Cant. X. Her faithfull knight faire Vna Una brings To house of Holinesse, Where he is taught repentaunce, and The way to heuenly blesse. [1] VVHat What man is he, that boasts of fleshly might, And vaine assuraunce of mortality, Which all so soone, as it doth come to fight, Against spirituall foes, yields by and by, Or from the fielde most cowardly doth fly? Ne let the man ascribe it to his skill, That thorough grace hath gained victory. If any strength we haue have , it is to ill, But all the good is Gods, both power and eke will. [2] By that, which lately hapned, Vna Una saw, That this her knight was feeble, and too faint; And all his sinewes woxen weake and raw, Through long enprisonment, and hard constraint, Which he endured in his late restraint, That yet he was vnfitt unfitt for bloody fight: Therefore to cherish him with diets daint, daint. She cast to bring him, where he chearen might, Till he recouered recovered had his late decayed plight. [3] There was an auncient house not far away, Renowmd throughout the world for sacred lore, And pure vnspotted unspotted life: so well they say It gouernd governd was, and guided euermore evermore , 136 The first Booke of Cant. X. There Through wisedome of a matrone graue grave and hore; Whose onely ioy joy was to relieue relieve the needes 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. [4] Dame Cælia men did her call, as thought From heauen heaven to come, or thether to arise, The mother of three daughters, well vpbrought 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; But faire Charissa to a louely lovely fere Was lincked, and by him had many pledges dere. [5] Arriued 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, The Porter opened vnto 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 Humiltá. They passe in stouping low; For streight & and narrow was the way, which he did shew. [6] Each goodly thing is hardest to begin, But entred in a spatious court they see, Both plaine, and pleasaunt to be walked in, VVhere Where them does meete a francklin faire and free, And entertaines with comely courteous glee, His name was Zele, that him right well became, For in his speaches and behaueour behaveour hee Did labour liuely lively to expresse the same, And gladly did them guide, till to the Hall they came. 137 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. All [7] There fayrely them receiues receives a gentle Squyre, Of myld demeanure, and rare courtesee, Right cleanly clad in comely sad attyre; In word and deede that shewd great modestee, And knew his good to all of each degree, Hight Reuerence Reverence . He them with speaches meet Does faire entreat; no courting nicetee, But simple trew, and eke vnfained unfained sweet, As might become a Squyre so great persons to greet. [8] And afterwardes them to his Dame he leades, That aged Dame, the Lady of the place: Who all this while was busy at her beades: Which doen, she vp up arose with seemely grace, And toward them full matronely did pace. Where when that fairest Vna Una she beheld, Whom well she knew to spring from heuenlyhevenly race, Her heart with ioy joy vnwonted unwonted inly sweld, As feeling wondrous comfort in her weaker eld. [9] And her embracing said, O happy earth, Whereon thy innocent feet doe euer ever tread, Most vertuous virgin borne of heuenlyhevenly berth, That to redeeme thy woefull parents head, From tyrans rage, and euer ever -dying dread, Hast wandred through the world now long a day; Yett ceassest not thy weary soles to lead, What grace hath thee now hether brought this way? Or doen thy feeble feet vnweeting unweeting hether stray? [10] Straunge thing it is an errant knight to see Here in this place, or any other wight, That hether turnes his steps. So few there bee, That chose the narrow path, or seeke the right: 138 The first Booke of Cant. X. Her All keepe the broad high way, and take delight With many rather for to goe astray, And be partakers of their euill evill plight, 1590.bk1.I.x.10.8. Then: Than Then Than with a few to walke the rightest way; O foolish men, why hast ye to your owne decay? [11] Thy selfe to see, and tyred limbes to rest, O matrone sage (quoth she) I hether came, And this good knight his way with me addrest, Ledd with thy prayses and broad-blazed fame, That vp up to heuenheven is blowne. The auncient Dame, Him goodly greeted in her modest guyse, And enterteynd them both, as best became, With all the court’sies, that she could deuyse devyse , Ne wanted ought, to shew her bounteous or wise. [12] Thus as they gan of sondrie thinges deuise devise , Loe two most goodly virgins came in place, Ylinked arme in arme in louely lovely wise, With countenance demure, and modest grace, They numbred euen even steps and equall pace: Of which the eldest, that Fidelia hight, Like sunny beames threw from her Christall face, That could haue have dazd the rash beholders sight, And round about her head did shine like heuens light. [13] She was araied all in lilly white, And in her right hand bore a cup of gold, With wine and water fild vp up to the hight, In which a Serpent did himselfe enfold, That horrour made to all, that did behold; But she no whitt did chaunge her constant mood: And in her other hand she fast did hold A booke that was both signd and seald with blood, Wherin darke things were writt, hard to be vnderstood understood . 