Can. IIII. To sinfull hous of Pryde, Duessa guydes the faithfull knight, Where brothers death to wreak Sansioy doth chaleng him to fight. [1] YOung Young knight, what euer ever that dost armes professe, And through long labours huntest after fame, Beware of fraud, beware of ficklenesse, In choice, and chaunge of thy deare loued loved Dame, Least thou of her belieue believe too lightly blame, And rash misweening doe thy hart remoue remove : For vnto unto knight there is no greater shame, 1590.bk1.I.iv.1.8. Then: Than Then Than lightnesse and inconstancie in loue love ; That doth this Redcrosse knights ensample plainly proue.prove. proueprove [2] Who after that he had faire Vna Una lorne, Through light misdeeming of her loialtie, And falſefalse fale falſefalse Duessa in her sted had borne, Called Fidess’, and so supposd to be; Long with her traueild traveild , till at last they see A goodly building, brauely bravely garnished, The house of mightie Prince it seemd to be: And towards it a broad high way that led, All bare through peoples feet, which thether traueiled traveiled . [3] Great troupes of people traueild traveild thetherward Both day and night, of each degree and place, But few returned, hauing having scaped hard, With balefull beggery, or foule disgrace, 46 The first Booke of Cant. IIII. By Which euer ever after in most wretched cace care caſecase , Like loathsome lazars, by the hedges lay. Thether Duessa badd him bend his pace: For she is wearie of the toilsom way, And also nigh consumed is the lingring day. [4] A stately Pallace built of squared bricke, Which cunningly was without morter laid, Whose wals were high, but nothing strong, nor thick And golden foile all ouer over them displaid, That purest skye with brightnesse they dismaid: High lifted vp up were many loftie towres, And goodly galleries far ouer over laid, Full of faire windowes, and delightful bowres; And on the top a Diall told the timely howres. [5] It was a goodly heape for to behould, And spake the praises of the workmans witt; But full great pittie, that so faire a mould Did on so weake foundation euer ever sitt: For on a sandie hill, that still did flitt, And fall away, it mounted was full hie, That euery every breath of heauen heaven shaked itt: And all the hinder partes, that few could spie, Were ruinous and old, but painted cunningly. [6] Arriued 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 MaluenùMalvenù, who entrance none denide: Thence to the hall, which was on euery every side With rich array and costly arras dight: Infinite sortes of people did abide There waiting long, to win the wished sight Of her, that was the Lady of that Pallace bright. 47 the Faery Queene. Cant. IIII. A D [7] By them they passe, all gazing on them round, And to the Presence mount; whose glorious vew Their frayle amazed senses did confound: In liuing living Princes court none euer ever knew Such endlesse richesse, and so ſumpteoussumpteous ſumptuoussumptuous shew; Ne Persia selfe, the nourse of pompous pride Like euer ever saw. And there a noble crew Of Lords and Ladies stood on euery every side, Which with their presence fayre, the place much beau-(tifide. [8] High aboue above all a cloth of State was spred, And a rich throne, as bright as sunny day, On which there sate most braue brave embellished With royall robes and gorgeous array, A mayden Queene, that shone as Titans ray, In glistring gold, and perelesse pretious stone; Yet her bright blazing beautie did assay To dim the brightnesse of her glorious throne, As enuying envying her selfe, that too exceeding shone. [9] Exceeding shone, like Phœbus fayrest childe, That did presume his fathers fyrie wayne, And flaming mouthes of steedes vnwonted unwonted wilde Through highest heauen heaven with weaker hand to rayne; Proud of such glory and aduancement advancement vayne, While flashing beames do daze his feeble eyen, He leaues leaves the welkin way most beaten playne, And rapt with whirling wheeles, inflames the skyen, With fire not made to burne, but fayrely for to shyne. [10] So proud she shyned in her princely state, Looking to heauen heaven ; for earth she did disdayne, And sitting high; for lowly she did hate: Lo vnderneath underneath her scornefull feete, was layne 48 The first Booke of Cant. IIII. With 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-lou’d selfe-lov’d semblance tooke delight; For she