Cant.X. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 311 V4 Cant. X.

Prince Arthur takes the enterprize for Belgee for to fight, Gerioneos Seneschall he slayes in Belges right.

[1] SOme Some Clarkes doe doubt in their deuicefull devicefull art, Whether this heauenly heavenly thing, whereof I treat, To weeten Mercie, be of Iustice Justice part, Or drawne forth from her by diuine divine extreate. This well I wote, that sure she is as great, And meriteth to haue have as high a place, Sith in th’Almighties euerlasting everlasting seat She first was bred, and borne of heauenly heavenly race; From thence pour’d down on men, by influence of grace. [2] For if that Vertue be of so great might, Which from iust just verdict will for nothing start, But to preserue preserve inuiolated inviolated right, Oft spilles the principall, to saue save the part; So much more then is that of powre and art, That seekes to saue save the subiect subject of her skill, Yet neuer never doth from doome of right depart: As it is greater prayse to saue save , 1596.bk5.V.x.2.8. then: than then than spill, And better to reforme, 1596.bk5.V.x.2.9. then: than then than to cut off the ill. [3] Who then can thee, Mercilla, throughly prayse, That herein doest all earthly Princes pas? What heauenly heavenly Muse shall thy great honour rayse Vp Up to the skies, whence first deriu’d deriv’d it was, 312 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.X. Her And now on earth it selfe enlarged has, From th’vtmost th’utmost brinke of the Armericke shore, Vnto Unto the margent of the Molucas? Those Nations farre thy iustice justice doe adore: But thine owne people do thy mercy prayse much more. [4] Much more it praysed was of those two knights; The noble Prince, and righteous Artegall, When they had seene and heard her doome a rights Against Duessa, damned by them all; But by her tempred without griefe or gall, Till strong constraint did her thereto enforce. And yet euen even then ruing her wilfull fall, With more 1596.bk5.V.x.4.8. then: than then than needfull naturall remorse, And yeelding the last honour to her wretched corse. [5] During all which, those knights continu’d there, Both doing and receiuing receiving curtesies, Of that great Ladie, who with goodly chere Them entertayn’d, fit for their dignities, Approuing Approving dayly to their noble eyes Royall examples of her mercies rare, And worthie paterns of her clemencies; Which till this day mongst many liuing living are, Who them to their posterities doe still declare. [6] Amongst the rest, which in that space befell, There came two Springals of full tender yeares, Farre thence from forrein land, where they did dwell, To seeke for succour of her and of her Peares, With humble prayers and intreatfull teares; Sent by their mother, who a widow was, Wrapt in great dolours and in deadly feares, By a strong Tyrant, who inuaded invaded has Her land, and slaine her children ruefully alas. Cant.X. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 313 [7] Her name was Belgæ, who in former age A Ladie of great worth and wealth had beene, And mother of a frutefull heritage, Euen Even seuenteene seventeene goodly sonnes; which who had seene In their first flowre, before this fatall teene Them ouertooke overtooke , and their faire blossomes blasted, More happie mother would her surely weene, 1596.bk5.V.x.7.8. Then: Than Then Than famous Niobe, before she tasted Latonaes childrens wrath, that all her issue wasted. [8] But this fell Tyrant, through his tortious powre, Had left her now but fiue five of all that brood: For twelue twelve of them he did by times deuoure devoure , And to his Idols sacrifice their blood, Whylest he of none was stopped, nor withstood. For soothly he was one of matchlesse might, Of horrible aspect, and dreadfull mood, And had three bodies in one wast empight, And th’armes and legs of three, to succour him in fight. [9] And sooth they say, that he was borne and bred Of Gyants race, the sonne of Geryon, He that whylome in Spaine so sore was dred, For his huge powre and great oppression, Which brought that land to his subiection subjection , Through his three bodies powre, in one combynd; And eke all strangers in that region Arryuing Arryving , to his kyne for food assynd; The fayrest kyne aliue alive , but of the fiercest kynd. [10] For they were all, they say, of purple hew, Kept by a cowheard, hight Eurytion, A cruell carle, the which all strangers