Cant. XII. The maske of Cupid, and th’enchanted Chamber are displayd, Whence Britomart redeemes faire Amoret, through charmes decayd. [1] T H h o when as chearelesse Night ycouered ycovered had Fayre heauen heaven with an vniuersall universall clowd, That euery every wight dismayd with darkenes sad, In silence and in sleepe themselues themselves did shrowd, She heard a shrilling Trompet sound alowd, Signe of nigh battaill, or got victory; Nought therewith daunted was her courage prowd, But rather stird to cruell enmity, Expecting euer ever , when some foe she might descry. [2] With that, an hideous storme of winde arose, With dreadfull thunder and lightning atwixt, And an earthquake, as if it streight would lose The worlds foundations from his centre fixt; A direfull stench of smoke and sulphure mixt Ensewd, whose noyaunce fild the fearefull sted, From the fourth howre of night vntill untill the sixt; Yet the bold Britonesse was nought ydred, Though much emmou’d emmov’d , but stedfast still perseuered persevered . [3] All suddeinly a stormy whirlwind blew Throughout the house, that clapped euery every dore, With which that yron wicket open flew, As it with mighty leuers levers had bene tore: 577 the Faerie Queene. Cant. XII. The Oo 2 And forth yssewd, as on the readie flore Of some Theatre, a graue grave personage, That in his hand a braunch of laurell bore, With comely haueour haveour and count’nance sage, Yclad in costly garments, fit for tragicke Stage. [4] Proceeding to the midst, he stil did stand, As if in minde he somewhat had to say, And to the vulgare beckning with his hand, In signe of silence, as to heare a play, By liuely lively actions he gan bewray Some argument of matter passioned; Which doen, he backe retyred soft away, And passing by, his name discouered discovered , Ease, on his robe in golden letters cyphered. [5] The noble Mayd, still standing all this vewd, And merueild merveild at his straunge intendiment; With that a ioyous joyous fellowship issewd Of Minstrales, making goodly meriment, With wanton Bardes, and Rymers impudent, All which together song full chearefully A lay of loues loves delight, with sweet concent conſent consent : After whom marcht a iolly jolly company, In manner of a maske, enranged orderly. [6] The whiles a most delitious harmony, In full straunge notes was sweetly heard to sound, That the rare sweetnesse of the melody The feeble sences wholy did confound, And the frayle soule in deepe delight nigh drownd: And when it ceast, shrill trompets lowd did bray, That their report did far away rebound, And when they ceast, it gan againe to play, The whiles the maskers marched forth in trim aray. 578 The third Booke of Cant. XII. He [7] The first was Fansy, like a louely lovely Boy, Of rare aspect, and beautie without peare, Matchable ether either eyther to that ympe of Troy, Whom Ioue Jove did loue love , and chose his cup to beare, Or that same daintie lad, which was so deare To great Alcides, that when as he dyde, He wailed womanlike with many a teare, And euery every wood word , and euery every valley wyde He fild with Hylas name; the Nymphes eke Hylas cryde. [8] His garment nether neither was of silke nor say, But paynted plumes, in goodly order dight, Like as the sunburnt Indians do aray Their tawney bodies, in their proudest plight: As those same plumes, so seemd he vaine and light, That by his gate might easily appeare; For still he far’d as dauncing in delight, And in his hand a windy fan did beare, That in the ydle ayre he mou’d mov’d still here and theare. [9] And him beside marcht amorous Desyre, Who seemd of ryper yeares, 1590.bk3.III.xii.9.2. then: than then than th’other Swayne, Yet was that other others swayne this elders syre, And gaue gave him being, commune to them twayne: His garment was disguysed very vayne, And his embrodered Bonet sat awry; Twixt both his hands few sparks he close did strayne, Which still he blew, and kindled busily, That soone they life conceiu’d conceiv’d , and forth in flames inflames did (fly. [10] Next after him went Doubt, who was yclad In a discolour’d cote, of straunge disguyse, That at his backe a brode Capuccio had, And sleeues sleeves dependaunt Albanese-wyse: 579 the Faery