Cant. VIII. The Witch creates a snowy Lady, like to Florimell, Who wrongd by Carle by Proteus sau’d sav’d , is sought by Paridell. [1] S O o oft as I this history record, My hart doth melt with meere compassion, To thinke, how causelesse of her owne accord This gentle Damzell, whom I write vpon upon , Should plonged be in such affliction, Without all hope of comfort or reliefe, That sure I weene, the hardest hart of stone, Would hardly finde to aggrauate aggravate her griefe; For misery craues craves rather mercy, 1590.bk3.III.viii.1.9. then: than then than repriefe. [2] But that accursed Hag, her hostesse late, Had so enranckled her malitious hart, That she desyrd th’abridgement of her fate, Or long enlargement of her painefull smart. Now when the Beast, which by her wicked art Late foorth she sent, she backe retourning spyde, Tyde with her golden broken girdle, it a part Of her rich spoyles, whom he had earst destroyd, She weend, & and wondrous gladnes to her hart applyde. [3] And with it ronning hast’ly to her sonne, Thought with that sight him much to haue have reliu’d reliv’d ; Who thereby deeming sure the thing as donne, His former griefe with furie fresh reuiu’d reviv’d , 513 the Faerie Queene. Cant. VIII. In stead Kk 2 Much more 1590.bk3.III.viii.3.5. then: than then than earst, and would haue have algates riu’d riv’d The hart out of his brest: for sith her dedd He surely dempt, himselfe he thought depriu’d depriv’d Quite of all hope, wherewith he long had fedd His foolish malady, and long time had misledd. [4] With thought whereof, exceeding mad he grew, And in his rage his mother would haue have slaine, Had she not fled into a secret mew, Where she was wont her Sprightes to entertaine The maisters of her art: there was she faine To call them all in order to her ayde, And them coniure conjure vpon upon eternall paine, To counsell her so carefully dismayd, How she might heale her sonne, whose senses were de-(cayd. [5] By their aduiſe adviſe aduise advise deuice device , and her owne wicked wit, She there deuiz’d deviz’d a wondrous worke to frame, Whose like on earth was neuer never framed yit, That euen even Nature selfe enuide envide the same, And grudg’d to see the counterfet should shame The thing it selfe: In hand she boldly tooke To make another like the former Dame, Another Florimell, in shape and looke So liuely lively and so like, that many it mistooke. [6] The substance, whereof she the body made, Was purest snow in massy mould congeald, Which she had gathered in a shady glade Of the Riphœan hils, to her reueald reveald By errant Sprights, but from all men conceald: The same she tempred with fine Mercury, And virgin wex, that neuer never yet was seald, And mingled them with perfect vermily, That like a liuely lively sanguine it seemd to the eye. 514 The third Booke of Cant. VIII. Coyly [7] In stead of eyes two burning lampes she set In siluer silver sockets, shyning like the skyes, And a quicke mouing moving Spirit did arret To stirre and roll them, like to womens a womans eyes; In stead of yellow lockes she did deuyse devyse , With golden wyre to weaue weave her curled head; Yet golden wyre was not so yellow thryse As Florimells fayre heare: and in the stead Of life, she put a Spright to rule the carcas dead. [8] A wicked Spright yfraught with fawning guyle, And fayre resemblance aboue above all the rest, Which with the Prince of Darkenes fell somewhyle lomewhyle lomewhile ſomewhile somewhile , From heauens heavens blis and euerlasting everlasting rest, Him needed not instruct, which way were best Him selfe to fashion likest Florimell, Ne how to speake, ne how to vse use his gest; For he in counterfesaunce did excell, And all the wyles of wemens wits knew passing well. [9] Him shaped thus, she deckt in garments gay, Which Florimell had left behind her late, That who so then her saw, would surely say, It was her selfe, whom it did imitate, Or fayrer 1590.bk3.III.viii.9.5. then: than then than her selfe, if ought algate Might fayrer be. And then she forth her brought Vnto Unto her sonne, that lay in feeble state; Who seeing her gan streight vpstart upstart , and thought She was the Lady selfe, whom who he so long had sought. [10] Tho fast her clipping twixt his armes twayne, Extremely ioyed joyed in so happy sight, And soone forgot his former sickely payne; But she, the more to seeme such as she hight, 515 the Faery Queene. Cant. VIII. But Kk 3 Coyly rebutted his embracement light; Yet still with gentle countenaunce countenant retain’d, Enough to hold a foole in vaine delight: Him long she so with shadowes entertain’d, As her Creatresse had in charge to her ordain’d. [11] Till on a day, as he disposed was To walke