Cant. I. Guyon encountreth Britomart, Fayre Florimell is chaced: Duessaes traines and Malecaſtaes Malecastaes Materaſtaes Materastaes champions are defaced. [1] The famous Briton Prince and Faery knight, After long wayes and perilous paines endur’d, Hauing Having their weary limbes to perfect plight Restord, and sory wounds right well recur’d, Of the faire Alma greatly were procur’d, To make there lenger soiourne sojourne and abode; But when thereto they might not be allur’d, From seeking praise, and deeds of armes abrode, They courteous conge tooke, and forth together yode. [2] But the captiu’d captiv’d Acrasia he sent, Because of traueill traveill long, a nigher way, With a strong gard, all reskew to preuent prevent , And her to Faery court safe to conuay convay , That her for witnes of his hard assay, Vnto Unto his Faery Queene he might present: But he him selfe betooke another way, To make more triall of his hardiment, And seeke aduentures adventures , as he with Prince Arthure went. [3] Long so they traueiled traveiled through wastefull wayes, Where daungers dwelt, and perils most did wonne, To hunt for glory and renowmed prayse; Full many Countreyes they did ouerronne overronne , 392 Thethird Booke of Cant. I. Great From the vprising uprising to the setting Sunne, And many hard aduentures adventures did atchieue atchieve ; Of all the which they honour euer ever wonne, Seeking the weake oppressed to relieue relieve , And to recouer recover right for such, as wrong did grieue grieve . [4] At last as through an open plaine they yode, They spide a knight, that towards towatds pricked fayre, And him beside an aged Squire there rode, That seemd to couch vnder under his shield three-square, As if that age badd him that burden spare, And yield it those, that stouter could it wield: He them espying, gan him selfe prepare, And on his arme addresse his goodly shield That bore a Lion passant in a golden field. [5] Which seeing good Sir Guyon, deare besought The Prince of grace, to let him ronne that turne. He graunted: then the Faery quickly raught His poynant speare, and sharply gan to spurne His fomy steed, whose fiery feete did burne The verdant gras, as he thereon did tread; Ne did the other backe his foote returne, But fiercely forward came withouten dread, And bent his dreadful speare against the others head. [6] They beene ymett, and both theyr points arriu’d arriv’d , But Guyon droue drove so furious and fell, That seemd both shield and plate it would haue have riu’d riv’d ; Nathelesse it bore his foe not from his sell, But Rut made him stagger, as he were not well: But Guyon selfe, ere well he was aware, Nigh a speares length behind his crouper fell, Yet in his fall so well him selfe he bare, That mischieuous mischievous mischaũce mischaunce his life & and limbs did spare. Cant. I. the Faery Queene. 393 The [7] Great shame and sorrow of that fall he tooke; For neuer never yet, sith warlike armes he bore, And shiuering shivering speare in bloody field first shooke, He fownd him selfe dishonored so sore. Ah gentlest knight, that euer ever armor bore, Let not thee the grieue grieve dismounted to haue have beene, And brought to grownd, that neuer never wast before; For not thy fault, but secret powre vnseene unseene , That speare enchaunted was, which layd thee on the (greene. [8] But weenedst thou, what wight thee ouerthrew overthrew , Much greater griefe and shamefuller regrett For thy hard fortune then thou wouldst renew, That of a single damzell thou wert mett On equall plaine, and there so hard besett; Euen Even the famous Britomart it was, Whom straunge adventure aduenture adventure aduentnre adventnre did from Britayne fett, To seeke her louer lover ( loue love far sought alas,) alas), Whose image shee had seene in Venus looking glas. [9] Full of disdainefull wrath, he fierce vprose uprose , For to reuenge revenge that fowle reprochefull shame, And snatching his bright sword began to close With her on foot, and stoutly forward came; Dye rather would he, 1590.bk3.III.i.9.5. then: than then than endure that same. Which when his Palmer saw, he gan to feare His toward perill and vntoward untoward blame, Which by that new rencounter he should reare: For death sate on the point of that enchaunted speare. [10] And hasting towards him gan