362 That The Second Booke of Cant.XII. Cant. XII. Guyon throughby Palmers gouernaunce governaunce , through paſsingthrough passing paſ⁀ſing throughpassing through perilles great, Doth ouerthrow overthrow the Bowre of blis, and Acrasy defeat. [1] N O o w ginnes this goodly frame of Temperaunce Fayrely to rise, and her adorned hed To pricke of highest prayse forth to aduaunce advaunce , Formerly grounded, and fast setteled On firme foundation of true bountyhed; And this braue brave knight, that for this vertue fightes, Now comes to point of that same perilous sted,Where Pleasure dwelles in sensuall delights, Mongst thousand dãgers dangers , & and ten thousãd thousand Magick mights. [2] Two dayes now in that sea he sayled has, Ne euer ever land beheld, ne liuing living wight, Ne ought saue save perill, still as he did pas: Tho when appeared the third Morrow bright, Vpon Upon the waues waves to spred her trembling light, An hideous roring far away they heard, That all their sences filled with affright, And streight they saw the raging surges reard Vp Up to the skyes, that them of drowning made affeard. [3] Said then the Boteman, Palmer stere aright, And keepe an euen even course; for yonder way We needes must pas (God doe vs us well acquight,) acquight), That is the Gulfe of Greedinesse, they say, 363 On the Faery Queene. Cant.XII. That deepe engorgeth all this worldes pray: Which hauing having swallowd vp up excessiuely excessively , He soone in vomit vp up againe doth lay, And belcheth forth his superfluity, That all the seas for feare did seeme away to fly. [4] On thother syde an hideous Rock is pight,Of mightie Magnes stone, whose craggie clift Depending from on high, dreadfull to sight, Ouer Over the waues waves his rugged armes doth lift, And threatneth downe to throw his ragged rift, On whoso cometh nigh; yet nigh it drawes All passengers, that none from it can shift: For whiles they fly that Gulfes deuouring devouring iawes jawes , They on this Rock are rent, and sunck in helples wawes. [5] Forward they passe, and strongly he them rowes, Vntill Untill they nigh vnto unto that Gulfe arryue arryve , Where streame more violent and greedy growes: Then he with all his puisaunce doth stryue stryve To strike his oares, and mightily doth dryue dryve dryue, dryve, The hollow vessell through the threatfull waue wave , Which gaping wide, to swallow them alyue alyve ,In th’huge abysse of his engulfing graue grave , Doth rore at them in vaine, and with great terrour raue rave . [6] They passing by, that grisely mouth did see, Sucking the seas into his entralles deepe, That seemd more horrible 1590.bk2.II.xii.6.3. then: than then than hell to bee, Or that darke dreadfull hole of Tartare steepe, Through which the damned ghosts doen often creep Backe to the world, bad liuers livers to torment: But nought that falles into this direfull deepe, Ne that approcheth nigh the wyde descent, May backe retourne, but is condemned to be drent. 364 Whiles The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [7] On thother side, they saw that perilous Rocke, Threatning it selfe on them to ruinate, On whose sharp cliftes the ribs of vessels broke, And shiuered shivered ships, which had beene wrecked late, Yet stuck, with carcases exanimate Of such, as hauing having all their substance spentIn wanton ioyes joyes , and lustes intemperate,Did afterwardes make shipwrack violent,Both of their life, and fame for euer ever fowly blent. [8] For thy this hight The Rock of vile Reproch, A daungerous and detestable place, To which nor fish nor fowle did once approch, But yelling Meawes, with Seagulles hoars and bace, And Cormoyraunts, with birds of rauenous ravenous race, Which still sat weiting on that wastfull clift, For spoile of wretches, whose vnhappy unhappy cace, After lost credit and consumed thrift, At last them driuen driven hath to this despairefull drift.drift, [9] The Palmer seeing them in safetie past, Thus saide, behold th’ensamples in our sightes, Of lustfull luxurie and thriftlesse wast: What now is left of miserable wightes, Which spent their looser daies in leud delightes, But shame and sad reproch, here to be red, By these rent reliques, speaking their ill plightes? Let all that liue live , hereby be counselled, To shunne Rock of Reproch and it as death to dread. [10] So forth they rowed, and that Ferryman With his stiffe oares did brush the sea so strong, That the hoare waters from his frigot ran, And the light bubles daunced all along, 365 They the Faerie Queene. Cant.XII. Whiles the salt brine out of the billowes sprong. At last far off they many Islandes spy, On euery every side floting the floodes emong: Then said the knight, Lo I the land descry, Therefore old Syre thy course doe thereunto apply. [11] That may not bee, said then the Ferryman Least wee vnweeting