FOOTNOTES:

Cant. XII.

The maske of Cupid, and th’enchauntedChamber are displayd.Whence Britomart redeemes faireAmoret, through charmes decayd.

The maske of Cupid, and th’enchaunted

Chamber are displayd.

Whence Britomart redeemes faire

Amoret, through charmes decayd.

Tho when as chearelesse Night ycouered hadiFaire heauen with an vniuersall cloud,That euery wight dismayd with darknesse sad,In silence and in sleepe themselues did shroud,She heard a shrilling Trompet sound aloud,Signe of nigh battell, or got victory;Nought therewith daunted was her courage proud,But rather stird to cruell enmity,Expecting euer, when some foe she might descry.With that, an hideous storme of winde arose,iiWith dreadfull thunder and lightning atwixt,And an earth-quake, as if it streight would loseThe worlds foundations from his centre fixt;A direfull stench of smoke and sulphure mixtEnsewd, whose noyance fild the fearefull sted,From the fourth houre of night vntill the sixt;Yet the boldBritonessewas nought ydred,Though much emmou’d, but stedfast still perseuered.

Tho when as chearelesse Night ycouered hadi

Faire heauen with an vniuersall cloud,

That euery wight dismayd with darknesse sad,

In silence and in sleepe themselues did shroud,

She heard a shrilling Trompet sound aloud,

Signe of nigh battell, or got victory;

Nought therewith daunted was her courage proud,

But rather stird to cruell enmity,

Expecting euer, when some foe she might descry.

With that, an hideous storme of winde arose,iiWith dreadfull thunder and lightning atwixt,And an earth-quake, as if it streight would loseThe worlds foundations from his centre fixt;A direfull stench of smoke and sulphure mixtEnsewd, whose noyance fild the fearefull sted,From the fourth houre of night vntill the sixt;Yet the boldBritonessewas nought ydred,Though much emmou’d, but stedfast still perseuered.

With that, an hideous storme of winde arose,ii

With dreadfull thunder and lightning atwixt,

And an earth-quake, as if it streight would lose

The worlds foundations from his centre fixt;

A direfull stench of smoke and sulphure mixt

Ensewd, whose noyance fild the fearefull sted,

From the fourth houre of night vntill the sixt;

Yet the boldBritonessewas nought ydred,

Though much emmou’d, but stedfast still perseuered.

All suddenly a stormy whirlwind blewiiiThroughout the house, that clapped euery dore,With which that yron wicket open flew,As it with mightie leuers had bene tore:And forth issewd, as on the ready floreOf some Theatre, a graue personage,That in his hand a branch of laurell bore,With comely haueour and count’nance sage,Yclad in costly garments, fit for tragicke Stage.Proceeding to the midst, he still did stand,ivAs if in mind he somewhat had to say,And to the vulgar beckning with his hand,In signe of silence, as to heare a play,By liuely actions he gan bewraySome argument of matter passioned;Which doen, he backe retyred soft away,And passing by, his name discouered,Ease, on his robe in golden letters cyphered.The noble Mayd, still standing all this vewd,vAnd merueild at his strange intendiment;With that a ioyous fellowship issewdOf Minstrals, making goodly meriment,With wanton Bardes, and Rymers impudent,All which together sung full chearefullyA lay of loues delight, with sweet concent[1164]:After whom marcht a iolly company,In manner of a maske, enranged orderly.The whiles a most delitious harmony,viIn full straunge notes was sweetly heard to sound,That the rare sweetnesse of the melodyThe feeble senses wholly did confound,And the fraile soule in deepe delight nigh dround:And when it ceast, shrill trompets loud did bray,That their report did farre away rebound,And when they ceast, it gan againe to play,The whiles the maskers marched forth in trim aray.

All suddenly a stormy whirlwind blewiii

Throughout the house, that clapped euery dore,

With which that yron wicket open flew,

As it with mightie leuers had bene tore:

And forth issewd, as on the ready flore

Of some Theatre, a graue personage,

That in his hand a branch of laurell bore,

With comely haueour and count’nance sage,

Yclad in costly garments, fit for tragicke Stage.

Proceeding to the midst, he still did stand,ivAs if in mind he somewhat had to say,And to the vulgar beckning with his hand,In signe of silence, as to heare a play,By liuely actions he gan bewraySome argument of matter passioned;Which doen, he backe retyred soft away,And passing by, his name discouered,Ease, on his robe in golden letters cyphered.

Proceeding to the midst, he still did stand,iv

As if in mind he somewhat had to say,

And to the vulgar beckning with his hand,

In signe of silence, as to heare a play,

By liuely actions he gan bewray

Some argument of matter passioned;

Which doen, he backe retyred soft away,

And passing by, his name discouered,

Ease, on his robe in golden letters cyphered.

The noble Mayd, still standing all this vewd,vAnd merueild at his strange intendiment;With that a ioyous fellowship issewdOf Minstrals, making goodly meriment,With wanton Bardes, and Rymers impudent,All which together sung full chearefullyA lay of loues delight, with sweet concent[1164]:After whom marcht a iolly company,In manner of a maske, enranged orderly.

The noble Mayd, still standing all this vewd,v

And merueild at his strange intendiment;

With that a ioyous fellowship issewd

Of Minstrals, making goodly meriment,

With wanton Bardes, and Rymers impudent,

All which together sung full chearefully

A lay of loues delight, with sweet concent[1164]:

After whom marcht a iolly company,

In manner of a maske, enranged orderly.

The whiles a most delitious harmony,viIn full straunge notes was sweetly heard to sound,That the rare sweetnesse of the melodyThe feeble senses wholly did confound,And the fraile soule in deepe delight nigh dround:And when it ceast, shrill trompets loud did bray,That their report did farre away rebound,And when they ceast, it gan againe to play,The whiles the maskers marched forth in trim aray.

The whiles a most delitious harmony,vi

In full straunge notes was sweetly heard to sound,

That the rare sweetnesse of the melody

The feeble senses wholly did confound,

And the fraile soule in deepe delight nigh dround:

And when it ceast, shrill trompets loud did bray,

That their report did farre away rebound,

And when they ceast, it gan againe to play,

The whiles the maskers marched forth in trim aray.

The first wasFancy, like a louely boy,viiOf rare aspect, and beautie without peare;Matchable either[1165]to that ympe ofTroy,WhomIouedid loue, and chose his cup to beare,Or that same daintie lad, which was so deareTo greatAlcides, that when as he dyde,He wailed womanlike with many a teare,And euery wood,[1166]and euery valley wydeHe fild withHylasname; the Nymphes ekeHylascryde.His garment neither[1167]was of silke nor say,viiiBut painted plumes, in goodly order dight,Like as the sunburntIndiansdo arayTheir tawney bodies, in their proudest plight:As those same plumes, so seemd he vaine and light,That by his gate might easily appeare;For still he far’d as dauncing in delight,And in his hand a windy fan did beare,That in the idle aire he mou’d still here and there.And him beside marcht amorousDesyre,ixWho seemd of riper yeares, then th’other Swaine,Yet was that other[1168]swayne this elders syre,And gaue him being, commune to them twaine:His garment was disguised very vaine,And his embrodered Bonet sat awry;Twixt both his hands few sparkes he close did straine,Which still he blew, and kindled busily,That soone they life conceiu’d, and forth in flames did fly.Next after him wentDoubt, who was ycladxIn a discolour’d cote, of straunge disguyse,That at his backe a brode Capuccio had,And sleeues dependantAlbanese-wyse:He lookt askew with his mistrustfull eyes,And nicely trode, as thornes lay in his way,Or that the flore to shrinke he did auyse,And on a broken reed he still did stayHis feeble steps, which shrunke, when hard theron he lay.