was wondrous faire, as any liuing living wight. [11] Of griesly Pluto she the daughter was, And sad Proserpina the Queene of hell; Yet did she thinke her pearelesse worth wroth to pas That parentage, with pride so did she swell, And thundring Iove Jove , that high in heauen heaven doth dwell, And wield the world, she claymed for her syre, Or if that any else did Ioue Jove excell: For to the highest she did still aspyre, Or if ought higher were 1590.bk1.I.iv.11.9. then: than then than that, did it desyre. [12] And proud Lucifera men did her call, That made her selfe a selfe Queene, and crownd to be, Yet rightfull kingdome she had none at all, Ne heritage of natiue native soueraintie soveraintie , But did vsurpe usurpe with wrong and tyrannie Vpon Upon the scepter, which she now did hold; Ne ruld her Realme Realmes with lawes, but pollicie, And strong aduizement advizement of six wisards old, That with their counsels bad her kingdome did vphold uphold . [13] Soone as the Elfin Elfin ElfingElfing knight in presence came, And false Duessa seeming Lady fayre, A gentle Husher, Vanitie by name Made rowme, and passage for them did prepaire: So goodly brought them to the lowest stayre Of her high throne, where they on humble knee Making obeysaunce, did the cause declare, Why they were come, her roiall state to see, To proue prove the wide report of her great Maiestee Majestee . 49 the Faerie Queene. Cant. IIII. Great D2 [14] With loftie eyes, halfe loth to looke so lowe, She thancked them in her disdainefull wise, Ne other grace vouchsafed them to showe Of Princesse worthy, scarse them bad arise. Her Lordes and Ladies all this while deuise devise Themselues Themselves to setten forth to straungers sight: Some frounce their curled heare in courtly guise, Some prancke their ruffes, and others trimly dight Their gay attyre: each others greater pride does spight. [15] Goodly they all that knight doe entertayne, Right glad with him to haue have increast their crew; But to Duess’ each one himselfe did payne All kindnesse and faire courtesie to shew; For in that court whylome her well they knew: Yet the stout Faery mongst the middest crowd Thought all their glorie vaine in knightly vew, And that great Princesse too exceeding prowd, That to strange knight no better countenance allowd. [16] Suddein vpriseth upriseth from her stately place The roiall Dame, and for her coche doth call; All hurtlen forth, and she with princely pace, As faire Aurora in her purple pall, Out of the East the dawning day doth call: So forth she comes: her brightnes brode doth blaze; The heapes of people thronging in the hall, Doe ride each other, vpon upon her to gaze: Her glorious glitterand glitter and light doth all mens eies amaze. [17] 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 stroue strove to match, in roiall rich array, 50 The first Booke of Cant. IIII. And Great Iunoes Junoes golden chayre, the which they say The Gods stand gazing on, when she does ride To Ioues Joves high hous through heauens heavens bras paued paved way Drawne of fayre Pecocks, that excell in pride, And full of Argus eyes their tayles dispredden wide. [18] But this was drawne of six vnequall unequall beasts, On which her six sage CounſelloursCounsellours CoſunelloursCosunellours CounſelloursCounsellours did ryde, Taught to obay their bestiall beheasts, With like conditions to their kindes applyde: Of which the first, that all the rest did guyde, Was sluggish Idlenesse the nourse of sin; Vpon Upon a slouthfull Asse he chose to ryde, Arayd in habit blacke, and amis thin, Like to an holy Monck, the seruice service to begin. [19] And in his hand his Portesse still he bare, That much was worne, but therein little redd, For of deuotion devotion he had little care, Still drownd in sleepe, and most of his daies dedd; Scarse could he once vphold uphold his heauie heavie hedd, To looken, whether it were night or day: May seeme the wayne was very euill evill ledd, When such an one had guiding of the way, That knew not, whether right he went, or else astray. [20] From worldly cares himselfe he did esloyne, And greatly shunned manly exercise, From euerie everie worke he chalenged essoyne, For contemplation sake: yet otherwise, His life he led in lawlesse riotise; By which he grew to grieuous grievous malady; For in his lustlesse limbs through euill evill guise A shaking feuer fever raignd continually: Such one was Idlenesse, first of this company. 