unweeting hap to be fordonne: For those same Islands, seeming now and 1590.bk2.II.xii.11.3. than: then than then , Are not firme land, nor any certein wonne, But stragling plots, which to and fro doe ronne In the wide waters: therefore are they hight The wandring Islands. Therefore doe them shonne; For they haue have ofte drawne many a wandring wight Into most deadly daunger and distressed plight. [12] Yet well they seeme to him, that farre doth vew, Both faire and fruitfull, and the grownd dispred, With grassy greene of delectable hew, And the tall trees with leaues leaves appareled, Are deckt with blossoms dyde in white and red, That mote the passengers thereto allure; But whosoeuer whosoever once hath fastened His foot thereon, may neuer never it recure, But wandreth euer ever more vncertein uncertein and vnsure unsure . [13] As th’Isle of Delos whylome men report Amid th’ Aegæan sea long time did stray, Ne made for shipping any certeine port, Till that Latona traueiling traveiling that way, Flying from Iunoes Junoes wrath and hard assay, Of her fayre twins was there deliuered delivered , Which afterwards did rule the night and day; Thenceforth it firmely was established, And for Apolloes temple highly herried. 366 When The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [14] They to him hearken, as beseemeth meete, And passe on forward: so their way does ly, That one of those same Islands, which doe fleet In the wide sea, they needes must passen by, Which seemd so sweet and pleasaunt to the eye, That it would tempt a man to touchen there: Vpon Upon the banck they sitting did espy A daintie damsell, dressing of her heare, By whom a little skippet floting did appeare. [15] She them espying, loud to them can call, Bidding them nigher draw vnto unto the shore; For she had cause to busie them withall; And therewith lowdly laught: But nathemore Would they once turne, but kept on as afore: afore Which when she saw, she left her lockes vndight undight , And running to her boat withouten wihtouten wirhouten ore, From the departing land it launched light, And after them did driue drive with all her power and might. [16] Whom ouertaking overtaking , she in merry sort Them gan to bord, and purpose diuersly diversly , Now faining dalliaunce and wanton sport, Now throwing forth lewd wordes immodestly; Till that the Palmer gan full bitterly Her to rebuke, for being loose and light: Which not abiding, but more scornfully Scoffing at him, that did her iustly justly wite, She turnd her bote about, and from them rowed quite. [17] That was the wanton PhædriaPhœdria, which late Did ferry him ouer over the Idle lake: Whom nought regarding, they kept on their gate, And all her vaine allurements did forsake, A a 367 But the Faery Queene. Cant. XII. When them the wary Boteman thus bespake; Here now behoueth behoveth vs us well to auyse avyse , And of our safety good heede to take; For here before a perlous passage lyes, Where many Mermayds haunt, making false melodies. [18] But by the way, there is a great Quicksand, And a whirlepoole of hidden ieopardy jeopardy , Therefore, Sir Palmer, keepe an euen even hand; For twixt them both the narrow way doth ly. Scarse had he saide, when hard at hand they spy That quicksand nigh with water couered covered ; But by the checked waue wave they did descry It plaine, and by the sea discoloured: It called was the quickesand of Vnthriftyhed Unthriftyhed . [19] They passing by, a goodly Ship did see, Laden from far with precious merchandize, And brauely bravely furnished, as ship might bee, Which through great disauenture disaventure , or mesprize, Her selfe had ronne into that hazardize; Whose mariners and merchants with much toyle, Labour’d in vaine, to haue have recur’d their prize, And the rich wares to saue save from pitteous spoyle, But neither toyle nor traueill traveill might her backe recoyle. [20] On th’other side they see that perilous Poole, That called was the Whirlepoole of decay, In which full many had with haplesse doole Beene suncke, of whom no memorie did stay: Whose circled waters rapt with whirling sway, Like to a restlesse wheele, still ronning round, Did couet covet , as they passed by that way, To draw their bote within the vtmost utmost bound Of his wide Labyrinth, and then to haue have them dround. 