139 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. I read [14] Her younger Sister, that Speranza hight, Was clad in blew, that her beseemed well; 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: Vpon Upon her arme a siluer silver anchor lay, Whereon she leaned euer ever , as befell: And euer ever vp up to heuen, as she did pray, Her stedfast eyes were bent, ne swarued swarved other way. [15] They seeing Vna Una , towardes her gan wend, Who them encounters with like courtesee; Many kind speeches they betweene them spend, And greatly ioy joy each other for well to see: Then to the knight with shamefast modestie They turne them selues selves , at Vnaes Unaes meeke request, And him salute with well beseeming glee; Who faire them quites, as him beseemed best, And goodly gan discourse of many a noble gest. [16] Then Vna Una thus; But she your sister deare, The deare Charissa where is she become? Or wants she health, or busie is elswhere? Ah no, said they, but forth she may not come: 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 her be trouble sore, But thankt be God, and her encrease so euermore evermore . [17] Then saide the aged Cœlia, Deare dame, And you good Sir, I wote that of youre toyle, And labors long, through which ye hether came, Ye both forwearied be: therefore a whyle whyle. while 140 The first Booke of Cant. X. The I read you rest, and to your bowres recoyle. Then called she a Groome, that forth him ledd Into a goodly lodge, and gan despoile. Of puissant armes, and laid in easie bedd; His name was meeke Obedience rightfully aredd. [18] Now when their wearie limbes with kindly rest, And bodies were refresht with dew repast, Fayre Vna Una gan Fidelia fayre request, To haue have her knight into her schoolehous plaste, That of her heauenly heavenly learning he might taste, And heare the wisedom of her wordes diuine divine . 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. [19] And that her sacred Booke, with blood ywritt, That none could reade, except she did them teach. She vnto unto him disclosed euery every whitt, And heauenly heavenly documents thereout did preach, That weaker witt of man could neuer never reach, Of God, of grace, of iustice justice , of free will, That wonder was to heare her goodly speach: For she was hable, with her wordes to kill, And rayse againe to life the hart, that she did thrill. [20] And when she list poure out her larger spright, She would commaund the hasty Sunne to stay, Or backward turne his course from heuenshevens hight; hight, Sometimes great hostes of men she could dismay, And eke huge mountaines from their natiue native seat She would commaund, themselues themselves to beare away, And throw in raging sea with roaring threat. Almightie God her gaue gave such powre, and puissaunce (great. 141 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. Of [21] The faithfull knight now grew in litle space, By hearing her, and by her sisters lore, To such perfection of all heuenly grace; That wretched world he gan for to abhore, And mortall life gan loath, as thing forlore, Greeud 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.dismayes. diſmayes,dismayes, diſmaies.dismaies. [22] But wise Speranza gaue gave him comfort sweet, And taught him how to take assured hold Vpon Upon her siluer silver anchor, as was meet; Els had his sinnes so great, and manifold Made him forget all, that Fidelia told. In this distressed doubtfull agony, When him his dearest Vna Una did behold, Disdeining life, desiring leaue leave to dye, She found her selfe assayld with great perplexity. perplexity perplexitie. [23] And came to Cœlia to declare her smart, 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 aduisement advisement right; And streightway sent with carefull diligence, To fetch a Leach, the which had great insight In that disease of grieued grieved conscience, And well could cure the same; His name was Patience. [24] Who comming to that sowle-diseased knight, Could hardly him intreat, to tell his grief: Which knowne, and all that noyd his heauie heavie spright, Well searcht, eftsoones he gan apply relief relief. reliefe. reliefe 142 The first