FOOTNOTES:

Cant. I.

Fayre Britomart saues Amoret,Duessa discord breedesTwixt Scudamour and Blandamour:Their fight and warlike deedes.

Fayre Britomart saues Amoret,

Duessa discord breedes

Twixt Scudamour and Blandamour:

Their fight and warlike deedes.

Of louers sad calamities of old,iFull many piteous stories doe remaine,But none more piteous euer was ytold,Then that ofAmoretshart-binding chaine,And this ofFlorimelsvnworthie paine:The deare compassion of whose bitter fitMy softened heart so sorely doth constraine,That I with teares full oft doe pittie it,And oftentimes doe wish it neuer had bene writ.For from the time thatScudamourher boughtiiIn perilous fight, she neuer ioyed day,A perilous fight when he with force her broughtFrom twentie Knights, that did him all assay:Yet fairely well he did them all dismay:And with great glorie both the shield of loue,And eke the Ladie selfe he brought away,Whom hauing wedded as did him behoue,A new vnknowen mischiefe did from him remoue.For that same vile EnchauntourBusyran,iiiThe very selfe same day that she was wedded,Amidst the bridale feast, whilest euery manSurcharg’d with wine, were heedlesse and ill hedded,All bent to mirth before the bride was bedded,Brought in that mask of loue which late was showen:And there the Ladie ill of friends bestedded,By way of sport, as oft in maskes is knowen,Conueyed quite away to liuing wight vnknowen.Seuen moneths he so her kept in bitter smart,ivBecause his sinfull lust she would not serue,Vntill such time as nobleBritomartReleased her, that else was like to sterue,Through cruell knife that her deare heart did kerue.And now she is with her vpon the way,Marching in louely wise, that could deserueNo spot of blame, though spite did oft assayTo blot her with dishonor of so faire a pray.Yet should it be a pleasant tale, to tellvThe diuerse vsage and demeanure daint,That each to other made, as oft befell.ForAmoretright fearefull was and faint,Lest she with blame her honor should attaint,That euerie word did tremble as she spake,And euerie looke was coy, and wondrous quaint,And euerie limbe that touched her did quake:Yet could she not but curteous countenance to her make.For well she wist, as true it was indeed,viThat her liues Lord and patrone of her healthRight well deserued as his duefull meed,Her loue, her seruice, and her vtmost wealth.All is his iustly, that all freely dealth:Nathlesse her honor dearer then her life,She sought to saue, as thing reseru’d from stealth;Die had she leuer with Enchanters knife,Then to be false in loue, profest a virgine wife.Thereto her feare was made so much the greaterviiThrough fine abusion of that Briton mayd:Who for to hide her fained sex the better,And maske her wounded mind, both did and saydFull many things so doubtfull to be wayd,That well she wist not what by them to gesse[6],For other whiles to her she purpos madeOf loue, and otherwhiles of lustfulnesse,That much she feard his mind would grow to some excesse.His will she feard; for him she surely thoughtviiiTo be a man, such as indeed he seemed,And much the more, by that he lately wrought,When her from deadly thraldome he redeemed,For which no seruice she too much esteemed,Yet dread of shame, and doubt of fowle dishonorMade her not yeeld so much, as due she deemed.YetBritomartattended duly on her,As well became a knight, and did to her all honor.It so befell one euening, that they cameixVnto a Castell, lodged there to bee,Where many a knight, and many a louely DameWas then assembled, deeds of armes to see:Amongst all which was none more faire then shee,That many of them mou’d to eye her sore.The custome of that place was such, that heeWhich had no loue nor lemman there in store,Should either winne him one, or lye without the dore.Amongst the rest there was a iolly knight,xWho being asked for his loue, auow’dThat fairestAmoretwas his by right,And offred that to iustifie alowd.The warlike virgine seeing his so prowdAnd boastfull chalenge, wexed inlie wroth,But for the present did her anger shrowd;And sayd, her loue to lose she was full loth,But either he should neither of them haue, or both.So foorth they went, and both together giusted;xiBut that same younker soone was ouerthrowne,And made repent, that he had rashly lustedFor thing vnlawfull, that was not his owne:Yet since[7]he seemed valiant, though vnknowne,She that no lesse was courteous then[8]stout,Cast how to salue, that both the custome showneWere kept, and yet that Knight not locked out,That seem’d full hard t’accord two things so far in dout.The Seneschall was cal’d to deeme the right,xiiWhom she requir’d, that first fayreAmoretMight be to her allow’d, as to a Knight,That did her win and free from chalenge set:Which straight to her was yeelded without let.Then since that strange Knights loue from him was quitted,She claim’d that to her selfe, as Ladies det,He as a Knight might iustly be admitted;So none should be out shut, sith all of loues were fitted.With that her glistring helmet she vnlaced;xiiiWhich doft, her golden lockes, that were vp boundStill in a knot, vnto her heeles downe traced,And like a silken veile in compasse roundAbout her backe and all her bodie wound:Like as the shining skie in summers night,What time the dayes with scorching heat abound,Is creasted all with lines of firie light,That it prodigious seemes in common peoples sight.Such when those Knights and Ladies all aboutxivBeheld her, all were with amazement smit,And euery one gan grow in secret doutOf this and that, according to each wit:Some thought that some enchantment faygned it;Some, thatBellonain that warlike wiseTo them appear’d, with shield and armour fit;Some, that it was a maske of strange disguise:So diuersely each one did sundrie doubts deuise.But that young Knight, which through her gentle deedxvWas to that goodly fellowship restor’d,Ten thousand thankes did yeeld her for her meed,And doubly ouercommen, her ador’d:So did they all their former strife accord;And eke fayreAmoretnow freed from feare,More franke affection did to her afford,And to her bed, which she was wont forbeare,Now freely drew, and found right safe assurance theare.Where all that night they of their loues did treat,xviAnd hard aduentures twixt themselues alone,That each the other gan with passion great,And griefull[9]pittie priuately bemone.The morow next so soone asTitanshone,They both vprose, and to their waies them dight:Long wandred they, yet neuer met with none[10],That to their willes could them direct aright,Or to them tydings tell, that mote their harts delight.Lo thus they rode, till at the last they spidexviiTwo armed Knights, that toward them did pace,And ech of them had ryding by his sideA Ladie, seeming in so farre a space,But Ladies none they were, albee in faceAnd outward shew faire semblance they did beare;For vnder maske of beautie and good grace,Vile treason and fowle falshood hidden were,That mote to none but to the warie wise appeare.The one of them the falseDuessahight,xviiiThat now had chang’d her former wonted hew:For she could d’on so manie shapes in sight,As euer could Cameleon[11]colours new;So could she forge all colours, saue the trew.The other no whit better was then shee,But that such as she was, she plaine did shew;Yet otherwise much worse, if worse might bee,And dayly more offensiue vnto each degree.Her name wasAte, mother of debate,xixAnd all dissention, which doth dayly growAmongst fraile men, that many a publike[12]stateAnd many a priuate oft doth ouerthrow.Her falseDuessawho full well did know,To be most fit to trouble noble knights,Which hunt for honor, raised from below,Out of the dwellings of the damned sprights,Where she in darknes wastes her cursed daies and nights.Hard by the gates of hell her dwelling is,xxThere whereas all the plagues and harmes abound,Which punish wicked men, that walke amisse:[13]It is a darksome delue farre vnder ground,With thornes and barren brakes enuirond round,That none the same may easily out win;Yet many waies to enter may be found,But none to issue forth when one is in:For discord harder is to end then to begin.And all within the riuen walls were hungxxiWith ragged monuments of times forepast,All which the sad effects of discord sung:There were rent robes, and broken scepters plast,[14]Altars defyl’d, and holy things defast[15],Disshiuered speares, and shields ytorne in twaine,Great cities ransackt, and strong castles rast,Nations captiued, and huge armies slaine:Of all which ruines there some relicks did remaine.There was the signe of antique Babylon,xxiiOf fatall Thebes, of Rome that raigned long,Of sacred Salem, and sad Ilion,For memorie of which on high there hongThe golden Apple, cause of all their wrong,For which the three faire Goddesses did striue:There also was the name ofNimrodstrong,OfAlexander, and his Princes fiue,Which shar’d to them the spoiles that he had got aliue.And there the relicks[16]of the drunken fray,xxiiiThe which amongst theLapitheesbefell,And of the bloodie feast, which sent awaySo manyCentauresdrunken soules to hell,That vnder greatAlcidesfurie fell:And of the dreadfull discord, which did driueThe nobleArgonautsto outrage fell,That each of life sought others to depriue,All mindlesse of the Golden fleece, which made them striue.And eke of priuate persons many moe,xxivThat were too long a worke to count them all;Some of sworne friends, that did their faith forgoe;Some of borne brethren, prov’d vnnaturall;Some of deare louers, foes perpetuall:Witnesse their broken bandes there to be seene,Their girlonds rent, their bowres despoyled all;The moniments whereof there byding beene,As plaine as at the first, when they were fresh and greene.Such was her house within; but all without,xxvThe barren ground was full of wicked weedes,Which she her selfe had sowen all about,Now growen great, at first of little seedes,The seedes of euill wordes, and factious deedes;Which when to ripenesse due they growen arre,Bring foorth[17]an infinite increase, that breedesTumultuous trouble and contentious iarre,The which most often end in bloodshed and in warre.And those same cursed seedes doe also seruexxviTo her for bread, and yeeld her liuing food:For life it is to her, when others sterueThrough mischieuous debate, and deadly feood,That she may sucke their life, and drinke their blood,With which she from her childhood had bene fed.For she at first was borne of hellish brood,And by infernall furies nourished,That by her monstrous shape might easily be red.Her face most fowle and filthy was to see,xxviiWith squinted eyes contrarie wayes intended,And loathly mouth, vnmeete a mouth to bee,That nought but gall and venim comprehended,And wicked wordes that God and man offended:Her lying tongue was