slew, Ne day nor night did sleepe, t’attend them on, 314 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.X. So But walkt about them euer ever and anone, With his two headed dogge, that Orthrus hight; Orthrus begotten by great Typhaon, And foule Echidna, in the house of night; But Hercules them all did ouercome overcome in fight. [11] His sonne was this, Geryoneo hight; Who after that his monstrous father fell Vnder Under Alcides club, streight tooke his flight From that sad land, where he his syre did quell, And came to this, where Belge then did dwell, And flourish in all wealth and happinesse, Being then new made widow (as befell) After her Noble husbands late decesse; Which gaue gave beginning to her woe and wretchednesse. [12] Then this bold Tyrant, of her widowhed Taking aduantage advantage , and her yet fresh woes, Himselfe and seruice service to her offered, Her to defend against all forrein foes, That should their powre against her right oppose. Whereof she glad, now needing strong defence, Him entertayn’d, and did her champion chose: Which long he vsd usd with carefull diligence, The better to confirme her fearelesse confidence. [13] By meanes whereof, she did at last commit All to his hands, and gaue gave him soueraine soveraine powre To doe, what euer ever he thought good or fit. Which hauing having got, he gan forth from that howre To stirre vp up strife, and many a Tragicke stowre, Giuing Giving her dearest children one by one Vnto Unto a dreadfull Monster to deuoure devoure , And setting vp up an Idole of his owne, The image of his monstrous parent Geryone. Cant.X. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 315 [14] So tyrannizing, and oppressing all, The woefull widow had no meanes now left, But vnto unto gratious great Mercilla call For ayde, against that cruell Tyrants theft, Ere all her children he from her had reft. Therefore these two, her eldest sonnes she sent, To seeke for succour of this Ladies gieft: To whom their sute they humbly did present, In th’hearing of full many Knights and Ladies gent. [15] Amongst the which then fortuned to bee The noble Briton Prince, with his braue brave Peare; Who when he none of all those knights did see Hastily bent, that enterprise to heare, Nor vndertake undertake the same, for cowheard feare, He stepped forth with courage bold and great, Admyr’d of all the rest in presence there, And humbly gan that mightie Queene entreat, To graunt him that aduenture adventure for his former feat. [16] She gladly graunted it: then he straight way Himselfe vnto unto his iourney journey gan prepare, And all his armours readie dight that day, That nought the morrow next mote stay his fare. The morrow next appear’d, with purple hayre Yet dropping fresh out of the Indian fount, And bringing light into the heauens heavens fayre, When he was readie to his steede to mount; Vnto Unto his way, which now was all his care and count. [17] Then taking humble leaue leave of that great Queene, Who gaue gave him roiall giftes and riches rare, As tokens of her thankefull mind beseene, And leauing leaving Artegall to his owne care; 316 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.X. Then Vpon Upon his voyage forth he gan to fare, With those two gentle youthes, which him did guide, And all his way before him still prepare. Ne after him did Artigall abide, But on his first aduenture adventure forward forth did ride. [18] It was not long, till that the Prince arriued arrived Within the land, where dwelt that Ladie sad, Whereof that Tyrant had her now depriued deprived , And into moores and marshes banisht had, Out of the pleasant soyle, and citties glad, In which she wont to harbour happily: But now his cruelty so sore she drad, That to those fennes for fastnesse she did fly, And there her selfe did hyde from his hard tyranny. [19] There he her found in sorrow and dismay, All solitarie without liuing living wight; For all her other children, through affray, Had hid themselues themselves , or taken further flight: And eke her selfe through sudden strange affright, When one in armes she saw, began to fly; But when her owne two sonnes she had in sight, She gan take hart, and looke vp up ioyfully joyfully : For well she wist this knight came, succour to supply. [20] And running vnto unto them with greedy ioyes joyes , Fell straight about their neckes, as they did kneele, And bursting forth in teares; Ah my sweet boyes, (Sayd she) yet now I gin new life to feele, And feeble spirits, that gan faint and reele, Now rise againe, at this your ioyous joyous sight. Alreadie seemes that fortunes headlong wheele Begins to turne, and sunne to shine more bright, Then it was wont, through comfort of this noble knight. Cant.X. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 317 [21] Then turning vnto unto him; And you Sir knight (Said she) that taken haue have this toylesome paine For wretched woman, miserable wight, May you in heauen heaven immortall guerdon gaine For so great trauell travell , as you doe sustaine: For other meede may hope for none of mee, To whom nought else, but bare life doth remaine, And that so wretched one, as ye do see Is liker lingring death, 1596.bk5.V.x.21.9. then: than then than loathed life to bee. [22] Much was he moued moved with her piteous plight, And low dismounting from his loftie steede, Gan to recomfort her all that he might, Seeking to driue drive away deepe rooted dreede, With hope of helpe in that her greatest neede. So thence he wished her with him to wend, Vnto Unto some place, where they mote rest and feede, And she take comfort, which God now did send: Good hart in euils evils doth the euils evils much amend. [23] Ay me (sayd she) and whether shall I goe? Are not all places full of forraine powres? My pallaces possessed of my foe, My cities sackt, and their sky-threating towres Raced, and made smooth fields now full of flowres? Onely these marishes, and myrie bogs, In which the fearefull ewftes do build their bowres, Yeeld me an hostry mongst the croking frogs, And harbour here in safety from those rauenous ravenous dogs. [24] Nathlesse (said he) deare Ladie with me goe, Some place shall vs us receiue receive , and harbour yield; If not, we will it force, maugre your foe, And purchase it to vs us with speare and shield: 318 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.X. To And if all fayle, yet farewell open field: The earth to all her creatures lodging lends. With such his chearefull speaches he doth wield Her mind so well, that to his will she bends And bynding vp up her locks and weeds, forth with him (wends. [25] They came vnto unto a Citie farre vp up land, The which whylome that Ladies owne had bene; But now by force extort out of her hand, By her strong foe, who had defaced cleene Her stately towres, and buildings sunny sheene; Shut vp up her hauen haven , mard her marchants trade, Robbed her people, that full rich had beene, And in her necke a Castle huge had made, The which did her cõmaund commaund , without needing perswade. [26] That Castle was the strength of all that state, Vntill Untill that state by strength was pulled downe, And that same citie, so now ruinate, Had bene the keye of all that kingdomes crowne; Both goodly Castle, and both goodly Towne, Till that th’offended heauens heavens list to lowre Vpon Upon their blisse, and balefull fortune frowne. When those gainst states and kingdomes do coniure conjure , Who then can thinke their hedlong ruine to recure. [27] But he had brought it now in seruile servile bond, And made it beare the yoke of inquisition, Stryuing Stryving long time in vaine it to withstond; Yet glad at last to make most base submission, And life enioy enjoy for any composition. So now he hath new lawes and orders new Imposd on it, with many a hard condition, And forced it, the honour that is dew To God, to doe vnto unto his Idole most vntrew untrew . Cant.X. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 319 [28] To him he hath, before this Castle greene, Built a faire Chappell, and an Altar framed Of costly Iuory Ivory , full rich beseene, On which that cursed Idole farre proclamed, He hath set vp up , and him his God hath named, Offring to him in sinfull sacrifice The flesh of men, to Gods owne likenesse framed, And powring forth their bloud in brutishe wize, That any yron eyes, to see it would agrize. [29] And for more horror and more crueltie, Vnder Under that cursed Idols altar stone; An hideous monster doth in darknesse lie, Whose dreadfull shape was neuer never seene of none That liues lives on earth; but vnto unto those alone The which vnto unto him sacrificed bee. Those he deuoures devoures , they say, both flesh and bone: What else they haue have , is all the Tyrants fee; So that no whit of them remayning one may see. [30] There eke he placed a strong garrisone, And set a Seneschall of dreaded might, That by his powre oppressed euery