Queene. Cant. XII. And Oo 3 He lookt askew with his mistrustfull eyes, And nycely trode, as thornes lay in his way Or that the flore to shrinke he did auyse avyse And on a broken reed he still did stay, His feeble steps, which shrunck, when hard thereon he (lay. [11] With him went Daunger, cloth’d in ragged weed, Made of Beares skin, that him more dreadfull made, Yet his owne face was dreadfull, ne did need Straunge horrour, to deforme his griesly shade, shade; A net in th’one hand, and a rusty blade In th’other was, this Mischiefe, that mishap; With th’one his foes he threatned to inuade invade , With th’other he his friends ment to enwrap: For whom he could not kill, he practizd to entrap. [12] Next him was Feare, all arm’d from top to toe, Yet thought himselfe not nnt not safe enough thereby, But feard each shadow mouing moving to too or and froe, And his owne armes when glittering he did spy, Or clashing heard, he fast away did fly, As ashes pale of hew, and wingyheeld winged heeld wingy-heeld ; And euermore evermore on daunger fixt his eye, Gainst whom he alwayes bent a brasen shield, Which his right hand vnarmed unarmed fearefully did wield. [13] With him went Hope in rancke, a handsome Mayd, Of chearefull looke and louely lovely to behold; In silken samite she was light arayd, And her fayre lockes were wouen woven vp up in gold; She alway smyld, and in her hand did hold An holy water Sprinckle, dipt in deowe, With which she sprinckled fauours favours manifold, On whom she list, and did great liking sheowe, Great liking vnto unto many, but true loue love to feowe. 580 The third Booke of Cant. XII. And [14] And after them Dissemblaunce Dissemblaunee , and Suspect Marcht in one rancke, yet an vnequall unequall paire: For she was gentle, and of milde aspect, Courteous to all, and seeming debonaire, Goodly adorned, and exceeding faire: Yet was that all but paynted, and pourloynd, And her bright browes were deckt with borrowed (haire: Her deeds were forged, and her words false coynd, And alwaies in her hand two clewes of silke she twynd. [15] But he was fowle, ill fauoured favoured , and grim, Vnder Under his eiebrowes looking still askaunce; And euer ever as Dissemblaunce laught on him, He lowrd on her with daungerous eyeglaunce; Shewing his nature in his countenaunce; His rolling eies did neuer never rest in place, Bnt walkte each where, for feare of hid mischaunce, Holding a lattis still before his face, Through which he stil did peep, as forward he did pace. [16] Next him went Griefe, and Fury matcht yfere; Griefe all in sable sorrowfully clad, Downe hanging his dull head, with heauy heavy chere, Yet inly being more, 1590.bk3.III.xii.16.4. then: than then than seeming sad: A paire of Pincers in his hand he had, With which he pinched people to the hart, That from thenceforth a wretched life they ladd, In wilfull languor and consuming smart, Dying each day with inward wounds of dolours dart. [17] But Fury was full ill appareiled, In rags, that naked nigh she did appeare, With ghastly looks and dreadfull drerihed; For from her backe her garments she did teare, 581 the Faery Queene. Cant. XII. At Oo 4 And from her head ofte rent her snarled heare: In her right hand a firebrand shee did tosse About her head, still roming here and there; As a dismayed Deare in chace emboſt embost emhoſt emhost , Forgetfull of his safety, hath his right way lost. [18] After them went Displeasure and Pleasaunce, He looking lompish and full sullein sad, And hanging downe his heauy heavy countenaunce; She chearfull fresh and full of ioyaunce joyaunce glad, As if no sorrow she ne felt ne drad dread ; That euill evill matched paire they seemd to bee: An angry Waspe th’one in a viall had had: Th’other in hers an hony-lady Bee, Bee; Thus marched these six couples forth in faire degree. degree [19] After all these there marcht a most faire Dame, Led of two grysie villeins, th’one Despight, The other cleped Cruelty by name: She dolefull Lady, like a dreary Spright, Cald by strong charmes out of eternall night, Had Deathes deathes Deaths owne ymage figurd in her face, Full of sad signes, fearfull to liuing living sight, Yet in that horror shewd a seemely grace, And with her feeble feete did moue move a comely pace. [20] Her brest all naked, as nett yuory yvory , Without adorne of gold or siluer silver bright, Wherewith the Craftesman wonts it beautify, Of her dew honour was despoyled quight, And a wide wound therein (O ruefull sight) Entrenched deep with knyfe accursed keene, Yet freshly bleeding forth her fainting spright, (The worke of cruell hand) was to be seene, That dyde in ſanguine sanguine ſangine sangine ſanguine sanguine red her skin all snowy cleene. 