V 3 307 But the Faery Queene. Cant.IX. Cant. IX. The house of Temperance, in which doth sober Alma dwell, Besiegd of many foes, whom straunger knightes to flight fight compell. [1] O F f all Gods workes, which doe this world adorne,There is no one more faire and excellent, 1590.bk2.II.ix.1.3. Then: Than Then Than is mans body both for powre and forme,Whiles it is kept in sober gouernment government ; But none 1590.bk2.II.ix.1.5. then: than then than it, more fowle and indecentincedent , Distempred through misrule and passions bace: It growes a Monster, and incontinent Doth loose his dignity and natiue native grace. Behold, who list, both one and other in this place. [2] After the Paynim brethren conquer’d were, The Briton Prince recou’ring recov’ring his stolne sword, And Guyon his lost shield, they both yfere Forth passed on their way in fayre accord, Till him the Prince with gentle court did bord; Sir knight, mote I of you this court’sy read, To weet why on your shield so goodly scordBeare ye the picture of that Ladies head? Full liuely lively is the semblaunt, though the substance dead. [3] Fayre Sir (sayd he) if in that picture dead Such life ye read, and vertue in vaine shew, What mote ye weene, if the trew liuely lively -head Of that most glorious visage ye did vew? 308 Certes The Second Booke of Cant.IX. But yf the beauty of her mind ye knew,That is her bounty, and imperiall powre,Thousand times fairer then her mortal hew,O how great wonder would your thoughts deuoure devoure ,And infinite desire into your spirite poureponre. [4] Shee is the mighty Queene of Faery, Whose faire retraitt I in my shield doe beare; Shee is the flowre of grace and chaſtitychastity ehaſtityehastity, Throughout the world renowmed far and neare, My liefe, my liege, my Soueraine Soveraine , my deare, Whose glory shineth as the morning starre,And with her light the earth enlumines cleare; Far reach her mercies, and her praises farre, As well in state of peace, as puissaunce in warre. [5] Thrise happy man, (said then the Briton knight) Whom gracious lott, and thy great valiaunce Haue Have made thee soldier of that Princesse bright, Which with her bounty and glad countenaunce Doth blesse her seruaunts servaunts , and them high aduaunce advaunce . How may straunge knight hope euer ever to aspire, By faithfull seruice service , and meete amenaunce, Vnto Unto such blisse? sufficient were that hire For losse of thousand liues lives , to die at her desire. [6] Said Guyon, Noble Lord, what meed so great, Or grace of earthly Prince so soueraine soveraine , But by your wondrous worth and add warlike feat Ye well may hope, and easely attaine? But were your will, her sold to entertaine, And numbred be mongst knights of Maydenhed, Great guerdon, well I wote, should you remaine, And in her fauor favor high bee reckoned, As ArthogallArthegall , and Sophy now beene honored. V 4 309 319 Which the Faery Queene. Cant.IX. [7] Certes (then said the Prince) I God auow avow , That sith I armes and knighthood first did plight, My whole desire hath beene, and yet is now, To serue serve that Queene with al my powre and might. Seuen times Seven times Now hath the Sunne with his lamp-burning light, Hath walkteWalkt round about the world, and I no lesse, Sith of that Goddesse I haue have sought the sight, Yet no where can her find: such happinesse Heuen Heven doth to me enuy envy , and fortune fauourlesse favourlesse . [8] Fortune, the foe of famous cheuisaunce chevisaunce Seldome (said Guyon) yields to vertue aide, But in her way throwes mischiefe and mischaunce, Whereby her course is stopt, and passage staid. But you, faire Sir, be not herewith dismaid, But constant keepe the way, in which ye stand; Which were it not, that I am els delaid With hard adventure, which I haue have in hand, I labour would to guide you through al Fary land. [9] Gramercy Sir (said he) but mote I wote, What straunge aduenture adventure doe ye now pursew? Perhaps my succour, or aduizement advizement meete Mote stead you much your purpose to subdew. Then gan Sir Guyon all the story shewOf false Acrasia, and her wicked wiles,Which to auenge avenge , the Palmer him forth drewFrom Faery court. So talked they, the whiles They wasted had much way, and measurd many miles. [10] And now faire Phoebus gan decline in haste His weary wagon to the Westerne vale, Whenas they spide a goodly castle, plaste Foreby a riuer river in a pleasaunt dale, 310 Fiersly The Second Booke of Cant.XI. Which choosing for that euenings evenings