in two parts diuided,And both the parts did speake, and both contended;And as her tongue, so was her hart discided,That neuer thoght one thing, but doubly stil was guided.Als as she double spake, so heard she double,xxviiiWith matchlesse eares deformed and distort,Fild with false rumors and seditious trouble,Bred in assemblies of the vulgar sort,That still are led with euery light report.And as her eares so eke her feet were odde,And much vnlike, th’one long, the other short,And both misplast; that when th’one forward yode,The other backe retired, and contrarie trode.Likewise vnequall were her handes twaine,xxixThat one did reach, the other pusht away,That one did make, the other mard againe,And sought to bring all things vnto decay;Whereby great riches gathered manie a day,She in short space did often bring to nought,And their possessours often did dismay.For all her studie was and all her thought,How she might ouerthrow the things that Concord wrought.So much her malice did her might surpas,xxxThat euen th’Almightie selfe she did maligne,Because to man so mercifull he was,And vnto all his creatures so benigne,Sith she her selfe was of his grace indigne:For all this worlds faire workmanship she tride,Vnto his last confusion to bring,And that great golden chaine quite to diuide,With which it blessed Concord hath together tide.Such was that hag, which withDuessaroade,xxxiAnd seruing her in her malitious vse,To hurt good knights, was as it were her baude,To sell her borrowed beautie to abuse.For though like withered tree, that wanteth iuyce,She old and crooked were, yet now of late,As fresh and fragrant as the floure deluceShe was become, by chaunge of her estate,And made full goodly ioyance to her new found mate.Her mate he was a iollie youthfull knight,xxxiiThat bore great sway in armes and chiualrie,And was indeed a man of mickle might:His name wasBlandamour, that did descrieHis fickle mind full of inconstancie.And now himselfe he fitted had right well,With two companions of like qualitie,FaithlesseDuessa, and falseParidell,That whether were more false, full hard it is to tell.Now when this gallant with his goodly crew,xxxiiiFrom farre espide the famousBritomart,Like knight aduenturous in outward vew,With his faire paragon, his conquests part,Approching nigh, eftsoones his wanton hartWas tickled with delight, and iesting sayd;Lo there SirParidel, for your desart,Good lucke presents you with yond louely mayd,For pitie that ye want a fellow for your ayd.By that the louely paire drew nigh to hond:xxxivWhom when asParidelmore plaine beheld,Albee in heart he like affection fond,Yet mindfull how he late by one was feld,That did those armes and that same scutchion weld,He had small lust to buy his loue so deare,But answerd, Sir him wise I neuer held,That hauing once escaped perill neare,Would afterwards afresh the sleeping euill reare.This knight too late his manhood and his might,xxxvI did assay, that me right dearely cost,Ne list I for reuenge prouoke new fight,Ne for light Ladies loue, that soone is lost.The hot-spurre youth so scorning to be crost,Take then to you this Dame of mine (quoth hee)And I without your perill or your cost,Will chalenge yond same other for my fee:So forth he fiercely prickt, that one him scarce could see.The warlike Britonesse her soone addrest,xxxviAnd with such vncouth welcome did receaueHer fayned Paramour, her forced guest,That being forst his saddle soone to leaue,Him selfe he did of his new loue deceaue:And made him selfe thensample of his follie.Which done, she passed forth not taking leaue,And left him now as sad, as whilome iollie,Well warned to beware with whom he dar’d to dallie.Which when his other companie beheld,xxxviiThey to his succour ran with readie ayd:And finding him vnable once to weld,They reared him on horsebacke, and vpstayd,Till on his way they had him forth conuayd:And all the way with wondrous griefe of mynd,And shame, he shewd him selfe to be dismayd,More for the loue which he had left behynd,Then that which he had to SirParidelresynd.Nathlesse he forth did march well as he might,xxxviiiAnd made good semblance to his companie,Dissembling his disease and euill plight;Till that ere long they chaunced to espieTwo other knights, that towards them did ply[18]With speedie course, as bent to charge them new.Whom when asBlandamourapproching nie,Perceiu’d to be such as they seemd in vew,He was full wo, and gan his former griefe renew.For th’one of them he perfectly descride,xxxixTo be SirScudamour, by that he boreThe God of loue, with wings displayed wide,Whom mortally he hated euermore,Both for his worth, that all men did adore,And eke because his loue he wonne by right:Which when he thought, it grieued him full sore,That through the bruses of his former fight,He now vnable was to wreake his old despight.For thy he thus toParidelbespake,xlFaire Sir, of friendship let me now you pray,That as I late aduentured for your sake,The hurts whereof me now from battell stay,Ye will me now with like good turne repay,And iustifie my cause on yonder knight.Ah Sir (saidParidel) do not dismayYour selfe for this, my selfe will for you fight,As ye haue done for me: the left hand rubs the right.With that he put his spurres vnto his steed,xliWith speare in rest, and toward him did fare,Like shaft out of a bow preuenting speed.ButScudamourwas shortly well awareOf his approch, and gan him selfe prepareHim to receiue with entertainment meete.So furiously they met, that either bareThe other downe vnder their horses feete,That what of them became, themselues did scarsly weete.As when two billowes in the Irish sowndes,xliiForcibly driuen with contrarie tydesDo meete together, each abacke rebowndesWith roaring rage; and dashing on all sides,That filleth all the sea with fome, diuydesThe doubtfull current into diuers wayes:So fell those two in spight of both their prydes,ButScudamourhimselfe did soone vprayse,And mounting light his foe for lying long vpbrayes.Who rolled on an heape lay still in swound,xliiiAll carelesse of his taunt and bitter rayle,Till that the rest him seeing lie on ground,Ran hastily, to weete what did him ayle.Where finding that the breath gan him to fayle,With busie care they stroue him to awake,And doft his helmet, and vndid his mayle:So much they did, that at the last they brakeHis slomber, yet so mazed, that he nothing spake.Which when asBlandamourbeheld, he sayd,xlivFalse faitourScudamour, that hast by slightAnd foule advantage this good Knight dismayd,A Knight much better then thy selfe behight,Well falles it thee that I am not in plightThis day, to wreake the dammage by thee donne:Such is thy wont, that still when any KnightIs weakned, then thou doest him ouerronne:So hast thou to thy selfe false honour often wonne.He little answer’d, but in manly heartxlvHis mightie indignation did forbeare,Which was not yet so secret, but some partThereof did in his frouning face appeare:Like as a gloomie cloud, the which doth beareAn hideous storme, is by the Northerne blastQuite ouerblowne, yet doth not passe so cleare,But that it all the skie doth ouercastWith darknes dred[19], and threatens all the world to wast.Ah gentle knight,[20]then falseDuessasayd,xlviWhy do ye striue for Ladies loue so sore,Whose chiefe desire is loue and friendly aidMongst gentle Knights to nourish euermore?Ne be ye wroth SirScudamourtherefore,That she your loue list loue another knight,Ne do your selfe dislike a whit the more;For Loue is free, and led with selfe delight,Ne will enforced be with maisterdome or might.So falseDuessa, but vileAtethus;xlviiBoth foolish knights, I can but laugh at both,That striue and storme with stirre outrageous,For her that each of you alike doth loth,And loues another, with whom now she gothIn louely wise, and sleepes, and sports, and playes;Whilest both you here with many a cursed oth,Sweare she is yours, and stirre vp bloudie frayes,To win a willow bough, whilest other weares the bayes.Vile hag (saydScudamour) why dost thou lye?xlviiiAnd falsly seekst a vertuous wight to shame?Fond knight (sayd she) the thing that with this eyeI saw, why should I doubt to tell the same?Then tell (quothBlandamour) and feare no blame,Tell what thou saw’st, maulgre who so it heares.I saw (quoth she) a stranger knight, whose nameI wote not well, but in his shield he beares(That well I wote) the heads of many broken speares.I saw him haue yourAmoretat will,xlixI saw him kisse, I saw him her embrace,I saw him sleepe with her all night his fill,All manie nights, and manie by in place,That present were to testifie the case.Which when asScudamourdid heare, his heartWas thrild with inward griefe, as when in chaceThe Parthian strikes a stag with shiuering dart,The beast astonisht stands in middest of his smart.So stood SirScudamour, when this he heard,lNe word he had to speake for great dismay,But lookt onGlaucegrim, who woxe afeardOf outrage for the words, which she heard say,Albee vntrue she wist them by assay.ButBlandamour, whenas he did espieHis chaunge of cheere, that anguish did bewray,He woxe full blithe, as he had got thereby,And gan thereat to triumph without victorie.Lo recreant (sayd he) the fruitlesse endliOf thy vaine boast, and spoile of loue misgotten,Whereby the name of knight-hood thou dost shend,And all true louers with dishonor blotten,All things not rooted well, will soone be rotten.[21]Fy fy false knight (then falseDuessacryde)Vnworthy life that loue with guile hast gotten,Be thou, where euer thou do go or ryde,Loathed of ladies all, and of all knights defyde.ButScudamourfor passing great despightliiStaid not to answer, scarcely did refraine,But that in all those knights and ladies sight,He for reuenge had guiltlesseGlauceslaine:But being past, he thus began amaine;False traitour squire, false squire, of falsest knight,Why doth mine hand from thine auenge abstaine,Whose Lord hath done my loue this foule despight?Why do I not it wreake, on thee now in my might?Discourteous, disloyallBritomart,liiiVntrue to God, and vnto man vniust,What vengeance due can equall thy desart,That hast with shamefull spot of sinfull lustDefil’d the pledge committed to thy trust?Let vgly shame and endlesse infamyColour thy name with foule reproaches rust.Yet thou false Squire his fault shalt deare aby,And with thy punishment his penance shalt supply.The aged Dame him seeing so enraged,livWas dead with feare, nathlesse as neede required,His flaming furie sought to haue assuagedWith sober words, that sufferance desired,Till time the tryall of her truth expyred:And euermore soughtBritomartto cleare.But he the more with furious rage was fyred,And thrise his hand to kill her did vpreare,And thrise he drew it backe: so did at last forbeare.

