FOOTNOTES:

Cant. III.The spousals of faire Florimell,where turney many knights:There Braggadochio is vncas’din all the Ladies sights.

Cant. III.

The spousals of faire Florimell,where turney many knights:There Braggadochio is vncas’din all the Ladies sights.

The spousals of faire Florimell,

where turney many knights:

There Braggadochio is vncas’d

in all the Ladies sights.

After long stormes and tempests ouerblowne,iThe sunne at length his ioyous face doth cleare:So when as fortune all her spight hath showne,Some blisfull houres at last must needes appeare;Else should afflicted wights oftimes despeire.So comes it now toFlorimellby tourne,After long sorrowes suffered whyleare,In which captiu’d she many moneths did mourne,To tast of ioy, and to wont pleasures to retourne.Who being freed fromProteuscruell bandiiByMarinell, was vnto him affide,And by him brought againe to Faerie land;Where he her spous’d, and made his ioyous bride.The time and place was blazed farre and wide;And solemne feasts and giusts ordain’d therefore.To which there did resort from euery sideOf Lords and Ladies infinite great store;Ne any Knight was absent, that braue courage bore.To tell the glorie of the feast that day,iiiThe goodly seruice, the deuicefull sights,The bridegromes state, the brides most rich aray,The pride of Ladies, and the worth of knights,The royall banquets, and the rare delightsWere worke fit for an Herauld, not for me:But for so much as to my lot here lights,That with this present treatise doth agree,True vertue to aduance, shall here recounted bee.When all men had with full satietieivOf meates and drinkes their appetites suffiz’d,To deedes of armes and proofe of cheualrieThey gan themselues addresse, full rich aguiz’d,As each one had his furnitures deuiz’d.And first of all issu’d SirMarinell,And with him sixe knights more, which enterpriz’dTo chalenge all in right ofFlorimell,And to maintaine, that she all others did excell.The first of them was hight SirOrimont,vA noble Knight, and tride in hard assayes:The second had to name SirBellisont,But second vnto none in prowesse prayse;The third wasBrunell, famous in his dayes;The fourthEcastor, of exceeding might;The fiftArmeddan, skild in louely layes;The sixt wasLansack, a redoubted Knight:All sixe well seene in armes, and prou’d in many a fight.And them against came all that list to giust,viFrom euery coast and countrie vnder sunne:None was debard, but all had leaue that lust.The trompets sound; then all together ronne.Full many deedes of armes that day were donne,And many knights vnhorst, and many wounded,As fortune fell; yet litle lost or wonne:But all that day the greatest prayse redoundedToMarinell, whose name the Heralds loud resounded.The second day, so soone as morrow lightviiAppear’d in heauen, into the field they came,And there all day continew’d cruell fight,With diuers fortune fit for such a game,In which all stroue with perill to winne fame.Yet whether side was victor, note be ghest:But at the last the trompets did proclameThatMarinellthat day deserued best.So they disparted were, and all men went to rest.The third day came, that should due tryall lendviiiOf all the rest, and then this warlike crewTogether met, of all to make an end.ThereMarinellgreat deeds of armes did shew;And through the thickest like a Lyon flew,Rashing off helmes, and ryuing plates a sonder,That euery one his daunger did eschew.So terribly his dreadfull strokes did thonder,That all men stood amaz’d, and at his might did wonder.But what on earth can alwayes happie stand?ixThe greater prowesse greater perils find.So farre he past amongst his enemies band,That they haue him enclosed so behind,As by no meanes he can himselfe outwind.And now perforce they haue him prisoner taken;And now they doe with captiue bands him bind;And now they lead him thence, of all forsaken,Vnlesse some succour had in time him ouertaken.It fortun’d whylest they were thus ill beset,xSirArtegallinto the Tilt-yard came,WithBraggadochio, whom he lately metVpon the way, with that his snowy Dame.Where when he vnderstood by common fame,What euill hap toMarinellbetid,He much was mou’d at so vnworthie shame,And streight that boaster prayd, with whom he rid,To change his shield with him, to be the better hid.So forth he went, and soone them ouer hent,xiWhere they were leadingMarinellaway,Whom he assayld with dreadlesse hardiment,And forst the burden of their prize to stay.They were an hundred knights of that array;Of which th’one halfe vpon himselfe did set,The other[270]stayd behind to gard the pray.But he ere long the former fiftie bet;And from the other[271]fiftie soone the prisoner fet.So backe he brought SirMarinellagaine;xiiWhom hauing quickly arm’d againe anew,They both together ioyned might and maine,To set afresh on all the other crew.Whom with sore hauocke soone they ouerthrew,And chaced quite out of the field, that noneAgainst them durst his head to perill shew.So were they left Lords of the field alone:SoMarinellby him was rescu’d from his fone.Which when he had perform’d, then backe againexiiiToBraggadochiodid his shield restore:Who all this while behind him did remaine,Keeping there close with him in pretious storeThat his false Ladie, as ye heard afore.Then did the trompets sound, and Iudges rose,And all these knights, which that day armour bore,Came to the open hall, to listen whoseThe honour of the prize should be adiudg’d by those.And thether also came in open sightxivFayreFlorimell, into the common hall,To greet his guerdon vnto euery knight,And best to him, to whom the best should fall.Then for that stranger knight they loud did call,To whom that day they should the girlond yield.Who came not forth, but for SirArtegallCameBraggadochio, and did shew his shield,Which bore the Sunne brode blazed in a golden field.The sight whereof did all with gladnesse fill:xvSo vnto him they did addeeme the priseOf all that Tryumph. Then the trompets shrillDonBraggadochiosname resounded thrise:So courage lent a cloke to cowardise.And then to him came fayrestFlorimell,And goodly gan to greet his braue emprise,And thousand thankes him yeeld, that had so wellApprou’d that day, that she all others did excell.To whom the boaster, that all knights did blot,xviWith proud disdaine did scornefull answere make;That what he did that day, he did it notFor her, but for his owne deare Ladies sake,Whom on his perill he did vndertake,Both her and eke all others to excell:And further did vncomely speaches crake.Much did his words the gentle Ladie quell,And turn’d aside for shame to heare, what he did tell.Then forth he brought his snowyFlorimell,xviiWhomTromparthad in keeping there beside,Couered from peoples gazement with a vele.Whom when discouered they had throughly eide,With great amazement they were stupefide;And said, that surelyFlorimellit was,Or if it were notFlorimellso tride,ThatFlorimellher selfe she then did pas.So feeble skill of perfect things the vulgar has.Which when asMarinellbeheld likewise,xviiiHe was therewith exceedingly dismayd;Ne wist he what to thinke, or to deuise,But like as one, whom feends had made affrayd,He long astonisht stood, ne ought he sayd,Ne ought he did, but with fast fixed eiesHe gazed still vpon that snowy mayd;Whom euer as he did the more auize,The more to be trueFlorimellhe did surmize.As when two sunnes appeare in the azure[272]skye,xixMounted inPhœbuscharet fierie bright,Both darting forth faire beames to each mans eye,And both adorn’d with lampes of flaming light,All that behold so strange prodigious sight,Not knowing natures worke, nor what to weene,Are rapt with wonder, and with rare affright.So stood SirMarinell, when he had seeneThe semblant of this false by his faire beauties Queene.All which whenArtegall, who all this whilexxStood in the preasse close couered, well aduewed,And saw that boasters pride and gracelesse guile,He could no longer beare, but forth issewed,And vnto all himselfe there open