368 The The Second Booke of Cant. XII. [21] But th’earnest Boteman strongly forth did stretch His brawnie armes, and all his bodie straine, That th’ vtmost utmost sandy breach they shortly fetch, Whiles the dredd daunger does behind remaine. Suddeine they see from midst of all the Maine, The surging waters like a mountaine rise, And the great sea puft vp up with proud disdaine,To swell aboue above the measure of his guise,As threatning to deuoure devoure all, that his powre despise. [22] The waues waves come rolling, and the billowes rore Outragiously, as they enraged were, Or wrathfull Neptune did them driue drive before His whirling charet, for exceeding feare: For not one puffe of winde there did appeare, That all the three thereat woxe much afrayd, Vnweeting Unweeting , what such horrour straunge did reare. Eftsoones they saw an hideous hoast arrayd, Of huge Sea monsters, such as liuing living sence dismayd. [23] Most vgly ugly shapes, and horrible aspects, Such as Dame Nature selfe mote feare to see,Or shame, that euer ever should so fowle defectsFrom her most cunning hand escaped bee;All dreadfull pourtraicts of deformitee: Spring-headed Hydres, and sea-shouldring Whales, Great whirlpooles, which all fishes make to flee, Bright Scolopendraes, arm’d with siluer silver scales, Mighty Monoceros, with immeasured tayles. [24] The dreadfull Fish, that hath deseru’d deserv’d the nameOf Death, and like him lookes in dreadfull hew, The griesly Wasserman, that makes his game The flying ships with swiftnes to pursew, Aa 2 369 Which the Faerie Queene. Cant.XII. The horrible Sea-satyre, that doth shew His fearefull face in time of greatest storme, Huge Ziffius, whom Mariners eschew No lesse, 1590.bk2.II.xii.24.8. then: than then than rockes, (as trauellers travellers informe,) informe), And greedy Rosmarines with visages deforme. [25] All these, and thousand thousands many more, And more deformed Monsters thousand fold, With dreadfull noise, and hollow rombling rore, Came rushing in the fomy waues waves enrold, Which seem’d to fly for feare, them to behold: Ne wonder, if these did the knight appall; For all that here on earth we dreadfull hold, Be but as bugs to fearen babes withall, Compared to the creatures in the seas entrall. [26] Feare nought, then saide the Palmer well auiz’d aviz’d ; For these same Monsters are not these in deed, But are into these fearefull shapes disguiz’d By that same wicked witch, to worke vs us dreed, And draw from on this iourney journey to proceed. Tho lifting vp up his vertuous staffe on hye,He smote the sea, which calmed was with speed, And all that dreadfull Armie fast gan flye Into great Tethys bosome, where they hidden lye. [27] Quit from that danger, forth their course they kept, And as they went, they heard a ruefull cry Of one, that wayld and pittifully wept, That through the sea the resounding plaints did fly: At last they in an Island did espy A seemely Maiden, sitting by the shore, That with great sorrow and sad agony, Seemed some great misfortune to deplore, And lowd to them for succour called euermore evermore . 370 Transform’d The Second Booke of Cant. XII. [28] Which Guyon hearing, streight his Palmer bad, To stere the bote towards that dolefull Mayd, That he might know, and ease her sorrow sad: Who him auizing avizing better, to him sayd; Faire Sir, be not displeasd if disobayd: For ill it were to hearken to her cry; For she is inly nothing ill apayd,But onely womanish fine forgery, Your stubborne hart t’affect with fraile infirmity. [29] To which when she your courage hath inclind Through foolish pitty, then her guilefull bayt She will embosome deeper in your mind, And for your ruine at the last awayt. The Knight was ruled, and the Boteman strayt Held on his course with stayed stedfastnesse, Ne euer ever shroncke, ne euer ever sought to bayt His tyred armes for toylesome wearinesse, But with his oares did sweepe the watry wildernesse. [30] And now they nigh approched to the sted, Where as those Mermayds dwelt: it was a stillAnd calmy bay, on th’one side shelteredWith the brode shadow of an hoarie hill,On th’other side an high rocke toured still,That twixt them both a pleasaunt port they made, And did like an halfe Theatre fulfill:There those fiue five sisters had continuall trade,And vsd usd to bath themselues themselves in that deceiptfull shade. [31] They were faire Ladies, till they fondly striu’d striv’d With th’Heliconian maides for maystery; Of whom they ouer over -comen, were depriu’d depriv’d Of their proud beautie, and th’one moyity Aa 3 371 Thereat the Faery Queene. Cant.XII. Transformd to fish, for their bold surquedry, But th’ vpper upper halfe their hew retayned still, And their sweet skill in wonted melody; Which euer ever after they abusd to ill, T’allure weake traueillers traveillers , whom gotten they did kill. [32] So now to Guyon, as he passed by, Their pleasaunt tunes they sweetly thus applyde; O thou fayre sonne of gentle Faery, That art in mightie armes most magnifyde Aboue Above all knights, that euer ever batteill tryde, O turne thy rudder hetherward a while: Here may thy storme-bett vessell safely ryde;This is the Port of rest from troublous toyle,The worldes sweet In, frõ from paine & and wearisome turmoyle. [33] With that the rolling sea resounding soft, In his big base them fitly answered, And on the rocke the