Book 1 — THE LEGENDE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE, OR OF HOLINESSE

I Lo I the man,° whose Muse whilome did maske, As time her taught, in lowly Shepheards weeds, Am now enforst a far unfitter taske, For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds, 5 And sing of Knights and Ladies° gentle deeds; Whose prayses having slept in silence long, Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areeds To blazon broade emongst her learned throng: Fierce warres and faithfull loves shall moralize my song. II 10 Helpe then, O holy Virgin chiefe of nine,° Thy weaker Novice to performe thy will; Lay forth out of thine everlasting scryne The antique rolles, which there lye hidden still, Of Faerie knights° and fairest Tanaquill,° 15 Whom that most noble Briton Prince° so long Sought through the world, and suffered so much ill, That I must rue his undeserved wrong: O helpe thou my weake wit, and sharpen my dull tong. III And thou most dreaded impe of highest Jove,° 20 Faire Venus sonne, that with thy cruell dart At that good knight so cunningly didst rove, That glorious fire it kindled in his hart, Lay now thy deadly Heben bow apart, And with thy mother milde come to mine ayde; 25 Come both, and with you bring triumphant Mart,° In loves and gentle jollities arrayd, After his murdrous spoiles and bloudy rage allayd. IV And with them eke, O Goddesse heavenly bright,° Mirrour of grace and Majestie divine, 30 Great Lady of the greatest Isle, whose light Like Phoebus lampe° throughout the world doth shine, Shed thy faire beames into my feeble eyne, And raise my thoughts, too humble and too vile, To thinke of that true glorious type of thine,° 35 The argument of mine afflicted stile:° The which to heare, vouchsafe, O dearest dred,° a-while. CANTO I The Patron of true Holinesse foule Errour doth defeate; Hypocrisie him to entrappe doth to his home entreate. I A GENTLE Knight° was pricking on the plaine, Ycladd in mightie armes and silver shielde, Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine, The cruel markes of many'a bloudy fielde; 5 Yet armes till that time did he never wield: His angry steede did chide his foming bitt, As much disdayning to the curbe to yield: Full jolly knight he seemd, and faire did sitt, As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt. II 10 And on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore, The deare remembrance of his dying Lord, For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he wore, And dead as living ever him ador'd: Upon his shield the like was also scor'd, 15 For soveraine hope,° which in his helpe he had: Right faithfull true he was in deede and word, But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad; Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was ydrad. III Upon a great adventure he was bond, 20 That greatest Gloriana° to him gave, That greatest Glorious Queene of Faerie lond, To winne him worship, and her grace to have, Which of all earthly things he most did crave; And ever as he rode, his hart did earne 25 To prove his puissance in battell brave Upon his foe, and his new force to learne; Upon his foe, a Dragon° horrible and stearne. IV A lovely Ladie° rode him faire beside, Upon a lowly Asse more white then snow, 30 Yet she much whiter, but the same did hide Under a vele, that wimpled was full low, And over all a blacke stole she did throw, As one that inly mournd: so was she sad, And heavie sat upon her palfrey slow; 35 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had, And by her in a line a milke white lambe she lad. V So pure and innocent, as that same lambe, She was in life and every vertuous lore, And by descent from Royall lynage came 40 Of ancient Kings and Queenes, that had of yore Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore, And all the world in their subjection held; Till that infernall feend with foule uprore Forwasted all their land, and them expeld: 45 Whom to avenge, she had this Knight from far compeld. VI Behind her farre away a Dwarfe° did lag, That lasie seemd in being ever last, Or wearied with bearing of her bag Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past, 50 The day with cloudes was suddeine overcast, And angry Jove an hideous storme of raine Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast, That everie wight to shrowd it did constrain, And this faire couple eke to shroud themselves were fain. VII 55 Enforst to seeke some covert nigh at hand, A shadie grove° not far away they spide, That promist ayde the tempest to withstand: Whose loftie trees yclad with sommers pride Did spred so broad, that heavens light did hide, 60 Not perceable with power of any starre: And all within were pathes and alleies wide, With footing worne, and leading inward farre: Faire harbour that them seemes; so in they entred arre. VIII And foorth they passe, with pleasure forward led, 65 Joying to heare the birdes sweete harmony, Which therein shrouded from the tempest dred, Seemd in their song to scorne the cruell sky. Much can they prayse the trees so straight and hy, The sayling Pine,° the Cedar proud and tall, 70 The vine-prop Elme, the Poplar never dry,° The builder Oake,° sole king of forrests all, The Aspine good for staves, the Cypresse funerall.° IX The Laurell,° meed of mightie Conquerours And Poets sage, the firre that weepeth still,° 75 The Willow° worne of forlorne Paramours, The Eugh° obedient to the benders will, The Birch for shaftes, the Sallow for the mill, The Mirrhe° sweete bleeding in the bitter wound, The warlike Beech,° the Ash for nothing ill,° 80 The fruitfull Olive, and the Platane round, The carver Holme,° the Maple seeldom inward sound. X Led with delight, they thus beguile the way, Untill the blustring storme is overblowne; When weening to returne, whence they did stray, 85 They cannot finde that path, which first was showne, But wander too and fro in wayes unknowne, Furthest from end then, when they neerest weene, That makes them doubt their wits be not their owne: So many pathes, so many turnings seene, 90 That which of them to take, in diverse doubt they been. XI At last resolving forward still to fare, Till that some end they finde or in or out, That path they take, that beaten seemd most bare, And like to lead the labyrinth about; 95 Which when by tract they hunted had throughout, At length it brought them to a hollow cave Amid the thickest woods. The Champion stout Eftsoones dismounted from his courser brave, And to the Dwarfe awhile his needlesse spere he gave. XII 100 Be well aware, quoth then that Ladie milde, Least suddaine mischiefe ye too rash provoke: The danger hid, the place unknowne and wilde, Breedes dreadfull doubts: Oft fire is without smoke, And perill without show: therefore your stroke, 105 Sir Knight, with-hold, till further triall made. Ah Ladie, (said he) shame were to revoke° The forward footing for an hidden shade: Vertue gives her selfe light, through darkenesse for to wade. XIII Yea but (quoth she) the perill of this place 110 I better wot then you, though now too late To wish you backe returne with foule disgrace, Yet wisedome warnes, whilest foot is in the gate, To stay the steppe, ere forced to retrate. This is the wandring wood,° this Errours den, 115 A monster vile, whom God and man does hate: Therefore I read beware. Fly fly (quoth then The fearefull Dwarfe) this is no place for living men. XIV But full of fire and greedy hardiment, The youthfull knight could not for ought be staide, 120 But forth unto the darksome hole he went, And looked in: his glistring armor made A litle glooming light, much like a shade, By which he saw the ugly monster° plaine, Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide, 125 But th'other halfe did womans shape retaine, Most lothsom, filthie, foule, and full of vile disdaine.° XV And as she lay upon the durtie ground, Her huge long taile her den all overspred, Yet was in knots and many boughtes upwound, 130 Pointed with mortall sting. Of her there bred° A thousand yong ones, which she dayly fed, Sucking upon her poisnous dugs, eachone Of sundry shapes, yet all ill favored: Soone as that uncouth light upon them shone, 135 Into her mouth they crept, and suddain all were gone. XVI Their dam upstart, out of her den effraide, And rushed forth, hurling her hideous taile About her cursed head, whose folds displaid Were stretcht now forth at length without entraile. 140 She lookt about, and seeing one in mayle Armed to point,° sought backe to turne againe; For light she hated as the deadly bale, Ay wont in desert darknesse to remaine, Where plain none might her see, nor she see any plaine. XVII 145 Which when the valiant Elfe° perceiv'd, he lept As Lyon fierce upon the flying pray, And with his trenchand blade her boldly kept From turning backe, and forced her to stay: Therewith enrag'd she loudly gan to bray, 150 And turning fierce, her speckled taile advaunst, Threatning her angry sting, him to dismay: Who nought aghast his mightie hand enhaunst: The stroke down from her head unto her shoulder glaunst. XVIII Much daunted with that dint, her sence was dazd, 155 Yet kindling rage, her selfe she gathered round, And all attonce her beastly body raizd With doubled forces high above the ground: Tho wrapping up her wrethed sterne arownd, Lept fierce upon his shield, and her huge traine 160 All suddenly about his body wound, That hand or foot to stirre he strove in vaine: God helpe the man so wrapt in Errours endlesse traine. XIX His Lady sad to see his sore constraint, Cride out, Now now Sir knight, shew what ye bee, 165 Add faith unto your force, and be not faint: Strangle her, else she sure will strangle thee. That when he heard, in great perplexitie, His gall did grate for griefe° and high disdaine, And knitting all his force got one hand free, 170 Wherewith he grypt her gorge with so great paine, That soone to loose her wicked bands did her constraine. XX Therewith she spewd out of her filthy maw A floud of poyson horrible and blacke, Full of great lumpes of flesh and gobbets raw, 175 Which stunck so vildly, that it forst him slacke His grasping hold, and from her turne him backe: Her vomit full of bookes° and papers was, With loathly frogs and toades, which eyes did lacke, And creeping sought way in the weedy gras: 180 Her filthy parbreake all the place defiled has. XXI As when old father Nilus° gins to swell With timely pride above the Aegyptian vale, His fattie waves do fertile slime outwell, And overflow each plaine and lowly dale: 185 But when his later spring gins to avale, Huge heapes of mudd he leaves, wherein there breed Ten thousand kindes of creatures, partly male And partly female of his fruitful seed; Such ugly monstrous shapes elswhere may no man reed. XXII 190 The same so sore annoyed has the knight, That welnigh choked with the deadly stinke, His forces faile, ne can no lenger fight. Whose corage when the feend perceiv'd to shrinke, She poured forth out of her hellish sinke 195 Her fruitfull cursed spawne of serpents small, Deformed monsters, fowle, and blacke as inke, With swarming all about his legs did crall, And him encombred sore, but could not hurt at all. XXIII As gentle Shepheard° in sweete even-tide, 200 When ruddy Phoebus gins to welke in west, High on an hill, his flocke to vewen wide, Markes which do byte their hasty supper best, A cloud of combrous gnattes do him molest, All striving to infixe their feeble stings, 205 That from their noyance he no where can rest, But with his clownish hands their tender wings He brusheth oft, and oft doth mar their murmurings. XXIV Thus ill bestedd,° and fearefull more of shame, Then of the certeine perill he stood in, 210 Halfe furious unto his foe he came, Resolv'd in minde all suddenly to win, Or soone to lose, before he once would lin And strooke at her with more then manly force, That from her body full of filthie sin 215 He raft her hatefull head without remorse; A streame of cole black bloud forth gushed from her corse. XXV Her scattred brood,° soone as their Parent deare They saw so rudely falling to the ground, Groning full deadly, all with troublous feare, 220 Gathred themselves about her body round, Weening their wonted entrance to have found At her wide mouth: but being there withstood They flocked all about her bleeding wound, And sucked up their dying mothers blood, 225 Making her death their life, and eke her hurt their good. XXVI That detestable sight him much amazde, To see th' unkindly Impes, of heaven accurst, Devoure their dam; on whom while so he gazd, Having all satisfide their bloudy thurst, 230 Their bellies swolne he saw with fulnesse burst, And bowels gushing forth: well worthy end Of such as drunke her life, the which them nurst;° Now needeth him no lenger labour spend, His foes have slaine themselves, with whom he should contend.° XXVII 235 His Ladie seeing all that chaunst, from farre Approcht in hast to greet his victorie, And said, Faire knight, borne under happy starre,° Who see your vanquisht foes before you lye: Well worthie be you of that Armorie,° 240 Wherin ye have great glory wonne this day, And proov'd your strength on a strong enimie, Your first adventure: many such I pray, And henceforth ever wish that like succeed it may.° XXVIII Then mounted he upon his Steede againe, 245 And with the Lady backward sought to wend; That path he kept which beaten was most plaine, Ne ever would to any by-way bend, But still did follow one unto the end, The which at last out of the wood them brought. 250 So forward on his way (with God to frend)° He passed forth, and new adventure sought; Long way he travelled, before he heard of ought. XXIX At length they chaunst to meet upon the way An aged Sire,° in long blacke weedes yclad, 255 His feete all bare, his beard all hoarie gray And by his belt his booke he hanging had; Sober he seemde, and very sagely sad, And to the ground his eyes were lowly bent, Simple in shew, and voyde of malice bad, 260 And all the way he prayed, as he went, And often knockt his brest, as one that did repent. XXX He faire the knight saluted, louting low, Who faire him quited, as that courteous was: And after asked him, if he did know 265 Of straunge adventures, which abroad did pas. Ah my deare Sonne (quoth he) how should, alas, Silly old man, that lives in hidden cell, Bidding his beades all day for his trespas, Tydings of warre and worldly trouble tell? 270 With holy father sits not with such things to mell. XXXI But if of daunger which hereby doth dwell, And homebred evil ye desire to heare, Of a straunge man I can you tidings tell, That wasteth all this countrey farre and neare. 275 Of such (said he) I chiefly do inquere, And shall you well reward to shew the place, In which that wicked wight his dayes doth weare: For to all knighthood it is foule disgrace, That such a cursed creature lives so long a space. XXXII 280 Far hence (quoth he) in wastfull wildernesse His dwelling is, by which no living wight May ever passe, but thorough great distresse. Now (sayd the Lady) draweth toward night, And well I wote, that of your later fight 285 Ye all forwearied be: for what so strong, But wanting rest will also want of might? The Sunne that measures heaven all day long, At night doth baite his steedes the Ocean waves emong. XXXIII Then with the Sunne take Sir, your timely rest, 290 And with new day new worke at once begin: Untroubled night they say gives counsell best. Right well Sir knight ye have advised bin, (Quoth then that aged man;) the way to win Is wisely to advise: now day is spent; 295 Therefore with me ye may take up your In° For this same night. The knight was well content: So with that godly father to his home they went. XXXIV A little lowly Hermitage it was, Downe in a dale, hard by a forests side, 300 Far from resort of people, that did pas In travell to and froe: a little wyde° There was an holy Chappell edifyde, Wherein the Hermite dewly wont to say His holy things each morne and eventyde: 305 Thereby a Christall streame did gently play, Which from a sacred fountaine welled forth alway. XXXV Arrived there, the little house they fill, Ne looke for entertainement, where none was: Rest is their feast, and all things at their will: 310 The noblest mind the best contentment has. With faire discourse the evening so they pas: For that old man of pleasing wordes had store, And well could file his tongue as smooth as glas, He told of Saintes and Popes, and evermore 315 He strowd an Ave-Mary° after and before. XXXVI The drouping Night thus creepeth on them fast, And the sad humour° loading their eye liddes, As messenger of Morpheus° on them cast Sweet slombring deaw, the which to sleepe them biddes. 320 Unto their lodgings then his guestes he riddes: Where when all drownd in deadly sleepe he findes, He to this study goes, and there amiddes His Magick bookes and artes° of sundry kindes, He seekes out mighty charmes, to trouble sleepy mindes. XXXVII 325 Then choosing out few words most horrible, (Let none them read) thereof did verses frame, With which and other spelles like terrible, He bad awake blacke Plutoes griesly Dame,° And cursed heaven and spake reprochfull shame 330 Of highest God, the Lord of life and light; A bold bad man, that dar'd to call by name Great Gorgon,° Prince of darknesse and dead night, At which Cocytus° quakes, and Styx is put to flight. XXXVIII And forth he cald out of deepe darknesse dred 335 Legions of Sprights,° the which like little flyes Fluttring about his ever damned hed, Awaite whereto their service he applyes, To aide his friends, or fray his enimies: Of those he chose° out two, the falsest twoo, 340 And fittest for to forge true-seeming lyes; The one of them he gave a message too, The other by him selfe staide other worke to doo. XXXIX He making speedy way through spersed ayre, And through the world of waters wide and deepe, 345 To Morpheus house doth hastily repaire. Amid the bowels of the earth full steepe, And low, where dawning day doth never peepe, His dwelling is; there Tethys° his wet bed Doth ever wash, and Cynthia° still doth steepe 350 In silver deaw his ever-drouping hed, Whiles sad Night over him her mantle black doth spred. XL Whose double gates° he findeth locked fast, The one faire fram'd of burnisht Yvory, The other all with silver overcast; 355 And wakeful dogges before them farre do lye, Watching to banish Care their enimy, Who oft is wont to trouble gentle Sleepe. By them the Sprite doth passe in quietly, And unto Morpheus comes, whom drowned deepe 360 In drowsie fit he findes: of nothing he takes keepe. XLI And more, to lulle him in his slumber soft,° A trickling streame from high rock tumbling downe, And ever-drizling raine upon the loft, Mixt with a murmuring winde, much like the sowne 365 Of swarming Bees, did cast him in a swowne: No other noyse, nor peoples troublous cryes, As still are wont t'annoy the walled towne, Might there be heard: but carelesse Quiet lyes, Wrapt in eternall silence farre from enemyes. XLII 370 The messenger approching to him spake, But his wast wordes returnd to him in vaine: So sound he slept, that nought mought him awake. Then rudely he him thrust, and pusht with paine Whereat he gan to stretch: but he againe 375 Shooke him so hard, that forced him to speake. As one then in a dreame, whose dryer braine° Is tost with troubled sights and fancies weake, He mumbled soft, but would not all° his silence breake. XLIII The Sprite then gan more boldly him to wake, 380 And threatned unto him the dreaded name Of Hecate°: whereat he gan to quake, And lifting up his lumpish head, with blame Halfe angry asked him, for what he came. Hither (quoth he) me Archimago sent, 385 He that the stubborne Sprites can wisely tame, He bids thee to him send for his intent A fit false dreame, that can delude the sleepers sent.° XLIV The God obayde, and, calling forth straightway A diverse dreame out of his prison darke, 390 Delivered it to him, and downe did lay His heavie head, devoide of carefull carke, Whose sences all were straight benumbed and starke. He backe returning by the Yvorie dore, Remounted up as light as chearefull Larke, 395 And on his litle winges the dreame he bore In hast unto his Lord, where he him left afore. XLV Who all this while with charmes and hidden artes, Had made a Lady of that other Spright, And fram'd of liquid ayre her tender partes 400 So lively, and so like in all mens sight, That weaker sence it could have ravisht quight: The maker selfe, for all his wondrous witt, Was nigh beguiled with so goodly sight: Her all in white he clad, and over it 405 Cast a black stole, most like to seeme° for Una fit. XLVI Now when that ydle dreame was to him brought, Unto that Elfin knight he bad him fly, Where he slept soundly void of evill thought, And with false shewes abuse his fantasy, 410 In sort as he him schooled privily: And that new creature, borne without her dew,° Full of the makers guile, with usage sly He taught to imitate that Lady trew, Whose semblance she did carrie under feigned hew. XLVII 415 Thus well instructed, to their worke they hast, And coming where the knight in slomber lay, The one upon his hardy head him plast And made him dreame of loves and lustfull play, That nigh his manly hart did melt away, 420 Bathed in wanton blis and wicked joy: Then seemed him his Lady by him lay, And to him playnd, how that false winged boy, Her chast hart had subdewd, to learne Dame Pleasures toy. XLVIII And she herselfe of beautie soveraigne Queene, 425 Fayre Venus° seemde unto his bed to bring Her, whom he waking evermore did weene, To bee the chastest flowre, that ay did spring On earthly braunch, the daughter of a king, Now a loose Leman to vile service bound: 430 And eke the Graces° seemed all to sing, Hymen Iö Hymen° dauncing all around, Whilst freshest Flora° her with Yvie girlond crownd. XLIX In this great passion of unwonted lust, Or wonted feare of doing ought amis, 435 He started up, as seeming to mistrust Some secret ill, or hidden foe of his: Lo there before his face his Lady is, Under blake stole hyding her bayted hooke; And as halfe blushing offred him to kis, 440 With gentle blandishment and lovely looke, Most like that virgin true, which for her knight him took. L All cleane dismayd to see so uncouth sight, And half enraged at her shamelesse guise, He thought have slaine her in his fierce despight: 445 But hasty heat tempring with suffrance wise, He stayde his hand, and gan himselfe advise To prove his sense,° and tempt her faigned truth. Wringing her hands in womans pitteous wise, Tho can she weepe,° to stirre up gentle ruth, 450 Both for her noble bloud, and for her tender youth. LI And said, Ah Sir, my liege Lord and my love, Shall I accuse the hidden cruell fate, And mightie causes wrought in heaven above, Or the blind God,° that doth me thus amate, 455 For hoped love to winne me certaine hate? Yet thus perforce he bids me do, or die. Die is my dew; yet rew my wretched state You, whom my hard avenging destinie Hath made judge of my life or death indifferently. LII 460 Your owne deare sake forst me at first to leave My Fathers kingdome—There she stopt with teares; Her swollen hart her speech seemd to bereave, And then againe begun; My weaker yeares Captiv'd to fortune and frayle worldly feares, 465 Fly to your fayth for succour and sure ayde: Let me not dye in languor and long teares. Why Dame (quoth he) what hath ye thus dismayd? What frayes ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayd? LIII Love of your selfe, she saide, and deare constraint, 470 Lets me not sleepe, but wast the wearie night In secret anguish and unpittied plaint, Whiles you in carelesse sleepe are drowned quight. Her doubtfull words made that redoubted knight Suspect her truth: yet since no' untruth he knew, 475 Her fawning love with foule disdainefull spight He would not shend; but said, Deare dame I rew, That for my sake unknowne such griefe unto you grew. LIV Assure your selfe, it fell not all to ground;° For all so deare as life is to my hart, 480 I deeme your love, and hold me to you bound: Ne let vaine feares procure your needlesse smart, Where cause is none, but to your rest depart. Not all content, yet seemd she to appease Her mournefull plaintes, beguiled of her art, 485 And fed with words that could not chuse but please, So slyding softly forth, she turned as to her ease. LV Long after lay he musing at her mood, Much griev'd to thinke that gentle Dame so light, For whose defence he was to shed his blood. 490 At last, dull wearinesse of former fight Having yrockt asleepe his irkesome spright, That troublous dreame gan freshly tosse his braine, With bowres, and beds, and Ladies deare delight: But when he saw his labour all was vaine, 495 With that misformed spright he backe returnd againe. CANTO II The guilefull great Enchaunter parts the Redcrosse Knight from truth, Into whose stead faire Falshood steps, and workes him wofull ruth. I BY this the Northerne wagoner° had set His sevenfold teme° behind the stedfast starre,° That was in Ocean waves yet never wet, But firme is fixt, and sendeth light from farre 5 To all that in the wide deepe wandring arre: And chearefull Chaunticlere° with his note shrill Had warned once, that Phœbus fiery carre° In hast was climbing up the Easterne hill, Full envious that night so long his roome did fill. II 10 When those accursed messengers of hell, That feigning dreame, and that faire-forged Spright° Came to their wicked maister, and gan tell Their bootelesse paines, and ill succeeding night: Who all in rage to see his skilfull might 15 Deluded so, gan threaten hellish paine And sad Proserpines wrath, them to affright. But when he saw his threatning was but vaine, He cast about, and searcht his baleful bookes againe. III Eftsoones he tooke that miscreated faire, 20 And that false other Spright, on whom he spred A seeming body of the subtile aire, Like a young Squire, in loves and lustybed His wanton dayes that ever loosely led, Without regard of armes and dreaded fight: 25 Those two he tooke, and in a secret bed, Coverd with darknesse and misdeeming night, Them both together laid, to joy in vaine delight. IV Forthwith he runnes with feigned faithfull hast Unto his guest, who after troublous sights 30 And dreames, gan now to take more sound repast, Whom suddenly he wakes with fearfull frights, As one aghast with feends or damned sprights, And to him cals, Rise, rise, unhappy Swaine That here wex old in sleepe, whiles wicked wights 35 Have knit themselves in Venus shameful chaine, Come see where your false Lady doth her honour staine. V All in amaze he suddenly upstart With sword in hand, and with the old man went Who soone him brought into a secret part 40 Where that false couple were full closely ment In wanton lust and leud embracement: Which when he saw, he burnt with gealous fire, The eye of reason was with rage yblent, And would have slaine them in his furious ire, 45 But hardly was restreined of that aged sire. VI Returning to his bed in torment great, And bitter anguish of his guiltie sight, He could not rest, but did his stout heart eat, And wast his inward gall with deepe despight, 50 Yrkesome of life, and too long lingring night. At last faire Hesperus° in highest skie Had spent his lampe and brought forth dawning light, Then up he rose, and clad him hastily; The Dwarfe him brought his steed: so both away do fly. VII 55 Now when the rosy-fingred Morning° faire, Weary of aged Tithones° saffron bed, Had spread her purple robe through deawy aire, And the high hils Titan° discovered, The royall virgin shooke off drowsy-hed; 60 And rising forth out of her baser bowre, Lookt for her knight, who far away was fled, And for her Dwarfe, that wont to wait each houre: Then gan she waile and weepe, to see that woefull stowre. VIII And after him she rode with so much speede 65 As her slow beast could make; but all in vaine: For him so far had borne his light-foot steede, Pricked with wrath and fiery fierce disdaine, That him to follow was but fruitlesse paine; Yet she her weary limbes would never rest, 70 But every hill and dale, each wood and plaine, Did search, sore grieved in her gentle brest, He so ungently left her, whom she loved best. IX But subtill Archimago, when his guests He saw divided into double parts, 75 And Una wandring in woods and forrests, Th' end of his drift, he praisd his divelish arts, That had such might over true meaning harts: Yet rests not so, but other meanes doth make, How he may worke unto her further smarts: 80 For her he hated as the hissing snake, And in her many troubles did most pleasure take. X He then devisde himselfe how to disguise; For by his mightie science he could take As many formes and shapes in seeming wise, 85 As ever Proteus° to himselfe could make: Sometime a fowle, sometime a fish in lake, Now like a foxe, now like a dragon fell, That of himselfe he ofte for feare would quake, And oft would flie away. O who can tell 90 The hidden power of herbes° and might of Magicke spell? XI But now seemde best the person to put on Of that good knight, his late beguiled guest: In mighty armes he was yclad anon: And silver shield, upon his coward brest 95 A bloudy crosse, and on his craven crest A bounch of haires discolourd diversly: Full jolly knight he seemde, and well addrest, And when he sate upon his courser free, Saint George himself ye would have deemed him to be. XII 100 But he the knight, whose semblaunt he did beare, The true Saint George, was wandred far away, Still flying from his thoughts and gealous feare; Will was his guide, and griefe led him astray. At last him chaunst to meete upon the way 105 A faithless Sarazin° all arm'd to point, In whose great shield was writ with letters gay Sans foy: full large of limbe and every joint He was, and cared not for God or man a point. XIII He had a faire companion° of his way, 110 A goodly Lady clad in scarlot red, Purfled with gold and pearle of rich assay, And like a Persian mitre on her hed She wore, with crowns and owches garnished, The which her lavish lovers to her gave; 115 Her wanton palfrey all was overspred With tinsell trappings, woven like a wave, Whose bridle rung with golden bels and bosses brave. XIV With faire disport and courting dalliaunce She intertainde her lover all the way: 120 But when she saw the knight his speare advaunce, She soone left off her mirth and wanton play, And bade her knight addresse him to the fray: His foe was nigh at hand. He prickt with pride And hope to winne his Ladies heart that day, 125 Forth spurred fast: adowne his coursers side The red bloud trickling staind the way, as he did ride. XV The knight of the Redcrosse when him he spide, Spurring so hote with rage dispiteous, Gan fairely couch his speare, and towards ride: 130 Soone meete they both, both fell and furious, That daunted with their forces hideous, Their steeds do stagger, and amazed stand, And eke themselves, too rudely rigorous, Astonied with the stroke of their owne hand 135 Doe backe rebut, and each to other yeeldeth land. XVI As when two rams° stird with ambitious pride, Fight for the rule of the rich fleeced flocke, Their horned fronts so fierce on either side Do meete, that with the terrour of the shocke 140 Astonied both, stand sencelesse as a blocke, Forgetfull of the hanging victory:° So stood these twaine, unmoved as a rocke, Both staring fierce, and holding idely The broken reliques° of their former cruelty. XVII 145 The Sarazin sore daunted with the buffe Snatcheth his sword, and fiercely to him flies; Who well it wards, and quyteth cuff with cuff: Each others equall puissaunce envies,° And through their iron sides° with cruell spies 150 Does seeke to perce: repining courage yields No foote to foe. The flashing fier flies As from a forge out of their burning shields, And streams of purple bloud new dies the verdant fields. XVIII Curse on that Crosse (quoth then the Sarazin), 155 That keepes thy body from the bitter fit;° Dead long ygoe I wote thou haddest bin, Had not that charme from thee forwarned it: But yet I warne thee now assured sitt,° And hide thy head. Therewith upon his crest 160 With rigour so outrageous° he smitt, That a large share° it hewd out of the rest, And glauncing down his shield from blame him fairly blest.