hospitale, They thether marcht: but when they came in sight, And from their sweaty Coursers did auale avale , They found the gates fast barred long ere night, And euery every loup fast lockt, as fearing foes despight. [11] Which when they saw, they weened fowle reproch Was to them doen, their entraunce to forstall, Till that the Squire gan nigher to approch,And wind his horne vnder under the castle wall,That with the noise it ſ⁀hooke,shooke, ſ⁀hooke;shooke; as it would fall. Eftsoones forth looked from the highest spire The watch, and lowd vnto unto the knights did call, To weete, what they so rudely did require. Who gently answered, They entraunce did desire. [12] Fly fly, good knights, (said he) fly fast away If that your liues lives ye loue love , as meete ye should; Fly fast, and saue save your selues selves from neare decay, Here may ye not haue have entraunce, though we would: We would and would againe, if that we could; But thousand enemies about vs us raue rave , And with long siege vs us in this castle hould: Seuen Seven yeares this wize they vs us besieged haue have , And many good knights slaine, that haue have vs us sought to (save. [13] Thus as he spoke, loe with outragious cry A thousand villeins rownd about them swarmd Out of the rockes and caues caves adioyning adjoyning nye, Vile caitiue caitive wretches, ragged, rude, deformd, All threatning threaning death, all in straunge manner armd, Some with vnweldy unweldy clubs, some with long speares,Some rusty knifes kniuesknives , some staues staves in fier warmd. Sterne was their looke, like wild amazed steares, Staring with hollow eies, and stiffe vpstanding upstanding heares. 311 And the Faery Queene. Cant.IX. [14] Fiersly at first those knights they did assayle, And droue drove them to recoile: but when againe They gaue gave fresh charge, their forces gan to fayle, Vnhable Unhable their encounter to sustaine; For with such puissaunce and impetuous maine Those Champions broke on them, that forst thẽ them fly, Like scattered Sheepe, whenas the Shepherds swaine A Lyon and a Tigre doth espye, With greedy pace forth rushing from the forest nye. [15] A while they fled, but soone retournd againe With greater fury, 1590.bk2.II.ix.15.2. then: than then than before was fownd; And euermore evermore their cruell Capitaine Captaine Sought with his raskall routs t’enclose them rownd, And ouerrõne ouerronne overrõne overronne to tread them to the grownd. But soone the knights with their bright-burning (blades Broke their rude troupes, and orders did confownd, Hewing and slashing at their idle shades; For though they bodies seem, yet substaunce from them (fades. [16] As when a swarme of Gnats at euentide eventide Out of the fennes of Allan doe arise, Their murmuring small trompetts sownden wide, Whiles in the aire their clustring army flies, That as a cloud doth seeme to dim the skies; Ne man nor beast may rest, or take repast, For their sharpe wounds, and noyous iniuries injuries , Till the fierce Northerne wind with wind blustring blast Doth blow them quite away, and in the Ocean cast. [17] Thus when they had that troublous rout disperst, Vnto Unto the castle gate they come againe, And entraunce crau’d crav’d , which was denied erst. Now when report of that their perlous paine, 312 First The Second Booke of Cant.IX. And combrous conf⁀lic⁀tconflict comf⁀lic⁀tcomflict , which they did sustaine, Came to the Ladies eare, which there did dwell, Shee forth issewed with a goodly traine Of Squires and Ladies equipaged well, And entertained them right fairely, as befell. [18] Alma she called was, a virgin bright; That had not yet felt Cupides wanton rage, Yet was shee wooed of many a gentle knight, And many a Lord of noble parentage, That sought with her to lincke in marriage: For shee was faire, as faire mote euer ever bee, And in the flowre now of her freshest age; Yet full of grace and goodly modestee, That euen even heuen heven reioyced rejoyced her sweete face to see. [19] In robe of lilly white she was arayd,That from her shoulder to her heele downe raught, The traine whereof loose far behind her strayd, Braunched with gold & and perle, most richly wrought, And borne of two faire Damsels, which were taught That seruice service well. Her yellow golden heare Was trimly wouen woven , and in tresses wrought, Ne other tire she on her head did weare, But crowned crownd with a garland of sweete Rosiere. [20] Goodly shee entertaind those noble knights, And brought them vp up into her castle hall; Where