Of louers sad calamities of old,i

Full many piteous stories doe remaine,

But none more piteous euer was ytold,

Then that ofAmoretshart-binding chaine,

And this ofFlorimelsvnworthie paine:

The deare compassion of whose bitter fit

My softened heart so sorely doth constraine,

That I with teares full oft doe pittie it,

And oftentimes doe wish it neuer had bene writ.

For from the time thatScudamourher boughtiiIn perilous fight, she neuer ioyed day,A perilous fight when he with force her broughtFrom twentie Knights, that did him all assay:Yet fairely well he did them all dismay:And with great glorie both the shield of loue,And eke the Ladie selfe he brought away,Whom hauing wedded as did him behoue,A new vnknowen mischiefe did from him remoue.

For from the time thatScudamourher boughtii

In perilous fight, she neuer ioyed day,

A perilous fight when he with force her brought

From twentie Knights, that did him all assay:

Yet fairely well he did them all dismay:

And with great glorie both the shield of loue,

And eke the Ladie selfe he brought away,

Whom hauing wedded as did him behoue,

A new vnknowen mischiefe did from him remoue.

For that same vile EnchauntourBusyran,iiiThe very selfe same day that she was wedded,Amidst the bridale feast, whilest euery manSurcharg’d with wine, were heedlesse and ill hedded,All bent to mirth before the bride was bedded,Brought in that mask of loue which late was showen:And there the Ladie ill of friends bestedded,By way of sport, as oft in maskes is knowen,Conueyed quite away to liuing wight vnknowen.

For that same vile EnchauntourBusyran,iii

The very selfe same day that she was wedded,

Amidst the bridale feast, whilest euery man

Surcharg’d with wine, were heedlesse and ill hedded,

All bent to mirth before the bride was bedded,

Brought in that mask of loue which late was showen:

And there the Ladie ill of friends bestedded,

By way of sport, as oft in maskes is knowen,

Conueyed quite away to liuing wight vnknowen.

Seuen moneths he so her kept in bitter smart,ivBecause his sinfull lust she would not serue,Vntill such time as nobleBritomartReleased her, that else was like to sterue,Through cruell knife that her deare heart did kerue.And now she is with her vpon the way,Marching in louely wise, that could deserueNo spot of blame, though spite did oft assayTo blot her with dishonor of so faire a pray.

Seuen moneths he so her kept in bitter smart,iv

Because his sinfull lust she would not serue,

Vntill such time as nobleBritomart

Released her, that else was like to sterue,

Through cruell knife that her deare heart did kerue.

And now she is with her vpon the way,

Marching in louely wise, that could deserue

No spot of blame, though spite did oft assay

To blot her with dishonor of so faire a pray.

Yet should it be a pleasant tale, to tellvThe diuerse vsage and demeanure daint,That each to other made, as oft befell.ForAmoretright fearefull was and faint,Lest she with blame her honor should attaint,That euerie word did tremble as she spake,And euerie looke was coy, and wondrous quaint,And euerie limbe that touched her did quake:Yet could she not but curteous countenance to her make.