the woodes with that his Idole faire, Her to disport, and idle time to pas, In th’open freshnes of the gentle aire, A knight that way there chaunced to repaire; Yet knight he knight was not, but a boastfull swaine, That deedes of armes had euer ever in despaire, Proud Braggadocchio, that in vaunting vaine His glory did repose, and credit did maintaine. [12] He seeing with that Chorle so faire a wight, Decked with many a costly ornament, Much merueiled merveiled thereat, as well he might, And thought that match a fowle disparagement: His bloody speare eftesoones he boldly bent Against the silly clowne, who dead through feare, Fell streight to ground in great astonishment; Villein (sayd he) this Lady is my deare, Dy, if thou it gainesay: I will away her beare. [13] The fearefull Chorle durst not gainesay, nor dooe, But trembling tremblring trembling stood, and yielded him the pray; Who finding litle leasure her to wooe, On Tromparts steed her mounted without stay, And without reskew led her quite away. Proud man himselfe then Braggadochio Braggadocchio deem’d, And next to none, after that happy day, Being possessed of that spoyle, which seem’d The fairest wight on ground, and most of men esteem’d. 516 The third Booke of Cant. VIII. Or [14] But when hee saw him selfe free from poursute, He gan make gentle purpose to his Dame, With termes of loue love and lewdnesse dissolute; For he could well his glozing speaches frame To such vaine vses uses , that him best became: But she thereto would lend but light regard, As seeming sory, that she euer ever came Into his powre, that vsed used her so hard, To reaue reave her honor, which she more 1590.bk3.III.viii.14.9. then: than then than life prefard. [15] Thus as they two of kindnes treated long, There them by chaunce encountred on the way An armed knight, vpon upon a courser strong, Whose trampling feete vpon upon the hollow lay Seemed to thunder, and did nigh affray That Capons corage: yet he looked grim, And faynd to cheare his lady in dismay, Who seemd for feare to quake in euery every lim, And her to saue save from outrage, meekely prayed him. [16] Fiercely that straunger forward came, and nigh Approching, with bold words and bitter threat, Bad that same boaster, as he mote, on high To leaue leave to him that lady for excheat, Or bide him batteill without further treat. That challenge did too peremptory seeme, And fild his senses with abashment great; Yet seeing nigh him ieopardy jeopardy extreme, He it dissembled well, and light seemd to esteeme. [17] Saying, Thou foolish knight, that weenst with words To steale away, that I with blowes haue have wonne, And broght throgh points of many perilous swords: But if thee list to see thy Courser ronne, 517 the Faery Queene. Cant. VIII. For Kk 4 Or proue prove thy selfe, this sad encounter shonne, And seeke els without hazard of thy hedd. At those prowd words that other knight begonne To wex exceeding wroth, and him aredd To turne his steede about, or sure he should be dedd. [18] Sith then (said Braggadochio Braggadocchio ) needes thou wilt Thy daies abridge, through proofe of puissaunce, Turne we our steeds, that both in equall tilt May meete againe, and each take happy chaunce. This said said, they both a furlongs mountenaunce Retird their steeds, to ronne in euen even race: But Braggadochio Braggadocchio with his bloody launce Once hauing having turnd, no more returnd his face, But lefte his loue love to losse, and fled him selfe apace. [19] The knight him seeing flie, had no regard Him to poursew, but to the lady rode, And hauing having her from Trompart lightly reard, Vpon Upon his Courser sett the louely lovely lode, And with her fled away without abode. Well weened he, that fairest Florimell It was, with whom in company he yode, And so her selfe did alwaies to him tell; So made him thinke him selfe in heuen heven , that was in hell. [20] But Florimell her selfe was far away, Driuen Driven to great distresse by fortune straunge, And taught the carefull Mariner to play, Sith late mischaunce had her compeld to chaunge The land for sea, at randon there to raunge: Yett there that cruell Queene auengeresse avengeresse , Not satisfyde so far her to estraunge From courtly blis and wonted happinesse, Did heape on her new waues waves of weary wretchednesse. 