waues waves breaking aloft, A solemne Meane vnto unto them measured, The whiles sweet Zephyrus lowd whisteled His treble, a straunge kinde of harmony; Which Guyons senses softly tickeled, That he the boteman bad row easily, And let him heare some part of their rare melody. [34] But him the Palmer from that vanity,With temperate aduice advice discounselled,That they it past, and shortly gan descryThe land, to which their course they leueled leveled ; When suddeinly a grosse fog ouer over spredWith his dull vapour all that desert has,And heauens heavens chearefull face enueloped enveloped ,That all things one, and one as nothing was,And this great Vniuerse Universe seemd one confused mas. 372 And The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [35] Thereat they greatly were dismayd, ne wist How to direct theyr way in darkenes wide, But feard to wander in that wastefull mist, For tombling into mischiefe vnespide unespide . Worse is the daunger hidden, 1590.bk2.II.xii.35.5. then: than then than descride. Suddeinly an innumerable flight Of harmefull fowles about them fluttering, cride, And with their wicked wings them ofte did smight, And sore annoyed, groping in that griesly night. [36] Euen Even all the nation of vnfortunate unfortunate And fatall birds about them flocked were, Such as by nature men abhorre and hate, The ill-faste Owle, deaths dreadfull messengere, The hoars Night- rauen raven , trump of dolefull drere, The lether-winged Batt, dayes enimy, The ruefull Strich, still waiting on the bere, The whistler shrill, that who so heares, doth dy, The hellish Harpyes, prophets of sad destiny. [37] All those, and all that els does horror breed,About them flew, and fild their sayles with feare:Yet stayd they not, buthut forward did proceed, Whiles th’one did row, and th’other stifly steare; Till that at last the weather gan to cleare, And the faire land it selfe did playnly sheow. Said then the Palmer Lo where does appeareThe sacred soile, where all our perills grow;Therfore, Sir knight, your ready arms about you throw. [38] He hearkned, and his armes about him tooke, The whiles the nimble bote so well her sped, That with her crooked keele the land she strooke, Then forth the noble Guyon Guyou sallied, Aa 4 373 Thence the Faery Queene: Cant. XII. And his sage Palmer, that him gouerned governed ; But th’other by his bote behind did stay. They marched fayrly forth, of nought ydred, Both firmely armd for euery every hard assay, With constancy and care, gainst daunger and dismay. [39] Ere long they heard an hideous bellowingOf many beasts, that roard outrageously, As if that hungers poynt, or Venus sting Had them enraged with fell surquedry;Yet nought they feard, but past on hardily, Vntill Untill they came in vew of those wilde beasts:Who all attonce, gaping full greedily,And rearing fercely their vpstaring upstaring crests,Ran towards, to deuoure devoure those vnexpected unexpected guests. [40] But soone as they approcht with deadly threat,The Palmer ouer over them his staffe vpheld upheld ,His mighty staffe, that could all charmes defeat:Eftesoones their stubborne corages were queld,And high aduaunced advaunced crests downe meekely feld,Instead of fraying, they them selues selves did feare, And trembled, as them passing they beheld: Such wondrous powre did in that staffe appeare, All monsters to subdew to him, that did it beare. [41] Of that same wood it fram’d was cunningly, Of which Caduceus whilome was made, Caduceus the rod of Mercury,With which he wonts the Stygian realmes inuade invade ,Through ghastly horror, and eternall shade;Th’infernall feends with it he can asswage,And Orcus tame, whome nothing can persuade,And rule the Furyes, when they most doe rage: Such vertue in his staffe had eke this Palmer sage. 374 And The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [42] Thence passing forth, they shortly doe arryue arryve , Whereas the Bowre of Blisse was situate; A place pickt out by choyce of best alyue alyve ,That natures worke by art can imitate: In which what euer ever in this worldly stateIs sweete, and pleasing vnto unto liuing living sense,Or that may dayntest fantasy aggrate, Was poured forth with plentifull dispence, And made there to abound with lauish lavish affluence. [43] Goodly it was enclosed rownd about, Aswell their iheir entred guestes to keep within, As those vnruly unruly beasts to hold without; Yet was the fence thereof but weake and thin; Nought feard theyr force, that fortilage to win, But wisedomes powre, and temperaunces might, By which the migtest things efforced bin: And eke the gate was wrought of substaunce light, Rather for pleasure, 1590.bk2.II.xii.43.9. then: than then than for battery or fight. [44] Yt framed was of precious yuory yvory , That seemd a worke of admirable witt; And therein all the famous