SPENSER’S FAERIE QUEENE (continued 9)

So well I to faire Ladies seruice did, lv And found such fauour in their louing hartes, That ere the yeare his course had compassid, Three hundred pledges for my good desartes, And thrise three hundred thanks for my good partes I with me brought, and did to her present: Which when she saw, more bent to eke my smartes, Then to reward my trusty true intent, She gan for me deuise a grieuous punishment. To weet, that I my trauell should resume, lvi And with like labour walke the world around, Ne euer to her presence should presume, Till I so many other Dames had found, The which, for all the suit I could propound, Would me refuse their pledges to afford, But did abide for euer chast and sound. Ah gentle Squire (quoth he) tell at one word, How many foundst thou such to put in thy record? In deed Sir knight (said he) one word may tell lvii All, that I euer found so wisely stayd; For onely three they were disposd so well, And yet three yeares I now abroad haue strayd, To find them out. Mote I (then laughing sayd The knight) inquire of thee, what were those three, The which thy proffred curtesie denayd? Or ill they seemed sure auizd to bee, Or brutishly brought vp, that neu’r did fashions see. The first which then refused me (said hee) lviii Certes was but a common Courtisane, Yet flat refusd to haue a do with mee, Because I could not giue her many a Iane. (Thereat full hartely laughed Satyrane) The second was an holy Nunne to chose, Which would not let me be her Chappellane, Because she knew, she said, I would disclose Her counsell, if she should her trust in me repose.

The third a Damzell was of low degree, lix Whom I in countrey cottage found by chaunce; Full little weened I, that chastitee Had lodging in so meane a maintenaunce, Yet was she faire, and in her countenance Dwelt simple truth in seemely fashion. Long thus I woo’d her with dew obseruance, In hope vnto my pleasure to haue won; But was as farre at last, as when I first begon. Safe her, I neuer any woman found, lx That chastity did for it selfe embrace, But were for other causes firme and sound; Either for want of handsome time and place, Or else for feare of shame and fowle disgrace. Thus am I hopelesse euer to attaine My Ladies loue, in such a desperate case, But all my dayes am like to wast in vaine, Seeking to match the chaste with th’vnchaste Ladies traine. Perdy, (said Satyrane) thou Squire of Dames, lxi Great labour fondly hast thou hent in hand, To get small thankes, and therewith many blames, That may emongst[1040] Alcides labours stand. Thence backe[1041] returning to the former land, Where late he left the Beast, he ouercame, He found him not; for he had broke his band, And was return’d againe vnto his Dame, To tell what tydings of faire Florimell became.

The Witch creates a snowy Lady, like to Florimell, Who wrongd by Carle by Proteus sau’d, is sought by Paridell.

So oft as I this history record, i My hart doth melt with meere compassion, To thinke, how causelesse of her owne accord This gentle Damzell, whom I write vpon, Should plonged be in such affliction, Without all hope of comfort or reliefe, That sure I weene, the hardest hart of stone, Would hardly find to aggrauate her griefe; For misery craues rather mercie, then repriefe. But that accursed Hag, her hostesse late, ii Had so enranckled her malitious hart, That she desyrd th’abridgement of her fate, Or long enlargement of her painefull smart. Now when the Beast, which by her wicked art Late forth she sent, she backe returning spyde, Tyde with her broken[1042] girdle, it a part Of her rich spoyles, whom he had earst destroyd, She weend, and wondrous gladnesse to her hart applyde. And with it running hast’ly to her sonne, iii Thought with that sight him much to haue reliued[1043]; Who thereby deeming sure the thing as donne, His former griefe with furie fresh reuiued, Much more then earst, and would haue algates riued The hart out of his brest: for sith her ded He surely dempt, himselfe he thought depriued Quite of all hope, wherewith he long had fed His foolish maladie, and long time had misled.

With thought whereof, exceeding mad he grew, iv And in his rage his mother would haue slaine, Had she not fled into a secret mew, Where she was wont her Sprights to entertaine The maisters[1044] of her art: there was she faine To call them all in order to her ayde, And them coniure vpon eternall paine, To counsell her so carefully dismayd, How she might heale her sonne, whose senses were decayd. By their aduise[1045], and her owne wicked wit, v She there deuiz’d a wondrous worke to frame, Whose like on earth was neuer framed yit, That euen Nature selfe enuide the same, And grudg’d to see the counterfet should shame The thing it selfe. In hand she boldly tooke To make another like the former Dame, Another Florimell, in shape and looke So liuely and so like, that many it mistooke. The substance, whereof she the bodie made, vi Was purest snow in massie mould congeald, Which she had gathered in a shadie glade Of the Riphœan hils, to her reueald By errant Sprights, but from all men conceald: The same she tempred with fine Mercury, And virgin wex[1046], that neuer yet was seald, And mingled them with perfect vermily, That like a liuely sanguine it seem’d to the eye. In stead of eyes two burning lampes she set vii In siluer sockets, shyning like the skyes, And a quicke mouing Spirit did arret To stirre and roll them, like a womans[1047] eyes; In stead of yellow lockes she did deuise, With golden wyre to weaue her curled head; Yet golden wyre was not so yellow thrise As Florimells faire haire: and in the stead Of life, she put a Spright to rule the carkasse dead.

A wicked Spright yfraught with fawning guile, viii And faire resemblance aboue all the rest, Which with the Prince of Darknesse fell somewhile[1048], From heauens blisse and euerlasting rest; Him needed not instruct, which way were best Himselfe to fashion likest Florimell, Ne how to speake, ne how to vse his gest, For he in counterfeisance did excell, And all the wyles of wemens wits knew passing well. Him shaped thus, she deckt in garments gay, ix Which Florimell had left behind her late, That who so then her saw, would surely say, It was her selfe, whom it did imitate, Or fairer then her selfe, if ought algate Might fairer be. And then she forth her brought Vnto her sonne, that lay in feeble state; Who seeing her gan streight vpstart, and thought She was the Lady selfe, whom[1049] he so long had sought. Tho fast her clipping twixt his armes twaine, x Extremely ioyed in so happie sight, And soone forgot his former sickly paine; But she, the more to seeme such as she hight, Coyly rebutted his embracement light; Yet still with gentle countenaunce[1050] retained, Enough to hold a foole in vaine delight: Him long she so with shadowes entertained, As her Creatresse had in charge to her ordained. Till on a day, as he disposed was xi To walke the woods with that his Idole faire, Her to disport, and idle time to pas, In th’open freshnesse of the gentle aire, A knight that way there chaunced to repaire; Yet knight he[1051] was not, but a boastfull swaine, That deedes of armes had euer in despaire, Proud Braggadocchio, that in vaunting vaine His glory did repose, and credit did maintaine.

He seeing with that Chorle so faire a wight, xii Decked with many a costly ornament, Much merueiled thereat, as well he might, And thought that match a fowle disparagement: His bloudie speare eftsoones he boldly bent Against the silly clowne, who dead through feare, Fell streight to ground in great astonishment; Villein (said he) this Ladie is my deare, Dy, if thou it gainesay: I will away her beare. The fearefull Chorle durst not gainesay, nor dooe, xiii But trembling stood, and yielded him the pray; Who finding litle leasure her to wooe, On Tromparts steed her mounted without stay, And without reskew led her quite away. Proud man himselfe then Braggadocchio deemed, And next to none, after that happie day, Being possessed of that spoyle, which seemed The fairest wight on ground, and most of men esteemed. But when he saw himselfe free from poursute[1052], xiv He gan make gentle purpose to his Dame, With termes of loue and lewdnesse dissolute; For he could well his glozing speaches frame To such vaine vses, that him best became: But she thereto would lend but light regard, As seeming sory, that she euer came Into his powre, that vsed her so hard, To reaue her honor, which she more then life prefard. Thus as they two of kindnesse treated long, xv There them by chaunce encountred on the way An armed knight, vpon a courser strong, Whose trampling feet vpon the hollow lay Seemed to thunder, and did nigh affray That Capons courage: yet he looked grim, And fain’d to cheare his Ladie in dismay; Who seem’d for feare to quake in euery lim, And her to saue from outrage, meekely prayed him.

Fiercely that stranger forward came, and nigh xvi Approching, with bold words and bitter threat, Bad that same boaster, as he mote, on high To leaue to him that Lady for excheat, Or bide him battell without further treat. That challenge did too peremptory seeme, And fild his senses with abashment great; Yet seeing nigh him ieopardy extreme, He it dissembled well, and light seem’d to esteeme. Saying, Thou foolish knight, that weenst with words xvii To steale away, that I with blowes haue wonne, And brought throgh points of many perilous swords: But if thee list to see thy Courser ronne, Or proue thy selfe, this sad encounter shonne, And seeke else without hazard of thy hed. At those proud words that other knight begonne To wexe exceeding wroth, and him ared To turne his steede about, or sure he should be ded. Sith then (said Braggadocchio) needes thou wilt xviii Thy dayes abridge, through proofe of puissance, Turne we our steedes, that both in equall tilt May meet againe, and each take happie chance. This said, they both a furlongs mountenance Retyrd their steeds, to ronne in euen race: But Braggadocchio with his bloudie lance Once hauing turnd, no more returnd his face, But left his loue to losse, and fled himselfe apace. The knight him seeing fly, had no regard xix Him to poursew, but to the Ladie rode, And hauing her from Trompart lightly reard, Vpon his Courser set the louely lode, And with her fled away without abode. Well weened he, that fairest Florimell It was, with whom in company he yode, And so her selfe did alwaies to him tell; So made him thinke him selfe in heauen, that was in hell.

