FOOTNOTES:

Cant. II.Blandamour winnes false Florimell,Paridell for her striues,They are accorded: Agapedoth lengthen her sonnes liues.

Cant. II.

Blandamour winnes false Florimell,Paridell for her striues,They are accorded: Agapedoth lengthen her sonnes liues.

Blandamour winnes false Florimell,

Paridell for her striues,

They are accorded: Agape

doth lengthen her sonnes liues.

Firebrand of hell first tynd in Phlegeton,iBy thousand furies, and from thence out throwenInto this world, to worke confusion,And set it all on fire by force vnknowen,Is wicked discord, whose small sparkes once blowenNone but a God or godlike man can slake;Such as wasOrpheus, that when strife was growenAmongst those famous ympes of Greece, did takeHis siluer Harpe in hand, and shortly friends them make.Or such as that celestiall Psalmist was,iiThat when the wicked feend his Lord tormented,With heauenly notes, that did all other pas,The outrage of his furious fit relented.Such Musicke is wise words with time concented,To moderate stiffe minds, disposd to striue:Such as that prudent Romane well inuented,What time his people into partes did riue,Them reconcyld againe, and to their homes did driue.Such vs’d wiseGlauceto that wrathfull knight,iiiTo calme the tempest of his troubled thought:YetBlandamourwith termes of foule despight,AndParidellher scornd, and set at nought,As[22]old and crooked and not good for ought.Both they vnwise, and warelesse of the euill,That by themselues vnto themselues is wrought,Through that false witch, and that foule aged dreuill,The one a feend, the other an incarnate deuill.With whom as they thus rode accompanide,ivThey were encountred of a lustie Knight,That had a goodly Ladie by his side,To whom he made great dalliance and delight.It was to weete the bold SirFerraughhight,He that fromBraggadocchiowhilome reftThe snowyFlorimell, whose beautie brightMade him seeme happie for so glorious theft;Yet was it in due triall but a wandring weft.Which when asBlandamour, whose fancie lightvWas alwaies flitting as the wauering wind,After each beautie, that appeard in sight,Beheld, eftsoones it prickt his wanton mindWith sting of lust, that reasons eye did blind,That to SirParidellthese words he sent;Sir knight why ride ye dumpish thus behind,Since so good fortune doth to you presentSo fayre a spoyle, to make you ioyous meriment?ButParidellthat had too late a tryallviOf the bad issue of his counsell vaine,List not to hearke, but made this faire denyall;Last turne was mine, well proued to my paine,This now be yours, God send you better gaine.Whose scoffed words he taking halfe in scorne,Fiercely forth prickt his steed as in disdaine,Against that Knight, ere he him well could torne:[23]By meanes whereof he hath him lightly ouerborne.Who with the sudden stroke astonisht sore,viiVpon the ground a while in slomber lay;The whiles his loue away the other bore,And shewing her, didParidellvpbray;Lo sluggish Knight the victors happie pray:So fortune friends the bold: whomParidellSeeing so faire indeede, as he did say,His hart with secret enuie gan to swell,And inly grudge at him, that he had sped so well.Nathlesse proud man himselfe the other deemed,viiiHauing so peerelesse paragon ygot:For sure the fayrestFlorimellhim seemed,To him was fallen for his happie lot,Whose like aliue on earth he weened not:Therefore he her did court, did serue, did wooe,With humblest suit that he imagine mot,And all things did deuise, and all things dooe,That might her loue prepare, and liking win theretoo.She in regard thereof him recompenstixWith golden words, and goodly countenance,And such fond fauours sparingly dispenst:Sometimes him blessing with a light eye-glance,And coy lookes tempring with loose dalliance;Sometimes estranging him in sterner wise,That hauing cast him in a foolish trance,He seemed brought to bed in Paradise,And prou’d himselfe most foole, in what he seem’d most wise.So great a mistresse of her art she was,xAnd perfectly practiz’d in womans craft,That though therein himselfe he thought to pas,And by his false allurements wylie draft[24]Had thousand women of their loue beraft,Yet now he was surpriz’d: for that false spright,Which that same witch had in this forme engraft,Was so expert in euery subtile slight,That it could ouerreach the wisest earthly wight.Yet he to her did dayly seruice more,xiAnd dayly more deceiued was thereby;YetParidellhim enuied therefore,As seeming plast in sole felicity:So blind is lust, false colours to descry.ButAtesoone discouering his desire,And finding now fit opportunityTo stirre vp strife, twixt loue and spight and ire,Did priuily put coles vnto his secret fire.By sundry meanes thereto she prickt him forth,xiiNow with remembrance of those spightfull speaches,Now with opinion of his owne more worth,Now with recounting of like former breachesMade in their friendship, as that Hag him teaches:And euer when his passion is allayd,She it reuiues and new occasion reaches:That on a time as they together way’d,He made him open chalenge, and thus boldly sayd.Too boastfullBlandamour, too long I bearexiiiThe open wrongs, thou doest me day by day;[25]Well know’st thou, when we friendship first did sweare,The couenant was, that euery spoyle or prayShould equally be shard betwixt vs tway:Where is my part then of this Ladie bright,Whom to thy selfe thou takest quite away?Render therefore therein to me my right,Or answere for thy wrong, as shall fall out in fight.Exceeding wroth thereat wasBlandamour,xivAnd gan this bitter answere to him make;Too foolishParidell, that fayrest floureWouldst gather faine, and yet no paines wouldst take:But not so easie will I her forsake;This hand her wonne, this hand shall her defend.With that they gan their shiuering speares to shake,And deadly points at eithers breast to bend,Forgetfull each to haue bene euer others frend.Their firie Steedes with so vntamed forsexvDid beare them both to fell auenges end,That both their speares with pitilesse remorse,Through shield and mayle, and haberieon did wend,And in their flesh a griesly passage rend,That with the furie of their owne affret,Each other horse and man to ground did send;Where lying still a while, both did forgetThe perilous present stownd, in which their liues were set.As when two warlike Brigandines at sea,xviWith murdrous weapons arm’d to cruell fight,Doe meete together on the watry lea,They stemme ech other with so fell despight,That with the shocke of their owne heedlesse might,Their wooden ribs are shaken nigh a sonder;They which from shore behold the dreadfull sightOf flashing fire, and heare the ordenance thonder,Do greatly stand amaz’d at such vnwonted wonder.At length they both vpstarted in amaze,[26]xviiAs men awaked rashly out of dreme;[27]And round about themselues a while did gaze,Till seeing her, thatFlorimelldid seme,In doubt to whom she victorie should deeme,Therewith their dulled sprights they edgd anew,And drawing both their swords with rage extreme,Like two mad mastiffes each on other flew,And shields did share, and mailes did rash, and helmes did hew.So furiously each other did assayle,xviiiAs if their soules they would attonce haue rentOut of their brests, that streames of bloud did rayleAdowne, as if their springs of life were spent;That all the ground with purple bloud was sprent,And all their armours staynd with bloudie gore,Yet scarcely once to breath[28]would they relent,So mortall was their malice and so sore,Become of fayned friendship which they vow’d afore.And that which is for Ladies most besitting,xixTo stint all strife, and foster friendly peace,Was from those Dames so farre and so vnfitting,As that in stead of praying them surcease,They did much more their cruelty encrease;Bidding them fight for honour of their loue,And rather die then Ladies cause release.With which vaine termes so much they did them moue,That both resolu’d the last extremities to proue.There they I weene would fight vntill this day,xxHad not a Squire, euen he the Squire of Dames,By great aduenture trauelled that way;Who seeing both bent to so bloudy games,And both of old well knowing by their names,Drew nigh, to weete the cause of their debate:And first laide on those Ladies thousand blames,That did not seeke t’appease their deadly hate,But gazed on their harmes, not pittying their estate.And then those Knights he humbly did beseech,xxiTo stay their hands, till he a while had spoken:Who lookt a little vp at that his speech,Yet would not let their battell so be broken,Both greedie fiers on other to be wroken.Yet he to them so earnestly did call,And them coniur’d by some well knowen[29]token,That they at last their wrothfull hands let fall,Content to heare him speake, and glad to rest withall.First he desir’d their cause of strife to see:xxiiThey said, it was for loue ofFlorimell.[30]Ah gentle knights (quoth he) how may that bee,And she so farre astray, as none can tell.[31]Fond Squire, full angry then saydParidell,Seest not the Ladie there before thy face?He looked backe, and her aduizing[32]well,Weend as he said, by that her outward grace,That fayrestFlorimellwas present there in place.Glad man was he to see that ioyous sight,xxiiiFor none aliue but ioy’d inFlorimell,And lowly to her lowting thus behight;Fayrest of faire, that fairenesse doest excell,This happie day I haue to greete you well,In which you safe I see, whom thousand late[33]Misdoubted lost through mischiefe that befell;Long may you liue in health and happie state.