shewed,And to the boaster said; Thou losell base,That hast with borrowed plumes thy selfe endewed,And others worth with leasings doest deface,When they are all restor’d, thou shalt rest in disgrace.That shield, which thou doest beare, was it indeed,xxiWhich this dayes honour sau’d toMarinell;But not that arme, nor thou the man I reed,Which didst that seruice vntoFlorimell.For proofe shew forth thy sword, and let it tell,What strokes, what dreadfull stoure it stird this day:Or shew the wounds, which vnto thee befell;Or shew the sweat, with which thou diddest swaySo sharpe a battell, that so many did dismay.But this the sword, which wrought those cruell stounds,xxiiAnd this the arme, the which that shield did beare,And these the signes, (so shewed forth his wounds)By which that glorie gotten doth appeare.As for this Ladie, which he sheweth here,Is not (I wager)Florimellat all;But some fayre Franion, fit for such a fere,That by misfortune in his hand did fall.For proofe whereof, he bad themFlorimellforth call.So forth the noble Ladie was ybrought,xxiiiAdorn’d with honor and all comely grace:Whereto her bashfull shamefastnesse ywroughtA great increase in her faire blushing face;As roses did with lillies interlace.For of those words, the which that boaster threw,She inly yet conceiued great disgrace.Whom when as all the people such did vew,They shouted loud, and signes of gladnesse all did shew.Then did he set her by that snowy one,xxivLike the true saint beside the image set,Of both their beauties to make paragone,And triall, whether should the honor get.Streight way so soone as both together met,Th’enchaunted Damzell vanisht into nought:Her snowy substance melted as with heat,Ne of that goodly hew remayned ought,But th’emptie girdle, which about her wast was wrought.As when the daughter ofThaumantesfaire,xxvHath in a watry cloud displayed wideHer goodly bow, which paints the liquid ayre;That all men wonder at her colours pride;All suddenly, ere one can looke aside,The glorious picture vanisheth away,Ne any token doth thereof abide:So did this Ladies goodly forme decay,And into nothing goe, ere one could it bewray.Which when as all that present were, beheld,xxviThey stricken were with great astonishment,And their faint harts with senselesse horrour queld,To see the thing, that seem’d so excellent,So stolen from their fancies wonderment;That what of it became, none vnderstood.AndBraggadochioselfe with drerimentSo daunted was in his despeyring mood,That like a lifelesse corse immoueable he stood.ButArtegallthat golden belt vptooke,xxviiThe which of all her spoyle was onely left;Which was not hers, as many it mistooke,ButFlorimellsowne girdle, from her reft,While she was flying, like a weary weft,From that foule monster, which did her compellTo perils great; which he vnbuckling eft,Presented to the fayrestFlorimell;Who round about her tender wast it fitted well.Full many Ladies often had assayd,xxviiiAbout their middles that faire belt to knit;And many a one suppos’d to be a mayd:Yet it to none of all their loynes would fit,TillFlorimellabout her fastned it.Such power it had, that to no womans wastBy any skill or labour it would sit,Vnlesse that she were continent and chast,But it would lose or breake, that many had disgrast.Whilest thus they busied were boutFlorimell,xxixAnd boastfullBraggadochioto defame,SirGuyonas by fortune then befell,Forth from the thickest preasse of people came,His owne good steed, which he had stolne, to clame;And th’one hand seizing on his golden bit,With th’other drew his sword: for with the sameHe ment the thiefe there deadly to haue smit:And had he not bene held, he nought had fayld of it.Thereof great hurly burly moued wasxxxThroughout the hall, for that same warlike horse.ForBraggadochiowould not let him pas;AndGuyonwould him algates haue perforse,Or it approue vpon his carrion corse.Which troublous stirre whenArtegallperceiued,He nigh them drew to stay th’auengers forse,And gan inquire, how was that steed bereaued,Whether by might extort, or else by slight deceaued.Who all that piteous storie, which befellxxxiAbout that wofull couple, which were slaine,And their young bloodie babe to him gan tell;With whom whiles he did in the wood remaine,His horse purloyned was by subtill traine:For which he chalenged the thiefe to fight.But he for nought could him thereto constraine.For as the death he hated such despight,And rather had to lose, then trie in armes his right.WhichArtegallwell hearing, though no morexxxiiBy law of armes there neede ones right to trie,As was the wont of warlike knights of yore,Then that his foe should him the field denie,Yet further right by tokens to descrie,He askt, what priuie tokens he did beare.If that (saidGuyon) may you satisfie,Within his mouth a blacke spot doth appeare,Shapt like a horses shoe, who list to seeke it there.Whereof to make due tryall, one did takexxxiiiThe horse in hand, within his mouth to looke:But with his heeles so sorely he him strake,That all his ribs he quite in peeces broke,That neuer word from that day forth he spoke.Another that would seeme to haue more wit,Him by the bright embrodered hedstall tooke:But by the shoulder him so sore he bit,That he him maymed quite, and all his shoulder split.Ne he his mouth would open vnto wight,xxxivVntill thatGuyonselfe vnto him spake,And calledBrigadore(so was he hight)Whose voice so soone as he did vndertake,Eftsoones he stood as still as any stake,And suffred all his secret marke to see:And when as he him nam’d, for ioy he brakeHis bands, and follow’d him with gladfull glee,And friskt, and flong aloft, and louted low on knee.Thereby SirArtegalldid plaine areed,xxxvThat vnto him the horse belong’d, and sayd;Lo there SirGuyon, take to you the steed,As he with golden saddle is arayd;And let that losell, plainely now displayd,Hence fare on foot, till he an horse haue gayned.But the proud boaster gan his doome vpbrayd,And him reuil’d, and rated, and disdayned,That iudgement so vniust against him had ordayned.Much was the knight incenst with his lewd word,xxxviTo haue reuenged that his villeny;And thrise did lay his hand vpon his sword,To haue him slaine, or dearely doen aby.ButGuyondid his choler pacify,Saying, Sir knight, it would dishonour beeTo you, that are our iudge of equity,To wreake your wrath on such a carle as hee:[273]It’s punishment enough, that all his shame doe see.So did he mitigate SirArtegall,xxxviiButTalusby the backe the boaster hent,And drawing him out of the open hall,Vpon him did inflict this punishment.First he his beard did shaue, and fowly shent:Then from him reft his shield, and it renuerst,And blotted out his armes with falshood blent,And himselfe baffuld, and his armes vnherst,And broke his sword in twaine, and all his armour sperst.The whiles his guilefull groome was fled away:xxxviiiBut vaine it was to thinke from him to flie.Who ouertaking him did disaray,And all his face deform’d with infamie,And out of court him scourged openly.So ought all faytours, that true knighthood shame,And armes dishonour with base villanie,From all braue knights be banisht with defame:For oft their lewdnes blotteth good deserts with blame.Now when these counterfeits were thus vncasedxxxixOut of the foreside of their forgerie,And in the sight of all men cleane disgraced,All gan to iest and gibe full merilieAt the remembrance of their knauerie.Ladies can laugh at Ladies, Knights at Knights,To thinke with how great vaunt of brauerieHe them abused, through his subtill slights,And what a glorious shew he made in all their sights.There leaue we them in pleasure and repast,xlSpending their ioyous dayes and gladfull nights,And taking vsurie of time forepast,With all deare delices and rare delights,Fit for such Ladies and such louely knights:And turne we[274]here to this faire furrowes endOur wearie yokes, to gather fresher sprights,That when as time toArtegallshall tend,We on his first aduenture may him forward send.