° XIX Who thereat wondrous wroth, the sleeping spark Of native vertue gan eftsoones revive, 165 And at his haughtie helmet making mark, So hugely stroke, that it the steele did rive, And cleft his head. He tumbling downe alive, With bloudy mouth his mother earth did kis. Greeting his grave: his grudging° ghost did strive 170 With the fraile flesh; at last it flitted is, Whither the soules do fly of men that live amis. XX The Lady when she saw her champion fall, Like the old ruines of a broken towre, Staid not to waile his woefull funerall, 175 But from him fled away with all her powre; Who after her as hastily gan scowre, Bidding the Dwarfe with him to bring away The Sarazins shield, signe of the conqueroure. Her soone he overtooke, and bad to stay, 180 For present cause was none of dread her to dismay. XXI She turning backe with ruefull countenaunce, Cride, Mercy mercy Sir vouchsafe to show On silly Dame, subject to hard mischaunce, And to your mighty will. Her humblesse low 185 In so ritch weedes and seeming glorious show, Did much emmove his stout heroicke heart, And said, Deare dame, your suddin overthrow Much rueth me; but now put feare apart, And tell, both who ye be, and who that tooke your part. XXII 190 Melting in teares, then gan she thus lament; The wretched woman, whom unhappy howre Hath now made thrall to your commandement, Before that angry heavens list to lowre, And fortune false betraide me to your powre, 195 Was, (O what now availeth that I was!) Borne the sole daughter of an Emperour,° He that the wide West under his rule has, And high hath set his throne, where Tiberis doth pas. XXIII He in the first flowre of my freshest age, 200 Betrothed me unto the onely haire° Of a most mighty king, most rich and sage; Was never Prince so faithfull and so faire, Was never Prince so meeke and debonaire; But ere my hoped day of spousall shone, 205 My dearest Lord fell from high honours staire Into the hands of his accursed fone, And cruelly was slaine, that shall I ever mone. XXIV His blessed body spoild of lively breath, Was afterward, I know not how, convaid 210 And fro me hid: of whose most innocent death When tidings came to me, unhappy maid, O how great sorrow my sad soule assaid. Then forth I went his woefull corse to find, And many yeares throughout the world I straid, 215 A virgin widow, whose deepe wounded mind With love long time did languish as the striken hind. XXV At last it chaunced this proud Sarazin To meete me wandring, who perforce me led With him away, but yet could never win 220 The Fort, that Ladies hold in soveraigne dread; There lies he now with foule dishonour dead, Who whiles he livde, was called proud Sansfoy, The eldest of three brethren, all three bred Of one bad sire, whose youngest is Sansjoy; 225 And twixt them both was born the bloudy bold Sansloy. XXVI In this sad plight, friendlesse, unfortunate, Now miserable I Fidessa dwell, Craving of you in pitty of my state, To do none ill, if please ye not do well. 230 He in great passion all this while did dwell, More busying his quicke eyes, her face to view, Then his dull eares, to heare what she did tell; And said, Faire Lady hart of flint would rew The undeserved woes and sorrowes which ye shew. XXVII 235 Henceforth in safe assuraunce may ye rest, Having both found a new friend you to aid, And lost an old foe that did you molest: Better new friend then an old foe is said. With chaunge of cheare the seeming simple maid 240 Let fall her eyen, as shamefast to the earth, And yeelding soft, in that she nought gain-said, So forth they rode, he feining seemely merth, And she coy lookes: so dainty they say maketh derth.° XXVIII Long time they thus together traveiled, 245 Till weary of their way, they came at last Where grew two goodly trees, that faire did spred Their armes abroad, with gray mosse overcast, And their greene leaves trembling with every blast, Made a calme shadow far in compasse round: 250 The fearfull Shepheard often there aghast Under them never sat, ne wont there sound° His mery oaten pipe, but shund th' unlucky ground. XXIX But this good knight soone as he them can spie, For the cool shade° him thither hastly got: 255 For golden Phœbus now ymounted hie, From fiery wheeles of his faire chariot Hurled his beame so scorching cruell hot, That living creature mote it not abide; And his new Lady it endured not. 260 There they alight, in hope themselves to hide From the fierce heat, and rest their weary limbs a tide. XXX Faire seemely pleasaunce° each to other makes, With goodly purposes° there as they sit: And in his falsed fancy he her takes 265 To be the fairest wight that lived yit; Which to expresse he bends his gentle wit, And thinking of those braunches greene to frame A girlond for her dainty forehead fit, He pluckt a bough;° out of whose rift there came 270 Small drops of gory bloud, that trickled down the same. XXXI Therewith a piteous yelling voyce was heard, Crying, O spare with guilty hands° to teare My tender sides in this rough rynd embard, But fly, ah fly far hence away, for feare 275 Least to you hap, that happened to me heare, And to this wretched Lady, my deare love, O too deare love, love bought with death too deare. Astond he stood, and up his haire did hove, And with that suddein horror could no member move. XXXII 280 At last whenas the dreadfull passion Was overpast, and manhood well awake, Yet musing at the straunge occasion, And doubting much his sence, he thus bespake; What voyce of damned Ghost from Limbo lake,° 285 Or guilefull spright wandring in empty aire, Both which fraile men do oftentimes mistake, Sends to my doubtfull eares these speaches rare, And ruefull plaints, me bidding guiltlesse bloud to spare? XXXIII Then groning deepe, Nor damned Ghost, (quoth he,) 290 Nor guileful sprite to thee these wordes doth speake, But once a man Fradubio,° now a tree, Wretched man, wretched tree; whose nature weake A cruell witch her cursed will to wreake, Hath thus transformd, and plast in open plaines, 295 Where Boreas doth blow full bitter bleake, And scorching Sunne does dry my secret vaines: For though a tree I seeme, yet cold and heat me paines. XXXIV Say on Fradubio then, or man, or tree, Quoth then the knight, by whose mischievous arts 300 Art thou misshaped thus, as now I see? He oft finds med'cine, who his griefe imparts; But double griefs afflict concealing harts, As raging flames who striveth to suppresse. The author then (said he) of all my smarts, 305 Is one Duessa a false sorceresse, That many errant knights hath brought to wretchednesse. XXXV In prime of youthly yeares, when corage hot The fire of love and joy of chevalree First kindled in my brest, it was my lot 310 To love this gentle Lady, whom ye see, Now not a Lady, but a seeming tree; With whom as once I rode accompanyde, Me chaunced of a knight encountred bee, That had a like faire Lady by his syde, 315 Like a faire Lady, but did fowle Duessa hyde. XXXVI Whose forged beauty he did take in hand, All other Dames to have exceeded farre; I in defence of mine did likewise stand, Mine, that did then shine as the Morning starre. 320 So both to battell fierce arraunged arre, In which his harder fortune was to fall Under my speare: such is the dye of warre: His Lady left as a prise martiall, Did yield her comely person to be at my call. XXXVII 325 So doubly lov'd of Ladies unlike faire, Th' one seeming such, the other such indeede, One day in doubt I cast for to compare, Whether in beauties glorie did exceede; A Rosy girlond was the victors meede: 330 Both seemde to win, and both seemde won to bee, So hard the discord was to be agreede. Fraelissa was as faire, as faire mote bee, And ever false Duessa seemde as faire as shee. XXXVIII The wicked witch now seeing all this while 335 The doubtfull ballaunce equally to sway, What not by right, she cast to win by guile, And by her hellish science raisd streightway A foggy mist, that overcast the day, And a dull blast, that breathing on her face, 340 Dimmed her former beauties shining ray, And with foule ugly forme did her disgrace: Then was she faire alone, when none was faire in place.° XXXIX Then cride she out, Fye, fye, deformed wight, Whose borrowed beautie now appeareth plaine 345 To have before bewitched all mens sight; O leave her soone, or let her soone be slaine. Her loathly visage viewing with disdaine, Eftsoones I thought her such, as she me told, And would have kild her; but with faigned paine 350 The false witch did my wrathfull hand with-hold; So left her, where she now is turnd to treen mould.° XL Then forth I tooke Duessa for my Dame, And in the witch unweeting joyd long time, Ne ever wist but that she was the same,° 355 Till on a day (that day is every Prime, When Witches wont do penance for their crime) I chaunst to see her in her proper hew,° Bathing her selfe in origane and thyme: A filthy foule old woman I did vew, 360 That ever to have toucht her I did deadly rew. XLI Her neather parts misshapen, monstruous, Were hidd in water, that I could not see. But they did seeme more foule and hideous, Then womans shape man would beleeve to bee. 365 Thensforth from her most beastly companie I gan refraine, in minde to slip away, Soone as appeard safe opportunitie: For danger great, if not assur'd decay, I saw before mine eyes, if I were knowne to stray. XLII 370 The divelish hag by chaunges of my cheare° Perceiv'd my thought, and drownd in sleepie night,° With wicked herbs and ointments did besmeare My body all, through charms and magicke might, That all my senses were bereaved quight: 375 Then brought she me into this desert waste, And by my wretched lovers side me pight, Where now enclosd in wooden wals full faste, Banisht from living wights, our wearie dayes we waste. XLIII But how long time, said then the Elfin knight, 380 Are you in this misformed house to dwell? We may not chaunge (quoth he) this evil plight, Till we be bathed in a living well;° That is the terme prescribed by the spell. O how, said he, mote I that well out find, 385 That may restore you to your wonted well? Time and suffised fates to former kynd Shall us restore, none else from hence may us unbynd. XLIV The false Duessa, now Fidessa hight, Heard how in vaine Fradubio did lament, 390 And knew well all was true. But the good knight Full of sad feare and ghastly dreriment, When all this speech the living tree had spent, The bleeding bough did thrust into the ground, That from the bloud he might be innocent, 395 And with fresh clay did close the wooden wound: Then turning to his Lady, dead with feare her found. XLV Her seeming dead he found with feigned feare, As all unweeting of that well she knew, And paynd himselfe with busie care to reare 400 Her out of carelesse swowne. Her eyelids blew And dimmed sight with pale and deadly hew At last she up gan lift: with trembling cheare Her up he tooke, too simple and too trew, And oft her kist. At length all passed feare,° 405 He set her on her steede, and forward forth did beare. CANTO III Forsaken Truth long seekes her love, and makes the Lyon mylde, Marres blind Devotions mart, and fals in hand of leachour vylde. I NOUGHT is there under heav'ns wide hollownesse, That moves more deare compassion of mind, Then beautie brought t' unworthy wretchednesse Through envies snares, or fortunes freakes unkind. 5 I, whether lately through her brightnesse blind, Or through alleageance and fast fealtie, Which I do owe unto all woman kind, Feele my hart perst with so great agonie, When such I see, that all for pittie I could die. II 10 And now it is empassioned so deepe, For fairest Unaes sake, of whom I sing, That my fraile eyes these lines with teares do steepe, To thinke how she through guilefull handeling, Though true as touch,° though daughter of a king, 15 Though faire as ever living wight was faire, Though nor in word nor deede ill meriting, Is from her knight divorced in despaire, And her due loves° deriv'd to that vile witches share. III Yet she most faithfull Ladie all this while 20 Forsaken, wofull, solitarie mayd Far from all peoples prease, as in exile, In wildernesse and wastfull deserts strayd, To seeke her knight; who subtilly betrayd Through that late vision, which th' Enchaunter wrought, 25 Had her abandond. She of nought affrayd, Through woods and wastnesse wide him daily sought; Yet wished tydings° none of him unto her brought. IV One day nigh wearie of the yrkesome way, From her unhastie beast she did alight, 30 And on the grasse her daintie limbes did lay In secret shadow, farre from all mens sight: From her faire head her fillet she undight, And laid her stole aside. Her angels face As the great eye of heaven° shyned bright, 35 And made a sunshine in the shadie place; Did never mortall eye behold such heavenly grace. V It fortuned out of the thickest wood A ramping Lyon° rushed suddainly, Hunting full greedy after salvage blood; 40 Soone as the royall virgin he did spy, With gaping mouth at her ran greedily, To have attonce devourd her tender corse: But to the pray when as he drew more ny, His bloody rage asswaged with remorse, 45 And with the sight amazd, forgat his furious forse. VI In stead thereof he kist her wearie feet, And lickt her lilly hands with fawning tong, As he her wronged innocence did weet. O how can beautie maister the most strong, 50 And simple truth subdue avenging wrong? Whose yeelded pride° and proud submission, Still dreading death, when she had marked long, Her hart gan melt in great compassion, And drizling teares did shed for pure affection. VII 55 The Lyon Lord of every beast in field, Quoth she, his princely puissance doth abate, And mightie proud to humble weake does yield, Forgetfull of the hungry rage, which late Him prickt, in pittie of my sad estate: 60 But he my Lyon, and my noble Lord, How does he find in cruell hart to hate, Her that him lov'd, and ever most adord, As the God of my life? why hath he me abhord? VIII Redounding teares did choke th' end of her plaint, 65 Which softly ecchoed from the neighbour wood; And sad to see her sorrowfull constraint The kingly beast upon her gazing stood; With pittie calmd, downe fell his angry mood. At last in close hart shutting up her paine, 70 Arose the virgin borne of heavenly brood, And to her snowy Palfrey got againe, To seeke her strayed Champion, if she might attaine. IX The Lyon would not leave her desolate, But with her went along, as a strong gard 75 Of her chast person, and a faithfull mate Of her sad troubles and misfortunes hard: Still when she slept, he kept both watch and ward,° And when she wakt, he waited diligent, With humble service to her will prepard: 80 From her faire eyes he tooke commaundement, And ever by her lookes conceived her intent. X Long she thus traveiled through deserts wyde, By which she thought her wandring knight shold pas, Yet never shew of living wight espyde; 85 Till that at length she found the troden gras, In which the tract of peoples footing was, Under the steepe foot of a mountaine hore; The same she followes, till at last she has A damzell spyde° slow footing her before, 90 That on her shoulders sad a pot of water bore. XI To whom approching she to her gan call, To weet, if dwelling place were nigh at hand; But the rude wench her answerd nought at all; She could not heare, nor speake, nor understand; 95 Till seeing by her side the Lyon stand, With suddaine feare her pitcher downe she threw, And fled away: for never in that land Face of faire Ladie she before did vew, And that dread Lyons looke her cast in deadly hew.° XII 100 Full fast she fled, ne never lookt behynd, As if her life upon the wager lay,° And home she came, whereas her mother blynd° Sate in eternall night: nought could she say, But suddaine catching hold, did her dismay 105 With quaking hands, and other signes of feare; Who full of ghastly fright and cold affray, Gan shut the dore. By this arrived there Dame Una, wearie Dame, and entrance did requere. XIII Which when none yeelded, her unruly Page° 110 With his rude claws the wicket open rent, And let her in; where of his cruell rage Nigh dead with feare, and faint astonishment, She found them both in darkesome corner pent; Where that old woman day and night did pray 115 Upon her beads devoutly penitent; Nine hundred Pater nosters° every day, And thrise nine hundred Aves she was wont to say. XIV And to augment her painefull pennance more, Thrise every weeke in ashes she did sit, 120 And next her wrinkled skin rough sackcloth wore, And thrise three times did fast from any bit: But now for feare her beads she did forget. Whose needlesse dread for to remove away, Faire Una framed words and count'nance fit: 125 Which hardly doen, at length she gan them pray, That in their cotage small that night she rest her may. XV The day is spent, and commeth drowsie night, When every creature shrowded is in sleepe; Sad Una downe her laies in wearie plight, 130 And at her feete the Lyon watch doth keepe: In stead of rest, she does lament, and weepe For the late losse of her deare loved knight, And sighes, and grones, and ever more does steepe Her tender brest in bitter teares all night, 135 All night she thinks too long, and often lookes for light. XVI Now when Aldeboran° was mounted hie Above the shynie Cassiopeias chaire,° And all in deadly sleepe did drowned lie, One knocked at the dore,° and in would fare; 140 He knocked fast, and often curst, and sware, That readie entrance was not at his call: For on his backe a heavy load he bare Of nightly stelths, and pillage severall, Which he had got abroad by purchase criminall. XVII 145 He was, to weete, a stout and sturdy thiefe, Wont to robbe Churches of their ornaments, And poore mens boxes of their due reliefe, Which given was to them for good intents; The holy Saints of their rich vestiments 150 He did disrobe, when all men carelesse slept, And spoild the Priests of their habiliments, Whiles none the holy things in safety kept; Then he by conning sleights in at the window crept. XVIII And all that he by right or wrong could find, 155 Unto this house he brought, and did bestow Upon the daughter of this woman blind, Abessa, daughter of Corceca slow, With whom he whoredome usd, that few did know, And fed her fat with feast of offerings, 160 And plentie, which in all the land did grow; Ne spared he to give her gold and rings: And now he to her brought part of his stolen things. XIX Thus long the dore with rage and threats he bet, Yet of those fearfull women none durst rize, 165 The Lyon frayed them, him in to let: He would no longer stay him to advize,° But open breakes the dore in furious wize, And entring is; when that disdainfull beast Encountring fierce, him suddaine doth surprize, 170 And seizing cruell clawes on trembling brest, Under his Lordly foot him proudly hath supprest. XX Him booteth not resist,° nor succour call, His bleeding hart is in the vengers hand, Who streight him rent in thousand peeces small, 175 And quite dismembred hath: the thirsty land Drunke up his life; his corse left on the strand. His fearefull friends weare out the wofull night, Ne dare to weepe, nor seeme to understand The heavie hap, which on them is alight, 180 Affraid, least to themselves the like mishappen might. XXI Now when broad day the world discovered has, Up Una rose, up rose the Lyon eke, And on their former journey forward pas, In wayes unknowne, her wandring knight to seeke, 185 With paines farre passing that long wandring Greeke,° That for his love refused deitie; Such were the labours of his Lady meeke, Still seeking him, that from her still did flie; Then furthest from her hope, when most she weened nie. XXII 190 Soone as she parted thence, the fearfull twaine, That blind old woman and her daughter deare,° Came forth, and finding Kirkrapine there slaine, For anguish great they gan to rend their heare, And beat their brests, and naked flesh to teare. 195 And when they both had wept and wayld their fill, Then forth they ran like two amazed deare, Halfe mad through malice, and revenging will, To follow her, that was the causer of their ill. XXIII Whom overtaking, they gan loudly bray, 200 With hollow howling, and lamenting cry, Shamefully at her rayling all the way, And her accusing of dishonesty, That was the flowre of faith and chastity; And still amidst her rayling, she did pray, 205 That plagues, and mischiefs, and long misery Might fall on her, and follow all the way, And that in endlesse error she might ever stray. XXIV But when she saw her prayers nought prevaile, She backe returned with some labour lost; 210 And in the way as shee did weepe and waile, A knight her met in mighty armes embost, Yet knight was not for all his bragging bost, But subtill Archimag, that Una sought By traynes into new troubles to have tost: 215 Of that old woman tidings he besought, If that of such a Ladie she could tellen ought. XXV Therewith she gan her passion to renew, And cry, and curse, and raile, and rend her heare, Saying, that harlot she too lately knew, 220 That caused her shed so many a bitter teare, And so forth told the story of her feare: Much seemed he to mone her haplesse chaunce, And after for that Ladie did inquere; Which being taught, he forward gan advaunce 225 His fair enchaunted steed, and eke his charmed launce. XXVI Ere long he came where Una traveild slow, And that wilde Champion wayting her besyde: Whom seeing such, for dread he durst not show Himselfe too nigh at hand, but turned wyde 230 Unto an hill; from whence when she him spyde, By his like seeming shield, her knight by name She weend it was, and towards him gan ryde: Approaching nigh, she wist it was the same, And with faire fearefull humblesse towards him shee came: XXVII 235 And weeping said, Ah my long lacked Lord, Where have ye bene thus long out of my sight? Much feared I to have bene quite abhord, Or ought have done,° that ye displeasen might, That should as death° unto my deare heart light: 240 For since mine eye your joyous sight did mis, My chearefull day is turnd to chearelesse night, And eke my night of death the shadow is; But welcome now my light, and shining lampe of blis. XXVIII He thereto meeting said, My dearest Dame, 245 Farre be it from your thought, and fro my will, To thinke that knighthood I so much should shame, As you to leave, that have me loved still, And chose in Faery court° of meere goodwill, Where noblest knights were to be found on earth: 250 The earth shall sooner leave her kindly skill,° To bring forth fruit, and make eternall derth, Then I leave you, my liefe, yborne of heavenly berth. XXIX And sooth to say, why I left you so long, Was for to seeke adventure in strange place, 255 Where Archimago said a felon strong To many knights did daily worke disgrace; But knight he now shall never more deface: Good cause of mine excuse; that mote ye please Well to accept, and evermore embrace 260 My faithfull service, that by land and seas Have vowd you to defend: now then your plaint appease. XXX His lovely words her seemd due recompence Of all her passed paines: one loving howre For many yeares of sorrow can dispence: 265 A dram of sweet is worth a pound of sowre: She has forgot, how many a woful stowre For him she late endurd; she speakes no more Of past: true is, that true love hath no powre To looken backe; his eyes be fixt before. 270 Before her stands her knight, for whom she toyld so sore. XXXI Much like, as when the beaten marinere, That long hath wandred in the Ocean wide, Oft soust in swelling Tethys saltish teare, And long time having tand his tawney hide 275 With blustring breath of heaven, that none can bide, And scorching flames of fierce Orions hound,° Soone as the port from farre he has espide, His chearefull whistle merrily doth sound, And Nereus crownes with cups°; his mates him pledg around. XXXII 280 Such joy made Una, when her knight she found; And eke th' enchaunter joyous seemd no lesse, Then the glad marchant, that does vew from ground° His ship farre come from watrie wildernesse, He hurles out vowes, and Neptune oft doth blesse: 285 So forth they past, and all the way they spent Discoursing of her dreadful late distresse, In which he askt her, what the Lyon ment: Who told her all that fell in journey as she went. XXXIII They had not ridden farre, when they might see 290 One pricking towards them with hastie heat, Full strongly armd, and on a courser free, That through his fiercenesse fomed all with sweat, And the sharpe yron did for anger eat, When his hot ryder spurd his chauffed side; 295 His looke was sterne, and seemed still to threat Cruell revenge, which he in hart did hyde, And on his shield Sans loy° in bloudie lines was dyde. XXXIV When nigh he drew unto this gentle payre And saw the Red-crosse, which the knight did beare, 300 He burnt in fire, and gan eftsoones prepare Himselfe to battell with his couched speare. Loth was that other, and did faint through feare, To taste th' untryed dint of deadly steele; But yet his Lady did so well him cheare, 305 That hope of new goodhap he gan to feele; So bent his speare, and spurd his horse with yron heele. XXXV But that proud Paynim forward came so fierce, And full of wrath, that with his sharp-head speare, Through vainly crossed shield° he quite did pierce, 310 And had his staggering steede not shrunke for feare, Through shield and bodie eke he should him beare: Yet so great was the puissance of his push, That from his saddle quite he did him beare: He tombling rudely downe to ground did rush, 315 And from his gored wound a well of bloud did gush. XXXVI Dismounting lightly from his loftie steed, He to him lept, in mind to reave his life, And proudly said, Lo there the worthie meed Of him that slew Sansfoy with bloudie knife; 320 Henceforth his ghost freed from repining strife, In peace may passen over Lethe lake,° When mourning altars purgd with enemies life,° The blacke infernall Furies° doen aslake: Life from Sansfoy thou tookst, Sansloy shall from thee take. XXXVII 325 Therewith in haste his helmet gan unlace,° Till Una cried, O hold that heavie hand, Deare Sir, what ever that thou be in place: Enough is, that thy foe doth vanquisht stand Now at thy mercy: Mercie not withstand: 330 For he is one the truest knight alive, Though conquered now he lie on lowly land, And whilest him fortune favourd, faire did thrive In bloudie field: therefore of life him not deprive. XXXVIII Her piteous words might not abate his rage, 335 But rudely rending up his helmet, would Have slaine him straight: but when he sees his age, And hoarie head of Archimago old, His hasty hand he doth amazed hold, And halfe ashamed, wondred at the sight: 340 For that old man well knew he, though untold, In charmes and magicke to have wondrous might, Ne ever wont in field,° ne in round lists to fight; XXXIX And said, Why Archimago, lucklesse syre, What doe I see? what hard mishap is this, 345 That hath thee hither brought to taste mine yre? Or thine the fault, or mine the error is, Instead of foe to wound my friend amis? He answered nought, but in a traunce still lay, And on those guilefull dazed eyes of his 350 The cloude of death did sit. Which doen away, He left him lying so, ne would no lenger stay: XL But to the virgin comes, who all this while Amased stands, her selfe so mockt to see By him, who has the guerdon of his guile, 355 For so misfeigning her true knight to bee: Yet is she now in more perplexitie, Left in the hand of that same Paynim bold, From whom her booteth not at all to flie; Who, by her cleanly garment catching hold, 360 Her from her Palfrey pluckt, her visage to behold. XLI But her fierce servant, full of kingly awe And high disdaine, whenas his soveraine Dame So rudely handled by her foe he sawe, With gaping jawes full greedy at him came, 365 And ramping on his shield, did weene the same Have reft away with his sharpe rending clawes: But he was stout, and lust did now inflame His corage more, that from his griping pawes He hath his shield redeem'd, and foorth his swerd he drawes. XLII 370 O then too weake and feeble was the forse Of salvage beast, his puissance to withstand: For he was strong, and of so mightie corse, As ever wielded speare in warlike hand, And feates of armes did wisely understand. 375 Eftsoones he perced through his chaufed chest With thrilling point of deadly yron brand, And launcht his Lordly hart: with death opprest He roar'd aloud, whiles life forsooke his stubborne brest. XLIII Who now is left to keepe the forlorne maid 380 From raging spoile of lawlesse victors will? Her faithfull gard remov'd, her hope dismaid, Her selfe a yielded pray to save or spill. He now Lord of the field, his pride to fill, With foule reproches, and disdainfull spight 385 Her vildly entertaines, and will or nill, Beares her away upon his courser light: Her prayers nought prevaile, his rage is more of might.