But Florimell her selfe was farre away, xx Driuen to great distresse by Fortune straunge, And taught the carefull Mariner to play, Sith late mischaunce had her compeld to chaunge The land for sea, at randon there to raunge: Yet there that cruell Queene auengeresse, Not satisfide so farre her to estraunge From courtly blisse and wonted happinesse, Did heape on her new waues of weary wretchednesse. For being fled into the fishers bote, xxi For refuge from the Monsters crueltie, Long so she on the mightie maine did flote, And with the tide droue forward careleslie; For th’aire was milde, and cleared was the skie, And all his windes Dan Aeolus did keepe, From stirring vp their stormy enmitie, As pittying to see her waile and weepe; But all the while the fisher did securely sleepe. At last when droncke with drowsinesse, he woke, xxii And saw his drouer driue along the streame, He was dismayd, and thrise his breast he stroke, For maruell of that accident extreame; But when he saw[1053] that blazing beauties beame, Which with rare light his bote did beautifie, He marueild more, and thought he yet did dreame Not well awakt, or that some extasie Assotted had his sense, or dazed was his eie. But when her well auizing, he perceiued xxiii To be no vision, nor fantasticke sight, Great comfort of her presence he conceiued, And felt in his old courage new delight To gin awake, and stirre his frozen spright: Tho rudely askt her, how she thither came. Ah (said she) father, I note read aright, What hard misfortune brought me to the[1054] same; Yet am I glad that here I now in safety am.[1055]

But thou good man, sith farre in sea we bee, xxiv And the great waters gin apace to swell, That now no more we can the maine-land see, Haue care, I pray, to guide the cock-bote well, Least worse on sea then vs on land befell. Thereat th’old man did nought but fondly grin, And said, his boat the way could wisely tell: But his deceiptfull eyes did neuer lin, To looke on her faire face, and marke her snowy skin. The sight whereof in his congealed flesh, xxv Infixt such secret sting of greedy lust, That the drie withered stocke it gan refresh, And kindled heat, that soone in flame forth brust: The driest wood is soonest burnt to dust. Rudely to her he lept, and his rough hand Where ill became him, rashly would haue thrust, But she with angry scorne him did withstond, And shamefully reproued[1056] for his rudenesse fond. But he, that neuer good nor maners knew, xxvi Her sharpe rebuke full litle did esteeme; Hard is to teach an old horse amble trew. The inward smoke, that did before but steeme, Broke into open fire and rage extreme, And now he strength gan adde vnto his will, Forcing to doe, that did him fowle misseeme: Beastly he threw her downe, ne car’d to spill Her garments gay with scales of fish, that all did fill. The silly virgin stroue him to withstand, xxvii All that she might, and him in vaine reuild: She struggled strongly both with foot and hand, To saue her honor from that villaine vild, And cride to heauen, from humane helpe exild. O ye braue knights, that boast this Ladies loue, Where be ye now, when she is nigh defild Of filthy wretch? well may shee you reproue Of falshood or of slouth, when most it may behoue.

But if that thou, Sir Satyran, didst weete, xxviii Or thou, Sir Peridure, her sorie state, How soone would yee assemble many a fleete, To fetch from sea, that ye at land lost late; Towres, Cities, Kingdomes ye would ruinate, In your auengement and dispiteous rage, Ne ought your burning fury mote abate; But if Sir Calidore could it presage, No liuing creature could his cruelty asswage. But sith that none of all her knights is nye, xxix See how the heauens of voluntary grace, And soueraine fauour towards chastity, Doe succour send to her distressed cace: So much high God doth innocence embrace. It fortuned, whilest thus she stifly stroue, And the wide sea importuned long space With shrilling shriekes, Proteus abroad did roue, Along the fomy waues driuing his finny droue. Proteus is Shepheard of the seas of yore, xxx And hath the charge of Neptunes mightie heard; An aged sire with head all frory[1057] hore, And sprinckled frost vpon his deawy beard: Who when those pittifull outcries he heard, Through all the seas so ruefully resound, His charet swift in haste he thither steard, Which with a teeme of scaly Phocas bound Was drawne vpon the waues, that fomed him around. And comming to that Fishers wandring bote, xxxi That went at will, withouten carde or sayle, He therein saw that yrkesome sight, which smote Deepe indignation and compassion frayle Into his hart attonce: streight did he hayle The greedy villein from his hoped pray, Of which he now did very litle fayle, And with his staffe, that driues his Heard astray, Him bet so sore, that life and sense did much dismay.

The whiles the pitteous Ladie vp did ryse, xxxii Ruffled and fowly raid with filthy soyle, And blubbred face with teares of her faire eyes: Her heart nigh broken was with weary toyle, To saue her selfe from that outrageous spoyle, But when she looked vp, to weet, what wight Had her from so infamous fact assoyld, For shame, but more for feare of his grim sight, Downe in her lap she hid her face, and loudly shright. Her selfe not saued yet from daunger dred xxxiii She thought, but chaung’d from one to other feare; Like as a fearefull Partridge, that is fled From the sharpe Hauke, which her attached neare, And fals to ground, to seeke for succour theare, Whereas the hungry Spaniels she does spy, With greedy iawes her readie for to teare; In such distresse and sad perplexity Was Florimell, when Proteus she did see thereby[1058]. But he endeuoured with speeches milde xxxiv Her to recomfort, and accourage bold, Bidding her feare no more her foeman vilde, Nor doubt himselfe; and who he was, her told. Yet all that could not from affright her hold, Ne to recomfort her at all preuayld; For her faint heart was with the frozen cold Benumbd so inly, that her wits nigh fayld, And all her senses with abashment quite were quayld. Her vp betwixt his rugged hands he reard, xxxv And with his frory lips full softly kist, Whiles the cold ysickles from his rough beard, Dropped adowne vpon her yuorie brest: Yet he himselfe so busily addrest, That her out of astonishment he wrought, And out of that same fishers filthy nest Remouing her, into his charet brought, And there with many gentle termes her faire besought.

But that old leachour, which with bold assault xxxvi That beautie durst presume to violate, He cast to punish for his hainous fault; Then tooke he him yet trembling sith of late, And tyde behind his charet, to aggrate The virgin, whom he had abusde so sore: So drag’d him through the waues in scornefull state, And after cast him vp, vpon the shore; But Florimell with him vnto his bowre he bore. His bowre is in the bottome of the maine, xxxvii Vnder a mightie rocke, gainst which do raue The roaring billowes in their proud disdaine, That with the angry working of the waue, Therein is eaten out an hollow caue, That seemes rough Masons hand with engines keene Had long while laboured it to engraue: There was his wonne, ne liuing wight was seene, Saue one old Nymph, hight[1059] Panope to keepe it cleane. Thither he brought the sory Florimell, xxxviii And entertained her the best he might And Panope her entertaind eke well, As an immortall mote a mortall wight, To winne her liking vnto his delight: With flattering words he sweetly wooed her, And offered faire gifts t’allure her sight, But she both offers and the offerer Despysde, and all the fawning of the flatterer. Daily he tempted her with this or that, xxxix And neuer suffred her to be at rest: But euermore she him refused flat, And all his fained kindnesse did detest, So firmely she had sealed vp her brest. Sometimes he boasted, that a God he hight: But she a mortall creature loued best: Then he would make himselfe a mortall wight; But then she said she lou’d none, but a Faerie knight.

Then like a Faerie knight himselfe he drest; xl For euery shape on him he could endew: Then like a king he was to her exprest, And offred kingdomes vnto her in vew, To be his Leman and his Ladie trew: But when all this he nothing saw preuaile, With harder meanes he cast her to subdew, And with sharpe threates her often did assaile, So thinking for to make her stubborne courage quaile. To dreadfull shapes he did himselfe transforme, xli Now like a Gyant, now like to a feend, Then like a Centaure, then like to a storme, Raging within the waues: thereby he weend Her will to win vnto his wished end.[1060] But when with feare, nor fauour, nor with all He else could doe, he saw himselfe esteemd, Downe in a Dongeon deepe he let her fall, And threatned there to make her his eternall thrall. Eternall thraldome was to her more liefe, xlii Then losse of chastitie, or chaunge of loue: Die had she rather in tormenting griefe, Then any should of falsenesse her reproue, Or loosenesse, that she lightly did remoue. Most vertuous virgin, glory be thy meed, And crowne of heauenly praise with Saints aboue, Where most sweet hymmes of this thy famous deed Are still emongst them song, that far my rymes exceed. Fit song of Angels caroled to bee; xliii But yet what so my feeble Muse can frame, Shall be t’aduance thy goodly chastitee, And to enroll thy memorable name, In th’heart of euery honourable Dame, That they thy vertuous deedes may imitate, And be partakers of thy endlesse fame. It yrkes me, leaue thee in this wofull state, To tell of Satyrane, where I him left of late.

Who hauing ended with that Squire of Dames xliv A long discourse of his[1061] aduentures vaine, The which himselfe, then Ladies more defames, And finding not th’Hyena to be slaine, With that same Squire, returned backe againe To his first way. And as they forward went, They spyde a knight faire pricking on the plaine, As if he were on some aduenture bent, And in his port appeared manly hardiment. Sir Satyrane him towards did addresse, xlv To weet, what wight he was, and what his quest: And comming nigh, eftsoones he gan to gesse[1062] Both by the burning hart, which on his brest He bare, and by the colours in his crest, That Paridell it was. Tho to him yode, And him saluting, as beseemed best, Gan first inquire of tydings farre abrode; And afterwardes, on what aduenture now he rode. Who thereto answering, said; The tydings bad, xlvi Which now in Faerie court all men do tell, Which turned hath great mirth, to mourning sad, Is the late ruine of proud Marinell, And suddein parture of faire Florimell, To find him forth: and after her are gone All the braue knights, that doen in armes excell, To sauegard her, ywandred all alone; Emongst the rest my lot (vnworthy[1063]) is to be one. Ah gentle knight (said then Sir Satyrane) xlvii Thy labour all is lost, I greatly dread, That hast a thanklesse seruice on thee ta’ne, And offrest sacrifice vnto the dead: For dead, I surely doubt, thou maist aread Henceforth for euer Florimell to be, That all the noble knights of Maydenhead, Which her ador’d, may sore repent with me, And all faire Ladies may for euer sory be.

Which words when Paridell had heard, his hew xlviii Gan greatly chaunge, and seem’d dismayd to bee; Then said, Faire Sir, how may I weene it trew, That ye doe tell in such vncertaintee? Or speake ye of report, or did ye see Iust cause of dread, that makes ye doubt so sore? For perdie else how mote it euer bee, That euer hand should dare for to engore Her noble bloud? the heauens such crueltie abhore. These eyes did see, that they will euer rew xlix T’haue[1064] seene, (quoth he) when as a monstrous beast The Palfrey, whereon she did trauell, slew, And of his bowels made his bloudie[1065] feast: Which speaking token sheweth at the least Her certaine losse, if not her sure decay: Besides, that more suspition encreast, I found her golden girdle cast astray, Distaynd with durt and bloud, as relique of the pray. Aye me, (said Paridell) the signes be sad, l And but God turne the same to good soothsay, That Ladies safetie is sore to be drad: Yet will I not forsake my forward way, Till triall doe more certaine truth bewray. Faire Sir (quoth he) well may it you succeed, Ne long shall Satyrane behind you stay, But to the rest, which in this Quest proceed My labour adde, and be partaker of their speed. Ye noble knights (said then the Squire of Dames) li Well may ye speed in so praiseworthy paine: But sith the Sunne now ginnes to slake his beames, In deawy vapours of the westerne maine, And lose the teme out of his weary waine, Mote not mislike you also to abate Your zealous hast, till morrow next againe Both light of heauen, and strength of men relate: Which if ye please, to yonder castle turne your gate.

