FOOTNOTES:

Cant. IX.Arthur and Artegall catch Guylewhom Talus doth dismay,They to Mercillaes pallace come,and see her rich array.

Cant. IX.

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

Arthur and Artegall catch Guyle

whom Talus doth dismay,

They to Mercillaes pallace come,

and see her rich array.

What Tygre, or what other salvage wightiIs so exceeding furious and fell,As wrong, when it hath arm’d it selfe with might?Not fit mongst men, that doe with reason mell,But mongst wyld beasts and saluage woods to dwell;Where still the stronger doth the weake deuoure,And they that most in boldnesse doe excell,Are dreadded most, and feared for their powre:Fit forAdicia, there to build her wicked bowre.There let her wonne farre from resort of men,iiWhere righteousArtegallher late exyled;There let her euer keepe her damned den,Where none may be with her lewd parts defyled,Nor none but beasts may be of her despoyled:And turne we to the noble Prince, where lateWe did him leaue, after that he had foyledThe cruell Souldan, and with dreadfull fateHad vtterly subuerted his vnrighteous state.Where hauing with SirArtegalla spaceiiiWell solast in that Souldans late delight,They both resoluing now to leaue the place,Both it and all the wealth therein behightVnto that Damzell in her Ladies right,And so would haue departed on their way.But she them woo’d by all the meanes she might,And earnestly besought, to wend that dayWith her, to see her Ladie thence not farre away.By whose entreatie both they ouercommen,ivAgree to goe with her, and by the way,(As often falles) of sundry things did commen.Mongst which that Damzell did to them bewrayA straunge aduenture, which not farre thence lay;To weet a wicked villaine, bold and stout,Which wonned in a rocke not farre away,That robbed all the countrie there about,And brought the pillage home, whence none could get it out.Thereto both his owne wylie wit, (she sayd)vAnd eke the fastnesse of his dwelling place,Both vnassaylable, gaue him great ayde:For he so crafty was to forge and face,So light of hand, and nymble of his pace,So smooth of tongue, and subtile in his tale,That could deceiue one looking in his face;Therefore by nameMalenginthey him call,Well knowen by his feates, and famous ouer all.Through these his slights he many doth confound,viAnd eke the rocke, in which he wonts to dwell,Is wondrous strong, and hewen farre vnder groundA dreadfull depth, how deepe no man can tell;But some doe say, it goeth downe to hell.And all within, it full of wyndings is,And hidden wayes, that scarse an hound by smellCan follow out those false footsteps of his,Ne none can backe returne, that once are gone amis.Which when those knights had heard, their harts gan earne[332],viiTo vnderstand that villeins dwelling place,And greatly it desir’d of her to learne,And by which way they towards it should trace.Were not (sayd she) that it should let your paceTowards my Ladies presence by you ment,I would you guyde directly to the place.Then let not that (said they) stay your intent;For neither will one foot, till we that carle haue hent.So forth they past, till they approched nyviiiVnto the rocke, where was the villains won,Which when the Damzell neare at hand did spy,She warn’d the knights thereof: who thereuponGan to aduize, what best were to be done.So both agreed, to send that mayd afore,Where she might sit nigh to the den alone,Wayling, and raysing pittifull vprore,As if she did some great calamitie deplore.With noyse whereof when as the caytiue carleixShould issue forth, in hope to find some spoyle,They in awayt would closely him ensnarle,Ere to his den he backward could recoyle,And so would hope him easily to foyle.The Damzell straight went, as she was directed,Vnto the rocke, and there vpon the soyleHauing her selfe in wretched wize abiected,Gan weepe and wayle, as if great griefe had her affected.The cry whereof entring the hollow caue,xEftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment,With hope of her some wishfull boot to haue.Full dreadfull wight he was, as euer wentVpon the earth, with hollow eyes deepe pent,And long curld locks, that downe his shoulders shagged,And on his backe an vncouth vestimentMade of straunge[333]stuffe, but all to worne and ragged,And vnderneath his breech was all to torne and iagged.And in his hand an huge long staffe he held,xiWhose top was arm’d with many an yron hooke,Fit to catch hold of all that he could weld,Or in the compasse of his clouches tooke;And euer round about he cast his looke.Als at his backe a great wyde net he bore,With which he seldome fished at the brooke,But vsd to fish for fooles on the dry shore,Of which he in faire weather wont to take great store.Him when the damzell saw fast by her side,xiiSo vgly creature, she was nigh dismayd,And now for helpe aloud in earnest cride.But when the villaine saw her so affrayd,He gan with guilefull words her to perswade,To banish feare, and withSardoniansmyleLaughing on her, his false intent to shade,Gan forth to lay his bayte her to beguyle,That from her self vnwares he might her steale the whyle.Like as the fouler on his guilefull pypexiiiCharmes to the birds full many a pleasant lay,That they the whiles may take lesse heedie keepe,How he his nets doth for their ruine lay:So did the villaine to her prate and play,And many pleasant trickes before her show,To turne her eyes from his intent away:For he in slights and iugling feates did flow,And of legierdemayne the mysteries did know.To which whilest she lent her intentiue mind,xivHe suddenly his net vpon her threw,That ouersprad her like a puffe of wind;And snatching her soone vp, ere well she knew,Ran with her fast away vnto his mew,Crying for helpe aloud. But when as nyHe came vnto his caue, and there did vewThe armed knights stopping his passage by,He threw his burden downe, and fast away did fly.ButArtegallhim after did pursew,xvThe whiles the Prince there kept the entrance still:Vp to the rocke he ran, and thereon flewLike a wyld Gote, leaping from hill to hill,And dauncing on the craggy cliffes at will;That deadly daunger seem’d in all mens sight,To tempt such steps, where footing was so ill:Ne ought auayled for the armed knight,To thinke to follow him, that was so swift and light.Which when he saw, his yron man he sent,xviTo follow him; for he was swift in chace.He him pursewd, where euer that he went,Both ouer rockes, and hilles, and euery place,Where so he fled, he followd him apace:So that he shortly forst him to forsakeThe hight, and downe descend vnto the base.There he him courst a fresh, and soone did makeTo leaue his proper forme, and other shape to take.Into a Foxe himselfe he first did tourne;xviiBut he him hunted like a Foxe full fast:Then to a bush himselfe he did transforme,But he the bush did beat, till that at lastInto a bird it chaung’d, and from him past,Flying from tree to tree, from wand to wand:But he then stones at it so long did cast,That like a stone it fell vpon the land,But he then tooke it vp, and held fast in his hand.So he it brought with him vnto the knights,xviiiAnd to his Lord SirArtegallit lent,Warning him hold it fast, for feare of slights.Who whilest in hand it gryping hard[334]he hent,Into a Hedgehogge all vnwares it went,And prickt him so, that he away it threw.Then gan it runne away incontinent,Being returned to his former hew:ButTalussoone him ouertooke, and backward drew.But when as he would to a snake againexixHaue turn’d himselfe, he with his yron flayleGan driue at him, with so huge might and maine,That all his bones, as small as sandy grayleHe broke, and did his bowels disentrayle;Crying in vaine for helpe, when helpe was past.So did deceipt the selfe deceiuer fayle,There they him left a carrion outcast;For beasts and foules to feede vpon for their repast.Thence forth they passed with that gentle Mayd,xxTo see her Ladie, as they did agree.To which when she approched, thus she sayd;Loe now, right noble knights, arriu’d ye beeNigh to the place, which ye desir’d to see:There shall ye see my souerayne Lady QueeneMost sacred wight, most debonayre and free,That euer yet vpon this earth was seene,Or that with Diademe hath euer crowned beene.The gentle knights reioyced much to hearexxiThe prayses of that Prince so manifold,And passing litle further, commen were,Where they a stately pallace did behold,Of pompous show, much more then she had told;With many towres, and tarras mounted hye,And all their tops bright glistering with gold,That seemed to outshine the dimmed skye,And with their brightnesse daz’d the straunge beholders eye.There they alighting, by that Damzell werexxiiDirected in, and shewed all the sight:Whose porch, that most magnificke did appeare,Stood open wyde to all men day and night;Yet warded well by one of mickle might,That sate thereby, with gyantlike resemblance,To keepe out guyle, and malice, and despight,That vnder shew oftimes[335]of fayned semblance,Are wont in Princes courts to worke great scath and hindrance.His name wasAwe; by whom they passing inxxiiiWent vp the hall, that was a large wyde roome,All full of people making troublous din,And wondrous noyse, as if that there were some,Which vnto them was dealing righteous doome.By whom they passing, through the thickest preasse,The marshall of the hall to them did come;His name hightOrder, who commaunding peace,Them guyded through the throng, that did their clamors ceasse.They ceast their clamors vpon them to gaze;xxivWhom seeing all in armour bright as day,Straunge there to see, it did them much amaze,And with vnwonted terror halfe affray.For neuer saw they there the like array,Ne euer was the name of warre there spoken,But ioyous peace and quietnesse alway,Dealing iust iudgements, that mote not be brokenFor any brybes, or threates of any to be wroken.There as they entred at the Scriene, they sawxxvSome one, whose tongue was for his trespasse vyleNayld to a post, adiudged so by law:For that therewith he falsely did reuyle,And foule