° XLIV And all the way, with great lamenting paine, And piteous plaints she filleth his dull eares, 390 That stony hart could riven have in twaine, And all the way she wets with flowing teares: But he enrag'd with rancor, nothing heares. Her servile beast yet would not leave her so, But followes her farre off, ne ought he feares, 395 To be partaker of her wandring woe, More mild in beastly kind, then that her beastly foe. CANTO IV To sinfull house of Pride, Duessa guides the faithfull knight, Where brother's death to wreak Sansjoy doth chalenge him to fight. I YOUNG knight whatever that dost armes professe, And through long labours huntest after fame, Beware of fraud, beware of ficklenesse, In choice, and change of thy deare loved Dame, 5 Least thou of her beleeve too lightly blame, And rash misweening doe thy hart remove: For unto knight there is no greater shame, Then lightnesse and inconstancie in love; That doth this Redcrosse knights ensample plainly prove. II 10 Who after that he had faire Una lorne, Through light misdeeming of her loialtie, And false Duessa in her sted had borne, Called Fidess', and so supposd to bee; Long with her traveild, till at last they see 15 A goodly building, bravely garnished, The house of mightie Prince it seemd to bee: And towards it a broad high way that led, All bare through peoples feet, which thither traveiled. III Great troupes of people traveild thitherward 20 Both day and night, of each degree and place,° But few returned, having scaped hard,° With balefull beggerie, or foule disgrace; Which ever after in most wretched case, Like loathsome lazars,° by the hedges lay. 25 Thither Duessa bad him bend his pace: For she is wearie of the toilesome way, And also nigh consumed is the lingring day. IV A stately Pallace built of squared bricke, Which cunningly was without morter laid, 30 Whose wals were high, but nothing strong, nor thick, And golden foile all over them displaid, That purest skye with brightnesse they dismaid: High lifted up were many loftie towres, And goodly galleries farre over laid, 35 Full of faire windowes and delightful bowres; And on the top a Diall told the timely howres. V It was a goodly heape for to behould, And spake the praises of the workmans wit; But full great pittie, that so faire a mould 40 Did on so weake foundation ever sit: For on a sandie hill, that still did flit And fall away, it mounted was full hie, That every breath of heaven shaked it: And all the hinder parts, that few could spie, 45 Were ruinous and old, but painted cunningly. VI Arrived there, they passed in forth right; For still to all the gates stood open wide: Yet charge of them was to a Porter hight Cald Malvenù,° who entrance none denide: 50 Thence to the hall, which was on every side With rich array and costly arras dight: Infinite sorts of people did abide There waiting long, to win the wished sight Of her that was the Lady of that Pallace bright. VII 55 By them they passe, all gazing on them round, And to the Presence mount; whose glorious vew Their frayle amazed senses did confound: In living Princes court none ever knew Such endlesse richesse, and so sumptuous shew; 60 Ne Persia selfe, the nourse of pompous pride Like ever saw. And there a noble crew Of Lordes and Ladies stood on every side, Which with their presence faire the place much beautifide. VIII High above all a cloth of State was spred, 65 And a rich throne, as bright as sunny day, On which there sate most brave embellished With royall robes and gorgeous array, A mayden Queene, that shone as Titans ray, In glistring gold, and peerelesse pretious stone: 70 Yet her bright blazing beautie did assay To dim the brightnesse of her glorious throne, As envying her selfe, that too exceeding shone. IX Exceeding shone, like Phœbus fairest childe,° That did presume his fathers firie wayne, 75 And flaming mouthes of steedes unwonted wilde Through highest heaven with weaker hand to rayne; Proud of such glory and advancement vaine, While flashing beames do daze his feeble eyen, He leaves the welkin way most beaten plaine, 80 And rapt with whirling wheeles, inflames the skyen, With fire not made to burne, but fairely for to shyne. X So proud she shyned in her Princely state, Looking to heaven; for earth she did disdayne: And sitting high; for lowly she did hate: 85 Lo underneath her scornefull feete was layne A dreadfull Dragon° with an hideous trayne, And in her hand she held a mirrhour bright, Wherein her face she often vewed fayne, And in her selfe-lov'd semblance tooke delight; 90 For she was wondrous faire, as any living wight. XI Of griesly Pluto she the daughter was, And sad Proserpina the Queene of hell; Yet did she thinke her pearlesse worth to pas That parentage,° with pride so did she swell; 95 And thundring Jove, that high in heaven doth dwell, And wield the world, she claymed for her syre, Or if that any else did Jove excell: For to the highest she did still aspyre, Or if ought higher were then that, did it desyre. XII 100 And proud Lucifera men did her call, That made her selfe a Queene, and crownd to be, Yet rightfull kingdome she had none at all, Ne heritage of native soveraintie, But did usurpe with wrong and tyrannie 105 Upon the scepter, which she now did hold: Ne ruld her Realmes with lawes, but pollicie, And strong advizement of six wisards old,° That with their counsels bad her kingdome did uphold. XIII Soone as the Elfin knight in presence came, 110 And false Duessa seeming Lady faire, A gentle Husher, Vanitie by name Made rowme, and passage for them did prepaire: So goodly brought them to the lowest staire Of her high throne, where they on humble knee 115 Making obeyssance, did the cause declare, Why they were come, her royall state to see, To prove the wide report of her great Majestee. XIV With loftie eyes, halfe loth to looke so low, She thanked them in her disdainefull wise; 120 Ne other grace vouchsafed them to show Of Princesse worthy, scarse them bad arise. Her Lordes and Ladies all this while devise Themselves to setten forth to straungers sight: Some frounce their curled haire in courtly guise, 125 Some prancke their ruffes, and others trimly dight Their gay attire: each others greater pride does spight. XV Goodly they all that knight do entertaine, Right glad with him to have increast their crew: But to Duess' each one himselfe did paine 130 All kindnesse and faire courtesie to shew; For in that court whylome her well they knew: Yet the stout Faerie mongst the middest crowd Thought all their glorie vaine in knightly vew, And that great Princesse too exceeding prowd, 135 That to strange knight no better countenance allowd. XVI Suddein upriseth from her stately place The royall Dame, and for her coche did call: All hurtlen forth, and she with Princely pace, As faire Aurora in her purple pall, 140 Out of the east the dawning day doth call: So forth she comes: her brightnesse brode doth blaze; The heapes of people thronging in the hall, Do ride each other, upon her to gaze: Her glorious glitterand light doth all mens eyes amaze. XVII 145 So forth she comes, and to her coche° does clyme, Adorned all with gold, and girlonds gay, That seemd as fresh as Flora in her prime, And strove to match, in royall rich array, Great Junoes golden chaire, the which they say 150 The Gods stand gazing on, when she does ride To Joves high house through heavens bras-paved way Drawne of faire Pecocks, that excell in pride, And full of Argus eyes their tailes dispredden wide. XVIII But this was drawne of six unequall beasts, 155 On which her six sage Counsellours did ryde, Taught to obay their bestiall beheasts, With like conditions° to their kinds applyde: Of which the first, that all the rest did guyde, Was sluggish Idlenesse the nourse of sin; 160 Upon a slouthful Asse he chose to ryde, Arayd in habit blacke, and amis thin, Like to an holy Monck, the service to begin. XIX And in his hand his Portesse still he bare, That much was worne, but therein little red, 165 For of devotion he had little care, Still drownd in sleepe, and most of his dayes ded; Scarse could he once uphold his heavie hed, To looken, whether it were night or day: May seeme the wayne was very evill led, 170 When such an one had guiding of the way, That knew not, whether right he went, or else astray. XX From worldly cares himselfe he did esloyne, And greatly shunned manly exercise, From every worke he chalenged essoyne,° 175 For contemplation sake: yet otherwise, His life he led in lawlesse riotise; By which he grew to grievous malady; For in his lustlesse limbs through evill guise A shaking fever raignd continually: 180 Such one was Idlenesse, first of this company. XXI And by his side rode loathsome Gluttony, Deformed creature, on a filthie swyne; His belly was up-blowne with luxury, And eke with fatnesse swollen were his eyne, 185 And like a Crane° his necke was long and fyne, With which he swallowed up excessive feast, For want whereof poore people oft did pyne; And all the way, most like a brutish beast, He spued up his gorge, that all did him deteast. XXII 190 In greene vine leaves he was right fitly clad; For other clothes he could not weare for heat, And on his head an yvie girland had, From under which fast trickled downe the sweat: Still as he rode, he somewhat still did eat, 195 And in his hand did beare a bouzing can, Of which he supt so oft, that on his seat His dronken corse he scarse upholden can, In shape and life more like a monster, then a man. XXIII Unfit he was for any worldly thing, 200 And eke unhable once to stirre or go, Not meet to be of counsell to a king, Whose mind in meat and drinke was drowned so, That from his friend he seldome knew his fo: Full of diseases was his carcas blew, 205 And a dry dropsie° through his flesh did flow: Which by misdiet daily greater grew: Such one was Gluttony, the second of that crew. XXIV And next to him rode lustfull Lechery, Upon a bearded Goat, whose rugged haire, 210 And whally eyes (the signe of gelosy), Was like the person selfe, whom he did beare: Who rough, and blacke, and filthy did appeare, Unseemely man to please faire Ladies eye; Yet he of Ladies oft was loved deare, 215 When fairer faces were bid standen by: O who does know the bent of womens fantasy? XXV In a greene gowne he clothed was full faire, Which underneath did hide his filthinesse, And in his hand a burning hart he bare, 220 Full of vaine follies, and new fanglenesse, For he was false, and fraught with ficklenesse; And learned had to love with secret lookes; And well could daunce, and sing with ruefulnesse, And fortunes tell, and read in loving bookes, 225 And thousand other wayes, to bait his fleshly hookes. XXVI Inconstant man, that loved all he saw, And lusted after all that he did love; Ne would his looser life be tide to law, But joyd weak wemens hearts to tempt and prove, 230 If from their loyall loves he might them move; Which lewdnesse fild him with reprochfull paine Of that fowle evill, which all men reprove, That rots the marrow and consumes the braine: Such one was Lecherie, the third of all this traine. XXVII 235 And greedy Avarice by him did ride, Upon a Camell° loaden all with gold; Two iron coffers hong on either side, With precious mettall full as they might hold; And in his lap an heape of coine he told; 240 For of his wicked pelfe his God he made, And unto hell him selfe for money sold; Accursed usurie was all his trade, And right and wrong ylike in equall ballaunce waide. XXVIII His life was nigh unto deaths doore yplast, 245 And thred-bare cote, and cobled shoes he ware, Ne scarse good morsell all his life did tast, But both from backe and belly still did spare, To fill his bags, and richesse to compare; Yet chylde ne kinsman living had he none 250 To leave them to; but thorough daily care To get, and nightly feare to lose his owne, He led a wretched life unto him selfe unknowne.° XXIX Most wretched wight, whom nothing might suffise, Whose greedy lust did lacke in greatest store, 255 Whose need had end, but no end covetise, Whose wealth was want, whose plenty made him pore, Who had enough, yet wished ever more; A vile disease, and eke in foote and hand A grievous gout tormented him full sore, 260 That well he could not touch, nor go, nor stand; Such one was Avarice, the fourth of this faire band. XXX And next to him malicious Envie rode, Upon a ravenous wolfe, and still did chaw Betweene his cankred teeth a venemous tode, 265 That all the poison ran about his chaw; But inwardly he chawed his owne maw At neighbours wealth, that made him ever sad; For death it was when any good he saw, And wept, that cause of weeping none he had, 270 But when he heard of harme, he wexed wondrous glad. XXXI All in a kirtle of discolourd say He clothed was, ypainted full of eyes; And in his bosome secretly there lay An hatefull Snake, the which his taile uptyes 275 In many folds, and mortall sting implyes. Still as he rode, he gnasht his teeth, to see Those heapes of gold with griple Covetyse; And grudged at the great felicitie Of proud Lucifera, and his owne companie. XXXII 280 He hated all good workes and vertuous deeds, And him no lesse, that any like did use, And who with gracious bread the hungry feeds, His almes for want of faith he doth accuse; So every good to bad he doth abuse: 285 And eke the verse of famous Poets witt He does backebite, and spightfull poison spues From leprous mouth on all that ever writt: Such one vile Envie was, that fifte in row did sitt. XXXIII And him beside rides fierce revenging Wrath, 290 Upon a Lion, loth for to be led; And in his hand a burning brond he hath, The which he brandisheth about his hed; His eyes did hurle forth sparkles fiery red, And stared sterne on all that him beheld, 295 As ashes pale of hew and seeming ded; And on his dagger still his hand he held, Trembling through hasty rage, when choler in him sweld. XXXIV His ruffin raiment all was staind with blood, Which he had spilt, and all to rags yrent, 300 Through unadvized rashnesse woxen wood; For of his hands he had no governement, Ne car'd for bloud in his avengement: But when the furious fit was overpast, His cruell facts he often would repent; 305 Yet wilfull man he never would forecast, How many mischieves should ensue his heedlesse hast. XXXV Full many mischiefes follow cruell Wrath; Abhorred bloodshed and tumultuous strife, Unmanly murder, and unthrifty scath,° 310 Bitter despight, with rancours rusty knife, And fretting griefe the enemy of life; All these, and many evils moe haunt ire, The swelling Splene,° and Frenzy raging rife, The shaking Palsey, and Saint Fraunces fire:° 315 Such one was Wrath, the last of this ungodly tire. XXXVI And after all, upon the wagon beame Rode Sathan, with a smarting whip in hand, With which he forward lasht the laesie teme, So oft as Slowth still in the mire did stand. 320 Hugh routs of people did about them band, Showting for joy, and still before their way A foggy mist had covered all the land; And underneath their feet, all scattered lay Dead sculs and bones of men, whose life had gone astray. XXXVII 325 So forth they marchen in this goodly sort, To take the solace of the open aire, And in fresh flowring fields themselves to sport; Emongst the rest rode that false Lady faire, The foule Duessa, next unto the chaire 330 Of proud Lucifera, as one of the traine: But that good knight would not so nigh repaire, Him selfe estraunging from their joyaunce vaine, Whose fellowship seemd far unfit for warlike swaine. XXXVIII So having solaced themselves a space 335 With pleasaunce° of the breathing fields yfed, They backe retourned to the Princely Place; Whereas an errant knight in armes ycled, And heathnish shield, wherein with letters red Was writ Sans joy, they new arrived find: 340 Enflam'd with fury and fiers hardy-hed He seemd in hart to harbour thoughts unkind, And nourish bloudy vengeaunce in his bitter mind. XXXIX Who when the shamed shield of slaine Sansfoy He spide with that same Faery champions page, 345 Bewraying him, that did of late destroy His eldest brother, burning all with rage He to him leapt, and that same envious gage Of victors glory from him snatcht away: But th' Elfin knight, which ought that warlike wage 350 Disdaind to loose the meed he wonne in fray, And him rencountring fierce, reskewd the noble pray. XL Therewith they gan to hurtlen greedily, Redoubted battaile ready to darrayne, And clash their shields, and shake their swords on hy, 355 That with their sturre they troubled all the traine; Till that great Queene upon eternall paine Of high displeasure that ensewen might, Commaunded them their fury to refraine, And if that either to that shield had right, 360 In equall lists they should the morrow next it fight. XLI Ah dearest Dame, (quoth then the Paynim bold,) Pardon the error of enraged wight, Whom great griefe made forget the raines to hold Of reasons rule, to see this recreant knight, 365 No knight, but treachour full of false despight And shamefull treason, who through guile hath slayn The prowest knight that ever field did fight, Even stout Sansfoy (O who can then refrayn?) Whose shield he beares renverst, the more to heape disdayn. XLII 370 And to augment the glorie of his guile, His dearest love, the faire Fidessa, loe Is there possessed of the traytour vile, Who reapes the harvest sowen by his foe, Sowen in bloudy field, and bought with woe: 375 That brothers hand shall dearely well requight, So be, O Queene, you equall favour showe. Him litle answerd th' angry Elfin knight; He never meant with words, but swords to plead his right. XLIII But threw his gauntlet as a sacred pledge, 380 His cause in combat the next day to try: So been they parted both, with harts on edge To be aveng'd each on his enimy. That night they pas in joy and jollity, Feasting and courting both in bowre and hall; 385 For Steward was excessive Gluttonie, That of his plenty poured forth to all; Which doen, the Chamberlain Slowth did to rest them call. XLIV Now whenas darkesome night had all displayed Her coleblacke curtein over brightest skye, 390 The warlike youthes on dayntie couches layd, Did chace away sweet sleepe from sluggish eye, To muse on meanes of hoped victory. But whenas Morpheus had with leaden mace Arrested all that courtly company, 395 Up-rose Duessa from her resting place, And to the Paynims lodging comes with silent pace. XLV Whom broad awake she finds, in troublous fit, Forecasting, how his foe he might annoy, And him amoves with speaches seeming fit: 400 Ah deare Sansjoy, next dearest to Sansfoy, Cause of my new griefe, cause of my new joy, Joyous, to see his ymage in mine eye, And greev'd, to thinke how foe did him destroy, That was the flowre of grace and chevalrye; 405 Lo his Fidessa to thy secret faith I flye. XLVI With gentle wordes he can her fairely greet, And bad say on the secret of her hart. Then sighing soft, I learne that litle sweet Oft tempred is (quoth she) with muchell smart: 410 For since my brest was launcht with lovely dart Of deare Sans foy, I never joyed howre, But in eternall woes my weaker hart Have wasted, loving him with all my powre, And for his sake have felt full many an heavie stowre. XLVII 415 At last when perils all I weened past, And hop'd to reape the crop of all my care, Into new woes unweeting I was cast, By this false faytor, who unworthy ware His worthy shield, whom he with guilefull snare 420 Entrapped slew, and brought to shamefull grave. Me silly maid away with him he bare, And ever since hath kept in darksome cave, For that I would not yeeld, that to Sans foy I gave. XLVIII But since faire Sunne hath sperst that lowring clowd, 425 And to my loathed life now shewes some light, Under your beames I will me safely shrowd, From dreaded storme of his disdainfull spight: To you th' inheritance belongs by right Of brothers prayse, to you eke longs his love. 430 Let not his love, let not his restlesse spright, Be unreveng'd, that calles to you above From wandring Stygian shores, where it doth endlesse move. XLIX Thereto said he, Faire Dame, be nought dismaid For sorrowes past; their griefe is with them gone: 435 Ne yet of present perill be affraid; For needlesse feare did never vantage none And helplesse hap° it booteth not to mone. Dead is Sansfoy, his vitall paines are past, Though greeved ghost for vengeance deepe do grone: 440 He lives, that shall him pay his dewties last,° And guiltie Elfin blood shall sacrifice in hast. L O but I feare the fickle freakes (quoth shee) Of fortune false, and oddes of armes° in field. Why Dame (quoth he) what oddes can ever bee, 445 Where both do fight alike, to win or yield? Yea but (quoth she) he beares a charmed shield, And eke enchaunted armes, that none can perce, Ne none can wound the man that does them wield. Charmd or enchaunted (answerd he then ferce) 450 I no whit reck, ne you the like need to reherce. LI But faire Fidessa, sithens fortunes guile, Or enimies powre, hath now captived you, Returne from whence ye came, and rest a while Till morrow next, that I the Elfe subdew, 455 And with Sansfoyes dead dowry you endew. Ay me, that is a double death (she said) With proud foes sight my sorrow to renew: Where ever yet I be, my secret aid Shall follow you. So passing forth she him obaid. CANTO V The faithfull knight in equall field subdewes his faithlesse foe, Whom false Duessa saves, and for his cure to hell does goe. I THE noble hart, that harbours vertuous thought, And is with child of glorious great intent, Can never rest, untill it forth have brought Th' eternall brood of glorie excellent. 5 Such restlesse passion did all night torment The flaming corage of that Faery knight, Devizing, how that doughtie turnament With greatest honour he atchieven might; Still did he wake, and still did watch for dawning light. II 10 At last the golden Orientall gate, Of greatest heaven gan to open faire, And Phoebus fresh, as bridegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie haire: And hurls his glistring beams through gloomy aire. 15 Which when the wakeful Elfe perceiv'd, streightway He started up, and did him selfe prepaire, In sunbright armes, and battailous array: For with that Pagan proud he combat will that day. III And forth he comes into the commune hall, 20 Where earely waite him many a gazing eye, To weet what end to straunger knights may fall. There many Minstrales maken melody, To drive away the dull melancholy, And many Bardes, that to the trembling chord 25 Can tune their timely voyces° cunningly, And many Chroniclers that can record Old loves,° and warres for Ladies doen by many a Lord. IV Soone after comes the cruell Sarazin, In woven maile° all armed warily, 30 And sternly lookes at him, who not a pin Does care for looke of living creatures eye. They bring them wines of Greece and Araby,° And daintie spices fetcht from furthest Ynd,° To kindle heat of corage privily: 35 And in the wine a solemne oth they bynd T' observe the sacred lawes of armes, that are assynd. V At last forth comes that far renowmed Queene, With royall pomp and Princely majestie; She is ybrought unto a paled greene,° 40 And placed under stately canapee, The warlike feates of both those knights to see. On th' other side in all mens open vew Duessa placed is, and on a tree Sans-foy his° shield is hangd with bloody hew: 45 Both those° the lawrell girlonds to the victor dew. VI A shrilling trompet sownded from on hye, And unto battaill bad them selves addresse: Their shining shieldes about their wrestes they tye, And burning blades about their heads do blesse, 50 The instruments of wrath and heavinesse: With greedy force each other doth assayle, And strike so fiercely, that they do impresse Deepe dinted furrowes in the battred mayle; The yron walles to ward their blowes are weak and fraile. VII 55 The Sarazin was stout, and wondrous strong, And heaped blowes like yron hammers great; For after bloud and vengeance he did long. The knight was fiers, and full of youthly heat, And doubled strokes, like dreaded thunders threat: 60 For all for prayse and honour he did fight. Both stricken strike, and beaten both do beat, That from their shields forth flyeth firie light, And helmets hewen deepe show marks of eithers might. VIII So th' one for wrong, the other strives for right; 65 As when a Gryfon° seized of his pray, A Dragon fiers encountreth in his flight, Through widest ayre making his ydle way, That would his rightfull ravine rend away; With hideous horror both together smight, 70 And souce so sore that they the heavens affray: The wise Soothsayer seeing so sad sight, Th' amazed vulgar tels of warres and mortall fight. IX So th' one for wrong, the other strives for right, And each to deadly shame would drive his foe: 75 The cruell steele so greedily doth bight In tender flesh that streames of bloud down flow, With which the armes, that earst so bright did show, Into a pure vermillion now are dyde: Great ruth in all the gazers harts did grow, 80 Seeing the gored woundes to gape so wyde, That victory they dare not wish to either side. X At last the Paynim chaunst to cast his eye, His suddein eye, flaming with wrathful fyre, Upon his brothers shield, which hong thereby: 85 Therewith redoubled was his raging yre, And said, Ah wretched sonne of wofull syre, Doest thou sit wayling by blacke Stygian lake, Whilest here thy shield is hangd for victors hyre, And sluggish german° doest thy forces slake 90 To after-send his foe, that him may overtake? XI Goe caytive Elfe, him quickly overtake, And soone redeeme from his long wandring woe; Goe guiltie ghost, to him my message make, That I his shield have quit from dying foe. 95 Therewith upon his crest he stroke him so, That twise he reeled, readie twise to fall; End of the doubtfull battell deemed tho The lookers on, and lowd to him gan call The false Duessa, Thine the shield, and I, and all. XII 100 Soone as the Faerie heard his Ladie speake,° Out of his swowning dreame he gan awake, And quickning faith, that earst was woxen weake, The creeping deadly cold away did shake: Tho mov'd with wrath, and shame, and Ladies sake, 105 Of all attonce he cast avengd to bee, And with so' exceeding furie at him strake, That forced him to stoupe upon his knee; Had he not stouped so, he should have cloven bee. XIII And to him said, Goe now proud Miscreant, 110 Thy selfe thy message do to german deare; Alone he wandring thee too long doth want: Goe say, his foe thy shield with his doth beare. Therewith his heavie hand he high gan reare, Him to have slaine; when loe a darkesome clowd° 115 Upon him fell: he no where doth appeare, But vanisht is. The Elfe him calls alowd, But answer none receives: the darkness him does shrowd. XIV In haste Duessa from her place arose, And to him running said, O prowest knight, 120 That ever Ladie to her love did chose, Let now abate the terror of your might, And quench the flame of furious despight, And bloudie vengeance; lo th' infernall powres, Covering your foe with cloud of deadly night, 125 Have borne him hence to Plutoes balefull bowres. The conquest yours, I yours, the shield, the glory yours. XV Not all so satisfide, with greedie eye He sought all round about, his thristie blade To bath in bloud of faithlesse enemy; 130 Who all that while lay hid in secret shade: He standes amazed, how he thence should fade. At last the trumpets Triumph sound on hie, And running Heralds humble homage made, Greeting him goodly with new victorie, 135 And to him brought the shield, the cause of enmitie. XVI Wherewith he goeth to that soveraine Queene, And falling her before on lowly knee, To her makes present of his service seene: Which she accepts, with thankes, and goodly gree, 140 Greatly advauncing his gay chevalree. So marcheth home, and by her takes the knight, Whom all the people follow with great glee, Shouting, and clapping all their hands on hight, That all the aire it fils, and flyes to heaven bright. XVII 145 Home is he brought, and laid in sumptuous bed: Where many skilfull leaches him abide, To salve his hurts, that yet still freshly bled. In wine and oyle they wash his woundes wide, And softly can embalme on every side. 150 And all the while, most heavenly melody About the bed sweet musicke did divide, Him to beguile of griefe and agony: And all the while Duessa wept full bitterly. XVIII As when a wearie traveller that strayes 155 By muddy shore of broad seven-mouthed Nile, Unweeting of the perillous wandring wayes, Doth meete a cruell craftie Crocodile, Which in false griefe hyding his harmefull guile, Doth weepe full sore, and sheddeth tender teares:° 160 The foolish man, that pitties all this while His mournefull plight, is swallowed up unawares, Forgetfull of his owne, that mindes anothers cares. XIX So wept Duessa untill eventide, That shyning lampes in Joves high house were light: 165 Then forth she rose, ne lenger would abide, But comes unto the place, where th' Hethen knight In slombring swownd nigh voyd of vitall spright, Lay cover'd with inchaunted cloud all day: Whom when she found, as she him left in plight, 170 To wayle his woefull case she would not stay, But to the easterne coast of heaven makes speedy way. XX Where griesly Night,° with visage deadly sad, That Phœbus chearefull face durst never vew, And in a foule blacke pitchie mantle clad, 175 She findes forth comming from her darkesome mew, Where she all day did hide her hated hew. Before the dore her yron charet stood, Alreadie harnessed for journey new; And coleblacke steedes yborne of hellish brood, 180 That on their rustie bits did champ, as they were wood. XXI Who when she saw Duessa sunny bright, Adornd with gold and jewels shining cleare, She greatly grew amazed at the sight, And th' unacquainted light began to feare: 185 For never did such brightnesse there appeare, And would have backe retyred to her cave, Until the witches speech she gan to heare, Saying, Yet, O thou dreaded Dame, I crave Abide, till I have told the message which I have. XXII 190 She stayd, and foorth Duessa gan proceede O thou most auncient Grandmother of all, More old then Jove, whom thou at first didst breede, Or that great house of Gods cælestiall, Which wast begot in Daemogorgons hall, 195 And sawst the secrets of the world unmade, Why suffredst thou thy Nephewes deare to fall With Elfin sword, most shamefully betrade? Lo where the stout Sansjoy doth sleepe in deadly shade. XXIII And him before, I saw with bitter eyes 200 The bold Sansfoy shrinke underneath his speare; And now the pray of fowles in field he lyes, Nor wayld of friends, nor layd on groning beare,° That whylome was to me too dearely deare. O what of Gods° then boots it to be borne, 205 If old Aveugles sonnes so evill heare? Or who shall not great Nightes children scorne, When two of three her Nephews are so fowle forlorne? XXIV Up then, up dreary Dame, of darknesse Queene, Go gather up the reliques of thy race, 210 Or else goe them avenge, and let be seene, That dreaded Night in brightest day hath place, And can the children of faire light deface. Her feeling speeches some compassion moved In hart, and chaunge in that great mothers face: 215 Yet pittie in her hart was never proved Till then: for evermore she hated, never loved. XXV And said, Deare daughter rightly may I rew The fall of famous children borne of mee, And good successes,° which their foes ensew: 220 But who can turne the streame of destinee, Or breake the chayne° of strong necessitee, Which fast is tyde to Joves eternall seat? The sonnes of Day he favoureth, I see, And by my ruines thinkes to make them great: 225 To make one great by others losse, is bad excheat.° XXVI Yet shall they not escape so freely all; For some shall pay the price of others guilt: And he the man that made Sansfoy to fall, Shall with his owne bloud° price that he has spilt. 230 But what art thou, that telst of Nephews kilt? I that do seeme not I, Duessa am, (Quoth she) how ever now in garments gilt, And gorgeous gold arrayd I to thee came; Duessa I, the daughter of Deceipt and Shame. XXVII 235 Then bowing downe her aged backe, she kist The wicked witch, saying; In that faire face The false resemblance of Deceipt I wist Did closely lurke; yet so true-seeming grace It carried, that I scarce in darkesome place 240 Could it discerne, though I the mother bee Of falshood, and roote of Duessaes race. O welcome child, whom I have longd to see, And now have seene unwares. Lo now I go with thee. XXVIII Then to her yron wagon she betakes, 245 And with her beares the fowle welfavourd witch: Through mirkesome aire her readie way she makes. Her twyfold Teme, of which two blacke as pitch, And two were browne, yet each to each unlich, Did softly swim away, ne ever stampe, 250 Unlesse she chaunst their stubborne mouths to twitch; Then foming tarre, their bridles they would champe, And trampling the fine element would fiercely rampe. XXIX So well they sped, that they be come at length Unto the place, whereas the Paynim lay, 255 Devoid of outward sense, and native strength, Coverd with charmed cloud from vew of day And sight of men, since his late luckelesse fray. His cruell wounds with cruddy bloud congeald They binden up so wisely, as they may, 260 And handle softly, till they can be healed: So lay him in her charet close in night concealed. XXX And all the while she stood upon the ground, The wakefull dogs did never cease to bay,° As giving warning of th' unwonted sound, 265 With which her yron wheeles did them affray, And her darke griesly looke them much dismay: The messenger of death, the ghastly Owle° With drery shriekes did also her bewray; And hungry Wolves continually did howle, 270 At her abhorred face, so filthy and so fowle. XXXI Thence turning backe in silence soft they stole, And brought the heavie corse with easie pace To yawning gulfe of deepe Avernus hole.