That counsell pleased well; so all yfere lii Forth marched to a Castle them before, Where soone arriuing, they restrained were Of readie entrance, which ought euermore To errant knights be commun[1066]: wondrous sore Thereat displeasd they were, till that young Squire Gan them informe the cause, why that same dore Was shut to all, which lodging did desire: The which to let you weet, will further time require.

Malbecco will no straunge knights host, For peeuish gealosie: Paridell giusts with Britomart: Both shew their auncestrie.

Redoubted knights, and honorable Dames, i To whom I leuell all my labours end, Right sore I feare, least with vnworthy blames This odious argument my rimes should shend, Or ought your goodly patience offend, Whiles of a wanton Lady I do write, Which with her loose incontinence doth blend The shyning glory of your soueraigne light, And knighthood fowle defaced by a faithlesse knight. But neuer let th’ensample of the bad ii Offend the good: for good by paragone Of euill, may more notably be rad, As white seemes fairer, macht with blacke attone[1067]; Ne all are shamed by the fault of one: For lo in heauen, whereas all goodnesse is, Emongst the Angels, a whole legione Of wicked Sprights did fall from happy blis; What wonder then, if one of women all did mis?

Then listen Lordings, if ye list to weet iii The cause, why Satyrane and Paridell Mote not be entertaynd, as seemed meet, Into that Castle (as that Squire does tell.) Therein a cancred crabbed Carle does dwell, That has no skill of Court nor courtesie, Ne cares, what men say of him ill or well; For all his dayes he drownes in priuitie, Yet has full large to liue, and spend at libertie. But all his mind is set on mucky pelfe, iv To hoord vp heapes of euill gotten masse, For which he others wrongs, and wreckes himselfe; Yet is he lincked to a louely lasse, Whose beauty doth her[1068] bounty far surpasse, The which to him both far vnequall yeares, And also far vnlike conditions has; For she does ioy to play emongst her peares, And to be free from hard restraint and gealous feares. But he is old, and withered like hay, v Vnfit faire Ladies seruice to supply; The priuie guilt whereof makes him alway Suspect her truth, and keepe continuall spy Vpon her with his other blincked eye; Ne suffreth he resort of liuing wight Approch to her, ne keepe her company, But in close bowre her mewes from all mens sight, Depriu’d of kindly ioy and naturall delight. Malbecco he, and Hellenore she hight, vi Vnfitly yokt together in one teeme, That is the cause, why neuer any knight Is[1069] suffred here to enter, but he seeme Such, as no doubt of him he neede misdeeme. Thereat Sir Satyrane gan smile, and say; Extremely mad the man I surely deeme, That weenes with watch and hard restraint to stay A womans will, which is disposd to go astray.

In vaine he feares that, which he cannot shonne: vii For who wotes not, that womans subtiltyes Can guilen Argus, when she list misdonne[1070]? It is not yron bandes, nor hundred eyes, Nor brasen walls, nor many wakefull spyes, That can withhold her wilfull wandring feet; But fast good will with gentle curtesyes, And timely seruice to her pleasures meet May her perhaps containe, that else would algates fleet. Then is he not more mad (said Paridell) viii That hath himselfe vnto such seruice sold, In dolefull thraldome all his dayes to dwell? For sure a foole I do him firmely hold, That loues his fetters, though they were of gold. But why do we deuise of others ill, Whiles thus we suffer this same dotard old, To keepe vs out, in scorne of his owne will, And rather do not ransack all, and him selfe kill? Nay let vs first (said Satyrane) entreat ix The man by gentle meanes, to let vs 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 mesprise, As may be worthy of his haynous sin. That counsell pleasd: then Paridell did rise, And to the Castle gate approcht in quiet wise. Whereat soft knocking, entrance he desyrd. x The good man selfe, which then the Porter playd, Him answered, that all were now retyrd Vnto their rest, and all the keyes conuayd Vnto their maister, who in bed was layd, That none him durst 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 punishment extreme.

But all in vaine; for nought mote him relent, xi And now so long before the wicket fast They wayted, that the night was forward spent, And the faire welkin fowly ouercast, Gan blowen vp a bitter stormy blast, With shoure and hayle so horrible and dred, That this faire many were compeld at last, To fly for succour to a little shed, The which beside the gate for swine was ordered. It fortuned, soone after they were gone, xii Another knight, whom tempest thither brought, Came to that Castle, and with earnest mone, Like as the rest, late entrance deare besought; But like so as the rest he prayd for nought, For flatly he of entrance was refusd, Sorely thereat he was displeasd, and thought How to auenge himselfe so sore abusd, And euermore the Carle of curtesie accusd. But to auoyde th’intollerable stowre, xiii He was compeld to seeke some refuge neare, And to that shed, to shrowd him from the showre, He came, which full of guests he found whyleare, So as he was not let to enter there: Whereat he gan to wex exceeding wroth, And swore, that he would lodge with them yfere, Or them dislodge, all were they liefe or loth; And so defide them each[1071], and so defide them both. Both were full loth to leaue that needfull tent, xiv And both full loth in darkenesse to debate; Yet both full liefe him lodging to haue lent, And both full liefe his boasting to abate; But chiefly Paridell his hart did grate, To heare him threaten so despightfully, As if he did a dogge to[1072] kenell rate, That durst not barke; and rather had he dy, Then when he was defide, in coward corner ly.

Tho hastily remounting to his steed, xv He forth issew’d; like as a boistrous wind, Which in th’earthes hollow caues hath long bin[1073] hid, And shut vp fast within her prisons blind, Makes the huge element against her kind To moue, and tremble as it were agast, Vntill that it an issew forth may find; Then forth it breakes, and with his furious blast Confounds both land and seas, and skyes doth ouercast. Their steel-hed speares they strongly coucht, and met xvi Together with impetuous rage and forse, That with the terrour of their fierce affret, They rudely droue to ground both man and horse, That each awhile lay like a sencelesse corse. But Paridell sore brused with the blow, Could not arise, the counterchaunge to scorse, Till that young Squire him reared from below; Then drew he his bright sword, and gan about him throw. But Satyrane forth stepping, did them stay xvii And with faire treatie pacifide their ire, Then when they were accorded from the fray, Against that Castles Lord they gan conspire, To heape on him dew vengeaunce for his hire. They bene agreed, and to the gates they goe To burne the same with vnquenchable fire, And that vncurteous Carle their commune foe To do fowle death to dye, or wrap in grieuous woe. Malbecco seeing them resolu’d in deed xviii To flame the gates, and hearing them to call For fire in earnest, ran with fearefull speed, And to them calling from the castle wall, Besought them humbly, him to beare with all, As ignoraunt of seruants bad abuse, And slacke attendaunce vnto straungers call. The knights were willing all things to excuse, Though nought beleu’d, and entraunce late did not refuse.

They bene ybrought into a comely bowre, xix And seru’d of all things that mote needfull bee; Yet secretly their hoste did on them lowre, And welcomde more for feare, then charitee; But they dissembled, what they did not see, And welcomed themselues. Each gan vndight Their garments wet, and weary armour free, To dry them selues by Vulcanes flaming light, And eke their lately bruzed parts to bring in plight. And eke that straunger knight emongst the rest[1074] xx Was for like need enforst to disaray: Tho whenas vailed was her loftie crest, Her golden locks, that were in tramels gay Vpbounden, did them selues adowne display, And raught vnto her heeles; like sunny beames, That in a cloud their light did long time stay, Their vapour vaded, shew their golden gleames, And through the persant[1075] aire shoote forth their azure streames. She also dofte her heauy haberieon, xxi Which the faire feature of her limbs did hyde, And her well plighted frock, which she did won To tucke about her short, when she did ryde, She low let fall, that flowd from her lanck syde Downe to her foot, with carelesse modestee. Then of them all she plainly was espyde, To be a woman wight, vnwist to bee, The fairest woman wight, that euer eye did see. Like as Minerua[1076], being late returnd xxii From slaughter of the Giaunts conquered; Where proud Encelade, whose wide nosethrils burnd With breathed flames, like to a furnace red, Transfixed with the[1077] speare, downe tombled ded From top of Hemus, by him heaped hye; Hath loosd her helmet from her lofty hed, And her Gorgonian shield gins to vntye From her left arme, to rest in glorious victorye.

Which whenas they beheld, they smitten were xxiii With great amazement of so wondrous sight, And each on other, and they all on her Stood gazing, as if suddein great affright Had them surprised. At last auizing right, Her goodly personage and glorious hew, Which they so much mistooke, they tooke delight In their first errour, and yet still anew With wonder of her beauty fed their hungry[1078] vew. Yet note their hungry vew be satisfide, xxiv But seeing still the more desir’d to see, And euer firmely fixed did abide In contemplation of diuinitie: But most[1079] they meruaild at her cheualree, And noble prowesse, which they had approued, That much they faynd to know, who she mote bee; Yet none of all them her thereof amoued, Yet euery one her likte, and euery one her loued. And Paridell though partly discontent xxv With his late fall, and fowle indignity, Yet was soone 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 curtesy, That of his Lady they might haue the sight, And company at meat, to do them more delight. But he to shift their curious request, xxvi Gan causen, why she could not come in place; Her crased health, her late recourse to rest, And humid euening ill for sicke folkes cace: But none of those excuses could take place; Ne would they eate, till she in presence came. She came in presence with right comely grace, And fairely them saluted, as became, And shewd her selfe in all a gentle curteous Dame.