After long stormes and tempests ouerblowne,i

The sunne at length his ioyous face doth cleare:

So when as fortune all her spight hath showne,

Some blisfull houres at last must needes appeare;

Else should afflicted wights oftimes despeire.

So comes it now toFlorimellby tourne,

After long sorrowes suffered whyleare,

In which captiu’d she many moneths did mourne,

To tast of ioy, and to wont pleasures to retourne.

Who being freed fromProteuscruell bandiiByMarinell, was vnto him affide,And by him brought againe to Faerie land;Where he her spous’d, and made his ioyous bride.The time and place was blazed farre and wide;And solemne feasts and giusts ordain’d therefore.To which there did resort from euery sideOf Lords and Ladies infinite great store;Ne any Knight was absent, that braue courage bore.

Who being freed fromProteuscruell bandii

ByMarinell, was vnto him affide,

And by him brought againe to Faerie land;

Where he her spous’d, and made his ioyous bride.

The time and place was blazed farre and wide;

And solemne feasts and giusts ordain’d therefore.

To which there did resort from euery side

Of Lords and Ladies infinite great store;

Ne any Knight was absent, that braue courage bore.

To tell the glorie of the feast that day,iiiThe goodly seruice, the deuicefull sights,The bridegromes state, the brides most rich aray,The pride of Ladies, and the worth of knights,The royall banquets, and the rare delightsWere worke fit for an Herauld, not for me:But for so much as to my lot here lights,That with this present treatise doth agree,True vertue to aduance, shall here recounted bee.

To tell the glorie of the feast that day,iii

The goodly seruice, the deuicefull sights,

The bridegromes state, the brides most rich aray,

The pride of Ladies, and the worth of knights,

The royall banquets, and the rare delights

Were worke fit for an Herauld, not for me:

But for so much as to my lot here lights,

That with this present treatise doth agree,

True vertue to aduance, shall here recounted bee.