51 the Faery Queene. Cant. IIII. Who D3 [21] And by his side rode loathsome Gluttony, Deformed creature, on a filthie swyne, His belly was vpblowne upblowne with luxury; And eke with fatnesse swollen were his eyne, And like a Crane his necke was long and fyne, With which he swallowd vp up excessiue excessive feast, For want whereof poore people oft did pyne, And all the way, most like a brutish beast, He spued vp up his gorge, that all did him deteast. [22] In greene vine leaues leaves he was right fitly clad; For other clothes he could not weare for heat, And on his head an yuie yvie girland had, From vnder under which fast trickled downe the sweat: Still as he rode, he somewhat still did eat, And in his hand did beare a bouzing can, Of which he supt so oft, that on his seat His dronken corſecorse courſecourse he scarse vpholden upholden can, In shape and life more like a monster, 1590.bk1.I.iv.22.9. then: than then than a man. [23] Vnfit Unfit he was for any wordly worldly thing, And eke vnhable 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 frend he seeldome knew his fo: Full of diseases was his carcas blew, And a dry dropsie through his flesh did flow, Which by misdiet daily greater grew: Such one was Gluttony, the second of that crew. [24] And next to him rode lustfull Lechery, Vpon Upon a bearded Gote, whose rugged heare, And whally eies (the signe of gelosy,) gelosy), Was like the person selfe, whom he did beare: 52 The first Booke of Cant. IIII. His Who rough, and blacke, and filthy did appeare, Vnseemely Unseemely man to please faire Ladies eye; Yet he of Ladies oft was loued loved deare, When fairer faces were bid standen by: O who does know the bent of womens fantasy? [25] In a greene gowne he clothed was full faire, Which vnderneath underneath did hide his filthinesse, And in his hand a burning hart he bare, Full of vaine follies, and new fanglenesse; For he was false, and fraught with ficklenesse, And learned had to loue love with secret lookes, And well could daunce, and sing with ruefulnesse, And fortunes tell, and read in louing loving bookes, And thousand other waies, to bait his fleshly hookes. [26] Inconstant man, that loued loved all he saw, And lusted after all, that he did loue love , Ne would his looser life be tide to law, But ioyd joyd weake wemens hearts to tempt, and proue prove If from their loyall loues loves he might them moue move ; Which lewdnes fild him with reprochfull pain Of that foule euill evill , which all men reproue reprove , That rotts the marrow, and consumes the braine: Such one was Lechery, the third of all this traine. [27] And greedy Auarice Avarice by him did ride, Vppon Uppon a Camell loaden all with gold; Two iron cof⁀ferscoffers cof⁀fetscoffets hong on either side, With precious metall full, as they might hold, And in his lap an heap of coine he told; For of his wicked pelf pelpe pelfe his God he made, And vnto unto hell him selfe for money sold; Accursed vsury usury was all his trade, And right and wrong ylike in equall ballaunce waide. 53 the Faery Queene. Cant. IIII. In D4 [28] His life was nigh vnto unto deaths dore yplaste, And thred-bare cote, and cobled shoes hee ware, Ne scarse good morsell all his life did taste, But both from backe and belly still did spare, To fill his bags, and richesse to compare; Yet childe ne kinsman liuing living had he none To leaue leave them to; but thorough daily care To get, and nightly feare to lose his owne, He led a wretched life vnto unto him selfe vnknowne unknowne . [29] Most wretched wight, whom nothing might suffise, Whose greedy lust did lacke in greatest store, Whose need had end, but no end couetise covetise , Whose welth was want, whose plẽty plenty made him pore, Who had enough, yett wished euer ever more, A vile disease, and eke in foote and hand A grieuous grievous gout tormented him full sore, That well he could not touch, nor goe, nor stand: Such one was Auarice Avarice , the fourth forth of this faire band. [30] And next to him malicious Enuy Envy rode, Vpon Upon a rauenous ravenous wolfe, and still did chaw Betweene his cankred teeth a venemous tode, That all the poison ran about his chaw; But inwardly he chawed his owne maw At neibors welth, that made him euer ever sad; For death it was, when any good he saw, And wept, that cause of weeping none he had, But when he heard