° By that same hole an entrance darke and bace 275 With smoake and sulphure hiding all the place, Descends to hell: there creature never past, That backe returned without heavenly grace; But dreadfull Furies which their chaines have brast, And damned sprights sent forth to make ill men aghast. XXXII 280 By that same way the direfull dames doe drive Their mournefull charet, fild with rusty blood, And downe to Plutoes house are come bilive: Which passing through, on every side them stood The trembling ghosts with sad amazed mood, 285 Chattring their yron teeth, and staring wide With stonie eyes; and all the hellish brood Of feends infernall flockt on every side, To gaze on earthly wight that with the Night durst ride. XXXIII They pas the bitter waves of Acheron, 290 Where many soules sit wailing woefully, And come to fiery flood of Phlegeton, Whereas the damned ghosts in torments fry, And with sharpe shrilling shriekes doe bootlesse cry, Cursing high Jove, the which them thither sent. 295 The house of endlesse paine is built thereby, In which ten thousand sorts of punishment The cursed creatures doe eternally torment. XXXIV Before the threshold dreadfull Cerberus° His three deformed heads did lay along, 300 Curled with thousand adders venemous, And lilled forth his bloudie flaming tong: At them he gan to reare his bristles strong, And felly gnarre, until Dayes enemy Did him appease; then downe his taile he hong 305 And suffred them to passen quietly: For she in hell and heaven had power equally. XXXV There was Ixion turned on a wheele,° For daring tempt the Queene of heaven to sin; And Sisyphus an huge round stone did reele 310 Against an hill, ne might from labour lin; There thirsty Tantalus hong by the chin; And Tityus fed a vulture on his maw; Typhœus joynts were stretched on a gin, Theseus condemnd to endlesse slouth by law, 315 And fifty sisters water in leake vessels draw. XXXVI They all beholding worldly wights in place, Leave off their worke, unmindfull of their smart, To gaze on them; who forth by them doe pace, Till they be come unto the furthest part; 320 Where was a Cave ywrought by wondrous art, Deepe, darke, uneasie, dolefull, comfortlesse, In which sad Aesculapius° farre apart Emprisond was in chaines remedilesse, For that Hippolytus rent corse he did redresse. XXXVII 325 Hippolytus a jolly huntsman was That wont in charett chace the foming Bore: He all his Peeres in beauty did surpas, But Ladies love as losse of time forbore: His wanton stepdame loved him the more, 330 But when she saw her offred sweets refused, Her love she turnd to hate, and him before His father fierce of treason false accused, And with her gealous termes his open eares abused. XXXVIII Who all in rage his Sea-god syre besought, 335 Some cursed vengeaunce on his sonne to cast, From surging gulf two monsters straight were brought, With dread whereof his chasing steedes aghast, Both charet swift and huntsman overcast. His goodly corps on ragged cliffs yrent, 340 Was quite dismembred, and his members chast Scattered on every mountaine, as he went, That of Hippolytus was left no moniment. XXXIX His cruell step-dame seeing what was donne, Her wicked dayes with wretched knife did end, 345 In death avowing th' innocence of her sonne, Which hearing, his rash Syre began to rend His haire, and hastie tongue that did offend. Tho gathering up the relicks of his smart, By Dianes meanes, who was Hippolyts frend, 350 Them brought to Æsculape, that by his art Did heale them all againe, and joyned every part. XL Such wondrous science in mans wit to raine When Jove avizd, that could the dead revive, And fates expired° could renew againe, 355 Of endlesse life he might him not deprive, But unto hell did thrust him downe alive, With flashing thunderbolt ywounded sore: Where long remaining, he did alwaies strive Himselfe with salves to health for to restore, 360 And slake the heavenly fire, that raged evermore. XLI There auncient Night arriving, did alight From her nigh wearie waine, and in her armes To Æsculapius brought the wounded knight: Whom having softly disarayd of armes, 365 Tho gan to him discover all his harmes, Beseeching him with prayer, and with praise, If either salves, or oyles, or herbes, or charmes A fordonne wight from dore of death mote raise, He would at her request prolong her nephews daies. XLII 370 Ah Dame (quoth he) thou temptest me in vaine, To dare the thing, which daily yet I rew, And the old cause of my continued paine With like attempt to like end to renew. Is not enough, that thrust from heaven dew 375 Here endlesse penance for one fault I pay, But that redoubled crime with vengeance new Thou biddest me to eeke? can Night defray The wrath of thundring Jove that rules both night and day? XLIII Not so (quoth she) but sith that heavens king 380 From hope of heaven hath thee excluded quight, Why fearest thou, that canst not hope for thing; And fearest not, that more thee hurten might, Now in the powre of everlasting Night? Goe to then, O thou farre renowmed sonne 385 Of great Apollo, shew thy famous might In medicine, that else hath to thee wonne Great paines, and greater praise,° both never to be donne. XLIV Her words prevaild: And then the learned leach His cunning hand gan to his wounds to lay, 390 And all things else, the which his art did teach: Which having seene, from thence arose away The mother of dread darknesse, and let stay Aveugles sonne there in the leaches cure, And backe returning tooke her wonted way, 395 To runne her timely race, whilst Phœbus pure, In westerne waves his weary wagon did recure. XLV The false Duessa leaving noyous Night, Returnd to stately pallace of Dame Pride; Where when she came, she found the Faery knight 400 Departed thence, albe his woundes wide Not throughly heald, unreadie were to ride. Good cause he had to hasten thence away; For on a day his wary Dwarfe had spide Where in a dongeon deepe huge numbers lay 405 Of caytive wretched thrals, that wayled night and day. XLVI A ruefull sight, as could be seene with eie; Of whom he learned had in secret wise The hidden cause of their captivitie, How mortgaging their lives to Covetise, 410 Through wastfull Pride and wanton Riotise, They were by law of that proud Tyrannesse, Provokt with Wrath, and Envies false surmise, Condemned to that Dongeon mercilesse, Where they should live in woe, and die in wretchednesse. XLVII 415 There was that great proud king of Babylon,° That would compell all nations to adore, And him as onely God to call upon, Till through celestiall doome throwne out of dore, Into an Oxe he was transform'd of yore: 420 There also was king Croesus,° that enhaunst His hart too high through his great riches store; And proud Antiochus,° the which advaunst His cursed hand gainst God and on his altars daunst. XLVIII And them long time before, great Nimrod° was, 425 That first the world with sword and fire warrayd; And after him old Ninus° farre did pas In princely pompe, of all the world obayd; There also was that mightie Monarch° layd Low under all, yet above all in pride, 430 That name of native syre did fowle upbrayd, And would as Ammons sonne be magnifide, Till scornd of God and man a shamefull death he dide. XLIX All these together in one heape were throwne, Like carkases of beasts in butchers stall. 435 And in another corner wide were strowne The antique ruines of the Romaines fall: Great Romulus° the Grandsyre of them all, Proud Tarquin,° and too lordly Lentulus,° Stout Scipio,° and stubborne Hanniball,° 440 Ambitious Sylla,° and sterne Marius,° High Caesar,° great Pompey,° and fierce Antonius.° L Amongst these mightie men were wemen mixt, Proud wemen, vaine, forgetfull of their yoke: The bold Semiramis,° whose sides transfixt 445 With sonnes own blade, her fowle reproches spoke; Faire Sthenoboea,° that her selfe did choke With wilfull cord, for wanting of her will; High minded Cleopatra,° that with stroke Of Aspes sting her selfe did stoutly kill: 450 And thousands moe the like, that did that dongeon fill; LI Besides the endlesse routs of wretched thralles, Which thither were assembled day by day, From all the world after their wofull falles Through wicked pride, and wasted wealthes decay. 455 But most of all, which in the Dongeon lay, Fell from high Princes courts, or Ladies bowres; Where they in idle pompe, or wanton play, Consumed had their goods, and thriftlesse howres, And lastly throwne themselves into these heavy stowres. LII 460 Whose case when as the carefull Dwarfe had tould, And made ensample of their mournefull sight Unto his maister, he no lenger would There dwell in perill of like painefull plight, But early rose, and ere that dawning light 465 Discovered had the world to heaven wyde, He by a privie Posterne tooke his flight, That of no envious eyes he mote be spyde: For doubtlesse death ensewd, if any him descryde. LIII Scarse could he footing find in that fowle way, 470 For many corses, like a great Lay-stall, Of murdred men which therein strowed lay, Without remorse, or decent funerall: Which all through that great Princesse pride did fall And came to shamefull end. And them beside 475 Forth ryding underneath the castell wall, A donghill of dead carkases he spide, The dreadfull spectacle of that sad house of Pride. CANTO VI From lawlesse lust by wondrous grace fayre Una is releast: Whom salvage nation does adore, and learnes her wise beheast. I AS when a ship, that flyes faire under saile, An hidden rocke escaped hath unwares, That lay in waite her wrack for to bewaile, The Marriner yet halfe amazed stares 5 At perill past, and yet in doubt ne dares To joy at his foole-happie oversight: So doubly is distrest twixt joy and cares The dreadlesse courage of this Elfin knight, Having escapt so sad ensamples in his sight. II 10 Yet sad he was that his too hastie speede The faire Duess' had forst him leave behind; And yet more sad, that Una his deare dreed Her truth had staind with treason so unkind; Yet crime in her could never creature find, 15 But for his love, and for her owne selfe sake, She wandred had from one to other Ynd,° Him for to seeke, ne ever would forsake, Till her unwares the fiers Sansloy did overtake. III Who, after Archimagoes fowle defeat, 20 Led her away into a forest wilde, And turning wrathfull fyre to lustfull heat, With beastly sin thought her to have defilde, And made the vassal of his pleasures wilde. Yet first he cast by treatie, and by traynes, 25 Her to persuade that stubborne fort to yilde: For greater conquest of hard love he gaynes, That workes it to his will, then he that it constraines. IV With fawning words he courted her awhile, And looking lovely, and oft sighing sore, 30 Her constant hart did tempt with diverse guile, But wordes and lookes, and sighes she did abhore; As rocke of Diamond steadfast evermore, Yet for to feed his fyrie lustfull eye, He snatcht the vele that hong her face before; 35 Then gan her beautie shyne, as brightest skye And burnt his beastly hart t'efforce her chastitye. V So when he saw his flatt'ring artes to fayle, And subtile engines bett from batteree; With greedy force he gan the fort assayle, 40 Whereof he weend possessed soone to bee, And with rich spoile of ransackt chastitee. Ah heavens! that do this hideous act behold, And heavenly virgin thus outraged see, How can ye vengeance just so long withold 45 And hurle not flashing flames upon that Paynim bold? VI The pitteous maiden carefull comfortlesse, Does throw out thrilling shriekes, and shrieking cryes, The last vaine helpe of womens great distresse, And with loud plaints importuneth the skyes, 50 That molten starres do drop like weeping eyes; And Phœbus flying so most shameful sight, His blushing face in foggy cloud implyes, And hides for shame. What wit of mortall wight Can now devise to quit a thrall from such a plight? VII 55 Eternal providence exceeding thought, Where none appeares can make herselfe a way: A wondrous way it for this Lady wrought, From Lyons clawes to pluck the griped pray. Her shrill outcryes and shriekes so loud did bray, 60 That all the woodes and forestes did resownd; A troupe of Faunes and Satyres° far away Within the wood were dauncing in a rownd, Whiles old Sylvanus° slept in shady arber sownd: VIII Who when they heard that pitteous strained voice, 65 In haste forsooke their rurall meriment, And ran towards the far rebownded noyce, To weet, what wight so loudly did lament. Unto the place they come incontinent: Whom when the raging Sarazin espide, 70 A rude, mishapen, monstrous rablement, Whose like he never saw, he durst not bide, But got his ready steed, and fast away gan ride. IX The wyld woodgods arrived in the place, There find the virgin dolefull desolate, 75 With ruffled rayments, and faire blubbred face, As her outrageous foe had left her late; And trembling yet through feare of former hate: All stand amazed at so uncouth sight, And gin to pittie her unhappie state; 80 All stand astonied at her beautie bright, In their rude eyes unworthy of so wofull plight. X She more amaz'd, in double dread doth dwell; And every tender part for feare doth shake: As when a greedie Wolfe, through hunger fell, 85 A seely Lambe farre from the flocke does take, Of whom he meanes his bloudie feast to make, A Lyon spyes fast running towards him, The innocent pray in hast he does forsake, Which quit from death yet quakes in every lim 90 With chaunge of feare,° to see the Lyon looke so grim. XI Such fearefull fit assaid her trembling hart, Ne word to speake, ne joynt to move she had: The salvage nation feele her secret smart, And read her sorrow in her count'nance sad; 95 Their frowning forheads with rough hornes yclad, And rustick horror° all a side doe lay; And gently grenning, show a semblance glad To comfort her, and feare to put away, Their backward bent knees° teach her humbly to obay. XII 100 The doubtfull Damzell dare not yet commit Her single person to their barbarous truth;° But still twixt feare and hope amazd does sit, Late learnd° what harme to hasty trust ensu'th: They in compassion of her tender youth, 105 And wonder of her beautie soveraine, Are wonne with pitty and unwonted ruth, And all prostrate upon the lowly plaine, Do kisse her feete, and fawne on her with count'nance faine. XIII Their harts she ghesseth by their humble guise, 110 And yieldes her to extremitie of time; So from the ground she fearlesse doth arise, And walketh forth without suspect of crime:° They all as glad, as birdes of joyous Prime, Thence lead her forth, about her dauncing round, 115 Shouting, and singing all a shepheards ryme, And with greene braunches strowing all the ground, Do worship her, as Queene, with olive° girlond cround. XIV And all the way their merry pipes they sound, That all the woods with doubled Eccho ring, 120 And with their horned feet° do weare the ground, Leaping like wanton kids in pleasant Spring. So towards old Sylvanus they her bring; Who with the noyse awaked commeth out To weet the cause, his weake steps governing, 125 And aged limbs on Cypresse stadle stout; And with an yvie twyne his wast is girt about. XV Far off he wonders, what them makes so glad, Or Bacchus merry fruit° they did invent, Or Cybeles franticke rites° have made them mad, 130 They drawing nigh, unto their God present That flowre of faith and beautie excellent. The God himselfe, vewing that mirrhour rare,° Stood long amazd, and burnt in his intent; His owne faire Dryope° now he thinkes not faire, 135 And Pholoe fowle when her to this he doth compaire. XVI The woodborne people fall before her flat, And worship her as Goddesse of the wood; And old Sylvanus selfe bethinkes not, what To thinke of wight so faire, but gazing stood, 140 In doubt to deeme her borne of earthly brood; Sometimes Dame Venus selfe he seemes to see, But Venus never had so sober mood; Sometimes Diana he her takes to bee, But misseth bow, and shaftes, and buskins to her knee. XVII 145 By vew of her he ginneth to revive His ancient love, and dearest Cyparisse,° And calles to mind his pourtraiture alive, How faire he was, and yet not faire to this,° And how he slew with glauncing dart amisse 150 A gentle Hynd, the which the lovely boy Did love as life, above all worldly blisse; For griefe whereof the lad n'ould after joy,° But pynd away in anguish and selfe-wild annoy.° XVIII The wooddy Nymphes, faire Hamadryades,° 155 Her to behold do thither runne apace, And all the troupe of light-foot Naiades° Flocke all about to see her lovely face: But when they vewed have her heavenly grace, They envy her in their malitious mind, 160 And fly away for feare of fowle disgrace: But all the Satyres scorne their woody kind,° And henceforth nothing faire but her on earth they find. XIX Glad of such lucke, the luckelesse° lucky maid, Did her content to please their feeble eyes, 165 And long time with that salvage people staid, To gather breath in many miseries. During which time her gentle wit she plyes, To teach them truth, which worshipt her in vaine, And made her th' Image of Idolatryes°; 170 But when their bootlesse zeale she did restraine From her own worship, they her Asse would worship fayn. XX It fortuned a noble warlike knight° By just occasion° to that forrest came, To seeke his kindred, and the lignage right, 175 From whence he tooke his well deserved name: He had in armes abroad wonne muchell fame, And fild far lands with glorie of his might, Plaine, faithfull, true, and enimy of shame, And ever lov'd to fight for Ladies right: 180 But in vaine glorious frayes he litle did delight. XXI A Satyres sonne yborne in forrest wyld, By straunge adventure as it did betyde, And there begotten of a Lady myld, Faire Thyamis° the daughter of Labryde, 185 That was in sacred bands of wedlocke tyde To Therion, a loose unruly swayne; Who had more joy to raunge the forrest wyde, And chase the salvage beast with busie payne, Then serve his Ladies love, and wast in pleasures vayne. XXII 190 The forlorne mayd did with loves longing burne And could not lacke her lovers company, But to the wood she goes, to serve her turne, And seeke her spouse that from her still does fly, And followes other game and venery: 195 A Satyre chaunst her wandring for to finde, * * * * * And made her person thrall unto his beastly kind. XXIII So long in secret cabin there he held * * * * * Then home he suffred her for to retyre, For ransome leaving him the late borne childe; 200 Whom till to ryper yeares he gan aspire, He noursled up in life and manners wilde, Emongst wild beasts and woods, from lawes of men exilde. XXIV For all he taught the tender ymp, was but° To banish cowardize and bastard feare; 205 His trembling hand he would him force to put Upon the Lyon and the rugged Beare; And from the she Beares teats her whelps to teare; And eke wyld roaring Buls he would him make To tame, and ryde their backes not made to beare; 210 And the Robuckes in flight to overtake, That every beast for feare of him did fly and quake. XXV Thereby so fearlesse, and so fell he grew, That his owne sire and maister of his guise° Did often tremble at his horrid vew,° 215 And oft for dread of hurt would him advise, The angry beasts not rashly to despise, Nor too much to provoke; for he would learne The Lyon stoup to him in lowly wise, (A lesson hard) and make the Libbard sterne 220 Leave roaring, when in rage he for revenge did earne. XXVI And for to make his powre approved more, Wyld beasts in yron yokes he would compell; The spotted Panther, and the tusked Bore, The Pardale swift, and the tigre cruell, 225 The Antelope, and Wolfe both fierce and fell; And them constraine in equall teme to draw. Such joy he had, their stubborne harts to quell, And sturdie courage tame with dreadfull aw, That his beheast they feared, as a tyrans law. XXVII 230 His loving mother came upon a day Unto the woods, to see her little sonne; And chaunst unwares to meet him in the way, After his sportes, and cruell pastime donne; When after him a Lyonesse did runne, 235 That roaring all with rage, did lowd requere Her children deare, whom he away had wonne: The Lyon whelpes she saw how he did beare, And lull in rugged armes, withouten childish feare. XXVIII The fearefull Dame all quaked at the sight, 240 And turning backe, gan fast to fly away, Untill with love revokt from vaine affright, She hardly yet perswaded was to stay, And then to him these womanish words gan say; Ah Satyrane, my dearling, and my joy, 245 For love of me leave off this dreadfull play; To dally thus with death is no fit toy, Go find some other play-fellowes, mine own sweet boy. XXIX In these and like delights of bloudy game He trayned was, till ryper yeares he raught; 250 And there abode, whilst any beast of name Walkt in that forest, whom he had not taught To feare his force: and then his courage haught Desird of forreine foemen to be knowne, And far abroad for straunge adventures sought; 255 In which his might was never overthrowne; But through all Faery lond his famous worth was blown.° XXX Yet evermore it was his manner faire, After long labours and adventures spent, Unto those native woods for to repaire, 260 To see his sire and offspring auncient. And now he thither came for like intent; Where he unwares the fairest Una found, Straunge Lady, in so straunge habiliment, Teaching the Satyres, which her sat around, 265 Trew sacred lore, which from her sweet lips did redound. XXXI He wondred at her wisedome heavenly rare, Whose like in womens wit he never knew; And when her curteous deeds he did compare, Gan her admire, and her sad sorrowes rew, 270 Blaming of Fortune, which such troubles threw, And joyd to make proofe of her crueltie, On gentle Dame, so hurtlesse, and so trew: Thenceforth he kept her goodly company, And learnd her discipline of faith and veritie. XXXII 275 But she all vowd unto the Redcrosse knight, His wandring perill closely did lament, Ne in this new acquaintaunce could delight, But her deare heart with anguish did torment, And all her wit in secret counsels spent, 280 How to escape. At last in privie wise To Satyrane she shewed her intent; Who glad to gain such favour, gan devise How with that pensive Maid he best might thence arise. XXXIII So on a day when Satyres all were gone 285 To do their service to Sylvanus old, The gentle virgin left behind alone He led away with courage stout and bold. Too late it was, to Satyres to be told, Or ever hope recover her againe: 290 In vaine he seekes that having cannot hold. So fast he carried her with carefull paine, That they the woods are past, and come now to the plaine. XXXIV The better part now of the lingring day, They traveild had, whenas they farre espide 295 A weary wight forwandring by the way, And towards him they gan in haste to ride, To weete of newes, that did abroad betide, Or tydings of her knight of the Redcrosse. But he them spying, gan to turne aside, 300 For feare as seemd, or for some feigned losse; More greedy they of newes, fast towards him do crosse. XXXV A silly man, in simple weedes forworne, And soild with dust of the long dried way; His sandales were with toilsome travell torne, 305 And face all tand with scorching sunny ray, As he had traveild many a sommers day, Through boyling sands of Arabie and Ynde; And in his hand a Jacobs staffe,° to stay His wearie limbes upon: and eke behind, 310 His scrip did hang, in which his needments he did bind. XXXVI The knight approaching nigh, of him inquerd Tidings of warre, and of adventures new; But warres, nor new adventures none he herd. Then Una gan to aske, if ought he knew, 315 Or heard abroad of that her champion trew, That in his armour bare a croslet red. Aye me, Deare dame (quoth he) well may I rew To tell the sad sight which mine eies have red. These eies did see that knight both living and eke ded. XXXVII 320 That cruell word her tender hart so thrild, That suddein cold did runne through every vaine, And stony horrour all her sences fild With dying fit, that downe she fell for paine. The knight her lightly reared up againe, 325 And comforted with curteous kind reliefe: Then, wonne from death, she bad him tellen plaine The further processe of her hidden griefe: The lesser pangs can beare, who hath endur'd the chiefe. XXXVIII Then gan the Pilgrim thus, I chaunst this day, 330 This fatall day, that shall I ever rew, To see two knights in travell on my way (A sory sight) arraung'd in battell new, Both breathing vengeaunce, both of wrathfull hew: My fearefull flesh did tremble at their strife, 335 To see their blades so greedily imbrew, That drunke with bloud, yet thristed after life: What more? the Redcrosse knight was slaine with Paynim knife. XXXIX Ah dearest Lord (quoth she) how might that bee, And he the stoughtest knight, that ever wonne? 340 Ah dearest dame (quoth he) how might I see The thing, that might not be, and yet was donne? Where is (said Satyrane) that Paynims sonne, That him of life, and us of joy hath reft? Not far away (quoth he) he hence doth wonne 345 Foreby a fountaine, where I late him left Washing his bloudy wounds, that through the steele were cleft. XL Therewith the knight thence marched forth in hast, Whiles Una with huge heavinesse opprest, Could not for sorrow follow him so fast; 350 And soone he came, as he the place had ghest, Whereas that Pagan proud him selfe did rest, In secret shadow by a fountaine side: Even he it was, that earst would have supprest Faire Una: whom when Satyrane espide, 355 With fowle reprochfull words he boldly him defide. XLI And said, Arise thou cursed Miscreaunt, That hast with knightlesse guile and trecherous train Faire knighthood fowly shamed, and doest vaunt That good knight of the Redcrosse to have slain: 360 Arise, and with like treason now maintain Thy guilty wrong, or els thee guilty yield. The Sarazin this hearing, rose amain, And catching up in hast his three-square shield, And shining helmet, soone him buckled to the field. XLII 365 And drawing nigh him said, Ah misborne Elfe, In evill houre thy foes thee hither sent, Anothers wrongs to wreake upon thy selfe: Yet ill thou blamest me, for having blent My name with guile and traiterous intent: 370 That Redcrosse knight, perdie, I never slew, But had he beene, where earst his arms were lent,° Th' enchaunter vaine° his errour should not rew: But thou his errour shalt,° I hope, now proven trew. XLIII Therewith they gan, both furious and fell, 375 To thunder blowes, and fiersly to assaile Each other bent his enimy to quell, That with their force they perst both plate and maile, And made wide furrowes in their fleshes fraile, That it would pitty any living eie. 380 Large floods of bloud adowne their sides did raile; But floods of bloud could not them satisfie: Both hungred after death: both chose to win, or die. XLIV So long they fight, and fell revenge pursue, That fainting each, themselves to breathen let, 385 And oft refreshed, battell oft renue: As when two Bores with rancling malice met,° Their gory sides fresh bleeding fiercely fret, Til breathlesse both them selves aside retire, Where foming wrath, their cruell tuskes they whet, 390 And trample th' earth, the whiles they may respire; Then backe to fight againe, new breathed and entire. XLV So fiersly, when these knights had breathed once, They gan to fight returne, increasing more Their puissant force, and cruell rage attonce. 395 With heaped strokes more hugely then before, That with their drerie wounds and bloudy gore They both deformed, scarsely could be known. By this, sad Una fraught with anguish sore, Led with their noise, which through the aire was thrown: 400 Arriv'd, wher they in erth their fruitles bloud had sown. XLVI Whom all so soone as that proud Sarazin Espide, he gan revive the memory Of his lewd lusts, and late attempted sin, And left the doubtfull battell hastily, 405 To catch her, newly offred to his eie: But Satyrane with strokes him turning, staid, And sternely bad him other businesse plie, Then hunt the steps of pure unspotted Maid: Wherewith he all enrag'd, these bitter speaches said. XLVII 410 O foolish faeries son, what fury mad Hath thee incenst, to hast thy doefull fate? Were it not better I that Lady had, Then that thou hadst repented it too late? Most senseless man he, that himselfe doth hate 415 To love another. Lo then for thine ayd Here take thy lovers token on thy pate.° So they two fight; the whiles the royall Mayd Fledd farre away, of that proud Paynim sore afrayd. XLVIII But that false Pilgrim, which that leasing told, 420 Being in deed old Archimage, did stay In secret shadow, all this to behold, And much rejoiced in their bloudy fray: But when he saw the Damsell passe away, He left his stond, and her pursewd apace, 425 In hope to bring her to her last decay,° But for to tell her lamentable cace,° And eke this battels end, will need another place. CANTO VII The Redcrosse knight is captive made by Gyaunt proud opprest, Prince Arthur meets with Una great- ly with those newes distrest. I WHAT man so wise, what earthly wit so ware, As to discry the crafty cunning traine, By which deceipt doth maske in visour faire, And cast her colours dyed deepe in graine, 5 To seeme like Truth, whose shape she well can faine, And fitting gestures to her purpose frame; The guiltlesse man with guile to entertaine? Great maistresse of her art was that false Dame, The false Duessa, cloked with Fidessaes name. II 10 Who when returning from the drery Night, She fownd not in that perilous house of Pryde, Where she had left, the noble Redcrosse knight, Her hoped pray; she would no lenger bide, But forth she went, to seeke him far and wide. 15 Ere long she fownd, whereas he wearie sate To rest him selfe, foreby a fountaine side, Disarmed all of yron-coted Plate, And by his side his steed the grassy forage ate. III He feedes upon° the cooling shade, and bayes 20 His sweatie forehead in the breathing wind, Which through the trembling leaves full gently playes, Wherein the cherefull birds of sundry kind Do chaunt sweet musick, to delight his mind: The Witch approaching gan him fairely greet, 25 And with reproch of carelesnesse unkind Upbrayd, for leaving her in place unmeet, With fowle words tempring faire, soure gall with hony sweet. IV Unkindnesse past, they gan of solace treat, And bathe in pleasaunce of the joyous shade, 30 Which shielded them against the boyling heat, And with greene boughes decking a gloomy glade, About the fountaine like a girlond made; Whose bubbling wave did ever freshly well, Ne ever would through fervent sommer fade: 35 The sacred Nymph, which therein wont to dwell, Was out of Dianes favour, as it then befell. V The cause was this: One day, when Phœbe° fayre With all her band was following the chace, This Nymph, quite tyr'd with heat of scorching ayre, 40 Sat downe to rest in middest of the race: The goddesse wroth gan fowly her disgrace, And bad the waters, which from her did flow, Be such as she her selfe was then in place. Thenceforth her waters waxed dull and slow, 45 And all that drinke thereof do faint and feeble grow.