582 The third Booke of Cant. XII. Shame [21] At that wide orifice her het trembling hart Was drawne forth, and in siluer silver basin layd, Quite through transfixed with a deadly dart, And in her blood yet steeming fresh embayd: And those two villeins, which her steps vpstayd upstayd , When her weake feete could scarcely her sustaine, And fading vitall powres gan to fade, Her forward ſtill still skill with torture did constraine, And euermore evermore encreased her consuming paine. [22] Next after her, the winged God him selfe Came riding on a Lion rauenous ravenous , Taught to obay the menage of that Elfe, That man and beast with powre imperious Subdeweth to his kingdome tyrannous: His blindfold eies he bad a while vnbinde unbinde , That his proud spoile of that same dolorous Faire Dame he might behold in perfect kinde, Which seene, he much reioyced rejoyced in his cruell minde. [23] Of which ful prowd, him selfe vp up rearing hye, He looked round about with sterne disdayne; And did suruay survay his goodly company: And marshalling the euill evill ordered trayne, With that the darts which his right hand right did straine, Full dreadfully he shooke that all did quake, And clapt on hye his coulourd winges twaine, That all his many it affraide did make: Tho blinding him againe, his way he forth did take. [24] Behinde him was Reproch, Repentaunce, Shame; Reproch the first, Shame next, Repent behinde: Repentaunce Repentance Repen’aunce feeble, sorowfull, and lame: Reproch despightful, carelesse, and vnkinde unkinde ; 583 the Faery Queene: Cant. XII. Where Shame most illfauourd illfavourd , bestiall, and blinde: Shame lowrd, Repentaunce sigh’d, Reproch did scould; Reproch sharpe stings, Repentaunce whips entwinde, Shame burning brond-yrons in her hand did hold: All three to each vnlike unlike , yet all made in one mould. [25] And after them a rude confused rout Of persons flockt, whose names is hard to read: Emongst them was sterne Strife, and Anger stout, Vnquiet Unquiet Care, and fond Vnthriftyhead Unthriftyhead Vnthriftybead Unthriftybead V nthriftihead U nthriftihead , Lewd Losse of Time, Time,, and Sorrow seeming dead, Inconstant Chaunge, and false Disloyalty, Consuming Riotise, and guilty Dread Of heauenly heavenly vengeaunce, faint Infirmity, Vile Pouerty Poverty , and lastly Death with infamy. [26] There were full many moe like maladies, Whose names and natures I note readen well; So many moe, as there be phantasies In wauering wavering wemens witt, that none can tell, Or paines in loue love , or punishments in hell; All And which disguized marcht in masking wise, About the chamber camber chamber by the with that Damozell, And then returned, hauing having marched thrise, Into the inner rowme, from whence they first did rise. [27] So soone as they were in, the dore streight way Fast locked, driuen driven with that stormy blast, Which first it opened; nothing did remayne. and bore all away Then the braue brave Maid, which al this while was plast, In secret shade, and saw both first and last, Issewed forth, and went vnto unto the dore, To enter in, but fownd it locked fast: It vaine she thought with rigorous rigorons rigorous vprore uprore For to efforce, when charmes had closed it afore. 