The first wasFancy, like a louely boy,vii

Of rare aspect, and beautie without peare;

Matchable either[1165]to that ympe ofTroy,

WhomIouedid loue, and chose his cup to beare,

Or that same daintie lad, which was so deare

To greatAlcides, that when as he dyde,

He wailed womanlike with many a teare,

And euery wood,[1166]and euery valley wyde

He fild withHylasname; the Nymphes ekeHylascryde.

His garment neither[1167]was of silke nor say,viiiBut painted plumes, in goodly order dight,Like as the sunburntIndiansdo arayTheir tawney bodies, in their proudest plight:As those same plumes, so seemd he vaine and light,That by his gate might easily appeare;For still he far’d as dauncing in delight,And in his hand a windy fan did beare,That in the idle aire he mou’d still here and there.

His garment neither[1167]was of silke nor say,viii

But painted plumes, in goodly order dight,

Like as the sunburntIndiansdo aray

Their tawney bodies, in their proudest plight:

As those same plumes, so seemd he vaine and light,

That by his gate might easily appeare;

For still he far’d as dauncing in delight,

And in his hand a windy fan did beare,

That in the idle aire he mou’d still here and there.

And him beside marcht amorousDesyre,ixWho seemd of riper yeares, then th’other Swaine,Yet was that other[1168]swayne this elders syre,And gaue him being, commune to them twaine:His garment was disguised very vaine,And his embrodered Bonet sat awry;Twixt both his hands few sparkes he close did straine,Which still he blew, and kindled busily,That soone they life conceiu’d, and forth in flames did fly.

And him beside marcht amorousDesyre,ix

Who seemd of riper yeares, then th’other Swaine,

Yet was that other[1168]swayne this elders syre,

And gaue him being, commune to them twaine:

His garment was disguised very vaine,

And his embrodered Bonet sat awry;

Twixt both his hands few sparkes he close did straine,

Which still he blew, and kindled busily,

That soone they life conceiu’d, and forth in flames did fly.

Next after him wentDoubt, who was ycladxIn a discolour’d cote, of straunge disguyse,That at his backe a brode Capuccio had,And sleeues dependantAlbanese-wyse:He lookt askew with his mistrustfull eyes,And nicely trode, as thornes lay in his way,Or that the flore to shrinke he did auyse,And on a broken reed he still did stayHis feeble steps, which shrunke, when hard theron he lay.

Next after him wentDoubt, who was ycladx

In a discolour’d cote, of straunge disguyse,

That at his backe a brode Capuccio had,

And sleeues dependantAlbanese-wyse:

He lookt askew with his mistrustfull eyes,

And nicely trode, as thornes lay in his way,

Or that the flore to shrinke he did auyse,

And on a broken reed he still did stay

His feeble steps, which shrunke, when hard theron he lay.

With him wentDaunger, cloth’d[1169]in ragged weed,xiMade of Beares skin, that him more dreadfull made,Yet his owne face was dreadfull, ne did needStraunge horrour, to deforme his griesly shade;A net in th’one hand, and a rustie bladeIn th’other was, this Mischiefe, that Mishap;With th’one his foes he threatned to inuade,With th’other he his friends ment to enwrap:For whom he could not kill, he practizd to entrap.Next him wasFeare, all arm’d from top to toe,xiiYet thought himselfe not safe enough thereby,But feard each shadow mouing to and[1170]fro,And his owne armes when glittering he did spy,Or clashing heard, he fast away did fly,As ashes pale of hew, and wingyheeld[1171];And euermore on daunger fixt his eye,Gainst whom he alwaies bent a brasen shield,Which his right hand vnarmed fearefully did wield.With him wentHopein rancke, a handsome Mayd,xiiiOf chearefull looke and louely to behold;In silken samite she was light arayd,And her faire lockes were wouen vp in gold;She alway smyld, and in her hand did holdAn holy water Sprinckle, dipt in deowe,With which she sprinckled fauours manifold,On whom she list, and did great liking sheowe,Great liking vnto many, but true loue to feowe.And after themDissemblance, andSuspectxivMarcht in one rancke, yet an vnequall paire:For she was gentle, and of milde aspect,Courteous to all, and seeming debonaire,Goodly adorned, and exceeding faire:Yet was that all but painted, and purloynd,And her bright browes were deckt with borrowed haire:Her deedes were forged, and her words false coynd,And alwaies in her hand two clewes of silke she twynd.

With him wentDaunger, cloth’d[1169]in ragged weed,xi

Made of Beares skin, that him more dreadfull made,

Yet his owne face was dreadfull, ne did need

Straunge horrour, to deforme his griesly shade;

A net in th’one hand, and a rustie blade

In th’other was, this Mischiefe, that Mishap;

With th’one his foes he threatned to inuade,

With th’other he his friends ment to enwrap:

For whom he could not kill, he practizd to entrap.

Next him wasFeare, all arm’d from top to toe,xiiYet thought himselfe not safe enough thereby,But feard each shadow mouing to and[1170]fro,And his owne armes when glittering he did spy,Or clashing heard, he fast away did fly,As ashes pale of hew, and wingyheeld[1171];And euermore on daunger fixt his eye,Gainst whom he alwaies bent a brasen shield,Which his right hand vnarmed fearefully did wield.

Next him wasFeare, all arm’d from top to toe,xii

Yet thought himselfe not safe enough thereby,

But feard each shadow mouing to and[1170]fro,

And his owne armes when glittering he did spy,

Or clashing heard, he fast away did fly,

As ashes pale of hew, and wingyheeld[1171];

And euermore on daunger fixt his eye,

Gainst whom he alwaies bent a brasen shield,

Which his right hand vnarmed fearefully did wield.

With him wentHopein rancke, a handsome Mayd,xiiiOf chearefull looke and louely to behold;In silken samite she was light arayd,And her faire lockes were wouen vp in gold;She alway smyld, and in her hand did holdAn holy water Sprinckle, dipt in deowe,With which she sprinckled fauours manifold,On whom she list, and did great liking sheowe,Great liking vnto many, but true loue to feowe.