° VI Hereof this gentle knight unweeting was, And lying downe upon the sandie graile, Drunke of the streame, as cleare as cristall glas: Eftsoones his manly forces gan to faile, 50 And mightie strong was turned to feeble fraile. His chaunged powres at first them selves not felt, Till crudled cold his corage gan assaile, And cheareful bloud in faintnesse chill did melt, Which like a fever fit through all his body swelt. VII 55 Yet goodly court he made still to his Dame, Pourd° out in loosnesse on the grassy grownd, Both carelesse of his health, and of his fame: Till at the last he heard a dreadfull sownd, Which through the wood loud bellowing did rebownd, 60 That all the earth for terrour seemd to shake, And trees did tremble. Th' Elfe therewith astownd, Upstarted lightly from his looser make,° And his unready weapons gan in hand to take. VIII But ere he could his armour on him dight, 65 Or get his shield, his monstrous enimy With sturdie steps came stalking in his sight, An hideous Geant,° horrible and hye, That with his tallnesse seemd to threat the skye, The ground eke groned under him for dreed; 70 His living like saw never living eye, Ne durst behold: his stature did exceed The hight of three the tallest sonnes of mortall seed. IX The greatest Earth his uncouth mother was, And blustering Æolus his boasted syre, * * * * * 75 Brought forth this monstrous masse of earthly slime Puft up with emptie wind, and fild with sinfull crime. X So growen great through arrogant delight Of th' high descent, whereof he was yborne, And through presumption of his matchlesse might, 80 All other powres and knighthood he did scorne. Such now he marcheth to this man forlorne, And left to losse: his stalking steps are stayde Upon a snaggy Oke, which he had torne Out of his mothers bowelles, and it made 85 His mortall mace, wherewith his foeman he dismayde. XI That when the knight he spide, he gan advance With huge force and insupportable mayne, And towardes him with dreadfull fury praunce; Who haplesse, and eke hopelesse, all in vaine 90 Did to him pace, sad battaile to darrayne, Disarmd, disgrast, and inwardly dismayde, And eke so faint in every joynt and vaine, Through that fraile fountaine, which him feeble made, That scarsely could he weeld his bootlesse single blade. XII 95 The Geaunt strooke so maynly mercilesse, That could have overthrowne a stony towre, And were not heavenly grace, that did him blesse, He had beene pouldred all, as thin as flowre: But he was wary of that deadly stowre, 100 And lightly lept from underneath the blow: Yet so exceeding was the villeins powre, That with the wind it did him overthrow, And all his sences stound, that still he lay full low. XIII As when that divelish yron Engin° wrought 105 In deepest Hell, and framd by Furies skill, With windy Nitre and quick Sulphur fraught, And ramd with bullet round, ordaind to kill, Conceiveth fire, the heavens it doth fill With thundring noyse, and all the ayre doth choke, 110 That none can breath, nor see, nor heare at will, Through smouldry cloud of duskish stincking smoke, That th' onely breath° him daunts, who hath escapt the stroke. XIV So daunted when the Geaunt saw the knight, His heavie hand he heaved up on hye, 115 And him to dust thought to have battred quight, Untill Duessa loud to him gan crye; O great Orgoglio, greatest under skye, O hold thy mortall hand for Ladies sake, Hold for my sake, and do him not to dye,° 120 But vanquisht thine eternall bondslave make, And me, thy worthy meed, unto thy Leman take. XV He hearkned, and did stay from further harmes, To gayne so goodly guerdon, as she spake: So willingly she came into his armes, 125 Who her as willingly to grace did take, And was possessed of his new found make. Then up he tooke the slombred sencelesse corse, And ere he could out of his swowne awake, Him to his castle brought with hastie forse, 130 And in a Dongeon deepe him threw without remorse. XVI From that day forth Duessa was his deare, And highly honourd in his haughtie eye, He gave her gold and purple pall to weare, And triple crowne set on her head full hye, 135 And her endowd with royall majestye: Then for to make her dreaded more of men, And peoples harts with awfull terrour tye, A monstrous beast° ybred in filthy fen He chose, which he had kept long time in darksome den.° XVII 140 Such one it was, as that renowmed Snake° Which great Alcides in Stremona slew, Long fostred in the filth of Lerna lake, Whose many heads out budding ever new Did breed him endlesse labour to subdew: 145 But this same Monster much more ugly was; For seven great heads out of his body grew, An yron brest, and back of scaly bras,° And all embrewd in bloud, his eyes did shine as glas. XVIII His tayle was stretched out in wondrous length, 150 That to the house of heavenly gods it raught,° And with extorted powre, and borrow'd strength, The ever-burning lamps from thence it braught, And prowdly threw to ground, as things of naught; And underneath his filthy feet did tread 155 The sacred things, and holy heasts foretaught.° Upon this dreadfull Beast with sevenfold head He sett the false Duessa, for more aw and dread. XIX The wofull Dwarfe, which saw his maisters fall, Whiles he had keeping of his grasing steed, 160 And valiant knight become a caytive thrall, When all was past, tooke up his forlorne weed,° His mightie armour, missing most at need; His silver shield, now idle maisterlesse; His poynant speare, that many made to bleed, 165 The rueful moniments° of heavinesse, And with them all departes, to tell his great distresse. XX He had not travaild long, when on the way He wofull Ladie, wofull Una met, Fast flying from that Paynims greedy pray, 170 Whilest Satyrane him from pursuit did let: Who when her eyes she on the Dwarfe had set, And saw the signes, that deadly tydings spake, She fell to ground for sorrowfull regret, And lively breath her sad brest did forsake, 175 Yet might her pitteous hart be seene to pant and quake. XXI The messenger of so unhappie newes, Would faine have dyde: dead was his hart within, Yet outwardly some little comfort shewes: At last recovering hart, he does begin 180 To rub her temples, and to chaufe her chin, And everie tender part does tosse and turne. So hardly° he the flitted life does win, Unto her native prison to retourne: Then gins her grieved ghost thus to lament and mourne. XXII 185 Ye dreary instruments of dolefull sight, That doe this deadly spectacle behold, Why do ye lenger feed on loathed light, Or liking find to gaze on earthly mould, Sith cruell fates the carefull threeds unfould, 190 The which my life and love together tyde? Now let the stony dart of senselesse cold Perce to my hart, and pas through every side, And let eternall night so sad sight fro me hide. XXIII O lightsome day, the lampe of highest Jove, 195 First made by him, mens wandring wayes to guyde, When darkenesse he in deepest dongeon drove, Henceforth thy hated face for ever hyde, And shut up heavens windowes shyning wyde: For earthly sight can nought but sorrow breed, 200 And late repentance, which shall long abyde. Mine eyes no more on vanitie shall feed, But seeled up with death,° shall have their deadly meed. XXIV Then downe againe she fell unto the ground; But he her quickly reared up againe: 205 Thrise did she sinke adowne in deadly swownd And thrise he her reviv'd with busie paine, At last when life recover'd had the raine, And over-wrestled his strong enemie, With foltring tong, and trembling every vaine, 210 Tell on (quoth she) the wofull Tragedie, The which these reliques sad present unto mine eie. XXV Tempestuous fortune hath spent all her spight, And thrilling sorrow throwne his utmost dart; Thy sad tongue cannot tell more heavy plight, 215 Then that I feele, and harbour in mine hart: Who hath endur'd the whole, can beare each part. If death it be, it is not the first wound, That launched hath my brest with bleeding smart. Begin, and end the bitter balefull stound;° 220 If lesse then that I feare,° more favour I have found. XXVI Then gan the Dwarfe the whole discourse declare, The subtill traines of Archimago old; The wanton loves of false Fidessa faire, Bought with the blood of vanquisht Paynim bold; 225 The wretched payre transformed to treen mould; The house of Pride, and perils round about; The combat, which he with Sansjoy did hould; The lucklesse conflict with the Gyant stout, Wherein captiv'd, of life or death he stood in doubt. XXVII 230 She heard with patience all unto the end, And strove to maister sorrowfull assay,° Which greater grew, the more she did contend, And almost rent her tender hart in tway; And love fresh coles unto her fire did lay: 235 For greater love, the greater is the losse. Was never Lady° loved dearer day, Then she did love the knight of the Redcrosse; For whose deare sake so many troubles her did tosse. XXVIII At last when fervent sorrow slaked was, 240 She up arose, resolving him to find Alive or dead: and forward forth doth pas, All as the Dwarfe the way to her assynd: And evermore, in constant carefull mind, She fed her wound with fresh renewed bale; 245 Long tost with stormes, and bet with bitter wind, High over hills, and low adowne the dale, She wandred many a wood, and measurd many a vale. XXIX At last she chaunced by good hap to meet A goodly knight,° faire marching by the way 250 Together with his Squire, arrayed meet: His glitterand armour shined farre away, Like glauncing light of Phœbus brightest ray; From top to toe no place appeared bare, That deadly dint of steele endanger may: 255 Athwart his brest a bauldrick brave he ware, That shynd, like twinkling stars, with stons most pretious rare. XXX And in the midst thereof one pretious stone Of wondrous worth, and eke of wondrous mights, Shapt like a Ladies head,° exceeding shone, 260 Like Hesperus° emongst the lesser lights, And strove for to amaze the weaker sights: Thereby his mortall blade full comely hong In yvory sheath, ycarv'd with curious slights; Whose hilts were burnisht gold, and handle strong 265 Of mother pearle, and buckled with a golden tong. XXXI His haughtie helmet, horrid all with gold, Both glorious brightnesse, and great terrour bred; For all the crest a Dragon° did enfold With greedie pawes, and over all did spred 270 His golden wings: his dreadfull hideous hed Close couched on the bever, seem'd to throw From flaming mouth bright sparkles fierie red, That suddeine horror to faint harts did show, And scaly tayle was stretcht adowne his backe full low. XXXII 275 Upon the top of all his loftie crest, A bunch of haires discolourd diversly, With sprincled pearle, and gold full richly drest, Did shake, and seemd to daunce for jollity, Like to an Almond tree ymounted hye 280 On top of greene Selinis° all alone, With blossoms brave bedecked daintily; Whose tender locks do tremble every one At every little breath that under heaven is blowne. XXXIII His warlike shield° all closely cover'd was, 285 Ne might of mortall eye be ever seene; Not made of steele, nor of enduring bras, Such earthly mettals soone consumed beene; But all of Diamond perfect pure and cleene It framed was, one massie entire mould, 290 Hewen out of Adamant rocke with engines keene, That point of speare it never percen could, Ne dint of direfull sword divide the substance would. XXXIV The same to wight he never wont disclose, But when as monsters huge he would dismay, 295 Or daunt unequall armies of his foes, Or when the flying heavens he would affray; For so exceeding shone his glistring ray, That Phœbus golden face it did attaint, As when a cloud his beames doth over-lay; 300 And silver Cynthia° wexed pale and faint, As when her face is staynd with magicke arts constraint. XXXV No magicke arts hereof had any might, Nor bloudie wordes of bold Enchaunters call; But all that was not such as seemd in sight,° 305 Before that shield did fade, and suddeine fall; And, when him list° the raskall routes appall, Men into stones therewith he could transmew, And stones to dust, and dust to nought at all; And when him list the prouder lookes subdew, 310 He would them gazing blind, or turne to other hew. XXXVI Ne let it seeme, that credence this exceedes, For he that made the same, was knowne right well To have done much more admirable deedes. It Merlin° was, which whylome did excell 315 All living wightes in might of magicke spell: Both shield, and sword, and armour all he wrought For this young Prince, when first to armes he fell; But when he dyde, the Faerie Queene it brought To Faerie lond, where yet it may be seene, if sought. XXXVII 320 A gentle youth, his dearely loved Squire, His speare of heben wood behind him bare, Whose harmefull head, thrice heated in the fire, Had riven many a brest with pikehead square: A goodly person, and could menage faire 325 His stubborne steed with curbed canon bit, Who under him did trample° as the aire, And chauft, that any on his backe should sit; The yron rowels into frothy fome he bit. XXXVIII When as this knight nigh to the Ladie drew, 330 With lovely court he gan her entertaine; But when he heard her answeres loth, he knew Some secret sorrow did her heart distraine: Which to allay, and calme her storming paine, Faire feeling words he wisely gan display, 335 And for her humour° fitting purpose faine, To tempt the cause it selfe for to bewray; Wherewith emmov'd, these bleeding words she gan to say. XXXIX What worlds delight, or joy of living speach Can heart, so plung'd in sea of sorrowes deep, 340 And heaped with so huge misfortunes, reach? The carefull cold beginneth for to creepe, And in my heart his yron arrow steepe, Soone as I thinke upon my bitter bale: Such helplesse harmes yts better hidden keepe, 345 Then rip up griefe, where it may not availe, My last left comfort is, my woes to weepe and waile. XL Ah Ladie deare, quoth then the gentle knight, Well may I weene your griefe is wondrous great; For wondrous great griefe groneth in my spright, 350 Whiles thus I heare you of your sorrowes treat. But wofull Ladie, let me you intrete For to unfold the anguish of your hart: Mishaps are maistred by advice discrete, And counsell mittigates the greatest smart; 355 Found° never helpe who never would his hurts impart. XLI O but (quoth she) great griefe will not be tould,° And can more easily be thought then said. Right so (quoth he), but he that never would, Could never: will to might gives greatest aid. 360 But griefe (quoth she) does greater grow displaid, If then it find not helpe, and breedes despaire. Despaire breedes not (quoth he) where faith is staid. No faith° so fast (quoth she) but flesh does paire. Flesh may empaire (quoth he) but reason can repaire. XLII 365 His goodly reason, and well guided speach, So deepe did settle in her gracious thought, That her perswaded to disclose the breach, Which love and fortune in her heart had wrought, And said; Faire Sir, I hope good hap hath brought 370 You to inquire the secrets of my griefe, Or that your wisedome will direct my thought, Or that your prowesse can me yield reliefe: Then heare the storie sad, which I shall tell you briefe. XLIII The forlorne Maiden, whom your eyes have seene 375 The laughing stocke of fortunes mockeries, Am th' only daughter° of a King and Queene, Whose parents deare, whilest equal destinies° Did runne about, and their felicities The favourable heavens did not envy, 380 Did spread their rule through all the territories, Which Phison° and Euphrates floweth by, And Gehons golden waves doe wash continually. XLIV Till that their cruell cursed enemy, An huge great Dragon horrible in sight, 385 Bred in the loathly lakes of Tartary,° With murdrous ravine, and devouring might Their kingdome spoild, and countrey wasted quight: Themselves, for feare into his jawes to fall, He forst to castle strong to take their flight, 390 Where fast embard in mighty brasen wall, He has them now foure yeres besiegd to make them thrall.° XLV Full many knights adventurous and stout Have enterpriz'd that Monster to subdew; From every coast that heaven walks about,° 395 Have thither come the noble Martiall crew, That famous hard atchievements still pursew; Yet never any could that girlond win, But all still shronke, and still he greater grew: All they for want of faith, or guilt of sin, 400 The pitteous pray of his fierce crueltie have bin. XLVI At last yledd with farre reported praise, Which flying fame throughout the world had spred, Of doughty knights, whom Faery land did raise, That noble order° hight of Maidenhed, 405 Forthwith to court of Gloriane° I sped Of Gloriane great Queene of glory bright, Whose Kingdomes seat Cleopolis° is red, There to obtaine some such redoubted knight, The Parents deare from tyrants powre deliver might. XLVII 410 It was my chance (my chance was faire and good) There for to find a fresh unproved knight, Whose manly hands imbrew'd in guiltie blood Had never bene, ne ever by his might Had throwne to ground the unregarded right: 415 Yet of his prowesse proofe he since hath made (I witnesse am) in many a cruell fight; The groning ghosts of many one dismaide Have felt the bitter dint of his avenging blade. XLVIII And ye the forlorne reliques of his powre, 420 His byting sword, and his devouring speare, Which have endured many a dreadfull stowre, Can speake his prowesse, that did earst you beare, And well could rule: now he hath left you heare To be the record of his ruefull losse, 425 And of my dolefull disaventurous deare:° O heavie record of the good Redcrosse, Where have you left your Lord, that could so well you tosse? XLIX Well hoped I, and faire beginnings had, That he my captive languor° should redeeme, 430 Till all unweeting, an Enchaunter bad His sence abusd, and made him to misdeeme My loyalty,° not such as it did seeme; That rather death desire, then such despight. Be judge ye heavens, that all things right esteeme, 435 How I him lov'd, and love with all my might, So thought I eke of him, and thinke I thought aright. L Thenceforth me desolate he quite forsooke, To wander, where wilde fortune would me lead, And other bywaies he himselfe betooke, 440 Where never foot of living wight did tread, That brought° not backe the balefull body dead; In which him chaunced false Duessa meete, Mine onely foe, mine onely deadly dread, Who with her witchcraft, and misseeming sweete, 445 Inveigled him to follow her desires unmeete. LI At last by subtill sleights she him betraid Unto his foe, a Gyant huge and tall, Who him disarmed, dissolute, dismaid, Unwares surprised, and with mighty mall 450 The monster mercilesse him made to fall, Whose fall did never foe before behold; And now in darkesome dungeon, wretched thrall, Remedilesse, for aie he doth him hold; This is my cause of griefe, more great then may be told. LII 455 Ere she had ended all, she gan to faint: But he her comforted and faire bespake, Certes, Madame, ye have great cause of plaint, The stoutest heart, I weene, could cause to quake. But be of cheare, and comfort to you take: 460 For till I have acquit your captive knight, Assure your selfe, I will you not forsake. His chearefull wordes reviv'd her chearelesse spright, So forth they went, the Dwarfe them guiding ever right. CANTO VIII Faire virgin, to redeeme her deare brings Arthur to the fight: Who slayes that Gyant, woundes the beast, and strips Duessa quight. I AY me, how many perils doe enfold The righteous man, to make him daily fall, Were not that heavenly grace doth him uphold, And stedfast truth acquite him out of all. 5 Her love is firme, her care continuall, So oft as he through his owne foolish pride, Or weaknesse is to sinfull bands made thrall: Else should this Redcrosse knight in bands have dydd For whose deliverance she this Prince doth thither guide. II 10 They sadly traveild thus, until they came Nigh to a castle builded strong and hie: Then cryde the Dwarfe, Lo yonder is the same, In which my Lord my liege doth lucklesse lie, Thrall to that Gyants hateful tyrannie: 15 Therefore, deare Sir, your mightie powres assay. The noble knight alighted by and by From loftie steede, and bad the Ladie stay, To see what end of fight should him befall that day. III So with the Squire, th' admirer of his might, 20 He marched forth towards that castle wall; Whose gates he found fast shut, ne living wight To ward the same, nor answere commers call. Then tooke that Squire an horne° of bugle small. Which hong adowne his side in twisted gold 25 And tassels gay. Wyde wonders over all Of that same hornes great vertues weren told, Which had approved bene in uses manifold. IV Was never wight that heard that shrilling sownd, But trembling feare did feel in every vaine; 30 Three miles it might be easie heard around, And Ecchoes three answerd it selfe againe: No false enchauntment, nor deceiptfull traine, Might once abide the terror of that blast, But presently was voide and wholly vaine: 35 No gate so strong, no locke so firme and fast, But with that percing noise flew open quite, or brast. V The same before the Geants gate he blew, That all the castle quaked from the ground, And every dore of freewill open flew. 40 The Gyant selfe dismaied with that sownd, Where he with his Duessa dalliance fownd, In hast came rushing forth from inner bowre, With staring countenance sterne, as one astownd, And staggering steps, to weet, what suddein stowre, 45 Had wrought that horror strange, and dar'd his dreaded powre. VI And after him the proud Duessa came High mounted on her many-headed beast; And every head with fyrie tongue did flame, And every head was crowned on his creast, 50 And bloody mouthed with late cruell feast.° That when the knight beheld, his mightie shild Upon his manly arme he soone addrest, And at him fiercely flew, with courage fild, And eger greedinesse through every member thrild. VII 55 Therewith the Gyant buckled him to fight, Inflam'd with scornefull wrath and high disdaine, And lifting up his dreadfull club on hight, All arm'd with ragged snubbes and knottie graine, Him thought at first encounter to have slaine. 60 But wise and wary was that noble Pere, And lightly leaping from so monstrous maine, Did faire avoide the violence him nere; It booted nought to thinke such thunderbolts to beare. VIII Ne shame he thought to shunne so hideous might: 65 The idle stroke, enforcing furious way, Missing the marke of his misaymed sight Did fall to ground, and with his heavie sway So deepely dinted in the driven clay, That three yardes deepe a furrow up did throw: 70 The sad earth wounded with so sore assay, Did grone full grievous underneath the blow, And trembling with strange feare, did like an earthquake show. IX As when almightie Jove, in wrathfull mood,° To wreake the guilt of mortall sins is bent, 75 Hurles forth his thundring dart with deadly food, Enrold in flames, and smouldring dreriment, Through riven cloudes and molten firmament; The fierce threeforked engin making way Both loftie towres and highest trees hath rent, 80 And all that might his angry passage stay, And shooting in the earth, casts up a mount of clay. X His boystrous club, so buried in the ground, He could not rearen up againe so light, But that the knight him at avantage found, 85 And whiles he strove his combred clubbe to quight Out of the earth, with blade all burning bright He smote off his left arme, which like a blocke Did fall to ground, depriv'd of native might; Large streames of bloud out of the truncked stocke 90 Forth gushed, like fresh water streame from riven rocke. XI Dismayed with so desperate deadly wound, And eke impatient of unwonted paine, He lowdly brayd with beastly yelling sound, That all the fields rebellowed againe; 95 As great a noyse, as when in Cymbrian plaine° An heard of Bulles, whom kindly rage° doth sting, Do for the milkie mothers want complaine, And fill the fields with troublous bellowing, The neighbour woods around with hollow murmur ring. XII 100 That when his deare Duessa heard, and saw The evil stownd, that daungerd her estate, Unto his aide she hastily did draw Her dreadfull beast, who swolne with blood of late Came ramping forth with proud presumpteous gate, 105 And threatned all his heads like flaming brands.° But him the Squire made quickly to retrate, Encountring fierce with single sword in hand, And twixt him and his Lord did like a bulwarke stand. XIII The proud Duessa, full of wrathfull spight, 110 And fierce disdaine, to be affronted so, Enforst her purple beast with all her might That stop out of the way to overthroe, Scorning the let of so unequall foe: But nathemore would that courageous swayne 115 To her yeeld passage, gainst his Lord to goe, But with outrageous strokes did him restraine, And with his bodie bard the way atwixt them twaine. XIV Then tooke the angrie witch her golden cup,° Which still she bore, replete with magick artes; 120 Death and despeyre did many thereof sup, And secret poyson through their inner parts, Th' eternall bale of heavie wounded harts; Which after charmes and some enchauntments said She lightly sprinkled on his weaker parts; 125 Therewith his sturdie courage soone was quayd, And all his senses were with suddeine dread dismayd. XV So downe he fell before the cruell beast, Who on his neck his bloody clawes did seize, That life nigh crusht out of his panting brest: 130 No powre he had to stirre, nor will to rize. That when the carefull knight gan well avise, He lightly left the foe, with whom he fought, And to the beast gan turne his enterprise; For wondrous anguish in his hart it wrought, 135 To see his loved Squire into such thraldome brought. XVI And high advauncing his blood-thirstie blade, Stroke one of those deformed heads so sore, That of his puissance proud ensample made; His monstrous scalpe downe to his teeth it tore, 140 And that misformed shape mis-shaped more: A sea of blood gusht from the gaping wound, That her gay garments staynd with filthy gore, And overflowed all the field around; That over shoes in bloud he waded on the ground. XVII 145 Thereat he roared for exceeding paine, That to have heard great horror would have bred, And scourging th' emptie ayre with his long traine, Through great impatience° of his grieved hed His gorgeous ryder from her loftie sted 150 Would have cast downe, and trod in durtie myre, Had not the Gyant soone her succoured; Who all enrag'd with smart and franticke yre, Came hurtling in full fierce, and forst the knight retyre. XVIII The force which wont in two to be disperst, 155 In one alone left hand° he now unites, Which is through rage more strong than both were erst; With which his hideous club aloft he dites, And at his foe with furious rigour smites, That strongest Oake might seeme to overthrow: 160 The stroke upon his shield so heavie lites, That to the ground it doubleth him full low: What mortall wight could ever beare so monstrous blow? XIX And in his fall his shield,° that covered was, Did loose his vele by chaunce, and open flew: 165 The light whereof, that heavens light did pas, Such blazing brightnesse through the aier threw, That eye mote not the same endure to vew. Which when the Gyaunt spyde with staring eye, He downe let fall his arme, and soft withdrew 170 His weapon huge, that heaved was on hye For to have slaine the man, that on the ground did lye. XX And eke the fruitfull-headed beast, amazd At flashing beames of that sunshiny shield, Became starke blind, and all his sences daz'd, 175 That downe he tumbled on the durtie field, And seem'd himselfe as conquered to yield. Whom when his maistresse proud perceiv'd to fall, Whiles yet his feeble feet for faintnesse reeld, Unto the Gyant loudly she gan call, 180 O helpe Orgoglio, helpe, or else we perish all. XXI At her so pitteous cry was much amoov'd Her champion stout, and for to ayde his frend, Againe his wonted angry weapon proov'd: But all in vaine: for he has read his end 185 In that bright shield, and all their forces spend Themselves in vaine: for since that glauncing sight, He had no powre to hurt, nor to defend; As where th' Almighties lightning brond does light, It dimmes the dazed eyen, and daunts the senses quight. XXII 190 Whom when the Prince, to battell new addrest, And threatning high his dreadfull stroke did see, His sparkling blade about his head he blest, And smote off quite his right leg by the knee, That downe he tombled; as an aged tree, 195 High growing on the top of rocky clift, Whose hartstrings with keene steele nigh hewen be, The mightie trunck halfe rent, with ragged rift Doth roll adowne the rocks, and fall with fearefull drift. XXIII Or as a Castle reared high and round, 200 By subtile engins and malitious slight Is undermined from the lowest ground, And her foundation forst, and feebled quight, At last downe falles, and with her heaped hight Her hastie ruine does more heavie make, 205 And yields it selfe unto the victours might; Such was this Gyants fall, that seemd to shake The stedfast globe of earth, as it for feare did quake. XXIV The knight then lightly leaping to the pray, With mortall steele him smot againe so sore, 210 That headlesse his unweldy bodie lay, All wallowd in his owne fowle bloudy gore, Which flowed from his wounds in wondrous store. But soone as breath out of his breast did pas, That huge great body, which the Gyaunt bore, 215 Was vanisht quite, and of that monstrous mas Was nothing left, but like an emptie bladder was. XXV Whose grievous fall, when false Duessa spide, Her golden cup she cast unto the ground, And crowned mitre rudely threw aside; 220 Such percing griefe her stubborne hart did wound, That she could not endure that dolefull stound, But leaving all behind her, fled away; The light-foot Squire her quickly turnd around, And by hard meanes enforcing her to stay, 225 So brought unto his Lord, as his deserved pray. XXVI The royall Virgin which beheld from farre, In pensive plight, and sad perplexitie, The whole atchievement of this doubtfull warre, Came running fast to greet his victorie, 230 With sober gladnesse, and myld modestie, And with sweet joyous cheare him thus bespake: Faire braunch of noblesse, flowre of chevalrie, That with your worth the world amazed make, How shall I quite the paines ye suffer for my sake? XXVII 235 And you fresh budd of vertue springing fast, Whom these sad eyes saw nigh unto deaths dore, What hath poore Virgin for such perill past Wherewith you to reward? Accept therefore My simple selfe, and service evermore; 240 And he that high does sit, and all things see With equall eyes, their merites to restore, Behold what ye this day have done for mee, And what I cannot quite, requite with usuree. XXVIII But sith the heavens, and your faire handeling 245 Have made you master of the field this day, Your fortune maister° eke with governing, And well begun end all so well, I pray. Ne let that wicked woman scape away; For she it is, that did my Lord bethrall, 250 My dearest Lord, and deepe in dongeon lay, Where he his better dayes hath wasted all. O heare, how piteous he to you for ayd does call. XXIX Forthwith he gave in charge unto his Squire, That scarlot whore to keepen carefully; 255 Whiles he himselfe with greedie great desire Into the Castle entred forcibly, Where living creature none he did espye; Then gan he lowdly through the house to call: But no man car'd to answere to his crye. 260 There raignd a solemne silence over all, Nor voice was heard, nor wight was seene in bowre or hall. XXX At last with creeping crooked pace forth came An old old man, with beard as white as snow, That on a staffe his feeble steps did frame, 265 And guide his wearie gate both to and fro: For his eye sight him failed long ygo, And on his arme a bounch of keyes he bore, The which unused rust° did overgrow: Those were the keyes of every inner dore, 270 But he could not them use, but kept them still in store. XXXI But very uncouth sight was to behold, How he did fashion his untoward pace, For as he forward moov'd his footing old, So backward still was turnd his wrincled face, 275 Unlike to men, who ever as they trace, Both feet and face one way are wont to lead. This was the auncient keeper of that place, And foster father of the Gyant dead; His name Ignaro did his nature right aread. XXXII 280 His reverend haires and holy gravitie The knight much honord, as beseemed well, And gently askt, where all the people bee, Which in that stately building wont to dwell. Who answerd him full soft, he could not tell. 285 Again he askt, where that same knight was layd, Whom great Orgoglio with his puissance fell Had made his caytive thrall, againe he sayde, He could not tell: ne ever other answere made. XXXIII Then asked he, which way he in might pas: 290 He could not tell, againe he answered. Thereat the curteous knight displeased was, And said, Old sire, it seemes thou hast not red How ill it sits with that same silver hed, In vaine to mocke, or mockt in vaine to bee: 295 But if thou be, as thou art pourtrahed With natures pen,° in ages grave degree, Aread in graver wise, what I demaund of thee. XXXIV His answere likewise was, he could not tell. Whose sencelesse speach, and doted ignorance 300 When as the noble Prince had marked well, He ghest his nature by his countenance, And calmd his wrath with goodly temperance. Then to him stepping, from his arme did reach Those keyes, and made himselfe free enterance. 305 Each dore he opened without any breach; There was no barre to stop, nor foe him to empeach. XXXV There all within full rich arrayd he found, With royall arras and resplendent gold. And did with store of every thing abound, 310 That greatest Princes° presence might behold. But all the floore (too filthy to be told) With bloud of guiltlesse babes, and innocents trew,° Which there were slaine, as sheepe out of the fold, Defiled was, that dreadfull was to vew, 315 And sacred ashes over it was strowed new.