[34]She litle answer’d him, but lightly did aggrate.Then turning to those Knights, he gan a new;xxivAnd you SirBlandamourandParidell,That for this Ladie present in your vew,Haue rays’d this cruell warre and outrage fell,Certes me seemes bene not aduised well,But rather ought in friendship for her sakeTo ioyne your force, their forces to repell,That seeke perforce her from you both to take,And of your gotten spoyle their owne triumph to make.Thereat SirBlandamourwith countenance[35]sterne,xxvAll full of wrath, thus fiercely him bespake;A read thou Squire, that I the man may learne,That dare fro me thinkeFlorimellto take.Not one (quoth he) but many doe partakeHerein, as thus. It lately so befell,That Satyran a girdle did vptake,Well knowne to appertaine toFlorimell,Which for her sake he wore, as him beseemed well.But when as she her selfe was lost and gone,xxviFull many knights, that loued her like deare,Thereat did greatly grudge, that he aloneThat lost faire Ladies ornament should weare,And gan therefore close spight to him to beare:Which he to shun, and stop vile enuies sting,Hath lately caus’d to be proclaim’d each whereA solemne feast, with publike turneying,To which all knights with them their Ladies are to bring.And of them all she that is fayrest found,xxviiShall haue that golden girdle for reward,And of those Knights who is most stout on ground,Shall to that fairest Ladie be prefard.Since[36]therefore she her selfe is now your ward,To you that ornament of hers pertaines,Against all those, that chalenge it to gard,And saue her honour with your ventrous paines;That shall you win more glory, then ye here find gaines.When they the reason of his words had hard,xxviiiThey gan abate the rancour of their rage,And with their honours and their loues regard,The furious flames of malice to asswage.Tho each to other did his faith engage,Like faithfull friends thenceforth to ioyne in oneWith all their force, and battell strong to wageGainst all those knights, as their professed fone,That chaleng’d ought inFlorimell, saue they alone.So well accorded forth they rode togetherxxixIn friendly sort, that lasted but a while;And of all old dislikes they made faire weather,Yet all was forg’d and spred with golden foyle,That vnder it hidde hate and hollow guyle.Ne certes can that friendship long endure,How euer gay and goodly be the style,That doth ill cause or euill end enure:For vertue is the band, that bindeth harts most sure.Thus as they marched all in close disguise[37]xxxOf fayned loue, they chaunst to ouertakeTwo knights, that lincked rode in louely wise,As if they secret counsels did partake;And each not farre behinde him had his make,To weete, two Ladies of most goodly hew,That twixt themselues did gentle purpose make,Vnmindfull both of that discordfull crew,The which with speedie pace did after them pursew.Who as they now approched nigh at hand,xxxiDeeming them doughtie as they did appeare,They sent that Squire afore, to vnderstand,What mote they be: who viewing them more neareReturned readie newes, that those same weareTwo of the prowest Knights in Faery lond;And those two Ladies their two louers deare,CouragiousCambell, and stoutTriamond,WithCanaceeandCambinelinckt in louely bond.Whylome as antique stories tellen vs,xxxiiThose two were foes the fellonest on ground,And battell made the dreddest[38]daungerous,That euer shrilling trumpet did resound;Though now their acts be no where to be found,As that renowmed Poet them compyled,With warlike numbers and Heroicke sound,DanChaucer, well of English vndefyled,On Fames eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled.But wicked Time that all good thoughts doth waste,xxxiiiAnd workes of noblest wits to nought out weare,That famous moniment hath quite defaste,And robd the world of threasure endlesse deare,The which mote haue enriched all vs heare.O cursed Eld the cankerworme of writs,How may these rimes, so rude as doth appeare,Hope to endure, sith workes of heauenly witsAre quite deuourd, and brought to nought by little bits?Then pardon, O most sacred happie spirit,xxxivThat I thy labours lost may thus reuiue,And steale from thee the meede of thy due merit,That none durst euer whilest thou wast aliue,And being dead in vaine yet many striue:Ne dare I like, but through infusion sweeteOf thine owne spirit, which doth in me surviue,I follow here the footing of thy feete,That with thy meaning so I may the rather meete.Cambelloessister was fayreCanacee,xxxvThat was the learnedst Ladie in her dayes,Well seene in euerie science that mote bee,And euery secret worke of natures wayes,In wittie riddles, and in wise soothsayes,In power of herbes, and tunes of beasts and burds;And, that augmented all her other prayse,She modest was in all her deedes and words,And wondrous chast of life, yet lou’d of Knights and Lords.Full many Lords, and many Knights her loued,xxxviYet she to none of them her liking lent,Ne euer was with fond affection moued,But rul’d her thoughts with goodly gouernement,For dread of blame and honours blemishment;And eke vnto her lookes a law she made,That none of them once out of order went,But like to warie Centonels well stayd,Still watcht on euery side, of secret foes affrayd.So much the more as she refusd to loue,xxxviiSo much the more she loued was and sought,That oftentimes vnquiet strife did moueAmongst her louers, and great quarrels wrought,That oft for her in bloudie armes they fought.Which whenasCambell, that was stout and wise,Perceiu’d would breede great mischiefe, he bethoughtHow to preuent the perill that mote rise,And turne both him and her to honour in this wise.One day, when all that troupe of warlike wooersxxxviiiAssembled were, to weet whose she should bee,All mightie men and dreadfull derring dooers,(The harder it to make them well agree)Amongst them all this end he did decree;That of them all, which loue to her did make,They by consent should chose[39]the stoutest three,That with himselfe should combat for her sake,And of them all the victour should his sister take.Bold was the chalenge, as himselfe was bold,xxxixAnd courage full of haughtie hardiment,Approued oft in perils manifold,Which he atchieu’d to his great ornament:But yet his sisters skill vnto him lentMost confidence and hope of happie speed,Concerned by a ring, which she him sent,That mongst the manie vertues, which we reed,Had power to staunch al wounds, that mortally did bleed.Well was that rings great vertue knowen to all,xlThat dread thereof, and his redoubted mightDid all that youthly rout so much appall,That none of them durst vndertake the fight;More wise they weend to make of loue delight,Then life to hazard for faire Ladies looke,And yet vncertaine by such outward sight,Though for her sake they all that perill tooke,Whether she would them loue, or in her liking brooke.Amongst those knights there were three brethren bold,xliThree bolder brethren neuer were yborne,Borne of one mother in one happie mold,Borne at one burden in one happie morne,Thrise happie mother, and thrise happie morne,That bore three such, three such not to be fond;Her name wasAgapewhose children werneAll three as one, the first hightPriamond,The secondDyamond, the youngestTriamond.StoutPriamondbut not so strong to strike,xliiStrongDiamond, but not so stout a knight,ButTriamondwas stout and strong alike:On horsebacke vsedTriamondto fight,AndPriamondon foote had more delight,But horse and foote knewDiamondto wield:With curtaxe vsedDiamondto smite,AndTriamondto handle speare and shield,But speare and curtaxe both vsdPriamondin field.These three did loue each other dearely well,xliiiAnd with so firme affection were allyde,As if but one soule in them all did dwell,Which did her powre into three parts diuyde;Like three faire branches budding farre and wide,That from one roote deriu’d their vitall sap:And like that roote that doth her life diuide,Their mother was, and had full blessed hap,These three so noble babes to bring forth at one clap.Their mother was a Fay, and had the skillxlivOf secret things, and all the powres of nature,Which she by art could vse vnto her will,And to her seruice bind each liuing creature,[40]Through secret vnderstanding of their feature.Thereto she was right faire, when so her faceShe list discouer, and of goodly stature;But she as Fayes are wont, in priuie placeDid spend her dayes, and lov’d in forests wyld to space.There on a day a noble youthly knightxlvSeeking aduentures in the saluage wood,Did by great fortune get of her the sight,[41]As she sate carelesse by a cristall flood,Combing her golden lockes, as seemd her good:And vnawares vpon her laying hold,That stroue in vaine him long to haue withstood,Oppressed her, and there (as it is told)Got these three louely babes, that prov’d three champions bold.Which she with her long fostred in that wood,xlviTill that to ripenesse of mans state they grew:Then shewing forth signes of their fathers blood,They loued armes, and knighthood did ensew,Seeking aduentures, where they anie knew.Which when their mother saw, she gan to doutTheir safetie, least by searching daungers new,And rash prouoking perils all about,Their days mote be abridged through[42]their corage stout.Therefore desirous th’end of all their dayesxlviiTo know, and them t’enlarge with long extent,By wondrous skill, and many hidden wayes,To the three fatall sisters house she went.Farre vnder ground from tract of liuing went,Downe in the bottome of the deepeAbysse,WhereDemogorgonin dull darknesse pent,Farre from the view of Gods and heauens blis,The hideousChaoskeepes, their dreadfull dwelling is.There she them found, all sitting round aboutxlviiiThe direfull distaffe standing in the mid,And with vnwearied fingers drawing outThe lines of life, from liuing knowledge hid.SadClothoheld the rocke, the whiles the thridBy grieslyLachesiswas spun with paine,That cruellAtroposeftsoones vndid,With cursed knife cutting the twist in twaine:Most wretched men, whose dayes depend on thrids so vaine.She them saluting, there by them sate still,xlixBeholding how the thrids of life they span:And when at last she had beheld her fill,Trembling in heart, and looking pale and wan,Her cause of comming she to tell began.To whom fierceAtropos, Bold Fay, that durstCome see the secret of the life of man,Well worthie[43]thou to be ofIoueaccurst,And eke thy childrens thrids to be a sunder burst.Whereat she sore affrayd, yet her besoughtlTo graunt her boone, and rigour to abate,That she might see her childrens thrids forth brought,And know the measure of their vtmost date,To them ordained by eternall fate.WhichClothograunting, shewed her the same:That when she saw, it did her much amate,To see their thrids so thin, as spiders frame,And eke so short, that seemd their ends out shortly came.She then began them humbly to intreate,liTo draw them longer out, and better twine,That so their liues might be prolonged late.ButLachesisthereat gan to repine,And sayd, Fond[44]dame that deem’st of things diuineAs of humane, that they may altred bee,And chaung’d at pleasure for those impes of thine.Not so; for what the Fates do once decree,Not all the gods can chaunge, norIouehim self can free.Then since[45](quoth she) the terme of each mans lifeliiFor nought may lessened nor enlarged bee,Graunt this, that when ye shred with fatall knifeHis line, which is the eldest of the three,Which is of them the shortest, as I see,Eftsoones his life may passe into the next;And when the next shall likewise ended bee,That both their liues may likewise be annextVnto the third, that his may so be trebly wext.They graunted it; and then that carefull FayliiiDeparted thence with full contented mynd;And comming home, in warlike fresh arayThem found all three according to their kynd:But vnto them what destinie was assynd,Or how their liues were eekt, she did not tell;But euermore, when she fit time could fynd,She warned them to tend their safeties well,And loue each other deare, what euer them befell.So did they surely during all their dayes,livAnd neuer discord did amongst them fall;Which much augmented all their other praise.And now t’increase affection naturall,In loue ofCanaceethey ioyned all:Vpon which ground this same great battell grew,Great matter growing of beginning small;The which for length I will not here pursew,But rather will reserue it for a Canto new.