of harme, he wexed wondrous glad. [31] All in a kirtle of discolourd say He clothed was, ypaynted full of eies; And in his bosome secretly there lay An hatefull Snake, the which his taile vptyes uptyes 54 The first Booke of Cant. IIII. Full In many folds, and mortall sting implyes. Still as he rode, he gnasht his teeth, to see Those heapes of gold with griple Couetyse Covetyse , And grudged at the great gteat felicitee Of proud Ofproud Lucifera, and his owne companee. [32] He hated all good workes and vertuous deeds, And him no lesse, that any like did vse use , And who with gratious bread the hungry feeds, His almes for want of faith he doth accuse; So euery every good to bad he doth abuse: And eke the verse of famous Poets witt He does backebite, and spightfull poison spues From leprous mouth on all, that euer ever writt: Such one vile Enuy Envy was, that fifte fifte firſt first in row did sitt. [33] And him beside rides fierce reuenging revenging Wrath, Vpon 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 eies did hurle forth sparcles fiery red, And stared sterne on all, that him beheld, As ashes pale of hew and seeming ded; And on his dagger still his hand he held, Trẽbling Trembling through hasty rage, when choler in him sweld. [34] His ruffin raiment all was staind with blood, Which he had spilt, and all to rags yrent, Through vnaduized unadvized rashnes woxen wood; For of his hands he had no gouernement governement , Ne car’d for blood in his auengement avengement : But when the furious fitt was ouerpast overpast , His cruell facts he often would repent; Yet wilfull man he neuer never would forecast, How many mischieues mischieves should ensue his heedlesse hast. 55 the Faery Queene. Cant. IIII. And [35] Full many mischiefes follow cruell Wrath; Abhorred bloodshed, and tumultuous strife, Vnmanly Unmanly murder, and vnthrifty unthrifty scath, Bitter despight, with rancours rusty knife, And fretting griefe the enemy of life; All these, and many euils evils moe haunt ire, The swelling Splene, and Frenzy raging rife, The shaking Palsey, and Saint Fraunces fire: Such one was Wrath, the last of this vngodly ungodly tire. [36] And after all vpon upon the wagon beame Rode Sathan, with a smarting whip in hand, With which he forward lasht the laesy teme, So oft as Slowth still in the mire did stand. Huge routs of people did about them band, Showting for ioy joy , and still before their way A foggy mist had couered covered all the land; And vnderneath underneath their feet, all scattered lay Dead sculls & and bones of men, whose life had gone astray. [37] So forth they marchen in this goodly sort, To take the solace of the open aire, And in fresh flowring fields themselues themselves to sport; Emongst the rest rode that false Lady faire, The foule Duessa, next vnto unto the chaire Of proud Ofproud Lucifer’ Lucifera , as one of the traine: But that good knight would not so nigh repaire, Him selfe estraunging from their ioyaunce joyaunce vaine, Whose fellowship seemd far vnfitt unfitt for warlike swaine. [38] So hauing having solaced themselues themselves a space, With pleasaunce of the breathing fields yfed, yfed,, They backe retourned to the princely Place; Whereas an errant knight in armes ycled, 56 The first Booke of Cant. IIII. And And heathnish shield, wherein with letters red Was writt Sans ioy joy , they new arriued arrived find: Enflam’d with fury and fiers hardy hed, He seemd in hart to harbour thoughts vnkind unkind , And nourish bloody vengeaunce in his bitter mind. [39] Who when the shamed shield of slaine Sans foy He spide with that same Faery Fary champions page, Bewraying him, that did of late destroy His eldest brother, burning all with rage He to him lept, and that same enuious envious gage Of victors glory from him snacht away: But th’Elfin knight, which ought that warlike wage, Disdaind to loose the meed he wonne in fray, And him rencountring fierce, reskewd the noble pray. [40] Therewith they gan to hurtlen greedily, Redoubted battaile ready to darrayne, And clash their shields, and shake their swerds on hy, That with their sturre they troubled all the traine; Till that great Queene vpon upon eternall paine Of high displeasure, that ensewen might, Commaunded them their fury to refraine, And if that either to that shield had right, In equall lists they should the morrow next it fight. [41] Ah dearest Dame, qd.quoth