Cant. IX. Malbecco will no straunge knights host, For peeuish peevish gealosy: Paridell giusts with Britomart: both shew their auncestry. [1] R E e doubted knights, and honorable Dames, To whom I leuell levell all my labours end, Right sore I feare, least with vnworthie unworthie blames This odious argument my rymes should shend, Or ought your goodly patience offend, Whiles of a wanton Lady I doe write, Which with her loose incontinence doth blend The shyning glory of your soueraine soveraine light, And knighthood fowle defaced by a faithlesse knight. [2] But neuer never let th’ensample of the bad Offend the good: for good by paragone Of euill evill , may more notably be rad, As white seemes fayrer, macht with blacke attone attonce ; Ne all are shamed by the fault of one: For lo in heuen heven , whereas all goodnes is, Emongst the Angels, a whole legione Of wicked Sprightes did fall from happy blis; What wonder then, if one of women all did mis? 528 The third Booke of Cant. IX. Such, [3] Then listen Lordings, if ye list to weet The cause, why Satyrane and Paridell Mote not be entertaynd, as seemed meet, Into that Castle (as that Squyre does tell.) tell). Therein a cancred crabbed Carle does dwell, That has no skill of Court nor courtesie, Ne cares, what men say of him ill or well; For all his dayes he drownes in priuitie privitie , Yet has full large to liue live , and spend at libertie. [4] But all his mind is set on mucky pelfe, To hoord vp up heapes of euill evill gotten masse, For which he others wrongs and wreckes himselfe; Yet is he lincked to a louely lovely lasse, Whose beauty doth her bounty far surpasse, The which to him both far vnequall unequall yeares, And also far vnlike unlike conditions has; For she does ioy joy to play emongst her peares, And to be free from hard restraynt and gealous feares. [5] But he is old, and withered like hay, Vnfit Unfit faire Ladies seruice service to supply, supply; The priuie privie guilt whereof makes him alway Suspect her truth, and keepe continuall spy Vpon Upon her with his other blincked eye; Ne suffreth he resort of liuing living wight Approch to her, ne keepe her company, But in close bowre her mewes from all mens sight, Depriu’d Depriv’d of kindly ioy joy and naturall delight. [6] Malbecco he, and Hellenore she hight, Vnfitly Unfitly yokt together in one teeme, That is the cause, why neuer never any knight Is It suffred here to enter, but he seeme 529 the Faerie Queene. Cant. IX. Whereat Ll 2 Such, as no doubt of him he neede misdeeme. Thereat Sir Satyrane gan smyle, and say; Extremely mad the man I surely deeme, That weenes with watch and hard restraynt to stay A womans will, which is disposd to go astray. [7] In vaine he feares that, which he cannot shonne: For who wotes not, that womans subtiltyes Can guylen Argus, when she list miſdonne misdonne diſdonne disdonne ? It is not yron bandes, nor hundred eyes, Nor brasen walls, nor many wakefull spyes, That can withhold her wilfull wandring feet, But fast goodwill with gentle courtesyes, And timely seruice service to her pleasures meet May her perhaps containe, that else would algates fleet. [8] Then is he not more mad (sayd Paridell) That hath himselfe vnto unto such seruice service sold, In dolefull thraldome all his dayes to dwell? For sure a foole I doe him firmely hold, That loues loves his fetters, though they were of gold. But why doe wee deuise devise of others ill, Whyles thus we suffer this same dotard old, To keepe vs us out, in scorne of his owne will, And rather do not ransack all, and him selfe kill? [9] Nay let vs us first (sayd Satyrane) entreat The man by gentle meanes, to let vs us in, And afterwardes affray with cruell threat, Ere that we to efforce it doe begin: Then if all fayle, we will by force it win, And eke reward the wretch for his mesprise, As may be worthy of his haynous hayno us sin. That counsell pleasd: then Paridell did rise, And to the Castle gate approcht in quiet wise. 530 The third Booke of Cant. IX. So [10] Whereat soft knocking, entrance he desyrd. The good man selfe, which then the Porter playd, Him answered, that all were now retyrd Vnto Unto their rest, and all the keyes conuayd convayd Vnto Unto their maister, who in bed was layd, That none him durst awake out of his dreme; And therefore them of patience gently prayd. Then Paridell began to chaunge his theme, And threatned him with force & and punishment extreme. [11] But all in vaine; for nought mote him relent, And now so long before the wicket fast They wayted, that the night was forward spent, And the faire welkin fowly ouercast overcast , Gan blowen vp up a bitter stormy blast, With showre and hayle so horrible and dred, That this faire many