584 The third Booke of Cant. XII. Seeming [28] Where force might not auaile availe , there their sleights and art She cast to vse use , both fitt for hard emprize; For thy from that same rowme not to depart Till morrow next, shee did her selfe auize avize , When that same Maske againe should forth arize. The morrowe next appeard with ioyous joyous cheare, Calling men to their daily exercize ezercize exerciſe exercise , Then she, as morrow fresh, her selfe did reare Out of her secret stand, that day for to outweare. [29] All that day she outwore in wandering, And gazing on that Chambers ornament, Till that againe the second euening evening Her couered covered with her sable vestiment, Wherewith the worlds faire beautie she hath blent: Then when the second watch was almost past, That brasen dore flew open, and in went Bold Britomart, as she had late forecast, Nether of ydle showes, nor of false charmes aghast. [30] So soone as she was entred, rownd about Shee cast her eies, to see what was become Of all those persons, which she saw without: But lo, they streight were vanisht all and some, Ne liuing living wight she saw in all that roome, Saue Save that same woefull Lady, both whose hands Were bounden fast, that did her ill become, And her small waste girt rownd with yron bands, Vnto Unto a brasen pillour, by the which she stands. [31] And her before the vile Enchaunter sate, Figuring straunge characters of his art, With liuing living blood he those characters wrate wrote , Dreadfully dropping from her dying hart, 585 the Faery Queene. Cant. XII. And Seeming transfixed with a cruell dart, And all perforce to make her him to loue love . Ah who can loue love the worker of her smart? A thousand charmes he formerly did proue prove ; Yet thousand charmes could not her stedfast hart re-(moue. re-(move. [32] Soone as that virgin knight he saw in place, His wicked bookes in hast he ouerthrew overthrew , Not caring his long labours to deface, And fiercely running to that Lady trew, A murdrous knife out of his pocket drew, The which he thought, for villeinous despight, In her tormented bodie to embrew: But the stout Damzell to him leaping light, His cursed hand withheld, and maistered his might. [33] From her, to whom his fury first he ment, The wicked weapon rashly he did wrest, And turning to the next her ſelfe her selfe his fell intent, Vnwares Unwares it strooke into her snowie chest, That litle drops empurpled her faire brest. Exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew, Albe the wound were nothing deepe imprest, And fiercely forth her mortall blade she drew, To giue give him the reward for such vile outrage dew. [34] So mightily she smote him, that to ground He fell halfe dead; next stroke him should haue have slaine, Had not the Lady, which by him stood bound, Dernly vnto unto her him called to abstaine, From doing him to dy. For else her paine Should be remedilesse, sith none but hee, Which wrought it, could the same recure againe. Therewith she stayd her hand, loth stayd to bee; For life she him enuyde envyde , and long’d reuenge revenge to see. 589 The third Booke of Cant. XII. Was [35] And to him said, Thou wicked man, whose meed For so huge mischiefe, and vile villany Is death, or if that ought doe death exceed, Be sure, that nought may saue save thee from to dy, But if that thou this Dame doe presently Restore vnto unto her health, and former state; This doe and liue live , els dye vndoubtedly undoubtedly . He glad of life, that lookt for death but late, Did yield him selfe right willing to prolong his date. [36] And rising vp up , gan streight to ouerlooke overlooke Those cursed leaues leaves , his charmes back to reuerse reverse ; Full dreadfull thinges out of that balefull booke He red, and measur’d many a sad verse, That horrour gan the virgins hart to perse, And her faire locks vp up stared stiffe on end, Hearing him those same bloody lynes reherse; And all the while he red, she did extend Her sword high ouer over him, if ought he did offend. [37] Anon she gan perceiue perceive the house to quake, And all the dores to rattle round about; Yet all that did not her dismaied make, Nor slack her threatfull hand for daungers dout, But still with stedfast eye and courage stout, Abode to weet, what end would come of all. At last that mightie chaine, which round about Her tender waste was wound, adowne gan fall, And that great brasen pillour broke in peeces small. [38] The cruell steele, which thrild her dying hart, Fell softly forth, as of his owne accord, And the wyde wound, which lately did dispart Her bleeding brest, and riuen riven bowels gor’d, 587 the Faery Queene. Cant. XII. Retur- Was closed vp up , as it had not beene ſor’d sor’d bor’d , And euery every part to safety full sownd, As