe infants, and how them fhe bore, 
 
 In this wild forreft wandring all alone, 
 
 After fhe had nine moneths fulfil d and gone : 
 
 For not as other wemens commune brood, 
 
 They were enwombed in the facred throne 
 
 Of her chafte bodie, nor with commune food, 
 As other wemens babes, they fucked vitall blood : 
 
 P 2 VI. But
 
 io8 The thirde Booke of Cant. VL 
 
 VI. 
 
 But wondroufly they were begot, and bred 
 
 Through influence of th'heaven's fruitfull ray t 
 As it in antique bookes is mentioned. 
 It was upon a fommer's fhynie day, 
 When Titan faire his beames did difplay, 
 In a frefh fountaine, far from all mens vew, 
 She bath'd her breft, the boy ling heat t'allay ; 
 She bath'd with rofes red, and violets blew, 
 
 And all the fweeteft flowres, that in the forreft grew^ 
 
 VII. 
 
 Till faint through irkefome wearinefTe, adowne 
 Upon the graffie ground, her felfe fhe layd 
 To fleepe, the whiles a gentle flombring fwowne 
 Upon her fell all naked bare difplayd : 
 The funbeames bright upon her body playd, 
 Being through former bathing mollifide, 
 And pierft into her wombe, where they embayd 
 With fo fweet fence and fecret power unfpide^. 
 
 That in her pregnant flefh. they fhortly frucl:irlde.. 
 
 vin. 
 
 Miraculous may feeme to him, that reades, 
 
 So ftraunge enfample of conception ; 
 
 But reafon teacheth, that the fruitfull feades 
 
 Of all things living, through impreflion 
 
 Of the fmbeames in moyft complexion, 
 
 Doe life conceive, and quickned are by kynd :-, 
 
 So after Nilus inundation, 
 
 Infinite fhapes of creatures men do fynd 
 Inforn.ed in the mud, on which the funne hath.fhynd. 
 
 IX. GreaS
 
 Cant. VI. the Faerie Queene. 109 
 
 IX. 
 
 Great father he of generation 
 
 Is rightly cald, th'author of life and light j 
 And his faire fifter for creation 
 Miniftreth matter fit, which tempred right 
 With heate and humour, breedes the living wight. 
 So fprong thefe twinnes in womb of Chryfogone y 
 Yet wift fhe nought thereof, but fore affright, 
 Wondred to fee her belly fo upblone, 
 
 Which ftill increaft,. tilL fhe her terme had full outgone.. 
 
 X. 
 
 Whereof conceiving fhame and foule diigrace, 
 Albe her guiltlefTe confcience her cleard, 
 She fled into the wildernefTe a fpace, 
 Till that unweeldy burden fhe had reard, 
 And fhund difhonor, which as death fhe feard :: 
 Where v/earie of long travell, downe to reft 
 Her felfe fhe fet, and comfortably cheard j 
 There a fad cloud of fleepe her overkeft, 
 
 And feized every fenfe with forrow fore oppreft. 
 
 XI. 
 
 It fortuned, faire Venus having loft 
 
 Her little fonne, the winged god of love, 
 
 Who for fome light difpleafure, which him croft,. 
 
 Was from her fled, as flit as ayerie dove, 
 
 And left her blisfull bowre of joy above,, 
 
 (So from her often he had. fled away,, 
 
 When fhe for. ought him fharpely did reprove,. 
 
 And wandred in the world in ftrange aray, 
 
 Difguiz'd in thoufand fhapes, that none might him bewray :). 
 
 XII. Him
 
 no T'he thirde Booke of Cant. VI. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Him for to feeke, fhe left her heavenly hous, 
 
 The houfe of goodly formes and fiire afpe&s, 
 
 Whence all the world derives the glorious 
 
 Features of beautie, and all fhapes felecl, 
 
 With which high God his workmanfhip hath deckt ; 
 
 And fearched every way, through which his wings 
 
 Had borne him, or his tract me mote detecl : 
 
 She promift kiflbs fweet, and fweeter things, 
 
 Unto the man, that of him tydings to her brings. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Firft me him fought in court, where mod he us'd 
 
 Whylome to haunt, but there me found him not ; 
 
 But many there fhe found, which fore accus'd 
 
 His falihood, and with foule infamous blot 
 
 His cruell deedes and wicked wyles did fpot. 
 
 Ladies and lordes lhe every where mote heare 
 
 Complayning, how with his empoyfned fhot 
 
 Their wofull harts he wounded had whyleare, 
 
 And lb had left them languifhing twixt hope and feare. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 She then the citties fought from gate to gate, 
 
 And every one did afke, did he him fee ; 
 
 And every one her anfwered, that too late 
 
 He had him feene, and felt the crueltee 
 
 Of his fharpe darts and whot artilieree ; 
 
 And every one threw forth reproches rife 
 
 Of his mifchievous deedes, and faid, That hee 
 
 Was the difturber of all civill life, 
 
 The cnimy of peace, and author of all ftrife. 
 
 XV. Then
 
 Cant. VI. the Faerie Queene* 1 1 1 
 
 XV. 
 
 Then in the countrey me abroad him fought, 
 And in the rurall cottages inquir'd, 
 Where alfo many plaints to her were brought, 
 How he their heedelefTe harts with love had hr'd. 
 And his falfe venim through their veines infpir'd : 
 And eke the gentle fhepheard fwaynes, which fat 
 Keeping their fleecie fiockes, as they were ruYd, 
 She fweetly heard complaine, both how and what 
 
 Her fonne had to them doen ; yet me did fmile thereat. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 But when in none of all thefe me him got, 
 
 She gan avize, where elfe he mote him hyde : 
 At laft fhe her bethought, that me had not 
 Yet fought the falvage woods and forrefts wyde, 
 In which full many lovely nymphes abyde, 
 Mongft whom might be, that he did clofely ly, 
 Or that the love of fome of them him tyde : 
 For-thy fhe thither carl: her courfe, t'apply, 
 
 To fearch the fecret haunts of Diane s company. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Shortly into the waftefull woods flie came, 
 
 Whereas (he found the GoddefTe with her crew, 
 After late chace of their embrewed game, 
 Sitting befide a fountaine in a rew, 
 Some of them wafhing with the liquid dew 
 From off their dainty limbs the duftie fweat, 
 And foyle, which did deforme their lively hew ; 
 Others lay fhaded from the fcorching heat ; 
 
 The reft upon her perfon gave attendance great.. 
 
 XVIIL She
 
 1 12 The ihirde Booke of Cant. VI. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 She having hong upon a tough on high 
 
 Her bow and painted quiver, had unlade 
 Her filver bufkins from her nimble thigh, 
 And her lanck loynes ungirt, and brefts unbrafle, 
 After her heat the breathing cold to tafte : 
 Her golden lockes, that late in trefles bright 
 Embreaded were for hindring of her hafte, 
 Now loofe about her fhoulders hong undight, 
 
 And were with fweet A7?tbroJia all befprinckled light. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Soone as me Venus faw behind her backe, 
 
 She was afham'd to be (o loofe iurpriz'd, 
 
 And woxe halft wroth againft her dmizels ilacke, 
 
 That had not her thereof before aviz d, 
 
 But fu fired her fo carekfly difguiz'd 
 
 Be overtaken. Soone her garments loofe 
 
 Upgath'ring, in her bofome fhe compriz'd, 
 
 Well as me might, and to the Goddefle roie, 
 
 Whiles all her nymphes did like a girlond her enclofe. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Goodly me gan faire Cytherea greet, 
 
 And fhortly afked her, what caufe her brought 
 
 Into that wildernefTe for her unmeet, 
 
 From her fweete bowres, and beds with pleasures fraught : 
 
 That fuddein change fhe ftrange adventure thought. 
 
 To whom halfe weeping, fhe thus anfwered, 
 
 That me her deareft fonne Cupido fought, 
 
 Who in his frowardnefle from her was fled ; 
 
 That fhe repented fore, to have him angered. 
 
 XXL Thereat
 
 Cant VI. the Faerie Queexe. 113 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Thereat Diana gan td {mile, in fcorne 
 
 Of her vaine plaint, and to her fcoffing fayd ; 
 Great pittie fure, that ye be fo forlorne 
 Of your gay fonne, that gives ye fb good ayd 
 To your difports : ill mote ye bene apayd. 
 But flie was more engrieved, and replide ; 
 Faire fifter, ill befeemes it to upbrayd 
 A dolefull hart with fo difdainfull pride ; 
 
 The like that mine may be your paine another tide. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 As you in woods and wanton wildernefTe 
 
 Your glory fet, to chace the falvage beafts. 
 So my delight is all in joyfulnerTe, 
 In beds, in bowres, in banckets, and in feafts < 
 And ill becomes you, with your loftie creafts, 
 To fcorne the joy, that Jove is glad to feek. 
 We both are bound to follow heaven's beheads, 
 And tend our charges with obeifaunce meeke : 
 
 Spare, gentle filler, with reproch my paine to eeke c 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 And tell me, if that ye my fonne have heard, 
 
 To lurke emongft your nymphs in fecret wize 5 
 Or keepe their cabins : much I am afFeard, 
 Leaft he like one of them himfelf difguize, 
 And turne his arrowes to their exercize : 
 So may he long him felfe full ealie hide : 
 For he is faire and frefli in face and guize, 
 As any nymph (let not it be en vide.) 
 
 So faying every nymph full narrowly fhe eide. 
 
 Vol. II. Q_ XXIV. But
 
 1 14 The thirde Booke of Cant. VI. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 But Phoebe therewith fore was angered, 
 
 And fharply faid, Goe, dame, goe feeke your boy, 
 Where you him lately left, in Mars his bed ; 
 He comes not here, we fcorne his foolifh joy, 
 Ne lend we leifure to his idle toy : 
 But if I catch him in this company, 
 By Stygian lake I vow, whofe fad annoy 
 The Gods doe dread, he dearly fhall abye : 
 He clip his wanton wings, that he no more fhall fly. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Whom when as V.enus faw fo fore dilpleafd, 
 She inly fory was, and gan relent, 
 What fhe had faid : fo her fhe foone appeafd 
 With fugred words and gentle blandifhment, 
 From which a fountaine from her fweet lips went, 
 And welled goodly forth, that in fhort fpace 
 She was well pleafd, and forth her damzells fent 
 Through all the woods, to fearch from place to place.. 
 
 If any tracl: of him or tydings they mote trace. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 To fearch the God of love her nymphes fhe lent, 
 Throughout the wandring foreft every where r 
 And after them her felfe eke with her went 
 To feeke the fugitive both farre and nere. 
 So long they fought, till they arrived were 
 In that fame fhady covert, whereas lay 
 Faire Cryfogone in ilombry traunce whilere ; 
 Who in her fleepe (a wondrous thing to fay) 
 
 Unwares had borne two babes, as faire as fpringing day. 
 
 XXVII. Un-
 
 Cant. VI. the Faerie Queene. 115 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Unwares fhe them conceivd, unwares fhe bore : 
 She bore withouten paine that fhe conceiv'd 
 Withouten pleafure ; ne her need implore 
 Lucinae\ aide : which when they both perceiv'd, 
 They were through wonder nigh of fenfe bereav'd, 
 And gazing each on other, nought befpake : 
 At laft they both agreed, her feeming griev'd 
 Out of her heavy fwowne not to awake, 
 
 But from her loving fide the tender babes to take. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Up they them tooke, each one a babe uptooke, 
 And with them carried, to be foftered ; 
 Dame Phoebe to a nymph her babe betooke, 
 To be upbrought in perfect maydenhed, 
 And of her felfe her name Belphoebe red : 
 But Venus hers thence farre away convayd, 
 To be upbrought in goodly womanhed, 
 And in her little love's ftead, which was ftrayd, 
 
 Her A7?ioretta cald, to comfort her difmavd. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 She brought her to her joyous paradizc, 
 
 Where moft me wonnes, when flic on earth docs dwell • 
 
 So faire a place, as nature can devize : 
 
 Whether in Paphos, or Cytheron hill, 
 
 Or it in Gnidas be, I wote not well ; 
 
 But well I wote by trial 1, that this fame 
 
 All other pleafant places doth excell, 
 
 And called is by her loft lover's name, 
 
 The Gar din of Adonis, farre renowmd by fame. 
 
 Q^2 XXX. In
 
 1 1 6 The thirde Booke of Cant. VI. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 In that fame gardin all the goodly flowres, 
 
 Wherewith dame nature doth her beautifie, 
 
 And decks the girlonds of her paramoures, 
 
 Are fetcht : there is the firft feminarie 
 
 Of all things, that are borne to live and die, 
 
 According to their kindes. Long worke it were,, 
 
 Here to account the endlefle progenie 
 
 Of all the weedes, that bud and bloffome there ; 
 
 But fo much as doth need, muft needs be counted herev 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 It fited was in friritfull foyle of old, 
 
 And girt in with two walles on either fide j 
 The one of yron, the other of bright gold, 
 That none might thorough breake, nor over-ftride :: 
 And double gates it had, which opened wide, 
 By which both in and out men moten pas ; 
 Th'one faire and frefh, the other old and dride :: 
 Old Genius the porter of them was, 
 
 Old Geniusy the which a double nature has.. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 He letteth in,, he letteth out to wend, 
 
 All that to come into the world defire ; 
 A thoufand thoufand naked babes attend 
 About him day and night, which doe require, 
 That he with flefhly weedes would them attire : 
 Such as him lift, fuch as eternall fate 
 Ordained hath, he clothes with finfull mire, 
 And fendeth forth to live in mortall ftate, 
 
 Till they againe returne backe by the hinder gate. 
 
 XXXIIL After
 
 Cant. VI. the Faerie §lueene. 117 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 After that they againe returned beene, 
 
 They in that gardin planted be againe ; 
 
 And grow afrefh, as they had never feene 
 
 Flefhly corruption, nor mortall paine. 
 
 Some thoufand years fo doen they there remaine, 
 
 And then of him are clad with other hew, 
 
 Or fent into the chaungefull world againe, 
 
 Till thither they returne, where firft they grew : 
 So like a wheele around they runne from old to new. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 Ne needs there gardiner to fet, or fow r 
 
 To plant, or prune ; for of their owne accord 
 
 All things, as they created were, doe grow,. 
 
 And yet remember well the mightie word, 
 
 Which firft was fpoken by th'Almightie Lord, 
 
 That bad them to increafe and multiply : 
 
 Ne doe they need with water of the ford, 
 
 Or of the clouds to moyften their roots dry y 
 For in themfelves eternall moifture they imply. 
 
 XXXV. 
 Infinite fhapes of creatures there are bred, 
 
 And uncouth formes, which none yet ever knew,. 
 
 And every fort is in a fundry bed 
 
 Set by it felfe, and ranckt in comely rew : 
 
 Some fit for reafonable fowles t'indew, 
 
 Some made for beafts, fome made for birds to weare, 
 
 And all the fruitfull fpawne of fillies hew 
 
 In endlefle rancks along enraunged were, 
 That feemd the Ocean could not containe them there. 
 
 XXXVI. Daily
 
 1 1 8 The thirde Eookc of Cant. VI. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Daily tlicy grow, and daily forth arc fcnt 
 
 Into the world, it to replenish more ; 
 
 Yet is the ftockc not Icffcncd, nor {pent, 
 
 But ilill rcmaincs in cverlafting ftorc, 
 
 As it at lirll created was of yore. 
 
 For in the wide wombeof the world there lyes, 
 
 In hateful] darknefle and in deepe horrore, 
 
 An huge eternal Chaos, which fupplycs 
 The fubftances oi nature's fruitfull progenyes. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 Ml things from thence doe their firft being fetch, 
 
 And borrow matter, whereof they are made, 
 
 Which when as lorme and feature it does ketch, 
 
 Hi comes a bodie, and doth then itwade 
 
 The ftate of life, out of the gricfly made. 
 
 That fubftancc is.eteme, abd bidetli fo, 
 
 Ne when the life decayes, and forme does fade, 
 
 Doth it confume, and into nothing go, 
 But chaunged is, and often altred to and fro. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 The fubftance is not chaungd, nor altered, 
 
 But th'only forme and outward fafhion ; 
 
 For every fubllaunce is conditioned 
 
 To change her hew, and fundry formes to don, 
 
 Meet for her temper and complexion : 
 
 For formes are variable, and decay 
 
 By courfe of kind, and by occafion ; 
 
 Ami that (aire llowrc of beautie fades away, 
 As doth the lilly frefh before the funny ray. 
 
 XXXIX. Great
 
 Cant. VI. the Faerie Queene. 119 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Great cnimy to it, and to all the reft, 
 
 That in the Gardi?i of Ado?iis fprings, 
 Is wieked Time, who with liis fcyth addrcft, 
 Does mow the flowring herbes and goodly things, 
 And all their glory, to the ground downc flings, 
 Where they doc wither, and arc lowly mard : 
 He flyes about, and with his flnggy wings 
 Bcatcs downc both leaves and buds without regard, 
 
 Nc ever pittic may relent his malice hard. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Yet pittic often did the gods relent, 
 
 To fee fo faire things mard, and fpoylcd (plight : 
 And their great mother l^enus did lament 
 The loflc of her dcarc brood, her deare delight: 
 Her hart was pierft with pittic at the fight, 
 When walking through the gardin them I he fpydc, 
 Yet no'tc fhc find rcdrcflc for fuch defpight : 
 For all, that lives, is fubjecl: to that law : 
 
 All things decay in time, and to their end do thaw. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 But were it not, that Time their troublcr is, 
 
 All that in this delightful] gardin growes,. 
 Should happy be, and have immortal] blis: 
 For here all plenty, anil all pleafure (lovves, 
 And fweete love gentle Jits cmongft them throwes,. 
 Without fell rancor, or iond gealoly ; 
 Franckly each paramour his leman knowes, 
 Each bird his mate, ne any does envy 
 
 Their goodly meriment, and gay felicity. 
 
 XLII. There
 
 no The thirde Booke of Cant. VI. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 There is continuall fpring, and harveft there 
 Continuall, both meeting at one time : 
 For both the boughes doe laughing bloflbms beare, 
 And with frefh colours decke the wanton prime, 
 And eke attonce the heavenly trees they clime, 
 Which feeme to labour under their fruits lode : 
 The whiles the joyous birdes make their paftime 
 Emongft the fhadie leaves, their fweet abode, 
 
 And their true loves without fufpition tell abrode. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Right in the middeft of that paradife, 
 
 There flood a ftately mount, on whofe round top 
 A gloomy grove of mirtle trees did rife, 
 Whofe fhady boughes fharp fteele did never lop, 
 Nor wicked beafts their tender buds did crop, 
 But like a girlond compafTed the hight, 
 And from their fruitfull fides fweet gum did drop, 
 That all the ground, with pretious deaw bedight, 
 
 Threw forth moft dainty odours, and molt fweet delight. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 And in the thickeft covert of that made 
 
 There was a pleafant arbour, not by art, 
 
 But of the trees owne inclination made, 
 
 Which knitting their rancke braunches part to part, 
 
 With wanton yvie twyne entrayld athwart, 
 
 And eglantine, and caprifole emong, 
 
 Famiond above within their inmoft part, 
 
 That nether Phoebus beams could through them throng, 
 
 Nor JEolus fharp blaft could work them any wrong. 
 
 XLIV. And
 
 Cant, VI. the Faerie Queene. i x i 
 
 XLV. 
 
 And all about grew every fort of flowre, 
 
 To which fad lovers were transformde of yore j 
 Frefh Hyacinthus, Phoebus paramoure, 
 Foolifh Narciffe^ that likes the watry fhore, 
 Sad Amaranthus, made a flowre but late, 
 Sad AmaranthuSy in whole purple gore 
 Me feemes I fee Amintas wretched fate, 
 
 To whom fweet poet's verfe hath given endlefle date. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 There wont faire Venus often to enjoy 
 Her deare Adonis joyous company, 
 And reape fweet pleafure of the wanton boy : 
 There yet, fbme fay, in fecret he does ly, 
 Lapped in flowres and pretious {pycery, 
 By her hid from the world, and from the {kill 
 Of Stygian Gods, which doe her love envy ; 
 But fhe herfelfe, when ever that me will, 
 
 PonefTeth him, and of his fweetnefTe takes her fill. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 And footh it feemes they fay ; for he may not 
 For ever die, and ever buried bee 
 In balefull night, where all things are forgot ; 
 All be he fubject to mortalitie, 
 Yet is eterne in mutabilitie, 
 And by fucceflion made perpetuall, 
 Transformed oft, and chaunged diverflie : 
 For him the father of all formes they call ; 
 
 Therfore needs mote he live, that living gives to all. 
 
 Vol. II. R XL VIII. There
 
 izi The thirde Booke of Cant. VI. 
 
 XL VIII. 
 
 There now he liveth in eternall blis, 
 
 Joying his goddeffe, and of her enjoyd ; 
 
 Ne feareth he henceforth that foe of his, 
 
 Which with his cruell tufke him deadly cloyd : 
 
 For that wilde bore, the which him once annoyd, 
 
 She firmely hath emprifoned for ay, 
 
 That her fweet love his malice mote avoyd, 
 
 In a ftrong rocky cave, which is, they fay, 
 
 Hewen underneath that mount, that none him lofen may. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 There now he lives in everlafting joy, 
 
 With many of the Gods in company, 
 
 Which thither haunt, and with the winged boy 
 
 Sporting him felfe in fafe felicity ; 
 
 Who when he hath with fpoiles and cruelty 
 
 Ranfackt the world, and in the wofull harts 
 
 Of many wretches fet his triumphes hye, 
 
 Thither reforts, and laying his fad dartes 
 
 Ahde, with faire Adonis playes his wanton partes* 
 
 L. 
 
 And his true love faire PJyche with him playes, 
 Faire PJyche to him lately reconcyld, 
 After long troubles and unmeet upbrayes^ 
 With which his mother Venus her revyld, 
 And eke himfelfe her cruelly exyld : 
 But now in ftedfaft love and happy ftate 
 She with him lives, and hath him borne a chyld, 
 P leaf ure, that doth both gods and men aggrate, 
 
 PleafurCj the daughter of Cupid and PJyche late. 
 
 LI. Hither
 
 Cant. VI: the Faerie Queenc. 12-3; 
 
 LI. 
 
 Hither great Venus brought this infant faire, 
 
 The younger daughter of Chryfogonee y 
 
 And unto PJyche with great truft and care 
 
 Committed her, yfoftered to bee, 
 
 And trained up in true feminitee : 
 
 Who no leffe carefully her tendered, 
 
 Then her owne daughter Pleafure y to whom fliee 
 
 Made her companion, and her leflbned 
 In all the lore of love, and goodly womanhed. 
 
 LII. 
 In which when fhe to perfect ripeneffe grew, 
 
 Of grace and beautie noble paragone, 
 
 She brought her forth into the worlde's vew, 
 
 To be th'enlample of true love alone, 
 
 And lodeflarre of all chafte affeclione, 
 
 To all faire ladies, that do live on ground. 
 
 To Faerie court fhe came, where many one 
 
 Admyrd her goodly haveour, and found 
 His feeble hart wide launched with love's cruel wound. 
 
 LIII. 
 But fhe to none of them her love did caft, 
 
 Save to the noble knight Sir Scudamore, 
 
 To whom her loving hart Hie linked fair 
 
 In faithfull love, t' abide for evermore, 
 
 And for his deareft fake endured fore, 
 
 Sore trouble of an hainous enimy, 
 
 Who her would forced have to have forlore 
 
 Her former love, and fledfaft loialty, 
 As ye may elfewhere read that ruefull hiftory. 
 
 R 2 LIV. But
 
 124 7%e thirde Booke of Cant. VI, 
 
 LIV. 
 
 But well I weene, ye firfr. defire to learne, 
 What end unto that fearefull damozell, 
 Which fled fo faft from that fame fofter ftearne, 
 Whom with his brethren Timias flew, befell : 
 That was to weet, the goodly Fkrimell, 
 Who wandring for to feeke her lover deare, 
 Her lover deare, her deareft Marimll, 
 Into misfortune fell, as ye did heare, 
 
 And from prince Arthur fled with wings of idle feare* 
 
 Canto*
 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 & 
 
 i 
 
 > >
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queenc. 125 
 
 Canto VII. 
 
 The Witche 's fonne loves Florimell: 
 She Jfyes, he fames to die. 
 
 Satyr ane faves the Squire of Dames 
 From Gyaunis tyranny. 
 
 I. 
 
 IKE as an hynd, forth fingled from the heard, 
 That hath efcaped from a ravenous beaft, 
 Yet flyes away of her owne feet afeard, 
 And every leafe, that fhaketh with the leaft 
 Murmure of vvinde, her terror hath encreaft j 
 So fled faire Florimell from her vaine feare, 
 Long after fhe from perill was releaft : 
 Each made me faw, and each noyfe he did heare,. 
 Did feeme to be the fame, which fhe efcapt whyleare. 
 
 IL 
 All that fame evening fhe in flying fpent, 
 
 And all that night her courfe continewed : 
 Ne did fhe let dull fleepe once to relent, 
 Nor wearinefle to flack her haft, but fled 
 Ever alike, as if her former dred 
 Were hard behind, her ready to arreft : 
 And her white palfrey, having conquered'. 
 The maiftring raines out of her weary wreft,, 
 Perforce her carried where ever he thought beft.. 
 
 III. SO;
 
 n6 7%e thirde Booke of Cant. VII. 
 
 III. 
 
 So long as breath, and hable puiiTance 
 Did native courage unto him fupply, 
 His pace he frefhly forward did advance, 
 And carried her beyond all jeopardy. 
 But nought, that wanteth reft, can long aby : 
 He having through inceftant travell fpent 
 His force, at laft perforce adowne did ly, 
 Ne foot could further move : The lady gent 
 
 Thereat was fuddein ftrook with great aftonifhment ; 
 
 IV. 
 
 And forft t' alight, on foot mote algates fare, 
 A traveller unwonted to fuch way : 
 Need teacheth her this leflbn hard and rare, 
 That fortune all in equall launce doth fway, 
 And mortall miferies doth make her play. 
 So long fhe traveld, till at length fhe came 
 To an hille's fide, which did to her bewray 
 A little valley, fubjecl to the fame, 
 
 All covered with thick woodes, that quite it overcame. 
 
 V. 
 
 Through the tpps of the high trees fhe did defcry 
 
 A little fmoke, whofe vapour thin and light, 
 
 Reeking aloft, uprolled to the iky : 
 
 Which chearefull fign did fend unto her light, 
 
 That in the fame did wonne fome living wight. 
 
 Eftfoones her fteps fhe thereunto applyde, 
 
 And came at laft in weary wretched plight 
 
 Unto the place, to which her hope did guyde, 
 
 To finde fome refuge there, and reft her weary fyde. 
 
 VI. There
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene. 127 
 
 VI. 
 
 There in a gloomy hollow glen me found 
 
 A little cottage, built of ftickes and reedes 
 
 In homely wize, and wald with fods around, 
 
 In which a witch did dwell, in loathly weedes, 
 
 And wilfull want, all careleffe of her needes ; 
 
 So choofing folitarie to abide, 
 
 Far from all neighbours, that her divelifh deedes 
 
 And hellifh arts from people fhe might hide, 
 
 And hurt far off unknowne, whom ever fhe envide. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The damzell there arriving entred in ; 
 
 Where fitting on the flore the hag fhe found, 
 Bufie, as feem'd, about fome wicked gin : 
 Who, foone as fhe beheld that fuddein ftound, 
 Lightly upftarted from the duftie ground, 
 And with fell looke and hollow deadly gaze 
 Stared on her awhile, as one aftound, 
 Ne had one word to fpeake, for great amaze, 
 
 But fhewd by outward fignes, that dread her fence did daze. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 At laft turning her feare to foolifh wrath, 
 
 She afkt, what devill had her hither brought, 
 And who fhe was, and what unwonted path 
 Had guided her, unwelcomed, unfought ? 
 To which the damzell, full of doubtfull thought, 
 Her mildly anfwer'd ; Beldame, be not wroth 
 With filly virgin, by adventare brought 
 Unto your dwelling, ignorant and loth, 
 That crave but rowme to reft, while tempeft overblo'th. 
 
 IX. With
 
 ii8 %%? thirde Booke of Cant, VII. 
 
 IX. 
 
 With that adowne out of her chriftall eyne 
 
 Few trickling teares me foftly forth let fall, 
 That like two orient pearles did purely fhyne 
 Vpon her fnowy cheeke ; and therewithall 
 She fighed foft, that none fo befliall 
 Nor falvage hart, but ruth of her fad plight 
 Would make to melt, or pitteoufly appall ; 
 And that vile hag, all were her whole delight 
 
 In mifchiefe, was much moved at fo pitteous light j 
 
 X. 
 
 And gan recomfort her in her rude wyfe, 
 
 With womanim companion of her plaint, 
 Wiping the teares from her fuffufed eyes, 
 And bidding her fit downe, to reft her faint 
 And wearie limbs a while. She nothing qtfaint, 
 Nor s'deignfull of fo homely fafhion, 
 Sith brought me was now to fo hard conftraint, 
 Sate downe upon the dufty ground anon, 
 
 As glad of that fmall reft, as bird of tempeft gon. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Tho gan fhe gather up her garments rent, 
 
 And her loofe lockes to dight in order dew, 
 With golden wreath and and gorgeous ornament ; 
 Whom fuch whenas the wicked hag did vew, 
 She was aftoniftit at her heavenly hew, 
 And doubted her to deeme an earthly wight, 
 But or fome GoddelTe, or of Diane 's crew, 
 And thought her to adore with humble fpright ; 
 
 T'adore thing fo divine as beauty, were but right. 
 
 XII. This
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene. 129 
 
 XII. 
 
 This wicked woman had a wicked Tonne, 
 
 The comfort of her age and weary dayes, 
 A 1 aerie loord, for nothing good to donne. 
 But ftretched forth to idlenefte alwayes, 
 Ne ever caft his mind to covet prayfe, 
 Or ply him felfe to any honeft trade ; 
 But all the day before the funny rayes 
 He us'd to flug, or fleepe in ilothfull fhade : 
 
 Such laefinefle both lewd and poore attonce him made. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 He coming home at undertime, there found 
 The faireft creature, that he ever faw, 
 Sitting befide his mother on the ground ; 
 The fight whereof did greatly him adaw, 
 And his bafe thought with terrour and with aw 
 So inly fmot, that as one, which had gaz'd 
 On the bright funne unwares, doth foone withdraw 
 His feeble eyne, with too much brightneffe daz'd ; 
 
 'So flared he on her, and flood long while amaz'd, 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Softly at laft he gan his mother afke, 
 
 What mifter wight that was, and whence deriy'd 
 
 That in fo ftraunge dilguizement there did ma flee, 
 
 And by what accident me there arriv'd. 
 
 But fhe, as one nigh of her wits depriv'd, 
 
 With nought but ghaftly lookes him anfwered, 
 
 Lrke to a ghoft, that lately is reviv'd 
 
 From Stygian iliores, where late it wandered \ 
 
 So both at her, and each at other wondered, 
 
 Vol. II. S XV. But
 
 130 ¥he thlrdc Booh of Cant. VIL 
 
 XV. 
 
 But the faire virgin was fo meeke and mild, 
 
 That £he to them vouchfafed to embace 
 
 Her goodly port, and to their fenfes vild 
 
 Her gentle fpeach applide, that in mort fpace 
 
 She grew familiare in that defert place : 
 
 During which time, the chorle through her fo kind 
 
 And curteife ufe conceiv'd affection bace, 
 
 And caft to love her in his brutifh mind j 
 No love, but brutifh luft, that was fo beaftly tincL 
 
 XVI. 
 Clofely the wicked flame his bowels brent, 
 
 And fhortly grew into outrageous fire ; 
 
 Yet had he not the hart, nor hardiment, 
 
 As unto her to utter his defire ; 
 
 His caytive thought durft not fo high afpirej. 
 
 But with foft fighes, and lovely femblaunces^ 
 
 He ween'd, that his affection entire 
 
 She fhould aread ; many refemblaunces 
 To her he made, and many kind remembraunces.. 
 
 xvu.. 
 
 Oft from the forreft wildings he did bring,. 
 
 Whofe fides empurpled were with fmiling red^ 
 And oft young birds, which he had taught to fing. 
 His miftrefTe prayfes, fweedy caroled : 
 Girlonds of flowres fometimes for her faire hed 
 He fine would dight ; fometimes the fquirrell wild 
 He brought to her in bands, as conquered' 
 To be her thrall, his fellow-fervant vild ; 
 
 All which fhe of him tooke with countenance meeke and mildl 
 
 XVIII. But
 
 Cant. VIL the Faerie Queene* 13* 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 But paft awhile, when fhe fit feafon faw 
 To leave that defert manfion, fhe caft 
 In fecret wize her felfe thence to withdraw, 
 For feare of mifchiefe, which (he did forecaft 
 Might be the witch or that her forme compaft : 
 Her wearie palfrey clofely, as fhe might, 
 Now well recovered after long repaft, 
 In his proud furnitures fhe frefhly dight, 
 
 His late mifwandred wayes now to remeafure right. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 And earely ere the dawning day appeard, 
 
 She forth iflewed, and on her journey went; 
 
 "She went in perill, of each noyfe affeard, 
 
 And of each made, that did it felfe prefent ; 
 
 For ftill fhe feared to be overhent 
 
 Of that vile hag, or her uncivile fbnne : 
 
 Who when too late awaking, well they kent, 
 
 That their faire gueft was gone, they both begonne 
 
 To make exceeding mone, as they had bene undonne. 
 
 XX. 
 
 But that lewd lover did the moft lament 
 
 For her depart, that ever man did heare ; 
 He knockt his breft with defperate intent, 
 And fcratcht his face, and with his teeth did teare 
 His rugged flefh, and rent his ragged heare ; 
 That his fad mother feeing his fore plight, 
 Was greatly woe-begon, and gan to feare, 
 Leaft his fraile fenfes were emperimt quight, 
 
 r\nd love to frenzv turnd, fith love is franticke hight. 
 
 S 2 XXI. All
 
 132 the thirde Booke of Cant. VII. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 All waves fhe fought, him to reftore to plight, 
 
 With herbs, with charms, with counfel, and with teares j 
 
 But teares, nor charms, nor herbs, nor couniell might 
 
 Affwage the fury, which his entrails teares ; 
 
 So ftrcng is paffion, that no reafon heares. 
 
 Tho when all other helpes me faw to faile, 
 
 She turnd her felfe backe to her wicked leares, 
 
 And by her divelifh arts thought to prevaile, 
 
 To bring her backe againe, or worke her finall bale. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Eftfoones out of her hidden cave fhe cald h 
 
 An hideous beaft, of horrible afpect, 
 
 That could the flouted courage have appald y 
 
 Monftrous, mifhapt, and all his backe was fpect 
 
 With thoufand fpots of colours queint elect ; 
 
 Thereto fo fwift, that it all beafts did pas : 
 
 Like never yet did living eye detect ; 
 
 But likefl it to an Hye?ia was, 
 
 That feeds on womens flefh, as others feede on gras, 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 It forth fhe cald, and gave it ftreight in charge, 
 
 Through thicke and thin her to purfew apace,, 
 
 Ne once to ftay to reft, or breath at large, 
 
 Till her he had attaind, and brought in place, 
 
 Or quite devourd her beau tie's fcornefull grace* 
 
 The monfter, fwift as word, that from her went, 
 
 Went forth in haft, and did her footing trace 
 
 So fure and fwiftly, through his perfect fent, 
 
 And pafTing fpeede, that fhortly he her overhent. 
 
 XXIV. Whom
 
 Cant, VII. the Faerie Queene* 133 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Whom when the fearefull damzell nigh efpide, 
 
 No need to bid her faft away to flie ; 
 
 That ugly fhape fo fore her terrihde, 
 
 That it fhe fhund no lefle, then dread to die, 
 
 And her flit palfrey did fo well apply 
 
 His nimble feet to her conceived feare, 
 
 That whileft his breath did flrength to him fupply, 
 
 From perill free he her away did beare ; 
 But when his force gan faile, his pace gan wex areare. 
 
 XXV. 
 Which whenas me perceiv'd, fhe was difmayd 
 
 At that fame laft extremitie full fore, 
 
 And of her fafetie greatly grew afrayd ; 
 
 And now fhe gan approch to the fea-fhore, 
 
 As it befell, that fhe could flie no more, 
 
 But yield her felfe to fpoile of greed inefle. 
 
 Lightly fhe leaped, as a wight forlore, 
 
 From her dull horfe, in defperate diftrefle, 
 And to her feet betooke her doubtfull fickemeffe* 
 
 XXVI. 
 Not halfe fo faft the wicked Myrrha fkd 
 
 From dread of her revenging father's hond ; 
 
 Nor halfe fo faft, to fave her maidenhed, 
 
 Fled fearefull Daphne on xtiMgaan ftrond ; 
 
 As Florimell fled from that monfter yond, 
 
 To reach the fea, ere fhe of him were raught i 
 
 For in the fea to drowne her felfe fhe fond, 
 Rather then of the tyrant to be caught : 
 Thereto feare gave her wings, and need her courage taught. 
 
 XXVII. It
 
 !34 The thirde Booh of Cant. VII. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 It fortuned (high God did fo ordaine) 
 
 As fhe arrived on the roring more, 
 
 In minde to leape into the mighty maine, 
 
 A little boate lay hoving her before, 
 
 In which there ilept a fiftier old and pore, 
 
 The whiles his nets were drying on the fand : 
 
 Into the fame fhe lept, and with the ore 
 
 Did thrufl the fhallop from the floting ftrand : 
 
 So fafetie found at fea, which fhe found not at land, 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 The monfter ready on the pray to feafe, 
 
 Was of his forward hope deceived quight, 
 
 Ne durft afTay to wade the perlous feas, 
 
 But greedily long gaping at the fight, 
 
 At laft in vaine was forft to turne his flight, 
 
 And tell the idle tidings to his dame : 
 
 Yet, to avenge his divelifhe defpight, 
 
 He fet upon her palfrey tired lame, 
 
 And Hew him cruelly, ere any refkew came: 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 And after having him embowelled, 
 
 To fill his hellifh gorge, it chaunft a knight 
 
 To paffe that way, as forth he travelled ; 
 
 It was a goodly fwaine, and of great might, 
 
 As ever man that bloudy field did fight ; 
 
 But in vain fheows, that wont young knights bewitch, 
 
 And courtly fervices tooke no delight, 
 
 But rather joyd to be, then feemen fich : 
 
 For both to be and feeme to him was labor lich. 
 
 XXX. It
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene* 135 
 
 XXX. 
 
 It was to weete the good Sir Satyrane, 
 
 That raungd abrode to feeke adventures wilde,. 
 As was his wont in forreft, and in plaine ; 
 He was all armd in rugged fteele uniilde, 
 As in the fmoky forge it was compilde, 
 And in his fcutchin bore a fatyre's hed : 
 He comming prefent, where the monfter vilde 
 Upon that milke- white palfreye's earcas fed, 
 
 Unto his refkew ran, and greedily him fped. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 There well perceivd he, that it was the horfe, 
 Whereon faire Florimell was wont to ride, 
 That of that feend was rent without remorfe : 
 Much feared he, leaft ought did ill betide 
 To that faire mayd, the flowre of womens pride y. 
 For her he dearely loved, and in all 
 His famous conquefts highly magniflde : 
 Befides her golden girdle, which did fall 
 
 From her in flight, he found, that did him fore apall,. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Full of fad feare, and doubtfull agony, 
 
 Fiercely he flew upon that wicked feendj 
 And with huge flrokes, and cruell battery, 
 Him forft to leave his pray, for to attend 
 Him felfe from deadly daunger to defend :: 
 Full many wounds in his corrupted flejfh 
 He did engrave, and muchell blood did fpend,, 
 Yet might not do him die, but aye more frem 
 
 And fierce he frill appeard, the more he did him threfn.. 
 
 XXXIII. F
 
 136 The thirde Booke of Cant. VII. 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 Me vvift not, how him to defpoile of life, 
 Ne how to win the wiflied victory, 
 Sith him he faw {till ftronger grow through ftrife, 
 And him felfe weaker through infirmity. 
 Greatly he grew enrag'd, and furioufly 
 Hurling his fword away, he lightly lept 
 Upon the beaft, that with great cruelty 
 Rored, and raged to be under-kept : 
 
 Yet he perforce him held, and ftrokes upon him hept. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 As he, that drives to flop a fuddein flood, 
 
 And in ftrong banckes his violence enclofe, 
 Forceth it fwell above his wonted mood, 
 And largely overflow the fruitfull plaine, 
 That all the countrey feemes to be a maine, 
 And the rich furrowes flote, all quite fordonne : 
 The wofull hufbandman doth lowd complaine, 
 To fee his whole yeare's labour loft fo foone, 
 
 For which to God he made fo many an idle boone. 
 
 xxxv. 
 
 So him he held, and did through might amate : 
 So long he held him, and him bet fo long, 
 That at the laft his flercenefTe gan abate, 
 And meekely ftoup unto the vi&our ftrong : 
 Who to avenge the implacable wrong, 
 Which he fuppofed donne to Florimell, 
 Sought by all meanes his dolour to prolong, 
 Sith dint of fteele his carcas could not quell ; 
 
 His maker with her charmes had framed him fo well. 
 
 XXXVI. The
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Que ene. 137 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 The golden ribband, which that virgin wore 
 
 About her fclender wafte, lie tooke in hand, 
 And with it bound the beaft, that lowd did rore 
 For great defpight of that unwonted band, 
 Yet dared not his viclour to withstand, 
 But trembled like a lambe, fled from the pray, 
 And all the way him followd on the ftrand, 
 As he had long bene learned to obay ; 
 
 Yet never learned he fuch fervice, till that day. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Thus as he led the beaft along the way, 
 
 He fpide farre off a mighty giauntefle, 
 
 Fan: flying on a courfer dapled gray 
 
 From a bold knight, that with great hardinefle 
 
 Her hard purfewd, and fought for to fupprefTe. 
 
 She bore before her lap a dolefull fquire, 
 
 Lying athwart her horfe in great diftreffe, 
 
 Fail; bounden hand and foote with cords of wire, 
 
 Whom me did meane to make the thrall of her defire. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Which whenas Satyr ane beheld, in haft 
 He left his captive beaft at liberty, 
 And croft the neareft way, by which he caft 
 Her to encounter, ere me pafled by : 
 But fhe the way fhund nathemore for-thy, 
 But forward gallopt faft ; which when he fpyde, 
 His mighty fpeare he couched warily, 
 And at her ran : fhe having him defcryde, 
 
 Her felfe to fight addreft, and threw her lode afide. 
 
 Vol. II. T XXXIX. Like
 
 138 The thirde Booke of Cant. VII. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Like as a gofhauke, that in foote doth beare 
 
 A trembling culver, having fpide on hight 
 
 An egle, that with plumy wings doth fheare 
 
 The fubtile ayre, ftouping with all his might, 
 
 The quarrey throwes to ground with fell defpight, 
 
 And to the battell doth her felfe prepare : 
 
 So ran the geauntefTe unto the fight ; 
 
 Her firie eyes with furious fparkes did flare, 
 
 And with blafphemous bannes high God in peeces tare. 
 
 XL. 
 
 She caught in hand an huge great yron mace, 
 Wherewith fhe many had of life depriv'd ; 
 But ere the ftroke could feize his aymed place, 
 His fpeare amids her fun-broad fhield arriv'd ; 
 Yet nathemore the fteele a fonder riv'd, 
 All were the beame in bigneffe like a mail, 
 Ne her out of the ftedfaft fadle driv'd, 
 But glauncing on the tempred mettall, brad 
 
 In thoufand fhivers, and fo forth befide her paft. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Her Heed did ftagger with that puiilaunt ftroke ; 
 But me no more was moved with that might. 
 Then it had lighted on an aged oke : 
 Or on the marble pillour, that is pight 
 Upon the top of mount Olympus hight, 
 For the brave youthly champions to aifay, 
 With burning charet wheeles it nigh to fmite ; 
 But who, that fmites it, mars his joyous play, 
 
 And is the fpeclacle of ruinous decay, 
 
 XLII. Yet
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene. 139 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Yet therewith fore enrag'd, with fterne regard 
 Her dreadfull weapon fhe to him addreft, 
 Which on his helmet martelled fo hard, 
 That made him low incline his lofty creft, 
 And bowd his battred vifour to his brefl : 
 Wherewith he was fo ftund, that he note ryde, 
 But reeled to and fro from eaft to weft : 
 
 1 . Which when his cruell enimy efpyde, 
 
 She lightly unto him adjoyned fyde to fyde ; 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 And on his collar laying puiffant hand, 
 
 Out of his wavering feat him pluckt perforfe, 
 
 Perforfe him pluckt, unable to withftand, 
 
 Or helpe himfelfe, and laying thwart her horfe, 
 
 In loathly wife like to a carrion corfe, 
 
 She bore him faft away. Which when the knight, 
 
 That her purfewed, faw with great remorfe, 
 
 He neare was touched in his noble fpright, 
 
 And gan encreafe his fpeed, as me encreaft her flight. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Whom when as nigh approching (lie efpyde, 
 She threw away her burden angrily ; 
 For fhe lift not the battell to abide, 
 But made her felfe more light, away to fly : 
 Yet her the hardy knight purfewd fo nye, 
 That almoft in the backe he oft her ftrake ; 
 But ftill when him at hand fhe did efpy, 
 She turnd, and femblaunce of faire fight did make; 
 
 But when he ftayd, to flight againe fhe did her take. 
 
 T 2 XLV. By
 
 140 The thirde Booke of Cant. VII. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 By this the good Sir Satyr am gan wake 
 
 Out of his dreame, that did him long entraunce, 
 And feeing none in place, he gan to make 
 Exceeding mone, and curft that cruell chaunce, 
 Which reft from him fo faire a chevifaunce : 
 At length he fpide, whereas that wofull fquire, 
 Whom he had refkewed from captivaunce 
 Of his ftrong foe, lay tombled in the mire, 
 Unable to arife, or foot or hand to ftire.. 
 
 XLVI. 
 To whom approaching, well he mote perceive A 
 
 In that foule plight a comely perfonage, 
 And lovely face, made fit for to deceive 
 Fraile ladies hart with love's confuming rage, 
 Now in the blofibme of his frefheft age : 
 He reard him up, and loofd his yron bands, 
 And after gan inquire his parentage, 
 And how he fell into the gyaunt's hands, 
 And who that was, which chaced her along the lands. 
 
 XLVII. 
 Then trembling yet through feare, the fquire befpake ; 
 That geauntefTe Arga?ite is behight, 
 A daughter of the Titans^ which did make 
 Warre againft. heaven, and heaped hills on hight, 
 To fcale the fkyes, and put Jove from his right : 
 Her fire Typhosus was, who mad through merth, 
 And drunke with bloud of men, ilaine by his might, 
 Through inceft, her of his owne mother Earth 
 Whilome begot, being but halfe twin of that berth. 
 
 XL VIII. For
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene* 141 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 For at that berth another babe fhe bore, 
 
 To weet the mightie Ollyphant^ that wrought 
 Great wreake to many errant knights of yore, 
 And many hath to foule confufion brought. 
 Thefe twinnes, men fay, (a thing far pafling thought) 
 Whiles in their mother's wombe enclofd they were, 
 Ere they into the lightfome world were brought, 
 In flefhly luft were mingled both yfere, 
 
 And in that monftrous wife did to the world appere. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 So liv'd they ever after in like fin, 
 
 Gainft nature's law, and good behavioure : 
 
 But greatefr. fhame was to that maiden twin, 
 
 Who not content fo fowly to devoure 
 
 Her native flefh, and ftaine her brother's bowre, 
 
 Did wallow in all other flefhly myre, 
 
 And fuffred beafles her body to deflowre : 
 
 So whot fhe burned in that luftfull fyre ; 
 
 Yet all that might not flake her fenfuall defyre ; 
 
 L. 
 
 But over all the countrie fhe did raunge, 
 
 To feeke young men, to quench her flaming thruft, 
 
 And feed her fancy with delightfull chaunge. 
 
 Whom fo fhe fitteft finds to ferve her luft, 
 
 Through her maine ftrength, in which fhe moft doth truft^ 
 
 She with her brings into a fecret ile, 
 
 Where in eternall bondage dye he mull, 
 
 Or be the vafTall of her pleafures vile, 
 
 And in all fhamefull fort him felfe v/ith her defile. 
 
 LI. Me
 
 14- *fk® thirde Booke of Cant. VI I. 
 
 LI. 
 
 Me feely wretch me fo at vauntage caught, 
 After fhe long in vvaite for me did lye, 
 And meant unto her prifon to have brought, 
 Her lothfome pleafure there to fatisfye ; 
 That thoufand deathes me lever were to dye, 
 Then breake the vow, that to faire Columbell 
 I plighted have, and yet keepe ftedfaftly : 
 As for my name, it miflreth not to tell ; 
 
 Call me the Squyre of Dames, that me befeemeth well. 
 
 LII. 
 
 But that bold knight, whom ye purfuing faw 
 
 That geaunteffe, is not fuch, as ihe feemd, 
 
 But a faire virgin, that in martiall law, 
 
 And deedes of armes above all dames is deemd, 
 
 And above many knightes is eke efteemd, 
 
 For her great worth : She Pallad'me is bight : 
 
 She you from death, you me from dread redeemd. 
 
 Ne any may that monfter match in fight, 
 
 But fhe, or fuch as fhe, that is fo chafte a wight. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 Her well befeemes that quell, quoth Satyrane ; 
 
 But read, thou Squyre of Dames, what vow is this, 
 
 Which thou upon thy felfe haft lately ta'ne ? 
 
 That mall I you recount, quoth he, ywis, 
 
 So be ye pleafd to pardon all amis. 
 
 That gentle lady, whom I love and ferve, 
 
 After long fuit and weary fervicis, 
 
 Did afke me, how I could her love deferve, 
 
 And how fhe might be fure, that I would never fwerve. 
 
 LIV. I
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene* 143 
 
 LIV. 
 
 I glad by any meanes her grace to gaine, 
 
 Bad her commaund my life to fave, or fpill. 
 Eftfoones fhe bad me, with incefTaunt paine 
 To wander through the world abroad at will, 
 And every where, where with my power or fkill 
 I might do fervice unto gentle dames, 
 That I the fame mould faithfully fulfill, 
 And at the twelve monthes end mould bring their names 
 And pledges ; as the fpoiles of my vidtorious games. 
 
 LV. 
 So well I to faire ladies fervice did, 
 
 And found fuch favour in their loving hartes, 
 That ere the yeare his courfe had compaiTid, 
 Three hundred pledges for my good defartes, 
 And thrife three hundred thanks for my good partes,, 
 I with me brought, and did to her prefent : 
 Which when fhe faw, more bent to eke my fmartes, 
 Then to reward my trufty true intent, 
 She gan for me devife a grievous puniihment. 
 
 LVI. 
 To weet, that I my travell mould refume, 
 
 And with like labour walke the world around, 
 Ne ever to her prefence fhould prefume, 
 Till I fo many other dames had found, 
 The which, for all the fuit I could propound. 
 Would me refufe their pledges to afford, 
 But did abide for ever chaft and found. 
 Ah gentle fquire, quoth he, tell at one word* 
 How many foundft thou fuch to put in thy record ? 
 
 LVII. In-
 
 144 ^ e thirde Booke of Cant. VI I. 
 
 LVII. 
 
 Indeed, Sir knight, faid he, one word may tell 
 
 All, that I ever found fo wifely ftayd ; 
 
 For only three they were difpofd fo well, 
 
 And yet three yeares I now abroad have ftrayd, 
 
 To find them out. Mote I (then laughing fayd 
 
 The knight) inquire of thee, what were thofe three, 
 
 The which thy profTred curtefie denayd ? 
 
 Or ill they feemed fure avizd to bee, 
 Or brutiihly brought up, that nev'r did famions fee. 
 
 LVIII. 
 The firft, which then refufed me, faid hee, 
 
 Certes was but a common courtifane, 
 
 Yet flat refufd to have ado with mee, 
 
 Becaufe I could not give her many a jane. 
 
 (Thereat full hartely laughed Satyrane.) 
 
 The fecond was an holy nunne to chofe, 
 
 Which would not let me be her chappellane, 
 
 Becaufe fhe knew, fhe faid, I would difclofe 
 Her counfell, , if fhe fhould her truft in me repofe. 
 
 LIX. 
 The third a damzell was of low degree, 
 
 Whom I in countrey cottage found by chaunce. 
 
 Full little weened I, that chaftitee 
 
 Had lodged in fo meane a maintenaunce ; 
 
 Yet was ihe faire, and in her countenaunce 
 
 Dwelt fimple truth in feemely fafhion. 
 
 Long thus I woo'd her with dew obfervaunce, 
 
 In hope unto my pleafure to have won ; 
 But was as farre at laft, as when I firft begon. 
 
 LX. Safe
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene* 145 
 
 LX. 
 
 Safe her, I never any woman found, 
 
 That chaftity did for it felfe embrace, 
 But were for other caufes firme and found, 
 Either for want of handfome time and place, 
 Or elfe for feare of fhame and fowle difgrace. 
 Thus am I hopelefle ever to attaine 
 My ladie's love, in fiich a defperate cafe ; 
 But all my dayes am like to wafte in vaine, 
 
 Seeking to match the chafte with th'unchafte ladies traine. 
 
 LXI. 
 
 Perdy, faid Satyr ane, thou Squire of Dames, 
 
 Great labour fondly haft thou hent in hand, 
 
 To get fmall thankes, and therewith many blames, 
 
 That may emongft Alcides labours ftand. 
 
 Thence backe returning to the former land, 
 
 Where late he left the bead he overcame, 
 
 He found him not ; for he had broke his band, 
 
 And was returnd againe unto his dame, 
 
 To tell what tydings of faire Flormiell became. 
 
 Vol. II. U Canto
 
 146 The thirde Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 Canto VIII. 
 
 The Witch creates a fnowy lady y 
 
 Like to Florimelly 
 Who wrongd by Carle ^ by Proteus fa<ud y 
 
 Is fought by Paridell. 
 
 I. 
 
 'O oft as I this Jiiftory record, 
 
 My hart doth melt with meere companion, 
 To thinke, how caufelelTe of her owne accord 
 This gentle damzell, whom I write upon, 
 Should plonged be in fuch affli&ion, 
 Without all hope of comfort or reliefe, 
 That fure I weene, the harder!: hart of ftone 
 Would hardly find to aggravate her griefe • 
 For mifery craves rather mercie, then repriefe. 
 
 But that accurfed hag, her hofteffe late, 
 
 Had fo enranckled her malitious hart, 
 
 That fhe defyrd th'abridgement of her fate, 
 
 Or long enlargement of her painefull fmart. 
 
 Now when the beaft, which by her wicked art 
 
 Late forth fhe fent, fhe backe returning fpyde, 
 
 Tyde with her golden girdle, it a part 
 
 Of her rich fpoyles, whom he had earft deftroyd, 
 
 She weend, and wondrous gladnefle to her hart applyde : 
 
 III. And
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 147 
 
 III. 
 
 And with it ronning haft'ly to her Tonne, 
 
 Thought with that fight him much to have reliv'd ; 
 
 Who thereby deeming fure the thing as donne, 
 
 His former griefe with furie frefh reviv'd, 
 
 Much more then earft, and would have algates riv'd 
 
 The hart out of his breft : for Hth her ded 
 
 He furely dempt, himfelfe he thought depriv'd 
 
 Quite of all hope, wherewith he long had fed 
 
 His foolifh maladie, and long time had milled. 
 
 IV. 
 
 With thought whereof exceeding mad he grew, 
 
 And in his rage his mother would have flaine, 
 Had fhe not fled into a fecret mew, 
 Where fhe was wont her iprights to entertaine, 
 The maifters of her art : there was fhe faine 
 To call them all in order to her ayde, 
 And them conjure upon eternall paine, 
 To counfell her fo carefully difmayd, 
 
 How me might heal her fonne, whofe fenfes were decayd. 
 
 V. 
 
 By their advife, and her owne wicked wit, 
 
 She there deviz'd a wondrous worke to frame, 
 Whole like on earth was never framed yit, 
 That even Nature felfe envide the fame, 
 And grudg'd to fee the counterfet Ihould lhame 
 The thing it felfe : In hand fhe boldly tooke 
 To make another like the former dame, 
 Another Florimell, in fhape and looke 
 
 So lively and fo like, that many it miltooke. 
 
 U 2 VI. The
 
 148 Tie thirde Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The fubftance, whereof fhe the body made, 
 
 Was pureft (how in maffie mould congeald, 
 Which me had gathered in a fhadie glade 
 Of the Riphcean hills, to her reveald 
 By errant fprights, but from all men conceald. 
 The fame (lie tempred with fine Mercury, 
 And virgin wex, that never yet was feald, 
 And mingled them with perfect vermily, 
 
 That like a lively fanguine it feemd to the eye. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Inftead of eyes two burning lampes fhe fet 
 In filver fockets, fhyning like the ikyes, 
 And a quicke moving fpirit did arret 
 To ftirre and roll them, like to womens eyes. 
 In flead of yellow lockes, fhe did devife 
 With golden wyre to weave her curled head ; 
 Yet golden wyre was not fo yellow thrife 
 As FlorimelFs faire haire ; and in the flead 
 
 Of life, fhe put a fpright to rule the carcafTe dead. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 A wicked fpright yfraught with fawning guile, 
 And faire refemblance above all the reft, 
 Which with the prince of darknelTe fell fomewhile, 
 From heaven's bleiTe and everlafting reft. 
 Him needed not inftrucl, which way were beft 
 Him fclfe to fafhion likcft Florimell : 
 Ne how to fpeake, ne how to ufe his geft ; 
 For he in counterfcifance did excel], 
 
 And all the wyles of wemens wits knew pafnng well. 
 
 IX. Him
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 149 
 
 IX. 
 
 Him fhaped thus, me deckt in garments gay, 
 Which Flprimell had left behind her late, 
 That who fo then her faw, would furely fay, 
 It was her felfe, whom it did imitate, 
 Or fairer than her felfe, if ought algate 
 Might fairer be. And then me forth her brought 
 Unto her fonne, that lay in feeble ftate ; 
 Who feeing her gan ftreight upftart, and thought 
 
 She was the lady felfe, whom he fo long had fought. 
 
 X. 
 
 Tho faft her clipping twixt his armes twaine, 
 Extremely joyed in fo happie fight, 
 And foone forgot his former fickely paine : 
 But fhe, the more to feeme fuch as fhe hight, 
 Coyly rebutted his embracement light ; 
 Yet ftill with gentle countenaunce retain'd 
 Enough to hold a foole in vaine delight : 
 Him long fhe fo with fhadowes entertain'd, 
 
 As her creatrefTe had in charge to her ordairfd. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Till on a day, as he difpofed was 
 
 To walke the woodes with that his idole hire. 
 
 Her to difport, and idle time to pas, 
 
 In th'open frefhnefTe of the gentle aire, 
 
 A knight that way there chaunced to repaire ; 
 
 Yet knight he was not, but a boaftfull fwaine, 
 
 That deedes of armes had ever in defpaire, 
 
 Proud Braggadocchio, that in vaunting vaine 
 
 His glory did repofe, and credit did maintaine. 
 
 XII. ii.
 
 150 7%e thirde Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XII. 
 
 He feeing with that chorle fo faire a wight, 
 Decked with many a coftly ornament, 
 Much merveiled thereat, as well he might, 
 And thought that match a fowle difparagement r 
 His bloody fpeare eftfoones he boldly bent 
 Againft the filly clowne, who, dead through feare > 
 Fell {freight to ground in great aftonifhment ; 
 Villein, faid he, this ladie is my deare ; 
 
 Dy, if thou it gainefay : I will away her beare. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 The fearefull chorle durft not gainefay, nor doc, 
 
 But trembling flood, and yielded him the pray ; 
 Who finding little leafure her to wooe, 
 On Trompart\ fteed her mounted without fray, 
 And without refkew led her quite away. 
 Proud man himfelfe then Braggadochio deem'd, 
 And next to none, after that happie day, 
 Being polTeffed of that fpoyle, which feem'd 
 
 The faireft wight on ground, and moft of men efteem'd. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 But when he faw him felfe free from pourfute, 
 He gan make gentle purpofe to his dame, 
 With termes of love and lewdneffe diffolute ; 
 For he could well his glozing fpeaches frame 
 To fuch vaine ufes, that him beft became. 
 But flie thereto would lend but light regard, 
 , As feeming forry, that flie ever came 
 Into his powre, that ufcd her fo hard, 
 
 To reave her honour, which /he more than life prefard. 
 