Yet should it be a pleasant tale, to tellv

The diuerse vsage and demeanure daint,

That each to other made, as oft befell.

ForAmoretright fearefull was and faint,

Lest she with blame her honor should attaint,

That euerie word did tremble as she spake,

And euerie looke was coy, and wondrous quaint,

And euerie limbe that touched her did quake:

Yet could she not but curteous countenance to her make.

For well she wist, as true it was indeed,viThat her liues Lord and patrone of her healthRight well deserued as his duefull meed,Her loue, her seruice, and her vtmost wealth.All is his iustly, that all freely dealth:Nathlesse her honor dearer then her life,She sought to saue, as thing reseru’d from stealth;Die had she leuer with Enchanters knife,Then to be false in loue, profest a virgine wife.

For well she wist, as true it was indeed,vi

That her liues Lord and patrone of her health

Right well deserued as his duefull meed,

Her loue, her seruice, and her vtmost wealth.

All is his iustly, that all freely dealth:

Nathlesse her honor dearer then her life,

She sought to saue, as thing reseru’d from stealth;

Die had she leuer with Enchanters knife,

Then to be false in loue, profest a virgine wife.

Thereto her feare was made so much the greaterviiThrough fine abusion of that Briton mayd:Who for to hide her fained sex the better,And maske her wounded mind, both did and saydFull many things so doubtfull to be wayd,That well she wist not what by them to gesse[6],For other whiles to her she purpos madeOf loue, and otherwhiles of lustfulnesse,That much she feard his mind would grow to some excesse.

Thereto her feare was made so much the greatervii

Through fine abusion of that Briton mayd:

Who for to hide her fained sex the better,

And maske her wounded mind, both did and sayd

Full many things so doubtfull to be wayd,

That well she wist not what by them to gesse[6],

For other whiles to her she purpos made

Of loue, and otherwhiles of lustfulnesse,

That much she feard his mind would grow to some excesse.

His will she feard; for him she surely thoughtviiiTo be a man, such as indeed he seemed,And much the more, by that he lately wrought,When her from deadly thraldome he redeemed,For which no seruice she too much esteemed,Yet dread of shame, and doubt of fowle dishonorMade her not yeeld so much, as due she deemed.YetBritomartattended duly on her,As well became a knight, and did to her all honor.

His will she feard; for him she surely thoughtviii

To be a man, such as indeed he seemed,

And much the more, by that he lately wrought,

When her from deadly thraldome he redeemed,

For which no seruice she too much esteemed,

Yet dread of shame, and doubt of fowle dishonor

Made her not yeeld so much, as due she deemed.

YetBritomartattended duly on her,

As well became a knight, and did to her all honor.

It so befell one euening, that they cameixVnto a Castell, lodged there to bee,Where many a knight, and many a louely DameWas then assembled, deeds of armes to see:Amongst all which was none more faire then shee,That many of them mou’d to eye her sore.The custome of that place was such, that heeWhich had no loue nor lemman there in store,Should either winne him one, or lye without the dore.

It so befell one euening, that they cameix

Vnto a Castell, lodged there to bee,

Where many a knight, and many a louely Dame

Was then assembled, deeds of armes to see:

Amongst all which was none more faire then shee,

That many of them mou’d to eye her sore.

The custome of that place was such, that hee

Which had no loue nor lemman there in store,

Should either winne him one, or lye without the dore.

Amongst the rest there was a iolly knight,xWho being asked for his loue, auow’dThat fairestAmoretwas his by right,And offred that to iustifie alowd.The warlike virgine seeing his so prowdAnd boastfull chalenge, wexed inlie wroth,But for the present did her anger shrowd;And sayd, her loue to lose she was full loth,But either he should neither of them haue, or both.

Amongst the rest there was a iolly knight,x

Who being asked for his loue, auow’d

That fairestAmoretwas his by right,

And offred that to iustifie alowd.

The warlike virgine seeing his so prowd

And boastfull chalenge, wexed inlie wroth,

But for the present did her anger shrowd;

And sayd, her loue to lose she was full loth,

But either he should neither of them haue, or both.

So foorth they went, and both together giusted;xiBut that same younker soone was ouerthrowne,And made repent, that he had rashly lustedFor thing vnlawfull, that was not his owne:Yet since[7]he seemed valiant, though vnknowne,She that no lesse was courteous then[8]stout,Cast how to salue, that both the custome showneWere kept, and yet that Knight not locked out,That seem’d full hard t’accord two things so far in dout.

So foorth they went, and both together giusted;xi

But that same younker soone was ouerthrowne,

And made repent, that he had rashly lusted

For thing vnlawfull, that was not his owne:

Yet since[7]he seemed valiant, though vnknowne,

She that no lesse was courteous then[8]stout,

Cast how to salue, that both the custome showne

Were kept, and yet that Knight not locked out,

That seem’d full hard t’accord two things so far in dout.

The Seneschall was cal’d to deeme the right,xiiWhom she requir’d, that first fayreAmoretMight be to her allow’d, as to a Knight,That did her win and free from chalenge set:Which straight to her was yeelded without let.Then since that strange Knights loue from him was quitted,She claim’d that to her selfe, as Ladies det,He as a Knight might iustly be admitted;So none should be out shut, sith all of loues were fitted.

The Seneschall was cal’d to deeme the right,xii

Whom she requir’d, that first fayreAmoret

Might be to her allow’d, as to a Knight,

That did her win and free from chalenge set:

Which straight to her was yeelded without let.

Then since that strange Knights loue from him was quitted,

She claim’d that to her selfe, as Ladies det,

He as a Knight might iustly be admitted;

So none should be out shut, sith all of loues were fitted.

With that her glistring helmet she vnlaced;xiiiWhich doft, her golden lockes, that were vp boundStill in a knot, vnto her heeles downe traced,And like a silken veile in compasse roundAbout her backe and all her bodie wound:Like as the shining skie in summers night,What time the dayes with scorching heat abound,Is creasted all with lines of firie light,That it prodigious seemes in common peoples sight.

With that her glistring helmet she vnlaced;xiii

Which doft, her golden lockes, that were vp bound

Still in a knot, vnto her heeles downe traced,

And like a silken veile in compasse round

About her backe and all her bodie wound:

Like as the shining skie in summers night,

What time the dayes with scorching heat abound,

Is creasted all with lines of firie light,

That it prodigious seemes in common peoples sight.

Such when those Knights and Ladies all aboutxivBeheld her, all were with amazement smit,And euery one gan grow in secret doutOf this and that, according to each wit:Some thought that some enchantment faygned it;Some, thatBellonain that warlike wiseTo them appear’d, with shield and armour fit;Some, that it was a maske of strange disguise:So diuersely each one did sundrie doubts deuise.

Such when those Knights and Ladies all aboutxiv

Beheld her, all were with amazement smit,

And euery one gan grow in secret dout

Of this and that, according to each wit:

Some thought that some enchantment faygned it;

Some, thatBellonain that warlike wise

To them appear’d, with shield and armour fit;

Some, that it was a maske of strange disguise:

So diuersely each one did sundrie doubts deuise.

But that young Knight, which through her gentle deedxvWas to that goodly fellowship restor’d,Ten thousand thankes did yeeld her for her meed,And doubly ouercommen, her ador’d:So did they all their former strife accord;And eke fayreAmoretnow freed from feare,More franke affection did to her afford,And to her bed, which she was wont forbeare,Now freely drew, and found right safe assurance theare.

But that young Knight, which through her gentle deedxv

Was to that goodly fellowship restor’d,

Ten thousand thankes did yeeld her for her meed,

And doubly ouercommen, her ador’d:

So did they all their former strife accord;

And eke fayreAmoretnow freed from feare,

More franke affection did to her afford,

And to her bed, which she was wont forbeare,

Now freely drew, and found right safe assurance theare.