Booke of Cant. X. In Of salues salves and med’cines, which had passing prief, And thereto there to added wordes of wondrous might: By which to ease he him recured brief, And much aswag’d the passion of his plight, That he his paine endur’d, as seeming now more light. [25] But yet the cause and root of all his ill, Inward corruption, and infected sin, Not purg’d nor heald, behind remained still, And festring sore did ranckle yett within, Close creeping twixt the marow and the skin. Which to extirpe, he laid him priuily privily Downe in a darksome lowly place far in, Whereas he meant his corrosiues corrosives to apply, And with streight diet tame his stubborne malady. [26] In ashes and sackcloth he did array His daintie corse, proud humors to abate, And dieted with fasting euery every day, The swelling of his woundes to mitigate, And made him pray both earely and eke late: And euer ever as superfluous flesh did rott Amendment readie still at hand did wayt, To pluck it out with pincers fyrie whott, That soone in him was lefte no one corrupted iott jott . [27] And bitter Penaunce with an yron whip, Was wont him once to disple euery every day: And sharpe Remorse his hart did prick and nip, That drops of blood thence like a well did play; And sad Repentance vsed used to embay embay, His blamefull body in ſalt water ſore His blamefull body in salt water sore His bodie in ſalt water ſmarting ſore His bodie in salt water smarting sore His body in ſalt water ſmarting ſore His body in salt water smarting sore , The filthy blottes of sin to wash away. So in short space they did to health restore The man that would not liue live , but erst lay at deathes (dore. 143 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. An K [28] In which his torment often was so great, That like a Lyon he would cry and rore, And rend his flesh, and his owne synewes eat. His owne deare Vna Una hearing euermore evermore His ruefull shriekes and gronings, often tore Her guiltlesse garments, and her golden heare, For pitty of his payne and anguish sore; Yet all with patience wisely she did beare; For well she wist, his cryme could els be neuer never cleare. [29] Whom thus recouer recover ’d by wise Patience, And trew Repentaunce they to Vna Una brought; Who ioyous joyous of his cured conscience, Him dearely kist, and fayrely eke besought Himselfe to chearish, and consuming thought To put away out of his carefull brest. By this Charissa, late in child-bed brought, Was woxen strong, and left her fruitfull nest; To her fayre Vna Una brought this vnacquainted unacquainted guest. [30] She was a woman in her freshest age, Of wondrous beauty, and of bounty rare, With goodly grace and comely personage, That was on earth not easie to compare; Full of great loue love , but Cupids wanton snare As hell she hated, chaste in worke and will; Her necke and brests were euer ever open bare, That ay thereof her babes might sucke their fill; The rest was all in yellow robes arayed still. [31] A multitude of babes about her hong, Playing their sportes, that ioyd joyd her to behold, Whom still she fed, whiles they were weak & and young, But thrust them forth still, as they wexed old: 144 The first Booke of Cant. X. The And on her head she wore a tyre of gold, Adornd with gemmes and owches wondrous fayre, faire. faire, Whose passing price vneath uneath was to be told; And by her syde there sate a gentle payre Of turtle doues doves , she sitting in an yuory yvory chayre. [32] The knight and Vna Una entring, fayre her greet, And bid her ioy joy of that her happy brood; Who them requites with court’sies seeming meet, And entertaynes with friendly chearefull mood. Then Vna Una her besought, to be so good, 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. [33] She was right ioyious joyious of her iust just request, And taking by the hand that Faeries sonne, Gan him instruct in euerie everie good behest, Of loue love , and righteousnes, and well to donne, And wrath, and hatred warely to shonne, That drew on men Gods hatred, and his wrath, And many soules in dolours had fordonne: In which when him she well instructed hath, From thence to heauẽ heauen heavẽ heaven she teacheth him the ready path. [34] Wherein his weaker wandring steps to guyde, An auncient matrone she to her does call, Whose sober lookes her wisedome well descryde: Her name was Mercy, well knowne ouer over all, To be both gratious, and eke liberall: To whom the carefull charge of him she gaue gave , To leade aright, that he should neuer never fall In all his waies through this wide worldes waue wave , That Mercy in the end his righteous soule might saue save . 