Cant. V.

The Ladies for the girdle striue strive of famous Florimell: Scudamour comming to Cares house, doth sleepe from him expell.

[1] It hath bene through all ages euer ever seene, That with the praise of armes and cheualrie chevalrie , The prize of beautie still hath ioyned joyned beene; And that for reasons speciall priuitie privitie : For either doth on other much relie. For he me seemes most fit the faire to serue serve , That can her best defend from villenie; And she most fit his seruice service doth deserue deserve , That fairest is and from her faith will neuer never swerue swerve . [2] So fitly now here commeth next in place, After the proofe of prowesse ended well, The controuerse controverse of beauties soueraine soveraine grace; In which to her that doth the most excell, Shall fall the girdle of faire Florimell: That many wish to win for glorie vaine, And not for vertuous vse use , which some doe tell That glorious belt did in it selfe containe, Which Ladies ought to loue love , and seeke for to obtaine. Cant. V. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 67 E2 [3] That girdle gaue gave the vertue of chast loue love , And wiuehood wivehood true, to all that did it beare; But whoseuer whosever contrarie doth proue prove , Might not the same about her middle weare, But it would loose, or else a sunder asunder teare. Whilome it was (as Faeries wont report) Dame Venus girdle, by her steemed deare, What time she vsd usd to liue live in wiuely wively sort; But layd aside, when so she vsd usd her looser sport. [4] Her husband Vulcan whylome for her sake, When first he loued loved her with heart entire, This pretious ornament they say did make, And wrought in Lemno with vnquenched unquenched fire: And afterwards did for her loues loves first hire, Giue Give it to her, for euer ever to remaine, Therewith to bind lasciuious lascivious desire, And loose affections streightly to restraine; Which vertue it for euer ever after did retaine. [5] The same one day, when she her selfe disposd To visite her beloued beloved Paramoure, The God of warre, she from her middle loosd, And left behind her in her secret bowre, On Acidalian Aridalian mount, where many an howre She with the pleasant Graces wont to play. There Florimell in her first ages flowre Was fostered by those Graces, (as they say) And brought with her frõ from thence that goodly belt away. [6] That goodly belt was Ceſ⁀tus Cestus Ceſ⁀ta⁀sCestas hight by name, And as her life by her esteemed deare. No wonder then, if that to winne the same So many Ladies sought, as shall appeare; 68 THE IIII. BOOKE OF THE Cant. V. Then For pearelesse she was thought, that did it beare. And now by this their feast all being ended, The iudges judges which thereto selected were, Into the Martian field adowne descended, To deeme this doutfull case, for which they all cõtended contended . [7] But first was question made, which of those Knights That lately turneyd, had the wager wonne: There was it iudged judged by those worthie wights, That Satyrane the first day best had donne: For he last ended, hauing having first begonne. The second was to Triamond behight, For that he sau’d sav’d the victour from fordonne: For Cambell victour was in all mens sight, Till by mishap he in his foemens hand did light. [8] The third dayes prize vnto unto that straunger Knight, Whom all men term’d Knight of the Hebene speare, To Britomart was giuen given by good right; For that with puissant stroke she downe did beare The Saluage Salvage Knight, that victour was whileare, And all the rest, which had the best afore, And to the last vnconquer’d unconquer’d did appeare; For last is deemed best. To her therefore The fayrest Ladie was adiudgd adjudgd for Paramore. [9] But thereat greatly grudged Arthegall, And much repynd, that both of victors meede, And eke of honour she did him forestall. Yet mote he not withstand, what was decreede; But inly thought of that despightfull deede Fit time t’awaite auenged avenged for to bee. This being ended thus, and all agreed, Then next ensew’d the Paragon to see Of beauties praise, and yeeld the fayrest her due fee. Cant. V. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 69 E3 [10] Then first Cambello brought vnto unto their view His faire Cambina, couered covered with a veale; Which being once withdrawne, most perfect hew And passing beautie did eftsoones reueale reveale , That able was weake harts away to steale. Next did Sir Triamond vnto unto their sight The face of his deare Canacee vnheale unheale ; Whose beauties beame eftsoones did shine so bright, That daz’d the eyes of all, as with exceeding light. [11] And after her did Paridell produce His false Duessa, that she might be seene, Who with her forged beautie did seduce The hearts of some, that fairest her did weene; As diuerse diverse wits affected diuers divers beene. Then did Sir Ferramont vnto unto them shew His Lucida, that was full faire and sheene, And after these an hundred Ladies moe Appear’d in place, the which each other did outgoe. [12] All which who so dare thinke for to enchace, Him needeth sure a golden pen I weene, To tell the feature