history Of Iason Jason and Medæa was ywritt; Her mighty charmes, her furious louing loving fitt,His goodly conquestcouquest of the golden fleece, His falsed fayth, and loue love too lightly flitt, The wondred Argo, which in venturous peeceFirst through the Euxine seas bore all the flowr of Greece. [45] Ye might haue have seene the frothy billowes fry Vnder Under the ship, as thorough them she went, That seemd the waues waves were into yuory yvory ,Or yuory yvory into the waues waves were sent; 375 With the Faery Queene. Cant.XII. And otherwhere the snowy substaunce sprent With vermell, like the boyes blood therein shed, A piteous spectacle did represent, And otherwhiles with gold besprinkeled; Yt seemd th’enchaunted thenchaunted flame, which did Creusa wed. [46] All this, and more might in that goodly gate Be red; that euer ever open stood to all,Which thether came: but in the Porch 1590.bk2.II.xii.46.3. their: there their there sate A comely personage of stature tall, And semblaunce pleasing, more 1590.bk2.II.xii.46.5. then: than then than naturall, That traueilers traveilers to him seemd to entize; His looser garment to the ground did fall, And flew about his heeles in wanton wize, Not fitt for speedy pace, or manly exercize. [47] They in that place him Genius did call: Not that celestiall powre, to whom the care Of life, and generation of all That liues lives , perteines in charge particulare, Who wondrous things concerning our welfare, And straunge phantomes doth lett vs us ofte forsee, And ofte of secret ill bids vs us beware: That is our Selfe, whom though we doe not see,Yet each doth in him selfe it well perceiue perceive to bee. [48] Therefore a God him sage Antiquity Did wisely make, and good Agdistes call: But this same was to that quite contrary, The foe of life, that good enuyes envyes to all, That secretly doth vs us procure to fall, Through guilefull semblants, which he makes vs us see. He of thisoft his Gardin had the gouernall governall , And Pleasures porter was deuizd devizd to bee, Holding a staffe in hand for more formalitee 376 Faire The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [49] With diuerse diverse flowres he daintily was deckt, And strowed rownd about, and by his side A mighty Mazer bowle of wine was sett, As if it had to him bene sacrifide; Wherewith all new-come guests he gratyfide: So did he eke Sir Guyon passing by: But he his ydle curtesie defide, And ouerthrew overthrew his bowle disdainfully; And broke his staffe, with which he charmed semblants (sly. [50] Thus being entred, they behold arownd A large and spacious plaine, on euery every side Strowed with pleasauns, whose fayre grassy grownd Mantled with greene, and goodly beautifide With all the ornaments of Floraes pride, Wherewith her mother Art, as halfe in scorne Of niggard Nature, like a pompous bride Did decke her, and too lauishly lavishly adorne, When forth from virgin bowre she comes in th’early (morne. [51] Therewith the rhe Heauens Heavens alwayes Iouiall Joviall , Lookte on them louely lovely , still in stedfast state, Ne suffred storme nor frost on them to fall, Their tender buds or leaues leaves to violate, Nor scorching heat, nor cold intemperateT’afflict the creatures, which therein did dwell,But the milde ayre with season moderateGently attempred, and disposd so well,That still it breathed forth sweet spirit & and holesom smell. [52] More sweet and holesome, 1590.bk2.II.xii.52.1. then: than then than the pleasaunt hillOf Rhodope, on which the Nimphe, that boreA gyaunt babe, her selfe for griefe did kill: Or the Thessalian Tempe, where of yore 377 In the Faery Queene. Cant.XII. Fayre Daphne Phœbus hart with loue love did gore; Or Ida, where the Gods lou’d lov’d to repayre, When euer ever they their heauenly heavenly bowres forlore; Or sweet Parnasse, the haunt of Muses fayre; Or Eden selfe, if ought with Eden mote compayre. [53] Much wondred Guyon at the fayre aspect Of that sweet place, yet suffred no delight To sincke into his sence, nor mind affect, But passed forth, and lookt still forward right, Brydling his will, and maystering his might: Till that he came vnto unto another gate,No gate, but like one, being goodly dightWith bowes and braunches, which did broad dilateTheir clasping armes, in wanton wreathings intricate. [54] So fashioned a Porch with rare deuice device , Archt ouer over head with an embracing vine, Whose bounches hanging downe, seemd to entice All passers by, to taste their lushious wine, And did them selues selves into their hands incline, As freely offering to be gathered: Some deepe empurpled as the HyacineHyacint,Some as the Rubine, laughing sweetely red,Some like faire Emeraudes, not yet well ripened. [55] And them amongst, some were of burnisht gold, So made by art, to beautify the rest, Which did themselues themselves emongst the leaues leaves enfold,As lurking from the vew of couetous covetous guest, That the weake boughes, with so rich load opprest, Did bow adowne, as ouerburdened overburdened . Vnder Under that Porch a comely dame did rest, Clad in fayre weedes, but fowle disordered, And garments loose, that seemd vnmeet unmeet for womanhed. 