were compeld at last, To fly for succour to a little shed, The which beside the gate for swyne was ordered. [12] It fortuned, soone after they were gone, Another knight, whom tempest thether brought, Came to that Castle, and with earnest mone, Like as the rest, late entrance deare besought; But like so as the rest he prayd for nought, For flatly he of entrance was refuſd. refusd. refuſd, refusd, refus’d. Sorely thereat he was displeasd, and thought How to auenge avenge himselfe so sore abusd, And euermore evermore the Carle of courtesie accusd. [13] But to auoyde avoyde th’intollerable stowre, He was compeld to seeke some refuge neare, And to that shed, to shrowd him from the showre, He came, which full of guests he found whyleare, 531 the Faery Queene. Cant. IX. But Bu Ll 3 So as he was not let to enter there: Whereat he gan to wex exceeding wroth, And swore, that he would lodge with them yfere, Or them dislodg, all were they liefe or loth; And so defyde them And defide them And them defied each, and so defyde them both. [14] Both were full loth to leaue leave that needfull tent, And both full loth in darkenesse to debate; Yet both full liefe him lodging to haue have lent, And both full liefe his boasting to abate; But chiefely Paridell his hart did grate, To heare him threaten so despightfully, As if he did a dogge in to kenell rate, That durst not barke; and rather had he dy, 1590.bk3.III.ix.14.9. Then: Than Then Than when he was defyde, in coward corner ly. [15] Tho hastily remounting to his steed, He forth issew’d; like as a boystrous winde, Which in th’earthes hollow caues caves hath long ben hid, And shut vp up fast within her prisons blind, Makes the huge element against her kinde To moue move , and tremble as it were aghast, Vntill Untill that it an issew forth may finde; Then forth it breakes, and with his furious blast Confounds both land & and seas, and skyes doth ouercast overcast . [16] Their steel-hed speares they strongly coucht, and met Together with impetuous rage and forse, That with the terrour of their fierce affret, They rudely droue drove to ground both man and horse, That each awhile lay like a sencelesse corse. But Paridell sore brused with the blow, Could not arise, the counterchaunge to scorse, Till that young Squyre him reared from below; Then drew he his bright sword, & and gan about him throw. throw throwe. 532 The third Booke of Cant. IX. Vpbounden Upbounden , [17] But Satyrane Saʇyrane forth stepping, did them stay And with faire treaty pacifide their yre; Then when they were accorded from the fray, Against that Castles Lord they gan conspire, To heape on him dew vengeaunce for his hire. They beene agreed, and to the gates they goe To burne the same with vnquenchable unquenchable fire, And that vncurteous uncurteous Carle their commune foe To doe fowle death to die, or wrap in grieuous grievous woe. [18] Malbecco seeing them resolud resolvd in deed To flame the gates, and hearing them to call For fire in earnest, ran with fearfull speed, And to them calling from the castle wall, Besought them humbly, him to beare with all, As ignorant of seruants servants bad abuse, And slacke attendaunce vnto unto straungers call, call. The knights were willing all things to excuse, Though nought beleu’d belev’d , & and entraũce entraunce late did not refuse. [19] They beene ybrought into a comely bowre, And serud servd of all things that mote needfull bee; Yet secretly their hoste did on them lowre, And welcomde more for feare, 1590.bk3.III.ix.19.4. then: than then than charitee; But they dissembled, what they did not see, And welcomed themselues themselves . Each gan vndight undight Their garments wett, and weary armour free, To dry them selues selves by Vulcanes flaming light, And eke their lately bruzed parts to bring in plight. [20] And eke that straunger knight emongst the rest, rest; Was for like need enforst to disaray: Tho whenas vailed was her lofty crest, Her golden locks, that were in tramells gay 533 the Faery Queene. Cant. IX. Yet Ll 4 Vpbounden Upbounden , did them selues selves adowne display, And raught vnto unto her heeles; like sunny beames, That in a cloud their light did long time stay, Their vapour vaded, shewe their golden gleames, And through the persant aire shoote forth their azure (streames. [21] Shee also dofte her heauy heavy haberieon haberjeon , Which the faire feature of her limbs did hyde, And her well plighted frock, which she did won To tucke about her short, when she did ryde, Shee low let fall, that flowd from her lanck syde Downe to her foot, with carelesse modestee. Then of them all she plainly was espyde, To be a woman wight, vnwist unwist to bee, The fairest woman wight, that euer