blaspheme that Queene for forged guyle,Both with bold speaches, which he blazed had,And with lewd poems, which he did compyle;For the bold title of a Poet badHe on himselfe had ta’en, and rayling rymes had sprad.Thus there he stood, whylest high ouer his head,xxviThere written was the purport of his sin,In cyphers strange, that few could rightly read,BON FONT[336]: butbonthat once had written bin,Was raced out, andMalwas now put in.So nowMalfontwas plainely to be red;Eyther for th’euill, which he did therein,Or that he likened was to a welhedOf euill words, and wicked sclaunders[337]by him shed.They passing by, were guyded by degreexxviiVnto the presence of that gratious Queene:Who sate on high, that she might all men see,And might of all men royally be seene,Vpon a throne of gold full bright and sheene,Adorned all with gemmes of endlesse price,As either might for wealth haue gotten bene,Or could be fram’d by workmans rare deuice;And all embost with Lyons and with Flourdelice.All ouer her a cloth of state was spred,xxviiiNot of rich tissew, nor of cloth of gold,Nor of ought else, that may be richest red,But like a cloud, as likest may be told,That her brode spreading wings did wyde vnfold;Whose skirts were bordred with bright sunny beams,Glistring like gold, amongst the plights enrold,And here and there shooting forth siluer streames,Mongst which crept litle Angels through the glittering gleames.Seemed those litle Angels did vpholdxxixThe cloth of state, and on their purpled wingsDid beare the pendants, through their nimblesse bold:Besides a thousand more of such, as singsHymnes to high God, and carols heauenly things,Encompassed the throne, on which she sate:She Angel-like, the heyre of ancient kingsAnd mightie Conquerors, in royall state,Whylest kings and kesars at her feet did them prostrate.Thus she did sit in souerayne Maiestie,xxxHolding a Scepter in her royall hand,The sacred pledge of peace and clemencie,With which high God had blest her happie land,Maugre so many foes, which did withstand.But at her feet her sword was likewise layde,Whose long rest rusted the bright steely brand;Yet when as foes enforst, or friends sought ayde,She could it sternely draw, that all the world dismayde.And round about, before her feet there satexxxiA beuie of faire Virgins clad in white,That goodly seem’d t’adorne her royall state,All louely daughters of highIoue, that hight[338]Litæ,[339]by him begot in loues delight,Vpon the righteousThemis: those they sayVponIouesiudgement seat wayt day and night,And when in wrath he threats the worlds decay,They doe his anger calme, and cruell vengeance stay.They also doe by his diuine permissionxxxiiVpon the thrones of mortall Princes tend,And often treat for pardon and remissionTo suppliants, through frayltie which offend.Those did vponMercillaesthrone attend:IustDice, wiseEunomie, myldEirene,And them amongst, her glorie to commend,Sate goodlyTemperancein garments clene,And sacredReuerence, yborne of heauenly strene.Thus did she sit in royall rich estate,xxxiiiAdmyr’d of many, honoured of all,Whylest vnderneath her feete, there as she sate,An huge great Lyon lay, that mote appallAn hardie courage, like captiued thrall,With a strong yron chaine and coller bound,That once he could not moue, nor quich at all;Yet did he murmure with rebellious[340]sound,And softly royne, when saluage choler gan redound.So sitting high in dreaded souerayntie,xxxivThose two strange knights were to her presence brought;Who bowing low before her Maiestie,Did to her myld obeysance, as they ought,And meekest boone, that they imagine mought.To whom she eke inclyning her withall,As a faire stoupe of her high soaring thought,A chearefull countenance on them let fall,Yet tempred with some maiestie imperiall.As the bright sunne, what time his fierie temexxxvTowards the westerne brim begins to draw,Gins to abate the brightnesse of his beme,And feruour of his flames somewhat adaw:So did this mightie Ladie, when she sawThose two strange knights such homage to her make,Bate somewhat of that Maiestie and awe,That whylome wont to doe so many quake,And with more myld aspect those two to entertake.Now at that instant, as occasion fell,xxxviWhen these two stranger knights arriv’d in place,She was about affaires of common wele,Dealing of Iustice with indifferent grace,And hearing pleas of people meane and base.Mongst which as then, there was for to be heardThe tryall of a great and weightie case,Which on both sides was then debating hard:But at the sight of these, those were a while debard.But after all her princely entertayne,xxxviiTo th’hearing of that former cause in hand,Her selfe eftsoones she gan conuert againe;Which that those knights likewise mote vnderstand,And witnesse forth aright in forrain land,Taking them vp vnto her stately throne,Where they mote heare the matter throughly scandOn either part, she placed th’one on th’one,The other on the other side, and neare them none.Then was there brought, as prisoner to the barre,xxxviiiA Ladie of great countenance and place,But that she it with foule abuse did marre;Yet did appeare rare beautie in her face,But blotted with condition vile and base,That all her other honour did obscure,And titles of nobilitie deface:Yet in that wretched semblant, she did sureThe peoples great compassion vnto her allure.Then vp arose a person of deepe reach,xxxixAnd rare in-sight, hard matters to reuele;That well could charme his tongue, and time his speachTo all assayes; his name was calledZele:He gan that Ladie strongly to appeleOf many haynous crymes, by her enured,And with sharpe reasons rang her such a pele,That those, whom she to pitie had allured,He now t’abhorre and loath her person had procured.First gan he tell, how this that seem’d so fairexlAnd royally arayd,DuessahightThat falseDuessa, which had wrought great care,And mickle mischiefe vnto many a knight,By her beguyled, and confounded quight:But not for those she now in question came,Though also those mote question’d be aright,But for vyld treasons, and outrageous shame,Which she against the dredMercillaoft did frame.For she whylome (as ye mote yet right wellxliRemember) had her counsels false conspyred,With faithlesseBlandamourandParidell,(Both two her paramours, both by her hyred,And both with hope of shadowes vaine inspyred,)And with them practiz’d, how for to depryueMercillaof her crowne, by her aspyred,That she might it vnto her selfe deryue,And tryumph in their blood, whom she to death did dryue.But through high heauens grace, which fauour notxliiThe wicked driftes of trayterous desynes,Gainst loiall Princes, all this cursed plot,Ere proofe it tooke, discouered was betymes,And th’actours won the meede meet for their crymes.Such be the meede of all, that by such meneVnto the type of kingdomes title clymes.But falseDuessanow vntitled Queene,Was brought to her sad doome, as here was to be seene.Strongly didZeleher haynous fact enforce,xliiiAnd many other crimes of foule defameAgainst her brought, to banish all remorse,And aggrauate the horror of her blame.And with him to make part against her, cameMany graue persons, that against her pled;First was a sage old Syre, that had to nameTheKingdomes care, with a white siluer hed,That many high regards and reasons gainst her red.Then ganAuthorityher to appose[341]xlivWith peremptorie powre, that made all mute;And then the law ofNationsgainst her rose,And reasons brought, that no man could refute;Next ganReligiongainst her to imputeHigh Gods beheast, and powre of holy lawes;Then gan the Peoples cry and Commons sute,Importune care of their owne publicke cause;And lastlyIusticecharged her with breach of lawes.But then for her, on the contrarie part,xlvRose many aduocates for her to plead:First there camePittie, with full tender hart,And with her ioyn’dRegardof womanhead;And then cameDaungerthreatning hidden dread,And high alliance vnto forren powre;Then cameNobilitie[342]of birth, that breadGreat ruth through her misfortunes tragicke stowre;And lastlyGriefe[343]did plead, and many teares forth powre.With the neare touch whereof in tender hartxlviThe Briton Prince was sore empassionate,And woxe inclined much vnto her part,Through the sad terror of so dreadfull fate,And wretched ruine of so high estate,That for great ruth his courage gan relent.Which when asZeleperceiued to abate,He gan his earnest feruour to augment,And many fearefull obiects to them to present.He gan t’efforce the euidence anew,xlviiAnd new accusements to produce in place:He brought forth that old hag of hellish hew,The cursedAte, brought her face to face,Who priuie was, and partie in the case:She, glad of spoyle and ruinous decay,Did her appeach, and to her more disgrace,The plot of all her practise did display,And all her traynes, and all her treasons forth did lay.Then brought he forth, with griesly grim aspect,xlviiiAbhorredMurder, who with bloudie knyfeYet dropping fresh in hand did her detect,And there with guiltie bloodshed charged ryfe:Then brought he forthSedition, breeding stryfeIn troublous wits, and mutinous vprore:Then brought he forthIncontinenceof lyfe,Euen fouleAdulterieher face before,And lewdImpietie, that her accused sore.All which when as the Prince had heard and seene,xlixHis former fancies ruth he gan repent,And from her partie eftsoones was drawen cleene.ButArtegallwith constant firme intent,For zeale of Iustice was against her bent.So was she guiltie deemed of them all.ThenZelebegan to vrge her punishment,And to their Queene for iudgement loudly call,VntoMercillamyld for Iustice gainst the thrall.But she, whose Princely breast was touched nerelWith piteous ruth of her so wretched plight,Though plaine she saw by all, that she did heare,That she of death was guiltie found by right,Yet would not let iust vengeance on her light;But rather let in stead thereof to fallFew perling drops from her faire lampes of light;The which she couering with her purple pallWould haue the passion hid, and vp arose withall.