gentle court and gracious delight Shee to them made, with mildnesse virginall, Shewing her selfe both wise and liberall: Then There when they rested had a season dew, They her besought of fauour favour speciall, Of that faire Castle to affoord them vew; Shee graunted, & and them leading forth, the same did shew. 313 Enchaced the Faery Queene. Cant. IX. [21] First she them him led vp up to the Castle wall, That was so high, as foe might not it clime, And all so faire, and fenſiblefensible ſenſiblesensible withall, Not built of bricke, ne yet of stone and lime,But of thing like to that Ægyptian slime,Whereof king Nine whilome built Babell towre, But O great pitty, that no lenger time lenger a time So goodly workemanship should not endure: Soone it must turne to earth; no earthly thing is sure snre . [22] The frame thereof seemd partly circulare, And part triangulare, O worke diuine divine ; Those two the first and last proportions are, The one imperfect, mortall, foeminine;Th’other immortall, perfect, masculine, And twixt them both a quadrate was the base, Proportioned equally by seuen seven and nine; Nine was the circle sett in heauens heavens place, All which compacted made a goodly diapaſediapase DyapaſeDyapase . [23] Therein two gates were placed seemly well: The one before, by which all in did pas, Did th’other far in workmanship excell; For not of wood, nor of enduring bras, But of more worthy substance fram’d it was; Doubly disparted, it did locke and close, That when it locked, none might thorough pas,And when it opened, no man might it close,Still open to their friendes, and closed to their foes. [24] Of hewen stone the porch was fayrely wrought, Stone more of valew, and more smooth and fine, 1590.bk2.II.ix.24.3. Then: Than Then Than Iett Jett or Marble far from Ireland brought; Ouer Over the which was cast a wandring vine,314AndThe Second Booke ofCant.IX.Enchaced with a wanton yuie yvie twine. And ouer over it a fayre Portcullis hong, Which to the gate directly did incline, With comely compasse, and compacture strong, Nether vnseemly unseemly short, nor yet exceeding long. [25] Within the Barbican a Porter sate, Day and night duely keeping watch and ward, Nor wight, nor word mote passe out of the gate, But in good order, and with dew regard; Vtterers Utterers of secrets he from thence debard, Bablers of folly, and blazers of cryme. His larumbell might lowd and wyde be hard, When cause requyrd, but neuer never out of time; Early and late it rong, at euening evening and at prime. [26] And rownd about the porch on euery every syde ſ⁀ideside ſyde.syde. Twise sixteene warders satt, all armed bright, In glistring steele, and strongly fortifyde: Tall yeomen seemed they, and of great might, And were enraunged ready, still for fight. By them as Alma passed with her guestes, They did obeysaunce, as beseemed right, And then againe retourned to their restes: The Porter eke to her did lout with humble gestes. [27] Thence she them brought into a stately Hall, Wherein were many tables fayre dispred, And ready dight with drapets festiuall festivall , Against the viaundes should be ministred. At th’upper end there sate, yclad in red Downe to the ground, a comely personage, That in his hand a white rod menaged, He Steward was hight Diet; rype of age, And in demeanure sober, and in counsell sage. 315 And the Faery Queene. Cant.IX. [28] And through the Hall there walked to and fro A iolly jolly yeoman, Marshall of the same, Whose name was Appetite; he did bestow Both guestes and meate, when euer ever in they came, And knew them how to order without blame, As him the Steward badd. They both attone Did dewty to their Lady, as became; Who passing by, forth ledd her guestes anone Into the kitchin rowme, ne spard for nicenesse none. [29] It was a vaut ybuilt for great dispence, With many raunges reard along the wall; And one great chimney, whose long tonnell thence, The smoke forth threw. And in the midst of all There placed was a caudron wide and tall, Vpon Upon a mightie fornace, burning whott,More whott, 1590.bk2.II.ix.29.7. then: than then than Aetn’, or flaming Mongiball: For day and night it brent, ne ceased not, So long as any thing it in the caudron gott. [30] But to delay the heat, least by mischaunce It might breake out, and set the whole on fyre, There added was by goodly ordinaunce, An huge great payre of bellowes, which did styre Continually, and cooling breath inspyre. About the Caudron many Cookes accoyld, With hookes and ladles, as need