 XV. Thus
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 151 
 
 XV, 
 
 Thus as they two of kindnefTe treated long, 
 
 There them by chaunce encountred on the way 
 An armed knight, upon a courfer ftrong, 
 Whofe trampling feete upon the hollow lay 
 Seemed to thunder, and did nigh affray 
 That capon's courage: yet he looked grim, 
 And faind to cheare his lady in difmay, 
 Who feemd for feare to quake in every lim, 
 
 And her to fave from outrage, meekely prayed him. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Fiercely that flranger forward came, and nigh 
 
 Approching, with bold words and bitter threat, 
 Bad that fame boafter, as he mote, on high 
 To leave to him that lady for excheat, 
 Or bide him battell without further treat. 
 That challenge did too peremptory feeme, 
 And fild his fenfes with abafhment great j 
 Yet feeing nigh him jeopardy extreme, 
 
 He it difTembled well, and light feemd to efteeme ; 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Saving, Thou, fooliih knight, that weenft with words 
 To fteale away, that I with blowes have wonne, 
 And brought through points of many perilous fwords : 
 Rut if thee lift to fee thy courfer ronne, 
 Or prove thy felfe, this fad encounter fhonne, 
 And feeke elfe without hazard of thy hed. 
 At thofe proud words that other knight begonne 
 To wexe exceeding wroth, and him ared 
 
 To turne his fteede about, or fure he mould be ded. 
 
 XVIII. Sith
 
 j«2 7%* thirde Booke of Cant. VI I L 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Sith then, faid Braggadochio, needes thou wilt 
 
 Thy dayes abridge, through proofe of puiflance, 
 Turne we our fteedes, that both in equal! tilt 
 May meete againe, and each take happie chance. 
 This faid, they both a furlong's mountenance 
 Retyrd their fteeds, to ronne in even race : 
 But Braggadochio with his bloudy lance 
 Once having turnd, no more returnd his face, 
 But left his love to loffe, and fled him felfe apace, 
 
 XIX. 
 The knight him feeing fly, had no regard 
 Him to pourfew, but to the ladie rode, 
 And having her from Trompart lightly reard, 
 Upon his courfer fet the lovely lode, 
 And with her fled away without abode. 
 Well weened he, that faireft Florimell 
 It was, with whom in company he yode, 
 And fo her felfe did alwaies to him tell ; 
 So made him. thinke him felfe in heaven, that was in hell. 
 
 XX. 
 But Florimell her felfe was farre away, 
 
 Driven to great diftrefle by fortune ftraunge, 
 And taught the carefull mariner to play, 
 Sith late mifchaunce had her compeld to chaunge 
 The land for fea, at randon there to raunge : 
 Yet there that cruell Queene avengerefle, 
 Not fatisfide fo farre her to eftraunge 
 From courtly blifle and wonted happinefle, 
 Did heape on her new waves of weary wretchedneffe. 
 
 XXI. For
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 153 
 
 XXI. 
 
 For being fled into the fiflier's bote, 
 
 For refuge from the monfter's crueltie, 
 Long fo (he on the mightie maine did flote, 
 And with the tide drove forward careleflie, 
 For th'aire was milde, and cleared was the fkie, 
 And all his windes Dan JEolus did keepe 
 From ftirring up their ftormy enmitie, 
 As pittying to fee her waile and weepe ; 
 
 But all the while the fifher did fecurely fleepe. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 At laft when droncke with drowfinefle, he woke, 
 And law his drover drive along the ftreame, 
 He was diimayd, and thrife his breft he ftroke, 
 For marveill of that accident extreame : 
 But when he faw that blazing beautie's beame, 
 Which with rare light his bote did beautifye, 
 He marveild more, and thought he yet did dreame 
 Not well awakt, or that fome extafye 
 
 Allotted had his fence, or dazed was his eye. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 But when her well avizing, he perceiv'd 
 
 To be no vifion, nor fantaflicke light, 
 Great comfort of her prefence he conceiv'd, 
 And felt in his old courage new delight 
 To gin awake, and ftirre Ins frofen fpriglit : 
 Tho rudely afkt her, how fhe thether came. 
 Ah ! faid fhe, father, I note read aright, 
 What hard misfortune brought me to this fame ; 
 
 Yet am I glad, that here I now in fafety am. 
 
 Vol. II. X XXIV. But
 
 154 The thirde Booke of Cant, VIII. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 But thou, good man, fith farre in fea we bee, 
 And the great waters gin apace to fwell, 
 That now no more we can the maine-land fee, 
 Have care, I pray, to guide the cock -bote well, 
 Leaft worfe on fea then us on land befell. 
 Thereat th'old man did nought but fondly grin, 
 And faid, his boat the way could wifely tell : 
 But his deceiptfull eyes did never lin, 
 
 To looke on her faire face, and marke her fnowy fkin. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 The fight whereof in his congealed flefh 
 Infixt fuch fecret fting of greedy luft, 
 That the drie withered ftocke it gan refresh, 
 And kindled heat, that foone in flame forth bruft ; 
 The drieft wood is fooneft burnt to dull. 
 Rudely to her he lept, and his rough hand, 
 Where ill became him, rafhly would have thruft ; 
 But fhe with angry fcorne him did withftond, 
 
 And fhamefully reproved for his rudeneffe fond, 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 But he, that never good nor maners knew, 
 
 Her fharpe rebuke full little did efteeme ; 
 Hard is to teach an old horfe amble trew. 
 The inward fmoke, that did before but fteeme, 
 Broke into open fire and rage extreme ; 
 And now he ftrength gan adde unto his will, 
 Forcing to doe, that did him fowle mifleeme : 
 Beaftly he threw her downe, ne car'd to fpill 
 
 Her garments gay with fcales of fiih, that all did fill. 
 
 XXVII. The
 
 Cant VIII. the Faerie Queene. 155 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 The filly virgin drove him to withftand, 
 
 All that fhe might, and him in vaine revild : 
 She ftruggled ftrongly both with foot and hand, 
 To fave her honor from that villaine vild, 
 And cride to heaven, from humane helpe exild. 
 O ye brave knights, that boaft this ladie's love, 
 Where be ye now, when fhe is nigh defild 
 Of filthy wretch ? Well may me you reprove 
 
 Of falfehood or of flouth, when moft it may behove, 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 But if that thou, Sir Satyr an, didft weete, 
 Or thou, Sir Peri dure, her forie ftate, 
 How foone would ye aflemble many a fleete, 
 To fetch from fea, that ye at land loft late ? 
 Towres, cities, kingdomes ye would ruinate, 
 In your avengement and diipiteous rage ; 
 Ne ought your burning fury mote abate : 
 But if Sir Calidore could it prefage, 
 
 No living creature could his cruelty affwage. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 But fith that none of all her knights is nye, 
 
 See how the heavens, of voluntary grace, 
 
 And foveraine favor towards chaftity, 
 
 Doe fuccour fend to her diftrefted cace. 
 
 So much high God doth innocence embrace. 
 
 It fortuned, whileft thus fhe ftifly ftrove, 
 
 And the wide fea importuned long fpace 
 
 With fhrilling fhriekes, Proteus abrode did rove, 
 
 Along the fomy waves, driving his finny drove. 
 
 X 2 XXX. Pro-
 
 156 7%>e thirde Booke of Cant. VIIL 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Proteus is fhepheard of the feas of yore, 
 
 And hath the charge of Neptune 's mighty heard,.. 
 An aged fire with head all frowy hore, 
 And fprinckled froft upon his deawy beard r 
 Who when thofe pittifull outcries he heard, 
 Through all the feas fo ruefully refound, 
 His charet fwift in hafte he thither fteard, 
 Which with a teeme of fcaly Phocas bound 
 Was drawne upon the waves, that formed him around s 
 
 XXXL 
 And coining to that fiiher's wandring bote, 
 
 That went at will, withouten card or fayle, 
 He therein faw that yrkefome fight, which fmote 
 Deepe indignation and companion frayle 
 Into his hart attonce : ftreight did he hayle 
 The greedy villein from his hoped pray, 
 Of which he now did very little fayle,. 
 And with his ftaffe,. that drives his heard- aftray,, 
 Him bet fo fore, that life and fenfe did much difmay* 
 
 XXXII. 
 The whiles the pitteous ladie up did ryfe, 
 Ruffled and fowly raid with filthy foyle, 
 And blubbred face with teares of her faire eyes : 
 Her hart nigh broken was with weary toyle,. 
 To fave her felfe from that outrageous fpoyle ; 
 But when fhe looked up, to weet, what wight 
 Had her from fo infamous fact afToyld, 
 For fhame, but more for feare of hi3 grim fight, 
 Downe in her lap (he hid her face, and loudly fhright. 
 
 XXXIII. Her-
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 157 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 Her felfe not faved yet from daunger dred 
 
 She thought, but chaung'd from one to other feare ; 
 Like as a fearefull partridge, that is fled 
 From the fharpe hauke, which her attached neare, 
 And falls to ground, to feeke for fuccour theare, 
 Whereas the hungry fpaniels fhe does fpy, 
 With greedy jawes her readie for to teare ; 
 In fuch diftrefTe and fad perplexity 
 Was Florimelly when Proteus fhe did fee thereby. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 But he endevoured with fpeeches milde 
 
 Her to recomfort, and accourage bold, 
 Bidding her feare no more her foeman vilde, 
 Nor doubt himfelfe ; and who he was, her told.. 
 Yet all that could not from affright her hold, 
 Ne to recomfort her at all prevayld ; 
 For her faint hart was with the frozen cold 
 Benumbd fo inly, that her wits nigh fayld, 
 And all her fences with abafhment quite were quay Id.. 
 
 XXXV. 
 Her up betwixt his rugged hands he reard, 
 And with his frory lips full foftly kift, 
 Whiles the cold yfickles from his rough beard: 
 Dropped adowne upon her yvorie breft :. 
 Yet he him felfe fo bufily addreft, 
 That her out of aftoniinment he wrought,, 
 And out of that fame rimer's filthy neft 
 Removing her, into his charet brought, 
 And there with many gentle termes her faire befought. 
 
 XXXVI. But
 
 x-8 7&e thirde Eooke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 But that old leachour, which with bold affault 
 That beautie durft prefume to violate, 
 He caft to punifh for his hainous fault : 
 Then tooke he him yet trembling fith of late, 
 And tyde behind his charet, to aggrate 
 The virgin, whom he had abufde fo fore : 
 So drag'd him through the waves in fcornfull ftate, 
 And after caft him up, upon the more ; 
 
 But Florimell with him unto his bowre he bore. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 His bowre is in the bottom of the maine, 
 
 Under a mightie rocke, gainft which do rave 
 
 The roaring billowes in their proud difdaine, 
 
 That with the angry working of the wave, 
 
 Therein is eaten out an hollow cave, 
 
 That feemes rough mafons hand with engines keene 
 
 Had long while laboured it to engrave : 
 
 There was his wonne, ne living wight was feene, 
 
 Save one old Nymph, hight Panope, to keepe it cleane. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Thether he brought the fory Florimell, 
 
 And entertained her the beft he might, 
 
 And Panope her entertaind eke well, 
 
 As an immortall mote a mortall wight, 
 
 To winne her liking unto his delight : 
 
 With flattering words he fweetly wooed her, 
 
 And offered faire gifts, t' allure her fight ; 
 
 But fhe both offers and the offerer 
 
 Defpvfdc, and all the fawning of the flatterer. 
 
 17 XXXIX. Daily
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Quecne. 159 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Daily he tempted her with this or that, 
 
 And never iuffred her to be at reft ; 
 
 But ever more fhe him refufed flat, 
 
 And all his fained kindnefTe did deteft ; 
 
 So firmely fhe had fealed up her breft. 
 
 Sometimes he boafted, that a God he hight ; 
 
 But fhe a mortall creature loved beft : 
 
 Then he would make him felfe a mortall wight ; 
 But then fhe faid, fhe lov'd none but a Faerie knight. 
 
 XL. 
 Then like a Faerie knight him felfe he drefl; 
 
 For every fhape on him he could endew i 
 
 Then like a king he was to her expreft, 
 
 And offred kingdomes unto her in vew, 
 
 To be his leman and his ladie trew : 
 
 But when all this he nothing faw prevaile, 
 
 With harder meanes he caft her to fubdew, 
 
 And with fharpe threates her often did affaile, 
 So thinking for to make her ftubborne courage quaile. 
 
 XLI. 
 To dreadfull fliapes he did him felfe transforme, 
 
 Now like a gyant, now like to a feend, 
 
 Then like a centaure, then like to a ftorme> 
 
 Raging within the waves : thereby he weend 
 
 Her will to win unto his wifhed eend. 
 
 But when with feare, nor favour, nor with all 
 
 He elfe could doe, he faw him felfe efteemd, 
 
 Downe in a dongeon deepe he let her fall, 
 And threatned there to make her his eternall thralL 
 
 XLII. Ecer-
 
 160 T'he thirde Booke of Cant. VIIL 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Eternall thraldome was to her more liefe, 
 
 Then loffe of chaftitie, or chaunge of love : 
 
 Die had Hie rather in tormenting griefe, 
 
 Then any fhould of falfenefTe her reprove, 
 
 Or looffeneffe, that fhe lightly did remove. 
 
 Moil virtuous virgin, glory be thy meed, 
 
 And crowne of heavenly praife with the faints above, 
 
 Where moft fweet hymmes of this thy famous deed 
 
 Are ftill emongft them fong, that farre my rymes exceed. 
 
 XLTIL 
 
 Fit fong of angels caroled to bee, 
 
 But yet what fo my feeble mufe can frame, 
 
 Shall be t' advance thy goodly chaftetee, 
 
 And to enroll thy memorable name 
 
 In th'hart of every honourable dame, 
 
 That they thy vertuous deedes may imitate, 
 
 And be partakers of thy endlefle fame. 
 
 It yrkes me, leave thee in this wofull ftate, 
 
 To tell of Satyrane, where I left him of late : 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Who having ended with that Squire of Dames 
 A long difcourfe of his adventures vaine, 
 The which himfelfe, then ladies more defames, 
 And finding not th' Hyena to be ilaine, 
 With that fame Squire^ returned back againe 
 To his firft way. And as they forward went, 
 They fpyde a knight faire pricking on the plaine, 
 As if he were on fome adventure bent, 
 
 And in his port appeared manly hardiment. 
 
 XLV. Sir,
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 161 
 
 XLV, 
 
 Sir Satyr ane him towards did addrefTe, 
 
 To vveet, what wight he was, and what his queft : 
 And comming nigh, eftfoones he gan to gefTe 
 Both by the burning hart, which on his breft 
 He bare, and by the colours in his creft, 
 That Paridell it was. Tho to him yode, 
 And him faluting, as befeemeth beft, 
 Gan firft inquire of tydinges farre abrode ; 
 And afterwardes, on what adventure now he rode # 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Who thereto anfwering faid, The tydings bad, 
 
 Which now in Faerie court all men doe tell, 
 
 Which turned hath great mirth to mourning fad, 
 
 Is the late ruine of proud Marimll, 
 
 And fuddein parture of faire Flcrimell^ 
 
 To find him forth ; and after her are gone 
 
 All the brave knightes, that doen in armes excell, 
 
 To lavegard her, ywandred all alone ; 
 
 Emongft the reft my lot (unworthy) is to be one, 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Ah gentle knight, faid then Sir Satyrane, 
 Thy labour all is loft, I greatly dread, 
 That haft a thankleffe fervice to thee ta'ne, 
 And ofFreft facrifice unto the dead : 
 For dead, I furely doubt, thou maift aread 
 Henceforth for ever Florimell to be, 
 That all the noble knights of Maydenhead, 
 Which her ador'd, may fore repent with me, 
 
 And all faire ladies may for ever fory be. 
 
 Vol. II. Y XLVIII. Which
 
 1 62 The thirde Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Which wordes when Paridell had heard, his hew 
 
 Gan greatly chaunge, and feemd difmayd to bee, 
 
 Then faid, Faire Sir, how may I weene it trew, 
 
 That ye doe tell in fuch uncertaintee ? 
 
 Or fpeake ye of report, or did ye fee 
 
 Juft caufe of dread, that makes ye doubt fo fore ? 
 
 For perdie elfe how mote it ever bee, 
 
 That ever hand mould dare for to engore 
 Pier noble bloud ? The heavens fuch crueltie abhore. 
 
 XLIX. 
 Thefe eyes did fee that they will ever rew 
 
 T'have feene, quoth he, when as a monftrous bead 
 
 The palfrey, whereon fhe did travell, flew, 
 
 And of his bowels made his bloudy feaft : 
 
 Which fpeaking token fheweth at the leaft 
 
 Her certaine lofTe, if not her fure decay t 
 
 Befides, that more fufpicion encreail, 
 
 I found her golden girdle caft aftray, 
 Diftaynd with durt and bloody as relique of the pray~ 
 
 L. 
 Ah me, faid Paridell^ the fignes be fad, 
 
 And but God turne the fame to good foothfay„ 
 
 That ladie's fafetie is fore to be drad :: 
 
 Yet will I not forfake my forward way,. 
 
 Till triall doe more certaine truth bewray. 
 
 Faire Sir, quoth he, well may it you fucceed,. 
 
 Ne long fhall Satyrane behind you ffcay ; 
 
 But to the reft, which in this queft proceed,. 
 My labour adde, and be partaker of their fpeed. 
 
 LI. Ye
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 16 
 
 LI. 
 
 Ye noble knights, faid then the Squire of Dames ', 
 Well may ye fpeede in fo praifeworthy paine : 
 But fith the funne now ginnes to flake his beames, 
 In deawy vapours of the wefterne maine, 
 And lofe the teme out of his weary waine, 
 Mote not miflike you alfo to abate 
 Your zealous haft, till morrow next againe 
 Both light of heaven, and ftrength of men relate : 
 
 Which if ye pleafe, to yonder caftle turne your gate. 
 
 LII. 
 
 That counlell pleafed well ; fo all yfere 
 
 Forth marched to a caftle them before, 
 Where foone arriving, they reftrained were 
 . Of readie entrance, which ought evermore 
 To errant knights be commune : wondrous fore 
 Thereat difpleafd they were, till that young fquire 
 Gan them informe the caufe, why that fame dore 
 Was fhut to all, which lodging did defire : 
 
 The which to let you weet, will further time require. 
 
 ft 
 
 Canto
 
 164 The thircle Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 Canto IX. 
 
 Malbecco will no ftraunge knights hoJ}> 
 
 For peevijh gealojie : 
 Paridell giufts with Brjtomart : 
 
 Both pew their auncejirie. 
 
 I. 
 
 r*g$» ED OUSTED knights and honorable dames, 
 STr *Jt To whom I levell all my labours end, 
 !j||^i|| Right fore I feare, leaft with unworthie blames 
 This odious argument my rymes fhould fhend ; 
 Or ought your goodly patience offend, 
 Whiles of a wanton lady I do write, 
 Which with her loofe incontinence doth blend 
 The fhyning glory of your foveraigne light, 
 And knighthood fowle defaced by a faithleffe knight. 
 
 II. 
 But never let th'enfample of the bad 
 
 Offend the good : for good by paragone 
 Of evill may more notably be rad, 
 As white feemes fairer, macht with blacke attone \ 
 Ne all are fliamed by the fault of one : 
 For lo in heaven, whereas all goodneffe is, 
 Emongfl: the angels, a whole legione 
 Of wicked fprights did fall from happy blis. 
 What wonder then, if one of women all did amis ? 
 
 III. Then
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 165 
 
 III. 
 
 Then liften lordings, if ye lift to weet 
 
 The caufe, why Satyr ane and Paridell 
 
 Mote not be entertaynd, as feemed meet, 
 
 Into that caftle, as that fquire does tell. 
 
 Therein a cancred crabbed carle does dwell, 
 
 That has no fkill of court nor courtefie ; 
 
 Ne cares, what men fay of him ill or well ; 
 
 For all his dayes he drownes in privatie, 
 Yet has full large to live, and fpend at libertie. 
 
 IV. 
 But all his mind is fet on mucky pelfe, 
 
 To hoord up heapes of evill-gotten mafTe, 
 
 For which he others wrongs, and wreckes himfelfe ; 
 
 Yet is he lincked to a lovely lafle, 
 
 Whofe beauty doth her bounty far furpafle, 
 
 The which to him both far unequall yeares, 
 
 And alfo far unlike conditions has ; 
 
 For fhe does joy to play emongft her peares, 
 And to be free from hard reftraint and gealous fegres. 
 
 V. 
 But he is old, and withered like hay, 
 
 Unfit faire ladies fervice to fupply, 
 
 The privie guilt whereof makes him alw ay 
 
 Sufpect her truth, and keepe continuall fpy 
 
 Upon her with his other blincked eye ; 
 
 Ne fuffreth he refort of living wight 
 
 Approch to her, ne keepe her company, 
 
 But in clofe bowre her mewes from all mens fight, 
 Depriv'd of kindly joy and naturall delight. 
 
 VI. Mat-
 
 1 66 The thirde Booke of Cant. IX* 
 
 VI. 
 
 Malbccco he, and Helhnore me hight, 
 
 Unfitly yokt together in one teeme ; 
 That is the caufe, why never any knight 
 Is furlred here to enter, but he ieeme 
 Such, as no doubt of him he neede mifdeeme. 
 Thereat Sir Satyrane gan to fmile, and fay ; 
 Extremely mad the man I furely deeme, 
 That vveenes with watch and hard reftraint to flay 
 A woman's will, which is difpofd to go aflray. 
 
 VII. 
 In vaine he feares that, which he cannot fhonne : 
 For who wotes not, that woman's fubtiltyes 
 Can guilen Argus ; when fhe lift mifdonne ? 
 It is not yron bandes, nor hundred eyes, 
 Nor brafen walls, nor many wakefull fpyes, 
 That can withhold her wilfull wandring feet, 
 But faft goodwill with gentle courtefyes, 
 And timely fervice to her pleafures meet, 
 May her periiaps containe, that elfe would algates fleet. 
 
 VIII. 
 Then is he not more mad, faid Paridell^ 
 
 That hath himfelfe unto fuch fervice fold, 
 In dolefull thraldome all his dayes to dwell ? 
 For fure a foole I do him nrmely hold, 
 That loves his fetters, though they were of gold. 
 But why do we devife of others ill, 
 Whyles thus we fuffer this fame dotard old, 
 To keepe us out, in fcorne of his owne will, 
 And rather do not ranfack all, and him felfe kill ? 
 
 IX. Nay,
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 167 
 
 IX. 
 
 Nay let us firft, faid Satyrane^ entreat 
 
 The man by gentle meanes, to let us in, 
 
 And afterwardes affray with cruell threat, 
 
 Ere that we to efforce it do begin : 
 
 Then if all fayle, we will by force it win, 
 
 And eke reward the wretch for his mefprife, 
 
 As may be worthy of his haynous fin. 
 
 That counfell pleafd ; then Paridell did rife, 
 And to the caftle gate approcht in quiet wife. 
 
 X. 
 Whereat foft knocking, entrance he defyrd. 
 
 The good man felfe, which then the porter playd, 
 
 Him anfwered, that all were now retyrd 
 
 Unto their reft, and all the keyes convayd 
 
 Unto their maifter, who in bed was layd, 
 
 That none him durft awake out of his dreme ; 
 
 And therefore them of patience gently prayd. 
 
 Then Paridell began to chaunge his theme, 
 And threatned him with force and punifhment extreme : 
 
 XI. 
 But all in vaine ; for nought mote him relent : 
 
 And now fo long before the wicket faft 
 
 They wayted, that the night was forward fpent, 
 
 And the faire welkin, fowly overcaft,. 
 
 Gan blowen up a bitter ftormy blaft, 
 
 With fhowre and hayle fo horrible and dred, 
 
 That this faire many were compeld at laft, 
 
 To fly for fuccour to a little filed, 
 The which befide the gate for fwine was ordered.. 
 
 XII. It
 
 1 68 Tthe thirde Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XII. 
 
 It fortuned, foone after they were gone, 
 
 Another knight, whom tempeft thither brought, 
 Came to that cattle, and with earned mone, 
 Like as the reft, late entrance deare befought ; 
 But like fo as the reft he prayd for nought, 
 For flatly he of entrance was refufd. 
 Sorely thereat he was difpleafd, and thought 
 How to avenge himfelfe fo fore abufd, 
 
 And evermore the carle of courtefiie accufd. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 But to avoyde th' intolerable ftowre, 
 
 He was compeld to feeke fome refuge neare, 
 And to that fried, to fhrowd him from the fhowre, 
 He came, which full of guefts he found whyleare, 
 So as he was not let to enter there : 
 Whereat he gan to wex exceeding wroth, 
 And fwore, that he would lodge with them yfere, 
 Or them diflodge, all were they liefe or loth ; 
 
 And fo deride them each, and fo deride them both. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Both were full loth to leave that needfull tent, 
 And both full loth in darknefte to debate ; 
 Yet both full liefe him lodging to have lent, 
 And both full liefe his boafting to abate ; 
 But chiefely Paridell his hart did grate, 
 To heare him threaten fo defpightfully, 
 As if he did a dogge in kenell rate, 
 That durft not barke ; and rather had he dy, 
 
 Then when he was defide, in coward corner ly. 
 
 XV. Tho
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene* 169 
 
 XV. 
 
 Tho nattily remounting to his fteed, 
 
 He forth ifTew'd ; like as a boiftrous wind, 
 
 Which in the earthe's hollow caves hath long been hid, 
 
 And fhut up fait within her prifons blind, 
 
 Makes the huge element againft her kind 
 
 To move, and tremble as it were aghaft, 
 
 Untill that it an iffew forth may find ; 
 
 Then forth it breakes, and with his furious blaft 
 
 Confounds both land and feas, and fkyes doth overcaft. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Their fteel-hed fpeares they ftrongly coucht, and met 
 Together with impetuous rage and forfe, 
 That with the terrour of their fierce afFret, 
 They rudely drove to ground both man and horfe, 
 That each a while lay like a fencelefle corfe. 
 But Paridell, fore bruifed with the blow, 
 Could not arife, the counterchaunge to fcorfe, 
 Till that young fquire him reared from below ; 
 
 Then drew he his bright fword, and gan about him throw. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 But Satyr erne forth ftepping, did them (lay, 
 And with faire treaty pacifide their yre ; 
 Then when they were accorded from the fray, 
 Againft that caftle's lord they gan confpire, 
 To heape on him dew vengeaunce for his hire. 
 They bene agreed, and to the gates they goe 
 To burne the fame with unquenchable fire, 
 And that uncurteous carle, their commune foe, 
 
 To do fowle death to dye, or wrap in grievous woe. 
 
 Vol. II. Z XVIII. Mai-
 
 170 "The thirde Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Malbecco feeing them refolvd in deed 
 
 To flame the gates, and hearing them to call 
 For fire in earneft, ran with fearefull fpeed, 
 And to them calling from the caftle-wall, 
 Befought them humbly, him to beare withall, 
 As ignorant of fervants bad abtife, 
 And flacke attendaunce unto ftraungers call. 
 The knights were willing all things to excufe, 
 
 Though nought belev'd, and entraunce late did not refufe. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 They beene ybrought into a comely bowre, 
 
 And fervd of all things, that mote needfull bee ; 
 Yet fecretly their hofte did on them lowre, 
 And welcomde more for feare, then charitee ' r 
 But they diflembled, what they did not fee, 
 And welcomed themfelves. Each gan undight 
 Their garments wet, and weary armour free, 
 To dry them felves by Vulcanes flaming light, 
 
 And eke their lately bruzed parts to bring in plight. 
 
 XX. 
 
 And eke that ftraunger knight, emongft the reft, 
 Was for like need enforft to difaray : 
 Tho whenas vailed was her loftie creft, 
 Her golden locks, that were in tramells gay 
 Upbounden, did them felves adowne difplay, 
 And raught unto her heeles ; like funny beames, 
 That in a cloud their light did long time ftay, 
 Their vapour vaded, fhew their golden gleames, 
 
 And through the perfant aire fhoote forth their azure ftreames. 
 
 XXI. She
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. iyi 
 
 XXI. 
 
 She alfo dofte her heavy haberjeon, 
 
 Which the faire feature of her limbs did hyde, 
 And her well plighted frock, which me did won 
 To tucke about her fhort, when me did ryde, 
 She low let fall, that flowd from her lanck fyde 
 Downe to her foot, with careleffe modeftee. 
 Then of them all me plainly was efpyde 
 To be a woman wight, unwift to bee, 
 
 The faireft woman wight, that ever eye did fee : 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Like as Minerva, being late returnd 
 
 From flaughter of the giaunts conquered ; 
 
 Where proud Encelade, whofe wide nofethrils burnd 
 
 With breathed flames, like to a furnace red, 
 
 Transfixed with her fpeare, downe tombled ded 
 
 From top of Hemus, by him heaped hye ; 
 
 Hath loofd her helmet from her lofty hed, 
 
 And her Gorgonian fhield gins to untye 
 
 From her left arme, to reft in glorious vi&orye. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Which whenas they beheld, they fmitten were 
 With great amazement of fo wondrous fight, 
 And each on other, and they all on her 
 Stood gazing, as if fuddein great affright 
 Had them furprizd. At laft avizing right, 
 Her goodly perfonage and glorious hew, 
 Which they fo much miftooke, they tooke delight 
 In their flrft errour, and yet ftill anew 
 
 With wonder of her beauty fed their hungry vew. 
 
 Z 2 XXIV. Yet
 
 171 The thirde Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Yet note their hongry vew be fatisfide, 
 
 But feeing ftill the more defir'd to fee, 
 
 And ever firmely fixed did abide 
 
 In contemplation of divinitee : 
 
 But moft they mervaild at her chevalree, 
 
 And noble proweffe, which they had approv'd, 
 
 That much they faynd to know, who fhe mote bee ; 
 
 Yet none of all them her thereof amov'd, 
 Yet every one her likte, and every one her lov'd. 
 
 XXV. 
 And Paridellj though partly difcontent 
 
 With his late fall, and fowle indignity, 
 
 Yet was foone wonne his malice to relent, 
 
 Through gracious regard of her faire eye, 
 
 And knightly worth, which he too late did try, 
 
 Yet tried did adore. Supper was dight ; 
 
 Then they Malbecco prayd of courtefy, 
 
 That of his lady they might have the fight, 
 And company at meat, to do them more delight. 
 
 XXVI. 
 But he, to fhift their curious requeft, 
 
 Gan caufen, why fhe could not come in place ; 
 
 Her crafed helth, her late recourfe to reft, 
 
 And humid evening ill for ficke folkes cace. 
 
 But none of thofe excufes could take place ; 
 
 Ne would they eate, till {he in prefence came. 
 
 She came in prefence with right comely grace, 
 
 And fairely them faluted, as became, 
 And fhewd her felfe in all a gentle curteous dame. 
 
 XXVII. They
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. ij$ 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 They fate to meat, and Satyr cine his chaimce 
 
 Was her before, and Paridell befyde ; 
 
 But he him felfe fate looking frill afkaunce 
 
 Gainft Britomart, and ever clofely eyde 
 
 Sir Satyr ane^ that glaunces might not glyde : 
 
 Eut his blind eye, that fided Paridell) 
 
 All his demeafnure from his light did hyde : 
 
 On her faire face fo did he feede his fill, 
 And fent clofe meffages of love to her at will. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 And ever and anone, when none was ware, 
 
 With fpeaking lookes, that clofe embaflage bore, 
 
 He rov'd at her, and told his fecret care : 
 
 For all that art he learned had of yore. 
 
 Ne was me ignoraunt of that lewd lore, 
 
 But in his eye his meaning wifely red, 
 
 And with the like him anfwerd ever more : 
 
 She fent at him one fine dart, whofe hed 
 Empoifned was with privy luft, and gealous dred. 
 
 XXIX. 
 He from that deadly throw made no defence, 
 
 But to the wound his weake hart opened wyde : 
 
 The wicked engine, through falfe influence, 
 
 Paft through his eyes, and fecretly did glyde 
 
 Into his hart, which it did forely gryde. 
 
 But nothing new to him was that fame paine, 
 
 Ne paine at all ; for he fo oft had tryde 
 
 The powre thereof, and lov'd fo oft in vaine, 
 
 That thing of courfe he counted, love to entertaine. 
 
 XXX. Thence-
 
 174 %% e thirde Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Thenceforth to her he fought to intimate 
 
 His inward griefe, by meanes to him well knowne; 
 
 Now Bacchus fruit out of the filver plate 
 
 He on the table dafht, as overthrowne, 
 
 Or of the fruitfull liquor overflowne, 
 
 And by the dauncing bubbles did divine, 
 
 Or therein write to let his love be fhowne ; 
 
 Which well fhe red out of the learned line ; 
 
 A facrament prophane in miftery of wine. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 And when fo of his hand the pledge fhe raught, 
 The guilty cup fhe fained to miftake, 
 And in her lap did flied her idle draught, 
 Shewing defire her inward flame to flake : 
 By fuch clofe fignes they fecret way did make 
 Unto their wills, and one eye's watch efcape. 
 Two eyes him needeth, for to watch and wake, 
 Who lovers will deceive. Thus was the ape, 
 
 By their faire handling, put into Malbeccoes cape. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Now when of meats and drinks they had their fill, 
 Purpofe was moved by that gentle dame 
 Unto thofe knights adventurous, to tell 
 Of deeds of armes, which unto them became, 
 And every one his kindred, and his name. 
 Then Paridell, in whom a kindly pryde 
 Of gracious fpeach, and {kill his words to frame 
 Abounded, being glad of fo fit tyde 
 
 Him to commend to her, thus fpake, of all well eyde. 
 
 XXXIII. Troy,
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 175 
 
 XXXIII 
 
 Troy, that art now nought, but an idle name, 
 And in thine afhes buried low doft. lie, 
 Though whilome far much greater then thy fame, 
 Before that angry Gods and cruell fkie 
 Upon thee heapt a direfull deftinie, 
 What boots it boaft thy glorious delcent, 
 And fetch from heaven thy great genealogie, 
 Sith all thy worthie prayfes being blent, 
 
 Their ofspring hath embafte, and later glory fhent ? 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Moft famous worthy of the world, by whome 
 
 That warre was kindled, which did Troy inflame, 
 And Irately towres of Won whilome 
 Brought unto balefull mine, was by name 
 Sir Paris, far renowmd through noble fame, 
 Who, through great proweffe and bold hardinefle, 
 From Lacedcemon fetcht the faireft dame, 
 That ever Greece did boaft, or knight poflerTe, 
 
 Whom Venus to him gave for meed of worthincfle.. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Fair Helene, flowre of beautie excellent, 
 
 And girlond of the mighty conquerours, 
 That madeft many ladies deare lament 
 The heavie lofle of their brave paramours, 
 Which they far off beheld from Trojan toures, 
 And faw the fieldes of faire Scamander ftrowne 
 With carcafes of noble warrioures, 
 Whofe fruitleffe lives were under furrow fowne, 
 
 And Xanthus fandy bankes with blood all overflowne. 
 
 XXXVI. From
 
 i j 6 7%e thirde Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 From him my linage I derive aright, 
 
 Who long before the ten yeares nege of Troy, 
 Whiles yet on Ida he a fhepheard hight, 
 On faire Oenone got a lovely boy, 
 Whom for remembraunce of her paffed joy 
 She of his father Partus did name ; 
 Who, after Greekes did Priam's realme deftroy, 
 Gathred the Trojan reliques fav'd from flame, 
 And with them fay ling thence, to th'ifle of Paros came. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 That was by him cald Paros, which before 
 
 Hight Naufa ; there he many yeares did rainc, 
 And built Nauficle by the Pontick more, 
 The which he dying left next in remaine 
 To Paridas his fonne. 
 From whom I Paridell by kin defcend ; 
 But for faire ladies love, and glories gaine, 
 My native foile have left, my dayes to fpend 
 In feewing .deedes of armes, my lives and labours end. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 Whenas the noble Britomart heard tell 
 
 Of Trojan warres, and Priam 's citie fackt, 
 The ruefull ftory of Sir Paridell, 
 She was empafliond at that piteous acl:, 
 With zelous envy of Greekes cruell fad: 
 Againft that nation, from whofe race of old 
 She heard that fhe was lineally extract : 
 For noble Britons fprong from Trojans bold, 
 And Troynovafit was built of old Troyes alhes cold. 
 
 XXXIX. Then
 
 Canto IX. The Faerie Queen e. 177 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Then fighing foft a while, at laft fhe thus : 
 O lamentable fall of famous towne, 
 Which raignd fo many yeares victorious, 
 And of all Afie bore the foveraigne crowne, 
 In one fad night confumd, and throwen downe ! 
 What ftony hart, that heares thy hapleffe fate, 
 Is not empierfr. with deepe compailiowne, 
 And makes enfample of man's wretched ffate, 
 
 That floures fo frefh at morne, and fades at evening late ? 
 
 XL. 
 
 Behold, Sir, how your pitifull complaint 
 
 Hath found another partner of your payne: 
 For nothing may imprefle fb deare conftraint, 
 As countries caufe, and commune foes difdayne. 
 But if it mould not grieve you, backe agayne 
 To turne your courfe, I would to heare defyre, 
 What to Aeneas fell ; fith that men fayne 
 He was not in the cities wofull fyre 
 
 Confum'd, but did himfelfe to fafetie retyre. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Anchyfes fonne, begot of Venus faire, 
 
 Said he, out of the flames for fafegard fled, 
 And with a remnant did to lea repaire, 
 Where he through fatall errour long was led. 
 Full many yeares, and weetlefTe wandered 
 From more to more, emongft the Lybicke fands, 
 Ere reft he found. Much there he fufFered, 
 And many perills pad: in forreine lands, 
 
 To fave his people fad from viclours vengefull hands. 
 
 Vol. II. A a XL. At
 
 jjS ffie fir ft Eooke of Canto IX. 
 
 XLU. 
 
 At lail in Latium he did arrive, 
 
 Where he with eruell warre was entertaind 
 
 Of th' inland folke, which fought him backe to drive,, 
 
 Till he with old Latinus was conftraind 
 
 To contract wedlock ; (fo the fates ordaind :) 
 
 Wedlock contract in blood, and eke in blood 
 
 Accompliihed, that many deare complaind: 
 
 The rivall flaine, the victour through the flood 
 
 Efcaped hardly, hardly praifd his wedlock good. 
 
 XLIIL 
 
 Yet after all, he victour did furvive, 
 
 And with Latinus did the kingdom part. 
 But after, when both nations gan to ftrive, 
 Into their names the title to convart, 
 His fonne lulus did from thence depart, 
 With all the warlike youth of Trojans bloud, 
 And in long Alba plafl his throne apart, 
 Where faire it florifhed, and long time ftoud, 
 
 Till Romulus renewing it, to Rome remoud, 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 There, there, faid Britomarty afrefh appeard 
 
 The glory of the later world to fpring, 
 
 And Troy againe out of her durft was reard, 
 
 To fit in fecond feat of foveraigne king 
 
 Of all the world under her governing. 
 
 But a third kingdom yet is to arife, 
 
 Out of the Trojans fcattered off-fpring, 
 
 That in all glory and great enterprife 
 Both firft and fecond Troy fhall dare to equalife. 
 
 n XLV. It
 
 Canto IX. The Faerie Queene. 179 
 
 XLV. 
 
 It Troynovant is hight, that with the waves 
 Of wealthy Thamis warned is along, 
 Upon whofe ftubborne neck, whereat he raves 
 With roring rage, and fore himfelfe does throng. 
 That all men feare to tempt his billowes ftrong, 
 She faftned hath her foot, which ftandes fo hy, 
 That it a wonder of the world is fong 
 In forreine landes, and all, which patten by, 
 
 Beholding it from far, do thinke it threates the fkye. 
 
 XLV/. 
 
 The Trojan Brute did firft that citie found, 
 
 And Hygate made the meare thereof by weft, 
 And Overt gate by North : that is the bound 
 Toward the land ; two rivers bound the reft. 
 So huge a fcope at firft him feemed beft, 
 To be the compafle of his kingdomes feat: 
 So huge a mind could not in lefTer reft, 
 Ne in fmall meares containe his glory great, 
 
 That Albion had conquered firft by warlike feat. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Ah faireft Lady knight, faid Paridell, 
 
 Pardon, I pray, my heedlefTe oversight, 
 Who had forgot, that whilome I heard tell 
 From aged Mnemon ; for my wits beene light. 
 Indeed he faid, if I remember right, 
 That of the antique Trojan ftocke there grew 
 Another plant, that raught to wondrous hight, 
 And far abroad his mighty braunches threw, 
 
 Into the utmoft angle of the world he knew. 
 
 A a 2 XL VII I. For
 
 i So 1'he third Booh of Canto IX. 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 For that fame Brute, whom much he did advaunce 
 In all his fpeach, was Sihius his forme. 
 Whom having flain, through luckleffe arrowe's glaunce, 
 He fled for feare of that he had mifdonne, 
 Or elfe for fhame, fo fowle reproch to fhonne ; 
 And with him led to fea an youthly trayne, 
 Where wearie wandring they long time did wonnc, 
 And many fortunes prov'd in th' Ocean mayne, 
 
 And great adventures found, that now were long to fayne. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 At laft by fatall courfe they driven were 
 Into an Ifland fpatious and brode, 
 The furtheft North, that did to them appeare : 
 Which after reft they feeking far abrode, 
 Found it the fitteft foyle for their abode, 
 Fruitfull of all things fit for living foode, 
 But wholy waft, and void of peoples trode, 
 Save an huge nation of the Geaunts broode, 
 
 That fed on living Hem, and druncke mens vitall blood, 
 
 L. 
 
 Whom he,' through wearie wars and labours long, 
 
 Subdewd with lofTe of many Britons bold ; 
 
 In which the great Goemagot of ftrong 
 
 Corineus, and Coulin of Debon old, 
 
 Were overthrowne, and layd on th' earth full cold, 
 
 Which quaked under their fo hideous mailej 
 
 A famous hiftory to be enrold 
 
 In everlafting moniments of braffe, 
 That all the antique Worthies merits far did pafTe. 
 
 LI. His
 
 Canto IX. the Faerie Queene, 181 
 
 LI. 
 
 His worke great Troynovant^ his worke is eke 
 Faire Lincolm, both renowmed far away, 
 That who from Eaft to Weft will endlong feeke> 
 Cannot two fairer Cities find this day, 
 Except Cleopolis : fo heard I fay 
 Old Mnemon. Therefore, Sir, I greet you well 
 Your countrey kin, and you entirely pray 
 Of pardon for the ftrife, which late befell 
 
 Betwixt us both unknowne. So ended ParidelL 
 
 LII. 
 
 But all the while, that he thefe fpeeches fpent, 
 Upon his lips hong faire Dame Hellenore, 
 With vigilant regard, and dew attent, 
 Fafhioning worlds of fancies evermore 
 In her fraile wit, that now her quite forlore: 
 The whiles unwares away her wondring eye, 
 And greedy eares, her weake hart from her bore : 
 Which he perceiving, ever privily 
 
 In fpeaking, many falfe belgardes at her let fly. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 So long thefe knights difcourfed diverfly, 
 
 Of ftraunge affaires, and noble hardiment, 
 
 Which they had pair, with mickle jeopardy, 
 
 That now the humid night was farforth fpent, 
 
 And heavenly lampes were halfendeale ybrent : 
 
 Which trf old man feeing well, who too long thought 
 
 Every difcourfe and every argument, 
 
 Which by the houres he meafured, befought 
 
 Them go to reft. So all unto their bowres were brought. 
 
 CANTO
 
 ib'a The third ' Booke of Canto X. 
 
 CANTO X. 
 
 Paridell rapeth Hellenore : 
 
 Malbecco her purfewes : 
 Findes emongft Satyres, whence with him 
 
 To turne Jhe doth rejufe. 
 
 1. 
 
 fW~-^HE morow next, fo foone as Phoebus lamp 
 Bewrayed had the world with early light, 
 JL And frefh Aurora had the fhady damp 
 
 Out of the goodly Heaven amoved quight, 
 Faire Britomart and that fame Faerie knight 
 Uprofe, forth on their journey for to wend : 
 But Paridell complaynd, that his late fight 
 With Britomart fo fore did him offend, 
 That ryde he could not, till his hurts he did amend. 
 
 II 
 So forth they far'd, but he behind them ftayd, 
 Maulgre his hoft, who grudged grievoufly 
 To houfe a gueft, that would be needes obayd, 
 And of his owne him left not liberty : 
 Might wanting meafure moveth furquedry. 
 Two things he feared, but the third was death ; 
 That fierce young man's unruly maiftery ; 
 His money, which he lov'd as living breath ; 
 And his faire wife, whom honeft long he kept uneath. 
 
 III. But
 
 Canto X, the Faerie Queene. 183 
 
 III. 
 
 But patience perforce he muft abie, 
 
 What fortune and his fate on him will lay ; 
 
 Fond is the feare, that findes no remedie ; 
 
 Yet warily he watcheth every way, 
 
 By which he feareth evill happen may : 
 
 So th' evill thinkes by watching to prevent ; 
 
 Ne doth he fufer her, nor night, nor day, 
 
 Out of his fight her felfe once to abfent. 
 So doth he pur.ifh her, and eke himfelfe torment. 
 
 IV. 
 
 But Paridell kept better watch then hee, 
 
 A fit occaiion for his turne to find. 
 
 Falfe love, why do men fay, thou canft not fee, 
 
 And in their foolifh fancie feigne thee blind, 
 
 That with thy charmes the fharpefl fight doeft bind ? 
 
 And to thy will abufe? Thou walkeff. free, 
 
 And feeft every fecret of the mind ; 
 
 Thou feed: all, yet none at all fees thee ; 
 All that is by the working of thy Deitee. 
 
 V. 
 
 So perfect in that art was Paridell, 
 
 That he Malbeccoes halfen eye did wyle ; 
 His halfen eye he wiled wondrous well, 
 And Helfaiors both eyes did eke beguyle, 
 Both eyes and hart attonce, during the whyle 
 That he there fojourned his woundes to heale, 
 That Cupid felfe it feeing, clofe did fmyle, 
 To eet how he her love away did fteale,. 
 
 And bad, that none their joyous treafon fhould reveale.. 
 
 VI. The-
 
 184 The third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The learned lover loft no time nor tyde, 
 
 That leaft avantage mote to him afford, 
 Yet bore fo faire a faile, that none efpyde 
 His fecret drift, till he her layd abord. 
 When fo in open place, and commune bord, 
 He fortun'd her to meet, with commune fpeach 
 He courted her, yet baytcd every word, 
 That his ungentle hofte n'ote him appeach 
 
 Of vile ungentleneffe, or hofpitage's breach. 
 
 VII. 
 
 But when apart (if ever her apart) 
 
 He found, then his falfe engins faft he plyde, 
 And all the fleights unbofomd in his hart ; 
 He ftgh'd, he fobd, he fwownd, he perdy dyde, 
 And caft himfelfe on ground her faft befyde: 
 Tho when againe he him bethought to live, 
 He wept, and wayld, and falfe laments beiyde, 
 Saying, but if fhe mercie would him give, 
 
 That he mote algates dye, yet did his death forgive. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 And other whiles with amorous delights, 
 
 And pleaftng toyes He would her entertaine, 
 Now iinging fweetly, to furprize her fprights, 
 Now making lay es of love and lovers paine, 
 Branfles, Ballads, virelayes, and verfes vaine; 
 Ott purpofes, oft riddles he devyfd, 
 And thoufands like, which flowed in his braine, 
 With which he fed her fancy, and entyfd 
 
 To take to his new love, and leave her old defpyfd. 
 
 IX. And
 
 Canto X. 7 he Faerie Queene. 185 
 
 IX. 
 
 And every where he might, and every while 
 He did her fervice dewtifull, and fewd 
 At hand with humble pride, and pleafing guile, 
 So clofely yet, that none but fhe it vewd, 
 Who well perceived all, and all indewd. 
 Thus finely did he his falfe nets difpred, 
 With which he many weake harts had fubdewd, 
 Of yore, and many had ylike milled : 
 
 What wonder then, if fhe were likewife carried ? 
 
 X. 
 
 No fort fo fenfible, no wals fb ftrong, 
 But that continuall battery will rive, 
 Or daily fiege through difpurvayaunce long, 
 And lacke of refkewes will to parley drive ; 
 And Peace, that unto parley eare will give, 
 Will fhortly yield it felfe, and will be made 
 The vaflall of the victor's will bylive: 
 That ftratageme had oftentimes afTayd 
 
 This crafty Paramoure, and now it plaine difplayd. 
 
 XI. 
 
 For through his traines he her intrapped hath, 
 That fhe her love and hart hath wholy fold 
 To him, without regard of gaine, or fcath, 
 Or care of credite, or of hufband old, 
 Whom fhe hath vow'd to dub a faire Cucquold. 
 Nought wants but time and place, which fhortly fhee 
 Devized hath, and to her lover told. 
 It pleafed well : So well they both agree ; 
 
 So readie rype to ill ill wemens counfels bee. 
 
 Vol. II. B b XII. Darke
 
 1 86 The third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Darke was the Evening, fit for lovers ftealth, 
 When chaunft Malbecco bufie be elfewhere, 
 She to his clofet went, where all his wealth 
 Lay hid: thereof fhe countleffe fummes did reare, 
 The which (he meant away with her to beare. 
 The reft me fyr'd for fport, or for defpight; 
 As Hellene, when fhe faw aloft appeare, 
 The Troja?ie flames, and reach to heaven's hight, 
 
 Did clap her hands, and joyed at that dolefull fight. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 This fecond Hele?ie-> faire Dame Hellenore, 
 
 The whiles her hufband ranne with fory haft, 
 To quench the flames, which flie had tyn'd before. 
 Laught at his foolifh labour fpent in waft ; 
 And ranne into her lover's armes right faft ; 
 Where ftreight embraced, fhe to him did cry, 
 And call aloud for helpe, ere helpe were paft ; 
 For loe ! that Gueft did beare her forcibly, 
 
 And meant to ravifli her, that rather had to dy. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 The wretched man hearing her call for ayd, 
 And readie feeing him with her to fly, 
 In his difquiet mind was much difmayd : 
 Bat when againe he backeward caft his eye, 
 And faw the wicked fire fo furioufly 
 Confume his hart, and fcorch his Idoles face, 
 He was therewith diftrefled diverfely, 
 Nc wift he how to turne, nor to what place; 
 
 Was never wretched man in fuch a wofull cace. 
 
 XV. Ay
 
 Canto X. The Faerie Queene. 187 
 
 XV. 
 
 Ay when to him me cryde, to her he turnd, 
 And left the fire ; love money overcame : 
 But when he marked, how his money burnd, 
 He left his wife ; money did love difclame : 
 Both was he loth to loofe his loved Dame, 
 And loth to leave his liefeft pelfe behind, 
 Yet fith he n'ote fave both, he fav'd that fame, 
 Which was the deareft to his donghill mind, 
 
 The God of his defire, the joy of mifers blind. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Thus whileft all things in troublous uprore were, 
 And all men bufie to fupprefle the flame, 
 The loving couple neede no refkew feare, 
 But leafure had, and libertie to frame 
 Their purport flight, free from all mens reclame; 
 And Night, the patronefTe of love-ftealth faire, 
 Gave them fafe conduct, till to end they came : 
 So beene they gone yfere, a wanton paire 
 
 Of lovers loofely knit, where lift them to repaire. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Soone as the cruell flames yflaked were, 
 
 Malbecco feeing, how his lofle did lye, 
 
 Out of the flames, which he had quencht w T hyIere, 
 
 Into huge waves of griefe and gealofye 
 
 Full deepe emplonged was, and drowned nye, 
 
 Twixt inward doole and felonous defpight : 
 
 He rav'd, he wept, he ftampt, he lowd did cry, 
 
 And all the paflions, that in man may light, 
 
 Did him attonce opprefle, and vex his caytive ipright. 
 
 B b 2 XVIII. Long
 
 1 88 7he third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Long thus he chawd the cud of inward griefe, 
 And did confume his gall with anguifh fore, 
 Still when he muled on his late mifchiefe, 
 Then ftill the frnart thereof increafed more, 
 And feemd more grievous then it was before: 
 At laft when forrow he faw booted nought,. 
 Ne griefe might not his love to him reftore, 
 He gan devife, how her he relkew mought ; 
 
 Ten thoufand waves he caft in his confufed thought.. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 At laft refolving, like a Pilgrim pore; 
 
 To fearch her forth, where fo file might be fond, 
 And bearing with him treafure indole ftore, 
 The reft he leaves in ground : So takes in hond 
 To feeke her endlong, both by fea and lond. 
 Long he her fought, he fought her farre and nerej 
 And every where, that he mote underftond 
 Of knights and ladies any meetings were, 
 
 And of each one he met, he ty dings did inquere. 
 
 XX. 
 
 But all in vaine, his woman was too wiley 
 
 Ever to come into his clouch againe,.. 
 
 And be too fimple ever to furprife 
 
 The jolly Paridell, for all his paine; 
 
 One day, as he forpafTed by the plaine 
 
 With weary pace, he farre away efpide 
 
 A couple, feeming well to be his tv/aine,. 
 
 Which hoved clofe under a foreft fide, 
 As if they lay in wait, or elfe themfelves did hide. 
 
 XXI. Well
 
 Canto X. The Faerie Queen e. 189 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Well weened he, that thofe the fame mote bee, 
 
 And as he better did their fhape avize, 
 
 Him feemed more their manner did agree ; 
 
 For th' one was armed all in warlike wize, 
 
 Whom to be Paridell he did devize; 
 
 And th' other all yclad in garments light, 
 
 Difcolourd like to womanifli difguife, 
 
 He did refemble to his lady bright ; 
 And ever Lis faint hart much earned at the fight. 
 
 xxir. 
 
 And ever faine he towards them would goe, 
 
 But yet durft. not for dread approchen nie, 
 
 But flood aloofe, unweeting what to doe, 
 
 Till that pnckt forth with loves extremitie, 
 
 That is the father of foule gealofie, 
 
 He clofely nearer crept, the truth to weet : 
 
 But, as he nigher drew, he eafily 
 
 Might fcerne, that it was not his fweetefl fweet, 
 
 Ne yet her Belamour, the partner of his meet. 
 
 XXIIL. 
 
 But it was fcornefull Braggadocio, 
 
 Tnat with his fervant Trompart hovered there, 
 Sith late he fled from his too earneff, foe: 
 V >m inch when as Malbecco fpyed clere, 
 He turned backe, and would have fled arere ; 
 Till Trompart ronning haftily, him did flay, 
 And bad before his fovemine Lord appere:. 
 That was him loth, yet durft he not gainefay. 
 
 And comming him before, low louted on the lay, . 
 
 XXIV. The.
 
 190 The third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 The Boafter at him fternely bent his browe, 
 
 As if he could have kild him with his looke, 
 
 That to the ground him meekely made to bowe, 
 
 And awfull terror deepe into him ftrooke, 
 
 That every member of his body quooke. 
 
 Said he, Thou man of nought, what dotft thou here? 
 
 Unfitly furnifht with thy bag and booke, 
 
 Where I expected one with fhield and fpere, 
 
 To prove fome deedes of armes upon an equall pere. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 The wretched man, at his imperious fpeach, 
 
 Was all abafht, and low proftrating, faid ; 
 
 Good Sir, let not my rudenefle be no breach 
 
 Unto your patience, ne be ill ypaid; 
 
 For I unwares this way by fortune flraid, 
 
 A filly Pilgrim driven to diftreffe, 
 
 That feeke a Lady. There he fuddein flaid, 
 
 And did the reft with grievous lighes fupprefle, 
 
 While teares flood in his eies, few drops of bitternefle. 
 
 XXVL 
 
 What Lady, man ? faid Trompart \ take good hart, 
 And tell thy griefe, if any hidden lye; 
 Was never better time to fhew thy fmart, 
 Then now, that noble fuccour is thee by, 
 That is the whole world's commune remedy. 
 That chearful word his weake hart much did cheare, 
 And with vaine hope his fpirits faint fupply, 
 That bold he faid, O moll redoubted Pere, 
 
 Vouchfafe with mild regard a wretches cace to heare. 
 
 2 XXVII. Then
 
 Canto X. The Faerie Queene. 191 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Then fighing Tore, it is not long, faid he, 
 Sith I enjoyd the gentleft Dame alive; 
 Of whom a knight, no knight at all perdee, 
 But fhame of all, that doe for honor ftrive, 
 By treacherous deceipt did me deprive ; 
 Through open outrage he her bore away, 
 And with fowle force unto his will did drive, 
 Which al good knights, that armes do bear this day P 
 
 Are bound for to revenge, and punim, if they may, 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 And .you, molt noble Lord, that can and dare 
 RedrelTe the wrong of miferable wight, 
 Cannot employ your moil: victorious fpeare 
 In better quarrel], then defence of right, 
 And for a Ladie gainfr. a faithleffe knight : 
 So fhall your glory be advaunced much, 
 And all faire Ladies magnify your might, 
 And eke myfelfe, albe I iimple fuch, 
 
 Your worthy paine fhall well reward with guerdon rich, 
 
 XXIX. 
 With that out of his bouget forth he drew 
 
 Great ftore of treafure, therewith him to tempt ; 
 
 But he on it lookt fcornefully afkew, 
 
 As much difdeigning to be fo mifdempt, 
 
 Or a war-monger to be bafery nempt; 
 
 And fayd, Thy offers Ijaff I greatly loth, 
 
 And eke thy words uncourteous ind unkempt; 
 
 I tread in duft thee and thy money both, 
 That, were it not for fhame,— So turned from him wroth, 
 
 XXX. But
 
 1 9 2 7he third Booh of Canto X. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 But Trompart, that his maifter's humor knew, 
 In lofty lookes to hide an humble minde, 
 Was inly tickled with that golden vew, 
 And in lus eare him rounded clofe behinde: 
 Yet ftoupt he not, but lay ftill in the wind, 
 Waiting advauntage on the pray to feafe; 
 Till Tromparf, lowly to the ground inclind, 
 Befought him his great courage to appeafe, 
 
 And pardon fimple man, that rafh did him difpleafe. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Bigge looking like a doughtie Doucepere, 
 
 At laft he thus ; Thou clod of vileft clay, 
 1 pardon yield, and with thy rudenefTe beare ; 
 But weete henceforth, that all that golden pray, 
 And all that elfe the vaine world vaunten may, 
 I loath as doung, ne deeme my dew reward : 
 Fame is my meed, and glory vertues pray. 
 But minds of mortall men are muchell mard, 
 
 / nd mov'd amifle with ma/lie mucks unmeet regard. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 And more, I graunt to thy great miferie 
 
 Gratious refpect, thy wife mail backe be fent, 
 And that vile knight, who ever that he bee, 
 Wh.ch hath thy lady reft, and knighthood fhent, 
 By Sanglatriort my fvvord, whofe deadly dent 
 The bio >d hath of fo many thoufands fried, 
 I fweare, ere long fhall dearely it repent; 
 Ne he twixt heaven and earth mail hide his hed, 
 
 But foone he fhal be found, and fhortly doen be ded. 
 