Firebrand of hell first tynd in Phlegeton,i

By thousand furies, and from thence out throwen

Into this world, to worke confusion,

And set it all on fire by force vnknowen,

Is wicked discord, whose small sparkes once blowen

None but a God or godlike man can slake;

Such as wasOrpheus, that when strife was growen

Amongst those famous ympes of Greece, did take

His siluer Harpe in hand, and shortly friends them make.

Or such as that celestiall Psalmist was,iiThat when the wicked feend his Lord tormented,With heauenly notes, that did all other pas,The outrage of his furious fit relented.Such Musicke is wise words with time concented,To moderate stiffe minds, disposd to striue:Such as that prudent Romane well inuented,What time his people into partes did riue,Them reconcyld againe, and to their homes did driue.

Or such as that celestiall Psalmist was,ii

That when the wicked feend his Lord tormented,

With heauenly notes, that did all other pas,

The outrage of his furious fit relented.

Such Musicke is wise words with time concented,

To moderate stiffe minds, disposd to striue:

Such as that prudent Romane well inuented,

What time his people into partes did riue,

Them reconcyld againe, and to their homes did driue.

Such vs’d wiseGlauceto that wrathfull knight,iiiTo calme the tempest of his troubled thought:YetBlandamourwith termes of foule despight,AndParidellher scornd, and set at nought,As[22]old and crooked and not good for ought.Both they vnwise, and warelesse of the euill,That by themselues vnto themselues is wrought,Through that false witch, and that foule aged dreuill,The one a feend, the other an incarnate deuill.

Such vs’d wiseGlauceto that wrathfull knight,iii

To calme the tempest of his troubled thought:

YetBlandamourwith termes of foule despight,

AndParidellher scornd, and set at nought,

As[22]old and crooked and not good for ought.

Both they vnwise, and warelesse of the euill,

That by themselues vnto themselues is wrought,

Through that false witch, and that foule aged dreuill,

The one a feend, the other an incarnate deuill.

With whom as they thus rode accompanide,ivThey were encountred of a lustie Knight,That had a goodly Ladie by his side,To whom he made great dalliance and delight.It was to weete the bold SirFerraughhight,He that fromBraggadocchiowhilome reftThe snowyFlorimell, whose beautie brightMade him seeme happie for so glorious theft;Yet was it in due triall but a wandring weft.

With whom as they thus rode accompanide,iv

They were encountred of a lustie Knight,

That had a goodly Ladie by his side,

To whom he made great dalliance and delight.

It was to weete the bold SirFerraughhight,

He that fromBraggadocchiowhilome reft

The snowyFlorimell, whose beautie bright

Made him seeme happie for so glorious theft;

Yet was it in due triall but a wandring weft.

Which when asBlandamour, whose fancie lightvWas alwaies flitting as the wauering wind,After each beautie, that appeard in sight,Beheld, eftsoones it prickt his wanton mindWith sting of lust, that reasons eye did blind,That to SirParidellthese words he sent;Sir knight why ride ye dumpish thus behind,Since so good fortune doth to you presentSo fayre a spoyle, to make you ioyous meriment?