fayre perswade, Not to prouoke provoke misfortune, nor to weene His speares default to mend with cruell blade; For by his mightie Science he had seene 394 The third Booke of Cant. I. Long The secrete vertue of that weapon keene, That mortall puissaunce mote not withstond: Nothing on earth mote alwaies happy beene. Great hazard were it, and aduenture adventure fond, To loose long gotten honour with one euill evill hond. [11] By such good meanes he him discounselled, From prosecuting his reuenging revenging rage; And eke the Prince like treaty handeled, His wrathfull will with reason to aswage, And laid the blame, not to his carriage, But to his starting steed, that swaru’d swarv’d asyde, And to the ill purueyaunce purveyaunce of his page, That had his furnitures not firmely tyde: So is his angry corage fayrly pacifyde. [12] Thus reconcilement was betweene them knitt, Through goodly temperaunce, and affection chaste, And either vowd with all their power and witt, To let not others honour be defaste, Of friend or foe, who euer ever it embaste, Ne armes to beare against the others syde: In which accord the Prince was also plaste, And with that golden chaine of concord tyde. So goodly all agreed, they forth yfere did ryde. ryde, [13] O goodly vsage usage of those antique tymes, In which the sword was seruaunt servaunt vnto unto right; When not for malice and contentious crymes, But all for prayse, and proofe of manly might, The martiall brood accustomed to fight: Then honour was the meed of victory, And yet the vanquished had no despight: Let later age that noble vse use enuy envy , Vyle rancor to avoid, and cruel surquedry. Cant. I. the Faery Queene. 395 Through [14] Long they thus traueiled traveiled in friendly wise, Through countreyes waste, and eke well edifyde, Seeking aduentures adventures hard, to exercise Their puissaunce, whylome full dernly tryde: At length they came into a forest wyde, Whose hideous horror and sad trembling sownd Full griesly seemd: Therein they long did ryde, Yet tract of liuing living creature creatures none they fownd, Saue Save Beares, Lyons, & and Buls, which romed them arownd. [15] All suddenly out of the thickest brush, Vpon Upon a milkwhite Palfrey all alone, A goodly Lady did foreby them rush, Whose face did seeme as cleare as Christall stone, And eke through feare as white as whales bone: Her garments all were wrought of beaten gold, And all her steed with tinsell trappings shone, Which fledd so fast, that nothing mote him hold, And scarse them leasure gaue gave , her passing to behold. [16] Still as she fledd, her eye she backward threw, As fearing euill evill , that poursewd her fast; And her faire yellow locks behind her flew, Loosely disperst with puff of euery every blast: All as a blazing starre doth farre outcast His hearie beames, and flaming lockes dispredd, At sight whereof the people stand aghast: But the sage wisard telles, as he has redd, That it importunes death and dolefull drery hedd. [17] So as they gazed after her a whyle, Lo where a griesly foster forth did rusſ⁀h, rush, rusſ⁀h’ [turned comma] russh’ [turned comma] rusſ⁀h, rush, Breathing out beastly lust her to defyle: His tyreling Iade Jade he fiersly forth did push, 396 The third Booke of Cant. I. Mainely Through thicke and thin, both ouer over banck and bush In hope her to attaine by hooke or crooke, That from his gory sydes the blood did gush: Large were his limbes, and terrible his looke, And in his clownish hand a sharp bore speare he shooke. [18] Which outrage when those gentle knights did see, Full of great enuy envy and fell gealosy, They stayd not to auise avise , who first should bee, But all spurd after fast, as they mote fly, To reskew her from shamefull villany. The Prince and Guyon equally byliue bylive Her selfe pursewd, in hope to win thereby Most goodly meede, the fairest Dame aliue alive : But after the foule foster Timias did striue strive . [19] The whiles faire Britomart, whose constant mind, Would not so lightly follow beauties chace, Ne reckt of Ladies Loue Love , did stay behynd, And them awayted there a certaine space, To weet if they would turne backe to that place: But when she saw them gone, she forward went, As lay her iourney journey , through that perlous Pace, With stedfast corage and stout hardiment; Ne euil evil thing she feard, ne euill evill thing she ment. [20] At last as nigh out of the wood she came, A stately Castle far away she spyde, To which her steps directly she did frame. That Castle was most goodly edifyde, And plaste for pleasure nigh that forrest syde: But faire before the gate a spatious playne, Mantled with greene, it selfe did spredden wyde, On which she saw six knights, that did darrayne Fiers battaill against one, with cruel might and mayne. 