What Tygre, or what other salvage wighti

Is so exceeding furious and fell,

As wrong, when it hath arm’d it selfe with might?

Not fit mongst men, that doe with reason mell,

But mongst wyld beasts and saluage woods to dwell;

Where still the stronger doth the weake deuoure,

And they that most in boldnesse doe excell,

Are dreadded most, and feared for their powre:

Fit forAdicia, there to build her wicked bowre.

There let her wonne farre from resort of men,iiWhere righteousArtegallher late exyled;There let her euer keepe her damned den,Where none may be with her lewd parts defyled,Nor none but beasts may be of her despoyled:And turne we to the noble Prince, where lateWe did him leaue, after that he had foyledThe cruell Souldan, and with dreadfull fateHad vtterly subuerted his vnrighteous state.

There let her wonne farre from resort of men,ii

Where righteousArtegallher late exyled;

There let her euer keepe her damned den,

Where none may be with her lewd parts defyled,

Nor none but beasts may be of her despoyled:

And turne we to the noble Prince, where late

We did him leaue, after that he had foyled

The cruell Souldan, and with dreadfull fate

Had vtterly subuerted his vnrighteous state.

Where hauing with SirArtegalla spaceiiiWell solast in that Souldans late delight,They both resoluing now to leaue the place,Both it and all the wealth therein behightVnto that Damzell in her Ladies right,And so would haue departed on their way.But she them woo’d by all the meanes she might,And earnestly besought, to wend that dayWith her, to see her Ladie thence not farre away.

Where hauing with SirArtegalla spaceiii

Well solast in that Souldans late delight,

They both resoluing now to leaue the place,

Both it and all the wealth therein behight

Vnto that Damzell in her Ladies right,

And so would haue departed on their way.

But she them woo’d by all the meanes she might,

And earnestly besought, to wend that day

With her, to see her Ladie thence not farre away.

By whose entreatie both they ouercommen,ivAgree to goe with her, and by the way,(As often falles) of sundry things did commen.Mongst which that Damzell did to them bewrayA straunge aduenture, which not farre thence lay;To weet a wicked villaine, bold and stout,Which wonned in a rocke not farre away,That robbed all the countrie there about,And brought the pillage home, whence none could get it out.

By whose entreatie both they ouercommen,iv

Agree to goe with her, and by the way,

(As often falles) of sundry things did commen.

Mongst which that Damzell did to them bewray

A straunge aduenture, which not farre thence lay;

To weet a wicked villaine, bold and stout,

Which wonned in a rocke not farre away,

That robbed all the countrie there about,

And brought the pillage home, whence none could get it out.