then the Paynim bold, Pardon the error of enraged wight, Whome great griefe made forgett the raines to hold Of reasons rule, to see this recreaunt knight, No knight, but treachour full of false despight And shameful treason, who through guile hath slayn The prowest knight, that euer ever field did fight, Euen Even stout Sans foy (O who can then refrayn?) Whose shield he beares renuerst, the more to heap dis-(dayn. 57 the Faery Queene. Cant. IIII. Cause [42] And to augment the glorie of his guile, His dearest loue love the faire Fidessa loe Is there possessed of the traytour vile, Who reapes the haruest harvest sowen by his foe, Sowen in bloodie field, and bought with woe: That brothers hand shall dearely well requight So be, O Queene, you equall fauour favour showe. Him litle answerd th’angry Elfin knight; He neuer never meant with words, but swords to plead his (right. [43] But threw his gauntlet as a sacred pledg, His cause in combat the next day to try: So been they parted both, with harts on edg, To be aueng’d aveng’d each on his enimy. That night they pas in ioy joy and iollity jollity , Feasting and courting both in bowre and hall; For Steward was excessiue excessive Gluttony, That of his plenty poured forth to all; Which doen, the Chamberlain Slowth did to rest them (call. [44] Now whenas darkesome night had all displayd Her coleblacke curtein ouer over brightest skye, 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, Vprose Uprose Duessa from her resting place, And to the Paynims lodging comes with silent pace. [45] Whom broad awake she findes, in troublous fitt, Forecasting, how his foe he might annoy, And him amoues amoves with speaches seeming fitt: Ah deare Sansioy Sansjoy , next dearest to Sansfoy, 58 The first Booke of Cant. IIII. Thereto Cause of my new griefe, cause of my new of new ioy joy , Ioyous Joyous , to see his ymage in mine eye, And greeud greevd , to thinke how foe did him destroy, That was the flowre of grace and cheualrye chevalrye ; Lo his Fidessa to thy secret faith I flye. [46] With gentle wordes he can her fayrely greet, And bad say on the secrete of her hart. Then sighing soft, I learne that litle sweet Oft tempred is (quoth she) with muchell smart: For since my brest was launcht with louely lovely dart Of deare Sansfoy Sanfoy , I neuer never ioyed joyed howre, But in eternall woes my weaker hart Haue Have wasted, louing loving him with all my powre, And for his sake haue have felt full many an heauie heavie stowre. [47] At last when perils all I weened past, And hop’d to reape the crop of all my care, Into new woes vnweeting unweeting I was cast, By this false faytor, who vnworthie unworthie ware His worthie shield, whom he with guilefull snare Entrapped slew, and brought to shamefull graue grave . Me silly maid away with him he bare, And euer ever since hath kept in darksom caue cave , For that I would not yeeld, that to Sansfoy I gaue gave . [48] But Bnt since faire Sunne hath sperst that lowring clowd, And to my loathed life now shewes some light, Vnder Under your beames I will me safely shrowd, From dreaded storme of his disdainfull spight: To you th’inheritance belonges by right Of brothers prayse, to you eke longes his loue love . Let not his loue love , let not his restlesse spright, Be vnreueng’d unreveng’d , that calles to you aboue above From wandring Stygian shores, where it doth endlesse (move. 59 the Faery Queene. Cant. IIII. Cant.. [49] Thereto said he, faire Dame be nought dismaid For sorrowes past; their griefe is with them gone: Ne yet of present perill be affraid: For needlesse feare did neuer never vantage none, And helplesse hap it booteth not to mone. Dead is Sansfoy, his vitall paines are past, Though greeued greeved ghost for vengeance deep do grone: grone He liues lives , that shall him pay his dewties last, And guiltie Elfin blood shall sacrifice in hast. [50] 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 euer ever bee, Where both doe 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) I no whitt reck, ne you the like need to reherce. [51] But faire Fidessa, sithens fortunes guile, Or enimies powre hath now captiued captived you, Returne from whence ye came, and rest a while Till morrow next, that I the Elfe subdew, 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 euer ever yet I be, my secrete aide Shall follow you. So passing forth she him obaid.