did requyre; The whyles the viaundes in the vessell boyld They did about their businesse sweat, and sorely toyld. [31] The maister Cooke was cald Concoction, A carefull man, and full of comely guyse: The kitchin clerke, that hight Digestion, Did order all th’Achates inseemely in seemely wise, 316 Diuerse Diverse The Second Booke of Cant. IX. And set them forth, as well he could deuise devise . The rest had seuerall severall offices assynd, Some to remoue remove the scum, as it did rise; Others to beare the same away did mynd; And others it to vse use according to his kynd. [32] But all the liquour, which was fowle and waste, Not good nor seruiceable serviceable elles for ought, They in another great rownd vessell plaste, Till by a conduit pipe it thence were brought: And all the rest, that noyous was, and nought, By secret wayes, that none might it espy, Was close conuaid convaid , and to the backgate brought, That cleped was Port Esquiline, whereby It was auoided avoided quite, and throwne out priuily privily . [33] Which goodly order, and great workmans skill Whenas those knightes beheld, with rare delight, And gazing wonder they their mindes did fill; For neuer never had they seene so straunge a sight. Thence backe againe faire Alma led them right,And soone into a goodly Parlour brought,That was with royall arras richly dight,In which was nothing pourtrahed, nor wrought,Not wrought, nor pourtrahed, but easie to be thought. [34]And in the midst thereof vpon upon the floure,A louely lovely beuy bevy of faire Ladies sate,Courted of many a iolly jolly Paramoure,The which them did in modest wise amate,And each one sought his Lady to aggrate: And eke emongst them litle Cupid playd His wanton sportes, being retourned late From his fierce warres, and hauing having from him laydHis cruel bow, wherewith he thousands hath dismayd. 217 That the Faerie Queene. Cant.IX: [35] Diuerse Diverse delights they fownd them selues selves to please; Some song in sweet consort, some laught for ioy joy , Some plaid with strawes, some ydly satt at ease, But other some could not abide to toy, All pleasaunce was to them griefe and annoy: This froũd fround , that faund, the third for shame did blush, Another seemed enuious envious , or coy, Another in her teeth did gnaw a rush: But at these straungers presence euery every one did hush. [36] Soone as the gracious Alma came in place, They all attonce out of their seates arose, And to her homage made, with humble grace: Whom when the knights beheld, they gan dispose Themselues Themselves to court, and each a damzell chose:The Prince by chaunce did on a Lady light, That was right faire and fresh as morning rose, But somwhat sad, and solemne eke in sight, As if some pensiue pensive thought cõstraind constraind her gentle ſpright.spright. ſprightspright [37] In a long purple pall, whose skirt with gold, Was fretted all about, she was arayd; And in her hand a Poplar braunch did hold: To whom the prince in courteous maner sayd, Gentle Madame, why beene ye thus dismayd, And your faire beautie doe with sadnes spill? Liues Lives any, that you hath thus ill apayd? Or doen you loue love , your loue love , or doen you lack your will? What euer ever bee the cause, it sure beseemes you ill. [38] Fayre Sir, said she halfe in disdainefull wise, How is it, that this word in me ye blame, And in your selfe doe not the same aduiſe? aduise? advise? aduiſe. aduise. advise. Him ill beseemes, anothers fault to name, 318 Fayre The Second Booke of Cant.IX. That may vnwares unwares bee blotted with the same: Pensiue Pensive I yeeld I am, and sad in mind, Through great desire of glory and of fame; Ne ought I weene are ye therein behynd, That haue have three years twelue moneths twelue months sought one, yet no where can her (find. [39] The Prince was inly moued moved at her speach, Well weeting trew, what she had rashly told, Yet with faire ſemblauntsemblaunt ſamblauntsamblaunt sought to hyde the breach, Which chaunge of colour did perforce vnfold unfold , Now seeming flaming whott, now stony cold. Tho turning soft aside, he did inquyre What wight she was, that Poplar braunch did hold: It answered was, her name was Praysdesire, That by well doing sought to honour to aspyre. [40] The whyles, the Faery knight did entertayne Another Damsell of that gentle crew, That was right fayre, and modest of demayne, But that too oft she chaung’d her natiue native hew: Straunge was her tyre, and all her garment blew, Close rownd about her tuckt with many a