Where all that night they of their loues did treat,xviAnd hard aduentures twixt themselues alone,That each the other gan with passion great,And griefull[9]pittie priuately bemone.The morow next so soone asTitanshone,They both vprose, and to their waies them dight:Long wandred they, yet neuer met with none[10],That to their willes could them direct aright,Or to them tydings tell, that mote their harts delight.

Where all that night they of their loues did treat,xvi

And hard aduentures twixt themselues alone,

That each the other gan with passion great,

And griefull[9]pittie priuately bemone.

The morow next so soone asTitanshone,

They both vprose, and to their waies them dight:

Long wandred they, yet neuer met with none[10],

That to their willes could them direct aright,

Or to them tydings tell, that mote their harts delight.

Lo thus they rode, till at the last they spidexviiTwo armed Knights, that toward them did pace,And ech of them had ryding by his sideA Ladie, seeming in so farre a space,But Ladies none they were, albee in faceAnd outward shew faire semblance they did beare;For vnder maske of beautie and good grace,Vile treason and fowle falshood hidden were,That mote to none but to the warie wise appeare.

Lo thus they rode, till at the last they spidexvii

Two armed Knights, that toward them did pace,

And ech of them had ryding by his side

A Ladie, seeming in so farre a space,

But Ladies none they were, albee in face

And outward shew faire semblance they did beare;

For vnder maske of beautie and good grace,

Vile treason and fowle falshood hidden were,

That mote to none but to the warie wise appeare.

The one of them the falseDuessahight,xviiiThat now had chang’d her former wonted hew:For she could d’on so manie shapes in sight,As euer could Cameleon[11]colours new;So could she forge all colours, saue the trew.The other no whit better was then shee,But that such as she was, she plaine did shew;Yet otherwise much worse, if worse might bee,And dayly more offensiue vnto each degree.

The one of them the falseDuessahight,xviii

That now had chang’d her former wonted hew:

For she could d’on so manie shapes in sight,

As euer could Cameleon[11]colours new;

So could she forge all colours, saue the trew.

The other no whit better was then shee,

But that such as she was, she plaine did shew;

Yet otherwise much worse, if worse might bee,

And dayly more offensiue vnto each degree.

Her name wasAte, mother of debate,xixAnd all dissention, which doth dayly growAmongst fraile men, that many a publike[12]stateAnd many a priuate oft doth ouerthrow.Her falseDuessawho full well did know,To be most fit to trouble noble knights,Which hunt for honor, raised from below,Out of the dwellings of the damned sprights,Where she in darknes wastes her cursed daies and nights.

Her name wasAte, mother of debate,xix

And all dissention, which doth dayly grow

Amongst fraile men, that many a publike[12]state

And many a priuate oft doth ouerthrow.

Her falseDuessawho full well did know,

To be most fit to trouble noble knights,

Which hunt for honor, raised from below,

Out of the dwellings of the damned sprights,

Where she in darknes wastes her cursed daies and nights.

Hard by the gates of hell her dwelling is,xxThere whereas all the plagues and harmes abound,Which punish wicked men, that walke amisse:[13]It is a darksome delue farre vnder ground,With thornes and barren brakes enuirond round,That none the same may easily out win;Yet many waies to enter may be found,But none to issue forth when one is in:For discord harder is to end then to begin.

Hard by the gates of hell her dwelling is,xx

There whereas all the plagues and harmes abound,

Which punish wicked men, that walke amisse:[13]

It is a darksome delue farre vnder ground,

With thornes and barren brakes enuirond round,

That none the same may easily out win;

Yet many waies to enter may be found,

But none to issue forth when one is in:

For discord harder is to end then to begin.

And all within the riuen walls were hungxxiWith ragged monuments of times forepast,All which the sad effects of discord sung:There were rent robes, and broken scepters plast,[14]Altars defyl’d, and holy things defast[15],Disshiuered speares, and shields ytorne in twaine,Great cities ransackt, and strong castles rast,Nations captiued, and huge armies slaine:Of all which ruines there some relicks did remaine.

And all within the riuen walls were hungxxi

With ragged monuments of times forepast,

All which the sad effects of discord sung:

There were rent robes, and broken scepters plast,[14]

Altars defyl’d, and holy things defast[15],

Disshiuered speares, and shields ytorne in twaine,

Great cities ransackt, and strong castles rast,

Nations captiued, and huge armies slaine:

Of all which ruines there some relicks did remaine.

There was the signe of antique Babylon,xxiiOf fatall Thebes, of Rome that raigned long,Of sacred Salem, and sad Ilion,For memorie of which on high there hongThe golden Apple, cause of all their wrong,For which the three faire Goddesses did striue:There also was the name ofNimrodstrong,OfAlexander, and his Princes fiue,Which shar’d to them the spoiles that he had got aliue.

There was the signe of antique Babylon,xxii

Of fatall Thebes, of Rome that raigned long,

Of sacred Salem, and sad Ilion,

For memorie of which on high there hong

The golden Apple, cause of all their wrong,

For which the three faire Goddesses did striue:

There also was the name ofNimrodstrong,

OfAlexander, and his Princes fiue,

Which shar’d to them the spoiles that he had got aliue.

And there the relicks[16]of the drunken fray,xxiiiThe which amongst theLapitheesbefell,And of the bloodie feast, which sent awaySo manyCentauresdrunken soules to hell,That vnder greatAlcidesfurie fell:And of the dreadfull discord, which did driueThe nobleArgonautsto outrage fell,That each of life sought others to depriue,All mindlesse of the Golden fleece, which made them striue.

And there the relicks[16]of the drunken fray,xxiii

The which amongst theLapitheesbefell,

And of the bloodie feast, which sent away

So manyCentauresdrunken soules to hell,

That vnder greatAlcidesfurie fell:

And of the dreadfull discord, which did driue

The nobleArgonautsto outrage fell,

That each of life sought others to depriue,

All mindlesse of the Golden fleece, which made them striue.

And eke of priuate persons many moe,xxivThat were too long a worke to count them all;Some of sworne friends, that did their faith forgoe;Some of borne brethren, prov’d vnnaturall;Some of deare louers, foes perpetuall:Witnesse their broken bandes there to be seene,Their girlonds rent, their bowres despoyled all;The moniments whereof there byding beene,As plaine as at the first, when they were fresh and greene.

And eke of priuate persons many moe,xxiv

That were too long a worke to count them all;

Some of sworne friends, that did their faith forgoe;

Some of borne brethren, prov’d vnnaturall;

Some of deare louers, foes perpetuall:

Witnesse their broken bandes there to be seene,

Their girlonds rent, their bowres despoyled all;

The moniments whereof there byding beene,

As plaine as at the first, when they were fresh and greene.

Such was her house within; but all without,xxvThe barren ground was full of wicked weedes,Which she her selfe had sowen all about,Now growen great, at first of little seedes,The seedes of euill wordes, and factious deedes;Which when to ripenesse due they growen arre,Bring foorth[17]an infinite increase, that breedesTumultuous trouble and contentious iarre,The which most often end in bloodshed and in warre.

Such was her house within; but all without,xxv

The barren ground was full of wicked weedes,

Which she her selfe had sowen all about,

Now growen great, at first of little seedes,

The seedes of euill wordes, and factious deedes;

Which when to ripenesse due they growen arre,

Bring foorth[17]an infinite increase, that breedes

Tumultuous trouble and contentious iarre,

The which most often end in bloodshed and in warre.