 XXXIII. The
 
 Canto X. The Faerie Queene. 193 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 The foolifh man thereat woxe wondrous blith, 
 
 As if the word, 10 fpoken, were halfe donne, 
 And humbly thanked him a thoufand fith, 
 That had from death to life him newly wonne. 
 Tho forth the Boafter marching, brave begonne 
 His ftolen fteed to thunder furioufly, 
 As if he heaven and hell would overonne, 
 And all the world confound with cruelty, 
 
 That much Malbecco joyed in his jollity. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Thus long they three together traveiled, 
 
 Through many a wood, and many an uncouth way, 
 
 To feeke his wife, that was farre wandered : 
 
 But thofe two fought nought, but the prefent pray, 
 
 To weete the treafure, which he did bewray, 
 
 On which their eies and harts were wholly fet, 
 
 With purpofe, how they might it beft betray; 
 
 For fith the houre, that firft he did them let 
 
 The fame behold, therewith their keene defires were whet. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 It fortuned, as they together far'd, 
 
 They fpide, where Paridell came pricking fail 
 Upon die plaine, the which himfelfe prepar'd 
 To giuft with that brave ftraunger knight a caft, 
 As on adventure by the way he pail:. 
 Alone he rode without his Paragone ; 
 For having filcht her bells, her up he cafl 
 To the wide world, and let her fly alone ; 
 
 He nould be clogd : So had he ferved many one. 
 
 Vol. II. C c XXXVI. The
 
 1 94 "The third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 The gentle Lady, loofe at randon left, 
 
 The greene-wood long did walke, and wander wide 
 
 At wilde adventure, like a forlorne weft, 
 
 Till on a day the Satyres her efpide 
 
 Straying alone withouten groome or guide ; 
 
 Her up they tooke, and with them home her led, 
 
 With them as houfewife ever to abide, 
 
 To milk their gotes, and make them cheefe and bred, 
 And every one as commune good her handeled j 
 
 XXXVJI. 
 
 That fhortly me Malbecco has forgot, 
 
 And eke Sir Paridell^ all were he deare ; 
 Who from her went to feeke another lot, 
 And now by fortune was arrived here, 
 Where thofe two guilers with Malbecco were. 
 Soone as the old man faw Sir Paridell, 
 He fainted, and was almofl dead with feare ; 
 Ne word he had to fpeake, his griefe to tell, 
 
 But to him louted low, and greeted goodly well ; 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 And after afked him for Hellenore. 
 
 I take no keepe of her, faid Paridell ; 
 
 She wonneth in the foreft there before. 
 
 So forth he rode, as his adventure fell ; 
 
 The whiles the Boafter from his loftie fell 
 
 Faynd to alight, fomething amiffe to mend ; 
 
 But the frem Swayne would not his leafure dwell, 
 
 But went his way ; whom when he paffed kend, 
 He up remounted light, and after faind to wend. 
 
 XXXIX.
 
 Canto X. The Faerie Queene. 195 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Perdy nay, faid Ma/becco, fliall yc not ; 
 
 But let him pafle as lightly, as he came ; 
 
 For litle good of him is to be got, 
 
 And mickle perill to be put to fhame. 
 
 But let us go to feeke my deareft Dame, 
 
 Whom he hath left in yonder foreft wyld : 
 
 For of her fafety in great doubt I ame, 
 
 Leaft falvage beaftes her perfon have defpoyld : 
 Then all the world is loft, and we in vaine have toy Id, 
 
 XL. 
 
 They all agree, and forward them addreft: 
 
 Ah but, faid crafty Trompart, weete ye well, 
 
 That vonder in that waftfull wildernefle 
 
 Huge monfters haunt, and many dangers dwell ; 
 
 Dragons, and Minotaures, and feendes of hell, 
 
 And many wilde woodmen, which robbe and rend 
 
 All travellers. Therefore advife ye well, 
 
 Before ye enterprife that way to wend : 
 
 One may his journey bring too fbone to evill end. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Malbecco ftopt in great aftonifhrnent, 
 
 And with pale eyes faft fixed on the reft, 
 Their counfell crav'd, in daunger imminent. 
 Said Trompart) You, that are the moft opprell 
 With burden of great treafure, I thinke beft 
 Here for to ftay in fafetie behind ; 
 My Lord and I will fearch the wide forreft. 
 That counlell pleafed not Malbeccos mind; 
 
 For he was much afraid, himfelfe alone to find. 
 
 C c 2 XLII. Thea
 
 196 7be third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Then is it beft, faid he, that ye doe leave 
 
 Your treafure here in fome fecuritie, 
 
 Either faft clofed in fome hollow greave, 
 
 Or buried in the ground from jeopardie, 
 
 Till we returne againe in fafetie. 
 
 As for us two, leaft doubt of us ye have, 
 
 Hence farre away we will blindfolded lie, 
 
 Ne privie be unto your treafure's grave. 
 It pleafed : fo he did ; then they march forward brave. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Now when amid the thicker!: woods they were, 
 They heard a noyfe of many bagpipes fhrill, 
 And fhrieking hububs them approching nere, 
 Which all the forreft did with horror fill : 
 That dreadfull found the boafrer's hart did thrill 
 With fuch amazment, that in haft he fled, 
 Ne ever looked back for good or ill ; 
 And after him eke fearefull c T?"o?npart fped; 
 
 The old man could not fly, but fell to ground halfe ded. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Yet afterwards clofe creeping, as he might, 
 He in a bufh did hide his fearefull hed. 
 The jolly Satyres, full of frefh delight, 
 Came dauncing forth, and with them nimbly led 
 Faire Relenore, with girlonds all befpred, 
 Whom their May-lady they had newly made: 
 She proud of that new honour, which they red, 
 And of their lovely fellowfhip full glade, 
 
 Daunft lively, and her face did with a Lawrell fhade. 
 
 XLV. The
 
 Canto X. 7 he Faerie Queew. 197 
 
 XLV. 
 
 The filly man, that in the thicket lay, 
 
 Saw all this goodly fport, and grieved fore, 
 
 Yet durft he not againft it doe or fay, 
 
 But did his hart with bitter thoughts engore, 
 
 To fee th' unkindnefle of his Hellenore. 
 
 All day they daunced with great luftihed, 
 
 And with their horned feet the greene graffe wore ; 
 
 The whiles their gotes upon the brouzes fed, 
 
 Till drouping Phoebus gan to hide his golden hed. 
 
 XLVi. 
 
 Tho up they gan their merry pypes to trufle, 
 
 And all their goodly heards did gather round ; 
 
 But every Satyre firft did give a buffe 
 
 To Hellenore \ fo buries did abound. 
 
 Now gan the humid vapour fried the ground. 
 
 With perly deaw, and th' Earthe's gloomy made 
 
 Did dim the brightneffe of the welkin round, 
 
 That every bird and beaft awarned made, 
 
 To fhrowd themfelves, whiles fleepe their fenfcs did invade. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Which when Malbecco faw, out of his bum 
 
 Upon his hands and feete he crept full light, 
 
 And like a Gote emongft the Gotes did rum, 
 
 That through the helpe of his faire homes on hight, 
 
 And mifty dampe of mifconceiving night, 
 
 And eke through likeneffe of his gotifh beard, 
 
 He did the better counferfeite aright : 
 
 So home he marcht emongft the horned heard, 
 
 That none of all the Satyr es him efpyde or heard. 
 
 XLVIII. At
 
 198 The third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 XLVJII. 
 
 At night, when all they went to fleepe, he vewd, 
 Whereas his lovely wife emongfl them lay, 
 Embraced of a Satyr e rough and rude, 
 Who all the night did minde his joyous play: 
 Nine times he heard him come aloft ere day, 
 That all his hart with gealode did fwell; 
 But yet that nigtlt's enfample did bewray, 
 That not for nought his wife them lovd fo well, 
 
 When one fo oft a night did ring his matins bell. » 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 So clofely as he could, he to them crept, 
 
 When wearie of their iport to fleepe they fell, 
 
 And to his wife, that now full foundly flept, 
 
 He whifpered in her eare, and did her tell, 
 
 That it was he, which by her fide did dwell, 
 
 And therefore prayd her wake, to heare him plaine. 
 
 As one out of a dreame not waked well, 
 
 She turnd her, and returned backe againe : 
 
 Yet her for to awake, he did the more conftraine. 
 
 L. 
 
 At laft with irkefome trouble fhe abrayd ; 
 
 And then perceiving, that it was indeed 
 Her old Malbecco^ which did her upbrayd, 
 With loofenefTe of her love, and loathly deed, 
 She was aftonifht with exceeding dreed, 
 And would have wakt the Satyre by her fyde ; 
 But he her prayd, for mercy, or for meed, 
 To fave his life, ne let him be defcryde, 
 
 But hearken to his lore, and all his counfell hyde. 
 
 LI. Tho
 
 Canto X. The Faerie Queene. 199 
 
 LI. 
 
 Tho gan he her perfuade, to leave that lewd 
 
 And loathfome life, of God and man abhord, 
 And home returne, where all mould be renewd 
 With perfect peace, and bandes of frefh accord, 
 And /he receivd againe to bed and bord, 
 As if no trefoafle ever had beene donne: 
 
 x. 
 
 But fhe it all refufed at one word, 
 And by no meanes would to his will be wonne,. 
 But chofe emongft the jolly Satyres ftill to wonne. 
 
 LII. 
 
 He wooed her, till day-fpring he efpyde; 
 
 But all in vaine ; and then turnd to the heard, 
 
 Who butted him with homes on every fyde, 
 
 And trod downe in the durt, where his hore beard 
 
 Was fowly dight, and he of death afeard. 
 
 Early before the heaven's fairefl light 
 
 Out of the ruddy Eaft was fully reard, 
 
 The heard es out of their foldes were loofed quighr, 
 
 And he emongft the reft crept forth in fory plight. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 So fooone as he the Prifon dore did pas, 
 
 He ran as faft, as both his feete could beare, 
 And never looked, who behind him was, 
 Ne fcarfely who before : like as a Beare, 
 That creeping clofe, amongft the hives to reare 
 An hony combe, the wakefull dogs efpy, 
 And him aflayiing, fore his carkafle teare, 
 That hardly he with life away does fly, 
 
 Ne ftayes, till fafe himfelfe he fee from jeopardy. 
 
 LIV. Ne
 
 200 The third Booke of Canto X. 
 
 L!V. 
 
 Ne ftayd he, till he came unto the place, 
 
 Where late his treafure he entombed had, 
 Where when he found it not (for Trompart bace 
 Had it purloyned for his maifter bad ;) 
 With extreme fury he became quite mad, 
 And ran away, ran with himfelfe away : 
 That who fo ftraungely had him feene beftad, 
 W T ith upftart haire, and flaring eyes difmay, 
 
 From Limbo lake him late efcaped fure would fay. 
 
 LV. 
 
 High over hilles and over dales he fled, 
 
 As if the wind him on his winges had borne, 
 Ne banck nor bufh could flay him, when he fped 
 His nimble feet, as treading dill on thorne : 
 Griefe, and defpight, and gealofie, and fcorne 
 Did all the way him follow hard behind, 
 And he himfelfe himfelfe loath' d fo forlorne, 
 So fhamefully forlorne of womankind ; 
 
 That, as a Snake, frill lurked in his wounded mind. 
 
 LVI. 
 
 Still fled he forward, looking backward frill, 
 
 Ne ftayd his flight, nor fearefull agony, 
 
 Till that he came unto a rockie hill, 
 
 Over the fea, fufpended dreadfully, 
 
 That living creature it would terrify, 
 
 To looke adowne, or upward to the hight: 
 
 From thence he threw himfelfe difpiteoufly, 
 
 All defperate of his fore-damned fpright, 
 That feemd no helpe for him was left in living fight : 
 
 LVII.
 
 Canto X. The I aerie Queene. 201 
 
 LVII. 
 
 But through long anguifh, and felfe-murdring thought 
 He was fo wafted and forpined quight, 
 That all his fubftance was confum'd to nought, 
 And nothing left, but like an aery Spright, 
 That on the rockes he fell fo flit and light, 
 That he thereby receiv'd no hurt at all, 
 But chaunced on a craggy cliff to light ; 
 Whence he with crooked clawes fo long did crall, 
 
 That at the laft he found a cave with entrance fmall. 
 
 LVIII. 
 
 Into the fame he creepes, and thenceforth there 
 
 Refolv'd to build his balefull manfion, 
 
 In drery darkenene, and continuall feare 
 
 Of that rock's fall, which ever and anon 
 
 Threates with huge ruine him to fall upon, 
 
 That he dare never lleepe, but that one eye 
 
 Still ope he keepes for that occafion j 
 
 Ne ever refts he in tranquillity, 
 The roring billowes beat his bowre fo boyftroufly. 
 
 L1X. 
 
 Ne ever is he wont on ought to feed, 
 
 . But toades and frogs, his pafture poyfonous, 
 
 Which in his cold complexion do breed 
 
 A filthy bloud, or humour rancorous, 
 
 Matter of doubt and dread fufpitious, 
 
 That doth with curclefle care confume the hart, 
 
 Corrupts the ftomacke with gall vitious, 
 
 Crofcuts the liver with internall fmart, 
 And doth translixe the foule with deathe's eternall dart. 
 
 Vol. II. D d LX. Yet
 
 202 I'hefirft Booh of Canto X. 
 
 LX. 
 
 Yet can he never dye, but dying lives, 
 
 And doth himfelfe with forrow new fuftatne, 
 That death and life attonce unto him gives. 
 And painefull pleafure turnes to pleafing paine. 
 There dwells he ever, miferable fwainc, 
 Hatefull both to himfelfe, and every wight ; 
 Where he through privy griefe, and horror vaine k 
 Is woxen fo deform'd, that he has quight 
 
 Forgot he was a man, and Gwlofie is night. 
 
 CANTO
 
 Canto XI. The Faerie Queene. 20 
 
 <-» 
 
 CANTO XI, 
 
 Britomart chaceth Ollyphant ; 
 
 Findes Scudamour difireft : 
 Ajjayes the houfe of Bufyrane, 
 
 Where Loves fpoyles are expreft. 
 
 I. 
 
 OHatefull hellifh Snake, what furie furft 
 Brought thee from balefull houfe of Proferpine, 
 Where in her bofome flie thee long had nurft, 
 And foftred up with bitter milke of tine, 
 Fowle Gealofle, that turneft love divine 
 To joylefle dread, and mak'ft the loving hart 
 With hatefull thoughts to languifh and to pine, 
 And feed itfelfe with felfe-confuming fmart ? 
 Of all the paffions in the mind thou vileft art. 
 
 II. 
 
 O let him far be banifhed away, 
 
 And in his ftead let Love for ever dwell, 
 
 Sweete Love, that doth his golding wings embay 
 
 In bleffed Ncclar, and pure Pleafures well, 
 
 Untroubled o{ vile feare, or bitter fell. 
 
 And ye, faire Ladies, that ycur kingdomes make 
 
 In th' harts of men, them gouverne wifely well, 
 
 And of faire Britomart enfample take, 
 
 That was as trew in love, as Turtle to her make. 
 
 D d 2 III. Who
 
 204 Th e third Booke of Canto XI. 
 
 III. 
 
 Who with Sir Satyrane^ as earft ye red, 
 
 Forth ryding from Malbecco% hoftleiTe hous, 
 
 Far off afpyde a young man, the 'which fled 
 
 From an huge Geaunt, that with hideous 
 
 And hatefull outrage long him chaced thus; 
 
 It was that QUyphant^ the brother deare 
 
 Of that Arga?ite vile and v^tious, 
 
 From whom the Squire of Dames was reft whylere; 
 
 This all as bad as flie, and worfe, if worfe ought were. 
 
 IV. 
 
 For as the fitter did in feminine 
 
 And filthy luff exceede all womankind, 
 
 So he furpafTed his fex mafculine, 
 
 In beaftly ufe, all that I ever find : 
 
 Whom when as Britomart beheld behind 
 
 The fearefull boy {o greedily pourfew, 
 
 She was emmoved in her noble mind, 
 
 T'employ her puifTaunce to his refkew, 
 And pricked fiercely forward, where fhe did him vew. 
 
 V. 
 
 Ne was Sir Satyrane her far behinde, 
 
 But with like fiercenefle did enfew the chace : 
 Whom when the Gyaunt faw, he foone refinde 
 His former fuit, and from them fled apace ; 
 They after both, and boldly bad him bace, 
 And each did ftrive the other to outgoe ; 
 But he them both outran a wondrous fpace, 
 For he was long, and fwilt as any F.oe, 
 
 And now made better fpeed, t'efcape his feared foe. 
 
 VI. It
 
 Canto XI. the F aerie Queene. 205 
 
 VI. 
 
 It was not Satjrrane, whom he did feare, 
 
 But Britomarty the flowre of chaftity ; 
 
 For he the powre of chaft hands might not beare, 
 
 But alwayes did their dread encounter fly: 
 
 And now fo faft his feet he cRd apply, 
 
 That he has gotten to a forreft neare, 
 
 Where he is fhrowded in fecurity. 
 
 The wood they enter, and fearch every where,. 
 They fearched diverfely, fo both divided were. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Faire Britomart fo long him followed, 
 
 That fhe at laft came to a fountaine fheare, 
 By which there lay a knight all wallowed 
 Upon the grafly ground, and by him neare 
 His haberieon, his helmet, and his fpeare : 
 A little off his fhield was rudely throwne, 
 On which the winged boy in colours cleare 
 Depeincted was, full eafie to be knowne, 
 
 And he thereby, where ever it in field was fhowne, 
 
 VIII. 
 
 His face upon the ground did groveling ly, 
 
 As if he had beene flombring in the made, 
 That the brave Mayd would not for courtefy, 
 Out of his quiet fiomber him abrade, 
 Nor fecme too fuddeinly him to invade. 
 Still as fhe ftood, fhe heard with grievous throb 
 Him grone, as if his hart were peeces nrrde, 
 And with mofl painefull pangs to figh and fob, 
 
 That pitty did the Virgin's hart of patience rob. 
 
 IX. At
 
 20 6 The third ' Booke of Canto XI. 
 
 IX. 
 
 At laft forth breaking into b: ; tter plaintes 
 
 He faid, O foveraigne Lord, that fit'ft on hye, 
 
 And raignft in blis emongft thy bieiTed Saintes, 
 
 How fuffreft thou fuch fhamefull cruelty, 
 
 So long un wreaked of thine enimy ? 
 
 Or haft, thou Lord, of good mens caufe no heed? 
 
 Or doth thy juftice fleepe, and filent ly ? 
 
 What booteth then the good and righteous deed, 
 
 Jf goodnefle find no grace, nor righteoufnefle no meed ? 
 
 X. 
 
 If good find grace, and righteoufnefle reward, 
 Why then is Amoret in cayttve band, 
 Sith that more bounteous creature never far'd 
 On foot, upon the face of living land ? 
 Or if that heavenly juftice may withftand 
 The wrongfull outrage of unrighteous men, 
 Why then is Bufirane with wicked hand 
 SufFred, thefe kven monethes day in fecret den 
 
 My Lady and my love fo cruelly to pen? 
 
 XL 
 
 My Lady and my love is cruelly pend 
 
 In dolefull darknefle from the vew of day, 
 Whileft deadly torments do her chaft breft rend, 
 And the (harpe fteele doth rive her hart in tway, 
 Ail for (lie Scudamore will not denay. 
 Yet thou, vile man, vile HHcudamore art fjund, 
 JS T e canft her ayde, ne canft her foe difmay ; 
 :]Jnvv( rthy wretch to tread upon the ground, 
 
 Vox whom fo faire a Lady feeles fo fore a Wound. 
 
 XII. There
 
 Canto XI. the Faerie §][uee?ie. icy 
 
 XII. 
 
 There an huge heape of nngulfes did opprefTe 
 
 His ftrug'ing ibule,. and fweiiing throbs empeach 
 His foltring toung with pangs of dreriiielTe, 
 Choking the remnant of his plaintife fpcach, 
 As if his dayes were come to their lafi reach. 
 Which when fhe heard, and faw the ghafcly fit, 
 Threatning into his life to make a breach, 
 Both with great ruth and terrour me was friiit, 
 
 Fearing leail from her cage the wearie foule would flit 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Tho ftooping downe fhe him amoved light ; 
 
 Who therewith fomewhat starting, up gan looke, 
 And feeing him behind a ftranger knight, 
 Whereas no living creature he miflooke, 
 With great indignaunce he that fight forfooke, 
 And downe againe himfdfe difdainefully 
 Abjecling, th' earth with his faire forhead flrooke: 
 Which the bold Virgin feeing,, gan apply 
 
 Fit med'cine to his griefe, and fpake thus courtclly. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Ah gentle knight, whofe deepe conceived griefe 
 Well feemes t'exceede the powre of patience, 
 Yet if that heavenly grace fome good reliefe 
 You fend, fubmit you to high providence. 
 And ever in your noble hart prepenfe, 
 That all the forrow in the world is leffe, 
 Then vertue's might, and value's confidence. 
 For who nill bide the burden of diftreffe, 
 
 Muft not here thinke to live ; for life is wretchednelTe. 
 
 XV. There-
 
 20 8 *Ihe third Booke of Canto XL 
 
 XV. 
 
 Therefore, faire Sir, doe comfort to you take, 
 
 And freely read, what wicked felon fo 
 
 Hath outrag'd you, and thrald your gentle make. 
 
 Perhaps this hand may helpe to eafe your woe, 
 
 And wreake your forrow on your cruell foe ; 
 
 At leaft it faire endevour will apply. 
 
 Thofe feeling words fo neare the quicke did goe, 
 
 That up hfs head he reared eafily, 
 And leaning on his elbow, thefe few wordes let fly : 
 
 XVI. 
 
 What boots it plaine, that cannot be redreft, 
 And fow vaine forrow in a fruitlefle eare, 
 Sith powre of hand, nor fkill of learned breft, 
 Ne wordly price cannot redeeme my deare 
 Out of her thraldome and continuall feare ? 
 For he, the tyraunt, which her hath in ward 
 By ftrong enchauntments and blacke Magicke leare, 
 Hath in a dungeon deepe her clofe embard, 
 
 And many dreadfull feends hath pointed to her gard. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 There he tormenteth her moft terribly, 
 
 And day and night afflicts with mortall paine, 
 Becaufe to yield him love fhe doth deny, 
 Once to me yold, not to be yold againe : 
 But yet by torture he "would her conftraine 
 Love to conceive in her difdainfull breft ; 
 Till fo fhe do, fhe muft in doole remaine, 
 Ne may by living meanes be thence releft : 
 
 What boots it then to plaine, that cannot be redreft ? 
 
 XVIII. With
 
 Canto XI. The Faerie Queene. 209 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 With this fad herfall of his heavy ftrefle 
 
 The warlike Damzell was empafTiond fore, 
 
 And fayd, Sir knight, your caufe is nothing lefle, 
 
 Then is your forrow, certes, if not more; 
 
 For nothing fo much pitty doth implore, 
 
 As gentle Ladies helpleffe mifery. 
 
 But yet, if pleafe ye liften to my lore, 
 
 I will with proofe of laft extremity, 
 
 Deliver her from thence, or with her for you dy. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Ah gentleft knight alive, faid Scucfamore, 
 
 What huge heroicke magnanimity 
 
 Dwells in thy bounteous breft ? What couldft thou more, 
 
 If me were thine, and thou as now am I ? 
 
 O fpare thy happy dayes, and them apply 
 
 To better boot, but let me dye, that ought ; 
 
 More is more Iofie ; one is enough to dy. 
 
 Life is not loft, faid fhe, for which is bought 
 EndlefTe renowm, that more then death is to be fought. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Thus fhe at length perfuaded him to rife, 
 
 And with her wend, to fee what new fuccefle 
 
 Mote him befall upon new enterprife : 
 
 His armes, which he had vowd to difproftiTe, 
 
 She gathered up, and did about him dreiTe, 
 
 And his forwandred fteed unto him got : 
 
 So forth they both yfere make their progrefle, 
 
 And march not pail the mountenance of a fhot, 
 
 Tili they arriv'd, whereas their purpofe they did plot. 
 
 E e XXI. There
 
 210 The third Booke of Canto XL 
 
 XXI. 
 
 There they difmounting, drew their weapons bold, 
 And ftoutly came unto the Caftle gate; 
 Whereas no gate they found, them to withhold, 
 Nor ward to wait at morne and evening late; 
 But in the Porch, that did them fore amate, 
 A flaming fire, ymixt with fmouldry fmoke, 
 And ftinking Sulphure, that with griefly hate 
 And dreadfull horrour did all entraunce choke, 
 
 Enforced them their forward footing to revoke. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Greatly thereat was Britomart difmayd,. 
 
 Ne in that ftownd wift, how herfelfe to beare ;; 
 For daunger vaine it were, to have affayd 
 That cruell element, which all things fcare, 
 Ne none can fuffer to approchen neare : 
 And turning backe to Scudamour^ thus fayd ; 
 What monftrous enmity provoke we heare, 
 Foolhardy, as th' Earthes children, the which made 
 
 Battel! againft the Gods ? io we a God invade. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Daunger without difcretion to attempt, 
 
 inglorious and beaftlike is : therefore, Sir knight, 
 Aread what courfe of you is fafeft dempt. 
 And how we with our foe may come to fight. 
 This is, quoth he, the dolorous defpight, 
 Which earft to you I playnd : for neither may 
 This fire be quencht by any wit or might, 
 Ne yet by any meancs remov'd away ; 
 
 So mighty be th'enchauntments, which the fame do Pay. 
 
 XXIV. What
 
 1 
 
 
 . 
 
 I
 
 Canto XL 1 he Faerie IQueene. 2,ri 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 What is there elfe, but ceafe thefe fruitlefle paines, 
 
 And leave me to my former languishing ? 
 
 Faire Amoret mufl dwell in wicked chaines, 
 
 And Scudamore here dye with forrowing. 
 
 Perdy not fo, faid fhe, for fhamefull thing 
 
 It were t'abandon noble chevifaunce, 
 
 For fhew of perill, without venturing : 
 
 Rather let try extremities of chaunce, 
 Then enterprifed prayfe for dread to difavaunce. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Therewith refolv'd to prove her utmoft might, 
 Her ample fhield fhe threw before her face, 
 And her fword's point directing forward right, 
 Aflayld the flame, the which eftfoones give place, 
 And did itfelfe divide with equall fpace, 
 That through me pailed ; as a thunder bolt 
 Perceth the yielding ayre, and doth difplace 
 The foring clouds into fad fhowres ymolt ; 
 
 So to her yold the flames, and did their force revolt, 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Whom whenas Scudamour faw pail: the fire. 
 Safe and untoucht, he like wife gan alTiy, 
 With greedy will, and envious deilre, 
 And bad the flubborne flames to yield him way : 
 But cruell Mulciber would not obay 
 His threatfull pride, but did the more augment 
 His mighty rage, and with imperious fway 
 Him forfl, maulgre, his fiercencffe to relent, . 
 
 And backe retire, ali fcorcht and pitifully brent. 
 
 E e 2 XXVII,
 
 2,11 The third ' Booke of Canto XI. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 With huge impatience he inly fwelt, 
 
 More for great forrow, that he could not pas, 
 
 Then for the burning torment, which he felt, 
 
 That with fell woodneffe he effierced was, 
 
 And wilfully him throwing on the gras, 
 
 Did beat and bounfe his head and breft full fore ; 
 
 The whiles the ChampionefTe now decked has 
 
 The utmoft rovvme, and paft the formeft dore, 
 
 The utmofi. rowme, abounding with all precious ftore. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 For round about, the walls yclothed were 
 
 With good y arras of great majefty, 
 
 Woven with gold and Hike fo clofe and nere, 
 
 That the rich metall lurked privily, 
 
 As faining to be hid from envious eye ; 
 
 Yet here, and there, and every where unwares 
 
 It fhewd itfelfe, and fhone unwillingly ; 
 
 Like to a difcolourd Snake, whofe hidden fnares 
 Through the greene gras his long bright burniiht back declares. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 And in thofe T'apets weren fafhioned 
 
 Many faire pourtraicls, and many a faire feate, 
 And all of love, and all of lufty-hed, 
 As feemed by their femblaunt did entreat ; 
 And eke all Cupid's warres they did repeate, 
 And cruell battells, which he whilome fought 
 Gainft all the Gods, to make his empire great ; 
 Befides the huge maffacres, which he wrought 
 
 On mighty kings and kefars, into thraldome brought. 
 
 2 XXX. Therein
 
 3 
 
 Canto XI. The Faerie Qu eerie, 21 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Therein was writ, how often thundring Jove 
 Had felt the point of his hart-percing dart, 
 And leaving heaven's kingdome, here did rove 
 ]n ftraunge difguize, to /lake his fcalding fmart; 
 Now like a Ram, faire Helle to pervart ; 
 Now like a Bull, Europa to withdraw. 
 Ah! how the fearefull Ladie's tender hart 
 Did lively feeme to tremble, when flie faw 
 
 The huge feas under her t'obay her fervaunts law. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Soone after that into a golden fhowre 
 
 Himfelfe he chaung'd, faire Djna'e to vew, 
 And through the roofe of her flrong brafen towre 
 Dd raine into her lap an hony dew, 
 The whiles her foolifh garde, that litle knew 
 Of fuch d.ceipt, kept th'yron dore faft bard, 
 And watcht, thnt none fhould enter nor iflew. 
 Vaine was the watch, and bootlefie all the ward, 
 
 Whenas the God to golden hew him felfe transfard. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Then was he turnd into a fhowy Swan, 
 
 To win faire Leda to his lovely trade : 
 
 O! wondrous {kill, and fweet wit of the man, 
 
 That her in dafftd'llies fleeping made, 
 
 From fcorching heat her daint e limbes to fhade. 
 
 Whiles the proud Bird ruffing his fcthers wyde > 
 
 And bruiliing his faire breft, did her invade, 
 
 She flept, yet twixt her eyelids clofely fpyde, 
 
 How towards her he rufht, and fmiled at his pryde. 
 
 XXXIIL Then
 
 214 Ihe third Booke of Canto XI. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Then fhewd it, how the Thebane Semelee, 
 
 Deceivd of gealous Jimo, did require 
 
 To fee him in his foveraigne majeflee, 
 
 Armd with his thunderbolts and lightning fire, 
 
 Whence dearely fhe with death bought her defire. 
 
 But faire Alc77iena better match did make, 
 
 Joying his love in likenefTe more entire ; 
 
 Three nights in one, they fay, that for her fake 
 He then did put, her pleafures lenger to partake. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Twife was he feene in foaring Eagles fhape, 
 
 And with wide wings to beat the buxome aire ; 
 
 Once, when he With AJlerie did fcape, 
 
 Againe, when as the Trojane boy fo faire 
 
 He fnatcht from Ida hill, and with him bare. 
 
 Wondrous dtlight it was, there to behould, 
 
 How the rude Saepheards after him did flare, 
 
 Trembling through fcare, lean 1 down he fallen mould, 
 
 And often to him caling, to take furer hould. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 In Sa tyres fhape Antiopa he fnatcht; 
 
 And like a fire, when he Aegin affayd ; 
 
 A fhepeheard, when Mncmofyne he catcht; 
 
 And like a Serpent to the Ihracian mayd. 
 
 Whyles thus on earth great Jove thefe pageaunts playd, 
 
 The winged boy did thruft into his throne, 
 
 And fccffing, thus unto his mother fayd, 
 
 Lo! now the heavens obey to me alone, 
 And take me for their Jove> whiles Jove to earth is gone. 
 
 XXXVI. And
 
 Canto XL The Faerie Queene. 1 1 5. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 And thou, faire Phoebus, in thy colours bright 
 Waft there enwoven, and the lad diftrelTe, 
 In which that boy thee pronged, for d^fpigbt, 
 That thou bewrav'dft his mother's wantonnefle, 
 When me with Mars was meynt in joyfulneiTe: 
 For thy he thrild thee with a leaden dart, 
 To Jove faire Daphne, which thee loved lefie : 
 LelTe me thee lov'd, then was thy juft d.fart, 
 
 Yet was thy love her death, and her death was thy fmart.. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 So lovedft thou the lufty HyacinEi ; 
 
 So loved thou the faire Coronis deare : 
 Yet both are of thy haplefle hand extinct, 
 Yet both in flowrts do live, and love thee beare, 
 The one a paunce, the other a fvveet breare : 
 For griefe whereof, ye mote have lively feene 
 The God himlelfe rending his golden heare, 
 And breaking quite his gyrlond ever greene, 
 
 With othtr iignes of forrow and impatient teene. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Both for thofe two, and for his owne deare fonne 3 , 
 
 1 he fonne of Climene he did repent, 
 
 Who bold to guide the charet of the Sunne, 
 
 Himfelfe in thoufand peeces fondly rent, 
 
 And all the world with flaming lier brent ; 
 
 So like, that all the wailes did feeme to flame. 
 
 Yet cruel! Cupid, not herewith content, 
 
 Fo;ft him eftfbones to follow other g;ame, 
 And icve a Shepheard's daughter for his deareft Dame. 
 
 XXXIX. He:
 
 2 1 6 7he third Booke of Canto XL 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 He loved IJfe for his dean ft Dame, 
 
 And for her fake her cattell fed a while, 
 And for her fake a cowheard vile became : 
 The fervant of Aclmetus^ cowheard vile, 
 Whiles that from heaven he fufTered exile. 
 Long were to tell his other lovely fit, 
 Now like a Lyon, hunting after fpoile, 
 Now like a Hag, now like a faulcon flit: 
 
 All which in that faire arras was moft lively writ. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Next unto him was Neptune pictured, 
 
 In his divine refemblance wondrous lyke : 
 
 His face was rugged, and his hoarie hed 
 
 Dropped with brackifh deaw ; his three-forkt Pyke 
 
 He flearnly fhooke, and therewith fierce did flryke 
 
 The raging biilowes, that on every fyde 
 
 They trembling flood, and made a long broad dyke, 
 
 That his fvvift charet might have paffage wyde, 
 
 Which foure great Hippodames did draw in teme-wife tyde. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 His fea-horfes 'did fecme to f ->ort amavne, 
 
 And from their nof thrilles 'blow the brynie flreame, 
 That made the fparckling waves to fmoke agayne, 
 A id flame with gold ; but the white foiny creame 
 Did mine with fiiver, and moot forth his beame. 
 The God himfelfe did penfive feeme and fad, 
 And hong adowne his head, as he did dreame: 
 For privy iove Ills breft empierced had, 
 
 Ne ought but deare Btfaltis ay could make him glad. 
 
 XLII. He
 
 Canto X. Tfo Faerie Queene, 21 7 
 
 XLII. 
 
 He loved eke Iphimedia deare, 
 
 And Aeolus faire daughter, Arne night, 
 
 For whom he turnd himfelfe into a Steare, 
 
 And fed on fodder, to beguile her light. 
 
 Alfo to win Deucalion s daughter bright, 
 
 He turnd himfelfe into a Dolphin fay re ; 
 
 And like a winged horfe he tooke his flight, 
 
 To fnaky-locke Medufa to repayre, 
 On whom he got faire Pegafus, that flitteth in the ayre. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Next Saturne was, (but who would ever weene, 
 That fullein Saturne ever weend to love ? 
 Yet love is fullein, and Saturnlike feene, 
 As he did for Erigone it prove :) 
 1 hat to a Centaure did himfelfe tranfmove. 
 So prov'd it eke that gracious God of wine, 
 When for to compafle Philliras hard love, 
 He turnd himfelfe into a fruitfull vine, 
 
 And into her faire bofome made his grapes decline. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Long were to tell the amorous afTayes, 
 
 And gentle pangues, with which he maked meeke 
 
 The mightie Mars, to learne his wanton playes : 
 
 How oft for Venus, and how often eek 
 
 For many other Nymphes, he fore did frireek, 
 
 With womanim teares, and with unwarlike fmarts, 
 
 Privily moyftening his horrid cheek. 
 
 There was he painted full of burning dartes, 
 
 And many wide woundes launched through his inner partes. 
 
 Vol. II. F f XLV> Ne
 
 2i 8 The firft Booke of Canto X. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Ne did he fpare (fo cruell was the Elfe) 
 
 His owne deare mother, (ah why fhould he fo ?) 
 Ne did he fpare fometime to pricke himfelfe, 
 That he might tafte the fweet confuming woe, 
 Which he had wrought to many others moe. 
 But to declare the mournfull Tragedy es, 
 And fpoiles, wherewith he all the ground did flrow, 
 More eath to number, with how many eyes 
 
 High heaven beholds fad lovers nightly theeveryes. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Kings, Queenes, Lords, Ladies, knights, and Damzels gent 
 Where heap'd together with the vulgar fort, 
 And mingled with the rafkall rablement, 
 Without refpect of perfon or of port, 
 To mew Dan Cupid's powre and great effort : 
 And round about a border was entrayld 
 Of broken bowes and arrowes fhivered fhort, 
 And a long bloudy river through them rayld, 
 
 So lively and fo like, that living fence it fayld. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 And at the upper end of that faire rowme, 
 
 There was an Altar built of pretious ftone, 
 
 Of pafling valew, and of great renowme, 
 
 On which there flood an Image all alone 
 
 Of mafly gold, which with his owne light fhone; 
 
 And wings it had with fundry colours dight, 
 
 More fundry colours, then the proud Pavone 
 
 Beares in his boafted fan, or Iris bright, 
 
 When her difcolourd bow Ine fpreds through heaven bright. 
 
 XLVIII. Blind-
 
 • 
 
 Canto XL The Faerie Queene. 2,19 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Blindfold he was, and in his cruell fift 
 
 A mortall bow and arrowes keene did hold, 
 With which he mot at randon, when him lift ; 
 Some headed with fad lead, fome with pure gold ; 
 (Ah man beware, how thou thofe darts behold !) 
 A wounded Dragon under him did ly, 
 Whofe hideous tayle his left foot did enfold, 
 And with a fhaft was mot through either eye, 
 
 That no man forth might draw, ne no man remedye. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 And underneath his feet was written thus, 
 
 Unto the ViEior of the Gods this bee : 
 
 And all the people in that ample hous 
 
 Did to that image bowe their humble knee, 
 
 And oft committed fowle Idolatree. 
 
 That wondrous fight faire Britomart amazd, 
 
 Ne feeing could her wonder fatisfie, 
 
 But evermore and more upon it gazd, 
 The whiles the pafling brightneffe her fraile fenfes dazd. 
 
 L. 
 
 Tho as me backward caft her bufie eye, 
 
 To fearch each fecret of that goodly fted, 
 
 Over the dore thus written fhe did fpye, 
 
 Bee bold : fhe oft and oft it over-red, 
 
 Yet could not find what fenfe it figured : 
 
 But what fo were therein or writ or ment, 
 
 She was no whit thereby difcouraged, 
 
 From profecuting of her firft intent, 
 ButL forward with bold fteps into the next roome went. 
 
 F f 2 LI. Much
 
 220 The third Booke of Canto XI. 
 
 LI. 
 
 Much fairer, then the former, was that roome, 
 And richlier by many parts arayd : 
 For not with arras made in painefull loome, 
 But with pure gold it all was overlayd, 
 Wrought with wilde Antickes, which their follies playd, 
 In the rich metall, as they living were : 
 A thoufand monftrous formes therein were made, 
 Such as falfe love doth oft upon him weare, 
 
 For love in thoufand monftrous forms doth oft appeare. 
 
 LII. 
 
 And all about, the gliftring walles were hong 
 
 With warlike fpoiles, and with victorious prayes 
 
 Of mightie Conquerours and Captaines ftrong, 
 
 Which were whilome captived in their dayes 
 
 To cruell love, and wrought their owne decayes : 
 
 Their fwerds and fperes were broke, and hauberques rent, 
 
 And their proud girlonds of tryumphant bayes 
 
 Troden in duft with fury infolent, 
 
 To fhew the vi&ors might and mercilefle intent. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 The warlike Mayde beholding earneftly 
 
 The good ordinance of this, rich place, 
 Did greatly wonder, ne could fatisfy 
 Her greedy eyes with gazing a long fpace, 
 But more fhe mervaild, that no footings trace, 
 Nor wight appeared, but waftefull emptinefTe, 
 And folemne filence over all that place : 
 Straunge thing it feem'd, that none was to poflefle 
 
 So rich purveyaunce, ne them keepe with carefulneffe. 
 
 LIV. And
 
 Canto XI. the T aerie Queene. 221 
 
 LIV. 
 
 And as me lookt about, fhe did behold, 
 
 How over that fame dore was likewife writ, 
 
 Be bol^ Be bold, and every where Be bold, 
 
 That much me muz'd, yet could not conftrue it 
 
 By any ridling fkill, or commune wit. 
 
 At laft me fpyde at that rowme's upper end 
 
 Another yron dore, on which was writ, 
 
 Be not too bold; whereto though (he did bend 
 
 Her earneft mind, yet wift not what it might intend. 
 
 LV. 
 
 Thus me there waited untill eventyde, 
 
 Yet Jiving creature none me law appeare : 
 And now iad fhadowes gan the world to hyde 
 From mortall vew, and wrap in darkeneffe dreare - } 
 Yet nould me d'off her weary armes, for feare 
 Of fecret daunger, ne let ileepe opprefle 
 Her heavy eyes with nature's burdein deare, 
 But drew herfelfe afide in fickernefle, 
 
 And her welpointed weapons did about her drefle. 
 
 CANTO
 
 222 the third Booke of Canto XII. 
 
 CANTO XII. 
 
 The majke of Cupid^ and tU enchaunted 
 
 Chamber are difplayd^ 
 Whence Britomart redeemes faire 
 
 Amoret) through charmes dtcayd. 
 
 I. 
 
 TH O when as cheareleffe Night ycovered had 
 Faire heaven with an univerfall cloud, 
 That every wight difmay'd with darkeneffe fad, 
 In filence and in fleepe themfelves did fhroud, 
 She heard a fhrilling Trompet found aloud, 
 Signe of nigh battaill, or got victory. 
 Nought therewith daunted was her courage proud, 
 But rather ftird to cruell enmity, 
 Expeding ever, when fome foe fhe might defcry. 
 
 II. 
 
 With that, an hideous ftorme of wind arofe, 
 
 With dreadfull thunder and lightning atwixt, 
 And an earthquake, as if it ftreight would lofe 
 The world's foundations from his centre fixt. 
 A direfull flench of fmoke and fulphure mixt 
 tnf-wd, whofe noyance fild the fearefull fled, 
 From the fourth houre of night untill the fixt : 
 Yet the bold Britonejje was nought ydred, 
 
 Though much emmov'd, but ftedfaft ftill perfevered; 
 
 III. All
 
 Canto XII. the Faerie Queene. 223. 
 
 III. 
 
 All fuddenly a flormy whirlwind blew 
 
 Throughout the houfe, that clapped every dore, 
 With which that yron wicket open flew, 
 As it with mightie levers had bene tore ; 
 And forth ylTewd, as on the readie flore 
 Of fome Theatre, a grave perfonage, 
 That in his hand a braunch of laurell bore, 
 With comely haveour and count'nance fage, 
 
 Yclad in coftly garments, fit for tragicke Stage. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Proceeding to the midfl, he Hill did Hand, 
 
 As if in mind he fbmewhat had to fay, 
 
 And to the vulgar beckning with his hand, 
 
 In figne of filence, as to heare a play, 
 
 By lively adlions he gan bewray 
 
 Some argument of matter paflioned • 
 
 Which doen, he backe retyred foft away, 
 
 And pafiing by, his name difcovered, 
 Eafe, on his robe in golden letters cyphered. 
 
 V. 
 
 The noble Mayd, Hill Handing, all this vewd, 
 And merveild at his Hraunge intendiment ; 
 With that a joyous fellowfhip iffewd 
 Of MinHrals, making goodly meriment, 
 With wanton Bardes, and Rymers impudent, 
 All which together fung full chearefully 
 A lay of love's delight, with fvveet confent : 
 After whom marcht a jolly company, 
 
 In manner of a mafke, enranged orderly. 
 
 VI. The
 
 224 The third Booke of Canto XI I. 
 
 VI. 
 
 The whiles a moft, delirious harmony 
 
 In full ftraunge notes was fweetly heard to found, 
 
 That the rare fweetnefle of the melody 
 
 The feeble fenfes wholly did confound, 
 
 And the fraile foule in deepe delight nigh dround; 
 
 And when it ceaft, fhrill trompets loud did bray, 
 
 That their report did far away rebound, 
 
 And when they ceaft, it gan againe to play, 
 The whiles the mafkers marched forth in trim aray. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The flrft was Fancy, like a lovely Boy 
 
 Of rare afpect, and beautie without peare, 
 
 Matchable either to that ympe of Troy, 
 
 Whom Jove did Jove, and chofe his cup to beare ; 
 
 Or that fame daintie lad, which was fo deare 
 
 To great Alcides, that when as he dyde, 
 
 He wailed womanlike with many a teare, 
 
 And every word, and every valley wyde 
 
 He fi'd with Hylas name; the Nymphes eke Hylas cryde. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 His garment neither was of (like nor fay, 
 
 But paynted plumes, in goodly order dight, 
 
 Like as the funburnt Indians do aray 
 
 Their tawney bodies, in their proudefr. plight : 
 
 As thofe fame plumes, fo fcemd he vaine and light, 
 
 That by his gate might eafily appeare ; 
 
 For dill he far'd as dauncing in delight, 
 
 And in his hand a windy fan did beare, 
 
 That in the idle aire he mov'd {till here and there. 
 
 IX. And
 
 Canto XII. 7he Faerie Queene, 225 
 
 IX. 
 
 And him befide marcht amorous Defyre, 
 
 Who feemd of ryper yeares, then th' other fvvaine, 
 
 Yet was that others fwayne this elder's fyre, 
 
 And gave him being, commune to them twaine : 
 
 His garment was difguifed very vaine, 
 
 And his embrodered bonet fat awry ; 
 
 Twixt both his hands few fparkes he ciofe did ftraine, 
 
 Which ftill he blew, and kindled bufily, 
 That foone they life conceiv'd, and forth in flames did fly. 
 
 X. 
 
 Next after him went Doubt, who was yciad 
 
 In a difcolour'd cote, of ftraunge difguyfe, 
 That at his backe a brode Capuccio had, 
 And fleeves dependaunt Albanefe-wyfe: 
 He lookt afkew with his miftruftfull eyes, 
 And nicely trode, as thornes lay in his way, 
 Or that the flore to fhrinke he did avyfe 
 And on a broken reed he ftill did flay 
 
 His feeble fteps, which fhrunke, when hard thereon he lay. 
 
 XI. 
 
 With him went Daunger, cloth'd in ragged weed, 
 
 Made of Beares fkin, that him more dreadful! made, 
 Yet his owne face was dreadfull, ne did need 
 Straunge horrour, to deforme his griefly fhade; 
 A net in th' one hand, and a rufty blade 
 In th' other was, this Mifchiefe, that Mifhap ; 
 With th' one his foes he threatned to invade, 
 With th' other he his friends ment to enwrap: 
 
 For whom he could not kill, he pra&izd to entrap. 
 
 Vol. II. G g XII. Next
 
 2.26 7he third Booke of Canto XII. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Next him was Feare, all arm'd from top to toe, 
 Yet thought himfelfe not fafe enough thereby, 
 But feard each fhadow moving to or froe ; 
 And his owne arme, when glittering he did fpy, 
 Or clafhing heard, he faft away did fly, 
 As allies pale of hew, and wingy-heeld; 
 And evermore on daunger fixt his eye, 
 Gainft whom he alwaies bent a brafen fhield, 
 
 Which his right hand unarmed fearefully did wield. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 With him went Hope in rancke, a handfome Mayd-, 
 Of chearefull looke and lovely to behold ; 
 In filken famite ihe was light arayd, 
 And her faire lockes were woven up in gold ; 
 She alway fmyld, and in her hand did hold 
 An holy-water-fprinckle, dipt in deowe, 
 With which me fprinckled favours manifold 
 On whom fhe lift, and did great liking fheowe,. 
 
 Great liking unto many, but true love to feowe. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 And after them Diffemblatmce and SufpeEl 
 
 Marcht in one rancke, yet an unequall paire : 
 
 For fhe was gentle, and of milde afpecl:, 
 
 Courteous to all, and feeming debonaire, 
 
 Goodly adorned, and exceeding faire : 
 
 Yet was that all but painted, and pourloynd, 
 
 And her bright browes were deckt with borrowed haire ; 
 
 Her deeds were forged, and her words falfe coynd, 
 
 And always in her hand two clews of filke fhe twynd. 
 
 XV. But
 
 Canto XII. 7 he Faerie Queene. 227 
 
 XV. 
 
 But he was foule, ill favoured, and grim, 
 
 Under his eyebrowes looking frill afkaunce ; 
 
 And ever as Diffetnblaunce laught on him, 
 
 He lowrd on her with daungerous eyeglaunce; 
 
 Shewing his nature in his countenance. 
 
 His rolling eyes did never reft in place, 
 
 But walkt each where, for feare of hid mifchaunce, 
 
 Holding a lattice ftill before his face, 
 
 Through which he ftill did peepe, as forward he did pace. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Next him went Griefe and Fury matcht yfere ; 
 Griefe all in fable forrowfully clad, 
 Downe hanging his dull head, with heavy chere, 
 Yet inly being more then feeming fad : 
 A paire of pincers in his hand he had, 
 With which he pinched people to the hart, 
 That from thenceforth a wretched life they lad, 
 In wilfull languor and confuming fmart, 
 
 Dying each day with inward wounds of dolours dart. 
 
 xvn. 
 
 But Fury was full ill apparcilcd 
 
 In rags, that naked nigh fhe did appeare, 
 With ghaftly lookes and dreadfull drerihed ; 
 For from her backe her garments fhe did teare, 
 And from her head ofte rent her fnarled heare : 
 In her right hand a firebrand fhe did tofte 
 About htr head, ftill roming here and there ; 
 As a difmayed Deare in chace emboft, 
 
 Forgetfull of his fafety, hath his right way loft. 
 
 G g 2 XVIII. After
 
 228 The third Booke of Canto XII. 
 
 XVil!. 
 
 After them went Difpleafure and Pleafance, 
 
 He looking lompifh and full fullein fad, 
 
 And hanging downe his heavy countenance : 
 
 She chearefull frefh, and full of joyance glad, 
 
 As if no forrow fhe ne felt ne drad ; 
 
 That evill matched paire they feemd to bee: 
 
 An angry Wafpe th' one in a viall had, 
 
 Th' other in hers an hony-lady Bee: 
 Thus marched thefe fix couples forth in faire degree. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 After all thefe there marcht a moft faire Dame, 
 Led of two gryiie villeins, th'one Dejpight, 
 The other cleped Cruelty by name : 
 She dolefull Lady, like a dreary Spright, 
 Cald by ftrong charmes out of eternall night, 
 Had Deathe's owne image figurd in her face, 
 Full of fad fignes, fearfull to living fight ; 
 Yet in that horror fhewd a feemely grace, 
 
 And with her feeble feete did move a comely pace, 
 
 XX. 
 
 Her breft all naked, as net ivory, 
 
 Without adorne of gold or filver bright, 
 Wherewith the craftefman wonts it beautify, 
 Of her dew honour was defpoyled quight, 
 And a wide wound therein (O ruefull fight !) 
 Entrenched deepe with knife accurfed keene, 
 Yet frefhly bleeding forth her fainting fpright, 
 (The worke of cruell hand) was to be feene, 
 
 That dyde in fanguine red her fkin all fnowy cleene. 
 
 XXI. At
 
 Canto XII. The Faerie Queene. 229 
 
 XXI. 
 
 At that wide orifice her trembling hart 
 
 Was drawne forth, and in filvcr bafin layd, 
 Quite through transfixed with a deadly darr, 
 And in her bloud yet fteeming frefh embayd : 
 And thofe two villeins, which her fteps upftayd, 
 When her weake feete could fcarcely her fuftaine, 
 And fading vitall powers gan to fade, 
 Her forward fkill with torture did conftraine, 
 
 And evermore encreafed her confuming paine. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Next after her, the winged God himfelfe 
 Came riding on a Lion ravenous, 
 Taught to obay the menage of that Elfe, 
 That man and beaft with powre imperious 
 Subdeweth to his kingdome tyrannous : 
 His blindfold eyes he bad a while unbinde, 
 That his proud fpoile of that fame dolorous 
 Faire Dame he might behold in perfect kinde, 
 
 Which feene, he much rejoyced in his cruel] minde. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Of which full proud, himfelfe up rearing hye, 
 
 He looked round about with fterne difdaine ; 
 
 And did furvay his goodly company ; 
 
 And marshalling the evill ordered traine, 
 
 With that the darts, which his right hand did ftraine, 
 
 Full dreadfully he fhooke, that all did quake, 
 
 And clapt on hie his coulourd winges twaine, 
 
 That all his many it affraide did make : 
 
 Tho blinding him againe, his way he forth did take. 
 
 XXIV. Behinde
 
 230 'lhe third Booke of Canto XII. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Behinde him was Reproch, Repentance, Shame-, 
 
 Reproch the firft, Shame next, Repent behind ; 
 Repentance feeble, forrowfulJ, and lame; 
 Reproch defpightful, carelefle, and unkind ; 
 Shame raoft ill favourd, beftiall, and blind: 
 Shame lowrd, Repentance figh'd, Reproch did fcold; 
 Reproch fharpe flings, Repentance whips entwind, 
 Shame burning brond-yrons in her hand did hold : 
 
 All three to each unlike, yet all made in one mould. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 And after them a rude-confufed rout 
 
 Of perfons flockt, whofe names is hard to read: 
 
 Emongft them was fterne Strife, and Anger flout, 
 
 Unquiet Care, and fond Unthriftihead, 
 
 Lewd Lojfe of Time, and Sorrow feeming dead, 
 
 Inconftant Chaunge, and falfe Dijloyaltie, 
 
 Confuming Riotife, and guilty Dread 
 
 Of heavenly vengeance, faint Injirmitie, 
 Vile Poverty, and laftly Death with infamie. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 There were full many moe like maladies, 
 
 Whofe names and natures I note readen well ; 
 So many moe, as there be phantaiies 
 In wavering wemens wit, that none can tell, 
 Or paines in love, or punifhments in hell ; 
 All which difo-uized marcht in mafking wife 
 About the chamber by the Damozell, 
 And then returned, having marched thrife 
 
 Into the inner rowme, from whence they firft did rife. 
 
 XXVII. So
 
 Canto XII. The Faerie Queene* 231 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 So foone as they were in, the dore ftreight way 
 Faft locked, driven with that ftormy blaft, 
 Which firft it opened, and bore all away. 
 Then the brave Maid, which all this while was plaft 
 In fecret fhade, and faw both firft and laft, 
 Iilewed forth, and went unto the dore, 
 To enter in, but found it locked faft : 
 It vaine fhe thought with rigorous uprore 
 
 For to efforce, when charmes had clofed it afore.. 
 
 XXVJII. 
 
 Where force might not availe, their Heights and art * 
 
 She call to me, both fit for hard emprize; 
 For thy from that fame rowme not to depart 
 Till morrow next, fhe did herfelfe avize, 
 When that fame Mafke againe mould forth arize, - 
 The morrowe next appeard with joyous cheare, 
 Calling men to their daily exercize ; 
 Then fhe, as morrow frefh, herfelfe did reare 
 
 Out of her fecret ffcand, that day for to outweare. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 All that day fhe outwore in wandering, 
 
 And gazing on that chamber's ornament,. 
 
 Till that againe the fecond evening 
 
 Her covered wkh her fable veftiment,. 
 
 Wherewith the world's faire beautie Hie hath blent:. 
 
 Then when the fecond watch was almoft pafr, 
 
 That brafen dore flew open, and in went 
 
 Bold Britomart, as fhe had late forecaft, 
 
 Nether of idle mowes, nor of falfe charmes agfiaft. f 
 
 XXX,
 
 232 7he third Booke of Canto XII. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 So foone as fhe was entred, round about 
 
 She caft her e es, to fee what was become 
 Of all thofe perfons, which fhe faw without : 
 But lo ! they ftreight were vanifht all and fome, 
 Ne living wight fhe faw in all that roome, 
 Save that fame woefull Lady, both whofe hands 
 Were bounden faft, that did her ill become, 
 And her fmall waft girt round with yron bands 
 
 Unto a brafen pillour, by the which fhe ftands. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 And her before the vile Enchaunter fate, 
 
 Figuring ftraunge characters of his art ; 
 
 With living bloud he thofe characters wrate, 
 
 Dreadfully dropping from her dying hart, 
 
 Seeming transfixed with a cruell dart, 
 
 And all perforce to make her him to love. 
 
 Ah ! who can love the worker of her fmart ? 
 
 A thoufand charmes he formerly did prove; 
 Yet thoufand charmes could not her ftedfaft hart remove. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Soone as that virgin knight he faw in place, 
 His wicked bookes in haft he overthrew, 
 Not caring his long labours to deface ; 
 And fiercely running to that Lady trew, 
 A murdrous knife out of his pocket drew, 
 The which he thought, for villeinous defpight, 
 In her tormented bodie to embrew: 
 But the flout Damzell to him leaping light, 
 
 His curfed hand withheld, and maiftered his might. 
 
 1 XXXIII. From
 
 Canto XII. *The Faerie Queene. 233 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 From her, to whom his fury firfl he merit, 
 The wicked weapon rafhly he did wrefl, 
 And turning to the next his fell intent, 
 Unwares it ftrooke into her fnowie cheft, 
 That Iitle drops empurpled her faire breft. 
 Exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew, 
 Albe the wound were nothing deepe imprefl:, 
 And fiercely forth her mortall blade fhe drew, 
 
 To give him the reward for fuch vile outrage dew. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 So mightily me fmote him, that to ground 
 
 He fell halfe dead ; next ftroke him mould have flaine, 
 Had not the Lady, which by him flood bound, 
 Dernely unto him called to abftaine 
 From doing him to dy ; for elfe her paine 
 Should be remedileffe, fith none but hee, 
 Which wrought it, could the fame recure againe. 
 Therewith fhe ftayd her hand, loth ftayd to bee; 
 
 For life me him envyde, and long'd revenge to fee : 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 And to him laid, Thou wicked man, whofe meed 
 For fo huge mifchiefe, and vile villany, 
 Is death, or if that ought do death exceed, 
 Be fure, that nought may fave thee from to dy, 
 But if that thou this Dame doe prefently 
 Reftore unto her health, and former ftate ; 
 This doe and live ; elfe dye undoubtedly. 
 He glad of life, that lookt for death but late, 
 
 Did yield himfelfe right willing to prolong his date: 
 
 Vol. II. H h XXXVI. And
 
 234 I'heflrjl Eooke of Canto XII. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 And rifing up, gan ftreight to overlooke 
 
 Thofe curled leaves, his charmes back to reverfe. 
 Full dreadfull thinges out of that balefull booke 
 He red, and meafurd many a fad verfe, 
 That horrour gan the virgins hart to perfe, 
 And her faire locks up ftared ftiffe on end, 
 Hearing him thofe fame bloudy lynes reherfe ; 
 And all the while he red, fhe did extend 
 
 Her fword high over him, if ought he did offend. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Anon fhe gan perceive the houfe to quake, 
 And all the dores to rattle round about ; 
 Yet all that did not her difmayed make, 
 Nor flack her threatfull hand for daunger's dour, 
 But ftill with ftedfaft eye and courage flout, 
 Abode, to weet what end would come of all. 
 At la ft that mightie chaine, which round about 
 Her tender wafte was wound, adowne gan fall, 
 
 And that great brafen pillour broke in peeces fmall. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 The cruel 1 fteele, which thrild her dying hart, 
 Fell foftly forth, as of his owne accord, 
 And the wyde wound, which lately did difpart 
 Her bleeding breft, and riven bowels gor'd, 
 Was clofed up, as it had not beene bor'd ; 
 And every part to fafety full found, 
 As {he were never hurt, was foone reftor'd. 
 Tho when fhe felt herfelfe to be unbound, 
 
 And perfect hole, proftrate fhe fell unto the ground ; 
 
 XXXIX. Before
 
 Canto XII. The Faerie Queene. 235 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Before faire Britomart me fell proftrate, 
 
 Saying, Ah noble knight, what worthy meed 
 Can wretched Lady, quit from wofull ftate, 
 Yield you in lieu of this your gracious deed ? 
 Your vertue felfe her owne reward fhall breed, 
 Even immortall praife, and glory wyde, 
 Which I your vaflall, by your proweffe freed, 
 Shall through the world make to be notifyde, 
 
 And goodly well advaunce, that goodly well was tryde. 
 