397 the Faerie Queene. Cant. I. So [21] Mainely they all attonce vpon upon him laid, And sore beset on euery every side arownd, That nigh he breathlesse grew, yet nought dismaid, Ne euer ever to them yielded foot of grownd All had he lost much blood through many a wownd, But stoutly dealt his blowes, and euery every way To which he turned in his wrathfull stownd, Made them recoile, and fly from dredd decay, That none of all the six before, him durst assay. [22] Like dastard Curres, that hauing having at a bay The saluage salvage beast embost in wearie chace, Dare not aduenture adventure on the stubborne pray, Ne byte before, but rome from place to place, To get a snatch, when turned is his face. In such distresse and doubtfull ieopardy jeopardy , When Britomart him saw, she ran apace Vnto Unto his reskew, and with earnest cry, Badd those same sixe forbeare that single enimy. [23] But to her cry they list not lenden eare, Ne ought the more their mightie strokes surceasse, But gathering him rownd about more neare, Their direfull rancour rather did encreasse; Till that she rushing through the thickest preasse, Perforce disparted their compacted gyre, And soone compeld to hearken vnto unto peace: Tho gan she myldly of them to inquyre The cause of their dissention and outrageous yre. [24] Whereto that single knight did answere frame; These six would me enforce by oddes of might, To chaunge my liefe, and loue love another Dame, That death me liefer were, 1590.bk3.III.i.24.4. then: than then than such despight, 398 The thirdBook of Cant. I. There- So vnto unto vnro unro vnto unto wrong to yield my wrested right: For I loue love one, the truest one on grownd, Ne list me chaunge; she th’Errant damzell hight, For whose deare sake full many a bitter stownd, I haue have endurd, and tasted many a bloody wownd. [25] Certes (said she) then beene ye sixe to blame, To weene your wrong by force to iustify justify : For knight to leaue leave his Lady were great shame, That faithfull is, and better were to dy. All losse is lesse, and lesse the infamy, 1590.bk3.III.i.25.6. Then: Than Then Than losse of loue love to him, that loues loves but one; Ne may loue love be compeld by maistery; For soone as maistery comes, sweet loue love anone Taketh his nimble winges, and soone away is gone. [26] Then spake one of those six, There dwelleth here Within this castle wall a Lady fayre, Whose soueraine soveraine beautie hath no liuing living pere, Thereto so bounteous and so debonayre, That neuer never any mote with her compayre. She hath ordaind this law, which we approue approve , That euery every knight, which doth this way repayre, In case he haue have no Lady, nor no loue love , Shall doe vnto unto her seruice service neuer never to remoue remove . [27] But if he haue have a Lady or a Loue Love , Then must he her forgoe with fowle defame, Or els with vs us by dint of sword approue approve , That she is fairer, 1590.bk3.III.i.27.4. then: than then than our fairest Dame, As did this knight, before ye hether came. Perdy (said Britomart) the choise is hard: But what reward had he, that ouercame overcame ? He should aduaunced advaunced bee to high regard, (Said they) and haue have our Ladies loue love for his reward. 