They sate to meat, and Satyrane his chaunce xxvii Was her before, and Paridell besyde; But he him selfe sate looking still askaunce, Gainst Britomart, and euer closely eyde Sir Satyrane, that[1080] glaunces might not glyde: But his blind eye, that syded Paridell, All his demeasnure[1081] from his sight did hyde: On her faire face so did he feede his fill, And sent close messages of loue to her at will. And euer and anone, when none was ware, xxviii With speaking lookes, that close embassage bore, He rou’d at her, and told his secret care: For all that art he learned had of yore. Ne was she ignoraunt of that lewd lore, But in his eye his meaning wisely red, And with the like him answerd euermore: She sent at him one firie dart, whose hed Empoisned was with priuy lust, and gealous dred. He from that deadly throw made no defence, xxix But to the wound his weake hart opened wyde; The wicked engine through false influence, Past through his eyes, and secretly did glyde Into his hart, which it did sorely gryde. But nothing new to him was that same paine, Ne paine at all; for he so oft had tryde The powre thereof, and lou’d so oft in vaine, That thing of course he counted, loue to entertaine. Thenceforth to her he sought to intimate xxx His inward griefe, by meanes to him well knowne, Now Bacchus fruit out of the siluer plate He on the table dasht, as ouerthrowne, Or of the fruitfull liquor ouerflowne, And by the dauncing bubbles did diuine, Or therein write to let his loue be showne; Which well she red out of the learned line, A sacrament prophane in mistery of wine.

And when so of his hand the pledge she raught, xxxi The guilty cup she fained to mistake, And in her lap did shed her idle draught, Shewing desire her inward flame to slake: By such close signes they secret way did make Vnto their wils, and one eyes watch escape; Two eyes him needeth, for to watch and wake, Who louers will deceiue. Thus was the ape, By their faire handling, put into Malbeccoes cape. Now when of meats and drinks they had their fill, xxxii Purpose was moued by that gentle Dame, Vnto those knights aduenturous, to tell Of deeds of armes, which vnto them became, And euery one his kindred, and his name. Then Paridell, in whom a kindly pryde Of gracious speach, and skill his words to frame Abounded, being glad[1082] of so fit tyde Him to commend to her, thus spake, of all well eyde. Troy, that art now nought, but an idle name, xxxiii And in thine ashes buried low dost lie, Though whilome far much greater then thy fame, Before that angry Gods, and cruell skye Vpon thee heapt a direfull destinie, What boots it boast thy glorious descent, And fetch from heauen thy great Genealogie, Sith all thy worthy prayses being blent, Their of-spring hath embaste, and later glory shent. Most famous Worthy of the world, by whome xxxiv That warre was kindled, which did Troy inflame, And stately towres of Ilion whilome Brought vnto balefull ruine, was by name Sir Paris far renowmd through noble fame, Who through great prowesse and bold hardinesse, From Lacedæmon fetcht the fairest Dame, That euer Greece did boast, or knight possesse, Whom Venus to him gaue for meed of worthinesse.

Faire Helene, flowre of beautie excellent, xxxv And girlond of the mighty Conquerours, That madest many Ladies deare lament The heauie losse of their braue Paramours, Which they far off beheld from Troian toures, And saw the fieldes of faire Scamander strowne With carcases of noble warrioures, Whose fruitlesse liues were vnder furrow sowne, And Xanthus sandy bankes with bloud all ouerflowne. From him my linage I deriue aright, xxxvi Who long before the ten yeares siege of Troy, Whiles yet on Ida he a shepheard hight, On faire Oenone got a louely boy, Whom for remembraunce of her passed ioy, She of his Father Parius did name; Who, after Greekes did Priams realme destroy, Gathred the Troian reliques sau’d from flame, And with them sayling thence, to th’Isle of Paros came. That was by him cald Paros, which before xxxvii Hight Nausa, there he many yeares did raine, And built Nausicle by the Pontick shore, The which he dying left next in remaine To Paridas his sonne. From whom I Paridell by kin descend; But for faire Ladies loue, and glories gaine, My natiue soile haue left, my dayes to spend In sewing[1083] deeds of armes, my liues and labours end. Whenas the noble Britomart heard tell xxxviii Of Troian warres, and Priams Citie sackt, The ruefull story of Sir Paridell, She was empassiond at that piteous act, With zelous enuy of Greekes cruell fact, Against that nation, from whose race of old She heard, that she was lineally extract: For noble Britons sprong from Troians bold, And Troynouant was built of old Troyes ashes cold.

Then sighing soft awhile, at last she thus: xxxix O lamentable fall of famous towne, Which raignd so many yeares victorious, And of all Asie[1084] bore the soueraigne crowne, In one sad night consumd, and throwen downe: What stony hart, that heares thy haplesse fate, Is not empierst with deepe compassiowne, And makes ensample of mans wretched state, That floures so fresh at morne, and fades at euening late? Behold, Sir, how your pitifull complaint xl Hath found another partner of your payne: For nothing may impresse so deare constraint, As countries cause, and commune foes disdayne. But if it should not grieue you, backe agayne To turne your course, I would to heare desyre, What to Aeneas fell; sith that men sayne He was not in the Cities wofull fyre Consum’d, but did him selfe to safetie retyre. Anchyses sonne begot of Venus faire, xli (Said he,) out of the flames for safegard fled, And with a remnant did to sea repaire, Where he through fatall errour long was led Full many yeares, and weetlesse wandered From shore to shore, emongst the Lybicke sands, Ere rest he found. Much there he suffered, And many perils past in forreine lands, To saue his people sad from victours vengefull hands. At last in Latium he did arriue, xlii Where he with cruell warre was entertaind Of th’inland folke, which sought him backe to driue, Till he with old Latinus was constraind, To contract wedlock: (so the fates ordaind.) Wedlock contract in bloud, and eke in blood Accomplished, that many deare complaind: The riuall slaine, the victour through the flood Escaped hardly, hardly praisd his wedlock good.

Yet after all, he victour did suruiue, xliii And with Latinus did the kingdome part. But after, when both nations gan to striue, Into their names the title to conuart, His sonne Iülus did from thence depart, With all the warlike youth of Troians bloud, And in long Alba plast his throne apart, Where faire it florished, and long time stoud, Till Romulus renewing it, to Rome remoud. There there (said Britomart) a fresh appeard xliv The glory of the later world to spring, And Troy againe out of her dust was reard, To sit in second seat of soueraigne king, Of all the world vnder her gouerning. But a third kingdome yet is to arise, Out of the Troians scattered of-spring, That in all glory and great enterprise, Both first and second Troy shall dare to equalise. It Troynouant is hight, that with the waues xlv Of wealthy Thamis washed is along, Vpon whose stubborne neck[1085], whereat he raues With roring rage, and sore him selfe does throng, That all men feare to tempt his billowes strong, She fastned hath her foot, which standes so hy, That it a wonder of the world is song In forreine landes, and all which passen by, Beholding it from far, do thinke it threates the skye. The Troian Brute did first that Citie found, xlvi And Hygate[1086] made the meare thereof by West, And Ouert gate by North: that is the bound Toward the land; two riuers bound the rest. So huge a scope at first him seemed best, To be the compasse of his kingdomes seat: So huge a mind could not in lesser rest, Ne in small meares containe his glory great, That Albion had conquered first by warlike feat.

Ah fairest Lady knight, (said Paridell) xlvii Pardon I pray my heedlesse ouersight, Who had forgot, that whilome I heard[1087] tell From aged Mnemon; for my wits bene light. Indeed he said (if I remember right,) That of the antique Troian stocke, there grew Another plant, that raught to wondrous hight, And far abroad his mighty branches threw, Into the vtmost Angle of the world he knew. For that same Brute, whom much he did aduaunce xlviii In all his speach, was Syluius his sonne, Whom hauing slaine, through luckles arrowes glaunce He fled for feare of that he had misdonne, Or else for shame, so fowle reproch to shonne, And with him led to sea[1088] an youthly trayne, Where wearie wandring they long time did wonne, And many fortunes prou’d in th’Ocean mayne, And great aduentures found, that now were long to sayne. At last by fatall course they driuen were xlix Into an Island spatious and brode, The furthest North, that did to them appeare: Which[1089] after rest they seeking far abrode, Found it the fittest soyle for their abode, Fruitfull of all things fit for liuing foode, But wholy wast, and void of peoples trode, Saue an huge nation of the Geaunts broode, That fed on liuing flesh, and druncke mens vitall blood. Whom he through wearie wars and labours long, l Subdewd with losse of many Britons bold: In which the great Goemagot of strong Corineus, and Coulin of Debon old Were ouerthrowne, and layd on th’earth full cold, Which quaked vnder their so hideous masse, A famous history to be enrold In euerlasting moniments of brasse, That all the antique Worthies merits far did passe.

His worke great Troynouant, his worke is eke li Faire Lincolne, both renowmed far away, That who from East to West will endlong seeke, Cannot two fairer Cities find this day, Except Cleopolis: so heard I say Old Mnemon. Therefore Sir, I greet you well Your countrey kin, and you entirely pray Of pardon for the strife, which late befell Betwixt vs both vnknowne. So ended Paridell. But all the while, that he these speaches spent, lii Vpon his lips hong faire Dame Hellenore, With vigilant regard, and dew attent, Fashioning worlds of fancies euermore In her fraile wit, that now her quite forlore: The whiles vnwares away her wondring eye, And greedy eares her weake hart from her bore: Which he perceiuing, euer priuily In speaking, many false belgardes at her let fly. So long these knights discoursed diuersly, liii Of straunge affaires, and noble hardiment, Which they had past with mickle ieopardy, That now the humid night was farforth spent, And heauenly lampes were halfendeale ybrent: Which th’old man seeing well, who too long thought Euery discourse and euery argument, Which by the houres he measured, besought Them go to rest. So all vnto their bowres were brought.

Paridell rapeth Hellenore: Malbecco her pursewes: Findes emongst Satyres, whence with him To turne she doth refuse.

The morow next, so soone as Phœbus Lamp i Bewrayed had the world with early light, And fresh Aurora had the shady damp Out of the goodly heauen amoued quight, Faire Britomart and that same Faerie knight Vprose, forth on their iourney for to wend: But Paridell complaynd, that his late fight With Britomart, so sore did him offend, That ryde he could not, till his hurts he did amend. So forth they far’d, but he behind them stayd, ii Maulgre his host, who grudged grieuously[1090], To house a guest, that would be needes obayd, And of his owne him left not liberty: Might wanting measure moueth surquedry. Two things he feared, but the third was death; That fierce youngmans vnruly maistery; His money, which he lou’d as liuing breath; And his faire wife, whom honest long he kept vneath. But patience perforce he must abie, iii What fortune and his fate on him will lay, Fond is the feare, that findes no remedie; Yet warily he watcheth euery way, By which he feareth euill happen may: So th’euill thinkes by watching to preuent; Ne doth he suffer her, nor night, nor day, Out of his sight her selfe once to absent. So doth he punish her and eke himselfe torment.