° XXXVI And there beside of marble stone was built An Altare,° carv'd with cunning ymagery, On which true Christians bloud was often spilt, And holy Martyrs often doen to dye, 320 With cruell malice and strong tyranny: Whose blessed sprites from underneath the stone To God for vengeance cryde continually, And with great griefe were often heard to grone, That hardest heart would bleede, to hear their piteous mone. XXXVII 325 Through every rowme he sought, and every bowr, But no where could he find that woful thrall: At last he came unto an yron doore, That fast was lockt, but key found not at all Emongst that bounch, to open it withall; 330 But in the same a little grate was pight, Through which he sent his voyce, and lowd did call With all his powre, to weet, if living wight Were housed there within, whom he enlargen might. XXXVIII Therewith an hollow, dreary, murmuring voyce 335 These pitteous plaints and dolours did resound; O who is that, which brings me happy choyce Of death, that here lye dying every stound, Yet live perforce in balefull darkenesse bound? For now three Moones have changed thrice their hew, 340 And have been thrice hid underneath the ground, Since I the heavens chearfull face did vew, O welcome thou, that doest of death bring tydings trew. XXXIX Which when that Champion heard, with percing point Of pitty deare his hart was thrilled sore, 345 And trembling horrour ran through every joynt For ruth of gentle knight so fowle forlore: Which shaking off, he rent that yron dore, With furious force, and indignation fell; Where entred in, his foot could find no flore, 350 But all a deepe descent, as darke as hell, That breathed ever forth a filthie banefull smell. XL But neither darkenesse fowle, nor filthy bands, Nor noyous smell his purpose could withhold, (Entire affection hateth nicer hands) 355 But that with constant zeale, and courage bold, After long paines and labours manifold, He found the meanes that Prisoner up to reare; Whose feeble thighes, unhable to uphold His pined corse, him scarse to light could beare. 360 A ruefull spectacle of death and ghastly drere. XLI His sad dull eyes deepe sunck in hollow pits, Could not endure th' unwonted sunne to view; His bare thin cheekes for want of better bits, And empty sides deceived of their dew, 365 Could make a stony hart his hap to rew; His rawbone armes, whose mighty brawned bowrs° Were wont to rive steele plates, and helmets hew, Were cleane consum'd, and all his vitall powres Decayd, and all his flesh shronk up like withered flowres. XLII 370 Whom when his Lady saw, to him she ran With hasty joy: to see him made her glad, And sad to view his visage pale and wan, Who earst in flowres of freshest youth was clad. Tho when her well of teares she wasted had, 375 She said, Ah dearest Lord, what evill starre° On you hath fround, and pourd his influence bad, That of your selfe ye thus berobbed arre, And this misseeming hew your manly looks doth marre? XLIII But welcome now my Lord, in wele or woe, 380 Whose presence I have lackt too long a day; And fie on Fortune mine avowed foe,° Whose wrathful wreakes them selves doe now alay. And for these wrongs shall treble penaunce pay Of treble good: good growes of evils priefe.° 385 The chearelesse man, whom sorrow did dismay, Had no delight to treaten of his griefe; His long endured famine needed more reliefe. XLIV Faire Lady, then said that victorious knight, The things, that grievous were to do, or beare, 390 Them to renew, I wote, breeds no delight; Best musicke breeds delight° in loathing eare: But th' onely good, that growes of passed feare, Is to be wise, and ware of like agein. This dayes ensample hath this lesson deare 395 Deepe written in my heart with yron pen, That blisse may not abide in state of mortall men. XLV Henceforth sir knight, take to you wonted strength, And maister these mishaps with patient might; Loe where your foe lyes stretcht in monstrous length, 400 And loe that wicked woman in your sight, The roote of all your care, and wretched plight, Now in your powre, to let her live, or dye. To do her dye (quoth Una) were despight, And shame t'avenge so weake an enimy; 405 But spoile her of her scarlot robe, and let her fly. XLVI So as she bad, that witch they disaraid,° And robd of royall robes, and purple pall, And ornaments that richly were displaid; Ne spared they to strip her naked all. 410 Then when they had despoiled her tire and call, Such as she was, their eyes might her behold, That her misshaped parts did them appall, A loathly, wrinckled hag, ill favoured, old, Whose secret filth good manners biddeth not be told. * * * * * XLIX 415 Which when the knights beheld, amazd they were, And wondred at so fowle deformed wight. Such then (said Una) as she seemeth here, Such is the face of falshood, such the sight Of fowle Duessa, when her borrowed light 420 Is laid away, and counterfesaunce knowne. Thus when they had the witch disrobed quight, And all her filthy feature open showne, They let her goe at will, and wander wayes unknowne. L She flying fast from heavens hated face, 425 And from the world that her discovered wide, Fled to the wastfull wildernesse apace, From living eyes her open shame to hide, And lurkt in rocks and caves long unespide. But that faire crew of knights, and Una faire 430 Did in that castle afterwards abide, To rest them selves, and weary powres repaire, Where store they found of all that dainty was and rare. CANTO IX His loves and lignage Arthur tells: the Knights knit friendly hands: Sir Trevisan flies from Despayre, whom Redcrosse Knight withstands. I O GOODLY golden chaine,° wherewith yfere The vertues linked are in lovely wize: And noble mindes of yore allyed were, In brave poursuit of chevalrous emprize, 5 That none did others safety despize, Nor aid envy to him, in need that stands, But friendly each did others prayse devize, How to advaunce with favourable hands, As this good Prince redeemd the Redcrosse knight from bands. II 10 Who when their powres empaird through labour long, With dew repast they had recured well, And that weake captive wight now wexed strong, Them list no lenger there at leasure dwell, But forward fare, as their adventures fell, 15 But ere they parted, Una faire besought That straunger knight his name and nation tell; Least so great good, as he for her had wrought, Should die unknown, and buried be in thanklesse° thought. III Faire virgin (said the Prince) ye me require 20 A thing without the compas of my wit: For both the lignage and the certain Sire, From which I sprong, from me are hidden yit. For all so soone as life did me admit Into this world, and shewed heavens light, 25 From mothers pap I taken was unfit: And streight deliver'd to a Faery knight,° To be upbrought in gentle thewes and martiall might. IV Unto old Timon he me brought bylive, Old Timon, who in youthly yeares hath beene 30 In warlike feates th'expertest man alive, And is the wisest now on earth I weene; His dwelling is low in a valley greene, Under the foot of Rauran mossy hore,° From whence the river Dee° as silver cleene, 35 His tombling billowes roll with gentle rore: There all my dayes he traind me up in vertuous lore. V Thither the great magicien Merlin came, As was his use, ofttimes to visit me: For he had charge my discipline to frame,° 40 And Tutours nouriture to oversee. Him oft and oft I askt in privitie, Of what loines and what lignage I did spring: Whose aunswere bad me still assured bee, That I was sonne and heire unto a king, 45 As time in her just terme° the truth to light should bring. VI Well worthy impe, said then the Lady gent, And pupill fit for such a Tutours hand. But what adventure, or what high intent Hath brought you hither into Faery land, 50 Aread Prince Arthur, crowne of Martiall band? Full hard it is (quoth he) to read aright The course of heavenly cause, or understand The secret meaning of th' eternall might, That rules mens wayes, and rules the thoughts of living wight. VII 55 For whether he through fatall deepe foresight Me hither sent, for cause to me unghest, Or that fresh bleeding wound,° which day and night Whilome doth rancle in my riven brest, With forced fury° following his behest, 60 Me hither brought by wayes yet never found; You to have helpt I hold myself yet blest. Ah curteous knight (quoth she) what secret wound Could ever find,° to grieve the gentlest hart on ground? VIII Deare dame (quoth he) you sleeping sparkes awake,° 65 Which troubled once, into huge flames will grow, Ne ever will their fervent fury slake, Till living moysture into smoke do flow, And wasted life do lye in ashes low. Yet sithens silence lesseneth not my fire, 70 But told° it flames, and hidden it does glow; I will revele what ye so much desire: Ah Love, lay down thy bow, the whiles I may respire. IX It was in freshest flowre of youthly yeares, When courage first does creepe in manly chest, 75 Then first the coale of kindly heat appeares To kindle love in every living brest; But me had warnd old Timons wise behest, Those creeping flames by reason to subdew, Before their rage grew to so great unrest, 80 As miserable lovers use to rew, Which still wex old in woe, whiles woe still wexeth new. X That idle name of love, and lovers life, As losse of time, and vertues enimy, I ever scornd, and joyd to stirre up strife, 85 In middest of their mournfull Tragedy, Ay wont to laugh, when them I heard to cry, And blow the fire, which them to ashes brent: Their God himselfe, griev'd at my libertie, Shot many a dart at me with fiers intent, 90 But I them warded all with wary government. XI But all in vaine: no fort can be so strong, Ne fleshly brest can armed be so sound, But will at last be wonne with battrie long, Or unawares at disadvantage found: 95 Nothing is sure, that growes on earthly ground: And who most trustes in arme of fleshly might, And boasts in beauties chaine not to be bound, Doth soonest fall in disaventrous fight, And yeeldes his caytive neck to victours most despight. XII 100 Ensample make° of him your haplesse joy, And of my selfe now mated, as ye see; Whose prouder vaunt that proud avenging boy Did soone pluck downe and curbd my libertie. For on a day, prickt forth with jollitie 105 Of looser life, and heat of hardiment, Raunging the forest wide on courser free, The fields, the floods, the heavens with one consent Did seeme to laugh on me, and favour mine intent. XIII For-wearied with my sports, I did alight 110 From loftie steed, and downe to sleepe me layd; The verdant gras my couch did goodly dight, And pillow was my helmet faire displayd: Whiles every sence° the humour sweet embayd, And slombring soft my hart did steale away, 115 Me seemed, by my side a royall Mayd Her daintie limbes full softly down did lay: So faire a creature yet saw never sunny day. XIV Most goodly glee and lovely blandishment She to me made, and bad me love her deare; 120 For dearely sure her love was to me bent, As when just time expired should appeare. But whether dreames delude, or true it were, Was never hart so ravisht with delight, Ne living man like words did ever heare, 125 As she to me delivered all that night; And at her parting said, She Queene of Faeries hight. XV When I awoke, and found her place devoyd, And nought but pressed gras, where she had lyen, I sorrowed all so much as earst I joyd, 130 And washed all her place with watry eyen. From that day forth I lov'd that face divine; From that day forth I cast in carefull mind To seeke her out with labour, and long tyne, And never vowd to rest till her I find, 135 Nine monethes I seeke in vain, yet ni'll that vow unbind. XVI Thus as he spake, his visage wexed pale, And chaunge of hew great passion did bewray; Yet still he strove to cloke his inward bale, And hide the smoke that did his fire display, 140 Till gentle Una thus to him gan say; O happy Queene of Faeries, that has found Mongst many, one that with his prowesse may Defend thine honour, and thy foes confound: True Loves are often sown, but seldom grow on ground. XVII 145 Thine, O then, said the gentle Recrosse knight, Next to that Ladies love,° shal be the place, O fairest virgin, full of heavenly light, Whose wondrous faith exceeding earthly race, Was firmest fixt° in mine extremest case. 150 And you, my Lord, the Patrone of my life, Of that great Queene may well gaine worthy grace: For onely worthy you through prowes priefe, Yf living man mote worthie be, to be her liefe. XVIII So diversly discoursing of their loves, 155 The golden Sunne his glistring head gan shew, And sad remembraunce now the Prince amoves With fresh desire his voyage to pursew; Als Una earnd her traveill to renew. Then those two knights, fast friendship for to bynd, 160 And love establish each to other trew, Gave goodly gifts, the signes of gratefull mynd, And eke the pledges firme, right hands together joynd. XIX Prince Arthur gave a boxe of Diamond sure, Embowd with gold and gorgeous ornament, 165 Wherein were closd few drops of liquor pure, Of wondrous worth, and vertue excellent, That any wound could heale incontinent: Which to requite, the Redcrosse knight him gave A booke,° wherein his Saveours testament 170 Was writ with golden letters rich and brave; A worke of wondrous grace, and able soules to save. XX Thus beene they parted, Arthur on his way To seeke his love, and th' other for to fight With Unaes foe, that all her realme did pray. 175 But she now weighing the decayed plight, And shrunken synewes of her chosen knight, Would not a while her forward course pursew, Ne bring him forth in face of dreadfull fight, Till he recovered had his former hew: 180 For him to be yet weake and wearie well she knew. XXI So as they traveild, lo they gan espy An armed knight° towards them gallop fast, That seemed from some feared foe to fly, Or other griesly thing, that him aghast. 185 Still as he fled, his eye was backward cast, As if his feare still followed him behind; Als flew his steed, as he his bands had brast, And with his winged heeles did tread the wind, As he had beene a fole of Pegasus° his kind. XXII 190 Nigh as he drew, they might perceive his head To be unarmd, and curld uncombed heares Upstaring stiffe, dismayd with uncouth dread; Nor drop of bloud in all his face appeares Nor life in limbe: and to increase his feares 195 In fowle reproch of knighthoods faire degree, About his neck an hempen rope he weares, That with his glistring armes does ill agree; But he of rope or armes has now no memoree. XXIII The Redcrosse knight toward him crossed fast, 200 To weet, what mister wight was so dismayd: There him he finds all sencelesse and aghast, That of him selfe he seemd to be afrayd; Whom hardly he from flying forward stayd, Till he these wordes to him deliver might; 205 Sir knight, aread who hath ye thus arayd, And eke from whom make ye this hasty flight: For never knight I saw in such misseeming plight. XXIV He answerd nought at all, but adding new Feare to his first amazment, staring wide 210 With stony eyes, and hartlesse hollow hew, Astonisht stood, as one that had aspide Infernall furies, with their chaines untide. Him yet againe, and yet againe bespake The gentle knight; who nought to him replide, 215 But trembling every joint did inly quake, And foltring tongue at last these words seemd forth to shake. XXV For Gods deare love, Sir knight, do me not stay; For loe he comes, he comes fast after mee. Eft looking back would faine have runne away; 220 But he him forst to stay, and tellen free The secret cause of his perplexitie: Yet nathemore by his bold hartie speach Could his bloud-frosen hart emboldned bee, But through his boldnesse rather feare did reach, 225 Yet forst, at last he made through silence suddein breach. XXVI And am I now in safetie sure (quoth he) From him, that would have forced me to dye? And is the point of death now turnd fro mee, That I may tell this haplesse history? 230 Feare nought: (quoth he) no daunger now is nye. Then shall I you recount a ruefull cace, (Said he) the which with this unlucky eye I late beheld, and had not greater grace° Me reft from it, had bene partaker of the place. XXVII 235 I lately chaunst (would I had never chaunst) With a faire knight to keepen companee, Sir Terwin hight, that well himselfe advaunst In all affaires, and was both bold and free, But not so happy as mote happy bee: 240 He lov'd, as was his lot, a Ladie gent, That him againe lov'd in the least degree: For she was proud, and of too high intent, And joyd to see her lover languish and lament. XXVIII From whom returning sad and comfortlesse, 245 As on the way together we did fare, We met that villen (God from him me blesse) That cursed wight, from whom I scapt whyleare, A man of hell, that cals himselfe Despaire: Who first us greets, and after faire areedes° 250 Of tydings strange, and of adventures rare: So creeping close, as Snake in hidden weedes, Inquireth of our states, and of our knightly deedes. XXIX Which when he knew, and felt our feeble harts Embost with bale, and bitter byting griefe, 255 Which love had launched with his deadly darts, With wounding words and termes of foule repriefe, He pluckt from us all hope of due reliefe, That earst us held in love of lingring life; Then hopelesse hartlesse, gan the cunning thiefe 260 Perswade us die, to stint all further strife: To me he lent this rope, to him a rustie knife. XXX With which sad instrument of hasty death, That wofull lover, loathing lenger light, A wide way made to let forth living breath. 265 But I more fearfull, or more luckie wight, Dismayd with that deformed dismall sight, Fled fast away, halfe dead with dying feare:° Ne yet assur'd of life by you, Sir knight, Whose like infirmitie° like chaunce may beare: 270 But God° you never let his charmed speeches heare. XXXI How may a man (said he) with idle speach Be wonne, to spoyle the Castle of his health?° I wote° (quoth he) whom triall late did teach, That like would not for all this worldes wealth: 275 His subtill tongue, like dropping honny, mealt'h° Into the hart, and searcheth every vaine; That ere one be aware, by secret stealth His powre is reft, and weaknesse doth remaine. O never Sir desire to try his guilefull traine. XXXII 280 Certes (said he) hence shall I never rest, Till I that treacherours art have heard and tride; And you Sir knight, whose name mote I request, Of grace do me unto his cabin guide. I that hight Trevisan (quoth he) will ride, 285 Against my liking backe, to do you grace: But not for gold nor glee° will I abide By you, when ye arrive in that same place For lever had I die, then see his deadly face. XXXIII Ere long they come, where that same wicked wight 290 His dwelling has, low in an hollow cave, Farre underneath a craggie clift ypight, Darke, dolefull, drearie, like a greedy grave, That still for carrion carcases doth crave: On top whereof aye dwelt the ghastly Owle,° 295 Shrieking his balefull note, which ever drave Far from that haunt all other chearefull fowle; And all about it wandring ghostes did waile and howle. XXXIV And all about old stockes and stubs of trees, Whereon nor fruit nor leafe was ever seene, 300 Did hang upon the ragged rocky knees; On which had many wretches hanged beene, Whose carcases were scattered on the greene, And throwne about the clifts. Arrived there, That bare-head knight for dread and dolefull teene, 305 Would faine have fled, ne durst approchen neare, But th' other forst him stay, and comforted in feare. XXXV That darkesome cave they enter, where they find That cursed man, low sitting on the ground, Musing full sadly in his sullein mind; 310 His griesie lockes, long growen, and unbound, Disordred hong about his shoulders round, And hid his face; through which his hollow eyne Lookt deadly dull, and stared as astound; His raw-bone cheekes, through penurie and pine, 315 Were shronke into his jawes, as° he did never dine. XXXVI His garment nought but many ragged clouts, With thornes together pind and patched was, The which his naked sides he wrapt abouts; And him beside there lay upon the gras 320 A drearie corse,° whose life away did pas, All wallowed in his owne yet luke-warme blood, That from his wound yet welled fresh alas; In which a rustie knife fast fixed stood, And made an open passage for the gushing flood. XXXVII 325 Which piteous spectacle, approving trew The wofull tale that Trevisan had told, When as the gentle Redcrosse knight did vew, With firie zeale he burnt in courage bold, Him to avenge, before his bloud were cold, 330 And to the villein said, Thou damned wight, The author of this fact we here behold, What justice can but judge against thee right,° With thine owne bloud to price° his bloud, here shed in sight. XXXVIII What franticke fit (quoth he) hath thus distraught 335 Thee, foolish man, so rash a doome to give? What justice° ever other judgement taught, But he should die, who merites not to live? None else to death this man despayring drive, But his owne guiltie mind deserving death. 340 Is then unjust° to each his due to give? Or let him die, that loatheth living breath? Or let him die at ease, that liveth here uneath? XXXIX Who travels by the wearie wandring way,° To come unto his wished home in haste, 345 And meetes a flood, that doth his passage stay, Is not great grace to helpe him over past, Or free his feet that in the myre sticke fast? Most envious man, that grieves at neighbours good, And fond, that joyest in the woe thou hast, 350 Why wilt not let him passe, that long hath stood Upon the banke, yet wilt thy selfe not passe the flood? XL He there does now enjoy eternall rest And happy ease, which thou dost want and crave, And further from it daily wanderest: 355 What if some little paine the passage have, That makes fraile flesh to feare the bitter wave? Is not short paine well borne, that brings long ease, And layes the soule to sleepe in quiet grave? Sleepe after toyle, port after stormie seas, 360 Ease after warre, death after life does greatly please. XLI The knight much wondred at his suddeine wit,° And said, The terme of life is limited, Ne may a man prolong, nor shorten it; The souldier may not move from watchfull sted, 365 Nor leave his stand, untill his Captaine bed. Who life did limit by almightie doome (Quoth he)° knowes best the termes established; And he, that points the Centonell his roome, Doth license him depart at sound of morning droome. XLII 370 Is not his deed, what ever thing is donne In heaven and earth? did not he all create To die againe? all ends that was begonne. Their times in his eternall booke of fate Are written sure, and have their certaine date. 375 Who then can strive with strong necessitie, That holds the world in his still chaunging state, Or shunne the death ordaynd by destinie? When houre of death is come, let none aske whence, nor why. XLIII The lenger life, I wote the greater sin, 380 The greater sin, the greater punishment: All those great battels, which thou boasts to win, Through strife, and blood-shed, and avengement, Now praysd, hereafter deare thou shalt repent: For life must life, and blood must blood repay. 385 Is not enough thy evill life forespent? For he that once hath missed the right way, The further he doth goe, the further he doth stray. XLIV Then do no further goe, no further stray, But here lie downe, and to thy rest betake, 390 Th' ill to prevent, that life ensewen may. For what hath life, that may it loved make, And gives not rather cause it to forsake? Feare, sicknesse, age, losse, labour, sorrow, strife, Paine, hunger, cold, that makes the hart to quake; 395 And ever fickle fortune rageth rife, All which, and thousands mo do make a loathsome life. XLV Thou wretched man, of death hast greatest need, If in true ballance thou wilt weigh thy state: For never knight, that dared warlike deede, 400 More lucklesse disaventures did amate: Witnesse the dungeon deepe, wherein of late Thy life shut up, for death so oft did call; And though good lucke prolonged hath thy date,° Yet death then would the like mishaps forestall, 405 Into the which hereafter thou maiest happen fall. XLVI Why then doest thou, O man of sin, desire To draw thy dayes forth to their last degree? Is not the measure of thy sinfull hire° High heaped up with huge iniquitie, 410 Against the day of wrath, to burden thee? Is not enough, that to this Ladie milde Thou falsed hast thy faith with perjurie, And sold thy selfe to serve Duessa vilde, With whom in all abuse thou hast thy selfe defilde? XLVII 415 Is not he just, that all this doth behold From highest heaven, and beares an equall eye? Shall he thy sins up in his knowledge fold, And guilty be of thine impietie? Is not his law, Let every sinner die: 420 Die shall all flesh? what then must needs be donne, Is it not better to doe willinglie, Then linger, till the glasse be all out ronne? Death is the end of woes: die soone, O faeries sonne. XLVIII The knight was much enmoved with his speach, 425 That as a swords point through his hart did perse, And in his conscience made a secret breach, Well knowing true all that he did reherse, And to his fresh remembraunce did reverse The ugly vew of his deformed crimes, 430 That all his manly powres it did disperse, As he were charmed° with inchaunted rimes, That oftentimes he quakt, and fainted oftentimes. XLIX In which amazement, when the Miscreant Perceived him to waver weake and fraile, 435 Whiles trembling horror did his conscience dant, And hellish anguish did his soule assaile, To drive him to despaire, and quite to quaile, He shew'd him painted in a table° plaine, The damned ghosts, that doe in torments waile, 440 And thousand feends that doe them endlesse paine With fire and brimstone, which for ever shall remaine. L The sight whereof so throughly him dismaid, That nought but death before his eyes he saw, And ever burning wrath before him laid, 445 By righteous sentence of th' Almighties law. Then gan the villein him to overcraw, And brought unto him swords, ropes, poison, fire, And all that might him to perdition draw; And bad him choose, what death he would desire: 450 For death was due to him, that had provokt Gods ire. LI But when as none of them he saw him take, He to him raught a dagger sharpe and keene, And gave it him in hand: his hand did quake, And tremble like a leafe of Aspin greene, 455 And troubled bloud through his pale face was seene To come, and goe with tidings from the heart, As it a running messenger had beene. At last resolv'd to worke his finall smart, He lifted up his hand, that backe againe did start. LII 460 Which whenas Una saw, through every vaine The crudled cold ran to her well of life, As in a swowne: but soone reliv'd againe, Out of his hand she snatcht the cursed knife, And threw it to the ground, enraged rife, 465 And to him said, Fie, fie, faint harted knight, What meanest thou by this reprochfull strife? Is this the battell, which thou vauntst to fight With that fire-mouthed Dragon,° horrible and bright? LIII Come, come away, fraile, seely, fleshly wight, 470 Ne let vaine words bewitch thy manly hart, Ne divelish thoughts dismay thy constant spright. In heavenly mercies hast thou not a part? Why shouldst thou then despeire, that chosen art?° Where justice growes, there grows eke greater grace, 475 The which doth quench the brond of hellish smart, And that accurst hand-writing° doth deface. Arise, Sir knight, arise, and leave this cursed place. LIV So up he rose, and thence amounted streight. Which when the carle beheld, and saw his guest 480 Would safe depart for all his subtill sleight, He chose an halter from among the rest, And with it hung himselfe, unbid unblest. But death he could not worke himselfe thereby; For thousand times he so himselfe had drest, 485 Yet nathelesse it could not doe him die, Till he should die his last, that is, eternally. CANTO X Her faithfull knight faire Una brings to house of Holinesse, Where he is taught repentance, and the way to heavenly blesse. I WHAT man is he, that boasts of fleshly might And vaine assurance of mortality, Which all so soone as it doth come to fight Against spirituall foes, yeelds by and by, 5 Or from the field most cowardly doth fly? Ne let the man ascribe it to his skill, That thorough grace hath gained victory. If any strength we have, it is to ill, But all the good is Gods, both power and eke will. II 10 But that, which lately hapned, Una saw, That this her knight was feeble, and too faint; And all his sinews woxen weake and raw, Through long enprisonment, and hard constraint, Which he endured in his late restraint, 15 That yet he was unfit for bloudy fight: Therefore to cherish him with diets daint, She cast to bring him, where he chearen might. Till he recovered had his late decayed plight. III There was an auntient house° not farre away, 20 Renowmd throughout the world for sacred lore, And pure unspotted life: so well they say It governd was, and guided evermore, Through wisedome of a matrone grave and hore Whose onely joy was to relieve the needes 25 Of wretched soules, and helpe the helpelesse pore: All night she spent in bidding of her bedes, And all the day in doing good and godly deedes. IV Dame Cœlia° men did her call, as thought From heaven to come, or thither to arise, 30 The mother of three daughters, well upbrought In goodly thewes, and godly exercise: The eldest two, most sober, chast, and wise, Fidelia° and Speranza virgins were, Though spousd, yet wanting wedlocks solemnize: 35 But faire Charissa° to a lovely fere Was lincked, and by him had many pledges dere. V Arrived there, the dore they find fast lockt; For it was warely watched night and day, For feare of many foes: but when they knockt, 40 The Porter opened unto them streight way: He was an aged syre, all hory gray, With lookes full lowly cast, and gate full slow, Wont on a staffe his feeble steps to stay, Hight Humiltà.