399 the Faery Queene. Cant. I. And Cc [28] Therefore a read aread Sir, if thou haue have a loue love . Loue Love haue have I sure, (quoth she) but Lady none; Yet will I not fro mine owne loue love remoue remove , Ne to your Lady will I seruice service done, But wreake your wronges wrought to this knight a-(lone, And proue prove his cause. With that her mortall speare She mightily auentred aventred towards one, And downe him smot, ere well aware he weare, Then to the next she rode, & and downe the next did beare. [29] Ne did she stay, till three on ground she layd, That none of them himselfe could reare againe; The fourth was by that other knight dismayd, All were he wearie of his former paine, That now there do but two of six remaine; Which two did yield, before she did them smight. Ah (sayd she then) now may ye all see plaine, That truth trurh is strong, and trew loue love most of might, That for his trusty seruaunts servaunts doth so strongly fight. fight, [30] Too well we see, (saide they) and proue prove too well Our faulty weakenes, and your matchlesse might: For thy, faire Sir, yours be the Damozell, Which by her owne law to your lot doth light, And we your liegemen faith vnto unto you plight. So vnderneath underneath her feet their swords they mard ſ⁀hard shard , And after her besought, well as they might, To enter in, and reape the dew reward: She graunted, and then in they all together far’d. [31] Long were it to describe the goodly frame, And stately port of Castle Ioyeous Joyeous , (For so that Castle hight by commun name) Where they were entertaynd with courteous 400 The Second Booke of Cant. I. Then And comely glee of many gratious Faire Ladies, and of and many a gentle knight, Who through a Chamber long and spacious, Eftsoones them brought vnto unto their Ladies sight, That of them cleeped was the Lady of delight. [32] But for to tell the sumptuous aray Of that great chamber, should be labour lost: For liuing living wit, I weene, cannot display The roiall riches and exceeding cost, Of euery every pillour and of euery every post; Which all of purest bullion framed were, And with great perles and pretious stones embost, That the bright glister of their beames cleare Did sparckle forth great light, and glorious did appeare. [33] These stranger knights through passing, forth were led Into an inner rowme, whose royaltee And rich purueyance purveyance might vneath uneath be red; Mote Princes place beseeme so deckt to bee. Which stately manner when as they did see, The image of superfluous riotize, Exceeding much the state of meane degree, They greatly wondred, whence so ſumpteous sumpteous ſumptuous sumptuous guize Might be maintaynd, and each gan diuersely diversely deuize devize . [34] The wals were round about appareiled With costly clothes of Arras and of Toure, In which with cunning hand was pourtrahed The loue love of Venus and her Paramoure, The fayre Adonis, turned to a flowre, A worke of rare deuice device , and wondrous wit. First did it shew the bitter balefull stowre, Which her assayd with many a feruent fervent fit, When first her tender hart was with his beautie smit. 401 the Faerie Queene. Cant. I. With Cc 2 [35] Then with what sleights and sweet allurements she Entyst the Boy, as well that art she knew, And wooed him her Paramoure to bee; Now making girlonds of each flowre that grew, To crowne his golden lockes with honour dew; Now leading him into a secret shade From his Beauperes, and from bright heauens heavens vew, Where him to sleepe she gently would perswade, Or bathe him in a fountaine by some couert covert glade. [36] And whilst he slept, she ouer over him would spred Her mantle, colour’d like the starry skyes, And her soft arme lay vnderneath underneath his hed, And with ambrosiall kisses bathe his eyes; And whilst he bath’d, with her two crafty spyes, She secretly would search each daintie lim, And throw into the well sweet Rosemaryes, And fragrant violets, and Paunces trim, And euer ever with sweet Nectar she did sprinkle him. [37] So did she steale his heedelesse hart away, And ioyd joyd his loue love in secret vnespyde unespyde . But for she saw him bent to cruell play, To hunt the saluage salvage beast in forrest wyde, Dreadfull of daunger, that mote him betyde, She oft and oft aduiz’d adviz’d him to refraine From chase of greater beastes, whose brutish pryde Mote breede him scath vnwares unwares : but all in vaine; For who can shun the chance, that dest’ny doth ordaine? [38] Lo, where beyond he lyeth languishing, Deadly engored of a great wilde Bore, And by his side the Goddesse groueling groveling Makes for him endlesse mone, and euermore evermore 402 The third Booke of Cant. I. Long With her soft garment wipes away the gore, Which staynes his snowy skin with hatefull hew: But when she saw no helpe might him restore, Him to a dainty flowre she did transmew, Which in that cloth was