ever eie did see. [22] Like as Bellona Minerua , being late returnd From slaughter of the Giaunts conquered; Where proud Encelade, whose wide nosethrils burnd With breathed flames, like to a furnace redd, Transfixed with her the speare, downe tombled dedd From top of Hemus, by him heaped hye; Hath loosd her helmet from her lofty hedd, And her Gorgonian shield gins to vntye untye From her lefte arme, to rest in glorious victorye. [23] Which whenas they beheld, they smitten were With great amazement of so wondrous sight, And each on other, and they all on her Stood gazing, as if suddein great affright Had them surprizd. At last auizing avizing right, Her goodly personage and glorious hew, Which they so much mistooke, they tooke delight In their first error, and yett still anew With wonder of her beauty fed their hongry vew. 534 The third Booke of Cant. IX. Sir [24] Yet note their hongry vew be satisfide, But seeing still the more desir’d to see, And euer ever firmely fixed did abide In contemplation of diuinitee divinitee : But most they meruaild mervaild But they meruaild mervaild at her cheualree chevalree , And noble prowesse, which they had approu’d approv’d , That much they faynd to know, who she mote bee; Yet none of all them her thereof amou’d amov’d , Yet euery every one her likte, and euery every one her lou’d lov’d . [25] And Paridell though partly discontent With his late fall, and fowle indignity, Yet was soone wonne his malice to relent, Through gratious regard of her faire eye, And knightly worth, which he too late did try, Yet tried did adore. Supper was dight; Then they Malbecco prayd of courtesy, That of his lady they might haue have the sight, And company at meat, to doe them more delight. [26] But he to shifte their curious request, Gan causen, why she could not come in place; Her crased helth, her late recourse to rest, And humid euening evening ill for sicke folkes cace, But none of those excuses could take place; Ne would they eate, till she in presence came. Shee came in presence with right comely grace, And fairely them saluted, as became, And shewd her selfe in all a gentle courteous Dame. [27] They sate to meat, and Satyrane his chaunce, Was her before, and Paridell beside; But he him selfe sate looking still askaunce, Gainst Britomart, and euer ever closely eide 535 the Faery Queene. Cant. IX. And Sir Satyrane, which with that glaunces might not glide: But his blinde eie, that sided Paridell, All his demeasnure from his sight did hide: On her faire face so did he feede his fill, And sent close messages of loue love to her at will. [28] And euer ever and anone, when none was ware, With speaking lookes, that close embassage bore, He rou’d rov’d at her, and told his secret care: For all that art he learned had of yore. Ne was she ignoraunt of that leud lore, But in his eye his meaning wisely redd, And with the like him aunswerd euermore evermore : Shee sent at him one fyrie dart, whose hedd Empoisned was with priuy privy lust, and gealous dredd. [29] He from that deadly throw made no defence, But to the wound his weake heart opened wyde; The wicked engine through false influence, Past through his eies, and secretly did glyde Into his heart, which it did sorely gryde. But nothing new to him was that same paine, Ne paine at all; for he so ofte had tryde The powre thereof, and lou’d lov’d so oft in vaine, That thing of course he counted, loue love to entertaine. [30] Thenceforth to her he sought to intimate His inward griefe, by meanes to him well knowne, Now Bacchus fruit out of the siluer silver plate He on the table dasht, as ouerthrowne overthrowne , Or of the fruitfull liquor ouerflowne overflowne , And by the dauncing bubbles did diuine divine , Or therein write to lett his loue love be showne; Which well she redd out of the learned line, A sacrament prophane in mistery of wine. 536 The third Booke of Cant. IX. Sir [31] And when so of his hand the pledge she raught, The guilty cup she fained to mistake, And in her lap did shed her idle draught, Shewing desire her inward flame to slake: By such close signes they secret way did make Vnto Unto their wils, and one eies watch escape; Two eies him needeth, for to watch and wake, Who louers lovers will deceiue deceive . Thus was the ape, By their faire handling, put into Malbeccoes cape. [32] Now when of meats and drinks they had their fill, Purpose was moued moved by that gentle Dame, Vnto Unto those knights aduenturous adventurous , to tell Of deeds of armes, which vnto unto them became, And euery every one his kindred, and his name. Then Paridell, in whom a kindly pride Of gratious speach, and skill his words to frame Abounded, being yglad glad of oſ os so fitte tide