 XL. 
 
 But Britomart uprearing her from ground, 
 
 Said, Gentle Dame, reward enough I weene 
 For many labours more, then I have found, 
 This, that in fafetie now I have you feene, 
 And meane of your deliverance have beene : 
 Henceforth, faire Lady, comfort to you take, 
 And put away remembraunce of late teene; 
 Lifted thereof know, that your loving Make 
 
 Hath no leffe griefe endured for your gentle fake^ 
 
 XLI. 
 
 She much was cheard to heare him mentiond, 
 Whom of all living wights fhe loved ben 1 . 
 Then laid the noble ChampionelTe ftrong bond 
 Upon th' enchaunter, which had her diftreft 
 So fore, and with foule outrages oppreft. 
 With that great chaine, wherewith not long ygo 
 He bound that pitteous Lady prifoner, now releft, 
 Himfelfe fhe bound, more worthy to be fo, 
 
 And captive with her led to wretchednefte and wo. 
 
 H h 2 XLII. Returning
 
 236 The third Booke of Canto XII. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Returning back, thofe goodly roomes, which erft 
 He faw fo rich and royally arayd, 
 Now vanifht utterly, and cleane fubverft 
 She found, and all their glory quite decayd, 
 That fight of fuch a chaunge her much difmayd. 
 Thenceforth defcending to that perlous Porch, 
 Thofe dreadfull flames me alfo found delayd, 
 And quenched quite, like a confumed torch, 
 
 That erft all entrers wont fo cruelly to fcorch. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 More eaiie iffew now, then entrance late, 
 
 She found; for now the fained dreadfull flame 
 
 "Which chokt the porch of that inchanted gate, 
 
 And paflage bard to all, that thither came, 
 
 Was vanifht quite, as it were not the fame, 
 
 And gave her leave at pleafure forth to pafle. 
 
 The enchaunter felfe, which all that fraud did frame, 
 
 To have tfForft the love of that faire laffe, 
 
 Seeing his worke now wafted, deepe engreived was. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 But when the viclorefte arrived there, 
 
 Where late me left the penfive Scuda?nore y 
 With her own trufty fquire, both fu!l of feare, 
 Neither of them me found where fhe them lore. 
 Thereat her noble hart was ftonifht fore ; 
 But moft fair Amoret^ whofe gentle fpright 
 Now gan to feede on hope, which fhe before 
 Conceived had to fee her owne deare knight, 
 
 Being thereof beguyld was fild with new affright. 
 
 XLV. But
 
 Canto XII. the Faerie Queene. 237 
 
 XLV. 
 
 But he, fad man, when he had long in drede 
 Awayted there for Britomarts returne 
 Yet faw her not, nor figne of her good fpeed, 
 His expectation to defpaire did turne, 
 Mifdeeming fure, that her thofe flames did burne ; 
 And therefore gan advife with her old fquire, 
 Who her deare nourflings lofie no lefie did mourne ; 
 Thence to depart for further aide t' inquire : 
 
 Where let them wend at will, whileft here I doe refpire. 
 
 The End of the Third Booke. 
 
 In
 
 23 8 the third Booke of Canto XII. 
 
 In the firft Edition the third Booke ends thus : 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 At laft flie came unto the place, where late 
 She left Sir Scuda?nore in great diftreffe, 
 Twixt dolour and defpight halfe defperate, 
 Of his loves fuccour, of his owne redreffe, 
 And of the hardie Britomarts fucceffe. 
 There on the cold earth him now thrown fhe found, 
 In wilfull anguifh, and dead heavineffe, 
 And to him cald ; whofe voices knowen found 
 
 Soone as he heard, himfelf he reared light from ground. 
 
 XLIV. r 
 
 There did he fee, that moft on earth him joyd, 
 
 His deareft love, the comfort of his dayes, 
 
 Whofe too long abfence him had fore annoyd, 
 
 And wearied his life with dull ddayes. 
 
 Straight he upftarted from the loathed layes, 
 
 And to her ran with hafty egerneffe, 
 
 Like as a Deare, that greedily embayes 
 
 In the coole foile, after long thirftinefle, 
 Which he in chace endured hath, now nigh breathlefTe. 
 
 XLV. Lightly
 
 Can to X I L the Faerie Queene. i2>9 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Lightly he dipt her twixt his armes twaine, 
 
 And ftreightly did embrace her body bright, 
 
 Her body, late the prifon of fad paine, 
 
 Now the fvveet lodge of love and deare delight. 
 
 But me faire Lady overcommen quight 
 
 Of huge afTedlion, did in pleafure melt, 
 
 And in fweete ravifhment pourd out her fpright. 
 
 No word they fpake, nor earthly thing they felt, 
 
 But like two fenceles flocks in long embracement dwelt,. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Had ye them feene, ye would have furely thought, 
 That they had beene that faire Hermaphrodite^ 
 Which that rich Romane of white marble wrought, 
 And in his coftly Bath caufd to be fite : 
 So feemd thofe two, as growne together quite, 
 That Britomart halfe envying their blefTe, 
 Was much empafliond in her gentle fprite, 
 And to herfelfe oft wifht like happinefle: 
 
 In vaine fhe wifht, that fate n'ould let her yet pofleffe. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Thus do thofe lovers, with fweet countervayle, 
 Each other of loves bitter fruit defpoile. 
 But now my teme begins to faint and fayle,. 
 All woxen weary of their journall toyle. 
 Therefore I will their fweatie )okes alToyle 
 At this fame fu-rrowes end, till a new day: 
 And ye, faire Swayns, after your long turmoyle, 
 Now ceafe your worke, and at your pleafure play; 
 
 Now ceafe your worke ; to morrow is an holy day. 
 
 The
 
 [ 2 4 r ] 
 
 The fourth Booke of 
 the Faerie Queene. 
 
 Contayni?ig 
 
 TheLegende of Cam fa/ and Telamond^ 
 or Of Friendjhip. 
 
 i. 
 
 T^ H E rugged forhead, that with grave forefight 
 Welds kingdomes caufes, and affaires of ftate, 
 My loofer rimes, I wote, doth fharply wite, 
 For praifmg love, as I have done of late, 
 And magnifying lovers deare debate; 
 By which fraile youth is oft to follie led, 
 Through falfe allurement of that pleafing baite, 
 That better were in vertues difcipled, 
 Then with vaine poemes weeds to have their fancies fed. 
 
 Vol. II. I i II, Such
 
 24^ The fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 II. 
 
 Such ones ill judge of love, that cannot love, 
 
 Ne in their frofen hearts feele kindly flame : 
 For thy they ought not thing unknovvne reprove, 
 Ne naturall affedtion faultleffe blame, 
 For fault of few, that have abufd the fame. 
 m For it of honor and all vertue is 
 
 The roote, and brings forth glorious flowres of fame, 
 That crowne true lovers with immortall blis, 
 
 The meed of them, that \ove t and do not live amilTe. 
 
 III. 
 
 Which who fo lift looke backe to former ages, 
 
 And call to count the things, that then were donne, 
 
 Shall find, that all the workes of thofe wife fages, 
 
 And brave exploits, which great Heroes wonne, 
 
 In love were either ended or begunne. 
 
 WitneiTe the father of Philofophie, 
 
 Which to his Critias, fhaded oft from funne, 
 
 Of love full manie lefTons did apply, 
 
 The which thefe Stoicke cenfours cannot well deny. 
 
 IV. 
 
 To fuch therefore I do not fing at all, 
 
 But to that facred Saint, my foveraigne Queene, 
 In vvhofe chaft breaft all bountie naturall, 
 And treafures of true love enlocked beene, 
 Bove all her fexe, that ever yet was feene. 
 To her I fing of love, that loveth beft, 
 And beft is lov d of all alive I weene : 
 To her this fong moft fitly is addreft, 
 
 The Queene of love, and Prince of peace from heaven bleft. 
 
 V. Which
 
 Canto I. 7 he Faerie Queene. 243 
 
 V. 
 
 Which that fhe may the better deigne to heare, 
 Do thou, dred infant, Venus dearling dove, 
 From her high fpirit chafe imperious feare, 
 And ufe of awfull Majeftie remove : 
 In fted thereof with drops of melting love, 
 Deawd with ambrofiall kifles, by thee gotten 
 From thy fweete fmyling mother from above, 
 Sprinckle her heart, and haughtie courage foften, 
 
 That (he may hearke to love, and read this leflbn often. 
 
 Ii 2 GANTO
 
 244 ^ e f ourt h Booke of Canto I. 
 
 CANTO I. 
 
 Fayre Britomart Javes Amoret ; 
 
 Duejfa difcord breedes 
 Twixt Scuda?nour and Blandamour : 
 
 Their fight and warlike deedes. 
 
 I. 
 
 F lovers fad calamities of old 
 Full many piteous ftories do remaine, 
 But none more piteous ever was ytold, 
 Then that of Amoret 's hart-binding chaine, 
 And this of Florin. ePs unvvorthie paine: 
 The deare companion of whofe bitter fit 
 My foftened heart fo forely doth conftraine, 
 That I with teares full oft do pittie it, 
 And oftentimes doe wifh it never had bene writ. 
 
 II. 
 
 For from the time, that Scudamour her bought 
 In perilous fight, fhe never joyed day ; 
 A perilous fight, when he with force her brought 
 From tvventie Knights, that did him all affay ; 
 Yet fairely well he did them all difmay, 
 And with great glorie both the fhield of love, 
 And eke the Ladie felfe he brought away, 
 Whom having wedded, as did him behove, 
 
 A new unknowen mifchiefe did from him remove. 
 
 III. For
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene. 245 
 
 III. 
 
 For that fame vile Enchauntour Bufyran, 
 
 The very felfe fame day that fhe was wedded, 
 Amidft the bridale feaft, whileft every man 
 Surcharg'd with wine, were heedlefTe and ill hedded, 
 All bent to mirth before the bride was bedded, 
 Brought in that mafk of love, which late was fhowen ; 
 And there the Ladie, ill of friends beftedded, 
 By way of fport, as oft in mafkcs is knowen, 
 
 Conveyed quite away to living wight unknowen. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Seven moneths he fo her kept in bitter fmart, 
 
 Becaufe his finfull lufl flie would not ferve, 
 
 Untill fuch time as noble Britomart 
 
 Releafed her, that elfe was like to fterve, 
 
 Through cruell knife, that her deare heaTt did kerto. 
 
 And now fhe is with her upon the way, 
 
 Marching in lovely wife, that could deferve 
 
 No fpot of blame, though fpite did oft allay 
 
 To blot her with difhonor of fo faire a pray. 
 
 V. 
 
 Yet mould it be a pleafant tale, to tell 
 
 The diverfe ufage and demeanure daint, 
 
 That each to other made, as oft befell : 
 
 For Amcret right fearefull was and faint, 
 
 Left fhe with blame her honor mould attaint, 
 
 That everie word did tremble as me fpake, 
 
 And everie looke was coy, and wondrous quaint, 
 
 And everie limbe, that touched her, did quake: 
 
 Yet could fhe not but curteous countenance to her make. 
 
 VI. For
 
 2.46 fhe fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 VI. 
 
 For well fhe wift, as true it was indeed, 
 
 That her lives Lord, and patrone of her health, 
 
 Right well deferved, as his duefull meed, 
 
 Her love, her fervice, and her utmoft wealth. 
 
 All is his jufrly, that all freely dealth : 
 
 Nathleffe her honor, dearer then her life, 
 
 She fought to fave, as thing referv'd from ftealth ; 
 
 Die had fhe lever with Enchanter's knife, 
 
 Then to be falfe in love, profeft a virgine wife. 
 
 VJI. 
 
 Thereto her feare was made fo much the greater 
 Through fine abufion of that Briton mayd ; 
 Who for to hide her fained fex the better, 
 And mafke her wounded mind, both did and fayd 
 ♦ Full many things fo doubtfull to be wayd, 
 
 That well fhe wift not what by them to gefTe ; 
 For otherwhiles to her fhe purpofe made 
 Of love, and otherwhiles of luftfulnefte, 
 
 That much fhe feard his mind would grow to fbme excefTe. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 His will fhe feard ; for him flic furely thought 
 To be a man, fuch as indeed he feemed, 
 And much the more, by that he lately wrought, 
 When her from deadly thraldome he redeemed, 
 For which no fervice fhe too much efleemed. 
 Yet dread of fhame, and doubt of fowle difhonor 
 Made her not yeeld fo much, as due me deemed. 
 Yet Britoi?iart attended duly on her, 
 
 As well became a knight, and did to her all honor. 
 
 IX. It
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene. 247 
 
 IX. 
 
 It fo befell one evening, that they came 
 Unto a caftell, lodged there to bee, 
 Where many a knight, and many a lovely Dame 
 Was then aiTembled, deeds of armes to fee: 
 Amongft all which was none more faire then fhee, 
 That many of them mov'd to eye her fore. 
 The cuftome of that place was fuch, that hee, 
 Which had no love nor lemman there in ftore, 
 
 Should either winne him one, or lye without the dore. 
 
 X. 
 
 Amongft the reft there was a jolly knight, 
 
 Who being afked for his love, avow'd, 
 
 That faireft Amoret was his by right, 
 
 And ofFred that to juftifie alowd. 
 
 The warlike virgine feeing his fo prowd 
 
 And boaftfull chalenge, wexed inlie wroth, 
 
 But for the prefent did her anger fhrowd ; 
 
 And fayd, her love to lofe fhe was full loth ; 
 But either he fhould neither of them have, or both. 
 
 XL 
 
 So foorth they went, and both together giufted ; 
 
 But that fame younker foone was overthrowne, 
 And made repent, that he had rafhly lufted 
 For thing unlawfull, that was not his owne. 
 Yet fince he feemed valiant, though unknowne, 
 She, that no lefle was courteous then ftour, 
 Caft how to falve, that both the cuftome fhowne 
 Were kept, and yet that Knight not locked out; 
 That feem'd full hard t'accord two things fo far in dour. 
 
 XII. The
 
 248 7he fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 XII. 
 
 The Senefchall was cal'd to deeme the right, 
 
 Whom ihe requir'd, that firft faire Amoret 
 
 Might be to her allow'd, as to a Knight, 
 
 That did her win, and free from chalenge fet : 
 
 Which ftraight to her was yeelded without let. 
 
 Then iince that flrange Knight's love from him was quitted, 
 
 She claim'd, that to her felfe, as Ladies det, 
 
 He as a Knight might juftly be admitted ; 
 
 So none mould be out fhut, iith all of loves were fitted. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 With that her gliftring helmet fhe unlaced ; 
 
 Which doft, her golden lockes, that were up bound 
 Still in a knot, unto her heeles downe traced, 
 And like a filken veile in compaiTe round 
 About her backe and all her bodie wound : 
 Like as the fhining fkie in fummer's night, 
 What time the dayes with fcorching heat abound, 
 Is creafled all with lines of fine light, 
 
 That it prodigious fcemes in common people's fight. 
 
 XiV. 
 
 Such when thofe Knights and Ladies all about 
 
 B-held her, all were with amazement fmit, 
 
 And every one gan grow in fecret dout 
 
 Of this and that, according to each wit. 
 
 Some thought, that fome enchantment faygned it j 
 
 Some, that Bellona in that warlike wife 
 
 To them apptar'd, with fhield and armour fit ; 
 
 Some, that it was a mafke of ftrange difguife: 
 So diverftly each one did iundrie doubts devife. 
 
 XV. But
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene. 249 
 
 XV. 
 
 But that young Knight, which through her gentle deed 
 
 Was to that goodly fellowship reftor'd, 
 
 Ten thoufand thankes did yeeld her for her meed ? 
 
 And doubly overcommen, her ador'd. 
 
 So did they all their former ftrife accord ; 
 
 And eke fayre Amoret, now freed from feare, 
 
 More franke affection did to her afford, 
 
 And to her bed, which fhe was wont forbeare, 
 Now freely drew, and found right fafe afliirance theare: 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Where all that night they of their loves did treat, 
 And hard adventures twixt themfelves alone, 
 That each the other gan with paflion great, 
 And griefefull pittie privately bemone. 
 The morrow next, fo foone as 'Titan fhone, 
 They both uprofe, and to their waies them dight: 
 Long wandred they, yet never met with none, 
 That to their willes could them direct aright, 
 
 Or to them ty dings tell, that mote their harts delight. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Lo thus they rode, till at the laft they fpide 
 
 Two armed Knights, that toward them did pace, 
 
 And each of them had ryding by his fide 
 
 A Ladie, feeming in fo farre a fpace ; 
 
 But Ladies none they were, albee in face 
 
 And outward (hew faire femblance they did beare ; 
 
 For under mafke of beautie and good grace, 
 
 fc> O ' 
 
 Vile treafon and fowle falfliood hidden were, 
 That mote to none but to the warie wife appeare. 
 
 Vol. II. Kk XVIII. The
 
 250 The fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 xvnr. 
 
 The one of them, the falfe Dueffa hight, 
 
 That now had chang'd her former wonted hew ; 
 
 For fhe could d'on fo manie ihapes in fight, 
 
 As ever could Cameleon colours new ; 
 
 So could fhe forge all colours, fave the trew. 
 
 The other no whit better was then fhee, 
 
 But that fuch as fhe was, fhe plaine did fhew ; 
 
 Yet otherwife much worfe, if worfe might bee.,, 
 And dayly more offenfive unto each degree. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Her name was Aie> mother of debate, 
 
 And all diffention, which doth dayly grow 
 Amongft fraile men, that many a publike ftate, 
 And many a private, oft doth overthrow. 
 Her falfe Dueffa^ who full well did know 
 To be mod fit to trouble noble knights, 
 Which hunt for honor, raifed from below 
 Out of the dwellings of the damned fprights, 
 
 Where fhe in darknes waftes her curfed daies and nights,, 
 
 XX. 
 
 Hard by the gates of hell her dwelling is, 
 
 There whereas all the plagues and harmes abound. 
 Which punifh wicked men, that walke amiffe : 
 It is a darkfome delve farre under ground, 
 With thornes and barren brakes environd round, 
 That none the fame may eafily outwin ; 
 Yet many waies to enter may be found, 
 But none to ifTue forth, when one is in : 
 
 For difcord harder is to end then to begin. 
 
 XXI. And
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene. 251 
 
 XXI. 
 
 And all within the riven walls were hung 
 
 With ragged monuments of times forepaft, 
 All which the fad effects of difcord lung. 
 There were rent robes, and broken fcepters plaft, 
 Altars defyl'd, and holy things defaft, 
 Disfhivered fpeares, and fhields ytorne in twaine, 
 Great cities ranfackt, and ftrong caftles raft, 
 Nations captived, and huge armies flaine : 
 
 Of all which ruines there fome relicks did remaine. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 There was the ligne of antique Babylm, 
 
 Of fatall Thebes, of Rome that raigned long, 
 Of facred Salem, and fid Iiion, 
 For memorie of which on high there hong 
 The golden Apple, caufe of all their wrong, 
 For which the three faire Goddefles did ftrive. 
 There alfo was the name of Nimrod ftrong, 
 Of Alexander ^ and his Princes five, 
 
 Which fhar'd to them the fpoiles, that he had got alive. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 And there the relicks of the drunken fray, 
 
 The which amongft the Lapithees befell, 
 
 And of the bloodie feaft, which fent away 
 
 So many Centaures drunken foules to hell, 
 
 That under great Alcides furie fell ; 
 
 And of the dreadfull difcord, which did drive 
 
 The noble Argonauts to outrage fell, 
 
 That each of life fought others to deprive, 
 
 All mindlefTe of the Golden fleece, which made them ftrive. 
 
 Kk 2 XXIV. And
 
 25 i The fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 And eke of private perfons many moe, 
 
 That were too long a worke to count them all ; 
 Some of fvvorne friends, that did their faith forgoe ; 
 Some of borne brethren, prov'd tinnaturall ; 
 Some of deare lovers, foes perpetuall : 
 WitnefTe their broken bandes there to be feene, 
 Their girlonds rent, their bowres defpoyled all; 
 The moniments whereof there byding beene, 
 
 As plaine as at the firft, when they were frefri and greene. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Such was her houfe within ; but all without, 
 
 The barren ground was full of wicked weedes, 
 Which me herfelfe had fowen all about, 
 Now growen great, at flrft of little feedes, 
 The feedes of evill wordes, and factious deedes ; 
 Which, when to ripenefTe due they growen arre, 
 Bring forth an infinite increale, that breedes 
 Tumultuous trouble and contentious jarre, 
 
 The which mod often end in bloudmed and in warre, 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 And thofe fame curfed feeds doe alfo ferve 
 
 To her for bread, and yeeld her living food: 
 For life it is to her, when others fterve 
 Through mifchievous debate, and deadly feood, 
 That fhe may fucke their life, and drinke their blood, 
 With which me from her childhood had bene fed. 
 For fhe at firft was borne of hellifh brood, 
 And by infernall furies nourifhed, 
 
 That by her monftrous fhape might eafily be red. 
 
 XXVII. Her
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene. 253 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Her face moft fowle and filthy was to fee, 
 
 With fquinted eyes contrarie wayes intended, 
 
 And loathly mouth, unmeete a mouth to bee, 
 
 That nought but gall and venim comprehended, 
 
 And wicked wordes, that God and man offended. • 
 
 Her lying tongue was in two parts divided, 
 
 And both the parts did fpeake, and both contended ; 
 
 And as her tongue, fo was her hart difcided, 
 
 That never thought one thing, but doubly ftill was guided. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Als as me double fpake, fo heard fhe double, 
 
 With matchlefTe eares deformed and diftort, 
 Fild with falfe rumors and feditious trouble, 
 Bred in affemblies of the vulgar fort, 
 That ftill are led with every light report. 
 And as her eares, fo eke her feet were odde, 
 And much unlike, th' one long, the other fhort, 
 And both miiplafl, that when th' one forward yode, 
 
 The other backe retired, and contrarie trode. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Likewife unequall were her handes twaine, 
 
 That one did reach, the other pufht away °, 
 That one did make, the other mard againe, 
 And fought to bring all things unto decay ; 
 Whereby great riches, gathered manie a day, 
 She in fhort fpace did often bring to nought, 
 And their poileflours often did difmay : 
 For all her fludie was, and all her thought, 
 
 How fhe might overthrow the things, that Concord wrought. 
 
 XXX. So
 
 254 ^ e fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 So much her malice did her might furpas, 
 
 That even th' Almightie felfe The did maligne, 
 
 Becaufe to man fo mercifull he was, 
 
 And unto all his creatures fo bcnigne, 
 
 Sith me herfelfe was of his grace indigne: 
 
 For all this world's faire workmanmip fhe tride 
 
 Unto his laft confufion to bring, 
 
 And that great golden chaine quite to divide, 
 
 With which it bleffed Concord hath together tide. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Such was that hag, which with DueJJa roade. 
 And ferving her in her malitious life, 
 To hurt good knights, was, as it were, her baude, 
 To fell her borrowed beautie to abufe. 
 For though like withered tree, that wanteth juyce, 
 She old and crooked were, yet now of late, 
 As frem and fragrant as the floure deluce 
 She was become, by chaunge of her ertate, 
 
 And made full goodly joyance to her new found mate. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Her mate he was a jol ie youthTull knight, 
 
 That bore great fway in armes and chivalrie, 
 nd was indeed a man of mickle might: 
 
 His name vjz.%Bla?idamour^ that did defcrie 
 
 His fickle mind full of inconftancie. 
 
 And now himfelfe he fitted had right well 
 
 With two companions of like qualitie, 
 
 Fakhleffe Duejfa, and falfe Paridell, 
 That whether were more falfe, full hard it is to tell. 
 
 XXXIII. Now
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene. 255 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Now when this gallant with his goodly crew, 
 From farre efpide the famous Britomart, 
 Like knight adventurous in outward vew, 
 With his faire paragon, his conquefts part, 
 Approching nigh, eftfoones his wanton hart 
 Was tickled with delight, and jefting fayd ; 
 Lo there, Sir Pari del, for your defart, 
 Good lucke prefents you with yond lovely mayd, 
 
 For pitie that ye want a fellow for your ayd. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 By that the lovely paire drew nigh to hond : 
 
 Whom when as Paridel more plaine beheld, 
 
 Albee in heart he like affection fond, 
 
 Yet mindfull how he late by one was feld, 
 
 That did thofe armes and that fame fcutchion weld, 
 
 He had fmall luft to buy his love fo deare, 
 
 But anfwerd ; Sir, him wife I never held, 
 
 That having once efcaped perill neare, 
 
 Would afterwards afrefh the fleeping evill reare. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 This knight too late his manhood and his might 
 I did allay, that me right dearely coil, 
 Ne lift. I for revenge provoke new fight, 
 Ne for light Ladies love, that foone is loft 
 The hot-fpurre youth fo fcorning to be croft, 
 Take then to you this Dame of mine, quoth hee, 
 And I, without your perill or your coft, 
 Will chalenge yond fame other for my fee : 
 
 So forth he fiercely prickt, that one him fcarce could fee. 
 
 2 XXXVI. The
 
 256 7he fourth Eooke of Canto I. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 The warlike BritonefTe her foone addreft, 
 
 And with fuch uncouth welcome did receave 
 Her fayned Paramour, her forced gueft, 
 That being forft his faddle foone to leave, 
 Himfelfe he did of his new love deceave ; 
 And made himfelfe th' enfample of his follie. 
 Which done, fhe palled forth not taking leave, 
 And left him now as fad, as whilome jollie, 
 
 Well warned to beware, with whom he dar'd to dallie. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Which when his other companie beheld, 
 
 They to his fuccour ran with readie ayd ; 
 And finding him unable once to weld, 
 They reared him on horfebacke, and upftayd, 
 Till on his way they had him forth convayd : 
 And all the way with wondrous griefe of mynd, 
 And friame, he fhewd himfelfe to be difmayd, 
 More for the love, which he had left behynd, 
 
 Then that, which he had to Sir Paridel refynd. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 NathlefTe he forth did march well as he mio;ht, 
 And made good femblance to his companie, 
 DifTembling his difeafe and evill plight; 
 Till that ere long they chaunced to efpie 
 Two other knights, that towards them did ply 
 With fpeedie courfe, as bent to charge them new. 
 Whom when as Blandamour^ approching nie, 
 Perceiv'd to be fuch, as they feemd in vew, 
 
 He was full wo, and gan his former griefe renew. 
 
 XXXIX. For
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene, 2.57 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 For th' one of them he perfectly defcride 
 To be Sir Scudamow, by that he bore 
 The God of love, with wings difplayed wide ; 
 Whom mortally he hated evermore, 
 Both for his worth, that all men did adore, 
 And eke becaufe his love he wonne by right : 
 Which when he thought, it grieved him full fore, 
 That, through the brufes of his former fight, 
 
 He now unable was to wreake his old defpight. 
 
 XL. 
 
 For thy he thus to Paridel befpake ; 
 
 Faire Sir, of friendship let me now you pray, 
 That as I late adventured for your fake, 
 The hurts whereof me now from battell flay, 
 Ye will me now with like good turne repay, 
 And juftifie my caufe on yonder knight. 
 Ah ! Sir, faid Paridel, do not difmay 
 Yourfelfe for this ; myfelfe will for you fight, 
 
 As ye have done for me : the left hand rubs the right. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 With that he put his fpurres unto his freed, 
 
 With fpeare in reft, and toward him did fare, 
 Like fhaft out of a bow preventing fpced. 
 But Scudamour was fhortly well aware 
 Of his approch, and gan himfelfe prepare 
 Him to receive with entertainment meete. . 
 So furiouily they met, that either bare 
 The other downe under their hcrfes feete, 
 
 That what of them became, themfelves did fcarlly weete. 
 
 Vol. II. LI XI
 
 258 "The fourth Eooke of Canto I. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 As when two billowes, in the Irifh fowndes, 
 Forcibly driven with contrarie tydes, 
 Do meetc together, each abacke rebowndes 
 With roaring rage ; and dafhing on all fides, 
 That filleth all the fea with fome, divydes 
 The doubtfull current into divers wayes : 
 So fell thofe two in fpight of both their prydes, 
 But Scudamour himfelfe did foone uprayfe, 
 
 And mounting light, his foe for lying long upbrayes : 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Who rolled on an heape lay ftill in fwound, 
 
 All carelefle of his taunt and bitter rayle, 
 Till that the reft him feeing lie on ground, 
 Ran haftily, to weete what did him ayle. 
 Where finding, that the breath gan him to fayle, 
 With bufie care they ftrove him to awake, 
 And doft his helmet, and undid his mayle : 
 So much they did, that at the laft they brake 
 
 His flomber, yet fo mazed, that he nothing fpake. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Which when as Blandamour beheld, he layd, 
 
 Falfe faitour, Scudamour, that haft by flight 
 And, foule advantage this good Knight difmayd, 
 A Knight much better then thyfelfe benight. 
 W T ell falles it thee, that I am not in plight 
 This day, to wreake the dammage by thee donne. 
 Such is thy wont, that ftill when any Knight 
 Is wcakned, then thou doeft him overronne : 
 
 So haft thou to thyfelfe falfe honour often wonne. 
 
 XLV. He
 
 Canto I. The Faerie Queene. 259 
 
 XLV. 
 
 He litttle anfwerd, but in manly heart 
 
 His mightie indignation did forbeare, 
 Which was not yet fo fecret, but fome part- 
 Thereof did in his frouning face appeare : 
 Like as a gloomie cloud, the which doth beare 
 An hideous ftorme, is by the Northerne blaft 
 Quite overblowne, yet doth not park fo cleare. 
 But that it all the fkie doth overcaft 
 
 With darknes dred, and threatens all the world to waft. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Ah gentle knight, then falfe Duejfa faid, 
 
 Why do ye ftrive for Ladies love fo fore, 
 Whofe chiefe defire is love and friendly aid 
 Mongft gentle Knights to nourifh evermore? 
 Ne be ye wroth, Sir Scudamour, therefore, 
 That me, your love, lift love another knight ; 
 Ne do your yourfelfe diflike a whit the more ; 
 For Love is free, and led with felfe delight, 
 
 Ne will enforced be with maifterdome or might. 
 
 XLVir. 
 
 So falfe Duejfa, but vile Ate thus ; 
 
 Both foolifh knights, I can but laugh at both, 
 That ftrive and ftorme with ftirre outrageous, 
 For her, that each of you alike doth loth, 
 And loves another, with whom now fhe goth 
 In lovely wife, and ileepes, and fports, and playes; 
 Whileft botii you here, with many a curfed oth, 
 Sweare ilie is yours, and ftirre up bloudie frayes, 
 
 To win a willowbough, whileft other weares the bayes. 
 
 L 1 2 XLVIII. Vile
 
 260 'the fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 XLVin. 
 
 Vile hag, fayd Scudamour, why doft thou lye ? 
 
 And falfly feekft a vertuous wight to fhame ? 
 
 Fond knight, faid fhe, the thing, that with this eye 
 
 I faw, why fhould I doubt to tell the fame ? 
 
 Then tell, quoth Blandamour> and feare no blame; 
 
 Tell what thou faw'ft, maulgre who fo it heares. 
 
 I faw, quoth fhe, a ftranger knight, whofe name 
 
 I wote not well, but in his fhield he beares 
 (That well I wote) the heads of many broken fpeares ; 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 I faw him have your Amoret at will ; 
 
 I faw him kifTe, I faw him her embrace, 
 
 I faw him fleepe with her all night his fill, 
 
 All manie nights ; and manie by in place, 
 
 That prefent were to terlifie the cafe. 
 
 Which when as Scudamour did heare, his heart 
 
 Was thrild with inward griefe ; as when in chace 
 
 The Parthian ftrikes a Hag with fhivering dart, 
 
 The beaft aftonimt ftands in middeft of his fmart : 
 
 L. 
 
 So flood Sir Scudamour ■, when this he heard, . 
 Ne word he had to fpeake for great difmay, 
 But lookt on Glauce grim, who woxe afeard 
 Of outrage for the words, which fhe heard fay, 
 Albee untrue fhe wift them by alTay. 
 But Blandamour^ whenas he did efpie 
 His chaunge of cheere, that anguifli did bewray, 
 He woxe full blithe, as he had got thereby, 
 
 And gan thereat to triumph without vidtorie. 
 
 LL Lo,
 
 Canto I. the faerie Queene. z6i 
 
 LI. 
 
 Lo, recreant, fayd he, the fruitleffe end 
 
 Of thy vaine boaft, and fpoile of love mifgotten, 
 Whereby the name of knight-hood thou doft fhend, 
 And all true lovers with difhonor blotten : 
 All things not rooted well will foone be rotten. 
 Fy, fy, falfe knight, then falfe Duejfa cryde, 
 Unworthy life, that love with guile haft gotten ; 
 Be thou, where ever thou do go or ryde, 
 
 Loathed of ladies all, and of all knights defyde. 
 
 LIL 
 
 But Scudamour^ for palling great defpight, 
 
 Staid not to anfwer, fcarcely did refraine, 
 
 But that in all thofe knights and ladies fight, 
 
 He for revenge had guiltleffe Glance flaine : 
 
 But being paft, he thus began amaine ; 
 
 Falfe traitour fquire, falfe fquire of falfeft knight, 
 
 Why doth mine hand from thine avenge abftaine, 
 
 Whofe Lord hath done my love this foule defpight ? 
 
 Why do I not it wreake on thee, now in my might ? 
 
 LIIL 
 
 Difcourteous, difloyall Britomart, 
 
 Untrue to God, and unto man unjuft, 
 What vengeance due can equall thy defart, 
 That haft with fhamefull fpot of finfull luft 
 DenTd the pledge committed to thy truft ? 
 Let ugly fhame and endleffe infamy 
 Colour thy name with foule reproaches ruft. 
 Yet thou, falfe Squire, his fault (halt deare aby, 
 
 And with thy punifhment his penance fhalt fupply. 
 
 LIV. The
 
 262 The fourth Booke of Canto I. 
 
 LIV. 
 
 The aged Dame him feeing fo enraged, 
 
 Was oe ad with feare; nathlefle, as neede required, 
 His flaming furie fought to have affwaged 
 With fober words, that fufferance defired, 
 Till time the tryall of her truth expyred ; 
 And evermore fought Britomart to cleare. 
 But he the more with furious rage was fyred, 
 And thrife his hand to kill her did upreare, 
 
 And thrife he drew it backe : fo did at laft forbeare. 
 
 CANTO
 
 Canto II. the Faerie Queene. 263 
 
 CANTO If. 
 
 Blandamour winnes falfe Florimell ; 
 
 Pari del I for her J? rives ; 
 'They are accorded; Agape 
 
 Doth lengthen her fonnes lives. 
 
 I. 
 
 FIREBRAND of hell, firft tynd in Phlegeton 
 By thoufand furies, and from thence out-throwen 
 Into this world, to worke confufion, 
 And fet it all on fire by force unknowen, 
 Is wicked Difcord, whofe fmall fparkes once blowen 
 None but a God or godlike man can flake : 
 Such as was Orpheus^ that when ftrife was growen 
 Amongft thofe famous ympes of Greece, did take 
 His filver harpe in hand, and fhortly friends them make : 
 
 II. 
 
 Or fuch as that celeftiall Pfalmift was, 
 
 That when the wicked feend his Lord tormented, 
 With heavenly notes, that did all other pas, 
 The outrage of his furious fit relented. 
 Such Muficke is wife words with time concented, 
 To moderate ftiffe minds, difpofd to flrive : 
 Such as that prudent Romane weil invented, 
 What time his people into partes did rive, 
 
 Them reconcyld againe, and to their homes did drive. 
 
 III. Such
 
 2,64 7^ e fourth Booke of Canto II. 
 
 III. 
 
 Such us'd wife Glance to that wrathfull knight, 
 
 To calme the tempeft of his troubled thought : 
 Yet Blandamour, with termes of foule defpight, 
 And Par id ell her fcornd, and fet at nought, 
 As old and crooked, and not good for ought. 
 Both they unwife, and wareleffe of the evill, 
 That by themfeives unto themfelves is wrought, 
 Through that falfe witch, and that foule aged drevill, 
 
 The one a feend, the other an incarnate devill. 
 
 IV. 
 
 With whom as they thus rode accompanide, 
 
 They were encountred of a luftie Knight, 
 That had a goodly Ladie by his fide, 
 To whom he made great dalliance and delight. 
 It was to weete the bold Sir Ferraugh hight, 
 He, that from Braggadochio whilome reft 
 The fnowy Fkr'wtell^ whofe beautie bright 
 Made him feeme happie for fo glorious theft ; 
 
 Yet was it in due triall but a wandrins weft. 
 
 V. 
 
 Which when as Blandamour, whofe fancie light 
 Was alwaies flitting, as the wavering wind, 
 After each beautie, that appeard in fight, 
 Beheld, eftfooncs it prickt his wanton mind, 
 With fling of lufl, that reafons eye did blind, 
 That to Sir Paridell thefe words he fent ; 
 Sir knight, why ride ye dumpifh thus behind, 
 Since fo good fortune doth to you prefent 
 
 So fay re a fpoyle, to make you joyous meriment ? 
 
 VI. But
 
 Canto II. The Faerie Queene. 265 
 
 vr. 
 
 But Paridell, that had too late a tryall 
 
 Of the bad iflue of his counfell vaine, 
 Lift not to hearke, but made this faire denyall ; 
 Laft turne was mine, well proved to my paine ; 
 This now be yours, God fend you better gaine. 
 Whofe fcoffed words he taking halfe in fcorne, 
 Fiercely forth prickt his fteed, as in difdaine, 
 Againfr. that Knight, ere he him well could torne; 
 
 By meanes whereof he hath him lightly overborne. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Who with the fudden ftroke aftonifht fore, 
 
 Upon the ground a while in ftomber lay ; 
 
 The whiles his love away the other bore, 
 
 And fhewing her, did Paridell upbray ; 
 
 Lo, fluggifh Knight, the vidlors happie pray : 
 
 So fortune friends the bold. Whom Paridell 
 
 Seeing fo faire indeede, as he did fay, 
 
 His hart with fecret envie gan to fwell, 
 And inly grudge at him, that he had fped fo well. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 NathlefTe proud man himfelfe the other deemed, 
 Having fo peere!efTe paragon ygot: 
 For fure the fayreft Florimell, him feemed, 
 To him was fallen for his happie lot, 
 Whofe like alive on earth he weened not : 
 Therefore he her did court, did ferve, did wooe, 
 With humbleft fuit, that he imagine mot, 
 And all things did devife, and all things dooe, 
 
 That might her love prepare, and liking win theretoo. 
 
 Vol. II. Mm IX. She
 
 266 7he fourth Booke of Canto II. 
 
 IX. 
 
 She, in regard thereof, him recompenft 
 
 With golden words, and goodly countenance, 
 And fuch fond favours iparingly difpenh 1 : 
 Sometimes him bleiling with a light eye-glance, 
 And coy lookes tempring with loofe dalliance ; 
 Sometimes eftranging him in flerner wife, 
 That having caft him in a foolim trance, 
 He feemed brought to bed in Paradife, 
 
 And prov'd himfelfe moll foole, in what he feem'd moft wife. 
 
 X. 
 
 So great a miilrefTe of her art me was, 
 
 And perfectly practiz'd in wo mans craft, 
 
 That though therein himfelfe he thought to pas,, 
 
 And by his falfe allurements wylie draft 
 
 Had thoufand women of their love beraft, 
 
 Yet now he was furpriz'd : for that falfe fpright^ 
 
 Which that fame witch had in this forme engraft, 
 
 Was fo expert in every fubtile flight, 
 
 That it could overreach the wifeft earthly wight. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Yet he to her did dayly fervice more, 
 
 And dayly more deceived was thereby; 
 
 Yet Paridell him envied therefore, 
 
 As feeming plaft in fole felicity : 
 
 So blind is luft, falfe colours to defcry. 
 
 But Ate foone difcovering his defire, 
 
 And find now fit opportunity 
 
 To flirre up ftrife, twixt love, and fpight, and ire, 
 Did privily put coles unto his fecret fire. 
 
 2 XII. By
 
 Canto II. 7 he Faerie Queene, 2,67 
 
 XII. 
 
 By fundry meanes thereto fhe prickt him forth, 
 
 Now with remembrance of thole fpightfull fpeaches. 
 Now with opinion of his owne more worth, 
 Now with recounting of like former breaches 
 Made in their friendmip, as that Hag him teaches : 
 And ever when his paflion is allayd, 
 She it revives, and new occafion reaches; 
 That on a time as they together way'd, 
 
 He made him open chalenge, and thus boldly fayd ; 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Too boaftfull Bland amour, too long I beare 
 
 The open wrongs, thou doeft me day by day: 
 
 Well know'ft thou, when we friendmip firft did fweare, 
 
 The covenant was, that every fpoyle or pray 
 
 Should equally be fhard betwixt us tway. 
 
 Where is my part then of this La^ie bright, 
 
 Whom to thyfelfe thou taken 1 quite away ? 
 
 Render therefore therein to me my right, 
 
 Or anfwere for thy wrong, as mail fail out in fight. 
 
 XiV. 
 Exceeding wroth thereat was Bland amour, 
 
 And gan this bitter anfwere to him make ; 
 
 Too foolifh Paridell, that fayrefh floure 
 
 Wouldft gather faine, and yet no paines would ft take: 
 
 But not fo eafie will I her forfake : 
 
 This hand her wonne, this hand mail her defend. 
 
 With that they gan their fhivering fpeares to (hake, 
 
 And deadly points at eithers breaft to bend, 
 Forgetfull each to have bene ever others frend. 
 
 Mm 2 XV. Their
 
 268 The fourth Booke of Canto II. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Their fine fteedes with fo untamed forfe 
 
 Did beare them both to fell avenges end, 
 That both their fpeares with pitilefTe remorfe, 
 Through fhield, and mayle, and haberjeon did wend, 
 And in their flefli a grieily paffage rend, 
 That with the furie of their owne affret, 
 Each other horle and man to ground did fend ; 
 Where lying (till a while, both did forget 
 
 The perilous prefent ftownd, in which their lives were fet. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 As when two warlike Brigand ines at lea, 
 
 With murdrous weapons arm'd to cruell fight, 
 
 Doe meete together on the watry lea, 
 
 They ftemme each other with fo fell defpight, 
 
 That with the fhocke of their owne heedlefle mighty 
 
 Their wooden ribs are fhaken nigh a fonder : 
 
 They, which from more behold the deadfull light 
 
 Of flaming fire, and heare the ordenance thonder> 
 
 Do greatly (land amaz'd at fuch unwonted wonder. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 At length they both upflarted in amaze, 
 As men awaked rafhly out.of dreme, 
 And round about themfelves a while did gaze, 
 Till feeing her, that Florimell did feme, 
 In doubt to whom fhe viclorie fhould deeme, 
 Therewith their dulled fprights they edgd anew, 
 And drawing both their fvvords with rage extreme, 
 Like two mad maftiffes each on other flew, 
 
 And fhields did fhare, and mailes did ram, and hejmes did hew. 
 
 XVIII. So
 
 Canto II. The Faerie Queene. 269 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 So furioufly each other did aflayle, 
 
 As if their foules they would attonce have rent 
 Out of their brefls, that ftreames of bloud did rayle 
 Adowne, as if their fprings of life were fpent ; 
 That all the ground with purple bloud was fprent, 
 And all their armours ftaynd with bloudie gore, 
 Yet fcarcely once to breath would they relent ; 
 So mortall was their malice, and fo fore, 
 
 Become of fayned friendfhip, which they vow'd afore. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 And that, which is for Ladies mofr. befitting, 
 
 To ftint ail ftrife, and fofler friendly peace, 
 
 Was from thofe Dames fo farre and fo unfitting, 
 
 As that in ftead of praying them furceafe, 
 
 They did much more their cruelty encreafe; 
 
 Bidding them fight for honour of their love, 
 
 And rather die then Ladies caufe releafe. 
 
 With which vaine termes fo much they did them move >; 
 
 That both refolv'd the laft extremities to prove. 
 
 XX. 
 
 There tfey, I weene, would fight until 1 this day, 
 
 Had not a Squire, even he the Squire of Dames, 
 By great adventure travelled that way; 
 Who feeing both bent to fo bloudy games, 
 And both of old well knowing by their names, 
 Drew nigh, to vveete the caufe of their debate : 
 And firft laide on thofe Ladies thoufj.nd blames, 
 That did not feeke t'appeafe their deadly hate, 
 
 But gazed on their harmes, not pittying their eflate. 
 
 XXI. And
 
 270 The fourth Booke of Canto II. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 And then thofe Knights he humbly did befeech, 
 
 To flay their hands, till he a while had fpoken : 
 
 Who lookt a little up at that his fpeech, 
 
 "Vet would not let their battell fo be broken, 
 
 Both greedie fiers on other to be wroken. 
 
 Yet he to them fo earneftly did call, 
 
 And them conjur'd by fame well knowen token, 
 
 That they at laft their wrothfull hands let fall, 
 
 Content to heare him Ipeake, and glad to reft withall. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Firft he defir'd their caufe of ftiife to fee : 
 
 They faid, it was for love of florimelL 
 
 Ah gentle knights, quoth he, how may that bee, 
 
 And fhe (o farre aftray, as none can tell ? 
 
 Fond Squire, full angry then fayd Paridtll, 
 
 Seeft not the Ladie there before thy face ? 
 
 He looked backe, and her advizing well, 
 
 Weend, as he faid, by that her outward grace, 
 That fayreft Florimell was prefent there in place. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Glad man was he to fee that joyous light, 
 For none alive but joy'd in Florimell; 
 And lowly to her lowting thus behight; 
 Fayreft of faire, that fairenefle doeft excell, 
 This happie day I have to grcete you well, 
 In which you fafe I fee, whom thoufand late 
 Mifdoubted loft through mifchiefe, that befell : 
 Long may you live in health and happie ftate. 
 
 She litle anfwer'd him, but lightly did aggrate. 
 
 XXIV. Then
 
 Canto IT. The Faerie Queetie. 271 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Then turning to thofe Knights, he gan a new ; 
 And you Sir Blandamoicr and Paridell, 
 That, for this Ladie prefent in your vew, 
 Have rays'd this cruell warre and outrage fell, 
 Certes me feeraes bene not advifed well, 
 But rather ought in friendfhip for her fake 
 To joyne your force, their forces to repell, 
 That ieeke perforce her from you both to take, 
 
 And of your gotten fpoyle their owne triumph to make. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Thereat Sir Blandamoicr with countenance fterne, 
 
 All full of wrath, thus fiercely him befpake ; 
 
 A read, thou Squire, that I the man may learne, 
 
 That dare fro me thinke Florimell to take. 
 
 Not one, quoth he, but many doe partake 
 
 Herein, as thus : Jt lately fo befell, 
 
 That Satyran a girdle did uptake, 
 
 Well knowne to appertaine to Florimell, 
 Which for her fake he wore, as him befeemed welL 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 But when as fhe herfelfe was loft and gone, 
 
 Full many knights, that loved her like deare, 
 Thereat did greatly grudge, that he alone 
 That loft faire Ladies ornament mould weare, 
 And gan therefore c ofe foio;ht to him to beare- 
 Which he to fnun, and ftop vile envies fting, 
 Hath lately caus'd to be prcclaim'd each where 
 A folemne feaft, with publike tumeying, 
 
 To which all knights with them their Ladies are to bring. 
 
 XXVIL And
 
 272 The fourth Booke of Canto IL 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 And of them all me, that is fayreft found, 
 
 Shall have that goUen girdle for reward, 
 
 And of thofe Knights who is mod flout on ground, 
 
 Shall to that faireft Ladie be prefard. 
 
 Since therefore ilie herfelfe is now your ward, 
 
 To you that ornament of hers pertaines, 
 
 Againft all thofe, that chalenge it to gard, 
 
 And fave her honour with your venrrous paines : 
 
 That £hall you win more glory, then ye here find gaines. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 When they the reafon of his words had 
 
 They gan abate the rancour of their 1 
 
 And with their honors and their loves rcguiJ, 
 
 The furious flames of malice to affwage. 
 
 Tho each to other did his faith engage, 
 
 Like faithful! friends thenceforth tojoyne in one 
 
 With all their force, and battell ftr sng to w.ige 
 
 Gainft all thofe knights, as their profeffed fone, 
 
 That chaleng'd ought in Florimell^ fave they alone. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 So well accorded forth they rode together 
 
 In friendly fort, that laired but a while; 
 
 And of all old diilikes they made faire weather, 
 
 Yet all was forg'd and fpred with golden foyle, 
 
 That under it hidde hate and hollow guyle. 
 
 Ne certes can that friendfhip long endure, 
 
 How ever gay and goodly be the ftyle, 
 
 That doth ill caufe or evill end enure: 
 For vertue is the band, that bindeth harts moft fiire. 
 
 XXX. Thus
 
 Canto II. The Faerie Queene. 273 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Thus as they marched all in clofe difguife 
 
 Of fayned love, they chaunft to overtake 
 Two knights, that lincked rode in lovely wife, 
 As if they fecret counfels did partake; 
 And each not farre behinde him had his make, 
 To weete, two Ladies of moll: goodly hew, 
 That twixt themfelves did gentle purpofe make, 
 Unmindfull both of that difcordfull crew, 
 
 The which with fpeedie pace did afier them purfew. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Who, as they now approched nigh at hand, 
 
 Deeming them doughtie, as they did appeare, 
 They fent that Squire afore, to underftand, 
 What mote they be: who viewing them more neare 
 Returned readie newes, that thofe fame weare 
 Two of the proweft Knights in Faery lond ; 
 And thofe two Ladies their two lovers deare, 
 Couragious Cambell, and ftout Triamond, 
 
 With Ccutacee and Cambine linckt in lovely bond. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Whylome, as antique ftories tellen us, 
 
 Thofe two were foes the felloneft on ground, 
 And battell made the dreddefi daungerous, 
 That ever fhri'ling trumpet did refound; 
 Though now their a£ts be no where to be found, 
 As that renowned Poet them compyled, 
 With warlike numbers and Heroicke found, 
 Dan Chaucer, well of Englifh undefyled, 
 
 On Fames eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled. 
 
 Vol. II. N n XXXIII. But
 
 274 The fourth Booke of Canto II. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 But wicked Time, that all good thoughts doth wafte, 
 Arid workes of nobleft wits to nought out weare, 
 That famous moniment hath quite defafte, 
 And robd the world of threafure endlefle deare, 
 The which mote have enriched all us heare. 
 
 curfed Lid ! the cankerworme of writs, 
 How may thefe rimes, fo rude as doth appeare, 
 Hope to endure, fith workes of heavenly wits 
 
 Are quite devourd, and brought to nought by little bits? 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Then pardon, O moll facred happie fpirit, 
 That I thy labours loft may thus revive, 
 And fteale from thee the meede of thy due merit, 
 That none durft ever whileft thou waft alive, 
 And being dead in vaine yet many ftrive : 
 Ne dare I like, but through infuiion fvveete 
 Of thine owne fpirit, which doth in me furvive, 
 
 1 follow here the footing of thy feete, 
 That with thy meaning fo I may the rather meete. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Cambilloes lifter was fayre Canacee, 
 
 That was the learnedft Ladie in her dayes, 
 
 Well feene in everie fcience that mote bee, 
 
 And every fecret worke of natures wayes, 
 
 In wittie riddles, and in wife foothfayes, 
 
 In power of herbes, and tunes of beafts and burds ; 
 
 And, that augmented all her other prayfe, 
 
 She modeft was in all her deedes and words, 
 
 And wondrous chaft of life, yet lov'd of Knights and Lords. 
 
 s XXXVI. Full
 
 Canto II. The Faerie Queene. 17$ 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Full many Lords, and many Knights her loved, 
 Yet flic to none of them her liking lent, 
 Ne ever was with fond affection moved, 
 But rul'd her thoughts with goodly governement, 
 For dread of blame and honours blcmiflinunt J 
 And eke unto her lookes a law flic made, 
 That none of them once out of order went , 
 But like to warie Centoncls well Aayd, 
 
 Still watcht on every fide, of fecret foes aArayd. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 So much the more as fhc refufd to love, 
 
 So much the more flic loved was and (ought, 
 That oftentimes unquiet Arife did move 
 Amongfl: her lovers, and great quarrels wrought, 
 That oft for her in bloudie amies they fought. 
 Which whenas Cambett-> that was flout and wife, 
 Perceiv'd would breede great mifchicfe, he bethought 
 How to prevent the peril! that mote rile, 
 
 And turne both him and her to honour in this wife. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 One day, when all that troupe of warlike wooers 
 
 Affembled were, to weet whofe fhc (hou d bee, 
 All mightie men and dreadful 1 dcrring dooerf, 
 (The harder it to make them well agree) 
 Amongfl: them all this end he did decree; 
 That of them all, which love to her did make, 
 They by confent mould chofe the ftoutefl three, 
 That with himfelfe mould combat foi hei fake, 
 And of them all the victour mould in. fiftei take. 
 
 N n 2 XXXIX. Bold
 
 2j6 The fourth Booh of Canto II. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Bold was the chalenge, as himfelfe was bold, 
 And courage full of haughtie hardiment, 
 Approved oft in perils manifold, 
 Which he atchiev'd to his great ornament : 
 But yet his lifters {kill unto him lent 
 Moft confidence and hope of happie fpeed, 
 Conceived by a ring, which fhe him fent, 
 That mongft the manie vertues, which we reed, 
 
 Had power to ftaunch all wounds, that mortally did bleed, 
 
 XL, 
 
 Well was that ring's great vertue knowen to all, 
 
 That dread thereof, and his redoubted might; 
 Did all that youthly rout fo much appall, 
 That none of them durft undertake the fight; 
 More wife they weend to make of love delight, 
 Then life to hazard for faire Ladies looke ; 
 And yet uncertaine by fuch outward fight, 
 Though for her fake they all that perill tooke, 
 
 Whether fhe would them love, or in her liking brooke> 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Amongft thofe knights there were three brethren bold, 
 Three bolder brethren never were yborne, 
 Borne of one mother in one happie mold, 
 Borne at one burden in one happie morne ; 
 Thrife happie mo' her, and thrife happie morne, 
 That bore three fuch, three fuch not to be fond : 
 Her name was Agape ^ whofe children werne 
 All three as one, the firft hight Priamond, 
 
 The fecond Diamond^ the youngeft Triamond. 
 
 XLII. Stout
 
 Canto II. the Faerie Queene. 277 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Stout Priamond, but not fo ftrong to ftrike ; 
 
 Strong Diamond, but not fo ftout a knight ; 
 But Triamond was (lout and ftrong alike : 
 On horfebacke ufed Triamond to fight, 
 And Priamond on foote had more delight, 
 But horfe and foote knew Diamond to wield : 
 With curtaxe ufed Diamond to fmite, 
 And Trian.ond to handle fpeare and fhield, 
 
 But fpeare and curtaxe both ufd Priamond in field. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Thefe three did love each other dearely well, 
 And with fo firme aftedtion were allyde, 
 As if but one foule in them all did dwell, 
 Which did her powre into three parts divyde ; 
 Like three faire branches budding larre and wide, 
 That from one roote deriv'd their vitall fap : 
 And like that roote, that doth her life divide, 
 Their mother was, and had full bleffed hap, 
 
 Thefe three fo noble babes to bring forth at one clap. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Their mother was a Fay, and had the {kill 
 
 Of fecret things, and all the powres of nature, 
 Which fhe by art could ufe unto her will, 
 And to her ftrvice bind each living creature, 
 Through fecret underftanding of their feature. 
 Thereto fhe was right faire, when fo her face- 
 She lift difcover, and of goodly frature ; 
 But (lie, as Fayes are wont, in privie place 
 
 Did fpend her dayes, and iov'd in forefts wyld to fpace. 
 
 XLV. There
 
 278 fhe fourth Booke of Canto II. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 There on a day a noble youthly knight 
 
 Seeking adventures in the falvage wood, 
 
 Did by great fortune get of her the fight ; 
 
 As me fate carelelTe by a criftall flood, 
 
 Combing her golden lockes, as feemd her good : 
 
 And unawares upon her laying hold, 
 
 That ftrove in vaine him long to have withftood, 
 
 Oppreffed her, and there, as it is told, 
 
 Got thefe three lovely babes, that prov'd three champions bold. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Which (he with her long foftred in that wood, 
 
 Till that to ripenefle of man's flate they grew : 
 Then fhewing forth lignes of their fathers blood, 
 They loved armes, and knighthood did enfew, 
 Seeking adventures, where they anie knew. 
 Which when their mother faw, (he gan to dout 
 Their fafetie, leaft by fearching daungers new, 
 And ram provoking perils all about, 
 
 Their days mote be abridged through their courage flout. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Therefore derirous th' end of all their dayes 
 
 To know, and them t'enlarge with long extent, 
 By wondrous fkill, and many hidden wayes, 
 To the three fatall lifters houfe me went. 
 Farre under ground from tract of living went, 
 Dovvne in the bottome of the deepe Abyffe, 
 Where Dtmogorgon in dull darkenefle pent, 
 Farre from the view of Gods and heavens blis 
 
 The hideous Chaos keepes, their dreadfull dwelling is. 
 
 XLVIII. There
 
 Canto II. the Faerie Queene. 279 
 
 XLVin. 
 
 There fhe them found, all fitting round about 
 
 The direfull diftaffe ftanding in the mid, 
 
 And with unwearied fingers drawing out 
 
 The lines of life, from living knowledge hid. 
 
 Sad Clotho held the rocke, the whiles the thrid 
 
 By grief! y Lachejis was fpun with paine, 
 
 That cruell Atropos eftfoones undid, 
 
 With curfed knife cutting the twift in twaine : 
 Moft wretched men, whofe dayes depend on thrids fo vaine. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 She them faluting, there by them fate frill, 
 
 Beholding how the thrids of life they fpan ; 
 And when at laft fhe had beheld her fill, 
 Trembling in heart, and looking pale and wan, 
 Her caufe of comming fhe to tell began. 
 To whom fierce Atrop s, Bold Fay, that durft 
 Come fee the fecret of the life of man, 
 Well worthie thou to be of yove accurft, 
 
 And eke thy childrens thrids to be afunder burft. 
 
 L. 
 
 Whereat fhe fore affrayd, yet her befought 
 
 To graunt her boone, and rigour to abate, 
 
 That fhe might fee her childrens thrids forth brought, 
 
 And know the meafure of their utmoft date, 
 
 To them ordained by eternall fate. 
 
 Which Clotho graunting, fhewed her the fame; 
 
 That when fhe faw, it did her much amate, 
 
 To fee their thrids fo thin, as fpiders frame, 
 
 And eke fo fhort, that feemd their ends out fhortly came. 
 
 LI. She
 
 280 "the fourth Booke of Canto II. 
 
 LI. 
 
 She then began them humbly to intreate, 
 
 To draw them longer out, and better twine, 
 
 That fo their lives might be prolonged late. 
 
 But Lachefis thereat gan to repine, 
 
 And fayd, Fond dame, that deem'ft of things divine 
 
 As of humane, that they may altred bee, 
 
 And chaung'd at pleafure for thofe impes of thine. 
 
 Not fb ; for what the Fates do once decree, 
 
 Not all the gods can chaunge, nor Jove himfelf can free. 
 
 LII. 
 
 Then fince, quoth me, the terme of each man's life 
 For nought may lefTened nor enlarged bee, 
 Graunt this, that when ye fhred with fatall knife 
 His line, which is the eldeft of the three, 
 Which is of them the fhorteft, as I fee, 
 Eftfoones his life may paile into the next ; 
 And when the next mail likewife ended bee, 
 That both their lives may likewife be annext 
 
 Unto the third, that his may fo be trebly wext. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 They graunted it; and then that carefull Fay 
 Departed thence with full contented mynd ; 
 And comming home, in warlike frem aray 
 Them found all three according to their kynd : 
 But unto them what deftinie was aflynd, 
 Or how their lives were eekt, me did not tell ; 
 But evermore, when me fit time could fynd, 
 She warned them to tend their fafeties well, 
 
 And love each other deare, what ever them befell. 
 