wrought, as if it liuely lively grew. [39] So was that chamber clad in goodly wize, And rownd about it many beds were dight, As whylome was the antique worldes guize, Some for vntimely untimely ease, some for delight, As pleased them to vse use , that vse use it might: And all was full of Damzels, and of Squyres, Dauncing and reueling reveling both day and night, And swimming deepe in sensuall desyres, And Cupid still emongest them kindled lustfull fyres. [40] And all the while sweet Musicke did diuide divide Her looser notes with Lydian harmony; And all the while sweet birdes thereto applide Their daintie layes and dulcet melody, Ay caroling of loue love and iollity jollity , That wonder was to heare their trim consort. Which when those knights beheld, with scornefull (eye, They sdeigned such lasciuious lascivious disport, And loath’d the loose demeanure of that wanton sort. [41] Thence they were brought to that great Ladies vew, Whom they found sitting on a sumptuous bed, That glistred all with gold and glorious shew, As the proud Persian Queenes accustomed: She seemd a woman of great bountihed, And of rare beautie, sauing saving that askaunce Her wanton eyes, ill signes of womanhed, Did roll too highly lightly , and too often glaunce, Without regard of grace, or comely amenaunce. 403 the Faery Queene. Cant. I. Basciante Cc 3 [42] Long worke it were, and needlesse to deuize devize Their goodly entertainement and great glee: She caused them be led in courteous wize Into a bowre, disarmed for to be, And cheared well with wine and spiceree: The Redcrosse Knight was soone disarmed there, But the braue brave Mayd would not disarmed bee, But onely vented vp up her vmbriere umbriere , And so did let her goodly visage to appere. [43] As when fayre Cynthia, in darkesome night, Is in a noyous cloud enueloped enveloped , Where she may finde the substance thin and light, Breakes forth her siluer silver beames, and her bright hed Discouers Discovers to the world discomfited; Of the poore traueiler traveiler , that went astray, With thousand blessings she is heried; Such was the beautie and the shining ray, With which fayre Britomart gaue gave light vnto unto the day. [44] And eke those six, which lately with her fought, Now were disarmd, and did them selues selves present Vnto Unto her vew, and company vnsought unsought ; For they all seemed courteous and gent, And all sixe brethren brethen , borne of one parent, Which had them traynd in all ciuilitee civilitee , And goodly taught to tilt and turnament; Now were they liegmen to this Ladie free, And her knights seruice service ought, to hold of her in fee. [45] The first of them by name Gardante hight, A iolly jolly person, and of comely vew; The second was Parlante, a bold knight, And next to him Iocante Jocante did ensew; 404 The third Booke of Cant. I. Faire Basciante did him selfe most courteous shew; But fierce Bacchante seemd too fell and keene; And yett in armes Noctante greater grew: All were faire knights, and goodly well beseene, But to faire Britomart they all but shadowes beene. [46] For shee was full of amiable grace, And manly terror mixed therewithall, That as the one stird vp up affections bace, So th’other did mens rash desires apall, And hold them backe, that would in error fall; As hee, that hath espide a vermeill Rose, To which sharpe thornes and breres the way forstall, Dare not for dread his hardy hand expose, But wishing it far off, his ydle wish doth lose. [47] Whom when the Lady saw so faire a wight, wight. All ignorant of her contrary sex, (For shee her weend a fresh and lusty knight) Shee greatly gan enamoured to wex, And with vaine thoughts her falsed fancy vex: Her fickle hart conceiued conceived hasty fyre, Like sparkes of fire, fire that which fall in sclender flex, That shortly brent into extreme desyre, And ransackt all her veines with passion entyre. [48] Eftsoones shee grew to great impatience And into termes of open outrage brust, That plaine discouered discovered her incontinence, Ne reckt shee, who her meaning did mistrust; For she was giuen given all to fleshly lust, And poured forth in sensuall delight, That all regard of shame she had discust, And meet respect of honor putt to flight: So shamelesse beauty soone becomes a loathly sight. 