With him wentHopein rancke, a handsome Mayd,xiii

Of chearefull looke and louely to behold;

In silken samite she was light arayd,

And her faire lockes were wouen vp in gold;

She alway smyld, and in her hand did hold

An holy water Sprinckle, dipt in deowe,

With which she sprinckled fauours manifold,

On whom she list, and did great liking sheowe,

Great liking vnto many, but true loue to feowe.

And after themDissemblance, andSuspectxivMarcht in one rancke, yet an vnequall paire:For she was gentle, and of milde aspect,Courteous to all, and seeming debonaire,Goodly adorned, and exceeding faire:Yet was that all but painted, and purloynd,And her bright browes were deckt with borrowed haire:Her deedes were forged, and her words false coynd,And alwaies in her hand two clewes of silke she twynd.

And after themDissemblance, andSuspectxiv

Marcht in one rancke, yet an vnequall paire:

For she was gentle, and of milde aspect,

Courteous to all, and seeming debonaire,

Goodly adorned, and exceeding faire:

Yet was that all but painted, and purloynd,

And her bright browes were deckt with borrowed haire:

Her deedes were forged, and her words false coynd,

And alwaies in her hand two clewes of silke she twynd.

But he was foule, ill fauoured, and grim,xvVnder his eyebrowes looking still askaunce;And euer asDissemblancelaught on him,He lowrd on her with daungerous eyeglaunce;Shewing his nature in his countenance;His rolling eyes did neuer rest in place,But walkt each where, for feare of hid mischaunce,Holding a lattice still before his face,Through which he still did peepe, as forward he did pace.Next him wentGriefe, andFurymatcht yfere;xviGriefeall in sable sorrowfully clad,Downe hanging his dull head, with heauy chere,Yet inly being more, then seeming sad:A paire of Pincers in his hand he had,With which he pinched people to the hart,That from thenceforth a wretched life they lad,In wilfull languor and consuming smart,Dying each day with inward wounds of dolours dart.ButFurywas full ill appareiledxviiIn rags, that naked nigh she did appeare,With ghastly lookes and dreadfull drerihed;For from her backe her garments she did teare,And from her head oft rent her snarled heare:In her right hand a firebrand she did tosse[1172]About her head, still roming here and there;As a dismayed Deare in chace embost,Forgetfull of his safety, hath his right way lost.After them wentDispleasureandPleasance,xviiiHe looking lompish and full sullein sad,And hanging downe his heauy countenance;She chearefull fresh and full of ioyance glad,As if no sorrow she ne felt ne drad[1173];That euill matched paire they seemd to bee:An angry Waspe th’one in a viall hadTh’other in hers an hony-lady[1174]Bee;Thus marched these sixe couples forth in faire degree.

But he was foule, ill fauoured, and grim,xv

Vnder his eyebrowes looking still askaunce;

And euer asDissemblancelaught on him,

He lowrd on her with daungerous eyeglaunce;

Shewing his nature in his countenance;

His rolling eyes did neuer rest in place,

But walkt each where, for feare of hid mischaunce,

Holding a lattice still before his face,

Through which he still did peepe, as forward he did pace.

Next him wentGriefe, andFurymatcht yfere;xviGriefeall in sable sorrowfully clad,Downe hanging his dull head, with heauy chere,Yet inly being more, then seeming sad:A paire of Pincers in his hand he had,With which he pinched people to the hart,That from thenceforth a wretched life they lad,In wilfull languor and consuming smart,Dying each day with inward wounds of dolours dart.

Next him wentGriefe, andFurymatcht yfere;xvi

Griefeall in sable sorrowfully clad,

Downe hanging his dull head, with heauy chere,

Yet inly being more, then seeming sad:

A paire of Pincers in his hand he had,

With which he pinched people to the hart,

That from thenceforth a wretched life they lad,

In wilfull languor and consuming smart,

Dying each day with inward wounds of dolours dart.

ButFurywas full ill appareiledxviiIn rags, that naked nigh she did appeare,With ghastly lookes and dreadfull drerihed;For from her backe her garments she did teare,And from her head oft rent her snarled heare:In her right hand a firebrand she did tosse[1172]About her head, still roming here and there;As a dismayed Deare in chace embost,Forgetfull of his safety, hath his right way lost.

ButFurywas full ill appareiledxvii

In rags, that naked nigh she did appeare,

With ghastly lookes and dreadfull drerihed;

For from her backe her garments she did teare,

And from her head oft rent her snarled heare:

In her right hand a firebrand she did tosse[1172]

About her head, still roming here and there;

As a dismayed Deare in chace embost,

Forgetfull of his safety, hath his right way lost.

After them wentDispleasureandPleasance,xviiiHe looking lompish and full sullein sad,And hanging downe his heauy countenance;She chearefull fresh and full of ioyance glad,As if no sorrow she ne felt ne drad[1173];That euill matched paire they seemd to bee:An angry Waspe th’one in a viall hadTh’other in hers an hony-lady[1174]Bee;Thus marched these sixe couples forth in faire degree.

After them wentDispleasureandPleasance,xviii

He looking lompish and full sullein sad,

And hanging downe his heauy countenance;

She chearefull fresh and full of ioyance glad,

As if no sorrow she ne felt ne drad[1173];

That euill matched paire they seemd to bee:

An angry Waspe th’one in a viall had

Th’other in hers an hony-lady[1174]Bee;

Thus marched these sixe couples forth in faire degree.

After all these there marcht a most faire Dame,xixLed of two grysie villeins, th’oneDespight,The other clepedCrueltyby name:She dolefull Lady, like a dreary Spright,Cald by strong charmes out of eternall night,Had deathes owne image figurd in her face,Full of sad signes, fearefull to liuing sight;Yet in that horror shewd a seemely grace,And with her feeble feet did moue a comely pace.Her brest all naked, as net iuory,xxWithout adorne of gold or siluer bright,Wherewith the Craftesman wonts it beautify,Of her dew honour was despoyled quight,And a wide wound therein (O ruefull sight)Entrenched deepe with knife accursed keene,Yet freshly bleeding forth her fainting spright,(The worke of cruell hand) was to be seene,That dyde in sanguine red her skin all snowy cleene.At that wide orifice her trembling hartxxiWas drawne forth, and in siluer basin layd,Quite through transfixed with a deadly dart,And in her bloud yet steeming fresh embayd:And those two villeins, which her steps vpstayd,When her weake feete could scarcely her sustaine,And fading[1175]vitall powers gan to fade,Her forward still[1176]with torture did constraine,And euermore encreased her consuming paine.Next after her the winged God himselfexxiiCame riding on a Lion rauenous,Taught to obay the menage of that Elfe,That man and beast with powre imperiousSubdeweth to his kingdome[1177]tyrannous:His blindfold eyes he bad a while vnbind,That his proud spoyle of that same dolorousFaire Dame he might behold in perfect kind;Which seene, he much reioyced in his cruell mind.

After all these there marcht a most faire Dame,xix

Led of two grysie villeins, th’oneDespight,

The other clepedCrueltyby name:

She dolefull Lady, like a dreary Spright,

Cald by strong charmes out of eternall night,

Had deathes owne image figurd in her face,

Full of sad signes, fearefull to liuing sight;

Yet in that horror shewd a seemely grace,

And with her feeble feet did moue a comely pace.