Which when asBlandamour, whose fancie lightv

Was alwaies flitting as the wauering wind,

After each beautie, that appeard in sight,

Beheld, eftsoones it prickt his wanton mind

With sting of lust, that reasons eye did blind,

That to SirParidellthese words he sent;

Sir knight why ride ye dumpish thus behind,

Since so good fortune doth to you present

So fayre a spoyle, to make you ioyous meriment?

ButParidellthat had too late a tryallviOf the bad issue of his counsell vaine,List not to hearke, but made this faire denyall;Last turne was mine, well proued to my paine,This now be yours, God send you better gaine.Whose scoffed words he taking halfe in scorne,Fiercely forth prickt his steed as in disdaine,Against that Knight, ere he him well could torne:[23]By meanes whereof he hath him lightly ouerborne.

ButParidellthat had too late a tryallvi

Of the bad issue of his counsell vaine,

List not to hearke, but made this faire denyall;

Last turne was mine, well proued to my paine,

This now be yours, God send you better gaine.

Whose scoffed words he taking halfe in scorne,

Fiercely forth prickt his steed as in disdaine,

Against that Knight, ere he him well could torne:[23]

By meanes whereof he hath him lightly ouerborne.

Who with the sudden stroke astonisht sore,viiVpon the ground a while in slomber lay;The whiles his loue away the other bore,And shewing her, didParidellvpbray;Lo sluggish Knight the victors happie pray:So fortune friends the bold: whomParidellSeeing so faire indeede, as he did say,His hart with secret enuie gan to swell,And inly grudge at him, that he had sped so well.

Who with the sudden stroke astonisht sore,vii

Vpon the ground a while in slomber lay;

The whiles his loue away the other bore,

And shewing her, didParidellvpbray;

Lo sluggish Knight the victors happie pray:

So fortune friends the bold: whomParidell

Seeing so faire indeede, as he did say,

His hart with secret enuie gan to swell,

And inly grudge at him, that he had sped so well.

Nathlesse proud man himselfe the other deemed,viiiHauing so peerelesse paragon ygot:For sure the fayrestFlorimellhim seemed,To him was fallen for his happie lot,Whose like aliue on earth he weened not:Therefore he her did court, did serue, did wooe,With humblest suit that he imagine mot,And all things did deuise, and all things dooe,That might her loue prepare, and liking win theretoo.

Nathlesse proud man himselfe the other deemed,viii

Hauing so peerelesse paragon ygot:

For sure the fayrestFlorimellhim seemed,

To him was fallen for his happie lot,

Whose like aliue on earth he weened not:

Therefore he her did court, did serue, did wooe,

With humblest suit that he imagine mot,

And all things did deuise, and all things dooe,

That might her loue prepare, and liking win theretoo.

She in regard thereof him recompenstixWith golden words, and goodly countenance,And such fond fauours sparingly dispenst:Sometimes him blessing with a light eye-glance,And coy lookes tempring with loose dalliance;Sometimes estranging him in sterner wise,That hauing cast him in a foolish trance,He seemed brought to bed in Paradise,And prou’d himselfe most foole, in what he seem’d most wise.

She in regard thereof him recompenstix

With golden words, and goodly countenance,

And such fond fauours sparingly dispenst:

Sometimes him blessing with a light eye-glance,

And coy lookes tempring with loose dalliance;

Sometimes estranging him in sterner wise,

That hauing cast him in a foolish trance,

He seemed brought to bed in Paradise,

And prou’d himselfe most foole, in what he seem’d most wise.

So great a mistresse of her art she was,xAnd perfectly practiz’d in womans craft,That though therein himselfe he thought to pas,And by his false allurements wylie draft[24]Had thousand women of their loue beraft,Yet now he was surpriz’d: for that false spright,Which that same witch had in this forme engraft,Was so expert in euery subtile slight,That it could ouerreach the wisest earthly wight.

So great a mistresse of her art she was,x

And perfectly practiz’d in womans craft,

That though therein himselfe he thought to pas,

And by his false allurements wylie draft[24]

Had thousand women of their loue beraft,

Yet now he was surpriz’d: for that false spright,

Which that same witch had in this forme engraft,

Was so expert in euery subtile slight,

That it could ouerreach the wisest earthly wight.

Yet he to her did dayly seruice more,xiAnd dayly more deceiued was thereby;YetParidellhim enuied therefore,As seeming plast in sole felicity:So blind is lust, false colours to descry.ButAtesoone discouering his desire,And finding now fit opportunityTo stirre vp strife, twixt loue and spight and ire,Did priuily put coles vnto his secret fire.

Yet he to her did dayly seruice more,xi

And dayly more deceiued was thereby;

YetParidellhim enuied therefore,

As seeming plast in sole felicity:

So blind is lust, false colours to descry.

ButAtesoone discouering his desire,

And finding now fit opportunity

To stirre vp strife, twixt loue and spight and ire,

Did priuily put coles vnto his secret fire.

By sundry meanes thereto she prickt him forth,xiiNow with remembrance of those spightfull speaches,Now with opinion of his owne more worth,Now with recounting of like former breachesMade in their friendship, as that Hag him teaches:And euer when his passion is allayd,She it reuiues and new occasion reaches:That on a time as they together way’d,He made him open chalenge, and thus boldly sayd.

By sundry meanes thereto she prickt him forth,xii

Now with remembrance of those spightfull speaches,

Now with opinion of his owne more worth,

Now with recounting of like former breaches

Made in their friendship, as that Hag him teaches:

And euer when his passion is allayd,

She it reuiues and new occasion reaches:

That on a time as they together way’d,

He made him open chalenge, and thus boldly sayd.

Too boastfullBlandamour, too long I bearexiiiThe open wrongs, thou doest me day by day;[25]Well know’st thou, when we friendship first did sweare,The couenant was, that euery spoyle or prayShould equally be shard betwixt vs tway:Where is my part then of this Ladie bright,Whom to thy selfe thou takest quite away?Render therefore therein to me my right,Or answere for thy wrong, as shall fall out in fight.

Too boastfullBlandamour, too long I bearexiii

The open wrongs, thou doest me day by day;[25]

Well know’st thou, when we friendship first did sweare,

The couenant was, that euery spoyle or pray

Should equally be shard betwixt vs tway:

Where is my part then of this Ladie bright,

Whom to thy selfe thou takest quite away?

Render therefore therein to me my right,

Or answere for thy wrong, as shall fall out in fight.

Exceeding wroth thereat wasBlandamour,xivAnd gan this bitter answere to him make;Too foolishParidell, that fayrest floureWouldst gather faine, and yet no paines wouldst take:But not so easie will I her forsake;This hand her wonne, this hand shall her defend.With that they gan their shiuering speares to shake,And deadly points at eithers breast to bend,Forgetfull each to haue bene euer others frend.

Exceeding wroth thereat wasBlandamour,xiv

And gan this bitter answere to him make;

Too foolishParidell, that fayrest floure

Wouldst gather faine, and yet no paines wouldst take:

But not so easie will I her forsake;

This hand her wonne, this hand shall her defend.

With that they gan their shiuering speares to shake,

And deadly points at eithers breast to bend,

Forgetfull each to haue bene euer others frend.

Their firie Steedes with so vntamed forsexvDid beare them both to fell auenges end,That both their speares with pitilesse remorse,Through shield and mayle, and haberieon did wend,And in their flesh a griesly passage rend,That with the furie of their owne affret,Each other horse and man to ground did send;Where lying still a while, both did forgetThe perilous present stownd, in which their liues were set.

Their firie Steedes with so vntamed forsexv

Did beare them both to fell auenges end,

That both their speares with pitilesse remorse,

Through shield and mayle, and haberieon did wend,

And in their flesh a griesly passage rend,

That with the furie of their owne affret,

Each other horse and man to ground did send;

Where lying still a while, both did forget

The perilous present stownd, in which their liues were set.