518 The third Booke of Cant. VIII. Least [21] For being fled into the fishers bote, For refuge from the Monsters cruelty, Long so she on the mighty maine did flote, And with the tide droue drove forward carelesly, For th’ayre was milde, and cleared was the skie, And all his windes Dan Aeolus did keepe, From stirring vp up their stormy enmity, As pittying to see her waile and weepe; But all the while the fisher did securely sleepe. [22] At last when droncke with drowsinesse, he woke, And saw his drouer drover driue drive along the streame, He was dismayd, and thrise his brest he stroke, For marueill marveill of that accident extreame; But when he saw, that blazing beauties beame, Which with rare light his bote did beautifye, He marueild marveild more, and thought he yet did dreame Not well awakte, or that some extasye Assotted had his sence, or dazed was his eye. [23] But when her well auizing avizing , hee peceiu’d peceiv’d perceiued perceived To be no vision, nor fantasticke sight, Great comfort of her presence he conceiu’d conceiv’d , And felt in his old corage new delight To gin awake, and stir his frosen spright: Tho rudely askte her, how she thether came. Ah (sayd she) father I note read aright, What hard misfortune brought me to this the same; Yet am I glad that here I now in safety ame. [24] But thou good man, sith far in sea we bee, And the great waters gin apace to swell, That now no more we can the mayn-land see, Haue Have care, I pray, to guide the cock-bote well, 519 the Faery Queene: Cant. VIII. But Least worse on sea 1590.bk3.III.viii.24.5. then: than then than vs us on land befell, befell. Thereat th’old man did nought but fondly grin, And saide, his boat the way could wisely tell: But his deceiptfull eyes did neuer never lin, To looke on her faire face, and marke her snowy skin. [25] The sight whereof in his congealed flesh, Infixt such secrete sting of greedy lust, That the drie withered stocke it gan refresh, And kindled heat, that soone in flame forth brust: The driest wood is soonest burnt to dust. Rudely to her he lept, and his rough hand Where ill became him, rashly would haue have thrust, But she with angry scorne him did withstond, And shamefully reprou’d reprov’d reproued reproved reprooued reprooved for his rudenes ru denes rudeneſſe rudenesse fond. [26] But he, that neuer never good nor maners knew, Her sharpe rebuke full litle did esteeme; Hard is to teach an old horse amble trew. The inward smoke, that did before but steeme, Broke into open fire and rage extreme, And now he strength gan adde vnto unto his will, Forcyng to doe, that did him fowle misseeme: Beastly he threwe her downe, ne car’d to spill Her garments gay with scales of fish, that all did fill. [27] The silly virgin stroue strove him to withstand, All that she might, and him in vaine reuild revild : Shee strugled Sheestrugled strongly both with foote and hand, To saue save her honor from that villaine vilde, And cride to heuen heven , from humane helpe exild. O ye braue brave knights, that boast this Ladies loue love , Where be ye now, when she is nigh defild Of filthy wretch? well may she you reproue reprove Of falsehood or of slouth, when most it may behoue behove . 520 The third Booke of Cant. VIII. Into [28] But if that thou, Sir Satyran, didst weete, Or thou, Sir Peridure, her sory state, How soone would yee assemble many a fleete, To fetch from sea, that thae ye at land lost late; Towres, citties, kingdomes ye would ruinate, In your auengement avengement and dispiteous rage, Ne ought your burning fury mote abate; But if Sir Calidore could it presage, No liuing living creature could his cruelty asswage. [29] But sith that none of all her knights is nye, See how the heauens heavens of voluntary grace, And soueraine soveraine fauor favor towards chastity, Doe succor send to her distressed cace: So much high God doth innocence embrace. It fortuned, whilest thus she stifly stroue strove , And the wide sea importuned long space With shrilling shriekes, Proteus abrode did roue rove , Along the fomy waues waves driuing driving his finny droue drove . [30] Proteus is Shepheard of the seas of yore, And hath the charge of Neptunes mighty heard, An aged sire with head all frowy frory hore, And sprinckled frost vpon upon his deawy beard: Who when those pittifull outcries he heard, Through all the seas so ruefully resownd, His charett swifte in hast he thether steard, Which with a teeme of scaly Phocas bownd Was drawne vpon upon the waues waves , that fomed him arownd. [31] And comming to that Fishers wandring bote, That went at will, withouten card or sayle, He therein saw that yrkesome sight, which smote Deepe indignation and compassion frayle 521 the Faery Queene. Cant. VIII. Her Into his hart attonce: streight did he hayle The greedy villein from his hoped pray, Of which he now did very litle fayle, And with his staffe, that driues drives his heard astray, Him bett so fo sore, that life and sence did much dismay. [32] The whiles the pitteous Lady vp up did ryse, Ruffled and fowly raid with filthy soyle, And blubbred face with