Thereto both his owne wylie wit, (she sayd)vAnd eke the fastnesse of his dwelling place,Both vnassaylable, gaue him great ayde:For he so crafty was to forge and face,So light of hand, and nymble of his pace,So smooth of tongue, and subtile in his tale,That could deceiue one looking in his face;Therefore by nameMalenginthey him call,Well knowen by his feates, and famous ouer all.

Thereto both his owne wylie wit, (she sayd)v

And eke the fastnesse of his dwelling place,

Both vnassaylable, gaue him great ayde:

For he so crafty was to forge and face,

So light of hand, and nymble of his pace,

So smooth of tongue, and subtile in his tale,

That could deceiue one looking in his face;

Therefore by nameMalenginthey him call,

Well knowen by his feates, and famous ouer all.

Through these his slights he many doth confound,viAnd eke the rocke, in which he wonts to dwell,Is wondrous strong, and hewen farre vnder groundA dreadfull depth, how deepe no man can tell;But some doe say, it goeth downe to hell.And all within, it full of wyndings is,And hidden wayes, that scarse an hound by smellCan follow out those false footsteps of his,Ne none can backe returne, that once are gone amis.

Through these his slights he many doth confound,vi

And eke the rocke, in which he wonts to dwell,

Is wondrous strong, and hewen farre vnder ground

A dreadfull depth, how deepe no man can tell;

But some doe say, it goeth downe to hell.

And all within, it full of wyndings is,

And hidden wayes, that scarse an hound by smell

Can follow out those false footsteps of his,

Ne none can backe returne, that once are gone amis.

Which when those knights had heard, their harts gan earne[332],viiTo vnderstand that villeins dwelling place,And greatly it desir’d of her to learne,And by which way they towards it should trace.Were not (sayd she) that it should let your paceTowards my Ladies presence by you ment,I would you guyde directly to the place.Then let not that (said they) stay your intent;For neither will one foot, till we that carle haue hent.

Which when those knights had heard, their harts gan earne[332],vii

To vnderstand that villeins dwelling place,

And greatly it desir’d of her to learne,

And by which way they towards it should trace.

Were not (sayd she) that it should let your pace

Towards my Ladies presence by you ment,

I would you guyde directly to the place.

Then let not that (said they) stay your intent;

For neither will one foot, till we that carle haue hent.

So forth they past, till they approched nyviiiVnto the rocke, where was the villains won,Which when the Damzell neare at hand did spy,She warn’d the knights thereof: who thereuponGan to aduize, what best were to be done.So both agreed, to send that mayd afore,Where she might sit nigh to the den alone,Wayling, and raysing pittifull vprore,As if she did some great calamitie deplore.

So forth they past, till they approched nyviii

Vnto the rocke, where was the villains won,

Which when the Damzell neare at hand did spy,

She warn’d the knights thereof: who thereupon

Gan to aduize, what best were to be done.

So both agreed, to send that mayd afore,

Where she might sit nigh to the den alone,

Wayling, and raysing pittifull vprore,

As if she did some great calamitie deplore.

With noyse whereof when as the caytiue carleixShould issue forth, in hope to find some spoyle,They in awayt would closely him ensnarle,Ere to his den he backward could recoyle,And so would hope him easily to foyle.The Damzell straight went, as she was directed,Vnto the rocke, and there vpon the soyleHauing her selfe in wretched wize abiected,Gan weepe and wayle, as if great griefe had her affected.

With noyse whereof when as the caytiue carleix

Should issue forth, in hope to find some spoyle,

They in awayt would closely him ensnarle,

Ere to his den he backward could recoyle,

And so would hope him easily to foyle.

The Damzell straight went, as she was directed,

Vnto the rocke, and there vpon the soyle

Hauing her selfe in wretched wize abiected,

Gan weepe and wayle, as if great griefe had her affected.

The cry whereof entring the hollow caue,xEftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment,With hope of her some wishfull boot to haue.Full dreadfull wight he was, as euer wentVpon the earth, with hollow eyes deepe pent,And long curld locks, that downe his shoulders shagged,And on his backe an vncouth vestimentMade of straunge[333]stuffe, but all to worne and ragged,And vnderneath his breech was all to torne and iagged.

The cry whereof entring the hollow caue,x

Eftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment,

With hope of her some wishfull boot to haue.

Full dreadfull wight he was, as euer went

Vpon the earth, with hollow eyes deepe pent,

And long curld locks, that downe his shoulders shagged,

And on his backe an vncouth vestiment

Made of straunge[333]stuffe, but all to worne and ragged,

And vnderneath his breech was all to torne and iagged.

And in his hand an huge long staffe he held,xiWhose top was arm’d with many an yron hooke,Fit to catch hold of all that he could weld,Or in the compasse of his clouches tooke;And euer round about he cast his looke.Als at his backe a great wyde net he bore,With which he seldome fished at the brooke,But vsd to fish for fooles on the dry shore,Of which he in faire weather wont to take great store.

And in his hand an huge long staffe he held,xi

Whose top was arm’d with many an yron hooke,

Fit to catch hold of all that he could weld,

Or in the compasse of his clouches tooke;

And euer round about he cast his looke.

Als at his backe a great wyde net he bore,

With which he seldome fished at the brooke,

But vsd to fish for fooles on the dry shore,

Of which he in faire weather wont to take great store.

Him when the damzell saw fast by her side,xiiSo vgly creature, she was nigh dismayd,And now for helpe aloud in earnest cride.But when the villaine saw her so affrayd,He gan with guilefull words her to perswade,To banish feare, and withSardoniansmyleLaughing on her, his false intent to shade,Gan forth to lay his bayte her to beguyle,That from her self vnwares he might her steale the whyle.

Him when the damzell saw fast by her side,xii

So vgly creature, she was nigh dismayd,

And now for helpe aloud in earnest cride.

But when the villaine saw her so affrayd,

He gan with guilefull words her to perswade,

To banish feare, and withSardoniansmyle

Laughing on her, his false intent to shade,

Gan forth to lay his bayte her to beguyle,

That from her self vnwares he might her steale the whyle.

Like as the fouler on his guilefull pypexiiiCharmes to the birds full many a pleasant lay,That they the whiles may take lesse heedie keepe,How he his nets doth for their ruine lay:So did the villaine to her prate and play,And many pleasant trickes before her show,To turne her eyes from his intent away:For he in slights and iugling feates did flow,And of legierdemayne the mysteries did know.

Like as the fouler on his guilefull pypexiii

Charmes to the birds full many a pleasant lay,

That they the whiles may take lesse heedie keepe,

How he his nets doth for their ruine lay:

So did the villaine to her prate and play,

And many pleasant trickes before her show,

To turne her eyes from his intent away:

For he in slights and iugling feates did flow,

And of legierdemayne the mysteries did know.

To which whilest she lent her intentiue mind,xivHe suddenly his net vpon her threw,That ouersprad her like a puffe of wind;And snatching her soone vp, ere well she knew,Ran with her fast away vnto his mew,Crying for helpe aloud. But when as nyHe came vnto his caue, and there did vewThe armed knights stopping his passage by,He threw his burden downe, and fast away did fly.