And those same cursed seedes doe also seruexxviTo her for bread, and yeeld her liuing food:For life it is to her, when others sterueThrough mischieuous debate, and deadly feood,That she may sucke their life, and drinke their blood,With which she from her childhood had bene fed.For she at first was borne of hellish brood,And by infernall furies nourished,That by her monstrous shape might easily be red.

And those same cursed seedes doe also seruexxvi

To her for bread, and yeeld her liuing food:

For life it is to her, when others sterue

Through mischieuous debate, and deadly feood,

That she may sucke their life, and drinke their blood,

With which she from her childhood had bene fed.

For she at first was borne of hellish brood,

And by infernall furies nourished,

That by her monstrous shape might easily be red.

Her face most fowle and filthy was to see,xxviiWith squinted eyes contrarie wayes intended,And loathly mouth, vnmeete a mouth to bee,That nought but gall and venim comprehended,And wicked wordes that God and man offended:Her lying tongue was in two parts diuided,And both the parts did speake, and both contended;And as her tongue, so was her hart discided,That neuer thoght one thing, but doubly stil was guided.

Her face most fowle and filthy was to see,xxvii

With squinted eyes contrarie wayes intended,

And loathly mouth, vnmeete a mouth to bee,

That nought but gall and venim comprehended,

And wicked wordes that God and man offended:

Her lying tongue was in two parts diuided,

And both the parts did speake, and both contended;

And as her tongue, so was her hart discided,

That neuer thoght one thing, but doubly stil was guided.

Als as she double spake, so heard she double,xxviiiWith matchlesse eares deformed and distort,Fild with false rumors and seditious trouble,Bred in assemblies of the vulgar sort,That still are led with euery light report.And as her eares so eke her feet were odde,And much vnlike, th’one long, the other short,And both misplast; that when th’one forward yode,The other backe retired, and contrarie trode.

Als as she double spake, so heard she double,xxviii

With matchlesse eares deformed and distort,

Fild with false rumors and seditious trouble,

Bred in assemblies of the vulgar sort,

That still are led with euery light report.

And as her eares so eke her feet were odde,

And much vnlike, th’one long, the other short,

And both misplast; that when th’one forward yode,

The other backe retired, and contrarie trode.

Likewise vnequall were her handes twaine,xxixThat one did reach, the other pusht away,That one did make, the other mard againe,And sought to bring all things vnto decay;Whereby great riches gathered manie a day,She in short space did often bring to nought,And their possessours often did dismay.For all her studie was and all her thought,How she might ouerthrow the things that Concord wrought.

Likewise vnequall were her handes twaine,xxix

That one did reach, the other pusht away,

That one did make, the other mard againe,

And sought to bring all things vnto decay;

Whereby great riches gathered manie a day,

She in short space did often bring to nought,

And their possessours often did dismay.

For all her studie was and all her thought,

How she might ouerthrow the things that Concord wrought.

So much her malice did her might surpas,xxxThat euen th’Almightie selfe she did maligne,Because to man so mercifull he was,And vnto all his creatures so benigne,Sith she her selfe was of his grace indigne:For all this worlds faire workmanship she tride,Vnto his last confusion to bring,And that great golden chaine quite to diuide,With which it blessed Concord hath together tide.

So much her malice did her might surpas,xxx

That euen th’Almightie selfe she did maligne,

Because to man so mercifull he was,

And vnto all his creatures so benigne,

Sith she her selfe was of his grace indigne:

For all this worlds faire workmanship she tride,

Vnto his last confusion to bring,

And that great golden chaine quite to diuide,

With which it blessed Concord hath together tide.

Such was that hag, which withDuessaroade,xxxiAnd seruing her in her malitious vse,To hurt good knights, was as it were her baude,To sell her borrowed beautie to abuse.For though like withered tree, that wanteth iuyce,She old and crooked were, yet now of late,As fresh and fragrant as the floure deluceShe was become, by chaunge of her estate,And made full goodly ioyance to her new found mate.

Such was that hag, which withDuessaroade,xxxi

And seruing her in her malitious vse,

To hurt good knights, was as it were her baude,

To sell her borrowed beautie to abuse.

For though like withered tree, that wanteth iuyce,

She old and crooked were, yet now of late,

As fresh and fragrant as the floure deluce

She was become, by chaunge of her estate,

And made full goodly ioyance to her new found mate.

Her mate he was a iollie youthfull knight,xxxiiThat bore great sway in armes and chiualrie,And was indeed a man of mickle might:His name wasBlandamour, that did descrieHis fickle mind full of inconstancie.And now himselfe he fitted had right well,With two companions of like qualitie,FaithlesseDuessa, and falseParidell,That whether were more false, full hard it is to tell.

Her mate he was a iollie youthfull knight,xxxii

That bore great sway in armes and chiualrie,

And was indeed a man of mickle might:

His name wasBlandamour, that did descrie

His fickle mind full of inconstancie.

And now himselfe he fitted had right well,

With two companions of like qualitie,

FaithlesseDuessa, and falseParidell,

That whether were more false, full hard it is to tell.

Now when this gallant with his goodly crew,xxxiiiFrom farre espide the famousBritomart,Like knight aduenturous in outward vew,With his faire paragon, his conquests part,Approching nigh, eftsoones his wanton hartWas tickled with delight, and iesting sayd;Lo there SirParidel, for your desart,Good lucke presents you with yond louely mayd,For pitie that ye want a fellow for your ayd.

Now when this gallant with his goodly crew,xxxiii

From farre espide the famousBritomart,

Like knight aduenturous in outward vew,

With his faire paragon, his conquests part,

Approching nigh, eftsoones his wanton hart

Was tickled with delight, and iesting sayd;

Lo there SirParidel, for your desart,

Good lucke presents you with yond louely mayd,

For pitie that ye want a fellow for your ayd.

By that the louely paire drew nigh to hond:xxxivWhom when asParidelmore plaine beheld,Albee in heart he like affection fond,Yet mindfull how he late by one was feld,That did those armes and that same scutchion weld,He had small lust to buy his loue so deare,But answerd, Sir him wise I neuer held,That hauing once escaped perill neare,Would afterwards afresh the sleeping euill reare.

By that the louely paire drew nigh to hond:xxxiv

Whom when asParidelmore plaine beheld,

Albee in heart he like affection fond,

Yet mindfull how he late by one was feld,

That did those armes and that same scutchion weld,

He had small lust to buy his loue so deare,

But answerd, Sir him wise I neuer held,

That hauing once escaped perill neare,

Would afterwards afresh the sleeping euill reare.

This knight too late his manhood and his might,xxxvI did assay, that me right dearely cost,Ne list I for reuenge prouoke new fight,Ne for light Ladies loue, that soone is lost.The hot-spurre youth so scorning to be crost,Take then to you this Dame of mine (quoth hee)And I without your perill or your cost,Will chalenge yond same other for my fee:So forth he fiercely prickt, that one him scarce could see.

This knight too late his manhood and his might,xxxv

I did assay, that me right dearely cost,

Ne list I for reuenge prouoke new fight,

Ne for light Ladies loue, that soone is lost.

The hot-spurre youth so scorning to be crost,

Take then to you this Dame of mine (quoth hee)

And I without your perill or your cost,

Will chalenge yond same other for my fee:

So forth he fiercely prickt, that one him scarce could see.

The warlike Britonesse her soone addrest,xxxviAnd with such vncouth welcome did receaueHer fayned Paramour, her forced guest,That being forst his saddle soone to leaue,Him selfe he did of his new loue deceaue:And made him selfe thensample of his follie.Which done, she passed forth not taking leaue,And left him now as sad, as whilome iollie,Well warned to beware with whom he dar’d to dallie.

The warlike Britonesse her soone addrest,xxxvi

And with such vncouth welcome did receaue

Her fayned Paramour, her forced guest,

That being forst his saddle soone to leaue,

Him selfe he did of his new loue deceaue:

And made him selfe thensample of his follie.