378 So The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [56] In her left hand a Cup of gold she held, And with her right the riper fruit did reach, Whose sappy liquor, that with fulnesse sweld,Into her cup she scruzd, with daintie breachOf her fine fingers, without fowle empeach,That so faire winepresse made the wine more sweet: Thereof she vsd usd to giue give to drinke to each, Whom passing by she happened to meet: It was her guise, all Straungers goodly so to greet. [57] So she to Guyon offred it to tast, Who taking it out of her tender hond, The cup to ground did violently cast,That all in peeces it was broken fond,And with the liquor stained all the lond:Whereat Excesse exceedinglyexceedinly was wroth, Yet no’te the same amend, ne yet withstond, But suffered him to passe, all were she loth;Who nought regarding her displeasure, forward goth. [58] There the most daintie Paradise on ground, It selfe doth offer to his ſobersober ſobcrsobcr eye,In which all pleasures plenteously abownd, And none does others happinesse enuyeenvye: The painted flowres, the trees vpshooting upshooting hye, The dales for shade, the hilles for breathing space, The trembling groues groves , the christall running by;And that, which all faire workes doth most aggrace,The art, which all that wrought, appeared in no place. [59] One would haue have thought, (so cunningly, the rude And scorned partes were mingled with the fine,) fine), That nature had for wantonesse ensude Art, and that Art at nature did repine; 379 And the Faery Queene. Cant.XII. So striuing striving each th’other to vndermine undermine , Each did the others worke more beautify; So diff’ring both in willes, agreed in fine: So all agreed through sweete diuersity diversity , This Gardin to adorne with all variety. [60] And in the midst of all, a fountaine stood, Of richest substance, that on earth might bee, So pure and shiny, that the siluer silver flood Through euery every channell running one might see; Most goodly it with curious ymageree Was ouerwrought overwrought , and shapes of naked boyes, Of which some seemd with liuely lively iollitee jollitee , To fly about, playing their wanton toyes, Whylest others did them selues selves embay in liquid ioyes joyes , [61] And ouer over all, of purest gold was spred, A trayle of yuie yvie in his natiue native hew: For the rich metall was so coloured, That wight, who did not well auis’d avis’d it vew. Would surely deeme it to bee yuie yvie trew: Low his lasciuious lascivious armes adown did creepe, That themselues themselves dipping in the siluer silver dew, Their fleecy flowres they fearefullytenderly did steepe, Which drops of Christall seemd for wantones to weep. [62] Infinit streames continually did well Out of this fountaine, sweet and faire to see, The which into an ample lauer laver fell, And shortly grew to into so great quantitie, That like a litle lake it seemd to bee; Whose depth exceeded not three cubits hight,That through the waues waves one might the bottom see,All pau’d pav’d beneath with Iaspar Jaspar shining bright,That seemd the fountaine in that sea did sayle vpright upright . 380 But The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [63] And all the margent round about was sett, With shady Laurell trees, thence to defend The sunny beames, which on the billowes bett, And those which therein bathed, mote offend: As Guyon hapned by the same to wend, Two naked Damzelles he therein espyde,Which therein bathing, seemed to contend,And wrestle wantonly, ne car’d to hyde,Their dainty partes from vew of any, which them eyd. [64] Sometimes the one would lift the other quight Aboue Above the waters, and then downe againe Her plong, as ouer over maystered by might, Where both awhile would couered covered remaine, And each the other from to rise restraine; The whiles their snowy limbes, as through a vele, So through the christall waues waves appeared plaine: Then suddeinly both would themselues themselves vnhele unhele , And th’amarous sweet spoiles to greedy eyes reuele revele . [65] As that faire Starre, the messenger of morne, His deawy face out of the sea doth reare: Or as the Cyprian goddesse, newly borne Of th’Oceans fruitfull froth, did first appeare: Such seemed they, and so their yellow heare Christalline humor dropped downe apace. Whom such when Guyon saw, he drew him neare, And somewhat gan relent his earnest pace; His stubborne brest gan secret sccret pleasaunce to embrace. [66] The wanton Maidens him espying, stood Gazing