° They passe in stouping low; 45 For streight and narrow was the way which he did show. VI Each goodly thing is hardest to begin, But entred in a spacious court they see, Both plaine, and pleasant to be walked in, Where them does meete a francklin faire and free, 50 And entertaines with comely courteous glee, His name was Zele, that him right well became, For in his speeches and behaviour hee Did labour lively to expresse the same, And gladly did them guide, till to the Hall they came. VII 55 There fairely them receives a gentle Squire, Of milde demeanure, and rare courtesie, Right cleanly clad in comely sad attire; In word and deede that shew'd great modestie, And knew his good° to all of each degree, 60 Hight Reverence. He them with speeches meet Does faire entreat; no courting nicetie, But simple true, and eke unfained sweet, As might become a Squire so great persons to greet. VIII And afterwards them to his Dame he leades, 65 That aged Dame, the Ladie of the place: Who all this while was busy at her beades: Which doen, she up arose with seemely grace, And toward them full matronely did pace. Where when that fairest Una she beheld, 70 Whom well she knew to spring from heavenly race, Her hart with joy unwonted inly sweld, As feeling wondrous comfort in her weaker eld. IX And her embracing said, O happie earth, Whereon thy innocent feet doe ever tread, 75 Most vertuous virgin borne of heavenly berth, That, to redeeme thy woefull parents head, From tyrans rage, and ever dying dread,° Hast wandred through the world now long a day;° Yet ceasest not thy weary soles to lead,° 80 What grace hath thee now hither brought this way? Or doen thy feeble feet unweeting hither stray? X Strange thing it is an errant knight to see Here in this place, or any other wight, That hither turnes his steps. So few there bee 85 That chose the narrow path, or seeke the right: All keepe the broad high way, and take delight With many rather for to go astray, And be partakers of their evill plight, Then with a few to walke the rightest way; 90 O foolish men, why haste ye to your owne decay? XI Thy selfe to see, and tyred limbes to rest, O matrone sage (quoth she) I hither came; And this good knight his way with me addrest, Led with thy prayses and broad-blazed fame, 95 That up to heaven is blowne. The auncient Dame Him goodly greeted in her modest guise, And entertaynd them both, as best became, With all the court'sies that she could devise, Ne wanted ought, to shew her bounteous or wise. XII 100 Thus as they gan of sundry things devise, Loe two most goodly virgins came in place, Ylinked arme in arme in lovely wise, With countenance demure, and modest grace, They numbred even steps and equall pace: 105 Of which the eldest, that Fidelia hight, Like sunny beames threw from her christall face, That could have dazd the rash beholders sight, And round about her head did shine like heavens light. XIII She was araied all in lilly white,° 110 And in her right hand bore a cup of gold, With wine and water fild up to the hight, In which a Serpent did himselfe enfold, That horrour made to all that did behold; But she no whit did chaunge her constant mood: 115 And in her other hand she fast did hold A booke, that was both signd and seald with blood: Wherin darke things were writ, hard to be understood. XIV Her younger sister, that Speranza hight, Was clad in blew, that her beseemed well; 120 Not all so chearefull seemed she of sight, As was her sister; whether dread did dwell, Or anguish in her hart, is hard to tell: Upon her arme a silver anchor lay, Whereon she leaned ever, as befell: 125 And ever up to heaven, as she did pray, Her stedfast eyes were bent, ne swarved other way. XV They seeing Una, towards her gan wend, Who them encounters with like courtesie; Many kind speeches they betwene them spend, 130 And greatly joy each other well to see: Then to the knight with shamefast modestie They turne themselves, at Unaes meeke request, And him salute with well beseeming glee; Who faire them quites, as him beseemed best, 135 And goodly gan discourse of many a noble gest. XVI Then Una thus; But she your sister deare, The deare Charissa where is she become? Or wants she health, or busie is elsewhere? Ah no, said they, but forth she may not come: 140 For she of late is lightned of her wombe, And hath encreast the world with one sonne more, That her to see should be but troublesome. Indeed (quoth she) that should be trouble sore; But thankt be God, and her encrease° so evermore. XVII 145 Then said the aged Cœlia, Deare dame, And you good Sir, I wote that of youre toyle, And labours long, through which ye hither came, Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle I read you rest, and to your bowres recoyle. 150 Then called she a Groome, that forth him led Into a goodly lodge, and gan despoile Of puissant armes, and laid in easie bed; His name was meeke Obedience rightfully ared. XVIII Now when their wearie limbes with kindly rest, 155 And bodies were refresht with due repast, Faire Una gan Fidelia faire request, To have her knight into her schoolehouse plaste, That of her heavenly learning he might taste, And heare the wisedom of her words divine. 160 She graunted, and that knight so much agraste, That she him taught celestiall discipline, And opened his dull eyes, that light mote in them shine. XIX And that her sacred Booke, with blood ywrit, That none could read, except she did them teach, 165 She unto him disclosed every whit, And heavenly documents thereout did preach, That weaker wit of man could never reach, Of God, of grace, of justice, of free will, That wonder was to heare her goodly speach: 170 For she was able with her words to kill, And raise againe to life the hart that she did thrill. XX And when she list° poure out her larger spright, She would commaund the hastie Sunne to stay, Or backward turne his course from heavens hight; 175 Sometimes great hostes of men she could dismay; [Dry-shod to passe she parts the flouds in tway;°] And eke huge mountaines from their native seat She would commaund, themselves to beare away, And throw in raging sea with roaring threat. 180 Almightie God her gave such powre, and puissaunce great. XXI The faithfull knight now grew in litle space, By hearing her, and by her sisters lore, To such perfection of all heavenly grace, That wretched world he gan for to abhore, 185 And mortall life gan loath, as thing forlore, Greevd with remembrance of his wicked wayes, And prickt with anguish of his sinnes so sore, That he desirde to end his wretched dayes: So much the dart of sinfull guilt the soule dismayes. XXII 190 But wise Speranza gave him comfort sweet, And taught him how to take assured hold Upon her silver anchor, as was meet; Else had his sinnes so great and manifold Made him forget all that Fidelia told. 195 In this distressed doubtfull agonie, When him his dearest Una did behold, Disdeining life, desiring leave to die, She found her selfe assayld with great perplexitie. XXIII And came to Cœlia to declare her smart, 200 Who well acquainted with that commune plight, Which sinfull horror workes in wounded hart, Her wisely comforted all that she might, With goodly counsell and advisement right; And streightway sent with carefull diligence, 205 To fetch a Leach, the which had great insight In that disease of grieved conscience, And well could cure the same; his name was Patience. XXIV Who comming to that soule-diseased knight, Could hardly him intreat° to tell his griefe: 210 Which knowne, and all that noyd his heavie spright Well searcht, eftsoones he gan apply relief Of salves and med'cines, which had passing priefe, And thereto added words of wondrous might;° By which to ease he him recured briefe, 215 And much aswag'd the passion of his plight,° That he his paine endur'd, as seeming now more light. XXV But yet the cause and root of all his ill, Inward corruption and infected sin, Not purg'd nor heald, behind remained still, 220 And festring sore did rankle yet within, Close creeping twixt the marrow and the skin. Which to extirpe, he laid him privily Downe in a darkesome lowly place farre in, Whereas he meant his corrosives to apply, 225 And with streight diet tame his stubborne malady. XXVI In ashes and sackcloth he did array His daintie corse, proud humors to abate, And dieted with fasting every day, The swelling of his wounds to mitigate, 230 And made him pray both earely and eke late: And ever as superfluous flesh did rot Amendment readie still at hand did wayt, To pluck it out with pincers firie whot, That soone in him was left no one corrupted jot. XXVII 235 And bitter Penance with an yron whip, Was wont him once to disple every day: And sharpe Remorse his hart did pricke and nip, That drops of blood thence like a well did play: And sad Repentance used to embay 240 His bodie in salt water smarting sore, The filthy blots of sinne to wash away. So in short space they did to health restore The man that would not live, but earst lay at deathes dore. XXVIII In which his torment often was so great, 245 That like a Lyon he would cry and rore, And rend his flesh, and his owne synewes eat. His owne deare Una hearing evermore His ruefull shriekes and gronings, often tore Her guiltlesse garments, and her golden heare, 250 For pitty of his paine and anguish sore; Yet all with patience wisely she did beare; For well she wist his crime could else be never cleare. XXIX Whom thus recover'd by wise Patience And trew Repentaunce they to Una brought: 255 Who joyous of his cured conscience, Him dearely kist, and fairely eke besought Himselfe to chearish, and consuming thought To put away out of his carefull brest. By this Charissa, late in child-bed brought, 260 Was woxen strong, and left her fruitfull nest; To her faire Una brought this unacquainted guest. XXX She was a woman in her freshest age,° Of wondrous beauty, and of bountie rare, With goodly grace and comely personage, 265 That was on earth not easie to compare; Full of great love, but Cupid's wanton snare As hell she hated, chast in worke and will; Her necke and breasts were ever open bare, That ay thereof her babes might sucke their fill; 270 The rest was all in yellow robes arayed still. XXXI A multitude of babes about her hong, Playing their sports, that joyd her to behold, Whom still she fed, whiles they were weake and young, But thrust them forth still as they wexed old: 275 And on her head she wore a tyre of gold, Adornd with gemmes and owches wondrous faire, Whose passing price° uneath was to be told: And by her side there sate a gentle paire Of turtle doves, she sitting in an yvorie chaire. XXXII 280 The knight and Una entring faire her greet, And bid her joy of that her happie brood; Who them requites with court'sies seeming meet, And entertaines with friendly chearefull mood. Then Una her besought, to be so good 285 As in her vertuous rules to schoole her knight, Now after all his torment well withstood, In that sad house of Penaunce, where his spright Had past the paines of hell, and long enduring night. XXXIII She was right joyous of her just request, 290 And taking by the hand that Faeries sonne, Gan him instruct in every good behest, Of love, and righteousnesse, and well to donne,° And wrath, and hatred warely to shonne, That drew on men Gods hatred and his wrath, 295 And many soules in dolours had fordonne: In which when him she well instructed hath, From thence to heaven she teacheth him the ready path. XXXIV Wherein his weaker wandring steps to guide, An auncient matrone she to her does call, 300 Whose sober lookes her wisedome well descride: Her name was Mercie, well knowne over all, To be both gratious, and eke liberall: To whom the carefull charge of him she gave, To lead aright, that he should never fall 305 In all his wayes through this wide worldes wave, That Mercy in the end his righteous soule might save. XXXV The godly Matrone by the hand him beares Forth from her presence, by a narrow way, Scattred with bushy thornes, and ragged breares, 310 Which still before him she remov'd away, That nothing might his ready passage stay: And ever when his feet encombred were, Or gan to shrinke, or from the right to stray, She held him fast, and firmely did upbeare, 315 As carefull Nourse her child from falling oft does reare. XXXVI Eftsoones unto an holy Hospitall, That was fore by the way, she did him bring, In which seven Bead-men° that had vowed all Their life to service of high heavens king, 320 Did spend their dayes in doing godly thing: Their gates to all were open evermore, That by the wearie way were traveiling, And one sate wayting ever them before, To call in commers by, that needy were and pore. XXXVII 325 The first of them that eldest was, and best, Of all the house had charge and governement, As Guardian and Steward of the rest: His office was to give entertainement And lodging, unto all that came, and went: 330 Not unto such, as could him feast againe, And double quite, for that he on them spent, But such, as want of harbour did constraine: Those for Gods sake his dewty was to entertaine. XXXVIII The second was as Almner of the place, 335 His office was, the hungry for to feed, And thristy give to drinke, a worke of grace: He feard not once him selfe to be in need, Ne car'd to hoord for those whom he did breede: The grace of God he layd up still in store, 340 Which as a stocke he left unto his seede; He had enough, what need him care for more? And had he lesse, yet some he would give to the pore. XXXIX The third had of their wardrobe custodie, In which were not rich tyres, nor garments gay, 345 The plumes of pride, and wings of vanitie, But clothes meet to keepe keene could away, And naked nature seemely to aray; With which bare wretched wights he dayly clad, The images of God in earthly clay; 350 And if that no spare cloths to give he had, His owne coate he would cut, and it distribute glad. XL The fourth appointed by his office was, Poore prisoners to relieve with gratious ayd, And captives to redeeme with price of bras,° 355 From Turkes° and Sarazins, which them had stayd, And though they faultie were, yet well he wayd, That God to us forgiveth every howre Much more then that why they in bands were layd, And he that harrowd° hell with heavie stowre, 360 The faultie soules from thence brought to his heavenly bowre. XLI The fift had charge sicke persons to attend, And comfort those, in point of death which lay; For them most needeth comfort in the end, When sin, and hell, and death do most dismay 365 The feeble soule departing hence away. All is but lost, that living we bestow, If not well ended at our dying day. O man have mind of that last bitter throw For as the tree does fall, so lyes it ever low. XLII 370 The sixt had charge of them now being dead, In seemely sort their corses to engrave, And deck with dainty flowres their bridall bed, That to their heavenly spouse both sweet and brave They might appeare, when he their soules shall save.° 375 The wondrous workmanship of Gods owne mould, Whose face he made all beasts to feare, and gave All in his hand, even dead we honour should. Ah dearest God me graunt, I dead be not defould.° XLIII The seventh, now after death and buriall done, 380 Had charge the tender orphans of the dead And widowes ayd,° least they should be undone: In face of judgement° he their right would plead, Ne ought the powre of mighty men did dread In their defence, nor would for gold or fee 385 Be wonne their rightfull causes downe to tread: And, when they stood in most necessitee, He did supply their want, and gave them ever free. XLIV There when the Elfin knight arrived was, The first and chiefest of the seven, whose care 390 Was guests to welcome, towardes him did pas: Where seeing Mercie, that his steps upbare, And alwayes led, to her with reverence rare He humbly louted in meeke lowlinesse, And seemely welcome for her did prepare: 395 For of their order she was Patronesse, Albe Charissa were their chiefest founderesse. XLV There she awhile him stayes, him selfe to rest, That to the rest more able he might bee: During which time, in every good behest 400 And godly worke of almes and charitee, She him instructed with great industree; Shortly therein so perfect he became, That from the first unto the last degree, His mortall life he learned had to frame 405 In holy righteousnesse, without rebuke or blame. XLVI Thence forward by that painfull way they pas, Forth to an hill, that was both steepe and hy; On top whereof a sacred chappell was, And eke a little Hermitage thereby, 410 Wherein an aged holy man did lye, That day and night said his devotion, Ne other worldly busines did apply; His name was heavenly Contemplation; Of God and goodnesse was his meditation. XLVII 415 Great grace that old man to him given had; For God he often saw from heavens hight, All were his earthly eyen both blunt and bad, And through great age had lost their kindly sight, Yet wondrous quick and persant was his spright, 420 As Eagles eye, that can behold the Sunne: That hill they scale with all their powre and might, That his° fraile thighes nigh weary and fordonne Gan faile, but by her° helpe the top at last he wonne. XLVIII There they do finde that godly aged Sire, 425 With snowy lockes adowne his shoulders shed, As hoarie frost with spangles doth attire The mossy braunches of an Oke halfe ded. Each bone might through his body well be red, And every sinew seene through his long fast: 430 For nought he car'd° his carcas long unfed; His mind was full of spirituall repast, And pyn'd his flesh, to keepe his body low and chast. XLIX Who when these two approaching he aspide, At their first presence grew agrieved sore, 435 That forst him lay his heavenly thoughts aside; And had he not that Dame respected more, Whom highly he did reverence and adore, He would not once have moved for the knight. They him saluted, standing far afore; 440 Who well them greeting, humbly did requight, And asked, to what end they clomb that tedious height. L What end (quoth she) should cause us take such paine, But that same end which every living wight Should make his marke, high heaven to attaine? 445 Is not from hence the way, that leadeth right To that most glorious house that glistreth bright With burning starres and everliving fire, Whereof the keyes are to thy hand behight By wise Fidelia? She doth thee require, 450 To show it to his knight, according his desire. LI Thrise happy man, said then the father grave, Whose staggering steps thy steady hand doth lead, And shewes the way, his sinfull soule to save. Who better can the way to heaven aread, 455 Then thou thy selfe, that was both borne and bred In heavenly throne, where thousand Angels shine? Thou doest the prayers of the righteous sead Present before the majestie divine, And his avenging wrath to clemencie incline. LII 460 Yet since thou bidst, thy pleasure shal be donne. Then come thou man of earth, and see the way, That never yet was seene of Faeries sonne, That never leads the traveiler astray, But after labors long, and sad delay, 465 Brings them to joyous rest and endlesse blis. But first thou must a season fast and pray, Till from her bands the spright assoiled is, And have her strength recur'd from fraile infirmitis. LIII That donne, he leads him to the highest Mount; 470 Such one as that same mighty man° of God, That blood-red billowes° like a walled front On either side disparted with his rod, Till that his army dry-foot through them yod, Dwelt forty dayes upon; where writ in stone 475 With bloudy letters by the hand of God, The bitter doome of death and balefull mone He did receive, whiles flashing fire about him shone. LIV Or like that sacred hill,° whose head full hie, Adornd with fruitfull Olives all arownd, 480 Is, as it were for endlesse memory Of that deare Lord who oft thereon was fownd, For ever with a flowring girlond crownd: Or like that pleasaunt Mount,° that is for ay Through famous Poets verse each where renownd, 485 On which the thrise three learned Ladies play Their heavenly notes, and make full many a lovely lay. LV From thence, far off he unto him did shew A litle path, that was both steepe and long, Which to a goodly Citie° led his vew; 490 Whose wals and towres were builded high and strong Of perle and precious stone, that earthly tong Cannot describe, nor wit of man can tell; Too high a ditty for my simple song; The Citie of the great king hight it well, 495 Wherein eternall peace and happinesse doth dwell. LVI As he thereon stood gazing, he might see The blessed Angels to and fro descend From highest heaven in gladsome companee, And with great joy into that Citie wend, 500 As commonly as friend does with his frend. Whereat he wondred much, and gan enquere, What stately building durst so high extend Her loftie towres unto the starry sphere, And what unknowen nation there empeopled were. LVII 505 Faire knight (quoth he) Hierusalem that is, The new Hierusalem, that God has built For those to dwell in, that are chosen his, His chosen people purg'd from sinfull guilt With pretious blood, which cruelly was spilt 510 On cursed tree, of that unspotted lam, That for the sinnes of al the world was kilt: Now are they Saints all in that Citie sam, More dear unto their God then younglings to their dam. LVIII Till now, said then the knight, I weened well, 515 That great Cleopolis,° where I have beene, In which that fairest Faerie Queene doth dwell, The fairest citie was that might be seene; And that bright towre all built of christall cleene, Panthea,° seemd the brightest thing that was: 520 But now by proofe all otherwise I weene; For this great Citie that does far surpas, And this bright Angels towre quite dims that towre of glas. LIX Most trew, then said the holy aged man; Yet is Cleopolis, for earthly frame,° 525 The fairest peece that eye beholden can; And well beseemes all knights of noble name, That covett in th' immortall booke of fame To be eternized, that same to haunt, And doen their service to that soveraigne dame, 530 That glorie does to them for guerdon graunt: For she is heavenly borne, and heaven may justly vaunt. LX And thou faire ymp, sprong out from English race, How ever now accompted Elfins sonne, Well worthy doest thy service for her grace, 535 To aide a virgin desolate fordonne. But when thou famous victory hast wonne, And high emongst all knights hast hong thy shield, Thenceforth the suit of earthly conquest shonne, And wash thy hands from guilt of bloudy field: 540 For blood can nought but sin, and wars but sorrowes yield. LXI Then seek this path, that I to thee presage, Which after all to heaven shall thee send; Then peaceably thy painefull pilgrimage To yonder same Hierusalem do bend, 545 Where is for thee ordaind a blessed end: For thou emongst those Saints, whom thou doest see, Shall be a Saint, and thine owne nations frend And Patrone: thou Saint George shalt called bee, Saint George° of mery England, the signe of victoree. LXII 550 Unworthy wretch (quoth he) of so great grace,° How dare I thinke such glory to attaine? These that have it attaind, were in like cace, (Quoth he) as wretched, and liv'd in like paine. But deeds of armes must I at last be faine 555 And Ladies love to leave so dearely bought? What need of armes, where peace doth ay remaine, (Said he,) and battailes none are to be fought? As for loose loves, they're vain, and vanish into nought. LXIII O let me not (quoth he) then turne againe 560 Backe to the world, whose joyes so fruitlesse are; But let me here for aye in peace remaine, Or streight way on that last long voyage fare, That nothing may my present hope empare. That may not be, (said he) ne maist thou yit 565 Forgo that royall maides bequeathed care,° Who did her cause into thy hand commit, Till from her cursed foe thou have her freely quit. LXIV Then shall I soone (quoth he) so God me grace, Abet that virgins cause disconsolate, 570 And shortly backe returne unto this place, To walke this way in Pilgrims poore estate. But now aread, old father, why of late Didst thou behight me borne of English blood, Whom all a Faeries sonne doen nominate? 575 That word shall I (said he) avouchen good, Sith to thee is unknowne the cradle of thy blood. LXV For well I wote thou springst from ancient race Of Saxon kings, that have with mightie hand And many bloody battailes° fought in place 580 High reard their royall throne in Britane land, And vanquisht them, unable to withstand: From thence a Faerie thee unweeting reft, There as thou slepst in tender swadling band, And her base Elfin brood there for thee left. 585 Such men do Chaungelings° call, so chang'd by Faeries theft. LXVI Thence she thee brought into this Faerie lond, And in an heaped furrow did thee hyde, Where thee a Ploughman all unweeting fond, As he his toylesome teme that way did guyde, 590 And brought thee up in ploughmans state to byde Whereof Georgos° he gave thee to name; Till prickt with courage, and thy forces pryde, To Faerie court thou cam'st to seeke for fame, And prove thy puissaunt armes, as seemes thee best became. LXVII 595 O holy Sire (quoth he) how shall I quight The many favours I with thee have found, That hast my name and nation red aright, And taught the way that does to heaven bound? This said, adowne he looked to the ground, 600 To have returnd, but dazed were his eyne Through passing brightnesse, which did quite confound His feeble sence and too exceeding shyne. So darke are earthly things compard to things divine. LXVIII At last whenas himselfe he gan to find, 605 To Una back he cast him to retire; Who him awaited still with pensive mind. Great thankes and goodly meed to that good syre He thence departing gave for his paines hyre. So came to Una, who him joyd to see, 610 And after little rest, gan him desire Of her adventure mindfull for to bee. So leave they take of Cœlia, and her daughters three. CANTO XI The knight with that old Dragon fights two dayes incessantly; The third him overthrowes, and gayns most glorious victory. I HIGH time now gan it wex for Una faire To thinke of those her captive Parents deare, And their forwasted kingdome to repaire: Whereto whenas they now approched neare, 5 With hartie wordes her knight she gan to cheare, And in her modest manner thus bespake; Deare knight, as deare as ever knight was deare, That all these sorrowes suffer for my sake, High heaven behold the tedious toyle ye for me take. II 10 Now are we come unto my native soyle, And to the place where all our perils dwell; Here haunts that feend, and does his dayly spoyle; Therefore henceforth be at your keeping well,° And ever ready for your foeman fell. 15 The sparke of noble courage now awake, And strive your excellent selfe to excell: That shall ye evermore renowmed make, Above all knights on earth that batteill undertake. III And pointing forth, Lo yonder is (said she)° 20 The brasen towre in which my parents deare For dread of that huge feend emprisond be, Whom I from far, see on the walles appeare, Whose sight my feeble soule doth greatly cheare: And on the top of all I do espye 25 The watchman wayting tydings glad to heare, That O my parents might I happily Unto you bring, to ease you of your misery. IV With that they heard a roaring hideous sound, That all the ayre with terrour filled wide, 30 And seemd uneath° to shake the stedfast ground. Eftsoones that dreadful Dragon° they espide, Where stretcht he lay upon the sunny side,° Of a great hill, himselfe like a great hill. But all so soone as he from far descride 35 Those glistring armes, that heaven with light did fill, He rousd himselfe full blith, and hastned them untill. V Then bad the knight his Lady yede aloofe, And to an hill her selfe withdraw aside: From whence she might behold that battailles proof, 40 And eke be safe from daunger far descryde: She him obayd, and turnd a little wyde. Now O thou sacred muse,° most learned Dame, Faire ympe of Phœbus and his aged bride, The Nourse of time and everlasting fame, 45 That warlike hands ennoblest with immortall name; VI O gently come into my feeble brest Come gently, but not with that mighty rage, Wherewith the martiall troupes thou doest infest, And harts of great Heroës doest enrage, 50 That nought their kindled courage may aswage, Soone as thy dreadfull trompe begins to sownd, The God of warre with his fiers equipage Thou doest awake, sleepe never he so sownd, All scared nations doest with horrour sterne astownd. VII 55 Faire Goddesse, lay that furious fit aside, Till I of warres° and bloody Mars do sing, And Briton fields with Sarazin bloud bedyde, Twixt that great Faery Queene, and Paynim king, That with their horrour heaven and earth did ring; 60 A worke of labour long and endlesse prayse: But now a while let downe that haughtie string° And to my tunes thy second tenor rayse, That I this man of God his godly armes may blaze. VIII By this the dreadfull Beast drew nigh to hand, 65 Halfe flying, and halfe footing in his haste, That with his largenesse measured much land, And made wide shadow under his huge wast, As mountaine doth the valley overcast. Approching nigh, he reared high afore 70 His body monstrous, horrible, and vaste, Which to increase his wondrous greatnesse more, Was swoln with wrath, and poyson, and with bloudy gore. IX And over, all with brasen scales was armd, Like plated coate of steele, so couched neare, 75 That nought mote perce, ne might his corse be harmd With dint of sword, nor push of pointed speare; Which, as an Eagle, seeing pray appeare, His aery plumes doth rouze, full rudely dight; So shaked he, that horrour was to heare, 80 For as the clashing of an Armour bright, Such noyse his rouzed scales did send unto the knight. X His flaggy wings when forth he did display, Were like two sayles, in which the hollow wynd Is gathered full, and worketh speedy way: 85 And eke the pennes, that did his pineons bynd, Were like mayne-yards, with flying canvas lynd; With which whenas him list the ayre to beat, And there by force unwonted passage find, The cloudes before him fled for terrour great, 90 And all the heavens stood still amazed with his threat. XI His huge long tayle wound up in hundred foldes, Does overspred his long bras-scaly backe, Whose wreathed boughts when ever he unfoldes, And thicke entangled knots adown does slacke, 95 Bespotted as with shields of red and blacke, It sweepeth all the land behind him farre, And of three furlongs does but litle lacke; And at the point two stings in-fixed arre, Both deadly sharpe, that sharpest steele exceeden farre. XII 100 But stings and sharpest steele did far exceed The sharpnesse of his cruell rending clawes; Dead was it sure, as sure as death in deed, What ever thing does touch his ravenous pawes, Or what within his reach he ever drawes. 