teares of her faire eyes: Her heart nigh broken was with weary toyle, To saue save her selfe from that outrageous spoyle, But when she looked vp up , to weet, what wight Had her from so infamous fact assoyld, For shame, but more for feare of his grim sight, Downe in her lap she hid her face, and lowdly shright. [33] Herselfe not saued saved yet from daunger dredd She thought, but chaung’d from one to other feare; Like as a fearefull partridge, that is fledd From the sharpe hauke, which her attached neare, And fals to ground, to seeke for succor theare, Whereas the hungry Spaniells she does spye, With greedy iawes jawes her ready for to teare; In such distresse and sad perplexity Was Florimell, when Proteus she did see her by thereby . [34] But he endeuored endevored with speaches milde Her to recomfort, and accourage bold, Bidding her feare no more her foeman vilde, Nor doubt himselfe; and who he was her told. Yet all that could not from affright her hold, Ne to recomfort her at all preuayld prevayld ; For her faint hart was with the frosen cold Benumbd so inly, that her wits nigh fayld, And all her sences with abashment quite were quayld. 522 The third Booke of Cant. VIII. To [35] Her vp up betwixt his rugged hands he reard, And with his frory lips full softly kist, Whiles the cold ysickles from his rough beard, Dropped adowne vpon upon her yuory yvory brest: Yet he him selfe so busily addrest, That her out of astonishment he wrought, And out of that same fishers filthy nest Remouing Removing her, into his charet brought, And there with many gentle termes her faire besought. [36] But that old leachour, which with bold assault That beautie durst presume to violate, He cast to punish for his hainous fault; Then tooke he him yet trembling sith of late, And tyde behind his charet, to aggrate The virgin, whom he had abusde so sore: So drag’d him through the waues waves in scornfull state, And after cast him vp up , vpon upon the shore; But Florimell with him vnto unto his bowre he bore. [37] His bowre is in the bottom of the maine, Vnder Under a mightie rocke, gainst which doe raue rave The roring billowes in their proud disdaine, That with the angry working of the waue wave , Therein is eaten out an hollow caue cave , That seemes rough Masons hand with engines keene Had long while laboured it to engraue engrave : There was his wonne, ne liuing living wight was seene, Saue Save one old Nymph ᴎymph Nymph Nymph , hight high Panope to keepe it cleane. [38] Thether he brought the sory Florimell, And entertained her the best he might And Panope her entertaind eke well, As an immortall mote a mortall wight, 523 the Faery Queene. Cant.VIII. Eternall To winne her liking vnto unto his delight: With flattering flattering wordes he sweetly wooed her, And offered faire guiftes, t’allure her sight, But she both offers and the offerer Despysde, and all the fawning of the flatterer. [39] Dayly he tempted her with this or that, And neuer never suffred her to be at rest: But euermore evermore she him refused flat, And all his fained kindnes did detest. So firmely she had sealed vp up her brest. Sometimes he boasted, that a God he hight: But she a mortall creature loued loved best: Then he would make him selfe a mortall wight; But then she said she lou’d lov’d none, but a Faery knight. [40] Then like a Faerie knight him selfe he drest; For euery every shape on him he could endew: Then like a king he was to her exprest, And offred kingdoms vnto unto her in vew, To be his Leman and his Lady trew: But when all this he nothing saw preuaile prevaile , With harder meanes he cast her to subdew, And with sharpe threates her often did assayle, So thinking for to make her stubborne corage quayle. [41] To dreadfull shapes he did him selfe transforme, Now like a Gyaunt, now like to a feend, Then like a Centaure, then like to a storme, Raging within the waues waves : thereby he weend Her will to win vnto unto his wished eend. But when with feare, nor fauour favour , nor with all He els could doe, he saw him selfe esteemd, Downe in a Dongeon deepe he let her fall, And threatned there to make her his eternall thrall. 