To which whilest she lent her intentiue mind,xiv

He suddenly his net vpon her threw,

That ouersprad her like a puffe of wind;

And snatching her soone vp, ere well she knew,

Ran with her fast away vnto his mew,

Crying for helpe aloud. But when as ny

He came vnto his caue, and there did vew

The armed knights stopping his passage by,

He threw his burden downe, and fast away did fly.

ButArtegallhim after did pursew,xvThe whiles the Prince there kept the entrance still:Vp to the rocke he ran, and thereon flewLike a wyld Gote, leaping from hill to hill,And dauncing on the craggy cliffes at will;That deadly daunger seem’d in all mens sight,To tempt such steps, where footing was so ill:Ne ought auayled for the armed knight,To thinke to follow him, that was so swift and light.

ButArtegallhim after did pursew,xv

The whiles the Prince there kept the entrance still:

Vp to the rocke he ran, and thereon flew

Like a wyld Gote, leaping from hill to hill,

And dauncing on the craggy cliffes at will;

That deadly daunger seem’d in all mens sight,

To tempt such steps, where footing was so ill:

Ne ought auayled for the armed knight,

To thinke to follow him, that was so swift and light.

Which when he saw, his yron man he sent,xviTo follow him; for he was swift in chace.He him pursewd, where euer that he went,Both ouer rockes, and hilles, and euery place,Where so he fled, he followd him apace:So that he shortly forst him to forsakeThe hight, and downe descend vnto the base.There he him courst a fresh, and soone did makeTo leaue his proper forme, and other shape to take.

Which when he saw, his yron man he sent,xvi

To follow him; for he was swift in chace.

He him pursewd, where euer that he went,

Both ouer rockes, and hilles, and euery place,

Where so he fled, he followd him apace:

So that he shortly forst him to forsake

The hight, and downe descend vnto the base.

There he him courst a fresh, and soone did make

To leaue his proper forme, and other shape to take.

Into a Foxe himselfe he first did tourne;xviiBut he him hunted like a Foxe full fast:Then to a bush himselfe he did transforme,But he the bush did beat, till that at lastInto a bird it chaung’d, and from him past,Flying from tree to tree, from wand to wand:But he then stones at it so long did cast,That like a stone it fell vpon the land,But he then tooke it vp, and held fast in his hand.

Into a Foxe himselfe he first did tourne;xvii

But he him hunted like a Foxe full fast:

Then to a bush himselfe he did transforme,

But he the bush did beat, till that at last

Into a bird it chaung’d, and from him past,

Flying from tree to tree, from wand to wand:

But he then stones at it so long did cast,

That like a stone it fell vpon the land,

But he then tooke it vp, and held fast in his hand.

So he it brought with him vnto the knights,xviiiAnd to his Lord SirArtegallit lent,Warning him hold it fast, for feare of slights.Who whilest in hand it gryping hard[334]he hent,Into a Hedgehogge all vnwares it went,And prickt him so, that he away it threw.Then gan it runne away incontinent,Being returned to his former hew:ButTalussoone him ouertooke, and backward drew.

So he it brought with him vnto the knights,xviii

And to his Lord SirArtegallit lent,

Warning him hold it fast, for feare of slights.

Who whilest in hand it gryping hard[334]he hent,

Into a Hedgehogge all vnwares it went,

And prickt him so, that he away it threw.

Then gan it runne away incontinent,

Being returned to his former hew:

ButTalussoone him ouertooke, and backward drew.

But when as he would to a snake againexixHaue turn’d himselfe, he with his yron flayleGan driue at him, with so huge might and maine,That all his bones, as small as sandy grayleHe broke, and did his bowels disentrayle;Crying in vaine for helpe, when helpe was past.So did deceipt the selfe deceiuer fayle,There they him left a carrion outcast;For beasts and foules to feede vpon for their repast.

But when as he would to a snake againexix

Haue turn’d himselfe, he with his yron flayle

Gan driue at him, with so huge might and maine,

That all his bones, as small as sandy grayle

He broke, and did his bowels disentrayle;

Crying in vaine for helpe, when helpe was past.

So did deceipt the selfe deceiuer fayle,

There they him left a carrion outcast;

For beasts and foules to feede vpon for their repast.

Thence forth they passed with that gentle Mayd,xxTo see her Ladie, as they did agree.To which when she approched, thus she sayd;Loe now, right noble knights, arriu’d ye beeNigh to the place, which ye desir’d to see:There shall ye see my souerayne Lady QueeneMost sacred wight, most debonayre and free,That euer yet vpon this earth was seene,Or that with Diademe hath euer crowned beene.

Thence forth they passed with that gentle Mayd,xx

To see her Ladie, as they did agree.

To which when she approched, thus she sayd;

Loe now, right noble knights, arriu’d ye bee

Nigh to the place, which ye desir’d to see:

There shall ye see my souerayne Lady Queene

Most sacred wight, most debonayre and free,

That euer yet vpon this earth was seene,

Or that with Diademe hath euer crowned beene.

The gentle knights reioyced much to hearexxiThe prayses of that Prince so manifold,And passing litle further, commen were,Where they a stately pallace did behold,Of pompous show, much more then she had told;With many towres, and tarras mounted hye,And all their tops bright glistering with gold,That seemed to outshine the dimmed skye,And with their brightnesse daz’d the straunge beholders eye.

The gentle knights reioyced much to hearexxi

The prayses of that Prince so manifold,

And passing litle further, commen were,

Where they a stately pallace did behold,

Of pompous show, much more then she had told;

With many towres, and tarras mounted hye,

And all their tops bright glistering with gold,

That seemed to outshine the dimmed skye,

And with their brightnesse daz’d the straunge beholders eye.

There they alighting, by that Damzell werexxiiDirected in, and shewed all the sight:Whose porch, that most magnificke did appeare,Stood open wyde to all men day and night;Yet warded well by one of mickle might,That sate thereby, with gyantlike resemblance,To keepe out guyle, and malice, and despight,That vnder shew oftimes[335]of fayned semblance,Are wont in Princes courts to worke great scath and hindrance.

There they alighting, by that Damzell werexxii

Directed in, and shewed all the sight:

Whose porch, that most magnificke did appeare,

Stood open wyde to all men day and night;

Yet warded well by one of mickle might,

That sate thereby, with gyantlike resemblance,

To keepe out guyle, and malice, and despight,

That vnder shew oftimes[335]of fayned semblance,

Are wont in Princes courts to worke great scath and hindrance.

His name wasAwe; by whom they passing inxxiiiWent vp the hall, that was a large wyde roome,All full of people making troublous din,And wondrous noyse, as if that there were some,Which vnto them was dealing righteous doome.By whom they passing, through the thickest preasse,The marshall of the hall to them did come;His name hightOrder, who commaunding peace,Them guyded through the throng, that did their clamors ceasse.

His name wasAwe; by whom they passing inxxiii

Went vp the hall, that was a large wyde roome,

All full of people making troublous din,

And wondrous noyse, as if that there were some,

Which vnto them was dealing righteous doome.

By whom they passing, through the thickest preasse,

The marshall of the hall to them did come;

His name hightOrder, who commaunding peace,

Them guyded through the throng, that did their clamors ceasse.