 LIV. So
 
 Canto II. The Faerie Queene. 281 
 
 LIV. 
 
 So did they furely during all their dayes, 
 
 And never difcord did amongft them fall ; 
 
 Which much augmented all their other praife. 
 
 And now t'increafe affection natural], 
 
 In love of Canacee they joyned all : 
 
 Upon which ground this lame great battell grew, 
 
 Great matter growing of beginning fmall; 
 
 The which for length I will not here purfew, 
 
 But rather will referve it for a Canto new. 
 
 Vol. II. O o CANTO
 
 282 7he fourth Booke of Canto III. 
 
 CANTO III. 
 
 The battell twixt three brethren with 
 
 Cambell for Canacee. 
 Cambi?ia with true friendship's bond 
 
 Doth their long flrife agree. 
 
 I. 
 
 OWhy doe wretched men lb much dedre, 
 To draw their dayes unto the utmoft date, 
 And doe not rather wifli them foone expire, 
 Knowing the miferie of their eftate, 
 And thoufand perills, which them frill awate, 
 Toiling them like a boate amid the mayne, 
 That every houre they knocke at deathes gate ? 
 And he, that happie feemes and leaft in payne> 
 Yet is as nigh his end, as he that moft doth playne. 
 
 II. 
 
 Therefore this Fay I hold but fond and vaine, 
 The which in feeking for her children three 
 Long life, thereby did more prolong their paine. 
 Yet whileft they lived, none did ever fee 
 More happie creatures, then they feem'd to bee, 
 Nor more ennobled for their courteiie, 
 That made them dearely lov'd of each degree; 
 Ne more renowmed for their chevalrie, 
 
 That made them dreaded much of all men farre and nie. 
 
 III. Thefe
 
 Canto III. The Faerie Queene. 283 
 
 III. 
 
 Thefe three that hardie chalenge tooke in hand, 
 For Canacee with Ca?nbell for to right : 
 The day was fet, that all might underftand, 
 And pledges pawnd the fame to keepe a right. 
 That day, the dreddeft day, that living wight 
 Did ever fee upon this world to mine, 
 So foone as heavens window fhevved light, 
 Thefe warlike Champions, all in armour ihine, 
 
 Affembled were in field, the chalenge to define. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The field with liftes was all about enclos'd, 
 
 To barre the preafe of people farre away ; 
 
 And at th' one fide fixe judges were dispos'd, 
 
 To view and deeme the deedes of armes that day ; 
 
 And on the other fide, in frefh aray, 
 
 Fayre Canacee upon a ftately ft age 
 
 Was fet, to fee the fortune of that fray, 
 
 And to be feene, as his moft worthie wage, 
 
 That could her purchafe with his lives adventur'd gage. 
 
 V. 
 
 Then entred Cambell firffc into the lift, 
 
 With ftately fteps, and fearelefie countenance, 
 
 As if the conqueft his he furely wift. 
 
 Soone after did the brethren three advance, 
 
 In brave aray and goodly amenance, 
 
 With fcutchins gilt, and banners broad difplayd; 
 
 And marching thrife in warlike ordinance, 
 
 Thrife lowted lowly to the noble Mayd, 
 The whiles fhril trompets and loud c'arions fweetly playd. 
 
 O o 2 VI. Which
 
 284 l^e fourth Eooke of Canto III. 
 
 VI. 
 
 Which doen the doughty chalenger came forth, 
 
 All arm'd to point his chalenge to abet : 
 
 Gainft whom Sir Priamond with equall worth, 
 
 And equali armes himfelfe did forward fet. 
 
 A trompet blew ; they both together met, 
 
 With dreadfull force, and furious intent, 
 
 Careleffe of perill in their fiers affret, 
 
 As if that life to lofle they had forelent, 
 And cared not to fpare, that mould be fhortly fpent. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Right practicke was Sir Priamoiid in fight, 
 
 And throughly fkild in ufe of fhield and fpeare ; 
 Ne leffe approved was Cambelloes might, 
 Ne leffe his fkill in weapons did appeare, 
 That hard it was to weene which harder were. 
 Full many mightie ftrokes on either fide 
 Were fent, that feemed death in them to beare, 
 But they were both fo watchful! and well eyde, 
 
 That they avOyded were, and vainely by did flyde. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Yet one of many was 10 firongly bent 
 
 By Priamond, that with unluckie glaunce 
 Through Cambels moulder it unwarely went, 
 That forced him his fhield to difadvaunce. 
 Much was he grieved with that graceleffe chaunce, 
 Yet from the wound no drop of bloud there fell, 
 But wondrous paine, that did the more enhaunce 
 His haughtie courage to advengement fell : 
 
 Smart daunts not mighty harts, but makes them more to fwell. 
 
 IX. With
 
 Canto III. The Faerie Queene. 285 
 
 IX. 
 
 With that his poynant ipeare he fierce aventred, 
 
 With doubled force clofe underneath his fhield, 
 That through the mayles into his thigh it entred, 
 And there arreting, readie way did yield, 
 For bloud to gufh forth on the graflie field ; 
 That he for paine himfelfe n'ote right upreare, 
 But too and fro in great amazement reefd, 
 Like an old Oke, whole pith and fap is feare, 
 
 At puffe of every ftorme doth (tagger here and theare. 
 
 X. 
 
 Whom fo difmayd when Cambell had efpide, 
 
 Againe he drove at him with double might, 
 That nought mote ftay the fteele, till in his fide 
 The mortall point moft cruelly empight: 
 Where faft infixed, whileft he fought by flight 
 It forth to wreft, the HafTe afunder brake, 
 And left the head behind : with which defpight 
 He all enrag'd, his fhivering fpeare did fhake, 
 
 And charging him afrefh thus felly him befpake ; 
 
 XI. 
 
 Lo ! faitour, there thy meede unto thee take, 
 The meede of thy mifchalenge and abet : 
 Not for thine owne, but for thy fillers fake, 
 Have I thus long thy life unto thee let : 
 But to forbeare doth not forgive the det. 
 The wicked weapon heard his wrathfull vow, 
 And palling forth with furious affret, 
 Pierfl: through his bever quite into his brow, 
 
 That with the force it backward forced him to bow. 
 
 % XII. There-
 
 286 The fourth Booke of Canto III. 
 
 XII. 
 
 Therewith a funder in the midft it Draft, 
 
 And in his hand nought but the tronchecn left; 
 
 The other halfe behind yet flicking faft, 
 
 Out of his headpeece Cambell fiercely reft, 
 
 And with fuch furie backe at him it heft, 
 
 That making way unto his deareft life, 
 
 His weafand pipe it through his gorget cleft : 
 
 Thence ftreames of purple bloud iiTuing rife, 
 
 Let forth his wearie ghoft, and made an end of ftrife. 
 
 XIH. 
 
 His wearie ghoft, affoyld from flefhly band, 
 
 Did not, as others wont, directly fly 
 
 Unto her reft in Plutoes griefly land, 
 
 Ne into ayre did vanifh prcfently, 
 
 Ne chaunged was into a ftarre in fky : 
 
 But through traduction w r as eftfoones derived, 
 
 Like as his mother prayd the Deftinie, 
 
 Into his other brethren, that furvived, 
 In whom he liv'd a new, of former life deprived * 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Whom when on ground his brother next beheld, 
 
 Though fad and forie for fo heavy fight, 
 
 Yet leave unto his forrow did not yeeld ; 
 
 But rather ftird to vengeance and defpight, 
 
 1 hrough fecret feeling of his generous fpright, 
 
 Rufht fiercely forth, the battell to renew, 
 
 As in reverfion of his brothers right ; 
 
 And chalenging the Virgin as his dew. 
 His foe was foone addreft : the trompets frefhly blew. 
 
 XV. With
 
 Canto III. The Faerie Queene. 287 
 
 XV. 
 
 With that they both together fiercely met, 
 As if that each merit other to devoure ; 
 And with their axes both fo forely bet, 
 That neither plate nor mayle, whereas their powre 
 They felt, could once fuftaine the hideous ftowre, 
 But rived were like rotten wood a funder, 
 Whilefr. through their rifts the ruddie bloud did fhowre, 
 And fire did flafh, like lightning after thunder, 
 
 That fild the lookers on attonce with ruth and wonder. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 As when two Tygers, prickt with hunger's rage, 
 
 Have by good fortune found fome beafts frefli fpoyle, 
 On which they weene their famine to affwage, 
 And gaine a feaftfull guerdon of their toyle, 
 Both falling out doe ftirre up flrifefull broyle, 
 And cruell battell twixt themfelves doe make, 
 Whiles neither lets the other touch the foyle, 
 But either fdeignes with other to partake : 
 
 So cruelly thefe Knights ftrove for that Ladies fake. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Full many ftrokes, that mortally were ment, 
 
 The whiles were enterchaunged twixt them two ; 
 
 Yet they were all with fo good wariment 
 
 Or warded, or avoyded, and let goe, 
 
 That flill the life flood feareleffe of her foe : 
 
 Till DiatnGnd^ difdeigning long delay 
 
 Of doubtfull fortune wavering to and fro, 
 
 Refolv'd to end it one or other way ; 
 
 And heav'd his murdrous axe at him with mighty fway. 
 
 XVIII. The
 
 288 The fourth Booke of Canto III. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 The dreadfull ftroke, in cafe it had arrived, 
 
 Where it was ment, (fo deadly it was merit) 
 
 The foule had fure out of his bodie rived, 
 
 And (tinted all the ftrife incontinent. 
 
 But Camber* fate that fortune did prevent: 
 
 For feeing it at hand, he fwarv'd afyde, 
 
 And fo gave way unto his fell intent : 
 
 Who miffing of the marke, which he had eyde, 
 
 Was with the force nigh feld, whilft his right foot did ilyde. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 As when a Vulture greedie of his pray, 
 
 Through hunger long, that hart to him doth lend, 
 Strikes at an Heron with all his bodies fway, 
 That from his force feemes nought may it defend ; 
 The warie fowle, that fpies him toward bend 
 His dreadfull foufe, avoydes it fhunning light, 
 And maketh him his wing in vaine to fpend ; 
 That with the weight of his owne weeldlelle might, 
 
 He falleth nigh to ground, and fcarfe recovereth flight. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Which faire adventure when Ca?nbello fpide, 
 
 Full lightly, ere himfelfe he could recower 
 From daungers dread to ward his naked fide, 
 He can let drive at him with all his power, 
 And with his axe him fmote in evill hower, 
 That from his fhoulders quite his head he reft: 
 The headlelTe tronke, as heedlefle of that flower, 
 Stood ftill a while, and his fad footing kept, 
 
 Till feeling life to fayle, it fell, and deadly flept. 
 
 XX f. They
 
 Canto III. The Faerie Queetie. 289 
 
 XXI. 
 
 They, which that piteous fpeclacle beheld, 
 
 Were much amaz'd the headleffe tronke to fee 
 Stand up fo long, and weapon vaine to weld, 
 Unweeting of the Fates divine decree, 
 For lifes fucceilion in thofe brethren three. 
 For notwith (landing that one foule was reft, 
 Yet, had the bodie not difmembred bee, 
 It would have lived, and revived eft; 
 
 But rinding no fit feat, the lifelefTe corfe it left. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 It left ; but that fame foule, which therein dwelt, 
 Streight entring into T'riamond^ him fild 
 With double life, and griefe, which when he felt, 
 As one whofe inner parts had bene ythrild 
 With point of fteele, that clofe his hartbloud fpild, 
 He lightly lept out of his place of reft, 
 And milling forth into the emptie field, 
 Againft Camhdlo fiercely him addreft ; 
 
 Who him affronting, foone to fight was readie preft. 
 
 xxnr. 
 
 Well mote ye wonder, how that noble Knight, 
 After he had fo often wounded beene, 
 Could ftand on foot, now to renew the fight. 
 But had ye then him forth advauncing feene, 
 Some newborne wight ye would him furely weene: 
 So frefh he feemed and fo fierce in fight ; 
 Like as a fnake, whom wearie winters teene 
 Hath worne to nought, now feeling fjmmers might, 
 
 Caftj off his ragged fkin and frefhly doth him dight. 
 
 Vol. II. Pp XXIV. All 
 
 fc *
 
 290 The fourth Booke of Canto III. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 All was through vertue of the ring he wore, 
 
 The which not onely did not from him let 
 One drop of bloud to fall, but did reftore 
 His weakned powers, and dulled fpirits whet, 
 Through working of the ftone therein yfet. 
 Elfe how could one of equall might with moll, 
 Againfr. fo many no leffe mightie met, 
 Once thinke to match three fuch on equall coft, 
 
 Three fuch, as able were to match a puiffant hoft ? 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Yet nought thereof was Triamond adredde, 
 Ne defperate of glorious vi&orie, 
 But fharpely him arTayid, and fore beftedde, 
 With heapes of ftrokes, which he at him let flie, 
 As thicke as hayle forth poured from the fkie: 
 He flroke, he fouft, he foynd, he hewd, he lafrit,, 
 And did his yron brond fo faft applie, 
 That from the fame the flerie fparkles flamt, 
 
 As fair, as water-fprinkles gainft a rocke are daffit. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Much was Cambello daunted with his blowes, 
 So thicke they fell, and forcibly were fent, 
 That he was forft from daunger of the throwes 
 Backe to retire, and fomewhat to relent, 
 Till th' heat of his fierce furie he had fpent r 
 Which when for want of breath gan to abate, 
 He then afrefh with new encouragement 
 Did him aflayle, and mightily amate, 
 
 As faft as forward erft, now backward to retrate. 
 
 2 XXVII. Like
 
 Canto III. The Faerie Queene. 291 
 
 xxvn. 
 
 Like as the tide, that comes from th' Ocean mayne, 
 Flovves up the Shenan with contrarie forfe, 
 And overruling him in his owne rayne, 
 Drives backe the current of his kindly courfe, 
 And makes it feeme to have feme other fourfe : 
 But when the floud is fpent, then backe againe 
 His borrowed waters forft to redifbourfe, 
 He fends the fea his owne with double gaine, 
 
 And tribute eke withall, as to his Soveraine. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Thus did the battell varie to and fro, 
 
 With diverfe fortune doubtfull to be deemed: 
 Now this the better had, now had his fo ; 
 Then he halfe vanquifht, then the other feemed, 
 Yet vi&ors both themfelves alwayes efteemed. 
 And all the while the difentrayled blood 
 Adowne their fides like little rivers ftremed, 
 That with the wafting of his vitall flood, 
 
 Sir Triamond at laft full faint and feeble flood. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 But Cambell ftill more ftrong and greater grew, 
 
 Ne felt his blood to waft, ne powres emperifht, 
 Through that ring's vertue, that with vigour new, 
 Still when as he enfeebled was, him cherimt, 
 And all his wounds, and all his brufes guarifhr, 
 Like as a withered tree through hufbands toyle 
 Is often feene full frefhly to have florifht, 
 And fruitfull apples to have borne awhile, 
 
 As frefh as when it firft was planted in the foyle. 
 
 P p 2 XXX. Through
 
 292 The fourth Booke of Canto III. 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Through which advantage, in his flrength he rofe, 
 And fmote the other with fo wondrous might, 
 That through the feame, which did his hauberk clofe> 
 Into his throate and life it pierced quight, 
 That downe he fell as dead in all mens fight : 
 Yet dead he was not, yet he fure did die, 
 As all men do, that lofe the living fpright : 
 So did one foule out of his bodie flie 
 
 Unto her native home from mortall miferie. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 But nathelefle, whilfi: all the lookers on 
 
 Him dead behight, as he to all appeard, 
 
 All unawares he ftarted up anon, 
 
 As one that had out of a dreame bene reard, 
 
 And frefh affayld his foe y who halfe affeard 
 
 Of th' uncouth fight, as he fome ghofr, had leene, 
 
 Stood ftill amaz'd, holding his idle fweard ; 
 
 Till having often by him ftricken beene, 
 
 He forced was to ft r ike, and fave himfelfe from teene. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Yet from thenceforth more warily he fought, 
 As one in feare the Stygian gods t'ofrend, 
 Ne followd on fo faff,, but rather fought 
 Himfelfe to fave, and daunger to defend, 
 Then life and labour both in vaine to fpend. 
 Which 1'riamond perceiving, weened fure 
 He gan to faint, toward the battel's end, 
 And that he fhould not long on foote endure, 
 
 A ngne, which did to him the vi&orie allure. 
 
 XXXIII. Whereof
 
 Canto III. the T aerie Queene. 293 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Whereof full blith, eftfoones his mightie hand 
 
 He hea/d on high, in mind with that fame blow 
 To make an end of all that did withftand : 
 Which Cambe I feeing come, was nothing flow 
 Himfelfe to fave from that fo deadly throw ; 
 And at that inftant reaching forth his fvveard 
 Glofe underneath his fhield, that fcarce did mow, 
 Stroke him, as he his hand to ftrike upreard, 
 
 In th' arm pit full, that through both fides the wound appeard, 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Yet flill that direfull ftroke kept on his way, 
 And falling heavie on Cambelloes creft, 
 Strooke him fo huge y, that in fwowne he lay, 
 And in his head an hideous wound impreft : 
 And fure had it not happily found rtft 
 Upon the brim of his brode plated fhield, 
 It would have cleft his braine downe to his brefL 
 So both at once fell dead upon the field, 
 
 And each to other feemd the vidorie to yield. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Which when as all the lookers on beheld, 
 
 They weened fure the warre was at an end, 
 
 And judges rofe, and Marfhals of the field 
 
 Broke up the liftes, their armes away to rend ; 
 
 And Canacee gan wayle her deartft fiend. 
 
 All fuddenly they both upfhrted light, 
 
 The one out of the fwownd, which him did blend; 
 
 The other breathing now another fpright, 
 
 And fiercely each aflayiing, gan afrefh to fight. 
 
 XXXVI. Long
 
 294 'the fourth Booke of Canto III. 
 
 xxxvi. 
 
 Long while they then continued in that wize, 
 
 As if but then the battell had begonne : 
 
 Strokes, wounds, wards, weapons, all they did defpife, 
 
 Ne either car'd to ward, or perill fhonne, 
 
 Defirous both to have the battell donne ; 
 
 Ne either cared life to fave or fpill, 
 
 Ne which of them did winne, ne which were wonne. 
 
 So wearie both of fighting had their fill, 
 That life itfelfe feemd loathfome, and long fafetie ill. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Whilft thus the cafe in doubtfull ballance hong, 
 Unfure to whether fide it would incline, 
 And all mens eyes and hearts, which there among 
 Stood gazing, filled were with rufull tine, 
 And fecret feare, to fee their fatall fine, 
 All fuddeniy they heard a troublous noyes, 
 That feemd fome perilous tumult to define, 
 Confufd with womens cries, and fhouts of boyes, 
 
 Such as the troubled Theaters oftimes annoy es. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Thereat the Champions both ftood flill a {pace, 
 To weeten what that fudden clamour ment ; 
 Lo where they fpyde, with fpeedie whirling pace, 
 One in a charet of Itraunge furniment 
 Towards them driving like a ftorme out fent. 
 The charet decked was in wondrous wize, 
 With gold and many a gorgeous ornament, 
 After the Perfian Monarks antique guize, 
 
 Such as the maker felfe could beft by art devize. 
 
 XXXIX. And
 
 Canto III. the Faerie Queene. 295 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 And drawne it was, that wonder is to tell, 
 
 Of two grim lyons, taken from the wood, 
 
 In which their powre all others did excell ; 
 
 Now made forget their former cruell mood, 
 
 T'obey their riders heft, as feemed good. 
 
 And therein fate a Ladie palling faire 
 
 And bright, that feemed borne of Angels brood, 
 
 And with her beautie bountie did compare, 
 
 Whether of them in her fhould have the greater fhare. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Thereto fhe learned was in Magicke leare, 
 
 And all the artes, that fubtill wits difcover, 
 Having therein bene trained many a yeare, 
 And well inftrucled by the Fay her mother, 
 That in the fame fhe farre exceld all other. 
 Who underftanding by her mightie art 
 Of th'evill plight, in which her deareft brother 
 Now ftood, came forth in haft to take his part, 
 
 And pacifie the ftrife, which caufd fo deadly fmart. 
 
 XLI. * 
 
 And as fhe pafTed through th'unruly preace 
 
 Of people, thronging thicke her to behold, 
 JHer angrie teame breaking their bonds of peace, 
 Great heapes of them, like fheepe in narrow fold, 
 For haft did over-runne, in duft enrould, 
 That thorough rude confuiion of the rout, 
 Some fearing fhriekt, fome being harmed hould, 
 Some laught for fport, fome did for wonder fhout, 
 
 And fome, that would feeme wile, their wonder turnd to dour, 
 
 XLII. In
 
 zg6 The fourth Booke of Canto III. 
 
 XL1I. 
 
 In her right hand a rod of peace fhee bore, 
 
 About the which two Serpents vveren wound, 
 Entrayled mutually in lovely lore, 
 And by the tailes together firmely bound, 
 And both were with one olive garland crownd, 
 Like to the rod, which Maias fonnedoth wield, 
 Wherewith the helliflh fiends he doth confound. 
 And in her other hand a cup fhe hild, 
 
 The which was with Nepenthe to the brim upfild. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Nepenthe is a drinck of foverayne grace, 
 Devized by the Gods, for to afTvvage 
 Harts grief, and bitter gall away to chace, 
 Which flirs up anguifh and contentious rage: 
 Inftead thereof fweet peace and quiet age 
 It doth eftabLfh in the troubled mynd. 
 Few men, but fuch as fober are and fage, 
 Are by the Gods to drinck thereof afTynd ; 
 
 But fuch as drinck, eternall happinefle do fynd. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Such famous men, fuch worthies of the earth, 
 As Jove will have advaunced to the ilcie, 
 And there made gods, though borne of mortall berth, 
 For their high merits and great dignitie, 
 Are wont, before they may to heaven me, 
 To drincke hereof, whereby all cares forepart 
 Are wafht away quite from their memorie. 
 So did thofe olde Heroes hereof tafie, 
 
 Before that they in bliffe amongft the Gods were plafte. 
 
 XLV. Much 
 
 1
 
 Canto III. The Faerie Queene. 297 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Much more of price and of more gratious powre 
 Is this, then that fame water of Ardenne, 
 The which Rma/do drunck in happie howre, 
 Defcribed by that famous Tufcane penne : 
 For that had might to change the hearts of men 
 From love to hate, a change of evill choife : 
 But this doth hatred make in love to brenne, 
 And heavy heart with comfort doth rejoyce. 
 
 Who would not to this vertue rather yeeld his voice ? 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 At laft arriving by the liftes fide, 
 
 Shee with her rod did fbftly finite the raile, 
 Which ftaaight flew ope, and gave her way to ride, 
 Eftfoones out of her Coch £he gan availe, 
 And pacing fairely forth, did bid all haile, 
 Firft to her brother, whom (he loved deare, 
 That fo to fee him made her heart to quaile ; 
 And next to Cambell, whofe fad ruefull cheare 
 
 Made her to change her hew, and hidden love t'appeare. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 They lightly her requit (for fmall delight 
 
 They had as then her long to entertaine,) 
 
 And eft them turned both againe to fight: 
 
 Which when fhe faw, downe on the bloudy plaine 
 
 Herfelfe fhe threw, and teares gan fhed amaine ; 
 
 Amongft her teares immixing prayers meeke, 
 
 And with her prayers reafons to reftraine 
 
 From blouddy ftrife, and blelTed peace to feeke, 
 
 By all that unto them was deare, did them befeeke, 
 
 Vol. II. Q^q XLV1II, But
 
 298 7he fourth Booke of Canto HI. 
 
 XLViir. 
 
 But when as all might nought with them prevaile, 
 
 She fmote them light) y with her powrefull wand. 
 
 Then fuddenly, as if their hearts did faile, 
 
 Their wrathfull blades downe fell out of their hand, 
 
 And they like men aftonifht ftill did ftand. 
 
 Thus whileft their minds were doubtfully diftraught, 
 
 And mighty fpirites bound with mightier band, 
 
 Her golden cup to them for drinke fhe raught, 
 
 Whereof full glad for thirft, each drunk an harty draught. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Of which fo foone as they once tafted had, 
 Wonder it is that fudden change to feet 
 Inftead of ftrokes, each other killed glad, 
 And lovely haulft from feare of treafon free, 
 And plighted hands for ever friends to be. 
 When all men faw this fudden change of things, 
 So mortall foes (o friendly to agree, 
 For palling joy, which fo great marvaile brings, 
 
 They all gan fhout aloud, that all the heaven rings. 
 
 L. 
 
 All which when gentle Canacec beheld, 
 
 In haft fhe from her lofty-chaire defcended, 
 Too weet what fudden tidings was befeld : 
 Where when fhe faw that cruell war fo ended, 
 And deadly foes fo faithfully affrended, 
 Jn lovely wife fhe gan that Lady greet, 
 Which had fo great difmay fo well amended, 
 And entertaining her with curt'fies meet, 
 
 Profeft to her true fricndlhip and affection fweet, 
 
 LI. Thus
 
 Canto III. 'I he Faerie Queene. 299 
 
 LI. 
 
 Thus when they all accorded goodly were, 
 
 The trumpets founded, and they all arofc, 
 Thence to depart with glee and gladfome chere. 
 Thofe warlike champions both together chofe, 
 Homeward to march, themfelves there to repole^ 
 And wife Cambina taking by her fide, 
 Faire Canacee> as. frefh as morning rofe, 
 Unto her Coch remounting, home did ride, 
 
 Admir'd of all the people, and much glorifide. 
 
 or. 
 
 Where making joyous feaft theire daies they fpent 
 In perfect love, devoide of hatefull ftrife, 
 Allide with bands of mutull couplement ; 
 For Triamond had Canacea to wife, 
 With whom he ledd a long and happie life y. 
 And Cambel tooke Cambina to his fere, 
 The which as life were each to other liefs. 
 So all alike did love, and loved were, 
 
 That fince their days fuch lovers were not found elfwlierc, 
 
 Qj\ 2 CANTO
 
 -oo The fourth Booke of Canto IV. 
 
 CANTO IV. 
 
 Satyr am makes a Turneyment 
 
 For love of Florimell : 
 Britomart winnes the prize from al/, 
 
 And Artegall doth quell. 
 
 1. 
 
 IT often fals, (as here it earft befell) 
 That mortall foes doe turne to faithfull frends, 
 And friends profeft are chaungd to foemen fell : 
 The caufe of both, of both their minds depends. 
 And th' end of both like wife of both their ends. 
 For enmitie, that of no ill proceeds, 
 But of occaflon, with th' occaiion ends ; 
 And friend/hip, which a faint afTe&ion breeds 
 Without regard of good, dyes like ill grounded feeds. 
 
 II. 
 
 That well, me feems, appeares, by that of late 
 Twixt Cambell and Sir Triamond befell, 
 As elfe by this, that now a new debate 
 Stird up twixt Scudamour and Paridell^ 
 The which by courfe befals me here to tell : 
 Who having thofe two other Knights efpide 
 Marching afore, as ye remember well, 
 Sent forth their Squire to have them both defcride, 
 
 And eke thofe mafkcd Ladies riding them bcfide. 
 
 6 III. Who
 
 Canto IV. The Faerie Queene. 301 
 
 III. 
 
 Who backe returning, told, as he had feene, 
 
 That they were doughtie knights of dreaded name ; 
 And thofe two Ladies, their two loves unfeene ; 
 And therefore willit them without blot or blame, 
 To let them paffe at will, for dread of fhame. 
 But Blandamour full of vain-glorious fpright, 
 And rather ftird by his difcordfull Dame, 
 Upon them gladly would have prov'd his might, 
 
 But that he yet was fore of his late luckleffe fight. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Yet nigh approching, he them fowle befpake, 
 
 Difgracing them, himfelfe thereby to grace, 
 As was his wont, fo weening way to make 
 To Ladies love, where fo he came in place, 
 And with lewd termes their lovers to deface. 
 Whofe fharpe provokement them incenft fo fore, 
 That both were bent t'avenge his ufage bafe, 
 And gan their fhields addreffe themfelves afore : 
 
 For evill deedes may better then bad words be bore. 
 
 V. 
 
 But faire Cambina with perfwaiions myld 
 
 Did mitigate the fierceneffe of their mode, 
 That for the prefent they were reconcyld, 
 And gan to treate of deeds of amies abrode, 
 And flrange adventures, all the way they rode : 
 Amongft the which they told, as then befell, 
 Of that great turney, which was blazed brode, 
 For that rich girdle of faire Florimell, 
 
 The prize of her, which did in beaude raoft excelL 
 
 VI. To
 
 302 The fourth Booh of Canto IV. 
 
 VI. 
 
 To which folke-mote they all with one confent, 
 Sith each of them his Ladie had him by, 
 Whofe beau tie each of them thought excellent, 
 Agreed to travell, and their fortunes try. 
 So as they palled forth, they did efpy 
 One in bright amies, with ready fpeare in reft, 
 That toward them his courfe feem'd to apply, 
 Gainft whom Sir Paridell himfelfe add reft, 
 
 Him weening, ere he nigh approcht, to have reprefL 
 
 VII. 
 
 Which th'other feeing, gan his courfe relent, 
 
 And vaunted fpeare eftfoones to difadvaunce, 
 As if he naught but peace and pleafure ment, 
 Now falne into their fellowship by chance, 
 Whereat they fhewed curteous countenaunce.. 
 So as he rode with them accompanide, 
 His roving eie did on the Lady glaunce, 
 Which Bland amour had riding by his fide; 
 
 Whom hire he weehd, that he fomewhere tofore had eide. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 It was to weete that fnowy F/orime/Z, 
 
 Which Ferrau late from Braggadochlo wonne, 
 Whom he now feeing, her remembred well, 
 How having reft her from the witches fonne, 
 He foone her loft : wherefore he now begunne 
 To challenge her anew, as his ovvne prize,. 
 Whom formerly he had in battcll wonne, 
 And proffer made by force her to reprize; 
 
 Which fcornefull offer Bla?idamour gan foone defpize ; 
 
 IX. And
 
 Canto IV. The Faerie Queene. 30 
 
 IX. 
 
 And faid, Sir Knight, fith ye this Lady clame, 
 
 Whom he that hath, were loth to lofe fo light, 
 (For fo to lofe a Lady, were great ihame) 
 Yee fhall her winne, as I have done in fight : 
 And lo fhee mall be placed here in fight, 
 Together with this Has; befide her fet, 
 That who fo winnes her, may her have by right : 
 But he fhall have the Hag, that is ybet, 
 
 And with her always ride, till he another get. 
 
 X. 
 
 That offer pleafed all the company; 
 
 So Florimell with Ate forth was brought, 
 
 At which they all gan laugh full merrily : 
 
 But Braggadochio faid, he never thought 
 
 For fuch an Hag, that feemed worft then nought, 
 
 His perfon to emperill fo in fight. 
 
 But if to match that I ady they had fought 
 
 Another like, that were like faire and bright, 
 
 His life he then would fpend to juftifie his right. 
 
 XI. 
 
 At which his vaine excufe they all gan fmile, 
 
 As fcorning his unmanly cowardize: 
 
 And Florimell him fowly gan revile, 
 
 That for her fake refus'd to enterprize 
 
 The battell, ofTred in fo knightly wize. 
 
 And Ate eke provokt him privily, 
 
 With love of her, and fhame of fuch mefprize. 
 
 But naught he car'd for friend or enemy, 
 For in bafe mind nor friendfhip dwels nor enmity. 
 
 • 
 
 XII. But
 
 rt 
 
 04 7he fourth Eooke of Canto IV. 
 
 XII. 
 
 But Cambell thus did fhut up all in jeft, 
 
 Brave Knights and Ladies, certes ye doe wrong 
 To ftirre up ftrife, when moft us needeth reft, 
 That we may us referve both frefh and ftrong 
 Againft the Turneiment, which is not long. 
 When who fo lift to fight, may fight his fill ; 
 Till then your challenges ye may prolong ; 
 And then it fhall be tried, if ye will, 
 
 Whether fhall have the Hag, or hold the Lady ftill. 
 
 XIU. 
 
 They all agreed, fo turning all to game, 
 
 And pleafaunt bord, they paft forth on their way, 
 And all that while, where fo they rode or came, 
 That mafked Mock-knight was their fport and play. 
 Till that at length, upon th' appointed day, 
 Unto the place of turneyment they came ; 
 Where they before them found in frefh aray 
 Manie a brave knight, and manie a daintie dame 
 
 Affembled, for to get the honour of that game. 
 
 XIV. 
 There this faire crewe arriving, did divide 
 
 Themfelves afunder : Blandamour with thofe 
 
 Of his, on th' one ; the reft on th'other fide. 
 
 But boaftfull Braggadochio rather chofe, 
 
 For glorie vaine, their fellowfhip to lofe, 
 
 That men on him the more might gaze alone. 
 
 The reft themfelves in troupes did elfe difpofe, 
 
 Like as it feemed beft to every one ; 
 The knights in couples marcht, with ladies linckt attone. 
 
 XV. Then
 
 Canto IV. T^he Faerie Queene. 305 
 
 XV. 
 
 Then firft of all forth came Sir Satyrane, 
 Bearing that precious relicke in an arke 
 Of gold, that bad eyes might it not prophane : 
 Which drawing foftly forth out of the darke, 
 He open fhewd, that all men it mote marke. 
 A gorgeous girdle, curioufly emboff. 
 With pearle and precious ftone, worth many a marke; 
 Yet did the workmanfhip farre pafle the coft: 
 
 It was the fame, which lately Florimel had loft. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 That fame aloft he hong in open vew, 
 
 To be the prize of beautie and of might ; 
 The which eftfoones difcovered to it drew 
 The eyes of all, allur'd with clofe delight, 
 And hearts quite robbed with fo glorious fight, 
 That all men threw out vowes and wifnes vaine. 
 Thrife happie Ladie and thrife happie knight 
 Them feemd, that could fo good'y riches gaine, • 
 
 So worthie of the peril!, worthy of the paine. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Then tooke the bold Sir Satyrane in hand 
 
 An huge great fpeare, fuch as he wont to wield, 
 And vauncing forth from all the other band 
 Of knights, addreft his maiden-headed fhield, 
 Shewing himfelfe all ready for the field. 
 Gainft whom there fingled from the other fide 
 A Painim knight, that well in armes was fkild, 
 And had in many a battell oft bene tride, 
 
 Hight Bruncheval the bold, who fierlly forth did ride. 
 
 Vol. II. R r XVIII. So
 
 306 The fourth Booke of Canto IV. 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 So furioufly they both together met, 
 
 That neither could the others force fuftaine. 
 As two fierce buls, that ftrive the rule to get 
 Of all the heard, meete with fo hideous maine, 
 That both rebutted, tumble on the plaine : 
 So thefe two champions to the ground were feld, 
 Where in a maze they both did long remaine, 
 And in their hands their idle troncheons held, 
 
 Which neither able were to wag, or once to weld. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Which when the noble Ferramont efpide, 
 He pricked forth in ayd of Satyran ; 
 And him againfl Sir Blandamour did ride 
 With all the ftrength and ftifneiTe that he can. 
 But the more ftrong and ftiffely that he ran, 
 So much more forely to the ground he fell, 
 That on an heape were tumbled horfe and man. 
 Unto whofe refcue forth rode Paridcl/ ; 
 
 But him likewife with that fame fpeare he eke did quelL 
 
 XX 
 
 Which Braggadochio feeing, had no will 
 To haften greatly to his parties ayd, 
 A) bee his turne were next ; but flood there flill, 
 As one that feemed doubtfull or difmayd. 
 But Triamond halfe wroth to fee him ftaid, 
 Sternly ftept forth, and raught away his fpeare* 
 With which fo fore he Ferramont afTaid, 
 That horfe and man to ground he quite did beare, 
 
 That neither could in haft themfelves againe upreaie. 
 
 3 XXI. Which
 
 Canto IV. The Faerie Queene. 307 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Which to avenge, Sir Devon him did dighr, 
 But with no better fortune then the reft : 
 For him likewise he quickly downe did fmight; 
 And after him Sir Douvlas him addreft, 
 And after him Sir Palimord forth preft : 
 But none of them againft his ftrokes could (land, 
 But all the more, the more his praife increft, 
 For either they were left upon the land, 
 
 Or went away fore wounded of his hapleiTe hand. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 And now by this, Sir Satyr ane abraid, 
 
 Out of the fwowne, in which too long he lay ; 
 
 And looking round about, like one difmaid, 
 
 When as he faw the mercilefte affray, 
 
 Which doughty Triamond had wrought that day, 
 
 Unto the noble Knights of Maidenhead, 
 
 His mighty heart did almoft rend in tway, 
 
 For very gall, that rather wholly dead 
 
 Himfelfe he wiflit have beene, then in fo bad a ftead, 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Eftfoones he gan to gather up around 
 
 His weapons, which lay fcattered all abrode, 
 And as it fell, his fteed he ready found. 
 On whom remounting, fiercely forth he rode, 
 Like fparke of fire, that from the andvile glode. 
 There where he faw the valiant Triamond 
 Chafing, and laying on them heavy lode, 
 That none his force were able to withftond ; 
 
 So dreadfull were his ftrokes, fo deadly was his hond. 
 
 R r 2 XXIV. With
 
 308 The fourth Booke of Canto IV. 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 With that at him his beamlike fpeare he aimed, 
 
 And thereto all his power and might applide: 
 The wicked fteele for mifchiefe fir ft: ordained, 
 And having now mi fortune got for guide, 
 Staid not, till it arrived in his fide, 
 And therein made a very griefly wound, 
 That ftreames of bloud his armour all bedide. 
 Much was he daunted with that direfull ftaund, 
 
 That fcarfe he him upheld from falling in a found. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Yet as he micrht, himfelfe he foft withdrew 
 
 Out of the field, that none perceiv'd it plaine. 
 Then gan the part of Chalengers anew 
 To range the field, and victorlike to raine, 
 That none againfr. them battell durft maintaine. 
 By that the gloomy evening on them fell, 
 That forced them from fighting to refraine, 
 And trumpets found to ceafe did them compell : 
 
 So Satyrane that day was judg'd to beare the bell. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 The morrow next the Turney gan anew, 
 And with the firfl the hardy Satyrane 
 Appear'd in place, with all his noble crew, 
 On th' other fide, full many a warlike fwaine 
 Aflembled were, that glorious prize to gaine. 
 But mongfr. them all was not Sir Triamond y 
 Unable he new battell to darraine, 
 Through grievance of his late received wound, 
 
 That doubly did him grieve, when fo himfelfe he found. 
 
 XXVII. Which
 
 Canto IV. the faerie Queene. 309 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Which Cambell feeing, though he could not falve, 
 Ne done undoe, yet for to falve his name. 
 And purchafe honour in his friends behalve, 
 This goodly counterfefaunce he did frame. 
 The fhield and armes well knowne to be the fame, 
 Which Triamond had worne, unwares to wight, 
 And to his friend unwift, for doubt of blame, 
 If he mifdid, he on himfelfe did dight, 
 
 That none could him difcerne, and fo went forth to fight. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 There Satyr ane Lord of the field he found, 
 
 Triumphing in great joy and jolity ; 
 
 Gainft whom none able was to ftand on ground; 
 
 That much he gan his glorie to envy, 
 
 And caft t'avenge his friends indignity. 
 
 A mightie fpeare eftfoones at him he bent ; 
 
 Who feeing him come on fo furiouily, 
 
 Met him mid-way with equall hardiment, 
 That forcibly to ground they both together went. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 They up againe themfelves can lightly reare, 
 
 And to their tryed fwords themfelves betake ; 
 
 With which they wrought fuch wondrous marvels there* 
 
 That all the reft it did amazed make, 
 
 Ne any dar'd their perill to partake ; 
 
 Now cuffling clofe, now chacing to and fro, 
 
 Now hurtling round advantage for to take : 
 
 As two wild boares together grapling go, 
 Chaufing and foming choler each againft his fo. 
 
 XXX. So
 
 3 1 o 1 he fourth Eooke of Canto IV- 
 
 XXX. 
 
 So as they courft, and turneyd here and theare, 
 It chaunft Sir Satyrane his fteed at laft, 
 Whether through foundring, or through fodein feare, 
 To (tumble, that his rider nigh he caft ; 
 Which vauntage Cambell did purfue fo faft, 
 That ere himfelfe he had recovered well, 
 So fore he fowft him on the compaft creaft, 
 That forced him to leave his loftie fell, 
 
 And rudely tumbling dovvne under his horfe feete fejl. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Lightly Cambello leapt downe from his fleed, 
 
 For to have rent his fhield and armes away, 
 
 That whylome wont to be the victors meed ; 
 
 When all unwares he felt an hideous fway 
 
 Of many fwords, that lode on him did lay. 
 
 An hundred knights had him enclofed round, 
 
 To refcue Satyrane out of his pray ; 
 
 All which at once huge ftrokes on him did pound, 
 
 In hope to take him prifoner, where he flood on ground. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 He with their multitude was nought difmayd, 
 
 But with flout courage turnd upon them all, 
 And with his brondiron round about him layd ; 
 Of which he dealt large almes, as did befall : 
 Like as a Lion, that by chaunce doth fall 
 Into the hunters toile, doth rage and rore, 
 In royall heart difdaining to be thrall. 
 Eut all in vaine : for what might one do more ? 
 
 They have him taken captive, though it grieve him fore. 
 
 XXXIII. Whereof
 
 Canto IV. the Faerie Queene. 311 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Whereof when newes to Triamond was brought, 
 There as he lay, his wound he foone forgot, 
 And ftarting up, ftreight for his armour fought: 
 In vaine he fought ; for there he found it not \ 
 Cambello it away before had got : 
 Cambelloes amies therefore he on him threw, 
 And lightly iffewd forth to take his lot. 
 There he in troupe found all that warlike crew, 
 
 Leading his friend away, full lone to his vew. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Into the thickeft of that knightly preafTe 
 
 He thruft, and fmote downe all that was betweene, 
 Caried with fervent zeale, ne did he ceaffe, 
 Till that he came, where he had Cambell feene, 
 Like captive thral two other Knights atweene : 
 There he amongft them crueil havocke makes, 
 That they, which lead him, foone enforced beene 
 To let him loofe, to fave their proper flakes, 
 
 Who being freed, from one a weapon fiercely takes. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 With that he drives at them with dreadlull might, 
 Both in remembrance of his friends late harme, 
 And in revengement of his owne defpight : 
 So both together give a new aliarme, 
 As if but now the battell wexed warme. 
 As when two greedy wolves doe breake by force 
 Into an heaid, farre from the hnlband farmc, 
 They fpoiie and ravine without all remorfe, 
 
 So did thele two through all the field their foes enforce. 
 
 XXXVI. Fiercely
 
 3 1 a The fourth Booh of Canto IV. 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Fiercely they follovvd on their bold emprize, 
 
 Till trumpets found did warne them all to reft ; 
 
 Then all with one confent did yeeld the prize 
 
 To Triamond and Cambell as the beft : 
 
 But Triamond to Cambell it releft, 
 
 And Cambell it to Triamond transferd ; 
 
 Each labouring t'advance the others geft, 
 
 And make his praife before his owne preferd : 
 So that the doome was to another day differd. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 The laft day came, when all thofe knightes againe 
 AfTembled were their deeds of armes to fhew. 
 Full many deedes that day were me wed plaine: 
 But Satyrane bove all the other crew 
 His wondrous worth declared in all mens view. 
 For from the flrft he to the laft endured, 
 And though fome while Fortune from him withdrew, 
 Yet evermore his honour he recured, 
 
 And with unwearied povvre his party ftill aftured. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Ne was there Knight, that ever thought of armes, 
 
 But that his utmoft proweile there made knowen, 
 That by their many wounds, and careleffe harmes, 
 By fhivered fpeares, and fwords all under ftrowen, 
 By fcattered fhields was eafte to be fhowen. 
 There might ye fee loofe Heeds at randon ronne, 
 Whofe luckdeffe riders late were overthrowen ; 
 And fquiers make haft to helpe their Lords fordonne, 
 
 But ftill the Knights of Maidenhead the better wonne. 
 
 XXXIX. Till
 
 Canto IV. 'Ihe Faerie Queene. 313 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Till that there entred on the other fide 
 
 A ftraunger knight, from whence no man could reed. 
 
 In queynt difguife, full hard to be defcride. 
 
 For all his armour was like falvage weed, 
 
 With woody moiTe bedight, and all his fteed 
 
 With oaken leaves attrapt, that feemed fit 
 
 For falvage wight, and thereto well agreed 
 
 His word, which on his ragged fhield was writ, 
 
 Sahagejfe fans fineffe^ mewing fecret wit. 
 
 XL. 
 
 He, at his firft incomming, charg'd his fpere 
 
 At him, that firft appeared in his fight ; 
 
 That was to weet, the ft out Sir Sangliere, 
 
 Who well was knowen to be a valiant Knight, 
 
 Approved oft in many a perlous fight. 
 
 Him at the firft encounter downe he fmote, 
 
 And overbore beyond his crouper quight, 
 
 And after him another Knight, that hote 
 Sir Brianor, fo fore, that none him life behote. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 Then ere his hand he reard, he overthrew 
 
 Seven Knights, one after other as they came: 
 
 And when his fpeare was bruft, his fword he drew, 
 
 The inftrument of wrath, and with the fame 
 
 Far'd like a lyon in his bloudie game, 
 
 Hewing, and flafhing fhields, and helmets bright, 
 
 And beating downe, what ever nigh him came, 
 
 That every one gan friun his dreadfull fight, 
 
 No leffe then death itfelfe, in daungerous affright. 
 
 Vol. II. S f XLII. Much
 
 314 Iht fourth Eooke of Canto V. 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Much wondred all men, what, or whence he came, 
 That did amongfl: the troupes fo tyrannize ; 
 And each of other gan inquire his name. 
 But when they could not learne it by no wize, 
 Mod anfvverable to his wyld difguize 
 It feemed, him to terme the falvage knight. 
 But certes his right name was otherwize, 
 Though knowne to few, that Anhegall he hight, 
 
 The doughtieft knight, that liv'd that day, and mod of might. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Thus was Sir Satyrane with all his band 
 
 By his fole manhood and achievement flout 
 
 Difmayd, that none of them in field durft ftand, 
 
 But beaten were, and chafed all about. 
 
 So he continued all that day throughout, 
 
 Till evening, that the Sunne gan downward bend :: 
 
 Then rufhed forth out of the thickeft rout 
 
 A ftranger knight, that did his glorie fhend : 
 
 So nought may be efteemed happie till the. end. 
 
 XL1V. 
 
 He at his entrance charg'd his powrefull fpeare 
 At Artegall, in middeft of his pryde, 
 And therewith fmote him on his umbriere 
 So fore, that tombling backe, he downe did flyde 
 Over his horfes taile above a ftryde ; 
 Whence litle luft he had to rife againe. 
 Which Cambzll feeing, much the fame envyde, 
 And ran at him with all his might and maine ; 
 
 But fhortly was likewife feene lying on the plaine. 
 
 2 XLV. Whereat
 
 Canto V. fhe Faerie Queene. 31? 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Whereat full inly wroth was Triamond, 
 
 And caft t'avenge the fhame doen to his freend; 
 But by his friend himfelfe eke foone he fond, 
 In no lehe neede of helpe, then him he weend. 
 All which when Blandamour from end to end 
 Beheld, he woxe therewith difpleafed fore, 
 And thought in mind it fhortly to amend : 
 His fpeare he feutred, and at him it bore ; 
 
 But with no better fortune, then the reft afore. 
 
 XLVL 
 
 Full many others at him likewife ran : 
 
 But all of them likewife difmounted were, 
 Ne certes wonder ; for no powre of man 
 Could bide the force of that enchaunted fpeare, 
 The which this famous Btit07nart did beare; 
 With which fhe wondrous deeds of arms atchieved, 
 And overthrew, whatever came her neare, 
 That all thofe ftranger knights full fore agrieved, 
 
 And that late weaker band of chalengers relieved. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Like as in fommers day, when raging heat 
 
 Doth burne the v earth, and boyled rivers drie, 
 
 That all brute beafts, forft to refraine from meat, 
 
 Doe hunt for made, where fhrowded they may lie, 
 
 And milling it, faine from themfelves to flie ; 
 
 All travellers tormented are with paine ; 
 
 A watry cloud doth overcaft the fkie, 
 
 And poureth forth a hidden fhoure of raine, 
 
 That all the wretched world recomforteth againe. 
 
 S f 2 XLVI1L So
 
 3 1 6 *fhe fourth Booke of Canto IV. 
 
 XL VIII. 
 
 So did the warlike Britomart reftore 
 
 The prize to knights of Maydenhead that day, 
 
 Which elfe was like to have bene loft, and bore 
 
 The prayfe of prowefle from them all away. 
 
 Then fhrilling trompets loudly gan to bray, 
 
 And bad them leave their labours and long toyle, 
 
 To joyous feaft and other gentle play, 
 
 Where beauties prize mold win that pretious fpoyle: 
 
 Where I with found of trompe will alfo reft a whyle. 
 
 CANTO
 
 Canto V. fhe Faerie Queerie. 317 
 
 CANTO V. 
 
 The Ladies for the girdle Jlrive 
 
 Of famous Florimell : 
 Scudamour comming to Care's houje, 
 
 Doth jleepe from him expell. 
 
 1. 
 
 IT hath bene through all ages ever feene, 
 That with the praife of armes and chevalrie 
 The prize of beautie ftill hath joyned beene ; 
 And that for reafons fpeciall privitie : 
 For either doth on other much relie. 
 For he me feemes moft fit the faire to ferve, 
 That can her belt, defend from villenie ; 
 And fhe moft fit his fervice doth defer ve, 
 That faireft is, and from her faith will never fwerve. 
 
 II. 
 
 So fitly now here commeth next in place, 
 
 After the proofe of proweffe ended well, 
 
 The controverfe of beauties foveraine grace ; 
 
 In which to her, that doth the moft excel!, 
 
 Shall fall the girdle of faire Florimell ; 
 
 That many wifti to win for glorie vaine, 
 nd not for vertuous ufe, which fome doe tell 
 
 That glorious belt did in itfelfe containe, 
 Which Ladies ought to love, and feekc for to obtaine,. 
 
 III. That
 
 3 1 8 7he fourth Booke of Canto IV. 
 
 HI. 
 
 That girdle gave the vertue of chaft love, 
 
 And wivehood true, to all that did it beare ; 
 But whofoever contrarie doth prove, 
 Might not the fame about her middle weare, 
 But it would loofe, or elfe afunder teare. 
 Whilome it was, as Faeries wont report, 
 Dame Venus girdle, by her fteemed deare, 
 What time fhe ufd to live in wively fort ; 
 
 But layd afide, when fo fhe ufd her loofer fport. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Her hufband Vulcan whylome for her fake, 
 
 When iirft he loved her with heart entire, 
 This pretious ornament, they fay, did make, 
 And wrought in Lemno with unquenched fire : 
 And afterwards did for her loves iirft hire 
 Give it to her, for ever to remaine, 
 Therewith to bind lafcivious defire, 
 And loofe affections ftreightly to reftraine ; 
 
 Which vertue it for ever after did retaine. 
 
 V. 
 
 The fame one day, when fhe herfelfe difpofd 
 To vifite her beloved Paramoure, 
 The God of warre, fhe from her middle loofd, 
 And left behind her in her fecret bowre 
 On Acidalian mount, where many an howre 
 She with the pleafant Graces wont to play. 
 There Florimell in her firfr. ages flowre 
 Was foftered by thofe Graces^ as they fay, 
 
 And brought with her from thence that goodly belt away. 
 
 VI. That
 
 Canto IV. The Faerie Qi^eem. 3 1 
 
 VI. 
 
 That goodly belt was Ceftus hight by name, 
 And as her life by her efteemed deare. 
 No wonder then, if that to winne the fame 
 So many Ladies fought, as mall appeare ; 
 For pearelefTe fhe was thought, that did it beare. 
 And now by this their feaft all being ended, 
 The judges, which thereto felected were, 
 Into the Martian field adowne defcended, 
 
 To deemc this doutfull cafe, for which they all contended'. 
 
 VII. 
 
 But firft was queftion made, which of thbfe Knights,. 
 That lately turneyd, had the wager wonne : 
 There was it judged by thofe worthie wights, 
 That Satyrane the firft day beft had donne, 
 For he laft ended, having firft. begonne. 
 The fecond was to Triamond behight, 
 For that he fav'd the victour from fordonne: 
 For Cambell victour was in all mens fight, 
 
 Till by mifhap he in his foemens hand did light. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 The third dayes prize unto that ftraunger Knight, 
 
 Whom all men term'd Knight of the Hebene fpeare, 
 
 To Britotnart was given by good right \ 
 
 For that with puhTant ftroke fhe downe did beare 
 
 The Salvage Knight, that victour was whileare, 
 
 And all the reft, which had the beft afore, 
 
 And to the laft unconquer'd did appeare ; 
 
 F >r laft is deemed beft. To her therefore 
 
 The fayreft Ladie was adjudgd for Paramore. 
 
 IX. But
 
 a 20 7he fourth Booke of Canto V. 
 
 IX. 
 
 But thereat greatly grudged Arthegall^ 
 
 And much repynd, that both of victors meede, 
 
 And eke of honour me did him foreftall. 
 
 Yet mote he not withftand, what was decreede ; 
 
 But inly thought, of that defpightfull deede 
 
 Fit time t'awaite avenged for to bee. 
 
 This being ended thus, and all agreed, 
 
 Then next enfew'd the Paragon to fee 
 Of beauties praife, and yeeld the fayreft her due fee. 
 
 X. 
 Then fir ft Garnbelfa brought unto their view 
 
 His faire Cambina, covered with a veale ; 
 
 Which being once withdrawne, moft perfect hew 
 
 And palling beautie did eftfoones reveale, 
 
 That able was weake harts away to fteale. 
 
 Next did Sir Triamond unto their fight 
 
 The face of his deare Canacee unheale ; 
 
 Whofe beauties beame eftfoones did mine fo bright, 
 That daz'd the eyes of all, as with exceeding light. 
 
 XI. 
 
 And after her did Paridell produce 
 
 His falfe Duejfa, that me might be feene, 
 Who with her forged beautie did feduce 
 The hearts of fome, that faireft her did weene ; 
 As divers wits affected divers beene. 
 Then did Sir Ferramont unto them mew 
 His Lucida, that was full faire and fheene : 
 And after thefe an hundred Ladies moe 
 
 Appeard in place, the which each other did outgoe. 
 
 XII. All
 
 Canto V. The Faerie Queene. 321 
 
 XII. 
 
 All which who fo dare thinke for to enchace, 
 Him needeth fure a golden pen I weene, 
 To tell the feature of each goodly face. 
 For fince the day, that they created beene, 
 So many heavenly faces were not feene 
 AfTembled in one place : ne he, that thought 
 For Chian folke to pourtraicl: beauties Queene, 
 By view of all the faireft to him brought, 
 
 So many faire did fee, as here he might have fought. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 At lafl the moft redoubted Britonejfe 
 
 Her lovely A?noret did open mew ; 
 Whofe face difcovered plainely did exprefTe 
 The heavenly pourtraicl: of bright Angels hew. 
 Well weened all, which her that time did vew, 
 That fhe fhould furely beare the bell away, 
 Till Blandamour, who thought he had the trew 
 And very Florimell, did her difplay: 
 
 The fight of whom once feene did all the reft difmay. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 For all afore that feemed fayre and bright, 
 
 Now bafe and contemptible did appeare, 
 Compar'd to her, that fhone as Phebes light, 
 Amongft the lefler ftarres in evening cleare. 
 All, that her faw, with wonder ravifht weare, 
 And weend no mortall creature fhe mould bee, 
 But fome celeftiall fhape, that flefh did beare : 
 Yet all were glad there Florimell to fee ; 
 
 Yet thought that Florimell was not fo faire as fhee. 
 
 Vol. II. T t XV. As
 
 322 The fourth Eooke of Canto V. 
 
 XV. 
 
 As guilefull goldfmith, that by fecret fkill, 
 With golden foyle doth finely overfpred 
 Some bafer metall, which commend he will 
 Unto the vulgar for good gold infted, 
 He much more goodly glofle thereon doth flied, 
 To hide his falfhood, then if it were trew : 
 So hard, this Idole was to be ared, 
 That Florimell herfelfe in all mens vew 
 
 She feem'd to paffe : Co forged things do faireft fhew. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Then was that golden belt by doome of all 
 
 Graunted to her, as to the fayreft Dame. 
 
 Which being brought, about her middle fmall 
 
 They thought to gird, as beft it her became ^ 
 
 But by no meanes they could it thereto frame, 
 
 For ever as they faftned it, it loos'd 
 
 And fell away, as feeling fecret blame, 
 
 Full oft about her waft fhe it enclos'd ; 
 And it as oft was from about her waft difclos'd : 
 
 XVII. 
 
 That all men wondred at the uncouth fight, 
 
 And each one thought, as to their fancies came. 
 But flie herfelfe did thinke it doen for Ipight, 
 And touched was with fecret wrath and fhame 
 Therewith, as thing deviz'd her to defame. 
 Then many other Ladies likewife tride, 
 About their tender- loynes to knit the fame ; 
 But it would not on none of them abide, 
 
 But when they thought it faft, eftfoones it was untide. 
 
 XVIII. Which
 
 Canto V. The Faerie Queenc. 323 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Which when that fcornefull Squire of Dames did vew, 
 He lovvdly gan to laugh, and thus to jeft ; 
 Alas for pitie, that fo faire a crew, 
 As like can not be feene from Eaft to Weft, 
 Cannot find one this girdle to inveft. 
 Fie on the man, that did it firft invent, 
 To fhame us all with this, Ungirt unblefi. 
 Let never Ladie to his love aflent, 
 
 That hath this day fo many fo unmanly fhent. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Thereat all Knights gan laugh, and Ladies lowre, 
 
 Till that at laft the gentle Amoret 
 
 Likewile affayd, to prove that girdles powre, 
 
 And having it about her middle fet, 
 
 Did find it fit, withouten breach or let; 
 
 Whereat the reft gan greatly to envie : 
 
 But Florimell exceedingly did fret, 
 
 And fnatching from her hand halfe angrily 
 The belt againe, about her bodie gan it tie. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Yet nathemore would it her bodie fit ; 
 
 Yet nathelefle to her, as her dew right, 
 
 It yeelded was by them, that judged it ; 
 
 And i"he herfelfe adjudged to the Knight, 
 
 That bore the Hebene fpeare, as wonne in fight. 
 
 But Britomart would not thereto affent, 
 
 Ne her owne Amoret forgoe fo light 
 
 For that ftrange Dame, whofe beauties wonderment 
 She leffe efteem'd, then th' others vertuous government. 
 
 T t 2 . XXI, Whom
 
 324 The fourth Booke of Canto V. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Whom when the reft did fee her to refufe, 
 
 They were full glad, in hope themfelves to get her: 
 Yet at her choice they all did greatly mufe. 
 But after that the Judges did arret her 
 Unto the fecond beft, that lov'd her better; 
 That was the Salvage Knight : but he was gone 
 In great difpleafure, that he could not get her. 
 Then was fhe judged Triamond his one; 
 
 But triamond lov'd Ca?iacee, and other none. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Tho unto Satyr an fhe was adjudged, 
 
 Who was right glad to gaine fo goodly meed : 
 
 But Blandamour thereat full greatly grudged, 
 
 And litle prays'd his labours evill fpeed, 
 
 That for to winne the faddle, loft the fteed. 
 
 Ne lefte thereat did Paridell complaine, 
 
 And thought t'appeale from that, which was decreed,. 
 
 To fingle combat with Sir Satyrane. 
 