a while at his vnwonted unwonted guise; Then th’one her selfe low ducked in the flood,Abasht, that her a straunger did avise: 381 Eftsoones the Faerie Queene. Cant.XII. But thother rather higher did arise,And her two lilly paps aloft displayd,And all, that might his melting hart entyseTo her delights, she vnto unto him bewrayd:The rest hidd vnderneath underneath , him more desirous made. [67] With that, the other likewise vp up arose, And her faire lockes, which formerly were bownd Vp Up in one knott, she low adowne did lose: Which flowing long and thick, her cloth’d arownd, And th’ yuorie yvorie in golden mantle gownd: So that faire spectacle from him was reft, Yet that, which reft it, no lesse faire was fownd: So hidd in lockes and waues waves from lookers theft, Nought but her louely lovely face she for his looking left. [68] Withall she laughed, and she blusht withall,That blushing to her laughter gaue gave more grace,And laughter to her blushing, as did fall: Now when they spyde the knight to slacke his pace, Them to behold, and in his sparkling face The secrete signes of kindled lust appeare, Their wanton meriments they did encreace, And to him beckned, to approch more neare, And shewd him many sights, that corage cold could (reare. [69] On which when gazing him the Palmer saw, He much rebukt those wandring eyes of his, And counseld well, him forward thence did draw.Now are they come nigh to the Bowre of blis Of her fond fauorites favorites so nam’d amis: When thus the Palmer, Now Sir, well auise avise ; For here the end of all our traueill traveill is: Here wonnes Acrasia, whom we must surprise, Els she will slip away, and all our drift despise. 382 And The Second Booke of Cant.XII. [70] Eftsoones they heard a most melodious sound, Of all that mote delight a daintie eare, Such as attonce might not on liuing living ground, Saue Save in this Paradise, be heard elswhere: Right hard it was, for wight, which did it heare, To read, what manner musicke that mote bee: For all that pleasing is to liuing living eare, Was there consorted in one harmonee, Birdes, voices, instruments, windes, waters, all agree. [71] The ioyous joyous birdes shrouded in chearefull shade, Their notes vnto unto the voice attempred sweet; Th’Angelicall soft trembling voyces madeTo th’instruments diuine divine respondence meet: The siluer silver sounding instruments did meet With the base murmure of the waters fall: The waters fall with difference discreet, Now soft, now loud, vnto unto the wind did call: The gentle warbling wind low answered to all. [72] There, whence that Musick seemed heard to bee, Was the faire Witch her selfe now solacing, With a new Louer Lover , whom through sorceree And witchcraft, she from farre did thether bring: There she had him now laid a slombering aslombering , In secret shade, after long wanton ioyes joyes : Whilst round about them pleasauntly did sing Many faire Ladies, and lasciuious lascivious boyes, That euer ever mixt their song with light licentious toyes. [73] And all that while, right ouer over him she hong, With her false eyes fast fixed in his sight, As seeking medicine, whence she was stong,Or greedily depasturing delight: Bb 383 Vpon Upon the Faery Queene. Cant. XII. And oft inclining downe with kisses light, For feare of waking him, his lips bedewd,And through his humid eyes did sucke his spright, Quite molten into lust and pleasure lewd; Wherewith she sighed soft, as if his case she rewd. [74] The whiles some one did chaunt this louely lovely lay; Ah see, who so fayre thing doest faine to see, In springing flowre the image of thy day; Ah see the Virgin Rose, how sweetly sheeDoth first peepe foorth with bashfull modestee,That fairer seemes, the lesse ye see her may;Lo see soone after, how more bold and freeHer bared bosome she doth broad display; Lo see soone after, how she fades, and falls away. [75] So passeth, in the passing of a day, Of mortall life the leafe, the bud, the flowre, Ne more doth florish after first decay, That earst was sought to deck both bed and bowre, Of many a Lady’, and many a Paramowre: Gather therefore the Rose, whilest yet is prime, For soone comes age, that will her pride deflowre: Gather the Rose of loue love , whilest yet is time, Whilest louing loving thou mayst loued loved be with equall crime. [76] He ceast, and then gan all the quire of birdes Their diuerse diverse notes t’attune vnto unto his lay, As in approuaunce approvaunce of his pleasing wordes. The constant payre heard all, that he did say, Yet swarued swarved not, but kept their forward way, Through many couert covert groues groves , and thickets close, In which they creeping did at last display Thot wanton Lady, with her louer lover lose, Whose sleepie head she in her lap did soft dispose. 