They ceast their clamors vpon them to gaze;xxivWhom seeing all in armour bright as day,Straunge there to see, it did them much amaze,And with vnwonted terror halfe affray.For neuer saw they there the like array,Ne euer was the name of warre there spoken,But ioyous peace and quietnesse alway,Dealing iust iudgements, that mote not be brokenFor any brybes, or threates of any to be wroken.

They ceast their clamors vpon them to gaze;xxiv

Whom seeing all in armour bright as day,

Straunge there to see, it did them much amaze,

And with vnwonted terror halfe affray.

For neuer saw they there the like array,

Ne euer was the name of warre there spoken,

But ioyous peace and quietnesse alway,

Dealing iust iudgements, that mote not be broken

For any brybes, or threates of any to be wroken.

There as they entred at the Scriene, they sawxxvSome one, whose tongue was for his trespasse vyleNayld to a post, adiudged so by law:For that therewith he falsely did reuyle,And foule blaspheme that Queene for forged guyle,Both with bold speaches, which he blazed had,And with lewd poems, which he did compyle;For the bold title of a Poet badHe on himselfe had ta’en, and rayling rymes had sprad.

There as they entred at the Scriene, they sawxxv

Some one, whose tongue was for his trespasse vyle

Nayld to a post, adiudged so by law:

For that therewith he falsely did reuyle,

And foule blaspheme that Queene for forged guyle,

Both with bold speaches, which he blazed had,

And with lewd poems, which he did compyle;

For the bold title of a Poet bad

He on himselfe had ta’en, and rayling rymes had sprad.

Thus there he stood, whylest high ouer his head,xxviThere written was the purport of his sin,In cyphers strange, that few could rightly read,BON FONT[336]: butbonthat once had written bin,Was raced out, andMalwas now put in.So nowMalfontwas plainely to be red;Eyther for th’euill, which he did therein,Or that he likened was to a welhedOf euill words, and wicked sclaunders[337]by him shed.

Thus there he stood, whylest high ouer his head,xxvi

There written was the purport of his sin,

In cyphers strange, that few could rightly read,

BON FONT[336]: butbonthat once had written bin,

Was raced out, andMalwas now put in.

So nowMalfontwas plainely to be red;

Eyther for th’euill, which he did therein,

Or that he likened was to a welhed

Of euill words, and wicked sclaunders[337]by him shed.

They passing by, were guyded by degreexxviiVnto the presence of that gratious Queene:Who sate on high, that she might all men see,And might of all men royally be seene,Vpon a throne of gold full bright and sheene,Adorned all with gemmes of endlesse price,As either might for wealth haue gotten bene,Or could be fram’d by workmans rare deuice;And all embost with Lyons and with Flourdelice.

They passing by, were guyded by degreexxvii

Vnto the presence of that gratious Queene:

Who sate on high, that she might all men see,

And might of all men royally be seene,

Vpon a throne of gold full bright and sheene,

Adorned all with gemmes of endlesse price,

As either might for wealth haue gotten bene,

Or could be fram’d by workmans rare deuice;

And all embost with Lyons and with Flourdelice.

All ouer her a cloth of state was spred,xxviiiNot of rich tissew, nor of cloth of gold,Nor of ought else, that may be richest red,But like a cloud, as likest may be told,That her brode spreading wings did wyde vnfold;Whose skirts were bordred with bright sunny beams,Glistring like gold, amongst the plights enrold,And here and there shooting forth siluer streames,Mongst which crept litle Angels through the glittering gleames.

All ouer her a cloth of state was spred,xxviii

Not of rich tissew, nor of cloth of gold,

Nor of ought else, that may be richest red,

But like a cloud, as likest may be told,

That her brode spreading wings did wyde vnfold;

Whose skirts were bordred with bright sunny beams,

Glistring like gold, amongst the plights enrold,

And here and there shooting forth siluer streames,

Mongst which crept litle Angels through the glittering gleames.

Seemed those litle Angels did vpholdxxixThe cloth of state, and on their purpled wingsDid beare the pendants, through their nimblesse bold:Besides a thousand more of such, as singsHymnes to high God, and carols heauenly things,Encompassed the throne, on which she sate:She Angel-like, the heyre of ancient kingsAnd mightie Conquerors, in royall state,Whylest kings and kesars at her feet did them prostrate.

Seemed those litle Angels did vpholdxxix

The cloth of state, and on their purpled wings

Did beare the pendants, through their nimblesse bold:

Besides a thousand more of such, as sings

Hymnes to high God, and carols heauenly things,

Encompassed the throne, on which she sate:

She Angel-like, the heyre of ancient kings

And mightie Conquerors, in royall state,

Whylest kings and kesars at her feet did them prostrate.

Thus she did sit in souerayne Maiestie,xxxHolding a Scepter in her royall hand,The sacred pledge of peace and clemencie,With which high God had blest her happie land,Maugre so many foes, which did withstand.But at her feet her sword was likewise layde,Whose long rest rusted the bright steely brand;Yet when as foes enforst, or friends sought ayde,She could it sternely draw, that all the world dismayde.

Thus she did sit in souerayne Maiestie,xxx

Holding a Scepter in her royall hand,

The sacred pledge of peace and clemencie,

With which high God had blest her happie land,

Maugre so many foes, which did withstand.

But at her feet her sword was likewise layde,

Whose long rest rusted the bright steely brand;

Yet when as foes enforst, or friends sought ayde,

She could it sternely draw, that all the world dismayde.

And round about, before her feet there satexxxiA beuie of faire Virgins clad in white,That goodly seem’d t’adorne her royall state,All louely daughters of highIoue, that hight[338]Litæ,[339]by him begot in loues delight,Vpon the righteousThemis: those they sayVponIouesiudgement seat wayt day and night,And when in wrath he threats the worlds decay,They doe his anger calme, and cruell vengeance stay.

And round about, before her feet there satexxxi

A beuie of faire Virgins clad in white,

That goodly seem’d t’adorne her royall state,

All louely daughters of highIoue, that hight[338]

Litæ,[339]by him begot in loues delight,

Vpon the righteousThemis: those they say

VponIouesiudgement seat wayt day and night,

And when in wrath he threats the worlds decay,

They doe his anger calme, and cruell vengeance stay.

They also doe by his diuine permissionxxxiiVpon the thrones of mortall Princes tend,And often treat for pardon and remissionTo suppliants, through frayltie which offend.Those did vponMercillaesthrone attend:IustDice, wiseEunomie, myldEirene,And them amongst, her glorie to commend,Sate goodlyTemperancein garments clene,And sacredReuerence, yborne of heauenly strene.

They also doe by his diuine permissionxxxii

Vpon the thrones of mortall Princes tend,

And often treat for pardon and remission

To suppliants, through frayltie which offend.

Those did vponMercillaesthrone attend:

IustDice, wiseEunomie, myldEirene,

And them amongst, her glorie to commend,

Sate goodlyTemperancein garments clene,

And sacredReuerence, yborne of heauenly strene.