But Paridell kept better watch, then hee, iv A fit occasion for his turne to find: False loue, why do men say, thou canst not see, And in their foolish fancie feigne thee blind, That with thy charmes the sharpest sight doest bind, And to thy will abuse? Thou walkest free, And seest euery secret of the mind; Thou seest all, yet none at all sees thee; All that is by the working of thy Deitee. So perfect in that art was Paridell, v That he Malbeccoes[1091] halfen eye did wyle, His halfen eye he wiled wondrous well, And Hellenors both eyes did eke beguyle, Both eyes and hart attonce, during the whyle That he there soiourned his wounds to heale; That Cupid selfe it seeing, close did smyle, To weet how he her loue away did steale, And bad, that none their ioyous treason should reueale. The learned louer lost no time nor tyde, vi That least auantage mote to him afford, Yet bore so faire a saile, that none espyde His secret drift, till he her layd abord. When so in open place, and commune bord, He fortun’d her to meet, with commune speach He courted her, yet bayted euery word, That his vngentle hoste n’ote him appeach Of vile vngentlenesse, or hospitages breach. But when apart (if euer her apart) vii He found, then his false engins fast he plyde, And all the sleights vnbosomd in his hart; He sigh’d, he sobd, he swownd, he perdy dyde, And cast himselfe on ground her fast besyde: Tho when againe he him bethought to liue, He wept, and wayld, and false laments belyde, Saying, but if she Mercie would him giue That he mote algates dye, yet did his death forgiue.

And otherwhiles with amorous delights, viii And pleasing toyes he would her entertaine, Now singing sweetly, to surprise her sprights, Now making layes of loue and louers paine, Bransles, Ballads, virelayes, and verses vaine; Oft purposes, oft riddles he deuysd, And thousands like, which flowed in his braine, With which he fed her fancie, and entysd To take to[1092] his new loue, and leaue her old despysd. And euery where he might, and euery while ix He did her seruice dewtifull, and sewed At hand with humble pride, and pleasing guile, So closely yet, that none but she it vewed, Who well perceiued all, and all indewed. Thus finely did he his false nets dispred, With which he many weake harts had subdewed Of yore, and many had ylike misled: What wonder then, if she were likewise carried? No fort so fensible, no wals so strong, x But that continuall battery will riue, Or daily siege through dispuruayance long, And lacke of reskewes will to parley driue; And Peece[1093], that vnto parley eare will giue, Will shortly yeeld it selfe, and will be made The vassall of the victors will byliue: That stratageme had oftentimes assayd This crafty Paramoure, and now it plaine displayd. For through his traines he her intrapped hath, xi That she her loue and hart hath wholy sold To him, without regard of gaine, or scath, Or care of credite, or of husband old, Whom she hath vow’d to dub a faire Cucquold. Nought wants but time and place, which shortly shee Deuized hath, and to her louer told. It pleased well. So well they both agree; So readie rype to ill, ill wemens counsels bee.

Darke was the Euening, fit for louers stealth, xii When chaunst Malbecco busie be elsewhere, She to his closet went, where all his wealth Lay hid: thereof she countlesse summes did reare, The which she meant away with her to beare; The rest she fyr’d for sport, or for despight; As Hellene, when she saw aloft appeare The Troiane flames, and reach to heauens hight Did clap her hands, and ioyed at that dolefull sight. This second Hellene, faire Dame Hellenore, xiii The whiles her husband ranne with sory haste, To quench the flames, which she had tyn’d before, Laught at his foolish labour spent in waste; And ranne into her louers armes right fast; Where streight embraced, she to him did cry, And call aloud for helpe, ere helpe were past; For loe that Guest would[1094] beare her forcibly, And meant to rauish her, that rather had to dy. The wretched man hearing her call for ayd, xiv And readie seeing him with her to fly, In his disquiet mind was much dismayd: But when againe he backward cast his eye, And saw the wicked fire so furiously Consume his hart, and scorch his Idoles face, He was therewith distressed diuersly, Ne wist he how to turne, nor to what place; Was neuer wretched man in such a wofull cace. Ay when to him she cryde, to her he turnd, xv And left the fire; loue money ouercame: But when he marked, how his money burnd, He left his wife; money did loue disclame: Both was he loth to loose his loued Dame, And loth to leaue his liefest pelfe behind, Yet sith he n’ote saue both, he sau’d that same, Which was the dearest to his donghill mind, The God of his desire, the ioy of misers blind.

Thus whilest all things in troublous vprore were, xvi And all men busie to suppresse the flame, The louing couple need no reskew feare, But leasure had, and libertie to frame Their purpost flight, free from all mens reclame; And Night, the patronesse of loue-stealth faire, Gaue them safe conduct, till to end they came: So bene they gone yfeare, a wanton paire Of louers loosely knit, where list them to repaire. Soone as the cruell flames yslaked were, xvii Malbecco seeing, how his losse did lye, Out of the flames, which he had quencht whylere Into huge waues of griefe and gealosye Full deepe emplonged was, and drowned nye, Twixt inward doole and felonous despight; He rau’d, he wept, he stampt, he lowd did cry, And all the passions, that in man may light, Did him attonce oppresse, and vex his caytiue spright. Long thus he chawd the cud of inward griefe, xviii And did consume his gall with anguish sore, Still when he mused on his late mischiefe, Then[1095] still the smart thereof increased more, And seem’d more grieuous, then it was before: At last when sorrow he saw booted nought, Ne griefe might not his loue to him restore, He gan deuise, how her he reskew mought, Ten thousand wayes he cast in his confused thought. At last resoluing, like a pilgrim pore, xix To search[1096] her forth, where so she might be fond, And bearing with him treasure in close store, The rest he leaues in ground: So takes in hond To seeke her endlong, both by sea and lond. Long he her sought, he sought her farre and nere, And euery where that he mote vnderstond, Of knights and ladies any meetings were, And of eachone he met, he tydings did inquere.

But all in vaine, his woman was too wise, xx Euer to come into his clouch againe, And he too simple euer to surprise The iolly Paridell, for all his paine. One day, as he forpassed by the plaine With weary pace, he farre away espide A couple, seeming well to be his twaine, Which houed close vnder a forrest side, As if they lay in wait, or else themselues did hide. Well weened he, that those the same mote bee, xxi And as he better did their shape auize, Him seemed more their manner did agree; For th’one was armed all in warlike wize, Whom, to be Paridell he did deuize; And th’other all yclad in garments light, Discolour’d like to womanish disguise, He did resemble to his Ladie bright; And euer his faint hart much earned[1097] at the sight. And euer faine he towards them would goe, xxii But yet durst not for dread approchen nie, But stood aloofe, vnweeting what to doe; Till that prickt forth with loues extremitie, That is the father of foule gealosy, He closely nearer crept, the truth to weet: But, as he nigher drew, he easily Might scerne, that it was not his sweetest sweet, Ne yet her Belamour, the partner of his sheet. But it was scornefull Braggadocchio, xxiii That with his seruant Trompart houerd there, Sith late he fled from his too earnest foe: Whom such when as Malbecco spyed clere, He turned backe, and would haue fled arere; Till Trompart ronning hastily, him did stay, And bad before his soueraine Lord appere: That was him loth, yet durst he not gainesay, And comming him before, low louted on the lay.

The Boaster at him sternely bent his browe, xxiv As if he could haue kild him with his looke, That to the ground him meekely made to bowe, And awfull terror deepe into him strooke, That euery member of his bodie quooke. Said he, Thou[1098] man of nought, what doest thou here, Vnfitly furnisht with thy bag and booke, Where I expected one with shield and spere, To proue some deedes of armes vpon an equall pere. The wretched man at his imperious speach, xxv Was all abasht, and low prostrating, said; Good Sir, let not my rudenesse be no breach Vnto your patience, ne be ill ypaid; For I vnwares this way by fortune straid, A silly Pilgrim driuen to distresse, That seeke a Lady, There he suddein staid, And did the rest with grieuous sighes suppresse, While teares stood in his eies, few drops of bitternesse. What Ladie, man? (said Trompart) take good hart, xxvi And tell thy griefe, if any hidden lye; Was neuer better time to shew thy smart, Then now, that noble succour is thee by, That is the whole worlds commune remedy. That cheareful word his weake hart much did cheare, And with vaine hope his spirits faint supply, That bold he said; O most redoubted Pere, Vouchsafe with mild regard a wretches cace to heare. Then sighing sore, It is not long (said hee) xxvii Sith[1099] I enioyd the gentlest Dame aliue; Of whom a knight, no knight at all perdee, But shame of all, that doe for honor striue, By treacherous deceipt did me depriue; Through open outrage he her bore away, And with fowle force vnto his will did driue, Which all good knights, that armes do beare this day, Are bound for to reuenge, and punish if they may.

And you most noble Lord, that can and dare xxviii Redresse the wrong of miserable wight, Cannot employ your most victorious speare In better quarrell, then defence of right, And for a Ladie gainst a faithlesse knight; So shall your glory be aduaunced much, And all faire Ladies magnifie your might, And eke my selfe, albe I simple such, Your worthy paine shall well reward with guerdon rich. With that out of his bouget forth he drew xxix Great store of treasure[1100], therewith him to tempt; But he on it lookt scornefully askew, As much disdeigning to be so misdempt, Or a war-monger to be basely nempt; And said; Thy[1101] offers base I greatly loth, And eke thy words vncourteous and vnkempt; I tread in dust thee and thy money both, That, were it not for shame, So turned from him wroth. But Trompart, that his maisters humor knew, xxx In lofty lookes to hide an humble mind, Was inly tickled with that golden vew, And in his eare him rounded[1102] close behind: Yet stoupt he not, but lay still in the wind, Waiting aduauntage on the pray to sease; Till Trompart lowly to the ground inclind, Besought him his great courage to appease, And pardon simple man, that rash did him displease. Bigge looking like a doughtie Doucepere, xxxi At last he thus; Thou clod of vilest clay, I pardon yield, and with thy[1103] rudenesse beare; But weete henceforth, that all that golden pray, And all that else the vaine world vaunten may, I loath as doung, ne deeme my dew reward: Fame is my meed, and glory vertues[1104] pray[1105]. But minds of mortall men are muchell mard, And mou’d amisse with massie mucks vnmeet regard.