384 Ne The Second Booke of Cant. XII. [77] Vpon Upon a bed of Roses she was layd, As faint through heat, or dight to pleasant sin, And was arayd, or rather disarayd, All in a uele vele of silke and siluer silver thin, That hid no whit her alablaster skin, But rather shewd more white, if more might bee: More subtile web Arachne cannot spin, Nor the fine nets, which oft we wouen woven seeOf scorched deaw, do not in th’ayre more lightly flee. [78] Her snowy brest was bare to ready spoyle Of hungry eies, which n’ote therewith be fild, And yet through languour of her late sweet toyle, Few drops, more cleare 1590.bk2.II.xii.78.4. then: than then than Nectar, forth distild, That like pure Orient perles adowne it trild, And her faire eyes sweet smyling in delight,Moystened their fierie beames, with which she thrildFraile harts, yet quenched not; like starry lightWhich sparckling on the silent waues waves , does seeme more (bright. [79] The young man sleeping by her, seemd to be Some goodly swayne of honorable place, That certes it great pitty was to see Him his nobility so fowle deface; A sweet regard, and amiable grace, Mixed with manly sternesse did appeare Yet sleeping, in his well proportiond face, And on his tender lips the downy heare Did now but freshly spring, and silken blossoms beare. [80] His warlike Armes, the ydle instruments Of sleeping praise, were hong vpon upon a tree, And his braue brave shield, full of old moniments, Was fowly ra’st, that none the signes might see, Bb 2 385 Then the Faerie Queene. Cant.XII. Ne for them, ne for honour cared hee, Ne ought, that did to his aduauncement advauncement tend, But in lewd loues loves , and wastfull luxuree, His dayes, his goods, his bodie he did spend: O horrible enchantment, that him so did blend. [81] The noble Elfe, and carefull Palmer drew So nigh them, minding nought, but lustfull game, That suddein forth they on them rusht, and threw A subtile net, which only for that same The skilfull Palmer formally did frame. So held them vnder under fast, the whiles the rest Fled all away for feare of fowler shame. The faire Enchauntresse, so vnwares unwares opprest, Tryde all her arts, & and all her sleights, thence out to wrest. [82] And eke her louer lover stroue strove : but all in vaine; For that same net so cunningly was wound, That neither guile, nor force might it distraine. They tooke them both, & and both them strongly bound In captiue captive bandes, which there they readie found: But her in chaines of adamant he tyde; For nothing else might keepe her safe and sound; But Verdant (so he hight) he soone vntyde untyde , And counsell sage in steed thereof to him applyde, [83] But all those pleasaunt bowres and Pallace braue brave , Guyon broke downe, with rigour pittilesse; Ne ought their goodly workmanship might saue save Them from the tempest of his wrathfulnesse, But that their blisse he turn’d to balefulnesse: Their groues groves he feld, their gardins did deface,Their arbers spoyle, their Cabinets suppresse,Their banket houses burne, their buildings race, And of the fayrest late, now made the fowlest place. 386 To The Second Booke of Cant. XII. [84] Then led they her away, and eke that knight They with them led, both sorrowfull and sad: The way they came, the same retourn’d they right, Till they arriued arrived , where they lately hadCharm’d those wild-beasts, that rag’d with furie mad. Which now awaking, fierce at them gan fly, As in their mistresse reskew, whom they lad; But them the Palmer soone did pacify. Then Guyon askt, what meant those beastes, which there (did ly. [85] Sayd he, these seeming beasts are men indeed, Whom this Enchauntresse hath transformed thus, Whylome her louers lovers , which her lustes did feed, Now turned into figures hideous, According to their mindes like monstruous. Sad end (quoth he) of life intemperate, And mournefull meed of ioyes joyes delicious: But Palmer, if it mote thee so aggrate, Let them returned be vnto unto their former state. [86] Streight way he with his vertuous staffe them strooke, And streight of beastes they comely men became; Yet being men they did vnmanly unmanly looke, And stared ghastly, some for inward shame, And some for wrath, to see their captiue captive Dame: But one aboue above the rest in speciall, That had an hog beene late, hight Grylle by name, Repyned greatly, and did him miscall, That had from hoggish forme him brought to naturall. [87] Saide Guyon, See the mind of beastly man, That hath so soone forgot the excellence Of his creation, when he life began, That now he chooseth chooseh , with vile difference, Bb3 387 Cant. the Faery Queene. Cant.XII. To be a beast, and lacke intelligence. To whom the Palmer thus, The donghill kinde Delightes in filth and fowle incontinence: Let Gryll be Gryll, and haue have his hoggish minde; But let vs us hence depart, whilest wether serues serves & and winde.