every one, And vanquished all ventrous knights in fight; To whom he wont shew all the shame he might, After that them in battell he had wonne. To which when now they gan approch in sight, The Ladie counseld him the place to shonne, Whereas so many knights had fouly bene fordonne. [31] Her fearefull speaches nought he did regard, But ryding streight vnder under the Castle wall, Called aloud vnto unto the watchfull ward, Which there did wayte, willing them forth to call 320 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.X. So Into the field their Tyrants Seneschall. To whom when tydings thereof came, he streight Cals for his armes, and arming him withall, Eftsoones forth pricked proudly in his might, And gan with courage fierce addresse him to the fight. [32] They both encounter in the middle plaine, And their sharpe speares doe both together smite Amid their shields, with so huge might and maine, That seem’d their soules they wold haue have ryuen ryven quight Out of their breasts, with furious despight. Yet could the Seneschals no entrance find Into the Princes shield, where it empight; So pure the mettall was, and well refynd, But shiuered shivered all about, and scattered in the wynd. [33] Not so the Princes, but with restlesse force, Into his shield it readie passage found, Both through his haberieon, and eke his corse: Which tombling downe vpon upon the senselesse ground, Gaue leaue leave vnto unto his ghost from thraldome bound, To wander in the griesly shades of night. There did the Prince him leaue leave in deadly swound, And thence vnto unto the castle marched right, To see if entrance there as yet obtaine he might. [34] But as he nigher drew, three knights he spyde, All arm’d to point, issuing forth a pace, Which towards him with all their powre did ryde, And meeting him right in the middle race, Did all their speares attonce on him enchace. As three great Culuerings Culverings for battrie bent, And leueld leveld all against one certaine place, Doe all attonce their thunders rage forth rent, That makes the wals to stagger with astonishment. Cant.XI. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 321 X [35] So all attonce they on the Prince did thonder; Who from his saddle swarued swarved nought asyde, Ne to their force gaue gave way, that was great wonder, But like a bulwarke, firmely did abyde, Rebutting him, which in the midst did ryde, With so huge rigour, that his mortall speare Past through his shield, & and pierst through either syde, That downe he fell vppon uppon his mother deare, And powred forth his wretched life in deadly dreare. [36] Whom when his other fellowes saw, they fled As fast as feete could carry them away; And after them the Prince as swiftly sped, To be aueng’d aveng’d of their vnknightly unknightly play. There whilest they entring, th’one did th’other stay, The hindmost in the gate he ouerhent overhent , And as he pressed in, him there did slay: His carkasse tumbling on the threshold, sent His groning soule vnto unto her place of punishment. [37] The other which was entred, laboured fast To sperre the gate; but that same lumpe of clay, Whose grudging ghost was thereout fled and past; Right in the middest of the threshold lay, That it the Posterne did from closing stay: The whiles the Prince hard preased in betweene, And entraunce wonne. Streight th’other fled away, And ran into the Hall, where he did weene Him selfe to saue save : but he there slew him at the skreene. [38] Then all the rest which in that Castle were, Seeing that sad ensample them before, Durst not abide, but fled away for feare, And them conuayd convayd out at a Posterne dore. 322 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.XI. Whereof Long sought the Prince, but when he found no more T’oppose against his powre, he forth issued Vnto Unto that Lady, where he her had lore, And her gan cheare, with what she there had vewed, And what she had not seene, within vnto unto her shewed. [39] Who with right humble thankes him goodly greeting, For so great prowesse, as he there had proued proved , Much greater 1596.bk5.V.x.39.3. then: than then than was euer ever in her weeting, With great admiraunce inwardly was moued moved , And honourd him, with all that her behoued behoved . Thenceforth into that Castle he her led, With her two sonnes, right deare of her beloued beloved , Where all that night them selues selves they cherished, And from her balefull minde all care he banished.