As when two warlike Brigandines at sea,xviWith murdrous weapons arm’d to cruell fight,Doe meete together on the watry lea,They stemme ech other with so fell despight,That with the shocke of their owne heedlesse might,Their wooden ribs are shaken nigh a sonder;They which from shore behold the dreadfull sightOf flashing fire, and heare the ordenance thonder,Do greatly stand amaz’d at such vnwonted wonder.

As when two warlike Brigandines at sea,xvi

With murdrous weapons arm’d to cruell fight,

Doe meete together on the watry lea,

They stemme ech other with so fell despight,

That with the shocke of their owne heedlesse might,

Their wooden ribs are shaken nigh a sonder;

They which from shore behold the dreadfull sight

Of flashing fire, and heare the ordenance thonder,

Do greatly stand amaz’d at such vnwonted wonder.

At length they both vpstarted in amaze,[26]xviiAs men awaked rashly out of dreme;[27]And round about themselues a while did gaze,Till seeing her, thatFlorimelldid seme,In doubt to whom she victorie should deeme,Therewith their dulled sprights they edgd anew,And drawing both their swords with rage extreme,Like two mad mastiffes each on other flew,And shields did share, and mailes did rash, and helmes did hew.

At length they both vpstarted in amaze,[26]xvii

As men awaked rashly out of dreme;[27]

And round about themselues a while did gaze,

Till seeing her, thatFlorimelldid seme,

In doubt to whom she victorie should deeme,

Therewith their dulled sprights they edgd anew,

And drawing both their swords with rage extreme,

Like two mad mastiffes each on other flew,

And shields did share, and mailes did rash, and helmes did hew.

So furiously each other did assayle,xviiiAs if their soules they would attonce haue rentOut of their brests, that streames of bloud did rayleAdowne, as if their springs of life were spent;That all the ground with purple bloud was sprent,And all their armours staynd with bloudie gore,Yet scarcely once to breath[28]would they relent,So mortall was their malice and so sore,Become of fayned friendship which they vow’d afore.

So furiously each other did assayle,xviii

As if their soules they would attonce haue rent

Out of their brests, that streames of bloud did rayle

Adowne, as if their springs of life were spent;

That all the ground with purple bloud was sprent,

And all their armours staynd with bloudie gore,

Yet scarcely once to breath[28]would they relent,

So mortall was their malice and so sore,

Become of fayned friendship which they vow’d afore.

And that which is for Ladies most besitting,xixTo stint all strife, and foster friendly peace,Was from those Dames so farre and so vnfitting,As that in stead of praying them surcease,They did much more their cruelty encrease;Bidding them fight for honour of their loue,And rather die then Ladies cause release.With which vaine termes so much they did them moue,That both resolu’d the last extremities to proue.

And that which is for Ladies most besitting,xix

To stint all strife, and foster friendly peace,

Was from those Dames so farre and so vnfitting,

As that in stead of praying them surcease,

They did much more their cruelty encrease;

Bidding them fight for honour of their loue,

And rather die then Ladies cause release.

With which vaine termes so much they did them moue,

That both resolu’d the last extremities to proue.

There they I weene would fight vntill this day,xxHad not a Squire, euen he the Squire of Dames,By great aduenture trauelled that way;Who seeing both bent to so bloudy games,And both of old well knowing by their names,Drew nigh, to weete the cause of their debate:And first laide on those Ladies thousand blames,That did not seeke t’appease their deadly hate,But gazed on their harmes, not pittying their estate.

There they I weene would fight vntill this day,xx

Had not a Squire, euen he the Squire of Dames,

By great aduenture trauelled that way;

Who seeing both bent to so bloudy games,

And both of old well knowing by their names,

Drew nigh, to weete the cause of their debate:

And first laide on those Ladies thousand blames,

That did not seeke t’appease their deadly hate,

But gazed on their harmes, not pittying their estate.

And then those Knights he humbly did beseech,xxiTo stay their hands, till he a while had spoken:Who lookt a little vp at that his speech,Yet would not let their battell so be broken,Both greedie fiers on other to be wroken.Yet he to them so earnestly did call,And them coniur’d by some well knowen[29]token,That they at last their wrothfull hands let fall,Content to heare him speake, and glad to rest withall.

And then those Knights he humbly did beseech,xxi

To stay their hands, till he a while had spoken:

Who lookt a little vp at that his speech,

Yet would not let their battell so be broken,

Both greedie fiers on other to be wroken.

Yet he to them so earnestly did call,

And them coniur’d by some well knowen[29]token,

That they at last their wrothfull hands let fall,

Content to heare him speake, and glad to rest withall.

First he desir’d their cause of strife to see:xxiiThey said, it was for loue ofFlorimell.[30]Ah gentle knights (quoth he) how may that bee,And she so farre astray, as none can tell.[31]Fond Squire, full angry then saydParidell,Seest not the Ladie there before thy face?He looked backe, and her aduizing[32]well,Weend as he said, by that her outward grace,That fayrestFlorimellwas present there in place.

First he desir’d their cause of strife to see:xxii

They said, it was for loue ofFlorimell.[30]

Ah gentle knights (quoth he) how may that bee,

And she so farre astray, as none can tell.[31]

Fond Squire, full angry then saydParidell,

Seest not the Ladie there before thy face?

He looked backe, and her aduizing[32]well,

Weend as he said, by that her outward grace,

That fayrestFlorimellwas present there in place.

Glad man was he to see that ioyous sight,xxiiiFor none aliue but ioy’d inFlorimell,And lowly to her lowting thus behight;Fayrest of faire, that fairenesse doest excell,This happie day I haue to greete you well,In which you safe I see, whom thousand late[33]Misdoubted lost through mischiefe that befell;Long may you liue in health and happie state.[34]She litle answer’d him, but lightly did aggrate.

Glad man was he to see that ioyous sight,xxiii

For none aliue but ioy’d inFlorimell,

And lowly to her lowting thus behight;

Fayrest of faire, that fairenesse doest excell,

This happie day I haue to greete you well,

In which you safe I see, whom thousand late[33]

Misdoubted lost through mischiefe that befell;

Long may you liue in health and happie state.[34]

She litle answer’d him, but lightly did aggrate.

Then turning to those Knights, he gan a new;xxivAnd you SirBlandamourandParidell,That for this Ladie present in your vew,Haue rays’d this cruell warre and outrage fell,Certes me seemes bene not aduised well,But rather ought in friendship for her sakeTo ioyne your force, their forces to repell,That seeke perforce her from you both to take,And of your gotten spoyle their owne triumph to make.

Then turning to those Knights, he gan a new;xxiv

And you SirBlandamourandParidell,

That for this Ladie present in your vew,

Haue rays’d this cruell warre and outrage fell,

Certes me seemes bene not aduised well,

But rather ought in friendship for her sake

To ioyne your force, their forces to repell,

That seeke perforce her from you both to take,

And of your gotten spoyle their owne triumph to make.

Thereat SirBlandamourwith countenance[35]sterne,xxvAll full of wrath, thus fiercely him bespake;A read thou Squire, that I the man may learne,That dare fro me thinkeFlorimellto take.Not one (quoth he) but many doe partakeHerein, as thus. It lately so befell,That Satyran a girdle did vptake,Well knowne to appertaine toFlorimell,Which for her sake he wore, as him beseemed well.

Thereat SirBlandamourwith countenance[35]sterne,xxv

All full of wrath, thus fiercely him bespake;

A read thou Squire, that I the man may learne,

That dare fro me thinkeFlorimellto take.

Not one (quoth he) but many doe partake

Herein, as thus. It lately so befell,

That Satyran a girdle did vptake,

Well knowne to appertaine toFlorimell,

Which for her sake he wore, as him beseemed well.

