296 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. Vnto Unto Cant. IX.

Arthur and Artegall catch Guyle whom Talus doth dismay, They to Mercillaes pallace come, and see her rich array.

[1] WHat What Tygre, or what other saluage salvage wight Is so exceeding furious and fell, As wrong, when it hath arm’d it selfe with (might? Not fit mongst men, that doe with reason mell, But mongst wyld beasts and saluage salvage woods to dwell; Where still the stronger doth the weake deuoure devoure , And they that most in boldnesse doe excell, Are dreadded most, and feared for their powre: Fit for Adicia, there to build her wicked bowre. [2] There let her wonne farre from resort of men, Where righteous Artegall her late exyled; There let her euer ever keepe her damned den, Where none may be with her lewd parts defyled, Nor none but beasts may be of her despoyled: And turne we to the noble Prince, where late We did him leaue leave , after that he had foyled The cruell Souldan, and with dreadfull fate Had vtterly utterly subuerted subverted his vnrighteous unrighteous state. [3] Where hauing having with Sir Artegall a space Well solast in that Souldans late delight, They both resoluing resolving now to leaue leave the place, Both it and all the wealth therein behight Cant.IX. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 297 Vnto Unto that Damzell in her Ladies right, And so would haue have departed on their way. But she them woo’d by all the meanes she might, And earnestly besought, to wend that day With her, to see her Ladie thence not farre away. [4] By whose entreatie both they ouercommen overcommen , Agree to goe with her, and by the way, (As often falles) of sundry things did commen. Mongst which that Damzell did to them bewray A straunge aduenture adventure , which not farre thence lay; To weet a wicked villaine, bold and stout, Which wonned in a rocke not farre away, That robbed all the countrie there about, And brought the pillage home, whence none could get it out. [5] Thereto both his owne wylie wit, (she sayd) And eke the fastnesse of his dwelling place, Both vnassaylable unassaylable , gaue gave him great ayde: For he so crafty was to forge and face, So light of hand, and nymble of his pace, So smooth of tongue, and subtile in his tale, That could deceiue deceive one looking in his face; Therefore by name Malengin they him call, Well knowen by his feates, and famous ouer over all. [6] Through these his slights he many doth confound, And eke the rocke, in which he wonts to dwell, Is wondrous strong, and hewen farre vnder under ground A dreadfull depth, how deepe no man can tell; But some doe say, it goeth downe to hell. And all within, it full of wyndings is, And hidden wayes, that scarse an hound by smell Can follow out those false footsteps of his, Ne none can backe returne, that once are gone amis. 298 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. Vpon Upon [7] Which when those knights had heard, their harts gan (earne, To vnderstand understand that villeins dwelling place, And greatly it desir’d of her to learne, And by which way they towards it should trace. Were not (sayd she) that it should let your pace Towards my Ladies presence by you ment, I would you guyde directly to the place. Then let not that (said they) stay your intent; For neither will one foot, till we that carle haue have hent. [8] So forth they past, till they approched ny Vnto Unto the rocke, where was the villains won, Which when the Damzell neare at hand did spy, She warn’d the knights thereof: who thereupon Gan to aduize advize , what best were to be done. So both agreed, to send that mayd afore, Where she might sit nigh to the den alone, Wayling, and raysing pittifull vprore uprore , As if she did some great calamitie deplore. [9] With noyse whereof when as the caytiue caytive carle Should issue forth, in hope to find some spoyle, They in awayt would closely him ensnarle, Ere to his den he backward could recoyle, And so would hope him easily to foyle. The Damzell straight went, as she was directed, Vnto Unto the rocke, and there vpon upon the soyle Hauing Having her selfe in wretched wize abiected abjected , Gan weepe and wayle, as if great griefe had her affected. [10] The cry whereof entring the hollow caue cave , Eftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment, With hope of her some wishfull boot to haue have . Full dreadfull wight he was, as euer ever went Cant.IX. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 299 Vpon Upon the earth, with hollow eyes deepe pent, And long curld locks, that downe his shoulders shag-(ged, And on his backe an vncouth uncouth vestiment Made of straunge stuffe, but all 1596.bk5.V.ix.10.8. to: too to too worne and ragged, And vnderneath underneath his breech was all 1596.bk5.V.ix.10.9. to: too to too torne and iagged jagged . [11] And in his hand an huge long staffe he held, Whose top was arm’d with many an yron hooke, Fit to catch hold of all that he could weld, Or in the compasse of his clouches tooke; And euer ever round about he cast his looke. Als at his backe a great wyde net he bore, With which he seldome fished at the brooke, But vsd usd to fish for fooles on the dry shore, Of which he in faire weather wont to take great store. [12] Him when the damzell saw fast by her side, So vgly ugly creature, she was nigh dismayd, And now for helpe aloud in earnest cride. But when the villaine saw her so affrayd, He gan with guilefull words her to perswade, To banish feare, and with Sardonian smyle Laughing on her, his false intent to shade, Gan forth to lay his bayte her to beguyle, That from her self vnwares unwares he might her steale the whyle. [13] Like as the fouler on his guilefull pype Charmes to the birds full many a pleasant lay, That they the whiles may take lesse heedie keepe, How he his nets doth for their ruine lay: So did the villaine to her prate and play, And many pleasant trickes before her show, To turne her eyes from his intent away: For he in slights and iugling jugling feates did flow, And of legierdemayne the mysteries did know. 300 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. Into [14] To which whilest she lent her intentiue intentive mind, He suddenly his net vpon upon her threw, That ouersprad oversprad her like a puffe of wind; And snatching her soone vp up , ere well she knew, Ran with her fast away vnto unto his mew, Crying for helpe aloud. But when as ny He came vnto unto his caue cave , and there did vew The armed knights stopping his passage by, He threw his burden downe, and fast away did fly. [15] But Artegall him after did pursew, The whiles the Prince there kept the entrance still: Vp Up to the rocke he ran, and thereon flew Like a wyld Gote, leaping from hill to hill, And dauncing on the craggy cliffes at will; That deadly daunger seem’d in all mens sight, To tempt such steps, where footing was so ill: Ne ought auayled avayled for the armed knight, To thinke to follow him, that was so swift and light. [16] Which when he saw, his yron man he sent, To follow him; for he was swift in chace. He him pursewd, where euer ever that he went, Both ouer over rockes, and hilles, and euery every place, Where so he fled, he followd him apace: So that he shortly forst him to forsake The hight, and downe descend vnto unto the base. There he him courst a fresh, and soone did make To leaue leave his proper forme, and other shape to take. [17] Into a Foxe himselfe he first did tourne; But he him hunted like a Foxe full fast: Then to a bush himselfe he did transforme, But he the bush did beat, till that at last Cant.IX. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 301 Into a bird it chaung’d, and from him past, Flying from tree to tree, from wand to wand: But he then stones at it so long did cast, That like a stone it fell vpon upon the land, But he then tooke it vp up , and held fast in his hand. [18] So he it brought with him vnto unto the knights, And to his Lord Sir Artegall it lent, Warning him hold it fast, for feare of slights. Who whilest in hand it gryping hart he hent, Into a Hedgehogge all vnwares unwares it went, And prickt him so, that he away it threw. Then gan it runne away incontinent, Being returned to his former hew: But Talus soone him ouertooke overtooke , and backward drew. [19] But when as he would to a snake againe Haue Have turn’d himselfe, he with his yron flayle Gan driue drive at him, with so huge might and maine, That all his bones, as small as sandy grayle He broke, and did his bowels disentrayle; Crying in vaine for helpe, when helpe was past. So did deceipt the selfe deceiuer deceiver fayle, There they him left a carrion outcast; For beasts and foules to feede vpon upon for their repast. [20] Thence forth they passed with that gentle Mayd, To see her Ladie, as they did agree. To which when she approched, thus she sayd; Loe now, right noble knights, arriu’d arriv’d ye bee Nigh to the place, which ye desir’d to see: There shall ye see my souerayne soverayne Lady Queene Most sacred wight, most debonayre and free, That euer ever yet vpon upon this earth was seene, Or that with Diademe hath euer ever crowned beene. 