Which done, she passed forth not taking leaue,

And left him now as sad, as whilome iollie,

Well warned to beware with whom he dar’d to dallie.

Which when his other companie beheld,xxxviiThey to his succour ran with readie ayd:And finding him vnable once to weld,They reared him on horsebacke, and vpstayd,Till on his way they had him forth conuayd:And all the way with wondrous griefe of mynd,And shame, he shewd him selfe to be dismayd,More for the loue which he had left behynd,Then that which he had to SirParidelresynd.

Which when his other companie beheld,xxxvii

They to his succour ran with readie ayd:

And finding him vnable once to weld,

They reared him on horsebacke, and vpstayd,

Till on his way they had him forth conuayd:

And all the way with wondrous griefe of mynd,

And shame, he shewd him selfe to be dismayd,

More for the loue which he had left behynd,

Then that which he had to SirParidelresynd.

Nathlesse he forth did march well as he might,xxxviiiAnd made good semblance to his companie,Dissembling his disease and euill plight;Till that ere long they chaunced to espieTwo other knights, that towards them did ply[18]With speedie course, as bent to charge them new.Whom when asBlandamourapproching nie,Perceiu’d to be such as they seemd in vew,He was full wo, and gan his former griefe renew.

Nathlesse he forth did march well as he might,xxxviii

And made good semblance to his companie,

Dissembling his disease and euill plight;

Till that ere long they chaunced to espie

Two other knights, that towards them did ply[18]

With speedie course, as bent to charge them new.

Whom when asBlandamourapproching nie,

Perceiu’d to be such as they seemd in vew,

He was full wo, and gan his former griefe renew.

For th’one of them he perfectly descride,xxxixTo be SirScudamour, by that he boreThe God of loue, with wings displayed wide,Whom mortally he hated euermore,Both for his worth, that all men did adore,And eke because his loue he wonne by right:Which when he thought, it grieued him full sore,That through the bruses of his former fight,He now vnable was to wreake his old despight.

For th’one of them he perfectly descride,xxxix

To be SirScudamour, by that he bore

The God of loue, with wings displayed wide,

Whom mortally he hated euermore,

Both for his worth, that all men did adore,

And eke because his loue he wonne by right:

Which when he thought, it grieued him full sore,

That through the bruses of his former fight,

He now vnable was to wreake his old despight.

For thy he thus toParidelbespake,xlFaire Sir, of friendship let me now you pray,That as I late aduentured for your sake,The hurts whereof me now from battell stay,Ye will me now with like good turne repay,And iustifie my cause on yonder knight.Ah Sir (saidParidel) do not dismayYour selfe for this, my selfe will for you fight,As ye haue done for me: the left hand rubs the right.

For thy he thus toParidelbespake,xl

Faire Sir, of friendship let me now you pray,

That as I late aduentured for your sake,

The hurts whereof me now from battell stay,

Ye will me now with like good turne repay,

And iustifie my cause on yonder knight.

Ah Sir (saidParidel) do not dismay

Your selfe for this, my selfe will for you fight,

As ye haue done for me: the left hand rubs the right.

With that he put his spurres vnto his steed,xliWith speare in rest, and toward him did fare,Like shaft out of a bow preuenting speed.ButScudamourwas shortly well awareOf his approch, and gan him selfe prepareHim to receiue with entertainment meete.So furiously they met, that either bareThe other downe vnder their horses feete,That what of them became, themselues did scarsly weete.

With that he put his spurres vnto his steed,xli

With speare in rest, and toward him did fare,

Like shaft out of a bow preuenting speed.

ButScudamourwas shortly well aware

Of his approch, and gan him selfe prepare

Him to receiue with entertainment meete.

So furiously they met, that either bare

The other downe vnder their horses feete,

That what of them became, themselues did scarsly weete.

As when two billowes in the Irish sowndes,xliiForcibly driuen with contrarie tydesDo meete together, each abacke rebowndesWith roaring rage; and dashing on all sides,That filleth all the sea with fome, diuydesThe doubtfull current into diuers wayes:So fell those two in spight of both their prydes,ButScudamourhimselfe did soone vprayse,And mounting light his foe for lying long vpbrayes.

As when two billowes in the Irish sowndes,xlii

Forcibly driuen with contrarie tydes

Do meete together, each abacke rebowndes

With roaring rage; and dashing on all sides,

That filleth all the sea with fome, diuydes

The doubtfull current into diuers wayes:

So fell those two in spight of both their prydes,

ButScudamourhimselfe did soone vprayse,

And mounting light his foe for lying long vpbrayes.

Who rolled on an heape lay still in swound,xliiiAll carelesse of his taunt and bitter rayle,Till that the rest him seeing lie on ground,Ran hastily, to weete what did him ayle.Where finding that the breath gan him to fayle,With busie care they stroue him to awake,And doft his helmet, and vndid his mayle:So much they did, that at the last they brakeHis slomber, yet so mazed, that he nothing spake.

Who rolled on an heape lay still in swound,xliii

All carelesse of his taunt and bitter rayle,

Till that the rest him seeing lie on ground,

Ran hastily, to weete what did him ayle.

Where finding that the breath gan him to fayle,

With busie care they stroue him to awake,

And doft his helmet, and vndid his mayle:

So much they did, that at the last they brake

His slomber, yet so mazed, that he nothing spake.

Which when asBlandamourbeheld, he sayd,xlivFalse faitourScudamour, that hast by slightAnd foule advantage this good Knight dismayd,A Knight much better then thy selfe behight,Well falles it thee that I am not in plightThis day, to wreake the dammage by thee donne:Such is thy wont, that still when any KnightIs weakned, then thou doest him ouerronne:So hast thou to thy selfe false honour often wonne.

Which when asBlandamourbeheld, he sayd,xliv

False faitourScudamour, that hast by slight

And foule advantage this good Knight dismayd,

A Knight much better then thy selfe behight,

Well falles it thee that I am not in plight

This day, to wreake the dammage by thee donne:

Such is thy wont, that still when any Knight

Is weakned, then thou doest him ouerronne:

So hast thou to thy selfe false honour often wonne.

He little answer’d, but in manly heartxlvHis mightie indignation did forbeare,Which was not yet so secret, but some partThereof did in his frouning face appeare:Like as a gloomie cloud, the which doth beareAn hideous storme, is by the Northerne blastQuite ouerblowne, yet doth not passe so cleare,But that it all the skie doth ouercastWith darknes dred[19], and threatens all the world to wast.

He little answer’d, but in manly heartxlv

His mightie indignation did forbeare,

Which was not yet so secret, but some part

Thereof did in his frouning face appeare:

Like as a gloomie cloud, the which doth beare

An hideous storme, is by the Northerne blast

Quite ouerblowne, yet doth not passe so cleare,

But that it all the skie doth ouercast

With darknes dred[19], and threatens all the world to wast.

Ah gentle knight,[20]then falseDuessasayd,xlviWhy do ye striue for Ladies loue so sore,Whose chiefe desire is loue and friendly aidMongst gentle Knights to nourish euermore?Ne be ye wroth SirScudamourtherefore,That she your loue list loue another knight,Ne do your selfe dislike a whit the more;For Loue is free, and led with selfe delight,Ne will enforced be with maisterdome or might.

Ah gentle knight,[20]then falseDuessasayd,xlvi

Why do ye striue for Ladies loue so sore,

Whose chiefe desire is loue and friendly aid

Mongst gentle Knights to nourish euermore?

Ne be ye wroth SirScudamourtherefore,

That she your loue list loue another knight,

Ne do your selfe dislike a whit the more;

For Loue is free, and led with selfe delight,

Ne will enforced be with maisterdome or might.