Thus did she sit in royall rich estate,xxxiiiAdmyr’d of many, honoured of all,Whylest vnderneath her feete, there as she sate,An huge great Lyon lay, that mote appallAn hardie courage, like captiued thrall,With a strong yron chaine and coller bound,That once he could not moue, nor quich at all;Yet did he murmure with rebellious[340]sound,And softly royne, when saluage choler gan redound.

Thus did she sit in royall rich estate,xxxiii

Admyr’d of many, honoured of all,

Whylest vnderneath her feete, there as she sate,

An huge great Lyon lay, that mote appall

An hardie courage, like captiued thrall,

With a strong yron chaine and coller bound,

That once he could not moue, nor quich at all;

Yet did he murmure with rebellious[340]sound,

And softly royne, when saluage choler gan redound.

So sitting high in dreaded souerayntie,xxxivThose two strange knights were to her presence brought;Who bowing low before her Maiestie,Did to her myld obeysance, as they ought,And meekest boone, that they imagine mought.To whom she eke inclyning her withall,As a faire stoupe of her high soaring thought,A chearefull countenance on them let fall,Yet tempred with some maiestie imperiall.

So sitting high in dreaded souerayntie,xxxiv

Those two strange knights were to her presence brought;

Who bowing low before her Maiestie,

Did to her myld obeysance, as they ought,

And meekest boone, that they imagine mought.

To whom she eke inclyning her withall,

As a faire stoupe of her high soaring thought,

A chearefull countenance on them let fall,

Yet tempred with some maiestie imperiall.

As the bright sunne, what time his fierie temexxxvTowards the westerne brim begins to draw,Gins to abate the brightnesse of his beme,And feruour of his flames somewhat adaw:So did this mightie Ladie, when she sawThose two strange knights such homage to her make,Bate somewhat of that Maiestie and awe,That whylome wont to doe so many quake,And with more myld aspect those two to entertake.

As the bright sunne, what time his fierie temexxxv

Towards the westerne brim begins to draw,

Gins to abate the brightnesse of his beme,

And feruour of his flames somewhat adaw:

So did this mightie Ladie, when she saw

Those two strange knights such homage to her make,

Bate somewhat of that Maiestie and awe,

That whylome wont to doe so many quake,

And with more myld aspect those two to entertake.

Now at that instant, as occasion fell,xxxviWhen these two stranger knights arriv’d in place,She was about affaires of common wele,Dealing of Iustice with indifferent grace,And hearing pleas of people meane and base.Mongst which as then, there was for to be heardThe tryall of a great and weightie case,Which on both sides was then debating hard:But at the sight of these, those were a while debard.

Now at that instant, as occasion fell,xxxvi

When these two stranger knights arriv’d in place,

She was about affaires of common wele,

Dealing of Iustice with indifferent grace,

And hearing pleas of people meane and base.

Mongst which as then, there was for to be heard

The tryall of a great and weightie case,

Which on both sides was then debating hard:

But at the sight of these, those were a while debard.

But after all her princely entertayne,xxxviiTo th’hearing of that former cause in hand,Her selfe eftsoones she gan conuert againe;Which that those knights likewise mote vnderstand,And witnesse forth aright in forrain land,Taking them vp vnto her stately throne,Where they mote heare the matter throughly scandOn either part, she placed th’one on th’one,The other on the other side, and neare them none.

But after all her princely entertayne,xxxvii

To th’hearing of that former cause in hand,

Her selfe eftsoones she gan conuert againe;

Which that those knights likewise mote vnderstand,

And witnesse forth aright in forrain land,

Taking them vp vnto her stately throne,

Where they mote heare the matter throughly scand

On either part, she placed th’one on th’one,

The other on the other side, and neare them none.

Then was there brought, as prisoner to the barre,xxxviiiA Ladie of great countenance and place,But that she it with foule abuse did marre;Yet did appeare rare beautie in her face,But blotted with condition vile and base,That all her other honour did obscure,And titles of nobilitie deface:Yet in that wretched semblant, she did sureThe peoples great compassion vnto her allure.

Then was there brought, as prisoner to the barre,xxxviii

A Ladie of great countenance and place,

But that she it with foule abuse did marre;

Yet did appeare rare beautie in her face,

But blotted with condition vile and base,

That all her other honour did obscure,

And titles of nobilitie deface:

Yet in that wretched semblant, she did sure

The peoples great compassion vnto her allure.

Then vp arose a person of deepe reach,xxxixAnd rare in-sight, hard matters to reuele;That well could charme his tongue, and time his speachTo all assayes; his name was calledZele:He gan that Ladie strongly to appeleOf many haynous crymes, by her enured,And with sharpe reasons rang her such a pele,That those, whom she to pitie had allured,He now t’abhorre and loath her person had procured.

Then vp arose a person of deepe reach,xxxix

And rare in-sight, hard matters to reuele;

That well could charme his tongue, and time his speach

To all assayes; his name was calledZele:

He gan that Ladie strongly to appele

Of many haynous crymes, by her enured,

And with sharpe reasons rang her such a pele,

That those, whom she to pitie had allured,

He now t’abhorre and loath her person had procured.

First gan he tell, how this that seem’d so fairexlAnd royally arayd,DuessahightThat falseDuessa, which had wrought great care,And mickle mischiefe vnto many a knight,By her beguyled, and confounded quight:But not for those she now in question came,Though also those mote question’d be aright,But for vyld treasons, and outrageous shame,Which she against the dredMercillaoft did frame.

First gan he tell, how this that seem’d so fairexl

And royally arayd,Duessahight

That falseDuessa, which had wrought great care,

And mickle mischiefe vnto many a knight,

By her beguyled, and confounded quight:

But not for those she now in question came,

Though also those mote question’d be aright,

But for vyld treasons, and outrageous shame,

Which she against the dredMercillaoft did frame.

For she whylome (as ye mote yet right wellxliRemember) had her counsels false conspyred,With faithlesseBlandamourandParidell,(Both two her paramours, both by her hyred,And both with hope of shadowes vaine inspyred,)And with them practiz’d, how for to depryueMercillaof her crowne, by her aspyred,That she might it vnto her selfe deryue,And tryumph in their blood, whom she to death did dryue.

For she whylome (as ye mote yet right wellxli

Remember) had her counsels false conspyred,

With faithlesseBlandamourandParidell,

(Both two her paramours, both by her hyred,

And both with hope of shadowes vaine inspyred,)

And with them practiz’d, how for to depryue

Mercillaof her crowne, by her aspyred,

That she might it vnto her selfe deryue,

And tryumph in their blood, whom she to death did dryue.

But through high heauens grace, which fauour notxliiThe wicked driftes of trayterous desynes,Gainst loiall Princes, all this cursed plot,Ere proofe it tooke, discouered was betymes,And th’actours won the meede meet for their crymes.Such be the meede of all, that by such meneVnto the type of kingdomes title clymes.But falseDuessanow vntitled Queene,Was brought to her sad doome, as here was to be seene.

But through high heauens grace, which fauour notxlii

The wicked driftes of trayterous desynes,

Gainst loiall Princes, all this cursed plot,

Ere proofe it tooke, discouered was betymes,

And th’actours won the meede meet for their crymes.