405 the Faery Queene. Cant. I. To Cc 4 [49] Faire Ladies, that to loue love captiued captived arre, And chaste desires doe nourish in your mind, Let not her fault your sweete affections marre, Ne blott the bounty of all womankind; ’Mongst thousands good one wanton Dame to find: Emongst the Roses grow some wicked weeds; For this was not to loue love , but lust inclind; For loue love does alwaies bring forth bounteous deeds, And in each gentle hart desire of honor breeds. [50] Nought so of loue love this looser Dame did skill, But as a cole to kindle fleshly flame, Giuing Giving the bridle to her wanton will, And treading vnder under foote her honest name: Such loue love is hate, and such desire is shame. Still did she roue rove at her with crafty glaunce Of her false eies, that at her hart did ayme, And told her meaning in her countenaunce; But Britomart dissembled it with ignoraunce. [51] Supper was shortly dight and downe they satt, Where they were serued served with all sumptuous fare, Whiles fruitfull Ceres, and Lyæus fatt Pourd out their plenty, without spight or spare: Nought wanted there, that dainty was and rare; And aye the cups their bancks did ouerflow overflow , And aye betweene the cups, she did prepare Way to her loue love , and secret darts did throw; But Britomart would not such guilfull message know. [52] So when they slaked had the feruent fervent heat Of appetite with meates of euery every sort, The Lady did faire Britomart entreat, Her to disarme, and with delightfull sport 406 The third Book of Cant. I. Therewith To loose her warlike limbs and strong effort, But when shee mote not thereunto be wonne, (For shee her sexe vnder under that straunge purport Did vse use to hide, and plaine apparaunce shonne:) shonne): In playner wise to tell her grieuaunce grievaunce she begonne. [53] And all attonce discouered discovered her desire With sighes, and sobs, and plaints, & and piteous griefe, griefe. The outward sparkes of her in burning in-burning inburning fire; Which spent in vaine, at last she told her briefe, That but if she did lend her short reliefe, And doe her comfort, she mote algates dye. But the chaste damzell, that had neuer never priefe Of such malengine and fine forgerye, Did easely beleeue beleeve her strong extremitye. [54] Full easy was for fot her to haue have beliefe, Who by self-feeling of her feeble sexe, And by long triall of the inward griefe, Wherewith imperious loue love her hart did vexe, Could iudge judge what paines doe louing loving harts perplexe. Who meanes no guile, be-guiled soonest shall, And to faire semblaunce doth light faith annexe aunexe annex ; The bird, that knowes not the false fowlers call, Into his hidden nett full easely doth fall. [55] For thy she would not in discourteise wise, Scorne the faire offer of good will profest; For great rebuke it is, loue love to despise, Or rudely sdeigne a gentle harts requeſ⁀t request reqneſ⁀t reqnest ; But with faire countenaunce, as beseemed best, Her entertaynd; nath’lesse shee inly deemd Her loue love too light, to wooe a wandring guest: Which she misconstruing, thereby esteemd That from like inward fire that outward smoke had (ſteemd. (steemd. ſteemd, steemd, ſteem’d. steem’d. 407 the Faery Queene. Cant. I. Could [56] Therewith a while she her flit fancy fedd, Till she mote winne fit time for her desire, But yet her wound still inward freshly bledd, And through her bones the false instilled fire Did spred it selfe, and venime close inspire. Tho were the tables taken all away, And euery every knight, and euery every gentle Squire Gan choose his dame with Baſcimano Bascimano Baſciomani Basciomani gay, With whom he ment to make his sport & and courtly play. [57] Some fell to daunce, some fel to hazardry, Some to make loue love , some to make meryment, As diuerse diverse witts to diuerse diverse things apply; And all the while faire Malecasta bent Her crafty engins to her close intent. By this th’eternall lampes, wherewith high Ioue Jove Doth light the lower world, were halfe yspent, And the moist daughters of huge Atlas stroue strove Into the Ocean deepe to driue drive their weary droue drove . [58] High time it seemed then for euerie everie wight Them to betake vnto unto their kindly rest; Eftesoones long waxen torches weren light, Vnto Unto their bowres to guyden euery