When all men had with full satietieivOf meates and drinkes their appetites suffiz’d,To deedes of armes and proofe of cheualrieThey gan themselues addresse, full rich aguiz’d,As each one had his furnitures deuiz’d.And first of all issu’d SirMarinell,And with him sixe knights more, which enterpriz’dTo chalenge all in right ofFlorimell,And to maintaine, that she all others did excell.

When all men had with full satietieiv

Of meates and drinkes their appetites suffiz’d,

To deedes of armes and proofe of cheualrie

They gan themselues addresse, full rich aguiz’d,

As each one had his furnitures deuiz’d.

And first of all issu’d SirMarinell,

And with him sixe knights more, which enterpriz’d

To chalenge all in right ofFlorimell,

And to maintaine, that she all others did excell.

The first of them was hight SirOrimont,vA noble Knight, and tride in hard assayes:The second had to name SirBellisont,But second vnto none in prowesse prayse;The third wasBrunell, famous in his dayes;The fourthEcastor, of exceeding might;The fiftArmeddan, skild in louely layes;The sixt wasLansack, a redoubted Knight:All sixe well seene in armes, and prou’d in many a fight.

The first of them was hight SirOrimont,v

A noble Knight, and tride in hard assayes:

The second had to name SirBellisont,

But second vnto none in prowesse prayse;

The third wasBrunell, famous in his dayes;

The fourthEcastor, of exceeding might;

The fiftArmeddan, skild in louely layes;

The sixt wasLansack, a redoubted Knight:

All sixe well seene in armes, and prou’d in many a fight.

And them against came all that list to giust,viFrom euery coast and countrie vnder sunne:None was debard, but all had leaue that lust.The trompets sound; then all together ronne.Full many deedes of armes that day were donne,And many knights vnhorst, and many wounded,As fortune fell; yet litle lost or wonne:But all that day the greatest prayse redoundedToMarinell, whose name the Heralds loud resounded.

And them against came all that list to giust,vi

From euery coast and countrie vnder sunne:

None was debard, but all had leaue that lust.

The trompets sound; then all together ronne.

Full many deedes of armes that day were donne,

And many knights vnhorst, and many wounded,

As fortune fell; yet litle lost or wonne:

But all that day the greatest prayse redounded

ToMarinell, whose name the Heralds loud resounded.

The second day, so soone as morrow lightviiAppear’d in heauen, into the field they came,And there all day continew’d cruell fight,With diuers fortune fit for such a game,In which all stroue with perill to winne fame.Yet whether side was victor, note be ghest:But at the last the trompets did proclameThatMarinellthat day deserued best.So they disparted were, and all men went to rest.

The second day, so soone as morrow lightvii

Appear’d in heauen, into the field they came,

And there all day continew’d cruell fight,

With diuers fortune fit for such a game,

In which all stroue with perill to winne fame.

Yet whether side was victor, note be ghest:

But at the last the trompets did proclame

ThatMarinellthat day deserued best.

So they disparted were, and all men went to rest.

The third day came, that should due tryall lendviiiOf all the rest, and then this warlike crewTogether met, of all to make an end.ThereMarinellgreat deeds of armes did shew;And through the thickest like a Lyon flew,Rashing off helmes, and ryuing plates a sonder,That euery one his daunger did eschew.So terribly his dreadfull strokes did thonder,That all men stood amaz’d, and at his might did wonder.

The third day came, that should due tryall lendviii

Of all the rest, and then this warlike crew

Together met, of all to make an end.

ThereMarinellgreat deeds of armes did shew;

And through the thickest like a Lyon flew,

Rashing off helmes, and ryuing plates a sonder,

That euery one his daunger did eschew.

So terribly his dreadfull strokes did thonder,

That all men stood amaz’d, and at his might did wonder.

But what on earth can alwayes happie stand?ixThe greater prowesse greater perils find.So farre he past amongst his enemies band,That they haue him enclosed so behind,As by no meanes he can himselfe outwind.And now perforce they haue him prisoner taken;And now they doe with captiue bands him bind;And now they lead him thence, of all forsaken,Vnlesse some succour had in time him ouertaken.

But what on earth can alwayes happie stand?ix

The greater prowesse greater perils find.

So farre he past amongst his enemies band,

That they haue him enclosed so behind,

As by no meanes he can himselfe outwind.

And now perforce they haue him prisoner taken;

And now they doe with captiue bands him bind;

And now they lead him thence, of all forsaken,

Vnlesse some succour had in time him ouertaken.

It fortun’d whylest they were thus ill beset,xSirArtegallinto the Tilt-yard came,WithBraggadochio, whom he lately metVpon the way, with that his snowy Dame.Where when he vnderstood by common fame,What euill hap toMarinellbetid,He much was mou’d at so vnworthie shame,And streight that boaster prayd, with whom he rid,To change his shield with him, to be the better hid.

It fortun’d whylest they were thus ill beset,x

SirArtegallinto the Tilt-yard came,

WithBraggadochio, whom he lately met

Vpon the way, with that his snowy Dame.

Where when he vnderstood by common fame,

What euill hap toMarinellbetid,

He much was mou’d at so vnworthie shame,

And streight that boaster prayd, with whom he rid,

To change his shield with him, to be the better hid.

So forth he went, and soone them ouer hent,xiWhere they were leadingMarinellaway,Whom he assayld with dreadlesse hardiment,And forst the burden of their prize to stay.They were an hundred knights of that array;Of which th’one halfe vpon himselfe did set,The other[270]stayd behind to gard the pray.But he ere long the former fiftie bet;And from the other[271]fiftie soone the prisoner fet.