of each goodly face. For since the day that they created beene, So many heauenly heavenly faces were not seene Assembled in one place: ne he that thought For Chian folke to pourtraict beauties Queene, By view of all the fairest to him brought, So many faire did see, as here he might haue have sought. [13] At last the most redoubted Britonesse, Her louely lovely Amoret did open shew; Whose face discouered discovered , plainely did expresse The heauenly heavenly pourtraict of bright Angels hew. 70 THE IIII. BOOKE OF THE Cant. V. That Well weened all, which her that time did vew, That she should surely beare the bell away, Till Blandamour, who thought he had the trew And very Florimell, did her display: The sight of whom once seene did all the rest dismay. [14] For all afore that seemed fayre and bright, Now base and contemptible did appeare, Compar’d to her, that shone as Phebes light, Amongst the lesser starres in euening evening cleare. All that her saw with wonder rauisht ravisht weare, And weend no mortall creature she should bee, But some celestiall shape, that flesh did beare: Yet all were glad there Florimell to see; Yet thought that Florimell was not so faire as shee. [15] As guilefull Goldsmith that by secret skill, With golden foyle doth finely ouer over spred Some baser metall, which commend he will Vnto Unto the vulgar for good gold insted, He much more goodly glosse thereon doth shed, To hide his falshood, 1596.bk4.IV.v.15.6. then: than then than if it were trew: So hard, this Idole was to be ared, That Florimell her selfe in all mens vew She seem’d to passe: so forged things do fairest shew. [16] Then was that golden belt by doome of all Graunted to her, as to the fayrest Dame. Which being brought, about her middle small They thought to gird, as best it her became; But by no meanes they could it thereto frame. For euer ever as they fastned it, it loos’d And fell away, as feeling secret blame. Full oft about her wast she it enclos’d; And it as oft was from about her wast disclos’d. Cant. V. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 71 E4 [17] That all men wondred at the vncouth uncouth sight, And each one thought, as to their fancies came. But she her selfe did thinke it doen for spight, And touched was with secret wrath and shame Therewith, as thing deuiz’d deviz’d her to defame. Then many other Ladies likewise tride, About their tender loynes to knit the same; But it would not on none of them abide, But when they thought it fast, eftsoones it was vntide untide . [18] Which when that scornefull Squire of Dames did vew, He lowdly gan to laugh, and thus to iest jest ; Alas for pittie that so faire a crew, As like can not be seene from East to West, Cannot find one this girdle to inuest invest . Fie on the man, that did it first inuent invent , To shame vs us all with this, Vngirt Ungirt vnblest unblest . Let neuer never Ladie to his loue love assent, That hath this day so many so vnmanly unmanly shent. [19] Thereat all Knights gan laugh, and Ladies lowre: Till that at last the gentle Amoret Likewise assayd, to proue prove that girdles powre; And hauing having it about her middle set, Did find it fit, withouten breach or let. Whereat the rest gan greatly to enuie envie : But Florimell exceedingly did fret, And snatching from her hand halfe angrily The belt againe, about her bodie gan it tie. [20] Yet nathemore would it her bodie fit; Yet nathelesse to her, as her dew right, It yeelded was by them, that iudged judged it: And she her selfe adiudged adjudged to the Knight, 72 THE IIII. BOOKE OF THE Cant. V. Thereat That bore the Hebene speare, as wonne in fight. But Britomart would not thereto assent, Ne her owne Amoret forgoe so light For that strange Dame, whose beauties wonderment She lesse esteem’d, 1596.bk4.IV.v.20.9. then: than then than th’others vertuous gouerment goverment . [21] Whom when the rest did see her to refuse, They were full glad, in hope themselues themselves to get her: Yet at her choice they all did greatly muse. But after that the Iudges Judges did arret her Vnto Unto the second best, that lou’d lov’d her better; That was the Saluage Salvage Knight: but he was gone In great displeasure, that he could not get her. Then was she iudged judged Triamond his one; But Triamond lou’d lov’d Canacee, and other none. [22] Tho vnto unto Satyran she was adiudged adjudged , Who was right glad to gaine so goodly meed: But Blandamour thereat full greatly grudged, And litle prays’d his labours euill evill speed, That for to winne the saddle, lost the steed. Ne lesse thereat did Paridell complaine, And thought t’appeale from that, which was decreed, To single combat with Sir Satyrane. Thereto him Ate stird, new discord to maintaine. [23] And eke with these, full many other Knights She through her wicked working did incense, Her to demaund, and chalenge as their rights, Deserued Deserved for their perils recompense. Amongst the rest with boastfull vaine pretense Stept Braggadochio forth, and as his thrall Her claym’d, by him in battell wonne long sens: Whereto her selfe he did to witnesse call; Who being askt, accordingly confessed all. Cant. V. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 73 [24] Thereat exceeding wroth was Satyran; And wroth with Satyran was Blandamour; And wroth with Blandamour was Eriuan; And at them both Sir Paridell did loure. So all together stird vp up strifull stoure, And readie were new battell to darraine. Each one profest to be her paramoure, And vow’d with speare and shield it to maintaine; Ne Iudges Judges powre, ne reasons rule mote them restraine. [25] Which troublous stirre when Satyrane auiz’d aviz’d : He gan to cast how to appease the same, And to accord them all, this meanes deuiz’d deviz’d : First in the midst to set that fayrest Dame, To whom each one his chalenge should disclame, And he himselfe his right would eke releasse: Then looke to whom she voluntarie came, He should without disturbance her possesse: Sweete is the loue love that comes alone with willingnesse. [26] They all agreed, and then that snowy Mayd Was in the middest plast among them all; All on her gazing wisht, and vowd, and prayd, And to the Queene of beautie close did call, That she vnto unto their portion might befall. Then when she long had lookt vpon upon each one, As though she wished to haue have pleasd them all, At last to Braggadochio selfe alone She came of her accord, in spight of all his fone. [27] Which when they all beheld they chaft and rag’d, And woxe nigh mad for very harts despight, That from reuenge revenge their willes they scarse asswag’d: Some thought from him her to haue have reft by might; 74 THE IIII. BOOKE OF THE Cant. V. Bent Some proffer made with him for her to fight. But he nought car’d for all that they could say: For he their words as wind esteemed light. Yet not fit place he thought it there to stay, But secretly from thence that night her bore away. [28] They which remaynd, so soone as they perceiu’d perceiv’d , That she was gone, departed thence with speed, And follow’d them, in mind her to haue have reau’d reav’d From wight vnworthie unworthie of so noble meed. In which poursuit how each one did succeede, Shall else be told in order, as it fell. But now of Britomart it here doth neede, The hard aduentures adventures and strange haps to tell; Since with the rest she went not after Florimell. [29] For soone as she them saw to discord set, Her list no longer in that place abide; But taking with her louely lovely Amoret, Vpon Upon her first aduenture adventure forth did ride, To seeke her lou’d lov’d , making blind loue love her guide. Vnluckie Unluckie Mayd to seeke her enemie, Vnluckie Unluckie Mayd to seeke him farre and wide, Whom, when he was vnto unto her selfe most nie, She through his late disguizemẽt disguizement could him not descrie. [30] So much the more her griefe, the more her toyle: Yet neither toyle nor griefe she once did spare, In seeking him, that should her paine assoyle; Whereto great comfort in her sad misfare Was Amoret, companion of her care: Who likewise sought her louer lover long miswent, The gentle Scudamour, whose hart whileare That stryfull hag with gealous discontent Had fild, that he to fell reueng reveng was fully bent. Cant. V. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 75 [31] Bent to reuenge revenge on blamelesse Britomart The crime, which cursed Ate kindled earst, The which like thornes did pricke her gealous hart, And through his soule like poysned arrow perst, That by no reason it might be reuerst reverst , For ought that Glauce could or doe or say. For aye the more that she the same reherst, The more it gauld, and grieu’d griev’d him night and day, That nought but dire reuenge revenge his anger mote defray. [32] So as they trauelled travelled , the drouping night Couered Covered with cloudie storme and bitter showre, That dreadfull seem’d to euery every liuing living wight, Vpon Upon them fell, before her timely howre; That forced them to seeke some couert covert bowre, Where they might hide their heads in quiet rest, And shrowd their persons from that stormie stowre. Not farre away, not meete for any guest They spide a little cottage, like some poore mans nest. [33] Vnder Under a steepe hilles side it placed was, There where the mouldred earth had cav’d the banke; And fast beside a little brooke did pas Of muddie water, that like puddle stanke, By which few crooked sallowes grew in ranke: Whereto approaching nigh, they heard the sound Of many yron hammers beating ranke, And answering their wearie turnes around, That seemed some blacksmith dwelt in that desert groũd. ground. [34] There entring in, they found the goodman selfe Full busily vnto unto his worke ybent; Who was to weet a wretched wearish elfe, With hollow eyes and rawbone cheekes forspent, 76 THE IIII. BOOKE OF THE Cant. V. Sir As if he had in prison long bene pent: Full blacke and griesly did his face appeare, Besmeard with smoke that nigh his eye-sight blent; With rugged beard, and hoarie shagged heare, The which he neuer never wont to combe, or comely sheare. [35] Rude was his garment, and to rags all rent, Ne better had he, ne for better cared: With blistred hands emongst the cinders brent, And fingers filthie, with long nayles vnpared unpared , Right