every guest: Tho when the Britonesse saw all the rest Auoided Avoided quite, she gan her selfe despoile, And safe committ to her soft fethered nest, Wher through long watch, & and late daies weary toile, She soundly slept, & and carefull thoughts did quite assoile. [59] Now whenas all the world in silence deepe Y shrowded was, and euery every mortall wight Was drowned in the depth of deadly sleepe, Faire Malecasta, whose engrieued engrieved spright 408 The third Booke of Cant. II. And Could find no rest in such perplexed plight, Lightly arose out of her wearie bed, And vnder under the blacke vele of guilty Night, Her with a scarlott mantle couered covered , That was with gold and Ermines faire enueloped enveloped . [60] Then panting softe, and trembling euery every ioynt joynt , Her fearfull feete towards the bowre she mou’d mov’d . Where she for secret purpose did appoynt To lodge the warlike maide vnwisely unwisely loou’d loov’d , And to her bed approching, first she proou’d proov’d , Whether she slept or wakte, with her softe hand She softely felt, if any member moou’d moov’d , And lent her weary wary eare to vnderstand understand , If any puffe of breath, or signe of sence shee fond. [61] Which whenas none she fond, with easy shifte, For feare least her vnwares unwares she should abrayd, Th’embroderd quilt she lightly vp up did lifte, And by her side her selfe she softly layd, Of euery every finest fingers touch affrayd; Ne any noise she made, ne word she spake, spake. But inly sigh’d. At last the royall Mayd Out of her quiet slomber did awake, And chaungd her weary side, the better ease to take. [62] Where feeling one close couched by her side, She lightly lept out of her filed bedd, And to her weapon ran, in minde to gride The loathed leachour. But the Dame halfe dedd Through suddein feare and ghastly drerihedd, Did shrieke alowd, that through the hous it rong, And the whole family there with adredd, Rashly out of their rouzed couches sprong, And to the troubled chamber all in armes did throng. 409 the Faery Queene. Cant. I. Here, [63] And those sixe knights that ladies Champions, And eke the Redcrosse knight ran to the stownd, Halfe armd and halfe vnarmd unarmd , with them attons: Where when confusedly they came, they fownd Their lady lying on the sencelesse grownd; On thother side, they saw the warlike Mayd Al in her snow-white smocke, with locks vnbownd unbownd , Threatning the point of her auenging avenging blade blaed , That with so troublous terror they were all dismayd. [64] About their Ladye first they flockt arownd, Whom hauing having laid in comfortable couch, Shortly they reard out of her frosen swownd; And afterwardes they gan with fowle reproch To stirre vp up strife, and troublous contecke broch: But by ensample of the last dayes losse, None of them rashly durst to her approch, Ne in so glorious spoile themselues themselves embosse, Her succourd eke the Champion of the bloody Crosse. [65] But one of those sixe knights, Gardante hight, Drew out a deadly bow and arrow keene, Which forth he sent with felonous despight, And fell intent against the virgin sheene: The mortall steele stayd not, till it was seene To gore her side, yet was the wound not deepe, But lightly rased her soft silken skin, That drops of purple blood thereout did weepe, Which did her lilly smock with staines of vermeil steep. [66] Wherewith enrag’d, she fiercely at them flew, And with her flaming sword about her layd, That none of them foule mischiefe could eschew, But with her dreadfull strokes were all dismayd: 410 The third Booke of Cant. II. But Here, there, and euery every where about her swayd Her wrathfull steele, that none mote it abyde; And eke the Redcrosse knight gaue gave her good ayd, Ay ioyning joyning foot to foot, and syde to syde, That in short space their foes they haue have quite terrifyde. [67] Tho whenas all were put to shamefull flight, The noble Britomartis her arayd, And her bright armes about her body dight: For nothing would she lenger there be stayd, Where so loose life, and so vngentle ungentle trade Was vsd usd of Knights knighcs and Ladies seeming gent: So earely ere the grosse Earthes gryesy shade, Was all disperst out of the firmament, They tooke their steeds, & and forth vpõ vpon upõ upon their iourney journey went. went