plight: Vpon Upon her fist the bird, which shonneth vewAnd keepes in couerts coverts close from liuing living wight,Did sitt, as yet ashamd, how rude Pan did her dight. [41] So long as Guyon with her commoned, Vnto Unto the grownd she cast her modest eye, And euer ever and anone with rosy redThe bashfull blood her snowy cheekes did dye,That her became, as polisht yuory yvory ,Which cunning Craftesman hand hath ouerlayd overlayd With fayre vermilion or pure Caſtory.Castory. laſtery.lastery. laſterylastery Great wonder had the knight, to see the mayd So straungely passioned, and to her gently ſaid,said, ſaid.said. ſayd,sayd, X 319 But the Faery Queene. Cant. IX. [42] Fayre Damzell, seemeth, by your troubled cheare cleare , That either me too bold ye weene, this wise You to molest, or other ill to feare That in the secret of your hart close lyes, From whence it doth, as cloud from sea aryse. If it be I, of pardon I you pray; But if ought else that I mote not deuyse devyse , I will, if please you it discure, assay,To ease you of that ill, so wisely as I may. [43] She answerd nought, but more abasht for shame, Held downe her head, the whiles her louely lovely face, The flashing blood with blushing did inflame,And the strong passion mard her modest grace, That Guyon meruayld mervayld at her vncouth uncouth cace; Till Alma him bespake, why wonder yee Faire Sir at that, which ye so much embrace? She is the fountaine of your modestee; You shamefast are, but Shamefastnes it selfe is shee. [44] Thereat the Elfe did blush in priuitee privitee , And turnd his face away; but she the same Dissembled faire, and faynd to ouersee oversee . Thus they awhile with court and goodly game, Themselues Themselves did solace each one with his Dame, Till that great Lady thence away them sought, To vew her Castles other wondrous frame. Vp Up to a stately Turret she them brought, Ascending by ten steps of Alablaster wrought. [45] That Turrets frame most admirable was, Like highest heauen heaven compassed around, And lifted high aboue above this earthly masse, Which it suruewd survewd , as hils doen lower ground; 320 The The Second Booke of Cant.IX. But not on ground mote like to this be found,Not that, which antique Cadmus whylome built In Thebes, which Alexander did confound; Nor that proud towre of Troy, though richly guilt, From which young Hectors blood by cruell Greekes was (spilt. [46] The roofe hereof was arched ouer over head, And deckt with flowers and herbars daintily; Two goodly Beacons, set in watches stead, Therein gaue gave light, and flamd continually: For they of liuing living fire most subtilly, Were made, and set in siluer silver sockets bright, Couer’d Cover’d with lids deuiz’d deviz’d of substance sly, That readily they shut and open might. O who can tell the prayses of that makers might? might! [47] Ne can I tell, ne can I stay to tell This parts great workemanship, & and wondrous powre, That all this other worldes worke doth excell, And likest is vnto unto that heauenly heavenly towre,That God hath built for his owne blessed bowre. Therein were diuers divers rowmes, and diuers divers stages,But three the chiefest, and of greatest powre,In which there dwelt three honorable sages,The wisest men, I weene, that liued lived in their ages. [48] Not he, whom Greece, the Nourse of all good arts,By PhæbusPhœbus doome, the wisest thought aliue alive , Might be compar’d to these this by many parts: Nor that sage Pylian syre, which did suruiue survive Three ages, such as mortall men contriue contrive ,By whose aduise advise old Priams cittie fell,With these in praise of pollicies mote striue strive . These three in these three rowmes did sondry dwell, And counselled faire Alma, how to gouerne governe well. X 2 321 That the Faerie Queene. Cant. IX. [49] The first of them could things to come foresee;The next could of thinges present best aduize advize ;The third things past could keepe in memoree, So that no time, nor reason could arize, But that the same could one of these comprize. For thy the first did in the forepart sit, That nought mote hinder his quicke preiudize prejudize : He had a sharpe foresight, and working wit, That neuer never idle was, ne once would could rest a whit. [50] His chamber was dispainted all within, With sondry colours, in the which were writ Infinite shapes of thinges dispersed thin; Some such as in the world were neuer never yit,Ne can deuized devized be of mortall wit; Some daily seene, and knowen by their names, Such as in idle