 Thereto him Ate ftird, new difcord to maintaine. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 And eke with thefe, full many other Knights 
 
 Siie through her wicked working did incenfe, 
 Her to demaund, and chalenge as their rights, 
 Deferved for their perils recompenfe. 
 Amoirft the reft with boaftfullvaine pretenfe 
 Stept Braggadbchio forth, and as his thrall 
 Her claym'd, by him in battell wonne long fens :. 
 Whereto herfclfe he did to witneffe call ; 
 
 Who bc'ng afkt, accordingly confefted all. 
 
 XXIV. Thereat
 
 Canto V. the Faerie Queetie. 325 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Thereat exceeding wroth was Satyr an ; 
 
 And wroth with Satyran was Blandamour ; 
 
 And wroth with Blandamour was Erivan ; 
 
 And at them both Sir Par id el I did lou re. 
 
 So all together ftird up ftrifull ftoure, 
 
 And readie were new battell to darraine. 
 
 Each one profeft to be her paramoure, 
 
 And vow'd with fpeare and fhield it to maintaine 1 
 Ne judges powre, ne reafons rule mote them reftraine. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Which troublous ftirre when Satyrane aviz'd, 
 He gan to caft how to appeafe the fame ; 
 And to accord them all, this meanes deviz'd r 
 Firft in the midft to fet that fayreft Dame, 
 To whom each once his chalenge mould difclame,. 
 And he himfelfe his right would eke releafle : 
 Then looke to whom me voluntarie came, 
 He mould without difturbance her pofleffe : 
 
 Sweete is the love, that comes alone with willingnerTe. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 They all agreed, and then that fnowy Mayd 
 Was in the middeft plaft among them all : 
 All on her gazing wifht, and vowd, and prayd., 
 And to the Queene of beautie clofe did call, 
 That {he unto their portion might befall. 
 Then when fhe long had looktupon e.:ch one, 
 As though fhe wifhed to have pleafd' them all, 
 At laft to Braggadochio felfe alone 
 
 She came of heF accord, in fpight of all his fone. 
 
 XXV1L Which.-.
 
 ,26 \lhe fourth Booke of Canto V. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Which when they all beheld they chaft and rag'd, 
 And woxe nigh mad for very harts defpight, 
 That from revenge their willes they fcarfe aflwag'd : 
 Some thought from him her to have reft by might; 
 Some proffer made with him for her to fight. 
 But he nought car'd for all that they could fay ; 
 For he their words as wind efteemed light. 
 Yet not fit place he thought it there to ftay, 
 
 But fecretly from thence that night her bore away. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 They which remaynd, fo foone as they perceiv'd, 
 
 That me was gone, departed thence with fpeed, 
 
 And follow'd them, in mind her to have reav'd 
 
 From wight unworthie of fo noble meed. 
 
 In which pourfuit how each one did fucceede, 
 
 Shall elfe be told in order, as it fell : 
 
 But now of Britomart it here doth neede, 
 
 The hard adventures and ftrange haps to tell; 
 
 Since with the reft me went not after FlorimeW 
 
 XXIX, 
 
 For foone as fhe them faw to difcord fet, 
 
 Her lift no longer in that place abide ; 
 
 But taking with her lovely Atttoret^ 
 
 Upon her firft adventure forth did ride, 
 
 To feeke her lov'd, making blind love her guide. 
 
 Unluckie Mayd to feeke her enemie ! 
 
 Unluckic Mayd to feeke him farre and wide, 
 
 Whom, when he was unto herfelfe moft nie, 
 She tlirough his late difguizement could him not defcrie ! 
 
 i XXX. So
 
 Canto V. the Faerie ^ueene. 3 27- 
 
 XXX. 
 
 So much the more her griefe, the more her toyle : 
 Yet neither toyle nor griefe fhe once did fpare, 
 In feeking him, that mould her paine afibyle ; 
 Whereto great comfort in her fad misfare 
 Was Amorety' companion of her care : 
 Who likewife fought her lover long mifwent, 
 The gentle Scudamour, whofe hart whileare 
 That ftryfull hag with gealous difcontent 
 
 Had fild, that he to fell revenge was fully bent; 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 Bent to revenge on blameleffe Britomart 
 
 The crime, which curfed Ate kindled earft v 
 
 The which like thornes did pricke her gealous hart,,- 
 
 And through his foule like poyfned arrow perfr, 
 
 That by no reafon it might be reverft, 
 
 For ought that Glauce could or doe or fay. 
 
 For aye the more that fhe the fame reherft, 
 
 The more it gauld, and griev'd him night and day, , 
 
 'That nought but dire revenge his anger mote defray. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 So as they travelled, the drouping night, 
 
 Covered with cloudie florme and bitter fhowre, , 
 That dreadfull fecmd to every living wight, 
 Upon them fell, before her timely howre ; 
 That forced them to feeke fome covert bowre, . 
 Where they might hide their heads in quiet reft, 
 And fhrowd their perfons from that ftormie ftowre.- 
 Not farre away, not meete for any guefl 
 
 They fpide a little cottage, like fome poorc man's neft. 
 
 XXXIII. Ui^
 
 328 The fourth Booke of Canto V. 
 
 xxxnr. 
 
 Under a fteepe halles fide it placed was, 
 
 There where the mouldred earth had cav'd the banke ; 
 And -fail befide a little brooke did pas 
 Of muddie water, that like puddle ftanke, 
 By which few crooked fallowes grew in ranker 
 Whereto approaching nigh, they heard the found 
 Or many yron hammers beating ranke, 
 And anfwering their wearie turnes around, 
 
 That feemed fome blackfmith dwelt in that defert ground. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 There entring in, they found the goodman felfe 
 Full bufily unto his worke ybent ; * 
 
 Who was to weet a wretched wearifh elfe, 
 With hollow eyes and rawbone cheekes forfpent, 
 As it he had in prifon long bene pent. 
 Full blacke and griefly did his face appeare, 
 Befmeard with fmoke, that nigh his eye-fight blent ; 
 With rugged beard, and hoarie fhagged heare, 
 
 1 he which he never wont to combe, or comely fheare. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Rude was his garment, and to rags all rent, 
 Ne better had he, ne for better cared : 
 With bliftred hands emongfl: the cinders brent, 
 And fingers filthie, with long nayles unpared, 
 Right fit to rend the food, on which he fared. 
 His name was Care ; a blackfmith by his trade, 
 That neither day nor night from working fpared. 
 But to fmall purpofe yron wedges made : 
 
 Thofe be unquiet thoughts, that carefull minds invade. 
 
 XXXVI. In
 
 Canto V. The Faerie Queene. 329 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 In which his worke he had fixe fervants preft, 
 About the andvile ftanding evermore, 
 With huge great hammers, that did never reft 
 From heaping ftroakes, which thereon foufed fore: 
 All fixe ftrong groomes, but one then other more ; 
 For by degrees they all were difagreed ; 
 So likewife did the hammers, which they bore, 
 Like belles in greatnefife orderly fucceed, 
 
 That he, which was the laft, the firft did farre exceede. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 He like a monftrous Gyant feem'd in fight, 
 
 Farre palling Bronteus^ or Pyracmon great, 
 The which in Lipari doe day and night 
 Frame thunderbolts for Jove's avengefull threate. 
 So dreadfully he did the andvile beat, 
 That feem'd to dun: he fhortly would it drive : 
 So huge his hammer, and fo fierce his heat, 
 That feem'd a rocke of Diamond it could rive, 
 
 And rend afunder quite, if he thereto lift ftrive. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Sir Scudamour there entring, much admired 
 
 The manner of their worke and wearie paine ; 
 
 And having long beheld, at laft enquired 
 
 The caufe and end thereof : but all in vaine ; 
 
 For they for nought would from their worke refraine, 
 
 Ne let his fpceches come unto their eare. 
 
 And eke the breathfull bellowes blew amaine, 
 
 Like to the Northren winde, that none could heare, 
 
 Thofe Pe7ififencjji did move; and Sighes the bellows weare. 
 
 Vol. II. U u XXXIX. Which
 
 33° The fourth Booke of Canto V. 
 
 xxxix. 
 
 Which when that warriour faw, he faid no more, 
 But in his armour !ayd him downe to reft : 
 To reft he layd him downe upon the flore, 
 (Whylome for ventrous Knights the bedding beft) 
 And thought his wearie limbs to have redreft. 
 And that old aged Dame, his faithfull Squire, 
 Her feeble joynts layd eke adowne to reft ; 
 That needed much her weake age to deftre, 
 
 After fo long a travell, which them both did tire. 
 
 XL. 
 
 There lay Sir Scudamour long while expecting, 
 
 When gentle fteepe his heavie eyes would clofe ; 
 Oft chaunging fides, and oft new place electing, 
 Where better feem'd he mote himfelfe repofe ; 
 And oft in wrath he thence againe uprofe ; 
 And oft in wrath he layd him downe againe. 
 But wherefoever he did himfelfe difpofe, 
 He by no meanes could wifhed eafe obtaine: 
 
 So every place feem'd painefull, and each changing vaine. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 And evermore, when he to fleepe did thinke, 
 The hammers found his* fenfes did moleft ; 
 And evermore, when he began to winke, 
 The bellowes noyfe diiturb'd his quiet reft, 
 Ne fuffred fleepe to fettle in his breft. 
 And all the night the dogs did barke and howle 
 About the houfe, at font of ftranger gueit: 
 And now the crowing Cocke, and now the Owle 
 
 Lowde /linking him afflicted to the very fowle. 
 
 2 XLIL And
 
 Canto V. The Faerie Queene. 331 
 
 XLII. 
 
 And if by fortune any little nap 
 
 Upon his heavie eye-lids chaunft to fall, 
 
 Eftfoones one of thofe villeins him did rap 
 
 Upon his headpeece with his yron mall ; 
 
 That he was foone awaked therewithall, 
 
 And lightly ftarted up as one afFrayd; 
 
 Or as if one him fuddenly did call. 
 
 So oftentimes he out of fleepe abrayd, 
 And then lay muiing long, on that him ill apayd. 
 
 XLIIL 
 
 So long he muzed, and fo long he lay, 
 
 That at the laft his wearie fprite oppreft 
 
 With fleihly weakneffe, which no creature may 
 
 Long time refift, gave place to kindly reft, 
 
 That all his fenfes did full foone arreft : 
 
 Yet in his foundeft fleepe, his dayly feare 
 
 His ydle braine gan bufily moleft, 
 
 And made him dreame thofe two difloyall were : 
 
 The things, that day moft minds, at night doe moft appearc, 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 With that, the wicked carle the maifter Smith 
 A paire of redwhot yron tongs did take 
 Out of the burning cinders, and therewith 
 Under his fide him nipt, that forll to wake, 
 He felt his hart for very paine to quake, 
 And ftarted up avenged for to be 
 On him, the which his quiet flomber brake : 
 Yet looking round about him none could fee; 
 
 Yet did the fmart remaine, though he himfelfe did flee. 
 
 U u 2 XLV. In
 
 3 3 2, 7& fourth Booh of Canto V. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 In fucli difquiet and hartfretting payne, 
 
 He all that night, that too long night, did paiTe. 
 
 And now the day out of the Ocean mayne 
 
 Begm to peepe above this earthly made, 
 
 With pearly dew fprinkling the morning graflej 
 
 Then up he rofe like heavie lumpe of lead, 
 
 That in his face, as in a looking glafle, 
 
 The flgnes of anguiili one mote plainely read, 
 
 And ghefle the man to be difmayd with gealous dread. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Unto his lofty fteede he clombe anone, 
 
 And forth upon his former voyage fared, 
 
 And with him eke that aged Squire attone ; 
 
 Who whatfoever perill was prepared, 
 
 Both equall paines and equall perill fhared .- 
 
 The end whereof and daungerous event 
 
 Shall for another canticle be {pared. 
 
 But here my wearie teeme nigh over fpent 
 
 Shall breath itfelfe awhile, after fo long a went.. 
 
 CANTO
 
 Canto VI, the Faerie Queene* 333 
 
 CANTO VI. 
 
 Bofk Scudamour and Arthegall 
 
 Due fight with Britomart : 
 He fie^s her face; doth fall in love, 
 
 And fioone from her depart.. 
 
 I. 
 
 HAT equal! torment to the griefe of mindj 
 And pyning anguifh hid in gentle hart, 
 That inly feeds itfelfe with thoughts unkind s 
 And nourifheth her owne conmming fmart ? 
 What medicine can any leache's art 
 Yeeld fuch a fore, that doth her grievance hide, 
 And will to none her maladie impart ? 
 Such was the wound, that Scudamour did gride j 
 For which Dan Pbebus felfe cannot a falve provide,. 
 
 II. 
 
 Who having left that reftlefie houfe of Care y 
 The next day, as he on his way did ride, 
 Full of melancholic and fad misfare, 
 Through mifconceipt, ail unawares efpide 
 An armed Knight under a forreft fide, 
 Sitting m /hade befide his grazing ftcede ; 
 "VI ho foone as them approaching he d deride, 
 Gan toward: them to pricke with eager fpeedc, 
 
 That feem'd he was full bent to fome mifchievous deede; 
 
 III. Which
 
 334 The fourth Booke of Canto Vi- 
 
 lli. 
 
 Which Scudamoar perceiving, forth ifTewed 
 
 To have rencountred him in equall race ; 
 But foone as th'other nigh approching, vewed 
 The armes he bore, his fpeare he gan abafe, 
 And voide his courfe: at which fo fuddain cafe 
 He wondred much. But th'other thus can fay; 
 Ah gentle Scudamour, unto your grace 
 I me fubmit, and you of pardon pray, 
 
 That almoft had againft you trefpaffed this day. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Whereto thus Scudamour, Small harme it were 
 For any knight, upon a ventrous knight 
 Without difpleafance for to prove his fpere. 
 But reade you, Sir, fith ye my name have hight, 
 What is your owne, that I mote you requite. 
 Certes, fayd he, ye mote as now excufe 
 Me from difcovering you my name aright : 
 For time yet ferves, that I the fame refufe ; 
 
 But call ye me the Salvage K?iight, as others ufe. 
 
 V. 
 
 Then this,, Sir Salvage Knight, quoth he, areede ; 
 
 Or doe you here within this forreft wonne ? 
 
 That feemeth well to anfwere to your weede, 
 
 Or have ye it for fome occafion donne ? 
 
 That rather feemes, lith knowen armes ye monne. 
 
 This other day, fayd he, a ftranger knight 
 
 Shame and dimonour hath unto me donne ; 
 
 On whom I waite to wreake that foule defpight, 
 Whenever he this way fhall paffe by day or night. 
 
 VI. Shame
 
 Canto VI. the Faerie Queene. 33 
 
 •a 
 
 VI. 
 
 Shame be his meede, quoth he, that meaneth fhame. 
 But what is he, by whom ye mamed were ? 
 A ftranger knight, fayd he, unknowne by name, 
 But knowne by fame, and by an Hebene fpeare, 
 With which he all, that met him, downe did beare. 
 He in an open Turney lately held, 
 From me the honour of that game did reare ; 
 And having me, all wearie earfr, downe feld. 
 
 The fayreft Ladie reft, and ever fince withheld, 
 
 VII. 
 
 When Scudamour heard mention of that fpeare, 
 He wift right well, that it was Britomart, 
 The which from him his faireft love did beare, 
 Tho gan he fwell in every inner part, 
 For fell defpight, and gnaw his gealous hart, 
 That thus he fharply fayd ; Now by my head, 
 Yet is not this the firft unknightly part, 
 Which that fame knight, whom by his launce I read, 
 
 Hath doen to noble knights, that many makes him dread, 
 
 VIII. 
 
 For lately he my love hath from me reft, 
 And eke defiled with foule villanie 
 The facred plege, which in his faith was left, 
 In fhame of knighthood and fidelitie ; 
 The which ere long full deare he mall abie. 
 And if to that avenge by you decreed 
 This hand may helpc, or fuccour ought fupplie, 
 It fhall not fayle, when fo ye (hall it need. 
 
 So both to wreake their vvrathej on Britomart agreed. 
 
 IX, Whiles
 
 336 T'he fourth Booke of Canto VI. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Whiles thus they communed, lo farre away 
 
 A Knight foft ryding towards them they fpyde, 
 
 Attyr'd in forraine amies and ftraunge aray : 
 
 Whom when they nigh approcht, they plaine defcryde 
 
 To be the fame, for whom they did abyde. 
 
 Sayd then Sir Scudamour-, Sir Salvage knight 
 
 Let me this crave, fith firft I was defyde, 
 
 That firft I may that wrong to him requite : 
 
 And if I hap to fayle, you fhall recure my right. 
 
 X. 
 
 Which being yeelded, he his threatfufl fpeare 
 
 Gan fewter, and againft her fiercely ran. 
 
 Who foone as ihe him faw approaching neare 
 
 With fo fell rage, herfelfe fhe lightly gan 
 
 To dight, to welcome him, well as fhe can: 
 
 But entertaind him in fo rude a wife, 
 
 That to the ground (he fmote both horfe and man ; 
 
 Whence neither greatly hafted to arife, 
 But on their common harmes together did devife. 
 
 XI. 
 
 But Artegall beholding his mifchaunce, 
 
 New' matter added to his former fire; 
 
 And eft aventring his fteeleheaded launce, 
 
 Againft her rode, full of defpiteous ire, 
 
 That nought but lpoyle and vengeance did require. 
 
 But to himfelfe his felonous intent 
 
 Returning, difappointed his defire, 
 
 Whiles unawares his fiddle he forwent, 
 And found himfelfe on ground in great amazement. 
 
 XII. Lightly
 
 Canto VI. 7he Faerie Queene* 337 
 
 XII. 
 
 Lightly he ftarted up out of that ftound, 
 
 And /hatching forth his direfull deadly blade. 
 
 Did leape to her, as doth an eger hound 
 
 Thruft to an Hynd within fome covert glade, 
 
 Whom without perill he cannot invade. 
 
 With fuch fell greedines he her afTayled, 
 
 That though fhe mounted were, yet he her made 
 
 To give him ground, (fo much his force prevayled) 
 
 And ftiun his mightie ftrokes, gainft which no armes avayled. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 So as they courfed here and there, it chaunft, 
 
 That in her wheeling round, behind her creft 
 So forely he her ftrooke, that thence it glaunft 
 Adowne her backe, the which it fairely bleft 
 From foule mifchance ; ne did it ever reft, 
 Till on her horfes hinder parts it fell ; 
 Where byting deepe, fo deadly it impreft, 
 That quite it chynd his backe behind the iell s 
 
 And to alight on foote her algates did compelL 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Like as the lightning brond from riven fkie, 
 
 Throwne out by angry Jove in his vengeance, 
 With dreadfull force falles on fome fteeple hie ; 
 Which battring, downe it on the church doth glance, 
 And teares it all with terrible mifchance. 
 Yet fhe no whit difmayd, her fteed forfooke, 
 And carting from her that enchaunted lance, 
 Unto her fword and fhield her foone betooke ; 
 
 And therewithall at him right furioufly fhe ftrooke. 
 
 Vol. II. X x XV. So
 
 33& Tfc fourth Booh of Canto VI. 
 
 XV. 
 
 So furioufly me ftrooke in her firft heat, 
 
 Whiles with long fight on foot he breathlefle was* 
 That me him forced backward to retreat, 
 And yeeld unto her weapon way to pas : 
 Whofe raging rigour neither fteele nor bras 
 Could ftay, but to the tender flefh it went, 
 And pour'd the purple bloud forth on the gras 5 
 That all his mayle yriv'd,, and plates yrent, 
 
 Shew'd. all his bodie bare unto the cruell dent. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 At length whenas he few her haftie heat 
 
 Abate, and panting breath begin to fayle, 
 
 He through long fufferance growing now more greats 
 
 Rofe in his ftrength, and gan her frefh aflayle, 
 
 Heaping huge ftrokes, as thicke as fhowre of hayle, 
 
 And laming dreadfully at every part, 
 
 As if he thought her fbule to difentrayle. 
 
 Ah cruell hand, and thrife more cruell hart, 
 
 That workft fuch wreke on her, to whom thou deareft art ! : 
 
 XVII. 
 
 What yron courage ever could endure, 
 
 To worke fuch outrage on fo faire a'creature ? 
 And in his madnefTe thinke with hands impure 
 To fpoyle fo goodly workmanmip of nature, 
 The maker felfe relembling in her feature ? 
 Certes fome hellifh furie, or fome feend 
 This mifchiefe framd, for their firft loves defeature.,. 
 To bath their hands in bloud of deareft freend, 
 
 Thereby to make their loves beginning their lives end. 
 
 XVIII. Thus
 
 Canto VI. The Faerie Queene, 339 
 
 xvur. 
 
 Thus long they trac'd, and traverft to and fro, 
 
 Sometimes purfewing, and fometimes purfewed, 
 
 Still as advantage they elpyde thereto : 
 
 But toward th' end Sir Arthegall renewed 
 
 His Strength Still more, but She Still more decrewed. 
 
 At laft his lucklefle hand he heav'd on hie, 
 
 Having his forces all in one accrewed, 
 
 And therewith Stroke at her So hideouSlie, 
 
 That feemed nought but death mote jje her deftinie. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 The wicked Stroke upon her helmet chaunSt, 
 
 And with the force, which in itfelfe it bore, 
 Her ventayle fhard away, and thenceforth glaunfl 
 Adowne in vaine, ne harm'd her any more. 
 With that her angels face, unfeene afore, 
 Like to the ruddie morne appeard in fight, 
 Deawed with Silver drops, through fvveating fore, 
 But fomewhat redder, then befeem'd aright, 
 
 Through toylefome heate and labour of her weary fight. 
 
 XX. 
 
 And round about the fame, her yellow heare 
 
 Having through ftirring loofd their wonted band-, 
 
 Like to a golden border did appeare, 
 
 Framed in goldfmithes forge with cunning hand ; 
 
 Yet goldfmithes cunning could not understand 
 
 To frame fuch fubtile wire, fo fhinie cleare ; 
 
 For it did glifter like the golden find, 
 
 The which PaSIo/us, with his waters mere, 
 
 Throwes forth upon the rivage round about him nere. 
 
 X x 2 XXI. And
 
 34o ¥he fourth Booh of Canto VI. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 And as his hand he up againe did reare, 
 
 Thinking to worke on her his utmoft vvracke, 
 His povvreieffc arme benumbed with fecret feare 
 From his revengefull purpofe fhronke abacke, 
 And cruell fword cut of his fingers flacke 
 Fell downe to ground, as if the fteele had fence, 
 And felt fome ruth, or fence his hand did lacke, 
 Or both of them did thinke, obedience 
 
 To doe to fo divine a beauties excellence. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 And he himfelfe long gazing thereupon, 
 
 At lad: fell humbly downe upon his knee, 
 And of his wonder made religion, 
 Weening fome heavenly goddefle he did feej 
 Or elfe unweeting, what it elfe might bee ; 
 And pardon her befought his errour frayle, 
 That had done outrage in fo high degree : 
 Whileft. trembling horrour did his fenfe anayle, 
 
 And made each member quake, and manly hart to quayle. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Nathleffe me full of wrath for that late ilroke, 
 
 All that long while upheld her wrathfull hand, 
 With fell intent, on him to bene ywroke, 
 And looking fterne, ffill over him did ftand, 
 Threatning to frrike, unlcfle he would withftand : 
 And bad him rife, or furely he mould die. 
 But die or live for nought he would upfland, 
 But her .of pardon prayd more earnefUie, 
 
 Or wrcake on him her will for fo great iniurie. 
 
 XXIV 7 . Which
 
 Canto VI. "the Faerie Queene. 34.1 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Which when as Scudamour, who now abrayd, 
 Beheld, whereas he flood not farre afide, 
 He was therewith right wondroufly difmayd, 
 And drawing nigh, when as he plaine defcride 
 That peereleffe paterne of Dame natures pride,. 
 And heavenly image of perfection, 
 He bleft himfelfe, as one fore terrifide, 
 And turning feare to faint devotion, 
 
 Did worfhip her as fome celeftiall vifion,. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 But G/auce, feeing all that chaunced there, 
 Well weeting how their errour to aflbyle, 
 Full glad of fo good end, to them drew nerc, 
 And her falewd with feemely bel-accoyle, 
 joyous to fee her fafe after long toyle. 
 Then her befought, as fhe to her was deare, 
 To graunt unto thofe warriours truce a whyle; 
 Which yeelded, they their bevers up did reare, 
 
 And fltew'd themfelves to her, fuch as indeed they were- 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 When Britomart with fharpe avizefull eye. 
 Beheld the lovely face of Artegall, 
 Tempred with fternefre and flout majeftie, 
 She gan eftfoones it to her mind to call, 
 To be the fame, which in her fathers hall 
 Long; fince in that enchaunted daiTe fhe faw. 
 Therewith her vvrathfull courage gan appall, 
 And haughtie fpirits meekely to adaW, 
 
 That her enhauncecL hand {he downs can foft withdraw, 
 
 XXVII.
 
 342. 7he fourth Booke of Canto VI. 
 
 XXVil. 
 
 Yet fhe it forft to have againe upheld, 
 
 As fayning choler, wliich was turn'd to cold : 
 
 But ever when his vifage fhe beheld, 
 
 Her hand fell downe, and would no longer hold 
 
 The wrathfull weapon gainft his countnance bold. 
 
 But when in vaine to fight fhe oft afTayd, 
 
 She arm'd her tongue, and thought at him to fcold ; 
 
 NathlefTe her tongue not to her will obayd, 
 
 But brought forth fpeeches my Id, when fhe would have mifTayd, 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 But Scadamoar now woxen inly glad, 
 
 That all his gealous feare he falfe had found, 
 
 And how that Hag his love abufed had 
 
 With breach of faith and loyaltie unfound, 
 
 The which long time his grieved hart did wound, 
 
 Her thus befpake ; Certes, Sir Artegall, 
 
 I joy to fee you lout fo low on ground, 
 
 And now become to live a Ladies thrall, 
 
 That whylome in your minde wont to defpife them all. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Soone as fhe heard the name of Artegall, 
 
 Her hart did leape, and all her hart-ftrings tremble, 
 
 For fudden joy, and fecret feare withall, 
 
 And all her vitall powres with motion nimble, 
 
 To fuccour it, themfelves gan there affemble, 
 
 That by the fwift recourfe of flufhing blood 
 
 Right plaine appeard, though fhe it would diflemble, 
 
 And fayned frill her former angry mood, 
 
 Thinking to hide the depth by troubling of the flood. 
 
 XXX, When
 
 Canto VI. The Faerie Quec.ie, 345 
 
 XXX. 
 
 When Glance thus gan wifely all upknit ; 
 
 Ye gentle Knights, whom fortune here hath brought', 
 To be fpedlators of this uncouth fit, 
 Which fecret fate hath in this Ladie wrought, 
 Againft the couife of kind, ne mervaile nought, 
 Ne thenceforth feare the thing, that hethertoo 
 Hath troubled both your mindes with idle thought, 
 Fearing leaft (he your loves away mould woo, 
 
 Feared in vaine, fith meanes ye fee there wants theretoo*. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 And you, Sir Artegall, the falvage knight 
 
 Henceforth may not difdaine, that womans hand 
 
 Hath conquered you anew in fecond fight : 
 
 For whylome they have conquerd fea and land, 
 
 And heaven itfelfe, that nought may them withstand ', 
 
 Ne henceforth be rebellious unto love, 
 
 That is the crowne of knighthood, and the band 
 
 Of noble minds derived from above, 
 
 Which being knit with vertue, never will remove. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 And you, faire Ladie knight, my dearefr. Dame, 
 Relent the rigour of your wrathfull will, 
 Whofe fire were better turn'd to other flame ;, 
 And wiping out remembrance of all ill, 
 Graunt him your grace, but fo that he fulfill 
 The penance, which ye fhall to him empart:: 
 For lovers heaven mud paffe by forrowes helh. 
 Thereat full inly biufhed Britomart ; 
 
 But Artegall clofe finyling joy'd in. fecret hart. 
 
 1 XXXIIL Y
 
 ^44 % ll° e fourth Booke of Canto VL 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Yet durft he not make love fo fuddenly, 
 
 Ne thinke th'affection of her hart to draw 
 
 From one to other fo quite contrary. 
 
 Befides her modeft countenance he favv 
 
 So goodly grave, and full of princely aw, 
 
 That it his ranging fancie did refraine, 
 
 And loofer thoughts to lawfull bounds withdraw; 
 
 Whereby the paffion grew more fierce and faine, 
 
 Like to a ftubborne fteede, whom ftrong hand would reftraine, 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 But Scudamour whofe hart twixt doubtfull feare 
 And feeble hope hung all this while fufpenfe, 
 Deflring of his Amoret to heare 
 Some gladfull newes and fure intelligence. 
 Her thus befpake ; But, Sir, without offence 
 Mote I requeft you tydings of my love, 
 My Amoret) fith you her freed from thence, 
 Where fhe captived long, great woes did prove ; 
 
 That where ye left, I may her feeke, as doth behove. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 To whom thus Britowart, Certes, Sir knight, 
 What 'is of her become, or whether reft, 
 I cannot unto you aread aright. 
 For from that time 1 from enchaunters theft 
 Her freed, in which ye her all hopelefTe left, 
 I her preferv'd from perill and from feare, 
 And evermore from villenie her kept: 
 Ne ever was there wight to me more deare 
 
 Then (he, ne unto whom I more true love did beare. 
 
 XXXVI. Til]
 
 Canto VI. The Faerie Queene. 345 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Till on a day as through a defert wyld 
 
 We travelled, both wearie of the way 
 
 We did alight, and fate in fhadow myld; 
 
 Where feareleffe I to fleepe me downe did lay. 
 
 But when as I did out of fleepe abray, 
 
 I found her not, where I her left whyleare, 
 
 But thought fhe wandred was, or gone aftray. 
 
 I call'd her loud, I fought her farre and neare ; 
 
 But no where could her find, nor tydings of her heare. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 When Scudamour thofe heavie tydings heard, 
 
 His hart was thrild with point of deadly feare ; 
 Ne in his face or bloud or life appeard, 
 But fenfelefle flood, like to a mazed fteare, 
 That yet of mortall ftroke the ftound doth beare. 
 Till Glauce thus ; Faire Sir, be nought difmayd 
 With needeleffe dread, till certaintte ye heare : 
 For yet fhe may be fafe though fomewhat ftrayd ; 
 
 Its belt to hope the befl, though of the worft afTrayd. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 Nathlefle he hardly of her chearefull fpeech 
 
 Did comfort take, or in his troubled fight 
 Shew'd change of better cheare : fo fore a breach 
 That fudden newes had made into his fpright; 
 Till Britomart him finely thus benight; 
 Great caufe of fbrrow certes, Sir, ye have: 
 But comfort take ; for by this heavens light 
 I vow, you deri r living not to leave, 
 
 Till I her find, and wreake on him, that her did reave. 
 
 Vol. II. Y y XXXIX. There-
 
 346 The fourth Booh of Canto VI. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Therewith he refted, and well pleafed was. 
 
 So peace being confirm' d amongft them all, 
 
 They tooke their fteeds, and forward thence did pa$ 
 
 Unto fome refting place, which mote befall, 
 
 All being guided by Sir Arte gall. 
 
 Where goodly folace was unto them made, 
 
 And dayly feafting both in bowre and hall, 
 
 Untill that they their wounds well healed had, 
 
 And wearie limmes recur'd after late ufage bad. 
 
 XL. 
 
 In all which time, Sir Artegall made way 
 Unto the love of noble Britomarty 
 And with meeke fervice and much fuit did. lay 
 Continuall fiege unto her gentle hart, 
 "Which being whylome launcht with lovely dart, 
 More eath was new impreffion to receive, 
 How ever me her paynd with womanifh art 
 To hide her wound, that none might it perceive z. 
 
 Vaine is the art, that feekes itfelfe for to deceive. 
 
 XLI. 
 
 So well he woo'd her, and. fo well he wrought her, 
 With faire entreatie and fweet blandifhment, 
 That at the length unto a bay he brought her> 
 So as fhe to his fpeeches was content 
 To lend an eare, and foftly to relent 
 At laft through many vowes, which forth he pour'd, 
 And many othes, fhe yeelded her confent 
 To be his love, and take him for her Lord, 
 
 Till they with marriage meet might finifli that accord. 
 
 % XLII. Tho
 
 Canto VI. The Faerie Queene. 347 
 
 XLII. 
 
 Tho when they had long time there taken reft, 
 Sir Artegall> who all this while was bound 
 Upon an hard adventure yet in queft, 
 Fit time for him thence to depart it found, 
 To follow that, which he did long propound ; 
 And unto her his congee came to take. 
 But her therewith full fore difpleafd he found, 
 And loth to leave her late betrothed make, 
 
 Her deareft love full loth fo fhortly to forfake. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Yet he with flrong perfwafions her affwaged, 
 And wonne her will to fufrer him depart; 
 For which his faith with her he faft engaged, 
 And thoufand vowes from bottome of his hart, 
 That all fo foone as he by wit or art 
 Could that atchieve, whereto he did afpire, 
 He unto her would fpeedily revert : 
 No longer {pace thereto he did defire, 
 
 But till the horned moone three courfes did expire. 
 
 XL1V. 
 
 With which me for the prefent was appeafed, 
 And yeelded leave, how ever malcontent 
 She inly were, and in her mind difpleaied. 
 So early in the morrow next he went 
 Forth on his way, to which he was ybent. 
 Ne wight him to attend, or way to guide, 
 As whylome was the cuftome ancient 
 Mongft Knights, when on adventures they did ride, 
 
 Save that fhe algates him a while accompanide. 
 
 Y y 2 XLV. And
 
 348 The fourth Booke of Canto VI. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 And by the way fhe fundry purpofe found 
 Of this or that, the time for to delay, 
 And of the perils, whereto he was bound, 
 The feare whereof feem'd much her to affray : 
 But all fhe did was but to weare out day. 
 Full oftentimes fhe leave of him did take ; 
 And eft againe devis'd fomewhat to fay, 
 Which fhe forgot, whereby excufe to make : 
 
 So loth fhe was his companie for to forfake. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 At laft when all her fpeeches fhe had fpent, 
 
 And new occafion fayld her more to find, 
 She left him to his fortunes government, 
 And backe returned with right heavie mind, 
 To Scudamour^ who fhe had left behind, 
 With whom fhe 'went to feeke faire Amoret^ 
 Her fecond care, though in another kind : 
 For vertues onely fake, which doth beget 
 
 True love and faithful friendship, fhe by her did fet» 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Backe to that deiert forreff. they retyred, 
 
 Where forie Britomart had loft her late ; 
 
 There they her fought, and every where inquired,, 
 
 Where they might tydings get of her eftate ; 
 
 Yet found they none. But by what hapleffe fite,. 
 
 Or hard misfortune fhe was thence convayd, 
 
 And ftolne away from her beloved mate, 
 
 Were long to tell • therefore I here will ftay 
 
 Untill another tyde, that I it finifh may. 
 
 C A NTO
 
 Canto VII. the Faerie Queene. 349 
 
 CANTO VIII. 
 
 Jjnoret rapt by greedie lufi 
 
 Belpbebefaves from dread, \ 
 The Squire her loves, and being blatnd 
 
 His dayes in dole doth lead, 
 
 I. 
 
 GREAT God of love, that with thy cruell dart 
 Doeft conquer greateft conquerors on ground, 
 And fetft thy kingdome in the captive harts 
 Of Kings and Keafars, to thy fervice bound, 
 What glorie, or what guerdon haft thou found 
 In feeble Ladies tyranning fo fore ; 
 And adding anguifh to the bitter wound, 
 With which their lives thou lanchedft long afore, 
 By heaping ftormes of trouble on them daily more ? 
 
 II. 
 
 So whylorae didft thou to faire Florimell ; 
 And fo and fo to noble Brtiomart : 
 So doeft thou now to her, of whom I tell, 
 The lovely Amoret, whofe gentle hart 
 Thou martyreft with forrow and with finait, 
 In falvage forrefts> and in deferts wide, 
 With Beares and Tygers taking heavie part, 
 Withouten comfort, and withouten guide, 
 
 That pittie is to heare the perils, which fhe tride. 
 
 III. So
 
 35 o T'he fourth Booke of Canto VII. 
 
 III. 
 
 So foone as fhe with that brave Britoneffe 
 
 Had left that Turneyment for beauties prife, 
 They travel'd long, that now for wearineffe, 
 Both of the way, and warlike exercife, 
 Both through a foreft ryding did devife 
 T'alight, and reft their wearie limbs awhile. 
 There heavie fleepe the eye-lids did furprife 
 Of Britomart after long tedious toyle, 
 
 That did her pafled paines in quiet reft aflbyle. 
 
 IV. 
 
 The whiles faire Amoret, of nought affeard, 
 
 Walkt through the wood, for pleafure, or for need ; 
 When fuddenly behind her backe fhe heard 
 One rufhing forth out of the thickeft weed, 
 That ere fhe backe could turne to taken heed, 
 Had unawares her fnatched up from ground. 
 Feebly fhe fhriekt, but fo feebly indeed, 
 That Britomart heard not the fhrilling found, 
 
 There where through weary travel fhe lay fleeping found. 
 
 V. 
 
 It was to weet a wilde and falvage man, 
 
 Yet was no man, but onely like in fhape, 
 
 And eke in ftature higher by a fpan, 
 
 All overgrowne with haire, that could awhape 
 
 An hardy hart; and his wide mouth did gape 
 
 With huge great teeth, like to a tufked Bore: 
 
 For he liv'd ail on ravin and on rape 
 
 Of men and beafts ; and fed on flefhly gore, 
 
 The flgne whereof yet ftain'd his bloudy lips afore. 
 
 VI. His
 
 Canto V J I. the Faerie Queene* 351 
 
 VI. 
 
 His neather Up Was not like man nor bead, 
 
 But like a wide deepe poke, downe hanging low, 
 
 Jn which he wont the relickes of his feaft, 
 
 And cruell fpoyle, which he had fpard, to flow: 
 
 And over it his huge great nofe did grow, 
 
 Full dreadfully empurpled all with bloud ; 
 
 And downe both fides two wide long eares did glow* 
 
 And raught downe to his wafte, when up he flood, 
 
 More great then th' eares of elephants by Indus flood* 
 
 VII 
 
 His waft was with a wreath of yvie greene 
 Engirt about, ne other garment wore: 
 For all his haire was like a garment feene ; 
 And in his hand a tall young oake he bore, 
 Whofe knottie fnags were fharpned all afore, 
 And beath'd in fire for fteele to be in fted. 
 But whence he was, or of what wombe ybore, 
 Of beaits, or of the earth, I have not red : 
 
 But certts was with milke of Wolves and Tygres led* 
 
 VIII. 
 
 This ugly creature in his armes her fnatcht, 
 
 And through the forreft bore her quite away, 
 With briers and bullies all to rent and fcratcht ; 
 Ne care he had, ne pittie of the pray, 
 Which many a knight had bought fo many a day.. 
 He ftayi d nor, but in his armes her bearing 
 Ran, till he came to th' cxil of all his way, 
 Unto his cave far re from all peoples hearingj 
 
 And there he threw her in, nought fueling, ne nought fearing. 
 
 IX, For
 
 3 zz 7be fourth Booke of Canto VII. 
 
 IX. 
 
 For fhe deare Ladie all the way was dead, 
 
 Whileft he in armes her bore ; but when /he felt 
 Her felfe downe fouft, me waked out of dread 
 Streight into griefe, that her deare hart nigh fwelt, 
 And eft gan into tender teares to melt. 
 Then when (he lookt about, and nothing found 
 But darknefTe and dread horrour, where flie dwelt, 
 She almoft fell againe into a fwound, 
 
 Ne wift whether above fhe were, or under ground. 
 
 X. 
 
 With that fhe heard fome one clofe by her fide 
 Sighing and fobbing fore, as if the paine 
 Her tender hart in peeces would divide : 
 Which fhe long liftning, foftly afkt againe, 
 What mifter wight it was, that fo did plaine ? 
 To whom thus aunfwer'd was : Ah wretched wight, 
 That feekes to know anothers grieafe in vaine, 
 Unweeting of thine owne like haplefie plight : 
 
 Selfe to forget to mind another, is overlight. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Aye me," faid fhe, where am I, or with whom ? 
 Emong the living, or emong the dead ? 
 What mall of me unhappy maid become? 
 Shall death be th' end, or ought elfe worfe, aread. 
 Unhappy mayd, then anfwerd fhe, whofe dread 
 Untride is leiTe then when thou fhalt it try : 
 Death is to him, that wretched life doth lead, 
 Both grace and gaine ; but he in hell doth lie, 
 
 That lives a loathed life, and wifhing cannot die. 
 
 XII. This
 
 Canto VII. The Faerie Queene. 353 
 
 XII. 
 
 This difmall day hath thee a caytive made, 
 And vaffall to the vileft wretch alive, 
 Whofe curfed ufage and ungodly trade 
 The heavens abhorre, and into darkeneiTe drive. 
 For on the fpoile of women he doth live, 
 Whofe bodies chaft, when ever in his powre 
 He may them catch, unable to gaineftrive, 
 He with his fhamefull luft doth firft deflowre, 
 
 And afterwards themfelves doth cruelly devoure. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Now twenty daies, by which the fonnes of men 
 
 Divide their works, have paft through heaven fheene, 
 Since I was brought into this dolefull den ; 
 During which fpace thefe fory eies have feen 
 Seaven women by him flaine, and eaten clene. 
 And now no more for him but I alone, 
 And this old woman, here remaining beene, 
 Till thou cam'ft hither to augment our mone ; 
 
 And of us three to morrow he will fure eate one. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Ah ! dreadfull tidings, which thou doeft declare, 
 
 Quoth me, of all that ever hath bene knowcn : 
 
 Full many great calamities and rare 
 
 This feeble breft endured hath, but none 
 
 Equall to this, where ever I have gone. 
 
 But what are you, whom like unlucky lot 
 
 Hath linckt with me in the fame chaine attone ? 
 
 To tell, quoth (he, that which ye fee, needs not ; 
 A wofull wretched maid, of God and man forgot 
 
 Vol. II. Z z XV. But
 
 354 The fourth Booke of Canto VII 
 
 XV. 
 
 But what I was, it irkes me to reherfe ; 
 
 Daughter unto a Lord of high degree ; 
 
 That joyd in happy peace, till fates perverfe 
 
 With guilefull love did fecretly agree, 
 
 To overthow my Irate and dignitie. 
 
 It was my lot to love a gentle fvvaine, 
 
 Yet was he but a Squire of low degree ; 
 
 Yet was he meet, unleffe mine eye did faine, 
 By any Ladies fide for Leman to have laine. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 But for his meannefie and difparagement, 
 
 My Sire, who me too dearely well did love, 
 
 Unto my choife by no meanes would affent, 
 
 But often did my folly fowle reprove. 
 
 Yet nothing could my fixed mind remove, 
 
 But whether willd or nilled friend or foe, 
 
 I me refolv'd the utmoft end to prove, 
 
 And rather then my love abandon fo, 
 Both fire, and friends, and all for ever to forgo. 
 
 XVil. 
 
 Thenceforth I fought by fecret meanes to worke 
 
 Time to my will, and from his wrathfull fight 
 
 To hide th' intent, which in my heart did lurke, 
 
 Till I thereto had all things ready dight. 
 
 So on a day, unweeting unto wight, 
 
 I with that Squire agrecde away to flit, 
 
 And in a privy place, betwixt us hight, 
 
 Within a grove appointed him to meete ; 
 To which I boldly came upon my feeble feete. 
 
 * 
 
 6 XVIII. But
 
 Canto VII. The Faerie Queene. 355 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 But ah ! unhappy houre me thither brought : 
 
 For in that place, where I him thought to find, 
 
 There was I found, contrary to my thought, 
 
 Of this accurfed Carle of hellim kind, 
 
 The fhame of men, and plague of womankind ; 
 
 Who trufling me, as Eagle doth his pray, 
 
 Me hether brought with him, as fwift as wind, 
 
 Where yet, untouched till this prefent day, 
 
 I reft his wretched thrall, the fad JEmylia. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Ah ! fad JEmylia then fayd Amoret, 
 
 Thy ruefull plight I pitty as mine owne. 
 
 But read to me, by what devife or wit, 
 
 Haft thou in all this time, from him unknowne, 
 
 Thine honor fav'd, though into thraldome throwne? 
 
 Through helpe, quoth fhe, of this old woman here 
 
 1 have fo done, as fhe to me hath fhowne. 
 
 For, ever when he burnt in luftfull fire, 
 
 She in my ftead fupplide his beftiail deiire. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Thus of their evils as they did difcourfe, 
 
 And each did other much bewaile and mone ; 
 Loe where the villaine felfe, their forrowes fourfe, 
 Came to the cave, and rolling thence the ftone, 
 Which wont to flop the mouth thereof, that none 
 Might iffue forth, came rudely ruining in, 
 And fpredding over all the flore alone, 
 Gan dight himfelfe unto his wonted linne ; 
 Which ended, then his bloudy banket mould beginne. 
 
 Z z 2 XXI. Which
 
 356 The fourth Eooke of Canto VII. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Which when as fearefull Amoret perceived, 
 
 She ftaid not th' utmoft end thereof to try, 
 But like a ghaftly Gelt, whofe wits are reaved, 
 Ran forth in haft with hideous outcry, 
 For horrour of his fhamefull villany. 
 But after her full lightly he uprofe, 
 And her purfu'd as fair, as fhe did flie : 
 Full fait, fhe flies, and farre afore him goes, 
 
 Ne feeles the thorns and thickets pricke her tender toes. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Nor hedge, nor ditch, nor hill, nor dale fhe ftaies, 
 But overleapes them all, like robucke light, 
 And through the thickeft makes her nigheft waies ; 
 And evermore when with regardfull fight 
 She looking backe, efpies that griefly wight 
 Approching nigh, fhe gins to mend her pace, 
 And makes her feare a fpur to haft her flight : 
 More fwift then Myrrl) or DapJme in her race, 
 
 Or any of the Thracian Nimphes in falvage chafe. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Long fo fhe fled, and fo he follow'd long ; 
 Ne living aide for her on earth appeares, 
 But if the heavns helpe to redreffe her wrong, 
 Moved with pity of her plenteous teares. 
 It fortuned Belphebe with her peares 
 The woody Nimphs, and with that lovely boy, 
 Was hunting then the Libbards and the Beares, 
 In thefe wild woods, as was her wonted joy, 
 
 To banifh (loth, that oft doth noble mindes annoy. 
 
 XXIV. It
 
 Canto VII. the Faerie Queene. 357 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 It fo befell, as oft it falls in chace, 
 
 That each of them from other fundred were, 
 And that fame gentle Squire arriv'd in place, 
 Where this fame curfed caytive did appeare, 
 Purfuino; that faire Lady full of feare •, 
 And now he her quite overtaken had ; 
 And now he her away with him did beare 
 Under his arme, as feeming wondrous glad, 
 
 That by his grenning laughter mote farre off be rad. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Which drery fight the gentle Squire efpying, 
 
 Doth haft to crofle him by the neareft way, 
 Led with that wofull Ladies piteous crying, 
 And him aftailes with all the might he may ; 
 Yet will not he the lovely fpoile downe lay, 
 But with his craggy club in his right hand 
 Defends himfelfe, and faves his gotten pray. 
 Yet had it bene right hard him to withftand, 
 
 But that he was full light and nimble on the land. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Thereto the villaine ufed craft in fight ; 
 
 For ever when the Squire his javelin fhooke, 
 
 He held the Lady forth before him right, 
 
 And with her body, as a buckler, broke 
 
 The puiffance of his intended ftroke. 
 
 And if it chaunft, (as needs it muft in fight) 
 
 Whilft he on him was greedy to be wroke, 
 
 That any little blow, on her did light, 
 Then would he laugh aloud, and gather great delight. 
 
 XXVII. Which
 
 358 The fourth Booke of Canto. VII. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Which fubtill fleight did him encumber much, 
 
 And made him oft, when he would ftrike, forbeare; 
 
 For hardly could he come the carle to touch, 
 
 But that he her muft hurt, or hazard neare : 
 
 Yet he his hand To carefully did beare, 
 
 That at the laft he did himfelfe attaine, 
 
 And therein left the pike head of his fpeare. 
 
 A ftreame of coleblacke bloud thence gufht amaine, 
 
 That all her filken garments did with bloud beftaine. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 With that he threw her rudely on the flore, 
 
 And laying both his hands upon his glave, 
 With dreadfull ftrokes let drive at him fo fore, 
 That forft him flie abacke, himfelfe to fave : 
 Yet he therewith fo felly ft ill did rave, 
 That fcarfe the Squire his hand could once upreare, 
 But for advantage ground unto him gave, 
 Tracing and traveling, now here, now there ; 
 
 For bootleffe thing it was to think fuch blowes to beare. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 W'hileft thus in battell they embufied were, 
 Belphebe, raunging in that forreft wide, 
 The hideous noife of their huge ftrokes did heare, 
 And drew thereto, making her eare her guide. 
 Whom when that thcefe approching nigh efpide, 
 With bow in hand, and arrowes ready bent, 
 He by his former combate would not bide, 
 But fled away with ghaftly dreriment, 
 
 Well knowing her to be his deaths fole instrument. 
 
 XXX. Whom
 
 Canto VII. The Faerie Queene. 359 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Whom feeing flie, me fpeedily pourfewed 
 
 With winged feete, as nimble as the winde, 
 And ever in her bow me ready mewed 
 The arrow, to his deadly marke defynde. 
 As when Latonaes daughter, cruell kynde, 
 In vengement of her mothers great difgrace, 
 With fell defpight her cruell arrowes tynde 
 Gainft wofull Niobes unhappy race, 
 
 That all tiie gods did mone her miferable cafe. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 So well me fped her, and fo far me ventred, 
 That ere unto his hellifh den he raught, 
 Even as he ready was there to have entred, 
 She fent an arrow forth with mighty draught, 
 That in the very dore him cvercaught, 
 And in his nape arriving, through it thrild 
 His greedy throte, therewith in two diftraught, 
 That all his vftall fpirites thereby fpild, 
 
 And all his hairy breft with gory bloud was fild. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 Whom when on ground me groveling faw to rowle, 
 She ran in haft h s life to have bereft : 
 But ere me could him reach, the finfull fowle, 
 Having his carrion corfe quite fenceleffe left, 
 Was fled to hell, furcharg'd with fpoile and theft. 
 Yet over him me there long gazifig ftood, 
 And oft admir'd his monftrous ihape, and oft 
 His mighty limbs, whileft all with filtl y bloud 
 
 The place there ovciflownc feemd like a fodaine flood. 
 
 XXXIII. Thence-
 
 360 The fourth Booh of Canto VII. 
 
 XXXIH. 
 
 Thenceforth fhe paft into his dreadfull den, 
 
 Where nought but darkefome drerinefle fhe found, 
 Ne creature law, but hearkned now and then 
 Some litle whifpering, and foft groning found. 
 With that fhe afkt, what ghofts there under ground 
 Lay hid in horrour of eternall night ? 
 And bad them, if fo be they were not bound, 
 To come and fhew thcmfelves before the Jight, 
 
 Now freed from feare and danger of that difmall wight. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Then forth the fad /Emyliq iffewed, 
 
 Yet trembling every joynt through former feare ; 
 
 And after her the Hag, there with her mewed, 
 
 A foule and lothfome creature did appeare ; 
 
 A leman fit for fuch a lover deare. 
 
 That mov'd Belphebe her no lefTe to hate, 
 
 Then for to rue the others heavy cheare ; 
 
 Of whom fhe gan enquire of her eftate. 
 Who all to her at large, as hapned, did relate. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Thence fhe them brought toward the place, where late 
 She left the gentle Squire 'with A7?i'jret : 
 There fhe him found by that new lovely mate, 
 Who lay the whiles in fwoune, full fadly fet, 
 From her faire eyes wiping the deawy wet, 
 Which foftly ftild, and killing them atweene, 
 And handling foft the hurts, which fhe did get. 
 For of that Carle fhe forely bruz'd had beene, 
 
 Als of his owne rafh hand one wound was to be feene. 
 
 XXX. Which
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene. 361 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 Which when fhe faw, with fodaine glauncing eye, 
 Her noble hart with fight thereof was fild 
 With deepe difdaine, and great indignity, 
 That in her wrath fhe thought them both have thrild, 
 With that felfe arrow, which the carle had kild : 
 Yet held her wrathfull hand from vengeance fore, 
 But drawing nigh, ere he her well beheld ; 
 Is this the faith ? fhe faid, and laid no more, 
 
 But turnd her face, and fled away for evermore. 
 
 XXXVIL 
 
 He feeing her depart, arofe up light, 
 
 Right fore agrieved at her fharp reproofe, 
 And follow'd fart, : but when he came in fight, 
 He durft not nigh approch, but kept aloofe, 
 For dread of her difpleafures utmoft proofe. 
 And evermore, when he did grace entreat, 
 And framed fpeaches fit for his behoofe, 
 Her mortall arrowes fhe at him did threat, 
 
 And forft. him backe with fowle diihonor to retreat 
 
 xxxvm. 
 
 At laft when long he follow'd had in vaine, 
 
 Yet found no eafe of griefe, nor hope of grace, 
 Unto thole woods he turned backe againe, 
 Full of fad anguifh, and in heavy cafe : 
 And finding there fit folitary place 
 For wofull wight, chofe out a gloom) glade, 
 Where hardly eye mote fee bright heaven's face 
 For molly trees, which covered all with fliade 
 
 And fad melancholy ; there he his cabin made. 
 
 Vol. II. Aaa XXXIX. His
 
 362 *?he fourth Booke of Cant. VII. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 His wonted warlike weapons all he broke, 
 
 And threw away, with vow to ufe no more, 
 Ne thenceforth ever ftrike in battell ftroke, 
 Ne ever word to fpeake to woman more > 
 But in that wilderneffe, of men forlore, 
 And of the wicked world forgotten quight, 
 His hard mifhap in dolor to deplore, 
 And waft his wretched daies in wofull plight ; 
 So on him felfe to wreake his follies owne defpight. 
 
 XL. 
 And eke his garment, to be thereto meet, 
 He wilfully did cut and fhape anew ; 
 And his faire lockes, that wont with ointment fweet 
 To be embaulm'd, and fweat out dainty dew,. 
 He let to grow and griefly to concrew, 
 Uncomb'd, uncurl'd, and carelefly unfiled ; 
 That in fhort time his face they overgrew,. 
 And over all his moulders did difpred, 
 That who he whilome was, uneath was to be red, 
 
 XLI. 
 There he continued in this careful! plight, 
 
 Wretchedly wearing out his youthly yeares, 
 Through wilfull penury confumed quight, <■ 
 
 That like a pined ghoft he foone appeares. 
 For other food then that wilde fbrreft beares,, 
 Ne other drinke there did he ever taft, 
 Then running water, tempred with his teares, 
 The more his weakened body fo to waft : 
 That out of all mens knowledge he was worne at laft. 
 
 XLII. For
 
 Cant. VII. the Faerie Queene. 363 
 
 XLII. 
 
 For on a day, by fortune as it fell, 
 
 His ovvne deare lord prince Arthur e came that way, 
 
 Seeking adventures, where he mote heare tell ; 
 
 And as he through the wandring wood did ftray, 
 
 Having efpide this cabin far away, 
 
 He to it drew, to weet who there did wonne ; 
 
 Weening therein fome holy hermit lay, 
 
 That did refort of finfull people fhonne ; 
 
 Or elfe fome woodman fhrowded there from fcorching funne. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Arriving there, he found this wretched man, 
 Spending his daies in dolour and defpaire, 
 And through long fafting woxen pale and wan, 
 All overgrowne with rude and rugged haire ; 
 That albeit his owne deare fquire he were, 
 Yet he him knew not, ne aviz'd at all, 
 But like ftrange wight, whom he had feene no where, 
 Saluting him, gan into fpeach to fall, 
 
 And pitty much his plight, that liv'd like outcaft thrall. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 But to his fpeach he anfwered no whit, 
 
 But flood ftill mute, as if he had been dum, 
 Ne figne of fence did fhew, ne common wit, 
 As one with griefe and anguifhe overcum, 
 And unto every thing did aunfwere mum : 
 And ever when the prince unto him fpake, 
 He louted lowly, as did him bccum, 
 And humble homage did unto him make, 
 
 Midft forrow fhewing joyous femblance for his fake. 
 
 A a a 2 XLV. At
 
 -64 ?5k fourth Booke of Cant VII. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 At which his uncouth guife and ufage quaint 
 
 The prince did wonder much, yet could not ghefle 
 The caufe of that his forrowfull conftraint ; 
 Yet weend by fecret fignes of manlineffe, 
 Which clofe appeard in that rude brutimnefie, 
 That he whilome fome gentle fwaine had beene, 
 Traind up in feats of armes and knightlineffe ; 
 Which he obferv'd, by that he him had feene 
 
 To weld his naked fword, and try the edges keene. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 And eke by that he faw on every tree, 
 
 How he the name of one engraven had, 
 
 Which likly was his liefeft love to be, 
 
 For whom he now fo forely was beftad ; 
 
 Which was by him BELPHOEBE rightly rad, 
 
 Yet who was that Belphaebe, he ne wift ; 
 
 Yet faw he often how he wexed glad, 
 
 When he it heard, and how the ground he kift, 
 
 Wherein it written was, and how himfelfe he blift : 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 Tho when he long had marked his demeanor, 
 
 And faw that all he faid and did, was vaine, 
 
 Ne ought mote make him change his wonted tenor, 
 
 Ne ought mote eafe or mitigate his paine, 
 
 He left him there in languor to remaine, 
 
 Till time for him mould remedy provide, 
 
 And him reftore to former grace againe. 
 
 Which, for it is too long here to abide, 
 
 I will deferre the end untill another tide. 
 
 Canto
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 365 
 
 Canto VIII. 
 
 The gentle fquire recovers grace, 
 Sclaunder her guefts doth Jlai?ie ; 
 
 Corfiambo chafeth Placidas, 
 And is by Arthnre Jlaine. 
 
 I. 
 
 ELL faid the wifeman, now prov'd true by this, 
 Which to this gentle fquire did happen late, 
 That the difpleafure of the mighty is 
 Then death it felfe more dread and defperate. 
 For naught the fame may calme ne mitigate, 
 Till time the tern perl doe thereof delay 
 With fufferaunce foft, which rigour can abate, 
 And have the fterne remembrance wypt away 
 Of bitter thoughts, which deepe therein infixed lay, 
 
 II. 
 Like as it fell to this unhappy boy, 
 
 Whofe tender heart the faire Belphcebe had 
 With one fterne looke fo daunted, that no joy 
 In all his life, which afterward he lad, 
 He ever tafted, but with penaunce fad, 
 And pcnfive forrow pind and wore away, 
 Ne ever laught, ne once fhew'd countenance glad ; 
 But alwaies wept and wailed night and day, 
 As blafted bloofme through heat doth languifh and decay. 
 
 ' III. Till
 
 2,66 The fourth Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 III. 
 
 Till on a day, as in his wonted wife 
 
 His doole he made, there chaunft a turtle dove 
 To come, where he his dolors did devile, 
 That likevvife late had loft her deareft love, 
 Which loffe her made like paftion alfo prove. 
 Who feeing his fad plight, her tender heart 
 With deare companion deeply did emmove, 
 That fhe gan mone his undeferved fmart, 
 And with her dolefull accent beare with him a part. 
 
 IV. 
 She fitting by him, as on ground he lay, 
 
 Her mournefull notes full piteoufly did frame, 
 And thereof made a lamentable lay, 
 So fenfibly compyld, that in the fame 
 Him feemed oft he heard his owne right name. 
 With that he forth would poure fo plenteous teares, 
 And beat his breaft unworthy of fuch blame, 
 And knocke his head, and rend his rugged heares, 
 That could have perft the hearts of tigres and of beares. 
 
 V. 
 Thus long this gentle bird to him did ufe, 
 Withouten dread of perill to repaire 
 Unto his wonne, and with her mournefull mufe 
 Him to recomfort in his greateft care, 
 That much did eafe his mourning and misfare : 
 And every day, for guerdon of her fong, 
 He part of his fmall feaft to her would fhare ; 
 That at the laft of all his woe and wrong 
 Companion me became, and fo continued long. 
 