302 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. For [21] The gentle knights reioyced rejoyced much to heare The prayses of that Prince so manifold, And passing litle further, commen were, Where they a stately pallace did behold, Of pompous show, much more 1596.bk5.V.ix.21.5. then: than then than she had told; With many towres, and tarras mounted hye, And all their tops bright glistering with gold, That seemed to outshine the dimmed skye, And with their brightnesse daz’d the straunge beholders eye. [22] There they alighting, by that Damzell were Directed in, and shewed all the sight: Whose porch, that most magnificke did appeare, Stood open wyde to all men day and night; Yet warded well by one of mickle might, That sate thereby, with gyantlike resemblance, To keepe out guyle, and malice, and despight, That vnder under shew oftimes of fayned semblance, Are wont in Princes courts to worke great scath and hin-drance. [23] His name was Awe; by whom they passing in Went vp up the hall, that was a large wyde roome, All full of people making troublous din, And wondrous noyse, as if that there were some, Which vnto unto them was dealing righteous doome. By whom they passing, through the thickest preasse, The marshall of the hall to them did come; His name hight Order, who commaunding peace, Them guyded through the throng, that did their cla-(mors ceasse. [24] They ceast their clamors vpon upon them to gaze; Whom seeing all in armour bright as day, Straunge there to see, it did them much amaze, And with vnwonted unwonted terror halfe affray. Cant.IX. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 303 For neuer never saw they there the like array. Ne euer ever was the name of warre there spoken, But ioyous joyous peace and quietnesse alway, Dealing iust just iudgements, that mote not be broken For any brybes, or threates of any to be wroken. [25] There as they entred at the Scriene, they saw Some one, whose tongue was for his trespasse vyle Nayld to a post, adiudged adjudged so by law: For that therewith he falsely did reuyle revyle , And foule blaspheme that Queene for forged guyle, Both with bold speaches, which he blazed had, And with lewd poems, which he did compyle; For the bold title of a Poet bad He on himselfe had ta’en, and rayling rymes had sprad. [26] Thus there he stood, whylest high ouer over his head, There written was the purport of his sin, In cyphers strange, that few could rightly read, B O N F O N S: but bon that once had written bin, Was raced out, and Mal was now put in. So now Malfont was plainely to be red; Eyther for th’euill th’evill , which he did therein, Or that he likened was to a welhed Of euill evill words, and wicked sclaunders by him shed. [27] They passing by, were guyded by degree Vnto Unto the presence of that gratious Queene: Who sate on high, that she might all men see, And might of all men royally be seene, Vpon Upon a throne of gold full bright and sheene, Adorned all with gemmes of endlesse price, As either might for wealth haue have gotten bene, Or could be fram’d by workmans rare deuice device ; And all embost with Lyons and with Flourdelice. 304 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. Litæ [28] All ouer over her a cloth of state was spred, Not of rich tissew, nor of cloth of gold, Nor of ought else, that may be richest red, But like a cloud, as likest may be told, That her brode spreading wings did wyde vnfold unfold ; Whose skirts were bordred with bright sunny beams, Glistring like gold, amongst the plights enrold, And here and there shooting forth siluer silver streames, Mongst which crept litle Angels through the glittering gleames. [29] Seemed those litle Angels did vphold uphold The cloth of state, and on their purpled wings Did beare the pendants, through their nimblesse bold: Besides a thousand more of such, as sings Hymnes to high God, and carols heauenly heavenly things, Encompassed the throne, on which she sate: She Angel-like, the heyre of ancient kings And mightie Conquerors, in royall state, Whylest kings and kesars at her feet did them prostrate. [30] Thus she did sit in souerayne soverayne Maiestie Majestie , Holding a Scepter in her royall hand, The sacred pledge of peace and clemencie, With which high God had blest her happie land, Maugre so many foes, which did withstand. But at her feet her sword was likewise layde, Whose long rest rusted the bright steely brand; Yet when as foes enforst, or friends sought ayde, She could it sternely draw, that all the world dismayde. [31] And round about, before her feet there sate A beuie bevie of faire Virgins clad in white, That goodly seem’d t’adorne her royall state, All louely lovely daughters of high Ioue Jove , that hight, Cant.IX. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 305 V Litæ by him begot in loues loves delight, Vpon Upon the righteous Themis: those they say Vpon Upon Ioues Joves iudgement judgement seat wayt day and night, And when in wrath he threats the worlds decay, They doe his anger calme, and cruell vengeance stay. [32] They also doe by his diuine divine permission Vpon Upon the thrones of mortall Princes tend, And often treat for pardon and remission To suppliants, through frayltie which offend. Those did vpon upon Mercillaes throne attend: Iust Just Dice, wise Eunomie, myld Eirene, And them amongst, her glorie to commend, Sate goodly Temperance in garments clene, And sacred Reuerence Reverence , yborne of heauenly heavenly strene. [33] Thus did she sit in royall rich estate, Admyr’d of many, honoured of all, Whylest vnderneath underneath her feete, there as she sate, An huge great Lyon lay, that mote appall An hardie courage, like captiued captived thrall, With a strong yron chaine and coller bound, That once he could not moue move , nor quich at all; Yet did he murmure with rebellions sound, And softly royne, when saluage salvage choler gan redound. [34] So sitting high in dreaded souerayntie soverayntie , Those two strange knights were to her presence (brought; Who bowing low before her Maiestie Majestie , Did to her myld obeysance, as they ought, And meekest boone, that they imagine mought. To whom she eke inclyning her withall, As a faire stoupe of her high soaring thought, A chearefull countenance on them let fall, Yet tempred with some maiestie majestie imperiall. 306 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. But [35] As the bright sunne, what time his fierie teme Towards the westerne brim begins to draw, Gins to abate the brightnesse of his beme, And feruour fervour of his flames somewhat adaw: So did this mightie Ladie, when she saw Those two strange knights such homage to her make, Bate somewhat of that Maiestie Majestie and awe, That whylome wont to doe so many quake, And with more myld aspect those two to entertake. [36] Now at that instant, as occasion fell, When these two stranger knights arriu’d arriv’d in place, She was about affaires of common wele, Dealing of Iustice Justice with indifferent grace, And hearing pleas of people meane and base. Mongst which as then, there was for to be heard The tryall of a great and weightie case, Which on both sides was then debating hard: But at the sight of these, those were a while debard. [37] But after all her princely entertayne, To th’hearing of that former cause in hand, Her selfe eftsoones she gan conuert convert againe; Which that those knights likewise mote vnderstand understand , And witnesse forth aright in forrain land, Taking them vp up vnto unto her stately throne, Where they mote heare the matter throughly scand On either part, she placed th’one on th’one, The other on the other side, and neare them none. [38] Then was there brought, as prisoner to the barre, A Ladie of great countenance and place, But that she it with foule abuse did marre; Yet did appeare rare beautie in her face, Cant.IX. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 307 V2 But blotted with condition vile and base, That all her other honour did obscure, And titles of nobilitie deface: Yet in that wretched semblant, she did sure The peoples great compassion vnto unto her allure. [39] Then vp up arose a person of deepe reach, And rare in-sight, hard matters to reuele revele ; That well could charme his tongue, & and time his speach To all assayes; his name was called Zele: He gan that Ladie strongly to appele Of many haynous crymes, by her enured, And with sharpe reasons rang her such a pele, That those, whom she to pitie had allured, He now t’abhorre and loath her person had procured. [40] First gan he tell, how this that seem’d so faire And royally arayd, Duessa hight, That false Duessa, which had wrought great care, And mickle mischiefe vnto unto many a knight, By her beguyled, and confounded quight: But not for those she now in question came, Though also those mote question’d be aright, But for vyld treasons, and outrageous shame, Which she against the dred Mercilla oft did frame. [41] For she whylome (as ye mote yet right well Remember) had her counsels false conspyred, With faithlesse Blandamour and Paridell, (Both two her paramours, both by her hyred, And both with hope of shadowes vaine inspyred.) inspyred). And with them practiz’d, how for to depryue depryve Mercilla of her crowne, by her aspyred, That she might it vnto unto her selfe deryue deryve , And tryumph in their blood, whõ whom she to death did dryue dryve . 