But when as she her selfe was lost and gone,xxviFull many knights, that loued her like deare,Thereat did greatly grudge, that he aloneThat lost faire Ladies ornament should weare,And gan therefore close spight to him to beare:Which he to shun, and stop vile enuies sting,Hath lately caus’d to be proclaim’d each whereA solemne feast, with publike turneying,To which all knights with them their Ladies are to bring.

But when as she her selfe was lost and gone,xxvi

Full many knights, that loued her like deare,

Thereat did greatly grudge, that he alone

That lost faire Ladies ornament should weare,

And gan therefore close spight to him to beare:

Which he to shun, and stop vile enuies sting,

Hath lately caus’d to be proclaim’d each where

A solemne feast, with publike turneying,

To which all knights with them their Ladies are to bring.

And of them all she that is fayrest found,xxviiShall haue that golden girdle for reward,And of those Knights who is most stout on ground,Shall to that fairest Ladie be prefard.Since[36]therefore she her selfe is now your ward,To you that ornament of hers pertaines,Against all those, that chalenge it to gard,And saue her honour with your ventrous paines;That shall you win more glory, then ye here find gaines.

And of them all she that is fayrest found,xxvii

Shall haue that golden girdle for reward,

And of those Knights who is most stout on ground,

Shall to that fairest Ladie be prefard.

Since[36]therefore she her selfe is now your ward,

To you that ornament of hers pertaines,

Against all those, that chalenge it to gard,

And saue her honour with your ventrous paines;

That shall you win more glory, then ye here find gaines.

When they the reason of his words had hard,xxviiiThey gan abate the rancour of their rage,And with their honours and their loues regard,The furious flames of malice to asswage.Tho each to other did his faith engage,Like faithfull friends thenceforth to ioyne in oneWith all their force, and battell strong to wageGainst all those knights, as their professed fone,That chaleng’d ought inFlorimell, saue they alone.

When they the reason of his words had hard,xxviii

They gan abate the rancour of their rage,

And with their honours and their loues regard,

The furious flames of malice to asswage.

Tho each to other did his faith engage,

Like faithfull friends thenceforth to ioyne in one

With all their force, and battell strong to wage

Gainst all those knights, as their professed fone,

That chaleng’d ought inFlorimell, saue they alone.

So well accorded forth they rode togetherxxixIn friendly sort, that lasted but a while;And of all old dislikes they made faire weather,Yet all was forg’d and spred with golden foyle,That vnder it hidde hate and hollow guyle.Ne certes can that friendship long endure,How euer gay and goodly be the style,That doth ill cause or euill end enure:For vertue is the band, that bindeth harts most sure.

So well accorded forth they rode togetherxxix

In friendly sort, that lasted but a while;

And of all old dislikes they made faire weather,

Yet all was forg’d and spred with golden foyle,

That vnder it hidde hate and hollow guyle.

Ne certes can that friendship long endure,

How euer gay and goodly be the style,

That doth ill cause or euill end enure:

For vertue is the band, that bindeth harts most sure.

Thus as they marched all in close disguise[37]xxxOf fayned loue, they chaunst to ouertakeTwo knights, that lincked rode in louely wise,As if they secret counsels did partake;And each not farre behinde him had his make,To weete, two Ladies of most goodly hew,That twixt themselues did gentle purpose make,Vnmindfull both of that discordfull crew,The which with speedie pace did after them pursew.

Thus as they marched all in close disguise[37]xxx

Of fayned loue, they chaunst to ouertake

Two knights, that lincked rode in louely wise,

As if they secret counsels did partake;

And each not farre behinde him had his make,

To weete, two Ladies of most goodly hew,

That twixt themselues did gentle purpose make,

Vnmindfull both of that discordfull crew,

The which with speedie pace did after them pursew.

Who as they now approched nigh at hand,xxxiDeeming them doughtie as they did appeare,They sent that Squire afore, to vnderstand,What mote they be: who viewing them more neareReturned readie newes, that those same weareTwo of the prowest Knights in Faery lond;And those two Ladies their two louers deare,CouragiousCambell, and stoutTriamond,WithCanaceeandCambinelinckt in louely bond.

Who as they now approched nigh at hand,xxxi

Deeming them doughtie as they did appeare,

They sent that Squire afore, to vnderstand,

What mote they be: who viewing them more neare

Returned readie newes, that those same weare

Two of the prowest Knights in Faery lond;

And those two Ladies their two louers deare,

CouragiousCambell, and stoutTriamond,

WithCanaceeandCambinelinckt in louely bond.

Whylome as antique stories tellen vs,xxxiiThose two were foes the fellonest on ground,And battell made the dreddest[38]daungerous,That euer shrilling trumpet did resound;Though now their acts be no where to be found,As that renowmed Poet them compyled,With warlike numbers and Heroicke sound,DanChaucer, well of English vndefyled,On Fames eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled.

Whylome as antique stories tellen vs,xxxii

Those two were foes the fellonest on ground,

And battell made the dreddest[38]daungerous,

That euer shrilling trumpet did resound;

Though now their acts be no where to be found,

As that renowmed Poet them compyled,

With warlike numbers and Heroicke sound,

DanChaucer, well of English vndefyled,

On Fames eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled.

But wicked Time that all good thoughts doth waste,xxxiiiAnd workes of noblest wits to nought out weare,That famous moniment hath quite defaste,And robd the world of threasure endlesse deare,The which mote haue enriched all vs heare.O cursed Eld the cankerworme of writs,How may these rimes, so rude as doth appeare,Hope to endure, sith workes of heauenly witsAre quite deuourd, and brought to nought by little bits?

But wicked Time that all good thoughts doth waste,xxxiii

And workes of noblest wits to nought out weare,

That famous moniment hath quite defaste,

And robd the world of threasure endlesse deare,

The which mote haue enriched all vs heare.

O cursed Eld the cankerworme of writs,

How may these rimes, so rude as doth appeare,

Hope to endure, sith workes of heauenly wits

Are quite deuourd, and brought to nought by little bits?

Then pardon, O most sacred happie spirit,xxxivThat I thy labours lost may thus reuiue,And steale from thee the meede of thy due merit,That none durst euer whilest thou wast aliue,And being dead in vaine yet many striue:Ne dare I like, but through infusion sweeteOf thine owne spirit, which doth in me surviue,I follow here the footing of thy feete,That with thy meaning so I may the rather meete.

Then pardon, O most sacred happie spirit,xxxiv

That I thy labours lost may thus reuiue,

And steale from thee the meede of thy due merit,

That none durst euer whilest thou wast aliue,

And being dead in vaine yet many striue:

Ne dare I like, but through infusion sweete

Of thine owne spirit, which doth in me surviue,

I follow here the footing of thy feete,

That with thy meaning so I may the rather meete.

Cambelloessister was fayreCanacee,xxxvThat was the learnedst Ladie in her dayes,Well seene in euerie science that mote bee,And euery secret worke of natures wayes,In wittie riddles, and in wise soothsayes,In power of herbes, and tunes of beasts and burds;And, that augmented all her other prayse,She modest was in all her deedes and words,And wondrous chast of life, yet lou’d of Knights and Lords.

Cambelloessister was fayreCanacee,xxxv

That was the learnedst Ladie in her dayes,

Well seene in euerie science that mote bee,

And euery secret worke of natures wayes,

In wittie riddles, and in wise soothsayes,

In power of herbes, and tunes of beasts and burds;

And, that augmented all her other prayse,

She modest was in all her deedes and words,

And wondrous chast of life, yet lou’d of Knights and Lords.

Full many Lords, and many Knights her loued,xxxviYet she to none of them her liking lent,Ne euer was with fond affection moued,But rul’d her thoughts with goodly gouernement,For dread of blame and honours blemishment;And eke vnto her lookes a law she made,That none of them once out of order went,But like to warie Centonels well stayd,Still watcht on euery side, of secret foes affrayd.