 VI. Upon
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 367 
 
 VI. 
 
 Upon a day as fhe him fate befide, 
 
 By chance he certaine miniments forth drew, 
 
 Which yet with him as relickes did abide 
 
 Of all the bounty, which Belphcebe threw 
 
 On him, whilft goodly grace fhe did him fhew : 
 
 Amongft the reft a Jewell rich he found, 
 
 That was a ruby of right perfect hew, 
 
 Shap'd like a heart, yet bleeding of the wound, 
 
 And with a little golden chaine about it bound. 
 
 VII. 
 
 The fame he tooke, and with a riband new, 
 
 In which his ladie's colours were, did bind 
 About the turtle's necke, that with the vew 
 Did greatly folace his engrieved mind. 
 All unawares the bird, when fhe did find 
 Her felfe fo deckt, her nimble wings difplaid, 
 And flew away, as lightly as the wind : 
 Which fodaine accident him much difmaid, 
 
 And looking after long, did marke which way fhe ftraid, 
 
 VIII. 
 
 But when as long he looked had in vaine, 
 
 Yet faw her forward ftill to make her flight, 
 His weary eye returnd to him againe, 
 Full of difcomfort and difquiet plight, 
 That both his Jewell he had loft fo light, 
 And eke his d'eare companion of his care. 
 But that fweet bird departing, flew forth right 
 Through the wide region of the waftfull aire, 
 
 Untill fhe came where wonned his Belphcebe faire. 
 
 IX. There
 
 368 The fourth Booh of Cant. VIII. 
 
 IX. 
 
 There found fhe her (as then it did betide) 
 Sitting in covert (hade of arbors fweet, 
 After late weary toile, which fhe had tride 
 In falvage chafe, to reft as feem'd her meet. 
 There (he alighting, fell before her feet, 
 And gan to her her mournfull plaint to make, 
 As was her wont, thinking to let her weet 
 The great tormenting griefe, that for her fake 
 Her gentle fqnire through her difpleafure did partake. 
 
 X. 
 She her beholding with attentive eye, 
 
 At length did marke about her purple breft 
 That precious juell, which fhe formerly 
 Had knowne right well with colourd ribbands dreft : 
 Therewith {he rofe in haft, and her addreft 
 With ready hand it to have reft away. 
 But the fwift bird obayd not her beheft, 
 But fwarv'd alide, and there againe did ftay ; 
 She follow'd her, and thought againe it to aflay. 
 
 XI. 
 And ever when fhe nigh approcht, the dove 
 Would flit a little forward, and then ftay, 
 Till flic drew neare, and then againe remove j 
 So tempting her ftill to purfue the pray, 
 And ftill from her efcaping foft away : 
 Till that at length into that forreft wide, 
 She drew her far, and led with flow delay. 
 In th'end fhe her unto that place did guide, 
 Whereas that wofull man in languor did abide. 
 
 XII. Eft-
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 369 
 
 XII. 
 
 Eftfoones me flew unto his fearelefTe hand, 
 And there a piteous ditty new deviz'd, 
 As if fhe would have made him underftand 
 His forrowes caufe to be of her defpis'd. 
 Whom when me faw in wretched weedes difguiz'd, 
 With heary glib deform'd, and meiger face, 
 Like ghoft late rifen from his grave agryz'd, 
 She knew him not, but pittied much his cafe, 
 And wifht it were in her to doe him any grace. 
 
 XIII. 
 He her beholding, at her feet downe fell, 
 
 And kilt, the ground, on which her fole did tread, 
 And waflit the fame with water, which did well 
 From his moift eyes, and like two ftreames procead ; 
 Yet fpake no word, whereby fhe might aread 
 What miller wight he was, or what he ment, 
 But as one daunted with her prefence dread, 
 Onely few ruefull lookes unto her fent, 
 As meffengers of his true meaning and intent. 
 
 XIV. 
 Yet nathemore his meaning (he ared, , 
 
 But wondred much at his fo felcouth cafe, 
 And by his per foil's fecret feemlyhed 
 Well weend, that he had been fome man of place, 
 Before misfortune did his hew deface ; 
 That being mov'd with ruth fhe "thus befpake ; 
 Ah wofull man, what heavens hard difgrace, 
 Or wrath of cruell wight on thee ywrake ? 
 Or felfe dilliked life doth thee thus wretched make ? 
 
 Vol. II. Bbb XV. If
 
 370 The fourth Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XV. 
 
 If heaven, then none may it redrefTe or blame, 
 Sith to his powre we all are fubjedt borne : 
 If wrathfull wight, then fowle rebuke and fhame 
 Be theirs, that have fo cruell thee forlorne : 
 But if through inward griefe or wilfull fcorne 
 Of life it be, then better doe advife. 
 For he, whofe daies in wilfull woe are worne, 
 The grace of his creator doth defpife, 
 
 That will not ufe his gifts for thanklefie nigardife. . % - 
 
 XVI. 
 
 When fo he heard her fay, eftfoones he brake ' 
 
 His fodaine filence, which he long had penr, 
 And fighing inly deepe, her thus befpake ; 
 Then have they all themfelves againft me bent : 
 For heaven, firft author of my languifhment> 
 Envying my too great felicity, 
 Did clofely with a cruell one content,. 
 To cloud my daies in doleful! miferie, 
 
 And make me loath this life, (till longing for to die. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Ne any but your felfe, O dearefl dred, 
 
 Hath done this wrong, to wreake on worthlefTe wight 
 Your hio;h difplefure, through mifdeeming bred : 
 That when your pleafure is to deeme aright, 
 Ye may redrefle, and me reftore to light. 
 Which fory words her mightie hart did mate 
 With mild regard, to fee his ruefull plight, 
 That her inburning wrath fhe gan abate, 
 
 And him receiv'd againe to former favours ftate. 
 
 XVIII. In
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 371 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 In which he long time afterwards did lead 
 
 An happie life with grace and good accord, 
 Fearleffe of fortune's chaunge or envie's dread, 
 And eke all mindleffe of his owne deare lord, 
 The noble prince, who never heard one word 
 Of tydings, what did unto him betide, 
 Or what good fortune did to him afford, 
 But through the endleiTe world did wander wide, 
 
 Him fceking evermore, yet no where him defcride. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Till on a day, as through that wood he rode, 
 
 He chaunft to come, where thofe two ladies late, 
 
 JEmylia and A?noret, abode, 
 
 Both in full fad and forrowfull eftate ; 
 
 The one right feeble through the evill rate 
 
 Ol food, which in her dureffe fhe had found ; 
 
 The other almoft dead and defperate 
 
 Through her late hurts, and through that haplefle wound 
 
 With which the (quire in her defence her fore aftound. 
 
 XX. 
 
 Whom when the prince beheld, he gan to rew 
 The evill cafe, in which thofe ladies lav ; 
 But tnoft was moved at the piteous vew 
 Of Amoret, \o neare unto decay, 
 That her great daunger did him much diiinav. 
 I ttfoones that pretious liquour forth he drew, 
 Which he in ftore about him kept alwav, 
 And with few drops thereof did foftly dew 
 
 Her wounds, that unto ftrength reftor'd her foone anew. 
 
 Bbb 2 il. Tho
 
 372 I'he fourth Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Tho when they both recovered were right well, 
 He gan of them inquire, what evill guide 
 Them thether brought, and how their harmes befell. 
 To whom they told all, that did them betide, 
 And how from thraldome vile they were untide 
 Of that fame wicked carle, by virgins hond ; 
 Whofe bloodie corfe they fhew'd him there beiide, 
 And eke his cave, in which they both were bond : 
 At which he wondred much, when all thofe fignes he fond. 
 
 XXII. 
 And evermore he greatly did defire 
 
 To know, what virgin did them thence unbind ; 
 And oft of them did earneftly inquire, 
 Where was her won, and how he mote her find. 
 But when as nought according to his mind 
 He could outlearne, he them from ground did reare : 
 No fervice lothfome to a gentle kind ; 
 And on his warlike beaft them both did beare, 
 Himfelfe by them on foot, to fuccour them from feare. 
 
 XXIII. 
 So when that forreft they had pafTed well, 
 A litle cotage farre away they fpide, 
 To which they drew, ere night upon them fell ; 
 And entring in, found none therein abide, 
 But one old woman fitting there befide, 
 Upon the ground in ragged rude attyre, 
 With filthy lockes about her fcattered wide, 
 Gnawing her nayles for felneffe and for yre, 
 And there out fucking venime to her parts entyre. 
 
 XXIV. A
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 373 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 A foule and loathly creature lure in fight, 
 
 And in conditions to be loath'd no leffe ; 
 
 For fhe was ftuft with rancour and defpight 
 
 Up to the throat, that oft with bitterneffe 
 
 It would forth breake, and gum in great exceffe, 
 
 Pouring out ftreames of poyfon and of gall 
 
 Gainft all, that truth and vertue doe profefle, 
 
 Whom me with leafings lewdly did mifcall, 
 
 And wickedly backbite: Her name men Sclaunder call. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Her nature is all goodneffe to abufe, 
 
 And caufeleffe crimes continually to frame, 
 With which me guiltleffe perfons may accufe, 
 And fteale away the crowne of their good name.. 
 Ne ever knight fo bold, ne ever dame 
 So chafr. and loval liv'd, but me would drive 
 With forged caufe them falfely to defame ; 
 Ne ever thing fo well was doen alive, 
 
 But fhe with blame would blot, and of due praife deprive. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Her words were not, as common words are ment, 
 T'exprefTe the meaning of the inward mind, 
 But noyfome breath, and poyfnous fpirit fent 
 From inward parts, with cancred malice lind, 
 And breathed forth with blaft of bitter wind ; 
 Which palling through the eares, would pierce the hart,. 
 And wound the foule it felfe with griefe unkind: 
 For like the ftings of Afpes, that ki 1 with fmart, 
 
 Her fpightfull words did pricke, and wound the inner part. 
 
 XXVII. Such
 
 374 %% e f our th Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Such was that hag, unmeet to hoft fuch guefts, 
 
 Whom greateft princes court would welcome fayne. 
 But neede, that anfwers not to all requefts, 
 Bad them not looke for better entertayne ; 
 And eke that age defpyfed niceneffe vaine, 
 Enur'd to hardneffe and to homely fare, 
 Which them to warlike difcipline did trayne, 
 And manly limbs endur'd with little care 
 
 Againft all hard mifhaps and fortuneleffe misfare. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Then all that evening, welcommed with cold, 
 
 And cheareleffe hunger, they together (pent ; 
 Yet found no fault, but that the hag did fcold 
 And rayle at them with grudgefull difcontent, 
 For lodo-ins; there without her owne confent : 
 Yet they endured all with patience milde, 
 And unto reft themfelves all onely lent, 
 Regardlefle of that queane fo bafe and vilde, 
 
 To be unjuftly blamd, and bitterly revilde, 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 Here well I weene, when as thefe -rimes be red • 
 
 With mifregard, that fome ram fitted wight, 
 Whofe looier thought will lightly be milled, 
 Thefe gentle ladies will mifdeeme too light, 
 For thus converfing with this noble knight ; 
 Sith now of dayes fuch temperance is rare 
 And hard to finde, that heat of youthfull fpright 
 For ought will from his greedie pleafure fpare ; 
 
 .More hard for hungry fteed t'abftaine from pleafant larc. 
 
 XXX. But
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 375 
 
 xxx. 
 
 But antique age, yet in the infancie 
 
 Of time, did live then like an innocent, 
 
 In fimple truth and blamclefie chaftitie, 
 
 Ne then of guile had made experiment, 
 
 But voide of vile and treacherous intent, 
 
 Held vertue for it felfe in foveraine awe : 
 
 Then loyall love had royall regiment, 
 
 And each unto his luft did make a lawe, 
 From all forbidden things his liking to withdraw. 
 
 XXXI. 
 The lyon there did with the lambe confort, 
 
 And eke the dove fat by the faulcon's fide, 
 
 Ne each of other feared fraud or tort, 
 
 But did in fafe fecuritie abide, 
 
 Withoutcn perill of the ftronger pride. 
 
 But when the world woxe old, it woxe warre-old 
 
 (Whereof it hight) and having fhortly tride 
 
 The traines of wit, in wickednefle woxe bold, 
 And dared of all finnes the fecrets to unfold. 
 
 XXXII. 
 Then beautie, which was made to reprefent 
 
 The great creatour's owne refcmblance bright, 
 
 Unto abufe of lawlefle luft was lent, 
 
 And made the baite of beftiall delio-ht. 
 
 Then faire grew foule, and foule grew faire in fight, 
 
 And that, which wont to vanquifh God and man, 
 
 Was made the vaflall of the victor's might. 
 
 Then did her glorious flowre wex dead and wan, 
 Defpifd and troden downe of all that overran. 
 
 XXXIH. And
 
 376 ^The fourth Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 And now it is fo utterly decayd, 
 
 That any bud thereof doth fcarfe remaine, 
 But if few plants, preferv'd through heavenly ayd, 
 In princes court doe hap to fprout againe, 
 Devv'd with her drops of bountie foveraine, 
 Which from that goodly glorious flowre proceed, 
 Sprung of the auncient ftocke of princes ftraine, 
 Now th'only remnant of that royall breed, 
 
 Whofe noble kind at firft was fure of heavenly feed. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Tho foone as day difcovered heaven's face 
 
 To linfull men with darkneffe over-dight, 
 This gentle crew gan from their eye-lids chace 
 The drowzie humour of the dampifli night, 
 And did themfelves unto their journey dight. 
 So forth they yode, and forward foftly paced, 
 That them to view had bene an uncouth light ; 
 How all the way the prince on footpace traced, 
 
 The ladies both on horfe, together faft embraced. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 Soone as they thence departed Were afore, 
 
 That fhamefull hag, the flaunder of her fexe, 
 
 Them follow'd faft, and them reviled fore, 
 
 Him calling theefe, them whores ; that much did vexe 
 
 His noble hart : thereto me did annexe 
 
 Falfe crimes and facts, fuch as they never ment, 
 
 That thofe two ladies much amam'd did wexe : 
 
 The more did fhe purfue her lewd intent, 
 
 And rayl'd and rag'd, till fhe had all her poyfon fpent. 
 
 1 XXXVI. At
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 377 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 At laft when they were paffed out of light, 
 
 Yet fhe did not her fprightfull fpeach forbeare, 
 But after them did barke, and flill backbite, 
 Though there were none her hatefull words to heare : 
 Like as a curre doth felly bite and teare 
 The ftone, which pafTed ftraunger at him threw ; 
 So fhe them feeing paft the reach of eare, 
 Again ft the ftones and trees did rayle anew, 
 Till (he had duld the fting, which in her tongs end grew, 
 
 XXXVII. 
 They pailing forth kept on their readie way, 
 
 With ealie fteps fo foft as foot could ftrydc, 
 Both for great feeblefle, which did oft affay 
 Faire Amoret^ that fcarcely fhe could ryde, 
 And eke through heavie armes, which fore annoyd 
 The prince on foot, not wonted fo to fare ; 
 Whofe fteadie hand was faine his fteede to guyde, 
 And all the way from trotting hard to fpare ; 
 So was his toyle the more, the more that was his care. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 At length they fpide, where towards them with fpeed 
 A fquire came gallopping, as he would the, 
 Bearing a little dwarfe before his fteed, 
 That all the way full loud for aide did crie, 
 That feem'd his fhrikcs would rend the brafen fkie: 
 Whom after did a mightie man purfew, 
 Ryding upon a dromedare on hie, 
 Of ftature huge, and horrible of hew, 
 That would have maz'd a man his dreadfull face to vew. 
 
 Vol. II. Ccc XXXIX. For
 
 378 Tie fourth Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 For from his fearefull eyes two fierie beames, 
 
 More fharpe then points of needles, did proceede, 
 Shooting forth farre away two flaming ftreames, 
 Full of fad powre, that poyfonous bale did breede 
 To all, that on him lookt without good heed, 
 And fecretly his enemies did flay : 
 Like as the bafilifke of ferpents feede, 
 From powrefull eyes, clofe venim doth convay 
 Into the looker's hart, and killeth farre away. 
 
 XL. 
 He all the way did rage at that fame fquire, 
 
 And after him full many threatnings threw, 
 With curies vaine in his avengefull ire : 
 But none of them (fo faft away he flew) 
 Him overtooke, before he came in vew. 
 Where when he faw the prince in armour bright,, 
 He cald to him aloud, his cafe to rew, 
 And refcue him through fuccour of his might, 
 From that his cruel foe, that him purfewd in light. 
 
 XLL 
 Eftfoones the prince tooke downe thole ladies twaine 
 From loftie fteede, and mounting in their ftead,, 
 Came to that fquire, yet trembling every vaine : 
 Of whom he gan enquire his caufe of dread ; 
 Who as he gan the fame to him aread, 
 Loe hard behind his backe his foe was preft,. 
 With drcadfull weapon aymed at his head, 
 That unto death had doen him unredreft, 
 Had not the noble prince his readie ftroke repreft.. 
 
 XLIL Who
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene* 379 
 
 XLH. 
 
 Who thrufting boldly twixt him and the blow, 
 The burden of the deadly brunt did beare 
 Upon his fhield, which lightly he did throw 
 Over his head, before the harme came neare. 
 Nathlene it fell with fb defpiteous dreare 
 And heavie fway, that hard unto his crowne 
 The fhield it drove, and did the covering reare : 
 Therewith both fquire and dwarfe did tomble downe 
 
 Upon the earth, and lay long while in fenfeleffe fwowne. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 Whereat the prince full wrath, his ftrong right hand 
 In full avengement heaved up on hie, 
 And ftroke the pagan with his fteely brand 
 So fore, that to his faddle bow thereby 
 He bowed low, and fo a while did lie : 
 And fure had not his mafTie yron mace 
 Betwixt him and his hurt bene happily, 
 It would have cleft him to the girding place, 
 
 Yet, as it was, it did aftonifh him long fpace. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 But when he to himfelfe returnd againe, 
 
 All full of rage he gan to curfe and fvveare, 
 And vow by Mahottne, that he mould be flaine. 
 With that his murdrous mace he up did reare, 
 That feemed nought the foufe thereof could beare, 
 And therewith fmote at him with all his might. 
 But ere that it to him approched neare, 
 The royall child, with readie quicke forefight, 
 
 Did fhun the proofe thereof, and it avoyded light. 
 
 C c c 2 XLV. But
 
 2$o Tie fourth Booh of Cant. VIII, 
 
 XLV. 
 
 But ere his hand he could recure againe, 
 
 To ward his bodie from the balefull flound, 
 He fmote at him with all his might and maine, 
 So furioufly, that ere he wift, he found 
 His head before him tombling on the ground. 
 The whiles his babling tongue did yet blafpheme 
 And curfe his God, that did him fo confound ; 
 The whiles his life ran foorth in bloudie ftreame, 
 His foule defcended downe into the Stygian reame. 
 
 XL VI. 
 Which when that fquire beheld, he woxe full glad 
 To fee his foe breath out his fpright in vaine : 
 But that fame dwarfe right forie feem'd and fid, 
 And howld aloud to fee his lord there flaine, 
 And rent his haire and fcratcht his face for paine. 
 Then gan the prince at leafure to inquire 
 Of all the accident, there hapned plaine, 
 And what he was, whofe eyes did flame with fire \ 
 All which was thus to him declared by that fquire. 
 
 XLVII. ' 
 This mightie man, quoth he, whom you have ilaine, 
 Of an huge geaunteffe whylome was bred ; 
 And by his ftrength rule to himfelfe did gaine 
 Of many nations into thraldome led, 
 And mightie kingdomes of his force adred ; 
 Whom yet he conquer'd not by bloudie fight, 
 Ne hofr.es of men with banners brode difpred, 
 But by the powre of his infeclious fight, 
 With which he killed all, that came within his might. 
 
 XLVIII. Ne
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene, 381 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 Ne was he ever vanquished afore, 
 
 But ever vanquifht all, with whom he fought ; 
 Ne was there man fo ftrong, but he downe bore, 
 Ne woman yet fo faire, but he her brought 
 Unto his bay, and captivated her thought. 
 For moft of ftrength and beautie his defire 
 Was fpoyle to make, and waft them unto nought, 
 By cafting fecret flakes of luftfull fire 
 
 From his falfe eyes, into their harts and parts entire. 
 
 XLIX. 
 
 Therefore Corflambo was he cald aright, 
 
 Though namelefTe there his bodie now doth lie, 
 
 Yet hath he left one daughter, that is hight 
 
 The faire Pceana ; who feemes outwardly 
 
 So faire, as ever yet faw living eie : 
 
 And were her vertue like her beautie bright, 
 
 She were as faire as any under ikie. 
 
 But ah ! fhe given is to vaine delight, 
 
 And eke too loofe of life, and eke of love too light. 
 
 L. 
 
 So as it fell, there was a gentle fquire, 
 
 That lov'd a ladie of high parentage ; 
 
 But for his meane degree might not afpire 
 
 To match fo high, her friends with counfell fage 
 
 Dimiaded her from fuch a difparage. 
 
 But fhe, whofe hart to love was wholly lent, 
 
 Out of his hands could not redeeme her gage, 
 
 But firmely following her hrfr. intent, 
 
 Refolv'd with him to wend, gainft all her friends confcnt, 
 
 LI. So
 
 382 The fourth Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 LI. 
 
 So tvvixt themfelves they pointed time and place, 
 To which when he according did Lepaire, 
 An hard mifhap and difaventrous cafe 
 Him chaunft ; in ftead of his JEmylia faire, 
 This gy ant's fonne, that lies there on the laire 
 An headleffe heape, him unawares there caught, 
 And all difmayd through mercilefTe defpaire, 
 Him wretched thrall unto his dongeon brought, 
 
 Where he remaines, of all unfuccour'd and unfought. 
 
 LII. 
 
 This gyant's daughter came upon a day 
 Unto the prifon in her joyous glee, 
 To vew the thralls, which there in bondage lay : 
 Amongft the reft fhe chanced there to fee 
 This lovely fwaine, the fquire of low degree ; 
 To whom fhe did her liking lightly caft, 
 And wooed him her paramour to bee : 
 From day to day fhe woo'd and prayd him faft, 
 
 And for his love him promift libertie at laft. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 He though affide unto a former love, 
 
 To whom his faith he firmely ment to hold, 
 Yet feeing not how thence he mote remove, 
 But by that meanes, which fortune did unfold, 
 Her graunted love, but with affection cold, 
 To win her grace his libertie to get. 
 Yet fhe him ftill detaines in captive hold, 
 Fearing leaft if fhe fhould him freely fet, 
 
 He would her fhortly leave, and former love forget. 
 
 LIV. Yet
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie Queene. 383 
 
 LIV. 
 
 Yet fo much favour fhe to him hath flight, 
 
 Above the reft, that he fometimes may (pace, 
 
 And walke about her gardens of delight, 
 
 Having a keeper ftill with him in place, 
 
 Which keeper is this dwarfe, her dearling bafe, 
 
 To whom the keyes of every prifon dore 
 
 By her committed be, of fpecial grace, 
 
 And at his will may whom he lift reftore, 
 And whom he lift referve, to be afflicted more. 
 
 LV. 
 Whereof when tydings came unto mine eare, 
 
 Full inly forie for the fervent zeale, 
 
 Which I to him as to my foule did beare, 
 
 I thether went, where I did long conceale 
 
 My felfe, till that the dwarfe did me reveale, 
 
 And told his dame, her fquire of low degree 
 
 Did fecretly out of her prifon fteale ; 
 
 For me he did miftake that fquire to bee ; 
 For never two fo like did living creature fee. 
 
 LVI. 
 Then was I taken and before her brought, 
 
 Who through the likeneffe of my outward he\v y 
 
 Being likewife beguiled in her thought, 
 
 Gan blame me much for being fo untrew, 
 
 To feeke by flight her fellowfhip t'efchew, 
 
 That lov'd me deare, as deareft thing alive. 
 
 Thence fhe commanded me to prifon new j 
 
 Whereof I glad did not gainefay nor ftrive, 
 But fufTred that fame dwarfe me to her dongeon drive, 
 
 LVII. There
 
 384 The fourth Booke of Cant. VIII. 
 
 LVII. 
 
 There did I flnde mine onely faithfull frend 
 
 In heavy plight and fad perplexitie ; 
 
 Whereof I forie, yet my felfe did bend, 
 
 Him to recomfort with my companie. 
 
 But him the more agreev'd I found thereby : 
 
 For all his joy, he faid, in that diftreffe 
 
 Was mine and his JEmylia\ libertie. 
 
 JEmylia well he lov'd, as I mote gheffe ; 
 Yet greater love to me than her he did profeffe. 
 
 LVIII. 
 But I with better reafon him aviz'd, 
 
 And fhew'd him how through error and mif-thought 
 
 Of our like perfons eath to be difguiz'd, 
 
 Or his exchange, or freedome might be wrought. 
 
 Whereto full loth was he, ne would for ought 
 
 Confent, that I, who ftoode all feareleffe free, 
 
 Should wilfully be into thraldome brought, 
 
 Till fortune did perforce it fo decree : 
 Yet overrul'd at laft, he did to me agree. 
 
 LIX. 
 The morrow next about the wonted howre, 
 
 The dwarfe cald at the doore of Amy as , 
 
 To come forthwith unto his ladie's bovvre : 
 
 In (lead of whom forth came I Placidas y 
 
 And undifcerned, forth with him did pas. 
 
 There with great joyance and with gladfome glee, 
 
 Of faire Pcecuia I received was, 
 
 And oft imbraft, as if that I were hee, 
 And with kind words- accoyd, vowing great love to mee. 
 
 LX. Which
 
 Cant. VIII. the Faerie S^ueene. 385 
 
 LX. 
 
 Which I, th.'.t was not bent to former love, 
 
 As was my friend, that had her long refufd. 
 
 Did well accept, as well it did behove, 
 
 And to the prefent neede it wifely ufd. 
 
 My former hardnefle firft I faire excufd ; 
 
 And after promift large amends to make. 
 
 With fuch fmooth termes her error I abufd, 
 
 To my friend's good, more then for mine owne lake, 
 
 For whofe fole libcrtie I love and life did flake. 
 
 LXI. 
 
 Thenceforth I found more favour at her hand, 
 
 That to her dwarfe, which had me in his charge, 
 
 She bad to lighten my too heavie band, 
 
 And graunt more fcope to me to walke at large. 
 
 So on a day, as by the flowrie marge 
 
 Of a frefh ftreame I with that elfe did play, 
 
 Finding no meanes how I might us enlarge, 
 
 But if that dwarfe I could with me convay, 
 
 I lightly fnatcht him up, and with me bore away. 
 
 LXII. 
 
 Thereat he fhriekt aloud, that with his cry 
 
 The tyrant felfe came forth with yelling bray, 
 And me purfew'd ; but nathemore would 1 
 Forgoe the purchafe of my gotten pray, 
 But have perforce him hethcr brought away. 
 Thus as they talked, loe ! where nigh at hand 
 Thofe ladies two, yet doubtfull through difmay, 
 In prefence came, defirous t'underftand 
 
 Tydings of all, which there had hapned on the land. 
 
 Vol. II. Ddd LXIII. Where
 
 386 T'he fourth Booke of Cant. VIIF. 
 
 LXIII. 
 
 Where foone as fad JEtnylia did efpie 
 
 Her captive lovers friend, young Placidas ; 
 All mindleffe of her wonted modeftie, 
 She to him ran, and him with {freight embras 
 Enfolding, faid, And lives yet Amyas ? 
 He lives, quoth he, and his ALmylia loves-. 
 Then lefTe, faid fhe, by all the woe I pas, 
 With which my weaker patience fortune proves. 
 
 But what mifhap thus long him fro my felfe removes ? 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Then gan he all this ftorie to renew, 
 
 And tell the courfe of his captivitie ; 
 That her deare hart full deepely made to rew, 
 And figh full fore, to heare the miferie, 
 In which fo long he mercileffe did lie. 
 Then after many teares and forrowes fpent, 
 She deare befought the prince of remedie : 
 Who thereto did with readie will confent, 
 
 And well perform'd, as fliall appeare by his event. 
 
 Canto
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 387 
 
 Canto IX. 
 
 The f quire of low degree releajl 
 
 Pceana takes to wife : 
 Britomart fightes with ??iany knights \ 
 
 Prince Arthur flints their Jlrife. 
 
 I. 
 
 ARD is the doubt, and difficult to deeme, 
 When all three kinds of love together meet, 
 And doe difpart the hart with powre extreme, 
 Whether mall weigh the balance downe ; to weet, 
 The deare affection unto kindred fweet, 
 Or raging fire of love to womankind, 
 Or zeale of friends combynd with vertues meet. 
 But of them all the band of vertuous mind 
 Me feemes the gentle hart mould moft allured bind. 
 
 II. 
 For naturall affection foone doth ceffe, 
 
 And quenched is with Cupid 's greater flame : 
 But faithfull friendfhip doth them both fupprefle, 
 And them with mayftring difcipline doth tame, 
 Through thoughts afpyring to eternall fame. 
 For as the foule doth rule the earthly maffe, 
 And all the fervice of the bodie frame ; 
 So love of foule doth love of bodie paile, 
 No leffe then perfect gold furmounts the meaneft brafTe. 
 
 D d d 2 III. All
 
 388 The fourth Booh of Cant. IX. 
 
 III. 
 
 All which who lift by tryall to affay, 
 
 Shall in this ftorie find approved plaine ; 
 
 In which thefe fquires true friendfhip more did (way, 
 
 Then either care of parents could refraine, 
 
 Or love of faireft ladie could conftraine. 
 
 For though Pceana were as faire as morne, 
 
 Yet did this truftie fquire with proud difdaine 
 
 For his friend's fake her offred favours fcorne, 
 
 And fhe her felfe her lyre, of whom me was yborne. 
 
 IV. 
 
 Now after that prince Arthur graunted had, 
 
 To yeeld ftrong fuccour to that gentle fwayne, 
 
 Who now long time had layen in prifon fad, 
 
 He gan advife how beft he mote darrayne 
 
 That enterprize, for greateft glories gayne. 
 
 That headlefle tyrant's tronke he reard from ground, 
 
 And having ympt the head to it agayne, 
 
 Upon his uluall beafl it flrmely bound, 
 
 And made it fo to ride, as it alive was found. 
 
 V. 
 
 Then did he take that chaced fquire, and layd 
 Before the ryder, as he captive were, 
 And made his dwarfe, though with unwilling ayd, 
 To guide the beaft, that did his maifter beare, 
 Till to his caftle they approched neare. 
 Whom when the watch, that kept continuall ward, 
 Saw coming home, all voide of doubtfull feare, 
 He running downe, the gate to him unbard ; 
 
 Whom ftraight the prince enfuing, in together far'd. 
 
 VI. There
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 389 
 
 VI. 
 
 There did he find in her delirious boure 
 
 The faire Pceana playing on a rote, 
 
 Complayning of her cruell paramoure, 
 
 And ringing all her forrow to the note, 
 
 As fhe had learned readily by rote ; 
 
 That with the fweetneffe of her rare delight, 
 
 The prince halfe rapt began on her to dote ; 
 
 Till better him bethinking of the right, 
 He her unwares attacht, and captive held by might. 
 
 VII. 
 Whence being forth produc'd, when fhe perceived 
 
 Her owne deare fire, fhe cald to him for aide. 
 
 But when of him no aunfwere fhe received, 
 
 But faw him fencelefTe by the fquire upftaide, 
 
 She weened well, that then fhe was betraide. 
 
 Then gan fhe loudly cry, and weepe, and waile, 
 
 And that fame fquire of treafon to upbraide ; 
 
 But all in vaine, her plaints might not prevaile, 
 Ne none there was to refkue her, ne none to baile. 
 
 VIII. 
 Then tooke he that fame dwarfe, and him compeld 
 
 To open unto him the prifon dore, 
 
 And forth to bring thofe thralls, which there he held. 
 
 Thence forth were brought to him about a fcore 
 ' Of knights and fquires to him unknowne afore ; 
 
 All which he did from bitter bondage free, 
 
 And unto former liberty reftore. 
 
 Amongft the reft, that fquire of low degree 
 Came forth full weake and wan, not like him felfe to bee. 
 
 IX. Whom
 
 399 The fourth Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 IX. 
 
 Whom foone as faire JEmylia beheld, 
 
 And PlacidaS) they both unto him ran, 
 And him embracing faft betwixt them held, 
 Striving to comfort him all that they can, 
 And killing oft his vifage pale and wan ; 
 That faire Pcecma them beholding both, 
 Gan both envy, and bitterly to ban ; 
 Through jealous pailion weeping inly wroth, 
 
 To fee the light perforce, that both her eyes were loth. 
 
 X. 
 
 But when a while they had together beene, 
 And diverfly conferred of their cafe, 
 She, though full oft me both of them had feene 
 A funder, yet not ever in one place, 
 Began to doubt, when fhe them faw embrace, 
 Which was the captive fquire fhe lov'd fo deare, 
 Deceived through great likenefle of their face, 
 For they fo like in perfon did appeare, 
 
 That fhe uneath difcerned, whether whether weare. 
 
 XI. 
 
 And eke the prince, when as he them avized, 
 
 Their like refemblaunce much admired there, 
 And mazd how nature had fo well difguized 
 Her worke, and counterfet her felfe fo nere, 
 As if that by one patterne feene fomewhere 
 She had them made a paragone to be, 
 Or whether it through fkill, or errour were. 
 Thus gazing long, at them much wondred he ; 
 
 So did the other knights and fquircs, which him did fee. 
 
 i XII. Then
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 391 
 
 XII. 
 
 Then gan they ranfacke that fame caftle ftrong, 
 
 In which he found great ftore of hoorded threafure, 
 The which that tyrant gathered had by wrong 
 And tortious powre, without refpecT; or meafure. 
 Upon all which the Briton prince made feafure, 
 And afterwards continu'd there a while, 
 To reft him felfe, and folace in foft pleafure 
 Thofe weaker ladies after weary toile ; 
 
 To whom he did divide part of his purchaft fpoile. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 And for more joy, that captive lady faire, 
 The faire Paeana, he enlarged free ; 
 And by the reft did fet in fumptuous chaire, 
 To feaft and frollicke : nathemore would fhe 
 Shew gladfome countenaunce nor pleafaunt glee ; 
 But grieved was for loffe both of her fire, 
 And eke of lord (hip, with both land and fee ; 
 But moft fhe touched was with griefe entire, 
 
 For loffe of her new love, the hope of her dellre. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 But her the prince, through his well wonted grace, 
 To better termes of myldneffe did entreat, 
 From that fowle rudenefle, which did her deface - 
 And that fame bitter corfive, which did eat 
 Her tender heart, and made refraine from meat, 
 He with good thewes, and fpeaches well applyde,. 
 Did molliiie, and calme her raging heat. 
 For though fhe were moft faire, and goodly dyde,, 
 
 Yet flie it all did mar with cruelty and pride. 
 
 XV. And
 
 392, *fhe fourth Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XV. 
 
 And for to fhut up all in friendly love, 
 
 Sith love was firft the ground of all her griefe, 
 That trufty fquire he wifely well did move 
 Not to defpife that dame, which lov'd him liefe, 
 Till he had made of her fome better priefe, 
 But to accept her to his wedded wife. 
 Thereto he offred for to make him chiefe 
 Of all her land and lordfhip during life : 
 
 He yeelded, and her tooke ; fo (tinted ail their ftrife. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 From that day forth, in peace and joyous blis 
 They liv'd together long without debate ; 
 Ne private jarrc, ne lpite of enemis 
 Could make the fafe affuraunce of their ftate. 
 And fhe, whom nature did fo faire create, 
 That fhe mote match the faireft of her daies, 
 Yet with lewd loves and luffc intemperate 
 Had it defafte, thenceforth reformd her waies, 
 
 That all men much admyrde her change, and fpake her praife. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 Thus when the prince had perfectly compylde 
 
 Thefe paires of friends in peace and fetled reft, 
 
 Him felfe, whofe minde did travell as with chylde 
 
 Of his old love, conceav'd in fecret breft, 
 
 Refolved to purfue his former gueft ; 
 
 And taking leave of all, with him did beare 
 
 Faire A?no?-et, whom fortune by bequeft 
 
 Had left in his protection whileare, 
 
 jZxchanged out of one into another feare. 
 
 XVIIL Feare
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 39^ 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Feare of her fafety did her not conftraine, 
 
 For well me wift now in a mighty hond 
 
 Her perfon, late in perill, did remaine, 
 
 Who able was all daungers to withftond. 
 
 But now in feare of fhame fhe more did ftond, 
 
 Seeing her felfe all foly fuccourlefle, 
 
 Left in the victor's powre, like vaffall bond ; 
 
 Whofe will her weakenefle could no way reprefle, 
 In cafe his burning luft fhould break into excefTe. 
 
 XIX. 
 But caufe of feare fure had fhe none at all 
 
 Of him, who goodly learned had of yore 
 
 The courfe of loofe afFe&ion to forftall, 
 
 And lawleffe luft to rule with reafon's lore ; 
 
 That all the while he by his fide her bore, 
 
 She was as fife as in a fanctuary. 
 
 Thus many miles they two together wore, 
 
 To feeke their loves difperfed diver/ly, 
 Yet neither fhewd to other their hearts privity. 
 
 XX. 
 At length they came, whereas a troupe of knights 
 
 They faw together fkirmifhing, as feemed : 
 
 Sixe they were all, all full of fell defpight, 
 
 But foure of them the battel 1 beft befeemed, 
 
 That which of them was bcft, mote not be deemed. 
 
 Thofe foure were they, from whom falfe Fkrimcll 
 
 By Braggadochio lately was redeemed ; 
 
 To weet, ftcrnc Druon, and lewd Ciarihcll, 
 Love-lavifh BIanda?nour i and luftfull -Parideil. 
 
 V o l. II. E e e XXI. Druons
 
 394 ^> e fourth Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Drums delight was all in fingle life, 
 
 And unto ladies love would lend no leafure. 
 The more was Claribell enraged rife 
 With fervent flames, and loved out of meafure. 
 So eke lov'd Blandamour y but yet at pleafure 
 Would change his liking, and new lemans prove. 
 But Paridell of love did make no threafure, 
 But lufted after all, that him did move. 
 
 So diverily thefe foure difpofed were to love. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 But thofe two other, which befide them ftoode, 
 Were Britomart, and gentle Scudamour, 
 Who all the while beheld their wrathfull moode, 
 And wondred at their impacable ftoure, 
 Whofe like they never faw till that fame houre. 
 So dreadfull ftrokes each did at other drive, 
 And laid on load with all their might and powre, 
 As if that every dint the ghoft would rive 
 
 Out of their wretched corfes, and their lives deprive. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 As when Dan JEolus in great difpleafure, 
 
 For lofle of his deare love by Neptune hent, 
 
 Sends forth the winds out of his hidden threafure 3 
 
 Upon the fea to wreake his fell intent ; 
 
 They breaking forth with rude unruliment, 
 
 From all foure parts of heaven doe rage full fore, 
 
 And toile the deepes, and teare the firmament, 
 
 And all the world confound with wide uprore, 
 
 As if in ftead thereof they Chaos would reftore. 
 
 XXIV. Caufe
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 395 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Caufe of their difcord, and fo fell debate, 
 
 Was for the love of that fame fnowy maid, 
 Whome they had loft in turneyment of late, 
 And feeking long, to weet which way me ftraid, 
 Met here together, where through lewd upbraide 
 Of Ate and Dueffa they fell out, 
 And each one taking part in others aide, 
 This cruell conflidt raifed thereabout, 
 
 Whofe dangerous fucceffe depended yet in dout. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 For fometimes Paridell and Blandamour 
 
 The better had, and bet the others backe : 
 Eftfoones the others did the field recoure, 
 And on their foes did worke full cruell wracke : 
 Yet neither would their fiendlike fury flacke, 
 But evermore their malice did augment ; 
 Till that uneath they forced were, for lacke 
 Of breath, their raging rigour to relent, 
 
 And reft themfelves, for to recover fpirits Ipent. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 There gan they change their fides, and new parts take ; 
 For Paridell did take to Druo?i\ fide, 
 For old defpight, which now forth newly brake 
 Gainft Blandamour •, whom alwaies he envide : 
 And Blandamour to Claribell relide. 
 So all afrefh gan former fight renew. 
 As when two barkes, this caried with the tide, 
 That with the wind, contrary courfes few, 
 
 If wind and tide doe change, their courfes change anew. 
 
 E e e 2 XXVII. Thence-
 
 -p6 The fourth Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Thenceforth they much more furioufly gan fare, 
 As if but then the battell had begonne, 
 Ne helmets bright, ne hawberks ftrong did fpare, 
 That through the clifts the vermeil bloud out fponne, 
 And all adowne their riven fides did ronne. 
 Such mortall malice wonder was to fee 
 In friends profeft, and fo great outrage donne : 
 But footh is faid, and tride in each degree, 
 Faint friends, when they fall out, moft cruel! fomen bee, 
 
 XXVIII. 
 Thus they long while continued in fight, 
 
 Till Scudamour, and that fame Briton maide, 
 By fortune in that place did chance to light : 
 Whom foone as they with wrathfull eie bewraide, 
 They gan remember of the fowle upbraide, 
 The which that BritonefTe had to them donne, 
 In that late turney for the fnowy maide ; 
 Where fhe had them both fhamefully fordonne, 
 And eke the famous prize of beauty from them wonne. 
 
 XXIX. 
 Eftfoones all burning with a frefh defire 
 
 Of fell revenge, in their malicious mood 
 They from them fHves gan turne their furious ire, 
 And cruel! blades, yet fteeming with whot blood, 
 Againft thofe two let drive, as they were wood : 
 Who wondring much at that fo fudaine fit, 
 Yet nought difmayd, them ftoutly well withftood * 
 Ne yeelded foote, ne once abacke did flit, 
 But being doubly finitten, likewife doubly fmit. 
 
 XXX. The
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 397 
 
 XXX. 
 
 The warlike dame was on her part aiTaid 
 Of Claribell and Blandamonr attone ; 
 And Paridell and Drtion fiercely laid 
 At Scudamour, both his profelled fone. 
 Foure charged two, and two furcharged one ; 
 Yet did thofe two them felves fo bravely beare, 
 That the other little gained by the lone, 
 But with their owne repayed duely weare, 
 And ufury withall : fuch gaine was gotten deare. 
 
 XXXI. 
 Full oftentimes did Britomart afTay 
 
 To fpeake to them, and fome emparlance move ; 
 But they for nought their cruell hands would ftay, 
 Ne lenu an earc to ought, that might behove. 
 As when an s @er maftiffe once doth prove 
 The taft of bloud of fome engorged beaft, 
 No words may rate, nor rigour him remove 
 From greedy hold of that his bloudy feaft : 
 So little did they hearken to her fweet beheaft. 
 
 XXXII. 
 Whom when the Briton prince a farre beheld 
 With ods of fo unequall match oppreft, 
 His mighty heart with indignation fweld, 
 And inward grudge fild his heroicke breft : 
 Eftfoones him felfe he to their aide addrefr, 
 And thr lifting fierce into the thickeft preace, 
 Divided them, how ever loth to reft, 
 And would them faine from battell to furceafTe, 
 With gentle words perfwading them to friendly peace. 
 
 XXXIII. But
 
 398 7%e fourth Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 But they fo farre from peace and patience were, 
 That all at once at him gan fiercely flie, 
 And lay on load, as they him downe would beare ; 
 Like to a ftorme, which hovers under fkie 
 Long here and there, and round about doth ftie, 
 At length breakes downe in raine, and haile, and fleet, 
 Firft from one coaft, till nought thereof be drie ; 
 And then an other, till that likewife fleet ; 
 
 And fo from fide to fide, till all the world it weet. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 But now their forces greatly were decayd, 
 
 The prince yet being frefh untoucht afore ; 
 Who them with fpeaches milde gan firft difTwade 
 From fuch foule outrage, and them long forbore : 
 Till feeing them through fuffrance hartned more, 
 Him felfe he bent their furies to abate, 
 And layd at them fo fharpely and fo fore, 
 That fhortly them compelled to retrate, 
 
 And being brought in daunger, to relent too late. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 But now his courage being throughly fired, 
 
 He ment to make them know their follies prife, 
 Had not thofe two him inftantly defired 
 T'affwage his wrath, and pardon their mefprife. 
 At whofe requeft he gan him felfe advife 
 To ftay his hand, and of a truce to treat 
 In milder tearmes, as lift them to devife : 
 Mongft which the caufe of their fo cruell heat 
 He did them afke, who all that palled gan repeat ; 
 
 XXXVI. And
 
 Cant. IX. the Faerie Queene. 399 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 And told at large, how that fame errant knight, 
 
 To weet faire Britomart, them late had foyled 
 
 In open turney, and by wrongfull fight 
 
 Both of their publicke praife had them defpoyled, 
 
 And alfo of their private loves beguyled, 
 
 Of two full hard to read the harder theft. 
 
 But me that wrongfull challenge foone aflbyled, 
 
 And fhew'd, that fhe had not that lady reft, 
 
 As they fuppofd, but her had to her liking left. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 To whom the prince thus goodly well replied ; 
 
 Certes, Sir knight, ye feemen much to blame, 
 
 To rip up wrong, that battle once hath tried j 
 
 Wherein the honor both of armes ye fhame, 
 
 And eke the love of ladies foule defame ; 
 
 To whom the world this franchife ever yeelded, 
 
 That of their loves choife they might freedom clame, 
 
 And in that right mould by all knights be fhielded : 
 
 Gainft which me feemes this war ye wrongfully have wielded. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 And yet, quoth me, a greater wrong remaines : 
 For I thereby my former love have loft, 
 Whom feeking ever fince with endlefle paines, 
 Hath me much forrow and much travell coft ; 
 Aye me ! to fee that gentle maide fo toft. 
 But Scudcujiour, then fighing deepe, thus faide, 
 Certes her loffe ought me to forrow moft, 
 Whofe right fhe is, where ever fhe be ftraide, 
 
 Through many perils wonne, and many fortunes waide. 
 
 j XXXIX. For
 
 400 'The fourth Booke of Cant. IX. 
 
 xxxix. 
 
 For from the firft that I her love profeft, 
 
 Unto this howre, this prefent luckleiTe howre, 
 
 I never joyed happineffe nor reft, 
 
 But thus turmoild from one to other ftowre, 
 
 I waft my life, and doe my daies devowre 
 
 In wretched anguifhe and inceffant woe, 
 
 Pafling the meafure of my feeble powre, 
 
 That living thus a wretch, and loving fo y 
 -I- neither can my love, ne yet my life forgo. 
 
 XL. 
 The good Sir Claribell him thus befpake ; 
 
 Now were it not, Sir Scudamour^ to you 
 
 Diflikefuil paine, fo fad a tafke to take, 
 
 Mote we entreat you, fith this gentle crew 
 
 Is now lb well accorded all anew, 
 
 That as we ride together on our way, 
 
 Ye will recount to us in order dew 
 
 All that adventure, which ye did aflay 
 For that iaire ladie's love : paft perils well apay. 
 
 XLI. 
 So gan the reft him likewife to require, 
 
 But Britomart did him importune hard, 
 
 To take on him that paine ; whofe great defire 
 
 He glad to fatisfie, him felfe prepar'd 
 
 To tell through what misfortune he had far'd, 
 
 In that atchievement, as to him befell, 
 
 And all thofe daungers unto them declar'd, 
 
 Which fith they cannot in this Canto well 
 Comprifed be, I will them in another tell. 
 
 Canto
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene. 
 
 401 
 
 Canto X. 
 
 Scudamour doth his conquejl tell y 
 Of virtuous Amoret : 
 
 Great Venus temple is defcritfd y 
 And lovers life forth Jet, 
 
 I. 
 
 iRUE he it faid, what ever man it fayd, 
 
 That love with gall and hony doth abound, 
 But if the one be with the other wayd, 
 For every dram of hony therein found, 
 A pound of gall doth over it redound. 
 That I too true by triall have approved : 
 For fince the day, that firft with deadly wound 
 My hart was launcht, and learned to have loved, 
 I never joyed howre, but ftill with care was moved. 
 
 II. 
 And yet fuch grace is given them from above, 
 
 That all the cares and evill, which they meet, 
 May nought at all their fetled mindes remove, 
 But feeme gainft common fence to them moft fweet ; 
 As boafting in their martyrdomc unmeet. 
 So all, that ever yet I have endured, 
 I count as naught, and tread downe under feet, 
 Since of my love at length I reft affured, 
 That to difloyalty flic will not be allured. 
 
 Vol. II. Fff III. Long
 
 402 T'he fourth Booke of Cant. X. 
 
 III. 
 
 Long were to tell the travell and long toile, 
 
 Through which this fhield of love I late have wonne, 
 And purchafed this peerelefTe beautie's fpoile, 
 That harder may be ended, then begonne. 
 But fince ye fo defire, your will be donne. 
 Then hearke, ye gentle knights and ladies free, 
 My hard mifhaps that ye may learne to fhonne ; 
 For though fweet love to conquer glorious bee, 
 
 Yet is the paine thereof much greater than the fee. 
 
 IV. 
 
 What time the fame of this renowmed prife 
 
 Flew firft abroad, and all mens eares pofTeft, 
 
 I having armes then taken, gan avife 
 
 To winne me honour by fome noble geft, 
 
 And purchafe me fome place amongft the beft. 
 
 I boldly thought (fo young mens thoughts are bold) 
 
 That this fame brave emprize for me did reft, 
 
 And that both fhield and me, whom I behold, 
 
 Might be my lucky lot ; fith all by lot we hold. 
 
 V. 
 
 So on that hard adventure forth I went, 
 
 And to the place of perill fhortly came. 
 That was a temple faire and auncient, 
 Which of great mother Venus bare the name, 
 And farre renowmed through exceeding: fame. 
 Much more then that, which was in Paphos built, 
 Or that in Cyprus, both long fince this fame, 
 Though all the pillours of the one were guilt, 
 
 And all the other's pavement were with yvory fpilt. 
 
 i VI. And
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene. 403 
 
 VI. 
 
 And it was feated in an ifland ftrong, 
 
 Abounding all with delices moft rare, 
 
 And waM'd by nature gainft invaders wrong, 
 
 That none mote have acceffe, nor inward fare, 
 
 But by one way, that paflage did prepare. 
 
 It was a bridge ybuilt in goodly wize, 
 
 With curious corbes and pendants graven faire, 
 
 And, arched all with porches, did arize 
 
 With ftately pillours, frarn'd after the Doricke guize. 
 
 VII. 
 
 And for defence thereof, on th'other end 
 
 There reared was a caftle faire and ftrong, 
 Which warded all, that in or out did wend, 
 And flancked both the bridge's fides along, 
 Gainft all that would it faine to force or wrong. 
 And therein wonned twenty valiant knights ; 
 All twenty tride in warre's experience long ; 
 Whofe office was, againft all manner wights 
 
 By all meanes to maintaine that caftie's auncient rights. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 Before that caftle was an open plaine, 
 
 And in the midft thereof a piller placed ; 
 On which this fhield, of many fought in vaine, 
 The fhield of love, whofe guerdon me hath graced, 
 Was hangd on high with golden ribbands laced ; 
 And in the marble ftone was written this, 
 With golden letters goodly well enchaced, 
 Bleffcd the man, that well ca?i ufe his blis : 
 
 Whofe ever be the field ', faire Amoret be his. 
 
 Fff 2 IX. Which
 
 404 Tfie fourth Booh of Cant. X* 
 
 IX. 
 
 Which when I red, my heart did inly earne, 
 
 And pant with hope of that adventure's hap ; 
 Ne flayed further newes thereof to learne, 
 But with my fpeare upon the fhield did rap, 
 That all the caftle ringed with the clap. 
 Streight forth iffewd a knight all arm'd to proofed 
 And bravely mounted to his moil: mifhap : 
 Who flaying nought to queftion from aloofe, 
 
 Ran fierce at me, that fire glaunft from his hcrfe's hoofe. 
 
 X. 
 
 Whom boldly I encountred, as I could, 
 
 And by good fortune fhortly him unfeated; 
 
 Eftfoones out fprung two more of equall mould - 
 
 But I them both with equall hap defeated : 
 
 So all the twenty I likewife entreated, 
 
 And left them groning there upon the plaine- 
 
 Then preacing to the pillour, I repeated 
 
 The read thereof for guerdon of my paine, 
 
 And taking downe the fhield, with me did it retainc 
 
 XI. 
 
 So forth without impediment I pad,, 
 
 Till to the bridge's utter gate I came, 
 
 The which I found fure lockt and chained fafL 
 
 I knockt, but no man anfwerd me by name ; 
 
 I cald, but no one anfwerd to my clame. 
 
 Yet I perfever'd ftill to knocke and call, 
 
 Till at the laft I fpide within the fame, 
 
 Where one ftood peeping through a crevis fmall, 
 
 To whom I cald aloud, halfe angry therewithall. 
 
 3 XII. Tl at
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene* 405 
 
 XII. 
 
 That was to weet, the porter of the place, 
 
 Unto vvhofe trufl the charge thereof was lent : 
 
 His name was Doubt \ that had a double face, 
 
 Th'one forward looking, th'other backeward bent, 
 
 Therein refembling Janus auneient, 
 
 Which hath in charge the ingate of the yeare : 
 
 And evermore his eyes about him went, 
 
 As if fome proved perill he did feare, 
 
 Or did mifdoubt fome ill, whofe caufe did not appeare. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 On th'one fide he, on th'other fate Delay, 
 
 Behinde the gate, that none her might efpy ; 
 Whofe manner was all paffengers to ftay, 
 And entertaine with her occafions fly, 
 Through which fome loft great hope unheedily, 
 Which never they recover might againe ; 
 And others, quite excluded forth, did ly 
 Long languifhing there in unpittied paine, 
 
 And fceking often entraunce, afterwards in vaine. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Me when as he had privily efpide,. 
 
 Bearing the fhield, which I had conquerd late, 
 He kend it ftreight, and to me opened wide : 
 So in I paft, and ftreight he clofd the gate. 
 But being in, Delay in clofe awaite 
 Caught hold on me, and thought my fteps to ftay, 
 Feigning full many a fond excufe to prate, 
 And time to fteale, the threafure of man's day, 
 
 Whofe fmalleft minute loft no riches render may. 
 
 XV. But
 
 4° 6 *The fourth Booke of Cant. X. 
 
 XV. 
 
 But by no meanes my mind I would forflow, 
 For ought that ever me could doe or fav, 
 But from my lofty fteede demounting low, 
 Part, forth on foote, beholding all the way 
 The goodly workes, and ftones of rich afTay, 
 Caft into fundry fhapes by wondrous (kill, 
 That like on earth no where I recken may : 
 And underneath, the river rolling ftill 
 
 With murmure foft, that feem'd to ferve the workman's will. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 Thence forth I pafTed to the fecond gate, 
 
 The Gate of good defert, whofe goodly pride 
 
 And coftly frame were long here to relate. 
 
 The fame to all ftoode alwaies open wide : 
 
 But in the porch did evermore abide 
 
 An hideous giant, dreadfull to behold, 
 
 That ftopt the entraunce with his fpacious ftride, 
 
 And with the terrour of his countenance bold 
 
 Full many did affray, that elfe faine enter would. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 His name was Daunger, dreaded over all, 
 
 .0 day and night did watch and duely ward, 
 From fearefull cowards entrance to forftall, 
 And faint-heart fooles, whom mew of perill hard 
 Could terrihe from fortune's faire adward : 
 For oftentimes faint hearts, at firft efpiall 
 Of his grim face, were from approaching fcard ; 
 Unworthy they of grace, whom one deniall 
 
 Excludes from faireft hope, withouten further triall. 
 
 XVIII. Yet
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene. 407 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Yet many doughty warriours, often tride 
 In greater perils to be ftout and bold, 
 Durft not the fternneffe of his looke abide, 
 But foone as they his countenance did behold, 
 Began to faint, and feele their corage cold. 
 Againe fome other, that in hard affaies 
 Were cowards knovvne, and little count did hold, 
 Either through gifts, or guile, or fuch like waies, 
 
 Crept in by ftouping low, or ftealing of the kaies. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 But I, though meanest man of many moe, 
 Yet much difdaining unto him to lout, 
 Or creepe betweene his legs, fo in to goe, 
 Refolv'd him to aflault with manhood ftout, 
 And either beat him in, or drive him out. 
 Eitfoones advauncing that enchaunted fhield, 
 With all my might I gan to lay about : 
 Which when he law, the glaive, which he did wield, 
 
 He gan forthwith t'avale, and way unto me yield. 
 
 XX. 
 
 So, as I entred, I did backward looke, 
 
 For leare oi harme, that might lie hiden there ; 
 And loe his hindparts, whereof heed I tooke, 
 Much more deformed fearefull ugly were, 
 Then all his former parts did ear It appere. 
 For hatred, murther, trcaion, and deipight, 
 With many moe, lay in ambufhment there, 
 Awayting to entrap the warelefle wight, 
 
 Which did not them prevent with vigilant foresight- 
 
 XXI. Thus
 
 408 The fourth Booke t>f Cant. X, 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Thus having pafl all perill, I was come 
 
 Within the compaffe of that inland's fpace ; 
 The which did feeme unto my flmple doome, 
 - The onely pleafant and delightfull place, 
 That ever troden was of footings trace. 
 For all that nature by her mother wit 
 Could frame in earth, and forme of fubftance bale, 
 Was there ; and all that nature did omit, 
 Art, playing fecond nature's part, fupplyed it. 
 
 XXII. 
 No tree, that is of count, in greenwood growes, 
 From loweft juniper to ceder tall, 
 No flowre in field, that daintie odour throwes, 
 And deckes his branch with bloflbmes over all, 
 But there was planted, or grew natural : 
 Nor fenfe-of man fo coy and curious nice, 
 But there mote find to pleafe it felfe withall ; 
 Nor hart could wifh for any queint device, 
 But there it prefent was, and did fraile fenfe entice. 
 
 XXIII. 
 In fuch luxurious plentie of all pleafure, 
 It feem'd a fecond paradife to bee, 
 So laviihly enricht with nature's threafure, 
 That if the happie foules, which doe pofTefie 
 Th'Elyfian fields, and live in lafting bleffe, 
 Should happen this with living eye to fee, 
 They foone would loath their leffer happineffe, 
 And wifh to life return'd againe to ghefie, 
 That in this joyous place they mote have joyance free. 
 
 XXIV. Frelh
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene* 409 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 Frefh fhadowes, fit to fhroud from funny ray ; 
 
 Faire lawnds, to take the funne in feafon dew ; 
 
 Sweet fprings, in which a thoufand nymphs did play ; 
 
 Soft rombling brookes, that gentle flomber drew ; 
 
 High reared mounts, the lands about to vew ; 
 
 Low looking dales, diiloignd from common gaze - y 
 
 Delightfull bowres, to folace lovers trew ; 
 
 Falfe labyrinthes, fond runners eyes to daze; 
 All which by nature made did nature felfe amaze. 
 
 XXV. 
 And all without were walkes and alleyes dight, 
 
 With divers trees, enrang'd in even rankes ; 
 
 And here and there were pleafant arbors pight, 
 
 And fhadie feates, and fundry flowring bankes, 
 
 To fit and reft the walker's wearie fhankes ; 
 
 And therein thoufand payres of lovers walkt, 
 
 Prayfing their God, and yeelding him great thankes, 
 
 Ne ever ought but of their true loves talkt, 
 Ne ever for rebuke or blame of any balkt. 
 
 XXVI. 
 All thefe together by themfelves did' fport 
 
 Their fpotlefle pleafures, and fweet loves content. 
 
 But farrc away from thefe, another fort 
 
 Of lovers lincked in true harts confent ; 
 
 Which loved not as thefe, for like intent, 
 
 But on chaft vertue grounded their defire, 
 
 Farre from all fraud, or favned blandishment ; 
 
 Which in their fpirits kindling zealous fire, 
 Brave thoughts and noble deedes did evermore aipirc. 
 