fantasies doe flit: Infernall Hags, Centaurs, feendes, Hippodames,Apes, Lyons, Aegles, Owles, fooles, louers lovers , children, (Dames. [51] And all the chamber filled was with flyes,Which buzzed all about, and made such sound,That they encombred all mens eares and eyes,Like many swarmes of Bees assembled round,After their hiues hives with honny do abound: All those were idle thoughtes and fantasies, Deuices Devices , dreames, opinions vnsound unsound ,Shewes, visions, sooth-sayes, and prophesies;And all that fained is, as leasings, tales, and lies. [52] Emongst them all sate he, which wonned there, That hight Phantastes by his nature trew, A man of yeares yet fresh, as mote appere, Of swarth complexion, and of crabbed hew,322ThisThe Second Booke ofCant.IX.That him full of melancholy did shew;Bent hollow beetle browes, sharpe staring eyes, That mad or foolish seemd: one by his vew Mote deeme him borne with ill disposed skyes,When oblique Saturne sate in th’houſeth’house the houſethe house of agonyes. [53] Whom Alma hauing having shewed to her guestes, Thence brought thẽ them to the second rowme, whose wals Were painted faire with memorable gestes, Of famous Wisards, and with picturals Of Magistrates, of courts, of tribunals, Of commen wealthes, of states, of pollicy, Of lawes, of iudgementes judgementes , and of decretals; All artes, all science, all Philosophy, And all that in the world was ay thought wittily. [54] Of those that rowme was full, and them among There sate a man of ripe and perfect age, Who did them meditate all his life long, That through continuall practise and vsage usage , He now was growne right wise, and wondrous sage. Great plesure had those straunger knightes, to see His goodly reason, and graue grave personage, That his disciples both desyrd to bee; But Alma thence thẽ them led to th’hindmost rowme of three. [55] That chamber seemed ruinous and old, And therefore was remoued removed far behind, Yet were the wals, that did the same vphold uphold , Right firme & and strong, though somwhat they declind; And therein sat an old oldman, halfe blind,And all decrepit in his feeble corse,Yet liuely lively vigour rested in his mind,And recompenst him with a better scorse:Weake body well iswelis chang’d for minds redoubled forse. X 3 323 There the Faery Queene. Cant.IX. [56] This man of infinite remembraunce was,And things foregone through many ages held,Which he recorded still, as they did pas, Ne suffred them to perish through long eld, As all things els, the which this world doth weld,But laid them vp up in his immortall scrine, Where they for euer ever incorrupted dweld: The warres he well remembred of king Nine, Of old Assaracus, and Inachus diuine divine . [57] The yeares of Nestor nothing were to ſoso his,Ne yet Mathusalem though longest liu’d liv’d ; For he remembred both their infancis: Ne wonder then, if that he were depriu’d depriv’d Of natiue native strength now, that he them suruiu’d surviv’d . His chamber all was hangd about with rolls,And old records from auncient times deriud derivd ,Some made in books, some in lõg long parchment scrolls,That were all worm-eaten, and full of canker holes. [58] Amidst them all he in a chaire was sett, Tossing and turning them withouten end; But for he was vnhable unhable them to fett, A litle boy did on him still attend, To reach, when euer ever he for ought did send; And oft when thinges were lost, or laid amis, That boy them sought, and vnto unto him did lend. Therefore ThereſoreTheresore he Anamnestes cleped is, And that old man Eumnestes, by their propertis. [59] The knightes there entring, did him reuerence reverence dew And wondred at his endlesse exercise, Then as they gan his Library to vew, And antique Regesters for to auiſe auise aviſe avise , 324 Cant. The Second Booke of Cant.IX. There chaunced to the Princes hand to rize, An auncient booke, hight Briton moniments, That of this lands first conquest did deuize devize , And old diuision division into Regiments, Till it reduced was to one mans gouernements governements . [60] Sir Guyon chaunst eke on another booke, That hight, Antiquitee Antiquitiee Antiquitie of Faery lond. In which whenas he greedily did looke, Th’ofspring of Elues Elves and Faryes there he fond, As it deliuered delivered was from hond to hond: Whereat they burning both with feruent fervent fire, Their countreys auncestry to vnderstond understond , Crau’d Crav’d leaue leave of Alma, and that aged sire, To read those bookes; who gladly graunted their desire.