Full many Lords, and many Knights her loued,xxxvi

Yet she to none of them her liking lent,

Ne euer was with fond affection moued,

But rul’d her thoughts with goodly gouernement,

For dread of blame and honours blemishment;

And eke vnto her lookes a law she made,

That none of them once out of order went,

But like to warie Centonels well stayd,

Still watcht on euery side, of secret foes affrayd.

So much the more as she refusd to loue,xxxviiSo much the more she loued was and sought,That oftentimes vnquiet strife did moueAmongst her louers, and great quarrels wrought,That oft for her in bloudie armes they fought.Which whenasCambell, that was stout and wise,Perceiu’d would breede great mischiefe, he bethoughtHow to preuent the perill that mote rise,And turne both him and her to honour in this wise.

So much the more as she refusd to loue,xxxvii

So much the more she loued was and sought,

That oftentimes vnquiet strife did moue

Amongst her louers, and great quarrels wrought,

That oft for her in bloudie armes they fought.

Which whenasCambell, that was stout and wise,

Perceiu’d would breede great mischiefe, he bethought

How to preuent the perill that mote rise,

And turne both him and her to honour in this wise.

One day, when all that troupe of warlike wooersxxxviiiAssembled were, to weet whose she should bee,All mightie men and dreadfull derring dooers,(The harder it to make them well agree)Amongst them all this end he did decree;That of them all, which loue to her did make,They by consent should chose[39]the stoutest three,That with himselfe should combat for her sake,And of them all the victour should his sister take.

One day, when all that troupe of warlike wooersxxxviii

Assembled were, to weet whose she should bee,

All mightie men and dreadfull derring dooers,

(The harder it to make them well agree)

Amongst them all this end he did decree;

That of them all, which loue to her did make,

They by consent should chose[39]the stoutest three,

That with himselfe should combat for her sake,

And of them all the victour should his sister take.

Bold was the chalenge, as himselfe was bold,xxxixAnd courage full of haughtie hardiment,Approued oft in perils manifold,Which he atchieu’d to his great ornament:But yet his sisters skill vnto him lentMost confidence and hope of happie speed,Concerned by a ring, which she him sent,That mongst the manie vertues, which we reed,Had power to staunch al wounds, that mortally did bleed.

Bold was the chalenge, as himselfe was bold,xxxix

And courage full of haughtie hardiment,

Approued oft in perils manifold,

Which he atchieu’d to his great ornament:

But yet his sisters skill vnto him lent

Most confidence and hope of happie speed,

Concerned by a ring, which she him sent,

That mongst the manie vertues, which we reed,

Had power to staunch al wounds, that mortally did bleed.

Well was that rings great vertue knowen to all,xlThat dread thereof, and his redoubted mightDid all that youthly rout so much appall,That none of them durst vndertake the fight;More wise they weend to make of loue delight,Then life to hazard for faire Ladies looke,And yet vncertaine by such outward sight,Though for her sake they all that perill tooke,Whether she would them loue, or in her liking brooke.

Well was that rings great vertue knowen to all,xl

That dread thereof, and his redoubted might

Did all that youthly rout so much appall,

That none of them durst vndertake the fight;

More wise they weend to make of loue delight,

Then life to hazard for faire Ladies looke,

And yet vncertaine by such outward sight,

Though for her sake they all that perill tooke,

Whether she would them loue, or in her liking brooke.

Amongst those knights there were three brethren bold,xliThree bolder brethren neuer were yborne,Borne of one mother in one happie mold,Borne at one burden in one happie morne,Thrise happie mother, and thrise happie morne,That bore three such, three such not to be fond;Her name wasAgapewhose children werneAll three as one, the first hightPriamond,The secondDyamond, the youngestTriamond.

Amongst those knights there were three brethren bold,xli

Three bolder brethren neuer were yborne,

Borne of one mother in one happie mold,

Borne at one burden in one happie morne,

Thrise happie mother, and thrise happie morne,

That bore three such, three such not to be fond;

Her name wasAgapewhose children werne

All three as one, the first hightPriamond,

The secondDyamond, the youngestTriamond.

StoutPriamondbut not so strong to strike,xliiStrongDiamond, but not so stout a knight,ButTriamondwas stout and strong alike:On horsebacke vsedTriamondto fight,AndPriamondon foote had more delight,But horse and foote knewDiamondto wield:With curtaxe vsedDiamondto smite,AndTriamondto handle speare and shield,But speare and curtaxe both vsdPriamondin field.

StoutPriamondbut not so strong to strike,xlii

StrongDiamond, but not so stout a knight,

ButTriamondwas stout and strong alike:

On horsebacke vsedTriamondto fight,

AndPriamondon foote had more delight,

But horse and foote knewDiamondto wield:

With curtaxe vsedDiamondto smite,

AndTriamondto handle speare and shield,

But speare and curtaxe both vsdPriamondin field.

These three did loue each other dearely well,xliiiAnd with so firme affection were allyde,As if but one soule in them all did dwell,Which did her powre into three parts diuyde;Like three faire branches budding farre and wide,That from one roote deriu’d their vitall sap:And like that roote that doth her life diuide,Their mother was, and had full blessed hap,These three so noble babes to bring forth at one clap.

These three did loue each other dearely well,xliii

And with so firme affection were allyde,

As if but one soule in them all did dwell,

Which did her powre into three parts diuyde;

Like three faire branches budding farre and wide,

That from one roote deriu’d their vitall sap:

And like that roote that doth her life diuide,

Their mother was, and had full blessed hap,

These three so noble babes to bring forth at one clap.

Their mother was a Fay, and had the skillxlivOf secret things, and all the powres of nature,Which she by art could vse vnto her will,And to her seruice bind each liuing creature,[40]Through secret vnderstanding of their feature.Thereto she was right faire, when so her faceShe list discouer, and of goodly stature;But she as Fayes are wont, in priuie placeDid spend her dayes, and lov’d in forests wyld to space.

Their mother was a Fay, and had the skillxliv

Of secret things, and all the powres of nature,

Which she by art could vse vnto her will,

And to her seruice bind each liuing creature,[40]

Through secret vnderstanding of their feature.

Thereto she was right faire, when so her face

She list discouer, and of goodly stature;

But she as Fayes are wont, in priuie place

Did spend her dayes, and lov’d in forests wyld to space.

There on a day a noble youthly knightxlvSeeking aduentures in the saluage wood,Did by great fortune get of her the sight,[41]As she sate carelesse by a cristall flood,Combing her golden lockes, as seemd her good:And vnawares vpon her laying hold,That stroue in vaine him long to haue withstood,Oppressed her, and there (as it is told)Got these three louely babes, that prov’d three champions bold.

There on a day a noble youthly knightxlv

Seeking aduentures in the saluage wood,

Did by great fortune get of her the sight,[41]

As she sate carelesse by a cristall flood,

Combing her golden lockes, as seemd her good:

And vnawares vpon her laying hold,

That stroue in vaine him long to haue withstood,

Oppressed her, and there (as it is told)

Got these three louely babes, that prov’d three champions bold.

Which she with her long fostred in that wood,xlviTill that to ripenesse of mans state they grew:Then shewing forth signes of their fathers blood,They loued armes, and knighthood did ensew,Seeking aduentures, where they anie knew.Which when their mother saw, she gan to doutTheir safetie, least by searching daungers new,And rash prouoking perils all about,Their days mote be abridged through[42]their corage stout.

Which she with her long fostred in that wood,xlvi

Till that to ripenesse of mans state they grew:

Then shewing forth signes of their fathers blood,

They loued armes, and knighthood did ensew,

Seeking aduentures, where they anie knew.