 Vol. II. Ggg XXVII. Such
 
 41 o 7%e fourth Booke of Cant. X. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Such were great Hercules, and Hylas deare ; 
 
 Trew Jonathan, and David truftie tryde ; 
 
 Stout Thefeus, and Perithous his feare , 
 
 Py lades and Orejles by his fyde ; 
 
 Myld 'Titus and Gejippus without prydc ; 
 
 Damon and Pythias , whom death could not fever : 
 
 All thefe, and all that ever had bene tyde 
 
 In bands of friendfhip, there did live for ever, 
 Whofe lives although decay'd, yet loves decayed never. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 Which when as I, that never tafted blis, 
 
 Nor happie howre, beheld with gazefull eye, 
 
 I thought there was none other heaven then this ; 
 
 And gan their endleffe happinefTe envye, 
 
 That being free from feare and gealoufye, 
 
 Might frankely there their love's defire poffefTe ; 
 
 Whilft I through paines and perlous jeopardie, 
 
 Was forft to feeke my life's deare patroneffe : 
 Much dearer be the things, which come through hard diflreflL 
 
 XXIX. 
 Yet all thofe fights, and all that elfe I faw, 
 
 Might not my fteps withhold, but that forthright 
 
 Unto that purpofd place I did me draw, 
 
 Where as my love was lodged day and night : 
 
 The temple of great Venus, that is hight 
 
 The queene of beautie, and of love the mother, 
 
 There worfhipped of every living wight ; 
 
 Whofe goodly workmanfhip farre paft all other, 
 That ever were on earth, all were they fet together. 
 
 XXX. Not
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene. 411 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Not that fame famous temple of Diane, 
 Whofe hight all Ephefus did overfee, 
 And which all Afia fought with vowes prophane, 
 One of the world's feven wonders fayd to bee, 
 Might match with this by many a degree : 
 Nor that, which that wife king of Jurie framed, 
 With endlefle cofl, to be th'Almightie's fee ; 
 Nor all that elfe through all the world is named 
 
 To all the heathen gods, might like to this be clamed. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 I much admiring that fo goodly frame, 
 
 Unto the porch approcht, which open flood ; 
 
 But therein fate an amiable dame, 
 
 That feem'd to be of very fober mood, 
 
 And in her femblant fhewd great womanhood : 
 
 Strange was her tyre ; for on her head a crowne 
 
 She wore much like unto a Danifk hood, 
 
 Poudred with pearle and ftone, and all her gowne 
 
 Enwoven was with gold, that raught full low a downe. 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 On either fide of her, two young men flood, 
 
 Both flrongly arm'd, as fearing one another ; 
 Yet were they brethren both of halfe the blood, 
 Begotten by two fathers of one mother, 
 Though of contrarie natures each to other : 
 The one of them hight Love, the other Hate ; 
 Hate was the elder, Love the younger brother ; 
 Yet was the younger flronger in his flate 
 
 Then th'elder, and him mayflred flill in all debate. 
 
 G g g 2 XXXIII. Nath-
 
 4i.2 ^The fourth Booke of Cant. X. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Nathleffe that dame fo well them tempred both, 
 That fhe them forced hand to joyne in hand, 
 Albe that Hatred was thereto full loth, 
 And turn'd his face away, as he did ftand, 
 Unwilling to behold that lovely band. 
 Yet fhe was of fuch grace and virtuous might, 
 That her commaundment he could not withftand, 
 But bit his lip for felonous defpight, 
 
 And gnafht his yron tufkes at that difpleafing fight. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Concord fhe cleeped was in common reed, 
 
 Mother of blefled Pence, and Friendflrip trew ; 
 They both her twins, both borne of heavenly feed, 
 And fhe her felfe likewife divinely grew ; 
 The which right well her workes divine did fhew r 
 For ftrength, and wealth, and happineffe fhe lends> 
 And ftrife, and warre, and anger does fubdew : 
 Of little much, of foes fhe maketh frends, 
 
 And to afflicted minds fweet reft and quiet fends. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 By her the heaven is in his courfe contained, 
 
 And all the world in ftate unmoved ftands, 
 
 As their Almightie maker firfr. ordained, 
 
 And bound them with inviolable bands ; 
 
 Elfe would the waters overflow the lands, 
 
 And fire devoure the ayre, and hell them quight, 
 
 But that fhe holds them with her blefled hands. 
 
 She is the nourfe of pleafure and delight, 
 
 And unto Venus grace the gate doth open right. 
 
 XXXVI. By
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene. 413 
 
 XXXVI. 
 
 By her I entring halfe difmayed was, 
 
 But fhe in gentle wife me entertayned, 
 And twixt her felfe and Love did let me pas ; 
 But Hatred would my entrance have reftrayned, 
 And with his club me threatned to have brayned, 
 Had not the ladie with her powrefull {peach 
 Him from his wicked will uneath refrayned ; 
 And th' other eke his malice did empeach, 
 Till I was throughly paft the perill of his reach, 
 
 XXXVII. 
 Into the inmoft temple thus I came, 
 
 Which fuming all with frankenfence I found, 
 And odours riling from the altar's flame. 
 Upon an hundred marble pillors round 
 The roofe up high was reared from the ground, 
 All deckt with crownes, and chaynes, and garlands gay, 
 And thoufand pretious gifts worth many a pound, 
 The which fad lovers for their vowes did pay ; 
 And all the ground was ftrow'd with flowres, as frefh as May* 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 An hundred altars round about were fet, 
 All flaming with their facrifices fire, 
 That with the fleme thereof the temple fwet, 
 Which rould in clouds to heaven did afpire, 
 And in them bore true lovers vowes entire : 
 And eke an hundred brafcn caudrons bright, 
 To bath in joy and amorous defire, 
 Every of which was to a damzell hight ; 
 For all the priefta were damzells, in foft linnen dight. 
 
 XXXIX. Right 
 
 o
 
 414 ^ e fourth Booke of Cant. X. 
 
 XXXIX. 
 
 Right in the midft the goddeffe felfe did ftand 
 Upon an altar of fome coftly mafTe, 
 Whofe fubftance was uneath to underftand : 
 For neither pretious ftone, nor durefull brafle, 
 Nor mining gold, nor mouldring clay it was ; 
 But much more rare and pretious to efteeme, 
 Pure in aipeft, and like to chriftall glafTe, 
 Yet glas was not, if one did rightly deeme, 
 
 But being faire and brickie, likeft glafTe did feeme. 
 
 XL. 
 
 But it in fhape and beautie did excell 
 
 All other idoles, which th'heathen adore, 
 Farre palling that, which by furpafling fkill 
 Phidias did make in Paphos ifle of yore, 
 With which that wretched Greeke, that life forlore, 
 Did fall in love : yet this much fairer fhyned, 
 But covered with a llender vejle afore ; 
 And both her feete and legs together twyned 
 
 Were with a fnake, whofe head and tail were faft combyned, 
 
 XLI. 
 
 The caufe why fhe was covered with a vele, 
 
 Was hard to know, for that her priefts the fame 
 With peoples knowledge labour'd to concele; 
 But footh it was not fure for womaniili fhame, 
 Nor any blemifh, which the worke mote blame ; 
 But for, they fay, fhe hath both kinds in one, 
 Both male and female, both under one name : 
 She fyre and mother is her felfe alone, 
 
 Begets and eke conceives, ne needeth other none. 
 
 XLII. And
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene, 415 
 
 XLIL 
 
 And all about her necke and fhoulders flew 
 
 A flocke of little loves, and fports, and joyes, 
 With nimble wings of gold and purple hew ; 
 Whofe fhapes feem'd not like to terreftrial boyes, 
 But like to angels playing heavenly toyes ; 
 The whileft their eldeft brother was away, 
 Cupid their eldeft brother ; he enjoyes 
 The wide kingdome of love and lordly fway, 
 
 And to his law compels all creatures to obay. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 And all about her altar fcattered lay 
 
 Great forts of lovers piteoufly complayning, 
 
 Some of their lofle, fome of their loves delay, 
 
 Some of their pride, fome paragons difdayning, 
 
 Some fearing fraud, fome fraudulently fayning, 
 
 As every one had caufe of good or ill. 
 
 Amongft the reft fome one through love's conftrayning, 
 
 Tormented fore, could not contain it ftill, 
 
 But thus brake forth, that all the temple it did fill > 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 Great Venus, queene of beautie and of grace, 
 The joy of gods and men, that under fkie 
 Doeft fayreft fhine, and moft adorne thy place, 
 That with thy fmyling looke doeft pacifie 
 The raging feas, and makft the ftormes to flie ; 
 Thee, goddefle, thee the winds, the clouds doe f eare, 
 And when thou fpredft thy mantle forth on hie, 
 The waters play, and pleaiant lands appeare, 
 
 And heavens laugh, and all the world ihews joyous cheare. 
 
 XLV. Then
 
 41 6 'The fourth Booke of Cant. X. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Then doth the Diedale earth throw forth to thee 
 Out of her fruitfull lap abundant flowres, 
 And then all living wights, foone as they fee 
 The fpring break forth out of his lufiy bowres, 
 They all doe learne to play the paramours ; 
 Firft doe the merry birds, thy prety pages, 
 Privily pricked with thy luftfull powres, 
 Chirpe loud to thee out of their leavy cages, 
 
 And thee their mother call to coole their kindly rages. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Then doe the falvage beafts begin to play 
 
 Their pleafant frifkes, and loath their wonted food ; 
 The lyons roare, the tygres loudly bray, 
 The raging bulls rebellow through the wood, 
 And breaking forth, dare tempt the deepeft flood, 
 To come where thou doeft draw them with delire : 
 So all things elfe, that nourifh vitall blood, 
 Soone.as with fury thou doeft them infpire, 
 
 In generation feeke to quench their inward fire. 
 
 XLVII. 
 
 So all the world by thee at firft was made, 
 
 And dayly yet thou doeft the fame repayre : 
 Ne ought on earth, that merry is and glad, 
 Ne ought on earth, that lovely is and fayre, 
 But thou the fame for pleafure didft prepayre. 
 Thou art the root of all that joyous is, 
 Great god of men and women, queene of th'ayre, 
 Mother of laughter, and welfpring of blifTe, 
 
 O graunt that of my love at laft I may not miiTe. 
 
 XL VIII. So
 
 Cant. X. the Faerie Queene. 417 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 So did he fay : but I with murmure foft, 
 
 That none might heare the forrow of my hart, 
 
 Yet inly groning deepe, and fighing oft, 
 
 Befought her to graunt eafe unto my fmart, 
 
 And to my wound her gratious help impart. 
 
 Whileft thus I fpake, behold ! with happy eye 
 
 I ipyde, whereat the idole's feet apart 
 
 A bevie of fayre damzells clofe did lye, 
 Wayting when as the antheme mould be fung on hye. 
 
 XLIX. 
 The firft of them did feeme of ryper yeares, 
 
 And graver countenance then all the reft ; 
 
 Yet all the reft were eke her equall peares, 
 
 Yet unto her obayed all the beft. 
 
 Her name was Womanhood, that fhe expreft 
 
 By her fad femblant and demeanure wyfe : 
 
 For ftedfaft ftill her eyes did fixed reft, 
 
 Ne rov'd at randon after gazers guyfe, 
 Whofe luring baytes oftimes doe heedlefTe harts entyfe. 
 
 L. 
 And next to her fate goodly Shaf?iefaftmJ[e, 
 
 Ne ever durft her eyes from ground upreare, 
 
 Ne ever once did looke up from her deffe, 
 
 As if fome blame of evill fhe did feare, 
 
 That in her cheekes made rofes oft appeare. 
 
 And her againft fweet Cherefuhiejfe was placed, 
 
 Whofe eyes, like twinkling ftars in evening cleare, 
 
 Were deckt with fmyles, that all fad humors chaced, 
 And darted forth delights, the which her goodly graced. 
 
 Vol. IL Hhh LI. And
 
 41 8 The fourth Booke of Cant. X. 
 
 LI. 
 
 And next to her fate fober Mode/lie, 
 
 Holding her hand upon her gentle hart : 
 
 And her againft fate comely Curtejle, 
 
 That unto every perfbn knew her part : 
 
 And her before was feated overthwart 
 
 Soft Silence, and fubmiffe Obedience, 
 
 Both linckt together never to difpart, 
 
 Both gifts of God not gotten but from thence, 
 
 Beth girlonds of his faints againft their foes offence. 
 
 LII. 
 
 Thus fate they all around in feemely rate : 
 
 And in the midft of them a goodly mayd, 
 Even in the lap of Womanhood there fate, 
 The which was all in lilly white arayd, 
 With filver ftreames amongft the linnen ffray'd ; 
 Like to the morne, when firft her mining face 
 Hath to the gloomy world it felfe bewray *d : 
 That fame was fayreft A?noret in place, 
 
 Shyning with beauties light, and heavenly vertues grace. 
 
 LIII. 
 
 Whom foone as I beheld, my hart gan throb, 
 
 And wade in doubt, what beft were to be donne : ' 
 For facrilege me feem'd the church to rob, 
 And folly feem'd to leave the thing undonne, 
 Which with fo ftrong attempt I had begonne. 
 Tho making off all doubt and fhamefaft feare, 
 Which ladies love I heard had never wonne 
 Mongft men of worth, I to her ftepped neare, 
 
 And by the lilly hand her labour' d up to reare. 
 
 LIV. Tkereat
 
 Cant. X, the Faerie Queene. 419 
 
 LIV. 
 
 Thereat that formoft matrone did me blame, 
 
 And fharpe rebuke, for being over bold ; 
 
 Saying it was to knight unfeemely fhame, 
 
 Upon a reclufe virgin to lay hold, 
 
 That unto Ve?ius fervices was fold. 
 
 To whom I thus ; Nay, but it fitteth beft, 
 
 For Cupid's man with Fe?ius mayd to hold, 
 
 For ill your goddefle fervices are dreft 
 By virgins, and her facriiices let to reft. 
 
 LV. 
 With that my fhield I forth to her did mow, 
 
 Which all that while I clofely had conceld ; 
 
 On which when Cupid with his killing bow 
 
 And cruell fhafts emblazond fhe beheld, 
 
 At fight thereof fhe was with terror queld, 
 
 And faid no more : but I, which all that while 
 
 The pledge of faith, her hand engaged held, 
 
 Like warie hind within the weedie foyle, 
 For no intreatie would forgoe fo glorious fpoyle, 
 
 LVI. 
 And evermore upon the goddefle face 
 
 Mine eve was fixr, for feare of her offence, 
 
 Whom when I law with amiable grace 
 
 To laugh at me, and favour my pretence, 
 
 I was emboldned with more confidence, 
 
 And nought for nicencfle nor for envy fearing, 
 
 In prefence of them all forth led her thence, 
 
 All looking on, and like aftonifht ftaring, 
 Yet to lay hand on her, not one of all them daring. 
 
 H h h 2 LVI I, She
 
 420 The fourth Booh of Cant. X, 
 
 LVII. 
 
 She often prayd, and often me befought, 
 
 Sometime with tender teares to let her goe, 
 
 Sometime with witching fmyles : but yet for nought> 
 
 That ever fhe to me could fay or doe, 
 
 Could fhe her wifhed freedome fro me wooe ; 
 
 But forth I led her through the temple gate, 
 
 By which I hardly paft with much adoe, 
 
 But that iame ladie, which me friended late 
 
 In entrance, did me alfo friend in my retrate. 
 
 LVIII. 
 
 No Ieffe did daunger threaten me with dread, 
 When as he faw me, maugre all his poure, 
 That glorious fpoyle of beautie with me lead ? 
 Then Cerberus, when Orpheus did recoure 
 His leman from the Stygian prince's boure. 
 But evermore my fhield did me defend, 
 Againft the ftorme of every dreadfull ftoure 5 
 Thus fafely with my love I thence did wend, 
 
 So ended he his tale, where I this Canto end. 
 
 Canto
 
 Cant. XI. the Faerie Hueene. 421 
 
 Canto XI. 
 
 MarineWs fo?-mer wound is heald, 
 
 He comes to Proteus hall, 
 Where Thames doth the Medway wedd 9 
 
 And feajls the fea-gods all. 
 
 I. 
 
 ypUT ah! for pittie, that I have thus long 
 jl§| Left a fayre ladie languifhing in payne : 
 
 Now well away, that I have doen fuch wrong ? 
 To let faire Florimell in bands remayne, 
 In bands of love, and in fad thraldome's chayne ; 
 From which, unleffe fome heavenly powre her free 
 By miracle, not yet appearing playne, 
 She lenger yet is like captiv'd to bee ; 
 That even to thinke thereof, it inly pitties mee. 
 
 II. 
 Here neede you to remember, how erewhile 
 Unlovely Proteus, miffing to his mind 
 That virgin's love to win by wit or wile, 
 Her threw into a dongeon deepe and blind, 
 And there in chaynes her cruelly did bind, 
 In hope thereby her to his bent to draw : 
 For when as neither gifts nor graces kind 
 Her conftant mind could move at all, he faw, 
 He thought her to compell by crueltie and awe, 
 
 III. Deepe
 
 ^22 The fourth Eooke of Cant. XL 
 
 III. 
 
 Deepe in the bottome of an huge great rocke 
 
 The dongeon was, in which her bound he left, 
 That neither yron barres, nor brafen locke 
 Did neede to gard from force, or fecret theft 
 Of all her lovers, which would her have reft. 
 For wall'd it was with waves, which rag'd and ror'd 
 As they the cliffe in peeces would have cleft ; 
 Befides ten thoufand monfters foule abhor' d 
 
 Did waite about it, gaping griefly, all begor'd. 
 
 IV. 
 
 And in the midft thereof did horror dwell, 
 
 And darknefle dredd,- that never viewed day. 
 Like to the balefull houfe of loweft hell, 
 In which old Styx her aged bones alway, 
 Old Styx the grandame of the gods, doth lay. 
 There did this lucklefie mayd three months abide, 
 Ne ever evening faw, ne morning's ray, 
 Ne ever from the day the night defcride, 
 
 But thought it all one night, that did no houres divide. 
 
 V. 
 
 And all this was for love of Marine //, 
 
 Who her defpyfd (ah ! who would her dcfpyfe ?) 
 And wemen's love did from his hart expell, 
 And all thofe joyes, that weake mankind entyfe. 
 Natiilefie his pride full dearely he did pryfe j 
 For of a woman's hand it was ywroke, 
 That of the wound he yet in languor lyes, 
 Ne can be cured of that cruell ftroke 
 
 Which Britomart him gave, when he did her provoke. 
 
 VI. Yet
 
 Cartf. XI. the Faerie Queene. 423 
 
 VI. 
 
 Yet farre and neare the nymph his mother fought, 
 And many falves did to his fore applie, 
 And many herbes did ufe. But when as nought 
 She faw could eafe his rankling maladie, 
 At laft to Tryphon me for helpe did hie, 
 (This Tryphon is the fea-gods furgeon hight) 
 Whom fhe befought to find fome remedie : 
 And for his paines a whittle him benight, 
 
 That of a fifhe's fhell was wrought with rare delight. 
 
 VII. 
 
 So well that leach did hearke to her requeft, 
 
 And did (o well employ his carefull paine, 
 That in fhort fpace his hurts he had redreft, 
 And him reftor'd to healthfull ftate againe : 
 In which he long time after did remaine 
 There with the nymph his mother, like her thrall ; 
 Who fore againft his will did him retaine, 
 For feare of perill, which to him mote fall, 
 
 Through his too ventrous proweffe proved over alL 
 
 VIII. 
 
 It fortun'd then, a folemne feaft was there 
 
 To all the fea-gods, and their fruitfull feede-, 
 In honour of the fpoufalls, which then were 
 Betwixt the Medway and the Thames agreed. 
 Long had the Thames, as we in records reed, 
 Before that day, her wooed to his bed ; 
 But the proud nymph would for no worldly meed,. 
 Nor no entreatie, to his love be led , 
 
 Till now at laft relenting, fhe to him was wed. 
 
 IX. So-
 
 424 *Tbe fourth Eooke of Cant. XL 
 
 IX. 
 
 So both agreed, that this their bridale feafl: 
 
 Should for the gods in Proteus houfe be made ; 
 To which they all repayr'd, both moft and leaft, 
 Arvvell which in the mightie ocean trade, 
 As that in rivers fwim, or brookes doe wade. 
 All which not if an hundred tongues to tell, 
 And hundred mouthes, and voice of braffe I had, 
 And endleffe memorie, that mote excell, 
 
 In order as they came, could I recount them well. 
 
 X. 
 
 Helpe therefore, O thou facred imp of Jove, 
 The nourfling of dame Memorie his deare, 
 To whom thofe rolles, layd up in heaven above, 
 And records of antiquitie appeare, 
 To which no w T it of man may comen neare ; 
 Helpe me to tell the names of all thofe floods, 
 And all thofe nymphes, which then aflembled were 
 To that great banquet of the watry gods, 
 
 And all their fundry kinds, and all their hid abodes. 
 
 XI. 
 
 Firft came great Neptune with his threeforkt mace, 
 That rules the feas, and makes them rife or fall : 
 His dewy lockes did drop with brine apace, 
 Under his diademe imperiall, 
 And by his fide his queene with coronall, 
 Faire Amphitrite, molt divinely faire, 
 Whofe yvorie fhoulders weren covered all, 
 As with a robe, with her owne filver haire, 
 
 And deckt with pearles, which th' Indian feas for her prepare. 
 
 XII. Thefe
 
 Cant. XL the Faerie Queene. 425 
 
 XII. 
 
 Thefe marohed farre afore the other crew ; 
 
 And all the way before them as they went, 
 
 Triton his trompet fhrill before them blew, 
 
 For goodly triumph and great jollyment, 
 
 That made the rockes to roare, as they were rent. 
 
 And after them the royall iffue came, 
 
 Which of them iprung by lineall defcent : 
 
 Firfl the fea-gods, which to themfelves doe clamc 
 The powre to rule the billowcs, and the waves to tame, 
 
 XIII. 
 P/jorcySj the father of that fatall brood, 
 
 By whom thofe old heroes wonne fuch fame ; 
 
 And G/aucus, that wife fouthfayes underftood ; 
 
 And tragicke hioe\ fonne, the which became 
 
 A god of leas through his mad mother's blame, 
 
 Now hight Palemvn, and is faylers frend ; 
 
 Great Brontes, and Aftrcem, that did mame 
 
 Himfelie with inceft of his kin unkend ; 
 And huge Orwn, that doth tempefts ftill portend. 
 
 XIV. 
 The rich Cteatus, and Eurytus long ; 
 
 Neleus and Pelias, lovely brethren both ; 
 
 Mightie Chryfaor, and Caicus ftrong ; 
 
 Eurj'pu/us, that calmes the waters wroth ; 
 
 And faire Euphcemus, that upon them goth 
 
 As on the ground, without difmay or dread : 
 
 Fierce Eryx, and Akbhis, that know'th 
 
 The waters depth, and doth their bottome tread ; 
 And fad Afopus, comely with his hoarie head. 
 
 Vol. II. I i i XV. There
 
 426 7%e fourth Booke of Cant. XI. 
 
 XV. 
 
 There alfo fome moft famous founders were 
 
 Of puiffant nations, which the world pofTeft ; 
 Yet fonnes of Neptune, now affembled here : 
 Ancient Ogjipes, even th'auncientefl:, 
 And hiachus renowmd above the reft ; 
 Phoenix i and Aon, and Pclafgus old, 
 Great Be/us, Phceax, and Agenor beft ; 
 And mightie Albion, father of the bold 
 
 And warlike people, which the Britaine iflands hold, 
 
 XVI. 
 
 For Albio?i the fonne of Neptune was, 
 
 Who lor the proofe of his great puiftance, 
 
 Out of his Albio?i did on dry-foot pas 
 
 Into old Gall, that now is cleeped France, 
 
 To fight with Hercules, that did advance 
 
 To vanquish all the world with matchlefle might, 
 
 And there his mortall part by great mifchance 
 
 Was llaine: but that, which is th'immortall fpright, 
 
 Lives ftill j and to this feaft with Neptune 's feed was dight, 
 
 XVII. 
 
 But what doe I their names feek to reherfe, 
 
 Which all the world have with their iffue flld ? 
 How can they all in this fo narrov, verle 
 Contayned be, and in fmall compaffe hild ? 
 Let them record them, that are better fluid, 
 And know the moniments of palled times : 
 Onely what needeth, mail be here fulfild, 
 T'exprefTe fome part of that great equipage, 
 
 Which from great Neptune do derive their parentage. 
 
 XVIII. Next
 
 Cant. XI. the Faerie Queene. 427 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 Next came the aged Ocean, and his dame, 
 Old Teihys, th'oldeft two of all the reft, 
 For all the reft of thofe two parents came, 
 Which afterward both fea and land pofleft : 
 Of all which Nereus th'eldeft, and the beft, 
 Did hrft proceed, then which none more upright, 
 Ne more fincere in word and deed profeft ; 
 Moft voide of guile, moft free from fowle defpight, 
 
 Doing him felfe, and teaching others to doe right. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Thereto he was expert in prophecies, 
 
 And could the ledden of the gods unfold, 
 
 Through which, when Paris brought his famous prife, 
 
 The faire Tindarid lafTe, he him fortold, 
 
 That her all Greece, with many a champion bold, 
 
 Should fetch againe, and finally deftroy 
 
 Proud Priam's lowne. So wife is Nereus old, 
 
 And fo well fkill ; nathlefie he takes great joy 
 
 Oft-times amongft the wanton nymphs to fport and toy. 
 
 A. A.. 
 
 And after him the famous rivers came, 
 
 Which doe the earth enrich and beautifie : 
 
 The fertile Nile, which creatures new doth frame ; 
 
 Long Rhodanus, whofe iourfe springs from the fkie ; 
 
 Faire Ifter, flowing from the mountaines hie ; 
 
 Divine Scamander, purpled yet with blood 
 
 Of Greekes and Trojans, which therein did die ; 
 
 Paclolus gliftring with his golden flood, 
 
 And Tygris fierce, whofe ftreames ol none may be withftood. 
 
 I i i 2 XXI. Great
 
 42.8 tfhe fourth Booke of Cant. XL 
 
 XXI. 
 
 Great Ganges, and immortall Euphrates, 
 Deepe Indus, and Maeander intricate, 
 Slow Peneus, and tempeftuous Phalldes, 
 Swift Rhene, and Alpheus ftill immaculate : 
 Oraxes, feared for great Cyrus fate ; 
 Tybris, renowmed for the Romaines fame, 
 Rich Oranochy, though but knowen late ; 
 And that huge river, which doth beare his name 
 
 Of warlike Amazons, which doe pofTeiTe the femet 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Joy on thofe warlike women, which fo long 
 
 Can from all men fo rich a kingdome hold ; 
 
 And fhame on you, O men! which boaft your ftrong 
 
 And valiant hearts, in thoughts leile hard and bold, 
 
 Yet quaile in conqueft of that land of gold. 
 
 But this to you, O Britons ! moft pertaines, 
 
 To whom the right hereof it felfe hath fold ; 
 
 The which for fparing little coll: or paines, 
 
 Loofe fo immortall glory, and fo endlefle gaines* 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Then was there heard a moft celeftiall found, 
 Of dainty muficke, which did next enfew 
 Before the fpoufe r that was Arion crownd ; 
 Who playing on his harpe, unto him drew 
 The eares and hearts of all that goodly crew, 
 That even yet the dolphin, which him bore 
 Through the Agsean feas from pirates vew, 
 Stood ftill by him aftonifnt at his lore, 
 
 And all the raging feas for joy forgot to rore> 
 
 XXIV. So
 
 Cant. XI. the Faerie Queene* 429 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 So went he playing on die watery plaine. 
 
 Soone after whom the lovely bridegroome came s 
 The noble Thamis, with all his goodly traine, 
 But him before there went, as beft became ;, 
 His auncient parents, namely th'auncient Thame. 
 But much more aged was his wife then he, 
 The Ouze, whom men doe Ills rightly name ; 
 Full weake and crooked creature feemed fhee, 
 
 And almoft blind through eld, that fcarce her way could fee. 
 
 XXV. 
 
 Therefore on either fide fhe was fuftained 
 
 Of two finall grooms, which by their names were hight 
 
 The Churne, and C£>arwe//, two fmall ftreames, which pained. 
 
 Them felves her footing to direct aright, 
 
 Which fay led oft through faint and feeble plight : 
 
 But "Thame was ftronger, and of better flay ; 
 
 Yet feem'd full aged by his outward fight, 
 
 With head all hoary, and his beard all gray, 
 
 Deawed with filver drops, that trickled downe alway. 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 And eke he ibmewhat feem'd to ftoupe afore 
 With bowed backe, by reafon of the lode, 
 And auncient heavy burden, which he bore 
 Of that faire city, wherein make abode 
 So many learned imps, that fhoote abrode, 
 And with their braunches fpred all Britanv, 
 No lefle then do her elder filler's broode. 
 Joy to you both, ye double nurfery 
 
 Oi arts, but Oxford thine doth Thame molt glorifi . 
 
 ' XXVII. But
 
 43° The fourth Booke of Cant. XI. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 But he their forme full frefli and jolly was, 
 All decked in a robe of watchet hew, 
 On which the waves, glittering like chriftall glas, 
 So cunningly enwoven were, that few 
 Could weenen, whether they were faMe or trew. 
 And on his head like to a coronet 
 He wore, that feemed ftrange to common vew, 
 In which were many towres and catties fet, 
 
 That it encomparr. round as with a golden fret. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Like as the mother of the gods, they fay, 
 In her great iron charet wonts to ride, 
 When to "Joves pallace ilie doth take her way ; 
 Old Cybele, arayd with pompous pride, 
 We: -ring a diademe embattild wide 
 With hundred turrets, like a turribant. 
 With fuch an one was Thamis beautifide ; 
 That was to weet the famous Troynovant, 
 
 In which her kingdome's throne is chiefly reliant. 
 
 . XXIX. 
 
 And round about him many a pretty page 
 Attended duely, ready to obay ; 
 All little rivers, which owe vaffallage 
 To him, as to their lord, and tribute pay : 
 The chaulky Kenet, and the Thetis gray, 
 The moriih Cole, and the foft Aiding Breane, 
 The wanton Lee, that oft doth lofe his way, 
 And the frill Darent, in whofe waters cleane 
 :>n thoufand rimes play, and decke his pleafant irreame. 
 
 XXX. Then
 
 Cant. XI. the Faerie Queene. 431 
 
 XXX. 
 
 Then came his neighbour flouds, which nigh him dwell, 
 And water all the Englifh foile throughout ; 
 They all on him this day attended well, 
 And with meet fervice waited him about j 
 Ne none difdained low to him to lout : 
 No not the ftately Severne grudg'd at all, 
 Ne ftorming Humber, though he looked flout ; 
 But both him honor'd as their principall, 
 
 And let their fwelling waters low before him fall. 
 
 XXXI. 
 
 There was the fpeedy Tamar, which divides 
 The Cornifh and the Devonifh confines ; 
 Through both whofe borders fwiftly downe it glides, 
 And meeting Plim, to Plimouth thence declines : 
 And Dart, nigh chockt with fands of tinny mines. 
 But Avon marched in more ftately path, 
 Proud of his adamants, with which he fhines 
 And glitters wide, as als' of wondrous Bath, 
 
 And Briftow faire, which on his waves he builded hath, 
 
 XXXII. 
 
 And there came Stourc with terrible afpecl:, 
 Bearing his fixe deformed heads on hye, 
 That doth his courfe through Blandford plains direft 
 And wafheth Winborne meades in feafon drye. 
 Next him went Wylibourne with paflage flye, 
 Thajt of his wylinefle his name doth take, 
 And of him felfe doth name the fhire thereby : 
 And Mole, that like a noiiflingr mole doth make 
 
 His way ftill under ground, till Thamis he overtake. 
 
 XXXIII. Then
 
 43- ¥he fourth Book of Cant. XL 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Then came the Rother, decked all with woods, 
 Like a wood god, and flowing faft to Rhy : 
 And Sture, that parteth with his pleafant floods 
 The Eafterne Saxons from the Southerne ny, 
 And Clare, and Harwitch both doth beautify. 
 Him follow' d Yar, foft wafhing Norwitch wall, 
 And with him brought a prcfent joyfully 
 Of his owne fifli, unto their feftivall, 
 
 Whofe like none elfe could fhew, the which they ruflins call. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 
 Next thefe die plenteous Oufe came far from land, 
 By many a city, and by many a towne, 
 And many rivers taking under hand 
 Into his waters, as he pafleth downe, 
 The Cle, the Were, the Guant, the Sture, the Rowne. 
 Thence do by Huntingdon and Cambridge flit, 
 My mother Cambridge, whom as with a cr-owne . 
 He doth adorne, and is adorn'd of it 
 
 With many a gentle mufe, and many a learned wit. 
 
 XXXV. 
 
 And after him the fatal! Welland went, 
 
 That if old fiwes prove true, which God forbid, 
 Shall drowne all Holland with his excrement, 
 And lhall fee Stamford, though now homely hid, 
 Then fliine in learning, more then ever did 
 Cambridge or Oxford, England's goodly beames. 
 And next to him the Nene downe foftly Aid ; 
 And bounteous Trent, that in him felfe cnfeames 
 
 Both thirty forts of fifh, and thirty fundry ftreames. 
 
 XXXVI. Next
 
 Cant. XI. the Faerie Queene. 433 
 
 xxxvi. 
 
 Next thefe came Tyne, along whole ftony bancke 
 That Romaine monarch built a brafen wall, 
 Which mote the feebled Britons ftrongly flancke 
 Againft the Pi£ls, that fwarmed over all, 
 Which yet thereof Gualfever they doe call : 
 And Twede, the limit betwixt Logris land 
 And Albany : And Eden, though but finall, 
 Yet often ftainde with bloud of many a band 
 
 Of Scots and Englifh both, that tyned on his ftrand. 
 
 XXXVII. 
 
 Then came thofe fixe fad brethren, like forlorne, 
 That whilome were, as antique fathers tell, 
 Sixe valiant knights, of one faire nymphe yborne, 
 Which did in noble deedes of armes excell, 
 And wonned there, where nowYorke people dwell; 
 Still Ure, fwift Werfe, and Oze the moft of might, 
 High Swale, unquiet Nide, and troblous Skell ; 
 All whom a Scythian king, that Humber hight, 
 
 Slew cruelly, and in the river drowned quight. 
 
 XXXVIII. 
 
 But paft not long, ere Brutus warlicke forme 
 
 Locrinus them aveng'd, and the fame date, 
 Which the proud Humber unto them had donne, 
 By equall dome repayd on his owne pate : 
 For in the felfe fame river, where he late 
 Had drenched them, he drowned him againe ; 
 And nam'd the river of his wretched fate ; 
 Whofe bad condition it yet doth retaine, 
 
 Oft toffed with his flormes, which therein frill remaine. 
 
 Vol. II. K k k XXXIX. Thefe
 
 434 STfo fourth Booh of Cant. XL 
 
 xxxix. 
 
 Thefe after, came the ftony fhallow Lone, 
 
 That to old Loncafter his name doth lend ; 
 And following Dee, which Britons long ygone 
 Did call divine, that doth by Chefter tend ; 
 And Conway, which out of his ftreame doth fend 
 Plenty of pearles to decke his dames withall ; 
 And Lindus, that his pikes doth moft commend, 
 Of which the auncient Lincolne men doe call - 3 
 
 All thefe together marched toward Proteus hall. 
 
 XL. 
 
 Ne thence the Irifhe rivers abfent Were ; 
 
 Sith no leffe famous than the reft they bee, 
 And joyne in neighbourhood of kingdome nere, 
 Why fhould they not likewife in love agree, 
 And joy likewife this folemne day to fee ? 
 They faw it all, and prefent were in place ; 
 Though I them all, according their degree, 
 Cannot recount, nor tell their hidden race, 
 
 Nor read the falvage countreis, through which they pace, 
 
 XLL 
 
 There was the Liffy rolling downe' the lea, 
 The fandy Slane, the ftony Aubrian, 
 The fpacious Shenan fpreading like a fea, 
 The pleafant Boyne, the fifhy fruitfull Ban, 
 Swift AwnidufF, which of the Englifh man 
 Is cal'de Blacke water, and the LifTar deep, 
 Sad Trowis, that once his people overran, 
 Strong Alio tombling from Slewlogher fteep, 
 
 And Mulla mine, whofe waves I whilom taught to weep. 
 
 XLII. And
 
 Cant. XL the Faerie Queene. 435 
 
 XLII. 
 
 And there the three renowmed brethren were, 
 Which that great gyant Blomius begot, 
 Of the fai^e nymph Rheufa wandring there. 
 One day, as (he, to fhun the feafon whot, 
 Under Slewbloome in fhady grove was got, 
 This gyant found her, and by force deflowr'd ;, 
 Whereof conceiving, me in time forth brought 
 Thefe three faire fons, which being thence forth powrd 
 
 In three great rivers ran, and many countreis fcowrd. 
 
 XLIII. 
 
 The firft, the gentle Shure, that making way 
 
 By fweet Clonmell, adornes rich Waterford ; 
 The next, the ftubborne Newre, whofe waters gray 
 By faire Kilkenny and RofTeponte boord ; 
 The third, the goodly Barow, which doth hoord 
 Great heapes of falmons in his deepe bofome : 
 All which long fundred doe at tail accord 
 To joyne in one, ere to the fea they come, 
 
 So flowing all from one, all one at laft become. 
 
 XLIV. 
 
 There alfo was the wide embayed Mayre, 
 
 The pleafant Bandon, crownd with many a wood, 
 The fpreading Lee, that like an ifland fayre 
 Enclofeth Corke with his divided flood ; 
 And balefull Oure, late ftaind with Englifh blood : 
 With many more, whofe names no tongue can tell, 
 All which that day, in order feemly good, 
 Did on the Thamis attend, and waited well 
 
 To doe their duefull fervice, as to them befell. 
 
 K k k 2 XLV. Then
 
 436 7%e fourth Booke of Cant. XI. 
 
 XLV. 
 
 Then came the bride, the lovely Medua came, 
 Clad in a vefture of unknowen geare, 
 And uncouth fafhion, yet her well became? 
 That feem'd like filver, fprinckled here and theare 
 With glittering fpangs, that did like ftarres appeare, 
 And wav'd upon, like water chamelot, 
 To hide the metall, which yet every where 
 Bewrayd it felfe, to let men plainely wot, 
 
 It was no mortall worke, that feem'd, and yet was not. 
 
 XLVI. 
 
 Her goodly lockes adowne her backe did flow 
 Unto her wafte, with flowres befcattered, 
 The which ambrofiall odours forth did throw 
 To all about, and all her fhoulders fpred 
 As a new fpring ; and likewife on her hed 
 A chapelet of fundry flowres fhe wore, 
 From under which the deawy humour fhed 
 Did tricle downe her haire, like to the hore 
 
 Congealed little drops, which do the morne adore, 
 
 XLVH. 
 
 On her two pretty handmaides did attend, 
 
 One cald the Tbeife, the other cald the Crane^ 
 Which on her waited, things amifTe to mend, 
 And both behind upheld her fpredding traine ; 
 Under the which," her feet appeared plaine, 
 Her filver feet, faire wafht againft this day ; 
 And her before there paced pages twaine, 
 Both clad in colours like, and like array, 
 
 The Doune and eke the Frith^ both which prepard her way. 
 
 XLVIII. And
 
 Cant. XI. the Faerie Queene. 437 
 
 XLVIII. 
 
 And after thefe the fea nymphs marched all, 
 
 All goodly damzells, deckt with long greene haire, 
 
 Whom of their fire Nereides men call, 
 
 All which the Ocean's daughter to him bare 
 
 The gray eyde Doris : all which fifty are ; 
 
 All which fhe there on her attending had. 
 
 Swift Proto, mild Eucrate, Thetis faire, 
 
 Soft Spioy fweete Endore, Sao fad, 
 Light Doto, wanton Glance, and Galene glad* 
 
 XLIX. 
 White hand Eunica, proud Dynamene, 
 
 Joyous Thalia, goodly Amphitrite, 
 
 Lovely Paftthee, kinde Eulinmie, 
 
 Light foote Cymothoe, and fweete Melite y 
 
 Faireft Pherufa, Phao lilly white, 
 
 Wondred Agave, Port's, and Nefcea, 
 
 With Erato that doth in love delite, 
 
 And Panopce, and wife ProWnedcea, 
 And fnowy neckd Doris, and milkewhite Galathcea. 
 
 Speedy Hippcthoe, and chafte Aclea, 
 
 Large Lijianajfa, and Proncea fage, 
 
 Evagore, and light Pontoporea, 
 
 And lhe, that with her lead word can aflwage 
 
 The furging feas, when they doe foreft rage, 
 
 Cymodoce, and flout Autofioe, 
 
 And Nefo, and Eione well in age, 
 
 And fecming ftill to fmile, Glauconome, 
 And fhe that hight of many heaftes Polynome* 
 
 LI. FrefK
 
 438 The fourth Booke of Cant. XL 
 
 LI. 
 
 Frefh Alitnedu^ deckt with girlond greene ; 
 
 Hyponeo^ with fait bedewed wrefts : 
 
 Laomedia, like the chriflall ilieene ; 
 
 Liagore, much praifd for wife behefts ; 
 
 And Pfamathe, for her brode fnowy brefts ; 
 
 Cymo> Eupompe, and Themifte juft ; 
 
 And fhe, that vertue loves and vice detefts, 
 
 Evarna, and Menippe true in truft, 
 And Nemertea learned well to rule her luft. 
 
 LII. 
 All thefe the daughters of old Nereus were, 
 
 Which have the fea in charge to them ailinde, 
 
 To rule his tides, and furges to uprere, 
 
 To bring forth ftormes, or fail them to upbinde, 
 
 And failers fave from wreckes of wrathfull winde. 
 
 And yet befldes three thoufand more there were 
 
 Of th'Ocean's feede, but Joves and Phoebus kinde ; 
 
 The which in floods and fountaines doe appere, 
 And all mankind do nourifh with their waters cleare. 
 
 LIII. 
 The which, more eath it were for mortall wight, 
 
 To tell the fands, or count the ftarres on hye, 
 
 Or ought more hard, then thinke to reckon right. 
 
 But well I wote, that thefe, which I defcry, 
 
 Were prefent at this great folemnity : 
 
 And there amongft the reft, the mother was 
 
 Of lucklelTe Marmell^ Cymodoce, 
 
 Which, for my mufe her felfe now tyred has, 
 Unto another Canto I will overpas. 
 
 Canto
 
 Cant. XII. the Faerie Queetie. 439 
 
 Canto XII. 
 
 Marin, for love of Florimell, 
 In languor wafles his life : 
 
 The ny?nph his mother getteth her 9 
 And gives to him for wife. 
 
 I. 
 
 What an endleffe worke have I in hand, 
 To count the fea's abundant progeny, 
 Whofe fruitfull feede farre pafleth thofe in land, 
 And alfo thofe, which wonne in th'azure fky ? 
 For much more eath to tell the ftarres on hy, 
 Albe they endlefle feeme in eftimation, 
 Then to recount the fea's posterity : 
 So fertile be the flouds in generation, 
 So huge their numbers, and fo numberleffe their nation, 
 
 II. 
 
 Therefore the antique wifards well invented, 
 That Venus of the fomy fea was bred j 
 For that the feas by her are mod augmented. 
 Witneffe th'exceeding fry, which there are fed, 
 And wondrous moles, which may of none be red, 
 Then blame me not, if I have err'd in count 
 Of gods, of nymphs, of rivers yet unred ; 
 For though their numbers do much more furmount, 
 
 Yet all thofe fame were there, which erft I did recount. 
 
 III. All
 
 440 - 7& fourth Booh of Cant. XIL 
 
 ill. 
 
 All thofe were there, and many other more, 
 
 Whofe names and nations were too long to tell, 
 
 That Proteus houfe they fild even to the dore j 
 
 Yet were they all in order, as befell, 
 
 According their degrees difpofed well. 
 
 Amongft the reft, was faire Cymodoce, 
 
 The mother of unlucky Marinell, 
 
 Who thither with her came, to learne and fee 
 
 The manner of the gods, when they at banquet bee. 
 
 IV. 
 
 But for he was halfe mortall, being bred 
 
 Of mortall fire, though of immortall wombe, 
 He might not with immortall food be fed, 
 Ne with th'eternall gods to bancket come ; 
 But walkt abrode, and round about did rome, 
 To vew the building of that uncouth place, 
 That feem'd unlike unto his earthly home : 
 Where, as he to and fro by chaunce did trace, 
 
 There unto him betid a difadventrous cafe. 
 
 V. 
 
 Under the hanging of an hideous clieffe, 
 
 He heard the lamentable voice of one, 
 
 That piteoufly complaind her carefull grieffe, 
 
 Which never fhe before difclofd to none. 
 
 But to her felfe her forrow did bemone, 
 
 So feelingly her cafe me did complaine, 
 
 That ruth it moved in the rocky ftone, 
 
 And made it feeme to feele her grievous paine, 
 
 And oft to grone with billowes beating from the maine. 
 
 VI. Though
 
 Gant. XI I. the Faerie Queene. 441 
 
 VI. 
 
 Though vaine I fee my forrowes to unfold, 
 
 And count my cares, when none is nigh to heare, 
 Yet hoping griefe may leffen being told, 
 I will them tell, though unto no man neare : 
 For heaven, that unto all lends equall eare, 
 Is farre from hearing of my heavy plight ; 
 And loweft hell, to which I lie moft neare, 
 Cares not what evils hap to wretched wight ; 
 
 And greedy feas doe in the fpoile of life delight. 
 
 VII. 
 
 Yet loe ! the feas I fee, by often beating, 
 
 Doe pearce the rockes, and hardeft marble weares ; 
 
 But his hard rocky hart for no entreating 
 
 Will yeeld, but when my piteous plaints he heares, 
 
 Is hardned more with my abundant teares. 
 
 Yet though he never lift to me relent, 
 
 But let me wafte in woe my wretched yeares, 
 
 Yet will I never of my love repent, 
 
 But joy, that for his fake I fufFer prifonment. 
 
 VIII. 
 
 And when my weary ghoft, with griefe outworne, 
 By timely death fhall winne her wifhed reft, 
 Let then this plaint unto his eares be borne, 
 That blame it is to him, that amies profeft, 
 To let her die, whom he might have redreft, 
 There did fhe paufe, inforced to give place 
 Unto the pafiion, that her heart oppreft ; 
 And after fhe had wept and waifd a fpace, 
 
 She gan airefh thus to renew her wretched cafe. 
 
 Voi. II. Lll IX. Ye
 
 44 2 "fe fourth Booke of Cant. XIL 
 
 IX. 
 
 Ye gods of feas, if any gods at all 
 
 Have care of right, or ruth of wretches wrong, 
 
 By one or other way me woefull thrall 
 
 Deliver hence out of this dungeon ftrong, 
 
 In which I daily dying am too long. 
 
 And if ye deeme me death for loving one, 
 
 That loves not me, then doe it not prolong, 
 
 But let me die, and end my daies attone, 
 And let him live unlov'd, or love him felfe alone. 
 
 X. 
 But if that life ye unto me decree, 
 
 Then let me live, as lovers ought to do,. 
 
 And of my life's dear love beloved be : 
 
 And if he mail through pride your doome undo, 
 
 Do you by durefle him compell thereto, 
 
 And in this prifon put him here with me : 
 
 One prifon fitteft is to hold us two. 
 
 So had I rather to be thrall, then free ; 
 Such thraldome or fuch freedome let it furely bee, 
 
 XI. 
 But O vaine judgement, and conditions vaine ! 
 
 The which the prifoner points unto the free : 
 
 The whiles I him condemne, and deeme his paine r 
 
 He where he lift goes loofe, and laughs at me. 
 
 So ever loofe, fo ever happy be. 
 
 But where fo loofe or happy that thou art,. 
 
 Know, Marine//, that all this is for thee. 
 
 With that fhe wept and wail'd, as if her hart 
 Would quite have burft through great abundance of her fmart. 
 i XII. All
 
 Cant. XII. the Faerie Queene. 443 
 
 XII. 
 
 All which complaint when Marinell had heard, 
 And underftood the caufe of all her care 
 To come of him, for uiing her fo hard, 
 His ftubborne heart, that never felt misfare, 
 Was toucht with foft remorfe and pitty rare ; 
 That even for griefe of minde he oft did grone, 
 And inly wifh, that in his powre it weare 
 Her to redreffe : but fince he meanes found none, 
 
 He could no more but her great mifery bemone. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 Thus whilft his ftony heart was toucht with tender ruth, 
 And mighty courage fomething mollifide, 
 Dame Venus fonne, that tameth ftubborne youth 
 With iron bit, and maketh him abide, 
 Till like a vi<flor on his backe he ride, 
 Into his mouth his mayftring bridle threw, 
 That made him ftoupe, till he did him beftride : 
 Then gan he make him tread his fteps anew, 
 
 And learne to love, by learning lovers paines to rew. 
 
 XIV. 
 
 Now gan he in his grieved minde devife, 
 
 How from that dungeon he might her enlarge : 
 Some while he thought, by faire and humble wife, 
 To Proteus felfe to fue for her diicharge : 
 But then he fear'd his mother's former charge 
 
 O 
 
 Gainft women's love, long given him in vaine. 
 Then gan he thinke, perforce with fword and targe 
 Her forth to fetch, and Proteus to conftraine : 
 But foone he gan fuch folly to forthinke againe. 
 
 L 1 1 2 XV. Then
 
 444 %% e f ourt h Booke of Cant. XII. 
 
 XV. 
 
 Then did he caft to fteale her thence away, 
 
 And with him beare, where none of her might know. 
 
 But all in vaine : for why, he found no way 
 
 To enter in, or iffue forth below ; 
 
 For all about that rocke the fea did flow. 
 
 And though unto his will me given were. 
 
 Yet without fhip or bote her thence to row, 
 
 He wift not how her thence away to bere ; 
 
 And daunger well he wift long to continue there. 
 
 XVI. 
 
 At laft, whenas no meanes he could invent, 
 
 Backe to him felfe he gan retourne the blame, 
 
 That was the author of her punifhment ; 
 
 And with vile curfes, and reprochfull fhame, 
 
 To damne him felfe by every evill name ; 
 
 And deeme unworthy or of love or life, 
 
 That had defpifde fo chaft and faire a dame, 
 
 Which him had fought through trouble and long ftrife 3 
 
 Yet had refufde a god, that her had fought to wife. 
 
 XVII. 
 
 In this fad plight he walked here and there, 
 
 And romed round about the rocke in vaine, 
 As he had loft him felfe, he wift not where , 
 Oft liftening, if he mote her heare againe ; 
 And ftill bemoning her unworthy paine. 
 Like as an hynde, whofe calfe is falne unwares 
 Into fome pit, where fhe him heares complaine, 
 An hundred times about the pit fide flues, 
 
 Right forrowfully mourning her bereaved cares. 
 
 2 XVIII. And
 
 Cant. XII. the Faerie §iueene. 445 
 
 XVIII. 
 
 And now by this the feaft was throughly ended, 
 And every one gan homeward to refort : 
 Which feeing, Marinell was fore offended, 
 That his departure thence fhould be fo fhoit, 
 And leave his love in that fea-walled fort. 
 Yet durft he not his mother difobay, 
 But her attending in full feemly fort, 
 Did march amongft the many all the way : 
 
 And all the way did inly mourne, like one affray. 
 
 XIX. 
 
 Being returned to his mother's bowre, 
 In folitary fiknce far from wight, 
 He gan record the lamentable ftowre, 
 In which his wretched love lay day and night, 
 For his deare fake, that ill deferv'd that plight : 
 The thought whereof empierft his hart fo deepe, 
 That of no worldly thing he tooke delight ; 
 Ne dayly food did take, ne nightly lleepe, 
 
 But pyn'd, and mourn'd, and languifht, and alone did weepe j 
 
 XX. 
 
 That in (hort fpace his wonted chearefull hew 
 Gan fade, and lively fpirits deaded quight : 
 His cheeke bones raw, and eie-pits hollow grew, 
 And brawney armcs had loft their knowen might, 
 That nothing like himfelle he ftcm'd in light. 
 Ere long fo weake of limbe, and ficke of love 
 He woxe, that lenger he n'ote ftand upright, 
 But to his bed was brought, and layd above, 
 
 Like ruefull gholr, unable once to ftirre or move. 
 
 XXI. Which
 
 446 The fourth Eooke of Cant. XII. 
 
 XXL 
 
 Which when his mother faw, fhe in her mind 
 
 Was troubled fore, ne wift well what to weene, 
 
 Ne could by fearch, nor any meanes out find 
 
 The fecret caufe and nature of his teene, 
 
 Whereby me might apply fome medicine ; 
 
 But weeping day and night, did him attend, 
 
 And mourn'd to fee her loffe before her eyne, 
 
 Which griev'd her more, that me it could not mend : 
 
 To fee an helpeleffe evill, double griefe doth lend. 
 
 XXII. 
 
 Nought could flie read the roote of his difeafe, • 
 Ne weene what mifter maladie it is, 
 Whereby to feeke fome meanes it to appeafe. 
 Moft did fhe thinke, but moft me thought amis, 
 That that fame former fatall wound of his 
 Whyleare by Trypho?i was not throughly healed, 
 But clofely rankled under th'orifis. 
 Leaft did fhe thinke, that which he moft concealed, 
 
 That love it was, which in his hart lay unrevealed. 
 
 XXIII. 
 
 Therefore to Trypho?i fhe againe doth haft, 
 
 And him doth chyde, as falfe and fraudulent, 
 That fay Id the truft, which fhe in him had plaft, 
 To cure her fonne, as he his faith had lent ; 
 Who now was falne into new languifhment 
 Of his old hurt, which was not throughly cured. 
 So backe he came unto her patient, 
 Where fearching every part, her well afiured, 
 
 That it was no old fore, which his new paine procured ; 
 
 XXIV. But
 
 Cant. XII. the Faerie Queene. 447 
 
 XXIV. 
 
 But that it was fome other maladie, 
 
 Or oriefe unknowne, which he could not difcerne : 
 
 So left he her withouten remedie. 
 
 Then gan her heart to faint, and quake, and earne,. 
 
 And inly troubled was, the truth to learne. 
 
 Unto himfelfe fhe came, and him befought, 
 
 Now with faire fpeeches, now with threatnings fterne, 
 
 If ought lay hidden in his grieved thought, 
 
 It to reveale : who frill her anfwered, there was nought* 
 
 XXV. 
 
 NathlefTe fhe refted not fo fatisfide. 
 
 But leaving watry gods, as booting nought,. 
 Unto the fliinie heaven in hafle fhe hide, 
 And thence Apollo king of leaches brought. 
 Apollo came ; who foone as he had fought 
 Through his difeafe, did by and by out find, 
 That he did languifh of fome inward thought, 
 The which afHicTted his engrieved mind ; 
 
 Which love he red to be, that leads each living kind, 
 
 XXVI. 
 
 Which when he had unto his mother told, 
 
 She gan thereat to fret, and greatly grieve ; 
 And coming to her fonne, gan firft to fcold, 
 And chyde at him, that made her mifbelieve: 
 But afterwards fhe gan him foft to fhrieve, 
 And wooe with faire intreatie, to difclofe 
 Which of the nymphes his heart fo fore did mieve. 
 For fure fhe weend it was fome one of thofe, 
 
 Which he had lately feene, that for his love he chofe. 
 
 XXVII. Now
 
 448 *The fourth Booke of Cant. XII. 
 
 XXVII. 
 
 Now leffe fhe feared that fame fatall read, 
 
 That warned him of women's love beware : 
 Which being merit of mortall creatures fead, 
 For love of nymphes fhe thought fhe need not care, 
 But promift him, what ever wight fhe weare, 
 That fhe her love to him would fhortly gaine. 
 So he her told : but foone as fhe did heare, 
 That Florimell it was, which wrought his paine, 
 
 She gan afrefh to chafe, and -grieve in every vaine. 
 
 XXVIII. 
 
 Yet fince fhe faw the ftreight extremitie, 
 In which his life unluckily was layd, 
 It was no time to fcan the prophecie, 
 Whether old Proteus true or falfe had fayd, 
 That his decay fhould happen by a mayd. 
 It's late in death of daunger to advize, 
 Or love forbid him, that is life denayd ; 
 But rather gan in troubled mind devize, 
 
 How me that ladie's libertie might enterprize. 
 
 XXIX. 
 
 To Proteus felfe to few fhe thought it vaine, 
 
 Who was the root and worker of her woe ; 
 
 Nor unto any meaner to complaine, 
 
 But unto great king Neptwie felfe did goe, 
 
 And on her knee before him falling lowe, 
 
 Made humble fuit unto his majeftie, 
 
 To graunt to her her fonne's life, which his foe, 
 
 A cruell tyrant, had prefumpteouflie 
 
 By wicked doome condemn'd, a wretched death to die. 
 
 XXX. To
 
 Cant. XII. the Faerie Queene. 449 
 
 XXX. 
 
 To whom god Neptune foftly fmyling, thus ; 
 
 Daughter, me feemes of double wrong you plaine, 
 
 Gainft one, that hath both wronged you and us : 
 
 For death t'adward -I ween did appertaine 
 
 To none, but to the fea's fole foveraine. 
 
 Read therefore who it is, which this hath wrought, 
 
 And for what caufe, the truth difcover plaine. 
 
 For never wight fo evill did or thought, 
 But would fome rightfull caufe pretend, though rightly nought, 
 
 XXXI. 
 To whom fhe anfwerd, Then it is by name 
 
 Proteus, that hath ordayn'd my fonne to die ; 
 
 For that a waift, the which by fortune came 
 
 Upon your feas, fie claym'd as propertie : 
 
 And yet nor his, nor his in equitie, 
 
 But yours the waift by high prerogative. 
 
 Therefore I humbly crave your majeftie, 
 
 It to replevie, and my fonne reprive : 
 So fhall you by one gift fave all us three alive. 
 
 XXXII. 
 He graunted it : and ftreiojit his warrant made, 
 
 Under the fea-gods feale autenticall, 
 
 Commaunding Proteus ftraight t'enlarge the mayd, 
 
 Which wandring on his feas imperiall, 
 
 He lately tooke, and lithence kept as thrall. 
 
 Which fhe receiving with meete thankefulneffe, 
 
 Departed ftraight to Proteus therewithall : 
 
 Who reading it with inward loathfulnefTe, 
 Was grieved to reftore the pledge he did poiTefTe. 
 
 Vol. II. l M m m XXXIII. Yet
 
 45 o Ifte fourth Booh of \ &c. Cant. XII. 
 
 XXXIII. 
 
 Yet durft he not the warrant to withstand, 
 
 But unto her delivered Florimell. 
 
 Whom me receiving by the lilly hand, 
 
 Admyr'd her beautie much, as fhe mote well : 
 
 For fhe all living creatures did ex cell ; 
 
 And was right joyous, that fhe gotten had 
 
 So faire a wife for her fonne Marinell. 
 
 So home with her fhe ftreight the virgin lad, 
 And fhewed her to him, then being fore beftad. 
 
 XXXIV. 
 Who foone as he beheld that angel's face, 
 
 Adorn'd with all divine perfection, 
 
 His cheared heart eftfoones away did chace 
 
 Sad death, revived with her fweet infpection, 
 
 And feeble fpirit inly felt refection ; 
 
 As withered weed through cruell winter's tine, 
 
 That feeles the warmth of funny beames reflection, 
 
 Liftes up his head, that did before decline, 
 And gins to fpread his leafe before the faire funfhine. 
 
 XXXV. 
 Right fo himfelfe did Marinell upreare, 
 
 When he in place his deareft love did fpy ; 
 . And though his limbs could not his bodie beare, 
 
 Ne former ftrength returne fo fuddenly, 
 
 Yet chearfull fignes he fhewed outwardly. 
 
 Ne leffe was fhe in fecret hart affected, 
 
 But that me mafked it with modeftie, 
 
 For feare me mould of lig-htneffe be detected : 
 Which to another place I leave to be perfected. 
 
 The End of V o l. II. I
 
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