Her brest all naked, as net iuory,xxWithout adorne of gold or siluer bright,Wherewith the Craftesman wonts it beautify,Of her dew honour was despoyled quight,And a wide wound therein (O ruefull sight)Entrenched deepe with knife accursed keene,Yet freshly bleeding forth her fainting spright,(The worke of cruell hand) was to be seene,That dyde in sanguine red her skin all snowy cleene.

Her brest all naked, as net iuory,xx

Without adorne of gold or siluer bright,

Wherewith the Craftesman wonts it beautify,

Of her dew honour was despoyled quight,

And a wide wound therein (O ruefull sight)

Entrenched deepe with knife accursed keene,

Yet freshly bleeding forth her fainting spright,

(The worke of cruell hand) was to be seene,

That dyde in sanguine red her skin all snowy cleene.

At that wide orifice her trembling hartxxiWas drawne forth, and in siluer basin layd,Quite through transfixed with a deadly dart,And in her bloud yet steeming fresh embayd:And those two villeins, which her steps vpstayd,When her weake feete could scarcely her sustaine,And fading[1175]vitall powers gan to fade,Her forward still[1176]with torture did constraine,And euermore encreased her consuming paine.

At that wide orifice her trembling hartxxi

Was drawne forth, and in siluer basin layd,

Quite through transfixed with a deadly dart,

And in her bloud yet steeming fresh embayd:

And those two villeins, which her steps vpstayd,

When her weake feete could scarcely her sustaine,

And fading[1175]vitall powers gan to fade,

Her forward still[1176]with torture did constraine,

And euermore encreased her consuming paine.

Next after her the winged God himselfexxiiCame riding on a Lion rauenous,Taught to obay the menage of that Elfe,That man and beast with powre imperiousSubdeweth to his kingdome[1177]tyrannous:His blindfold eyes he bad a while vnbind,That his proud spoyle of that same dolorousFaire Dame he might behold in perfect kind;Which seene, he much reioyced in his cruell mind.

Next after her the winged God himselfexxii

Came riding on a Lion rauenous,

Taught to obay the menage of that Elfe,

That man and beast with powre imperious

Subdeweth to his kingdome[1177]tyrannous:

His blindfold eyes he bad a while vnbind,

That his proud spoyle of that same dolorous

Faire Dame he might behold in perfect kind;

Which seene, he much reioyced in his cruell mind.

Of which full proud, himselfe vp rearing hye,xxiiiHe looked round about with sterne disdaine;And did suruay his goodly company:And marshalling the euill ordered traine,With that the darts which his right hand did[1178]straine,Full dreadfully he shooke that all did quake,And clapt on hie his coulourd winges twaine,That all his many it affraide did make:Tho blinding him againe, his way he forth did take.Behinde him wasReproch,Repentance,Shame;xxivReprochthe first,Shamenext,Repentbehind:Repentancefeeble, sorrowfull, and lame:Reprochdespightfull, carelesse, and vnkind;Shamemost ill fauourd, bestiall, and blind:Shamelowrd,Repentancesigh’d,Reprochdid scould;Reprochsharpe stings,Repentancewhips entwind,Shameburning brond-yrons in her hand did hold:All three to each vnlike, yet all made in one mould.And after them a rude confused routxxvOf persons flockt, whose names is hard to read:Emongst them was sterneStrife, andAngerstout,VnquietCare, and fondVnthriftihead,LewdLosse of Time, andSorrowseeming dead,InconstantChaunge, and falseDisloyaltie,ConsumingRiotise, and guiltyDreadOf heauenly vengeance, faintInfirmitie,VilePouertie, and lastlyDeathwith infamie.There were full many moe like maladies,xxviWhose names and natures I note readen well;So many moe, as there be phantasiesIn wauering wemens wit, that none can tell,Or paines in loue, or punishments in hell;All[1179]which disguized marcht in masking wise,About the chamber with that[1180]Damozell,And then returned, hauing marched thrise,Into the inner roome, from whence they first did rise.

Of which full proud, himselfe vp rearing hye,xxiii

He looked round about with sterne disdaine;

And did suruay his goodly company:

And marshalling the euill ordered traine,

With that the darts which his right hand did[1178]straine,

Full dreadfully he shooke that all did quake,

And clapt on hie his coulourd winges twaine,

That all his many it affraide did make:

Tho blinding him againe, his way he forth did take.

Behinde him wasReproch,Repentance,Shame;xxivReprochthe first,Shamenext,Repentbehind:Repentancefeeble, sorrowfull, and lame:Reprochdespightfull, carelesse, and vnkind;Shamemost ill fauourd, bestiall, and blind:Shamelowrd,Repentancesigh’d,Reprochdid scould;Reprochsharpe stings,Repentancewhips entwind,Shameburning brond-yrons in her hand did hold:All three to each vnlike, yet all made in one mould.

Behinde him wasReproch,Repentance,Shame;xxiv

Reprochthe first,Shamenext,Repentbehind:

Repentancefeeble, sorrowfull, and lame:

Reprochdespightfull, carelesse, and vnkind;

Shamemost ill fauourd, bestiall, and blind:

Shamelowrd,Repentancesigh’d,Reprochdid scould;

Reprochsharpe stings,Repentancewhips entwind,

Shameburning brond-yrons in her hand did hold:

All three to each vnlike, yet all made in one mould.

And after them a rude confused routxxvOf persons flockt, whose names is hard to read:Emongst them was sterneStrife, andAngerstout,VnquietCare, and fondVnthriftihead,LewdLosse of Time, andSorrowseeming dead,InconstantChaunge, and falseDisloyaltie,ConsumingRiotise, and guiltyDreadOf heauenly vengeance, faintInfirmitie,VilePouertie, and lastlyDeathwith infamie.

And after them a rude confused routxxv

Of persons flockt, whose names is hard to read:

Emongst them was sterneStrife, andAngerstout,

VnquietCare, and fondVnthriftihead,

LewdLosse of Time, andSorrowseeming dead,

InconstantChaunge, and falseDisloyaltie,

ConsumingRiotise, and guiltyDread

Of heauenly vengeance, faintInfirmitie,

VilePouertie, and lastlyDeathwith infamie.

There were full many moe like maladies,xxviWhose names and natures I note readen well;So many moe, as there be phantasiesIn wauering wemens wit, that none can tell,Or paines in loue, or punishments in hell;All[1179]which disguized marcht in masking wise,About the chamber with that[1180]Damozell,And then returned, hauing marched thrise,Into the inner roome, from whence they first did rise.

There were full many moe like maladies,xxvi

Whose names and natures I note readen well;

So many moe, as there be phantasies

In wauering wemens wit, that none can tell,

Or paines in loue, or punishments in hell;

All[1179]which disguized marcht in masking wise,

About the chamber with that[1180]Damozell,

And then returned, hauing marched thrise,

Into the inner roome, from whence they first did rise.