Such be the meede of all, that by such mene

Vnto the type of kingdomes title clymes.

But falseDuessanow vntitled Queene,

Was brought to her sad doome, as here was to be seene.

Strongly didZeleher haynous fact enforce,xliiiAnd many other crimes of foule defameAgainst her brought, to banish all remorse,And aggrauate the horror of her blame.And with him to make part against her, cameMany graue persons, that against her pled;First was a sage old Syre, that had to nameTheKingdomes care, with a white siluer hed,That many high regards and reasons gainst her red.

Strongly didZeleher haynous fact enforce,xliii

And many other crimes of foule defame

Against her brought, to banish all remorse,

And aggrauate the horror of her blame.

And with him to make part against her, came

Many graue persons, that against her pled;

First was a sage old Syre, that had to name

TheKingdomes care, with a white siluer hed,

That many high regards and reasons gainst her red.

Then ganAuthorityher to appose[341]xlivWith peremptorie powre, that made all mute;And then the law ofNationsgainst her rose,And reasons brought, that no man could refute;Next ganReligiongainst her to imputeHigh Gods beheast, and powre of holy lawes;Then gan the Peoples cry and Commons sute,Importune care of their owne publicke cause;And lastlyIusticecharged her with breach of lawes.

Then ganAuthorityher to appose[341]xliv

With peremptorie powre, that made all mute;

And then the law ofNationsgainst her rose,

And reasons brought, that no man could refute;

Next ganReligiongainst her to impute

High Gods beheast, and powre of holy lawes;

Then gan the Peoples cry and Commons sute,

Importune care of their owne publicke cause;

And lastlyIusticecharged her with breach of lawes.

But then for her, on the contrarie part,xlvRose many aduocates for her to plead:First there camePittie, with full tender hart,And with her ioyn’dRegardof womanhead;And then cameDaungerthreatning hidden dread,And high alliance vnto forren powre;Then cameNobilitie[342]of birth, that breadGreat ruth through her misfortunes tragicke stowre;And lastlyGriefe[343]did plead, and many teares forth powre.

But then for her, on the contrarie part,xlv

Rose many aduocates for her to plead:

First there camePittie, with full tender hart,

And with her ioyn’dRegardof womanhead;

And then cameDaungerthreatning hidden dread,

And high alliance vnto forren powre;

Then cameNobilitie[342]of birth, that bread

Great ruth through her misfortunes tragicke stowre;

And lastlyGriefe[343]did plead, and many teares forth powre.

With the neare touch whereof in tender hartxlviThe Briton Prince was sore empassionate,And woxe inclined much vnto her part,Through the sad terror of so dreadfull fate,And wretched ruine of so high estate,That for great ruth his courage gan relent.Which when asZeleperceiued to abate,He gan his earnest feruour to augment,And many fearefull obiects to them to present.

With the neare touch whereof in tender hartxlvi

The Briton Prince was sore empassionate,

And woxe inclined much vnto her part,

Through the sad terror of so dreadfull fate,

And wretched ruine of so high estate,

That for great ruth his courage gan relent.

Which when asZeleperceiued to abate,

He gan his earnest feruour to augment,

And many fearefull obiects to them to present.

He gan t’efforce the euidence anew,xlviiAnd new accusements to produce in place:He brought forth that old hag of hellish hew,The cursedAte, brought her face to face,Who priuie was, and partie in the case:She, glad of spoyle and ruinous decay,Did her appeach, and to her more disgrace,The plot of all her practise did display,And all her traynes, and all her treasons forth did lay.

He gan t’efforce the euidence anew,xlvii

And new accusements to produce in place:

He brought forth that old hag of hellish hew,

The cursedAte, brought her face to face,

Who priuie was, and partie in the case:

She, glad of spoyle and ruinous decay,

Did her appeach, and to her more disgrace,

The plot of all her practise did display,

And all her traynes, and all her treasons forth did lay.

Then brought he forth, with griesly grim aspect,xlviiiAbhorredMurder, who with bloudie knyfeYet dropping fresh in hand did her detect,And there with guiltie bloodshed charged ryfe:Then brought he forthSedition, breeding stryfeIn troublous wits, and mutinous vprore:Then brought he forthIncontinenceof lyfe,Euen fouleAdulterieher face before,And lewdImpietie, that her accused sore.

Then brought he forth, with griesly grim aspect,xlviii

AbhorredMurder, who with bloudie knyfe

Yet dropping fresh in hand did her detect,

And there with guiltie bloodshed charged ryfe:

Then brought he forthSedition, breeding stryfe

In troublous wits, and mutinous vprore:

Then brought he forthIncontinenceof lyfe,

Euen fouleAdulterieher face before,

And lewdImpietie, that her accused sore.

All which when as the Prince had heard and seene,xlixHis former fancies ruth he gan repent,And from her partie eftsoones was drawen cleene.ButArtegallwith constant firme intent,For zeale of Iustice was against her bent.So was she guiltie deemed of them all.ThenZelebegan to vrge her punishment,And to their Queene for iudgement loudly call,VntoMercillamyld for Iustice gainst the thrall.

All which when as the Prince had heard and seene,xlix

His former fancies ruth he gan repent,

And from her partie eftsoones was drawen cleene.

ButArtegallwith constant firme intent,

For zeale of Iustice was against her bent.

So was she guiltie deemed of them all.

ThenZelebegan to vrge her punishment,

And to their Queene for iudgement loudly call,

VntoMercillamyld for Iustice gainst the thrall.

But she, whose Princely breast was touched nerelWith piteous ruth of her so wretched plight,Though plaine she saw by all, that she did heare,That she of death was guiltie found by right,Yet would not let iust vengeance on her light;But rather let in stead thereof to fallFew perling drops from her faire lampes of light;The which she couering with her purple pallWould haue the passion hid, and vp arose withall.

But she, whose Princely breast was touched nerel

With piteous ruth of her so wretched plight,

Though plaine she saw by all, that she did heare,

That she of death was guiltie found by right,

Yet would not let iust vengeance on her light;

But rather let in stead thereof to fall

Few perling drops from her faire lampes of light;

The which she couering with her purple pall

Would haue the passion hid, and vp arose withall.

FOOTNOTES:[332]vii 1 yearne1609[333]x 8 strange1609 passim[334]xviii 4 hard] hart1596[335]xxii 8 oft-times1609[336]xxvi 4 FONS1596,1609[337]9 slanders1609 passim[338]xxxi 4 hight,1596[339]5Litæ1596[340]xxxiii 8 rebellions1596[341]xliv 1 oppose1609[342]xlv 7 Nobilitie1596[343]9 Griefe1596

[332]vii 1 yearne1609

[333]x 8 strange1609 passim

[334]xviii 4 hard] hart1596

[335]xxii 8 oft-times1609

[336]xxvi 4 FONS1596,1609

[337]9 slanders1609 passim

[338]xxxi 4 hight,1596

[339]5Litæ1596

[340]xxxiii 8 rebellions1596

[341]xliv 1 oppose1609

[342]xlv 7 Nobilitie1596

[343]9 Griefe1596

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