Him to commend to her, thus spake, of al well eide. [33] Troy, that art now nought, but an idle name, And in thine ashes buried low dost lie, Though whilome far much greater 1590.bk3.III.ix.33.3. then: than then than thy fame, Before that angry Gods, and cruell skie Vpon Upon thee heapt a direfull destinie, What boots it boast thy glorious descent, And fetch from heuen heven thy great genealogie, Sith all thy worthie prayses being blent, Their ofspring hath embaste, and later glory shent. [34] Most famous Worthy of the world, by whome That warre was kindled, which did Troy inflame, And stately towres of Ilion whilome Brought vnto unto balefull ruine, was by name 537 The Faery Queene. Cant. IX. Whenas Sir Paris far renowmd through noble fame, Who through great prowesse and bold hardinesse, From Lacedæmon fetcht the fayrest Dame, That euer ever Greece did boast, or knight possesse, Whom Venus to him gaue gave for meed of worthinesse. [35] Fayre Helene, flowre of beautie excellent, And girlond of the mighty Conquerours, That madest many Ladies deare lament The heauie heavie losse of their braue brave Paramours, Which they far off beheld from Troian Trojan toures, And saw the fieldes of faire Scamander strowne With carcases of noble warrioures, Whose fruitlesse liues lives were vnder under furrow sowne, And Xanthus sandy bankes with blood all ouerflowne overflowne ouerſ⁀lowne overſ⁀lowne ouerslowne overslowne overflowne . [36] From him my linage I deriue derive aright, Who long before the ten yeares siege of Troy, Whiles yet on Ida he a shepeheard hight, On faire Oenone got a louely lovely boy, Whom for remembrance of her passed ioy joy , She of his Father Parius did name; Who, after Greekes did Priams realme destroy, Gathred the Troian Trojan reliques sau’d sav’d from flame, And with them sayling thence, to th’Isle of Paros came. [37] That was by him cald Paros, which before Hight Nausa, there he many yeares did raine, And built Nausicle by the Pontick shore, The which he dying lefte next in remaine To Paridas his sonne. From whom I Paridell by kin descend; But for faire ladies loue love , and glories gaine, My natiue native soile haue have lefte, my dayes to spend In seewing deeds of armes, my liues lives and labors end. 538 The third Booke of Cant. IX. Full [38] Whenas the noble Britomart heard tell Of Troian Trojan warres, and Priams citie Citie sackt, The ruefull story of Sir Paridell, She was empassiond at that piteous act, With zelous enuy envy of Greekes cruell fact, Against that nation, from whose race of old She heard, that she was lineally extract: For noble Britons sprong from Troians Trojans bold, And Troynouant Troynovant was built of old Troyes ashes cold. [39] Then sighing soft awhile, at last she thus: O lamentable fall of famous towne, Which raignd so many yeares victorious, And of all Asie bore the soueraine soveraine crowne, In one sad night consumd, and throwen downe: What stony hart, that heares thy haplesse fate, Is not empierst with deepe compassiowne, And makes ensample of mans wretched state, That floures so fresh at morne, & and fades at euening evening late? [40] Behold, Sir, how your pitifull complaint Hath fownd another partner of your payne: For nothing may impresse so deare constraint, As countries cause, and commune foes disdayne. But if it should not grieue grieve you, backe agayne To turne your course, I would to heare desyre, What to Aeneas fell; sith that men sayne He was not in the cities cites Cities wofull fyre Consum’d, but did him selfe to safety retyre. [41] Anchyses sonne begott of Venus fayre, Said he, out of the flames for safegard fled, And with a remnant did to sea repayre, Where he through fatall errour long was led 539 the Faery Queene. Cant.IX. It Full many yeares, and weetlesse wandered From shore to shore, emongst the Lybick sandes, Ere rest he fownd. Much there he suffered, And many perilles past in forreine landes, To saue save his people sad from victours vengefull handes. [42] At last in Latium he did arryue arryve , Where he with cruell warre was entertaind Of th’inland folke, which sought him backe to driue drive , Till he with old Latinus was constraind, To contract wedlock: (so the fates ordaind.) ordaind). Wedlocke contract in blood, and eke in blood Accomplished, that many deare complaind: The riuall rivall slaine, the victour through the flood Escaped hardly, hardly praisd his wedlock good. [43] Yet after all, he victour did suruiue survive , And with Latinus did the kingdom part. But after, when both nations gan to striue strive , Into their names the title to conuart convart , His sonne Iülus did from thence depart, With all the warlike youth of Troians Trojans bloud, And in long Alba plast his throne apart, Where faire it florished, and long time stoud, Till Romulus renewing it, to Rome remoud removd . [44] There there (said Britomart) a fresh appeard The glory of the later world to spring, And Troy againe out of her dust was reard, To sitt in second seat of soueraine soveraine king, Of all the world vnder under her gouerning governing . But a third kingdom yet is to arise, Out of the Troians Trojans scattered ofspring, That in all glory and great enterprise, Both first and second Troy shall dare to equalise. 