So soone as they were in, the dore streight wayxxviiFast locked, driuen with that stormy blast,Which first it opened; and bore all away[1181].Then the braue Maid, which all this while was plast[1182]In secret shade, and saw both first and last,Issewed forth, and went vnto the dore,To enter in, but found it locked fast:It vaine she thought with rigorous vproreFor to efforce, when charmes had closed it afore.Where force might not auaile, there[1183]sleights and art xxviiiShe cast to vse, both fit for hard emprize;For thy from that same roome not to departTill morrow next, she did her selfe auize,When that same Maske againe should forth arize.The morrow next appeard with ioyous cheare,Calling men to their daily exercize,Then she, as morrow fresh, her selfe did reareOut of her secret stand, that day for to out weare.All that day she outwore in wandering,xxixAnd gazing on that Chambers ornament,Till that againe the second eueningHer couered with her sable vestiment,Wherewith the worlds faire beautie she hath blent:Then when the second watch was almost past,That brasen dore flew open, and in wentBoldBritomart, as she had late forecast,Neither of idle shewes[1184], nor of false charmes aghast.So soone as she was entred, round aboutxxxShe cast her eies, to see what was becomeOf all those persons, which she saw without:But lo, they streight were vanisht all and some,Ne liuing wight she saw in all that roome,Saue that same woefull Ladie, both whose handsWere bounden fast, that did her ill become,And her small wast girt round with yron bands,Vnto a brasen pillour, by the which she stands.

So soone as they were in, the dore streight wayxxvii

Fast locked, driuen with that stormy blast,

Which first it opened; and bore all away[1181].

Then the braue Maid, which all this while was plast[1182]

In secret shade, and saw both first and last,

Issewed forth, and went vnto the dore,

To enter in, but found it locked fast:

It vaine she thought with rigorous vprore

For to efforce, when charmes had closed it afore.

Where force might not auaile, there[1183]sleights and art xxviiiShe cast to vse, both fit for hard emprize;For thy from that same roome not to departTill morrow next, she did her selfe auize,When that same Maske againe should forth arize.The morrow next appeard with ioyous cheare,Calling men to their daily exercize,Then she, as morrow fresh, her selfe did reareOut of her secret stand, that day for to out weare.

Where force might not auaile, there[1183]sleights and art xxviii

She cast to vse, both fit for hard emprize;

For thy from that same roome not to depart

Till morrow next, she did her selfe auize,

When that same Maske againe should forth arize.

The morrow next appeard with ioyous cheare,

Calling men to their daily exercize,

Then she, as morrow fresh, her selfe did reare

Out of her secret stand, that day for to out weare.

All that day she outwore in wandering,xxixAnd gazing on that Chambers ornament,Till that againe the second eueningHer couered with her sable vestiment,Wherewith the worlds faire beautie she hath blent:Then when the second watch was almost past,That brasen dore flew open, and in wentBoldBritomart, as she had late forecast,Neither of idle shewes[1184], nor of false charmes aghast.

All that day she outwore in wandering,xxix

And gazing on that Chambers ornament,

Till that againe the second euening

Her couered with her sable vestiment,

Wherewith the worlds faire beautie she hath blent:

Then when the second watch was almost past,

That brasen dore flew open, and in went

BoldBritomart, as she had late forecast,

Neither of idle shewes[1184], nor of false charmes aghast.

So soone as she was entred, round aboutxxxShe cast her eies, to see what was becomeOf all those persons, which she saw without:But lo, they streight were vanisht all and some,Ne liuing wight she saw in all that roome,Saue that same woefull Ladie, both whose handsWere bounden fast, that did her ill become,And her small wast girt round with yron bands,Vnto a brasen pillour, by the which she stands.

So soone as she was entred, round aboutxxx

She cast her eies, to see what was become

Of all those persons, which she saw without:

But lo, they streight were vanisht all and some,

Ne liuing wight she saw in all that roome,

Saue that same woefull Ladie, both whose hands

Were bounden fast, that did her ill become,

And her small wast girt round with yron bands,

Vnto a brasen pillour, by the which she stands.

And her before the vile Enchaunter sate,xxxiFiguring straunge characters of his art,With liuing bloud he those characters wrate[1185],Dreadfully dropping from her dying hart,Seeming transfixed with a cruell dart,And all perforce to make her him to loue.Ah who can loue the worker of her smart?A thousand charmes he formerly did proue;Yet thousand charmes could not her stedfast heart remoue.Soone as that virgin knight he saw in place,xxxiiHis wicked bookes in hast he ouerthrew,Not caring his long labours to deface,And fiercely ronning to that Lady trew,A murdrous knife out of his pocket drew,The which he thought, for villeinous despight,In her tormented bodie to embrew:But the stout Damzell to him leaping light,His cursed hand withheld, and maistered his might.From her, to whom his fury first he ment,xxxiiiThe wicked weapon rashly he did wrest,And turning to her selfe[1186]his fell intent,Vnwares it strooke into her snowie chest,That little drops empurpled her faire brest.Exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew,Albe the wound were nothing deepe imprest,And fiercely forth her mortall blade she drew,To giue him the reward for such vile outrage dew.So mightily she smote him, that to groundxxxivHe fell halfe dead; next stroke him should haue slaine,Had not the Lady, which by him stood bound,Dernely vnto her[1187]called to abstaine,From doing him to dy. For else her paineShould be remedilesse, sith none but hee,Which wrought it, could the same recure againe.Therewith she stayd her hand, loth stayd to bee;For life she him enuyde, and long’d reuenge to see.

And her before the vile Enchaunter sate,xxxi

Figuring straunge characters of his art,

With liuing bloud he those characters wrate[1185],

Dreadfully dropping from her dying hart,

Seeming transfixed with a cruell dart,

And all perforce to make her him to loue.

Ah who can loue the worker of her smart?

A thousand charmes he formerly did proue;

Yet thousand charmes could not her stedfast heart remoue.

Soone as that virgin knight he saw in place,xxxiiHis wicked bookes in hast he ouerthrew,Not caring his long labours to deface,And fiercely ronning to that Lady trew,A murdrous knife out of his pocket drew,The which he thought, for villeinous despight,In her tormented bodie to embrew:But the stout Damzell to him leaping light,His cursed hand withheld, and maistered his might.

Soone as that virgin knight he saw in place,xxxii

His wicked bookes in hast he ouerthrew,

Not caring his long labours to deface,

And fiercely ronning to that Lady trew,

A murdrous knife out of his pocket drew,

The which he thought, for villeinous despight,

In her tormented bodie to embrew:

But the stout Damzell to him leaping light,

His cursed hand withheld, and maistered his might.

From her, to whom his fury first he ment,xxxiiiThe wicked weapon rashly he did wrest,And turning to her selfe[1186]his fell intent,Vnwares it strooke into her snowie chest,That little drops empurpled her faire brest.Exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew,Albe the wound were nothing deepe imprest,And fiercely forth her mortall blade she drew,To giue him the reward for such vile outrage dew.