And more[1106], I graunt to thy great miserie xxxii Gratious respect, thy wife shall backe be sent, And that vile knight, who euer that he bee, Which hath thy Lady reft, and knighthood shent, By Sanglamort my sword, whose deadly dent The bloud hath of so many thousands shed, I sweare, ere long shall dearely it repent; Ne he twixt heauen and earth shall hide his hed, But soone he shall be found, and shortly doen be ded. The foolish man thereat woxe wondrous blith, xxxiii As if the word so spoken, were halfe donne, And humbly thanked him a thousand sith, That had from death to life him newly wonne. Tho forth the Boaster marching, braue begonne His stolen steed to thunder furiously, As if he heauen and hell would ouerronne, And all the world confound with cruelty, That much Malbecco ioyed in his iollity. Thus long they three together traueiled, xxxiv Through many a wood, and many an vncouth way, To seeke his wife, that was farre wandered: But those two sought nought, but the present pray, To weete the treasure, which he did bewray, On which their eies and harts were wholly set, With purpose, how they might it best betray; For sith the houre, that first he did them let The same behold, therewith their keene desires were whet. It fortuned as they together far’d, xxxv They spide, where Paridell came pricking fast Vpon the plaine, the which himselfe prepar’d To giust with that braue straunger knight a cast, As on aduenture by the way he past: Alone he rode without his Paragone; For hauing filcht her bels, her vp he cast To the wide world, and let her fly alone, He nould be clogd. So had he serued many one.

The gentle Lady, loose at randon left, xxxvi The greene-wood long did walke, and wander wide At wilde aduenture, like a forlorne weft, Till on a day the Satyres her espide Straying alone withouten groome or guide; Her vp they tooke, and with them home her led, With them as housewife euer to abide, To milk their gotes, and make them cheese and bred, And euery one as commune good her handeled. That shortly she Malbecco has forgot, xxxvii And eke Sir Paridell, all were he deare; Who from her went to seeke another lot, And now by fortune was arriued here, Where those two guilers with Malbecco were: Soone as the oldman saw Sir Paridell, He fainted, and was almost dead with feare, Ne word he had to speake, his griefe to tell, But to him louted low, and greeted goodly well. And after asked him for Hellenore, xxxviii I take no keepe of her (said Paridell) She wonneth in the forrest there before. So forth he rode, as his aduenture fell; The whiles the Boaster from his loftie sell Faynd to alight, something amisse to mend; But the fresh Swayne would not his leasure dwell, But went his way; whom when he passed kend, He vp remounted light, and after faind to wend. Perdy nay (said Malbecco) shall ye not: xxxix But let him passe as lightly, as he came: For litle good of him is to be got, And mickle perill to be put to shame. But let vs go to seeke my dearest Dame, Whom he hath left in yonder forrest wyld: For of her safety in great doubt I am[1107], Least saluage beastes her person haue despoyld: Then all the world is lost, and we in vaine haue toyld.

They[1108] all agree, and forward them addrest: xl Ah but (said craftie Trompart) weete ye well, That yonder in that wastefull[1109] wildernesse Huge monsters haunt, and many dangers dwell; Dragons, and Minotaures, and feendes of hell, And many wilde woodmen, which robbe and rend All trauellers; therefore aduise[1110] ye well, Before ye enterprise that way to wend: One may his iourney bring too soone to euill end. Malbecco stopt in great astonishment, xli And with pale eyes fast fixed on the rest, Their counsell crau’d, in daunger imminent. Said Trompart, You[1111] that are the most opprest With burden of great treasure, I thinke best Here for to stay in safetie behind; My Lord and I will search the wide forrest. That counsell pleased not Malbeccoes mind; For he was much affraid, himselfe alone to find. Then is it best (said he) that ye doe leaue xlii Your treasure here in some securitie, Either fast closed in some hollow greaue, Or buried in the ground from ieopardie, Till we returne againe in safetie: As for vs two, least doubt of vs ye haue, Hence farre away we will blindfolded lie, Ne priuie be vnto your treasures graue. It pleased: so he did.[1112] Then they march forward braue. Now when amid the thickest woods they were, xliii They heard a noyse of many bagpipes shrill, And shrieking Hububs them approching nere, Which all the forrest did with horror fill: That dreadfull sound the boasters hart did thrill, With such amazement, that in haste he fled, Ne euer looked backe for good or ill, And after him eke fearefull Trompart sped; The old man could not fly, but fell to ground halfe ded.

Yet afterwards close creeping, as he might, xliv He in a bush did hide his fearefull hed, The iolly Satyres full of fresh delight, Came dauncing forth, and with them nimbly led Faire Hellenore, with girlonds all bespred, Whom their May-lady they had newly made: She proud of that new honour, which they red, And of their louely fellowship full glade, Daunst liuely, and her face did with a Lawrell shade. The silly man that in the thicket lay xlv Saw all this goodly sport, and grieued sore, Yet durst he not against it doe or say, But did his hart with bitter thoughts engore, To see th’vnkindnesse of his Hellenore. All day they daunced with great lustihed, And with their horned feet the greene grasse wore, The whiles their Gotes vpon the brouzes fed,[1113] Till drouping Phœbus gan to hide his golden hed. Tho vp they gan their merry pypes to trusse, xlvi And all their goodly heards did gather round, But euery Satyre first did giue a busse To Hellenore: so busses did abound. Now gan the humid vapour shed the ground With perly deaw, and th’Earthes[1114] gloomy shade Did dim the brightnesse of the welkin round, That euery bird and beast awarned made, To shrowd themselues, whiles sleepe their senses did inuade. Which when Malbecco saw, out of his[1115] bush xlvii Vpon his hands[1116] and feete he crept full light, And like a Gote emongst the Gotes did rush, That through the helpe of his faire hornes on hight, And misty dampe of misconceiuing night, And eke through likenesse of his gotish beard, He did the better counterfeite aright: So home he marcht emongst the horned heard, That none of all the Satyres him espyde or heard.

At night, when all they went to sleepe, he vewd, xlviii Whereas his louely wife emongst them lay, Embraced of a Satyre rough and rude, Who all the night did minde his ioyous play: Nine times he heard him come aloft ere day, That all his hart with gealosie did swell; But yet that nights ensample did bewray, That not for nought his wife them loued so well, When one so oft[1117] a night did ring his matins bell. So closely as he could, he to them crept, xlix When wearie of their sport to sleepe they fell, And to his wife, that now full soundly slept, He whispered in her eare, and did her tell, That it was he, which by her side did dwell, And therefore prayd her wake, to heare him plaine. As one out of a dreame not waked well, She turned her, and returned backe againe: Yet her for to awake he did the more constraine. At last with irkesome trouble she abrayd; l And then perceiuing, that it was indeed Her old Malbecco, which did her vpbrayd, With loosenesse of her loue, and loathly deed, She was astonisht with exceeding dreed, And would haue wakt the Satyre by her syde; But he her prayd, for mercy, or for meed, To saue his life, ne let him be descryde, But hearken to his lore, and all his counsell hyde. Tho gan he her perswade, to leaue that lewd li And loathsome life, of God and man abhord, And home returne, where all should be renewd With perfect peace, and bandes of fresh accord, And she receiu’d againe to bed and bord, As if no trespasse euer had bene donne: But she it all refused at one word, And by no meanes would to his will be wonne, But chose emongst the iolly Satyres still to wonne.

He wooed her, till day spring[1118] he espyde; lii But all in vaine: and then turnd to the heard, Who butted him with hornes on euery syde, And trode downe in the durt, where his hore beard Was fowly dight, and he of death afeard. Early before the heauens fairest light Out of the ruddy East was fully reard, The heardes out of their foldes were loosed quight, And he emongst the rest crept forth in sory plight. So soone as he the Prison dore did pas, liii He ran as fast, as both his feete could beare, And neuer looked, who behind him was, Ne scarsely who before: like as a Beare That creeping close, amongst[1119] the hiues to reare An hony combe, the wakefull dogs espy, And him assayling, sore his carkasse teare, That hardly he with life away does fly, Ne stayes, till safe himselfe he see from ieopardy. Ne stayd he, till he came vnto the place, liv Where late his treasure he entombed had, Where when he found it not (for Trompart bace Had it purloyned for his maister bad:) With extreme fury he became quite mad, And ran away, ran with himselfe away: That who so straungely had him seene bestad, With vpstart haire, and staring eyes dismay, From Limbo lake him late escaped sure would say. High ouer hilles and ouer dales he fled, lv As if the wind him on his winges had borne, Ne banck nor bush could stay him, when he sped His nimble feet, as treading still on thorne: Griefe, and despight, and gealosie, and scorne Did all the way him follow hard behind, And he himselfe himselfe loath’d so forlorne, So shamefully forlorne of womankind; That as a Snake, still lurked in his wounded mind.

Still fled he forward, looking backward still, lvi Ne stayd his flight, nor fearefull agony, Till that he came vnto a rockie hill, Ouer the sea, suspended dreadfully, That liuing creature it would terrify, To looke adowne, or vpward to the hight: From thence he threw himselfe dispiteously, All desperate of his fore-damned spright, That seem’d no helpe for him was left in liuing sight. But through long anguish, and selfe-murdring thought lvii He was so wasted and forpined quight, That all his substance was consum’d to nought, And nothing left, but like an aery Spright, That on the rockes he fell so flit and light, That he thereby receiu’d no hurt at all, But chaunced on a craggy cliff to light; Whence he with crooked clawes so long did crall, That at the last he found a caue with entrance small. Into the same he creepes, and thenceforth there lviii Resolu’d to build his balefull mansion, In drery darkenesse, and continuall feare Of that rockes fall, which euer and anon Threates with huge ruine him to fall vpon, That he dare neuer sleepe, but that one eye Still ope he keepes for that occasion; Ne euer rests he in tranquillity, The roring billowes beat his bowre so boystrously. Ne euer is he wont on ought to feed, lix But toades and frogs, his pasture poysonous, Which in his cold complexion do breed A filthy bloud, or humour rancorous, Matter of doubt and dread suspitious, That doth with curelesse care consume the hart, Corrupts the stomacke with gall vitious, Croscuts the liuer with internall smart, And doth transfixe the soule with deathes eternall dart.