So forth he went, and soone them ouer hent,xi

Where they were leadingMarinellaway,

Whom he assayld with dreadlesse hardiment,

And forst the burden of their prize to stay.

They were an hundred knights of that array;

Of which th’one halfe vpon himselfe did set,

The other[270]stayd behind to gard the pray.

But he ere long the former fiftie bet;

And from the other[271]fiftie soone the prisoner fet.

So backe he brought SirMarinellagaine;xiiWhom hauing quickly arm’d againe anew,They both together ioyned might and maine,To set afresh on all the other crew.Whom with sore hauocke soone they ouerthrew,And chaced quite out of the field, that noneAgainst them durst his head to perill shew.So were they left Lords of the field alone:SoMarinellby him was rescu’d from his fone.

So backe he brought SirMarinellagaine;xii

Whom hauing quickly arm’d againe anew,

They both together ioyned might and maine,

To set afresh on all the other crew.

Whom with sore hauocke soone they ouerthrew,

And chaced quite out of the field, that none

Against them durst his head to perill shew.

So were they left Lords of the field alone:

SoMarinellby him was rescu’d from his fone.

Which when he had perform’d, then backe againexiiiToBraggadochiodid his shield restore:Who all this while behind him did remaine,Keeping there close with him in pretious storeThat his false Ladie, as ye heard afore.Then did the trompets sound, and Iudges rose,And all these knights, which that day armour bore,Came to the open hall, to listen whoseThe honour of the prize should be adiudg’d by those.

Which when he had perform’d, then backe againexiii

ToBraggadochiodid his shield restore:

Who all this while behind him did remaine,

Keeping there close with him in pretious store

That his false Ladie, as ye heard afore.

Then did the trompets sound, and Iudges rose,

And all these knights, which that day armour bore,

Came to the open hall, to listen whose

The honour of the prize should be adiudg’d by those.

And thether also came in open sightxivFayreFlorimell, into the common hall,To greet his guerdon vnto euery knight,And best to him, to whom the best should fall.Then for that stranger knight they loud did call,To whom that day they should the girlond yield.Who came not forth, but for SirArtegallCameBraggadochio, and did shew his shield,Which bore the Sunne brode blazed in a golden field.

And thether also came in open sightxiv

FayreFlorimell, into the common hall,

To greet his guerdon vnto euery knight,

And best to him, to whom the best should fall.

Then for that stranger knight they loud did call,

To whom that day they should the girlond yield.

Who came not forth, but for SirArtegall

CameBraggadochio, and did shew his shield,

Which bore the Sunne brode blazed in a golden field.

The sight whereof did all with gladnesse fill:xvSo vnto him they did addeeme the priseOf all that Tryumph. Then the trompets shrillDonBraggadochiosname resounded thrise:So courage lent a cloke to cowardise.And then to him came fayrestFlorimell,And goodly gan to greet his braue emprise,And thousand thankes him yeeld, that had so wellApprou’d that day, that she all others did excell.

The sight whereof did all with gladnesse fill:xv

So vnto him they did addeeme the prise

Of all that Tryumph. Then the trompets shrill

DonBraggadochiosname resounded thrise:

So courage lent a cloke to cowardise.

And then to him came fayrestFlorimell,

And goodly gan to greet his braue emprise,

And thousand thankes him yeeld, that had so well

Approu’d that day, that she all others did excell.

To whom the boaster, that all knights did blot,xviWith proud disdaine did scornefull answere make;That what he did that day, he did it notFor her, but for his owne deare Ladies sake,Whom on his perill he did vndertake,Both her and eke all others to excell:And further did vncomely speaches crake.Much did his words the gentle Ladie quell,And turn’d aside for shame to heare, what he did tell.

To whom the boaster, that all knights did blot,xvi

With proud disdaine did scornefull answere make;

That what he did that day, he did it not

For her, but for his owne deare Ladies sake,

Whom on his perill he did vndertake,

Both her and eke all others to excell:

And further did vncomely speaches crake.

Much did his words the gentle Ladie quell,

And turn’d aside for shame to heare, what he did tell.

Then forth he brought his snowyFlorimell,xviiWhomTromparthad in keeping there beside,Couered from peoples gazement with a vele.Whom when discouered they had throughly eide,With great amazement they were stupefide;And said, that surelyFlorimellit was,Or if it were notFlorimellso tride,ThatFlorimellher selfe she then did pas.So feeble skill of perfect things the vulgar has.

Then forth he brought his snowyFlorimell,xvii

WhomTromparthad in keeping there beside,

Couered from peoples gazement with a vele.

Whom when discouered they had throughly eide,

With great amazement they were stupefide;

And said, that surelyFlorimellit was,

Or if it were notFlorimellso tride,

ThatFlorimellher selfe she then did pas.

So feeble skill of perfect things the vulgar has.

Which when asMarinellbeheld likewise,xviiiHe was therewith exceedingly dismayd;Ne wist he what to thinke, or to deuise,But like as one, whom feends had made affrayd,He long astonisht stood, ne ought he sayd,Ne ought he did, but with fast fixed eiesHe gazed still vpon that snowy mayd;Whom euer as he did the more auize,The more to be trueFlorimellhe did surmize.

Which when asMarinellbeheld likewise,xviii

He was therewith exceedingly dismayd;

Ne wist he what to thinke, or to deuise,

But like as one, whom feends had made affrayd,

He long astonisht stood, ne ought he sayd,

Ne ought he did, but with fast fixed eies

He gazed still vpon that snowy mayd;

Whom euer as he did the more auize,

The more to be trueFlorimellhe did surmize.