From her, to whom his fury first he ment,xxxiii

The wicked weapon rashly he did wrest,

And turning to her selfe[1186]his fell intent,

Vnwares it strooke into her snowie chest,

That little drops empurpled her faire brest.

Exceeding wroth therewith the virgin grew,

Albe the wound were nothing deepe imprest,

And fiercely forth her mortall blade she drew,

To giue him the reward for such vile outrage dew.

So mightily she smote him, that to groundxxxivHe fell halfe dead; next stroke him should haue slaine,Had not the Lady, which by him stood bound,Dernely vnto her[1187]called to abstaine,From doing him to dy. For else her paineShould be remedilesse, sith none but hee,Which wrought it, could the same recure againe.Therewith she stayd her hand, loth stayd to bee;For life she him enuyde, and long’d reuenge to see.

So mightily she smote him, that to groundxxxiv

He fell halfe dead; next stroke him should haue slaine,

Had not the Lady, which by him stood bound,

Dernely vnto her[1187]called to abstaine,

From doing him to dy. For else her paine

Should be remedilesse, sith none but hee,

Which wrought it, could the same recure againe.

Therewith she stayd her hand, loth stayd to bee;

For life she him enuyde, and long’d reuenge to see.

And to him said, Thou wicked man, whose meedxxxvFor so huge mischiefe, and vile villanyIs death, or if that ought do death exceed,Be sure, that nought may saue thee from to dy,But if that thou this Dame doe presentlyRestore vnto her health, and former state;This doe and liue, else die vndoubtedly.He glad of life, that lookt for death but late,Did yield himselfe right willing to prolong his date.And rising vp, gan streight to ouerlookexxxviThose cursed leaues, his charmes backe to reuerse;Full dreadfull things out of that balefull bookeHe red, and measur’d many a sad verse,That horror gan the virgins hart to perse,And her faire locks vp stared stiffe on end,Hearing him those same bloudy lines reherse;And all the while he red, she did extendHer sword high ouer him, if ought he did offend.Anon she gan perceiue the house to quake,xxxviiAnd all the dores to rattle round about;Yet all that did not her dismaied make,Nor slacke her threatfull hand for daungers dout,But still with stedfast eye and courage stoutAbode, to weet what end would come of all.At last that mightie chaine, which round aboutHer tender waste was wound, adowne gan fall,And that great brasen pillour broke in peeces small.The cruell steele, which thrild her dying hart,xxxviiiFell softly forth, as of his owne accord,And the wyde wound, which lately did dispartHer bleeding brest, and riuen bowels gor’d,Was closed vp, as it had not bene bor’d[1188],And euery part to safety full sound,As she were neuer hurt, was soone restor’d:Tho when she felt her selfe to be vnbound,And perfect hole, prostrate she fell vnto the ground.

And to him said, Thou wicked man, whose meedxxxv

For so huge mischiefe, and vile villany

Is death, or if that ought do death exceed,

Be sure, that nought may saue thee from to dy,

But if that thou this Dame doe presently

Restore vnto her health, and former state;

This doe and liue, else die vndoubtedly.

He glad of life, that lookt for death but late,

Did yield himselfe right willing to prolong his date.

And rising vp, gan streight to ouerlookexxxviThose cursed leaues, his charmes backe to reuerse;Full dreadfull things out of that balefull bookeHe red, and measur’d many a sad verse,That horror gan the virgins hart to perse,And her faire locks vp stared stiffe on end,Hearing him those same bloudy lines reherse;And all the while he red, she did extendHer sword high ouer him, if ought he did offend.

And rising vp, gan streight to ouerlookexxxvi

Those cursed leaues, his charmes backe to reuerse;

Full dreadfull things out of that balefull booke

He red, and measur’d many a sad verse,

That horror gan the virgins hart to perse,

And her faire locks vp stared stiffe on end,

Hearing him those same bloudy lines reherse;

And all the while he red, she did extend

Her sword high ouer him, if ought he did offend.

Anon she gan perceiue the house to quake,xxxviiAnd all the dores to rattle round about;Yet all that did not her dismaied make,Nor slacke her threatfull hand for daungers dout,But still with stedfast eye and courage stoutAbode, to weet what end would come of all.At last that mightie chaine, which round aboutHer tender waste was wound, adowne gan fall,And that great brasen pillour broke in peeces small.

Anon she gan perceiue the house to quake,xxxvii

And all the dores to rattle round about;

Yet all that did not her dismaied make,

Nor slacke her threatfull hand for daungers dout,

But still with stedfast eye and courage stout

Abode, to weet what end would come of all.

At last that mightie chaine, which round about

Her tender waste was wound, adowne gan fall,

And that great brasen pillour broke in peeces small.

The cruell steele, which thrild her dying hart,xxxviiiFell softly forth, as of his owne accord,And the wyde wound, which lately did dispartHer bleeding brest, and riuen bowels gor’d,Was closed vp, as it had not bene bor’d[1188],And euery part to safety full sound,As she were neuer hurt, was soone restor’d:Tho when she felt her selfe to be vnbound,And perfect hole, prostrate she fell vnto the ground.

The cruell steele, which thrild her dying hart,xxxviii

Fell softly forth, as of his owne accord,

And the wyde wound, which lately did dispart

Her bleeding brest, and riuen bowels gor’d,

Was closed vp, as it had not bene bor’d[1188],

And euery part to safety full sound,

As she were neuer hurt, was soone restor’d:

Tho when she felt her selfe to be vnbound,

And perfect hole, prostrate she fell vnto the ground.

Before faireBritomart, she fell prostrate,xxxixSaying, Ah noble knight, what worthy meedCan wretched Lady, quit from wofull state,Yield you in liew of this your gratious deed?Your vertue selfe her owne reward shall breed,Euen immortall praise, and glory wyde,Which I your vassall, by your prowesse freed,Shall through the world make to be notifyde,And goodly well aduance, that goodly well was tryde.ButBritomartvprearing her from ground,xlSaid, Gentle Dame, reward enough I weeneFor many labours more, then I haue found,This, that in safety now I haue you seene,And meane of your deliuerance haue beene:Henceforth faire Lady comfort to you take,And put away remembrance of late teene;In stead thereof know, that your louing Make,Hath no lesse griefe endured for your gentle sake.She much was cheard to heare him mentiond,xliWhom of all liuing wights she loued best.Then laid the noble Championesse strong hondVpon th’enchaunter, which had her distrestSo sore, and with foule outrages opprest:With that great chaine, wherewith not long ygoHe bound that pitteous Lady prisoner, now relest,Himselfe she bound, more worthy to be so,And captiue with her led to wretchednesse and wo.Returning backe, those goodly roomes, which erstxliiShe[1189]saw so rich and royally arayd,Now vanisht vtterly, and cleane subuerstShe[1190]found, and all their glory quite decayd,That sight of such a chaunge her[1191]much dismayd.Thence forth descending to that perlous Porch,Those dreadfull flames she also found delayd,And quenched quite, like a consumed torch,That erst all entrers wont so cruelly to scorch.