she were neuer never hurt, was soone restor’d: Tho when she felt her selfe to be vnbownd unbownd , And perfect hole, prostrate she fell vnto unto the grownd, ground. ground: [39] Before faire Britomart, she fell prostrate, Saying, Ah noble knight, what worthy meede Can wretched Lady, quitt from wofull state, Yield you in lieu of this your gracious deed; deed? Your vertue selfe her owne reward shall breed, Euen Even immortall prayse, and glory wyde Which I your vassall, by your prowesse freed, Shall through the world make to be notifyde, And goodly well aduaunce advaunce that goodly well was tryde. [40] But Britomart vprearing uprearing her from grownd, Said, Gentle Dame, reward enough I weene For many labours more, 1590.bk3.III.xii.40.3. then: than then than I haue have found, This, that in safetie now I haue have you seene, And meane of your deliuerance deliverance haue have beene: Henceforth faire Lady Lad comfort to you take, And put away remembraunce of late teene; Insted thereof know, that your louing loving Make, Hath no lesse griefe endured for your gentle sake. [41] She much was cheard to heare him mentiond, Whom of all liuing living wightes she loued loved best. Then laid the noble Championesse strong hond Vpon Upon th’enchaunter, which had her distrest So sore, and with foule outrages opprest: With that great chaine, wherewith not long ygoe He bound that pitteous Lady prisoner, now relest, Himselfe she bound, more worthy to be so, And captiue captive with her led to wretchednesse and wo. 588 The third Booke of Cant.XII. But [42] Returning back, those goodly rowmes, which erst She He saw so rich and royally arayd, Now vanisht vtterly utterly , and cleane subuerst subverst She He found, and all their glory quite decayd, That sight of such a chaunge him her much dismayd. Thenceforth descending to that perlous Porch, Those dreadfull flames she also found delayd, And quenched quite, like a consumed torch, That erst all entrers wont so cruelly to scorch. [43] At last she came vnto unto the place, where late She left Sir Scudamour in great distresse, Twixt dolour and despight halfe desperate, Of his loues loves ſuccour succour fuccour , of his owne redresse, And of the hardie Britomarts successe: There on the cold earth him now thrown she found, In wilfull anguish, and dead heauinesse heavinesse , And to him cald; whose voices knowen sound Soone as he heard, himself he reared light from ground. [44] There did he see, that most on earth him ioyd joyd , His dearest loue love , the comfort of his dayes, Whose too long absence him had sore annoyd, And wearied his life with dull delayes: Straight he vpstarted upstarted from the loathed loath ed layes, And to her ran with hasty egernesse, Like as a Deare, that greedily embayes In the coole soile, after long thirstinesse, Which he in chace endured hath, now nigh breathlesse. [45] Lightly he clipt her twixt his armes twaine, And streightly did embrace her body bright, Her body, late the prison of sad paine, Now the sweet lodge of loue love and deare delight: 589 the Faerie Queene. Cant. XII. But she faire Lady ouercommen overcommen quight Of huge affection, did in pleasure melt, And in sweete rauishment ravishment pourd out her spright: No word they spake, nor earthly thing they felt, But like two senceles stocks in long embracemẽt embracement dwelt. [46] Had ye them seene, ye would haue have surely thought, That they had beene that faire Hermaphrodite, Which that rich Romane of white marble wrought, And in his costly Bath causd to bee site: So seemd those two, as growne together quite, That Britomart halfe enuying envying their blesse, Was much empassiond in her gentle sprite, And to her selfe oft wisht like happinesse, In vaine she wisht, that fate n’ould let her yet possesse. [47] Thus doe those louers lovers with sweet counteruayle countervayle , Each other of loues loves bitter fruit despoile. But now my teme begins to faint and fayle, All woxen weary of their iournall journall toyle: Therefore I will their sweatie yokes assoyle At this same furrowes end, till a new day: And ye faire Swayns, after your long turmoyle, Now cease your worke, and at your pleasure play; Now cease your worke; to morrow is an holy day. FINIS.