524 The third Booke of Cant.VIII. He [42] Eternall thraldome thaldome thraldome was to her more liefe, 1590.bk3.III.viii.42.2. Then: Than Then Than losse of chastitie, or chaunge of loue love : Dye had she rather in tormenting griefe, 1590.bk3.III.viii.42.4. Then: Than Then Than any should of falsenesse her reproue reprove , Or loosenes, that she lightly did remoue remove . Most vertuous virgin, glory be thy meed, And crowne of heauenly heavenly prayse with Saintes aboue above , Where most sweet hymmes of this thy famous deed Are still emongst them song, that rhat that far my rymes exceed. [43] Fit song of Angels caroled to bee, But yet what so my feeble Muse can frame, Shalbe t’ aduance advance thy goodly chastitee, And to enroll thy memorable name, In th’heart of euery every honourable Dame, That they thy vertuous deedes may imitate, And be partakers of thy endlesse fame. Yt yrkes me, leaue leave thee in this wofull state, To tell of Satyrane, where I him left of late. [44] Who hauing having ended with that Squyre Squyre [turned S] Squire of Dames A long discourse of his aduentures adventures vayne, The which himselfe, 1590.bk3.III.viii.44.3. then: than then than Ladies more defames, And finding not th’Hyena to be slayne, With that same Squyre, retourned back agayne To his first way. And as they forward went, They spyde a knight fayre pricking on the playne, As if he were on some aduenture adventure bent, And in his port appeared manly hardiment. [45] Sir Satyrane him towardes did addresse, To weet, what wight he was, and what his quest: And comming nigh, eftsoones he gan to gesse Both by the burning hart, which on his brest 525 the Faerie Queene. Cant.VIII. The He bare, and by the colours in his crest, That Paridell it was. Tho to him yode, And him saluting, as beseemed best, Gan first inquire of tydinges farre abrode; And afterwardes, on what aduenture adventure now he rode. [46] Who thereto answering said, The tydinges bad, Which now in Faery court all men doe tell, Which turned hath great mirth, to mourning sad, Is the late ruine of proud Marinell, And suddein parture of faire Florimell, To find him forth: and after her are gone All the braue brave knightes, that doen in armes excell, To sauegard savegard her, ywandred all alone; Emongst the rest my lott (vnworthy’) (unworthy’) (vnworthy) (unworthy) is to be one. [47] Ah gentle knight (said then Sir Satyrane) Thy labour all is lost, I greatly dread, That hast a thanklesse seruice service on thee ta’ne, And offrest sacrifice vnto unto the dead: For dead, I surely doubt, thou maist aread Henceforth for euer ever Florimell to bee, That all the noble knights of Maydenhead, Which her ador’d, may sore repent with mee, And all faire Ladies may for euer ever sory bee. [48] Which wordes when Paridell had heard, his hew Gan greatly chaung and seemd dismaid to bee, Then said, Fayre Sir, how may I weene it trew, That ye doe tell in such vncerteintee uncerteintee ? Or speake ye of report, or did ye see Iust Just cause of dread, that makes ye doubt so sore? For perdie elles how mote it euer ever bee, That euer ever hand should dare for to engore Her noble blood? the heuens hevens such crueltie abhore. 526 The third Booke of Cant. VIII. To [49] These eyes did see, that they will euer ever rew T’haue T’have To haue To have seene, (quoth he) when as a monſtrous (quoth he) when as a monstrous (Quoth he) when as a mõſtrous (Quoth he) when as a mõstrous (Quoth he) when as a monſtrous (Quoth he) when as a monstrous (quoth he) when as a monſtrous (quoth he) when as a monstrous quoth he when as a monſtrous quoth he when as a monstrous beast The Palfrey, whereon she did trauell travell , slew, And of his bowels made his bloody feast: Which speaking token sheweth at the least Her certeine losse, if not her sure decay: Besides, that more suspicion encreast, I found her golden girdle cast astray, Distaynd with durt and blood, as relique of the pray. [50] Ay me, (said Paridell Pauidell ) the signes be sadd, And but God turne the same to good sooth say, That Ladies safetie is sore to be dradd: Yet will I not forsake my forward way, Till triall doe more certeine truth bewray. Faire Sir ( qd. quoth he) well may it you ſucceed succeed ſucced succed , Ne long shall Satyrane behind you stay, But to the rest, which in this Quest proceed My labour adde, and be partaker of their speed. [51] Ye noble knights (said then the Squyre of Dames) Well may yee speede in so praiseworthy payne: But sith the Sunne now ginnes to slake his beames, In deawy vapours of the westerne mayne, And lose the teme out of his weary wayne, Mote not mislike you also to abate Your zealous hast, till morrow next againe Both light of heuen heven , and strength of men relate: Which if ye please, to yonder castle turne your gate. [52] That counsell pleased well; so all yfere Forth marched to a Castle them before, Where soone arryuing arryving , they restrained were Of ready entraunce, which ought euermore evermore 527 the Faery Queene. Cant. IX. Then Ll To errant knights be commune: wondrous sore Thereat displeasd they were, till that young Squyre Gan them informe the cause, why that same dore Was shut to all, which lodging did desyre: The which to let you weet, will further time requyre.