As when two sunnes appeare in the azure[272]skye,xixMounted inPhœbuscharet fierie bright,Both darting forth faire beames to each mans eye,And both adorn’d with lampes of flaming light,All that behold so strange prodigious sight,Not knowing natures worke, nor what to weene,Are rapt with wonder, and with rare affright.So stood SirMarinell, when he had seeneThe semblant of this false by his faire beauties Queene.

As when two sunnes appeare in the azure[272]skye,xix

Mounted inPhœbuscharet fierie bright,

Both darting forth faire beames to each mans eye,

And both adorn’d with lampes of flaming light,

All that behold so strange prodigious sight,

Not knowing natures worke, nor what to weene,

Are rapt with wonder, and with rare affright.

So stood SirMarinell, when he had seene

The semblant of this false by his faire beauties Queene.

All which whenArtegall, who all this whilexxStood in the preasse close couered, well aduewed,And saw that boasters pride and gracelesse guile,He could no longer beare, but forth issewed,And vnto all himselfe there open shewed,And to the boaster said; Thou losell base,That hast with borrowed plumes thy selfe endewed,And others worth with leasings doest deface,When they are all restor’d, thou shalt rest in disgrace.

All which whenArtegall, who all this whilexx

Stood in the preasse close couered, well aduewed,

And saw that boasters pride and gracelesse guile,

He could no longer beare, but forth issewed,

And vnto all himselfe there open shewed,

And to the boaster said; Thou losell base,

That hast with borrowed plumes thy selfe endewed,

And others worth with leasings doest deface,

When they are all restor’d, thou shalt rest in disgrace.

That shield, which thou doest beare, was it indeed,xxiWhich this dayes honour sau’d toMarinell;But not that arme, nor thou the man I reed,Which didst that seruice vntoFlorimell.For proofe shew forth thy sword, and let it tell,What strokes, what dreadfull stoure it stird this day:Or shew the wounds, which vnto thee befell;Or shew the sweat, with which thou diddest swaySo sharpe a battell, that so many did dismay.

That shield, which thou doest beare, was it indeed,xxi

Which this dayes honour sau’d toMarinell;

But not that arme, nor thou the man I reed,

Which didst that seruice vntoFlorimell.

For proofe shew forth thy sword, and let it tell,

What strokes, what dreadfull stoure it stird this day:

Or shew the wounds, which vnto thee befell;

Or shew the sweat, with which thou diddest sway

So sharpe a battell, that so many did dismay.

But this the sword, which wrought those cruell stounds,xxiiAnd this the arme, the which that shield did beare,And these the signes, (so shewed forth his wounds)By which that glorie gotten doth appeare.As for this Ladie, which he sheweth here,Is not (I wager)Florimellat all;But some fayre Franion, fit for such a fere,That by misfortune in his hand did fall.For proofe whereof, he bad themFlorimellforth call.

But this the sword, which wrought those cruell stounds,xxii

And this the arme, the which that shield did beare,

And these the signes, (so shewed forth his wounds)

By which that glorie gotten doth appeare.

As for this Ladie, which he sheweth here,

Is not (I wager)Florimellat all;

But some fayre Franion, fit for such a fere,

That by misfortune in his hand did fall.

For proofe whereof, he bad themFlorimellforth call.

So forth the noble Ladie was ybrought,xxiiiAdorn’d with honor and all comely grace:Whereto her bashfull shamefastnesse ywroughtA great increase in her faire blushing face;As roses did with lillies interlace.For of those words, the which that boaster threw,She inly yet conceiued great disgrace.Whom when as all the people such did vew,They shouted loud, and signes of gladnesse all did shew.

So forth the noble Ladie was ybrought,xxiii

Adorn’d with honor and all comely grace:

Whereto her bashfull shamefastnesse ywrought

A great increase in her faire blushing face;

As roses did with lillies interlace.

For of those words, the which that boaster threw,

She inly yet conceiued great disgrace.

Whom when as all the people such did vew,

They shouted loud, and signes of gladnesse all did shew.

Then did he set her by that snowy one,xxivLike the true saint beside the image set,Of both their beauties to make paragone,And triall, whether should the honor get.Streight way so soone as both together met,Th’enchaunted Damzell vanisht into nought:Her snowy substance melted as with heat,Ne of that goodly hew remayned ought,But th’emptie girdle, which about her wast was wrought.

Then did he set her by that snowy one,xxiv

Like the true saint beside the image set,

Of both their beauties to make paragone,

And triall, whether should the honor get.

Streight way so soone as both together met,

Th’enchaunted Damzell vanisht into nought:

Her snowy substance melted as with heat,

Ne of that goodly hew remayned ought,

But th’emptie girdle, which about her wast was wrought.

As when the daughter ofThaumantesfaire,xxvHath in a watry cloud displayed wideHer goodly bow, which paints the liquid ayre;That all men wonder at her colours pride;All suddenly, ere one can looke aside,The glorious picture vanisheth away,Ne any token doth thereof abide:So did this Ladies goodly forme decay,And into nothing goe, ere one could it bewray.

As when the daughter ofThaumantesfaire,xxv

Hath in a watry cloud displayed wide

Her goodly bow, which paints the liquid ayre;

That all men wonder at her colours pride;

All suddenly, ere one can looke aside,

The glorious picture vanisheth away,

Ne any token doth thereof abide:

So did this Ladies goodly forme decay,

And into nothing goe, ere one could it bewray.

Which when as all that present were, beheld,xxviThey stricken were with great astonishment,And their faint harts with senselesse horrour queld,To see the thing, that seem’d so excellent,So stolen from their fancies wonderment;That what of it became, none vnderstood.AndBraggadochioselfe with drerimentSo daunted was in his despeyring mood,That like a lifelesse corse immoueable he stood.