540 The third Booke of Cant. IX. Or [45] It Troynouant Troynovant is hight, that with the waues waves Of wealthy Thamis washed is along, Vpon Upon whose stubborne neck necks whereat he raues raves With roring rage, and sore him selfe does throng, That all men feare to tempt his billowes strong, She fastned hath her foot, which standes so hy, That it a wonder of the world is song In forreine landes, and all which passen by, Beholding it from farre, doe thinke it threates the skye. [46] The Troian Trojan Brute did first that citie Citie fownd, And Hygate Hygate gate Hygate made the meare thereof by west, And Ouert Overt gate by North: that is the bownd Toward the land; two riuers rivers bownd the rest. So huge a scope at first him seemed best, To be the compasse of his kingdomes seat: So huge a mind could not in lesser rest, Ne in small meares containe his glory great, That Albion had conquered first by warlike feat. [47] Ah fairest Lady knight, (said Paridell) Pardon I pray my heedlesse ouersight oversight , Who had forgot, that whylome I hard heard tell From aged Mnemon; for my wits beene light. Indeed he said (if I remember right,) right), That of the antique Troian Trojan stocke, there grew Another plant, that raught to wondrous hight, And far abroad his mightie braunches threw, Into the vtmost utmost Angle of the world he knew. [48] For that same Brute, whom much he did aduaunce advaunce In all his speach, was Syluius Sylvius his sonne, Whom hauing having slain, through luckles arrowes glaũce glaunce He fled for feare of that he had misdonne, 541 the Faerie Queene. Cant. IX. But Or els for shame, so fowle reproch to shonne, And with him ledd to to the sea an youthly trayne, Where wearie wandring they long time did wonne, And many fortunes prou’d prov’d in th’Ocean mayne, And great aduẽtures aduentures advẽtures adventures found, that now were lõg long to ſayne. sayne. ſayne sayne ſaine. saine. [49] At last by fatall course they driuen driven were Into an Island spatious and brode, The furthest North, that did to them appeare: Which after rest they seeking farre abrode, Found it the fittest soyle for their abode, Fruitfull of all thinges fitt for liuing living foode, But wholy waste, and void of peoples trode, Saue Save an huge nation of the Geaunts broode, That fed on liuing living flesh, & and dronck mens vitall blood. [50] Whom he through wearie wars and labours long, Subdewd with losse of many Britons bold: In which the great Goemagot of strong Corineus, and Coulin of Debon old Were ouerthrowne overthrowne , and laide on th’earth full cold, Which quaked vnder under their so hideous masse, A famous history to bee enrold In euerlasting everlasting moniments of brasse, That all the antique Worthies merits far did passe. [51] His worke great Troynouant Troynovant , his worke is eke Faire Lincolne, both renowmed far away, That who from East to West will endlong seeke, Cannot two fairer Cities find this day, Except Cleopolis: so heard I say Old Mnemon. Therefore Sir, I greet you well Your countrey kin, and you entyrely pray Of pardon for the strife, which late befell Betwixt vs us both vnknowne unknowne . So ended Paridell. 542 The thirdBooke of Cant. XI. Faire [52] But all the while, that he these speeches spent, Vpon Upon his lips hong faire Dame Hellenore, With vigilant regard, and dew attent, Fashioning worldes of fancies euermore evermore In her fraile witt, that now her quite forlore: The whiles vnwares unwares away her wondring eye, And greedy eares her weake hart from her bore: Which he perceiuing perceiving , euer ever priuily privily In speaking, many false belgardes at her let fly. [53] So long these knightes discoursed diuersly diversly , Of straunge affaires, and noble hardiment, Which they had past with mickle ieopardy jeopardy , That now the humid night was farforth spent, And heuenly hevenly lampes were halfendeale ybrent: Which th’old man seeing wel, who too lõg long thought Euery Every discourse and euery every argument, Which by the houres he meaſured measured meaſurd measurd meaſured measured (meaſured) (measured) , besought Them go to rest. So all vnto unto their bowres were brought.