308 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. And [42] But through high heauens heavens grace, which fauour favour not The wicked driftes of trayterous desynes, Gainst loiall Princes, all this cursed plot, Ere proofe it tooke, discouered discovered was betymes, And th’actours won the meede meet for their crymes. Such be the meede of all, that by such mene Vnto Unto the type of kingdomes title clymes. But false Duessa now vntitled untitled Queene, Was brought to her sad doome, as here was to be seene. [43] Strongly did Zele her haynous fact enforce, And many other crimes of foule defame Against her brought, to banish all remorse, And aggrauate aggravate the horror of her blame. And with him to make part against her, came Many graue grave persons, that against her pled; First was a sage old Syre, that had to name The Kingdomes care, with a white siluer silver hed, That many high regards and reasons gainst her red. [44] Then gan Authority her to appose With peremptorie powre, that made all mute; And then the law of Nations gainst her rose, And reasons brought, that no man could refute; Next gan Religion gainst her to impute High Gods beheast, and powre of holy lawes; Then gan the Peoples cry and Commons sute, Importune care of their owne publicke cause; And lastly Iustice Justice charged her with breach of lawes. [45] But then for her, on the contrarie part, Rose many aduocates advocates for her to plead: First there came Pittie, with full tender hart, And with her ioyn’d joyn’d Regard of womanhead; Cant.IX. FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . 309 V3 And then came Daunger threatning hidden dread, And high alliance vnto unto forren powre; Then came Nobilitie of birth, that bread Great ruth through her misfortunes tragicke stowre; And lastly Griefe did plead, & and many teares forth powre. [46] With the neare touch whereof in tender hart The Briton Prince was sore empassionate, And woxe inclined much vnto unto her part, Through the sad terror of so dreadfull fate, And wretched ruine of so high estate, That for great ruth his courage gan relent. Which when as Zele perceiued perceived to abate, He gan his earnest feruour fervour to augment, And many fearefull obiects to them to present. [47] He gan t’efforce the euidence evidence anew, And new accusements to produce in place: He brought forth that old hag of hellish hew, The cursed Ate, brought her face to face, Who priuie privie was, and partie in the case: She, glad of spoyle and ruinous decay, Did her appeach, and to her more disgrace, The plot of all her practise did display, And all her traynes, and all her treasons forth did lay. [48] Then brought he forth, with griesly grim aspect, Abhorred Murder, who with bloudie knyfe Yet dropping fresh in hand did her detect, And there with guiltie bloudshed charged ryfe: Then brought he forth Sedition, breeding stryfe In troublous wits, and mutinous vprore uprore : Then brought he forth Incontinence of lyfe, Euen Even foule Adulterie her face before, And lewd Impietie, that her accused sore. 310 THE V. BOOKE OF THE Cant.IX. CANT. [49] All which when as the Prince had heard and seene, His former fancies ruth he gan repent, And from her partie eftsoones was drawen cleene. But Artegall with constant firme intent, For zeale of Iustice Justice was against her bent. So was she guiltie deemed of them all. Then Zele began to vrge urge her punishment, And to their Queene for iudgement judgement loudly call, Vnto Unto Mercilla myld for Iustice Justice gainst the thrall. [50] But she, whose Princely breast was touched nere With piteous ruth of her so wretched plight, Though plaine she saw by all, that she did heare, That she of death was guiltie found by right, Yet would not let iust just vengeance on her light; But rather let in stead thereof to fall Few perling drops from her faire lampes of light; The which she couering covering with her purple pall Would haue have the passion hid, and vp up arose withall.