145 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. Ne K2 [35] The godly Matrone by the hand him beares Forth from her presence, by a narrow way, Scattred with bushy thornes, and ragged breares, Which still before him she remou’d remov’d away, That nothing might his ready passage stay: And euer ever when his feet encombred were, Or gan to shrinke, or from the right to stray, She held him fast, and firmely did vpbeare upbeare , As carefull Nourse her child from falling oft does reare. [36] Eftsoones vnto unto an holy Hospitall, That was foreby the way, she did him bring, In which seuen seven Bead-men that had vowed all Their life to seruice service of high heauens heavens king Did spend their daies in doing godly thing: There gates to all were open euermore evermore , That by the wearie way were traueiling traveiling , And one sate wayting euer ever them before, To call in-commers by, that needy were and pore. [37] The first of them that eldest was, and best, Of all the house had charge and gouernement governement , As Guardian and Steward of the rest: His office was to giue give entertainement And lodging, vnto unto all that came, and went: Not vnto 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. [38] The second was an Almner as Almner of the place, His office was, the hungry for to feed, And thristy giue give to drinke, a worke of grace: He feard not once him selfe to be in need, 146 The first Booke of Cant. X. The Ne car’d to hoord for those, whom he did breede: The grace of God he layd vp up still in store, Which as a stocke he left vnto unto his seede; He had enough, what need him care for more? And had he lesse, yet some he would giue give to the pore. [39] The third had of their wardrobe custody, In which were not rich tyres, nor garments gay, The plumes of pride, and winges of vanity, But clothes meet to keepe keene cold away, And naked nature seemely to aray; With which bare wretched wights he dayly clad, The images of God in earthly clay; And if that no spare clothes to giue give he had, His owne cote he would cut, and it distribute glad. [40] The fourth appointed by his office was, Poore prisoners to relieue relieve with gratious ayd, And captiues captives to redeeme with price of bras, From Turkes and Sarazins, which them had stayd; And though they faulty were, yet well he wayd, That God to vs us forgiueth forgiveth euery every howre Much more then than that, why they in bands were layd, And he that harrowd hell with heauie heavie stowre, The faulty soules from thence brought to his heauenly heavenly (bowre. [41] The fift had charge sick 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 doe most dismay The feeble soule departing hence away. All is but lost, that liuing living we bestow, If not well ended at our dying day. O man haue have mind of that last bitter throw; For as the tree does fall, so lyes it euer ever low. 147 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. The K3 [42] The sixt had charge of them now being dead, In seemely sort their corses to engraue engrave , And deck with dainty flowres their brydall bed, That to their heauenly heavenly spouse both sweet and braue brave They might appeare, when he their soules shall saue save . The wondrous workmanship of Gods owne mould, Whose face he made, all beastes to feare, and gaue gave All in his hand, euen even dead we honour should. Ah dearest God me graunt, I dead be not defould. [43] The seuenth seventh now after death and buriall done, Had charge the tender Orphans of the dead And wydowes ayd, least they should be vndone undone : In face of iudgement judgement he their right would plead, Ne ought the powre of mighty men did dread In their defence, nor would for gold or fee Be wonne their rightfull causes downe to tread: And when they stood in most necessitee, He did supply their want, and gaue gave them euer ever free. [44] There when the Elfin knight arriued arrived was, The first and chiefest of the seuen seven , whose care Was guests to welcome, towardes him did pas: Where seeing Mercie, that his steps vpbare upbare , And alwaies led, to her with reuerence reverence rare He humbly louted in meeke lowlinesse, And seemely welcome for her did prepare: For of their order she was Patronesse, Albe Charissa were their chiefest founderesse. [45] There she awhile him stayes, him selfe to rest, That to the rest more hable he might bee: During which time, in euery every good behest And godly worke of Almes and charitee 148 The first Booke of Cant. X. Who Shee him instructed with great industree; Shortly therein so perfect he became, That from the first vnto unto the last degree, His mortall life he learned had to frame In holy righteousnesse, without rebuke or blame. [46] 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 litle Hermitage thereby, Wherein an aged holy man did lie, That day and night said his deuotion devotion , Ne other worldly busines did apply; His name was heuenly Contemplation; Of God and goodnes was his meditation. [47] Great grace that old man to him giuen given had; For God he often saw from heauens heavens hight, All were his earthly eien both blunt and bad, And through great age had lost their kindly sight, Yet wondrous quick and persaunt was his spright, As Eagles eie, 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. [48] There they doe finde that godly aged Sire, With snowy lockes adowne his shoulders shed, As hoary frost with spangles doth attire The mossy braunches of an Oke halfe ded. Each bone might through his body well be red, And euery every sinew seene through his long fast: For nought he car’d his carcas long vnfed unfed ; His mind was full of spirituall repast, And pyn’d his flesh, to keepe his body low and chast. 149 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. But K4 [49] Who when these two approching he aspide, At their first presence grew agrieued agrieved sore, That forst him lay his heuenly thoughts aside; And had he not that Dame respected more, Whom highly he did reuerence reverence and adore, He would not once haue have moued moved for the knight. They him saluted standing far afore; Who well them greeting, humbly did requight, And asked, to what end they clomb that tedious hight. [50] What end (qd.quoth ſ⁀heshe he ) should cause vs us take such paine, But that same end, which euery every liuing living wight Should make his marke, high heauen heaven to attaine? Is not from hence the way, that leadeth right To that most glorious house, that glistreth bright With burning starres, and euerliuing everliving fire, Where of the keies are to thy hand behight By wise Fidelia? shee doth thee require, To shew it to this knight, according his desire. [51] Thrise happy man, said then the father graue grave , Whose staggering steps thy steady hand doth lead, And shewes the way, his sinfull soule to saue save . Who better can the way to heauen heaven aread, Then Than thou thy selfe, that was both borne and bred In heuenly throne, where thousand Angels shine? Thou doest the praiers of the righteous sead Present before the maiesty majesty diuine divine , And his auenging avenging wrath to clemency incline. [52] Yet since thou bidst, thy pleasure shalbe donne. Then come thou man of earth, and see the way, That neuer never yet was seene of Faries sonne, That neuer never leads the traueiler traveiler astray, 150 The first Booke of Cant. X. As But after labors long, and sad delay, Brings Bring them to ioyous joyous rest and endlesse blis. But first thou must a season fast and pray, Till from her bands the spright assoiled is, And haue have her strength recur’d from f rom fraile infirmitis. [53] That done, he leads him to the highest Mount; 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 daies vpon upon ; where writt in stone VVith With bloody letters by the hand of God, The bitter doome of death and balefull mone He did receiue receive , whiles flashing fire about him shone. [54] Or like that sacred hill, whose head full hie, Adornd with fruitfull Oliues Olives all arownd, Is, as it were for endlesse memory Of that deare Lord, who oft thereon was fownd, For euer ever with a flowring girlond crownd: Or like that pleasaunt Mount, that is for ay Through famous Poets verse each where renownd, On which the thrise three learned Ladies play Their heuenly notes, and make full many a louely lovely lay. [55] From thence, far off he vnto unto him did shew A litle path, that was both steepe and long, Which to a goodly Citty led his vew; 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 Citty of the greate king hight it well, Wherein eternall peace and happinesse doth dwell. 151 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. That [56] As he thereon stood gazing, he might see The blessed Angels to and fro deſcenddescend deſcend.descend. From highest heuenheven, in gladsome companee, And with great ioy joy into that Citty wend, As commonly as frend does with his frend. Whereat he wondred much, and gan enquere, What stately building durst so high extend Her lofty towres vnto unto the starry sphere, And what vnknowen unknowen nation there empeopled were. [57] Faire knight (qd.