105 But his most hideous head my toung to tell Does tremble: for his deepe devouring jawes Wide gaped, like the griesly mouth of hell, Through which into his darke abisse all ravin fell. XIII And that more wondrous was, in either jaw 110 Three ranckes of yron teeth enraunged were, In which yet trickling blood, and gobbets raw Of late devoured bodies did appeare, That sight thereof bred cold congealed feare: Which to increase, and as atonce to kill, 115 A cloud of smoothering smoke and sulphure seare, Out of his stinking gorge forth steemed still, That all the ayre about with smoke and stench did fill. XIV His blazing eyes, like two bright shining shields, Did burne with wrath, and sparkled living fyre: 120 As two broad Beacons,° set in open fields, Send forth their flames far off to every shyre, And warning give, that enemies conspyre With fire and sword the region to invade; So flam'd his eyne with rage and rancorous yre: 125 But farre within, as in a hollow glade, Those glaring lampes were set, that made a dreadfull shade. XV So dreadfully he towards him did pas, Forelifting up aloft his speckled brest, And often bounding on the brused gras, 130 As for great joyance of his newcome guest. Eftsoones he gan advance his haughtie crest, As chauffed Bore his bristles doth upreare, And shoke his scales to battell ready drest; That made the Redcrosse knight nigh quake for feare, 135 As bidding bold defiance to his foeman neare. XVI The knight gan fairely couch his steadie speare, And fiercely ran at him with rigorous might: The pointed steele arriving rudely theare, His harder hide would neither perce, nor bight, 140 But glauncing by forth passed forward right; Yet sore amoved with so puissaunt push, The wrathfull beast about him turned light, And him so rudely passing by, did brush With his long tayle, that horse and man to ground did rush. XVII 145 Both horse and man up lightly rose againe, And fresh encounter towards him addrest: But th'idle stroke yet backe recoyld in vaine, And found no place his deadly point to rest. Exceeding rage enflam'd the furious beast, 150 To be avenged of so great despight; For never felt his imperceable brest So wondrous force, from hand of living wight; Yet had he prov'd the powre of many a puissant knight. XVIII Then with his waving wings displayed wyde, 155 Himselfe up high he lifted from the ground, And with strong flight did forcibly divide The yielding aire, which nigh too feeble found Her flitting parts,° and element unsound, To beare so great a weight: he cutting way 160 With his broad sayles, about him soared round: At last low stouping° with unweldie sway, Snatcht up both horse and man, to beare them quite away. XIX Long he them bore above the subject plaine, So far as Ewghen bow a shaft may send, 165 Till struggling strong did him at last constraine To let them downe before his flightes end: As hagard hauke,° presuming to contend With hardie fowle, above his hable might,° His wearie pounces all in vaine doth spend 170 To trusse the pray too heavy for his flight; Which comming downe to ground, does free it selfe by fight. XX He so disseized° of his gryping grosse, The knight his thrillant speare again assayd In his bras-plated body to embosse, 175 And three mens strength unto the stroke he layd; Wherewith the stiffe beame quaked, as affrayd, And glauncing from his scaly necke, did glyde Close under his left wing, then broad displayd: The percing steele there wrought a wound full wyde, 180 That with the uncouth smart the Monster lowdly cryde. XXI He cryde, as raging seas are wont to rore, When wintry storme his wrathfull wreck does threat The roaring billowes beat the ragged shore, As they the earth would shoulder from her seat, 185 And greedy gulfe does gape,° as he would eat His neighbour element in his revenge: Then gin the blustring brethren° boldly threat To move the world from off his steadfast henge, And boystrous battell make, each other to avenge. XXII 190 The steely head stucke fast still in his flesh, Till with his cruell clawes he snatcht the wood, And quite a sunder broke. Forth flowed fresh A gushing river of blacke goarie blood, That drowned all the land, whereon he stood; 195 The streame thereof would drive a water-mill: Trebly augmented was his furious mood With bitter sence of his deepe rooted ill, That flames of fire he threw forth from his large nosethrill. XXIII His hideous tayle then hurled he about, 200 And therewith all enwrapt the nimble thyes Of his froth-fomy steed, whose courage stout Striving to loose the knot that fast him tyes, Himselfe in streighter bandes too rash implyes, That to the ground he is perforce constraynd 205 To throw his rider: who can quickly ryse From off the earth, with durty blood distaynd, For that reprochfull fall right fowly he disdaynd. XXIV And fiercely tooke his trenchand blade in hand, With which he stroke so furious and so fell, 210 That nothing seemd the puissaunce could withstand: Upon his crest the hardned yron fell, But his more hardned crest was armd so well, That deeper dint therein it would not make; Yet so extremely did the buffe him quell, 215 That from thenceforth he shund the like to take, But when he saw them come, he did them still forsake. XXV The knight was wroth to see his stroke beguyld, And smote againe with more outrageous might; But backe againe the sparckling steele recoyld, 220 And left not any marke, where it did light, As if in Adamant rocke it had bene pight. The beast impatient of his smarting wound, And of so fierce and forcible despight, Thought with his wings to stye above the ground; 225 But his late wounded wing unserviceable found. XXVI Then full of griefe and anguish vehement, He lowdly brayd, that like was never heard, And from his wide devouring oven° sent A flake of fire, that, flashing in his beard, 230 Him all amazd, and almost made affeard: The scorching flame sore swinged all his face, And through his armour all his body seard, That he could not endure so cruell cace, But thought his armes to leave, and helmet to unlace. XXVII 235 Not that great Champion° of the antique world, Whom famous Poetes verse so much doth vaunt, And hath for twelve huge labours high extold, So many furies and sharpe fits did haunt, When him the poysond garment did enchaunt, 240 With Centaures bloud and bloudie verses charm'd; As did this knight twelve thousand dolours daunt, Whom fyrie steele now burnt, that earst him arm'd, That erst him goodly arm'd, now most of all him harm'd. XXVIII Faint, wearie, sore, emboyled, grieved, brent° 245 With heat, toyle, wounds, armes, smart, and inward fire, That never man such mischiefes did torment; Death better were, death did he oft desire, But death will never come, when needes require. Whom so dismayd when that his foe beheld, 250 He cast to suffer him no more respire, But gan his sturdy sterne about to weld, And him so strongly stroke, that to the ground him feld. XXIX It fortuned, (as faire it then befell,) Behind his backe unweeting, where he stood, 255 Of auncient time there was a springing well, From which fast trickled forth a silver flood, Full of great vertues, and for med'cine good. Whylome, before that cursed Dragon got That happy land, and all with innocent blood 260 Defyld those sacred waves, it rightly hot The well of life,° ne yet his vertues had forgot. XXX For unto life the dead it could restore, And guilt of sinfull crimes cleane wash away, Those that with sicknesse were infected sore 265 It could recure, and aged long decay Renew, as one were borne that very day. Both Silo° this, and Jordan did excell, And th' English Bath,° and eke the German Spau; Ne can Cephise,° nor Hebrus match this well: 270 Into the same the knight back overthrowen, fell. XXXI Now gan the golden Phœbus for to steepe His fierie face in billowes of the west, And his faint steedes watred in Ocean deepe, Whiles from their journall labours they did rest, 275 When that infernall Monster, having kest His wearie foe into that living well, Can high advance his broad discoloured brest Above his wonted pitch, with countenance fell, And clapt his yron wings, as victor he did dwell. XXXII 280 Which when his pensive Ladie saw from farre, Great woe and sorrow did her soule assay, As weening that the sad end of the warre, And gan to highest God entirely pray, That feared chance from her to turne away; 285 With folded hands and knees full lowly bent, All night she watcht, ne once adowne would lay Her daintie limbs in her sad dreriment, But praying still did wake, and waking did lament. XXXIII The morrow next gan early to appeare, 290 That Titan rose to runne his daily race; But early ere the morrow next gan reare Out of the sea faire Titans deawy face, Up rose the gentle virgin from her place, And looked all about, if she might spy 295 Her loved knight to move° his manly pace: For she had great doubt of his safety, Since late she saw him fall before his enemy. XXXIV At last she saw, where he upstarted brave Out of the well, wherein he drenched lay: 300 As Eagle° fresh out of the Ocean wave, Where he hath left his plumes all hoary gray, And deckt himselfe with feathers youthly gay, Like Eyas hauke up mounts unto the skies, His newly budded pineons to assay, 305 And marveiles at himselfe, still as he flies: So new this new-borne knight to battell new did rise. XXXV Whom when the damned feend so fresh did spy, No wonder if he wondred at the sight, And doubted, whether his late enemy 310 It were, or other new supplied knight. He, now to prove his late renewed might, High brandishing his bright deaw-burning blade,° Upon his crested scalpe so sore did smite, That to the scull a yawning wound it made; 315 The deadly dint his dulled senses all dismaid. XXXVI I wote not, whether the revenging steele Were hardned with that holy water dew, Wherein he fell, or sharper edge did feele, Or his baptized hands now greater grew; 320 Or other secret vertue did ensew; Else never could the force of fleshly arme, Ne molten mettall in his blood embrew°; For till that stownd could never wight him harme, By subtilty, nor slight, nor might, nor mighty charme. XXXVII 325 The cruell wound enraged him so sore, That loud he yelded for exceeding paine; As hundred ramping Lyons seem'd to rore, Whom ravenous hunger did thereto constraine: Then gan he tosse aloft his stretched traine, 330 And therewith scourge the buxome aire so sore, That to his force to yeelden it was faine; Ne ought his sturdy strokes might stand afore, That high trees overthrew, and rocks in peeces tore. XXXVIII The same advauncing high above his head, 335 With sharpe intended sting° so rude him smot, That to the earth him drove, as stricken dead, Ne living wight would have him life behot: The mortall sting his angry needle shot Quite through his shield, and in his shoulder seasd, 340 Where fast it stucke, ne would there out be got: The griefe thereof him wondrous sore diseasd, Ne might his ranckling paine with patience be appeasd. XXXIX But yet more mindfull of his honour deare, Then of the grievous smart, which him did wring, 345 From loathed soile he can him lightly reare, And strove to loose the far infixed sting: Which when in vaine he tryde with struggeling, Inflam'd with wrath, his raging blade he heft, And strooke so strongly, that the knotty string 350 Of his huge taile he quite a sunder cleft, Five joints thereof he hewd, and but the stump him left. XL Hart cannot thinke, what outrage, and what cryes, With foule enfouldred smoake and flashing fire, The hell-bred beast threw forth unto the skyes, 355 That all was covered with darkenesse dire: Then fraught with rancour, and engorged ire, He cast at once him to avenge for all, And gathering up himselfe out of the mire, With his uneven wings did fiercely fall, 360 Upon his sunne-bright shield, and gript it fast withall. XLI Much was the man encombred with his hold, In feare to lose his weapon in his paw, Ne wist yet, how his talaunts to unfold; For harder was from Cerberus greedy jaw 365 To plucke a bone, then from his cruell claw To reave by strength the griped gage° away: Thrise he assayd it from his foot to draw, And thrise in vaine to draw it did assay, It booted nought to thinke to robbe him of his pray. XLII 370 Tho when he saw no power might prevaile, His trustie sword he cald to his last aid, Wherewith he fiercely did his foe assaile, And double blowes about him stoutly laid, That glauncing fire out of the yron plaid; 375 As sparckles from the Andvile use to fly, When heavy hammers on the wedge are swaid; Therewith at last he forst him to unty One of his grasping feete, him to defend thereby. XLIII The other foot, fast fixed on his shield, 380 Whenas no strength, nor stroks mote him constraine To loose, ne yet the warlike pledge to yield, He smot thereat with all his might and maine, That nought so wondrous puissaunce might sustaine; Upon the joint the lucky steele did light, 385 And made such way, that hewd it quite in twaine; The paw yett missed not his minisht might,° But hong still on the shield, as it at first was pight. XLIV For griefe thereof and divelish despight,° From his infernall fournace forth he threw 390 Huge flames, that dimmed all the heavens light, Enrold in duskish smoke and brimstone blew: As burning Aetna from his boyling stew Doth belch out flames, and rockes in peeces broke, And ragged ribs of mountains molten new, 395 Enwrapt in coleblacke clouds and filthy smoke, That all the land with stench, and heaven with horror choke. XLV The heate whereof, and harmefull pestilence So sore him noyd, that forst him to retire A little backward for his best defence, 400 To save his body from the scorching fire, Which he from hellish entrailes did expire. It chaunst (eternall God that chaunce did guide,) As he recoiled backward, in the mire His nigh forwearied feeble feet did slide, 405 And downe he fell, with dread of shame sore terrifide. XLVI There grew a goodly tree° him faire beside, Loaden with fruit and apples rosie red, As they in pure vermilion had beene dide, Whereof great vertues over all were red°: 410 For happy life to all which thereon fed, And life eke everlasting did befall: Great God it planted in that blessed sted With his Almighty hand, and did it call The tree of life, the crime of our first fathers fall.° XLVII 415 In all the world like was not to be found, Save in that soile, where all good things did grow, And freely sprong out of the fruitfull ground, As incorrupted Nature did them sow, Till that dread Dragon all did overthrow. 420 Another like faire tree eke grew thereby, Whereof whoso did eat, eftsoones did know Both good and ill: O mornefull memory: That tree through one mans fault hath doen us all to dy. XLVIII From that first tree forth flowd, as from a well, 425 A trickling streame of Balme, most soveraine And dainty deare, which on the ground, still fell, And overflowed all the fertile plaine, As it had deawed bene with timely raine: Life and long health that gratious ointment gave, 430 And deadly wounds could heale and reare againe The senselesse corse appointed for the grave. Into that same he fell: which did from death him save. XLIX For nigh thereto the ever damned beast Durst not approch, for he was deadly made,° 435 And all that life preserved did detest: Yet he is oft adventur'd to invade. By this the drouping day-light gan to fade, And yield his roome to sad succeeding night, Who with her sable mantle gan to shade 440 The face of earth, and wayes of living wight, And high her burning torch set up in heaven bright. L When gentle Una saw the second fall Of her deare knight, who wearie of long fight, And faint through losse of blood, mov'd not at all, 445 But lay, as in a dreame of deepe delight, Besmeard with pretious Balme, whose vertuous might Did heale his wounds, and scorching heat alay, Againe she stricken was with sore affright, And for his safetie gan devoutly pray, 450 And watch the noyous night, and wait for joyous day. LI The joyous day gan early to appeare, And faire Aurora from the deawy bed Of aged Tithone gan herselfe to reare With rosy cheekes, for shame as blushing red; 455 Her golden locks for haste were loosely shed About her eares, when Una her did marke Clymbe to her charet, all with flowers spred; From heaven high to chase the chearelesse darke, With merry note her loud salutes the mounting larke. LII 460 Then freshly up arose the doughtie knight, All healed of his hurts and woundes wide, And did himselfe to battell ready dight; Whose early foe awaiting him beside To have devourd, so soone as day he spyde, 465 When now he saw himselfe so freshly reare, As if late fight had nought him damnifyde, He woxe dismayd, and gan his fate to feare; Nathlesse with wonted rage he him advaunced neare. LIII And in his first encounter, gaping wide,° 470 He thought attonce him to have swallowd quight, And rusht upon him with outragious pride; Who him r'encountring fierce, as hauke in flight Perforce rebutted backe. The weapon bright Taking advantage of his open jaw, 475 Ran through his mouth with so importune might, That deepe emperst his darksome hollow maw, And back retyrd,° his life blood forth with all did draw. LIV So downe he fell, and forth his life did breath, That vanisht into smoke and cloudes swift; 480 So downe he fell, that th' earth him underneath Did grone, as feeble so great load to lift; So downe he fell, as an huge rockie clift, Whose false foundation waves have washt away, With dreadfull poyse is from the mayneland rift, 485 And rolling downe, great Neptune doth dismay; So downe he fell, and like an heaped mountaine lay. LV The knight himselfe even trembled at his fall, So huge and horrible a masse it seem'd, And his deare Ladie, that beheld it all, 490 Durst not approch for dread, which she misdeem'd;° But yet at last, whenas the direfull feend She saw not stirre, off-shaking vaine affright, She nigher drew, and saw that joyous end: Then God she praysd, and thankt her faithfull knight, 495 That had atchieved so great a conquest by his might. CANTO XII Faire Una to the Redcrosse knight, betrouthed is with joy: Though false Duessa it to barre her false sleights doe imploy. I BEHOLD I see the haven nigh at hand, To which I meane my wearie course to bend; Vere the maine shete,° and beare up with the land, The which afore is fairely to be kend, 5 And seemeth safe from storms that may offend; There this faire virgin wearie of her way Must landed be, now at her journeyes end: There eke my feeble barke a while may stay Till merry wind and weather call her thence away. II 10 Scarsely had Phœbus in the glooming East Yet harnessed his firie-footed teeme, Ne reard above the earth his flaming creast; When the last deadly smoke aloft did steeme That signe of last outbreathed life did seeme 15 Unto the watchman on the castle wall, Who thereby dead that balefull Beast did deeme, And to his Lord and Ladie lowd gan call, To tell how he had seene the Dragons fatall fall. III Uprose with hastie joy, and feeble speed 20 That aged Sire, the Lord of all that land, And looked forth, to weet if true indeede Those tydings were, as he did understand, Which whenas true by tryall he out found, He bad to open wyde his brazen gate, 25 Which long time had bene shut, and out of hond° Proclaymed joy and peace through all his state; For dead now was their foe which them forrayed late. IV Then gan triumphant Trompets sound on hie, That sent to heaven the ecchoed report 30 Of their new joy, and happie victorie Gainst him, that had them long opprest with tort, And fast imprisoned in sieged fort. Then all the people, as in solemne feast, To him assembled with one full consort, 35 Rejoycing at the fall of that great beast, From whose eternall bondage now they were releast. V Forth came that auncient Lord and aged Queene, Arayd in antique robes downe to the ground, And sad habiliments right well beseene; 40 A noble crew about them waited round Of sage and sober Peres, all gravely gownd; Whom farre before did march a goodly band Of tall young men,° all hable armes to sownd, But now they laurell braunches bore in hand; 45 Glad signe of victorie and peace in all their land. VI Unto that doughtie Conquerour they came, And him before themselves prostrating low, Their Lord and Patrone loud did him proclame, And at his feet their laurell boughes did throw. 50 Soone after them all dauncing on a row The comely virgins came, with girlands dight, As fresh as flowres in medow greene do grow, When morning deaw upon their leaves doth light: And in their hands sweet Timbrels all upheld on hight. VII 55 And them before, the fry of children young Their wanton sports and childish mirth did play, And to the Maydens° sounding tymbrels sung, In well attuned notes, a joyous lay, And made delightfull musicke all the way, 60 Untill they came, where that faire virgin stood; As faire Diana in fresh sommers day, Beholds her Nymphes enraung'd in shadie wood, Some wrestle, some do run, some bathe in christall flood: VIII So she beheld those maydens meriment 65 With chearefull vew; who when to her they came, Themselves to ground with gracious humblesse bent, And her ador'd by honorable name, Lifting to heaven her everlasting fame: Then on her head they set a girland greene, 70 And crowned her twixt earnest and twixt game; Who in her self-resemblance well beseene,° Did seeme such, as she was, a goodly maiden Queene. IX And after, all the raskall many° ran, Heaped together in rude rablement, 75 To see the face of that victorious man: Whom all admired, as from heaven sent, And gazd upon with gaping wonderment. But when they came where that dead Dragon lay, Stretcht on the ground in monstrous large extent, 80 The sight with idle feare did them dismay, Ne durst approch him nigh, to touch, or once assay. X Some feard, and fled; some feard and well it faynd; One that would wiser seeme then all the rest, Warnd him not touch, for yet perhaps remaynd 85 Some lingring life within his hollow brest, Or in his wombe might lurke some hidden nest Of many Dragonets, his fruitfull seed; Another said, that in his eyes did rest Yet sparckling fire, and bad thereof take heed; 90 Another said, he saw him move his eyes indeed. XI One mother, when as her foolehardie chyld Did come too neare, and with his talants play, Halfe dead through feare, her little babe revyld, And to her gossips gan in counsell say; 95 How can I tell, but that his talants may Yet scratch my sonne, or rend his tender hand? So diversly themselves in vaine they fray; Whiles some more bold, to measure him nigh stand, To prove how many acres he did spread of land. XII 100 Thus flocked all the folke him round about, The whiles that hoarie king, with all his traine, Being arrived where that champion stout After his foes defeasance did remaine, Him goodly greetes, and faire does entertaine 105 With princely gifts of yvorie and gold, And thousand thankes him yeelds for all his paine. Then when his daughter deare he does behold, Her dearely doth imbrace, and kisseth manifold. XIII And after to his Pallace he them brings, 110 With shaumes, and trompets, and with Clarions sweet; And all the way the joyous people sings, And with their garments strowes the paved street: Whence mounting up, they find purveyance meet Of all that royall Princes court became, 115 And all the floore was underneath their feet Bespred with costly scarlot of great name,° On which they lowly sit, and fitting purpose frame.° XIV What needs me tell their feast and goodly guize,° In which was nothing riotous nor vaine? 120 What needs of dainty dishes to devize, Of comely services, or courtly trayne? My narrow leaves cannot in them containe The large discourse of royall Princes state. Yet was their manner then but bare and plaine: 125 For th' antique world excesse and pride did hate; Such proud luxurious pompe is swollen up but late. XV Then when with meates and drinkes of every kinde Their fervent appetites they quenched had, That auncient Lord gan fit occasion finde, 130 Of straunge adventures, and of perils sad, Which in his travell him befallen had, For to demaund of his renowmed guest: Who then with utt'rance grave, and count'nance sad, From point to point, as is before exprest, 135 Discourst his voyage long, according his request. XVI Great pleasures mixt with pittiful regard, That godly King and Queene did passionate, Whiles they his pittifull adventures heard, That oft they did lament his lucklesse state, 140 And often blame the too importune fate, That heaped on him so many wrathfull wreakes: For never gentle knight, as he of late, So tossed was in fortunes cruell freakes; And all the while salt teares bedeawd the hearers cheaks. XVII 145 Then sayd the royall Pere in sober wise; Deare Sonne, great beene the evils which ye bore From first to last in your late enterprise, That I note whether prayse, or pitty more: For never living man, I weene, so sore 150 In sea of deadly daungers was distrest; But since now safe ye seised have the shore, And well arrived are, (high God be blest) Let us devize of ease and everlasting rest. XVIII Ah, dearest Lord, said then that doughty knight, 155 Of ease or rest I may not yet devize, For by the faith, which I to armes have plight, I bounden am streight after this emprize, As that your daughter can ye well advize, Backe to returne to that great Faerie Queene, 160 And her to serve six yeares in warlike wize, Gainst that proud Paynim king° that workes her teene Therefore I ought crave pardon, till I there have beene. XIX Unhappie falles that hard necessitie, (Quoth he) the troubler of my happie peace, 165 And vowed foe of my felicitie; Ne I against the same can justly preace: But since that band ye cannot now release, Nor doen undo°; (for vowes may not be vaine,) Soone as the terme of those six yeares shall cease, 170 Ye then shall hither backe returne againe, The marriage to accomplish vowd betwixt you twain. XX Which for my part I covet to performe, In sort as° through the world I did proclame, That whoso kild that monster most deforme, 175 And him in hardy battaile overcame, Should have mine onely daughter to his Dame, And of my kingdome heyre apparaunt bee: Therefore since now to thee perteines the same, By dew desert of noble chevalree, 180 Both daughter and eke kingdome, lo, I yield to thee. XXI Then forth he called that his daughter faire, The fairest Un' his onely daughter deare, His onely daughter, and his onely heyre; Who forth proceeding with sad sober cheare, 185 As bright as doth the morning starre appeare Out of the East, with flaming lockes bedight, To tell that dawning day is drawing neare, And to the world does bring long wished light: So faire and fresh that Lady shewd her selfe in sight. XXII 190 So faire and fresh, as freshest flowre in May; For she had layd her mournefull stole aside, And widow-like sad wimple throwne away, Wherewith her heavenly beautie she did hide, Whiles on her wearie journey she did ride; 195 And on her now a garment she did weare, All lilly white, withoutten spot, or pride, That seemd like silke and silver woven neare, But neither silke nor silver therein did appeare. XXIII The blazing brightnesse of her beauties beame, 200 And glorious light of her sunshyny face, To tell, were as to strive against the streame; My ragged rimes are all too rude and bace, Her heavenly lineaments for to enchace. Ne wonder; for her owne deare loved knight, 205 All were she° dayly with himselfe in place, Did wonder much at her celestiall sight: Oft had he seene her faire, but never so faire dight. XXIV So fairely dight, when she in presence came, She to her Sire made humble reverence, 210 And bowed low, that her right well became, And added grace unto her excellence: Who with great wisedome and grave eloquence Thus gan to say. But eare he thus had said, With flying speede, and seeming great pretence 215 Came running in, much like a man dismaid, A Messenger with letters, which his message said. XXV All in the open hall amazed stood At suddeinnesse of that unwarie sight, And wondred at his breathlesse hastie mood. 220 But he for nought would stay his passage right, Till fast before the king he did alight; Where falling flat, great humblesse he did make, And kist the ground, whereon his foot was pight; Then to his hands that writ he did betake, 225 Which he disclosing, red thus, as the paper spake. XXVI To thee, most mighty king of Eden faire, Her greeting sends in these sad lines addrest, The wofull daughter, and forsaken heire Of that great Emperour of all the West; 230 And bids thee be advized for the best, Ere thou thy daughter linck in holy band Of wedlocke to that new unknowen guest: For he already plighted his right hand Unto another love, and to another land. XXVII 235 To me sad mayd, or rather widow sad, He was affiaunced long time before, And sacred pledges he both gave, and had, False erraunt knight, infamous, and forswore: Witnesse the burning Altars, which he swore, 240 And guiltie heavens of his bold perjury, Which though he hath polluted oft of yore, Yet I to them for judgement just do fly, And them conjure t'avenge this shamefull injury. XXVIII Therefore since mine he is, or free or bond, 245 Or false or trew, or living or else dead, Withhold, O soveraine Prince, your hasty hond From knitting league with him, I you aread; Ne weene my right with strength adowne to tread, Through weaknesse of my widowhed, or woe; 250 For truth is strong her rightfull cause to plead, And shall find friends, if need requireth soe. So bids thee well to fare, Thy neither friend, nor foe, Fidessa. XXIX When he these bitter byting wordes had red, The tydings straunge did him abashed make, 255 That still he sate long time astonished, As in great muse, ne word to creature spake. At last his solemne silence thus he brake, With doubtfull eyes fast fixed on his guest; Redoubted knight, that for mine onely sake 260 Thy life and honour late adventurest, Let nought be hid from me, that ought to be exprest. XXX What meane these bloody vowes, and idle threats, Throwne out from womanish impatient mind? What heavens? what altars? what enraged heates 265 Here heaped up with termes of love unkind, My conscience cleare with guilty bands would bind? High God be witnesse, that I guiltlesse ame. But if your selfe, Sir knight, ye faultie find, Or wrapped be in loves of former Dame, 270 With crime do not it cover, but disclose the same. XXXI To whom the Redcrosse knight this answere sent My Lord, my King, be nought hereat dismayd, Till well ye wote by grave intendiment, What woman, and wherefere doth me upbrayd 275 With breach of love, and loyalty betrayd. It was in my mishaps, as hitherward I lately traveild, that unwares I strayd Out of my way, through perils straunge and hard; That day should faile me, ere I had them all declard. XXXII 280 There did I find, or rather I was found Of this false woman, that Fidessa hight, Fidessa hight the falsest Dame on ground, Most false Duessa, royall richly dight, That easy was to invegle weaker sight: 285 Who by her wicked arts, and wylie skill, Too false and strong for earthly skill or might, Unwares me wrought unto her wicked will, And to my foe betrayd, when least I feared ill. XXXIII Then stepped forth the goodly royall Mayd, 290 And on the ground her selfe prostrating low, With sober countenaunce thus to him sayd; O pardon me, my soveraigne Lord, to show The secret treasons, which of late I know To have bene wroght by that false sorceresse. 295 She onely she it is, that earst did throw This gentle knight into so great distresse, That death him did awaite in dayly wretchednesse. XXXIV And now it seemes, that she suborned hath This craftie messenger with letters vaine, 300 To worke new woe and unprovided scath, By breaking of the band betwixt us twaine; Wherein she used hath the practicke paine Of this false footman, clokt with simplenesse, Whom if ye please for to discover plaine, 305 Ye shall him Archimago find, I ghesse, The falsest man alive; who tries shall find no lesse. XXXV The king was greatly moved at her speach, And, all with suddein indignation fraight, Bad on that Messenger rude hands to reach. 310 Eftsoones the Gard, which on his state did wait, Attacht that faitor false, and bound him strait: Who seeming sorely chauffed at his band, As chained Beare, whom cruell dogs do bait,° With idle force did faine them to withstand, 315 And often semblaunce made to scape out of their hand. XXXVI But they him layd full low in dungeon deepe, And bound him hand and foote with yron chains And with continual watch did warely keepe: Who then would thinke, that by his subtile trains 320 He could escape fowle death or deadly paines? Thus when that princes wrath was pacifide, He gan renew the late forbidden bains, And to the knight his daughter dear he tyde, With sacred rites and vowes for ever to abyde. XXXVII 325 His owne two hands the holy knots did knit, That none but death for ever can devide; His owne two hands, for such a turne most fit, The housling fire° did kindle and provide, And holy water thereon sprinckled wide; 330 At which the bushy Teade a groome did light, And sacred lamp in secret chamber hide, Where it should not be quenched day nor night, For feare of evill fates, but burnen ever bright. XXXVIII Then gan they sprinckle all the posts with wine, 335 And made great feast to solemnize that day; They all perfumde with frankencense divine, And precious odours fetcht from far away, That all the house did sweat with great aray: And all the while sweete Musicke did apply 340 Her curious skill, the warbling notes to play, To drive away the dull Melancholy; The whiles one sung a song of love and jollity. XXXIX During the which there was an heavenly noise Heard sound through all the Pallace pleasantly, 345 Like as it had bene many an Angels voice Singing before th' eternall Majesty, In their trinall triplicities° on hye; Yet wist no creature whence that heavenly sweet Proceeded, yet eachone felt secretly 350 Himselfe thereby reft of his sences meet, And ravished with rare impression in his sprite. XL Great joy was made that day of young and old, And solemne feast proclaimd throughout the land, That their exceeding merth may not be told: 355 Suffice it heare by signes to understand The usuall joyes at knitting of loves band. Thrise happy man the knight himselfe did hold, Possessed of his Ladies hart and hand, And ever, when his eye did her behold, 360 His heart did seeme to melt in pleasures manifold. XLI Her joyous presence, and sweet company In full content he there did long enjoy; Ne wicked envie, ne vile gealosy, His deare delights were able to annoy: 365 Yet swimming in that sea of blissfull joy, He nought forgot how he whilome had sworne, In case he could that monstrous beast destroy, Unto his Faerie Queene backe to returne; The which he shortly did, and Una left to mourne. XLII 370 Now strike your sailes ye jolly Mariners, For we be come unto a quiet rode, Where we must land some of our passengers, And light this wearie vessell of her lode. Here she a while may make her safe abode, 375 Till she repaired have her tackles spent,° And wants supplide. And then againe abroad On the long voyage whereto she is bent: Well may she speede and fairely finish her intent.