Which when as all that present were, beheld,xxvi

They stricken were with great astonishment,

And their faint harts with senselesse horrour queld,

To see the thing, that seem’d so excellent,

So stolen from their fancies wonderment;

That what of it became, none vnderstood.

AndBraggadochioselfe with dreriment

So daunted was in his despeyring mood,

That like a lifelesse corse immoueable he stood.

ButArtegallthat golden belt vptooke,xxviiThe which of all her spoyle was onely left;Which was not hers, as many it mistooke,ButFlorimellsowne girdle, from her reft,While she was flying, like a weary weft,From that foule monster, which did her compellTo perils great; which he vnbuckling eft,Presented to the fayrestFlorimell;Who round about her tender wast it fitted well.

ButArtegallthat golden belt vptooke,xxvii

The which of all her spoyle was onely left;

Which was not hers, as many it mistooke,

ButFlorimellsowne girdle, from her reft,

While she was flying, like a weary weft,

From that foule monster, which did her compell

To perils great; which he vnbuckling eft,

Presented to the fayrestFlorimell;

Who round about her tender wast it fitted well.

Full many Ladies often had assayd,xxviiiAbout their middles that faire belt to knit;And many a one suppos’d to be a mayd:Yet it to none of all their loynes would fit,TillFlorimellabout her fastned it.Such power it had, that to no womans wastBy any skill or labour it would sit,Vnlesse that she were continent and chast,But it would lose or breake, that many had disgrast.

Full many Ladies often had assayd,xxviii

About their middles that faire belt to knit;

And many a one suppos’d to be a mayd:

Yet it to none of all their loynes would fit,

TillFlorimellabout her fastned it.

Such power it had, that to no womans wast

By any skill or labour it would sit,

Vnlesse that she were continent and chast,

But it would lose or breake, that many had disgrast.

Whilest thus they busied were boutFlorimell,xxixAnd boastfullBraggadochioto defame,SirGuyonas by fortune then befell,Forth from the thickest preasse of people came,His owne good steed, which he had stolne, to clame;And th’one hand seizing on his golden bit,With th’other drew his sword: for with the sameHe ment the thiefe there deadly to haue smit:And had he not bene held, he nought had fayld of it.

Whilest thus they busied were boutFlorimell,xxix

And boastfullBraggadochioto defame,

SirGuyonas by fortune then befell,

Forth from the thickest preasse of people came,

His owne good steed, which he had stolne, to clame;

And th’one hand seizing on his golden bit,

With th’other drew his sword: for with the same

He ment the thiefe there deadly to haue smit:

And had he not bene held, he nought had fayld of it.

Thereof great hurly burly moued wasxxxThroughout the hall, for that same warlike horse.ForBraggadochiowould not let him pas;AndGuyonwould him algates haue perforse,Or it approue vpon his carrion corse.Which troublous stirre whenArtegallperceiued,He nigh them drew to stay th’auengers forse,And gan inquire, how was that steed bereaued,Whether by might extort, or else by slight deceaued.

Thereof great hurly burly moued wasxxx

Throughout the hall, for that same warlike horse.

ForBraggadochiowould not let him pas;

AndGuyonwould him algates haue perforse,

Or it approue vpon his carrion corse.

Which troublous stirre whenArtegallperceiued,

He nigh them drew to stay th’auengers forse,

And gan inquire, how was that steed bereaued,

Whether by might extort, or else by slight deceaued.

Who all that piteous storie, which befellxxxiAbout that wofull couple, which were slaine,And their young bloodie babe to him gan tell;With whom whiles he did in the wood remaine,His horse purloyned was by subtill traine:For which he chalenged the thiefe to fight.But he for nought could him thereto constraine.For as the death he hated such despight,And rather had to lose, then trie in armes his right.

Who all that piteous storie, which befellxxxi

About that wofull couple, which were slaine,

And their young bloodie babe to him gan tell;

With whom whiles he did in the wood remaine,

His horse purloyned was by subtill traine:

For which he chalenged the thiefe to fight.

But he for nought could him thereto constraine.

For as the death he hated such despight,

And rather had to lose, then trie in armes his right.

WhichArtegallwell hearing, though no morexxxiiBy law of armes there neede ones right to trie,As was the wont of warlike knights of yore,Then that his foe should him the field denie,Yet further right by tokens to descrie,He askt, what priuie tokens he did beare.If that (saidGuyon) may you satisfie,Within his mouth a blacke spot doth appeare,Shapt like a horses shoe, who list to seeke it there.

WhichArtegallwell hearing, though no morexxxii

By law of armes there neede ones right to trie,

As was the wont of warlike knights of yore,

Then that his foe should him the field denie,

Yet further right by tokens to descrie,

He askt, what priuie tokens he did beare.

If that (saidGuyon) may you satisfie,

Within his mouth a blacke spot doth appeare,

Shapt like a horses shoe, who list to seeke it there.

Whereof to make due tryall, one did takexxxiiiThe horse in hand, within his mouth to looke:But with his heeles so sorely he him strake,That all his ribs he quite in peeces broke,That neuer word from that day forth he spoke.Another that would seeme to haue more wit,Him by the bright embrodered hedstall tooke:But by the shoulder him so sore he bit,That he him maymed quite, and all his shoulder split.

Whereof to make due tryall, one did takexxxiii

The horse in hand, within his mouth to looke:

But with his heeles so sorely he him strake,

That all his ribs he quite in peeces broke,

That neuer word from that day forth he spoke.

Another that would seeme to haue more wit,

Him by the bright embrodered hedstall tooke:

But by the shoulder him so sore he bit,

That he him maymed quite, and all his shoulder split.