Before faireBritomart, she fell prostrate,xxxix

Saying, Ah noble knight, what worthy meed

Can wretched Lady, quit from wofull state,

Yield you in liew of this your gratious deed?

Your vertue selfe her owne reward shall breed,

Euen immortall praise, and glory wyde,

Which I your vassall, by your prowesse freed,

Shall through the world make to be notifyde,

And goodly well aduance, that goodly well was tryde.

ButBritomartvprearing her from ground,xlSaid, Gentle Dame, reward enough I weeneFor many labours more, then I haue found,This, that in safety now I haue you seene,And meane of your deliuerance haue beene:Henceforth faire Lady comfort to you take,And put away remembrance of late teene;In stead thereof know, that your louing Make,Hath no lesse griefe endured for your gentle sake.

ButBritomartvprearing her from ground,xl

Said, Gentle Dame, reward enough I weene

For many labours more, then I haue found,

This, that in safety now I haue you seene,

And meane of your deliuerance haue beene:

Henceforth faire Lady comfort to you take,

And put away remembrance of late teene;

In stead thereof know, that your louing Make,

Hath no lesse griefe endured for your gentle sake.

She much was cheard to heare him mentiond,xliWhom of all liuing wights she loued best.Then laid the noble Championesse strong hondVpon th’enchaunter, which had her distrestSo sore, and with foule outrages opprest:With that great chaine, wherewith not long ygoHe bound that pitteous Lady prisoner, now relest,Himselfe she bound, more worthy to be so,And captiue with her led to wretchednesse and wo.

She much was cheard to heare him mentiond,xli

Whom of all liuing wights she loued best.

Then laid the noble Championesse strong hond

Vpon th’enchaunter, which had her distrest

So sore, and with foule outrages opprest:

With that great chaine, wherewith not long ygo

He bound that pitteous Lady prisoner, now relest,

Himselfe she bound, more worthy to be so,

And captiue with her led to wretchednesse and wo.

Returning backe, those goodly roomes, which erstxliiShe[1189]saw so rich and royally arayd,Now vanisht vtterly, and cleane subuerstShe[1190]found, and all their glory quite decayd,That sight of such a chaunge her[1191]much dismayd.Thence forth descending to that perlous Porch,Those dreadfull flames she also found delayd,And quenched quite, like a consumed torch,That erst all entrers wont so cruelly to scorch.

Returning backe, those goodly roomes, which erstxlii

She[1189]saw so rich and royally arayd,

Now vanisht vtterly, and cleane subuerst

She[1190]found, and all their glory quite decayd,

That sight of such a chaunge her[1191]much dismayd.

Thence forth descending to that perlous Porch,

Those dreadfull flames she also found delayd,

And quenched quite, like a consumed torch,

That erst all entrers wont so cruelly to scorch.

More easie issew now, then entrance latexliiiShe found: for now that fained dreadfull flame,Which chokt the porch of that enchaunted gate,And passage bard to all, that thither came,Was vanisht quite, as it were not the same,And gaue her leaue at pleasure forth to passe.Th’Enchaunter selfe, which all that fraud did frame,To haue efforst the loue of that faire lasse,Seeing his worke now wasted deepe engrieued was.But when the victoresse arriued there,xlivWhere late she left the pensife[1192]Scudamore,With her owne trusty Squire, both full of feare,Neither of them she found where she them lore:Thereat her noble hart was stonisht sore;But most faireAmoret, whose gentle sprightNow gan to feede on hope, which she beforeConceiued had, to see her owne deare knight,Being thereof beguyld was fild with new affright.But he sad man, when he had long in dredexlvAwayted there forBritomartsreturne,Yet saw her not nor signe of her good speed,His expectation to despaire did turne,Misdeeming sure that her those flames did burne;And therefore gan aduize with her old Squire,Who her[1193]deare nourslings losse no lesse did mourne,Thence to depart for further aide t’enquire:Where let them wend at will, whilest here I doe respire.

More easie issew now, then entrance latexliii

She found: for now that fained dreadfull flame,

Which chokt the porch of that enchaunted gate,

And passage bard to all, that thither came,

Was vanisht quite, as it were not the same,

And gaue her leaue at pleasure forth to passe.

Th’Enchaunter selfe, which all that fraud did frame,

To haue efforst the loue of that faire lasse,

Seeing his worke now wasted deepe engrieued was.

But when the victoresse arriued there,xlivWhere late she left the pensife[1192]Scudamore,With her owne trusty Squire, both full of feare,Neither of them she found where she them lore:Thereat her noble hart was stonisht sore;But most faireAmoret, whose gentle sprightNow gan to feede on hope, which she beforeConceiued had, to see her owne deare knight,Being thereof beguyld was fild with new affright.

But when the victoresse arriued there,xliv

Where late she left the pensife[1192]Scudamore,

With her owne trusty Squire, both full of feare,

Neither of them she found where she them lore:

Thereat her noble hart was stonisht sore;

But most faireAmoret, whose gentle spright

Now gan to feede on hope, which she before

Conceiued had, to see her owne deare knight,

Being thereof beguyld was fild with new affright.

But he sad man, when he had long in dredexlvAwayted there forBritomartsreturne,Yet saw her not nor signe of her good speed,His expectation to despaire did turne,Misdeeming sure that her those flames did burne;And therefore gan aduize with her old Squire,Who her[1193]deare nourslings losse no lesse did mourne,Thence to depart for further aide t’enquire:Where let them wend at will, whilest here I doe respire.

But he sad man, when he had long in dredexlv

Awayted there forBritomartsreturne,

Yet saw her not nor signe of her good speed,

His expectation to despaire did turne,

Misdeeming sure that her those flames did burne;

And therefore gan aduize with her old Squire,

Who her[1193]deare nourslings losse no lesse did mourne,

Thence to depart for further aide t’enquire:

Where let them wend at will, whilest here I doe respire.

Stanzas xliii-xlv were first inserted in the 1596 quarto, displacing the following stanzas which concluded Book III in the first edition.

At last she came vnto the place, where lateShe left SirScudamourin great distresse,Twixt dolour and despight halfe desperate,Of his loues succour, of his owne redresse,And of the hardieBritomartssuccesse:There on the cold earth him now thrown she found,In wilfull anguish, and dead heauinesse,And to him cald; whose voices knowen soundSoone as he heard, himself he reared light from ground.There did he see, that most on earth him ioyd,His dearest loue, the comfort of his dayes,Whose too long absence him had sore annoyd,And wearied his life with dull delayes:Straight he vpstarted from the loathed layes,And to her ran with hasty egernesse,Like as a Deare, that greedily embayesIn the coole soile, after long thirstinesse,Which he in chace endured hath, now nigh breathlesse.Lightly he clipt her twixt his armes twaine,And streightly did embrace her body bright,Her body, late the prison of sad paine,Now the sweet lodge of loue and deare delight:But she faire Lady ouercommen quightOf huge affection, did in pleasure melt,And in sweete rauishment pourd out her spright:No word they spake, nor earthly thing they felt,But like two senceles stocks in long embracement dwelt.Had ye them seene, ye would haue surely thought,That they had beene that faireHermaphrodite,Which that richRomaneof white marble wrought,And in his costly Bath causd to bee site:So seemd those two, as growne together quite,ThatBritomarthalfe enuying their blesse,Was much empassiond in her gentle sprite,And to her selfe oft wisht like happinesse,In vaine she wisht, that fate n’ould let her yet possesse.