fit to rend the food, on which he fared. His name was Care; a blacksmith by his trade, That neither day nor night, from working spared, But to small purpose yron wedges made; Those be vnquiet unquiet thoughts, that carefull minds inuade invade . [36] In which his worke he had sixe seruants servants prest, About the Andvile standing euermore evermore , With huge great hammers, that did neuer never rest From heaping stroakes, which thereon soused sore: All sixe strong groomes, but one 1596.bk4.IV.v.36.5. then: than then than other more; For by degrees they all were disagreed; So likewise did the hammers which they bore, Like belles in greatnesse orderly succeed, That he which was the last, the first did farre exceede. [37] He like a monstrous Gyant seem’d in sight, Farre passing Bronteus, or Pynacmon great, The which in Lipari doe day and night Frame thunderbolts for Ioues Joves auengefull avengefull threate. So dreadfully he did the anduile andvile beat, That seem’d to dust he shortly would it driue drive : So huge his hammer ham mer and so fierce his heat, That seem’d a rocke of Diamond it could riue rive , And rend a sunder asunder quite, if he thereto list striue strive . Cant. V. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 77 [38] Sir Scudamour there entring, much admired The manner of their worke and wearie paine; And hauing having long beheld, at last enquired The cause and end thereof: but all in vaine; For they for nought would from their worke refraine, Ne let his speeches come vnto unto their eare. And eke the breathfull bellowes blew amaine, Like to the Northren winde, that none could heare, Those Pensifenesse did moue move ; & and Sighes the bellows weare. [39] Which when that warriour saw, he said no more, But in his armour layd him downe to rest: To rest he layd him downe vpon upon the flore, (Whylome for ventrous Knights the bedding best) And thought his wearie limbs to haue have redrest. And that old aged Dame, his faithfull Squire, Her feeble ioynts joynts layd eke a downe to rest; That needed much her weake age to desire, After so long a trauell travell , which them both did tire. [40] There lay Sir Scudamour long while expecting, When gentle sleepe his heauie heavie eyes would close; Oft chaunging sides, and oft new place electing, Where better seem’d he mote himselfe repose; And oft in wrath he thence againe vprose uprose ; And oft in wrath he layd him downe againe. But wheresoeuer wheresoever he did himselfe dispose, He by no meanes could wished ease obtaine: So euery every place seem’d painefull, and ech changing vaine. [41] And euermore evermore , when he to sleepe did thinke, The hammers sound his senses did molest; And euermore evermore , when he began to winke, The bellowes noyse disturb’d his quiet rest, 78 THE IIII. BOOKE OF THE Cant. VI. In Ne suffred sleepe to settle in his brest. And all the night the dogs did barke and howle About the house, at sent of stranger guest: And now the crowing Cocke, and now the Owle Lowde shriking him afflicted to the very sowle. [42] And if by fortune any litle nap Vpon Upon his heauie heavie eye-lids chaunst to fall, Eftsoones one of those villeins him did rap Vpon Upon his headpeece with his yron mall; That he was soone awaked therewithall, And lightly started vp up as one affrayd; Or as if one him suddenly did call. So oftentimes he out of sleepe abrayd, And then lay musing long, on that him ill apayd. [43] So long he muzed, and so long he lay, That at the last his wearie sprite opprest With fleshly weaknesse, which no creature may Long time resist, gaue gave place to kindly rest, That all his senses did full soone arrest: Yet in his soundest sleepe, his dayly feare His ydle braine gan busily molest, And made him dreame those two disloyall were: The things that day most minds, at night doe most ap-peare. [44] With that, the wicked carle the maister Smith A paire of redwhot yron tongs did take Out of the burning cinders, and therewith therewith, Vnder Under his side him nipt, that forst to wake, He felt his hart for very paine to quake, And started vp up auenged avenged for to be On him, the which his quiet slomber brake: Yet looking round about him none could see; Yet did the smart remaine, though he himselfe did flee. Cant. V. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 79 [45] In such disquiet and hartfretting payne, He all that night, that too long night did passe. And now the day out of the Ocean mayne Began to peepe aboue above this earthly masse, With pearly dew sprinkling the morning grasse: Then vp up he rose like heauie heavie lumpe of lead, That in his face, as in a looking glasse, The signes of anguish one mote plainely read, And ghesse the man to be dismayd with gealous dread. [46] Vnto Unto his lofty steede he clombe anone, And forth vpon upon his former voiage fared, And with him eke that aged Squire attone; Who whatsoeuer whatsoever perill was prepared, Both equall paines and equall perill shared: The end whereof and daungerous euent event Shall for another canticle be spared. But here my wearie teeme nigh ouer over spent Shall breath it selfe awhile, after so long a went.