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 sinful guilt, With pretious piteous pittious blood, which cruelly was spilt On cursed tree, of that vnspotted unspotted lam, That for the sinnes of al the world was kilt: Now are they Saints all in that Citty sam, More dear vnto unto their God, 1590.bk1.I.x.57.9. then: than then than yoũglings younglings to their dam. [58] Till now, said then the knight, I weened well, That great Cleopolis, where I haue have beene, In which that fairest Fary Queene doth dwell The fairest Citty was, that might be seene; And that bright towre all built of christall clene, Panthea, seemd the brightest thing, that was: But now by proofe all otherwise I weene; For this great Citty that does far surpas, And this bright Angels towre quite dims that towre of (glas. [59] Most trew, then said the holy aged man; Yet is Cleopolis for earthly frame fame , The fairest peece, that eie beholden can: And well beseemes all knights of noble name, 152 The first Booke of Cant. X. O let That couett covett in th’immortall booke of fame To be eternized, that same to haunt, And doen their seruice service to that soueraigne soveraigne Dame, That glory does to them for guerdon graunt: For she is heuenlyhevenly borne, and heauen heaven may iustly justly vaunt. [60] And thou faire ymp, sprong out from English race, How euer ever now accompted Elfins sonne, Well worthy doest thy seruice service for her grace, To aide a virgin desolate foredonne. But when thou famous victory hast wonne, And high emongst all knights hast hong thy shield, Thenceforth the suitt of earthly conquest shonne, And wash thy hands from guilt of bloody field: For blood can nought but sin, & and wars but sorrows yield. [61] Then seek this path, that I to thee presage, Which after all to heauen heaven shall thee send; Then peaceably peaceable to thy painefull pilgrimage To yonder same Hierusalem doe bend, Where is for thee ordaind a blessed end: For thou emongst those Saints, whom thou doest see, Shalt 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. [62] Vnworthy Unworthy wretch (qd.quoth he) of so great grace, How dare I thinke such glory to attaine? attaine¿ These that haue have it attaynd, were in like cace As wretched men, and liuedlived in like paine (Quoth he) as wretched, and liu’dliv’d in like paine . But deeds of armes must I at last be faine, And Ladies loue love to leaue leave so dearely bought? What need of armes, where peace doth ay remaine, (Said he) and bitter battailes all are fought? (Said he) and bitter battailes all ate fought? (Said he) and battailes none are to be fought? As for loose loues loves they’are are vaine, & and vanish into nought. 153 the Faery Queene. Cant. X. And [63] O let me not (quoth he) then turne againe Backe to the world, whose ioyes joyes so fruitlesse are, are; But let me heare for aie in peace remaine, Or streight way on that last long voiage fare, That nothing may my present hope empare. That may not be (said he) ne maist thou yitt Forgoe that royal maides bequeathed care, Who did her cause into thy hand committ, Till from her cursed foe thou haue have her freely quitt. [64] Then shall I soone, (qd.quoth he) so God me grace, Abett that virgins cause disconsolate, And shortly back returne vnto 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 doen then nominate? That word shall I (said he) auouchen avouchen good, Sith to thee is vnknowne unknowne the cradle of thy brood. [65] For well I wote, thou springst from ancient race Of Saxon kinges, that haue have with mightie hand And many bloody battailes fought in place, face place High reard their royall throne in Britans land And vanquisht them, vnable unable to withstand: From thence a Faery thee vnweeting unweeting reft, There as thou slepst in tender swadling band, And her base Elfin brood there for thee left. Such men do Chaungelings call, so chaungd by Faeries (theft. [66] Thence she thee brought into this Faery lond, And in an heaped furrow did thee hyde, Where thee a Ploughman all vnweeting unweeting fond, As he his toylesome teme that way did guyde, 154 The first Booke of Cant. X. Cant. And brought btought thee vp up in ploughmans state to byde, Whereof Georgos he thee gaue gave to name; Till prickt with courage, and thy forces pryde, To Fary court thou cam’st to seeke for fame, And proue prove thy puissaunt armes, as seemes thee best be-(came. [67] O holy Sire (quoth he) how shall I quight The many fauours favours I with thee haue have fownd, That hast my name and nation redd aright, And taught the way that does to heauen heaven bownd? This saide, adowne he looked to the grownd, To haue have returnd, but dazed were his eyne, Through passing brightnes, which did quite cõfound confound His feeble sence, and too exceeding shyne. So darke are earthly thinges compard to things diuine divine . [68] At last whenas himselfe he gan to fynd, To Vna Una back he cast him to retyre; Who him awaited still with pensiue pensive mynd. Great thankes and goodly meed to that good syre, He thens departing gaue gave for his paynes hyre. So came to Vna Una , who him ioyd joyd to see, And after litle rest, gan him desyre, Of her aduenture adventure myndfull for to bee. So leaue leave they take of Cœlia, and her daughters three.