Which when their mother saw, she gan to dout

Their safetie, least by searching daungers new,

And rash prouoking perils all about,

Their days mote be abridged through[42]their corage stout.

Therefore desirous th’end of all their dayesxlviiTo know, and them t’enlarge with long extent,By wondrous skill, and many hidden wayes,To the three fatall sisters house she went.Farre vnder ground from tract of liuing went,Downe in the bottome of the deepeAbysse,WhereDemogorgonin dull darknesse pent,Farre from the view of Gods and heauens blis,The hideousChaoskeepes, their dreadfull dwelling is.

Therefore desirous th’end of all their dayesxlvii

To know, and them t’enlarge with long extent,

By wondrous skill, and many hidden wayes,

To the three fatall sisters house she went.

Farre vnder ground from tract of liuing went,

Downe in the bottome of the deepeAbysse,

WhereDemogorgonin dull darknesse pent,

Farre from the view of Gods and heauens blis,

The hideousChaoskeepes, their dreadfull dwelling is.

There she them found, all sitting round aboutxlviiiThe direfull distaffe standing in the mid,And with vnwearied fingers drawing outThe lines of life, from liuing knowledge hid.SadClothoheld the rocke, the whiles the thridBy grieslyLachesiswas spun with paine,That cruellAtroposeftsoones vndid,With cursed knife cutting the twist in twaine:Most wretched men, whose dayes depend on thrids so vaine.

There she them found, all sitting round aboutxlviii

The direfull distaffe standing in the mid,

And with vnwearied fingers drawing out

The lines of life, from liuing knowledge hid.

SadClothoheld the rocke, the whiles the thrid

By grieslyLachesiswas spun with paine,

That cruellAtroposeftsoones vndid,

With cursed knife cutting the twist in twaine:

Most wretched men, whose dayes depend on thrids so vaine.

She them saluting, there by them sate still,xlixBeholding how the thrids of life they span:And when at last she had beheld her fill,Trembling in heart, and looking pale and wan,Her cause of comming she to tell began.To whom fierceAtropos, Bold Fay, that durstCome see the secret of the life of man,Well worthie[43]thou to be ofIoueaccurst,And eke thy childrens thrids to be a sunder burst.

She them saluting, there by them sate still,xlix

Beholding how the thrids of life they span:

And when at last she had beheld her fill,

Trembling in heart, and looking pale and wan,

Her cause of comming she to tell began.

To whom fierceAtropos, Bold Fay, that durst

Come see the secret of the life of man,

Well worthie[43]thou to be ofIoueaccurst,

And eke thy childrens thrids to be a sunder burst.

Whereat she sore affrayd, yet her besoughtlTo graunt her boone, and rigour to abate,That she might see her childrens thrids forth brought,And know the measure of their vtmost date,To them ordained by eternall fate.WhichClothograunting, shewed her the same:That when she saw, it did her much amate,To see their thrids so thin, as spiders frame,And eke so short, that seemd their ends out shortly came.

Whereat she sore affrayd, yet her besoughtl

To graunt her boone, and rigour to abate,

That she might see her childrens thrids forth brought,

And know the measure of their vtmost date,

To them ordained by eternall fate.

WhichClothograunting, shewed her the same:

That when she saw, it did her much amate,

To see their thrids so thin, as spiders frame,

And eke so short, that seemd their ends out shortly came.

She then began them humbly to intreate,liTo draw them longer out, and better twine,That so their liues might be prolonged late.ButLachesisthereat gan to repine,And sayd, Fond[44]dame that deem’st of things diuineAs of humane, that they may altred bee,And chaung’d at pleasure for those impes of thine.Not so; for what the Fates do once decree,Not all the gods can chaunge, norIouehim self can free.

She then began them humbly to intreate,li

To draw them longer out, and better twine,

That so their liues might be prolonged late.

ButLachesisthereat gan to repine,

And sayd, Fond[44]dame that deem’st of things diuine

As of humane, that they may altred bee,

And chaung’d at pleasure for those impes of thine.

Not so; for what the Fates do once decree,

Not all the gods can chaunge, norIouehim self can free.

Then since[45](quoth she) the terme of each mans lifeliiFor nought may lessened nor enlarged bee,Graunt this, that when ye shred with fatall knifeHis line, which is the eldest of the three,Which is of them the shortest, as I see,Eftsoones his life may passe into the next;And when the next shall likewise ended bee,That both their liues may likewise be annextVnto the third, that his may so be trebly wext.

Then since[45](quoth she) the terme of each mans lifelii

For nought may lessened nor enlarged bee,

Graunt this, that when ye shred with fatall knife

His line, which is the eldest of the three,

Which is of them the shortest, as I see,

Eftsoones his life may passe into the next;

And when the next shall likewise ended bee,

That both their liues may likewise be annext

Vnto the third, that his may so be trebly wext.

They graunted it; and then that carefull FayliiiDeparted thence with full contented mynd;And comming home, in warlike fresh arayThem found all three according to their kynd:But vnto them what destinie was assynd,Or how their liues were eekt, she did not tell;But euermore, when she fit time could fynd,She warned them to tend their safeties well,And loue each other deare, what euer them befell.

They graunted it; and then that carefull Fayliii

Departed thence with full contented mynd;

And comming home, in warlike fresh aray

Them found all three according to their kynd:

But vnto them what destinie was assynd,

Or how their liues were eekt, she did not tell;

But euermore, when she fit time could fynd,

She warned them to tend their safeties well,

And loue each other deare, what euer them befell.

So did they surely during all their dayes,livAnd neuer discord did amongst them fall;Which much augmented all their other praise.And now t’increase affection naturall,In loue ofCanaceethey ioyned all:Vpon which ground this same great battell grew,Great matter growing of beginning small;The which for length I will not here pursew,But rather will reserue it for a Canto new.

So did they surely during all their dayes,liv

And neuer discord did amongst them fall;

Which much augmented all their other praise.

And now t’increase affection naturall,

In loue ofCanaceethey ioyned all:

Vpon which ground this same great battell grew,

Great matter growing of beginning small;

The which for length I will not here pursew,

But rather will reserue it for a Canto new.

FOOTNOTES:[22]iii 5 As] And1609[23]vi 8 torne1596[24]x 4 draft,1596,1609[25]xiii 2 day by day,1596[26]xvii 1 amaze;1596 &c.[27]2 dreme,1596 &c.[28]xviii 7 breathe1609[29]xxi 7 known1609[30]xxii 2Florimell,1596[31]4 tell,1596[32]7 avising1609[33]xxiii 6 late,1596[34]8 state,1596[35]xxv 1 count’nance1609[36]xxvii 5 Sith1609[37]xxx 1 disguise,1596[38]xxxii 3 draddest1609[39]xxxviii 7 chuse1609[40]xliv 4 creature:1596[41]xlv 3 sight;1596[42]xlvi 9 throgh1609[43]xlix 8 woorthy1609[44]li 5 fond1596[45]lii 1 since] sith1609

[22]iii 5 As] And1609

[23]vi 8 torne1596

[24]x 4 draft,1596,1609

[25]xiii 2 day by day,1596

[26]xvii 1 amaze;1596 &c.

[27]2 dreme,1596 &c.

[28]xviii 7 breathe1609

[29]xxi 7 known1609

[30]xxii 2Florimell,1596

[31]4 tell,1596

[32]7 avising1609

[33]xxiii 6 late,1596

[34]8 state,1596

[35]xxv 1 count’nance1609

[36]xxvii 5 Sith1609

[37]xxx 1 disguise,1596

[38]xxxii 3 draddest1609

[39]xxxviii 7 chuse1609

[40]xliv 4 creature:1596

[41]xlv 3 sight;1596

[42]xlvi 9 throgh1609

[43]xlix 8 woorthy1609

[44]li 5 fond1596

[45]lii 1 since] sith1609

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