Yet can he neuer dye, but dying liues, lx And doth himselfe with sorrow new sustaine, That death and life attonce vnto him giues. And painefull pleasure turnes to pleasing paine. There dwels he euer, miserable swaine, Hatefull both to him selfe, and euery wight; Where he through priuy griefe, and horrour vaine, Is woxen so deform’d, that he has quight Forgot he was a man, and Gealosie is hight.

Britomart chaceth Ollyphant, findes Scudamour distrest: Assayes the house of Busyrane, where Loues spoyles are exprest.

O Hatefull hellish Snake, what furie furst i Brought thee from balefull house of Proserpine, Where in her bosome she thee long had nurst, And fostred vp with bitter milke of tine, Fowle Gealosie, that turnest loue diuine To ioylesse dread, and mak’st the louing hart With hatefull thoughts to languish and to pine, And feed it selfe with selfe-consuming smart? Of all the passions in the mind thou vilest art. O let him far be banished away, ii And in his stead let Loue for euer dwell, Sweet Loue, that doth his golden[1120] wings embay In blessed Nectar, and pure Pleasures well, Vntroubled of vile feare, or bitter fell. And ye faire Ladies, that your kingdomes make In th’harts of men, them gouerne wisely well, And of faire Britomart ensample take, That was as trew in loue, as Turtle to her make.

Who with Sir Satyrane, as earst ye red, iii Forth ryding from Malbeccoes hostlesse hous, Far off aspyde[1121] a young man, the which fled From an huge Geaunt, that with hideous And hatefull outrage long him chaced thus; It was that Ollyphant, the brother deare Of that Argante vile and vitious, From whom the Squire of Dames was reft whylere; This all as bad as she, and worse, if worse ought were. For as the sister did in feminine iv And filthy lust exceede all woman kind, So he surpassed his sex masculine, In beastly vse that I did euer[1122] find; Whom when as Britomart beheld behind The fearefull boy so greedily pursew, She was emmoued in her noble mind, T’employ her puissaunce to his reskew, And pricked fiercely forward, where she him did[1123] vew. Ne was Sir Satyrane her far behinde, v But with like fiercenesse did ensew the chace: Whom when the Gyaunt saw, he soone resinde His former suit, and from them fled apace; They after both, and boldly bad him bace, And each did striue the other to out-goe, But he them both outran a wondrous space, For he was long, and swift as any Roe, And now made better speed, t’escape his feared foe. It was not Satyrane, whom he did feare, vi But Britomart the flowre of chastity; For he the powre of chast hands might not beare, But alwayes did their dread encounter fly: And now so fast his feet he did apply, That he has gotten to a forrest neare, Where he is shrowded in security. The wood they enter, and search euery where, They searched diuersely, so both diuided were.

Faire Britomart so long him followed, vii That she at last came to a fountaine sheare, By which there lay a knight all wallowed Vpon the grassy ground, and by him neare His haberieon, his helmet, and his speare; A little off,[1124] his shield was rudely throwne, On which the winged boy in colours cleare Depeincted was, full easie to be knowne, And he thereby, where euer it in field was showne. His face vpon the ground did groueling ly, viii As if he had bene slombring in the shade, That the braue Mayd would not for courtesy, Out of his quiet slomber him abrade, Nor seeme too suddeinly him to inuade: Still as she stood, she heard with grieuous throb Him grone, as if his hart were peeces made, And with most painefull pangs to sigh and sob, That pitty did the Virgins hart of patience rob. At last forth breaking into bitter plaintes ix He said; O soueraigne Lord that sit’st on hye, And raignst in blis emongst thy blessed Saintes, How suffrest thou such shamefull cruelty, So long vnwreaked of thine enimy? Or hast thou, Lord,[1125] of good mens cause no heed? Or doth thy iustice sleepe, and silent ly? What booteth then the good and righteous deed, If goodnesse find no grace, nor righteousnesse no meed? If good find grace, and righteousnesse reward, x Why then is Amoret in caytiue band, Sith that more bounteous creature neuer far’d On foot, vpon the face of liuing land? Or if that heauenly iustice may withstand The wrongfull outrage of vnrighteous men, Why then is Busirane with wicked hand Suffred, these seuen monethes day in secret den My Lady and my loue so cruelly to pen?

My Lady and my loue is cruelly[1126] pend xi In dolefull darkenesse from the vew of day, Whilest deadly torments do her chast brest rend, And the sharpe steele doth riue her hart in tway, All for she Scudamore will not denay. Yet thou vile man, vile Scudamore art sound, Ne canst her ayde, ne canst her foe dismay; Vnworthy wretch to tread vpon the ground, For whom so faire a Lady feeles so sore a wound. There an huge heape of singultes[1127] did oppresse xii His strugling soule, and swelling throbs empeach His foltring toung with pangs of drerinesse, Choking the remnant of his plaintife speach, As if his dayes were come to their last reach. Which when she heard, and saw the ghastly fit, Threatning into his life to make a breach, Both with great ruth and terrour she was smit, Fearing least from her cage the wearie soule would flit. Tho stooping downe she him amoued light; xiii Who therewith somewhat starting, vp gan looke, And seeing him behind a straunger knight, Whereas no liuing creature he mistooke, With great indignaunce he that sight forsooke, And downe againe himselfe disdainefully Abiecting, th’earth with his faire forhead strooke: Which the bold Virgin seeing, gan apply Fit medcine to his griefe, and spake thus courtesly. Ah gentle knight, whose deepe conceiued[1128] griefe xiv Well seemes t’exceede the powre of patience, Yet if that heauenly grace some good reliefe You send, submit you to high prouidence, And euer in your noble hart prepense, That all the sorrow in the world is lesse, Then vertues might, and values confidence, For who nill bide the burden of distresse, Must not here thinke to liue: for life is wretchednesse.

Therefore, faire Sir, do comfort to you take, xv And freely read, what wicked felon so Hath outrag’d you, and thrald your gentle make. Perhaps this hand may helpe to ease your woe, And wreake your sorrow on your cruell foe, At[1129] least it faire endeuour will apply. Those feeling wordes so neare the quicke did goe, That vp his head he reared easily, And leaning on his elbow, these few wordes let fly. What boots it plaine, that cannot be redrest, xvi And sow vaine sorrow in a fruitlesse eare, Sith powre of hand, nor skill of learned brest, Ne worldly price cannot redeeme my deare, Out of her thraldome and continuall feare? For he the tyraunt, which her hath in ward By strong enchauntments and blacke Magicke leare, Hath in a dungeon deepe her close embard, And many dreadfull feends hath pointed to her gard. There he tormenteth her most terribly, xvii And day and night afflicts with mortall paine, Because to yield him loue she doth deny, Once to me yold, not to be yold againe: But yet by torture he would her constraine Loue to conceiue in her disdainfull brest; Till so she do, she must in doole remaine, Ne may by liuing meanes be thence relest: What boots it then to plaine, that cannot be redrest? With this sad hersall of his heauy stresse, xviii The warlike Damzell was empassiond sore, And said; Sir knight, your cause is nothing lesse, Then is your sorrow, certes if not more; For nothing so much pitty doth implore, As gentle Ladies helplesse misery. But yet, if please ye listen to my lore, I will with proofe of last extremity, Deliuer her fro thence, or with her for you dy.

Ah gentlest knight aliue, (said Scudamore) xix What huge heroicke magnanimity Dwels in thy bounteous brest? what couldst thou more, If she were thine, and thou as now am I? O spare thy happy dayes, and them apply To better boot, but let me dye, that ought; More is more losse: one is enough to dy. Life is not lost, (said she) for which is bought Endlesse renowm, that more then death[1130] is to be sought. Thus she at length perswaded him to rise, xx And with her wend, to see what new successe Mote him befall vpon new enterprise; His armes, which he had vowed to disprofesse, She gathered vp and did about him dresse, And his forwandred[1131] steed vnto him got: So forth they both yfere make their progresse, And march not past the mountenaunce of a shot, Till they arriu’d, whereas their purpose they did plot. There they dismounting, drew their weapons bold xxi And stoutly came vnto the Castle gate; Whereas no gate they found, them to withhold, Nor ward to wait at morne and euening late, But in the Porch, that did them sore amate, A flaming fire, ymixt with smouldry smoke, And stinking Sulphure, that with griesly hate And dreadfull horrour did all entraunce choke, Enforced them their forward footing to reuoke. Greatly thereat was Britomart dismayd, xxii Ne in that stownd wist, how her selfe to beare; For daunger vaine it were, to haue assayd That cruell element, which all things feare, Ne none can suffer to approchen neare: And turning backe to Scudamour, thus sayd; What monstrous enmity prouoke we heare, Foolhardy as th’Earthes[1132] children, the which[1133] made Battell against the Gods? so we a God inuade.

Daunger without discretion to attempt, xxiii Inglorious and beastlike is: therefore Sir knight, Aread what course of you is safest dempt,[1134] And how we with our foe may come to fight. This is[1135] (quoth he) the dolorous despight, Which earst to you I playnd: for neither may This fire be quencht by any wit or might, Ne yet by any meanes remou’d away, So mighty be th’enchauntments, which the same do stay. What is there else, but cease these fruitlesse paines, xxiv And leaue me to my former languishing?[1136] Faire Amoret must dwell in wicked chaines, And Scudamore here dye with sorrowing. Perdy not so; (said she) for shamefull thing It were t’abandon noble cheuisaunce, For shew of perill, without venturing: Rather let try extremities of chaunce, Then enterprised prayse for dread to disauaunce. Therewith resolu’d to proue her vtmost might, xxv Her ample shield she threw before her face, And her swords point directing forward right, Assayld the flame, the which eftsoones gaue place, And did it selfe diuide with equall space, That through she passed; as a thunder bolt Perceth[1137] the yielding ayre, and doth displace The soring clouds into sad showres ymolt; So to her yold the flames, and did their force reuolt. Whom whenas Scudamour saw past the fire, xxvi Safe and vntoucht, he likewise gan assay, With greedy will, and enuious desire, And bad the stubborne flames to yield him way: But cruell Mulciber would not obay His threatfull pride, but did the more augment His mighty rage, and with[1138] imperious sway Him forst (maulgre) his fiercenesse to relent, And backe retire, all scorcht and pitifully brent.