At last she came vnto the place, where late

She left SirScudamourin great distresse,

Twixt dolour and despight halfe desperate,

Of his loues succour, of his owne redresse,

And of the hardieBritomartssuccesse:

There on the cold earth him now thrown she found,

In wilfull anguish, and dead heauinesse,

And to him cald; whose voices knowen sound

Soone as he heard, himself he reared light from ground.

There did he see, that most on earth him ioyd,His dearest loue, the comfort of his dayes,Whose too long absence him had sore annoyd,And wearied his life with dull delayes:Straight he vpstarted from the loathed layes,And to her ran with hasty egernesse,Like as a Deare, that greedily embayesIn the coole soile, after long thirstinesse,Which he in chace endured hath, now nigh breathlesse.

There did he see, that most on earth him ioyd,

His dearest loue, the comfort of his dayes,

Whose too long absence him had sore annoyd,

And wearied his life with dull delayes:

Straight he vpstarted from the loathed layes,

And to her ran with hasty egernesse,

Like as a Deare, that greedily embayes

In the coole soile, after long thirstinesse,

Which he in chace endured hath, now nigh breathlesse.

Lightly he clipt her twixt his armes twaine,And streightly did embrace her body bright,Her body, late the prison of sad paine,Now the sweet lodge of loue and deare delight:But she faire Lady ouercommen quightOf huge affection, did in pleasure melt,And in sweete rauishment pourd out her spright:No word they spake, nor earthly thing they felt,But like two senceles stocks in long embracement dwelt.

Lightly he clipt her twixt his armes twaine,

And streightly did embrace her body bright,

Her body, late the prison of sad paine,

Now the sweet lodge of loue and deare delight:

But she faire Lady ouercommen quight

Of huge affection, did in pleasure melt,

And in sweete rauishment pourd out her spright:

No word they spake, nor earthly thing they felt,

But like two senceles stocks in long embracement dwelt.

Had ye them seene, ye would haue surely thought,That they had beene that faireHermaphrodite,Which that richRomaneof white marble wrought,And in his costly Bath causd to bee site:So seemd those two, as growne together quite,ThatBritomarthalfe enuying their blesse,Was much empassiond in her gentle sprite,And to her selfe oft wisht like happinesse,In vaine she wisht, that fate n’ould let her yet possesse.

Had ye them seene, ye would haue surely thought,

That they had beene that faireHermaphrodite,

Which that richRomaneof white marble wrought,

And in his costly Bath causd to bee site:

So seemd those two, as growne together quite,

ThatBritomarthalfe enuying their blesse,

Was much empassiond in her gentle sprite,

And to her selfe oft wisht like happinesse,

In vaine she wisht, that fate n’ould let her yet possesse.

Thus doe those louers with sweet counteruayle,Each other of loues bitter fruit despoile.But now my teme begins to faint and fayle,All woxen weary of their iournall toyle:Therefore I will their sweatie yokes assoyleAt this same furrowes end, till a new day:And ye faire Swayns, after your long turmoyle,Now cease your worke, and at your pleasure play;Now cease your worke; to morrow is an holy day.

Thus doe those louers with sweet counteruayle,

Each other of loues bitter fruit despoile.

But now my teme begins to faint and fayle,

All woxen weary of their iournall toyle:

Therefore I will their sweatie yokes assoyle

At this same furrowes end, till a new day:

And ye faire Swayns, after your long turmoyle,

Now cease your worke, and at your pleasure play;

Now cease your worke; to morrow is an holy day.

FOOTNOTES:[1163]lv 1 she there] there she1609[1164]v 7 consent1596[1165]vii 3 ether1590[1166]8 wood,] word,1590[1167]viii 1 nether1590[1168]ix 3 other] others1590,1596[1169]xi 1 cloth’1596[1170]xii 3 and] or1590[1171]6 winged heeld1590[1172]xvii 6 a fierbrand she tostconj. Church[1173]xviii 5 dread1590[1174]8 hony-ladenMorris[1175]xxi 7 fading] failingconj. Church[1176]8 still] skill1590[1177]xxii 5 knigdome1596[1178]xxiii 5 right did1590,1596:corr. F. E.[1179]xxvi 6 All] And1596,1609[1180]7 with that] by the1590[1181]xxvii 3 and bore all away] nothing did remayne1590[1182]4 plast,1590,1596[1183]xxviii 1 there] their1590,1596[1184]xxix 9 showes1590[1185]xxxi 3 wrote1609[1186]xxxiii 3 her selfe] the next1590[1187]xxxiv 4 her] him1590,1596[1188]xxxviii 5 bor’d] sor’d1590[1189]xlii 2 She] He1590[1190]4 She] He1590:corr. F. E.[1191]5 her] him1590:corr. F. E.[1192]xliv 2 pensiue1609[1193]xlv 7 Who with her1596

[1163]lv 1 she there] there she1609

[1164]v 7 consent1596

[1165]vii 3 ether1590

[1166]8 wood,] word,1590

[1167]viii 1 nether1590

[1168]ix 3 other] others1590,1596

[1169]xi 1 cloth’1596

[1170]xii 3 and] or1590

[1171]6 winged heeld1590

[1172]xvii 6 a fierbrand she tostconj. Church

[1173]xviii 5 dread1590

[1174]8 hony-ladenMorris

[1175]xxi 7 fading] failingconj. Church

[1176]8 still] skill1590

[1177]xxii 5 knigdome1596

[1178]xxiii 5 right did1590,1596:corr. F. E.

[1179]xxvi 6 All] And1596,1609

[1180]7 with that] by the1590

[1181]xxvii 3 and bore all away] nothing did remayne1590

[1182]4 plast,1590,1596

[1183]xxviii 1 there] their1590,1596

[1184]xxix 9 showes1590

[1185]xxxi 3 wrote1609

[1186]xxxiii 3 her selfe] the next1590

[1187]xxxiv 4 her] him1590,1596

[1188]xxxviii 5 bor’d] sor’d1590

[1189]xlii 2 She] He1590

[1190]4 She] He1590:corr. F. E.

[1191]5 her] him1590:corr. F. E.

[1192]xliv 2 pensiue1609

[1193]xlv 7 Who with her1596

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAINAT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, OXFORDBY VIVIAN RIDLERPRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

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