Ne he his mouth would open vnto wight,xxxivVntill thatGuyonselfe vnto him spake,And calledBrigadore(so was he hight)Whose voice so soone as he did vndertake,Eftsoones he stood as still as any stake,And suffred all his secret marke to see:And when as he him nam’d, for ioy he brakeHis bands, and follow’d him with gladfull glee,And friskt, and flong aloft, and louted low on knee.

Ne he his mouth would open vnto wight,xxxiv

Vntill thatGuyonselfe vnto him spake,

And calledBrigadore(so was he hight)

Whose voice so soone as he did vndertake,

Eftsoones he stood as still as any stake,

And suffred all his secret marke to see:

And when as he him nam’d, for ioy he brake

His bands, and follow’d him with gladfull glee,

And friskt, and flong aloft, and louted low on knee.

Thereby SirArtegalldid plaine areed,xxxvThat vnto him the horse belong’d, and sayd;Lo there SirGuyon, take to you the steed,As he with golden saddle is arayd;And let that losell, plainely now displayd,Hence fare on foot, till he an horse haue gayned.But the proud boaster gan his doome vpbrayd,And him reuil’d, and rated, and disdayned,That iudgement so vniust against him had ordayned.

Thereby SirArtegalldid plaine areed,xxxv

That vnto him the horse belong’d, and sayd;

Lo there SirGuyon, take to you the steed,

As he with golden saddle is arayd;

And let that losell, plainely now displayd,

Hence fare on foot, till he an horse haue gayned.

But the proud boaster gan his doome vpbrayd,

And him reuil’d, and rated, and disdayned,

That iudgement so vniust against him had ordayned.

Much was the knight incenst with his lewd word,xxxviTo haue reuenged that his villeny;And thrise did lay his hand vpon his sword,To haue him slaine, or dearely doen aby.ButGuyondid his choler pacify,Saying, Sir knight, it would dishonour beeTo you, that are our iudge of equity,To wreake your wrath on such a carle as hee:[273]It’s punishment enough, that all his shame doe see.

Much was the knight incenst with his lewd word,xxxvi

To haue reuenged that his villeny;

And thrise did lay his hand vpon his sword,

To haue him slaine, or dearely doen aby.

ButGuyondid his choler pacify,

Saying, Sir knight, it would dishonour bee

To you, that are our iudge of equity,

To wreake your wrath on such a carle as hee:[273]

It’s punishment enough, that all his shame doe see.

So did he mitigate SirArtegall,xxxviiButTalusby the backe the boaster hent,And drawing him out of the open hall,Vpon him did inflict this punishment.First he his beard did shaue, and fowly shent:Then from him reft his shield, and it renuerst,And blotted out his armes with falshood blent,And himselfe baffuld, and his armes vnherst,And broke his sword in twaine, and all his armour sperst.

So did he mitigate SirArtegall,xxxvii

ButTalusby the backe the boaster hent,

And drawing him out of the open hall,

Vpon him did inflict this punishment.

First he his beard did shaue, and fowly shent:

Then from him reft his shield, and it renuerst,

And blotted out his armes with falshood blent,

And himselfe baffuld, and his armes vnherst,

And broke his sword in twaine, and all his armour sperst.

The whiles his guilefull groome was fled away:xxxviiiBut vaine it was to thinke from him to flie.Who ouertaking him did disaray,And all his face deform’d with infamie,And out of court him scourged openly.So ought all faytours, that true knighthood shame,And armes dishonour with base villanie,From all braue knights be banisht with defame:For oft their lewdnes blotteth good deserts with blame.

The whiles his guilefull groome was fled away:xxxviii

But vaine it was to thinke from him to flie.

Who ouertaking him did disaray,

And all his face deform’d with infamie,

And out of court him scourged openly.

So ought all faytours, that true knighthood shame,

And armes dishonour with base villanie,

From all braue knights be banisht with defame:

For oft their lewdnes blotteth good deserts with blame.

Now when these counterfeits were thus vncasedxxxixOut of the foreside of their forgerie,And in the sight of all men cleane disgraced,All gan to iest and gibe full merilieAt the remembrance of their knauerie.Ladies can laugh at Ladies, Knights at Knights,To thinke with how great vaunt of brauerieHe them abused, through his subtill slights,And what a glorious shew he made in all their sights.

Now when these counterfeits were thus vncasedxxxix

Out of the foreside of their forgerie,

And in the sight of all men cleane disgraced,

All gan to iest and gibe full merilie

At the remembrance of their knauerie.

Ladies can laugh at Ladies, Knights at Knights,

To thinke with how great vaunt of brauerie

He them abused, through his subtill slights,

And what a glorious shew he made in all their sights.

There leaue we them in pleasure and repast,xlSpending their ioyous dayes and gladfull nights,And taking vsurie of time forepast,With all deare delices and rare delights,Fit for such Ladies and such louely knights:And turne we[274]here to this faire furrowes endOur wearie yokes, to gather fresher sprights,That when as time toArtegallshall tend,We on his first aduenture may him forward send.

There leaue we them in pleasure and repast,xl

Spending their ioyous dayes and gladfull nights,

And taking vsurie of time forepast,

With all deare delices and rare delights,

Fit for such Ladies and such louely knights:

And turne we[274]here to this faire furrowes end

Our wearie yokes, to gather fresher sprights,

That when as time toArtegallshall tend,

We on his first aduenture may him forward send.

FOOTNOTES:[270]xi 7 Th’other1596,1609[271]9 th’other1596,1609[272]xix 1 th’azure1609[273]xxxvi 8 hee1596

[270]xi 7 Th’other1596,1609

[271]9 th’other1596,1609

[272]xix 1 th’azure1609

[273]xxxvi 8 hee1596

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