With huge impatience he inly swelt, xxvii More for great sorrow, that he could not pas, Then for the burning torment, which he felt, That with fell woodnesse he effierced was, And wilfully him throwing on the gras, Did beat and bounse his head and brest full sore; The whiles the Championesse now entred[1139] has The vtmost rowme, and past the formest[1140] dore, The vtmost rowme, abounding with all precious store. For round about, the wals yclothed were xxviii With goodly arras of great maiesty, Wouen with gold and silke so close and nere, That the rich metall lurked priuily, As faining to be hid from enuious eye; Yet here, and there, and euery where vnwares It shewd it selfe, and shone vnwillingly; Like[1141] a discolourd Snake, whose hidden snares Through[1142] the greene gras his long bright burnisht backe declares. And in those Tapets weren fashioned xxix Many faire pourtraicts, and many a faire feate, And all of loue, and all of lusty-hed, As seemed by their semblaunt did entreat; And eke all Cupids warres they did repeate, And cruell battels, which he whilome fought Gainst all the Gods, to make his empire great; Besides the huge massacres, which he wrought On mighty kings and kesars, into thraldome brought. Therein was writ, how often thundring Ioue xxx Had felt the point of his hart-percing dart, And leauing heauens kingdome, here did roue In straunge disguize, to slake his scalding smart; Now like a Ram, faire Helle to peruart, Now like a Bull, Europa to withdraw: Ah, how the fearefull Ladies tender hart Did liuely seeme to tremble, when she saw The huge seas vnder her t’obay her seruaunts law.

Soone after that into a golden showre xxxi Him selfe he chaung’d faire Danaë to vew, And through the roofe of her strong brasen towre Did raine into her lap an hony dew, The whiles her foolish garde, that little knew Of such deceipt, kept th’yron dore fast bard, And watcht, that none should enter nor issew; Vaine was the watch, and bootlesse all the ward, Whenas the God to golden hew him selfe transfard. Then was he turnd into a snowy Swan, xxxii To win faire Leda to his louely trade: O wondrous skill, and sweet wit of the man, That her in daffadillies sleeping made, From scorching heat her daintie limbes to shade: Whiles the proud Bird ruffing his fethers wyde, And brushing his faire brest, did her inuade; She slept, yet twixt her eyelids closely spyde, How towards her he rusht, and smiled at his pryde. Then shewd it, how the Thebane Semelee xxxiii Deceiu’d of gealous Iuno, did require To see him in his soueraigne maiestee, Armd with his thunderbolts and lightning fire, Whence dearely she with death bought her desire. But faire Alcmena better match did make, Ioying his loue in likenesse more entire; Three nights in one, they say, that for her sake He then did put, her[1143] pleasures lenger to partake. Twise was he seene in soaring Eagles shape, xxxiv And with wide wings to beat the buxome ayre, Once, when he with Asterie did scape, Againe, when as the Troiane boy so faire He snatcht from Ida hill, and with him bare: Wondrous delight it was, there to behould, How the rude Shepheards after him did stare, Trembling through feare, least down he fallen should,[1144] And often to him calling, to take surer hould.

In Satyres shape Antiopa he snatcht: xxxv And like a fire, when he Aegin’ assayd: A shepheard, when Mnemosyne he catcht: And like a Serpent to the Thracian mayd. Whiles thus on earth great Ioue these pageaunts playd, The winged boy did thrust into his throne, And scoffing, thus vnto his mother sayd, Lo now the heauens obey to me alone, And take me for their Ioue, whiles Ioue to earth is gone. And thou, faire Phœbus, in thy colours bright xxxvi Wast there enwouen, and the sad distresse, In which that boy thee plonged, for despight, That thou bewray’dst his mothers wantonnesse, When she with Mars was meynt in ioyfulnesse: For thy he thrild thee with a leaden dart, To loue faire Daphne, which thee loued lesse: Lesse she thee lou’d, then was thy iust desart, Yet was thy loue her death, and her death was thy smart. So louedst thou the lusty Hyacinct, xxxvii So louedst thou the faire Coronis deare: Yet both are of thy haplesse hand extinct, Yet both in flowres do liue, and loue thee beare[1145], The one a Paunce, the other a sweet breare[1146]: For griefe whereof, ye mote haue liuely seene The God himselfe rending his golden heare, And breaking quite his gyrlond[1147] euer greene, With other signes of sorrow and impatient teene. Both for those two, and for his owne deare sonne, xxxviii The sonne of Climene he did repent, Who bold to guide the charet of the Sunne, Himselfe in thousand peeces fondly rent, And all the world with flashing fier brent; So like, that all the walles did seeme to flame. Yet cruell Cupid, not herewith content, Forst him eftsoones to follow other game, And loue a Shepheards daughter for his dearest Dame.

He loued Isse for his dearest Dame, xxxix And for her sake her cattell fed a while, And for her sake a cowheard vile became, The seruant of Admetus cowheard vile, Whiles that from heauen he suffered exile. Long were to tell each[1148] other louely fit, Now like a Lyon, hunting after spoile, Now like a Stag[1149], now like a faulcon flit: All which in that faire arras was most liuely writ. Next vnto him was Neptune pictured, xl In his diuine resemblance wondrous lyke: His face was rugged, and his hoarie hed Dropped with brackish deaw; his three-forkt Pyke He stearnly shooke, and therewith fierce did stryke The raging billowes, that on euery syde They trembling stood, and made a long broad dyke, That his swift charet might haue passage wyde, Which foure great Hippodames did draw in temewise tyde. His sea-horses did seeme to snort amayne, xli And from their nosethrilles blow the brynie streame, That made the sparckling waues to smoke agayne, And flame with gold, but the white fomy creame, Did shine with siluer, and shoot forth his beame. The God himselfe did pensiue seeme and sad, And hong adowne his head, as he did dreame: For priuy loue his brest empierced had, Ne ought but deare Bisaltis ay could make him glad. He loued eke Iphimedia deare, xlii And Aeolus faire daughter Arne hight, For whom he turnd him selfe into a Steare, And fed on fodder, to beguile her sight. Also to win Deucalions daughter bright, He[1150] turnd him selfe into a Dolphin fayre; And like a winged horse he tooke his flight, To snaky[1151]-locke Medusa to repayre, On whom he got faire Pegasus, that flitteth in the ayre.

Next Saturne was, (but who would euer weene, xliii That sullein Saturne euer weend to loue? Yet loue is sullein, and Saturnlike seene, As he did for Erigone it proue,[1152]) That to a Centaure did him selfe transmoue. So proou’d it eke that gracious God of wine, When for to compasse Philliras hard loue, He turnd himselfe into a fruitfull vine, And into her faire bosome made his grapes decline. Long were to tell the amorous assayes, xliv And gentle pangues, with which he maked meeke The mighty Mars, to learne his wanton playes: How oft for Venus, and how often eek For many other Nymphes he sore did shreek, With womanish teares, and with vnwarlike smarts, Priuily moystening his horrid cheek. There was he painted full of burning darts, And many wide woundes launched through his inner[1153] parts.[1154] Ne did he spare (so cruell was the Elfe) xlv His owne deare mother, (ah why should he so?[1155]) Ne did he spare sometime to pricke himselfe, That he might tast the sweet consuming woe, Which he had wrought to many others moe. But to declare the mournfull Tragedyes, And spoiles, wherewith he all the ground did strow, More eath to number, with how many eyes High heauen beholds sad louers nightly theeueryes. Kings Queenes, Lords Ladies, Knights and Damzels gent xlvi Were heap’d together with the vulgar sort, And mingled with the raskall rablement, Without respect of person or of port, To shew Dan Cupids powre and great effort: And round about a border was entrayld, Of broken bowes and arrowes shiuered short, And a long bloudy riuer through them rayld, So liuely and so like, that liuing sence it fayld.

And at the vpper end of that faire rowme, xlvii There was an Altar built of pretious stone, Of passing valew, and of great renowme, On which there stood an Image all alone, Of massy gold, which with his owne light shone; And wings it had with sundry colours dight, More sundry colours, then the proud Pauone Beares in his boasted fan, or Iris bright, When her discolourd bow she spreds through heauen bright[1156]. Blindfold he was, and in his cruell fist xlviii A mortall bow and arrowes keene did hold, With which he shot at randon, when him list, Some headed with sad lead, some with pure gold; (Ah man beware, how thou those darts behold) A wounded Dragon vnder him did ly, Whose hideous tayle his left foot did enfold[1157], And with a shaft was shot through either eye, That no man forth might draw, ne no man remedye. And vnderneath his feet was written thus, xlix Vnto the Victor of the Gods this bee: And all the people in that ample hous Did to that image bow their humble knee, And oft committed fowle Idolatree. That wondrous sight faire Britomart amazed, Ne seeing could her wonder satisfie, But euermore[1158] and more vpon it gazed, The whiles the passing brightnes her fraile sences dazed. Tho as she backward cast her busie eye, l To search each secret of that goodly sted,[1159] Ouer the dore thus written she did spye Be bold: she oft and oft it ouer-red, Yet could not find what sence it figured: But what so were therein or writ or ment, She was no whit thereby discouraged From prosecuting of her first intent, But forward with bold steps into the next roome went.

Much fairer, then the former, was that roome, li And richlier by many partes arayd: For not with arras made in painefull loome, But with pure gold it all was ouerlayd, Wrought with wilde Antickes, which their follies playd, In the rich metall, as they liuing were: A thousand monstrous formes therein were made, Such as false loue doth oft vpon him weare,[1160] For loue in thousand monstrous formes doth oft appeare. And all about, the glistring walles were hong lii With warlike spoiles, and with victorious prayes, Of mighty Conquerours and Captaines strong, Which were whilome captiued in their dayes To cruell loue, and wrought their owne decayes: Their swerds[1161] and speres were broke, and hauberques rent; And their proud girlonds of tryumphant bayes Troden in dust with fury insolent, To shew the victors might and mercilesse intent. The warlike Mayde beholding earnestly liii The goodly ordinance of this rich place, Did greatly wonder,[1162] ne could satisfie Her greedy eyes with gazing a long space, But more she meruaild that no footings trace, Nor wight appear’d, but wastefull emptinesse, And solemne silence ouer all that place: Straunge thing it seem’d, that none was to possesse So rich purueyance, ne them keepe with carefulnesse. And as she lookt about, she did behold, liv How ouer that same dore was likewise writ, Be bold, be bold, and euery where Be bold, That much she muz’d, yet could not construe it By any ridling skill, or commune wit. At last she spyde at that roomes vpper end, Another yron dore, on which was writ, Be not too bold; whereto though she did bend Her earnest mind, yet wist not what it might intend.