So falseDuessa, but vileAtethus;xlviiBoth foolish knights, I can but laugh at both,That striue and storme with stirre outrageous,For her that each of you alike doth loth,And loues another, with whom now she gothIn louely wise, and sleepes, and sports, and playes;Whilest both you here with many a cursed oth,Sweare she is yours, and stirre vp bloudie frayes,To win a willow bough, whilest other weares the bayes.

So falseDuessa, but vileAtethus;xlvii

Both foolish knights, I can but laugh at both,

That striue and storme with stirre outrageous,

For her that each of you alike doth loth,

And loues another, with whom now she goth

In louely wise, and sleepes, and sports, and playes;

Whilest both you here with many a cursed oth,

Sweare she is yours, and stirre vp bloudie frayes,

To win a willow bough, whilest other weares the bayes.

Vile hag (saydScudamour) why dost thou lye?xlviiiAnd falsly seekst a vertuous wight to shame?Fond knight (sayd she) the thing that with this eyeI saw, why should I doubt to tell the same?Then tell (quothBlandamour) and feare no blame,Tell what thou saw’st, maulgre who so it heares.I saw (quoth she) a stranger knight, whose nameI wote not well, but in his shield he beares(That well I wote) the heads of many broken speares.

Vile hag (saydScudamour) why dost thou lye?xlviii

And falsly seekst a vertuous wight to shame?

Fond knight (sayd she) the thing that with this eye

I saw, why should I doubt to tell the same?

Then tell (quothBlandamour) and feare no blame,

Tell what thou saw’st, maulgre who so it heares.

I saw (quoth she) a stranger knight, whose name

I wote not well, but in his shield he beares

(That well I wote) the heads of many broken speares.

I saw him haue yourAmoretat will,xlixI saw him kisse, I saw him her embrace,I saw him sleepe with her all night his fill,All manie nights, and manie by in place,That present were to testifie the case.Which when asScudamourdid heare, his heartWas thrild with inward griefe, as when in chaceThe Parthian strikes a stag with shiuering dart,The beast astonisht stands in middest of his smart.

I saw him haue yourAmoretat will,xlix

I saw him kisse, I saw him her embrace,

I saw him sleepe with her all night his fill,

All manie nights, and manie by in place,

That present were to testifie the case.

Which when asScudamourdid heare, his heart

Was thrild with inward griefe, as when in chace

The Parthian strikes a stag with shiuering dart,

The beast astonisht stands in middest of his smart.

So stood SirScudamour, when this he heard,lNe word he had to speake for great dismay,But lookt onGlaucegrim, who woxe afeardOf outrage for the words, which she heard say,Albee vntrue she wist them by assay.ButBlandamour, whenas he did espieHis chaunge of cheere, that anguish did bewray,He woxe full blithe, as he had got thereby,And gan thereat to triumph without victorie.

So stood SirScudamour, when this he heard,l

Ne word he had to speake for great dismay,

But lookt onGlaucegrim, who woxe afeard

Of outrage for the words, which she heard say,

Albee vntrue she wist them by assay.

ButBlandamour, whenas he did espie

His chaunge of cheere, that anguish did bewray,

He woxe full blithe, as he had got thereby,

And gan thereat to triumph without victorie.

Lo recreant (sayd he) the fruitlesse endliOf thy vaine boast, and spoile of loue misgotten,Whereby the name of knight-hood thou dost shend,And all true louers with dishonor blotten,All things not rooted well, will soone be rotten.[21]Fy fy false knight (then falseDuessacryde)Vnworthy life that loue with guile hast gotten,Be thou, where euer thou do go or ryde,Loathed of ladies all, and of all knights defyde.

Lo recreant (sayd he) the fruitlesse endli

Of thy vaine boast, and spoile of loue misgotten,

Whereby the name of knight-hood thou dost shend,

And all true louers with dishonor blotten,

All things not rooted well, will soone be rotten.[21]

Fy fy false knight (then falseDuessacryde)

Vnworthy life that loue with guile hast gotten,

Be thou, where euer thou do go or ryde,

Loathed of ladies all, and of all knights defyde.

ButScudamourfor passing great despightliiStaid not to answer, scarcely did refraine,But that in all those knights and ladies sight,He for reuenge had guiltlesseGlauceslaine:But being past, he thus began amaine;False traitour squire, false squire, of falsest knight,Why doth mine hand from thine auenge abstaine,Whose Lord hath done my loue this foule despight?Why do I not it wreake, on thee now in my might?

ButScudamourfor passing great despightlii

Staid not to answer, scarcely did refraine,

But that in all those knights and ladies sight,

He for reuenge had guiltlesseGlauceslaine:

But being past, he thus began amaine;

False traitour squire, false squire, of falsest knight,

Why doth mine hand from thine auenge abstaine,

Whose Lord hath done my loue this foule despight?

Why do I not it wreake, on thee now in my might?

Discourteous, disloyallBritomart,liiiVntrue to God, and vnto man vniust,What vengeance due can equall thy desart,That hast with shamefull spot of sinfull lustDefil’d the pledge committed to thy trust?Let vgly shame and endlesse infamyColour thy name with foule reproaches rust.Yet thou false Squire his fault shalt deare aby,And with thy punishment his penance shalt supply.

Discourteous, disloyallBritomart,liii

Vntrue to God, and vnto man vniust,

What vengeance due can equall thy desart,

That hast with shamefull spot of sinfull lust

Defil’d the pledge committed to thy trust?

Let vgly shame and endlesse infamy

Colour thy name with foule reproaches rust.

Yet thou false Squire his fault shalt deare aby,

And with thy punishment his penance shalt supply.

The aged Dame him seeing so enraged,livWas dead with feare, nathlesse as neede required,His flaming furie sought to haue assuagedWith sober words, that sufferance desired,Till time the tryall of her truth expyred:And euermore soughtBritomartto cleare.But he the more with furious rage was fyred,And thrise his hand to kill her did vpreare,And thrise he drew it backe: so did at last forbeare.

The aged Dame him seeing so enraged,liv

Was dead with feare, nathlesse as neede required,

His flaming furie sought to haue assuaged

With sober words, that sufferance desired,

Till time the tryall of her truth expyred:

And euermore soughtBritomartto cleare.

But he the more with furious rage was fyred,

And thrise his hand to kill her did vpreare,

And thrise he drew it backe: so did at last forbeare.

FOOTNOTES:[6]vii 6 ghesse1609[7]xi 5 since] sith1609[8]6 then] and1609[9]xvi 4 griefe-full1609[10]7 none] one1609[11]xviii 4 Chameleon1609[12]xix 3 publique1609[13]xx 3 amisse,1596[14]xxi 4, 5 plac’t, defac’t1609[15]xxi 4, 5 plac’t, defac’t1609[16]xxiii 1 reliques1609[17]xxv 7 forth1609[18]xxxviii 5 ply.1596[19]xlv 9 dred] drad1609[20]xlvi 1 knight1596[21]li 5 rotten,1596

[6]vii 6 ghesse1609

[7]xi 5 since] sith1609

[8]6 then] and1609

[9]xvi 4 griefe-full1609

[10]7 none] one1609

[11]xviii 4 Chameleon1609

[12]xix 3 publique1609

[13]xx 3 amisse,1596

[14]xxi 4, 5 plac’t, defac’t1609

[15]xxi 4, 5 plac’t, defac’t1609

[16]xxiii 1 reliques1609

[17]xxv 7 forth1609

[18]xxxviii 5 ply.1596

[19]xlv 9 dred] drad1609

[20]xlvi 1 knight1596

[21]li 5 rotten,1596

Back to Index Next